Author's note: After being accidentally deleted, this chapter was completely rewritten at 2am. Sorry if this chapter seems pretty rushed.

Back to the story*

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Adrian was woken up by the sound and action of Brody stirring in his sleep right next to him. Adrian ignored the sunlight in the room as he gently started shaking Brody awake, trying to get him out of the nightmare.

Brody's eyes shot up as he seemed to gain consciousness. Sitting up, his breathing became heavy and his t-shirt was soaked in sweat. Brody tried gather his bearing as he tried to slow down his heart rate. "W-what? W-where am I?"

Adrian sat up by his side and tried to think about what to do next. He recognised that Brody may be suffering an anxiety attack, and Adrian wasn't going to touch him in case he made his anxiety worse - even if he so desperately wanted to hold Brody.

Adrian spoke so softly to Brody that it was barely a whisper. "Brody, you're in your room with me. It's just us."

Brody nodded along but none of his expressions, words or action even showed that he understood him. He was just lost, dazed, and panicking in his own mind.

Adrian remembered the grounding technique that helps deal with anxiety attacks. "Brody, listen to me. Tell me 5 things you can see."

Taking his time, Brody managed to slowly control his breathing a little bit, just enough to start listing things out. "This blanket, I see you, my clothes, the clock, and my parent's photo."

"4 things you can feel."

Brody reached around the bed, trying to grab things and feel something. "My bed feels soft, your hand is warm, my clothes are sweaty, and Elly."

Adrian was starting to feel a sense of relief as Brody was coming back to him. "3 things you can hear."

Listening out for things, Brody managed to name 3 things he could hear. "The car outside, the clock ticking, and you talking to me."

Adrian nodded to himself as he knew Brody was almost there. "2 things you can smell, what are they Brody?"

Brody nodded as he tried to think of things for the question. "I can smell your aftershave, it's really nice. And your clothes, they smell good too."

Already knowing what the last one was, Brody described the 1 thing he can taste by pulling Adrian's hand and kissing it. "You."

Relief washed over him as Adrian went in and gave Brody a long needed hug. Holding him closely, Adrian could feel Brody starting to calm down as his boyfriend was coming back to him. The hug was long, and Brody wasn't letting go just yet.

"It may be worse than I thought." Brody whispered.

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Soon enough, Brody was ready to let go of his hold on Adrian. So Adrian went into the bathroom and grabbed a wet towel to wipe the sweat of Brody.

"Thanks."

Adrian was gently rubbing the cloth against Brody's warm and wet skin, taking his time and being patient when giving Brody some needed thinking space. "You want to talk about it?"

Brody was quick to decline. "Not really."

Still wiping his arms, Brody stopped Adrian and held his hand as he was about to ask him something. "Please don't tell Ashley about this, I don't want anyone to worry?"

Adrian wasn't comfortable with this, it was clear to him that Brody was struggling and that Ashley should at least know. "So how come you told me when you live with Ashley?"

Any emotions were void when Brody explained. "You found out."

Adrian heart was breaking, knowing that Brody would rather choose to bottle it all in and hide the pain he was suffering from everyone.

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Later in the evening, they were both still alone in Brody's room when Ashley knocked on the door.

After being invited in, Ashley popped her head in. "Guys we bought pizza, you want some?"

Looking at Brody, Adrian watched him shake his head. "Maybe you can save us some for later?" If he didn't want to eat now, Adrian was going to make sure he would eat later.

"Okay, well let me know if there's anything else?" Ashley quietly shut the door behind her after seeing Brody nod his head.

They were still holding each other when Adrian asked if Brody wanted to do something to help take his mind of things. "We can play cards or something, or I can get you a book?"

Brody shook his head as he just wanted to stay like how they were now, not in the mood to do anything else. "I'm good for now, thanks anyway."

Adrian nodded as he seemed to accept that the peace and quiet seemed to be good enough for Brody. If that was how Brody wanted to pass the time, then Adrian would help him.

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Hours went by and it was getting dark. Brody was watching the clock and he knew Adrian was probably going home soon. This was proven right when Adrian brought up the fact that it was getting late.

"You can go home Adrian, I'll be fine." Brody lies, not wanting to take up all of Adrian's time.

Adrian disagreed as he knew Brody was still struggling with everything, completely doubting what Brody had just said. "Brody, I know you're not fine right now. I was trying to see if you would let me stay here tonight."

Brody was still silent so Adrian then explained, "I'll text my mom and let her know right now."

Brody spoke out in a gentle whisper, humble that Adrian would stay by his side. "Thank you."

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