????? ?????~~ -- sokeefe oneshots

Inspo -hanisreading-
Sorry for not updating, I'm doing this in secret

Keefe had barely stepped through the apartment door when he heard it—shallow, uneven breathing, like someone was struggling for air. His heart plummeted as he rushed inside.

Sophie was curled up on the floor, her back against the wall, arms wrapped around her knees. Her chest was rising and falling way too fast, her eyes squeezed shut, her whole body trembling.

Keefe dropped to his knees beside her in an instant. "Foster?" His voice was soft but urgent. "Hey, hey, talk to me. What's wrong?"

She flinched at the sound of his voice, like she hadn't even realized he was there. Her hands gripped her shirt tightly, her nails digging into the fabric.

"I can't—I can't breathe—" she gasped, her voice shaky and broken.

Keefe's stomach twisted. He knew this. He'd seen this before.

It was a panic attack.

"Okay, okay, just focus on me, alright?" His hands hovered over her arms, unsure if she wanted to be touched. "You're safe. I'm here."

Her eyes darted around the room, unfocused and wide with panic.

"Sophie, look at me." His voice was firmer now, but still gentle. He needed to ground her, bring her back. "Can you copy my breathing? Okay? In for four—*" He inhaled slowly. "Hold—" He waited a beat. "And out for four."

Sophie tried. She really did. But the air barely filled her lungs before it came out in a sharp, panicked gasp.

"I can't, Keefe—" Her voice cracked, her fingers clutching at her chest. "I—something's wrong, I can't—"

Keefe didn't think. He just reached for her hands, prying them away from where she was digging them into her arms.

"Hey. You're not alone. Just focus on me, okay?" He placed one of her hands on his chest, right over his heart. "Feel that? Match my breathing, Soph."

She squeezed her eyes shut again, but after a few seconds, her hand pressed against him a little harder, as if trying to sync with him.

Keefe kept going. "You're okay. You're not dying. Your brain is just playing tricks on you. I promise, you're safe."

Her breathing was still shaky, still uneven, but it was slowing. Keefe felt the tension in her fingers ease just a little.

"That's it," he murmured, rubbing soothing circles on her back. "Just keep going, Foster. I'm not leaving."

After what felt like forever, her breathing evened out enough for her to open her eyes. They were still glassy, still full of exhaustion, but the raw panic was fading.

She swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "I hate this."

Keefe let out a breath of his own. "I know. But you're okay now.*"

Sophie blinked up at him, her gaze softening. Then, without a word, she buried her face into his shoulder.

Keefe immediately wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in close. "I got you, Foster." He kissed the top of her head, his voice barely a whisper. "I always do."