I’ll Help You Breathe, Baby
Pairing: EXO: Sehun/Luhan
Genre: Angst, Fluff
Rating: PG-13
Length: Oneshot
Word count: 1.5k
Friendly warning: As per usual, try not to choke on the absurd amounts of fluff.
When Luhan was fifteen, he went to a concert.
It was his first time attending one, and as far as concert-going experiences go, it wasn’t a great one. It was that night that Luhan had either discovered or developed slightly claustrophobic tendencies. It’s not something that he always thinks about, it’s not serious enough to be a prominent part of his life. But he still remembered.
On that night, soon after the first few chords has sounded, how he was dragged along as the crowd surged forward. He started feeling his lungs close in on him and the panic consume him as he struggled to pull breath in. The crowd came alive as the music did, but all Luhan felt were bodies crushed against his, pressing tighter. He felt everything sucking him in, stealing the air from his vicinity.
Tighter, closer.
He had gasped for air, his erratic breathing not helping. Soon the panic had taken over and his fear banished any rational thinking from his mind. He felt trapped and breathless, the tears just adding to his turmoil as his vision was impaired.
Thankfully somebody near him called for help and he was soon pulled out.
Luhan couldn’t remember much of what happened afterwards though, he was told he was taken home and was in a nearly catatonic state until he eventually passed out from exhaustion.
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Now Luhan was eighteen, and Sehun, his completely adorable boyfriend, had bought them tickets for a concert. For the same group, three years down the line.
When the other boy had presented him with the tickets on his birthday, his eyes were crinkled into small crescents and there was a tiny overjoyed grin stretching his lips. Luhan had swallowed the anxiety that had surfaced as the memories hit him and plastered a smile on his face. Sehun didn’t even like the group, but he looked so happy having got them for his beloved hyung. He could do this.
He’d never told Sehun about his slight claustrophobia, only that he’d passed out near the beginning, his bad concert experience hadn’t at all stemmed his love for the group and their music though, so it was a sweet gesture on Sehun’s part. Plus, his claustrophobia wasn’t that bad. He would manage.
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Luhan could already feel the cold sweat on his back, it felt different this time because he knew he was scared, he knew what happened last time. There wasn’t even any pressure yet and he was swallowing nervously, they were fairly near the front and everyone was just packing in, claiming the best vantage points. Sehun was stood behind him with his long arms wrapped around his midriff, so he couldn’t see Luhan’s eyes darting left and right, judging how much air would be his to breathe in. It was hot and sweaty even though they’d only been inside for thirty minutes or so. The scheduled start time was drawing nearer and he was feeling more and more like he was a sardine trapped in a tin.
Suddenly a chord sang out from an electric guitar and the crowd moved like one great sea creature towards the stage, Luhan clenched his jaw and moved with them, only calming slightly when they all realised it was just soundcheck.Luhan was breathing heavily though his nose, forcing air in, out, in, out, in, out. He looked down at his hands and they were already shaking.
Closing his eyes for a second he made a decision. He really couldn’t do this. He placed his trembling hand over Sehun’s and tugged lightly.
Sehun who had noticed the trembles before he felt the tug, moved to turn his smaller boyfriend to face him. “Lu?” His lips were pursed in concern, which only grew when he finally saw Luhan’s ashen face.
“I-I can’t do it Sehun-ah.” Eyes darting left, right, down, at Sehun’s face and back down.
The concert hadn’t even started and he was trembling like a child.
“Lu? Can’t do what?” Luhan took a few deep breaths, “Can you not breathe, Lu?” Sehun’s hands were cupping his face gently, and they were cooler against his heated flesh.
“I’m… j-just kind of a little claustrophobic, I thought I c-could handle it but I really, really can’t.” A small test of the drums caused another wave of movement through the crowd, and Sehun watched Luhan’s face become paler and his shaking hands come up to clutch at Sehun’s as the pressure increased from all sides, the fans desperate to get closer. His breathing quickened drastically and there was no way that Sehun was going to stand by and watch Luhan have a panic attack.
“Fuck.” Sehun held Luhan close whilst creating a small space between them so Luhan didn’t feel so trapped. “It’s okay baby, it’s okay.” He murmured when Luhan’s breathing picked up speed again, not entirely sure which of them he was reassuring, he then glanced around and pinpointed the exits, “Let’s get you out of here okay?” Luhan was clenching his jaw again to calm himself in some way, to no avail. Sehun’s hands were strong and reassuring against him, so he let himself be led out, squeezing his eyes shut when they got caught in another wave.
Only when they had passed through one of the swinging doors out of the hall could Luhan breathe slightly easier. His hands still had a death grip on Sehun’s t-shirt, and were still visibly quivering. Sehun was doing his best to calm him, whispering soothing comforts in his ear, and rubbing large circles across his back.
It was a good ten minutes more before Luhan could let go of Sehun’s clothes, feeling a pang of guilt at the rumpled and stretched fabric. “I’m sorry Sehunnie, you, you just looked so excited about getting them for me, and I really thought I could do it.” Luhan was talking to the floor, feeling all sorts of pathetic, the concert hadn’t even started.
When it was clear that Luhan could breathe again, Sehun pulled the shaken boy back against him. “You should’ve just told me Xiao Lu, forget the tickets, I’m just worried about you.” He mumbled into his hair, “Please never scare me like that again.” Sehun felt so frustrated at himself, like he should have known his boyfriend was claustrophobic, he should have noticed sooner.
He also really took note of how particularly small Luhan felt against him at that moment.
“I’m sorry.” Luhan nuzzled into his chest for the comforting Sehun was more than willing to give, “It was stupid of me to think I could just get over it.” He said this softly, the stress leading up to the event catching up to him.
“Is that what happened the first time?” Sehun used his nose to poke Luhan’s head to get him to look up, “Was it because of your claustrophobia then?”
“Yeah, that was the first time I felt claustrophobic ever as well.” Sehun just hugged him a little tighter, the apology was clear in the way he smoothed Luhan’s hair down and pressed kisses into his temple. The way Luhan squeezed him back even tighter was his way of insisting an apology was unnecessary.
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Sometimes all you need for a good birthday present is to cook a meal with the person you love, with copious amounts of goofing off and maybe a tiny food fight. Topped off with a good movie and a double helping of cuddling.
It was nearing three in the morning when Sehun shut off the TV and turned back to the sofa, only to be greeted by a pouting deer holding his arms out in a silent request.
Sehun laughed lightly, “You’re such a kid Xiao Lu.” But he obliged anyway, deciding to give him a piggy back to his bedroom. He knelt in front of the couch, facing away from his baby-faced boyfriend, he felt Luhan sluggishly lean his weight on his back and lazily loop his arms around Sehun’s neck. Sehun laughed again because it was endearing how sleepy Luhan was always so dysfunctional. Sehun easily hoisted him up, and then ungracefully dumped him onto the mattress after the short journey. This earned him an indignant squawk before Luhan - slightly more awake now - declared a pillow war.
Several minutes later Luhan admitted defeat with a grin, and flopped down bonelessly after the taller boy had gotten him in the face. He was immediately lost to the world when his eyes slid shut and his breathing slowed. Sehun took his time making sure the smaller boy was comfortable before he padded to the door to switch the lights off.
He stubbed his toe on the way back and made a sound that was a cross between a howl and a yelp, Luhan seemed to have heard though because a hand shot out questioningly and there was a babbled “Sehunnie-ah.” Before the arm was dropped.
Sehun finally made it to the bed and snuggled up, pressing as close as possibly, they were both pretty clingy in their sleep so it worked well. Luhan wiggled against him unwittingly and he bit back a groan.
He grinned when he thought about Luhan accepting his second birthday present in the morning.
“Sweet dreams Lu.”
Genre: Angst, Fluff
Rating: PG-13
Length: Oneshot
Word count: 1.5k
Friendly warning: As per usual, try not to choke on the absurd amounts of fluff.
When Luhan was fifteen, he went to a concert.
It was his first time attending one, and as far as concert-going experiences go, it wasn’t a great one. It was that night that Luhan had either discovered or developed slightly claustrophobic tendencies. It’s not something that he always thinks about, it’s not serious enough to be a prominent part of his life. But he still remembered.
On that night, soon after the first few chords has sounded, how he was dragged along as the crowd surged forward. He started feeling his lungs close in on him and the panic consume him as he struggled to pull breath in. The crowd came alive as the music did, but all Luhan felt were bodies crushed against his, pressing tighter. He felt everything sucking him in, stealing the air from his vicinity.
Tighter, closer.
He had gasped for air, his erratic breathing not helping. Soon the panic had taken over and his fear banished any rational thinking from his mind. He felt trapped and breathless, the tears just adding to his turmoil as his vision was impaired.
Thankfully somebody near him called for help and he was soon pulled out.
Luhan couldn’t remember much of what happened afterwards though, he was told he was taken home and was in a nearly catatonic state until he eventually passed out from exhaustion.
-----------
Now Luhan was eighteen, and Sehun, his completely adorable boyfriend, had bought them tickets for a concert. For the same group, three years down the line.
When the other boy had presented him with the tickets on his birthday, his eyes were crinkled into small crescents and there was a tiny overjoyed grin stretching his lips. Luhan had swallowed the anxiety that had surfaced as the memories hit him and plastered a smile on his face. Sehun didn’t even like the group, but he looked so happy having got them for his beloved hyung. He could do this.
He’d never told Sehun about his slight claustrophobia, only that he’d passed out near the beginning, his bad concert experience hadn’t at all stemmed his love for the group and their music though, so it was a sweet gesture on Sehun’s part. Plus, his claustrophobia wasn’t that bad. He would manage.
-----------
Luhan could already feel the cold sweat on his back, it felt different this time because he knew he was scared, he knew what happened last time. There wasn’t even any pressure yet and he was swallowing nervously, they were fairly near the front and everyone was just packing in, claiming the best vantage points. Sehun was stood behind him with his long arms wrapped around his midriff, so he couldn’t see Luhan’s eyes darting left and right, judging how much air would be his to breathe in. It was hot and sweaty even though they’d only been inside for thirty minutes or so. The scheduled start time was drawing nearer and he was feeling more and more like he was a sardine trapped in a tin.
Suddenly a chord sang out from an electric guitar and the crowd moved like one great sea creature towards the stage, Luhan clenched his jaw and moved with them, only calming slightly when they all realised it was just soundcheck.Luhan was breathing heavily though his nose, forcing air in, out, in, out, in, out. He looked down at his hands and they were already shaking.
Closing his eyes for a second he made a decision. He really couldn’t do this. He placed his trembling hand over Sehun’s and tugged lightly.
Sehun who had noticed the trembles before he felt the tug, moved to turn his smaller boyfriend to face him. “Lu?” His lips were pursed in concern, which only grew when he finally saw Luhan’s ashen face.
“I-I can’t do it Sehun-ah.” Eyes darting left, right, down, at Sehun’s face and back down.
The concert hadn’t even started and he was trembling like a child.
“Lu? Can’t do what?” Luhan took a few deep breaths, “Can you not breathe, Lu?” Sehun’s hands were cupping his face gently, and they were cooler against his heated flesh.
“I’m… j-just kind of a little claustrophobic, I thought I c-could handle it but I really, really can’t.” A small test of the drums caused another wave of movement through the crowd, and Sehun watched Luhan’s face become paler and his shaking hands come up to clutch at Sehun’s as the pressure increased from all sides, the fans desperate to get closer. His breathing quickened drastically and there was no way that Sehun was going to stand by and watch Luhan have a panic attack.
“Fuck.” Sehun held Luhan close whilst creating a small space between them so Luhan didn’t feel so trapped. “It’s okay baby, it’s okay.” He murmured when Luhan’s breathing picked up speed again, not entirely sure which of them he was reassuring, he then glanced around and pinpointed the exits, “Let’s get you out of here okay?” Luhan was clenching his jaw again to calm himself in some way, to no avail. Sehun’s hands were strong and reassuring against him, so he let himself be led out, squeezing his eyes shut when they got caught in another wave.
Only when they had passed through one of the swinging doors out of the hall could Luhan breathe slightly easier. His hands still had a death grip on Sehun’s t-shirt, and were still visibly quivering. Sehun was doing his best to calm him, whispering soothing comforts in his ear, and rubbing large circles across his back.
It was a good ten minutes more before Luhan could let go of Sehun’s clothes, feeling a pang of guilt at the rumpled and stretched fabric. “I’m sorry Sehunnie, you, you just looked so excited about getting them for me, and I really thought I could do it.” Luhan was talking to the floor, feeling all sorts of pathetic, the concert hadn’t even started.
When it was clear that Luhan could breathe again, Sehun pulled the shaken boy back against him. “You should’ve just told me Xiao Lu, forget the tickets, I’m just worried about you.” He mumbled into his hair, “Please never scare me like that again.” Sehun felt so frustrated at himself, like he should have known his boyfriend was claustrophobic, he should have noticed sooner.
He also really took note of how particularly small Luhan felt against him at that moment.
“I’m sorry.” Luhan nuzzled into his chest for the comforting Sehun was more than willing to give, “It was stupid of me to think I could just get over it.” He said this softly, the stress leading up to the event catching up to him.
“Is that what happened the first time?” Sehun used his nose to poke Luhan’s head to get him to look up, “Was it because of your claustrophobia then?”
“Yeah, that was the first time I felt claustrophobic ever as well.” Sehun just hugged him a little tighter, the apology was clear in the way he smoothed Luhan’s hair down and pressed kisses into his temple. The way Luhan squeezed him back even tighter was his way of insisting an apology was unnecessary.
-----------
Sometimes all you need for a good birthday present is to cook a meal with the person you love, with copious amounts of goofing off and maybe a tiny food fight. Topped off with a good movie and a double helping of cuddling.
It was nearing three in the morning when Sehun shut off the TV and turned back to the sofa, only to be greeted by a pouting deer holding his arms out in a silent request.
Sehun laughed lightly, “You’re such a kid Xiao Lu.” But he obliged anyway, deciding to give him a piggy back to his bedroom. He knelt in front of the couch, facing away from his baby-faced boyfriend, he felt Luhan sluggishly lean his weight on his back and lazily loop his arms around Sehun’s neck. Sehun laughed again because it was endearing how sleepy Luhan was always so dysfunctional. Sehun easily hoisted him up, and then ungracefully dumped him onto the mattress after the short journey. This earned him an indignant squawk before Luhan - slightly more awake now - declared a pillow war.
Several minutes later Luhan admitted defeat with a grin, and flopped down bonelessly after the taller boy had gotten him in the face. He was immediately lost to the world when his eyes slid shut and his breathing slowed. Sehun took his time making sure the smaller boy was comfortable before he padded to the door to switch the lights off.
He stubbed his toe on the way back and made a sound that was a cross between a howl and a yelp, Luhan seemed to have heard though because a hand shot out questioningly and there was a babbled “Sehunnie-ah.” Before the arm was dropped.
Sehun finally made it to the bed and snuggled up, pressing as close as possibly, they were both pretty clingy in their sleep so it worked well. Luhan wiggled against him unwittingly and he bit back a groan.
He grinned when he thought about Luhan accepting his second birthday present in the morning.
“Sweet dreams Lu.”