First Published: September 17th 2017

Pairing: none, implied analogical

Genre: slight angst, slight hurt/comfort

Word Count: 602

Warnings: panic attack, sensory overload

Summary: You see, Virgil's hearing was better than most. Often this was rather helpful, but other times - times like now - each tiny squeak made his limbs jerk and heart pound.

-

Virgil's fingers tapped out a frantic rhythm on his thigh, and his other hand gripped the thick blanket tighter as he tucked it in around him, encasing himself completely. The warmth and heaviness provided its usual blessing, but today it served another purpose. It muffled the world and allowed Virgil to focus on his breathing.

But then –

Roman's booming laughter, Patton's shrieks of delight and even Logan's protests all the way from the living room combined into a wall of sound, drilling into his brain and setting off the quick gasps yet again.

You see, Virgil's hearing was better than most. He assumed it was because he was anxiety, as when people were anxious usually small noises were louder than average. Often, this was rather helpful. It ruined Patton's attempts at sneaking up behind him to tickle him and, back when they were still bickering, allowed him to hear Roman's approaching footsteps from a mile away, giving him enough time to escape. But other times – times like now – each tiny squeak made his limbs jerk and heart pound as his head splintered.

When Logan had seen Thomas experience one of these... episodes, he had dubbed it "sensory overload" and listed ways to deal with it. Virgil was there at the time, hiding on the stairs, but since he was experiencing his own attack, Logan's voice was indistinguishable shouting. He regretted not saying anything then, as maybe if he had, Logan would've helped. Or Patton. Or maybe even Roman, who had been doing his best to reconcile with the anxious trait.

Just as Virgil thought about going out to ask them for help – and even the thought alone was revolutionary for him – a loud boom shook his room.

The window rattled and the walls vibrated, making him cry out and curl up tighter. He shoved a pillow over his head just as another crack sounded. It was the end of the world, it had to be. He convinced himself of this as he sobbed into the mattress.

After a while, he managed to focus enough to realise that the loud static was actually pounding rain and then it clicked – thunderstorm.

Virgil whimpered and burrowed further into the mess of blankets and pillows. Footsteps approached his door, and Virgil let out a sob. Please don't come in, please don't come in, please, please, please!

Despite his mental begging, his door creaked open and a new wave of noise and smells rushed in and overwhelmed him. Virgil clutched his hair, harsh sobs preventing him from breathing properly.

Whoever it was said something, but it was all garbled yelling to Virgil. It was only when they rested a calm hand on his shoulder through the blanket that he could concentrate enough to recognise who they were.

Logan, his mind supplied as Virge allowed the blankets to be pulled back until the logical side could see his face. When Virgil opened his eyes, he saw Logan holding out a pair of headphones. He gingerly accepted them and shoved them on, and the sounds faded away. Noise-cancelling headphones.

Relieved, he relaxed into his bed, breathing out softly as Logan moved away. However, he didn't leave. Instead, he walked over to the chair in the opposite corner of the room and sat down, producing a book. He flipped through and read, not saying a word, but providing comfort all the same.

Virgil smiled gratefully and shut his eyes again. He kept his mind on the rise and fall of his chest and the fact that he wasn't alone. That was all he needed to make it through the storm.