Austin let himself be comforted for a minute before he stood up and disappeared into the bathroom. It was in there that he could let go and he did. He grabbed his anxiety meds and downed one before succumbing to the attack. He sat on the edge of the tub, his head between his knees trying to keep from hyperventilating but knew it would be impossible. His breaths were coming faster and faster, his heart pounding in a staccato beat. He was cold and he knew that his skin was pale, his skin damp with a cold sweat.
It took everything, every bit of strength Austin had not to call out. He felt like his heart was about to explode right out of his chest. He felt like he wasn't getting enough oxygen and was slowly suffocating. It scared, these attacks, but he had grown semi-used to them. He just had to keep as calm as possible and it would end soon.
As he told himself that, Austin could feel his breathing slow. The medicine was finally working. After a couple more minutes, he stood up on shaky legs to splash some water on his face. He sat on the counter for another couple of minutes until he could appear fairly normal when he went back out to face Darcy. He was sure she would have questions for him. Austin hated himself for going to pieces in front of her. He hoped she wouldn't ask too many questions because he didn't want he to know about his panic attacks. Better she think he was in the bathroom crying because he missed his daughter.
Austin jumped down and went back to his bedroom. He looked at Darcy kind of sheepishly. "Sorry about that," he muttered. "I just can't stand to hear her sad." Even though he was feeling better after his attack, he was still pale and his skin clammy.
His disappearance was sudden and she was confused. Did he not want her to see him upset? Darcy quietly gathered her things to allow for a few more moments with him, but when he was spending those moments in the bathroom, she started to worry. Really worry. What was wrong? Biting her lip, she almost knocked on the door but then she heard water running and made her way back to his room, sitting on the edge of his bed.
When he came in and apologized, she nodded. "Don't worry about it. Are you okay?" He looked too pale. Standing, she moved to his side cupping his cheek, surprised that he was clammy. "Austin?"
He turned his cheek into her hand. "I'm fine now. Just lost it for a second," he explained.
Austin grabbed her hand and squeezed. "I'm sorry that I spent our last few minutes in the bathroom. Promise me we can get together again soon?" He really did want to spend some more time with her, but things were so messed up at the moment. He leaned down and kissed her gently.
"Of course." She smiled and leaned up to meet his kiss. "You sure you're okay?" she murmured, pulling back just enough to look up at him and smiled softly. Darcy was concerned for him. Something was off and she wasn't sure it was just him missing his daughter. It touched her how much he hated being away from her. He was a good man.
Leaning up, she kissed him again, one to make it count, cupping his cheek as she did so. Darcy figured she could let him know how she cared, how she would be there for him, with that kiss. And when she finally pulled back, she smiled softly up at him. "You have my number. Call me or text me. And you have to let me know what Gracie thinks of her room."