#idvnaib

This was supposed to be a headcanons list but I ended up writing too much as I usually do... so I turned it into a short story.

“Storms” Pairing: Naib Subedar x Reader Category: Fluff? Comfort? Not sure. 

Warnings: Mentions of the start of a panic attack / episode, mentions of War

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The Mercenary, Naib Subedar used to fight in the war in his past. His years of torment and fighting have taken a large toll on his mental health and mind. It has been known that certain sounds have caused him to be extremely alert, paranoid, and a bit jumpy. 

One of these sounds is a loud thunderous boom. Because of this, he hates thunderstorms with a burning passion, as the claps of thunder and harsh winds reminded him of his past bloodthirsty life. He dreads each day the rain pours and dreads it even more when bright bolts of lightning form across the gloomy grey skies like a large crack in a wall, accompanied by a furious loud boom that echoes throughout the towns and forests for miles.

The games had to be cancelled today. It’s usually not that much of a problem when there’s a light drizzle out or even a soft rain, though it’s a bit harder for both hunters and survivors due to the common rain puddle causing them to slip up. But the rains were much too harsh today. The winds were too powerful and the thunder was too loud. The rain cascaded down loudly and was practically flooding each game area, rendering them unplayable. Even White Sand Street Asylum wasn’t safe from the tremendous storm.

Naib sat in his room, staring out into nothing. Just sat. He didn’t know what to do to keep his mind calm; he was never the type to know any proper coping mechanisms. He sat upon the edge of his bed facing away from the window as to try to ignore the storm the best he could. He was extremely tense and could do nothing but twiddle his thumbs. 

A bright flash of lightning struck near the manor. Not too close but close enough to cause the thunder’s roar to shake the floors of the manor gently. Though the thunder was loud, Naib’s head was louder. Horrid memories and thoughts raced through his head like a loud television static, all calm and comprehensible thoughts getting drowned out in the flood of memories he’s tried so hard to repress. His body tensed up more and his breathing became heavy. Through gritted teeth he began to panic and scratch at his head until-

“Naib?” you asked with concern in your voice, knocking at his door a few times. You knew how Naib gets during storms, having seen him begin to get irritable and anxious when an unexpected storm grew during a match. His panicky tone and actions completely contrasting his normally serious yet laid back personality during the games. He was mistyping ciphers, missing several calibrations, and his breathing only grew more panicked as the rain got heavier and the distant thunder rumbled. You didn’t say anything, as you were a bit fearful he would lash out, but you also had to focus on the match. You decided now would be a good time to check up on him since everyone was confined to their rooms rather than a stressful exhausting game.

“What?” he replied harshly, his voice a little pained and shaky.

“May I come in?” Normally Naib would ask why or would deny anyone coming into his room, but despite how vulnerable he may be right now, he knew that being alone with his thoughts at this very moment would only hurt him. Not replying, he sluggishly stood up and cracked his bedroom door open slightly.

“Is anyone out there with you?” he asked.

“No-” before you could finish your sentence, he opened his door wide and pulled you inside, trying to keep anyone from seeing you enter. He closed his door gently with a click, and leaned his back up against it. His breathing was a little less heavy but it was still fast and his heart beat loudly. He tried to hide it the best he could, but you caught on.

“How are you holding up?” you asked, looking out the window and watching the raindrops pelt at the ground at a harsh speed.

“Why do you care? I’m doing just fine-”  Lightning stretched across the sky and struck down rather close by, the thunder shaking the ground loudly. Both of you jumped and gasped loudly and glared at the window. With a groan, Naib slid down the door and sat down on the cold wooden floor in defeat. He glanced up at you, only to notice you were shaking. You fidgeted with your fingers to keep you calm and distracted, but you couldn’t help but shake. Though the two of you were scared of the storm for different reasons, you were both scared nonetheless, and he noticed this.

“How are YOU holding up?” Naib questioned with a sigh, pulling his hood over his head in anguish. Your eyes shifted over to his, though he looked away the second the two of you made eye contact.

“I’m.. doing just fine. I’m just.. Scared of storms, I suppose,” you replied with a shaky voice, still fidgeting with your fingers. He replied with a simple hum and stared off into a corner of his room. Having company definitely helped him a little bit as his breathing and heartbeat was a little more regulated now, but he was still very tense. The thoughts in his head had quieted down a bit too. Neither of you said a word, the only sounds heard being the loud rain outside and the distant footsteps out in the hall. 

“Sit down,” he interjected the silence, tapping lightly at the floorboards. You began to sit down at the chair that was placed next to the glass window.

“Next to me,” he said in a slightly annoyed tone, patting down at the floor next to him. A little surprised, you hesitantly walked over to him and slowly sat down upon the cold floor. There the two of you sat in silence, watching the rain pour and the raindrops race down the window panes. Another flash of lightning licked at the sky, followed by the expected loud thunder again. You both jumped slightly once more with a soft gasp. His heart raced loudly and his breathing sped up as you shook from fear.

Nervously, you placed your hand on the floor next to his. You slowly inched your shaking hand next to his and touched his fingers gently. Instead of pulling his hand away as you thought he would, he grabbed your hand and squeezed it gently. With a light blush, you slowly looked up at him. He saw you looking in the corner of his eye and tried to keep his eye contact averted. But alas, he gave in and looked back at you. You both awkwardly turned away from each other and stared at something else in the room. Naib slowly intertwined his fingers with yours. You’d stopped shaking at this point. Your heart was still beating fast, but no longer because of the storm.

Ahh yes, nortnaib qwq have fun