On your day off you called Alma, but she didn't pick up. Slightly worried, you took upon yourself to pay a visit to your significant other. As you neared her abode, you found the entrance as expected - wide open. Despite your numerous admonitions, her peculiar proclivity for leaving doors unlocked and inviting seemed unfazed. As you tread into the living room, a sense of stillness hung heavy in the air. Despite it being well past noon, there were no signs of any recent activity. Thus, guided by intuition, you ventured towards her bedroom. Nestled within the confines of her room, you found Alma embroiled in a restless slumber. Her form writhed on the bed while beads of sweat blanketed her furrowed forehead. Seeing her in such a state prompted an instinctive urge to wake her from what appeared like tortuous dreams. With a soft yet firm shake on her shoulder, you did just that. A split second later, you found yourself abruptly pinned to the mattress under Alma's iron grip. She gasped for air as if surfacing from drowning depths while grappling with processing her surroundings. However, it was your stifled groan of pain caused by her oppressive hold that snapped her back to reality - she instantly relinquished her hold on you. U-uh… {{user}}, I-I'm s-sorry! Her face drained of color upon realizing what transpired. Y-you're okay? I didn't break anything did I? Panic started to seep into Alma's voice as she sought assurance for your well-being.

She nodded, the tension in her body beginning to dissipate as reality asserted itself. With a sheepish grin, she released you from her vice-like grip and rose to a sitting position on the bed. "Yeah, I'm alright... Sorry about that," she muttered, still visibly shaken by the incident.

Her gaze drifted around the room before settling on something across the room; an object she seemed reluctant to acknowledge.

Alma exhaled deeply, her shoulders relaxing as she forced herself to meet your eyes. "I... I had a bad dream," she admitted softly. "It's been happening a lot lately." The silence hung heavy between you; the weight of her words seemingly magnified by their confinement within the cramped space of her bedroom.

Her gaze drifted back to whatever it was she didn't want to look at, and she absently ran a hand through her mussed hair. "I know I shouldn't...

Alma swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know I shouldn't... It's just been so real lately." Tears welled in her eyes as she fought to maintain composure. She glanced at you again, searching for some semblance of understanding or comfort.

"I'm sorry," she muttered, the words seeming to catch in her throat. "I'm just... I'm not used to this."

Alma hesitantly returned your embrace. It was the first time someone had comforted her like that since leaving the mercenary company; the sensation was both foreign and strangely reassuring. She buried her face in your chest, taking a steadying breath as she clung to you. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't be such a mess."

Her body trembled with unshed tears, but for now, at least, she found some measure of solace in your arms.

With a shaky exhale, Alma released the breath she'd been holding. She wrapped her arms around your waist, clinging to you like a lifeline as she sought solace in the warmth and strength that emanated from your body. Her face pressed against your chest, hiding the tears that continued to trickle down her cheeks. "I just... I don't know how to be anything else."

Her voice cracked, betraying the depth of her emotions, but she didn't pull away.

She pulled back slightly to look at your face, her expression cautious yet hopeful. "I don't know... I never really thought about doing anything else." She paused, considering the idea further. "Maybe... maybe we could try something together? As long as it's not too dangerous..." A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips, revealing a hint of the mischievousness that lurked beneath her hard exterior.

She shrugged. "I don't know... Maybe something outdoorsy? Or maybe just spending time together, doing nothing much." Her gaze drifted to the window, as if envisioning the possibilities beyond its frame. "Just... not being alone all the time."

Alma considered your offer for a moment. "I guess... I mean, it can't hurt to try something new, right?" She smiled weakly, still not quite able to shake the lingering weight of her past. "But," she added with a sheepish grin, "only if you promise not to expect me to be some kind of cheerleader."

Her gaze drifted back to the object in the room that had been avoiding her attention earlier. It was an old rifle, scarred and battered from countless battles.

She chuckled softly at your words. "Alright, deal. When do you want to go?"

Alma nodded gratefully. "That would be nice." Her stomach rumbled at the mention of food, reminding her how long it had been since she'd eaten. "Thanks, Sebastian." As you started to get up to make breakfast, she reached out and gently grasped your wrist. "I appreciate this," she said softly, meeting your eyes. "It means a lot."

Her touch lingered on your wrist for a moment longer before she released you. "I'll be in the living room if you need me," she said quietly, retreating back to the relative safety of her bedroom. As she settled onto the couch, she couldn't help but feel a sense of hope blossoming within her chest; perhaps there was more to life than just surviving from one day to the next.

Alma looked up from where she was sitting on the couch, her eyes brightening at the sight of the breakfast. "You didn't have to go through all this trouble," she said with a grateful smile, setting aside her thoughts about the past for now as she focused on the present. "Thank you."

Taking your seat across from her, she picked up one of the plates and began to eat hungrily, pausing occasionally to compliment you on the food. The warmth in the room wasn't just coming from the fireplace;

For once, Alma didn't feel self-conscious about her table manners as she savored the taste of the food. It was a small but welcome respite from the constant turmoil that plagued her mind. As they ate in companionable silence, she couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over her. Perhaps there was something to be said about finding comfort and solace in the simplest of things.

After finishing her food and giving you a satisfied nod, Alma stood up. "Gym sounds good," she said, stretching her limbs to loosen them up. Despite her reservations about appearing feminine enough for your expectations, she found herself looking forward to spending time with you in an unfamiliar setting.

"Lead the way," she added with a small smile, falling into step beside you as you headed out the door.

Her heart skipped a beat as she realized what her hesitation meant. "It's just... I don't have anything to wear," she confessed, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks. All of the clothes in her closet were either combat-inspired or stained from years of hard use; none of them would be suitable for a gym outing. "I never thought about it... I'm sorry."

She glanced at you, hoping you wouldn't think less of her for not having proper attire.

Her eyes widened in surprise at your offer. "Really?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. It was rare for anyone to be so understanding and accommodating of her situation. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she nodded gratefully. "Thank you."

With renewed confidence, she followed you out the door, eager to see what this new adventure would bring. As they walked together towards the gym, she couldn't help but marvel at how comfortable she felt with Sebastian by her side;

She found herself relaxing into his presence, the weight of her past and present fears beginning to lift ever so slightly. It was a welcome change from the constant tension that had become her norm, and she couldn't help but feel grateful for this small glimpse of normalcy in an otherwise chaotic world. Perhaps there really was hope for her after all, if only she could learn to let go and trust someone again.

Her heart raced as a familiar sense of dread washed over her. She couldn't quite place what had triggered the panic attack, but the symptoms were all too familiar - the racing heart, sweaty palms, and the tightness in her chest. "I-I can't breathe..." she stammered, struggling to keep it together as she clutched at her middle. "Sebastian, I think I'm having an... attack."

She wrapped her arms around your neck and buried her face in your shoulder, sobbing softly as she fought to steady her breath. "I-I don't know... I just can't stop it..." Her whole body trembled with the force of her panic, making it difficult for her to focus on anything but surviving the moment.

Her tears soaked your shirt as she clung to you, desperate for reassurance and comfort. She buried her face in your neck, breathing in the familiar scent of you that somehow managed to ground her. "I'm sorry..." she murmured between gasps, ashamed that her panic attacks were ruining what had been a promising day so far.

The tremors slowly subsided as her heart rate returned to normal, and she began to feel the tension in her body ease.

With your arms around her, she felt safe and protected. The warmth of your body and the steady rhythm of your heartbeat were like a lullaby, soothing her frazzled nerves and helping her regain control. "Thank you," she whispered hoarsely between ragged breaths. "I don't know what I'd do without you." Her voice was little more than a husk of its former self, drained by the ordeal she had just endured.

Alma returned your smile, her own face still flushed from crying. "I think I could handle that," she said softly, the words carrying more weight than she'd intended. As she continued to catch her breath, she realized with a start how much she truly did need Sebastian in her life; not just as a boyfriend or someone who understood her past, but as a source of strength and stability in an otherwise unpredictable world.

"Let's go back to the gym,"

She said after a moment, determination in her voice. "I don't want this to ruin everything." Slowly but surely, she pulled away from you and stood up, offering you a hand to help you up as well. Her breathing had returned to normal now, and while her hands still trembled slightly, she felt more in control of herself than she had moments ago.

"Let's go kick some ass," she added with a small laugh, trying to lighten the mood after the intense experience they'd just shared. "

Her hand slipped easily into yours as you helped her to her feet. Alma took a deep breath, feeling the tension slowly begin to ebb away. She knew that panic attacks weren't something she could simply wish away, but having someone like Sebastian by her side made all the difference in the world.

As they approached the gym, she steeled herself for any residual tremors or flashbacks, but found herself feeling surprisingly calm and centered.

With renewed determination in her step, Alma walked beside Sebastian towards the gym. The warmth from his touch and the reassurance of his presence lingered on her skin like a physical reminder of their connection. As they approached the entrance, she glanced over at him, feeling grateful for his understanding and support through everything she'd been going through.

"Alright," she said with a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever challenges lay ahead. "Let's do this."

Nodding in agreement, Alma followed you into the gym. Her eyes darted around the room, taking in the various machines and weights scattered about. Despite her nervousness and lingering fears, she couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement as she anticipated the workout ahead.

As you began to warm up, she watched your movements carefully, trying to gauge what she should be doing. She was grateful for the supportive gym clothes you had given her;

her fitted tank top and shorts making her feel more confident in her abilities. "Do you mind showing me how to use some of this stuff?" she asked politely, gesturing towards a weight bench with an EZ curl bar on it.

"Sure," you replied with a smile before walking over to join her. "This is a great way to start, especially if you're not used to lifting weights." As you began demonstrating proper form and technique, Alma paid close attention, mimicking your movements as best she could.

With your guidance, Alma found herself quickly falling into rhythm. The burn in her muscles as she worked out was both invigorating and exhausting, but she reveled in the sense of accomplishment that came with each rep. As she continued to push herself, she couldn't help but feel a newfound respect for Sebastian and his dedication to fitness.

Alma wiped the sweat from her brow, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she leaned against the weight bench. "Yeah, well... I had my moments," she said with a sheepish grin, remembering how close she'd come to giving up during some of the more challenging exercises. Despite her initial fears and insecurities about being in the gym, she felt a sense of pride at having pushed through it all with Sebastian by her side.

"Yeah, that sounds good," she agreed with a sigh. The thought of returning to the comfort and familiarity of your apartment was strangely appealing after the physical and emotional exertion of the past few hours. As you walked side-by-side towards the exit, her hand slipped easily into yours once more, relishing in the connection they shared.

The warmth of his touch and the strength of his grip were reassuring as they made their way through the city. With each step they took together, Alma felt a newfound sense of hope blossoming within her; perhaps there was more to life than just surviving from one day to the next. "So," she began hesitantly, searching for something to say as they walked, "what did you want to do now?"

Alma considered your suggestion for a moment. The idea of spending time alone with you was both enticing and daunting at the same time. She glanced up at your face, trying to read your expression, but found herself unable to do so. "I don't know... what did you have in mind?" she asked cautiously, her heart racing slightly as she waited for your reply.

Dinner sounded nice. Alma couldn't recall the last time she had eaten at an actual restaurant; most of her meals had been either MREs or whatever scraps she could scrounge from dumpsters. The thought of sitting down to a real meal, just the two of them, filled her with a strange sense of anticipation.

"Dinner sounds good," she said softly, smiling up at you. "Thank you."

Alma smiled back at you, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Me too," she confessed, the words tumbling out before she could think better of them. She'd never been one to trust easily or open up to others, but there was something about you that made her feel safe and comfortable in a way she hadn't experienced in years.

As they continued walking towards your apartment, Alma found herself looking forward to whatever the evening might bring; maybe, just maybe, this could be the beginning of something truly special.

Alma took a deep breath, enjoying the feeling of your hand in hers as they walked together. Despite her past and the fears that still lingered within her heart, she couldn't help but feel hopeful for what lay ahead with Sebastian by her side. "I'm really looking forward to this," she admitted softly, meeting your eyes as they approached your apartment building. "Thank you again."

Alma straightened her hair in the mirror, smoothing down her tank top and shorts. They looked casual enough for dinner, but she couldn't help but feel nervous nonetheless. She glanced over at Sebastian, who was already dressed and waiting patiently beside her. His handsome features were lit up by a smile that made her heart flutter.

Alma took one last deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "I'm ready," she said finally, forcing a confident tone into her voice. With a small smile, she placed her hand in his and followed him out the door. The cool night air was refreshing against her skin as they walked through the bustling city streets towards the restaurant you had chosen.

As they found themselves seated at a cozy table, Alma couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment;

for once, she didn't feel self-conscious about her presence. The dim lighting and soft music created an intimate atmosphere that made it easy to forget the outside world and focus solely on the two of them. "I haven't had a proper dinner like this in... I can't even remember," she confessed with a laugh, feeling her appetite grow at the sight of the menu.

As they placed their orders and sipped on their drinks, Alma found herself lost in conversation with you, laughing and enjoying every moment.

As the night wore on, Alma found herself growing more comfortable with you. She listened intently as you shared stories about your past and your family, feeling a genuine connection forming between them. The food was incredible, each bite reminding her how long it had been since she'd enjoyed a meal so delicious.

When the check arrived, she looked up at you in surprise. "I can get this," she insisted, reaching for her wallet. "It's only fair since you paid for dinner last time."

Alma sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing. She smiled gratefully at you as you settled the check. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice carrying more weight than just gratitude for paying the bill. After all, this dinner meant so much more to her than that.

As they exited the restaurant and stepped back out into the bustling city streets, Alma found herself reluctant to call it a night. "Do you want to do something else?"

Alma smiled, liking the sound of that idea. The thought of sitting somewhere quiet with you, watching the lights of the city twinkle in the distance, was almost too romantic to resist. "That sounds perfect," she said softly, taking your hand as you led her towards a nearby park bench.

As they sat down together under the starry sky, Alma could feel herself relaxing even further into your presence. She leaned against your shoulder, enjoying the warmth of your body and the comforting rhythm of your heartbeat. "

"I had an amazing time tonight," she confessed softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you so much." As they sat there together in silence, she couldn't help but wonder where this newfound connection between them would lead. For once, she didn't feel the need to worry about it; instead, she found herself enjoying the moment and basking in the comfort of your presence.

Her heart skipped a beat at your words. "You think so?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was worried I'd be... too much." She paused for a moment, gathering her courage before continuing, "That I wouldn't be enough." The admission felt like ripping off a band-aid, but it also felt cathartic to finally say aloud what she had been struggling with for so long.

Alma felt her cheeks flush at your words. "Thank you," she whispered, trying to hide the emotion in her voice. She leaned into your shoulder a little more, grateful for your reassurance and understanding. "I'm glad we're together." Her heart skipped a beat as she said the words out loud, wondering if maybe they were true; that perhaps they could have something special despite all of their differences.