Work Text:
"Let's put on your favourite song-"
Melissa knew that Shane was just trying to help.
Knew that he wanted to comfort, to hold her until the trauma burned away in the fires of his support and kindness. Fire cast shadows though, and Melissa had been taught to fear those.
So he didn't hold her close, but he stayed with her. He helped where he could, and honestly? He did help.
At least, usually.
Wrapped in her blanket as she was, eyes closed as she tried to lose herself in the familiar flow she found in the rhythm, calm began settling over her.
Until her breathing caught in her throat.
Until tears flooded her eyes and she gasped for the music to be turned off because 'I'm on the hunt I'm after you' was no longer just a line in a song it was a threat oh god-
When Shane wrapped his arms around her, she didn't push him away like she would have when it first happened.
No, she burrowed in as close against him as she could, fighting the need to claw her skin off while desperately hoping the light he offered really would burn away her own shadows.