Vertigo
Request: Lestrade finds out the reader has vertigo; which they are ashamed of.
Requested by: Anonymous
Pairing: Greg Lestrade x Gender Neutral!Reader
Triggers: None? Words: 938
Note 1: You asked for a female reader, but I try to do gender neutral for most things; so I hope you don’t mind.
Note 2: Also, if you or anyone else had vertigo, don’t be ashamed about it! It can be annoying and crippling in some aspects, but it’s common and there is nothing wrong with having it as long as you are safe! It can be caused by many things; so it can be random or chronic; soo if this isn’t exactly the type of vertigo you get I apologize.
Note 3: Also there is some unintentional sexual tension in this that I noticed when reading this back, but I kept it anyway lmao.
You’d been pretty good at hiding your bouts of vertigo when it hits; by leaning on something, sitting down, etc., just making it seem like you’re fine. But sometimes this wasn’t as easy; especially if there was nothing to lean on to stop you from swaying or stumbling. If anyone showed concern you’d brush it off; “I just stood up to fast”; everyone does that from time to time, so no one would stay concerned for much longer.
You weren’t aware that Greg noticed almost every time. He would start to pick up on it more and more after noticing the first time. He would notice how you’d suddenly sit down, or lean on something, how you’d close your eyes shut tightly for a moment. You got dizzy a lot, and it began to concern him. He assumed it was because you weren’t getting enough sleep, or because you weren’t drinking enough water.
So, it would catch you by surprise when he would suddenly start bringing you water, making sure you drank it, or how he’d start asking you almost every morning how you slept.
He had shown concern for you before, as a friend, and your superior, but this was more concern than you were used to. Others began noticing it as well; starting rumors that you were dating, or that he had a crush on you; even rumors that you were sick and he was pitying you.
So one day, when you were crouched down at a crime scene and he appeared by your side before handing you water again, you paused and looked up at him.
“Why do you keep bringing me water?”
He paused and stared down at you “I thought you might need it”
“Why?” you asked as you stood.
Feeling your body go weak as your eyes seemed to blur slightly, your head spinning. Naturally you fixed your feet into a stable position, waiting for it to pass. But your body still swayed lightly.
You were startled again when Greg was suddenly standing right behind you, his hands lightly gripping the sides of each of your arms as he helped steady you.
He spoke right into your ear, quietly so no one would hear “That’s why. You’re so dehydrated you can barely stand up straight, you think I don’t notice? It happens all the time”
You stayed quiet for a moment, the real reason for your dizziness present in your mind; feeling slightly embarrassed you pulled away from him slightly before turning to him. “I drink a lot of water Greg, I’m not dehydrated. And if all those questions about my sleeping patterns have to do with this too then I’ll tell you now that I sleep fine” your tone was defensive, confusing him.
Gently grabbing your wrist and dragging away from the crime scene, which did not go unnoticed, he turned you towards him, your faces close as he spoke quietly to you “Then what the hell is going on with you? You don’t think I notice but I do. I notice how many times you get dizzy throughout the day, how many times you struggle to keep your balance.Yes I thought it was because you weren’t drinking water, or weren’t sleeping, but if that’s not why it’s happened you need to tell me. If not because I am your superior officer, then because..I’m your friend”. You sighed as you glanced around, seeing some of the others watching you “If you’re sick, please tell me” he continued, the concern now very present in his voice.
“I’m not sick Greg” you met his eyes now “I have vertigo”
“What the hell is vertigo?” he asked with a frown.
You sighed, not sure how to explain it “It basically just means issues with balance, a lot of people get it randomly. Like when you stand up too fast, when you turn your head to quickly, you can get it when you are up too high, going down stairs. I get it chronically, it has to do with issues of balance and the inner ear. I’ve had to deal with it for a long time” you finished with a sigh.
Greg listened carefully, the issue didn’t sound too bad to him. Yes it sounded annoying, but the way that you explained it, it was as if you were telling him some deep secret. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because it hasn’t really been a big issue until recently, stress and anxiety can make it worse sometimes. If you want to take me off the team for a while I’d-”
“What? No, why would I do that? Even with balance issues your still the best person on my team. I’d get rid of Anderson before I got rid of you, and there isn’t anything wrong with him...well, I mean, relatively speaking”
You let out a chuckle as you shook your head “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was just... it’s such a stupid thing to suffer from-”
“Y/n” he cut you off, making you look at him “You don’t need to be embarrassed..or, ashamed, or anything. Like you said, a lot of people deal with it. And the fact that you’ve dealt with it long before now, and gotten as far as you have with it is an accomplishment. Alright?”
You thought over his words for a moment before nodding your head “Thank you. You’re right”
He smiled lightly at you “Good. Now, let’s get back to work” he winked at you quickly before turning away and heading back towards the crime scene, leaving you with a little more confidence than you had before.
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