"It's not stupid." Something like this is never stupid and anyone who said it was clearly had never experienced any sort of trauma in their life. "The smell is still connected, even without flames. You can't help what is and isn't a trigger."

The older blonde draws back slightly, tipping his head down down to press their foreheads together in a soothing gesture.

"I wish I could tell you it gets easier but it..doesn't. You'll learn how to disconnect from it, though. You'll learn how to make the moments of panic less intense."