"Starburst" Sonic The Hedgehog Au

Confront Your Worries

Silence hung in the air as even though both Sonic and Shadow had come to an agreement and apologies were said, the air still felt thick with tension. Sonic had gotten out of his hammock and was quietly pacing back and forth in his room. His leg showcased less of a limp as he was healing well. Shadow watched Sonic's gate carefully and noticed that it had improved since last night.

Shadow looked down at his phone and simply messaged Rouge a small update on Sonic's progress. His gaze not breaking the phone he spoke up to Sonic. " pacing isn't gonna fix the inevitable. You're going to need to go down there eventually Sonic".

He paused and looked over at Shadow. " I know." his tone was tense with anxiety. " I know no one will be mad... but I can't help but shake the fear of...well taking those steps."

Shadow flicked his ear. " so then do it."

Sonic ran his hands through his quills and sighed loudly. " I want to but every time I look at the door and imagine myself walking to that door and opening it, I'm hit with this...overwhelming fear of anxiety."

Shadow sighed as he put his phone in his pocket. " what's the worst that's gonna happen...you get yelled at?" Shadow huffed crossing his arms. " I'm starting to think you're using your injuries as a way to avoid a bigger problem unintentionally."

Sonic flattened his ears. " no I'm not- I'm just.." his voice grew softer. " Worried." He frowned looking at the door.

Sonic didn't notice Shadow approach him until he felt Shadow grab his arm.

" we're going downstairs." he simply stated

Sonic perked his ears. " huh?!-but I'm not ready!"

Shadow looked at Sonic holding his arm. " avoiding it is not gonna make it better. You're going to be fine."

Sonic kept his ears flat as he looked at Shadow. "You don't even know that."

Shadow scoffed. " there's no one even down there anyways. Only you, me, and maybe Tails."

Sonic perked his ears slightly as Shadow began to pull him to the door of the attic before flipping it open.

" Look for yourself." Shadow pulled Sonic's arm down so Sonic could look.

Sonic seemed hesitant but eventually looked, he blinked a few times. The quiet sound of the radio chattering and the sound of a fan blowing was all he heard. He stared for a minute while Shadow was next to them.

Shadow scoffed with a small smirk. " see?"

Sonic looked at Shadow and then back at the open door. Shadow let go of Sonic's arm and began to go down the ladder stopping when he was barely in arm's reach.

He held a hand out. " you going to stay up there and rot? Or face your fears head-on Sonic."

Sonic blinked a few times and frowned with a more determined look on his face. " hold on. I'm coming down."

He spoke getting up and grabbing his gloves and putting them on before he walked to the door again. However paused with that same level of hesitation before taking a deep breath and looking down. Seeing shadow still there on the ladder looking up waiting for him.

Sonic smiled slightly as he turned around and began to slowly climb down the ladder with Shadow.

Once on the main floor Shadow stepped back and shoved his hands in his pocket. " see, all good."