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Amy still had that horrible and painful Phobia. She didn't want to talk about it because the few she had told them only laughed at how stupid it was, they didn't take it into account and continued doing their things or they simply told her: well, write about it, Miss Amy. - As her second-rate psychologist told her." (she would have to change psychologists, that was a fact).
That didn't help the poor hedgehog at all, so she preferred to continue hiding her painful fear and not ruin her image as a reckless heroine that others had of her and not disappoint her friends.
But one night, a great storm was approaching dangerously, catching our pink hedgehog off guard. She had forgotten to check the weather on her phone for that day. She was trying to overcome her phobia by not constantly checking the weather forecast on her reliable app, but work at the bakery had been so exhausting that she completely forgot to check the forecast for that day.
She had just left work when the sky darkened further and the wind started to blow harder, bending her red umbrella. This only caused her anxiety levels to skyrocket. Loud thunder began to rumble, announcing the imminent arrival of the storm, which frightened her even more, and without thinking, she ran quickly to her house.
Her house wasn’t far from her workplace, and with the super speed she had gained over the years from chasing a certain blue hedgehog, she managed to get there quickly, although now they shared only a deep friendship.
When she arrived home, she was somewhat drenched from the rain that had begun to fall. She hadn’t been able to escape it completely. She slammed the door shut, securing it tightly, and closed windows, curtains, and anything else she could think of to feel safe. She was breathing rapidly, gasping for air, and starting to tremble a little. She just wanted to curl up in a corner of her house and forget about what was happening outside.
It began to rain harder, you could hear the incessant tapping on the windows and roof of Amy's house along with the strong gusts of air, the rain continued to fall heavily as if it wanted to erase any trace of life and that was also the idea of the wind. that struck mercilessly along with the horrible sounds of rumbling thunder that fell not far from there.
Amy stifled a scream of fear, curled up into a ball, and began to cry. She had to control herself, she had to overcome this phobia. She couldn't let it control her. She stood up, determined to face the storm, but then she heard loud knocks on her door that made her jump with fright. Who on earth would be outside in this terrible storm, she wondered.
She gathered the courage to go to her door. She stood in front of it for a moment, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. She heard the loud knocks on her door again, now more urgent and desperate. This prompted her to react, and she opened the door to help the poor soul trapped in the storm, knowing her house was the only refuge.
She opened it quickly and saw Shadow with a worried face that she had never seen in her life, completely soaked, ignoring the storm behind him.
-Amy, are you okay!?
-...
Amy couldn't respond because she heard another thunderclap, this one striking very close to her house, causing her to freeze in fear.
Shadow, seeing her in that state, knew exactly what was happening to Amy: a panic attack.
Immediately, Shadow grabbed her by the wrist, closed the door, and led Amy to her bathroom, the only room without windows. He knew very well that he couldn't leave her alone in situations like this.
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Moments earlier, Shadow had seen Amy leaving her workplace. He knew a storm was approaching due to his super senses, but that didn't bother him; he was never afraid of anything. However, what he saw on Amy's face did give him fear for the first time.
Amy had a terrified expression he had never seen on her before, which surprised him. She had always been a very brave person, and it was unusual to see that kind of reaction from her after knowing her for so long. That's right, Shadow and Amy had become great friends over time.
He tried to go towards her, but he couldn't do it since before doing so, Amy ran away at high speed, making him worry more about her, making the decision without thinking to follow her.
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Already in Amy's bathroom Shadow spoke to her very calmly, maintaining a soft and comforting tone.
-Amy, stay calm, I need you to listen to me carefully - Amy could only shake her head a little in agreement.
Shadow closed the bathroom door and looked straight into Amy's eyes. She was still in her state of panic, shaking a lot; She had tears in her eyes that were running down her cheeks without stopping, so without thinking he raised his hand and reached for one of her wet cheeks, rested it there and wiped away the tears with his thumb.
-Amy I need you to breathe deeply and slowly, inhale through your nose for 4 seconds and exhale slowly through your mouth for 6 seconds.
Amy did as instructed, but it didn't seem to help her. This only made the pink hedgehog more desperate. She started to cry more and couldn't control it. She didn't want him to see her in this state, but what else could she do? The constant storms that had been hitting all week at dusk had put her in danger of being discovered sooner or later, and it happened—by the last person she wanted to find out.
She just hoped that Shadow wouldn't get tired of her weakness, leave her house and leave her alone to drown once and for all in her fears that were eating her up inside.
But without warning the dark hedgehog hugged her tightly, squeezing her tightly against him, leaving her face buried in his soft white fur on his chest. Amy could hear the strong and slow beating of his heart while her nose perceived the soft and comforting smell of lavender that emanated from his fur, despite being wet, it still smelled pleasant. She stopped crying.
-Amy, you are safe here, nothing will happen to you as long as I am here, I am here with you.
Amy, hearing his deep and velvety voice that resounded in her ribcage, from him she was able to relax, more together with the noise of his heart, with the pleasant smell of the hedgehog, he distracted her completely from what was happening outside, plus the place where she was, who did not let the noise outside be heard, she proceeded to return the hug with equal force, startling the hedgehog a little.
-Thank you... Shadow, I didn't want you to know now you're disappointed in me, aren't you?
-That NEVER, I would never be disappointed in you Amy, that's why you hadn't told me?
-...yes, I didn't want you to see me so weak and vulnerable... so pathetic.
-Listen to me very well, you will never be anything like that in my eyes, accepting your fear does not make you less brave, on the contrary it makes you stronger. - he raised Amy's face to see her better, he could not help but get lost in her emerald green eyes like a forest where he can rest and separate himself from others in quiet and perfect solitude, but with her by his side.
Amy also got lost in his hypnotizing ruby red eyes, both brought their faces too close and without realizing it, their lips touched lightly, immediately realizing their actions, they moved their faces away, both loosened the hug they shared to hide their faces at that moment. The light went out in the entire house, the electric light went out due to the storm that continued to hit hard.
Amy forgot her shame to cling to him tightly again.
-Shadow!
-it's okay Amy, it's just a blackout, the power will come back soon, don't worry, you're safe.
Amy relaxed again in Shadow's arms.
-S-sorry for what happened recently, I don't want you to think that I'm taking advantage of you because of your condition. (I just couldn't help myself, you're too beautiful even when you're like this) - thought the dark hedgehog.
-Oh don't worry about that Shadow, you might think it's me who could take advantage of this, plus you know that physical contact relaxes me too much and more... if it comes from you. ... you know... for a long time that I like you sooo much... I love you Shadow.
-....!!
- I wanted a more elegant way to confess my feelings, but I think the storm just rushed things, didn't it? hehehe but you don't have to answer me anything...
-... I also feel the same way about you. At first I didn't understand it, but over time I have learned what I feel for you.
-...and what is?
-... love.
Both hedgehogs hugged each other again, now with greater affection and passion than before, knowing that their feelings were reciprocal. They kissed again, a timid kiss at first and then turning into one full of fervor. The world disappeared while they shared the display of affection. There was no time nothing existed except the two of them.
The two were about to fall asleep when Shadow spoke:
- Amy, I haven't told you, but I think I also have a fear that I didn't know I had.
-mmmm a fear and what is it? - Amy said half asleep but curious to know.
-It's when I saw your face, when you left your work I thought I could lose you in the sea of your fears, I've been there and I don't want to see you sink when you were the one who helped me get out of there with your tireless trust in me.
-Ohhhh my sweet and tender Shadow, I will never get lost again if you promise to always be with me from now on because you will be my shelter.
-And you have always been mine, My Rose.
Thus, they finally fell asleep in a deep sleep, hugging each other all night, the storm had already passed, leaving a calm and freshness in the environment without the hedgehogs realizing it, but with a new beginning of something and the hope that behind every storm comes calm, but like all the real storms or the storms of life, you have to endure them with bravery and courage, with the help of your loved ones, you will be able to face them without falling into a spiral of despair.
END...................................
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