"Better Blues"

He was nervous, she noted. She could tell by the rigidness of his posture, the way his hands constantly clenched and unclenched. His foot tapped relentlessly against the floor, so quickly that her eyes had trouble tracking the movements. Emerald eyes, normally bright and full of life, were dull, filled with an anxiety she longed to chase away.

This was the side of Sonic everyone wasn't privy too. Everyone was used to the exuberant, happy-go-lucky, always smiling Sonic the Hedgehog. They were used to him being heroic, cocky, fearless. They weren't used to him frowning, him doubting himself, him being afraid. Would they like this Sonic as much as they did his heroic persona? Amy wasn't entirely sure. The burden a hero shouldered was a heavy one, after all.

She moved closer to him, hands gently gripping his shoulders, wincing at how tense they were. Sonic nearly jumped out of his fur, eyes darting around wildly before his gaze met hers. He tried to smile, was prepared to wave away her concerns, but Amy simply shook her head, quills fluttering like rose petals in the wind. Silently coaxing him to sit down, she sat beside him, wrapping her arm around him, feeling the way his body trembled.

"I'm with you. You know that, right?" One hand gently cupping her cheek, his eyes met hers, glistening with tears unshed. Amy felt her heart crack at such a sight, couldn't help but tug him into a hug, pressing her forehead against his, trying to wrap him up in every ounce of love and comfort she had to give.

"I'm right here with you, Sonic. Every single step of the way, I'm right there with you. I promise," she repeated, her voice firmer. Sonic stared at her for a long moment, breathing uneven, eyes wide and filled with shame, shame that had no business being there. He shouldn't be ashamed for how he felt. It was more than okay to feel anxious, to be afraid. Just because he was a hero didn't mean he wasn't immune to moments of self-doubt. He had the right to be fragile just like everyone else, and she sure as hell didn't think any less of him for feeling like this.

Pressing petal soft kisses on his face, hands rubbing the knots out of his shoulders, she felt the way the tension bled away, how he gradually relaxed, how his breathing evened out. She made to pull back, thinking he wanted his space once more, especially after such a tender moment, but he surprised her by tightening his grip on her, keeping her in place.

"Can you stay with me a little longer." I don't want to be alone. Thankfully, she could read between the lines, could hear what went unsaid, and, smiling at him, bright like the sun and sweeter than peaches, she nodded her head, leaning further into his embrace.

Being in his arms never failed to make her heart melt. She felt safe and loved, and she knew that being around her had the same affect on him.