sorry if this has been asked before, but companions react to sole having a panic/anxiety out of nowhere? (love your blog btw <3)
Iām glad you enjoy my writing Hope you like the react, anon!
(TW: panic attacks/anxiety)
She has absolutely no idea why Sole is suddenly an anxious mess, even though things had been going alright moments ago. Regardless, Ada will check in with Sole. She asks if a hug would make them feel better, and when Sole nods yes, Ada awkwardly hugs Sole with her stiff robot arms. Sheād seen hugs make her old friends feel better, so hopefully this helped Soleā¦
Ada also asks Sole if they want to stop and unwind for a bit. Sole agrees, and the loyal robot will stand guard so they can calm down.
Rather confused at firstā Why the fuck was Sole all shaky and panicky all of a sudden? They were safe in this little camp, right? Then she remembers that her pal Sole had pretty bad anxiety. Cait asks if Sole is okay, and offers them some cool water. Sheāll sit next to Sole, letting them talk to her if they wish. Cait does her best to reassure Sole, though itās difficult for her to understand these panic attacksā¦With time, sheāll get better at helping them.
She also (slowly) realizes that sheās experiencing some of the same symptoms. As much as she hates to admit it, she might need some help from Sole too.
Perhaps they can get each other through their respective strugglesā¦
Ever since heād met Sole, he was aware of their anxiety. He had picked up on the little thingsā their tics, habits, and symptoms. Whenever they get into a really panicky state, he calmly reassures them that theyāre okay. Then, his caretaker programming kicks in.
Codsworth will get Sole blankets, some food, a pillow, magazinesā anything they need or want. Heāll also lend an ear, should they want to talk things over. Poor Sole shouldnāt have to deal with such a condition, so Codsworth will try and make things as easy as possible for Sole.
Sheās well aware of a panic attackās effects on a person. When Sole gets thrown into one, Curie asks if they need to go to a more comfortable place. She talks about her various projects to them, in an attempt to keep their mind off whatever is bugging them. If Sole wants to talk about whatās on their mind, though, sheāll certainly listen!Ā
Curie also reminds Sole to take deep breaths, and to do whatever they need to in order to feel betterā¦ As long as itās healthy and safe. She also offers up hugs, if Sole needs some contact comfort.
He knows a few of his soldiers suffer from a similar fate. In fact, he himself has seen enough traumatic stuff thatāll randomly bother him. Danse puts on the radio for Sole, as that seemed to help him. Perhaps itād help Sole? The paladin also listens to Sole, should they wish to speak about the thing thatās bothering them. He lets them know that theyāre not alone in this, and that theyāre strong enough to survive this.Ā
Danse might give them a quick hug if they ask for that sort of reassurance. He also will tell them repeatedly that everything is okay, and that theyāre safe with him.Ā
When Sole starts becoming more anxious, Deacon tries to head off a panic attack before it gets going. Deacon is quick to pick up on their tics, and heāll check in with Sole once they start getting worse.
Heāll recommend that perhaps they should rest and unwind for a bit. If Sole passes into panic attack territory, Deacon breaks out the tasty snacks and some drinks. Heāll tell jokes and funny stories to try and take their mind off their worries. If Sole wants to talk about it, Deacon is ready to listen.Ā
It might be hard for him to keep his mouth shut, but he can manage for Sole!
When Sole falls victim to a panic attack, Dogmeat is at a loss and starts whimpering. He does his best by cuddling up to Sole, wagging his tail slowly. Heāll give them plenty of kisses too!Ā
Sole knows that he loves them, right?Ā
And that heāll always be there for them?
Might try offering Sole some chems, to help them relax. However, Hancock eventually realizes that this runs much deeper than he thought. Heāll apologize for trying to dope them up, and try and comfort Sole to the best of his ability. If they ask for a comforting hug, Hancock will awkwardly obligeā he isnāt used to people wanting to hug him post-ghoulification.Ā
He also picks up some of their favorite snacks, so that they can at least enjoy something. Hancock also has plenty of wild tales to share, and he makes sure to offer his storytelling services to Sole if they need a distraction.
Not used to dealing with this sort of thing, Longfellow panics himself. Why on Earth was Sole so anxious? How could he fix this?
He tells them to relax, which doesnāt do anything for Soleās panic. Apologizing, Longfellow helplessly offers them a sleeping bag. Maybe they can sleep it off? He makes sure to hide his whiskey, as Sole definitely shouldnāt get their hands on that. Theyāre in bad enough shape as it is.Ā
Longfellow does assure Sole that heāll keep watch while they nap. Heās ready to stay up all night if needed, so Sole feels safe.Ā
Heās got some understanding of panic attacksā they seem similar to how he gets sometimes. MacCready lets Sole borrow a few of his prized comic books, so they can get back on track mentally. No use in stewing over the stuff that makes you anxious, rightā¦?Ā
This backfires, and he learns a valuable lesson: distraction doesnāt always help in times like these. He quietly keeps them company, and gets them some food . He allows Sole borrow his bedroll, should they wish to lie down or nap too.Ā
When they get tired enough to sleep, MacCready will tuck them in and stand guard dutifully.Ā
His calm voice sure comes in handy here. Heāll reassure Sole to no end, always checking up on them no matter what mood theyāre in. When Sole has a panic attack, he immediately gets them some books, and a cup of clean water. Perhaps they can get their mind off things for now, and onto something more enjoyable?Ā
At least until theyāre out of their panicked state, so they can deal with the problem more effectivelyā¦
He typically rests a reassuring hand on their shoulder, if they allow that. Sole sometimes asks for hugs, as Nickās embrace is solid and calming. He obliges, even if he doesnāt really understand why Sole wants to hug a hunk of metal and wires. Whatever helps them, though, right?
While she may not totally understand, Piper asks Sole what she can do to help them. Whatever they need, sheās ready to get! Piper also makes little puzzles for Soleā Things like crosswords, word searches, the works. Those certainly should help get their mind off things.
She also leaves them little secret messages. Things like āyouāre so awesome and brave, Soleā, yāknow? That seems to cheer them up a little!
Should Sole want to talk, or be left alone, Piper will gladly follow their lead. They know what they need, and sheās happy to provide that for them.
Originally, heās oblivious. Gage doesnāt get it at all, and will often tell Sole to calm down. He tells them to go and unwind somewhere, or do something fun. Once Sole explains, though, he understands it a bit more.Ā
Itās hard to temper his ājust relaxā reflex, due to his rough upbringing. It takes time to get past that, and for him to learn that just being there for Sole can help them.
Gage listens to Soleās woes, and occasionally tries to distract them with fancy knife tricks. He also grabs them some Nuka-Cola and some treats from the park.
Having gone through similar things, Preston understands. He does make sure to tell Sole that, and ask them what they need or want. He offers them a lot of stuff, ranging from cozy blankets to story-telling.Ā
As long as they could get their mind off things, theyād feel betterā¦Ā
At least, thatās how it went for him. If that doesnāt work for Sole, he wonāt stop trying different ways to help them.
Hell, heās even willing to cuddle with them, if thatās what Sole needs. Preston just wants them to feel better, and to understand that they have a friend who gets itā¦
Honestly, he doesnāt know what to do for Sole. He has no idea what these attacks are, and telling Sole to calm down just seems to make things worse. Strong tries to give them space instead, which also backfires. Eventually, he realizes that the best he can offer Sole is reassurance. He does his best to give them that.Ā
Strong just wants them to feel better, so they can do more fun and dangerous stuff together.
He recognizes that Sole is clearly under duress. Heāll constantly ask Sole if theyāre okay, or if they need a bit of a break. Yes, itād be wiser to keep moving. But this is Fatherās parent, and they need to be in tip-top shape to work efficiently. He eventually begins to care for them more as a person, though, instead of for what they can potentially do for the Institute.Ā
The attacks seem rather stressful for Sole. X6-88 will just listen to them, and attempt to offer words of comfort. X6-88 gives them a blanket to cozy up in. He has a lot of stories from his line of workā perhaps he can get their mind off the anxiety? And help them feel better?
He doesnāt know exactly what to do, but he makes a note to ask the Institute doctors the next time heās down there.
