you’re shaking. let me get you a glass of water.
the last time steven had had a panic attack was when he was a child. he was in class and the other kids were being loud, and that day steven just couldn’t focus at all, his mind everywhere at once and the teacher kept trying to get everyone to pay attention but they just kept talking, and steven ended up at the nurse’s office, with only vague memories of what happened. his dad took him to a counselor after that, and steven learned how to cope when his feelings and surroundings became too much for him. steven had felt twinges come up before, hints of the anxiety that always lingered in him, but he hadn’t had a real panic attack in years.
he could identify that this was a panic attack, but he didn’t know what to do. he couldn’t even begin think about what to do, could only think about those moments where he was helpless as hoenn was about to come to its end, the only thing the champion of the hoenn region could do was watch and keep his face as calm as possible as a child took on an adult’s responsibility. his responsibility. he couldn’t do anything, he was a witness to the world’s end and he couldn’t do anything. haruka could’ve died. she was only twelve. wallace could’ve died. his father was counting on him, and he would’ve had to hear that his only son died, that’s if his father would’ve survived at all--
“ -- wh - what? ” his voice was shaky and cracked as he replied. he couldn’t even control his tone. steven didn’t even process what wallace said. all he could see was wallace’s back starting to move away from him, and he stumbled, reaching a shaky hand out --- “ no, don’t go --- ”
