“Easy there, I’ve got you. Just take it slow.”
🎵 Accompanying Music: Sonic Frontiers - Kronos Island (1st Movement)
Over the next few weeks, Starline had to lean on Rivet for a lot of his basic needs. Eating, walking, even putting on his bathrobe, as one of his arms had been paralyzed in the fall and was now useless to him. He was also suffering from newfound, dizzying headaches, which only added to his low spirits.
It was humiliating and humbling to have to accept her help, especially considering the guilt over all he had done. He kept expecting at any moment for her to pack up and leave him to his own devices.
But she didn’t. Throughout it all, Rivet was kind and patient with him. She helped soothe his pains, gave him space when he needed it, and didn’t disparage or poke fun at him in his lowest moments.
Before this, Starline would have never believed that anyone could forgive him for what he had done. That the fate that had been delved out for him at his and Eggman’s final confrontation, was one that he deserved.
But as time continued to pass, he began to see that, even at rock bottom, in his least flattering moments, someone still valued him as a person. That, despite his egregious mistakes, Rivet was still willing to help support him. To work with him to try and make things right.
And where pain, guilt, and emptiness had once filled his entire being… now Starline was slowly beginning to see light.
The light of hope, love, and acceptance.
A/N: RAAAGH I am so incredibly in love with my Redemption AU and Starline’s recovery throughout the final arc. He goes through such lows after being defeated by Eggman, but he’s still able to be forgiven and built up again by someone who cares and believes in second chances.
This trope has always been a weakness of mine, and I melt every time I think about it. ;w; Don’t mind me being sappy in the corner here fjdhfdh— This entire arc is filled with just wholesome. 😭