Three seconds until The End

The End

Randy had tunnel vision as the only thing he could see was Ray on the ground. Mickey rushed up to her side which made Randy fight his limbs that seemed to weigh a ton. He pushed himself to kneel besides the prone Ray.

"She must have inhaled a lot of the fumes to get here", muttered Mickey then he proceeded to shout into the walkie talkie for anyone who had basic first aid skills. Randy was vaguely aware of the others who slowly left the room because they too needed medical help. Yet a selfish part of himself wanted them to drop everything and come over immediately to them..

An unbidden memory came to Randy's mind. It was before he and his mother left England for America. They were visiting his grandparents who laid down together on the hospital bed. He remembers how his granddad held his granny's hand.

Once upon a time Randy thought that the wrinkles on the old man's face held countless stories he wanted to hear.

The old man turned his head to look at him, "You know lad, when I Kissed your nan here it felt like I was born anew. As if new life entered us when we Kissed".

"Kidnapped an EMS if you have to!", shouted Mickey into the walkie, "She just stopped breathing",

That shook Randy out of his stupor and straight into action. He could hear his heart beating slowly in chest as if it was in sync with the woman before him. His ride or die, his Raymundo.

Perhaps this wasn't what the old meant when he told Randy that. Perhaps the old man meant something else by that. Like giving the young Randy hope or some shit.

However, Randy took advantage of the fact that Mickey was distracted before he leaned down. With his hand on her heart, he kissed her.

Nothing happened, there was no Glow to mark that a Kiss occurred. His heart beated slower than before as he interlocked his fingers together and began to give CPR to the woman.

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In those few seconds before he leaned down to kiss her again and breathe into her, Randy swore never to waste a second full of doubt, blame and apprehension. If this woman was there beside him in whatever way possible he believed that they could get through anything.

When his lips met hers for the second time, they Kissed. Randy watched as immediately the Glow enveloped Ray then it stretched out to cocoon him. He couldn't feel the Glow at all, it was ephemeral.

Then just like what his old man said he was suddenly filled with vigour as if he woke up from the best sleep he had ever taken. As if all the previous bullshit didn't matter anymore.

"Oh my god", exclaimed Mickey from the background,

Randy didn't bother to acknowledge that as with baited breath he waited for Ray to wake up.

Ray sat up with a gasp and coughed her lungs out. She could feel Randy patting her back in reassurance and she suddenly found herself enveloped in a hug.

Over Randy's shoulder, Ray saw Mickey's shit eating grin as he mimed a kissy face then mouthed out the words, 'Oh my god he Kissed you'.

With a wink he jogged out of the room, giving a short update to the others.

"Scratch that. No need to kidnap an EMS. We are all gucchi. Nice ending everyone", he said with a note of laughter.

After Mickey's departure it took a few seconds for Ray to register what Mickey had said but when she did her eyes widened in surprise. She leaned back from the hug and cupped Randy's face with her hands. Gone was that dazed and lethargic expression as he looked as if nothing had happened to him.

"You Kissed me!?", she whispered in shock,

Though the answer was obvious by the very subtle gold dust on Randy's lips but the sight of it left Ray in disbelief.

"Hmm technically WE Kissed", quipped back Randy, he looked slightly mesmerised by the subtle gold dust on Ray's lips. It made him almost want to kiss the slight pout where it rested as well as on her cupids bow again.

Ray rolled her eyes "How is it we when I passed out bub?",

Randy tickled her sides causing Ray to laugh and tried to escape from the ticklish torture. However, Randy wasn't having it as he tickled her harder.

"Hee , is this how you treat someone who saved you from everlasting sleep?" he teased her "And I'm not bub. I'm Randy",

Ray finally swatted his hands away from her, "And is this how you treat your knight in shining armour?", she volleyed back,

"Knight in shining who ha?", asked Randy, he put on a thoughtful expression, "If I know my thing didn't the prince save the cursed princess with a kiss",

"Well If I know my thing, didn't the princess save the emperor and his men before the enemy could take over", replied back Ray smugly,

Randy allowed her to have that as he rested his forehead on hers and just breathed. Ray closed her eyes and also leaned into the touch. For a quiet few seconds,the two sat there preserved in the moment because in the next moment everything and nothing could change.

"Does this mean today is the new Day One?", ventured out Ray, she felt oddly content for whatever the outcome was going to be. Gone was the haze of uncertainty as she now gained a sense of surety that everything was going to be okay.

Randy hummed, "It'll be like a bed of roses y'know",he replied, "thorns and all that shit",

"Then", muttered Ray, "We just need to clip those thorns off",

Randy laughed and he looked at Ray before him, "Then it's Day One", he stated confirming Ray's question.

Ray beamed at him and held out a pinkie finger "Ride or die?" she asked,

"Ride or die"

And they all lived happily ever after.

THE END

or is it?