extraordinary disaster || baek kyung

22. why?

Blinding light slices over his eyes as soon as his fingertips touch the oxygen mask.

Him in Trumpet Creeper driving Haru's sword into Eun Dan Oh's chest. Him walking into a room with Jinmichae, Kim Soo-Yang's slain body clutched by Lila, a swordsman hanging over her. The blade swings. There's a thump.

Prince Kyung sighs, turning to his King brother. "What a shame. She was so beautiful."

Kyung gasps, springing back from Dan Oh's bedside and leaving the mask intact. He bends over and hurls at the imagery.

So much blood. Lila dead.

He has to get out of there. His legs are carrying him before his brain can catch up, chest hyperventilating as he sprints to break free of the hospital. In his haste, he collides head-on with another body.

"Baek Kyung?" The voice sounds far away, his vision blurred. A hand grazes his arm. "Kyung? Baek Kyung!"

Lila's never seen him this so distraught, so distant. Like she's not even in front of him. Haru gives her a worried yet bewildered look.

"Go see Dan Oh." She gestures to the direction Kyung came from. Her cousin nods and runs off.

"Baek Kyung?" She tries to remain calm. "Can you count backwards from one hundred?"

He takes a breath like he's dying. "Ninety-nine."

"Ninety-eight."

"N-ninety-seven." Kyung's vision begins to clear, the voice drawing nearer.

"Ninety-six," Lila responds softly.

Kyung wipes his eyes, taking a shallow breath more akin to a sob. "Ninety-five. I'm fine. I'm fine."

Lila wants to disagree but she knows it might push him off the edge.

"That's good."

He properly makes eye contact with her. His expression is one of dread, which has her heart sinking.

"I threw up."

It's the first thing which comes to his mind. Lila's expression remains neutral and she digs into her pocket.

"Here." She grabs his palm, popping a piece of gum into it.

"Thanks," Kyung mutters, noticing how quickly she lets go. He tosses it into his mouth, feeling a little better as the mint invades his senses.

The hospital lights flicker like crazy, and the furniture floats around them. The sight occupies his attention so Lila takes the opportunity to stare. Dark rings under his watery, bloodshot eyes, hair mussed, his defined cheekbones look gaunt. Lila withholds a sigh, fighting the urge to trap him in a hug.

"You should go home and rest."

The corner of Kyung's lip quirks. He aches with fondness, praying that it doesn't show on his face.

"Don't do that."

Her eyebrow arches. "Do what?"

"Worry about me."

Lila can't help but roll her eyes, releasing a disbelieving scoff.

"Then who will?" She mutters, stepping around him and leaving without another word.

✎✎✎✎✎✎✎

"Hey Jinmi, have you seen-" Lila stops on the threshold of the kitchen.

He turns around, wide-eyed. Kim Soo-Yang is next to him, unloading vegetables.