Shadow Of Betrayal / YokRay

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Ray squeezed Yok's hand and looked at him worryingly to make sure everything was okay. The Tiger's nose was scrunched, as so often when he thought about something he didn't like or on the other side was very happy. Normally Ray would have pointed it out to him, would've told him how cute he thought it was when he had that expression on his face, but not today. Only a few steps separated the two men from the entrance to the building, which towered over them seemingly stretching up to the sky, looking down on them almost menacingly. The large neon signs above their heads revealed the name of the hospital, Akkaye Medical Center, while a wind was gently brushing through their hair, making them shiver slightly, as if it wanted to welcome them, but at the same time complain that they had not come sooner.

The Tiger's heart hammered against his chest, thoughts were rushing through his head as he had to restrain himself from following his instinct to flee and just start running. The whole situation was uncomfortable for him, the feeling of shame had spread throughout his body, it felt slimy and disgusting and Yok wanted nothing but for it to disappear.

"I would love to run away... I feel incredibly bad for never having been to visit her before..." He bit his lip, which was already scarred by him biting it too often when he was nervous. Soon his mouth filled with a metallic taste, he hissed out and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Hey...," Ray turned to his friend and gently ran his thumb over Yoks cheek. He didn't like to see the other one like this, and he hated it when Yok beat himself up for not having visited his mother earlier. Gently he pulled the Tiger in his arms, whispered words of affirmation softly in his ear, stroked him over the head. "I'm with you, and I'll stand by your side, okay?"

Yok nodded and snuggled closer to the other, of course he knew that Ray was at his side and would not leave him alone now. Nevertheless, he had to take another deep breath before he entered the hospital, his fingers intertwined with those of the Yolo Gang Leader and thus had overcome the penultimate hurdle.

In the entrance area, which looked quite pretty with plants and sand-colored armchairs, stood an information desk at which a young woman with a friendly face, welcomed them with a bright smile.

"You must be the son. Yok? If I remember correctly, she tells me every day that you come to visit her, she'll be thrilled that you finally came and even with a nice friend I see." The receptionist remarked with a nod in Ray's direction.

"Um...yeah that's me." Murmured Yok, who of course now felt all the worse after hearing about how his mother kept asking about him. He felt an embarrassed blush rise to his face and quickly turned away from the lady.

"Would you be so kind as to tell us which room my friend's mother is in?" Asked Ray who of course had immediately noticed how uncomfortable Yok was with the whole situation. The receptionist was of course very happy to give them information about Yok's mother's room number and floor, and so the two friends found themselves a short time later in front of one of the countless blue-painted doors. Again and again Yok raised his hand, wanted to knock, but couldn't, the fear of being judged by his mother cut off his breath.

"Do you want me to open the door for you?" Turned Ray to his friend, even though he was probably just as excited as the younger man, he was unusually calm. Yok shook his head, afraid that his voice might fail before he even entered the room. Meeting his mother was stressing him out tremendously. The Tiger's heart felt like it was about to jump out of his chest, that's how fast it was beating. Slowly Ray opened the door while Yok was only now noticing again that he was holding a bouquet of flowers in his left hand, he had been so busy with himself that he had simply blanked it out.

He was trembling as he put one foot in front of the other, almost afraid to turn his gaze to the bed, which stood by the room's only window. The woman slowly straightened up, directed her gaze at the two young men who seemed so out of place in the middle of the white room, with their gang outfits, wild hair and ripped jeans. A smile spread on her lips and although her face seemed sunken and her condition could be read in it, an incredibly lively, strong smile spread on her lips as soon as she looked into her son's eyes. "I am so glad you came, my son." She signed with her hands in Yok's direction. Ray looked at Yok questioningly. Sign language? Was his mother deaf?