Paint Me Blue

XX: Out In The Open

Karen's suggestion seemed to lodge itself in Bonz's mind like a stubborn splinter. It buzzed around his thoughts, absurd and yet oddly tempting in its logic. His eyes widened as he glanced at Karen, then down at her lips, heat rising to his ears as the idea made his stomach churn uncomfortably.

"Ki... kiss him? You... you want to kiss War?"

His voice cracked, betraying his flustered state, but Karen didn't so much as glance at him. Her attention remained locked on Yin, who was pacing in front of War, his frustration evident in the way he tugged at his hair and muttered under his breath.

Karen's unwavering focus made Bonz uneasy, so he followed her gaze to the captain, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Wait... why are you looking at Captain Wong like that? You want him to kiss War?" He scoffed, pointing a finger at War and letting out a nervous laugh.

But the sharp glare Karen shot his way was enough to make him stop cold.

"You want to do it instead?"

The suggestion struck Bonz like a lightning bolt. He stepped back instinctively, hands flying up as if warding off a physical blow.

"What? Are you insane? No! And why would Captain Wong..."

His words faltered as his attention snapped back to Yin, who had stopped pacing. Without saying a word, Yin took a determined step forward and cupped War's face in his hands.

Bonz froze mid-sentence, his jaw dropping slightly as the scene unfolded before him.

Yin leaned in closer to War, his heart sinking further as he took in the lifeless stare, the glint of unshed tears pooling at the corners of his partner's unblinking eyes. War's gaze seemed to look right through him, seeing nothing, and Yin's chest ached at the sight.

He had read about extreme cases of shock and how the mind could shut down completely in self-defense when faced with unbearable stress. He had only stepped away for a few minutes, and now War stood before him like a hollow shell. What had happened in that short span of time?

Yin's hands trembled slightly as he brought them to War's face, cupping it gently. His thumbs brushed over the cold, tear-streaked skin, wiping away the silent drops that had fallen. The tenderness in his movements betrayed a depth of emotion he rarely allowed anyone to see. Then, in a voice so soft, so weighted with meaning it could only be described as the way a lover calls out in desperation, he whispered:

"War... wake up. Please?"

But there was no response. Not even a flicker. Yin bit his lip, his frustration mounting as he turned to Karen.

"Are you sure this will work?"

Karen stepped forward, her expression resolute, her concern evident.

"There's no harm in trying. If you want a straight answer then yes, I think it will work."

Yin hesitated but then nodded, glancing around the hospital hallway. They were still out in the open, and he needed a semblance of privacy for what he was about to do.

"Bonz, Karen. Cover for me."

Bonz immediately sprang into action, shrugging off his jacket and holding it up like a shield. Karen followed suit, positioning herself beside him to form an impromptu barrier.

"This is so weird..." Bonz muttered under his breath, though he held his makeshift cover with determination.

Yin took a deep breath, steadying himself as he turned back to War. Their faces were mere inches apart now, their breaths mingling in the narrow space. Yin's eyes dropped to War's lips, noticing their faint sheen of moisture. His mind betrayed him with memories, of how soft those lips had felt against his own, how he used to lose himself in their sweetness, and how long it had been since he'd last kissed War. The flood of emotions nearly overwhelmed him.