I was never quite satisfied with how I finished Cold Shock in the original post, so I decided to revisit it and, wow... it was a learning experience. I hope you enjoy reading about my beloved Austin and Kieran as much as I enjoyed creating them; hopefully I've finally done them justice.
(This short begins immediately after the final part of the original series, I'd recommend reading back through it to understand the context!!)
"Shh, it's ok baby… it's ok." Austin's voice was hoarse and unsteady as he tightly held his boyfriend against his chest, one hand delicately cradling the back of his head.
Each feeble breath was accompanied by a muted gurgle, speckles of lukewarm water landing against his neck. Austin gently untangled the wires snaking up Kieran's bare torso, one hand moving in slow circles against the boy's clammy back. He subconsciously grumbled as each feather-light pass sent goosebumps radiating across his skin. Noticing the strained sounds, Austin smoothly adjusted his grip, easing him down until his head rested limply on the bed. Fluid dripped from blueish lips, pooling on the cushion. He carefully shifted his head, the skin along his neck pulling taught and his mouth falling open.
"Breathe, breathe, in and out… c'mon." Austin used his forearm to wipe Kieran's face. Each exhausted exhalation settled droplets on his lips.
A curled fist raked down bruised ribs; a pained whimper slipped from his mouth. As he leaned over him, Austin stared into his half-lidded porcelain eyes. He searched for any response, begging for a sign that Kieran was here with him. He was met with a pitiful cough, Kieran's body tensing with ragged breaths. A relieved grin found Austin's lips as the reassuring words continued to spill out, his chest shallowly fluttering beneath his palm. Austin knew Kieran was hurting. Aching ribs send lightning burning through his chest with each stuttering breath, bright enough to dull the world, fading into peaceful nothing. The moments between breaths became intoxicating, the jagged pain softened and slipped away. He inhaled fire; the exhale bringing a numbing chill.
Inhale. Just a second more…
Inhale. The fog thickened…
Austin took control. His lips collided with Kieran's, coaxing air into his drowned lungs and ballooning his pale cheeks, pain searing into the mist that suffocated his mind. A desperate whimper escaped the seal as his boyfriend's oxygen repeatedly violated his lungs.
"You need to breath baby, you can do it." Austin half grinned as Kieran squirmed beneath him, mumbling between each forced breath. Agony ignited his brain once again and brought with it a new sense of reality. The fog, as it was torn away, revealed familiar sensations. The sharp, antiseptic invasion of his nose. The glare of cold lights assaulting his vision. The feeling of warm lips against his. He blinked once. Twice.
His body lurched; each coarse bark that tore free sent stiff convulsions rocketing down his limbs. Austin's palm found the space between Kieran's shoulder blades and struck, struck again, and then Kieran gasped. His chest jerked. Air rattled in. His brain devoured the oxygen and he fought for control. Meanwhile, his heart pounded and each visible contraction radiated tremors down his body, hammering in his head. Austin caught the rapid thrumming with his thumb; the stumbling rhythm fought against his skin with a renewed ferocity.
"There you are, good boy Kieran." His fingers twisted around damp curls, his grip safe and absolute. Austin delicately lifted Kieran's chin, meeting his glassy-but-focused eyes. The growing life within intensified, and pride flooded his thoughts.
"Ughh… hurts." Grumbled Kieran as he processed his surroundings, the feeling of his boyfriend's body against his, filling him with warmth. He remembered what he fought for.
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