Apnea - Kai, Aoi
Chapters: Oneshot (drabbleish)
Genre: Friendship
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Summary: A breath of air. A moment of understanding. Something passes between Kai and Aoi after one of their lives.
Word count: 415
Disclaimer: I'm in no way affiliated with the GazettE or PS Company.
Characters are fictional. Any resemblance to actual people is purely coincidental.
Comments: Written for weekly mini mini challenge at gazeroundrobin.
His legs are on fire. There is a cramp in his left shoulder, his arms are shaking. He collides with the door frame, his hands flail, but don’t grab at anything. His right leg gives out. He’ll crash to the floor. Doesn’t have the time to brace himself for the impact because the impact never comes.
It is not the cold hard floor his body connects with but something almost equally solid yet warm. Someone’s chest against his back. Hand sneaking around his shoulder. Steadying him, propping him forward, inside the dressing room.
He is helped onto the couch. (“I’ll get you some water.” ) But the fabric is rough, his own skin hot and sticky. He tumbles to the floor instead. The tiles are slick, cold. Better.
He has never played so long without a break. He just wants to rest. Rest, but his body won’t let him. He can’t relax, his muscles convulsing, right hand twitching; still trying to catch the cymbal of his drums.
So many people, watching them play tonight. There is a cold feeling in the pit of his stomach.
So many people.
It is spreading upwards, his diaphragm, his lungs, throat. He can’t seem to find his breath.
He can't breathe.
“Kai. Kai.”
Someone is calling out to him.
“Kai.”
Hand shaking his shoulder. He blinks. Once, twice.
“It is okay.” The hand is warm, but not uncomfortable. “ Kai. Breathe. Just breathe.”
His eyes seem to be transfixed by that pair of lips. His body trying to mimic their movements.
Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. It remembers now.
“Here, have some water.” Hand propping his head up.
His hand tries to take the proffered bottle. His fingers trembling, his grip is weak, uncertain. But the other hand doesn’t let go, bringing the bottle closer to his mouth.
First sip and he realizes he’s parched. But the hand stops him from gulping down greedily. Preventing him from choking on a mouthful of water. It doesn’t waver, waits patiently until he has had his fill.
“That is it. Now rest, you deserved it. You were on fire tonight. You were great.”
He looks into Aoi’s eyes, his expression is open, sincere.
His breath hitches. But instead of a cold rush of panic, something warm seeps through his throat into his chest, finding home at the bottom of his stomach. For the first time since joining he feels like he really belongs.
The air wheezes out of his lungs. Then he breathes again.
Genre: Friendship
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Summary: A breath of air. A moment of understanding. Something passes between Kai and Aoi after one of their lives.
Word count: 415
Disclaimer: I'm in no way affiliated with the GazettE or PS Company.
Characters are fictional. Any resemblance to actual people is purely coincidental.
Comments: Written for weekly mini mini challenge at gazeroundrobin.
His legs are on fire. There is a cramp in his left shoulder, his arms are shaking. He collides with the door frame, his hands flail, but don’t grab at anything. His right leg gives out. He’ll crash to the floor. Doesn’t have the time to brace himself for the impact because the impact never comes.
It is not the cold hard floor his body connects with but something almost equally solid yet warm. Someone’s chest against his back. Hand sneaking around his shoulder. Steadying him, propping him forward, inside the dressing room.
He is helped onto the couch. (“I’ll get you some water.” ) But the fabric is rough, his own skin hot and sticky. He tumbles to the floor instead. The tiles are slick, cold. Better.
He has never played so long without a break. He just wants to rest. Rest, but his body won’t let him. He can’t relax, his muscles convulsing, right hand twitching; still trying to catch the cymbal of his drums.
So many people, watching them play tonight. There is a cold feeling in the pit of his stomach.
So many people.
It is spreading upwards, his diaphragm, his lungs, throat. He can’t seem to find his breath.
He can't breathe.
“Kai. Kai.”
Someone is calling out to him.
“Kai.”
Hand shaking his shoulder. He blinks. Once, twice.
“It is okay.” The hand is warm, but not uncomfortable. “ Kai. Breathe. Just breathe.”
His eyes seem to be transfixed by that pair of lips. His body trying to mimic their movements.
Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. It remembers now.
“Here, have some water.” Hand propping his head up.
His hand tries to take the proffered bottle. His fingers trembling, his grip is weak, uncertain. But the other hand doesn’t let go, bringing the bottle closer to his mouth.
First sip and he realizes he’s parched. But the hand stops him from gulping down greedily. Preventing him from choking on a mouthful of water. It doesn’t waver, waits patiently until he has had his fill.
“That is it. Now rest, you deserved it. You were on fire tonight. You were great.”
He looks into Aoi’s eyes, his expression is open, sincere.
His breath hitches. But instead of a cold rush of panic, something warm seeps through his throat into his chest, finding home at the bottom of his stomach. For the first time since joining he feels like he really belongs.
The air wheezes out of his lungs. Then he breathes again.