[jmm] 22.4.1 - white

NOTE: Sal is we_standalone and used without permission, but much love. Mike is the_nextmaven, and is mine to use and abuse as I see fit.

The pristine white porcelain of the bathtub was hard and unforgiving against his back and shoulders as he settled in, laying back as he fought his body’s natural reaction to the ice cubes that filled it. Shutting his eyes, the color still blinded him…as he screwed them closed more tightly, he didn’t see stars, but ice cubes sparking fire as they caught the light.

“Something’s wrong.”

“Easy does it, bub.” Sal’s voice was steady and encouraging. “Slow, deep breaths, ai’ight?”

Nodding, he sank back further and slouched down, shivering harder as he dragged a thick layer of them over his body. Sal’s arms slid in to help as the running tap filled the bath with cold water as well.

“Lay back.” Mike’s voice, brisk but even somewhere beyond. “We’re shooting for ten minutes or more.”

Tommy nodded again and set to work regulating his breathing. It was dry, raspy in his ears, his heart hammering as his body protested in a fit of spasms and shaking he had to fold his arms and cross his legs to control.

In, out. Slow, deep breaths that burned his lungs. His body shook, demanding more oxygen as it exerted itself. The snow white tub burned against his skin, reflecting his own energy back at him.

Fear cracked his concentration, letting the cold in and tearing the world apart.

( ..... )

Muse: Tommy Karras
Fandom: Original Character
Words: 534