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Orion was placing down the coral rug to cover up the lodestone, or trying to, when his Communicator pinged 3 times.
Placing the last coral, he took out the Communicator and what he saw had him instantly rush out of his house. There were 3 texts from Theo.
Theo: Orion. Help
Theo: Village.
Theo: help. Can't breath
When Orion came to the village, he found Theo in one of the houses the shark was rebuilding. He knew it was the one that was planned as the safe house.
Theo was sitting on the ground of the half build house. He was curled in on himself. Legs hugged to his chest and face hidden. The shark was shaking, Breath coming way too quick. Clearly hyperventilating.
The Orca kneeled down in front of his Friend and spoke softly.
"Hey Theo. It's Orion. Can you look at me?"
It took some time but after some time Theo looked up at Orion, who had sat down in front of him.
"You can just nod or shake your head alright."
It wasn't a question. It was a statement. It was Orion acknowledging that Theo had not made a single noise beside the rapid breathing.
"Is it okay if I take your hand?"
A shaky nod. So Orion took Theos hand carefully. The touch was light. Like he was holding something fragile that may break any moment. But it signaled to Theo that he could pull away at any time he wanted to.
Orion guided Theos hand to his own chest and to rest against it. Still softly holding on to it. He started taking deep long breaths in and out. "Try to match my breathing"
That's how they were sitting there and after some time Theos breath started to go back to normal.
"You are doing so well. Wanna tell me what happened?"
Theo opened his mouth but no sound came out. He flushed a little. Which Orion noted in his head as 'cute' and immediately regretted it.
Then his Communicator pinged again and he noticed Theo had taken out his own and was typing on it and after another ping was looking back up at the Orca.
Theo: I was just thinking and got too in my head again about it. Which was stupid.
Theo: Thank you for coming and helping.
and then Orion said and did something he thought he would regret but didn't.
He leaned forward and put his forehead against Theos.
Nearly black eyes met blue and while Theo blushed completely red Orion was also starting to blush.
"For you, I will always be here to help. No Repayment needed"