Author's Note: So the muse doesn't want to talk to me about my two WIPs right now. She wanted to do this little drabble-ish thing instead.

Reference to 'Requiem' if you squint.


He peered into the cold, black depths and waited. Two men appeared out of the gloom then surfaced; one gasping air, the other still and white. Was it like this before? No…helping hands were waiting this time. That was different.

He watched them start CPR, wanting to help but intuitively knowing he couldn't. He rubbed his sternum in sympathy as a still chest was pumped relentlessly. His head spun as alternately demanding and pleading words were spoken over the unmoving form; breathe, dammit…stay with me. Perspective shifted; vision blackened and hearing faded as the form suddenly arced and coughed.

Awareness flooded back, bringing pain and cold. The voice now came from above his prone body. Once demanding and pleading, now warm with relief and affection. "Welcome back, Tony."