Hey guys, this chapter is waaaay sadder than the others. So yeah.
Julian peered into the dark warehouse. Quiet sobbing echoed. "Hello?"
He heard a gulp, and a strained, "Who is that?"
"Cai - Frost, I mean," he corrected himself. "It's Julian."
There was a silence, and the familiar meta-human with white hair, pale skin, and cold blue eyes emerged. Streaks of frost lined her face, revealing that she had been crying. "I'm sorry, I know I'm a mess," she croaked.
Julian shook his head. "No. No. You look fine."
Frost smiled weakly. "I appreciate your efforts to make me feel better, Julian, but it won't work." She turned away and retreated back into the dark.
The blonde stood there quietly. "Can I come in?" he finally asked.
Clearing her throat, Frost's hollow voice said, "Yes. Of course. Come on in."
Julian stepped inside. He saw an old mattress and a small table. Empty crates surrounded them. "I don't have much," Frost muttered, embarrassed. "Here, sit. I'll go find something."
The Brit pulled her back down. "No, Frost," he said firmly. "Talk to me. What's wrong?"
The meta-human hid her face. "I hurt some people."
Understanding dawned on Julian. "Is this about the mission today?"
Frost nodded her head. "I wasn't careful."
"Frost, it was just a mistake!" Julian insisted. "It wasn't your fault!"
"I was careless." She began to tear up. "I almost killed those people. I probably injured them permanently."
"Frost, look at me," said Julian seriously. "It was not your fault. You didn't mean to hurt them." He added, "I'll stay with you, if you want."
Frost nodded. "Thanks, Julian."
The blonde noticed she kept minimal distance, so he wrapped his arm around her leather-covered waist. Frost caught on, cuddling against him, and laid her head on his shoulder. Julian tried not to shiver. "It's alright," he whispered.
Frost fought her drowsiness, but eventually, sleep caught up with her, and she closed her eyes, head resting on the CSI's shoulder.
He stayed with her for a few hours, admiring her beautiful face, although she wasn't exactly Caitlin Snow. Then Frost woke up.
"Better?" he whispered, releasing her from their embrace.
She nodded. "Better."
They walked together to S.T.A.R. Labs, in a friendly silence. Right outside the cortex, she murmured, "Julian, I want to say thank you for staying with me. You didn't need to do that."
Julian grinned. "You say that everytime."
Somehow, their lips ended up pressed together, with Frost taking the lead. Her frozen lips met Julian's soft ones. The blonde gently combed through Frost's white hair. Julian hastily broke their kiss.
"What - " Frost's words were cut off.
Julian's lips were blue, his eyes regretful and ashamed. He had begun to freeze. She looked horrified as she ripped his sleeve, revealing the injury on his shoulder where she had lain her head.
"Julian, I...I..." she fled.
For the first time, Julian didn't try to stop her. His eyes welled up with tears. He had kissed Killer Frost, when he had fallen in love with Caitlin Snow. He didn't love Killer Frost. But he still treated her like a replacement for the special brunette that just couldn't be replaced.