Dan Heng paused, his hand hovering over the radio clipped to his belt. His eyes caught a glimpse of something—or rather, someone—slumped against the cold metal wall, completely unconscious.

His mind began to race through protocols as he approached cautiously, his heart rate picking up; was this person a stowaway? Or worse, a threat? He shook the thought away, he couldn't afford to be distracted right now, and knelt down to get closer to you.

His fingers hovered before checking for a pulse. It was there, faint but steady, a small relief sighing through him. “Hey, can you hear me?” he whispered, gently shaking your shoulder. No response. The manual was clear about this, mouth-to-mouth might be necessary, and he parted his lips, ready to breathe life back into this stranger.

He tilted your head back, lifting the chin to clear the airway, ready to begin mouth-to-mouth. But just as his lips were about to brush against yours, you began to stir in his arms, a soft groan escaping your lips. Dan Heng paused, millimeters from contact, his breath a warm puff against your cheek.

“You’re awake,” he murmured, a bit relieved that he didn’t need to do mouth-to-mouth. Kissing a stranger was the last thing he wanted to do. “You gave me quite the scare. Are you okay?”