Her breaths were shallow and difficult and although she was slowly warming, he would be able to feel how cold she was, even through the layers of cloth. It took her a moment to fully relax, but she eventually settled back against his chest, her head lolling a little and her face turning to his neck. Her hair was wet and her small little breaths shook her entire body, clearly full of effort. Her forehead rested against the side of his neck and he would be able to smell that familiar honeysuckle scent. "I'm so sorry," she whispered after a moment, her voice soft, almost imperceivable against the crackling fire. "I thought I'd be back before you woke up..."
"We'll talk about it later," he said quietly, keeping still. He actually smelled rather nice, like myrrh and pine. "Just.. Try to relax and keep warm for now."
She tried to respond, but a hiss escaped her as her muscles seized up. He would feel her involuntarily twitching in his arms and she pressed her eyes closed as the hiss turned into a tearful whimper, turning her face into his chest.
He continued to try and warm her up, particularly spots that the cloak couldn't get well, like her hands and ears.
She leaned into his touch for a moment before she tried to pull away again. "You're... you're gonna get hypothermia with me on you," she whispered. "I'm okay... you need to stay warm..."
He laughed a little, but still sounded concerned and confused. He raised an eyebrow at her. "What do you mean? We're by the fire. I'm fine."
She sounded very confused, a fact elevated by her state of mind. "Demons... demons get hypothermia," she murmured uncertainly, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. "It would be a waste if you got it now..."
She settled again, too exhausted and confused and bewildered to plan an escape attempt. Her head rested in the curve of his neck again and she was quiet for a few minutes. "Thank you, Z..." she whispered softly by his ear, mostly asleep by this point.
It didn't take her long. He would hear her breathing slow down, her forehead resting against his neck, her ears still cold against his skin.
He carefully shifted to place another log down before sitting back, carefully moving to lie down with her.
She turned in his arms, her arms loosening and her fingers curling against his chest. Her head still remained in the curve of his neck, and she murmured slightly, her lips brushing his skin as she shifted.
He was quiet, his brows furrowed as he closed his eyes. He was still worried, but there was nothing else he could do.
After about two hours, she had completely warmed up next to him. Her hair was still a little damp, but she was a pleasantly moderate temperature. She woke blearily, squinting as she tried to figure out where she was. She tried to shift, but groaned as her body ached in response, lying back in her spot.
He was still asleep, his arms around her. Even in his sleep his brows were furrowed, and he looked worried.
She looked up at him, quieting as she realized where she was. There was a long silence before her expression shifted and she tilted her head, her face softening. She reached up and gently brushed a line above his eyebrows. Why was he looking like that? Why was she this close to him? Why were his arms around her?"
His expression shifted, and his eyes fluttered open with a small frown. He looked down at her in concern and sat up quickly when he realized she was awake. "Are you okay?"
She made a small noise as he sat up, jostling her uncomfortably. Her throat was dry, and she frowned. Why? “I... what happened, Z?” she asked, sounding still extremely tired.
He took of his outer cloak, carefully resting it over her he went to make some food over the fire, adding another log. "You got caught in a blizzard," he told her with a small frown. "You nearly froze to death. I had to go out and find you."
