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The stranger was with them still, he had been since the death house and Shepherd had learned to tolerate him more since then. But right now, he couldn’t help but envy the larger man as he strutted through the snow that billowed around the group and without any effects the others endured.
Shepherd was cold. So, so damn cold.
His skin was turning concerningly pale, almost pinkish from its normal red hue due to the icy air around them, which they were all forced to inhale and exhale; erupting from his mouth in Stinging Shepherd’s throat from the cold billowing around them. Snow attacks their skin with every painful movement to walk. He was used to the heat of Rattlesnake- warmer than this, certainly.
He swayed slightly with every step, damned cold seeping the energy to remain upright. Luckily, the rest of the group was fending it off better and wouldn’t have to worry too much about crazy bad hypothermia.
Shepherd exhaled, watching the steam puff out of his mouth and his hands tighten on his shirt from where they were crossed, trying to keep warmth.
His vision began to blacken, tiredness taking its toll on his frightening cold body, “S-Shepherd, How do you F-Fare?” Asks Sarnax, Who is trembling just as bad as Shepherd is, holding the lantern close to his chest in a feigned attempt to feel warm; Steam Billowing from his panting mouth as red eyes gaze upon Shepherd. “I-Im fine, s-Sarnax.” he answers the lizard folk Slowly, Speaking itself causing pain in his throat as the cold takes it’s chance to attack him.
Shit, he should’ve been watching where he stepped. Now he was tumbling forward into the snow because of his own ignorance; the frozen water showing no mercy as the cold attacked his freezing Skin and he shivered, maybe he could just close his eyes for a few moments, regain his strength.
He heard the chattering words of his Worried companions, he’d get them out of this cold soon enough.. He just needs a little rest.
His vision fades as he begins to fall into unconsciousness, and as he does Shepherd here’s the crunching of Boots on snow and a few seconds later he’s being hoisted close to a broad, warm chest with arms holding his shivering body close. The Warmth is agony against his freezing skin, but Shepherd can’t bring himself to be bothered by the heat.
It’s comforting, in a way. He hears the parties chattering and he knows he has to protect them, but all he can think about at the moment is the warm chest he’s held against and how nice a nap would be. as he passes into the realm of unconsciousness the last words he hears is; “Take a nap, everyone will be fine when you wake up.”
Distantly, He recognized it as The Stranger’s Southern Drawl, and right now it's comforting.
When he wakes, warm and against something soft, Shepherd nearly doesn’t want to get up. He doesn’t even want to move from where he’s surrounded in a blanket of warmth. Though he forced himself to open his eyes, what in the hells was this?
Shepherd was laying on the Stranger, whose arms were wrapped around him tightly. It snowed slightly further away, clearly they were near to exiting this Snowy hellhole.
Laying around him or on him were the rest of the expedition, curled in on themselves or leaning against Shepherd and the stranger- his name is Gideon, something in him chided gently. -fast asleep.
“So you’re finally wakin’ up? How was your nap?” A deep voice above chuckled, the southern drawl of it comforting.
…However, forgive Shepherd for being startled when someone speaks without warning when he thought they’d be sleeping! “Relax, you’re so jumpy.” Gideon soothed, patting shepherds back. Looking up at the man, Shepherd relaxed slowly, leaning back against him to try and fall back asleep.
I could get used to this..
He though distantly as he drifted again.