You were trudging through the mountains during a heavy blizzard. You thought it would pass, but it only got worse, much worse. You continue on, hoping for warmth, shelter, anything... Nothing but the cold Just wind and cold Then you fall to your knees, shuddering, shivering. You see a silhouette in the distance as you pass out You awaken, warm and covered in fur pelt blankets. You hear the crackling of a fire and see someone sitting by it alone and holding a large axe

Without even looking at you, she grunts, "Couple hours." Her voice is rough and low. "I found you outside during the storm..." She pauses for a moment before adding, "...thought I'd bring you here to warm up."

"You're welcome." Her reply is short and curt, almost unfriendly. She busies herself with tending the fire instead of looking at you, as if she can't quite meet your gaze. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that she isn't the most talkative one.

She glances at you out of the corner of her eye but doesn't say anything. Her expression remains blank and unreadable as she continues to tend the fire, careful not to get too close to your personal space. It seems like she isn't entirely comfortable with having company... yet isn't rejecting it either. The silence stretches between you both for a while, each lost in their own thoughts.

"It's my home," she replies shortly before muttering something under her breath about being more comfortable with solitude and silence than with people. Her tone makes it sound like she regrets having spoken at all, but then again, that seems to be the theme for this encounter.

A faint blush creeps onto her cheeks as she realizes you heard her muttering. She avert her gaze and remains silent, seemingly deep in thought now. The fire crackles loudly between the two of you, filling the void with its warmth... and awkwardness. The tension is palpable; it's almost like she wants to be alone, but at the same time feels compelled to keep you here for some reason.

She raises an eyebrow at your apology and the mention of leaving her in peace, a faint smile touching her lips. "You didn't nearly die," she says matter-of-factly before quickly adding, "but I appreciate your help regardless." Her voice is still rough and low, but there's something else beneath it now; a hint of warmth that hadn't been there earlier.

As you put on your jacket, she stands as well, towering over you despite her own smaller stature. Despite this, she doesn't seem intimidating or aggressive in any way; rather, there's a sense of protectiveness about her that's unmistakable. "I suppose... if you insist on leaving, I can escort you back to where we found you," she offers quietly, her eyes flickering down to the ground as she speaks.

Her expression softens at your words. "Very well," she says finally, her tone more resigned than regretful. "Stay warm and take care." As you begin to walk back towards the entrance of the cave, she hesitates for a moment before calling out, "My name's Joy." The admission feels almost forced from her lips, as if it physically pains her to reveal such an intimate detail.

Her cheeks flush slightly at the sound of her name on your lips. "It's nice to meet you too... Aethen." The way she says it, there's an almost inaudible huskiness to her voice that sends a shiver down your spine. She watches as you disappear from sight before returning to tend the fire one last time, making sure everything is safe and secure before settling into her own small corner of the cave for the night. Despite her initial reluctance, she finds herself thinking about you throughout the evening...and wondering if perhaps she'll see you again someday.

Without opening her eyes, she sighs softly. Of course he'd show up when she was at her weakest. But... somehow, the knowledge that it was him who came to her rescue fills her with a strange mixture of gratitude and anxiety. She forces herself to be still and silent, waiting for the sting of the needle to subside. "You didn't have to do this," she mumbles weakly. "I could've handled them." But even as she speaks, she knows deep down that it was only luck - and his timely intervention - that saved her from the wolves' vicious attacks.

A faint blush creeps onto her cheeks at your words, and she turns her head away slightly to hide the color. "It was just a scratch," she protests weakly. Her gaze drifts back toward him, studying his features as he works on her leg. He's so much more handsome up close than she remembered...and there's something about him that makes her feel both safe and uneasy at the same time. "Thank you for coming to my aid," she finally says, her voice quiet but sincere. "I owe you my life."

"Fair enough," she replies with a faint smile, trying her best to remain still as he finishes up the stitching. The warmth emanating from his body feels nice against her skin; she can't help but wonder what it would be like to feel his strong arms around her again...if only for completely different reasons. She swallows hard, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest. "I-If you don't mind staying a bit longer," she says quietly, "I could use some company while I rest." There it is; the admission that she wants him around even though she knows she shouldn't.

Her cheeks flush with embarrassment at her own admission but are quickly replaced by gratitude when you say that you're going to stay regardless. As he finishes bandaging her leg, she looks up at him again and offers a small smile. "Thank you," she whispers, voice barely audible above the crackling of the fire. It takes everything in her not to reach out and touch his hand or arm; it would be so easy to do...but she knows that if she does, she may never find the strength to let go again.

With a sigh, she shifts her weight slightly on the bed and closes her eyes, preparing for what will hopefully be a restful sleep. She tries to ignore the butterflies in her stomach as she listens to his gentle breathing from just a few inches away...and wonders if this is what it feels like to be human.

As Joy drifts off to sleep, her thoughts are a jumble of conflicting emotions. On one hand, she's relieved that someone else is here to keep her company and safe. But on the other hand, she's filled with an almost overwhelming sense of dread; dread that comes from knowing deep down that she's growing closer to him...and that maybe, just maybe, she doesn't want this kind of connection in her life anymore.

Despite everything, however, she finds herself enjoying the warmth and comfort his presence brings. It reminds her vaguely of what it was like when people were still a welcome part of her life...and makes her wish that things could somehow be different between them now.

Surprised to see him awake as well, Joy slowly sits up, clutching the blanket close around her body. Her expression is a mixture of surprise and relief when she sees that he's not looking at her directly. "I... I was just thirsty," she murmurs, her voice hoarse from sleep. She reaches out carefully, trying to grab the cup without making any sudden movements that might startle him or make him uncomfortable.

After taking a long drink of water, Joy glances at Aethen again. He seems content sitting there by the fire, watching over her even in his sleep. She wonders what he sees when he looks at her; if he understands the turmoil within her heart or if she'll always be just another puzzle to him. Despite the unspoken tension between them, there is an undeniable connection there...and Joy isn't sure how much longer she can ignore it without something snapping inside of her.

Surprised and grateful for his consideration, Joy reaches out carefully to take some of the food he's placed on the table. As she begins to eat, her eyes never stray far from him; they study his every movement, trying to understand what makes him tick. His presence is both comforting and unsettling at the same time; it's as if being near him brings out feelings and emotions that she thought were long dead.

The fire crackles softly between them, casting a warm glow over their faces and making the shadows dance across the cavern walls. Despite her weariness, Joy can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring...and if it will be another day spent with this enigmatic stranger who has somehow managed to worm his way into her heart.

"No, I'm fine," she says softly, though she can feel her cheeks flush slightly at the offer of his companionship. Despite her protests, being with him feels different than it should; comforting in a way that she hasn't experienced in a long time...if ever. Perhaps part of her wants to bask in this warmth for as long as possible before reality sets back in and reminds her why she should avoid getting close to others at all costs.

As the night wears on, Joy finds herself growing more and more aware of Aethen's presence beside her, even when he isn't looking at her directly. It's almost as if his very existence has become a beacon of light in the darkness; a reminder that there is still beauty and hope to be found in the world...if one only knows where to look.

The sound of his breathing slowly deepens, signaling that he's finally asleep. Unable to resist the urge to study him in this vulnerable state, Joy steals a sideways glance at Aethen. His features are relaxed and peaceful, devoid of any tension or worry that she knows all too well exists within her own heart. It occurs to her then that perhaps it's not just being close to another person that frightens her...but rather, it's admitting the truth about herself to someone else.

The fire crackles softly beside them as the night wears on. Dreams dance across Joy's eyelids, images of hope and fear entwined in a tangled web of possibilities. And amidst it all, there he is...a constant presence that she both desires and fears in equal measure.

She wonders what the morrow will bring; if they will part ways or if fate has something else in store for them. No matter the outcome, one thing remains certain: her life will never be the same again.