She still seemed so confused. He continued to try and guide her away, lead her out of this chilly hell to somewhere warmer, somewhere nicer. He'd take her home, maybe. To his? Maybe not.
He hissed as she stumbled forward, tumbling down and cutting her knees. "Heartfire," he admonished in a whisper, rushing to her side and touching her gently, adding more blood to her graceful shoulder. He nudged her, supported her to help her stand. It didn't happen though. She didn't stand.
The ground started disintegrating beneath her, ice falling away to dust as she fell to her side and nipped at her belly. Something about that hurt like hell, and there was agony in his expression."Babe!" A strained plea, reaching down and pinching her skin between his teeth at her neck like it might wake her up from this. "Babe, don't do that. Get up. We gotta go."
And she did. Shaky and stumbling, but she rose to her feet and he fell in beside her to hold her up once again. "Yours." He frowned at her, looking into her face. His? What, her?? Okay, she was delirious, though. He ignored it. "Come on, baby, just a bit more, okay? Let's get you outta here."
He struggled to keep them moving. Every limb in his body was trembling with the cold, his teeth starting to chatter together. His body still ran so hot though. He was steaming in the cold, looking like smoke in a haze around him. Briella would have to hold on just a bit longer. It would be a bit until he could go for her, bring her with them. Heartfire wasn't safe yet.
"C'mon, baby," he murmured, kissing beside her jaw, keeping them moving. "We're gonna get you home. Gonna get you warm. You'd like that, huh?" Just keep talking. Just keep walking. "Then I'll bring Briella, keep her safe. I bet she misses you already. She's a good baby, you know?"
we're slaves to any semblance of touch
Lord, we should quit but we love it too much
