Winter escape
(Hurt/Comfort, Aftercare)
(Cw: enviromental whump, cold whump, recovery)
"I'm- I'm so so sorry! I'm sorry! I promise I will never try to run away again!" whumpee whimpered, kneeling in the cold snow. There was no place to hide nor to run. All that was left was to beg for forgiveness. They were too scared to even look up the person over them.
"Dear God, Whumpee, it's -20°C. What kind of idea was that" whispered Caretaker. They uncovered their scarf, trying to catch their breath, as they rushed closer. Warm steam rised in the winter air. "And you don't even have any shoes on. Why didn't you take mine?"
Fresh snow crunched under Caretaker's boots as they walked closer and leaned toward Whumpee. Whumpee flinched, but instead of the expected kick, they felt a heavy, warm leather jacket falling on their shoulders.
"It's getting dark. I was deadly worried" Caretaker crouched beside them and looked at their face with concern, as if checking to see if they were hurt. Warm fingers gently glided over Whumpee's cheek.
Whumpee dared to raise their head and met the caring and loving gaze. Whumpee's eyes glazed over with honest tears. "I'm... sorry..."
Caretaker clenched his eyelids, holding back tears of stress himself. The last few hours of the search had been a nightmare. "Promise me you will have your phone with you next time. Please. I can't lose you again. You have no idea-"
Whumpee timidly put a hand, trembling from the cold, on Caretaker's shoulder, as if trying to comfort them. Caretaker drew Whumpee close in a strong embrace, fighting back tears and reassuring themselves in spirit that it was all over.
That Whumpee were here. They were close. They were safe.
"Let's get you home. We have to warm you up"
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