Can be read as platonic or romantic, reader grew up around/with Garroth, either as a friend or sibling or partner. Angst. I've had this bouncing around my head way too long to really care about working it into a storyline but I might eventually retrofit it into something
You limp along, struggling through the snow with the help of your canine companion. It's so, so cold. Everything hurts. Can you even feel your feet? At least it's not snowing very hard.
Your canine. Their warmth seeps in where they've pressed against you for support. Your mind wanders.
You found them in the forest, probably abandoned or separated from their mother. It had taken a lot of convincing to get the old lord and head guard to let you keep the pup/cub. You took great care and pride in nursing and raising them, and they certainly rewarded your efforts, loyal and in tune with your commands and needs.
Their nose nudges your face, moist and warm compared to everything else. Compared to the snow your face is pressed into. When did you fall?
"...I'm fine..." You rasp out like it'll soothe them. You push yourself back up unsteadily, your limbs moving like they're part of a clumsy puppet.
You have to get back. You have to get back to Phoenix Drop. You can't die on them. You can't die on Lady Aphmau, when she's counting on you. You can't die on her. You can't die on Garroth. You're not sure how he'd—
You trip, aware of it this time as it pulls you out of your thoughts. Your furry companion whines and presses against you more firmly. You pet them, trying to calm them.
Despite your best effort to keep upright, your legs give out again, your body struggling to keep going with the warmth seeping from your wounds. It's so hard to breathe now, like no matter how much air you get it's not enough.
At least it's stopped snowing.
"...seek..." You command the canine weakly. They nudge at you with a whimper, laying down against you instead of obeying. As kind as the warmth is to you, you gather the will to push them away.
"...seek," You repeat firmly. "...go get... get Garroth..."
They reluctantly leave your side, looking back at you after taking a few steps before bounding off.
You're alone now. The cold has numbed your pain, at least. You're so... so tired. You don't even have the energy to turn enough that your face is out of the snow.
It's quiet out here. No animals or fauna around. The wind is gentle now, a soft rustle through your hair.
Maybe you should just rest.
You're starting to not even feel cold anymore.
You try to keep them open, but your vision is blurring. Not like there was much you could see anyways.
You think you might hear a howl.
Your mind is so fuzzy, all you can think of is home. How warm it would be if you were there.
You imagine hearing Garroth on his horse. The familiar soft clanks of armor.
You feel like you're floating. The cold is barely there now, just a soft sensation you can't be bothered with.
You might hear someone call your name, a familiar person, but it doesn't matter. Isn't it too early for you to need to be up?
The world feels like its moving. Maybe you're not actually in your bed. On a ship perhaps, then? Maybe you should try to wake up.
You think you might faintly hear... something. You're not sure what. It's probably nothing.
It's a bit warmer now. You feel... safe. You hadn't even realized you didn't feel that way before, but suddenly feel safe.
The warmth doesn't last, suddenly it's windy. It's less quiet, like someone is knocking at a door constantly.
Why would someone be knocking? You're not indoors.
That's right. You were bleeding out in the snow. You sent your canine to find Garroth so if nothing else he could have closure and a funeral.
You force yourself to focus, a difficult task, but you manage to break out of your head. Your head hurts a bit, and you can't see quite straight. It feels like you're in someone's arms, sitting somewhere less than comfortable. The knocking sound is clearer now, easier for you to identify the sound of a horse's gait, pushing through the snow as quickly as it and its rider dare.
You shift a bit, trying to get a look at who you're pressed against.
You see a familiar face, even through your fuzzy vision. Your movement causes Garroth to spare you a glance, his jaw setting as he forces himself to focus on where he's guiding the horse.
"You're going to be okay! We're heading towards a village right now!" He calls over the wind, shifting his hold to be a bit more secure.
You manage a hoarse hum as your head lolls again, vision fading slowly. He lets go of the reins with one hand to grip your torso tighter against his when he feels your head droop again. He doesn't let himself be distracted, focusing wholly on getting you help.
Your consciousness fully lapses, fate still hanging in the balance.
Sorry if how I wrote this was too disorganized or disorienting, I was trying to make it more immersive. Hope you enjoyed, lmk if you want more written! Taglist and requests are open.
