The younger male ceased his pacing by the fire as the cabin door slammed open to let in a flurry of icy wind and snow, warm brown eyes meeting the figure of his snow-coated older brother. Worry eased like the first signs of spring and life, his shoulders slumping for the first time since they both found you missing from the safety of their home. "Gods..." Darien breathed as the older male stepped inside with you in struggled tow, his thick winter gear dusted with frost — fury in dark eyes more harsh than the chilled land beyond the door.

With a gasp, you collapse onto the floor, breathless, your hair and simple dress soaked with snow that tumbled to wood where pieces of fabric were almost frozen. His coat swallowed your frame — protection offered when he had first found you in the barren forest.

"Stupid girl, you could've died." Ottei growled, slamming the door with a hard thud that rattled your bones though he didnt bother to shake off the snow on his frame, flakes coating his blonde hair with kisses he didn't care for. "What the fu-" the man bit back, sighing in a failed attempt to ease anger as he trudged off, boots thudding faintly on the floor. "What the fuck were you thinking?" His words bit as sharply as the wind, but you could hardly answer, shivering uncontrollably as the ice in your veins tried to thaw. The room was painfully warm in contrast to the storm you'd just escaped — Darien already grabbing a pelt and moving to your side, his face lined with concern, the anger of his brother muted in his softer gaze.

"Ottei, enough." His voice was calm, though the edge of frustration lingered as he too was upset; with you, your escape. He kneeled to then drape the thick pelt of fur over your trembling form, its weight warming you immediately, though it didn’t stop the shaking nor the pain tearing at the nerves of your fingers.

You didn't bother to look at the more solemn face, not in the mood for their lectures no matter how soft.

"Don't play the saint, brother." Ottei snapped, his steps heavy and cheeks flushed with sought warmth.

"My love," Darien said quietly, tucking a strand of damp hair behind your ear. His touch was gentle as he scooped you up, bringing you closer to the fireplace. "you’re alright now." He murmured, cupping shaking hands. "Gods you're like ice..." Darien murmured, looking to you with an empathetic gaze.

"Best pray you don't have frostbite, little schatz." Ottei growled, fists clenched as he crouched beside you, snatching your wrist and prying your palm open to brush over aching fingers. Without a word, the older male pulled out a set of cuffs connected to a length of clinking chain. You flinch as the cold metal touched your skin, but Ottei was relentless, snapping the cuff around your wrist before securing the other end to his own. "You’re not going anywhere ever again." He said darkly, his voice dangerous. "Not to that town- not out for some false facade of help. Nowhere. I'll make god damn sure of that."

Darien sighed, rubbing your shoulder and your gaze hung low — fight dampened to seek warmth. He sighed. "She needs to be warmed up- hot soup and heat, not reprimand-"

"And if I'd brought back a corpse?" The blonde hissed to his kin, who fell silent. "What would you say then, Darien?"