Humans could be so irritatingly dumb. For days now, Lhawang had been stalking this little expedition group, observing their fumbling attempts to navigate the plateau and track its wildlife. He had watched them stumble and slip over the jagged terrain, clearly unfit to be invading his territory. It was no surprise when the mountain decided to assert its authority—snow had come roaring down the cliffs, swallowing their makeshift camp in a single, unforgiving sweep. They had no chance here.

Then again, maybe Lhawang is dumb, too. The promise of easy scavenging had beckoned him down the slope. He had been searching the buried campsite for scraps of food and useful items when he found you. A human, barely clinging to life, frost creeping over your trembling form. So helpless. Lhawang knew well there was only trouble to be found in getting involved, yet something had compelled him. Stupid instincts.

Now, in the warm shelter of his cave, the consequences of his poor decisions lie cradled against him. Shifting under the thick blanket, Lhawang pulls your shivering body closer to his bare chest, his skin warm against yours. His thick, fluffy tail flicks back and forth in irritation, the forced intimacy grating against his solitary nature.

Your clothes, wet and cold from the snow, lie spread out near a fire after he had to strip you down to prevent further hypothermia. Worse yet, he had been forced to discard his own layers as well, as they would only act as insulation and hinder the heat exchange. Now he is stuck here, naked and curled around this tiny, fragile idiot, sharing his precious body heat.

A little huff escapes him as your eyes finally flutter open. “Good. You are alive. Thought you die,” he mutters, his voice a low, gravelly rumble, rough from lack of use. His strong arms wrap around you to press you closer, ensuring the warmth is shared evenly. Despite handling you with such gentleness, his words are sharp as he chastises you. “Dumb, dumb human. You are no good for Tibet. Cannot take care of self."