I Care {Darkiplier}

(Chapter 35)

During the entirety of the walk back to the cabin, neither of you uttered a word, though occasionally you would accidentally slip up and make a noise of discomfort due to the harsh climate. Each time you gave off a sign you were in displeasure, Dark would subtly change the way he grasped you, or changed his position or the speed of his steps, in hopes of somehow finding a better way to be a barrier between you and the frosty elements.

A part of you was grateful for it, and the other part of you was mortified, and embarrassed.

First, you start crying in front of the guy, like a fool, then you start to practically whine about the weather...

G r e a t

...

Not

Honestly the more you think about how you reacted the more you internally cringed. You didn't mean to get upset it just...happened. You get more emotional around him, for whatever reason. Sometimes it just feels easier to do. It was confusing, a bit scary, and sometimes humiliating.

Honestly, at the moment there was a lot you were feeling, and most of it was not good.

Dark on the other hand, besides the wavering and liveliness of his aura, did not give much of an indication of his own thoughts, or emotions. Though from the brief glimpses you managed to catch sight of, there was a slight crack in his overall serious facade. A part of him almost looked troubled, slightly more on edge, though it was difficult to pick up on due to the wind dampening your eyesight. His aura seemed a bit calmer than it once was, despite himself. Mayhaps he sometimes was good at keeping himself together then other times. Whatever the case may be anyway, you did not know.

You were broken by your thoughts when the pace you and Dark were at, suddenly slowed significantly, making you nearly lose your balance and fall forward. However, due to Dark's quick thinking and his acknowledgment of you doing so, he was able to steady you in time, his hand that was wrapped around you already tightening, as his other freehand that stayed down by his side, shot forward, offering a secondary level of support if needed. Your near trip into the blanket of white around you made you both stop your journey altogether.

Dark offered an apologetic look before inquiring about your wellness, checking in to make sure you somehow did not twist an ankle, or something during your clumsy moment. You shake it off, a bit- okay more so like a lot- caught off guard and flustered, to truly give a reasonable reply. You could not do much about that immediately sadly.

Afterward, one last flicker of his gaze over you, and he spoke again, turning away to the subject at hand, that lay residing, waiting for you both ahead.

"If you are sure...Besides that, it seems we have arrived." He gives a short, quick jerk of his head towards the cabin ahead, the stairs a couple of short seconds away.

Looks like you both made it back home- er, to the temporary home?

Yeah...

Everything feels too muddled to really think about the minutia of it all.

You follow his gaze shortly after, your breath fogging and misting as you exhale in relief, the slight tension within you easing if only a tad. This was a good development.

"That...Thank goodness." You murmur, feeling slightly better, even as another wave of cool chill pricks at you.

Dark silently nods, most likely in agreement, before moving to walk with you up to the dusted stairway. Once you both made it, did he finally, gingerly slip away from you, to allow you to go up before himself. The slight warmth you had from the man dissipated quickly, and you shiver slightly from the frigid temperature that intervenes, stepping up and taking Dark's place. You shift, moving up the stairs, letting your legs carry you as you force your hand to stick and trace the icy, wooden railing. Soon enough, you make it up the stairs, but before going inside, despite the part of yourself wanting to be selfish and just head inside to just get warmed up, you turn, looking over your shoulder to check if Dark was still around, and behind you.