You Owe Me a Son

Warmth.

Hal smiled at her comment about the clothing while looking around for tools within the hut. There wasn't much in the way of hunting equipment other than some makeshift traps. Once dusted he took his time to look over them and figure out how they worked before moving toward the door as Blaire selected the clothing she wanted to wear. "Get a fire going, there's some dry wood in the cupboard over there. Keep it small so the glow isn't visible beyond the hut.....We'll have to put it out before we sleep." He spoke gesturing toward the area he had found the traps. "I won't be far, just shout if you need me."

Hal stepped outside and shut the door behind him, giving her the opportunity to do what she needed with her wet clothing. He walked a small distance from the hut before starting to set traps in a circular pattern around the area. Hiding the ones made of metal with a claw like system beneath foliage for potential intruders and the smaller wooden ones aside for rabbits. Once done and in the dying light of the day he set about collecting apples and various berries before returning to the hut.

He set what he had collected on the table before peeling his soaked and dirtied shirt from his skin, tossing the garment aside before following a similar process with the rest of his clothes. His boots were set aside to dry while he pulled out a woollen shirt and leather pants from the cupboard dusting them down before pulling the clothes on.

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Blaire gave him a light smile as he left and got straight to lighting the fire, hoping it would heal the constant chill she felt. It was already beginning to darken outside and she wasn't sure how the two of them would manage without the warmth and light tonight, she could already feel the temperate dropping and there wasn't a whole lot around to cover them as they slept.

She sat by the newly lit fire for a few minutes, embracing its heat and feeling reluctant to leave it. It seemed peaceful, nothing but silence and warmth, however her thoughts still raged on deep in her mind. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes while holding her breath, letting her left hand reach out to the heat until she couldn't hold it anymore.

She exhaled firmly and breathed through the pain soaring up her arm before scanning over the abandoned cabin and carefully peeling off her dress, placing it to the side gently. She knew that the clothes she had picked weren't going to be comfortable to lay in, but it would hopefully keep her warm and allow her to be prepared to run if needed.

Once she finally changed she made her way over to the kitchen and let her finger run along the side of the counter, collecting an army of dust upon it. She quickly blew it away and began rampaging through various cupboards until she came across a small wooden cask of ale. "Jackpot" she smiled to herself as she pulled it out and placed it on the floor.

She jumped slightly as Hal returned, her hand already clasped tightly around her knife just in case. She let out a small laugh once she knew it was him and showed off her discovery "probably tastes like shit now, but maybe it will keep us warm" she shrugged crouching down beside it before finding herself gazing absentmindedly at Hal's exposed skin, suddenly glancing down at the floor once he'd done changing.

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With the door firmly wedged in place and the wet clothes removed from his skin Hal took enjoyment in the warmth of the small fire. He hung spare clothes over the old windows which meant they could keep the fire going even if only for a little longer. His gaze always dropped back toward Blaire watching her with a smile on his lips.  There was a warmth to him despite losing their home, despite being exhausted, he'd not lost her and he found that that was all that mattered to him now. The sight of her with the cask when he had re-entered the hut had filled him with energy he didn't think existed within him anymore.