Hansel frantically grabbed for his cloak in the snow, hating the fact that he was currently a shivering coughing mess. His hands were shaking so violently he could hardly tie the ribbon of his cloak, his fingers fumbling desperately. His cloak was soaked from the snow but he ignored it, stumbling to his feet. Slowly Hansel began to limp back towards the cottage. His legs quivered, feeling like they could give out from under him at any moment. His entire body felt filthy, he felt filthy. He could practically feel Melchior’s fingers still ghosting over him and he wanted to throw up from the fact that he had even allowed that man to touch him.

------

Gilbert was woken by the creak of the cottage door and a gust of icy wind. Slowly he lifted his head and saw Hansel standing there. Hansel staggered inside, pushing the door closed behind him before he slumped against the wall, his hair falling into his face. He was still angry at him but seeing Hansel in this state still caused a twist in his gut.

“Hey,” he said, his voice still groggy from sleep. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Hansel rasped in a voice that sounded like it was coming from someone who was most certainly not fine.

Gilbert shot up now, cursing the fact that he still couldn’t smother his concern for Hansel. “Did that man hurt you?” Hansel didn’t respond, his expression unreadable in the darkness. “I’ll find him if he did,” Gilbert said slowly. “I’ll find him and I’ll kill him, I promise.”

“I said I’m fine,” Hansel said firmly. There was a slight edge to his voice. “Gilbert, trust me, everything's okay. I’m just...I’m really tired.” A small sigh escaped him. “I know you must still hate me,” he said softly, “but I don’t think I can make it home in this state. Would you mind if I slept in the bed with you?” His voice quivered slightly. “It’s okay if it’s not. I’ll just...I’ll sleep on the floor if-”

“No, Gilbert said almost too quickly, “it’s fine. This cottage is yours anyway. I don’t mind sleeping next to you.” In the darkness Gilbert could make Hansel out enough to see him give a weak smile. The wolf found it amazing that the boy could still smile like that even in this state.

“Thank you,” Hansel said, his voice a little more than a whisper. He slipped his cloak off his shoulders letting it fall to the ground with a soft thud. Slowly his made his way to the bed which creaked under his weight as he climbed up onto it. Almost immediately Hansel collapsed next to Gilbert, a small sigh escaping him. He was trembling, so much that the wolf could feel the bed shaking slightly.

“Are you cold?” Gilbert asked softly. Hansel looked to him through lidded eyes before giving him a small nod. Gilbert had no idea why the fuck he was doing this but he slowly moved an arm, wrapping it over Hansel’s shoulder in some feeble attempt to warm him. He was taken by surprise when in turn Hansel suddenly snuggled up to his chest. Gilbert lay, frozen in shock as he slowly felt Hansel’s breathing calm against him. Gilbert was taken aback by just how small and cold Hansel’s body was. For some reason however the feeling of Hansel so close to him, from the shape of his body to the curve of his back to even the sound of his breathing, seemed achingly familiar. As Hansel finally began to still against him Gilbert found his own eyelids growing increasingly heavy, sleep slowly but surely taking over him again. In the morning he would go back to being angry at Hansel for his betrayal but tonight...tonight Gilbert wanted nothing more than to simply sleep holding him close.