“I think you’re overheating,” he says, pulling me out of my cocoon.
Now that he mentions it, I do feel hot. Like,superhot.
Magnus unzips my coat and I try to help him get it off, but can’t get myself to move. It doesn’t matter though, he shifts me around like a doll as he takes off my outer layers.
I should’ve paid better attention. I was already too tired to help search for supplies, the least I can do is take care of myself. I don’t want to drag my team down.
Now that I noticed how hot I am, all I can focus on is my panting breaths.
I try to take a deep inhale and slow my breathing, but it doesn’t work.
Magnus holds up my canteen for me to drink. The cold water shocks me, ice filling my stomach, but it’s better than feeling like I can’t catch my breath.
Henri and Charm come in, and Charm rushes over to feel my hot face.
“What’s going on?” he asks.
“She’s overheated,” Magnus says.
“I’m sorry, Hestia. I thought you’d be cold without the blankets. I should have stayed to watch you since I don’t have a camera in—I should have stayed,” Henri says, feeling my neck and smoothing back my hair.
“It’s okay, it’s not your fault. I just didn’t realize how warm I was,” I say, and I’m already talking normally again, though my vision is a little blurry.
Henri is still stricken. I can’t imagine how he’d look if he heard what I sounded like a minute ago.
He soaks a bandana with his water bottle and puts it around my neck.
The heat recedes as quickly as it came, and I try to reassure them that I’m fine so they stop hovering.
When Cato returns, he’s carrying a bunch of tin cans. He sets them on a table and shucks his clothes until he’s down to just pants.
I’m still in my flannel shirt, leggings, and wool socks, but the fire has warmed up the room enough that it’s a comfortable temperature.
Magnus and Charm follow his lead, taking off their shoes and outer layers. Magnus hangs my clothes near the fire next to his to dry.
Cato joins me on the couch and brushes my cheek. I must feel cooler because he doesn’t fuss.
“I’m okay, Henri,” I say, since he’s still fluttering around me.
He has all his clothes on except for his hat. I can’t have him getting overheated now. I tug on Henri’s coat, and he finally strips down like the rest of us.
“What’s the cabin like? It seems like it’s in good shape,” I say.
Orion isn’t back yet, but I assume they checked most of the place.
“It’s sturdy and well-stocked,” Magnus says, nodding at Cato, who is prying the lid off a tin can with his multi-tool.
Cato fishes out a pear slice and takes a bite before offering the rest to me.
I take a big sniff first, but it smells and looks okay. As long as the can wasn’t damaged, it should be safe, though it won’t be flavorful if it’s old.
I eat the pear from his hand and chew slowly. It still has the usual fruity taste and isn’t totally mushy.
It’s pretty good, actually. One of the best canned pears I’ve ever had.
I chew faster, my body suddenly deciding I’m hungry.
“Unsurprisingly, the electricity won’t turn on. I’m sure the service is shut down,” Magnus continues as Cato feeds me more. “There’s a generator connection, but I didn’t go out to look for one because of the storm. There’s plenty of firewood in the attached garage and the water is working, so we’ll be okay until the blizzard passes.”
