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It's bitterly ironic that she's the one struggling most with the cold when most of the party is wearing half the amount of clothing she is. Rex's bare arms and legs and that skintight salvager's suit, Shellhead not even buttoning his damn coat, to say nothing of how much skin certain Blades show.
But despite her outfit covering less than half her body, Pyra is as warm as her element and that's only half the reason Nia refuses to let go of her. Not that she'll ever admit it.
"Nia," Pyra says as the party finds a place to make camp, "it's okay if you just want to snuggle." Nia's face flushes and she furtively glances around to make sure no one heard that. Of course the Aegis would be that perceptive, it's a wonder Rex can still be as dense as he is; surely it would have rubbed off on him by now with all the time he's spent with her!
The worst part is, her complaints about Dromarch's fur were a flimsy excuse. She knows very well she can melt the frost and he'd keep her warm, but it's not the same. He's a companion, a butler, even if he were humanoid it would be like cuddling with a mere pillow.
Pyra's more. She's soft and slender and pretty and while her attributes could double as pillows, simply holding onto her arm is enough to give Nia's heart the flutters and make her feel toasty warm all over even if her element wasn't fire.
"I thought you'd be snuggling with Rex," she mutters, instantly wishing she hadn't because she knows she just sounded jealous. "I-I mean, because you are his Blade." Pyra smiles, sitting down next to her.
"And his friend," she says, "and yours, too, remember? You know Rex doesn't treat his Blades like just tools." None of them do, but Rex has this insistence about it to the point where it's a miracle whenever he remembers he's traveling with the bloody Aegis. There's such a thing as being too difference-blind.
Nia shivers as an icy breeze blows past her, Pyra moves closer, and Nia's no about to turn down her offer. This time instead of latching onto her arm, she leans against her chest; Pyra's arm wraps around her and Nia's heart does a drum solo.
She first realized she might have feelings about women when she saw Mythra in the hot springs, but Pyra's been with them longer and while it was Rex's infectious optimism that made her join it's been Pyra who's made her miss the old days with Torna less and less.
(It's hard to miss people who want to destroy your friend, no matter what fond memories you have of those people.)
"Feel better?" Pyra asks. Nia nods, snuggling closer. Pyra's not even turning up the heat or lighting a flame, it's all natural and all her.
"I've been spoiled by the temperate climate of Gormott," Nia mutters. "Never imagined anywhere could be this cold. Can't say I blame Shellhead for always leaving."
"I can't blame anyone for always leaving," Pyra says. "It's so easy to get lost in these drifts, too, especially when the snow's too thick to see an inch in front of you. Even us Blades aren't always equipped for that."
"Mm." Nia bites her lip, trying to stave off certain thoughts, momentarily forgetting whether Mythra knowing something would mean Pyra automatically knows, too. "Hopefully it will get a little better once we reach town, or the palace."
"Pandoria said there's an inn in town." Pyra pulls her closer, and Nia's heart jumps yet again. She can't even be jealous of Rex in the he doesn't know what he's got sense because he clearly does; she's happy he knows how to treat someone so precious but at the same time wishes it could have been her.
Stop it. He's talking with Zeke and Morag right now, you've got Pyra all to yourself. Just enjoy it, you silly girl.
"Too bad there's probably no hot springs," Nia sighs. "Oh, well. A warm bed and four walls and a roof will be enough for me." She curls up a little, ears twitching and flattening against her head as she stifles a yawn. Pyra giggles.
"It's been a long trek," she says, petting one of Nia's ears; for a split second Nia almost purrs. "You get some sleep, okay? I'll be right here." Just hearing that makes Nia feel warmer than even the hottest flame, and it doesn't take her long to nod off.
It's the best sleep she's had in who knows how long.