Tropes & Fandoms challenge:
Square: 53/Regular
Trope: Huddling for Warmth

What Really Matters

"They're coming up!" Jean-Eric grunted from his position by the radio in the front of the boat.

Since he had not gone down on this particular dive, Gaston Gray stood at the back of the rented boat and readied himself to pull the girls out of the water as soon as they surfaced. It was cold here near the Arctic…much colder than they were obviously used to from the local dives around the Pelago Commonwealth in the South Pacific where the company was based. Therefore, GG knew that hypothermia could set in quickly once his fellows divers were back on the open boat - if they were not able to get dry and warm fast enough.

He was determined to not let that happen – by any means necessary. After all, those girls…and Jean-Eric…had become his family. During the exciting Pacifica Treasure adventures that he had shared with the other members of L&L Diving Service, his once lone-wolf salvager and adventurer status had instead evolved into one of valued team member and friend…and in one case…even more than that. He had never looked back, either. Nor did he ever want to. He was in it now…with this group…for the long haul.

Fortunately, that particular treasure hunt had taken them all around the world, so they were now used to diving in all kinds of locations and conditions…and they were prepared for anything. Therefore, when Oceana was the first to surface, GG had a strong arm ready to pull her to safety…before he turned her over to Jean-Eric for the warmth of the heavy blanket and hot thermos that the captain held for his beloved granddaughter. Hayako was the next to breach, and was soon out of her suit and swaddled up in a blanket, as well. However, GG continued to look worriedly out over the water.

"Don't worry! She was right behind us," Oceana said with a knowing look at the man who suddenly breathed a sigh of relief as his girlfriend's head finally made an appearance above the water.

Of course, she had put off resurfacing until the last minute in order to collect as many samples as she could of the unusual metallic substance that they had come to investigate in the first place. He knew that it would do no good to complain about her reckless actions, though. It was just her way…and it was that kind of nerve and intuition that led to the successful Pacifica Treasure find in the first place.

Nevertheless, even though he was careful with them, it was not the samples that GG was worried about as he pulled the former folklore studying-graduate student-turned-lead diver-and-head adventurer into the boat both as gently and quickly as he could.

"There's my Midnight Asteroid," he joked with the woman who had come to mean so much to him over the past year as he immediately relieved her of the sample bag before he handed it over to Jean-Eric.

"Ugh! Enough with all of the crazy titles, GG!" she reprimanded in the same light tone, but she still gave him an affectionate kiss and acquiesced when he insisted on drying her off and warming her up himself before he was satisfied that she was truly okay after the freezing dive. Only when she was cocooned in her own blanket and tucked firmly into his side with a mug of the hot beverage in her hands, did he realize how cold he had become during the process, as well.

Therefore, while Jean-Eric piloted the boat back to the shore and to their rented accommodations there…and Oceana huddled up next to them with Hayako…GG cuddled with his girl. It was then that they all shared, not only warmth and coffee, but the story of their newest underwater find. It was one that they all hoped would lead to L&L Diving Service's next great adventure.

Adrenaline junkie that he was, GG found that he could not wait…even though he sincerely hoped that the next part of such an adventure would take place in a more temperate climate. However, he also realized that comfort levels were negotiable…just as long as he was with his team…and his girl! He now knew that the kind of special connection he had with them was the only type of treasure that really mattered in the long run!