In that moment, Bragi did not wonder why she woke up then. Why after so many days, and so many attempts, Idun woke up the second Bragi had stopped trying. Those were questions for much later. She found her way back. That was enough. In that moment, Bragi didn't wonder anything. He just marveled at how much better she looked alive and the way her breath shook out onto the air.
Bragi put his arm around her and pulled closer. “Shh” he soothed between chattering teeth. “You came back. Everything's fine now. You came back.” He hoped she'd understand he didn't want to silence the talking, just the whimper. Bragi loved the talking. As long as she kept talking, he knew for sure that she was still there. The time for whimpering was done. She laughed, and Bragi laughed too.
But when she pulled the blanket over him again, his eyes widened and Bragi protested. “No...” He shook his head, but parts of his hair were so frigid they didn't move. “No.” He said it softer the second time. Bragi saw the concerned look in her eyes, and that stopped him from pushing the blanket off again, but she didn't understand. He didn't want it on him when it could be on her. She was enough.
She pulled closer. He felt her head on his shoulder, and Bragi pulled the hood of her cloak back up over it, and then wrapped his arm around her again. He could feel her heart beating. But this wasn't enough. Fire hadn't warmed her. He'd held her this close before. He'd kissed her before. He'd picked her up, before he'd realized that moving her might make her crack. Idun didn't understand how cold she'd been. “They said you'd never wake up,” he said slowly and shivered. “If it happens again,” he said, “you might not come back again.” Bragi didn't know why she'd come back this time. He didn't want it on him when it could be on her. She was enough.
He couldn't let go of her and watch her try to get up yet. Bragi was scared it would break the magic that was keeping her living and breathing right there if they pushed it too much too fast. They'd go soon. Bragi nodded. She looked a bit lost still. “You looked into Niflheim and saw all the shades,” Bragi whispered, “You fell. We came as soon as we could, but the journey took awhile. The wolf skins were supposed to work, but they didn't.”