-----

-----

"Smile at her, simple as that." He rumbled flatly, turning his eyes toward Regis for a moment. "Thanks."

There was no heat in the tone though, in fact there was the barest edge of humour woven in. He knew what he looked like and he knew how people responded to him.

"She comes to your door? She certainly is invested in you. Have to admire the persistence." He smirked in amusement. "Don't worry, I'll keep you safe, if she does come I might even answer the door for you, that might cause enough of a scene for some respite."

He paused to consider playfully. "Or quite possibly cause more of a scene, with fire and pitch forks."

-----

The praise made him feel weird. He wasn't used to people giving him such accolades and certainly not with such affection and sincerity. And he'd certainly never been called a hero before.

Initially he'd been so against having anything to do with Ciri, what was he supposed to do with a child? He had no desire to collect the debt and certainly no interest in training another Witcher, that life was dying out and it wasn't the life for a child. But as always, destiny and fate had had plans and he'd been swept along for the ride.

Of course he'd ended up fighting with everything he was for Ciri, to keep her safe and protected. He'd even fallen in love with the spirited, stubborn girl. And he couldn't be prouder of the woman that she now was.

He made a low sound in his throat, "You had your own part to play in the whole thing, Regis. Don't downplay it."

He shifted against the wall arching a brow at the words. "Sounds like a plan. But scaring her off? How would I do that, exactly?"

His very presence would probably accomplish that, to be fair.

-----

As Regis approached Geralt pushed himself off of the wall, moving forward to close the space between them. He greeted Regis warmly, with a rare hug -which despite his exterior he quite enjoyed in the right circumstances.

"We should both count ourselves lucky, it's good to see you, Regis."

With a light pat to the other mans back he slowly relinquished his hold, but didn't back all the way out of his personal space. There was something incredibly comforting in being that close so why not make the most of it while he could? There was no telling how long this encounter would last.

"Home," he rumbled thoughtfully. "Still somewhat of a new concept, not used to it. I was in town to see Ciri, thought I'd treat myself to some new gear and stock up on some herbs while I was here."

He eyed the other man. "What brings you here? This where you're calling home at the moment?"

There were always plenty of people that needed help in Nilfgaard and that was where Regis thrived.

⸻

He worried away for a moment, a hand moving through his hair and eventually clutching at his satchel's strap. Geralt's words were soft but he'd heard them so clearly. His ears perked up. He had missed that voice. For a moment, the ghost of a smile appeared on his lips before fading as a heavy ache settled deep within him. It was the weight of sorrow that more often than not accompanied a long-awaited hello. They met this way, fleeting moments in one another's lives. But could there be a hello after no goodbye had ever been given? He wasn't so sure. He suddenly regretted never bidding him a fond farewell at the cemetery, however hard it would have been.

He wandered over, dark eyes lingering on the man as he relaxed in the shade.

"My old friend," he called to him, waiting for him to rise for an embrace. He curled a graceful finger and its claw at him, silently asking him over. "It's been such a long time since we've crossed paths. I should count myself lucky that I happened to be in the town square this afternoon. What brings you here? You should be home, no?"

Quiet contentment.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (dev. CD Projekt Red)

-----

"That's the spirit. We all have to make the occasional sacrifice for the greater good." Gealt responded with a sharp little grin.

He followed as Regis led the way, getting the boxes up the stairs and into the little room that Regis had been renting. It wasn't a bad little spot, truth be told, he'd certainly seen worse. It was cosy and clean and that's all anyone could ask for.

He set the boxes down next to Regis and made a low sound in his throat, a sound of agreement. "Well, if we're tagging along together then it isn't so bad, you'll be there to fix me up anyway."

-----

That was wholly true. People expected Geralt to be strong, his nature wasn't as easily hidden as Regis' and the man's current form gave off the impression of a certain wiry strength, but nothing significant.

Geralt had already caught the scent, but as Regis pointed it out he inhaled deeply, holding the wonderful scent in his lungs. He made a low sound in his throat, appreciative and thoughtful.

"Well, if that's true don't put her off too much, at least until after we've eaten. I can't remember the last time I had a really good meal and I'm keen to eat."