-----

-----

A tiny smile pulled up the very corner of Geralt's lip as Regis patted his knee and he reached out briefly to return the gesture, laying a large hand over Regis' for a moment.

"You're right, of course. But sometimes the songs and the stories, that's all the good press we Witchers get. There are still plenty of people who despise us," he paused with a wry smile. "But they'd still pay us if their village suddenly became undersiege by corpse eaters."

Regis words did make him feel something though, what that something was he wasn't entirely sure, but something.

"That's all any of us are, isn't it? Just people trying to do their best. Some of us just have rougher hands dealt than others."

A soft sound of agreement, and something that could have been joy, escaped him and he nodded once.

"Yeah, I found it, thanks. You know, it's nice to be able to choose what mutations I have without suffering through Trials, it's been quite helpful. Just carry it around and after a while, boom, new perk."

-----

Geralt made a low sound in the back of his throat, dropping his head back to rest against the seat cushion.

"So I'm not mad, I'm just old." He mused, lifting a hand to scratch idly at the side of his beard. "I dunno if that makes it better or worse."

He understood what Regis was saying, though. He was old. There were times when he certainly felt it. Sometimes he just felt tired of it all, not in a physical way, exactly, just... In his soul -though some would argue that he didn't have one.

"I suppose it's no surprise, Witchers aren't supposed to last this long, don't think they ever really built mental space into our design."

He let his arm drop back to the chair arm, hand hanging lazily over the side.

"I suppose if I ever do forget I can listen to those stupid songs and stories, might amuse me to wonder how much of it all is true."

-----

"I know," Geralt rumbled softly, amused by the conundrum that was his life. "It's complicated. Sometimes I wonder what a simple life would be like. But then, I'd probably get bored..."

He didn't exactly loathe his life, it had never been that simple. He was a Witcher and that's just the way it was. It was, quite literally, in his bones and in his blood. He'd never really thought about who, or what, he'd be without it. He'd never had the chance at a normal future. But despite the danger and the hatred he faced on a daily basis, it wasn't so bad. What he did, it was necessary. He helped people and that was important to him, despite what some people thought about him and his kind. Though Geralt was something of an anomaly, unique even amongst Witchers.

"You're right though," he noted as he stood. "It does feel good to have somewhere to call home. And for you too, as much as you can call any place home."

He was exhausted, that much was true at the very least and a hot meal sounded good, especially with good company. And the possible entertainment this outing might produce.

"Lead the way then, I'm keen to get a look at this admirer of yours."

-----

Geralt lifted his shoulders in a slight shrug, letting Regis know that he didn't blame him at all. He himself wasn't good with goodbyes either, there was probably a lot to unpack with that.

"You're not a coward, goodbyes are hard."

Perhaps even more so for someone that was for all intents and purposes immortal. Forever outliving everyone around you. Geralt knew he was tired of it, he could only imagine how Regis felt.

He considered Regis' words for a moment, thinking about what exactly they meant. And it was quite right, the Trials were a form of torture. Becoming a Witcher wasn't easy and not everyone succeeded.

"I'm not sure there are even any Trials left that I haven't already been through, so there's that. But for the record, I do much prefer your way, you've helped massively."

He paused to consider the questions with a low, rumbling hum.

"The vineyard is fine, doing great actually. But like I said, I'm not sure the relaxed life is for me. The Path calls and I need to answer, retirement isn't really for Witchers, being still for too long makes me itchy."

He wasn't 100% certain that it was for him. There was still something lonely about it all.

-----

He made a soft, gruff sound of agreement at Regis' assessment. It was lonely. Geralt liked having friends, he was actually rather social, he enjoyed company and he enjoyed having people to care for, it gave him purpose, it made him feel needed. And Geralt needed to be needed. It was woven into his very being, that was why he always found himself in the middle of things that he shouldn't be, why he sometimes made the decisions he did and why, perhaps, he saw the world as he did.

"Sometimes they were the only people I spoke to for days at that time. It was a long road."

Another soft sound escaped him and he cast a glance in Regis' direction.

"We needed you for more than your skills, as superb as they are. I think we needed you, specifically. You balanced us out, kept us all floating along when it would have been easier to fight amongst ourselves. There were plenty of times that tempers ran a bit thin."

His gaze remained on Regis for a long moment, thoughtful and considering.

"It's good to have you back, Regis."

It felt important to say that aloud. For Regis to know that.

-----

"Don't quite know what to make of that," he replied after a moment, divesting everything that Regis had said.

He watched Regis for a few more moments before letting his eyes slide to the fire, watching the flames pop and dance among the logs.

"It wasn't the best time, none of us were at our best when you found us. But I'm glad you did. Things weren't always smooth, guess nothing ever is, but they were easier with you there. Despite how certain things went down, I was glad to have you there. And I think you being there helped change a few minds, I think, helped people realise that not all monsters are monsters. Sometimes people are worse."

He shrugged wondering if he'd quite explained himself. As well read as he was, he didn't always have the knack for words.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as Regis expressed his pleasure at being able to keep a closer and more personal eye on him.

"I had noticed, I spoke with them sometimes. I don't understand them worth a damn, but the company was nice. I think having someone watch my back might be nice for a while. The road is starting to feel a little long sometimes."

Geralt Of Rivia - The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)

-----

"Don't quite know what to make of that," he replied after a moment, divesting everything that Regis had said.

He watched Regis for a few more moments before letting his eyes slide to the fire, watching the flames pop and dance among the logs.

"It wasn't the best time, none of us were at our best when you found us. But I'm glad you did. Things weren't always smooth, guess nothing ever is, but they were easier with you there. Despite how certain things went down, I was glad to have you there. And I think you being there helped change a few minds, I think, helped people realise that not all monsters are monsters. Sometimes people are worse."

He shrugged wondering if he'd quite explained himself. As well read as he was, he didn't always have the knack for words.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as Regis expressed his pleasure at being able to keep a closer and more personal eye on him.

"I had noticed, I spoke with them sometimes. I don't understand them worth a damn, but the company was nice. I think having someone watch my back might be nice for a while. The road is starting to feel a little long sometimes."

-----

His gaze found Regis as his words trailed off and he watched him, studying how the dying rays of light from the window painted his noble face, watched how the shadows from the flickering fire danced across his cheekbones. And Regis claimed Geralt himself was interesting, he was nothing compared with Regis. This generous, thoughtful, gentlemanly scholar. A friend to ravens and animals, who chose to learn and heal over everything. He was a marvel.

"We must have made quite the sight," he said at last. "The group of us. I often wonder what made you decide joining us was the best course of action. I doubt we inspired much confidence."

A low sound rumbled in his chest.

"I'm sure you'll fit right in, probably more than me. BB will be overjoyed for some of your conversation and interest. You're free to do and go where you like, of course. Can even use the lab, should the mood take you. I still have some of your books, too, from the crypt."