Afriendtoravens - Tumblr Posts

-----

He closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the peace and the low, comforting sound of Regis' voice as he spoke.

"I'm not exactly a normal Witcher." He noted. "And I meant it. You know I'm not the type to offer something if I don't mean it. And my home is yours if you want it."

He opened his eyes and let his gaze find Regis across the small space, his eyes bright in the low light filtering in through the window.

"She'll swing by soon. Maybe when she needs some information or some support. Sooner if I let her know you're around, she'd be keen to see you again."

----

Geralt made a gruff little sound glancing out at the street one last time before moving over to join Regis by the fire. He dropped into one of the chairs, slouching back against the cushions and stretching his long legs out. He sat that way for a moment before kicking off his boots.

"She does come to visits sometimes, not as often as I'd like, but she has her own life now and she's busy."

He shrugged, making it appear more casual than it was. He had complicated feelings about it all. He was pleased for her, stepping out and living her own life the way she wanted for herself. But he missed her and he worried. He'd spent so long looking for her, protecting her, chasing away people that wanted to use her... It felt strange that he wasn't needed for that any longer.

Lazily he stretched, letting a few of his joints pop before lounging once more.

"Of course you're more than welcome to accompany me as long as you like, I like your company. Offer even extends to the house, in case you need a safe place and a roof."

He grinned roughishly.

"If you can cope with Marlene fawning over you, that is. BB would be thrilled to see you too."

-----

"Even earlier. Is that right?"

He considered that for a moment. He didn't always consider it a compliment, sometimes it made things so much harder. But then, he didn't think he'd change anything.

Reaching out he accepted the flask, taking a steady sip. His eyes found Regis' face, watching him for a moment.

"That's settled then," he replied as he handed the little flask back.

-----

He closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the peace and the low, comforting sound of Regis' voice as he spoke.

"I'm not exactly a normal Witcher." He noted. "And I meant it. You know I'm not the type to offer something if I don't mean it. And my home is yours if you want it."

He opened his eyes and let his gaze find Regis across the small space, his eyes bright in the low light filtering in through the window.

"She'll swing by soon. Maybe when she needs some information or some support. Sooner if I let her know you're around, she'd be keen to see you again."

-----

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."

-----

"Even earlier. Is that right?"

He considered that for a moment. He didn't always consider it a compliment, sometimes it made things so much harder. But then, he didn't think he'd change anything.

Reaching out he accepted the flask, taking a steady sip. His eyes found Regis' face, watching him for a moment.

"That's settled then," he replied as he handed the little flask back.

-----

"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."

-----

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."

-----

"Regis," Geralt chided him playfully, softly, amused at the way he tried to shrug it off when they both knew it was the truth. "You should take credit where it's due. More often than not you were the voice of reason.

At this point, so much had happened Geralt was surprised he was still relatively in one piece too. They'd both had near death experiences, but he could only imagine the kind of terror that Regis had been subjected to. The only side effect of his own adventure had been the memory loss, and that was quite tame in comparison, even if it had presented it's own set of problems.

"Mm, for the most part, yeah." He paused. "At least I think so. All of the important stuff I think I know. Hard to tell these days, it seems there are so many stories and songs about me sometimes i don't know which ones are real."

-----

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.

-----

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."

-----

"Regis," Geralt chided him playfully, softly, amused at the way he tried to shrug it off when they both knew it was the truth. "You should take credit where it's due. More often than not you were the voice of reason.

At this point, so much had happened Geralt was surprised he was still relatively in one piece too. They'd both had near death experiences, but he could only imagine the kind of terror that Regis had been subjected to. The only side effect of his own adventure had been the memory loss, and that was quite tame in comparison, even if it had presented it's own set of problems.

"Mm, for the most part, yeah." He paused. "At least I think so. All of the important stuff I think I know. Hard to tell these days, it seems there are so many stories and songs about me sometimes i don't know which ones are real."

-----

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."

-----

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.

-----

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."

-----

"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.

-----

Geralt stood beside Regis for a moment, yellow eyes scanning his face curiously, searching for something, cataloguing every minute detail. Then he lifted his shoulders in a shrug, the barest hint of a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth as he responded, voice a little gruff.

"What's mine is yours, I should hope you know that by now, we've certainly been through enough together."

He agreed, of course, that it was people that made a home, but there never seemed to be enough of them to stay. He pulled the door open and then glanced at Regis once more.

"I think you'd be the first to say that with such sincerity at any rate."

-----

"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."

-----

"This is what makes you special," Geralt informed him when they reached the bar. He nodded his head to indicate the room and the people who'd greeted him so fondly and warmly.

"The way you have with people, the way you treat them and interact with them. They're all so fond of you and it's with good reason."

He turned to face the room, elbows resting back on the bar behind him as his eyes scanned the room. It was so warm, in every way it possibly could be. The people were smiling and laughing, chatting, singing, and just living the best lives that they could. And in the middle of it all was Regis. Right where you'd expect him to be.

"Following your lead, I feel it's important for you to know that."

There was more he wasn't saying exactly, but he thought perhaps that Regis would hear it all the same, he was clever like that. Knew how to read people.

"Not sure I'm as fond of you as your lady friend though..."

This he added with an amused little smirk.

-----

Geralt stood beside Regis for a moment, yellow eyes scanning his face curiously, searching for something, cataloguing every minute detail. Then he lifted his shoulders in a shrug, the barest hint of a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth as he responded, voice a little gruff.

"What's mine is yours, I should hope you know that by now, we've certainly been through enough together."

He agreed, of course, that it was people that made a home, but there never seemed to be enough of them to stay. He pulled the door open and then glanced at Regis once more.

"I think you'd be the first to say that with such sincerity at any rate."

-----

He acknowledged the little arm squeeze with a smile and the barest hint of a nod, briefly meeting Regis' gaze with his own. He cold read the gratitude in those eyes and he realised that perhaps the man didn't realise how special and unique he was.

Lifting his own mug of ale Geralt took a long, steady sip, letting it sit on his tongue for a moment before swallowing and exhaling slowly.

"I told you, you're incredibly charming."

He noted, flashing Regis a side eye as he took another mouthful of ale.

-----

"This is what makes you special," Geralt informed him when they reached the bar. He nodded his head to indicate the room and the people who'd greeted him so fondly and warmly.

"The way you have with people, the way you treat them and interact with them. They're all so fond of you and it's with good reason."

He turned to face the room, elbows resting back on the bar behind him as his eyes scanned the room. It was so warm, in every way it possibly could be. The people were smiling and laughing, chatting, singing, and just living the best lives that they could. And in the middle of it all was Regis. Right where you'd expect him to be.

"Following your lead, I feel it's important for you to know that."

There was more he wasn't saying exactly, but he thought perhaps that Regis would hear it all the same, he was clever like that. Knew how to read people.

"Not sure I'm as fond of you as your lady friend though..."

This he added with an amused little smirk.

-----

"Setting aside the comment about me, which is the most flattering way I've heard myself described," he glanced at Regis as he took another mouthful of ale.

"You don't need to be pretty to have a dazzlingly beautiful personality. You've surely noticed by now how people flock to you, how easily you make friends and how people are just... Nicer when you're around. Besides, your cheekbones could cut paper."

As urged Geralt followed Regis, making sure to snag a jig of ale from the flirty innkeeper before they departed, quite unable to help himself he returned the wink before trekking after Regis, already looking forward to the meal.

-----

He acknowledged the little arm squeeze with a smile and the barest hint of a nod, briefly meeting Regis' gaze with his own. He cold read the gratitude in those eyes and he realised that perhaps the man didn't realise how special and unique he was.

Lifting his own mug of ale Geralt took a long, steady sip, letting it sit on his tongue for a moment before swallowing and exhaling slowly.

"I told you, you're incredibly charming."

He noted, flashing Regis a side eye as he took another mouthful of ale.

-----

"Why am I the one being pushed out of bed?"

he asked with a smirk, tearing a piece of bread to scoop up some of the gravy from the stew, which was bloody wonderful. It was the first hearty meal he'd had in a while.

It felt good to sit like this with someone again, with Regis again. He had missed him.

-----

"Setting aside the comment about me, which is the most flattering way I've heard myself described," he glanced at Regis as he took another mouthful of ale.

"You don't need to be pretty to have a dazzlingly beautiful personality. You've surely noticed by now how people flock to you, how easily you make friends and how people are just... Nicer when you're around. Besides, your cheekbones could cut paper."

As urged Geralt followed Regis, making sure to snag a jig of ale from the flirty innkeeper before they departed, quite unable to help himself he returned the wink before trekking after Regis, already looking forward to the meal.

-----

He grunted and slid the last bit of bread into his mouth as he eyed Regis. He chewed slowly and then nudged his empty bowl away from him utterly satisfied now.

"Well, you are tall so that would be the obvious course of action."

He dragged his mug of ale closer, lifting it for a lazy sip.

"Do I indeed?" Regis wasn't wrong, that was fair. "Am I not the bad one all the time? I do only have the one face after all."

-----

"Why am I the one being pushed out of bed?"

he asked with a smirk, tearing a piece of bread to scoop up some of the gravy from the stew, which was bloody wonderful. It was the first hearty meal he'd had in a while.

It felt good to sit like this with someone again, with Regis again. He had missed him.

-----

He arched a brow at Regis' assessment, shifting in his seat to get more comfortable, lounging almost, long legs stretched out comfortably beneath the table.

A low sound of agreement escaped him as he lifted his mug again, taking a large swallow.

"Fortuitous indeed."

He eyed Regis for several more moments.

"It is good to see you, too. I wasn't sure we'd cross paths again after you left but I'm pleased to be proved wrong. I'm still not over the fact that you're actually alive."

Before their reunion at Toussaint Regis had been dead for a long while, as far as he'd known. It was still incredibly satisfying and healing to see the man alive and well.

-----

He grunted and slid the last bit of bread into his mouth as he eyed Regis. He chewed slowly and then nudged his empty bowl away from him utterly satisfied now.

"Well, you are tall so that would be the obvious course of action."

He dragged his mug of ale closer, lifting it for a lazy sip.

"Do I indeed?" Regis wasn't wrong, that was fair. "Am I not the bad one all the time? I do only have the one face after all."

-----

"Well, I'm glad at least you had faith that we'd meet again."

The words were gruff but he meant them all the same. People needed faith he knew that even if he didn't necessarily have any himself. It was something of a comfort, in fact. Especially in knowing how important he was to the other man, that was worth its weight in gold.

"Nowhere specific," he replied, idly scratching at the scruff along the edge of his jaw, not quite a full beard yet.

"I was thinking maybe I'd slowly make my way back to the vineyard, perhaps pick up a few contracts on the way. See where the Path leads me."

-----

He arched a brow at Regis' assessment, shifting in his seat to get more comfortable, lounging almost, long legs stretched out comfortably beneath the table.

A low sound of agreement escaped him as he lifted his mug again, taking a large swallow.

"Fortuitous indeed."

He eyed Regis for several more moments.

"It is good to see you, too. I wasn't sure we'd cross paths again after you left but I'm pleased to be proved wrong. I'm still not over the fact that you're actually alive."

Before their reunion at Toussaint Regis had been dead for a long while, as far as he'd known. It was still incredibly satisfying and healing to see the man alive and well.

-----

"Well, you are tenacious and loyal like that," Geralt mused in response to Regis' words that he'd have found Geralt eventually. Truthfully, he was incredibly grateful for that, he was comfortable enough in himself to know that sometimes the volume of trouble he found himself in meant he needed the help.

He understood the ache that Regis was talking about, he knew that pain intimately himself, but he didn't know how to make it better for him. Other than to offer him company and a place, which he already had. Hopefully, that would be enough to dull the pain somewhat.

"No."

It wasn't a surprise that Geralt had never thought of a home or his own, Witchers didn't usually get that chance. And after Vesemir's death, Kaer Morhen just hadn't been home.

"It does feel good though, to know I have somewhere that's mine. A shelter I can offer to friends when they need it. After everything, I think we might all need that at some point."

He poured himself another ale and took a drink, setting his mug down with a little thunk and a half smile a Regis.

"Somewhere to make new memories, yeah."

-----

"Well, I'm glad at least you had faith that we'd meet again."

The words were gruff but he meant them all the same. People needed faith he knew that even if he didn't necessarily have any himself. It was something of a comfort, in fact. Especially in knowing how important he was to the other man, that was worth its weight in gold.

"Nowhere specific," he replied, idly scratching at the scruff along the edge of his jaw, not quite a full beard yet.

"I was thinking maybe I'd slowly make my way back to the vineyard, perhaps pick up a few contracts on the way. See where the Path leads me."

-----

Geralt considered the question for a moment, taking another swallow of ale before setting the mug down on the table again. His gaze found Regis and he watched him for a long moment, he could tell there was so much more woven into that question, even if he couldn't quite decipher it all.

"I don't know," he shrugged slightly. "You know what Yen's like. She may come and stay occasionally, especially if Ciri is around, but... Who knows."

He paused for a moment, rolling his mug between his palms idly, thoughtfully.

"Honestly, even now I'm not sure if she's ever really forgiven me for that wish."

A low sound of agreement escaped his throat.

"I like having you by my side." Even if they didn't always stay that way, sometimes life -and bloody destiny- had other plans for them.

-----

"Well, you are tenacious and loyal like that," Geralt mused in response to Regis' words that he'd have found Geralt eventually. Truthfully, he was incredibly grateful for that, he was comfortable enough in himself to know that sometimes the volume of trouble he found himself in meant he needed the help.

He understood the ache that Regis was talking about, he knew that pain intimately himself, but he didn't know how to make it better for him. Other than to offer him company and a place, which he already had. Hopefully, that would be enough to dull the pain somewhat.

"No."

It wasn't a surprise that Geralt had never thought of a home or his own, Witchers didn't usually get that chance. And after Vesemir's death, Kaer Morhen just hadn't been home.

"It does feel good though, to know I have somewhere that's mine. A shelter I can offer to friends when they need it. After everything, I think we might all need that at some point."

He poured himself another ale and took a drink, setting his mug down with a little thunk and a half smile a Regis.

"Somewhere to make new memories, yeah."