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milliedazzledust · 2 years

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The Devil and I Get Along Just Fine (Bucky Barnes imagine)

Request: Bucky had just been rescued by the Avengers. Now he has to go through tests to show just how much the serum has changed him, emotionally and physically. Neither the Avengers, nor the reader truly realize just how much the soldier is tired to fight

Words: 2.8k

Warning: heavy talk of PTSD

A/N: so this was a story I had already posted but I felt like there was more to write, more depth and emotions to explore - I hope you'll like it!

“How did you sleep ?”

“Fine” She knew he was lying. The man barely slept and on the rare occasion he did, his demons were quick to change into nightmares. He would never tell her that, and she would never allow herself to ask.

“Ready for today ?” She chose to say instead.

Bucky sat at the end of his bed, in his own bedroom, inside a gigantic building he hadn’t really wanted to live in. He kept staring at his clasped hands, trying to force his own mind to shut down his anxiousness.

“Not really,” He sincerely whispered.

The woman sighed and knelt down in front of him. She gently stroked his forearms, trying to somehow appease him.

“Do you trust me ?”

“You know I do, Y/N” He replied with the hint of a smile.

“Then trust I won’t let anything happen to you” She squeezed his hands. She had a distinctive smell, a mix of the shampoo she used and the perfume on her skin. It had become a scent he associated with peace and reality. “C’mon, Buck. Time to go”

It would have been an understatement to say he didn’t want to. Every part of him was scared of how this day would go. He silently followed her nonetheless as she led him to the basement floor of the building. It had been designed by Stark and almost looked like a hospital. Him and Dr.Banner were spending much of their time there. That day, they had been charged to test Bucky in order to fix his arm and check on his health.

He never acknowledged Tony or Bruce as he walked inside the examining room. He surprised himself thinking it was a lot cleaner than what he had been accustomed to. No wires, no massive machine, no device to hold his head in a deafening grip, yet his first instinct was to memorize each and every exit.

“We’ll start with your arm” Dr.Banner instructed him. The soldier was already in his own world, his mind miles away. It was a trick he had learned long ago, a palace he had created to escape the pain. He knew the doorways by heart, he had built them. A real labyrinth nobody but him could go in, the perfect hiding place. He knew his body could take any hit, so long as his mind remained intact.

“Buck” Y/N delicately called, bringing his attention back to her. He reminded her of a scared animal when he glanced up at her.

“Do they need to remove it ?” He talked quietly, almost as if he was scared Tony and Bruce would hear him.

“Yeah” She answered with a frown, knowing he would be uncomfortable. “But it won’t hurt”

He didn’t believe her, how could he ? He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to refocus, forcing his muscles to stop acting by memory. The adrenalin was already coursing through his veins, anticipating a fight or flight response he knew wouldn’t come.

“Alright” He resigned himself and laid back on the gurney, clenching his fists in an attempt to stop his body from twitching.

“I’m gonna need you to leave the room, Y/N” Tony informed her.

She shook her head, categorically refusing as she kept her gaze on the man. “He needs me”

“It’s alright” Bucky muttered without even looking at her. “I’ll be fine”

He didn’t see the way she bit her lips, didn’t see the expression of worry on her face. Her eyes trailed down his figure, watching him sink into his seat, almost as if he was expecting pain to be inflicted at any point. She dropped her head and with a sigh left the room, left him drifting into one of the dark and gloomy corners of his mind.

Tony and Bruce weren’t really hurting him, only doing basic analysis and checking his vitals, yet every touch felt heavy, eliciting goosebumps all over his skin. His senses were heightened, his brain ringing a fire alarm he couldn’t ignore. He had learned long ago the best way to endure torture was to lay still and silently wait for it to be over. So, as his entire body froze, he waited.

“We are done, sergeant Barnes” Dr.Banner said after a while, giving him a sympathetic nod of comfort.

The soldier drew in a small breath and turned his head to look back at the doctor. “What now ?”

“We’ll need to test the arm once you’ve gotten used to it” Stark stated, typing on a computer. “For now it’s just about your everyday life - two hands is better than one. We’ll see later how you can adjust in a fight”

Bucky pursed his lips, biting back venomous words he wanted to shout back. He had no intention of fighting ever again, just like he had no intention of surrendering his will to choose to do so.

Steve was next, waiting for him in the training room. Y/N was there too, afraid he would not handle the weight of yet another minute spent using skills that weren’t really his.

“What is this ?” The wounded man asked, his eyes roaming across the room.

The Captain carefully looked back at him before answering. “Can’t really put you back out there without testing your… abilities first”

Before them were several kinds of weapons, firearms and knives mostly, set on a large table. They all knew he didn’t want to do this but needed to be sure they could rely on him when the time would come. They all knew what Hydra handy-man was capable of. The only catch was that using those skills as Bucky Barnes would be very different than using them as the Winter Soldier. The man felt too much, the assassin too little.

“We’ll start with the guns. They are all in pieces. I’ll put a timer - take as much time as you need to reassemble each parts” Steve explained.

Bucky cast an unsure look at Y/N but she forced a smile on her face and nodded at him. She was standing nearby, her arms crossed, concerned he might snap under the unnecessary pressure. She had been against this whole idea, deeming it was too soon for him to jump back into business. He needed therapy, not training.

The former soldier only took a second to observe and analyze what was in front of him. Without thinking, he started to assemble each piece together. There were eighteen different kinds of firearms in total, for which he took less than two minutes to rebuild. All from muscle memory he didn't know he possessed.

Once he was done, Steve asked him to show them what he was capable of doing with knives. Each time he threw them, they landed exactly on the target, precisely where he wanted them to. Whichever the shape or size of the weapon he was using, his hands seemed familiar with it.

His companions were watching from afar, taken aback by his speed and agility, but most of all by the lack of expressions on his face. He was stone cold and detached, doing what was expected of him without any care in the world. There was no denying he had been trained to kill.

“That’s… impressive” The Captain conceded. “Better than most”

The compliment fell flat on Bucky and he waited for them to give him the next instructions.

“What more do you need to evaluate ?” He mumbled, almost annoyed. He was exhausted, he needed to rest.

“You were injected with the infinity formula, which we know now slows down the way you age” The Captain told him.

“Cryo helped” Bucky muttered under his breath, avoiding to look back at his friend.

“What else did it alter ?”

He crossed his arms, not wanting to elaborate. He felt naked under prying eyes. “Mostly strength, speed and reflexes” He still vividly remembered the brutal violence he used to force secrets out of his targets, sometimes could even still feel the blood on his hands.

“Healing too” The Sergeant reluctantly added.

Steve suddenly seemed very interested.

“How so ?”

From the corner of her eyes, Y/N saw Bucky tensed. She knew he wasn’t ready to share that part of his story yet.

“I… don’t think now is a good time for this, Steve”

He wanted to push the issue but she shook her head, efficiently silencing him.

“Are we done now ?” The former soldier had had enough.

The Captain sighed. “I’m only trying to help, Buck”

His friend was quick to answer. “I know. But getting me back on the battlefield is the worst way to do it”

Steve knew he was right.

“Can I go ?” The former soldier pushed one more time, looking back between them. His voice was barely a whisper, filled with apprehension. He had been taught the hard way to follow commands without a second thought, without questions.

“You are not forced to do anything you don’t want to” Y/N gently reminded him. “The choice is yours alone”

“Should have started with that” He grumbled.

He left them there and went back to his room. Spending his whole day being looked at under a microscope had been a burden for him. They knew how the Winter Soldier came to be and figuring out how he changed the man underneath could prove to be of great help. That much he understood, but it didn’t make anything easier. He could heal quicker than most, move faster, handle any weapons as he pleased, yet remained incapable of using his own mind. What good could a set of skills do if controlled by a damaged system ?

He had intended to choose a book from his small collection and read until exhaustion finally caught up with him when somebody knocked. He knew already who it was before she had entered the room.

“Are you alright ?” Y/N leaned on his door with a concerned expression on her face.

He snorted without humor and raised his head to look at her “You need to stop asking”

“That would mean stop worrying about you” She shrugged as she walked inside and sat on the bed next to him. “You know I can’t do that”

They didn’t talk for a while, enjoying the comforting proximity. Y/N had been a rock for him throughout all the adjustments he had had to make. She understood the loneliness and the devastation brought by his newfound identity.

“I tried to tell them it was too soon” She efficiently cut the silence in a whisper.

“They want me back out there” He guessed.

She shook her head. “No, Buck. They want to understand what Hydra did to you”

“Why ?” He turned to look at her, eyes filled with questions.

“Steve thinks they can find a way to heal you” She confessed.

“Heal me ?” He repeated, arching an eyebrow in bewilderment.

She took a deep breath and let herself fall back on his bed, absently staring at the ceiling. “I told them it was useless. It’s not your body that needs help”

“Y/N…” He warned her, standing up to put his book back on the shelf.

“I know you don’t want me to say it, Bucky, but seeing you like this is truly horrifying”

He pursed his lips and clasped his hands together. She saw the movement from the corner of her eyes and knew it meant he was done talking. He had the habit of shutting everyone down once he deemed the conversation too uncomfortable.

“It’s like… you’re constantly standing on the verge of a cliff, overlooking memories that bring you nothing but guilt and pain. Hydra is long gone but you still live with them”

“You should leave” His voice was firm.

She sighed and sat back up, looking right at him. “No. Not this time”

“What is this ?” He clenched his jaw, flipping his hand in the air. “What are you doing ?”

She rubbed her eyes in exasperation. “I’m getting you to talk”

A dark chuckle escaped his lips. “So what, now you’re my therapist too ? Is that what this is ?”

He was slowly losing his patience, she could see it.

“Bucky, I know this isn’t easy for you…”

“You don’t” He cut her in a sharp tone, his nostrils flaring almost in anger. “So please, please, Y/N I need you to stop pushing”

She stood up and took deliberate slow steps toward him, almost afraid to scare him away.

“I can’t” She whispered, shaking her head. “I need to help”

“This isn’t helping” Y/N raised her hand and before she could even reach his cheek, he gently grabbed her wrist and pushed her away. He saw how much the rejection hurt her but chose not to say anything.

“It’s been weeks, Bucky” She tried to explain. “And I really thought you were making progress and getting better. But clearly it’s getting worse again”

“Worse ?” He repeated in a hysterical chuckle. He had talked with so much animosity she felt compelled to take a step back. “You think this is worse ?”

She could see a whole spectrum of anger displaying on his face. He covered his mouth with his hand and started pacing around the room. That single word alone had attacked him in a way she hadn’t anticipated. He looked like a cage animal, trying to repress whatever emotions had hit him.

“Bucky…”

“There wasn’t even a better to begin with!” He shouted, voice filled with so much emotion it made her involuntarily flinch. “No, no, no, Y/N, I’m not getting worse again. This was never temporary, this is how it’s been for as long as I can remember”

He closed the distance between them so fast she barely saw him moving. They were inches apart and every muscle in his face was contorted with rage.

“I’m exhausted, do you get that ? I’m so fucking exhausted of pretending so congratulation, Y/N, you’re sitting front row to see the shit show! You wanted to know what was inside my head ? Hm ?” He pointed an accusing finger at his skull, hitting himself repeatedly. His bloodshot eyes were wide open and he hadn’t realized he had started crying. “This is it! It’s getting worse again for you, but nothing ever changed for me. I live in hell every single fucking hour of every single fucking day. The moment I stop pretending is the moment you get to witness the tip of the iceberg. But you’ll never see it all, never. Because if you did, you wouldn’t even comprehend how I’m still alive”

She tried once again to close the distance and touch him but he didn’t let her and backed away.

“This isn’t getting worse again” His voice cracked in a whisper. “You’ve seen nothing”

When finally his eyes landed on hers, he realized she was sobbing. She had silently taken every single blow of rage that had been aimed at no one but himself. This is what he had been afraid all along, for her to see how much damages there was to uncover.

“I woke up in a world that wasn’t mine anymore” He said after taking a couple of deep breaths. “And today, you were all acting like I should’ve been proud to know how to fire a gun, or throw a knife, or handle a fight. But all this ? It came with a cost. You have to get that”

“I do” She murmured. “I’m sorry I can’t take your pain away, Bucky”

He sadly smiled at her. “I never ask you to”

With a long sigh, he let his body fall back on his bed and clasped his hands together. “I wanted to rip my own heart out every time I was allowed a shred of sanity. There was this… peephole inside my own brain, this tiny window from which I was able to witness what the Winter Soldier was capable of doing. It was always… always so… brutal”

He stopped for a moment, the emotions once again too violent to handle all at once.

“But sanity never lasted too long. I ended up on that same chair, strapped down, my head bare for them to wipe. Just like that, back to square one. To oblivion” He shook his head. “Now I’m not sure how to handle memories I share with an assassin. Where do I end and where does he begin ?”

She swore she had never seen a man looking so broken. This time when she closed the distance between them he let her. She kneeled down in front of him and took his hands on her own.

“We’ll take it one day at a time”

“It might take a while”

She softly brushed the tear rolling down his cheek, watching him closing his eyes and relishing on the small and intimate touch between them.

“I’m willing to wait”

“I might never get the old me back”

“That was never the goal, Buck. We move forward, use all the pieces to create a new version you’ll be comfortable to live with”

“I like that idea” He smirked.

She leaned forward and tenderly kissed his forehead, sealing in that gesture the promise she would stay and fight for his sanity.

Tag list:

@kmuir1 - @highland1124-blog

#bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes imagines #bucky barnes fic rec #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes #bucky barns x you #the winter soldier x reader #the winter soldier imagines #the winter soldier fanfiction #the winter soldier #the winter solider imagine #winter soldier x reader #winter soldier imagines #winter soldier imagine #winter soldier fanfiction #winter soldier #bucky x reader

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milliedazzledust · 2 years

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I'm really happy you liked it !!! 😊 I'm thinking about either writing another part or turning this story into a serie !

Either way, I'll make sure to tag you !! 😊😊

War Of Hearts (Geralt of Rivia imagine)

Request: can you write something about geralt x princess!reader where he gets invited to her birthday banquet because there's suspicion that there's a monster in the castle and they start falling for each other after he saves the princess -

+ can you write something where Geralt saves the princess from a monster at her brithday banquet and they start falling for each other

Words: 3.4k

Warning: violence - fight scenes

A/N: since I'm in quarantine because I've got covid, I had quite some time to write this. My last story of the year! - I really hope you'll like it, don't hesitate to give me any feedback! Happy new year lovelies, and as always, stay happy & healthy!

The mission should have been easy for Geralt. Get in, kill the monster, get out. Yes, it could have been if he were to protect anyone else than Princess Y/N, the tigress of Zaidor. She had earned quite the reputation over the years, turning into a warrior on the battlefield, leading her people with heart and determination.

Her parents were traveling to Cintra when the Queen had been brutally killed. The kingdom had sunk into turmoil and Princess Y/N was too heartbroken to understand what was really at stake.

While she mourned, her father led an investigation to found out who was behind the assassination. Fearing whomever ordered that horror would come after his daughter, he chose to teach her how to fight. He kept her away for years, forcing her to learn about any and every subject, to practice for hours on end, to make her not only strong but also smart, thus becoming the tigress of Zaidor.

She was kept in the dark about her mother passing and never found out what really happened. Ithar, her father's most trusted advisor, became her protector, following her everywhere and ensuring her safety the best he could. He was a mage that had been assigned to the Kingdom of Zaidor long before she was born. Beside her father, he was the only person she trusted inside the walls of the castle. He suspected someone was coming after the Princess, and what better occasion than the banquet of her anniversary.

Despite the threat, the King had wanted the party to be spectacular and the amount of people present opposed a real challenge for the mage to keep the Princess safe. That was how he had decided to call on an old favor to the Butcher of Blaviken.

“Let’s practice this one more time, princess” The mage spoke to the woman.

She rolled her eyes and smoothen her gown. “No need to say it again, Ithar. No fight, no bad words, if any danger - run and hide.”

He gently smiled at her. “I’m only trying to protect you”

“I know, but you’d do well to remember I’m not as defenseless as my father and you make me out to be”

“Humor me” He pleaded.

She huffed. “Fine. I’ll do my best”

“That’s all I ask”

They were standing outside the grant Hall that would hold the celebration. Music could already be heard behind the golden doors and Princess Y/N was about to order to announce her arrival when the mage laid a hand on her shoulder to grab her attention.

“One more thing, Princess”

Judging by the lack of emotions on his face, she knew already she would not like what would follow.

“Well ?” She rushed him when she noticed his uneasiness.

She saw the silhouette of a man walking toward them and tilted her head to the side to study the appearance of the sudden stranger. He was taller than her father, and much more muscular. He exuded power and strength, looking everything like a wild wolf. His long white hair had been pulled to the back of his head and what instantly captured her attention was his gaze. Whomever that man was, she could see his tales of war through his eyes.

“Princess, let me introduce you to Geralt of Rivia” Ithar turned to the stranger, acknowledging his presence. “The…”

“Witcher” Y/N finished for him, never taking her eyes off of him. She said it with interest but also curiosity.

She thought she saw the outline of a smirk on his face for a second, but he only offered a courtesy nod.

“Princess” He greeted her, bowing his head in reverence. She raised an eyebrow, surprised by his low tenor. He had an alluring voice, powerful and authoritative yet warm enough to bewitch her. She was mesmerized by the intriguing comfort of his ethereal tone.

She couldn’t remember words, only nodded. Her restlessness was perceivable and he answered with a knowing smile. She felt sudden heat spread through her body and slightly blushed.

“Hm” Ithar cleared his throat, breaking whatever spell was at work between Geralt and his protegee. “He will keep you company for the night”

“What ?” She replied, startled. “Why ?”

“Because somebody is threatening your life” He reminded her.

“So you keep saying” She crossed her arms in annoyance. “This house is full of guards, and you’re a mage. Surely nobody would dare to attack me”

“We are not discussing this. He will stay with you, whether you like it or not”

She hated when he spoke to her that way. It made her feel like a child, incapable of defending herself. She pursed her lips but kept her mouth shut. Geralt didn’t usher a single word but studied her closely. Somehow, something about her was strangely fascinating to him.

“Right this way, then” She raised her hand in the air, leading him toward the doors.

She avoided looking at him but hooked her arm to his as the guards called her name, drawing the attention of her guests. She plastered a smile on her face and waved her hand in salute. She could hear the whispers, see the judgmental stares and accusing eyes as people realized she was walking beside the Witcher.

“I’m sorry” She turned her head to whisper so only he would hear.

He gently smiled down at her. “Don’t be, I’m used to far worse”

“You shouldn't be”

She kept staring at him, trying to hide the sadness brought by his statement as he led her to the main table of the ballroom. Torches were lit all around the place and decorated with her favorite flowers. As she sat down, she let her gaze trail around with a smile, admiring the work that was put into making everything look so perfect. Some people were already dancing, others were eating or chatting around. It was filled with so much life.

“My mother would’ve loved this” She whispered with a voice filled with emotion.

“I’m sorry for your loss, Princess” Her companion stated.

“Y/N, please” She asked him. “Call me Y/N”

He smiled and extended her hand for her to shake. She laughed at the gesture but did it anyway. “Geralt”

“Tell me, Geralt” She emphasized his name. “What did you do to deserve to play governess tonight ?”

“I’m not your governess” He growled, raising an eyebrow and pouring himself a glass of wine.

“What, then ? Guardian ? Keeper ? Caretaker ?” She joked. “Which one exactly fits your role ?”

She smirked and leaned on her elbows to look at him.

“You are taking all this…rather lightly, considering someone is trying to end your life”

“Hm…” She pondered for a moment. “I think my father is taking unnecessary measures to protect me”

“What makes you so sure of that ?” He frowned, staring at the crowd with intensity.

“No one in their right mind would dare attack me” She told him. “And if they did manage to get close enough, they wouldn’t live long enough to tell that tale”

He raised an eyebrow. “Are you assuming I’d kill them?”

“Now you wound me, Geralt” She teased him, turning her head to the side and spoke back to him in a tantalizing quiet voice. “Do you really think I need anyone yielding my own sword for me ?”

She was relishing on the sweet satisfaction of the surprise showing on his face. She wished she could keep his expression forever in her memory.

He draped an arm around her chair and leaned toward her, eliciting shivers over her skin. “I should warn you, Princess, killing a monster is no easy task” He grunted.

She laughed loudly and picked a knife off the table, rolling it swiftly between her skilled fingers. His eyes followed her movements, almost in a trance.

“So I’ve heard” She sensually whispered in his ear, planting the weapon into the wood, right next to his thumb. “But I’ll take my chances”

He straightened on his chair and cleared his throat, glaring at the blade so close to his hand before taking it out and putting it back on the table. She bit her lip while smiling, definitely enjoying the effect she had on him.

“At last I meet the infamous tigress of Zaidor” He grinned, drinking from his cup without breaking their contact.

She rolled her eyes and ate a piece of her birthday cake. “I hate that title”

“May I ask why ?”

“What is a reputation if not the simple flicking power of a couple of words? They’re worth nothing” She toyed with her glass, evidently annoyed. “Just a boring tale to elicit terror”

She leaned back, observing people having fun around her. Ithar was sitting by one of the windows, his plate left untouched. She knew he was assessing possible threats.

“You’ve never answered my question” She stated to her new friend. “I don’t think I’ve ever saw you at court, yet I know you’ve slayed a couple monsters in this Kingdom”

“I find royalty best taken in… small doses” He simply explained.

She sniggered. “You and me both”

“You are a princess” He said matter of factly.

“Not by choice. Why did Ithar go to all the trouble of bringing you here tonight ?”

“You’re not gonna let this go, are you ?”

“I’ve got a title to honor” She smirked, casting an alluring side glance at him.

He pursed his lips, internally debating on whether or not to tell her everything he knew. She didn’t move from her position and kept looking at him, silently pressuring him to talk.

“They think something is after you” He revealed.

“Something ?” She repeated.

“Do you know what a Theriantrope is ?”

“A human infected by a magical disease”

He raised his eyebrows in astonishment, amazed about her knowledge. “Exactly. It changes them into hybrids. Much faster, stronger, impetuous”

“Why me ?”

He shifted in his seat, uneasy. “You are the offspring of the Queen of Zaidor”

Her eyes widened in horror. “They killed my mother ?”

“The King thinks so, he found a trail to the north” He elucidated for her.

“Is that why he’s not here tonight ?”

“Yes. He put your protection into my hands and left to investigate”

She shook her head, trying to process the amount of information she had just been given. “Is that all you know ?”

“It might get ugly, Y/N” If he was trying to scare her, it wasn’t working. “Your guards won’t be able to keep them outside and they won’t be alone”

“Fine. Let them come, then” Her expression hardened, her whole body tensing at the prospect of a battle.

“You don’t understand…”

“Geralt” She cut him with authority. Her voice was firm, imbued with power “Do not underestimate me. I’m tired of everyone thinking I’m afraid, because I’m not”

“Good” He wickedly smirked. “Your sword is attached to the back of your chair. I’m counting on you to use it”

He didn’t miss the way some of the guests strangely exchanged glances, moving fast across the room and shoving people out of their way. His eyes landed on Ithar and he darkly bowed his head, using the silent signal to alert him.

“Looks like the show came early” He told her, his gaze never leaving the outsiders he was following. They were getting closer.

“What ?”

“You said it yourself, a name alone isn’t worth anything. So let your actions live up to their words” He barked before turning to look at her dead in the eyes, pervaded with an emotion she could not decipher. Violence mixed with blind faith. “Show me the tigress of Zaidor”

His attention on her never broke when he drew his sword out to deflect a knife coming directly at her. His movement was quick and meticulously calculated. She was left speechless as her eyes widened in realization. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion.

The Princess reached behind her chair, grabbed her weapon and rose to her feet. Every single soul in the room had stopped moving and in front of her stood a large man, part human, part beast, leading a group of soldiers. He had a sickening rictus on his face, fists clenched and looking every bit menacing. The tension was palpable, the fear visible among the innocent visitors around them.

The woman exchanged a side glance with Geralt before barking an order to her guards. “Kill them all !”

As soon as the first sword was drawn out, all hell broke loose. Before her eyes, she saw men launching at each others while the beast easily bypassed them to reach her. He marched with determination and so much violence it made her shudder.

“Fuck” She heard Geralt growled as he easily moved the furniture out of his way and sliced the chest of the only mercenary that had dared to come close to her.

She didn’t move as his dead body fell at her feet but kept her gaze on the half-human as he stopped in his tracks. It was then she noticed his crimson glowing eyes.

“I’m leaving you one chance to back off” She spited with resentment. “This will be my only warning”

Even his laugh was sickening.

“You have no idea how long I’ve waited to tear apart every single shred of happiness your father possesses” He barked.

“Good luck trying” She muttered as she rolled her blade around her wrist, instinctively taking a step back in a fighting stance.

“Any last words, Princess ?”

Once again, she looked at the Witcher, waiting for his instructions.

“Tell me what to do” She whispered, now was the time to form a new kind of alliance.

“Keep him from changing. He’s weaker in his human form” Geralt advised her.

“How do we kill him ?”

This time he turned to stare at her. She could see the tension on his shoulders, the tight grip around his sword and his jaw flexing with anger, but despite their situation, she smirked when their eyes met. They barely knew each other yet she felt this strange pull toward him, like she’d known him all her life. She saw that same trust on his face, mixed with respect and faith. In that moment, they shared a bond through an unspoken vow. They were a team.

“Aim for the head” He gritted between his teeth.

He struck first, going for the man’s shoulder. The half beast deflected the attack but Y/N didn’t give him enough time to push Geralt back. They parried quickly, reflexively; one of them from the side, the other finishing the movement. They were working in harmony, moving back and forth in perfect unison, until the intruder used inhuman strength to throw Geralt across the room.

The Princess tried to assess a powerful blow to his chest, but he grabbed the blade mid-air, forcing her to let go of the weapon. He tossed it triumphantly as his fingers suddenly wrapped around her throat. She was caught off-guard by the unnatural speed. Ithar was already fighting an army of men and Geralt was nowhere in sight. She was on her own.

She gripped his wrists as he tightened his hold and looked him dead in the eye. She knew she could trust her Witcher. Now all she had to do was distract him.

She used her legs to rattle him but was too slow because of her dress. The half-beast cynically laughed, thinking he was seconds away from killing her. From the corner of her eyes, she felt relieved to see Geralt slowly walking behind the stranger, stalking him as if he was hunting a prey. This was the perfect opportunity for her.

Her hand clenched in a fist and with as much force as she could, she hit his elbow, forcing him to lean closer. Once she was sure he was within reach, she used the momentum to land a powerful blow with her head. The half-beast staggered backwards, this time giving her enough time to grab the aim of her gown. Spinning on herself, the back of her heel struck his chest. She was reacting on pure instinct, remembering everything her father taught her, fighting back until Geralt had an opening.

The half-human shouted in pure rage, breathing sharply. He clenched his jaw, trying to force his body to turn into the monster he was.

“Y/N!” The Witcher called across the room. He grabbed her sword and threw it at her.

She easily caught the weapon and with the next cut, slashed the monster’s face, drawing blood. Geralt took advantage of his surprise and used his powers to pin the intruder to the ground before he could attack her.

He scrambled back, away from the Witcher’s sword. “Any last words?” Geralt repeated what the half-beast had said to the Princess earlier with fury.

“You’re a dead woman” He promised to the tigress as she stood next to her newfound protector.

The Witcher hummed in annoyance and raised his blade, this time aiming for his face. He swiftly wounded him, cleaving his head from the top of his left ear to the right corner of his jaw. The top of his skull slid off as his body crumpled to the ground.

“Are you alright ?” He turned to Y/N and quickly examined her body for any kind of injury.

“I’ll live. Only a couple of bruises”

Behind them, the fight had stopped. Where a bunch of men fought now stood Ithar, hands still raised to use magic.

“Geralt, you’re bleeding!” She proclaimed loudly, letting her sword drop in a loud thud as she closed the distance to check his bloodied shoulder.

“It’s nothing,” He shrugged.

“Sit!” She ordered, making him laugh.

The situation was quite risible. Here she was, her dress almost torn, in a room with several dead bodies, including a decapitated head, taking care of a scratch.

She grabbed a bottle of alcohol nearby and poured it on his shoulder, making him hiss in pain. “Nothing, huh ?”

“I’ve been through much worse”

“I’m sure you have” She glanced at the beheaded beast and grimaced.

“You’re quite the fighter” He complimented her.

“Don’t sound so surprised” She rolled her eyes.

A smirk drew upon his lips and she felt that warm feeling yet again, building up in her chest and bursting into tiny butterflies in her stomach.

“Not surprised” He corrected her. “Impressed”

She didn’t answer back but put a wet cloth on his injury to stop the bledding.

“He knew how to come into the castle” She sadly told him.

“Do you think he had help ?” He looked up at her, grabbing her wrist to make her stand still.

“Honestly, that wouldn't be a shock”

“What did he want ?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know much more than you do, Geralt”

“That’s a lie” He grumbled.

She pursed her lips.

“It’s just…” She gulped. “A suspicion”

“What is ?”

“That my father might not be as innocent as he pretends to be” She whispered, almost afraid to say it out loud.

He raised an eyebrow and suddenly stood up, startling her.

“That’s it, you’re coming with me!” He took her hand, dragging her outside of the ballroom.

“Geralt, what are you doing ?!” She tried to stop him but the man was a mountain of muscles.

“I’m making a very stupid decision” He shook his head.

He let go of her and she waited for him to elaborate.

“Until this is settled, I’m taking you with me” He explained firmly, not leaving any room for discussion.

“What ? No! You can’t!”

“You’re not safe here, Y/N!”

“And your job is done, Geralt! This party is over, you no longer have any debt to Ithar!”

She visibly saw him clenched his jaw, hesitating to say what he was thinking out loud.

“I’m not doing this for Ithar” He whispered in a low voice. “I’m doing it for you”

Her eyes widened in surprise and her body instantly tensed as he closed the distance between them. He gently cupped her cheek to raise her head so she would look right back at him.

“We’re going to figure out what your father is hiding, but until then you’re staying with me, within reach. So I’m sure nothing happens to you”

“I can defend myself” She poorly offered.

“I know you can, Princess" He smirked. "I've seen it firsthand”

His fingers trailed down the now visible bruises over her neck and he softly brushed her skin, making her quiver.

“But it won’t stop me from doing my best to keep protecting you”

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