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cosmos-coma · 1 year

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I've a little Valentine's Day request if you don't mind. Reader is a mage and Eskel's lover. She decides to make a surprise for him on this special day.

Saccharine

A/N: okay, I know you said "little", I know. But I'm finding out that I cant control myself with requests lol. But I may actually have to use this mage character now, I really love the concept.

Pairing: Eskel x Reader

Words: 1.2k

Warning: real quick editing, just tooth-rotting fluff! (Oh, also no pronouns as usual)

________________________________

You had been up all night working tirelessly about the kitchen of Kaer Morhen. The entire keep lay in deep and silent sleep as the holiday of love and romance loomed with the next sunrise. You had really wanted to make it a holiday you’d both remember, and so you were pulling out all your magic and talents for it.

You had a very peculiar talent among your fellow mages, one that hadn’t been seen in a truly long time. Those that didn’t understand called your talents worthless and a waste of chaos. Those that did understand tripped over themselves to stay in your good graces.

See you had the ability to use memories in your magic. Good or bad, yours or other people’s, you could see memories people had long forgotten if you concentrated hard enough or could choose to share them as well, though that one really wore you down to use.

It was morning when Eskel found you, face down on the counter as you sat on your stool. Your forehead laid against a big roll of dough and your light snores puffed up bits of flour as you breathed out.

“Darling…. Y/n, come on. Wake up…” Eskel encouraged as he gently jostled your shoulder.

“Hmm… No, I need to proof for 5 more minutes… Let me rise..” You mumbled out, still asleep as you swatted at his hand.

“That’s what I’m trying to do.” He laughed out and went over to the sink, fiddling around in the sink for a moment before tossing a soaking washcloth on your head.

“AHH, I’M UP!! IM AWAKE!!” You shouted, half the dough sticking to your forehead and your hair. Eskel held back raucous laughter as he saw that, paired with flour that covered your entire face,

“You look… ravishing. Ravishing and radiant was what I was gonna say…” Eskel laughed as he grabbed the washcloth from your head and began wiping your face off, really scrubbing to get the dough. “I went to go make you breakfast in bed for today, but it turns out you never even made it to bed.”

“Ugh, ow. Too hard, scrubbing too hard…” you complained as you pulled your head away, “I got a little consumed last night, I guess…” you threw the leftover dough away, and cleaned up your station. “You know you can still make me breakfast… but let’s meet in the library, okay? It’s just more open than the room is.”

Eskel knew better than to argue when you obviously had something planned, so he just nodded and kissed your head, “Of course, dear. I’ll be right there.” He assured and began pulling together everything he needed for a nice breakfast you would love.

Your feet carried you quickly, gathering many of your bags and boxes from the kitchen as you brought everything up to the library in anticipation of your beloved’s arrival.

“Y/n? My magnificent and flour-ridden- mage?” Eskel called as he nudged open the Library door, committing the greatest balancing act of all time as he carries various plates and bowls on a large tray. As he walked in deeper, candles flickered about on the large wooden table. Everything was set up in front of the largest windows in the entire keep, and the bookshelves surrounded your little nook, giving you privacy and quiet. There you sat on the little couch, a warm blanket around you, several opaque bags at your feet, no doubt holding your gifts for him. Fat and lazy snowflakes sauntered downwards behind you and made for the perfect scene.

“There you are,” An easy smile crossed his lips as he saw you and set the tray of dishes down. “Here is our full spread for breakfast… and lunch probably. I got a bit carried away making everything.” a chuckle came from him as he moved to slide in next to you.

You grinned and kissed his cheek as he came in beside you, “you mind if I give you my presents right away? I just can't hold in the excitement any longer..”

He laughed, “go ahead, let’s see them..”

You grinned and handed him a small box. “I’m letting you know now. That I love you so much, but this is your valentines day, Birthday, Yule, hallows eve- Every holiday present for this year… I know I won't be able to top it anytime soon.”

Eskel nodded, curious excitement filling him as he opened it up to see…. A box of donuts? An unusual blue glaze topped these small fried cakes as well as little purple decorations. He took one out and took a small bite, a sweet and cool taste washing over his tongue as a memory sprang forth.

It was a memory of you and him, early on in your relationship as you two were running and laughing as you tripped over yourselves trying to escape the downpour outside. It was a fleeting memory as he swallowed down his bite. The cool pattering of rain on his skin and the ringing of your laughter in his ears waned into silence once more.

You grinned as you watched him relive one of your favorite memories of you two, something so simple and mundane, but for some reason, it always stuck out in your mind. “You’re one of the few who refuses to ask me to use my magic, you who sometimes needs it the most,” you explained with a soft and loving tone. “So each donut is a memory of ours… each one is two memories… The longer you chew it the longer it lasts, but it still has to go away eventually.” You picked up the bags that lay at your feet, each only about the size of a coin pouch.

“Each of these holds hard candies, so they’ll keep well on the path. But each color is a memory of you and another person. Vesemir’s memories of you are green, Lambert’s are orange, and Geralt’s are yellow.” You smiled as you explained, “some of them might be a little sad, but each is still a happy memory…”

Eskel’s eyes pricked with tears that couldn’t flow as he looked through each of the bags. There were at least 10 or 15 in each sack and he knew he could easily get this to last him for years to come. Silence wafted through the air as Eskel’s words got caught in his throat.

You smiled and pressed a sweet kiss against his cheek, “I know, you don’t need to say anything. I know the path gets hard and that people can say some nasty things about Witchers and scars alike. I’ve seen the way it hurts you, Esk… So I just wanted a way for you to remember how much we love you.” you hugged him close, laughing a bit at the way he quietly buried his face in your neck.

“I love you so much…. My saccharine sweetheart…” He laughed a bit to himself as he pulled back, piling the treats together off to the side so he could pull you into his lap to be even closer.

“Your sweets are lovely, but your love is so much sweeter.”

______________

Taglist: @writingmysanity @open--till--midnight @madamemelancholysstuff @dark-academia-slut

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#eskel gets good things!#eskel fic #eskel imagine #witcher eskel #eskel #eskel x y/n #eskel x reader fluff #eskel x you #eskel x reader #Gn reader #no pronouns used.#the witcher #witcher self insert #tw3 eskel #game eskel #kaer morhen #eskel my beloved #eskel fluff #eskel fanfiction

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writingmysanity · 2 years

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Warmth

Pairing: Eskel x reader

Word count: 340

A/N: I know many of you followed me for my Eskel content. I swear I am still making it- I am just busy and also have to follow the serotonin when I can in order to keep writing. Have a little bit that I wrote because it was cute.

Shivering a bit, you snuggle up into Eskel’s warmth, sighing softly. Your coat just isn't cutting it. Time for a new one.

Do you have enough coin?

Silently deliberating on what you would have to give up to afford a new one, you watch the rainfall, eyes zeroing in on the droplets sliding along the leaves above your head, dropping like lead with a splash into the ever growing puddle that surrounds you. Eskel’s eyes are closed, but you know better than to assume he was asleep. His hand draws tentative lines up and down your arm, large hand just about engulfing your much smaller body in lingering warmth.

Humming contently, you relax further into his hold, letting him tug you closer.

“Don't you say it,” you grouch, eyes fluttering open to glare up at the mountain of a man, a soft flush painting his ears- the only sign the man could blush at all. He sits there for a moment, mouth ajar slightly, words dead on his lips. Grumbling, he works his jaw, thumb brushing over the scar on your shoulder- deeper than the others, more jagged.

“I was just going to apologize,” he sighs. Rolling your eyes, you pinch his side.

“I know,” you hum, narrowing your eyes at him. “And I won't hear of it.” he snorts a bit, looking down at you, hair plastered to his head.

“And why not?” he asks, cocking an eyebrow down at you. “It's my fault we're here.” rolling your eyes, you sigh, nose scrunching slightly in distaste when the puff of white flutters away in the wind.

“I won't hear of it, Esk. If you feel bad enough, hold me more,” he laughs, hauling you up into his lap, letting you curl up under his gibson layering his cloak over you both.

“When have you ever needed an excuse for me to hold you, Kit?” snickering below the layers, you nuzzle into his chest, humming happily as warmth envelops you.

“Not a single damn time, but it is always nice.”

____

Tag list: @errruvande @thesleepy1 @deans-ch-ch-cherrypie @queenxxxsupreme @screechingdreamercollectorsblog @open--till--midnight @one-eyed-captain-kinky

@seidenbros @cosmos-coma @deanmcogorman @dark-academia-slut @jessalyn-jpeg @daughterofautumn

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bethdutten · 2 years

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built on ruins

ANGSTY. ANGRY. ESKEL. ALL MY FAVORITE THINGS.

1.5k words of I don’t even know. Enjoy!!

The letter sat unassumingly on the table, its shadows flickering from the light of the fire in the background. You recognized your handwriting, the careful folds you’d managed before you’d slipped the parchment into the pocket of your jacket and resolved yourself not to think about it until it came time to burn it and hopefully burn the feelings you’d described in it as well.

Except, it wasn’t your jacket. And you were a little busy making sure Jaskier didn’t lose his left arm when you arrived at the tavern to immediately get rid of the letter, throwing it on the chair and leaving for the healer instead.

Looks like Eskel got to it before you could.

Your heart was in your throat. No, no, no, no. He could not have read it. No. You’d meant to just pour out your feelings, the messy, painful, deeply strong and overwhelming love you felt for him that was threatening to strangle you from the inside out. It crawled up your throat and sat on your tongue every day, fighting to get out.

But you knew if you told him, he’d run away. He was always so kind, gentle when he didn’t need to be, except if you got to telling him how beautiful and incredible he was, that he deserved the entire world. Gods fucking forbid you tell that Witcher he wasn’t a monster, that you wouldn’t change a single thing about him, that you thought he was worth everything--

So you swallowed down every word as it threatened to come out, day after day.

And you’d rather be in pain every day than lose him. He wouldn’t let himself hear it, so you had to get it out another way. You wrote a stupid fucking letter of all the things you wish you could say to him then planned to destroy it.

Only you put it in his jacket pocket and then put it in his hands, like your heart was subconsciously wanting to be seen, trying to destroy itself. You grabbed the letter, crumbling it in your hands as your turned on your heels and smack into a confused Jaskier.

“What are you—hey, injured here!” he flailed with his right arm, gesturing towards the sling. “Mind offering some insight into why I just saw Eskel on Scorpion heading out of town?”

You sucked in a breath, and felt something inside you break. There. He’d left and taken your heart with him.

“He’s gone,” you whispered, unable to stop the tears from swimming into your eyes. Jaskier frowned.

“Gone? Like for more supplies?”

When you didn’t answer, he glanced down and ripped the letter from your hand, eyes quickly scanning through. They widened as he looked up. “Please tell me he didn’t read this.”

You bit your wobbling lip, hands clenched at your sides.

“I am beyond what I can recover from. The love I have for you scares me, because I know it will ruin me and I know I will let it. I will let myself be devastated by you, Eskel. Can I borrow this for a song?”

You snatched the letter out of Jaskier’s hands, throwing it right into the fire and ignoring his squeak of indignation. Fuck, you should have done that as soon as you got to the room, you thought as you watched the parchment crinkle and burn black.

---

Jaskier paid for the room with coin made from his previous night’s performance, sleeping on the floor on a puddle of blankets as he grumbled about being the injured one even though he refused when you offered him the bed. Tomorrow, you’d head back out on the road together, most likely towards Novigrad like you were planning, albeit without the witcher. You doubted he’d be headed in that same direction now.

You were feeling pretty grateful the bard had latched himself onto you a few months ago now, as your previous companion literally abandoned you in a tavern with no money and no supplies. Jaskier joined you after ‘his Witcher’ left him, and he added to the money pile so Eskel didn’t say no.

It was months before you ran into him.

You were in the stables, brushing out the mare Jaskier had purchased a few weeks ago. You’d been making some extra coin lately selling the medicinal herbs you’d harvested along your travels, as you and Jaskier tended to stick to the bigger towns with healers and mages. He’d named her Pegasus, which you fully despised and refused to call her.

You’d just finished getting the tangles out of her mane when the stall next to yours swung shut, and you jumped slightly at the loud noise. Peering over at the disturbance, you felt your heart stop at the sight of the familiar red jacket, the one you’d been wearing an hour before he abandoned you.

Eskel turned, meeting your eyes and freezing. Both of you stood in silence, and you hated yourself for it but all you wanted to do was run into his arms and hold him, because you missed hearing his voice and falling asleep on his shoulder and smelling his unique scent of pine trees and leather until—

“Oh. Didn’t think I’d see you again.” Eskel’s voice was clipped, almost seething. You didn’t recognize it. “I’ll be gone tonight, don’t worry.” He turned and headed out of the stables without waiting for your reaction.

Confused, it took a moment for the words and tone to filter through before you were stomping after him.

“You don’t get to be the one that’s angry, you asshole. You left me!”

“You mocked me!” he hissed back, turning and stepping forward into your space and for a split second, you felt like you’d make a mistake in provoking the huge Witcher. He’d never looked more intimidating than he did right now. “I expect it from everyone else, but never from you.”

You flinched, feeling like he’d just pierced one of those swords on his back right into you chest. You felt tears gather in your eyes, at the very thought that the man you love would ever think that about you--

Eskel caught it, always able to read you so well. His face immediately softened, taking another step towards you, but you held up your hands reflexively, eyes squeezing shut. “If you really think I would hurt you, then maybe it’s a good thing you left.”

When you opened you eyes, Eskel was staring back at you with a blank expression, like all the emotion that was always so clear on his face had been forced off, a mask in its place that you didn’t recognize.

“Yeah. Maybe it is.”

He turned, and you reacted out of instinct, reaching out and grabbing the sleeve of his jacket. He could have easily you off completely, but he didn’t, and you finally felt the tears slip down your face silently.

“You made a better Gods damned career out of pain than you did monster hunting at this point, Eskel.” you whispered, hand gripping onto the sleeve of his coat. You weren’t letting him just run away this time. “All you think about is the person you used to be, and it’s like you cherish this scar tissue more than you do anything else. Why don’t you think you deserve to be happy? Why do you keep pushing... it away?” Me. Pushing me away.

He still wouldn’t meet your eyes, but he stopped pulling away, face tense. You let out a breath, knowing it was already past the point of no return. It was the second he read that letter.

“The thing is, I didn’t know the man you were before you got those scars, before the world made you feel like you weren’t worthy of anything... anything good. I’ve always just know you like this. And that’s who I want. That’s who I fell in love with. Gods, Eskel, if you’d just--”

You didn’t get to finish your sentence before a pair of soft, trembling lips were on yours, strong arms wrapping around your body before you could utter a surprised gasp. You immediately clutched on to him, the kiss tasting desperate and heavy as Eskel pulled you against his body like he wanted to absorb you completely.

You whimpered, lips parting and letting out a groan when his tongue slid into your mouth hesitantly. The hand you weaved into his hair at the back of his head encouraged him, and he tilted his face to deepen the kiss, wet and hot in a way that had your knees suddenly feeling very weak.

When you finally pulled away for air, Eskel’s golden eyes were staring down at you like you were the most precious thing he’d ever held in his hands. You reached up with your free hand and cupped his jaw, thumb brushing against the scar that bit through his lip.

Eskel shuddered in your arms, eyes fluttering shut as you carefully traced up the still-sensitive flesh of the scars marking his face, brushing his hair away before your hand came down to rest on his chest.

“I’m not-- I don’t feel like the man you love yet,” he said quietly, almost a whisper, and his voice was shaking. “But I want to. I’m terrified.”

You leaned up and kissed him softly for a moment and just staying close, lips still a hairs breadth away, murmured, “Just don’t run away again. Please, I can’t--” your voice cracked, a wave of sickness at just the thought of not having him now that he was--

“I won’t.” He leaned back, eyes soft. “It just— I already accepted no one was ever going to want me like that. Reading those words… Did you really mean what you wrote?”

You laughed drily, sighing. “Yeah. Didn’t plan on you ever reading it, so. I probably put some things in that I would have never said out loud, but, yeah. I did.”

Eskel hummed, tucking you into his arms and resting his chin on the top of your head, arms tight around your shoulders. “For me, too.”

You let yourself take a big breath of his scent, something so uniquely Eskel you could never get enough of, before you looked up at him, brows furrowed.

He smiled, kissing you. “I’d let myself be devastated by you, my love. Over and over.”

#eskel x you #eskel #eskel x reader #eskel imagine #eskel fic #netflix eskel #game eskel #like… a bit of both

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elythegardeningbard · 1 year

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This is from last Valentine’s day ~ A special request from my friend - Enjoy

#witcher eskel #eskel x reader #eskel fluff #game eskel #witcher #the witcher #the witcher 3 #eskel #eskel x jaskier

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danceinshadowundermoonlight · 2 years

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Stinky adorable man.

#witcher fanart #witcher eskel #eskelwolf #game eskel #eskel imagine #witcher tag #witcher 2 #the witcher #school of the wolf #more eskel #please #eskel x y/n #eskel x you #witcher geralt #lambert #witcher

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thesleepy1 · 2 years

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Monsters and Muslin

A/N: Sometimes when I post fics I feel like I’m feeding bread crumbs to cannibalistic ducks with a taste for human blood. They will either eat the bread crumbs, each other, or me. I’m sorry I’ve been gone for so long. Please don’t kill me and accept my peace offering. (Eskel has dimples because I said so.)

Pairings: Eskel x Reader

Summary: You and Eskel grew up together at Kaer Morhen. You trained together, fought together, and loved each other. When the Path demanded that you went separate ways, you agreed to meet up annually. Until Eskel missed a meeting.

Or “hii can I request an Eskelxreader angst, where the reader is a female witcher and they fell in love before he got his scars. then he left because of insecurity when he got it and she went to look for him?”

Word count: 1,146

Warnings: angst, violence, scars, insecure Eskel, blood,

“It makes me look like a monster.”

You felt soft hands on your face, fingers cradling your jaw. Eskel forced your gaze to his with the lightest of touches. Your teary carmel eyes met ones that juxtaposed your own. They were the same shade of golden but instead of salty tears rolling down his cheeks, Eskel just had a smile wide enough to show his dimples.

“Who told you that?” He hummed, fingertips grazing the red line from the middle of your forehead down your brow and just passed your eye. It went deep, but luckily the skin stitched itself back together faster than any normal human could. If it weren’t for the witcher mutagens, your wound would have likely gotten infected. Unfortunately, it still left a gnarly scar.

“The witcherlings Vesemir just brought in.” You explained to Eskel’s shoulder, refusing to properly meet his eye. “I walked past them in the courtyard and that was all they could say to me. I-I made a little girl cry, Eskel.”

“Children fear anything they don’t understand.” Eskel brushed your tears away but that only caused them to increase. “None of them must have realized they were in the presence of one of the strongest witchers in the keep. The one and only witcher who single handedly warded off the cockatrice from their beds.” Eskel rested his head against yours. You shared the other’s heat, the smell of the other witcher filling your senses until it was all either of you could feel. “If they had known how brave you are, what you had done for them, they would love you just as much as me.”

“You love me? Even with this hideous thing?” You sniffled, peering up at Eskel through your wet lashes.

“I love you, darling.”

*****

Eskel couldn’t be dead. You refused to believe it. He had just sent you a letter the week before. His words, oh his words painted the most beautiful picture. Eskel must have been a poet in another life for how he spills words into tapestries. He still wanted you just as much as you wanted, no, needed him. The witcher would never dream of standing you up so something must have happened.

That was the only explanation you were willing to believe.

He had been late. The town was large and the streets busy. When minutes turned to hours, you began to worry. Your nails were bitten to nubs before you could take the anticipation no longer. It had been decades since you agreed to meet up on the Path. Not once had he missed a meeting. Of course there was the creeping thought that he had not wanted to see you, but you quickly pushed those useless emotions down before they could get out of hand. You needed to find Eskel and make sure he was alright.

You tried his usual inn and asked the innkeeper if she had seen any witchers pass by. The look she gave you made your blood boil but she directed you to where a witcher was lodging for the night. His room was the one closest to the stables. The smell of damp hay, horses, and the usual unwashed stable boy made the hairs in your nose curl.

Your knuckles knocked the door, your senses finding another beyond. You could hear his heart beating slowly just past the door. “Eskel?” You made your voice low, knowing he could hear you. “Are you alright? I waited by the road just as I’ve done the year before. You weren’t there.” You sucked in a breath when the faintest skip of a heartbeat could be heard. “Was it something I did?”

You stumbled forward as the door suddenly swung open. There he was, your darling witcher in the doorway, his head wrapped with gray muslin. “You haven't done a single thing to keep me from you.” He leaned his weight on the doorframe, chest bare, and medallion hanging on his neck. Eskel made no mention of his face covering.

“Then why did you not want to see me?” You searched for his lips, the quirk of a smile or the downturn of a frown. There was nothing. Only his eyes poked through gaps in the fabric. They were clouded as if by the effects of a potion or illness. “Did something happen to you? Did your last hunt keep you here?” Your eyes searched his form for any wounds, any fractures or broken bones. Your hands moved forward like a moth drawn to a fire, rough fingertips alert for inconsistencies.

He only groaned at the contact. Not from pain. You would have known if you caused him harm then. “N-no. Not the last hunt.” His hands left the door frame. They reached for yours, enclosed and encapsulated them. He kept them warm.

“Then what? Why are you hiding your beautiful face from me? What have I done to have such a privilege revoked?”

Eskel lowered his head. The floor was apparently more riveting than your conversation. “You don’t want to see me.” You could barely hear him despite being in front of him, his voice was so small. “Not now. You’ll think I'm a monster.”

You were never more taken aback in your life. “Monster?” The words seemed foreign in your mouth when in reference to Eskel. “My love, I would never think of you that way. You are a pushover and a teasing bastard but not a monster.” Taking a risk, you took a step forward. “Who told you that?” Your fingers brushed the edge of the muslin.

“I-it’s what I am now. My face is marred beyond recognition. I don’t even see myself. There is only this beast who stares back at me.”

“Then am I a beast as well? Because my face is littered with more scars than I can count. Do you consider me a monster?” You peered up at Eskel wanting his most honest answer. You both knew the other would be able to tell the difference between a lie and the truth.

“N-No. But it’s not the same—”

“How is it different, my love?” You tugged the muslin away. The fabric fell soundlessly onto the ground. Beneath it was your beautiful Eskel. He had the same burry, teary eyes, the same thick brows, and the same plush lips. The right side of his face was new to you, but it was not a horror. You well and truly loved him all the same.

“Please don’t hate me.”

“I don’t think I am physically capable of doing such a thing.” You were the first to lean forward for a kiss but he met you halfway. The sewn skin had a different texture to what you were used to. It was all the incentive you needed to explore Eskel’s mouth anew. An experience you would never tire of. “I love you, darling.”

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askaalaska-vdeppressed · 1 year

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The results of tonight’s dicking around in Photoshop. Neither of these are final designs by any stretch (them hands need some serious color correction in the second pic) but I wanted to see some roughs of how different styles may turn out. Roughs of Netflix Eskel coming soon

#Eskel #the witcher 3 #game eskel #netflix eskel

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churchofpossum · 4 months

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Merry Christmas!

Supporters voted for a thing and I was happy to oblige XD

#Eskel #the witcher fanart #game Eskel #the witcher #don't look at this Tumblr bot #please this is so cropped it has to be okay

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murkycrush · 1 year

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My Witcher pieces 🐺

Support me on Ko-fi | Print Shop | Commissions

#the witcher #witcher #witcher fanart #geralt of rivia #yennefer #geralt fanart #eskel #Game Eskel #the wild hunt #the witcher 3 #yennefer fanart #eskel fanart #digital art #game art

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froggytimemachineinternet · 2 years

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Eskel would absolutely show this to lambert to piss him off in a cracker barrel

#kaer morons #witcher headcanon #lambert #game eskel

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artcake · 2 years

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Meeting by chance on the Path on a warm summer day...

(inspired by a line from @inexplicifics about geralt and eskel being like the sun and the moon)

#the witcher #game eskel #the witcher netflix #geralt #eskel #gereskel #spicy #of course you cant really see anything with the cuts #full image on twitter!#fan art #my art

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cosmos-coma · 1 year

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Prey of the Hunt- Chapter 7

A/N: Listen, I edited this when I was pretty tired.... I also wrote this when I was pretty tired... But prepare for overall angst and some Eskel Fluff!

Pairing: Eskel x Reader

Words: 2.6k

Summary: A new visitor comes to the Keep... and they bear ill tidings.

Chapter 8

_________________________________________

It was a few days after your big talk with the guys that you all were gathered around the dinner table once again. Everyone's body was sore from doing constant construction and you’re pretty sure you've developed the white lung from all the mortar dust you’ve been mixing.

“How does Vesemir do this all year?” You asked with a cough, surprised that it didn’t come with a puff of dust too.

“I don’t know, but I sure don’t envy it,” Eskel remarked as you took a seat beside him, sliding in until your legs touched his. “You know what's for dinner?”

You shook your head, “No, but I hope it's something warm… The snow is starting to stick to the ground now and I don't particularly care for the cold.” You huffed in mild annoyance; winter had finally started rearing its ugly head and you were already tired of it.

Eskel only raised his eyebrow as he looked over at you with an expression that seemed to say ‘really? You’re kidding.’

You nudged him and rolled your eyes playfully, “I mean- If I don't have to deal with the cold I don’t want to. Besides, I think magical cold hits a little differently.” you commented with a shrug.

Geralt raised his hand in a wave as he came over to sit across the table from you both. He also looked a bit tired and maybe bored; you couldn't blame him, this kind of labor isn't exactly on par with their usual work and was probably a lot less exciting than dealing with even the slowest drowner.

“Hey Geralt, do you know what’s for dinner tonight?” You asked him as he brushed away some rubble camouflaged in his hair.

“No, but I hear it’s Lambert’s night to cook so… warn your stomach.” He said with a bit of a smirk.

“Stop exaggerating!” Lambert yelled from the kitchen, his Witcher hearing easily picking up on the conversation. “Gods you slightly undercook bear ONCE and everyone becomes a fuckin’ critic….”

Vesemir came down to join you all shortly and Lambert brought out dinner, which admittedly looked pretty good, but you weren’t gonna give him the pride of telling him that in front of the others.

Everyone had just started eating when violet light filled the room, stemming from the portal that had opened up across the room. It swirled, idle for a moment before a young woman with green eyes and ashen hair came tumbling through. She rolled onto the floor in her rush to get through and came to a stop just as fast, the portal snapping closed behind her.

Geralt stood and immediately rushed over to her, “Ciri, what the hell happened?” He asked, arms immediately extending to help her up as his fatherly nature took over. “Y/n, go grab a medical kit…” He half asked half ordered as he looked at you with eyes that held worry, veiled thinly by his stony expression.

You noticed she did have a sharp and bleeding cut laying just above her pant line, across her hip. Her legs and cheek were littered with other shallower scratches and slashes here and there. You nodded quickly and went off to grab the closest kit as Ciri held up her hand to try and stop you, but you were already gone.

“I’m fine. Really… Just bruised up is all. Ah- “ She hissed through clenched teeth as she stood with Geralt’s help. “I’m alright, Geralt. I just need a minute.” She assured and sat down on the nearest bench.

You came back quickly and opened up the kit on the table, cleaning up the open wounds before Geralt followed and bandaged everything up. Once he was satisfied and Ciri had had a moment to catch her breath the other witchers came over to excitedly greet their niece and squeeze about a hundred hugs into the small-framed woman.

You hung towards the back of the pack as Ciri greeted all of the Witcher’s hellos with a bright smile, despite the obvious bruises she must’ve held below the skin. When they finally stepped back you were able to wave and greet her as well.

“Hello, Cirilla… It’s nice to see you again, I don’t know if you’ll remember me-”

“Gynvael!” Ciri interrupted you as she exclaimed excitedly and grabbed your arm, pulling you in for a tight hug.

“You… remember me…?” You looked around at the guys with an expression of mixed surprise and confusion. “Not even Geralt remembered…”

Ciri sighed with a sense of relief as she finally pulled back and ushered you to sit next to her. “Well Geralt is already bad at portals, but when we had made our way off Tir na Lia we got separated and I think he must’ve gotten a little lost in the stream between worlds and forgotten everything.” She explained with a nod before looking to you and smiling once again. “But I’m glad to see that you made it out… I’d been wondering about it ever since we left. I always worry about the people I have to leave behind in those worlds…” She stole a glance at Geralt as her tone became morose.

“Well, I couldn’t have gotten out without your help. I managed to find Ihuarraquax and get a portal home… I mean- It would have been nice to know that I was looking for a fucking horse-”

“Unicorn…” Ciri corrected.

“- a fancy fucking horse.” you corrected further with a light chuckle. “But… thank you. Really.”

Ciri nodded and smiled in response, patting your back gently- not unlike you had seen Geralt do time and time again. You see now why people instantly recognized them as father and daughter.

“But speaking of the Wild Hunt…” She said, her words drifting off at the end, “That’s actually something I wanted to talk to everyone about. But first I’m absolutely starving- please tell me it wasn’t Lambert’s night to cook.”

“My cooking is FINE!” Lambert retorted loudly, causing everyone to burst into laughter, immediately lightening the mood for the moment.

The group drifted into a looser clump and Ciri had a chance to grab some dinner before another violet portal opened up this time, dispensing a dark-haired woman this time. Her complexion was more bronze than the others, her violet eyes like that of her portals, and the scent of lilacs and gooseberries that seemed to follow her as she walked past.

“Good heavens… Geralt, I’m starting to understand your disdain for portals. Running through a good twenty or so in a row makes me more nauseous than that pheasant pie you tried to make me for my birthday three years ago.” She grumbled as she held her stomach, doubled over.

“HA!” Lambert's voice rang out in vindication.

“Alright, alright- Let's get back on track. Ciri, Yennefer, what happened?” Eskel asked, trying to settle everyone down again. Shortly everyone had taken their seats at the table, ears keen, and the two women could start to tell their story.

“So- I’ve been getting followed by the Wild Hunt lately and I worry that they’re beginning to catch up with me.” Ciri cut to the chase. “I’m lucky Yennefer was with me today or I might not have the head start I do. She opened series upon series of portals to throw them off, dropped me here at the keep, and then kept going to throw them off when they inevitably try to track us.” She shook her head and took a bite of dinner as Yennefer continued.

“But I only had so much energy to make portals that I wouldn’t be surprised if they show up soon.” She explained with a sigh that teemed with weariness and burden.

“And if we already have another fugitive,” Ciri pointed out, motioning to you now. “Then it's all the more reason for him to show up. Kill two birds with one stone and all that”.

All tensions were silent but strong around the table, and even you felt it pulling your shoulders tight. The expression the witchers had held grimaces or just plain, tight-lined expressions as you looked around. Everyone understood the gravity that a battle like this would cause- the Wild Hunt chasing you was one thing, but chasing Ciri? That was a whole other game that was bound to have numerous casualties.

“Well, with any luck we should have some time to prepare for whatever comes. Doubtful they’ll show up immediately after they were here just weeks ago.” Vesemir tried to assure with a nod. “But we’ll all take the proper precautions and start getting prepared, which Ciri of course will help oversee because I’m getting far too old for this shit.” He finished in a grumble.

You almost jumped as Eskel’s hand found yours under the table, your brain having been too caught up in the noise of the situation to be aware. You glanced over at him, carrying a light smile despite your brows being drawn together in worry. You squeezed his hand gently, to which he responded in kind, both of you being able to ease some of the tension from your shoulders. Your head had swirled with events of the past, present, and future as you listened to Ciri- but the weight of Eskel’s palm in your lap now dispelled that foggy vortex for the time being.

“As for the preparations-” Vesemir spoke up again, “Lambert, I want you on bombs. Eskel, you're on traps. Ciri, I want you to ensure the weapons and armor are up to standards. Add glyphs as you see fit.” He nodded to each of them, then turned to you, Geralt, and Yennefer. “Geralt, Yennefer, I want the two of you gathering as many reinforcements as you can- anybody whose willing to help is welcome. Y/n, you’ll be with me making as many potions as we can before time is up.” He directed to the rest of you, receiving nods all around. “Anyone who feels like they've finished early can help wherever else is needed.”

Dinner was fairly quiet for a while after that- only picking up when you introduced yourself to the sorceress known as Yennefer. But even that dwindled off into fewer and fewer words after a while.

After dismissing yourself, you and your witcher made your way back to his room, hands held in one another as you quietly bumped shoulders. Softly, Eskel closed the door behind him and let out a sigh that could rival the weariness of Atlas himself as he carried the world on his shoulders.

He ducked past you to light the room’s fire, granting the dim room a gentle warm light.

“Eskel…” You whispered his name as you rested one hand on his shoulder. Your other hand came up slowly, with no sudden movements, to cup his scarred cheek. “Look at me..?”

Slowly his feet shuffled, his body turning to face you now. Your palm pressed against his cheek, fingers extending naturally along the groves of his face. A content rumble vibrated from his chest as he turned onto your palm.

You couldn’t help the small smile that slipped onto your features as you watched him. Your thumb brushed over the corner of his lips with a loving touch, going over the notch in his smile an extra time or two.

“I can see you're overwhelmed, Eskel. You carry it in your shoulders- we both do…” you spoke to him, with a voice that was as tender as the night was quiet.

He let out another breath and tried to relax his shoulders once again, even if he knew it was a temporary fix.

“It’s okay if you can’t push it all away right now, I know I won’t be able to either.” You used your hand to bring him down a little closer to your level and rested your forehead against his.

“You shouldn’t have to be the one consoling me right now.” His low voice rumbled out, but he made no move to pull away- instead, he brought his hands to now rest on your hips.

“Eskel..” you frowned slightly, “don’t think like that. I’m going to be here for the times that you need someone, okay? Just like you've been there for me this whole time”. You looked down as you reflected for a quick moment, “and I’m eternally grateful for that. I know I’ve been rather… slow moving with things like- well, like this.” you said and motioned between the two of you. “But you never stopped standing beside me, holding my hand, even with all of my confusion and lost memories. Hell- you still held my hand when I admitted to being a rider of the hunt. A murderer! A raider!”

“Y/n, no-” Eskel tried to interrupt, but you laid a finger across his lips, shaking your head.

“I won’t deny it, Eskel. Willing or unwilling, I recognize what I did… But that's beside the point- You’ve been so patient ever since you met me and I-” You paused again a moment, finding courage instead of words this time. “If all goes well when the Hunt comes… If it’s okay, I’d like to walk the path with you come springtime, just as you've walked my journey with me- hand in hand.” Your cheeks blazed with heat and color as you confessed to him your hopes of staying by his side.

Eskel’s face was wrought with surprise and a genuine full smile, his shoulders even easing into their natural relaxed position as he became momentarily distracted by all that had just come before. “Y/n, I- Well, I mean- Uh… can I kiss you?” He somewhat sputtered out, his thoughts moving faster than his mouth could.

You broke out into a quick bout of laughter, shocked by his question, and nodded, your forehead still against his. “As long as it's a yes, then, of course, you can,” you replied, barely getting the last few words out as Eskel’s lips pressed firmly against your own. Your slightly chapped winter lips met the same as your breaths mingled for moments that you wouldn’t have traded the world for.

He had a small smile now as he pulled back, still close enough that your noses just brushed together. “I would love to have you on the path with me, Y/n….” he spoke, leaning in for one more quick and chaste kiss before he fully pulled back. “You have more than enough training to hold your own against most monsters and you're smart enough- and determined enough- to figure out how to handle the rest for sure.” He laughed a bit, looking down as he captured your hand in his. “I’m… I’m excited not to walk the path alone anymore, admittedly.” He brought your hand up to press a kiss against your knuckles as well, seemingly needing to get out some of the physical affection he’d been holding back.

A lightness sparkled in your eyes as you watched him and you couldn't help the chuckle that bubbled in your throat. “Me too…” You let your thumb caress his cheek once more before dropping your hand back to your side, “let's lay down now… our worries can wait until morning.”

You and Eskel went about your nighttime routine like any other night, only this time with more grazes here and there as you two bumped into each other's paths- just as you had that fateful day.

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