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[softlybutwithfeeling]

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[softlybutwithfeeling]

We will. I promise you that. All you have to do is still want me when the chance comes.

[Because it will, and at least here and now, he has no question that he'll want her.

He'll always want Yennefer.]

[bottle]

(she lifts her head to offer him a soft, albeit bittersweet sort of smile.)

I am always going to want you, Geralt. Nothing is going to change that.

[softlybutwithfeeling]

[Geralt lets his forehead rest against Yennefer's, his eyes sliding closed as he inhales slowly—scenting her, feeling her heat.

Committing it all to memory.]

Then we'll pull through in time.

[bottle]

(she lingers there in his arms for a while longer before reluctantly pulling away. it already stings to be apart from him, something she knows will only get worse over time. which is why she selfishly asks:)

Stay with me while I pack?

[softlybutwithfeeling]

Of course. As long as you'll have me.

[He lets his arms fall to the side, briefly, before crossing them over his broad chest.]

I'll resist the urge to get underfoot.

[bottle]

I wouldn't blame you if you did.

(she might even welcome it. any closeness they can steal before she has to go. she whispers a spell under her breath, magicking up a bag but she doesn't really move after that. what do you even pack to go live with a demon lord? it's not like anything is going to make this better.)

[softlybutwithfeeling]

[After a moment of watching Yennefer stand, still not packing, he approaches their dresser, picking up a family picture and holds it out to her as a suggestion.]

[bottle]

(her expression softens as she takes the picture from him, something both affectionate and sad playing across her features.)

A perfect start. So you will always be with me. (and when she says you she doesn't just mean him, but their daughters too.)

[softlybutwithfeeling]

I figured most things Mammon would be able to provide. A demon lord can give his wife all of the clothes and riches.

[Which leaves the things that are really special.]

All the luxuries.

[bottle]

But not the things that are most important.

(she won't love him, even if mammon is kind to her, and maybe he will be, she can't imagine loving him the way she does the husband she has now. her family.)

So it'll be good to have a reminder. Hand me my perfume?

(so she can at least still smell like herself while she's gone. lilac and gooseberries.)

[softlybutwithfeeling]

[He'll miss the scent, and it occurs to Geralt to ask her to leave it, or to pour some on a handkerchief or a pillow, something he would be able to keep.

The fact it's not the same without her skin and her hair and her sweat glowing through the fragrance stops the request before he can make it, though, and he hands her the bottle.]

What else do you want to remember?

[bottle]

(she knows how much her scent means to him, and she almost feels cruel for taking it away, but she needs something that isn't a gift from mammon, something to remind her of who she is.)

Everything? I suppose that's selfish. I want to remember that I was happy. That I was important, and not just a prize to be won.

[softlybutwithfeeling]

I don't think anyone can fault you for selfishness for wanting to keep your identity and your past.

[No trace of irony makes it through the Hellburbia spell. Later, Geralt will remember those words.]

You've always been important.

[bottle]

I want to keep my husband and my family. I want to have a choice.

(and while this version of yennefer is willing to play along for the sake of said family, when the spell breaks that'll change. the desire to have a choice only that much stronger.)

Maybe there's a spell I could put on my wedding ring to hide it on a necklace or something, so I can remember when I did have one, and what I did choose. Who I chose.

[softlybutwithfeeling]

Might be that I'm biased, but I don't think that's selfish, either. Unfortunately just not possible.

[As much as he might wish otherwise.

Who are they to stand up to a lord of hell?]

Keeping us. Not the spell. I've never doubted your magic.

[bottle]

No, it would seem not.

(she would not be so selfish to endanger the people she cares about for her own freedom. at least not this yennefer. when she gets her memories back....)

No, you've never doubted anything about me.

[softlybutwithfeeling]

I'm glad it's seemed that way to you.

[He teases gently with that. Normally, he'd be more playful. Now it's more subdued.]

Do you want me at the wedding?

[bottle]

(she should say no, spare him the pain, but she knows him, and even if she said no, he would probably come anyways.)

Yes. I know that won't be easy on you...but it'll help, seeing your face in the crowd.

[softlybutwithfeeling]

I'll be there. In the back row.

[He's not sure where the proper place for the bride's former husband is, aside from outside the building, probably brooding in the snow for dramatic effect, but the back row will have to do.]

[bottle]

That's probably smart.

(she's not sure she supposed to be inviting her former husband, so keeping him towards the back is a good idea.)

[softlybutwithfeeling]

I have my moments.

[Geralt isn't convinced Mammon will actually care, as long as he doesn't interfere with the event.

Maybe the he'd even enjoy being able to rub their noses in it. Show off his wealth.]

Rarely smart, though.

[bottle]

Well no, rarely in comparison to me.

(her teasing is softer than usual, more bittersweet.)

[softlybutwithfeeling]

[Geralt catches Yennefer's arm, against his best judgment but following his gut.

He reels her in and kisses her hair again.]

And that's why I know you're going to come back to me eventually.

[bottle]

(she lets herself be swept up in him, wrapping her arms around him again. )

You trust I'll come back to you? That I'll find a way? Because I won't stop until I do.

[softlybutwithfeeling]

You have my word. However long it takes.