(it doesn't surprise her at all. he has always been by her side, as long as they can remember. she doesn't want to belong to someone else, to someone other than her family.
but if she said no to a lord of hell, what would he do to them? her family? she tries to take a deep breath, dropping her hands before she finishes undoing her dress
Geralt. You know -- you know I never would have entered if I knew that was the cost.
[He steps closer to her, moving slowly. Another time, another Geralt might have compared the way he approached her to coming up on a spooked horse, slow and quiet.
He doesn't think she'll run or that she'll lash out, but he knows his wife. He knows she hates having choices made for her.
He doesn't want to make this any harder for her than it needs to be.
Still, he lifts a hand to her cheek, cupping her face in one broad hand.]
(she leans into his touch before wrapping her arms around her. she might as well take what she can from her husband's strength while it was still available to her -- who knew how long that would be.
another time, another yennefer would have trouble being so openly vunerable with him, but here there is nothing but trust.)
No. I don't want to leave you or the girls. (but she also knows if she doesn't go....)
But if I fight it, I'll be putting you all at risk. I can't do that.
(that she never doubted. she knows he is as dedicated to their family as she is, and would never let harm come to either of their daughters if he could help it.)
We can hope. I would rather not be in the middle of a fight between two lords of hell, but it seems like that is where I am meant to be.
(taken away like prize sow. she does not want to be any one else's bride, but until they can figure out a way to smartly deal with it the safest thing she can do for herself and her family is play along. she hates the idea though.)
[Slowly, Geralt pulls his wife to his chest. Her words, the looming prospect of losing her, the whole situation draws a sigh out of him.
He's always considered himself the laidback sort, but not about this. It's not even jealousy that digs at him. He knows Yennefer, and he knows what they have. He's not concerned with what parts of herself she might choose to share with others; he's satisfied with his part.
But the fact she chooses it has always been key.]
If anyone is strong enough and smart enough to handle herself in a situation like that, it's you.
(yennefer allows herself to burrow inside of his arms, relishing the safety she feels there while she still can. while they both have had their dalliances outside of their marriage, it was always consensual and something the other was okay with. this -- this is entirely different. )
No. I shouldn't have to. But I do and I will. For the sake of all of us.
(and hopefully barbas will put an end to it, one way or another. it's clear the idea of bigamy doesn't sit well with him.)
[There's a helpless feeling to all of this that Geralt isn't used to and doesn't sit well with him. It's not exactly that he's had more control before—they all have their roles and they play them as God and the Lords of Hell decree—but he's rarely wanted otherwise.
Not that he can remember.
Now, he wishes it were different and he realizes he's not even sure where to begin to change their situation himself.]
Do what you have to for yourself, first and foremost.
(yennefer has never felt this helpless either, and she hates it with every fiber of her being. sure they all had their roles to play but she had been good at it, at keeping the lords happy and her family safe. it had been enough, more than enough for her.
and now they want to take that away from her, hand her away like she doesn't already have a husband. lord barbas may not be happy about it but he isn't stopping mammon either.)
I always do. (or she did, once upon a time. her family is a part of herself though, and she won't do anything that will endanger them.)
And no matter what happens, in my heart, you are the only husband I have. They cannot change that.
(she wasn't just saying it for him, but for herself too. they can force her to play along, but they cannot change her truth or her heart. she loves hhim, and knowing that they can't take that away is comforting. he is the husband she chose, that's what matters.)
I know. I don't know how, but we will figure it out.
(even if she has to make a questionable deal with barbas to make it happen, she would not be above it.)
Don't be stupid about it though.
(she knows her husband, and how devoted he is is great, but she doesn't want him getting unnecessarily harmed for her sake.)
I'd say I'm never stupid, but that would be a lie. You make me stupid.
[He means it as a compliment, in a strange way. Normally it would be a joke, but he can't quite muster the humor now.]
Make sure the same goes for you. You know better.
[As he says that, Geralt knows he should let her go. There's no way to say how long Yen has to gather her things and return. Lords of Hell are not known for their patience.
No. No matter where I am physically, I will always be with you. (she brings her hand up to cover his heart. it beats slower than most, but she's never given it much thought to why that is.)
(she knows she can't dwell too long, it would be wrong to keep a hell lord waiting but she wants to hold on a little longer, before she has to pull her head up and be strong.)
(she says it softly as she buries her head into his chest. none of this is fair, and she hates all of it, but there's little they can do right now but find solace in one another.)
[She echoes his own thoughts, and the words go straight to his heart, stirring a pain that's somehow familiar despite the fact he's never had cause to feel it before.
He has no answer for her. He can only hold her, stroking her dark hair smooth.]
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Or that's how it's been for as long as he can remember.
That seems about to change.]
Yennefer. [He enters their room behind her, almost a shadow.] Yen. Stop. Look at me.
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(it doesn't surprise her at all. he has always been by her side, as long as they can remember. she doesn't want to belong to someone else, to someone other than her family.
but if she said no to a lord of hell, what would he do to them? her family? she tries to take a deep breath, dropping her hands before she finishes undoing her dress
Geralt. You know -- you know I never would have entered if I knew that was the cost.
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[He steps closer to her, moving slowly. Another time, another Geralt might have compared the way he approached her to coming up on a spooked horse, slow and quiet.
He doesn't think she'll run or that she'll lash out, but he knows his wife. He knows she hates having choices made for her.
He doesn't want to make this any harder for her than it needs to be.
Still, he lifts a hand to her cheek, cupping her face in one broad hand.]
Are you all right?
[That's his first concern.]
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(she leans into his touch before wrapping her arms around her. she might as well take what she can from her husband's strength while it was still available to her -- who knew how long that would be.
another time, another yennefer would have trouble being so openly vunerable with him, but here there is nothing but trust.)
No. I don't want to leave you or the girls. (but she also knows if she doesn't go....)
But if I fight it, I'll be putting you all at risk. I can't do that.
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[Not that he thinks that's her concern, but he still has to tell her that. He has to promise it.
He's worried about her.]
I know the position you're in. I won't do anything to make it harder.
[He frowns though. He's not entirely sure how to support her. Either of them.]
Mammon is a lord of hell, but I don't think Lord Barbas cares for this situation. Perhaps it won't last.
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I know you will.
(that she never doubted. she knows he is as dedicated to their family as she is, and would never let harm come to either of their daughters if he could help it.)
We can hope. I would rather not be in the middle of a fight between two lords of hell, but it seems like that is where I am meant to be.
(taken away like prize sow. she does not want to be any one else's bride, but until they can figure out a way to smartly deal with it the safest thing she can do for herself and her family is play along. she hates the idea though.)
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He's always considered himself the laidback sort, but not about this. It's not even jealousy that digs at him. He knows Yennefer, and he knows what they have. He's not concerned with what parts of herself she might choose to share with others; he's satisfied with his part.
But the fact she chooses it has always been key.]
If anyone is strong enough and smart enough to handle herself in a situation like that, it's you.
[He tucks her under his chin.]
But you shouldn't have to.
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(yennefer allows herself to burrow inside of his arms, relishing the safety she feels there while she still can. while they both have had their dalliances outside of their marriage, it was always consensual and something the other was okay with. this -- this is entirely different. )
No. I shouldn't have to. But I do and I will. For the sake of all of us.
(and hopefully barbas will put an end to it, one way or another. it's clear the idea of bigamy doesn't sit well with him.)
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Not that he can remember.
Now, he wishes it were different and he realizes he's not even sure where to begin to change their situation himself.]
Do what you have to for yourself, first and foremost.
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(yennefer has never felt this helpless either, and she hates it with every fiber of her being. sure they all had their roles to play but she had been good at it, at keeping the lords happy and her family safe. it had been enough, more than enough for her.
and now they want to take that away from her, hand her away like she doesn't already have a husband. lord barbas may not be happy about it but he isn't stopping mammon either.)
I always do. (or she did, once upon a time. her family is a part of herself though, and she won't do anything that will endanger them.)
And no matter what happens, in my heart, you are the only husband I have. They cannot change that.
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That's the only place it matters.
[And it reassures him more than perhaps it should. This isn't supposed to be about him.]
I will find you again. We will both find each other again. I promise you that.
[Of course he has no idea how he intends to follow through on that promise, but he makes it none the less.]
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(she wasn't just saying it for him, but for herself too. they can force her to play along, but they cannot change her truth or her heart. she loves hhim, and knowing that they can't take that away is comforting. he is the husband she chose, that's what matters.)
I know. I don't know how, but we will figure it out.
(even if she has to make a questionable deal with barbas to make it happen, she would not be above it.)
Don't be stupid about it though.
(she knows her husband, and how devoted he is is great, but she doesn't want him getting unnecessarily harmed for her sake.)
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[He means it as a compliment, in a strange way. Normally it would be a joke, but he can't quite muster the humor now.]
Make sure the same goes for you. You know better.
[As he says that, Geralt knows he should let her go. There's no way to say how long Yen has to gather her things and return. Lords of Hell are not known for their patience.
Still he struggles to let her go.]
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(she doesn't want to let go either, letting go means starting the preparations to leave him. she wants to savor whatever little time they have left.)
I do.
(she tilts her head up now to press a fairly chaste kiss against his lips. she wanted to do that at least one more time.)
I love you.
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[Even if it changes everything else.
Geralt gives her a squeeze, his arms tightening around her gently.]
Nothing can take you away from me. Not entirely.
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No. No matter where I am physically, I will always be with you. (she brings her hand up to cover his heart. it beats slower than most, but she's never given it much thought to why that is.)
In here.
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And when I see our daughters.
[He raised her hand, kissing her knuckles again before she can leave him, not knowing when he'll have the chance again.]
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I know you promised to protect them, but make sure to let them take care of you too.
(she needs to know they'll all take care of one another in her absence.)
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[He manages a joke.]
They take after their mother too much.
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(there's a weak smile at that, but a smile all the same.)
Then I've done them well.
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[And he loves her for it.]
I shouldn't keep you. You have things to pack...
[He still struggles to let her go, not knowing the when he'll be able to hold her again.]
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Just...a little bit longer?
(she knows she can't dwell too long, it would be wrong to keep a hell lord waiting but she wants to hold on a little longer, before she has to pull her head up and be strong.)
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[He whispers, quietly relieved. It feels unfair, letting her shoulder so much of this responsibility, but he doesn't want to let go yet either.]
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I don't know when we'll get to do this again.
(she says it softly as she buries her head into his chest. none of this is fair, and she hates all of it, but there's little they can do right now but find solace in one another.)
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He has no answer for her. He can only hold her, stroking her dark hair smooth.]
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wrap?