#eskel fanfiction

[cosmos-coma]

I know I’m late, but may I request 16 or 30 from the Valentine’s prompts with Eskel, if you’re still taking requests? Thank you 💕 Your writing is the best!

La-Vide

The Need to Get Away

A/N: OF COURSE I CAN, ANYTHING FOR YOU. And you don’t even have to ask, because the only Eskel I write for is game Eskel :) (and hopefully some book Eskel as I read through more). Sorry this took so long! It’s been a WEEK, but I really appreciate the love.

Pairing: Eskel x Reader

Words: 2398

Warning: none! Just some fluff! (oh and absolutely CHAOTIC sibling energy)

Witcher Masterlist

Consider buying me a Ko-fi?

__________

It was nearing the end of winter, teetering on the edge of spring and the holiday of love was right around the corner. Most years Eskel wouldn’t bother to celebrate- the path was ever lonely and if company happened to be found, they barely stayed beyond the night. 

But this year was different.

This year it wasn’t a mocking reminder of his isolating work, But rather a reminder that against all odds, somehow he found you.

When he first met you, you had been a radiant hearth in a house he didn’t even realize had gone dark and cold. No matter the day he had you always smiled and laughed when he came back to you with sticks and monster bits in his hair. You’d pick them out, ask him how his contract was, and spend all night in his tender embrace.

You made him feel normal, and for that, he wanted to give you something special- something he felt was worthy of the love he felt he had so unjustly received. 

First, he tried the library. 

He had set everything up perfectly; the fireplace crackled with the warmth of life, the fragrant petals of your favorite flower lay scattered around the stacks, and the warmest blanket in the entire keep was placed over your favorite loveseat. 

He pulled out a stack of your favorite stories and even a few new ones he’d snagged in town before the bitter cold came. He figured you two could have a relaxing morning side by side in the library before you continued on to the rest of his plans.

… unfortunately, it didn’t last for long.

“Eskel, my love, did you do all of this for us?” You grinned as you opened the heavy wooden door. The pleasant smell of fresh flowers and old books swirled around you, its soothing scent enveloping you along with the warmth coming from the room's large hearth. 

“I thought we could start with a quiet morning…” he said as he took your hand and led you to your seat where there was already a steaming mug just for you.

Your grin was so sweet and genuinely excited that even now, Eskel still lost his breath at the sight of it.

You settled down in your favorite loveseat, your legs thrown over Eskel’s lap as per usual as you settled in. 

It seemed like the perfect way to start the day, book in your lap, mug in your hand, until-

BOOM

You nearly jumped 3 feet in the air when you heard the rumbling explosion beneath you, causing you to spill the contents of your mug into your lap and book.

“Ah!! Hot! Hot!” You shouted as you jumped up to your feet, dropping everything to the floor as you desperately tried to fan yourself. 

Eskel wasted no time jumping up either, trying to pat dry your clothes and blow on them, but there was only so much he could do. Soon enough, thankfully, the entire room let out a relieved sigh as your clothes had finally cooled down, now just leaving you with a soaked, cold lap.

“Well this… could be worse,” you tried to stay positive as you looked at Eskel with a small smile “But What on earth was that? It sounded like it was right below us” 

Eskel sighed, sitting back down as he watched you go stand near the fire to dry your clothes, “it probably came from the alchemy lab… it’s right below us but I don’t know who would be-“

BOOM

A smaller explosion went off. 

“I meant to do that!” You heard Lambert’s voice yell as bits of rock crumbled and fell from the ceiling.

Eskel sighed, “I really should have guessed… It seems he chose today of all days to test his volatile substances…” 

“‘Volatile substances’? You mean—“

BOOM

“Oh, THAT'S NEW” Lambert's voice shouted, a mix of excitement and concern…but mostly excitement.

“Bombs.” Eskel finished for you, “precisely.”

“Right…” you said quietly, seeming to be in thought as you  nodded and fanned your clothes before the fire, “… should we not be here?”

“No probably not…” 

Next, he tried the courtyard.

It was warm for the end of winter and the sun hung happily in the clear sky. Though there were still some weeks of winter left, soft green buds mistakenly peeked out of the twigs and branches above you, giving hope of a soon-to-be spring. 

“So this morning didn’t go as planned, but I thought maybe we could spend some time with Lil Bleater?” Eskel suggested, carrying a small pack under his arm. The aforementioned noisy kid bleated up at her two-legged dad as she followed just half a step behind, urgently asking for everything from cuddles to treats to a sparring partner.

You laughed a bit and nodded, “of course… you know I can never get enough of her.” 

As if sensing his intentions Lil Bleater suddenly ran ahead, bouncing around a large tree jutting out of the courtyard. Its roots had pulled up pieces of the stone walkway its many, many years of watching over the keep, but maintained a little bowl that was perfect for sitting. Landing with as much flare as a goat can she turned back to Eskel, yelling at him to set up right here.

“There? That’s where you wanna be? Alright, you’re the boss, Bleater…” your beloved said with a warm smile, unfolding the small blanket with a satisfying fwoosh. 

The mountain of a man let out a sigh nearly as big as he was as he finally sat on the thin cushion of the blanket, “let’s try this again shall we..?” He offered, his notched lip tugging up at the corner as he reached out to you. 

Practically falling into his lap, you wasted no time before curling into his warm embrace, your head resting pleasantly against his shoulder as you tried to take in the peace of the morning once again. Lil Bleater was quick to follow suit, climbing into your lap and nibbling at your clothes until you finally scratched her just right. 

It seemed like everything was finally going right this time… that is until- 

Clang! Clang clang! Ding! 

Eskel groaned, his head knocking into yours as it hung in defeat again. He swore this day was testing him. 

Geralt and Vesemir came round the corner shortly after, swords clanging viciously as they sparred, their mentor holding nothing back as he came at him again and again. Metal on metal rang incessantly in your ears and even Lil Bleater had to protest the unending noise they made. 

“Baaaaah! “ she cried, pushing off of your lap in a rush as she ran swiftly in the opposite direction. 

“Um… “ you muttered as you watched them keep going, even going so far as to wave at you as they passed. You wanted to say something, but this was still not your home, not technically, and you didn’t want to overstep your bounds.

Eskel sighed, he was a very patient man, but it was wearing thinner with every aggressive clang of metal ringing against the stone walls, “Of course they have to do this now-- Come on… why don’t you go in for lunch?” He suggested, his smile much more tired now as he helped you up, “I’ll be in soon, okay? Hopefully, it’s quieter in the hall.”

And then… it was lunch…

Eskel was hard at work in the kitchen, willingly unbothered by the racquet of his brothers as he put the finishing touches on his meal. He had prepared most of it earlier that morning, having already planned ahead on sharing your favorite lunch. “Okay… it’s done,” Eskel mumbled to himself as he looked out the thin window, “and with any luck, my brothers will still be busy while we eat….” 

As Eskel brought out plates for the both of you, looking cautiously around the hall, he had to sigh in relief; his brothers were still out and about.Maybe he could finally have time for just the two of you.

 Thank any and every god that one of his activities was going right. 

Your smile was gentle and patient as he headed toward you, your whole expression graced with a wash of wonderfully stubborn love. Eskel nearly tripped on a raised tile, his eyes lost in yours instead on the path ahead of him, before quickly recovering his footing. 

“Careful there…,”. You warned with a laugh, “We wouldn’t want anything to happen to lunch after all the trouble you’ve gone through today.” 

Your Witcher huffed a small laugh, but refused to jinx it any further

However…

About four bites in the hair on the back of his neck began to rise. Something didn’t feel right. He stopped and looked around the hall. All was quiet, but something still nagged him.

Hm.. it’s not his Witcher senses bothering him, or his medallion would have gone off. No… what was bothering him was his sibling senses. 

Carefully he put his fork down, the gentle ding clear in his ears. He looked at you, innocent and unaware of what was yet to come, you were too engrossed in your meal to notice the danger looming all too close. 

“It’s too quiet-” he tried to warn, but it was too late. 

Almost as if it was planned, both Lambert and Geralt came in from different doors and their senses were set on Eskel’s premade food. 

“No, no, no, no..!” Eskel started to stand, yellow eyes flaring as Geralt slid in next to you, and Lambert next to him. 

“Oooh, smells good, whatcha got there big guy?” Lambert asked with a grin as he reached over onto Eskel’s plate, taking a bite of the meticulously made dish, “oh shit, this is good!”

Geralt looked over onto your plate, “Hm? Can I try some?” He asked, tone calm and deceivingly gentle, but Eskel knew his brothers. Lambert was brash and didn’t care about the consequences as he reached for what he wanted. Geralt on the other hand was calculated. As a child he learned quickly that he needed his approach to be smart if he was going to skirt the slaps and jabs Lambert got, so he’d stick his foot in the door. He’d ask to try some, complement the work, and then eventually get YOU to offer HIM part of your meal. Eskel had fallen for it many times.

“Oh, of course,” you smiled pleasantly as you offered him a fork, watching him take a politely small bite. 

“Oh it’s good, Eskel you made this?” Geralt complimented, the slightest smile on his lips as he met the blazing eyes of his closest brother. 

“I did…” Eskel gritted out, pushing Lambert away from his plate as he went to reach in again. 

“Huh, you’ve never cooked like this for us…” Geralt remarked, rubbing his ‘aching arms’ “mm, too bad my arms are so sore from training today to make myself something like this…” 

“Oh… well, would you like some more of mine? I’m sure there’s enough to go around.” You said, offering him a few more forkfuls. 

Geralt grinned pointedly at his brother as he lifted his fork again, “Wow, Eskel… you must’ve brought home the most generous person on the continent….” 

You smiled at the compliment, but the pleasant expression quickly fell as Eskel stabbed his fork into the table, dangerously close to Lambert's reaching hand, and wordlessly walked away. His shoulders were tight and arched, like a threatened animal, and you weren’t sure if it was growling or muttering beneath his breath that you heard. 

“Eskel? My love, where are you going?” You asked as he turned the corner wordlessly. 

“Well,” Lambert said, scooting over into Eskel’s seat as he took his plate with a grin, “If he’s not going to finish it then I guess I should.”

All of this Chaos and turmoil had bubbled and stewed and now you hadn’t seen Eskel all afternoon. Sunset was just a few hours away and you were starting to get worried. 

“Where could he be..?” You mused to yourself as you pushed past the front doors.You had just stepped outside to look for him once again when you heard a familiar, yet excited sound. 

“Bahhhh!” Lil Bleater yelled as she ran toward you, her gait quick and determined as she trampled a path straight toward you. 

“Hey, kiddo. Have you- wait, what’s this?” You asked as you quickly snatched the note she was chewing away. 

‘Meet me at the stables? Dress warm. -E’

You grinned as you saw Eskel’s neat handwriting scrawled across the simple note. With all the speed you could manage you rushed to get your warmest clothes on, a grin plastered on your face the entire time as you raced through the keep and down to the stables. What you weren’t expecting though was to see Scorpion saddled up, packed saddle bags bulging with various items. 

“Eskel..? What is this..?” You smiled, nearly out of breath as you slowed to a stop before the stead-fast stallion. “Are you going somewhere?” You asked, petting Scorpion’s dark muzzle as he leaned his nose in to sniff around your pockets.

“We are,” he smiled, looking at ease once again as he came to your side, “I’m sorry today was- sort of a disaster. I had all of these things planned and just… nothing seemed to go right,” he admitted. “But I think I found the perfect solution…. How do you feel about an impromptu road trip? There’s a little clearing up the side of the mountain that has the most amazing sunsets. 

There’s a big tree in the middle that’s perfect to sleep under, and after we eat dinner-” he knocked on a saddle bag, its noise clanking with the sound of a pot and its utensils, “then maybe we can make a fire and stargaze..?”

His large frame was uncharacteristically nervous, his gaze staring down at his rough hands as they came together in front of him. He hoped you’d be willing to try it all again, It hadn’t been a great start, but he was still determined to see it through for you. 

When he finally looked up from his hands the brightness of your toothy grin was contagious, Eskel’s own lips tugging up into a wide smile.

“Oh, my love… you had me at ‘road trip’.”

_________

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[askaalaska-vdeppressed]

Kids and Coffee Dates Ch 11

Masterlist

(set to the tune of the lamby song from Gravity Falls) Who wants a tiny little update? I do! I do! Because I haven't written in like 4 months Sorry! My bad!

“Kids are learning fast. They know the T-birds kick some ass. Be sure that there’s no coming last if your on…”

The music pouring out of the Bluetooth speaker on a shelf in the garage trickled out of the open garage door and down to meet Geralt underneath the body of a 67 impala. The car had been an absolute nerd vanity purchase and Geralt knew it. It had needed a new interior; the thing ran like dirt when he first bought it and Geralt was sure he had almost rebuilt the engine at this point with all the parts he had replaced in it. Yet every time he opened the garage and he saw it, a little bit of giddiness bubbled up in him. He had been working with his therapist about defining his emotions and letting himself feel them. The car it turned out had ended up being his little get away to think. A place neither of the women in his house wanted to really be in for any length of time that he could just feel in. He could get upset, frustrated, excited and curious completely unfiltered and it felt good.

Yennifer still called him a nerd for getting The Impala, which he always felt were bold words coming from someone with a Gossip Girl phase, that he witnessed no less.

It wasn’t Yennifer or Ciri however that disrupted Geralt from his musing while working underneath the car, rather it was the rumbling of an engine and the sound of tires slowing over asphalt in the drive. As he was pulling himself up from under the car Lambert was already out and beelining toward him.

“That girl that Eskel went on a date with, what did she look like?” Lambert was breathing heavy like he had ran over to Geralt’s house instead of driving.

“Why?” Geralt quirked up an eyebrow, the frown on his face contouring as he reached for a rag to wipe his hands.

“Well you know how Dad got on my ass about looking nice for company things? Well I was going over to Eskel’s to get steal some stuff of his because I was thinking about it and you know my thing about doing things when I think about them. “

“Yes I am aware that your ADHD ass works in mysterious ways” Geralt threw back at him.

Lambert gave him a quick dirty look before dropping it to continue.

“Well anyway I went to his house this morning and—”

Lambert’s rant was drown out by the very familiar rumble of a bike engine, which abruptly shut off as both brothers turned. Eskel stood a few feet from the bike, arms crossed over his chest and a glare directed at Lambert. The two brothers seemed to have an entire conversation for a few seconds solely with there eyes and facial expressions before Lambert bolted off like a shot to the side to try and reach his vehicle. Eskel however had strategically place himself between the two and sidestepped to grab his brother. The force of the two colliding knocked them both to ground.

It really was something watching two grown men—both built like lumberjacks—wrestling in a driveway at 7 in the morning.

Geralt only wished he had brought a drink out with him to watch the show.

The wrestling match lasted a few more seconds before Eskel had completely pinned Lambert to the ground with his hands pinned behind his back.  

“What in the hell is going on out here? You men are in your thirties, are you really acting like this?” Yennifer had stepped out on the front porch to observe the scene that was being made in her front yard.

“Hey don’t you lump me in with these old men” Lambert picked his head up from the pavement to retort back at Yennifer. Eskel gave out a huff before standing up and letting Lambert go. Which the younger man readily accepting quacking jumping back up.

Yennifer had made her way down to the driveway, turning to Geralt for answers.

“What’s going on out here?” Geralt gave her a shrug before answering.

“I genuinely don’t know this just kinda happened to me.”

“I saw Eskel’s girlfriend .” Lambert bluntly explained, all preamble lost after losing his impromptu wrestling match.

Eskel let out a groan dragging his hands through his hair and pulling before straightening back up and rolling his shoulders.

“Yeah look listen I’ve been meaning to tell you guys for a while I just could never find the right time, and then I started feeling guilty for waiting so long which made me wait ever more and I fuck” Eskel’s shoulders were slumped slightly as he looked mildly downtrodden off to the side.

“Does she have a name?” Yennifer tried to make the tone of her voice as light as possible to try and steer the conversation away from its sober state to at least some mild love or gaiety.

“Uhh yeah” Eskel awkwardly ruffled a hand behind his head. “Her name’s Y/n, she runs a farm, she’s been helping me with Bleater a lot actually, I’ve been seeing her for about six months. “

Lambert began to tsk and place his hand over his chest in overdramatic fashion.

“Eskel I just tsk I thought we were brothers. Six months you hide this girl from us? Six months I—”

“Oh my fucking God, you fucking knew?” Eskel’s eyes shone with irritation once more as he turned toward Lambert

“That not what i—” Lamber was once again cut off.

“No you wouldn’t be joking like this if this was the first time you were hearing about this. You fucking knew didn’t you?”  

Geralt stood up at this, knowing that Eskel would be even more upset if they lied any further.

“We found out by accident.” As Geralt spoke Eskel turned to him. The direct, vaguely angry eye contact would have probably brought any other man to his knees, but Geralt knew Eskel too well to be scared. He knew Eskel too well to fall for this act of anger that was hiding embarrassment and hurt.

“We found out by accident and we weren’t sure if it was anything serious so we figured you would come to us when you were ready.” While Geralt’s words were far from flowery or soft, he could tell by the lessening tension in Eskel’s shoulders that they were working.

“None of us wanted to pressure you or anything okay?” Relief filled Geralt as Eskel broke eye contact to close his eye and take a deep breath letting it out with an “okay”.

“Are we cool?” This was more for Geralt’s peace of mind than anything. Eskel was and always had been the closest person Geralt had had in his life, having Eskel upset at him for any length of time caused a big black hold to well up in his stomach that threaten to swallow him whole.

Eskel let out another long exhale from his nose before his eyebrows lifted slightly and he gave out a “Yeah were cool” with a few nods.

As the air cleared of tension Eskel could feel a few rapid fire vibrations radiate from his pocket.

Babe: Hey I think I’m gonna make waffles.

Babe: you have some strawberries in the fridge, should I make like a strawberry topping?

Babe: or blueberry?

Babe: blueberry and strawberry?

Babe:……… I love you!

Eskel let out a little snort from his nostrils before putting the phone back in his pocket.

“Well as… pleasant as this morning has been I have waffles waiting for me at home and I” Eskel looked around the driveway a second before flicking off a piece of gravel from his shoulder “am going to take advantage of them”

As the sound of the motorcycle faded into the distance Yennifer leaned into the side of the house.

“That could have gone a lot better”

“could have also gone a lot worse” Geralt responded, leaning over to pick up tools from around the car.

“I never did get my tie-tacks” Lambert piped up. “How mad do you think he’d be if I went back to his house to snag a waffle?”

~

Suhuyini: Hey were going to have a party for Purnima at the Stable for her birthday on October 1st. Just wanted to let you know.

Eskel: Nice, do you want me to bring anything?

Suhuyini: Your little girlfriend.

Eskel: You know what I meant, like what food do you want me to bring?

Suhuyini: Technically people are edible.

Eskel: Were not eating my girlfriend.

Suhuyini: Eskel I am sure you eat your girlfriend 😉

Eskel: Would you cut it out??

Suhuyini: Only if you bring your girlfriend.

Eskel: I will ASK my girlfriend. I’m not going to tie her up and drag her to the stable

Suhuyini: Tie her up you say 😉

Eskel: I’m leaving

Suhuyini: You can’t leave a text, if could also bring like a fruit or veggie tray that would be great.

[thesleepy1]

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.” 

[pterodactylterrace]

In Another Life

Title: In Another Life

Pairing: Eskel x Reader

Rating: T

Warning: Cannon level violence, major character death, grief and loss, mourning

Summary: How is he supposed to move on with everything he’s lost?

~*~

It was a gnawing loneliness he felt when Eskel came back down the mountain after… after what happened. His brothers were gone. Lambert was struck down by the wild hunt; Geralt having vanished into a swamp never to be heard from again. Vesemir was another victim of the wild hunt. His youngest brother and his father were both taken from him in one night. Ciri went to face the white frost, and never came back. Eskel was… alone.

The first few months were the worst. He fell into a haze of contracts and drinking. Anything to keep his mind occupied. 

The second year he had forced himself to face what had happened. Even broken-hearted and drunk out of his mind, Lambert had managed to describe where Aiden was buried well enough for Eskel to find it. He laid Lambert’s silver sword to rest there. Now a part of them would always be together. He hoped Lambert found a peace in the next world that he was never afforded in this one. He deserved that much. His life was one series of horrible events after the next. From his abusive father, to being claimed by the law of surprise, then the trials that almost killed him. Aiden had been the one good thing he clung to in his life. Having him ripped away over something so silly was cruel.

Vesemir’s journal he kept tucked away. He would trace his fingers over the worn cover on long, restless nights, when he couldn’t get his mind to just relax. Vesemir had been a constant in his life for as long as he could remember. Having him be gone just felt… wrong. Vesemir was supposed to be the Witcher that made it. The one that dies in his bed at a ripe old age. He wasn’t supposed to be taken from him. 

Geralt’s business has been more tedious to attend to. He had mentioned a winery he owned in Toussiant, insisting Eskel visit sometime. Eskel just thought he would be visiting with Geralt. Barnaby had been hesitant when he had found Eskel looking across the lands, wistfully imagining Geralt wandering around. He would look so out of place here. That thought made his chest clench and his throat tighten in grief. He wished more than anything he could have seen that. Wished Lambert, Vesemir and Ciri were all there, too, watching Geralt try to pretend he didn’t feel awkward in this strange surrounding. Lambert would mock him. Call him pretty boy and tell him to quit showing off. Vesemir would cuff him upside the head for that. Ciri would find the whole thing hilarious. They would be together.

Barnaby had taken notice of his amber eyes and wolf medallion, quickly deducing that he was one of the brothers Geralt had told him about. He had been solemn in handing over the note, Geralt’s handwriting staring back at him. It declared that Corco Bianco was his now. He knew he wasn’t coming back when he went into that swamp. The bastard. Eskel never got the chance to say goodbye to his oldest and closest friend. His brother. 

The portrait of Geralt was enough to make him laugh until he couldn’t breathe. He decided to leave it up for a while at least. He slept in the guest loft for the first few nights, having to work himself up to sleep in the master bedroom. It felt more foreign than he had thought. He hasn’t slept at all the first couple of nights. It took some intensive sword practice and a good meal before he could settle down enough to sleep by the third night. 

He tucked away Vesemir’s journal after a year off the path. He knew he needed to go back out, but he figured he deserved some time off to get his head on straight before setting out again. In the trunk with Vesemir’s journal went Lambert’s gwent deck. He wished Barnaby his best, warning him that he may not be back for quite some time, if at all. 

Drowners, wyverns, forktails, nekkers, griffins, wraiths. The contracts kept blending together after a while. He let himself shed a few tears after his first completed contract. It had been a rather interesting affair, and he found himself recounting the details that night after recording it in his journal. A story he would never tell to his brothers. One that would never be told over a mug of ale during a cold winter's night in Kaer Morhen. He promised himself he would be stronger the next time. 

It was unexpected meeting her. Eskel had given up on his dream of a family long ago. He couldn’t remember if it was after his trials, or after his face was mangled, only that he had resigned himself to a life alone what felt like a lifetime ago. Who knows? For a human, maybe it was a lifetime.

She had calmed the grief stricken storm of his mind, helping him to find a peace he could never achieve on the path. He found himself visiting her often, taking detours when he could just so he could see her. On long, lonely nights he would think back to his head pillowed in her lap as she gently stroked his hair. 

He made his decision before she even finished speaking. She had tears in her eyes when she addressed him as he prepared to leave one morning. “Please.” Eskel had asked her what she meant, and the dam had given way. She explained how it felt like her heart was being ripped from her chest every time he left, not knowing when he would come back. A few days? Months? Never? It was a gamble he forced her to take each time he left. 

“You’ve earned rest, my love. You don’t have to go anymore.”

For her, he laid down his swords. He tucked them away in the chest in the vineyard Geralt had left him, right next to Vesemir’s journal and Lambert’s cards. He faced himself in the mirror, taking in his reflection. He no longer wore his armor, a simple tunic and trousers taking their place. His hair had long since grown out and was now kept tied behind his head. He watched his fingers trace over his scarred face in the mirror, the only thing left of the life he had left behind him. 

Most days, he was fine. He could laugh, joke and enjoy himself. He let himself live in the moment, to drink it in and let happiness wash over him. This was far from the life he thought he would have, but it filled him with a joy he never knew he could have. Then, something would happen and he would be reminded of his old life. His family and how he was the last of them. Those days he would spend with his head in her lap as she ran her fingers through his hair. 

The storm would pass. Time would heal his heart, just as it did all other wounds. Hopefully soon. 

~*~

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could not tag

[camilleisback]

For those who have asked, the unholy Rience/Eskel fanfic is online!

@mintyard @neocil @heartoferebor

Feedback is always super appreciated! Who knows, it might even fuel me with inspiration for new Rience/Eskel works in the near future...

Title: Fire walk with me

Pairing: Rience/Eskel

Word count: 7,554

Summary: “I didn’t know your kind possessed such a strong magical aura, witcher.” It’s back again, that dangerous, kind of loony smile. Deranged. All wrong. An unhinged mage roaming the South on his own, dressed like someone who could steal bread from market stalls to make it through the day, so far away from the political clusterfuck of the northern courts – this can, and it will, end in shit. Still, Eskel isn’t completely ignorant about what his so-called magical aura does to mages when they touch him. Rience looks, in fact, either ready to tear his clothes from his body or to challenge him to a naked sword fighting duel in the fields. Oh, this will so end in shit.

Several years before Rience's imprisonment in Cintra for unpaid debts, Eskel meets him in Nazair. As one thing leads to another, Eskel relizes the mage could be so much more than what he has bargained for, but problem is Eskel likes playing with fire, even if it means getting burnt.

[askaalaska-vdeppressed]

Eskel Valentine's Oneshot

So uhhh, heres a oneshot. I had the Kids and Coffee dates version of Eskel in mind when i wrote but it's pretty much completely self conatined. Okay bye! (hides back in my hole)

Nothing could go right today. You were fairly sure this day was completely cursed. You leaned  on the counter looking at the trashed kitchen, head hung low. Powdered sugar coated both you and every dry surface. Sticky meringue-based batter coated many of your utensils and despite the not insignificant amount of vanilla extract you had spilled on the floor earlier you could still get wafts of smoke smell coming up from the basement.

Lets start from the beginning.

The shit had started that morning. You were lying in bed, trying your best to enjoy your morning before everything got started. It was Valentines day, and for once you actually had someone you really wanted to spend it with. Eskel and you had both agreed that you didn’t want to go out. Restaurants too crowded with people, and normal date spots much more likely to have unwanted company. So you decided on a nice dinner at your house. He was going to bring an entrée and you would provide sides and dessert. You had made all the sides in advance last night so you could tackle your main rival today: Macarons. You’d made the finicky cookies before, quite successfully- though for every success you’d probably had two failures. You’d known Eskel long enough now to know of his not so subtle love for sweets, and you kept your macaron making knowledge a secret to pull out for a special occasion to impress him.

This seemed the perfect opportunity, and your gentle giant of a boyfriend would be worth every frustration along the way.

Having hyped yourself up to start baking you got up out of bed, only to open the bedroom door and step out onto utterly freezing hardwood. Cold air blasted you in face and goosebumps instantly pebbled on your arms. Quickly grabbing a robe to wrap around yourself you padded over to the thermostat. It was set for 70 but it was only 58 in the house. Perking your head up you focused, trying to hear the tell tale rattling of the furnace from the air vents. Only silence greeted you.

The furnace was out, great. At it least it wasn’t projected to be too terribly cold today you thought as you went about morning chores, getting animals and yourself fed. Then it was on to tackling the heat issue. It was times like these you were grateful for having an old house, as in the basement across the room from the furnace was a wood stove. That could keep the house warm until you could get someone out to fix the heating. You went over to the pile of wood next to the stove kept for such emergencies and easily stacked and lit the wood in the stove. Satisfied as the flames eagerly licked the dry kindling, you closed the stove door and headed back up to start your work in the kitchen.

As you began looking for your scale and other ingredients you could smell smoke, a good indication that the fire was catching well and the house would be toasty again in no time. Then the smell got stronger… and stronger. You perked your head up from the recipe on your phone, peering out to look down the hall. The door leading to the basement had tendrils of smoke crawling out from underneath it. You threw your phone down on the table and dashed back down to the basement.

Smoke plumed out of the door as you flung it open, taking the stairs two at a time to get to the basement floor. As you looked through the smoke-filled haze you could see that nothing had caught on fire. Instead smoke was coming from the stove, flowing into the house instead of the chimney. As you reached the stove you experimentally touched the chimney, it was just as chilly as the floors upstairs, confirming your suspicions. It was plugged up. You searched around for something to put out the fire. A lone dehumidifier caught your eye from the back corner. Its indicator light, stating its bucket was full and needed to be emptied, having been ignored for quite some time. It was not ideal, as putting a ton of water on the flame could cause the stove to crack, but you really didn’t have any options. Rushing you grabbed the bucket out of the machine and opened the top of the stove, dumping its contents inside.  

Steam erupted from the hole, the wood charred, and the fire doused. You went to breath a sigh of relief; however the smoke and steam filed your lungs causing a coughing fit. A minute or so passed before you could breath again, now starting back at square one. No heat and no plan B. To make matters worse you had to open the basement windows to let out the smoke, letting more cold air in. Propping open every window and even placing a fan by one, you looked forlornly at the defunct furnace. Trying your best to see if you could bullshit your way into fixing it. It was after some scrutiny that you noticed a small switch to the side of the furnace, close to the ground, had been switched off. You leaned over to examine further, noting some kitty cat paw prints were in the dust by the button. Gingerly you flipped the switch back on, almost leaping back as the furnace came alive once more.

Irritation settled in your bones as you trudged along back upstairs. Now stinking of smoke, eyes and lungs irritated beyond belief you tried once more to continue baking. You had finished your meringue and were preparing the flour and sugar when you noticed that your little shit of a heat hating cat—who would usually be begging at your feet by now, was no where in sight. He had been a stray found by Eskel, whom you had immediately taken in and declared he was now Eskel and your son. He was also a massive food pit and would pester you incessantly when you were in the kitchen for any period longer than five minutes. So his absence now was noted.

It then occurred to you that you had opened the windows in the basement for the smoke. The very much screenless and at ground level windows.

How much can go wrong in an hour? Grabbing your coat, some shoes and cat treats you went outside. An hour and half later both you and the cat were finally back inside, of course not before it had started to rain, however. With your heat, cat and windows now secure you get back to the recipe, specifically starting it over.

Time went quickly and the tedious nature of the cookies plus you frazzled state caused you to be a bit sloppy with your baking. Sugar getting everywhere and at one point knocking vanilla extract off the counter and all over the kitchen.

You almost cried at that point, but papa didn’t raise no bitch and you WERE going to see this through. Finally you had your cookies in the oven and even though you did everything right, the tops of them started to crack.

Great, just great.

At least they’ll still taste okay, you thought, trying you best to power through baking and frosting them. At last they were finished, and you sighed looking out at the mess of both yourself and the kitchen.

Today was cursed, you were sure of it. Either you could be alone and happy or in a relationship and miserable. No in-between.

Somehow you cleaned the kitchen and showered, but the wear of the day being one event after another dragged your shoulders down to rest—just for a moment.

            They gentle eyes of the your “stray son” peered at Eskel through the window as he walked up to your door. He was honestly really excited, sure he had gone out for Valentines before, but never like this. Never with someone he loved. Someone that loved him enough to know he would rather stay in and be fancy at home, rather than try and keep that pretense out in public. He was excited to have you try his soup. He hadn’t been sure what to make, but he wanted to impress you, and it was still cold enough for soup. He was picture the two of you curled up on the couch, cozy, some show playing on TV but neither of you really paying attention because the other was close. Or at least that’s how he always felt around you. Like he couldn’t focus because time spent with you, not paying attention to you was time wasted.

            He knocked on the door gently, when several minutes passed and no answer he re-arranged the container in his hands to open the door. You were probably just in the shower or had headphones on. He had accidentally (and sometimes purposefully if he was being honest) scared you because you were so engrossed in what you were listening to. He couldn’t really help it though, you were so cute when you were flustered and tried mock scolding him afterwards.

            Eskel made his way into the kitchen, noticing the faint scent of wood smoke in the hall. He opened the fridge to place his soup inside while he searched for you, when something light blue caught his eyes. He eyed the cookies up and down for a second. He wasn’t sure if you had bought them for tonight or for something else but…..

            Eskel grabbed two of the sweets, putting one in his mouth as he went to search for you.

            ……. You knew better than to leave sweets out when we was coming over.

            Eskel made his first stop at your bedroom, concern furrowing his brows a moment when he didn’t hear the water running. Only to then hear the soft sounds of you sleeping behind the door. Eskel gently opened up the door. Your cat being ever the opportunist rushing in as it opened to come and jump on the bed. You were on your stomach, hair sprawled out around you, the scent of you hair products wafting up as he got closer. A smile tugged further and further up his face as he noticed you hadn’t even gotten out of your robe yet. You must have fallen asleep after your shower before getting ready.

            Eskel set the cookie in his hand down on your nightstand and leaned over, his hand brushing against your cheek as he kissed your temple.

            “Y/n…. Y/n babe wake up” You stirred quietly shoulders jostling a bit before you pried open your eyes.

            “Esk? What? Shit what time is it?” You turned and tried to clumsily sit up but Eskel placed a firm hand on your shoulder.

            “ Doesn’t matter now I’m already here. What’s up are you okay? You’re not really a post-shower nap kinda girl.” Eskel smirked trying to get you to smile as well, but it quickly fell when he noticed your frown deepen.

            “Yeah I know I just…. I… Everything was just” You struggled to articulate what was going on and instead fell back into the bed, arms crossed over your eyes as a small whine escaped you.

            “Hey, hey it’s okay, you don’t need to tell me anything… Just… come here.”

            Eskel quickly discarded his jacket and climbed into the bed, opening his arms for you. You immediately accepted, wrapping around him and squishing your face into his neck.

            “m sorry I ruined Valentines.” Eskel could make out your mumbling into his skin.

            “You didn’t ruin Valentines” You pulled back from him slightly, the vibrations from him speaking just a bit too much.

            “But I’m all mopey and junk.” You frowned looking into the bit of his chest peaking out from his V neck. A shirt you would bet money he only wore because he knew you loved them on him. Eskel leaned back further, an arms detaching from your side so he could bring his hand up. Gentle fingers pulled your chin up to look at him. Soft, kind eyes, tan skin and a look of total adoration greeted you.

            “I still love you when you’re mopey.”

[cosmos-coma]

Hi!! Can I request an Eskel one shot where he fell in love with the reader (a Viper witcheress who is homeless since it disbanded) and he invites her back to Kaer Morhen for winter to introduce her to his brothers. She's also a great cook and the wolfs says she's a keeper. 😆

Vipers and Wolves

A/N: Ive never written a witcher!reader before, but it wasn't bad at all! I was hit with the comedic bug for this one, It's not super romantic all around but it is strong in found family!

Pairing: Eskel x Reader

Words: 1.9k

Warnings: Language, very quick editing

___________________________________

It was in the heat of summer when you first met. 

You had been laying under a great big oak tree as the rain pattered down around you. The fire warmed your face as you set a heaping pile of damp fuel beside it, hoping it would dry in time to use it. Stray raindrops fell like tears from the leaves above you, making you shudder as one lucky one slid right down your back. 

“Ugh… stupid rain,” you complained to yourself as you set out your bedroll and started getting comfortable in your camp. 

The sun was beginning to set when you heard rustling far off in the distance, towards the middle of the forest. You were right outside of a small town so it was probably just a human, but people don't usually travel through the thick of the forest either. Your viper head medallion confirmed your suspicions as it lay motionless against your chest.

You stood cautiously and drew your steel sword as the sound of breaking twigs got closer and closer. A large dark silhouette moved within your vision as the sun was now halfway sunk on the horizon. As they got closer you could see it was actually a man on a large black horse, with… two swords on their back? Is it possible you really found another witcher?

You couldn’t believe your cat-like eyes. So many of you were lost after the sieges. So many of your brothers and sisters were killed defending your home from the onslaught of humans, and even then they couldn’t succeed. Your old home now was a wasteland of rocks and unlivable walls that held no more life. All the books and research your school did on the wild hunt… gone save for you and the few survivors. 

“ A fellow witcher.” You held your hand up in a friendly wave as you watched him dismount and come closer to the light of your campfire. 

Your breath escaped you as you saw the warmth of his Golden eyes lit by the fire, they were soft in a way that you didn’t often see from others, let alone witchers. Deep scars ravaged the right side of his cheek, tightly twisting his skin in jagged ways and notching his slightly chapped lips. 

“Ah, not every day you run across another witcher out in the field.” He smiled a bit as he nodded toward your swords. “Eskel, Wolf school.” He introduced himself and held out his hand. He seemed oddly trustworthy of you, but you suppose some people just have better judges of character. 

You dropped your sword back with your other belongings as you shook his hand in return. “Y/n, Viper school.” you smiled a bit as you spoke and motioned to your camp. “You’re, uh- I guess you’re welcome to make camp here too… means I have someone else to collect firewood for me.” you laughed a bit, gaining a small smile in return from the broad man.

He shook his head a bit as his brow furrowed, “isn’t there a town just a few minutes ride that way? Why don’t you get a room at the tavern there?” He asked, taking a seat across from you at the campfire as you sat down on your bedroll. 

“Can’t waste the money.” you said with a frown, “The viper school isn’t livable anymore so I have to hole up in a tavern all winter. I mean, I’ve found a nice place that’ll let me work to stay but, somehow money still seems to run far too thin by the end of the season so I need everything I can get.” 

Eskel watched as you stoked the fire carefully and added another log. He wasn't sure if it was the scar that ran across your nose that seemed to highlight your features, or perhaps it was the way you spoke that found him feeling exactly at home.  Maybe it was your subtle scent of lavender? No, no, it was your eyes for sure. Your eyes glowed in the firelight and danced with a fierce- yet gentle- determination, a dichotomy that Eskel rarely saw outside of his own eyes.

“Well… Do you mind having a guest at your campsite tonight? I’ll collect all the firewood you could ever need.”

---------

“Are you sure this is gonna be alright? I’m not sure…” You said as the tall standing walls of the Keep just crept into view over the hills. “They're not gonna be nearly as nice as you are, you're an exception…” You sighed.

“Oh, no. You’re right- they’re complete assholes, but I promise they’d never be like that to you. Not right away, anyways.” Eskel stifled a small laugh when you turned to scowl deeply at him. “I just mean to say… that as you become more like family they’re gonna treat you more like family. And that of course includes ruthless teasing from time to time.” He smiled and shrugged. 

Though you were fierce and skilled as a Witcher- and among the few women in your profession at that- you knew that you were intruding on another school, someone else's home with different customs and you felt like you needed to tread lightly lest you be asked to return to the oncoming winter season.

It took the rest of the day to finally reach the Keep’s arching gate and ride your horses through. You put them away in the stables, absolutely taking the opportunity to meet the famed Lil bleater along the way. 

A comfortable warmth washed over you as the doors to the great hall opened and a large fire crackled in the fireplace, warming the 3 men already inside. Eskel had told you more than enough about his brothers and his father figure. Geralt, the one with white hair and a scar down the eye who looks grumpy all the time, but can be cracked with a joke at Lambert's or Eskel's Expense. Lambert, smaller than the others and the stereotypical younger brothers, his heart lies in mischief and bomb-making. And finally, Vesemir, Who always- but especially after the sieges- stepped up as a sort of father figure to them and was always a little wary, but more than willing to give anyone a fair chance. 

“Eskel… Welcome back” Geralt greeted and held his mug up to his returning brother. 

“And friend..? Well, Hello..” Lambert said with raised eyebrows which quickly turned into a mischievous grin. Your fingers brushed Eskel’s hand before you could even think about it, inviting and asking for his hand to hold, to which he was quick to respond and intertwine his fingers with yours. You could tell it didn’t go unnoticed, but none of them said anything about it.

“And a Viper at that…Been a long time since I’ve seen any of you. I reckon there's even less of you than there is of us…” Vesemir observed out loud as he nodded and raised his hand in greeting. 

“You’d be right on that… Letho is the only other one of us I know to still be around.” You said with a hint of sadness in your voice, unlike that of what was expected of a witcher, even less than that of what a Viper should be. You were all made to be ruthless and cold, but for some reason, it just didn’t seem to stick with you for very long. 

“Well, welcome to the last of the wolves, I suppose. “ Geralt said with a nod to you, “we were all just arguing about whose turn it is to make dinner.” 

Eskel sighed and set his stuff on the table, “I’m not doing that after a full day of travel. I vote Lambert.” he proposed, getting met with Lambert’s loud and offended scoff. 

“What the FUCK, Eskel?” 

Geralt’s serious exterior cracked as a smile slipped onto his lips and he turned to Lambert with a smirk. “Well, Lambert. That’s two votes for you, one for me, and Vesemir couldn’t give a shit. Sooooo…” he said with a short laugh. 

“You guys are absolute dogshit,” Lambert complained, throwing his hands in the air in an exaggerated gesture. 

Now it was your turn to pipe up, “I don’t mind cooking…”, you said, looking between the small group of men. 

“Y/n, you don’t have to do that. We’ve just spent days on horseback, you should rest..” Eskel tried to argue, but you quickly waved him off. 

“Nonsense. Part of my job at the tavern over winter was to cook for guests. I actually find it rather relaxing.” you said with a smile and a firm squeeze to his hand before you handed your pack over, “Which way to the kitchen?” 

“I’ll show you!” Lambert shot up faster than he probably ever had for a task, and quickly waved you on towards the Keep’s kitchen. Once out of earshot of his brothers and father he quietly thanked you for taking over the dreaded task and showed you everything you could need. 

It wasn’t too long before you were cooking up a storm and coming out of the kitchen with a sizzling pan and a steaming pot. Vesemir was kind enough to grab plates for everyone as the boys all began to crowd around. 

“Hmm, smells better than Geralt's cooking…” Lambert commented as he wafted the steam toward his face.

“Fuck that, it smells better than Vesemir’s cooking..” Eskel dared to say in front of the old man. But it was true, you put all you had into this dish. You figured that- like with many people- a wolf’s heart lies within its stomach. Of course having a full shelf of spices available to you helped a lot, some even that you hadn’t seen in circulation for many years.

Without another word, they all quickly served themselves up and began eating. It was so quiet that you could have heard a pin drop all the up the stairs into the tower if you tried hard enough. Your nerves started twisting at your stomach as you got your own plate and still no one had said a word. Was it good? Was it bad? No, Lambert probably would have said so. 

“This…” Vesemir spoke, the first word since everyone had been served, “This is the first time they’ve been completely quiet at dinner in over 50 years…”, he said with a warm smile, more than you ever thought capable of the older man. “Your great food has given me the one thing I never thought I’d have again. Silent company..” He laughed a bit, now turning to Eskel. 

“She’s a keeper, you know that, right? If you show up next winter without her you’re gonna sleep in the stables.” Vesemir finished as he turned back to his plate. Lambert and Geralt mumbled agreements through full mouths and content hums as Eskel turned the slightest shade of pink. 

“Yes, I understand. I don’t need your threats to keep her around though,” Eskel said with a small smile as he reached for your hand above the table, in full view of everyone else. 

A smile spread across your face that you tried to hide as you took a bite of food, “Oh yeah, Eskel’s never gonna be rid of me at this rate…” 

_____________________

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[askaalaska-vdeppressed]

Kids and Coffee Dates Ch: 10

Masterlist

The sunlight flitted through the small cracks of the curtains. It’s cheery rays irritatingly poking at Eskel’s dreary eyelids. He tossed and turned a bit, grabbing onto a pillow and hugging it to his chest, stubbornly trying to hold onto sleep a bit longer. As his mind woke he remembered why he was so tired. How he had stayed up late in the night watching over Lil Bleater, and had stayed up even further with Y/n.

Y/n

Eskel opened his eyes abruptly, the vacant half of his bed glaring back at him. He sat up, going to grab his phone in mild panic when the saccharine scent emanating from the kitchen hit his senses. He lifted himself out of bed, still only in his boxers from the night before. The door swung open silently over the carpet as he peered his head out. Y/n was stood in the kitchen, fully clothed in a different outfit then the night prior, hovering over a pan on the stovetop. As she watched the pan intently Eskel saw the golden opportunity he had been presented with. He padded silently over the carpet, knowing which spots to avoid as he was on home turf. He took extra caution when the flooring switched to the title of the kitchen. Making sure his bare feet made as little noise as possible. With outstretch hands he approached, thinking himself quite the master of stealth in that moment. Each muscle taught, ready to pounce as he got close enough to touch her.

Then he struck, his hands grabbing at Y/n’s sides as he let out a quick “Hi” in time with his movements. The sneak attack having been perfected after years of trail and error on his father and brothers. Y/n let out a high pitched  shriek before swiftly turning and berating his bare chest with half hearted smacks. He grabbed her hands and held them off to the sides. A boyish, shit eating grin, was plastered on Eskel’s face as he looked down at Y/n’s flustered state.

“Good Morning” he said, smile still prominent.

“Oh you” Y/n’s words were muffled as she tried to free her arms from Eskels’ grip, a giggle creeping out of her as she tried to remain stoic. She let out a huff as she gave up still fighting the smile on her face to appear serious, Eskel then finally releasing her. She muttered as she turned.

“and to think I’m making you breakfast” Eskel let out a laugh as she settled back down into cooking. Anyone less familiar with Y/n may have thought her to be genuinely angry, but he knew better. This was mock anger played up for the bit and he loved every second of it. Eskel leant his chin on Y/n’s head, peering down at what she was making. His arms wrapped around her waist.

“When’d you get into this” He pulled on her shirt to indicate the change of wardrobe. His voice was muffled as he buried his face into her hair.

“ I had to go back home and take care of my herd this morning. Figured I might as well change. I brought you some better feed for Bleater.” Eskel’s brow furrowed.

“You already drove home and back this morning?” he asked, pulling away slightly to have his head over her shoulder.”

“Mhh hmm” she affirmed with no sense of urgency or concern.

“Y/n you didn’t have to do that, you could have just stayed at home.” Eskel felt bad, feeling as though he made Y/n drive so much this morning for him.

“I could have” she started turning to face the man leaning over her shoulder. There faces close enough that Y/n felt the need to lower her voice some.

“But then I couldn’t very well have breakfast with my boyfriend then could I?” Eskel’s heart melted at the sentiment. He melted every time she did something for him. Hell he melted every time he saw her.

And feeling soft and gooey had never been so welcomed.

Eskel turned Y/n towards him his hands going to either side of her face to guide her into a kiss. It was tender and soft, airy almost. As if any further would cause some great reaction to occur. It was Y/n that pushed deeper. Trying and failing to get on her tippy toes to get even closer. Eskel let a laugh float into the kiss as he grabbed Y/n’s sides once more and lifted her onto the countertop next to the stove. From the upper ground Y/n was able to maneuver as she pleased. A hand coming up to massage Eskel’s neck as the kissing pressed on. Before she abruptly pushed Eskel away.

“You know if you’re trying to get me to burn this French toast you’re doing a bang up job.”

~

After that night sleeping over at one another’s became a much more frequent occurrence for Y/n and Eskel. Though it was no an easy balancing act.  Both had animals back at home that needed morning and evening care. Normally Eskel would have been able to accommodate more but with Bleater being due so soon neither Y/n nor himself thought it advisable to leave for longer than a night. And Y/n had a whole flock that she depended on for her income. In was now more than ever that Eskel cursed Lil Bleater for not getting along with other goats. It would be so much easier if he could just bring Bleater along and move to Y/n’s.

The first time Eskel had thought about that it had shocked him a bit. That he wanted to live with Y/n. It felt like he was rushing head first into the dark at breakneck speeds. He had only met Y/n in the tail end of spring and it was just now starting to turn cold. Yet when he mentioned the thought to Y/n she seemed fine, if not keen on the idea.  They way she put it to him was that she and Eskel were old and wise enough to know what they wanted, and the truth was they wanted each other, easy as that.

This had piled onto the guilt he had as he still hadn’t told his family about Y/n yet. There just never seemed a good time. Right when he felt like he could mention it there was always a child’s recital or work drama that would steer the conversation away once more.

Tonight had been one of the rare nights when they had been able to stay with each other overnight. “Sleepovers” as y/n would childishly put it Though there was nothing child like about what they were doing nor was sleeping as much part of the equation.

The morning once more reared it’s head alerting Eskel to the time. Though with Y/n curled into his back and the warm blankets fighting the cool air seeping though the window he couldn’t find it in himself to get up. He only cracked an eye to make sure he wasn’t pinning Y/n to the wall again. He had told her he could move the bed over from being flush with the wall but she said she liked it. That it was cozy. Eskel couldn’t see what was cozy about having to crawl from the foot of the bed to get in and out but he wasn’t going to question her. She looked cute crawling in and out anyway.

Eskel had just barely lulled back into unconsciousness when he heard a door close and footsteps walking across the house. Since the only person who would normally being mulling about his home was very much cuddled next to him at the moment his eyes were open instantly. He sat up a hand rubbing his face as his bedroom door opened. Lambert stood in the doorway, nodding his head at Eskel with a “sup” before waltzing into his room.

“The hell man, what are you doing here?” Eskel was leaned back on his elbows, eyes fighting to wake up.

“I need to steal that pocket watch and those tie tacks you have.” Eskel flopped down switching to laying on his side.

“Why?”

“Eh Dad wants me to go to some stupid training conference there having in the city. Something about how to better market businesses or whatever. He got on my ass about looking professional.” Lambert didn’t look up as he rifled through his brother’s belongings. Acting as if they were still sharing a bedroom as children and not grown adults with there own houses.

“Okay but why did this have to happen at the ass crack of dawn?”  The grumble in Eskel’s voice was half sleep induced half annoyance induced.

“Because I was thinking about it and if I didn’t do it while I was thinking about it I would have forgotten. Plus annoying you is fun.” Even though his back was turned Eskel knew Lambert was smiling at that last statement.

As Lambert searched though his dresser Eskel could feel Y/n stirring behind him. As she stretched as sat up she took note of the extra person in the room. Rather than laying back down as Eskel prayed she would, Y/n sat up. Leaning against Eskel as laid on his side. She was naked from the waist up, pushing against his shoulder and side to cover her chest while still able to observe. As Eskel was screaming “what are you doing!” in his head he tried to convey the sentiment to Y/n. She looked down from her perch at his shoulder smirking and winking at him before looking back up and staying put.

“Damn man you need to clean out some of this crap, I can’t find them.” Lambert unceremoniously dug through the drawers when Eskel heard a throat clear behind him.

“Did you check the closet?” Y/n asked from behind him. All he could was sit and observe in mortified silence.

“No actually good call” Lambert was turned toward the closet and had actually taken a few steps before he seemed to realize. His brow was furrowed and his nose involuntarily scrunched as he turned to face the bed once more. His eyes going wide at seeing a woman, a very naked woman at that, laying behind his brother.

“There should be a small box on the left side” Y/n gestured with her free hand at the left side of the closet. Now both brothers were looking at her indignantly.

“What?” she said defensively. “the sooner he leaves the sooner I can go back to bed.”