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Dandelion shivered and pulled his cloaked tighter around his body. It was a thick woollen clock, perfect for winters at Kaer Morhen, and the most gorgeous emerald green. It had a been a gift from Geralt the first year he’d been invited to Kaer Morhen, many many moons ago. He’d complained about it being too expensive but apparently Geralt had managed to barter with the merchant as he’d helped them with a monster problem, a cockatrice blocking the path between towns. Dandelion kept the cloak in his room next to Geralt’s, only wearing it when they returned to the keep. It was far too precious to ruin out on the path.
His usual hat had been swapped out for a warmer one that covered his ears. Poets just weren’t made for the harsh winters of the Blue Mountains. He rubbed his gloved hands together and hopped from one foot to another in an effort to keep warm. He knew he could return to the warmth of the kitchens if it got too much but the view was much better out in cold.
Geralt, Eskel, Lambert, Aiden and Coën were all engaged in a fierce battle. It was Geralt and Lambert versus the other three. Dandelion had been invited to join, to even out the numbers but he’d bowed out gracefully. He would be more of a hindrance to whatever team he was on and he was cold enough as it was without being pelted with snow. The tips of his hair were already frozen and he was positive his nose would fall off soon.
“You fucker!” Lambert cried as Aiden pounced on his back and shoved snow down his back. “Get off me you little shit!!”
“That’s no way to talk to your boyfriend, darling!” Aiden cooed and kissed the top of Lambert’s hair before jumping off and running for cover.
“I’m gonna get the bastard!” Lambert growled and tore across the courtyard towards a thick pile of snow. “He’s mine.”
Dandelion laughed from his perch on the wall. When the witchers returned to their home they became almost completely different people. Geralt, for instance, actually laughed on a regular basis and not just when Dandelion dragged it out of him, like blood from a stone. Lambert was still a prick but there was a looseness about him that wasn’t there when they ran into him on the path. He lost that bitter tension in his shoulders. Aiden was less jumpy. He’d only accidentally drawn his blades on Dandelion once whilst they’d been here, as opposed to on a daily basis.
Dandelion loved to watch the witchers in their home. It was more inspiring than any monster hunt or quest. His fingers itched for a quill or his lute but he’d never be able to play with his gloves on and he’d lose feeling in his fingers too quickly if took them off.
“Dandelion!” Eskel waved him over. “You should join us!”
Dandelion laughed again and shook his head. “Oh ho ho, no. I don’t think so, thank you. I rather prefer being warm.”
The witchers appeared to be done with their games. They were all walking over to his spot on the wall, hair dripping wet and covered in snow. If they didn’t get inside soon it would freeze solid. Their clothes were all soaked through and clinging to their rippling muscles. Oh yes, Dandelion was more than happy to watch.
“Come on, poet!” Coën grinned. “Join in the fun. We can warm up by the fire later.”
“Or Geralt can warm you up later in bed,” Lambert cackled, earning himself a snowball in the face from his teammate.
“Leave him be,” Geralt growled.
Dandelion winked at his husband. “He has a point, darling.”
Geralt blushed prettily at Dandelion’s words and then stalked back across the courtyard. Dandelion let out a peal of laughter as Geralt lobbed a snowball at him with lightning speed. He managed to dodge but he lost his balance. “Oh shit!” He fell backwards off the wall. His hat tumbled to the ground as Eskel caught him. “My hero!”
Eskel laughed and helped him to his feet. Dandelion grimaced as he looked down at his clothes. Eskel had been covered in snow that was already melting on Dandelion’s cloak. “Oh gods, look what you’ve done, Geralt!”
Geralt sighed and rolled his eyes before scooping Dandelion back into his arms. “It’s only snow, Dandelion.”
“It’s cold!” He whined and buried his face in Geralt’s neck.
“It’s snow,” Geralt repeated again and Dandelion felt the rumble of laughter in his chest.
Dandelion thumped Geralt as hard as he could, which wasn’t very hard and he knew it wouldn’t really hurt his husband but it made him feel better. “Stop laughing at me!” He pouted.
“But where’s the fun in that?”
“I won’t kiss you anymore.” Dandelion mumbled against Geralt’s chest as they finally entered the warmth of the keep.
“Ok.”
“What?” Dandelion cried as Geralt put him back on his feet.
Geralt was smirking at him with mirth glittering in his eyes. “I said ‘ok’”
“Rude!” Dandelion poked Geralt in the chest. “Why did I agree to marry you?”
Geralt leant down to kiss Dandelion’s now wet and limp hair. “Because you love me.”
Dandelion sighed wistfully. “Yes. Yes I do, very much so, my darling.”
He cupped Geralt’s face and kissed him softly, shivering slightly at the icy feel of Geralt’s lips. Geralt hummed into the kiss. “I love you too,” He mumbled against Dandelion’s lips.
“I know, my love.” Dandelion smiled and kissed Geralt’s cheek. “Now let’s go warm up by the fire with the others.”