#trisskel

Fuck she could get used to this. Maybe she was already a little too used to it, but right then she didn’t care, just plucked the peach drink out of his hand and melted into his embrace, muttering a soft “thank you” before taking a sip. A sense of security like she’d never felt before washed over her as they swayed in time with the gently lapping waves and watched the sunset. Her roommates had told her she’d chosen well (Yennefer emphasizing the fact that she’d be financially set), but it felt different than every other roommate-approved choice she’d made before. Eskel was rambunctious and lively and always ready to stir up shit, but he also made her feel safe. Sure he made her feel beautiful and sexy and smart and gave her space to be independent, but she’d never been so sure of being safe around someone.

Almost reading her mind, Eskel gave her a little squeeze and whispered, “Alright there love?”

It was then Triss realized she forgot to breathe and took a deep shaky breath, “Perfect. I don't think anything could make it better.”

Eskel leaned to the side, giving her a sly grin and brushing her braids behind her ear, “Sure? Nothing?”

Narrowing her eyes, Triss turned to face him, fixing the collar to his crisp white button-up even if it didn’t need fixing and giving him an accusatory quirk of her brow, “Why? What did you plan?”

Plucking the drink from her hand and setting both on the table next to them, Eskel took both her hands in his, kissing her knuckles and spending a little time lingering on the last kiss to her ring finger, “I love you. You know that? An unreasonable amount if I’m honest.”

“I do,” Triss laughed, “You tell me every day.”

He winked, “And I haven’t run you off yet.”

“No,” Triss sighed, taking one of her hands back to cup his jaw and run her thumb over the scars on his cheek, “I love you too much for that.” 

“Well thank fuck. That’s going to make this a lot easier,” he breathed, sounding to Triss a lot like when he would try to play off something heavy as a joke and she frowned at his words. He didn’t give her time to get a word in before he kissed her, quick but passionate, and stood back with a slightly wild look in his eye. Triss almost asked if he was okay, but then he moved. 

He reached into his pocket as he knelt down and all the air seemed to be sucked from Triss’ lungs. The shock must have shown on her face because he just grinned up at her for a moment, flicking a stray curl from his eyes. 

“You’re not.” Triss breathed, one hand coming to her chest and the other covering her mouth as her knees suddenly felt weak and tears welled in her eyes. 

“Watch me,” Eskel challenged before holding out the tiny deep green velvet box and popping it open, “Triss Elaina Merigold,” he had to pause to take a breath and Triss thought she might collapse with the anticipation, “Will you marry me?”

When the words finally hit her, the dam broke and she couldn’t keep from crying as she nodded, “Mhm! Yes! Yeah, get it on my finger.”

“Really?” Eskel asked without making a move, a genuine tone of disbelief and wonder cutting under the excitement in his voice.

“Yes! Really!” Triss laughed as she fell to her knees with him and held out her shaking hand.

She didn’t even stop to look at the ring now settled on her finger before pulling her new fiance into a desperate kiss. Nothing at all mattered but him, the way his hand balled into a fist over the small of her back, how he so gently cradled her neck, the slight hint of chambord and champagne on his lips. She wanted to commit absolutely every detail to memory. 

When they were forced to part for oxygen, Eskel chuckled in disbelief, eyes still closed as he pressed their foreheads together, “You said yes…”

“Mhm,” Triss hummed, biting her lip to fight the massive smile that just wouldn’t stop, “Now you can’t get rid of me.” 

She notices him smiling then, when he talks about his dream. Triss smiles too, and leans her shoulder against his. She always feels so small next to him.

"I think about settling down sometimes too." Triss admits. "But I think I would get lonely after a while."

Eskel hums his agreement. It is endearing how the wolf witchers share this trait. The first time she heard Vesemir hum like that, and realized just how much the boys must have taken after him, it made her smile.

"You are always welcome here, when you need some time away." Eskel tells her after a moment, turning his head to look down on her.

The darkness is making it hard to see him, but she doesn't need to. She has his features mapped out in her mind, in her dreams. He draws her in in a way she can't explain, this scarred, complicated and gentle man.

"Would you be here?" She asks, feeling herself lean in. She shouldn't. She wants to. Hot breath on her lips tells her he leaned in too, and she instinctively reaches for him, putting her hand on his stomach.

Her heart is pounding, and he feels his big hand touch her cheek, warm from having been under the blanket.

"If you were here, I would be." He whispers against her lips, and she can't anymore.

Their kiss is soft, dry, so much less than she had imagined, and all the more perfect for it. The aim is off, she kisses the corner of his mouth, just over the scars, and she feels him smiling before.

"You missed." He teases, before kissing her again, once, twice.

They curl up together now, her head against his chest, his arms around her body, as they watch the night pass by.