>> ⚔️ << HE LOVED HIM, always has ( more or less, depended on how long ALWAYS constitutes as ) as amber hues sit on the back of his head. he hasn’t felt this unsure in awhile, the both of them on EGGSHELLS while trying to restore and resume a relationship that had been ROCKY and near non - existent for the last year to five. both of them were working on doing better . . geralt in his own way MORE SO than dandelion ; but in context . . he had MORE to fix.
GERALT PAUSES IN REMOVING THE REST OF HIS ARMOR and clothing when dandelion looked at him the way he did. eyes squint, KNOWING just by the look that he messed up big time. there’s TIMES he forget that dandelion isn’t like the brothers of his school or . . well . . anyone else he’s CLOSE TO ( though those he’s close to nowadays has grown smaller for quite a few reasons ).
his gaze flicks off to the side. his OWN body language speaks an apology that’s non verbal ; the wolf REMOVING the rest of what was on his upper body. he doesn’t move to remove the bottom half —- still unsure if dandelion would JOIN HIM or not. if he declined he’d put his ATTIRE back on and then leave with him.
he deserved some SEMBLANCE of anger thrown his way after all he pressed ‘pon the lark in the past year. this was . . odd for sure but he WAS TRYING.
❝ you won’t. ❞ he promises, tone FULL of relief as he gets off his boots and then off came his pants with a ODD movement — almost falling over in the process. he catches himself —- and again gives a CAUTIOUS glance to note if anyone else was around —- yet snorting SOFT ‘fore taking steps into the lake himself, looking back to the songster as he COMPLAINS.
❝ you’ll warm up when you GET IN and move . . come on, bard.
get in. ❞ he hums, looking rather RELAXED as he gestures him forth to come join him IN the water.
𝖍𝖊 𝖉𝖔𝖊𝖘𝖓'𝖙 𝖘𝖍𝖚𝖈𝖐 his clothes off nearly as fast as geralt, taking his time with them in hopes of PRESERVING them somewhat. as he strips, he lays his sodden garments upon one of the flatter rocks by the bank in hopes that the sun will dry them. he tosses his hat haphazardly beside his clothes and drops his boots not far away. even the way he undresses is meticulous and methodical; PECULIAR that he and the witcher are even so different in such a mundane sense.
they haven’t done something like THIS in ... dandelion doesn’t even want to think about how long ago it was. the reality of it was that they, as an item, had been nonexistent across the past six years. five of them, dandelion had spent ALONE, and for the sixth, he was alone in the only company he truly cared for. it’s hard not to hold a GRUDGE about that; wasted time. that’s all it was, and it feels so SILLY when the bard holds it in that light. he knows he misses what they used to be ― light-hearted and adoring in every sense. the bitterness in him reminds with no air of gentleness that this aspect of them is all but DEAD.
he knows that geralt is trying. that doesn’t make it any EASIER, but it’s a small comfort. if nothing else, his wolf is uncomfortable enough with the strangers they have become that he wants to CHANGE. dandelion can’t fault him for that. he can tell the slight sheepishness in his movements, indicative of his REMORSE.
turning his gaze to the water and the witcher within it, he can’t help but soften ever so softly. it’s nice, to see him relaxed ... the lark had almost FORGOTTEN what it looked like. once more he hops down the bank and into the water, with a great deal more grace than the first time. he all but whines at the cold sensation of the water against his skin, wading closer to his witcher for his BODY WARMTH if nothing else.
❝ if only you’d shoved me in a hot spring. i’d have no complaint. ❞ he teases softly, perhaps the touch of a SMILE tugging at soft lips. his hand dips under the water, raising to aim a gentle splash in geralt’s direction. perhaps the most playful he’s been in a while. ❝ this will have to do, hm ?? ❞