Panda panda panda Triss and Eskel, but as best friends. Doing the thing where you both sit in a meadow and pile grass on the other, or something else stupid
Ella-la my darling, I love this idea very much! And thus I give to you a much longer thing than I expected, but I hope you like it! <3
On Ao3 here, because I can’t resist it.
Thank you lovely @kuripon, my rock when grammar and words are my enemy! You are the best!
Here be swearing, pining and friends being there for each other when they try to accept things about oneself. Enjoy <3
As unlikely as it might seem, Eskel has a best friend. No, it’s not a goat. And no, it’s not Geralt, as surprising as that is.
It is a small sorceress with brown, unruly locks and a wicked sense of humor. Triss and Eskel met thanks to Ciri, and Yennefer, and Geralt, and somehow even that bard that pops up everywhere. Again and again they ran into each other until they didn’t have a choice but to like each other.
Triss and Eskel are rather alike, actually. Most take them for even tempered, kind and stoic. Nobody suspects them if Roach ends up getting a dick shaved onto her butt. Nobody would suspect them to sneak a bit of dried fish inside Jaskier's lute. Nobody would suspect them of being behind the fishing with dynamite accident. Nobody but Lambert, because he was the one who got the blame.
Sometimes they seek each other out, to share herbs with each other or just a really good cup of tea. Eskel really likes her company and she listens quietly when he tells her about his scars. He too is quiet when she talks about hers, the hidden ones that run far deeper than they have any right to.
When Triss fell for Yennefer, it was Eskel by her side. Feelings always appear at the worst possible moment. Or at least, are realized. Sodden Hill was a terrible fight, and Yennefer had disappeared for many months. He held her hand on a pebbled beach far away from the world, watching the stars move across the night sky.
When Eskel realized he doesn’t fall in love, that he won't, she was there for him. He isn't sad per se. It is not a loss when it is something you never had. But it was yet another thing that made him different from others. She listened to his thoughts and worries, and assured him there were other more meaningful bonds to be had than romantic ones.
This is one of those times, when they have found each other. Triss found herself lodging in Vizima and he came to visit her. They don’t need horses, preferring to make the long walk out of town and into nature. They find a glade between crooked birch trees, the grass high and perfect to sit down and make grass people in. Better that than a straight up butt print, Triss tells him as she rolls around and waves her arms.
“Who is babysitting Lil Bleater?” Triss asks.
“She can babysit herself perfectly fine. It's Big Bleater I’m worried about.” Eskel replies, carefully choosing strands of grass into a bouquet.
“Dare I ask?” Triss smiles, closing her eyes and enjoying the sun.
“I found a baby monster. Decided to raise it.”
“.....So you named it Big Bleater.” Triss deadpans.
“It’s a good name.” Eskel shrugs and picks another straw. “Lay still.”
He starts placing them in a shape on her stomach. Piling some into a big circle and then carefully placing out straw after straw.
“Am I getting pretty now?”
“Nothing can help you, I’m afraid. Lost cause.”
“I will shave Bleater too, don’t think I will!” Triss threatens, dislodging some grass and Eskel sends her a warning glare.
“Which one of them?” Eskel says, picking up the fallen straw and patiently placing them back to where they were. It is starting to get a shape. If you squint.
“Both.” Triss promises.
“Best of luck, ugly one,” Eskel says, grinning. Triss sits up, grass falling everywhere and smacks his arms hard.
“Ouch! My goat!” Eskel rubs at the arm and looks dejected at the grass strewn all over Triss’ dress.
“If you are lucky, I might just turn you into a goat.”
“Kinky.” Eskel smirks, and Triss slaps his arm again. “Will you stop that?!”
“No. You deserved it.”
“What did I do?!”
“What didn’t you do?!”
“True! But in my defence, it was free,” Eskel counters, and tosses a fistful of grass in her face.
“You know what? I think I actually would like you better as a goat,” Triss says, looking at him appraisingly. The grass is stuck in her curls, and will probably stay there for the rest of the day. That’s a thought.
“Doubt it. I’m not as well behaved as the Bleaters,” Eskel says, throwing more grass in her hair.
“Fine. Then I’ll turn all your clothes pink.”
“If you do, I’m telling Yen you like her.”
Triss gasps. “You’ll do no such thing!!”
The war continues on, and Eskel finds that he is smiling more than he has all year. They walk back together arm in arm, pausing to let Triss collect a weird snail they find by the trail. There is still grass in her hair, and as they walk through the streets of Vizima they get funny looks.
Eskel wishes he could stay, but there is a contract in a hamlet a day's ride from here that is waiting for him. He follows her to her door, and when she smiles and tilts her head at him, he can’t believe how lucky he is. Grass is still sticking out of her curls, and he has no intention of telling her.
“I’ve missed you,” He says, and she puts a hand up and cups his scarred cheek.
“And I you, my dear friend. I’m glad you came by.”
She wraps her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest. He hugs her back, and actually picks her up. She laughs, unguarded and free, as he spins them around and squeezes.
“Silly witcher,” she chides, but allows it all the same. “Next time I see you, I want to hear nothing about succubi, please,” she teases.
“And next time I see you, I want you to have kissed Yennefer.”
“Gods, I wish,” she mutters, and Eskel grins again. He had noticed Yennefer open the door behind Triss while they were speaking, but Triss had yet to notice.
“See you, little witch.” Eskel says, and hurries down the steps. He gives a small wave. “And nice seeing you, Yennefer!”
Triss twists around with a gasp, turning bright red. Yennefer looks equally stunned and they stare at each other for a second.
“ESKEL!” Triss shrieks, and Eskel hurries away. He knows there will be revenge, but he hopes Triss will manage to kiss that witch of hers before then.
