I just submitted the “Eskel’s lover meets the wolves” request, but stepdad Eskel could be cute, too. His partner has a child and, though he assumes the little one will be terrified of him, but it turns out little kids love swords and monster stories. Or, completely unrelated, but Eskel with a higher vampire. As always, love your writing. Keep up the great work 💖
Honeybee
A/N: Thank you as always for your wonderful requests! Getting in the mood for this was so fun and I hope you enjoy it!
Pairing: Eskel x Reader
Words: 1.3k
Warnings: very briefly edited, anxiety (from Eskel)
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Eskel first met you in the glowing warmth of the spring. You were all alone out there in your field of blooming flowers, tending to your beehives and gathering honey you. The wind kicked up and made your hair flutter lightly in the breeze and that was when Eskel's breath was simply taken from him. You smelled like sweet earth amongst the flowers and honey and Eskel couldn't help but be drawn in.
Careful steps through the wild meadow found Eskel's heart beating faster and faster as he approached. For reasons he could not yet explain, just being near you made him more nervous than any monster. Maybe its because he had no plan with you? He knew how to deal with basilisks and echinops and the like, but you? He was lost when it came to you.
He came up on steps far too quiet for you to hear, let alone with the buzzing all around you, so when you heard “Um… Hello” from right behind you, you jumped nearly a foot in the air, a small yelp escaping you.
“Oh sweet Melitele, you scared me…” you laughed out as you turned to face him, your hand pressed against your rapidly beating heart. Your smile was bright and easy, even as your eyes moved over the scars running down his face. Your expression remained steady as you looked over the broad shouldered man, his amber eyes and handsome face making your brain move slow as if it was trying to run through honey.
“Sorry, I didn’t meat to I just-” Eskel paused as he thought of a valid excuse “ - you sell Honey right? I could smell it from the road, I’d love to buy some if you don't mind.” he offered, happy that you didn’t know him well enough yet to see how awkward you made him.
You laughed again as you nodded, “Yeah, I do.. I’ll tell you what, if you can help me out for a bit, I’d be happy to give you that honey for free. My usual helper is out with her aunt and uncle for a week or so and I’m struggling to keep up my usual pace.”
“Your usual helper?” Eskel asked, already rolling up his sleeves to help.
“My daughter Mene. Its just us running the apiary now, and though she’s usually just playing in the flowers and eating my stores, she did help out here and there.” you explained and waved him on to the next beehive to show him what you needed him to do.
A small smile slipped onto his lips as he watched you closely. See Eskel loved kids, part of him always thought that maybe in another life- a non-witcher life- that he would have kids of his own. The only problem? Kids don’t exactly like him, or his face more specifically. The long twisted scars that moved like jagged mountains across his face and the cold light citrine of his eyes usually scared kids and their parents alike.
“How old is she?” he asked, wanting to hear more of the smile that lingered in your words and you were more than happy to oblige.
“She’ll be 6 summers old as the season changes. Smarter than a whip and more curious than a cat.” you grinned as you showed Eskel how to collect the honey and wax while he smoked them out for you. You talked pleasantly with Eskel while he helped you work for a short while, happy to have another's company and smile for even a little while.
You and Eskel had an instant connection from then on out, quickly becoming something far more close than friends. However, with Eskel's job and the need to find contracts to support himself, it meant he couldn’t properly meet Mene as quickly as he had hoped. Though now, with a break between contracts he’s finally able to catch you two at a good enough time to meet.
Eskel would be lying if he said he wasn’t terrified as he walked up the stone path to your door. He saw the love in your eyes when you talked about Mene, and he knew that if she didn’t like you… well, you two would simply have to go your separate ways. You had assured him time and time again that Mene would absolutely love you, but fear still nibbled away at the edges of his mind.
He knocked on the door, tentative as he shifted his weight from side to side.
“Whose that?” he heard a small voice call from inside, innocence and curiosity bubbling from her every pore.
“Ah, its a very exciting visitor, dear… let’s go meet them at the door. Come on- oh, wipe your face first.” He heard you urge your daughter as a muffled grunt of displeasure came after. Quick small feet ran to the front door and pulled it open as you followed up behind her.
Eskel smiled as he saw her; she had your exact same yes, no doubt about that, even her nose was the same. “ Mene, this Is Eskel. You remember I told you about the Witcher in town?”
But Mene didn’t respond, she was too distracted looking at the most interesting person she had ever seen in her short life. Her eyes were as wide as dinner plates and her mouth hung open as she took in the double swords strapped to his back, the scars covering his face and his eyes… warm and golden like the honey she loved so much.
“ Uh… Hello, Mene… I’ve heard a lot about you.” Eskel tried, kneeling down closer to her level. He stifled his growing smile as she reached out to touch the small spikes adorning his shoulders, her eyes still filled with childlike wonder.
“You’re so cool…” She whispered, her agape mouth pulling into a wide grin that Eskel couldn’t help but reflect.
“I told you she’d like you.“ you remarked as you nudged Eskel, leading Mene outside so you could check the hives.
It started with Eskel and Mene helping you out, the large smoker looking even bigger in your daughters small hands. But after endless questioning Eskel decided to finally just sit in the flowers with her and answer all that he could.
“What’s the biggest monster you fought? Was it a flying one? I like the flying ones- have you ever fought a dragon? I think they would be so amazing, but also really scary. Do dragons scare you too Mr. Eskel?” Mene rambled on, interrupting her train of thought again and again as better questions sprang to mind. She laid back against him, leaning into Eskel who had now fully laid down to enjoy the sun and her curiosity.
He did the best he could to answer, but even he forgot some of the questions as they shot out rapidly. You surely weren't joking when you said she was far more curious than a cat.
“And why do you carry two swords? Is one for monsters and one for fun or are both for monsters? Can you teach me how to use a sword? I wanna learn the fun one- no the monster one and I promise promise promise I wont swing it in the house or around the hives.”
You laughed as you came over, finished with your checks and now happy to lay beside your beloved Witcher and daughter. The warm sun melted into warmth as the two of you lay side by side, your hand reaching over to interlock with his.
“I hope you love her, Eskel.” you said as you tilted your head to look at him, already knowing full well that he did, “ because she’s never gonna leave your side now… and neither am I.”
