She awoke to the aroma of frying eggs, toast, and seared meat for the second morning in a row. She smiled lazily to herself at the prospect of having breakfast cooked for her not once but twice, and she thought humorously that she should have guests more often. She couldn't recall the last time someone had done so for her, if ever.

"What are you so happy about?"

The words were light and musical, like a sweet summer breeze cast into her ear softly, the lips they belonged to so very near to her skin it made her flesh breakout in goosebumps. A jolting sensation ran through her stomach at the contact, and her hands involuntarily clenched at the blankets.

She hoped Triss didn't notice.

"Hmmm," she hummed contently, "I found I quite enjoy having breakfast made for me, I feel rather lucky."

She felt fingers run through her hair, grazing gently at her scalp, and she leaned into the pleasant touch. Triss too had grown bolder since Yennefer's lack of control she exuded a couple of days ago. Before that, Triss had to be convinced that it was alright to even look at her, let alone touch her.

And the new Yennefer didn't mind at all. Not anymore.

"I'll have to remember that," Triss replied sweetly, and an image of her coming into the kitchen on a late Sunday morning flashed in her mind. Triss would be there, standing at the flame and flipping eggs, wearing nothing but her loose fitting small clothes. She would turn at the sound of her footsteps, a gorgeous smile adorning her face, as she asked Yennefer if she would like coffee-

She rolled from her back and onto her side, now facing where her pleasant voice had been coming from and opened her eyes. Gods, they spent a lot of time having their faces dangerously close together. Triss smirked at her when their eyes met, continuing her ministrations on her raven locks.

"How did you sleep?" Yennefer asked softly.

"Like a baby."

"And your leg? How is the pain?"

"Nearly non existent. Very stiff, though."

"And your arm?"

"Itchy."

They chuckled together, and Yennefer reluctantly pushed herself from the bed, Triss hand falling to rest limply on the covers below. "I can heal it a bit for you, loosen it up. And I can moisturize your arm if you like."

"That would be nice," the red head said warmly, as she removed the covers from herself to give Yennefer access to her leg.

Thankfully she was in no pain, for it wasn't long before Ciri had sing songed down the hallway that breakfast was ready. She was shocked when she found the elaborate spread Ciri had laid out; a half dozen eggs, stacks of fresh toasted bread, with a towering plate of meat to match. She felt a pang of guilt that Ciri had done all of this herself, and she wondered just how long she had been up.

"Gods, Ciri, I'm sorry I should've-"

"Ah ah ah!" she chided, waggling a finger in her direction, "I'm happy to do it. I know you Yennefer, you get so caught up you barely remember to feed yourself."

She couldn't help but roll her eyes at the girl as she seated herself while Triss tried to hide a smile. Together, they began to dig in to the feast Ciri had prepared, and Yennefer took a moment to enjoy how nice the scene before her was.

"So!" Ciri said with enthusiasm, nearly startling Triss half to death in the process, "Plans? Yen, you're really going to work on my first day here?"

Yennefer gave her a sheepish smile, "I just need to see the important ones. I promise I won't work all day."

"Well I hope not, but then again, it will give Triss and I time to wow you!"

She exchanged puzzled looks with Triss, before turning back to Ciri, "I'm sorry, wow me?"

Ciri smiled knowingly over her coffee mug, her eyes flitting to Triss, "with her magic."

Yennefer could've audibly groaned at Ciri's lack of discretion, or sensitivity, for that matter. She knew she was trying to help, but as suspected Triss began to look slightly unsure of herself.

"Oh-I don't know," she said hurriedly as her eyes cast to her plate, "I'm not very good-I mean-It's not even anything, at this point…"

"Nonsense," Ciri said, waving a hand dismissively, "I think you're selling yourself short. You'll see, have some faith," she said with a wink.

"And we know faith can be hard to come by in these times," Yennefer said pointedly at Ciri, before turning her gaze to Triss, "but she's right, you're doing wonderfully, and no I'm not just saying that for your ego."

"She's right you know," Ciri giggled as she pointed her fork to her, "she's saying it for her own!"

She found she rather enjoyed the quiet laugh elicited from Triss at the joke, even if it was at her own expense. She laughed with them, overjoyed to see her daughter again, and the joy it brought Triss was a major plus.

The rest of breakfast was spent listening to Ciri's remarkable stories of adventure on the Path, and Yennefer felt elated for the happiness her daughter had found. It wasn't long ago when all of their lives had been filled with such uncertainty, how Ciri's life almost ceased to exist at all. Not only did she save the world as they knew it, but she got the ending she deserved. Though she couldn't help but worry she would get mortally wounded by a crazed bruxa or some other beast.

When it came time to finish up, she aided Triss in clearing the dishes before helping to dress her for the day. She remained swift and chaste in her actions as to not arouse suspicion from Ciri, and she suddenly felt terrible for keeping this from her daughter. Not just from her, but from Triss, from herself.

But the fear still ached in her chest.

She was optimistic for the day, however. It would be a welcome distraction to focus on other things other than Triss. Perhaps it would be just what she needed to clear her head, and maybe come to some decisive action to her feelings.

All too happy to do the dishes, she bid farewell to the pair as they made their way up to the garden after peering outside to ensure the storm had stopped. They had quite a helping of snow overnight, enough to cover the world in a thick white blanket, but the skies remained clear today.

She took extra time to ready herself that morning; she had to look her best to face the public yet again today, to remind them all that Yennefer of Vengerberg was still here.

The first day was hectic; it didn't take long for word to spread throughout the city of her reopening, and soon there was a line of patrons curving around the block. Of course, she saw to the nobility first, including the likes of an elderly countess hellbent on reigniting the spark between her and her feeble husband, or the young lord accompanied by his manic father who was concerned his son seemed rather behind in where he should be regarding his pubescence. If Yennefer could bet, the poor boy simply didn't take interest in the company of woman, but she provided him a lustful potion nonetheless, and soon he would be sniffing skirts like a hound.

She truly hadn't meant to take all day, but the people kept pouring in, some in tears and begging for her aid, many of them desperate and lost in their way. She couldn't believe the amount of coin she received just in the morning alone, and she couldn't help but feel a little bad about being closed in the first place. Of course, she already knew how much the people relied on her, but the damage done by being closed just one week was impressive.

When late afternoon came she knew she couldn't deny her time with her daughter any longer, much to the displeased crowds chagrin. None dared to speak on it though, aside from collective groan, when she yanked the "open" sign from her window, and announced that she would reopen on the morrow.

She found the pair of the in the garden, in the snowy clearing. The wind whistled stronger up here, and she hugged her coat a little tighter to her body. She stopped to admire the view before her; Ciri was standing off to the side, her arms waving through the air in grandiose gestures, talking animatedly as she usually did. Triss stood in the clearing, looking otherworldly as her hair flowed freely in the wind, a different style than what she was used to. The red was a stark contrast on the white world around them, and her eyes couldn't help but be drawn to her.

"Yennefer!" Ciri called when she noticed her presence, prompting Triss to turn and reward her with a dazzling smile, "nice of you to finally show! You look hot today."

"I know, I know, I'm sorry. It was mad down there. As for my appearance, it's good to know I had the desired effect," she offered, her boots crunching in the snow as she approached. She felt Triss looking at her on her side, and she turned to catch her staring, and it filled her with a sense of pride that Triss was blatantly ogling her.

Ciri's grin widened as she approached, her eyes darting to Triss as she clapped her hands together, "well? You ready? Show her!" she said excitedly, practically bouncing.

Yennefer turned expectantly to Triss, to find her with a light blush as she looked at anything but her. It occurred to her that Triss was nervous to show her. She wondered if Triss saw her in a way similar to how she saw Philippa, as some authoritative figure she needed to seek approval from, needed to impress. But Yennefer would never impose such expectations on the woman, she needed her to know that.

"Show me," she urged in a gentle voice, the corner of her lips tugging.

Triss met her eyes then, deep blue orbs filled with hesitation, but a glimmer of hope. Slowly, she allowed herself to mimic Yennefer's smile, and she held out her gleaming metal arm, the palm facing upwards. With a sharp crack her was alight with a warm orange glow, dancing across her face from the fireball she now conjured in her palm. Not the small, hint of a flame she had witnessed yesterday, but a massive dancing ball of thick flames, as large as it had been before her accident.

As large as it had been before.

Her hands went to her forearm as her eyes became lost in the flame she produced. She found herself at a loss for words, even though she knew Triss was waiting patiently for a reaction. But she remained frozen for a moment, what felt like minutes, until she dragged her gaze upwards to meet the red heads.

"I'm so proud of you," she whispered softy, earnestly, and she made a mental note to tell Triss more often just how proud she was, for the way her face lit up was beyond comparison to even the most beautiful of sunsets, and much to her horror, she found her vision blurring with tears.

"Oh Yen," she heard Ciri gasp from her side. It wasn't teasing in any way, more sympathetic, and she was sure that was worse. She blinked the tears away and dropped her hands, trying to silence the frustration towards her own self.

She put an apologetic smile on her face as she crossed her arms, "this is remarkable. Both of you, I don't know what you two got up to today, but color me impressed."

Ciri beamed, ignoring her brief moment of emotion much to Yennefer's relief, "it was all Triss, I assure you. She always had the capability, she just needs to hone her new way of doing it."

"Well," Yennefer said as she clasped her hands together, "let's celebrate, I'll cook."

The evening finished in laughter and wine, and best of all was when she was held by Triss' warmth once again.

The second day went much like the first; she made a conscious effort not to work as late as the day previously, and managed to meet with the women shortly after lunch. She even had a visit from Chrysis, who had been kind enough to bring by the clothes she had made for Triss. Ciri had the enthusiastic idea of Triss trying them on later, along with practicing one handed makeup and hair.

The thought of Triss presenting herself in such a way was enough to make her blood run hot, and she tried not to squirm in place and focus on Triss' practice, as she anticipated the coming evening.

Yennefer had offered to cook dinner once again, while the two of them had went to the spare room to fit her clothes. Yennefer figured Triss would like them, she knew her well enough to know the styles and colors she preferred. When she finished up a hearty meal of veal and potatoes and began to plate, she heard a high pitched whistle coming down the hall.

"Are you ready for this?" Ciri said as she emerged into view, her smile contagious as Yennefer leaned on the countertop. She made a grand gesture with her arms towards the hall, nearly bouncing with excitement, "may I present to you, the Triss Merigold we all know and love!"

She came into view from the hall then, her face contorted in adorable embarrassment as she rolled her eyes at Ciri, but Yennefer didn't really notice that.

She looked like a fever dream; her hair magma red, tied back into the perfect buns she was used to, save for the loose tendrils that framed her face. Her makeup done beautifully, her perfected eyebrows arched in discomfort under her gaze overtop of long, black eyelashes. Her enticing, cornflower blue eyes glanced to Yennefer for a brief but electric moment, before averting in embarrassment once more, the bottom of a set of heart shaped lips tucked into her teeth.

Her eyes scanned her body, the sapphire blue gambeson hugging her comely figure, the neckline clasping together in a high collar, as was her preference. Triss never wore anything with a plunging neckline due to her scars, and Yennefer felt a strange twinge of arousal when she saw her in one once again. She hadn't noticed before, but it left a certain air of mystery, even if she already knew what lie beneath.

She was suddenly aware of her lack of response, and she quickly shifted on her feet and averted her gaze for a moment. She would have to be extremely lucky if Ciri hadn't caught her staring.

But Triss definitely noticed.

Their eyes met, and the ache grew. Not the one that thrummed in her abdomen, no, this time the one in her heart. She thought it was her job, to aid Triss in finding beauty in the world around her once again, but in this moment she realized she had been wrong. That it had been Triss, that allowed her to see such beauty. It had been in her luminous smile, no matter how rare they might be now. The way her eyes lit like sparks and her cheeks dimpled, and she wanted nothing more than to reciprocate the warmth Triss had placed unknowingly around her heart, the very one she was responsible for further hardening in the first place.

But the rational part of her brain had not completely malfunctioned; Triss may be beautiful, Triss may make her feel good now, but she also broke her heart once before. The memory came to mind sharp and unwelcome, ruining the fantasy she was trying to lose herself in.

But she couldn't deny how she stole her breath away. Surely, she could remain guarded, and still appreciate her from afar, right?

She was foolish.

But the way Triss was looking back at her now, hushed the part of her brain that made sense, and Yennefer allowed herself to pretend in this moment that this woman never hurt her so.

"You…Y-You're…" she began lamely, unable to find the words. She heard Ciri snort and she cursed herself once again for being so blatantly obvious around the woman.

"I think it has the desired effect," she said smugly as she wiggled her eyebrows at Triss before slipping past Yennefer to take her plate. "This smells amazing, Yen!"

Yennefer's mouth still hadn't managed to catch up to her brain, a rare occurrence for the woman. She prided herself in being quick witted, and difficult to render speechless. But Triss seemed to be accomplishing that quite frequently since her arrival.

She approached her now, her eyes meeting Yennefer's briefly before she reached around her to grab a plate of her own, before she finally found her voice.

"You're beautiful. So beautiful," she whispered as she leaned around her, causing the woman to falter slightly at the genuine tone in her words. For a moment, she swore she saw Triss' pupils dilate, her intake of breath sharp of surprise.

She recovered quickly, giving her a shy smile as she took her food, "thank you."

The urge to reach for her was paramount.

As if the night couldn't leave her feeling any more tense, Triss had retired early as she normally did after the days practice, and Ciri had her cornered in the kitchen as she washed up. She felt her eyes burning into the back of her, and she almost opened her mouth to speak when the ashen haired woman beat her to it.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" she inquired, her voice laced with amusement, and she braced herself for ruthless teasing.

"What?" she said flippantly, pretending to scrub something stubborn off of the pan.

"Gods, Yennefer, I'm not stupid."

She sighed, her jaw flexing, "why don't you just tell me what you're on about."

"I know you've tried to be present," Ciri said slowly, "but you've clearly been distracted. At first, I just assumed you were exhausted after everything that's happened, but…I think I know what it is."

"I am exhausted," Yennefer insisted, "less so, thanks to you."

"Yen," she warned, undeterred by her excuse, "is there something…y'know…going on with you and Triss?"

Yennefer's laugh was harsh, sounding false to her own ears, "don't be ridicu-"

"Oh stop mom, it's me," Ciri chuckled, clearly amused with her visible discomfort, "and to me, you're a shit liar."

Yennefer said nothing, gritting her jaw instead as finished the last of the dishes. She wasn't a shit liar, that much she knew, but she was shit at being inconspicuous.

"It's alright, you know," Ciri said, her voice softening to genuine concern. "You don't have to be embarrassed or...whatever it is."

She whirled around, her eyes unfairly hardened. She knew Ciri was just trying to help her, but the defenses flew up and she was helpless to stop it.

"It's not what you think it is," she said firmly, hoping Ciri would take the hint to shut down the conversation. Of course, such a thing could not be expected from the woman. She braced herself for rebuttal as she resumed putting away dishes.

"Uhm, I think it is," she said matter-of-factly, "I saw how emotional you were yesterday, Yen. The only emotion I've ever seen you display towards her was nothing short of distaste. And then there's tonight, the way you looked at her, the way you've been looking at her, there's…tenderness that certainly wasn't there before."

Yennefer remained in stubborn silence, but Ciri was persistent.

"If you both haven't done anything already-"

"We haven't done anything."

"-Then you probably should, because there's some serious sexual tension between you."

Yennefer stopped then and shot her a tired look.

"She feels the same, you know," Ciri said slyly as she pretending to inspect her fingernails.

"Did she say something to you?" Yennefer blurted out, realizing far too late that she had implicated herself.

Ciri's smile grew, and Yennefer had to fight the urge to reach for the vodka again.

"You sure you haven't done anything?"

"Ciri."

Her smile changed to one of kindness rather than teasing, "she didn't say anything, but she talks about you constantly. She says really nice things about you, Yen, how you took care of her, saved her life, gave her the strength to keep going. You're her hero."

The words warmed her heart, but she found herself shaking her head. Ciri gave her a look of exasperation, throwing her hands up in an impatient gesture.

"What is so wrong about this? I don't get why you're so afraid to admit it."

"You don't understand," she said evenly, "I saved her life because I care about her, and I've come to find that I'm not opposed to us moving past everything and gaining our friendship back, but… to give her that kind of trust," her voice lowered to a bare whisper, shame filling her gut, "to give her this part of me, after she broke my heart the first time I…I can't."

Understanding dawned on Ciri as her jaw went slack, and she rubbed her chin thoughtfully, "Well…okay, fair point. What she did to you was what some would say, unforgivable. It was really really shitty of her, to do that to you. I think she knows that," she glanced down towards the bedrooms, "and who knows of her reasons. Maybe there is none. Maybe it was just a really shit, really stupid lapse in judgment. But I know she regrets it, so much so she'd probably give her other hand to take it back, and I think after everything that's happened she would spend every waking moment trying to gain your trust again. I don't think she would hurt you."

Yennefer's palms pressed to her eyes as the migraine began to set in with her muddied thoughts, "I could never be sure of that."

"Isn't it worth taking the risk? Perhaps sometimes the unforgivable is only so because people give up instead of trying."

She mulled over her words, unsure of how to respond. Sure, sometimes the risk was worth the reward, but what about when it wasn't? When there was no reward, only irreparable damage and hurt feelings as a result of a failed attempt?

"What if this is all in my head?" Yennefer said quietly, her eyes growing distant, "this could all be a result of our current situation, the fact that I'm caring for her, maybe the rest isn't real?"

"Does it matter?" Ciri groaned, clearly frustrated with Yennefer's defiance, "the fact remains, this is where you both are now. Don't you think you owe it to each other to just talk about it? Honestly, the way you two were before, it probably would've never got so bad had you just communicated with one another!"

She felt terribly foolish, knowing everything Ciri was saying was true. Even when Triss had followed her to Novigrad to find Philippa, it was strictly business. They were cold to each other, more so Yennefer. She had made herself unapproachable on purpose, opting to avoid the heated confrontation with Triss. Besides, at that point she knew Geralt no longer had feelings for her, so nothing she would have said would have mattered anyway.

But she was wrong, it would have mattered. It could've made the world of a difference. Then again, Yennefer still felt raw about the whole situation at the time. If they did try to hash it out in Novigrad, it most likely would've resulted in Yennefer losing her temper.

Now she would never know what the outcome might have been, but maybe she could control the outcome of her current situation if she heeded her daughters advice.

"The two of you can't go on like this forever," Ciri said softly into the silence, "take a chance to be happy, Gods know you deserve it more than anyone."

"You…You would support this?" Yennefer asked, surprised that Ciri didn't see the strangeness in it all.

"Of course I would!" she said, sounding surprised herself. She circled the table to where Yennefer still stood, coming to wrap her in a tight embrace, "I just want you to be happy. And you know I adore Triss, I think you would be good for each other."

Yennefer could see the possibility of them being right for each other, she wanted it to be true, even if she was still afraid to shed that armor and allow Triss into her life that way. Even in her exhausted state, she lay awake for some time that night, inhaling the pleasant aroma of the woman in her arms.

The more Ciri's words resounded in her head, the more sense it all seemed to make.

The third day was set with a morose tone, as Ciri would be departing later in the evening. She decided not to open shop so she could spend the day with the two women. Once they had all readied themselves for the day, the spent the morning practicing with Triss in the garden. Her skill grew with each passing day, and she was now able to launch the fireball from her hand, albeit feebly. The magic would shoot out a foot or two before dissipating to the snowy ground, but the smile on her face would have one believe she had just burned down a building, and Yennefer's chest nearly burst with pride.

They didn't spend too long out there; they retired back into the loft for lunch, and decided on wine and cheese. The conversation flowed throughout the afternoon, and she found herself wishing this moment could last longer. Not only for the joy it brought, but for the nerves that would inevitably come when she was alone with Triss again.

She couldn't keep her eyes off her; it's as though Ciri's advice and blessing had filled her with a newfound confidence that was beginning to outweigh the hesitation. It was as though her mind was slowly allowing herself to actually enjoy the feelings she was having for the woman, allowing her to appreciate her beauty instead of avoiding it.

Ciri glanced outside at the lowering sun, "So I guess first stop is Toussaint. Hopefully Geralt isn't too involved out there, but I'm sure he will want to come back. I'll return with him as soon as I can."

"Then we can work on tracking Philippa, assuming she doesn't come back here first," Yennefer added.

"It will take some time, a few weeks maybe?"

"It's alright," Triss said with a small smile, "I'll need more time to get my strength where it should be. I won't face him until I'm sure I can make him suffer."

"That's the spirit! Well, I suppose we better get started. I'd like to head out while we still have some daylight left."

"Are you sure you don't want to stay another night? Leave in the morning?" Yennefer asked, not out of concern, but she didn't want to see the woman go.

"Im sure, the sooner we can get everyone together, the sooner we can kill the bastard. Magical beings are still dying as we speak."

"You're right," Yennefer sighed, trying to keep the disappointment from her voice.

Ciri scooted closer to Triss on the sofa and took her good hand into both of her own, "Triss, I just want you to know how proud I am of you; I know how hard it must have been for you to get out of bed each morning, and make the effort to try, but here you are. You're doing it, and I promise you, we are going to make this right. I love you."

"Oh, Ciri, I love you too!" she nearly sobbed as she threw her arms around her neck, "thank you for helping me, for everything, I couldn't have done it without you."

"Yes you could've," she waved as they ended the hug. She stood from her seat and moved to the door, gathering up her pack that was waiting for her. Yennefer followed, to see her off.

"Think about what I said, Yen," Ciri whispered softly, "you can do this."

"I will," she replied, a sad smile tugging at her lips, "thank you. I really needed this, Ciri. I needed you."

"Youre going to be fine," Ciri said as she pulled her into her arms, a final embrace for their farewell, "we'll be back as soon as we can. I'll try to send word."

"Thank you," she breathed again, the words strained around the lump in her throat, "I love you."

"I love you too, mom," Ciri said emotionally, giving her a final squeeze, "I'll see you soon."

She watched her go over the threshold, before she conjured a portal and disappeared completely. Her eyes remained transfixed on the spot where she just stood, her heart bleeding sadness, before she slowly closed the door with a click.

Her spirits were lifted almost instantly when she felt arms encircle her waist from behind, pulling her into a hug. The action surprised her, but she quickly melted into it, letting the considerate emotion soothe her wounds.

"She'll be back soon," Triss whispered from behind her, "I'm sure of it."

Yennefer made to answer before a sound stopped her. Her eyed glanced to the window, immediately recognizing the pleasing noise. It was the music from the tavern in the square, signaling the end of another work day, now time for the citizens to fill their bellies and forget their troubles. It was a rather nice place, the Wounded Wyvern it was called, and she was suddenly struck with an idea.

She turned and met curious blue orbs, and Yennefer couldn't help the smile on her face when she looked at the woman.

"Would you like to go out for dinner?" she asked her, before she realized how much it sounded like a date. She wondered if Triss took it as such, and she had to admit the possibility was a little exhilarating.

But Triss looked a little uncomfortable, and she began to look anywhere but Yennefer. Her gaze finally settled on her prosthetic, turning it over as she contemplated Yennefer's request.

"I can get us a table with privacy," she added, and to her delight Triss began to smile with her, and she finally met her gaze.

"I'd love to."