Geralt and Yennefer find Ciri and Jaskier but somethings take time to heal.

If you like the story please leave a review :)

Ciri flicks her fingers, lighting the small pile of sticks and I lean against the wall of our cave, thankful for the warmth. I cradle my arm, my shoulder throbbing in tune with my heartbeat. I rest my head against the cool rock and close my eyes, wincing slightly when the wounds on my face pull. Ciri kneels beside me, a thin stick in her hand. I groan and take it, pressing it between my teeth.

"This is going to hurt, bite down on the stick." She lifts my arm, pulling forward and setting the limb straight. I can feel a faint pressure, the sensation oddly soothing. Perhaps this isn't going to be as bad as I thought. Ciri shoves my arm back and I scream, my teeth sinking into the dry bark. Sensations comes flooding back and I wiggle my fingers, relieved to have moveable appendages again. Unfortunately everything hurts worse, my shoulder pulsating as if enraged and my skin is tight and swollen. Ciri holds up my ruined tunic, using her teeth to rip a long stripe from the material. She ties it around my arm, looping the material around my neck to create a makeshift sling. She pulls it tight, pressing my injured arm to my chest and I hiss, clenching my teeth to keep from yelling.

"I'm sorry Jaskier, I wish I had something for the pain." She eyes my various wounds, her face pinched. I pat her hand, hoping to offer some sort of comfort and she wipes at her face, sniffling softly.

"It's alright Ciri. Thank you for fixing my shoulder." I hold out my good arm and she slides beside me, nestling into the crock of my shoulder. I hold her tight, her arms wrapped around my waist. We watch the flames flicker and dance, casting their shadows across the cave. I close my eyes and lean my head back, the adrenaline from earlier wearing off.

"You saved me." Ciri stares into the flames, her voice a mere whisper.

"If I remember correctly, you're the one who saved me." Ciri leans her cheek on my shoulder, her face pained. I stroke her hair, my fingers gently working through the tangles.

"They were going to..going to-" She cuts off, unable to say the words. She shivers, despite the warmth radiating from the fire. I hold her tighter, hoping to somehow ease her pain.

"It's alright Ciri. They can't hurt you anymore." She cries quietly, her tears dripping down my neck. I hold her through the night, watching as the darkness gives way to light, my heart heavy with my shame and disgust.

...

Geralt's POV:

I touch the coals but they're cold, the embers long extinguished. Yennefer's lips move in a silent spell, her hands spread wide as she searches. The hoof prints lead back towards town but a pair of prints lead deeper into the woods, a line kicked up in the dirt leading the way. Yennefer gasps, her body lunging forward as if pulled by an invisible string. I follow her into the thick vegetation, slashing our way through the tangled vines and various twigs that scrap our clothes and hair. I lean back, breathing deep of the chilly night air and gasp.

"They're this way." Yennefer follows close behind, her hands poised to defend. I follow the scent trail to the opening of a tiny cave, faint traces of smoke flowing out through the top. Yennefer closes her eyes and hums softly.

"They're inside." She pushes past me and runs into the cave, her face tight with worry. Two small figures hunch together, their heads bent low as they sleep. Yennefer drops to her knees and gently touches Ciri's cheek. Ciri startles and throws her hands up, her palms glowing a faint green. Yennefer grips her hands and wraps her arm around her.

"We found you." Yennefer sniffles, tears streaming down her pale face. Ciri throws her arms around Yennefer and sobs, her thin shoulders shaking with the force of grief. Jaskier stirs and sits up, wincing slightly. I fall to my knees and pull him close. He pulls away from me, his lips pressed tight together. Ciri pushes away from Yennefer and shoves me aside.

"He's injured. Don't just manhandle him Geralt." I finally notice the sling on his arm, his face pinched. I sit back on my feet and take him in. He's shirtless, his vest in tatters by their feet. Bruises spread along his torso and side, his skin torn and irritated. His lip is swollen and a bruise is starting to form on his cheekbone. I cup his uninjured cheek and he sighs softly, leaning into my touch.

"What happened?" Jaskier swallows, his eyes wide as panic flashes across his face. Ciri scowls at me and scoots closer, wrapping her arms around Jaskier. Yennefer sits silently beside me, her hands balled into fists.

"Let's get you out of here. Yen can look at your injuries." Ciri is a beacon of strength, her shoulders squared as she helps Jaskier stand. His legs shake and his face is pale. I shoo Ciri away and bend down, gently lifting him into my arms. His cheek presses against my throat, the soft puff of his breath comforting. I hold him close, mindful of his arm. Yennefer holds Ciri close, her eyes shinning with tears.

"Thank the gods your alright. I love you Jaskier." He grimaces, his eyes sad. He presses a small kiss to my collarbone, his lips soft against my skin.

"I love you Geralt." His voice is a mere whisper. Jaskier sniffles softly, his shoulders trembling. I hold him closer and try to soothe the ravaged heart of the delicate man in my arms.

...

I stroke the fire, my mind filled with thoughts of Jaskier. Ciri plunks down beside me, her face unusually serious. Yennefer's been in the tent with Jaskier for over an hour. I wanted to be in there with him but he asked me to wait outside while Yennefer healed him. I can't say his dismissal didn't sting but I don't want to cause him any undue stress. I nudge Ciri with my shoulder and she tilts her head back, her face pinched with worry.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" She shrugs, her hands twisting the ties on her belt. Jaskier cries out, his voice tinged with pain. My body lurches, willing me to go to him but I force myself to stay sitting. I need to respect his privacy even if it twists me up inside. He cries out once more, his pain cutting through me like a blade. I shove to my feet and grab my sword. Ciri looks up at me, her eyes filled with tears.

"Where are you going?" She whispers, looking over her shoulder towards the tent.

"I need some air." I stalk away from the camp, resisting the urge to force my way inside, Jaskier's wishes be damned. He needs me but he won't let me help him, he won't even hardly look at me. Ciri grabs my arm, her eyes pleading with me to stay.

"Please be patient Geralt, he needs you. He's just been through a lot." Her lip wobbles, fresh tears filling her eyes.

"I can't help him if no one will tell me what happened." Ciri shakes her head, dropping her hand. I pinch the bridge of nose and stalk away from the camp, needing some space to clear my head.