" Eskel ! "

Before he could move, the Witcher was almost knocked back, held tight by a gray bun. He soon hugged Ciri back, less reserved than his normal self. Witchers were believed not to have emotions, or at least unable to feel things like humans did. But at that moment, he couldn't care less what the rest of the world was expecting him to be, he just savored the feeling of holding a loved one in his arms. Ciri soon pulled away from him, looking at him with the brightest smile he had ever seen, before turning her head back.

Following her gaze, Eskel's eyes met those of his brother. The two men were soon facing each other, each one extending a hand to grab the other's elbow. The White Wolf suddenly pulled him in for a hug as well as he spoke

" I've missed you, brother. "

His voice was a whisper, barely audible, almost broken... Eskel wanted to apologize for running away, to tell Geralt he was sorry, but the words didn't come out. So he tighten his grip, as he felt his eyes starting to burn. The Witcher was sure of it: soon, his heart would burst out of his chest.

When the two men finally let go, they were alone in the room. They both stood there, staring at each other, looking to find anything different than the last day they were together.

" Geralt of fucking Rivia. Can't believe you're here. "

" I'm not the one who disappeared ! "

He had said that without animosity, yet Eskel couldn't help but feel guilty. He would have some explaining to do, eventually. For now, he just wanted to make up for lost time, they had so much to tell each other, he was sure of it.

Geralt continued with a smirk

" Let's go downstairs, I need a drink. "

The pair was now sitting at the table by the fire in the main hall with Ciri, drinks in hand. The young woman was telling Eskel all about her jobs since becoming a Witcher, and all the places she had gone to -mostly roaming the South of the Northern realms. Both men were listening to her, and Eskel knew he had a stupid grin across his face, but he just couldn't help it. He was so happy to be here, reunited at last with his kin. Before coming back to Kaer Morhen, he had felt loneliness weighting on his shoulders, but now that he was here, with his fellow Witchers, he realized just how much. As if getting to see them had revealed to him how lonely he was, how badly he had missed them.

"We're out of vodka." Geralt noted, looking at the bottom of his cup.

"I'll go grab some." Eskel patted the White Wolf shoulder.

Erryn was already in the kitchen, absent-mindlessly staring at a window, both hands wrapped around a cup. Peppermint tea, given the strong smell.

"Everything okay ?"

"Yeah, came to grab something to drink." he looked around the room.

The Witcheress pulled a crate filled with different colors glass bottles from under a workbench "Here"

"Thanks." Heading out, he finally paused "Wanna come ?"

She stayed silent for a bit, sipping on her cup.

"I think you guys need some time on your own."

He nodded at her, slightly relieved that she had declined his offer. All he wanted to do right now, more than anything was spend time with his family.

Before he could take another step, Ciri bursted in the kitchen

"You're still there ? C'mon grandpa, Geralt's gonna think you disappeared again." she teased.

With a grunt, he replied "Since you're here, help me carry those."

"Nu-uh, I've got some catching up of my own to do."

Erryn's voice rose from his back "Where do you wanna go ?"

"My room ? I'd like to unpack."

With a nod of approval, Erryn skipped over to Ciri and in an instant, the Witcheresses were gone.

Eskel had been listening to Geralt's stories for hours now, and wouldn't have mind listening to him all night long, until the break of dawn even. Ever since they had met all those years ago when they had arrived at the keep as kids, the two of them had stuck together, for better and for worse. Of all the Witchers which came back every winter to Kaer Morhen, Eskel always had a soft spot for Geralt's stories. Not only because they were the closest Witchers of the School, but also because his friend seemed unable to stay away from all kind of perilous situation, or involved in a political plot of some sort.

"So… How are you ?"

From the moment Eskel took the decision to come back to kaer Morhen, he knew he would have to answer this question, yet he still didn't really know what to say. After a long pause, staring at the bottom of his cup, he finally answered Geralt:

"Better, I think."

His brother did not respond, letting him gather his thoughts and try to put in words what he had trouble saying.

"I needed time. Alone. It was too much."

He looked at the White Wolf.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I'm just glad you're back."

A comfortable silence fell upon them as Letho entered the room, his cape made almost black by the pouring rains, droplets of water dripping on the stones as he unloaded the game he had managed to gather.

"The girls have already disappeared ?"

Geralt nodded "A couple hours ago. Probably already up for some bad deed."

Letho let out a low chuckle "'Course they are."

"I'll see if I can find them."

Minutes later, all of the Witchers were gathered around the large table, - which suddenly seemed almost too small for the five of them. The tall ceilings were filled with the sounds of voices, several people talking at the same time. Eskel had missed so much. He wanted this moment to never stop, to make the most of every second he could get with Geralt and Ciri, to make up for the years he had wasted in solitude. The Witcher could not recall a day when he had feel happier.