Shift My World (Witcher x Reader fanfic)

Chapter 13

Thunk thunk swish thunk

Her breath came out a little harsher than the strength of her swings should have allowed as it came out in white vapor puffs around her face. She should be freezing. She should be inside instead of out here in this snowy weather but the post that looked unbearably durable just would not break as she wanted it to. Grooves and chips of the bark and wood beneath were missing from countless swings and strikes from both wooden and metal blades. No matter how hard she swung her metal blade at it she could not shop the damned post in half like her anger wished for her to do so. Her arms were quivering from the strain her muscles endured from her practice and her lungs ached from the cold winter air that seemed too thin to breathe let alone train in on this godforsaken mountain top but she'd endured all of that; no not so much endured but more as forgot everything else around her. So much that as she yanked her sword from the withered but thick training pole in front of her with a frustrated yell that contained more anger than frustration did she hear the clapping behind her making her turn her head in time to see the stocky figure walk towards her. His hair was white and short slicked back from his face by a braid allowing those damned golden yellow eyes to watch her from beneath heavy brows with keen intent without obstruction. 

Panting she turned her head away from him and sat down on a broken stone block to wipe her blade down with a rag from her pocket. She did not speak nor did he; simply allowing the cold winter wind to whisper around them bringing with it light flakes of white powder. Finally, the unspoken silence between them was broken by his words; sounding much like the older man he truly was despite his physique. 

"You shouldn't be too hard on him, dove."  she scoffed but raised her eyes to look into those familiar gold orbs she'd come to cherish.

"He deserves more than just my anger. If I'm supposed to be his partner then he should run by me with the plan before it's executed right? That's how we are all here; gotta be on the same page if we want to watch each other's backs. That's how it is. I have every right to be pissed at him *static*" she replied glaring up at him through her bangs. 

His mouth turned down into a frown and he raised a hand to scrub at his white beard a little as he watched the younger woman in front of him. Sighing he walked over from where he stood leaning against one of the poles and came to sit beside her on the stone wall before patting her knee with a calloused hand. 

"You are right as rain little dove. But Geralt has his ways of doing things. He doesn't often speak about his worries, but if he's taking you out of his plans you better believe that man is doing this to protect you. Doesn't make sense to any of us half the things that run through his head but we all have seen it for the past year the way he handles things with you." the older man stated looking down at their boots in the snow. 

"He won't admit it out loud to anyone and he doesn't have to. But that man would burn the world down for you. To find you, to protect you, and for you, if you dared ask of him such a thing. He's doing this to protect you, Olivia. Don't mistake his cold shoulder as him abandoning you or not trusting you. He's just doing what he thinks is best." the man said and Olivia turned to him; gazing at him in a new sort of light. 

They'd known each other no more than a year since she'd come to this place Geralt once called him and from any of the men that resided in this place this older man became the closest thing she had to family; to a father figure. Much like he had been for Geralt she knew that just by looking at the two of them. So similar. Maybe that's why she felt so at ease with him; because *static* was the only man besides Geralt who she trusted with her life more so than anything else in this miserable existence. 

A small smile finally tugged her lips upwards and she nodded watching as *static*'s shoulders relaxed and he rose to his feet. He held out his hand to her and helped her up; grabbing her sword from where it leaned on the stone in the snow beside her. They turned together towards the door to head back inside when they saw the tall figure standing there with his back against the wall watching with arms crossed and eyes piercing like a wolf's as they watched the two figured approach. Upon seeing his form Olivia's anger seemed to disappear; he looked so good standing there in a casual tunic shirt with sleeves rolled up not minding the coldness and those damned black pants hugging his lower half just right tucked into his black boots. He looked too good just standing there. He seemed to know without even having to ask that he was well forgiven by her as her feet kicked up snow and she ran straight for him; launching herself into his strong arms and allowing the feeling of completion wash over her as she inhaled his scent. In his arms, she felt at home.