Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Geralt's path somehow led him to Toussaint, the most beautiful town he’s ever seen. 

The contract started with taking down a string of Archespores in some local farmlands in Velen, which led Geralt into the investigation himself as to why they were this far out from Toussaint. 

Archespores are mainly only found in Toussaint, he’s never seen them show up outside of it, which means someone brought them here. 

He got to the town square and decided to have a look, taking the opportunity to restock any herbs and ingredients he might need. He did a quick inventory check and saw he needed quite a bit and a few more hard-to-find ones. 

He went to two shops that had most of what he needed. What he couldn’t find was a simple herb everyone knows about; Vanilla root. It wasn’t traditionally used in Witcher potions but he found it helped the flavor. Witcher potions always tasted awful and Geralt got creative and tried to find ways to make it taste a bit better without changing its composition or effects. Vanilla did the trick, it didn’t make potions taste good but it made them more tolerable. 

He almost gave up trying to find some when he saw an herbal shop, a little out of the way of town, secluded. He led Roach toward it when an older man came out, clothing looking ragged and worn tending to the herbs outside. He got off Roach and went to him. 

The man saw him and gave a small smile. “My, what brings a Witcher to my humble shop?” 

“Looking for vanilla. Other shops in town don’t have any.” 

The man looked oddly at him. “I have not heard of a Witcher looking for vanilla. It’s not used in any of your potions.” 

Geralt raised an eyebrow. “You know about Witcher’s potions?”

“Yes. Not for any practical use, it was for my own personal studies. I wanted to know about any potion that uses herbs. Although not practical, it has its uses in knowing. My name is Regis, by the way.”

“Geralt of Rivia. And you’re right. It’s not traditionally used in Witcher potions but our potions, well, taste worse than shit. I’ve found vanilla helps make it more tolerable without changing its composition.”

“I see. Unfortunately, I also don’t have any vanilla. It’s been a hard season for the plants, and they’re already fickle things to grow. They require lots of heat and the perfect amount of water, and their blossoms are only open for a few hours for pollination. I have my own bees for it but it’s been a rather cool summer this year so they haven’t even blossomed yet.”

Geralt huffed. “Shit.” 

“Indeed. But if you like, we can work together, to find a replacement that might be easier to find in the future for you.” 

Geralt nodded. “Alright.” 

Regis went to his shop door and opened it for Geralt. Geralt looked around, seeing it seemed bigger than the outside shown, the one end set up for medical use. “You a doctor too?” 

“Of sorts. I haven’t been to any medical school but I still have a great deal of knowledge that I use to help those who need it. Now let’s see what we can use. What ones have you ruled out?” 

“Cinnamon, Ginger, horseradish. It’s too strong, changing the composition and effects.” 

“Horseradish? I thought you wanted to sweeten the potion up. That’s quite a strong spice.” 

“I’m not picky. Long as it makes it tolerable.”

“Good to know.”

Regis went through his dried stash. “Have you tried peppermint or spearmint?” 

“No, those are a little harder to identify out in the wild, they all look like leaves to me.” 

Regis gave a warm smile. “Alright. I’ll test peppermint then, which potion would you like to test it with first?” 

“Thunderbolt. It’s one I use most often against larger enemies.” 

Regis was getting his book on Witcher potions and turning to the Thunderbolt page. “What types of large enemies?” 

“Types of dragons. They’re more common than you think but there’s creatures that are in the dragon family that aren’t considered dragons.”

Regis looked at him in mild shock. “Really? Why are they not considered dragons if they’re in the same family?” He asked, gathering the ingredients he needed, and double-checking the recipe. 

“Same reason an onion isn’t garlic but they’re in the same family of plants. A wyvern is a cousin to the dragon family, but a lot smaller than a dragon but they still do plenty of damage. They can kill just as easily as a full-sized dragon.”

“So, paradoxically, it seems far more dangerous than a full-size dragon. A smaller size would mean it’s more agile, less weight it has to carry around, and most likely, faster.” He said as he ground the ingredients in the mortar and pestle. 

Geralt gave a smile. “I’m surprised you thought of that. Most people think smaller is less dangerous.” 

Regis started to add the liquid needed for the potion. “You find out quickly, that I am not other people. In fact, that is why I’m a little out of town; too loud, too busy, too many questions, and not enough answers to satisfy, among other reasons. I make enough and help some of those in need who can’t make it to the big city and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”  He poured the potion into a small bottle. “That’s the potion without the peppermint. Look correct to you?” 

Geralt nodded. “Well done, didn’t think others who aren’t Witchers would be able to make it properly.” 

Regis gave a warm smile as he ground the peppermint up. “If it’s one thing I am, it’s throughout.” He added in the peppermint and the color changed but only slightly with the potion. He handed it to Geralt. “Here, taste and see if it’s helped and if it’s changed the composition.” 

Geralt took the bottle gently from his hands, downing it. “Hmm. Taste better. Is there something I could test it with? A tree?” 

“There’s plenty of trees outside. Let’s go find a good one.” 

They walked outside together, walking a small distance away from his little herbal and healing shop. “Ah, here is a good one.” He found a fairly thick tree, one that could handle a few good hits with a sword. 

Geralt nodded, taking his steel sword out. He struck the tree and even though it wasn’t his strongest hit, the tree said otherwise, looking like an axe went halfway through it, the sword stuck. Geralt gave a smile toward him. “Think I found a replacement herb. Didn’t change it at all, other than color.” 

Regis smiled. “Excellent. Let’s go back and discuss what you need to take with you.” 

As they walked inside Regis got his box of peppermint and put it on his desk. Geralt spoke up. “Also, could you teach me how to identify mint in the wild?” 

“Oh certainly.” 

Geralt couldn’t help but enjoy the herbalists' company. Unlike many other merchants he’s come across, this one has a legitimate passion for the craft and it showed when he got a chance to talk about it. Everything lit up about him when he talked about every aspect of the herb. 

Geralt did his best to absorb the information. “So square stems, three leaves, look like a cross from above.”

“Yes, correct! I hope in the future you won’t need to spend your very hard-earned money here when you can find it for yourself.”

“Aren’t you supposed to tell me to come back again?” 

Regis smiled. “True, I am a bit of an unorthodox merchant you could say. I nearly want what’s best for the customer, even if they don’t buy from me. Many people can’t afford to buy them and if they need them, I want them to know how to get them for free. Sometimes it can be life or death and I’d rather they find what they need than suffer because of their situation. Oh, I’m sorry. I seem to have gone on a rant. Horrible habit of mine.” 

Geralt smiled, more genuine than he thought he had for a long time. “It’s alright, I...“ he kept himself from saying I liked it. “I don’t mind. Good conversation.” He gave more than enough for the peppermint he bought. 

Regis tried to hand the remainder back. “Here, you gave me too much.” 

Geralt shook his head. “Keep it. The people need someone like you here.”  

Regis smiled softly. “Thank you very much, Geralt. I shan’t forget this generosity.” 

Geralt was actually a little sad to leave. He enjoyed the herbalists' company and his long conversations. But he had a job to do. Just as he got to Roach he saw a mother holding her toddler close, running carefully as she could down the dirt and grass hill and into the hut. “Sir! Regis! I need your help!” 

Geralt watched as Regis came to her aid immediately. “Oh goodness, what’s happened?” 

The mom was sobbing. The child was crying in pain and clinging to his mother tightly. “His stomach, he keeps saying how bad his stomach hurts and I have a feeling it’s something really bad. It’s been days and his stomach pain has only gotten worse and keeps throwing up-“

“Bring him inside.” He rushed them inside. Geralt went to the small window, watching as carefully as he could without being spotted. He saw Regis press down on the kid’s stomach in different places until the kid cried out and sobbed. “Mum! It’s hurts!” 

The mom tried to calm her child, holding their hand and petting his hair. “I know sweety, the doctor here is going to take care of you.” 

Regis looked at the mother. “I know what it is but it will require a small surgery.” 

“What is it?” 

“It’s his appendix. Often the organ can become infected and the only way to treat it is to remove it. I can sedate him best I can but it can be a painful and traumatic experience to have a surgery fully aware.” 

The mom swallowed the lump in her throat. “But if he doesn’t get it out, he’ll die?” 

“Yes. I would not suggest surgery otherwise.”

“Please, do all you can. He has his entire life to get over this, I just want him to live.” 

“Very well. I’ll gather the ingredients I need and instruments. Please, stay with him, try and calm him as best you can. I know it’s much to ask for.” 

The mom just nodded and went to her son immediately.  

Geralt watched as Regis gathered ingredients, grinding a few, and getting a bottle of strong alcohol for sterilization and surgical instruments. He put some of the ground-up herbs in a bag and brought all of it over to his doctor’s station. He brought the bag of herbs to the child's face. “This should help sedate him. Hey Micheal, can you listen to me? I need you to hold this to your nose and mouth ok? And breathe it in as deep as you can, okay?” 

The child nodded and held it, his mother helping keep it there, Regis trying to soothe the boy, petting his hair. Geralt was amazed when he saw the boy was unconscious, his medallion vibrated when he did that, was this herbalist a mage?  He watched the surgery, it took only about a minute for Regis to find the problem organ and take it out before sewing the incision back up. “There. All done. Thankfully the herbal medicine rendered him unconscious. He should come to in a few minutes. I can give you some herbs to help with the pain.” 

Geralt left them, seeing just how important this little out-of-the-way herbalist shop was, and made a vow to always visit it when in the area, or in need of peppermint. 

Chapter Text

It was long after his shop had closed when he finally decided to go home, check his honey bees, and maybe relax a little. The smell of the young boy's blood still lingered in his mind, tempting his past addiction but he never failed and kept cleaning until the smell of blood was gone and replaced with herbs and lemon from cleaning. He turned to fog and left to his home.

Just as he got to his crypt, he materialized, seeing someone he didn’t want to see. “I thought I told you you’re not welcome here.” 

Dettlaff stood, waiting at his crypt, looking like a kicked dog. “I only want to talk.” 

Regis glared as he walked closer. “I think you’ve done enough talking, you told me once an addict, always an addict.” 

“Please do not throw my words back at me. I have been nothing but guilt since they came out of my mouth. I wanted to talk, I want to apologize.” 

Regis crossed his arms, glaring still. “I’m waiting, go ahead and apologize.” 

“I am sorry for saying those things to you. They came out in the heat of anger. I know my temper is, hard to control at times.”

“Have you worked on your temper at all?” 

“I have. I am. I am working with someone in the community.” 

Regis was quiet for a moment, taking in his words, and processing them before speaking. “Do you understand how hurt I was from your words? After that fight and you left, I was in such a depression I thought of going back to blood and killing myself. I don’t claim to be completely cured of addiction but I do not appreciate my past being thrown in my face along with my struggle to stay sober!” 

He felt his eyes water, the pain of those words stinging like that happened seconds ago. Dettlaff moved closer and Regis moved back. “Don’t. Please.” His voice shook. “If you want to talk, we can talk tomorrow night. But not tonight Not now.”  

Dettlaff just nodded. “As you wish my love. I shall see you tomorrow night.” He disappeared in a fog, leaving Regis alone with this revelation and possibility. He took in a deep breath and wiped his face of remaining tears before going inside. 

Elsewhere, Geralt decided to use his new knowledge of how to identify Peppermint in the wild. He has the stock he bought but he wanted to test out the information and see how well he did. 

Apparently, he did poorly as after a few minutes of the peppermint he found he felt violently nauseous, to the point he nearly fell over as he got to his knees to vomit onto the side of the dirt path. He tried to keep moving after that but his stomach aching as badly as it did meant it was too risky so he found a cave free of monsters and took a white honey potion that kinda helped.

 Apparently, Peppermint has a copycat that the herbalist forgot to mention. He’s not mad, there are probably enough copycats of every herb that it’s likely hard to keep track of. But he’s learned to never go looking for it yourself, go to a professional. 

He always preferred buying to hunting anyway. Doesn’t always have the time to be looking for herbs for a particular potion or oil all the time. As soon as he recovers, he plans on going back to the herbalist to tell him what he got himself into, along with buying extra.

The next day was a rainy one. Regis had to cover a few of his plants as the rain doesn’t seem to be letting up any time soon and many of his plants and herbs can easily be overwatered. But he has to admit, the rain matched his mood. 

Their fight was mere nights ago, but him coming back after Regis threw him out of his crypt in a fury of tears and anger. He wondered since then if he reacted poorly, if he overreacted but it hurt. It hurt him more than anything to have his past not just brought up but to say that’s all he is and ever will be.  

“Regis? Are you alright?” Regis blinked, having gotten lost in his own thoughts, in the middle of the rain. He saw Geralt, the Witcher who bought peppermint from him. 

Regis looked away. “Oh yes. I’m fine, why are you back? Didn’t you have a contact to finish? Here, let’s speak inside, I shall start a fire.” 

They walked inside and Regis wiped some of the water off himself and face before going to his fireplace that’s in the center of the wall, getting the logs and ingredients necessary. “So Geralt, what brings you back here?”  

“Had a mishap with the peppermint.” 

Regis frowned, looking at him, log in hand. “Did they end up not working?” 

“No. I got a little too confident and decided to forage my own with the information you gave me. Did you know Peppermint had a copy cat that’s toxic?” 

Regis nearly dropped the log in his shock. “Yes! Oh my gods, I’m so sorry, it completely left my mind when we were talking.” 

“It’s ok. After that I thought I’d leave it to professionals.” 

“Did you want a refund of some sort? I am truly sorry-“ 

“Why would I need a refund? I went looking instead of using what I bought from you.” 

Regis frowned. “Well I neglected to mention a very toxic copy cat, if you were human you could be dead by my negligence.” 

Geralt frowned. “How about you start the fire and we can talk.” Geralt was a little worried. Regis mood from yesterday is completely different today. He knows that the rain can make anyone a little melancholy but to be so lost in your thoughts in the middle of a rainfall and his body language is much more depressed, submissive. 

Once the fire was started Regis turned to him. “Alright, how much refund would you like back?” 

Geralt frowned. “I don’t want any refund. It was my fault. Are you ok? You seem….different than yesterday.” 

Regis looked away. “Is it that obvious something is wrong?” Geralt just gave a nod. Regis sighed. Higher vampires may not need to breathe, it is a natural habit he’s grown from being around humans, especially if he was to blend in as one. But even if not necessary, gave a small comfort. 

“My lover and I had a fight, a few nights back. I kicked him out of my home and he showed up yesterday, late at night when I was coming home. He wants to talk again tonight but I’m not sure I want to, not after what he said to me.” 

“What did he say?” 

Regis felt his eyes water thinking about it. “He told me once and addict, always an addict. I had a severe addiction in my youth, it took alot of time to get over but I’ve been sober for years. And to have it thrown back at me, telling me that’s all I am, well , I may have overreacted and kicked him out in a fury of tears.” 

Geralt frowned. “I don’t think you overreacted.” 

Regis looked at him, for the first time since he explained the fight. “You don’t?”

“No. Not at all. No one’s lover should bring up a past like that, especially during a fight. But to act like your struggle and hard work to stay sober is nothing? That’s a shitty thing to do.” 

Regis gave a weak chuckle. “It is. Especially when you put it like that.”

“Has he apologized?” 

“Yes, he did when he met me yesterday. He’s always had a bit of a hot temperament but even so, I owe him for my life. At one point in time during my addiction I nearly died. If it were not for him I would not be here.” 

“I understand your concern, not easy to navigate this kind of situation.” 

“Surgery is easier than this. Thank you, for letting me talk about this so vulnerably. I sadly lack friends, it’s not often I can talk to someone.” 

“I’m not a friend?” Geralt said with a little smile. 

Regis smiled. A little more warmly. “Yes. I suppose you are.” 

Chapter Text

Regis hated how fast time went. When the sun went down he realized that he and Geralt had been talking most of the day, in between a stray customer. 

Regis sighed. “I suppose I should close up early tonight and get to that important talk Dettlaff wants to have.” 

Geralt stood from his spot by the fire that was now turning to ash. “Will you be ok?” 

“Kind of you to ask. Yes, I shall be fine, it will only be emotionally difficult.”

“Alright. I’ll be on my way.”

As Geralt got to the door, Regis started putting out the candles around the shop. 

Geralt got to the door and stopped. “And Regis?” 

Regis turned. “Yes?” 

“Don’t take any of his bullshit. Doesn’t matter what your past is, what matters is what you do here and now and I think here, you’re doing an awful lot of good.” 

Regis was taken aback, feeling flustered. “Oh. Thank you, that’s very kind of you.” 

Geralt just gave a nod before actually leaving. Leaving Regis alone to process those kind words. 

The time went by too fast, he worried about this talk. What exactly it would entail, what emotions might come up. But he couldn’t hide from it forever. He turned to fog and left. 

He saw Dettlaff as soon as he arrived, rematerializing. He didn’t say anything, just took in the scene. 

Dettlaff showed up, it seemed he brought several gifts as well, sitting on the ground next to him. 

“Hello Dettlaff.” 

“Hello Regis. I’ve brought some gifts, a peace offering.” He walked closer, holding a Jar with a rose in it. “It’s called a rose of remembrance. It’s said that if given to someone you love, it will never die. I thought it was a myth but after our fight I went searching. I knew I needed a way to show my love for you.” 

Regis took the jar, looking at the rose inside. It was beautiful, a deep red with velvety petals, it looked quite healthy, almost glowing.  He could sense the magic from it, it was quite strong. 

“This is lovely.” He said in awe, seeing this somehow impossible flower. 

Dettlaf must've taken advantage of his distraction. When Regis looked up, seeing movement. Dettlaff stood with a few books in his hands. “I also brought you books, medical journals that I’m sure you don’t have, some of which are the newest editions. I will never understand your need to heal such fragile creatures but I do so love seeing you reading something you love.” 

Regis smiled softly. “This is all very kind.” 

Dettlaff smiled softly back, looking hopeful. “Can we put this ugliness behind us?”

Regis’s smile went down a bit. “We still need to talk. After what you said, and how you treated me, it can’t just be glossed over.” 

“I know. All I can say is I am working on my anger, I can take you to who I’m working with in the morning. I promise to become a better man, starting tonight.” His hand came to cup Regis face softly. 

Regis stared into his lover's eyes, feeling a warmth blossom in his chest for his love. Dettlaff has promised to get better, plans on talking him to see who he’s working with tomorrow. “Alright. Tomorrow” 

Dettlaff smiled, a full tooth grin. It was almost predatory if Regis wasn’t so in love. Dettlaff leaned down and kissed him. 

Regis smiled into the kiss, letting Dettlaff deepen it. Regis pulled back with a smile. “Let’s take this inside.” 

The next morning Regis woke, a bit panicked when he saw the time. “Oh gods, I’m late!” He quickly got dressed, Dettlaff looked over from his side of the bed. “Late for what love? Did you have plans?”

“My shop! It’s never opened this late! What if someone needs my help?” 

Dettlaff just rolled his eyes. “Oh. Right. When you are done for the day I’ll come get you, you can meet Mercy later this evening.” 

Regis just smiled, taking his new books and rose with him. “I shall keep this rose at my shop. I spend most of my time there. When I look at it it’ll remind me of you. I’ll see you tonight, after sundown.” He leaned down and gave him a quick kiss before turning to mist and leaving. 

Once he got to his shop, he was happy to see no one wanting or needing help. He unlocked the door and went inside, getting to work, putting the rose on the checkout counter so everyone could see it. 

He went through the garden, tended to it, pruned it, watered it, hung some up to dry out and then once all was done, he started reading one of the books that Dettlaff bought him. 

It was mostly a quiet day. Dettlaff showed up right at sundown, just as he was locking the door. “Hello Love-“ 

Suddenly two people came running to them. Two kids, about ten years old, a boy and a girl. The girl spoke up as the boy held his hand, hidden by cloth but Regis could smell the blood. The girl spoke. “Are you Dr. Regis?” 

Dettlaff just rolled his eyes and walked away to wait. Regis went to her, kneeling down to her level. “Yes, do you need some help?”

The girl nodded. “My brother got hurt, his fingers all messed up. Our ma will have it for us if we go home to her like this.” 

“Don’t worry, I’ll fix you up, come inside.” 

He ushered the little kids inside, going to his medical set up in the corner. The boy sat on the table. 

Regis went to him. “Let me see your hand.” The boy sniffled, unwrapping his hand. His finger was mangled, looked like he fell on it wrong and broke. Some of the bone sticking out of the skin. “Oh my, what were you doing?” 

The boy whimpered . “We were just running, playing tag. I tripped on a tree root and then my hand was in agony. We didn’t want to go to mum, she already has enough trouble, has trouble getting food on the table. We heard you sometimes treat those in need without charge, that why we found you.” 

Regis smiled. “I’m glad you did. And this is a simple fix. It will hurt very much but it should heal and be normal in time.” 

Regis got the alcohol, gauze, splints and a jar of his honey from his own bees. 

He made quick work of the child’s finger. Pouring alcohol on it and his hands before setting it, doing his best to ignore the smell of blood and the child’s screams of pain. His sister helped comfort best she could. 

He got it wrapped up with the split with a little honey to help it. “There. All done. Now, you’ll want to keep it wrapped up for about a week. After a week, if you can,  or come to me and I can change the bandage out for you. No charge.” 

The little boy smiled through his tears. “No charge? Really?” 

“Really really.” 

The sister beamed. “Oh thank you so much! We won’t have to bother mum, she’s always so stressed about taking care of us.” 

Regis went to his dry herbs. “I can give you something to help her.” He gathered lavender, chamomile and a few other herbs, handing the small bags to the sister. “She can brew these into a tea, they should help relax her.” 

The little girl smiled, taking the bag before hugging him suddenly. He smiled softly before hugging her back. “I’m glad I could help.” 

When they left, he locked up and Dettlaff was looking annoyed. “Are you done now? I don’t see why you want to help them. They’re so terribly fragile, like tending to an egg.”

Regis frowned. “Because they’re so fragile I want to help them. They’re living, breathing creatures with thoughts and wants. With few differences, they’re not different from us.”

Dettlaff sighed, not wanting to argue. “Let’s go. Mercy is waiting for us.” 

They turned to mist, Regis following Dettlaff. 

When they rematerialized Regis looked around. It was just as fancy and full of prestige as the Pace, he smelled the blood wine immediately, almost drawn to it. 

It doesn’t escape Regis’s mind that Dettlaf said he was nothing but an addict but brings him to functions that serve the blood he was so consumed by.  

Everyone here was a higher vampire. Dressed up, drinking blood and laughing at nothing. A few gave  Regis some not so nice side glances, probably because of his more common human type clothing and nothing like the high prestige and fashion they have. 

Dettlaff brought him to a group having some form of party, a few humans who were in a trance with them, a few of the vampires sucking their necks. Regis swallowed, both horrified and tempted. Did Dettlaff want to test him? 

Dettlaff smiled. “Mercy, I apologize that we’re late. My lord had last minute matters to attend to.” 

Mercy smiled, blood on her lips trailing down her pale chin. “It’s no problem, the time has flown by as it is. Please, give me a moment to freshen up. Come inside, away from the party. More privacy.” 

Regis was struck by the humans there, nearly dead, wanting to help, or drink their blood, he wasn’t sure which was stronger. 

Dettlaff shook him slightly. “Regis, are you alright? I apologize for bringing you here, I didn't know they were having a blood letting gathering tonight.” 

Regis swallowed, looking at Dettlaff. “It’s alright, I remember how…erratic their party schedule can be.” 

“Let’s get inside, away from the blood. You don’t need this kind of temptation.” 

Then why did you bring me here? Why couldn’t she meet us somewhere?

Regis wanted to ask but he kept his mouth shut as they got inside. Dettlaff apologized, that was enough.

Chapter Text

It was a short walk into Mercy’s house. The smell of the bloodwine and human blood wasn’t any less but having a strong border helped mentally his temptation. 

Dettlaff stared at him with concern. “Are you alright? Really?” 

Regis nodded. “I will be. Being inside of a building helps but I can still smell every bit of it.” 

Mercy came out from a hallway near them. “Is there a problem?” 

Dettlaff spoke before Regis had a chance to speak. “He’s a former blood addict. I didn’t realize you would be having-“

Mercy’s eyes went wide. “And you brought him here? Are you that stupid Dettlaff or just naive?” 

Dettlaff wa speechless as she continued. “Regis, you can follow me. I know somewhere we can talk where the smell of blood isn’t so strong. And Dettlaff, you can stay here. Come, Regis.” She said as she walked away further into the house. Regis looked back to Dettlaff. He nodded. “Go on. I obviously have some thinking to do.” 

Regis stayed quiet as he followed her. They made it to her basement which was filled with wine making supplies but no hint of blood. “I make my special bloodwine on my estate but the mixing of them is made elsewhere, there is only wine here. Now, we may speak.” 

Regis nodded. “Thank you very much for your thoughtfulness. I have to say, him airing out my addiction is not what I had planned or thought he would do.”

“He does it out of concern, I can assure of that. But why he didn’t just ask me to meet you two somewhere is a matter to take up with him. I’ve seen friends fall into addictions grasps. Many were not as lucky as you to come out of it on the other side.” 

“I am sorry to hear that.” 

“It’s in the past. Now, what did you want to know about Dettlaffs talks?”

“Well, I want to know what exactly you’re working on with him? His anger? His lack of perspective?” 

“Well, both. His issues tend to go hand in hand with the other. He has a hard time regulating his emotions which leads to anger and outbursts which then clouds perception. Although we don’t need to breathe, the action itself is quite useful. Gives him something to focus on, something he can control. Many humans will use deep breathing exercises because the breathing and steady oxygen is helpful in calming them. We don’t have the use for air but we have the capacity to breathe if we like so he’s been trying some deep breathing exercises. It’s been extremely helpful.” 

Regis smiled. “I’m glad to hear it. How does he talk about me? Our relationship?” 

“Well, not too much. For starters I had no idea you were a former addict. Failed to mention that to me.”

“As we’ve seen tonight.” 

“I know he worries about your shop, healing the humans. That’s one thing I’m having a hard time with him; he does not think highly of humans. Thinks there no better than the ants on the ground but at the same time he’s glad you have some form of purpose in your life with your gardening and shop.” 

Regis sighed. “I feared he wouldn’t understand. How can I explain to him that they’re more than that? That just because we have technical immortality, doesn’t make us better than humans?” 

“That i'm not sure I can help with. I’m not fond of humans but I also understand why you’d want to help them; same as humans helping animals in need, you feel empathy for them and that’s perfectly fine.” 

Regis nodded. “Thank you so much for your time. We should be going. I’m sure he and I will have lots to talk about when we get home.” 

Mercy smiled. “Anytime you need anything, just ask.” 

“I will. Thank you very much.” 

They walked back into the living room, after the walk from the wine cellar. Dettlaff stood from the couch. “How did the talk go?” 

Regis spoke immediately to him as he walked close to him. “It was vey enlightening. We can speak more once we’re home.” 

Dettlaf nodded to Mercy. “Thank you very much for your hospitality.” 

“Of course. Just never bring him back here when you know blood will be flowing. Ask first if it’s safe for him.” 

“I will do so in the future. I’m not sure what i was thinking bringing you here.” 

Regis gave a weak smile. “I think you were hoping to bring be back to my more vampiric roots. We can talk once where home.” 

They gave one more thank you to Mercy and left. They turned to mist as they left, nothing of streaks of black in the air before rematerializing back at Regis’ crypt. Regis spoke his questions immediately. “Why didn’t you tell her I was a former addict?” 

Dettlaff looked confused, Regis continued. “She’s been helping you, helping us, I would think your partner being a former blood addict would have been important, especially considering you intended to bring me to her, during a party.” 

“I didn’t know they were having a gathering tonight or I wouldn’t have brought you. I apologize, a thousand apologies but I thought she might think differently about you.” 

“Why would she think differently about me?” 

“You we’re a blood addict, not many vampires see that as a bad thing. I wasn’t sure how she would respond. When she asked if you were ok, I knew I had to tell her then. Although I got a lecture, I’m glad she reacted the way she did.” 

“That’s because she’s…like me. Not an addict herself but she’s had friends that went down the path of addiction and never came out of it. She understands what it means. I truly wish you would have informed her about me before her well deserved lecture you got.” 

Dettlaff sighed, walking closer, bringing his hands to gently hold his lover's arms. “I apologize. I never intended to hide that fact from her, I only worried of her reaction. Let’s go relax, you can tell me of all the herb’s you’re growing.” 

Regis felt a certain calm come over him. For a second he was worried Dettlaff may be using his hynoises on him, as he does for those who need surgery but it was gone, out of his head as he smiled softly. “That sounds lovely. I can start us a fire.”

Chapter Text

It was months later, nearly autumn when Regis saw Geralt again. Back at his shop. It was a quiet day and he was reading some of the newest medical journals that Dettlaff has been getting for him any chance he could. Soon as the books were in his hands, he forgot that he got them for him because Dettlaff picked a fight. This time it was suspicion of his shop being cover for some affair and blood drinking  two nights ago. 

He came home to his crypt when Dettlaff stalked over to him, the door barely closed. “You’re home awfully late. Do you have an explanation?” 

Regis started, not expecting this. “I don’t really have a set time to close. But if you must know, someone needed surgery.” 

“I can smell the blood on you and I don’t think it’s from you helping these humans. You drinking again?” 

Regis was shocked, appalled at the accusation. “No! Absolutely not!” 

“Just what an addict would say to evade attention. Tell me the truth!” 

“I am telling you the truth! I don’t know what you’d like me to say. Only thing I can say is you’ve known me long enough to know what I’m like, blood drink, do I seem intoxicated to you in any sense?” 

Dettlaff stared at him, looking him up and down. “No. Which means you’re out late having an affair?” 

Regis pushed past him. “I’ve had enough of this nonsense. It’s been a long, emotional day and I just want to rest.” 

“Long and emotional? Ha! How do you think I’ve felt, waiting here for you? Wondering who might be fucking you instead of me?” 

Regis glared at him. “You’ll never understand. I don’t know why I tried. I saved two lives today, one of them a mere infant! Dealing with the infants mother was heartbreaking. She may have watched her only daughter die. A daughter I delivered a month ago and helped with their fertility issues.” 

“They’re human!” 

“They matter!” 

Dettlaff was on him in seconds, pinning him to the wall. “I matter!” 

All the fight seemed to leave Regis, eyes staring almsot blankly ahead. “I’m sorry to cause you to worry. I was held up cleaning up after the two surgeries today.” 

Dettlaff let him go. “It’s alright .I was worried about you love.” He caressed the side of his face. “I love you so much.” 

Regis gave a soft smile. “I love you to. “ 

Regis came out of his thoughts when he heard Geralt slow Roach down. He looked up from his book and smiled brightly. 

He stood and went to the door, meeting Geralt outside. 

Regis smiled as he met him outside. “Hello my friend, how has the path been to you?” 

Geralt smiled back. “A lot kinder now.” 

As Geralt walked closer his medallion started to vibrate. He looked around. “Do you use magic?” 

Regis blinked. “No, can’t say I’ve ever used magic. Come, let’s relax, I’ll build us a fire.”

Once inside, Geralt could sense more magic, more faint now. He looked over and saw a rose in a jar, dead but had faint traces of magic from it. He walked over to it. “Was this a rose of remembrance?” 

Regis didn’t look over as he got the fire place started. “Yes. Dettlaff gifted it to me. Lovely isn’t it?” 

Geralt just stared at Regis. “Regis, it’s dead.” 

Regis turned, looking at it. “What are you talking about? It’s perfectly healthy. Can’t you see it?” 

Geralt frowned. “Something is going on here. You can’t see it’s dead?”

Regis huffed. “No, it’s perfectly healthy.” 

Geralt sighed. “I think Dettlaff might be manipulating you. With magic.” 

Regis frowned. “Why would you think that?  Other than a few fights, which every couple had, we’ve never been better.”

“I can neutralize the magic around you, it’ll prove one of us right.” 

Regis nodded. “Go ahead.” 

Geralt used Yrden on Regis. 

Regis felt like he got punched, nearly gasping before calming. “See? Nothing. Dettlaff would never-“ he stopped as he saw the rose. Dead in its jar. He swallowed. “The rose is dead.” 

Geralt nodded. “Yeah.” 

Regis walked over, grabbing the small jar with a now dead rose. It’s magic almsot completely gone. “It can’t die. If it dies that means-“

“The love isn’t real. And he’s been manipulating you with magic.” 

“Why would he do this?” Regis asked quietly as he reached out and grabbed the jar, staring in shock and horror that this gift was nothing. 

Suddenly the door opened and Dettlaff walked in. Geralt turned to see him, Regis stared at him with watery eyes. 

Dettlaff glared. “So I was right. You were having an affair. And with a Witcher.”

Regis held the jar so tightly it nearly cracked the glass. “The rose is dead, Dettlaff.” 

Dettlaff huffed. “A rose is nothing compared to the beytral-“ 

“I am not having an affair! He’s a friend and this rose, you said was supposed to never die when given to someone you love. It’s dead.” 

Dettlaff scoffed. “It’s only a rose-“

Regis smashed it on the ground, what remaing magic there was flew away with the air. “I also know what you’ve been doing to me, using hypnosis on me. Is that why I didn’t know the rose died? That’s why I was always so calm suddenly after a fight? It was all a lie?” He didn’t even wipe away the tears streaming down his face. 

Dettlaff came closer. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. I knew you started drinking again. So where’s the bloodwine stashed away here?” 

Geralt looked confused. “Bloodwine?”

Regis stiffened and Dettlaff smirked. “He’s not told you?” 

Geralt turned fully to Regis. “Told me what?” 

Dettlaff grinned. “He’s a vampire. A higher vampire, both of us.” 

Regis swallowed, turning to look at Geralt. “I’ll understand if you no longer wish to be my friend.”

“Why would I ever do that? Of course I’m still your friend. And as your friend, I think you should tell your ex lover to leave, before he gets a neck full of sliver.” Geralt said, turning to glare at Dettlaff. Hand on his sliver blades hilt. 

Dettlaff laughed. “You and I both know that would be suicide for you.” 

“Doesn’t mean I won’t try.” 

Regis stood in front of Geralt. “Leave Dettlaff, I don’t want to have to hurt you.” 

Dettlaff laughed. “As much as I wish to see that attempt, I’ll leave instead but I’ll be back. This isn’t over.” He turned to mist in a second and was gone. 

Regis relaxed but was still. Geralt walked closer to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. A sob escaped Regis Before he could hide it. Geralt didn’t hesitate as he engulfed him in his arms, holding him tightly. 

He might be in Toussaint for a while.

Chapter Text

Once Regis calmed down and moved away Geralt spoke. “Are you alright?” 

Regis rubbed his head. “I’m not sure I will be for some time. Gods, hypnoises. I have only ever used hypnosis on patients that need surgery or in tremendous pain. Only good reason to use that damned ability us higher vampires have. I always knew Dettlaff had emotional issues, anger issues but I never thought him to be so troubled as to use it on me.”

“It sounds like he’s possessive. Any reason he would think that way?”

“Remeber how I said he saved my life?” 

Geralt nodded. Regis paced. “Well it’s much more than that. About five years ago, I was at my worst, not just on bloodwine, but human blood. I didn’t care where I got my hit, as long as I got it. This particular village found me at a vulnerable time, drinking from a human adult and I got ambushed, I was stabbed, impaled, burned. They did everything they could to be rid of me, threw my remains into an empty well, tried to bury me. I was a puddle when Dettlaff found me. He used his own blood to help my regeneration process. If he hadn’t found me, I say I’d still be in that well.”

“Sounds like he thinks you owe him for rhat.” 

“And I do! Geralt, when a vampire uses their own blood to aid another vampire, it’s more important than any human could understand. We are blood bonded. And after we are both calm I intend to talk to him. We cannot be romantically involved anymore.”

Geralt glared softly. “You can’t seriously be thinking of continuing to even associate with him. We’ve proven he’s manipulated you several times.” 

“And I owe him for my life Geralt. As I said, being blood bonded is something no human can even seek to understand. Trust me when I say we will no longer be sharing a home let alone a bed.” 

Geralt shook his head. “Well that’s a comfort.” He said, full of sarcasm.  “Any idea of where you’ll live now, sounds like your home isn’t safe.”

Regis frowned. “Honestly? No. I haven’t enough money to properly buy or rent a place and knowing Dettlaff he’ll look into every cemetery crypt for me if he feels it.”

“Are you willing to move out of Toussaint?” 

Regis shook his head. “Absolutely not. This is my home, I’ve helped these people for the past three years, most without charge because they simply cannot afford it. If I leave they may die.” 

Geralt nodded. “Alright. Will you be alright if I leave you alone for a while?” 

Regis nodded. “Yes, I shall be fine, even if he does come back.” 

“Alright, I’ll be back soon then.” 

Geralt got to Roach and sighed, speaking to her as he pet her. “What have I gotten myself into?” He mounted her and trotted off into the city. 

It took him all day and a few contacts but he got what he needed, thanking the man and putting the keys in Roaches saddle bag before riding off.

He got to the hut, nearly dark but candles still on, Geralt could make out voices. 

He looked in the window and saw Regis helping a young boy who got shot with an arrow in his arm.

“I think after this you’ll realize a bow and arrow are not toys.” 

The boy sniffled, only about twelve years old. “Me and my boys won’t touch them ever again. I’ll make sure of it.” The boy cried out in pain suddenly, Regis gently touching his head, Geralt feeling the magic from the hypnosis, using it to calm the boy. “There there, it’s gonna be alright. I know it hurts.” 

Regis cleaned and bandaged the wound. “All patched up.  You best get home, it’s almost dark out.” 

The boy stood from the table, reaching for his coin purse. “How much do I owe you?”  “Can you afford to spend money?” 

“Yeah. It’s just allowance money from helping my mom and dad with chores.” 

Regis smiled. “Then it is what you can afford without spending all your hard earned money.” 

The boy sifted through his coin purse and gave him a good handful. “I’ve been saving up. Nothing special in mind, just know it’s good to save your money. Here, thank you for helping me so I didn’t have to go to my parents for it.”  

Regis took it gratefully. “Sounds like you have good parents. Keep listening to them and you’ll do just fine.” 

The boy smiled. “Thank you again mr. Regis.” He said as he left, jogging out the door and past Geralt, Regis following the boy out. 

Regis saw him. “Did you get your task down?” 

“Yeah. Got a surprise for you.” He got the key ring from his saddle bags, tossing it to the vampire. 

Regis caught it and looked. “Why are you giving me this?” He was confused. Geralt walked closer. “They’re the keys of your new home.” 

Regis nearly gasped. “You did not just spend all your money on me did you?” 

“Not all of it. You said it earlier; you can’t go back to your place and you can’t move out of here or have the money for a place. I very well can’t leave my friend homeless.”

Regis smiled softly, holding the keys tightly. “Take me to it?” 

“Don’t want to pack up first?” 

“No. Not right now. I’m sure Dettlaff is waiting there for me. I’ll close up shop and we can go to my new place immediately.”

Regis went back inside, blew out all the candels and cleaned up before locking the door and going to Geralt. Geralt mounted Roach, holding his hand out to Regis.

Regis took his hand without hesitation and let Geralt help him up. He could easily turn to fog and travel by air but this was a nicer idea to him. Once he was sat behind him Geralt spoke. “Comfortable?”

“Yes, thank you. We can go.”

Geralt ordered Roach to walk and they troded along at a steady pace. 

It was dark and the moon was rising when Geralt stopped Roach. He got down, helping Regis down. Regis frowned. “This is rather, close to the city. Very populated.” 

“Is that a problem?”

Regis frowned, fidgeting with his bags straps. “No, I just worry they may find out…what I am.” 

Geralt led him to the small house. Regis saw someone in one of the windows of the neighboring house to his, looking curious. 

Regis looked away from them as he followed Geralt. 

Regis got the key out and unlocked the door, walking inside. Geralt lit the candles that lay on the wall and Regis looked around the empty room. It certainly needs work. Dents in the wall, floorboards needing replaced and he smelled mold. 

Geralt frowned. “I’m sorry, I know it’s not the nicest and needs work. Im also sorry that I didn’t think to have it away from people-“

 “It’s more than enough. “ Regis said with a smile. “It’s a bit of a fixer-upper but I’m sure I can make this the home I never had.” 

Geralt gave a small smile. “Not just you. I thought I was your friend.” 

Regis smiled and felt butterflies in his stomach when he saw the small smile from his usually stoic friend. “You are.” 

“Want me to head to your crypt? I can start getting some things, books to at least give you something to do.” 

Regis sighed. “I won’t force you but if you feel you must do something , I won’t stop you.” 

Regis told him where he lived and Geralt was off, leaving Regis alone to process everything that’s happened today. 

Chapter Text

When Geralt got to the crypt, he used his senses to see if Dettlaff was inside or even nearby. Thankfully, he was alone. He walked inside, seeing the cozy home Regis made for himself. 

He had some hefty bookcases so filled they’re stuffed, books on top of books. He walked further and saw his alchemy lab and various herbs drying, hung up from the ceiling. He definitely will not be able to take every book and belonging but he can try and get the most important ones. 

He went up to the alchemy lab and gathered all the books he saw there, some already open. His senses picked up buzzing, from outside. He got the books to Roach, tying them up before investigating. 

He walked around and saw a beekeeper hive. He’ll have to ask Regis about it, right now he got some of the books and various herbs from the ceiling and left. 

Regis stayed inside, thinking and rethinking every moment with Dettlaff, wondering how much of their time together he manipulated him. How much of it was a lie. He felt his eyes water, wiping the tears away. 

“Regis, are you alright?” He heard the familiar voice. He turned, seeing Mercy at his window. He went to the door, opening it. “Mercy, what are you doing here? How did you find me?” 

She walked inside. “I have my ways. Now, are you alright? Has Dettlaff hurt you?”

Regis glared softly. “Physically, no. But I am hurting.” 

“Dettlaff came to see me, claimed you and he had some fight, that you tried to kill him. I knew it was bollocks when he told me but I pretended to believe him, to calm him. He’s told some others this lie, you may not be safe in Toussaint.” 

“Well too bad, not only did my dear friend buy me this house because he worried for my safety but I serve the people who cannot afford to go to a doctor. Many could die if I leave.” 

Mercy nodded. “I will not force you, I only wanted to warn you.” 

“Regis? What’s going on?” Geralt was in the door, hand on the hilt of his silver sword. Regis turned to him. “Geralt, this is my friend, Mercy, she’s another higher vampire. She’s known Dettlaff longer than me, she’s been helping him with his issues.” 

Mercy spoke next, looking at Geralt. “I promise I mean no harm. I came to warn Regis. Dettlaff has put a target on him. He accused him of not just starting their fight but attempting to kill him. A higher vampire can only be truly killed by another higher vampire and thus it is strictly forbidden in our species. Because of Dettlaffs lie Regis now may be a target.” 

Geralt huffed. “That’s just great.” He turned to Regis. “I got some of your books, and herbs you had drying. Gonna have trouble getting the lab and beehive here.” 

Regis smiled softly to him. “That’s alright. We can figure that out, the bees shall be fine. We won’t have our first frost for weeks.” 

Mercy spoke up. “I found you by your scent of herbs and incense. You may want to change it, if I found you that way, Dettlaff can too.”

Regis nodded. “I’ll put that into consideration, thank you for this warning.”

Mercy nodded before turning into fog and leaving out the window. 

Geralt huffed. “Maybe I bought this too soon.” 

Regis walked closer to him. “It’s more than enough. I doubt any time would be a good time concerning this situation. Now what books have you brought?” 

He started to walk outside where Geralt went to Roach, getting the books for him. 

Regis held at least five, looking them over. “Good.  Medical journals and notes. I was afraid I would have had to redo all my herbalism notes.” 

Geralt leaned against the wall, crossing his arms in a relaxed manner. “Have you ever thought of going to medical school? Becoming a certified doctor?” 

Regis nodded. “I have and I thought better against it. Between money and the fact I’m not human, it would be more than difficult. I would rather I never try than get kicked out or outright banned from the city if I’m found what I am.”

Geralt frowned. “Shame. The world could use a doctor like you.”

Regis shrugged, taking his books inside as he talked. “What? A doctor that’s also a monster.” 

“A doctor that actually cares.” 

Regis stopped, looking to Geralt, he’s never realized how comforting it was to be validated and supported. “Oh, yes. I’m sure they’re doctors that care, they’re just bloody expensive to go to.”

Once the books were brought in, Regis smiled. “Thank you very much for doing this for me.” 

Geralt looked around, the place was still empty, when he looked around the crypt he saw almost no furniture save for a chair and a worn out bedmat. 

“Want me to look out for furniture for you?” 

Regis looked around inside. “Yes. I suppose I’ll have to now.” 

Geralt nearly chuckled. “You already need a bookshelf.” 

Regis smiled back. “My books are more necessity than a bed at times.”  He sat on the ground with them. Geralt followed, sitting as well. “Explain to me what these books are, I’m curious what’s inside them.” Geralt said. 

Geralt felt his heart nearly leap out of his chest when he saw Regis smile brightly. “Oh you might regret that my friend.”

Unknown to them, Dettlaff was back at Regis little healing hut, lighting a torch and throwing it inside where the fire spread and licked at the walls and herbs hanging, burning to nothing. 

Chapter Text

By daybreak Geralt had fallen asleep to Regis talking about medical science and herbs and what his favorites are. 

When Regis stood to go to his Herbal hut, Geralt woke. “Sorry, guess I fell asleep.” 

Regis smiled. “That’s quite alright. I have to go open shop, though I do have a favor to ask you.”

Geralt stood. “Ask away.”

“Would you be able to find a way to get my lab here? I do use that to make slaves and teas and various other things from my herbs.” 

Geralt nodded. “I can do that.” 

Regis smiled. “Good. Thank you so much. I’m not sure I can ever repay you back for your good gesture and generosity.” 

“Don’t have to. I wasn’t about to leave a friend homeless, especially in your situation.” 

“Still. It’s more than most would ever do. I promise I will find a way to repay you. Now I must take me leave. I shall see you tonight, hopefully with a lab as well.” He turned to mist and was gone, out the door. 

When he got to his hut, he was horrified. 

He saw not just the ashes of his shop but several of his regulars out by it, looking just as horrified and in tears. 

The kid he just helped last night with the arrow in his arm ran up to him. “Dr. Regis, your shop, we tried to save it.” 

Regis spoke around the lump growing on his throat. “What to do you mean?”

“Well my mum saw smoke last night and I saw it too. I saw it coming from your shop and ran. She followed. It was ablaze, several already came over with water in buckets but…” the boy wiped his eyes. “It didn’t help. We really tried sir.” 

Regis swallowed his tears down and kneeled down to the boy. “You did all you could. Thank you.” 

Another came over, a women, holding her son on her hip, the women form days ago, her son having stomach pain. “Oh Mr. Regis, this is awful. Who would do this? There was no storm last night so can’t blame any lighting.” 

Regis let out a shaking breath, feeling his composure going. “I don’t know.” He lied. He knew exactly who did this but they didn’t need to know his terrible situation.

He was about to leave, to go cry and mourn the loss of his shop and plants and herbs when the mother came close hugging him. “You’ve helped so many of us, this time we’re going to help you.” 

Even the little boy hugged him best he could. 

Regis broke, sobbing into her embrace. When they released he heard someone taking lead. “Alright! Enough crying, Mr. Regis here has helped us, this time we’re helping him. We need as much lumber as we can get. And herbs, does anyone have any herbs?” 

“I’ve been growing some for years, I can donate those.”

“Wait, we should build this in a better location, that way if something happens again we can act faster.”

One of the older men turned to Regis. “Mr…Dr.Regis, would it be ok if we rebuilt it closer in the city? That way if this happens again we can act faster to save it and maybe even catch the man that did rhis.” 

Regis was astonished, watching them all figure out how to help him and build it back from scratch. “Yes. Yes, that would be fine, you make a good argument.” 

Meanwhile  Geralt made the long trip to Novigrad. He needed more than a few hands getting Regis lab and beehive. 

He found the Rosemary and Tyme and quickly found his friends. Zoltan saw him first, going over with his hand out for a hearty shake. “Geralt! What brings your mug over to our place? Girl trouble?”

“Trouble but not girl trouble, though it sounds like it should be.” 

“Let’s get you a drink and you can tell us all about it.” 

After a drink or two, Dandilion was in shock of this story. “Hypnosis? On his own partner? How could someone do that?”

Zoltan was just as mad about it. “Vampire or not, no one deserves that kind of relationship. And it sounds like this Regis fellow especially doesn’t deserve it.” 

Geralt shook his head. “One of the kindest people I’ve met this far on the path. I used up most my spare money to get him a new place. His current home wasn’t safe but it brought problems. He has an alchemy lab that he uses for his business; creates salves, teas, potions, that sort of thing but I can’t bring it to his new place alone, it’s too big.” 

Zoltan nodded. “I can get some of me boys to help ya.” 

“He also has a beehive he uses for his herbs, for pollination and for their honey, think they’ll be able to bring that?” 

Zoltan sighed. “That would have to be a second trip. They got the one cart and I doubt any of them would want to carry Bees in hand.” Dandelion chuckled. “I doubt the bees would be happy about it.” 

Zoltan turned to Geralt. “When do you need us?” 

“Soon as possible.” 

Zoltan nodded. “Aye. It might be a few hours but I’ll gather me boys and we can go.” 

The sun was nearly set by the time they got the alchemy lab, more books, a bookcase (one of the dwarfs wanted to show off by carrying it) the beehive and the bedmat. 

Who’s hadn’t returned which was fine, he could keep watch on everything outside until he comes back from his day.  

He paid what he could to Zoltan who declined. “This was an act of charity Geralt, no pay necessary. I hope everything works out for your friend.” 

Dandiion (who went with them simply to see what was going on and maybe make a balled or two out of it) spoke up. “When can we meet this Regis? I’ve been dying to meet him.” 

Geralt shrugged. “Not sure. He usually closes up shop pretty late, likes to stay open late as possible to help as many as he can-Regis?” He said, shocked, seeing Regis walking up to them from behind Dandelion. They all turned. 

Geralt worried, he smelled ash on him, as if he were in a fire. His mood was also drastically different from earlier.  He went to him. “What happened?” 

Regis stared at him, eyes numb of emotion. “How do you know something’s happened?” 

“You smell like ash.” 

Regis was so emotionally  tired he didn’t care if Geralt's friends saw him cry, not even bothering to wipe his tears away. “Dettlaff burned my shop down, plants and all.” 

Everyone was in shock, Danion being the loudest. “How could someone do such a thing?” Regis looked at him, wiping his face. “I’ve wondered the same thing. But then a wonderful thing happened, it’s still hard to believe it. Many of the people I’ve helped over the years was already at the remains, all trying to figure out how to help. They all pitched in, some donating lumber, some donating their own herbs they’ve been growing, even wanted to move it closer to the city so they can better help if this should happen again.” 

Geralt frowned. “Then why are you so sad about that?” 

“Cause they have no idea what I am. I’m sure if they knew they’d surely try to hunt me down again.” 

Zoltan eyes for big. “Again?” 

Regis turned to him. “It’s a long story. You’re welcome to stay for it, along with brewing salves and potions I do know my way around making mandrake hooch.” 

Zoltan laughed heartily. “Aye Mr. Regis, I’m always here for free hooch. Let’s get your stuff set up fist.”

Chapter Text

It was about two hours later, the moon shining on the ground as the crew drank and listened to Regis story. 

Dandilion was the first to respond to it, wiping away tears from his eyes. “My gods, I’m so sorry a partner, and one who help you so much, did this to you. I can’t even imagine what I would do in your shoes.”

Zoltan nodded. “Aye! Tis a horrible situation. How long until you think you can be up and running again?” 

Regis frowned, holding his cup. “At least a year. Winter will be here soon and thus I won’t be able to grow my plants back quickly. I had a dry storage for winter but it’s all ash now.”  He took a deep drink of the mandrake hooch, trying to hide the shaking in his voice. 

Dandilion spoke up. “You can still help people, even without the herbs right? You’re a barber-surgeon.” 

Regis nodded. “That is true but I don’t like having to resort to surgery unless absolutely necessary. It carries with it too much risk.” 

Zoltan looked to Geralt who had been pacing, watching out the windows in case Dettlaff came back. “Geralt, what about Yennifer? Could her magic help?” 

Geralt turned. “I doubt she would want to help, she barely wants to help people she knows.” 

Dandilion spoke up. “What about Triss? I’m sure she’d be happy to help. It’s just magically growing a few plants.”

Regis chuckled weakly. “It’s quite more than a few. At least a hundred varieties of herbs were there, growing and dried.” 

Dandilion frowned, genuinely sad about Regis situation. “Is there really nothing we can do?”

Zoltan spoke up. “Not for the herbs but me and my boys could help build your shop, get something up and running.” 

“I see I won’t be able to stop you even I said no. So I won’t even try.” Regis said with a weak smile, taking a sip of his drink. 

Zoltan turned to the crew, various other dwaves. “We got a job boys. Let’s get going, start planning. Regis, would you be able to show me where it’s being built? Tell me how you want the shop to look?”

Regis nodded. “Of course. It’s about a mile away from here. Follow me.” He put his drink down and started to walk out the door. Zoltan, his crew and Dandilion followed. Geralt stayed behind, wanting to keep watch over the new house. 

It was about an hour later when Regis came back alone. Geralt spoke. “Where did the rest go?” 

“Back to Novigrad. Zoltan wants to gather everything they need and rest up since it’s such a long trip for them. I’ve still no idea why they would want to help me. They know what I am.”  Regis said with a frown. 

“Because we’ve all been there. Me, Zoltan, we’ve both been treated differently because of what we are. I can’t say the same about Dandilion, he just has a bleeding heart and a want to make ballads. His hearts in the right place though.

Regis just gave a nod to that, picking his drink off the floor to take another drink. 

Geralt went to him and took the glass. “How many glasses have you had tonight?” 

Regis gave a weak glare. “What does it matter? What feels like my life’s work is ruined. It could take years to get it back to what it was. Herbs can be notoriously hard to grow, even for professionals.” 

“And? First day we met I saw you preform surgery. Why can’t you open it as a medical first aid until your herbs grow?” 

Regis looked away, feeling like a pouting child at all the advice and solutions Geralt has given. “I’m sorry for my behavior tonight. Right now, I'm extremely depressed. I don’t think I felt this bad since Dettlaff told me once an addict, always an addict. If not for my shop I may have killed myself then. It’s the reason why I became an addict. Higher vampires, like humans, all have their own unique talent. Mine, unfortunately, was empathy. It brings depression and at times, anxiety as side effect.”

“Sounds pretty human to me. That’s the same reasons most other addicts get addicted to their Vice; they’re highly empathetic, depressed because of that sometimes.” 

Regis just gave a nod. “I apologize asking this but I don’t trust myself tonight and am craving to go find blood. I know Witcher’s have the potion black blood. Would you be able to use that, stay with me tonight? I don’t trust myself.” 

Geralt gave a weak smile. “Sure but I’m not sure what I can do to stop you. You’re a higher vampire, it would be suicidal for me to try to fight you.”

Regis gave a weak chuckled. “I don’t have plans on sleeping. I thought we could talk, I’d love to hear your stories from the path.” 

Geralt sat down on the floor. “Deal but in return I want to hear your stories, how you became an addict, left your people.” 

Regis sat down as well. “That my dear Witcher will require much more hooch.”

One night ago

Dettlaff threw the torch, watching how the straw roof was engulfed in seconds. The fire consumed the little hut fast but he heard footsteps, yelling from up the small hill. He turned to mist, fleeing the scene before they could see him. 

He stayed and watched, invisible as he saw people rush and attempt to put it out. He could smell the various herbs inside burning into one big incense. It would have smelled lovely to him if not for the guilt that suddenly grew bigger in his chest the more he watched. He growled, angrily he left, misting. 

When he got back to the former shared crypt, he growled to himself, arguing with himself.“Damn it all! Why did I do that? Cause I had to! He didn’t give me a choice! He loves those humans more than me! But it was his life’s greatest work. All that work to grow his damned herbs. Gone! I need to talk to Mercy.” He turned to mist again and was gone.

Chapter Text

The next day Regis and Geralt walked up the road to his new area for his shop. Regis noticed how exhausted Geralt looked, guilt  ate him. “I’m sorry to have kept you from sleep for a nearly a second time.”

Geralt just gave a weak smile. “Not the first time I’ve lost sleep, nothing to apologize for. You needed help. I didn’t want you to cave into your craving and I end up with a contract for you.” 

“That would be rather terrible for both of us. Still, I shall find a way to make up your generousity.” 

Geralt stopped Regis, hand on his arm. “Hey, you have nothing to pay back. This isn’t a transaction. You’re a friend, a dear friend to me and I’m not going to just leave you to struggle on your own. I…” Geralt looked away, trying to find the right words, Regis has been meaning more and more to him, the more they spend together. Was it really friendship or something more? “I just want to see you happy. That’s how you can pay me back.” 

Regis just stared into Geralts eyes with shock. He’s never had someone tell him he owed nothing in return for helping him. With Dettlaff (and many other vampires) there was always a bit of a transaction when it came to relationships, it’s one of many reasons becoming blood bonded to aid another vampire was taken so seriously, because you owed them something that can never be repaid.  “Oh. I…I don’t know what to say.” 

“Don’t have to say anything. Let’s get going.” 

As they continued walking, many people Regis recognized smiled and waved to him, many he helped. He waved back, smiling weakly, still not used to the idea people care so much for him. 

He let out a breath. “Here we are, what will be my new shop.” Geralt looked around the area, it was close to the main city of Beauclaire. many other shops and businesses were around but no room for a garden so he’d probably have to have his herb garden at home. A few of the locals were already helping. One of the older women came over. “Hello Mr. Regis. I brought you some of my herbs to get you started. I know winter will be coming soon and you won’t be able to grow them but I have so much stocked for spices I can spare a donation.”

Regis smiled softly. “Thank you very much. You’re much too kind.” 

She playfully swatted his shoulder. “Nonsense! You need these herbs to keep helping people who need it. I don’t need all the Rosemary in the world to make a good soup or Cinnamon to make a good pie. These poor people, they need a doctor like you.” She handed over the rather large box. 

Regis took it gratefully. “I won’t forget this generosity.” She gave a smile, gave him a kiss on the cheek and left. 

Geralt almost chuckled at how shocked Regis looked. Suddenly they were interrupted by Zoltan. “Aye! Top’o the morning laddies!” 

They turned and saw Zoltan and his crew with a horse drawn wagon carrying several types of lumber and paint cans. Regis put the box down, speaking to Geralt. “I’ll let the locals know they will be helping.” Geralt nodded and Regis went to talk to the others who were already started, only slightly on the new place. 

Zoltan jumped down. “So? How’s he doing today?” Geralt shrugged. “Better than last night.” 

“Aye. I could tell this whole situation had brought him down, as it would anyone. Can’t imagine putting all that work and labor into soemthing only for it to turn to ash by the one who saved your life. But nothing is going to happen if we stand and wallow in pity.”  He turned to his crew. “Aye! Let’s get to work! Mr. Regis needs his new shop built yesterday lads! Com’on!” 

Regis came back to Geralt. “Would it be rude if we went back to my house? I’d like to go through the herbal donation.” 

“Sure. Curious at what you got too.” 

As they walked by Geralt and Regis both noticed some flyers, walking more they saw the person putting them up, a box full before walking away to continue his work. 

Regis walked over to it, reading it. 

All doctors and herbalists wanted 

An outbreak of the black plague is taking over areas of Novigrad, any and all help to contain and heal would be greatly appreciated and welcomed. 

Regis looked to Geralt. “Do your friends know of this? They came from Novigrad.”

Geralt shrugged. “Guess we should ask them. Going to take the offer?”

Regis gave a weak smile. “Well it would help time go by while I wait for my shop to be built. Go talk to your friends and I’ll get these into my home.” 

Geralt walked back up the path, going to Zoltan who was hammering away on a piece of lumber. “Hey Zoltan. Did you know the plague is going around Novigrad?” 

Zoltan frowned. “I saw a few cases but I didn’t think it was that bad. There’s always some illness flying around.” 

“Someone was just putting up flyers, asking for doctors of any sort to help. You might want to stay in Toussaint for a while.”

Zoltan sighed. “Aye. Should we send word to Dandilion? Wherever the problem area is, it’s not by the tavern.” 

“Might be a good idea. Regis might go there to help out.” 

Zoltan smiled. “Ah, good. They could use one like him. Even if many don’t make it, they will know how cared for they are. I have a feeling it’s the poorer areas, they always live so close together and never have the money to properly clean.”

Regis came back. “Zoltan? Did you hear?” 

Zoltan nodded. “Aye. I have. If it’s a comfort, the area I’m from wasn’t affected, or at least not when I left. These illness tend to affect the poorer areas; cramped living conditions, poverty stricken and can’t clean up properly as a result.”

Regis looked to Geralt. “Geralt, I will take their offer. Right now I’m no help to anybody while my shop is being rebuilt, this way I can help those most in need. I’ll alert Dandelion, where does he live?” 

Zoltan smiled. “He lives in his tavern,  the Rosemary&Tyme.” 

“I will look for it. While I’m away on this mission you’re all welcome to stay at my home. I’d hate for it to go to waste and you need somewhere to stay.” 

Zoltan smiled. “Thank you, that’s quite generous of ye, letting a bunch of almsot strangers into your home.” 

“Well good thing I don’t have many belongings, unless you’re interested in stealing my books and lab.” 

Zoltan just chuckled. “You’re a good one.” He stick his hand out, Regis took the hand and shook. “Good luck on your mission Mr. Regis.” 

“Thank you and good luck in your project.” 

He turned to Geralt with a sad look. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone. It might be quite a long while before we meet paths again. Thank you, for all your help and generosity.” 

Regis held out his hand to shake his but Geralt swatted it away before hugging him gently. “Think we know each other enough that we don’t have to shake hands. I know you’re going to help a lot of people and I know we will see each other again, no question about that.” 

They pulled away and Regis eyes were shining with a sad smile on his face before he turned to mist and he was gone. 

Zoltan elbowed Geralts side, at least what he could reach. “So? How long you’ve fancied him?”

Geralt nearly blushed. “I don’t. He’s a friend.” 

“Oh ok, so when are you going to buy Triss her own place for safety or Yennifer.”

“Shut up.”

Chapter Text

When Regis arrived in Novigrad it was as Zoltan expected. The richer areas don’t seem to be touched but many areas, leading to the poor areas were closed off with warning signs. The bridge to Novigrad was also closed, with no entry or exit. Many people grumbled and tried to argue with the knights. 

Regis walked up front, going to the knights. “Excuse me-“ 

“It’s closed! No one in or out of the city, kings orders!”

“I’m a doctor and herbalist, I’m here about the outbreak.” 

The knight softened. “Ah, sorry then sir.” He yelled over to the other side of the gate. “Open up! We got a doctor!” The gate opened enough to let him in, keeping any stray runaways at bay and letting to close once he was in. 

A knight came over to him. “Hello Doctor…” 

“Regis. My name is Regis.” 

“Dr. Regis, welcome, allow me to show you to the qurenteine area.” 

“Would it be alright if I looked around? A friend of mine is here and I wanted to see how he’s doing. He’s at the Rosemary& Tyme.” 

“Afraid not. We’ve had too many try to pretend to be a doctor and then run off. I’m to escort you to The Bits immediately. Please, follow me.” 

“The Bits?”

“It’s the poverty stricken section.”

Regis followed and hoped that Dandelion was doing well. He kept his hands in his pockets, not wanting to draw attention to his claw-like nails. He dreads having to cut them but it’s better to suffer than to be outed. 

Once to The Bits, he unlocked the door and let him inside. Immediately Regis could smell death. It hung in the air heavily as another knight led him to the quarters all the doctors will be staying in, with little privacy other than using the restroom and sanitation.

He went to an unclaimed bed, furtherst from the others. One of the doctors came over, dressed in full with the famously dressed in the macabre bird mask and dark leathers. 

“Ah. A new recruit, I’m Dr.Taulor.” 

“I’m Regis, glad to meet you. How are things so far? I’m afraid I just got here.” 

“Bleak. Most we can do is document and try to give them some comfort as they pass. We have no way of treating them.” 

“Have you tried any herbs? They can be quite useful, especially for sickness.” 

“We have not, other than to keep away the stench of death and shit. We haven’t an experienced enough herbalist thus far. I trust you are one? Considering your questions.” 

Regis gave a little proud smile. “I am. I used to treat people back home in Toussaint, many made full recoveries, most were injures or mothers needing a midwife. I have a few plans on how to treat this but I need to observe what’s going on first, May I shadow you for today?” 

“Of course! And make sure you take many notes. Do you have a plague uniform?” 

“I’m afraid I don’t.” 

“Not a problem, Cecelia can make you one, she’s our seamstress for the new doctors.” 

“How many doctors are here currently?” 

“About four. Not many have taken the job. I don’t blame them. It feels like we are fighting an unwinnable battle.”

“And where can I get a supply of herbs and possibly an alchemy lab? I used one back in Toussaint to make various salves and teas.” 

“Oh we have a lab upstairs for use, herbs are little more difficult but can be managed. Simply write down a list of herbs you need and one of the knights in this area can relay the message to the other side. I’ll show you to the lab.” 

Regis followed the doctor up the creaking staircase where he saw an alchemy lab that’s seen better days and a women near an area of sewing. 

She smiled. “Oh a new doctor, hello. I’m Cecila. I make all the gear for the doctors. Let me get your measurements and I’ll get you ready for healing.” 

Dr. Talour scoffed. “Of what healing can be done.”  She frowned as she went to her basket and got measuring tape. He felt bad. “Sorry. Just bitter.” 

Regis spoke, letting her take measurements. “It can be hard not to be, just don’t let your paitants see that. How old is that alchemy lab? It looks like it needs repaired.” 

“It certainly does. As I said, none of us have the proper herbal experience or knowledge to use it. We brought it just in case we could use it. It will most likely need some care before it’s use.” 

The seamstress smiled. “All done, I’ll get your gear ready while you fix the lab? Kill two birds with one stone as they say.”

Regis smiled. “You’re quote positive in the bleak atmosphere.” 

She went to her sewing area. “Everything is already bleak enough, what use will it be to add to it?” Regis just smiled, going over tot he lab and seeing what needs fixed. He got his notebook out, feather pen and his ink for it, getting started on writing down the supplies he would need. 

He had three pages, full, when he was done and when he was done, so was the seamstress. She smiled a share brough over his new uniform of blackened leather and bird mask. 

“It’s ready for you.” He smiled to her, being careful not to show his fangs. “Thank you very much. Now who do I give my list too?” 

“There’s a few knights on patrol, find one and they can hand the list to the other side and gather the supplies for you.” 

“And are they covered? I’m afraid I won’t be able to pay for them.” 

“Of course! Right now all the merchants are giving away things like herbs and fresh water to the plague effort.” 

“Oh good. I’ll go find one.” He walked down the stairs and went out the door, he found a knight quickly. “Excuse me! Knight!” 

The knight saw him, walking over. “Yes doctor?” 

Regis swallowed down the correction that he’s not a doctor. “I have a list of herbs I need, would you be able to get them for me or give the message to the other side?”

The knight nodded. “Right away sir.” Regis handed the papers over and the knight looked at them. “Hmm. Never heard of using Honey.” 

“It’s very good for wound healing, that’s something I think we most definitely will need.” 

“And what’s ech…echi..”

“Ecenchia. It’s those purple cone flowers, it’s great for small illness, if you catch it early, not sure how much help it can be here but it never hurts to try.” 

The knight smiled. “Herbs are really interesting. Maybe when this calms down you can teach me a bit about them.” 

Regis smiled. “Absolutely. Thank you again for your work. What’s your name so I know who to find?” 

“It’s Regis.”

The knight nodded and walked away toward the entrance. Regis went back inside to look at the lab and how much repair it might need. He was already fighting off the hopeless feeling that permeated the area.

Back in Toussaint, Geralt could almost see the shop coming together. Most of the floor and skeleton of the shop was up but it was nearly sunset and most had gone home to make dinner, Zoltan and his crew included.

Geralt put the hammer he was using into its area with the other tools when he heard a voice behind him. 

“Where is he?” 

He turned, seeing Dettlaff, trying his hardest not to show fear. He glared. “Not here.” 

Dettlaff took two steps toward him. “He’s closed off his bond, he’s not here, did you do something to him?!”  He nearly growled. 

“I haven’t done anything other than help him after you destroyed his life’s work. He’s not here for a good reason but I’m not telling you where he is.” Geralt got a black blood potion out of his side bag, drinking it down. 

“You know I can hypnotize it out of you.” 

“But you haven’t.” Gearalt replied, his hand on his silver sword.  Dettlaff growled, claws extending. “Last chance Witcher, tell me where Regis is before I force it out of you.” 

“You won’t force it out of me. You would have done that already. Feeling guilt? For manipulating Regis? Good.” 

Do I not scare you?”

“You do. But I'd rather die than rat out to you where Regis is.” 

Dettlaff was confused. His claws went back to normal before turning to mist and leaving. 

Geralt sighed, relieved he wasn’t dead and relieved that Dettlaff seems to be feeling enough guilt not to use hypnosis on anyone. 

But the fact he’s poking around and probably knows where Regis shop will be, not good.

Chapter Text

Once Regis got the alchemy lab in working order and his herbal order came in, he put on the plauge uniform, filling the bird beak of his mask with various herbs to help ward off the stench of death. 

He found Dr. Taulor. He turned, picking his own mask off his bed. “Ah, ready to work?” 

“Yes. As I stated, I’d like to shadow you first so I can see exactly what we’re dealing with, I’ll be taking notes as well.” 

“Splendid. Oh, here, you’ll need this as well. The uniform is enough but people really like it when they know you’re truly a doctor and caretaker under the mask.” 

Regis saw the pin he was holding out, it was the most universal medical symbol; the staff of Hermes. A staff with wigs coming out for top. “Oh but I’m not a formal doctor, I haven’t gone to medical school.” 

“When you’re here, helping people, creating salves and treatments, you’re a doctor. Now put it on.” 

Regis put it on, pinning it into the leather and clasping it. The doctor smiled. “Very good. Like I said, you might be an herbalist but to these people, sick and dying, you’re a doctor, herbs included. Now put the mask on, put some vinegar on your hands and let’s go.” 

Regis just nodded, following instructions, seeing a small tub near the door, filled with vinegar. He hasn’t cut his nails down yet. He swallowed, backing away before going into a small corner, his mask wasn’t on yet so he could still trim them. 

He quickly bit them, ripping the tips off, which hurt like hell but healed in seconds. He went back out, put his mask on and washed his hands in the vinegar. 

When he got outside and properly looked around, he realized this was a good chunk of the city. He had forgotten how large Novigrad was. It’s poverty stricken section at least one-third of Novigrad. 

The doctor seemed to just go hosue to hosue, there wasn’t one medical area set up for sick to go. Regis took note of that. 

The doctor knocked on the door, the owner opening the door immediately with tears in his eyes. “Oh thank the gods, please, my wife, she’s pregnant, please help her.” 

He nearly shoved them inside. The doctor spoke. “Where is she?” The husband showed them upstairs where a young woman lay on the bed, coughing hard and wet.

Chest congestion 

Regis noted. He went to her, felt her forehead which was burning up. 

Fever. A very high fever. 

He saw the doctor doing the same. Regis noticed the women didn’t seem to notice them. 

Possible delirium from the fever 

He gently shook her. “Mam, can you hear me?” He turned to the husband. “What’s her name?” 

“Emily. Her name is Emily.” 

Regis went back to speaking to her. “Emily, can you hear me?” 

He saw a light of reocinion for a second before her body was overtaken by coughing, blood coming up with it. 

He looked at her belly, feeling it, speaking to his fellow doctor. “I believe she’s about six months pregnant.” 

Dr. Taulor looked over her body and lymph nodes. “Not concerned with the pregnancy. We care about that after we cure her. If we can. She’s coughing up blood, delilurus with fever, bulbbos have formed, unfortunately the illness has progressed too far for us to even try to cure.” 

Regis stayed silent, looking at her belly, willing her body to heal for the tiny life inside of it.  

The husband heard him. “She can’t be cured?” His voice thick. Dr. Taulor spoke up. “We can try but the illness is far too progressed for a cure. We can try to heal her, whcih may cause her more suffering or we can make her comfortable.” 

The husband cried, wiping his tears away. “We tried to find a doctor earlier, days ago, we knew when it was early but there’s none around and there’s so many of us.” 

Regis fought back his own emotions and tears. One thing he could never do as a doctor; stay objective and not show intense emotions around the patients. He’s always been far too compassionate and far too empathetic to not feel this intensely. 

The husband swallowed his tears. “Then, when she passes, could you do me a favor and cut the baby out? I want to give them both a proper funeral.” 

Dr. Taulor nodded. “That can be arranged. These kind of circumstances are the worst case and I can’t begin imagine the pain you’re in.” 

“How can you make her comfortable?” 

Before the doctor spoke up, Regis did. 

“With a special tea. It would help her pass away, more gracefully and with little pain. She would just…fall asleep.” 

The man nodded. “Sounds like a lovely way to go.” 

“I can also put together a preventative measure for you. You don’t seem affected yet so prevention will most likely work.”

The doctor turned to regis, smiling behind his mask. “You’re a natural at this. Why don’t you start, doesn’t seem like you need to shadow me.” 

“Thank you. I still would rather shadow you for a bit more. I’ve never seen the Black Death and want to take notes on how to possibly treat it. Once I’ve seen enough I plan to go back and start working on treatments. I also recommend we have some sort of hospital, people like her could have been saved if there was a main area to go to to find help.” 

“That we would need to talk to the knights, but this is The Bits. Only reason it’s being treated and closed off is they don’t want it spreading outside of it. I’m sure you’ve seen, Novigrad is not the most welcoming of places.”

They went to several other houses, Regis taking notes and the doctor trying to treat them and comfort them. 

By the end of the day, Regis felt emotionally exhausted and drained. So many children and families torn apart by this disease. 

But he had a job to do, no time for tears. 

He found one of the knights. “Excuse me.”

The knight turned to him. “Yes doctor?” 

“We need a hospital. I was told to find you about one.”

“A hospital? You can’t treat them in their houses?”

“We can but there simply is not enough doctors to treat everyone one at a time. With a hospital we can treat more people, prevent it more, people who catch signs early can be cured but we need to treat as soon as possible.”

The knight sighed. “I’ll let the king know but-“ 

“No. You will build one.” Regis has had enough of being nice, he could have saved people already if they had a hospital. He touched the man’s arm, using his hypnosis on him. 

“And you will build one immediately. It doesn’t need to be the best, it just needs to be an area for the sick and for the doctors to go to to treat them. I don’t care if you change a bar into a hospital or a church, we need one immediately.” 

The knight nodded. “Yes doctor, right away.” He turned, nearly running to the next knight he could find and then both ran off. Regis sighed heavily, he hated using hypnosis on something other than surgery but people will die without one. 

He went into the house the doctors were staying in, someone coming over immediately with a rag wet with vinegar and washed his gear down head to toe.  

Once that was done he took the bird mask off and took in a deep breath that he almsot regretted, the smell of death came back but he could at least breath normally again. Although higher vampires technically don’t need air, it’s very uncomfortable without it. 

Dr.Taulor  came over, Regis able to see him now without his gear on. He had dark circles under his eyes. “So? How was the first day?” 

Regis stayed silent. Dr.Taulor  just nodded in understanding. “I know. It’s not easy, seeing them die and being unable to do anything-“

“But we can! Why wasn’t a hospital built for us? Why wasn’t a large building converted to one?! That woman’s life could have been saved if there was one. Her and her unborn child.” 

Regis turned away, feeling eyes on him and his outburst. The doctor walked closer. “That’s because this is The Bits. Everyone here is in poverty or worse. The king doesn’t care about them, doesn’t care what happens to them. He only pretends to care  because of the possibility of it spreading to the wealthy, that’s it. He doesn’t care of who lives or dies, so long as it leaves the wealthy alone. And unfortunately, there’s nothing more we can do. The Black Death, it just takes and takes and takes. Disease doesn’t discriminate my friend.” 

Regis felt  his eyes water before he turned sharply, going up the stairs to the laboratory, he had treatments to make. Thankfully he was alone in the lab/sewing room. He went to the window, searching for any ravens. One found him. He spoke gently to it before sitting down at the desk and writing a letter to Geralt. He gently tied the letter to the birds ankle and told him who to look for before letting him go. 

It was late in the evening, Zoltan, using some of the money Dandilion gave him for the project to buy some furniture for Regis new home, especially since they needed somewhere to sleep. 

Geralt planned to stay until the project was done, maybe even more. He felt the need seeing this though, and the townspeople didn’t mind, they had a Witcher now for all the pest needs. As Geralt was roasting a few chickens over the fire, a raven came to the window, cawing at him. 

Zoltan looked over. “Aye, what a beautiful bird. Luckily us.”

Geralt walked closer, the bird staring at him. “Not lucky. Regis sent this.” He saw the letter tied to the birds ankle. He gently took it off. The bird didn’t leave. Either expecting to write a reply back or to tip  in in some form of food. 

He opened the letter, leaning against the wall to read it. 

My dear Witcher,

The situation in Novigrad is far worse than I ever expected. Zoltan was correct, it’s in the poverty stricken area of the city although I wish I spread to the wealthy at times.  there’s only four doctors, including myself and no hospital for the sick. I had to fight for one. I’ve been here one day and have already seen several people die, including young children and a young woman who was pregnant. I try to remain hopeful that I can at least prevent some illness with my herblisim knowledge. 

I hope all is well, please give my gratitude and greetings to Zoltan and his crew. 

Your friend, Regis. 

Geralt must have not masked his face for the horrors in the letter. Zoltan saw it. “Is he alright?” 

“Yeah, just dealing with some horrific conditions, he’s been there one day and has seen children die from this disease and a young women who was pregnant.” 

Zoltan shook his head. “I can’t imagine the despair he must be feeling.” 

“He also had to fight for a hospital. Because it’s in the poverty stricken area, all they did was close it off and asked for help containing it. They didn’t build a hospital or demand doctors for it.” 

“But there was flyers being hung about everywhere.”

“Those flyers asked, didn’t demand or require.” 

Zoltan frowned. “Well if anyone can help those poor folk, it’s Regis. Clearly he’s helped more than he thinks, half the town has been helping us and donating herbs. By the time he’s back, he won’t have to worry about growing them.”

Chapter Text

During his day he was glad to see the knights started to actively build more of the hospitals out of a few large taverns, that way a doctor could be at each. 

Although Regis has euthanized a few who were too far gone to save with his special tea, he also got to possibly save a few people as well. Some who saw the signs early enough came to the hospital and he sanitized them with vinegar, treated them with echinacea, he won’t know if he was successful for a while, along with trying to treat those who were in the deep of the sickness but not too far gone they can’t be saved. 

It was nightfall when another doctor came in the tavern, seeing the hard work Regis was putting in. “My my, are you the only one here?” 

Regis nodded as he wrapped a young man’s a lesions in clean cloth with honey and vinegar. “Yes. We unfortunately only have about four doctors helping the effort.” 

“Make that five. I just got in and they told me I’d find you here, say you should take some rest.” 

Regis looked at him sharply. “Do you have any experience with herblisim?” 

“A little. I’m sure if you show me what you’re doing I can cover you for a few hours while you get some rest, ready your herbs for tomorrow.” 

Regis frowned. He didn’t like the idea of leaving his patients. “I am starting to run low. Alright. I’ll show you what you need to do.” 

The doctor came over to him, almsot excited. Regis showed him what he was doing with the young man. “Even with those deep in the illness, we may still be able to treat them. This is more an experiment than treatment but using methods that I know work on other wounds. I’ve been wrapping their lesions up with vinegar and honey. Vinegar to clean the wound first, that’s very important, it sanitizes it. Once that’s done you put a lather of honey over top and wrap it up snugly.” 

The doctor nodded. “Interesting. Never thought to do that.” 

“As I stated, it’s more of an experiment. But what is not an experiment is those who catch the signs early, they can be prevented and saved before the lesions even happen, if they happen. I have a brew of echinacea tea, it’s very good at treating illness, so long as the illness is caught early enough and they drink it daily. I’m also giving Harrison here a brew of the tea as well, to hopefully treat him to full health again.” 

Harrison spoke up weakly, with a weak smile. “Dr. Regis has been the kindest doctor I’ve known. I’ve no doubt I’ll be out of this bed in no time.” 

Regis huffed but smiled weakly to him, unseen in the bird mask. “Quiet now, you need all the energy you can to heal.” 

The doctor chuckled, muffled slightly from the bird mask. “Well I may not be as well off as you Dr. Regis but I’m sure they will be fine in my hands for a few hours while you rest and get your herbs ready for tomorrow.” 

Regis nodded. “Yes. And what is your name?” 

“Dr. Henry O’Maley, at your service. Rode in from Oxenfert. I had no idea this was happening until some lads were putting out papers about doctors needed. I told my coworkers about it but none seem interested in helping in The Bits.” 

“So I’ve heard. I had to fight to get them to convert some taverns into hospitals-“ 

Suddenly there was the sound of someone vomiting. Regis turned, rushing over. 

The young women coughed the last of it out as he gently rubbed her back. “I’m sorry doctor. It came so suddenly.” 

“Nothing to apologize for. Your sick, it’ll happen.” 

She cried. “I think I shit myself.” 

Regis used his hypnosis on her, calming her embarrassment. “It’s alright. You have nothing to apologize for, nothing you could help. Now sleep.” 

Her eyes went blank as she laid back down and fell asleep. Dr. Henry followed Regis. “I can help clean with you but tell me, what is wrong with her? I’ve never heard of the Black Death doing this.”

 Regis stood from her bedside. “It’s septic. It’s more rare and unfortunately the most deadly. She has hours left, a day if she’s lucky. I’ve found there’s three forms of the Black Death; the classic one where you’re very sick but you get black lesions, one that settles in your lungs and a more rare form is when it goes into the bloodstream. It also has a 100% mortality rate thus far. I do what i can to help them. But she can’t hold anything down so my euthanasia tea wouldn’t help her.”

“You have a tea for that? Isn’t that a little, unethical?” 

“If we were in different circumstances I would agree but when the chance of death is so high with noting to do but make them more comfortable as they pass, this helps make them more comfortable. Many die in pain and agony and psychological torment from their inevitable death. This way they have a chance at having an easier death.” 

The doctor nodded. “You make a good point. Let’s get her cleaned up then and you can go rest up.” 

When Regis got back to the doctors HQ, getting wiped down with vinegar and an emotional exhaustion so great he feels the need to sleep, Dr. Taulor came over. “Have you been at that hospital all night?” 

Regis nodded. “I have. I was making progress with a few of them, I’m hopeful one of my patients may live after this. Another one, not so much.” 

“Such is the life of a doctor. Curious thing happened, a raven came in through a window with a letter addressed to you. I left it on your desk upstairs.” 

“Thank you. Now if you’ll excuse me I am going to retire for the night.” He said as he started to walk up to the upper levels and to where his work room is. He saw the letter, the raven nowhere to be seen. He opened it and read. 

Regis, 

I’m sorry to hear how bad things are going, I can only hope it gets better for you. I have news as well, Dettlaff came to where your new shop is being made, asking where you were. I didn’t say. I’d rather die than tell him where you are but take caution, he is searching for you. But weird thing happened, he didn’t force an answer out of me, not even with hypnosis. It was odd but keep an eye out. 

Your friend, Geralt

Regis sighed. He had almost forgotten about Dettlaff, if it wasn’t for the bond he kept closed. He feels guilt for even closing it to begin with but he had to survive somehow and Dettlaff isn’t willing to understand, even to the point of burning down the one thing that gave his life meaning and purpose.

He can only hope that Geralt is right and that Dettlaff did indeed feel enough guilt he wouldn’t do anything to him or really go looking for him. 

He folded the letter up and went to the alchemy lab, preparing treatments for tomorrow. 

It was dawn when he left, some of the other doctors fast asleep. He wished he could sleep but there was too much to do, too many sick to tend to.

He got to the tavern changed hospital he was at yesterday. His bag was filled with salves, tintures, tea brews and made sure to have an order of several barrels of vinegar brought there as he was on the last one of that particular hospital, thanks to one’s illness being septic.

He got in and saw two beds empty, one of them the young women he calmed after she was sick last night. He shouldn’t be disappointed or depressed about it, he knew she had only hours with her illness becoming septic but it still hurt, he felt a lump form in his throat that he had to swallow down and hope for a better day. 

“Ah, you’re in early, it’s barely Dawn doctor.” 

Dr. O’Maley said with a tired smile. 

Regis went over to him. “When did the two pass?” 

The doctors smile faded. “Oh. Yes. The young women-“

“Alice. Her name was Alice.”

“Yes. She passed about four hours after you left. She had another round of sick and well, what was left of her body to expel in the form of diarrhea. A short while after that she went into convulsions and passed away.” 

“And the other? His name was Paul.”

“Paul died, gasping for air unfortunately. His lungs suffocating him as it tried to fight for breath. Oh, the poor dears.”

Regis felt tears to down his face, thankfully hidden by the mask. Thankfully the entire place smelled of vinegar and lemon, even though the mask he could smell it. He glad to know the doctor cleaned very well. 

He cleared his throat. “It is what it is.” He went over to his most hopeful paintent who was thankfully asleep, as many others were as well. 

Regis watched his chest go up and down and even double checked his pulse. Harrison woke slightly. “Doctor?” 

Regis spoke. “It’s alright, just go back to sleep, I was just checking your pulse.” 

Harrison listened, going back to sleep quickly. 

He had a hard time keeping Dettlaff out of his mind, the possibility of him finding him was strong, he knows he can’t stay missing forever. “Dr. O’Maley, can I ask a favor of you?” 

“Of course.” 

“This is more of a personal matter. Recently I’ve been romantically involved with someone I’ve found out has been manipulating me and is extremely possessive. I got word they were asking about me in Toussaint. I fear they may find me. If anything should happen to me, if I go missing,  would you find someone for me?”

Dr. O’Malley was taken aback. “Would they really try to harm you?”

“I believe they would.” 

“Oh my dear, yes. God forbid anything should happen to you, I will do my best to contact your friend. Where would I find them.”

“His name is Dandelion, he owns a tavern in town, The Rosemary and Thyme.” 

“Oh I know of the place! Me and some other Professors have gone to celebrate the yearly graduation of our students there. We often will buy the students a round.” 

Regis smiled. That was a lovely memory shared, it lifted his spirits, just a bit. “I’m glad you know of it. I’d hate to try to tell directions to a place I’ve never been.”

Suddenly the door burst open, a young man, looking weary on his feet. “Doctor’s? I think I might be sick as well, not sure.” 

Regis went over to him. Pushing as much of his feelings and thoughts away to help. Duty calls. 

Chapter Text

A few months later in Toussaint

It had started snowing and Geralt worried.

Regis wasn’t back yet. 

Geralt had only his letters from him, fearing he may not get a reply. Zoltan and his crew made a nice home for Regis' house. 

Managed to find a couch, a few bed rolls, blankets, tables. Everything humans needed. 

The shop is ready and set, they preserved the donated herbs as best they could and they hoped the beehive was ok, they had no idea what to do with it. 

Zoltan was cooking when he noticed Geralt's mood was well, moodier than it had been the past months. “Geralt, you doin ok?” 

“Fine.” He said curtly, pacing. 

Zoltan huffed. “Now we both know that's not true. Whats got yer knickers in a bind?”

Gerslt turned to Zoltan. “Its Regis. It's been months. With just his letters.” 

“Well he's working hard, helping people, saving lives. No one knows when exactly the epidemic will leave.” 

“So I'm supposed to not see him for months? What if it's years?” 

“Aye. Thats how it goes. Why you so upset anyway? Ya got Yennifer.” 

Geralt shook his head, sitting on a chair by the tabel. “Not anymore. She didn't like i've been gone for so long and broke things off.”

Zolton frowned. “Shame.” Suddenly there was peaking at the boarded window. Geralt already knew; it was a raven. 

He went outside and saw the bird. It cawed at him, almost frantically, no letter attached to his ankles. He already knew; Regis was in trouble. 

He went back, grabbing his swords. Zoltan stood from his chair by the fire. “Geralt! Where are you going?”

“Regis is in trouble. One of his birds is out there, no letter, cawing frantically.”

Zolton sighed. “I hate you're right. Do you need any help?” 

“No, stay here. Let me know if Dettlaff comes back. Somehow.”

“Aye. Will do.” 

Geralt got roach quickly and followed the raven

One month earlier 

Regis finally felt some hope for the first time in a long time. He's been having less and less patients, either from death or being cured, but that means the Black Death, whatever might be causing it, seems to be running out of steam. They even opened up The Bits back to near regular normalcy. It was open to those that has business there and needed the proper papers to be let in. And same for the people who lived here, if they traveled outside of it, they needed some formal paper. 

But people were living. They were surviving more and more. He and the other doctors were still staying until they felt comfortable enough to leave. 

It was nearly 2AM when Dr. O’Malley walked in, heavy coat on. “Oh  this autumn is a brisk one.” 

Regis looked over, having done away with the bird mask as did many others, a sign to the people of the easing of restrictions. He gave a tired smile. “Yes and it's lovely i think.” 

The other walked over, hanging his coat up behind the bar which has become a small doctor’s head quarters with almost everything they use behind it. “Oh it is, miles better than the summer with the stink of death. Between having fewer cases and the cold air, the streets are smelling almost normal.” 

“That’s fantastic news doctor. I have good news as well, currently everyone in this tavern hospital has a high chance of survival. Most came to me early enough to treat it and the treatments have been excellent to them. So far i've only had two deaths the entire month here.” 

“Oh my, you'll have to tell me your secrets Dr. Regis, some of the other doctors are struggling still.”

Regis frowned. “Many also discredit herbalism. Thats all I’ve  been doing for them; treating them with herbs. Many herbs can prevent illness if caught early, and if not caught early, so long and they're not too deep in it, they still have a good chance of survival with the herbs than without. And no doubt some religious fanatics think this is caused by sin and think praying or blood letting is the answer.” 

The other doctor sighed. “Shame. I’ve personally always kept my religion and my medical practice separate. Perhaps that's why they’re also surviving here, because I follow what you've done. Ive seen for myself how powerful these simple herbs can be.”

Regis gave a weak smile. “Still, let's focus on the good. I’ll take my leave and get out of your hair. You have a good night.”

“You as well.”

Regis, once  outside, took in a deep breath of the brisk autumn air. The streets smelled almost normal, though there was still a lingering stink but the cool air neigated it greatly. 

He started walking when he was grabbed, handcuffs on his wrists preventing him from turning to mist. He fought, terror going through him knowing this is the work of a higher vampire but it wasn’t Dettlaff. 

“Let me go! Unhand me!”

He saw who, actually he saw the small group that captured him.  Old friends of his and Dettlaffs. The  female vampire, with dark hair and a devilish grin spoke. “Sorry, you don't call the shots here old pal. Nicor, shut him up.” 

Regis got a glimpse of Dr. O’Malley before the world went dark and pain erupted in his head. 

It was nearly sunset when he got to Novigrad, glad to be able to get in without any trouble. The raven followed him the entire way. He hoped he knew where Regis was or this was going to be difficult.

The raven showed him to the bits where a guard stopped him at the entrance. “Got a pass?” 

Geralt huffed. “No. Didn't know I needed one. I'm here to see one of the doctors, he's a good friend of mine and I think something may have happened to him.” 

There was a voice behind him. “You're looking for Regis?” Geralt turned, seeing an older man, carrying a large bag, crossing his body, of herbs, Geralt could smell. 

“You know him?” 

“Yes. I've been working with him during this pandemic, we cycled a tavern turned hospital. I saw him the night he went missing.”

Geralt went to him quickly. “We should find somewhere to talk.”

“The Rosemary and Thyme is right around the corner.”

Geralt nearly smiled. “I'm very aware of it. My friend owns it. let's go.”

They walked inside and Geralt was thankful Dandelion wasn’t around immediately, he needed to talk to this doctor privately.

Once they sat down Geralt spoke. “What's your name?”

“Dr. Samuel O’Malley. As I said, I’ve worked with your friend Regis almost the entire epidemic. He's one of the kindest doctors I know. Even helps them pass away gently, and with dignity. At first I thought euthanasia was too unethical with few circumstances but he opened my eyes to the horrors these people go through when they die from the black death and if given the option, I’d much rather die by his hand than the terrible, horrific hand of the black death.”

“I didn’t think he dabbled in euthanasia but it does sound like Regis to help someone no matter what. What happened when he went missing? And how long has he been missing for?”

“It's been a little over two days. It was almost as soon as I relieved him of his duty for the day. It was nearly 2AM. He always worked the longest hours possible, no matter what i said I couldn’t budge him to have more normal hours. I was just getting things set up for my cycle when I heard him yelling. I’ve never heard him raise his voice. I knew he was in trouble but I was too late to do anything. When I got to the door, they were gone seconds later, in a cloud of black fog. I got a glimpse, he was handcuffed. Oh Geralt, he's in deep trouble isn’t he?” 

Geralt mulled around the information in his head. He could have misted but if he couldn’t that means it's the work of the higher vampires. “Yes. He is. Can you take me to where he was taken?” 

“Yes. Think they’ll be a clue there?” 

“I'm counting on it.”

Elsewhere 

Regis was chained to a wall. He groaned when he woke, his head pounding. He wonders what they could have used to have such an effect on him but he got a better look around the room and smell. 

He knew he was far from Novigrad, most likely  Toussaint where his vampire brethren are. 

“Oh you’re finally awake!” She said, loud enough the other vampires would be alert. Regis glared weakly. It was his ex from his addiction days. She was tall and beautiful, dark hair flowing over her shoulder and a manic grin on her face.

He let out a sigh, greeting her. “Hello Elena.” 

She grinned, holding a bottle of blood wine, using a  wine glass in hand and blood dyeing her lips. She spoke as she walked up to him. 

“All i get is a hello? Really? After all our time together, I thought I'd get more than a hello.” 

She kneeled down to his level, pouring herself a glass in front of his face. 

“After all those humans we drank, villages plundered-“ she stopped to take a drink, letting him watch and smell. She could see the effect it had on him, his pupils going wide.

“And the way we made love in our destruction. I deserve much more than hello!”  She shoved the wine glass in his face, making him cry out in pain and surprise, even if his body healed the cuts almost immediately. 

She grabbed his face, hard, making him groan in pain. “Why did you bring me here?” He asked. She grinned and didn’t let go. “I brought you here to have a good time. You’re always working, always helping those poor little humans. You used to be so much fun, I think it's time we had some fun again.”

Chapter Text

Dr. O’Malley spoke as they walked back into The Bits. “I am so glad I bumped into you. After I dropped my herbs off I was going to tell Dandelion what happened.” 

Geralt looked strangely at him. “You know Dandelion?” 

“Oh goodness no. Regis wanted me to  go to  him if I thought something happened to him, or went missing. But I think that's just because it would have been harder to get a message to you. Since  you and Dandelion know each other; tell dandelion, dandelion will tell you.” 

Geralt was about to agree when he sat Dettlaff, sitting on a bench, outside the doctor’s quarters, waiting. 

Geralt didn’t waste any time, a protective anger fueled him as he quickly got his sliver sword and stalked over, ready to swing when Dettlaff misted in front of him, away from the point of the blade. “Do you really think you have a chance agaisnt me?” 

Geralt glared, nearly growling, he was livid with his sword pointed at the vampires throat. “You burned his shop down! You took away his life’s purpose and work!” 

Dettlaffs eyes softened with guilt. “I did. And I regret it. I came to give one last apology before breaking our bond. I never plan on seeing him again.” 

Geralts glared weakened with confusion. “You’re not involved with him missing?” 

“Hes missing?” Dettlaff said with alarm. 

“Yeah. Thought you had something to do with it, could only have been the work of another higher vampire.” 

“I know who. Our….his old friends. From rhe days of his addiction. I’m still involved with them, not always. They had not told me anything about taking him but they convinced me that night to burn his shop down.” 

The doctor walked closer. “Uh excuse me, Geralt, what's going on? What are you talking about? Vampires?” 

Geralt turned to the doctor, putting his sword away. “Regis is a vampire.” 

“Oh my, I had no idea. You don't think he drank any of our-“

“No. Not at all, hes-“ 

The doctor cut him off. “Say no more Witcher. I’ve seen his work, know him, he's a dear and trusted colleague of mine now. I even planned on offering him a place at Oxenfort to become a certified doctor. And obviously if you trust him, I trust him as well.” 

Geralt put out his hand, the doctor shaking it. “Please Geralt, find Regis. Bring him back to us. He has patients and colleagues worried.” 

“Will do.” He turned to Dettlaff. “Take me to him.” 

Elsewhere in Toussaint

The room was spinning, the music too loud, movments too much. Elena forced him to drink blood. Glass, after glass, after glass. It was a party, like the ones he once attended. 

Everyone was dancing, even the humans they hypnotized to come here, probably thinking it's just a party. Elena dragged a human over, a man who was still trying to dance to the bands music and he was forced to the floor in front of Regis. 

Elena grinned. “I know how much you love drinking them when they have fight in them.” She kneeled and spoke to the human. “My dear, give regis here your neck.” 

Regis voice was slurring from his forced intoxication. He had a thin string left between him and his addiction. 

“No…please..” he tried to say, they came out slurred and soft as the man, hypnotized, gave his neck to Regis, leaned against him so he could get a taste even cuffed to the wall. 

He couldn’t hold on any more, all control carried away by his intoxication as he bit down on the neck, breaking the wall behind him as he grabbed the poor human who was now screaming in pain as he drank and drank and drank until the man was limp and white in his arms. 

The world around him was a blur, spinning when he moved, his stomach aching from just how full he was. Elena moved the body with with little grace and pushed Regis to the floor easily, grinning. “Ohh looks like you enjoyed yourself quite a bit.” She said, noticing the tent he had, it was common to become aroused while drinking from a live human, it didn't always mean you wanted sex, just a body's reaction. 

Regis could barely move or talk, so high, ao drunk on human blood. All he knew that he didn’t want this, didn’t want to drink any blood, didn’t want to go back to his addiction and didn’t want to have sex. But Elena didn’t care, he couldn’t stop her as she got his pants off, ripping them open, along with most of his clothing. “Now I think it's time I enjoyed this.” 

Dettlaff got them to Mercys house. Geralt spoke up. “Is this where he is?” 

“No but shes an ally and our old friends , I know they wont give him up without a fight. No offense witcher.” 

“None taken. Taking contracts on higher campires is considered suicide to most witchers.”

Dettlaff opened the door, Geralt followed. Mercy was there in seconds, misting in front of them, concern written on her face. “What happened?” 

“How do you know something happened?” Geralt asked. Mercy rolled her eyes. 

“Theres only one reason Dettlaff would bring me you; what happened to him?”

Dettlaf spoke. “Regis is missing, i fear Elena has taken him. Regis may not be involved with them  but I have been, I wasn’t strong enough to stop being their friend. I've gone to them as well. I thought i could confide in them but i realized how wrong i was when i burned his healing hut down.” 

“Why would they take him? What would Elena want with him?” Mercy asked.

Geralt looked at both of them. “Whos Elena?” 

Dettlaff apoke. “Regis’s ex, he was involved with her during the days of his addiction. She's also the reason he became sober and also the reason he nearly died, if not for me helping him. That night when the villagers caught him in a weak moment; she left him. It’s customary to watch over your fellow vampire when they choose to drink from a live human in the wild and not hypnotized to our domain. Perhaps she went to drink her own, perhaps she left him with malicious intent, either way, she has the most motivation to take him, i'm sure my emotional outbursts to them when Regis would stoke my ire didn’t help.”

Mercy gave a curt nod. “Then lets  make haste. Elena was never stable. His life could very well be in danger. Lead the way.” 

When the doors broke in at Elena's home, the band stopped playing and Regis was nearly motionless on the floor. Elena seemingly to have forgotten about him as he lay, clothing open and torn, leaving him vulnerable. Elena stopped dancing, laughing as she saw the party crashers, the others around her knowing what was happening. 

“Dettlaff! You've made it! I brought you a little something, right over there. Poor dear just can’t hold his blood, he’s become such a lightweight.” 

Geralt did his best to keep his composure, hand on the hilt of his silver sword. “The fuck did you do to him?” 

Elena grinned, blood drying around her mouth. “Oh nothing he didn’t want, deep down. I just got so tired of hearing how he's healing these pesky little humans, as if they wont die immediately after from literally anything! I just…reminded him how fun he used to be.” 

Mercy crossed her arms. “That isn’t for you to decide Elena, you may not like them but theyre living creatures too.”

Dettladf spoke to Geralt as the girls had their spat. “Get Regis out of here. Don't be scared, he may not be himself for days. I’ll explain once were all out of here.” 

Geralt just nodded, rushing over before he was stopped by one of the other vampires on her side. Elena turned her head to him. “Where do you think you're taking him? He belongs here, with his own kind.” 

Geralt glared. “He belongs to no one.” 

Elena sighed, heavily. “I really didn’t want to do this. Ruin this perfectly good party. Oh well, i at least got some fun with him.” Her claws extended as she went after Geralt before Dettlaff was in front of him, clashing claws, growling to Geralt. “Take him! Now!”

Geralt Grabbed Regis quickly , tossing him over his shoulder, pushing down any fear of his well beinf down as he ran for it, Mercy and Dettlaff covering him as he got out. He went to Roach and placed Regis in front, so he could make sure he didn’t fall. He got on himself and rode out of the vampire domane, praying to whatever gods listening to help Regis and keep any other vampires off their trail. 

Chapter Text

Geralt wasn’t sure how long they rode for, he just needed Regis safe. The only thing that ran through his mind before he heard gagging and coughing from said vampire. 

He stopped Roach and got off, making sure not to jostle Regis too much. He rubbed his hand on the vampire's back, trying to comfort him while also trying to study his symptoms. 

He vomited up the blood he probably just drank before, but it was a weird reddish yellow, most likely from whatever vampire stomach acid is made of. If he were human, this would be a classic case of alcohol poisoning, he's not sure what to do for a nearly immortal vampire.  

Geralt held his head, moving it to see him, to see how his eyes looked; dilated and unfocused. Regis spoke, slurred and slow. “Ger..alt?”

“I got you, I'm gonna take you home.” 

“Mmm sorry..”  Regis said before passing out again. 

Geralt back onto Roach and guided her to Regis’ home.

Zolton was asleep on the full-size bed when the door slammed open. He woke instantly with a cry before grabbing his axe as he stood when Geralt came in with Regis in his arms, limp and pale as white fabric. Zoltan moved immediately. 

“Oh by the gods Geralt! What’s happened?”

Geralt laid Regis on the bed starting to wrap him up in the blankets to protect him from the cold of the starting Toussaint Winter. 

“Long story, get a fire going in the main room.” Zolton wasted no time as he ran out of the single bedroom. 

Geralt had no idea what to do. Regis was motionless. His skin deathly pale, paler than he's ever seen it. He knows even for a vampire being that pale didn’t mean good things. And throwing up the blood they drank? He had no idea they could do that. He supposes it makes sense if you have to consume something, it has to go somewhere and that some were could get overwhelmed, just like with humans. 

An hour went by and Regis didn’t wake up. 

Then another hour. 

And another hour. 

Then it was dawn. 

Then it was the afternoon. 

Then it was the next night. 

All Geralt could do was pace and help Zolton keep the fire going. Geralt decided to warm some blankets as best he could in a metal cauldron without them bursting into flame.

When they were warm enough to touch but not enough to burn, he unwrapped Regis and then put the warm blanket on him before adding the layers of other blankets. 

Zolton saw this and frowned. “Geralt, it's been a whole day, I think…I think he might he passed on.” 

“He's a higher vampire, nearly immortal, not likely a night of binge drinking blood would kill him. I just don't know why he isn’t waking up.” 

Zolton stayed quiet, not quite believing Regis not to be dead, he looked and acted dead but Geralt made a good point, drinking blood wouldn’t make them die no matter how much they had. 

“I know.”

 Geralt turned, seeing Dettlaff walk into the bedroom. Zolton had his axe in hand. “Who the hell are you, buddy? Might want to leave before I have to use this.”

Geralt spoke. “Zolton, it's alright. This is Dettlaff. The one I told you to watch for, but right now we need him.” 

Zolton sighed. “If you say so Geralt. I'll go keep the fire going.” Dettlaff moved so Zton could walk out of the room. 

Geralt didn't even try to pretend he wasn’t worried. “What's wrong with him? Why won't he wake up?” 

Dettlaff frowned. “His body is healing, both from the extreme amounts of blood he was forced to consume and psychologically. He may not wake for a very long time. This is up to his subconscious. If the body feels it's safe enough to wake, it will. It's a bit of an old defense mechanism from our ancestors that hasn’t left us yet.” 

“He threw up, on the way here. Is that normal?” 

“Oh yes. We are not that different from humans in that regard, just as any human can vomit when overeating, so can a vampire when overconsuming. I don't know how much she gave him, and it's been years since he's been drinking, I’m sure his stomach shrinked and the tolerance for blood has gone down.” 

“Sounds a lot like possums. They play dead when put under enough stress, but it’s involuntary, and no set time when they’ll reanimate. So what can I do to help him wake?”

Dettlaff sighed. “Read to him? Talk to him. Keep him warm, hold him in your arms if you must, whatever you think will make his body feel safe enough to wake him.”

Gert frowned, looking down at the unconscious vampire. “On the ride here he woke, briefly before passing out again. He said he was sorry. Sorry for what?” 

Dettlaff frowned deeply. “I think he's feeling great shame for this. For the blood-drinking, for Elena forcing herself on him, for the fact you had to help him in the first place.” 

Geralt felt his fists tighten, knowing what Regis went through but unable to protect him from it all. “Is she dead?” 

“Yes. I made sure of it. 

Geralt relaxed. “Good. I'm sorry you had to. I know in your species customs it’s forbidden.” 

“Which is more reason for me to leave and to leave him alone, indefinitely. I realize now how…shitty I've been, how manipulated I've become by those I called friends, how I manipulated him. He deserves better. Perhaps you can give him that.” 

Dettlaff turned as Geralt huffed. “I don't feel that way-“ 

“I've seen how you look at him, how you worry for him. I'm not sure if you are trying to convince me or yourself. But please, whatever you choose, take care of him.” 

He turned to mist and was gone. 

Zolton came back once the vampire left. “I think once he wakes I’ll get going myself. Gotta get home to Novigrad at some point, Dandilion has been having a hell of a time without me.” 

“You realize that could be weeks?”

“Then I’ll give him two weeks and even if he’s awake or not, I’ll be going, I can at least give the bard a time estimate. I'm gonna go get more wood for the fire. Its ash now.”

“Alright. I’ll be here, doing…something.” 

Zolton nearly chuckled. “You are truly lost without a target of some kind. Go get one of his books, read to the vampire, you know how much he loves those books.” 

Geralt nodded before he remembered. “When are you sending word to Dandelion?” 

“As soon as i can, why?” 

“Can you put something in for me?” 

 A few days later in The Bits of Novigrad

Dandelion hoped the letter he got from Zolton was right. He ventured through, showing the papers he needed to get through the guards and looked for the tarven noted in it, to find Dr. O’Malley and update him on Regis’ condition.

He found the right tavern/hospital and walked in. He saw Dr. O’Malley, washing his hands in a bowl of vinegar behind the bar counter.  

The doctor looked over and frowned, he knew Regis wanted him to go to Dandelion if anything happened to him. If the bard came to him, it can’t be good, he thought. He went to Dandelion. “Hello Dandelion.” 

The bard smiled. “Have no fear doctor, Geralr saved Regis from the danger he was in. But unfortunately he may not be able to return here for a while. He was injured and needs to recover but they gave me an address to give to you, if you ever would like to see Regis yourself, outside of work that is.”  He handed over the letter.

The doctor smiled, taking the paper. “Oh good news indeed. Thank you so much, Regis knew what he was saying about relying on you.” 

Chapter Text

It was another few days before Regis woke up. And woke up confused and aching. 

He heard Geralts voice, although monotone, it was comforting, nearly falling back asleep to the sound of it.

He moved with some difficulty, seeing Geralt in a chair next to his bed, reading from one of his many books. Geralt noticed the movement and nearly gasped, throwing the book aside and kneeling down to the vampires eye level. “You’re awake!” 

Regis nodded, moving more to escape the layers of blankets. “I am.” 

“How are you feeling?” 

Regis looked away as he managed to sit up on his elbows. “Bloody stiff. How long was I asleep for?” 

“Nearly two weeks.” 

Regis’ eyes for wide. “Two weeks? I knew I was bad off but over a week?” 

“Is that uncommon?” 

Regis managed to sit up more. Once he did he noticed the shirt he was wearing was new, not one he owned previously. It was made of soft fleece, likely for the winter that has come down upon Toussaint. “These aren’t my clothes.” 

“You can thank your ex for that. She cut your clothing open. We didn’t worry about style as much as keeping you warm, I’m not sure if temperature affects higher vampires.”

“The cold does. Our hearts and body heat differ greatly from humans. Although we may have a beating heart, it’s job is similar but not. Since we don’t need to breathe it doesn’t carry oxygen like human blood cells does. It just carries blood, not heat but blood. Our blood is what make or breaks our regenerative abilities. And because of those abilities we tend to be closer to cold blooded than warm. Higher vampires bodies are all about efficiency. I’ve even known a few that couldn’t regenerate, they had a rare blood disorder only vampires get…”

Geralt nearly chuckled, hearing the kind vampire rambling again made his chest warm. Regis came back to the topic and moved a bit more, sitting now on the bed. 

“Right now my memories are hazy, at best. What happened?”

Geralt frowned. “Sure you want to know?” 

Regis swallowed. “I have to know. Did I hurt anyone?” 

“That I’m not sure. I didn’t get any chance to investigate. I got you out of there fast as possible while Dettlaff-“ 

“Dettlaff was involved?!” Regis said, nearly crying out in fear, hands clasped together tightly, his body language terrfied. 

“You won’t have to worry about him. After the arson on your shop, he realized how shitty he had been. He knew who took you, he killed Elena for you, to protect you.” 

Regis was in utter shock. “What? No! Dettlaff kill to protect the one he claimed he loved?” 

“He may not have done it for love. He might did it for his own redemption. He won’t be around Toussaint for a very long time, if ever. If not for him, gods know if I’d even find you let alone be able to rescue you.”

Regis looked away from Geralt, out the small window, seeing a small flurry of snowflakes. “Did anything else happen?” 

“Dettlaff said Elena….that she took advantage of you, sexually. It’s why your clothes were ripped open.” 

The vampire swallowed, hazy memories just barely on the surface of his mind. “I think I remember that. I think memories will come back, it’ll just take some time.” A cold breeze came in, making him shiver. Geralt moved, grabbing a blanket and wrapping it around his shoulders. His arm stayed over his shoulders just a little too long. 

Regis didn’t mind, he accepted the affection, nearly melting into the Witcher, leaning against his side, head on his shoulder. 

“Thank you very much my friend. If not for you I’d still be in that horrid situation.” 

“Dettlaff or your ex kidnapping you?”

“Both?” 

Geralt chuckled weakly. Regis spoke again. “Do you think the people of Novigrad will be ok without me? I know the epidemic wasn’t completely gone when I was taken.”

“With all you’ve taught Dr. O’Malley, they’re in good hands.” 

Regis sat up, surpised, looking in Geralts eyes. “You know him?” 

“Yes. A little bird told me you were in trouble, I followed it all the way to Novigrad and met the doctor. He was picking up herbs from the city. We talked, he was helpful and helped paint the picture the night you were taken. That’s when Dettlaff showed up. He had been waiting for you, planned on apologizing for everything he did before leaving Toussaint but when we mentioned you were kidnapped, he led us to you.” 

Regis gave a nod. “I would say it seems suspicious he knew where I was taken too but we ran in the same pack, he knew Elena as well as I did, along with the others. He also has been in contact with them during our…turbulent relationship.” 

“He said there the reason he burned down your shop; they manipulated him into it, convinced him it was a good idea. They were just as bad to him as he was to you.” 

Regis went back to leaning agaisnt Geralt. “A viscous cycle; I’m glad that cycle is over.” 

Geralt wrapped his arms around the vampire, pretending his face wasn’t blushing. “Me too. Do you need anything?” 

Regis came back from leaning agsisnt the Witcher. “Some food would be good. Although I can recovery just fine without food, the body heals much faster with it. Blood would be best but obviously we can’t do that.” 

Geralt nodded, standing gently so that he didn’t jostle the bed or vampire too much. Regis stood as well before nearly falling, Geralt catching him. Regis chuckled weakly at the worried expression on the normally stoic Witcher’s face. “I’m fine my friend, my muscles are just a bit weak from the coma I was in. It’ll come back in a few hours.” 

“Should you be walking around then?” 

“Oh yes! The whole reason they’re this is weak is because they weren’t used for nearly two weeks. They need to be used for their strength to return, just as with humans.”

“Still, one step at a time, let’s sit down and have some food.” 

Regis laughed and Geralt looked confused. “One step at a time? My legs are weak?” 

Geralt got it and chuckled with him, making that warm feeling in his chest spread furher, engulfing him with the warm feeling. 

Regis looked around once they walked into the main room. “Oh my, this is my hosue right? I suppose I have Zolton to thank for this furniture?” 

“You do. A lot of it they made since they already had the materials.”

Regis smiled softly, going away from Geralt to walk carefully over to a couch that was close to him. It was beautifully made. “As soon as my shop can be opened again, I will have to pay him back for this.”

Geralt went to the fireplace, putting another log on the pile of currently burning wood, letting the wood be welcomed by its licking flames before going to the supply of vegetables, meat and spices. 

“Do you have any human preference of food?” 

“I am very fond of vegetables. I haven’t found a single one I don’t enjoy.”

Geralt nodded, making a mental note to give him extra vegetables. 

He got out garlic, onion, cabbage and carrots, some potatoe and cured beef. Although with how cold it was getting, it probably didn’t need the curing. 

Geralt turned to Regis. “Is garlic ok?”

“It is more than ok. The whole garlic keeps away vampires is pure myth. I’m not sure how that came about though.” 

Geralt started chopping and he must have been bad at it because Regis stood up and went over to him, using the tabel for support. “I’ll take care of the chopping, before you slice a finger off. Just add them into the cauldron when they’re done.” 

Geralt chuckled weakly. “Guess I’m bad with a knife?” 

“Just cooking knives. I still trust you with my life with your swords.”

Once the vegetables and meat were done, Geralt added some water before putting a lid on it and letting them cook over the fire before sitting down across from the vampire. 

“How was Novigrad with the Black Death? Im not sure none of it was fun.”

Regis frowned. “So much happened, I could not have put all of it in my letters to you. I’ve been alive nearly 400 years and yet, that was the most hopeless I’ve ever felt or seen a place. It was nothing but despair for a long time. I think I told you, I shadowed one of the doctors there, our first case was, horrifically, a pregnant women, at least seven months in. There was no saving her or her baby. And then to find out it could have been prevented. They went looking for a doctor but there were so few and the sick were so many and the officials had never thought to build a hospital for these people. If there was one, that women and her baby might have been saved. After that I forced them to build one, used that damn hypnosis we vampires have to get them to build one. It was simply barbaic how the king treated the poor-“

There was a sudden knock at the door. Geralt was up immediately, getting one of his swords he’s been keeping at the door’s entrance before opening it, seeing the doctor. Dr. O’Malley. 

The doctor looked hopeful. “Hello Master Witcher, I got your letter and came here soon as I could. Is Regis doing all right?” 

Geralt opened the door more and Regis stood carefully and smiled. “Dr. O’Malley, it’s good to see you.”

The doctor smiled as he came inside. “Oh Dr. Regis, is so good to see you safe and sound.” 

Regis sighed. “I am not a doctor-“ 

“Oh shut it now. Anyone that had healed so many people and volunteered for such a dires time is a doctor in my eyes. It’s one reason I came to see you. I’ve written to Oxenfort about your medical talent and we would like to offer a full scholarship to our medical school.” 

Regis smiled softly. “As much as that warms my heart, I’m afraid I’ll have to decline.” 

“Oh but why? We could use doctors like you, ones with compassion. It feels every day we have less and less doctors who actually care for their people. You even had the lowest rate of death during the Black Death at the tarven turned hospital.” 

Regis frowned. “One reason is I have my own healing, herbal shop. I’m afraid to leave these people for such a long amount of time. I give many of my services free of charge because many simply cannot afford a doctor.” 

“And the other reason?” 

Regis stayed quiet, wondering if it was alright to revel is his nature, when Geralt spoke up. 

“Regis, he knows your a vampire.”

Regis felt his heart nearly stop entirely. “He does? How?” 

The doctor smiled. “The night you were taken, I thought something was amiss when you disappeared with them into a ball of mist. Then Geralt and the other fellow, Dettlaff I think his name is, we’re talking about what could have happened and the word vampire got thrown around and Geralt told me.” 

Regis swallowed. “And you still offered me medical school? Your either mad or naive.” 

The doctor chuckled. “I’ve seen your work, worked with you for months, I know you are no more a danger than the rabbit in the forest. Please, consider it?” 

Regis smiled weakly. “I will. Would you like to stay for food? We just put some food on the fire.” 

The doctor smiled. “That sounds splendid.”

Chapter Text

After dinner was served, eaten and enjoyed with such good company the doctor made his leave and Regis yawned. Geralt went to him. “You should get some rest.” 

“And what about you? Where will you sleep?” 

“Well there is a beautifully made couch. I’ll be fine, I’ve slept in far worse on the path.” 

Regis frowned. “I really don’t mind switching-“

Geralt put a hand on his shoulder firmly, causing the vampire to quiet. “You’ve just been thorough hell, you need proper rest. Now go to sleep on that bed before I throw you in it myself.” The Witcher said, nearly blushing when he realized how it sounded. 

Regis either hadn’t noticed or was too exhuated to care. All fight left the vampire as he nodded, exhaustion hitting him and his mask of trying to be ok gone. “Alright. If you insist. I shall see you in the morning.” 

Geralt nodded, going to the couch before turning. “Regis?” 

Regis turned at the doorway, stopping as he was about to go into the bedroom. “Yes?” 

“Do you have enough blankets?” 

Regis nodded. “Yes. I shall be fine. I think there’s multiple in here. You should grab one for yourself.”

Geralt nodded, following. Regis got the heaviest blanket and handed it to the Witcher. “Here, I know you have a fireplace in that room but a fireplace isn’t a replacement for blankets.” 

Geralt nodded. “Thank you. Now enough, we both need to get some sleep.” 

Regis nodded. “That we absolutely agree.” 

Geralt left and Regis was left alone in his room. 

His room. 

In His house. 

It felt like such a forgin concept. He was so used to living in crypts and Dettlaff controling most of it. 

But now he has a home, that’s truly his, free from Dettlaffs toxicity and a shop he plans to see after breakfast in the morning, built by the people he helped heal. 

He wasn’t sure how long he was standing, zoning out with these thoughts when a cold breeze from the closed window got through, making him shiver and bringing him out of his head. 

He shook his head, as if shaking the heavy thoughts away as he got under the blankets of the bed and attempted sleep. 

Geralt was a light sleeper. The path will do that. But he woke up to screaming. He already had his sword in hand before he realized it was Regis and the screaming turned to desperate sobs. 

Geralt put his sword down and went inside quickly. 

Regis was sitting up, hands nearly ripping his hair out as he sobbed so hard his breathing stuttered. 

Geralt went to him quickly, hugging him close. Regis melted into him, unable to speak, only sobbing. 

Geralt worried the more it went on. He wondered what was in his nightmare to cause this reaction. Was it the pregnant women he couldn’t save? Were memories of his forced drinking coming back? 

He didn’t know. He just held him and comforted him best he could. 

Eventually he calmed and spoke, his voice weak and heavy with tears still. “I killed someone. All the memories came back. Oh gods..” 

Geralt gently shushed him. “No, the vampire that kidnapped you did. She knew what would happen.” 

“But I lost control.” 

“After she forced you to drink so much blood you threw up. If it were alcohol it would have been enough to kill a human.” 

Regis shivered, trembling in Geralts hold. “All the memories came back. Not only that, I remember her…using me. Using my body agsisnt my will. I tried to move, I tried to push her away, but I was to drunk, too weak.”

“She’s dead now. She won’t be able to hurt you again.”

Regis stood, quickly out of the witchers hold before running out of the room and outside. Geralt followed, hearing regis dry heaving before seeing him on his knees on cold, snowy ground. 

Geralt just held him, he’s he could. When Regis was done he swallowed. “I’m sorry, I….i can feel her touches on me. Just their memory is enough to feel this disgusted.” 

“Feel better at least?”

Regis’s body seemed to stop trembling from anxiety but then from cold. “Yes. I think I’m properly back to myself, I feel the cold tremendously.” 

“Let’s get inside, have some of your calming tea.” 

Once inside, Geralt made sure the fire was still roaring, helping the vampire to sit in front of it on the floor. “Where is the tea?” 

Revis laughed weakly. “I actually have no idea. I haven’t had the time to search where they put my donated herbs.” 

“And I forgot where they put them.” 

“It’s alright. I’m feeling much better actually. Getting all those negative feelings out of me, even if it was from a nightmare, helped.” 

Geralt sat next to him. “Talking always helps. Why don’t you tell me what happened that night? In your own words.”

At some point during the night, Regis ended up in Gerald’s arms, fast asleep. 

He didn’t wake, even when the fire popped. Although it was a bit unnerving that he didn’t breathe when he slept, Geralt held him close, wondering if Zolton might be onto something.

Cause he doesn’t want to leave this vampire. He wants to stay, help his shop, bring him money from his monster killing, protect him, make sure he knows how loved he is. 

While Regis slept soundly, Geralt was awake with this revelation. 

Chapter Text

When Regis first felt the fluttering of awareness from his sleep, he felt a bed below him and arms around him. He woke up, feeling tense seeing Geralt not only carried him to his bed but ended up falling asleep next to him too. His armors gone, left in his linen undershirt and pants. 

Geralt was still asleep, giving the vampire some time to think. He could easily mist out of his hold but he didn’t want to. In fact, it was the furthest thing from his mind. 

He felt safe and protected. He’s not sure he’s ever felt like this. And in the arms of a Witcher of all people. The ones he remembers as a young vampire pup, his parents warning him to stay far away from. And here he is cuddled up to one. 

Geralt started to wake, eyes fluttering open with the weight of grogginess. He saw he was holding Regis and had started to move. “Oh, I didn’t mean to fall asleep here.” 

Regis kept him from moving, holding him closer by his shirt. “It’s quite alright. It’s rather…nice here, with you.” 

Geralr smiled weakly. “Good.” 

“Is it sunrise?” Regis asked, trying to look through the slit in the window boards. 

Geralt looked as well. “Maybe a little after. We should head out, you still need to see your new shop.”

Regis smiled, sitting up. “I do. I have to admit, I’m very excited. Let’s get ready then.” 

Geralt got ready, going out to test the weather. It was frosty, cold enough to see your breath anytime you breathed, snow flurries filled the air and a blanket of snow was on the ground less than an inch. 

He went back to report to Regis. “Have any sort of winter gear? There’s a bit of snow on the ground.” 

Revis frowned. “Right now no. My belongings are a bit scattered, there's still much at the crypt, Including any winter gear I would use to tend to my shop at this time but I’m sure I can put something together, just a second.” He said as he started to walk all around his house, in every new room and box, getting out random leathers and fabrics, Geralt just watched in fascination, making warmth bloom in his chest that the vampire was right now, back to how he was when they met, the traumas he’s endured forgotten, just for a moment.

Within twenty minutes he made some leather coverings for his normally light fabric boots and made a makeshift jacket from a wool blanket. Regis smiled as he came over, the blanket creating both a hood and covering his body like a cloak. 

Geralt looked at his hands which were bare, save for his fingerless gloves. “What about your hands?”

Regis shrugged. “I will just have to deal with it in the meantime. I don’t want to waste another second. Let’s get going.”

Geralt shook his head and got out his pair of spare Witchers gloves,taking the vampires hands and gently shoving his hands inside them. “You’re still recovering.” 

Regis moved his fingers gently as he flexed his hands in the leather gloves, they were two sizes too big but they would work until he could make a pair of his own. He smiled. “Thank you. Let’s get going.” 

Geralt opened the door and together they walked out of the house. 

There was a small layer of snow on everything and the cold thankfully wasn’t too biting, at least to Geralt.

Once they were both outside Regis shivered slightly from a strong breeze of cold air and flurries. Geralt looked with concern. “Will you be alright?” 

“Oh yes. Just cold. Let’s get moving.” 

Geralt just nodded and continued to walk with Regis, the snow crunching under their boots, keeping an eye on him and his shivering the entire time.

Regis was shivering and shaking like a leaf in a thunderstorm by the time they made it to his new shop. 

Geralt watched with worry. “Does the cold always affect you this much?”

“Yes, it’s not damaging if that’s what you’re asking, just unpleasant.” 

Geralt felt a little relief at finally getting to the shop. “Here you are, one new shop and medical center.” 

Regis looked at it in awe. It was three times as big as his old shop and this one was made with brick, not wood, in case anyone chose to try anything again. Or also was adorned with etchings of various herbs and flowers, the name plate blank until he finally had a name for it.

“It’s so…big.” He said in shock. Geralt frowned. “Is that a problem?”

“No! No, not at all. I just wasn’t expecting it.” He smiled softly, starting to walk to the gate that led to the entrance that held what would be his new herbal garden, a good bit of square footage made and mapped out. He went to the door, feeling it's hard wood and brass doorknob. 

He turned it and let the door open on its own. 

The shop was huge. That was of course where you could buy herbs, containers, pots and a check-out area all made, intricate designs of flora and fauna adorned the wall and wooden support beams. The selling area was much bigger than his last store, and there was still another section for his patients. 

He walked to the walled off area, going to the door and going inside, seeing a large medical exam room, with surgical instruments, books, a nice table and anything else he might need to take care of those who saw him. 

His eyes filled with tears. This was too much, he could never pay this back and he’s not sure he deserves this much kindness.

Geralt sensed his mood shift, coming over to him. “Is it alright?” 

Regis smiled through his tears. “Alright? It’s more than I deserve.” 

Geralt reached and held his glove covered hand. “Why don’t you think you deserve it?” 

Regis just stared at the medical room, tears flowing freely down his face now, not bothering to wipe them away when more would take their place. 

“Do you have any idea how many people I drank dry when I was in the middle of my addiction? How many children?” 

His voice  thickened, his hands trembling. “Even I don’t know. I didn’t even know their names. I just needed another hit to get through the day. And then another hit to get through the morning, afternoon, night. And if blood wasn’t available, I took out my aggravated mood on Elena, fornicationg with barely a hair of consent. I was not a good person Geralt. I should still be a puddle in that well. It’s what I deserved.” He finished, not even turning to look the Witcher in the eyes. 

But Geralt forced him, gently, to face him, bringing his hands to his cold face, fingers grazing his sideburns. Regis’s lip trembled, even as his body softened at the feel of Gerald’s body heat from his hands. “If a drug addict came to you for help, even if he murdered innocents to get the drugs, would you turn him away?” 

“Of course not. Everyone deserves a second chance, they would need help.”

Geralt gave him a soft but serious look. “But why not yourself?”

Regis swallowed the lump in his throat but stayed quiet, for once he had no words. Geralt smiled softly. “You have no idea all the good you brought into the world. You might have been terrible in your past, but that’s the past. You turned yourself around, you got sober,you started to heal people, even risking a relapse to help them. You got an offer to go to medical school. And the people who you helped? They built this shop, for you alongside Zoltan and his crew. You’ve been to hell and back twice and came out of the other end better.” 

Regis let a whimper escape his mouth. Geralt brought his arms around the vampire and held him tightly. Regis sobbed into his shoulder for a second time in 24 hours. 

When he felt Geralt leave a kiss on his head, he felt he might blush. How many years has it been since he had such genuine affection? He pulled away gently, seeing the Witcher blushing and trying to look away. 

Regis took the gloves off, letting them fall to the ground easily before he brought a hand to his stubbled chin, turning it to him. Geralt let him move him, feeling a nervousness he never felt with Yennifer. Geralt was the first to talk. “Can I kiss you?” 

Regis nodded. “I’ve been waiting for it.” 

Geralt gave a small, nervous smile before letting a hand travel up the vampire's neck, supporting him as he moved in slowly, giving more than enough time for the vampire to back out. 

But he didn’t and Geralt's lips met his gently. The vampires lips were cool to the touch and soft, like a rose petal on a cool spring morning. They kissed lazily for a few moments, enjoying the moment. Regis could sense the others heartbeat, it was beating like the fastest drum he ever felt. 

Geralt started to deepen the kiss, bringing the vampire closer to him. 

Regis happily opened his mouth up to him, arms wrapping around the Witchers shoulder, gently tangling in his long gray hair with a pleased moan, making a tingle of excitement go down the Witchers spine.

Geralt pulled away, feeling out of breath. Regis smiled, chuckling softly as his fingers played with Geralt's hair. “I’m sorry, you needed to breathe.”

“Unfortunately.” He said with a smirk, still holding Regis impossibly close, close enough he could feel the vampire's mutual excitement. 

Regis smiled softly with a coy look to his Witcher. “Did you want to continue? We have a perfectly good table.”

Geralt chuckled softly. “You want to defile your medical exam table? Are you the same vampire I met months ago?”

“Medical tables have seen much worse than a fun time.” 

Geralt smiled before kissing him, a small crash of lips that had Regis letting out a small noise of surprise before moving to kiss and nibble his neck. “So much better than walking in the cold.” Regis said, breathlessly.

Regis melted into him, feeling like a puddle under the Witcher's hands and lips before a breathy moans started to escape his mouth, his neck so sensitive. 

Unknown to them, Dettlaff was watching through a crack outside a window, hovering as mist and keeping his presence low. 

Since Regis was kidnapped by his ex and her friends, he’s been watching over him as he recovered, staying low and staying as a mist. 

Now he sees he was never a good fit for him. Now he sees how genuinely happy Regis is with the Witcher, feeling guilt and shame for every bad name he once called him, all the accusations he threw his way, feeling he was owed that much for saving the vampire's life from that well.

Felt he owned him. 

He didn’t and he realizes now how wrong he was, about everything. He’s not sure if he was even in love with him. Once Regis was gently thrown onto the medical table. the Witchers hands making quick work of clothing, he left. He knew what he had to do, for Regis to and he to properly be free of the other. 

Chapter Text

Although Dettlaff knew what he had to do, just thinking of going back to Regis made anxiety crawl up his back and make his stomach do flips. 

He kept his side of the connection completely open, as some form of peace keeping. He could feel the others side of the connection was guarded and closed off, most of the time. 

Other times he can feel the love and affection he feels for the Witcher, he can feel the intimacy of their lovemaking, the happiness and peace it brought Regis was unmistakable. 

It made it even more clear what he had to do. 

It was spring by the time he managed to work up the courage to see his former lover. He wasn’t home so he waited, leaning against the stone walls, not daring enter. 

The old version of himself would have gone inside and waited, ignoring his privacy, his boundaries.

Now he waits. He feels a little good knowing that was progress. 

And the smell of fresh herbs drying in the window was a nice reward. 

He watched as people passed by, listening to the small buzz of background noise of the passerby’s conversations and footsteps. 

By the time he spotted Regis walking back to his home, it was past sunset, the sky starting to turn a navy blue, with just a sliver of orange turning to pinks on the horizon. 

He stood with some trouble, not realizing how long he had been sitting in one position, making him stiff. 

Regis had been reading a book while he walked home, a terrible habit Dettlaff attempted to rid him of. 

But he tried to rid him of many habits that were his happiness. 

Regis stopped, noticing the black figure just above the book he was so engrossed in. He tensed, seeing who it was, holding the book almost protectively against himself. “What are you doing here? I thought you were gone.” 

“You know I’m not. Our bond is still intact.” Dettlaf said quietly, hands in his coat pockets. 

Regis glared at him. “I’m aware, I keep it closed.” 

“You keep it closed, most of the time.”

The other vampire looked away, knowing exactly what he meant. It was too much mental energy to keep the bond closed when being intimate with Geralt, he could always feel Dettlaff then. But it took far less mental energy to pretend Dettlaff doesn’t exist than to keep it closed during those times. 

“What do you want?” Regis asked quietly.

“I want to break the bond.” 

Regis just looked oddly at him, mouth agape in shock. “Is that even possible?”

“It is. But it can be traumatic, according to Mercy, damaging even.” 

“I’ll do it.” Regis said quickly. Dettlaff just looked at him, not sure of the cocktail of emotions he was feeling at his ex lovers quick answer. 

Regis continued. “I’ll do it because I want you out of my life, in every sense. There was once a time I adored you, I loved you, unconditionally. But because you saved my life, used your blood, we became bonded and you used that against me, any every opportunity. 

You hated humans, hated I worked to help them. If I came home later than you thought I should be, you’d start accusing me of drinking or having an affair. You never once cared about the emotional strain I had gone though, not just with my addiction but if I failed one of the people that came to me; a woman miscarried in my medical hut. I was devastated, you didn’t care how devastated I was, how depressed I was. You claimed I was being overdramatic and emotional and that she didn’t deserve my help because the baby would have died anyway, without or without the miscarriage!” 

He hadn’t realized how emotional he got during his speech, he suddenly sucked in a heaving breath, tears falling steadily down his face. He turned away, wiping his eyes. Dettlaff swallowed the guilt and shame he felt, he remembered that day. 

He felt ignored, rejected that Regis didn’t want to be intimate so he lashed out. 

“Apologies will never take back how I treated you. But I can at least give you the freedom to chose who you want to bond with. And be free of me.” 

Regis gave a curt nod. “Fine. But I want Geralt there when this happens. I don’t know what will happen but..but I want someone I trust there.”

“Where is he now?” 

“On a contract.” 

“Where?”

Regis glared softly. “I’m not telling you.” 

“Why? Do you feel that unsafe around me, when you’re well aware you can kill me just as easily as I could you.” 

“No but you could kill him.”

Detract gave a nod. “Alright. When should I return?” 

“I’ll call you through the bond when I’m ready.” 

Dettlaff just nodded again, he knows he deserves the distrust, even if it hurt. “Alright. I will see you then.” He turned to mist and left. 

Once he was alone, Regis took in a few steadying breaths, his emotions a mess after talking with his former lover. One of his crows flew and landed gently on his shoulder,cawing gently in worry.

Regis reached to his shoulder to have the crow now stand on his forearm. “I will be alright, thank you for your concern.” He said softly, wishing he had a free hand to pet the crow. The crow cawed again. He shook his head. “No need to bother Geralt, he will be back tomorrow, I shall talk to him then.”  The bird just gave him a look. Regis rolled his eyes but smiled weakly. “I will be fine, I promise. Now I’d like to spend the rest of the night reading.”

The next night, Geralt parked Roach at his shared home with Regis, giving her a few pets and veggies before going inside, it was late but the candles were on and he could smell food cooking. He walked inside, the door creaking lightly as he walked inside.

Regis was at the fireplace, putting together a meal, in the middle of chopping garlic when he saw Geralt walk inside. He smiled, nearly misting just to get to him faster. Geralt chuckled as he embraced the vampire. “Miss me that much?”

“Always. Now get undressed and relaxed, i anticipated your arrival and your dinner is just about ready.” The vampire said before giving the witcher a quick kiss and going back to the chopping block. Geralt just smiled, watching Regis move back to the food prep. “Alright.”

It didn't take long for Geralt to take his armor and swords off, leaving just his pants and undershirt, even untied the ribbon holding his hair together, letting it fall naturally. 

When he walked out of their bedroom, back into the living area and kitchen, Regis already had a plate ready for him as he was reading by the fire. 

Geralt sighed, sitting at the small table, feeling the fatigue of his latest contract, or at least the travel of it. He looked at what Regis was reading. “That’s not the same book I saw when I left.”

Revis smiled over. “That’s because it isn’t.” 

“How many books have you read since I was gone?”

Regis looked sheepish, wanting to hide behind his book. Geralt gave a playful glare. “Regis, how many?”

“It’ll be four once this one is done.” 

Geralt huffed, exasperated but happy to see the vampire thriving. “How can you run your shop and read all those books?” 

“Easy when you’re immortal and need no sleep or food.” 

Geralt gave him a more serious, concerned look, picking up his fork and pointing it at the vampire. “That’s a lie if I ever heard one.”

Regis smiled softly to him. “Eat. I have something I need to talk to you about and I rather you’ve had a meal.” 

Geralt swallowed the vegetable he had cut up, now fully concerned. “Is everything ok?”

“Yes, everything is fine. If it was more urgent I’d have brought it up immediately.” 

Geralt sighed. “Alright. I’m trusting you.” After that he continued to eat. 

Once he was done and Regis took his plate to clean, Geralt followed to the cleaning area of the house, walking through the door. “Ok, what is it?” 

Regis sighed as he cleaned the plate from a large basin with vinegar. “Not a second wasted with you.” His tone snappish and curt, he did not intend that. 

Geralt tensed, his vampire being snappish but never good. “What is going on?”

Regan turned, the plate forgotten in the basin of vinegar. “Dettlaff  came to see me yesterday.” 

“Are you ok?” 

“Yes, I’m quite well. He came to ask me about breaking our bond.” 

Geralt was confused, walking closer. “I thought that bond was broken.”

“It's more complicated than that. What I’ve been doing is keeping the connection between us closed. Unfortunately, I am unable to break the bond because I did not initiate it. But he’s making progress, as it pains me to say it. He wants to break the bond so we can be totally and absolutely free of the other.”

“There’s a catch isn’t there?” Geralt asked carefully.  Regis looked away. “It can be very damaging to do, traumatic even. But I’ve already agreed to do it.” 

Geralt glared softly, what could make breaking that bind so traumatic? “And you didn’t think to talk to me about it?” 

Regis looked away. “Do you have any idea what it’s like having such a bond with someone who hurt you? The mental energy it takes to keep that connection closed? During our times of intimacy that connection is open because I cannot keep it closed when..well when you make me feel so good. I don’t want that, if I don’t break that bond he will be living with me, in my head, for the rest of my life.”

Geralt sighed, reaching out and holding his partner's hands. “How is it going to hurt you, breaking this bond?” 

Regis frowned. “I don’t know. I’ve never heard of someone actually doing this. I will have to talk to mercy, so I know what to expect.” 

Geralt swallowed, anxiety worming its way through his chest. “Can it kill you?”

Regis met his eyes but they didn’t make Geralt feel comforted. “I don’t know.” 

“If she says it can, we’re not doing this.” 

Regis looked surprised . “Geralt, that’s not your decision to make.”

“No but it is you that I could lose. If it’s emotionally traumatic, damaging, we can work through that, but losing you? Completely?” 

Regis brought his hands to his lover's face, gently feeling the stubble with his thumbs. “You won’t. I promise, if it comes to that, I won’t do it.”

Geralt held his hands, kissing the palms. “Good.”

“Your commanding just took me off guard, you’re correct, that would be too much. I just haven’t heard such a heated command since-“

“Dettlaff.” Geralt said quietly. 

Regis looked away, his hands lowering. “Yes.

Geralt sighed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so harsh.” He held the vampire's hands again. “I’m all too aware of the time I have with you is fleeting. You’re an immortal and I could die on any contract.”

Regis smiled sadly, knowing he likely will out live any lover he takes, that isn’t another higher vampire. “Quite the mismatched pair.” 

Geralt leaned in, kissing him softly, deeply. “Let’s forget about this conversation for a bit. I missed you.”

Regis smiled into the kiss, wrapping himself around the Witcher, hands tangling in silver hair before traveling down, Geralt moving his kisses to the vampires neck, making him moan out softly, breathy. 

Regis reached the waist of his pants, pulling away from Geralt and leading him by a finger, by the waist of his pants, to their bedroom, dishes in the basin forgotten.

Chapter Text

Geralt gently stopped Roach as they arrived at Mercy’s house. Regis got down from the horse carefully. He knew he could have been mistt, flying above Geralt but he did not want to leave Geralt alone the further they got into vampire territory and he had to give directions. 

Regis did his best to pretend not all eyes were on him as he and Geralt walked to her door. Regis dared to look over his shoulder and he swore he felt hatred from vampire couple walking past.

Geralt sensed his lover’s anxiety, his body language much more anxious than earlier. He reached out and held his shaking hand. “Hey, gonna be alright?” 

Regis looked away from the stares of the crowds walking the streets. “Yes. I worry for you. Witchers are not welcome in vampire territory.”

“Well I am a Witcher in vampire territory, that’s to be expected.” 

“I used to know nearly everyone here. From parties and drinking and killing; they knew me from that. But now that I’m sober and strive to heal humans with my skills…I’m an outcast.”

Geralt just brought the vampire's hand to his lips, giving it a kiss. “Not alone in that. Now let’s get inside.” 

Regis smiled weakly before knocking on the door. Mercy opened it quickly with a smile. “Regis, you look well, come in.” 

Regis smiled to her, taking his hand from Geralts to hold his bag's strap anxiously as they walked inside. 

“Thank you so much for meeting with me.”

Mercy smiled as she sat down at one of her chairs by the fireplace. “You need help, I am more than welcome to give it. First, how is your relationship with the Witcher?” She said with a playful grin. 

He felt himself blush, smiling softly. “It’s good. He’s very good to me.” He stated as he looked over at Geralt who gave a small smile back. 

Mercy nodded with her own smile. “Good, I’m happy to hear that. Now, talk to me.” 

Regis sighed, walking closer, hands fidgeting with the strap of his bag. “Detlaff wants to break our blood bond and I agreed but I wanted to talk to you first before anything started.” 

Mercy frowned. “And you’re aware of how dangerous it is?” 

“Actually, no. I fear I don’t know a thing about it. He said it could be traumatic and dangerous. Could it kill me?” 

Mercy looked away. “It’s a possibility.” 

Geralt stepped forward. “Then he’s not doing it.” 

Regis almost glared at Geralt when Mercy continued, standing from her chair. “Just cause it is a possibility doesn’t mean it is a sure outcome. I’ve only ever heard of one death occurring from a blood bond breaking but it was in a case of death and they were very much in love. 

But this case is different; a mutual bond breaking could react very differently.” 

“How could it react?” Revis asked nervously. 

Mercy started to walk around the room. “Well it would hurt, physically, how much I can’t say, it varies depending on how long you’ve been bonded and how mutual the pair is. Once it’s broken you may go through an intense depression, you may become suicidal or crave the bond badly enough to find the one who bonded with you to attempt to be bonded again. I think with you, you likely may go through feelings of depression and rejection, given your history, your addiction may show up but it won’t kill you. You will just feel like emotional shit for a few days. With the Witcher by your side, you have nothing to be afraid of.” 

Regis swallowed, he could really be free of Detlaff. “But what of him? Of Detlaff? What would he go through?” 

Mercy sighed. “About the same but given he was the one to initiate the bond, he likely would not go through feelings of rejection, just depression, and loss, as if a loved one died.”

Regis held his head high. “Then I want to break the bond.”

Mercy nodded. “Call Detlaff here and we can begin.” 

Regan gave a nod before turning, Geralt tried his best not to show his worry but Regis could feel it coming off of him in waves. He just smiled and held his Witcher's hand. “I will be fine, I promise.” 

Geralt leaned in and kissed his head. “I know. But I will still worry, I don’t like feeling useless.” 

“You won’t be. I’m sure I will need you more than I ever have.” 

“That’s not comforting.” 

Regis sighed. “I apologize, I’m afraid I’m quite nervous as well, this is as unknown to me as it is to you. Now, I’m going to tell Detlaff to meet us here immediately.” 

He walked away to the window, closing his eyes and opening up the bond he so often keeps closed. 

Geralt watched, a few moments went by when there was a knock on the door. Mercy went to the door as Regis turned. 

Geralt just looked surprised. “That was fast.” 

“He lives in this territory, he didn’t have far to go.” 

Mercy ushered Detlaff in, both Geralt and Regis becoming tense immediately seeing him. Detlaff looked to Meecy, speaking quietly. “How do we start?”

Mercy looked at both of them. “I want you both to sit on the floor, facing each other. “ 

Geralt watched as Regis and Detlaff went to the open area by the fireplace that was going, even on the warm day. Geralt guesses vampires really like warmth. 

Regis and Detlaff stared at each other, tense and awkward. 

Mercy stood to Detlaff, a book on vampire physiology in her hands. “Detlaff, place your hands on Regis; one on his head and another over his heart.” 

Regis didn’t like the idea of being touched by the other vampire but felt the awful feeling of it, his hand heavy on his head, the other clear over his heart, could rip it out of him without a second thought. 

The thought just made his heart beat harder out of anxiety. Mercy continued. “Detlaff, you will repeat these words to him; say his name.”

Detlaff swallowed, the tension in the room palpable, acutely aware of how unwanted he is here but unfortunately necessary for this. “Regis-“

“No, his full name.” Mercy corrected him.

Detlaff sighed as Regis tensed, looking like he was about to bolt out of the room like a scared rabbit, he never liked to use his full name. “Emiel Regis Rohellec Terzieff-Godefroy”

“I break this bond-“

“I break this bond-“

“And all our history-“

“And all our history-“

“And from this day on, you shall be free.”

“And from this day on, you shall be free.” 

“Now cut his hand, to draw out the actual bond.”

Regis could already feel the stirring of the feelings of rejection and depression Mercy was talking about. He felt his eyes fill with tears, less tense from the depression slowly washing over him as Detlaff took his hand, cutting a small slice on his palm before Meecy directed him to take the bond out. 

Regis gasped, nearly wanting to pull his hand back as his blood came out and flowed back into Detlaff's now cut hand as well; physically taking the bond. Fuck, it hurt so bad, he wanted to whimper and cry and scream. 

He tried to move from it but Detlaff held his hand there with his other hand. “It’s not done.” 

Regis let a cry of pain escape, Geralt coming over immediately, knowing this ritual can’t be interrupted, he just wrapped the vampire in his arms. 

But he did glare weakly over at Detlaff and Mercy. “How much longer?” 

Detlaff watched. “Just a few more minutes, we’ve been bonded for about twenty years, it’s twenty years worth of the bond I am taking back.” 

Regis's entire body hurt, feeling as though he was to burn with his shop from a year prior. He used Geralt’s chest to muffle his screams of pain. 

It was over within two minutes but for Regis, it might as well have been a lifetime. He quickly took his hand back as he sobbed into the Witcher's shoulder. 

Geralt held him, comforting him as best he could as he looked over at Detlaff who looked in similar shape, without the pain but he looked like he lost a loved one, been told they were never coming back, even though Regis was alive and in front of him. 

He didn’t say a word as he got up and turned to just, going out the window. 

Mercy frowned, kneeling down to the two. “It is over. He is free. What he’s feeling will pass within a week. Possibly less with your support and love.”

Regis's cries of pain died down as the pain went away but Geralt still didn’t like the lost, depressed look in his eyes. “Thank you for this. Will Detlaff be ok?”

Mercy smiled weakly. “You care about him now?” 

“No. But I know Regis will have questions when he comes back to himself.”

“He will be. I will make sure of it.” 

Geralt just nodded, moving Regis enough to see him properly, tilting his face to see his eyes. 

The vampire's eyes looked so lost, his pupils little dots, like he was staring at the sun, tears falling steadily down his face that looked paler than usual. 

Regis was trembling in the Witcher's hold, voice breaking as he tried to speak. “He left me..”

Geralt just went with it, not his first time dealing with someone, not in their right mind. “I know.”

“Was I not good enough? I can be better.”

Geralt hugged him close, letting Regis lay his head on the Witcher's shoulder as he clung to him. “You were perfect, he just…he..” He looked to mercy for some help. 

She knelt down to him, running a hand up and down the vampire's back. “He just wanted to be alone. Now why don’t you go home with Geralt? You should get some rest.” 

Regis whimpered at her soft request, everything felt like rejection, the rational part of his mind, below the tangled ball of feelings felt so embarrassed but he couldn’t help himself. “You don’t want me either. Nobody wants me.”

Mercy frowned softly, still rubbing his back. She looked to Geralt. “If he is this bad, I must go check on Detlaff, if you need to, you are welcome to stay here until he is in the right head space for travel.” 

“Is that safe? He said most here don’t like him, that he’s an outcast.” 

“And he was correct but I run this part of town, no one would dare try to harm anyone I shelter without severe consequences. Good luck and thank you, Witcher, for being who he needs.” 

She turned to dark red mist and was gone. Geralt sighed before feeling Regis try to leave his arms. “Where are you trying to go?” 

Regis struggled, weakly, his emotions weakening him. “I need a drink, no one cares about me and I just want to drink myself into a stupor and forget.”

Geralt tensed, he forgot that could be a coping mechanism he could go back to during this bond breaking. Even with Mercy saying it was a possibility, he was just so focused on Regis. He can only hope he can keep the vampire away from any of it. “What you need is sleep. Drinking will just make you feel worse.” 

But Regis still struggled and Geralt had a hard time getting him to not find any blood. Regis had slipped from his arms but before he could get far Geralt used Axii to put him asleep. 

Regis fell unconscious and fell to the floor. Geralt huffed as he got up, kneeling down. “Shit.” He started to gently pick up and carry the vampire in his arms. He carried him to the couch and gently laid him down. He hoped Mercy was ok if they stayed the night, there's no way he could get him home like this. But why did he try to run and not drink from him? 

Chapter Text

It was dark out by the time Mercy came back, seeing they were still there, seeing Regis asleep on the couch and Geralt in the recliner across from said couch, stoic and worried as ever. “How is he?” 

“Bad. He wanted to go for blood but…he didn’t try to drink from me or go outside. He ran toward your basement.” 

Mercy cursed, crossing her arms. “I store bloodwine here. I manufacture it. It’s not brewed here but it’s stored here before it’s sold. You need to get him out of here, as soon as possible.” 

“How? He could turn to mist and run away, he could kill me with no effort.” He said. He stood, starting to plead with her. “Can you help me? Until his head space is safe enough to leave?” 

Mercy sighed. “Of course. I will go fortify the locks on the cellar door. That way should he get to it, he cannot open or get in.”

Geralt relaxed. “Thanks.”  He watched her walk away before his eyes landed on the vampire, still asleep. 

He made the spell strong, hoping he can sleep the worst of it off. 

He walked over, kneeling to see Regis better, bringing a hand to pet his hair gently, wondering what was going on in his vampires mind. 

The gentle touch woke the vampire gently, his eyes opening. 

Geralt gave a little smile. “Hey, how you feeling?” 

Regis eyes welled over. “Terrible. It’s like a part of me has been ripped away. It makes me wish i was dead.” 

“Still craving blood?” 

“A little. Not so intensely. Now I just want to die.” His voice became thick as tears fell. 

Geralt felt his heart break, seeing Regis like this. “Well luckily you’re extremely hard to kill, even by your own hand. Do you want to go home?” 

“Yes but how long will I feel like this?” 

“I’m not sure. We can ask Mercy when she comes back.” 

Regis started to sit up, looking around. “Where is she?” 

“Fortifying her cellar door. You tried to run to it.” 

Regis whined, hiding his face in his hands. “I’m so embarrassed.”

Geralt sat on the couch next to him, bringing his arm around him. “No need to feel that way. It was your vice, you’re going through a hard time, it’s natural you’d want to go back to it.”

Mercy walked back in, stopping seeing Regis awake. “Ah, how are you feeling?” 

Regis didn’t even look at her, wiping tears away. “Like I want to die. It’s like a part of me has been ripped away.” 

“That’s because technically it has. But seeing that you’re talking and aware of the situation, you’ll probably have less than a day like this. Maybe two days. Having it be a mutual bond breaking is likely why it’s easier.” 

“It doesn’t feel easy.”  Regis said, not even looking at her, his arms around himself. 

Geralt kissed his head, holding him close. “Let’s go home, I’ll make your favorite soup.” 

Regis was quiet, Geralt helping him up. 

Geralt looked at Mercy. “Thank you, for all your help.” 

Mercy gave a soft smile. “My door is always open to you and Regis. Please have safe travels home.”

They got outside, a few vampires seeing them, giving side eyes and judgmental glares. He kept Regis as protected as possible from the looks, helping him onto roach, keeping him in front, wanting to hold him as they rode home. 

On the way, his hands were around Regis, holding roaches reins, wanting Regis to be enclosed. 

He felt Regis relax against him. 

Geralt chuckled softly. “Tired?” 

“Emotionally, yes, bloody exhausted.” He said quietly. “Physically? No. Sleep won’t come easy tonight.” 

“That’s alright. Cause I was thinking, when we get home, I’ll make you your favorite soup and run a bath with your favorite oils. Maybe we can even use some of your herbs in it to see if it’ll help…cleanse your energy? Am I right?” 

Regis smiled weakly. “You’ve been paying attention to my ramblings.” 

“I always do, just never a guarantee it’ll stick.”

When they got home the moon was high, it was very late. He helped Regis off roach, holding his hands tightly once both of them were on the ground. “I’m going to put roach away, you get Into your most comfortable clothes and start burning your favorite incense and I’ll be right in to make your soup.” 

Regis gave a nod, with no smile, feeling guilty he cannot even feel good about his partner doting and helping him. He walked inside. 

Geralt sighed, feeling the emotions of the day crash onto him as he leaned his head against his beloved horse. “It’s been a day, let’s get you to sleep.” Roach nuzzled him gently. He smiled weakly and took her reins. Leading her to the stable he built for her once he made this his permanent home. 

After he got her set up and fed, he went inside, smelling the woodsy, earthy incense Regis. He was sitting at the kitchen table, the fleece pajama he bought him (because regis barely had any clothes except what he wore, Geralt wanted to change that) and had his head on the table, wrapped in his hands, crying quietly. 

Geralt walked over, kneeling to be eye level and kissed his head. “It’s ok, I’m not going anywhere.” 

Regis lifted his head, wiping his face. “I’m so sorry Geralt..” he said, his voice breaking and eyes still pouring tears. 

Geralt held his hands. “What do you have to be sorry for?” 

“You are being so affectionate, so caring and I can’t even enjoy it. I’m still far too depressed to feel anything remotely positive.” 

Geralt brought his hands to the vampire's face, forcing him to look at him. “Hey, it’s ok. I get it. After what you went through to be free…it’s ok to not feel ok. Mercy said this feeling is normal.” 

“If it’s normal then why do you dote on me so? None of it will work, none of it will break this depression other than time.” 

Geralt smiled softly, wiping his tears away with his thumb. “Because I love you. Do I need any more reason?” 

Regis felt his lip tremble. “I don’t deserve you.” 

Geralt leaned his head against his. “You deserve every good thing in this world. Now let’s have that soup you like so much. While it cooks, tell me about every one of your favorite herbs.”

Although Regis was quiet for a few minutes as Geralt got the ingredients. Geralt asked, seeing the vampire would do better with a prompt. “So what’s your favorite herb?” 

“Rosemary.” He said quietly, still in his head. 

“Oh, rosemarys nice. Why’s it your favorite?” 

It took a few moments for the vampires brain to catch up, to bring out a response but once he started talking, he didn’t stop, info-dumping about its benefits, its smell, how it can be used. 

By the time dinner was done and put in front of him, Regis talked about Rosemary, Basil, lavender and anise and seemed almost back to himself. 

Regis looked at it and Geralt gave a soft but stern look as he sat across from him. “Eat.” 

“I’m not very hungry.” Regis said quietly, eyes welling again. 

“Eat what you can. If anything it’ll make it easier to get a good night's sleep.”

Regis let out a breath, wiping away any new tears that formed. He grabbed the spoon and started eating. 

It was nearly empty when he was done with it. Geralt helped him up, rubbing his arms gently. “Would you rather take a warm bath or just go to sleep?” 

“May I drown in the bath?” Regis mumbbled, not meeting the Witchers eyes. 

Geralt let the comment slide, knowing he’s just venting his depression but he did gently tilt his head up with his hand. “Sleep or bath?” 

“Bath.” 

“Alright, what herbs did you want?” 

Regis thought a moment. “Lavender, definitely, and chamomile.” 

“Why don’t you go pick them out and I’ll get the water started.” 

Regis gave a nod, going to the washroom, where any soiled dishes go in the basin, but also held all his drying herbs in various drawers and containers. 

He found the lavender and chamomile easily, going outside to the backyard, where the wooden bathtub Geralt insisted on making was. It ran on a water pump, it would be a while before it was filled. 

Geralt was already pulling the water in. Regis walked over to him. “I can start the fire to warm the water. That way by the time it’s filled it’ll be warm.” 

“Good idea. There’s wood in the stable.” 

Regis placed the herbs inside the tub, letting them float on the puddle of water, not seeing the little glass bottle of witcher potion inside. 

He came back with an armful, placing it under the tubs ceramic bottom, keeping the wood of the tub from actually being on fire. 

He quickly got a fire going and walked away to sit a safe distance from it and watched Geralt work. Which was a bonus, he loved to watch his witcher work, witnessing the legendary strength that took down so many beasts. 

Finally the tub was filled and warm and the logs were burnt up and charred, the fire having consumed all their energy. 

Geralt tested the water, feeling the temperature. “Perfect.” He took his clothes off and Regis watched; his lover was beautiful and beautifully scarred. 

Geralt gave him a look, now standing naked. “Are you going to oogle me all night or are you going to get in the bath?” 

Regis blushed, standing. “Of course. Sorry, I just will never tire of seeing you nude.” 

Geralt got into the water, chuckling. “Glad to hear that, you're stuck with me.”

Once Regis was nude himself he climbed in, sinking into the water and already feeling so much better. “Even if it took a long time, this was worth it.”

Geralt leaned against the bath wall. “Com’re.” Reaching his hand out to the vampire. 

Regis took it and was soon gently brought into Geralt’s lap, enveloped in his arms. “There we go, much better.”  He kissed the vampires head. 

Regis melted into it, feeling the depression from breaking his bond nearly gone. “Thank you, for everything you’ve done for me. It’s more than most would do.”

“I think you know, I’m not most.”

“No, you’re Geralt Of Rivia, the legendary Witcher who decided to lay with a vampire instead of slaying him.” He said with a little smile. 

“Well maybe I have a thing for the bookish type with a dark, mysterious past.” 

“That certainly fits Yennifer to a degree.” 

Geralt rolled his eyes and splashed him gently. “Can you not mention my ex, especially while you’re nearly sitting on my cock?” 

Regis chuckled warmly, turning around. “I gest my dear.” 

Geralt smirked as he leaned in. “Good, because if you weren’t, I’d have to do something drastic.” 

“Oh? Like what?” 

Geralt reached under the water, grabbing for something before catching it in his hand, bringing it up to the water. 

It was a Witcher potion.  

Regis looked at it. “Killer whale potion? What on earth do you plan to do with that?” 

Geralt took the glass top off, drinking it down and throwing the glass gently to the ground, not wanting it to break. 

Regis had a fuzzy picture in his head of what Geralt wanted to do but he could not be sure. “Geralt what do you plan?” 

Geralt brought Regis close, his hands on his hips. “Something drastic.”  He leaned in, kissing the vampire deeply, bringing the vampires soft cock next to his half hard one. 

Regis moaned softly, wrapping himself around him before Geralt got them turned, placing Regis against the bath wall and gently handling his cock, quickly hardening in his hand. 

Regis whined, Geralt attacked his neck nips and suckles which made him moaned wantonly. “Oh Geralt…” 

Geralt went under the water quickly and Regis missed the contact but suddenly felt the Witcher take his cock into his mouth. 

Now the potion  made sense. 

Regis bright his hands into Geralt's hair, not pressing down, just feeling, needing a place for his hands to be as he panted, the pleasure was welcome to what he was feeling earlier. 

Geralt managed to fit most of his cock in his mouth, licking around the head, using his fist to stroke what he couldn't fit. 

Regis whined, starting to thrust up gently, the Witcher not stopping him. 

He felt his climax building, feeling the pleasure zing up and down his entire body with every lick across the head, in the slit. Picking up any precom that made its way out. 

Another torturous lick and stoke and he felt it get precisely to that cliffs edge of climax, trying to be quiet as he moaned, whining, oh gods he was so close. 

Then Geralt pulled away, deliberately edging him and it worked, he tensed, whining, thrusting fully upward in search of that mouth again. 

Geralt came out of the water and grinned to him. “How you feeling?” 

Revis panted, leaning in and crashing his lips to his, nearly devouring him. 

Geralt moaned into the kiss before pulling away, bringing a hand to Regis hair, tugging what he could. The effect was immediate. 

Regis moaned. Geralt leaned in, nipping and suckling his neck. Regis whined, panting. “Please stop teasing…let me come..” 

“Can you come from your neck alone?” 

“Yes..please..” he pleaded. 

Geralt doubled his efforts, biting the neck, not enough to draw blood. Regis had wrapped his arms around  his head, wanting to keep him there as his neck was nibbled on. 

Regis whined, tensing with every second that his climax built again. 

It was so close, he felt his balls tighten up, his body tense as a coil when Geralt pulled away again, making him whine in frustration. “Geralt please..” 

Geralt leaned in, kissing him. “Alright, only because you've  been so good.” He moved down his neck, his chest, going under the water and back to the throbbing cock. 

Revis gasped as he was engulfed again, Geralt licking up the slit, stroking what he couldn’t get Into his mouth. 

He was so close and was scared Geralt may move away again. But he didn’t, even as he felt him tense. 

Regi gasped out, feeling his climax finally wash over him, making him tense up, moaning softly as he came in the water, Geralt moving his mouth away. 

Geralt came out of the water, kissing him, storking him through his climax. Regis melted into his mouth, feeling Geralt's strong hand milk every last drop out of him. 

He panted, boneless against the Witcher. 

“Did you plan that?” 

“A bit. Figured tonight was a good night to try it, did it help?”

Regis nodded against his shoulder. “Yes. Yes, quite so my love.”

Geralt smiled softly, moving to hold the vampire face gently. “Good.” He kissed his head before moving. “We should get out, it’s starting to cool. I can empty it in the morning.” 

Together they got out, drying once inside, putting on their night clothes for bed. 

Together they lay in bed, the Witcher holding  his vampire close. 

And the vampire having never felt more safe or more loved in his entire, long life, fell asleep quickly, with a better future ahead of him.