"Why can't you just admit it Geralt?" You asked as you watched Geralt strap his jerkin over his smooth linen shirt in a bid to protect himself from the biting mountaintop winds.

"I have nothing to admit." He finished his ensemble by tightening his studded shoulder pads and sliding his blades into their sheaths. "What are you doing awake anyway? We aren't due to set off for another hour or so."

"It isn't everyday I get to go griffin hunting atop a grand mountain is it?" Geralt smirked and began piling Roach with the supplies you had procured for the hunting. "I would quite like to enjoy the nice view before I get my head removed from my shoulders and my entrails turned into nesting material."

"You should try to be less dramatic." Geralt smirked as you helped him roll up the last of the sheltering material and hoisted it onto Roach's hind.

"You're right." Geralt mounted Roach and you took your position behind him on your own steed, a pinto you had brought with the name Meadow. "I have the world famous Geralt of Rivia leading the way. Now, why can't you admit that you see me as more than just a travelling companion?" The freshly shoed hooves of the horses sunk into the crisp white snow and mingled with the other newly made tracks.

"Because I don't." You quickly progressed up the mountain, weaving through the dense forest like spots of trees and climbing over the jagged, ice skimmed rocks.

"Then why did you insist on my company?" He smirked again a he steered Roach around a tight bend that encroached the peak of the mountain, only to halt abruptly once turning the corner.

"Shh." His gloved hand pressed firmly against your chest as his other hand pointed out the ragged, winged beast. "You wait here with the horses, be ready to throw me a potion should I need it. Apart from that stay out of my way."

"I can help. I have my blade. Freshly oiled with a potion of dog tallow and white myrtle petals as the recipes tell."

"No. Watch the horse, stay out of danger."

"What's the matter?" You dismounted as he did and left the horses untied. "Scared you'll lose me?"

"Fine. I care about you. Is that what you wanted to hear? I care about you, and if the mountain top was to be painted red with my blood, I would like it to be with you by my side."

"And I care about you too, which is why I'm fighting by you side."

~*~

Written by Aaron.