Chapter 41: Valentine's Gifts
POV: Adam
The calendar calculation required more mental arithmetic than Adam had performed since arriving in this world, counting backward through days that had blurred together into continuous cycles of training, survival, and relationship development. His best estimate placed the current date somewhere near what his previous life would have recognized as Valentine's Day—close enough to justify romantic gesture even if precision was impossible.
February 14th. Or close enough. Does this world even have equivalent traditions?
The gift crafting began before dawn while Kaer Morhen slept, Adam working by candlelight in chambers that provided privacy for experimentation with techniques that felt more artistic than tactical. Waterbending allowed ice sculpture that wouldn't melt through magical sustainability, crystalline forms that could maintain structure indefinitely with minimal energy expenditure.
Cintra's lion. Symbol of everything she's lost, transformed into something beautiful.
The ice sculpture emerged under his guidance like memory given physical form, each detail carved through elemental manipulation that responded to visualization rather than conventional tools. The lion's mane flowed with crystalline precision that caught candlelight in patterns that spoke of majesty preserved despite tragedy.
Pendant. Simple pendant from polished stone.
The second gift required earthbending practice that felt clumsy compared to his growing waterbending mastery, stone responding with reluctance rather than the eager cooperation that water provided. But persistence yielded results—smooth obsidian shaped into elegant simplicity that could be worn close to her heart.
Thoughtfulness. Both gifts represent thoughtfulness rather than expense.
"Working on something special?" Lambert's voice carried amusement that suggested he'd been watching Adam's efforts with professional interest. "Let me guess—romantic gesture for the princess."
Advice. Surprisingly, they're offering advice about courtship.
The conversation that followed revealed depths of experience that decades of varied encounters had provided, witchers sharing wisdom about relationships that their profession rarely allowed time to develop. Even Lambert's suggestions, while terrible in execution, demonstrated understanding of principles that governed successful romantic connection.
They approve. Despite their cynicism, they approve of what we have.
The library provided perfect setting for gift exchange that felt significant beyond simple material transaction, its ancient books and warm lighting creating atmosphere that spoke of knowledge accumulated across generations of careful study. Ciri looked up from texts about Elder Blood manifestations with curiosity that transformed into wonder when Adam approached carrying items that represented weeks of secret preparation.
Nervous. I'm actually nervous about her reaction.
"I lost track of the calendar," Adam said, his voice carrying honesty that felt safer than elaborate explanations. "But my calculations suggest it's close to a date that would be important where I come from. For people who... care about each other."
Valentine's Day. Without using the actual term that wouldn't mean anything here.
The ice sculpture drew her immediate attention, its crystalline perfection reflecting library candlelight while magical enhancement made it glow with inner radiance that had nothing to do with external illumination.
"It's beautiful," Ciri whispered, her fingers tracing lion details with reverence that spoke of someone understanding exactly what the symbol represented. "Cintra's lion. But... eternal."
Eternal. Symbol of everything she was, preserved forever.
The pendant followed with explanation about wanting to create something she could wear close to her heart, physical reminder of emotions that words couldn't adequately express. Its obsidian surface gleamed with polish that had required hours of patient work to achieve.
Her turn. She's reaching for something hidden.
"I have something for you too," Ciri said, producing bundle of fabric that had clearly been concealed for exactly this moment. "I've been working on it during training breaks, when you thought I was just resting."
Scarf. She knitted me a scarf.
The garment unfolded to reveal workmanship that spoke of dedication rather than natural talent, slightly uneven stitches that made it more precious rather than less because they represented effort invested without guarantee of appreciation.
"Vesemir enchanted it with warming charm," she continued, her voice carrying pride mixed with uncertainty about his reaction. "So you'll always be warm when we're apart."
Thoughtfulness. Pure thoughtfulness distilled into physical form.
The kiss that followed conveyed depth of feeling that transcended physical attraction, emotional connection that made their previous romantic moments feel tentative by comparison. This was love acknowledged and celebrated rather than simply discovered.
Perfect. This moment is perfect.
"We need to talk about our future," Ciri said as they settled into comfortable embrace beside the library's main fireplace, her voice carrying seriousness that suggested she'd been thinking about subjects that extended beyond immediate concerns.
Future. What future can we really plan when destiny and warfare keep interfering?
"We're fourteen now," she continued, acknowledging reality that made their relationship feel more substantial than teenage romance. "I know these feelings are real, despite our age. But my destiny..."
Destiny. The thing that pulls people apart regardless of what they want.
"Your destiny includes me," Adam said, meaning every word with conviction that surprised him with its certainty. "Whatever the prophecies say, whatever the Elder Blood demands—it includes me. I won't let anything separate us."
Origins. She wants to know about origins I can't fully explain.
The conversation that followed required careful navigation between honesty and necessary secrecy, Adam sharing as much truth as possible about his commitment to her protection while avoiding details about System-granted powers or foreknowledge that would raise questions he couldn't answer.
Partnership. Promise of partnership through impossible circumstances.
"Together," Ciri said, her voice carrying finality that made the word feel like vow rather than simple agreement. "Whatever comes, whatever challenges we face—we handle them together."
Together. The most important promise we can make.
From the library's entrance, Geralt watched their conversation with expression that suggested approval of how they were handling relationship complexities that would challenge people twice their age. His nod was barely perceptible, but it carried acknowledgment that they were approaching their bond with maturity that their circumstances required.
Approval. Geralt approves of how we're handling this.
[Experience Gained: 150 XP]
[Title Earned: "The Romantic" - minor relationship action bonus]
[Level Progress: 22 (65% toward 23)]
[Relationship: Geralt +5 (now 70/100)]
[Relationship: All Witchers +3 (supportive of romance)]
Night found them on Kaer Morhen's battlements wrapped in gifted scarf while ice sculpture glowed softly beside them, its light competing with winter stars that painted sky in patterns speaking of permanence beyond human understanding. The warming charm worked exactly as promised, maintaining comfortable temperature despite mountain air that could freeze exposed skin in minutes.
Eternal. Some things feel eternal even when logic says otherwise.
"No matter what happens," Adam said, his voice carrying promise that encompassed everything he couldn't predict or control, "this matters. What we have, what we've built—it matters more than prophecy or destiny or political forces."
Truth. The deepest truth I know.
Ciri's response was wordless pressure against his side, trust and love communicated through physical presence rather than verbal declaration. They sat together in comfortable silence while magical sculpture cast patterns that danced across ancient stones, two young people who'd found something worth protecting in a world that seemed designed to take such things away.
Ready. For whatever comes next, we're ready to face it together.
The stars wheeled overhead in eternal patterns while human love created its own smaller but no less significant constellation, two hearts synchronized despite all the forces trying to pull them apart.
Forever. However long forever turns out to be.
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