Finally Someone Talks About Geralt's Horrible Childhood

Finally someone talks about Geralt's horrible childhood

CW: Intergenerational abuse and trauma, discussion of child abuse, dark themes, unresolved trauma

“What should I have done, Geralt?” It’s level and soft and everything a guilty man shouldn’t be. There’s a kind of brittleness in the Master’s eyes; something he can’t disguise the way he can his voice.

Geralt glares resolutely, defying the age-old self preservation and habit in him that begs distance and deference. What should Vesemir have done Instead of beating children? Instead of putting them on tables and turning them into monsters?

“Died.” He says, and it takes everything he has to make it gentle instead of hateful. He’s not sure if he even succeeds.

Vesemir’s already nodding though, smirk wry and unbearably ugly in its hollowness. “Yes, died and left you all to less gentle hands. How useful that would have been to you.”

But before Geralt can open his mouth to unseat the point — to drag it down and show every hole in it, every reason it’s an excuse not a reason — Vesemir speaks again, quick and halting. The bitterness is replaced by void. His tone is barren. “I know, Geralt. I know.”

Geralt watches, wary and taut from head to toe, and his heart aches bewilderingly. He swallows hard as Vesemir looks up, and there, there-

Geralt looks away, and thinks of nothing. Vesemir’s regret chases him, inexorable and raw, in his next words— and Geralt almost hates him for it in that moment.

“…I know.”

Even though I'm oppressed in this body, spoken over, threatened, and victimized, I can't say I wish I wasn't born a woman. Even though rapists lurk around every courner and they make a dime when I make a cent, I wouldn't trade it for their privilege. I know if I were born a man I'd be born without a heart.

"All the king's horses and all the king's men-"

Okay but did the king's women get a chance to try? Did they?

Ask me about how the concept of Disney's Brave had a lot of potential but the finished product was incredibly tonedeaf, childist, and failed to address internized misogony. Ask me about that.

Tolya Yul-Bataar X autistic!Reader

He always does his best to accomodate you

If you have a meltdown, Tolya won't leave

He'll just ask you what you need and make sure you have it

He thinks your stims are adorable

If anyone tries to pick on you for your autistic traits he'll deal with them

He could spend hours listening to you infodump about your special interest (s)

Do you have higher support needs? That's fine!

Tolya will make sure you remember to eat, drink, go to the bathroom, sleep, etc.

He'll stop you from doing things that might be more dangerous than you're aware of and keep an eye out for anything that might be challenging for you

Nonverbal? That's fine. You can communicate with sign language and he'll tell others what you're saying

Tolya himself could be read as autistic, depending on if it's in the show or books

If you get overwhelmed and need deep pressure he's more than happy to squeeze you in his arms and rock you until you feel better

He fills you in on missed social cues and explains figures of speech that you don't understand

He never, ever infantilizes you or talks down to you

He makes sure to have your safe foods on hand at all times

Can't stand the texture of his clothes? He'll stop wearing that fabric

If you ever start masking, he'll be concerned

He'll want to remove you from any situation that makes you feel like you need to hide a part of yourself

He loves your spontaneity

He likes how you just say exactly what you're thinking when you think it

Do you show affection in odd ways, like giving him pebbles you find or biting him?

He'll treasure whatever you give him until the end of time

The biting thing is a little annoying but he just can't be mad at you when you're so damn cute

Sometimes he gets you back

Overall, he just adores all your little quirks