#221Bsunsettowerswrites

[221bsunsettowers]

I Really Do Like That Jacket On You: Buck/Eddie Stormpilot Drabble

So this is for @i-had-bucky, who is so patient-for an AU challenge, she asked for Buddie and Stormpilot, and it has taken me forever to write this drabble. I am by no means a Star Wars expert, not even close, but I do love Finn/Poe, and this scene finally came to me today. So here’s a little Buck/Eddie reimagined as a former stormtrooper and a rebel pilot, set after the infamous keep my jacket it looks good on you scene.

“I really do like that jacket on you,” Eddie drawled, taking in the sight before him. “Especially with nothing else on underneath.”

“You are nothing like we were taught to believe,” Buck said, voice tinged with wonder as he reached out to cup Eddie’s cheek in his hand.

“Right back at you,” Eddie answered, covering Buck’s hand with his own. “Lucky for me or I’d be dead right about now.”

“When I woke up from the crash and you weren’t there...” Buck trailed off, shaking his head. “I know we had just met, but-”

“I get it, I felt it too,” Eddie assured him. “Clearly.” He gestured to the pile of clothes covering the floor of his room.

“Eddie, I’m not supposed to feel like this,” Buck said softly. “I believe this is more overwhelming than anything else that has happened these last few days, and that is saying a lot.”

“You’re not just some letters and numbers they gave you,” Eddie insisted, pulling Buck closer. “You’re Buck now. You chose that name. And I’ve got your back, Buck.”

“And I’ve got yours Eddie,” Buck promised, letting himself go willingly into Eddie’s arms.

[221bsunsettowers]

The Kingdom Lights Shine Just For Me and You (Tarlos Royal AU): Chapter 8: This Life is Ours to Choose

(Poster credit to the incredible @jemmalynette​ !)

In which Carlos wakes up with his prince by his side, and finally, finally, all that needs to be spoken aloud between them is said.

Thank you to all the readers of this story who have stayed with me with so much patience as I worked on this chapter, and who never sent me a negative or guilting message about why I didn't have the new chapter up yet. Work has been extremely stressful, triggering mental health struggles, and I am finally getting back some time and joy for writing again. I really hope you enjoy this new chapter!

Title from All I Know So Far by Pink

CW: very general discussion of injury with no details

Chapter 8: This Life is Ours to Choose

(can also be read on ao3)

When Carlos awoke, it was with a sharp ache in his right side, a warm comforting weight around his left side, and his mother's eyes gazing at him with fondness and relief.

"Welcome back my son," Lady Andrea said softly, wiping a tear from her eye before leaning forward to press a kiss to Carlos' forehead. "I am so happy to see your eyes open again."

"How did you know to come so quickly?" Carlos rasped out, leaning into his mother's touch. "How long has it been since..."

"Your father and I had already planned with the king to surprise you with a visit," Andrea explained, smiling gently down at him. "As for your second question, it has been almost two days. Your friends have been very worried, they have been in to check on you constantly." Her eyes shifted to the left side of the bed, her gaze fond. "It has been far too long for your prince. He has not once left your side."

Carlos' eyes filled with confusion, as he turned his head to see what his mother was speaking about. He did not notice her slipping quietly from the room.

Because there was TK. There was his prince, tear tracks appearing to stream down his face even as he fitfully slept, clothes disheveled, hair askew. TK's body was draped over Carlos', as if even in slumber he was protecting the knight, face pressed into the space between Carlos' neck and shoulder, hand over his heart, legs intertwined.

Staring in wonder, Carlos' exhaled breath stirred the soft hairs on the top of TK's head, bringing about a stir from TK himself as well. He rubbed his face into the side of Carlos' neck, stretching out his arms and legs to wrap himself even tighter around Carlos' prone body. A soft sigh escaped TK's lips before he suddenly sat upright, wide tear-stained eyes fixed on Carlos' face.

"Carlos?" TK breathed out, his hands reaching for Carlos' face, stroking the soft skin in gentle clutching motions as if in fear that all before him would disappear. Carlos nodded, leaning into the prince's touch, and TK lowered his head until their foreheads pressed together, his tears dropping onto Carlos' cheeks.

"I am all right, I assure you," Carlos whispered, and it was now TK who nodded, almost desperately, running a hand through Carlos' curls as his other hand hovered over the wound on Carlos' side.

"You almost were not," TK  murmured, voice trembling. Carlos took his hand, interlacing their fingers and guiding them down to where the ache in Carlos' side was located.

"I am still whole," Carlos spoke softly, and took TK's other hand in his own, this time moving their palms to press firmly over Carlos' beating heart. TK's breath hitched, and he wrapped his arms around Carlos again, carefully lowering himself down until his ear was next to Carlos' heart.

"I never would favor Alex over you, never," TK vowed into the light fabric cloaking Carlos' skin. "I was after you the moment I could evade Alex, everyone followed, but we could not find you. Once you were located he was already upon you and I could do nothing."

"I heard you," Carlos whispered, hardly daring to voice the words aloud in case he had dreamed them. "You told me almost all I have ever wished to hear from your lips. Please, TK, please believe I never desired to leave your side, but I thought I was preventing you from your true happiness."

"You are my true happiness." The words were clear and strong as they rang from TK's lips, his head now raised so he could directly meet Carlos' wide-eyed gaze. "I desire only you, for the rest of eternity. I beg you to tell me what it is I did not say that you wished to hear, you deserve all that you desire."

Taking in a deep breath, feeling TK's chest rise and fall with his own, Carlos summoned his courage. "That you love me," he admitted, closing his eyes as he braced himself for whatever came next.

Carlos felt a light kiss dust across each of his eyelids, then the corners of his mouth. Opening his eyes, he found his prince's face merely an inch from his own, radiating such fondness and adoration Carlos felt the breath hitch in his chest. "I love you," TK vowed, cupping his knight's cheek in his hand and pressing their foreheads together, a gasp escaping from Carlos' lips. "I assure you that I love you, true everlasting love, and that I will never part from your side again as long as you wish to keep me there."

"I love you, most ardently," Carlos vowed in return, hand running its way through TK's hair, a pleased relieved sigh slipping past TK's lips that had Carlos smiling broadly in return. "Always, eternally, forevermore."

"Those words sound very much like wedding promises, my bethrothed," TK teased gently, face soft and open as he ran a hand down Carlos' cheek, a touch Carlos eagerly leaned into. "I would very much like to kiss you now, if I may?"

"I would be most amenable," Carlos breathed back with a grin, and felt TK's smile meet his own before their lips made a welcoming space for each other, a softness and sweetness tumbled with the feverishness that comes with the knowledge they had almost never shared a moment like this again. Feeling himself pressed back into the bed, Carlos went willingly, hands gripped into TK's tunic drawing him ever closer.

"I did offer the suggestion that perhaps we should allow you both more time before a visitation." Owen's voice rang out from the now-open doorway, laughter barely contained as TK huffed in frustration, his cheeks now red as he buried his face in Carlos' shoulder.

"I observe that as usual no one paid heed to your decrees," TK mumbled back, and this time Owen could not hold his laughter in, chuckling as he stepped forward to rest a hand on Carlos' shoulder.

"I am pleased to see you awake," Owen said sincerely, squeezing Carlos' shoulder gently. TK could sense his knight's desire to greet everyone from a more dignified stance, so he carefully assisted Carlos into a supported sitting position, his chest to Carlos' back the proffered support. Ignoring Carlo's fond eye roll, TK only tightened his arms around Carlos' waist, interlacing their fingers together.

The rest of the palace family followed directly behind their king, Grace with tears in her eyes as she hugged Carlos, while Tommy carefully checked and rebandaged his healing wound. Judd managed to shake Carlos' hand while wrangling Evie and Isabella, who were piling desserts on every available surface, Mateo smiling fondly as he assisted the girls in informing Carlos about his favored horse. Paul smiled broadly as he and Marjan perched on the edge of the bed, Paul with a clean wardrobe and Marjan with assurances that Carlos' armor was already repaired and would be waiting. Carlos' mother was beaming, and his father was smiling at him with relief and pride as he shook his free hand.

All were smiling, laughing, filling Carlos' chambers with so much love and light, and Carlos was enveloped in the feeling of TK's arms entwined around him, the unquestioning support of his prince.

"We should let Carlos rest," Tommy insisted finally, rising from her seat. "And TK as well."

"Would there be a chance I could prepare Carlos a bath?" TK asked Tommy, after everyone else had departed with relieved well wishes and promises of later visits.

"His side is healing well, but the bandages need to remain dry," Tommy answered, shooting TK a fondly exasperated look. TK responded with a pout and a flutter of his eyelashes, drawing laughter from Carlos, and a resigned and goodnatured head shake from Tommy.

"If you take care, a wash of his hair could be allowed," Tommy acquiesced, pointing a finger at TK. "But only that." She turned to Carlos with a gentle smile. "Carlos, I strongly recommend more rest after, it will serve to speed the healing process."

"Thank you, Tommy," Carlos answered, smiling back as she made for the door. Warmed water was carried into Carlos' chambers under TK's direction.

"Are you suggesting I'm unclean?" Carlos asked TK, his teasing pout immediately gaining TK's attention.

"I am more than suggesting you are beautiful, and that I only wish I could see more of your beauty," TK said, his voice soft and hands gentle as he supported Carlos' movement across the bed, laying him across the blankets and cradling his head and neck in his steady hands. A blush spread down past Carlos' neck, but he met TK's gaze with a sparkle to his eyes.

"May my healing be quick, for I wish this as well," Carlos said, tilting his head back, TK bending down to meet his lips with a kiss, before running his fingers through Carlos' curls.

This story isn’t over yet, we’ve still got a wedding and a confrontation with Alex coming!

@laelipoo​ @ravens-words​ @ladytimekiller​ @buddie-buddie​ @morganaspendragonss​ @marceee24​ @a-l-ias​ @bikingthroughhawkins​ @i-had-bucky​ @pragmaticoptimist34​ @highqualitykhakis​ @meloingly​ @borntobewondering @justapoet​

Let me know if you would like to be added to the The Kingdom Lights Shine taglist!

[221bsunsettowers]

Tarlos: Preschool Teacher Carlos/Firefighter TK AU: You Always Say to Me, Say to Me

This is the third part in the Found Forever on a Field Trip series, where Carlos is a preschool teacher and TK is a firefighter.

This can also be read on Ao3

When TK is shot, Carlos stays by his bedside, waiting to get the chance to tell him he loves him.

His students were happily engaged with blending primary colors in shaving cream when Carlos' phone rang.

Carlos startled, muscles tensing. His phone was always set on Do Not Disturb when he was teaching, but he had it so calls from certain numbers would get through-TK and the fire family of the 126. They all knew calls were only for emergencies during the school day. Everything else was texts, group chats, things he could read and respond to whenever he he had a spare second (which was far more infrequent than he would have preferred, with his lack of preps and eating lunch with his students).

But this was a phone call.

During the school day.

And that wasn't TK's ringtone.

It was Owen's name flashing across Carlos' screen.

Carlos gestured to his aide, then his phone, and she nodded in understanding. Heart pounding out of his chest, Carlos tried to keep his steps calm as he made it to the hallway, then through the door to the outside side yard of the school. Hitting Accept far harder than he had meant to, Carlos gasped out, "TK?"

"Carlos, I need you to try to stay calm-" Owen began, but Carlos immediately cut him off.

"What happened to TK?" Carlos could feel the tears already gathering in his eyes before Owen even responded.

"He was shot, Carlos. The doctors don't know if he'll wake up." Owen's words were choked and raw.

Barely registering his knees hitting the rug, Carlos' breath caught in his throat as Owen added, "You should get here as soon as you can."

A flurry of activity followed, Carlos explaining to the principal that he needed to take at least a week off, yes he knew all but two days would be unpaid, he was fine with that. He handed over the lesson plans and finished prep to his aide, and before he could even process how it had happened, he was in Grace's car being driven to the hospital.

"I have a prep while my kids are in Gym," Grace assured him, squeezing his hand. "I'll get you there, honey."

"I haven't told him I love him yet," Carlos choked out, tears making it hard to breathe. "I had a plan for next week, a homemade meal, our favorite song playing, but Grace, I don't, I don't-" He gasped out the last words, as if ripped from his throat. "I don't have a plan for this."

"Life doesn't always go as planned, but I truly believe this isn't the end of your story with TK," Grace assured him, blinking back tears of her own. "What you two have, it's already too special to just be done."

"It can't be done," Carlos whispered, looking down at his fidgeting hands, nails picked raw. "How could he even have been shot?" His voice rose as the tears flowed harder. "He's a firefighter! I've had to worry about oxygen depravation, about burning, about being buried under rubble, but this is not something I ever had to think about!"

"This is what we take on, when we love a firefighter," Grace said gently. "You have to decide if your love is worth it."

"He's worth it," Carlos answered instantly. "I just need him to wake up so I can tell him that."

***

Walking into the hospital room felt like moving through fog, slow and difficult and unable to see what came next. TK lay still, so unlike his usual self, all moving hands and bouncing energy, instead hooked up to machines that Carlos knew were enabling TK's fight for survival. Owen was there, holding TK's hand, surrounded by the 126, who all looked up when Carlos entered.

Carlos found himself instantly engulfed in embraces before a chair appeared before him, right next to TK's bedside. Lowering himself into it, he felt tears fill his eyes again as he reached for TK's limp hand and held it tight. "Hey baby," he whispered, raising TK's hand to his lips and kissing each knuckle. "I'm here and I'm not going anywhere, so you better open those eyes of yours." He was so busy taking in TK's closed eyelids that he didn't even register when everyone else left the room.

"Joey decided he could whistle today," Carlos began, "so he just walked around the room saying "Hoo, hoo" at everybody to show off his new skill. It was so cute I didn't have the heart to try to teach him to really whistle." Carlos paused, imagining TK's familar laughter ringing through the room. "And Lucy finally counted to twenty without skipping fifteen. I know you've been rooting for her."

Holding TK's hand in his, Carlos rubbed his other fingers up and down the inside of TK's arm. "Sam dressed up as a firefighter again in Dramatic Play, I swear he's been doing that ever since he met you on the field trip. Then somehow he was running a firefighter restaurant, and while I didn't quite understand all the details, he made a mean pretend pizza."

Carlos lay his head carefully on the mattress, still keeping his grip on TK. "Baby, this isn't how this is supposed to go," he gasped out through his tears. "We're supposed to be at my place, with our cups of whatever healthy tea your dad insisted on sending over, curled up on the couch telling stories of our day, and this...Ty, I just really need you to wake up, okay?"

***

"Do you think the kids would rather make cows or pigs out of paper plates for Farm Week?" Carlos asked TK, who still lay motionless in the bed. Sighing, Carlos ran his hands over his face. "I know I sound crazy, but they say people in comas can hear you, right? And what I need to say to you the most, I need to say when you're awake. So instead we're going to lesson plan, okay? I figure maybe if you can hear my voice, you'll hang on, no, you'll fight to come back."

Burying his face in the pillow, Carlos murmured, "Please just wake up, TK, please." The sound of footsteps rang out from the doorway, and Carlos shot upright, rubbing at his eyes.

"It's just me, Carlos," Paul said reassuringly, resting a hand on Carlos' shoulder. Carlos nodded, and gratefully took the styrofoam cup from Paul's other hand. "Sorry, they wouldn't let me spike the coffee in the cafeteria." Choking out a laugh, Carlos nodded again, then found he couldn't stop, his head jerking up and down of it's own volition, his whole body shaking.

"Ssh, it's okay," Paul said softly, sitting in the chair next to Carlos and pulling him in, letting Carlos cry into his shirt until the shakes subsided. When Carlos fell asleep moments later, exhaustion pulling him under, head next to TK's side, Paul gently took the coffee cup from him and stared at TK's prone form.

"Brother, you need to wake up soon," Paul whispered, patting TK's hand before drawing an extra blanket over Carlos' slumped shoulders. "We miss you, and I don't know how much more of this your man can take."

***

"So my students heard you weren't feeling well, and they all made you cards," Carlos said, voice full of forced cheerfulness as he placed them up amongst all the flowers and other cards decorating TK's hospital room. "Grace just dropped them off. She wanted to stay, but her prep was almost over, so she said she'll stop back over after school."

A choked sound suddenly rang out from behind Carlos, and he spun around, to find TK's eyes wide open and full of fear, as he pulled at the tube coming out of his throat. "TK!" Carlos called out, rushing to the side of the bed, and tugging at TK's hands, gripping them between his own. "We need someone in here!"

Carlos found himself immediately separated from TK as the medical personnel rushed in, swarming TK so Carlos couldn't even see him. When they pulled back, it was to reveal TK breathing on his own, weak and pale, but with eyes open and aware, staring right at Carlos.

"Baby," Carlos choked out, hurrying back to his side, hands hovering over TK's chest before moving to cup TK's face in his hands.

"Hey baby," TK rasped out, leaning into Carlos' touch.

"I love you," Carlos blurted out, then gasped at his own words, shaking his head with a teary laugh. "That's definitely not how I meant to say it, I wanted to give you time to get better, but it's felt like years, TK, years in this hospital room. I know it's only been days, but I've missed you so much and I love you so much."

Covering Carlos' hand with his own, TK smiled. "I love you too," he promised, and Carlos would swear later he didn't giggle, and TK would lovingly insist he did, but either way, the smile on Carlos' face was blinding as he leaned in for a kiss.

@laelipoo​ @ravens-words​ @ladytimekiller​ @buddie-buddie​ @morganaspendragonss​ @marceee24​ @a-l-ias​ @bikingthroughhawkins​ @i-had-bucky​ @pragmaticoptimist34​ @highqualitykhakis​ @meloingly​ @borntobewondering @justapoet  

[221bsunsettowers]

AUs: Two Numbers and a Pairing Game

So I really want to write, but I’m struggling, so I wanted to try something. I’ve listed a bunch of jobs-give me two numbers and a pairing (and a situation if you want, always helpful) and I will write at least three sentences of that AU.

Feel free to try this yourself if you want, and to add/suggest jobs!

1. teacher

2. actor

3. reality show contestant

4. spy

5. athlete

6. author

7. reporter

8. detective

9. firefighter 

10. dancer

11. police officer

12. choreographer

13. painter

14. journalist

15. writer

16. doctor

17. nurse

18. dispatcher

19. stunt man

20. musician

21. photographer

22. model

23. barista

24. baker

25. scientist

26. librarian

27. museum docent

28. blogger

29. archaelogist

30. architect

31. sailor

32. pilot

33. computer technician

34. fashion designer

35. tv host

36. nanny

37. bodyguard

38. CEO

39. bookstore owner

I will write for TK/Carlos and Buck/Eddie :)

(I’m hoping at least someone is interested in playing, no one’s really been into any of my WIP posts or writing posts lately, so if you want to join in please do!)

[221bsunsettowers]

Geralt/Jaskier AU: Drop to Hold You

In which Jaskier is a musician and children's librarian, Geralt is a firefighter, Yen is fabulous, and Ciri really loves the library's Music Hour.

( Title and lyrics in the story from "Drop to Hold You" by Matt Nathanson.)

Can also be read on Ao3

Even if Yennifer hadn't left clear instructions about making sure Ciri didn't miss Music Time at their local library, Ciri more than ensured Geralt wouldn't forget. She had woken him up even earlier than usual, already dressed in unicorn leggings and a sequined unicorn top, bouncing on his bed while yelling "It's music day with Mr. Jaskier! C'mon Papa, c'mon!" She was not impressed with his insistence that Music Time didn't actually start for another three and a half hours.

Now, juggling a large sequined rainbow bag stuffed with snacks, books to return, and a massive wolf cub stuffed animal, Geralt let Ciri tug him into the library, her little feet hurrying determindly."Don't you want to go look at the fairytales section first?" Geralt asked, deftly catching a bag of Pirate's Booty attempting to escape from the shiny carryall.

"No, Papa, after! We have to get to sit right in the front!" Ciri called back insistently, letting out an ecstatic squeal as she beelined for the last open spot on the front side of the rug. Geralt lay the bag between his feet and leaned back against a bookcase, close enough to still see Ciri, far enough not to block any child's view.

It's then that Geralt realized the group of children were sitting on the rug-not rolling on it, not standing, not kicking, not even a single instance of flailing or shoving. Their legs were crossed like little pretzels, and while they were chattering excitedly, they weren't yelling. He couldn't remember the last time he saw Ciri sit (even this morning at breakfast she was rocking from knee to knee while precautiously perched on her chair eating waffles), or use a volume that wasn't loud enough to register on the Richter scale. He loved his daughter, more than anyone on this planet, but he could readily admit that her whispering voice could outsound a fire engine siren sometimes.

And then a man came out with a guitar, and the children started cheering, but quietly, waving their arms in the air, faces lit up with excitement, and Geralt froze. The man had brown hair that flopped slightly over his twinkling blue eyes, a wide grin, and the most outlandlishly bright floral pattererned shirt Geralt had ever seen, and Geralt, in his black t-shirt and jeans, white hair pulled back into a quick bun, could not tear his amber eyes away.

Geralt was pleasantly surprised by how clever the songs were. He had, if he was being honest, expected simple ripoffs of theme songs from those cartoons Ciri begged to watch, but somehow this man's songs were actually pleasant to listen to, and even educational on top of it all. It wasn't only Ciri's excellent teacher at her preschool that had his daughter recognizing letters and counting, he was quickly realizing but Music Hour as well.

Geralt only realized the time was up when Ciri came running up to him, throwing her arms around his legs and still dancing with excitement. "Papa, you have to come meet Mr. Jaskier!" she squealed, pulling him enthusiastically by the hand. "He's the best!"

"Better than me?" Geralt teased, and Ciri paused to look up at him, gesturing for him to bend down, then patting his cheek.

"Don't worry, Papa, you and Mama are always the best," she said seriously, nodding her head vigorously. "And Mommy Triss and Uncle Eskel and Uncle Lambert and Uncle Aiden and Grandpa Vesemir are also the best. And Mr. Jaskier is the best too."

"Right, of course," Geralt responded, making sure his tone was serious enough to match the gravity which with Ciri had clearly taken the question. He let her tug him over to the rug, where Jaskier was tidying up his things, carefully putting the guitar back in its case.

"Mr. Jaskier, Mr. Jaskier, this is my Papa!" Ciri called out excitedly, and Jaskier turned, grin growing wider as Ciri rushed in for a hug, which Jaskier crouched down for and gladly returned. Standing up again, his twinkling eyes scanned Geralt from head to toe and back again as he reached out his hand.

"It's very nice to finally meet you," Jaskier said, eyebrows raising slightly as Geralt's large hand practically swallowed his own. "Ciri talks about you all the time. I'm Jaskier."

"I thought your first name was Mr.," Ciri said, confusion causing her tiny forehead to wrinkle. Geralt chuckled as Jaskier crouched next to Ciri and winked at her.

"Mr. is my special musician name for when I'm singing songs here," Jaskier said with a grin, biting his lip to keep from laughing as he looked up at Geralt. Geralt put his best effort into not staring at the way Jaskier's lip was caught between his teeth, but Jaskier licking said lip before breaking Geralt's gaze and standing back up clued Geralt in that perhaps he hadn't been as subtle as he had hoped.

"I'm Geralt," Geralt finally blurted out, cursing in his head as he felt his cheeks turning red. Ducking his head, he quickly turned his attention to Ciri. "Should we go pick out some books for you to check out? We finished all those fairytales from last week."

"Not yet, we need to get you books! My Papa loves horses!" Ciri exclaimed excitedly, clapping her hands together. Leaning towards Jaskier, she whispered as only a four year old can, which meant everyone in the entire children's section could hear every word. "My Mama says my Papa also loves guys with great bums, but she won't tell me what that word means."

Jaskier's eyes widened, his face scrunched with the effort to stifle a laugh as Ciri continued talking into his ear earnestly. "Do you know what that means, Mr. Jaskier? Can we look in the dictionary? Sometimes Mama says something and then says whoops and then says I can look it up in the dictionary when I'm older, but you're older and you have all the books here, right?"

Jaskier glanced at Geralt, who was frantically shaking his head while blushing furiously. Jaskier couldn't stop himself from shooting Geralt a quick wink, before turning back to Ciri. "I'm sorry sweetheart, but someone just checked out the dictionary. Let's go find your dad some horse books, how about that? Maybe some ones you can read with him."

"Ok!" Ciri said brightly, grabbing Jaskier's hand and letting him lead her towards the non-fiction part of the children's section. Geralt followed them, mumbling a grateful "Thanks" to Jaskier, who turned his head to grin at him.

Did Yen fob me off on you because she finally got sick of my 'overly sparkly rainbow unicorn energy'?" Jaskier asked with a twinkle in his eye.

Geralt unsuccessfully tried to hold back a laugh, which made Jaskier start giggling. "No, business trip," Geralt answered, trying to keep up with Ciri as she excitedly piled up horse books in his waiting arms.

"Oh good, I thought she had reached a new level of tolerance for me, her glare was much less intense," Jaskier grinned. "She actually started bringing me coffee every time, but she would only get me decaf, because she said any more pep in my step and I would spontaneously combust."

"How do you like it?" Geralt asked, immediately covering his face with one hand and shaking his head at Jaskier's aptly raised eyebrow. "Your coffee. How do you like your coffee. This is why I don't open my mouth." Raising a finger before a single word could exit Jaskier's mouth, Geralt waved it admonishingly. "No."

"You're catching on already," Jaskier laughed, eyes twinkling, "I like my coffee as full of sugar and ridiculously flavored syrup and excessive amounts of whipped cream as possible."

"Not surprising," Geralt muttered, crouching lower so Ciri could place a final book on top of the rapidly grown pile. But Jaskier could see the shy smile Geralt attempted to hide behind the stack of picture books.

yen: Did you use your words? geralt: Yes. Words plural? Yes. How many words? I wasn't counting, Yen. You must have liked him then. Goodbye, Yen. ... ... I'll take Ciri to Music again next week. Ha! And no more saying bums in front of Ciri. In my defense, you do like...but yeah, fair enough. I'll concede that point.

"Mr. Jaskier, we're the first ones!" Ciri yelled excitedly, running over and throwing her arms around Jaskier's legs.

"You sure are, sweetheart," Jaskier answered with a grin, resting a hand on her head. "How about you go pick out what instrument you want to play today? You can have first choice!" Squealing with pure joy, Ciri took off running towards the basket filled with maracas, tambourines, and bells.

"Here." Geralt held out the enormous iced coffee concoction in Jaskier's general direction, not quite meeting his eyes. Accepting the offering, Jaskier smiled broadly as he studied the drink from all angles. "Ciri ordered it."

"I said extra butterscotch syrup, and lots of whipped cream and chocolate sprinkly things!" Ciri declared proudly. "Do you like it?"

Taking a sip, Jaskier grinned, offering Ciri a high five, which she gleefully reciprocated. "It is perfectly full of both coffee and sugar, I love it!" He offered a hand to Geralt.

yen: You gave him a high five, huh? geralt: Only you can make that sound dirty. It's a talent. I didn't want to hear from Ciri how I "left him hanging". Well, she told me all about it. She was very proud of herself for picking out the perfect drink. Overly caffeinated and nauseatingly syrupy sweet. Just like its drinker. Yen... Ooo, elipses! Look at you. Yen. Ok, ok, hold your horse. While I still stand by my previous statement, he does grow on you. And I won't even say like mold. That's you saying it. Well, aren't we protective? Also, should I assume you will be taking Ciri to Music again next week? You know I have a shift. And...? ... ... I moved it. Ha! Goodbye, Yen.

Despite having moved his shift, Geralt had to move it back, due to a last minute sick day called in by another firefighter. Geralty knew he should have felt lucky Yen's meeting was canceled and Ciri didn't have to miss Music. But somehow, sitting at the fire station waiting for the next call, watching his supposedly prickly brother Lambert practically giggling as he Facetimed with his boyfriend Aiden, just made him feel defeated and deflated.

"Is this about missing Music today?" Eskel asked, gesturing to Geralt's face as he sat down next to him. "You look grumpier than usual."

"Thanks," Geralt growled, but Eskel just shook his head, patting him on the shoulder. "You talked to Yen."

"It wouldn't be hard to figure out you're in a bad mood," Eskel started, but raised his hands in front of him as Geralt growled again. "And yes, Yen may have mentioned something."

"Nothing to mention," Geralt said stiffly, and Lambert let out a loud laugh.

"From what I hear, some bastard's got a crush," Lambert guffawed loudly. "The fact that you look like a blushing bride right now kinda takes away from that glare, Geralt!"

Geralt leapt to his feet, fists clenched, Eskel already rising to spring in between the two brothers, but then a soft and lovingly exasperated "Lamb..." came from the iPad screen Lambert was holding.

"Alright, Kitten, alright," Lambert grumbled, but the words came out gentle and the eye roll was a teasing one.

"You call your boyfriend Kitten," Geralt pointed out, arms crossed across his chest, cheeks still flushed red.

"And it gets me laid," Lambert proclaimed loud and proud, grinning as he waggled his eyebrows, and then Aiden's tone of voice became one Geralt did not want to be privy too, thank you very much. Tossing Lambert a pair of headphones, very proud of his aim as they smacked Lambert directly in the face, Geralt headed down the stairs.

Which was where he found Jaskier, pacing back and forth in front of the station entrance, a cup of coffee clutched in his hand. Choosing not to call out, in case Eskel and Lambert (especially Lambert) heard him, Geralt moved closer before speaking.

"Jaskier?" Geralt stepped into Jaskier's incoming path as he spoke, causing Jaskier to jump a little in surprise, but somehow masterfully not spill a drop of coffee.

"Oh, hey, Geralt, you're here, Yen said you would be, but then she just said good luck and started laughing, so I wasn't sure what that meant-" Jaskier's lightening-fast stream of consciousness abruptly cut off when Geralt lay a hand on his arm.

"Did Yen tell you about the extra shift?" Geralt asked softly, as if afraid he would spook Jaskier away if he talked too loudly.

"She did, but I thought, well I wasn't sure if maybe she was just being nice," Jaskier shrugged, letting out a self-deprecating chuckle.

"Yen's never just nice," Geralt assured him, and when Jaskier let out a genuine laugh this time, Geralt found himself smiling along with him. "I really had switched shifts to take Ciri to Music, but I had to take the shift back when Aubrey got hit with the flu."

"I think that's the most words you've ever said to me," Jaskier teased, winking as Geralt rolled his eyes good-naturedly. Movement behind Geralt, another fire fighter wiping down the nearest truck, drew Jaskier's eyes to the interior of the fire station, a fact Geralt couldn't help but notice.

"I'd invite you in, but my brothers-" Geralt gestured in Eskel and Lambert's general direction.

"No, no, I get it, of course," Jaskier nodded, and Geralt found that he somehow instinctively knew the smile Jaskier offered up wasn't the usual joyful one he typically received. "I should head back anyway, I guess. Lunch break and all. Just wanted to say thank you for the coffee with some coffee." Perching the cup on the nearest flat surface, which just happened to be an upside down bucket left over from mopping, Jaskier turned to go.

And then Geralt reached a hand out, lightly grabbing Jaskier's wrist. "No, I mean-my brothers are assholes. Eskel's alright, it's Lambert mostly. And sometimes Eskel. Don't want to subject you to them."

"I was rather worried it was the other way around," Jaskier admited softly, eyes not quite meeting Geralt's. "That you didn't want to subject them to..." Trailing off, he shrugged, fingers pulling at a loose thread from his sleeve.

"No, it's, it's definitely not.The other way around. It's them, definitely them." Geralt insisted, giving a reassuring squeeze with the fingers still wrapped around Jaskier's wrist, before quickly pulling back, filling his hands with the coffee from Jaskier. "Thanks for the coffee, it's definitely needed."

"Rough morning?" Jaskier asked sympathetically, and Geralt nodded, walking over to the bench outside the station entrance, gesturing with his head for Jaskier to join him. Lowering himself onto the bench, Geralt pulled his hair tie out with his free hand, fidgeting with the tight band as he tried to sweep the escaped strands back into place.

"Can I?" Jaskier asked softly, reaching out his hand. For a moment, Geralt froze, one hand tangled in his hair, the other hand stretching the rubber band to the almost-point of breaking. Then he nodded, just a slight movement as he lay the hair tie in Jaskier's outstretched palm, and shifted so his back was to Jaskier.

Jaskier's fingers were gentle and warm as they gathered up Geralt's hair, and Geralt immediately flashed to those same fingers brushing guitar strings, bringing together sounds into a cascade of notes, and oh. Geralt really liked those hands, the calloused fingertips and the dry knuckles and the delicate palms, especially when they were running through his hair like it was silk.

Yeah, okay, that was unexpected, Geralt silently admitted to himself, skittishly running his fingernails over the palm of his left hand. Definitely not something to ever say out loud. Too many words, sounds like a song Jaskier might sing. Beautiful, but not meant for Geralt.

"There," Jaskier said softly, dropping his hands to his lap, Geralt's hair now tucked into a neat and tight ponytail, not a strand out of place. Turning to face him again, Geralt couldn't help but run a finger against the bottom of the ponytail, where Jaskier's fingers had been just seconds ago.

"Thank you," Geralt said just as softly, finding his eyes still drawn to Jaskier's fingers, which were now extracting a folded piece of paper from his pocket.

"I have a show Thursday afternoon," Jaskier said, fumbling the paper open and passing it to Geralt, who took it, studying it carefully. "It's at a coffee shop, so it's kid friendly, Ciri could come with you, which would be great. I'll be playing a few songs, some covers, some originals. It won't be too long."

"I'll be there," Geralt promised, running his finger over the date typed on the paper. "Aubry owes me after covering for him today. And Ciri would never forgive me if I went without her."

"I'll have a hot chocolate with marshmellows waiting for her," Jaskier said with a grin, tapping his fingers lightly on his knee as Geralt studied the paper as if committing it to memory. "You can keep that, help you remember."

"I wouldn't forget," Geralt assured him, carefully refolding the paper and placing it in his pocket.

"Unfortunately, I do have to get back to the library," Jaskier said, a wistful undertone to his words that Geralt couldn't help but smile at. "I mean, I love the library, I just have been really enjoying my time here with you."

"Same," Geralt agreed. "I mean, this time. With you. The library's great too." Sighing deeply, he rubbed his hands over his face. "Just gonna stop now."

"Hey," Jaskier said softly, nudging Geralt gently in the side, smiling when Geralt raised his gaze. "I get it. You're better with words than you give yourself credit for." Taking a deep breath, Jaskier leaned in, lightly brushing his lips against Geralt's cheek. "And sweeter than you give yourself credit for too."

His own cheeks flushed in delight, Jaskier stumbled backwards as he attempted to make his exit. "I'll see you Thursday then."

"Thursday," Geralt echoed, unable to stop himself from bringing his fingers to his pink-tinged cheek, hovering right over the spot where Jaskier's lips had been just a moment before.

********* yen: I'll bring Ciri to the cafe. geralt: Thanks Yen, really appreciate it. I'm staying to hear Mr. Perky Pants perform. Yen, no. Yen, yes. I'll  behave. He invited me, actually. The Sparkly Singer and I have become quite good friends, Geralt. Plus, Triss wants to meet him. Yen... Also, your brothers are coming. And Aiden of course. He and Lambert are attached at the lips, and the dicks. YEN, NO. They saw the flier hung up in your locker. When they broke into your locker. When Lambert broke into your locker, really. Look, I'll threaten them, you'll threaten them, Ciri will threaten them, it'll be fine. ... Yen...please. I won't let them fuck this up for you, Geralt, I promise. You know I've got your back. I do. Thank you. I'll buy you your drink on Thursday. Oh you'll buy me more than one. ... But you're welcome.

*******

Geralt had arrived early, in hopes of having a few moments by himself to collect his thoughts and try to wrestle his feelings into something at least resembling a facade of control. But of course, Ciri must have insisted on being early too, to eliminate any possibility of being late, and Geralt found himself with an armful of rainbow tutu, mermaid leggings, and sequined narwhal shirt before he reached the cafe's front door.

"Papa, you got fancy too!" Ciri exclaimed excitedly, pinching Geralt's cheeks between her small hands. "No pricklies!"

"You did shave, Geralt," Yen's grin hovered somewhere between mischevious and diabolical in a way that Geralt could never deny made him pretty damn nervous. "Hair brushed quite nicely, dark jeans with no holes, and I do believe that is a new t-shirt." Circling around him, Yen dramatically sniffed his neck, Geralt playing at batting her away, making Ciri giggle. "You smell very nice. New cologne?"

"I didn't want to smell like smoke," Geralt grumbled.

"I think you look the most nice," Ciri said earnestly, patting the top of his head before squirming down to the ground. "Now inside! I want to see Mr. Jaskier!"

Geralt chuckled, holding the door open for Yen and Ciri before entering behind them. "It's my name on a card!" Ciri squealed excitedly, running towards the table right at the front nearest the small stage.

"And your uncles!" Aiden exclaimed, pouting dramatically with his arms flung wide, Lambert affectionately rolling his eyes. Ciri giggled and threw herself at Aiden, moving from him to Lambert to Eskel, giving each a huge hug. Triss arrived soon after, kissing Yen before scooping Ciri into a hug.

"You're all here even earlier," Geralt grumbled, and Lambert guffawed, slapping Eskel on the back hard enough that anyone less solidly built would have gone toppling from their chair. As it was, Eskel merely rolled his eyes.

"Someone was concerned traffic could be a problem" Lambert said as he nudged Eskel with his elbow. Geralt took a seat in the chair closest to the stage, Ciri clammering into his lap. It wasn't lost on Geralt that this had been the chair his family had left for him.

"Behave," Geralt growled, actively choosing to focus on the stage and not his family. Mugs were suddenly placed in front of him, Ciri, and Yen. Ciri immediately dove into her hot chocolate piled high with marshmellows with an excited squeal, while Yen appreciatively took a sip of her black coffee with one cream. And just like when he had brought coffee to the fire station, Jaskier had gotten Geralt's perfectly right-dark roast with a drizzle of hazelnut syrup.

After about twenty minutes of sipping and banter, "Hello there, beautiful people," came suddenly from the stage. And there Jaskier was, in a purple velvet jacket and tight jeans, strumming a guitar as he perched on a stool.

"Thank you all for coming out tonight," Jaskier said with a grin, his eyes alighting briefly on Geralt before moving to Ciri. "I'm going to open with a cover I promised to my dear friend Ciri," he said, and Ciri squealed in excitement as Jaskier strummed the opening chords of "You Need to Calm Down".

Geralt smiled at Ciri's pure glee, before turning his attention back to Jaskier. And that's where his focus stayed for the rest of the night. Jaskier was good, really good. He mostly played covers, but towards the end introduced some of his original music.

"Alright, this is the last song of the night, beautiful people," Jaskier announced, to the groans of the crowd. Geralt found himself genuinally disappointed, but couldn't help but smile at Ciri's highly dramatic "Oh no!" that made Jaskier chuckle. Just as quickly though, Jaskier grew serious again.

"This is a new song that I just wrote this past week," Jaskier said softly, and he looked up, holding Geralt's gaze for a moment before his eyes closed and he began to strum his guitar and sing.

I've got a love that comes in colors. I got a voice, comes in screaming. My old clothes they don't fit me now-ow-ow. When I was young, I took off running. I had a head full of tangles. I had my heart full of splinters oh-oh-oh. And you came around - to save me. Now I drop to hold you To hold you, to hold you oh-oh-oh

"He wrote this in the last week..." Yen said into Geralt's ear, but Geralt couldn't register any words that weren't Jaskier's.

I had a thief, who stole my money Took my heart, took it so quick And left a hole as big as Texas oh-oh-oh-oh-oh And now I can hear the sweet swell of music Feel the soft beat, beat push to the surface Living life out loud, no one to blame it on-on-on Yeah you came around - to save me

Now I drop to hold you To hold you, to hold you oh-oh-oh

"Yen's actually right, you know," Eskel added, quickly followed by an "Oof!" as Yen smacked him in the arm.

The satellite beams me closer, Keeps me steady The satellite beams me closer, Oh and I won't let you down

Now I drop to hold you To hold you, to hold you oh-oh-oh yeah love I drop to hold you To hold you

Strumming the last chord, Jaskier finally opened his eyes, and once again, his gaze met and held Geralt's. Jaskier's cheeks were tinted pink, but he was smiling bright. The swell of applause had him off his stool and standing, bowing to the crowd. "Thanks everyone, I'll be here next week, same time, same channel!"

Jaskier carefully placed his guitar in its case before hopping off the stage. "Mr. Jaskier!" Ciri screamed, running up and throwing her arms around his waist. He quickly knelt to hug her. "You were so so so so good! Thanks for singing Taylor Swift!"

"Of course Ciri, I would never say no to such a good friend," Jaskier assured her solemnly.

"I hate to say this, but he's sweet," Yen mumbled, out of Jaskier's hearing. "Sickeningly sweet, but still, Ciri's really happy."

"Yen, that sounds nice," Geralt shot back at her, and she raised her finger, pointing at his face.

"You deserve sweet," Yen said, "and you're doing whatever your pensive version of a smile is, so go say hi." She hip checked him, sending him practically careening into Jaskier, who was standing up. Only Geralt's hands on Jaskier's waist kept them both from tumbling to the ground.

"You were good," Geralt mumbled, and Jaskier beamed.

"From what I've been given to understand, that is the highest of compliments from you," Jaskier said happily, as Geralt stumbled backwards, hands returning to his own body. "Oh no dear, no need to move because of me." He winked at Geralt, who couldn't help but smile back, shaking his head. "Would you..." Jaskier trailed off, taking in the crowd around them.

"Ciri, say goodbye to Mr. Jaskier and your papa, your papa needs some help finding a book," Yen said abruptly, grinning wickedly at an exasperated Geralt as Ciri hugged Jaskier and Geralt goodbye. "Jaskier, your music did not make me wish to claw my own ears off, congratulations."

"Yen, may your black, black heart continue to  beat forevermore," Jaskier called back, blowing her a kiss.

"Lambert, if you walk out the door with me right now, when we get home we can-" Aiden whispered the rest of the sentence in Lambert's ear too softly for anyone else to overhear, but Geralt could pretty much guess the gist of the promise from the heat spreading up Lambert's face and the way he absolutely bolted to the front door.

"Hey, Jaskier!" Lambert called back, and Jaskier turned to face him. "You're pretty fucking good. Really liked that Goo Goo Dolls cover."

"Huh," Jaskier answered, nodding his head at Lambert. "Not at all what I would have predicted, but appreciated. Thanks."

"Goodnight, Jaskier, Geralt," Eskel said, and then it was just Geralt and Jaskier.

"Would you like to get a drink, was what I was going to say," Jaskier said quickly. "Except I just realized this place is closing for the night, so we could go to a bar or-" He ran his hands through his hair, then reached back and grabbed his guitar case, holding it close to his chest. "Or I live just a few blocks away, if you would want to get a drink there. Or get a drink at all."

Taking a deep breath, Geralt nodded, still holding his empty coffee cup, knuckles white where he gripped the porcelain. "Yes."

"The mug isn't a threat," Jaskier laughed gently, reaching out to pry it from Geralt's hands. "And I'm so glad to hear you say that. I've been wanting to ask you for so long, but you are a hard man to read, Geralt."

"You're not the first person to say that," Geralt admitted softly, staring down at the ground. He felt Jaskier's finger lightly tap him on the chin, encouraging his gaze upwards again.

"We balance each other out then, because I wear my emotions on my sleeves," Jaskier assured him. "I had hoped I had been obvious enough with my intentions, but clearly I had not. I was concerned perhaps you simply weren't interested."

"I didn't understand," Geralt admitted.

"But you do now?" Jaskier asked hopefully.

"I do now," Geralt assured him. "Let's walk to your place."

"Let's then." Jaskier smiled, lacing his arm through Geralt's and leading him towards the door.

******* "So this is my place," Jaskier said, gesturing around at the small apartment. "I actually cleaned just in case you decided to join me tonight."

"This is clean?" Geralt asked, letting out a laugh at the affronted look Jaskier immediately turns on him. "I'm kidding."

"Oh, you kid now, huh?" Jaskier bantered back, rolling his eyes good naturedly. "We have a sense of humor now that we're so sure we're getting some."

"Wasn't so sure I was," Geralt said softly, shrugging when he saw the way Jaskier looked at him.

"We have got to work on this," Jaskier said firmly, reaching a hand up to cup Geralt's cheek. "You are a gorgeous, sweet, silly man who I would love to do lots of naughty things with. Try seeing yourself like I do, darling."

"I'll try," Geralt offered up, and Jaskier nodded, a determined look in his eyes.

"Why don't you let me show you, then, hmm?" Twining his arms around Geralt's neck, Jaskier pulled him in for a kiss. It was soft, and sweet, and as Jaskier's hands slid under his shirt Geralt realized they felt exactly as he had imagined on the bench that day.

"Stay?" Jaskier asked softly, and Geralt nodded, deepening the kiss.

**** "What are you doing here, darling?" Jaskier asked with a wide smile, standing up from his colorfully decorated desk. "I thought Yennifer had Ciri today."

"She does," Geralt agreed, "but you forgot your thermos at home. I know what you're like uncaffeninated, didn't want to do that to the children." He leaned down for a kiss before presenting Jaskier with an iced coffee saturated in butterscotch and whipped cream. "Now go put that in the break room before you get in trouble."

"I shall indeed," Jaskier said, standing up. "Oh, can you tell Lambert that book he wanted on raising cats came in? I'm sure Aiden will find it hilarious." Laughing, Jaskier leaned in for another kiss. "See you for dinner?"

"Wouldn't miss it," Geralt promised. "Never."

[221bsunsettowers]

What Buck/Eddie or TK/Carlos AU should I work on next?