#witcherfic

[ellayuki]

26122022 - The Witcher (Netflix)

~

"Alright, bard," Yennefer turns to Jaskier with a tipsy, yet cocky smirk on her lips. "Truth or dare?"

Jaskier hums in thought for a second, takes stock of whether he can handle another of the witch's dares tonight. Decides to play it safe for now. "Truth."

He regrets it two seconds later, when Yennefer's smirk turns downright ecstatic. "Would you ever fuck a doppler looking like yourself?"

And oh. Oh, that's- He'd expected something horrible, from the look on Yennefer's face. He'd expected her to ask about something embarrassing from his past, or for her to mention something about how his obvious, two decades old crush on Geralt, has turned lately into an obvious crush on both Geralt and Yennefer herself. (It has, unfortunately, merciful gods help him. But he'll die before he does something stupid like admitting to it. He has more pride than that.)

He huffs a relieved laugh. "What do you think, my lovely lady?"

Yennefer rolls her eyes. "Answer the question."

"Maybe if the doppler had tits," Geralt says from where he's been sharpening his blades by the fire. It's the first contribution he's made to the conversation so far. He's refused to play with them, even when Ciri had begged earlier, and since the princess has fallen asleep curled in her chair, he's more or less been ignoring them.

Jaskier and Yennefer look at each other for the space of an infinite heartbeat.

Then, they start laughing raucously. It's a miracle that Ciri doesn't wake up.

Geralt looks at them then, his confusion obvious. "What?"

"Oh, trust me, Geralt, it wouldn't need to have tits," Jaskier says once he's laughed his full. "They're more fun, yes, but I can do without." He turns back to Yennefer, who has something like glee in her eyes. "To answer your question. Yes. I absolutely would. I mean." He stands up, twirls around with a flourish. "Have you seen me?"

"Oh, I have," the witch says, and oh. Oh, that sounds like an invitation if Jaskier's ever heard one. He blinks. That. Can't be right.

Right?

~

("Well, that was… unexpected?" He's naked, pancaked between Yennefer and Geralt -both equally naked-, and maybe on the edge of a hysterical breakdown. Because that… did not just happen. "I'm not the only one who's finding this completely unexpected, am I?"

Geralt growls sleepily in his ear. "Shut up, Jaskier."

Yennefer pinches his side and snuggles closer under his chin. Fuck, that hurts! "Sleep, bard. You can panic about it in the morning."

Jaskier indeed panics about it. )

[astaldis]

@witcher-rarepairs

Chapters: 10/10       Words: 16,392 Fandom: The Witcher (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Cahir Mawr Dyffryn aep Ceallach/Yennefer z Vengerbergu | Yennefer of Vengerberg Additional Tags: Established Relationship, ALL THE FLUFF, Also fluff in the literal sense, catfic, Stray Cat, they are happy together, Intimacy, Kissing & Cuddling, Rainy Days, Sharing a Bed with a Cat, CATS ARE NICE, Divergence to the Canon Divergence, Purring, Love, Romance, Cintra it is Summary: Cahir and Yennefer acquire a stray cat. Or does the cat acquire them? As a witch, Yennefer vibes with cats well. Cahir is sceptical, as to his best knowledge cats are of no use on the battlefield. Obviously, some tensions are inevitable here. But this relationship will, yes, evolve. The fic depicts real ways of cats and was written in the company of some. Humour, fluff and romance

[chemfreaksworld]

Roche was tired and wanted to die in Caer Morhen, but instead he felt more alive than ever when Ciri looked at him admiringly during his training and smiled.

(The swallow is a symbol of hope and a new life.)

Isn't this beautiful?

I feel like I have read that before somewhere, but I can not say where. Is it from a fic?

In any case, it is always good to have friends to help if you feel down! This is something I love in WitcherFics, the found family and camaradery and kinship between people :)

[aenwoedbeannaa]

Curse Meant to Be Broken | Geralt x Reader | Pt. 5

Summary: After facing your worst fear in battle and freeing your mother’s soul in the process, you travel with Geralt all the way to Kaer Morhen—but he has been hiding something.

Word Count: 2,416

A/N: Again, I know that this portrayal of a Noonwraith is not canon, but here we are.

Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 4

I hope you enjoy this chapter, and if you want to read more of my work, you can check out my masterlist, and if you’d like to be tagged, check out my taglists and I’d be happy to add you! I’ve also set up a ko-fi page. A dollar here and there would help me be able to help me start moving toward part-time work so that I can focus more on my creative work. But of course, as always, the best way you all support me is by continuing to read my stories. I appreciate it more than I can say.

Another Trial

“Kaer Morhen,” you breathe, eyes drinking in the sight of the old castle. There are places where the stone has crumbled, but it is still grand. Though, it does strike you in the way that old, deserted places do – with a sense of sadness and loss for what was once there. Though, Kaer Morhen holds no dear childhood memories for you, and so it is easier to bear that looking at your old hut in the village back home.

“Where I grew up,” Geralt nods in response. You sneak a look at his amber eyes, which seem to be searching the castle much the way yours are. You want to ask him what it looked like when he trained here, but you have no idea how long ago that was, and you don’t wish to pry.

“Why’ve we come?” You can’t help but ask the question that has been hanging on the tip of your tongue since you set off on the journey—or at least for as long as you’ve been conscious. After the first few days, the pain had gradually started to fade, even without the help of elixirs. You still took a milder potion, but it didn’t cloud your mind the way the stronger one did. You’ve seen much more of the Continent than you had ever hoped to.

Geralt looks at you with a twinge of guilt – regret. Your first instinct is to turn and run or cower in the corner. Has he grown tired of your company? Does he wish to dump you here, leave you with someone else so that he doesn’t have to deal with you anymore? All of these questions swirl in your head, making it impossible for you to voice any of them.

Finally, he speaks.

“I…” he begins, golden eyes shifting from your face down to the floor at your feet, “The wound on your back, Y/N.”

You don’t know what he is about to say, but you feel the need to cut him off. “It’s been feeling better every day!” you protest.

“Yes, but it’s only a matter of time before it…” He seems to have lost words again, and now you are panicking, heart thudding in your chest.

“Before it what, Geralt?” You can’t keep the shrill edge out of your voice as you speak, your nerves choking you. “What are you talking about?”

“There is a poison.” Geralt hangs his head, looking utterly defeated. “The wound will heal, but the infection will spread. This is the only place I know that will be able to help.”

You look at him, mouth hanging open in shock. You want to be angry with him that he hadn’t told you sooner, but the consuming panic is making it hard to see straight. Perhaps it was better that you hadn’t known this entire journey.

“W-What do you mean?” you stammer, taking a step closer to him, your voice still sounding shrill in your head. “She caught your arm as well… Does that mean…” You can’t even bring yourself to form the sentence. Somehow, the Witcher being in imminent danger is much more frightening to you than yourself.

The Witcher shakes his head, face growing more serious—more pained, by the moment. “No, Y/N. The poison doesn’t work like that on Witchers. Our mutations make us immune to disease, to infections.”

Your eyes momentarily widen as the whole world seems to blur out of focus. Your thoughts, however, somehow remain intact. If a Witcher’s mutations are the only thing that can stop the infection, and he’s brought you to Kaer Morhen, the old Witcher school, there can be no other reason than undergoing mutations yourself.

You are shocked that the prospect both excites you and terrifies you at the same time. Geralt’s face, on the other hand, betrays nothing but resigned desperation.

You know what the mutations entail—or at least, in a general sense. Nobody really knows how the Witcher mutations work save for Witchers themselves, and he is the only one you’ve met. Now you understand his unwillingness to talk about them. In the days spent traveling, he would change the subject each time it veered anywhere close to his childhood and the mutations he underwent. You only know that part of the reason his hair is white is because of extra mutations he underwent. You do, however, know that only three in ten boys made it through the mutations alive… Those are not god odds. But then, if what he is saying about the infection is true, those are even worse odds.

“The lesser evil,” you whisper, not sharing any of your other thoughts. You are sure he’s thought about it plenty.

He looks at you, taking a hesitant step forward and making your breath catch in your throat. “I wouldn’t have brought you here if there were any other way,” he says.

You trust him. But something is still nagging at you.

“I thought that only men could become Witchers.”

“It is the norm,” he says, “But it has been done.”

You shift your weight from one foot to the other, attempting to calm your nervousness but failing.

“I think,” he finally adds after an abnormally long silence, “There should be a way to use minimal mutations—only the necessary ones.” His face betrays a pain, long-repressed memories that had been shoved to the very back of his mind for decades.

“Visimir will know.”

You vaguely recognize the name. He has mentioned it a few times, if you are correct.

“He is… like a father to me.”

“Oh.”

Yes, you remember the name now. Geralt has mentioned him often. His father-figure and mentor, the keeper of Kaer Morhen who has been in charge since before he was born. You deduce that he must also be the Witcher in charge of the Trials; the Witcher who knows the correct elixirs and potions to turn an ordinary human into a Witcher… or Witcheress.

You look from the Witcher to the once grand castle behind him, the whole world blurred strangely. You are afraid, though you will not admit it to him. But, at the same time, the thought of the mutations—if you live—making you nearly invincible against those who had once wronged you is exciting.

“Y/N.” The Witcher’s voice brings you back to the moment, pulling you out of the fantasies playing through your head of returning to your shitty little town and teaching Stephic and his men a lesson they will never forget.

“Come,” he finally says, extending his arm. You grasp it without a second thought, perhaps pulling yourself a bit too tightly to his side. You are glad for the support, as your legs have turned into something akin to jelly, and your head is too muddled to follow directions. You are almost certain that you can feel a dull ache in your back where you hadn’t felt it before. You imagine it spreading like a virus through your veins—or a lit fuse with burning its way to inevitable destruction.

You walk beside him with unsure steps, eyes still taking in the wonder of this new place despite it all. It is a small price to pay, you suppose, to set your mother free. Besides, there were plenty of other ways you could have died back in that shit Nilfgaardian outpost of a town.

Slowly, your steps become more confident, your spine straightening and your head lifting higher. You survived a battle with a wraith, which could not be said for most humans. You’d survived the destruction of your entire village. You’d survived for years as the lowest ranking member of the staff for a cruel master. You can survive a few elixirs and mutations; you know you can.

When you walk through the massive front doors of the old keep, you gasp. Regardless of its state of disrepair, the hall is beautiful. You can only imagine what it had looked what it had in its golden age.

As the doors close behind the two of you, you hear the sound of footsteps echoing in the massive hall, growing closer. Your eyes move in the direction of the approaching steps, the image of a man with long hair, like Geralt’s. As he gets closer, you realize that he is older than Geralt—though it is impossible to tell how old. Witchers were rumored to live to all manner of ages, usually far longer than any average human.

“Geralt!”

The man smiles warmly, quite uncharacteristically – at least in your limited knowledge of Witchers – to hug your companion, who wraps his arms around the old Witcher.

“Visimir.”

“It’s good to see you, Wolf.”

“You too, old man.”

“Let’s not point out age,” Visimir says with a smirk.

A pause.

“And who is your companion?”

You want to open your mouth and answer for yourself, but you find that your mouth has gone entirely dry and it feels like your throat has closed up. You are not intimidated by the man; he seems warm and loving, at least the way he greeted Geralt. But still, you are in a new place where you never would have pictured yourself in an entire lifetime.

“Y/N,” he introduces you. “She helped banish a Noonwraith.”

A knowing look passes between the two men. You only notice it for a fraction of a second, but you notice it. You can’t possibly imagine everything running through their heads, but you can guess. You know that no Witcher school is currently creating new Witchers. There hasn’t been a Trial in years—even humans knew that. You wonder how long it has been, and why it has been so long.

Visimir looks at you and smiles warmly, despite the faraway look in his eyes. “Welcome, Miss, to Kaer Morhen.”

* * *

“What the fuck, Geralt?”

You are sitting with your ear to the wall, trying to pick up as much of the conversation going on in the next room over as possible.

“Lambert, you know I wouldn’t suggest this if there was any other way.” You feel a tightening in your chest upon hearing the strain in the Witcher’s voice; it is pained in a way that you never want to hear him.

“And what, you’ve tried everything?” Lambert counters, “Don’t the mages have some sort of cure? They sure are proud of their advanced magic.”

“Our magic is based on theirs, and apparently rudimentary at that,” Geralt continues, “Anything that they would do would be just as dangerous as this, if not more.”

You shiver, wrapping your arms around your knees and hugging them to your chest. You know for certain that you do not want to die; not when this whole new world has opened up to you.

But that would be my destiny, you think bitterly. To live only long enough to finally have something to leave behind.

“And what if it works?” a third, unfamiliar voice cuts in. “Will you start training her as a Witcher? No one in the society she’s from will give her work once she’s one of us.”

“Oh, why bother with pointless questions, Eskel?” Lambert’s voice is raised now, and you are certain you can detect a fear in it. “She won’t live. She will die an agonizing death.”

“Stop!” Geralt roars, drowning out the other voices. Silence envelopes the room, leaving only the sound of your labored breathing as you remain still, ear pressed to the wall.

“Well, Geralt?” Lambert breaks the silence, “Did you have something to say? Because I do.”

You hear no response.

“You care for that girl, I can see that.” His tone has changed somewhat, more pleading than angry now. “But trying to save her this way? You’re going to kill her, Geralt.”

More silence.

“The infection takes its victims quickly, in sleep. But to submit her to the Trial of Grasses? It’s cruel, Geralt. And selfish.”

“Not everyone regrets becoming a Witcher, Lambert,” Eskel says.

“But everyone regrets seeing people that we cared about, people that we loved die in front of us!”

You are buzzing with anxiety, anger, and words you wish you could speak. After all, it is your life that is currently being debated, very loudly, only a room over. The stone walls may be thick, but there are cracks, and it should be no surprise to the men that you can hear.

When silence has settled too long, you finally speak, loudly. You even slam your fist against the wall, as if it would help. Instead, it just leaves you with aching knuckles as you shout.

“All of these grand arguments and no thought to ask me what I want?”

You can’t hear it, but you can picture all three heads in the room turning to look at the wall. “Or does that not matter here?”

“Y/N—” Geralt mutters, and you hear a crash as someone quickly moves through the room.

You do not move from your place on the floor, even as you hear his footsteps echoing down the hall towards the door in front of you. He opens the door quickly, eyes searching for you for the briefest of moments before landing on you, huddled up against the wall, hot fury in your eyes.

He drops to his knees in front of you. You stare at him for a moment, not saying anything. He reaches out, placing a hand on each of your shoulders. But beyond that, he says nothing, does nothing, and it only makes the anger burn brighter – though you can’t quite place where that anger is directed.

“I want it to be my choice. And I choose the lesser evil.”

“Y/N,” he says, “It… You still have some time to decide, I would never force you to—”

“Geralt,” your gaze fixes intensely on his. “I want to live. I… You… I mean, a month ago, I had nothing to live for. Maybe my choice would have been different then. But now… I refuse to just let myself die, when you’ve finally given me a reason to stay alive.”

And, for the first time, you aren’t even worried about how he will react. Hell, you don’t care how he reacts. You just know that you want to kiss him, and so you do.

He reacts instantly, moving his lips against yours and pulling you against him, wishing that he could simply keep you pulled tight to his chest and protect you from all harm.

Taglist:  @earthtokace @fairytale07 @geeksareunique @jesseswartzwelder @they-call-me-thewildrose @mystriee @hi-there-x  @queenie-b- @pantrashtic @ivvitm1109 @hecatemacbeth7 @whatiswrongwithpeople @ayamenimthiriel   @evyiione @comicbeginning @curlyhairedandconfused​ @jellicorn05  @superconfusedandreadytorumble​ @keithseabrook27

[skai6]

Free drinks.

Free drinks.

Free –

“Fuck, I think I’m going to vomit."

“Disgusting! Make sure you get as far away from us as you possibly can!” spat a loud minstrel, was that Jaskier?

“Not here,” grunted another – clearly Geralt.

“For fuck’s sake, Dandelion.” A tone of utter disappointment laced that last one. It could only be the White Wolf.

From all three statements, Dandelion understood that the rant about his physical intoxication – and all implications tied to it – was unwanted in anyone’s vicinity.

Their reaction was completely self-explanatory. The moment the sun had set and the village lit up the bonfire to start serving food and liquor for all people to feast upon, Dandelion was doomed – in the most delightful way possible. He had drunk more in the past hours than he had in the past two months combined.

“Fine, fine, I’m going!” he grunted, wobbling upwards to make way out of the group amassed in a circle.

Was it just him or was everyone rocking back and forth?

He chuckled. Their faces looked funny.

“Careful. And don’t get yourself killed.”

He was given a helpful push from the back to regain his posture – or at least try not to fall off on his face. He guessed it was the White Wolf’s doing, who was as spent as the rest of them after sharing his not-suspicious-at-all vials. Dandelion had a sip – one! – and he was knocked out instantaneously.

It was a fun experience, nevertheless. Well, minus the aftermath which had Dandelion’s stomach turn upside down the second he settled on his two feet.

“Oh, fuuuck!”

The curse stretched for as long as he sprinted – or rather staggered – to the closest alleyway. The content of the past two hours’ worth of drinking was spilled on the corner of the closest wall, and thank the gods, emptying his stomach helped knock some sense back into his disoriented mind.

The world was still rocking on a boat eyesight-wise, so he rested his back against the wall to regain his breath. It was a fun night, surely, but the hangover promised to be anything but. Good thing he had left Salmon by Geralt’s side earlier, else he would have hated her witnessing so humiliating a side of his – he was a responsible parent, alright!

“Come on, let’s do it!”

“Here?”

“Yes here!”

The whispered exchange was accompanied by a series of giggles. Dandelion turned his head to the other end of the alleyway to identify, with squinted eyes, the shape of two moon-kissed individuals humping each other in the open.

“Disgraceful,” he mumbled to himself, then kept watching.

They kissed deeply – no, Dandelion corrected himself, disgustingly deep – then the woman’s dress was swayed up and her legs followed. Her moans broke out in the open like an impaled pigeon’s cries, god was she loud, and the man buried his face into her bosom, god was he indecent, and the two rose and fell until nothing else but their lascivious sounds were heard in the circumference.

God was this… tempting.

The encounter lasted faster than it started, shameful, and soon Dandelion’s presence was noticed and with a loud gasp and a few shouted curses, the two lovebirds scampered off elsewhere.

He was left alone with his thoughts – and hard-on.

“Curse my luck.”

He peeled his back off the wall and made back to his group. Upon his return, he noticed that Geralt and Jaskier went missing and the White Wolf was now sitting alone nestling a tankard of ale recently refilled.

“Terrible coping mechanism,” announced Dandelion upon approach, “Would strongly advise against it.”

The White Wolf scoffed, then took a swig, “Wise words from the man who chugged a dozen.”

“I’m feeling refreshed now, mind you,” he shrugged, crossing his arms. He did, though the lingering drowsiness was still strongly present, occasionally slurring his speech. “Where did those imbeciles go to now?”

The White Wolf opened his mouth but Dandelion was already raising a hand to stop him.

“Save it. I say good riddance to both. That aside…” He stumbled over a few legs and apologized to whomever they belonged, then leaned down to the White Wolf’s vicinity. “I have a grand idea as to where we could spend the rest of our evening, my dear friend.”

He received nothing further than a quirked eyebrow. Dandelion took that as the White Wolf’s way of showing complete interest. He was quick to flash a grin and tip his head towards town.

“Brothels and sweet company, Little Wolf, need I say more?”

Read more on ao3

[itsclydebitches]

Title: Mightier Than the Sword

Fandom: Witcher

Summary: A month after the events of "Rare Species," Geralt slinks his way into an inn and is faced with the question of how an emotionless man apologies. (TV!canon with some details drawn from the books and Wild Hunt.)

Pairing: Pre-slash Geralt and Jaskier 

Word Count: 2,568

Where to read it: Below or on AO3 

A/N: It’s a Christmas miracle! Look at me making an attempt at writing. I figured that if season one was going to leave us in that horrible place with Jaskier and Geralt’s relationship I’d just have to start fixing it myself 👍

The storm had raged for two days and looked as if it had enough life in it for a third. When Geralt shouldered his way into the inn he felt like there was a kikimore on the other side, so strong was the wind keeping slabs attached to frame. When he finally managed and let the door slam shut behind him, catching his heel and dimming the storm’s voice, he found a number of glares leveled his way, the patrons none too pleased at the cold interruption. Dropping his hood did not improve matters.

One man splendid in rotting clothes and stained teeth spat as soon as he saw Geralt’s hair. Another flinched away from his eyes. Still another pretended to keep attention on his food but Geralt caught the inquisitive looks he snuck, far worse than any hatred. The curious only thought they were kinder.

“Witcher,” said a fourth. That tone spread through the room. Apparently Jaskier’s ballads hadn’t reached this corner of the world yet.

Geralt found his seat and kept his back to the wall.

For all the poverty he’d passed through in this town the inn at least was holding its own. The horse hair plaster did little to warm the space, but the many bodies and roaring fire made up for the lack of insulation. The room was otherwise dark. Comforted in the soft chatter and the simple blessing that, though they might growl, no one was inclined to approach him. Geralt took a moment to merely sit, listening to the drip of water from his cloak and the clink of spoons against bowls. The latter made his stomach ache something fierce and with a sigh Geralt stood, approaching the bar.

The innkeep took one look at his threadbare clothes and went back to cleaning his nails. Geralt slid what little coin he had across the counter.

“Oats,” he said. “For the chestnut mare outside.”

“This look like a ploughing stable to you?”

“Does this metal look fake to you?”

Geralt spoke of the coin. Might have meant his sword. Either understanding worked just fine. The innkeep pocketed his meager offering in a flash.

“Doesn’t get your bitch much,” he said, but moved to the back regardless, presumably to make up a pail. Geralt traced his movements just long enough for reassurance before heading back to the fire. His knuckles creaked and when he grimaced the skin of his lips split.

As he sat that hole in his stomach grew wider, deeper, pulled him down stronger than gravity herself and Geralt had to plant his feet against the wave of dizziness that hit. Even witchers were susceptible to starvation. Obviously he would have preferred food for both himself and Roach, but work hadn’t been kind to him these last few weeks. Oh, there were plenty of monsters, just few people willing to pay for their demise. As he’d once told Jaskier, the two rarely went hand-in-hand.

...must be the hunger addling his brain. Geralt knew of no other reason why he should think so much on a bard who was no longer bound to him. He’d severed that tie himself, over a month past.

“Endings,” Geralt said. To Roach, really. The conversation had picked up enough to cover his voice and he knew his horse was just beyond the wall, sheltered beneath the hanging roof of the inn. “It was bound to happen eventually. Best to do it on my own terms.”

If pressed Geralt might have admitted to catching that snort. As if Roach had heard, understood, and had more than her fair share to say about that claim. But he held his ground. Jaskier would have left, and all the better for it. Over the last few weeks Geralt had pictured the man lying prone on Yennefer’s bed. Thought over the advice he’d given about heading to the coast. Become antsy during the long stretch of silences and could only admit now that he’d grown used to Jaskier’s singing. The memories of his songs had settled in the back of his mind, rooting there with a determination that fit their author. More than once Geralt had caught himself humming a tune when there was no one else to hear it.

Yes. There were things he... missed. But better to miss them now while they shown bright in his memory. There would have come a day when Jaskier would no longer ask to accompany him to far off places. Where his songs would warn of a witcher’s violence and treachery, rather than simply lying through his teeth. There may have even come a time when he fell and no sorceress, not even one of Yennerfer’s skill, could save him. Geralt knew this as surely as he knew the weight of his own sword.

Jaskeir would have grown to hate him whether he’d held his foolish tongue or not. That was a destiny Geralt could believe in.

He’d just resolved to meditate until the phrase ‘Toss a coin to your witcher’ finally left his head—its repetition had certainly not brought the command into reality—when a plate was dumped in front of him, steaming meat and crispy potatoes. A bit of relish dotted the top, specific to the region as Geralt didn’t recognize the spices. The smell was enough for him to draw a sharp breath though, swallowing it like that might fill the hole in his stomach. He forced himself to look up into the eyes of a plain woman and kept his hands away from the table's edge.

“I didn’t order this,” Geralt said.

The woman smiled. “I know.”

Hmm. “You misunderstand. I don’t have coin to pay for this.” A drink was set beside the plate. The smell of steamed milk had Geralt briefly closing his eyes.

The woman chuckled. At his longing or whatever game she played, he didn’t know. Perhaps both. Though Geralt had an inkling that he had misjudged her when she pushed the plate closer, a chipped nail tapping its edge.

“It’s you who’s not understandin’” she said. “Coin’s already in the pocket. Mine, not my lout of a brother over there.” Her head jerked towards the innkeep. “Pretty bard was in here just a mo’ ago. Went pale as milk when he saw ye. Thought the poor boy was gonna faint! But he recovered, sure as anything, and gave me a handful of silver before slippin’ out the back. Had stern instructions that I get you a hearty dinner so now here I am, doin’ jus’ that. You won’t catch Sinah goin’ back on her word, no sir. So go on. Eat your fill, witcher. More where that came from if you’ve a mind to have it,” and Sinah inched the plate ever closer.

Geralt’s gaze was on the hearth though. He stared at the flames and tried to ignore how the smell of meat had gone sour. “A bard?”

“Aye. As said, a pretty thing. More dolled up than we’re likely to get ‘round these parts. Sang a bit for his own meal before settlin’ in the back. Quiet. Fidgety. Like a mouse before the cat. Specially when he caught sight of that hair o’ yours. Thought he might be a monster himself—one of those dopple things, if you know my meaning—up until he asked me to serve ye. Odd that. I’ll not have my cookin’ go to waste though. I’ll take it back if—hey now!”

But Geralt was already up and on the move because he’d heard it. Muttering something about saving his plate, he was across the room with a dexterity only a witcher could manage, dodging legs, chairs, spilled drinks, all in near darkness. Throwing himself out into the gale that sound grew stronger. No one else would have heard it above the storm, but Geralt followed it like a clear, melodious bell.

Someone was speaking to Roach. Jaskier was speaking to Roach.

A little ways down the path to avoid a small river forming, around the corner of the inn. Geralt slipped into the shadows created by the overhang and blinked at the sudden assault on his vision. Jaskier was dressed entirely in purple and pink, a beacon amid the grays of the night. Geralt’s first thought upon spotting him was that his clothing was a monstrosity all its own and he would happily accept a contract to dispose of it.

Then, ears perking like a wolf’s, Geralt focused on the conversation.

“—hardly deserves it,” Jaskier was saying, using Roach’s neck to hide from a particularly sodden gust of wind. His mare put up with it, long familiar with the man’s proximity. “Though I suppose that you could technically make an argument for reciprocation. If I am owed a ten percent cut of whatever work he secures thanks to my genius ballads, then perhaps I owe him ten percent of whatever I earn thanks to his heroics. Yes, yes. I know I’m not supposed to be touching you, but I’m not see? I’m touching your saddlebags. Geralt can’t get mad about that, can he?”

He could, yet astoundingly Geralt found that he was not. How could he be when the light of the moon showed Jaskier slipping coin into the side pocket where Geralt was sure to find it? Shivering, drenched to the bone, Jaskier continued to give up his riches, smiling all the while. Geralt could see it even from the shadows. Noted the melancholy grip on its edge. He looked away—again—and this time told himself that it was so his shining eyes didn’t give him away. The excuse sounded weak even within his own head.

“Just a bit to tide him over,” Jaskier said, continuing to pour more than “a bit” into various pockets. “And you of course! No need to tell him I was here, but you should make sure he buys you plenty of carrots. You need more than these wet oats... oh by the gods those look disgusting. I’m sorry, girl. I’d sneak back in to get you something as well but... ah.... not sure ‘sneaking’ and ‘White Wolf’ go well together. Our King of Brooding would spot me for sure and then where would I be? Suffering another punch I’d wager. And given our last meeting I don’t think Geralt would settle for aiming at my gut. Sorry, girl, but this face is just too beautiful to risk.”

Another sliver coin glinting from the shadows. An endless wave of prattle just under the rain. Geralt listened as Jaskier told Roach all about his travels over the last month, how audiences were growing weary of the ballads he had, demanding new, exciting tales. Jaskier had nothing to give them. Though that was fine. Grand even! Challenge and limitation, the bread and butter of an artist. He would find a way and until then he’d help others find there’s. Even grumpy witchers.

“I’m his friend, after all,” Jaskier said. It came out quieter than all the rest. “That’s what the foolish man doesn’t realize. Hardly matters whether he’s my friend. Doesn’t stop me from being his. Really, all those mutated brains and he’s dumb as a goat half the time. He’s lucky he’s gorgeous.” Roach tossed her head, knocking into Jaskier’s and drawing a chuckle. “Knew you’d agree with that, girl. There now. All loaded up? Excellent. I’m going to go dry off now. I will not allow this storm to ruin my new outfit,” and he did a little twirl, showing off the decorative stitching. “Stunning? Why yes, I’m quite aware. Never hurts to hear it though. Thank you, darling.”

Jaskier planted a quick kiss on her muzzle, whispered not to tell, and with a wink slipped away. Geralt took note of the house he was renting a room from and then returned to the inn.

He found Sinah in the back removing a man’s hand from her waist. She followed him to his seat, the meat and potatoes now cold. Geralt shoveled forkfuls down regardless.

“You said the bard’s coin would get me more?”

Sinah inclined her head. “Aye. Wanting a second plate, do you?”

“No, but I’ll take paper and quill if you have it.”

If she found the request odd she didn’t show it. Sinah left and returned with the speed of a wraith, depositing pulpy parchment and a vile of ink heavily watered down. It was enough. Geralt inclined his head in turn, the most respectful gesture she’d seen all day, and the two parted with satisfaction on both sides. Geralt put aside a third of his meal for Roach before finishing the rest with a speed that would have choked a human man. Done, he set about composing a list.

He was no poet. Geralt hadn’t the words to describe his contracts with anything other than the blunt language spoken by all witchers. Still, he made an effort to include details. He wrote about the noonwraith he’d dispatched three towns over, only to find that the residents had but an eighth of the coin they’d originally promised. Geralt had looked at their own sunken cheeks, taken half of that eighth, and been on his way. After that had come the drowner colony, but no one cared to pay for what amounted to a pest—even a dangerous one. There were the men who’d succeeded in both putting a hole in his cloak as well as forfeiting their lives. The young woman who looked much like Sinah but had none of her honor, attempting to lure Geralt into a robbery through false tears. The ghoul whose liver he'd eaten when he couldn’t sell it. The curse he’d lifted for a roof over his head. The nekkers that had managed to drain the rest of his energy before he’d finally collapsed here. It was all common work. The witcher equivalent of doing one’s chores. It was only Jaskier’s voice in his head that told Geralt any of this might interest another.

The whole thing filled five pages and took the length of time required to dry his socks. There was no signature. The writing was splotchy and the paper now smelled of rain. Geralt folded it with all the care he’d give to cleaning his sword.

It wasn’t an apology because witchers didn’t do apologies. Geralt wasn’t even sure he’d know how to give one if required... though this was probably as close as he’d get. He would not think on what Jaskier had done to earn the attempt.

Instead, Geralt planned to sop up the remaining juice on his plate and lick his fingers clean. He would return the inkwell to Sinah and, when the rest of him was dry, he’d ruin it all by going back out into the storm, across the weeds, into the room where Jaskier slept with lute and clothes as flamboyant as a peacock. Geralt’s notes would look like a pauper’s trifle next to the rest of his belongings, but perhaps Jaskier could spin them into something grand.

Indeed, perhaps someday soon there would be another inn, a new ballad, and this time Jaskier would choose to stay. Geralt wouldn't deserve that, but he found himself thinking on it nonetheless. Treacherous thoughts that circumvented destiny and warmed him far better than the fire.

Until then, Geralt curled in on himself and let the music he already knew wash over him.

[aroomie]

Snippet:

It was very hard not to hear about the opening of the new bakery, five weeks ago now, that Jaskier had his shifts changed to the waiter and part-time musician wouldn’t shut up about the fucking place. How Geralt was able to put up with the constant gibbering of his lover, Letho would never understand. They were all seated in Letho’s office, Jaskier ranting about the pastry chef and what an utter delight the man was, and Letho had begun to tune the talkative man out to go back to his papers when, suddenly, a bright pink box was placed in front of him.

“The fuck is this?” Letho asked, looking up at Jaskier. The younger man just smiled annoyingly bright.

“Geralt said that you have a sweet tooth,” Jaskier said and Letho turned to glare over at the white-haired man, who just shrugged at him with a patient smile. “So I brought you something I think you’ll like!” Jaskier added and slid the box closer to Letho. “We also have the most wonderful coffee there! Oh, Geralt, have I told you about the coffee?!” Jaskier asked, bouncing over to his lover and dropping into his lap.

“Yes, Jaskier. You’ve told me about the coffee, and the animal marshmallows,” Geralt said, while he snaked an arm around Jaskier’s waist, the brunette smiling even wider, if that was even possible, as he tucked his head against Geralt’s shoulder.

“Animal… Marshmallows?” Lethos’ brow lifted and Jaskier perked up once more, clapping his hands a couple of times.

[lemondropsssss]

can anyone tell me about beta acquisition? I’m working on this fic again and i don’t know if i’m really matching the tone of the previous chapters. but ive never had anything beta read and don’t really know how to go about convincing someone? are there betas just wandering around waiting for a cool fic to read?

[ellayuki]

12122022 - The Witcher

~

"I don't know about you, but if I don't get horizontal in the next five minutes- by which I mean in a bed, very much dead-to-the-world asleep, before you start snickering like the old hag that you are, Yennefer-"

"I didn't say anything, bard."

"You didn't have to. Your face said quite enough."

"I beg your pardon-"

"As I was saying. If I don't get to sleep soon, I am likely going start murdering people. Probably starting with you, since you're in close range."

"Aww, you wouldn't kill me. You'd miss me too much."

"Eh, I don't know about that-"

"Besides, as if you could actually kill me, for one-"

"In your sleep, I could, yes-"

"And for another, who would share your grief or annoyance when Geralt is being particularly pig-headed, if I'm gone?"

"I've managed quite well on my own for two decades, I'll thank you very much."

"Uhum."

"Anyway, getting back to the point-"

"Oh, you had a point."

"I did, actually. Today has been a hellishly long day, so I am going to find myself a bed to fall unconscious into. I suggest you do the same. Or not. Up to you, my most unpleasant lady."

[astaldis]

Day 28: Explosion

@whumpcember

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Wiedźmin | The Witcher - All Media Types Rating: Not Rated Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Geralt z Rivii | Geralt of Rivia/Fringilla Vigo Characters: Geralt z Rivii | Geralt of Rivia, Jaskier | Dandelion, Cahir Mawr Dyffryn aep Ceallach, Maria Barring | Milva, Angoulême (The Witcher), Emiel Regis Rohellec Terzieff-Godefroy Additional Tags: Whumpcember 2022, Explosion, New Year's Eve, Angst, The Amazing Devil song references 

Summary: While Geralt's company is staying in Beauclair, another festive event is coming up. However, like with the famous fall masquerade, not all is going as planned. This time it is not Jaskier's fault, though.

"Fuck, you are what?" Geralt looks at Jaskier, aghast.

"Melitele help us, this is the prime recipe for disaster, like with the grape punch." Fringilla sighs heavily.

"The grape punch was fun, you have to admit that, Witch," Jaskier says cheerfully and totally unperturbed by his friends' reaction. "Even if it was a bit strong," he adds in a low tone of voice so only Fringilla, who is standing next to the bard at the entrance to the snowed-in castle orchard, can hear him. Better his other friends never find out that he had mixed up the recipe and thus was, at least partially, responsible for what happened at the famous Toussaint fall masquerade. And for the morning after. This time, however, nothing can possibly go wrong. He is an expert at this, has done it pretty much every year ever since he was a pimply teenager at their family mansion in Lettenhove. Even way before he got into poetry. And the mansion is still standing. Well, maybe he has never done it as large-scale as this, but nevertheless, it's going to be spectacular. They'll see.

Continue reading on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/43986924

[sipsthytea]

Bad Romance

Jaskier x Geralt

Inspired by Lady Gaga’s Bad romance

Implied sexual content

Singer! Jaskier

Geralt sighed as Yennefer handed him a leather jacket. He eyeballed it, she smiled innocently at him, “You’ll look good.”

 Again, he sighed, pulling his arms through the jacket, finding it unsurprisingly snug on his muscular arms. 

 “See,” Yen turned him to the mirror in the corner of her room, “You look great.” She walked away and went to fetch her purse and coat. 

 He hummed, he did have to agree with her, his long white hair pulled back from his face, leather jacket framing his toned body, black button-down and fitted black slacks accented his form. He trailed his eyes upwards, silently, he took in the sight of his gold eyes, sharp and stern. The scar running across his cheek and one slitting his eyebrow. Which, according to Yen, made him all the more attractive because it “was in”. 

 “Come on now,” Yen called from the front door, “We have to hurry if we’re going to catch Jaskier.”

 Geralt let out a soft hum and walked towards the door, this night would be very, very boring. 

 ****

 Once again, Geralt was right, this night would prove to be extremely boring. Yen was off chatting to a girl she’d met on the dance floor leaving Geralt to his own devices. He was tucked away in a corner of the club, brooding demeanor fending off anyone who had the gull to approach him. He had yet to hear this ‘Jaskier’ that Yen was so excited to hear tonight. 

 It didn’t seem like a very worthwhile trip, the club itself was nice enough, but their alcohol was just pure rubbish, not a single ounce of liquor burned on its way down. It had Geralt humming in disapproval. He quickly scanned the floor finding nothing of interest, just drunken bodies gyrating against each other, wild hands searching their partner. It made Geralt roll his eyes. 

 He could wrap his head around the thought of finding some sweaty, drunk stranger at a club appealing. Now, he’s had his fair share of one-night stands, don’t get him wrong, but this - this was never his thing. 

 The drab music, shitty alcohol, the overspray of colognes and perfumes, he never saw the appeal, he’d much rather spend his Friday evening with Roach, his cat. She’d look up at him, judgmental stare and silently scold him for not going out more often. 

 He sighed once more as he took another swig of his drink. Finally, Yen came back, cheeks a pink hue, she always was a lightweight. 

 “Geralt,” she called, throwing her arms around him, “Come on, he’s about to go on! We’ve got to go!” She tugged at his arms, feet stumbling slightly as she dragged him onto the crowded dance floor as the crowd gathered to hear this ‘Jaskier’. 

 They came to a halt after weaving their way through the crowd and stopped at the foot of the stage, the MC came over the microphone, “Ladies and Gents, the man you’ve been waiting for, Jaskier!”

 Geralt flinched as the crowd erupted beside him, and the strumming of a bass guitar came over the speakers, followed by a voice, almost like a siren, “Want your Bad Romance!”

 A man came into view, microphone in hand, he stared into the audience, taking his place at the center stage, enticing the crowd. His lips brushed ever so slightly against the microphone, voice coming out as a beautiful rasp, the heavy bass filling Geralt’s ears. 

 His breath caught in the back of his throat as he eyed Jaskier, eyes raking in the singer’s figure and face. Gulping as he took in the tight pants that held the singer in all the right places, or his button-up white shirt haphazardly tucked into said pants; or his smooth jean jacket. 

 His fingers were adorned with rings and jewels, a steel necklace hanging from his necklace, he marched around the stage, holding the stand close to his body. 

 “I want your ugly, I want your disease

I want your everything as long as it's free

I want your love

Love, love, love, I want your love, hey

I want your drama, the touch of your hand (hey)

I want your leather-studded kiss in the sand

I want your love

Love, love, love, I want your love.”

 His voice was hypnotizing, dripping each word in sex-appeal and hand feeding it to the audience, raking a hand through his hair on occasion, temporarily exposing the long column of his neck. Now, Geralt would be lying if he said the thought of biting marks onto that pretty, pale neck didn’t cross his mind. 

 “...I want your ugly, I want your disease

I want your everything as long as it's free

I want your love

Love, love, love, I want your love, hey

I want your drama, the touch of your hand (hey)

I want your leather-studded kiss in the sand

I want your love

Love, love, love, I want your love…”

 With the smallest grind of his hips, the singer seemed to be making love to the words, using the words to speak to the crowd, voice lustful and beautiful. It made Geralt’s pants seem too tight. 

 “You know that I want you

And you know that I need you

I want it bad

Your bad romance…”

 Geralt gulped, the brunette whispered the words, voice gravely and seductive. Eyes raking the crowd, fingers gripping onto the mic, tight pants straining as he walked. A smirk pulled at his pretty pink lips, the other hand coming to grip at his throat, and Geralt almost growled. Less than appropriate images of the brunette beneath his hand filling his mind. 

 “...I want your love, and I want your revenge

You and me could write a bad romance

I want your love, and all your lover's revenge

You and me could write a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

Caught in a bad romance…”

 The white-haired man felt his soul leave his body as the singer crescendo to the high note, an effortless dip into his belt. He looked so at ease, surrounded by the heavy thud of drums and the masterful strum of the guitar, the bright lights flashing around him and the electric feel of the atmosphere. People around his danced and bounced along to the pretty singer’s words, hypnotized by his voice. And, for once, Geralt couldn’t judge them, he was the exact same way. Caught in the trance of this singer’s voice. So, caught he almost didn’t notice the singer approaching him, coming to the edge of the stage before dipping down low, microphone raised to his lips, eyes transfixed on Geralt. 

 “...I want your love

And I want your revenge

I want your love

I don't wanna be friends

Je veux ton amour

Et je veux ta revanche

Je veux ton amour

I don't wanna be friends

No, I don't wanna be friends

 don't wanna be friends…”

 Geralt felt himself lean forward, the French circling his ears and filling his soul, lust igniting in his body, shooting his blood with arousal as he stared into the singer’s eyes. For the first time, he could see the singer properly, his deep blue eyes were lust-filled, a smirk pulling at his lips, and his hand reaching out slightly, just enough to ghost his finger across Geralt’s jaw. 

 Geralt allowed himself to entertain the singer’s game, he smirked back at him, teeth catching his bottom lip. He trailed his eyes down the brunette’s figure and took in his slender hips and beautiful form. It made his mouth water. 

 Jaskier began to pull away, taking his place once again at center stage, voice filling with promise and pure arousal. He kept his eyes trained on Geralt the entire time, blazing blue eyes tantalizing as he closed the song, leaving the crowd with a powerhouse belt. 

 Around him the throng of people erupted in cheers and praise, loud screams of Jaskier’s name filled his ear, and Geralt couldn’t even find himself annoyed. To absorbed in the Sapphire like eyes, he lifted his brow, silently asking to see Jaskier again. The singer nodded, catching his lip between his teeth. 

 ‘Later,’ he mouthed, Geralt nodded and stalked off to find another drink, doing little to hide his hard-on. 

 Maybe he was wrong, maybe this night could be spectacular. Maybe that pretty little singer would make it spectacular. 

[diamondcamefromhell]

Hello fellow bards

If anyone writes/plans on writing any Jaskier fic, imagine, one shot or whatever pls tag me IN ALL OF THEM

I NEED Jaskier fluff in my life and I am too lazy to write it myself THANK U BYE

[yormp]

My hair smells like fancy hair products of the citrus variety and I am very happy

[inexplicifics]

The first Bran ask that you responded to was me, Witcherfics is a side blog and I didn't want to use my main. I'm so glad you and others enjoy him!

To me, he does things The Way They Ought to Be Done, even if it's not the right way. That extends to caring for an orphan moose because he ought to have someone to care for him, training the moose for battle because you ought to make use of such a strong beast if you have it, and now pretending to be a statue because it's less work than climbing (fucking Cats) and by all laws of logic it should work.

Not everyone agrees with his logic. Usually, if someone does, it's a Cat.

- Witcherfics

Glorious.

"This makes perfect logical sense!" is exactly how you end up with a battle moose, or a habit of imitating statuary. I love it.

[missingrache]

The thing is, the thing is (in addition to my General Eskel Salt which matches, I think, the general mood oh my dash), that we had a big fricking weird magic tree in kaer morhen that maybe also has monster rock in it, we had a leshen-possessed witcher, we had a Weird Leshen that we immediately wasted, we have a witcher sign that works as a magic trap and we had geralt and vesemir vaguely gesturing at wanting to trap and hold leshskel & trying to find a way to help him before going in for the mercy kill instead, we had a final ep entitled Family with tree iconography and a vague gesture at the km witchers being part of ciri’s adoptive family—I feel like these things could have been mooshed together in an Interesting Way??? (It’s a mashup of Uprooted and the Witcher that I’m looking for here, if I’m honest with myself, which is funny given that naomi novik DOeS have some real good witcherfic to her name as astolat, The Moods Match)

[itsclydebitches]

Title: Mightier Than the Sword (Chapter Two) 

Fandom: Witcher

Summary: A month after the events of “Rare Species,” Geralt slinks his way into an inn and is faced with the question of how an emotionless man apologies. (TV!canon with some details drawn from the books and Wild Hunt.)

Pairing: Pre-slash Geralt and Jaskier

Word Count (This Chapter): 1,962

Where to read it: Below or on AO3

The new inn, song, and passing of past friends arrived a mere three months later, on a day that was as bright as the first had been bleak. Alone on the roads, Geralt lifted his face to the sun and let it warm his cheeks. Whatever else life might take from him, he’d always have this—and he did not treat such gifts lightly.

In truth, the songs had come earlier. Just a few miles east of that night and Geralt started hearing new tunes sung by drunks and children alike. He didn’t like to admit that he recognized the style. It was true enough to claim that music wasn’t a witcher’s craft... but he recognized it nonetheless. There was no easy way to describe the sensation, only familiarity. Geralt watched a woman hanging clothes, singing a song she only had a handful of words to, and knew that it was one of Jaskier’s.

Something born of his notes. Gallant tales of slicing through wraiths and taking down bandits; surviving armies of neckers and doing right by the people. It was somehow both honest and fabricated, though Geralt supposed that was true of all stories. All he cared about was whether these new ballads meant something. Reconciliation? Forgiveness? Whether he could hope that Jaskier wouldn’t spit at his feet when he next saw him, as so many did? Geralt didn’t know. His memories of the bard’s words to Roach had gone fuzzy. He could no longer believe that he’d heard such kindness over the rain and if it weren’t for the weight of coin in his pockets—keeping him fed and sheltered over these last three months—Geralt would have thought it a dream all together. So no. He had no knowledge of such things... but he found himself hoping nonetheless.

Clearly destiny was a child. In his experience only children could orchestrate such ironic coincidences. For as he tilted his face to the sun and thought of Jaskier, Geralt suddenly heard his voice.

From the woods. Screaming.

He was through the first line of trees in an instant. Before he’d consciously decided to do so, long before any consequences could pop into his head. Geralt dropped Roach’s reins and replaced them with his sword. Through brush. Over boulders. Slipping against mud. With every yard he covered Jaskier’s voice grew clearer until Geralt was finally able to make out his words.

“Rumors!” he cried, causing Geralt to register brief confusion. Jaskier’s voice held the high-pitched string of panic though and that was all that mattered. “Surely the rumors exaggerate?”—Geralt vaulted a felled tree—“I mean, I’ve spoken with many so-called monsters in my time,”—slashed through particularly dense brush—“and they’re always more civilized than people claim,”—palmed a vial of Blizzard and shot the cork into the trees—“so if you lovely, ah... sirs would just hear me out, perhaps we could come to some sort of understanding? Something? Anything?!”

Geralt finally cleared the woods and saw him: bound to a stump at the beginning of the swamp, attempting to reason with a pack of drowners. It was simultaneously the worst and most absurd thing he’d ever seen and for a split second Geralt just stood in shock, useless as a child pre-Trial. It was in that moment that Jaskier’s eyes moved away from the creatures bearing down on him and happened—just happened—to catch sight of him across the way.

“You!” Jaskier said and reality came crashing back down.

He was too far. The drowners too close. With a growl Geralt bent the middle finger of his left hand and thrust outward, a gale bursting forth from his palm. Normally Aard was enough to blast even the toughest opponents off their feet, but Geralt knew from experience that drowners were a tricky bunch. They tended to tangle with the moss and weeds around them, blurring the line between creature and environment. They wouldn’t topple easy so Geralt aimed for the next best thing.

His Sign easily tore the ropes binding Jaskier and he soared away from his would-be killers, landing in a deeper part of the swamp. Geralt caught Jaskier’s indignant shriek right before he went under.

Advancing, a distant part of him hoped the bard knew how to swim. Then Geralt’s mind went blank as muscle memory took over.

That was the easiest way to deal with semi-sentient monsters. Just let his sword do the work, especially when other, compromising thoughts might distract him. So for three minutes Geralt knew nothing but the weight of steel and the pungent smell of creatures born of the mire. When it was over a collection of body parts floated around him, blood spreading outwards onto the water. Geralt sheathed his sword.

A few yards away Jaskier stood, dripping. He hacked up muck with a groan.

Well. If he was going to spit at Geralt, this wasn’t so bad.

“What the fuck?” Jaskier cried.

“You’re welcome.”

“I’m—? Oh no. No, no, no, no, no. I am not thanking you for any of this,” and he gestured to his entire self.

Geralt shrugged. “You’re not welcome then.”

“Yes. Precisely. Quite right. You keep ruining my clothes, Geralt, and I—” Jaskier’s mouth suddenly unhinged, a little more water dribbling out. He absently wiped it away. “I’m mad at you. That’s right, I’m furious, I—hold on. Where are you going?”

It had taken all his concentration to keep from smiling. Because yes, Jaskier was furious, but if he could complain about his outfit than he wasn’t furious enough. Enough to hate him, that is. Not yet.

Suddenly, that confirmation was worth wet boots and the lingering smell of decay.

Geralt turned and started heading back towards Roach. The small bit of warmth in his chest grew at the sound of frantic splashing behind him.

“Geralt? Geralt wait! I haven’t a horse!”

***

A few hours later found them seated around a fire roasting meat. Specifically, the meat of a wolf Geralt had killed after cleaning his sword of drowner residue. Jaskier stared at the white pelt laid out to dry, then pointed to the hunk Geralt was tearing his teeth into.

“Is that cannibalism?” he asked. Geralt grunted.

It would be cliche to claim that they were the first words he’d spoken. In fact, Jaskier had done nothing but talk during their walk back to the road and during all the chores since. It was nonsense though. Silly, rambling thoughts that danced around the conversation they were meant to have. Problem was, Geralt didn’t know how to start it and based on the insistent tapping of Jaskier’s foot, he didn’t know either.

So, more dancing then.

“Another wife?” Geralt asked. Across from him Jaskier was dressed only in his smalls and a blanket, his clothes drying next to the pelt. He looked vulnerable in the dying light. More akin to a child than a man. Geralt suddenly found it hard to reconcile this Jaskier with his cuckolder reputation. Though that grimace told him he needn’t have strained himself.

Jaskier snatched his own portion of the food and raised it for emphasis. “If only. Those drunk cads aren’t nearly creative enough to pull something like this off. You met that one in Cintra. They just want me to drop my pants and,” the spit came down in a chopping motion. “It’s all that and punching, yelling, you know how it is. Tying someone up and leaving them for...what did you call them again?”

“Drowners.”

“Because they...?”

“Drown people.”

Jaskier rolled his eyes with such violence Geralt feared they’d leave his skull. “What a pedestrian name. Honestly, could no one come up with better?”

“Some believe they’re called that because they’re born of men who drowned at sea.”

“Oh! Is that true?”

Geralt ate more wolf. After a long moment of silence Jaskier scowled.

“Fine. Be stoic and boring. I don’t need to know the truth for a good song.” He raised a hand only to realize that the notebook he carried was with his clothes, completely waterlogged. Jaskier finally took a vicious bite of his dinner.  “Hmm. Right. Songs. That’s what did it.”

Geralt blinked. “You were nearly murdered over a ballad?”

“Not all of them are about you,” he shot back. “Apparently bigots are everywhere nowadays. Sing a few ditties painting halflings in a nice light and suddenly you’re getting knocked over the head and dragged out to the swamp. The barbarity! Thought they were poetic about it too. ‘Support monsters and you can be with monsters,’ or some such nonsense. I was still a bit groggy at that point, but... by all the gods what are you doing now?”

The same instinct that had Geralt charging into the woods made him put his food down now, standing and circling around Jaskier to get a look at his head. “You didn’t tell me you were injured,” he growled.

“You didn’t tell me you cared!” and Jaskier slapped Geralt’s hand away, glaring.

He could have said he did. Two simple words. An ‘I do’ and they could move on from this, but Geralt’s jaw felt locked shut and all he seemed capable of was glaring back.

Then Jaskier sighed. “Oh go on,” he said. “I’d hate to lose any of my brilliance to the back of a beer bottle. Consider this recompense. You owe me.”

Geralt slipped fingers into Jaskier’s hair and lightly searched. There was only a small lump, hardly worrying, and something in him loosened. “I just saved your life.”

“Ha! We’ll call that payment for your filling-less pie comment. Your little temper tantrum, however...”

His hands slipped away. “The notes.” It was all Geralt could manage, but Jaskier turned, his expression softening.

“Well yes,” he said. “But I had already given you coin.”

“Thought that was a gift.”

“And I thought you were trying to be less of an ass.”

Fair enough. Geralt returned to his side of the fire and his quickly cooling meat. It tasted sour on his tongue. Ridiculous considering that witchers cared little for taste.

Oddly though, his mouthful improved when Jaskier caught his eye. He tapped one finger against his lips, highlighting the smile there.

“Although... hypothetically speaking, if you did want to make things up to me—not that big bad witchers apologize or anything—but if they did you could always go get my lute.”

It was a shock the ran straight down to the soles of Geralt’s feet. How distracted had he been not to notice that missing bit of Jaskier? It was a worrisome realization. A hint that Geralt had been right the first time around: better to separate now.

Except that after the fire had burned low and Jaskier slept on Geralt’s mat, he snuck off in the direction of the nearest village. It wasn’t a long walk, the would-be murderers not willing to drag their victim far, but it was long enough for Geralt to come to still another realization, much to his chagrin.

The first time he’d saved someone she’d screamed, vomited, and passed out at the mere sight of him. Now Jaskier shrieked in rage, spat out muck, and passed out in his bed, not quite joking about the nightmares. Technically the same and yet so obviously different. What were the chances that he would be walking that road, at that time, precisely when Jaskier needed him?

If destiny existed, she seemed to be a mischievous little thing.

When he reached the village there was still late night life in it, though Geralt didn’t know who he sought and he wasn’t about to punish all for the sins of a few. Still, if he bared his teeth more than usual and refused to hide his eyes that was nothing of any consequence. Geralt found the precious lute behind the bar and a roomful of guilty looks. He had what he’d come for.

Despite that, before he left Geralt stole a new outfit. Sturdy shoes, warm pants, and a shirt of robin egg blue. A new book as well. He carried those apologies through the dead of night, his steps sure.

And if along the way Geralt strummed the lute a bit, committing those notes to memory... well, there were old sayings about trees and silence. If no one was around to hear him do it, who was to say it ever happened at all.