It’s gentle, the hand Geralt has on Yennefer’s waist. It’s sacred, just for the two of them. Jaskier feels intrusive simply watching from across the room, but he can’t bring himself to look away.
It hurts more than anything, but perhaps if he stares long enough, he can envision himself in Yennefer’s place. Perhaps he can feel Geralt’s touch, just by looking. Perhaps his lack of sleep is catching up to him.
The two of them aren’t together, not in that way. They haven’t been since things came to an end on the mountain, from what Jaskier’s gathered. Though, he supposes there was never really an end to begin with. How can one put an end to destiny, after all?
Melitele knew what she was doing when she led them to one another because they just fit. They look good together, they work well together. It’s odd.
They both have short tempers and little patience. They’re stubborn and far too intense. They’ve crashed and they’ve burn and yet, yet… here they are, stronger than before, the perfect pair, their love holding them together as it always has.
It was easier for Jaskier back then, back when he hated Yennefer. But now, he’s come to realize how magnetic she truly is. Now, he sees what Geralt has always seen, and a part of Jaskier can’t help but want them to work out.
Yennefer deserves happiness just as much as Geralt, and it remains as clear as day, they make each other happy.
So what if the sight of them makes Jaskier feel like the world is caving in on him?
So what if all he can bring himself to write about these days is the agony of unrequited love?
So what if, logically speaking, there is no space for him in the family that they’re building?
Jaskier can live with that. No matter how much it hurts, he can live with that. He has to. Geralt needs him to.
The laugh draws his attention, same as it always has.
Geralt turns to see Jaskier chatting with a nobleman— flirting, more like.
He hasn’t looked this happy in months— they’d been hidden away in the keep for months. Jaskier stayed. Geralt never asked him to leave, never wanted him to.
Now they’re out in the world again where Jaskier belongs, and the bard is glowing.
Geralt should feel relieved, a better man would. A part of him is, but a part of him aches at the realization that he’ll never be on the receiving end of that smile.
Maybe he didn’t try hard enough in the past, and it took months apart to realize how badly he wanted to be given the chance to.
Geralt tried, back at the keep. He became more attentive, he spoke more, he spent as much as time around Jaskier as the bard would allow.
He tried, but perhaps he still hadn’t tried hard enough because Jaskier’s words remained stilted, his touches remained tentative and his smile never quite reached his eyes. Not the way it is now.
Jaskier may fall in love with that nobleman tonight, Geralt knows. The bard has fallen in and out of love so many times he’s lost count, but he’s almost always there to witness.
Jaskier may fall in love tonight. He does it easily, like it’s what he was born to do. He loves fiercely, wholly, devoting his mind and his body to whoever is lucky enough to earn him.
Jaskier may fall in love. He always does, and he will continue to do so. No matter how many times he’s been scorned, he will never run out of love to give.
Jaskier may fall in love, but not with Geralt.