Hello can I request 83. “When I’m with you, I’m happy” for yennskier please 💛
Rated G, no warnings. AO3 here.
The breeze from the ocean ruffled Jaskier’s hair as he laughed, twirling his way through dancers.
He was in the middle of a festival and enjoying himself immensely. Geralt was training Ciri, so he and Yennefer were traveling together — she had not hesitated to agree with his suggestion of traveling along the coast, the significance of which was not lost on him — and he had managed to persuade her to stop for this town’s midsummer celebration.
The townspeople were dancing and singing on the bluffs overlooking the ocean, surrounded by flowers, ferns, and soft golden-brown grass. The sea breeze was a welcome respite from the summer heat found inland. The first tufts of evening fog were beginning to drift past overhead, and pelicans occasionally soared by over the sea.
The company was lovely. The food was excellent. The music was passable, and the dancing delightful. Jaskier had acquired a crown of flowers and small ferns at some point in the afternoon. He could hardly stop smiling.
Yennefer had danced for a while, but eventually wandered off. When Jaskier noticed her absence, he reluctantly pulled himself away from the festivities to search for her.
He found her a few minutes later, sitting on the outskirts of the festival and looking out over the ocean. Jaskier approached and sat down beside her.
“What are you doing out here?” he asked.
“I got tired of dancing.”
Once, Jaskier would have ridiculed that statement. How could anyone grow tired of dancing? But he liked to think that the passing years had mellowed him somewhat, or at least made him a little more sensible. He made an understanding sort of hum, something he had probably picked up from Geralt, and let it slide.
“I hope you’re not too bothered by my taking us out here,” he said as the dancers twirled and the onlookers smiled. A child strayed a little too close to the bluff and a mother retrieved her. “I know you’re eager to get back to Ciri.”
“I don’t mind,” said Yennefer.
Jaskier narrowed his eyes at her. “Are you sure? You don’t seem to be enjoying yourself much.”
“I’m sure.”
“You don’t have to suffer for my sake. I can wrap up soon.”
“Jaskier, you’re being a fool. Shut up.”
“I know I can be pushy. I don’t think it’s idiocy to care about my friend’s happiness.”
Yennefer closed her eyes. Even in her exasperation, she looked beautiful among the flowers and with the sea breeze in her hair.
“You had better listen closely,” she said, “Because I am only going to say this once.”
Jaskier obediently perked up, listening.
“Coming here is barely inconvenient, and I would do it even if it wasn’t. It is not a hardship for me to do things like this for you.” She looked him in the eyes. “When I’m with you, I’m happy.”
“Oh,” said Jaskier. “That’s… oh.”
He swallowed, hard. Yennefer was looking at him with minor exasperation but no trace of dishonesty. He didn’t think anyone had ever said that to him, not while meaning it so truly, and from Yennefer, such tender words meant more than he could express.
“Exactly,” said Yennefer. “Now go enjoy yourself. I’ll wait here.”
“Wait,” said Jaskier, “I just— you— I—”
Yennefer smirked a little. “Have I finally rendered you speechless?”
“Can I kiss you?”
Yennefer’s expression softened. Wordlessly, she guided him close by the back of his neck and pulled him into a kiss.
“I love you,” Jaskier said when they drew apart, rather breathlessly.
“Pushover,” Yennefer said fondly. “I love you too.”
Jaskier was smiling widely enough that he probably looked rather idiotic, but he could not bring himself to care.
“Dance with me?” he asked before he could second-guess himself.
Yennefer narrowed her eyes playfully. “Weaponizing the fact that I care already?”
Jaskier batted his eyes at her “Never. I just wanted the honor of sharing a dance with my beautiful and wonderful witchy wife.”
Yennefer seemed to be trying to hold back a smile. She was failing. “Flatterer.”
“Guilty as charged.”
“You’re an idiot. I can’t believe I’m about to dance with you in public.”
Jaskier grinned and jumped to his feet. “Let’s go!”
He offered her a hand. She took it, and he used it to pull her to her feet. Hand in hand, they walked through the flowers toward the dancing.
Yennefer’s hand was warm in Jaskier’s. She looked ethereal with the sea breeze fluttering in her hair and her skirts. She was gazing at him with a smile. Jaskier thought absently that they probably looked just as besotted as the many other couples at the festival. Despite her earlier reluctance, Jaskeir had a feeling that Yennefer would not be satisfied with just one dance.
They reached the center of the festival. Jaskier tapped his feet in time with the drums.
Yennefer gestured to the crowd of dancers. “Shall we?”
Jaskier grinned and pulled her close. “We shall.”
And, there on the bluffs by the sea, they danced.
