oh this is so cute. thanks also to @thecomfortofoldstorries for brainstorming with me!
tw: nightmares, symptoms of panic (but very soft ending)
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Jaskier was making high, strangled keening sounds as he wrestled his own limbs within the confines of his blankets. Geralt bolted from his kneeling position beside the embers of the fire and flew to the bard’s side. “Jaskier!”
He shook the younger man by the shoulders but Jaskier remained locked in sleep, his shoulders and hips twisting violently as he attempted to free himself from the bedroll. All the witcher could make out were Jaskier’s high, half-whines of his name, Geralt, sprinkled between more of those awful keening sounds. Sobs and hiccups followed moments after and the witcher began to panic.
Geralt pulled Jaskier free and hauled the bard into his lap. “It’s okay. I’m right here.”
“G-Gera?”
“I’m here,” Geralt repeated, practically crooning the words into the crown of Jaskier’s head. His sweaty brown hair tickled the witcher’s nose but Geralt refused to let go or adjust their positions. Not until Jaskier’s heart rate returned to normal and he was breathing regularly. “Are you okay?”
“I had a nightmare.”
“Hmm. Any monsters?”
“...Yes.”
“Don’t you trust me to keep you safe from monsters?” the witcher teased gently, squeezing his arms around Jaskier’s middle. The bard cuddled closer, burying his nose in the side of Geralt’s neck; Geralt repressed a shiver at the sudden surge of heat against him. When Jaskier didn’t reply immediately, the witcher frowned and squeezed again, reassuring the younger man of his presence. “D-Don’t you trust me?”
“Of course I trust you!” Jaskier sighed. “It wasn’t me I was worried about.”
“Hmm.”
“You’re the one who’s always putting himself in danger. I worry about you. I-”
“I’m right here,” Geralt repeated, interrupting the flow of words he knew would lead to more unnecessary panic. “And I’m not going anywhere. And until you go to sleep-” he readjusted the bard until they were both laying comfortably in his bedroll, Geralt’s arms keeping him balanced on his chest like a bard-shaped blanket “-until you go to sleep, you’re not going anywhere either.”
There was a beat of silence as Jakier got comfortable.
