A/N: Hey everyone! This is my first attempt at a fanfic in quite a few years, because for whatever reason, 2020 has brought with it a whole lot of inspiration, and I’m so excited to write again! I also recently binged The Witcher, and I’m crushing big time on Jaskier, so that felt like a good place to start! I’m very rusty, so I would appreciate feedback, but please be gentle on this returning writer. I’m so proud of how this piece went after not writing for about three years, I may even make a part 2 to this, so I hope you enjoy it!
Y/N is finally beginning to make a good living doing odd jobs in her hometown when she meets Geralt of Rivia. He shows up to deal with some odd beast in the woods nearby, and Y/N is happy to offer her assisting services to the Witcher, who eventually can't ignore her offer anymore when he realizes he needs the assistance of someone who knows the area better than he does. Y/N assists him with little fuss, because it's what she does, and maybe, just maybe, the townspeople will toss her a coin too for helping him when all is done (turns out, they never do). When it seems that he actually doesn't mind her presence or her help, she asks to come with him when he leaves her small corner of the world, because maybe she can make an even better living going where he goes, since it seems all he does is follow trouble. Oddly enough, he agrees to the arrangement.
They quickly became an excellent silent tag team of sorts. He goes to the newest monster, and Y/N follows him to wherever they reign devastation, to offer any help she can to those in need, temporarily. He gets the coin for his end, she gets the coin for hers, and they pool it, making more than enough coin for them both, and somehow helping people along the way.
Y/N's new life is good, at the end of the day, with good money, fulfilling work, and decent company to fill her days, and this peace goes undisturbed for quite a good while. That is, until Jaskier catches up with Geralt.
The pair stopped at an inn after moving on from their last area in need, and, as per usual, they ordered their drinks and sat in a corner in near total silence, enjoying some peace and quiet after witnessing a whole lot of suffering.
"Geralt! So wonderful to see you, I've really been looking for you everywhere, I have a request to make of my dear friend." The brunette bard slides onto the seat next to Geralt, and the Witcher grunts in protest.
"Jaskier."
The bard appears to mock offense, "How lovely to see you too, Geralt! And here I was hoping you'd been missing me-" He trails off as he lays his eyes on the lady sitting across from him, and his mouth drops open in awe quickly. The lady shifts uncomfortably as he stares, and her eyes quickly shift to her travelling companion.
"Geralt, do you... know this man?"
The Witcher grunts once again uncomfortably, "Unfortunately."
Jaskier speaks once again, never able to keep his mouth shut for long, "C'mon, Geralt aren't you going to introduce us? Me, your best friend in the world and this stunning woman who I can only hope is also just your friend and also not insane like your taste in women usually implies?"
Geralt stares at him blankly, hoping on everything holy the bard would move on and not try to "woo" his new partner in crime, but he knew that was highly unlikely, so he settled on giving him this; "Y/N, this is Jaskier, not my friend. Jaskier, Y/N, my travelling companion."
Jaskier decided quickly enough that that mediocre introduction would suffice, and took it from there.
"Hello, fair Y/N, Geralt does me no service. I'm Jaskier, a bard some would say of exceptional talent, I wrote 'Toss a Coin to Your Witcher', ever heard of it? I'm sure you have, it's about him!" He breaks briefly to jam his thumb in Geralt's direction, "And may I just say, you are very lovely and I hope that when he says that you're his 'travelling companion', he doesn't mean you're sleeping with him, because I would love to buy you a drink this evening."
Y/N is caught off guard by Jaskier's quick mouth and forward language, but she has to admit, the man is not unappealing. Despite his initial, uncomfortable staring, his eyes are soft as he looks at her, not menacing, and his words don't seem disingenuous; she could bet money on the fact that he really does think she's lovely. As much as she enjoys Geralt's company, she could of course do with some company that wasn't miserable or silent, and Jaskier brought a smile to her face in a way no one had for a while. Besides everything else, he's attractive, and the first man in a long time, if ever, to show genuine interest in her like this.
Once over her shock, she smiles at him. "Alright, Jaskier, I'm almost at my limit for tonight, but I suppose one more drink really couldn't hurt, if you must insist." Feeling bold with his genuine flirtations, she takes a chance and throws a wink his way, punctuating her sentence with it.
The change in atmosphere is sharp as a grin lights up Jaskier's entire face, one that makes Y/N's heart have palpitations as her stomach flops, and for the first time since Y/N met him, Geralt is stunned, and nearly drops his drink. Jaskier, lighting up the whole room with his smile, doesn't take his opportunity for granted.
"Right! Excellent! So glad you feel that way! I will order you a drink, and in return I want to know more about you, deal?"
Y/N can't help but feel lightheaded at the idea of this man really wanting to get to know her. "Deal."
Without questioning his luck, Jaskier quickly runs off to fulfill his end of the deal, leaving Y/N and Geralt in silence once more.
"Not to pry, for fear of damaging our professional relationship, but... really?" Geralt says, breaking the silence once more.
Y/N laughs. "He seems a decent enough man, and it's hard to find someone that earnest nowadays. Unless you have any cautionary tales, about your 'best friend in the world'?"
Geralt rolls his eyes at her comment, but says nothing. For everything annoying he sees in Jaskier, and as much as he pushed him away, it was rare that he found someone who was actually willing to entertain him. Despite how many people Jaskier goes to bed with, Geralt knows just as well that the bard's intentions were pure enough; he just needed someone to get on the same page as him.
"He's not totally incompetent, I'll give him that, and he's not harmful. Do what you will." Geralt mutters, then stands. "I'll get out of your way. I've seen enough of that boy's flirting to not want to watch his attempts at you."
Y/N laughs again. "Well, I thank you for the privacy, and by your standards, that seems a glowing recommendation for him, so I'll give him an honest shot. I value your opinion."
Geralt freezes. So that's what it feels like: mutual respect. He could get used to that. "We head out tomorrow morning." Y/N nods at him as he walks away.
She's not alone for long as Jaskier returns quickly, two drinks in hand, sliding into the spot across from her once more. He doesn't question where Geralt went, but he's relieved by the privacy.
"Now, your turn. Tell me about you. How does a lovely creature such as you end up travelling with Geralt of Rivia?"
She tells him. She recaps her life as it lead up to her career, and tells him of how she met Geralt, and tells him about her travels with the near infamous WItcher. And hanging on the edge of his seat every moment, Jaskier listens.
As Y/N brings him up to date on her best stories, Jaskier sighs almost wistfully, "You're so interesting. Your life would make for amazing songs."
Y/N's laugh graces his ears. "Would it now? I never figured odd jobs would make entertaining musical material."
Jaskier sits up straight from where his head had lain in his hand, staring at Y/N as she spoke. "You do good things, and you're so... interesting. You've come so far in your life, you travel with one of the most interesting men in the world, all to do some good, even when it's hard. You're incredible."
Y/N feels her cheeks begin to glow a bright red at his praise. Her job was often thankless, so to hear someone say she did good, and that her good was fascinating enough to be acknowledged, felt like a warm hug after getting caught in a rainstorm.
"Thank you, Jaskier, I... don't get compliments like that often. I was under the impression that I'm pretty boring."
Jaskier feigned alarm, "You? I can't see anyone ever finding you boring, how could anyone with a goal and a story to tell be boring? And frankly, I quite think you deserve all the compliments, my lady."
When she began to think that she'd found the perfect man after only knowing him for one night, Y/N decides that she may have had just a tad too much to drink, and decides to call it a night. She coughs nervously.
"Well, I, uh- thank you, Jaskier. That's very kind of you. YOU are very kind. I've never had someone call me interesting, or listen to me so intently for so long, and it's a testament to your good character. This has been wonderful, and I thank you for the drink, but I'm quite tired and we ride out early tomorrow, so I'd best be headed to bed. Thank you for the drink, Jaskier." She pauses as she stands. "And your company."
As she walks away, Jaskier feels his heart beating through his chest, and the harsh thumping of it has him reeling. She enjoyed his company. She thought he was nice. She was willing to give him a chance. And she was... lovely. He got so swept up in her that he forgot he even had something to ask Geralt.
The next morning, after Jaskier had barely slept, he made sure to meet the adventuring pair as they head out once more. He fully intended on asking his favor of Geralt and going on his merry way.
Until Y/N stepped out that door, all misty-eyed and looking like a goddess, and when Geralt asked him what the fuck he wanted, all Jaskier could think to ask was, "Will you please take me with you?" She was too beautiful to let slip out of his hands, not when he was in like this, and she made his mind so blank and dizzy, but so ripe with inspiration at the same time. Being near her seemed a drug he would happily indulge in.
She offered him a ride on her horse, Cinnamon, when Geralt very reluctantly agreed to let him tag along. With his arms wrapped around her waist, he panicked that she could feel the intense beating in his chest. So he reverted to his best coping mechanism, and he sang; a song he had written the night before, about a very pretty woman who had traveled so far from home to spread good throughout the world. She grinned the entire time he sang.
Notes: Gif not mine. This is just a short drabble that I wrote down. Didn’t feel like making it into a full blown story so here it is.
Summary: You’re working together with Geralt and Jaskier to kill a monster. Things take a turn for the worse when the plan fails and the monster targets Jaskier.
You stepped forward, your eyes following the creature's every move. Watching in horror as the trap Geralt had planned on had failed to work. The monster moved closer to Jaskier rapidly.
“N'te va !” you raised your voice at the creature but it ignored you. Your spoke little elder, but hoped you could pursuade the thing to back off of him.
The words you spoke next came without hesitation.
“Me aen a.”
Three words in elder that you repeated twice more before the creature acknowledged your presence.
It tilted it's head in your direction, it's black empty eyes piercing yours.
"y/n ! No !" Geralt tried to stop it from happening.
"Y/n, please do go on, whatever you're telling it, it's working." Jaskier spoke very nervously as he stood motionless to not provoke the thing.
Geralt snapped his head in Jaskier's direction "Shut up, Jaskier !"
The creature looked once more at Jaskier and you repeated the words a final time, ignoring Geralt's plea.
“Me aen a !”
The creature let out a screeching sound before fleeing at high speed as it climbed up the walls.
Geralt watched in terror as he saw it happening. He knew what those words had meant. He looked at you, his eyes spilling with anger as he walked towards you "ARE YOU INSANE ?!"
Jaskier stepped between you and Geralt instantly "Woah easy there, Geralt. The ugly thing's gone. Maybe we should be thanking y/n." He tried to lighten the mood.
Geralt looked at Jaskier as angry as he looked at you.
"I had to do it." you raised your voice "Your trap wasn't working !"
He looked down in defeat at your words. The trap he had laid out had failed horribly and the monster had targetted the first person it saw. Geralt knew you liked Jaskier, but never realised just how strong those feelings were.
You turned and walked away to cool off a little further away from them.
Jaskier's watched you walk away, his eyes darted between you and Geralt. Having no idea why Geralt was so upset, the creature was gone. It didn't eat him. It didn't eat anyone and all limbs were accounted for.
"Am I missing something here ? Are you upset that you didn't get to kill the monster ? There's a lot more out there you know, plenty enough to-"
Geralt groaned "It's not about that." He watched you like a hawk.
Jaskier sighed at that "Right. Then what is it ?"
Geralt thought for a moment, not sure if telling the bard the truth was a good thing. But it was necessary.
"It's what she promised the creature." He finally admitted.
The bard furrowed his brows shaking his head slightly "What-" he looked at you ".. what exactly did she say ? My elder speech is still rough, I only understood when she said 'stop' "
Geralt let out a breath before answering "She said..."
Jaskier mouthed a 'what' at him.
"Mine for his." Geralt reluctantly told him.
Jaskier looked at his friend, trying to understand "I don't get it. Her what for my wh-....." he froze mid sentence "Oh."
Feeling like he had swallowed a rock when he realised what those elder words had meant and the meaning behind them.
Your life for his.
A promise the creature had agreed upon and soon would come to claim what was promised.
Panic rose inside of him “No no no no..” he stepped in front of him “Geralt, we can't let that happen ! I am not letting that...that thing kill her !”
Geralt watched the desperate look in the bard's eyes and gave a nod “We have until nightfall to think of a plan. If we can't kill it, it will claim what was promised.”
They both looked at you now, hoping that this plan would work.
Summary: She wasn’t used to growing affections, Jaskier wasn’t inexperienced but he was rather untalented at showing his feelings, and Geralt was tired of it all.
Pairing: Jaskier x Reader
Warnings/Rated: Mostly fluff, maybe second hand embarrassment if you squint.
Word Count: 2,163
A/N: With everything going on with the virus, I figured I might as well post some of my drafts that have already been finished. I’m working on more! Hopefully I can get a few series finished over the next two weeks. Thanks for being patient! xx
( Reader ) P.O.V.
When I had agreed to travel with the Witcher and the bard, Jaskier had played off their need for a healer with much exaggeration. “I mean- you can tag along but Geralt can take care of himself.” That’s what he had said.
Since then, I have used chaos to heal not only Geralt but also Jaskier many times. The more they played off their need for assistance, the more they seemed to need it. Though, I was not one to brag about this. I was more than content to be a part of something bigger than the life I had been scraping by.
However, as the days turned into weeks, I had fallen into a rhythm of friendship, or mutual acceptance according to the Witcher, with my colleagues. These types of dynamics were something I hadn’t much skill or experience in.
How was I to know the difference between friendly banter and awful flirting?
Jaskier and I got along the best. Though Geralt and I could have decent and meaningful conversations underneath the fall of the night. Jaskier was the delightful opposite of your everyday Witcher. He was loud, obnoxious, didn’t know how to take a breath in between talking and, man, did he love to get smack dab in the middle of where he doesn’t belong.
It was a stark contrast to your quiet, all-brooding Witcher whom of which spent most of his free time complaining to Roach. That or yelling at the bard to shut the hell up. Yet, this somehow made up a family-like scenario for me. I could even get Geralt to crack a smirk at my lame jokes on occasion.
But the closer I got to Jaskier, the more flustered I became around him. I know of his past dalliances with court women and others-alike, but I was very inexperienced and unprepared in this territory. Romance had no place in the life of someone who had to use every moment to survive. Finding this unlikely pair had been the first breath of fresh air I had in a long while.
One night as we were eating at our camp, the fire blazing to chase the chill away, Jaskier said from beside me, “Y/n, you are like the flames in which set in front of me. I can’t stand to look at you for too long.”
Geralt huffed and, almost as if being just as exhausted at us, Roach snorted derisively. My brows furrowed at the bard as he looked uncomfortably at the ground. “Uh, I’m sorry to hear that, Jaskier.” I replied, but my tone set it up as more of a question.
A moment lingered before I had bid them both goodnight, retracting to my tent. As I settled in to rest, I heard a groan followed by Geralt’s gruff voice saying, “Nice going, bard.”
Ever since then, Jaskier has been saying things of a similar nature. All of them easy to misconstrue one way or another. Despite his odd behavior, I continued to seek out his company any chance that I could. I felt pulled to him, like a bond between our destinies, as if his soul were meant to be melded with mine.
Finally reaching the village, we pad behind Geralt into the streets. Jaskier the ‘dandelion’ bard was almost as recognizable as the ‘white wolf’ Witcher of Rivia. His ballads painted the tales of awe and woe, of adventures and horrors alike. The valley’s rang with the people singing his work from far and wide.
We quickly spot a tavern for us to rest in for the next few days while Geralt finds work. The sound of clanking pints and drunken jeers are familiar as we slither in past the occupants. Taverns all tend to have the same musty aroma mixed in with the scent of earth and stale sweat. It’s a common occurrence to travelers like us. Not that it makes it any better.
While getting our rooms, a man fidgets over to the Witcher with hushed words. I get the gist of it; another monster in need to be reckoned with. Jaskier floats about as if he just received the gift of a lifetime, “Let us go and slay thy beast!”
“Us? Would you like me to let you take care of this one?”
Jaskier backpedals, hard. “Oh, I- You wouldn’t let your most best friend in the whole wide world get hurt, now would you, Geralt?” But he’s only met with a grunt of a hum from the Witcher. “Geralt?”
With a light chuckle, I grasp Jaskier by the arm and drag him along to follow. Being in contact with him like this causes my pulse to race. I hardly want to let go. He grabs my hand that has a fist-full of his garment bunched up in it and loosens my hold. Slowly, my fingers fall against his own and together they fold over each other.
The tips of his fingers are hard and calloused, obvious traits of being a musician. What’s unexpected is how soft and warm his palm is as it’s pressed up against mine. It molds with my own in a way that I could never explain in it’s complexities of perfection. The feeling draws a shiver down my spine.
Jaskier doesn’t let go of my hand, he just continues to hold it. Nervously, I attempt to look anywhere but at the man beside me. That’s how I spot Geralt glancing back at us with a raised brow. Embarrassment strikes me and I yank my hand away, coiling it into my abdomen as if to quell the eruption of butterflies.
Instant regret tugs at me as the cold replaces the warmth of his embrace. I feel so bad about it, I can’t even bring myself to look at him. So we walk in Jaskier-esque silence. Which translates to an occasional ramble as the opportunity presents itself but not as much talking as you would normally get out of the bard.
Geralt pauses outside the location he was given, telling us to wait for him here. There’s nothing much more to do, really. One thing I’ve come to really admire over these past months is Jaskier’s blind faith in the Witcher’s ability to be to stubborn to die. Time and time again I’ve been proven that it’s a fairly reasonable belief. Besides the handful of times one of them have almost died due to that faith. But I suppose destiny has continued to side with them.
Being left alone with Jaskier feels different now. On the verge of uncomfortable. My ache to be near him is combated with the pure horror of making another mistake. It was a conundrum.
“Did I burn you?”
My eyes jump up to meet his pale blue orbs, “What?” I question. We were surrounded by nothing but earth and a mild heat from the sun. Nothing to cause any, if much, damage.
His jaw clenches in, what I can only assume is, frustration. “You sure whipped your hand away fast enough. You either got hurt or I’m about to be.” He purses his lips, brows furrowing. “So which is it, Y/n?”
The words tumble in my head, knocking into my ability to form coherent sentences that portray what I want to say; how I feel. Inhaling, I try to gather my courage to bare my soul to him.
“Life as a mage has ingrained in me many things. All these years, I’ve learned the art of give and take. Everything has a price in my world, Jaskier. If I were to be painfully honest, I’m afraid that if I give a part of me to someone... I don’t know how much they will take.”
I stare into his eyes and I see my own vulnerable reflection staring back. “I can’t afford to lose.” It’s the truth. My entirety is built upon giving only enough to survive. To give my heart, my whole self, to someone would be a risk. It’s a luxury that can’t be had to people like me.
I hate the pity that swirls behind his expression, hate the way I care about how he thinks of me. It hurts to be so close to him and yet, feel so far. The unknown is a dangerous lover to destiny. You can never be too sure that one won’t hold the other.
“Y/n, I-”
Geralt returns, effectively cutting off Jaskier’s sentence. The Witcher is covered in a thin layer of blood and heavily coated in his signature irritation. He grunts at us as he obviously couldn’t care less about the conversation he interrupted. Silently, we follow his trek back to the tavern where he will collect what he’s owed and we can rest for the night.
At this point, feeling heavy with exhaustion and clouded with gloom, the idea of sinking into the stiff mattress of my room sounds inviting. That’s all I can focus on as we walk in true silence. Chaos is an element in which I’ve learned to control, though I sometimes wonder if that’s a cruel punishment from this world. What’s the point of being powerful if everything around me is spiraling?
When the tattered building is in view, I pick up my pace. I had been falling a ways behind the white wolf but now I’m almost stepping on his heel to get where we are going. Of course he’d take notice of this.
Holding the door open, Geralt allows me to sweep past him. It’s as if I’m on autopilot; marching up the stairs to my quarters, dressing for the night and sinking onto the edge of the bed.
I’m not one for self-pity. There’s nothing to be done but accept what you’ve been dealt. Though the cards I’ve been given have been nothing but rubbish. I wonder if Jaskier and I could work through this, if we could remain like we have been in the past. If not, then I’d have to revert back to the life I lead before.
Knock-knock-knock
Three taps. Three perfectly timed raps are placed upon my door. They’re so distinct and unexpected that they break me from my self-absorption. I’m up and opening the barrier in a flash, eyes searching for the cause to the interruption.
“Jaskier...”
He stands on the other side looking a bit sheepish. “May I?”
Standing aside, he waltzes into the room and I shut the door behind him. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?” There’s a lingering awkward that hangs between us and it makes my skin prick with unease.
For a moment, I doubt the bard will say anything or if he’s even heard me. It all tumbles forth from his rosy lips so fast, I don’t have any time to prepare myself for what they mean. “I know you said that everything has a price and the more I thought about it, the more I couldn’t deny that truth.
“You’re afraid of the price you’ll pay for loving someone, but you shouldn’t be afraid of loving...me.” With every breath he takes a step closer, “Because I can’t promise to know what the future will hold or that we won’t lose some along the way, but I can tell you that I believe destiny has us bonded. I can tell you, without a doubt, what you would gain if you allow me to have your heart.”
I can feel his breath on my lips, fanning over the curve of my cupids bow. “What would that be?” I insist.
“My heart.” Everything inside me lurches as his lips capture mine in the sweetest embrace. The taste pulls every cobwebbed emotion from my depths and I willingly surrender to him. Because this exchange, this give and take, is one that I would gladly partake in with confidence.
His name tumbles from my lips like a mantra. I can’t get close enough to him to satisfy this hunger that’s growing inside. My very breath seems a burden in this show of affection. “I love you, Jaskier.”
It’s a whisper. Those words float between us and I can only pray he’ll catch me as I fall. His lips stretch into a wide smile, eyes lighting up with giddiness. “I love you, too.”
Here in this room, our hearts pressed up against one another’s, I feel at peace. This bard has plucked at my heart strings for so long and finally, we are in tune.
The next morning, Jaskier and I walk out hand in hand. Geralt watches us with a vaguely amused expression. “Geralt of Rivia! What a fine morning it is!” Jaskier announces, prancing about and dragging me with him as I smile widely.
Geralt’s lips turns up into a smirk, “It’s about time you two figured it out.”
Laughing, I shake my head at them. Destiny or not, venturing into the unknown with these two makes the risk seem all the more worth it. Besides, our fate is still to be made.
Author’s Note: The names mentioned in this fic are both Polish. The meanings were found through a Google search, so may not be completely accurate. Apologies if they are translated wrong.
Despite the fact that your ankles were swollen, you constantly felt as if you needed to use the bathroom, and you couldn’t find a comfortable position to sleep in at night you could not remember being as happy as you were now.
You were nearly at full-term in your pregnancy and just about to pop any day. The only thing that was equal parts good and bad was that Jaskier was always by your side.
It was a constant flip between,
“Are you comfortable, love?”, “Do you need anything?”, “Would you like a foot rub?”
To,
“Do we have enough blankets? How cold do babies get?”, “Do I even know how to hold a baby?”, “What if it doesn’t like me?”
It was endearing and frustrating at the same time.
It was especially fortunate that Jaskier never left your side, as at only 38 weeks, you felt the beginnings of what were obviously contractions. They started in the middle of the night.
The first sharp pain woke you up in a breathless panic. You had experienced the so-called “phantom pains” before now, but this was too severe to not be it. You almost felt the rush of your water breaking.
“Jas,” you shook him awake. You hated to do it- he hadn’t slept much lately.
He simply made a cute little harrumph noise and snuffled back to sleep.
“Jaskier!” you shouted as the next wave hit you.
“Wha?” he said, sitting up and looking around confusedly. He looked around the room in a panic before his eyes finally fell on you clutching your round belly in pain.”Oh no! What’s wrong?! What’s happening?”
“It’s time,” you breathed out. If possible, his eyes got even wider.
“I thought you weren’t due for another two weeks!”
“I haven’t got anything to do with it. This baby is as eager as you, it seems,” you replied.
Jaskier shot out of bed, almost tripping over the sheets as he did.
“No. No. No. No,” he spoke, pacing and ruffling his hair.
“Jas!” you tried focusing his attention. “Unless you plan on delivering this baby yourself, I think we’re missing some important people.”
It was then that you could tell that Jaskier remembered the plans you had made many months ago. Although you were an accomplished healer yourself, it was impossible to assist in the birth of your own child. It there that (despite Jaskier’s initial protestations) that you had insisted on having Triss as your midwife.
Jaskier had nothing against the witch, he just didn’t like her as Yennefer had introduced the two of you.
You and Jaskier had also decided on having your two closest friends present nearby for support- Yennefer for you, and Geralt for Jaskier. It took a lot of pleading and puppy dog eyes from you and Jaskier (and insults from Yennefer) before Geralt gave in (not without Yennefer telling Geralt not to claim another child surprise. You and Jaskier had laughed. The Witcher had not).
You had to force Jaskier out the door to collect the three of them. There were plans to have all people present in your house before you went into labour, but luckily, they were all staying at a nearby inn.
You have no idea how long it took Jaskier to reach them and stumble out his words and return. All you know is that you lost count of the time between contractions and you were sweating profusely.
“Hello, love,” Triss murmured as she walked into the room. “Babes a bit earlier than expected, I see?”
You immediately relaxed slightly. Now Triss was here, you were certain you and your baby were going to be okay.
You tried to smile at her in greeting, but it came out more of grimace.
She quickly shushed you, and gestured the people in the doorway in. You glanced up and noticed the three other most people in your world right now.
Geralt stepped forward to help carry you to the room you had assigned as your birthing room- a room with as comfortable bed and necessary healing items. Also where blood, sweat , and tears could be easily cleaned up.
As you finally laid down, you screamed at the force of the next contraction. Triss gave Jaskier a wet washcloth and placed him at your side with quick instructions to wipe your brow and let you squeeze his hand.
Jaskier screamed with you next, as you almost broke his hand as you squeezed.
“Sorry,” you rasped in apology.
“Shhhh,” he whispered back, tucking your hair behind your ear. “I can handle a minuscule amount of pain.”
You saw Triss rushing around the room, giving more instructions to Geralt and Yennefer. Yennefer came to you and passed you a pain relief potion that was also safe for the baby. You practically inhaled it, hoping against hope that it would alleviate some of the pain.
Time passed both fast and slow.
The only indication of how much time had passed was how weary the others began to look. Jaskier was almost drooping, Geralt was currently trying to meditate during your more settled moments, and Yennefer and Triss were conversing about what to do.
Finally, you felt a different type of pain. Your instincts told you this was the moment in which you met your little one.
“It’s coming!” you shouted in warning.
Everyone quickly jumped up and got ready. Triss made her way to your feet and quickly checked.
“You’re right, dear,” she spoke. “Time to push.”
With an almighty yell, you began pushing. You heard encouragements from your friends, and Jaskier was softly stroking your forehead while singing softly under his breath. You almost smiled at that, if you had any energy to spare.
“Last push!” Triss told you.
With one lat push, you suddenly heard the shrill cries of a baby. Your body collapsed into the bed. There was a lot of rush but you couldn’t bear to open your eyes- you were so exhausted.
“No time to rest now,” Triss reminded you. “Still need to push.”
“What!” Jaskier yelled. “It’s twins!?”
Yennefer scoffed loudly and said in a disbelieving tone, “Afterbirth, you idiot.”
“Oh,” he murmured.
You could still hear the screams of your baby, but were able to push for the absolute last time.
And just like that, it was finally over. You were roused by Jaskier as Triss brought over your child in a soft blanket. She placed them in your arms (you needed Jaskier's help to hold them up) and the two of you gazed at the bundle.
You couldn’t believe it. After all of the years you had spent together, travelling with a Witcher, going on adventures, marrying, living together… your little family finally felt complete. And it was all because of the infant in your arms.
And the loved ones who had helped you.
You looked up at your friends and smiled at them. They looked as bad you felt, but you were so thankful.
“They’re finally here,” you whispered.
“They’re beautiful,” Jaskier replied.
“Have you decided on a name?” Yennefer asked.
You and Jaskier looked at each other. You gave him a nod to indicate that he could tell them.
“Well…. We thought Jacek for a boy, and Kasia for a girl. Jacek means hyacinth, and Kasia means pure.”
You knew Geralt would never admit it, but you could see tears in his eyes. The three of them made movements to leave the two of you alone, but as they did, Geralt paused.
“Is it a boy or a girl, Triss?” he asked.
“Oh, of course, I can’t believe I forgot,” she said. “It’s a………”
Author’s Note: I’ve left the gender up to you! If I get some feedback asking for a continuation of this series, I will put up a poll for the readers to vote on if the baby is a boy or a girl.
A/N: I'm SO sorry this took so much longer then I said it would. I got very excited to write it, and then the rough draft had a lot of problems, and it totally got away from me... it was a journey. But I'm very happy with the end result, and I hope you are as well! That's the last time I make promises I can't keep, promise!
Request: Hey! I have a request for Jaskier x reader (and maybe a little Geralt x reader) where Jaskier is jealous of how close the reader and Geralt are, and finally expresses his feelings for the reader (For Anon)
Warnings: Jealousy. If you spot something else you want tagged, please let me know!
Word Count: 2,153
Requests are OPEN
~~~
Jaskier watched as his best friend and the love of his life began to spar in this forest clearing, and it was all he could do to hope his distress wasn't too terribly obvious. Of course, he had no real right to be upset. Y/N wanted to learn to fight beyond the basics of what she knew and Geralt was the best teacher she could have, but it hadn't occurred to Jaskier just how physical an activity sparring can be. He watched the sweat that dripped off your mischievously grinning form as your face got far closer to Geralt's then he thought he'd ever have to see.
He leaned back against a tree and sighed, attempting to get the raging jealousy out of his system before you were done. He didn't need you to know he was jealous - he didn't exactly have a right to be, you weren't WITH him, after all - and the last thing he wanted was to let the cat out of the bag before he was ready. He'd come close to accidentally telling you how much he loves you before, and the fright it gave him every time to think that you would learn his feelings and reject him on the spot - eliminating his chance forever - was enough to let him know just how dear you really are to him.
Attempting to swallow his pride, Jaskier tried to pick up his lute to focus on something else--ANYTHING else--and put the thought of you out of his mind, no matter how impossible that seemed to be.
~~
You had been growing especially close to Geralt recently since joining this duo on their travels. A part of you knew Jaskier wasn't fond of it, although you couldn't imagine why. He often claimed Geralt was his best friend, and you figured he would appreciate it if you got to know him. Yet it's seemed to drive him absolutely up the wall when you spent time alone with Geralt. Perhaps he felt left out? Nevertheless, while it upset you to think Jaskier felt abandoned, you figured that wasn't very likely the case – his self confidence would never permit it – and you were having far too much fun getting to know Geralt to let something so unlikely stop you.
When you first asked Geralt to teach you how to fight better, you'd done it because Jaskier always told you he'd feel better if he didn't have to worry that you'd gotten hurt all the time. What better teacher could you have then a Witcher?, you'd thought, and hoped Jaskier would stop making rude faces at Geralt's back when you spent time with him. Now, however, you couldn't care less – you were having far too much fun with the Witcher to ponder why Jaskier could be acting so out of character.
As Geralt swings his massive sword at your torso, you narrowly dodge, swinging your body outwards and attempting to bring your sword back at him, which he easily pushes away with his own. He brings it up to point the end of the blade at you.
"That may work against rogue bandits, but you'll face far worse than that in the woods, and that definitely won't work against me. "
"Are you something far worse to face than a bandit, then?" Before he could answer, you swing your sword towards his hands, hoping to startle him into dropping his blade, but he simply maneuvers to block your move. He presses towards you, against your sword, forcing you to try to push him off, but he's far too strong for that.
When he gets close enough to you, he spoke softly, "Absolutely. "
You once again swing your body out to the side, briefly causing him to stumble forward, and move the tip of your sword against his side.
"On the contrary, Geralt. I think you wouldn't feign to hurt me. Couldn't bring yourself to if you tried." Word choice was important there, because as much as you know he would never want to, you are well aware he always possesses the ability.
With your blade poised to make a nasty gash in his torso, you're sure he will call this round, if for no other reason then to bid you this one small victory of wits. You may barely make a dent, but he is vulnerable, and you'd made a good point – and before you even register what was happening, you're flat on your back in the dirt, Geralt's sword at your throat. He stands above you, looming, with a smirk on his face.
"I may not be able to bring myself to hurt you, but others can – and will. Never underestimate your opponent. "
"So you admit you have a soft spot for me?"
"I didn't say that. But maybe I do." He tilts the blade away from your throat, and offers a hand to you to help you up. You take it, begrudgingly.
As you stand and scowl at Geralt, receiving a smile in return, you notice he doesn't let go of your hand for a moment, and you briefly wonder if there could be anything there. No, you quickly decide, you know enough to understand that he didn't see romance in his cards, and when you feel no disappointment upon realizing that, you figure it's for the best. Doesn't feel right, anyway.
Next, a new thought hits you: could Jaskier be jealous? No, that would be absurd. Jealous of who? Of Geralt, taking your time? Not a chance, he would have no reason to feel that way. Of you, taking Geralt's time? You feel your heart squeeze tightly at the thought. You never wished to make him upset.
You tell Geralt quickly that you're quite tired, and think you should call it a day on the sparring. He agrees well enough, happy that you're honoring your limits while training, and when he goes to begin his own new activity, you rush to where Jaskier had placed himself for the afternoon.
You can't help but admire him as you approach. He sits, his back against a tree, relaxed, strumming his lute softly. He sings a song you've never heard before - you wonder if it's new? - and a small bit of sunlight breaks through the trees, hitting his face softly. You wonder if it's annoying him. His voice is enchanting, as it always seems to be, and once again you wonder briefly how everything he sings can sound simultaneously like the most heart-wrenching lullaby and the most awe-inspiring jig.
It isn't until he looks up at you that you realize you're standing directly in front of him now, and you give him a soft smile.
"Another breathtaking song, Jaskier."
He looks down at his instrument once more, and you can't fathom why he seems so... resigned.
"I'm honored you like it, but it's not something I plan to play again anytime soon."
"Why is that?"
"It was written out of... frustration, an energy I'd rather not make a habit of putting into my work."
You move to sit down next to him. You swear he moves away a fraction, and you feel your heart break just a little.
Could I be the cause of his frustration?
"I hope that isn't becoming a regular occurrence, then."
"On the contrary, it's frustrating in and of itself how often negative emotions are ending up fueling my songs lately." He shoots you a wry smile.
"Can I ask what the source of your frustration is?"
He seems to contemplate this for a long moment, and you hold your breath the entire time.
"Myself, I think." He finally seems to admit, solemnly.
"What do you have to be frustrated about? You're..." You trail off, realizing you were about to call him wonderful, and it suddenly occurs to you why the idea of disappointing him seems so heartbreaking.
Oh. Oh, no.
He doesn't seem to catch your hesitation.
"It's silly, really. I just think I'm feeling things I'm not meant to be feeling, and it's driving me crazy to think that I can't, or shouldn't, do anything about it."
"There's no such thing as a feeling you shouldn't be feeling, and this is exceptionally uncharacteristic of you. Whatever it is that you wish you weren't feeling is happening for a reason, you of all people should know that. Even if you can't do anything about it, maybe you should talk it through with someone? I'm here to listen, if you need."
You watch as panic flits across his face, "No! No, no, I can't do that."
"Why not? It's healthy to talk things through-"
"Yes, but not with you-"
"Why not me?"
"Because you're..." His frustration seems to build as he trails off, like he doesn't even know what he really meant to say.
"I'm what?" You ask softly, not sure you really want to know the answer.
"You're part of the problem!" He yells, and you're so sure your heart stops beating that you don't notice the immediate, palpable regret he feels.
"No, you're not a problem, it doesn't even really have to do with anything you're doing, it's all me-"
"Is this about all the time I'm spending with Geralt?" It's Jaskier's turn to feel his heart stop, and for a brief but seemingly infinite period of time, he's so sure you know.
"All the- why would you?-"
"I'm sorry. I never meant to take up so much of his time. I'll stop, if you ask, I never intended to third wheel your friendship!"
"Third wheel? What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about feeling absolutely awful about spending too much time with your best friend and stealing him away from you! I'm so sorry- wait, what are *you* talking about, then?"
His relief is obvious as he all but screams, "I'm talking about being horribly jealous of Geralt because I'm madly in love you!"
"You're what?"
You're shocked when he doesn't clamp his hand over his own mouth, because for a moment, it seems like he's about to.
"That's... not what I meant to say. No, it is, I am! Just not right now! You weren't meant to find out this way! You weren't meant to find out... ever, honestly."
The thought had never occurred to you. That he might feel this way about you, or even that you might feel that way about him. Why would it? How could you? But now, knowing this, piecing it all together in hindsight... how could you not?
When you anchor yourself back in your body again, he's still rambling. He still seems terrified. But you? You can't think of a moment where you've ever been happier, and you know right then and there you will never view that sweet bard the same way again.
"Jaskier."
"If you're going to tell me to get away from you, don't say anything, I don't think I can handle it."
"I'm not going to say that."
"Well what else could you possibly have to say? I'm sorry, this was never meant to happen-"
When you hug him, he doesn't know what to do. He's totally at a loss. He finds himself wrapping his arms around you anyway, and he quickly finds it's his favorite feeling he's ever known.
"Jaskier, I never expected this, it's true, but I'm not unhappy. Give me a little bit of time to get used to the idea, but I think I can quickly, confidently come to say that I feel the same for you."
Years worth of relief wash over him. Before he can process much at all, he asks, "Can I kiss you?"
He didn't think he could be anymore surprised today, but when you kiss him without answering? That takes the prize for top surprise of the evening. He retracts his earlier revelation; THIS is his new favorite feeling.
When you try to pull away, he chases you, if just to keep it going for a few more seconds, causing you to laugh against his lips. You have to put a hand on his shoulder, firmly, to get him to stop, but you rest your forehead against his once he does.
"I have to breathe, you know."
"What does breath matter when you could be kissing me instead?" You give him a playful shove as you laugh once more.
"Back to being a smart-ass, are we?"
"Would you have me any other way?"
"I can't say that I would. I'm quite relieved, in fact. Hopefully this means we're past the jealous mood swings?"
"Mood swings? I never had mood swings, and I was never jealous!"
"That's not what I recall you saying a few minutes ago."
"It was a big moment, memory can be shoddy-"
"I take it back, I wish you were less of a smart-ass."
A/N: Hey everyone! Wow! Part 1 received far more positive feedback than I thought it would! I'm super grateful to everyone who read part one, or left a comment, or was just very encouraging, you've really helped re-spark my love for writing <3 Boy, this took way too long to finish, but I just really wanted to make sure it held up the first part at least a little! I hope you enjoy this part as well, and I'm planning on writing at least one more part to this after this, so let me know if your interested in that/how much more of this story you're interested in seeing! Either way I'm planning on continuing to write for The Witcher, and on starting to post for other fandoms (of which I'll be posting a list soon!) so if you like my work please follow or just keep an eye out! Love you guys.
Summary: 3 times Jaskier has done his best to distract Y/N from the less enjoyable parts of her life.
Part 1
Warnings: Brief language warning.
Tagged: @failure-of-the-day (I might be assuming but I thought you might like to be tagged!) @ultracolorfulnerdcollection @blue-hoodies-for-life @athenaisalpha
~~
Y/N found out rather quickly that spending time with Jaskier is a surefire way to bring a smile to her face. Her job can be depressing, Geralt is often silent at the most inopportune times, and travelling for such long distances can be boring, but Jaskier is none of those things, and often goes out of his way to grab her attention from that which brings down her mood.
For instance, moments like this one: Y/N has returned to this small town's inn after helping the townspeople for the day, feeling like the weight of the world is on her shoulders after the day she's had. Geralt hasn't returned from his monster slaying yet, so she seeks out Jaskier for company.
When she finds him in his room, he's laying on his bed, writing something down on a piece of paper haphazardly, using his propped-up knee as a work surface. As impractical as the position seems, he looks comfortable: laid back, his normal, fancier wear tossed aside for a simple white shirt and comfortable trousers, and a smile upon his face. It take Y/N all of a second to decide that the look does him great justice.
"Jaskier." Y/N starts, making him aware of her presence.
He looks up, briefly startled, but when his eyes come to rest on her, his smile widens, "Hello, Y/N."
"I just wanted to let you know that I'm back in for the evening."
"I'm glad! It was getting boring around here with no company. Please, come in, sit down." Y/N expects him to gesture to the chair against the wall in invitation, but he simply moves his feet and makes room on his bed for her. She means to be more proper about coming into his space, but as she approaches, she finds that she ends up throwing herself down onto the bed, her exhaustion weighing down her bones.
This seems to be the first time Jaskier notices her mood is off, "Hey, everything alright?"
Y/N looks at him sheepishly, "Just a long day is all. How was yours?"
Taking the hint that she wasn't up for talking about it, Jaskier indulges her, "I started writing a new song today, and I have to admit, it's taken up pretty much all of my time. It's-"
It's all Y/N can do to stay focused on his words for that long, as images of ill people, broken homes, and crying children fill her mind. This town is lucky to have an inn still standing, considering all the havoc beasts nearby have caused. Why must monsters even have to exist like this at all? Why must innocent people suffer for mindless, bloodthirsty crazes? Why does Y/N dedicate herself to cleaning up messes that aren't even hers?
"Y/N?" She looks up at Jaskier at the sound of his persistent voice, and it isn't until she attempts to speak that she realizes she's begun crying. She also finds that she can't find anything to say to him to make an excuse for her state.
He doesn't question any further though, and swiftly gives her a soft smile, before setting aside his papers and opening his arms, beckoning her towards him.
She doesn't even think about it as she crawls towards him and re-positions herself so that he can envelop her in a hug, as she lays her head against his chest. Just being there quickly quiets the tears, but Jaskier doesn't let go, and for that Y/N is grateful.
They sit in silence as Y/N calms herself, and eventually Jaskier leans down a little bit to kiss her forehead and whisper, "Whatever you've been through, please just remember that I'm here for you and that your soul is good, and deserves to be returned the help and goodness that you give."
Oh yeah, that's why she does it all. However hard it can be, it's the good she does that keeps her moving.
~~~
The next time Jaskier goes out of his way to lift Y/N's mood, Y/N and Geralt are sitting at a table in another tavern, completely silent. Normally Y/N has no issues with respecting their silence, she often enjoys it, but her work involved a lot of repairs today, and she barely had any human connection at all throughout the day. She fidgets, doing her best not to disturb Geralt as he seems to contemplate something—she knows he has his own demons swimming around in his mind—but she worries that if she doesn't do something stimulating soon, she very well might burst.
Jaskier descends from the rooms above the tavern space, looking to begin his own work for the night as an entertainer. He had gotten permission from the owner of this establishment earlier in the day to perform in the space, and as it got on into the evening, he knew that now was his prime time. He had cleaned himself up, decided on his song list, and was ready to go.
As he looked around the tavern sizing up his audience, his eyes came to rest upon his travelling companions. Geralt seems lost in thought, and Y/N... Y/N seems downright bored. Knowing that she's been having a rough go of it lately with her work, Jaskier quickly decides that he cannot let this stand.
He swiftly changes his course and makes his way towards their table, a plan only half formed in his mind, and when he stops in front of them he finds himself asking, "Y/N, could I ask a favor of you?"
She looks at him, curiosity in her eyes and a soft smile on her mouth—a goddess in the flesh, he thinks—and he continues, "I have some songs that I was planning on playing tonight, and I would like to see how they fare as duets. Would you join me?"
Jaskier doesn't know by what miracle she says yes, and neither does she, really, but soon the two fall into a groove that brings the attention, and coin, of the patrons. They stumble through the first few songs, rousing some laughs from their audience, until they get to "Toss A Coin To Your Witcher", and the audience joins in singing with them. The pair puts on a show as they sing and they dance, and the audience adores it.
After a rendition (or several) of Jaskier's hit song, many of their audience members start to fall away, so the bard takes that as a hint to start slowing things down.
"Y/N, how would you feel about rounding this performance off by performing "Her Sweet Kiss" with me?"
Y/N's heart skips a beat. She's heard the way he sings that song, and the emotion he puts into it is always enough to bring her near to tears.
"I would be honored."
He starts the beginning off himself, and cues her when to come in. "So tell me love, tell me love, how is that just?" Jaskier never breaks eye contact with Y/N as they sing, and she utters no complaints as it feels like he bears his soul to her while gazing deeply into hers.
"I'm weak, my love, and I am wanting. If this is the path I must trudge, I'll welcome my sentence, give to you my penance, garroter, jury, and judge."
When Y/N had wished for human interaction, this was not what she had expected, but fuck her if it wasn't far better.
As the song comes to a close, Y/N still can't find it in her to look away from his eyes, but luckily for her, it seems that neither can he. The applause of the crowd goes unnoticed by both until the moment passes on its own.
"Thank you, for doing this with me, Y/N."
"Thank you for asking, Jaskier."
~~~
While traveling is, of course, a luxury, just the act of getting somewhere new isn't always the most enjoyable of activities. Travelling may be an integral part of Y/N's job, but knowing that is rarely enough to make her feel better about her soreness from riding her horse, or the boredom she feels as they slowly move along on empty side roads, past endless fields. Yet, this is ultimately a part of her job, so she grins and bears it for the satisfaction of helping people and the coin it brings.
Jaskier, in all his many observations of this captivating do-gooder, begins to notice that she rarely has a good time between locations. He notices that she has no way to occupy herself, besides just listening to him ramble, and he notices that she doesn't seem to plan on doing anything to remedy that situation. So, he resolves to do so himself.
"Y/N," He begins as he sits on her horse behind her, one arm wrapped around her waist. "How would you like to play a game?"
"A game? Why?"
"Because I'm terribly bored and would like to hear your lovely voice. Are you in?"
"Oh, uh, I suppose I am, yes."
"Okay then. I spy, with my little eye-" Her laughter that follows is enough to make Jaskier's heart light. Making her laugh always makes him just a little bit happier.
He hears Geralt groan next to them on Roach, and watches in amusement as he begins to trot further up ahead of them.
"What a grumpy, grumpy man. Alright, hush now, or you'll miss the object. Anyways, I spy, with my little eye, something very long and brown."
"Oh, oh, is it the tree trunks?"
"Very close but not quite. Something dusty."
"The road!"
"Ding ding ding! You've got it!" She laughs once more at his enthusiasm.
"My turn then! I spy, with my little eye, something... big and blue."
Jaskier pretends to think for a moment, and then feigns surprise as he exclaims, "The sky!"
He thinks her joyful laughter is stopping his heart by now, but he's certain he might fall off the horse when she says, "I could preserve this round for a little longer and say 'It was actually your eyes', but that might be a little obvious, huh?"
He rests his head on her shoulder and attempts to look at her face. "That gives me an idea. I spy, with my little eye, something lovely."
A blush breaks out across her face immediately, but she tries not to make assumptions. "Oh, uh... those flowers on the side of the road?"
"Not quite. A bit closer to me." She swears she can feel his arms tighten around her just a fraction.
"Then... is it the horse? You two seem to get along quite well." He chuckle is deep, and she can feel the motion against her back.
"I do love Cinnamon dearly, but you're still a bit off. Try again."
Y/N's breath hitches in her throat, and she glances to the side to look at him, finding him closer than she expected. "Lovely? Is it, uh... me, then?" His smile is enough to make her think her heart will soon burst out of her chest.
"Very good. You're excellent at this. Fancy another round?"
It takes her several minutes to calm down, but she gets into their game again, and sure enough, before either of them even know it, they've reached their destination. They both find themselves a little sad when they have to let go and get off of Cinnamon, but the feeling of being so close doesn't leave either of them for hours.
Yes, Y/N reflects, everything really does get better with him around.
Yeah, Jaskier thinks, I wouldn't trade a second with her for anything.
A/N: Jaskier x Modern!Reader for anon. Thanks for the request, I had a lot of fun with this! Also, I feel like all some of these references might be a little bit dated, which I didn't realize until they were all in there. They're all still fairly famous though, so I hope you don't mind! I went with she/her pronouns on this, but if anyone wants to see me start using gender neutral pronouns, please let me know, or just add specific pronoun requests in your requests!
Request: hi! a jaskier x reader request for the witcher! would love a one shot of a modern!reader, who decides to follow the boys, either about them singing modern songs or making stupid modern day references that they wouldn't understand!
Warnings: Possible second hand embarrassment ahead? Also Wonderwall
Word count: 2300
Requests are OPEN
~~~
Y/N starts her day like she does every other day: by opening her window and breathing in the comforting Velen air.
Y/N doesn't know how she ended up in this world. For the first few months, she searched for a way home, or even just for answers about why she found herself in this place. She ended up empty-handed, and with no more leads to follow. She was forced to give up, and start making her own way. It was by a pure stroke of luck that she'd ended up with the house, and with a fairly easy, flexible job to pay for it, and after a while, she found she preferred this life to her old one. She stopped wondering why, and let this place be home. After the few years she's been here, she finds she's glad it all happened the way it did.
She finds herself smiling as she looks out into her little village, reveling in the peace it offers.
"Get out of here, you filthy Witcher!"
And that shout from the main road was the end of Y/N's peaceful lack of involvement. As she saw people go running towards the sound of the growing shouts, Y/N quickly left her home and began to follow suit in that direction, eager and anxious to see what could cause such a fuss. When she reached the scene of the commotion, her shock was evident.
There, trying his best to make his way through this small village with a bard at his side, was a Witcher. An actual, real life Witcher.
Well, as real as this world actually is, anyway.
Even more shocking was the townspeople harassing the seemingly unassuming men -- it seemed that most of the town were in on heckling them, despite their usual, friendly neighbor attitudes. It seemed the Witcher was used to the treatment, as he did his best to shield himself and his horse and continued walking calmly forward, although the bard was a bit more theatrical in his defenses, holding up his lute to cover his face and sighing dramatically at every passing insult.
I wonder if this could be the pair that the internet flipped out over when that tv series came out before I left? I never got into it, but I'm fairly sure that's where I am, and their faces seem familiar.
Y/N's heart nearly stopped when the Witcher's golden eyes made contact with hers. It seemed to take him but a split second to make a decision and begin a new course in her direction. She held her breath the entire time he made his way over.
When he finally stopped, he stopped directly in front of her, looming over her, far closer then she expected him. He was shockingly intimidating.
"You don't seem in the business of heckling strangers. I'm here to clear out a noonwraith I'd heard of in the vicinity. Do you know anything about that?"
It took Y/N far too long to gather enough courage to speak, and when she did, she could only hope her voice wasn't shaking too much, "A... noonwraith? Oh, yes, the ghost in the abandoned barn, just a little ways out of town. It's, uh... been a nuisance for farmers and travelers for some time."
The Witcher let out a small, "hm." in response.
"I could... show you to the location, if you need assistance? I know this area very well, and I would be happy to assist you if you would rid us of the... wraith."
"Geralt! How could you leave me to fend for myself like that?" The bard came up behind the Witcher quickly, like a burst of raw energy. He smiled when he spotted the Witcher talking to the woman, "Hello! Thank you for not hurling insults at us as we walk past! My name is Jaskier, a humble bard, at your service." Swiftly, he reached for her hand and pressed a swift kiss to her knuckles.
"Oh! It's really no problem, It certainly does no harm to not go out of my way to be rude. My name is Y/N, it's nice to meet you."
"Y/N has offered to lead us to the noonwraith, Jaskier. Y/N, how soon can you be ready to go?"
"Oh, well, I'm off work today, and I really don't have that much to take care of this morning -- if you'll allow me to grab some better shoes I should be ready in minutes."
"Take your time, I need some to prepare potions for the battle."
"You can come spend some time at the tavern with me while we wait for him." Jaskier punctuated his sentence with a wink.
Y/N felt her heart palpitate, and she'd never scrambled to get ready so quickly for anything.
When she found him in the nearly deserted tavern, he sat with a notebook in his hands, writing something down leisurely. If he's a bard, Y/N assumed it was some sort of song.
"Jaskier, yes? May I join you?"
He flashed a smile up at her, "Anything for such a beautiful woman." Y/N felt herself flush at the compliment as she sat down.
"So, Y/N, where are you from? You don't have the Velen accent, nor do you have the same... dispositions as your fellow townsfolk, I can't imagine you were born and raised here."
Y/N felt her heart speed up once more, just a fraction, "I wasn't. I came here just a few years ago, just sort of ended up here by chance. I was looking for something, but it didn't exactly work out, and I just never really bothered to leave. I'm thankful enough for it, Velen suits me very well."
"Very cryptic and fascinating story! You are dodging my original question though."
"Only because I don't think you'd have heard of where I'm from. It's not very well known around here."
"I'm not from around here."
"I doubt it's well known where you're from, either."
Jaskier gave her a quizzical look, but left her odd behavior alone, "Well then, what does the mysterious lady do for fun?"
This was the thing Y/N struggled with the most in this world. Her access to all her favorite tv shows, books, and movies were gone, and all she was left with were the only few books she had at her disposal, most of them terribly dry reading. Even worse: every pop culture reference she ever knew was now rendered completely useless.
"Well, I read as much as I can, with what little I have, and I go for long walks, but other than that, I mostly just work. Not much to do around here, honestly. I sing a little to myself sometimes to pass the time-"
Jaskier's face lit up like a Christmas tree, "You sing? What songs do you know?"
"I highly doubt you'd have heard of any of them."
"Nonsense, my trade is music! At the very least, you must sing something for me!"
"No! I don't sing for other people-"
"But if I've never heard of these songs of yours, you must educate me!"
"That's not exactly my job-"
The pair only stop upon hearing a gruff voice clear behind them.
"Are the two of you done?" Geralt asks, a minor level of annoyance evident. Y/N is the first to scramble to her feet, embarrassed.
Their departure is smooth, and Y/N promptly informs the pair that the journey should take but a half an hour or so.
In response, Jaskier slings an arm over Y/N's shoulder, flashing her a smile, "Plenty of time for you to teach me a song or two."
"Are you really back at this again? My answer is still no."
"But would it not benefit my musically inclined soul to be exposed to a bit of your culture, wherever it may be from? You mustn't let my poor, culturally deprived soul wither away like this, fair lady."
"Don't you travel for a living?" Before Jaskier could sass her further with another response, Y/N took a less than graceful stumble over a tree root.
Geralt stopped walking and grabbed her arm as she steadied herself, "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I think I'm fine. Unfortunate that such a lack of grace had to come out around near strangers, but that's on me, I suppose." She laughed it off, playing glaring at the root that tripped her, "I'm walking here!" She said quietly to herself in her best fake New York accent, reveling in her classic movie references that no one else in this world could understand. At least they brought her a little bit of personal joy.
"Y/N, did you just speak to that tree root?" Jaskier asked, trying his best not to look concerned, and failing miserably.
The lady flushed crimson, "Oh, no, well, actually yes, but it's just a -- well, I guess it's just a reference to something you wouldn't understand. I apologize, that must have looked odd."
Jaskier let out a small chuckle (which Y/N had to admit, was distressingly attractive), "You've said a lot of odd things so far, but I'm certainly not minding."
In an attempt to escape her ever-expanding blush, Y/N began walking ahead of the men, "Right, well, on we go then."
After but a minute of silence, Geralt spoke up, "Y/N, would it suit us better to take an actual path, instead of just cutting through the forest?"
Y/N turned back to him and shook her head, "This will get us there much quicker, if we cut through here we'll end up right across the field from where you're trying to go."
Jaskier shook his own head now, "For a non-native, you do know this area very well."
"Elementary, my dear Watson. To anyone living in the area, anyway. Besides, I take lots of walks, remember?" She laughed to herself, and quietly shook her head once more as another movie scene came to her, muttering quietly, "Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads." Thankfully, the men seemed to not hear that second reference, but she failed to see as they turned to each other in confusion over the first.
Y/N's impressive knowledge proved accurate after about the half an hour she promised, as the trio cut through the trees and ended up in a large field, a run-down barn just visible on the other side.
"See? That's where you're trying to get to."
"Thank you very much, Y/N. I'll take it from here." With that, Geralt strode off through the field, radiating with purpose. He really was truly quite intimidating.
After a moment of silence, in which Jaskier decided to make himself comfortable as he sat down, Y/N spoke once more, "So do we just wait here now?"
"That we do."
"What if he doesn't come back?"
"He will. No need to worry your pretty little head about that. However, if you're concerned about the waiting time, you could sing me a song to pass it."
Y/N sighed, "You truly won't give that up?"
"I had no plans to."
"I never should have told you about that."
"Or perhaps it was destiny that you did."
"You're so determined to make clever remarks, but that one didn't even make sense."
"Fair enough. Perhaps I would stop talking nonsense if you would keep me occupied with a song."
"Fine! Fine." Y/N let her shoulders sag in defeat as she sighed. "What do you want to hear, then?"
Jaskier pretended to contemplate her question for a moment, but he spoke far too quickly when he replied, "Sing me something romantic."
"You sly bastard. Alright, let me think a moment. Uh..."
What's something easy to sing, something well known enough that I'll know all the words, something romantic? Oh, I have a bad idea.
"Well, I suppose this could be interpreted as romantic." Y/N had to suppress her laughter. "And it's terribly catchy, so I know all the words quite well. And it's been around for quite a while. A lot of people don't like it because it's sort of overdone-"
"Y/N."
"Alright, fine, anyway, here's Wonderwall.
Today is gonna be the day that they're gonna throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow realized what you gotta do
I don't believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now"
Before Y/N knew it, the song was over - perhaps she'd just heard it so many times she blacked out the rest of the song - and to her dismay, Jaskier began clapping.
"And you say you don't sing for other people. That was lovely."
"You only say that because you haven't heard the song a million times."
"Also because your voice is joy to listen to."
"Oh stop it, you're just saying that-"
"Oh, is that the battle you want to fight?"
~~~
By the time Geralt had slain the wraith, Jaskier had insisted that they walk Y/N home ("Geralt, she helped us out here, it's the right thing to do!" "I'm quite capable of finding my own way home." "We insist."), and the trio had finished their more leisurely walk back along the main road, it was approaching evening. Before Y/N even knew it, they were at her front door.
"Ah, here we are. Thank you gentlemen, for your assistance."
"And thank you for yours, my lady."
"Anytime, Geralt. It would be my pleasure to assist you again if you're in the area and need a guide."
"I may yet take you up on that. Until then, have a good evening."
"You too. Safe travels."
The duo began to walk away, leaving Y/N feeling just a little bit sad, when Jaskier turned around and walked back to her. When he reached her, he grabbed her hand and pressed yet another kiss to her knuckles, like he had that morning.
"I will surely be counting the days until I can have the privilege of hearing your voice and odd sayings again."
Before she could retaliate, he had run off, and soon he was out of sight. She felt a little less sad now.
This is a home worth having. Yes, I'm quite happy things turned out this way.
A/N: Hey everyone! So sorry to everyone who's been waiting patiently for this part, I had a bunch of major projects pop up all at once and then I got sick, and I wanted to give writing this my full attention! So, finally, here it is! As it stands, this will probably be the last part of this particular story, though that may be subject to change, and I will continue to write for Jaskier and other Witcher characters! I may even be opening up requests very soon, so keep an eye out for that! Thanks to everyone who's supported this as I've rolled it out, it's been a really great welcome back to writing. Here's to more stories to come, and I hope you enjoy!
Summary: Y/N worries that she doesn't do enough for Jaskier in return for all he does for her, just in time for Jaskier to decide that he really wants to tell Y/N just how much she means to him.
Part 1
Part 2
Warnings: Language. Self-doubt? If that needs a warning. Sort of cliche? At least, a sort of played-out scenario that I tried to make my own a little bit!
Tagged: (I decided to carry over the tags from part 2 to this one even though no one asked, just to let you guys know that this is up if you're interested!) @failure-of-the-day @ultracolorfulnerdcollection @blue-hoodies-for-life @athenaisalpha
~~
"Geralt," Jaskier began, tapping his fingers against their table in contemplation, "would you be bothered if I told Y/N that I care for her very much?" He lets out a dreamy sigh at the thought.
Geralt raises an eyebrow as he raises his cup to his mouth, "You haven't done so already?"
"Not... in the sense that I'm meaning now." He thinks back to every hug and compliment he's ever given her, and near kicks himself wishing he'd had the courage after any one of them to tell her that he'd give up most everything in his life if she would kiss him just once.
"Hmmm. Why did you even feel the need to ask me? Your lack of my blessing has never stopped you from pursuing anyone before."
Jaskier thinks on that. "She works with you, and moreover, she respects you. You're important to her, and frankly, to me as well, and I'm serious about this. I wouldn't want this to put a strain on anything for anyone."
Geralt can swear he feels his heart warm at Jaskier's words, but he makes no indication of it. "Do what you must then, I won't stop you. I can tell your intentions are pure, Jaskier."
Jaskier finds himself smiling. His intentions are as pure as they come with Y/N, and maybe in finally telling her that she makes his world brighter just be being near, he can finally repay her for doing so.
~~~
"I'm just worried I don't do anything for him." Y/N speaks aloud as she walks around the horses, readying them for the evening. "Jaskier helps take so much weight off my shoulders and all I do is dump my problems onto him. He deserves better than that."
Y/N hears Roach make a soft noise. "I just wish I could show him that I appreciate everything he does for me! I've never had anyone that put so much effort into making sure I'm okay before, and I just let him without offering anything in return."
She drops heavily onto an overturned bucket after she finishes securing the horses, dropping her head into her hands. Truly, she isn't sure how she would get through some days without knowing Jaskier will be there to grace her with a hug at the end of it. His heartfelt smiles, his impassioned words as he sings, the way he carries himself -- it's all enough to make her feel so overwhelmed she might drop dead and more alive than she ever has all at the same time.
"Jaskier means a lot to me, and I would like him to know that I appreciate him. At this rate we'll never be more than-" She stops herself. No, she thinks, it's not right of me to assume we'll ever be more than anything, never mind what I could do for him.
She looks up at Cinnamon. "No ulterior motive, it's time I give back to him, don't you think?"
Cinnamon steps forward and nudges Y/N's shoulder, gently snorting. "Yeah, okay, I get it, put my money where my mouth is. What could I possibly do for him, though? What's something that would speak to him, something on his page that I could use to honestly tell him-" She springs to her feet, abruptly.
"He's a bard, bards deal in poetry! That might be perfect!" She goes running, only slowly briefly to yell behind her, "Thanks for the encouragement, you two!"
~~~
Jaskier can hardly take his eyes off of Y/N. On a normal day, he's talking Geralt's ear off about anything under the sun as they sit and drink, but today, he just stares at her and wishes she was sitting next to him. They had invited her down to grab a drink with them, but she had declined joining them in favor of sitting at the bar and writing something on piece of paper furiously. "A letter to a family I once helped, to check up on them," she had said.
He had planned to tell her that he loves her tonight. To ask her to come with him, and he would take her to this gorgeous little spot he found by a river as the moon shone down on them, and he would sing to her - but it looks like that won't be happening now.
He wonders about the letter that she's writing; she said it was to a family that she helped, but she very rarely wrote letters to check up on people. Even when she had, it had never taken her this long, or taken so much of her attention. She is adorable when she's concentrated.
He watches her toil away, writing things down, stopping, thinking, scratching them out. She wrings her hands nervously every once and a while. She looks like she's trying to pour her soul into something, and Jaskier decides then and there it can't be a letter. At least not to a previous client. To a friend, maybe? A family member? A chiseled, far-away lover? Oh, god, it can't wait anymore.
He stands, nearly knocking over the table, and he hears Geralt grunt in protest. "Jaskier, what the fuck?"
"I can't loose her to a chiseled, far-away lover!" He asserts, much too loudly for the space he's in as he sprints in her direction.
Y/N thinks she hears Jaskier speaking, so she tears her attention from her work in progress and turns to look in the direction of his table, only to find him standing almost directly in front of her.
She quickly does her best to cover her mess of paper before he can see, and ends up attempting to shove into into one of her pockets "Jask! What's going on?"
"I'm very sorry to be rude, but I need you to come with me!"
"What? Why?"
"Because your passion concerns me, and I really, really need to tell you something!"
Y/N thinks briefly to ask, my what?, but Jaskier is already in the process of taking her hand and dragging her away.
~~~
When Y/N finds Jaskier dragging her through the woods, she can't help but ask, "Where are you taking me, Jaskier?"
Jaskier is slightly frantic as he responds, "You'll see, I just found this place, and I thought it would be perfect when I told you, and I- please, just trust me."
"I do."
When he drags her into this little clearing by a stream, she starts to see what he meant. The rising moon casts light through the tree branches that reflect off the stream, and the light lapping of the water offers a calm atmosphere, and while Y/N begins to worry about whatever Jaskier has to say if he wished to bring her to such a calming space, she admits it has the desired affect.
Jaskier turns Y/N to face him, and she's sure she's never seen him more nervous. "I'm sorry, this is just... important, and you seemed so focused on what you were doing and I was terrified of whatever you could be so passionate about because I didn't want it to steal you away-" He stops himself.
"What I mean to say is, I really wanted to take you here because I wanted to do something for you. Your... compassion, your humor, your presence, lights up my life and I need you to know that. I don't want you to ever think that I don't care about you because I don't think I care about anyone more. You deserve the world, and I need to know that you understand what I'm trying to say."
At first he thinks his words have the desired affect when he sees tears welling up in her eyes and a disbelieving look on her face, and he lets his heart fill with hope that she knows.
But then, she throws her arms up into the air and screams as she turns away from him, and the hope shatters. Had he ruined it? Did she actually have a secret lover and he just ruined their friendship by saying this to her? Did she just not care for him this way? Did she just not care for him at all?
Y/N can't stop the guilt-ridden tears. "You wanted to do something for me? You already do everything for me! You always put in all this effort for me and act like I deserve it when I do nothing for you! You're the most thoughtful man I've ever met and I can't even try to do one nice thing for you without you beating me to it! I just-" She lets out another scream.
Jaskier seems frozen, like he doesn't even know what to say. "You think you don't do anything for me?"
Y/N laughs, in the process of pulling that piece of paper out of her pocket, looking down at it dejectedly, "When have I ever done half as much for you as you have for me? That's why I tried writing this, but I can't even try to tell you anything nice without you getting to it first. You're insufferably wonderful, you know that?"
All he does is reach for the paper, gently, and, terrified, she hands it over.
He can hardly believe his eyes as he looks at the mess on the page, all the scribbles and crossed out words, but there, in the middle, a line of thought:
Every time you speak, my heart soars, and all my troubles seem to disappear from my mind
From the moment I met you, I could hardly believe that you were so real, and so kind
I looked into your eyes when you got close and lost myself in a sea of blue
I'm trying to search for a way to say, I love
"I know none of it's good, you make it look far easier than it is, but I wanted to-" And it's all she can do to keep herself from squealing as her bard pulls her into his arms and holds her tightly than she ever thought possible, laughing exuberantly.
He pulls away just far enough to gaze at her face in awe, "It's lovely! All I ever did was to try to repay you for making me inexplicably happy just by being around, and I wanted to say the same thing to you, that I-" He stops himself and looks at her once more for a moment. He's in just as much awe of her now as he was when he saw her sitting across from him the first time he met her.
He moves his hand to wipe away excess tears staining her cheeks, which are slowing now with her growing hope, and before he can stop himself, he's kissing her.
For one brief moment, everything stops. It seems like not a sound is made, not a thought occurs in either of them, and time stands still, but then all at once their minds come to life in a flurry.
Panting, they pull away, and smiling like idiots, they look into each others eyes once more.
"Y/N, don't ever feel obligated to go out of your way to do things for me. I think just offering me your love would be enough to keep me a happy man for the rest of my life."
Y/N's tears slowly start again, out of joy, this time, and she says, "Then all I could ever ask for is yours in return."
Maybe I was right that first night, when I thought I'd found the perfect man. Yeah, I think I'm going to be alright with him around.
