Summary: This is an AU, where Y/N is a young woman, trying to make ends meet with her freelancing writing job. She lives in her small Nottingham studio apartment along with her cat Apollo. Things change when one evening as she is waiting for her taxi, she meets what she thinks is Joey Batey, but the man in front of her is convinced he’s Jaskier, a character from her current favorite show. Y/N now has to figure out what to do.
Warnings: drinking and just some cheesy cheese
Word count: 2,637
A/N: Ahhh you guys, thank you for liking this story and encouraging me to write it, i sooo expected this to be a flop, and i really appreciate the [so far] positive feedback ahhh! we writers do fuel on comments sometimes, lol, so whenever you lot say you like it i go so soft and THANK YOU hope you like this part <333
Jaskier doesn’t look at me, keeping his gaze at his arms. I see him try to blink the tears away, but he fails, as some escape, washing down his face. I reach out, putting my hand on his.
“I’m sorry.” I whisper, not wanting to disturb him. He wipes his face with his free hand, looking at me.
“It’s accurate.” His voice sounds rough and deep. I squeeze his hand. “Like, really accurate.”
“It must be scary.” He hangs his head low.
“It is, Y/N. But at the same time…” Jaskier now leans back on the coach, closing his eyes. His lashes now cast shadows down his face, making him appear so much older. “I am glad that it is, at the very least, correct. Not some fake story, just using our names and faces. It’s real.”
“I cant even imagine what you’re feeling. What must be going through your head.” I whisper as he opens his eyes, gazing at me. “But I want you to know I am here to help you, in any way I possibly can.”
“I have no doubts about that.” He reassures me, brushing hair out of his face, taking a deep breath in. “It’s scary, but it made me upset because… I miss it. I miss Geralt and Roach and I miss Velen and Novigrad.”
“You’re homesick.” He nods. “I promise we will get you home, we will figure it out. Something, somehow.”
“Thank you.” He offers me a smile, and I stare into his eyes, wondering just how much they have seen. How much of a different world, so far away? I wish I could experience that. With him. But then I also know, I belong here and he truly belongs there.
“Until then, Jaskier, maybe I should allow you to experience more of my world.” I say, taking laptop on my knees, exiting Netflix.
“I would be recognized as the guy who plays me, unless I can experience it from your home.” I shake my head.
“I should have thought of it sooner, if I am honest.” I sigh, turning laptop to him. “We have wigs. And some people wear cute little masks as fashion. We could pretend you are one of them, get a wig, and boom. You’re a different person, free to roam the world. We could go to eat out or an amusement park or clubbing or…-“
“Is it a date?” He cuts me off, immediately sending a blush to my face.
“Sure.” I stutter as he giggles, and my heart eases up a little.
So I order a wig. A blond one, spend good pounds on it. And a mask. And just more outfits. They should arrive here by tomorrow. I leave the shop, not wanting to know what my bank balance is looking like.
Then I open some more tabs. I begin grilling Jaskier, trying to distract him. I ask where he would want to go eat, if he even wants to go ride some rollercoasters. He agrees to it all, as his eyes lighten up and his shoulders relax. My hear beats faster.
The next day when items arrive, he tries them on, and while the wig is not the best, you cant really recognize him. So that same evening, I decide it’s time we go to a pub, something he is almost familiar with. We’re walking from the taxi, towards the pub just out of town, as I begin explaining it to him.
“It is similar to a tavern, in my opinion at least.” I say, as he nods. “You can go there, order some food, drinks, whatever really, just a place to hang out.”
“Sounds cool.” He says, not sounding impressed and I grin at him.
We make it inside, as the warmth surrounds us. I hear some pop music play, wondering what Jask will think about that. I guide us to a further corner, a table behind a pillar. I know some waitresses call it a “lovers nest” and that sheer name makes my heart skip a beat. Sadly, we are using it for coverage mostly.
We sit down, Jaskier’s back facing the pub, as a waitress gives us our menus, giving a weird glance to the bard, but not commenting on his outfit.
I forced him to wear a simple white shirt with a oversized colourful jacket. It had patterns of marvel superheroes, which I thought was cool, but he said wearing “green goblin” on his ass wasn’t his cup of tea.
“You can take your mask off.” I encourage Jaskier now, as he practically rips it off. Underneath, I see a smile.
“This is nice.” I hm in agreement, looking at the menu.
“We can start with drinks.” I say, turning it around to the drinks side. “Unless you’re hungry.”
“No, I’m okay on food.” I smirk, twisting his menu too.
“Then let’s drink.” He seems to like that.
We order some cocktails, although Jaskier insisted of good old ale. And some shots of different spirits. The waitress brings it, wishing us a good night, and I know she probably wont bother us much. Unwritten rule for lovers nest.
So we drink up, talking about everything and nothing. I tell him about how I find Apollo on the streets, poor boy was bones and skin, full of lice and worms in his belly. Costed me a lot, but I was determined to take care of him. He tells me about the time before he met Geralt, how he learnt to play the lute by himself.
“I would wonder the fields, singing my heart out. I wasn’t very good then.” He laughs, looking into the distance with a nostalgic look growing on his face.
“How come?” I ask, sipping my Mojito, which Jaskier didn’t like.
“The wolves would run away, whenever they would hear me.” I chuckle, and his gaze comes back, landing on me, as his lips curl into a smile. “But I learnt.”
“I know.” I say, as he grows silent. He hasn’t sung since we met. “You should, however, prove it some time.”
“Hm.” He smirks.
I almost don’t hear it, in a faintest voice, Jaskier begins to sing. In a language I don’t understand. I don’t know if he spoke one of the elder languages, if it was elven or something, but it sounded beautiful. So sad, however.
My gaze seemed to encourage him, as his voice grew ever so braver. He didn’t take his eyes off me, as if to make sure I was listening. I wouldn’t dare to do anything else. Then, as sudden as it began, it stopped.
“That was beautiful.” I say as the light above our table flickers. “Even if I understood nothing.”
“Not mine song. One of the elves I’ve met on a road taught me.” My curiosity grows as I lean in.
“What is it about?” That makes Jaskier blush, as he winks at me.
“I’ll tell you another time.” I lean back now, crossing my arms.
“Not fair.” I argue, but he doesn’t budge.
“I promise, you will learn someday. Just, not today.” I roll my eyes, easing up however, as I reach back for my mojito.
“Oh! I love this song!” I say as a slightly louder one comes on. It’s Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’
I spring to my feet, drink still at hand, as I dance to the rhythm, twirling and twisting around, not caring if I look graceful or anything. I was feeling the moment. I sing along to it, not being anxious if I sound bad. The wonders of alcohol.
I finally make eye contact with Jaskier, who seems to be mesmerized. I reach out to him, pulling him up just as the lyrics hit ‘Maybe just a touch of a hand’. I keep singing, making him dance with me. He kind of doesn’t move, his lips slightly apart, eyes wide open.
I take step back, to sing the chorus and I twirl around him, smiling. I keep singing, now mostly just waving my body side to side, looking at the bard in front of me. The whole pub seems to disappear, nothing else matters. Just me and him, in his stupid wig.
Just us, in this world. Scared and confused. Lost. Not sure of what tomorrow may bring. But for now, we were in this together, and in this very moment, I counted all of my blessings. The biggest one stood before my very own eyes. His lips still parted, his gaze still on me.
My chest tightened as the song was nearing the end and I walked towards him. Just to make sure he is real, truly here. And he was, as his hands land on my waist and he finally swings with me, as I silence my signing to a mere whisper, placing my forehead on his shoulder. Breathing him in, storing the scent in my brain. I memorize the way his hands lay, engraving it in my body, so I could remember it when he is not there to remind me.
I touched him. I smelled him. And now.
I pull away, and before I can change my mind, before worry and anxiety come over me, I place my lips on his. My eyes are shut, as I am scared to open them, even when we pull apart.
Now I tasted him too. The pina colada he just drank was still on his lips. Coconut and a mix of alcohol. But there was something else, something I couldn’t point out. I guess it was just the way his kiss tastes.
“You can open your eyes.” I hear hip whisper, as the song ends. I jump a little, opening my eyes. He gazes into me.
“Sorry.” I stutter, stepping back, as his grip loosens and I slide out of his arms.
“For what?” He furrows his brows, and I feel heat rush to my face.
“I crossed the line?” I say, and it sounds more like a question than a statement.
“Oh, Y/N.” He lets out a laugh, as it eases me up immediately. “You really didn’t. I like you.”
I stare at him, as he says it so casually. It slid off his tongue, like poison, going right in my bloodstream, straight to my heart. I go back to my seat, downing the rest of mojito. Jaskier follows suit, sitting in front of me, grinning.
“Stop being so afraid.” He grabs my hand, which I didn’t even notice was shaking.
“I like you.” I admit, not looking at him, as I blush even more. “And it’s scary to like someone, Jaskier.”
“It’s not like you like a monster.” He teases as I fix my gaze on his empty glass.
“No, of course not, but…” I stop there. No need to remind him we are from different worlds. Right now we were both here. Together. Nothing was stopping us from falling. “I don’t know.”
“There are a lot of things people may never know.” I look at him now, as he gives me a soft, encouraging smile. “Love might just manage to be one of them.”
“It really is.” I agree, leaning back. I feel my heart calm down a little.
“By the way, you sound incredible.” I open my mouth in shock as Jaskier doesn’t seem to be able to hold in a laugh, as it rings the entire pub. “You look so much more surprised by that, than me liking you.”
“Because you just said I sound incredible!” I pull my hand from his grip, brushing my hair out of my face, squinting at him. “Do you like the sound of dying cats too?”
“If they sounded like you, I might kill cats for fun.” I flush red.
“Stop.” I stutter as he giggles, clearly entertained. “I need to use the restroom.”
I spring to my feet, fanning my face as I rush past him. I find the bathroom in a basement. I go, splash some water on my face. It doesn’t really help, but it gives me a moment to calm down. I take deep breaths, bravely walking out.
I bump into someone.
“Sorry.” I say, lifting my head. My heart sinks.
“It’s okay.” Our eyes meet, as the man face grows full of concern. “Are you okay?”
“I think I might be sick.” I scramble the words, turning on my feet rushing back in the bathroom. I let out the alcohol into the toilet, flushing it, as my head aches. This can’t be happening.
“Hey, are you okay?” The familiar voice creeps in as I grunt. I know he cant hear me. I quickly wash my mouth with some water, coming out again.
“Yeah, sorry.” I cant stop my voice from shaking, as he crosses his arms, his blue eyes piercing at me.
“You looked like you saw a ghost or something.” He giggles and I manage to give a weak smile in response.
“I recognized you, is all.” I decide to say the truth, or at least some of it. “Didn’t expect to see someone like you in this pub.”
“One of my friends is from around here, we’re catching up.” I stare at him, not believing my luck. One of his, one of Joey Bateys friends lives nearby. Are you kidding me.
“Then I wont hold you back any longer.” I say, moving out of the way so he could go to the stairs, but he doesn’t move.
“You’re not holding anyone back, I am glad to meet a fan.” I grin, turning around and initiating us walking out of this basement.
“Maybe not by the bathrooms.” I point out as he snickers and now not seeing him I can pretend it’s Jask.
“Can I buy you a drink?” I shake my head.
“I’m on a date.” I say, gritting my teeth. “Thank you, though.”
“Yes, of course.” I stop in the pub now, as I see that nobody is batting an eye. Nobody else seemed to recognize the actor.
“Well, I better not keep my man waiting.” I look at Joey one more time, praying to god I don’t vomit on him now.
“Enjoy your date.” Joey says as I nod as a thanks. “Maybe I’ll see you around?”
“I truly hope so.” I say in a friendly voice, as he waves at me, going to a different end of a pub.
I rush to our table, practically attacking Jaskier. I grip his shoulder tightly.
“We need to go.” I hiss startling him. “Now.”
“What happened?” I don’t feel like I have time to talk, as I take my purse, pulling out the card.
“Mask on. Head down.” I order, as I speed walk to the bar, paying for the drinks.
I hear Jask behind me, so I rush to the door, glad Joey seems to be seated in the other corner, where he can’t see us flee. Once outside, I keep power walking, until out of breath Jaskier catches on and grabs my hand.
“What happened?” I look at him.
“I met Joey Batey. Inside.” I grunt, as I shake. Jaskier pulls me into a hug, patting my back.
“Hey, he’s just a guy, nothing to be scared off.” I know he’s right. I know it, but yet…
“I am not scared off him, just. If people were to see you two, next to each other…” I jumble the words, not sure if he can understand what I’m trying to say.
“So you were worried for me.” I hear a smile in his voice, so I gently punch his hand, as I pull away. “That’s why I like you.”
“Because you need someone who will look after you like you’re a baby?” I tease as he laughs.
But my beating heart doesn’t slow, so I quickly get us a taxi home.
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codychristian My mother, my father, my brother, and me. My family. Always within grasp. Such an honor. Thank you @mr.k_tats for turning my vision into a reality. Forever grateful.
