#Jaskier x Valdo Marx

[tellhound]

Fandom: The Witcher

Pairing: Jaskier/Valdo Marx

Warnings: none?

Words: Less than 1k

Also on AO3

"Please don't go." Jaskier practically begged as he watched Valdo get dressed. "It doesn't have to be this way anymore."

He knows that it doesn't matter what he says. The other man never stays. Doesn't mean he's not gonna try though. They're both older now, more mature and he hopes with his whole heart that Valdo is tired of this too.

"You know I can't." Valdo answered and for the first time since this whole thing started years ago he looks like it actually pains him.

"Is it because you're scared of what people will say about us?"

"It's not just that, Jaskier." Valdo says and for the first time since he got out of bed he turns to look at the man in it. "If people find out about us we could both lose what we've worked so hard to achieve. And I know how much it means to you."

Valdo wasn't wrong. Jaskier had been looking for fame ever since he was little and after years of trying and plenty of failures most people anywhere he goes now knows how he is and the lyrics to his songs.

A long time ago he thought that it could've made him happy, but fame hadn't managed to fill that empty void inside of him. The only times it felt like something wasn't missing in his life was the few moments he got to spend with Valdo. 

"I don't care about that anymore. All I want is you. It's always been you. Just took a while for me to figure it out." It's scary being this honest with someone. But nothing will ever change between them if they can't be honest with each other.

Valdo doesn't say anything. Instead he walks over to the bed and sits down on the edge of it, looking out at the room they're in. 

After a long moment of silence Jaskier can't take it anymore. "If you still want to leave, I won't stop you. If not, please just say something. I don't know how much more my heart can take."

"I love you." Valdo suddenly blurts out, taking Jaskier by surprise. "I always have. Probably always will. So if you're 100 percent sure that this is what you want… then I'll never leave your side again."

Jaskier took a deep breath to calm himself down before he asked Valdo to look at him. When he did there were tears in the other man's eyes and in that moment Jaskier understood just how hard this must have been for Valdo too.

"I told you. I want this. I've never been more sure of anything in my life." he reached out a hand and cupped Valdo's cheek and watched as he closed his eyes, a lone tear slipping out. Jaskier wiped it away with his thumb and let go.

A moment later Valdo opened his eyes again and got up from the bed. Without a single word he left the room and closed the door.

Jaskier hadn't been sure how he expected the conversation to end. But he definitely couldn't have imagined it like this; alone and abandoned once again. Especially not after Valdo had said that he wanted the same things as Jaskier did.

He got out of the bed and started getting dressed as tears slowly made their way down his face. He shouldn't have said anything, should've just kept quiet for once. But at least now he knew not to let Valdo seduce him again if their paths ever crossed in the future. He wouldn't be able to deal with his heart breaking yet again over the same man that had crushed it so many times before.

Just as he was about to grab his lute and head outside the door opened and Valdo stepped inside.

For a moment they just looked at each other, both unsure of what to do. But then Valdo walked over to him and enveloped him in his arms.

"I thought you suddenly changed your mind." Jaskier admitted quietly. 

"I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. I was just going down to rent the room for another day. I should've said something."

"Yeah. You should have." Jaskier said before stepping out of Valdo's arms and wiping away the tears with the sleeves on his shirt. "But I guess this means you'll stay?"

"Oh, darling, I have no intention of ever leaving you again." Valdo said with a grin and then he started pushing Jaskier towards the bed. 

"You're gonna need to do a lot more than that to make it up to me, you know." Jaskier said just as he was pushed down on the bed and knowing what seemed to be in store for him it was hard to stay angry.

"And I know just how to start."

------

Taglist (let me know if you want on/off it): @luteandsword @dancingwiththefae

[hannibard]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[valdomarx]

"Valdo." Jaskier's eyes narrow and his mouth twists with distaste.

"Julian, darling."

Valdo takes Jaskier's hand and presses a kiss to it, as noxious and oily as ever.

"I see you're still," Jaskier purses his lips, "plying your dubious wares for the gentry. How is life as the continent's second best bard? It must be lonely, with only your knock-off lute for company."

"It's called a cittern, you ignorant slut."

"Oh? I thought it was a gittern."

"Do you see a plectrum in my hand??? No??? That's because it's not a fucking gittern. Honestly, how you ever passed the music courses at Oxenfurt is a mystery to me."

"I fucked the professor."

"Of course you did! As I said, ignorant. And a slut."

Jaskier tries hard not to smile, but winding Valdo up is just too much fun.

"It's nice to see you making an effort though." Jaskier pats the forearm of Valdo's doublet. "Gold embellishments are so last year, but we can't expect the latest fashions to have spread all the way to Cidaris in just twelve months, can we?"

"At least I have my doublet buttoned," Valdo explodes. "Not undone to the waist for all to see! Honestly, Julian, I can see your clavicles."

Jaskier waggles his eyebrows. "Then the outfit is working just as I intended."

"You're disgusting."

"You're repellent."

"Your so-called music is an abomination."

"I can't even in good conscience call what you make music."

"You repulse me."

"Darling." Jaskier's laugh rings out across the ballroom. "Meet you in the bedroom upstairs after the ball?"

"Oh, fuck you." Valdo puffs up, then deflates. "And fuck yes."

[thedemonofcat]

For a long time, Geralt didn't quite get Jaskier's hatred for Valdo Marx. See, Geralt had always known Jaskier to be rather dramatic, and he just assumed Jaskier was overreacting.

Then Geralt meets Valdo, and he knows why Jaskier hates him now.

Upon meeting up with Jaskier later on. All Geralt can say is

“Understand why you wanted to kill him.”

[headcanonthings]

Yennfer: Jaskier is so annoying.

Geralt: He is loud, irresponsible, and too carefree.

Valdo: Oh, I agree. I don't like him either.

Geralt and Yennefer: … How dare you!

[flowercrown-bard]

#2 for the pining prompt, any pairing you like!

Thank you!

2. Quickly sewing back the loose button of their shirt that came off at the last minute, realising that you two are extremely close.

I'm going with Valdo Marx/Jaskier for this one (@flosimo @d-andilion you might be interested?)

"You look ridiculous," Jaskier said as he tugged on the open collar of his rival's shirt - his rival, who for now unfortunately was supposed to be his duet partner. Damn the Duchess and the vagueness of her request that Jaskier should play a set with an up and coming flutist. And damn Jaskier's lack of foresight. Of course this mystery flutist turned out to be Valdo Marx. It was just Jaskier's luck. 

Marx batted his hands away and straightened his collar, attempting and failing to conceal the empty space where a button had just popped off. It only made it stand out more. 

"Stop that," he hissed, disgruntled. "It's not my fault the Duchess gave me this doublet without asking for my measurements first."

Jaskier opened his mouth to make a quip about Valdo's measurements, but no sound left his lips. Unvoluntarily, his eyes drifted from Valdo's face to his exposed collar bone and then lower. Valdo had filled out nicely since they had last seen each other. He looked softer than he had back then. Healthier. Like being held by him would feel lovely. Clearly, life at court had treated Valdo kindly. Jaskier still remembered how haggard he had been back at the academy, unable to eat more than strictly necessary, whenever he got stressed. Valdo must have spent these past years with a mind resting at ease at the prospect of a secure future. 

Without wanting to, Jaskier wondered what it would be like, if he just stayed here at this court with Valdo. If he too would find security and happiness in this life. 

Happiness looked good on Valdo. As did the open collar. 

Jaskier cleared his throat and closed the space between them again. 

"I will very much not stop it," he shot back belatedly. "I refuse to perform with someone looking so… so…" beautiful, his treacherous mind supplied and his heart stumbled, "disheveled. Scandalous. You look like you just stumbled out of someone's bed."

Alright, it was just about time that Jaskier stopped rambling before he lost all control over his words. Even more importantly, he had to put a stop to his thoughts that were running wild, imagining what Valdo would be like being with Valdo now. If it would resemble the tension filled trysts of their youth or if it would be something softer. 

He frowned, when Valdo snorted.

"You'd know about looking scandalous," Valdo said. "Your collar is opened wider than mine."

"Yes, but for me it's a choice." Jaskier narrowed his eyes at the buttonhole. Then he let go of Valdo's collar and turned towards his packs. "I can't have you looking like that. It would distract from me."

Behind him, Valdo muttered something that Jaskier couldn't understand. Years ago, Jaskier would have assumed it was some cutting remark about his looks or a taunt about his out of tune singing being distracting enough, but Valdo's voice lacked any bite.

Finally finding the thread and needle Jaskier had been looking for, he turned back. 

"What -" Valdo began and took a step away from Jaskier, who strode forward with a needle at the ready and a determined frown on his brow. Valdo broke off, when Jaskier grabbed his collar once more. "Oh."

Valdo stiffened, standing still as a marble statue, as Jaskier began to sow the button back on. 

From this close, Jaskier could see his throat bobbing nervously. 

"You - have learned some useful skills out there after all," Valdo said, clearly attempting to give his voice the sneer of a backhanded compliment, but it fell flat. After a pause, he added more quietly, "Thank you." 

"Don't mention it," Jaskier said. Because if Valdo thanked him again or kept using that soft tone on him, Jaskier would not be able to get his heart back under control in time for their performance. He could not afford messing up in front of the Duchess. And as much as he wad loathe to admit it, he liked the idea of failing in front of Valdo even less. 

He smoothed over Valdo's collar, letting his touch linger a little more than necessary. The embroidery of the fabric felt pleasant beneath his fingertips, but he itched to pull it aside and run his hands over the smooth chest beneath instead. 

Tearing his eyes away, he looked up - and straight at Valdo's lips. 

Had he been this close the entire time? 

"Jaskier…" 

Valdo's tongue darted out to wet his lips. Jaskier couldn't tear his eyes away. He felt himself drifting closer, closer -

With a bang, the door flew open and the two bards flew apart. With a frantically beating heart, Jaskier looked to the door, where a page gave them a decidedly unimpressed look. 

"My lady sent me to fetch you," she said. "Your performance is supposed to start any minute." 

"Of course," Valdo said smoothly. Jaskier simply nodded his assent, not trusting his voice to come out even have as controlled. 

He stole a glance at Valdo, who's cheeks were dusted with red. 

"Shall we?" Valdo asked and held his hand out for Jaskier, who stared at it. "Time for you to show me what else you learned in the time we were apart."

"Oh I learned some interesting things, alright," Jaskier said with a suggestive smirk. 

As he placed his hand in his duet partner's outstretched hand, he thought to himself, most importantly I learned that I might have been wrong about you after all. 

[aenkamelie]

Things that definitely happened after Jaskier's breakup with Geralt:

- Jaskier spent the whole time drinking the undrinkable to forget Geralt.

- Even Valdo felt hatred for Geralt since he was the only one who could make Jaskier feel miserable.

-Essi and Prisicila, even Valdo, took Jaskier to see strippers to take away his sadness.

-Unfortunately one of them looked a bit like Geralt and Jaskier burst into tears.

-The strippers had to console Jaskier as they felt sorry for him and had a small panic attack as nobody had ever cried in that place.

[darkverrmin]

Days are Gone, chapter 30

***

“Why are you doing all this?" Valdo asked. "I mean, helping me so much.”

Geralt replied without thinking “Because I love Jaskier, and I know how much he cares about you.”

When Valdo didn’t say anything for a few seconds, Geralt turned his head to look at him and found the other man smiling at him.

“Love, huh?” Valdo grinned, tilting his head to the side. “Planning to tell him that anytime soon?”

 Oh, shit. “How do you know-“

 “Cause if you would tell him, I’d already hear all about it.”

“...You would?”

Valdo rolled his eyes, as if Geralt was asking him something that was clearly obvious. “He talks about you a lot, you know. Geralt this, Geralt that, all the time.”

 Geralt failed to suppress a smile. “Hmm.”

 "Jask would probably hang me for saying this, but the poor bastard’s probably been in love with you since the first week you two started dating.”

“No, he wasn’t.” Geralt replied. Though I’d really wish you were right.

***

Continue reading:

[kueble]

Trick or Treat?

Written for the @witchertrickortreat prompt: Silence. I simply had to gag Jaskier lol.

Explicit. Warnings: Face slapping (briefly), Dom/sub, rough oral sex, dirty talk, gags.1,800 words.

Valskier

---

Jaskier looks good on his knees.

His palms are flat against his bent thighs, fingertips going white as he digs them into his skin.  Valdo takes his time, clicking his tongue thoughtfully as he walks around his boy, taking him in from every angle.  He can't believe he used to hate how fucking pretty Jaskier is, but apparently jealousy is a good cover for unbridled desire.

Valdo bends down, getting to eye level, and loves the way Jaskier has to physically drag his head up to meet his gaze.  He's dropping already, and Valdo loves the level of trust they've managed to achieve.  He reaches out to run a finger down the curve of Jaskier's jaw before using it to tilt his chin up even further.  "Trick or treat?" he asks briskly.

And Jaskier, the fucking brat that he is, gathers himself together enough to smirk and ask, "What if I want both?"

Valdo pulls back his hand, opening his palm before slapping Jaskier sharply on the cheek.  He moans at the contact, his eyes going unfocused while Valdo sneers down at him.  "Well the trick for you is a treat for me, so you're getting both I suppose.  However, before we get to that, I think you need a little reminder about not being so mouthy, hmm?"

Wrapping a hand around his dick, Valdo strokes himself a few times, reveling in the way Jaskier's eyes follow his movements.  He rubs a thumb over the slit, spreading pre-come, and then moves his other hand to the back of Jaskier's head.  A sharp tug has him gasping, his mouth falling open, and Valdo wastes no time filling that open space with the head of his cock.

"That's it, gagging for it already," Valdo spits out, and Jaskier just moans louder, his jaw going slack so Valdo can use him however he wants.  He slams his hips, burying himself to the root, and Jaskier's eyes water so prettily.  He's always stupidly gorgeous, but running eyeliner makes his eyes so fucking blue that it tugs at something deep inside Valdo's chest.  He starts fucking his mouth, not trying to get off, just punishing Jaskier for his earlier sass.  "So pretty for me when your makeup runs," he whispers before trailing his thumb through the mess at the corner of Jaskier's eye.

Jaskier looks up at him, smiling with his eyes, and Valdo can almost feel how much he desires to be good for him.  Fuck, he loves this.  He slams his hips hard, making Jaskier choke one last time, before pulling back and rubbing the head of his cock across Jaskier's tongue.  "As much as I'd love to come down your throat tonight, I have better things in mind."

He leaves Jaskier on his knees next to the bed and slowly walks over to their dresser.  There's a small black box that he knows Jaskier has been eyeing up all night, and he grabs it before returning to his lover.  "Here's your trick and my treat," he says calmly before handing it over.  

Jaskier makes quick work of opening the box, gasping softly when he spots the bright orange ball gag.  He giggles, but otherwise manages to stay silent, so Valdo doesn't chastise him, just takes hold of the black straps on the gag and holds it up in front of him.  The glowing face of the little jack-o-lantern grins up at him, and he wonders if this is perhaps too silly.

But one look at Jaskier's bright and eager face makes him realize how much fun this will be.  He sets the pumpkin inside Jaskier's mouth and fastens the black straps around his head.  Tugging gently, he tests the fit and finds it perfectly snug.  He steps back and looks at his work, loving the way Jaskier's lips are already straining around the gag.  

"Show me how you safe-word like this," he asks, and Jaskier reaches out to tap Valdo's leg three times in quick succession.  "Good boy.  Now prep yourself while I watch," he says, holding up a hand palm out when Jaskier starts to whine around the gag.  "You're being punished, remember?  Bratty boys don't get my fingers.  Maybe you can try again tomorrow."  Jaskier sighs, and Valdo knows he would be pouting if he could.

Valdo climbs onto the bed and gestures for Jaskier to join him.  Settling back against the headboard, he gets comfortable before tossing the lube down to Jaskier.  "Show me how much you want my cock, how good you can open yourself up for me," he orders, and Jaskier whimpers around the gag before dribbling lube on his fingers.  He looks out of it, shaken up but in a fun way, and Valdo revels in how unsteady he moves into position with his ass in the air and his shoulders against the bed.

He wraps a loose hand around himself, just lazily stroking while he watches Jaskier get to work.  Jaskier circles his hole with slick fingers, whining against the bed as he teases himself.  It's quite a show, and Valdo loses time watching him open himself up, those talented fingers making quick work of it.  Before long Jaskier is a mess, whimpering around the gag while he fucks himself on his own fingers.

He's so fucking gorgeous it hurts sometimes, and Valdo can't wait to push him to his limits.

"You good?" he asks, knowing damn well Jaskier can't answer him.  Instead, he gets a half-assed glare over Jaskier's shoulder, but there's not much heat in it.  He's half gone already, eyes dark and pupils blown wide as he struggles to hold himself up.  He gives a shaky nod, and Valdo takes pity on him.  "Ok, take what you want," he orders, chuckling softly when Jaskier scrambles to get in his lap.

He can tell how far down Jaskier is by the slow, languid way his limbs move, like he's moving underwater.  Valdo threads his fingers through his hair before leaning in to kiss him soft and sweetly on the cheek, doing his best to ground him.  Jaskier's eyes blink closed and he sighs around the gag.  Valdo takes a moment to rest their foreheads together before slapping Jaskier sharply on the ass.  "I'm not gonna fuck myself," he drawls out, and he Jaskier rolls his eyes before rising up on his knees.

Jaskier looks wrecked already, so Valdo helps, holding his own cock by the base as Jaskier slides down on it.  The first press into his tight heat is always overwhelming, and Valdo holds in a groan as Jaskier slowly sinks down on him.  He feels incredible, and after all the teasing, he knows neither of them will last long.  He could be nice and take over, but why do that?  Instead, Valdo leans back against the headboard and offers a feral smirk while Jaskier does his best to fuck himself.

His boy looks so good like this, frustrated with tears in his eyes and flushed cheeks.  He can't help reaching out and pinching Jaskier's nipples, tugging lightly and making his hips stutter.  He twists one roughly, and that's all Jaskier can handle.  He cries out the best he can with his mouth stuffed full, eyes slamming shut and his head falling to Valdo's shoulder.  His chest shakes with a broken sob, and Valdo palms the back of his neck to ground him.

"Shh, you're doing so well for me," he whispers, and Jaskier trembles at the praise.  He manages to pull back, sitting upright again, and Valdo knows he'd be beaming if not for the gag.  Jaskier always flourishes under praise.  "So fucking good for me," he adds, just to see his cheeks flush darken.  "Need me to take over now?  Too worked up to do it yourself?" he asks, and Jaskier nods frantically, unshed tears shimmering in the dim light of their bedroom.

Planting his feet on the bed, Valdo braces himself and starts to fuck up into Jaskier.  He’s wet, absolutely dripping with lube and pre-come, and Valdo easily slides in and out of him.  It’s easy to hold him up when he’s so far gone like this, bouncing like a rag-doll as Valdo slams up into him.  They’re both half-gone already, always are when they play like this.

His boy is so fucking good for him that Valdo could cry over it, but it’s even sweeter when he makes Jaskier cry instead.

There’s no finesse, just raw fucking as they rock together.  Valdo does his best to hold it together, but he’s on edge, too.  Jaskier lets out a small whine with each thrust, and the sound eggs him on.  Each buck of his hips is less coordinated than the last, but somehow he manages to keep control, even as he feels his orgasm building at the base of his spine.  Valdo clings to Jaskier’s hips and drives up into him, taking a moment to look at his lover.

Jaskier looks absolutely wrecked, and Valdo knows he is close.  He tucks a couple fingers under the strap of the gag and tilts his head, forcing their eyes to meet.  “Don’t you dare come before I do,” he warns, and Jaskier does his best to nod while being held still.  His eyes are bright and full of unshed tears, and Valdo can tell he’s nearing his limit.  He speeds up his thrusts, dropping his hand to grip at Jaskier’s hips so hard they’ll bruise.

It won’t take much for him to get there either, and Valdo bites down on his lower lip as he fucks up into the vice-like heat of Jaskier’s body. He watches with wide eyes as spit gathers at the edges of the pumpkin gag, pooling even as Jaskier whines around it.  Then a thick line of drool falls from the corner of Jaskier’s mouth and lands right on his leaking cock.

And that’s all it takes, Valdo comes with a shout, bucking up as he spills inside Jaskier’s eager body.  He pumps him full, barely noticing when Jaskier comes with him, shooting off between their chests and coating them both with his spend.  He’s trembling, clinging to Valdo as they work through their orgasms, and Valdo fucks him through it, cooing praise against his neck as he milks him dry.

The first thing he does is undo the straps on the gag, freeing Jaskier’s mouth.   Then they sit there, wrapped up in each other, and Valdo runs his hands up and down Jaskier’s sweat-slicked back, soothing him until he comes back to himself.  Only then does Valdo slip out of him, pressing a lingering kiss to his neck when Jaskier whines at the loss.  “I’ve got you,” he whispers, and Jaskier nods, still holding him tightly.  Soon he’ll move them, draw a nice warm bath and take care of his boy, but he knows enough to tell Jaskier needs a little more time to settle down.

Valdo always takes good care of his boy.

---

NSFW tags: @tothedesert @mayastormborn @allinthebones @selectivegeekwithstandards @trickstermoose67 @dapandapod @theweirdlynx @tedrakitty @sharinalein @iamaqt314 @silvermintnightprincess @honeysuckletook @rockysstupidity @live-long-and-trek-on @larawrmonster @thesynysterunknown @rebard-main @gryffinqueen-blog @fangirleaconmigo @mothmanismyuncle @fontegagrilledcheese @thestarkwinter @lokibus @geraltrogerericduhautebellegarde @221birl1823 @strippiluolamies @concussed-dragon @aurelia-which-means-sunrise @clarebear66 @feral-jaskier @hayleynzlive @answrs @jaskierswolf @holymotherwolf @thisislisa    @firefly-party @officerjennie @theshapeofcool @singerin @flawney

Let me know if you’d like to be added/removed.  Thank you!

[moonlightpirate]

That Unwanted Animal

Okay anon and @tastyfiddle here it is! Jaskier is red riding hood off to visit his grandmother who is sick in bed! Geralt is the hunter who warns him about a dangerous wolf in the woods. Can Jaskier avoid the wolf? If not can Geralt save him? Ao3 link here masterlist for other fics featuring jaskier and Joey here

"Now Jaskier, your grandmother is stuck in her cottage in the woods and is very sick. I need you to take these food items to her please." Jaskiers mother said.

"Why do I gotta do it mom? The woods are a scary place! Can't dad do it?" Jaskier groaned.

"You're going in the daylight you will be fine. Just make sure to wear your red cape and….?".

"Don't stray from the path I know." Jaskier sighed in defeat. 

"Good boy. Now off you go your grandmother is probably starving.". 

She tied the cape around his neck and handed him a basket of food before gently pushing him out the door and planting a kiss on his cheek. It was late afternoon when Jaskier reached the edge of the wood and the path to his grandmother's house. He shuddered as he heard a wolf cry. 

"Sure it's daylight, I'll be safe….. or not. Why must grandma live deep in the woods?" Jaskier sighed as he slowly made his way into the woods. 

He hadn't gotten far when a tall strong looking handsome man with hair white as snow crossed his path.

"Have you seen a wolf sir?" The man asked.

"Hello, uh no I haven't yet. Is there one here?" Jaskier stuttered.

"Well it is the woods they usually are filled with wolves. But yes this particular one has been avoiding me for some time now.So be careful with wherever it is you're going.". 

"Well um I'm going to my grandmother's house in the woods and if there is a scary wolf creature out there it would be nice to have a very strong hunter nearby!". 

"Yes, I'm sure it would be beneficial." The man said, turning away. 

Jaskier looked at the path he was supposed to be following and then looked back up at the strange man who was walking away from the path deep into the woods. The urge to follow him was strong; he seemed like he would be a safe man to follow. He sighed and continued on the path. As he walked he would occasionally sneak a few bites of food from the basket his mother had made up for his grandmother. 

"Hello handsome. What brings you so deep into these woods?" A rough male voice said. 

Jaskier looked around nervously, "who is there?". 

A tall man with short dark hair sauntered out from the woods, "Names Valdo Marx. Pleasure to meet you.". 

Jaskier gasped as he noticed the wolf's ears and the long tail. 

"You're ……you're …..you're a wolf!" Jaskier stammered backing up against a nearby tree.

Valdo let out a low growl, "It's fine I'm not dangerous I promise handsome. So what brings you into these woods?". 

"I'm really not supposed to talk to strangers so I'm just going to be on my way." Jaskier said slowly backing away from the wolf and putting his hood over his head.

"It's such a beautiful day though why waste it. Is that a lute I see on your back? Do you sing? I'm something of a singer myself. Let me hear something of yours.". 

"Normally I would but I really need to go see my grandmother because she is very ill. So maybe another time.".

"Oh the poor woman! How about you pick some flowers? I'm sure she would love them! I will guess she's in that house deep in the woods?" Valdo smirked. 

"She does like flowers, perhaps I should." Jaskier said, wandering off the path and beginning to gather flowers. 

"Excellent.", Valdo whispered to himself as he turned and strutted off into the woods, "first those crisp old bones and then something juicy and meaty. I'll be eating well today!".

****************

Geralt had been hunting this Valdo Marx wolf for weeks now. The old lady had complained about him harassing her and had hired him to kill the wolf. If she was the sick grandmother that man told him about earlier then he knew she probably wasn't safe. He slowly made his way towards her house making sure to be aware in case the wolf were to attack him. As he got closer to the cottage he noticed the door was open and could hear shouting. Quickly Geralt ran towards the cottage. The wolf had the woman and the man he met in the woods earlier backed against the wall.

"Oi wolf get away from them." Geralt shouted.

Valdo turned around with a blood thirsty look on his face and a grin that would send a shiver down any normal person's spine. Geralt grinned right back at him.

"Guess I'll be eating real good tonight. Once I'm done with you I'll finish off the old lady and that wimp." Valdo sneered.

Geralt looked up at them behind Valdo, "Get her out of here." He yelled at the strange man. 

"Oh I don't think so. You're all mine." Valdo chuckled.

Jaskier put a hand on his grandma and knew the hunter was right he needed to get his grandmother out of here and fast. But he wasn't sure how serious this Valdo was about them not leaving. He waited and watched until the hunter had distracted the wolf again before he and his grandmother made their way through the kitchen towards the other exit. 

"What's the rush?" Valdo growled, rushing in on all fours and blocking the door, "I told you that you aren't leaving."  

"And I told you that you aren't hurting anyone here." Geralt shouted storming in. 

Without a second thought Jaskier pulled his grandma under the table. He cowered afraid to even try to watch the battle happening. Out of nowhere a clawed hand reached under the table and dragged him out. Valdo was smiling down at him. Before Jaskier could even scream the hunter grabbed the wolf and stabbed him. Valdo went limp as the hunter removed the sword from his body. Jaskier helped his grandmother out from under the table before standing up and facing the hunter. 

"Oh thank you! You have saved me!" Jaskier exclaimed. 

"Thank you Geralt I knew you could get him. Anyway you can get rid of the body as well?" Grandmother said 

Geralt cocked an eyebrow and held out his hand. After receiving his payment he made his way out of the cottage with the body of Valdo Marx on his shoulder. 

"Oh wow grandma that was insane! How are you feeling?! I set food in the living room for you! Who was that man?". 

"Jaskier, I appreciate the food and everything you have done today. Tell your mother I'm feeling better and she doesn't need to send more food. Now go chase after that hunter he needs some comoany. His name is Geralt."  

"Thank you grandmother!" Jaskier gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek before he ran out the door and immediately began searching for the man. He reached the edge of the woods with no sign of him and sighed, "Oh I wish I could truly thank you sir. Perhaps a ballad of your heroic acts today will be thanks enough.".

Jaskier spent the rest of the walk home strumming on his lute trying to come up with a song fitting for his savior. 

[d-andilion]

mornings

another prompt for @whataboutthebard!

prompt: wuv - bundled up

(valskier, T/M, modern au, established relationship, fluff, mild horniness, playing it a little loose with the prompt today, 1.2k, read on ao3)

Mornings have never really been Jaskier’s forte. Back at Oxenfurt, he wouldn’t be caught dead in a class that started before 11:00 AM, and he’s still the university’s unofficial reigning all-nighter champion. The real world blasphemously required him to be up at a “reasonable” time most days, so he tried to keep weekend plans to afternoon hours where they belonged. He wasn’t sure which of his friends suggested they all go for an early breakfast on a Saturday, but whoever it was was getting a stern talking to.

The very naked boyfriend Jaskier found sprawled out between him and the alarm clock was the only reason the squealing device didn’t wind up smashed against a wall. That, and the way the sheets rucked up to expose Valdo’s thigh as he reached for the clock sucked every single thought, destructive or otherwise, out of Jaskier’s head. A few sleepy smiles later, Jaskier found himself bundled up in a mess of blankets and limbs, tracing paths over that pale skin with his mouth.

Then Valdo slipped his long fingers into Jaskier’s hair, flashed him a sly smile, and uttered fighting words: “I can’t decide if your obsession with my legs is cute or creepy.”

Jaskier tore his lips away from Valdo’s thigh with a squawk. “I am not obsessed with them!”

“Don’t whine,” said Valdo, seemingly unphased by his baseless accusations. “I said it might be cute. In fact, I’m almost sure it is. At least fifty percent cute.”

“I’m not obsessed.” He wasn’t. “I pay acceptable and completely understandable homage to a lovely pair of appendages that just so happen to be connected to your torso.”

Valdo wrinkled his nose. “Appendages? Not sexy, Julian.”

“I’m not trying to be sexy, I’m defending my honor!”

It might be true that Jaskier tended to give Valdo’s legs a little extra attention, but to call him obsessed was overstating things. So what if he never missed an opportunity to lavish Valdo’s thighs with kisses? Valdo enjoyed that every bit as much as Jaskier did; Jaskier could catch Valdo running his fingers over the marks left behind days later. And if Jaskier’s brain short-circuited every time Valdo’s legs wrapped around his waist, how could he possibly be blamed? It wasn’t his fault Valdo was an insatiable minx, was it?

Valdo chuckled at him. Chuckled. “You’re allowed to be obsessed with me, love. I would have preferred it be for my eyes or something, but this works too.”

Jaskier definitely was obsessed with Valdo’s gorgeous brown eyes, but that was a conversation for a later date. “You know what?” Jaskier said, crawling up over his boyfriend with a hand planted on either side of Valdo’s head. “it’s your fault I’m obsessed with them.”

“So you admit it?”

“Shut up.”

Valdo giggled up at him and, in full service of the completely valid point Jaskier was about to make, wrapped his legs firmly around Jaskier’s waist. If Jaskier briefly—briefly!—forgot what he was about to say, no one would ever be able to prove it.

“It’s your fault,” Jaskier continued, “because they’re a mile long each, unreasonably muscular for someone who does no physical labor—”

“I run!” Valdo cried, swatting Jaskier’s arm.

Jaskier plowed on. “And the first thing you do when I’m within range is entrap me in them! What was I supposed to do?”

“Whatever you need to tell yourself, dear one.” Valdo’s tone was smug with victory, but his pale cheeks had gone pink.

Jaskier dipped down for a kiss that became two and three, and he lost interest in counting after that. Valdo licked into his mouth. His arms wound around Jaskier’s neck, pulling him down to press Valdo into the mattress. Then the little tease turned his head with a grin and let Jaskier’s next kiss fall messily onto his cheek.

“We have to get up,” said Valdo breathlessly. Jaskier ducked to kiss his neck, featherlight.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Breakfast with our friends, recall?”

Jaskier sighed mightily and let his full weight crush his boyfriend for a moment in revenge, earning him a groan and a pinch to his shoulder. “Fine,” he grumbled. Valdo detangled himself to let Jaskier roll off and out of bed.

“Can I borrow something?” asked Jaskier, making a B-line for the chair in the corner of Valdo’s bedroom piled high with clean but unfolded laundry.

“If you must,” said Valdo, sounding very put-upon.

“Shut up,” Jaskier replied throwing a grin over his shoulder. Valdo’s eyes were notably watching his ass, as they often did whenever Jaskier turned around, but of course they weren’t going to talk about that little obsession. “I know you love me wearing your clothes.”

Valdo sniffed pompously. “I will neither confirm nor deny that.”

Jaskier laughed and continued to dig around in the pile for something to wear. He knew he’d left a few shirts here and at least one pair of jeans, but they were all mysteriously absent. There was no point checking the closet. Valdo only bothered to put away his nice clothes; all the others were either in the chair or in the dirty hamper.

“You could leave things here if you wanted,” said Valdo from the bed. His tone had changed but Jaskier couldn’t quite pin it down. More serious, maybe? Jaskier couldn’t think what about.

“I leave plenty of things here,” Jaskier replied without turning around. “You just never wash them.”

“I’m your boyfriend, not a laundry service.”

Jaskier snorted. “I think it’s reasonable to expect you to wash my clothes if you’re the one wearing them.”

“I do not do that.”

“You absolutely do.”

“Irrelevant.” Valdo sighed heavily and Jaskier heard the blankets rustling. “Anyway, that’s not what I mean.”

“Oh?”

There was a short pause. “You could leave more things here. Like… the rest of your wardrobe. Maybe.”

Jaskier’s brow furrowed for a moment. Why would he leave all his clothes here? That didn’t even make sense. Then the realization hit him and he spun around so quickly, he almost toppled over, stark naked with one of Valdo’s hoodies in hand.

Valdo looked a bit like he was trying to hide, at least as much as someone of his height was capable of hiding in an otherwise empty bed. He’d sat up against the headboard, knees brought up to his chest and the duvet pulled over his shoulders. A head of disastrously messy curls atop a pile of blankets. It was adorable. Jaskier dropped the hoodie he was holding and sat down on the side of the bed.

“Are you asking me to move in with you?” Jaskier asked. His heart hammered away in his chest. Jaskier was pretty sure he knew what was going on, but he wanted to be sure. He wanted Valdo to say yes. Because then Jaskier could say yes.

“Depends,” Valdo muttered. The covers shifted over his knees like he was fidgeting. Valdo rarely fidgeted.

“On what?”

“On your answer.”

Jaskier smiled so wide, his cheeks ached. He grabbed Valdo’s face with both hands and kissed him with a comically loud smack. “Yes!”

Valdo let out a bark of nervous laughter that turned real and warm, especially when Jaskier yanked him down onto the bed by his ankles and climbed back on top of him, kissing every inch of skin available.

“What about breakfast?” asked Valdo, but the intention behind it was weak. His legs were already back around Jaskier’s waist, and he made no move to let go.

Jaskier kissed the side of Valdo’s neck and the point of his jaw and the apple of his cheek. “We were going to be late anyway.”

Mornings were still terrible, Jaskier wanted that on record. But maybe they wouldn’t be as terrible if they all started out like this.

~~

w.a.t.b. masterlist

[askaalaska-vdeppressed]

[whereismymonsterlover]

Does anyone have any good Jaskie X Valdo fics you could recommend that don't have rape, sexual assault or emotional manipulation? Thank you.

[endiness]

If anyone is interested, here are all of the spoilers and rumors so far about Radovid and Jaskier x Radovid and just everything relating to that. And also book!Radovid.

"Royal playboy and younger brother to King Vizimir, Radovid finds himself suddenly a man on the inside of the Redanian Intelligence. With his good looks and drunken charm, Radovid amazes with how incisive he can be in political affairs, but it’s all games until someone gets hurt."

Source: https://twitter.com/witchernetflix/status/1514605669667663872

~

Source: https://twitter.com/RedanianIntel/status/1669074435586834433

~

Episode 1: “Shaerrawedd” Meanwhile at the Redanian court, our bard Jaskier is involved in political plots and schemes, which leads him to his fateful meeting with Prince Radovid of Redania.

Episode 2: “Unbound” Back at the Redanian court, there’s still plotting, scheming and the development of Jaskier’s romance with Prince Radovid. The bard even sings a song to the prince.

Source: https://redanianintelligence.com/2023/06/15/spoilers-the-witcher-season-3-vol-1-episode-guide/

~

Transcript of Radovid's audition scene with Jaskier:

Jaskier: It’s been years since I’ve seen the princess. Also, ……. If I could help… Radovid: It’s nice, but nothing like you chose. What I wouldn’t give to hear you play halfway as … on that one. Jaskier: Oh, a fan? And someone who understands true artistry? How the instrument and the artist can elevate each other. Radovid: Yes, two things of beauty, made to be together. Jaskier: Precisely! Radovid: So here’s a thought: this poor princess has enemies everywhere and truth be told our kingdom’s not a bad place. It’s cold in winter and humid in summer. The cuisine, however, spectacular. And my brother’s not bad as far as my likes are concerned. Redania may not be perfect, but it’s her least bad option. And if you came to Redania, you could be our royal troubadour. Otherwise we might have to listen to that reedy voice of Valdo Marx. Just think about it, would you? Jaskier: I would. Radovid: We should be going. [Suggestive] Unless you’d like to show me how you play your instrument.

* Note: I've changed the names to reflect the proper characters/locations.

Source: https://redanianintelligence.com/2021/12/02/the-witcher-season-3-audition-tape-suggests-more-political-intrigue-involving-jaskier/

~

We know that this [audition] scene or a very close version of it made it into the show and that there are more moments of flirtation and chemistry between Radovid and Jaskier later on. The two men develop a romantic relationship over the course of the season. And later, Jaskier and Radovid finally kiss.

Source: https://redanianintelligence.com/2023/05/24/yes-what-many-thought-about-the-witcher-jaskier-is-true/

~

“Jaskier falls in love,” Schmidt Hissrich reveals. “And it’s with a character who fans will know [and] continues showing up in the books. So what happens this season between them will have ripple effects for a very long time.”

Batey relished digging into Jaskier’s new love story. “He’s having his hot girl summer,” Batey jokes. “It’s been really rewarding to see [his love life] told in a very visual way. [We] ensured that these romances are told truthfully — and sensitively and carefully, without resorting to stereotypes… Hopefully we’ve created something that is special, a sapioromantic and sapiosexual [connection] that is as flawed as any other relationship in this show.”

One other element in Jaskier’s life may just complicate his newfound love. As he’s “falling into an uncle role” for Ciri alongside parental figures Geralt and Yennefer, Jaskier is also pulled into the political machinations of the Continent.  

“He’s certainly a man of many trades, but I’m not sure he’s inherently built to be a spy,” Batey says. “Yet he’s found himself in a time of war, in turmoil, and is trying to do his best to do something good.”

Source: https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/witcher-season-3-henry-cavill-interview

~

Joey Batey finally verified that his poet will indeed end up in a romantic entanglement with the new character. "Showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich came to me long before we even saw some scripts and said, 'This is the direction we'd like to take Jaskier,'" Batey told SFX, calling the romance subplot "a more modern interpretation of the books." In a previous interview with Netflix's Tudum, Batey declared season 3 Jaskier's "hot girl summer," calling the romance "sapioromantic" (a term that refers to falling for someone's intellect regardless of gender) without actually citing the love interest character by name.

Speaking to SFX, Batey explained that he doesn't "think Jaskier really sees gender," but also implied that meeting Radovid throws the character for a loop from their very first encounter. "We see Radovid arriving," Batey said, and, "for the first time in a while, Jaskier can't work him out. That to him is the most intriguing prospect." He describes a moment of recognition between the pair: "You wear just as much of a mask as I do. I want to see who is going to lower their mask first."

Hissrich also spoke with the outlet, and explained that Jaskier's relationship with Radovid will be completely different than his connection with a character video game players will know, Vespula. "When we started in the writers' room this season, we had a question about Jaskier that was really fun to explore: Who is Jaskier when he is on his own, away from Geralt, Yen and Ciri?" Hissrich asked. "What that brought us to is Jaskier's first really serious relationship."

Hissrich continued: "We introduced a character from the books, Vespula — Jaskier's on-again-off-again lover, but then we used that dynamic to provide a contrast to what happens when Jaskier actually starts to have deeper feelings toward someone." That someone seems poised to be Radovid.

"My priority was ensuring it was done in a sensitive, caring way that avoided all kinds of stereotypes," he told SFX. "I was heavily involved in some of the script revisions in order to ensure a very safe, sexual, romantic connection with this person."

Source: https://www.slashfilm.com/1309204/the-witcher-joey-batey-confirms-jaskiers-romance-season-3/

~

Jaskier will be singing tunes here and there throughout the season. One of his sad love songs he will be singing to none other than his new love interest, Prince Radovid of Redania.

Source: https://redanianintelligence.com/2023/06/12/jaskier-song-lover-radovid-and-other-tunes-in-the-witcher-season-3/

~

Mentions of Radovid in the books:

Prince Radovid was a minor, Queen Hedwig had been devastated by the tragic death of her husband - the aristocracy, terrified, had become stupid, and was disunited and divided into factions.

— Baptism of Fire

“I know [Calante] had wedding plans for Ciri, to join her with young Tancred Thyssen of Kovir or perhaps to the Redanian prince, Radovid, I don’t know exactly.”

— The Tower of Swallows

'Long live His Holiness!' A few voices came from the crowd, obviously bribes. Novigrad's hierarch Cyrus Englekind Hemmelfart rose and blessed the people and the army with his outstretched hands, while irreverently covering Queen Hedwig and young Radovid with the skirts of his robe.

Nobody shouts, "Long live Radovid", thought the prince covered by the hierarch's fat ass. No one even looks at me. No one is screaming in honour of my mother. No one remembers my poor father. Even today, at a day of triumph, which he so richly deserved. After all, that's why he was murdered.

He felt a gaze on his neck. Delicate like someone he did not know - or knew, but only in his dreams. Something that was soft like a brush of a woman's warm lips. He turned his head. He discovered the dark unfathomable eyes of Philippa Eilhart fixed on him.

Wait, thought the prince, looking away. Just wait.

No one could predict or guess then that this boy of thirteen years, which at that time was a person without any relevance in a country ruled by the Regency Council and by Dijkstra, would become king. A king who, after he paid all the insults that had been given to his mother and him, would go down in history with the name Radovid the Stern.

— Lady of the Lake

[havenoffandoms]

Without Your Kisses (I’ll Be Needing Stitches)

Pairing: Geralt x Jaskier (Geraskier)

Warnings: None

Summary: 

It was probably what most people would call a peaceful evening. The sun was slowly setting behind the hills, basking their surroundings in warm hues of orange and red, giving way to an inky purple, cloudless sky. The first stars appeared on the canopy above just as the hot summer air progressively cooled with the impending evening. There was no noise, no disruption, nothing that would otherwise indicate that something was just about to disturb the peaceful silence that had settled over the Gwenllech valley.

Until-

“Son of a bitch”

Notes: Guess who’s back (back, back), back again! It’s been a long hiatus (sorry!) but hopefully this wee Geraskier drabble will make up for it :) 

It was probably what most people would call a peaceful evening. The sun was slowly setting behind the hills, basking their surroundings in warm hues of orange and red, giving way to an inky purple, cloudless sky. The first stars appeared on the canopy above just as the hot summer air progressively cooled with the impending evening. There was no noise, no disruption, nothing that would otherwise indicate that something was just about to disturb the peaceful silence that had settled over the Gwenllech valley.

Until-

“Son of a bitch,” a loud, some would say dramatic, voice shrieked unexpectedly, startling a murder of crows out of a nearby tree which took flight in a cacophony of hoarse caws and grating coos. “That fucking hurts, you brutish, brusque, uncouth bastard witcher-”

“Stay still,” Geralt snapped, his eyes shooting up to glare at his companion. “You know, I have very little sympathy for you right now.”

“Don’t remind me!” Jaskier hissed in anticipation of the pain, even though Geralt was nowhere near his injury yet. “You are showing an incredible lack of empathy considering the love of your life is on death’s doorstep.”

“You’re not dying, Jaskier. It’s just a dislocation. You will live.”

“I might die from pain if you keep tugging at it like the brute you are!” Jaskier complained in a snippy tone, eyeing his dislocated knee like it might catch fire any second. Geralt heaved a deep sigh as he tried to find the right words to placate Jaskier and convince him that the next step was crucial to his recovery.

“I need to relocate the kneecap before we immobilise the leg. If I don’t, you’ll probably have to walk with a limp or a cane for the rest of your life. Is that really what you want?”

“I can sing and compose just as well with a broken leg,” Jaskier maintained stubbornly, crossing his arms defensively over his chest. Geralt felt like strangling this ridiculous peacock of a man.

“Good luck getting off this mountain in spring with a dislocated leg. Unless you’re happy for your only audience to be Vesemir.”

“You wouldn’t leave me up here all by myself.” Annoyingly, Geralt found himself agreeing with the bard. He was all up for teaching Jaskier a lesson, but he wasn’t cruel. If Jaskier asked, Geralt would probably carry him down the mountain.

“Even if I felt so generous as to help you down this mountain, I certainly wouldn’t be spending my time taking you to various bardic competitions because you couldn’t be bothered to properly heal your leg.” That was already a few inches closer to the truth, although Jaskier really didn’t need to know just how far Geralt would go to keep him happy. “And you know what will happen if you don’t show your face at those competitions, do you?”

Jaskier scowled at Geralt, clearly in a stroppy mood, but Geralt knew that he had hit a nerve already. With a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips, Geralt delivered the final blow.

“Would you rather put up with the pain for next few weeks while your leg heals properly, or live for the rest of your life knowing that you let Valdo Marx win the prize that you have been holding for five years straight?”

“Eight years,” Jaskier corrected Geralt vehemently, a new heat to his tone that Geralt rarely got to witness from his bard… unless, of course, the topic of conversation turned to Valdo Marx. “Eight years, and he will not take that from me, the opportunistic bastard.”

“So, does that mean-”

“Yes, yes , fine!” Jaskier relented, his gaze turning pleading as he met Geralt’s eyes again, “but do be gentle with me dear, alright? I am a delicate bard, unused to the harsh lifestyle you and your brothers have come to call normal over the centuries.”

“Delicate is not the word I’d use.”

“Oh, pray tell witcher, what word would you use to describe your sweetheart?” Jaskier challenged, raising an eyebrow quizzically. “Choose your next words wisely, or you might end up sleeping on your own tonight.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” Geralt deadpanned, fighting the smile threatening to break across his face as Jaskier scoffed in affront.

“That’s it, you’re sleeping in Eskel’s room tonight! Or Lambert’s, or Vesemir’s, I don’t care. Not with me, that’s for-”

“Jaskier,” Geralt interrupted the bard, his tone turning softer and patient like it did when he tried to coax stubborn Roach into compliance, “that’s enough trying to distract me from the task at hand. The quicker I do this, the quicker you can go back to whatever it was you were trying to do before you fell down the stairs.”

“Not my fault your stairs are dangerously slippery!” Jaskier defended himself, though there was no mistaking the edge in his tone. Geralt had been in the witchering business long enough to recognise fear when he saw it.

“Jaskier…”

“Alright, alright.” Jaskier readjusted himself so his back was pressed against the wall, grimacing when the action tugged at his injured leg. Geralt nearly winced in sympathy, though he knew that showing his own discomfort would only encourage Jaskier’s panic. After taking a composing breath, Jaskier closed his eyes and declared that he was ready with all the confidence of a rock troll ice skating over thin ice.

“I’ll count down from ten,” Geralt said reassuringly, watching Jaskier tense at those words. “You need to relax, Jask, or it will hurt more.”

“Said the man whose knee is currently still in the correct socket…”

“I’ve suffered enough dislocations in my lifetime to know what I’m talking about,” Geralt retorted, if a little defensively. “Deep breaths while I count down. Ten, nine,...”

Predictably, the knowledge that he still had another eight seconds before the pain came was enough to encourage Jaskier to relax ever so slightly, which was exactly what Geralt was counting on. He knew he had to work fast if he wanted to keep Jaskier’s pain levels at a minimum (and if he could simultaneously spare his and his brother’s ears in the process, well, that would be the cherry on the cake).

“Eight,... one.”

With practised movements, Geralt extended Jaskier’s leg with his right hand, and with his left pushed the dislocated kneecap back into line with the rest of Jaskier’s limb. A sharp cry and several passionate ow, ow, you lying, conniving bastard later, Geralt managed to gently lower Jaskier’s leg to the mattress and rise from the bed to look for anything that could serve as a brace for the next few days.

“You said you were counting to ten !” Jaskier accused, still panting and wiping the rogue tears rolling down his cheeks.

“No, I said I would count down from ten. There’s a difference.”

“There’s a difference,” Jaskier mocked Geralt in a forced baritone before flipping him the bird, “here’s what I think of your apology!”

“I wasn’t apologising,” Geralt remarked casually all the while rummaging through his chest for spare knee pads that he might use to immobilise Jaskier’s leg, “I needed you to relax your leg and that wouldn’t have been the case if you knew when to expect the pain. You tensing at the wrong moment could’ve made things worse.”

“Is that so, or are you lying to me again? You know, like when you gave me ten seconds to prepare myself and then snapped by knee back into place after three seconds!” said Jaskier petulantly, earning himself a pointed eye roll.

“You’re being dramatic.”

“And you’re being a little bitch!”

“Would an apology make it all better, dear?” Geralt snarked in response, his patience slowly waning. When he looked up and met Jaskier’s hurt expression, however, something old and tired twisted in his chest. Guilt washed through him despite his better judgement at the sight of Jaskier’s pout, his wet cheeks and the arms crossed over a strong chest. With a heavy sigh, Geralt rose to his feet and walked to Jaskier’s side of the bed. Wordlessly, Geralt leaned down and pressed an apologetic kiss to Jaskier’s temple, taking a minute to nuzzle at the fine brown hair and inhale Jaskier’s familiar scent.

“Forgive me, little lark,” Geralt whispered genuinely in Jaskier’s ear, voice soft and contrite. “I didn’t mean to cause you any more pain.”

Jaskier physically deflated at the tender words, groaning under his breath as he leaned into Geralt’s touch.

“You do make it difficult for me to stay mad at you, dearest witcher.”

Jaskier tilted his head so that his nose brushed against Geralt’s, silently beckoning for another kiss which Geralt was weak to refuse. Their lips met in a slow, loving kiss that went straight to Geralt’s toes, and when Jaskier pulled away Geralt almost felt compelled to chase these delectably soft lips. He managed to reign the urge in, just about.

“You’re forgiven, of course. Thank you for returning my knee to its rightful location, my love.”

“Hm.”

“Ah, yes. I love you, too. Boorishness and all.”

“Ain’t I lucky?”

Despite the teasing tone, Geralt’s words were spoken with the kind of hidden sincerity that many people wouldn’t have known to look for if they didn’t know Geralt well enough. Not Jaskier, though. Geralt was an open fucking book to Jaskier.

“Yes, you very much are, dearest.”