Chapter Text
Geralt never asked for help. It was how he was raised. He got used to never having anyone around to help him, or rather someone who wanted to help him. No one wanted to be around a witcher any longer than they had to be, and Geralt just got used to it. It didn't bother him, or at least that's what he told himself.
If he did ever feel that pang of loneliness, he would push it down as far as he possibly could. He always traveled alone, drank alone, slept alone, and did everything else you can thing of alone. He never had anyone by his side. That was until he met an annoying bard who went by the name of Jaskier.
Jaskier didn't know how to shut up, and that annoyed Geralt to no end. The thing that annoyed Geralt the most was how kind he was to the witcher. Jaskier always checked up on him after a hunt, he made sure he ate enough before they hit the road, and he always asked if Geralt slept well enough. This all didn't make sense to Geralt. Geralt was a witcher while the bard was a human. Geralt felt as if he wasn't worthy of the bard's worrying.
No matter how many times Geralt told the other man to fuck off, Jaskier never left. That's because Jaskier knew Geralt could never actually mean it. Despite Geralt wanting some peace and quiet at times, he never wanted the bard to leave. Even if that meant he wouldn't have to worry about the other man getting killed in a hunt because he was being his idiotic self.
Worrying about Jaskier. Now that's something Geralt will never admit to, even despite him knowing he does. He'll never breathe a word of that.
"What are you brooding about over there, my dear witcher?" Jaskier asked from across the fire they had set up. They were currently on a contract for a ghoul.
It was things like that. The words Jaskier would call him. This was what bothered Geralt the most because he knew he didn't deserve it.
"Hm." Was all Geralt had to say in reply.
"I hope you know that isn't good enough of an answer." Jaskier spoke in reply. Before Geralt could reply Jaskier spoke again, "And don't just 'hm' me in reply to that as well."
Geralt shut his mouth and went back to polishing his sword. "So what are we hunting this time?" Jaskier asked.
"We are not hunting anything. You're staying here."
Jaskier pouted, "Now that's just unfair. How else am I supposed to write magnificent ballads about our adventures and your hunts if I can't see what happens? You don't exactly give me enough material to work with."
Geralt would never admit it, but Jaskier was right.
"Come on. Let me come. Just this once."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Alright then, it's settled. I'm coming with you." Jaskier looked proud of himself.
Geralt huffed in reply and stood up to start walking into the woods. He heard Jaskier hurrying behind him in order to catch up. They were walking until Geralt heard something rustling in the woods behind them.
Geralt turned to Jaskier, "When I tell you to run, you run."
"But I want to see the action, Geralt."
"Damn it, Jaskier. Just run. I don't want you to-" Geralt cut himself off.
Geralt couldn't see Jaskier very well, but he knew the other man's eyes softened, "-To get hurt? You going soft of me, my lovely witcher?"
Geralt was about to tell him to fuck off when something suddenly landed behind him, "Run! Now!" Geralt yelled, and Jaskier surprisingly listened as he took off to run back to the camp they set up. Luckily, they hadn't gone too far, so Geralt knew Jaskier would be able to find his way back easily.
Geralt pulled out his sword and went for a strike. The battle between him and the ghoul went on for quite a while. Geralt thought he was wearing the creature down until it moved quickly behind him and tore it's claws into his back. Geralt hissed as he felt the pain searing through his shoulder.
Geralt couldn't move his arm correctly for the rest of the fight and hoped he could just tired the beast down enough to kill it. Geralt was knocked onto the ground by the monster, and Geralt thought this was how it was going to end. He was going to die here in the woods as Jaskier waited for him back at the camp only for him to never return. He felt a pang in his chest at the thought of leaving Jaskier alone.
Something came abruptly from behind the trees a next to Geralt and the monster. Geralt looked over to see that Jaskier had thrown a stone at the creature. Dumbass, Geralt thought.
His stupidly brave move had distracted the ghoul enough for Geralt to thrust his sword through it and kill it. Geralt moved the ghoul off of him and hissed once again as he felt a pain piercing his shoulder again. Jaskier rushed to his side quickly and helped him sit up.
"Geralt, are you okay? Wait, don't answer that. Of course you're not. You just fought a monster and clearly got hurt while doing so. You-"
"Jaskier." Geralt cut the bard off, "Can we just get back already"
Jaskier only nodded, for once shutting his mouth. Geralt had hesitantly let Jaskier help him get back to the camp.
"Can you hand me the salve and rag from my bag?" Geralt asked.
Jaskier reached into Geralt's bag and pulled it out. He held the items up to show Geralt he got them, "Now take off your armor and turn around."
Geralt shot an eyebrow up, "Excuse me?"
"Not like that, Geralt. Well, unles-no. I mean I'm helping you, so do as I said."
Geralt shot him daggers with his eyes, "I don't need help."
"Yeah. Sure you don't. Now, do what I told you to. If you don't, I'm afraid I'll have to start singing."
Geralt huffed out a breath of anger as he reluctantly complied. He slowly took off his armor and turned so that his back was facing Jaskier.
What always amazed Geralt is how gentle Jaskier was with him. He slowly took his time wiping the wound with the rag, which was doused in water in order to not irritate the wound. Geralt never expected anyone to be so gentle with him.
Witchers didn't feel pain, or at least that's what people said. They said how witchers didn't feel emotions like humans. Geralt knew this wasn't true, even if he didn't want to admit it. Despite Jaskier being aware of those rumors, he was still so gentle with Geralt. It's like he wanted to take care of him.
Geralt spoke before Jaskier could apply the salve. He lightly grabbed Jaskier's wrist, careful not to grip too tight, "You know you don't have to do this, right?" Geralt's voice was unexpectedly quiet.
Jaskier's posture slouched as he looked up to Geralt with the softest eyes Geralt has ever seen, "But I want to. I want to help you. I know you don't need my help, but you deserve someone to take care of you, so please? Let me take care of you."
Geralt felt that warmth in his chest that he had gotten too used to when it came to Jaskier. He lightly let go of the bard's wrist. Fondness filled Jaskier, and a small smile appeared on his face. Jaskier slowly started to apply the salve to Geralt's shoulder. Geralt let out a hum of relief because of how nice it felt.
This was unusual. No one willingly wanted to be around a witcher, let alone take care of one. After a hell of a lot of resistance, Geralt allowed himself to appreciate the moment. To appreciate being cared for.
Another pang in his chest came as he realized this wouldn't last forever. Jaskier wouldn't always be by Geralt's side. Jaskier would realize he deserves better than this. He deserves a better life than one with a monster. Jaskier deserves better than him.