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This was something that you needed to face, no matter how much it overwhelmed you. You had run away, leaving Jaskier and Geralt in the middle of the night. As much as you would miss them on your short time away, you refused to let them witness this. They had never seen you so scared, so vulnerable, and you didn’t want them to.
You were quiet, used to your loneliness, when a familiar voice startled you out of your thoughts. A voice you would recognize anywhere, even without its usual liveliness.
“Oh, thank the heavens I found you!”
“Jaskier! What are you doing here?”
You turned around, gawking at the bard. He clumsily tried to walk among the many branches, roots and leaves that surrounded you in the forest you had been secluding yourself in until the moment of truth came.
“I was worried about you, love” Jaskier finally reached you, not losing a second in tenderly taking your hands in his. “Running away in the middle of the night like that… my poor heart could barely take that scare”
You smiled in spite of yourself. It was the effect his mere presence had on you.
“What’s wrong, Y/N?” He carefully tugged at your hands, silently begging you to look at him. It was then when you realized you had been avoiding his gaze and you put remedy to it.
“I don’t want to talk about it…” You sighed, feeling overwhelmed still yet relieved by his appearance. “All that matters is that you’re here”
“That’s what I like to hear” Jaskier let one hand free to reach up and caress your cheek.
“I’ve actually missed you”
“So have I”
“Are you staying with me?”
“You know I am, Y/N”
“Thank you”
That small interaction seemed to fill you with strength. It wasn’t quite strong enough to make all the unease fade, but it helped slightly. That was, until Jaskier spoke up once more and brought that sensitive subject to the surface.
“Why so much make up?” Hus thumb rubbed your flushed cheek, stained with an artificial blush. “You don’t need it, you’re so beautiful to me”
“I… I have this banquet I must go to, and…” You hesitated, fearing that he wouldn’t understand. “I know it’s silly, but going there is overwhelming”
“A banquet?” Jaskier lightened up at first, feeling right at home in settings like those. Then, however, he saw your expression and cleared his throat. “It’s not silly, love, I’m sure there’s a reason why you’re dreading to go”
You stared at each other for a moment. The silence settled. Jaskier watched you adoringly, dedicating you a warm grin that comforted you. In the end, he piped up once more.
“I don’t know what’s the matter, exactly, but…. whatever it is” His hand had lingered around yours, and so he lovingly squeezed it. “I know you’re strong enough to do this on your own. Besides, you won’t be alone! As if you could ever get rid of me”
You nodded your head, recognizing the genuine and nearly excited hint in his voice. Jaskier was charistmatic and fit right in, so his company would be helpful in that situation. Suddenly, that banquet you feared so much didn’t feel nearly as horrible with the thought that Jaskier would be by your side.