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Jaskier wrapped his arms round his chest and hugged tightly. His breath was shaking and he couldn’t quite force the empty feeling from his heart. There was no rhyme or reason for his mood. There was no epic tale of heartbreak or death or even Destiny.
He was just sad.
And he really needed a hug.
He closed his eyes tightly and tried to think of the best things that had happened to him today. There had been some good moments. He’d shared that lovely hot meal with Geralt in the tavern for dinner before they’d headed back out into the night. There hadn’t been enough coin for dinner and a bed, and they had been starving. Whilst it was hard and cold, the ground could be a perfectly acceptable bed. There was no replacing a good hot meal. He’d felt better then. The words spinning around in his head weren’t as loud as they were now.
Now it was like a whole flock of harpies were screaming at him and he couldn’t turn off his thoughts. He buried his face in his hands and screamed.
“Jaskier?”
Fuck. Geralt was back from collecting firewood.
“Ah, Geralt. You’re back.” He plastered a fake smile on his face and pushed his fringe from his eyes.
“Something is wrong.” Geralt scowled as he dropped the pile of logs.
Jaskier laughed nervously and shook his head. “Of course not.”
“Bullshit, Jaskier.” Geralt squatted in front of him and tilted his head. To Jaskier’s surprise, the witcher actually looked concerned. “Let me help you.”
“The ever noble White Wolf. There’s no need to play the hero with me, Geralt. I know you.” Jaskier scratched the back of his neck and pulled his lower lip between his teeth. He wasn’t even sure why he was lying. It was Geralt. If anyone understood being in a bad mood, it would be Geralt. He sighed, buried his face in his hands once more and moaned.
Geralt cupped his cheek in a rare display of affection that made Jaskier’s heart flutter. “What’s wrong, Jaskier?”
Jaskier licked his lips to sooth where he had been chewing at them and then waved his hand wildly, almost knocking Geralt in the face. “It’s just… noise!” He pouted. “Lyrics and ideas and songs. They just won’t shut up!”
“Isn’t that a good thing?” Geralt furrowed his brow and moved to sit next to Jaskier.
Jaskier took that as an invitation and curled up against Geralt’s side. “Not today. I’m just tired, tired of my own words, my own voice.”
Geralt chuckled and wrapped his arms around Jaskier’s shoulder. “Never thought I’d see the day.”
Jaskier gasped and jabbed Geralt in the leg as hard as he could. “You are a terrible friend!”
“Sounds like your problem, not mine.” Geralt laughed.
“Geralt!!” Jaskier whined.
“Yes?”
“Fuck you.” He muttered which only made Geralt laugh harder. He pouted and snuggled closer to Geralt. Already he felt a little lighter than before, he really had needed a hug, and Geralt musky scent did wonders to clear his head. He was still sad. He probably would be until morning but it no longer felt like a crushing weight upon his soul.
Geralt may be a terrible friend, but he was Jaskier’s friend and that was the only thing that mattered.