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Things had ended badly with Yennefer. Again. They always did. Jaskier wasn’t surprised. He was pretty sure Geralt wasn’t surprised either. Jaskier had tried his best to keep Geralt away from the witch. He always tried but it was no use. There was something about her that pulled Geralt in no matter how much they fought or how many times they split up.
Jaskier hated it. Every fucking time Geralt would become completely unbearable. Jaskier was always torn between being there for his best friend (he was using the term best friend, thank you very much) and fucking off to Oxenfurt where he wouldn’t have to deal with the grumpiest of witchers for a few months. It was usually pretty evenly split whether he went or not. It really depended on how much Geralt had already been getting on his nerves already or how long they’d been travelling together.
This time felt different. Geralt wasn’t short-tempered or angrily sharpening his swords by the fire. He wasn’t snapping at Jaskier for playing his lute too loudly in the camp and attracting all manner of beasts and monsters. He was just sitting there, staring into the flames. The fire lighting up his gorgeous yellow eyes and making him look ethereal. Jaskier’s eyes lingered on his friend’s lips as he admired the witcher from across the fireplace. Gods, he wanted to kiss him. It was a yearning ache in his chest that would never be satisfied, but he was allowed to look, whenever Geralt wasn’t watching him he could look.
Geralt’s eyes flashed up to meet his. Jaskier felt the heat flare in his cheeks and he grinned sheepishly at the witcher. “You’re quiet this evening, Geralt?”
“Hmm.”
“I don’t mean to be rude or anything but normally after… she who must not be named” Geralt snarled but Jaskier paid him no attention. “You’re all… “ He made a grumpy face and waved his hands, words failing him as they did far too frequently for someone who called himself a wordsmith.
“I’m fine.”
Jaskier hummed and tilted his head. “Are you though?”
“Yes.” Geralt growled.
Jaskier rolled his eyes and moved to sit next to Geralt by the fireside. “I don’t think you are, and that’s alright, you know.”
“I know.”
Jaskier hesitated and took a deep breath as he considered his next move. He wanted to comfort his friend but he knew that Geralt wasn’t always fond of the physical touches that Jaskier would so generously lavish his witcher with, but Geralt looked sad and it was breaking Jaskier’s heart. To his surprise Geralt was the one that took Jaskier’s hand whilst he was still deliberating on what to do. His breath caught in his throat and he knew Geralt would be able to hear his heart suddenly pounding in his chest. “Geralt?”
“What?” Geralt grumbled but didn’t let go of Jaskier’s hand.
“You’re holding my hand.” Jaskier stammered still not quite believing it was true.
“Yes.”
Jaskier frowned. It appeared Geralt was feeling particularly eloquent this evening then. It looked like Jaskier would have to do most of the work if he was going to get any answers to this delightful turn of events. “So… what is this exactly? Are you training for a new love? Did Yennefer not like the way you held her hand? Because quite honestly, Geralt, I am confused.”
Geralt turned his head sharply to glower at Jaskier and Jaskier almost whimpered under the intensity of Geralt’s gaze. Since when did Geralt look at him like that, like he was anything more than just another insignificant person in Geralt’s long life. Geralt licked his lips and then closed his eyes as he gathered his thoughts. “Yen…. she pointed out some things.”
“Riiiight.” Jaskier said, narrowing his eyes at the witcher. “That explains everything.”
“Jaskier!” Geralt glared at him. “Just. Just let me talk.” Jaskier nodded and gestured for the witcher to continue. “Yen. She showed me the way I look at you, the way you look at me. It. It made me realise some things.” Jaskier swallowed, willing his heart to calm down at least a little bit. Gods, he felt like he was dying. He tried to speak but all that came out were intelligible noises. “Things like…. I want to hold your hand. If that’s alright?”
Jaskier nodded and licked his lips. “Yeah. It’s alright. More than alright.” He smiled to himself and rested his head on Geralt’s shoulder. He was barely able to stop himself from laughing as he squeezed Geralt’s hand and he made a note to send Yennefer a bottle of her favourite wine next time they passed through a town.
She wasn’t so bad after all.