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Jaskier stared longingly at the new doublet in the market place. He’d been to this particular tailor before and their work was divine. Sadly it was also expensive and after two weeks in a forest with no contracts and very little supplies, all of Jaskier and Geralt’s coin had gone on food and lodgings.
But dearest Melitele, he needed the doublet. It was a gorgeous lilac silk with a stunning sea shell design. He trailed a finger over the puffy sleeves and whined. Who cared if he was being a petulant child? He wanted the nice things, and after so long in a forest he deserved the nice things.
“Master Jaskier.” The tailor greeted him with a wink. “See something you like.”
“Gods yes. I don’t suppose you would give me a discount, you know, seeing as I’m a renowned bard and all.” He pouted at them with what he hoped was he best dazzling smoulder.
The tailor just laughed with a shake of their head. “What are you going to do, bard? Tell everyone where you bought your clothes?”
Jaskier grinned. “Oh, my dear, that is exactly what I am going to do!” He announced with a flourish. “By the end of the day everyone in town will know precisely where Jaskier the Bard buys his very best clothes! It won’t be Toss a Coin to Your Witcher! It will be Toss a Coin to Your Tailor, my tailor to be precise. Come on, pretty please.”
The tailor narrowed their eyes at Jaskier and he bit his lip, pleading with his eyes. “Fine, bard. You can have the clothes for free but I expect to hear at least a good poem or two about my work.”
Jaskier’s eyes lit up and they shook hands. Jaskier strutted away from the stall with a bundle under his arms and a tune falling from his lips. Gods he was good. Of course he would make good on his deal. The tailor was a good person and deserved the business, and hopefully Jaskier could make a pretty penny out of the poems too.
“Jaskier!” Geralt’s voice drew his attention and he spun round on his heels to find his witcher glaring at him. Geralt had been shopping for herbs and potion supplies whilst Jaskier had been browsing the more luxurious items at the market. “What have you got?”
Jaskier blushed and tried to hide his parcel behind his back. “Ahh. Geralt! Happy shopping? Successful day I hope!”
“Jaskier!” Geralt pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed “You know we don’t have the coin.”
“Oh hey now, I know that, dearest.” Jaskier put his free hand on his hip and tossed his fringe from his face. “I’ll have you know. I didn’t pay a single coin for these!”
“A likely story.” Geralt grumbled.
“I didn’t!” Jaskier snapped and poked the witcher in the chest. “I charmed my way into these clothes.”
Geralt chuckled. “Don’t you normally charm your way out of clothes?” He smirked with a tilt of his head.
Jaskier rolled his eyes. “Oh ha ha. Very funny witcher! But I exchanged these clothes for publicity instead of coin.”
“Hmm.” Geralt didn’t look convinced. “that doesn’t help our coin problem.”
Jaskier laughed and slung his arm around the witcher’s shoulder, enjoying the easy touches that he was allowed with Geralt. “I am broke, my dear witcher, but I am acting famous.”
Geralt sighed as they walked together away from the market. “I thought you were famous, Master Jaskier.”
“There is a difference between being famous and acting it, Geralt, but I wouldn’t expect you to understand.”
“Hmm… you mean you’re taking advantage of innocent tradespeople to better your own life?” Geralt asked and bumped their shoulders together as they walked.
Jaskier grinned. “Our life.” He corrected. “Exactly, dear heart. It’s a terrible folly but it’s a sacrifice I am willing to make!”
Geralt just hummed again as Jaskier dropped his hand from Geralt’s shoulders and linked their fingers together. So he just wanted to look pretty for his witcher. There was no crime in that at all.