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“I need you to be my boyfriend.”
It wasn’t the most conventional way to ask someone out but Lambert had heard worse, even in the very pub they were in. Plus it was Jaskier asking and he had a tendency to do things in the most impossible of ways. After so long of hiding his pining, Lambert was a little taken aback by the fact that maybe he hadn’t been quite so great at masking his interest. Still, his failure only meant he was about to gain something so he didn’t feel too glum. He shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant. “Sure.”
While Lambert had hoped that by agreeing there would be kisses in his future, he didn’t expect to gain a lapful of Jaskier and soft, wet lips pressed against his lips. The soft gasp of surprise was swallowed and the parting of his lips taken as an invitation. Making out at the bar of his favourite pub was certainly a new experience for Lambert. Not that he was complaining. If Jaskier was as eager as Lambert felt, well, Lambert had always suspected they would be a fun match and he had been right. The kiss was far more tongue than was probably polite for the setting, or even appropriate for those who had only just agreed to try dating. However, Lambert was far from complaining, he let his hands wander, cheekily grabbing Jaskier by the backside and hauling him in. It earned him a giggle as Jaskier pulled away and shook his head.
“Thank you.”
Again, weird but Lambert had heard worse. Maybe Jaskier was worried that such enthusiasm right from the start would be a little too much for most. Thankfully Lambert wasn’t like most others so he could roll with the punches. Well, it was a punch with Jaskier’s lips against his own lips, softly at that.
Because Lambert was a good boyfriend, he dutifully offered to buy Jaskier a drink. Even better, he didn’t even need to ask what Jaskier wanted, already knowing not just his usual but also his favourite which Jaskier so rarely treated himself to. The way Jaskier’s face lit up at the sight of the cocktail was worth the frankly ridiculous price the bar put on it. If that was what made his boyfriend happy then Lambert would indulge him as much as humanly possible.
Just because they were now dating didn’t mean they were tied together. Jaskier flitted about like the social butterfly he was while Lambert skulked in a corner with his friends. Correction. Friend. Aiden was already there but Geralt and Eskel were running late. There had been a text, something about Roach but both Lambert and Aiden knew that they were delayed because they were fucking. Again. Now though, with Jaskier officially his, Lambert could give them a taste of their own medicine. He couldn’t wait. Glancing over to Jaskier, he was annoyed to find someone leaning in close to his boyfriend and leering. Desperate not to be possessive, Lambert sat back and settled for glaring at the intruder until the moment Jaskier turned towards him with pleading eyes. Like the dutiful boyfriend he was, Lambert stomped across the room.
“You alright darling?” he asked Jaskier, shooting him a smile before glowering at the man who was eyeing up his boyfriend.
“I was just telling this lovely chap that I am very happily taken.” Jaskier took one of Lambert’s hands and brought it to his lips, kissing the scarred knuckles. “My hero,” he murmured and winked at Lambert.
With the man chased off, Lambert allowed himself a small smirk and tried not to strut as he walked back to Aiden. Jaskier was his and he was going to fight tooth and nail to keep him. Slipping down into his seat, Lambert smirked when he spotted Geralt and Eskel wandering over, each carrying two drinks.
“Sorry we’re late,” Geralt grumbled, “Roach made a mess of her stall and I needed to muck her out again.”
The flat stare Eskel sent him was rather telling and Lambert cackled. “You mean you got jizz on the floor again because you couldn’t keep it in your pants. And felt bad about leaving your mess in Roach’s stall.”
There was no need for a reply, they knew each other far too well and Lambert could read his friends’ expressions even when they were trying to look blank. It was the best part of a friendship in Lambert’s humble opinion and he really hoped he would have that kind of closeness with Jaskier too. Speaking of the devil, his boyfriend was merrily swaying towards them, cheeks rosy. Of course he’d want to say hello to Geralt and Eskel, Jaskier wasn’t the kind to not at least say hello to his friends. Ever the dutiful boyfriend, Lambert stood up to greet Jaskier, an arm snaking around his waist to hold him close. They hadn’t really talked about telling anyone about them getting together but, given that Lambert had told an absolute stranger to back off from his boyfriend, he figured it was okay for their closest friends to know.
Before Lambert could even say anything, Eskel was looking at them with suspicion. His eyes narrowed as they spied Lambert’s hand on Jaskier’s waist. “Are you guys finally dating?”
Of all the times to go shy, Lambert found himself trying to hide a soft smile by dipping his head a little. The softest “yeah” slipped out from between his lips at the same time Jaskier barked out a laughing “no”. Freezing, Lambert suddenly had no idea where to look. He wanted to step away from Jaskier, actually he wanted to run out of the pub and never return. Thankfully Jaskier had enough of his wits about him for the laugh to get stuck in his throat and step back, just so he could gawp at Lambert better.
“Why did you think that?
“Earlier- You-” Lambert gestured back to the bar where Jaskier had asked him out.
It was Jaskier’s turn to go wide eyed. He followed Lambert’s hand to where he pointed and swallowed thickly, licking his lips. “That was- I mean-” Never before had Lambert heard Jaskier struggle for words and his heart sank. “I needed you to pretend to be my boyfriend to stop a one night stand from approaching me.”
“I see.” Lambert was ready to bolt. He didn’t know why he hadn’t already left.
“It was all a ploy and a bit of a joke.” This time Jaskier took half a step closer, eyes searching Lambert’s face. “Unless?”
It wasn’t like he hadn’t already made an utter tit of himself so Lambert dared chance a quick peek at Jaskier, one last glance before he walked out of his life to start over again as a hermit, somewhere nobody could ever find him. It was a mistake. Jaskier’s eyes were so blue, Lambert’s wishful thinking could even project some hope into that gaze. He almost didn’t hear the soft “I’m going to kiss you now” over the thundering of his own heart.
Lips pressed against his. They were the same ones from the start of the night but they felt so very different. Soft, exploring and tentative. It held none of the cocksuredness from earlier and Lambert returned the hesitant kiss in kind. There were no tongues, no over the top making out. All too soon Jaskier pulled away and rested their foreheads together with a smile and low chuckle.
“Well then.” He cleared his throat and turned back to the table where they had three very confused friends sitting and not knowing where to look. “Yeah. We’re finally dating.”