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Essi squealed as she ran towards Jaskier, nearly dropping her bags in the middle of the arrivals queue. It was understandable, her average vacation had turned into something life changing; truly a scene from a fairytale movie. They’d all seen the photos on instagram, the sparkling diamond ring that glittered in the sun, waves glimmering behind Essi as her golden hair fell into her cornflower blue eyes. Priscilla had stood next to her, looking like she’d won the entire world, and perhaps she had. Essi was remarkably special, and almost their entire friendship group had fancied her at one point or another.
Well, except for her twin brother, Julian, otherwise known as Dandelion.
They were peas in a pod. Both had long blonde hair that fell into their bright blue eyes, both incredibly talented musicians, both were incredibly dear to Jaskier. He’d been a little bit heartbroken when she’d started dating Priscilla, but it was no matter, he’d just started hanging out with her brother more. Valdo had essentially ditched them for his sugar mummy in New York, and all of Jaskier’s other friends were coupled up, so Dandelion was often the only one free when Jaskier needed company.
“Jaskier!!” Essi shrieked, jumping into his arms, “Where’s that brother of mine? I thought he was meant to pick us up from the airport?”
Jaskier chuckled, pressing his face into her soft blonde hair. Her sweet floral scent was as beautiful as ever, and he once again felt a pang of jealousy, but it didn’t last long. Not when he saw her smile.
She was glowing.
He’d never seen her so happy.
“Julian, unhand my fiancée,” a second voice cut through his thoughts and he looked up to see Priscilla, looking as radiant as ever. Another failed relationship on his part… but one he had no regrets about. They were just better as friends.
“Oh come on,” he teased. “I’m just having a cuddle with my baby sister.”
“I’m a month younger than you!” Essi grumbled.
“And look at you! All grown up and getting married!” Jaskier cooed, winking at Priscilla, “Congratulations, both of you. Oh and Lion sends his apologies. Last minute call back.”
“The theatre?”
“Yup!”
“Oh brilliant!”
Jaskier smiled fondly, Dandelion had been distraught that morning when the call had come through. He’d been trying to get a place in the orchestra for years, practicing his blasted oboe at all hours of the day. He was talented, but some days Jaskier just needed a break- needed silence. But finally he had a call back and he’d not been available, so Jaskier had volunteered to take airport duty. Dandelion had flashed him a dazzling smile, and kissed his cheek before flying to his room to get ready.
It was adorable. His friend was just so excited, and that always made Jaskier feel all gooey inside.
“But enough about me and Lion, tell me… everything!”
And with that Pris and Essi launched into the tale of their engagement. Jaskier cooed and sighed at the right moments, carrying their suitcases to the car as they went. It all went absolutely swimmingly until:
“So are you and Dandelino going to wear matching suits to the wedding?” Essi asked, cocking her head to blow her fringe from her eyes.
Jaskier froze, furrowing his brow as he glanced at her in the mirror, barely taking his eyes off the road, the cars glittering under the uncharacteristically blue English sky. “Why would we do that?”
“Because.. Ouch!” Essi sniffed, turning to glare at Pris.
“Right. Well, glad that’s all cleared up,” he muttered, but her words had planted a seed. The whole way back he started to analyse his friendship- relationship?- with Dandelion.
They lived together, went out together, cooked together, held hands in the park because fuck it… friends can hold hands. Sometimes they fell asleep in each other’s arms, but only because they had a habit of drinking too much wine whilst watching Netflix.
It was all stuff friends do… Right?
Only a couple of months ago, Dandelion had suggested they go out on Fridays rather than stay in for take out. He’d seemed nervous but had really just wanted to have a special day for just the two of them. Jaskier, never one to turn down a good night out and a chance to dress up, had agreed without even thinking…
And Dandelion had smiled brighter than the fucking sun. “It’s a date,” he’d teased, his lips chapped from where he’d been biting them.
The car swerved and Jaskier slammed on the breaks. “Oh fuck!”
“Jaskier what the hell?!” Essi and Pris cried from the backseat.
“I’m dating Dandelion.”
“No shit Sherlock,” Pris muttered
“Fuck.”
__
That evening Jaskier was pacing all through the house, picking at his nails, the cuffs of his very expensive shirt, and running his hands through his hair like nobody’s business. Dandelion was due home any minute, and Jaskier had spent all afternoon making his favourite dinner, even going out to make sure they had a bottle of his favourite wine. He wasn’t sure if it was an apology or a seduction… but the more he thought about his friend, the more he realised his feelings for his best friend had gone past platonic a long time ago and he’d been so wrapped up in himself that he’d never even noticed.
He’d fucked up.
Poor Dandelion was probably wondering why they’d not even kissed yet. It wasn’t as if Jaskier was shy about kissing or fucking on the first date and they both knew that. Hopefully, Dandelion had taken it as a compliment.
Could it even be taken as a compliment?
Fuck!
“Darling, I’m home!” Dandelion called as the door finally cracked open. The pet name made Jaskier stomach flip in a way it never had before.
“Lion,” Jaskier greeted warming, wringing his hands in front of him.
“Oh, oh… don’t you look like a dream? Did I forget something?” Dandelion asked, his gorgeous eyes widening as his tongue flicked out to wet his lips.
And Jaskier was left speechless, stunned by the revelation that he really, really wanted to kiss his friend.
“Ah, umm, well, no. I- I wanted, I wanted to surprise you?”
“Well, colour me surprised, love. You look wonderful, and what is that smell?”
Jaskier turned to the kitchen, scratching the back of his head. “I made your favourite.”
“Oh, darling, you didn’t need to do that! What if I hadn’t passed the audition?”
“You passed the- wait no, I mean. Congratulations, but I need to focus. Please, Lion, dear heart,” Jaskier gripped his friend’s hand and brought them up to his lips.
“Jask,” Dandelion sighed, looking as lovestruck as Jaskier felt.
Christ, he’d been so fucking blind.
“I-I have a confession?”
Dandelion’s eyes went dark, his shoulders stiffening. “What?”
“Nothing bad, well… I hope. I’ve just been a bit of an idiot.”
“You-” Dandelion’s voice cracked and tears began to well up in his eyes. “You haven’t… You didn’t?”
“I haven’t cheated, dear heart… which is… well it’s rather surprising considering I wasn’t entirely aware we were dating?” The last word ended up coming out more like a question, but sod it, he was nervous.
Dandelion sniffed, blinking the tears from his eyes, and then burst into fits of laughter; that beautiful musical sound that made Jaskier’s heart sing.
“You- Oh darling, you idiot!”
“I know!”
“What the bloody hell did you think was going on?”
“I don’t know!” Jaskier whined.
“God, I love you,” Dandelion giggled, and finally pulled Jaskier into an earth-shattering kiss.