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Geralt walks outside the great hall to the outer deck and sees Jaskier’s silhouette against the hazy purple and orange backdrop of the blue mountains.
Jaskier is rubbing his finger tips against the smooth surface of the active jasper he holds in his hands. Geralt takes a seat beside him where he’s perched on the ledge, legs hanging off the edge alongside Jaskier’s.
“You alright?” Geralt rumbles.
Jaskier startles slightly at the sound of Geralt’s voice, some reverie clearly broken as he nearly loses his grip on the stone.
“Ah, fuck.” Jaskier grapples with the jasper and nearly drops it, gasping softly in relief when he doesn’t.
Geralt huffs in fond amusement.
Jaskier peeks at Geralt momentarily before he shrugs and turns back to face the overlook.
“Oh, yeah, me? I’m fine. Obviously. I nearly pissed myself back there, but I’m fine… now.“
Jaskier reaches up and pushes the hair out of his eyes, chin tilted up toward the horizon.
Geralt stares quietly at Jaskier, noting the changes he’d been far too preoccupied to appreciate before. Jaskier is thicker, stronger. He holds himself just a little different than before.
Geralt reaches out and touches Jaskier’s shoulder gentle and firm, but yielding in the event Jaskier feels the need to pull away. He doesn’t.
"Thank you. For bringing Ciri back here. For trying to help protect her."
Jaskier scoffs, but shrugs as he leans into Geralt’s touch just slightly. Geralt fights the smile he feels twitch at his lips.
"I didn’t do much of anything, but you’re welcome. For what that’s worth.” Jaskier pauses and looks at Geralt solemnly, eyes mournful and empathetic. “I’m sorry. About your brothers.”
Geralt’s lips tighten and his jaw twitches silently. The loss of his brothers is heavy and palpable only countered by the relief for Ciri and Jaskier and even Yen. He sees Jaskier hesitate before touching his knee to comfort him. Geralt feels warmth spread through his chest at the gesture.
A few minutes of sitting beside Jaskier, Geralt starts to feel some of the taut pressure and tension in him finally start to give. He lets go of Jaskier’s shoulder and Jaskier pulls his hand away.
The sun dips out of sight and the day bleeds into night before Jaskier speaks again. The torches and the moon the only sources of light.
“I always wondered what it looked like up here. What your… family was like." Jaskier muses. He stares out at the icy mountain tops again like all the answers to his inner most questions could be found there in the dark landscape. "It’s so much more than I imagined.”
“Mm.” Geralt pauses, tongue heavy in his mouth as he gets closer to the reason he came outside to begin with. “Ciri, Yen and I are heading back on the road come morning.”
“Right, of course. Avoiding the literal soldiers of the Wild Hunt as a family and such. Because in addition to fucking dragons and mutated monsters – phantom ghost warriors of legend are also… real.”
“Yeah. Apparently.” Geralt stares at Jaskier for a long moment and swallows past the lump in his throat. “I want you to come with us.”
Jaskier makes a surprised noise and raises an eyebrow. He doesn’t turn to look at Geralt just yet as he sets the jasper stone aside and leans back on his hands. “I wouldn’t be of much use, if today is any indication of that. Suppose I could make for good bait.” Jaskier chuckles at that.
Geralt huffs and frowns. “No.”
“Well, a distraction then. You can ask Yennefer. I’m pretty good at that.” Jaskier grimaces just a bit. “Sort of. Regardless, I suppose I can see why you might be in need of some… not so silent back up."
"Emphasis on the not so silent.” Geralt smirks.
“Arse.” Jaskier huffs in annoyed amusement and finally levels Geralt with a fairly careful gaze. “I’m not saying I’m going with, but if I was, where exactly would we be going?
"I don’t know yet.” Geralt admits. He has some ideas, but nothing concrete. He’s still reeling from the series of events that unfolded hours before. He should rest and pack and try to come up with some semblance of a plan, but right now all he wants is to sit beside Jaskier and enjoy his company.
“Very specific. You’re really selling me on it, Geralt. Sounds like an absolutely riveting and very safe adventure that I definitely want to go on. I’m going to pack my bags right now!”
“I meant what I said before.” Geralt replies.
“Care to elaborate on that, Mr. Chatty Pants?"
Geralt grunts before he looks at Jaskier again, eyes soft, but intent on him. "I’m sorry and–”
“Geralt, enough. I get it. You don’t have to do this again. The first time was enough. You’re very sorry and we’re friends again.” Jaskier rambles off.
“I wasn’t finished."
Jaskier scowls suddenly and nearly growls.
"I swear to Melitele herself, if you even try to say we aren’t friends, I am going to shove my foot so far up your ars–”
“I really did miss you.” Geralt licks his lips and folds his hands across his own lap. “But more importantly, I want you with us. With me.
"I–” Jaskier looks taken aback at the quiet confession. He stutters to come up with a response before he shakes his head. “Alright.” He sighs and purses his lips in a weak but genuine smile. Geralt knows he has a lot to make up for and he intends to do so to the best of his ability.
“I’ll go with you. I mean, how can I say no to that, hm?” Jaskier’s smile melts into something softer, easier.
“I was hoping you wouldn’t.” Geralt hums as he twists to lean his back against the brick wall tiredly. “Maybe we can go to the coast first? Regroup and figure out our next move.”
Jaskier inhales sharply as he meets Geralt’s eyes. There’s a swirl of emotion looming behind them as he swallows and nods. “I’d like that.”
Geralt smiles and he feels hopeful for the first time in a long time.