Work Text:
Jaskier jumps out of bed at the sound of his alarm going off. He knows if he laid there he would never get up. He yawns and stretches on his way to the bathroom. He starts his morning routine, humming a soft lullaby. The lights flood his eyes and he groans against the melody.
Clock ticking, Jaskier jumps through his tasks. He washes his face, brushes his hair and teeth, slips into his clothes. Putting on his shoes, Jaskier is almost ready to jump out the door. He is only stopped, in the middle of collecting his things, when his phone goes off again, another alarm.
“Oh!” He exclaims, running back to the kitchen while stuffing his pocket full with his wallet and keys.
“Almost forgot to take your medicine.”
Jaskier looks over at his table and smiles big when he sees his friend, Geralt, reading a paper while relaxing in a chair.
“Hey! When did you get here?” Jaskier never asks how Geralt gets in. He figures he Gave Geralt a key a long time ago. Jaskier’s memory has never been the best after a traumatic life event that happened close to six years ago.
“I haven’t been here long. Just wanted to check in on you before work.”
Geralt is always so kind. Jaskier’s heart melts everytime the man comes for a visit. He is so patient and kind. He sits with him through thick and thin.
Jaskier lays out his medicine and fixes some juice from the fridge. “I hope today is busy at the shop.” Jaskier chirps. “I hate it when it’s quiet.” The quiet has always bothered Jaskier. Especially after the event.
“It will be a good day. Now hurry up before you are late for your bus.” Geralt encourages Jaskier.
Jaskier takes his meds and sets his cup in the sink. “See you after work, Geralt!”
When Jaskier comes home, it is dark. He walks softly through his apartment, turning on all the lights and checking all the corners. He jumps when the shadows move. He gasps when there's a whisper tickling his neck. The paranoia grows inside him. He can’t even bring himself to look in a mirror, convinced something will be looking back at him, be it his own altered face or something just over his shoulder.
Jaskier collects his night time clothes and goes for a shower. The hot water helps him to calm down. It soothes him, like a warm embrace. But it doesn’t stop the tears from falling.
“Jaskier? You okay?”
“Geralt?”
Jaskier is pulled from the ledge by the sound of his dear friend's voice. He opens the shower curtain and there he is. Geralt, standing like an angel ready to save the day.
Stepping out the shower, Jaskier wraps his arms around Geralt and hugs him as tight as he can before melting into sobs.
“Oh, Geralt.” He sniffles. “Make them go away. I don’t ever want to see a shadow ever again.”
Geralt pets Jaskier wet hair and hums. “I would if I could. I’ll shine a light so bright just for you. I’ll create a world without shadow’s, just for you.”
Geralt ends up holding Jaskier that night till he falls asleep. Petting his hair and arms, scratching his back. Geralt always knows just how to soothe Jaskier.
The next day Geralt is not there to greet Jaskier. Jaskier is saddened by this but he knows his friend is a busy man. So he starts his days and does his best to keep his head up high.
It begins with little things. Shadows moving on their own. Little black cats darting across the floor and up onto tables. Jaskier knows better than to react to these things when at work. He follows them with his eyes but ignores them mostly.
Things get worse when lunch rolls around. Jaskier goes to the bathroom and while looking in the mirror he sees a man dressed in black standing right behind him. Jaskier turns around and the man is gone. This is when Jaskier knows today is going to be a really bad day.
Jaskier is working the front counter when a group of people come in. Behind them stands the man in black. Jaskier tries to ignore him while taking orders and fixes drinks. But his eyes find a way to slip past and land on him.
“Are you okay sir?”
Jaskier snaps back to reality, he hadn’t realized he was staring at essentially nothing.
“I am so sorry!” Jaskier smiles. “Didn’t sleep well last night, is all.”
Close to closing, Jaskier is sweeping the floor while his coworkers work on other things. Jaskier hears the door open and looks up only when he hears a familiar cough.
“Geralt!” Jaskier beams, excited to see his friend. “I never see you here, what brings you in?”
“I am just checking on you.”
“Oh, Geralt. I have had such a hard day. I’ll tell you all about it on the way home.” Jaskier goes back to pushing his broom. “I am so happy to see you.”
“Jaskier, who are you talking to?” The lady speaks just from behind the desk.
“My friend, Geralt!” Jaskier motions to Geralt and smiles. “I don’t think you two met.”
Jaskier is confused when the woman’s face reads as confused and lost. “Are you okay hon?”
“Yeah, I’m okay. Why do you ask?” Jaskier is confused and looks at Geralt for reassurance.
“Baby, there’s no one there.”
The clattering of the broom falling never registers in Jaskier’s brain. He looks from Geralt to the woman, shocked and confused.
“Yes he is. He’s right there. He’s right there.” Jaskier points at Geralt. “See, he’s real.” Tears fell over Jaskier’s cheeks. He walks up to Geralt and reaches for his arm, but this time his hand falls through Geralt like he were a ghost.
Jaskier doesn’t remember much after that. He remembers crying so hard that he passed out. He remembers the sound of an ambulance, flashing lights, doctors and nurses asking him questions. When Jaskier finally comes through all the way, he is sitting alone in a small room.
Sitting up on the bed, Jaskeir looks at the foot of the bed where Geralt now sits. He is angry and sad and filled with emotions he has no name for.
“You were supposed to be real.” Jaskier’s voice is broken, his lip quivers.
“I’m sorry.” Geralt smiles and reaches to touch Jaskier. Jaskier can feel his hand as if it was real on his ankle. But he now knows it’s not. It is a false sensation.
“I want you to be real.” Tears swell up in Jaskier’s eyes and he begins to cry. “I want you to be real so badly, it’s not fair.”
“It’s going to be okay, Jaskier. You need to get better. So one day you won’t need me anymore.”
“I will always need you. I love you so much.”