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#in which jaskier does a big misunderstanding
geraskierbrainrot · 1 year
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This is a collection of fics where misunderstandings make for a big, if not the main, part of the plot
Lovely to Love by @snowkatze | T | 2k
When Jaskier flinches away from him, Geralt knows something has changed. That Jaskier must have finally realized that Geralt is someone to be afraid of. If Geralt weren't so selfish, he would leave, but now he tells himself – just a little bit longer.
Should Have Known by poselikeateam | T | 4k
Jaskier didn't mean to keep it a secret. He thought they talked about it, albeit not in so many words. So when he finds out that Geralt still, after all these years, doesn't know he's a Higher Vampire? Well. He doesn't really know what to do with that.
Turn That Whiskey into Rain by @rhubarbdreams | E | 4k
Geralt mistakes Jaskier for a, ahem, lady of the night, and Jaskier goes with it. As you do. "I don't require a whore." Funny thing is, Jaskier wasn't about to offer. He means to convey words to that effect to settle the matter and dispel any potential future misunderstandings, but finds himself saying instead, "Why not?"
To hold, to keep by @goofgoofdildo | M | 5k
Geralt thinks Jaskier finds him repulsive, Jaskier thinks Geralt doesn't like his touch. This is wrong and they are about to find out.
born to blossom (bloom to perish) by MissDinahDarling | E | 6k
Jaskier thinks he has a pretty simple relationship with sex. Until he begins sleeping with Geralt. Until he begins falling for Geralt. Until. Geralt says the wrong name in bed.
That's My Boyfriend by @lurikko | M | 6k
Geralt thinks Jaskier is his boyfriend. Jaskier doesn't know how and when that happened.
shifts by @okaybutfandomthoughts | T | 7k
Of the all of the things Geralt expected to find when he got home, a deeply asleep seal on his couch was not one of them. He bends to set his workbag on the ground, not taking his eyes off of the animal as he does so. After a twelve-hour shift handling the chaos that happens every autumn as creatures migrate and prepare to hibernate for the winter, he has half a mind to simply turn around and walk away. Eskel has a comfortable couch; Geralt could simply sleep at his place and leave the seal to his own devices. It’s been a long day, does it really need to be longer? Roach murrow-ing at him with great offense from her place at the top of the stairs tells him that yes, it does. His cat is clearly not going to deal with their intruder. (Geralt arrives home one day to find that a selkie has broken into his house) (as you do)
when life gives you lemons by @shanastoryteller | Not Rated | 7k
The only good thing about Oxenfurt is the brothels. ~ Geralt thinks Jaskier is a whore, but really he's just an opportunist.
brambleborn by @purpurred| M | 12k
Instead of walking away on the mountain, Jaskier stands his ground, accidentally revealing his true identity as a Changeling in the process. Geralt takes it rather well, and as they continue to travel together, Jaskier lets down his guard, happy that he can now be himself. Only Geralt didn't actually catch Jaskier's slip. Confusion, obliviousness, and idiocy ensues.
long have i loved thee by Shinybug | E | 21k
He hears Geralt leave without a word, the door closing gently behind him. Jaskier wraps his hand around the smooth wood of the nearest bed post and rests his forehead against it. He doesn’t know why he agreed to come here, or why Geralt had asked in the first place. ~*~ Jaskier's first winter at Kaer Morhen gets off to a rocky start in more ways than one. Healing from an injury, he is tasked with fixing the neglected library, which is a good distraction from his hidden longing for Geralt. Add some major misunderstandings, some hard choices, a healthy dose of pining all around, and a song, and you have a winter's tale of love in all its forms.
Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me a Match by @dancinglassie | T | 24k
The last thing Vesemir expected when he broke his hip (caused by slipping in his kitchen, of all things) was to meet the future love of Geralt’s life. Now all he had to do was subtly convince Geralt and Jaskier of the fact.
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a-kind-of-merry-war · 3 years
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Beetle (my beloved)
Jaskier gets a horse. Dedicated to @srapsodia’s anon. (Anon I genuinely love you.)
1.9k words, no warnings.
~
“She’s a fine horse,” the stable master says, passing Jaskier the reins. “Very good tempered, too.”
“Is that so?”
Jaskier rubs the dark brown mare’s nose, and she snorts at him. No doubt she remembers the last time he’d visited the stable when he’d come to pay the rest of the deposit. His pockets had been laden with coins and sugar cubes, and were significantly lighter of both when he’d left. He’d had too many near misses with Roach and his fingers to risk a horse who wasn’t at least amicable towards him.
“I’ll be sad to see her go,” the man continues. He gives Jaskier an appraising look - taking in his fine clothing. “But I can see you’ll take care of her.”
Jaskier grins. “Of course I will,” he says. “My fri—” he swallows that back. “Someone I, ah, travel with is extremely fond of horses. She’ll be doted on, I’m sure.”
“Absolutely.”
Jaskier watches as the stable master - and his apparent army of stablehands - ready the horse for riding. He wants to argue that he can do this himself, thank you very much, but they all seem to want to say goodbye to the mare before he takes her off on adventures. He’d been deliberately vague about his work, and the master believes he’s a travelling bard. That’s true, of course, but it also manages to conveniently skip the details about monsters and bandits and continual peril.
When she’s finally ready, the stable master helps Jaskier up onto her back. He takes her for a trot around the paddock, marvelling at how much friendlier and easier to guide she is than Roach.
As he goes to leave, he rides past one of the stablehands, watching him closely as they perch on the fence that encloses the farm.
“Have you got a name for her yet?” They ask, sharply. It sounds like a simple question, but Jaskier knows he's being assessed.
Jaskier smiles. “I do, as it happens.”
The stablehand does not smile back. “Good.”
~
Jaskier is vibrating with excitement as he waits outside Hagge. He’s been meeting Geralt at this spot every spring for nearly twenty years part of a wholly unspoken agreement. Oftentimes they’ll actually find each other in the inn, one or both of them waylaid along the way, but this year Jaskier is keen to meet him on the road.
He’s only showing off a little.
Geralt has been grousing at him to get a horse of his own for almost as long as they’ve been travelling together, and now he finally has. He wants Geralt to like her, absurd as it is, although he’s quite sure Geralt has never met a horse he doesn’t like. She really is a good horse, from what little he knows about horses: she’s friendly and slow to tire, and she doesn’t mind when he threads flowers in her mane or sings at her.
He sings at her a lot.
There is - alas - the small matter of the name. It came to him quite suddenly, while he lay awake in his rented Academy rooms daydreaming about the coming spring. He’d decided on the name before he’d even decided on the horse: before he’d even decided to buy a horse.
He hopes Geralt likes the name, as well as the horse. It feels a little like an imposition - like he’s crossed an invisible line. If he doesn’t like the name, it’s far too late to change it anyway, and Geralt will simply have to live with it. It’s not like she’s his horse, after all.
If he doesn’t like the name - if he hates it - Jaskier can only hope that he doesn’t quite catch its implication. That would be ruinous, of course, and then he’d be left with a horse bought specifically for exploring the continent but no one to explore it with.
It’ll be fine. Geralt doesn’t typically go in for deeper meaning or introspection. Anyway; maybe he will understand what Jaskier’s quite desperately trying to imply, and he’ll be… agreeable. Pleased, even.
Fuck. There’s no need to feel such anxiety about a bloody horse. He grips her reins a little tighter, nervously bouncing in the saddle. She snorts at him - a brief protest - and he stills.
He’s been waiting for nearly an hour, and is considering giving up and retiring to the inn, when there’s a whistle to the North. He turns, and: there.
Geralt is coming around the bend in the road that Jaskier knows perhaps more intimately than any other stretch of road on the Continent. He always comes from that direction, heading south from Kaer Morhen, and every time it makes Jaskier’s stomach leap to see him emerge from the trees, armour shining, hair flashing white in the spring sunshine.
Jaskier spurs forwards to meet him on the road. Geralt waves - just once - and then his eyes immediately fall to the horse. Jaskier feels a little smug: it’s not a dissimilar feeling to when he realised he could bribe his sister’s children into liking him with their favourite treats.
“Geralt!” He calls, “You made it! How was your winter, my de—”
“You got a horse.”
Jaskier tries not to smirk. “I did,” he says. “Isn’t she lovely?”
Geralt urges Roach forwards to better examine Jaskier’s mount. The two horses peer at each other.
“What’s her name?”
Jaskier tries to ignore the sudden flare of fear that’s twisted in his gut. “Beetle.” He fumbles the word, feeling his face flush. “Her name is Beetle.”
He’s expecting Geralt to be amused, perhaps. To laugh. To recognise what he’s done and either praise him for being so dreadfully clever (unlikely) or chastise him for being so forward and foolish (significantly more likely). He does neither. He just stares, and Jaskier finds himself compelled to continue, the tips of his ears turning hot.
“Because… Because Roach, you see?” He explains, stupidly. “They match.”
Geralt continues to stare.
“How do they match?” He says, finally.
Jaskier frowns. “Because they’re both bugs, Geralt? Roach, beetle, you know…” he pulls his hands up, twiddling his fingers beneath a chin in a reasonably good impression of an insect. “...bugs?”
And then Geralt bursts out laughing.
Jaskier scowls. “What’s so—”
“She’s named after the fish, Jaskier.”
“I— what?”
“Roach is a kind of fish.”
“Well, I know that, Geralt, I’m not entirely stupid—” Geralt snorts at that, and he ploughs on. “How was I supposed to know you’d named your horse after a fish?”
“Because naming her after a cockroach would be more reasonable?”
Jaskier splutters. “I— well— maybe! For you!” He tries to regain his dignity, straightening himself in the saddle. “We’ve known each other for twenty years, Geralt, and you never thought to explain the name?”
Geralt shrugs. “Did you ever think to ask?”
Jaskier’s mouth hangs open. He’s forced to concede that Geralt is right.
“Come on,” Geralt ignores his sullen silence and burning face, leading Roach around him. “I’ve been travelling since before dawn. I want a drink.”
Jaskier, still utterly aghast, can only follow him.
~
They stable the horses next to each other, and it’s a small miracle that they seem to be getting along. Roach is famously snippy, both with humans and other horses, and Jaskier had been a little concerned that after all his anxiety she’d be so ill-tempered towards Beetle that they wouldn’t be able to travel together after all. Her personality rather reminds Jaskier of Geralt, although he’s never been brave enough to point that out. She seems to tolerate Beetle, though, and they leave them happily munching on fresh hay in the well-stocked stables to find lunch for themselves.
The landlord of the tavern they frequent is used to them now, and always greets them with easy familiarity. More often than not, they’ll rent a room for the evening - Jaskier had procured one for them as soon as he’d arrived, in fact - and the landlord seems to recognise the importance of building a rapport with well-paying regulars.
He leads them to their usual table in the corner nearest the window, supplying them with the good ale - not the watered down stuff - leaving them to get down to the important business of catching up. Rather: Jaskier attempts to catch up, while Geralt answers his questions with one-word statements and adds only nods and hums to Jaskier’s stories of that winter’s academy adventures. Still, it’s good to see him again - more than good - and thank Melitele, he hasn’t appeared to have noticed what Jaskier’s attempt to give their mounts matching names really meant.
They’re nearing the end of their second pints, Jaskier’s fingertips tingling as he waves his hand around, when Geralt finally adds more to their conversation than a grunt.
“How long have you had Beetle?”
Jaskier blinks at him, thrown off by the sudden change in subject. “Um… nearly four months.”
“It’s probably too late to change her name, then.” Geralt catches his eye over the table, then adds quickly - “If you wanted to.”
“Change her—” Jaskier frowns. “What are you talking about?”
“You said you wanted their names to match.”
Oh.
“...yeah,” says Jaskier.
“If you’d asked,” Geralt continues, “you’d have known why Roach is called Roach. You could have called yours…” he considers, for a moment. “Trout. Perch.” He lifts his head, and looks Jaskier up and down. “Guppy.”
The lingering gaze makes Jaskier blush. “A Roach and a Guppy?”
“Hmm.” Geralt shrugs. “But like I said. Too late now.”
“Probably is,” Jaskier concedes. He sips at his own ale, maintaining Geralt’s gaze. “If I wanted to.” He swallows. “Serves me right for not asking you, I suppose. Now I look like a fool.”
“Unlike two grown men riding with horses with matching names?”
“There is nothing foolish about matching names,” says Jaskier, pointing a warning finger across the table. “It’s noble. It’s…” he pauses. “...a partnership.”
Geralt smiles. “In that case,” he says, “we’ll get you a pony in the next town we stop in. You can call it Herring.”
Jaskier snorts. “Don’t make promises you don’t intend to keep, Geralt.”
Geralt just hums once more, and sees off his drink.
~
The pass north from Ard Carraigh is treacherous and steep, bordered by walls of ice and snow. Beetle, it transpires, is surprisingly resilient, and makes the journey successfully - if not quite easily.
Their arrival to the keep is a noisy, busy affair. Geralt’s family is still a mystery to Jaskier, and they’re swept up in greetings and teasings as they all say the same thing: it’s about fucking time. They arrive in the early afternoon, but the sun is low in the sky before their things are stowed in Geralt’s chambers and they’re finally alone once more.
Jaskier finds himself being led on a brief tour - the kitchen, the armoury, the library. He pulls on the thick fur cloak that Geralt had gifted him before they started the trek north, and Geralt shows him around the grounds too: the training yard, the crumbling outer walls, and the little half-covered grassy patch which serves as a meagre farmstead for the few animals who can thrive in the mountains.
They pause beside the patched-up wall, and Geralt whistles. There’s a scuffling noise from the half-collapsed shed where the livestock lives, and then a little black goat emerges, quickly followed by the rest.
“She’s not quite a pony,” Geralt says, “but she’s the best I could do. Her name’s Carp.”
“Geralt…” Jaskier peers at the tiny creature. She looks very sweet, but he knows enough about goats to understand that it’s no more than an act.
“Do you like her?”
Jaskier extracts his hand from beneath the cloak, reaching for Geralt’s. He takes it, slotting their fingers together in a firm grip.
“I love her.”
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thearvariblues · 3 years
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Sing Me a Song
“You Geralt of Rivia’s bard?”
Jaskier looks up from his notepad and grins at the man who’s just sat at the opposite side of the table.
“Technically, I used to be,” the bard says, taking a sip of his ale. “We had a tiny misunderstanding last year. I’m sure he’s gonna be fine, though, I’m just giving him some time to cool down and wallow in self-pity.”
Jaskier frowns, because his brain has finally caught up with his mouth and informs him that even though the man who asked the question is very pretty (and he is – a bit short, but lean and clearly very agile, brown-skinned, with dark, wavy hair and stunningly unnatural green eyes), he also has got two big, scary swords strapped to his back, way too many scars and has, in fact, only one green eye, the other being covered by an eye patch, presumably missing.
And then there’s the Cat school medallion on his chest.
As Geralt would say… fuck.
“Unless you’re here to kidnap me and torture me to lure him into a trap. If that’s the case, I’ve never met a Geralt of Rivia in my life. Also, if you harm a hair on my head, he will hunt you down and kill you, very slowly and painfully. Just a heads up,” Jaskier smiles, utterly failing to sound at least a little bit threatening.
“Thanks for the warning,” the Witcher laughs. “But I actually need you to write me a song.”
“Sorry, I’m afraid this bard already has a Witcher to praise,” Jaskier protests, shaking his head firmly.
“Ugh. Who says I want praise?” the man says, making a face. “I just can’t seem to find a friend of mine, so I need to make him find me.”
“With a song? Do I look like a fucking pied piper?” Jaskier smirks.
“A little, yeah.”
“Fair enough. What’s in it for me?”
“What do you think is going to happen once Geralt hears that his bard has found himself a new muse?” the Witcher grins.
“Oh,” Jaskier says, chuckling. “Oh, but that’s good.”
“Are you in, then?”
“Absolutely. And, uhm… What did you say your name was?”
“By the gods, where are my manners?” the Witcher laughs. “I’m Aiden.”
*
Geralt places two tankards of ale on the table and sits down with a grunt.
“Don’t tell me you’re getting old, Wolf,” his brother Lambert smirks and promptly pulls one of the tankards closer. “Because that almost sounded like Vesemir when he’s trying to get up from his chair.”
“You’re so fucking funny,” Geralt murmurs.
“I know, right?” Lambert grins, tucking a strand of curly red hair behind his ear. “So, how’s life on the Path without your beloved bard?”
“Not my bard.”
“So pretty fucking terrible, eh?” Lambert chuckles.
“Fuck off, Lambert.”
“You’re being very nice and friendly today, you know?”
“I bought you a drink. So shut up and… drink.”
Lambert shrugs and for once does what he’s told. Within a few seconds, half of the tankard’s content vanishes.
“If it’s any consolation, life without my Cat is also pretty fucking unbearable,” he says then.
“Hm.”
“Oh, really, Geralt? You’re using your famous hm against me? Me, your brother?!”
Geralt groans.
“By the gods… Why can’t I just run into Eskel for once? Why does it always have to be you?”
“You’re just lucky, I guess.”
“Lucky. Yeah.”
Lambert rolls his eyes and focuses on his ale again – until the local bard grabs his lute and starts playing a slow, romantic ballad. Lambert growls.
“Fuck, I hate that song!”
“Why?” Geralt blinks, because he’s never heard the song before, and to be perfectly honest, it doesn’t really sound that bad.
“A brown-skinned woman with dark hair who’s seemingly killed, then comes back to life already plotting her revenge, only to find out that her lover’s already avenged her? Always reminds me of Aiden.”
“Aiden wasn’t exactly… A woman, was he?”
“He also hasn’t come back to life, as far as I know,” Lambert mutters.
“Who wrote it?” Geralt frowns, listening carefully. “It sounds like Jaskier’s work.”
“Some Master Dandelion. Never heard of him, but it seems he’s very popular now.”
“Hmmm…”
“Oh, not again!” Lambert groans.
“It just… It really does sound like Jaskier’s song.”
“You just fucking miss the bard, Geralt, that’s all.”
“No. No, I actually think…”
“That might be exactly the problem,” Lambert says and places his empty tankard back on the table. “The second round’s on me.”
*
“Seems like your plan’s not working as intended,” Jaskier comments. He’s spent weeks traveling with Aiden, and they still haven’t even heard about another Witcher trying to find them.
“I’m aware,” Aiden mutters, chewing his dinner without even noticing its taste – which is, honestly, probably for the best. “Could you be, like… less subtle?”
Jaskier shrugs.
“I suppose.”
“Fine,” Aiden nods. “Do it.”
*
“It’s a man now,” Geralt frowns, listening to the song he’s heard countless times already. “That’s new.”
“Looks like Master Dandelion might like to, uhm, dual wield,” Lambert snorts.
“It still sounds like Jaskier’s work.”
“Does Jaskier like to dual wield?”
“Hmm,” Geralt says dreamily.
“All the more reason to apologize, then, eh?”
“Oh, shut up, Lambert…”
*
“Still not working!” Aiden groans. He’s been waiting for three months for his Wolf to find him, and to no avail.
“I could, you know… Try something more obvious,” Jaskier offers.
“Please.”
*
“It’s a cat now,” Geralt blinks. “Dark-skinned, dark-haired… cat.”
Lambert sighs.
“Yeah, I hate those fucking metaphors.”
*
“I’m starting to think I should have just… kept trying to find him,” Aiden sighs, staring out of the tavern’s window.
Jaskier, cheeks still flushed from his performance, downs his ale and shakes his head.
“Don’t give up hope just yet,” he says. “I’ve already made a few changes to the song.”
“Oh, have you?” Aiden smirks. “Does it now say Lambert, I’m alive you moron, stop hiding and fucking find me?”
“Well, not yet… But almost.”
“Great. I can’t wait to hear it.”
*
Lambert is staring at yet another local bard singing the fucking ballad. He doesn’t even blink. Geralt is getting a little worried that his brother’s brain might have actually exploded.
“It says a Cat Witcher now,” he says, hoping it would get a reaction out of Lambert.
The redhead finally blinks. That’s probably good.
“A Cat Witcher who comes back to life only to find out his Wolf lover has already avenged him,” Geralt adds.
Lambert blinks again.
“And you know, I’m almost sure that this Master Dandelion is just Jaskier’s new alias.”
“I’m gonna fucking kill him,” Lambert mutters when the song finally comes to its end.
“Which one of them?” Geralt smirks.
“Both of them!” Lambert growls. “I swear to gods, if I find out your stupid bard stole my Cat…”
“Excuse me, madam,” Geralt says to the innkeeper who’s just brought them their dinner. “Where did your bard learn this song?”
“That sappy ballad?” the innkeeper frowns. “From this Master Dandelion himself. He passed through the town last week with a Witcher.”
“And Master Dandelion…”
“You know the bard that calls himself Jaskier? It’s him with a fancy hat on,” she smirks.
“About this Witcher,” Lambert growls. “Does he look like in the song?”
“Pretty much, yeah. Kind of small for a Witcher, and almost too pretty, you know, but we had a little griffin problem and he slayed that beast like it was nothing, so…”
“I’m so gonna kill them both,” Lambert murmurs while Geralt has to try very hard not to chuckle.
“Would you happen to know where were they heading?” he asks.
“I would,” the woman says and looks at the Witcher expectantly.
“I see,” Geralt sighs. “You have another monster problem, don’t you?”
“Well. It turns out the griffin probably had a mate…”
“Of course it fucking did,” Geralt nods and picks up his fork. He simply refuses to deal with this with an empty stomach…
*
Jaskier critically eyes the clothes he’s picked for tonight’s performance.
“What do you think, Aiden?” he asks his companion. “Isn’t the purple a bit too much? It’s a small town, after all. Wouldn’t the steel blue look better?”
“I don’t know, I like the red one best,” Aiden shrugs from his spot on the bed.
“Yeah, yeah, I know. Reminds you of Lambert’s hair,” Jaskier says, rolling his eyes. “Melitele’s tits, I wish he’d find us already, because this is getting really–”
As if on cue, the door of the room slams open and a big, red-haired man walks in.
“You fucking bitch!” he yells when he sees Aiden.
The dark-haired Witcher beams and gets to his feet.
“Lambs!”
“Oh. Okay. That was fast,” Jaskier nods.
Lambert growls and grabs Aiden by the collar.
“Asshole!” he hisses. “I fucking mourned you!”
“Oh, honey, that’s so sweet,” Aiden smiles.
Lambert pushes him against the wall, so hard that Aiden grunts.
“I cried for you!”
“In my defense, it wasn’t exactly my fault,” Aiden smiles.
Jaskier inches towards the door.
“I guess I’ll just… leave you two to it.”
Needless to say, Lambert ignores him completely.
“I fucking avenged you!”
“Yes, that was very kind of you,” Aiden grins, utterly unaffected by Lambert’s angry face so close to his own. “You saved me a lot of trouble.”
Lambert groans, buries his face in Aiden’s shoulder and sighs deeply.
“You fucker,” he mutters.
“Yeah, I missed you too, puppy,” Aiden smiles, wrapping his arms around Lambert.
Jaskier, who’s already standing in the doorway, places his hand on his heart and takes a deep breath.
“Oh,” he whispers. “I shall write the most beautiful ballad about this… Ow!”
He’s unceremoniously dragged out of the room and this time it’s his turned to be slammed against the wall by a big, angry Witcher – but this one is white-haired and dressed all in black.
“Geralt!” Jaskier exclaims, his face brightening up.
“You won’t write a fucking thing,” Geralt growls.
“Is that so? May I ask why, dear heart?”
“Because you’re mine. My bard. And if I ever find out you’re writing about another Witcher again–”
“Then what?” Jaskier asks, cocking his head. “But before you answer, I’d like to remind you that I am not yours anymore, as you have made it quite clear on the mountain that you are not interested in having me as a companion–”
Jaskier is effectively shut up by Geralt’s lips pressing against his with determination that makes it absolutely clear that Geralt hasn’t merely lost his balance and happened to be falling in Jaskier’s general direction.
“Mine,” he growls.
“Well,” Jaskier sighs, slipping his fingers into Geralt’s hair. “When you put it like that… Fuck the mountain, I suppose.”
“Fuck the mountain,” Geralt agrees. “But I’m sorry. For what I said.”
“Apology very much accepted,” Jaskier laughs. “I’d ask you to fuck me, but I’m afraid my room is currently… occupied.”
Lambert’s loud moan only confirms Jaskier’s statement.
“Hm,” Geralt hums. “Do you think this tavern has a bath? I think I still have some griffin blood in my hair from last week.”
“Oh,” Jaskier purrs. “Oh, yes. And I’m sure I could get some chamomile oil…”
They hear another moan, this time Aiden’s.
“What are we waiting for, then?” Geralt grins and grabs Jaskier’s hand. “Come on, bard. We have some catching up to do…”
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asweetprologue · 3 years
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Nili’s Benchmark Geraskier Fic Rec List
hey yall! I officially hit 750 followers (a few days ago, I blew past the benchmark without even realizing!), which is... insane. I truly can’t believe that so many people over the last year have enjoyed my presence in this fandom enough to continue to follow my work. you guys are so great and I love you all so much, so I decided to put together a gift for you!
this is a list of my favorite geraskier fics from the fandom, which I have been putting together over the last year or so. a few of these are big in the fandom, but a lot of them are smaller pieces that I feel deserve more attention! I have provided ao3 and tumblr links where I could find them, as well as ratings and summaries. Most of these are canon!verse because I’m not personally a big fan of modern au’s, but there will be a few of those scattered throughout as well. I’ve divided the fics into two sections: oneshots and multichapter. See the list below the cut!
Being in this fandom truly has gotten me through the pandemic in a big way and I have made so many good friends while here. thank you all for validating my weird obsession with these characters and enabling me in these trying times <3
Oneshots
all that was good, all that was fair (all that was me is gone) | M | 7517 | WARNING: Graphic Depictions Of Violence | @xdandelionxbloomx
Somewhere, deep in a forest, a man drags himself from his grave by sheer power of will. He lies gasping on the forest floor and does not know who or what he is. The world is wide and wonderful, though, and there is so much to see.
Or, Jaskier is so stubborn that he literally comes back from the dead.
Another fascinating addition to the mythology of the Witcher. Jaskier’s slow rediscovery of himself is so well done here. One I’ve come back to again and again. 
As Fast As Love Can Go | T | 9628 | @bygodstillam
There are Faeries in the Wood.
That's what everyone said, at least, not that there was any solid proof. Jaskier had tried, more than once, to find some. Just a hint somewhere, of a real story, of real magic. But all anyone seemed to have was stories.
Jaskier was determined to find proof. He wasn't expecting to find a witcher in the process.
Fascinating fic with some really interesting worldbuilding, and a fresh new take on True Love’s Kiss. Also with some great art by @hehearse!
beautiful, he stirs up still things | T | 2575 | @alittlebitmaybe
“You’re not asking me to dance,” says Geralt.
Jaskier turns his palm up on his knee, offering it. “I think you’ll find I am.”
Just them dancing. This is a lovely sort of pre-relationship dynamic. So soft.
Dialogue Prompt | NR | 2932 | @reinvent-and-believe
Dialogue Prompt 48: “You make me want things I can’t have.” Wordless I-love-you 50: buying them a special treat when you go out shopping
Geralt gets Jaskier a gift, which prompts some confessions.
Even a small love | E | 22,272 | WARNING: Rape/Non-Con 
“Well,” Jaskier replies distractedly. “Lots of things want to strangle you.”
“You don’t.”
It isn’t a particularly troublesome accusation, or even necessarily an accusation at all.
This is one I read early on in the fandom, and it really stuck with me. The dynamic between Jaskier and Geralt is perfect, and the misunderstandings between them feel so realistic. The non-con is not extreme, but do mind the warnings. 
For the Space of a Heartbeat | T | 2021 | @drowningbydegrees
As it turns out, falling into bed with your very best friend who you are privately very much in love with isn't nearly so nerve wracking as waking up with them the morning after.
Just sweet, morning after discussions. I love to see them talking for once.
Greensleeves | T | 10,414 | @rebrandedbard
When Geralt crosses paths with Jaskier in the spring, the world is dressed in green. Quite literally. Everyone everywhere is wearing green, and it all comes down to a song Jaskier has written that, to his mortification, has become popular throughout the Continent. It's torment, being forced to preform the song over and over again and have his heart broken anew. But who is this Lady Greensleeves the people say Jaskier is so maddeningly, heartbrokenly in love with? At the baron's wedding party, Geralt is determined to find out.
This is one of my personal faves - there’s just something about Jaskier’s feelings being put on blast while Geralt remains totally oblivious that I think is so very them. And the resolution at the end is delightful.
I Don’t Wanna Fall (If It’s Not In Love) | E | 13,902 | @writinglizards
The first time it's out of desperation. Things get rapidly out of hand from there.
OR the building of a relationship through mutual wank sessions.
I love everything Ashley writes, but this one was the first fic I read by her and it still has a warm place in my heart. I also highly recommend It’s Been A While (makes me cry every time) and Tell Me Honestly
Like a Storm, Like a Flood | T | 1065 | @valdomarx
Jaskier is leaving for the winter, and Geralt can't bear the thought of not seeing him for months.
It was soooo hard to pick only one fic by George, but this one is so soft and sweet and yearning I just had to go with it. This is really just about Geralt finally hitting a breaking point and saying enough is enough.
one flesh | E | 10,763 | WARNING: MCD 
“Well, then. I’m a ghost.” Jaskier spread his arms grandly. Geralt held his gaze for a moment, then dropped his head and laughed. Jaskier put his hands on his hips. “Do fill me in on what’s so funny.” It wasn’t funny. It was just so - ridiculous, the things Geralt’s fucked up brain would invent. This had to be the last nail in the sanity coffin, it just had to be.
Or: Jaskier is a ghost, and Geralt is a mess.
Jaskier dies and comes back as a ghost to haunt Geralt into taking care of himself. Geralt does not handle this gracefully. This fic is so sad and heartbreaking, but the ending is so sweet.
to render it transparent | E | 23,901
Geralt wakes up warm, peaceful, and utterly content, which is how he knows that something is severely wrong.
Sigh. This fic. This is a time travel fic - Geralt ends up in the future living with Jaskier on the coast, just after the mountain. It’s slow and beautiful and extremely bittersweet, all about how we choose to love people despite how much it can hurt us.
With All the Continent A Stage | M | 4745 | @greyduckgreygoose
Later, Geralt learned that the play was four hours long. Four hours long. It didn’t feel like it. Most of it passed by in a fever dream of ominous music, dance-fighting and dryads in gossamer leaves, swinging from hoops attached to the ceiling. Yennefer made an appearance, played by Priscilla in a glittering negligee. She sang a song to Geralt about putting him “Under Her Spell”, and they had a sensual dance number which was made a little strange by a sickened Jaskier (played by Jaskier) coughing loudly in the background.
(Jaskier invites Geralt to a musical production inspired by his own life.)
Jaskier basically writes Geralt a love letter in the form of a four hour long play. Geralt is an idiot about it.
Multi-Chapter Fics
A Lover’s Lament | M | 25,364 | @somedrunkpirate
So,” Jaskier begins, as casually as he can, “you are telling me, that in theory, if I were to be in love with someone — anyone — that person could well be in terrible danger?”
Of all terrible and ridiculous things that have threatened Geralt’s safety, Jaskier’d never thought that loving him might be what will get him killed.
I honestly can’t count the number of times I’ve read this fic. The monster is so interesting, and the mythos of it fits seamlessly into the world of the Witcher in my mind. Jaskier being so afraid that his feelings are going to put Geralt at risk, clearly unable to see that Geralt is going through the exact same thing. I think about the scene with them looking at each other almost daily. 
A Pair of Gloves, the Scent of Roses | M | 24,134 | WARNING: Graphic Depictions of Violence
In the bustling days before the Midsummer festival, Geralt is sent into the countryside to deal with a monster - with Jaskier once again by his side. But the bard has not forgiven him, and while he's not hiding his contempt for the Witcher, he is recalcitrant about revealing his true motives for joining him. As the hunt turns into a desperate mission to save an innocent man and the monster is not what is seems to be, Geralt learns a few new things about his old friend and decides to finally attempt to mend the rift between them...
This is one of my favorite’s in the fandom - it feels so believable, the world is so rich and the oc’s are convincing and charming. Geralt and Jaskier feel so honest here, stumbling around each other but still drawn together. Beautiful beautiful beautiful
Bearing the will of the flower | NR | 11,449 
The way Jaskier sees it, his hobby of following a witcher around was always pretty likely to get him killed.
The fact that it's happening now because the witcher in question doesn't love him, he thinks as he coughs up crumpled flowers, hardly makes a difference.
My favorite hanahaki fic in the fandom. I’m such a sucker for these, and these two idiots being so incapable of talking about their feelings really makes them prime candidates. 
Food of Love | T | 22,488 | @wallatile-qvibbler
I brought a dead princess back to life through the power of song is the kind of thing that would have got an eyebrow raise even from the stone-faced Geralt of Rivia, so it's a good thing he and Geralt will probably never see each other again.
(or: the one where Jaskier channels magic through his songs, and it almost never goes as expected.)
This is a Jaskier and Renfri centric fic, which wasn’t something I knew I wanted until I read this. Jaskier is a bard which in this AU comes with magical powers, but it feels so well integrated into the universe that I wish it was just... how the Witcher is. Renfri is so good here, and even though Jaskier and Geralt barely even interact you can feel the tension and love between them. Cannot recommend highly enough.
friends and allies of the witcher | T | 10,312 | @theamazingbard
Yennefer crawls over to her newest cellmate. They’re curled up on their side. Breathing, but only just. She’s not sure what she’s hoping for when she turns them over. Still isn’t when she sees that it is indeed Jaskier.
“Shit."
Yennefer and Jaskier each suffer in more ways than one at the hands of Nilfgaard.
Yennefer and Jaskier get capture by Nilfgaard and tossed into a cell together. Exactly what I want out of season 2 honestly. Their interactions are gold.
I’d Be the Choiceless Hope | E | 45,188 | WARNING: Rape/Non-Con | @lesdemonium
As a baby, Jaskier was visited by a fae, who gifted Jaskier's mother with Jaskier's obedience. As Jaskier grew older, the "gift" became more of a curse.
You know I’m not gonna make a rec list without listing Zoe’s Ella Enchanted au. Need I say more?
Silver and Copper | M | 56,139 | WARNING: Graphic Depictions of Violence | @kaer-cuan
Geralt is just supposed to pass through the quiet Lettenhove area. He's not anticipating being begged by its people to help save their viscount from a curse that keeps him from daylight. Lord Jaskier, they call him, and he's likely dying.
As Geralt struggles to untangle the ugly web of history that has lead to the increasingly complicated curse, he finds himself spending more and more time with the strange young viscount and wondering just what he might have been before the curse, and who he might be after. But things are not always as they seem, and as the curse tightens its grip on Jaskier, Geralt is forced to face the fear of failing yet another person whose choices were stolen from them.
Or-
Jaskier is kept from becoming a bard. Geralt finds him anyway.
This is a fic that haunts me. It’s very scary in parts, and mind the tags - there are some very heavy themes here. But it’s beautiful and touching, and Jaskier feels very true to himself even though his origin is so different.
we could be married (and then we'd be happy) | E | 50,222 | @a-kind-of-merry-war
Jaskier reached into his pocket, fingers grasping around the little box. He pulled it out with what he hoped was a romantic flourish, flipping it open to reveal the simple gold band inside. “Geralt,” he said, confidently, cooly, like this wasn’t terrifying, “Will you marry me?”
Geralt and Jaskier fake marriage proposals to get free deserts and shit but it goes tits up when Vesemir catches them in the act. Not knowing how to fess up, they go along with it for a while, which is hell because they’re both pining like mad. As I said, I don’t love modern au’s, but it’s merry so of course this one had to end up on my list.
~
And that’s it! 20 fics for you, and hopefully you can all find one or two you haven’t read before. There are a lot of people and fics that I didn’t include in this list only because I was trying to not put a million down (which I could). I highly recommend anything by @wherethewordsare, @julek, @contemplativepancakes, @witcher-and-his-bard, and @inber, as well as those linked to fics above, and I’m sure there are others I forgot to mention. Yall have truly made being in this fandom worthwhile <3
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Mostly just gonna spitball ideas here, me and @lovelyeskel were talking about this on Discord with another friend of ours (toss_a_coin_to_your_daddy on Instagram). Kind of a ficlet, mostly organizing ideas into a long rant
Modern AU, Lambutt—
Jaskier and Lambert meet and become good friends and it’s all dandy and wonderful—
Until Jaskier starts catching feelings.
Because, well...
Lambert is taken.
Jaskier has only heard about Lambert’s boyfriend in passing but has no doubt of his existence. He first funds out when Jaskier mentions an issue he had from a previous relationship— his ex used to take the food he worked really hard on making for himself.
“Oh, Aiden does that all the time.”
So Lambert is unavailable. Or so he thinks.
It goes on for a while, the vague references to Lambert’s partner, and Jaskier finds out a bit more about his behavior and what he does for a living— he feels meek in comparison. “Look, I love him, but he keeps leaving his hair all over the place,” and “he’s gone most of the time anyway, and I miss him a lot. But I don’t want to control him, he was raised to be adventurous.” They have a good relationship. Jaskier would hate to ruin it. And Aiden seems like a nice guy, with a few random habits and quirks that Lambert complains about. “He was being so loud last night, my neighbor came over and told me to keep it down. Embarrassing, right?”
But Jaskier wants to be Lambert’s friend, so he doesn’t want get involved.
It doesn’t stop him from complaining though, telling his best friend Geralt that he can’t pursue his brother because of the other man in his life. Geralt, for one, finds the tale terribly tragic. He’s definitely not laughing at him... right?
When Lambert invites Jaskier to visit, Jaskier expects you meet Aiden. But no such luck. Because of his work schedule, they can only meet up during a certain couple of hours, which happen to be when Aiden is out on his “neighborhood walk.” Lambert says he doesn’t come home for hours, sometimes even after Jaskier leaves.
When Lambert tries to kiss Jaskier for the first time, months after Jaskier’s big fat crush starts, one of the most painful things he does is tell him to stop.
“But... Aiden,” he says, a hand on Lambert’s shoulder.
“...what about him?” Lambert asks. Jaskier is many things, and will do many dumb things, but ruining his friend’s relationship for his own selfish wants is where he draws the line.
“I can’t... get involved like that.”
“Why? Is it because... do you not...”
Before Jaskier can confess, there is a soft tap from near the back door.
“Oh, he’s home,” Lambert says, and he sounds so heartbroken. He gets up— “You should go, Jaskier.”
Things get awkward between them for a while, but they eventually move past it. Jaskier’s complaints to Geralt don’t cease. “He likes me too, but I just can’t do that to his relationship.”
“Hmm.”
It finally culminates when Jaskier comes to visit on a rare day off, bright and early. He’s had a key to Lambert’s house for a while, though he’s never had to use it. He opens the front door and something darts out between his legs, a soft Murrow his only indication of what the creature is.
“Lambert!” He calls into the building. “I didn’t know you were watching someone’s cat!” He steps inside and sees Lambert in the kitchen, making pancakes. The car follows him inside, winding around his ankles.
“Shit!” Lambert says. “Why didn’t you text me you were coming over?”
“I wanted to surprise you! I had a day off.”
“But Aiden—“
“Oh, is he here?” And Jaskier starts peering around. It is early though, it’s possible Lambert’s Beau is still asleep. Lambert had mentioned he liked to sleep in.
“Jaskier, he’s-“
“I’ll keep my voice down.” Jaskier kneels on the ground, scratching at the cat on the ground. They seem to enjoy the way he scratches under his ear, if the purr rumbling from his chest is any indication. “So who is this? Is this your neighbor’s cat that you have the food bowl for outside?”
“Jaskier-“
“You’re beautiful! (Mrr) Though you shed quite a bit, don’t you?”
“He’s-“
“Oh, a boy! Well he’s very sweet. Aren’t you? (mrrp) what’s his name?” And Jaskier finally shuts up long enough for Lambert to get a word in.
“He’s not my neighbor’s cat.” Jaskier looks up and sees Lambert looking down at him, concerned and quizzical. “I thought you hated cats? And were allergic?”
“What gave you that idea? And if this is your cat, you have never mentioned him. Is he new?”
“What? I talk about Aiden all the time.”
Everything clicks into place for a moment, and Jaskier feels the weight of all the misunderstandings come crashing down.
“Oh my god,” Jaskier mumbles softly.
“You always got weird when I brought him up though, and I thought you not liking cats was why you didn’t want to...” Lambert trails off while Jaskier is still processing.
“You never mentioned he was a cat, Lambert.”
“Yeah I... oh my god.” Jaskier looks up at him and sees his eyes go wide. “You thought I had a boyfriend.”
“Uh-Huh.”
“You don’t hate cats.”
“No.”
“Do you...”
“Of course I fucking do,” Jaskier says, standing quickly. Aiden meows his annoyance at no longer being the center of attention, but Jaskier Can finally touch Lambert without feeling guilty, and he gently touches his hand. Lambert seizes it.
“We wasted so much time,” Lambert whispers. “Because you thought Aiden was a human.”
“And you were dating.”
“But What about when I talk about him shedding?”
“You bitch about Geralt shedding too, I assumed he had long hair.”
“His walks?”
“People go on walks, Lambert, and I of all people understand the importance of a schedule.”
“What about taking him to the vet?”
“I thought he worked there!”
“Holy shit.”
Jaskier lets out a breathless laugh as Aiden winds between his feet. “I think he likes me.”
“He’s not alone,” Lambert whispers, and Jaskier looks into his eyes, which are part shock and part adoration. Jaskier closes the distance between them.
As it turns out, Jaskier is allergic to cats and hadn’t figured it out prior because Geralt had told Lambert they couldn’t date because of his cat, and Lambert thought he was allergic— so he cleaned before Jaskier came over. When Jaskier lays on the couch, sniffling and his eyes streaming while Aiden fallls asleep on his chest, he reassures Lambert that he really does like cats, and likes him even more.
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randomfandomimagine · 3 years
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End Of The Year Faves
Rules: It’s time to love yourselves! Choose your 8 (ish) favorite works you created in the past year (fics, art, edits, etc.) and link them below to reflect on the amazing things you brought into the world in 2020. Tag as many writers/artists/etc. as you want (fan or original) so we can spread the love and link each other to awesome work!
I was tagged by @myriadimagines and @musicallisto, thank you, lovelies!
10. Zack Fair (FFVII) gif imagine
I really love this one because it’s like the definition of short and sweet. It’s adorable, warm and I think I got Zack’s characterization pretty well and I often reread it when I need a smile. I just love my boy Zack and how this little thing turned out.
9. Connor (DBH) prompt (”I shouldn’t be in love with you”)
The reason I love this one it’s because I wrote it as one of my favorite things to write: a character study. I tried to express Connor’s struggle as he develops feelings for the reader and how conflicted he would be to have fallen in love with someone, having developed such a human thing as feelings. One of the many reasons why I love Connor is because of his arc in the game, because of how guilty he feels for becoming deviant despite being the very android that hunts them, it just gets to me. I’m just really glad that I could explore that in this prompt and that I managed to show it properly as well as make this more angsty, since my specialty is usually fluff.
8. Yennefer (Witcher) prompt (”I shouldn’t be in love with you” “Are you jealous?” “I’m so scared”)
This is the only Yennefer request I’ve ever gotten (besides one for a dating would include that I had already written), and I had so much fun writing it! Yennefer has appeared in my Witcher writings a lot, but never as a main character and never as a love interest, so that’s why this was so cool! I think she’s a very interesting character, so I really enjoyed getting the chance to explore her personality. I love how it turned out because I think it’s the perfect balance between her being sly and also being loving and showing her feelings for the reader. 
7. Too Nice (John Ambrose McClaren, TATBILB ficlet)
John Ambrose is another character I really like writing for. What can I say? I fell in love with him and it was great to write something for him. This is somewhere between love and almost hate, with a lot of misunderstandings and complex feelings that ultimately lead to a happy fluffy ending. He’s just the sweetest and it was curious to write his reactions to someone who doesn’t always respond well to his kindness, even if because it flusters them.
6. Special (Howl Pendragon, HMC ficlet)
And yet another character I love. It was a bit hard settling on just one version of the character, because I love both the movie and book versions, so I tried to make it a little bit of both... even if this Howl is more suave and charming like in the movie rather than the absolute endearing disaster that book Howl is. Still, I always have fun getting other characters involved with the reader and their love interest, so I loved adding Calcifer and Marko to the mix. As well as the cute interactions Howl and reader have, I love the ending in which he hints at the fact that the reader unlocked something in his heart that he didn’t think was possible.
5. Kind (Jesse Pinkman, Breaking Bad ficlet)
I don’t often get to write about Jesse, so this was awesome! Peekaboo was one of my favorite episodes and it was amazing to get to explore it. While it’s not perfect, I really like how the connection between Jesse and reader turned out, how kind (:D) he is and patient and respectful, and I think I also poured a lot of emotion to the reader with that background.
4. Separated (Zuko, ATLA ficlet)
By this point, it’s obvious that I’m more proud of ficlets (because they’re longer and take more planning and more time and effort) and about characters I love because I think the passion I have for them is more obvious. I wrote this one right when I was watching ATLA because I loved (and still love) Zuko so much. It’s sort of a character study as well (it’s established that I adore writing them) and I’m so glad that I had the idea of getting Iroh involved because he’s awesome. This ficlet just has a lot of pining and repressed emotions that come out in the end and I love it.
3. Weight On His Shoulders (PS4 Peter Parker ficlet)
This one if pretty recent, as I wrote it after beating the game myself. This game is just awesome, and this is my favorite representation of Peter ever. He’s cute, charming, nerdy, loving, kind, a bit awkward and just everything that Peter and Spidey should be (at least for me). I wanted to represent both his personas in this one, and I like the balance I achieved with it as well as the emotions, the pining, the secret identity and in the end the understanding of the reader. The part with Spidey saving reader is great and I’m very happy with how reader is prepared to confront him about it once they learn he’s Spiderman only to change their mind when they see how much it’s weighing on him so they decide to relax with him for a bit.
2. Reunion (Cloud Strife, FFVII ficlet)
I’ve written a lot of things for this fandom this year because I was super inspired after beating the remake with my brother, I loved it (honorable mentions to Heal My Heart and Stars In Your Eyes, two other ficlets that I wrote and I’m very proud of). Cloud has always been one of my favorite characters, and in this one I got to examine a side of him I usually don’t. Not only does this ficlet include Zack Fair (another one of my favorite characters) but it also goes along with an idea I had been thinking about for a long time of a female reader pretending to be a boy to get into SOLDIER and becoming friends with them, but it also shows Cloud as the meeker and shy boy he is in Crisis Core. It was so cool to write about him back then and after once he had joined AVALANCHE. His relationship with the reader was also bittersweet because of their past and it’s just so complex and emotional that I love it, especially their reunion at the end.
1. Soul of a Warrior (Jaskier x Nissa, The Witcher Fanfiction Series). This was a big project, as series always are. I spent several months planning and plotting the story and even more months writing it, and also revising it once it was finished before posting it. I put so much effort, love and time into this series that it absolutely had to be number one. Soul of a Warrior is probably the thing I’m most proud of (that I have written) in 2020. 
As most of you know (my mutuals definitely do, as they have gifted me amazing things with him), Jaskier is probably the character I fangirled the hardest about this year. I wrote many things for him (the ficlet What Would You Do Without Me? deserves another honorable mention because it’s probably my favorite thing I’ve written this year along with the series) and working on each of them has brought me so much serotonin. Jaskier is just such an amazing character, loving and compassionate but cheeky and selfish while at the same time being charming, optimistic, bubbly, extroverted and a huge flirt. So many layers!
But back to the series... Soul of a Warrior had one of the best faceclaims I’ve found, the sweetest friendship between my OC Nissa and Geralt and the slowest of burns romances with Jaskier. Him and Nissa are very similar in some aspects, so much so that they’re both too blind to realize the other’s feelings (idiots to lovers, am I right?) but they care so much about one another. The three of them were strangers, but they become family (found family, another one for the fandom bingo!) and I’m the proudest of how real and organic their relationship feels. Not to mention that their dynamic was super fun to write because Geralt is the only one that knows they’re in love and is so fed up and exasperated with their obliviousness. As well as this, I think I managed to mix action, emotion and depth really well. My secondary OCs feel more alive than others before them, Nissa was pretty complex and coherent and had a true voice of her own, and their part on the story feels important. There are tense moments, cute ones, sad ones, tragic ones... a little bit of everything. I think this one as a lot more angst and whump because I was in a bit of a dark place when I wrote it, but it still has hope and light in it, which I really love. The series also has a lot more violence than what I’m used to, but it was interesting to get out of my comfort zone a bit. 
Overall, not only do I think it’s fun to read, compelling, funny and emotional all at once, I’m just very proud that I managed to write something a little different from what I usually do and feel like I did it well. I put a big part of me in this series and for that reason Soul of a Warrior will always have a special place in my heart 💜
That it’s, sorry if I ranted a bit! I tag anyone who wants to do this!! 
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berjhawn · 4 years
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In My Head - CH. 6 - Law of Surprise
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Warnings: arguing; fighting; 
Pairings: Geralt X Reader x Bucky ; Bucky X Reader x Geralt ; Geralt x Reader ; Bucky X Reader
Summary: Girl dreams about boy, girl meets boy, chaos ensues.
A/N:This is the only chapter for today since it is so long. please let me know how you feel with a comment, like, or a reblog :D i love hearing what you guys think. 
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We continued enjoying the festivities as the night progressed. Many men stepped up to offer themselves and their kingdom’s for Pavetta’s hand and I could see why. She was gorgeous, but she seemed sad. I watched her for a moment while a few princes offered themselves to her. I could tell she wanted nothing to do with any of this. I didn’t blame her.
I would occasionally meet Geralt’s gaze and I could tell he wanted to speak to me more. I wanted that too, but I knew getting to close to the queens table was a bad idea for my companions and I. Princes and lords from neighboring lands seemed too dumb to question our being at this party. I was especially annoyed of the one from Nilfgaard who talked about his potent seed. I thought Thor was gonna burst out laughing for a moment. I could tell through the Queens badmouthing of him and his kingdom that she was sowing a deep seed of hatred in the man.
Jaskier’s playing was, thankfully, a good way to enjoy the evening. If I was ever able to come back, I would have to record his voice for later.
Suddenly a commotion is heard and I turn to see someone fighting their way into the party. Thor goes to move toward the commotion and I grab his arm holding him back.
“Forgive my late intrusion, Your Majesty, and for the misunderstanding with your guards. Please! I come in peace.” The man calls as he makes his way to the spot where the other lords had previously stood vying for the princess’s hand. “I need but one moment of your time.” He kneels down before the queen and her table as he continues, “I am Lord Urcheon of Erienwald, and I have come to claim your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
The three of us look from the kneeling lord to the queen. The queen looed angry whereas her daughter looked happy to see the man.
“A knight… of no renown… from a backwater hamlet… Who dares to enter my court, without revealing his face?” Th queen replies narrowing her eyes at the man.
“I apologize, Your Majesty. A knight’s oath prevents me from revealing my face until the sounding of the twelfth bell.” The man replies and can hear the honesty in his voice.
“Bollocks to that.” A man says as he instantly moves forward and removes the knight’s helmet. The crowd, save for Thor, myself, and Wanda; gasps as the man’s appearance. He had the head of a hedgehog.
“Witcher…” I hear the queen start and I turn to see him looking at the knight. “Kill it.” Pavetta’s eyes shoot to her mother as they silently beg her to stop.
“No.” Geralt refuses.
“Whatever the price.” The queen offers.
“This is no monster.”
“I order you.” She seethes.
“This knight has been cursed.”
“You’re as useless as the rest of them.” She pauses before ordering, “Slay this beast!”
My eyes fall to the princess who has started to cry and my heart bleeds for her. A couple guards attack him, but he makes short work of them.
“Lioness of Cintra,” he calls pointing the tip of his sword towards her. “I have come to claim what is rightfully mine! Pavetta. By the Law of Surprise.”
The room erupts in whispers as Thor and Wanda look at me for answers and I shake my head. I had no idea what he was talking about. All the sudden I hear more swords be drawn and turn back to the knight to see that more guards have started to attack him. He lasts a few minutes until there are more guards than he can handle. He is suddenly knocked to the floor and I find myself unconsciously moving toward him.
“No!” I hear Pavetta cry out as a guard raises his long axe. I burst through the crowd just in time.
“Stop!” I yell out making the guard freeze in his tracks the axe frozen in air long enough for Geralt to slice it in half with his sword and then kill the guard. His eyes find mine and I could tell he was angry. The rest of the room looks at me and I slowly make my way closer to him.
When I reach him Geralt places me behind him and glances at the Knight on the ground. The knight quickly grabs the axe part of the severed long axe and stands up beside us. Geralt’s eyes find mine as he whispers, “Don’t use your gift.” I glare at him but nod.
“Kill them all!” I hear the queen yell and I instantly turn to see a guard coming at me whit a sword in hand.
I dodge right as he swings his sword down at me. I turn back to prepare for another attack to see Thor holding the man in a headlock knocking him out.
“What’s a party without a brawl?” Thor asks as he hands me an Asgardian sword. Taking it from him, I watch as he reveals another one from his side. As he unsheathes it, his eyes start to glow as lightning sparks from his hands becoming one with his sword.
“Don’t have too much fun!” I call out as I turn back to the fight only to see a lord smack another with a chair and say, “The Law of Surprise has been called. You kill them… kill me.”
I glance over at Thor to see that he had also watched the encounter and a smirk fills his lips. The room has now erupted into chaos.
“Stop!” I hear the queen call and I turn to see her with her sword outstretched towards Geralt and I freeze. “Stop!” she orders again making the room freeze and Geralt lower his sword. Him and the queen have a silent conversation with their eyes.
“Duny!” I hear Pavetta cry out as she rushes over to wrap her arms around the hedgehog Knight. His arms wrap around her as he lifts her into the air holding her tightly. “I told you to stay away.” Pavetta cries holding Duny’s face in her hands.
The queen moves closer to them her eyes focused on Duny’s visage. Duny releases Pavetta as he turns to face her. He kneels in front of her laying his weapon down at her feet.
“Your Majesty, the Witcher speaks the truth.” Duny says as he stands up, “I was cursed as a young boy. My whole life a living misery, until the day I saved your husband, King Roegner, from a certain death. By tradition, I chose the Law of Surprise as payment. Whatever windfall he came home to find… would be mine.”
“Oh, the stupid bastard. Better you had let him die.” The queen seethes anger lacing her words.
“You knew he’d come,” Geralt starts causing me to move closer to him. “And you pushed me to kill him.”
“And you,” The queen turns to her daughter turning her anger on her. “Carousing with the beast that swindled your stupid father!”
“’Tis no swindle.” The lord from before that fought for Geralt and Duny speaks as he nears the queen. “Asking for payment with the Law of Surprise is as old as mankind itself.”
“Don’t lecture me, Eist.”
“It’s an honest gamble.” Eist remarks. “As likely to be rewarded with a bumper crop as a newborn pup. Or… a child of surprise. He could not know.”
I Look over to see Pavetta take Duny’s hand.
“Destiny has determined the surprise to be Pavetta.” Eist continues.
“When I heard that King Roegner had returned to find a child on the way… I abandoned all thought of claiming the Law of Surprise. I knew… I knew no woman would ever accept me like this.” Pavetta places a hand on Duny’s chest as if to reassure him as he continues, “And so I waited… I waited until the twelfth bell when the curse breaks. I never intended to meet her. Duny assures the queen making my eyes find Geralt’s for a moment before I turn back to them. “Just to watch her from afar.” Duny adds his eyes meeting Pavetta’s as she gives him a sad smile.
“Until destiny intervened… and our hearts collided.” Pavetta says as she stares deeply into Duny’s eyes and I bite my lips as I realized she was admitting to them having premarital relations, which in this world was a big no-no.
“And at dawn, I awoke with her in my arms and me… like this.” Duny concludes making my heart hurt for the two of them.
“Who are we to challenge destiny?” Eist questions the queen as he nears her. “Life was saved, debt must be paid, or the whole order of the world falls apart.”
“Honor destiny’s wish,” A man I recognized from earlier as Mousesack speaks, “Or unleash its wrath upon us.”
“There is no us!” The queen speaks her voice low and angry. “I bow to no law made by men who never bore a child!” She yells and I nod slightly, the feminist in me agreeing with her. “Is there not a man amongst you who does not cower before destiny?” her eyes turn to fall upon Geralt. “You, Witcher. Who has known monsters of every fang and claw… are you afraid too?”
“No.” Geralt answers honestly making the queen smirk. “I’ve seen mothers lash themselves raw over the death of a child, believing they crossed destiny, ignoring the stench of the fifty other children in the plague cart outside. Destiny, helps people believe there’s an order to this horseshit.” Geralt finishes and I wince at the memory of seeing it once when I was visiting him in my dreams. “There isn’t. But a promise made must be honored. As true for a commoner… as it is for a queen.”
The queen’s sighs and I find my eyes looking down at the ground in front of me.
“I love Duny, mother.” Pavetta speaks. “I will marry him. I will finally be free.” I look back up at them as my hand finds Geralt’s free one. His fingers intertwine with mine as we continue to listen to them.
All eyes fall on the queen as she hands her sword over to Eist. Tears fill her eyes as she holds her hand out towards Duny and Pavetta. Duny takes it and as the queen pulls him in close, she whispers into his ear. “Here in your destiny.” Then she pulls away and all is still for a moment before the queen pulls a dagger from her side and goes to stab Duny only to have Pavetta scream.
“No!” She screams causing everyone in the room to be thrown backways away from her and Duny. Geralt pulls me into his side as he crashes into a pillar. The room was like a hurricane with Pavetta and Duny in the center where it was calm. The windows shatter inward, the shards of glass raining down on the fearful crowd. This was getting more dangerous by the second.
I look around the room to see everyone staring at them in fear and I glance over to see Wanda look from them to me.
“Wanda!” I call to her as I motion for her to use her powers. She nods in understanding and I watch as she creates a forcefield around the chaos of the winds encasing Pavetta and Duny along with it. “Geralt, you have to get me close to them.” I cry as the winds start to disappear from around us only being visible and chaotic inside the ball Wanda created.
“No, it’s too dangerous.” He argues making me narrow my eyes.
“I can’t hold it much longer (Name)!” Wanda cries and I can see that holding her forcefield around Pavetta was taking its toll on her.
“Please Geralt!” I beg and he nods. He grabs my shoulders and using his feet puts the against the pillar and pushes.
“Pavetta!” I cry as I near her only to have her ignore me. Wanda falters for a second the strain of holding Pavetta’s chaos at bay becoming too much for her, causing a stray piece of glass to hit my face slicing my cheek open. I wince as I feel the blood start to drip down my cheek.
“That’s enough (Name)!” Geralt warns from beside me and I feel as he tries to pull me back to safety and I shake my head anger filling my body.
“Pavetta!” I yell anger in my words. “Pavetta! Look. At. Me.” I scream out and she does. Our eyes meet and I let out a sigh of relief as I yell, “STOP!”
Pavetta and Duny fall to the floor as the chaos instantly disappears. I watch as Wanda falls into Thor’s arm completely spent. He gives me a nod letting me know that she is okay and I instantly feel my knees give out from under me. Geralt’s arms wrap around me as he catches me before I can fall. He holds me tight not letting me go.
I look up into his amber eyes to see the anger fill them. His fingers reach up to touch the cut on my face and he groans in anger. Geralt helps me to my feet and I look over to see that the queen has made it to her feet and was closing the distance between her and her daughter. Tears fill the queen’s eyes as she wraps her arms around Pavetta holding her tightly.
I look around the room to see everyone returning to their feet. Thor and Wanda walk over to Geralt and I, their eyes focused on the cut on my cheek.
“I’m fine.” I whisper to them only to have Wanda to rip a part of her dress and place it on my face.
“I thought your grandmother’s gift had skipped you… as it did me. It seems I was wrong. About so many things.” The queen says her eyes focused on her daughter. “Destiny has spoken! And I have listened. The Law of Surprise will be honored. Pavetta will marry… Lord Urcheon.” The queen announces causing the room to erupt in murmurs.
“React poorly, and you won’t just face the Lioness, you will be facing the sea hounds of Skellige. Because queen Calanthe… has agreed to my proposal of marriage.” Eist calls out causing the Queen to look at him with a smirk filling her lips.
“There will be two vows here tonight!” Queen Calanthe calls out. “I assume that agreeable.”
The lords and princes of the room nod in acceptance of her order.
“Delightful.” She adds and I smile softly. Pavetta got her love.
Wanda pulled her hand from my cheek to examine my cut and a sigh of relief leaves her lips.
“It’s not that deep, probably won’t leave a scar.” Wanda reassures making me nod.
I turn to Geralt knowing he wants to scold me but he doesn’t. Perhaps it’s because of the situation we were in, or perhaps it because of our surroundings. His hand takes mind as he holds it tightly. Candles are soon handed out to everyone. After they are lit everyone makes a circle around the queen and her daughter. Pavetta and Duny are on their knees before Queen Calanthe as they start to take their marriage vows.
“Pavetta.” She pauses as she wraps a cloth around her and Duny’s joined hands. “Duny. With my blessing. I thee bind.”
Calanthe releases their hands and they turn to kiss each other, they kiss sealing their bond, but soon after Duny barks and then starts to growl as he collapses to the floor writhing in pain. Geralt holds me back as I move to help him. We watch as he suddenly turns into a human. His quills replaced by dark curly locks. Duny smiles at Pavetta before he wraps her in his arms and kisses her passionately.
“The Twelfth bell has not yet rung.” Pavetta exclaims as she caresses Duny’s face.
“What has happened?” Calanthe asks as she stares at the two of them in confusion and shock.
“I think your blessing of this marriage… has fulfilled a destiny.” Mousesack announces a smile on his face.
“The curse has been lifted.” Calanthe breathes a smirk on her lips.
“This has the makings of my greatest ballad yet.” I hear Jaskier say from beside me and I shake my head.
“If you’re alive in the morning. Don’t…” Geralt pauses as he looks over me to see Jaskier in the eyes of a busty lady. “grope for trout in any peculiar rivers until dawn.”
I look from them to Thor who nods slightly and starts to move Wanda toward the exit. We didn’t belong here; it was time for us to leave. I go to pull away from Geralt to leave only to have him start to follow me out.
“No, wait! Wait!” I hear Duny call out and I stop in my tracks I turn back to them to see him looking at me. “You and Geralt have saved my life. I must repay you.”
I glance up at Geralt unsure of what to say when he speaks, “You’ve proven yourself to be the kind of man who would do the same for either of us. We want nothing.”
“No, please.” Duny’s eyes fill with sadness. “Please, Geralt of Rivia, and…” He pauses.
“(Name), of Asgard.” I answer gripping tightly to Geralt’s hand.
“(Name), do not feel like you’re doing me a service. I cannot start a new life in the shadow of a life debt.” Duny pleads.
“Fine. I…” Geralt starts but I stop him from continuing.
“We, claim the tradition as you have, the Law of Surprise.” I say and Queen Calanthe’s eyes widen.
“Give us that which you already have but do not know.” I add and Geralt turns starting to walk away pulling me along with him.
“No!” I hear Calanthe cry out and I turn back to face her. “What have you done? Who even are you?”
“I am (Name) of Asgard, I am gifted with the gift of persuasion. I hail from a kingdom of gold. I have no intention of ever returning to your castle to claim anything.”
“And Fear not Your Majesty, if I am seen in your kingdom again, it’ll be to kill a real monster, not lay claim to a crop or a new pup. Destiny can go fu-” Geralt’s words are cut short as Pavetta vomits on the floor in front of her.
“Pavetta?” The queen calls as she kneels down at her daughter’s side cupping her chin. “Are you…”
They all suddenly turn to look at Geralt and myself.
“Fuck…” Geralt and I exclaim in unison before we turn and walk out of the room, Geralt pausing momentarily to grab his sword from a nearby chair.
We make it to the hall where Thor and Wanda were waiting only for Mousesack to reach us and call out to Geralt.
“Clearly the girl has access to immense primal power.” Mousesack calls out causing us to stop moving.
“Yeah, and no idea how to control it.” Geralt adds from beside me.
“I’m gonna stay.” Mousesack says a smirk on his face. “Guide her.”
“You’re a good man, Mousesack.” Geralt replies a soft smile on his lips.
“You should stay too.” Mousesack adds his eyes moving between me and Geralt. “Both of you.”
“I can’t.” I say my brow furrowing.
“This has been enough partying for me. We’re getting out of here.” Geralt replies to Mousesack as his hand gripping tightly to mine.
“You both are bound to this now. Whether you like it or not.” Mousesack adds as he moves closer to us.
“I’m not for changing.” Geralt starts giving me a chance to look over at Thor and Wanda who were looking at us with looks of confusion in their eyes. “You know me better than that.”
“Yes, I do, but you can’t outrun destiny just because you’re terrified of it. It’s coming, Geralt. Not believing won’t change that.”
“Bullshit.” Geralt argues causing me to look between the two men. “This was just a girl using her magic to stop her mother from gutting her lover. Nothing more.”
“So, you say,” Mousesack starts. “But the bond that will come into being between the two of you, and this child… When it is born, will be extraordinary.”
“Child?!” Wanda exclaims from behind me causing my eyes to widen at her sudden outburst. “(Name), what did you do?”
“Can we talk about this later?” I plead causing Thor to move Wanda down the hall to give the rest of us moment.
“If you both dismiss it, leave without claiming this… Child Surprise, you will surely unleash true calamity upon us all.” Mousesack states and I feel my heart clench. I didn’t want to hurt anybody.
“I’ll take that chance.” Geralt concludes making Mousesack sigh. “Mind yourself. True words are rare birds in courts like this. Watch for daggers in your back. Or, more likely, poison.” Geralt releases my hand as he reaches up to gently grasp Mousesack’s shoulder. “Be careful, old friend.”
“Take care of the baby, please.” I add as Geralt steps away from him and starts to walk away towards Thor and Wanda. “I don’t want to cause any harm to anyone. If I had known I would never have asked for the Law of Surprise. Please, just take care of the baby. I’ll try to change his mind.”
“I doubt you will be able to change his decision. I will do what I can.” He replies and I nod.
“Thank you,” I give him a soft smile before I turn and follow after Geralt.
“(Name), explain yourself!” Wanda demands when I reach them.
“Wanda, I didn’t do it on purpose. How was I to know Pavetta was pregnant?”
“She’s pregnant? What does that have to do with you?” Wanda inquires her eyes narrowing at me.
“Her husband stopped us when we were about to leave, he wanted to repay Geralt and I for saving his life. He wouldn’t take no for an answer so… I asked to claim the Law of Surprise. Which means that he gives us that which he has but does not know.”
“And that’s a child… you laid claim to someone’s child?!” She yells out.
“I didn’t know that was what I was doing!” I reply matching her tone.
“In her defense,” Geralt intrudes pulling her attention to him. “She didn’t know, no one did.”
“Look you seem like a really good guy, but what she did was stupid. Especially knowing we are going home and not coming back.” Wanda concludes making Geralt’s brows furrow as he turns to look at me.
“Wanda, can we please talk about this later? I need to talk to Geralt. Please, just give me some time.” I beg.
“(Name),” Wanda starts only to have Thor grab her shoulders gently.
“Take your time, we’ll meet you back at the pub in the morning.” Thor offers pulling Wanda away and down the hall leaving Geralt and myself alone.
I turn back to him to see him looking down at the ground his jaw clenched tightly.
Will Continue -   
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