#jaskier request

I hear men whisper amongst themselves, well, if you could call that a whisper. They don’t like the bard. I take my eyes off them, to Jaskier, who’s playing ‘Toss a coin to your Witcher’ for a third time tonight. Not many people seem to be too excited about it, as I lean back in my chair, glancing around the bar, as I hear more angry grunts in the tavern. Uh oh.

I still glance around, knowing full well Geralt isn’t here. I just hope he could appear, then the men would calm down. Now every note Jaskier hit, was like fuel to their fire. I need to do something before they eventually riot and take down the bard. If they broke his lute, yet again, he might lose his cool and, well, cry.

I stand up, going to the group who looks the angriest. I offer them a smile.

“Good evening, boys.” I say, promising myself I will make Jask pay for saving his ass. “Enjoying your night?”

“No, not really.” One of them grunts, throwing daggers at Jaskier. I step in front, so the bard is not in his eyesight.

“Jaskier will soon lose his fire, and you’ll be able to have a calm night.” I say, but they don’t seem too phased by my words. I hear a couple of boos from a different table. “Until then, ale is on me, how about that?”

“Not interested.” I keep my smile on, but slap my hand on a table. The men get startled a little, as some of their ale leaks from the cups.

“Then shut up and allow the bard do his job, how about this offer?” I show my teeth, winking at them, before I return to my table. Here goes me defusing the situation.

I know Jaskier doesn’t need me to baby sit him. But he can get really oblivious to everyone when he’s in his element, even when people are openly showing the dislike. It takes someone to throw something at him, before he snaps out of it. Needless to say, he was feeling his music now, and even as more and more people were raising their voices, he didn’t seem to care.

I admired that. While it was dangerous and frustrating for me and Geralt, I sometimes got jealous. Blocking out the world like that was a talent on itself. I sigh, as the group I just threated go back to being loud and annoying. I glare at them, but they ignore me. Too, oblivious to me approaching them again. I grip my cup tighter, plastering a smile yet again.

“I thought we had a deal.” I say in cold tone, as one of them scoffs.

“Move away, lady.” He says, clicking his tongue. “This is not a place for women. Or bards who can’t even play proper songs.”

“Oh really?” I smile as I hear Jaskier’s lute stop. My hand shakes ever so slightly, but I manage to pour what was left of my ale, all over his head.

When I was thinking about how we have to baby sit Jaskier, I forgot, that ultimately, Geralt has to watch us both. I don’t have anger issues, not usually, but I don’t like it when people offend Jaskier. I know he’s talented and I also know he still is growing and learning every day, to whoever discourages that, well.

They can have a shower of ale, I guess.

As fully expected, the man in question, jumps to his feet, as I move out of his hands reach right away. I don’t plan on getting slammed to the table or the ground tonight. I didn’t, however, expect that it would jeer the whole tavern on. I hear angry yells, turning to see as a group of men break into a fight. Someone is rushing towards Jaskier, knocking him to the ground.

There goes his lute, breaking in half as he shields himself with it.

“Well, fuck.” I murmur, fully aware it’s mostly my fault. I tighten my grip on the cup, rushing to them both.

I slam the cup to the guys head, as he grunts, rolling off Jaskier. I extend my arm, lifting up the bard. I don’t let go of his hand, as someone pushes me from behind, slamming us both to the wall. We are squeezed together, and I cant help but giggle, as Jaskier shoots a glare at me, his lips, however, also twisting in a smile.

As man behind us moves, I grip Jaskier’s hand tighter, pulling his after me, as we barely avoid getting hit with a chair. It shatters behind us, as I feel adrenaline rush over me. I try to safely guide us outside, but two fighting men block the doorway, so I freeze in my step, Jaskier slamming into my back.

“Sorry.” I hear him stutter behind me, but I ignore that.

The men are pretty much at each others throats, and I could bet in this tavern, some of them were after ours too. I had to think, fast. However when I needed it the most, my brain decided to freeze and forget how to function.

And politely asking them to move would exactly work too. I glance at Jaskier, letting go of his hand, grabbing the lute from the other. Well, half of his instrument. I turn on my feet again, basically blindly picking which guy I hit.

The lute shatters completely and I make a mental note to get a new one as soon as I can, as the man stumbles out of the way. The other one doesn’t mind us interfering, taking advantage of the situation, as they both hit the ground. Jaskier’s hand finds mine again, as I hear him giggle behind me. I grin.

I rush around them, forcing us out. I slam the door behind us, as we rush further away from the tavern. I see some people gather outside, as the noise probably woke them up. I slow down a little, and Jaskier is now in front, dragging me along.

I notice just how beautiful tonight is. The moon is full, the sky is clear. You can see the stars, little gems looking down to us as we continue rushing out of town, as angry yells disappear in the back. He stops, and this time I run into him.

Jask, however, seems to expect that, as his arms extend, and he hugs me. We both giggle in each other’s arms. As I listen to his restless heart.

“That was fun.” I hear a smile in his voice, chuckling.

“Sure,” I pull back, but his hands stay on my waist, resting there, like they don’t belong anywhere else. I don’t complain, “sorry about your lute.”

“I’ll get another one.” He winks at me, one of his hands going from my waist, to on top of my head, as he ruffles my hair. I slap it away, and he laughs. “You really saved my ass there.”

“Well I did also, kind of start the whole thing.” I point out, as his eyes seem to light up. “But you owe me one.”

“How can I repay this debt?” He teases, as I blush. His hand on my waist tenses up, as he pulls me ever so closer.

“I don’t know just yet.” I tease back, freeing myself from his grip, as my heart beats faster. I lean back against the tree, as he watches me closely. “Maybe don’t get into trouble next time.”

“But Y/N, I love being saved by you.” I grin, as he comes closer again.

“I don’t love having to buy you a new lute all the time.” I say, as we giggle again. I take his hand in mine again, playing with it, looking down. This feels right. So, so right.

“That’s a fair point.” His hand lands on my face, as he gently lifts it up. Our eyes meet and the whole world seems to disappear. “Y/N.”

“Jaskier.” We whisper each others names, it slides off so easily, fitting together like they were never meant to be separate. The breeze picks up, ruffling his hair as he squints slightly, not taking his eyes off me.

“I love you.” He says in one breath, leaning in, as his lips land on mine. I taste chocolate and wine, amongst other things. Happiness. This is what that tasted like, when he pulls back, I want to pull him back in. I resist.

“I love you too, you silly.” I say, leaning against his chest, giggling, as his hands wrap around my waist. He shakes, giggling too. “It only took for you to get your brains shaken up when you were slammed to the ground.”

“No, Y/N,” he laughs, as I lean back so I could see his face. He gifts me a smile. “All it took, was you.”

My heart skips a beat at his words, and I wonder how did I get so lucky. I smile, pulling him in for a kiss, tasting his smile too. When we split again, I look up to see a shooting star.

Tonight, your love of choice was a tall blonde man who had already had far too much to drink and was hardly paying attention to your advances.

Jaskier sat alone at one of the two seat tables, head on his hand, sulking.

“So, uh... you come here often?” You ask awkwardly.

Without even looking at you the man says, “No. just passing through.”

His answers are short and to the point, leaving you to have to carry the whole conversation.

“Oh, cool. So like are you a hunter or...?”

“Maybe.”

You roll your eyes and huff, tapping your fingers on the table trying to think of another question.

“So what’s your name anyway?” You ask brightly.

“Fedort.”

“Fedort? That’s such a nice name. I’m Y/F/N. But everyone calls me Y/N!”

Without a word of acknowledgment, Fedort stands and grabs your wrist. Dragging you to his rented room.

Jaskier stands distantly following you two.

“Hey, man! We barely even know each other! Shouldn’t you buy me dinner first?” You attempt to free your wrist - but to no avail.

He grunts and slams you against the wall of the hallway.

“O-or maybe just a drink?” You offer, trying to lighten the mood.

“Or, I can have my way with you. I’m sure I can find a way to shut you up,” he grabs your face, squishing your lips up.

Fedort leans in trying to kiss you. You push him off, making a disgusted noise at him.

Before you have time to think, his hand comes down fast and hard - connecting with your cheekbone. A ring he’s wearing cuts you, blood quickly running down your face.

You bring a hand up to your face, touching the warm liquid.

“Hey! Fucker!”

Both your heads snap to the side to see Jaskier, angrily strutting up to the mountainous man.

Jaskier was never one to pick fights, especially with a man twice his size and quadruple his strength. But this was a special occasion. This asshat had just hurt you.

“Huh?” Fedort grunted stupidly.

“Leave the lady alone. Just walk to your room and we can forget all this happened. And I won’t have to let Jessibelle know you’re causing a ruckus in her tavern. Hm?” Jaskier wavers.

The man stomps toward Jasker with intent.

“I don’t listen to bards.”

With reflexes Jaskier never knew he had - though he had learned to be particularly evasive when running from angry husbands - he yanked his lute off his back, turned to the side as Fedort stupidly ran past, and smashed the wooden instrument against the man’s head.

Fedort stood still for a moment, then almost comically, fell to the ground.

Jaskier dropped the still-intact lute neck and ran to you.

“My God, Y/N! Heavens, are you okay?” He kneeled town to the spot you’d slumped to and grabbed your face.

“Yeah... yeah I think I’m fine. Just shaken is all,” you look into Jaskier’s eyes and smile genuinely at him.

He smiles back and gently grabs your hand, walking you back to your shared room. You cautiously step over the unconscious Fedort and walk away without looking back.

“Hey. What about your lute?” You ask, looking at him.

“Oh, don’t worry about it,” he waves his hand. “I can get another. There’s a wood worker just down the street. I can go tomorrow and get a new one made.”

He smiles at you before opening the door to your room and making you sit down on the edge of the bed.

He grabs a washcloth and wets it in the basin, walking over to the bed and croutching down infront of you.

He lightly taps the cloth to your cut, cleaning up the now unflowing blood.

You quickly draw in breath and try and pull away from him.

“Hold still! How am I ever going to get you cleaned up if you keep moving away from me,” Jaskier scolds.

“I wouldn’t be pulling away if you weren’t pressing so hard,” you push back.

“Well, I wouldn’t have to be cleaning you up if you’d stop running after men whom you don’t deserve!”

“W- what?” You look at him.

“Y/N. You diserve someone who will cherish and value you. Not some sleazy, tavern-dweller who stinks of ale and only cares about his own ugly needs,” he looks away from you, the tension’s too much for him.

“Jask, love, look at me,” you place a hand on his cheek, guiding him to face you. “What are you on about?”

He bites his lip. “Love, I’ve had to watch you chase after men who don’t care for anyone but themselves. Who won’t give you the time of day, much less the love and care you so much deserve. And every time a man throws you out, I’m there to pick you back up, get you back on your feet, only for you to run right back into the uncaring arms of an absentminded man.”

He takes in a breath. You’re still forcing him to look at you.

“You don’t deserve that. You deserve a man who..,” he thinks for a moment. “Who is a man. Who cares for you. Who won’t throw you to the wayside when he’s done with you.”

You look at him, love in your eyes. You guide his face to yours, connecting your lips with his in a passionate kiss that’s waited too long to be had.

You grab his face with your other hand as well, pushing his face harder into yours. His hands fall to your hips as he rubs circles with his thumbs.

You’re broken out of the trance with a knock at the door. “JASKIER! Why is there an unconscious man with a broken lute on his head in my hallway?!” A woman calls from the other side of the door.

You laugh quietly as Jasker frantically moves to the door, opening it to reveal a red faced Jessibelle.

“Jessie! Hi. Well, you see. This man was uh,” he struggles to come up with an excuse. “he was causing quite the racket and then he charged at me. So. I did the only thing a brave man such as my self could do,” he gestures to himself. “I smashed my lute on his head. To... um. Slow him down?”

Jessibelle rolls her eyes and huffs. “Your paying for the labor of cleaning him off my floor,” she points a finger in his face then slams the door.

Jaskier turns to you. You giggle at him and walk over to where he’s standing. “Now. Where were we?”

You wrap your arms around his neck and kiss him again. He dips you slightly and you smile.

You pull him towards one of the beds, pushing him down onto it. He smiles as you move to straddle him, leaning down to kiss him.

You start to unbutton his top when he grabs your wrists. “Love, are you sure?”

“Yes. Why? Do you not want to?” You ask, worried that you’ve overstepped.

“No. No. I was just making sure you didn’t feel obligated to. Is all,” he releases your wrists and you grin at him.

“What did I ever do to deserve you?”

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Thank you again for requesting! And everyone else for reading!! I absolutely love this request!