#paulbert

Salmon, Broccoli, and Wild Garlic Mayonnaise

Le Bistro

What's the point of a younger sibling unless they annoy the shit out of you sometimes?

The first time Jaskier saw Lambert right when he’d gotten out of the bath, he was pretty sure he had died.

“Hand me my shaving kit,” Lambert said, running a rag through his hair. His long, curly hair. He hadn’t been prepared for the curls. Lambert always had his hair slicked back, out of his face with a product that left it greasy and sticky to the touch. “Jaskier,” Lambert said to get his attention again.

“Y-yeah,” Jaskier said, still looking at the gorgeous locks of ginger. “Are you, by chance, not in a rush?”

Lambert ran a hand through his hair to push it out of his eyes, shrugging. “Sure,” he said. “Contract’s already finished.”

“Fantastic,” Jaskier said, rubbing his hands together. “Can I touch your hair?”

Lambert looked at Jaskier like he’d grown a second head. “What?”

“Lambert, you’ve got lovely hair, and you always keep it so… greasy. Let me get my hands on you.” He added “Please?” when Lambert continued to look shocked.

“Why?” Lambert asked, dragging out the sound. “It’s just hair. Gets in the way.”

“Just-” Jaskier’s voice squeaked several octaves higher, and he cleared his throat to calm it down. “If you ever say that to me again I will slap you.” He reached his hands out. “Now come here and let me touch your fucking hair.”

Lambert still looked doubtful, but he approached, dripping water onto the floor. He patted himself dry as he walked, though it did little to help. “Do what you want,” he sighed, tipping his head forward. Jaskier pushed his hand into it— wiry, weak from washing, though still very soft. It tangled around his fingers, and Jaskier suddenly wished he had something to comb it out with.

“Your hair is in terrible shape,” He said sadly. “It could use a good brushing, and lots of love.”

“Well, someone decided they needed to touch it before I could brush it out. And it’s just hair, not like it needs any special- ow!” Lambert stopped talking when Jaskier smacked the side of his head.

“I am going to make it my personal mission to get you to have a bit of hair care. And the first thing you need to understand is that your hair is a gift, and if you treated it nicely, I bet it would do your looks a lot of favors. Instead of keeping it a greasy disaster, just put it up!”

“Like Geralt?” Lambert scoffed, wincing when Jaskier’s fingers caught on a tangle.

“Yes, because he actually gives a shit about his hair. I cannot believe you’ve been hiding this from me.” Jaskier pushed a finger into the center of a curl, tugging on it and watching it bounce up when he let go. “Leave it down, for tonight,” Jaskier said, pressing his face into it. Lambert started to protest, but quieted when Jaskier continued. “I’ll put oil in it and it’ll keep from tangling.”

“Fine,” Lambert agreed, tilting his head into Jaskier’s touch. “But if it doesn’t work, you’re buying me more product for it.”

Jaskier could have shouted for joy.

He put oil into his hair and brushed it out gently, which alone had Lambert sighing with every touch. His hair was even curlier with the oil, winding around Lambert’s ears and mixing with his beard. Jaskier was pleased when he saw Lambert absently bouncing the ringlets with a hand while they ate.