Chapter Text
After months of visiting backwater villages and traveling the wilderness Geralt and Jaskier had finally entered an actual city. One of them was beyond excited. One of them dreamed about turning on his heels and returning to where they came. But they were here for a reason so Geralt reined in his desire and followed Jaskier who was navigating the streets with happy chatter.
Jaskier led them to a respectable looking inn, telling how he had stayed there before. Apparently the lady keeping it adored him. Geralt wasn't sure if he believed it.
With noncommittal grunt he agreed to staying there and continued to the stables belonging to it to get Roach settled while Jaskier waltzed inside. Leaving the mare to her veritable feast, Geralt tossed an extra coin to the stable boy to ensure she would get the best possible care.
Entering the inn he immediately spotted Jaskier sitting at a corner table two ales in front of him, eagerly staring at the door.
"I bargained us a free room for as long as we're staying. And meals for myself. I just need to play each day in exchange," Jaskier said proudly as soon as Geralt sat down. "Told you the lady of the house loves me!"
"Hmmm" was the eloquent answer as Geralt reached for an ale.
"And! I'm well-known around here so there will be a good crowd coming just to see me," Jaskier appeared to be beyond thrilled.
"People here must have a poor taste then," Geralt stated, taking a long drink, finding himself pleased with the taste. It had been some time since he had good ale.
"How dare you!" the bard exclaimed in mock offense placing a hand against his heart. "I know you enjoyed hearing me play after the break I was forced to take."
"No, I didn't. It only gave me a respite from your nonstop talking," Geralt hid his twitching lips behind the tankard. He would never admit having been relieved to hear the lute again when Jaskier's hand healed enough for him to start playing.
A serving girl interrupted them for a moment, placing steaming bowls of soup and fresh bread on the table.
"It's on me. Seemed only fair since I don't have to pay for mine," Jaskier gestured to Geralt's meal.
"Thanks," Geralt glanced at him digging in. It was even better than the beer.
Soon, Jaskier was taking his lute out and sashayed to the center of the inn. Stomping thrice he gathered everyone's attention.
"Greetings gentlemen and fair ladies! I am the bard Jaskier and I'm here to fill your evening with good cheer and excitement through thrilling tales of bravery against the most horrible of monsters as well as moving stories of sweet love and yearning," with an extravagant bow Jaskier finished his introduction and launched into his first song.
Geralt watched as Jaskier danced around the tables, leading his audience to join the choruses of some of the best known songs and slowing his movements during sweet ballads and the most thrilling parts of the tales describing the Witcher's hunts.
The bard was in his element, interacting with his captivated audience, practically glowing with happiness and pure joy of performing. As the evening turned into night the crowd grew and Jaskier didn't show any signs of tiring except taking a few breaks to drink something, exchanging words and pocketing coins. None of the drinks he had to pay for, appreciative listeners supplying them.
After many hours he collapsed in his chair next to Geralt with a wide smile and sweat on his brow.
"Fancy seeing you still here! Didn't feel like running to our room to bask in its solitude this time?" the bard chuckled. "Or did you enjoy my performance too much to leave?"
"They have good ale here," Geralt lifted his tankard for emphasis.
"Sure!" Jaskier grinned. "That's obviously the only reason. Nothing to do with excellent entertainment."
"Where's the humble bard now?"
"Alas, he exists only in songs," Jaskier sighed. "Thankfully the one sitting next to you is much better company."
"Maybe if he knew how to shut up."
"Your words are like arrows through my fragile heart. What if you break it?" there was something lurking in Jaskier's eyes while his mischievous smile stayed unchanged.
"You do it to yourself all the time," Geralt scoffed thinking about all the people Jaskier had lamented over.
"I keep doing that, don't I…" Jaskier agreed, trailing off watching Geralt take yet another gulp of his ale. "I truly have talent for love not meant to be. Good for songwriting yet sometimes I do wish I had more joyous muse for such ballads."
"Stop falling in love with everyone you see then. Problem solved."
"Ah, my dear Witcher! If only a man's heart was so simple to control," Jaskier said with a fading smile. "Such a feat would save one from much pain."
"Well! It's getting late and I'm beat. I can hear sleep calling my name," the bard suddenly clapped his hands, changing the topic. "You staying here to nurse your drink or coming too?"
"You go ahead. I'll come up after a while," Geralt decided.
His eyes lingered on Jaskier's retreating back as he headed to their room.
The next morning arrived bringing beautiful sunshine with it, making Jaskier drag his blanket over his head to block it out. He wasn't ready to get up. It had been months since he had slept in such a comfortable bed and he was going to enjoy every possible minute of it.
There was rustling and something poked him none too gently.
"Get up."
"Mmphh" No, he wouldn't.
"Up!"
Jaskier's blanket was cruelly ripped off, leaving him without a barrier against the traitorous sun that had shown itself after days of cloudy weather. Squinting one eye open he saw Geralt fully dressed and ready balling up the blanket and throwing it away from the bed.
"Geraaaalt, give it back. I'm tired," Jaskier whined. The Witcher could be so inconsiderate.
"We have errands and I want to avoid the rush hours at the market," Geralt stared Jaskier down, daring the bard to disagree.
"You're so terribly antisocial. Go alone then. Shoo!"
"No. You'll later demand me to join when you're feeling ready to go. I'm not doing it twice."
"...Fine. Give me fifteen minutes and I'll meet you for breakfast. I absolutely refuse to go before eating," Jaskier caved.
Dressing in almost the last clean attire he had, Jaskier gathered the others to get them properly washed. Cleaning them himself with the limited resources did keep them acceptable but there was only so much he could do. And a lot of the fabrics didn't make it any easier. He refused to change his style even if it was admittedly quite impractical for constant traveling.
He had just ordered breakfast and handed his laundry to the barmaid working the morning shift when the front door opened and two soldiers stepped in silencing everyone. Searching eyes landed on Jaskier and they walked towards him.
This wasn't the way he had thought his day would begin.
"What can I do for you gentlemen?" Jaskier asked warily, spotting the local king's emblem on their chest.
"King Marden requests your attendance at the feast he's hosting tonight. After hearing you're in town he has decided to hire you for entertainment," older one of the soldiers stated.
Oh. Jaskier really hadn't thought this would be how his morning would go. But out of all the possible scenarios seeing the soldiers approach him this was definitely the best outcome.
"I'd be honored to perform for the king!" Jaskier exclaimed, feeling giddy. "I had no idea my reputation had spread even to the nobility of this fine city."
By then Geralt had made his way to stand behind Jaskier, silently staring at the soldiers.
"Can my companion also attend? Sadly he does lack the musical talent but…" Jaskier asked, glancing at the Witcher.
For a brief moment the soldiers held a whispered conversation.
"King Marden didn't forbid you from bringing someone. But there's a very real chance he will be denied entry," the older one drawled in a completely different tone from before looking Geralt over.
Younger of the soldiers gave an overview of the practical aspect of the arrangement before handing Jaskier a small purse."The king wants to make sure you'll look presentable in his company."
Peeking inside it Jaskier saw a nice amount of coins, clearly meant to buy him a set of high end clothing. After thanking them he watched the soldiers leave and the hush that had fallen over the room finally broke.
"Will you be so kind as to come to the feast with me?" Jaskier asked, turning to face the frowning Witcher.
"I will not," Geralt growled.
A few hours later he found himself doing exactly that.