#Bard's worst friend

[eranawrites]

Bard's worst friend

Chapter 7

Well, fuck. Geralt should have been able to tell something was off, the moment the loop restarted. The sick sort of relief washed over him, as the now familiar pain bit behind his eyes; the blasted curse giving him one more chance he didn't ask for.

But... he was still so preoccupied with the fact that he fucked up once again to notice that he just got fucked over.

Royally.

Because when he opened his eyes, he immediately squinted. Took unthinking half step to the left. His foot caught onto something and he looked down, down... feeling dizzy.

The shoes...

Geralt blinked. He didn't recognize them.

Pretty, yet impractical. Not something he would wear, unless he was pressured into it by some entitled noble or by, well. Different entitled noble, who rather roamed the continent penniless than sat at his father's estate.

Read more on ao3

Chapter one on ao3

Tentative, Geralt moved the leg. The fancy shoe moved too.

Huh.

He looked at his hands, his head spinning. They were wrong. Not only for the rings, he haven't seen before, but for a moment he had double vision too. He closed his eyes and almost had out of body experience. His consciousness was floating, anchored in a physical world and at the same time not really.

He felt like falling.

No, no, no.

Gulping, he squeezed his eyes. He had to focus. Focus. The hands. More gentle, but still those of a man accustomed to a hard life. Better taken care of, sure, but calloused in different places than his. What the fuck.

Than his.

How than his? They were his, he moved them the same way he was the one to open those eyes. Which. Well, this was different too.

The height was almost the same but his vision went to shit. His sense of smell too. He would complain, but not being able to tell what the men in the far away corner ate just from their sweat, wasn't something he'd really miss. Which meant...

Geralt stilled, not moving a single limb of the weird body. He had to concentrate to feel his own heartbeat. Great. Simply great. How was he to break this frigging loop when he wasn't even a witcher anymore, for fuck's sake. Whose body it was anyway? It clearly had history that wasn't his own.

Suddenly a hand circled his waist and he almost jumped. He willed himself into relaxing, which was something that was easier when he was in his own body.

"Sweetie-pie," he heard a sensual voice near his ear, the body pressing close to his, "thought you could escape me?" A man. There was undercurrent of mockery in the pet name, he could hear it now.

"Hmm." He felt him nuzzling his nose under his jaw, the slight stubble scratching at his neck. Gods, why it felt so good? Geralt tried to move but the hand at his waist became firm, caging him, not letting him get away. The man at his ear huffed a laugh, his breath tickling his skin. He tutted, "No, no. I don't think so. Took me long enough to find you, you scoundrel. Hiding from me, weren't you?"

Geralt didn't answer but the man didn't seem to mind, because he sucked Geralt's earlobe in his mouth and nibbled at it. With a final tug, he released it, his voice low and loaded as he breathed the words into Geralt's skin.

"Care for a repeat of Novigrad?" Geralt's heart was beating worryingly fast and loud in his chest. Oh shit, that voice. But if he wanted to move with this, his best chance was to withstand whatever was happening now. Not that it was some kind of hardship.

"Haven't had a chance to collect my prize," the familiar voice got sly, wry tone, lithe body pressed into his back, "since you so chickened out the last time I beat you."

"You didn't," said Geralt just because and strangely those words felt right in that mouth, his lips curling around them to lend this voice just enough amusement and sneer.

"Oh, c'mon," the voice in his ear whispered, "I know you hate admitting my superiority in words, out loud, for the whole world to hear, my dear, but we both know how you secretly enjoy it," he punctuated his words with roll of his hips, "when I win."

Pleasant tingling sensation sparkled in Geralt, this body clearly expecting something, and were this slightly different situation, he'd might even enjoy the attention.

But this was fundamentally wrong, everything about this was wrong, from fooling people who talked to him expecting someone else, to the fleeting thought of taking pleasure not aimed at him in stranger's body.

That thought got interrupted halfway through, because the man's hand sneaked from Geralt's waist down, down until he cupped him through the light trousers he was now apparently wearing.

Geralt's mouth slacked momentarily but then after few strokes the bastard took his hand back, clearly mocking and Geralt could just feel his shit-eating grin.

Geralt turned around and-

Fuck.

On some level he knew it. Of course he did. Just decided to ignore it for a moment.

Still it felt like some fucking joke.

"Jaskier."

It was Jaskier. Jaskier that was looking like he very much wanted to fuck him. Which... would be the opposite of a problem if he was in his own body.

And for a short second, Geralt thought to hell with it. He made small move towards him.

Jaskier cackled. "And who you fucking thought it was, Valdo? Unless you don't have similar arrangement with several other poets, which I suppose you do," he stabbed him with his finger right in the centre of his chest, "massive slut you are, but you should know it still offends me deeply."

Geralt stopped.

Valdo Marx.

Jaskier crossed his arms. "Though, to be honest, took me a while to track you down." His lips stretched in a sly smile. "But then, I caught the whiff of melodic atrocities being committed. Following the smell of your musical sins and dissatisfied lovers was easy." His eyes flashed to him. There was clearly mirth in them, the look Geralt knew he had when he had too much not entirely morally pure fun.

All the while Geralt's head reeled. Jaskier - his bard, his friend he lost - was finally talking to him, after years of wishing, pinning he would and he was doing so even without that disappointed tone and he-

He was fucking Valdo Marx. The man Jaskier wanted to kill and - apparently fuck with the same intensity.

The realization got the best of him.

"What the fuck," he whispered softly.

"What," Jaskier frowned, "no clever quip? I'd say all that lazy lounging at courts finally melted your brain. But oh, all right," Jaskier rolled his eyes as if it really was a chore, "I'll fuck you all you want, when we settle this right."

And that - that was a thought, wasn't it? But then Geralt remembered it wasn't aimed at him.

"Should have known I'll find you at the most filthy, salacious party of the year. Anyway," Jaskier clasped his hand together, "where's my ruby?"

"What ruby?"

"Cut the bullshit, Valdo. You know what I'm talking about."

No, he really didn't. But before he could express the sentiment, somebody pinched his ass. He yelped.

Fucking hell. He hasn't even realized someone approached him from behind.

When he turned there was woman kissing him on both cheeks and when she released her hands from his neck, she smiled wide.

"Valdo! Fancy you meeting there. I knew I recognize that pert bottom among thousands. And I was right!" she heartily laughed and before Geralt could react she was tugged at her elbow. She rolled her eyes at that, fond. "I'm busy now," which he guessed was fair, as there was hand around her waist, "but you definitely have to come find me later. Oh, by the way, have you heard," she smiled with scandalized twinkle to her eyes as she leaned to him again to whisper something into his ear, something that made Geralt freeze to the spot.

"See you later!" she yelped as the impatient hand at her waist dragged her away.

"Well," said Jaskier, his eyes following the woman sandwiched between her two partners, man and woman, "that certainly looked... interesting. But oh ho ho, don't think you'll go after her before we have this settled."

Geralt didn't answer.

"What did she say to you anyway? Couldn't quite make it out."

Only now Geralt turned and over his shoulder he looked him straight in the eyes.

He could lie. He could make something stupid up or ignore the question completely. But what for? He'll find out soon enough anyway. He always did.

"Apparently," he said slowly, "there's a witcher at the party."

"Oh," said Jaskier, and suddenly he looked as if somebody punched him.

Oh, indeed, Geralt thought, his human eyes skimming over the party. It was dusky to set the mood, few candles bathing the room in shadows those eyes couldn't quite pierce.

Because he just realized, if he was in this body, it meant somebody had to be also in his. Somebody. He already knew who it was, and if he had to go by anything Jaskier ever told him about Marx, it meant nothing but trouble. Especially since being a witcher could be a little... overwhelming wasn't exactly the right word. Fucking nightmare it was. Even worse if you woke up as one in this crowded, smelly, touch-heavy, fucking loud place. Only sense theoretically he shouldn't have problems with here should be sight but even that was kinda different than human's. So.

Geralt learned to live with it. It took time till he figured out what he should and shouldn't do, what worked best and which he should avoid at all costs. Information Valdo simply wouldn't have. But... he'd still have his strength.

"Fuck," Geralt said, "we have to find him."

"Oh, no, no. No," Jaskier all but cackled nervously. "You're not dragging me into this. I won't be tortured by you again. Besides, I told you," he hissed, "I'm done with witchers."

And didn't that hurt?

But he didn't have time to dwell on that. Geralt looked around, trying to get his eyes to focus. He completely forgot how demeaning it was to be a human. Not that being witcher was any better. He hoped he'd recognize his own form, though he couldn't be quite sure, as he'd never had to do it before. Where was he before? Previous loop he came from that corner. He started walking towards it.

He heard muttered swear and: "Fine," as Jaskier trailed behind him. "But you should know, even as evasive manoeuvre this sucks, Valdo. You still owe me my ruby."

Geralt didn't comment on it, set on his goal, many people naturally moving out of his way, while he heard 'pardon' and 'no touching, just passing through, thank you' muttered in Jaskier's voice behind him. Who would have guessed, humans retained some instinctual sense of danger around witchers, even when not in the right body. The one Jaskier obviously always lacked.

"Hell," Jaskier breathed out, when he stopped at Geralt's shoulder, "how you do it, you bastard? However, it shouldn't be surprise as no one wants to touch your poor excuse of fit body."

"Collar," Geralt muttered, not really paying him attention, his eyes searching.

"Oh, this little thing?" Jaskier hooked one finger behind it, studying it, "I picked it at entrance, don't know why everybody doesn't wear them. I quite like the design of it, fits me nicely, don't you think?"

Geralt didn't react. Jaskier eyed him.

"No retort of having me on a leash? Or whoring myself out with it? I swear, you're not yourself tonight."

"Searching. Busy," "Geralt retorted and after a small moment: "And you do whore yourself out, Jask, even more with your songs. But you know that." And then he muttered. "You're better than that."

"Jask? As I said," continued Jaskier in slightly panicky voice, "you're out of your mind, tonight, even more then normally. Was that- was that a fucking compliment? Nope, nevermind."

He quickly shook his head.

"Walking the corridors of your psyche and witnessing its horrors is clearly faaar more than I ever bargained for, so let's get this straight. Give me my ruby and we can go our lovely separate ways." Jaskier shrugged," At least until I kick your ass on some other musical festival."

"I have to find him-"

"Why?"

"-and you're helping me.

"Pff. Why should I?"

"You're tuned to-"

To me, Geralt almost said.

"To him. You always did find him after winter, didn't you? You have an eye for him, like- like some kind of sixth sense."

It was true. At least he used to. He never had to worry about meeting with Jaskier after winter, he just always showed up, no matter where Geralt was and they continued where they left on. Even when something went spectacularly wrong on the hunt and he couldn't make it back to the inn, Jaskier simply was there. In the middle of dark forest, ready to drag him back to civilization, even if he had to carry him on his back, muttering profanity all the way. Pity he didn't realize it sooner.

"Even if I did, which I don't, frankly - that's ridiculous - I just can't find any witcher, and we don't know if it's m-" he gulped, "if it's him," he said instead. "It might be just some random witcher and- and anyway, I don't see why are you so hung up on him."

"It is him," Geralt said simply.

"See? More reason not to look for him. You-" Jaskier snapped his mouth shut. There was silence from him, thick and distinctive and even not turned to him, Geralt could see the wheels turning in Jaskier's head.

"Oh," Jaskier breathed out at last, crossing his arms, the sound punched out of him, "oh, I know what this is about. It's some elaborate kind of revenge, isn't it? For winning that competition. You're cunt, Valdo, you know that? After all I told you." And then another beat as a horrendous thought occurred to him. "Don't you think you can fuck him, if we find him. Don't you dare, don't you even fucking dare to think of it."

"Why?" sneered Geralt from the side just because, "When you won't do it?"

Jaskier's mouth fell closed.

Something twisted in Geralt, something awful and merciless, the same power that urged him to go on, when the beast already had it's claws deep into his flesh.

"Would it hurt?" he asked, irritated. "Would it hurt, Jaskier, to get those hands on him sooner than you ever did?"

Jaskier opened and closed his mouth.

No sound escaped him.

And then-

"I'll kill you," he said softly, simply, matter of fact.

There was a beat.

"You already tried that," muttered Geralt as he pushed past him, towards the exit leading to the balcony. Once outside, fresh air hit his nostrils and he breathed in deeply until he realized that no, he couldn't simply track people based on scent anymore. He was barely aware of steps behind him.

Where the hell was he? He wasn't exactly easy to overlook, with that figure or hair. Sure it was night and it was only so far those eyes could see, even with torches lit but still. Jaskier walked around him, leaning on the stone railing of balcony, looking into the night.

"Not exactly how I imagined a fun night out," he muttered, seemingly to no one particular. "Gods, when I finally thought I got over him, you had to go and bring him back. You really are a prick, Valdo."

He eyed him from the side. The wind ruffled his hair.

And as wrought up as Geralt momentarily felt, he still had to admire Jaskier's complexion. Almost naked under the sparse light of stars, light goosebumps from the chill air on his skin, sprawling on the unforgiving stone. With his ridiculous jewelry and fucking collar of all things. All lean muscles, that he didn't realize he had, many of which shouldn't be seen if he had enough to eat.

"Great," huffed Jaskier. "And now you even have similar look in the eye. Fucking pathetic that now you of all people remind me of him."

Jaskier turned around, so his back was against the railing. Geralt felt his gaze focused on him. Jaskier looked him up and down, slowly. Sensually. He knew that look. He saw it many times directed at someone else. Jaskier leaned his head to the side, wetting his lip.

"It kinda makes me want to blow you."

Geralt's eyes shot to him. His breath hitched.

Long seconds passed.

He was talking to Valdo, whispered his conscience. What does it matter, screamed the rest of him.

He hasn't dared to move.

#geraskier #the witcher fic #time loop #jaskier #the witcher fanfic #geralt of rivia #my fic #Bard's worst friend #all comments will be cherished #valskier #here I am almost a year later with a new chapter #it's not abandoned fyi

[quarklynx]

Kiss kiss fall in love with Yuridia's #1 nonbinary cringefail cassanova

(reblog to support your local artist, learn more about this character here)

#lynxinks #my art #my ocs #my oc art #kyparisso #kyp is the best worst character I've ever played and i love them dearly for this #dnd character #dnd character art #dnd oc art #kyp is a nonbinary satyr bard in a dnd 5e campaign my friends and i stream. ive linked the playlist of the recordings if ur curious #i can't wait to play him more in the next part of the story!

[geraskierfanficprompts]

Prompt 23

Jaskier wishes on dandelions every time he sees one. He wishes for inspiration, his hair to look nice during this next performance, his rivals to lose, Geralt to be unwounded in his next fight, he wishes, he wishes, and he wishes. One day, he wishes that Geralt would love him back. When Geralt starts being nicer to him in what Jaskier can only assume is his awkward attempts at flirting, Jaskier begins panicking over the possibility his wish came true and he unintentionally brainwashed his friend into feeling romantic feelings for him. Geralt, meanwhile, is wondering why Jaskier has flirted with him for a decade at the least but suddenly seems so confused at Geralt's courting attempts.

#fanfiction prompts #geralt x dandelion #geralt x jaskier #geraskier #witcher fanfiction #the witcher #geralt loves his bard! #writing prompts #requited unrequited love #friends to lovers #They kiss in the end #They are in love #theyre in love your honor #Im up late because i was playing bg3 again :( oopy #story prompts #plot bunny #fanfic prompt #fanfiction prompt #why are all my recommended tags miraculous lady bug themed #ive never seen a full episode of that show please help #who is kwami #dont answer i dont even wanna know #this is a witcher only space #this is all a jest and this is a safe space for crossover ideas and fun #but genuinely i dont care about miraculous #not for me #thank you #love you guys #the second hand embarrassment based humor is my worst nightmare #sorry if this is too autisticly blunt

[churchydragon]

I spoke to a nice Mindflayer once in Baldur's Gate 3 and it changed me forever

#churchy talks #tbh I think part of the reason I've become so fond of Mindflayers is because I ADORE octopi and squid #but Omeluum def played a hand in it #I want to play my idea for Mindflayer bard in actual DnD so BADLY (her name is Phi) #I also got an idea for a Kobold paladin and a Goblin rogue #and Lorn who is my Dragonborn ranger in BG3 (I need to get back to them) #there's also Acidblood who if I knew how to mod would be a xenomorph and she's also a rogue #my main playing file in BG3 is Walks-Through-Fire and she's actually my Argonian Dragonborn in Skyrim #she fell into a portal and ended up in the DnD world at the worst time possible #SPEAKING OF THOUGH #I was talking to some friends while showing them the game and spoke about my Dovahkiin headcanons #and how when they die they become actual dragons (not always tho) in said headcannons #and I was thinking how much of a clusterfuck it would be if Fire went through ceremorphosis #but she's so fucking stubborn she technically lives twice #so her soul leaves cuz there's nothing to absorb it and eventually forms a new body (maybe it looks like a mix of DnD dragons and the Dovah #while her old body becomes a Mindflayer but keeps her personality #and now there's just two of her #and they both have to deal with it #which made me want to design a Illithid version of her

[scotianostra]

Edinburgh Castle's dog cemetery.

Looking down to the wee graveyard last week.

Hidden within the grounds of Edinburgh Castle, a dedicated dog cemetery may be the landmark's strangest feature.

There are a huge number of fascinating historical stories hidden within the walls of Edinburgh Castle, but perhaps none so curious and touching as the tale behind the castle’s dog cemetery.

The small green space is thought to have originally been the site of a medieval tower, but since 1840 it has been the final resting place for regimental mascots or honoured dogs belonging to high-ranking soldiers.

The cemetery is referenced in this verse from the Scottish Bard, Robert Burns:

”Berkin dugs here lie at rest ”The yappin worst, obedient best ”Sodgers pets and mascots tae ”Still the guard the castle to this day.

One of only two like it in Scotland, the unique graveyard is home to more than 20 headstones.

Sadly, several of the inscriptions have worn away over the last century or so, probably thanks to Edinburgh’s signature chilly, wet and windy weather.

Of the engravings still visible, the oldest dates back to 1881 - a dedication to Jess, band pet of the Black Watch 42nd Royal Highlanders.

The newest headstone in the cemetery belongs to Winkle, the “dear and faithful friend of Lady Gow and the Governor”, who died in 1980.

Other faithful pups laid to rest here include Yum Yum, Tim and Dobbler, who travelled as far as China, Sri Lanka and South Africa with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

These days, visitors to the castle cannot enter the cemetery, but it can be viewed from above, like I did.

#scotland #scottish #history #edinburgh #Edinburgh Castle #pet cemetery #dog graveyard #my pics

[no-road-home]

Stewpot: Tales from a Fantasy Tavern on Backerkit now!

Stewpot: Tales from a Fantasy Tavern is a GMless one-to-three shot TTRPG based on games like MF0: Firebrands and The Sundered Land. It's a collection of 20 mini-games where former adventurers open a tavern together and reintegrate into society after a life on the road.

What happens after the adventure? What does daily life in a fantasy world look like? Stewpot draws inspiration from stories like Dungeon Meshi, Redwall, Frieren, and Bartender, as well as various aspects of D&D. It's a great way to wrap up a long-running fantasy TTRPG campaign.

Start a garden, cook monsters, run a festival booth, reforge old weapons, flirt with mysterious strangers, and more in a new version of the game with tons of art and new storybook-style layout!

(more info and full description of the mini-games in the read more!)

The structure of the game is based on characters having an Adventurer Job, with Adventurer Experiences that represent their abilities and powers, and a Town Job with Town Experiences. You can make new characters just for the game, or bring in old characters and recreate them with the existing Experiences or write your own.

As you play the game, you'll cross off Adventurer Experiences as you let go of them or let them fade into the background, and gain new Town Experiences that take their place. Along the way you'll upgrade your Tavern and give each other Keepsakes!

Games from the old Itch.io PDF version (0.41):

The First Step: Before you decided to put down roots here, before you found this group of friends, what were you doing? What was the first thing you learned about how to live in town?

NPC Sidequest: Your adventuring days may be over, but there are plenty of people in town that could use your help.

Wear and Tear: There’s always something to fix, or clean, or pay off.

Market Day: You never would have guessed how many things you need just to keep a tavern running. 

Homegrown: There’s something special about using ingredients grown nearby. Why not give growing your own a try?

Sliced: Sometimes supply routes get disrupted. Or maybe you just want to stand out from the rest of the taverns. Whatever the reason, you’re playing this game because you want or need to do one thing: cook with monster parts.

Romancing a Stranger: Someone in the tavern makes eye contact with you, and their gaze lingers a little longer than you’d expect. Your co-workers urge you on, and make every excuse they can to send you over to talk to the lovely Stranger.

Off the Clock: Where do you go after the tables are wiped down? Who’s heard every story you have about the worst people who have walked in?

A Friendly Tavern Brawl: Every tavern has its rowdy patrons. You know they’re good at heart, but sometimes when the ale is flowing and spirits are high, things get a little out of hand. How do you handle the situation?

Festival Day: Your town has a few festival days a year, and they’re some of your busiest. How do you prepare? How do you handle the influx of people?

A Bard's Tale: During your time as an adventurer, you accomplished many daring deeds. In fact, some of those deeds are retold to this day by travelling bards.

A Glass of the Gods: Sometimes a troubled adventurer will come in, looking for answers, and letting them drink themselves into oblivion is the wrong answer. It's up to you  to  mix the perfect drink, something perfect for the situation that can push the adventurer to look inside and find the answer on their own.

A Distinguished Guest: Someone important is in town, and they’re already almost here. The tavern has to be at its best for this guest. After all, they might leave a generous tip.

In the Rhythm of Things: Time passes. Rough edges are sanded down. Before you know it, life in town has become like breathing. You gather in your favorite part of the tavern and wonder where the time has gone.

New games for this crowdfunding campaign:

Shields and Skillets: Enchantments are volatile things, especially when they sit unused for long periods of time. You have to let go of your old equipment before it’s too late.

Shelter from the Storm: Early one morning, you feel it. A familiar ache in your bones. Something is coming.

A Funeral: As an adventurer, you said farewell many times. Sometimes it was only temporary. Most of the time, it wasn't. 

Retracing: You've left town for something: an errand, a vacation, an old favor. Suddenly, you recognize the route you're traveling. You've been this way before, during your adventuring days.

A Fleeting Memory: Something about the way the fire flickers lingers in your mind. The smell of hay and clover brings a tear to your eye. A fading memory resurfaces.

A Familiar Face: An old friend you haven't seen in a while has stopped by. Why not show them around the town and the tavern?

#ttrpg #my games #indie ttrpg #ttrpg design #ttrpgs #stewpot #stewpot: tales from a fantasy tavern #backerkit #crowdfunding #fantasy #story games

[teaboot]

I have to remind myself that my characters don't have to be tortured or dramatic to be interesting.

My first DND character was a balding, paunchy, post-middle-aged human man whose wife had just left him and whose kids had grown up and moved away.

He quit his menial job and decided to take up music, something he'd never been very good at that didn't pay the bills, and become a bard.

He was bad at it. Really, really bad. His instrument was shit and he'd never had any formal lessons. On top of that, he was pretty tone-deaf.

BUT. He could play very, very bad noises very, very loud.

On our first campaign, he was cornered by a sea dragon and had no weapons, but by making a loud, horrible noise, he was able to startle it badly enough to lose grasp of the boat.

After that, he used it to herd a small crowd of goblins into a trap by sounding far bigger and more numerous a foe.

He never got much better, but he did grow his confidence, and won the affection and respect of his companions, who grew to support him in ways nobody else had before.

I had to stop playing him for a while after that, but last I had him, he was developing an interest in color and flare and fashion that he'd never paid much attention to before.

He didn't lose weight, or grow his hair back, or magically become younger, but he felt brighter, lighter, like he had a new lease on life, like he had something to offer and maybe he deserved to have a bit of fun, now and then, with good company.

He began to wonder if that was what he was missing, before. If perhaps that was why his marriage had wasted away. A lack of drive, of hope, of pride and passion.

I don't know where he would have gone on from there. I don't know if I wanted him to reconnect with his kids, or his ex wife, or his home town. Part of me likes the idea of finding his own way- settling and becoming good friends with his ex, something platonic but warm and fond, and reaching out to his kids and being there for his grandkids and someday passing away bright and loud and loved of old age, asleep in his bed, to be celebrated after by the loudest funeral with the worst music played by the most awful musicians his community had to offer, loud and proud and full of good humor.

Maybe they'd throw a festival, after that. An annual one, with firecrackers and trumpets and clanging pots and pans to scare away the monsters like he did, the roaring hero who came into his own a little later than usual, but wondrously all the same.

A symbol to show that you don't have to bend and squish and contort yourself to fit the space you're in- you can find another space, one that's just your size, and exist there exactly as you are

#He started out as a joke and his name was Jeff Jefferson #He was scared of lizards and allergic to tree nuts #And I loved him #There was a bisexual realization subplot #It was glorious

[steddieas-shegoes]

Request: smooth as butter Steve flirting with Eddie while the CC boys watch in shock as their ruthless Eddie turns red(?) and gets all blushy bc he doesn't know how to deal with this STEVE???? making it better:it happens during DND the one time Eddie gets Steve to play & the entire time Steve's human bard character flirting hardcore with Eddie via his NPC's (the kids aren't involved in this one just Steddie & Corroded Coffin boys)

MY LOVEEEEEEE!!!! Okay I have never played. I know. Hush, I know. My best friend wants me to so bad she bought me dice. And like, I probably will, but like Steve, my brain is trying to not only deal with math, but also just how involved it all is. I like games that take about half a brain cell. I'm also super bad at the flirting thing, in real life and when writing. I just cannot do it my friends. But I did my best here and I hope it isn't the worst😂 - Mickala ❤️

--------------------------------------------------

He was doing this for Dustin.

He made a character sheet with Lucas, went over the basics, learned that maybe the math part wouldn’t be so bad.

And then he convinced Eddie to let him do a one shot with the Corroded Coffin guys so he could get a feel for it all without Dustin knowing.

He didn’t get that creative with his character according to Lucas, but he was also supportive and understanding that Steve wasn’t doing this as a regular thing.

Eddie explained to the guys that they needed to be patient, that Steve was genuinely trying to learn.

“Everyone was new once, so I don’t wanna hear anything from any of you about how annoying it is to have to take it so slow and explain everything. He’s trying to do a nice thing for Henderson and we’re going to be nice.”

Everyone groaned, but nodded in agreement.

“Are we talking about your crush on him yet, or is that still off the table?” Gareth had the gall to ask.

“There’s no crush to even have on the table,” Eddie said.

“Sure, dude.”

—--------------

Things were not going well.

Well, okay, they weren’t going bad.

It’s just that Lucas apparently explained to Steve that being in character was very important and Steve failed to mention that his character’s charisma was the highest possible option.

He shouldn’t be surprised by that.

Maybe he’s just surprised with all the blatant flirting.

The guys keep shooting him looks like they know that he’s struggling, that they can see that he is barely able to hold onto the power the DM usually has.

“The guard stops you, but he recognizes you. ‘You’re the one who stole the sword!’ he yells, catching the attention of the other guards. You panic because your party is still hiding in the bush with strict instructions not to be seen unless they draw their weapons on you. How will you respond?”

Steve smirked.

Not good. Run away. Get out, Munson, you’re fucked.

But he couldn’t leave.

He was the DM, and they were barely halfway done with what he had planned.

He had to see this through and he had to give Steve the best possible introduction to this game.

It was for Dustin.

“I’d probably have to insist that it wasn’t me he saw, but that I sure wish I’d seen him before. Maybe wink at him,” Steve said. “Actually, definitely wink at him.”

Steve looked at everyone else, smile silently asking for approval.

Everyone smirked at Eddie before giving him a thumbs up.

Traitors.

He’d be saying something later for sure.

“The guard is still suspicious, but waves the other guards off. He looks you over, circles you, decides to take your only weapon.”

“Not my only weapon. I still have plenty of time to distract him.”

Eddie squints at him, just as suspicious as the guard in their game.

“Roll for-”

“Persuasion, right?” Steve interrupted.

“Sure. Roll for persuasion, Stevie,” Eddie pretended not to be flustered at Steve remembering aspects of the game.

“18!” Steve yelled. “Plus the 13. So that’s…” he held his hand up while he thought about it. “31!”

Everyone at the table cheered except for Eddie.

He knew what was coming.

“I offer to let the guard check me for weapons in private if he’s still suspicious. I tell him it’s better to take all my clothes off where he can do something about it.”

Eddie hated what was happening.

He hated that he could feel how red his face was, and how much Steve was thriving off of putting Eddie off of his own game.

He hated the way the guys were all watching, literally holding their breath for Eddie’s reaction.

“The guard decides to lead you past the gate, but instead of taking you to the entrance to the castle, he leads you down a side road. It leads to a small cottage, and you start to worry that your party won’t find you.”

Steve doesn’t even hesitate.

“I let him lead me where he wants. I can take it.”

Eddie is going to die. Right here.

Steve knows what he’s doing, what he’s saying.

He knows what he is doing to Eddie.

And, okay, maybe they haven’t talked about it, maybe they’ve both been avoiding the very obvious tension between them for months. Maybe Eddie could have taken a chance any of the times they’ve been alone lately to finally talk about it.

Or maybe Steve would just keep flirting with him through this stupid game until Eddie couldn’t even do what he needed to do.

And everyone around them would just get to watch it unfold.

Jeff, his only friend at the moment, cleared his throat and decided to speak up.

“I think the rest of the party should follow. Just in case he needs backup. Guys?”

Thank God for Jeff.

It continues, the rest of the party finds a way to get past the guards, and Eddie admits to himself that he’s making it easier on purpose.

He wants, no, needs this game to end.

And he gets his wish ten minutes later when the phone rings and it’s Dustin, begging for a ride.

Eddie ignores the fact that he called his trailer knowing Steve would be here already, but the rest of the group doesn’t.

While Steve is on the phone, they all quietly tease Eddie.

“If I knew Steve would fluster you this much, I think we would have invited him a long time ago,” Grant said.

“Yeah, we probably would’ve had much easier campaigns if he joined in high school,” Gareth added.

“Yeah? Next time you all get to die, how about that? Terrible, bloody deaths. Gareth gets tortured.”

Before any of them could answer, Steve came into the room, looking a bit sad.

“Sorry about this guys. I couldn’t really come up with a reason that I couldn’t go without giving it away what I was doing. We could pause and come back to it later?”

Eddie knew the guys would be fine with just calling it here; They’d managed to get far enough along that they knew it would have been a good win for them.

“Nah, you did good. Maybe you can join us for real after Dustin’s birthday campaign,” Jeff said.

Steve beamed back at him.

“Maybe, yeah. If you guys are cool with it.”

Was he…shy?

He was just flirting up a storm! Absolutely taking the lead in a game he’d never played before! And now he was being shy?

“Hell yeah!” They all agreed.

Great, Steve was making friends with his friends.

“Alright!” Steve clapped his hands together. “I’m off to get the kid. Thanks guys!”

He started to leave, but stopped by Eddie.

Then his lips were on the top of Eddie’s head.

“Bye guys!” He said as he continued to walk out.

Eddie’s eyes were wide, unblinking. The guys were all staring at him with the same wide, unblinking eyes.

The front door to the trailer closed.

“Uh,” Eddie said.

“Did he-”

“He just-”

“On your head.”

“Uh.”

The front door opened.

Steve was standing in the doorway to the kitchen area, eyes wide, unblinking.

“Did I-”

“Uh huh,” Eddie answered.

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“Is that…okay?”

He was looking nervously between the guys and Eddie, like he expected someone to punch him.

“Oh! Yeah. No, they’re good. Um. Did you want to kiss me?”

“Yeah. I kinda…always do?”

“Always?”

“Yes. It’s kind of all I think about.”

Eddie took it all back; This was the best and he had never been happier that Steve wanted to play D&D.

He didn’t even care about the guys watching as he stood from his chair and walked to Steve in the doorway.

“Me too.”

He pulled Steve against him, ignoring the whistles and cheers from the table, and kissed him.

The kiss left them both breathless, despite being barely more than a peck.

“Um, I should go get Dustin,” Steve whispered.

“Yeah. Come back after?”

“Will everyone still be here?” Steve asked nervously.

“Nope, just you and me, sweetheart,” Eddie replied.

“Good. I’ll be back soon, then.”

When Steve left, Eddie turned back to the group, lovestruck grin on his face.

“So it’s off the table now, right?” Gareth asked, smirking.

“Shut up.”

#steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #ficlet #request #hellfire club #but without the kids

[flowercrowngods]

why must i think of prisoners Ranger!Steve and Bard!Eddie so constantly and why must they be so tender and why hhhh

Steve’s whole body is made of pain, and has been for the past few days. His feet are aching and raw from trying to keep up as they were bound to horses and dragged along. His skin is chafed and bleeding where the unforgiving rocks have managed to destroy his clothes after one too many falls, and every smallest of cuts feels like his body is nothing more than a pulsating mess. 

Worst of all, though, is the dizziness. He doesn’t know if his head is still bleeding or if the wetness he can feel running down his temple is his body’s testament to the unfamiliar heat, but it wouldn’t make a difference anyway. 

There’s only pain. And nausea. His eyes are open but he needs a second to understand what he’s seeing — and what he’s seeing is a ceiling made of sand coloured stone. Distantly, he hears a door clanging shut, but that might just as well be a memory. 

He’s going to throw up. Tough luck when you don’t even know where up is. 

A groan leaves his mouth as he tries to take a deep breath and fails miserably. Instead, he can add two broken ribs to the list of misery. 

Gods above — whichever of them are listening — he’s tired. But he fears that if he closes his eyes, he might not open them anymore for the sheer release that would bring. He can’t sleep, can’t rest, not when— 

“Easy now,” a gentle voice interrupts his less than coherent thoughts and just moments later, a tender hand is combing through his blood-crusted hair. “You shouldn’t move, my friend. There’s nowhere to move to anymore.” 

Steve frowns, his brain trying and failing to provide any information at this point. The hits to his head must have been worse than he thought if his short term memory refuses to work with him anymore. 

“We have reached Capital City,” the voice continues and Steve has to blink the fog away to make out its owner. When he does, it must show in his eyes, for the worry in Theodore Munson’s eyes makes way to the briefest of smiles before returning even stronger than before. “Do you not recall?”

Steve just stares up at him. That’s all his wrecked body and mind allow him to do right now. That’s all they want to do when gentle hands comb through his hair and chase away some of the pain. 

It is then that reality slowly comes back to him and he realises where he is. Where they are. What is at stake if they fail any more, if they decide to torture information on Elanor and William out of them — out of him. He’s not sure how much he can take. They have been held prisoner for weeks. Steve has been hurting for even longer.

Shame rises in him and he has the urge to apologise to Jim, to explain, but moving his head to the side, he sees that his old master isn’t any better off. He appears to be sleeping, his face bruised, and a teary-eyed Maxine is wiping blood away from his face with a piece of her cloak. 

Steve blinks once, twice, and takes in the man who practically raised him, watches the steady rise and fall of his chest and listens, beyond the pulsing rush of his own blood, that his lungs are not rattling. Shame makes way to satisfaction when he sees that none of their party has taken as many hits, kicks and punches as himself. His distractions have worked, then. 

That’s good. Now if only they didn’t make him so nauseous. So tired. So…

“Don’t fall asleep, Steven,” Eddie demands, and the world tilts slightly, which makes everything worse until… soft. It’s softer now. 

Eddie has moved him so his head is resting in his lap now. 

“You don’t look too good, Ranger. Sleep is dangerous in your state, no matter how badly you might need it. Give it a few hours, please.” 

A beat passes where Steve tries to process the words that are just too many. Since when does Eddie talk with him so much? 

“Lies,” he says after a while and with greater effort than should be necessary.

“Lies?” 

“I look very good. You just can’t see it under all the blood and the bruises.” He tries to crack a smile, but even the huffed breath jolts his head too much. 

Eddie does him the favour of a brief chuckle, and Steve feels better for it. Lighter. Light is good, he finds. Maybe all he has to focus on is Eddie and his hands working out the clumps of dirt and blood from his hair, maybe all he has to to is make him smile and the world will be a bit less painful. 

His world narrows down to all the ways Eddie is close to him and it does keep him occupied, but it also gets his mind wandering, the adrenaline of the past days wearing off. 

“Keep doing that and I will fall asleep,” he says after another beat of silence. Fall asleep and dream. Dream of what this could mean. Dream of smiles that make me feel lighter. 

“Keep doing what?” Eddie asks, and Steve senses a trick to just keep him talking, no matter how slurred his speech is. He needs a moment to remember what he said.

“This,” he says eventually, and Eddie only hums. Finding words is hard. He tries. And tries again. “Being gentle.” 

Another smile, and Steve wants to close his eyes to keep it there to hold on to. “I’m afraid I can’t do that, my friend.” 

“Can’t not be gentle?” He’s losing force on the consonants. The pain is getting stronger, his nerve endings more frayed and his vision blurry. This is familiar. He gives himself another quarter of an hour at most before he will lose his consciousness, no matter how hard he tries to stay here. With Eddie and his wavering smile. 

“Not with my friends, no.” 

This time it’s Steve who smiles at the word friends. He likes to be Eddie’s friend. The man, as it turns out, is admirable, he’s strong, he’s wise when he wants to be and gentle with young Maxine. He’s kind, he’s quick-witted and patient, and his hands are impossibly soft. 

“I know you said not to sleep, and I’m not normally one to deny a well-respected bard’s command, but…” He swallows. Words are hard. He’s not sure they come out as planned, but he perseveres. “I’m afraid I have to prove to you now just how stubborn the Queen’s Rangers can be.” 

Another hum from above him and Steve opens his eyes he hadn’t even noticed closing. The world is fading, but still Eddie is at its centre. 

“I’ll be here when you wake up, then, stubborn Ranger.” 

Will you smile at me still? Steve wonders. 

“Always,” Eddie says, but before Steve has time to wonder if someone else has said something, darkness has swallowed him whole.

#steddie fic #steddie #also steve and hop are soft in this one honestly just ask me to post the whole 4.6k thing and i will but it doesn't have a beginning or end #we just vibing like fr it's just steve whump and everyone being gentle on him and also some humour for kindness #no taglist for this bc it isn't even a thing but man i keep thinking about them why must all my aus be so weird and niche?

[wren-of-the-woods]

Hello! Thank you so much for what you do- could I please have some recs for geraskier fics where geralt is the one pining harder?

Here you go!! I wasn't sure how to categorize who was pining harder in all of these (since our boys are masters of longing lol) but these are all stories where Geralt loves Jaskier very much, and I highly enjoyed them all!

~

favorite by @asweetprologue (Rated G, 5.8k)

Jaskier gets Geralt a gift, and it makes Geralt realize he doesn't know enough about what Jaskier likes. He forms a plan to figure it out.

i’ll kiss you slow by @paintedcrayons (Rated T, 4.9k)

Geralt is not being creepy. He’s not. He’s just looking out for his friend (with a questionable choices in lovers). Lately, Geralt has started to notice the way people treat Jaskier’s affection like a means to an end. They kiss him only to move to the next step, dance with him as pretense to get him into their beds. He would like nothing more than to kiss Jaskier for the sake of it. (He does.)

time and time again by @samstree (Rated G, 5.2k)

Marriage proposals, through the years.

The Best Laid Plans by @dhwty-writes (Rated T, 5.5k)

Geralt is in love with Jaskier. In order to finally get him to admit his feelings, he devises a ten step plan with Lambert, Eskel and Vesemir.

A Friend in the Wild by @samstree (Rated G, 1.6k)

In which Geralt acquires a tiny friend who wouldn't stop following him.

Weak and Wanting by @sociallyawkward--fics (Rated T, 36k)

Geralt had thought that inviting Jaskier to Kaer Morhen after all these years would be a good thing. What he didn't plan on was his brothers deciding to have a little fun with their situation. Lambert and Eskel really needed to stop meddling in things they didn't understand, especially when it came to his bard.

Tell It With Your Heart by @bambirex (Rated G, 2.5k)

While Jaskier always says what's on his mind, Geralt works a little differently. That doesn't mean he cannot tell Jaskier how he feels - he just does that without words.

Repeat After Me by @onwardorange (Rated G, 7.3k)

All it takes is (nearly) three years, two meddlesome brothers, and one exasperated sorceress to get Geralt to admit his feelings for Jaskier.

Love Me Better, Send A Letter by @rebrandedbard (Rated T, 12.5k)

Geralt and Julian have been exchanging letters since participating in an inter-school pen pal program in high school, and Geralt has been pining away for Julian for over a decade since meeting by chance one faithful day in Posada. Between work and Ciri, he hasn't had much time for travelling, but he and Julian still exchange their letters faithfully. Finally, Julian's equally busy life coincides with Geralt's long enough for a short visit, and Geralt has the chance to finally introduce Ciri to the man she knows only on paper. Things would be perfect ... if Julian's visit didn't fall within the week of the concert of Ciri's favorite musician, Jaskier.

Music is no solution by @thecrownprincessbride (Rated T, 4.3k)

Jaskier has self-doubts, and Geralt is there for him.

A Careless Omission by @samstree (Rated T, 5.4k)

Jaskier reveals he has a type. Geralt behaves strangely.

Highway Angel (To the Dark I Said Pour and Forgot to Say When) by @fangirleaconmigo T, 2.8k

Geralt is a long haul truck driver. With long stretches on the road away from his family, and with no one to keep him company but his loyal dog Roach, he has to brave most of his life completely alone. Then one day, just as he is passing the city of Oxenfurt, he turns on the radio and hears a voice.

zero for ten by @yaelathewordsmith (Rated T, 10.4k)

The blue-eyed boy on the school's cricket team seems determined to bowl Geralt out. The worst part is, he isn't even fucking trying. * Or, the ten times Jaskier held Geralt's heart in his hands without knowing, and how Geralt grew to want him to keep it.

~

(You can find my other reclists here!)

#geraskier #the witcher #geralt #jaskier #geralt x jaskier #witcher #twn #wren recs #these are the ones i found searching my bookmarks but i'm sure there are many other good ones! so recs in the notes are highly welcome #it looks like there's a pining geralt tag so you could check that out too if you want #also i only noticed after i put this together that samstree is on it three times #you're the master of geralt pining jin XD #some of these probably appear on my other lists too but they fit the category so here you go! #thank you for this ask by the way!! i'd forgoten how much fun reclists are! #and i'm happy you thought of me <3 #reclists

[annab-nana]

For your sleepover!!

Hawkins high puts on a winter formal you wanna take eddie but scared he will just want to stay friends. Robin and Nancy talk you up to ask him to the dance. But what you don’t know is that Steve is talking Eddie up to ask you to the dance🥺🥺🥺

EMILY ALL YOUR IDEAS ARE GOLD I LOVE THEM (p.s. i had a lot of fun writing this one)

warnings: not proofread, kinda long for a blurb

❀ masterlist ❀

"why do i even have to go to winter formal anyway? i could just stay home. i like that idea. let's go with that plan," you said hopefully and got up to walk away. however, robin's arms around your waist tugged you back to your seat. so much for that plan.

"no, just no," she told you, resulting in your annoyed huff.

"i don't get why you can't just ask him," nancy shared, a thoughtful expression on her face. "the worst he could do is say no and he won't do that."

you looked at her incredulously. "i can't ask him because i'm not you. not everyone looks like you and has the innocent sweet charm you have. not everyone is fawning over me. not everyone can pull steve and jonathan. and yes, that is the worst thing. it is the absolute worst thing in the world. you don't realize how big this is. i..."

you trailed off to train your eyes on the floor and take a small break before you got too worked up. this was stupid. it was all so stupid.

"i've been in love with him since we were kids. i can't throw all that away. i'd rather go with him as friends than embarrass myself by asking him for more when he just wants to be friends and nothing more. i just can't risk it, okay?"

you looked back up at the girls, both of their faces full of pity but nancy's held some guilt in it as well. it made you feel awkward and want nothing more than to be somewhere else.

this time when you stood, neither of them made any moves to stop you and both watched you walk out of the empty classroom.

"i feel bad," nancy told robin who shrugged in response.

"it was worth a shot," she spoke, trying to retain some optimism. "let's just hope steve is having better luck with eddie."

currently, he was not.

"she's my best friend, steve," eddie said for the fifteenth time as if steve wasn't very aware of that fact.

"most couples are friends before they start dating, munson. you don't just fall straight in love. you like them before you love them and you won't ever know if she loves you if you don't try. do you really want to live never having tried to tell the person you love that you love them?"

"this is all so easy for you to say. you're fucking king steve," eddie shared before watching steve's shoulders deflate. he always forgot that he hated that nickname now that they were friends. "sorry."

"it's fine."

"it's not," eddie fought prior to getting back on track, "what i was trying to say was that you have girls falling at your feet everywhere you go. forgive me if i am not a hundred percent on board with how easy you are making this seem."

steve stepped forward, clasping his hand on eddie's shoulder to make sure he had his focus. "it is that easy, though. she loves you, man. anyone can see it."

steve tried to plead with eddie with his eyes, but eddie's expression changed from pure helplessness to slight suspicion.

"what do you know?" eddie inquired.

uh oh, steve thought as his eyes widened ever so slightly and his hand dropped from eddie's shoulder to scratch at the back of his neck.

"i- i don't know what you mean. i-"

"harrington." eddie's tone was one of warning.

"nothing, i know nothing."

eddie stepped up to steve, his eyes baring into steve's. "if you don't tell me whatever it is that you know, i'm telling henderson that it was you that broke his bard miniature, not tews."

"damn it, eddie," steve grunted as he ran his hand over his face. you were surely going to kill him if nancy or robin didn't beat you to it. "you can't say i told you, got it?" eddie's nod was so small, steve almost didn't see it. "she's in love with you, man. i was pretty sure because it was so obvious and then, a couple weeks ago, she drunkenly told me she was in love with me but she thought i was you. so, i asked her about it the next morning and she made me swear not to tell, but here i am telling you. anyway, she is absolutely in love with you and the winter formal would be the perfect time for y'all to get together if one of you would just ask the other. nancy and robin are trying to convince her to ask you right now."

steve had never felt so guilty in his life—not even when he broke dustin's bard and blamed it on tews—but in his head, he was making the right thing happen, so it didn't matter in the long run.

eddie's silence was starting to get on his nerves though.

"come on, man. say something. my ass is on the line here."

"she's in love with me?" eddie questioned in utter disbelief.

"so much it makes me sick."

"oh fuck, i- i gotta go."

"good luck," steve shouted eddie's way as the metalhead bolted out of the empty theater room.

when eddie found you, you were angrily switching out your books in your locker. you were nearly done when eddie ran over to you, but you didn't even notice him until he pulled your locker door back to look at you.

the action surprised you, causing a gasp to fall from your lips.

"jesus, eddie," you griped while grabbing your last book and shutting your locker door with an unintentional slam. "what do you want?"

if he wasn't on cloud nine with the news he just heard, your sour mood would've affected him.

your words must not have registered in eddie's head because he continued to stare at you like he was in some sort of weird daze.

"dude, are you high?" his eyes weren't glassy or red, but his pupils were blown.

you watched as he came to his senses and regained consciousness enough to speak.

"no, no," he answered, shaking his head, "but i have a question for you."

"okay, what is it?"

"i wanted to see if you wanted to go to this winter formal thing with me? like actually go with me?"

any other day, you would've been elated to hear that, but you couldn't fight the thought that nancy and robin were behind this. you wanted him to ask you because he wanted to, not because he was told to do it.

your frustration presented itself in the few tears that lined your eyes when you rolled them in annoyance.

"who put you up to this? nancy? robin? steve? someone else who thinks they know what's best for me?" you shook your head at it all. "god, i need this day to end."

"hey, no," eddie spoke softly in the way he always did when he was trying to calm you down. his hands came up to cup your cheeks, making sure your eyes were on him. "no one is making me do this. i just finally have the courage to quit being such a pussy and ask you out. we don't even have to go to the dance if you don't want to. we can do whatever, y/n, but i want to be with you. i don't want to spend the rest of my life regretting not knowing what could have been because i was scared of losing you."

you swallowed while your eyes bounced between his momentarily. "you really mean all that?"

a single tear fell from your eye, but it didn't get to travel far down your skin before eddie's thumb wiped it away. "every damn word."

a watery chuckle escaped you and a genuine smile spread on your lips. "yeah, i'll go with you."

"really?"

you nodded and surged forward to kiss his lips, pulling back to say, "you bet your ass, munson."

remember to support writers & reblog :)

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tag list: @fiction-is-life @jellyfishbeansontoast @daisyridleyss

#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson blurbs #blurbs #rebelemilu #❀ emily ❀ #winter wonderland sleepover ✧*:･ﾟ

[eranawrites]

Bard's worst friend

Chapter 8

Something was wrong, that much Jaskier gathered. Valdo was looking at him with heated gaze, dark and full of longing and – kind of like with subdued passion. The way he never looked at him, as if he was something precious, something he could never have. Which was all wrong of course. He had him many times before and as much as Jaskier pretended to hate it, he will probably have him many times in a future. Hell, he could even have him right here right now, they were at orgy and well, he was offering.

All he had to do was say something, preferably something biting and crude but nonetheless agreeing and Jaskier would go down on his knees for him. Anything to get this – this feeling, this fucking ache out of his chest. He would have taken even a nod, ready and desperate to busy himself in a willing body, the one he knew as well as his own. Valdo was an ass but, if Jaskier was being honest, so was he and their little differences always clashed oh so deliciously. Besides, there were experiences you could have in bed only with someone you were non-stop arguing.

Read more on ao3

Chapter 1 on ao3

#geraskier #the witcher #jaskier #valskier #the witcher fic #geralt of rivia #the witcher fanfic #my fic #Bard's worst friend #time loop #all comments will be cherished

[writerscafehub]

𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐑❜𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐅𝐄 𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓

/) /)

( • ༝•)

c /づ づ 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 all the works made by the very talented members of the writer's café server in the month of OCTOBER. we ask, and highly encourage, that you reblog them in support. ♡

ALL WORKS ARE FOR THOSE 18+ ONLY.

𖥔 indicates smut

✶ indicates dark elements

By ☁︎☽ Cocoa ☁︎☽ @cocoamoonmalfoy @darksideofthecocoamoon

𖥔 𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐇𝐈𝐌 - 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟕 | god of spring!timothee chalamet

Part seven of the crown him series

✶ 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐀 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐈'𝐋𝐋 𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐑 | the beast

Imagine a twisted beauty and the beast. Reverse kidnapping: I’m in your house and I’m not leaving

𖥔 𝐃𝐀𝐌𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐃 | bard!timothee chalamet

An unlikely trio on an impossible quest pick up a stray along the way

𖥔 ✶ 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐓 | soft!dark!king hal

Hal could sympathize with Hades, for after seeing the light of life, how could he not pin it close to his darkness

𖥔 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐄 | king hal

Hal finds that sitting for his portrait isn’t bad at all

𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐎𝐑 | prince hal

Disowned or not, the son of the king needed to be protected

By ★ Jen ★ @jen-with-a-pen

𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐃 𝐔𝐏 - 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄 | art student!frat brother!steve rogers

Steve can’t remember what happened last night, but his body sure does. Regret is the worst hangover of all - even more so when you can’t remember what you regret

✶ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐘 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐓 | bucky barnes

Being held captive and experimented on definitely wasn’t in your job description. After what seems like months in HYDRA captivity, rescue finally arrives - but what is rescue if not relief from suffering.

By 𖠰 Nat 𖠰 @the-iceni-bitch

𖥔 ✶ 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐄'𝐒 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐇𝐄𝐌 | kinktober masterlist

Prepare yourselves for a month filled with wicked and scandalous delights, with vicious and freakish lovers for whatever type of monster you may fancy

By ❈ Beanie ❈ @shadeysprings

𖥔 ✶ 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐓 | kinktober masterlist

Four stories with captivatingly dark themes

𖥔 ✶ 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐎𝐑 𝐍𝐎 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐋 | dark!pete brenner

You work hard to entice the biggest possible client for your company, but he has his own ideas for you to make you say yes

𖥔 ✶ 𝐍𝐎 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃𝐁𝐘𝐄𝐒 | dark!ransom drysdale

Ransom makes it known why breaking up with him is wrong.

𖥔 ✶ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐘 | priest!lee boedecker

The new priest of your church asks you to sing for him.

𖥔 ✶ 𝐍𝐎 𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐎𝐔𝐓 | serial killer!lee boedecker

With the serial killer targeting boys, you thought you were safe. Until you weren’t.

By ❥ Courtney ❥ @chasingmidnights

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 | thirteen nights of halloween masterlist

13 Nights of Halloween and each night is going to be a different (what I'm calling) "campfire stories". Each story is going to be told by a different character ranging from Chris Evans characters to Sebastian Stan characters to Marvel Characters. Make sure to take a look at the Intro to meet the various characters! So, gather around the fire and try not to get too scared.

By ⚔︎ Suz ⚔︎ @targaryenvampireslayer

𖥔 𝐇𝐀𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 | ghost!bucky barnes

Bucky was taken from you by HYDRA a year ago. You mourn him and miss him, until you start dreaming of him… until he starts coming back to you

By ✵ Selene ✵ @fluffyprettykitty

𖥔 𝐒𝐀𝐌 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐒𝐊 | sugar daddy!sam wilson

Quick and dirty sugar daddy Sam Drabble.

By 𖤛 Roo 𖤛 @darkficsyouneveraskedfor

✶ 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐓 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐋𝐔𝐉𝐀𝐇 | yelena belova

You find a stranger at your door, a visitor you can’t make leave

✶ 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐒𝐌𝐎𝐊𝐄 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐀 𝐂𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄 | kraven the hunter

You catch the eye of a mysterious man who shares an unexpected secret with you

By ☆ Stella ☆ @a-lumos-in-the-nox

✶ 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐃

A group of friends decide to explore the haunted house on the shortcut back to campus. Ignoring the 'No Trespassing' signs. They ease drop in on a meeting between beings, mortals have never lived to tell tales about. And find out the consequences of ease dropping on the annual Hallows Eve meeting.

𖥔 𝐍𝐒𝐅𝐖 𝐀𝐋𝐏𝐇���𝐁𝐄𝐓 | druig and makkari and female!oc

The kink alphabet for the threesome

𖥔 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐖 | druig and female!oc

Reader is horny but won’t do anything about it because she is busy doing other things. But her husband who can read minds can hear her inner struggle and does something about it.

𖥔 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 | druig and makkari and female!oc

Makkari has a surprise field trip for Juni and Druig. They don’t know where they are going. It is her turn to pick where they meet up this time.

By ☄︎ Ellie ☄︎ @mrsmischief209

𖥔 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 |

Introduction to Kinktober

𖥔 𝐒𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃 | billy russo

Inspired by the song ‘Slow Hand’ by the Pointer Sisters

✶𖥔 𝐒𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐅 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐌𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓'𝐒 𝐋𝐄𝐅𝐓 | softdark!frank castle

Inspired by the song ‘Breath’ by Breaking Benjamin

By ☪︎ Gina ☪︎ @slvttyfied

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐒 - 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄 | chef!ari levinson

Cause baby I can build a castle out of all the bricks they threw at me and every day is like a battle but every night with us is like a dream

By ✯ Vic ✯ @sunflowersteves

𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 - 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐁𝐉 | carmen berzatto

Carmen knew you were a bit inexperienced, so what better way than to show you how?

By ⚘ Akane ⚘ @haravath0t

𖥔 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 | college au!alhaitham

College AU headcanon

By ⎈ Navy ⎈ @navybrat817

𖥔 ✶𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐄 | various SS and CE characters

One shots and ficlets for the month of October

𖥔 𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄 | bucky barnes

You want Bucky in your mouth. Simple as that.

By ✍︎ Em ✍︎ @writing-for-marvel

𖥔 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐘𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍 | mob!bucky barnes

Newlyweds Mob!Bucky and wife!reader explore Europe and each other during their honeymoon.

By ❀ Ali ❀ @flordeamatista

𖥔 ✶ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 | various SS and CE characters

Kinktober inspired by tarot cards and their auras

𖥔 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒 | lee boedecker

A tale of your wicked deeds.

𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐅𝐎𝐖𝐋𝐄𝐑 𝐆𝐈𝐅𝐒𝐄𝐓

By 𐀔 Alex 𐀔 @thecutestlittlebunbunfairy

𖥔 𝐁𝐔𝐍 𝐁𝐔𝐍'𝐒 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐎𝐏𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 | masterlist

Spooky season stories heavily inspired by Hozier’s album, ‘Eat Your Young’

𖥔 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 | rockstar!sam/steve/bucky

When your friends invite you to a rock show and the drummer invites you back to his hotel room, you might get more than you bargained for yet…

By ✬ Astro ✬ @astrorogers

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐑��𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑 | wanda maximoff

The Scarlet Witch has arrived which means her familiar must finally reunite with her.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐍 | wanda maxinoff

Wanda teaches kitten about Halloween

𖥔 𝐒𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀 𝐀𝐒𝐊 | mistress!wanda maximoff

Mistress!Wanda x sub!kitten reader smut

© all works belong to the respective writers of the writers café server.

#alhaitham x reader #genshin fanfic #timothee chalamet x reader #steve rogers x reader #bucky barnes x reader #timothee chalamet smut #steve rogers smut #peter brenner x reader #lee bodecker x reader #lee bodecker smut #ransom drysdale x reader #ransom drysdale smut #sam wilson x reader #sam wilson smut #yelena belova x reader #druig x reader #makkari x reader #billy russo x reader #frank castle x reader #ari levinson x reader #carmen berzatto x reader #chris evans x reader #wanda maximoff x reader #writers cafe boost ☕️♡ #☕︎ october 2023 ☕︎ #writer’s cafe monthly masterlist

[quirkwizard]

So recently I have been on a huge tabletop RPG kick so I thought it would be fun to talk about Class 1-A playing their own tabletop game, both the characters they'd play and how they'd be as players. For the sake of this, I will be writing in the context of Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition since that's the system myself and others would be the most familiar with.

Rikido Sato: Half Orc Life Cleric Doesn't really get the game too much. Tends to forget the rules a lot and his own abilities. Just kind of picked a class at random. Is the king of bringing snacks and the like, all of which are homemade.

Mashirao Ojiro: Wood Elf Open Hand Monk Pretty average in all respects as a player. Not too remarkable in all respects. Doesn't realized how bad the monk is until they started playing, but is too attached to the character and their concept.

Koji Koda: Firbolg Shepard Druid Is only really here to hang out with his friends. Too shy to really do any roleplay with the rest of the gang, mostly doing small moments with his animals friends. Accidently made an overpowered build.

Minoru Mineta: Dhampir Phantom Rogue Knows the rules, but is a power gamer. Uses the game more as a power fantasy to look as cool as possible at all times, even if it is dumb, though will quickly panic if anything goes slightly wrong.

Hanta Sero: Gith Horizon Walker Ranger Really interested in all the lore and history of whatever the dungeon master came up with. The kind that dungeon masters either love or dread. Is the one constantly asking question and cracking the odd joke about it.

Toru Hagakure: Changeling Arcane Trickster Rogue Super big into the roleplay of it all and is always excited. Mostly took Changeling so she'd have the excess to play as many roles as possible. Probably makes little masks to remind people who she currently is.

Yuga Aoyama: Aasimar Glory Paladin Is insanely devoted to the role of the noble paladin, much to the detriment of everyone else. Likely says the line "But it's what my character would do more then any other player. Constantly hints at a backstory that nobody is biting on.

Mezo Shoji: Hobgoblin Gloomstalker Ranger Not the biggest into roleplay, does fairly well with the actual gameplay. Plays the typically reserved ranged. Tried to tie his and Koda's backstory together to try and take some of the stress off of him in terms of roleplaying.

Kyoka Jiro: Half Elf Whispers Bard Wasn't really sure about all of this before play and went with a bard because she liked the idea of playing music. It was a rocky start, but quickly got into it and started having fun. Will make custom songs and playlists for the party, as well ambient tracks and battle music.

Denki Kaminari: Air Genesi Storm Sorcerer Wanted to try it out because it was popular. Went with something he thought was cool and did not expect it to be so complicated. Needs to be constantly handed the book and remined of the rules in order to make sure he gets it. The amount of math hurts his head. Eijiro Kirishima: Goliath Giant Barbarian Like Denki, wanted to get into because it was popular. Bakugou helped a lot with building the character. Has a lot of fun smashing stuff. Plays his role pretty well, even if his character doesn't go beyond the nice brute whose name is very close to Kirishima's own.

Mina Ashido: Satyr Glamour Bard One of the students the most into the roleplaying. Is very light hearted and goofy about the whole thing. Can play a lot in bard stereotypes because she thinks it's funny. Another instigator, though mostly from her getting too into character at the worst of times. Fumikage Tokoyami: Tiefling Fiend Warlock Has been playing the game the longest and super familiar with all of it. Always makes characters he thinks are "cool", which means are super gothic and depress, both in class and in race. Does occasionally have Dark Shadow dress up and roleplay as his patron. Ochako Uraraka: Fairy Zealot Barbarian Ochako just wants to smash stuff. She has a lot of fun rolling dice and doing cool stuff with her friends, both good and bad. Likes playing the typically pixie before going nuts. Can be an instigator, but tends to backtrack when she realizes just how badly it goes wrong. Tsuyu Asui: Halfling Moon Druid Like Koda, is mostly here to have fun with friends. Often plays mediator both in and out of character. Does a good job with roleplaying thanks to how much she had to play pretend with her simplies. Always causes a riot whenever she becomes a dinosaur. Shoto Todoroki: Hill Dwarf Fighter Champion One of the worst players both in game and in roleplay. Played a character Izuku basically made for him. Is somehow still one of the best because he is constantly getting amazing rolls at the most critical moments, much to the frustration of Bakugou.

Katsuki Bakugo: Custom Lineage Chronurgy Wizard Powergamer, no question. He knows the rules back and forth to make the most broken build possible. Acts like D&D is a game you can win, even when it comes to roleplaying. Not a full on murder hobo, but by far the biggest instigator in the group.

Tenya Iida: Warforged Devotion Paladin Very much devoted to the rules, both in and out of the game. Gets confused when people say that he's doing a good job at playing a robot. Collects a lot of dice. One of the best Dungeon Masters of any of the students, though can be rather controlling at times. Momo Yaoyorozu: High Elf Forge Cleric A really good player with the rules though can be pretty awkward with the roleplay with how much she tries to get into it. One of the best DMs in the class. Makes custom miniatures for everyone in the party. Puts a lot of money to make the ultimate game room. Izuku Midoriya: Variant Human Bladesinging Wizard The perfect player. Knows the roles, but focuses more on making characters. Takes the most notes, pay attention, and makes sure everyone is having fun and feels included. Likely gets roped into the role of dungeon master more then anyone else because of these reasons.

#My Hero Academia #Not Quirks #Midoryia Izuku #Deku #Katsuki Bakugou #Shoto Todoroki #Ochako Uraraka #Uraravity #Tenya Iida #Momo Yaoyorozu #Fumikage Tokoyami #Tsuyu Asui #Eijiro Kirishima #Red Riot #Mina Ashido #Pinky #Denki Kaminari #Jiro Kyoka #Mezo Shoji #Sero Hanata #Koji Koda #Ojiro Mashirao #Hagakure Tooru #Aoyama Yuuga #Sato Rikido

[samstree]

Jaskier is easy to please.

It’s a surprise finding, Geralt thinks to himself. At least, it goes against everything he knows about Jaskier.

He’s born noble, spoiled and doted on by a loving family for eighteen years. He has the best education, one that gives him endless titles as a master of the arts and a position at the best university. He wears fine silk, dines with lords and ladies, and sings for kings and queens.

And yet, Jaskier’s eyes always light up when Geralt prepares a simple meal at the side of the road as if a chunk of rye bread is anything finer than what Lettenhove can provide for him. He always leaves the lecture halls of Oxenfurt at the first thaw of spring to catch Geralt’s early contract of the year. He delights in the most mundane days on the path and colors them bright with his songs.

“I wonder how many are as lucky as me. How many souls under the sky,” Jaskier says one night, lying on top of a thin bedroll, under a sky full of stars. “To have found what pleases them, and get to keep it.”

“The stars?” Geralt mumbles sleepily. The day has been long and he’s too tired for Jaskier’s bouts of musing. “You don’t get to keep them, Jask.”

“No, you oaf. It’s…” Jaskier trails off, huffing a smile against Geralt’s shoulder. “Never mind. Sleep for now. You won’t understand today.”

“Yes, sleep.”

“Sleep, and you just might tomorrow.”

Jaskier snores through the night on the ground. He wakes up at the first light of dawn, eyes bleary and hair mussed. He wakes up to Geralt, lying next to him and calling his name gently. A soft smile overtakes his face, their limbs still tangling.

☆  

Geralt just might understand.

Or he starts to, when he pays attention to those things that please Jaskier.

He makes a pair of gloves over the winter with leather and fur in his stash. The plain materials are nothing to be boasted, and his sewing is far from the best. Compared to Jaskier’s doublets and coats, lined with jewels and silver thread, these may as well be two lumps of rags, but somehow, Geralt knows deep in his heart that Jaskier will squeal with joy when he sees them on his birthday.

The sureness settles over his chest, spreading until it unfurls his toes like warm mead on a rainy day. He wonders how long this unnamed confidence has been with him but finds no answer. It seems his life is so full of Jaskier, that there are no traces of what came before his bright-colored existence.

On Jaskier’s birthday, the squeal ends up hurting Geralt’s sensitive ears, but the tight hug that lifts him off the ground makes it all worth it. The gloves never leave the bard’s person even in the worst of the summer days and are proudly shown off to every friend they meet on the road.

And then, Geralt learns ballroom dancing from Essi so he may invite Jaskier to a first dance after the bardic competition. Geralt practices and practices, but when the day comes and Jaskier is all close and eager, all the complicated sequences are forgotten like foams on the sea. The world narrows down to the way Jaskier leans into his embrace and those surprised laughs when Geralt steps on his toes. The first dance turns into a second, a third, and then a fourth. Before Geralt knows it, the music has ended. Jaskier keeps holding on in the silence, his chin resting on Geralt’s shoulder, his scent sweet and happy.

☆  

“So, you are Julian’s witcher.”

An unfamiliar figure appears next to Geralt as the night comes to an end. Jaskier has gone to collect the award from his placement, but there’s no need for an introduction. Golden hair, fancy jewels, sharp eyes—it must be Valdo Marx.

“If I am?”

“Ha!” The other bard nurses his drink. “You’d need my warning, witcher. That one, Julian, is hard to please.”

Geralt could laugh if he didn’t hold too much disdain for the man.

“Don’t believe me? You’ll see. I once filled his room with roses and lilies, composed him full cycles of fine music, but all I got was rejection after rejection. I’d give him all the flowers in the world, all the songs and poetry. But no, none of it was ever good enough for Julian. Our dear Julian, who needs the world and more.”

“Hmm.”

Strange. Jaskier has never needed a world of flowers and poetry.

A bluebell is enough to make Jaskier blush when Geralt picks it from a wild field and puts it in his hand. A simple letter is enough to lift his spirit when solitude weighs down his shoulders while Geralt is away.

The flower will be pinned behind Jaskier’s ear for the rest of the day, and the letter will be read so many times the edges are worn out by the time they finally reunite. One particular songbook in the Jaskier’s pack holds tiny wildflowers and old letters on every other page. That book is growing thick over the years, bursting with little souvenirs of their time together and apart.

Valdo Marx is long gone when Geralt realizes how far his thoughts have wandered. The dance floor is empty. All the bards have left. All except for one.

“Geralt?” Jaskier appears before him, searching, curious. “Goodness, I called your name four times. What’s got you thinking so hard?”

Geralt blinks.

“You.”

“Me? What about—oh!”

Geralt takes Jaskier’s hand and pulls him into a kiss.

It’s desperate and messy, done without so much as a thought. All Geralt knows is that he should kiss Jaskier. All the world could end right now and he should be kissing Jaskier. Their breaths quicken as their bodies press closer. Jaskier lets out a surprised gasp as Geralt opens him up eagerly, teasing him with every swipe of tongue, every quiet moan. He kisses the corner of Jaskier’s mouth at the end before meeting his gaze.

“Wow,” Jaskier breathes, voice hoarse and eyes hazy. He clears his throat. “Wow, Geralt, that was…”

Geralt holds onto the small of Jaskier’s back, practically keeping him upright with how unsteady his legs have become. He can’t help but preen, letting a grin tug at his lips. “That was…?”

“Oh, just…” Jaskier’s cheeks have gone pink. It’s adorable in the candlelight. He lets out a string of giggles, hiding his face in his hands and pressing his forehead to Geralt’s shoulder. “You’ve kissed me, and now I feel like the happiest man on earth,” he mumbles into Geralt’s shirt. “So forgive me if I need a moment. Just a moment to let it all sink in, is all.”

Geralt kisses Jaskier’s hair and feels him suck in another shaky breath. “You are too easy to please,” he chuckles.

When Jaskier finds enough strength to stand on his own and pulls away, his eyes are full of wonder. They are full of Geralt. “Well, of course. It’s you.”

With Jaskier here in his arms, Geralt understands now. He is what pleases Jaskier, and he is lucky. Too lucky, perhaps. To be dear to this loud bard who smiles like a fool at the sight of him is a privilege Geralt would not deserve even if he lived ten lives over. He isn’t sure what to do with this fact yet.

So he answers. “Yes, it’s me.” He makes a promise. “I’m right here.”

Geralt leans in for another kiss, nuzzling Jaskier’s nose, but a finger halts him by the lips.

“You see, if you kissed me in such quick succession,” Jaskier says, swallowing, his eyelashes casting long shadows, “I may burst with joy right this moment. So have mercy on me, will you? Let’s just stay here. Just stay, and remember.”

Under Jaskier’s palm, a witcher’s slow heart flutters at the next beat.

Geralt takes Jaskier’s hand and remembers the moment. He remembers the moment when all the world’s luck is held within their palms, intertwining between their linked fingers.

☆  

It turns out, Geralt is easy to please too.

All it takes is a simple tune under Jaskier’s breath, a slow ballad, full of love and contentment, a private performance for one. It’s such a small thing, such a small joy when they are in the snowy mountains at the top of the world.

Geralt sinks into the big armchair in Kaer Morhen’s library, listening as the last note fades. His eyes flutter shut, tugged heavy by sleep and the burning fireplace. Jaskier put his lute down by the wall and settles on Geralt’s lap, tucking Geralt’s head into the crook of his neck.

“Is my new song putting you to sleep?” Jaskier asks. “Do you not like it?”

Geralt shakes his head, melting under Jaskier’s weight and attention. “Like the song fine. It’s just you.” He lets out a long exhale, his heart slowing. “Want to sleep when I’m safe.”

“Oh.”

Gentle fingers run across Geralt’s eyebrows, and he almost drifts off right there. “We should go to bed,” so he says.

“I’ll join you in a bit.”

Jaskier scrambles away, and the lack of his warmth makes Geralt grumble.

Jaskier huffs, taking Geralt’s hands to pull him up. “Just a few minutes. I have some tidying up to do.”

The world is blurry around the edges and the last line of Jaskier’s song keeps playing in Geralt’s mind. He mumbles an answer, his legs heavy. The bed that belongs to the two of them calls for Geralt with the promise of a mountain of blankets and furs to burrow under.

“Hold on.” Jaskier’s hand is on Geralt’s elbow. “The night is dangerous. Take this with you.”

He turns Geralt around to press a chaste kiss to his cheek.

With his eyes barely open, Geralt winds Kaer Morhen’s halls until the darkness gives way to the warm glow of their bedroom, where the fireplace is lit and his lungs are filled with the clean soap on Jaskier’s clothes.

Geralt returns to bed safely, with a small kiss to guard him.

It turns out, he is easy to please when it’s Jaskier.

It’s as natural as breathing, like these small things, small joys, small kisses. And they are all it takes.

#geraskier #geraskier fic #fluff #soft boys being soft #first thing i've written in a month and i'm very pleased too 😌

[loganschwarzy]

watching the headless bts and it must've been such a moment in the last episode with The Poison Within. it's 2 in the morning, you're illuminated by a stained glass window, staring directly into the eyes of the person you're singing about... that must've been a very powerful moment in universe too.

MAJOR HEADLESS SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT

imagine, if you will.

you're ichabod crane, and a bard is narrating the death of the woman you've been enamored with, but has been lying to you this whole time. it's like she said, this is your bedtime story. because there's no guarentee you'll make it until morning.

you're brom bones, and a bard is singing about the death of a woman you loved, who brings out the most toxic sides of you. your wife has been working with her the whole time, and your best friend is just minutes away from dying. you have been lied to. and it hurts.

you're matilda bishop, and a bard is retelling one of the worst moments of your life, the death and subsequent ressurection of your best friend. but she is no longer who she was, hasn't been for a long time. you know what the right choice is. are you going to make it?

you're diedrich knickerbocker, and you are singing that song. you know the truth. you look her directly in the eyes, laying it all out for everyone to see. you give her no absolution. besides, you're not the one who could give it. you don't have that right.

and finally, you're katrina van tassel. and your death is being told to a man who shouldn't have had this much of an impact. he shouldn't matter. but he does. the bard looks at you like you're guilty. like you've done something wrong. you have not. you only want to live. and you will. won't you?

#headless: a sleepy hollow story #headless series #ichabod crane #brom bones #matilda bishop #diedrich knickerbocker #katrina van tassel #kat van tassel #headless spoilers #my writing