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It all comes to boiling point one day.
Two separate beds, for the first time in months.
Geralt gets the message. He made his- the bard uncomfortable with his advances, he crossed the line.
He wonders how much time he has left, because surely, Jaskier will leave soon.
It’s sooner than Geralt expects.
“There going to be big celebration in a town west of here,” Jaskier says, his heart beating just a tiny bit faster, “marriage of local baron or something.”
Geralt hmms, trying to keep himself together — he knows where this is going, as he has a rumor for contact east of this village, but he wants to be wrong. Not now, please. Just a few more days.
“I want to try get a performance there,” the bard continues, “could be a good coin.”
This is it. This is Jaskier leaving him. Geralt knew the bard would leave him, true — everyone does — but Geralt hoped that Jaskier could stay just a bit longer.
“Okay,” Geralt pushes syllables out and it sounds wrong, but he’s breaking. He’s burning.
“Geralt?” Jaskier voice is full of concern, “is anything wrong?”
Yes! It’s all wrong and the walls are broken and the agony that is witcher’s heart became bursts out.
“I’m sorry,” he casts his eyes down, his voice forced monotone, “I’ve crossed the line. It’ll never happen again.”
“What- Geralt, what are you talking about?” the bard still sounds concerned, but also confused. Is he being cruel? Does he want to humiliate Geralt before tossing him out like a useless broken thing that Geralt is? Or does he just want better apology?
“I’ve made you uncomfortable with my attempts at closeness. Didn’t mean to. I can keep my feelings to myself. If you allow me to stay.”
Geralt can hear Jaskier breath shudder, his heartbeat hitching.
“Oh, my darling,” Jaskier is suddenly much closer, his hands cradling Geralt’s face, “oh, I didn’t know. I should be the one to apologize.”
Geralt looks up then, and sees Jaskier’s eyes on the verge of crying, but his smile — small and shaky — is still there. He doesn’t understand what’s happening. Is Jaskier- Does he not hate Geralt then?
“Jask-”, there suddenly isn't enough air in Geralt’s lungs, his throat closing.
“It was never my intention to reject your feelings and your friendship,” and oh, that’s what Jaskier still thinks it is, of course, “I’ve just been so absorbed with my own things I haven’t noticed how I made you feel. For that I’m truly sorry.”
“You’re not leaving?”
“Oh, darling, no!” the bard sounds almost terrified, “I wanted some space, true, but I was planning to meet up with you in a few weeks at most. And I’m definitely not going anywhere now, not when you so obviously need me here.”
“Even if-” Geralt stumbles, confession almost slipping out. He wants Jaskier to stay, desperately, but- Why are feelings always like this? Why can’t he be as heartless as people think he is?
“Even if what?” Jaskier says softly and- No. It’s not hope in Jaskier's voice. Geralt is just delusional from heartbreak. But he still answers.
“Even if I’m in love with you?”
And that’s it. That’s the moment when Jaskier pushes Geralt away and runs.
Except that doesn’t happen.
Except Jaskier pushes closer.
Except Jaskier kisses him.
It’s short — possibly because Geralt’s whole body stopped functioning alongside his mind and he hasn't reciprocated the kiss — but there’s so much love in it Geralt can almost taste it.
“Gods, we are fools,” Jaskier laughs, “both of us.”
Geralt looks up at the bard, still not quite believing that this is real, but it must be — the solid weight and warmth of Jaskier’s body pressed against his, Jaskier’s laugh, bright but wet, the smell of tears from both of them. It’s real. Somehow.
“Why-” Geralt tries, but gets interrupted
“I was trying to get over what I thought was my completely unrequited love for you, that’s why I pushed away,” Jaskier says, his voice winded, “at the same time when you, apparently, decided to finally act on your feelings for me. We got the worst possible timing, dear heart.”
And Jaskier is laughing again and- Oh. Jaskier just said he-
“You love me?”
“Yes! Yes, one million times yes! I love you, Geralt of Rivia!”
And Jaskier sounds so- So happy, saying that. That’s the kind of joy that is impossible to fake even for an expert actor, so, despite how impossible it must be, Geralt believes him.
This time when Jaskier kisses him, Geralt returns it with all the love he can.
They truly were fools.