For a moment there, Jaskier thinks he's fucked up big time, crossed the line he's been toying with since he met this man. But suddenly Geralt is moving, walking over to his bookshelf, and Jaskier lets out a breath he didn't realize he had been even holding. The smile that appears on his face when Geralt hands him the book is so bright it could light up the entire ranch.
"YES! I promise!" He grabs the book as carefully as he can, treating it as if it was made of glass. Well-loved is an understatement, and Jaskier is delighted by every detail - he isn't one to write on books or doggy-ear the pages, but there's nothing like having in your hands the sign of three people thoroughly loving a piece of art. He hasn't even opened it yet and it already makes his writer heart flutter - in fact, he can't help pressing it against his chest like the sap he is. "I'll take good care of it. Thank you, Geralt. Truly."
This is a bad idea, but he can't stop himself: as he gives his thanks, he reaches out for Geralt's hand and gives it a squeeze. It shouldn't be a big deal after all the -ahem- tick checking they did, but Jaskier has reached the conclusion that you can never know with Geralt. And to prove he intends to keep his promise, he takes out a hanky from his bag, wraps the book with it and puts it away not in his bag, but in the pocket of his guitar case. Geralt knows how much care Jaskier takes of his guitar, so hopefully that eases his worries.
As soon as he gets in the car, Jaskier texts his sister a [SCREAMING] gif, and the little shit replies with a TOLD YA gif after he explains what's happened. Jaskier has taught her too well, sigh. She still worries, though, because even after this pseudo-rejection, Jaskier continues to work for this relationship, perhaps a little too much.
Exhibit A: the fact he prepares a package for Geralt the next day with items he purchases especially for this. What's the problem, can't friends buy gifts for other friends? That's his excuse and he's sticking to it, thank you very much. And that's how Geralt will be visited by a messenger in the afternoon, leaving him a black tote bag with the logo of his favorite book painted on it and various items inside. The first one is a note, and the paper is written on should quickly tell Geralt whom this is coming from without having to look at the signature.
Thank you for sharing so much with me yesterday! I had tons of fun. :) I thought I could lend you a special book of mine back, make our own little book club official. The rest of the things are for you to keep, even the bookmark! It's the least I could do after you filled up my fridge with fruit to last me for a while. Looking forward to more invitations like this one! Your new friend, ~Jaskier
The whole thing has been written in gold ink, and the signature has a little flower drawn at the end. Jaskier's penmanship is exquisite, flourish and eye-catching as he is. The next thing in the bag are Geralt's containers being returned after a good wash, and finally, the book itself: a very old copy of Pride and Prejudice. Yes, the classic one from decades ago with a peacock on the cover, because this is Jaskier and he's extra at everything. It's not as "well-loved" as Geralt's book but the signs are still there: the pages are discolored and bent as well, various scratches decorate the hardcovers, and inside there are tons of dried flowers. There's also the mentioned bookmartk, with a quote chosen specifically for their very situation - Jaskier hopes Geralt sees the connection.
Jaskier doesn't start reading the book asap even if he's dying to, he has some work to do on his songs for his gig, and he promised his new gang of friends to go out together to a club soon (and he can't miss that, not after Geralt's "rejection", he needs that one night stand like burning - the fact he ends up picking up a very buff and tall guy to fuck him silly is a coincidence, nothing more). He tries to text Geralt a little less those first few days, which is still a lot for an average person's standards, but hey, it's something. He turns down the flirting as well. When they start reading their respective books, however, all bets are off, and the texting almost becomes spam. Jaskier is loving the monster hunter's adventures, especially the character of the bard (how could you keep him hidden from me geralt!!!) and chatting about it has the same effect on Geralt as chatting about horses: it makes him talk a bit more than usual. Jaskier cherishes every damn text he gets in return. And when after a slow start Geralt admits he's enjoying P&P? He giggles like a goddamn schoolgirl.
Since the state of the wolf book and the notes on it are quite obviously something private, he doesn't take pictures for Instagram, but he does mention in Twitter that he is reading it, which gets him an encouraging reply from Ciri, and an amused message from Yennefer in his DMs. They've been talking since they added each other, and she's honestly great. Her taste is as fine as his own, and she's working hard in defense of women and various minority groups, something that -of course- warms this singer's very own soul. Jaskier has started retweeting all the important things she has to say, and she's actually gained quite a following thanks to the people arriving to her account through him. She isn't a "soft" kind of person, but they do have a little moment when she expresses all her gratitude for the support he sent her way. She goes back to being scary, though, when she asks about the book - she's always very intense when she asks about his relationship with Geralt, and Jaskier can't quite tell what kind of game she's playing yet. That speaks highly of her talents, considering Jaskier grew up with people like her and thinks he's quite talented too at smelling bullshit.
The day of the gig finally comes and honestly? Jaskier doesn't even think Geralt will show up, so he doesn't think about him at all - he concentrates on getting ready and being there in time. The bar isn't crowded by any means but it's not empty either, around three-fourths of the tables are taken and Jaskier considers that a good number for a place that keeps his average fan out.
While he's backstage waiting for his call, his friends help promote him by going around the tables and leaving his business card (which has, to the surprise of no one, a buttercup on the "album cover") for anyone that may want to hire him. It's Priscilla (with her short blue and red dress and her blonde hair up in a messy bun) that approaches the three buffy guys in the back, going through the memorized speech as she leaves three cards on the table.
"--and you can find him in..." She interrupts her own words when her eyes fall on Geralt, squinting for a second at the man as she puts two and two together. "Oh. My. God. You're Geralt, aren't you? The guy with the horses!" She sounds so excited, it's like she's meeting a celebrity. "Jask has told us sooooo much about you!"
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"YES! I promise!" He grabs the book as carefully as he can, treating it as if it was made of glass. Well-loved is an understatement, and Jaskier is delighted by every detail - he isn't one to write on books or doggy-ear the pages, but there's nothing like having in your hands the sign of three people thoroughly loving a piece of art. He hasn't even opened it yet and it already makes his writer heart flutter - in fact, he can't help pressing it against his chest like the sap he is. "I'll take good care of it. Thank you, Geralt. Truly."
This is a bad idea, but he can't stop himself: as he gives his thanks, he reaches out for Geralt's hand and gives it a squeeze. It shouldn't be a big deal after all the -ahem- tick checking they did, but Jaskier has reached the conclusion that you can never know with Geralt. And to prove he intends to keep his promise, he takes out a hanky from his bag, wraps the book with it and puts it away not in his bag, but in the pocket of his guitar case. Geralt knows how much care Jaskier takes of his guitar, so hopefully that eases his worries.
As soon as he gets in the car, Jaskier texts his sister a [SCREAMING] gif, and the little shit replies with a TOLD YA gif after he explains what's happened. Jaskier has taught her too well, sigh. She still worries, though, because even after this pseudo-rejection, Jaskier continues to work for this relationship, perhaps a little too much.
Exhibit A: the fact he prepares a package for Geralt the next day with items he purchases especially for this. What's the problem, can't friends buy gifts for other friends? That's his excuse and he's sticking to it, thank you very much. And that's how Geralt will be visited by a messenger in the afternoon, leaving him a black tote bag with the logo of his favorite book painted on it and various items inside. The first one is a note, and the paper is written on should quickly tell Geralt whom this is coming from without having to look at the signature.
Thank you for sharing so much with me yesterday! I had tons of fun. :)
I thought I could lend you a special book of mine back, make our own little book club official.
The rest of the things are for you to keep, even the bookmark! It's the least I could do after you filled up my fridge with fruit to last me for a while.
Looking forward to more invitations like this one!
Your new friend,
~Jaskier
The whole thing has been written in gold ink, and the signature has a little flower drawn at the end. Jaskier's penmanship is exquisite, flourish and eye-catching as he is. The next thing in the bag are Geralt's containers being returned after a good wash, and finally, the book itself: a very old copy of Pride and Prejudice. Yes, the classic one from decades ago with a peacock on the cover, because this is Jaskier and he's extra at everything. It's not as "well-loved" as Geralt's book but the signs are still there: the pages are discolored and bent as well, various scratches decorate the hardcovers, and inside there are tons of dried flowers. There's also the mentioned bookmartk, with a quote chosen specifically for their very situation - Jaskier hopes Geralt sees the connection.
Jaskier doesn't start reading the book asap even if he's dying to, he has some work to do on his songs for his gig, and he promised his new gang of friends to go out together to a club soon (and he can't miss that, not after Geralt's "rejection", he needs that one night stand like burning - the fact he ends up picking up a very buff and tall guy to fuck him silly is a coincidence, nothing more). He tries to text Geralt a little less those first few days, which is still a lot for an average person's standards, but hey, it's something. He turns down the flirting as well. When they start reading their respective books, however, all bets are off, and the texting almost becomes spam. Jaskier is loving the monster hunter's adventures, especially the character of the bard (how could you keep him hidden from me geralt!!!) and chatting about it has the same effect on Geralt as chatting about horses: it makes him talk a bit more than usual. Jaskier cherishes every damn text he gets in return. And when after a slow start Geralt admits he's enjoying P&P? He giggles like a goddamn schoolgirl.
Since the state of the wolf book and the notes on it are quite obviously something private, he doesn't take pictures for Instagram, but he does mention in Twitter that he is reading it, which gets him an encouraging reply from Ciri, and an amused message from Yennefer in his DMs. They've been talking since they added each other, and she's honestly great. Her taste is as fine as his own, and she's working hard in defense of women and various minority groups, something that -of course- warms this singer's very own soul. Jaskier has started retweeting all the important things she has to say, and she's actually gained quite a following thanks to the people arriving to her account through him. She isn't a "soft" kind of person, but they do have a little moment when she expresses all her gratitude for the support he sent her way. She goes back to being scary, though, when she asks about the book - she's always very intense when she asks about his relationship with Geralt, and Jaskier can't quite tell what kind of game she's playing yet. That speaks highly of her talents, considering Jaskier grew up with people like her and thinks he's quite talented too at smelling bullshit.
The day of the gig finally comes and honestly? Jaskier doesn't even think Geralt will show up, so he doesn't think about him at all - he concentrates on getting ready and being there in time. The bar isn't crowded by any means but it's not empty either, around three-fourths of the tables are taken and Jaskier considers that a good number for a place that keeps his average fan out.
While he's backstage waiting for his call, his friends help promote him by going around the tables and leaving his business card (which has, to the surprise of no one, a buttercup on the "album cover") for anyone that may want to hire him. It's Priscilla (with her short blue and red dress and her blonde hair up in a messy bun) that approaches the three buffy guys in the back, going through the memorized speech as she leaves three cards on the table.
"--and you can find him in..." She interrupts her own words when her eyes fall on Geralt, squinting for a second at the man as she puts two and two together. "Oh. My. God. You're Geralt, aren't you? The guy with the horses!" She sounds so excited, it's like she's meeting a celebrity. "Jask has told us sooooo much about you!"