Chapter Text
His bard had been very jumpy the last days, Geralt realizes. He realized it later than he should have, in his opinion. Geralt did not realize it in the beginning, far from it. His happiness about having Jaskier back was far too much, to really get behind what was bothering Jaskier. He supposes that maybe something went wrong on one of his nightly adventures, that landed him in the cell. Maybe slept with the wrong wife.
But there has to be more to it. He is behaving very strangely, for lack of a better word. The first thing that got his attention was his bard jumping at every louder noise. Something crashing. Someone shouting, even when not aimed at him. The next thing he noticed was him staying behind. Always sitting at the farthest end of the table. Not coming to them all, when they got together to drink around the fire pit in the great hall. He always had some sort of excuse. Which is odd. Because Jaskier is a socializer.
Back then, when they were still traveling together, Geralt knew, with all of his heart, he would never have turned down a gathering - especially not when alcohol was involved. But since coming to Kaer Morhen, Jaskier never sat with them all in the evening, not even once. When they had dinner, sure, occasionally he did that, but before they could even ask him to stay, he uttered some excuse and was on his way.
They all wanted to get him better, the other witchers as well as Ciri. His brothers wanted to get to know the bard better, that Geralt, admittingly, has talked a lot about.
Geralt knew that Vesemir was already fond of Jaskier. He was always helping with chores - be it helping to prepare dinner or helping to clean. So it was really no surprise that Geralt was now stared down by the older Witcher in the library. Vesemir found him there after lunch, where Geralt tried to find a book for Ciri‘s lessons.
In Vesemir‘s opinion, Geralt and Jaskier have to „talk it out“ - though he did not know what „it“ was.
His father, seeing his cluelessness, only sighed. He knew that if Geralt didn‘t know exactly what he was dealing with, he wouldn't bother to take action.
„Geralt, I practically raised you. I know that there is something between you two. It has gone on way too long, in my opinion. So you will go and talk to him.“ The older Witcher‘s voice has a final tone in it, while still being patient with his son.
„What if he doesn‘t want to talk?“
„Has Jaskier said that? Knowing you, you haven‘t even asked to have a conversation and just because he didn‘t come to you, doesn‘t mean he doesn‘t wish to talk about, well, whatever happened.“ He gestures around and thinks for a moment.
„I know it isn‘t any of my buisness, but do you want to tell me what actually is going on?“ Vesemir does not know what happened, not how Geralt and Jaskier parted ways. Maybe it is for the better, Geralt thinks. The way they parted ways, was not the way he would have imagined it. If it would have gone the way he wanted, then there would have not been a parting, but a staying together forever. Fuck it all, he even considered going to the beach and asking his bard to come to Kaer Morhen for the winter. He was so close to having happiness, but then Geralt came and destroyed it all. He knows it was his fault. He really wanted to apologize to his companion, but by the time he realised his mistake, Jaskier was already gone and for the few weeks after the parting, Geralt was left fruitless in tracking him down. Apparantly, Jaskier learned how to not be hunted down by a witcher rather effectively.
„A lot,“ Geralt answers, after he realised how long he has been silent. Still, what happened at the mountain did not explain the bard‘s behavior now.
„And I am sure, I am still missing something.“ The sorrow in his voice was undoubtly detected by Vesemir, who knew Geralt the longest. The regret is written in the way Geralt frowns at the thought.
„Which means that you should find out what is bothering our bard. I don‘t like to see both of you the way you interact with each other. The faster you talk, the better.“ Our. Not your. Hearing that makes Geralt happy, he knew Jaskier would be liked by his brothers, as well as undoubtedly by his father.
„Come on, believe my words - you know I am never wrong.“ Vesemir adds, with a small grin. Geralt knows he was referring to all the times where he had to admit that the older witcher was right. There were too many times to count, that was for sure.
Letting his shoulders drop, Geralt sighs. He knows he has to. He wants his bard happy as well. Nodding he let Vesemir know he understands his point. He will talk to Jaskier. He does not yet know how or when, but he would figure it out. He has to.
With some encouraging words and a pat on the back, Vesemir left him to his own devices. Now it is up to Geralt to figure out a plan.