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Jaskier had not been afraid of the White Wolf when he first saw it. He had been more afraid of the bandits, specially the one helding him against the forest floor with a sword on his neck.
The wolf appeared out of nowhere and jumped at the bandit.
It had been brutal.
The wolf appeared out of nowhere and jumped at the bandit.
It had been brutal.
When it was done. Just a few whimpers of the men still dying, the wolf came to Jaskier. But he was not afraid. Not even when its snout was covered in blood.
The wolf looked at Jaskier, and then it sat in front of him, in a way that was deliberated.
The wolf looked at Jaskier, and then it sat in front of him, in a way that was deliberated.
"Hey, there, wolfie," Jaskier said, his voice trembled with the remaining adrenaline, but he was not afraid. A shaking hand reached for the wolf to pet him. "Hey," Jaskier said again softly as the wolf nosed his hand to encourage the petting. "You& #39;re a good boy, aren& #39;t you?"
The wolf shook his tail.
"What are you doing here? How did you came to me?" Jaskier asked.
The wolf blew air through his nose, calling Jaskier out for expecting a wolf to speak. "Are you lost?" But there was no answer. "Do you want to come with me?" The wolf licked his hand.
"What are you doing here? How did you came to me?" Jaskier asked.
The wolf blew air through his nose, calling Jaskier out for expecting a wolf to speak. "Are you lost?" But there was no answer. "Do you want to come with me?" The wolf licked his hand.
"I take that as a yes," Jaskier laughed.
He rummaged through the bandits bodies, taking away coin, and whatever valuable thing he could find. "Hey don& #39;t give me that look. They won& #39;t use it and I& #39;ll need the extra coin to convince the inns to let you enter."
He rummaged through the bandits bodies, taking away coin, and whatever valuable thing he could find. "Hey don& #39;t give me that look. They won& #39;t use it and I& #39;ll need the extra coin to convince the inns to let you enter."
Jaskier walked with the wolf, and it& #39;s incredibly clever eyes. He guessed he was probably a familiar who had lost its mage. And for some reason, it had latched onto Jaskier, even when there was nothing magical in him.
"You need a name, wolfie."
"You need a name, wolfie."
"You& #39;re a white wolf, so there is a very obvious name for you. But I won& #39;t be calling you that, not after- See, you& #39;re choosing my company, so that makes you the opposite of him. You deserve a better name just for that. That name is bad memories."
Jaskier was too distracted to notice how the wolf had flattened his ear backwards as he walked next to him.
"I won& #39;t be calling you Snow, that& #39;s too obvious. Tulip could be a nice name. And the flower theme keeps. So, Tulip, what do you think?"
The wolf barked.
"I won& #39;t be calling you Snow, that& #39;s too obvious. Tulip could be a nice name. And the flower theme keeps. So, Tulip, what do you think?"
The wolf barked.
Traveling with Tulip felt right. It was a hustle when he first arrived at the inn, but some extra coin and some smiles fixed it. After all, he was used to townsfolk fearing his travel companion.
For the first time in months, Jaskier felt at ease. He sang with heart again.
For the first time in months, Jaskier felt at ease. He sang with heart again.
Tulip would sit in a corner, and watched him. Jaskier liked to see how Tulip moved his tail at the rhythm of his songs, even as he growled at anyone that came too close.
During the nights, the wolf crawled on the bed with him, lying his head on his stomach.
During the nights, the wolf crawled on the bed with him, lying his head on his stomach.
Traveling was also safer. Bandits and dangerous townsfolk stayed away. And a couple of times, Tulip had grabbed his sleeve and pushed him away from what was a monster path Jaskier had been slow to recognize. But Jaskier trusted him, and kept walking when the wolf insisted.
It was a new routine.
It was as if he was finally finding his feet again.
So of course, it wouldn& #39;t last.
Tulip had behaved strangely the entire day. He wouldn& #39;t give those little snorts and growls to answer to Jaskier constant chatting.
It was as if he was finally finding his feet again.
So of course, it wouldn& #39;t last.
Tulip had behaved strangely the entire day. He wouldn& #39;t give those little snorts and growls to answer to Jaskier constant chatting.
They reached a clearing, and Jaskier saw the remains of a camp.
"Is this why you& #39;ve veen snappy? But why did you bring me here?" he asked as he looked around. The camp seemed abandoned. It wasn& #39;t until he payed attention to the abandoned saddle and bags that Jaskier world fell.
"Is this why you& #39;ve veen snappy? But why did you bring me here?" he asked as he looked around. The camp seemed abandoned. It wasn& #39;t until he payed attention to the abandoned saddle and bags that Jaskier world fell.
He recognized that saddle. He knew those bags.
"Geralt?" he asked with a trembling voice. But none answered.
Tulip howled.
He then saw a bundle of clothes on the floor. Next to them, two swords.
Jaskier fell to his knees.
"No, no."
Those swords would never lay idly.
"Geralt?" he asked with a trembling voice. But none answered.
Tulip howled.
He then saw a bundle of clothes on the floor. Next to them, two swords.
Jaskier fell to his knees.
"No, no."
Those swords would never lay idly.
He digged around the heap of clothes and his hands met metal.
Jaskier sobbed as he found the medallion.
"No, no, no," he cried.
Tulip whined next to him.
"He& #39;s- he would never leave this behind. He& #39;s- I failed him. He can& #39;t-"
Tulip licked his face.
Jaskier sobbed as he found the medallion.
"No, no, no," he cried.
Tulip whined next to him.
"He& #39;s- he would never leave this behind. He& #39;s- I failed him. He can& #39;t-"
Tulip licked his face.
Jaskier hugged the wolf and buried his head on his fur. He cried until there were no more tears left.
That somehow was worse.
He couldn& #39;t leave Geralt& #39;s belongings behind, but there was also nothing left to do. That& #39;s it, until he heard steps.
That somehow was worse.
He couldn& #39;t leave Geralt& #39;s belongings behind, but there was also nothing left to do. That& #39;s it, until he heard steps.
"Roach! You clever horse! You& #39;re alive!" Jaskier said recognizing the mare immediately and running towards her.
Roach whined and butted her head against his.
"I& #39;m so sorry, girl, but I& #39;ll take care of you now, alright? I know I& #39;m a piss poor replacement, but we& #39;ll get by."
Roach whined and butted her head against his.
"I& #39;m so sorry, girl, but I& #39;ll take care of you now, alright? I know I& #39;m a piss poor replacement, but we& #39;ll get by."
"By the way, don& #39;t worry about the wolf, alright. He& #39;s Tulip and he& #39;s alright, he won& #39;t harm you."
Jaskier gathered Geralt& #39;s things, and loaded them on Roach again. Tulip and Roach got along fine thankfully, Roach cantered so the wolf could keep up.
Jaskier gathered Geralt& #39;s things, and loaded them on Roach again. Tulip and Roach got along fine thankfully, Roach cantered so the wolf could keep up.
"We& #39;re going North," Jaskier said to Roach.
The peace Jaskier had gotten since meeting Tulip was gone. Taking care of Roach, helped him and he was afraid what would happen when that task was done.
At night, he cried onto Tulip& #39;s fur.
The peace Jaskier had gotten since meeting Tulip was gone. Taking care of Roach, helped him and he was afraid what would happen when that task was done.
At night, he cried onto Tulip& #39;s fur.
"You know what hurts the most? I didn& #39;t get to tell him I loved him. I would have been rejected, I know, but he deserved to know he was loved. And I know he was an ass, and he wouldn& #39;t particularly appreciate my needy ass. But he deserved to know."
"He deserved to know that at least one person loved him completely and devotedly. And I know my love is not the biggest thing out there, but it& #39;s something. I know, he didn& #39;t fully meant what he said, I told you he was an ass, Tulip. But he was a good person, and sometimes it was
too much. He put up with my sorry ass for over two decades. That& #39;s even more than my own parents managed to. I know he appreciated me somewhat in his way to let me tag alone for so long. I just- did he know that I followed him because I loved him, not for the songs?"
"It& #39;s not fair, Tulip. He was one of the last truly noble things of this world. And now he& #39;s gone. It& #39;s not fair."
Jaskier cried.
Tulip whined on Jaskier& #39;s chest as he listened to him. He would lick Jaskier face, until the bard smiled briefly.
"Thank you, Tulip."
Jaskier cried.
Tulip whined on Jaskier& #39;s chest as he listened to him. He would lick Jaskier face, until the bard smiled briefly.
"Thank you, Tulip."
The trek north was proving difficult, his feet stumbled on the cold ground. He didn& #39;t ride Roach, it didn& #39;t feel right.
He was at the last village up north. Witchers came here before every winter according to the villagers. So Jaskier would wait here.
He saw the scars first.
He was at the last village up north. Witchers came here before every winter according to the villagers. So Jaskier would wait here.
He saw the scars first.
The villagers in the tavern held silence briefly. But soon continued with their chats as they were used to witchers this north.
Jaskier recognized him enough of him to know he was Eskel. He was thankful for small blessings, he doubted he would& #39;ve been able to deal with Lambert.
Jaskier recognized him enough of him to know he was Eskel. He was thankful for small blessings, he doubted he would& #39;ve been able to deal with Lambert.
"You& #39;re a wolf school witcher, aren& #39;t you?" Jaskier said approaching him.
"I am. Got a job for me?"
"No, I- Eskel, right? I& #39;ve got something else." Jaskier reached for his neck, and from between his clothes, he removed the medallion. He extended his hand, offering it to Eskel.
"I am. Got a job for me?"
"No, I- Eskel, right? I& #39;ve got something else." Jaskier reached for his neck, and from between his clothes, he removed the medallion. He extended his hand, offering it to Eskel.
He saw the witcher tense up when he recognized. Saw his lips curl into a snarl. His nose flare.
He also saw his shoulders drop, his hands uncurl.
"How did you got it?" he said with a steel edge in his voice.
"I& #39;ve got the rest of his things, and his horse."
He also saw his shoulders drop, his hands uncurl.
"How did you got it?" he said with a steel edge in his voice.
"I& #39;ve got the rest of his things, and his horse."
Jaskier nodded towards his room upstairs.
The witcher stood up, and Jaskier led him.
On a table next to the bed, Geralt& #39;s bags laid safely with the swords. "I& #39;ve found an abandoned camp," he said after Eskel closed the door behind him. "Everything was there."
The witcher stood up, and Jaskier led him.
On a table next to the bed, Geralt& #39;s bags laid safely with the swords. "I& #39;ve found an abandoned camp," he said after Eskel closed the door behind him. "Everything was there."
"There was no trace of him left, I know he wouldn& #39;t have left everything behind, specially Roach if he wasn& #39;t-" he stopped unable to continue. "You know, I expected that I would have your sword at my throat by now."
"I can smell your grief," Eskel said. "You& #39;re his bard, right?"
"I can smell your grief," Eskel said. "You& #39;re his bard, right?"
Jaskier smiled sadly. "I was never anything of him, but yeah."
Eskel hummed, and Jaskier felt about to burst into tears upon hearing that from a witcher.
"Let& #39;s go to the stables, so you can see Roach. So you can take her to Kaer Morhen where she belongs."
Eskel hummed, and Jaskier felt about to burst into tears upon hearing that from a witcher.
"Let& #39;s go to the stables, so you can see Roach. So you can take her to Kaer Morhen where she belongs."
"You came all this wat just to hand one of us his stuff?" Eskel asked incredulous.
Jaskier nodded.
"You& #39;re loyal," Eskel said, and there was awe in his voice.
"I& #39;m a fool, but a persistent fool," Jaskier corrected him. "It& #39;s the least I owe him."
"You don& #39;t owe him anything."
Jaskier nodded.
"You& #39;re loyal," Eskel said, and there was awe in his voice.
"I& #39;m a fool, but a persistent fool," Jaskier corrected him. "It& #39;s the least I owe him."
"You don& #39;t owe him anything."
"He let me trail after him for twenty years without murdering in my sleep or pushing me from a cliff to stop my singing. That& #39;s more than most people. I can at least repay him this."
"Geralt& #39;s a fool."
Jaskier glared at Eskel.
"Don& #39;t give me that, I can tell there& #39;s more to
"Geralt& #39;s a fool."
Jaskier glared at Eskel.
"Don& #39;t give me that, I can tell there& #39;s more to
your grief than just loss. And I known Geralt since before the trials. He was always a fool."
Roach neighed as they approached her, she seemed to agree.
"Roach, here& #39;s Eskel, you& #39;ll be going home."
"What about you?"
"I& #39;ll go to Oxenfurt, probably."
Roach neighed as they approached her, she seemed to agree.
"Roach, here& #39;s Eskel, you& #39;ll be going home."
"What about you?"
"I& #39;ll go to Oxenfurt, probably."
"You won& #39;t reach it before winter."
Jaskier shrugged.
"You can come with me. Winter at the keep."
"I don& #39;t think-"
Eskel suddenly tensed. Jaskier looked around but relaxed when he saw it was Tulip entering the stables.
"Relax, that& #39;s just Tulip. My wolf."
Jaskier shrugged.
"You can come with me. Winter at the keep."
"I don& #39;t think-"
Eskel suddenly tensed. Jaskier looked around but relaxed when he saw it was Tulip entering the stables.
"Relax, that& #39;s just Tulip. My wolf."
Eskel looked at him, his eyebrows high.
"You two definitely deserved each other. You& #39;re a fool too."
"That& #39;s rich!" the bard exclaimed offended.
"Jaskier, that wolf is Geralt."
"What?"
"He& #39;s cursed, I can feel the magic. Seriously, did you never wonder why you& #39;d have another
"You two definitely deserved each other. You& #39;re a fool too."
"That& #39;s rich!" the bard exclaimed offended.
"Jaskier, that wolf is Geralt."
"What?"
"He& #39;s cursed, I can feel the magic. Seriously, did you never wonder why you& #39;d have another
white wolf trailing after you."
"That can& #39;t be Geralt," Jaskier said with barely a voice. "He wouldn& #39;t- Tulip followed /me/. Geralt would never- he& #39;d never put up with me willingly."
Tulip whined.
"I told you he was a fool, bard." He then talked to the wolf. "Hello, brother."
"That can& #39;t be Geralt," Jaskier said with barely a voice. "He wouldn& #39;t- Tulip followed /me/. Geralt would never- he& #39;d never put up with me willingly."
Tulip whined.
"I told you he was a fool, bard." He then talked to the wolf. "Hello, brother."
Tulip barked.
"Geralt?" Jaskier asked, suddenly afraid.
Tulip barked at him.
"Bark twice and bite your tail if you& #39;re Geralt," Jaskier said.
The wolf growled before doing exactly as Jaskier said.
Jaskier went pale.
"I thought you& #39;d be relieved," Eskel said.
"Geralt?" Jaskier asked, suddenly afraid.
Tulip barked at him.
"Bark twice and bite your tail if you& #39;re Geralt," Jaskier said.
The wolf growled before doing exactly as Jaskier said.
Jaskier went pale.
"I thought you& #39;d be relieved," Eskel said.
"I am. But I said things and- this doesn& #39;t make sense. I-"
"Come to Kaer Morhen with us."
"No, no, I can& #39;t. He won& #39;t- he won& #39;t wanted me there."
Tulip- Geralt whined.
"Come with us. Geralt, bark twice if you agree."
Geralt barked, and then laid his head on Jaskier& #39;s feet.
"Come to Kaer Morhen with us."
"No, no, I can& #39;t. He won& #39;t- he won& #39;t wanted me there."
Tulip- Geralt whined.
"Come with us. Geralt, bark twice if you agree."
Geralt barked, and then laid his head on Jaskier& #39;s feet.
Turns out Geralt could do great puppy eyes.
"Okay, okay, but when you end up hating me again remember that there& #39;s only you to blame. And I guess, your brother too."
Eskel said nothing but looked at Jaskier with a sad expression before sending a glare to the wolf.
"Okay, okay, but when you end up hating me again remember that there& #39;s only you to blame. And I guess, your brother too."
Eskel said nothing but looked at Jaskier with a sad expression before sending a glare to the wolf.
"How do we break the curse?" Jaskier asked finally riding ln Roach as they made the trek to Kaer Morhen.
"I don& #39;t have enough magic on me to tell. But Yennefer& #39;s supposed to bring Ciri for winter here. So we can ask her if we catch her in time."
"I don& #39;t have enough magic on me to tell. But Yennefer& #39;s supposed to bring Ciri for winter here. So we can ask her if we catch her in time."
It was Jaskier& #39;s turn to humm, his mood souring. "I suppose."
Eskel knowing look bothered him.
That first night on the road, as they camped around a fire, Geralt once again laid his heavy head on Jaskier& #39;s chest to sleep.
"Geralt, what are you doing? Get off."
Eskel knowing look bothered him.
That first night on the road, as they camped around a fire, Geralt once again laid his heavy head on Jaskier& #39;s chest to sleep.
"Geralt, what are you doing? Get off."
Geralt whined, confused.
"You can& #39;t- you& #39;re you- this."
"I think wolf Geralt is smarter than witcher Geralt, bard."
"I don& #39;t get you," Jaskier said to Geralt.
Geralt looked at him with puppy eyes.
"Alright," Jaskier agreed with a huff.
"You can& #39;t- you& #39;re you- this."
"I think wolf Geralt is smarter than witcher Geralt, bard."
"I don& #39;t get you," Jaskier said to Geralt.
Geralt looked at him with puppy eyes.
"Alright," Jaskier agreed with a huff.
"You& #39;ll get my heart shattered again when this is over, but alright."
Geralt whined. Jaskier sighed as he instinctually petted the wolf& #39;s head.
Eskel watched in silence.
Geralt whined. Jaskier sighed as he instinctually petted the wolf& #39;s head.
Eskel watched in silence.
It took some explaining, but the rest of the witchers got in a stride that know one of their brothers was now a literal woft. They also took Jaskier in relatively well.
For a week, Jaskier was happy pretending he had found a home and a family.
Until Yennefer arrived, of course.
For a week, Jaskier was happy pretending he had found a home and a family.
Until Yennefer arrived, of course.
"He& #39;s cursed," Yennefer said as soon as he saw the white wolf. "What mage did you pissed off?"
Geralt growled.
"It& #39;s been a long time since I& #39;ve been scared of the big bad wolf so quit that." She then looked at Jaskier. "Of course, you& #39;d be involved."
Geralt growled.
"It& #39;s been a long time since I& #39;ve been scared of the big bad wolf so quit that." She then looked at Jaskier. "Of course, you& #39;d be involved."
"Hey, I had nothing to do with this. I won& #39;t get the blame again for Geralt& #39;s actions again."
"No, you idiot," Yennefer said, and there was almost fondness in how she insulted him. "You& #39;re the cure."
"What?" Jaskier asked, echoed by the rest of the witchers and Ciri.
"No, you idiot," Yennefer said, and there was almost fondness in how she insulted him. "You& #39;re the cure."
"What?" Jaskier asked, echoed by the rest of the witchers and Ciri.
"It& #39;s an ancient curse. It& #39;s a curse of guilt. Geralt needs to be absolved. And that& #39;s you. The person he most hurt, and that sits more heavily on his conscience."
"That can& #39;t be me," Jaskier said, but when he looked at Geralt his ears were flat.
"That can& #39;t be me," Jaskier said, but when he looked at Geralt his ears were flat.
"I forgive you," Jaskier said to Geralt but nothing happen. He glared at Yennefer. "I told you."
Yennefer shook her head. "It& #39;s an ancient curse, it won& #39;t be fooled by words. It requires true forgiveness."
Tears welled up in Jaskier& #39;s eyes. "What if- what if I can& #39;t?"
Yennefer shook her head. "It& #39;s an ancient curse, it won& #39;t be fooled by words. It requires true forgiveness."
Tears welled up in Jaskier& #39;s eyes. "What if- what if I can& #39;t?"
"Then Ciri better get used to having an actual wolf for a father."
Jaskier looked at Ciri, then at Geralt. "I& #39;m sorry," he said kneeling in front of him. "I& #39;m so sorry. I tried. I want to. But you broke my heart, Geralt. I loved you for twenty three years and you never chose me
Jaskier looked at Ciri, then at Geralt. "I& #39;m sorry," he said kneeling in front of him. "I& #39;m so sorry. I tried. I want to. But you broke my heart, Geralt. I loved you for twenty three years and you never chose me
back, not even as friends. I want to forgive you, I want to. But I& #39;m afraid. I& #39;m so afraid that the next time you push me away, or the next time you leave me to go after whatever has more to offer you than me- I& #39;m afraid I won& #39;t be able to pick up the pieces of my heart again."
"I want to forgive you, I do. But I can& #39;t even forgive myself for being such a fool. For dedicating my life to you when you didn& #39;t want to. For giving you everything I could offer, even when it was naught. And I can& #39;t help but resent you for it. Everything and it wasn& #39;t enough."
"So, if I give you my forgiveness. That& #39;s- that& #39;s the last thing I have left to give. I& #39;ll be bereft afterwards. And if it weren& #39;t for the curse, would you even want to have it? Will you leave me behind again?"
"He barely left your side, bard," Vesemir gentle voice said.
"He barely left your side, bard," Vesemir gentle voice said.
Geralt whined and licked the tears from Jaskier& #39;s face.
"He& #39;s a fool, but I think he& #39;s learned his lesson," Eskel said. "He won& #39;t take you for granted again."
Geralt barked.
"And if he does I& #39;ll kick his ass, little bard," Lambert said.
Geralt growled.
"He& #39;s a fool, but I think he& #39;s learned his lesson," Eskel said. "He won& #39;t take you for granted again."
Geralt barked.
"And if he does I& #39;ll kick his ass, little bard," Lambert said.
Geralt growled.
Jaskier laughed.
"Alright. I give you my forgiveness even if it kills me," Jaskier said not hiding the tears.
Geralt kept licking them, until licks turned into kisses and whines turned into "I& #39;m sorry, Jaskier, I& #39;m so sorry."
"Alright. I give you my forgiveness even if it kills me," Jaskier said not hiding the tears.
Geralt kept licking them, until licks turned into kisses and whines turned into "I& #39;m sorry, Jaskier, I& #39;m so sorry."
Jaskier laughed and cried as he held onto Geralt. "Just don& #39;t hurt me again."
"Never," Geralt growled, a bit wolf like still.
"Do you want me to tell you properly. What I hadn& #39;t said before?"
"Yes."
"I love you, Geralt. I love you so much. Loved you since the beginning."
"Never," Geralt growled, a bit wolf like still.
"Do you want me to tell you properly. What I hadn& #39;t said before?"
"Yes."
"I love you, Geralt. I love you so much. Loved you since the beginning."
Geralt cleaned his tears with his thumbs as he held his head.
"I love you too, Jaskier. Sorry for being such a fool."
"Kiss me then, you fool," Jaskier laughed or cried, it was the same right now.
Geralt kissed him and it felt like magic. It felt like absolution.
"I love you too, Jaskier. Sorry for being such a fool."
"Kiss me then, you fool," Jaskier laughed or cried, it was the same right now.
Geralt kissed him and it felt like magic. It felt like absolution.
On Geralt& #39;s lips, Jaskier found he still had so much more to give.
Lambert whistled. Yennefer smirked. Ciri was red because clothes had not transformed on her father. Esken and Vesemir smiled.
When they separated, Geralt whispered promises into Jaskier& #39;s ear.
Lambert whistled. Yennefer smirked. Ciri was red because clothes had not transformed on her father. Esken and Vesemir smiled.
When they separated, Geralt whispered promises into Jaskier& #39;s ear.
Sweet loving promises about redemption.
After a while, Jaskier laughed. "To thinn I named you after a flower."
"I liked that, made me yours."
Jaskier smiled softly again. "My flower. My wolf."
"Yours."
/the end
After a while, Jaskier laughed. "To thinn I named you after a flower."
"I liked that, made me yours."
Jaskier smiled softly again. "My flower. My wolf."
"Yours."
/the end
Btw, about Tulip
