[Jaskier blinks, looking between them. Well. The wine wasn't helping. Neither, apparently, was having invited Geralt to the discussion.
How new, that he would relish in Yennefer's frankness for once.]
I appreciate the reassurance. [It's not sarcasm.] And I have no regrets, of course. It was quite fun! It's only you both seem to want to pretend it didn't happen. I would have, of course, happily done so without the aid of, er... uninvited magics.
[It seems very worth saying. So there isn't any cloudy feelings there. And, truly, Jaskier looks back on the memory quite fondly.) He turns to Geralt after taking a long swig of wine.] And the same with the bond. I only hope you both didn't feel... I don't know. Influenced. To take it up.
[ As typical, Geralt stays quiet. He's willing to let Yennefer speak for him, seeing as they're on the same page in this respect. Not much has changed for him out of that night, beyond the fact that he now knows Jaskier's fingers are capable of being deft upon more than his lute.
A twitch in his ears suggests he's saying less than what's really on his mind, though. ]
Neither magicks nor you influenced us. If that's your concern.
[ Is that why Jaskier has insisted on this talk? If he has to say it, he can admit Jaskier might've had a hand in nudging. But truthfully, he and Yennefer have been circling the topic ever since the wish broke. Now that it's done, it's --
Still complicated. Just in a different way. One that doesn't have anything to do with the decision itself. ]
And no one's pretending. [ He tips back his glass of wine. ] There's just little to discuss about a rather straightforward event.
The log only amplified what we were already willing to do. [ Even if she's still struggling to wrap her own mind around that. She'd never really looked at Jaskier in that manner, but what's done is done. And much like Geralt, there's some that she's leaving unsaid. Only she doesn't have quite as straightforward of a tell. There's a temptation to remind Jaskier that she and Geralt are the talkative types, but Geralt beats her to it. In a way. ]
Geralt and I don't converse over most of what happens between us, clothed or otherwise. A lack of discussion doesn't always mean avoidance.
[ Look. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it really does because there are just some conversations that they can't have. This wasn't one of those things, though she'd rather not reminisce about the fact that she giggled. The sexual acts don't have her wanting to not discuss anything, it's just her behavior and how openly loving and caring she was. She'd dropped her guard in an unexpected way, made worse by the shared dream and the less attention she called to it all, the better. ]
Regarding the bonding-- it was only a matter of time. I'd had enough time to make the decision for myself before that night. As I said before, it only amplified what we were willing to do.
[Jaskier gives Geralt a look that he has surely seen before, especially as he says a rather straightforward event; it's a look that says, precisely, you are incredibly boring sometimes. Not, luckily, in bed, he knows now.]
It often does. [But it's much better that, in this case, it isn't. (Even if he disagrees a little that there was no avoidance from them.]
Well, at any rate, I'm glad the matter is, er, settled. [And that no one was quite mad at him for bringing home unadvertised magic fucking logs. So there was that. (He may really have to find that so-called Mettaton person at some point.) How does he admit he's quite open to a repeat performance...? Maybe now is not the time. He's never met anyone so damn determined to make sex complicated.]
The other matter I wanted to bring up was the... the dream. And I'm very aware you wish not to speak of it, and we don't have to. I don't know how to... [He gestures vaguely, and this is Jaskier trying very hard and very carefully to navigate a conversation he doesn't fully know what he wants out of himself, and of a subject he's certainly never entertained prior.]
It may happen again, from our bonds. I was hoping we could plan a bit of a less panic-inducing solution to them. You know, since I nearly died from my heart bursting.
[ The dream is a topic Geralt had wished to avoid altogether. It's a conversation he doesn't want to have with Yennefer again. The inevitability of her fate. Her belief of it. And it's not one he wants Jaskier involved in. He'd bonded with Jaskier, intending it to stop there. Now the bard is somehow tied to both of them. The two least likely to lead a safe, comfortable life.
Apparently least likely to broadcast comfortable dreams, too.
It's not that he thinks Jaskier didn't know what he was getting into. Nor does he regret his decision. Just... ]
Magic can create a barrier for you at night. [ He leans forward to set his empty wineglass on the table. It's unspoken but implied that he believes Yennefer will help, if needed. He knows she doesn't want Jaskier in her head if she can help it. ] And I can handle it my own way.
[ Sex is only complicated when you want to talk about it. Just like a lot of things in life. If her time at Court taught her anything, the less you said the better the outcome might be. It wasn’t about the amount of words, just choosing the precisely exact ones in the moment.
So, when Jaskier seems content to move on, Yennefer finally tries to take a sip of her wine--
Only to be giving the man a very fixed gaze. She barely bites back shutting it down entirely because as much as she’d prefer to never mention that again… He was right. ]
Yes, there are certain protections we should all look into. [ Because she’s not sure what Geralt has in mind, but she can guarantee she won’t like it. ]
But, I suppose something a little less… violent might be preferred should we find ourselves in a similar situation. Depending on magic as our only protection will not be ideal during moons that weaken witches.
[If he felt a bit steadier navigating these waters, Jaskier may have rolled his eyes at Geralt's predictable response.] You may not have magic like us, but that doesn't mean you should have to deal with it alone.
[It's an offering, as it always is. There must be some protections they can look into. Something to keep their minds separated. Whilst Jaskier does not mind their presence in his own head, he's very sure they do not reciprocate the feeling.
He's attempting to not take it personally.]
Yes. A spell or something, maybe. [At least Yennefer is reasonable about it. Or not reasonable, exactly, but helpful. Jaskier goes quiet for a moment, taking a deep draw of his wine before he starts again.] I'm sorry that... I saw something I shouldn't have.
[ Geralt frowns as he's met with two pointed expressions. He's not certain what they think he means, but it feels like they're imagining he plans on knocking himself on the fucking head before bed to avoid dreaming at all. ]
My mutations may have left me to some degree. My training has not. [ He shifts his weight. ] Though I'm not opposed to a charm as another precaution.
[ He doesn't want to say it, why he thinks he'd been swept up in Yennefer's mind with little resistance. That it's not only the bond taking hold; it's that with her, his defenses are easily lowered. It hasn't been something he's cared about before. He's always trusted her, and it's this exact effect she has on him that he's even sought her out sometimes. A night he can have without being on his guard. But now...
He considers their options in silence, avoiding the topic of seeing what shouldn't be seen. There's more to it than that, between him and Yennefer. Something he'd rather not talk about so openly.
Eventually, his eyes land on Jaskier. He and Yennefer both have far too much in their heads. Too many decades. Jaskier...Jaskier does not. Maybe that's what they need. Someone with little to hide and few dark corners. ]
Perhaps you should attempt to influence its direction. [ It's a suggestion that comes with its own set of problems, not least being they'll need to recognize it's a dream in the first place. Finding a method. But it's a place start. Besides. Learning how will be good practice for Jaskier's composure overall. ] Should we find ourselves trapped again.
[ Yennefer's mind had gone somewhere far less violent than that for Geralt, thinking more that he just wouldn't sleep when they slept. Drive himself to the point of exhaustion and become a fully nocturnal wolf that they rarely see. She wasn't the only one who wanted to pull away from all of this.
She finally drinks, swallowing hard at Jaskier's apology. ]
What was seen cannot be unseen and I expect it to stay between us. And should we find ourselves in another... dream. The same courtesies will be extended.
[ She leans back, crossing her legs. Thinking. ]
I will say, the stronger the emotions, the harder it is for the dreamer to try and take control. [ Hence, the more radical decision. ] But, either way, it would be wise to perhaps begin work in earnest on mental fortitudes.
[His training. To suffer through nightmares? (Actually.) He doesn't want to ask and shan't. Some things are best left secrets, he imagines; even he, as gaudy as he is, does not write ballads on all things.
Geralt, for one, has never been named a butcher in his songs.
He holds up a hand, an idea springing to mind.] Yes, yes, of course. I would never share this with another. But I believe Geralt, and you, you both have a fine point. An idea. Not to, er, particularly brag about it, but my memories, my dreams, are less -- [He stops here, before he says the wrong word.] What I mean to say is, should we be forced in this matter through the bond prior to our maintaining our boundaries, I would not be adverse to you both settling in my dreams. Perhaps the invitation might make them easier to leave in the future.
[ Best left unasked, because Geralt seems disinclined to explain further. He goes back to drinking, letting Yennefer and Jaskier discuss amongst themselves.
The plan is fine. But he knows well these things take time. He doesn't expect any proposed solution to work for awhile yet -- and he's uncertain how much of their subconscious won't leak into Jaskier's mind once they're there, invitation or not. He sure as fuck does not want either Yennefer nor Jaskier wandering through his joyful childhood memories. ]
No harm in trying. [ He keeps his reservations to himself. It's the best they have, what's been said. Ideally, though, it simply won't happen again. ] We're settled, then?
You can say it, Jaskier. You haven't faced the same... hardships we have. It isn't a requirement for everyone in this bond to have to carry the burden of a complicated past.
That being said, I agree. No harm in trying. [ She doesn't say 'what's the worst that can happen' because she knows there are far more traumatic memories in her past and certain things she fully intended to begin working on locking up in a vault in her mind, if possible. She never told Geralt how she got the scars on her wrists and had no intentions of either of them seeing her at one of the darkest moments of her life. When she was young, weak, and unwanted. ]
There's nothing else I can think of. [ Her gaze shifts from Geralt to Jaskier, letting her arms settle on her crossed legs - an eyebrow arching. A silent echo of Geralt's question. ]
Yes. [He nods. It's a fine word choice.] Hardships.
[He does in fact think it may be to their benefit that he has not had a complicated past -- not near in the same way. But it is not a fact he wishes to crush them under, either.
He does appreciate there's an understanding. That, also for once, they're not rejecting his offer of aid.]
I think that's it. I'm very happy to move in with my favorite Bonded, of course. [An easy smile returns to him, his heart all the lighter for having the discussion, as very far from fun as it had been.] Shall we seal it all with a kiss?
[He can't help it. He feels... good. About all of this. Better, far better, than he had when he'd awoken.] I jest. A little. Yet if it is not as easy as all that, promise I will find a way for it to be easier for you both.
[ Geralt is already getting up. His tolerance for extended discussions about one's feelings is minimal, and Jaskier's comment only gets an exasperated look. ]
Buy us some damn supper first.
[ Though he can acknowledge that when Jaskier is kissing him or between one of their legs, he's not talking. It's nice. Nice for other reasons than not talking (many reasons), but that's a bonus worth mentioning.
He plucks the wineglass from Jaskier's hand as he passes by and tips back the rest before simply making his way upstairs with no further comment. ]
[ Geralt’s moving about as fast as she’d anticipated when this wraps up, finishing what’s left in her glass at the mention of sealing it with a kiss. She already wasn’t the type for public displays of any affection, but the bit of banter between them as Geralt leaves earns a smirk.
Yennefer shakes her head, trying to remember the last time Geralt bought her supper. Even if they had circumvented the need to court with whatever they were. She could feign a bit of indignance at the proposal if needed. Refilling her glass, she places it in Jaskier's hand to replace the one Geralt had stolen -- brushing her hand over his arm with a soft laugh before following upstairs to continue her own work.
While there were a lot of words to describe them, easy never graced that list. But, she could allow herself to drop the illusion of perpetual stony-faced disposition for a little bit.
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How new, that he would relish in Yennefer's frankness for once.]
I appreciate the reassurance. [It's not sarcasm.] And I have no regrets, of course. It was quite fun! It's only you both seem to want to pretend it didn't happen. I would have, of course, happily done so without the aid of, er... uninvited magics.
[It seems very worth saying. So there isn't any cloudy feelings there. And, truly, Jaskier looks back on the memory quite fondly.) He turns to Geralt after taking a long swig of wine.] And the same with the bond. I only hope you both didn't feel... I don't know. Influenced. To take it up.
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A twitch in his ears suggests he's saying less than what's really on his mind, though. ]
Neither magicks nor you influenced us. If that's your concern.
[ Is that why Jaskier has insisted on this talk? If he has to say it, he can admit Jaskier might've had a hand in nudging. But truthfully, he and Yennefer have been circling the topic ever since the wish broke. Now that it's done, it's --
Still complicated. Just in a different way. One that doesn't have anything to do with the decision itself. ]
And no one's pretending. [ He tips back his glass of wine. ] There's just little to discuss about a rather straightforward event.
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Geralt and I don't converse over most of what happens between us, clothed or otherwise. A lack of discussion doesn't always mean avoidance.
[ Look. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it really does because there are just some conversations that they can't have. This wasn't one of those things, though she'd rather not reminisce about the fact that she giggled. The sexual acts don't have her wanting to not discuss anything, it's just her behavior and how openly loving and caring she was. She'd dropped her guard in an unexpected way, made worse by the shared dream and the less attention she called to it all, the better. ]
Regarding the bonding-- it was only a matter of time. I'd had enough time to make the decision for myself before that night. As I said before, it only amplified what we were willing to do.
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It often does. [But it's much better that, in this case, it isn't. (Even if he disagrees a little that there was no avoidance from them.]
Well, at any rate, I'm glad the matter is, er, settled. [And that no one was quite mad at him for bringing home unadvertised magic fucking logs. So there was that. (He may really have to find that so-called Mettaton person at some point.) How does he admit he's quite open to a repeat performance...? Maybe now is not the time. He's never met anyone so damn determined to make sex complicated.]
The other matter I wanted to bring up was the... the dream. And I'm very aware you wish not to speak of it, and we don't have to. I don't know how to... [He gestures vaguely, and this is Jaskier trying very hard and very carefully to navigate a conversation he doesn't fully know what he wants out of himself, and of a subject he's certainly never entertained prior.]
It may happen again, from our bonds. I was hoping we could plan a bit of a less panic-inducing solution to them. You know, since I nearly died from my heart bursting.
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Apparently least likely to broadcast comfortable dreams, too.
It's not that he thinks Jaskier didn't know what he was getting into. Nor does he regret his decision. Just... ]
Magic can create a barrier for you at night. [ He leans forward to set his empty wineglass on the table. It's unspoken but implied that he believes Yennefer will help, if needed. He knows she doesn't want Jaskier in her head if she can help it. ] And I can handle it my own way.
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So, when Jaskier seems content to move on, Yennefer finally tries to take a sip of her wine--
Only to be giving the man a very fixed gaze. She barely bites back shutting it down entirely because as much as she’d prefer to never mention that again… He was right. ]
Yes, there are certain protections we should all look into. [ Because she’s not sure what Geralt has in mind, but she can guarantee she won’t like it. ]
But, I suppose something a little less… violent might be preferred should we find ourselves in a similar situation. Depending on magic as our only protection will not be ideal during moons that weaken witches.
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[It's an offering, as it always is. There must be some protections they can look into. Something to keep their minds separated. Whilst Jaskier does not mind their presence in his own head, he's very sure they do not reciprocate the feeling.
He's attempting to not take it personally.]
Yes. A spell or something, maybe. [At least Yennefer is reasonable about it. Or not reasonable, exactly, but helpful. Jaskier goes quiet for a moment, taking a deep draw of his wine before he starts again.] I'm sorry that... I saw something I shouldn't have.
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My mutations may have left me to some degree. My training has not. [ He shifts his weight. ] Though I'm not opposed to a charm as another precaution.
[ He doesn't want to say it, why he thinks he'd been swept up in Yennefer's mind with little resistance. That it's not only the bond taking hold; it's that with her, his defenses are easily lowered. It hasn't been something he's cared about before. He's always trusted her, and it's this exact effect she has on him that he's even sought her out sometimes. A night he can have without being on his guard. But now...
He considers their options in silence, avoiding the topic of seeing what shouldn't be seen. There's more to it than that, between him and Yennefer. Something he'd rather not talk about so openly.
Eventually, his eyes land on Jaskier. He and Yennefer both have far too much in their heads. Too many decades. Jaskier...Jaskier does not. Maybe that's what they need. Someone with little to hide and few dark corners. ]
Perhaps you should attempt to influence its direction. [ It's a suggestion that comes with its own set of problems, not least being they'll need to recognize it's a dream in the first place. Finding a method. But it's a place start. Besides. Learning how will be good practice for Jaskier's composure overall. ] Should we find ourselves trapped again.
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She finally drinks, swallowing hard at Jaskier's apology. ]
What was seen cannot be unseen and I expect it to stay between us. And should we find ourselves in another... dream. The same courtesies will be extended.
[ She leans back, crossing her legs. Thinking. ]
I will say, the stronger the emotions, the harder it is for the dreamer to try and take control. [ Hence, the more radical decision. ] But, either way, it would be wise to perhaps begin work in earnest on mental fortitudes.
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Geralt, for one, has never been named a butcher in his songs.
He holds up a hand, an idea springing to mind.] Yes, yes, of course. I would never share this with another. But I believe Geralt, and you, you both have a fine point. An idea. Not to, er, particularly brag about it, but my memories, my dreams, are less -- [He stops here, before he says the wrong word.] What I mean to say is, should we be forced in this matter through the bond prior to our maintaining our boundaries, I would not be adverse to you both settling in my dreams. Perhaps the invitation might make them easier to leave in the future.
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The plan is fine. But he knows well these things take time. He doesn't expect any proposed solution to work for awhile yet -- and he's uncertain how much of their subconscious won't leak into Jaskier's mind once they're there, invitation or not. He sure as fuck does not want either Yennefer nor Jaskier wandering through his joyful childhood memories. ]
No harm in trying. [ He keeps his reservations to himself. It's the best they have, what's been said. Ideally, though, it simply won't happen again. ] We're settled, then?
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That being said, I agree. No harm in trying. [ She doesn't say 'what's the worst that can happen' because she knows there are far more traumatic memories in her past and certain things she fully intended to begin working on locking up in a vault in her mind, if possible. She never told Geralt how she got the scars on her wrists and had no intentions of either of them seeing her at one of the darkest moments of her life. When she was young, weak, and unwanted. ]
There's nothing else I can think of. [ Her gaze shifts from Geralt to Jaskier, letting her arms settle on her crossed legs - an eyebrow arching. A silent echo of Geralt's question. ]
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[He does in fact think it may be to their benefit that he has not had a complicated past -- not near in the same way. But it is not a fact he wishes to crush them under, either.
He does appreciate there's an understanding. That, also for once, they're not rejecting his offer of aid.]
I think that's it. I'm very happy to move in with my favorite Bonded, of course. [An easy smile returns to him, his heart all the lighter for having the discussion, as very far from fun as it had been.] Shall we seal it all with a kiss?
[He can't help it. He feels... good. About all of this. Better, far better, than he had when he'd awoken.] I jest. A little. Yet if it is not as easy as all that, promise I will find a way for it to be easier for you both.
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Buy us some damn supper first.
[ Though he can acknowledge that when Jaskier is kissing him or between one of their legs, he's not talking. It's nice. Nice for other reasons than not talking (many reasons), but that's a bonus worth mentioning.
He plucks the wineglass from Jaskier's hand as he passes by and tips back the rest before simply making his way upstairs with no further comment. ]
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Yennefer shakes her head, trying to remember the last time Geralt bought her supper. Even if they had circumvented the need to court with whatever they were. She could feign a bit of indignance at the proposal if needed. Refilling her glass, she places it in Jaskier's hand to replace the one Geralt had stolen -- brushing her hand over his arm with a soft laugh before following upstairs to continue her own work.
While there were a lot of words to describe them, easy never graced that list. But, she could allow herself to drop the illusion of perpetual stony-faced disposition for a little bit.
Because it was funny. ]