Chapter Text
In hindsight, Geralt should have just left before Yennefer woke up. Instead he sat at the table, watching Jaskier help himself to any and all the food stores he could find. They really shouldnt be testing their luck, the mayor could come back at any moment with guards, but the Bard insisted they stock up on provisions, which apparently met stripping the pantry bare of everything editable. "If you keep engorging yourself on those honey cakes you'll shit yourself to death." He muttered, taking a drink of his ale. Jaskier paused, his cheeks full of cake before swallowing heavily.
Yennefer rushed into the room just then, looking disheveled and worried. She stopped short when she saw them and a small sigh of relief just barely crossed her lips. He glanced up at her, eyes meeting hers and he smiled lightly. "Good morning."
"Good morning...I...thought you'd..." She put her hands on her hips. "What are you doing?"
"Stocking up on provisions. Do you mind?" Jaskier asked over his shoulder as he pilfered the pantry.
"It's not mine." Yennefer replied back, deadpan. Her attention was on Geralt again. "Are you leaving?" She asked almost hesitantly. She wasn't about to make a show of her emotions. The swirling void of restlessness that engulfed her every time she gazed upon the Witcher seemed to knock the breath from her lungs.
"Soon." The Witcher replied. He looked up at her, forcing himself to meet those violet eyes. He felt it too. The restlessness made him grip the mug of ale tighter, and he tried to avoid the need that seemed to radiate off of her. He wanted her, right here on the table. He didnt care if Jaskier watched either. And the lust he could smell on her skin told him she wouldnt care either. He was about to get up, to grab for her waist, when Jaskier started talking.
"So Yennefer..." The bard swallowed down another honeycake before stashing the remaining two in a saddlebag. "About you uh...saving my life."
The sorceress scoffed. "What about it?"
"Well...uh...since you saved me...it's kind of a life debt, right? Don't I...owe you." He was trying to keep his focus on packing away food and purposefully not look at her.
"Geralt settled your debt." She replied, purposefully reaching into the saddle bag and grabbing the honeycakes he had tucked away. Jaskier squeaked in protest, but made no move to take them back. She bit into it, and found it sweet if dry in her mouth. Swallowing she raised an eyebrow at the Bard. "Besides, you have nothing I want." After a moment she added. "Not anymore."
Jaskier twitched, shifting his weight from foot to foot. "Right. Uh. But...but...you could still..."
"Jaskier...it's been settled." Geralt finished his ale and got up from the chair. Purposefully putting space between himself and Yennefer, he made to grab the packed saddlebags. "Let's go." He stole a glance at the sorceress and saw her trying to contain the disappointment on her face.
"I could offer you the law of surprise." The bard finally blurted out.
Geralt clenched his jaw, eyes flashing. If he could've he'd have killed the bard right there for even saying those words. "Jaskier-"
He was cut off by Yennefer snickering. "Again, bard, you have nothing I want, and anything you may have and not know isn't likely to be of value to me." She waved her hand dismissively, turning her attention back to Geralt. "Where will you go?"
"Into Temeria." The Witcher was still leering at the bard. He blinked and then looked her. "Uh..." He sighed. "Would you...like to travel with us to the next town?"
Her face brightened before she could keep her emotions at bay. "I...should be getting out of here, at least. Give me a few minutes to pack and change." She gestured absently to her silver dressing gown. He nodded and she smiled.
When she left the room, Jaskier growled in indignation. "Just what in the name of Melitele do you think you're doing?" He gestured wildly and in anger.
He blinked. "What?"
"I'm trying to get rid of her! I don't want to ever see the crazy witch ever again!"
Geralt snorted. "Why the fuck did you offer her the law of surprise then?"
"Because I have to pay her or else she's gonna come back someday and make demands. As a favor or something. Besides, she's right, the only thing I have and don't know about is an extra tip at the next tavern or something." Jaskier continued to rave.
The Witcher shook his head. "What is your problem with her?"
"I told you! She threatened to cut off my cock!" The bard glared at the snicker this produced from the Witcher. "What?!"
"Women and their husbands threaten to do that to you weekly. Or they did. Perhaps the Countess has kept your whoring in check."
Jaskier opened his mouth, gasping with indignation once more. "I'll have you know-" he was cut off by Yennefer returning. She was now dressed in a black and gold dress, embroidered with filigree that laced from chest to waist. There were black and gold ribbons on the shoulders, the sleeves puffed slightly from shoulder to elbow. The bard was struck dumb for a moment. She looked at him expectantly before her eyes travelled to Geralt.
"That's all you're bringing?" He asked, gesturing to the small black bag that hung from her shoulders.
"This is all I need." She replied with a wink. "Magic."
"Hmm." Geralt gave her a weary smile.
Jaskier coughed. He glared at Geralt before turning back to Yennefer. "Yennefer please...take the law of surprise." There was begging in his voice that made the sorceress roll her eyes. "Please. It would...unburden me much."
"Oh alright bard, if it gets you to shut up." She finally said, waving dismissively. The witcher hissed, shaking his head. "What's wrong?" She looked at him with genunine confusion.
"Oh he's had a bad experience with the law of surprise." Jaskier muttered casually.
"It's not a good idea." He shot the Bard a glare.
"Oh come off it, Geralt. It's not I have a bastard child I don't-" he was cut off by a knocking at the kitchen door. "Know about. Who could that be?" Yennefer went over and opened the door, pulling it back to reveal a tired messenger who perked at seeing Yennefer. "Jaimeson?" Jaskier rasped, recognizing the young man.
"Master Jaskier?" The man replied, eyebrows rising. "What...um...I..." He swallowed thickly and took a rolled piece of paper from his pouch. Jaskier instantly recognized the wax seal. He turned to Yennefer. "My mistress requests your help with a delicate matter." He gave the paper to Yennefer. "She will pay you four thousand oren."
"What delicate matter?" Jaskier demanded, moving closer to the door.
"I...I am sorry, master Jaskier, she swore me to-"
"She needs an abortion." Yennefer answered, sparing the room the curiousity by reading the message. "You know this Countess de Stael?" She asked, turning to Jaskier.
"She...she..."
"He's the father." Geralt ground out, a murderous look painting his features. He should have just left before she woke up.