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[doesntsing]

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[doesntsing]

“Yes, you’re right,” Midge replies. “I wasn’t thinking of it that way.” She meant that they aren’t exclusive. This isn’t a relationship. How close he wants to allow her to get is entirely up to him, though it seems they’ve gotten very close in the short time that they’ve known each other.

“I like chatting with you too.”

[treblemaking]

"Good," he replies with a smile now. "I'd kiss your cheek right now, but I don't wanna leave snot on your pretty face." He's slurring his words again. "Geralt can't get sick, you know? It's not fair. I bet he'd look hilarious with a snotty nose." Suddenly he snickers. "I blew my nose with my brother's jacket once. It left a stain on his pants when he was riding. It was soooooo funny."

[doesntsing]

“You were a rascal weren’t you?” Midge asks, then furrows her brow slightly. “Did… your family have money?”

She knows he’s been loathe to talk about it, but he seemed to be opening up earlier. Maybe he won’t mind if she asks some questions.

[treblemaking]

"How dare you," he says in fake offense, just to tease. "Little Julian was an angel." Translation: he definitely was a rascal. "I'll take an apology in the form of head petting."

The question makes him squirm a bit, but he can't quite understand why. He isn't thinking clearly, but he knows Midge makes him comfortable. "I was disowned when I left," he clarifies as his mind still makes the wrong connections. "So your credit card still wins."

[doesntsing]

“Julian?” Midge grins, delighted that he told her his real name. She resumes the stroking of his hair.

There’s a bit of silence as Midge thinks about never seeing her family again. She can’t imagine it.

“It’s their loss,” she says quietly.

[treblemaking]

"Don't call me that." He's pouting again, but it quickly goes away when she starts stroking his hair. Once again, he sighs in the closest thing to content he can be while sick. "Can't be angry at you when you're petting me," he teases.

The silence makes him uncomfortable, even if he can't exactly tell why. He instantly relaxes when she answers, feeling as if he's passed some test.

"You can fucking bet it is," he replies as he searches for her free hand to squeeze it. His body is sore, yet in a weird way he feels-- at peace? Kind of? It's hard to tell anything right now. "Sometimes I like to imagine that me wandering around with a witcher gave father a good ol' heart attack. But I dunno if he realized the famous bard is his estranged son."

[doesntsing]

“I like it,” she says, pressing a kiss to the top of his head, “but I won’t call you it if you don’t want me to.”

“He probably does. Parents know their own children. I can’t imagine my kids doing something that would make me never want to see them again. It’s hard to know how he feels, I guess.”

Maybe his parents regret running him off, or maybe they’re just assholes.

[treblemaking]

Oh, the kiss has him nuzzling closer. "It's not a bad name," he clarifies. "Better than fucking Alfred. But I left Julian behind when I left. I am Jaskier. The bard is the real me, not the viscount."

He doesn't think his family truly knew him, but before he can say anything, Midge talks about her own family, and Jaskier knows how hard it's been to juggle career and children. Jaskier squeezes her hand again.

"Your kids are lucky to have you." He tries for a soft, sincere tone of voice, but he's still slurring his words. "Not a single adult in this house had proper parental figures. We don't say it aloud, but I know we all worry about how we're raising Ciri."

[doesntsing]

Her eyes grow wide and Midge is glad that he can’t see her. “You’re a viscount?” So not just rich, gentry rich. Titled.

“I can let you know when I meet her,” Midge jokes. “Honestly, as long as you love her and protect her and accept her for who she is, then you’re doing just fine.”

Midge you said no sex, don't get your panties wet over 'viscount' haha

[treblemaking]

"Not anymore. Disowned, remember?" She's so lucky he can't see her. He wouldn't exactly have liked her reaction. "I sang for queens and kings. I was the bard at the most important royal wedding of the decade. My talent got me there, and that's more powerful than the fucking family estate."

Or at least, he likes to think so. He knows reality isn't so kind.

"Nobody in this family of misfits will ever disapprove of anyone for being different, you have my word." A little sigh. "I do want you to meet her. I wish your kids were her age and they have playdates."

listen, she’s allowed to be impressed!

[doesntsing]

“You didn’t want to get by on any advantage that your name or title would have afforded you,” Midge replies. She knows how that is. She never wants to be accused of sleeping with someone in order to gain success. It’s honestly a good thing that Jaskier isn’t more famous here, or she might have turned down his advances.

“Does she babysit?” Ciri’s used to wrangling monsters.

[treblemaking]

"Mmmh-mmh." He's glad she gets it. People can get angry at the idea of what he could've done with the money, when the real answer is nothing. "Although I suppose I do take advantage of the Pankratz blues to be cuter."

He loves the color of his eyes, damn those great family genes.

"Babysit?" He sounds confused. "Babysit what?"

[doesntsing]

“So I have your whole name now.” She not going to say it aloud. Julian Alfred Pankratz. The viscount. In some ways, he still has the hedonistic attitude of the titled class. “I guess I have your rotten family to thank for your beautiful eyes.”

Midge glances down at him. “My kids. She could babysit my kids. I’d pay her.”

[treblemaking]

"My name is Jaskier of Oxenfurt," he immediately corrects her, stubborn even while sick. "Let's not thank them for anything and merely be grateful for the circunstances."

His own eyes are closed, just comfortable to be resting against her. "...oh. That's not a bad idea. I'll talk to the whole family. Mayhaps she can do it just once or twice a week. Teach her to have a job. And... learn more about this world? In your home?"

[doesntsing]

Midge kisses the top of his head again. “You’re wonderful no matter what your name is.” He’s very insistent and Midge isn’t going to try to persuade him otherwise.

Sitting here stroking his hair, Midge feels like she’s petting a very particular cat.

“She only really would be needed if I’m going out and my parents are also going out. I can always give the kids to Joel, but then I have to bring them over there and get them back if it’s not his weekend… We really do need a babysitter. Do you think she’d be interested?”

[treblemaking]

"So are you, darling." He's smiling. "Pretend I'm kissing you very softly right now."

He does hum in delight when she pets him, but he'd argue that the cats here are a certain couple. Jaskier sees himself as nothing but a beautiful peacock.

"Honestly? I don't think she would. But I think Geralt and Yennefer may want her to do it, to teach her responsibility and independence. I also think it's a good idea. So let us talk to her."

[doesntsing]

“I do miss your kisses,” Midge says, closing her eyes as well. “And the way that you touch me.”

No. As much as she might miss him, she would definitely get his cold if she had sex with him, and she’s not sure if any of the green venom would come with it.

He is a beautiful peacock, isn’t he? What does that make her?

“Alright. My kids can be monsters, but she has experience with that. She might like earning her own money too.”

[treblemaking]

"You miss your boytoy," he says with a giggle. Indeed, fucking would be a bad idea and he isn't about to try anything, but it's fun to tease.

It makes her a swan - beautiful, elegant, romantic, but also an unexpected serrated mouth.

He nods against her shoulder. "Yeah, I think getting her own money will be the main appeal. But I'll still buy her dresses." He likes pampering her, sue him.

[doesntsing]

“I do miss my boytoy,” Midge confirms. “Hopefully he’ll be better soon so that he can get back to fucking me.”

A swan is perfect for her. They can be elegant birds together.

“Next time I see Moishe, I’ll ask him about buying some dresses for Ciri. Maybe he’ll be in a generous mood and give them to me for free.” Unlikely.

[treblemaking]

"I guess chatting with me isn't as fun, huh?" He's trying to joke a bit more, but without the boundaries, he sounds a bit worried as well.

"Moishe is... your in-law?" He frowns. "Don't ask them anything for me. I don't want you to owe them anything."

[doesntsing]

“Jaskier, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t enjoy chatting with you,” she replies. Midge didn’t come here expecting sex. She was worried about him and wanted to make sure that he’s okay.

“My father-in-law, yes.” Midge waves a hand. “I won’t owe him anything because I’ll pay him for them. He lets me buy at cost rather than with the retail markup.”

[treblemaking]

"...true." He falls silent for a second, realizing it's the same thing he's been telling Geralt for years. What a hypocrite he's being. "Sorry. I feel weird now. I'm glad you're here. I'm glad the green didn't scare you off."

Suddenly, he walks off the bed. His body is shaking and his legs are wobbly, but he's still determined to reach his desk. From a small box on the first drawer, he takes out a very pretty, sparkly scale, which he gives to Midge with a little smile.

[doesntsing]

“I’m a mom. Nothing scares me off.” It’s true. After you’ve pushed out children, then wiped their noses and asses, there aren’t many bodily issues that bother you.

Midge is surprised when Jaskier gets up. She offers him a hand, but he seems okay. She’s even more surprised when he returns with a jewelry sized box.

“Oh!” she says upon opening it and gazing at the sparkly object within. “What is it?”

[treblemaking]

When she says things like that, Jaskier is tempted to share some of the nastiest things he's seen during his travels, part of him curious to know if she'd stay like he did. It's rare to find a soul so much like his own. But he knows better than putting a friend through pointless tests, or kill the mood by describing what Geralt's instentines felt like in his hands.

"Sea serpent scale," he explains as he puts it in Midge's hand. "Keep it. Mayhaps you can turn it into a necklace charm or a brooch for your hats."

[doesntsing]

“Oh…” she breathes, touching it gently with her finger. “I will. Did you find it here or is it from home?”

Midge looks up at him and smiles. “Thank you.”

It’s a small gift. Maybe it isn’t worth anything or doesn’t mean anything, but Midge is glad to receive it from him.