doesntsing | open post

“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.

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."

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.”

"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."

“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.

"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?"

“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.”

"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?"

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?”

"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."

“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.”

"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.

“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.

"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."

“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.”

"...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.

“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?”

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."

“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.

"Geralt killed it here. Lake on the north, next to the other country?" He means Lake Ontario. "We arrived with only the things on our backs. I'll have to rewrite all my books from scratch."

He tries to get comfortable on her shoulder again, but he keeps fidgeting. After lots of hesitation, he gets up again and brings his lute case. The fact he's showing her the secret pocket inside proves how important she's becoming to him.

From that little pocket, he takes out two things. "This is from the day I met Geralt," he explains while showing her an old, foreign coin.

The next item is a signet. He thinks the family crest on it requires no explanation. "Never could get rid of it," he admits.

She is a little surprised that he’s showing her all of these things, but she’s pleased as well. Midge has felt herself growing closer to Jaskier as the days have gone by. There’s no way for her to tell what he does or says or gives to his other lovers. Maybe she can subtly ask Yennefer or Geralt.

“Why the coin?” She asks. She takes the ring and runs her thumb over the raised bumps of the crest. “I’m sorry that your family didn’t see the lovely person that you are.”

That happens too often, especially in wealthy families.

"Thank you, darling," he replies as he finally rest his head on her shoulder again. His body is shivering, so he brings the blanket up too. "I'm sorry that your husband didn't see how amazing your are."

The coin question makes him chuckle. "He left it on the table in the smelly tavern I found him at. I thought it was for my performance, but later I learned it was for his drink." Oopsie, someone accidentally stole. "The first song I wrote for him is Toss a coin to your witcher, in which I ask people to pay him what he deserves. But, you know, indirectly and with a catchy tune."

“He made a huge mistake,” Midge replies, “and he knows it.” Unfortunately, actions have consequences, and the consequences of his cheating were permanent.

She smiles. “You should ask for a cut of his payments, since you’re the one making sure that he’s getting paid in the first place.”

"If you ever want to shake him up a little, let me know and I'll send Yennefer his way." The witch would love to curse a man that has a hurt a woman, he's sure.

"How do you think I've been buying clothes and makeup?" He sighs. "My music isn't making much money, if at all. Do not take me wrong, I love helping my family, I always did. We used to share the coin with Geralt while we traveled. But we both earned equally back then. Now... I don't know what I would be doing if I hadn't arrived with them."

Busking, probably. It bothers him a little.

Midge gives a short laugh. “Joel would probably piss his pants if Yennefer came his way. I’ll let you know if he ever really pisses me off.” It would have to be something hugely offensive. Midge has mostly forgiven him for cheating on her, for the sake of her kids. Plus it’s clear that he really does regret it, even if he’s never apologized.

“It must be hard, having made it back home and now trying to make it here. It’s not easy to make it here.” Ask her how she knows. “And while I think you have a lot of talent, bard music isn’t exactly what the radio is playing these days.” That can’t be helping either.

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

listen, she’s allowed to be impressed!

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