It turns out Abe isn't so bad when discussing classical music - Jaskier still thinks discussing anything modern wouldn't go as well, but he'll take what he can. And he does learn a lot from their chat. They even end up playing a little something together, with Jaskier on the lute and Abe on the piano.
Sometimes Jaskier glances at the living room, keeping an eye on Rose's mood. She reminds him of his own mother and his aunts, and he realizes he can't trust reading her expression because she's mastered the art of keeping a poker face for the sake of reputation.
"It's getting late and I'm imposed enough. I should get going," he announces after their duet. He looks at Midge. "You have Ciri's dresses?"
Midge grins when she hears the piano and lute together, glad that Jaskier and her father seem to be getting along. Her mother doesn’t seem to outright dislike him, though she’s expressed her concerns. Midge imagines that the fact that Jaskier isn’t Jewish will be an objection that both of her parents will have to she and Jaskier being together.
Why is she thinking about them being together though? Jaskier doesn’t want a relationship.
“Yes, they’re in my room,” Midge tells him. “I’ll be right back.”
Jaskier is left alone with her parents, a potentially dangerous situation. Abe looks at him, choosing his words carefully.
“Good to finally meet the man that seems to be spending so much time with my daughter. I can tell that Miriam is very fond of you.”
Oh, fuck. Jaskier had been hoping to go with her and sneak a last-minute kiss or two. He tenses when Abe speaks to him directly, and-- okay, the words aren't bad at all, but he senses there's something more behind them.
"Thank you, sir," he says with a quick bow of his head. "I am very fond of her as well. She's a wonderful woman, and I'm sure the entire world will see it as well some day."
“Yes, you’re… encouraging her comedy career, aren’t you?” Abe says. Midge’s parents still don’t entirely know what to make of that, or what she hopes to gain with it.
“I’m sure you know about her divorce,” Rose adds. “It was painful for her, and for all of us. Miriam is still recovering from it, trying to find her way in this world, while also opening her heart back up.”
...oh, boy. There's no way this conversation ends well. Jaskier takes a deep breath while his hand nervously taps his lute - the night went (mostly) well, and he doesn't want to ruin it now. The fact that they waited for Midge to be gone to tell him all this hasn't escaped him. Fuckers.
"Yes. I'm a talented artist, so is she. We hope for each other's success," he replies as he looks at Abe a bit more coldly. He doesn't sound very encouraging himself, and that annoys Jaskier.
Rose soon gets the same look, and a little voice in his head that suspiciously sounds like Geralt reminds him of all the signs he's been ignoring. But he's not going to analyze them now of all times - not going to give Rose that satisfaction. "I do know. And as painful as it may've been, I'm glad it happened." A big bomb to drop, he knows, but he's annoyed. At their treatment of Midge, and at their attempt to corner him now. "It would've been more painful in the long run - she would've grown resentful. She deserves to be happy, in whatever shape that may take. It's up to her to find the shape that fits her, and I'll support her through it."
Midge is returning with the dresses when she hears Jaskier’s words and stops in her tracks. He’ll support her through it is very neutral, not necessarily talking about himself.
Rose indeed looks surprised when Jaskier says he’s glad the divorce happened, but she knows that he’s an outsider looking in. He’s reacting to Joel’s infidelity.
“It’s not about talent,” Abe says. “It’s about remaining realistic. Miriam has children. They should be her top priority.”
“I know my daughter,” says Rose, “and from what I have seen tonight, she is very… fond of you. We’ve just met you, but I would say this to anyone: please be gentle with her. She has a huge capacity to love, but I don’t want that to come back to hurt her later. Surely you can understand why a mother might feel that way?”
"Then she can be a parent with a career. Like men are." But hey, thanks for reminding him of one of the thousand reasons why he doesn't want to have kids.
Rose's words make his irritation worse. He knows she's right about certain things, which annoys him even more - it pokes at all the issues he's been ignoring and the idea of having to acknowledge them is terrifying. He doesn't want to lose this, he doesn't want to lose her. At the same time, he finds it pretty ironic that she worries so much when she's one of the people who treats Midge like shit.
"Do you?" he asks before he can stop himself. He even snorts. Jaskier doesn't think their parents know her well at all. And yet, her words are hitting him where it hurts. He hates everything about this conversation. "I've been nothing but gentle with her."
Well, kind of. He had to drop the truth bomb that time in the bathroom, and he made her cry the other night, but... even friendships have rough moments; no relationship is perfect. And yet, those memories... Jaskier wants to say I'd never hurt her, but he can't bring himself to do it.
Jaskier doesn't buy the politeness - it's like being at court all over again. Back then, he behaved for survival; now he shall do it for Midge. He keeps his expression neutral as he bows.
"Have a good night."
He hangs the lute on his back and the dresses on his arm. Ten minutes ago, he would've been all over them. Now he's just in a bad mood and the only thing he wants to be all over is a bottle of alcohol.
Seeing Midge's face kills him. He should hug her, grab her hand at the very least. Jaskier shocks himself by being unable to move.
"Sorry that it had to end like that." He means it; he never wants to hurt her. But he isn't going to apologize for talking like that to her parents.
Midge sighs again. “They care about me. And they didn’t dislike you, Jaskier. I think… they’re not sure what to make of you. You have such a big personality, even though you were relatively subdued tonight.”
She knew that her parents wouldn’t welcome him with open arms. Honestly, Midge still thinks it went better than it could have.
He curated what he presented to them on purpose, and that's why it went so well in the first place. The moment he spoke his mind, it all went to shit. Just what he expected. And this is only because he's still seen as her friend. Jaskier is sure it would've gone worse if he'd been introduced as a lover. They can tolerate him as long as Midge doesn't seriously make him a member of the family.
Jaskier sighs, keeping all those thoughts for himself.
"Are you going to be alright tonight? I'm scared of sending you back."
It’s hard for her to protest what he’s saying, so she doesn’t try. Jaskier is different from just about everyone she knows. It’s what she likes about him, but she can understand how he can be a polarizing figure. He’s so progressive that people might think what he’s suggesting is extreme.
She shakes her head, sighing. “They might try to argue with me, but I’m not really in the mood.” Reaching down, she takes Jaskier’s hand. “You wanna get out of here?”
Midge has no other responsibilities tonight. Her kids are with Joel.
The fact that he doesn't immediately jump on the offer is a huge damn red flag, and Jaskier's stomach turns when he realizes that he's hesitating. He hates giving Rose so much power; he usually is pretty good at ignoring what old socialites have to say. Jaskier forces his body to move and close his hand around hers as he deals with his inner turmoil - there can only be one reason why Rose's words hit him so hard: it's because she exposed his own worries, the ones he's been ignoring, the ones that Geralt has scolded him for.
He's terrified. Of how this is making him doubt things he's always been sure of, of potentially hurting her, of potentially losing her.
Humans do dumb things when they're scared.
"...can you?" he asks after a long, awkward pause. He's tense and not meeting her eye. This isn't the right moment for this, but his mind and his heart are arguing with each other and he needs them to stop. "Our agreement. Can you still handle it?"
She pauses for just a moment, hoping that the fear doesn’t show on her face. “Of course,” Midge replies, knowing that she’s lying. “I… thought having you meet my parents would make things easier for the wedding. It doesn’t really matter what they think about you, does it?”
This isn’t a relationship. Sometimes Midge forgets that. He’s not going to change his mind, even if it seems like he’s falling in love with her.
If she tells him that she’s falling in love with him, he’ll cut this off and she’ll have nothing. Maybe it’s not right, but she can’t lose him now.
"To me, it doesn't. But I know how much you value their opinion." He shakes his head. "Don't mind me - it's been quite an emotional evening. And--"
He reminds himself to trust her word. The signs could've just been little things, easy to ignore. After all, he's falling for her, too. So he shouldn't be judging how she's feeling internally as long as she's capable of handling the arrangement.
"-and I hate the idea of hurting you." That much is true, at least. He cups her cheek, brushing it with his thumb before leaning in to kiss her forehead. "I hope you don't mind, but I'll say no, just for tonight. I'm exhausted. It's been... quite an evening." To say the least. "You're probably shaken, too."
Even if they just reassured each other, they should probably not be fucking when they're feeling so raw.
"Let us rest, and we can have our naughty fun after the art jam. Sounds good?"
He confirms that saying no to sex tonight was the right choice because, unlike other occasions, her kiss doesn't make him want to push her against the wall and devour her. He does wish he could take her home to cuddle her, though. Emotional comfort is needed now.
"Of course." He kisses the corner of her mouth. "You aren't getting rid of me so easily." The lamest attempt at a joke.
When Jaskier arrives home, though, he doesn't text her. It had been his original plan after announcing he was leaving: to text her later to confirm her parents didn't give her any shit. After what happened, though? He's emotionally exhausted. So instead, he grabs a bottle of liquor and goes to the garden to watch the stars while he gets absolutely drunk. He doesn't even care about his nice suit touching the grass.
Soon, Geralt comes out and sits next to him, so they start passing the bottle. Jaskier knows it's his way to try to make him drink less.
"I know what you're going to say. I don't want to talk about it."
"Mmmh."
Geralt doesn't push and Jaskier is grateful. He ends up falling asleep on his friend's thigh, with that big hand patting him on the back. The next morning, he wakes up in his bed when Cirilla bursts into his room to thank him for the dresses with the amount of excitement that only a teenage girl can achieve.
His head is killing him - fuck hangovers. But he doesn't want to go downstairs and meet Yennefer's judgment yet. So he grabs his device from the night table and hides under the covers to finally text Midge.
Good morning, darling. Ciri loved the dresses; she sends you her regards. How are you feeling? I hope your parents weren't too nosy after I left.
Of course her parents wish to speak with her after she goes back into the apartment. It isn’t a fight so much as a warning. This man isn’t for her. He will only break her heart. A small part of Midge can’t help but wonder if they’re right. She protests that they’re just friends, there’s no romantic relationship. It isn’t a lie, technically. After begging exhaustion and a headache, Midge goes to bed. She falls asleep with her device in her hand, waiting to see if Jaskier texts her.
The next morning, she’s awoken to the ping and vibration of a text from him. After the initial grogginess, her heart leaps with excitement.
I’m so glad she loved them! I’m okay. We talked, and they’re worried, but I reassured them.
They're worried. Of course they fucking are. Jaskier wonders what words were used exactly, how much Midge is simplifying into just 'worry'. Thinking about this doesn't help his headache, so he reminds herself to trust her.
I suppose that's as much as we can ask for. I hope you understand now why I think traveling to the wedding with them may not be a great idea. As much as I liked the bus option, I think we should do portals after all. Consider: no traveling time, so we can get there much earlier than them and have some fun without having to sneak around.
Sleepy. Enjoying some extra time in bed before leaving for class.
He won't mention the hangover, he doesn't want her to worry or jump to conclusions just because he got drunk last night.
Honestly, in her heart of hearts, Midge can’t begrudge her parents the worry that they feel. Sometimes, she feels it too. She worries that she won’t be enough for him, that she’s not good enough for him to want to be with exclusively.
Travel by portal is easy, so I can’t argue against that. We’ll just have to avoid other family if we get there separately.
Are you telling me that other family will be there early on a Saturday? Fuck. Part of me wants to say that we should drop on Friday night, but I suppose that would make your parents suspicious.
At the hotel and possibly around town, yes. Leah’s family will get there a bit earlier, plus some relatives from out of town. We’ll just need to be careful.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
who could've guessed Rose and Geralt would give the same advice lol
Sometimes Jaskier glances at the living room, keeping an eye on Rose's mood. She reminds him of his own mother and his aunts, and he realizes he can't trust reading her expression because she's mastered the art of keeping a poker face for the sake of reputation.
"It's getting late and I'm imposed enough. I should get going," he announces after their duet. He looks at Midge. "You have Ciri's dresses?"
they’re smart
Why is she thinking about them being together though? Jaskier doesn’t want a relationship.
“Yes, they’re in my room,” Midge tells him. “I’ll be right back.”
Jaskier is left alone with her parents, a potentially dangerous situation. Abe looks at him, choosing his words carefully.
“Good to finally meet the man that seems to be spending so much time with my daughter. I can tell that Miriam is very fond of you.”
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"Thank you, sir," he says with a quick bow of his head. "I am very fond of her as well. She's a wonderful woman, and I'm sure the entire world will see it as well some day."
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“Yes, you’re… encouraging her comedy career, aren’t you?” Abe says. Midge’s parents still don’t entirely know what to make of that, or what she hopes to gain with it.
“I’m sure you know about her divorce,”
Rose adds. “It was painful for her, and for all of us. Miriam is still recovering from it, trying to find her way in this world, while also opening her heart back up.”
Midge should hear it all from her room lmao
"Yes. I'm a talented artist, so is she. We hope for each other's success," he replies as he looks at Abe a bit more coldly. He doesn't sound very encouraging himself, and that annoys Jaskier.
Rose soon gets the same look, and a little voice in his head that suspiciously sounds like Geralt reminds him of all the signs he's been ignoring. But he's not going to analyze them now of all times - not going to give Rose that satisfaction. "I do know. And as painful as it may've been, I'm glad it happened." A big bomb to drop, he knows, but he's annoyed. At their treatment of Midge, and at their attempt to corner him now. "It would've been more painful in the long run - she would've grown resentful. She deserves to be happy, in whatever shape that may take. It's up to her to find the shape that fits her, and I'll support her through it."
yes
Rose indeed looks surprised when Jaskier says he’s glad the divorce happened, but she knows that he’s an outsider looking in. He’s reacting to Joel’s infidelity.
“It’s not about talent,” Abe says. “It’s about remaining realistic. Miriam has children. They should be her top priority.”
“I know my daughter,” says Rose, “and from what I have seen tonight, she is very… fond of you. We’ve just met you, but I would say this to anyone: please be gentle with her. She has a huge capacity to love, but I don’t want that to come back to hurt her later. Surely you can understand why a mother might feel that way?”
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Rose's words make his irritation worse. He knows she's right about certain things, which annoys him even more - it pokes at all the issues he's been ignoring and the idea of having to acknowledge them is terrifying. He doesn't want to lose this, he doesn't want to lose her. At the same time, he finds it pretty ironic that she worries so much when she's one of the people who treats Midge like shit.
"Do you?" he asks before he can stop himself. He even snorts. Jaskier doesn't think their parents know her well at all. And yet, her words are hitting him where it hurts. He hates everything about this conversation. "I've been nothing but gentle with her."
Well, kind of. He had to drop the truth bomb that time in the bathroom, and he made her cry the other night, but... even friendships have rough moments; no relationship is perfect. And yet, those memories... Jaskier wants to say I'd never hurt her, but he can't bring himself to do it.
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“Here are the dresses!” She’s all smiles. “Jaskier, I’m so glad that you were able to come to dinner tonight.”
“Yes,” adds Abe. “Thank you for coming.”
“It was nice to meet you,” Rose says. It seems genuine. Her parents are nothing if not polite.
“I’ll walk you out,” Midge says as she hands him the dresses.
In the hallway, Midge sighs. “I only heard part of that.”
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"Have a good night."
He hangs the lute on his back and the dresses on his arm. Ten minutes ago, he would've been all over them. Now he's just in a bad mood and the only thing he wants to be all over is a bottle of alcohol.
Seeing Midge's face kills him. He should hug her, grab her hand at the very least. Jaskier shocks himself by being unable to move.
"Sorry that it had to end like that." He means it; he never wants to hurt her. But he isn't going to apologize for talking like that to her parents.
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She knew that her parents wouldn’t welcome him with open arms. Honestly, Midge still thinks it went better than it could have.
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He curated what he presented to them on purpose, and that's why it went so well in the first place. The moment he spoke his mind, it all went to shit. Just what he expected. And this is only because he's still seen as her friend. Jaskier is sure it would've gone worse if he'd been introduced as a lover. They can tolerate him as long as Midge doesn't seriously make him a member of the family.
Jaskier sighs, keeping all those thoughts for himself.
"Are you going to be alright tonight? I'm scared of sending you back."
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She shakes her head, sighing. “They might try to argue with me, but I’m not really in the mood.” Reaching down, she takes Jaskier’s hand. “You wanna get out of here?”
Midge has no other responsibilities tonight. Her kids are with Joel.
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He's terrified. Of how this is making him doubt things he's always been sure of, of potentially hurting her, of potentially losing her.
Humans do dumb things when they're scared.
"...can you?" he asks after a long, awkward pause. He's tense and not meeting her eye. This isn't the right moment for this, but his mind and his heart are arguing with each other and he needs them to stop. "Our agreement. Can you still handle it?"
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This isn’t a relationship. Sometimes Midge forgets that. He’s not going to change his mind, even if it seems like he’s falling in love with her.
If she tells him that she’s falling in love with him, he’ll cut this off and she’ll have nothing. Maybe it’s not right, but she can’t lose him now.
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He reminds himself to trust her word. The signs could've just been little things, easy to ignore. After all, he's falling for her, too. So he shouldn't be judging how she's feeling internally as long as she's capable of handling the arrangement.
"-and I hate the idea of hurting you." That much is true, at least. He cups her cheek, brushing it with his thumb before leaning in to kiss her forehead. "I hope you don't mind, but I'll say no, just for tonight. I'm exhausted. It's been... quite an evening." To say the least. "You're probably shaken, too."
Even if they just reassured each other, they should probably not be fucking when they're feeling so raw.
"Let us rest, and we can have our naughty fun after the art jam. Sounds good?"
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She nods, because he’s probably right. They need a little break.
“Yes,” she replies. “I’ll see you then.” She steals a little kiss from him. “Text me?”
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"Of course." He kisses the corner of her mouth. "You aren't getting rid of me so easily." The lamest attempt at a joke.
When Jaskier arrives home, though, he doesn't text her. It had been his original plan after announcing he was leaving: to text her later to confirm her parents didn't give her any shit. After what happened, though? He's emotionally exhausted. So instead, he grabs a bottle of liquor and goes to the garden to watch the stars while he gets absolutely drunk. He doesn't even care about his nice suit touching the grass.
Soon, Geralt comes out and sits next to him, so they start passing the bottle. Jaskier knows it's his way to try to make him drink less.
"I know what you're going to say. I don't want to talk about it."
"Mmmh."
Geralt doesn't push and Jaskier is grateful. He ends up falling asleep on his friend's thigh, with that big hand patting him on the back. The next morning, he wakes up in his bed when Cirilla bursts into his room to thank him for the dresses with the amount of excitement that only a teenage girl can achieve.
His head is killing him - fuck hangovers. But he doesn't want to go downstairs and meet Yennefer's judgment yet. So he grabs his device from the night table and hides under the covers to finally text Midge.
Good morning, darling. Ciri loved the dresses; she sends you her regards. How are you feeling? I hope your parents weren't too nosy after I left.
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The next morning, she’s awoken to the ping and vibration of a text from him. After the initial grogginess, her heart leaps with excitement.
I’m so glad she loved them! I’m okay. We talked, and they’re worried, but I reassured them.
Are you okay?
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I suppose that's as much as we can ask for. I hope you understand now why I think traveling to the wedding with them may not be a great idea. As much as I liked the bus option, I think we should do portals after all. Consider: no traveling time, so we can get there much earlier than them and have some fun without having to sneak around.
Sleepy. Enjoying some extra time in bed before leaving for class.
He won't mention the hangover, he doesn't want her to worry or jump to conclusions just because he got drunk last night.
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Travel by portal is easy, so I can’t argue against that. We’ll just have to avoid other family if we get there separately.
Now I’m picturing you in bed.
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Should I picture you like that too?
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You may. Would you like to know what I’m wearing?
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I'd love nothing more. I only have my underwear on.
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Oh, lovely. I’m wearing a pink satin nightgown with lace trim and nothing on underneath it.
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I love how all of their texting eventually turns into sexting
tbf her having a libido to match his is what helps him consider monogamy
she feels like she could keep him satisfied
if she takes care of his needs, yes she can!
she will need to work up to it, but she will
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