doesntsing | open post

It's something you feel is what she's heard so far, and it kinda frustrates her because it's such a vague answer. Does she really have to wait? Her classmates keep talking about it in whispers... then again, if she's so unsure, maybe Midge's right about needing to wait.

The mere idea of having to ask Yennefer for that potion makes her more nervous, and her forehead falls on her crossed arms on the table as she groans in frustration.

"Why is this so complicated! Jask makes it sound so easy!" He also exaggerates a lot, she knows. She raises her face just enough to peek at Midge. "Be honest. Are the stories true? Is it as good as they say?"

Midge takes a deep breath. “Jaskier… is a different sort of person. He’s able to separate sex and emotions into two compartments that almost never mix.” Except with her. “Men are usually able to do that better than women can, but he’s particularly good at it. I’m not saying that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but it’s normal to have sex and emotions together. That’s what complicates things.” Hence why Jaskier has separated them, but it’s not a simple thing to do.

Midge raises her eyebrows slightly. “You mean… with Jaskier?” She wants to make sure she knows what Ciri is asking before she answers.

"...right," Ciri answers with her bright green eyes stuck on her milkshake. She isn't sure how to mention that it may not be men for her, or maybe it'll be both? It's confusing and she's still unsure.

Midge's question makes her shake her head. "No, I mean in general. I know Jask exaggerates a lot."

Oh, good. She’d rather answer the question in general, but she would have come up with something appropriate to say about Jaskier in particular.

“The first time can be awkward, that’s for sure. But with the right person, someone who understands you and cares about you and takes the time to make you feel good, it’s wonderful. You’ll find that person. He, or they, I guess, will become more clear to you as you get to know yourself.” Midge is still learning about queer people; her interaction with them before meeting Jaskier was pretty limited.

“I met my husband at college. Despite how our relationship ended, I don’t regret marrying him or having our children. He was the right choice for me at the time.”

Get to know herself. That's been the hard part. Ciri doesn't know what her identity is anymore, if she ever knew at all. From princess, to sorceress/witcher, to... whatever this world is doing to her.

Jaskier's favorite girls are focused on the conversation, so they don't see him come back. He catches on pretty quickly, and he's actually surprised to hear that Midge doesn't regret having her children. Not what he expected.

Ciri is his priority now, though. Jaskier sits next to her and startles her, causing her to squeal a little.

"Jask, I haven't done anything, I promise--"

"Come here, my pocket princess." He hugs her tight and rubs her back, so Ciri buries her face in his chest. She's rather embarrassed. "I know I tease a lot, but if you ever need to talk about this seriously, you just have to ask me. I promise you have my confidence." He kisses the top of Ciri's head. "That said, I'm proud of you for seeking help instead of bottling it up." He looks at Midge with a soft smile. "Thank you, love."

Ciri looks up as well, nodding to Jaskier's words. "Thank you, Midge. Sorry I put you on the spot."

As much as they can be a pain in her ass, Midge doesn’t regret her kids. What she told Jaskier was true; she’d have another one, if she was ever re-married to a man who wanted one of his own. If not, it’s fine. Right now, she’s happy with Jaskier and he’s been very clear about not wanting children.

Yet, it’s so sweet to watch Jaskier comfort Ciri. A primal part of her thinks he could be a good father if he wanted to be.

“Nothing to be sorry about,” Midge replies. “I’m glad you felt comfortable enough to ask me.”

"Jask said you're understanding and open-minded," Ciri explains. "He was right."

At that moment, the waitress arrives with their food. Jaskier is a little worried about leaving Ciri now, so he stays by her side and gently caresses Midge's ankle with his foot while mouthing sorry.

"Soooo~" He says after taking a bite of his food. "We still have an afternoon to kill before dinner. Where are we going next?"

It’s okay, she mouths back. Really, it’s fine. She’s got Jaskier all night. Ciri needs him right now.

“Jaskier and I discussed walking through Central Park,” Midge says. “How does that sound?”

"That's fine," Ciri replies between bites of her food. A walk doesn't sound like the most exciting of ideas, but she's willing to give it a chance.

Jaskier talks about the museum during their lunch, trying to get more opinions and interpretations from their favorite ladies. It's a little hard with Ciri at first, but he manages to get the ball rolling and the discussion is delightful.

After lunch, the waitress brings them the pie in a nice delivery box, and Ciri volunteers to carry it. Thankfully, Central Park is just around the corner. The day is beautiful and there are people having picnics all over the place, not to mention couples on dates.

"I should've brought my camera," Jaskier realizes, his arm firm around Midge's waist during their walk.

Ciri gasps when she sees the carousel. "Can we ride the floating horses?"

Jaskier really loved the museum, which means they’ll have to go back there at some point. Admittedly, Midge enjoys watching Jaskier in his element, having discussions about art.

It’s a particularly lovely day for the park, so naturally it’s quite busy. At Ciri’s exclamation, Midge turns to Jaskier. “Sure. You game?”

"You don't even have to ask. Come on!"

They rush to the carousel and manage to get on right as another round begins. Jaskier hangs his gift bag on the horse's tail before sitting on it, and he helps Midge up to sit her on his lap. When the carousel starts to move, he kisses her softly. At least this time, Ciri is enjoying the ride and ignoring them.

Midge eyes Ciri with the pie and it seems like she’s able to hang on to it while riding the horse. Hopefully they’re not about to have a smashed cherry pie.

“Mmm, hello,” she says when Jaskier pulls her into his lap. She wraps her arms around his neck and holds on tightly as it starts to move. “This is romantic,” she continues before returning his kiss.

"Very," Jaskier agrees as he wraps his arms around her waist. He's about to start a second kiss when the horse finally starts going up and down, startling him a little. "Woah. This is... interesting."

He pauses a second to just get used to the sensation, and in the end, he smiles. "Not bad. Quite fun, actually. And definitely easier than actual riding." He rests his head on Midge's shoulder. "It's also giving me many dirty ideas, considering this machine is pretty much thrusting us."

Midge laughs at his reaction. “Are you always horny or is it just when you’re around me? I’ve noticed that I seem to have that effect on you.” She gives him a wink.

“It seems like she’s having fun…” Midge glances over at Ciri. She had wanted today to be a fun outing for all of them, though sometimes it’s hard to know what teenagers will enjoy.

"I'm always horny and you make it worse," he replies with no shame whatsoever.

Midge's words make him look at Ciri too, and he smiles softly when he sees her chat with another girl on the neighboring horse. "Yeah, she is. Thanks for today, by the way. I know how she can be." He pecks Midge's cheek. "I wasn't expecting her to corner you like that earlier."

Her grin in response is wicked. She has no shame either.

“It’s okay. I didn’t mind answering her questions, though I’m not sure if anything that I said was helpful.” Midge shrugs. “Most teenagers won’t even ask. I was flattered that she did.”

He kisses that wicked grin - it's just too attractive to ignore.

"Yeah, I was surprised she did. But I'm glad she's finding people to open up to." He tilts his head. "There's nothing I need to worry about, is there?"

He doesn't need details, as curious as he is - he meant the part about keeping his mouth shut. But at least, he wants to know if there's something he needs to keep an eye out for.

Midge shakes her head. “I don’t think so. She hasn’t indicated that she’s got someone in mind to have sex with. I recommended that she wait until she’s out of high school anyway.” She rests her head atop Jaskier’s. “The world here isn’t much kinder to girls who are unmarried and pregnant than I’m sure your world is.”

Jaskier can't help but chuckle when Midge says she told Ciri to wait - he had already lost his virginity at this age. But he can't blame her for such advice, considering the situation.

"I see. Thank you, dear." He can't kiss her like this, so he just playfully squeezes her in his hug. "You're right, our world wasn't kind either. But even if this world accepted such a thing, I wouldn't want her to have kids before she even understood who she is and what she wants in life."

As much as Jaskier doesn’t like to hear it, it’s different for girls. If word gets out that she’s slept with someone, Ciri will get the reputation that she’s easy. Most girls and young women don’t recover from that.

“She shouldn’t have children until she’s ready for them,” Midge agrees. “Children should be planned, not accidents.” She picks her head up to look at Jaskier again. “She’s got so many opportunities here, like college.”

"She does," he agrees with a nod. "And we have no idea what she'll do. She's been through a lot, so now she must find herself." He sighs and buries his face in Midge's neck, nuzzling it. "We just want her to be happy. To have a good life."

And it's been pretty fucking hard to keep her on that path.

“I know. You, and Geralt, and Yennefer will support her through it. That’s all you can really do.” Midge strokes his hair, not caring if anybody is looking at them. They can think she’s easy if they want. She’s only easy for him.

“What happened to her parents?”

Jaskier hums to show his appreciation of her stroking his hair. He always loves it when she does that.

"I've been wondering when you'd catch up on that," he replies as blue eyes keep looking at Ciri, who has made a new friend. "I call her princess because she is - her grandmother was a queen. Her kingdom is gone - the empire attacked and killed most of her people. That's the war I mentioned. It's a miracle that she's alive."

Of course, the issue of her actual parents is more complicated than that. But it's not Jaskier's story to tell; he's already said a lot.

"Promise me you won't tell anyone. I mean it, Midge. It's well-known back in our world, but we've been trying to start over here. If any of our enemies arrive, she'd be in danger. Ciri may not be their biological daughter, and Geralt and Yennefer may not be legally married - but they're all linked by a magical bond." If destiny, a djinn, and the law of surprise can be called that anyway. "So that's the story we're sticking to here. The government already gives us enough trouble over the lack of paperwork. It's terrifying to think what they'd do if they knew we lacked the legal stuff at home, too."

“She looks like a princess,” Midge replies, glancing at Ciri, then back to Jaskier. “I won’t say anything. I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to any of you.”

She knows what it’s like to be part of a people who were nearly hunted to extinction, even if she didn’t experience it personally.

“And where do you come in, my cheeky bard? As a longtime friend of Geralt’s?”

"Thank you, love." He kisses her shoulder as he starts to wonder if they should go home just so they can cuddle.

"Little old me?" he asks with a snort. "I was the bard hired for the betrothal party of Ciri's mother. I dragged Geralt to the party with me, hoping he'd have fun for a change." And he needed a bodyguard, but details. "That night, everyone learned that Ciri's mother was pregnant because she puked on Geralt's boots."

Sometimes he wonders if he could've done anything that day to prevent what would happen later. But then again, he's just a bard.

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