"I see." He reaches up to cup her cheek, rubbing it affectionately while kissing her forehead. "I understand wanting to have a proper space to perform. You can say whatever you want, which is rare; it's a source of income; and most importantly, you get to perform every day. Fuck, I truly miss performing every day."
A pause as he returns the nose rubbing. It's so difficult to find places to perform here; it truly hurts.
"So stay at The Wolford. But also, never stop looking for other gigs. Don't let this ruin your confidence - you're an amazing comic who deserves a better stage."
He rubs her back and kisses the top of her head. They both have so much to do with their careers, and it's kind of sad yet amusing that they comfort each other about it when they're a mess themselves.
"You already did the most terrifying parts: you got on the stage. You got on the stage as a woman. You told your parents. You left your kids. You went to jail. You got fired. You showed your tits! What can be scarier than that?"
"If there's something I can promise without hesitation is that you'll always be able to do it. It may not be a grand theatre with hundreds of people, but in big cities like this one, there always are spaces for those artists left behind."
They aren't irrational fears, he thinks. They're fears of the industry, he understands them. And respects them so much more than fears of the family.
"Boston?" he asks with a raised eyebrow. The name rings a bell, but he doesn't remember the details. "I take it that it's far away?"
“No, it’s only about two hours by train,” she says. “It would be an opening act gig for a comic who’s doing a series of shows there over two weeks.” Midge sighs. “I told Susie I didn’t want to be an opening act anymore.”
Maybe there’s no way around it. Maybe this is just what she has to do in order to push her career forward.
"Two hours doesn't sound too bad," he replies, but then she adds the rest, and welp. "...oh."
He pauses, wondering what to say that doesn't put her down but doesn't sound too hypocritical, either. Because he gets it. Accepting that he needs a band has been tough for him. Honestly, the guys have been great so far. but he's worried about what will happen if they get even a little bigger. He wants to be Jaskier the bard, not some band name. He wants to be Shy Balwin.
However, he also understands how you have to shut up and play the game sometimes.
She’s quiet for a moment before answering. “Yeah. It is. Joel and my parents can help take care of the kids and I may be able to sneak back for a day or two between shows.”
Her eyes meet his. “I’ll miss you… but you told me that I shouldn’t turn down shows because of you.”
Midge will try to keep her promise not to do that.
"What?" He laughs. "I meant - if it's feasible for you not to do opening acts," he clarifies before playfully poking her. "You don't have to explain the gig to me! I think it sounds great. The more you perform, the better. I love that you remember your promise, dear. And I could visit you in Boston, right?"
He offers a warm, comforting smile. He had been hesitant because it sounded like she was struggling with her decision not to do opening acts. But it seems like she's ready to go out again, and that gets absolute support from him.
“Oh,” she replies. “Not being an opening act is preferred, but if I have to, it’s feasible. I’m feeling stagnant right now, but you also understand how rotten it is to feel like you’re back at square one.”
That’s been his entire experience here.
“You can visit,” Midge confirms. “Boston was one of the first cities in this country.”
"Yeah, it fucking sucks," he replies with a little sigh. "Which is why I wondered if you turning down gigs for being opening acts was a good idea. I get it, you know? You want the public to be there for you, for your art to be appreciated, instead of just a welcome mat. But... I want you to get out there, I want you to shine."
He ruffles her hair - not something he'd do normally, but it's already a mess from their fucking anyway. "Great! Then we shall explore Boston together. Maybe I can drop my card at a few places too."
“You should,” she replies, not minding the hand in her hair. They’re about to go to sleep anyway.
“I just hope it’s not too soon. I don’t want people to think that I’m difficult to work with or… whatever they thought after I was kicked off Shy’s tour.”
Maybe it will be better this time since she’s opening for another comedian instead of a singer.
"Too soon?" He shakes his head. "I'd say it's the complete opposite - it took you too long. By hiding, you almost proved them right. I understand how you felt, don't take me wrong. But they don't. So it's better if you go out there and show them you're still amazing and an absolute delight. Show them that they don't hold power over you, even if they secretly do." A pause before he adds. "Just be sure to be sober for it."
He winks, making it look like he's teasing her for her first performance. And partly, it's true, but he's also thinking about his own very drunk self after Geralt left him on that fucking mountain.
“You’re right. Susie’s been frustrated with me lately, but she doesn’t say things the same way that you do.” She’s a lot more blunt and not as understanding. “I’ll call her tomorrow and tell her that I’m taking the job. It starts a few weeks after the wedding.”
Midge smiles and tilts her head to kiss him. “I don’t need liquid courage to get onstage anymore.” Plus, she actually takes what she does very seriously now. She wouldn’t want to compromise whatever little image that she has by being drunk onstage.
“I love you,” she tells him. “You understand me better than just about anyone.”
"I wish I could've heard what she had to say," he says after chuckling. "Good. I'm glad to see you progress."
He happily kisses her back and takes the chance to embrace her so he can move them back to the pile of pillows for cuddles. Once they're properly covered by the sheets, he smiles softly and kisses her again.
"I love you, too," he says as he bumps their noses. "Having someone to discuss these things with is a balm for the soul."
Midge snuggles in close to him, glad that he doesn’t seem upset with her anymore. For a moment, she thought she had ruined their relationship.
“It really is,” she agrees. “Nobody else knows what it’s like to try to make it as a performer.” After a second, she grins. “I still think about the first time that we met.”
"Ah, yes," he replies as he laughs. His arms wrap around her and keep her close. "Such a romantic first meeting, with cigarette butts stuck to our shoes and the stench of piss impregnating our noses."
A wry smile crosses her face. “Very romantic. And you hit on me from the moment that you saw me. And when I hit on Geralt, you were so quick to mention that he had a wife, because you wanted me all to yourself, didn’t you, my cheeky bard?
Midge gently strokes her fingers through his chest hair. “At first I was annoyed, but then I chose to be flattered by it. You were clearly the one for me anyway.”
A very dramatic gasp. "Me? Never! I was merely protecting you from her devilish wife!"
Jaskier smiles and kisses her, feeling a bit of panic about you were clearly the one for me. He isn't the kind of guy to think about the future, but it seems Midge may be a decade ahead of him.
"Annoyed, flattered... horny... all the same thing, really," he teases.
“Of course you were,” Midge replies with a roll of her eyes. She’s not ten years down the road. She thinks Jaskier is the one for her right now, but hopefully into the future too.
“Maybe for you it is. Annoyances don’t usually make me horny, though I guess I’ve made the exception for you.”
"I know, I'm that charmingly special." He grins and winks. "I suppose it wouldn't be good for a performer to get horny every time someone heckles you. It'll be up to me to send you to the stage like that."
Just some teasing, since he can't wait for their plans to fuck her between sets.
Laughing. "Can't I do both?" In return, he kisses her forehead. "I had a great time too. Thanks for cooking for everyone. And for, well. Dealing with them. I know they aren't the easiest people out there."
He can't help but snort. "We really know how to pick them." One last kiss before he yawns. "Good night, dear."
They didn't do the fucking in front of the mirror, but they're both physically tired after their outing and emotionally exhausted, so a deep sleep in each other's arms is exactly what they need. Jaskier's body can tell the difference in sleeping on his own bed, and he truly wishes he could keep Midge there with him.
Between the exhaustion and being in the comfort of home, he doesn't wake up early this time. He cuddles close and ignores the sounds of Geralt waking up at too-damn-early-o'clock to train in the garden. He's used to it anyway; it's almost comforting.
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A pause as he returns the nose rubbing. It's so difficult to find places to perform here; it truly hurts.
"So stay at The Wolford. But also, never stop looking for other gigs. Don't let this ruin your confidence - you're an amazing comic who deserves a better stage."
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She rests her head against his shoulder. “I don’t want to be safe. I won’t get anywhere with that. But I’m scared.”
What if she fucks up again? What if her next fuck up ends her career for good?
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"You already did the most terrifying parts: you got on the stage. You got on the stage as a woman. You told your parents. You left your kids. You went to jail. You got fired. You showed your tits! What can be scarier than that?"
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“Losing it all. Never being able to do it again. Being blackballed. Irrational fears, maybe, but fears nonetheless.”
Midge seeks out his hand with hers, lacing their fingers together. “Susie might have something for me up in Boston of all places.”
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They aren't irrational fears, he thinks. They're fears of the industry, he understands them. And respects them so much more than fears of the family.
"Boston?" he asks with a raised eyebrow. The name rings a bell, but he doesn't remember the details. "I take it that it's far away?"
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Maybe there’s no way around it. Maybe this is just what she has to do in order to push her career forward.
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He pauses, wondering what to say that doesn't put her down but doesn't sound too hypocritical, either. Because he gets it. Accepting that he needs a band has been tough for him. Honestly, the guys have been great so far. but he's worried about what will happen if they get even a little bigger. He wants to be Jaskier the bard, not some band name. He wants to be Shy Balwin.
However, he also understands how you have to shut up and play the game sometimes.
"I get the sentiment - but is it feasible?"
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Her eyes meet his. “I’ll miss you… but you told me that I shouldn’t turn down shows because of you.”
Midge will try to keep her promise not to do that.
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He offers a warm, comforting smile. He had been hesitant because it sounded like she was struggling with her decision not to do opening acts. But it seems like she's ready to go out again, and that gets absolute support from him.
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That’s been his entire experience here.
“You can visit,” Midge confirms. “Boston was one of the first cities in this country.”
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He ruffles her hair - not something he'd do normally, but it's already a mess from their fucking anyway. "Great! Then we shall explore Boston together. Maybe I can drop my card at a few places too."
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“I just hope it’s not too soon. I don’t want people to think that I’m difficult to work with or… whatever they thought after I was kicked off Shy’s tour.”
Maybe it will be better this time since she’s opening for another comedian instead of a singer.
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He winks, making it look like he's teasing her for her first performance. And partly, it's true, but he's also thinking about his own very drunk self after Geralt left him on that fucking mountain.
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Midge smiles and tilts her head to kiss him. “I don’t need liquid courage to get onstage anymore.” Plus, she actually takes what she does very seriously now. She wouldn’t want to compromise whatever little image that she has by being drunk onstage.
“I love you,” she tells him. “You understand me better than just about anyone.”
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He happily kisses her back and takes the chance to embrace her so he can move them back to the pile of pillows for cuddles. Once they're properly covered by the sheets, he smiles softly and kisses her again.
"I love you, too," he says as he bumps their noses. "Having someone to discuss these things with is a balm for the soul."
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“It really is,” she agrees. “Nobody else knows what it’s like to try to make it as a performer.” After a second, she grins. “I still think about the first time that we met.”
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Who could ask for more, right?
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Midge gently strokes her fingers through his chest hair. “At first I was annoyed, but then I chose to be flattered by it. You were clearly the one for me anyway.”
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Jaskier smiles and kisses her, feeling a bit of panic about you were clearly the one for me. He isn't the kind of guy to think about the future, but it seems Midge may be a decade ahead of him.
"Annoyed, flattered... horny... all the same thing, really," he teases.
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“Maybe for you it is. Annoyances don’t usually make me horny, though I guess I’ve made the exception for you.”
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Just some teasing, since he can't wait for their plans to fuck her between sets.
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Midge kisses his cheek.
“Today was wonderful. Thank you.”
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She hopes with everything in her that Jaskier’s next meeting with her family goes well. All she wants is for them to accept him, and vice versa.
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They didn't do the fucking in front of the mirror, but they're both physically tired after their outing and emotionally exhausted, so a deep sleep in each other's arms is exactly what they need. Jaskier's body can tell the difference in sleeping on his own bed, and he truly wishes he could keep Midge there with him.
Between the exhaustion and being in the comfort of home, he doesn't wake up early this time. He cuddles close and ignores the sounds of Geralt waking up at too-damn-early-o'clock to train in the garden. He's used to it anyway; it's almost comforting.
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