Try, Please Try For Me

Siren's Song

Over the next week the two of them fall into a routine.

Jaskier begins each day by waking up to an empty spot beside him, the only proof of Geralt's presence in the night being a patch of warmth in the dirt that's almost entirely faded by the time he opens his eyes. Despite getting up at the crack of dawn, the witcher never wakes him, and instead somehow manages to shuffle his way out of the cage of limbs that Jaskier is sure he creates in his sleep. He always finds their campsite half dismantled by the time he's able to roll over and whisper a sleepy "good morning," to his travel companion.

They never speak of it, the way that Jaskier always sets his bedroll opposite Geralt's, but still manages to shuffle his way over to the witcher's side before the night is through. The way that Geralt's arms reach for his form in the darkness when he feels the weight of the other man settle next to him, not even bothering to open his eyes before pulling him close. It starts because he feels uneasy sleeping out in the open, but after the first few nights it's simply because he likes the feeling of having Geralt close. (and not just because having a smoking hot witcher pressed against your back is fucking fantastic) The moments between Geralt holding him, and falling asleep are amongst Jaskier's favourite things when travelling with the witcher. Geralt makes him feel safe in a way that Jaskier has never experienced before.

He also makes him hate his entire existence and his muscles scream in agony when Jaskier is made to partake in his least favourite part of travelling with Geralt: training.

Some of it is alright; activities that Jaskier is happy to learn. Geralt teaches him how to start a fire, how to identify edible plants, place hunting traps, skin a rabbit-- that last one had made him throw up the first time. He learns how to properly care for Roach. Geralt explains good habits to have while in the wilderness, how to listen to your surroundings, tell direction based on the sun, how to choose a good spot to camp. Then there's the more witchery (it's a word now) tasks. What kind of herbs go into the potions that Geralt uses for a hunt and how to mix them, how to disinfect, sew, and patch a wound. Jaskier likes learning these things, it makes him feel useful. He likes that Geralt trusts him enough to help with things like this.

But then there's the more strenuous aspect of things. Combat training.

The day after leaving Lettenhove Geralt stops them in a field of tall, dry grass and teaches Jaskier the basics.

"The most important thing in a fight," Geralt says, "is balance. If you don't have proper balance you can be easily knocked down. Once you're on the ground, you're dead. A good stance looks like this," he gets into position, "keep your core tight, legs apart, arms tucked, but ready to attack or defend if needed. Now you try."

Jaskier mimics the position and Geralt shoves a hand into his chest, causing him to stumble back. The witcher doesn't mean to truly knock him over though, and grabs Jaskier, steadying him just as quickly as he'd shoved him. "Your back is too straight. You need to keep yourself centered, not leaning back."

Jaskier corrects himself and Geralt shoves him again. He's wobbly, but stays standing.

"That's better," Geralt says, "but your feet need work." He positions himself along Jaskier's side and gently nudges his legs apart further, then adjusts his arms. Jaskier's face runs hot at the contact. "Keep them like this."

They go on for a while like that, Geralt showing Jaskier a simple stance or position, and Jaskier doing his best to mimic it, and failing until Geralt has to physically correct him. It's not until the heat of the sun has sweat dripping down Jaskier's neck, and his muscles feel like jelly that Geralt lets him sit down to eat, then ushers him back on the road.

That night Geralt carves him a wooden sword, and starts him on basic stances and forms for sword fighting. He shows Jaskier the proper way to use his dagger, how to stab to cause the most damage, how to avoid catching the ribs. Geralt is only satisfied once he's able to demonstrate a proper stab and disarm, and allows him to sleep. Between the aching muscles from training and sore feet from walking, Jaskier is out almost the moment he hits the pillow.