THE FAMILIAR MELODY

Chapter 5: Reunion

“Geralt.” Jaskier whispered. His mind was playing tricks on him right? It couldn’t be Geralt. What were the odds of him being here? If he was here, then, damn! Did Geralt have a scar over his left eye?! How the fuck did that happen?! But Geralt was looking good as ever. He really wore that suit great and his white hair was tied back into a bun and that beard made him more attra- Jaskier snapped out of that thought.

“So this is the fella who'd interview you, but you seem to know that already,” Dijkstra told Geralt, then he looked at Jaskier, “If you need anything, I’ll be at the office. See ya.” Dijkstra shut the door behind him, leaving Geralt and Jaskier alone.

Jaskier mentally cursed at himself, for not hearing them come in. He probably looked vulnerable right now. He wasn’t ready to face Geralt. Not now. Not ever.

Geralt stood still and rubbed the back of his neck. He observed the lounge, as his eyes roamed around the room. God he seemed nervous as I am, Jaskier noticed. “I… uh… it’s good to see you Jaskier…”

Did he just pretend to ignore the elephant in the room? The nerve of that guy! Well two can play that game! Jaskier screamed, internally.

“Yes. It’s also good to see you to Geralt,” he hissed, he clicked his tongue and continued, “So after twelve years, what brings you here?”

Geralt blinked, looking somewhat confused. “Uhm… well a friend of mine, sorta got me this interview-”

“So you’re telling me, you’re not here to make amends. But trying to get the job as my bodyguard? Is that it?” Jaskier snapped, he wanted to play this cool, showing Geralt that he didn’t need him.

“Jaskier… I… know I’m an idiot. Hear me o-”

Jaskier cut him off with a snarl. “Idiot’s an understatement Geralt.”

Geralt gave a sad look, which was very rare for him. Since he knew how to keep his emotions in check. “Jaskier. I know, I screwed up. I should’ve tried harder to reach out to you. Please tell me what can I do to make it up to you?”

What could he do? Jaskier could think of a few things, he smirked mentally. Nope. He should stop right there. Having Geralt as his bodyguard would be problematic for him. But then again, there was no one else who applied for the job. He could wait if there were more applicants but his own safety was his top priority right now. It was settled.

Jaskier took a deep breath and sighed. “Well you can start by doing this interview Geralt,” he then gestured to Geralt to sit on the egg chair in front of him, “then we’ll see. But do you have your papers with you?”

Geralt nodded and took the seat on the chair. He placed his bag on his lap to get his papers. While he was looking for the right file, Jaskier couldn’t help but to look at Geralt. He really changed, he thought to himself. His Geralt was different, back in high school, he didn’t have tiring golden eyes, they were bright and radiant, he didn’t even have a beard back then, but it suited him. A few strands of those white hair fell onto Geralt’s face. Jaskier chuckled mentally at the sight when Geralt blew his hair away from his face, but only to land back on his face.

No he shouldn’t find this amusing, he destroyed their friendship dammit!

“There it is!”Geralt said with a hint of triumph in his voice. He then handed over the documents to Jaskier.

Jaskier read through it and noticed something. ‘Served in the army for 10 years… Honorably discharged… worked as a bodyguard… worked as a bartender….ʼ Pretty sure there were more but that part was something Jaskier kept rereading.

Jaskier squinted his eyes, he tried to make something out of this. But after reading the document, he just couldn’t believe it. It made sense. Unfortunately, that didn’t excuse Geralt on bailing on their friendship. He almost laughed when he read that he worked as a bartender. How the heck did that happen? He wanted to know more about that story or maybe just more about Geralt.

Geralt cleared his throat, causing Jaskier to look at him. “So.. uh… Aren’t you going to ask me or something?” Geralt asked.

Jaskier shot him a glare. “Yes. I was about to ask you. But what do you mean by something? Define something, Geralt.” He smirked.

“I.. uh. What I meant was… uhm.”

From what Jaskier noticed. Geralt started fidgeting and scratching his hands, he only did that when he was nervous.

“Never mind. Well, as it says here you were in the military. Why did you join, Geralt?”

Geralt sighed, “I joined the military because Visenna wanted me to. I didn’t really have much of a choice.”

“Wait. You’re saying your mother forced you to join the military?” Of course, now it really made sense.

“That’s what happened Jas. She said the military would do me good.”

“Is that why… you left?” He asked, his voice trembling at the end of his sentence. His vision seemed to blur. No! He was not about to cry.

Geralt looked at him softly, Jaskier saw how Geralt’s hand curled into a fist. Like he was restraining himself. “Yes. That’s why I left. I wanted to tell you back then but she already packed my stuff and scheduled my flight. I never wanted to leave Jaskier.”

Jaskier sniffed quietly. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because… You were my best friend. Ever since you showed up at my doorstep, my life changed for the better. I’m sorry for hurting you Jaskier. You meant so much to me, Jas. You still do. There hasn’t been a day gone by, where I regretted that decision. I’m so sorry. I truly am. I never meant to hurt your feelings Jaskier. Please.” Geralt’s voice trembled, “Forgive me. Jaskier.”For not seeing you. Calling you. I just-”

Jaskier stood up from the sofa and ran towards Geralt, hugging him. “You stupid buffoon. I wish you sought out for me sooner,” holding onto Geralt tightly, “God, I missed you.” He sobbed.

Geralt hugged him back tightly. “I know. I’m so sorry Jas. I’m here now.” He murmured in his ear.

Jaskier was finally at peace with it. That was all he wanted to hear. Oh, how he dreamt that Geralt would apologize to him for being a dick. How he longed for Geralt to come back. But was it really that easy? To let him back in his life again?
It might take a while but one thing was certain. His feelings for Geralt never disappeared… And Jaskier was worried about that.