Embers

Sunflowers

Jaskier's POV

He held her close against him. Her skin cold against his and Jaskier pulled the sheets with one arm so it covered her. His other arm held her close, Eira's head rested in the crook of his neck and her breathing was calm and easy.

When Jaskier moved his head slightly to look at her face, he noticed how peaceful she looked. Which made him smile and held back a chuckle when she swiftly moved against his body again. Her fingertips softly on his side and Jaskier looked at the ceiling when he felt himself reacting on her closeness again.

"Think of spiders," he murmured to himself. "Big, hairy spiders."

The kiss got heated right before she fell asleep, but Jaskier had held himself back. Pulled away before his hands could travel underneath the long shirt she wore. To let his fingers trace lines at her waist and up and up and up...

He bit his bottom lip, cursed himself and imagined the biggest monstrous spider. It helped and as soon as he calmed himself, Jaskier leaned his head on her hair again. He was exhausted. Not physical, but emotional. The turmoil he had felt when Eira was lost, was something he hadn't had to deal with in the past.

Of course, he had loved women in the past. There were a few that he could think about with a warm, fuzzy feeling. There was one woman who Jaskier had loved more dearly than the others. It was a cliché story, really. Boy loved girl, girl loved boy, they grew up and went different ways. Last time he saw her, she got married and had her third kid on the way.

Eira moved lightly next to him, turned around on her side and faced away from him. Yet, her hand sleepily found his and Jaskier settled himself against her back. One arm underneath his head on the pillow while the other rested in the curve of her waist.

He focused on the slow, calm breathing of the woman next to him and soon drifted off to a much needed rest.

Jaskier found himself being awoken by the ray of sunshine that made a way into the small room and onto his face. He blinked a few times, tried to shield the sun with his arm, but failed miserably. He grunted and turned on his back, only then realizing something heavy was on his other arm.

The bard snapped his head to his left and saw Eira still asleep on his arm. He couldn't help the sleepy smile that crept on his face while his eyes travelled down. Jaskier noticed the sheets were down to her knees, the shirt she wore had moved up and barely covered her stomach. It was the first time the bard saw the soft curves and he knew exactly where he would place light kisses, if he ever got the chance.

He moved fast though ; pulled his arm gently from underneath her and pulled the sheet back up to protect her modesty. The movement must have stirred Eira awake because she slowly turned towards him, eyes still closed and put her arms around him.

"Morning," she murmured against his skin and Jaskier played with her hair while staring at the ceiling.

"Morning," he replied,  a smile evident in his voice.

She moved her head, let her chin rest on his chest while Eira turned to lie on her stomach. The smile she gave him was beautiful and Jaskier was stunned for a moment while his gaze travelled over her face. Her hair a mess, the sleep still evident in her eyes, but Eira looked even more gorgeous than ever before.

"What's your favourite flower," he asked while his fingers roam through her hair, encountered some tangles and knots.

A cute frown settled between Eira's brows and she let herself roll on her back.

"Sunflowers," she said and Jaskier was surprised by her quick answer.

If he had asked this months ago, Eira would have shrugged and told him she didn't know. It was like she had no idea what she even liked to do, or see or hear. As if Eira had a total disinterest in things that she may enjoy. Yet, now that they were laying side by side, fingers entwined, Jaskier noticed the bright look in her eyes when she told him her favourite flower.

"Your favourite song?"

"Of you or someone else?" she asked while glancing up at him.

Jaskier shook his head.

"Doesn't matter," he replied honestly, "I just want to know what you like."

She turned to face that boring ceiling again and fell silent. Making Jaskier unsure if Eira had even heard him.

"Did you hear me," he asked after a few minutes of silence and she nodded slowly.

"Of course," she said matter of factly. "I always hear you. Your voice is my favourite sound in the whole world. And I heard a lot of voices while roaming around."

That froze him in place while Eira swung her legs out of the bed and started to untangle her hair with her hands. Like she didn't just say the most lovable thing someone had ever said to him. He basked in the complement while watching, and hearing, her curse with her hair.

She looked happy, as if nothing had happened last night and Jaskier moved out of the bed.

"Are you feeling better?"

She glanced over her shoulder to look at him.

"Yes," she replied. "Thank you for staying with me last night."

Jaskier shrugged, as if it wasn't a big deal.

"Anytime!"

He shouted awkwardly and swiftly grabbed a fresh shirt out of one his bags. His heart still warm and fuzzy from her complement before and Jaskier swiftly pulled the shirt over his head before the chill of the morning would be able to touch him.

When done, he walked over to Eira, who now stood silently looking outside the small window and over the farm. The man of the house was already up and working his field.

He circled his arms around her from behind and Eira rested her back against his chest. Her fingers playing absentmindedly with his and they both enjoyed their proximity in silence. Comfortable and just the two of them.

Then her body shifted slightly.

"Geralt's here," she spoke up and Jaskier looked in the distance.

The small road they walked on yesterday showed the shadow of a person in the distance. Making his way towards the farm with three larger shadows following him. The Witcher must have brought their horses with him.

Eira swivelled around in his arms and looked up at him. He smiled sadly at her, not wanting this moment to end and Jaskier felt her hands travel up his arms towards the back of his neck. She looked at him sweetly before her lips touched his. Gentle and soft. Her body pressed against his and Jaskier groaned when she let go.

The moment lost and now a memory. The loss of her closeness send a light shiver over his spine and Jaskier stared at the witcher who came closer and closer. And for the first time since he met Geralt, the bard wished the witcher would have stayed away a little longer.