hold them closer [jaskier x reader]

Chapter 11

 The next morning, the four of you were off to return to the small village in Velen. The night was slow, taunting you as time moved at its painfully sluggish pace. You let your eyes rest on the path ahead of you, Jaskier's arm wrapped securely around your waist. You heard his voice behind you, along with Theo's, but your mind was elsewhere.

That was until Jaskier's voice was particularly loud from behind you.

"You really think I will take lessons from a child?"

You turned your head, catching the look of annoyance on Theo's face as she followed alongside Buttercup on her own horse. "I'm grown."

Jaskier scoffed. "No one who's grown actually has to prove it."

"Will you shut your mouth, old man?"

"Old man?" Jaskier's grip on your waist tightened, his teeth gritted as he tried speaking quietly, "Why do we always get stuck with children?"

"I told you, I'm not a child! I'm practically an adult."

"Practically being the keyword." He turned his face back towards you, speaking lowly into your ear. "At least Lilla was quiet."

You snorted at the mention of the other little (or, grown) girl you had previously come across. It seemed you weren't the only one making connections to your experience with Lilla and Theo, though Jaskier's had more of a...spiteful reminiscing.

Though it certainly wasn't amusing everyone (Jaskier was nearly steaming and Geralt was extremely quiet — even more so than usual), Theo and Jaskier's interactions left a warm feeling in your chest. Maybe it distracted you from your own journey, from the hope you were losing every second.

Deciding to break the undoubtedly entertaining tension between the bard and girl, you cleared your throat. "So, Theo. Where'd you learn to fight?"

She ignored your gaze for a moment, letting her eyes settle on the road ahead. "My mom and I learned from the blacksmith in town. She said we needed to be ready for anything."

You pursed your lips, keeping your eyes on the girl. "I thought you said she didn't trust you?"

Theo rolled her eyes dramatically. "Just because I know how to fight doesn't mean she likes me to do it."

You pursed your lips, eyebrows raising in surprise. You knew you were very different from the girl — as a kid, you never would've have spoken as she did, but then again, you weren't exactly silent. If Rauf had been like her mother, you wouldn't have nearly the same amount of issues you did now. Fighting would be a choice, not a lifestyle. You wouldn't have the guilt you did now — instead, you would probably have done just what Theo did: used your skills for real good.

A wave of newfound respect for the girl washed over you as you watched her atop her horse. With a sigh you nodded your head, turning away from her. "She seems like a good mom."

Theo took a second before responding, her voice lower than usual. "She is."

The sound of hooves took over once again, everyone seemingly lost in their own thoughts. You tried to keep your mind away from your mother, for now. Instead, you focused on Jaskier's fingers tapping on your waist, the rhythm calming you as his music usually did.

Geralt's gruff voice took you out of your trance, now riding alongside Theo's horse. "Where did you get your sword from?"

"It's a hand me down." She didn't bother giving any more information, and Geralt didn't press her. Instead, she gripped her horses' reigns tighter. "My village is just up here. Mom'll probably have the reward waiting."

Before you could respond, she was riding ahead, face firm in determination. You followed close behind, watching as the village came slowly into view. Not much had changed since you were last here, though it was only a day.

Theo slowed down as the four of you entered the village, ignoring the eyes that followed you as you passed. Your eyes settled on the back of Theo's head, wondering what she was thinking. It was as if all of a sudden she had gone really quiet, which, from the time you had spent with her, seemed very unlike her.

Instead of saying anything, you followed close behind, and soon, the three of you were led you to what looked to be a small shop — one you hadn't seen the other day. Theo slid off her horse, taking her time tying it to the post in front of the shop. You did the same, keeping your gaze on the girl beside you. She was avoiding anyone's gaze, tying her third knot by the time Jaskier slid to the ground next to you.

He placed a hand on your back, face scrunched in slight annoyance. "What are we waiting for?"

Theo looked up, finally leaving her fourth knot alone. She looked up from you to Jaskier to Geralt, her eyes shifting so she didn't keep anyone's gaze too long.

You spoke, finally getting her attention. "I'm sure she won't be mad."

"I'm not worried about that." Theo snapped, making you raise a brown in response. She rolled her eyes, avoiding your gaze once more. "She always gets...uptight about this stuff.

"Can't imagine why." Jaskier scoffed, but let out a small 'oof' when you elbowed him in the stomach.

"We'll be right with you. To back you up."

Theo bit her lip. She looked at you for a moment, and you couldn't tell what flashed in her eyes — worry, annoyance, or respect. They were very different emotions, but reading Theo was almost as hard as reading Geralt; only with Theo, her emotions were close to to your own.

After another second of idle waiting, Theo huffed and practically marched her way towards the front of the shop. The three of you followed close behind, getting ready for the Mama Bear that was about to attack. But when you stepped foot in that tiny little shop, your mind only on helping Theo, you weren't expecting what was there in front of you.

The breath was completely knocked out of you at the sight of the woman at the counter. Her eyes widened once you walked in the shop, immediately falling on the young girl in front of you. She gasped, rushing out from behind the counter to collapse into the girl with a hug. Your mouth was slightly ajar, heart beating faster than anything you ever felt. Because the woman standing in front of you, hugging Theo with a grip unlike anything you'd ever seen — that woman was your mother.

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