The next day, Geralt headed out to a market, it was half a day's journey to get there through the cold of winter. And, as fate willed, he actually found a lute to buy for Jaskier.

It hadn't been cheap, but watching Jaskier's eyes go big in awe and putting him on the verge of crying tears of happiness made it all worthwhile.

Soon the music of his instrument told of all the horrors Jaskier had endured, which he had never been able to tell in detail himself, even to Geralt. But the music also told of the hope of overcoming them and of the gratitude towards his saviors.

Over time, Jaskier also learned to trust the other witchers and could often be found joining them down in the hall, the air of laughter and music always surrounding him. It turned out the bard could tell enthralling stories like no one else, even though the witchers could never be sure if they were real or made up, but they never failed to entertain them nonetheless.

One day Geralt came down to see that Jaskier had launched himself at Lambert, which was making the white-haired witcher a bit concerned as he had no idea what was going on. But soon he heard the guffaw coming from the two of them. Lambert made a show of trying to struggle himself free as he screamed: "Ah, Geralt, get your attack bard off of me!"

But Geralt just grinned smugly and replied: "Knowing you, you've probably done something to deserve it, Lambert!"

"Damn right, you cheated at gwent, how could you? - Geralt, he cheated at gwent!"

"Because you kept winning all my coin, no one is that lucky", Lambert objected, gasping for air from laughing.

"I am, I'm kissed by fortune, and you are a bloody cheater!", with that Jaskier rolled off of Lambert, panting and holding his ribs, a wide grin splitting is face.

Geralt looked at them, addressed Lambert and said: "You know, you were right about Jaskier."

Jaskier, who had just managed to catch his breath, jumped up, threatening to launch himself at Geralt next, and asked: "What did he say about me, Geralt? What was it? Tell me!"

But both witchers just smiled.

The nightmares continued to get under Jaskier's skin for some time, but Geralt was always right there at his side to support him. More often than not the bard would end up spending the night curled up against his witcher and he knew that Geralt, even though he would never admit to it, enjoyed it too.

Geralt would take Jaskier to the taverns to play for the guests, allowing him to earn a livelihood of his own. He would enjoy watching Jaskier truly come alive during his performances, how he relished the attention he was given, and how much he seemed to belong on a stage.

When Jaskier was ready for it and the winter had passed, they started to journey together and Geralt helped Jaskier fulfill the wishes of his passed comrades and finally, his own one. On their path the witcher would sometimes be snarky but Jaskier would always have a retort ready on his lips. And both of them knew their squabbles were never serious, even if it looked like it to outsiders.

They knew that they were bound by something more...much more.

Tadaaa, we've reached the end. :)

If I could at least make one single person happy with my story, I've reached my goal. :) If you enjoyed this story, just leave a review (don't be shy ;)), it would make me SO happy!

*whispers* There is a smutty bonus chapter to this story up on my account on archive of our own, username and story title are the same over there. :)