victory_road | [Closed]

[When Felix asked what, exactly, Jaskier had for sharing, he expected it to be something silly and maybe a little embarrassing. Something they'd tease him for and that would be that. He did not expect something that sounds so much like...like payback.

He scowls when Jaskier resorts to namecalling at him, because wow that sure did sound like something the bard has been waiting to say to his face for ages, and it seems particularly uncalled-for at what's supposed to be a friendly get-together. (It also seems remarkably ineloquent for Jaskier, which seems to Felix to mean that he's more serious about this rant of his than he's letting on.)

But when he starts calling Claude names, Felix looks more taken aback than anything, turning to see whether maybe this is just...how they interact with each other? But no, Claude's not laughing or smirking or anything...

And then when Jaskier drops that last bomb, he's not even talking to Claude. Just about him to the rest of them, while he's present. Felix notices right away when Claude goes tense, and even he can tell that Claude's line in response is complete bullshit.

As Claude walks away, Felix turns on Jaskier.]

What the hell was that? And here I thought you were his friend.

[But Claude's more important than taking Jaskier to task--and Felix was the one who asked for the elaboration, so he wants to make sure Claude knows that he wasn't after that kind of response at all. He turns to follow Claude across the field, jogging to catch up but not saying anything until they're probably out of earshot. (Probably not Geralt's earshot, but whatever.)]

I didn't know he was going to say anything like whatever that was. Sorry. Do you...want me to come with you?

[Oh.

Oh that went somewhere.

Grant's similarly unsure, at first, if this might just be par for the course for how Jaskier and Claude interact - but it's clearer by the second that Claude wasn't ready for it, and then... then there's that final confirmation that this was the first confirmation Claude was getting that their arrangement was over.

He twists to see Claude leaving, wide-eyed, and only just glances back at Jaskier.] Jesus Christ, man.

[He hurries after Claude and Felix, though he hangs a ways behind - close enough that they'll know he's there, in case Claude does want company, but trying not to crowd them if he doesn't, or if he just wants Felix there.]

[Felix isn't the only one who thought the secret would be some silly and trivial little thing. An embarrassing - maybe raunchy - tale of their time together. After all, all the men here are aware of that time - Geralt from a lifetime of being with Jaskier and knowing the man's inclinations, the rest of them having given their agreement that Claude could continue the relationship on the side. Surely there are plenty of stories that could be told, silly things.]

[Yet what happens... doesn't seem to be that. It is a more public - something. Something Dimitri isn't entirely sure he has a word for.]

[All he can do is describe it, and that description is of something that should have been tender and valuable treated more privately. More carefully.]

[Yet the depth of this problem reaches its absolute when Claude speaks up, Dimitri's gaze going to him immediately. On the surface, he seems fine, unbothered. Yet Dimitri knows him, knows this is the same man who wished him well with a smile and an ache behind it. So there is something off that he's slowly trying to recognize, and he thinks this is it.]

[And thinks becomes knows at that bow.]

[Felix leaves his own sharp and scolding words behind him before chasing after Claude, and Grant swears in some sort of foreign language before trailing after. Dimitri wants to do the same, but... But he thinks Felix and Grant will be able to offer enough comfort there.]

[Dimitri... thinks someone has to handle things here.]

[He waits until the others are a good enough distance away, just so that they can have some space, before he steps forward to Jaskier and Geralt with a frown.]

Did you not wish to see us at all today, Jaskier? Are we unpleasant for you to be around?

[It isn't until Claude reacts that Jaskier realizes how far he's gone, how he's been bottling up more than he would've thought - which is incredibly uncommon for him. Jaskier lets anyone know how he feels about everything, even if they didn't ask.

And for a second there he does consider saying something, but then Claude flatters him like a bloody politician and even fucking bows, and Jaskier's ball of immature pettiness becomes actual anger. Is this truly what it comes down to?

He covers his face with his hands, groaning into them. Felix and Grant say something, he barely pays attention. When he looks up again, his heart gets stuck in his throat. Felix would've been easy to snap at...

But it's Dimitri.

Looking disappointed as fuck.

Jaskier sighs as he runs a hand through his hair.]

...if I hadn't wanted to see you, if I didn't like you, I wouldn't have come in the first place.

[As Felix did, Geralt thought that the 'secrets' that Jaskier was going to share would be something ridiculous, some amusing anecdote that's more to mildly embarrass Claude than to do any actual damage. What comes out of the bard's mouth is... not that at all.]

[It's not surprising for Geralt to quarrel with Claude-- there's no love lost between them. He had been under the impression that there's plenty of love to lose between the bard and his former lover, though, but those particular words don't make it seem like it. Especially not with the callous way that he announces the end of their arrangement, so casually in front of everyone. Geralt had never demanded such a thing, either, he had never asked for Jaskier to make some kind of public display of devotion to him. So what would have brought this on?]

Hm. [A hum, neutral in tone to most, questioning to the bard.] Jaskier.

[Geralt watches Claude bow and retreat. The bow itself is wrong for what he knows of Claude; mocking, perhaps, rather than sincere, a return on the offense that Jaskier paid to him. Then he turns his head back towards the offending bard, his brow furrows in confusion; a question in a glance.]

[He thought as much, so it's not a surprise to hear such words coming from the bard's lips. And yet, for Dimitri, that only seems to leave questions in its wake.]

[Geralt is even harder to read, stoic and careful as always - at least from his point of view. Still, for him to address Jaskier... Maybe it's just Dimitri himself who hopes that it means he would like to know what's going on as well. Or, at least, he's addressing him for some reason.]

[Still. Dimitri can't let Geralt do all his not-talking, and so he doesn't look away from Jaskier.]

Then help me understand, for the words and tone you used with Claude were not those of a friend who likes those he is with. I had not thought Claude had offended you to the point you would use such language with him.

Especially... When you are so dear to him, a sentiment I thought you shared, even if your relationship differs from that of you and Geralt. Of myself and Claude.

[Dimitri won't put words in his lover's mouth, won't say that Jaskier's words must have stung hard and deep, but... Well. He can't imagine how else one would feel after something like that.]

[Dimitri's disappointment is already pressuring enough, but then Geralt turns to him with searching golden eyes and says his name, knowing that's enough for Jaskier to understand him. Which is true.

Under the weight of both their judgment, part of Jaskier just wants to release Dahlia from her ball and ask her to teleport him the hell out of here.

Instead, he gets up and walks to the pile of their things to find the case of his lute. Putting it away safely is an excuse to look away from the men waiting for an answer from him and to think of what to say.

How much is he supposed to say anyway? Everyone is already angry with him. Won't confessing more, breaking even more of their privacy make him even shittier? When you've crossed a line, are you supposed to cross them all? Go big or home?]

...I suppose... [When he finally talks, his voice is low, nothing like the bright tones that usually take over a room. His distressed smell is a combination of things: frustration. Anger. Disappointment. Shame.] ...I suppose I was more annoyed by his scolding and his preaching than I realized.

[And when it finally came out, well. He couldn't control it, like the emotional idiot he is.]

[So it was just something as simple as that. On the one hand, Dimitri supposes he should be glad. If it is simple, just emotions snapping when they shouldn't, then that means there is no complex drama to sort out. That is something.]

[On the other hand, Dimitri knows far too well how something simple can ruin things so easily.]

[He doesn't chase after Jaskier; pressuring people here just seems as though it would cause more harm. Instead, he stays there, staring towards his back, hoping that this isn't bad enough to be the worst result.]

I know... That it is an excuse used by many for all manner of things, but he only leaned so hard on you because you are dear to him, and he wanted you to be happy.

Claude can be overbearing, at times. I know this. [He once put a hand right over Claude's mouth in an attempt to make him stop talking. Dimitri understands.] Yet as intelligent as he is, he cannot know everything. He couldn't have known that you were so frustrated by him, when you yourself did not even realize it.

...I believe you know this, because you are no fool, Jaskier. I do not mean to preach either. I simply despair at seeing Claude become so hurt, and that you may follow suit. I do not want your precious friendship ruined beyond repair. Claude cares for you so deeply, after all. And those words have driven... deep.

[For Claude to react like that? They had to have.]

Overbearing? [That's a rather bitter snort leaving his lips.] Have you met me? That's not- I told him he cannot know--

[Ugh, he's doing it again. Directly to Dimitri this time, the poor sweet guy trying to make the best out of this situation. There is also... well, Jaskier doesn't give a fuck if Felix is mad at him, but Grant... he barely knows the man but he's nice, and he didn't hear what he said but he remembers the tone, and this is yet another poor guy trapped in this mess, in this-- this--

Lordling slapfight.

Ugh.

Jaskier hides his face on his hands again and this time screams into them, frustration leaving his shoulders shaking. Hopefully Dimitri isn't too close to him, because when he turns around he's going all out with the hand gestures.]

I hate having to think about what I say twice because anything I say will be used against me! You've been to court, you know what I'm talking about. [He gives Dimitri a look that says "I am willing to listen to you but don't even TRY to argue against that".] And I KNOW why he is the way he is, I listened to him and I was patient, I do not expect him to let me in to the extent he does with you... but I thought I was at the very least one step away from that! At some point I just-- stopped talking about Geralt to him.

[And aren't friends supposed to be there to listen to you whine about your crush?]

[Oh, okay, it's screaming time now]

[Dimitri can understand that emotions are boiling in a lot of different places at once, but he expects it to be maybe a little more controlled than this - Claude's leaving, Felix's snipe before following, Grant's concern. For this kind of thing...]

[Concern rolls through him. He knows that Jaskier has done something wretched to Claude, but this, too, is a wretched thing to see. He steps forward, concerned, one hand raised-]

[And just barely manages to react in time when Jaskier abruptly straightens up with his hands flinging themselves through the air, just barely managing to avoid catching him in the mouth. Dimitri blinks, recovering for that close call, before hastily forcing his mind back on track as he listens to Jaskier.]

I... cannot lie and say I do not understand that frustration. I am sure Claude knows it even more than I. [Claude had spent the last five years in the Leicester Alliance doing just that, after all.] And, are those feelings worth potentially burning the bridge between you...?

[Are those feelings worth potentially burning the bridge between you?

Jaskier thinks back to the day he told his family they could go fuck themselves, and how he hasn't seen his sister again since then.

He thinks back to the Countess de Stael grabbing his hand between hers and telling him they need to talk.

He remembers chatting with Claude and thinking he's different and how he deserved a chance and-- the fact he doesn't know how to reply to that question honestly scares him. Which is unfair to Dimitri, because this king in front of him should be proof of a concept.]

...I suppose it won't hurt to try. [With a sigh he starts moving away, stopping next to Dimitri to put a gentle hand on his arm.] You're a good man, Dimitri. And a righteous king. I'm sorry I dragged you into this.

[He goes to Geralt next, to kiss his cheek and squeeze his hand.] Whatever happens, I want you to stay here and still have fun with them, do you hear me? [Yes, he's already accepting the idea he may end up leaving if it comes down to it.] I like it when you have friends. [Even if those friends don't get along with Jaskier, like certain sorceress he'd rather not think about now.] We'll talk later.

[And they never do, but hey, who's keeping track of things. For now... to find Claude.]

[Frankly, no matter what he's told, Dimitri is still not entirely sure of the truth behind such words... But he is, at least, learning better than to say such thoughts out loud.]

[Besides, there's something more important than himself going on here, and he follows Jaskier for just a few short steps for a final offer.]

I can go speak with him, if you would like. Help make this an easier conversation for both of you.

[He's not sure how, exactly, at least he can't be until he goes see Claude himself, but...]

[Jaskier blinks at Dimitri, caught by surprise, and then he can't stop his expression from softening. Seriously: proof of a concept.]

You're truly sweet, did you know that? [He shakes his head.] Thank you, but I shall turn down your offer. We need to have a raw, honest conversation, not some-- mollified version of our feelings that keep what we really want to say hidden not to disappoint you. Not talking things out properly got us here, remember?

[Jaskier and Claude have gone aside to have their own discussion, and while they've gone out of the range of human hearing, Geralt's is better. It's hard not to overhear it, in the same way that it would be hard to not overhear two people speaking right next to you.]

[And the conversation is going... poorly. Perhaps even more poorly than his did, which is saying something.]

[It shows on his face a few times, how badly their conversation is going-- the way his mouth tightens briefly into something like a grimace, the brief glance he spares for the pair when words start to get particularly heated. Speaking to Claude so quickly after the event was perhaps... imprudent? Perhaps they should have waited for cooler heads. Perhaps even cooler heads wouldn't have made this better.]

Fuck. [He says it low, half under his breath. An apt summary of the situation.]

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dropping eaves and shit with the rest of the gang

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