#jaskier you cannot sing that line and also sing 'i am weak my love and i am wanting' and 'what for do you yearn' | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

thelostgirl21 · 9 months

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I've seen quite a few interpretations of "Extraordinary Things", only to realize that it kinda looks like a literal instruction manual from Jaskier to Radovid on how to effectively woo him!

I mean...

Keep your words on ice

Your gaze lights the fire

Please kindly shut up, because we're stuck in some kind of impossible situation you and I where I know you keep being pressured to lie to me, and that royally sucks (no pun intended)!

Instead of using words, I thus highly suggest you keep looking at me the way you've been doing, because it's working.

They say, "Keep on playing nice"

But I have no desire

Fuck Dijsktra and Philippa, that are trying to make us do their bidding and keep us docile and subservient (i.e. "play nice", "fall in line"...), so they can further their own political agenda! Screw them!

Why waste our words

When lips were made

for extraordinary things

Because I kinda wish we were kissing and using those mouths to bring each other pleasure, instead of being forced to play deceitful games against each other.

It's not a want, it's a need

It is paying no heed

to what others say to sing

I need to genuinely connect with you, and for us to be open and honest with each other. And the only way we'll be able to do that is if we stop listening to them and putting on a performance for them - singing only what they tell us to sing.

The greatest songs are made up

of unspoken words of love

So, perhaps we could listen to our hearts instead? Because although we don't or can't speak it - at least not in the open - I know there's some deep love and affection growing there.

Of them I have had enough

With you, I have enough

With you, I am enough

I am enough

We don't need to play games; not with each other. I've had enough of them. You make me feel like you'd be enough, and like I could be enough, if we could just stop pretending.

Drop the sweet disguise

Your heart's beating too loud

Look, it's painfully obvious that you like me, and that you're much smarter than you pretend to be... So, could you please just drop the "dumb Prince persona" when it's just us?

What I see underneath is far more interesting...

The fairy tales and little lies

can't drown out all the sound

Even with the ambiant noise created by all of your pretenses, and all the little tales you spin to keep your brother / his spymasters pleased, I can still hear the words you won't, or cannot, dare say; and the sound of that warm, loving heart beating underneath.

So take this heart

And break this heart

For extraordinary things

I know loving you will probably hurt me and break my heart - in one way or another - yet I still want you to have it; because of all the extraordinary things I might also gain in return. The heartbreak might be worth it.

It's not a want, it's a need

It is paying no heed

to what others say to sing

Bis

The greatest songs are made up

of unspoken words of love

Bis

Of them I have had enough

With you, I have enough

With you, I am enough

I am, I am enough

Bis

So, by singing the song back to Jaskier, Radovid was basically telling him "I want to be able to love you and be honest with you, too. No more pretense, no more disguises, and no more lies."

Which is probably why his subsequent moment of weakness - with Radovid going to see Ciri behind his back - hurt him so much.

I still think Jaskier's words went too far in the way he said them to Radovid, but I do get the hurt behind them.

I don't think Jaskier can feel safe yearning to be that emotionally unguarded and open with someone that can't take the same risk to fully be honest and vulnerable with him (on things that do concern and involve him, at least).

We all carry some violence in us, and it only makes Jaskier more human and beautiful, in a sense, that he was so harsh...

But rationally, Jaskier can't realistically expect Radovid to learn how to use his newly acquired "fins", and gracefully swim alongside his siren on his very first try to emancipate himself from his usually toxic and very emotionally dry environment.

Unlike Jaskier - that has people that love him and would be willing to risk their lives to keep him safe - Radovid has no one.

Even his brother - though he expressed a passing frustration for the possibility of him being dead in a ditch somewhere - wouldn't have set foot outside the castle to personally search for him.

And the happy reunion lasted but a second before Vizimir spotted his portrait and went "Oh my! Fine work! Don't I look good?"

Like... Kuddos for Vizimir for being willing to recognize his baby brother's unhappiness, basically going "Yeah, you're right, you've been pretty useless here haven't you?", and agreeing to let him go.

But JFC! His brother's relief was so short lived, and his idea of "offering comfort" is basically saying "Oh, don't worry, I'll hurt people in your name once I'm done admiring myself!"

And people are surprised Radovid would be willing to jump in a vast and unfamiliar sea to follow a siren that he all but just met, on the promise of a mere "maybe"...

Regardless, Radovid trusting Jaskier to understand him, and to genuinely care about his plight, takes a lot of courage. He has to believe, and trust, with all his heart, that his siren wouldn't just let him drown out there.

Obviously, it's not Jaskier's fault that Radovid's situation is so awful, and that he's got nowhere else safe to go; nor is it his job to save him, either.

So, I do highly respect, and felt relieved, even, by Jaskier answering Radovid "maybe", immediately followed by "after I find Ciri", when Radovid expressed a wish to show him who he truly is.

He's putting up healthy boundaries, and setting realistic expectations. Jaskier knows how perilous trying to find and protect Ciri is going to be, and how far he's willing to go for those he loves.

By that point, I'm not even sure he's fully expecting to survive it. So, there's no point in him making any promise to Radovid that would only make him get even more heartbroken if he doesn't make it back to him.

That being said, I do believe that Jaskier would have been relieved to have Radovid come find him, and for them to face whatever is going to happen together.

But it has to be Radovid's choice to take those risks. It has to be something that he decides to do because he believes, in his heart, that it truly is what pleases him most.

Jaskier's simply being honest by telling him "I'm going to throw myself into the eye of the hurricane with Geralt to attempt to save Ciri, and I might not make it. If you come with me, you might not survive it, either. I'm not saying I don't want to give us a chance to really get to know each other and be together, but I can't make you - make us - my priority until I know my family is safe. Once we've found Ciri and the storm has calmed down, we'll see. Right now, she's what matters most. So, if you follow me, rescuing her is what we'll be doing, and I can't promise you anything else. I don't know what happens next."

Again, he makes that "maybe" truly worth fighting for, because a partner with a realistic approach to a relationship is extremely reassuring, and someone you can typically really rely on to actually attempt to build something real.

Still, to get back to the song, while I'm not claiming my interpretation of "Extraordinary Things" to be the right one, I can't help but be amused at the thought that it might really have been that straightforward of a song...

Here we are, looking for some deep meaning and symbolism through the lyrics, when Jaskier might really have just been saying:

"Look, I like you, I know you like me, I think we can both agree that Philippa and Dijkstra are complete sociopathic manipulative dicks, and having them set us up to play games against each other truly suck in a way that's far from enjoyable... So, how about we just stopped pretending to be anything we're not, and used our mouths for pleasure rather than lies and deceits?

Y/N?"

And Radovid chose to circle the "Y" by singing the song back, essentially telling him "I want that, too."

Seriously, I thought him having learned the song was a compliment, but that's literally a freaking conversation they are having between them.

Jaskier: Here's how I feel about our situation and how I propose we deal with it.

Radovid: I know, and I feel the same way.

But see, Radovid struggles with his playing, and think it's shit, because it's the first time he can safely be honest with someone.

And he doesn't have Jaskier's level of confidence or experience with being emotionally open and vulnerable with someone that loves him.

So yeah, Jaskier will have to be there to help him work on that, because Radovid has only started to learn playing that song.

They're able to freaking communicate through stares and lyrics. HOW?!?!?!

How do their brains even work?

It's freaking beautiful and I need more of whatever it is they have going on...

This is how they are going to stay under Philippa and Dijkstra's radar, and eventually turn the tables on them; secretly talking strategy right in the open, through song lyrics, without anyone catching onto it!

#Jaskier #Radovid #Radskier #The Witcher #Extraordinary Things #My thoughts #My posts #These two have their own unique language I swear!

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elliestormfound · 4 years

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I am weak my love and I am wanting

CW: +18 because it gets a bit sexy at the end, Geralt has a hard time accepting physical affections from Jaskier

Read on ao3

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“Jaskier," Geralt growled. The two had made camp in a small clearing in the forest they had travelled for a week. The fire was crackling and Jaskier was playing chords on his lute and singing a few lines, trying to form their journey into song. Geralt was on edge tonight and seemed to be irritated by Jaskier’s music.

“You know Geralt, that my lovely name is the second most used word in your mouth?” Jaskier teased, “following your favourite word ‘fuck’”. “Hm,” was Geralt's answer. “I hope you don’t count your grunts as words? They are clearly an important part of your communicational repertoire. But then my name would only be in third place, and that would be a shame…” Jaskier said with a mocking sadness. “And I would have to begin my research anew.” Geralt just looked at him with an unmoving expression.

“Oh, come on, don’t you have a teeny tiny smile for your best friend in the whole wide world,” Jaskier said, looking up in the clear sky. He waited for a moment and with a smile counted it as a success, that Geralt had not negated his claim as his friend. Even though the clear sky promised a cold night, Jaskier enjoyed the unlimited view of the night sky. One could imagine, that the dancing sparks of their campfire would rise up to join the countless stars.

“What is it? You are grumpier than usual,” Jaskier asked the witcher. “Hm,” was all the reply he got. Geralt got out his swords and began his methodical work of oiling them, turning his back to Jaskier. Jaskier sat up and felt warmth spread through him from the familiar sight of his travelling companion. He had tried to convince himself that he only travelled with the witcher gathering material for his songs, but the huge crush he had from the moment he laid eyes on the white haired witcher had grown into something more. At least for him.

He sat near enough to feel the warmth radiating off of Geralt’s body, smelling his familiar scent of leather, sundried hair and …. okay onions. But nobody was perfect. He could see in the flickering firelight, that the witchers white hair was tangled from a week’s worth of travelling with the only possibility of washing in cold mountain streams.

“Geralt,” Jaskier said cautiously, “let me comb out your hair, or it will be so tangled that you have to cut it all of.” Geralt’s answering “Hm” sounded a bit like growling. Jaskier was instantly sorry for addressing him. He should have known that Geralt would not be comfortable with this. When he opened his mouth to apologize and to shift away from the witcher, he heard Geralt mumble “okay, do it.”

Feeling relieved and ecstatic the bard gently took a strand of the white hair in his hands. It did not feel thin and fragile as the white hair of grandparents, the witcher’s shoulder length hair was thick and soft. Jaskier started gently to untangle it with his hands till he could comb through it with his fingers. And Jaskier could have lost himself in the feeling of it.

Befriending the White Wolf was, as the name suggested, a lot like befriending a wild animal. Geralt was not used to having company, at least not company that was human and he was suspicious of all friendly gestures. It made Jaskier’s heart hurt to think about how cruel and - in the best circumstances - indifferent most humans acted towards witchers. Witchers went through a brutal process of training and mutation to risk their lives every day to keep humans safe from monsters and as thanks were treated as monster themselves.

Before he could grab his comb to really smooth the hair out, he felt Geralt tense. Trying to get him to relax, he combed once more with his fingers through Geralt’s hair, gently stroking his head. But that seemed to have the opposite effect. Geralt got up, shook his head and walked a few feet away. “Don’t,” Geralt growled, “fucking touch me like that.” And stalked away into the dark woods.

The bard breathed in deep, hugged his knees and rested his forehead on them. He felt hollow and ashamed for wanting someone so badly who was clearly not interested in him. And nights like this made him question if Geralt wanted him in his life at all, not as a lover, but as a friend or travelling companion. Geralt would have send him away, if he did not want Jaskier with him, wouldn’t he? The witcher was quite good in expressing what he did not want but lousy in expressing what he did want.

After a while Jaskier got out his bedroll and lay down but could not close his eyes. Even though he was hugely attracted to Geralt, Jaskier would have been content with travelling together with him as a friend. And at the same time he was constantly balancing the hope of something other than friendship with the fear of losing the relationship they had as travelling companions.

He was not particularly scared for Geralt wandering alone in the dark woods. As a witcher he could defend himself and he was clearly coming back, because he left Roach and his saddlebags with Jaskier. Geralt probably just needed to cool down.

After about an hour he heard him return. “Jaskier, I am..” Geralt began, but Jaskier interrupted him “you don’t have to say anything, Geralt, I am sorry. This will not happen again.” Jaskier turned on his side, facing away from the witcher. “I will sleep now, we have to get up early tomorrow when we want to reach the village before nightfall. Good night.”

Geralt sighed and began again “Fuck, Jaskier, listen to me.” The witcher waited. Jaskier lay still, not moving. “Can you please look at me, I cannot apologise to your back.” Jaskier had never managed to refuse Geralt anything. He sat up, drew his knees to his chest, hugged them and looked up at his witcher. “You don’t have to apologize for anything,” Jaskier said, “I apologise for overstepping your boundaries.”

There the witcher stood, tall, muscular, his hair ruffled and a look of despair on his handsome face. “I am...I did not intend to run away like that,” he coughed as if the words would not come out and after a deep shaky breath continued softly, “I am not used to getting touched.” And even more quietly “especially not so gentle.”

It did not happen often, but Jaskier was not sure how to respond. After a moment he said, as dread spread through his belly, “I am sorry, Geralt. I will not touch you again, I never wanted you to feel uncomfortable.”

Geralt looked at him, clearly not reassured, with worry in his eyes. The bard continued, “after we reach the village tomorrow, you will travel to Kaer Morhen to spend the winter there and I will go to the coast. You don’t have to put up with me for much longer.” Saying these words made him feel sick and he had to pull himself together not to show it on his face. He managed something that passed for a smile and wanted to lay down again.

Geralt made two steps and knelt down in front of him. “That is not what I meant,” Geralt said. He lifted his hand as if to touch Jaskier’s face, but let it drop. With his yellow catlike eyes he looked into Jaskiers’ as if he could communicate what he wanted him to know through his gaze.

“I…” his breath caught in his throat, “I just planned out a whole speech in the wood, but now everything is gone…”.

“You have what?”,Jaskier asked incredulous. He could not help but smile. It was too easy to forgive his witcher. “You have undone my fine work by ruffling your hair for an hour and then you forget what you wanted to say?” Geralt sat down properly, turned his back to his bard and said, “maybe you could help me untangle my hair again?” Jaskier’s smile grew. “Of course.”

This time he could feel him relax under his touch. After a while Jaskier could have sworn that the witcher hummed under his breath, like a purring cat. Jaskier shifted nearer, his legs on either side of the witcher, feeling Geralt's hand on his leg squeezing it softly.

This time he got out his comb and tenderly guided it through the white hair. Over and over he ran the comb through the witcher’s hair, feeling the warmth of Geralt’s body and inhaling his scent. He felt not only the witcher relax, but also himself. The cold hand of fear that just moments ago had clenched his stomach to a tight knot was gone and a tiny spec of hope started to grow - hope that he had not damaged their friendship.

Not really wanting it to end but not wanting to test out Geralt’s boundaries again, Jaskier said quietly, “all done” and shifted away from the witcher. Geralt turned to look at him. Jaskier could not decipher the feelings in Geralt’s eyes. The witcher’s deep voice growled, “thank you.” And after a moment, “thank you for untangling my hair and thank you for you patience with me.” Jaskier had not felt very patient but could not hide his smile. “Fuck. I mean it, Jaskier. I cannot imagine how hard it must be for someone like you to spent time with some old loner like me.”

“What do you mean,” Jaskier asked, “with someone like me?”

Geralt stood up and said, “you enjoy having company, you always thrive in groups of people. Travelling with just one person and in addition to that a - as you like to call me - grumpy old monosyllabic witcher … i don’t know why you keep up with me.”

“I never called you old,” Jaskier protested. His blanket fell from his shoulders as he got up. He was just wearing a shirt and trousers and started to shiver instantly. He made a step toward Geralt. “And please never think that you are hard to like. I know we are very different, but that does not make me like you any less.” And after a moment, “I just ask you to give me the benefit of trusting my choice of travelling with you and of trusting me, when I tell you that I like you.”

His hope of continuing this conversation was stopped as Geralt said with concern in his voice, “Jaskier, you are freezing. It will be a cold night, let's share our blankets.” Jaskier knew by now, that this was just Geralt being practical. The first time he offered this years ago, Geralt had complained that Jaskier’s shattering teeth were keeping him awake and since then sharing blankets and body heat had been a usual and strictly practical routine in cold nights.

Geralt had placed his bedroll by the fire and Jaskier pushed his over next to it. He lay down on his side facing the fire and pulled his blanket up. He could smell the forest and the fire and thought about how much he would miss this in the winter. Not just Geralt, but all of this. Geralt placed his blanket and hides over Jaskier and lay down under them behind him, shifting nearer till his broad and warm body was curving around Jaskier’s smaller frame. Under the blankets Geralt laid his arm over Jaskier’s side and asked softly, “is this okay?”.

Jaskier breathed in deep, relaxing into the witcher’s muscled body and answered quietly, “yes, Geralt.” Geralt hummed. The arm-thing was new to their procedure of sharing their blankets. Jaskier was not sure if this was because the night promised to be quite cold or if it was Geralt’s concession to Jaskier’s more physically expressed friendship after tonight's events. The bard was definitely a hugger but learned in their first days of travel together that Geralt was definitely not. Finally Jaskier felt warm with the fire in front of him and Geralt behind him and drifted off into sleep.

The bard woke up in the middle of the night, body sore from laying on the hard and bumpy forest floor. He started to shift to find a more comfortable position, which seemed to disturb Geralt. With the arm that lay draped over Jaskier, Geralt pulled the bard firmly to him, sleepily mumbling, “stop wiggling”. Geralt’ breath was tickling the hair on Jaskier’s neck and the bards heart started to beat fast, when he felt to his surprise the witcher’s hard erection pressed to his backside through the layers of their pants.

Jaskier was overwrought by the hot desire that started to bloom in his core and him rationalizing that this was just a normal physical reaction from Geralt, after travelling so long without sexual intimacy, provoked by a worm body pressed to him. It did not mean anything, did it? The bard felt himself getting hard too.

Jaskier started to shift away and roll to his back to look if Geralt was awake so that he could hopefully sneak away unnoticed to take care of his, ahm, problem. But Geralt was looking at him. And he did not look disturbed or anxious, but Jaskier could swear to find lust in the witcher’s eyes. The bard breathed in deep, trying to calm his racing heart. “Geralt”, he whispered. This time when Geralt said Jaskier’s name it was not with his usual exasperation and annoyance, but with soft intimacy and wanting. Eyes widening, Jaskier opened his mouth in confusion till the corner of his mouth lifted to a shy smile. His brain seemed to short circuit, because he asked without thinking, “may I kiss you, Geralt?”

Geralt lifted his hand and laid it on Jaskier’s cheek, softly stroking it with his thumb. Jaskier closed his eyes, daring not to breath. “I am afraid when we kiss,” he heart Geralt's deep voice grumble, “that I won’t be able to stop.” The bard's heart skipped a beat, he opened his eyes and said, “who says I want you to stop?”

Geralt looked at him for a moment longer before he leaned closer and when his lips brushed Jaskier’s, the bard tangled his hands in the white hair and pulled Geralt closer. It was a slow and achingly tender kiss. It was everything Jaskier had dreamed and at the same time nothing alike. Lips he knew by heart but just from sight felt sweetly familiar and electrifyingly foreign. Geralt’s strong arms pulling him closer made him feel protected and safe. The places Geralt touched him, his cheek, his neck, arms and back felt more alive than he ever had.

When they came up for breath, Jaskier laughed. Geralt tensed, but there was no mocking in the melodic laughter, just pure joy and the witcher relaxed again. The sight of the laughing bard, his bard, lips red and swollen from their kissing, radiating so much happiness, made his heart swell.

And they started to kiss again, this time fiercer.

#the witcher #witcher fanfic #geralt of rivia #jaskier #gerskier #geralt x jaskier #idiots in love #tender idiots #gentle kissing #hair brushing #the witcher fanfiction #EllieStormfound

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limerental · 4 years

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geraskier fic recs

aka everything i remembered to bookmark on ao3 just vomited into a tumblr post because i want to yell about them (and there are more than this that I enjoyed dearly i am just very silly and forget to save them)

under a cut to spare your dashboard

b-sides and rarities by fathomfive, 6.4k

note: i am weak for pining, long meandering but inevitable feeling journeys toward one another, deeply felt landscape description and melancholy ballads and this fic is all of those

excerpt:

He plays a few idle notes, and then slides smoothly into a tune that’s at once familiar and new. It’s a walking song, a good steady-paced melody without flourishes. He plucks a note, holds it in his throat and hums, and sings. Morning came over the mountains, there I was, there we were.

Noon burned above the broken path, you left but I return.

A season’s span to where I find you, call and I return.

O the light fades in the valley, I’ll return, return.

here, where the world is quiet by @drawlight, 5.4k, explicit

note: the jaskier pov in this is very, very lovely and it was hard to pick an excerpt because all the prose is lovely and jaskier’s descriptions of geralt are particularly lovely

excerpt:

“But if you ever wanted,” Jaskier spreads his hands, his long fingers, spreading out the wrinkles of the bedsheets. The weight of Geralt next to him is constant. A promise. They constantly circle, dance to unsung songs. Geralt never dances, except here, around Jaskier. (You can run so far away, Witcher, but space is not that forgiving. There is so much nothingness, nothing to block, nothing to get in the way. On a good night, from a clear plain with little light pollution, one can see twenty-quadrillion miles into the sky. Jaskier thinks this number sounds absurd but he trusts the arithmancers and knows in his heart, in his blood, his bones that it is the truth. Jaskier knows there is nowhere to hide; he has tried.)

The Ballad of Pots and Pans by 6th_magnitude, 8.1k

note: this one’s got oblivious geralt realizing all of jaskier’s songs, even the less obvious ones, are actually about him and excellent banter and some poignant and painful bits about jaskier’s mortality and also just a bunch of really great ballads.

excerpt:

Jaskier startles, and looks at Geralt a little dazedly. “Nothing. It’s – oh, I just wanted to write something good and true to capture everything I feel in this moment, and I cannot for the life of me write it at all! What good is being a poet if you cannot translate the most important feelings of your life to pen and paper? What good is it if I cannot write you a song, so that one day you might remember this morning?”

“I’ll remember it,” Geralt replies quietly. “I don’t need a song to remember it.”

Jaskier smiles at him, his eyes shining a little with unshed tears of frustration. “Even so, I would like to memorialise this feeling, record every detail, so I might recall it later. The human memory is so fallible, you know. It’s why we make songs and stories – to remember feelings, even when facts have faded from all memory.”

“I’ll remember it,” Geralt says again, sleepily. “I’ll remember this feeling. No matter what.”

swallow my breath and take what is mine by @anacaoris, 6.5k, explicit

note: this has got jaskier giving all sorts of nice things to geralt that he doesn’t feel he deserves and misunderstandings and geralt not knowing how to use his words or brain cell and oh also there’s smut

excerpt:

Fingers flex in his hair, running a shudder down his spine at the spark of it. Part of him wishes he knew better what to say, that this could be simpler. That he was born with the same poetry spilling from him enough to say all that he tucks in his lungs but he’s not, he’s better with action, better with showing just what he needs to mean so Geralt brings a hand up, curls it around Jaskier’s and keeps it in messy locks, still damp from the bath as he sinks to his knees. “Sweet merciful blessings, I will, ah, I’ll take this as a ye-ehs.”

Companionship by ArliaDevi, 4.1k

note: really fun take on their relationship in ciri pov and i love found family domesticity so much and geralt teaching ciri things and glimpses of tender moments

excerpt:

When Geralt gets back, covered in what Ciri is quite sure is intestines, they eat quietly in the corner of the inn. Jaskier plays his music, his hat out for coins. He sings well, Ciri has to admit, and there’s an entrancing quality about the way he performs, luring all eyes to him. Even Geralt’s eyes seem to wander back to Jaskier, lingering on him just long enough that Ciri manages to steal a few mouthfuls of ale.

‘Don’t think I didn’t notice that,’ Geralt mutters as Ciri slides the large stein back in place.

‘Girls in Cintra drink at ten,’ Ciri replies matter-of-factly.

‘No, they don’t.’ Geralt takes another mouthful of ale before sliding it towards Ciri. ‘Don’t let Jaskier see.’

‘Stealth training?’

Geralt rolls his eyes. ‘Sure.’

look what you made me do by @cicaklah, 6.5k, explicit

note: is just another in the “jaskier’s songs are all about geralt and geralt is a dumbass” genre and also there’s deeply immersive scenery details and also also there’s a truly filthy sequel that is not on this list only because i still have some level of shame but it’s here in spirit

excerpt(s):

They ride half a day, Geralt chatting to Roach about all the injustices in the world, most of which are food related, with Roach hrumphing every now and then in response. Around them the fallow fields are untouched, resembling plush, perfect eiderdowns, with gnarled trees like the posts of a fine bed, fit for a giant. The sky is clear after the storm, bluer than at the height of summer and vast, their clouds stolen for the ground.

and

Geralt understands how long sex can last, always feels sorry and guilty for the women he beds who don’t understand that stamina was one of the most successful mutations he gained. He hates how easy it is to push that little bit too far into pain unless he’s careful (and he’s always careful, he loves women, loves their pleasure, never lets himself get carried away) but now there’s a man behind him and he realises that he can take it, that they made him perfectly for this by accident, so he can take all that male stamina and strength into himself and enjoy it like a glutton, enjoy it in the way he only has been able to a handful of times in his life, match every stroke with his own power.

Dawn by Sylvalum, 3.5k

note: this one is a bit different to the others on this list but it’s got delightful yen & jaskier developing friendship and a touch o the ole melancholy that i so very much crave

excerpt:

Yennefer doesn’t say anything, so eventually Jasker turns back to the grave and lowers the body, then starts to shovel the earth back in, rich soil and sandy dirt and tufts of dead grass. He tries to cover the dead sorceress carefully, to send her off into the eternal night gently, but he fumbles too much and works too fast. Impatience and fear have burnt away his flesh so now there’s only nerve endings left to hide his ragged bones. It’s… it’s been a long day. He’s been digging for most of it.

Yennefer simply watches, standing behind Jaskier like a disapproving mother. Until suddenly she says in an oddly quiet voice, “Her name was Sabrina.”

And Jaskier stills. Haltingly, Yennefer steps forward to stand and look at the grave for a moment.

And after that, she starts to help Jaskier dig the graves.

To Sleep Perchance To by sospes, 16.9k, canon-typical violence & gore

note: it isn’t a fic rec list by me unless it’s got angst on the list so warning for torture and unreliable reality and general gnarly descriptions of violence and psychological damage. this broke my heart a wee bit and it may just break yours.

excerpt:

In those quiet, maybe-false moments, Jaskier knows that if this goes on much longer, he’s going to lose his mind. It’s not a panicked thought, not a terrified thought, it’s a cool, calm, logical realisation that he doesn’t think he can get away from. He’s losing the ability to know what’s real and what isn’t. He’s spending every waking second in a nightmare of blood and betrayal. And there’s nothing he can do to escape.

Geralt comes and presses him up against the cold stone wall of the cold stone cell, pinning his wrists above his head with one impossibly strong hand. He kisses him, slow and languid, and then he sucks a bruise into the side of his neck, using too much teeth and too much tongue. “I’ve missed you,” he murmurs into Jaskier’s throat, and Jaskier takes the opportunity to knee him in the balls.

let us shake the abacus by @et-in-arkadia, 3k, explicit

note: this is simple, shameless smut and i am only allowing myself to slap it at the bottom of this list because i’m fond of the author’s work in general and also the dynamic, man, this dynamic is what it’s all about

Resigned to his poor decision-making for the evening, Geralt breaks away from where he's sucked a bruise into the soft skin of Jaskier's neck. Jaskier is moving against him like a ship on an unruly sea, increasingly impatient and unmoored.

"Tell me," Jaskier insists. He scratches lines down Geralt's back, then grabs Geralt's ass to haul him closer. "Geralt. Tell me."

This is also different: Jaskier likes to hear him talk, prefers to hear, above all else, Geralt's intent. Jaskier's need for words is limitless, unquenchable—Geralt has made him come all but untouched by whispering into Jaskier's ear the things that he'd do, given the time. It's really quite extraordinary. Which is perhaps why Geralt entertains the request, despite not being exactly given over to loquaciousness himself.

#geraskier #geralt x jaskier #the witcher fic recs #geraskier fic recs #long post

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smilemoreimagines · 4 years

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something tragic about you (Geralt x reader)

Chapter 5

length: 1,492

tw: mention of past sexual assault

author’s note: I’m sorry it took so long to update, this chapter (and life) kicked my ass and I’m still not totally satisfied with it but I wanted to post anyway. I hope you enjoy! and I promise Geralt will return in the next chapter :)

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Jaskier is a force to be reckoned with, in terms of conversation, and you are slightly surprised by the relative tenderness Geralt shows when listening to his friend talk and gossip. The bard throws out names and places that sound beautiful and terrifying in equal measure, inquiring if Geralt remembers whatever adventure Jaskier roped them into, only getting answering grunts which you can’t tell mean yes or no.

When you glance out the window the sun is getting low in the sky and the snow is starting to melt, dripping from the roof. As you are wondering when it will be fully melted, a man rides up on a horse shiny with sweat and he throws himself from the saddle, the door slamming open a moment later.

“Where’s the Witcher?” He shouts, eyes wild.

“Shit,” Geralt grumbles.

The inkeep points to your table and the stranger staggers over, says, “Witcher, I’m in need of your services. A pair of Drowners, not a day’s ride from here, toward the city, got the mayor’s boy and my own daughter. We’ll pay anything.”

Geralt closes his eyes and sighs, says under his breath, “Can I get one fucking week without a monster?”

Jaskier is not hesitant to give his two cents. He tells Geralt to do it, take the coin to buy some new clothes. He looks at you, takes in your old handmade dress, adds that Geralt could afford to get you something nice as well.

The Witcher hmms, tells the man, “I’ll do it for no less than 250 ducat. We leave now,” then addresses the innkeeper, “I will pay for rooms for my two companions when I return. See to it they get food as well.”

“I know you are good for your payment, Witcher,” the man answers.

Jaskier gives the parting remark, “Fight hard and return with coin!”

As the door is closing you call out, “Please be safe, Geralt.”

He pauses in the doorway, looks at you with those liquid amber eyes, murmurs, “I will be.”

And he is gone.

“Ah, well, there he goes again,” Jaskier says, breaking you from your thoughts. “It is to be expected though. He’s always leaving.”

You note a hint of dryness in his tone, but when he speaks again it is with a renewed cheerfulness.

“What to do now but drink, hm? Maybe find a bedfellow for the night…”

Those winterblue eyes catch on yours, lingering in his trailed off invitation.

“I will drink with you,” you say carefully, not wanting to offend, “But I wish to sleep alone.”

It’s not that you don’t have desire, just that you engaged in the act only once before and it didn’t end well. And if you think of bringing anyone to bed, there is only one man who comes to mind. But Jaskier seems unaffected by your rejection, his eyes crinkling in a smile when he orders your first round of drinks.

You nearly spit out your first sip when the bard says, “I can see that you are getting tangled in his web, you know. I have certainly looked at him the same way. But he never quite looked back at me as he does you; like you are something he’s been searching for for a long time. It’s nice, to see him interested in someone, for once.”

You take a big gulp from your ale, feel your nerves jangling. You cannot tell if it’s pleasant or not.

“That can’t be right,” you finally manage, “He’s a Witcher, they aren’t supposed to… to feel things like that.”

In this moment Jaskier seems much more knowing than he previously let on, calmly tells you, “Maybe other Witchers. But you and I both know that isn’t true of Geralt.”

Deep down you feel his words ring true, but you don’t know what to do with this information, that Geralt may think as warmly of you as you do him.

You don’t know what to do, so you down the rest of your drink and order another. Jaskier’s coin purse is full and his heart generous, and though it takes a bit to get you drunk, that is how you find yourself some time later, when it is late enough that the townspeople have gathered to drink as well.

The room is full enough that you feel bad taking up a table when you have certainly drunk your fill already, Jaskier too if his rosy cheeks are any indication, so you suggest a walk.

He offers you his arm when you step outside; a true gentleman. The air is chilled and feels nice on your flushed cheeks, the moon lighting enough to see the road muddy with snowmelt, the stars peeking out of the black velvet sky. You walk arm-in-arm, the bard singing something soft and sweet.

Feeling bold, you release him for a moment to tuck your hair behind your ears, brush a finger over the small scar there before admitting, “I am not experienced enough to know what to do about Geralt.”

The bard considers, then says, “I find it best to do what feels right.”

You mull over his simple advice, and though it is sound, you don’t know if you can do it. “The last time--the only time--I did what felt right in regards to romance it ended poorly.”

“Care to talk about it?”

“I suppose so.” You’ve never told anyone about that night, but the alcohol seems to make you candid, and so you tell him about your job as a barmaid, the travellers who would shamelessly flirt, the one who seemed genuine and funny and kind. “He took me out back,” you say, “And it was all fun until I was halfway undressed and he saw my ears. He became mean, he hurt me and did not stop until he was finished. I don’t like to think about it. But thank you, for listening.”

You stop walking to take in calming breaths, and the bard stops too, watches as you try to school your expression to something neutral.

“I really do like him, Jaskier.” Your voice cracks when you speak, this admission a weight on your heart that you don’t know how to bear, because you’ve never had to bear it before. Hope and love are new to you, and scary in their mystery.

Jaskier opens his mouth to say something right as a woman steps out of her door to empty a pail and happens to glance at you. You notice her mouth press to a thin line, her eyes narrow, and you are confused until she spits, “Filthy elf.”

Your ears, you’d pulled your hair back and she can see your ears.

Jaskier steps in front of you, says, “We’re just passing through.”

You recognize her now; she is the woman who smiled at you earlier today, so friendly when she thought you were human. Jaskier is tugging on your hand, hurrying you back to the inn, but as he is ushering you up the stairs to the safety of your room, the front door bangs open and she yells your secret to the good people of the town.

She is pointing, and every eye in the bar turns to you, and she hisses, “Endell, are you going to let the creature stay in your inn? Surely not.”

He sighs, looks to you apologetically, but echoes, “Surely not. You must go, girl.”

What can you do but obey? Your heart pounds in your throat as you go, your skin prickling under the scrutiny. You’re at the edge of town when Jaskier catches up to you with your bag.

“I’ll come with you,” he says, his words sounding like a plea, “You don’t have to leave alone.”

You shake your head. “You need to be here when Geralt returns. Maybe we will meet again, Jaskier.”

“Here, at least take this. The innkeep wanted me to give you some food; he felt bad that woman found out. He said to be safe.” The bard presses a loaf of bread and hunk of cheese into your hands, wrapped in a handkerchief. You slip it into your bag. “And take this as well. I also want you to stay safe out there.” He gives you ten gold coins, more money in the palms of your hands than you’ve ever held before. You swipe away stray tears, smile at him, though you know it isn’t convincing.

“Thank you, my friend.”

You don’t look back when you leave the town’s border.

You only pause when he shouts, “I pray that the fates cross our paths again.”

The night stretches long before you, empty time with nothing to do but think, but there is only one thought that pounds in your head, drums in your heart. You should have known not to trust a good thing to last. You deny the tiny spark of hope that still lingers in your chest, weak but there nonetheless.

#geralt x reader #geralt of rivia x reader #the witcher x reader #the witcher fanfiction

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corancoranthemagicalman · 4 years

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Another Her Sweet Kiss Meta

So you know how there’s the whole “Her Sweet Kiss” is the Continent’s “Jolene” thing? Well, I have another song comparison, another proposition, if you’ll indulge me.

Her Sweet Kiss is Hallelujah.

Leonard Cohen made one of the most vulnerable songs about heartbreak and love, and Jaskier did too. (Actually, we know it was the beautiful talents of Sonya Belousova, Giona Ostinelli, and Joey Batey, but that’s irrelevant to my point.)

It goes like this / The story is this

The fourth, the fifth / She’ll destroy with ‘er sweet kiss

The minor fall, the major lift / Her sweet kiss

There’s an accusatory beginning. Leonard Cohen claims that the object of the song does not care for music, even though God himself loves music.

I heard there was a secret chord that David played and it pleased the Lord, but you don’t really care for music, do you?

In the reverse, Jaskier claims that while they call women the fairer sex, the object (or one of the objects) of the song is unfair.

The fairer sex they often call it, but her love’s as unfair as a crook.

As unfair as a woman who is not pleased by the same chords that pleased God? Possibly. But let’s move on to the next verse.

Leonard - since I’m pretty familiar with my homeboy let’s call him Leo - Leo talks about David. Yeah, that David. The same David playing the chords. Interestingly enough, Leo switches narratives. He’s singing about his heartbreak, or as if it is own heartbreak, in the first verse but now it is the story of another man. Sound familiar?

Your faith was strong but you needed proof. You saw her bathing on the roof and her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you.

This is where I’m going to through you and actually compare Leo’s second verse to Jaskier’s third verse. While it’s heavily interpreted that Jaskier’s second verse is also addressing another person, (a second object of the song), the third verse is explicit in its statement of a you.

Her current is pulling you closer and charging the hot, humid night. The red sky at dawn is giving a warning, you fool, better stay out of sight.

Both of these lines are speaking about the temptation that the second object of the song (who we will now refer to as David. For in Her Sweet Kiss, Geralt is David and Yennefer is Bathsheba. Hold on to that too for the moment and we’ll get back to it.) The David in both songs is being drawn to Bathsheba. In fact, in this same verse, both Jaskier and Leo speak about the dangerous things that Bathsheba will do to David. In Leo’s second verse, he goes on to say,

She tied you to a kitchen chair. She broke your throne and she cut your hair and from your lips she drew the Hallelujah.

This is actually very similar to the chorus of Her Sweet Kiss. The iconic lines of Bathsheba destroying with a sweet kiss. Drawing a Hallelujah with a sweet kiss. See where I’m going with this?

Alright now let’s go back to that “Geralt is David” bit. I could probably draw huge comparisons to David and Geralt, but I’m going to focus on David and his relationship with Bathsheba. TL;DR David was watching this chick - Bathsheba - bathe and he thought she was so beautiful and he wanted her so bad that he had her husband - one of David’s general - killed so that he could marry her. In comparison (or contrast), Geralt - the David of our story - quite literally wishes to be with Yennefer and in doing so causes her fate to be intertwined with his. In much the same way, Bathsheba couldn’t exactly say no to a king and Yennefer cannot fight against Wishes and Destiny. (Or, she can, but we’ve seen the repercussions of it. Whoops.) Another interesting point is Yennefer, Bathsheba, and bathes, but really I’ll be moving on.

In conclusion, Geralt is a warrior chosen by Destiny (God) to bring about a child (Ciri is Geralt’s Child surprise; Jesus was born of David’s lineage [I know I’m using Christianity and other close religions but hold out for me please]) and has tied himself by wish (deed) to Yennefer (Bathsheba). Ergo, Geralt is David. And Yennefer is Bathsheba. And Jaskier is Leonard Cohen.

Let’s wrap this up with acceptance.

We know that iconic line from Her Sweet Kiss. The one that I quote literally any time I tag something beautiful.

I’m weak, my love, and I am wanting. If this is the path I must trudge, I welcome my sentence. Give to you my penance, Garrotor, Jury, and Judge.

This is where the iconic Jolene comparisons have been made. Fics have been made off of it. Poetry and art and all the lovely things because Joey’s voice breaks and it hurts. You know what other lines hurt? Leo’s lines.

Maybe there’s a God above but all I’ve ever learned from love was how to shoot at somebody who outdrew you. It’s not a cry that you hear at night; it’s not somebody who’s seen the light; it’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah.

Leo knows that love can leave you cold and broken. Jaskier’s love has left him weak and wanting. Love can be dangerous and cruel, and both of these authors know that. They’ve experienced it. Perhaps Leo was hurt by David, perhaps he was David, but we know that. Jaskier was not David. Jaskier was not lured in by Bathsheba and yet speaks of cold love from experience. I could write more but right now I’m brain dead, so have that.

Have that Her Sweet Kiss is Hallelujah. Have that Geralt is David and Yennefer is Bathsheba. Have that Jaskier is the Continent’s Leonard Cohen.

#the witcher #the witcher meta #gerlion #geraskier #gennefer #geralt of rivia #hallelujah #Leonard cohen #jaskier #jaskier the bard #dandelion #Yennefer of vengerberg #ciri #Ciri is Jesus whoops??#accidentally making that comparison #what is this a meta for even #is this a meta #her sweet kiss

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percilout · 4 years

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Why I think Jaskier is queer-coded and also bi/pan: An Essay

Earlier today I made a post [x] asking for opinions on Jaskier being queer-coded and now I’m presenting you my 1.5k word long essay on why I think that’s the case and why I also think that Jaskier is bi/pan (even though the character most definitely wasn’t planned that way).

I used lots of gifsets and Tumblr posts as inspiration and sources and humbly thank everyone who has made my life much easier with those.

Okay, so, let me start this off by saying that the showrunners don‘t and most probably won‘t want to make Jaskier queer in any way. But there‘s a bit of a problem there because there‘s a good chance that the actor (Joey Batey) is going to go against that with his personal choices in acting the character out.

It doesn‘t help that there‘s an interview in which he actively goes against calling Jaskier a womaniser and says that he is just „falling in love with everyone“ as soon as he sees „them“, he spots „someone“ and is obsessed with „whoever“ is in front of him. You can see it in this post (https://heydrichmuller.tumblr.com/post/189946596054/my-brother-played-the-pronoun-game-wound-up) in which what the actor does is called „playing the pronoun game“. That‘s what lots of queer people do when talking about their love life/sexuality/partners/etc. I say it doesn‘t help because it actively paints the character he‘s playing as bi/pan, especially with the „he just loves everyone“ comment.

Then there‘s another thing, now something that we can see in the show - movement.

Queer-coding hugely depends on clichés, I know that, but that doesn‘t mean that those clichés aren‘t true sometimes. So when I look at Jaskier‘s movements and he‘s moving his hands a certain way, cocking his hips and holding his hands there, cocking his head, I can‘t help seeing a queer person there. (https://gayregis.tumblr.com/post/189807338329/its-all-about-the-hand-gestures-joey-batey-as)

That also brings me to the next point:

He‘s a Drama Queen. He gasps! And argues! And cannot believe the way he’s treated! He deserves better!

Now, one could say that He‘s a bard! That‘s what he does! It‘s to entertain people! But. Jaskier doesn‘t entertain people when he‘s being a drama queen. Instead, he‘s greatly annoying them with it and, at the most, only entertaining himself. This is mostly visible in the „You need a nap!“ scene, which also shows his exaggerated movements pretty well. (https://captainpoe.tumblr.com/post/189836119464/the-witcher-1x05-bottled-appetites)

Then there are some other scenes that (to any queer person, I‘d say) just scream „this can‘t be straight, can it?“, simply bc it‘d be So Fucking Weird if it‘s actually meant to be straight...

One of those is the bathtub scene. Like, what, it‘s normal to rub your friend-not-friend‘s „lovely bottom“ with camomile? In what world??? And there‘s no reason Jaskier needs to do any of that, Geralt could have just bathed himself. (https://mrcavill.tumblr.com/post/189812738178)

From that we can go on to another part of the bathtub scene: „And yet, here we are“ (https://catness-tchalla.tumblr.com/post/his-189817475480), implying that Jaskier wants/needs Geralt.

Jaskier‘s basically running after a fruitless friendship for over 10 years. He‘s showing real perseverance in befriending someone, while also employing excuses to do so (using the fact of being a bard and /having/ to sing about him/sharing his legacy as an excuse to stick close to him for so long). And he does try to have a kind of intimacy with a man who‘s generally seen as someone who‘s intimidating and driving everyone away. (https://thewitchersdaily.tumblr.com/post/189937577863/no-lord-in-his-right-mind-will-come-close-if)

Still, Jaskier‘s desperate to have his company and wants to continue travelling together to prove that he can be a good partner. (https://meldvnsk.tumblr.com/post/189961512351/me-when-i-see-how-desperately-jaskier-want-to-be)

I do also want to make a point about Jaskier‘s outfits, although most of it can really be condensed into Well, He Is A Bard, So.

But I just want to state that there is no reason for him to still dress so extravagantly when he‘s just walking through the woods for days and weeks with Geralt. At first he has no other choice but, with the years, surely he can learn to have something more.... practical.... in his bag with him? But no, he chooses to keep his style and always look out of place. And, well, queer people are kinda known for the special care they take of their clothing (https://meldvnsk.tumblr.com/post/189960250906/jaskiers-outfits)

Then I want to shine some light on the way Jaskier talks about him on their first day of meeting: https://thewitchersdaily.tumblr.com/post/189776322313/same-geralt-of-rivia-and-jaskier-in-the-witcher and https://skywalkrluke.tumblr.com/post/189956240667/the-witcher-2019. He is basically trying to please this, well, Manly Man™, with his (very awkward) compliments, akin to another scene we know - the „sexy goose“ fiasco, in which Jaskier totally fails in Flirting 101. (https://thewitcherdaily.tumblr.com/post/189811062630/the-witcher-1x06-rare-species)

In episode 6, there‘s a scene that a lot of queer people can identify with (or at least I think so and I actually do). Jaskier is trying to comfort Geralt in a way, but also himself. He suggests leaving together, to „get away for a while“, to run away from all their problems while still sharing each other’s company. And what hits the most is the bard saying that No, he is not thinking about a new song right now, this is just about them, this is just about him trying to figure out what he himself wants. (https://skyvalker.tumblr.com/post/189947455079/the-witcher-2019-s01e06-rare-species)

And now we come to the point where I can seriously not think anything else but „Oh boy, that guy is love with another man“: Her Sweet Kiss (https://youtu.be/NyZvWBFbIRw).

First off, the song is a reaction to Geralt‘s rejection of him and states how hurt he is by that rejection (https://captnswilson.tumblr.com/post/189886399796/if-life-could-give-me-one-blessing-it-would-be-to).

But I will go into a bit more detail, starting with the changes in the song that happened between the first time we hear it (start of episode 6) and the time we finally hear the finished song at the end of the episode.

Firstly, „I‘m weak, love“ changed to „I‘m weak, my love“, underlining with the use of the possessive pronoun that whoever is the „I“ sings about their personal loved one.

Secondly, there‘s the line „garroter, jury and judge“.

We know that Geralt is the mentioned garroter (remember Marilka saying Geralt sounds like garroter in the first ep?). Now, what does it say that Jaskier is debating whether to use „gorgeous garroter“ or „lovely garroter“ in the song and then ends up using neither? My take on this is that the finished song focuses more on the pain he experiences than being a hymn on the heroic actions of the handsome Witcher. The idea of a gorgeous garroter has actually become, as Jaskier calls it, „too cerebral“.

I‘ve talked quite a bit about the song now without having explained what I think it actually means, so let‘s come to that.

Her Sweet Kiss has three sets of personal pronouns - I, you, and she. I believe that those stand for Jaskier, Geralt and Yennefer respectively. Going with this choice of characters, it‘s fairly easy to see what the lyrics want to tell us.

In the first verse, Jaskier is basically just complaining about Yennefer. He paints her as the evil one, the one causing him heartache and pain.

I do not think that this verse, as I have read quite often, is written from Geralt‘s perspective. It doesn‘t make much sense regarding the use of pronouns and the meaning of the verse.

Why would Geralt complain about her and then call her his love? Why would he talk about her (using „she“ and „her“) and then switch to talking to her („Tell me, love“)?

It makes much more sense to say that this is Jaskier talking about „her“ (Yennefer) to his „love“ (Geralt), especially when one thinks about the line „How is that just?“.

That last line of the verse shows Jaskier criticising Geralt‘s actions. It directly accuses him of being unjust towards Jaskier, something that was previously unheard of because the Witcher always does the thing that does the world justice. But in this case, the bard was left hurt by him without a good reason.

When it comes to the chorus, there is nothing much to interpret. The lyrics plainly state that Geralt‘s relationship with Yennefer is destroying something. Looking at the context of Geralt and Yennefer „breaking up“, followed by Geralt forcing Jaskier to leave, this must clearly mean the destruction of Geralt‘s and Jaskier‘s friendship.

The second verse starts with Jaskier warning Geralt of Yennefer, who is depicted as a dangerous current, pulling him closer into her clutches.

The verse then ends with the part we already know from the beginning of the episode.

„I’m weak my love, and I am wanting

If this is the path I must trudge

I welcome my sentence

Give to you my penance

Garrotter, jury and judge“

If you think this is Jaskier giving up and leaving Geralt alone after having accompanied him for more than a decade, having finally been judged and sentenced to a life without him by the famous garroter, then yes, we are exactly on the same wavelength there.

(Of course I don‘t think that that‘s what the producers thought while making it but hey, that‘s exactly where the accidental queer-coding comes in again!

So, anyway, this is exactly why I see Jaskier as bi/pan but of course that‘s only my personal perspective.)

Tagging the people who helped me by making gifsets and sharing their thoughts on Jaskier:

@lola1b @pocketlibrary @heydrichmuller @gayregis @captainpoe @mrcavill @his-catness-tchalla @thewitchersdaily @meldvnsk @skywalkrluke @skyvalker @captnswilson

#jaskier #geraskier #gerlion #geralt x jaskier #the witcher #geralt/jaskier #lgbtq

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randomfandomimagine · 4 years

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Amazing ‘The Amazing Devil’ Things (Horror and the Wild)

I need to fangirl for a little because I absolutely love The Amazing Devil and I was so excited for the new album, and it did not dissapoint!! They put so much love and passion into this and it is art! I have been saving a bit of money and since their music makes me so happy I might buy the album. I wanted to talk about my favorte things about it under the cut (warning: it’s long). If anyone wants to listen to this piece of art, they posted it on Bandcamp here :D

The Rockrose and the Thistle

The sound of wind in the background, such a cool little detail!

Joey’s soft voice and how it breaks on ‘thistle’, omg

The sewing metaphor, I absolutely love it!

Madeleine subtly joining in 😍

The atmosphere! How unsettling and moving the song is

‘The kindest thing is to never leave you alone’

The Horror and the Wild

I thought I couldn’t love this song more and then came the studio version

I am a nerd and have so much fun singing this one!!

Even if it’s almost impossible to sing both their parts hahah

The beginning reminds me of Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir and I love it!

Some lyrics I trully adore, like:

‘You’re the words I promise I don’t mean’

‘and I am Time itself, I slow to let you play, I steal the hours and turn the night into day’

The change after ‘remember me I ask, remember me I sing’

How they move on to the chorus using a similar sounding word

‘Give me back my heart you wingless thing / think of all the horrors’

I absolutely adore how they sing ‘wild’ in this version

How Joey’s voice raises with ‘the’ and ‘your’ in the chorus

‘Fret. Not. Dear. Heart. Let. Not. Them. Hear’ and the drums!!

Joey singing that growly ‘remember me’

Then what is probably my favorite part of the song:

Just how cool it sounds, how fun it is to sing along, the awesome lyrics…

Fret not dear heart, let not them hear

The mutterings of all your fears, the fluttering of all your wings

Welcome to the storm, I am thunder,

Welcome to my table bring your hunger

The repetition of ‘old man’ and how the song slightly fades at the end

Wild Blue Yonder

How upbeat it is!! Catchy and fun rhythm!

When they sing ‘wonder’ and ‘yonder’ together

‘Hold’ (pause) ‘this time we’re done for’ 👏

‘So hold me like you used to, so tight I’d bruise you’

Everytime they use the word ‘love’ I melt

Or ‘dear heart’, ‘darling’ or anything like that, for that matter 😍

It is my absolute kryptonite, seriously!

‘All those books we both drowned’

‘I’m lost, I’m found, in you’

‘Can you hear that scratching’

‘robot vampire’…. just 😂

Madeleine’s voice when she sings the high ‘hide under the covers’

Welly Boots

One of my personal favorites!! (if you can’t tell)

The guitar!! Love that riff!!

The changes in tone, I love them so much

As many have said before, it reminds me of the Witcher episode 6

Just these lyrics!!

The change in rhythm after this last part!! So good!!

And I love you, don’t you know

That I’ll be with you all along, as long as you are kind

To those who are not strong and cannot find their scarlet welly boots

Cos when it’s cold

I’ll wrap my scarf around you

And when it’s hard

I’ll place your head into my hands

And when you scream that it’s not fair,

It’s like I’ve gone off to the coast

Left you behind just standing there

Pretending not to see your ghost

If only you could hear my voice

But you are screaming far to loud to hear me swear

Just because I left doesn’t mean that I’m not still there

The drums set the rhythm so well and I love them in this song especially!

‘But I’ll stick up for you, even though you haven’t got a clue, you haven’t got a fucking clue, And I’m so proud of you‘

Bonus points for Joey swearing 😂

‘I know you’re strong enough to do this on your own’

As always, Madeleine’s beautiful voice joining in 😍

‘Just when you’re about to give up every hope you have you turn around Perched by the stairs, someone’s gone and left behind, A brand new pair of scarlet welly boots’

That part hits me right in the feels and I can’t even tell why

The outro guitar riff, even if it makes me sad that it’s over

Farewell Wanderlust

THE PIANO FOLLOWED BY MADELEINE’S VOICE? I’M DEAD

THE SONG LITERALLY JUST STARTED, WTF? I’M IN LOVE

Joey’s voice lowly accompanying Madeleine’s

‘I’m the hardest goodbye that you’ll ever have to say’

Just… Madeleine’s voice, it’s too gorgeous, I can’t handle it!!

How the piano stops at ‘I’m the Jesus of wishing to Christ he’ll come back‘

The way she sings ‘She’s down. She’s dead’ and the piano? Aaaaah

Joey whispering the lyrics and then his voice gathering strength

‘I promise you I’m not broken, I promise you there’s more’ gets me every time 😭

The way Joey sings ‘adieu’ is amazing and I don’t know why?

When they sing the chorus together it’s too much!! Omg, this is art!

The fucking ending is so brilliant, perfect end to a perfect song!

The tune also reminds me of an Avenged Sevenfold song, ’Acid Rain’

Maybe it’s the piano? Idk, but it just moved me all the more

Because Avenged Sevenfold is one of my favorite bands 😚

So when favorite bands collide I just can’t even hahah 😊

Fair

Probably my favorite along with Welly Boots (this is gonna be long)

This one reminds me so much of my series Soul of a Warrior (Jasnissa!)

‘It’s what my heart just yearns to say, In ways that can’t be said’

The first lyrics and I am already in love with the words in this song

Let’s just assume I fell in love with every single word of this one

Joey’s voice is so beautiful to listen to, I am s w o o n i n g

‘And he holds her close just to keep the world at bay’

‘It’s not fair how much I love you’ 😱😍😭

I really love the guitar in this one too

Again, those lyrics!!! Absolutely captivating:

The way his voice kind of breaks a little sometimes when he lowers it

And if you asked me to, if you asked me I would lose it all

Like petals in a storm, cos darling I was born

To press my head between your shoulder blades at night when light is fading

Just to let you know I’m old, waylaid and feels like I am wading into

carpet burns and carousels oh Christ you’ll be the death of me

And calm throughout his melodrama she will turn and say ‘dear heart It’s me, its me

You don’t need to pretend to be someone you’re not

The Office reference and the ‘that’s what she said’? Joey, you nerd 🥰

Also, how he kind of laughs as he is saying it?

‘cos you make me ache you bastard’ aaaaaaaaah

That Unwanted Animal

This one gives me very specific vibes that I can’t identify

It’s like kind of medieval and dark but there’s something else

Still, I absolutely love them, this one is so unique!

When Madeleine whispers ‘you light the candle’, literal chills

Why is her voice so beautiful?! Stop it, ma’am, you are too powerful!

‘You try so loud to love me, But I cannot seem to hear’

The hushed ‘Throw the plate at the wall’ and the change? Amazing!

The vocals in the background are incredible!

More fanfastic lyrics, they never stop!

‘Be good to me, I whisper. And you say what. And I said nothing dear’

‘And these plates they smash like waves’ Battle Cries!!!

And you rip my ribcage open

And devour what’s truly yours

And our screaming joins in unison

I cry out to the lord

The lyrics never fail to amaze me, they are so damn good!

‘No, not I’ Joey? Sir, please, have mercy 😂

That ending with Madeleine’s voice and the drum and the guitar and the violin? *chef’s kiss*

Marbles

Again, knew this by heart because of the live version

And the studio version just improves it if that’s possible?

The instruments at the beginning already give me chills

And then Joey and Madeleine taking turns to sing? Ugh!

When the drum comes in I absolutely love it

I think this version is a bit slower than the live one? I like it!

It’s also softer, they’re almost whispering at the start 💗

‘And you’re the thigh high hemline I just can’t stop staring at’ is, for some reason, such a fun line to sing :)

‘The flat we rented was a palace for my queen’

‘She sang do you think I’m sexy? And oh god I really did’

‘You’re not flawed darling, you’re just a little under-rehearsed’

My favorite part, even if I can’t exactly say why:

This song just tells such a compelling story!

And I’d sink to the floor, what’s the point anymore,

And you, you’d reply with a glint in your eye

(And you, you’d reply with a drink in your hand)

Saying ‘I don’t know, but I’m here, I’m all yours, dear heart don’t cry’

THE CHORUS IS PURE LOVE, OKAY?

‘Your eyes aren’t rivers there to weep but a place for crows to rest their feet’ is such a lovely thing?

More amazing lyrics:

How Joey holds the note in ‘day’ and shifts back into the chorus

I’ve loved you, for a hundred years

Certainly fucking feels like it

The minute I met you the colours of my life begun to pour

I’m scared of the dark

And now, even though you’re mad and these memories won’t stay, it’s okay.

Cos now I get to meet you for the first time every single day

This song also reminds me a bit of the Witcher and Jaskier

‘The crows feet are new‘

‘Are you perhaps short of a marble?!′

Again, they nail the ending with Madeleine’s beautiful vocals

Battle Cries

As always, the guitar sounds great!

Something they often do that I love is how they sing different lyrics at the same time, Joey and Madeleine singing together is my weakness

THE LYRICS!

‘After summers of fasting I feel hunger at last’

But that breathing you hear don’t mistake it for sighs

Don’t you realise - They’re just battle cries dear

And these lines aren’t wrinkles dear heart

Hardly knew the words

They’re just dollops of paint on a new work of art

I’m dolled up love don’t I deserve to just

And as I walk away I know I’ve been through the wars,

But that creaking you hear in my bones is not pain, it’s applause

‘Our devils broke rank, and out of the depths came an army’

With you I could summon the gods and the stars

Watch them dance out the plays that we wrote from the heart

And we’d laugh at the ghosts of our fears. We were kids.

‘This isn’t a break up, dear heart, it’s a season finale’

This one just gets me with the tune and the lyrics together!

All it took to unearth in the dust and the dirt

Some release or respite from the heat and the hurt

Was taking the time now and then to ask how I am

And now at the end, at the end of all things,

I’m not going to scream, beat my chest at the wind,

I’m doing fine.

Also, Madeleine’s beautiful melody before the chorus, omg!

To summarize, this album made such an impression on me. I literally don’t remember last time I connected so much with someone’s music. They are all such incredible people and talented musicians, and Joey’s lyrics just stayed in my heart, he’s so incredible!

#my fangirling got out of control for a bit there #the amazing devil #the horror and the wild #joey batey #madeleine hyland #if joey happened to like this post i will die of happiness #*would #but he probably won't hahah #i just want them to know how amazing they are! 😭#rant #random #fangirling #long post

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