The White Werewolf || Season One: Ties That Bind

Chapter Fourteen

He grimaced and shifted uncomfortably, reaching into his pockets to move the bread around. Robin smiled. "Jas, you don't need that bread. I'm buying dinner, all right?"

"Well, all right, moneybags," he agreed, clearly grateful, quickly moving on to distract from his obvious need for help. "So, um, what did you think of my performance? You're the only two who didn't comment."

"Funny," Robin assured him immediately. "Maybe a bit too much for this crowd," she pointed out.

Jaskier nodded and then looked at Geralt. "And what about you, um..." He paused. "What did my sister call you? Broody McBrooders? You must have some review for me. Three words or less."

Robin hadn't torn her eyes away from her brother, so she didn't see the look on Geralt's face until her head snapped in his direction as he gruffly replied, "They don't exist."

"What don't exist?" Jaskier wondered, unperturbed.

"The creatures in your song," Geralt clarified.

"And how would you know?" Jaskier chuckled.

Then he really looked at the man and recognition dawned in his eyes. "Oh, fun. White hair, two very scary-looking swords. I know who you are. You're a witcher. Geralt of Rivia."

Geralt rolled his eyes and grunted affirmatively.

"Called it!" Jaskier yelled excitedly, thumping his hand against the table.

He glanced at Robin, then back at Geralt. "I thought you were supposed to be a big old loner. What are you doing hanging out with my charming sibling?"

"Geralt's helping me with a problem," Robin explained, giving the witcher an odd look.

She didn't understand the mood he was suddenly in. He'd been quite happy, for him, at least, on the road.

"Oh, so you hired him, then?" Jaskier asked, interrupting her thoughts. "What are you, loaded or something? I've heard witchers are expensive."

"It depends on the job," Geralt broke in.

At the same time, Robin continued, "Well, I'm not paying in the traditional sense."

Jaskier's eyes flicked up and down the strapping man sitting across from him. "Well, I'm impressed, big sister. I'll get a better look at him the next time he stands up, but I do think you've chosen well if you were looking for a stud horse."

"Jas!" she hissed, playfully smacking him in the chest and blushing furiously.

"What? I'm right, aren't I? Although the possessiveness could be a red flag, you know. Might want to get that under control. Sounds like it's just contractual between you, Mr. of Rivia."

Geralt rolled his eyes at the name, but Robin laughed, making Jaskier smile again. "I missed your laugh, Robin," he told her sincerely.

"I missed everything about you," she sighed, reaching up and touching his hair. "You got so tall."

Jaskier blushed. "Not as tall as Geralt, but taller than you. Not that that took much. You're the same size as when you left."

His face fell as he brought it up and she shook her head at him. "No more talk of that, Jas."

She was going to say more, but a woman stopped at their table and asked if they wanted anything. Robin ordered food and drinks for everyone, and before she could speak, Jaskier prodded, "So, tell me what's happened since we last saw each other."

"You first," she insisted. "I heard about it when you ran away. I wanted to find you, but there was no way to, and I couldn't have escaped then anyway. What happened, Jas?"