[ Tech follows Jaskier's lead, a perfect mirror with the willow branch. It would seem he's not necessarily learning Jaskier's mother's technique, but a technique created for Jaskier himself. Would the Jaskier in Penance be able to weave these wreaths or would he have been so far removed from that part of his life as he got older and embroiled in the excitement and danger that came from attaching himself to Geralt? Would they have made wreaths and hung them on their home for the holidays? Tech doesn't know, so instead he focuses on Jaskier's explanation here and his guidance. Once he learns, he'll never forget...so even if someday he does reunite with a Jaskier who might be a little rusty on his wreath making technique -- Tech could show him again.
He only pauses when Jaskier answers his question about his mother, and it speaks volumes already that Jaskier understands the couple of questions behind Tech's single one. It's nice to be heard and understood. And it's even nicer to hear how supportive Jaskier's mother was. No wonder Jaskier is ahead of his time with the attitude of his mother mirroring something more modern mothers would adopt. The supportive kind. Sure, she likely hoped he would one day settle down with a wife and children -- but that wasn't Jaskier. So the next best thing she could do was love him through all of the ways he chose to live his life.
Hearing about Jaskier's sister brings a smile to Tech's face. Like parents, Tech's never had any family -- although hell did give him a taste of it. And he could easily imagine Suzaku being the same way, protecting him just the way Emmy would protect Jaskier. His fake older brother sacrificed his life to 'protect' him when Emmanuel's blood rained down so no doubt he'd stand up for his heart, too. It's just a shame Emmy couldn't give Geralt a piece of her mind. It's doubtful she'll ever actually know what happens in Jaskier's future.
Tech ties off the misshapen circle and glances across the table at Jaskier. ]
Well, from what it sounds like...Lettenhove is the best and most progressive place on the Continent. It's the place I most want to visit if I ever someday find myself there. Even if I do have to prove my worth as your soulmate to your dear sister first. I suppose telling her that I've found you across three separate universes won't go over well, huh? She'd probably think I'm crazy. Strike one for me...
[ He puffs out a breath. ]
In fact, I'd probably lose all around when it comes to the sorts of things she'd ask me. I have no family, no home, no real name...probably the only hope I'd ever have of one is if your family adopts me.
[ And as sad as that sounds, Tech doesn't say it in a way where he's feeling sorry for himself. It's just his reality and a reality mixed with a splash of hope. Tech might not have those things, but maybe one day he would. Maybe one day, Jaskier's mother would smile at him and tell him how glad she is he knew her son. Maybe one day, Emmy would soften and see that he and Jaskier made each other better. Maybe one day, he'd get a firm handshake from Jaskier's father (if handshakes are a thing in Jaskier's world -- if not, then a shoulder clasp) and be invited out to fish. Tech doesn't even like fishing, but he'd do it if Jaskier's dad invited him. ]
They sound wonderful. And I know they have to be good people since they all had a hand in raising you.
[Jaskier does nothing to suppress the shit-eating grin that appears on his face when Tech says dear sister as it's not an inaccurate moniker in either the face value meaning or the implied one with Tech's tone. It's hard not to feel a bit smug to be so dearly loved that someone would put another through their paces to ensure his safety (albeit only emotional safety) and to have that person feel it is entirely worth it to be put through it. He starts making his selection for his bundle as Tech continues, the grin lingering even when Tech's words turn a bit more serious about the reality of challenges he'll face should he make it back to Jaskier's world. It's difficult for Jaskier to conceive those as genuine challenges though. Whether it's the somewhat foolish consequence youth or the sort of delusion that always comes coupled with love (especially when it's still so new as it is for Jaskier now), Jaskier can't imagine a possible outcome where Tech doesn't find a way forward. As far as the bard is concerned, Tech will forge his own Destiny one way or another, and that will include finding a way past Emely's initial protectiveness of Jaskier and find himself accepted among them. He's also just glad to hear Tech shares in the same thought. Even if he doesn't say it aloud, it's there in his tone all the same.]
[There's a subtle flush in Jaskier's cheeks though when Tech reaches his conclusion. Most would probably tend to disagree with Tech on that one if only because of Jaskier's consistent and constant lack of discipline in... Well, in most domains that seem to matter to most. Not that Jaskier himself would tend to agree, but...! He's just not entirely used to such praise regardless of his tendency to preen and carry on as though he's never done a singular wrong thing in his life. Jaskier clears his throat a little before saying,]
Well, you might want to be careful about telling Emmy as much. She'll either think you're trying to flatter or insult her depending on the mood I've managed to put her in, and neither will really serve you well in impressing her. [Jaskier cuts himself some more twine now that he's selected all of the sprigs of various plants he wants to include in a bunch. It's only then that he seems to have settled enough from the mild shyness to bring his gaze back up to Tech's again. He arranges the sprigs as he continues,] They will adore you though. They'll see what I see and love you, too. It won't matter that you don't entirely fit in.
[Because he won't. It will be impossible for Tech to completely disappear into the fabric of the Continent as though he's always been a part of it because there's simply too much he doesn't know, doesn't possess by virtue of coming from an entirely different world. But it won't matter in the slightest to Jaskier's family, he thinks. Different isn't inherently terrible. That's what they always taught Jaskier.]
[ He laughs, a short and quiet laugh -- honored by Jaskier's faith, flattered, but also understanding perhaps it's a bit too optimistic. Of course, Jaskier would be the best predictor of how his family would respond. But at the same time, they've never met anyone from so far ahead in the future, a god made human. They wouldn't understand his slang and might question his accent. The only things Tech could lean on is being an inventor (they're always eccentric, no matter the timeline) and his love for their son and hope those would be enough for Jaskier's words to be true. ]
I don't really know what it is you see that you've seen twice, but...thank you.
[ There's a smile, a brief holding of Jaskier's gaze, and then he looks back down at the flimsy start of his wreath. He works on it quietly for a few minutes more before he throws a fit of exaggerated frustration, dropping it onto the table. ]
I can't get the spruce on here right!
[ Lips pinch into a pout because Tech damn well could get the spruce on there fine. He just wants Jaskier to come over, to put his arms around him and guide his hands. Jaskier's been out of kissing distance for at least ten minutes now and that simply is unacceptable! ]
[While Tech works quietly, Jaskier does not. At least, not exactly in perfect silence. As is typical of Jaskier whenever faced with a repetitive task—even one he enjoys like this—Jaskier hums to himself. It's a wordless little melody that follows the rhythm of his work between gathering various sprigs to tie them into their own little bunches and arranging them on his woven circle of willow branches. The song only stops when Tech seemingly becomes frustrated and drops his wreath down on the table. Jaskier mildly starts as his intense focus on his own wreath coupled with the quiet Tech had taken to, he'd very nearly forgotten he wasn't sitting here working entirely on his own. There's a moment of confusion when Jaskier looks at Tech's wreath since there isn't anything amiss with his work so far that would suggest or otherwise imply it's beyond Tech's ability or patience. But one look at Tech, and Jaskier pieces it together what's happening here.]
[Glancing down at his own wreath, Jaskier hides his smile and sets his latest bunch down before placing the wreath back on the table in front of him.]
Let me see it, [Jaskier says, rising out of his seat enough that he can comfortably lean over the table to pick up the offending bunch that purportedly won't cooperate. There's a playful little glint in his eyes when he looks at Tech and instead of fully rising out of his seat, he plops back down to fiddle with the little arrangement. Or at least makes a good show of doing so as it needs about as much fiddling as Tech is incapable of working on his wreath independently. The ruse doesn't last particularly long though. He hardly minds the invitation into Tech's space again even if it's such a flimsy excuse that it's nearly transparent. Jaskier turns in his seat as he's seemingly putting the finishing touches on it to bring it around to Tech. He leans down as if to make for a soothing kiss to Tech's cheek as he's passing it off to Tech, but at the last possible moment, Jaskier instead tickles at Tech's cheek with the small bundle. With a laugh, he teases by saying,] Try this, darling.
[His teasing can only last so long regardless if it's by Jaskier's own choice or because Tech snatches back his spruce. When Jaskier stops, he tries more in earnest for a kiss. Of course, whether or not Tech opts to make that easy for Jaskier after all his nonsense is entirely up to Tech, but Jaskier is more than willing to endure any leaning or shoving without complaint. He's well aware he earned it and he just must remain persistent in the wake of such obstacles and adversity, and that's certainly easy enough given the prize.]
[ When Tech's ploy doesn't work, his shoulders slump. Jaskier takes the wreath and doesn't come near immediately. Mission failed. Tech's left with nothing to fidget with in the meantime so his hands fold and he eyes Jaskier, suspicious these kisses are being intentionally withheld. It's the cruelest punishment having the space of an entire table between them! But before long Jaskier seems to realize the error of his ways and draws back in to--
....tickle his cheek with the spruce? ]
Oh my god, you're the worst!
[ Tech cries, not at all meaning it. His nose turns up as though insulted and he snatches the bundle from Jaskier's hands to remove his 'weapon.' ]
I can't believe you'd torture me like this on Christmas!
[ This is clearly the end of the world! He turns his head away from the follow up attempt to make amends with the kiss, crossing his arms and huffing. ]
I don't think I can ever forgive you.
[ Tech looks at Jaskier in a mockery of seriousness, punctuating the point with a staccato: ]
E. Ver.
[ The price of the offense is steep! Tech maintains a determination to sulk and he takes that sulk with him to the kitchen when the timer goes off -- removing the turkey and setting it atop the stove. While the bird cools, Tech twists around to face Jaskier -- hands braced behind him on the tiny counterspace. This is when the fine is issued, the penalty price Jaskier will have to pay. Tech's posture every bit beckons Jaskier to close the space between them -- maybe even ravish him in the twenty minutes they had before they could eat. The pinched sulk then becomes a challenge, a daring and sultry glance to entice the bard to try his best to make up for his crimes. ]
[Tech's theatrics only serve to send Jaskier into a fit of giggles. Try as he might to act contrite when Tech condemns him to a life—nay, an eternity without forgiveness, he can't suppress the smile or his laughter. He, at least, seems to make every effort to keep Tech there even with the timer going off, hands trying to find purchase wherever they might at Tech's clothes until he has no choice but to release him. (To some extent, anyway. Jaskier doesn't want dinner to burn any more than Tech, so there's certainly a degree to which Jaskier absolutely lets him go about his business in the kitchen ultimately unperturbed.) While Tech busies himself with the bird, Jaskier makes a small adjustment to Tech's bundle, which had been made slightly askew by its sudden snatching. He doesn't weave it into the wreath though, simply sets it down where it ought to go.]
[Jaskier's amusement only settles into something else when he glances at Tech in the kitchen again. He says nothing for a moment, simply holding Tech's gaze before he pushes Tech's abandoned chair in with a foot.]
I don't know why you're complaining so much, [he says as he crosses back over into the kitchen. He stops close in front of Tech, leaving little space between them. Lowering his voice, he says,] Torture can be sweet, too, you know.
[Starting at his elbows, Jaskier's hands slid down along his forearms, past his wrists, until he places his hands over Tech's on the edge of the countertop as if to keep them there. As he does, Jaskier leans in close, in a near-kiss as he continues,] Say for example... You won't touch me. Not even if I were to ask or beg you to.
[Ducking his head, Jaskier presses a teasing kiss to Tech's throat, his hands slipping away from Tech's hands to his hips as he finally presses himself close.]
Only if I convince you to forgive me after all. [He kisses Tech's pulse point beneath his jaw as he slips his hands beneath the hem of Tech's sweater to feel at warm skin. Lifting his head again, Jaskier meets Tech's gaze.] What do you say? Will you let me earn your forgiveness?
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no subject
He only pauses when Jaskier answers his question about his mother, and it speaks volumes already that Jaskier understands the couple of questions behind Tech's single one. It's nice to be heard and understood. And it's even nicer to hear how supportive Jaskier's mother was. No wonder Jaskier is ahead of his time with the attitude of his mother mirroring something more modern mothers would adopt. The supportive kind. Sure, she likely hoped he would one day settle down with a wife and children -- but that wasn't Jaskier. So the next best thing she could do was love him through all of the ways he chose to live his life.
Hearing about Jaskier's sister brings a smile to Tech's face. Like parents, Tech's never had any family -- although hell did give him a taste of it. And he could easily imagine Suzaku being the same way, protecting him just the way Emmy would protect Jaskier. His fake older brother sacrificed his life to 'protect' him when Emmanuel's blood rained down so no doubt he'd stand up for his heart, too. It's just a shame Emmy couldn't give Geralt a piece of her mind. It's doubtful she'll ever actually know what happens in Jaskier's future.
Tech ties off the misshapen circle and glances across the table at Jaskier. ]
Well, from what it sounds like...Lettenhove is the best and most progressive place on the Continent. It's the place I most want to visit if I ever someday find myself there. Even if I do have to prove my worth as your soulmate to your dear sister first. I suppose telling her that I've found you across three separate universes won't go over well, huh? She'd probably think I'm crazy. Strike one for me...
[ He puffs out a breath. ]
In fact, I'd probably lose all around when it comes to the sorts of things she'd ask me. I have no family, no home, no real name...probably the only hope I'd ever have of one is if your family adopts me.
[ And as sad as that sounds, Tech doesn't say it in a way where he's feeling sorry for himself. It's just his reality and a reality mixed with a splash of hope. Tech might not have those things, but maybe one day he would. Maybe one day, Jaskier's mother would smile at him and tell him how glad she is he knew her son. Maybe one day, Emmy would soften and see that he and Jaskier made each other better. Maybe one day, he'd get a firm handshake from Jaskier's father (if handshakes are a thing in Jaskier's world -- if not, then a shoulder clasp) and be invited out to fish. Tech doesn't even like fishing, but he'd do it if Jaskier's dad invited him. ]
They sound wonderful. And I know they have to be good people since they all had a hand in raising you.
no subject
[There's a subtle flush in Jaskier's cheeks though when Tech reaches his conclusion. Most would probably tend to disagree with Tech on that one if only because of Jaskier's consistent and constant lack of discipline in... Well, in most domains that seem to matter to most. Not that Jaskier himself would tend to agree, but...! He's just not entirely used to such praise regardless of his tendency to preen and carry on as though he's never done a singular wrong thing in his life. Jaskier clears his throat a little before saying,]
Well, you might want to be careful about telling Emmy as much. She'll either think you're trying to flatter or insult her depending on the mood I've managed to put her in, and neither will really serve you well in impressing her. [Jaskier cuts himself some more twine now that he's selected all of the sprigs of various plants he wants to include in a bunch. It's only then that he seems to have settled enough from the mild shyness to bring his gaze back up to Tech's again. He arranges the sprigs as he continues,] They will adore you though. They'll see what I see and love you, too. It won't matter that you don't entirely fit in.
[Because he won't. It will be impossible for Tech to completely disappear into the fabric of the Continent as though he's always been a part of it because there's simply too much he doesn't know, doesn't possess by virtue of coming from an entirely different world. But it won't matter in the slightest to Jaskier's family, he thinks. Different isn't inherently terrible. That's what they always taught Jaskier.]
no subject
I don't really know what it is you see that you've seen twice, but...thank you.
[ There's a smile, a brief holding of Jaskier's gaze, and then he looks back down at the flimsy start of his wreath. He works on it quietly for a few minutes more before he throws a fit of exaggerated frustration, dropping it onto the table. ]
I can't get the spruce on here right!
[ Lips pinch into a pout because Tech damn well could get the spruce on there fine. He just wants Jaskier to come over, to put his arms around him and guide his hands. Jaskier's been out of kissing distance for at least ten minutes now and that simply is unacceptable! ]
no subject
[Glancing down at his own wreath, Jaskier hides his smile and sets his latest bunch down before placing the wreath back on the table in front of him.]
Let me see it, [Jaskier says, rising out of his seat enough that he can comfortably lean over the table to pick up the offending bunch that purportedly won't cooperate. There's a playful little glint in his eyes when he looks at Tech and instead of fully rising out of his seat, he plops back down to fiddle with the little arrangement. Or at least makes a good show of doing so as it needs about as much fiddling as Tech is incapable of working on his wreath independently. The ruse doesn't last particularly long though. He hardly minds the invitation into Tech's space again even if it's such a flimsy excuse that it's nearly transparent. Jaskier turns in his seat as he's seemingly putting the finishing touches on it to bring it around to Tech. He leans down as if to make for a soothing kiss to Tech's cheek as he's passing it off to Tech, but at the last possible moment, Jaskier instead tickles at Tech's cheek with the small bundle. With a laugh, he teases by saying,] Try this, darling.
[His teasing can only last so long regardless if it's by Jaskier's own choice or because Tech snatches back his spruce. When Jaskier stops, he tries more in earnest for a kiss. Of course, whether or not Tech opts to make that easy for Jaskier after all his nonsense is entirely up to Tech, but Jaskier is more than willing to endure any leaning or shoving without complaint. He's well aware he earned it and he just must remain persistent in the wake of such obstacles and adversity, and that's certainly easy enough given the prize.]
no subject
....tickle his cheek with the spruce? ]
Oh my god, you're the worst!
[ Tech cries, not at all meaning it. His nose turns up as though insulted and he snatches the bundle from Jaskier's hands to remove his 'weapon.' ]
I can't believe you'd torture me like this on Christmas!
[ This is clearly the end of the world! He turns his head away from the follow up attempt to make amends with the kiss, crossing his arms and huffing. ]
I don't think I can ever forgive you.
[ Tech looks at Jaskier in a mockery of seriousness, punctuating the point with a staccato: ]
E. Ver.
[ The price of the offense is steep! Tech maintains a determination to sulk and he takes that sulk with him to the kitchen when the timer goes off -- removing the turkey and setting it atop the stove. While the bird cools, Tech twists around to face Jaskier -- hands braced behind him on the tiny counterspace. This is when the fine is issued, the penalty price Jaskier will have to pay. Tech's posture every bit beckons Jaskier to close the space between them -- maybe even ravish him in the twenty minutes they had before they could eat. The pinched sulk then becomes a challenge, a daring and sultry glance to entice the bard to try his best to make up for his crimes. ]
no subject
[Jaskier's amusement only settles into something else when he glances at Tech in the kitchen again. He says nothing for a moment, simply holding Tech's gaze before he pushes Tech's abandoned chair in with a foot.]
I don't know why you're complaining so much, [he says as he crosses back over into the kitchen. He stops close in front of Tech, leaving little space between them. Lowering his voice, he says,] Torture can be sweet, too, you know.
[Starting at his elbows, Jaskier's hands slid down along his forearms, past his wrists, until he places his hands over Tech's on the edge of the countertop as if to keep them there. As he does, Jaskier leans in close, in a near-kiss as he continues,] Say for example... You won't touch me. Not even if I were to ask or beg you to.
[Ducking his head, Jaskier presses a teasing kiss to Tech's throat, his hands slipping away from Tech's hands to his hips as he finally presses himself close.]
Only if I convince you to forgive me after all. [He kisses Tech's pulse point beneath his jaw as he slips his hands beneath the hem of Tech's sweater to feel at warm skin. Lifting his head again, Jaskier meets Tech's gaze.] What do you say? Will you let me earn your forgiveness?