[When Tech has them deviate, Jaskier stays with him and doesn't try to impede their progress towards the gardens of the park despite the glance back toward the path home. He rolls his eyes a little as Tech claims to be a complete fucking moron, but doesn't argue against the assertion because he knows ultimately what Tech means: he's brilliant, but he's often a fool who misses the obvious details that would bring it all together for himself. As Tech moves ahead to clear the dried brush aside, Jaskier uses the moment to continue assessing just how much of the park had dried and shriveled. Not that some of the plants didn't have a bit of a grotesque nature about them, but the greenery had been a nice change of pace compared to most parts of Hell. It was a shame to see the park in such shambles and nothing more than another reflection of death and decay.]
[Jaskier's attention is drawn from their surroundings when Tech calls for it on the small bloom at their feet.]
My, I must have really left an impression on you after all. I've got you speaking in metaphors now. [It's a light tease, and one that could easily be taken for a deflection of Tech's sentiment. It wouldn't be all that uncharacteristic for him to do as much. Those more abstract compliments are rarely ever ones that Jaskier allows to settle and stand without protest because they never feel as though they suit him. He's the storyteller, after all. Not the hero. But he doesn't brush it aside so easily now. Jaskier gently pulls Tech closer to him again to rest his forehead against his.] It's nice hearing you talk like this again, my darling...
[It feels as though it had been so long since Tech had even a hint of hope in his voice again. After Ava left... Well, it had been understandable so much of his faith in any semblance of a future being built because of their ability to defy the odds had been shaken, but it had hurt. It had hurt so much to feel Tech fading and drifting from him, and feeling so helpless to stop any of it. But now? Now, Tech is here and he's as vibrant as the buttercup pushing back against the decay of the land. He's not giving into wallowing in grief or allowing his hope to abandon him in this place.]
I was... I was scared you had given up. On this dream of ours. [There's a small pause before he ventures and pushes himself a little further to say,] On me.
[ Tech returns the embrace, bringing arms around Jaskier and closing his eyes, forehead to forehead. Had he ever given up on their dream? He might have in a way. Skepticism took root after Ava's departure. It reminded him of the narrative there were no happy endings -- not in his life and especially not in hell. But Jaskier's hope lit a candle in Tech and although the flame would almost go out, it would never entirely extinguish. Not when it came to Jaskier.
Tech doesn't answer immediately with words. His lips capture Jaskier's and he tastes him in a brief but meaningful kiss. And then, Tech adamantly shakes his head. ]
Never.
[ For as much as pessimism could rule his life and would still creep in, Jaskier had become Tech's purpose. Finding him again and again, loving him over and over, returning his lute to him, and spending as much time as time would allow with the human before him. That was what Tech wanted to live for -- to live beyond the years that would be allotted to him in his world, the time when he would die and be what the world needed from him next. Tech wanted to go out with his greatest achievement being this love he and Jaskier shared. ]
Even when I went, I wasn't gone.
[ His hand finds its way to Jaskier's heart, resting there tenderly. His words could take on multiple meanings. When he retreated into himself and let an older era in the forefront or when he followed the fox and left Jaskier behind. No matter which one it was, his heart remained with this Jaskier.
And that would become Tech's one issue to overcome. The Orpheus and Eurydice problem of looking back and missing what was right in front of him all along. It happened with Jaskier's younger self and it would happen again when Jaskier was sent home by Thirteen to age ten years. And then, he would be gone...and Tech will have felt he doomed himself to the hell of living alone because he just kept looking to what he had and not seeing what he has.
But at least now, right here...he's with this Jaskier. ]
I will always come home.
[ He presses his hand a little harder against Jaskier's chest and he tips his head up to kiss him again. This one longer, lingering, and highly likely to segue into lovemaking unless Jaskier had reason to interrupt. ]
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[Jaskier's attention is drawn from their surroundings when Tech calls for it on the small bloom at their feet.]
My, I must have really left an impression on you after all. I've got you speaking in metaphors now. [It's a light tease, and one that could easily be taken for a deflection of Tech's sentiment. It wouldn't be all that uncharacteristic for him to do as much. Those more abstract compliments are rarely ever ones that Jaskier allows to settle and stand without protest because they never feel as though they suit him. He's the storyteller, after all. Not the hero. But he doesn't brush it aside so easily now. Jaskier gently pulls Tech closer to him again to rest his forehead against his.] It's nice hearing you talk like this again, my darling...
[It feels as though it had been so long since Tech had even a hint of hope in his voice again. After Ava left... Well, it had been understandable so much of his faith in any semblance of a future being built because of their ability to defy the odds had been shaken, but it had hurt. It had hurt so much to feel Tech fading and drifting from him, and feeling so helpless to stop any of it. But now? Now, Tech is here and he's as vibrant as the buttercup pushing back against the decay of the land. He's not giving into wallowing in grief or allowing his hope to abandon him in this place.]
I was... I was scared you had given up. On this dream of ours. [There's a small pause before he ventures and pushes himself a little further to say,] On me.
no subject
Tech doesn't answer immediately with words. His lips capture Jaskier's and he tastes him in a brief but meaningful kiss. And then, Tech adamantly shakes his head. ]
Never.
[ For as much as pessimism could rule his life and would still creep in, Jaskier had become Tech's purpose. Finding him again and again, loving him over and over, returning his lute to him, and spending as much time as time would allow with the human before him. That was what Tech wanted to live for -- to live beyond the years that would be allotted to him in his world, the time when he would die and be what the world needed from him next. Tech wanted to go out with his greatest achievement being this love he and Jaskier shared. ]
Even when I went, I wasn't gone.
[ His hand finds its way to Jaskier's heart, resting there tenderly. His words could take on multiple meanings. When he retreated into himself and let an older era in the forefront or when he followed the fox and left Jaskier behind. No matter which one it was, his heart remained with this Jaskier.
And that would become Tech's one issue to overcome. The Orpheus and Eurydice problem of looking back and missing what was right in front of him all along. It happened with Jaskier's younger self and it would happen again when Jaskier was sent home by Thirteen to age ten years. And then, he would be gone...and Tech will have felt he doomed himself to the hell of living alone because he just kept looking to what he had and not seeing what he has.
But at least now, right here...he's with this Jaskier. ]
I will always come home.
[ He presses his hand a little harder against Jaskier's chest and he tips his head up to kiss him again. This one longer, lingering, and highly likely to segue into lovemaking unless Jaskier had reason to interrupt. ]