A Fragile Facade

Geralt's fevered mind was consumed by the need to make amends, to apologize to Jaskier for his thoughtless words. He reached out a trembling hand, grasping Jaskier's arm as he tried to speak. "Jaskier, I'm sorry... I'm so sorry. I was a fool, a blind fool. I didn't mean to hurt you, I swear it." Jaskier's expression remained stern, his eyes flashing with a mix of anger and hurt. "Geralt, I've told you already, I'm not looking for apologies. I want you to mean what you say, to think before you speak. Not just empty words to placate me." Geralt's face contorted in a mixture of pain and desperation as he tried to find the right words. "I do mean it, Jaskier. I mean every word. You're my friend, my only friend, and I was stupid to risk losing you." His voice cracked, and he felt a lump form in his throat. Despite his best efforts to fight it, Geralt's body betrayed him. Tears began to seep from the corners of his eyes, rolling down his cheeks in a slow, hot stream. Jaskier's eyes widened in surprise as he stared at Geralt, his expression softening ever so slightly. Geralt had always prided himself on his stoicism, his ability to remain unemotional in the face of adversity. But now, as he lay there, weak and vulnerable, he felt his facade crumbling. He tried to wipe away the tears, but they only seemed to flow faster, streaming down his face like a river. Jaskier's eyes were fixed on Geralt's face, a mixture of shock and concern etched on his features. He had never seen Geralt cry before, not even as a child. The Witcher's usual stoicism had always been a part of him, a defining characteristic that made him who he was. As Geralt continued to cry, Jaskier's anger began to dissipate, replaced by a deep sense of empathy. He reached out, gently wiping away the tears that had accumulated on Geralt's cheeks. "Geralt, stop," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're scaring me." Geralt's body shook with sobs, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. He felt exposed, vulnerable, and humiliated. But as he looked up at Jaskier, he saw something there that gave him hope. A glimmer of understanding, a spark of compassion that told him that maybe, just maybe, their friendship wasn't beyond repair.