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English
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Part 2 of The Puppy and the Wolf
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Published:
2022-05-31
Completed:
2022-09-18
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57,528
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18/18
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Puppies and Playdates

Chapter 15: The Rescue

Notes:

Here Comes Daddy

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

At Jaskier’s struggled cry, Geralt’s snarl can be heard through the darkness.

 

His Daddy has come to rescue him.

 

Vaulting over a chasm in the floor, his Daddy makes a pained noise and drops to his knees beside where Jaskier remains trapped under the weight of the collapsed wall. Even though Jaskier can hear the rumbling growl and see the yellow eyes shining in the darkness, he can’t focus on anything other than the crushing pain. Shallow, panting breaths stir up little clouds of dust around his head. He needs his Daddy right now.

 

‘D-Daddy please, it h-hurts. Daddy-’

 

‘Oh my god, baby. Fuck.’

 

The rumbling voice is the best sound Jaskier’s ever heard in his life.

 

He’s not alone.

 

Daddy p-please-’

 

Hot breath tickles Jaskier’s face, and calloused fingers brush his cheek. His whole body shudders in relief and he keens, leaning into his Daddy’s hand, desperate for warmth. Brushing the hair out of his eyes, his Daddy leans closer, sniffing and licking at every part of Jaskier he can reach.

 

Easy- Daddy’s here now. Daddy’s got you.’

 

The hands are so comforting against the cold and the pain that Jaskier sobs. Licking away his tears, his Daddy speaks soft words of comfort as Jaskier whimpers, unable to speak. With his good hand, Jaskier manages to catch his Daddy's white hair. He tugs, needing to keep him close. With one hand against Jaskier’s cheek, Geralt uses his other to untangle his hair from Jaskier's fingers, replacing it with the shirt beneath his head. Jaskier latches to the fabric as his Daddy leans back to survey the mess.

 

‘Just stay calm pup, hang onto Lambert's shirt. Papa’s gone to get Vesemir. We’ll get you out of there.’ Curling closer to Jaskier, his Daddy licks him again as a second pair of legs appears in his line of sight. There's a low growl from his Daddy, and the legs stop moving.

 

‘Jaskier- I- god I’m so fucking sorry.’

 

‘Get back Lambert.‘

 

The legs move out of sight again, and his Daddy takes a breath, but his teeth are still bared. Terrified and in pain, Jaskier clings to him. He can’t think about Lambert right now, everything is too much and it hurts to breathe. His Daddy strokes his face ever so gently, wiping away some of the blood and tears as he sniffs at the parts of Jaskier he can reach. It’s such a relief, having his Daddy here, that Jaskier presses into the touch as much as he can, desperate. The comfort doesn’t last nearly long enough.

 

When the fingers pull away, Jaskier cries, devastated. He wants the hand back, he needs his Daddy. The touch doesn’t come, and Jaskier trembles. Lambert’s shirt ends up back in his mouth and he suckles on the fabric. He can hear his Daddy talking, but the words sound far away. Frightened and in pain, Jaskier tries his best to focus on the words, his head spinning.

 

‘I’m just here pup. Just breathe, Daddy’s right here. We’re going to get you out of there.’

 

Blinking away the tears, Jaskier watches in despair as his Daddy rocks back on his heels, moving even further away from him. Wiping his hands on his trousers, his Daddy’s face hardens and he hesitates. He looks like he’s struggling with what he has to do next. Standing, he leaves Jaskier with nothing to look at but sharp stones scattered across the floor.

 

‘Okay. Okay- Fuck- Lambert. I need you.’ His Daddy’s voice sounds pained. ‘Stop pacing and come here. Grab this, on three we lift. One, two, three-’

 

There’s a small yip that must come from Lambert, and the two pairs of legs come back into sight. Jaskier screams again as the weight on his back shifts, pain radiating through his body, but his Daddy and Lambert don’t stop.

 

‘Easy pup. I know baby.’ His Daddy speaks reassuring as they work, moving the heavy stones together before starting on the smaller ones. ‘Don’t move little one. Daddy’s going to get you out- Lambert put it there and grab this one, don’t touch anything else yet, it could collapse-’

 

The weight on Jaskier lessens gradually, his screams becoming quiet cries and sobs as he slowly regains the ability to draw air into his lungs. Dropping the shirt from his mouth, Jaskier sucks in as much air as he can, his chest aching as it expands. The dust burns his lungs, and he coughs a little, but he can breathe. As the last stone is lifted away, Jaskier tries to roll off the arm crushed beneath him. He can’t feel his fingers. Pain shoots up his leg when he moves, so severe that his vision darkens around the edges. He tries very hard not to throw up. He fails.

 

Panicking, he starts crying again. He’s made a mess, he’s going to get in trouble-

 

Shit- Lambert get back- Hey baby, easy. Daddy’s here. It’s just a little mess, here- I’ve got you pup.’

 

As his Daddy wipes away the vomit, Jaskier flinches, waiting for the yelling to start. It never does.

 

So gently, Jaskier is wiped down. Once he’s a little cleaner, his Daddy strokes his cheek with a broad thumb and licks away his tears again. ‘There we go pup, just keep breathing, nice and slow. You’re safe now. Daddy’s got you.’

 

Jaskier mewls at the comfort his Daddy gives to him, needing more. Without moving his body, because he can’t, he leans his face into his Daddy’s touch, just a little. The tongue licks over the bump on his head, and his Daddy rocks back on his heels again, making Jaskier cling to his clothing with his good arm.

 

‘Easy little one, Daddy’s not going anywhere, I promise. I just need to have a good look at you, alright? Just breathe for me, and let me know where it hurts.’

 

Gentle hands run over Jaskier’s head, feeling through his hair for injuries before moving down his neck and back, prodding and poking. He sucks in a shaky breath. Everything hurts. As his Daddy reaches carefully beneath him, checking his tummy and ribs, Jaskier’s head spins. He vomits again, the bile spilling over his chin and onto the stone.

 

‘It’s okay pup, just let it out.’ His Daddy stops prodding his belly to wipe him down again, gentling him as he does so. Jaskier leans into the touch, his fingers still clutched in his Daddy’s shirt to keep him close. Once he’s sure Jaskier is settled and breathing properly, his Daddy resumes checking him over. When he pokes a particularly sore spot, Jaskier lets out another cry.

 

Daddy-’

 

‘I know baby, I know. Daddy just need to make sure-’

 

Lifting his head carefully and laying it on a clean part of the shirt, his Daddy’s other hand trails down Jaskier’s back, fingers stepping down his spine, touching him gently. Even though his head is pounding, his ankle is burning and he’s lying in a little puddle of sick, Jaskier keens as his Daddy touches him. He’s safe.

 

‘Is he-?’ Lambert’s words are choked, and he can’t finish the sentence. He’s still hovering just out of sight.

 

‘He’s okay, I think. No broken ribs, and his spine still in once piece- thank fuck- oh his ankle, okay- I see it baby, I’m not going to touch it. Daddy’s going to lift you up now, just keep breathing slowly little one. In and out, up we go.’

 

Jaskier can hear Lambert’s cry of relief.

 

Lifted to his Daddy’s chest, Jaskier yelps. It feels like he’s been stepped on by an elephant. Now that he’s off the ground, he can see Lambert, leaning heavily on the cleared rubble, his eyes damp. Still not wearing a shirt, Lambert's shoulders are sagged and his eyes are locked on Jaskier. He’s clearly been worried sick, but Jaskier still isn’t able to speak; his whole body is screaming in protest as he’s moved, and fresh tears streak down his cheeks from the pain. His Daddy noses at his face and licks away his tears again.

 

‘You’re okay, Jaskier. Daddy’s got you. Fuck. Baby, I was so worried.’

 

Cradled bridal style, Jaskier sobs into his Daddy’s chest, whining in pain and exhaustion. Pressed together, Jaskier can feel his Daddy’s rapid heart beat; because his mind is really struggling to notice anything other than the pain, it takes him a moment to realise that his Daddy was scared too. That thought isn’t comforting in the slightest, and now that he’s safe in his Daddy’s arms, he starts to wail. He's grateful to be very much not dead, but he feels a little sick and floaty, so he can’t be sure. His leg hurts so much, every tiny movement sending shooting pain through his whole body.

 

To his left, Lambert makes another pained noise, pushing himself off the stone. Still keening, the youngest wolf takes a step forward, eyes still locked on Jaskier. Geralt turns and snarls at Lambert. His voice is like sharp ice.

 

Stay the fuck back. If you come anywhere near him right now I will tear out your goddamned throat-

 

Stumbling, Lambert retreats, his eyes shining with tears. ‘I just wanted to show him- I didn’t mean- I’m sorry.’ Lambert’s voice trembles and Jaskier cries even louder.

 

Jaskier wants to tell Lambert that it’s not his fault, that he’s the one that should be sorry, but all he manages is a tiny shake of his head, followed by a pained cry as his entire body throbs painfully. His vision darkens around the edges dangerously. It’s scary, but then his Daddy is with him again, licking his face, and Jaskier hiccups, desperate for the comfort as his vision swims in and out of focus. He tries to focus on his Daddy’s face, his pretty yellow eyes and soft white hair-

 

More voices can be heard echoing through the darkness, but Jaskier can’t focus on them. His body is working on not going into shock from the pain and he can see nothing in this moment but his Daddy. When Lambert whines and takes another tentative step towards them, Geralt lets out a low growl, twisting Jaskier away from Lambert’s raised hand.

 

‘Geralt, please let me scent him-’

 

Get the fuck back Lambert-

 

That’s enough.’ The authority cracks like a whip through the darkness.

 

The growling stops at once, and both men freeze. Stepping around a crumbled pile of stone and still wearing his apron, Vesemir looks scary. His grey hair is pulled into a ponytail at the base of his neck, and his sleeves are rolled up to his elbows. His pupils are blown wide, and he takes in the scene before him quickly, Jaskier watching from the safety of his Daddy’s arms. His Papa follows on Vesemir’s heels, his red shirt smeared with drying mortar, his own pupils blown wide. When he catches sight of Jaskier, he freezes.

 

‘Baby- oh God, Geralt is he-’

 

At the sight of his Papa, Jaskier swallows down another sharp cry. He wants to reach for him, to be in his Papa’s arms, but he also needs to stay with his Daddy right now. He needs to be safe. Geralt growls again, keeping Jaskier tightly to his chest and Jaskier sobs in confusion and pain.

 

Vesemir stops his Papa from approaching by throwing out a hand. With his other, he gestures for Lambert to come towards him. As Lambert stumbles away from Jaskier and Daddy, his Papa whines, a noise of desperation. He looks like he’s really struggling to stay where Vesemir holds him. Pushing past his Papa, Lambert burrows himself into Vesemir's side, his tears flowing freely now. Jaskier wants to reach for him, to reassure him, but he can’t. He can’t do anything right now except cling to his Daddy.

 

‘Eskel, let Geralt handle the pup for now; I know it’s hard but I don’t want him moved more than absolutely necessary before I’ve had a look at those injuries.’ Vesemir says, his commands echoing around the hall as Lambert cries into his apron. Vesemir’s tone softens, and he strokes over Lambert’s hair. Lambert presses his nose to Vesemir's neck, whinging. 

 

‘Easy, Lamb. Take a deep breath for me, just focus on my scent. Take another breath- There we go, and another- good boy.' Jaskier can see Lambert's shoulders sag as he leans into Vesemir, nosing at his skin. HIs heaving sobs quieten almost instantly. Once he's a little calmer, Vesemir pulls him back by the collar, his voice firm but gentle. 'Now, look at me pup, I know why you brought him down here, but you broke a rule and there will be a punishment.’

 

Jaskier starts to struggle, panicking. He doesn't want Lambert to be punished. Holding Jaskier tightly, his Daddy begins licking him again. The feeling is distracting, and when Jaskier's head throbs and another wave of nausea washes over him, he stops struggling and focuses on staying conscious. He’s vaguely aware of someone talking, and so he tries his very best to focus through the pain, because father says good boys always listen. It’s really hard to do when his head is spinning so fast, but he tries anyway.

 

‘-talk about that later.’ Vesemir says as Lambert continues to sob into his apron. ‘Right now we need to leave, the whole damn ceiling looks like it could come down on top of us. Eskel, go and get the door. Alright pups, move.’

 

Jaskier’s knuckles are white with how tightly he’s holding onto his Daddy’s dusty shirt, and his breathing is more like panting because everything hurts so much. He watches as Vesemir leads the wolves from the crumbling hall. The oldest wolf has one arm around Eskel, the other holding Lambert’s hand. Jaskier is glad Lambert has someone to hold his hand, because he deserves all the nice things. Jaskier wishes he could be the one to do it, but he can’t right now because he needs to stay with Daddy.

 

As his Daddy carries him through the boarded up doorway, he has to lift Jaskier’s bad leg. It hurts so much, that Jaskier screeches. His mind is foggy from pain. It hurts so much- he can’t stay awake any longer- he can’t-

 

Darkness swallows him, and he finally passes out.

Notes:

Woo hoo! So that was fun. Poor little Jaskier went down hard. Lucky Daddy Geralt was there to catch him.

If you liked this, please leave a kudos and a comment, because I live for them. You can also follow me on tumblr, where I'm answering questions about baby Jaskier and his wolves in the form of mini stories, because it's more fun that way.

Tumblr @greyshadowfaux