Notes: Yes, this was inspired by that photo of Barry K in those clawed gloves and tub of blood. Mwrar!

Gosh, it really has been a long time since I drew them, hasn't it. (And I've lost the ability to post any images to AO3 too.)

P.S. This is what Geralt looked like as a fluffy Pomeranian puppy:

rightful place at his witcher's side.

He walks beside Geralt and Roach, head high, feet light, heart full, as they head out yet again onto the open road, towards their next grand adventure together. 🐺🪕

onto Roach with glistening eyes and a full chest. He considers breaking into hearty song in response, or one of his long poems about the legendary White Wolf ... but he chooses instead to say "I love you" in the way he always has for decades since he first met Geralt in Posada. He steps into his /+

"I love you" to him in various ways, who extolled his youthful beauty and regalled him with odes in turn. But he's sad that no one in the world will ever know his Geralt as a master wordsmith too, who could destroy him then remake him with naught but a handful of words. He watches Geralt climb /+

also realizes that Geralt just admitted to remembering what he'd said about his past and his family.

"But--" Geralt turns and looks him in the eye with soft, amber ones. "Your heartbeat is stronger than the cold and the dark and loneliness."

Jaskier thinks about his past lovers who'd said, /+

Geralt doesn't seem to react to this, other than to turn his head away and stare into the distance. But Jaskier is watching him carefully. He sees the bobbing of Geralt's throat.

"The silence can be--very loud for me too. In the woods. In the winter."

Jaskier is surprised by this admission. He /+

a theory, however, and says, "The curse didn't transform you into a fluffy puppy to punish you. It wanted you to see what you always were within."
Geralt snorts. "What, a helpless, little thing?"
"No, Geralt. A most lovable, brave, kind being, no matter how big, vast and scary the world can be." /+

the curse. Jaskier is elated that his witcher is back to his big, old, crotchety self--but he also misses the sweet, fluffy puppy: he hadn't been asleep when he felt Geralt nuzzling his face and snuggling with him. Geralt doesn't understand why he'd been cursed that way to begin with. Jaskier has /+

corner of Jaskier's eye. He nuzzles it, licking the salty drop away. Then he curls up against the side of Jaskier's head, comforting his despondent friend the only way he knows how while being a puppy. In the morning, to both their surprise, Geralt has changed back to his human form, free from /+

calling him to stay.

"I talk and sing, talk and sing, because I don't want to disappear, even while I'm still here."

When Jaskier shuts his eyes and says nothing more, Geralt stands up and pitter-patters on his tiny paws across the pillow to Jaskier's head. He notices a bead of moisture at the /+

the silence and always talks and talks and sings as much as he can because the silence reminds him of the day his noble family in Lettenhove told him to leave and never come back if he wanted so badly to be a lowly bard, of the soundless shutting of the manor's gates behind him, and no one /+

chest and snuggling into it. That night in bed, after dinner in which Geralt does eat some food, he's lying on a pillow while Jaskier is lying next to him, gazing up at the ceiling. Jaskier thinks he's asleep--and so, Jaskier says aloud that he misses hearing Geralt's voice. That he doesn't like /+

and picks puppy!Geralt up into his arms, hugging him tight. At first, Geralt growls and struggles--but when Jaskier strokes his head and kisses his forehead, he goes still. To Jaskier's amazement, Geralt gradually calms down under his affectionate stroking in his arms, falling asleep against his /+

Jaskier that the curse is only temporary ... if Geralt does something in particular to break it. Before Jaskier can ask what that is, Yen leaves via a portal with a wicked smile. For the rest of the day, PomPom Geralt sulks and refuses to eat or acknowledge Jaskier. Jaskier ignores the sulking, /+

and refuses to help undo the curse ... because she thinks puppy!Geralt is too adorable. Geralt throws a tantrum, rolling around like a hyperactive fluff ball and barking at a cackling Yen and Jaskier who's trying not to crack up and coo at Geralt. Yen eventually feels enough pity to tell him and /+

way, a robber attacks Jaskier and tries to take his coin and lute--but PomPom Geralt is having none of that. Despite being a tiny puppy, he attacks and scares away the robber, saving his bard and his precious lute. They end up encountering Yen in a town, who laughs her arse off at PomPom Geralt /+