Chapter 9: Who are them

Day Four of having the babies home. Them. The babes were going to tell daddy everything.

The day started with soft shorts and cozy sweaters and pitter patter rain. Jaskier was in a calm slow mood. He spent time making each boy three nice big waffles with butter and syrup, except Eskel on Eskel's, he had blackberries and strawberries. Jaskier finished making himself one before sitting down at the counter with the three boys. It's then that he noticed they were unusually quiet and rather… nervous or sad looking.

"Is there something wrong, my flowers?" Jaskier asked, concern dripping from his tongue. Lambert and Geralt looked at Eskel. Eskel nodded and Jaskier waited. Each boy hadn't wagged and had their ears down flat.

"Can we tell you something? Pr-promise you'll still- still like us?" Eskel said and stumbled over his words. Jaskier put the plates away and cleaned their faces. Each boy got a kiss to the forehead and lips.

"I will always love you no matter what. Now come, we can talk in the living room. Up on the couch." Jaskier said and guided them all to sit on the couch. Although Geralt still preferred to sit on the floor and rest his head against Jaskier's knee.

"Now take your time. Tell me what's wrong." Jaskier said. He seemed so calm but really he was screaming and crying and worrying himself to death on the inside. Eskel took a deep breath. None of the boys liked talking about them .

"Before… Before we got to you we each had other… caretakers. We got split up for three years and four months before we got put in the Doxe Witcher Sterilization Program. People got paid to bring in witchers even if they weren't theirs. But before that we um… we had other owners." Eskel said and avoided Jaskier's eyes. Jaskier nodded and said "I know. I know that babies. What's this about?" Jaskier wanted to know what had all his babies so stressed out. Eskel gulped and continued.

"We all had… jobs. Things we were forced to do. It um...Daddy I was a bodyguard and and they made me fight and and I- I hated it! I hated it so much I wanted to die! Daddy I didn't want to I- I- I-" Eskel broke down. Jaskier stood after gently moving Geralt's head and being careful of him. He held Eskel in his arms and rocked him a bit and shushed him.

Geralt added onto that by saying "When we saw him again he had that scar on his face and a broken arm and a dislocated shoulder and and cuts and bruises everywhere! It was so horrible, he looked half dead and broken!" Geralt said in a sad voice.

"You never ever have to do that. Never. I know you hated it. You are just a soft little lover. You didn't deserve to go through that. Never. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I promise to keep you far far away from that." Jaskier said and shed a few tears for the baby. He kissed all over Eskel's poor tear streaked face. Jaskier used the bottom of his own shirt to wipe away the tears and snot off his face. Eskel breathed normally after a while. And Jaskier sat back down. Geralt scooted so he was pressed up against Jaskier's legs. He was picking at the seam on his pants.

"Da-Daddy… I was um… I was a dolly. I got dressed up or not dressed at all and and… I was painted and given presents and compliments for just… being there. I had to stand up on pedestals and stay perfectly still. Sometimes they made me take medicine that made me not able to mo-mo-move and when I moved one too many ti-times I would get hi-hi-hits for each movement. It was scary and I was so alone and and Daddy I don't wanna ever do that again. Never." Geralt confessed and started crying on the floor. Jaskier shushed and pulled him up into his lap. He rocked back and forth shushing him and telling him the same thing he told Eskel. "I love you. I love you so much. You'll never be treated like that ever again."

Finally when Geralt calmed down Jaskier looked toward the youngest who was picking at his fluffy hoody. Eskel whispered something to him and then him and Geralt left to go sit on the patio right outside the doors. Lambert finally looked near Jaskier's shoulder and spoke in a hushed angry voice.

"Geralt was a pretty dolly. He was art and used for aesthetics… I was… I was a different kind of doll. Tied up, beat on, cut, bitten, scratched, punched, made to do disgusting acts on even more disgusting men. Daddy, I was a sex doll. I wasn't pretty and I wasn't strong like Eskel. I was just, I got used. Roofies and sedatives and and and- Daddy I'm gonna be sick." Lambert said and ran to the kitchen sink where yes, he was sick. He emptied his stomach into the sink. Jaskier was right there petting down his back and getting him washed up and made him rinse his mouth.

Lambert was shaking and crying into Jaskier's chest. Jaskier held him close. Jaskier shushed him and rocked a bit.

"Lambert my feather soft heart, I'll protect you forever. You will never be touched in an inappropriate way ever again. Anyone who makes you uncomfortable or upsets you will be cut and pushed away so fast they'll have whiplash. You never, never, have to do anything you don't like or want to do. I love Lambert. I love you so much. I love you more than anything in this entire world. Thank you for telling me about this." Jaskier said in a feather soft voice. Lambert nodded and whimpered "I love you too, daddy".

Poor babies. Poor little babies. I had such a fun day planned… I suppose we can still have fun. Today is their first time in the basement… A treat!

"Well baby, you know what we're gonna do to cheer you and bubbas up?" Jaskier asked after the baby stopped crying. He started to walk toward the doors and the patio. "Wha?" Lambert said in a sweet tiny baby voice. Lambert had been more and more like this. Coping mechanisms. Jaskier ushered the boys all up and toward the basement door which was always locked until now.

"I have a surprise for you. I know we love playing in the yard but since it's raining I thought I'd finally show you the…" Jaskier said as he opened the door and walked down the stairs. He heard gasps as the three followed him. Jaskier reached the bottom and spread his arms.

"Your playroom! I'm still getting some things but here it is!" Jaskier said and watched the witchers take it all in. The colorful foam floor, the stuffed animals, the bean bag chairs, the movie collection on the shelf beside the TV, the little painted fridge and snack baskets, and the three oddly wide closet doors that were each painted with different colorful patterns. They were wagging wildly and purrs soon filled the air. Geralt made his happy noise and wagged so much he was swaying on his feet. All ears were pointed straight up.

"Woah… Daddy we can have movie night where! We can make it better with blankies!" Eskel said excitedly and went to the steps.

"Aht! Eskel, baby, I've gotta talk first, then you can work, okay?" Jaskier corrected the pup who said "sorry, daddy" and got back off the stairs. Jaskier walked around the room, he was really trying to make it more baby friendly.

"Rules. There are rules for the playroom. I will have them up on a poster soon. So far we have a few. Firstly, no running on the stairs. No rough housing down here. Always follow the rules that are on the fridget, which are basically portions. So we don't under or over eat. Um.. Oh no open cups down here. Bottles and sippies only. And lastly, No hiding accidents down here. If you make a mess or spill something, tell me. I know there will be plenty of accidents down here and that's okay! These tiles? They're just foam, so we can just pop them up, clean them, and put them back. The walls are scratch proof and stain resistant. Got that?" Jaskier said and the witchers watched and listened carefully.

"Yes Daddy!" All three said. They were looking around now, looking at the movies and talking to each other. Jaskier walked to the closets then.

"Boys, here, look here." Jaskier said to get their attention. The boys ran over and had the sweetest curious looks plastered on their faces. "This one has cushions and fort building things like sheets and clothespins and things like that." Jaskier said as he pulled open the door. The small closet was two thirds full of about seven large couch cushions and then two shelves with different plastic jars full of clips and pins and things. Eskel had his hands wiggling around at this.

"We can make forts down here!?" Eskel said and looked at Jaskier with wide sparkling eyes filled to the brim with joy. Jaskier nodded "Absolutely, they'll be even better once I get the low profile mattresses. They're like cushions but the size of beds!" Jaskier whisper yelled to Eskel. Eskel almost squealed and clapped his hands. Jaskier smiled and giggled a bit. "Anything for my loves." He said and walked to the next one.

"This one is all toys. When we're done playing down here we put our toys back here." Jaskier said even though each boy almost always put his toys away when he's done. Lambert automatically grabs one of the many soft toys. A plain brown cat. Jaskier was about to say something but Lambert was already chewing on its ear. There was a basket about three feet tall and as wide and deep as the closet. It was filled with stuffed animals. There were five white lidded labeled tubs on each of the three shelves. Cars, Race tracks, papers, paints and brushes, crayons, markers, Play dough, Slime, Beads and string, Light up Buggies, Magnets, Lock Blocks, and three tubs dedicated to legos. Jaskier wanted to make sure they had plenty of options.

Lambert was happy to just chew on his cat and go sit on the floor and watch his brothers. Jaskier laughed at the baby. He's gonna need to get more babyish stuff for him. Maybe a rattle and some special teethers? Jaskier walked to the last door.

"This one's empty for now but it'll be where all the other fort material and things go. Maybe when you get more comfortable we could go out to the store and you guys could pick stuff!" Jaskier said and walked back to the stairs. Eskel and Geralt followed, leaving Lambert alone in the middle of the floor. Jaskier let the boys go and joined the babe on the floor.

"You like that one?" Jaskier asked and Lambert nodded he crawled over and climbed into his daddy's lap. Jaskier pet at his hair and watched as the older boys brought quilts and blankets and pillows down. Lambert was sound asleep soon enough. Emotional strain can do that to a baby. Eskel and Geralt were making a lovely nest.

Soon Jaskier had laid Lambert in the nest and watched his brother wrap him up in a quilt and then cuddle him. The boys requested "The show with the green trash monster" So Jaskier popped on Sesame Street for them and brought his laptop down so he could do some stuff while watching the babes.

He had messages from his managers and others asking how he was adjusting… he forgot to tell anyone except Yen that he had gotten witchers.... oops. He replied to them all that he was doing fine and that the pets were adjusting well and were healthy and happy. He also decided he was getting too old to sit on the floor and ordered a nice plush red chair for down here for himself.

He then flipped over to his phone and popped one of his ear phones in. He opened up Yennefer's newest message that read "Todayyyyy????????????". She really wanted to meet the babies.

Yennefer was Jaskier's best friend. They had met in high school and went to the same college. Yennefer really was just always there for Jaskier. From when he came out to his parents and got kicked out to the time when he was a penniless struggling musician and still now when he was fairly well off. Yennefer was always doing things for herself. She paid for her own college (thank gods for scholarships), she worked through medical school, and now she harassed Jaskier everyday about being able to come over and pet the babies. Yennefer just wanted to kiss their faces and wash them and kiss them and kiss them more and kiss them again.

Jaskier typed back what the babies had told him and that maybe tonight they might wanna meet. Yennefer answered with pity and sympathy. Jaskier quickly snapped a quick picture of the boys. All had on their soft snuggly sweaters and soft shorts and looked so snuggly in their nest. Eskel was holding a pillow against his chest, Geralt was sucking on Lambert's ear and Lammy was asleep with his stuffy's ear in his mouth still. Eskel and Geralt were both completely focused on the show.

This would be their first picture. He snapped the picture and sent it to his bff with the message ' Babies' first picture! Imma get it framed.' Jaskier smiled and saved the photo. Yennefer instantly messaged him back-

' OH. MY. FUCKING. GODS. THEY'RE SO BIG! OH MY GODS THEY LOOK SO CUTE! IS HE SUCKING ON THE OTHER ONE'S EAR? AWWWWWWWWWWWW OH MY GODS THEY. ARE. PERFECT. I WANNA HOLD THEM. N O W!' Jaskier laughed a bit at the message which caused the two awake boys to look at him. He waved them off and they went back to their show.

Jaskier sent her a quick ' I'll put you on a video call. I have my headphones in so they can't hear but you can watch them. I need to do laundry. I'll be able to hear you so tell me if they need me.' Yennefer was more than happy to do so. Jaskier stood up and stretched and positioned his phone on the movie shelf so that the screen faced the wall and the camera was down on them.

Jaskier walked over and kissed their foreheads. "Hey Bear, I'm going to go do laundry but my phone's gonna watch you so if you need me just call out okay?" Jaskier said and kissed Geralt's forehead. Geralt nodded. "Eskel, darling, you too. If you need something just call out. Love you babes, I'll be back soon." Jaskier said and left upstairs. In his ear he could hear Yennefer squealing.

Jaskier hurriedly put the clean laundry in a basket to fold, out the wet in the dryer, and loaded up the washer. He listened to Yennefer talk about "T hey're so cute!" "Oh my gods they're giggling" "Do they need bottles? Oh my gods I'll feed them bottles 24 fuckin 7" "Aw the little one's waking up!" "Aw they're given him kisses!" "Oh he's grumpy isn't he, I'd kiss his perfect little head all day long. I wanna rock him to sleep" "JASKIER I WANNA MOTHER THEM. THEY'RE SO FUCKING CUTE."

Jaskier laughed and walked back down to where all three were watching the show. Jaskier walked over and knelt down next to them. Lambert wiggled to lay across Eskel to kiss Jaskier. In his ear he just heard ' Awww daddy's baby. He's an angel.'

"Hey babies. I have a very important question, so pay attention." Jaskier told them as he paused their show. All three wiggled and looked at him. Jaskier misled and looked at his phone for a second.

"Do you think you could meet someone today? It's not a doctor or anyone like that! It's my bestest friend Yennefer. Do you think you wanna meet Aunty Yen?" Jaskier asked and watched the boys look at each other, having a silent conversation. Yennefer was screeching ' FUCK YEAH I"M FUKIN AUNTY YEN'. All the boys smiled. Lammy looked the most excited.

"I hab Aunty!? Is she pretty? Is she nice? When is she here I want my aunty!" Lammy said as his tail flicked up from under his blanket and started squishing excitedly. ' Oh I am on my way NOW! I'm comin for ya lil baby!' is all Jaskier heard before the noise of hanging up.

"I think I wanna have an aunty." Eskel said and Geralt nodded in agreement. "When is she gonna be here?" Eskel asked. Jaskier laughed.

"I believe she's currently on her way. How about we get up and get lunch ready so she can eat with us. I think she'd like feeding a certain someone a bottle." Jaskier said and booped Lambert's nose. He squealed and said "She will! She wants to feed me!?" Jaskier nodded and hummed a yes.

Geralt stood up and walked up the stairs with Eskel in close tow. Jaskier hauled Lambert up and walked behind the wobbly baby up the stairs. Eskel and Geralt already had already gotten some berries out and turned around to look at their daddy.

"What're we making here, boys?" Jaskier asked as he looked over the blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Geralt smiled and sat down at the counter next to Lambert. Eskel got out the pancake bowl.

"We gotta make her pancakes! We can make 'em pretty for her!" Eskel said and even got out the container of powdered sugar. Jaskier nodded and started on the dough. He thought about how long it would be until the violet eyed woman would be knocking at the door. She lived about 35 minutes away and it was raining so maybe 40 minutes. Easy Peasy plenty of time.

Jaskier smiled and whipped up the batter and cooked the pancakes which took about 20 minutes and then the boys decorated for fifteen minutes. The boys had about five minutes and they waited by the door.

Geralt was wagging with his ears high up and rolling on the balls of his feet. Eskel was wagging but looked a little nervous, he stood in front of his brothers, closest to the door. Lambert was again sucking on the end of his own tail while sitting on the floor, he was watching his own toes wiggle.

'Please don't bite my best friend, Please don't bite my best friend, Please don't bite my best friend'