Author's Note:
This is just me experimenting with Jasper. I was prompted to do a 'Jasper comforts Edward' story and an 'Edward comforts Jasper' story. I decided to start with Jasper.
Do you think I should write the second story?
I know it's only short, but that's because it's the first time I've ever written Jasper and I wanted to get a feel for the character first because there's not all that much to base him on.
Sorry for any mistakes.
For Bella
Edward could feel the unbidden sense of calm washing over him as the door to his 'bedroom' opened and Jasper slipped in, for once without Alice. The newest vegetarian was quiet as usual and, had Edward been in a better frame of mind, he would have allowed himself into Jasper's mind to listen to his thoughts and to discover just what was going through his head.
But as he perched on the edge of his sofa with his elbows resting on his knees and his trembling hands buried into his bronze hair, he just couldn't muster the energy to do so.
Jasper wordlessly crossed the room, joining his brother on his sofa, relaxing into the back of it, a contrast to Edward's tense position balancing precariously on the edge of the sofa cushion. The closer Jasper got to him, the calmer Edward became. On the one hand, he was relieved to have been ridded of the horrible crushing sensation that had been pushing heavily on his chest where his no longer beating heart lay. On the other, however, he felt that he deserved to suffer through that. A punishment for what he had done.
He felt a hand come to rest on his back, just below his left shoulder blade. It was firm – yet somehow it remained gentle. A nice change from the crushing sensation that had just lifted completely from his – now empty – chest. With the feeling no longer bearing down on him, he allowed his eyes to wander towards his brother, taking in the concerned expression on his face as his hands fell, coming to rest in the space between his legs.
He finally allowed himself to tune in to Jasper's thoughts and, with a slightly defeated sigh, he answered his unspoken question.
"I'm beginning to believe that it's impossible to keep her safe, Jasper." His usually velvet-like voice was hoarse, as though he had been shouting for a long time, and no louder than a whisper. "We bring with us far too much danger to protect her from. I worry that one day we're not going to be there to help her when she needs it the most."
"We will." Jasper stated, calm and sure. "I know for certain that you'll stop at nothing to ensure her safety, Edward. And, as much as I loathe to admit it, we have the assistance of the dogs," he spat the word as though it brought with it a bad taste, "should we need it. Nothing will get to her when we're around."
Edward shook his head at his brother's words. As a soft shaky sigh escaped his mouth, he cursed the body that felt the need to perform such unnecessary tasks.
"There's too much to protect her from, Jasper, and there aren't enough of us to do it."
"We may be few in numbers," Jasper agreed, "but we each have talents. And on top of those talents, we have one thing in common. Each of us wants to keep Bella safe and we will stop at nothing to make sure that it happens. That alone makes us stronger than anybody who may want to hurt her."
Edward's eyes, which had wandered out of his bedroom window as Jasper had been talking, returned their attention to him, meeting his golden gaze. He pondered Jasper's words, aware of the eyes watching him.
"Bella will be fine, Edward." Jasper added in a much firmer tone when Edward failed to speak. "We'll make certain of it."
Edward knew that it was just wishful thinking, just an attempt by his brother to soothe him. There was no way that Jasper – or even Alice, for that matter – could be so certain about something that they had no control over. But the sentiment was there and Jasper, with his words and no doubt a bit of assistance from his talent, had succeeded in what he had come to do.
It may not be certain; not written in stone. But Edward knew one thing was definite.
The Cullens would stop at nothing to protect Isabella Swan.
Author's Note:
Thank you for reading :)
I'd love to know what you think.
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