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"Fabian?" Nina touched his hand lightly as he sat at his study. Fabian looked up at her touch and smiled kindly. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing,"
"I may not be able to read minds, but I know when my husband is lying to me. Come on, is it something about Jerome? You haven't been acting yourself since he came to spoke to you about yesterday. And you wouldn't tell us. But you can tell me, I'm your wife," she twined her fingers in with his, and Fabian's eyes smoldered looking up at her.
"I think that Jerome may be falling in love with a human."
Nina frowned, not understanding "But that's not possible,"
"I don't know." he sighed, long floppy brown hair in his eyes "He just seems to find her blood so much sweeter than the rest, and he's managed to contain himself, which is really quite remarkable. Considering his past. So...I'm thinking that maybe, the reason he's able to hold off, is because...he loves her," He stood quickly, well it would seem quickly to human eyes, but for him it was rather slow. "You can't think about it." he ordered, he could smell Jerome and Alfie, racing home.
"Doesn't he know?"
"No. I don't think so. I'm not sure, you know Jerome, always hiding what he's feeling." he held the sides of Nina's face, kissing her softly. "You mustn't think about it."
"I won't be able too," she shook her head "How about I run off, telling him I'm going for a walk...wait, will you be able to not think about it?"
"I should be able too." he nodded "I've known Jerome a long time, if he can see I'm focused on something else, as long as he feels is doesn't concern him, he should leave me be, and not pry too hard. But you can't keep something a secret from him for forever," he kissed Nina once more, as she turned and ran.
Jerome knocked on his door and Fabian almost jumped, sitting down at his desk again he resisted the urge to smile. "Come in, Jerome."
The door opened and before he could blink Jerome was sat opposite him, one leg crossed over the other. "Listen, Fabian. I know that you know," he sighed, he had read their minds on the way over here. He felt bad, there was no need for Nina to have left.
"I always seem to underestimate you," Fabian shook his head, smiling. "How did you find out?"
"Alfie. I think. He was thinking about it, and I realized, his logic really didn't seem all that far off, you know?" he sighed, brushing imaginary dust from his shirt, and running a hand through his hair. "So I came to ask for your help,"
"Oh?" Fabian frowned, wondering what Jerome needed. And as Jerome read his thoughts, he answered.
"If I do love her, I would obviously need to make her...one of us." he managed his words delicately "So...I was wondering how likely it would be that I would be able to do it. I mean, to bite her, and taste her blood, without getting into a frenzy and killing her,"
Highly Unlikely Fabian thought before he could stop it, and his dead heart ached at Jerome's grimaced. "That's what I thought," Jerome sighed sadly.
"No! No, Jerome." he shook his head "I don't mean that, if you truly love her, then you will be able to taste her blood and stop yourself. You have good self restraint."
"Like you did for Nina? Was her blood sweet to you when you bit her? Was it hard to stop?"
Fabian didn't speak, instead choosing to think his answer. Nina's blood was sweeter than I could have ever imagined. But I knew I loved her, I could just tell, so as I carried her back here, I wasn't thinking about myself, I was thinking about her. And I knew, I couldn't kill her. I know you can do the same.
"And one more problem," Jerome sighed, licking his lips needlessly "What if she doesn't like me back?"
Fabian smiled comfortingly, truly feeling like a father You deserve this Jerome. I can think of no one that deserves love more than you do. She'd be a fool not to love you.
He's right. Nina thought, Jerome turned and smiled at her, as she placed on hand on his shoulder, in a very comforting motherly gesture. "Jerome, you deserve this. You've been through so much..."
Jerome smiled slightly "Thanks guys, good night," they all laughed, it wasn't as if they'd be going to sleep, was it? He left them, and Nina smiled at Fabian happily.
"He's so wonderful,"
"They grow up so fast," Fabian joked, and they both kissed lovingly.
Line Break
"Jerry, come on. Let's go play basket ball," Eddie tapped him on the shoulder, but Jerome shrugged him off, a new plan already in his mind.
"Sorry, can't."
"Why not?!" he called "Trixie's not coming! We haven't played in a while!" Eddie called, and it almost hurt Jerome, his thoughts were so sincere and childlike, he truly meant it. I wonder if he's saying no because Patricia's been ruder than normal recently, I think she's just a bit tired. I mean, if she can get tired. I don't know! Jerome, stop! Come on! I'm not gonna talk to you about the human girl, or anything mildly related to school. We can fight? Sounds like fun, right? As long as you don't cheat of course-
"I'm sorry, Eddie." Jerome growled, turning to look him in the eyes "I can't go."
"Why not? Where do you have to be that's so incredibly important? Hot date?" Eddie laughed despite himself.
"There you are Jerome, I was worried you'd left," Amber skipped up to him. And thought about her next words, Eddie rolled his eyes.
"Fine! You two have your silent half sided conversations! But come on Jerome, you've been playing the sullen single for forever! Let it go! You have till the end of the world to find a girl, and I doubt you'll die even then," and Eddie ran off, hurt. Jerome resisted the urge to go after him, instead reading Amber's thoughts.
By the time you get there, she'll be asleep, so all good. Mr Jaffray went to sleep about half an hour ago, her window is slightly open, but be careful- it creaks. Good luck
"I'm sorry about this Amber,"
"It's fine." She shrugged, Jerome tried to read her mind again, but she was suddenly thinking very hard about the chinese alphabet, he frowned
"Amber," he whispered in a low voice, and now she was thinking of fashion. "Amber what are you hiding?"
"Ah look! It's Alfie! Must dash," and she disappeared.
Line Break
Jerome had never been here at night before. It was a little too close to the treaty line then he was fond of. But he could smell her, her scent was everywhere, on everything. As if she's rubbed herself against the entire house. He probed with his mind, and could only feel one sort of strange presence, her dad? So he couldn't fully read his mind either. Maybe that's why she was able to block him so effectively. Amber had been right, the whole house was silent, the heartbeats were slow and rested. He scaled up the side of the house, making sure no one saw him, and looked through the window.
It was her room alright, it was dark, but he could still see perfectly. She was tangled up in the blankets, wearing green pajama's, her hair flown out on her pale pillow. He lifted the window slightly, hearing it creak, and crept in, closing it behind him.
The first thing he noticed was the warmth. It was incredibly warm in here, she was radiating heat, as was the radiator. It was an odd feeling, at home the heating was always off. It was just waste of money. But in here, her dad had obviously but a lot of effort into making this feel like her old home. It was boiling. But of course, it didn't effect him at all, he wouldn't break a sweat if he was standing on the sun. He risked it, and took a deep breath in, inhaling the incredible aroma. The venom filled his mouth before he could stop it, and he found himself taking a step towards her bed.
But he contained himself. Swallowing his instinct, and instead looking around. The room was incredibly neat, a large bookcase by the wall, he walked over to it, and started scanning titles. He resisted the urge to grin, she was into all the classics? He pulled out one book that was still slightly warm, she must have been reading it today
La Push
He gritted his teeth, holding the book and turning to look at her, wondering why on earth someone as innocent as Mara Jaffray wanted to know more about wolf country. He opened it on her bookmark, and was surprised to see writing, all over it. He smelt the book, and under her heavy and beautiful scent, he could smell something else. Dog. He flipped to the front of the book, and sure enough, was written This Book Belongs to: Mick C. He didn't know who Mick C was, but he knew enough to know that the boy associated with wolves. How dare they? How dare they even come close to he- Wait. Now he was being silly. So what the wolves were talking to her? He was in her room! Looking through her things! Watching her sleep, he was suddenly very disgusted with himself, and slid the book back, stepping towards the bed once more.
She sighed, her lips pouting someone "She's not here," she mumbled. It took Jerome a moment, but then he remembered. He had said that to her, when they had that conversation about her mum. Her face contorted into one of pain. He reached out his hand, as if to smooth out her forehead, but brought it back, that would be careless. "Mick," she whispered. And Jerome felt himself stiffen in anger, he did not realize that this emotion was jealously. "Jerome,"
He looked up in shock, thinking she had awoken, her voice was so clear, but her eyes were still shut, and her heart beat still steady. He felt alive.
Line Break
"Hey Mars," Mick grinned, Mara smiled back, tucking a waving black lock behind her ear as the wind flew it about. "Haven't seen you in ages," he wrapped an arm around her and squeezed her tightly. "Liking it here?"
"Oh yeah," Mara rolled her eyes playfully, leaning into his embrace. It had always been like this with Mick, he was like a brother to her. "Living it up in the darkest place in the world,"
"Hey! At least you're on a beach," That was true. Mara looked out longingly into the waves and nodded.
"Yeah, I'm gonna have to come here more often. I miss the sea,"
"Good. Now you have a reason to come visit me," he kissed the top of her head "We've missed you around here Mars, you belong here. You belong here with your dad, and me. Look what all that suns done to you, you're tiny!" he threw his head back laughing and Mara rolled her eyes, whacking him in the chest playfully.
"I prefer the term, vertically challenged! And hey, you're only a centimeter taller than me!" Mick had long floppy blond hair, not the most attractive boy, but he had a big toothy friendly smile, and he was one of the kindest people that Mara knew. Looks didn't matter to her, and she knew he felt the same way.
"You just wait, once I get my growth spurt, I'll tower over everyone in this place," he unwrapped his arm from around her, running forward "Come on Mara! Race you!" and he sprinted off. Mara laughed loudly, feeling truly happy for the first time since she was here, she took off running after him, feeling the sand under her shoes. And she truly felt like she was home.
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