Lucy was thrilled to hear about the game on Saturday. A part of Asher couldn't wait - and another part of him was dreading it. Facing Jasper again after all those years was terrifying. He hoped no one had picked up on their clear awkwardness. The last thing he wanted was for Lucy or anyone else to find out - not yet, anyway. Once Saturday came, Lucy practically dragged him out of the house and into their car. She drove them to the back fields, where they spotted several other cars - and several other people. The only person Asher was paying attention to, though, was Jasper.

As Asher got out of the car, he felt nervous. That was an emotion he wasn't sure he was able to feel - yet here he was. Butterflies banging against his stomach, and if his heart hadn't already stopped hundreds of years ago - it would have the moment their eyes met again. Jasper looked stunned, and upset all in one. Like, his family had betrayed him by inviting Asher there. Asher knew all about betrayal.

Before Asher could say hello to anyone, the smell of human blood filled his nostrils. It was quite strong, so he recoiled for a moment. Noticing his reaction, Carlisle approached him and motioned to a young girl standing with the man who had been introduced to him as Edward.
"This is Bella. She's human. Edward's beloved," he chuckled. Asher was surprised. A vampire dating a human? Weird and mostly unheard of. Usually, she would have been turned by now, not that he cared - he didn't know her.
"It's nice to meet you, Bella," he said, shaking her hand. She shivered at the coldness of his skin.
"You too," she said shyly.

"Let's get our game on!" Carlisle shouted, and everyone huddled together. Jasper was still staring at Asher, probably unable to believe his misfortune at having been reunited with him. The woman he was with, Alice, was practically swinging from him, giggling happily. She gave off such a light and airy vibe, like a fairy. Asher couldn't help but find himself thinking she was utterly beautiful. Jasper was lucky to have someone so into him.

Lucy motioned to them, "sweet, aren't they?"
"Very," Asher said, almost sounding sarcastic, but he managed to pull it off. Sure, he was bitter - even after hundreds of years of living - no, existing - without Jasper. All this time, he had spent worried about him. Was he alive? That question entered Asher's mind multiple times a day. He even kept his hat. He felt so stupid. A goddamn hat, really?!
The game started. They had been divided into two teams, and thankfully - Jasper was on the opposing team alongside Alice. Another thing that Asher was thankful for - was that they didn't encounter each other on the field. How awkward would that have been?

After the game ended, they had a brief encounter with some vampires who tried to attack Bella. In the end, everyone had to urgently leave. Turned out one of the vampires was a tracker - and he had set his sights on Bella. Lucy spent the whole way home feeling sorry for Bella, saying that if that tracker got his fangs into her - she would die for sure. Unfortunately, Asher had to agree with her on that one. He seemed determined, blood-thirsty.

"Do you ever miss it?" she had asked him.
"Miss what? Human blood?" he questioned in return.
"Uhuh!" she nodded, pulling into their driveway.
"Meh, sometimes," he admitted, "why, do you?"
"Yep. All the time," she confessed, letting out a small sigh, "but I know it's not the right thing to do. This curse we've been forever burdened with...has made us both do bad things. I'm glad we have each other, though. Even as friends."
"Me too," Asher said, looking out the window. A car pulled up outside their home, and Emmett hopped out of it.

Lucy raised both eyebrows, as did Asher, and they hopped out of the car. Emmett handed Asher a small piece of paper.
"Jasper wants me to give this to you," he said, sounding confused, "he said it's something to do with when you two met. Didn't know you two knew each other."
"Ah, briefly!" Asher smiled, holding the piece of paper in his hands, "thank you for delivering it to me. It must be an important document from the war."
Lucy remained quiet behind him.
"Sure, no problem!" Emmett said, his confusion drifting away. It seems he fell for it. How could Jasper be so careless?!

Turning, he was met face to face with a stern looking Lucy.
"Hm?"
"You know Jasper?" she asked him, crossing her arms over her chest, "that's something you failed to mention to me."
"I didn't think it was important," he said, shrugging and walking around her. Lucy followed him, watching him unlock the door after he stuffed the piece of paper in his tracksuit bottoms pocket.
"How so?"
"It was only a brief time," he said, "we met in a very difficult way, Lucy. I would rather not discuss it."
"Did you love him?" she asked him. He was about to walk upstairs to the study, somewhere private to read the note. He paused on the bottom step, looking over his shoulder at her.

"The moment you mentioned you briefly met because of a war, I remembered the hat you refuse to get rid of. It was his hat, wasn't it?"
"...Yeah. What of it?" he asked, "just because I kept his hat, doesn't mean I was in love with him."
He scoffed, shaking his head and proceeded to walk upstairs. Lucy watched him, a sad look in her eyes.
"I knew it..." she whispered, "he totally was."

Entering the study, Asher closed the door behind him and leaned against it. There it was again, that nervous feeling. Unfolding the neatly folded paper, his eyes quickly scanned over the sloppy handwriting.
"Meet me at the bar tomorrow night at 7. I want to talk to you. Alone. If you don't come, I'll assume you don't want to hear anything from me. Hope to see you there. - Jasper."

Asher leaned his head back against the wood, closing his eyes.
"Oh, fuck. I'm going to end up falling in love again, aren't I?" he whispered to himself. Pushing himself up off the door, he disposed of the note in the shredder and then went back downstairs. Lucy had seemed to be gone out - probably to hunt, so he watched TV instead until the early hours of the morning.

The following evening, Asher readied himself by spraying some aftershave on himself and wearing his best outfit - a pair of black jeans, a tommy Hilfiger sweater and his new sneakers he had purchased before moving to Forks. When he arrived at the bar, he spotted Jasper leaning against it. The smell of human blood and sweat filled his nostrils, but he ignored it, approaching Jasper. Tapping his ex-lover on the shoulder, he watched Jasper swing around and as soon as their eyes met - Asher felt that electricity.

Jasper looked pained, almost hurt to see him, but he motioned towards the bar stool beside him. Taking a seat, Asher looked over at him, not taking his eyes off his handsome face. He was still stunning. Jasper, on the other hand, was looking everywhere except at him.
"Why did you come here?" he suddenly asked Asher. Asher scoffed.
"I wasn't looking for you, if that's what you're implying. Lucy wanted to move here. We were dating, so I came with her. Now we both own the house."
"You broke up with her?" Asher asked.
"Mhm."

Jasper started to bop his leg nervously, "I thought you liked men."
"I do."
"Then why did you date her? You must have been with her a long time."
"Because I wanted to hide myself after you left me. I was ashamed of myself. It felt dirty, disgusting..." Asher explained, "it made me feel sad, heartbroken."
"I'm sorry" Jasper immediately apologised, looking down at his hands, "I was selfish. I shouldn't have abandoned you when you needed me most."

The conversation was getting too heavy for poor Asher. They had just been reunited, he wanted to have fun with him. Looking around the bar at all the people dancing, he took a hold of Jasper's hand and pulled him up, and across the room to the dance floor. Jasper was amazed as Asher started to dance, ableit very badly. His confidence was oozing, something that was brand new to Jasper. When they knew each other before, Asher was so. . . quiet. Awkward. Perhaps even perculiar to some.

Oh, I can't fight this feeling any longer
And yet, I'm still afraid to let it flow
What started out as friendship, has grown stronger
I only wish I had the stength to let it show
I tell myself that I can't hold out forever
I said there is no reason for my fear
'Cause I feel so secure when we're together
You give my life direction
You make everything so clear

Jasper watched as Asher started to break it down on the dancefloor, laughing a little bit.
"Come on, dance with me!" Asher smiled. A smile that made Jasper's dead heart sink. That was a smile he hadn't seen in hundreds of years. A smile that he didn't know he needed - didn't know he missed.

And even as I wander, I'm keeping you in sight
You're a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter's night
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might

In the moment, Jasper broke. He shouldn't have done it, he knew that deep down, but watching Asher dancing reminded him of those days. The days when he was ashamed of who he was, but loved Asher anyway. The days when Asher was always happy to see him. The days where they were always together - counting stars, naming constellations, making out, making love. He was staring so intensely at Asher, that Asher stopped dancing.
'This song is perfect' he thought, 'this is how I've felt about him for the longest time. It's a sign.'
"Is something wrong?" Asher asked him worriedly, tilting his head slightly closer to make sure he was okay. Jasper took advantage of the moment, swooping in and pressing his lips to Asher's in a hard and passionate kiss.

And I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for
It's time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars, forever
Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for
And if I have to crawl upon the floor
Come crashing thorugh your door
Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore

|| HAPPY PRIDE MONTH. Have some bisexual Jasper x gay Asher to celebrate. 3 Do let me know what you thought of this chapter and if you're new, please leave a heart and a comment! Thank you.