Lucy was angry.
She kept ranting about how she felt betrayed. How Asher had lied to her for all that time. Asher was trying to calm her down, trying to tell her why he hid it from her. She was having none of it. As it turned out, she had heard his entire conversation with Jasper through the open window. Asher couldn't even begin to explain how guilty he felt.
"If I could cry, I'd be sobbing right now!" she yelled at him, "how could you lie to me?!"
"I didn't want to lose you, Lucy" was his simple reply.
She scoffed.
"That's not good enough, Asher. I spent all those years madly in love with you - and the whole time, you were gay?! And like, obsessed with that guy?!"
Asher shook his head, "I'm not obsessed with him. I'm really sorry but - don't go."
She paused from packing her clothes into a small suitcase. Those words rang in her mind. Don't go. Something she never wanted to do, but she knew it was time.
"I'm sorry, Asher. It's time I left."
Asher emitted a sad sigh, looking down at the floor, "I know."
"I want to keep in touch with you but, I need some space. That's all. I'll contact you first when I. . . settle."
Asher nodded from the doorway. Moving towards him, Lucy stopped in front of him and kissed his cheek softly.
"I'll miss you. . ." she said lowly.
"I'll miss you too," he admitted, "so much. But I understand why you have to go."
She nodded, slipping past him out into the hallway, dragging her suicase at her heels. She stopped at the top of the stairs, and Asher turned to face her.
"Good luck with him. I know he means a lot to you."
"You don't have to say that."
"I know, but I mean it."
Asher gave her one last smile, which she barely returned, and she was gone. Hearing the door click shut - then a silence - Asher slid to the floor. Alone. Again. This wasn't a good thing for him, he liked company. He liked Lucy's company. Yet, despite everything he wasn't particularly sad that she was gone. He was more so sad that he was alone. He knew that was unbelievably selfish, and that's why he let her go. He didn't beg her to stay, because she deserved to be happy too.
The following weeks flew by quickly for Asher. He went to school, tried to live a normal life. He ended up dropping out. He was far too bored with the whole, "schoolboy," facade, and it wasn't the same there without Lucy. Also, Jasper and his 'family' were nowhere to be seen. That is, until he met Jasper once again. He came in his bedroom window while he was reading a book on Plato. Hearing the impact of feet hitting the floor, he jumped to his own and got into a defensive position.
Jasper laughed.
"I see you're still putting those moves I taught you to good use."
Lowering his guard, Asher chuckled, "well, what can I say? You're a great teacher."
Jasper smiled, sitting down on Asher's bed. Asher joined him.
"I - I wanted to let you know that I made my decision."
"You did?"
Jasper hesitated, "we had to take out one of those vampires. You remember them, right?"
"Uhuh."
"Well, he was a tracker. James. He went after Bella, Edward's girlfriend. Killing him reminded me of those old days, when we first met. How I tried to kill you that night."
"Jasper - don't."
"I can't stop thinking about it. I have to know. Why did you forgive me so easily?"
"Because I loved you. I still love you."
"Is love enough to forgive someone for doing something like that to you?"
"Jasper," Asher said, taking a hold of his hand, "I know you didn't really want to kill me. If you did, you would have done it."
Jasper nodded, "I know. I'm just confused because, well, other than that part that night was so magical. But I didn't deserve any of it, I don't deserve you."
"Are you lying to me?" Asher squinted, "so you can say that's why you're choosing Alice?"
"No. I'm not choosing Alice at all."
"Wait, you're not?" Asher gasped. Jasper shook his head.
"I lied to her. I kissed you. She deserves true love, she's always been so kind and loving to me. I wish things could be different sometimes, but. . . you're the one I want."
"You're joking, right?" Asher blinked, "you're pulling my leg."
"No, I'm not, silly!" Jasper chuckled, pulling him in and kissing his lips softly. Asher smiled into the kiss, wrapping his arms around Jasper's neck.
"I'll break up with her after prom. I know that might seem heartless but, she deserves one last night to be spoiled."
"I understand. She was with you all this time, after all."
"Thanks, Ash, and thank you for coming back to me."
Asher rested his head on Jasper's shoulder, "it's not like I planned it or anything, but I am so relieved that I found you again."
"Kiss me again."
Asher raised his head, kissing Jasper lovingly. Jasper hummed into the kiss. It felt right for the both of them, no one else would do. Nuzzling his sharp nose against Jasper's, Asher felt the immense love between them. If Jasper broke his heart again - he was sure he wouldn't survive. He understood there was only one way to get this done - the Vultori - but he didn't say this out loud. He just thought of it briefly, almost shivered at the thought, and then kissed Jasper once more.
Hours passed with just the two of them laying on the bed, catching up. Jasper lay on his back, right arm draped over a very cuddly Asher, who was snuggled up to his chest. His left arm was being used to comb through those thick, black locks. Asher learned most of what happened to Jasper when he left him - and Jasper learned the same, shifting uncomfortably at the pain he caused Asher. He apologised over and over. Asher wasn't trying to get him to apologise, because he didn't need to. He was content where they were in that moment. Nothing else mattered.
"I feel bad, though," Asher said, sitting up suddenly and cuddling his knees.
Jasper seemed taken aback by his sudden movements, sitting up also and wrapping his arms around Asher.
"Why?"
"For Alice."
"I do, too," Jasper admitted, closing his eyes, "but. . . I'm also happy. It feels wrong to be happy, but also right. Am I making sense?"
"Heh - yeah. That's how I feel, too."
"I guess. . . since I met Alice, I believed we were mates because I was trying to force that side of myself away. The side that was attracted to men - the side that had liked you."
"There's no need to be ashamed of it," Asher told him, "even though that's easier said than done."
Jasper shook his head, "I know. I guess, it's just when we were young immortals that was all illegal, you know? You could be killed for being gay. Not that it would have worked on us."
Asher chuckled," nah, it wouldn't. So there's nothing to worry about. I feel like I can embrace being gay when I'm with you, Jasper."
Jasper sighed happily, "I don't know what I am, Asher. All I know is that you're the one."
Asher felt his cold, dead heart warm up with that statement. If his heart was beating - it was surely be thumping right in that moment. He was certain.
"Well, that makes you my one, too!"
Again, Jasper sighed happily, not responding. In that blissful silence, Asher found so much comfort. Would this be his new forever? Out and proud, as the mortal youth would say, and with Jasper - of all the people in the world.
Laying back down, Jasper pulled Asher with him.
"You should be getting home, Jasper. It's late. Alice will wonder where you are."
"I know. . . just. . . five more minutes."