Jasper knew there was so much he could do to avoid the elephant in the house before it became useless.
The Major was out of the bag.
The Major.
And while no one so far had shown negative reactions towards it he still felt anxious.
The Major so far had done nothing but insult and hurt the Cullens half of the time he rose. Renesmee and the females in general being spared from this trait for a reason he still couldn't figure out all things considered.
He sighed as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. His skin had for the most part healed at this point but his eyes were still pitch black and some of his neck and face still held grayish patches.
And standing up still didn't felt like one of his favorite things ever. It made his tendons flare with pain.
But he didn't like laying down.
He tilted his head to the side. He didn't want to do this for it could either end bad or worse.
But he also knew it was the right thing to do. It would make things easier to deal with.
-Can we come to an agreement?- He asked at his reflection and it took nothing but a few moments before The Major was staring back at him. Baring his fangs at him and crossing his arms over his chest. Glaring at him just like only he knew how to.
"An agreement?"
-Yes. You can come out. Can feed on humans without killin' 'em. In exchange you have to talk to the Cullens. No insults. No threats. No warnings. Just talk . Please? Because I don't know you but I'm tired of all this mess.- Jasper told defeated.
"None of this would be happenin' if you'd listened ta meh when ah first told ya that stayin' here wasn't a good idea." - The Major snapped as a statement of fact. His voice cold and dark.
-I know but... this is my family, our family. Whether you like it or not. I told you before, they are important to me, why can't you at least understand that? I thought you were really startin' to like 'em.
The Major didn't answer. He was glaring at the sink now.
-Is this about not wantin' to be weak?
"We're gonna end up dead Whitlock. Never let their good graces fool ya into a sense of safety. Ah thought that's what we'd agreed on."
-I know but... this is different. You know it's different. They helped us even after findin' out about you. They could've let us die, but they didn't. I think... I think that maybe this is it, maybe we can belong here. Both of us. I can even convince Carlisle and Esme to let you have another cat. You don't have to hide, if you just stopped hurtin' 'em... If you wanna stick around Esme, Renesmee, Bella and Rosalie you have to be nice to the rest too. Alice isn't gonna be okay with your attitude towards 'em forever and we both know it. Try to fix it before it's too late. Please .
The Major glared even more at the sink. Jasper was right.
And he hated it.
But he had never let himself be vulnerable around no one. Not when he knew what could happen if he did. But he liked Rosalie. She was hilarious to get a raise out of. He liked spending time with Renesmee. Cooking and baking with Esme. Training Bella.
And most of all.
He loved the angel.
But there was so much he could spend time around the females before they grew annoyed towards his attitude against their mates.
And thus with a defeated sigh he grabbed hold of the front. He hated this.
But he also kind of wanted a cat. A bob cat.
All be done for the bobcat.
~~~~~~~~~~
The Major decided to approach them using the same method he had used when he asked them about their opinions on The Major.
This time he went for the coven leader himself first. He didn't bother to knock as he barged into the man's studio. Smirking when he felt this one's disapproval and irritation which was soon replaced with surprise when he looked up. And as their gazes met realization flashed in the coven leader's face.
He closed the door behind him before approaching the desk and sitting down on the free chair across from the man. He didn't bother at all to keep up Jasper's facade of a tense posture. He straight up sat as carefree and far from polite as possible. His favorite thing in the world was luring people into a sense of comfort around him. Calm.
Vulnerability .
It never failed to make them underestimate him when attacking him. The easier he looked to take down the easier to kill them it was in return.
-How are you feeling?- Carlisle questioned keeping his tone neutral. Having The Major invading his studio in such fashion and then sitting there as if he owned the place was rather... unsettling.
But Carlisle refused to let him intimidate him.
-'m alive. Gotta count for somethin'. The same cain't be said for those poor bastards who thought ah was an easy prey.- He sounded quite proud of that statement.
Carlisle pondered for a moment if he was even capable of keeping The Major in line. Though even if he wondered it he knew deep down that the answer was a resounding no. He wasn't built to keep someone like The Major in line.
Still .
He had to remember Alice's words.
"He acts all tough but half of the time that's just it. An act. He likes to get a raise out of people."
-Find the place inside where there's joy, an' the joy will burn out the pain.
-I'm sorry?
-Tell meh somethin' Carlisle Cullen . When the Volturi come, 'cause they will come. What are ya gonna do 'bout it? Run? Hide? Fight? Yield? - The Major questioned as he snatched a pen from the desk and began doodling on his wrist.- Personally, 'm not one ta go down without a fight. An' if ah can have it mah way, which ah do, ah could kill Aro before he even approaches yer coven.
Carlisle tenses at that and The Major scowls almost as if remembering something.
-But ah cain't take that choice jus' yet until ah know what are yer plans. Lac the angel likes ta say; talk first kill later. Still . - He looks up at Carlisle. Meeting his gaze for a moment before pointing at him with the pen.- That depends on ya.
-On me?
-Yeah. Ya see, I've this... rule . No matter who the traitor is I'll kill 'em. Were ya ta choose ta give us away, ah would've ta kill ya. But . Were ya ta choose ta kick us out then ah would stay jus' long enough ta make sure the Volturi dun't kill ya. Understand meh so far? Great. Now. Ah dun't wanna make it seem as if 'm puttin' out threats. Think of it as... a heads up of sorts.
-You do realize that regardless of what happens killing us won't help Jasper at all right?- Carlisle was quite proud of his steady voice.
-Mah job is ta keep 'im safe, whether he likes it or not.- The Major snaps.
-By killing those he cares about? What about Alice? Would you also kill her if she were to do something you don't like?
The Major snapped the pen he had been holding before standing up and slamming his hands down on the desk. Carlisle for his credit didn't even flinch.
-Dun't put her on the same level. She would never stab us in the back.
-Didn't you try to kill Jasper once?- Carlisle knew it was low to use that kind of sensitive issue but he had a feeling he would go nowhere with the path this conversation was taking.
The Major froze for a moment before scoffing.
-Ah wasn't the one who broke under the pressure. J.J. was, he was the one who grabbed the stake an' begged meh ta shut up an' let him be. Weren't it for Peter's great timin' he would've killed himself right then right there.
-Why do you speak as if you hated our guts but still go out of your way to spend time around us?- Carlisle questioned refusing to bite on the clear taunt. Still . The idea that they had asked for details on Jasper's own suicide attempt, what he had said. It made Carlisle feel sick.
Now he could understand the reason he had been so upset when moving that time. Why he had stormed off after telling them about The Major's "suicide".
The Major for his side bristled before sitting back with a scowl. This conversation wasn't going how he had hoped. What had he even hoped? He should be making the coven leader want to keep them not attempting to get a raise out of him.
But what was he suppose to do?
He didn't mix well with coven leaders. But he did sort of liked this one. But it also mortified him the idea of lowering his guard around them. It was frustrating and so confusing he wanted nothing more but to bite his arms to quieten down the deafening emotions. Emotions he didn't want to deal with.
He tensed when the coven leader stood up. Followed his steps with his gaze until the man disappeared behind him. He tried to not pounce when he felt hesitant hands rest on his shoulders.
-I'm not Maria. You are not a tool to be used whenever I see it fit nor a pet to be ordered around. You are not a slave meant to do as I please. Nor an object to be disposed of because it has become worthless. You are my son, whether you like it or not, and you are part of this family.
Carlisle's voice was serious but also gentle. He needed to make sure that The Major understood this detail. It was clear he had troubles accepting the fact that no one was out to get him. And Carlisle understood him. The kind of background he had. The fact that he had been the one to kill Maria and how he spoke to him in general.
Something told him that The Major had a terrible time dealing with authority figures, he was, dare he say, scared of change, of trusting someone and ending up getting hurt in the end. Alice's words about the cat...
The weak has no place in a world ruled by the strong.
He refused to let himself appear weak under the impression that that could be his demise. And that was a problematic thought if Carlisle gave it mind. Would explain why he gets so volatile at random intervals. He wanted to assert himself as not weak.
-This is not a coven, we are a family and we take care of each other. No one is going to hurt you, not now not ever, alright? I know it may seem hard to believe but trust me when I tell you that no one here means you any harm. No one will hurt you for lowering your guard. This is your home too, you are allowed to relax.
Carlisle didn't miss how he was gripping his knee and he knew that that had to be hurting.
A sense of realization flashed in his head.
Self-discipline .
So that's why he hurts himself.
An attempt at controlling emotions he deems a weakness. Weakness that meant death at his eyes.
That was definitely going to be a problematic habit to get rid of. Still .
-You are safe here. You are allowed to be weak once in a while, especially around your family, no one is going to take advantage of it.
-Why'd'ya insist on that? Aren't ah dangerous? The kind of being ya wouldn't risk havin' yer family anywhere near?
Carlisle winced at the reminder of his answer to Jor's question about his thoughts on The Major.
-I know what I said. But regardless of what has happened in your past, I want to believe that you are still capable of change. It's never too late to change. And so far, despite your temper, you have given me no reason to doubt you near my family.
The Major didn't answer. He didn't like those words. What was he suppose to do with those words? Change? How could this man be so naive? So... trustworthy? It unnerved him to feel how honest his words were.
And he hated how he believed him.
Hated even more the fact that his shoulders relaxed under the man's touch.
He was truly gonna regret this... wasn't he?
~~~~~~~~~~
He found Esme next.
She was in the kitchen making brownies which gave him a sense of de javu as he came to sit on the stool behind her.
Surprise flickered in her emotions as she turned around and jumped. Almost succeeding on hitting him with the spatula that he dodged without too much effort.
-God. What is it with you and sneaking up on me?- Esme couldn't help but protest. The Major smirked.
-Ah find entertainin' ta watch people's reactions upon realizin' someone has sneaked up on 'em. - Esme gave him a look that didn't last long for soon she was giving him a sad smile. Yet before she could speak he beat her to it.- Please dun't apologize.
Surprise washed over her emotions.
-Of all the people in this house you're mah favorite, ya know why? Cos' ah dun't really think you've it in ya ta ever mean any harm towards anyone. Even when confronted with a question 'bout a psychopath who has killed more people than a human serial killer ya still went on an' put up excuses for his behavior. Ya still wished for 'im ta be well. So what if ya said ya were happy ah was dead? At the end ya were only happy 'bout it 'cause that would mean ah wouldn't hafta suffer anymore. Ta meh. That doesn't deserve an apology.
Esme felt at the verge of tears. She wished she could hug him but she also knew that if there was one thing he hated the most was for a woman that wasn't Alice to touch him.
Which was the reason that were she human her heart would had straight up stopped when he reached out to take her hand.
-Ah wanna thank ya for always being nice ta meh. Even when ah was being an ass ta everyone else an' even ya at times. You've an amazin' patience an' ah hope ah haven't exhausted it at this point. I... ah promise I'll try ta be less... problematic .
The Major didn't found comforting having to promise that kind of thing but he also knew he had to do so. If he wanted to keep this he had to learn to be... civil . The coven leader's words were honest. The angel was honest. This place... maybe it was worth his trust. Jasper liked it here. The angel liked it here. If he kept acting up he could ruin this for them.
And whether he liked to admit it or not he also liked this place. These... kind vampires... He liked this coven. He wanted to keep it.
Esme's hand wasn't like Maria's. Hers wasn't scarred. Didn't grip his hand so tight it felt like she would crush it. She didn't pull him to do things he didn't want to. Didn't shout at him. Didn't order around. No demands. No insults. No threats.
She was nice. Patient. Kind. Warm .
She allowed him to have a choice and didn't got mad when he refused to do something. She would stand up for her "children" when she thought the coven leader was being unfair. And the coven leader listened. He knew that were something to happen she would be on his side. Whether she had to stand up to her mate for it, for her love for her children was fierce. Fierce enough to make her want to protect them up to her last breath.
Such loyalty...
He could trust her with his life and he knew she wouldn't make him regret it. Not now not ever.
A/N: "Find the place inside where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain." - Joseph Campbell.
Did I take that quote from Criminal Minds? Yes I did.