Hello lovelies! I know, it has been ALMOST A WHOLE MONTH since the last update but let me tell you Jalice Week (happening on tumblr and ao3) has been breaking my legs as much as it's been a blast. Many of you know I do organize the event so between organizing and creating content for it, I slowed down the big fics a little bit. But we're here at last, yay!
We now have a chapter count (21) and that's because now I know for sure all and how things will unfold and how it is going to end. It's going to be a wild ride so I hope you stick around and you enjoy it.
The sun rose lazily that morning, with fog in that cloudy Philadelphia making its light faintly invade the room where the two figures crawled the couch, cuddled and bare. The previous night had been a haze of emotions and superb lovemaking, and the aurora surfaced the madness they had turned the home. Obviously, they hadn't slept, nor they needed to. Still, Alice had a habit of shutting her eyes sometimes while her visions meddled her brain. It felt like sleeping, lounging in the comfort of what her future with Jasper held.
It always amazed Jasper how many human customs Alice had, especially considering her shortage of information about her own human life. When he observed her closing her eyes just before dawn, he didn't foresee the carrousel of emotions arising from her. Was she napping? How?
"I let my visions come. It relaxes me when they're of you," Alice clarified when the sight of him asking what she was doing showed up in a vision. She also didn't need to open her eyes to recognize Jasper was grinning at her comment.
"It sure brings you pleasant sensations, I see." She peeped him nonchalantly and amused.
"Close your eyes and join me."
And he did, as they stood there dreaming until the daylight had settled in, embracing each other close—Jasper her big spoon.
Alice sighed in content when he placed a kiss to her shoulder and she opened her eyes to meet his gaze. "Morning." Alice mused, a smile dancing on her lips.
Jasper smirked lightly and his fingers reached to cup her cheek. "Slept well?" He taunted, making Alice grin.
"Like never before." Her hand traced his arm and the feeling of the bumps on his skin caught her eyes. Now, with the sunlight, she had a clear glimpse of the scars she had planted kisses on the night before.
Her fingertips were gentle over the wounds. It was a tangibility Jasper wasn't truly used to, so he mechanically withdrew. She looked up at him with a concerned pout.
"You don't like this?"
"It's just different. New." He explained, hesitant. Alice tilted her head a tad, eyebrow lightly raised at him. "I suppose I'm not fairly used to having my scars examined so intimately. I realize they can be intimidating."
"I find them charming," Alice confessed. She shifted her position and Jasper matched it, laying below her now instead of beside her. It was a laughably small couch, he deemed mentally. But there wasn't much else after they broke the bed. He decided the floor would have been nicer because that way he could effortlessly just roll over her again.
"I wouldn't describe them as that fascinating." He suspected her sanity for a second, following as Alice traced the ones covering his chest now, fingers moving down to his abdomen.
"They're who you are, Jasper." She told him with amused annoyance. They were elegant in her sight, Alice couldn't grasp how he didn't see it that way.
"Broken?"
"Strong." She said assuredly as she bowed down to peck his lips gently. "They tell your story of survival, of transformation, of overcoming things." Her words were romantic but also profound, and Jasper was taken by how deeply they affected him. "Each one of them is a testimony you were wiser, you outlived every single attack. And now that you're here, you don't have to endure that ever again."
Jasper stared at her longly, in silence, studying her beauty. Not the external one that she definitely had. But, in this case, the virtue of her pure emotions, of the sincere faith Alice radiated toward him. Made him feel such absolute tranquillity and comfort. There was no doubt he belonged by her side. If she could make him feel so well about all he had been through, it was his pledge to always make her experience the same.
"Your scars brought you to me," Alice assured him at last, her hand brushing on the one lodged across his jugular, that she reckoned it was his first one.
"Then, I am appreciative of every single one of them."
It took Alice and Jasper an entire week to decide they needed, in fact, to get themselves a bed again. In between their journey on each other's bodies, they found that merely transferring the mattress off the mess they had made of the structure was much handier. It didn't seem a quandary at the time, for they were consumed by the lust for one another. Alice was very detail-oriented, and Jasper could sense her endeavor to ignore that there was a bed snapped right in the core of their room.
None of them felt expressly secure to have Jasper run errands in town with Alice, among many humans, after the almost event in the previous week. Primarily because Jasper's orbs had been turning a pitch-black shadow again. Much unwillingly, they opted to part for the afternoon. Alice would venture on her own to find them a new frame. It would still have to be transported to their house, but that wouldn't be too much of an obstacle as Jasper could solely go hunting then.
"Are you sure that you don't wish to try and come along?" Alice asked as she tightened the fit of a belt around her waistline. She hadn't used that many clothes in days. They had ascertained that strolling almost bare around the house only made it all more accessible for their unswerving pursuits. Alice, stripped from most of her modesty of being nude in front of him, would often slip on just a light robe (Jasper, much obliged, would flay it in short hours). He, on the other hand, didn't especially object roaming in all his glory.
"I am not as confident on me as you are." Jasper taunted as he stood behind her, watching her through the reflection in the bathroom.
As she placed the clip-on earrings, Alice beamed at him over the mirror. Jasper was so much taller than her that Alice scarcely stretched to his chin height even in her heels. Their eyes met again then.
She didn't lament when the unforeseen wave of heat invaded her, but her lips did crook amusedly.
"Well, you should trust yourself and me when I say you'll be alright." The teasing timbre made Jasper chuckle and bow to plant a kiss to her jaw. His lips lingered longer as the desirous surge hit her again. "One would think you would be tired…" She curbed her own need, shaking her head at him.
"Believe me, it's surprising to me too." In this newfound high of being around Alice, Jasper wouldn't have guessed he'd feel so invariably aroused for her. It wasn't a response that was that natural for him. He always had a theory that those diversions were merely physical necessities, like feeding. But with her, it was entirely changed. The emotional devotion added a whole new level of dependence to the empath.
Alice spun around on her ankles to engage his ardent call. Tiptoeing with her hands already on his shoulders, she sought his lips. Jasper bent over to meet her halfway and satisfy his fervent desire. He never considered he would require something more strongly than blood. But Alice was continually proving him wrong of his expectations.
They kissed deeply and Alice thanked she hadn't yet applied the lipstick.
"I won't be gone too long." She assured, panting upon his lips. It was more of a self-observation. She didn't fancy being gone long.
Jasper had his temples pressed against hers, eyes shut tight. It was really sinking in how they hadn't separated since they first met, and concern overtook him abruptly. Alice felt it instantly. He didn't hold it back with her around, at least not lately, as she had observed this past week. Jasper's habilities surpassed feasible, but gradually she was discovering how intrinsic they positively were. She realized he didn't just dominate and manipulate, but he also shared it, that Alice relished thoroughly. Learning what happened to him helped her uncover more about her partner. Improved their communication, even when they didn't have the sounds. Like now.
Her hands ran up his face until they were cupping his cheeks tightly. They were still, but Jasper pierced his eyes down to meet her gaze.
"What are you afraid of?" She inquired, thumb grazing his skin.
"I'm not sure." It was a disorder of bewilderment if he was going to acknowledge it to himself. Of her not returning. Or of his own consciousness determining it was best that he left. Jasper couldn't declare it out loud, stewed it would become concrete.
Alice halted, the visions arising as her brain searched for the clues that Jasper was looking for. He hadn't actually inquired them, but Alice didn't require him to. She could detect those uncertainties on the depths of his own private soliloquy and find him the fortitudes he was rummaging.
"You won't go anywhere. Neither will I." She smiled at him, coming back to herself.
His limbs were now a sturdy grip around her waist, hoisting her up toward him and just the slightest off the floor. He did that repeatedly when she had been having visions. He'd go and stand by her, or hold her protectively close. It was something Jasper had been doing unconsciously, but Alice had noticed.
Jasper could trust her words, but it was her surge of tranquillity that made his chills fade. "Don't take too long." He pleaded, making Alice stretch for his lips again.
That gave Jasper the opportunity he was looking for to perhaps persuade her to stay. His tongue endeavoring to prove his point as it traveled inside her mouth in a delightful slow rhythm. Alice moaned, turned on by his lewd kiss.
"Jasper." She scolded him, but her fingers were spreading across his scalp, inside his silky curls. They kissed repeatedly, and Alice could feel herself gradually slumping on his trap.
He hauled away wholly, leaving Alice disconcerted and horny. Her heart would be racing had it been a beating organ still. But there was only the pulsing agitation flickering toward him—the crude arousal. Jasper was quite satisfied with the outcome of her privation. Alice would regularly waltz on his lap, kiss him senseless, and slip away to busy with some unnecessary mundane activity. This sort of tasted like payback, and he utterly savored observing her spurt in turmoil as he inclined back against the opposite wall.
"Not fair." She whimpered, trying to breathe her senses in.
Jasper smirked. "Just some encouragement for you to return quickly."
"Consider it accomplished," Alice complained, gnawing her lower lip so harsh she could taste her own venom in her mouth. The sigh that escaped her lips made Jasper chuckle.
"Don't forget to get the metal frame, see if it will withstand us best." The wink that followed his words wasn't just a gesture but yet another wave of lust he hurled toward Alice.
"Stop." She ordered, turning herself back to the mirror with a smile that was both annoyed and delighted. "Let me get ready, so I can be back sooner."
"Alright, alright." Jasper pushed away from the wall, planting a kiss on the crown of her head before he left the bathroom.
Alice drove in a long breath, controlling all these sensations he was sending toward her even after he exited the room. In the living room, Jasper pretended to busy himself with outlining down a map of the region. But in truth, he chuckled with amusement at Alice's ever-shifting responses in the bathroom.
Upon Alice's departure, Jasper relaxed by the map to truly commit to the design. In the times between the endless lovemaking, he had found a hobby. Jasper always thoughtlessly appreciated it during his wartime. Mapping wasn't an easy task. It demanded time, study of the areas, calculations. But it enormously entertained the vampire while his partner sewed. At first, he found enthralling to observe Alice do so, but even he admitted to needing a past time of his own. Alice suggested he do something that he fancied, and with the help of her supplies of papers and pencils, he began it.
Their cot was the center and Jasper had previously sketched the map of a mile radius around it. He would step out sometimes to investigate the forest, explore what was northeast or south, and return to draw it on the records. It all started coming together in this striking masterpiece covering their coffee table. Alice cherished watching him do that as well. She would perch on the sofa and pretend to read while inspecting him closely. Jasper knew well her eyes were on him. He felt her every emotion and could plainly discriminate between her novels and what was for him.
They nearly ruined the entire map during the week when Alice found herself far too pleased by Jasper. He found it to be way too enjoyable of a response not to indulge. They managed to salvage the map at the end. However, he was still mending some of the parts they ended up crumpling entirely on the process of doing it on the coffee table.
Jasper discarded one of those wrinkled pieces as the image of Alice invaded his mind. He yearned to have her around. It was the first time they had been altogether apart since the diner, and it felt unnatural. Jasper hadn't anticipated feeling so emotionally addicted to her aura, but there he was thinking of her.
These superb and pure sentiments were brutally interrupted when his senses caught up to a loud human noise outside. It wasn't customary for humans to be hiking in those areas. That had been the main reason Alice selected the cottage in the first place. But the wandering camper was just about half a mile away from the cabin. Jasper's instincts kicked in immediately as he heard attentively. He was awoken again. And so was the twinge on his throat.
The human, a man in his late thirties, was lost from his group. He was exhausted, consumed by it. Fear was overwhelming him as the light started to decay. Night would befall short and he had to get back to his peers. He also felt thirsty, having been roaming these woods for longer than anticipated. Jasper attempted to tune in on his group. Still, the man must indeed be far because he couldn't catch or sense any other emotions so vehemently as he did his.
The man's thirst evoked Jasper's own craving. He hadn't fed in a week, but on humans had been even longer. Abruptly the itch became more irritating, and it soon melted into a profound and dark necessity for blood. Jasper could virtually hear the pulse, savor the gore on his mouth. Oh, how he had desired that! The taste of human blood was uncomparable. He deemed animal's to taste unappealing and, in fact, considerably disgusting. But he was endeavoring on that for Alice, and for himself. Because he wanted to entertain her and be better. But he was never satisfied anymore, always hungry, longing for authentic tasting blood. And that became even more evident then.
Jasper tried to tell himself not to do it. He was battling to not go there and finish the man's life. He had been doing so splendidly until then, with Alice's advice. But now that he was left with his own devils, who was going to stop him? He had to.
Jasper wasn't convinced he was reliable enough.
What would Alice think of him, though?
As he paced the living room anxiously, wishing the man would find his way out of the vampire's radar before Jasper could decide. He monitored as the camper tumbled over a slab and fell, cutting his knee on the ground.
The gash was deep, the blood instantly dripped over his leg. The man had to sit down, throbbing in pain. The scent was far and yet not far enough.
Just a second before it all occurred, Jasper reasoned to himself that he was strong enough to endure it. That he could restrain himself and not do it. He wouldn't bleed out another life. But then the smell of blood reached like a powerful remembrance of what he really was.
Intoxicating.
The burn on his neck became insufferable, and Jasper growled. His eyes were so dark, loaded with the most animalistic impulse. It was like a strong pull.
And he didn't resist it.
Leaving Jasper behind hadn't been easy. Not because she didn't trust him on his own, but Alice quickly realized how simple it was for her to be near Jasper. He was like taking large dosages of dopamine straight to her veins. The thrill of at last undergoing in flesh and bone so many moments that she had only seen in her wildest dreams, it was inexplicable. Fulfillment didn't begin describing it.
There was unmistakably still a long route for them to trail together. They had only begun knowing each other. As much as Alice had visions, they were solely probable flashes. Nothing positively resembled the real experience. Uncovering his peculiarities, observing how he functioned around her, undergoing his empath abilities. It was all exquisite, so whichever path awaited for them, Alice was enthusiastic about it.
She had stepped out that afternoon, unsure of what the results would unfold to be. Alice witnessed a few possibilities going through her mind, but what transpired with Jasper had been a momentary occurrence, she couldn't have predicted. It included too many determinants to end up on that point.
At the time, Alice was at the movables store, ordering them a metal bed frame. The clerk swore that it was pretty sturdy, although he seemed confused as to why a lady like Alice, so scanty and frail, would desire one of those when she could own the elegant wood carved ones.
"I just deem they are so antiquated, do you not?" She flitted him a smile. It wasn't as if telling the man that she and her partner could easily snap a wooden bed in seconds would do any good. Sometimes being oblivious was the best alternative.
He offered her new mattresses and linens, to which Alice rejected the first but granted to see the second. It wouldn't be all that grave to have one or two extra sets in the house. Alice relished nice beddings to lay on to, even if she couldn't literally sleep. She added a light grey and a white set to her order, along with an embroidered comforter.
Alice had just paid the man who strolled out of the room to fetch her receipt when the vision came. Her body went completely still, her eyes petrified as the flashes came crystal clear. There would be no time for her to run back. His decision was not only made but was likewise in motion. All Alice could do was follow milliseconds ahead of him.
Jasper scurried through the woods, skimming the trees with the dispatch of a predator after his prey. The man was precisely where Jasper had detected him. Sitting on the branches with a knee covered in fresh and rich blood.
"Ah! I thought no one was in this area. Please, sir." The relief in the man's face, to Jasper's approach, evaporated pronto when he caught a careful peek at the terrifying creature before him.
Jasper almost didn't seem human. Eyes clouded with hunger.
He was still strangely captivating. All the beauty was as terrorizing.
"Could you—help—?" The man sturred shakingly.
The horror was palpable. Jasper didn't fiddle with his victims. It was disturbing enough for him without having to frighten the souls even further. He assured himself he would execute it swiftly for the man.
His teeth were on the man's jugular in a second, tearing through the skin to find what he was craving.
The shriek made a flock of birds take off rapidly.
Jasper engulfed in guilt. But the satisfaction of his hunger was a savory feast.
Alice gasped, brought back to presence, noticing an alarmed man before here.
"Miss, are you alright?" He queried worriedly.
"Oh, Sir, I am sorry to have alarmed you. I was just trying to recall if I had turned off the stove, and I am nearly convinced now that I left it on. I must hurry back home at once!" She said rapidly, working to seem the least bit normal.
"Do rush, Miss. We have got your address. We will deliver tomorrow morning."
"Thank you so much!"
Alice was already trotting out the entrance as she called that out.
Once out of eyesight, her speed was too hasty to be perceived by mortal eyes. She raced home with a deceptive faith to intercept Jasper.
But Alice didn't have to be a psychic to acknowledge it was too late for the camper.