Chapter 6
"Well,' Carlisle started, 'your mate seems to have quite the story." Their fathers comment broke the tense atmosphere and Emmet snorted "Way to understate it Dad, but we all knew Jasper couldn't have an innocent naïve mate. That just wouldn't have works." Immediately on the defensive Jasper snapped out, "So being my mate means someone has to suffer!" Fists clenching Jasper glared at his stupid meat headed brother but before he could make up his mind on whether he wanted to get in his face Alice cut in, "Edward what did you hear?" This caught everyone's attention and Edward sighed running a hand through his already tousled hair. "I could only catch bits and pieces, things where passing by so fast like a whirlwind. Some things I could only see blurs and glimpses while some thoughts almost violently came into my mind. Oddly enough at points him mind went completely blank, I could sense him but I couldn't get anything just darkness." "Okay but what DID you get, I'm not sitting here for you to tell me what you don't know Edward" snipped Rosalie, Esme smiled, "You like him too don't you?" Pursing her lips "Well why wouldn't I. He's kind of like a scared little kitten,' studying her nails Rosalie pauses, 'What did you see Edward." Looking at Jasper Edward said, "I saw a lot of pain and sadness, and that it only gets worse." After that nothing else was said and eventually they paired off and went hunting, not wanting to leave Harry in the house alone in case he woke up, Esme having to drag Jasper with her pointing out them him not feeding wouldn't benefit his mate any.
Morning came and Jasper lay in bed staring at his mate wondering what else he had been through. His siblings already left for school and Carlisle to work leaving just himself and Esme there with his sleeping mate. It was midday when Harry showed any sign of waking, rolling over and snuggling deeper into the bed. "Good morning sleeping beauty." Green eyes glared hatefully peeking through the thin gap between Jaspers plush blue comforter and Harrys ridiculously fluffed up black hair, 'seriously he didn't even move around a lot last night how did his hair get so crazy?' Grinning back at that adorable little glare Jasper reaches over and dragged his fingers through that puffed up mess enjoying the silky texture and the way his mate leaned into his touch. 'Rosalie was right to call him a kitten, I wonder what I could do to make him purr?' his grin turning lecherous Jasper leans in and nibbles along Harrys swollen cheekbone blowing his cold breath against his ear causing Harry to shiver, "Jasper... What are you doing?" Hearing the breathless way his name came out of his mate's sweet lips caused a pleased rumble to escape and the little skip of Harrys heart at the noise did little to calm his preening inner vampire, pleased at the reaction his mate had to him. "Your face looks so cute when you wake up, a little bit swollen and rounder, with that fluffy hair and your glaring green eyes you looked like an angry little kitten." Jerking his head back Harry blushed at the words Jasper mumbled against his ear, the way he said it was so sensual but the words itself caused Harry to glare again. " 'm not cute" he huffed looking around for his glasses. Finding them on the bedside table and quickly shoving them on Harry blushed again, "Could I maybe… take a shower? I could go home and get some stuff but I feel like you would be more comfortable with me not leaving" To be honest Harry didn't want to leave either, he knew it was the mate bond, at that he shouldn't get attached but he felt so safe and loved in Jaspers bed surrounded by his scent. He felt like if he could stay there forever he would be the safest and most treasured he could ever be. Feeling Harry's mood start to shift Jasper goes to grab a pair of his sweatpants and a shirt, Alice's clothes would fit better but the thought of his mate in his clothes pleased him greatly. "I can show you to my bathroom, everything you need will be in there and when your done Esme will have breakfast ready." Looking down at his feet Harry shuffles awkwardly toward the door, Thank you. Both of you." Knowing Esme could hear him and by the smile on Jaspers face she appreciated his acknowledgment.
Jasper stood in his room, listening to Harry get ready to shower when Esme called him down to the kitchen, had he been human her disapproving look would have made him blush. Clearing his throat Jasper peered over Esme's shoulder to see what she had for Harry's breakfast. "It looks good, he definitely needs to gain weight so the more we can get him to eat the better." Patting her son on the cheek Esme looked at Jasper her face serious, "Carlisle told me to ask if you noticed Harry having any discomfort breathing last night. I'm supposed to change his bandages after he eats." "No, he didn't seem to be having any problems but do you think you should change them before he eats? In case he gets nauseous?" Esme nods, "Good idea let's get his preference when he comes down I heard the shower turn off a moment ago." Harry felt awkward in Jaspers clothes. It was a mixture of security and happiness at being surrounded by his scent and nervousness and vulnerability and the obviously expensive but too large clothes. He was used to wearing bigger clothes than this dirty torn up cast offs from Dudley, but the thought of Jasper seeing him swimming in his shirt, their size differences made so apparent got him feel strangely excited. The butterfly feeling in his tummy intensifies as he starts down the stairs smelling the French toast Esme must have made, blushing at the noise his stomach makes Harry fists his hands in the many times rolled up sweatpants he borrowed from Jasper, his heart giving a little lurch at the thought that he wasn't wearing any underwear under Jaspers clothes. 'Maybe Jasper doesn't own any underwear… he just goes around wearing nothing under his jeans' Harry's mouth dried up and he quickly shook off his dirty thoughts pausing right before he turned into the kitchen trying to calm his now racing heart. Smirking at the smell of arousal coming from his mate Jasper steps out into the hallway to greet his little Kitten but the words froze in his mouth at the sight of his mate. His hair even wet stuck up in random places, little curls swirling around his delicate face and weighed down by the water it fell almost to the end of his shoulder blades. His gaze fell to the lily-white skin stretched over delicate collarbones and that one petite shoulder hanging out of the neck of his shirt and Jasper couldn't help but growl at the delicious sight his mate made, that growl quickly turning to one of anger when he sees the sickly yellow black bruises marring the slim little neck of his mate like a collar. Shocked green eyes flew up from where they gazed at the floor alarmed at the sudden shift of mood nervously tugging at the shirt and biting his lip. "It's faded a lot already Jasper" walking around him and into the kitchen he relaxed at Esme's warm smile. "It smells delicious Ms. Esme, I really appreciate you doing this. I think you might even be a better cook than Mrs. Weasley not that I'll ever let her know I said that." Slipping into the chair his overflowing breakfast plate was placed in front of Harry smiled. "Harry dear I have to change your bandages would you like for me to do that before or after you eat." Thinking about it for a second, "Before please. Could I have a hair tie to keep my hair out of the way?" "Of course dear."
As soon as Esme said that Jasper appeared in the room, Medical kit and scrunchy in his hands. Smirking as he handed Harry a bedazzled scrunchy he leaned in and licked his cheek before whispering, "I hope you don't mind but that was the only one I could find." Huffing as Jasper backed away Harry ignored him and quickly put his hair in a bun, he wasn't going to admit he liked sparkly things, if they found out he preferred girls' clothing they would think he was a freak and kick him out. Once his hair was up Harry glanced at both Esme and Jasper before he pulled off his shirt placing it neatly in his lap. Feeling the discomfort radiating from his little cat Jasper leaned over the table and placed an apple slice against his lips as Esme worked on removing the bandages, unfortunately with how quickly he healed the bandages had gotten caught in the scabs. Seeing this gave Jasper a look and he quickly set about distracting his mate from this unfortunately painful process.
Twirling a finger through a stray piece of hair that had fallen out of his bun Jasper broke the silence, "Harry, you told us a bit about your past and I know you said you would tell the rest tonight but what about you? You're my mate I would love nothing more than to know about you, your likes and dislikes. Happiest memories and dreams… all that mushy stuff." Ducking his head at that last part Jasper didn't see Harry blush and smile and Esme nod in approval as his shoulders untensed under her hands. "Could you be a bit more specific about what you want to know?" Jasper looked up at Harrys question quickly answering with a drawled "Everything" paired with a smirk that made Harry's heart beat faster. "W-well I really like animals, and reading. I like learning new things. I haven't really had a chance to try very many things so I don't really have a favorite kind of music or movie yet. I love sweets like candy and such but I really really love sweet fruits and stuff. I like flying… What about you Jasper?" Jasper was enraptured by the way Harry's eyes lit up when he started thinking about what made him happy and the sweet and shy way he brought them up. Being caught off guard was not something that happened Major Jasper Whitlock often, but the sudden question added to the open eager eyes peeking at him from under thick lashes caught him quite off guard. "Well while I was human I really loved horses, but once I was turned I tried but horses are just too scared of being around me. Now I really enjoy studying history and playing chess. I'm also particularly fond of 80's rock." Before Jasper could ask another question, Esme rushed off saying she had to call Carlisle because she didn't know whether to rebandage his back or not because the wounds grew over the bandages. After speaking to Harry, who assured them that as long as the infection was gone he would be able to heal himself in a few days with the level of spells he knew, Carlisle agreed that bandaging doesn't need to be redone. Harry even offered to bring some books over for the vampires to study. The inherent magic in them could be enough to brew potions and the prospect excited everyone involved. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and getting to know each other, Harry becoming overjoyed at the sight of Esme's studio showing a passion and skill for art that thrilled Esme. None of the other Cullen's quite got into art like Esme had and the hours spent waiting for everyone to come home were spent with Harry drawing a bunch of magical creatures and Esme pointing out different techniques and tips he could use to really bring them alive, not knowing that in the magical world paintings really could come alive. Jasper just sat near his mate and enjoyed the content that rolled off him and Esme, who he considered a mother.