A/N: This drabble arc was written for Naelany's birthday. Big thanks to theladyingrey42 and SorceressCirce for the prompts and for looking these over for me. It's Edward and Jasper slashy vamp goodness.
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Leaf
I run through the forest, leaves swirling in my wake, exhilaration pouring through me.
Running is the only time I feel free. No thoughts invading my mind, no thirst scouring my throat.
Nothing but me, my strength and my thoughts.
But then there is something new in the air. A foreigner. Another vampire.
I skid to a halt in a small clearing and he approaches cautiously on the opposite side.
"Hello, stranger," I greet, pretending I'm more friendly than I am.
I can sense his curiosity but strangely his thoughts are clouded.
"Why are you threatened by me?" he questions.
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Scarlet
I move forward confidently into the clearing, trying to prove him wrong, and possibly approaching him faster than I should, slight panic and warning rising in his mind.
As I cross the middle of the clearing the wind shifts and he flinches, his scarlet eyes widening slightly and I stop again. The sun reflects off my skin and I see the light dancing across his face.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean any harm." I extend my hands in supplication.
"No, but I might."
He sighs heavily and turns with one last glance over his shoulder.
And then, he is gone.
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Aroma
I race to the glade's edge, his scent lingering in the air, so heady I can almost taste him in my mouth. Inexplicably, my thoughts turn to desire, an uncommon pulse in my groin.
For days I resolve to let him be, to deny my constant longing to see him again. He'd spoken only ten words to me. I still thought I had a choice. But no.
He is the one.
I run through the woods every day, somehow feeling closer to him there. Then I stumble upon it. His mouthwatering aroma pulls me forward.
I find his cabin. Empty.
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Message
Warring with myself and pacing in the woods, I know I must make a decision.
My existence has been perpetual and wandering loneliness, but his appearance has changed my very being. I can't go back, but I don't know how to move forward.
I know he won't make the first move.
Pulling at my hair and clenching my jaw, I crouch to the ground. My decision made, I straighten and stride forward.
He'll only consider this if I leave myself vulnerable, too.
In his cabin, I discover paper and pen and write.
I need you to find me, too. ~Edward
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Receive
On the third day, there is a presence at my door, a pull like gravity dragging me forward. There is no escape, only him.
I open the door to find him there, his eyes worried and mind troubled, a roiling boil of emotions and muted thoughts.
"I'm not whole," he whispers, shame closing his eyes.
"Yes, but you will be."
He looks up at me with his crimson eyes, hope emerging above all.
"What I've done..."
"We all do what we must. It doesn't have to be like that."
"Teach me," he begs. "But go slow."
And so I do.
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Humble
Letting him in my door is the biggest step for both of us.
I teach him about my lifestyle, my way of feeding without hearing the pain in my victims' thoughts. His empathic abilities so closely mirroring my own and causing him a lifetime of inescapable agony.
He accepts my assistance with no hesitance and I'm humbled by his immediate trust of me.
"I know you won't hurt me, Edward."
I lay a hand gently on his shoulder and he flinches involuntarily. I withdraw quickly. "Never intentionally, Jasper."
He grasps my hand and returns it to his skin. "I know."
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Glint
Leaping over the boulder, I land on the cougar, feeling its surging muscles beneath me. My teeth slice effortlessly through flesh and I greedily drain it.
A twig snaps and I glance up, finding his amber eyes glinting in the late afternoon sun.
He smirks, crouching before jumping at me. I dodge him easily and we play our game, tugging, wrestling, throwing each other through the forest.
I'm distracted by his grace for a moment and he pins me against a tree. Leaning close from behind he whispers, "I have a surprise for you."
I smile, but he's already gone.
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Ticket
As the sun dips below the horizon, the kitchen is empty, although his scent still lingers. On the table is a card with his familiar flowing script.
"I know you have been denied your human weaknesses while helping me adjust. Let me indulge you."
A small, worn, yellow scrap of paper flutters to the floor. A cinema ticket.
Warmth passes through my chest, an ache I can't quite place. Eagerness replaces hesitation as I pick it up and follow his nervous thoughts.
In the living room, I find a movie projector, a screen, two recliners.
And my anxiously smiling Jasper.
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Float
As Ginger and Fred float across the screen, I watch in still, wide-eyed wonder but my thoughts are racing. He did this for me.
I smile broadly as I think of all the things I want to do for him.
To him.
"What's that smile for?" he questions.
If I were still human, I'd be blushing.
Instead I stand, deciding to take a chance. "Dance with me?"
He rises silently, taking my hand and pulling me into his chest. The steady warmth suddenly builds into a blazing inferno.
"Jasper," I whisper, so much longing in one word.
"Yes, Edward. Yes."
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Candle
His body moves over me, around me, in me, bringing me to the heights of pleasure as I've never experienced before.
Unwillingly, my eyes squeeze shut as I scream my release and I feel him pulse inside me, our emotions and thoughts melding and blending into one.
He collapses onto my heaving chest and we hold each other tightly for minutes, hours.
Eventually he lifts his face, and I gently brush his golden hair back from his eyes, a single candle casting a flickering light on his beautiful features.
"I am yours, Jasper."
He leans down, kissing me tenderly. "Forever."
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Man, these drabble arcs are kind of fun... Hope you enjoyed!