If on a Winter's Night

by Touchstone67

One fateful, winter's night, Edward and Jasper's lives are turned upside down. Is their relationship strong enough to withstand the aftermath, or will they be driven apart forever? Rated M for sexual situations, language. AH J/E slash

27. Love Me Til I'm Satisfied

Disclaimer: S. Myer owns all, but what I wouldn't give for a Jasper of my very own-sigh.

A/N-Time for Jasper! This chapter goes a bit back in time and then beyond where we left Edward and Riley. Sorry for the long delay, I've been debating on whether or not to complete WN before posting it again, and I really wanted to get the next chapter done before this one went up. If there is another delay, it is because I am completing it before posting.

Thank you to everyone that reads, reviews, and supports this story.

This chapter is unbeta'd, all mistakes, grammatical and otherwise, are mine. Special thanks to Dannie, if it wasn't for her encouragement and faith in my writing, these boys wouldn't be here.

Now Jasper's pov

"**~~**"

If on a winter's night he hadn't been so brave…

"**~~**"

He was standing.

Really fucking standing.

Even though I was on my knees with my hands on his hips, even though I'd done the research and knew it was possible for him to do it with aid, I still couldn't believe I was looking up at my boy standing in front of me. Any frustration I'd felt during the day rushed from me with one breath, and my hurt had been replaced by pride. Him telling me not to come over made sense. It had nothing to do with homework or being tired or not wanting to see me at all, it had been because he was going to try something new, something he was afraid of doing.

I'd barely been inside the dining room before Emmett was barking out instructions to me. After closing the door, I joined him and followed everything he asked me to do.

"Better?" Emmett asked Edward.

"Yeah, much," Edward replied in a strained voice, glancing down at me.

What he was doing wasn't easy, in fact, it was pretty fucking difficult. While he was able to use the flat of his feet for a bit of stability, the rest of his body was being supported by his own arms and Emmett's body behind him. Edward's forearms bulged, his knuckles were almost white from gripping the parallel bar. Sweat was already beading on his forehead and the tiny muscles in his jaw clenched as he gritted his teeth in effort. The strength training Edward had been doing for five months was put to use when he wobbled side to side and had to force himself back upright. Our eyes met and I gave him a half smile.

I was so fucking amazingly proud of him.

"Jasper, I'm going to set him down, let him rest for a minute and then we can try again. Can you stand and hold him up while I get the chair?"

"Yes."

Keeping my hands firmly on his hips, I stood and slid an arm around Edward's waist, taking the place of Emmett's as he removed it. Edward and I were touching at the hips and almost touching our chests, but it was his eyes, and the wonder in them, that grabbed me and took flight.

Edward was looking in my eyes.

I wasn't lying on him or next to him, or kneeling in front of his chair or sitting on him in the truck. We were standing, eye to eye, nose to nose, and mouth to mouth. Holding him more securely than I ever I had, I returned his hopeful gaze with one of pride. There was movement in the room as Emmett grabbed the chair and moved it right behind Edward before explaining what to do next.

"Edward, I'm going to pull the release on your left leg, it will collapse. Just let it and fall backwards. I've your chair and Jasper won't let you go. As soon as the back of your right knee hits the chair, it will release the brace. Got it?"

Damn right I wouldn't let him go. Not in a million years.

"Yep," Edward replied with a quick nod.

There was a click and then I felt Edward slipping from me as he fell back toward the chair. Keeping my tight hold on him, I moved with him, bending over and easing him into the chair as gently as possible. There was another click, and then he was completely seated and gasping for breath. Emmett offered to get drinks for us, and once he was out of hearing range, I dropped my knees in front of Edward.

"Baby, why didn't you tell me?" My hurt returned, although in less force, because he hadn't wanted me there with him the first time he stood. After all we'd been through together, all I'd supported him doing, for some reason he didn't want me to see him do the bars.

"I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do it," he admitted.

"This is why you didn't want me to come over, isn't it?"

His eyes dropped to my hands on his knees. "I didn't want you to see me fail."

Reaching up, I cupped his cheek. "Aw, baby, even if you failed, I don't care, you know that."

"I know. I just…I don't know, love, I just had to do it first. Then I thought I could surprise you."

"Edward, I'm sorry about today. I was upse—" I began to apologize for how I'd behaved at school. I'd been an ass.

"We'll talk later," he said, shutting me down before I could get too far.

I heard Emmett walking down the hall but it wasn't until he was just about to walk into the room that I stood up and put some space between Edward and me. Emmett tossed me a bottle of water before handing one to Edward and said we were going to try again in two minutes. When Edward said he was surprised how hard it was, Emmett launched into an explanation.

"You're standing on legs you can't feel. You're balance is off, so you try to adjust and use your upper body to make up for it, but it's hard to judge too far forward or backward. It's not like you can put a foot behind you if you feel yourself falling. Add in the fact you weigh about one-eighty and that's a lot of weight you're asking your arms and abs to support. Gotta admit, hard or not," Emmett smiled, "it's pretty fucking cool."

I coughed, spitting some water out and sending the rest down the wrong way in my throat. Emmett was a nurse like my mother, but I'd never heard her say that to a patient. Before I could apologize for spewing my water, Emmett asked if I was ready, even offering me another fifty dollars for the race when I teased him about getting paid.

"To get him standing earlier, I stood to the side and had him pull himself up. As soon as he was upright enough, I pushed the chair out of the way and moved in behind. He won't be able to do more than a few minutes before he'll be too tired, but let's see how it goes. He's going to lift himself up, once he does, I want your hands on his hips, I'll get him from behind."

Moving under the bars again, I kneeled and put my hands up, readying to catch Edward. Sitting in the chair in front me, he looked more determined than I'd ever seen him as he reached up and gripped the bars.

"You can do it," I mouthed to him right before he released a deep grunt and pulled himself upright.

Emmett was a blur behind Edward as he kicked the chair out of the way and replaced it with his own body. Mirroring Edward with his huge form, Emmett wound an arm around Edward's waist. My hands were already splayed on his hips, my thumbs digging into his flesh just above the elastic band of his sweatpants.

Looking over Edward's shoulder down at me, Emmett said, "I'm going to put my hands on his hips and my legs against his. I need you stand up and keep him from falling forward, and when I push one leg forward, adjust his weight. Understand?"

"Yes." Standing, I waited for Emmett to get into position before removing my hands from Edward's hips.

"It's been awhile since your hips have done this motion, so I'm going to help them. Eventually, you will be able to use your abs to swing or throw your leg forward," Emmett explained to Edward.

"Okay," Edward panted.

"Here we go."

Edward's eyes were trained on the same place as mine.

His feet.

Inch by inch, they moved forward with the help of Emmett's behind them, pushing on them as he swiveled Edward's hips in a stepping motion. Edward's eyes narrowed and his lips pinched in concentration as he focused on the movement. His heart was willing his legs to move, but no matter how much Edward wanted to do it, how much willpower he had, his brain couldn't send the signal through to his legs. No matter how many times the energy went through his spinal cord and nervous system, it was abruptly stopped at the scar on his lower back.

At an incredibly slow pace, Edward moved forward, his toes stuttering on the floor when Emmett pushed from behind. When Edward tilted to the right too much, I put a hand on his side, up righting him again. Emmett never stopped talking, explaining everything he was doing to Edward. His huge hands, which looked like they could easily hold Edward up on their own, spanned Edward's hips as Emmett basically picked up one side of Edward's pelvis and swung it. It would propel Edward's weight forward until Emmett pushed Edward's foot ahead enough to get it back under his body. My hands were constantly on Edward, either resting lightly on his chest or side for extra support. Soft, gasps escaped Edward and washed over my face as he took in shallow breaths. He was getting tired but he wasn't going to tell either of us.

Suddenly, his right hand slipped on the bar and he fell to the side. Before he caught himself with his armpit, I had an arm around him and was hauling him back up.

"You okay?" I asked him and he nodded. Reaching over the bar, I snagged a towel hanging on a piece of equipment and laid it over the bar. Here, wipe your hands."

He moved slow and deliberate, but he wiped his right hand and I moved the towel to his left. When he was done, I dried off the bar and tossed the towel back onto the equipment.

"Okay, Jasper, we're going to head back toward the chair. I need you do the same thing you did last time," Emmett spoke.

I moved with Edward as Emmett moved him backwards, always supporting Edward's body with his own. The amount of strength and effort and energy it took for my boy to stand and walk those few steps was incredible. I don't think he would ever know just how fucking proud and amazed I was of him. He'd come so far from the weeks following the accident when he refused PT or to do anything for himself, to wanting to return to school, to returning to basketball and fighting for his life back.

My boy wasn't giving up.

Determined to regain his life, even if only in part, he was refusing to accept defeat and a life in the chair. He knew as well as any of us he would more than likely never walk on his own, but that didn't mean he couldn't imagine the possibilities, and grab what he could take. My heart swelled as I looked at him, so exhausted and worn, practically trembling with effort as he held himself up. He often said I was his superhero, but he had distorted view of heroism, because it was my boy who was the hero.

"Grab him, Jasper. I'm going to get the chair."

Pressing my body more completely to Edward's, I wrapped my arm around his waist. Letting him rest completely against my body, I gazed at him with admiration.

"Baby, I'm so proud of you," I murmured.

Unable to resist, I curled a hand around his neck, feeling the damp ends of his hair, and then leaned forward and brushed my lips over his in feather-light touches. I could feel his sharp intake of breath as he remembered we weren't alone. Honestly, Emmett was the least of my worries. He was a nurse, and Edward's friend, he wouldn't say a word. I wanted to give Edward something he'd desired since the accident happened…to kiss standing. I wasn't even concerned with someone walking and catching us. Right then none of them mattered.

All that mattered was that Edward knew how amazing he was, and how proud I was of him.

Pulling back slightly, I put my forehead to his, and just listened to his heart race. I didn't know if it was because of my closeness, Emmett seeing us, or the fact he was standing, but regardless of the reason, it was a beautiful thing to hear. Alight with fire from the kiss, Edward's eyes held no anger or fear. I barely saw a hint of surprise as sighed softly.

Finally, Emmett spoke. "We need to put him in his chair before he collapses."

"What do you need me to do?" I asked, keeping Edward flush to me.

"Same as before. On three. One, two, three."

Repeating the motion we'd done before, Emmett and I lowered Edward into the chair, and he leaned back, panting for breath. He looked more exhausted than I'd ever seen him, even pushing up the mountain hadn't worn him out as much, but when Emmett said it was enough for the day, Edward adamantly refused. Emmett dragged his eyes to mine, meeting them for the first time since he'd witnessed me kissing his patient. Only there wasn't judgment or disgust in them. Instead I found him silently asking my opinion on whether or not Edward could do it again.

I knew he could, and I nodded to Emmett. He shook his head, as if he couldn't believe I'd agreed with Edward, but gave in and said Edward could do it one more time. Then with a mischievous glance at us, he walked over the CD player and pressed a button a few times. Curious, I leaned against the bar and waited. At first, I didn't recognize the song, but as soon as he spun around with his arms above his head, I knew it. Immediately Edward growled at him, but Emmett only chuckled.

"What? I thought you'd like this one. Don't be mad at Edward," Emmett said to me. "I asked. He didn't just blurt it out or anything."

"Asked?"

"If you were my boyfriend," Edward clarified quietly, keeping his eyes from me.

Emmett knew. He'd known even before I'd kissed Edward.

"Oh."

"Are you mad?"

"No, I'm just surprised."

Shocked actually. Edward had always been so against other people knowing about us, and he'd voluntarily told Emmett.

"It's not like I wouldn't have figured it out when you laid one on him, kid," Emmett snorted.

My face heated up, and unable to stop a smile, I let it spread. "Sorry."

"Don't apologize on my account. Kiss him all you want as long as he does what he's supposed to do." He said before tossing his water into his bag and turning to a bright red Edward. "Ready for more?"

"Yep."

Using more guts and determination than physical strength, Edward once again stood and took another three steps with our help. There were teasing words mixed in with Emmett's instructions, but he never eyed my hand resting intimately on Edward, or the way I laced our fingers together once Edward returned to his chair. If I had the freedom to touch him in front of someone, I wasn't going to hold back. It was a great learning opportunity for me, not only to find out how I could help Edward but in my thirst of knowledge about PT in general. Emmett was a wealth of information, answering my questions patiently, even quizzing me a bit before we were done. He even taught me how to remove the braces. Then he offered to show me how to massage Edward, as long as Edward was comfortable with me being in the room. I almost laughed. I'd seen Edward naked a lot more than Emmett ever would.

"I do," I answered eagerly. "I've done research on it and seen videos, but it'd be nice to see it in person."

"You've done research on therapeutic massages?" Emmett asked with a raised brow. "And here I thought you'd be like any other teenage boy and watch porn."

"He's going to college for PT or SCI research," Edward supplied before I could.

"That's great. Where?"

"Oregon State," I replied.

"Great school. A few kids I went to high school with went there. Well, let's get this done." He opened the door and walked out while I waited for Edward. I saw the grimace on his face when he went to push the chair. He was sore, and would be for days.

Emmett set his bag on the floor of Edward's bedroom and then grabbed me arm. "Jasper and I are going to raid your kitchen while you undress. Call me when you're ready."

Releasing me, he closed the door behind us. "I know he wouldn't mind you in there. Hell, I'm sure it's nothing you haven't seen before, but I don't want to make him uncomfortable because I know about you two."

Blushing, I nodded and followed him into the kitchen and tried not to think about Edward taking off his clothes. Normally when I saw Edward naked, I was free to touch him and my body was allowed to react naturally to seeing and feeling him. With Emmett in the room, I was going to have to contain my cock, and stop my eyes from roaming to places on Edward's body they shouldn't roam in the presence of someone else.

Like he lived there, Emmett opened the fridge and rummaged through it. Once he'd found the milk, he pulled it out and went right to the cupboard where the glasses were. Then he found the cookies on the counter and grabbed a few. After he returned the milk to the fridge, he turned to me.

"You're not mad at him, are you?"

"Mad?"

"For telling me about you guys."

"No. I'm surprised he did though. You're the first person he's ever told."

"Really?" He grinned. "Now I feel special. How long you two been together?"

"Two years."

"Holy shit. Long time." He tilted his head and eyed me. "You're mom doesn't know, does she?"

"No. I haven't told anyone," I lied. "He doesn't want anyone to know yet. We had planned to come out after graduation."

"Yet you kissed him in front of me. I'm not Einstein, but I was kind of bound to figure it out after that."

"I couldn't help it. I just wanted to show him how proud of him I am."

Emmett smiled and nodded. "He did great in there. It's nice to know you got his back. You'll push him, but help him. You'll be there for him."

"Always," I answered honestly. "Except…"

"What?"

"College. I'm going to OSU and Edward's going to UW. He's going to try to transfer after freshman year but for a year, we'll be apart."

"That'll be hard, but I'm sure you'll both do fine. He's strong." I nodded and stared at the floor. "You're here for him now, that's what matters."

I was about to ask how it mattered when I wouldn't be with him in a few months, but Edward called out from his room. Emmett brushed the crumbs off his shirt and motioned for me to follow him.

We entered Edward's room to find him face down on his bed with a towel covering his ass but I saw the gray band of his briefs peeking out and knew he'd left them on for me. Silently thanking him, I walked to one side of him while Emmett went to the other. Edward laid his head on the bed and before either of us had touched him, his lids were drifting closed. Emmett tossed me a small bottle.

"Lube up, sunshine," he chuckled. Blushing more than I ever had in my life, I drizzled some of the oil on my hands and rubbed them together.

"I usually start with forearms and work my way in to the center of his shoulders before switching sides. Then I concentrate on his shoulder and focus a lot on his traps, upper and middle especially. When he tenses up, those muscles tend to stay tight. Why don't you start on his right side and work your way to me. Watch how I do it."

We spent over thirty minutes massaging Edward. Emmett showed me his technique and how to tell when muscles were loose or tight, and which ones Edward used for certain motions. When we moved to his hips, Emmett removed the towel, raising a brow but never saying anything when he saw Edward was still in his underwear. I tried to focus on what Emmett was explaining about the glute muscles instead of the feeling of Edward ass under my fingers. We moved lower to his thighs and calves. Emmett's tone never changed, it was always informative and clinical, relaxing me enough that I never once felt my cock twitch even though my hands were gliding over Edward's almost naked body.

Edward moaned sleepily. I knew the signs, I saw him slipping from consciousness before Emmett did, but he wasn't surprised when we were done and Edward was snoring.

"Told you he'd be tired," Emmett said as he wiped his hands on a towel and handed it to me. "Need help moving him?"

"No, I can do it."

Emmett nodded and picked up his bag, placing it on Edward's bed, he zipped it up. "I'm not due back until Friday, but he's going to be sore tomorrow and maybe Wednesday. You might want to massage his upper arms, traps, and mid-back. He used them today more than he realizes."

"Okay, I will." He glanced at Edward one last time before heading for the door. "Hey, Emmett?" He paused at the door and turned around. "Thanks for…thanks for everything," I said quietly.

He gave me relaxed smile. "You're welcome. Take care of him."

"I will," I promised as he closed the door behind him. Turning to Edward, I took in his oil slicked skin, and suddenly wanted nothing more than to touch him again.

"Babe?" I brushed his hair off his forehead. He didn't stir. "Babe?"

Giving up, I put one knee on the bed next to him and carefully rolled him over. He moaned once, but never moved as I slid my arms under him and lifted him up. Letting him fall against me before pushing myself off the bed, I turned so I could lay him down with his head on his pillows. There was a slight smile on his face as he his head rolled to the side and I kissed his temple.

"Love you," I whispered before going to his dresser and pulling out a pair of his sweatpants and a tee shirt.

Making sure he was asleep, I left his room and darted across the hall to the bathroom. Once the door was locked, I stripped and stepped into his shower. Aiming the head nozzles upward, I turned them on and quickly lathered up and washed my hair. The hot water was soothing on my tired body as I stood in front of the spray. Wanting to return to him, I turned off the shower and got out. Using one of his towels, I dried off and got dressed in his clothes before tossing my dirty laundry in the basket and returning to his room.

Climbing onto the bed, I settled next to him, draping an arm over his middle and nuzzling my face into his neck. I watched over him, the exhaustion that had been so evident before disappeared in his sleep. His features relaxed, a serene look covered his face as he lay heavy next to me. I listened for footsteps in the hall signaling his mom or dad had returned home and when I heard noises, I raised my head, laying it back down when I realized it was only Alice. While Edward slept, I thought about what his confiding to Emmett meant. I didn't think he was ready to sit down for a heart to heart with his parents, but maybe he was starting to accept the idea of others knowing about us.

Maybe he would be okay about Bella knowing.

Just as the rhythmic beat of his heart lulled my eyes closed and I let myself recall the image of him walking, I felt his breaths speed up. Lifting my head, I was greeted by his brilliant smile. Leaning forward, I pressed my lips to his willing ones, slipping my tongue into his mouth to find his. When he invited me to deepen the kiss by angling his head, I accepted it, sweeping my tongue over his until we were both moaning into the kiss. His fingers weaved through my hair, which was still dripping onto my shoulders, and I tore my lips from his.

"You know what the best part about fighting with you is?"

"What?" he asked, trying not to smile.

"The make-up sex."

"But we're not having sex."

"Close enough," I mumbled before kissing him again. Moving onto him, I wound my arms under his shoulders and cradled his head in my hands. When his hand tangled in my hair, he pulled back.

"Why is your hair wet?"

"I showered while you were sleeping. Borrowed some of your clothes."

"I can see that."

"I'm sorry about earlier," I whispered.

"Me too. I'm sorry we fought."

"Baby," I mumbled, kissing his nose, "fighting is a part of having a relationship, but it doesn't matter because I'm all in no matter what. Fighting or not, I'm all in."

"I'm all in too, but I should have told you."

"Why didn't you?" I sighed, still hurt he hadn't wanted me to share the big moment with him.

He said he didn't want to get my hopes up only to see him fail, and I had to remind him I don't care if he fails, but he said it was different now, and in a way I couldn't imagine it probably was. Failure for me and failure for him took on two different meanings now, and for some reason he thought failing meant so much more than it did. For him, it had taken on a life of its own, a battle to be won, and he wanted to win it before he shared the victory with me. It was hard to understand, and it hurt a little, but I respected his reasoning.

When he asked why I'd come over, I admitted I couldn't stop thinking about him at practice. Then it was my turn to ask him a question. "Babe, why did you tell Emmett?"

"He asked me if you were my boyfriend, and I felt bad lying to him. It was different than just coming out because he directly asked me. It's not like I just blurted it out."

"So if your dad or someone else asked, you would tell them?" I asked, hoping like hell he was going to understand what I was about to tell him. It was a risk, he could kick my ass out, understand, or freak out entirely. I was hoping after his conversation with Emmett, he was going to be more accepting of Bella.

"I don't know. I guess so."

"That's good, because I need to tell you something," I said softly, sitting up. Unable to look at him, I stared at his bare abs. There was a thick silence filled with his growing anxiousness, and he reached for me, taking my hand in his and drawing my eyes back to his. My heart raced and I licked my dry lips before speaking.

"Bella knows."

His physical reaction was immediate. Worry filled his eyes, his lips parted in surprise, and his face grew tight when his brows met in the middle. I could even see his chest rising and falling quicker as his own heart raced to match mine.

"How?" he choked out.

Chewing on my lip, I tried to organize my thoughts before telling him. "At the game she asked me if I had a crush on you. She caught me off guard, and I didn't say anything. Then she said, she wouldn't tell you, and I told her you already knew." More nervous with each word I said, my voice was barely audible when I finished.

"What did she say?"

"Not much, she was surprised, but seemed okay. She made me promise to call her, so I did. She asked when we got together and stuff. I told her you never cheated on her, that you cared for her. She was hurt you didn't tell her, but she really seemed okay with it."

"Oh God," he groaned. Looking paler than usual, he put an arm around his stomach.

I was already in trouble, so I figured I might as well continue. "She asked if we were in love, and I said yes. When I asked how she knew, she said the same thing Alice had about looks and stuff. She said she doesn't think anyone else knows though."

His hand never left mine, but his thumb had stopped rubbing the back of it as he digested what I'd told him. Letting out a trembling breath, he focused on our hands. I cupped his cheek, hoping the more places were touching, connecting, it would ease his worry. Then I tried it with words.

"Babe, I swear, she's not mad or anything."

"I should have been the one to tell her," he sighed.

He was right. Bella was his ex-girlfriend, and telling her he and I were involved should have come from him, but she hadn't asked him, she asked me. "I know. But you couldn't lie to Emmett, and I couldn't lie to Bella. It just felt wrong," I tried to explain.

My heart broke the second he turned his head away and clenched his eyes. He was beyond tired, and processing the information I'd just hold him wasn't easy when exhaustion wasn't overwhelming his body. Quietly, I begged him not to be mad at me, and he assured me he wasn't, he had just wished I hadn't told her.

"Why did you kiss me in front of Emmett?" he asked suddenly.

I couldn't help but smile. Finally a question I could answer. "Because I was so fucking proud of you, so happy for you, that I didn't give a shit who saw us. Hell, I probably would have kissed you in front of your dad. Besides, I knew as nurse he wouldn't say anything to anyone."

"He won't," he promised. His features lost some of their stress, his eyes were half closed as he looked up at me drowsily.

"Are we okay?" I asked, brushing my fingers down his cheek.

"Yeah, we're okay," he murmured right before our lips met in a brief kiss. As soon as he relaxed into the kiss, I knew he was okay, we were okay, and Bella and Emmett knowing would be okay.

Then it was time to give him more bad news.

"I can't drive you to practice on Thursday, I've got a track meet, and I can't miss a meet or else I don't qualify for States. Can your mom drive you?"

"Probably."

"Sorry, baby," I whispered, leaning over and putting my forehead to his. Just as I went to kiss him, we heard footsteps stop at his closed door and I sat back. His mother asked if I was staying for dinner, and I looked hopefully at Edward. I didn't want him to send me to home so soon. He said yes and I kissed him.

We spent the rest of the night together, eating dinner with his mom and Alice, rubbing my foot along the side of his discreetly under the table as we listened to Alice's stories. After dinner, we did homework. I even read our English homework aloud as he played with the drying waves of my hair. When his mother knocked on the door, I bolted upright, the bed bouncing with my quick motion before she opened it. She announced she couldn't drive Edward to practice, so I suggested Riley. Edward texted him and received a reply just as I started to read again. Even before I asked, I knew Edward would be worried about driving with someone else, someone new.

Hours later, I finally crawled out of his bed and shoved my feet into my sneakers. And finally, after a long kiss goodbye, I peeled myself from him and made my way to the truck, fighting everything in me that was telling me to run back inside. Somehow I made it home, said hi to my parents and rolled my eyes when they pretended to not know who I was. After answering some questions and refusing leftovers for dinner, I went to my room, kicking off my shoes before flopping onto my bed and pulling out my phone.

I knew he would be too tired for much conversation, but I only needed to hear his breaths in my ear. I offered to sing him to sleep, choosing "Blackbird" because Edward had taken his broken wings and learned to fly.

And could my boy fly.

With stupid smile on my face, I sang, listening to his breaths grow heavier with each line of the song. By the time I finished the second time, he was sound asleep, and I rested the phone on my ear and closed my eyes. Still dressed in his clothes, I inhaled his faint scent and feel asleep right behind him.

"**~~**"

The physics book and the paper I should have been writing my answers down on sat on the same bleacher where my feet were perched. Luckily I didn't have much homework, but what I did have would probably remain undone. School had been much better, there was no tension between Edward and me. In fact, I had to fight the urge to touch him every second he was near and wondered if he fought the same battle I did. Bella didn't seem to notice the way Edward studied her more closely, but she did eye me when I had a conversation with Newton and actually smiled. Never once did she let on to anyone that Edward and I weren't what we appeared. So far, she was keeping her word.

Shifting my weight, I watched as Edward shot from his sweet spot. My eyes tracked the ball as it sailed through the air and bounced off the rim. Immediately, I looked back at Edward, but didn't find a defeated look on his face. He knew why his shooting was off. He was still sore from PT, and was to be expected given the amount of effort it had taken for him. At school when he had mentioned his arms ached, I'd offered to push him, but when he glared at me I quickly retracted the offer. His warm body had been pressed to mine for the entire ride to practice, his hand on my thigh, his head on my shoulder until we pulled into the parking lot. Smiling and joking, he joined his teammates and I headed for my usual spot on the bleachers. As soon as I heard Sam call out shirts versus skins, my eyes shot up from my homework and I never looked at it again.

In pain or not, Edward navigated the chair through the warm-up drills and scrimmage. He grimaced a few times, and other than missing his shots, you would never know his upper body was sore. Leaning back on the bleachers, I watched Edward, and occasionally Riley. Normally, my attention was entirely on Edward, especially when he was shirtless, but he and Riley stuck pretty close throughout practice, and where there was one, there was the other. It was all with good reason, Riley was a post and Edward was starting point guard. Edward took advantage of Riley's long arms and passed to him a lot. After Edward's third missed shot, Riley approached him, leaning over and saying something in his ear, but they both came away laughing. While the erection straining against my jeans was strictly as a result of my boy, I had to admit Riley was fucking easy on the eyes. He had that all-American-boy-next-door thing going on that surely got the girls' attention as it had Bella and Alice. Though the more I watched him, I began to wonder if Bella and Alice were just wasting their energy.

As Edward pushed the chair backward across the court effortlessly, I watched the way his new body worked. I used to know everything about him – mentally and physically – but now sometimes he was a different person in a different body, but that was okay, because I loved all of him. Still, sometimes I wondered if someone else could understand those new pieces of him I couldn't yet. Someone like Riley.

Especially Riley.

Like Edward, Riley had been an athlete whose promising future had been cut short.

Hell, everyone on that team could relate to Edward better than I could, understand a part of him I never would. He would forever share a bond with them that we couldn't.

There were the outbursts of worry or frustration or irrational fear over failure that seemed to come from nowhere, and I would have to wrap my mind around his reasoning, sympathize with him without pitying him. It was a line I would gladly walk for the rest of my life, but I couldn't help but wonder if someone like Riley would even have to walk the line, or would he already innately understand everything Edward was going through and felt.

Edward called for the ball, drawing my attention from my thoughts and back to him…and his shirtless body. His arms reached out and caught the pass from Colin, immediately raising his arms above his head, sending the ball toward the net with a flick of his wrist.

My cock twitched and began to ache from pressing against the buttons of my Levi's. I hoped going commando would be worth the marks I was going to permanently have because I swore there were going to be imprints from the buttons on my skin. Practice couldn't end soon enough. I needed to get Edward alone in the truck. I needed his hands on me. Watching the rest of the scrimmage, I counted down the minutes, almost cheering when Sam said they were done for the night. I met Edward by the door, growling at him when he yanked his shirt on over his head as he rolled down the hallway.

"Not sure why you're doing that, I'm just going to make you take it off in the truck," I warned him with a pout. He chuckled, but pulled the hem of the shirt down to his sweatpants. His hair was in damp clumps around his forehead and the nape of his neck as he wiped a towel over his face. Eagerly, I followed him down the ramp and across the parking lot. It was the longest, and most uncomfortable, walk of my life.

At the truck, he opened his door and tossed his bag on the floor. I caught up to him, ignoring his raised brow when he noticed the bulge in my crotch. I threw my backpack into the truck and then slipped my arms under him, lifting him out of the chair. It was a well practiced position, his arms going around my neck, his head on my shoulder, his legs dangling over my arm.

"You smell good," I groaned as I sat him on the seat before closing his door and pushing the chair to the back of the truck. Once it was secured in the bed, I climbed into the cab and didn't waste time starting the engine. I immediately crawled to his side and straddled his lap, feeling like a livewire every time he touched me. Even the feather-light fingertips grazing along the skin of my back was enough to send shivers down my spine. My heart raced, blood flowed from my brain and my cock felt like it was going to shoot without being touched.

It wouldn't be the first time.

I could feel Edward's body vibrate with his chuckle when I mumbled in his ear and realized my accent had slipped. It was normally pretty slight, occasionally the drawl would unintentionally work its way through me, other times I used it because I knew how much he liked it. When he asked in a teasing voice what I wanted, as if he didn't know, I mumbled against his wet lips.

"Touch me, baby."

One of his hands remained splayed on my back while his other slid down my side, leaving goose bumps in its wake. I was shaking by the time he pushed the first button on my jeans through the hole. My breaths were short with anticipation by the time the second one was freed. When he went to work the next button, he felt the lack of underwear and his eyes shot to mine.

"Commando?"

"Just trying to save some time, babe," I excused before kissing him hard. His fingers remained on the third button as I distracted him with my tongue. Moving my hips on his lap, I moaned, pleading him to continue. Just one more button and he would be smearing the fluid from my slit.

"Please…"

I don't know who reacted to the horn first. I couldn't be sure whether he threw me off him or I jumped, but I ended up on the other side of the cab with my chest heaving and the head of my cock poking out from my half undone jeans. Shocked, I looked at Edward with his shirt still bunched up around his chest. Reaching over, I went to pull it down for him but he slapped my hand away. I still hadn't dared to look out his window and see who was there.

After a few deep breaths and running his hand through his hair, Edward rolled down his window. Both our eyes fell on the knowing grin Riley was giving us both.

"Well, hello," he chuckled from his van. He had been in a car, he might not have been able to see me sitting next to Edward, but the van was level with us. Edward and I had been pretty oblivious. Riley could have been watching us for minutes before he's honked his horn.

"Hey, what's up?" Edward asked, desperately trying to sound casual. If his breathlessness hadn't given us away, me pulling my shirt back down and struggling to button my jeans over my erection definitely did. From his position, Riley could clearly see me, and what I was doing.

Riley laughed, "Seems like I should be asking you that question."

And with those words, he confirmed he knew, that he'd seen us. Edward sighed as he realized the same thing I did. Now four people knew about us. Riley said he wanted to make sure everything was okay with Edward because he'd seemed out of it at practice. Gradually Edward calmed and they made plans for Thursday. Then Riley leaned forward, his gaze moving from Edward to me. I saw the twinkle in his eyes as he glanced down at my crotch. Even though I was dressed, I felt uncomfortable and exposed.

"Night, Jasper." He smirked.

"Night," I returned.

"See ya, Cullen."

"Bye," Edward answered, giving Riley a small wave before rolling up the window.

"Shit, shit, shit…shit. Shit," Edward growled.

I wanted to reach for him, but settled for trying to console him. "Babe, it's fine. He won't say anything."

"You don't know that," he snapped.

"You're right, I don't. But I know he's your friend, and as your friend, I think if you asked him not to say anything, he wouldn't."

His chin dropped to his chest and he sighed. "We're getting too careless."

Were we? Was it careless to make out with your boyfriend in parked truck? Would it have been careless if I'd been a girl? We weren't careless, we were in love and excited about being alone and able to touch each other. What was careless about that?

"We're getting married," I argued. "You're my fiancé, I want to be able to touch you when I want." I wasn't angry but my voice was husky from the frustrated arousal still flowing through me. Reaching across, he took my hand and said he knew I hated hiding.

He wasn't completely accurate. It wasn't that I hated it, it was that I loved him more.

"I don't hate it," I sighed, weaving a hand through my still tangled hair. "I just don't mind people knowing I'm in love with you. I'm proud you're mine, baby, I want to show you off, but I'll wait until you're ready."

I patted the chair and started the truck, waiting until his body was next to mine before I backed up.

"This is going to be an awkward ride to practice on Thursday."

"Maybe not. He seemed pretty cool with it."

"Fuck, I hope so."

He was silent almost the entire way home, only answering the questions I asked about homework or if he was sore from practice. By the way he sank into me, I could tell his body was relaxed, but knew his mind was still churning with worry. The more I thought about what had happened, the more a smile teased the corners of my lips. After my possible realization about Riley at practice, I wondered if he'd already known about Edward and me. Maybe him catching us was good. Just in case I was right about him, I was glad he knew Edward was taken.

Very taken.

We pulled into Edward's driveway, and he sighed, not lifting his head. "Babe, I know you're worried about being the fag in the wheelchair, but do you really think Riley would say something like that when he's in a chair himself?" He shook his head. "I think it'll be okay." I tried to assure him.

"He's my closest friend on the team. I don't want to fuck up the friendship because I'm gay."

"I know, baby."

Finally, he lifted his head and looked at me. His eyes were storming, much like they did when he battled the mysterious force I couldn't see. The green darkened from leafy to a forest at midnight as his emotions raged behind them. I kissed his forehead.

"Let's get you inside." He nodded and sat upright to slide across the seat. By the time I opened his door, he was there waiting. Scooping him up, I lifted him and after a short kiss, placed him in the chair. He reached in for his bag and put it on his lap. Before he turned away from me, I took his hand in mine. "I'll call when I get home. Be safe, baby."

"See ya soon, love," he said quietly. Looking up, he gave me a small nod and an even smaller smile, then released my hand and headed for the ramp. I watched until he was in the house and the door closed behind him. It was several minutes later I pushed off the truck and got inside.

The drive home was quick, probably because I sped, and I practically ran inside. The sooner I was changed, the sooner I could talk to Edward. As soon as I was done, I looked at the time and realized it was too soon to call him, he wouldn't be ready for bed yet. Instead, I sat at my computer.

My backpack remained on the floor next to my bed as I checked my email, replied to one from Jake and updated him on Edward's PT. I'd hoped he was on to chat but he was offline. Once I was done, I skimmed my other emails and debated on logging into WOW, but decided not to. Glancing at the time, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed Edward.

"Hey," he answered, already sounding better than when I'd dropped him off.

"Hey, baby," I whispered, "you okay?"

"Yeah. I took a shower and thought about it and if he can't deal, he can't deal. I'll just ask him to not tell anyone. I think it will be okay."

I rolled onto my back, laying my head on my pillows. Ignoring what he'd said, I concentrated on something way more important. "A shower, huh? Do tell. I want all the soapy details."

He chuckled and I heard him settling on his bed. "Well, I started off by turning on the water…"

"Mmm, fucking hot."

"Yeah, it was. Then I poured shower gel on the sponge."

"Oh, baby, you say the sexiest things."

"Just wait until I tell you how I washed my hair."

I groaned and cupped myself. Honestly, he could have read me the fucking phonebook and I would have gotten off to it. I made him repeat the part when he was all lathered up and washed between his legs. I never actually stroked myself, but I'd been tempted to more than once. Eventually, I propped up my phone and listened to his breaths while I sang him to sleep.

The only thing that would have made it more perfect was if he'd been next to me while I sang.

"**~~**"

Resting my head against the seat, I stared blankly out the window. John was blasting in my ears, singing about wanting a revolution as I watched the blur of trees as we passed. My teammates were crowded around me, but after glaring sharply at a few, I'd been left alone in my seat. The bus hit a bump, jostling me in the seat and reminding why I drove myself to school every day. Resting my arm on my duffle bag next to me and wedging my knees up against the back of the seat in front of me, I ignored the warning look from kid sitting in it and closed my eyes. The two hour drive would give me enough time to nap, enough time to remember my time at Edward's the day before.

After getting out of practice early, I went straight to Edward's, determined to spend every second I could with him. Somehow we ended up baking chocolate chip cookies, and while they were in the oven, I had found the best way to spend the time.

"C'mere," I said to him as I shoved my pants down around my knees.

Rolling to me, he stopped when our legs touched and I turned, sitting on his lap with my bare back to his chest. I didn't have to tell him what I wanted, he knew. He always knew. While I writhed, he yanked my underwear over my cock, releasing it in its semi-hard state. I gasped when his warm fingers wrapped around me, and within a few pumps, I was hard and thrusting into his fist.

"Harder," I panted, "faster."

Touching me just how I liked, with a jerk of his wrist so his palm cupped the head every few strokes, he worked me to a frenzied state. Then he put his magical lips at my ear and asked me how I got so horny.

Fucking stupid question but I answered him anyway.

"You," I breathed, bucking up over and over to meet his grip.

"You like me touching you? You like being naked on me?"

Another stupid question.

Unable to contain my groans, I released them, filling the room with wanton sounds. Edward kissed me, sticking his tongue in my mouth to quiet me, and it worked, except it made me come. Lacking all rhythm, my hips met his hand and my cock exploded onto my abs and his hand, coating us both. I broke the kiss, shut my eyes and rode it out as my body took over. Spasms wracked me until I fell stated against him. His hand continued to pump me as I thanked him.

It was muffled, but we could hear the buzzer from the oven. Not wanting the cookies to burn, I jumped off Edward. He went to take them out while I dressed. I met him in the kitchen and moved the cookies to the cooling rack. Grabbing a few sodas, I handed him one and jumped up onto the island. Opening my can, I took a long sip, watching Edward maneuver the chair in the remodeled kitchen. Even with the extra space, he still bumped into the trash can.

I asked him about the braces and why he'd decided to try them. It was sooner than most were allowed to use them, but given Edward's physical condition before the accident, it had taken less time to build up his strength. Before he answered me completely, he told me to follow him into his room where he booted up his laptop. I sat on the edge of his bed, close enough to smell him. Once the computer was running, he glanced over his shoulder at me.

"Promise you won't laugh?"

"I swear," I vowed. Turning back to the computer, he opened the browser and went to his bookmarks, clicking on the last one on the long list. A site opened and I scanned it.

There was a picture of an Asian man in a lab coat in the corner under the title of Miracle Worker of China. Confused, I skimmed the text, and the testimonies of various people claiming they went into the doctor's office in a chair and came out walking. It promised cures for those suffering from paralysis or pain. Like the infomercials on late at night, it was filled with giving people false ideas about what was possible. It fed off their hope and dreams in order to get money.

My boy was smarter than that. He knew lies when he saw them, but…it was different now. He was more susceptible to believing because he wanted to so very badly. Who wouldn't want to find out there's a cure for them, no matter how farfetched it might be. There was nothing more wrong than profiting from the hope of people, and while I knew Edward knew it was a bunch of bullshit, the little boy in him, the one who had believed in Santa until he was thirteen, wanted to believe in this too.

And how could I fault him for that?

"A miracle worker?"

He lowered his head and his eyes, staring at his still legs as he spoke. "I need to try everything, Jasper. I'd give anything to be whole again. Since this happened, I've dreamed of one thing, walking on the stage at school to get my diploma, and that isn't going to happen. Fuck, they probably won't even have a ramp for me to fucking wheel myself up."

Dropping to my knees in front of him, I put my hands on his lap. My heart ached for him, for what he'd lost, what he would never know and experience. "I know, Edward, but you know this isn't the way."

"I just thought…I don't know, maybe I deserved a miracle. I'm a good kid, right?"

Blinking away the tears, I squeezed his legs, willing him to believe in himself as much as I did. "Aw, baby, you're a wonderful and perfect, and if anyone deserves a miracle, it's you." Leaning forward, I kissed him, leaving behind salty tears on his lips before sitting back on my calves.

"Do you think things happen for a reason?" he asked, wiping the tear running down his cheek.

"Yeah. If things didn't happen for a reason, then how would we explain my parents moving from Texas all the way up here, and you and me in biology together, and falling in love? We were destined to find each other," I answered.

He sighed, frustration coating his words. "Then why did this happen to me? What's the reason? I was on this forum and there was a story about a kid who was in a car accident and brain damaged. Under that post were others that said maybe he deserved it because he was gay."

"Edwa—"

"Maybe I deserved this too," he interrupted softly.

"Baby, why would think that?" I took his hand in mine.

"Because I'm a sin. I mean, our families aren't big church goers, but we know the basics, we believe in God, and what you and I are is wrong," he said quietly.

There was no way my boy was a sin, or that what we felt and did was wrong. Love like ours could never wrong.

My parents had raised me to believe in God, we'd attended church pretty regularly in Texas, everyone did, but it wasn't the only thing we lived by. Since realizing I was gay, I'd spent many nights lying on my bed in my darkened room questioning God about my attraction to Peter. I'd heard the sermons on Sundays, I knew what most people thought about homosexuals, but I'd been taught by my parents to have faith in a God who accepted and loved all his children, including me. God never answered my questions, I always woke up the next morning wondering the same thing, but over time I began to realize it was okay.

I wasn't a mistake. I wasn't a sin.

And neither was Edward. He was the most perfect being ever created, he was air and life and the sun all wrapped into one living angel.

"It's not wrong and you know it. Some people might think so, but I believe in a God who made us all different for a reason. He made us like this, he must accept it, and if some people don't, that's their problem."

"Then why did this happen to me if I'm a good person?" His eyes remained on his lap and the tears dropped from them onto our hands.

He was asking questions I couldn't answer, but the desperation in his eyes told me I had to at least try. "Baby, you're a beautiful person. You're not a sin, and neither am I. But I don't know why this happened to you. I wish I did so I could fix it, but don't you dare think for one second you did anything to deserve this. Sometimes things just happen. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"I just want to be a man again," he confessed, slowly bringing his wet eyes to mine.

"You are. You're more man than anyone I know. Look what you've accomplished already. This new body, playing basketball, standing and taking few steps, and it's only been five months. Just imagine what you will be doing in another five." I reached up and touched his lips, his perfect lips, with my thumb. Someone like Edward should never doubt themselves. "You're amazing, Edward. You were amazing before the accident and you're more amazing now. If it'd been me, I never could have done what you have. You deserve a miracle, but you know you won't get it by flying to some doctor in China."

"I know," he mumbled, almost averting his eyes in shame for having considered it. "After the other day, I just want to walk on that stage so bad."

"Maybe you can with the braces," I offered. I knew it wasn't likely, but there was no way I was going to tell him that. The hope that had been dashed with realizing the doctor in China was nothing but scam needed to be rebuilt. Hope for Edward was a fragile thing, something easily crushed and hard to restore.

"You saw how hard walking fucking three steps was. And that was with two guys holding me. Graduation is less than a month away. I'll never be able to walk that far by then."

Moving to my knees, I pulled Edward into a hug. "I'll do whatever I need to do to make sure you walk on that stage, baby," I promised into his ear. He buried his face into my neck, gripping me with what strength he had as he clung to the bit of hope I was offering.

I would make sure Edward walked onto that stage even if I had to sell my soul to the devil to make it happen.

"Love you," he murmured into my hair.

"Love you too," I whispered. I loved him so much it scared me sometimes, but as long as he was with me, I was okay with being scared. "Ready for some awesome cookies?"

Before I could daydream about the second make-out session we'd had that night, or the way he'd smiled at me across the dinner table when I stayed to eat spaghetti with them, my phone vibrated in my hand. Prying my eyes open, I looked down to see a text message and smiled.

Hey love, kick ass at the meet

Thanks babe. I was just thinking about you.

Was I dressed?

Like he didn't know.

Never.

What are you wearing?

I snorted at his text and replied. Don't tempt me bb.

Take all my fun away. Good luck today. Love you.

Thanks. Love you too. have a good practice

I'll try. Don't worry, I won't hold his hand.

Better not *wink*

Smiling like the lovesick fool I was, I held my phone a little tighter, hoping it would make me feel closer to him in some abstract way. Returning my gaze to the scenery outside the window, I remembered Edward asking me if I was jealous of Riley.

We'd been on our way to gym when I asked if he was okay going with Riley, and he assured me he'd be fine. Then he asked if I was jealous. It was almost a laughable question, because I had no doubt about Edward's feelings for me. But I had to tease him anyway, and by the time we reached the locker room, we were chuckling over Riley's pop star good looks. I stopped and leaned against the wall, giving Edward my best come hither look. He was like a moth to the flame and pushed the chair until our legs were almost touching. Bending over, I whispered in his ear.

"I know where your heart lies, baby, and I won't ever doubt that."

But I wasn't entirely honest with Edward when he asked if I was jealous. I was jealous, but not for the reason he thought.

I was jealous because someone else was doing my job, someone else, no matter how temporary his part, was taking care of Edward when I had declared myself the only one fit for that position. Rationally I knew that role was ultimately filled by his parents, but there were so many times they weren't around, or didn't understand what he needed. Even if it was only for a few hours, Edward was relying on someone else, and that was why I was jealous. I wanted it to be me he was sitting next to, I wanted it to me he walked into the building with. No one else knew Edward like I did. Riley wouldn't know Edward needed to hear the Beatles to keep him calm, or that he drank extra water after practice but not during. It was the small, stupid details that defined us, that made Edward and I what we were.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I reminded myself I better get used to the feeling, because come September, Edward would be six hours away from me, and some random roommate would be helping him get through his days while all I got was a phone call or text message. I'd never dreaded the end of summer so much before. Stubbornly refusing to think about it, I flipped my playlist to the music Edward had put on there for me and laughed when "Mickey" began to play. Shaking my head, I closed my eyes and listened to the high pitched voice.

Someone was shaking me and I was about to rip their hand off when I remembered where I was. Snapping my head upright, I pulled an earbud out and looked up to see one of my teammates standing in the aisle of the bus.

"Hey, Whitlock, you plan on racing today or what?"

"Yeah," I sighed as I worked out the kink in my neck and stood up.

Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I unzipped it and slipped my phone inside before moving into the aisle and following my team off the bus. I glanced around, taking in the grandstands and new track. The infield grass was the greenest I'd ever seen and the equipment was all new. It was perfect except for one thing.

Edward wasn't there.

Sighing, I marched down the hill to the track with the rest of the team, nodding to a few competitors I'd raced against before. Adrenaline started pumping through me as we made our way to the warm-up area. Even if my mind wasn't there, my body knew what was coming, and what it had to do. Stripping off my sweatshirt and sweatpants, I stretched and then went on a quarter mile jog.

All the teams gathered in the infield for a brief meeting before being sent to their individual events. I cheered on Fork's hurdlers, cringing when someone from Elma tripped and fell near the finish line, blood dripping from their knees when he stood up. With my earbuds in and "Eye of the Tiger" on repeat, I watched a few kids from my team win their hundred meter heats. Then it was time for my eight hundred. Taking off my phone, I put it my bag and walked over to where the other racers were gathered, including the kid from La Push.

There was the typical smack talking and joking going on. I jumped up and down, loosening myself up before we were called to the starting line. I was in the furthest outside lane, my least favorite spot, but I made my way to the lane and waited. The official readied us and the gun went off. Bolting forward, I quickly settled into my early pace. I liked being on the inside so I could see my competition and didn't have to cross the width of the track after the first turn. I could hear distant cheering and closer footsteps behind me. Without looking back, I lengthened my stride and began to work across the track to the inside. Focusing on nothing but the horizon in front of me, I breathed and listened to the slap of my feet on the ground.

We completed the first lap and were halfway through the second when I could tell from the screams of my teammates, someone was gaining on me.

"Damn it," I mumbled and sped up.

As we neared the final turn and last two hundred meters, I glanced over my shoulder for the first time and saw the kid from La Push only about ten meters behind me. His fans drove him forward with loud cheers. Digging down deep inside me, I pushed ahead, somehow quickening my pace. My arms pumped rhythmically, matching my strides as we exited the last turn and headed for the finish line. Twenty meters and I went even faster. Behind me I heard panting, but I refused to look and see how close he was.

Then to the applause of an enthused crowd, I crossed the finish line a few strides ahead. Immediately, I came to a slow walk, lacing my hands behind my head and taking in deep breaths. My heart quickly returned to its resting rate as I checked in with the official and got my time. It was half a second slower than my best, but it was well below qualifying time.

After accepting a few congratulations from my teammates, I sat in the infield and listened to music, watching the other events and missing Edward until it was time for my 1,600 meter race. We were called to the starting line and I surveyed my competition, which wasn't much.

It would be an easy mile for me.

The gun went off and I pulled to the front, easing into my distance pace. By the time the first lap was done, everyone was a few hundred meters behind me, a lead I extended with every lap until I crossed the finish line well ahead of everyone else and under the time I needed to be. My body was so used to running that pace for seven or eight miles at a time that running one was like a walk to the mailbox. As I walked off the track, I felt empty not having my boy there to celebrate with me.

When the meet ended, we all shuffled back to the bus and I sat in my seat alone again. Pulling out my phone, I returned to The Beatles playlist and checked the time. Edward was probably on his way to practice, but I sent him a text anyway.

Won both races, love you

I knew he wouldn't reply right away but I sighed anyway and held my phone. We were barely out of the parking lot before my eyes were closing.

Next thing I remembered was my coach waking me up. We were in the parking lot of Forks High and it was almost dark out. Glancing down at my phone, I saw no messages and grabbed my bag, got off the bus and headed for my truck.

At home, I emptied my bag, threw in a load of laundry, took a shower and even did my homework. Each task was a slight distraction while I waited for Edward to get home and call. I even ate dinner with my parents, caught them up on Edward's progress, though I didn't tell them about the braces. That was Edward's victory to share, not mine. My mother, still dressed in her scrubs, handed me two pieces of mail.

Putting my fork down, I picked up the top envelope, confused at the return address. "What do they want?"

"I don't know, why don't you open it," she chuckled.

Ripping the envelope, I scanned the letter.

"Well?" my father asked.

"Dear Mr. Whitlock, I have heard of your quest to run a half marathon event in order to raise money for the Cullen family. I would like to offer my apology to what happened when you were here, please accept my donation of a thousand dollars. I would also like to inform you we've begun to make the necessary changes to our restaurant to assure we can service all our customers. I value the community and want to continue to serve everyone in it. Thank you for bringing it to my attention and I hope you will return here in the future to see the improvements I have made. Sincerely, Ron Brado, owner Ronaldo''s Restaurant."

"Wow," my mother said. "Guess you made an impression on them."

"Or my letter to the editor did."

"Whatever works," my father chimed. "What is your total now?"

"About eight thousand. I'm hoping for a big donation from the hospital."

"Eight thousand? Jasper, that's awesome. When is the race?"

"Second weekend in June I think. I've got to start running more if I want to make it thirteen miles."

"As if you wouldn't," my mother snorted. When I looked at her, she continued. "There is no way you would let yourself not make it, not with so much on the line. You would run yourself into the ground before you would not finish."

She was right, but I still wanted to know I could make it thirteen miles before I actually raced it.

"Open the one from OSU," my father said, motioning to the other envelope.

Biting my lip, I tore it open and read the letter before telling them what it said. "They thanked me for accepting their offer, enclosed a few forms I need to fill out for housing and meal plans and visiting for orientation. They are pleased to have me as a member of the class of 2014."

When I looked up, they were both beaming at me, a combination of pride and relief filled their happy gazes. My mother took the letter and read it over, then looked over the forms as well.

"We can decide on these later," she said as she folded them up and handed them to my dad.

He whistled as he read it. "A full scholarship. Jasper, that is something to be damn proud of."

I gave him a weak smile and nodded. I was proud, it just wasn't what I wanted. Finishing my steak, I pushed my plate aside. "I need to go finish up some homework."

Standing, I cleared my plates and took the letter and check from Rolando's and brought it into my room where I stuffed it into the envelope I kept all the donations in. On the front, I added the amount to the running total.

I still needed about twenty two thousand more in less than a few weeks. I was never going to get it. Defeated, I fell onto my bed and checked the time. Edward would be home in about ten minutes. Turning onto my stomach, I folded my arms up and laid my head on them. It was the longest ten minutes of my life. I had just started to fall asleep when I heard "Let it Be". Whipping upright, I grabbed my phone off the table.

"Hey, baby," I sighed. Everything was quickly okay again.

"Hey, love," he said, and I could hear the relief in his voice. He was just as happy to hear me as I was him. "I got your message. Congratulations. Sorry I wasn't there to see it."

"Me too. How was practice?" I lay back down, moving to my pillows and crossing my feet. With my free hand, I picked at my blanket.

"Tiring. We've got our second game on Saturday, so Sam went over plays to get us ready for it."

"Saturday, huh?"

"Yeah. Can you go?" he asked quietly.

"Just try and stop me," I smiled. "Where is it?"

"Port Angeles, and it's late, not until five. I guess the other team is coming and spending the night."

"Cool. Maybe we can make a day of it? Hang around the city. Maybe I can treat my boy to lunch…"

"Mmm, that sounds really nice. I'd like that."

"Have you done your routine yet?"

"No, I wanted to call you first. Want to come with me while I go to the bathroom?"

"Are you trying to seduce me?" I chuckled.

He was silent as he moved around, probably getting a kit. In the bathroom, he put me on speakerphone while he did his routine. I told him more about the track meet and beating the kid from La Push again. He told me about a new play they practiced. Back in his room, I listened to him as he changed into his pajamas, his soft grunts as he rolled side to side to pull up his pants. Once he was settled in bed, he put the phone back to his ear.

"I've got some good news," I told him.

"What?"

"I got a check today from Ronaldo's for a thousand dollars for the race."

"Seriously?"

"Yep. They sent a letter saying they were making changes to their restaurant."

"That's great. See, love, you're changing the world."

"One restaurant at a time," I laughed. He sighed again, sounding exhausted. "Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah, just tired."

"Ready for a song?"

"Yes, please," he moaned. I waited while he got comfortable, and then began.

Oh yeah, I´ll tell you something
I think you'll understand
When I say that something
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand

He sang the second verse with me, making his voice go really high and sending me into a fit of laughter. When we both calmed down, I began to sing "Imagine". He was quiet, his breaths growing heavy as I lulled him to sleep. Finishing the song, I laid the phone against my ear and closed my eyes.

"Love you, baby," I whispered before joining him in sleep.

"**~~**"

"So what do you want for lunch?" I asked as we drove down East 1st Street. Edward was right next to me, leaning forward so he could see the names of the places as we went by. He looked fucking hot with his freshly washed hair and dark glasses sitting on his perfect nose.

He looked less tired than he had when I'd left his house the night before. School had gone as usual and as soon as practice ended, I was driving to Edward's, expecting to find Edward on the parallel bars, but I found him and Emmett both in the driveway shooting basketball. Emmett left shortly after, and Edward and I were completely alone. We found ourselves in the shower, me naked and writhing on his lap as I jerked off, stroking both our dicks until mine exploded.

"A few more inches and you could slip inside me," I murmured in his ear as I shifted my hips, "You're already lubed."

His eyes closed and I thought for a few seconds he might actually be considering my offer. His nails dug into my hips as he eased me closer to his growing erection, stopping just short. We kissed deeply, languidly, tenderly until it was time to get out.

While I'd planned on sleeping over, when it got near ten, I gave him a long kiss goodbye and thanked him for showering with me. He was surprised, but didn't argue with me when I said he needed sleep. I wanted nothing more than to curl up next to him in bed and let his heartbeat coax me to sleep, but we both knew how that would end up.

In a late night of blowjobs and making out.

So instead, I made my way home and fell into my bed alone. I didn't sleep alone though, Edward's sleepy breaths were in my ear all night long.

That morning I'd arrived at Edward's before he was even dressed in his sweatpants and team warm up jersey. We ate breakfast and told his parents we would meet them at the game. Bella was coming, but she was getting a ride from Newton, who was also bringing Eric and Angela. Edward and I had purposely neglected to tell them we were going early. After loading all the stuff into the truck, we got in and headed east.

"Pizza," Edward announced, pointing to a place on our left set back from the road. It was a small stucco building with neon posters plastered in the large windows.

"Sounds good," I agreed and pulled into the parking lot.

Finding the closest space that wasn't marked handicapped, I shifted into park and got out of the cab to get the chair. Lifting him into it, we made our way to the front door, which I held for him, and approached the counter. It was a perfect height for me to rest my elbows on, but Edward couldn't even see the person standing behind it. He didn't seem to mind, and let me order us a sausage pizza and two sodas. I paid and then followed Edward across the red and white checkered floor to a table in the corner. I moved one of the table's chairs so he could pull right up to the table. He took off his glasses and hung them on the collar of his jersey.

"I'm hungry," I said, pushing his soda over to him.

"Me too."

We looked out the window and saw a few people walking by. The town was small, but much larger than Forks. I wanted to reach across and take his hand, but rather than make him uncomfortable, I settled for enjoying when my knee bumped into his. Excited about the game, Edward took a napkin and drew a few new plays for me, showing me how they were supposed to work. I listened while he talked but my mind was entirely on what he was saying.

I had something more important than basketball plays on my mind.

I wanted to ask him to do something with me, and I wasn't sure how he was going to react.

"Hey, baby," I said quietly. He dragged his eyes up from the napkin to my eyes. "Since we're here and out of Forks, I was…I was wondering if," I took a deep breath, "…if maybe we could…lookatrings."

His brows furrowed as he tried to decipher my babble, and when his eyes widened, I knew he understood. "You want to look at wedding rings?" he asked in a hushed tone and I nodded.

"I figure it's safe here because no one knows us. We could just look and see what there is," I said, blushing.

Biting his lip, he gazed at me, capturing me with his eyes that darkened with possibility. He liked to tease me, but with something like this, he wouldn't make m wait long for his answer. "I'd like that."

Relieved, I grinned. "Yeah? I know there's a place about a block from here."

He cocked his head. "How do you know that?"

"Google," I answered with a shrug. Throwing his head back, he laughed. The man behind the counter called our number and I stood to get our pizza. After grabbing some napkins and plates, I returned to Edward.

"Looks good," he groaned when he flipped the top opened, the steam wafting up from the pizza. Taking a piece, I put it on a plate and handed it to Edward before getting one for myself and pushing the box aside. The pieces were large and greasy, cheese still bubbling under the bits of sausage. Edward took a bite, his eyes rolling into his head.

"Oh my God, it's so fucking good," he mumbled.

"Mama, why's that boy in a funny chair?"

The voice was small and questioning. Edward turned toward the counter, and I followed his gaze to find a small boy about four or five staring and pointing at Edward. Tugging on his mother's hand, he got her attention and she glanced over in our direction.

"Because he's crippled, Dylan. His legs don't work and he can't walk," she answered absently, paying more attention to the menu on the wall than her son.

I dropped my pizza onto my plate, but as I pushed my chair out, I felt his warm fingers wrap around my wrist.

"Don't."

"Edward," I growled, "let me go."

"He's just a kid."

"His mother isn't," I countered in a whisper through clenched teeth. "Now let me go."

"No. It's not worth it."

I wasn't sure if his words made sense or it was the rubbing of his thumb on the inside of my wrist, but I softened slightly. "Babe, it's not right."

"I know, but I have to get use to it. It's something I need to deal with for the rest of my life," he said sadly. "It's okay."

"No, it's not, but if you don't want me to say something, I won't." I leaned in closer, "but, trust me, Edward, I want to rip her fucking head off."

He gave me his crooked smile. "I know, that's why I stopped you. I don't have enough bail money"

We finished about half the pizza, keeping the rest to bring with us. When we were done, I emptied the trash, glaring at the woman and her son through narrowed eyes as I did so. Glancing at Edward, I saw him watching me, silently warning me with his eyes, but I couldn't stop myself.

I walked over to her table. Confused, she looked up at me when I stood next to her. "For your information, we're on our way to basketball game where he is the starting point guard. He's also valedictorian of our class and has been accepted to UW. Maybe next time you should take the time to know the person before you go assuming what they can and can't do."

Not giving her a chance to reply, I returned to Edward, almost afraid of what I would find. His face was a mixture of embarrassment and pride.

"Sorry," I murmured, picking up the pizza box. He just shook his head and sighed.

"I can't keep you on a leash," he teased and backed up from the table and spun the chair, doing an agile wheely as he did so. Proudly, I followed Edward to the door, letting him push it open himself.

Outside, I let out a long breath and helped Edward into the truck, not even glancing in the windows of the restaurant to see if the woman was watching us. I put the chair in the back and climbed behind the wheel, relieved to see Edward smiling.

"So, where is the jewelry store?"

Grinning, I buckled up my seatbelt and started the truck, backing out before turning onto the street. I found a parking space on the curb near a ramp. I turned off the truck and looked at Edward.

"Are you sure you want to do this? I understand if you don't," I said, offering him an out.

"Why wouldn't I?" he asked, undoing his seatbelt.

"Because they'll know we're a couple."

"Oh." He paused, thinking about it, then shrugged. "So what."

The grin returned and I got out and helped him into the chair. Edward rolled up the ramp and onto the sidewalk. It was uneven and filled with small holes, but he was able to navigate around them. A few people had to go around us on the small sidewalk, giving him way more space than necessary. I wanted to chase them down and tell him he wasn't fucking contagious. Keeping my eyes on Edward, I watched for any signs of defeat, but he seemed okay, focusing more on the windows we passed by than the people near us.

"Here it is," I said, pointing to the next door with two stone steps leading up to it. Edward spun his chair around so his back wheels were against the bottom step. I went up both steps and opened the door, the holding it with my foot, leaned forward and grabbed Edward's chair. While still holding the door open, I grunted and pulled Edward up and backward over the first step, then the second. Once he was on the top with me, I backed into the store, pulling him with me and letting the door closed. Inside, he turned the chair around.

The store was small with carpeting and long glass-topped cases lining all three walls. There was one older couple on the far end bent over a display case as a worker showed them a few things. Another worker, a woman with a nametag that said Mary was standing behind a case to our right.

"Can I help you?" she greeted us with a selling smile.

"We want to look at wedding bands."

Her smile got bigger. "Which one of you is getting married?"

"We both are." I glanced down at Edward and then put my hand on his shoulder and repeated myself. "We want to look at wedding bands."

In my excitement, I spoke too loudly and caught the attention of the other couple. The woman gave me a disgusted glance that Edward didn't see. I glared at her, my lip curling up in warning until she turned around, shaking her head. Lifting my chin, I stared at the saleswoman, preparing myself for her nasty comments.

"I can help you with that. We've got a wonderful selection over here," she said, motioning to the next case down. "Do you have anything specific in mind?"

Edward pushed his chair and stopped in front of where she stood. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"Titanium, gold, width…"

"Oh, umm," he stuttered, looking up at me. Just happy he was going to be mine, I really didn't care what our rings looked like. Reaching up, he took my hand off his shoulder and laced our fingers together. "Something simple."

Pulling a key from the rubber ring around her wrist, she opened the back of the case and pulled out a blue velvet cloth and laid it on the glass. There were rows and rows of the bands, most had men's and women's versions. She pointed out a few options to us, suggesting we decide on material, then design and width.

"Do you want it engraved?"

"Yes," I answered quickly.

"Then you probably want at least three millimeters thick. This one is nice," Mary said, pointing to a silver band in the middle of a row. Using her long nails, she pried it free and set it on the velvet cloth. Edward lifted his head so he could see it, but case was too high. "You can try it on. We will have it sized of course, but you can put it on and see how it looks," she encouraged.

Reaching out, I took the band, feeling its heavy weight even though it was so small, and handed it to Edward. He let it rest in the palm of his hand and ran his index finger around it. Taking it from him I reached for the ring finger of his left hand and slipped it on. It wasn't a perfect fit, but it went almost all the way down.

And the image took my breath away.

It was simple really. Nothing but a band around his finger, but when he looked up at me through his lashes with such love in his eyes, I gasped.

"It looks beautiful," Mary said.

"It does," I murmured, still holding Edward's hand in mine. "What do you think, baby?" It was so easy to be open with him in public. Especially when I was holding his hand and he was wearing a wedding ring.

"I think it's perfect. You try it," he said, taking his hand from mine and pulling off the ring. Taking my left hand, he slipped it on my finger. My fingers weren't as long or as slim as Edward's and the ring barely made it to my second knuckle, but it didn't matter. It still looked perfect.

Dragging my eyes from the silver band to Edward, I saw him smiling at me. "What do you think?"

"It's perfect," I whispered.

He turned to Mary. "We'll take them."

"Wonderful. Let's get your sizes and go from there," Mary answered. Edward pulled the ring off my finger and I immediately missed it. Mary took it from him and reached for his hand. "Let's see what size you both are." Pulling out a tool that resembled a metal ruler with different sized holes in it, she placed it on Edward's finger a few times before jotting down a number. Then she did the same for me. "Let me go check to see if I've got these in stock."

She disappeared through a door and I glanced at the older woman. When I found her annoyed eyes on us, I sneered at her, then turned it into a smile when I looked down at Edward. He hadn't missed it and glanced over his shoulder.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just small minded people," I said, brushing it off. "Do you really like the ring?"

"It's just like I imagined."

I bumped the chair with my hip. "You've imagined what our rings would look like?"

Blushing, he looked away, but a smile teased him. He was about to answer when Mary unknowingly saved him, returning with two black velvet boxes.

"You're in luck, I've got them in both sizes. Why don't you try them on to be sure." She opened both boxes and placed them on the counter. "This one is yours," she said pointing to Edward. He took out the ring and put it on this finger, smiling when it easily slid over his knuckles. I tried on mine, mimicking his smile when it fit.

"Perfect. Now we just need to fill out a form for the engraving."

"How long does the engraving take?" Edward asked.

"We can have them done by the middle of the week."

"Can you engrave something else too?" I asked, my hand going to my pocket to retrieve my keys. I pulled them out and showed her the medallion of Saint Christopher. "This is already engraved but I want to add to it." Edward looked at me curiously.

She took it from me, flipping it over and looking at the engraving of 'Be Safe'. "I think we can add to it, what would you like?"

"Can you add 'baby' after the 'be safe' and then 'see ya soon, love' under it?"

She studied it, then checked a computer. "The font might not be an exact match, and the additional engraving might be smaller."

"That's okay," I said quickly and worked my keys off the ring so I could leave it with her.

She filled out the form, writing down our names, the ring information and then looked up at us. "What would you like engraved on the rings?"

I looked down at my boy to find him looking up at me. I knew we were thinking the same thing, there had never been a doubt what we would put on them. Taking my hand in his again, he kissed the back of it and answered her without ever taking his eyes off me.

"Maybe I'm amazed."

"Like the song?"

"Exactly like the song," he replied, his moss green eyes still on mine.

Mary cleared her throat. "I need you to pick out the script style you want." Tearing my eyes from Edward, I picked the paper with our options and showed it to him.

He pointed to a simple one. "I like that one."

"Me too."

I gave her the paper and showed her our choice. It was a few more minutes before she finished filling everything out. After some figuring, she looked at us. "That will be three hundred thirty with tax and the engraving."

Not even hesitating, Edward took out his wallet, flipped it open and pulled out his bankcard. He slid it across the counter to her. Before I could give her the cash I had, she ran off.

"I'll give you the money when we get home," I told Edward. I actually had the cash on me, wadded in my pocket.

With a mischievous smile, he shook his head. "You bought lunch. This is my treat."

"Lunch was twenty bucks," I snorted.

"Love," he tugged on my hand. "I can't do much anymore, but I can do this." Sighing, I looked at him. "Please."

Not caring where we were, alone or not, I curved my free hand around his neck and tilted his head back. Leaning down, I softly swept my lips over his. The second they touched, no matter how brief, I felt the fire for him travel through my body. Groaning, I broke the kiss and put my mouth at ear.

"Love you," I whispered.

"You too," he returned quietly. Hearing footsteps behind us, I stood up and turned toward Mary. She handed Edward his card, and dropping my hand, he put it back in his wallet.

"You boys are all set," she said. "Is there anything else you I can get for you?"

"I don't think so," I answered, glancing at Edward to be sure.

"Well, I've got your information, Mr. Cullen, and I'll call you when they are ready to be picked up." She held out her hand. "It's been my pleasure."

I shook her hand and then she leaned over the counter shook Edward's. I followed Edward to the door and opened it, but before I could brace it with my foot to help Edward, Mary was there holding it for me.

"You should really have a ramp," I told her, "Americans with Disabilities Act requires public places with the means to provide wheelchair access."

She nodded. "I'll look into it, thanks."

I went behind Edward and eased the chair down the steps until he was on the sidewalk. Mary waved to us before letting the door close.

"She loves us," I chuckled and he rolled his eyes. He started to push down the sidewalk, glancing in a few windows as we went by. Suddenly, he stopped and I bumped into him. Thinking he'd seen someone, I quickly scanned the streets and sidewalk for someone we knew. "What?"

Glancing down, I saw him lift his hand and point to a building across the street. It was small, painted white with large front windows like the pizza place and jewelry store, only these windows were darkened with curtains, hiding what went on inside. But the sign hanging above the door told everyone exactly what went on inside.

Loft Tattoo Studio

"Babe?" I choked out as Edward glanced down both sides of the street before pushing the chair off the edge of the sidewalk and gliding across it. Jogging after him, I called out, "Edward!"

Finally, he stopped in front the tattoo studio and spun the chair around to wait for me. I caught up to him, giving the building a once over before looking at Edward. "What are we doing here?"

I couldn't see his eyes behind his glasses, but his head tilted back as he studied me before speaking. "Remember I told you about the dream I had of us living together?"

"Yeah."

"In it, I…I had a piercing."

"Piercing?"

"Two actually," he corrected. "My nipples were pierced."

I don't think I'd ever gotten an erection quicker. Swallowing, I tried to force myself to think rationally, to not encourage him to get pierced, to not think about how fucking hot he would be with his firm muscled pecs decorated with-

"You hate the idea," he sighed, looking down at his lap.

I crouched in front of him. "No," I began, then clarified when he looked disappointed. Reaching up, I took off his sunglasses so I could see him when I spoke. "Babe, don't get me wrong, it sounds fucking hot, but it's…"

"What?"

"It's not you," I answered hesitantly.

"Maybe it is now," he answered defiantly, firmly. Sighing, he looked away for a moment before bringing his determined eyes back to mine. "Jas, so much has been taken from me, I just want to do something that's just for me, a kind of 'fuck you' to fate."

Angling my head, I squinted in the sun and looked up at him with coy smile. "You've got that wrong. This wouldn't just be for you."

"Maybe my dream was trying to tell me something. And you know," he paused, glancing around and leaning closer before speaking in a hushed tone, "how sensitive they are now. Maybe this might help with…ya know."

Then I was even harder. The image of Edward splayed in front of me, his pebbled nipples marked with silver rings just begging for my tongue to pull and twist. I could almost feel his body writhing under mine, pleading me for more as he came. Stilling leaning close toward me, I could feel his breaths on my face as they quickened. He saw the same image I did, like he rummaged through my head and picked it out, and he fucking liked it as much did. It excited him.

"I'll let you play with them," he promised in a raspy whisper.

"Fuck, babe," I groaned, closing my eyes and taking a few deep breaths to clear my head. I needed to think with my brain, not my cock. "What about your parents? How are you going to explain it?"

He sat back and frowned. "I don't know. It's not like they see me shirtless a lot."

"Swimming?"

"As if I'll do that," he snorted and raised a brow. "C'mon. I need you with me on this."

"What about the game today? It's gonna hurt and then playing…"

"Jas, I can't walk. I think I can handle some pain," he reasoned. He was countering every halfhearted argument I had.

The image of him returned, him naked on the bed as my mouth worked its way down his body, devouring each inch until I reached his cock. Watching him through my lashes, I licked his length, circling my tongue around the head and the ring poking out from the slit with the ball on the tip. I wondered if he would ever do that….

"Can you get a cock piercing too?" I blurted out, then added my distorted reasoning. "I mean, you wouldn't feel it."

His eyes widened as he considered my request. "I'd have to show them my dick. I don't know if I can do that yet," he murmured apologetically.

"It's okay, it was stupid to ask," I said, shaking my head. "You sure you really want to do this? It's kind of a big thing, baby," I reminded him.

"Yeah, I need to do this. It probably seems foolish to you but I've no control over anything anymore, love. Not even my fucking bladder. I want to do something because I can, not because I have to."

I stood up and reached for the door. "Let's do this then."

Smiling in victory, Edward turned his chair so I could grab the back and pull him up the steps. As I backed us into the shop, I wondered why no one in the town had any ramps. The door closed and we turned around.

The place was small, about the same size as the jewelry store. There was a small waiting area with a few chairs and to the right was an opaque screen divided into squares and covered in artwork that matched pictures on the wall. In front of us was a small counter with a stool behind it. Heavy metal music played though some speakers and I didn't hear anyone screaming. It seemed empty until a door swung open and a guy walked in. He was built like Emmett and wearing jeans and a black tee shirt stretched tight across bulging muscles. The short sleeves showed off intricate, colored tattoos lining both arms. He was almost bald, but had a goatee and wire rimmed glasses on.

"Hey, boys, what can I do for you?" he asked as he approached.

Edward swallowed and glanced up at me before speaking. "I want to get my nipples pierced."

The guy nodded as he shuffled through some papers on the counter. "What are you looking for?" When Edward hesitated, the guy looked up. "Ring? Barbell?"

"Oh, umm…I don't know. Barbell, I guess."

The man pushed his papers aside and took a good long look at the two uncertain teenagers standing in front of him, taking in the way we were dressed and the confused looks on our faces. "Are you eighteen? The state of Washington requires people to be eighteen for body piercings."

Edward sighed. Any courage he'd built up to have it done escaped with his exhale and he slowly shook his head.

"Sorry, boys."

I was about to turn around and walk out, readying my prep talk to tell Edward he could get it done in a few months, maybe on his eighteenth birthday, but Edward didn't move. Instead, he looked directly at the man and spoke in a confident tone.

"Listen, I know I'm not eighteen, but I'm stuck in this chair for the rest of my life. I can't feel shit below my waist, but I can above it, and I…I just want something to do something I can feel."

The guy stared at him, probably judging Edward's resolve. He could have easily told us to fuck off, but he looked at Edward, his eyes traveling from his crooked feet on the pedals to his eyes. I don't know if he pitied or respected Edward, but either way, I could see him start to break down.

"How old are you?"

"Seventeen. I'll be eighteen in October," Edward replied. I stood next to him, my lower lip between my teeth as I worriedly nibbled on it. I kept telling myself I should be stopping him, but then I would think about playing with the piercings and I kept my mouth shut.

"I could lose my license for this."

"I swear, we won't say a word. No one will even see them but us," Edward assured him.

"I must be fucking nuts," the guy sighed. "Okay, I'll do it."

Edward broke into a grin. "Thanks, man, thanks so much."

The guy shrugged. "You look like a good kid. Name's Randy." He walked around the counter and shook Edward's hand before motioning for us to follow him.

"I'm Edward and this is Jasper," Edward said, eagerly trailing behind Randy. He took us behind the screen into smaller room. Instead of artwork on the walls, there were a shelves stocked with binders and books. There were two black leather dentist chairs facing each other and two matching stools and standing lamps next to them. In between was a red toolbox on wheels like my dad used in the garage. A table ran along the wall with various supplies and tools scattered on it, and above each chair was a fluorescent light that could be moved in different directions.

"Nice to meet you." Randy smiled and shook my hand.

"You too."

"Is he you're boyfriend," Randy asked Edward, who blushed but nodded. Randy winked at me. "So these are for you as much as him."

Imitating Edward's rosy cheeks with my own, I answered, "Hell yeah."

Randy laughed and pointed to the chair in the corner. "Can you get him into that?"

I moved to Edward's side. Sliding one arm under him and one behind him, I lifted him. Randy watched us as I turned and gently set Edward on the chair.

He grabbed one of the binders and handed it to Edward. "Pick out what you want."

Gnawing on the inside of his cheek, Edward opened the book and began flipping through it. From where I was, I could see some of the pictures, and from the way his eyes darkened and widened as he looked, some of them turned him on. He pointed to a picture of a simple silver barbell through a man's nipple. "I like this one," Edward said to me.

My eyes skimmed the other choices on the page, each of them coaxing my cock just a bit more when I imagined Edward graced with any of them. "Me too," I squeaked out and heard Randy chuckle.

Edward tilted the binder to Randy and pointed to the one he'd shown me. "This one, please."

"You got it," Randy said. "I'm going to explain the procedure. Feel free to change your mind." Edward nodded. "First, I clean the nipple, then I used these," he picked up a pair of small tongs, "and pinch the nipple erect. Then I mark where the piercing will go. Next, I put the needle through the nipple, attached the jewelry to the end, slide the needle out and then close the jewelry with a ball."

"Does it hurt?" Edward asked, his eyes slightly wide as he listened closely to Randy.

"Yeah, it will hurt, but not too bad. Sometimes second hurts more because people tense up. If you stay relaxed, it helps."

"How long do they take to heal?"

"About three weeks, sometimes longer, no oral contact for at least three weeks," Randy said, looking pointedly at me. "You can lick around them but not directly on them." He turned back to Edward. "There is some aftercare too, but nothing you can't handle."

Edward pulled his eyes from Randy and settled them on me. "What do you think?"

"I think if you want to do it, you should. It'll be a long three weeks though," I sighed, earning a nervous laugh from Edward.

He exhaled a long breath and then nodded and looked at Randy. "I want to do it."

"Okay then off with the shirt."

I watched as Edward leaned forward in the chair and grabbed the hem of the silky short-sleeved jersey, pulling the loose shirt easily over his head and exposing his delicious torso. He bunched up the shirt and left it in his lap before leaning back in the chair again. Randy was facing the counter getting tools ready and Edward watched intently as Randy snapped on some latex gloves, peeled open a sterile kit and gathered small gauze pads. Spinning on the stool, he turned to Edward, his eyes roaming over Edward's muscled chest.

"Nice," he said with appreciation. "You work out?"

"Physical therapy."

"It's paid off," Randy acknowledged. "Ready?"

"Can he hold my hand?" Edward asked.

"Sure. He'll just have to switch sides when I finish this one."

I was rooted in place, unable to move as I blinked and stared leisurely at my boy. Even relaxed, his muscles strained against his skin, molding and shaping him into a work of art. My eyes were drawn to his brown nipples, already pert from the cool air in the shop. Licking my lips, I slowly dragged my gaze up to find him looking at me. There was no doubt or hesitation in his eyes, the green storm had calmed. I couldn't believe he was going to really do it.

"Stop gawking at me and c'mere," he ordered with a flirty tone. Breaking my trance, I stepped forward, bumping into a small table and stumbling before taking his hand in mine and weaving our fingers together. He chuckled at my clumsiness before looking at Randy. "I'm ready."

Randy pinched Edward's left nipple between his index finger and thumb. "I'm going to explain everything as I go. First is to clean it with some iodine." Ripping open one of the small packets, he swabbed Edward's nipple with the brown gauze pad.

"Next, I'm going to clamp it." Holding the nipple, he grabbed a pair of small tongs and replaced his fingers. Edward grimaced but remained still and relaxed. Releasing the clamp, Randy picked up what looked like a Sharpie.

"I'm going to mark it with this and have you check it in a mirror." Edward looked down, watching as Randy marked Edward with two small twin dots. After he put the pen down, he picked up a handheld mirror and held it in front of Edward, giving Edward a perfect view of his own nipple. "Look okay?"

Edward eyed himself for a few seconds and then nodded. "Okay, next is the needle," Randy explained, putting the mirror down. His back was too us and I couldn't quite see what he was doing but when he spun around, he was holding an intimidating needle. Bending over, he placed the point on the outside dot on Edward's nipple. Holding it in place, he spoke.

"Deep breath in, then exhale. Relax."

Edward did as he was instructed. His eyes rose to mine and I held his gaze, smiling at him. As Edward's breath left him, Randy pushed the needle through with the steady hand of a surgeon. Edward's jaw tightened and he flinched, squeezing my hand, but he never made a sound. I tried to watch what Randy was doing but had a hard time making my eyes leave Edward's.

"It's in," Randy announced, releasing the clamp and straightening to reveal the hottest thing I'd ever seen.

Edward was sexy and beautiful in his own right, he didn't need anything to make him more attractive, but seeing the tiny silver bar through his mocha colored nipple, still hard and slightly red, made him impossibly hotter.

"Fuck," I groaned. Edward's chest moved with his laugh, enticing my trance even further. Randy laughed as he motioned to me.

"Time to switch sides, kid." He glided the stool across the floor, pulling a little work table behind him.

Letting go of Edward's hand, I walked around the foot of the chair and picked up his other hand. My eyes never left his chest and my cock pushed against the confines of my briefs. "Does it hurt?"

"Stings, but not too bad," Edward said, dipping his chin to try to look down at his chest. "How's it look?"

"Fucking hottest thing I've ever seen," I murmured in awe.

"Someone's going to have fun in three weeks," Randy teased.

Moving closer to Edward, Randy repeated the same procedure on Edward's right nipple, cleaning it and pinching it before clamping it with the tongs and marking it with the pen. He showed Edward the mirror, making sure the dots were even with the other one.

Picking up the needle, he looked at Edward. "Remember to relax. Deep breath," he said as he placed the needle to the mark, "and exhale." Edward let out the breath and clenched my hand as the needle pierced his skin. "Very good." Randy left the needle in while he grabbed something from the kit, and then I watched as pulled the needle through, leaving the barbell in its place. He screwed the tiny ball on the other end and tightened it. Then he sat up and admired his work.

And so did I.

They looked amazing and perfect and I couldn't wait to play with them and see Edward's reaction when my tongue, teeth, and fingers tugged on them. I wanted to make him moan.

"They look great," Randy said, proud of his skill. He dabbed a gauze pad over them both, wiping away the few drops of blood that had appeared.

"I think you're drooling," Edward smiled smugly at me.

"Babe, I don't know what I was thinking when I tried to talk you out of this," I confessed. Unable to resist, I lifted my free hand and hesitantly drew a wide circle around a newly pierced bud. Edward's skin quivered at the light touch and a shudder ran through him. "Feel good?"

"Yeah," he said quietly, huskily.

"You can put your shirt back on," Randy reminded him, stealing my fun. My hand dropped to my side and I released Edward so he could put on his shirt. "You next?" Randy glanced at me.

"Me?" I asked and Randy nodded. "Oh, um, no, not yet. Maybe someday though. I turn eighteen this summer."

"You'd look great with some rings." Randy peeled off the gloves and threw the kit and gloves in the trash before he pulled a piece of paper out of a filing cabinet. "These are the aftercare directions. Things to watch out for and shit. Check the piercings a couple times a day, wash them in the shower with antibacterial soap if you got it. You don't need to twist them or anything, the natural movement of your body will do that, but you do need to make sure the balls are screwed on tight every few days."

Like the teenage I was, I snickered at the comment.

"Twice a day, mix some sea salt or Epsom salt with some water and soak a towel in it and rest it on them for about ten minutes. Or you could use a shot glass, mix the solution, then hold it over them and let them soak. Got it?" He finished, handing Edward the paper.

"Yep."

Regretfully, Edward's shirt was back on. Randy stepped back and I leaned over Edward, slipping my arms under him, carefully lifting him so he didn't fall against me. Using his arms around my neck, he was able to keep his body slightly away from mine. I set him in the chair and he adjusted his legs, lifting them to put his feet on the pedals. Randy watched with a smile, seemingly satisfied of his decision to give Edward something he wanted.

Once Edward was settled, Randy walked to the counter. "That'll be sixty bucks."

Before Edward could even think to reach for his wallet, I pulled out mine and was handing Randy three twenties. It was a small price to pay for the amount of pleasure I knew we would both receive from Edward's spontaneous decision.

"Thanks," Randy said, smiling. "When you're ready, come back and see me." He winked at me and I blushed, stuffing my wallet back into my short's pocket.

"Do you do cock piercings?" Edward asked. My cock, which was already in a state of arousal, hardened further with his question. He'd been rummaging through my mind again, picking out the images that most excited me, trying to make them reality.

"I do, but you need to wait until you're officially eighteen for that," Randy said.

"Deal. I'll see you in October," Edward agreed. "Thanks so much. I appreciate it."

"We appreciate it," I corrected him.

"My pleasure, boys," Randy purred, his eyes drifting down Edward's body.

Edward and I headed for the door, and I held it with my foot while easing Edward down the steps before the door closed. Once he was on the sidewalk, he went to push his chair and grimaced.

"What's wrong?"

"They're tender," he said, shifting to a more comfortable motion.

"I told you," I sighed.

"It'll be fine."

"I might have some aspirin in the truck. My dad usually keeps some in the glove compartment."

"What time is it?" he asked, pushing his chair slower than usual.

Pulling out my phone, I glanced at it. "Three. Want to head to the gym? Shoot around?"

"Sure."

We made our way back to the truck, passing all the stores again. When we passed a convenience store, I ran inside and grabbed us two waters. At the truck, I helped Edward inside, making sure to avoid his chest. I secured the chair in the back and then climbed behind the wheel and started the truck. We buckled up before I backed out and headed toward the gym.

Edward's hand was on my thigh, his head resting against the seat as I navigated the small streets and pulled into the gym parking lot. I shifted into park and undid my seatbelt, but when I went to get out, Edward stopped me.

"Not yet."

Pulling my hand away from the door, I asked, "You okay?"

"Yeah." He let his head fall to the side to look at me. "I love you."

A grin spread over my face from my dimples to my eyes. Breaching the few inches that separated us, I kissed him, soft and brief, but enough to awaken all the senses only Edward could. "I love you too," I murmured, my lips still pressed to his.

He angled his head and burying a hand in my hair, deepened the kiss, plunging his tongue into my mouth to meet mine. The groan that escaped me when I felt his hand cupping my crotch was loud and reverberated throughout the truck. When he began to stroke me through the shorts, I tore my lips away and gasped.

"Babe, what are you doing?"

"Thanking my boyfriend for supporting me," he answered simply, using his other hand to pull me close so he could kiss along my neck.

"Jesus," I moaned, tilting my head and giving him more access. "What about being careless, it's daylight."

"If you don't get on me and stay really still, no one will ever know," he instructed. I wasn't going to argue with him. The distinct sound of a zipper being lowered filled the cab, closely followed by a string of obscenities from me as his fingers traced my length through the cotton briefs. "No commando today?"

"I…I wasn't expecting…this…"

Dropping my forehead to his shoulder, I enjoyed the ignited fire that surged through me when he pulled the briefs over my cock. When his warm hand wrapped tightly around my aching erection I screwed my eyes shut and groaned. My mind wasn't imagining his hands on me, it was recalling how fucking hot he looked with the piercings, his firm body adorned with silver. Thrusting shallowly into his hand, I panted for breath. It only took a few strong drags of his hand before I was sitting on the edge of an orgasm, and my boy knew just how to push me over the edge.

Nudging my head up, he pushed my hair aside with his nose and put his lips to my ear. "I can't wait for you to suck my nipples. I can't wait to feel your tongue on me. Gonna feel so good and make me come hard."

"Yeah," I breathed. I was incapable of anything more eloquent. His other hand was still in my hair at the nape of my neck and he tangled it.

"Wanna come, love? I bet you want to shoot your load all over my chest, huh?"

"Jesus, fuck, yes."

I felt his lips curl into a smile against my ear and his pace on my cock increased. Just how I liked it, he flicked his wrist and tightened his hold. I tried to delay the impending climax and just revel in his touch, but instead I shamelessly begged for harder and faster. Edward obliged, pumping me furiously. My hips lacked any rhythm, but I fucked his hand anyway, trying desperately to keep my upper body still.

He put his forehead to mine and I tried like hell to open my eyes, to watch him as he made me come, and through half closed lids, I managed to. My balls drew up tight and the contained coil in my belly sprang free. When my cock pulsed and swelled, he knew I was coming before I said anything. Mashing his mouth to mine, he swallowed my grunts as my orgasm rocketed through me and my cock emptied. Long steams of milky fluid shot from me and landed on my abs and Edward's hand. I didn't even realize he'd pulled my shirt up right before I came until I felt cum splash on me. He broke the kiss, his hand still on my cock. Ripples of the climax rolled through me, my heart faltering a beat when I saw the desire in Edward's eyes, the sparks that flared behind the shades of green. It was so intense and real and only for me.

"Do you have something to clean up with?" he asked me in a seductive voice.

"Napkins, pizza box," I stammered. Smirking, he reached for the box and saw the napkins on top. Grabbing a few, he wiped me clean. His pulse raced just under the delicate skin of his neck and I took it into my mouth, sucking on it and making him groan. Tossing the napkins onto the floor, he lifted his hand to my mouth with my cum running over his fingers. He held it still, watching me as I lapped him clean.

"So fucking worth the risk," he said breathlessly, his green eyes turning shades of emerald.

"**~~**"

"Sorry we're late," Bella apologized as she sat down next to me. The bleachers were about half full and I moved down a few feet to make room for Newton, Eric, and Angela, who were behind Bella. Edward's parents had arrived a few minutes before and were sitting behind me. "Mike's not big on following directions from a girl."

Edward and I had gotten into the gym about forty minutes before the rest of his team. Leaving the lights off, he took out his basketball and tossed his bag on the floor. I followed him onto the court.

He dribbled the ball next to him a few times on both sides, testing out the pain. "Do they hurt?"

"Nothing I can't handle," he answered.

Then he lifted his arms over his head with the ball in his hands, and with a wink to me, he shot. I didn't have to turn around to know the ball swished through the net. He warmed up a little slower than usual, wincing a few times when his jersey rubbed the new barbells, but he had taken a few aspirin in the truck and that seemed to help.

When he took off his warm up shirt to change into his game jersey, I dropped the basketball, the sound of it bouncing echoed throughout the empty gym. I'd stood dazed as he gave me a leisurely glimpse of his chest before putting on the tank top. When I asked why he was changing so soon, he said he didn't want anyone to see the piercings. They would know they were new because he'd just played skins on Thursday night.

Riley was the first to arrive, wearing his trademark smile and hair in his face. He coasted over to us, fisting bumping us both. I wasn't embarrassed he'd caught us Tuesday night, but unlike Edward, it was the first time I'd seen him since then and I felt my cheeks heat up slightly when he looked up at me.

"Thanks for giving Edward a ride on Thursday," I said to him as put his bag on the sideline. Edward was taking a shot from his sweet spot.

"No problem. Anytime he needs a ride, I can do it," Riley grinned. It was the same smile he always wore, bright, effortlessly, wide. Then he flicked his head to move his hair, which immediately fell back into place in the charming way it did. "Mind if I shoot around with you two?"

"Not at all."

I rebounded for them both, trying not to scrutinize every move Riley made. Rationally, I knew I was just jumping to conclusions, but there was something…different. Maybe it wasn't something different with Riley himself but rather that he knew about Edward and me.

When Sam arrived, I gave Edward a longing look and mouthed 'you can do it' before making my way to the bleachers. The rest of the team filtered in, followed closely by the opposing team, who looked huge.

The teams were on the court, ready for the tip off. Edward was focused, his hands ready for the ball should Leah tap it in his direction. The ball was tossed into the air, the fans cheered as the teams made their way down the court. Edward's parents were behind me and my friends were next to me, but my eyes never left Edward.

Never left my beautifully pierced future husband.

"**~~**"

Thanks for reading~

I believe there are five chapters, plus the epilogue left. I haven't decided completely on a sequel or not, but if you're interested, lmk. I do have ideas I've outlined but nothing definite.

A vid of someone walking with KAFOs and crutches. E isn't quite ready for this, but you can see the PT supporting the guy, and how unstable he is. http:/www DOT youtube DOT com/watch?v=XtUyAeXCXfI

A huge thank you to C for his invaluable reassurance on the story and the boys. He's posted his first story, it's beautiful! http:/www DOT fanfiction DOT net/s/7358323/1/Bones#