- Forks. -
The Volturi were gone.
Had left over an hour ago, and while the Cullens had gone back inside there were two particular vampires outside.
The Major.
And Alec.
Of all things expected Aro giving up his chase of The Major hadn't been in their expectations, neither was that Jasper would go and threaten to expose the whole vampire world in exchange to be left alone.
A most catastrophic event, had Aro refused his request.
There had also been the reaction he evoked from Demetri, how he had crumbled to the ground, shaking in sheer terror, he had looked a second from having a panic attack or straight up passing out due the sheer force of the terror.
All seemingly out of nowhere, but Jasper was an empath, he could control other people's emotions, which meant he had been the one to evoke such reaction through nothing but his gift.
And that had been as fascinating to watch as it had been terrifying, because it had left quite clear how powerful and dangerous he was, who he was, and the why had Aro looked for him so obsessively.
The action of breaking Demetri's jaw had left more than one feeling unsettled and mortified, he had done it slow, and considering his position at the time all of them had seen it.
The smirk.
As if he truly enjoyed crushing someone's jaw to pieces.
Could it be possible for him be one of them at all when he had such questionable behavior?
And then there was Alec.
That one had been as unexpected as it had been surreal, it still was, because in what world would the idea of Alec leaving the Volturi be even possible? The twins were a huge part of the Volturi, part of the reason the Volturi were most feared.
Because the twins' gifts were terrible, those two were known to be merciless, cruel and soulless to the point where some called them "the demonic twins".
So what in the world was that of Alec leaving the Volturi? It didn't make sense.
But at the same time…
Of the twins, Alec was the one who rarely made a move, the one people rarely spoke about, Jane was the one who people spoke about a lot, about how cold and heartless she was even for a vampire.
But it didn't eliminate the fact that Alec was still extremely dangerous, and with quite the lethal gift.
-No, are you crazy?- Edward's sudden voice caught more than one attention, his voice barely above a whisper, he was giving Alice s mortified look.
-What's wrong?- Carlisle questioned, to which Edward turned to look at him.
-Alice thinks you should ask Alec to stay here.- Edward's words got several funny expressions.
-What? You wanna let Chucky stay here?- Emmett said, keeping his voice low enough so the kid in question wouldn't hear, he loved Alice, and he had no trouble with letting Jasper stay regardless of what he did outside, he wanted a brother.
But Alec? The kid was a psychopath, Jane's brother, Aro's prized creation, Emmett couldn't see him wanting to stay here let alone fitting here, I mean, yeah, in a sense, it would be cool to have someone like that kid here, he might have an interesting side to him, but Christ, at what cost?
He gave Emmett the impression of someone who might have been raised as royalty, what if he was an arrogant pain in the ass? What if he ordered people around? What if he was disrespectful to Esme and Carlisle?
But if Alice was even considering it… maybe there was a side to him no one knew about? She surely wouldn't have said it if she knew him to be a jerk, right?
Emmett trusted Alice's judgement, and thus, he decided to give the brat the benefit of the doubt.
-You know what? Nevermind, I'm curious to see how that would turn out.- Emmett said, grinning at the idea of Alec living with them, that would be so hilarious for so many reasons.
-You can't be serious. What is he? Like 11?
-12.- Alice corrected.
-It doesn't matter, he's small, putting aside the fact of who he is, if we take him in we wouldn't even be able to stay in one place for long, how are you going to explain to people why is the 12 year still a 12 year old three years later?- Rosalie said as a statement of fact.
Because it was true, putting aside the fact that Alec was a little creep that's killed thousands, he was a child, or well, a tween, in human standards, children that age grew fast, how the hell would people react if he doesn't change in a year? Two years? Three years?
His age clashed with their lifestyle, that also adding the fact that the kid fed off humans, how the hell did Alice expect him to stay here? The Major was fine, he was Alice's mate, but Alec? What was he to them?
-That might be true, but we could just tell people he's homeschooled so no one would even see him much, he doesn't give me the impression of being a people person.- Esme said, on one side, it unnerved her a bit the idea of opening her house to someone with Alec's kind of background, what if he turned out to be volatile, disrespectful and God knows what else?
But at the same time… something told her that that was far from the truth, unlike Jane, she's never seen him become hostile, he just stood there, quiet, waiting, and there had been something about the how he had held himself when the Volturi left…
He had looked so small, so alone, it had made Esme's chest twist, and there was also the fact that he had told Alice about the Basil, that he hadn't told the Volturi about Alice and Jasper, and then how Jasper had protected him…
Esme had the feeling that not giving him a chance would be regretful, Jane had said so, he was the good one, the one who still had a chance, coming from Jane that had to mean something, right?
Esme had no idea what might have happened to those two to make them become so full of anger, but something told her it had been bad, seriously bad.
She wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, who knows? He might end up becoming the child she's longed for for so long.
-He's not a child, nor harmless. You should have seen what he was thinking about Demetri. He wanted to flay his arms and rip them piece by piece like he did last time. Las time.- Edward exclaimed, he still felt a bit nauseous over Alec's thoughts, so what if Aro thought him weak because he hesitated too much?
What if Jane thought he had a chance at redemption because he was less damned than her?
It still didn't change the fact that Alec was extremely dangerous, and no one should be fooled just because he looked like a 12 year old.
And there was also Jasper, that guy, how could Alice still say she wanted him when he threatened their safety like that? What he did to Demetri, he had enjoyed hurting Demetri, had enjoyed causing him pain.
Neither Jasper nor Alec deserved to stay here, they were both dangerous, Edward refused to let them stay anywhere near his family.
-That doesn't mean he doesn't deserve a chance. Violence is all the Volturi consists of, pain and fear is how the respect is won from each other, it wasn't a good environment for him, doesn't mean he can't change, if Jane believes he can still be redeemed then I'm willing to take her word for it.- Carlisle said, because if there was one thing he was sure of, it was that nothing was more important to Jane than Alec.
And if she had been willing to let him go, claiming that he can start anew, Carlisle knew that to be true. Everyone deserved a second chance.
-You can't be serious, he's-
-I understand that his presence might not be comfortable to have around, but shouldn't we give him a chance? If he doesn't want to stay, or if you seriously cannot be comfortable around him, then we will talk about it, but don't let his past actions cloud your judgement, give him the benefit of the doubt, everyone deserves a second chance, and if he wants to start anew, why not help him?
Silence.
-I guess it would be interesting to see if he can be more than a Chucky.- Emmett said grinning, who was he kidding? He couldn't wait to see how that would turn out.
-I don't like it, but I guess if we are taking The Major in why not add the little creep too?- Rosalie muttered, she did not like the idea of Alec staying, it had taken her weeks to come to terms with the idea of Alice wanting to date The Major.
And now this little creep… it irked at her that part of her didn't even see him as much of a threat for looking like a child, he was no friggin child, he might look like a tween but he was older than Carlisle himself.
Than Carlisle! Carlisle was the eldest here, even if he were to take The Major in he would still be the eldest, but now he wanted to take Alec? A kid that could be grandfather of his grandfather? A good thing here was that brains didn't develop.
Meant that at the end the kid would never surpass Carlisle's maturity, nor Esme's.
-I would like to see what can he become.- Esme said, she wanted to believe there was still hope for Alec, that he could be redeemed and have a less tortuous life as that he might have have at Volterra.
-But he can't be redeemed, he's spent centuries with Aro, what makes you believe he can ever do more than hurt others?- Edward said, still refusing to accept such preposterous idea, Alec couldn't stay, he would put them all in danger. What if he hurt Esme? Bella? Renesmee?
-Anyone is capable of good, even him, he did tell Alice about the Basil, and he didn't tell the Volturi about Alice and Jasper until he might have had no other choice.- Bella spoke for the first time, her voice barely above a whisper as she looked at Edward.
She understood his fear, but this… what was the point of judging a book by its cover?
-You can't judge him based on what he's done, if he wants to start anew, why not help him? I personally have never seen him do anything terrible, so I'm open to see how it turns out.
Plus, it could be a good opportunity for Renesmee to have a friend her age, I mean, she might surpass his age in a few years, but it would be comforting to see her daughter have a friend her age.
Because Renesmee spent way too much time around people twice her age, Bella worried she might not quite get to enjoy her fast passing childhood, Jacob was a big child, and Seth was 15, there were also the young wolves between the ages of 13 and 14, and Quil's little niece.
But Quil's niece was a toddler and the wolf boys were rarely allowed anywhere near Renesmee, Jacob was annoyingly nervy, always saying they were still too young and impulsive and that they could hurt Renesmee because of their lack of control in their phasing.
As if.
Bella's seen those kids around Renesmee, had seen how careful and easygoing they were with her, some did phase, out of sheer excitement which usually made them look like giant puppies wagging their tails all over the place instead of the big bad wolves Jacob made them to be, reason why she's helped Renesmee sneak away several times.
Jacob was too overprotective, she got it, he wanted to protect Renesmee, but God, she deserved to have fun and make friends, Alec at least was a vampire, Jacob would have no excuse to keep Renesmee from hanging around him.
Bella wanted her daughter to be free to do whatever she wanted, just because Jacob was imprinted on her it didn't meant he got to decide what was good for Renesmee, Bella loved him, but Renesmee was her daughter, and she would do anything to keep her happy.
She didn't miss how Edward scrunched up his face in distaste, no doubt about to protest against her lack of support.
-But if you can't see past his kind of background, why not think it this way, for what I could gather, Jane cares a lot about him, wouldn't you rather be on her good side by taking care of him?- Bella ventured, Edward was stubborn, too stubborn and paranoid for his own good.
Bella had come to learn this ever since becoming a vampire, she was trying to make him lose some of that, he should be more open minded and understanding, like how he was still hating so much the idea of Alice being with Jasper.
Alice and Jasper were happening whether he liked it or not, he should realize that no one would give in to his senseless complaints, Alice wasn't being hurt nor unhappy, on the contrary, she was happier than Bella ever remembers seeing her, and she was safe.
The way Jasper had stood up for her… fate had definitely saved a good one for Alice, someone worthy of Alice's beautiful heart.
And Alec… he left the Volturi, and the threats he had ensued against Aro left more than clear that he might have zero chances now at ever going back.
Meanwhile, Edward glowered, why was Bella okay with this, why was anyone okay with this, first The Major, now Alec? Who was next? Friggin Aro himself? Why couldn't they see how dangerous this was?
-Edward?
-No, I refuse.
-Well, too bad, it was a vote and you are outvoted, so, if he wants, he stays.- Rosalie told as a statement of fact, don't get her wrong, she wasn't crazy about this, but God how fucking good did it felt that for once, Edward hadn't won.
And she could care less about the glare he sent her way.
~
Jasper was sitting at the bottom of the steps of the Cullen's house, he had been too exhausted to even attempt returning to the beach, he still felt terrible, like sleeping for the next decade, his head was still pulsating, his left knee was still very much screaming, and his ribs were still throbbing awfully.
But he was nothing if not good at taking pain, Alec was sitting close to him, had been so for quite a while, just staring straight ahead.
At least he didn't look close to tears anymore, the last thing he wanted was to get stuck with a crying Alec.
-So? What's the plan now?- He found himself asking, staring straight ahead too, he had so much to do God, like talking with Peter, calling him at the last minute to help him with something that could get them killed if it went wrong hadn't been a good conversation starter after decades of not seeing each other.
But he had needed his help, and Peter hadn't hesitated to give it, no questions asked.
But Jasper knew Peter would want answers, he wasn't looking forward to that, nor to the possibility of María wanting to speak with him, he didn't even know why did he contact her, she surely wanted him dead after he stabbed her on the back.
She was only alive because she had managed to escape using the newborns as a distraction against the Volturi.
Weird enough she had still agreed to help him, he was not looking forward to seeing her either, much less because it put him on edge the idea of Alice knowing he had contacted María.
Or worse.
María finding out about Alice.
-I don't know.- Alec's sudden words brought him back to the present.- I wanted to go to Iceland, but now that Jane's not coming it doesn't feel much like something to look forward to.
-Can't imagine how she would've made it much different.- Jasper wasn't quite sure what even possessed him to say that out loud, but he did.
And still, all he got from Alec was a hint of amusement despite the scowl on his face.
-You don't know her.
-No, I don't.- He conceded, because it was true, he didn't knew Jane, but he knows that to Alec, she was his sister, and with him, she might have had no troubles letting her guard down around him.
Plus… Jasper knew she wasn't all bad, or well, at least she wasn't straight up evil, he had seen her pick up flowers several times, and he knew she had a botanic little room somewhere in the palace.
As terrible as she was someone who picked up flowers and had a botanic room couldn't be that evil, right?
-Alec?- Alice's sudden voice caught Jasper's attention and he turned to look at her over his shoulder, Alec at his side mimicking him.- Carlisle would like to talk to you.
He felt Alec's confusion flare with hints of something between wariness and suspicion.
Still.
The kid gave a short nod and stood up, climbing up the stairs and walking past Alice, once he disappeared inside Alice made her way down the steps, coming to sit beside him, she took his trembling hand into her own, not caring that his hands were bloodied, her knee bumping his.
-How are you feeling?- She asked softly, thumb stroking his knuckles.
-'m fine, how are you? He didn't hurt you, did he?- Jasper questions, bringing his other hand up to hover over her neck, he didn't touch, he didn't want to touch her with these filthy hands.
Same hands he just used to annihilate dozens of vampires, and humans, he had needed to fed a lot if he wanted to be strong enough to protect Alice.
Even if that meant having to spend half of the night tethering over the edge of a breakdown and he he shivered on the ground of the abandoned building that had become a slaughterhouse, he had killed lots of homeless people, their emotions alongside the guilt had almost made it impossible for him to get back up.
And he had spent it clawing at his arms, he had deserved the pain for killing such defenseless people, humans who wanted nothing but to survive in such cruel world.
But the world had abandoned them, why not take them out of their misery?
That had been quite the twisted thought that had made him crack one of his own ribs, Alice would be so disappointed if she knew what he had done.
But he had needed to be strong if he wanted to protect her, he would be as merciless as he needed if it meant she would be safe, as long as she was safe nothing else mattered.
-I'm alright.- Alice's reassuring voice made him relax, her other hand coming up to rest on his mauled arm, the sleeve covered it, but her gentle touch and the hint of sadness in her emotions told him that she, somehow, knew he had done it again.
She always knew, even when she claimed to not have seen it. It amazed him how perceptive she was.
-You should come inside.- Alice offers, he had made an habit of coming to her in the middle of the night, not caring that there were people in the house.
He would enter through the window, and he would leave through it too, never facing or speaking to anyone but her, though Renesmee did sneak into the room once, Alice had found them playing DS.
With Renesmee hiding under the bed, as if that could hide her from Alice, not a great feat considering her foot had been poking out from under it.
But the point stood, Jasper had seemed to be willing to go into the house with other people around, maybe it was time?
Meanwhile, Alice's words made Jasper stiffen.
Inside? With the Cullens there? After what he did? No, that was so not gonna go well.
But also… he didn't felt like meeting them like this, it made him feel… shame.
Because Alice loved them so much, and if he so much as felt a hint of hatred from them he didn't knew what he would do with himself, he wanted, needed them to like him, even if just a bit, because Alice loved them.
And while once upon a time he wouldn't have cared whether someone liked him or not this was different, this was Alice's family, the people she loved dearly.
More than once had he found himself wondering what did the Cullens think of him. Was it alright with them for someone as scarred and pretty much a mess as he was, to keep her?
Could he keep her?
He wanted to keep her.
Alice was… she was so beautiful, light seemed to follow her wherever she went, his whole world changed when she crashed into it. Before she came there was just darkness, like walking in the fog, a thick fog in the middle of nowhere and not knowing where did it all began and where did it end.
Like he was lost in the darkness.
But she came and brought colors with her, light, life. Like a prism spreading her light and colors everywhere.
But what if he wasn't enough for her?
But she said he was, she said she loved him, and he loved her, if she was alright with what he had to offer, why should it matter what they thought she deserved?
As Alice had told him, she was the only one who decided who was enough for her.
Her acceptance of him was enough to make him want to be selfish, to for once in his life keep what he wanted and send to hell whoever tried to take it from him.
But what if because of them Alice saw him as the monster he was? What if she realized how broken he was on the long run? What if the Cullens convinced her that he wasn't fit for her?
-Jazz?- A hand on his cheek made him flinch, pulling him out of his thoughts, the comfort in her emotions is thick, confusion, sadness.
And it takes him a moment to realize a few traitorous tears had escaped him, he's quick to wipe them away.
-'m fine, I would rather go back to the beach.- He told, taking Alice's hands into his own and pressing a kiss on her knuckles. He couldn't go in, he didn't think he would be strong enough to handle whatever emotions he was to be met with, anger, disgust, hatred.
Or worse.
Fear.
But Alice's hands fred from his hold, and she grabbed his face in such a gentle hold, leaning forward for their noses to bump.
-You don't have to run nor hide anymore, no one here will ever harm you, nor will they fear or hate you. Edward's still coming around, but he won't say anything, because he knows that you are what makes me happy, and if he hurts you, he hurts me.
Which was something Alice knew Edward would never do.
-The others, they don't care who you were, they are just happy that I am happy, and they are more than eager to meet you. I won't force you to go in, but I need you to understand that there's nothing for you to worry about.- Alice finished softly, soft enough for only him to hear, he stares at her for a moment longer before his gaze softens, he leans into her touch.
Alice smiles at the gesture, rubbing her thumb affectionately across his jaw, she could see why Jasper feared the Cullens, she didn't need to read minds nor see the future to know, but he didn't had to be afraid.
Because everyone was happy that she was happy, they were all eager to meet him, Edward was still coming around, yes, but he would behave if he knew what was good for him.
Jasper for his side frowned, Alice's words… she sounded honest on that, but he could feel the hints of badly concealed disappointment, hope…
-That's disgusting.- Alec's sudden voice alongside the wave of disgust and something between the lines of amusement and discomfort made Jasper and Alice pull back from each other.
-Someone who crawls through catacombs catchin' rats has no right to speak about what's disgustin'.- Jasper counterattacked, Alec's insulted look was priceless.
-I'll act as if you didn't just say that.- Alec said as he climbed down the steps.
-Where are you going?- Jasper felt the need to ask, had the kid decided on what to do? He didn't care much of where would he would end up at, but he couldn't help but want to know what would he do.
Like it or not, he had developed quite the twisted… care for him, the irony when it was this kid the one responsible for many of his self-destructive tendencies.
Alec turned to look at him, an odd expression on his face as he threw an even more strange look at the house, his emotions shifting to something akind to hesitation, doubt, confusion, anxiety, and many more way too shifty to make out.
What the hell had happened in there to get such emotions from him?
-Hunting.
And with that Alec's gone.
The sudden giddiness in the air confuses him, and he turns to look behind him for there's where it's coming from, but there's no one at the door nor the porch, and as he looks up he sees it.
Leaning on the railing and sporting quite the wide grin was the giant, no, Emmett.
And as their gazes meet the other does the oddest thing possible, he gives him a thumbs up, what the hell for?
A hand comes from behind the man, snatching him back into the house. He frowns.
-Jazz?- He turns back to look at Alice, she's giving him a questioning look, expectant, still waiting for an answer.
-I'm… not sure it's a good idea.- Jasper said, there were people inside, and this was way too different from sleeping in her room with other people in the house, he slept with her because her presence brought him comfort and kept the odd nightmares at bay.
He wasn't sure what was stopping the Cullens from putting halt to such actions, but he didn't want to test his luck, he didn't want to face those people.
All while covered in blood and venom and pretty much looking straight out of a slaughterhouse, he wished he would look more presentable, I mean, he knew they have already seen him like this, and they definitely saw what he did to Demetri.
He wasn't even sure how was Alice so unfazed about what he had done.
But it felt wrong to have to face them while looking like this.
Alice seemed to read his thoughts because her gaze softened.
-A shower first, or a bath, whichever you like.- Alice said, grabbing Jasper's hand and pulling him up, he almost buckled as he stood and was hit with how terribly weak he felt, and his knee was seriously hurting.
But no, he couldn't crumble, not yet.
Even if he let Alice lead him up the steps hegrfocButuseeting almost backtracked at the door.
-It's alright, Rose and Emmett are in their room, Edward's making a tantrum in Carlisle's studio with Bella and Carlisle there, and Esme's in the kitchen.- Alice assured, having an idea of what had Jasper so nervous.
For the time being Edward was too focused on his tantrum regarding the offer of letting Alec join them, and the fact that Alec had said he would think about it instead of giving a straight answer.
The last thing Edward would notice would be Alice sneaking Jasper into the house.
Jasper who didn't look much well, she wanted him to clean himself up so she could check whatever wounds he might have, and for him to rest.
She didn't count that Esme would leave the kitchen much more earlier than she had anticipated, she felt Jasper's grip on her hand tighten and she squeezed right back.
It's alright.
Jasper for his side felt tense as he stared at the woman, Esme, she who had begged for the little newborn to be spared, hoping and craving for her request to be granted.
But there wasn't hatred in her eyes, not resentment, not anger, not even disgust, just…
Something.
There was a warmth to her presence he couldn't quite explain, her soft smile, her gentle eyes, everything about her was warm, kind, loving, welcoming.
She smiled at him, a light smile as if a friend, it filled his chest with fuzziness, something about that smile, the how she looked at him.
It felt warm.
But it also made his chest tighten.
Because she was looking at him as if he were some kind of precious gem to her.
And he couldn't for the life of him understand the why.
Meanwhile, Esme couldn't help but feel her heart go out for the boy infront of her, even if he was covered in blood, and venom, and God knows what else. All she could on what his face.
And how different he looks from that charming young man she had seen on that civil war book, unlike that bright faced boy.
This one had such a haunted look, Esme's always been great at reading people, and this boy… he held such an overwhelming darkness in those crimson eyes, but instead of dangerous all she could see was pain.
The kind of gleam someone acquired after seeing the worst things the world had to offer, coming close to giving up on life if that meant getting free from all the darkness and haunted memories of the past.
It was unsettling, but it was also heartbreaking.
Because as haunted as those eyes were, there was also a part of him that seemed to be healing, like he had found back some light to hold onto.
And Esme had the feeling she knew who was that light.
She could tell he was nervous, so all she did was give him her most reassuring smile before carrying on.
-See? Told you it was fine.- Alice said, pulling Jasper along, she led him up the stairs that led to the bedrooms' floor.
Once in her room she closed the door behind her, releasing his hand and turning to look at him, he didn't look much fine now, even with all that blood, she reached out to press the back of her hand against his cheek, it could be her imagination, but he felt warm.
-Are you okay?
-Yeah…- Not quite true, Jasper felt funny, but he wasn't in any pain he didn't knew the cause of, nor was he disoriented or uncomfortable, so it probably was nothing, better not bother her.- I'm fine.- He told, this time more sure of himself.
Alice gave him a doubtful look, but she didn't push.
-Alright then, you should take that bath now, and maybe soak in there for a while if you want.- Jasper made a face at it, but he still nodded.
That's how he found himself a few moments later, sitting in the bathtub and finding it somewhat pleasant, that of the cold water against his skin, vampires shouldn't even be able to feel the temperature.
Might be because of how warm he felt.
The bathroom was drowning in that floral scent that reminded him so much of Alice, it made him feel drowsy, more than he was willing to admit, but at least it somewhat soothed the infernal throb in his skull.
His ribs still hurt, much like his knee, and his stomach was also starting to ache, at least his forearms were healing, stinging all the way, and very slowly, but healing.
It was a win.
A/N: Some of Jasper's descriptions of Alice came from the song "Crash Right Through It" by Jackson Rathbone. I feel like that song fits them greatly
