~He hadn't felt warm in over a century and it was addictive.~

CHAPTER FIVE - THE SUN

Jasper had been alive—if you could call it that—for a long time. He didn't exactly cherish all of the years he's spent on this earth. Forced into the confederacy before the legal enlisting age, forced into Maria's army, forced to take innocent lives. Needless to say, it's been a fairly exhausting way of living. The regret and revulsion he felt for himself was all encompassing.

But then he found a safe haven with the Olympic Coven. Those who chose to feed from animals instead of people. Those who allowed him to join them despite his haunting past. Those who became family. And he was able to feel what a family's love was like for the first time. And it was wonderful. But something was always missing. Despite the warming familial atmosphere, something was always feeling incomplete—he was feeling incomplete. Until he met her. Vega Swan. His life had always felt just like their marbled skin, cold and unchanging. But she brought the sun, the blazing heat, with her. Just being near her was enough to make his entire body feel like it was being caressed by soothing scorching flames that started from the inside out. It was delicious. He hadn't felt warm in over a century and it was addictive.

At first, his family had their reservations. Of all people—vampires—Jasper's mate was a human? He didn't take offense to the worry that leaked from them all. He didn't even care about the bitterness that slammed into him from Rosalie. Because she didn't understand. He could never stay away after getting a taste of what Vega's mere presence did for him. He was a little annoyed that there was more open support for Edward—though Rosalie looked ready to rip him apart after finding out that not only was Jasper going to be bound to a human but Edward was as well. At least he didn't want to tear into Vega's nearest artery, unlike the Edward and Bella situation.

Jasper realized the more he was around her that her scent did make him hungry, but it wasn't exactly the same kind of hunger that he felt for blood. Being around her helped quell his bloodthirst, a surprising but most welcome discovery. It was as if all of his attention was solely focused on her and his mind and body couldn't process feeling thirsty. It was euphoric. Jasper couldn't remember the last time he didn't feel the, often unbearable, burning in his throat. His gift was never able to be turned off and thus he was stuck with constantly feeling the same tingling bloodthirst from all of his siblings. While they might have a slight sting, piling it on times five was a heavier burden to bear. Something he felt they often forgot, blaming his slip ups and harder to control behavior toward humans on his past. Jasper didn't want to kill people.

He was distressed when he didn't see her at lunch that day. It was only her second day and her sister was there so where was she? But then he saw her in art, cheeks blotted red and eyes still glassy from tears. He could smell the saltiness from where she cried and the overpowering peppermint from her mouth. He was worried. Her heart was fluttering like a bird's wings when they're stuck in a cage. Her feelings were all over the place. Never settling down and making it hard to read her. It was only after they partnered up and started talking that she seemed to relax, her body not as tense as before. She was very smart, finishing their worksheet with an air of ease. He wanted to know more about her. So he started asking questions—starting with the basic ones. The kind silly kids ask during twenty questions.

What was her favorite color? Yellow. It suited her, he thought, no better color embodied the sun like yellow did and she was his own personal sunshine. Favorite drink? Coffee. Well, it wasn't good for her but it made her eyes glitter when she talked about it. Favorite music? City pop—he was very interested in that, or folk—his own personal choice and it made a fuzzy feeling bloom inside him. That one took her a few moments of pondering, obviously having a debate with herself in her head. Her mind, oh what he'd do to just get a glimpse inside.

Apparently, Edward couldn't read her mind at all but unlike Bella Swan, Vega caused Edward to have immense pain, like his skull was cracking. Jasper was slightly happy his mate had some semblance of privacy but he was intrigued even more after finding that out. Only realizing after some heavy thought that Vega's feelings could be felt but they were always dulled. At first, he thought she was good at controlling her emotions but soon noticed that wasn't it either. He could manipulate her emotions but she was good at reflecting it, immediately going back to her feelings, not the ones he was trying to send her way. It was the most curious thing ever and he tucked the secret away for himself, refusing to ever think about it around Edward.

She was so perfect and he wasn't sure how he managed to have such luck in finding someone like her. But then his mind started spiraling because if he could tell she was so amazing surely others had as well. And so the question tumbled out of his mouth, asking if she misses anyone from Arizona. The answer was no—and that flooded him with relief. The small waves of terror nearly made him jump though and his curiosity—and anxiety—spiked. But then the emotion was gone in a flash and he felt her indignation with a little affection before she accused him of being the only one to ask questions. Jasper would let her ask as many questions as she wanted. Hell, he'd give her the world if she asked for it.

He found it endearing and cute how she just repeated the same questions he had asked her. His favorite color? Brown—obviously. The color of her dark chocolate eyes would be with him for eternity. His favorite drink? He stumbled a bit but decided on tea, he couldn't tell the truth and it hurt to lie to her. His favorite music? Folk. The messages and history in folk music and songs always drew him in.

He was stunned by her asking about his family next. And he wanted to tell her the truth. But that couldn't happen. Not right now when she didn't know anything and especially not in Forks High School. So he tried to be as honest as he could. And then she had to test his self control and he had to force himself not to kiss her silly as she asked about him. A vibrant blush blooming on her cheeks and mortification and embarrassment burying him as her eyes swiftly looked anywhere but him. He couldn't help teasing her a little, emphasizing his relationship status—single. Her pouty lips dropped open and the small "Ah" falling from her mouth was distracting but she caught herself before flying right into the next question. Before either of them knew it, class was over and she was gliding away to her next period. He tried to call out to her but she never turned around, most likely unable to hear him over the chattering in the halls.

Jasper was gloomy the entire ride home. Vega didn't even spare a glance his way in the parking lot as Bella sped down the road. His spirits were immediately lifted when Alice had a vision that she would be going grocery shopping and it was going to rain. She suggested the two of them accompanying Esme, hoping they could run into Vega. Alice was giddy. She hadn't been able to meet the girl that became her best friend's whole world now. Rosalie broke something upstairs at the suggestion but neither paid her a second thought.

But then Alice and Jasper were forced to watch as Vega sped away, her speed dangerous in the rain and Jasper couldn't allow himself to stay in the store, instead flashing parallel with the truck careening down the small roads. He had to make sure she stayed safe. And she did. He watched from the trees as she made it safely inside the house, only leaving when he heard her speaking to Bella.

Alice blamed Edward for Vega's aversion to the Cullens. Because Bella had to have talked to Vega about how rude Edward was. And Vega would take her sister's side over the Cullens. But Alice tried to remain positive. Edward would come back and he would get together with Bella Swan. Vega was a mystery to Alice, her visions of the older Swan girl were constantly changing or unseeable while Bella's future remained the same. Regardless of the path taken Isabella Swan was going to become a vampire. But Vega Swan? Her distant future was covered in a grey haze and it frustrated the pixie-like vampire.

Jasper tried to refrain from asking too many questions, wanting to ask the human himself but sometimes his curiosity got the better of him. And Alice wanted to be helpful but she couldn't be and she felt useless in those moments. He comforted her by saying it just meant he was supposed to ask Vega directly. Alice let it go because she was just riding the wave of happiness that her brothers had finally found their mates.

The family was informed that Edward would be gone for about a week, something Jasper thought to be excessive but he wasn't going to haul the man back. Rosalie suggested he stay away for the rest of their time in Forks and lie about a terminal illness but Carlisle wasn't having any of that. Jasper didn't care what Edward did but he wasn't going to be staying away from Vega.

Edward was on the whole thought process of refusing to damn Bella to the soulless life of a vampire. Jasper didn't have a want for either outcome; he only wanted to give her the choice. It was Vega's life and if she chose to remain human and grow old he'd stay with her and then follow when she departed the world. If she chose to be a vampire then they'd spend their immortal eternity together, hopefully traveling the world. He was hopelessly devoted to a human who barely gave him the time of day and he wasn't even embarrassed or ashamed by that. Vega was his life now. He didn't have anything to live for if he wasn't living for her.

"But she's a human." Edward had hissed at him before his sudden departure, his ability to read minds infuriating sometimes. All eyes were on Jasper, pulling him from his thoughts of different futures—all featuring Vega.

"She is the embodiment of warmth, being near her is like touching the sun itself." Jasper murmured softly to his family, his eyes shining with more emotion than they had ever seen before, "I will never be able to leave her."

Rosalie's mouth was downturned as she glared and he felt her fear, "The Volturi—"

"Fuck the Volturi." Jasper growled, his eyes darkening at the mere thought of those supposed rulers trying to harm his mate.

The Cullens were all flabbergasted by Jasper's cursing. It was something the man hardly ever did—and it was now directed towards the vampire rulers over a very, very small maybe scenario. Carlisle was trying to placate both vampires he thought of as his sons, "We understand Jasper." He was elated that Jasper had found his mate, cautious because she was a human but he would support his son if he chose to pursue her. His golden eyes locked onto Edward, "Edward, Jasper is not you. And you are not Jasper. Just like Bella is not Vega and Vega is not Bella. Everyone has their decisions to make."

Edward hadn't liked that and so it was suggested he take a week in Alaska. Jasper was partially relieved for his absence since it meant the ball of emotional turmoil was gone and he could relax a little more. But the week went by far too quickly and Jasper had barely gotten past being able to speak to Vega outside of classes—a challenge he wasn't prepared for but he felt more human than he had in years. He felt like a teenager again, something he rarely got to experience during his human life. His stomach fluttered with butterflies and he was eager for every class he got to share with her.

Jasper was often told he was hard to speak to. Conversations taking too much effort or humans felt intimidated. But speaking with Vega was easy. He liked it. Reveled in it. The entire week Edward was away Jasper spoke animatedly with Vega in classes, always drawing her out of the small bubble it felt like she was in. He learned a lot about her. She enjoyed cooking but despised the clean up, she preferred starburst to skittles, she preferred cats to dogs, she was absolutely terrible with machinery and anything to do with car maintenance, she loved to read, her fashion style was all over the place but she favored the 70's vibe or grunge look the most, and she was thinking of taking a gap year before college—though she didn't delve into too many details and her emotions were muddled but all negative so Jasper didn't push it. On Friday he was able to walk her to Gym again and he thought he might be the luckiest person to walk the earth as he basked in the warmth that surrounded her.

He also found out she had a free last period, just like himself, but she usually buried herself in the library until Bella was done. He came upon her by mistake when he was searching for a place that wasn't as crowded. They both sat in a comfortable silence when he asked if he could join her. Jasper felt so normal for once he didn't want to let that feeling go.

Alice was practically begging to meet Vega again but Jasper wanted to keep her to himself a bit longer. Especially with the very slow progress of their relationship—which one could call barely a friendship. If one were to ask Vega she'd say he was a friendly acquaintance. Unfortunately, Edward had to come back at some point and Jasper dreaded the new week. Vega had confided in him at the library that Bella was nearly going insane since she hadn't been able to confront Edward all week.

Jasper had promised her that Edward would be back in school soon and she gave him a friendly smile, one larger than any he had received before from her. For that smile alone, Jasper was going to make sure Edward came back for the new week. Jasper was desperate to ask her on a date but he knew had to move slow—and if Alice was also telling him to wait then he'd do just that. He had all the time in the world to wait until Vega would be ready. He always felt that undercurrent of anxiety and fear from her regardless if her most prominent emotion was elation or embarrassment. It clung to her and he wondered for not the first or fourth time what Vega Swan was hiding behind those eyes that seemed to sparkle with secrets.

The only good thing about the weekend was how quickly it passed. Between the need to see Vega and the teasing of Emmett, Jasper was going insane. He went hunting and he only visited the Swan residence twice to make sure she was alive. He had a feeling Vega wouldn't appreciate secret eavesdropping or spying. Friday in the library was enough for him to know that.

"Ugh." Her face was scrunched in disgust as she closed the book in her hands, sighing as she shook her head. Jasper looked at her questioningly and she gifted an answer, "The male lead of this book was stalking the main character. And it turns out it wasn't a one off thing, no! He had been watching her an entire year! And then had the audacity to say it was to keep her safe. Ha, unbelievable." She then went on to rant about consent and women's rights—Jasper felt like he could listen to her all day until the end of school bell cut her off and she looked sheepish, apologizing for losing her cool.

After that, Jasper understood what Vega might find acceptable and what might be down right a criminal offense. So he refrained from staying too long, simply listening to make sure her heart was beating before he disappeared.

Emmett's teasing was all in good faith at least much to Rosalie's chagrin. Jasper didn't take most of the things to heart that Emmett said but it did make him think harder about how he was going to try and court Vega. Emmett suggested he tread lightly, from what he saw Vega could be harsh and ruthless when it came to male attention. Emmett having witnessed or heard a few rejections she gave the teenage male population of Forks.

Rosalie silently begged that Vega would turn Jasper down as well. Not because she wanted her brother to be sad or hurt but she didn't want to subject anyone to this life. Especially not Vega Swan who held her own demons behind that mask she often wore at school. Rosalie knew better than anyone that kind of mask, she often wore one herself during her human years. Kindness that wasn't exactly fake but was welcoming enough that people wanted to befriend that person. Vega didn't seem the tiniest bit interested in pursuing anything related to the Cullens and Rosalie liked that. The same couldn't be said for Bella Swan though and Rosalie knew that girl was going to be trouble. She just didn't know how much yet.

Before the new week Edward wouldn't shut up about Jasper needing to keep his distance. It was so bad he opted to ride with Emmett and Rosalie in the Jeep. While Rosalie made sure he knew how she felt about the entire situation he didn't have to hear the blatant lies spilling from Edward's mouth. Jasper was an empath. He knew exactly how Edward felt about everything regardless of what was coming from his lips. Maybe that's why Jasper was feeling so vindictive when he saw Vega in art, immediately speaking conspiringly to her that Edward was back if she wanted to give Bella notice. Vega raised an eyebrow but thanked him nonetheless. He wasn't sure what spurred him on but before the bell rang he asked if she wanted to have lunch together.

A/N:

For anyone curious about what City Pop music is, it is a genre of music popular in Japan in the 80's and 90's.