Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer
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Where the Lines Overlap
Season 2 - Looking Up
Make a wish... (And your sweetest dreams will come true!)
Favorite colors…
Everyone has a reason for liking one or more shades of a hue. Sometimes it's subjective, subconscious; sometimes it's deliberate, symbolic.
For me, it was instinctive. I think I'd always known why my favorite colors were those two, but I'd never acknowledged it—probably for the same reasons I didn't acknowledge my feelings for Edward before.
But there, in that colorful place—so shiny and bright, surrounded by twinkling lights and flashy signs, where everything seemed so full of life, enticing us to have fun, to be carefree—it became oddly obvious why, even amidst such a rich palette, those two perfect colors, my favorite ones, stood out.
There was a lot of red, pink, yellow, and orange here and there, trying to sparkle in the afternoon sunlight. Warm colors overlapping, meant to evoke desire... but they didn't catch my attention.
The cool colors were less aggressive to the eyes—the greens, the purples, the whites... They brought a sense of calm, as if time slowed down. They gave me the impression that the perfect moment we were living in could stretch on forever. But they were scattered and rare in this rainbow-like place.
So no other colors moved me like those two.
It was those two colors—those torrid, cool colors, mingling and gleaming like exquisite jewels—that made my heart beat so strongly, my smile widen, my body gravitate toward him, and my eyes follow his every move.
Blue and gray… They shone together in his striking eyes, telling me he was happy and excited, but also focused and present. He was enjoying it all as much as I was enjoying watching him come alive. And that was the reason for my happiness.
"Where do you wanna go first?" I asked softly when his eyes finally met mine.
He had been looking around with wide eyes, that amazed expression painted across his face since we walked in, like a kid seeing a funfair for the first time.
"How did you find out about this funfair?" His grin spread even wider, like he couldn't contain the excitement bubbling up inside him.
We strolled side by side, our steps slow, matching the lazy rhythm of the place. My hand twitched, eager to slip into his, but that creeping sense of awkwardness hung between us, keeping me still.
"Mark told me," I said, giving a casual shrug. "I told him I was taking you on our first real date, and asked for some ideas. I was already set on the park, but that was for lunch. I wanted to do more… I wanted to see the look you're giving me right now."
He turned to me mid-step, walking backward now, like he couldn't tear himself away.
"What look?" His chin lifted a fraction, defiance flickering in his eyes. One perfect brow arched, and a devilish grin curled at the corner of his lips.
I laughed, shaking my head.
"Not that one," I said, pointing at the cocky smirk. "That one's for later, babe, when we're alone." I mirrored his expression, a teasing half-smile on my lips. "I meant the sweet one you had a second ago when you were smiling at me like that." I winked.
"You're such a tease," he muttered under his breath, his chuckle rolling into the open air as he turned back around.
"I'm the tease?" I scoffed, catching his eye again. "You're the one who spent lunch throwing sultry glances and licking your lips every two seconds. Like you're doing right now." I added quickly, catching him as he ran his tongue along his bottom lip, slow and deliberate. He smirked, the bastard. "And now you're staring me down like that… And I'm the tease?"
Edward stopped abruptly in front of me, mischief dancing in his eyes. I slowed my steps until I came to a halt.
"It's not my fault you get all turned on by my unconscious gestures, honey." His voice was low, teasing.
"Unconscious, my ass…" I muttered under my breath, but he caught it, chuckling just before we started walking again. "You know exactly what you're doing. You know all the right buttons to push." I glanced at him, narrowing my eyes.
His crooked smile crept in, teasing and effortless.
"Do I?" He feigned innocence, all wide eyes and mock surprise.
I shook my head, a laugh bubbling out of me as we kept walking. That was, until he grabbed my arm, pulling me to a stop again.
"Candy apples!" His eyes lit up, excitement bursting from him as he stared ahead. "Will you buy me one, boyfriend?"
I couldn't help but chuckle softly at his exaggerated, dreamy expression. He batted his long eyelashes dramatically, flashing me that over-the-top grin.
"Anything for my angel…" I mimicked his playful tone, but my words were sincere.
We headed over to a red and pink cart with a big, twinkling sign that read "Love Bites" in bold white letters. A smiling girl stood behind it, wearing a white apron covered in apple prints over a short, puffy red dress. She beamed at us as we approached, her eyes flicking between us, clearly sizing up the situation before speaking.
"Two candy apples?" she asked, her voice warm and friendly.
"Just one for my big kid over here," I said, nodding toward Edward with my thumb.
He chuckled, and I shook my head, smiling softly at him.
The girl behind the cart shot us a knowing smile, and for a second, I felt a flicker of curiosity but brushed it off. She handed Edward his candy apple, and I gave her the money.
"Thanks," I said.
"Thank you," she replied with a soft smile.
When I turned back, Edward was already watching me with that perky look in his eyes, his grin wide enough to show off his perfect, white teeth. Whatever he was thinking, he was enjoying it way too much.
"What?" I asked, suspicion creeping into my voice.
"Nothing." He answered too quickly, his eyes darting away from mine.
Edward started walking, but I stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
"Tell me," I pressed, just as he took his first bite of the candy apple.
"Mouth's full," he mumbled around the chunk of fruit, his words barely escaping through his chewing.
I laughed, catching on to his obvious attempt to dodge the question. But I wasn't letting it go that easily.
With my hands on my hips and my foot tapping impatiently, I stared him down. He laughed, raising a hand to cover his mouth so he wouldn't spill apple bits everywhere. His laugh was contagious, pulling a laugh from me, too.
When he swallowed the bite, he raised the apple to his lips again, ready for another go.
"Don't you dare," I warned, narrowing my eyes.
"Love..." he started, his tone pleading.
"Tell me, or I won't take you to the next surprise." It was a bluff, but I needed to know what he was hiding.
"That's so unfair!" he half-whined, and I couldn't help but chuckle.
"You really look like a bratty kid right now…" I teased, and he chuckled. "Are you gonna pout, too?" He did, and I burst out laughing. "Seriously, babe, just tell me."
"Okay…" He sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes. "It's just… I was enjoying it, and I didn't want to make you, y'know… quail."
I frowned, confused.
"Quail at what?"
His shoulders slumped a little, and his eyes grew defensive. I didn't like that. Today was supposed to be perfect—no tension, no awkward moments.
Edward sighed again, glancing around before finally locking eyes with me, looking resigned.
"You were being… kinda obvious," he said cautiously. "That's why the girl was smiling at us."
"Obvious… about what?" I still wasn't following.
He huffed, a bit frustrated.
"About us, love. The way you're acting around me…" He shrugged. "It kinda gives away that we… well, that we're…"
And then it hit me.
"A couple," I finished as the realization clicked.
I paused, waiting for the discomfort to creep in—for that familiar awkwardness to bubble up. Edward's eyes watched me carefully, like he was bracing for some negative reaction. But it didn't come.
In fact, I felt kinda proud. It was satisfying, in a weird way, that someone noticed us as a couple even without us being overly obvious about it.
A genuine smile tugged at my lips, and Edward visibly relaxed, letting out a relieved sigh.
"You're not upset…?" His voice was cautious, his brow slightly furrowed.
"No." I said, almost absentmindedly, still a little surprised by my own reaction. "What exactly am I doing?"
His eyes drifted downward, as if he thought I was asking just to correct myself, to hold back.
"I just want to know, I'm not gonna shy away," I assured him, catching the way his lips pressed tight, doubt lingering. I closed the gap between us, resting my hand on his shoulder, searching his eyes. "I promise, E. I just want to be aware."
He glanced at my hand, then back at me, his smile small and hesitant as he sighed.
"The way you're holding my shoulder, looking at me right now…" His voice softened, quieter. "How close you are... It all shows intimacy. It makes it clear we're comfortable sharing space like this."
My hand slid down to his elbow, and I took another small step forward, craving more contact. His smile grew a little, more certain this time, like he understood what I needed.
"And before? At the cart?" My eyes stayed locked on his.
"The way you talked to me, playful and sweet... And then you smiled, like we share some secret." He shrugged.
"We kinda do," I said, the words slipping out without thinking.
"We kinda do..." he echoed, voice low, his gaze dropping to my lips just as he wet his own.
Suddenly, the urge to kiss him surged through me, and I'm not sure I could've stopped if he hadn't spoken first.
"Are you feeling comfortable?" His concern slipped into his tone, a little tension under the question.
As he looked back into my eyes, I tried to convey everything I felt through my gaze.
"What do you think?"
"I want to hear it from you," he said, his voice faltering just a bit.
Without a second thought, needing to reassure him, I slid my hand from his elbow up to his neck and wrapped it around his nape.
"I'm feeling way more than comfortable, angel… I'm feeling blissful." The words came out with ease. "You have no idea how fulfilled I am right now…" His eyes dropped to my mouth again, and, once more, he wetted his lips and bit down on the bottom one. I couldn't help but smile. "And believe me, even though I'm not sure how I might feel after… I'm dying to kiss you too."
His gaze shot back to mine.
"I know where I wanna go first." He rushed the words out, giving me that wicked grin that made my whole body shiver.
I let go of his neck and forced myself to take a step back, just as he bit into that apple—deliberately, like he knew what he was doing to me. His lips glistened red from the toffee, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from his mouth.
"You gonna keep staring like that? Not helping," he teased with his signature crooked smile, and I realized I'd nearly been caught drooling. "Let's go," he jerked his head to the side, already walking.
I trailed behind him, fighting an internal battle. If I was already giving away that we were a couple through my gestures, why couldn't I just kiss my boyfriend like I wanted? Or at least hold his hand—the simplest thing.
The answer was simple… My gestures were mostly unconscious, spontaneous. I barely noticed them. Well, maybe I did a little now that Edward had pointed them out, but kissing him in public? Holding his hand in the middle of a crowded amusement park? That was different. That would be deliberate. I'd be fully aware of what I was doing. And that would mean confronting my fears—facing the possible consequences. I wasn't sure if I was ready for that.
I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I nearly lost track of Edward. Somehow, he'd gotten ahead of me, now standing a good thirty feet away in front of The Haunted House, smirking like he was up to something. As I quickened my pace, he took another bite of that damn candy apple, clearly teasing me. Then he winked and disappeared inside without waiting.
I stopped and huffed, feeling a mix of confusion and mild irritation.
"What the fuck?!" I muttered under my breath.
Obviously, I wasn't going to stand there and wait. I followed him.
Flashing my bracelet to the guy at the door, I stepped in, squinting as my eyes struggled to adjust to the pitch-black room.
"Edward," I whisper-called, my voice low but urgent. I couldn't see a damn thing.
Suddenly, hands grabbed me, yanking me into a smaller space.
Instinctively, I pushed back, ready to fight off whoever it was—until the familiar scent hit me. I opened my mouth to scold him for ditching me, but his hand came up, covering my lips, silencing me as he pressed me against a wall.
"What does a stolen kiss taste like, Jasper?" he whispered, his warm breath fanning across my face and sending my heart racing. The heat radiating from his body wrapped around me, igniting a deep desire.
As he lifted his hand from my mouth, I braced myself to retort with some witty remark, but it vanished in an instant when his lips captured mine. My thoughts slipped away, blanketed by the feel of Edward's hands gripping my neck, tilting my head back as he plunged his tongue eagerly into my mouth.
I shivered, overwhelmed.
The sweet taste of the candy apple mixed with the unmistakable flavor of him flooded my senses, igniting a warmth that coursed through me, making me crave more.
I dug my fingers into the waistband of his jeans, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss. We were practically swallowing each other's tongues, and the wild thought of tackling him to the floor crossed my mind—yeah, I was that insane. But just as suddenly as it began, it ended.
Edward broke the kiss abruptly, his lips brushing against my ear as I gasped for air.
"Tell me… What does it taste like?" His voice was enchanting, like a siren's song, making me close my eyes in dazed delight.
And then he vanished into the darkness.
I stood there for what felt like a minute—or maybe even longer—trying to gather my thoughts.
That boy was going to be the death of me.
After a long, deep breath, I let my eyes flutter closed for a moment, still feeling the remnants of that intoxicating kiss. When I finally opened them, the path ahead came into focus. I moved through the dingy "scary" rooms, their creepy decor fading into the background of my stunned haze.
Emerging from the haunted house, I spotted Edward leaning casually against the carousel, a mischievous grin playing on his lips, as if nothing had happened at all.
His smile was devilish, the kind that screamed mischief. I smirked back at him, shaking my head as I approached.
Stopping just in front of him, I challenged, "And I'm the tease…"
He chuckled, feigning innocence.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he replied, his face a perfect mask of seriousness.
I started walking again, and he fell into step beside me.
"You're gonna be the death of me, boy…" I muttered, more to myself than to him.
Edward's light laugh reached my ears, a clear indication that he'd caught my words, his attention razor-sharp.
I wondered how this unpredictable nature of his was so new to me, yet Edward always knew just how to push my buttons.
.
.
.
"It's almost time…" I murmured to myself, noticing the sun's light fading into a soft glow.
As we stepped away from the bumper cars, I caught sight of Edward. A sense of accomplishment washed over me; his cheeks were flushed, his eyes sparkled with joy, and his smile seemed to stretch endlessly.
We had tackled nearly every ride at the fair, including both roller coasters, reliving the thrill we hadn't felt since that perfect spring break two years ago. The best part? We weren't caught up in being Edward-and-Jasper-the-boyfriends or E-and-Jay-the-best-friends. We were simply two people enjoying the moment, letting things flow without any specific goal. That relaxed mindset allowed me to stop overthinking my every gesture around E, and I felt so laid-back that when I decided it was time for the Ferris wheel—a moment I had worried about at the beginning of our date—it happened spontaneously, just as it should.
"Where to now?" His voice was full of enthusiasm.
I smiled sweetly, looking forward to the last part of our funfair adventure.
"We'll enjoy one last ride before we go," I replied softly. "Come."
But Edward stayed put, surprise flickering across his face.
Confused, I followed his gaze down to our hands. In an entirely involuntary move, I had reached for his hand and entwined our fingers without even realizing it.
I blinked at our interlaced hands, mirroring the amazement in his eyes, a mix of surprise and contentment flooding through me.
When Edward looked up, a hesitant smile crept onto his lips. I met his gaze confidently, squeezing his hand gently.
Then, feeling a little self-conscious under his steady stare, I shrugged.
"Let's go?" I asked in a low tone.
He nodded, and I started walking, holding his hand securely in mine. As we strolled toward our last ride, hand in hand, I noticed a few curious glances, but they barely registered. I was absorbed in the warmth of Edward's palm against mine, the way our fingers intertwined felt oddly fulfilling, confirming to anyone watching that we were a couple. Everything else faded into the background.
"The Ferris wheel?" my boyfriend asked softly as we approached the ride.
I looked at him, smiling my best in-love smile, and nodded. He chuckled, a light, carefree sound that made my heart flutter.
"I wanna show you something…" I said, tugging him along with me.
Soon we were nestled inside a crimson-red gondola, the world below shrinking as we ascended. As we reached the top, the ride paused, just as I'd hoped. Earlier, while Edward was busy buying a bottle of water, I had tipped the operator to ensure our gondola would be up here during the regular stops.
"Toffee, apple... and you," I said smoothly, breaking the comfortable silence.
Edward, mesmerized by the breathtaking sunset stretching across the sky, turned his gaze toward me, a hint of distraction in his eyes.
"What?"
"Toffee…" I repeated slowly, my eyes locking onto his. "Apple... and you."
He furrowed his brows slightly, his smile unwavering.
"What's that?"
"You asked a question earlier," I explained simply, feeling the excitement build. "I'm answering it."
"What question?" His tone was playful, and his gaze held a teasing glint.
"About the taste of a stolen kiss…" I leaned in, tilting my head to align our faces, feeling the electric anticipation in the air. "It tastes like toffee…" I pecked his lips, a quick, tender touch. "Apple…" I pressed against him a bit more intensely, and he subtly responded, a soft sigh escaping his lips. "And you."
I lingered softly, savoring the moment until he nibbled my bottom lip, inviting me in. Our mouths fit together, and just as the ride restarted, I backed away slowly, still gazing deeply into his eyes, my heart racing with a mix of nervousness and excitement. Edward's eyes sparkled, reflecting the last rays of the setting sun, and I could hardly believe this was real.
We didn't need words. We just kept looking at each other, sharing a moment where the whole world seemed to vanish.
Two stops later, we were at the top again. I sighed and pointed toward the horizon.
"See those lights?" I asked as his eyes followed my finger. He nodded. "That's your last surprise…" His curiosity glinted. "It's Memorial Park. They're holding an arts event tonight—Waterfire. One of the installations is called The Starry, Starry Night..." I took his hand and gave it a soft squeeze. "I can't give you the sky, angel… I wish I could." He smiled, a bit dazzled, his eyes glossy. I knew the gesture had moved him—it was exactly what I hoped for. "But I can give you a star tonight," I finished with a smile.
Edward chuckled softly, his eyes shining with emotion. I could feel how touched he was without needing any more words.
"I really love you, Jasper Hale," he whispered, voice wavering.
"I love you more, Edward Cullen," I breathed, the words leaving me effortlessly.
He shook his head gently before resting it on my shoulder, and we spent the last minutes of the ride wrapped in quiet contentment.
.
.
.
"This is so beautiful…" he murmured, his voice full of awe. "All these blue stars… It really feels like we're up there in the sky."
It was beautiful.
Like at the funfair, the place was filled with light, but here it was soft—gentle. The entire grove was bathed in a peaceful, soothing glow, as if reflecting the perfect clarity of a starry sky. Blue star-shaped lanterns hung from tree trunks, casting their glow, while pale yellow luminaria dotted the ground like scattered starlight.
People moved quietly around us, their steps slow, voices hushed as if the air itself demanded reverence. Their expressions mirrored the quiet wonder I saw in Edward's eyes—and probably on my own face too.
The delicate glow from the lanterns flickered in his eyes, and I sighed, my heart stumbling in my chest.
Then, I spotted the tree I'd been searching for, along with the person I'd arranged things with the day before. I squeezed Edward's hand, slowing our steps until we stopped. He sighed, turning toward me, his face serious, gaze charged with emotion.
"You're beautiful," I said softly, the words carrying a weight I knew he'd feel. "The most beautiful person I know. And I want, more than anything, to make you happy."
He blinked rapidly, and I could tell he was fighting tears.
"This is just my way of giving you a small piece of what you deserve… a very small piece," I smiled as his lips quirked into a soft chuckle. "But it's what I can give you, for now. I brought you to the sky, angel."
We both laughed quietly, the moment fragile but perfect.
"And… I have a present for you."
Edward exhaled, his smile spreading as his eyes glistened.
"Another one?" he asked, raising his brows. "You already gave me so much today." He brought our connected hands to his chest and squeezed.
"All I did today was act like any boyfriend in love would." I winked, and he chuckled again. "This is the special part, the part where we really cherish what we have. The present is for us, as a couple."
He nodded, his weighted breath telling me everything—the intensity between us was unmistakable. I let go of his hand and took a step back.
"This time I'll ask you to close your eyes." My voice wavered, and I realized I was nervous, though I didn't know why.
Edward did as I asked, and I signaled for the boy to approach. He was one of the many people working at the installation, providing the lanterns people could acquire for a small donation to the nonprofit arts corporation running the event. He handed me the silver and blue star I'd chosen, and I smiled, thanking him before he backed away silently with more stars in hand to distribute.
I turned to Edward, my heart tripping over itself...
It was just a simple gesture, nothing extraordinary. But it felt monumental, like I was giving him something far bigger than I could explain.
"You can open your eyes now, E." I said in a wavering whisper.
He looked at me with expectant eyes and I raised the lantern between us. He smiled brightly.
"I told you I would give you a star tonight."
"You can open your eyes now, E," I whispered, my voice trembling.
He blinked in surprise, then focused on the lantern I raised between us. A radiant smile broke across his face.
"I told you I'd give you a star tonight."
A soft, trembled chuckle escaped him as he shook his head, taking the lantern from my hand.
"It's perfect." He studied it with wide eyes before looking back at me. "Can I take it home?"
I laughed softly, shaking my head, feeling like I was watching a kid unwrap a gift.
"You can, but only later. We need to make it shine first, to join the sky of wishes." I gestured to the glowing scene around us, the blue stars twinkling like dreams.
"What do we do? How does it work?" His voice was laced with curiosity. "We just turn it on and hang it wherever we want?"
"There's a spot for our star." I pointed to a sturdy tree trunk nearby. "Here, let me light it." I gave it a gentle shake, and the LED inside flickered to life, casting a warm glow. "We hang it there, together, then make our wish…" I explained, placing the star back in his hands.
Our eyes locked, and a moment stretched between us, filled with unspoken understanding. He held the star by its delicate chain, intertwining his fingers with mine.
It felt so natural, so right, to hold hands with him…
He led me beneath the tree, and we reached up together. The star hung just above us, sparkling like a tiny beacon. Once it was secured, we shared a knowing look.
"It's time to make our wish…" I whispered, and he nodded, anticipation flickering in his gaze.
"Can I say it out loud?" he asked, earnestness threading his voice. "I want you to know what I'm wishing for…"
"Okay…" I replied, my heart fluttering.
He drew a deep breath, and I mirrored him, the air thick with hope. Then I focused on the star…
"I wish we stay together forever…" we murmured in unison, the words a soft secret just for us.
We turned to each other in surprise, our laughter bubbling up at the serendipity of it all, the magic of the moment wrapping around us.
And suddenly, everything clicked. The source of my earlier anxiety was crystal clear as I dove into Edward's eyes, an impossible urge building inside me. I knew... I had known since I asked him out on this date that this moment would unfold.
It wasn't a conscious realization, but deep down, a part of me had whispered that I should let go of my reservations and let things happen naturally. This was my heart's desire, my wish for the conclusion of our first real date.
Trembling, I raised my free hand and wrapped it around his neck. Edward's playful demeanor faded, seriousness replacing his smile as our gazes locked.
"I don't wanna hide anymore…" I whispered, my voice trembling but resolute. I took a small step closer, our faces now just inches apart. "But it's all so... overwhelming and scary…" I confessed, my voice faltering. "Will you help me get through this?"
"I will, love…" He assured me, his tone solemn yet warm. "I told you this once before… We'll be together every step of the way."
I nodded, taking a ragged breath, my heart racing as I aligned our faces. Then, slowly but surely, I brought him to me.
Our lips touched as my eyes fluttered shut, both of us sighing softly, a sound laced with relief. It had been a challenge, navigating the day with so little of the intimate contact we craved.
Yet, as the kiss deepened, realization washed over me. I had braced myself for embarrassment and fear, expecting the weight of onlookers' gazes to suffocate me in that crowded park. This wasn't just a stolen moment in The Haunted House or a sweet secret shared atop the Ferris wheel. No, here we stood, exposed under the bright lights of the event, with a sea of people around us. But instead of dread, a wave of liberation surged through me. I was utterly unbothered by the eyes that might watch—one or a thousand could stare, and it wouldn't matter.
Edward's free hand cradled my jaw, our mouths fitting together as if they had been designed for this very moment. All my swirling thoughts melted away as he gently nibbled my bottom lip, a tender dance that sent shivers through me. I mirrored his actions on his upper lip, savoring the sweetness of our connection. Then, with a languorous grace, he broke the kiss, replacing it with soft pecks, instinctively knowing it was exactly what I needed—gentle and kind, more than I had dared to hope for.
We lingered in silence, the world around us fading into a soft blur. Our eyes drifted to the star hanging above, a symbol of our shared wish.
"Silver and blue..." Edward murmured, his gaze fixed on the lantern. "Your favorite colors..." He gazed at me.
A soft smile stretched across my lips as I stared back at him, the colors I loved so much echoing in Edward's eyes—exactly why I cherished them so much. They glinted back at me, a perfect reflection of the love that transformed me, that guided my life. In that moment, happiness enveloped me—simple, profound, and utterly complete.
I didn't need anything else but him.
.
A/N: I will soon post an outtake of scenes following this chapter from Edward's POV in Where The Lines Overlap - All We Know.