TWILIGHT 20 // a fanfic challenge community

Affinity For Fate

chlarked — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 03:04:18 GMT

Pairing: Edward/Bella

Rating: NC-17/M

Genre: Romance/Adventure

Warning: This story contains mature topics, sexual situations and profanity and is intended for adults.

"Love, till dawn sunder night from day with fire Dividing my delight and my desire..." -AC Swinburne This story takes place after Eclipse. Bella's lust is in full force since Edward agreed to try after the wedding, and his wall of restraint is crumbling now that he's no longer planning to live an eternity of celibacy. As they push their boundaries, waiting seems harder & harder.

Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8728445/1/Affinity-For-Fate

xxbilliepiperxx — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:27:26 GMT

I was wondering if anyone wanted a beta for their stories?
I'm good with punctuation, paragraphing and characterization and I can help build the plot and help you with ideas if that is what you want.
Anyone interested?
I'll do any 'coupling' , and Im good with characterization.
If you're interested, and want my help, my email is amazin_amz_95@hotmail.co.uk
Also, comment below, then I'll know to check my e-mails :)

Let me know if you are interested x

Without Words Alice/Jasper

sirenprincess — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:47:13 GMT

Title: Without Words
Author: SirenPrincess
Rating: Teen
Genre: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff
Pairing: Alice/Jasper
Spoilers: Eclipse
Word Count: 3,000
Table/Prompt: Beta/Joy
Summary: This is a stream of consciousness story showing Jasper’s thoughts while he’s trapped in class during his first week of school. Jasper and Alice learn to communicate while apart.
Disclaimer: This work is based on characters and situations created and owned by Stephenie Meyer, various publishers and film makers including but not
limited to Little, Brown Books and Summit Entertainment. No money is
being made, and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author’s Notes: I wrote this almost a year ago and finally decided to go ahead and share it. This is book based. No movie discussion in the comments please.

"I sat, not breathing, in my second period algebra class. Surviving the day without killing anyone would mean that I had made it through my first week of high school."

Fic - Need - Bella/Carlisle

icegirl99 — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:10:37 GMT

Title: Need
Author: icegirl99
Rating: T
Characters/Pairings: Bella/Carlisle
Table/Prompt: Beta/Need
Word Count: Approx. 300
Summary: Life. There are certain things in this world that one needs to survive. Bella learns about the simplest thing in life: love.
Author's Notes: Set during New Moon.

http://icegirl99.livejournal.com/127718.html#cutid1

Fic - An Itch You Can't Scratch - Bella/Carlisle

icegirl99 — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:04:55 GMT

Title: An Itch You Can't Scratch
Author: icegirl99
Rating: R
Characters/Pairings: Bella/Carlisle, mentions of Edward/Bella
Table/Prompt: Beta/011. Temptation
Word Count: Approx. 4000
Summary: Bella’s dealing with some personal issues. Too embarrassed to tell anyone, she decides to go to see the doctor alone. However the doctor that walks in, is not who she expected.
Author's Notes: Contains some medical kink.

http://icegirl99.livejournal.com/126163.html#cutid1

Author: Megans_Writing Claim: General Series Table: Gamma. Prompt: #11-Courage

mahmfic — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:44:05 GMT

Title: Conquering Fear
Author: mahmfic
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Jacob/Bella
Table/Prompt: Gamma Table. #11-Courage
Word Count: 308
Summary: Bella goes to Jake's prom.
Author's Notes: Originally written for a Drabble Contest at sortofbeautiful.

FIC: Saltwater (PG-13) Twilight

nikiness — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:27:52 GMT

Title: Saltwater: The Boundary Lines 7/20
Author: Niki Jane
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairings: Edward/Bella
Word Count: 1204
Summary: An AU look at what might have happened if Rosalie hadn't called Edward with the news of Bella's 'suicide'. Set during New Moon.
Author's Notes: Part seven, a little later than promised, but it's here.

PART I., PART II., PART III., PART IV., PART V., PART VI.

READ @ NIKINESS.LJ

nikiness — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:24:13 GMT

Title: Saltwater: Like A Fist To The Gut 6/20
Author: Niki Jane
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairings: Edward/Bella
Table/Prompt: Gamma/Definition
Word Count: 1209
Summary: An AU look at what might have happened if Rosalie hadn't called Edward with the news of Bella's 'suicide'. Set during New Moon.
Author's Notes: I know, I know, I know... I disappeared for a while. School and work have been killing me. A lot. But part 7 is ready to be posted tomorrow when I get home from work and I think I'm back for good now. I still don't have a Twilight beta, so any mistakes are mine and if you feel like sacrificing yourself-- erm, I mean offering, I would gladly take you up on it.

PART I., PART II., PART III., PART IV., PART V.

READ MORE @ NIKINESS

Beta/005: Jacob Black/Bella Swan - Joy

kapers_in_pink — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:07:11 GMT

Title: Getting the Girl
Author: kapers_in_pink
Rating: K+
Characters/Pairing: Jacob Black/Bella Swan
Word Count: 788
Summary: This is what it feels like, getting the girl.
AN: In my own perfect little world, this is what happens with Bella and Jacob :)

When I first saw Bella, after he left, I was angry. Beyond angry, even. I wanted to destroy that bloodsucker for hurting her like that; for leaving her so broken and alone.

As I picked up the pieces, and helped her to heal, I went from angry to grateful.
Grateful that he had been such an idiot to leave in the first place. Grateful that he had left her in order to protect her.

He had given me the opportunity that I needed, the opportunity to show her that I was better for her. That we were better for each other.

We were perfectly right for each other, and I had him to thank for that.

But that grateful feeling flew out the door the minute Bella walked into my room. Her eyes were red, bloodshot and puffy from crying. She had an almost vacant expression on her face, her eyes staring at me, but seeing nothing. She looked lost, and broken, and only one person could make her look like that.

“What did he do?” The words came out harsher then I had intended, and she flinched. She looked down at the floor before looking up at me again.

“He... I. I left. I left him, Jake.” She was whispering, but I could hear her clearly. I could feel my body start to shake as she mentioned him.

“Bella... What happened? What did he do to you?” I spoke through clenched teeth. I needed to get a handle of myself, or I was going to have to leave.

“Jake...” She sounded so defeated. “He didn't do anything. He wanted to apologize. He wanted to explain.” She placed a hand on my trembling arm. To my surprise, her touch calmed the shaking instantly.

“He wanted to explain? Explain what? Why he left you? Well, lets have it. What brilliant reason did he have?” I was still livid. I couldn't stand the thought of losing her, again, to that leech.

“I... I don't know.” A small smile appeared on her lips as she looked at me. She almost looked... proud. “I told him not to bother explaining. I said I'd rather die then go through that pain again.”

“And what did he say to that?” I couldn't help but feel curious. Bella had actually stood up for herself. To him.

“He said I wouldn't have to. And I told him he was right.”
For a moment, my heart stopped beating. This was it. This was the point where Bella told me that she was sorry, that she couldn't live without him, and then she would leave.
She would leave me forever.

“Jake... Look at me, please.” I felt her small hand touching my cheek. I took a breath before opening my eyes, willing myself to keep it together. “I'm here, Jake. With you.”

It took a second for her words to register.

“You mean...” My mouth fell open, and I'm sure I looked like an idiot.

“I left him, Jake. I said my peace, turned around, and walked away.” The same proud look was in her eyes
My arms were wrapped around her before she could say anything else, and her laughter filled the small room as I twirled her around.

“So you're mine.” It wasn't a question. She was mine, and I wasn't letting her go.

“I think I always have been.” Her eyes were still red and puffy, and her smile was still sad, but she was perfect to me.

And in that moment, everything changed. As I stared into her bloodshot eyes, her brown hair pulled back into a lose ponytail, her sweatshirt (my sweatshirt) two sizes too big, everything shifted.
Every part of me belonged to her.
“Bella... I...” There were no words to describe this moment. As I continued to look at her, her expression changed. The pain that had been there moments before was gone; the sadness that was in her eyes disappeared.
“Jacob...” Her eyes opened wide in recognition. “Did you just...” I felt the smile spread across my face as the realization of what just happened hit me. I nodded.
“It feels... different. Like... Nothing else matters now. Nothing except for you.” Her eyes were still wide, and her lips were turned up in a smile; a smile that didn't look sad anymore.
“I guess this is what it feels like then, isn't it?” I brought my head down, my lips inches away from hers.
“What what feels like?” Her breath was warm, and smelled faintly of apples.
“This is what it feels like to get the girl.”

Beta/015 Jacob Black/Bella Swan - Jealousy

kapers_in_pink — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:03:01 GMT

Title: Happy Ending
Author: kapers_in_pink
Rating: K+
Characters/Pairing: Jacob Black/Bella Swan
Word Count: 100
Summary: In reality, the vampire got everything I wanted.
AN: Cross posted to fandomwords100

In a perfect world, where monsters don't exist, I'd have my happy ending.

If it weren't for secrets and lies, mythical creatures and scary stories, life would have taken a natural course.

He would have died in 1918. And she would be mine.

It was the natural path our lives would have taken; we'd grow old together, have some kids, a little house with a white picket fence. We would die together.

But in reality, the vampire got everything I wanted, and I'm just the werewolf best friend in love with the vampires girl.

So much for my happy ending.

Beta/006: Jacob Black/Bella Swan - Tears

kapers_in_pink — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:41:21 GMT

Title: Romeo
Author: kapers_in_pink
Rating: K+
Characters/Pairing: Jacob Black/Bella Swan
Word Count: 518
Summary: Of course you're not too late. I'll always wait for you.
AN: Kinda fluffy... it's a companion piece to Paris. I just couldn't help myself :)

“Am I too late?” Her words came out in a rush, so quickly that I almost didn't understand her.

“Too late for what honey?” I had no idea what she was talking about. It had been a long day; hunting the red-haired bloodsucker, Harry's heart attack. All of that, combined with my lack of sleep, was making my brain run a little slow.

When I glanced up at her, my jaw almost dropped. She looked hopeful, and nervous, all at the same time. Her cheeks were slightly flushed. While the blush wasn't anything unusual, it was her eyes that caused me to stare. For the first time in months, her eyes were sparkling with emotion. They had returned to the beautiful chocolate brown I had missed; no longer dull and lifeless.

“For us.” It was almost a whisper, but I heard it as if she had shouted.

“Bells...?” I was confused. But I couldn't help the smile that was spreading across my face.

“I love you, Jacob Black. I think a part of me knew it all along, but... it took almost jumping off of a cliff for me to realize it. You were Paris. But now you're Romeo.” And she was laughing.

It was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard.

But I still had no idea what she was talking about. Paris? Romeo? Did she just say that she loved me?

“You almost did what? Bella, those cliffs are dangerous, especially in this weather! It's almost a hurricane out there.” I was angry at her for being up there by herself, for not waiting for me, but glad that she was smart enough to realize it was a stupid idea.

“I tell you that I love you, and you chastise me for almost jumping off a cliff?”

She had a point.

“Bells, honey, I knew all along that you loved me. But what's all this talk about Paris, and Romeo?”

“Romeo and Juliet. You know, Paris is the best friend. Except in the play, she dies for Romeo, leaving Paris all by himself. I can't stand the thought of you being alone, nor can I imagine life without you.”

Leave it to her to use a literary reference.

“So I'm not too late?” She looked at her feet, kicking a rock with the tip of her shoe. Her cheeks were still a faint pink, and she was biting her lower lip. Her hair was a mess, from the wind no doubt, and pieces of it were sticking to her damp cheeks.

She was beautiful.

And in that moment, I had to touch her; to kiss her. I took a quick step and pulled her into my chest. Her hands were warm on my already hot skin.

“Of course you're not too late. You know I'd always wait for you. It's always been you, and it'll always be you. I love you.”

“Jake...” She looked up at me, her brown eyes glistening with what I hoped were happy tears.

I didn't let her finish.

Beta/012: Jacob Black/Bella Swan - Love

kapers_in_pink — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:51:25 GMT

Title: Paris
Author: kapers_in_pink
Rating: K+
Characters/Pairings: Jacob Black/Bella Swan
Word Count: 272
Summary: Paris had become Romeo.

I loved him.
I loved Jacob Black.
The revelation hit me like a ton of bricks; like a freight train traveling at 100 mph down a steep hill.

I wonder if Juliet ever realized that she was in love with Paris. If she had, would she have still taken her own life?

I stared at the icy waters below; the wind was stinging my cheeks, the rain drilling into my skin like pins. Did I really need to do this? True, I wasn't trying to kill myself; I was only trying to be reckless and stupid, in an attempt to hear his voice. But did I really need to hear it anymore?

Was there a possibility that I could be whole again, that the hole in my chest could be healed?

Yes. There was.

Jacob could make me whole again; he could protect me.

I knew I had two choices. I could continue to chase after Edward; chase after a dream that I had long since woken up from. Or I could face reality. Face the reality that Jacob was here, and he wanted me. That he loved me, and he wouldn't leave me.
He didn't leave me when he was told that he had to. He didn't leave me when I told him that I would never be whole again. He didn't leave me when I told him I still loved Edward.

As I stared out over the ocean, I realized that my choice had already been made.

And as I turned my back on the waves that were crashing below, I realized that everything had changed.

Paris had become Romeo.

Beta/008: Jacob Black/Bella Swan - Pain

kapers_in_pink — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:36:08 GMT

Title: Pain
Author: kapers_in_pink
Rating: K+
Characters/Pairings: Jacob Black
Table/Prompt: Beta/Pain
Word Count: 100
Summary: This pain was greater then anything I'd ever felt.
Author's Notes: Cross posted to fandomwords100

Her words cut through me.
This pain was greater then anything I'd ever felt; including the first time I became this thing; this monster.
“It's always been him.”
For a moment, my heart stopped. She was rejecting me; again. Like she always will.
I should have ran away with her when I had the chance; before he came back. When she had told me that she wanted to; that she wanted me.
“I can't let you do this.” I couldn't let her die. I won't.
I couldn't let her lose her fire; her life. She can't die.

Beta, Jealousy- Edward/Bella

vichaus — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:52:35 GMT

Title: Taking Breaths to Stay
Author: Vichaus
Characters/Pairing: Edward/Bella, mentions (or suspicions) of Bella/Jacob
Rating: PG
Table/Prompt: Beta, Jealousy
Word Count: 735
Summary: It wasn’t just that Jacob’s wolf tendencies and bad temper was enough to put his dearest in danger, or Bella’s bad habit of falling into risky situations that scared him. It was that damned wolf’s lust after her that drove Edward to his envious, possessive tendencies.

Taking Breaths to Stay.

Author: Megans_Writing Claim: General Series Table: Gamma. Prompt: #2-Villain

mahmfic — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 03:40:55 GMT

Title: Asylum
Author: mahmfic
Rating: NC-17
Characters/Pairings: Carlisle/Alice
Table/Prompt: Gamma Table. #2-Villain
Word Count: 124
Summary: How can you tell who is the doctor and who is the patient in the insane asylum?
Author's Notes: Originally written for the 'sex' challenge at twilight100 and the 'blood' challenge at coven_100.

Author: Megans_Writing Claim: General Series Table: Gamma. Prompt: #4-Meaning

mahmfic — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:49:16 GMT

Title: Sex on the Beach
Author: mahmfic
Rating: NC-17
Characters/Pairings: Jacob/Bella
Table/Prompt: Gamma Table. #4-Meaning
Word Count: 111
Summary: Jacob and Bella are ready for the next step in their relationship.
Author's Notes: Originally written for the 'sex' challenge at twilight100 and the 'beach' challenge at pack_100.

Author: Megans_Writing Claim: General Series Table: Gamma. Prompt: #13-Temptation

mahmfic — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:52:58 GMT

Title: Bewilderment
Author: mahmfic
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Alice/Bella
Table/Prompt: Gamma Table. #13-Temptation
Word Count: 182
Summary: Alice is confused about the new girl.
Author's Notes: This is the sequel to Arrival. Originally written for the 'sex' challenge at twilight100.

o4 Meaning

halcyonics — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:23:14 GMT

Title: Every Saint Has A Past #4 Meaning
Author: halcyonics
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Jasper/Maria
Table/Prompt: gamma
Word Count: 1640
Summary: Jasper and Maria, old comrades by now, relax together after a fresh kill.
Author's Notes: Maria seems overly...nice...but that's only because this focuses on a very select timeframe in which she's relaxed and in a good mood. Other fics will demonstrate otherwise. I do not honestly believe that Jasper stayed with her for a good 80+ years in nothing but misery and death. This illustrates one of his more serene moments with Maria. There weren't many.

Translations for the Spanish are at the bottom of the page.

( Linky linky. )

Maria // The Man of La Mancha [ Hero ]

crinklefries — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:41:47 GMT

Title: The Man of La Mancha
Fanfiction.net: Here.
Author: crinklefries
Rating: G/PG
Characters/Pairings: Maria
Table/Prompt: Gamma/Hero
Word Count: 2,153
Summary: It was not Don Quixote, Sancho Panzo, nor her father who showed Maria that a human could be decent.
Author's Notes: The companion fic to this one-shot is to the theme Villain and it will be finished ... sometime. Soon. Probably. ~~Maybe~~.

[ But how could she lie when both the presence and absence of her own father showed her how very weak humans could be? ]

FF: Agony (1/1)

aerial312 — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 06:49:10 GMT

Title: Agony
Author: Aerial312
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairings: Alice/Jasper
Table/Prompt: Epsilon/Agony
Word Count: 1,870
Summary: The aftermath of Maria's visit to the Cullens in Calgary.
Timeline: Pre-Twlight, after they join the Cullens.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
I leaned against a tree on the edge of the forest. They were out of earshot, even of my keen hearing. I could certainly find them if I tried, but Jasper had specifically asked to be able to take care of the situation by himself. I was respecting that, for the time being.

My mind wandered as I stood motionless by my tree. Maria. It had always been a fear of mine that she'd track him down. Jasper had always been loathe to talk of his time with her. Even thinking about it caused him a great deal of pain.

I'd cobbled together a mental picture of her from what little he'd mentioned. She was not quite what I'd expected. Sure, she was beautiful, as all of our kind were. As I'd pictured, she had long, dark, wavy hair. I'd expected her to be tall and voluptuous, but in reality, she was only a few inches taller than me. She had curves, but she couldn't have been older than 15 or 16 when she was turned. Maria's eyes were a vivid red when she'd showed up on our doorstep an hour ago. The scent of fresh human blood had begun to waft down the street. She had massacred all of our nearest neighbors before knocking on our door.

Behind me, the house was aflutter with activity: the dance of moving on. There was no question that we had to leave quickly. I would give Jasper a little longer to deal with her in his own way before I joined him.

Jasper stood stiffly, his arms in a defensive posture across his chest. He looked at the brush at his feet. "What do you want, Maria?" His voice was icy.

"What do you think I want?" she purred, stepping in close and looking up at him.

He stepped back with a sharp movement. "You know that's not going to happen."

Without realizing it, I had advanced several hundred feet into the forest. As I stopped and refocused, I was mere inches from running into a large pine tree. Good to see that my vampire gracefulness was in effect even when I was not fully cognizant of it. I concentrated on my surroundings for a moment. I could barely hear the house anymore. The predominant sounds were the wind rustling through the trees, and the distant thunder of a coming storm. I still could not hear Jasper and Maria.

I bit my lip, resting my forehead on the coarse bark.

Maria stared at him, her bright red eyes unblinking. "Think about it—"

"There is nothing to think about."

Jasper retreated further, till he backed into a tree. In a split second, Maria was perched on a low branch, high enough to be just taller than him. She took his chin in her hand forcefully, and stared into his golden eyes. He held her gaze, jaw set hard.

"Look at what you've become," she laughed softly. "You used to be my most powerful soldier. Now look at you!"

She got no visible reaction out of him.

"There is more to life than war and power," he answered, his voice steady.

"But what fun is that?" she smiled, sliding her hand along his cheek.

He snapped his head away from her. "I was never happy in that life."

She ran her hands into his hair. "Are you happy now?"

I slammed my fist into the pine tree, as the vision cut out abruptly. The sap that now covered my hands barely registered. His happiness was always something I worried about. I knew he loved me, there was no doubt there. But whether he was truly happy in this lifestyle, it was hard to tell sometimes because he struggled so.

I tore quickly down the narrow path. After a few seconds, I paused and listened. I did not want to come barreling into their conversation. Jasper wanted to handle this, and unless I saw a sure sign that he wasn't going to be able to, I was going to let him.

"But what fun is that?" her voice was sickeningly sweet, something I hadn't noted in my vision.

I was glad to be within earshot now. There was a sudden movement of air, which I knew to be his head snapping away from her.

"I was never happy in that life." His voice was quiet, and at my distance, I could barely hear him.

I cringed, knowing that she was about to run her hands into his hair.

"Are you happy now?"

There was a rustling of foliage I guessed to be him moving away.

"Alice has taught me what happiness is."

I bit my lip, continuing to listen closely.

"I find it hard to believe that the Jasper I knew could be content to feed on animals." She emphasized the last word with contempt.

"I'm not the Jasper you knew then," he countered.

There was a pause. I heard her land softly on the ground below the tree. "No…no," she sighed. "Perhaps you're not." Her voice turned sharper. "But some things never change. Cannot change."

There was a tearing of fabric. I gasped softly, realizing immediately that she had torn his shirt to reveal the myriad of scars that he had received while in her service. I advanced along the path.

Maria continued. "You will always have the marks that show what you truly are."

I wished I was seeing this in my head instead of just hearing it. There was silence again as he took this in.

Maria pressed on. "What does your tiny little thing think of those horrible, vile marks? Your scars are evidence of a life that is so far from this quaint lifestyle that she has drawn you to."

Jasper took an audible deep breath. "Alice thinks they're beautiful," he answered simply.

A dull ache formed behind my eyes as he answered her. I had told him so for over a decade, but I never thought the message had gotten through. I had tiptoed close enough that I could just make them out in the distance.

Maria laughed scornfully. "Beautiful?"

"Beautiful," Jasper affirmed.

"Your mutilated skin could never be beautiful," she told him, venomously.

I focused my energy on sending him all the love I could. Jasper's eyes flicked briefly down the path to where I stood crouching beside a large rock.

He took a deep breath. "I would like for you to leave, Maria."

She put her hand on her hip, and looked unhappily up at him.

"Please leave my family alone," he continued.

"Family?" She couldn't help but scoff again.

"Family," he repeated, more forcefully this time.

She glared up at him. "You were always my favorite."

"You had a funny way of showing that," Jasper countered, staring straight at her as her ran his fingers over a distinct half-moon scar beside his bellybutton that he had once grudgingly told me she had inflicted.

She stared back at him, silent for a change. Her fists were clenched at her sides. Every muscle in her body was tense. She shuddered. "Stop that!"

"I asked politely the first time. That obviously did not get through. Please leave. And don't bother my family ever again," his voice was firm.

She glared at him for a moment longer, relaxing as he broke his gaze. With one final look back at him, she sprinted south into the forest. He stared after her, sinking to the ground at the base of the tree. He curled his knees to his chest, and laid his head upon them. It was a familiar position.

"Alice?" he called softly without raising his head.

I emerged from behind the large rock, and landed at his side. I knelt behind him.

"I'm sorry I didn't respect your request," I murmured quickly. "I was trying to be stealthy, though."

"She didn't note your presence," he told me. "I would have felt that."

"But you knew I was there."

"I always know when you're near me."

I smiled, wrapping my arms as far around his curled up form as I could. "You did a great job." My chin rested in the nook between his shoulder and his neck.

He sighed. "I wish you hadn't seen that at the end."

"She wasn't listening. You asked nicely."

"Still…"

"What did you make her feel?" I asked, curious.

He hesitated before he answered me. When he finally spoke, his voice was very quiet. "I made her feel some of the agony she's caused me over the years."

I squeezed him tightly. From what I knew, he'd seldom stood up to Maria, and even more infrequently would she back down.

"I'm so proud of you."

Jasper's eyes closed as he leaned back into my embrace. I slid the heel of my hand down the bare expanse of his chest.

He let his head fall against mine. "For what?"

"For getting her to leave without anymore of a scene. For standing up for yourself. For seeming to believe what I've told you for years…"

"I still think you're the only one who thinks my scars are beautiful."

"You believed it while you said it to her."

"I believe that you think so…"

"That’s a step," I smiled, kissing the side of his neck.

Jasper fell into silence. I kept my lips pressed to his cool skin.

"We have to get going soon," I told him.

"Once again, its my fault we have to move on," he sighed, bowing his head.

"It's not," I insisted.

"Alice…"

"Certainly not directly."

He remained silent, tucking his head between his knees.

"Jasper, you cut her out of your life over fifty years ago."

"I am her only connection to this family. It is my fault."

I sighed, pulling him firmly back into my arms. He unfurled, though remained tense.

"Don't dwell on it. Jasper, you stood up to her. You got her to leave fairly quickly."

He closed his eyes. "I played dirty."

"She played dirty," I insisted. "She'd massacred the Ewell's and the O'Brien's before she even knocked on our door. She was forcing a confrontation."

"She was pretty confident she'd win, at first," he told me softly.

"You proved her wrong. Over and over."

"I'd never really stood up to her before. Things were so different. Before." He turned and kissed my cheek. "Thank you."

"For what?" I captured his lips with mine.

"For following me, even though I'd asked you not to. Without all the love you were sending me…"

"You were doing pretty well before I was within range," I told him.

"Don't downplay it, Al," he insisted, standing up and pulling me with him. I wrapped my legs around his waist. "I needed you for that."

I kissed the nape of his neck. He sighed peacefully. It wasn't important to insist that his strength had come from himself. He had stood up to Maria, and wasn't nearly as distraught from the experience as he could have been.

"Ready to head back?" I asked.

He nodded, tensing a bit.

I squeezed him tightly. "We move on."

"Together."

"Of course," I grinned, kissing his jaw as he ran through the forest back to the house.

<><><><><><><><><><><><>
"Mirth cannot move a soul in agony.", Love's Labour's Lost

Author: Megans_Writing Claim: General Series Table: Gamma. Prompt: #6-Defination

mahmfic — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:05:37 GMT

Title: Vampire Myth
Author: mahmfic
Rating: G
Characters/Pairings: Edward/Bella
Table/Prompt: Gamma Table. #6-Defination
Word Count: 187
Summary: "It still shocks me that I still think of vampires in a cultural defination."
Author's Notes: Written for the 'glass' challenge at twilight100 and 'window' at edwardbella_100.

FF: Against Despairing Thoughts

aerial312 — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 04:04:55 GMT

Title: Against Despairing Thoughts
Author: Aerial312
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairings: Alice/Jasper
Table/Prompt: Epsilon/Lies
Word Count: 1,626
Summary: Jasper's first day of school.
Timeline: Pre-Twlight, twenty-five years after they join the Cullens.

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I paused at the door and watched Jasper for a moment. He stood at the far end of our room, staring absently at the full length mirror I had installed on the outside of the closet door just days earlier, when we'd moved in. His jaw was set; the corners of his mouth turned downward. His arms hung stiffly at his sides, his hands balled up tightly.

Jasper sat on the bed, head between his knees, with his arms curled over the top, as Edward and I departed in the car. He rocked back and forth, wrinkling the trousers that he had so carefully pressed.

I needed to draw him out. Jasper hated the mirror. It brought out all the self-loathing and disgust that he felt for this body, feelings that I tried so desperately to quell. Usually, he avoided looking in the mirror if he could. Right now, he just stared deep into it.

I bounced into the room, landing fluidly at his side. "You look sharp," I smiled.

His expression didn't change.

"Do you like my dress?" I spun. The dress was red, and A-line, so the ends swirled around me.

He looked down, finally, and nodded. "I liked it yesterday too, the first time you asked me." His gaze returned to the mirror.

I sighed. He'd seen right through my attempts at levity. I leaned my head against his arm, taking his hand in mine. He squeezed it gently. We both stared into the mirror for a while. To look at us, we couldn't be more different, what with our foot and a half height difference; his honey-blonde hair and my jet black. But we fit together so perfectly.

Jasper took my hand immediately as we got out of the car in front of the school. He took one last breath, his forehead creasing in frustration. He swallowed hard, clearing his mouth of the excess venom. I squeezed his hand reassuringly and tugged him forward.

"You're sure I don’t need a tie?" Jasper actively studied his outfit in the mirror for a moment.

He was wearing a plaid shirt, and chinos. It looked average enough. The long sleeves might look odd on such a warm, humid day, but even that wasn't very out of place.

"I'm sure," I smiled. "Boys don't wear ties to school anymore. I don't think Edward's worn a tie to school in ten years."

Jasper nodded, almost imperceptibly. I couldn't tell what he was feeling. That could be a good thing. It meant that he wasn't too far gone into his worry yet. Despite his best efforts not to, Jasper projected when his despair got too strong.

Jasper clenched his eyes shut. He sunk to the hardwood floor, swiftly curling into a ball with his head between his knees. I bit my lip, and reached out toward him, my hand hovering over his shoulder.

"You should go to school, Alice," he sighed, not looking up. "You hate to be late."

I kissed the top of his head firmly, hesitating before doing as he told me to.

I looked up at him. "Come on, let's get out of here."

I pulled his hand as I started toward the door.

"Al—" he tugged me back to him, wrapping his arms tightly around me. He nuzzled into my hair, inhaling deeply. "I don't know if I can do this."

I raked the heel of my hand up and down his back. "I know you can, I've seen it."

I'd seen many outcomes. In some, he did an amazing job. In others…I clenched my eyes shut. Right now, he was so nervous and unsure that I could barely see anything.

"I know you saw it. I just…you haven't always seen it ending positively, right? Even after that one that made you really happy yesterday, there were ones that upset you."

His embrace got tighter and tighter as he went on. I remained silent.

"Alice, please…" his voice was barely a whisper. "Please tell me the truth."

"No," I sighed. "They're not all positive."

He slumped a little, even as I said the words he'd been expecting.

"You're so unsure right now that I can't see much beyond whether or not you make it out of our room. Even that keeps changing. We'll get through this one decision at a time. Together," I added.

Together was our mantra. It was how we got through everything. And at school, apart from homeroom, we'd be in class together all day. With Emmett and Rosalie away on an extended honeymoon in Paris, Edward, Jasper and I would all be entering the school as sophomores with identical schedules. I was grateful that Carlisle had suggested it when Jasper had hinted that maybe next time he might try school. He needed the encouragement, as well as the checks and balances, that both Edward and I would provide.

"I want to be able to do this," he sighed. "I really do…"

"I know," I murmured into his chest, continuing to rub circles on the soft cotton on his back.

"It's time I was able to this. You've been going to school for twenty-five years now!" More and more distress crept into his voice with each word. "Maybe I'm just meant to fail at everything."

"Jasper…"

He started to sink to the floor, but I locked my arm around him like a vice grip and wouldn't let him. It startled him just enough. He blinked, looking down at me for a moment before closing his eyes. I pulled back a little to look up at him, reaching out to cup his cheek with my hand.

"Please, look at me," I asked him softly.

Jasper tensed, but obliged, locking his golden eyes on mine. He leaned slightly into my touch.

"You are a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for."

He scoffed.

"You are. Your eyes are the same beautiful amber as mine. You haven't slipped in five years." My thumb traced semi-circles on his smooth cheek.

"I think about it all the time. All the time, Al. It isn't getting any easier," he admitted.

This I knew already, from Edward. I had seen signs from Jasper, but this was the first time he'd said it out loud.

"But you're getting better at it," I smiled.

"Do you really think so, or are you just saying that?"

"I really think so," I answered automatically.

"Sometimes I can't tell. You're always so hopeful." He kissed the top of my head.

"I want you to do well, to be happy…I have to keep up that hope. I don't like to lie to you."

He nodded. "But you do lie sometimes?"

His tone was even, free of accusation. He just wanted to know. I nodded, biting my lip for a moment before explaining. It made sense to me, but would it to him?

"If I see something bad, I always tell you. You know that. With the hope that by you knowing, you might make a decision that changes things."

He nodded for me to continue.

"And that works, a lot of the time. You can be very determined."

"I don't like to upset you," he answered simply.

I hugged him tightly. "Then there are times when the future is unclear, where I can't see if something's going to fall positive or negative for you."

"Like today."

"Like today. I always go for the positive," I smiled.

"You have more faith in me that I do in myself," he sighed.

"Haven't I always?"

He nodded. "I've always loved that hope."

I grinned. Telling me that had been one of the first times that he'd said out loud that he loved me, some 27 years ago.

I released Jasper's hand as we walked up the front stairs of the high school. I paused at the top, turning to face him.

"Twenty minutes. That's all you have to get through by yourself."

He nodded.

"Your homeroom is on the way to English. I'll meet you right outside the door."

He nodded again.

"You can do this. I love you."

In an uncharacteristic show of public affection, Jasper bent down and kissed the top of my head before walking down the hall.

"So, I don't lie, per se…" I qualified. "I err on the side of that hope."

He was silent for a minute, stroking the side of my bare arm.

We climbed out of the car and let Edward enter the house ahead of us. Jasper sat on the front steps, staring straight ahead. I came to stand a step below him, and pulled his head to my chest.

"Breathe," I smiled, running my fingers through his hair. "You did it."

Jasper pulled me down onto his lap, and pressed his lips to the top of my head, inhaling deeply. I wrapped my arms around his waist.

"That was hard," he sighed, after a moment. "Any time I had to speak in class…when I had to breathe."

"You did it though. I'm so proud of you. And hopefully," I emphasized the word, earning me a soft chuckle, "Hopefully, you will start to get used to it."

He nodded, tightening his embrace.

"You're happy," Jasper noted. "What did you see?"

I smiled up at him. "You make it through the whole day. We'll talk about it on the front steps later."

The corners of his mouth turned up slightly. I raised myself up on my tiptoes to kiss him gently.

"It's going to be hard for you, when you have to speak in class. But you manage. You get through it."

"Keep reminding you that," Jasper told me, taking my hand and leading me to the door.

"All day. I'll be there."

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"Hope is a lover's staff; walk hence with that and manage it against despairing thoughts", Two Gentlemen of Verona, 3.1

Author: Megans_Writing Claim: General Series Table: Gamma. Prompt: #9-Boundaries

mahmfic — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:34:02 GMT

Title: Toothpaste Kisses
Author: mahmfic
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Jacob/Bella
Table/Prompt: Gamma Table. #9-Boundaries
Word Count: 168
Summary: Bella has some sharing issues.
Author's Notes: Written for the 'sharing' challenge at twilight100. Also counts toward 'boundaries' at twilight20. So if this is incohearent. I was staying up for inell to post the next chapter of her Kirk/Bones fic. And our mod demanded more drabbles, so I thought what the hell? Oh! Got the title from a song titled the same by The Maccabees. AAAAND this is my first time writing Jacob/Bella.

FF: The Light of Unity (1/1)

aerial312 — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:24:48 GMT

Title: The Light of Unity
Author: Aerial312
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairings: Alice/Jasper
Table/Prompt: Epsilon/Unity
Word Count: 2, 091
Summary: Alice and Jasper attend one of Rosalie and Emmett's many weddings.
Timeline: Pre-Twlight, a year or two after they join the Cullens.

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I smiled as I looked out at the small wedding reception bustling on the lawn below. This was the first wedding I had ever been a part of, or even been to for that matter, and I had a perverse fascination with it all. I had been determined to be the best maid of honor there was.

It was not the bride and groom's first wedding. Rosalie and Emmett had been married five times already, in the 15 years they'd been together. According to Edward, each ceremony was grander than the last. I couldn't imagine how they'd top this one. From start to finish, everything about the day was extravagant.

Rosalie looked stunning, of course, in a long-sleeved dress, nipped at the waist and flowing out into a full skirt with tier upon tier of lace and tulle. It was a grand, bold dress, very Rosalie. She flitted about now, chatting with our Alaskan guests, with Emmett on her arm. These very same guests, good friends of Carlisle's, had been to each of Rosalie and Emmett's weddings. I wondered at what point it got old.

Jasper sat on a lawn chair pulled to the side of the house. He had a book open on his lap, and he was reading at his usual quick pace, evidenced by the quick turning of the pages. Every now and then his eyes darted upward to see if anyone had noticed him being a recluse.

I smiled as I descended the deck stairs. Jasper had been on his best behavior all afternoon, a perfect gentleman through the church ceremony and the first few hours of the reception. I had been worried about the church in particular, as there were a fair number of humans present, but he sat calmly beside me the whole time, holding his breath.

Jasper had posed for the customary photographs beside the other men with a smile, albeit fake, plastered to his face. We'd even gotten one picture together. It wasn't our first, but it was our best. I'd said something to make him chuckle right as the man snapped the picture, and as a result Jasper had a huge, amazing, real smile. I checked right after the flash to make sure it came out as I had foreseen, and my vision confirmed that it was beautiful.

I reached the corner of the house, and peered around it. Jasper sat on a lawn chair pulled to the side of the house. He had a book open on his lap, and he was reading at his usual quick pace, evidenced by the quick turning of the pages. Every now and then his eyes darted upward to see if anyone had noticed him being a recluse. His gaze caught mine, and he smiled impishly.

I grinned and flitted over to his side.

He pulled me onto his lap. "You caught me."

"I did."

He tipped his head to whisper in my ear. "I couldn't take much more of that."

I laughed, kissing his chin. "I didn't realize that these things were so long."

"I thought it was just me," he sighed, resting his cheek in my hair.

I laid my head against his starched white shirt, and wrapped my arms around his waist. His hand slid up the shiny taffeta of my dress to rest on the bare expanse of skin on my upper back. I curled my knees up, and Jasper smoothed my skirt down, making sure it covered where it needed to, and letting his hand linger on my knee.

"You look beautiful today," he murmured.

"You've told me that 20 times."

"Then it's all the more true."

I laughed, pleased that despite the formal proceedings of the day, he was in a particularly good mood.

"You're happy," he noted, tracing his fingers along the bony protrusions of my neck. His touch was feather light and it made me shiver.

"So are you," I purred into his chest, laying my hand over his still heart.

"I've got the lady I love on my lap."

I tightened my embrace. He kissed the top of my head. We sat in silence for a few minutes.

"Don't feel like you have to stay here with me if you want to be part of the party," he told me.

"Is that your way of saying you'd rather read?"

"No," he chuckled. "I always like your company."

"I'm happy here right now." I ran the heel of my hand up the front of his shirt to rest on his pec.

We stood beneath the canopy of party lights, swaying back and forth. The moon was shining down from a crystal clear sky. My head was pressed to Jasper's chest, my right hand wrapped around his hips, with my thumb slung casually through his back, center belt loop. One of his hands cupped my head, fingers threaded into my hair. The other was around my waist. In my left hand, I played with a single yellow buttercup, wound between my fingers.

"Now you're really happy," Jasper sighed, brushing the ridge of my ear with his thumb. It was another feather light touch, the kind he knew drove me crazy. I moaned softly.

"We're going to dance later," I told him.

The tips of his fingers trailed down the side of my neck.

"If we make it that long…" I murmured.

Jasper carried me up the stairs cradled in his arms. I kissed a trail along his jaw line, landing on his lips as he opened the door to our room. I sucked his lower lip, nipping lightly as he carried me over to the bed. From the window the sounds of the party below could be heard.

"We're not going to make it that long," I declared.

"Don't we have to see the bride and groom off?" Jasper laughed.

I growled, and slid my fingers into the gap between the buttons on his shirt to graze his cold, marble skin. He groaned softly, deep in his chest, before taking my hand in his and pulling it away. He kissed my head again, and scooted to sit up a bit more. For my part, I burrowed deeper into his chest.

"You did so good today," I told him, grasping his hand in mine. "With all those people at the church."

"It was hard," he sighed. "Before you and Rosalie and Esme came in."

I smiled. Frequently Jasper used me to ground himself when things were hard for him.

"And once we were in?"

His thumb brushed my bare shoulder. "Much easier. Have I told you how beautiful you look today?"

"Only a few dozen times." I squeezed his hand playfully.

He leaned down to kiss my forehead, and I tipped my head up, so that our lips met. It started out chastely, closed lipped, but quickly intensified.

Jasper carried me up the stairs in his arms. I kissed a trail along his jaw line, landing on his lips as he opened the door to our room. I sucked on his lower lip, nipping lightly as he carried me over to the bed. The moon shone in through the open window. The party below had dispersed, so that the only sounds were the chirping crickets and the low hum of the party lights.

Jasper's lips were pressed to my forehead as I refocused. "Another good one?" he smirked.

"Same great one as last time…different time frame."

"So now we make it through the party like good guests?" he guessed.

I nodded, closing my eyes as he ran his fingers through my hair. I had tried to tame my hair into elegant curls, and wore a beautiful clip that Esme had lent me. The clip remained, but my hair had long since taken on its usual character of unruly spikes. I sighed.

"What wrong?" Jasper asked, in a tone that belied that he knew it was something silly. Had he thought that anything was actually wrong, he would have been much more concerned.

"My hair is a mess."

He scratched my scalp as he chuckled. "Your hair is beautiful, like usual." He sat me up to face him. "It has a lot of personality, just like you." He tugged a few buttercups out of the lawn, and slid one into my hair, at the clip. I giggled, and tucked one into his boutonnière.

We walked back to the party tent hand in hand, little yellow specks of yellow standing in sharp contrast to their surroundings: in my black hair, beside the red rose of Jasper's boutonnière, and against my milky white fingers. I skipped ahead, as we headed to the dance floor, and he tugged my hand, twirling me back to him.

Jasper twisted a buttercup around in his hand. "Did you enjoy the festivities today?" he asked.

"I did," I smiled.

"I could tell."

"It was my first one."

"Which is kind of ironic, because it's not their first," he chuckled. "I don't understand that, their need to get married over and over."

"Rosalie just likes to have a party."

He scoffed. "It just cheapens the whole thing."

"This really bothers you," I noted.

"I think that if you're going to go to all that trouble, it should mean something. It means something for Carlisle and Esme…"

I nodded, wondering if he was going to elaborate. He was getting rather heated up about it, but he fell silent. I knelt up and pressed my forehead to his, closing my eyes.

After a moment, I sighed. "We should go back to the party."

Jasper's fingers slid up mine, finally grasping my hand, drawing it up to his mouth to kiss it.

We walked back to the party tent hand in hand, little yellow specks of yellow standing in sharp contrasts to their surroundings: in my black hair, beside the red rose of Jasper's boutonnière, and against my milky white fingers. I skipped ahead, as we headed to the dance floor, and he tugged my hand, twirling me back to him.

I scowled. I'd already seen that.

"I suppose you just saw what's coming," he sighed. His voice was soft, teasing.

My eyes snapped open, confused.

"You didn't?"

I gave him a curious look. What was he up to? He took a deep breath, and held up our joined hands. He looked down at them, and my gaze followed. The pieces started to fall into place—I had seen it, I just didn't know what I was seeing.

"Will you marry me?" his voice was still soft, but completely serious now.

I looked up at him, my throat tight, a dull ache behind my eyes. I nodded furiously, with my lips pursed together. I knew my voice would crack if I tried to speak. Jasper smiled, pulling me tightly into his arms. I let my head rest against his temple, as he rubbed little circles on my upper back.

"Did I really surprise you, or did you just pretend?"

I laughed, and pulled back to look at him. I held my hand up in front of his face. The vivid, little, yellow butter cup that was looped around my left ring finger stood out against my pale skin.

"I've seen that flower on my hand all afternoon. I didn't realize what it was," I laughed. "You only just decided."

Jasper nodded, his head bowed. He kissed my forehead. "We'll pick out a real ring."

"I'm rather fond of the flower," I giggled.

"Sadly, the flower won't live forever, like we will." He kissed me again. "We can get a yellow stone."

"I would like that." I settled into his embrace, laying my head in the crook of his neck. "Maybe a necklace," I suggested. "That way I can wear it to school."

"Whatever you want," he laughed, kissing the top of my head. "I want to make you happy."

"Don't feel like you have to do this," I whispered. I would love to have a wedding, but ultimately, my love for Jasper would be the same, wedding or not.

"I want to. I definitely want to. Once."

I smiled. "Once is plenty."

Jasper stood, pulling me with him. We walked back to the party tent hand in hand, little yellow specks of yellow standing in sharp contrasts to their surroundings: in my black hair, beside the red rose of Jasper's boutonnière, and against my milky white fingers. I skipped ahead, as we headed to the dance floor, and he tugged my hand, twirling me back to him.

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" So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.", Baha'u'llah

FF: By Fearing to Attempt (1/1)

aerial312 — Mon, 25 May 2009 05:29:41 GMT

Title: By Fearing to Attempt (1/1)
Author: Aerial312
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairings: Alice/Jasper
Table/Prompt: Epsilon/Survival
Word Count: 2, 046
Summary: Alice takes Jasper hunting for the first time.
Timeline: Two days after Alice and Jasper meet in Philadelphia.

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I squeezed Jasper's hand as we walked along the worn, muddy path through the towering pines . In his other hand he carried my tattered suitcase. I was perfectly able to carry it myself—as I had for the last 28 years—but he had insisted. After faring for myself for so long, to have someone who was looking out for me was sweet and strange at the same time.

Pine needles crunched beneath his heavy, well-worn boots. We were walking at a leisurely pace, having only covered 10 miles in an hour. I liked to move slowly when I set out to hunt, it gave time for my visions to tell me exactly where to find my meal.

He hadn't said a word since we'd left the hotel. I was content to let him have his silence. He wasn't so sure about hunting animals, I could tell, even though he hadn't said as much.

A herd of deer grazed in the thick fog of the clearing. There were three of them, all medium sized females. We were nearly silent in our approach, pausing beside a towering birch tree.

"Can you smell them?" I asked.

Jasper nodded once, his eyes black as pitch as he stared at the animals.

His hand lingered on my shoulder as I refocused. I had stopped moving when the vision hit. His hand slid back down into mine as I smiled up at him.

"Sorry," I laughed, glancing around us. The giant tree was some hundred feet ahead of us down the right fork of the path. "This way," I pointed.

Jasper nodded wordlessly, and let me tug him down the path. As we approached, the verdant pasture beyond came into sight. A herd of deer grazed in the thick fog of the clearing. There were three of them, all medium sized females. We were nearly silent in our approach, pausing beside a towering birch tree.

"Can you smell them?" I asked.

Jasper nodded once, his eyes black as pitch as he stared at the animals.

"Let that guide you," I told him. "Meet me back here when you're done."

He set down the suitcase, at the base of the tree. I released his hand as we raced towards our prey. I caught my prey quickly, on the edge of the forest, draining her right where she fell. In my peripheral vision I watched Jasper drag his into the brush. I had figured that he wouldn't be comfortable feeding in front of me yet, which is why I had instructed him where to meet back up with me when he was through.

The doe lying in front of me was more than I needed, and after a minute I'd had my fill. Usually, I could completely drain a deer. It was the perfect size for me, while moose and bears were way too much. I had fed just days before Jasper and I met, though, and I usually only needed to feed every two weeks or so. Unable to drain this one completely, I walked back to the birch tree very full.

Jasper stood, contemplating the now bloodless animal. He stared down at it for a long moment, standing statue still. A rustling behind him drew his attention up. Grazing on the edge of the field was a huge buck. Jasper inhaled deeply, taking in its rich scent, and pounced.

I sat on a large lower branch of the tree, leaning against the trunk, as I waited for him to return. I was glad to see that Jasper had found hunting animals to be easy, at least in the physical sense. His instincts had taken over.

Jasper pulled back from the lifeless buck. He went to wipe his hands on his jeans, but stopped himself. He looked anxiously down at them, clenching and unclenching them. They were covered with a thin layer of blood and fur. His eyes darted frantically around, finally spotting a small puddle at the base of a maple tree. Kneeling beside the tree, Jasper immersed his hands. The pool of water quickly turned pink as he rubbed them clean.

I bit my lip. I hated seeing him in so much pain, even though it was already a common occurrence. Jasper's pain ran deep. Much deeper than I'd realized in the visions. Even that little amount of blood had made him very anxious. I was pretty sure he didn't want me to see his hands covered in blood, regardless of its source.

Jasper walked back across the clearing. He paused suddenly, inhaling sharply as his eyes quickly darted around him. He inhaled again, zeroing in on the source: my half drained doe.

I stood on the branch of the tree, staring out at the field. Jasper had yet to appear from the trees at the far end. After a few more minutes I saw his form emerge from the brush, looking toward the giant birch. His eyes locked on me as he strode forward. I wondered if this would change my vision of him finishing off my deer. I hoped it wouldn't, as he seemed like he could use to feed a bit more.

Jasper walked back across the clearing. He paused suddenly, inhaling sharply as his eyes quickly darted around him. He inhaled again, zeroing in on the source: my half drained doe. Jasper started swiftly toward my deer, then stopped abruptly, looking back up at me, his brow furrowed. I was about to derail this.

I quickly turned away and sat down, hoping that Jasper would calm down enough to allow himself this nourishment. I did not want to be the cause of him not having enough. He clearly wanted to finish off the deer, and he was ashamed at the though of me watching.

Jasper kept his eyes trained on the birch tree as he approached the carcass, to make sure I hadn't turned back around. With one final glance up, he sunk his teeth into the side of the dead animal.

I suddenly felt bad that I had watched him feed on the three deer, in my mind, despite his discomfort. But I wasn't good at controlling what I saw in my visions. Jasper was important to me, and so my messed up brain showed me a lot of Jasper whether it was something I wanted to see or not. I leaned my head against the white bark and sketched a deer into the wood with my fingernail. I concentrated fully on my drawing, carefully adding detail. No further visions came for the next few minutes.

Leaves crunching below drew me out of my drawing. Jasper stood leaning against the trunk of the tree, staring up at me softly. His face was on level with my knees. The tension that marked his face earlier during our walk into the forest was gone, and the deep purple circles under his eyes had faded considerably. The eyes themselves were bright now, brighter than I'd ever seen them—a vivid red, perhaps with a slight tinge of yellow. Or maybe I was just hoping for that.

"How was your meal?" I asked cheerfully.

"Better than I was expecting," he told me honestly.

"Are you still thirsty?" I asked, cupping his cheek.

He shrugged and turned away.

"I can find more animals," I offered.

"I already had two," he sighed. "Plus your leftovers."

"So?" I challenged, playfully.

"You didn't even need to finish one," he muttered.

"I'm half your size," I laughed, wrapping my legs around his shoulders.

He chuckled in spite of himself, as he contemplated this.

"And, I had just fed a few days before we met," I added. "Your eyes were very black. It had been a while, yeah?"

He nodded, studying the ground below. "I was trying to go as long as possible between…" His arms wrapped around my legs as he raked his hands into his hair, an anxious habit of his.

I leaned over and kissed the top of his head. He had told me before that he experienced the terror and pain of his victims right along with them. It made sense that he pushed himself as long as he could go.

A thought occurred to me. "Could you feel the deer?"

He turned slowly, looking up. "No…I couldn't." His tone was curious. "That hadn't even occurred to me at the time. I was just so thirsty…but no, I couldn't feel them."

"That's good," I beamed.

"It is." His voice was distant. He was processing this all.

I ran my fingers into his hair. My knees were still hooked over his shoulders, and he laid his cheek on my jean-covered thigh. It was a rather intimate position. With the top of my foot I traced a wide arch on his back, and he sighed contentedly.

A black bear stood in the narrow creek, beside a fallen tree, its large paw batting the water in pursuit of a fish.

"What are you so happy about?" Jasper asked, tilting his head to look up at me without removing it from my thigh.

I smiled. "How would you like to try a bear?"

He scowled and pulled away from the embrace of my calves, head bowed. I drew my knees up to my chest. I was still learning not to take this kind of physical withdrawal personally.

"Jasper, you're still thirsty. You know that. I know that. Just have as many as you need. Regardless of how many that is."

"What if its never enough? What if animals never are enough to sate me? Maybe I've just been a monster for me to be able to do this." He sunk onto his haunches at the bottom of the tree.

I quickly leapt down and sat beside him, keeping my hands to myself for the time being. "I've seen your eyes change," I told him softly. "I told you that."

He looked at me suddenly, the timbre of his voice rising with each word. "But your visions can't see if it's ever really enough. Maybe I just do it for…" He buried his head in his knees once again.

'For you' seemed to be what he was about to say. I bit my lip. He was right. I would never really know through my visions. I hoped he would trust me enough to tell me. I didn't like to think that he'd put himself through agony, in silence, for my sake. I knew his eyes would change, eventually. How long it took, and at what cost, was not apparent.

Jasper leapt at the bear, landing on its back. He and the large creature tumbled into the creek. It took a few minutes, but he drained the animal. He sloshed out of the water, and padded over to where I sat on a large, flat rock.

He kissed the top of my head as he settled down behind me. "I think I'm finally fully," he told me, pulling me back against his chest. "I like bears."

I giggled, and turned to kiss him.

When I refocused, Jasper was looking at me. He took my hand between his. "You're hopeful again."

I nodded. "Always."

"You were upset before that."

"So were you."

His fingers slid along my cheek into my hair, his voice thick with worry. "I don't like to upset you."

"I know." I knelt up and wrapped me arms around his neck.

His arms closed around my back, and he held me silently for a long while. Finally he spoke. "How long have you survived on just animals?"

"Twenty-eight years."

"Does it always satisfy you?"

"No, it's not always as satisfying, but I can't stomach the alternative. I just can't. So this is how I survive."

The heel of his hand kneaded a circle on my back, as he pondered this in silence.

"I want you to try," I told him. "If it doesn't work for you…we'll figure it out."

I wanted it to work out for him. I wanted that desperately. But more than that, even after just two days, I needed him. And for that I'd figure anything out.

Jasper stood, pulling me up at the same time. He squeezed my waist tightly, before depositing me on the ground. "Where's that bear?"

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Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt., Measure for Measure, 1.4