empathy

FIVE

"I don't know what you want me to do," Anastasia drops her hands in annoyance as she looks at Jasper, who is watching her from a few steps away.

"I want you to let go," he repeats, her eyes narrowing at that. "I want you to let go," she mocks him, looking up at him when he speeds in front of her. "Don't do that," he warns slightly.

"Don't say stupid things," she counters. "Letting go isn't stupid."

"Yeah, it is." Jasper narrows his eyes at her when she rolls her eyes at him, but she simply offers him a challenging look in return. "What? Don't like me having an attitude?" she grins before tilting her head.

"Here's an idea, just let it go."

To be fair, neither one of them is in the best mood. They've been training all morning, or at least they're attempting to train. 

After taking a few days to settle in, Jasper thought it was a good idea to start to look into her gift and as curious as she was, she was stupid enough to agree. 

Jasper looks at her hands, the tiniest of dark fogs swirling around them and a slight smirk dances on his lips. 

"Now, now. We don't wanna get cocky, do we?"

Anastasia has gotten used to his disapproval of her attitude towards him, it's how he was raised and it's what stuck after he turned. She could respect that, although she wasn't always a fan. She's simply gotten used to it. 

It's only when she's mad that she absolutely can't stand it. It makes her furious, murderous even.

And really, he should've seen it sooner. Her outbursts only happened during actual emotional outbursts. Whether it be sadness, anger or whatever else. 

Clenching her hands to fists, she closes her eyes for a short moment before simply turning around, going to walk away. She doesn't want to lash out. Not at him.

Never at him.

"What? Are you walking, now? I would've thought that to be beneath you,"

Twirling around to look at him, she is too angry to see through his most obvious lie. Or maybe she's too hurt, she isn't sure.

And also it pains Jasper greatly to spill these words at her, he'd rather be it himself than anyone else. Because he knows for sure he doesn't mean it and he will be able to make up for it, he hopes she will be able to listen to him once she sees clearly enough again.

But he's afraid she'll end up killing anyone else, who comes at her. He is not sure whether she's be able to fight through that.

Looking down at her hands, he smiles softly, seeing her fists covered completely in the black mist that is working its way up her arms. It's much more controlled than usual, probably because she is holding on to her emotions rather than letting them out in a rush.

"You're doing it."

Following his line of view, she raises her hands, looking at the darkness around it. It's the first time she can feel it, or at least she can't remember feeling it before.

It's weird. Warm, mostly, but a hint of coldness is swirling within it. Not the physical kind of cold, the type that comes with danger, the type that lives in your hand. It's comforting and safe.

Watching it disappear almost completely until it's merely covering the lengths of her fingers, she moves them around, fascinated by the way it seems to follow her movements. Like a shadow, a ghost trailing after them.

Jasper speeds next to her, his hand resting on the small of her back as he kisses her temple. 

"I'm proud of you, darlin'. And I'm sorry," he whispers, his forehead leaning against the side of her head. "I did not mean what I said, but it seems your gift works with emotions. Riling you up seemed to be the easiest option. I apologize."

Anastasia brushes the tips of her fingers against her palm, the mist disappearing and she turns in his arms, closing her eyes as she rests her forehead against his.

"I love you."

Smiling at those words and the fondness they're spoken with, Jasper holds her face, kissing the top of her head before pulling away. 

"I love you, too."

"Do you remember the feeling you had when the mist appeared?" he asks her gently. "I think so, why?" "I think it might be your trigger. You won't need it forever, but it will help you get used to your gift, help you train and handle it."

Looking down at her hands, she holds them in between them, trying her best to recall the feeling and for a moment it's like flickering lights. Dark spots appear and disappear until the mist is once again covering her hands.

Jasper looks down as well, his hand leaving her waist to hold one of hers, smiling as the darkness creeps around his as well, almost hesitant to do so. 

"You are truly remarkable, my darlin'."