Jasper x Fem! Reader (NOT FINISHED, but enjoy as is ✨)

Chapter 22: The Party Planning

*time skip brought to you by radio music*

Once you, your mom, Kehlani, Jasper, Millie, and Storm made it to Party City, you all piled out of the car. Your mom drove, of course, and you sat in the passenger seat beside her. Kehlani, Jasper, and Millie sat in the back. You were kind of worried that they all wouldn't fit back there since Millie had to have a car seat, and Jasper wanted to sit in the middle because of leg-room purposes. Kehlani seemed fine overall, probably because she was squished up against the gem. You chuckled quietly to yourself as you closed your door, waiting for your mom to come around the car. You handed her, her bag that was carrying Storm, and she put the straps over her shoulder, scratching the kitten's ears for a short moment. "What are we getting out of here, Mom," you asked, walking beside her.
"Oh, nothing. Just the basics." You hummed in response, looking to your left to see Jasper with Millie on her shoulders.
"You aren't scared all the way up there, Millie?" The little girl shook her head with a giggle, hugging Jasper's neck. You smiled softly at her actions, turning your head to face in front of you again as the four of you crossed the street. Your mom pulled the door open to the store, holding it open for you. You did the same for Kehlani and her for Jasper until you all were inside.
"I didn't think it would be this spacious in here," Jasper said quietly, handing Millie to you. You rested the toddler on your waist, looking around at all the different decorations and Fourth of July-themed stuff.
"Yeah...I say we split up! Whatever you find cute, bring it back here, and we'll see what we want to get," your mom suggested. You nodded, already eyeing where you wanted to go. Millie was looking in the same direction impatiently, bouncing in your arms.
"Millie and I call balloons!" Your mom chuckled, adjusting Storm on her shoulder.
"Alright. I'll be with Storm. Jasper and Kehlani, you two can either go together or split up. It's up to you."
"Yeah, I'll go with her," Jasper said with a shrug. "But one question before we go...where exactly are you having the party, Daia?"
"Oh, I'm going to rent out a park for the afternoon and then a studio for the night. We're going to grill at the park, and there'll be plenty of space for the kids to run around and for the parents to get a little tipsy," she finished with a whisper, nudging Jasper's arm. The gem chuckled, putting her hands in her pockets casually. "Okay, scatter!" You immediately took off into a speed walk in the direction of the balloons. Millie giggled, holding onto your shirt.

Jasper's POV

I turned to my right, going into a random aisle since I really didn't know much about this holiday or decorations. I knew Kehlani was right behind me, so I decided to use her as a means for information. And to ask her that question (y/n) and I talked about earlier. "I'm going, to be honest with you right now...I know nothing about decorating," I said as I turned towards her. She looked surprised at first, her brown eyes widening, slightly before she laughed lightly.
"Yeah, me either. The only thing I ever really do for the Fourth of July is grill and watch the fireworks. It's a kinda boring holiday." I chuckled in response, nodding slowly.
"So...you and (y/n) have been friends since college? How come you never stayed in touch?" Kehlani sighed, picking up a few small flags from the shelf.
"Work. And life. I planned to stay in contact, but it kinda didn't work out that way. Besides, she got her a new best friend to keep her company while I couldn't," she said with a giggle. I smiled softly, grabbing a few things off of the shelves as well.
"I wouldn't say we're best friends. We've only known each other for a little while. A much shorter time than the two of you did."
"Maybe, but the two of you seem so comfortable around each other...even though you haven't been friends for very long," she said with a sigh, looking up at me. I shrugged, a light blush appearing on my face. There was silence between us for a moment before I was about to speak again until the sound of someone quietly cursing distracted me. A small woman was at the end of the aisle on her tippy-toes, attempting to reach for an item high up on the shelf. Kehlani and I shared a muffled laugh before I walked up to her, my shadow covering her body.
"Do you need help," I asked as she looked up at me, her mouth slightly open. She nodded slowly, and I pointed at the item she was reaching for, asking her if it was what she wanted. She nodded again, and I handed it to her before she quickly thanked me, scurrying away and out of the aisle.
"You make a lot of people nervous, don't you, Jasper," Kehlani mused, running her fingers against the metal shelving.
"Including you too, right," I asked, standing at the end of the aisle with my hands resting on my head. Kehlani sputtered, averting her eyes away from mine. I knew she was blushing even though it wasn't as noticeable over her chestnut-brown skin. I grinned, taking my right hand from my head. I ushered her over with my index finger, to which she walked towards me slowly. "Why is that," I asked, leaning over slightly so that I was face to face with her. She looked up at me and then away again, and I put my finger under her chin, forcing her to make eye contact. I wanted to make sure she couldn't lie, and I would know if she did or not by looking into her eyes. "You were so confident when I first met you...what happened?"
"I—you was just so intimidating. I figured that if I was confident...or if I at least acted that way th-there would be a better chance that you'd...like me too," she finished softly, looking away again.
"You know you have (y/n) worried with that sudden change in your demeanor," I stated, straightening my posture.
"Wh-What? (Y/n) is the reason you asked me that question?"
"If I'm being honest, yes. But I was also curious about the sudden change. Towards me and towards her. What's up with that?"
"What do you mean," Kehlani asked, focusing her attention on something else as she walked around me into another aisle.
"You're being extremely nice to her all of a sudden now. Well, nicer than before," I said, following her.
"I've always been nice to her. She's my best friend," she said with a shrug. I rolled my eyes, moving to stand in front of her.
"Kehlani, do not lie to me. You and I both know that you've been more or less passive-aggressive towards her since I met you. All I want to know is why you've been acting that way, and then I'll leave you alone. Hell, maybe if you act more like yourself, I might even like you a little more," I said sarcastically. Kehlani didn't seem to take notice of that sarcasm, though, as her eyes widened slightly in excitement. I have to say that I admire that 'won't stop' attitude...but when is she gonna take the hint?
"O-Okay, fine. I—was jealous or...I still am jealous of the two of you. I would do anything to have what the two of you have, I just—," Kehlani said, pausing to rest her hands on my stomach, looking up at me.
"So, what you're saying to me is," I said slowly, snaking my arms around her waist, "is that you would tear your own friend down...just to get what you want? Which is me, right?" Kehlani nodded, and I scoffed, shaking my head as I chuckled. "I was right. I knew I wasn't crazy when I told myself that your vibe was off." I then pushed myself away from her, shoving my hands in my pockets. Kehlani's expression was a mixture of confusion, hurt, and a little bit of fear. "I'm going to let you know something I should have a while ago...I don't care who or what you are...I will protect her from anything and everything that threatens to hurt her. Even if she considers you her best friend...and even if it's me, I have to protect her from," I said bitterly, leaning closer to her. "Now, it doesn't concern me how you act around me or what you say or do to me. But her? You better watch it, or we will have some problems. Do I make myself clear," I asked, baring my teeth. Kehlani nodded quickly, her breathing uneven.
"Jasper!" I turned my head sharply upon hearing Millie's sweet voice. She was giggling, the sound of her little feet hitting the tiled floor quickly as if she was running. "Mommy! Jasper," she called as she saw us, her head full of brown curls bouncing with her movements. (Y/n) was following after her, walking with short quick steps.
"I'm gonna get you," she said, laughing as Millie screamed in delight. I chuckled, my sour mood disappearing as the little girl ran up to me. I kneeled down, scooping her up in my arms as she laughed loudly, curling her legs up as (y/n) grabbed at them. She tickled the toddler, kissing her cheeks and neck before letting her go. "That's no fair, Millie! You can't run to Jasper for safety!"
"Yeah, huh! Jasper is big and strong, so she protect me," Millie said as she wrapped her arms around my neck, sticking her tongue out at (y/n). I smiled softly at the little girl's words, ruffling her hair. (Y/n) stuck her tongue out a Millie in return before poking at her side, causing her to shriek again.
"You guys find anything," (y/n) asked, wrapping her arms around Kehlani's neck in a hug. Kehlani returned the favor, squeezing her best friend's waist. (Y/n) smiled, pressing her cheek to the other woman's.
"Not really, but we got to know each other better. So that's always good," I said with a smile. "Right, Kehlani?"
"Yeah," Kehlani said with an all too believable giggle. (Y/n) gasped, shaking her best friend.
"I'm glad you two are getting along."
"Me too," Kehlani and I said at the same time, practically sealing the lie for good.

*time skip brought to you by food*

I stretched, yawning as I walked behind (y/n), Kehlani beside me holding Millie, and Daia at the head of the group with Storm. We had just come out of a restaurant after a day filled with going in and out of stores. I looked up at the dark sky, sighing as I stared at the grouping of stars I knew Homeworld was just beyond. "You okay, Jasper," (y/n) asked, slowing her walking speed until she was next to me.
"Yeah...just thinking about...home," I said, ending the sentence in the form of a question half-heartedly. I guess. She nodded, looking down at her shoes. I smiled softly, draping my arm over her shoulders as I pulled her into me. "Aww, don't look so sad...I won't be leaving you any time soon."
"Great," she said sarcastically, laughing afterward. I chuckled, pulling her in front of me as I laid my head in the crook of her neck, my arms wrapped around her waist. I blushed at my actions, walking slowly to put some distance between us and the rest of our group.
"I'm serious...," I mumbled, my lips moving against her neck. I heard her gasp quietly, before she leaned back into me, a warm smile adorning her plump lips.
"I'm going to hold you to that then." I laughed, closing my eyes for a moment to appreciate the warmth radiating off of her body, her scent, and the sound of her heart.
"A soldier's promise," I whispered, tightening my arms around her waist as we continued down the parking lot. She giggled softly, interlocking her pinky with mine.
"A soldier's promise," she repeated, her hand lingering in mine as we reached the car. We all filed into our respective seats, and Daia started the car, pulling out of the dark parking lot a moment later. Home really is where the heart is...isn't it?