Jasper twitched in his seat in the living room, it was nearly 10 and he would be leaving to see Harry soon.
They had an important conversation to have.
The next big step for them, the final big secret that they had been tiptoeing around.
Well, 'the final secret' if you ignored his history as a blood thirsty tyrant who ran the whole of Mexico and most of southern America under the thumb of a psychotic bitch who he had thought he was in love with.
He grimaced at the idea of revealing himself, his true self, to Harry.
Harry was just a boy, a wizard apparently, but still just a boy.
He had power, Jasper had seen that, but that didn't mean much to Jasper. He wondered if other wizards saw Harry's abilities, would they be impressed? Or just coo at the boys attempts?
Harry still seemed so delicate, so fragile, to Jasper. Regardless of his standing when it came to wizard talent, he was just a boy and he was Jasper's.
Jasper just hoped he would accept him.
He glanced at the clock, it was time.
He ran through the forest, too anxious to drive and then slowed to a human stroll before rejoining the footpath out of the forest and into town.
Jasper took a deep breathe in, sighing in content when he smelt Harry's lingering scent leading to a slightly warn looking house.
It was a decent size, two levels probably at least 3 bedrooms if Jasper's experienced eye could tell. It was unpainted, with natural warm toned wood panelling and forest green window frames. the door matched the windows and seemed bigger than necessary.
Jasper couldn't help but look in through the windows, he expected to see a living room or kitchen but instead he was met with a haziness that made him dizzy. He was seeing the windows but his brain couldn't comprehend what it was seeing inside.
He was about to frown and move closer when the haziness shimmered and vanished, the house warmed slightly looking more loved and lived in than before.
Harry seemed to materialize onto the front porch and Jasper wondered if he'd been there the whole time but Jasper would've noticed his mate stood 3 feet away from him.
He examined Harry carefully, mouth drying a little at the sight of his exposed collarbones. Curious to see another home knitted jumper.
Who kept knitting Harry these clothes? It was a question he was too embarrassed to ask.
Harry carelessly flickered his dead cigarette to the floor (Jasper really should try and talk him into quitting, wizard or not it would kill him one day) and seemed to examine Jasper in return.
Jasper took a breathe.
"Thank you for inviting me over." he said softly, Harry shrugged.
"It's more private." Jasper couldn't help but agree.
Harry glanced back at the house, a considering expression on his face before he seemed to dismiss what he was worrying about and turn his attention back to Jasper
"I know you're not a real blood sucker, but I'll give you permission to enter all the same." Jasper's lips quirked in a soft amused smile. Harry never failed to make him smile.
"I appreciate the gesture." the hint of a smirk crossed the boys mouth, making him look even more mischievous than usual.
Harry seemed to take a breathe before gesturing Jasper to the door, he let Jasper enter first closing the door behind them.
Jasper walked into the room with baited breathe, the sweet aroma of pure Harry (mixed with a few earthy tones that he had smelt on Harry before, probably his cats) was over whelming.
He looked around with an eagerness he hadn't felt in years.
The hall way was small, 2 huge doorways leading into other rooms on opposite sides. Every corner was cluttered with piles of books, a sideboard nearly creaking under the weight of various tomes and small intricate trinkets that Jasper wouldn't dream to know the name of.
There was also an umbrella stand by the door that looked suspiciously like an Elephants foot.
Jasper dismissed that quickly and continued to admire the house of his mate, it was enchanting.
One thing, however, did give him pause.
There were frames on the walls and surfaces, probably holding paintings or photos. But everyone of them was turned over, facing the wall. Blocked from view.
Jasper's eyes crept over to Harry.
Harry was also looking at the hidden frames, as if noticing they were there for the first time.
An ashamed, embarrassment filled his mate. The clearest emotion he thought he'd ever felt form Harry.
It made his heart sting to feel it.
Harry clearly had a history, the way he spoke, acted and the haunted look in his eyes gave that away. He should never feel ashamed or embarrassed by his fears, even if they felt trivial.
Harry must have felt Jasper's concerned gaze as green met gold and the low feelings quickly vanished, hidden under a thick blanket of pretend.
"We can sit and talk in here." Harry muttered, gesturing Jasper to the door on the left.
Harry opened the door slowly, as if expecting something to happen. When it didn't he fully opened the door and led Jasper into the loveliest living room he had ever seen.
The fire bird that had tried to maim his family was perched proudly on a golden stand, an empty ashtray suspended under the perch that confused Jasper.
He eyed the creature warily for a few seconds before examining the room.
It was more like a library than anything else, with the towering book shelves and even more stacks of books nestled into any and all available space. There was a large sofa and an arm chair by the fire while 3 more squashy arm chairs were dotted about the room, probably for preferred reading spots.
None of the furniture matched in colour or pattern, all different shades of red and warm chocolate woods. It was endearing and comforting.
"You sure do read a lot." he muttered, unable to help himself. Harry snorted following Jasper's gaze around the room.
"A hobby I picked up from a friend." he replied quietly, the pang of sorrow at those words nearly made Jasper stagger. He wanted nothing more than to ask Harry about it, find out what made him so sad and fix it.
But that wasn't his place and he probably never would be. He would not use his powers like that, it was clearly personal and Harry would tell him when he was ready.
Harry sat on the sofa, shooting a look to the fire bird who seemed to turn his beak up at Harry in return.
Jasper was amused but didn't comment, instead sitting in the nearby armchair. Crossing his legs awkwardly and trying to look relaxed.
They looked so different.
Harry: beautiful in his cluttered environment, surrounded by a warmth that only came from a house full of well loved possessions. Still joking and listening to Jasper despite his discomfort at having someone he barely knew in his space.
Jasper: awkwardly trying to blend in and not ruin the relationship he was building with his Harry. Loving being surrounded by his comforting warmth, almost wishing he was one of the well read books on the many shelves.
"There's a big reason I needed to talk to you." started Jasper, trying to get the words out before they clogged in his throat "I've wanted to tell you for a while but I was afraid of how you'd react. Leaving it any longer isn't fair on you though, so I'm telling you now."
Harry shifted uncomfortable, starting to look almost apologetic. Jasper held in a frown and continued.
"I'm sure, considering how much you know, you've heard about my 'species' having mates." Harry cupped his face in his hands, staring at the arm of the chair; where Jasper had absentmindedly twirl a loose thread through his fingers.
he felt embarrassed to be caught fidgeting but continued despite Harry's heavy gaze on his hand.
"Well, you're mine. My mate." he whispered, hoping that Harry wouldn't be horrified or disgusted.
Silence stretched between them for a second and Jasper held his breath.
"I know." Harry whispered back, sounding truly apologetic.
Jasper froze.
"What do you mean you know?" he nearly snapped, Harry winced.
How on earth could Harry know? Had someone told him?
"Merlin, you really are just obvious." Jasper blinked.
Obvious? How the hell was he obvious? If he had kissed Harry the first day they had met he would agree with being obvious but he had been subtle in his growing feelings... hadn't he?
Harry sighed. Maybe sensing Jasper's inner turmoil.
"I- You left me a few clues. I had suspicions and then Mortuus confirmed it." Harry's tone turned bitter toward the end. Jasper's eyes narrowed as jealously mixed with a righteous annoyance filled him. Why did it all seem to circle back to that girl?
"Mortuus? As in that girl? How would she know? You said she wasn't involved with this." the word 'this' was accompanied with a wild gesture around the room. Jasper was beginning to struggle against his emotions
Harry was his mate. Not that girls.
It was Jasper's responsibility to tell Harry about their bond and the feeling he had for the boy, not hers!
"Mort was that girl yes. I never said they weren't aware of what was going on, merely that they didn't need to be involved with our meeting. They don't." Harry finished firmly.
"Is she like you? Magic?" asked Jasper, frustrated and annoyed but desperate to understand. He needed to stay calm. Even if the girl might have taken away that from him, Harry had known and still spoke with him. Still seemed to like him, at least in a platonic way.
Harry tilted his head in considering.
"They aren't like me." Harry said sullenly, Jasper examined his mate again.
There was something Harry wasn't saying and it was big
Their eyes met suddenly, gold sinking helplessly into green. The world seemed to right itself and Jasper almost forgot why he had been annoyed. Those green eyes seemed to plead with him, wanting to make Jasper understand without spilling his secrets too soon.
Jasper could understand those feelings.
"Mortuus has magic, yes. But not in the same way I do." Jasper nodded slowly but fully understand. How could he? He knew next to nothing about magic.
"How long have you known then?" asked Jasper hesitantly, hoping it hadn't been too long or he'd feel worse. Harry shrugged.
"After your daddy stitched me up." Jasper gave him a look at the nickname, the one sided animosity between Harry and his father was unexpected but still entertaining. However not entertaining enough to let Harry get away with calling Carlisle 'daddy'.
Silence spread between them again, Jasper's mind racing through every interaction they had had since then.
"Why didn't you tell me you knew?" he finally asked, a little afraid of the answer.
Harry seemed to struggled for a moment.
"There was a lot of other stuff happening, I thought I should let that settle first. Not to mention it didn't feel right me asking you about it. It's more your business than mine." Jasper considered this, tilting his head slightly as he examined Harry.
There had been a lot going on, with Harry admitting he knew the truth, the meeting with the whole coven and then meeting the wolves. It had been a hectic time.
"I suppose you're right." he muttered, preparing himself to ask the important question.
He wanted to know.
He met Harry's eyes.
He needed to know.
"Can I ask how you feel about it?" Harry shifted slightly in his chair and broke eye contact. Jasper desperately wanted those green eyes back on him but didn't dare move, anticipating the reply.
"I think we don't know each other." Harry paused, looking at the fire bird "I think I'm not ready to tell you things about myself and I think you probably feel the same. I think it's going to be hard, maybe more for me than you, to care about someone again. But I think that fate is a stubborn thing and decided that we are meant to be together. So I'm willing to try."
Jasper couldn't help the smile that spread softly across his face, tender as he listened to Harry describe exactly how Jasper himself felt about the situation.
"I know we don't know each other Harry." that was the first time Jasper had called him by his proper name, he realized "I have so much to tell you about myself, and you're right I'm not ready to now. But I want to be. And I want to know everything about you too. When you're ready for me to know."
Green and gold melted together once again.
"I know that we're meant to be together." he couldn't help himself with that line, he knew his venom brother would beat the shit out of him for it but it was true. He held in his amusement as he watched and felt Harry's ire at the sickly sweet words.
"How about we start with basics?" he asked, changing the subject suddenly. Harry raised an brow.
"What kind of basics?" Jasper smirked.
"Name? Age? Where you grew up? I don't know, favourite colour?" Harry smirked, a private joke clearly playing across his brain.
"You do realize how high school teenager of you that is?" Jasper rolled his eyes with a grin.
"Humor me?" it was Harry's turn to roll his eyes. Jasper's grin grew.
"Fine." Jasper beamed at the boy, slightly pleased with himself when Harry looked a little dazed by it.
"My name it Jasper Whitlock-Hale, I was born and raised in Houston Texas, born in 1844. I was 19 when I was changed, but I'm technically 193. give or take. Recently my favourite colour has been green." he met Harry's eyes straight on when he revealed his favourite colour. Unable to stop himself from committing to another cliche
"Your turn." teased Jasper, Harry sighed.
"My name is Harry James Potter, I lived my first year of life in Godric's Hollow before being moved to Surrey where I grew up and spent my summers away from boarding school. I was born in 1980." Jasper's eyes widened slightly as he searched Harry for a lie.
That was impossible.
Harry smirked.
"My favourite colours will probably always be red and gold." he added but Jasper was still reeling from the reveal of Harry's age.
"1980? that would make you 57." Harry shrugged.
"Wizards age slowly." Jasper narrowed his eyes, analyzing the words.
"You look 17."replied Jasper in disbelief.
Harry wasn't the child he thought he was. He was an adult, a beautiful adult seemingly trapped in a younger body much like Jasper was. Jasper examined his feelings, realising his mates real age did nothing to quell the fierce protective urges that pushed him.
It changed practically nothing.
"You look 19." Harry sneered in reply.
"Touche." said Jasper faintly, still thinking over the revelation.
"You asked." snapped Harry, scowling.
Jasper's eyes snapped up to meet Harry's and immediately realized his mistake.
"I'm no one to judge age Harry, I was just surprised. I'm sorry." Harry nodded in acceptance and lit a cigarette.
Jasper was thankful he used a lighter rather than his hands, while it was attractive he couldn't deny it did scare him. Fire, after all, was not his friend.
Something stirred behind a curtain in the corner that Jasper hadn't noticed.
A huge creature, half eagle, half horse stepped our from the curtain. it was massive, wings the same size as some of the high school children of Forks. Jasper jumped to his feet, ready to defend his mate if needed.
Though said mate didn't seem surprised or bothered, as Harry lazily exhaled smoke as if nothing had changed.
"This is Buckbeak, Buckbeak meet Jasper." 'Buckbeak' tilted his head to the side examining Jasper, while Jasper did the same back.
"Jasper, bow to him." commanded Harry.
"What? Why?" asked Jasper, indignant and confused.
"It's a sign of mutual respect, he'll take it as a challenge of dominance if you don't." replied Harry just as Buckbeak gave a low warning growl and stalked forward to stand in front of Harry. Apparently trying to protect Harry from Jasper.
"Bow." spat Harry.
Jasper, a little shell shocked, obeyed and bowed lowly to the huge creature.
Buckbeak gave a low questioning hiss, as if wondering why his opponent had suddenly backed down.
A few moments passed before Buckbeak, satisfied, bowed in return.
Jasper and the beast both rose slowly to a standing position, examining each other closely.
Buckbeak gave in first, flopping to the floor and placing his enormous head in Harry's lap. Looking up at him with a wide innocent stare.
Harry begun to pet the creatures head with gentle strokes. Buckbeak gave a purr of satisfaction and snuggled closer to Harry's legs.
"Buckbeak's a Hippogriff." said Harry answering Jasper's unasked question. "I met him when I was 13. In class actually, Care of Magical Creatures. Helped him escape a death sentence when a parent complained about him actually. Then he lived with my godfather, then he- I don't really know where he went actually. But he turned up here the day I moved in, so he's with me now. For as long as he likes."
Jasper was watched him closely, feeling himself growing concerned to hear the things child Harry had gotten himself involved with.
"And the... other one?" he asked awkwardly, gesturing to the grumpy looking fire bird.
Harry snorted at the look the bird pulled. Jasper had never seen a bird be so expressive before.
"Fawkes is a Phoenix. I met him when I was 12. thought I killed him at first. Phoenix's are immortal but they die every few years or so. They burn up and turn into ash, then a baby rises from the ashes and matures in a few months. It's quite a spectacle."
Jasper's concern grew more, now mingling with disbelief that a bird could burst into flame and be fine.
"I can lend you a book about magical creatures." Harry offered "If you're curious."
Jasper smiled, eager to learn more about Harry's world and touched by the offer to read Harry's books.
"I'd love to." Harry raised a hand and a book whizzed off a nearby shelf into his hand.
He held it out to jasper but didn't let go when he reached to take it.
"On the condition that it doesn't leave this house and you don't tell anyone about what you learn." Jasper could tell he had specific people in mind with that request.
Jasper hesitated, wanting to promise but knowing he couldn't keep it.
"I can try, but Edward can read minds. He'll see my thoughts." Harry frowned.
"Do I have your permission to block him from your mind?" Jasper's eyes widened.
"You can do that?" Harry didn't reply, but something seemed to snap in place in Jasper's mind. Almost like he'd been secured in place by sticky tape.
"Yes." he replied shortly, finally letting Jasper take the book.
Jasper smiled and went back to his chair, settling with the book.
It felt very domestic and so different to when he read with the Cullen's around him.
A thought struck Jasper as he thought over his newly protected mind and the Cullen's
"I should probably tell you that Alice and I both have abilities as well." muttered Jasper quietly, hoping he wouldn't be pushing Harry away with his power.
"I had suspected." replied Harry, getting an eye roll in return.
"Alice can see visions of the future." Harry blinked. Understanding and acceptance filling his eyes.
"And I can read emotions." Harry's eyebrows raised.
"An empath?" Jasper nodded slowly. He sounded impressed?
"Wicked." Jasper would've blushed he were able, that was probably the first compliment his mate had given him.
One he would remember.
"Can you read me?" asked Harry, genuinely curious. Jasper scrunched up his nose in thought.
"Sometimes? Often I know what you're feeling but I couldn't put it into words, if that makes sense." Harry nodded slowly, clearly understanding.
Jasper hoped it wouldn't effect their relationship, he would never control Harry's emotions or use them against him.
Quiet spread across the living room and Harry summoned his own book, settling deeper into the sofa.
The fire crackled merrily in the background, smoke rose lazily from the cigarette between Harry's fingers, Buckbeak dosed on Harry's lap and Fawkes joined them on the sofa, perching on Harry's arm.
Jasper watched them from his armchair, unable to stop himself from looking at his mate every few minutes.
A warm feeling of belonging filling both of them.
They stayed like that for hours quietly flicking through books, listening to the fire flicker in the background.
The creatures Harry kept as pets seemed to calm down the longer Jasper stayed, they behaved more like cats than the wild majestic beasts they were depicted as in the books Harry let him read.
Jasper suddenly got the private joke between Harry and that girl.
These were Harry's cats.
A dangerous huge bird with fire for tail feathers and a massive beast, capable of tearing a man in half but luckily seemed to prefer sleeping in Harry's lap.
A sudden clunky tap on the window broke both men out of their focused reading.
An owl (?) was stood on the window ledge.
Jasper turned his confused frown to Harry, expecting to see a matching frown on his face.
Instead he was met with an impossibly pale Harry, staring at the bird with an indescribable look in his eyes.
Jasper frantically searched for his emotions but was met with such a frenzy that he gave up, simply looking at Harry; ready to offer support if it was needed.
Harry slowly rose to his feet and walked over to the window with resigned steps. A feeling of dread seemed to be filling him as he opened the window and allowed the bird to enter the living room.
Jasper closed his forgotten book and placed it a top a towering pile of untouched books near his chair.
The owl hopped onto the small table under the window, it dropped a parcel? Jasper's eyes widened at what he was seeing. Then it offered it's leg to Harry a letter seemed to be tied to it.
Jasper blinked, incredulous.
Harry reached to take the envelope, the moment his fingers brushed the paper the room seemed to shiver with a similar power to Harry's. The same feeling when Harry had put the spell on Bella spreading in Jasper's gut.
A loud crack rang out, a man appeared out of nowhere.
He was tall, at least 35 in age, with shock red hair down to his shoulders. His face was marred with harsh scarring and he was dressed in a large brown overcoat that hid his lean frame from view.
He looked dangerous.
Even worse he was Staring at Harry with a cold blank look.
In his hand he held a carved stick, similar to the one Jasper had glimpsed a sight of on Harry's wrist.
The tip of said stick was pressed firmly against Harry's Adams apple.
Jasper lept to his feet, prepared to attack in order to defend his Harry.
The only thing that stopped him was Harry's hand, held up and palm facing Jasper clearly saying 'wait'. Jasper felt torn but obeyed.
The man spoke.
"I solemnly swear." he said, his voice firm and leaking with suspicion.
Harry rolled his eyes, apparently finding the situation amusing.
"I am up to no good." finished Harry, smirking now.
The stick was suddenly removed from Harry's throat, the man yanked Harry into a fierce hug. Gripping the back of Harry's head in one hand, the other wrapping firmly around the middle of Harry's back.
Jealousy grew in Jasper once more.
Who was this ginger and why was he holding his Harry like an old lover?
If this was how magical people greeted each other Jasper wanted Harry promptly removed from it.