Imperfectpictures

1/17/2020

Episode One-hundred-nineteen: Ahhh

Read Now

Episode One-hundred-nineteen: Ahhh

After a steamy shower, we crawled back into bed to order some lunch and look into getting some items for him. The entire time, I lay snuggled into his side.

Jasper’s phone was absolutely blowing up. He left it on silent, but I could see it repeatedly flashing on the nightstand. There were at least a dozen messages from different people. He was ignoring it so hard.

“Do you want to just turn that off? Eddie will call my cell if he needs us,” I remarked. “You should get a phone here. I don’t know how that works, but you probably need an American number. I need to get a new one, too.”

“Mm, perhaps,” he agreed, reaching over to pick it up. He turned it off and tossed it to the side. We were utterly silent for a moment. “It’s been a while since I’ve done that.”

“Weird, isn’t it?”

“A bit,” he confirmed with a smirk. “I know that they’re worried, my mates, but this is what is right for me. They’re concerned that I’m too attached to Tony, but I can’t tell them what’s going on with us. They’re not wrong, but we need each other.”

I played with the hair on his chest. “We will have to think of what to reveal to the boys here. Tyler and Seth figured Eddie and me out very quickly. I’m not sure how much he can hold back. He’ll try, but he‘ll fail because they’re his friends, and he’s comfortable around them.”

“How do you expect they’ll react?” He asked nervously as he chewed on the corner of his lip. “I don’t mind folks knowing that I’m gay, really. I just worry about his career.”

I moved my palm over his stomach, scratching my nails over his soft skin. “Do you want to come out?”

Jasper paused, his hand still on the laptop. “Yeah. I think I do. Maybe that’s what we can tell people.”

“What?” I looked up at him in confusion.

He shrugged. “We could just tell everyone that I’m gay. No one will think anything of the gay best friend living with the happy couple, especially when first moving to America. It might look weird in a few years, but we’ll have to deal with that then. Also, no one will assume anything about us, me and you, hugging and holding hands in public. They photographed you with your buddy, and it was fine.”

“So, you’re talking about coming all the way out in a big manner. Loudly, so everyone knows. Not just your friends.”

“Maybe we could do a video for pride month. You could talk it out, and I could come out.”

Concerned, I turned my head to look up at him. “Do you really want to lie?”

“I’m not lying. I am a pansexual man. Gay is a term for that. Or queer. I could just also say that. That fits as well. I mean, you’re pansexual too but like that word. I don’t have to give details.”

Toying with his pants, I twisted the string. “That’s true. You could come out as queer. And you don’t have to explain everything. Eventually, it’ll just be easier to tell Tyler and Seth, though. And Rose knows. I needed to brag about something happy in Washington. Sorry.” I frowned a little. “She won’t mention it to a soul,” I added quickly.

“That’s fine,” he chuckled, brushing his fingers through my hair before he lifted my chin up to look into my eyes. “I’m something worth bragging about?”

“Of course you are,” I smiled, ducking my head to kiss them.

“I think you already have plenty to boast about with him.”

“Oh, he’s worthy of praise for sure, but so are you,” I assured him as I leaned forward to press my lips to his. “Your kisses alone are compliment-worthy.” Jasper chuckled as his cheeks flushed a little. We deepened it, him shifting the computer off his lap.

The doorbell rang, and we both hopped up to get it almost awkwardly. Laughing, he offered me his hand. We decided to eat outside. It was mid-afternoon, and the temperature was just perfect. It was warm enough to swim, the lovely breeze blowing over my bare arms.

“You know, we lived in a real shithole in Sydney. I understand that he didn’t really start making money until two years ago, but, son of a bitch, this is nice,” he joked, looking around. “I think he was holding out on me.”

“He’s so proud of it,” I replied as I passed him his to-go box filled with a sandwich and fries.

“He should be. He has a beautiful home.”

“It’s yours now, too.” He looked at me incredulously, half the sandwich in his hand and a knife dripping with mustard in the other. “If it’s mine, it’s yours too.”

“Well, it’s yours,” he agreed. I just rolled my eyes. “What were you planning on making for dinner?” He asked purposefully to change the subject. I smirked, but he held my gaze unabashedly.

“Vegetable soup with buttery gnocchi, a salad, and garlic toast. We have a ton of macaroons still,” I pointed to the kitchen when I finally answered. I had put some in our overstuffed freezer, too.

“That sounds fancy as fuck, my dove,” he teased over his beer. It was from the six-pack of the month that I had gotten Edward for Christmas the year before. It had arrived a few days earlier, and he had stuck them in the fridge to try. He had accumulated an extensive and interesting liquor collection that was taking up one shelf in the kitchen. We would need to do another drinking video again soon, just with my phone off.

Smiling, I looked away from Jasper and out onto the mountains. “It’s a little overboard. The soup isn’t. The gnocchi is a bit. But I want to impress you.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

I took a sip of wine. “Is it so bad that I wish to?”

“No, but you don’t have to,” he repeated. “It pleases me that you want to, but I will be with everything you do for at least the next six months just automatically because you got me here.” I giggle a little, shaking my head. “Imagine it like a video game boost.”

“Plus five percent experience per romantic action in the girlfriend meter,” I teased, making him laugh loudly.

“Five?” He pursed his lips and shook his head. “Fifty percent, at least.”

“For six months!? That’s a good power-up,” I deadpanned.

“Six months minimum at fifty percent. It’s got an overall lifetime boost too,” Jasper stated earnestly. Giggling, I covered my face with my hands. “I’m uncertain what that is yet. I’m sure well over five percent, though.”

Composing myself, I also thoughtfully nodded. “What other kinds of power-ups can I get? If you have anything that can improve my height stats…” I trailed off as he began to break. “I’m positive Eddie looks at this world as if it were a video game. With all the achievements to unlock. He grinds it like an RPG, and he wants the platinum trophy during a speed run. Doing every side quest and romance options like he’s got the damn strategy guide memorized.”

Jasper snatched up my phone and began to type a message to our boyfriend. I tried to get it, reaching for it with a laugh, but he sat away from me in his chair. “Don’t worry, he knows it’s me saying it. He will think it’s hilarious.”

“I’d say it to his face,” I smirked as I got up to nab my cell back. He had typed ‘Bella just had the best description of you ever. She said you grind life like you’re trying to get the platinum trophy on a speed run in an RPG.’

“Lmao, not wrong,” Edward replied right away. It began to ring. “Are you two having fun?” He cheerfully questioned.

“Mm, yes. We miss you, though,” I stated as I sat down on Jasper’s lap. “Having fun?”

“I’ve been in a harness and getting my balls pinched as I fly around,” he explained bluntly, making me cackle in surprise. “I know. It’s ridiculous. You’ll see it tomorrow.”

“I can’t wait,” I purred, laying my head on Jasper’s shoulder as he rubbed my back. “Are you at lunch now?”

“Mm, yeah. Just waiting on Sarah. She wants the Indian truck. What have you been doing?”

“Well,” Jasper began seductively, “we made love as soon as you left and again in the shower later. Plus, we planned a few trips without you. Sorry,” he teased.

“Oh?” He snickered. “Where?”

“Washington, Sydney, New York.”

“And I’m not invited?”

“You are,” I laughed lightly. “You’re just working. Do you really want to come with us to pack, anyway?”

There was no hesitation. “Yes. I don’t wish to be away from you for even a moment, and I always want to help.”

Our boyfriend looked at me, blushing a little. His eyes were wide. “I can just see him flipping through the manual now, ‘Hm, which dialogue option will get me the most laid.’,” he joked. “Is there a wiki on it?” He continued, doing his accent funnier and thicker.

“Bella!” I heard Sarah shout in the background. “I missssss you!”

“You don’t even know who I’m talking to. You’re just assuming,” I heard Edward say in return, making her snicker. “Hey! Hey, hey, hey...”

“Bella!” She shouted into the phone. “Where are you?”

“I’m at home, entertaining our new roommate!”

She playfully gasped. “I heard. Is it the hot guy from the picture?” She inquired in a whisper.

Jasper laughed loudly despite himself. “I’m getting called sexy by real Hollywood types. Oh, my ego.”

Sarah then actually gasped. “Oh, my goodness. I didn’t know you were listening. Hi! I can’t wait to meet you tomorrow! Eddie hasn’t stopped talking about you all day,” she giggled. “He’s so happy.”

“Good. So am I.”

“Give me that back,” I heard Edward say as he wrestled it from her grip again. “Alright, we’re going to lunch. I’m starving. I’ll talk to you later. Oh! I should be home by around eight tonight.”

“Okay, darling.”

“I‘ll make you a nice dinner this evening,” I added. “It’ll be waiting for you whenever you get here.”

He hummed loudly. “You’re so good to me. I love you. Have fun. Go get into lots of trouble for me.”

Once we hung up the phone, Jasper glanced over at me. “How much mischief do you think we can get into while in the kitchen?”

“Wanna see?” I cheekily asked. He winked at me in return.

Jasper started music as I gathered supplies from the fridge. He helped me with the chopping and cleaning while the veggies sautéed in the pan with lots of butter and olive oil. He danced with me, too. Every chance that he got.

Pressing into my back, his hands were on my hips as we swayed to the slow song. I turned to wrap my arms around his neck. Pulling me to him, I could feel his heartbeat against my cheek.

“This is so nice. I don’t think my head has been this calm in maybe years,” I mumbled into his chest. “Everything kind of feels right with the world. If I had known, I would have just kidnapped you.”

Laughing, he pushed his face into my hair. “My brain isn’t quiet, but it’s not unhappy either. I’m trying to soothe the overexcited teenage girl in my head who is squealing over everything like a little bitch.” Snorting, I looked up at his smirk. “Seriously, she’s just going ‘Ahhh’ over and over again.”

“Once we’re done, we can have a smoke and some wine. Maybe take a nap.”

“Ahhh…” he playfully replied, his pitch high but dry and quiet. I swatted his backside, making him chuckle.

I spent the whole day laughing. We had curled up on the couch together while we waited for Edward to get home that night. He texted that he was on his way, and I had everything prepped for his arrival. He had to be exhausted. I was, and I slept a lot more and just relaxed all afternoon.

He came in the door, stopping in the foyer to look at us. We both smiled. “Hello, darling! There you are. We’ve missed you.” Jasper began right away.

“Did you have a good day?” I asked, curling my fingers to show that I wanted him to join us in our cuddle pile.

Beaming, he nodded his head. “It was… excellent. It was magical. I had a lot of fun, even if it hurts a little now. I did some of the craziest stunts that I’ve done as an actor. Plus, I had a delicious lunch with Sarah. And…” He trailed off, and a million emotions crossed his features at once. Then he began to cry.

“Oh, no! Why?” I gasped, instantly worried. I went to get up, but he immediately came to the couch and crawled so that he was lying face down in my lap. “Oh, honey! What’s wrong?” I leaned in to hug and kiss him. Jasper rubbed his shoulder.

“I’m happy,” he whimpered. “This is everything that I’ve ever wanted, and I’m overwhelmed. I feel so lucky. You’re both here, and it’s exactly how I imagined it would be. And it’s perfect,” he rambled, still crying. “I remember thinking the day I signed with Disney, that if I could have Bella and Jasper and do this for the rest of my life, it would be heaven. And it is. Then tomorrow you get to come and watch me! And we’ll have lunch with an actual friend who has real things in common with us.”

Stroking his back, I wrapped myself around him. “It’s okay to cry. Just let it out.” He nodded, snuggling his face into my thigh. After only a moment, he stopped and softly began to snore. I sat up in surprise.

“Oh, poor baby,” I whispered. “I think someone’s done.”

“I don’t feel so bad about being a dramatic girl now,” Jasper smirked. I pushed him, making him chuckle.

I kissed Edward’s cheek several times. “Honey, let me get up, so I can make you a plate. We can eat and go to bed. I know that you’re hungry.”

“Shit. Did I fall asleep?” He groaned, rubbing his face with his hand.

“You did,” I cooed. “Here, cuddle with Jasper.” He literally just plopped his head into his lap, making us both laugh. I scratched his back with my blunt nails, kissing him one last time. He smiled against my lips.

Back

Thanks to Gina for proofreading this episode!

Click to download the epub of this Episode!!

Click to download the pdf of this Episode!!