New Beginnings

A/N: Happy Birthday, Badjujube! We hope you have a fantastic day.

As ever, we do not own Twilight - it owns us.

ooOoo

“What are you thinking about?” I murmur as I wrap my arms around him from behind.

As is always the case when we're together, my heart trips when skin meets skin. Jasper leans into me with a sigh.

“Nothing, really. Everything. I-” He shrugs.

Frowning, I rest my chin on his shoulder, kissing his neck lightly. “What, babe?”

He's been pensive for days now. Longer, if I'm completely honest with myself. It has me worried.

He shakes his head. “Nothing. It's just... it feels different, doesn't it? Or rather... it should, and it does, kind of, and yet...”

I nod.


ooOoo


Tightening my arms around him, I whisper, “I know.”

With DADT finally repealed, we no longer have to hide who we are to each other – in theory, anyway. Jasper's served for years under its rule, however, and things haven't been easy for either of us because of it – and old habits die hard.

Old fears do, too. More so, in many ways.

The day DADT was officially shelved, we celebrated by staying in bed most of the day, though that is never unusual for us the first few days of leave.

Today, however, is his last day before going back.


ooOoo


He turns in my arms, wrapping his own around my shoulders as he kisses me softly. “I love you,” he whispers against my lips.

I smile, brushing his cheek with a finger. “Love you, too. Always.”

Jasper pulls me closer, and I let him seek the comfort he obviously needs. Now that the service no longer requires his silence, he's left facing coming out to the world, and it's tough for him – all the more because he knows that I'll wait for him to be ready before I'll do the same.

Patting his back, I murmur, “Let's get dressed, baby.”


ooOoo


He's quiet over breakfast, obviously thinking hard, trying to come to some sort of decision. He looks up as I start to clear the table. Grabbing my hand, he tries to smile. “Edward, I... Come with me?”

Pausing, I run my fingers through his hair, trying to gauge his mood. “Of course. When?”

He takes a deep breath. “Today,” he says, quietly but with conviction.

I nod.

An hour later sees us standing in front of his parents' house. Jasper's trembling slightly as we wait for the door to open. Placing my hand on his back, I rub it lightly.


ooOoo


His mother welcomes us with surprise, telling us to go to the sunroom, where his dad is already having coffee. They both know me as Jasper's best friend and roommate.

As his mother joins us and pours coffee, Jasper shoots me a nervous glance.

You don't have to, Jasper, but I'm here for you if you do.

I wish I could tell him, but he knows. His small smile tells me so.

Jasper shifts closer to me, takes a deep breath, and looks right at his father. “Mom, Dad, I have something I need to share with you. I'm gay.”


ooOoo


The silence seems to stretch on forever as they process this information. Neither of them appears angry or upset, but it's difficult to tell.

Jasper curls in on himself a little more with each passing second, as if their unspoken words condemn him. Instinctively, I reach for him, and it's my taking his hand in mine that spurs any response at all.

Both his parents start at the same time, blushing. “Oh! I-” “Jasper, honey...”

Jasper and I look at each other in confusion before turning to his parents.

His mom clears her throat, sharing a glance with his father.


ooOoo


We listen in stunned silence as they explain they've always known, but never said anything to honor Jasper's obvious wishes.

His father clasps his hands in front of him as he leans forward, his gaze intent on his son. “Jasper, ever since you were a little boy, all you ever wanted to do was to follow in my footsteps – in your granddaddy's footsteps – and serve our country. I know what it's like out there, son. I couldn't risk you never getting the chance to follow your dream, so...”

“So you never asked, so he wouldn't have to tell,” I whisper.


ooOoo


We spend the next several hours talking. For the first time ever, Jasper and I are free to be ourselves in their presence, though we both need to adjust. It's thrilling to be able to sit as close as we like, to touch when we want to, without having to worry.

Still, it's difficult to let go of those ingrained habits and reactions. By the time we leave for home, though, both Jasper and I are feeling better and freer than ever. The hugs we both receive from his parents fortify us. Their assurances of love and support strengthen us.


ooOoo


Jasper's quiet all the way home, staring at me as I drive, a soft smile playing on his lips. When I pull up to our house, he unbuckles even as he reaches for me. Before I can do much more than turn off the car and undo my own seatbelt, he's crushing me to him, claiming my lips in a fierce kiss.

My fingers desperately try to find purchase in his hair, but it's too short. Not for the first time, I bemoan the loss of his curls. Still, I make do as I return the kiss with equal fervor.


ooOoo


Finally, he pulls away with a breathy laugh, his eyes as bright as his smile as he looks at me. “I can't believe... I did it. I actually did it. I never...”

He shakes his head in awe. Cupping his cheek, I caress it lightly with my thumb. I kiss him chastely and smile. “I'm so proud of you, baby.”

His smile widens. Something flickers in his eyes as he takes both my hands in his. I tilt my head questioningly.

Lifting my hands, he presses his lips to each in turn before taking a deep breath. “Marry me, Edward?”


ooOoo


My mouth pops open in shock. Marriage wasn't something we'd ever talked about. Not because I was against it, but we both knew it wouldn't happen until things changed legally. Now they have.

He asks again, his voice trembling this time.

Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I nod, forcing my vocal chords to press out a hoarse, “Yes.”

Jasper laughs shakily as he hugs me tight, murmuring, “I love you,” over and over again.

I echo him, my heart full to bursting.

After a few minutes, we head inside, eager to get closer, even more eager to celebrate.


ooOoo


“I can't wait to tell my parents,” I whisper into his neck after we've shed our clothes and gone to bed.

I know my coming out won't come as a shock to them. In fact, I'm sure they already know, much like Jasper's parents did.

Jasper chuckles, then sighs, running his fingers through my hair and down my back. “I wish I could be there with you when you tell them, babe. I'm sorry.”

Shaking my head at him, I place his hand over my heart. “It's okay. You're always with me. Though Mom might want a word with you.”


ooOoo


His eyes widen, and he sputters, “You don’t think she-”

I laugh. “Sweetheart, you know she'll want to help plan everything. I'm really not worried about their reaction. You shouldn't be, either. Or have you forgotten Uncle Garrett and Aunt Mike?”

He narrows his eyes, but is unable to hide his grin. “Yeah, I remember. Still. You're their son. It's different.”

“They'll be fine,” I assure him. Grinning, I add, “At least we won't have to worry about them trying to set us up with anyone anymore.”

“Oh God,” he laughs. “Thank fuck for that. You're mine.”

“I am. Always.”


ooOoo


Jasper grins mischievously as he rolls us over and presses me into the mattress. “Mine,” he murmurs between kisses that cover my face, my neck, my chest.

“Always,” I moan, arching into him as he claims me in a hundred different ways.

We spend hours reaffirming our love, our bond. I relish it and memorize each detail, storing it away for when we're apart.

After we're both spent and we're basking in post-coital bliss, we talk quietly of our future. Eventually, I fall asleep in his arms, with whispered promises and dreams of what's to come chasing around my head.