Jasper the Bugbear: Part Four (rough draft)

The reward money sits on the desk, untouched. Ever since it was handed to me by Greta (who hand delivered it from some elder in the Bog of Recoil), I’ve not been very interested in it. Jasper has been sleeping a lot, recuperating from what happened to him in the swamp.

I’ve kept to his side, holding his hand or brushing back the fur from his face. When he does wake up, I tend to his wounds and fix him his meals. I try to give him space, but when he’s asleep I almost want to curl inside him to know he’s alright.

“I just need a day or two of this,” Jasper raspy voice replied. I turned from the stove to see him sitting up in bed, shoulders hunched, fur disheveled.

I looked back at the stove, stirring the stew I’ve got going. “Nonsense, take as long as you need.” I said this with a stern tone. “Your health is important.” I filled a bowl full of the stew and carefully delivered it to his bedside.

Jasper sighed, taking the bowl into his large hand. “The warmth does feel good. Thank you Cara, for taking care of me.”

I nodded, glancing away as he began to eat. “Think nothing of it.” I whisked back to the stove to clean up, unaware his eyes were upon me the whole time. “I still have things to do around the city,” I murmured. “A few last things to clean up from the peacekeepers.”

Jasper was quiet for a moment. “You should be careful. There could still be some traitors hidden amongst the ranks. You shouldn’t go alone.”

“I’ll be fine.” I smiled back at him. “The witches were able to find ways to track them. Most should be locked up or somewhere in the Bog of Recoil.”

“I still don’t like it Cara-”

I put down the lid onto the stewpot a little harsh, making it clang loudly. “Well, it’s my job, so there isn’t much to say about that.”

Jasper’s weary brow furrowed. “Cara.”

“It’s fine!” I snapped. I then calmed myself and shook my head. “I’m doing this for you, Jasper.  After what they did, I cannot rest until I’m sure.”

His expression was a sour one. “Yes. I’m sure too.”

I sat back down by his bedside and put my hand upon his arm. I wanted to do more than that though. I wanted him to hold me, to cradle me tight. I wanted there to be no air between us. But right now, that would have to remain locked away in my thoughts.

“It’s been stressful. I know you’re worried but I promise I am fine.” I smiled for him, forcing it out despite the way it pulled at my skin. “And soon you’ll be fine.”

Jasper sighed. “I just want you to stop and breathe, Cara.”

My hand slipped around his bicep and squeezed. “What are you talking about? I am breathing!” I said with a forced laugh.

His brow pinched, taking on a look of ferocity I had only seen on him as a shadow before. “That’s not what I mean, Cara!”

I let go of his arm and stood up abruptly. “I have to go. I told Greta I would meet her in the square to finish things.”

Jasper’s exasperated sigh sent a ripple through my body that made ever hair I had stand on end. “Fine. Be careful out there.”

“Do you want more stew before I go?” The offer was weak, I knew I was on the defensive here.

“No. I have more than enough.” He looked at me for the briefest of moments. “Just-” he hesitated with what he wanted to say and I almost gave in and threw myself upon the bed. “Just be careful. Witches are-” he stalled again. “They’re extremely intelligent, don’t let your guard down with her.”

“I won’t. Greta isn’t the kind of person you take your eyes off of.” I put my hand on the doorknob, aching so much to just lay in his arms. “I’ll be back,” I mumbled as I opened the door and stepped outside.

Ever since the peacekeepers had been exposed, the public outcry was palpable. Peacekeepers were working their hardest to prove they weren’t amongst the betrayers, so they were out and about, doing public service when it wasn’t necessary. The streets looked cleaner, there were less shifty eyes upon the way.

I saw Greta in the square, wearing another disguise. She waved me down and pulled me aside. “Boy have I got something good for you!”

I yanked my arm from his grasp and smoothed my sleeve back down. “What is it?” I grumbled. I was irritated enough already.

She wagged her fingers, making me follow her down a path and through a door. Now, doors with Greta, I learned, didn’t always lead where they were supposed to. I had gotten used to that. Between working with her and the witches on punishing the peacekeepers that tried to fuck them over, and giving her the blood I promised, I had unfortunately gotten used to the shock this caused.

I stepped through one such door back into the bog and my stomach churned. There was so much water around me, and only a small island before us. There was a man tied to a chair. It looked like some of his hair had been ripped out.

“What do you think?” Greta asked as he disguise fell away.

I frowned at the man doubled over in the chair and back at her. “Who is it?”

Greta grandly splayed out her arms. “The guy who kidnapped and beat your boyfriend!” She announced with a song in her voice.

The man shifted, slightly lifting his head. Meanwhile, a cold spike had shot through my system. Every nerve, every drop of blood was coursing with what I could only describe as the feral rage of a beast in winter, hunting for the last morsel of warm food in a blizzard.

“Now what do you think?” Greta went over to him, yanking the back of his head up. His face was covered in runes and spells front he witches. His eyes had gone completely black. “This piece of shit from his mother’s infected bowel was the one to order the attack on us witches.” She waggled his head back and forth.

The man moaned in agony.

“Oh what’s that?” Greta put her ear near his head. “You tried doing unspeakable things to the womenfolk?” She yanked his hair back harder and he screamed.

I remained frozen in place, afraid that if I moved I would maul this man.

Greta dropped his head and looked back at me with a stony look upon her face. “We’ve done our fair share of payback on this-thing.” She growled at him. “Some of the younger witches got handled by him and his men.” Her eyes grew sharp and very dark upon me. “I figured I’d save a scrap of flesh for you. Considering what condition he left your giant, furry fellow in.”

I breathed in, choking on it as my body was pulled taut from rage. “I’m surprised you left that, if that’s what he did.”

Greta tilted her chin up. “Come now, I saw what you did to that one guard alone. What’s keeping you?”

I placed my hand upon my weapon, gripping the handle tight and flexing my fingers. I’m not sure what was holding me back. I would love nothing more than to bleed this man dry. I let go of the hilt and looked up at Greta.

“He deserves to be in jail. Not dead.”

Greta pouted at me. “Oh come on. Don’t tell me you’re one of those types.”

I snapped at her. “And you don’t think death is far too easy?”

Greta took a defensive stance and opened her mouth, but just as quickly appeared to ponder the words. She looked back down at the man and hummed. “I suppose lifelong punishment is better that execution when you think about it like that.”

“Let me turn him in.” My hands were shaking. “He deserves to be put away.”

“No. Please-” the man whimpered.

“Oh shut up!” Greta yanked on his hair and all the runes and spells on his skin bega pulled back towards his hairline, vanishing while he screamed in horror and pain before passing out, going slack, only held up by ropes and Greta’s grip.

“There.” Greta pushed his chair over and it fell at my feet. “He is yours now, after all. I suppose you can do whatever you want to him.”

I knelt down, untying him from the chair then bounding his limb together.

“So how is he?” Greta asked.

I furrowed my brow. “Who?”

“You giant ass boyfriend!” Greta laughed. “You’ve not talked much since you got him back. And you were pretty chatty before.”

I just frowned as I got the peacekeeper tied up. I used my special ropes that made him levitate, that way I didn’t have to carry him.

“What’s with the silent treatment?” Greta huffed.

“He’s fine,” I grumbled, and stood up, holding the end of the rope as the peacekeeper began floating upwards. “Healing.”

Greta tilted her head to the side. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to poke a nerve.”

“No nerves have been bothered,” I scoffed at her.

She flinched backwards with a surprised but amused look on her face. “Damn, kiddo. Just breathe for a second!”

Those words set me off. “Why don’t you fucking breathe!” I screamed in her face.

Greta just stared at me with a blank expression, her head slightly tilted back while her arms hung limply at her side.

I pulled away, gasping for breath. “Oh shit. Greta, I’m so sorry!”

She held a single hand up, her face unmoving. “What the fuck was that, kiddo?”

I looked at her with wide eyes, a whole new expression taking hold of my face. “I don’t…I-”

Greta shook her head at me. “Something is bottled up in there. I was wondering why your blood was behaving so volatile.” She crossed her arms against her chest. “Do you need a drink?”

“Probably,” I breathed.

Greta scoffed, putting her disguise back on and led me out the door again, back onto the street. “Trouble in paradise?” She asked me as we went along with delivering the head peacekeeper.

“No,” I murmured. “I’m so happy to have Jasper back.”

“Then what’s got your wound tighter than two angry snakes on a rat?”

I had no answer, so I remained quiet.

“Maybe I took so much blood,” Greta muttered under her breath. She then laughed and shook her head. “No. That’s silly. But seriously kid, you need to find what’s got you in such a state. That boyfriend of yours probably sees it from a mile away.”

He did, I think that’s part of the problem. “I just want him to get better.”

“Well he ain’t if he’s going to be worried about you.” Greta huffed at me.

Maybe she was right, in some weird way. We took the head peacekeeper to the jail, and it was like a show was being put on by the ‘good’ peacekeepers of the town. An example had to be made, and it was going to be him who made it.

When Greta opened the door for us to leave, it opened right into her back room, shocking some of the peacekeepers who were saluting us as we left.

“Your bar wasn’t that far away. What was the point of that?” I huffed as I slammed the door.

“Fuck authority, that’s what.” Greta pulled a bottle down from the shelf, uncorked it with her sharp teeth then handed it to me. “Guzzle, kiddo.”

I took the bottle and frowned at it. I took a swig, coughing from the heat and tingle it caused hitting my throat, then I drank more.

“You’re used to being on your own. Ain’t you?” Greta asked.

I wiped my mouth and huffed. “Yeah. So?”

She just shrugged. “Nothing.” She took the bottle back and drank.

After a while, and half a bottle of that liquor later, I stumbled back into the apartment. I walked in, seeing Jasper standing over my desk. He looked at me as I swaggered in, body warm and loose from all the drink.

“Everything alright?” He asked.

I shut the door behind me, standing tall and hiccuping. I took in a deep breath, puffing out my chest to try and resume the posture I had been maintaining around him.

“No!” I blubbered out. The tears came fast and hard, they poured down my face until I thought I might make my own swamp.

Jasper was beside me in an instant, kneeling down to comfort me and put his big strong arms around me. I sobbed into his chest, crying loudly and pathetically. I had never done that before, let alone anyone see anything close to this. I clung to Jasper’s shirt, gripping it so hard, unafraid to rip it if it brought me closer to him.

Jasper led me over to the bed, helping me crawl up onto the mattress. “Breathe, okay. Just breathe.”

I tried breathing, but through my pitiful sobs it was more like an ugly heave. Still, Jasper climbed into bed beside me, holding me to his broad chest, rubbing my back.

“You reek of alcohol,” he said with a gentle, teasing tone.

“Because I drank it!” I whined. I buried my face against him, once again wanting to climb inside him to feel as close as possible.

I woke up sometime later, my head spinning and my mouth completely dry. My eyes hurt and felt swollen. I sniffled as I sat up, touching my face and wondering how rough I looked.

“There she is.”

I raised my head, seeing Jasper approaching me in the dark. The curtains were pulled shut, but what light came through hurt my eyes. He handed me a cup that was cold, and I guzzled down the water inside.

Jasper sat down beside me, petting my back as I drank.

“I’m sorry,” I muttered.

“What for?” His gentle voice filled me with warmth, and a radiance that tingled down my limbs.

I sniffled and my breath hitched. “For myself.” I wiped my nose. “It’s hard for me to just let go.”

Jasper brushed his knuckles along my cheek. “I know. That’s why I told you to breathe.”

I looked into his eyes. “I’m not used to this.”

He smiled. “I know that too.” He took the empty cup and set it aside. He laid back down, letting me lay upon his chest and nuzzle up to him. “Your work is hard and dangerous. I know what appearances you have to maintain, even for yourself.” His hand felt so warm and welcome along my back. “But you don’t have to do that with me.”

I wrapped my arm around him. “It’s still hard.”

“Well, I don't want you drinking to break down those walls again.” He kissed the top of my head and I almost could have broken again. “I know what what I did was foolish, foolhardy.” he chuckled and gave me an extra squeeze. “I don’t want you thinking that in any way this was your fault.”

“Then why did you do it?” I murmured.

“Because I missed you so badly,” he replied, his voice quivering. “I thought if I could help, find some information, do anything to speed along this mission, then we could be together again.”

I frowned and buried my face against his chest. “I thought you said it wasn’t my fault!”

“It wasn’t. It was my own selfishness.” He sighed heavily and sat up, holding my face so I would look directly into his eyes. “I’m sorry. But I need you.”

I melted for those words. “I need you too. So you can’t be going around and doing such stupid things!”

“I know,” he chuckled, smoothing my hair back away from my face. “I just need to stay in my bookshop where I belong.”

“Exactly.” I whimpered, grabbing hold of his hand.

Jasper tilted my head up, kissing me. I swooned, even more lightheaded than I was before. I breathed in deeply, savoring this moment while it lasted. When our lips parted, we stayed there, close together, breathing and basking in our closeness.

“I don’t feel at home here,” I murmured to him. “I used to could get used to anywhere I was placed. But here, it’s been so hard.”

He smiled. “Any idea why?”

I sniffled. “Yeah! You.”

Jasper laughed again, holding me tight. I slouched in his embrace, laying my cheek to his chest. “Consider me honored.” He pet my hair, gently coming his fingers through it. “It’s not been home without you. Hence why I acted so stupid.”

“You’re the smart one. You can’t be stupid.” I raised back up to look into his face. “What you did was smart. Just, maybe, a little unplanned.”

He nodded. “I thought I could play the part. I endeared myself to them quite well. Unfortunately, they don’t care much for people like me.”

I pouted. “If they were the smart ones, they would.”

Jasper kissed me again, cupping his hands around my face and neck. “As long as you do, no one else really bothers me if they don’t.”

I sighed with some relief. “I understand that feeling.”

Jasper kissed my cheek and neck. “You’re probably hungry. I don’t think I’ve seen you eat much since we got back from the bog.”

I hadn’t. I’d been too distracted and too wound up to find much interest in eating. I nodded, regretting it as Jasper stood up and went towards the stove. The stew was bubbling, and it smelled wonderful as he opened the lid. He stirred it a bit.

“You really do make a good stew,” he said to me. “I’ve quite enjoyed it.”

“It’s one of the few things I know how to cook,” I muttered.

Jasper returned to the bed, handing me a full, warm bowl and a spoon. “I cook quite a bit. I’ll have to teach you some time.”

The idea made me smile, but then the thought of what mission could possibly be coming next for me took it right away. “Yeah. Maybe one day.”

Jasper stirred his stew, not really taking a bite. He watched me, his eyes focusing upon my hands as I fed myself small morsels. I hunted in the thick broth for the potatoes, my favorite, but didn’t really take the giant bites I wanted.

“You can ask for time off,” Jasper’s tone was stern. “You don’t have to keep taking missions where you have to go to these places and fight these people.”

I stilled and set my spoon down inside the bowl. “And do what?”

He just stared. “Stay with me. Work in the book shop. Sell books. Continue to scam the rich people in the community like you were doing before you left.”

I chuckled, smiling at the memories of that. “Be an informant, like you?”

“Yes! You’re good at being a spy and being an informant. You don’t have to fight all the time.”

“But I like fighting.” I smiled at him. I knew I didn’t have to always fight and be on the road, but Jasper was the first reason to make me stay.

“How much does the shop job pay?” I asked.

Jasper chuckled. “All that money from the witches and you want pay? From me?” He bared down, coming close to me and stealing a kiss.

“If I am working I deserve compensation! No matter how rich I am with witch money.” I kissed him back, trying to keep the bowl of stew from spilling over.” Jasper pulled back, moving our bowls to the side table.

“How did you get mixed up with a witch anyway?” He asked, smoothing his hand up my thigh.

“Greta? That’s a secret.” I chuckled as Jasper pushed me down onto the bed. “Careful,” I gasped.

“I’m fine. I’m healed up enough for this.” He yanked down my tights, moving his hands back up my bare legs as he stared directly into my eyes. “And what are you keeping secrets for?”

I smirked, his hands were coming up to my hips, but he stopped and held his hands around my knees. “She’s not cursed you, has she?” He asked.

“Not that I’m aware of.” I murmured, watching his hands again, wanting to see if they were going to move. Especially if they were going to move to where I wanted. “She did do something for me today.”

“Is that where you were.” He was massaging my calves now. Those big hands kneaded into the muscled flesh, which felt equal parts needed and painful.

I winced and moaned softly. “She found the peacekeeper who was leading this sect. The one who took you.”

Jasper merely made a growl in his throat.

I turned my head to the side, closing my eyes. Jasper was touching me, and that was enough. “She was going to let me kill him. Since the witches had their way.”

His hands stopped. “What?”

“I turned him in, don’t worry. No matter how badly I wanted to.” I kept my eyes shut, not wanting to see the look upon his face. “So don’t worry about it.” I jumped as Jasper’s lips came down upon my neck. I grabbed his shoulders as he kissed and bit. He tugged down my top, biting my shoulder. Exactly what I needed.

“I’m proud of you. Takes a lot to convince a witch.” His hands were under my top, grabbing at me, causing my breath to become fainter.

“I’d rather he suffered in prison than-” I let out a moan of surprise as Jasper’s fingers slipped to my loins and massaged there. “-than get off…get off easy,” I whimpered.

Jasper growled in his throat again, eyes focused upon me. He loved to watch me, to see what his touch could do. In the darkness all I could really see were eyes, glowing hazily above me. I couldn’t hide my smirk much longer as I anticipated what was coming.

“That’s the right way to think about it, I think. Although I am surprised the witch let you get away with that.” His fingers slipped inside at that moment and I had to let out a relieved moan followed by a pleasured laugh.

“Like that, did you?” Jasper chuckled along.

I writhed a little, arching my back, hoping to feel his touch deeper. “It’s been a while.”

“Yeah, I know.” His free hand smoothed down my body, undoing some of the laces on my tunic to better see what lay underneath. “Far too long.”

I sat up enough to grab him, to pull him down on top of me and kiss him. His hand slipped away from inside me and replaced the space between my thighs with his body. It was heaven on earth to feel that big body above mine. A rush of power surged through me knowing to have brought this mighty beast to his knees.

“I can’t wait much longer,” he growled.

I swooned with those words. “Then what are you waiting for?” I teased.

Jasper growled into y ear, kissing y neck and biting down onto my shoulder again. I held my breath, growing dizzier as the moments went on. The more he touched, the more the anticipation grew, I knew I was in for something special.

Jasper’s body moved into place. Between my thighs I felt his waist slip, and then felt his cock slip against the softness of my thighs. Goodness he was hard! I wriggled in excitement, biting on the inside of my cheek as he grew nearer, closer to me. That first touch at my folds, the way he slipped along me, both of us growing wetter by the friction.

“Hurry!” I fussed at him, gripping his shoulders a bit harshly.

Jasper looked down at me, those eyes no longer hazy in the dark, but rather sharp, and frightening  bolts of light. I bit my lip, going still as that gaze stabbed into me. Jasper’s hand came down, touching my face then cupping around my mouth.

“It has been a very long time between us, Cara,” he growled. “If I do not take my time, it’ll be over before it starts. I am unbearably excited at this moment. Surely, you can understand my predicament here.”

I nodded, putting a hand around his wrist that covered my mouth.

Jasper breathed out. “Then be patient. We’ll both have our satisfaction soon enough.” His hand slid down away from my mouth and his fingers slipped around my throat. His grip wasn’t tight, but there was a sense of danger that made me writhe even more.

I took in a breath as Jasper finally took over. He slipped inside me, going slow so I could savor every inch. I grunted, biting down upon my lip and my eyelids fluttered. Too long! Far too long to wait!

I gasped as he planted himself deep inside me. We both stilled, breathing and taking in the moment. I squeezed around him, and Jasper made his first pulse. It had been a while since we did it in this position, usually we were a tad more adventurous. But I suppose the classics are best when you’re both so tightly wound all that matters is the touch.

I’ve said it before that Jasper has been the only person who ellicites these sort of feelings in me. I’ve never felt the need to be close to someone, but I need him. Everything about him, I want to be close to me. I want to touch him, feel him, just have him so close to me. I’ve never needed that before. His warmth deep inside me is like a missing piece. As much as I would have hated to admit that ages ago, it’s true now.

His moans above me make me shiver. Knowing I'm causing his pleasure, his relief, makes me echo his voice. I breathe with him, move with him. His body and my body rock in this ocean that is our bed.

Our voices cry out in the darkness. We grab hold of one another, tight fingers, sweaty palms, aching legs. There’s warmth and lightening, our bodies create a flash that flows through us, igniting, sparking, crackling.

I am filled and he is empty.

Jasper’s body rests limply beside mine, slightly upon me. I lay there breathing, my head swirling and body still pulsing. It’s been so long, I can’t recover quite so fast.

Jasper rolls onto his side, laying his arm upon my chest and cupping my cheek. I turn to look at him through the darkness, smiling because I know he can see it.

“I missed you, Cara.”

A few tears sprung to my eyes. “I missed you too.” I moved, snuggling up to his chest and resting there. “I’ll stay for a while,” I murmured. “I’m not ready to part again.”

He wrapped his arms around me tight, both of us falling asleep. In the morning we’d leave to go back home, through the doors of the book shop.