The Bodyguard (discontinued)

37.

"We're almost there. Just trust me."

Three days later, they found themselves back in New York.

After the event, they'd come to the staggering revelation that they would no longer be able to separate themselves from the mess they'd conjured.

Jasper told Ace what he could.

Enough so he could finally understand.

"I never wanted to lie to you," he'd said. "You have to understand how traumatic last summer was for me. I didn't have the language to tell you — the strength. Not yet at least. I want to tell you everything, Ace and I will. I promise. I just need time. I need time to heal."

And Ace could hear it in every utterance of his breath — every pained gasp, slight crack, and rushed stutter as he spoke that Jasper was being truthful. He was almost frantic because he so badly needed Ace to understand.

And Ace didn't even question him.

Jasper had never felt a trust like that before — a comfort.

Because all Ace did that night was whisper sweet nothings into his ear until sleep overcame him.

"I trust you," Ace had said. "You're not ready and that's okay. I'll be here when you are." 

Those words that rang in Jasper's ear as he slept that night remained true. Because Ace never pestered or pressured him about it. He didn't bring it up and it never affected the way they were with each other.

Jasper had never felt so much relief.

The way that Ace trusted him enough to let him have this one thing. He didn't know when he could relinquish that piece of his trauma to Ace, but he'd hoped it would be soon.

Even though it was no longer a secret, Jasper wanted Ace to know every part of him, regardless of how devastating or cruel.

"Okay stop," Jasper said.

He stood on his tip toes in order to cover Ace's eyes.

They'd been walking for twenty minutes and for the last five Jasper insisted that the guard closed his eyes.

He'd caught Ace peeking once and no longer trusted he'd keep them closed, so he had to manually do it.

They'd been tripping over themselves and it made it extremely difficult to walk but Jasper was insistent.

"Keep them closed. I'm serious."

Ace laughed and shut his eyes once Jasper removed his hands.

"I am. I am."

The guard felt Jasper's presence leave him for a second, as he stood silently in anticipation.

Ace sensed Jasper was in front of him again as his scent brushed over him.

"Okay you can open them," Jasper said quietly.

When the guard opened his eyes, the first thing he noticed is that they were in some sort of clearing in the forest.

Jasper stood before him, paleness washed over him as he stood there gauging Ace's reaction.