Forever Yours

14: Clock Work

 Exhaustion made Oliver's eyes heavy as he stared into the darkness of the flat. He sat motionless on the white couch staring out the wall sized window. It had been days and yet time seemed both endlessly slow and all too fast. Oliver hadn't slept since it happened, the nightmares had gotten to a point the wolf couldn't tell the difference between Cezar's memory and his own memory. The only thing Oliver was sure about was the fear.

 The wolf found himself scowling at the clear night sky. Irritability grated his nerves. Between his inability to sleep, and his little brother's manipulative antics Oliver found little time with his mate. In fact this was the first time in 5 days the wolf had set foot in the flat. Sighing Oliver pushed himself off the couch and stretched his aching body, he didn't want to wake Jasper but he knew the vampire needed to feed. With Xavier doing everything he could to keep them apart this was probably the only chance they'd get uninterrupted. 

 Rubbing his eyes tiredly Oliver moved through the dark flat, quietly opening Jasper's door his eyebrows pulled together when the smell of his mate fully invaded his nose. Fresh mint and chocolate, and Oliver realized how badly he had missed it. 

 Not bothering with the light the wolf walked across the room, frowning when he found the large bed empty. The deep red sheets that were usually neat were tossed about and unruly. Lifting his head Oliver sniffed, his ear suddenly catching the sound of water splashing. Wandering to the bathroom and finding the light on and the door cracked. Pushing the door open Oliver glanced over the foggy mirror before looking to the bathtub.

 A familiar pale body was laid carelessly in the tub. The water so hot steam rose off it. Jasper's head was dropped back over the edge, arms hanging over both sides, and one foot lifted out of the water to rest on the faucet. 

 Staring guilt picked at Oliver's chest when he realized that Jasper looked like a vampire. Being paler than usual, his cheeks and eyes were starting to get a dark shadow making them look hollowed. With his lips parted the way they were his fangs were visible, a cigarette sat loosely between his lips. The burning cherry needing to be flicked. He looked hungry. 

 The bag held delicately in his limp hand made Oliver's eyes narrow. It was one of the blood bags that Jasper kept in the frig. Although the cap was still intact it became abundantly clear that Jasper had been pushed to a point that he shouldn't have been pushed to. The last time he drank blood that wasn't Oliver's, both of them got sick. 

 "Jasper." At the whisper the vampire's eyes snapped open, wide open. No longer were they clear blue, but a glossy maroon. The gold flecks still visible against the color. Lifting his head Jasper turned to look up at Oliver, the wolf appearing just as tired as he felt. 

 Swallowing harshly Jasper blinked, feeling the blood bag in his hand slip to the floor as he sniffed at the air. He wasn't exactly sure if it was the smell of his mate, or the smell of fresh blood rushing under his mate's skin but the vampire felt his teeth throbbing. A constant burning that seared his throat, burned his lungs, it was like breathing fire. Biting down on the end of the cigarette Jasper's eyes dilated at the thought of blood.  Dropping his foot Jasper started to crawl out of the bath but stopped when Oliver pulled his shirt off and dropped his pants. 

 Smiling faintly Jasper scooted forward feeling the wolf slip into the bath behind him, a low rumble sounding in his chest. "Why the hell is it so hot?" Twisting Jasper pulled himself until his chest rested on Oliver's, his slim body easily fitting between the wolf's bent legs. Letting the white stick in his lips fall over the side of the tub and into the ashtray Jasper leaned forward sniffing at Oliver's skin.

 "I like hot bathes." Mumbling the words lowly Jasper sighed at the touch of his mate, it felt right. He could finally relax completely, even though his throat burned like it was encased in a raging flame he was happy feeling the hot lips lightly press on his. The simple peck made Oliver smile and lean his head down offering light kisses along Jasper's jaw. "You look terrible. Don't let me force you to wait like this again."