storm ◇ jasper hale ◇

chapter seventeen ; babysitting

Madej winced a little when Jasper pulled his hair back a bit too hard, hands going back to his, guiding him in the right way. "Careful, you're gonna scalp me,"

"You're the one who put faith in me doing this."

"Well, you should learn how to braid hair." Madej said, tempted to roll his eyes at Jasper's antics, pulling his hands away once he was sure Jasper wouldn't tear his head in half by accident. He had no tact or skill with hair.

Jasper kept quiet, which usually happened when he was concentrating. The two didn't say anything as Jasper finished up the braid, listening to the music playing from Jasper's phone. It was calm music, which was a change from the rock music the two usually listened to.

Madej told him about his hair, how it meant a lot to him and other indigenous people, that when braiding his hair, he had to have good thoughts because he was connecting with his body, mind and spirit.

"Is that what the three strands are for?" Jasper asked, pausing as Madej spoke.

"Yeah. Like, our power is in our braids, so we're proud of them. They're a, uh, symbol of strength and wisdom, and can also reflect our identity as indigenous people. Others braid their hair to honour our ancestors. Hair's a sacred thing, which is why a lot of parents don't cut their kids hair, it's that important."

"And you're OK with me braiding your hair?"

"Yeah, it's nice to have someone else do it for a change, and you mean well about it. Besides, I wouldn't let you braid my hair if I didn't want you to."

Jasper had spent the night with Madej, much like most nights. It helped Madej with his insomnia, and Jasper claimed it helped him relax into an almost sleeping state. Besides, he didn't want to hear Edward talking about Bella, or how the others would tease him about how much he cared about Madej.

"Emmett does this with Rosalie," Jasper said, pulling Madej to his chest once the braid had been finished.

"Yeah?" Madej asked, looking up at Jasper.

"I've never seen her do her own hair, Emmett's always done it for her." Jasper kissed Madej's neck, a smile on his lips. "I lack the talent he has, but this has been fun."

Madej pushed his fingers through Jasper's hair, as the vampire kissed his neck a few more times. "Benedict is still here," he pointed out when Jasper pulled Madej into his lap properly. Madej raised an eyebrow at Jasper, hands around his neck loosely.

"I don't want to hear about your brother when I'm trying to seduce you." Jasper said, fingers playing with the end of the braid of Madej's hair. He smiled, and the two kissed.

Madej wasn't wearing his regular jewellery, so Jasper could feel everything that he was feeling, that his powers could pick up. Whether or not that was a good thing was about to be brought to light. He liked how Jasper would be able to feel his true feelings for him, especially when they were so intimate.

He could feel Jasper's cold hands on his hips, slipping underneath the old t-shirt he was wearing. The track changed on Jasper's phone, and the boy in question had Madej on his back on the bed.

"You sure about this?" Madej asked as he looked up at Jasper. He put his hands on Jasper's shoulders, concerned.

"Of course, are you?"

"Yeah." Once the word was out of his mouth, Jasper kissed him again. "Quick question," he said when Jasper pulled away. "You do understand gay sex, right?"

Jasper smiled, a soft laugh coming from him. "Esme took the time out to make sure I knew -"

"Oh my god, even I've not had the sex talk with my mom, you're like a two hundred year old virgin getting a pep talk on how to fuck."