A Surprise Celebration

[Alanna Darlington]

June 26th had approached quickly. Before, it would have been just another day to her, but now that she knew Jasper, it was one of the most important days of the year. When they had been just friends, it would have mattered of course, but now that they were a couple, well, that changed everything. 

Birthdays had always been a big deal in Alanna's house. It may have only been her and her parents, but they always celebrated. There was always a nice family dinner, sometimes a party, and of course presents. She knew that it wasn't that way for everyone. In fact, it seemed that Jasper was more than happy to pretend it was just any other day. He had texted her that he was going to work late tonight so he'd just see her tomorrow. 

Of course, she wasn't upset. Working late meant more money and she knew that he needed it for his family. But that didn't mean that she was about to miss spending time with him on his actual birthday. On the bright side, now that he was working late, it gave her the opportunity to surprise him. 

So she had carefully wrapped his presents - plural because she hadn't been able to make up her mind and she wanted more than anything for today to really be perfect - and headed slightly down the hall to his dorm. By now, his roommates were more than used to her being a frequent visitor, so they let her in without even a question. Alanna quickly slipped into his room, setting the presents down next to her on the bed as she sat to wait on him. Honestly, she wasn't sure when he would be getting back, but the surprised expression on his adorable face would be more than worth the amount of time she spent waiting - that much she was sure of. 

[Jasper Blackwater]

For as long as he could remember, Jasper Blackwater had found satisfaction in the exhaustion that followed a job well done. He liked working—he’d always liked it. He liked anything and everything that made him feel productive.

He was exhausted now, and his legs protested on each step of the dormitory staircase. It had been worth it, though, for the overtime, and he’d only missed curfew by ten minutes. There didn’t seem to be anyone around; the monitors were a little more lenient on Fridays. That suited him fine—as a general rule, the only thing that Jasper liked more than being productive was breaking a rule and getting away with it.

Of course, that was a secret. He had a few of those.

He trudged his way up to the second floor in contented silence. It was what he’d wanted: a nice, quiet birthday. No fuss. Nothing expensive. Even as he opened the door to his bedroom, he took care not to make any excess noise. He stepped into the room sideways and closed the door as quietly as he had opened it. He untucked his work shirt and ruffled his hair.

Then, he turned around to find Alanna sitting on his bed, and his breath caught precariously in his throat. He nearly shouted, but he laughed instead: a soft, breathy laugh of surprise.

“Hey,” he said, gently. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for you to wait up…”

But I’m glad you did.

[Alanna Darlington]

Time passed slowly as she waited, but honestly, that was okay with her. It was just past curfew now, but she didn't think anyone would notice she wasn't in her room. They were more lax on Fridays and even still, they didn't check the dorms every night after all. Besides, even if she did get in trouble, it would be worth it. After all, what kind of girlfriend would she be to just let Jasper's boyfriend pass without any notice?

It still gave her a little thrill - saying, or even thinking, that word. After all, she had never thought anyone would like her that way. She had a hard enough time getting friends, how was she supposed to believe any boy would feel more strongly about her? Let alone someone as kind and sweet and perfect as Jasper?

So she had to be the best girlfriend she could be. He deserved that much.

It was then that the door open and her breath caught a little. She could tell he hadn't noticed her yet as he absently untucked his shirt and mussed his hair. Alanna had to purse her lips together to ensure she didn't make a noise and ruin the surprise. Besides, there was something about seeing him then, so relaxed and natural. It made her smile.

He didn't seem to startled, but she could tell by the breathy way that he laughed that he was - he was just trying to be quiet. Meanwhile, she couldn't fight back a grin any longer.

"I know," she said softly. That was part of what she liked about him. He didn't expect anything really. He was so used to being the caretaker and conceding for the sake of others. It only made her want to do more for him. The added thought made her smile wider. She knew he was tired, but that he was happy to see her was all that mattered.

"It is your birthday after all," she pointed out, her voice soft. "It was the least I could do really." He would argue otherwise, but it didn't change the fact that she was more than happy to wait for him. It was a little selfish even, because really, she just wanted to spend every moment with him that he could. Making him happy was her favorite thing really.

"Besides, it would be rude to give you your presents late," she teased.

[Jasper Blackwater]

Jasper saw her smile widen, and he knew that she’d heard his thoughts. It happened more and more often: she got that look in her eye, and he knew that he didn’t need to say anything else, because she’d already understood.

It was part of what he liked about her.

“I don’t feel any older,” he said. His voice was still hushed, even though it probably didn’t need to be; he felt like it made the conversation more private, somehow, so he kept on. “You know that weird feeling you get on your birthday where everything is exactly the same, but you feel like it should be different?”

He laughed again, and the look on his face made it clear that he felt as though he’d said something dumb. The mattress dipped under his weight as he sat down beside her. He studied her for a moment, and his eyes were sparkling with mirth even in his silence.

“You didn’t have to get me anything,” he said, not unkindly. “But thank you for thinking of me. I’m going to kiss you now.”

And he did, with the smile still on his lips.

[Alanna Darlington]

Her smile was permanently etched on her face when she was around Jasper. Of course, this had been the case practically since she met him. It was simply a part of him - a contagious joy that simply could not be resisted.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. It just feels like another day. It's not like a whole year happens at once. But just because it feels like any other day, doesn't mean you treat it like any other day!" Birthdays and holidays were things she felt very strongly about after all. So she insisted on celebrating and she wouldn't let anyone - even the birthday boy himself - rain on that parade.

As he sat beside her, she could help but inch closer, so that their arms were lightly pressed against each other. Just that hint of contact between them sent a rush through her, a giddy sort of lightheartedness. It seemed simple, but just being near him was enough. But especially when he was smiling at her like that, his eyes bright... well, how could she resist that? Why would she want to?

"I know," she repeated. He had told her a dozen times at least that she didn't need to get him anything. "But I wanted to. And you deserve to be a spoiled a little," she answered with a grin. "I'm always thinking of you," she added softly, even as she leaned into his kiss.

It was soft and sweet, like most moments between them. When they pulled apart, it was with a smile on her lips. "I like the way you think," she concluded, a mischievous twinkle in her own eyes.

Before they got distracted though - and it was certain that if they continued this way that is exactly where they would end up - she swiftly redirected their focus. "Okay, I can't wait anymore, you have to open these already!"

Alanna handed him the first of her presents. This one she knew he'd love. It was an Ina Garten cookbook, one she had seen him pining over in the bookstore at least three times this year. In truth, she was more nervous about the second gift. This one she held tightly in her hands. It was a small box, about a three inch square. It was sentimental, she worried too much so. After all, boys weren't that into mushy stuff right? Would he think it was silly?

For the moment, she tried to push those thoughts aside though, focusing instead on watching Jasper as he unwrapped the book, waiting for his reaction to appear on his face.

[Jasper Blackwater]

Jasper grinned at her insistence; the fact that she was so excited over his birthday made it easy to indulge her. He nodded to show that he understood.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Being close to her felt natural; he’d been shy, initially, but it had faded quickly, and now every kiss was effortless. He still felt a flutter here and there—not shyness, but something different. Something good. He felt it in moments like these, when she said things like I’m always thinking of you.

“Well, that’s good,” he said, beaming. “Because you’re probably the only one who actually knows what I think.”

She brought out the presents, then, and he couldn’t deny that he was excited. When he was younger, all he’d ever wanted were presents—birthday presents, Christmas presents, presents just because. On most holidays, he’d gone without so that his mother could do what little she could manage for his younger brothers, instead. Even now, he felt a twinge of guilt whenever he got something for free. And yet….

He accepted the package graciously and flipped it over once, twice. It was a book; or, well, it was certainly book-shaped, and it had a hard cover and a spine. He gave Alanna one last excited glance before carefully peeling the wrapping paper off with his fingertips. He pulled it back to reveal Ina Garten’s smiling face. He grinned down at her, then up at Alanna.

“Thank you!” he said, a little more loudly than he’d intended. He bit his lip apologetically. “Thank you,” he whispered, again. “I love it. I mean, I haven’t pulled it all the way out of the wrapping paper yet, but I already know I love it, because, you know, I stared at it for half an hour in Barnes and Noble, and asked you if it would be weird if I copied all the recipes down in my math notebook.”

He laughed. Then, he leaned in for another quick kiss.

“In retrospect, that would have been pretty weird,” he admitted.

[Alanna Darlington]

His words made her blush a little. "Lucky me." That really was the truth of how she felt though. Much as she hated her power for a myriad of reasons, with Jasper, she almost understood how it could be a gift. She liked knowing what he was thinking. It kept them both in check. She didn't worry as much and it helped bring up topics he was too shy to actually speak about.

Besides, she had yet to hear any thoughts she didn't like.

The second he peeled away the wrapping paper and saw Ina's face on the cover of the book, a wide grin spread across his face. That split second alone was enough to make Alanna's day. She had known he would love it, but seeing it was a whole different story. His rambling only made her smile even brighter. She remembered vividly that particular day. They had been in Barnes and Noble for almost an hour, at least 15 minutes of which was spent with him debating the ethics of copying the recipes into his notebook.

"I thought this might be a good alternative," she teased. "I'm glad you like it though."

She hesitated then, lingering in the kiss a moment longer. His admission earned another grin, but her mind was thinking then on her second present. Should she give it to him? What if he hated it? After a moment's pause, she offered it to him.

It was a small jewelry box and inside was a sterling silver keychain. On the front was etched his initials - JB - but there was a small latch on the side that opened it, like a locket. Inside was two photos. One of his brothers and the other of the two of them.

She watched with butterflies in her stomach as he opened it, studying it. "There's an inscription on the back," she said softly, her nerves leaking into her voice slightly. Indeed, there two words were written on the otherwise smooth metal back. Never Alone.

"Before I knew you, I thought I was, you know. Alone." As she spoke, her eyes were fixed on the keychain itself rather than his face so that she could say what she wanted to without backing out. "I thought I always would be. But you showed me that wasn't true. That's your gift you know. You care so much, about everyone... And so I wanted you to know that there are people there for you like that too. So that you can keep the most important ones with you always... and to hope that maybe I was one of them even..." Her voice caught in her throat.

Her eyes finally darted up to look at him, even as a hesitant laugh fell from her lips. "I'm sorry. I'm being silly aren't I?"

[Jasper Blackwater]

“I love it,” Jasper repeated, with emphasis. “Seriously, it’s great.”

He flashed her a million-watt smile.

“You’re great. I mean it.”

The kiss brought a lull into their hushed conversation that persisted for several moments after they pulled apart. She offered him a smaller box, then; it was covered in crushed gray velvet, and there was a flicker of guilt in his deep brown eyes. Was it expensive? He hadn’t meant to think it, but he couldn’t stop himself. He’d never seen a box like that without something expensive inside.

It dawned on him, then, all of a sudden-like: the value wasn’t the important part. Her intention was the important part, and her intentions had never been anything but good.

He relaxed visibly beside her and offered her a small, warm little smile. He pushed the top of the box open with his thumb.

It was a key chain, cast in gleaming silver against a swatch of off-white silk. The front said JB—his initials, he realized after a moment of thought. He reached for it carefully, because he was afraid he would mar its beauty with his fingerprints. It was nicer than most of the things he’d ever owned. He depressed the latch on the side with a delicate click. There were pictures inside. A small photo of his brothers, Hunter and Brandon, was on the left; it had been taken the previous year, and was one of the few photos in existence in which Hunter was smiling. The right photo was one Alanna had taken of the two of them.

Emotion swelled in his chest and took him by surprise; he felt his chest tighten into a dull ache, and found himself fighting back tears. He was homesick, but it was more than that—he was in love, and he’d never been happier.

A moment later, he turned the pictures over so that he could see the back. Never Alone, it said. He kept his eyes trained on the words, even after tears clouded his vision and he couldn’t read them properly anymore. He could feel her eyes on him, and then she laughed and asked him if she was being silly. He laughed, too, and if there had been any question as to whether or not he was crying, there wasn’t anymore—his sniffling had given him away. He wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand and tried desperately to be the suave individual he knew he wasn’t.

“No,” he said, and he was smiling. “No, I love it.” He cradled the open box in one hand and tried to wipe up another round of tears with the other.

“I love you.”

He gave her an embarrassed, watery-eyed look, laughed, and looked down again.

[Alanna Darlington]

His compliment made her blush, and for a moment, her gaze turned downward. Yet she did not protest. There had once been a time where she would deny every such remark, insisting she was nothing special. It was a small step, but one worth noting, because her time spent with Jasper had taught her that while she might not see herself in such a kind light, he truly did.

Her flush turned even brighter red as she heard his thought. Was it expensive? Well, she might argue that it really wasn't, but she knew that she came from an entirely different view on that matter. To Jasper, it would be expensive, especially since she had gotten it personalized and engraved. Still, to her, the money didn't matter. She just hoped he would like it and not think she was being too silly or mushy. After all, Jasper didn't seem like that type, but well, Alanna had never had a boyfriend before so she was still a bit unsure about all of this really.

She heard the change in his thoughts though, just as clearly as she saw him visibly relax beside her. That in and of itself was a relief. Though there was still a chance he wouldn't like it. He might think it was dumb or that it was too much. Was it too soon for these sort of gifts? Was she just worrying too much? Well, probably, but until he opened it, she wouldn't be able to stop.

As he opened it, her gaze was fixed on his, waiting for a sign as to how he felt about it. His mind was rather clear actually - she got a sense that he was overwhelmed, but with what she didn't know. Was that a good thing?

So she just started talking. Rambling more like. Trying to explain. Still, that voice nagged at her that she was being too over the top. Too sentimental, too melodramatic. Would he appreciate it? She knew that he was too nice to say he didn't, but that wasn't the same really.

What she couldn't have expected though were the tears. Her eyes widened as she realized that he was crying. Had she done something to upset him? But before she could ask or apologize, he smiled and told her he loved it. That too stunned her. "You do?" she whispered, almost unable to believe it, but delighted nonetheless

Though that wasn't even half as amazing as what he said next. Those words however earned an immediate response as a wide grin spread across her face, the sort that made her cheeks noticeably ache. The moment he looked down, her hand found his cheek and gently turned him towards her once more and her lips met his immediately in a long slow kiss.

"I love you too," she whispered as she pulled back, her eyes meeting his even as a breathless smile formed on her lips.

[Jasper Blackwater]

“Of course I do,” said Jasper. He laughed one of those small, shaky laughs again; for some reason, he found it hard to stop. “This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. I just—you know, I miss them. It’s not that I don’t love being here with you—it’s great, you’re great—I’ve had a lot of amazing opportunities—I just miss them all the time, you know?”

Her hand was cool against his cheek, and the kiss was sweeter and deeper and longer than the others. He leaned forward into it so that he could wrap one arm behind her and pull her closer.

I love you too, she said. He buried his face against her shoulder, into the soft of her hair, to hide the way his eyes welled up again. He stayed like that for a little while; quiet, grateful, content to hold her.

“Thank you,” he said, although he wasn’t sure which bit in particular he was thanking her for. She’d done so much. He leaned back and wiped at his cheeks again. They had mostly dried. “I am really… really glad to have met you. I feel better about everything when I’m with you.”

A pause. Another laugh.

“Sorry… this is too cheesy, isn’t it? I’m sorry. I didn’t… I mean, I’m not upset or anything.” He motioned to his ruddy, tear-stained cheeks. “I hope I didn’t weird you out.”

[Alanna Darlington]

Her whole face lit up as he told her it was the nicest thing anyone had ever done from him. Her expression softened slightly as he spoke of his brothers. "I know," she said gently. "I can only imagine how much you must miss them." She knew how much he missed them. She was often with him when they called after all, and she saw firsthand how much even a few minutes of conversation could brighten his day. She wasn't jealous though, or anything like that. Well, maybe jealous that she didn't have any siblings to share that bond with, but not jealous of Jasper's attention. She didn't need to be the center of his world, just a part of it.

This time when she kissed him, it felt different, and she couldn't help but think that he had felt that too. There was more emotion behind it and that made it all the better. Especially when he wrapped his arm around her like that and pulled her close. Even when they pulled apart, just that closeness was enough.

Alanna wrapped her own arms around him as he buried his face in her hair, perfectly content to just stay like that. When he spoke, she wasn't entirely sure what he was thanking her for, but it didn't really matter. Her answer was the same. "Of course, Jas." It was really that simple for her. She smiled warmly at him even as her finger brushed an errant tear from his cheek.

"Oh no," she assured him. "It's not at all. Or well, I mean, I don't mind at least. It's sweet." She blushed slightly. "At least I think so." As if to prove this, she gently kissed the tear stained cheek he had gestured to, pulling back with a smile. "I'm glad you liked it. I really wanted to get you something meaningful because you're really important to me, Jasper."

Her voice trailed off as she thought of the time her powers had nearly overwhelmed her, and how it had been Jasper who had been able to help her most in the end. If he hadn't been there for her... she didn't want to think about what might have happened. It might be ridiculously sappy, but it was also the truth.

"I don't know where I'd be if I hadn't met you, but I know I wouldn't even be half so happy."

[Jasper Blackwater]

Alanna assured him that she knew how much he missed his family. Jasper nodded and offered her a small, watery smile; he knew that she knew, but hearing her say it comforted him nonetheless. For all the friends that he had—and he liked to think that he had a lot of them—he very rarely shared the things that were closest to his heart. That was the secret to being everyone’s friend.

It was lonely, sometimes. He didn’t feel lonely now.

Even though the kiss had ended, it wouldn’t have been strictly accurate to say that they had pulled away from one another. He was still close enough to see the individual hairs of her eyelashes and the texture of the soft pink curve of her lips. He smiled as her fingertips grazed his cheek.

“Yeah?” he asked, allowing himself a brief moment to look sheepish about his tears. His embarrassment faded, though, the moment she planted a soft kiss against his cheekbone. He was too busy relishing the affection to stay worried; and, anyway, he wasn’t one to be down for long.

She was quiet for a long while, then, and Jasper took the opportunity to run a gentle, broad-fingered hand through her hair. He didn’t stop when she spoke again.

“Well, I’m glad we won’t ever find out,” he said. He pulled her in for another hug and held her against his chest. As an afterthought, he double-checked to make sure that his work name tag wasn’t poking her anywhere. (It wasn’t.)

He grinned into the crook of her shoulder.

“It feels like my birthday now.”