❝ c u r i o u s ❞

In the years since he's left the wars - both, the human disputes and supernatural ones - Jasper has discovered that libraries are one of the few places in the world where he can truly be at peace. The natural hushed reverie and relaxing mood within them put him at ease. While the one he currently resides in isn't as luxurious as patrons claim the first-class library to be, it still calms his over-alert senses and allows his worries to be pushed aside as he immerses himself in a novel.

The distraction from his thirst and the potential prey that surrounds him works, until his mind wanders to a certain young woman he met only the day before. Quite literally falling into his arms, Annalise had definitely caught his attention, just as his act of saving her life had caught hers. It wasn't a surprise when she sought him out later to thank him; he had even gone out of his way to make it easier for her to do so. But, what perplexes him is her continued desire to spend time with him, as well as his equally strong desire to be within her vicinity.

Most humans have a subconscious survival instinct to avoid the otherworldly creatures of the night, but Annalise repeatedly ignores hers - going so far as to promise to see Jasper again in an attempt to spend more time with him. Knowing that everything about his species is meant to draw prey in, Jasper can't help but to wonder if she truly wants to be around him or if the mysterious allure of his odd eye color and pale skin is what entices her.

As though she senses that she's on his mind, Annalise gracefully strolls into the library. A smile lifts the corner of her lips as she spots Jasper before quickly averting her gaze, acting as though she hadn't seen him. Jasper's gaze lifts from the book in his hands he'd been ignoring, watching curiously as she searches through the shelves of books.

Finally finding one she's yet to read, Annalise walks confidently across the large room and sits down in a cushioned chair directly next to Jasper. Without another glance or a single word, she opens the novel and begins to read.

Her sudden closeness doesn't bother Jasper as much as it had yesterday, and not even the natural blush of her cheeks is enough to cause his instinctual desires to flare dangerously as he studies her side profile with an amused smile.

"Good afternoon, ma'am," he greets cordially, wondering what game she's attempting to play.

Though her heart rate speeds up at the sound of his voice, she looks over and widens her eyes, managing to respond as though she's only just noticed his presence. "Good afternoon, Mr. Whitlock."

This simple interaction is more than enough to cause his previous doubts to disappear, a small chuckle escaping his lips as he follows her suit and continues to read. More than content to be in one another's presence, a blissful aura surrounds the duo, spreading further throughout the room with each turn of their pages until everyone within the near vicinity is suddenly in better moods than before.

Annalise can hardly process - let alone explain - it, but something within her subconsciousness yearns to be near the man she met only yesterday and all feels right within her world when she is. She wonders if this is how Ophelia feels when she's with her fiance, despite the glaring difference that Jasper is practically a stranger and Ophelia and Robert are engaged.

Her time with Nathaniel, while pleasant, is suddenly dull in comparison to these unusual encounters with Jasper. She grows lost in these thoughts, her mind suddenly running rampant with scenarios and potential decisions that haven't even occurred yet. Jasper notices the brief hitch in her mood and the fact that she hasn't turned past the second page in her book.

"Is everything alright?" He questions, briefly glancing at the page number before closing his book and turning to fixate all of his attention on her.

Annalise snaps out of her revelry and closes her book as well, glancing down just as his hand moves toward hers before he thinks better of it and yanks it back to rest on the arm rest. Before she can even process her own movements, she leans over and places her hand in the palm of his, intertwining their fingers.

Jasper's entire body freezes and he stops breathing, waiting for her to recoil in fear at his freezing touch. Instead, only a faint crease in her eyebrows appears before it smooths over and her earlier easygoing mood returns.

"Yes," she answers simply. "I just let my overthinking get the best of me for a moment."

Jasper doesn't dare to relax his stiff posture, though his smile does return as hers does. With this closer proximity, he can't risk to let his guard down for fear of startling or harming her. Annalise doesn't notice, nor does she offer any indication that his chilling temperature bothers her.

"It is strange, though," she continues, bashfully glancing away from his red eyes. "One look at you manages to take all of my worries away. I've never felt this at ease with someone, not even my sister."

"I tend to have that effect on people," he teases, not entirely lying.

Annalise rolls her eyes playfully and extracts her hand, using it to hide the blush creeping back into her cheeks. Though Jasper immediately misses the warmth she offers, he's relieved to have the safe space between them once again.

They go back to their original positions, opening their books in sync and returning to the fictional worlds the stories have to offer. Neither truly focus on the words in front of them, both sneaking glances at the other and pretending not to notice when their longing gaze lasts a little too long to be played off as accidental. The lack of conversation isn't awkward though, and both find comfort in each other's mere presence as the hours pass.

A clock on the far wall chimes quietly, causing Annalise's gaze to slide from his face to the time. Her eyes widen and, just as she had yesterday, she's running behind. Jasper notices the subtle panic in her eyes and wonders what she could be late for, until the quiet rumble in her stomach reminds him that she needs to eat.

"Don't let me keep you from your plans," Jasper says, breaking the silence as he finishes his book. "Though, I do believe you still have something of mine."

"It appears I accidentally left it in my room," Annalise lies through her teeth, smiling innocently. "I suppose this means we'll have to meet again."

"I suppose it does," he agrees, a surprising giddiness enveloping him at the prospect of seeing her again. "Until we meet again?"

"Until we meet again," she repeats.

Jasper stands alongside her, intending to return their books to the shelves and find another one for himself. Annalise's heart flutters as he gently takes the book from her grasp, a bundle of nerves chasing away her hunger as she makes a decision. Jasper stops moving as she stretches onto her tiptoes, once again watching every move she makes with a wonder-filled curiousity.

Annalise bids him farewell for the evening and kisses him on the cheek, an embarrassed grin crossing her features when he doesn't immediately react. She spins on her heel and hurries out of the room and Jasper's stiff posture relaxes. An oddly euphoric mood that's entirely his own washes over him and, for the first time he can remember, Jasper is happy with this supernatural life.