IX

Having dealt with the deliveryman, they both went back in, each carrying a plastic bag of food.

Jasper collected Vincent's and placed both on the dining table and turned to get plates from the kitchen, when Vincent grabbed his arm.

"We can just use these plates, you know."

He pulled Vincent back and sat him in his chair.

"Eat."

They started eating, with Jasper's attention solely on Vincent.

"What? Is there something on my face?" Vincent asked with a raised brow.

"No. There isn't." Jasper replied, but he didn't take his gaze off.

"What is it then?" Vincent asked curiously.

"I just really don't understand why you'd make such drastic decisions within such a short time."

"It might be just a short time to you, but some decisions were made a long time ago. Even if the plan was to change, the goal wouldn't. Flexibility in planning is a talent, you know." Vincent told Jasper with a wink.

Jasper only stared blankly at Vincent for a few minutes before turning back to his food as though he heard nothing.

After they had eaten and cleared the plates, Jasper turned to Vincent.

"Did you work all night, yesterday?" He asked.

"Why do you ask?"

"Because I was asked to monitor you and ensure you don't overwork yourself and you take regular breaks." Jasper replied.

"And?" Vincent, challenged with a raised brow.

"And I wasn't here yesterday so I wouldn't know if you did or not, but knowing you, you probably did and you still haven't slept till now."

Vincent didn't reply. He only gave him a blank stare.

"Let's go for a walk." Jasper suggested.

"A walk? That's very random..." Vincent pointed out.

"I know, I just want the food to digest a bit faster, and we can also talk along the way, you know." Jasper explained as he grabbed Vincent's wrist, dragging him towards the front door.

"Hey, slow down. No need to pull. Might as well yank my arm off while you're at it." Vincent scolded.

Jasper only made a sound of annoyance at him, even as he continued dragging him as though he heard nothing.

***

They had made their way to a park in the neighborhood and were walking in silence side by side, arms brushing every 5 minutes.

"What did you mean?" Jasper asked.

"Huh?"

"What did you mean when you said it might only be a short time to me, but some decisions were made long ago and that although the plan was to change, the goal remains the same?" Jasper specified.

"You're still thinking about that, huh?" Vincent asked with a small smile.

"Why wouldn't I? You can't just say something like that and expect someone to forget it, like you said nothing." Jasper raised a brow at him.

Vincent sighed, "Well, I suppose so."

"A long time ago, by our 4th or 5th lifetime, I'd already decided, that if this curse couldn't be broken, I'd remain with you, and even if it did get broken, I'd remain with you regardless. No matter who I married or where we decide to live, I'd never leave you or let you go too far, it'd always be you first, before anyone else."

There was a silence, for dramatic effect, before he continued.

"Now that things have developed to this point, I don't think I can be any happier. It feels like this had been the plan all along... Everything that has happened, happened for us to get to this point, I mean."

Jasper only watched Vincent speak, but he couldn't say anything. What else was left for him to say? Nothing. Vincent had left him speechless, something he tended to do often since Jasper confessed.

"I wish I was half as bold as you are, Your Majesty. I wish I could say everything as it came to my mind. To just say it without any hesitation, or preprocessing. There are lots of things I'd have said."

"Like what? Don't think about the consequences of anything, just talk." Vincent urged.

"I actually really love you Vincent. More than you'll ever know. And I've decided that if you happen to not like it or you feel disgusted with me, I can leave and it'd be as though I was never in your life. You won't have to put up with me out of courtesy. It's your happiness before mine, for me. Always." Jasper explained.

"I don't think you understand that I just told you I can't do without you and here you are, telling about about leaving me. Are you dumb?" Vincent scolded.

There was silence.

Then Vincent spoke again. "You keep talking about leaving, you're tempting me to chain you to a bed in our house. Or... Is it that you actually want to leave me? You don't like me, you just want me to let you go on good terms? You don't have to lie to me if that's the case, you know."

"That is not the case. I don't want to be anywhere except by your side, Vincent." Jasper shouted, before realising that they were still outside and an embarrassed expression settled over his face.

Vincent was stunned, before a look of amusement settled over his face and he started laughing. "You know, you're pretty cute when you're defensive and flustered."

Jasper said nothing as he avoided Vincent's eyes. Vincent's teasing wasn't doing anything to alleviate his embarrassment.

Vincent grinned, then stroked the back of his hair rather lovingly, before grabbing his hand and leading him away with a "Come on", as though he didn't do anything.

Jasper remained in shock, following him on autopilot.

***

Vincent led them both back home, taking a deep breath, and releasing it with a smile.

"Y- Vincent. You need to rest. You haven't slept properly all night. You need to sleep and make up for it." Jasper reminded Vincent.

"Mn... Soon." Vincent told him.

"Did you get medicine?" Jasper asked.

"No I didn't." Vincent replied, then started heading straight for his... their room.

"Vincent, are you really ok with me staying in your room?" Jasper asked skeptically.

Vincent stopped and looked back. "If I wasn't, I wouldn't have moved your stuff there in the first place."

"Oh." Jasper said, then followed him in.