The Right Guy

Jasper and Alec

It took Jasper less than fifteen minutes to ask Alec to dinner once Bella left them alone.

It took Alec less than five seconds to yes.

In the twenty four hours between Jasper asking and them going to dinner, both began to doubt their decision.

Alec had never been in a relationship with a man – he had fallen in horrendously unrequited love with co-workers without a hope of them loving him back, he had developed crushes on movie stars like anyone else but to actually date a man… not since before the operation.

Jasper, on the other hand, had had relationships with men and had chosen the wrong men. Men who cheated, men who lied, men who were never what they seemed.

Alec though that Jasper was handsome and confident.

Jasper thought that Alec was stunning and sweet.

Neither of them knew what to expect from the date and both were nervous.

Both were excited.

They met at a small restaurant that was almost full. Busy enough so as to have privacy and intimate enough to get to know each other.

They met at the door and Jasper smiled widely as Alec appeared beside him, wearing a black coat against a chilly wind. Jasper leaned down to hug him and took a little pleasure in the flush the filled Alec's cheeks at the brief intimacy.

Alec's heart was ready to pound out of his chest at the sight of this handsome man with his dark brown eyes and soft blond hair, his kind smile and his aura of gentility.

"I'm just about starving." Jasper admitted as they were seated, "I missed lunch. I get distracted kind of easily."

"I'm the same. We just finished a major project at work and I think I got about twelve hour sleeps over four days." Alec smiled as their beers arrived and they placed their orders. Jasper ordered a steak, medium-rare while Alec requested blackened salmon.

The conversation began lightly – they compared tastes in films and music. Jasper loved reading historical novels while Alec preferred fantasy and science fiction. Jasper had a weakness for video games and Alec enjoyed drawing.

"How did you meet Bella?" Alec asked as the conversation started to lull, drawing on a common area for them both.

"She asked me to dinner. I'm not entirely sure that she realised that I was gay when she did." Jasper laughed awkwardly, "But she caught on pretty quickly. She's a sweetheart."

"That she is." Alec agreed, tracing a finger over the condensation on his glass of beer. Jasper's hand was very close and Alec resisted the urge to brush his fingers against his.

"You hadn't met her before yesterday?" Jasper asked and Alec shook his head, pushing his black hair out of his eyes.

"No… I haven't met a lot of people in Seattle."

"Did you just move here too?" Jasper was curious and Alec moved his hands to his lap. Jasper noticed the tenseness in his shoulders, the hold of his jaw and signalled for the check, "Do you want to come back to mine for a drink? Just to talk… it isn't always easy to make a good impression in a crowded restaurant."

To his disappointment, the stiffness did not leave Alec's body but the smaller man nodded.

Jasper's apartment was bright and masculine. While Jasper poured them drinks Alec moved around the living room, his eyes scanning the DVD's, the bookcase and the photograph of his parents.

Alec's heart clenched at the sight of the three people, smiling and loving.

He had no photographs of Cynthia since they had been children. After their parents had died, Cynthia's idea of family life had been to make sure her little sister hadn't failed out of school once in a while and make sure there was some food in the house.

And after their last fight, it didn't matter how many letters Alec sent. There was never any reply and Cynthia had changed her telephone number.

"Are you OK?" Jasper spoke softly and Alec turned, smiling a little.

"Yeah. Thanks…" He took the offered beer and they sat on the couch, Jasper's music playing softly.

"Was it hard to leave your parents?" Alec asked, gesturing at the photo and Jasper looked at the picture fondly.

"Kind of. My parents are amazing. It's not easy… having a gay son in the deep south." He smirked a little, "I never got any real kind of hassle for it, I grew up in a nice area – there were a few comments in high school but you know what they say about sticks and stones."

"They hurt like hell?"

"Especially when they hit you in the balls." Jasper added dryly. Alec smiled, tapping a finger against the rim of his glass.

"So your parents were OK with you being gay?"

"Completely. Dad was a little surprised at first."

Jasper thought back to the night when he'd confessed to his parents and that was truly what it had felt like – confession in a church, revealing his sins, his uncleanliness.

They had sat around the kitchen table and Jasper told them in halting tones. His mother had listened in silence.

His father had walked out without a word.

His mother wrapped her hands around his, kissed his forehead, told him he was beautiful and that she wouldn't want him any other way.

Later that night, his father came into his room. In his hand, he had print-outs from websites about living with gay teens, physical and emotional aspects of relationships, and a variety of other information.

"I don't understand a lot of this, Jasper. But it's a part of you so I'm going to understand." He'd said gruffly.

Jasper had never loved his parents more.

"What about your family, Alec?" He asked and instantly regretted it as Alec's face tightened.

"My parents died when I was fifteen. My older sister was my official guardian but we… we don't talk anymore."

"I'm sorry." Jasper's tone was not one of pity but of calm understanding.

They were quiet for a while, listening to the music.

Just as Jasper was about to find another way to start conversation, Alec got to his feet.

"I'm sorry. I'm an idiot. I shouldn't have… I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Ask Bella, she can explain everything but I just can't-"

"Hey, hey…" Jasper caught up with Alec as he headed for the door. He caught Alec's arm, pulling him around gently to face him. "What do I need to ask Bella about? I mean… call me crazy, Alec, but I kinda thought there was something going on here."

Alec couldn't look him in the eye. He was embarrassed, terrified of Jasper's reaction and wondering if anything could be worth this humiliation, this complete and utter dread.

They sat down again, at the small kitchen table this time and Jasper was reminded of that evening with his parents again as Alec sat, twisting his fingers until the skin was white with tautness.

After a few long moments, he pulled out his wallet and flicked open a photograph section. He slid a small, tattered photograph across the table, yellowed with edge and creased where it had been frequently taken out and looked at.

It was of two girls, sister judging by the similar facial features. They wore matching dresses and the older girl was smiling brightly, the younger with her face pressed into her sister's side, looking shyly at the camera.

Jasper stared at the photograph.

"Who are they?"

"The older girl is my sister. The younger… is Alice Brandon."

Jasper understood.

"When?"

"It was all finished two years ago, after I finished college." Alec's voice was constricted, as though his throat had tightened with emotion.

Jasper couldn't speak. He couldn't look at Alec, couldn't look at the photo. He pushed it back across the table, leaning heavily against the wooden surface.

"I'll go. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have burdened you with this." Alec stammered, reaching out to take the photo but his heart stuttered as Jasper clamped his fingers around Alec's outreached hand.

"Don't go."

They talked all night. Alec cried, (leftover oestrogen, he joked weakly) and so did Jasper, briefly (just a wuss, he admitted).

Jasper told him about the disastrous relationship with Demetri. Alec told him about his estranged relationship with Cynthia, of her disgust for him.

It was almost dawn when Jasper worked up the nerve to kiss Alec. As their mouths parted, Alec was stunned and Jasper regretted his actions.

"I'm sorry. That was pretty forward. You've gone through a lot tonight." He mumbled but Alec pressed his mouth to Jasper's, gentle, sweet kisses that made both of their hearts race.

"I really like you, Alec." Jasper said in a hoarse whisper, "And… and it really pisses me off that everything has been so hard for you and that you're so afraid."

"I want to be braver. I wish I was." Alec mumbled and Jasper kissed him again, tightening his hand in Alec's hair.

"You are brave. You are."

And for that moment, Alec believed him.

A/N: I almost want to write a whole story just about these two but I don't think I could do it justice. Also, no lemon because I started researching exactly how Alec would engage in those activities and I'm not convinced that my writing abilities are up to anything involving a pump. So allow your imaginations to do the sexy part for you.

I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas. I went away and when I opened my emails, I found over a 100 telling me about my new followers, favourites and reviews. Where on earth have you all come from?! Thank you ever so much, it made Christmas that little bit more special!

Happy New Year to you all.

That English Writer.