For a long moment, Jasper was silent.“I just don’t know where to start.The thing with the hunters is easy.They need to be stopped, and that’s that.But I don’t know who I am.I don’t really care that I’m a monster, but I want to know how I ended up with Leroy.Why do I look human?Am I actually a monster, or was Kester lying?”
Archie’s chest tightened.“I don’t think he was.I don’t know what that means for you, but I’m sure you’ll find out.”
“I don’t know what I’m capable of.What if there’s something inside me that’s just waiting to—”
Archie cupped Jasper’s face in both hands, cutting off his spiral of worst-case scenarios.“Stop.Listen to me.”He waited until Jasper’s breathing steadied.“I know what you’re capable of.I’ve seen it.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“You’re capable of incredible kindness,” Archie continued before Jasper could start freaking out again.“You’re capable of putting yourself in danger to protect children you’ve never met.You’re capable of forgiving people who’ve hurt you, of building bridges between species instead of walls.That’s what I’ve seen.That’swho you are.”
“I’m a monster.”
“It’s just a part of you.”Archie stroked his thumbs along Jasper’s cheekbones.“And I fell in love with all of you, Jasper.Every part.The human parts, the monster parts, the parts you’re still figuring out.All of it.”
Jasper’s breath hitched.“You didn’t sign up for this.You didn’t know I was a monster when we got together.”
“I signed up foryou.”Archie pulled him closer, until their foreheads touched.“And I’m a monster too, so I don’t care.We’re in this together.Whatever happens, whatever you discover about yourself, that doesn’t change.”
“What if it does?”
Archie kissed Jasper.Jasper made a small sound of surprise, then melted into him, hands fisting in Archie’s shirt like he was afraid to let go.When they broke apart, Archie kept him close.He wasn’t ready to let go.He wasn’t sure he’d ever be.“You’re not going to become something I can’t love.That’s not how this works.”
“You sound very sure about that.”
“I am.”Archie meant it.“I’ve spent my whole life around monsters, Jasper.Good ones, bad ones, everything in between.And you?You’re one of the best people I’ve ever known.Finding out that you’re a monster didn’t change that.It makes you even more remarkable, not less.”
“I’m terrified I’m going to let you and everyone else down.”
“You won’t.”Archie kissed his forehead.“But even if things get messy—and they will, because life is messy—I’ll be right here.We’ll figure it out together.”Archie didn’t have the answers to Jasper’s many questions, but he’d find them.He’d do anything for Jasper.
“Together,” Jasper repeated.
“Yep.”Archie smiled.“You’re stuck with me, and I can be annoyingly persistent.”
That earned him a chuckle.“I’ve noticed.”
“Good.”Archie took Jasper’s hand.“Now come to bed.I have plans for you.”
“Plans?”Jasper sounded playful now
“Mmm.”Archie got up, pulling Jasper with him.“I was thinking we could spend the rest of tonight reminding you of all the reasons why everything’s going to be fine.”
Jasper’s hands landed on Archie’s waist, fingers slipping under the hem of his shirt in a touch that made Archie shiver.“That sounds like it might take a while.”
“I certainly hope so.”Archie walked backward toward the bedroom.Jasper followed, still watching him.“I’ll take all the time I need to convince you that you’re exactly who you’re supposed to be.”
“And how do you plan to do that?”Jasper’s voice had dropped lower.
Archie reached the bedroom and pulled Jasper flush against him, smiling at the way their bodies fit together.“I thought I’d start by showing you how much I love every part of you.The strong parts, the vulnerable parts, the parts you’re afraid of.”He walked Jasper backward until his legs hit the bed.“And I’m very thorough, so this might take a while.”
Jasper’s breath accelerated.“I’m not complaining.”
“Good.”Archie pushed him onto the bed, following him down.“Because I’m not done talking, either.I want you to understand something.”He bracketed Jasper’s body with his arms, looking down at him.“When this is all over—helping the kids, the hunters, all of that—I want a future with you.”
Jasper reached up to cup Archie’s face, his thumb tracing Archie’s lower lip.“What kind of future?”
“The boring kind.The kind where we argue about whose turn it is to do the dishes and what to watch on TV.Where the biggest crisis is running out of coffee.”Archie turned his head to kiss Jasper’s palm.“The kind where we wake up next to each other every morning, and the biggest worry we have is what we’re going to eat for breakfast.”
