Chapter Text
Jasper has gotten used to excessively jangling his keys when he knows Octavia is home. It’s a warning. He hopes that one day it’ll actually work.
As he enters the apartment, he knows that today is not that day. Octavia is still straddling Lincoln and trying to suck his face off on the couch. Neither are wearing a shirt, Lincoln’s hand is creeping its way to Octavia’s bra clasp.
With a groan, he immediately turns around and leaves. Experience tells him that he’ll have no peace for a while. He ensures that he slams the door as loudly as possible, although he doubts either will notice.
He had planned on studying for his calculus exam but he won’t be finding any peace in his own damn apartment. Lately, it seems like he never does. Instead, he goes to the café at the corner of the street. The wifi’s a bit spotty but the fraps are heavenly.
On his way there, he messages Raven to join him. After getting a confirmation, he slips his phone in his pocket and enters the café, happy when he sees that there’s no line.
Once he has his vanilla frap, he gets the table by the windows that he knows is closest to the outlet. He pulls out his laptop, headphones, and phone and sets to work compiling a list of problem sets that have been giving him trouble. He knows he should probably be more stringent in his review and also add in random sets just for the practice, but he can’t bring himself to care about those. He did fine on them already, no reason to waste time.
He is just finishing up on his second problem set when the chair across from him scrapes back and Raven plops down with a mug in hand and interest in her eyes. She knows she’s about to be entertained. Well, Jasper lives to serve.
With a smile, he launches into his rant, not even bothering to greet her. He’s sure to use a fair amount of hand gestures and facial expressions as he bitches about Octavia and Lincoln and their inability to keep it in their pants. He speaks about walking in on them in the main area time and time again, he speaks about waking up to moans and he shudders as he speaks about the one time he found them in the kitchen. On the island. He’d sanitized the entire place twice after that incident.
He ends with a theatrical slump, his head thunking on the table as Raven laughs at his misery. He keeps his head on the table as she laughs, waiting for her to stop. It’s a while before he hears her inhale deeply, calming herself.
Only then does he lift his head and look at her. There’s still a smile tugging at the corner of her lips but there is sympathy in her eyes. She may understand a thing or two about this, living with Bellamy and Clarke, but Jasper knows that they surely have some complaints about her and Luna as well.
He’s not sure what he’s expecting but it’s not for her to randomly start talking about some guy.
“Do you remember Monty? He’s in my physics class, really sweet. I’m sure I’ve mentioned him.”
He blinks at her.
She continues, “Anyways, his roommate, Murphy, just moved out and he’s looking for a new one.”
He blinks again, processing. She’s offering to hook him up with a roommate, a new place, a place away from Octavia’s unending horniness. He can’t help but let out an incredulous laugh nor can he stop the words before they leave him, “You are a blessing and the light of my life, Raven Reyes.”
He’s tempted to hug her, but she’s already putting a hand up, knowing exactly what he’s about to do and stopping him preemptively
Once she’s sure he won’t try it, she speaks again, “He’s really sweet, easy to get along with. If it goes well, I’m sure you can move in after exams.”
Jasper knows that he’s perked up like a puppy, complete with the head tilt and big eyes, but he doesn’t much care, not when he finally has the chance to escape.
“Really?”
Raven smiles as she responds, “Yes, really. I’ll message him, see when he’s down for me to introduce you two.”
Jasper has to swallow the million thank you’s that are jumbling in his throat, knowing that Raven will just tell him not to worry about it.
Instead, he gets up, offers to get her a refill and comes back with a slice of pecan pie for her too. Raven does not need words, but she appreciates small actions, he can do that for her. He will do that for her and all that she does for him. He’ll be in her debt if he ends up being able to move in with this Monty guy.
They spend the next few hours studying together, idly chatting and complaining about their professors.
When they part ways, Raven going to the bus stop and Jasper making his way back to his apartment, he drags his feet just a little. He knows that Octavia and Lincoln will almost surely be done by now, but he’s just tired of having to look her in the eyes and pretending that it’s fine that he knows what she sounds like when she orgasms. He’s never needed nor wanted that information—brief first year crush not withstanding—and he doesn’t like having it.
He’s cautious when he opens the door this time. He knows that they’re probably done by now, but the paranoia refuses to leave.
He won’t admit to the sigh of relief that he lets out when he opens the door to silence nor the one that escapes when he finds that Lincoln’s shoes are gone from their usual place by the door.
Jasper doesn’t want to talk to Octavia, not really. He’s definitely not ready to tell her that he’s thinking about moving out and it’s just become too awkward for him to continue talking to her regularly when it’s just the two of them. He loves her, he does, but even he has limits as to what he can withstand and a roommate that’s constantly boning is one of them.
He doesn’t hear anything that would suggest that Octavia is home, he wonders if she also went out with Lincoln on some impromptu date or if she’s actually studying for once. Regardless, it’s not his problem and he’s going to keep avoiding her for as long as he can. He refuses to acknowledge the futility of avoiding the only roommate he has.
Instead, he makes some ramen.
As he eats, he wonders if he can spin his eventual—but, hopefully soon—move out as a way for Lincoln to finally move in. The more he thinks about it, the better the idea sounds. He can sublease his room to Lincoln, regardless of the fact that he won’t even use it, and hopefully he’ll be able to swing it all without even having to inform his landlord.
Satisfied, he dumps his dishes in the sink—it’s Octavia’s turn on the chore wheel—and heads to his room to reward himself with a few episodes of One Piece before going to sleep.
The next few days are spent in a haze of general anxiety as Jasper juggles prepping for exams, final projects, avoiding Octavia, and just worrying about meeting Monty and making a good impression.
It’s as he’s leaving his final stats class that he gets a text from Raven telling him that Monty’s down to meet him. Another text follows right after that one, this one asking if he’s free at the moment. Raven always did work fast.
Jasper replies immediately, asking where they are. He can’t give himself time to second guess himself or to get anxious. Raven said the guy was nice, sweet was the word she used; it’ll be fine. It has to be fine, he needs the guy to like him, he can not continue living with Octavia and Lincoln. It’s not like they even need his rent money, not really. Lincoln had just started that new job and Octavia’s boss at Starbucks usually looks the other way when baristas pocket tips. He just wants to not have tiptoe around his own place, afraid of what he might see.
A buzz from his phone breaks him from his thoughts. It’s Raven, they’re out on the quad by the library.
He spends the walk over trying to relax himself and going over his better qualities in his head. He can’t fuck this up.
Jasper finds them under one of the smaller trees by the library, Raven’s orange tank a glaring indicator; her love for that colour has been incredibly useful over the years, especially at concerts.
His palms start sweating as he makes his way over, he hopes Monty isn’t the type of guy that shakes hands with people.
Just as that thought crosses his mind, the guy looks up, notices him walking towards them. He says something that makes Raven turn around and then she’s smiling and waving at him. She turns back to the guy, talking animatedly. That calms Jasper down, if Raven feels comfortable enough to drop her snide, cool girl act, Jasper knows that the guy is safe.
He feels himself relax with that observation, letting go of his bottom lip which had been trapped between his teeth.
His shoulders lose their tension and once he’s within the shade of the tree, he collapses, purposely knocking into Raven on his way down.
She shoves him back immediately, laughing, “Hey, man.”
He smiles at her, then turns to Monty, “Hey, I’m Jasper,” pauses, “I’m sure Raven’s already told you that, uh—”
Shit. His smile drops a little, he’s being awkward. He already fucked up, didn’t he? The guy is—handsome, goodlooking, cute. He hadn’t been prepared for cute . Monty has kind eyes and hair that looks ridiculously soft; he’s even dressed nicely in a short sleeved polo shirt. It makes Jasper feel underdressed in his band tee.
But Monty smiles back, “Hey! Yeah, Raven told me, uh I’m sure she also told you I’m Monty.”
Oh good, he’s awkward too. Jasper can’t help but notice that he has a warm smile.
As he gets comfortable, Raven tells him what she had told Monty; she goes over the Octavia Situation, mentions Jasper’s tutoring job, and that she’s personally vouching for him. That last bit is said with a mock glare. Jasper only smiles back sunnily.
He turns to Monty as the other starts speaking, “Yeah, it’s pretty good timing, actually. My old roommate, Murphy, just moved out, spur of the moment thing mostly because he had found a loophole in the rent agreement but it’s cool, whatever. He also showed me a loophole that let me pick my roommate instead of the landlord which is cool.”
Jasper’s lips quirk up, that roommate sounds like a fun guy, if a bit of an asshole for leaving Monty without much notice. But, it worked out for him. Well, it would. Hopefully. As long as he doesn’t fuck up.
Right, Monty is still speaking. He’s talking about the apartment, Jasper would have his own room, duh, and the main bathroom would be his alone since Monty has taken over the room with the ensuite. That suits Jasper just fine and he said as much.
Monty seems nice enough, if a little formal and that worries Jasper. He’s not sure if Monty is always like this or if it’s just because it’s the first time they’re meeting but Jasper likes being comfortable with people, likes banter and being physically affectionate and getting to know people.
Monty is still preferable to Octavia and Lincoln, but he wonders if he’d still have to tiptoe around his own place, not out of fear of what he’d find but because he doesn’t want to be a disturbance.
Raven must see the worry on his face, or maybe she notes the way that his fingers have begun drumming against his thigh. Regardless, she cuts Monty off with a hand to his knee.
Jasper focuses on that. That’s good, that shows that he can earn Monty’s trust, that he can maybe earn some sort of closeness. But not yet, he doesn’t even know if they’ll be roommates for sure.
Raven’s voice distracts him, “You guys can iron out the details later, Monty. Right now, you should be getting to know each other, making sure that you can live together without throttling the other person—although this was my idea, and I know you guys will get along. But, yeah, uh, you guys can talk about anime or see if you have the same weed dealer or even your fucking majors, just, just talk.”
Jasper knows that out of what Raven just said, he should be the most excited about the fact that Monty watches anime but he’s stuck on the fact that the other smokes. Maybe he’s not all that uptight, maybe Monty is just a little nervous.
For a second, he’s struck with the image of the two of them on a couch, sharing a single blunt and passing it between themselves. It’s a pleasant image.
He can’t help but ask, “You smoke?” He hopes he doesn’t sound too surprised.
He assumes he doesn’t when Monty replies with a nod and a small smile, “Yeah! It’s a great stress reliever. Biochem is an intense major. Need to unwind somehow, y’know.”
Jasper found himself nodding along vigorously. “I totally get that! But, lately it’s been helping me forget that I know what my roommate’s boyfriend’s dick looks like.”
Both Raven and Monty snort at that, Raven finally looking up from where she had been tapping away on her phone.
Before Jasper or Monty can continue talking about the merits of weed, she stands.
“I gotta get going, Luna wants to grab something to eat. I’ll let you guys figure out whatever and get to know each other.”
Internally, Jasper panics. He isn’t sure he can be left alone with Monty just yet. What if he fucks up? He needs Raven there as a buffer, as something familiar and grounding. He doesn’t know Monty well enough yet and he really needs the place.
Externally, he nods dumbly and waves goodbye.
He and Monty watch her go before turning back to the other. There’s an awkward pause as they stare at each other; neither quite sure how to proceed without Raven’s familiar presence.
Jasper takes that moment to look at Monty again, he notices the kindness in his eyes, even under the awkwardness and hesitance, he notices the way they turn lighter in the sun. He can’t help but notice how pretty Monty’s eyes are, a warm brown. They feel safe, which is odd considering he’s just met the other.
It’s Monty that breaks the awkward silence. “Sooo, I guess you won’t have any problems with me smoking in the main room, huh?”
Jasper replies on autopilot, “Only if you don’t share.”
He smiles to himself when Monty laughs. He laughs easily. Jasper’s glad, he has a nice laugh.
The conversation flows easily after that, they talk about their degrees and bitch about professors that they’ve both had. They talk about video games, Jasper’s excited to learn that Monty has a PS4 and is willing to share. Jasper doesn’t mention his anime obsession, he doesn’t want to come off too weird nor does he want to offend Monty. Not that he thinks it would, but still. Maybe Monty will think he’s just a casual fan from the way Raven had said it.
He does learn that they have a lot of shared interests and that lets him relax.
He comes away from that conversation with a phone number and a good feeling.
In fact, he feels so good that he doesn’t immediately panic when he opens the door to his apartment to find Octavia sitting on the couch.
He calls out a little greeting and it’s only when she turns to him with hopeful eyes that he realizes he fucked up.
He wonders if it’s too late to pretend to be tired or find some other excuse to get out of what is clearly a conversation about his plans to move out. He’s not ready to have this conversation, he’s not prepared.
Octavia is looking at him so hopefully, eyes wide but he can’t help but feel like a deer in headlights, frozen at the door, sincerely contemplating just darting back out the door.
A vibration breaks the tension, then another. A phone call. He feels movement in his pocket. A phone call for him . Perfect.
He scrambles to pull the phone out, his other hand making the phone call gesture to Octavia. “I, uh, I have to take this. Sorry.”
And then he tries his damndest not to look like he’s running away as he slips by to his room, answering the phone without even bothering looking at the caller I.D..
Raven’s voice greets him and he sighs in relief. She probably just wants to see how it went with Monty. Perfect.
If he locks himself in his room far longer than the call lasts, well, that’s his business.
The next few days pass in a blur of studying and final projects and avoiding Octavia. Between all this, he finds himself almost constantly texting Monty. They discuss finances and their jobs, but also complain about profs and talk about dumb shit. They schedule a day for Jasper to drop by the place and poke around.
Jasper may have already jumped the gun and talked about it with Lincoln. The man had been apologetic and had looked at him with puppy dog eyes almost as bad as Octavia’s but, ultimately, he had accepted the proposition without too many questions.
Jasper could see the excitement shining in his eyes at the prospect of living with Octavia. Jasper knew that if he had talked about it with Octavia, chances were that he’d cave and end up staying at her request and they would all just continue being awkward.
He has to move out and he knows that she knows it too, she just doesn’t want to admit it. He keeps telling himself that it doesn’t mean they’d stop being friends, though. They’d always continue being close, even if they don’t live together.
Just to be safe, he’ll continue avoiding her. It isn’t because he feels a little guilty. Not at all.
Taking a deep breath, he looks up at the building then back down at Google Maps on his phone, double checking that he has the right address.
He’s swinging by what is looking to be his new apartment, Monty having offered to give him a tour of the place.
Stuffing his phone in his pocket, he enters the building. He doesn’t need to remember the buzzer code, he’d been repeating it nonstop the entire way over.
The buzzer rings, once, twice, then, “Hello?”
“Uh—”
“Oh! Jasper!” Jasper can hear the excitement in Monty’s voice; he can feel his shoulders relax, the tension he didn’t know he had bleeding out. Vaguely, he wonders how Monty had recognized his voice so easily.
That thought slips from his mind when he hears the door unlock and he rushes to get in lest he have to buzz Monty again to reopen it.
His leg jitters the entire elevator ride up.
He has to fist a hand into his pants to force himself to stop before knocking on the door.
It opens remarkably fast. Like, Monty had to have been standing at the door fast. He doesn’t comment on it, figures they’re both a little nervous.
Monty’s a bit breathless when he greets Jasper, “Hi—uh, c’mon in.” He opens the door wider, letting Jasper in.
Jasper smiles at him as he enters, immediately looking around the main room. He doesn’t venture too far into the apartment, instead turning back around and letting his eyes dart down to Monty’s feet. No shoes. Okay, good.
As he toes off his own shoes, Monty locks the door and asks if he had any trouble finding the place.
Quickly, Jasper shakes his head, “No, no, it wasn’t hard at all, my dude! It’s sorta nice actually, that it’s not on the main street itself, y’know?”
Monty nods in agreement; internally Jasper smacks himself, of course Monty knows, he lives there.
They linger in the doorway in silence. Neither are aware of it as they finally take a moment to look at the other.
Just when the moment would have turned awkward, Monty turns around with a grand sweep of his arm, “Soooo, this is the place. It’s not a lot but it’s homey and, like I said, the rent isn’t killer.”
Jasper follows Monty further into the apartment, looking around. The walls are a nice neutral colour, instead of the bland white that so many landlords preferred.
There’s the window to the fire escape, and another long window above where the couch sits along the far wall. What really catches Jasper’s eye is the amount of plants in the place. There are succulents sitting on the ledge, a tall—snake, maybe—plant right next to the escape, a small tree next to that and a few hanging plants as well.
A nervous laugh has him looking over at Monty. “Uh, yeah, I really like plants. I can’t really have a garden, so this is the next best thing, y’know? Anyways, c’mon, the kitchen’s here and then I can show you your room.”
With that, Monty gives him a tour of the place, the kitchen right next to the main room, the two separated by an island from Ikea . There are more hanging plants in the kitchen.
After that, Monty shows Jasper the room he’d be taking, the place already has a bed frame which is nice. The one downside is that Jasper’s bathroom is attached to the main room, doubling as the guest bathroom; that doesn’t really bother him, though.
All in all, he’s sort of excited. Scratch that, he’s really excited.
“And here’s my room.”
Jasper’s eye immediately catches on the poster above the bed. “Is that Luffy?”
Monty let out a nervous laugh, “Uh, yeah. I’m big into One Piece , right now.”
Jasper can’t contain his smile, “Dude, no way! I am too!”
He assumes his energy is infectious because Monty returns his smile and just like that they’re talking about the show and character arcs.
Neither notice when they migrate into the bedroom and sit on the bed, less than a foot away from each other.
It is only when their knees brush together that Jasper jolts back. Is he being too forward? Is he too loud? Monty hasn’t said anything but he doesn’t seem like the type of guy to complain. He doesn’t look uncomfortable either; currently in the midst of ranking the characters by potential.
Jasper would have fallen back into the conversation if not for the grumble his stomach let out. So, maybe his nerves had been bad enough to stop him from eating before coming over. It happens.
He squeezes his eyes shut in embarrassment as his face reddens. He can’t even begin to hope that it’d be unnoticeable on his pale skin.
“Uh—”
He opens his eyes to find Monty staring at him in amusement, Jasper could have sworn he sees a hint of fondness in Monty’s eyes but there’s no reason for that. What would be so endearing about a potential roommate’s stupidly loud stomach?
Before he can apologize , Monty speaks, “I mean, if you’re hungry I could give you a tour of the neighbourhood. We have pretty good food options, you can see what you like and we can get a bite to eat, maybe?” That last bit rushes out, rising in intonation like a question, like Monty was running out of air as he spoke; almost as if he’s nervous.
Jasper’s response is immediate, “Yeah! Sure, I’d like that actually.”
Internally, he hopes he didn’t answer too fast, like weirdly fast. But, Monty’s smile only grows before he nods and jumps off the bed. “Alrighty, one neighbourhood tour with sustenance coming right up! Lemme grab my wallet and then we can go, yeah?”
Jasper nods, Monty’s easy enthusiasm and kindness drying his throat. The other boy always seems to be so happy and friendly; he doesn’t have to offer up more of his time just to feed Jasper. Jasper can’t believe he had thought the other to be standoffish at first.
Those kind eyes pin him in place, he can feel his palms sweating. He tries discreetly wiping them on his thighs before standing and telling Monty he’ll wait by the door, mumbling something about his laces taking time to do before he rushes out of the room.
He hopes that wasn’t weird. He hopes Monty hadn’t noticed.
He’s slightly awkward as they make their way down but it seems like Monty doesn’t notice. Rather, the other lists places they’d visit in the area; his excitement comforts Jasper.
The rest of his awkwardness melts away as Monty bounds down the street, laughing at him to catch up. It is easy for Jasper’ It sends him laughing when Monty pouts and mutters something about his stupidly long legs.
That’s the kind of energy they maintain for the rest of the afternoon as they explore the neighbourhood. Monty points out the corner store and a few cheap restaurants with good food.
They decide on shawarmas, and Monty introduces him to the restaurant owner.
Shawarmas in hand, they continue on the adventure, eating as they walk. Monty takes them two streets over just to show Jasper his favourite thrift store and the local, family owned plant nursery.
Teasingly, Jasper asks if Monty has any more space on his windowsill. He can’t help but admire the sweet blush that erupts on Monty’s cheeks before rushing to clear his throat and look away.
They end the afternoon in front of Monty’s building.
“Do you want to—”
“I should—”
Monty nods and speaks again, determinedly ignoring the way they had spoken over each other, “Yeah, yeah, you’re right. You should be getting back to your place, exams are still coming up.”
“Yeah, uh, exactly. Lots to do…”
“Listen, the place is as good as yours. Text me your email, and I’ll send over the lease agreement and other documents from the landlord, yeah?”
Jasper nods so fast he’s certain his head will fall off. “Awesome! Yes, awesome! Thank you!”
That might be a bit too much but Jasper’s just so excited. He’s getting out, he won’t have to deal with a horny roommate, he’ll have a new cute roommate.
They linger for a few moments after that, neither knowing how to end the pleasant afternoon. For some inexplicable reason, Jasper’s tempted to go in for a hug but he settles on a fist bump. There’s a slight jolt when Monty’s knuckles touch his; he chalks it up to static electricity—nevermind that there’d been no way for the charge to build up.
Jasper is tempted to turn around as he walks away, just to see if Monty is still there but he forces himself to keep looking forward. There’s no reason for Monty to watch him walk away. If he had turned around, he would have seen Monty lingering by the door, watching until he turned the corner.
As Jasper makes his way back home, he can’t help but think that a tour of the neighbourhood would be a great date idea. There are tons of food options and things to do. If only he had someone to show around.
Exams go by in a blur of studying and packing.
He and Octavia manage to have a semi-emotional talk sometime at the beginning of exam season; neither acknowledges that it had been at three in the morning and that both of them had been a bit sleep deprived.
After that, the puppy dog eyes Octavia shoot him whenever she catches him packing would just as quickly melt away as she remembers she’d be able to live with Lincoln soon. Really, it’s a win for everyone.
Jasper wakes before his alarm. He hadn’t been able to fall asleep the night before, too excited for what the day would bring. He’s moving today!
Rolling out of bed, he immediately grabs his phone and turns off the alarm before checking his messages. There are confirmations from his friends that they’d be coming by to help out. Raven and Luna are coming around 11am to help with any last minute packing while Bellamy and Clarke go to pick up the Uhaul for 1pm.
There is also a message from Monty. Jasper’s heart skips a beat, a moment of sheer panic making him wonder if the other is backing out. Logically, he knows Monty can’t do that nor would he ever do that. But, he can’t help but worry.
Biting his lip, he checks the message.
[Monty, Roomie!!]
Today’s the day :D
[Monty, Roomie!!]
dw, I got the elevator booked and all that
Shakily, Jasper exhales. He has no reason to be nervous. Monty wants him as a roommate, and had immediately sent him the paperwork after Jasper had given him his email. Had asked if he had sent in the paperwork, had warned him about the landlord and told him how to make a good impression. They’re going to be fine. They’re friends.
He types out a quick string of emojis in reply and then tosses his phone on his bed.
The rest of the morning is lost in a blur of coffee and packing, an argument with Octavia over their movie collection and a few other communal items, the arrival of Raven and Luna, and the subsequent needling from Luna regarding his organizational skills.
And then Bellamy and Clarke are there with the truck and Lincoln shows up to help, as well—both with moving and consoling Octavia.
Jasper doesn’t have much in terms of boxes. His clothes had been shoved into bags, his figurines and posters in one box and his books, movies, and video games spread out over a few boxes to distribute the weight.
He lets Bellamy and Lincoln carry down his mattress and desk. Not because he’s lazy but because he knows those two always want to impress their girlfriends. Who is he to deny them that?
And then Octavia is hanging off of him like a limpet. She has a shift so she can’t come to the new place. They'd been avoiding this, avoiding saying goodbye for the longest time but Jasper keeps reminding himself that they’ll still see each other. The distance would be good for them.
All this runs through his head as he hugs her back, nose buried in her hair; she’s a good friend, the sister he never had, a bit stubborn but she means well. He’ll miss her. But he won’t miss hearing her moans.
Gently, he presses a kiss to her forehead before letting go. She squeezes, once, almost as if she doesn’t want to let go before pulling away. Her eyes are teary; Jasper refuses to acknowledge the tears in his own eyes.
“I’m not going off to another country, ‘Tavi. You can’t get rid of me that easy.”
She chuckles, weakly slugging him in the arm but her smile is soft and her eyes are warm. They’d be okay.
Lincoln is right behind Octavia, sweeping him up into a huge bear hug.
Once back on his feet, Jasper piles into the Uhaul with Bellamy while the girls follow behind in Raven’s car.
The ride over is spent idly chatting with Bellamy and texting updates to Monty.
When they get there, Monty is out front with another guy and a girl. Apparently his old roommate, Murphy, had shown up to, and Monty quoted, “suss out the new roomie.”
Under that text Monty had let Jasper know not to worry and that Murphy was just protective.
But looking at him now, Jasper isn’t sure he shouldn’t be nervous, the guy had major RBF, and he’s decked out in a leather jacket and ripped skinnies despite the heat.
It is a nudge from Bellamy that breaks him from his thoughts. His eyes snap over to where the other is smiling at him, “Don’t worry, Jasper. I’ll save you from the big bad.”
Jasper snorts out a laugh, tension leaving his shoulders, “I dunno, he looks a bit too feral for you.”
“Oh? You doubting me?” Complete with raised eyebrows.
Playing along, Jasper lets out a dramatic gasp, hand clutching his own chest, “Me? Doubt you? Never, my good sir.”
Sobering up, he glances back out the windshield to where the girls had met with Monty and the others, “I just don’t wanna fuck it up, Bellamy. No offence, but I cannot go back to living with your sister, that girl has no off switch.”
A hand slaps itself over his mouth. “Too much! Too much information, Jasper.”
Jasper’s sorely tempted to lick Bellamy’s fingers but he doesn’t. Because he's mature.
Instead he shoves at the arm, making muffled groans, exaggerated and drawn out until Bellamy lets go.
“Thanks, man.” Bellamy had always been good at getting him out of his head.
“Don’t mention it. Now let’s go . We’ve been in here for a weirdly long time.”
With that, they leave the truck and make their way over to the small group.
Monty smiles at him, large and bright, as he and Bellamy make their way over, “Hey, roomie!” As he says this, he elbows Murphy in the side, sending him a teasing look.
Jasper gulps.
Bellamy takes over for him, introducing himself and being his usual charming self. The girl is Emori, Murphy’s girlfriend. As they speak, Raven, Luna, and Clarke wander off to get the keys for the loading bay. Idle chatter lets him know that Murphy had moved in with Emori and that they’re there to help out.
When they fall silent, he speaks, “Hey, man. I’m Jasper—but you already knew that uh…”
Murphy looks him up and down before smirking, “Yeah, you and Monty will get along just fine,” he crosses his arms, “But if you don’t, I still have a key to the place.”
Jasper’s eyes widen before darting to Emori as she moves to prop her head onto Murphy’s shoulder. “Do with that information what you will,” is accompanied by an angelic smile.
Jasper gulps.
The tension breaks when Monty’s hand comes up to smother Murphy’s face. His voice is petulant, “C’mon, you said you’d be nice.”
Murphy’s head jerks back, arms dropping from where they were crossed as he lets out a muffled grunt.
Monty drops his hand. Murphy glares at him. Monty glares right back.
A poke to Murphy’s side from Emori is Murphy’s downfall. “Yeah, yeah. He doesn’t seem bad. Let’s go set him up.”
Bellamy and Jasper had watched the interaction unfold like a tennis match, rapt attention and unwavering eyes as they took in this new dynamic.
They’re saved from commenting by a shrill whistle.
Everyone’s heads snap over to where Raven stands by the unlocked loading doors. She shouts across the space, “Hurry it up, losers.”
Emori reacts first, grabbing Murphy by the hand and calling over her shoulder, “Welcome to your new home, cutie.”
Jasper has no hope of containing the blush that spreads across his face. Nor can he stop himself from tensing, sure that Murphy would deck him. Instead the other laughs as he lets his girlfriend lead him over to the truck.
A tug to his sleeve from Monty has Jasper following as well.
The afternoon progresses from there; it is filled with swearing and waiting for the elevator, teasing and banter, competitions and laughter.
Finally, they end the day collapsed around the main room in various positions as they dig into pizza.
Jasper is sprawled out on the floor, Monty sitting primly next to him, cross legged.
Jasper tries very hard not to notice how their knees keep bumping together, instead losing himself in the conversation. He doesn’t notice how he and Monty are the only single ones. He does notice the sly look that Murphy and Emori share where they’re twined together on one end of the couch; it makes him worry he had already fucked up. That thought flees his mind when he sees Emori and exchanging numbers with the girls.
That observation slips from his mind when he feels Monty’s hand on his knee.
His head snaps over to stare at it, he doesn’t dare breathe as he peers up at Monty through his lashes.
Monty pauses, almost as if he’s taken aback, before leaning in close, Jasper swears his face would melt off as the other whispers his question, “Wanna kick everyone out now? I’m sure you’re exhausted.”
Haltingly, Jasper nods; afraid any fast movements would cause him to pass out. He chalks it up to nerves in the face of his first night in a new place.
That is all Monty needs to spring to his feet and kick everyone out.
A cacophony of noise rings out as everyone shouts goodbyes—and idle threats on Murphy’s part—as they laugh and hug and make their way out the door. Finally, the door closes behind them, a finality to the sound of the lock sliding into place.
Jasper finds his confidence in the silence.
Inhaling deeply, he clambers to his feet and starts cleaning up, Monty silently following his lead and getting out garbage bags as they smoothly work together.
Jasper’s confidence leaves him when they’re done and he’s left standing awkwardly in the middle of the room.
“Well—”
“I—”
They stare at each other from across the room.
Monty tries again, “I’ll let you get to bed, it’s been a long day. Uh, lemme know if you need anything.”
Jasper nods stiltedly, “Yeah, um, thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow then?”
He hates how that sounds like a question but Monty doesn’t comment on it, instead turning to finish up in the kitchen after saying good night .
Jasper gazes at his back for a few seconds before slowly turning and making his way to his room. He doesn’t feel like leaving Monty just yet, so he drags his feet until he is in his room.
Despite his exhaustion, Jasper lays awake in his new room, surrounded by boxes, staring up at the ceiling. He doesn't know what it is about Monty that pulls him in, but he's glad that they get along. He's glad to have a new friend. It's with this thought that he falls asleep.