Chapter XXII - The Mother Figure

                                    

                                          
I was brushing out my hair from the braid I'd kept it in. What if that was why he liked braids? Because his wife wore her hair in one? Because I looked like her when my hair was in one?
I sighed. I never wanted to wear my hair in a braid again.
There was a knock at my bedroom door.
"Come in!" I called out, putting the hairbrush down.
Jasper gently opened the door, poking his head inside.
"Oh, good evening, Jasper." I smiled gently. "What can I help you with?"
"Oh, um, I was just wondering if you could, um, help me brush my hair." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Wouldn't you want Suave to help you with that?"
"Um, he's, uh, busy... yeah, busy..." Jasper fiddled with his messy hair. "You don't have to, I can just ask one of the maids. It's fine, forget I asked!"
"No, I didn't mean it like that!" I walked over to him. "Of course I'll help you brush your hair."
"Oh, okay." Jasper looked down. "Thanks. I'll get my brush."
He ran off quickly before returning in a matter of seconds, handing me a fancy hairbrush.
"Sit down at my vanity."
He sat down and I stood behind him, starting to brush out his hair. It wasn't that messy, with the occasional knot. I assumed he only needed help because he didn't know how to do it himself. He did have servants to do all that for him, after all.
"Jasper, do you mind if I asked you about your mother?" I quietly said.
"I don't mind at all. But I don't think I'll be able to answer your questions well."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, she died when I was a baby. So I never really knew her. Dad won't tell you anything about her, but Clara will. She's the only one who really knew her and will talk about it."
"Oh." I felt a little guilty for asking him about her. "What... what happened?"
"She was sick when she got pregnant, and when she gave birth to me, she got worse. So she died, and my dad had to find a way to take care of me without her. Apparently she loved talking about how we'd spend time together when I was born."
"I'm... sorry."
Jasper shrugged. "I never really cared. I had other maids to take care of me. It wasn't like I had anything to miss when she was dead."
"I know, but I can't imagine what it was like to not have a mother growing up. I'm so sorry."
"I always had my dad. And the maids." Jasper looked at me with the reflection of the mirror. "Besides, I never cared."
"You're such a strong kid, Jasper." I stroked his hair. "There. All done."
"Thanks, Encre." Jasper fiddled with some of his hair. "Can... can you braid it?"
"Oh, of course." I smiled, starting to split his hair into thirds. "Your hair's getting long, you know."
"Um, what do you think of it? Should I cut it to stay short?"
"I think you'll look cute whatever you do with it." I smiled. "You're such a handsome young man, Jasper."
"Thank you." Jasper smiled, brushing back his bangs.
I tied off his braid. "But you would look nice with longer hair."
"Okay!" He nodded. He stood up. "Um, thanks again, Encre."
"Oh, it's no problem, Jasper."
He awkwardly hugged me, resting his face in my left shoulder. I was a little surprised, but I hugged him back, gently patting his back.
"Goodnight, Jasper." I kissed the top of his head.
"Goodnight, dad." Jasper pulled away, leaving my room. He just walked, at a regular pace, and left.
I stood there, shocked. Did he just call me dad? He just called me dad! Did he think of me like that, or was it just a mistake? Was I acting like a dad? Should I stop? Should I continue?
I sighed, sitting on my bed. It was just an accident, it had to be.
My door opened again, this time by Fallacy.
"Oh, Fallacy." I pulled my nightgown down. "You must be here for your feeding."
"I think I'll skip the feeding tonight," Fallach responded, sitting next to me. "I heard about what you did today."
"Oh?" I looking at him.
"I just wanted to say thank you. I wasn't handling the issue like an adult, and I locked myself away. And then the kids got upset, and they got angry at you."
"Oh, no, don't worry—"
"Let me finish, okay?" He gave a half smile. "But even when you were being blamed for things that weren't your fault, you didn't get upset at them." He sighed. "You were there for my children when I wasn't. You stayed calmed and helped them. And I just wanted to thank you for that."
"Oh, Fallacy, it's nothing!" I waved it off.
"It wasn't nothing though. Even if you don't realize it, what you did for us means a lot. It means something to all of us. And I just wanted you to know that."
"Of course it's nothing, Fallacy." I put my hand on his arm. "I love your kids, and it isn't like I'd just let them cry."
Fallacy smiled. "Jeez, when you say it like that... heh, the next thing you know, they're going to start calling you their dad, huh?"
I awkwardly joined him in his chuckling. I looked down. Was I really acting like their parent?
"I'm sorry, I should probably leave the parenting to you, huh?"
"No, no." He turned my face to his, gently tucking some hair behind my ear. "I think it's sweet of you to care for them."
I felt my cheeks heat up, leaning into his hand.
"Well, I should probably go." Fallacy gently said as he leaned in.
"You don't have to rush," I whispered, knowing he heard me.
Fallacy smiled before kissing me, gently pressing our lips together. No tongue, no fangs, just our lips, touching, gently. His warm mouth pressing against mine in a casual display of affection that totally wasn't romantic.
He pulled away after the loveliest ten seconds of my life, standing up and beginning to leave.
"Bonne nuit," he said as he opened the door. He stoppped, turning around and grinning as he said, "Mon amour."
He left, closing the door behind him.
He totally meant to say it this time!
I squealed, grabbing one of my pillows and hugging it to my face as I laid down, kicking my legs in excitement.
I exclaimed into the pillow, "He's so dreamy!"