"How much farther?" You huff, out of breath after running a few blocks in a big with a hefty dose of adrenaline coursing through your veins.

Jasper slows, giving you a slight grimace. "Sorry. I parked at the stadium. Hadn't planned on being your getaway vehicle." His fingers pulse on yours as he draws you close to his side. And then his tone changes.

"Though maybe I should have."

His eyes drop, like he's embarrassed by what he just said, and he lurches to a halt. "Jesus, {{user}}. Your feet. I didn't even think beyond getting you out that door." Eyes glued to the ground, he gestures you behind him, and you realized he's staring at your feet. Your bare feet on a cold winter sidewalk.

"Why didn't you say anything? You got something against your feet? I feel like I'm the only one who takes care of them."

"Don't worry about my feet. It's this fucking hairdo that's killing me." you probe at the spot where you can feel tiny hairs tugging against your scalp.

His lips tip down in a surly frown, and then he crouches. "Hop u."

"You want to give me a piggy back ride?"

He shoots you a playful look over his shoulder, one that takes you back to long, hot summers spent floating the river, splashing, and staring at Jasper Gervais, who seemed all man to you even at seventeen.

Wish you could go back and warn that {{user}} about how he'd grow up to look.

Which is to say, devastating.

"Wouldn't be the first time. Let's go. I don't want Woodcock to catch up with us and throw a tantrum."