Fic: It's Not What They Said (continued)
Oct. 28th, 2010 04:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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ladyshadowdrakeTitle: It’s Not What They Said
Author:
avari_maethorSummary: Everything changed. One night, one phone call.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Slash. Mystery pairings. Mpreg.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Stephenie Meyer. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
A/N: This story is based on a one-shot I wrote titled “Phone Call”. I really loved the idea of that one-shot so I decided to expand on it. I didn’t intend for this one-shot become so long… but it did. Enjoy!
Beta: Without the hard work of
ladyshadowdrake this fic seriously wouldn’t be what it is. Thank you so much!Seth never made it to his interview.
Just minutes after leaving Jacob’s, he was overcome with a horrible pain in his stomach. This wasn’t new; it had been happening for the past year… but it had been steadily getting worse. Pulling over in the grocery parking lot, Seth laid his seat back and waited for the pain to pass. He must have fallen asleep because it was twenty minutes later when the sound of a motorcycle woke him.
Sitting up, Seth looked around for the source of the sound, remembering how Jacob had rebuilt a motorcycle with Bella. Sure enough, he saw Jacob’s broad form zooming through the grocery store parking lot. Normally the sight would have made him smile, but instead Seth could only watch with his mouth open. Sitting in front of Jacob on the motorcycle was Luka!
Seth didn’t mind Jacob riding a motorcycle; Jacob could take care of himself. But Luka was a baby. His baby! Motorcycles were dangerous! Oh… Jacob would be getting an earful when he got back… Seth almost started his car then and there but another pain hit him and it was all he could do to lay back down, cursing.
“Luka. Go play in the bedroom. Your Uncle Jake and I have to have a talk,” Seth stated as he came into the house. He crossed his arms over his chest and fixed a glare on Jacob.
Luka knew that tone of Seth’s voice. He hadn’t heard it very often but he knew what it meant. His daddy was mad. Luka scrambled off of Jacob’s lap and headed back toward the bedroom. He paused in the hallway, he had to know. “Is Uncle Jake in trouble?”
“Big trouble. Now go and close the door.”
Luka swallowed hard and glanced at his uncle. Jacob looked completely calm and he didn’t understand it.
“Luka!”
Luka let out a small “eep!” sort of sound as he ran to the bedroom and closed the door.
“Well someone’s pissed. Did the interview go that badly?” Jacob questioned.
“How dare you Jacob! How dare you!” Seth yelled.
“How dare I what?”
“I saw you and Luka on that blasted motorcycle of yours!” Jacob’s eyes widened. “Oh yeah, I saw and no I’m not happy. Luka is too little to be riding a motorcycle!”
“I gave him a helmet,” Jacob defended.
“And if you had had an accident his little body could have been crushed by the bike! Oh yes, thank you so much for keeping only his head safe,” Seth hissed.
Jacob took a deep breath. “Seth, I swear to you that I would never let anything happen to Luka. If there had been an accident I would have used my own body to protect him.”
Seth looked ready to really lay into him but then he blinked. “Y-you would?”
Jacob nodded. “As long as you and Luka are staying with me, you two come first. I wouldn’t let anything happen to you either, you know.”
Seth could only stare at Jacob. His fists clenched at his sides. “I’m still pissed at you,” he stated before turning and leaving the house, slamming the door behind him.
“And that’s okay,” Jacob said to no one with a small smile.
“C’mon Luka, time for bed. I’ll tell you a story,” Seth said.
“I want Uncle Jake to tell me a story!”
Seth sighed, swallowing the bile that rose in his throat. He was going to throw up… he needed to get Luka in bed before that happened. “Luka… please…”
“No! I want Uncle Jake!”
“It’s okay Seth, go take a shower, I’ll tell the kid a story,” Jacob told him, standing.
“Yay!”
“You don’t have to indulge him, Jake,” Seth said softly.
“I don’t, but I’m going to. That’s my job as an uncle. Go on, take your shower. You look like you need it.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
Jacob pushed Seth toward the bathroom playfully. “Go.”
“Yes, Alpha.” It came out naturally, Jacob hadn’t been Alpha when he had left but they all knew he should have been. It wasn’t a surprise now that Jacob was the Alpha of the pack. Seth turned and went to the bathroom. He barely got the tub turned on when the urge to throw up really hit him. Turning, Seth barely got the toilet seat up before he lost control of his supper. He was thankful that the running water covered up the sound. He didn’t want Jacob or Luka knowing how sick he was. When he finished, Seth flushed the toilet and, trembling, he undressed and got into the shower.
“So then the knight drove his sword through the dragon’s heart!” Jacob told Luka. The little boy gasped, his golden eyes wide as he listened to the story. Luka held his blanket to his chest.
“What happened then, Uncle Jake?!”
“Well, once the dragon faded away, the knight ran into the castle, up the stairs to the tallest tower where the princess was sleeping. The princess did not wake when the knight entered the room so he approached the bed she was laying on. She was the most beautiful person he had ever seen… slowly he leaned down and…”
Jacob’s eyes slid over to the figure he could see in his peripheral vision. Seth stood leaning against the doorway listening to his story, his hair still dripping from his shower. If he had been looking he would have noticed the way Seth’s arms were crossed over his stomach, how tightly his hands were holding onto his arms. But Jacob didn’t notice.
“And then?” Luka prompted.
“And then the knight pressed a kiss to the princess’ lips, hoping that his kiss would wake her.”
“Ewww!”
“Ew?” Jacob blinked. “Why ew?”
“Kissing is gross!”
From his spot by the door, Seth chuckled. At that moment, well maybe a little before, Seth knew he had forgiven Jacob about the motorcycle incident. Jacob grinned and ruffled Luka’s hair. “You’ll change your mind about that when you’re older, kid. Now it’s sleep time.”
As if on cue, Luka yawned. “But… did the princess wake up?” He lay down and snuggled under the blanket.
“She did, when the knight kissed her, it broke the spell.”
“And they lived happily ever after?”
“And they lived happily ever after,” Jacob confirmed. “Now, sleep time, kid.”
Luka yawned again. “G’night, Uncle Jake.”
“Good night, Luka.” Jacob stood, realizing then that Seth had left at some point. Walking to the door, he turned out the light and closed the door all but a crack as he had seen Seth do. Going to the living room, he found Seth sitting in an arm chair with a notepad in had. “What’ca doing Seth?”
“Oh, just writing some stuff down, so I don’t forget,” Seth answered.
“I know that feeling.” Jacob stretched and yawned. “Man… your kid tired me out more than any patrol ever did.”
Seth smiled, though it looked a little forced to Jacob. “Are you saying to regret watching him today?”
“No way, me and the kid bonded. We’re on our way to being besties now.” Jacob sat on the worn leather couch, watching Seth. Something seemed… off, but he couldn’t place it.
“That’s great. Luka really loves you. When you’re at work he can’t wait for you to get home. I almost feel jealous sometimes.”
Jacob laughed softly as he leaned back and stretched his long legs out in front of himself. He laced his fingers behind his head. “No worries there. I’m not trying to steal your place as dad.”
“If you had to be a dad could you?”
Jacob blinked in confusion, both at the feeling of nervousness that went through his gut and at the soft question. “Huh?”
Seth bit his lip and flipped the ends of the notepad paper he was holding. “If something happened, say to me… could you be a dad to Luka?”
“Seth…”
“Just answer the question Jake.” Seth looked up and met Jacob’s eyes. “It’s completely hypothetical, but I want to know.”
Jacob took a deep breath. His heart hammered against his chest. Could he be a dad to Luka? Would that mean that he and Seth…? Jacob blinked and realized Seth was waiting for an answer. “Yeah, if I had to I could be a dad to Luka.”
“Good.” Seth smiled at him but Jacob frowned as he sat forward. The leather of the couch squeaked as he did this.
“What brought this on?” Jacob questioned.
“Nothing, I was just curious since the conversation led there. Don’t worry nothing is going to happen to me.”
Jacob stared at Seth for a couple of moments. Seth seemed completely at ease now. It was weird and gave Jacob a bad feeling but he didn’t know why. Finally he nodded. “Alright… well I’m gonna head to bed. How about you?”
“I’m gonna stay up a bit longer,” Seth answered. “I’ll make sure everything’s off and locked before I go to bed.”
“Good night, Seth.”
“Night, Jake.”
As Jacob disappeared down the hall, Seth looked down at the first line on the page.
I lied.
Jacob knew something was wrong the moment he woke. He could just feel it. Sitting up, he looked about his room. No everything was in place there. Throwing his sheet back with a frown, he got to his feet. His frown deepened when he spied the white envelope on the floor. Maybe he should have looked for what was out of place instead of checking that everything that was in place? Walking over he picked up the envelope and noted Seth’s faint scent on it. Jacob opened the envelope and pulled out the letter.
Dear Jake,
I lied. I lied when I said that nothing was going to happen to me. Technically, though, it’s been happening since the day I ran away five years ago. Please forgive me Jake but I need to try… to find Jasper and see if he still wants me. If he doesn’t… well, I probably won’t be back. Not because I don’t want to but because I won’t be able to. Since that day five years ago I have been slowly dying. The imprint has been killing me bit by bit. It’s painful, that I can tell you. I would never wish this sort of torture on anyone. If I can, I will return for Luka.
That’s right; I have left Luka with you. I didn’t want him with me should… well should I die. I know you will take good care of him and as I told you last night, he loves you. I left Luka a note under his pillow; he will probably need your help reading it. I have also left the $500 that Ms. Patty gave me. I wish I could have left more, but that is all I have. You should be receiving my last paycheck soon. If you need it forge my signature and use it. Please tell Luka that I love him, that I will never stop loving him. He has been my only reason to live these past five years.
I’m sorry to put this on you, Jake, but I knew if I told you my plan you would want to help me, and this is something I need to do on my own. Thank you for welcoming me and Luka into your home. You are my hero, you always will be. I guess Luka gets that from me.
Seth
Jacob read the letter again before he rushed out of his room to the one Luka and Seth had been sharing. This couldn’t be real. He would open the door and Seth would be curled up with Luka. Opening the door to the bedroom, he saw that his hopes were not true however. Luka lay on the bed, still sleeping deeply. Seth’s note for him was barely sticking out from under the pillow.
Jacob shook his head as he stepped back until his back met the wall. Seth had done it, he had really left. Wait…his car… Running to the front door Jacob looked out. Sure enough Seth’s car was gone. Jacob groaned and bowed his head against the door. “Damnit Seth…”
“…Daddy?”
The soft voice broke Jacob’s heart as he sat at the kitchen table. Seth’s letter sat in front of him. He had reread it until he had it memorized but it didn’t change. Seth had left him to care for Luka until his return or…forever. Could he do this?
“Uncle Jake? Where’s Daddy?”
Jacob looked up and met Luka’s golden eyes. He felt a sense of determination grow inside him. Yes, he could take care of Luka because he loved the boy and because Seth asked him to. “Daddy had to leave for a few days. Are you okay just staying with me?” He questioned.
Luka bit his lip, looking unsure, but then he nodded. “He’ll be back soon?”
Jacob swallowed hard. It was hard to lie to Luka. “Soon. You hungry, kid? I can make some breakfast and then we need to get dressed.”
Luka came and climbed into his chair at the table. “Hungry,” he agreed. “Why do we need to get dressed? Are we going out on the bike again?”
Standing Jacob went to the stove and started to make a pot of oatmeal. “Yup, I’m gonna take you to meet your family.”
“The people in the picture?”
“The same. They will love you.”
Luka smiled; he liked it when people liked him.
“What do you think this is about?” Quil questioned as he and Embry walked toward Sue Clearwater’s house.
Embry shrugged. “No idea. Jake just said he wanted us all at Sue’s.”
“Well I hope it doesn’t take long.”
“Why? Got an intense game of hide and seek planned?”
“Em!”
Embry laughed and ruffled Quil’s hair. The greeting they used for each other echoed through the air and the two returned it with a smile. It seemed like they were the last two of the pack to arrive aside from Jacob.
“Let me guess; neither of you have any idea what this is about, do you?” Sue asked.
“Nope,” Quil and Embry answered at the same time. “Jake just said to wait for him here.”
Ten minutes later their waiting paid off… sorta. Jacob rode up on his motorcycle. The members of the pack got ready to tackle him, like they usually did, but then they realized that Jacob wasn’t alone on his bike. All eight members of the pack and Sue froze when Jacob lifted a small child off his bike, removing the helmet on his head once both feet were steady on the ground.
When Embry and Luka’s eyes met, a spark of…something went through their bodies. Luka didn’t understand what had happened but Embry did. He drew in a sharp breath just as the wind blew, letting him inhale Luka’s scent.
Just as Jacob had, the pack member’s stiffened as they caught sight of Luka’s golden eyes; they all remembered how the vampire’s eyes had looked. And his scent… Paul’s lip curled back and his body shook, a snarl leaving his mouth.
Luka whimpered and hid behind Jacob’s legs. Embry moved quickly placing himself between Paul and Luka, a snarl of his own in place on his face.
“Move Embry,” Paul growled. “That… that is a leech!”
“You won’t touch my imprint Paul,” Embry stated, his voice hard as steel.
Luka look up at Jacob in confusion. “What’s an imprint, Uncle Jake?”
Jacob didn’t look down at Luka, though his hand moved to Luka’s hair. His eyes were trained on Embry’s back. Well… this was an interesting turn of events.
Luka looked between his uncle and the rest of the people. Most of their expressions had changed when the other guy…Embry, standing in front of him had said the thing about the imprint. What was an imprint? That weird feeling he felt when his and Embry’s eyes had met?
“It’s okay kid; they won’t hurt you.”
Luka looked up at Jacob; there was a hardness, a sort of commanding tone to Jacob’s voice that he hadn’t heard before. He had a feeling that this was mostly said to the scary looking guy. He swallowed as he looked at the assembled people. “Hi… my name is Luka.”
Embry, turned at the sound of Luka’s voice, his expression reminded Luka of his daddy. He was the first to step forward, kneeling to his eye level. “Hey Luka, I’m Embry, you can call me Em okay?”
Luka studied Embry for a moment, there was a kind look in his eyes and Luka liked that. Not just that… but he smelled great! Luka nodded a smiled spreading across his face.
Sue’s motherly instincts kicked into high gear. Pushing her way through the member’s of the pack she approached Jacob and the little boy, kneeling beside Embry. “My name is Sue. My, but you are gorgeous… My Seth had hair just like yours,” she whispered running a hand through Luka’s hair.
“Mom…”
Jacob glanced up and saw the pained look in Leah’s eyes.
“My daddy’s name is Seth,” Luka said. Sue’s hand froze, they all froze staring at Luka.
Jacob cleared his throat and all eyes went to him. “Everyone, I want you to meet Luka, Seth’s son.”
Alice sat up, the sheet falling to her waist leaving her chest bare. Resting her chin on her crossed arms, which rested on her bent knees, she watched Jasper. He had left the bed the moment their love making had ended. Her lover, the one she had thought was her mate, stood at the window that overlooked Moscow. The sun occasionally made itself known through the heavy snow clouds that covered the city. When this happened Jasper’s skin would sparkle, something she had long gotten used to. Though what she truly watched was Jasper’s expression. It was clear to her that he was in deep thought.
“Jasper,” she said softly.
Jasper’s posture straightened and he turned to look at her. Once there had been an inextinguishable fire in his gaze when he looked at her but now that fire… that fire had faded to glowing embers. Moving slowly, he climbed onto the bed, sitting back on his bent knees. Reaching out he picked up one of her hands and kissed the cold skin lightly. She could tell he felt guilty about something even without the emotion he was projecting.
“Tell me,” she whispered.
Jasper took a deep, unneeded, breath as he thought his words over carefully. “Five years ago, before we left Forks, I went for a quick hunt in the woods. I must have strayed closer to the border than I thought, because one moment I was alone and the next I was face-to-face with one of the wolves. It was the youngest I think; I had never seen him before. I was wary until he… he… well he smiled at me, that is the only way I can describe it. That confused me, but what confused me even more was that he approached and placed his head under my hand so that I would rub or scratch his ears. I told him to shift.”
“Was it the youngest?”
“I don’t know, they all look somewhere in their twenties. But the moment he shifted, he smiled at me. He was beautiful when he smiled, which confused me all the more. I had only ever truly thought that you were beautiful… but he…” Jasper shook his head, at a loss for words. “We spoke and I discovered that for some reason my smell was enticing to him. It was strange because until he said that I hadn’t noticed, but his smell was enticing to me as well. I never meant for it to happen but I suddenly had these urges… I blame the smell coming off him. I couldn’t stop myself and we kissed.”
“That’s why your future disappeared from my sight five years ago…” Alice murmured. Jasper looked at her sharply, surely wondering why she hadn’t mentioned it before. “I was worried, of course, but I knew you were close so I didn’t come after you. You came home a few hours later and took a shower while I packed then we left. What happened in those few hours?”
Jasper looked down at the bed; Alice smiled a little because she knew if he could he would be blushing. His hand tightened on hers. “He told me his name. Seth. I was so lost in the smell he was giving off I wasn’t thinking properly. I let our actions continue beyond what they should have. He gave himself willingly to me, something I never thought a wolf would do. I confess, I didn’t want to come back… I just sat there, playing with his hair while he slept… I wanted to stay. I kissed his face as he fell asleep… and then I left him there.”
“You left him?” Alice questioned. She wouldn’t believe Jasper to do such a thing. It didn’t bother her that he had had sex with a wolf, another man at that, but Jasper was a true gentleman and to leave someone he had just shared something like that with… “You didn’t want to, did you?”
“No, to be honest, I did not. It has been my one regret these past five years. That night… I had never felt so complete. But I did not want to risk you or the others coming to find me and finding him… or his pack doing the same. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner but after my shower things were such a flurry of movement there wasn’t time.”
“You want to go and find him don’t you?”
Jasper nodded. “I’ve felt this pull for the past five years, I’ve tried to ignore it… but I feel like I can’t ignore it any longer.”
Alice’s gaze went blank and she saw Jasper buying a plane ticket to New York. She blinked and looked at him. “Why New York?”
“I will need time to think, it will only take me a couple of days to get to the other side of the country,” he answered.
“And what will you do when you find him?”
“I don’t know.”
“I wish I could tell you,” she sighed. The shifters and anyone who came into contact with them remained beyond her sight. “Be safe?”
“I will do my best,” he promised with a smile. Leaning in he kissed her cheek and then stood hurriedly packing his things. She watched him move about the room basking in the feeling of his happiness from her acceptance. Soon, much too soon in her opinion, he was standing before her wearing a pair of jeans and a sweater, suitcase in hand. “Alice… I did love you.”
Alice smiled meeting his eyes. “I will always love you.” And with that he was gone. Alice buried her face in her arms and wished she could cry.
Two days after he left Forks, Seth found himself stopping on the side of the road for the umpteenth time to throw up. He was getting worse and it was happening much faster than he had anticipated. At this rate… he would die before finding Jasper, die before seeing Luka again. That thought pushed him off his knees and back to his feet. Stumbling, he got back into his car and when the road was clear he pulled back onto the interstate.
Seth didn’t know what he was following. He had no idea where Jasper had gone after leaving Forks five years ago, had no idea where he was now. There was just this… feeling that he was following. He wondered if Jasper ever felt anything like this. Surely if he had, if Jasper had a connection to Luka like he did, the vampire would have come back… wouldn’t he? Jasper would at least be curious? Maybe Seth was being too hopeful…
Seth shook his head. No, he wasn’t going to think like that. He would find Jasper. He would tell him about Luka. Jasper would want to meet his son. And maybe, just maybe… they could be a family. Seth smiled and rested his head back against the headrest. Yeah, that was a good dream.
Seth could feel the feeling of sickness clawing at his stomach once more but it wasn’t as pressing as past urges. This he could ignore until he could actually get to a bathroom, the next rest stop or exit would do. That would be good because he could get some water or something to take this horrible taste out of his mouth.
Ten minutes later, Seth pulled off the exit ramp and into a parking space at the nearest gas station. Dashing out of his car with a hand over his mouth, he ran inside, not bothering to lock his car. He didn’t have anything worth stealing anyway.
Barely making into a toilet stall in time, Seth stood over the toilet heaving before going to his knees. He had nothing left to come up after throwing up as many times as he had, so it was mostly dry heaves and stomach acid. He was shaking when he sat back against the wall, trying to catch his breath. Running the back of his hand across his mouth he stared at the smeared blood.
Blood? That was new. Leaning forward he saw that there was a good deal of blood mixed in with the other stuff in the toilet. Seth grimaced and sat back against the wall once more. “Just great…” He muttered. Slowly getting up, he flushed the toilet, washed his hands, rinsed out his mouth and stumbled out of the gas station bathroom.
The air of the gas station was cool and filled with the smell of old hot dogs. Seth was almost to the wall of cold drinks when a certain smell tickled his nose. He froze and took a deeper breath. There. It was a smell that he hadn’t encountered in five years… one that he had longed for… His feet moved of their own accord bringing him to the front of the aisle.
Seth’s eyes widened at the sight of the blonde curls and tall form. The smell hit him even more strongly now. It was him! It was Jasper! Seth moved to step toward him but suddenly his world slanted as his stomach seized with pain and his knees refused to hold his weight. Words stuck in his throat and he couldn’t get them out as he fell to the floor unconscious.
Jasper didn’t need to stop but unfortunately his car did. Pulling into a gas station…somewhere in Colorado, he turned his car off and got out. It wasn’t until he got out he noticed that this pump’s credit card meter was broken so he would have to go inside. While it took more time it was only more by a few minutes so he headed inside to pay for a full tank of gas.
The air smelled vaguely familiar beneath the aroma of cheap meat, but he couldn’t place the scent that pulled at his senses. Shaking his head, he went to the counter to pay for the gas he had gotten.
He had just handed his credit card to the gas station attendant when he felt shock, longing, and happiness, emotions so similar to what he had felt five years ago. Jasper looked up at the attendant sharply thinking maybe he had missed something, but the attendant was looking behind him.
Jasper turned just as Seth fell to the floor. He couldn’t begin to describe the feeling that seized him. Completely forgetting his credit card, he rushed forward and gathered Seth into his arms. Seth’s heat blazed through both layers of their clothing. Jasper knew it was much too high. He could also smell fresh blood on him. Normally that would have driven him crazy, but now he was just too worried about Seth. This wasn’t how he wanted to find him.
“Do I need to call 911?” The attendant asked, hand already on the phone.
“No, I know him. I’ll take care of him,” Jasper stated. He stood and left the gas station quickly. His car had enough gas to make it to the nearest decent hotel so he settled Seth in the backseat and quickly drove to the hotel he had seen from the exit. He couldn’t take the chance of medical personnel or the police taking Seth away from him.
Jasper glanced into the backseat at Seth as he turned off his car outside the hotel entrance. The boy, though he supposed Seth was a man now, lay still in the backseat. Shaking his head, Jasper got out and went into the hotel. He got a hotel room, realizing that he had forgotten his credit card at the gas station and made a mental note to get it back, before going back out to his car. He pulled as close to the room as he could before turning the car off once more.
Gathering Seth into his arms, he scanned his room card on the side door and carried Seth inside. Scanning first the side door and then the room door was a bit difficult but after a couple of tries he managed. Laying Seth on one of the beds he set about his first task, waking Seth.
“Seth,” he said softly but firmly. The other didn’t respond so Jasper tapped his cheek lightly. “Seth.” Still no response so he tapped a bit harder. “Seth!”
Seth gasped, his eyes going wide as he sat up. He immediately slapped a hand over his mouth and looked slightly panicked. Jasper felt the nausea coming off of him in waves and moved quickly to get a trash can. Once the trash can was in front of him Seth proceeded to throw up into it. The strong smell of blood hit Jasper’s nose and he frowned. People weren’t supposed to throw up blood unless something was very wrong.
Jasper used his gift to try and make Seth feel better. Messing with feelings that were related to an actual illness were more difficult to adjust than just regular emotions. Eventually he just tried to help by rubbing Seth’s back. He didn’t remember this much heat coming off Seth that night they had had together.
When Seth finished, Jasper set the trash can on the floor and went to the bathroom to get him a cup of water and a cold washcloth to help cool his skin. Seth was laying down again when he came out of the small room. “I’ve died haven’t I?” Seth questioned from where his head rested against the to thin pillow.
Jasper frowned at the question as he sat on the edge of the bed and folded the washcloth on Seth’s forehead. He had Seth drink the cup of water before he answered. “Why would you think that?”
“Because you’re here… either I’ve died or this is some wonderful dream…”
Jasper fought a smile. “It’s no dream Seth,” he replied. He hesitated a second but then leaned down to emphasize his point by kissing Seth’s lips.
Seth knew his eyes were wide as Jasper pulled back. How could they not be? He had never thought he would actually find Jasper. A shaky hand rose to his lips before he reached out and cupped Jasper’s cheek. It was real… he had found Jasper… so why wasn’t he happy?
Jasper sighed, his eyes closing at the touch. He had expected Seth to be elated but his emotions, for the most part, were sad. Perhaps he was just in shock.
“You’re really here,” Seth whispered, his eyes filling with tears.
“I am, but we will celebrate that later. You’re sick, what can I do to help?”
Seth shook his head. “I don’t know…”
“You don’t know? You have a fever and are throwing up, how can you not know? How long as this been happening?”
Seth bit his lip as he thought. “I’ve been having stomach pains for the past year. The throwing up just started within the last couple of weeks. And the blood… well that’s new as of today.”
“And you don’t know why this is happening?” Jasper questioned. His hand was already halfway to his pocket to reach for his cell phone to call Carlisle when Seth answered.
“I can only think of one thing.”
“What’s that?”
Seth took a deep breath. “Five years ago I imprinted on you.”
“Dude!” Quil exclaimed looking at his best friend. Embry just grinned and shrugged as he stood straight. Quil shook his head and turned his attention to Jacob. “Wanna run that by us again?” Quil asked, his gaze returning to Luka.
Jacob rested a hand on Luka’s shoulder. “This is Luka. Seth’s son.”
“How…what…when?” Sue stammered. Jacob leaned down and picked Luka up, she stood with him as he stood straight. Luka wrapped his little arms around Jacob’s neck in a tight hug.
“I’ve been keeping some things from you guys. I want to tell you everything so… let’s go inside?”
They all nodded and headed inside (though Embry did so a bit reluctantly), Leah and Sue moving last. Luka was staring at Leah. Left alone outside with Jacob, Sue and Leah, Luka raised his head. “I know you…” Luka whispered, pointing to Leah.
“You do?” She asked, surprised.
“Well daddy showed me your picture at Uncle Jake’s. He said you were my only real aunt.”
Leah stared back at Luka before she sniffed and her eyes filled with tears. “Can I hold him?”
“You okay with that, kid?” Jacob questioned.
Luka nodded and held his arms out to Leah. The woman took him in her arms and held him tightly as tears slipped from her eyes. Sue wrapped them both in a hug, crying silently. Jacob silently excused himself and went into the Clearwater house.
He was immediately bombarded with questions. Jacob held up his hands. “When Sue and Leah get in here I’ll explain everything.” Jacob claimed his spot leaning against the wall, leaving the armchair free for Sue to sit in. The rest of the pack had claimed seats on the couch and floor. Five minutes later Leah and Sue joined them, Sue sitting in the armchair and Leah sitting on the arm of said chair. Sue held Luka in her lap, stroking his hair. Jacob could just see the love shining in both their eyes and he smiled.
“Alright, I know you all have questions but let me tell you what I know and then you can ask alright?” The pack nodded and settled in to listen. “A couple of weeks ago I got a phone call from Seth…”
When he finished speaking it was safe to say that the pack was no more pleased with what Jasper had done to Seth than Jacob had been. Jacob firmly ordered them that no one would tear Jasper apart should he ever return to the area. He was Luka’s father after all. The pack wasn’t happy with the order but had no choice but to follow it.
“Imprinted? Like a baby bird?” Jasper questioned.
Seth shook his head. He stared at the ugly green color of the carpet as he gathered the words he needed to explain imprinting. “Imprinting in the shifter sense… it’s… different than the imprinting done by animals.” Seth paused and took a deep breath. “That night in the forest… when I saw you… you became my world. When we imprint it’s like the force of gravity for us changes, it’s not the Earth holding us here anymore, it’s that person.”
“And I’m that person for you?” Those words gave him such a feeling of happiness but at the same time he was filled with pain, Seth’s pain from the abandonment five years ago.
Seth nodded, watching as Jasper’s eyes closed in what looked like pain. He reached out and took Jasper’s hand. His fingers brushed against the wool of Jasper’s sweater. The fabric was cold, something he hadn’t noticed before. “Jasper?”
“I’m so sorry Seth…”
“Sorry?” Seth asked in confusion.
“That night in the forest… it was the best night of my life. I told Alice before I came looking for you that I never felt so complete. But I left you. I was going to find you again, I had nearly made up my mind when it was decided that we were moving, but Edward broke up with Bella and we had to leave.”
“That’s why I couldn’t find your scent…”
“You looked for me?”
Seth nodded. “I needed you…the imprint was so new and I couldn’t tell the pack…”
“You couldn’t? What happened?” Jasper asked.
“I woke up and you weren’t there. It sank in what had happened and I ran away. I moved from place to place for awhile before finally going to Canada. I needed a place to settle down.”
“Why? Wouldn’t have been safer to keep moving? To keep looking for me?”
Seth chewed on his lip. “I wanted to… but I couldn’t.”
“Why?”
“Three months after our night together I started getting sick.”
“But I thought you said your sickness had only been happening over the course of the past year?” Jasper questioned in confusion.
“Different sickness.”
“A serious illness?”
Seth stared at Jasper, debating his words. “Yeah, it was pretty serious.”
Jasper could feel his fear and he tried to calm it. Taking Seth’s hand he brought the hand to his lips and kissed it. “You can tell me Seth.”
Seth stared into Jasper’s gold eyes, his own pleading. He pulled his hand away from Jasper’s and dug into his pants pocket. Jasper watched as Seth pulled out his wallet, the leather was worn and almost falling apart, and flip through the pictures in it. Seth stopped on one picture, his expression softening, and held out the wallet to Jasper.
“This is Luka… our son.”
“So Seth has gone after Jasper,” Jacob finished. He was thankful that Luka had fallen asleep in Sue’s arms before he had gotten to the part about Seth not knowing if he would be able to come back. He didn’t want the boy knowing that yet.
“I can’t believe he was here and you didn’t tell us!” Leah seethed.
“Leah…” Sue scolded as she glanced down at Luka. She stood and took him to her bedroom so they could talk without waking him.
“I was respecting his wishes Leah, I tried to get him to come here but he was afraid,” Jacob replied.
“I can’t believe he would think that we would kill him,” Quil murmured. “You can’t control who you imprint on.” He knew that better than anyone else. Sam knew of course, but he hadn’t imprinted on a two year old. Now Embry understood somewhat, he would have to tease his friend mercilessly about it later.
“No… we wouldn’t have… but we know how we would have reacted. I don’t blame Seth,” Embry said.
The others nodded in agreement. “If Seth returns we will welcome him back into the pack,” Sam stated. Again there was a chorus of nods. “In the mean time… we’ll get to know Luka.”
“Hey, who’s Alpha here?” Jacob teased.
“Were you going to say something different?” Sam questioned.
“No…”
Sam snorted. “Okay then. I think when Luka wakes up from his nap we should get to know him.”
“Bon fire?” Colin and Brady chorused.
“Bon fire,” Jacob agreed with a smile.
“…Our…son?” Jasper questioned slowly as he took the wallet and looked at the picture. Luka had Seth’s smile but… his golden eyes. Jasper could also see parts of himself in the shape of Luka’s face. Staring at the picture, everything that had been missing in his life seemed to click into place; first Seth and now Luka. “But… how?”
Seth shrugged. He took the wallet back and stared at Luka’s picture. He missed his little boy. “I could never figure it out. All I know is that about three months after our night together I started getting sick in the mornings. Five months after, I had a baby bump and I could feel it moving.” He lowered his voice to a whisper, “I was so scared…”
Jasper gathered Seth into his arms and held him tightly. He hated the sadness and depression that was radiating off of Seth. “How did…?”
“How was Luka born?” Seth mumbled into Jasper’s shoulder. Jasper only nodded, unable to get any words out. “I’ll tell you someday… but I can’t…not yet… it was that bad.”
Jasper’s arms tightened around Seth even more. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there Seth. We’ll talk more about this later. Right now we need to get you well. A cold shower first to bring your fever down, and while you’re in the shower I’ll go out and get you a decent meal, after that you need sleep.”
Now it was Seth’s turn to tighten his hold on Jasper. “I don’t want you to leave… you left before…”
“There’s a difference from then and now. This time it won’t take me five years to return to you.”
Seth pulled back and searched Jasper’s eyes. “Promise?”
“By every star in the heavens.”
Seth gave Jasper that beautiful smile he remembered. Jasper helped Seth into the shower before grabbing the keycard to the room and leaving. He didn’t feel completely right leaving Seth alone, sick as he was, but he needed to get Seth food. He doubted this hotel had room service. If he rushed he would be gone a max of four minutes. Going back to the gas station, he got his credit card back, located Seth’s car and got his bag from the backseat. After that, he got Seth what would be considered a huge meal for a normal human but a normal meal for a shifter. Returning to the hotel room, Jasper found Seth still in the shower. Unable to deny the urge that came over him he stripped and stepped into the shower with Seth.
Jasper wrapped his arms around Seth’s middle and pulled the younger man back against his body. Seth tensed for only a moment before he relaxed in Jasper’s gentle embrace. “You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this,” Seth whispered.
“About as long as I have,” Jasper replied softly as he kissed Seth’s neck. Seth groaned softly, it wasn’t a groan of lust but one of appreciation. Jasper could feel the tension leave Seth’s body. “I have your food in the room.”
“I can smell it; hopefully it won’t come back up after I eat it.”
“We’ll just take it slow and see, alright?”
“Alright.” Moments later they left the shower. Jasper slowly and lovingly dried Seth off. He could feel Seth’s confusion and that in turn made him confused but he didn’t question it. Once they were both dressed in their sleepwear, Jasper watched Seth eat. He was glad that Seth didn’t get sick after. When Seth had finished eating, Jasper tucked him into one of the beds. Much to his disappointment, Seth still had his fever though it wasn’t as high.
“Lay with me?” Seth questioned. “Your cold will help my fever… hell just being close to you will help.”
“Am I the reason you’ve been sick?” Jasper questioned, already climbing into bed with Seth.
Seth yawned. “That… and probably the fact I haven’t phased in five years.”
Jasper blinked in surprise; he wasn’t a doctor but he knew that couldn’t be healthy. He went to say something to Seth but the other shifted and sighed. He was already asleep. Jasper smiled as he watched Seth sleep before he picked up his cell phone from the table between the beds. Flipping the device open he created a new text message to Carlisle. Hopefully his father figure could give him some insight.
Five hours later, Seth woke feeling better than he had in years. He stretched and yawned, slowly becoming aware that the pain in his stomach wasn’t nearly as bad as it had been. This was the pain he had lived with for four years. Suddenly he remembered and his eyes flew open.
Jasper!
Jasper had been there, it couldn’t have been a dream. It couldn’t. His heart was hammering in his chest as he looked about the hotel room quickly. He heard the keycard slide through the door’s lock and the door opened. Seth watched as Jasper entered the room carrying a large tray full of breakfast foods. Seth’s eyes filled with tears at the sight of him.
“I’m here,” Jasper said in response to Seth’s frantic heartbeat. He set the tray down just as Seth got out of bed and launched himself at Jasper. Seth held onto him tightly and Jasper could feel Seth’s hot tears through his shirt. Jasper stroked Seth’s back and he soothed his frayed emotions. “I’m here, shh.”
“I thought…it might…have been a dream…” Seth sniffed as he looked up at Jasper. He cupped his cheeks and leaned up claiming Jasper’s lips. It didn’t feel right, why didn’t it feel right? “But…that is…too real.”
Jasper smiled at Seth. “I brought you breakfast. I didn’t know what you liked so I got a bit of everything.”
Seth pushed his confusion aside as he looked at the food. He actually felt his mouth water when he looked at the food. Eggs, fruit, pancakes… It had been months since he had really felt hungry. “That’s all for me?”
“All for you,” Jasper confirmed. “Eat up.”
Jasper took a seat in one of the chairs that sat in front of the window. He watched Seth eat while thinking about how to approach his new information. He had texted Carlisle in length while Seth slept asking the elder vampire for any information. While it wasn’t much, because shifters were still quite the mystery… they both thought they had it figured out now.
“Seth, I think you should phase.”
Seth stopped, a piece of apple sticking out between his lips. He blinked at Jasper before he finished chewing and swallowed. “Why?”
“I spoke to Carlisle while you were asleep. While he doesn’t know much related to shifters, he thinks that not phasing is cutting off something your body needs. In connection to the imprint, which Carlisle finds fascinating, he suspects that this could be what is making you ill. Being a shifter is who you are and you shouldn’t deny it. I know you were hiding from your pack but you’ve seen Jacob now correct?”
Seth nodded, looking thoughtful.
“Then why not phase? It might be just what you need to get better.”
“I could try it… I have no reason to hide now. I’m sure Jacob has taken Luka to the Res by now,” Seth mused. “He wanted to while I was there but I wouldn’t let him. I was still afraid of what the pack would do. Though… after seeing the way Jacob warmed up to him, I knew that the rest of the pack would love him too.”
“Is Luka able to phase?” Jasper questioned. Seth had been too sick to answer questions about their son, but now that Jasper was less worried about his health, he was bursting with curiosity.
“Not yet, he doesn’t even know about shifters… at least he didn’t. I don’t know what Jacob has told him now.”
Jasper nodded. “So will you phase?”
Seth’s eyes widened and he looked around. “Now? Here?”
“I’ll move the furniture, there’ll be enough room. I’d rather you not wait.”
Seth mulled this over as he picked up another piece of fruit and chewed on it thoughtfully. Finally he met Jasper’s golden eyes. “Alright, I’ll phase.”
Jasper nodded again, a smile on his lips this time as he stood. He moved the chairs and table first and then the bedside table. “This should be enough room.”
Seth stood, the tray of food that Jasper had brought almost completely empty now. “I haven’t done this is so long…”
“I’m sure it’ll come naturally if you just think about it,” Jasper encouraged standing back. “You need the connection with your pack, Seth.”
Sighing, Seth nodded and took off his sleep pants. Jasper stared hungrily at the skin that was exposed. He almost pulled Seth down onto one of the beds, but the need for Seth to phase was stronger. It was also then that he noticed Seth wasn’t giving off that same enticing smell that he had that night. Jasper’s head tipped to the side in confusion. Maybe it was because Seth hadn’t phased in so long? Maybe there was another reason? Jasper’s thoughts were brought back to the present by a small whimper.
Jasper took a step forward as Seth doubled over, pain coming off of him in waves. He stopped himself though. Seth needed this. Jasper watched as Seth’s body contorted and moments later the blonde wolf he had seen five years ago stood before him on trembling legs. Seth whimpered softly as he lay down on the floor.
Now Jasper approached. He kneeled down next to Seth and stroked the soft fur between Seth’s ears. “My beautiful wolf…” He murmured. Seth’s tail wagged slightly and Jasper smiled. Seth stayed phased for an hour; occasionally his ears would twitch as if he were listening to something but without Edward’s ability Jasper couldn’t tell if he was listening to sounds in the hotel or if he heard other members of his pack.
Finally, after an hour had passed, Seth phased back into his human form. Jasper noted the changes immediately. Seth’s body was more in shape, the small scars he had noticed had healed and disappeared, Seth’s scent was stronger and when Seth looked up meeting his gaze, his eyes were brighter.
“Jacob was on patrol,” Seth told him. “He says Luka misses me but is behaving. The pack loves him and wants me to come home. A lot… a lot of things have happened since I’ve been gone. ”
Jasper took in a deep, unneeded breath of Seth’s scent and a small smile came to his lips. “What things?” He questioned.
“Embry imprinted on Luka.”
Jasper blinked. “Age really doesn’t matter when an imprint is concerned, I guess?”
Seth shook his head. “Never. Quil imprinted on a two year old.”
“…then how…?”
“We are what our imprint wants us to be,” Seth told him, using the words Jacob told him once. Seth stared at the lamp on the table as Jacob’s words repeated in his head. The shifter was always only what their imprint wanted… but what about the shifter? What if they didn’t want their imprint the same way the imprint wanted them? Would the shifter be doomed to doing what they didn’t want? It wasn’t fair…
Jasper was quiet for a moment as he absorbed this information. “We’ll return at the end of the week,” he stated.
Seth quirked an eyebrow. He wanted Jasper to accept him, but that was more for Luka’s sake than the need of the imprint. He was realizing that now. What had changed? “We? Why the end of the week?”
“Yes we, I want to meet my son and I’m never leaving you for an extended period of time again.” Jasper smiled expecting Seth to do the same but he was confused when Seth didn’t. Seth wasn’t happy, why? Jasper reached out and took Seth’s hand. “Seth?”
Seth raised his eyes from where his gaze had gone to the floor. His fingers tightened around Jasper’s as their eyes met. Seth’s brown eyes shown with tears. “I don’t want this…”
Jasper blinked. “This?”
Seth motioned between them with his free hand. “How you keep looking at me! I know that look, I can feel your feelings, it’s the same look you gave me, the same feelings I felt five years ago! But… you left me Jasper.”
“I came back,” Jasper stated.
“Five years later!” Seth’s heart was pounding in his chest. If he had been standing he would have started pacing but as it was he couldn’t move. “Five years Jasper. For all you knew… I could have been dead.”
“But you’re not, you’re not and I thought…”
“Please Jasper; don’t make this any harder than it already is. I’m fighting against fate here to tell you this. I’m supposed to be whatever you want… but I… I can’t. Do you understand that?”
Jasper stared at Seth. He could tell Seth to be exactly what he wanted and Seth would have to be it. But he couldn’t do that, he wasn’t that vicious, he could not wish the amount of pain he saw in Seth’s eyes at this moment to be there everyday of his life. The truth was that he wanted Seth to be happy.
He could only hope that one day Seth would come to love him again, but the truth was five years ago he had practically raped Seth, though he had been willing, Seth had been fifteen. As much as he hadn’t wanted to leave he still had. He could have made the choice to stay and be there when Seth woke but he had left. He could have turned around at any point during their move away from Forks but he hadn’t. At any time during the five years he could have used all the connections the Cullen family had to find Seth. But one fact remained.
He hadn’t.
Jacob sighed and stretched as he came in from his patrol. Speaking to Seth through the packmind made him feel better than he had since Seth first disappeared. Seth had finally phased and gained his connection with the pack again. They had mostly spoken of Luka, but Jacob now knew that Seth had found Jasper and he would be coming home soon. Jacob was also pleased that Seth was obviously feeling better than he had been.
A floorboard creaked softly and Jacob’s senses went on edge. He was standing right between the living room and kitchen so his eyes went to those two rooms first. Everything was dark, aside from the glowing lights on certain devices and appliances.
“Uncle Jake?”
Jacob blinked at the small voice and looked down the hall toward what had become Luka’s room. Luka stood there peeking out of his room. He looked scared and Jacob couldn’t be sure but he thought there were dried tears on his cheeks. “Hey kid, why are you up? It’s late.”
“I had a bad dream… you weren’t here.”
“I’m sorry kid; I had to go out for a few hours.” He hadn’t told Luka about shifters yet; he really felt that was more of Seth’s place. “But I’m here now. C’ere and tell me about your bad dream.” Jacob held his arms open and Luka ran into them, snuggling into the heat his body gave off. Jacob went to the couch and sat stroking Luka’s back through the t-shirt that had some sort of yellow creature from one of the TV shows the kid watched. “So, you had a bad dream?”
“Uh-huh,” Luka sniffed a little. His small fingers scratched against Jacob’s bare chest. Luka loved the heat that came from Jacob’s skin. His daddy’s skin was warm but it was nothing like this…
“What happened in it?” Jacob asked. Goosebumps rose on his skin where Luka’s hand moved slightly. He had noticed that Luka’s skin was warmer than that of a leech but cooler than a shifter’s. He guessed it had to do with the mixed blood. Luka’s skin was hard though, he didn’t get hurt easily. Jacob had realized that when Luka had fallen off the porch steps a few days ago and should have gotten some small scrapes but didn’t.
Luka sniffed again and Jacob felt hot tears against his skin. He frowned and ran his fingers through Luka’s hair like he had seen Seth do. “Daddy… daddy didn’t come home…” Luka buried his face in Jacob’s neck. “Daddy died…”
Jacob was speechless for a moment. If he hadn’t just spoken with Seth a few hours ago and did in fact know that he was okay, he would have had to wonder if Luka would have known if something had happened to Seth. All the leech’s had some sort of ability… he hadn’t noticed anything special about Luka but that didn’t mean that something wasn’t there. Jacob hoped Luka didn’t have some… future seeing ability. If something happened to Seth and Luka only saw it… that would have broken Luka’s heart…and his own. “Shh kid, its okay. I talked to your daddy earlier, he’s fine.”
Luka sat back quickly and Jacob hated the tears that clung to Luka’s eyelashes. The boy’s nose was running so Jacob reached over to the end table where he kept a box of tissues and wiped Luka’s nose. “Y-you did? Really?”
Jacob nodded. “I really, really did. Guess what? He’s coming home soon.”
“You aren’t lying?”
“I could never lie to you. Your daddy is coming home.”
A smile spread across Luka’s face so quickly that Jacob could almost say that he had whiplash. “And he found my other daddy?!”
In the letter that Seth had left for Luka he had explained about his brief encounter with Jasper… well the parental aspect of it. Luka was too young to know the sex part. He knew that Jasper was his other father now. Seth had said in his letter that he had gone to look for Jasper and would contact them when/if he found him.
Jacob didn’t, couldn’t hate Seth’s imprint… but oh how he wanted to. The bastard had left Seth to die, whether by the pack’s hand or something else. He knew Seth had to be whatever Jasper wanted but when they got back… he would what? Jacob sighed, he wanted to stake his claim on Seth, he had always had a soft spot in his heart for the younger man. Who knew that soft spot would turn out to be love?
“Yup, he did. I think they are both coming back.”
“When?” Luka asked nearly bouncing with excitement.
“Soon, that’s all I know,” Jacob answered.
Luka pouted but then smiled and hugged Jacob. “My daddy’s are coming home!”
Jacob smiled and hugged Luka back. “Let’s go back to bed now hm? You wanna sleep with me?”
“Yeah!”
Jasper stroked Seth’s fingers as he drove the road that would take them into Forks. They had traded in Seth’s car, since he wouldn’t need it any longer. The car was a piece of crap and Jasper wasn’t going to let Seth or his son ride in it a moment longer than they had already. The shifter in the passenger seat would be getting a new car in the next few days. Seth was full of nervous excitement and Jasper kept glancing at him, trying to understand where the emotion was coming from. He couldn’t figure it out.
“What’s wrong?” He questioned.
Seth looked at him and smiled. “Nothing, nothing’s wrong. I’m just so excited to see Luka again. I’m excited that you’re here, that you’re going to meet him. But I’m also nervous for you to meet him and vice versa.”
“Seth, I already love Luka. You don’t have to worry about that, or anything else for that matter. I’m going to take care of you both for as long as you need it.”
“Thank you Jasper,” Seth whispered. Jasper raised Seth’s fingers to his lips and kissed them.
They had had a lengthy talk about their situation and finally came to an agreement. They would just be friends, mostly for Seth’s sake. Seth couldn’t develop feelings any further than that for Jasper due to the past and Jasper couldn’t forgive himself for all the mistakes he had made. This was really the best solution for them for now.
Fifteen minutes later Jasper pulled his Mustang into Jacob’s driveway. Seth practically jumped out of the car and was halfway across the yard when the front door opened. If not for his enhanced sight, Jasper would have missed the blur that ran out the door and tackled Seth. He sat and watched with a fond smile as Seth hugged their son back, kissing his head over and over. Luka was beautiful.
Jasper got out of the car at an easier pace. The smell of wolf was strong here, that made sense though since this was Jacob’s house. It also made sense because Jacob was standing on the porch. There was also another shifter standing behind Jacob who was glaring at himself. The protective feelings radiating off this shifter were directed at Luka so Jasper assumed that this shifter was the one who had imprinted on his son, Embry.
He met Jacob’s eyes from where the Alpha had positioned himself leaning against the porch column. Jasper inclined his head slightly, his hands in his pockets. They stared at each other for a moment before Jacob’s eyes went to Seth and Luka, who were talking excitedly. Jasper could tell that he had been dismissed from the Alpha’s mind, but the protective vibes coming off him told Jasper that Jacob would do anything to protect these two. Good, that was something they had in common.
Jasper’s eyes widened as he continued to stare at Jacob. The love… he could feel intense waves of love coming from Jacob and they were directed at… Jasper’s eyes went to Seth. The younger shifter and Luka were talking excitedly, neither paying Jacob any attention. Did Seth return Jacob’s feelings? Had he really lost his chance? He knew their agreement but he had still held out a bit of hope…
“Luka, I want you to meet someone,” Seth said as he turned to Jasper.
Jasper found himself straightening at the sudden attention. He got his first face to face look at Luka. The boy looked a lot like Seth, but Jasper could see some of his features there as well, namely his nose and the eyes… wow, those eyes.
“Luka, baby, this is your papa, Jasper. Jasper, this is your son, Luka,” Seth said with a loving smile.
Luka wiggled in Seth’s arms and Seth set him down. Jasper watched as Luka took a couple of unsure steps toward him. Luka was nervous and Jasper used his ability to calm that nervousness. Luka smiled at him and before he knew it Jasper had little arms wrapped around his legs.
Jasper’s hand went to rest on top of Luka’s head in response to the leg hug. Luka smiled up at him and Jasper smiled back. He bent and gathered Luka into his arms, once Luka was at his eye level they stared at each other for a few moments. Jasper had thought that he was complete with only Seth but this… this was beyond being complete. This was just perfect.
“Papa!” Luka exclaimed throwing his arms around Jasper’s neck. Jasper returned the hug and met Seth’s eyes. Seth smiled as he watched the scene. Finally, his family was together. Jasper returned the smile before his attention went back to his son. Luka was talking excitedly about something and he had to catch up.
A little smile quirked on Jacob’s lips as he watched the scene between Luka and his biological father. He blinked and shook off the feelings of jealousy that also came from seeing the sight. Jacob cleared his throat to gain Seth’s attention. He uncrossed his arms as Seth’s eyes met his own. The younger smiled and came over to Jacob. Jacob’s heart started to beat faster as Seth got closer. He needed to say something… his hands itched to touch Seth.
“Welcome home Seth,” Embry said smiling.
Seth returned the smile. “It’s good to be home Em.”
Jacob growled softly at the attention that Seth gave the other member of his pack before himself. Seth’s attention came back to him, amusement lighting his eyes.
“Jacob.” The tone was slightly scolding, probably for his growl.
Jacob shook his head. “It’s Jake to you.”
Seth’s smiled widened. “Jake. I realized something while I was gone, something I wish I had realized sooner.”
“Yeah?” Damn his voice sounded hopeful.
“Imprinting.”
And that… wasn’t it. “Huh?” Jacob questioned.
“It’s not what they said it would be.” Seth didn’t elaborate, which was confusing but he continued before Jacob could question it. “Also, something I wish I had realized sooner…”
Jacob raised an eyebrow and he stepped down the front porch steps to get closer to Seth. “What’s that?” His heart was pounding even faster… he could hope.
Seth rose on his toes the couple of inches that separated them and pressed his lips against Jacob’s. He didn’t have to wait for a response to this kiss like he did when he kissed Jasper. This was… more natural, it just felt right. He grinned when the kiss broke. "I may have imprinted on Jasper… but it was you I really missed. If you’ll have me… I want to stay… with you."
The elder shifter grinned and he cupped Seth’s cheeks, kissing him again. "Yes I'll have you, you and Luka both, now and forever."
A/N: And... there might be a sequel if enough people love this. So...show me love? Hate?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2010-10-28 11:27 pm (UTC)I'm looking forward to reading the sequel and how the various relationships and plot progresses. This an excellent story! Thanks so much for sharing.
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Date: 2010-10-28 11:30 pm (UTC)Yeah... I'll look forward to the sequel too... if I ever get around to writing it >.>;
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Date: 2010-10-29 01:19 am (UTC)I like the Seth/Jake. and I'm glad that Jasper came back. This was written extremely well. I love the flow you have going here. I enjoyed the shift between what was happening with Seth and what was happening with Jake and Luka. It wasn't cut and harsh in the way some scene shifts can be and I liked that.
There actually has to be a sequel because Jasper loves Seth and well, he's Jasper. And as much as he's gonna want to try and honour their agreement, who doesn't want their own personal Seth?! Also, whatever happens with Seth and Luka has to be told, even if it's just a snippet.
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Date: 2010-10-29 01:28 am (UTC)I'm so glad you think it was written well. Goodness knows how much I and my beta worked on this. So glad that the cuts weren't harsh.
Well... if there is a sequel it'll center around Embry/Luka. But there would have to be a touch of the other couples too. I'm playing with it so we'll see!
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Date: 2010-10-31 07:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-05 09:39 pm (UTC)...but, you know what, the only unanswered question I see is what happens with Jasper. If you do a sequel, it ought to center around that. Because I just can't see him laying down at letting Seth be with Jacob without at least trying to get Seth back. You know.
I think, however, Embry and Luke should have a side story if you decide to get into that couple.
But, as is, I think it's good and you were right...no place for a lemon, even with the shower scene you had in there. It was good. Well played. But...if there is to be a sequel...I demand a lemon. D
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Date: 2010-11-06 12:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-07 03:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-07 03:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-09 07:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-21 02:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-21 02:43 pm (UTC)There has been a bit of interest so I'm playing with some ideas. We'll see where it takes me.
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Date: 2010-11-27 04:48 am (UTC)Whew- talk about twists. You are wicked, absolutely wicked.
Em imprints on the halfling (shades of Reneesme) but the twist at the end. That final twist-Seth and Jake. Poor Jasper-'you snooze, you lose' eh? I feel a wee bit of sympathy for Jasper-he thinks he's finally complete and is in for a very rude, unhappy awakening.
Whew again-and thanks. I don't know if this story needs a sequel - it just feels complete, but it's your decision. :D
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Date: 2010-11-27 05:05 am (UTC)As for a sequel my best friend is basically saying she'll kill be if I don't write one. So it'll prolly happen... I just don't know when.
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Date: 2010-11-27 11:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-28 02:31 am (UTC)Really... huh, I might have done my coding wrong. I'll have to check that out.
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Date: 2010-11-28 02:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-06 04:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-06 04:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-02 02:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-02 02:31 am (UTC)Actually, my first version of this had Jasper & Seth ending up together. But my beta said the way I had set it up it didn't make sense and among other things, she was right. So far, the majority of people who have read this have liked this ending better because Jasper was so... well he didn't react fast enough for things to be okey-dokey right off the bat and it still be a realistic happening.
Y'know?
I would not write an alternate ending though.
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Date: 2011-04-02 06:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-02 04:12 pm (UTC)