Intermediate Imprinting: Temptation
Nov. 21st, 2012 09:51 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
elvenavariAs most of you know, ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
starry_nights88 left the Twilight fandom some time ago. If you didn't know that... well, you've been out of the loop. I still hold a candle of hope that she'll return and finish some day but in the meantime she has given me permission to post the RP we were working on for the side story of Intermediate Imprinting, II: Temptation, which centers around Jasper & Seth.
I want to be perfectly clear. This is completely and totally an RP. It has not been edited. It does not match up timeline wise. It is extremely long (658 pages), so it will take multiple posts to be posted in its entirety. I will most likely post as much as I can once a day... though depending on my life there may be a day or more in between posts.
Okay, I think that covers everything. Without further ado, I give you Intermediate Imprinting: Temptation!
Intermediate Imprinting: Temptation
Prologue
Alice stepped off the bus in Philadelphia, PA. She took in a deep breath of the cool night air even though she did not need to. A smile graced her lips as the buildings around her clicked with the vision she had had. This was it, this was the place she would meet him.
Going to the diner on the corner, she took a seat on a stool at the counter. Glancing at her watch she saw that she still had at least two hours before he was going to come in. Pulling out her drawing pad she started to sketch random visions to pass the time.
The clock on the wall chimed 9pm and Alice looked up just in time to see a tall male with curly blonde hair reflected in the mirror behind the counter as he walked by outside. A smile tugged at her lips, this was him. She stood as the bell over the door jiggling with his entrance, turning her gold eyes met his red ones.
“Hello Jasper, you’re late, I’ve been waiting,” she teased. Her grinned widened at his sheepish look before he bowed his head like a good southern gentleman.
“I’m sorry, ma’am.”
Alice smiled and offered her hand out to him, a silent request to leave the diner and to start a new life together. Jasper stared at her hand for a moment before he took it, accepting her offer.
After leaving the diner they went to the park, being late there were very few about so they could speak freely. Jasper told her about his life. He had been a major in the Confederate Army before he had been turned by a vampiress named Maria. He had helped with newborn’s in Texas before coming north with two of the newborn’s he had felt a connection with. Alice found him fascinating. Alice told Jasper about her power, he was curious as to how she had known he would come into that diner. Jasper had empathy, he could influence others emotions… though he was still learning to control how much he felt from others so that it wasn’t overwhelming.
As they found a bench to sit on Alice’s gaze went blank. In a previous vision she had seen herself and Jasper getting married. Now she saw herself alone, but happy. Alice frowned, she had thought Jasper was he mate… but if she were alone and happy… that couldn’t be.
“Alice?” Jasper questioned laying a hand on her arm.
The contact brought another vision before her eyes. There was Jasper and then everything went black. What? That had never, well… only if someone died. Turning she looked at Jasper and concentrated on his future. Nothing, just black. She wanted to cry. She loved Jasper; she didn’t want him to die.
Slipping her hand into his she gave him a smile. “It’s fine. You’ll be happy,” she said. Jasper tipped his head giving her a curious look. Alice’s smile only widened, Jasper would be happy, she would make sure of that.
Chapter 1:
"I didn't think she'd go this far..." Edward muttered, rather crossly as he looked around the front room of his family's mansion, pointedly ignoring the streamers and banners that hung around the room. He looked back at his lover, giving him a bored expression. "If I had known she'd pull this, I would've kept you occupied at your house."
Jacob rolled his eyes, though there was a small smile on his face. "She would've came after us and dragged us back kicking and screaming," he pointed out and Edward knew he wasn't far from the truth. "Though there's nothing stopping us from sneaking away later though."
“You smell different.” Edward looked to his left where the youngest shifter stood. Leah had finally agreed to let him meet the rest of the Cullen’s at this gathering. Edward could tell by his thoughts that he was trying to sort this out. Of course, the expression on his face told that too, his nose wrinkled each time he took a sniff.
Jacob blinked and looked at Seth oddly. "Of course he smells different," he replied, noting that Edward's scent had begun to change shortly after his imprint. The vampire no longer smelled disgusting (neither did the rest of the Cullens) where as a vampire he hadn't had contact with still stank.
"You didn't smell very good at first either," Edward pointed out with a soft snort, his arms crossing over his chest.
“No, I mean…” Seth leaned into Edward and took a deep sniff of his arm. He looked back between them as he pulled back. “He smells like you.” Leaning into Jacob he smelled him too. “And you smell like him… you fulfilled the imprint didn’t you!”
Jacob blanched at that, the plate of food he held in his hand would've hit the floor if Edward hadn't grabbed it before he dropped it. They hadn't told anyone, but Rosalie that they had slept together. "W-what? You can tell?"
"It's not hard to miss," Edward pointed back out, a crooked smirk on his face as he handed the plate back to Jacob, the shifter's gaze snapping to him. His eyes narrowed in a glare.
“I can’t believe…” Jacob started but he trailed off as Seth’s face split into a grin.
“You did!” He hugged Jacob. “Congratulations! I knew cause you had the same kind of smell Leah did. But no one else has said anything? Really?” Seth scratched his head. “You would think with the Cullen’s heightened senses they would have known…”
Suddenly Jacob wanted to leave and he wanted to leave now, Edward would've appeased that thought, but it would've been much too hard. Alice would've tracked them down and brought them back. And Jacob knew this. His eyes darted around the room, taking in each face that he saw, wondering who knew and just wasn't saying anything.
Alice met his gaze with a smile. She winked at him and Jacob paled… if Alice knew then they all knew. His gaze went to Edward and he glared. ‘You are so not getting any later,’ he thought.
Edward arched a single eyebrow at that thought. "And why not?" he asked, turning to his lover slightly, ignoring the snickering Seth on his left for the moment.
"Oh. You know why," Jacob replied, looking away as Alice started making her way over, but sadly Jacob did not notice this. He was turned away from her.
Alice jumped on Jacob and hugged him tightly, even though her feet now didn’t touch the ground. Jacob nearly stumbled, not expecting the added weight. “So how was it?” She questioned… he could just feel her smile.
"Why do you care?" Jacob was, in a word; mortified at Alice's general curiosity, but Alice was a curious person. Well...maybe nosy would be a more befitting word. She was nosy.
While Jacob was busy being mortified, Edward was fighting back his chuckles before wrapping an arm around the younger's shoulders, pulling him closer. "It was good, Alice and that's all you need to know."
“But I want details so I can make t-shirts!” She pouted. Somehow Seth knew she was only teasing but Jacob looked ready to pass out from embarrassment and this only caused him to laugh harder.
"Well you can't have details!" Edward sniffed, though he was still struggling with his laughter as Jacob buried his face in his neck, the younger's thoughts a jumbled mess of curses and death threats towards Alice.
Alice huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. "At least let me make a toast then!" She said, her lower lip stuck out in a pleading pout. "Just a little one."
Edward sighed. “Alright, a toast. To what?”
“Not us, please not us,” Jacob moaned softly.
"Why to Edward of course!" Alice replied, grinning broadly. "For finally losing his virginity after one hundred and nine sexless years!"
Seth nearly collapsed from his laughter. Jacob’s face entered new levels when he came to shades of red as he tried to basically hide against Edward. If anyone had not known that they had had sex yet… they did now.
‘She’s dead… next time I phase say goodbye to your sister,’ Jacob thought.
"It could be worse," Edward pointed out with a grin, though he did not want his sister to make a toast about him and his lack of virginity.
Jacob snorted softly and looked up from his lover's shoulder. "Oh yeah? How?"
"She could want video evidence."
That shut Jacob up.
Alice waltzed across the room and picked up a glass of champagne, which she had insisted on having even though the majority of them didn’t drink. Also bringing up a spoon she gently tapped it against the glass to get everyone’s attention. “Everyone, please raise your glasses, we have a toast.” She looked at Edward and Jacob and winked.
“Alice,” Edward growled.
Alice raised her glass and everyone followed suit. “To Rosalie, she isn’t with us right now but that doesn’t mean she is absent from our thoughts.”
"Nice save, don't you think?" Jasper asked, walking up to the three as soon as his mate had stepped away to make the toast. Having heard everything that had gone on, he himself was struggling with laughter, but unlike everyone else he hadn't needed the scents to know Jacob and Edward reached a new level in their relationship. Their feelings told the story well enough.
"Lucky save," Edward pointed out, looking over at his brother with a sigh.
There was a gasp and then a glass breaking to Edward’s left. He knew from the thoughts before he even turned that it was Seth. The shocked look on the shifter’s face was enough to stop him from saying anything though; Seth’s eyes were glued to Jasper.
“Seth?” Jacob questioned. “Are you alright?”
Seth snapped out of whatever daze he was in as Jacob lay a hand on his shoulder. “W-wha?” He realized then that everyone was looking at him. His eyes widened and they went to the broken champagne glass and then to Alice. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” He exclaimed and bolted out of the house.
Jacob and Edward, almost immediately, sprinted after the younger teenager. Both knowing what had happened. Seth had imprinted. On who...only Edward knew, not having enough time to tell his lover as they left the house and caught Seth in the front yard, just short of disappearing into the woods. "Its okay, Seth! It's okay!" Jacob said in a rush, sliding to his knees in front of the boy who had fallen to the ground.
---
Alice's face fell, an almost painful expression coming over her features as Jasper touched her arm and called her name. She thought she had more time. She thought they had more time together. She didn't think he'd be taken away from her so soon. "I-I'm alright," she said, brushing Jasper's comforting touch off of her.
"You're shaking Alice..." Jasper pointed out, but could not say anything more as Leah made her way over.
"What happened?" She asked, looking in between Alice and Jasper, having seen Seth run out of the house, but not knowing why her little brother had.
Alice smiled, though it was much sadder than any Leah had ever seen before. “I had a vision,” she said.
"A vision?" Leah replied in confusion. "But why would that upset Seth? He ran outta here like a bat outta hell!"
“Jasper’s future has disappeared,” Alice said quietly. Leah’s eyes widened.
“You mean…”
---
Seth sucked in gulping breaths of air as he sobbed. “No no no! It’s not okay! Don’t you dare say its okay!”
"You imprinted," Jacob replied. "There's nothing wrong with that! It's natural!" He laid a hand on Seth's shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze as Edward kneeled down on the other side of him. "Who'd you imprint on?"
"Jasper," Edward answered quickly, glancing over at Jacob, who frowned at that knowledge.
Seth was about ready to hyperventilate and then he saw Jacob’s frown. “See! It’s not okay! Alice is going to hate me. I don’t want her to hate me! And… and… Jasper will never accept me!” Seth cried.
"Hey, hey, hey! Alice won't hate you! I don't think Alice could hate anyone," Jacob replied, jumping at the intensity of Seth's misery. "A-and Jasper...! I'm sure he won't completely reject you...you might not get what you want...but, I don't think he'd turn you away completely."
Edward stood. "Look. I'll go talk to him, alright? I'm sure they know by now what's going on," he replied, reaching down to ruffle the boy's hair.
---
Alice only nodded numbly, Jasper's eyes widening. "He imprinted on..."
She looked up at him. "He imprinted on you, Jasper. I didn't know it'd be him...but, I knew it'd happen eventually. I just didn't think it'd be so soon."
"You knew?"
“Of course I knew,” Alice snapped. “I didn’t know it would be Seth… but Jasper…” She turned so that she was facing him and placed her hands on his shoulders. “Listen to me right now. Accept the imprint.”
"But what about you?" Jasper asked, his voice sounding as broken as Alice must've felt, but she was holding herself together. Jasper could tell. He was falling apart, but somehow the girl managed to keep herself calm and rational.
Leah stepped away from the pair, immediately going to her brother to make sure he was alright. Alice and Jasper could sort themselves out.
Alice took one of Jasper’s hands and laced their fingers together before she kissed them. “Jazz… part of me will always love you but we are not meant to be forever. Your future has disappeared from my sight, you may not realize it now… but some part of you has already accepted this. He is yours and you are his, you will complete each other in ways you had only dreamed before,” she told him.
---
Leah passed Edward as she went to find her brother. “How is he?” She questioned.
"He's convinced that Alice hates him and Jasper will never accept him," Edward replied, slowing for a moment to talk to the girl. "Jacob's trying to console him, but..." He just shook his head and sighed softly. "I'm going to talk to Jasper."
Leah nodded. "Alice is talking to him right now...she seems rather...I dunno...calm about this whole thing?" She said, frowning.
Edward searched out his adoptive sister’s mind. “She knew,” he murmured. “She didn’t know when but she knew something was going to happen.”
Leah nodded slowly. "That's what I gathered..." she sighed softly, looking over to Jacob and Seth.
"You'd better go see to your brother," Edward said before he set off into the house again.
---
Jasper squeezed the hands that held his own. "But what about us?"
Alice gave him the most heartbreaking smile he had ever seen. “There is no us, not anymore.” With that she let go of his hands and quickly disappeared upstairs.
Jasper watched Alice go, the pain welling strong and hard in his chest as he was finally hit with the shock that Alice had left him. Alice had left him and she wasn't coming back. He felt hands touch his cheeks, and heard Esme's sweet voice calling to him.
“Jasper…Jasper… its okay,” Esme told him trying to get him to look into her eyes. “It’s okay.”
---
By the time Leah had reached Jacob and Seth, her brother had wrapped his arms around the older boy and was crying into his shirt. Jacob was whispered nonsense to him, trying to calm him down but it didn’t seem to be helping. Kneeling down on the ground beside them she laid a hand on Seth’s shoulder. He glanced at her and then threw himself into her arms.
“Shh… baby, its okay,” she whispered stroking his hair.
---
Edward stepped into the house and his eyes fell on Esme and Jasper. Esme's thoughts were laced with worry and Jasper's were nothing but a jumbled mess, much like Seth's were. "Jasper," he said, stepping up beside Esme.
Jasper glanced at him. He was in shock. Alice had left him… she had left… “She left…” He finally mumbled. And there was something about the boy and an imprint in the back of his mind but right now it was just Alice.
"I know, Jasper." Edward replied, seeing more of Alice's vision, an older one, play out before his eyes. She was still trying to help. Revealing the missing puzzle pieces. "She had a vision of you leaving and you both being happy."
“But how can we be happy if we’re not together? We’re ma-”
“You aren’t mates,” Edward stated.
“What?” Alice had destroyed his world and now Edward was crushing up the pieces.
"You aren't mates. Just like Emmett and Rosalie weren't mates. Just like Bella and I weren't mates," Edward replied, gently nudging Esme aside before he grasped Jasper's upper arms. "You can be happier than you've ever been with Alice...if you just give Seth a chance. You don't have to be anything more than his friend, but if you accept what's happened...everything else will come naturally."
“But how did… how can this work? I’m not attracted to guys! I don’t know him!” Why did this have to be so confusing?
"And I am?" Edward replied, giving his brother a look. "I may be with Jacob, but he's the only male I'll ever look at in a sexual light." He sighed softly. "Look...get to know him...you'll like him, I promise. I think...he'll be good for you. Especially now."
“Tonight?” Jasper wondered. He was so confused… he didn’t know if he could keep his emotions in check around the young shifter… he didn’t want to lose control and hurt him.
"No. Not tonight, but soon. Give yourself some time to come to terms with what happened. Give him some time to come to terms with what happened. But don't make him wait too long," Edward replied.
Jasper nodded, taking a deep unneeded breath. “Thank you Edward.” He glanced up the stairs. “Alice will be alright?”
Edward nodded. "In time. She'll be fine. Just like you."
Jasper nodded and disappeared upstairs, he paused outside the room he and Alice had always shared before continuing up to the next floor where the extra rooms were. Closing the door behind himself he lay on the futon and just thought. ‘I’m sorry Edward… maybe you shouldn’t stay here tonight.’
---
Seth sniffed into Leah’s shirt. “I wanna go home.”
Leah nodded, holding her brother closer. "Of course. I'll get Emmett to take us home."
“I’ll go get him,” Jacob told her as he get up and headed back to the house.
---
Edward's eyes lingered on the stairs and he had already made plans to stay with Jacob through the night, though upon the sudden imprint he had reconsidered those plans, but Jasper's thoughts had just made him reconsider again.
A few moments later Jacob walked through the door, immediately he walked over to the shifter. "How is he?" The vampire asked, his frown deepening at the saddened look he found on his lover's face.
"He wants to go home," Jacob replied, looking up at Edward.
The vampire nodded. "Go find Emmett."
Jacob returned the nod and disappeared into the living room where Leah and Emmett had last been. Emmett was sitting on the couch waiting for her return.
“What’s going on?” He questioned, he stood at the look on Jacob’s face. Of course he had heard everything that had been said but it had all happened really fast.
“Seth imprinted on Jasper… he’s not taking it well. Leah wants to know if you’ll take them home.”
Emmett nodded. “Of course.” He was already pulling his jeep keys out of his pocket as he said this. Jacob watched him go and then went back to Edward.
“Are you okay?” Jacob questioned taking Edward’s hand.
"I'm fine," he reassured the wolf, lacing their fingers together, giving the younger's a comforting squeeze. "Maybe a little worried about Jasper, but I know that he'll pull through. He'll just need some time," Edward answered, sighing softly as he tugged the younger towards the door. "Come on. I'll take you home."
Jacob nodded and wished Esme a goodnight as they left. “Are you staying with me tonight?” Jacob questioned. Emmett was putting Seth into the backseat of his jeep when they came out, Leah watching worriedly before she climbed into the front seat. Emmett glanced over at them as they went to Edward’s Volvo.
‘I’ll keep an eye on him tonight,’ Emmett thought.
Edward looked over his shoulder, catching his brother's eye before he nodded his understanding. He turned back to his lover. "Yes," he replied easily, offering the younger a smile.
Jacob returned the smile over the hood of the car as he opened the passenger side down, his mind running ramped with things they could do together to occupy the time.
The thoughts made Edward smirk as he slid into the car after Jacob.
---
Seth was exhausted and had cried himself to sleep by the time Emmett pulled his jeep up outside the Clearwater’s house. Emmett glanced back at the boy, since he had started spending more time with Leah he had been able to get to know her brother better as well. Seth was upbeat and just… happy, hell Emmett would go as far to say that he was just innocent. The tear tracks on Seth’s cheeks didn’t fit the image he had of the boy.
‘If Jasper hurts him…’ He thought as Leah laid a hand on his arm.
“I’ll get his bed ready if you’ll bring him in,” she told him. Emmett nodded and got out, coming around to open the door for her before gathering Seth into his arms.
He followed the only female shifter to the door, despite the situation he found himself struggling with the urge to stare of Leah's curvy ass. Before they hit the door, however, Leah came to a dead halt.
"You're home early."
Emmett resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he shifted the sleeping teenager in his arms. Sue had met Leah at the front door. "Is everything alright?"
“Everything’s fine,” Leah replied, an edge to her voice. “Seth fell asleep so Emmett’s bringing him inside.”
Sue might not've believed what Leah said, if she did she didn't say anything as she stepped aside to let her daughter and her imprint inside. "Alright," she replied, her gaze lingering on Emmett as he passed her.
The vampire stiffened and for the life of him couldn't figure out what Leah's mother had against him. But he didn't question it. She hadn't tried to keep them apart, so he'd keep his mouth shut.
Emmett followed Leah to Seth’s room. She didn’t have to do much to get his bed ready; Seth was a typical teenager and never made his bed unless he was forced. Leah did straighten the sheets and then Emmett laid Seth down and she covered him up.
“I’m gonna stick around tonight,” he told her quietly. “I told Edward I’d keep an eye on him.”
Leah nodded, biting her bottom lip as she stood back up and turned to face the vampire. "Alright...just don't worry about my mom; I'll take care of her."
Emmett grinned at her. “Should I leave and sneak back in?”
Leah smiled at that. A nice solution to the problem her mother would be. "That sounds good. I'll leave my window unlocked, okay?"
“Alright babe.” Emmett leaned down at kissed her briefly before making a show of leaving. “Goodnight Ms. Clearwater.”
Sue glared at him from her chair in the living room. “I may not be able to keep you away from my daughter but stay away from my son leech,” she whispered knowing he would hear her.
Emmett almost, almost turned around, but his love for Leah and her younger brother kept him moving. He walked out of the door and immediately headed to the back of the house where Leah's window was unlocked and waiting for him.
---
The sun rose the next morning over a quiet Cullen household. Everyone within the house was still reeling from the revelation of Seth’s imprint the night before. Alice hadn’t come out of her room, Esme had stayed with her most of the night, Carlisle had already left for the hospital and Jasper… Jasper stood at the window of the room he had stayed in the night before watching the sun rise.
He had spent the entire night thinking over what he knew of the shifters, he knew next to nothing about the youngest other than the fact that he was Leah’s brother. It bothered him to not know his… potential soul mate? Jasper shook his head that sounded wrong but it was the only thing he could think of to call Seth.
Alice had been right about one thing, when he thought of accepting the imprint he felt at peace and a bit of longing. But he still loved Alice, so much. He would have to get to know Seth before making any such decision on their potential future.
Edward had left Jacob's just before the sun rose and soon after Jacob finally succumbed to the sleep he had been denying all night. He was now searching Jasper out, zeroing in on him and his thoughts. He felt a sense of relief upon noticing that Jasper, at least, wasn't completely rejecting the idea of accepting the imprint. He arrived at the room and knocked softly at the door, waiting for his brother to allow him in.
“Come in Edward,” Jasper called not leaving his spot by the window.
Edward pushed open the door and though he knew the answer, he asked, "How are you holding up?"
“Better than can expected I suppose,” Jasper answered. “I cannot make a real decision until I know Seth… I know nothing about him.”
"There's a simple solution to that," Edward pointed out as he joined Jasper at the window. "Get to know him."
Jasper glanced over at him. “Thank you Captain Obvious. I will… I think now I’m still in shock. First you and Jacob… then Leah and Emmett and now this, it makes me wonder what is going on.”
Edward chuckled softly at that. "I thought it was rather obvious. Fate has a twisted sense of humor," he pointed out, looking away from his brother for a moment. "Jacob and I are going over to Seth's this afternoon. Why don't you come?"
“Would that be the best idea?” Jasper questioned.
"Seth's miserable. It might help him if you show him a little attention." Edward sighed and shifted, looking at his brother again. "I'm not saying to lie and tell him you accept him. But you could try to be his friend...not to mention show him you don't hate his guts."
Jasper sighed and nodded. "Alright, let me go change and I'll come."
Edward nodded. "Come find me when you're ready to go," he said, turning back to the door to leave to give his brother a little privacy to gather himself.
On his way downstairs a hand reached out of Alice’s room and pulled him inside. “How is he?” Alice questioned.
“He’s…alright. It’s quite a shock to go through,” Edward answered. Alice nodded.
“And Seth?”
“Miserable and thinks you hate him.”
Alice spun around, a shocked look on her face. “Why would I hate him?”
"Because he imprinted on your mate...?" Edward replied as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "He doesn't want to hurt you or Jasper."
“But we aren’t mates. Oh Edward! You have to tell him that I don’t hate him. Have him come over again, we’ll go out and do something…”
“I don’t think Seth is the shopping type Alice.”
“I do other things besides shop you know.”
"He won't sit through a make-over either," Edward pointed out flatly, an eyebrow arched in amusement before he shook his head. "I'm sure he'll come over again Alice."
“I wish I could see the shifters,” she sighed. “But you will tell him that I don’t hate him?”
"Of course." Edward nodded.
She smiled and kissed his cheek. “You should go; Jasper will be ready in a minute. Don’t look at me like that; of course I know how long it takes him to get ready.”
"He can wait for a moment," Edward replied, giving the smaller vampire a serious look. "We've talked about Jasper and about Seth, but how are you doing?"
“I’m fine Edward.” The look he gave her said that he clearly didn’t believe her. Alice’s face finally fell and she sat on the edge of the bed that she and Jasper had shared for so many years. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done… to walk away from him last night,” she whispered.
"Then why did you do it?" Edward asked softly, crossing the room to kneel down in front of the black haired girl. "I know you had a vision, but you also know your visions are subject to change based on a person's choice. What if your choice last night was the reason you had that vision? What if you had stayed with him?"
Alice’s eyes went blank for a moment. “Then we would have been living a lie. No matter how I look at it… Jazz’s future always goes black, just like yours. I knew deep down that Jasper wasn’t my true mate. He’s my best friend, we are close… closer than close. But what kind of being would I be if I denied him the chance at true happiness?”
Edward nodded in understanding, finally understanding his sister's choice. Sometimes...when you loved someone, you had to let them go. She loved Jasper enough to give him a chance at true happiness. He stood up. "I'll be sure to talk to Seth for you," he promised, looking down at the girl.
“Thank you,” she said giving him a small smile. Edward nodded and went downstairs; Jasper was waiting, looking just a tad bit more nervous than Edward had ever seen him. Edward smirked at the fact that Jasper was wearing a neutral color that accented his hair and eyes. From his brother’s thoughts he knew this was a somewhat unconscious action but there was also the smallest hint there that he wanted to look attractive to Seth.
The pair walked to the garage, sharing a somewhat comfortable silence. "Do you want to take my car or yours?" Edward asked, looking over at the blond headed vampire.
Jasper shrugged. “You know where you’re going,” he answered.
Edward nodded, making his way to his Volvo.
“Are we meeting Jacob there?” Jasper questioned as they climbed into the car.
"Mhm. He was suppose to head over after he woke up this morning...or afternoon more like," Edward grinned a little deviously as he pulled open the driver side door, sliding into his car.
Jasper rolled his eyes. “Leave it to you to keep your boyfriend up to who knows when doing only you know what.”
"Oh I think you know what we were doing..." Edward replied with a smirk, but he didn't push the subject. It was uncomfortable for Jasper; he didn't need his brother's gift to realize this. "Emmett's also over there. He stayed with Leah last night to keep an eye on Seth."
“To keep an eye on him? Why?”
"He was really upset last night," Edward replied, heaving a great sigh.
Jasper was quiet for a moment as he stared at the passing scenery on his side of the car. “I could have handled it better…”
Edward shrugged, starting the car. "What happened, happened." He pulled out of the garage. "All you can do now is make it better."
“I will try…Seth will give me that chance?”
"I think he will. Yes," Edward replied, pulling out of the Cullen's long drive way, heading to the main road and then towards the town of Forks.
---
Seth groaned and rubbed his eyes, which felt very itchy from all the crying he had done the night before. Stretching he felt his back pop and then he turned over and spotted a note taped to the shade of the lamp on his bedside table.
Hope you’re feeling better this morning Seth. Emmett and I are going out for the rest of the day. Mom went… somewhere but she won’t be back until tonight. I haven’t told her yet. Jacob is coming over later. I love you. – Leah
Seth smiled a little. His sister was one of the best, even if she could be a real bitch sometimes. Seth’s stomach growled, he didn’t really feel like eating but it wouldn’t stop so he got up and went to the kitchen to see what they had. A few minutes of searching found him in front of the microwave emptying a can of beef stew into a bowl and warming it up.
---
Jacob had woken up sore and stiff, cursing his lover with everything that he was as he showered and dressed before heading over to Seth's like he had promised Leah. The Clearwater's didn't live that far from him, he almost didn't need to take his car, but he took it any way. Just in case.
He pulled up into the drive way and frowned at the lack of cars that he had seen, but he knew Seth was still at home. He could easily smell his pack mate. He turned off the car and climbed out, making his way up to the younger teen's front door, quickly knocking on it.
"Come in!" Seth called. Jacob opened the door and went in just as the microwave dinged. "Hey Jacob, sorry, it was almost done." Seth opened the microwave and took the hot bowl out; he quickly set it on the counter for it to cool.
“It's alright," Jacob replied, sniffing the air. "Whatca cooking?" He asked, his stomach betraying he had not eaten with a loud grumble.
"Beef stew, want some? I'll make another can," Seth offered with a grin.
"That's the best thing I've heard all day," Jacob replied, returning the younger's grin as he stepped into the kitchen.
Seth nodded and handed him the cooling bowl and a spoon before grabbing a new bowl for himself. A few minutes later they were both eating their stew at the table. When Seth finished he took his bowl to the sink and rinsed it out.
“I’m sorry about last night,” he said quietly.
Jacob looked up from his own bowl. "Don't apologize about last night," he said, frowning slightly. "There's no reason for it."
“No reason? Where were you? I acted horrible… I don’t blame Jasper for not wanting me.”
"How was it horrible?" Jacob asked. "I freaked out when I imprinted on Edward too, you know." He reminded the other, giving him a serious look before he finished off his stew. He rose and grabbed the bowl to rinse it in the sink.
“I know… I just… I don’t know.” Seth ran a hand through his short hair. “Fate sure has a sick sense of humor huh? Leah didn’t tell mom last night… she’s gonna freak.”
Jacob sighed softly at that. It really did. Fate and its twisted sense of humor. "She really didn't take to Leah's imprint to well, did she?"
Seth shook his head. “She hates Emmett. If she could she would forbid him from coming here. If she found out that he stays over some nights… it would not be pretty.”
"It's a good thing Emmett's a vampire then and can easily sneak in," Jacob pointed out with a grin before he took a seat at the table again.
Seth nodded. “I don’t understand it Jake… I’ve never understood it really. All the Cullen’s are so nice, why should we hate them for something they can’t control?”
Jacob sighed even as he smiled sadly at Seth. This was what he loved most about the younger boy… he was so pure and innocent… and just good.
"I think..." Jacob began, his voice thoughtful because he really didn't know, he was just speculating. "Everyone never bothered to get to know them as people...we just saw what they ate...or are supposed to eat anyway..." He sighed, shrugging. He really couldn't say. Before the imprint he had been just as against the Cullen’s as everyone else. He hated to admit it, but it was true. Seth was the only wolf who never had any negative feelings towards the family of vampires.
“Well I’m glad things are changing…even if it had to happen in such a strange way. I hope Jasper will at least be my friend, no offense but I don’t want to go through what you did.” A car pulled up outside the house and from his spot by the sink Seth could see it was Edward’s silver Volvo. “Edward’s here.”
"Why wouldn't he want to be your friend?" Jacob said, grinning as he stood from the table and made his way over to the sink, looking out the window as well. "He promised he'd come over today," he pointed out, looking at the younger teenager. "He's worried about you too, you know."
Seth shrugged. “I dunno, I don’t know much about him other than he was with Alice and she’s really nice. See… I told you last night was bad.” Seth gave him a pointed look. “Do you know any-” His words stopped and his eyes widened as he watched Jasper get out of Edward’s car. “He brought him!”
"He brought who?" Jacob asked, bending over again to look out of the window, only then realizing how stupid his question was. "Oh!" He minutely wondered what in the hell his lover had been thinking in bringing along Jasper, but then he realized the other vampire might've willingly wanted to tag along. He looked at the blond vampire again, noticing how tense and unsure he was before deciding that he definitely didn't come of his own freewill. Edward must've talked him into it. "Maybe...maybe he's worried too?"
Seth looked between Jacob and the figures of the vampires through the window. As the two started to walk up to the house Seth glanced down at the wrinkled clothes he had been wearing the night before and slept in. He made a mad dash out of the kitchen leaving Jacob to wonder where he was going. Seth’s head appeared around the wall another second later. “Don’t let him in! I’m not anywhere near cute yet!”
Jacob's mouth dropped in shock. "Nice to see your taking his sudden appearance well, kid!" He returned, shaking his head as he made his way to the front door to let the two in, ignoring Seth's snappy retort.
Edward smiled as Jacob opened the door. “I was hoping you would have woken up by now.”
Jacob rolled his eyes. "I would've been up sooner, but a certain someone was insatiable last night," he replied, giving his lover a look before his eyes flickered over to the other vampire. "Hey Jasper," he greeted.
The vampire met his gaze, momentarily overwhelmed by the happiness his brother and the shifter shared in seeing each other again. This was an accept imprint? This was what love really felt like. It was almost foreign to him. He had never felt anything that deep, that intense with Alice. "Jacob," he returned with a nod.
Jacob leaned against the doorframe. “I’m technically not supposed to let you in yet.”
Confusion passed over Edward's features, but the panicked thoughts in the youngest shifter's head cleared his confusion instantly. "He wants to be...cute for Jasper?" He asked in a hushed tone, though he knew his brother could hear, his eyebrow arched in question.
Jacob shrugged. “That’s what he said. C’mon in, I’ll hurry him up. Just have a seat in the living room or something.” He stepped back to let the two vampires in.
"I know that's what he said. I saw the memory," Edward pointed out with an amused grin at his lover's annoyed expression as he made him way into the house, followed by his brother, who was silently thinking about the fact that Seth was trying to make himself attractive when he had unknowingly done the same thing before they left home.
Jacob closed the door after they were in. His hand brushed Edward’s as he walked past to go to Seth’s room.
Jasper made no comment on this action, sometimes their feelings could be overwhelming but he also loved them. Feeling the emotion of love from someone was always one of the best, it made him feel light. Edward led him to the living room, Jasper looked around with a military mindset, making note of the quickest escape route and such.
The shower shut off just as Jacob knocked and went into Seth’s room. “Some friend you are Jake, I told you not to let them in,” Seth said as he rubbed viciously at his hair with a towel, another around his waist.
"Well I didn't think you'd shower! I don't think they'd appreciate having to wait on the porch while you prettied yourself up like some girl! What is it with you Clearwater’s?!" Jacob teased.
Seth stuck his tongue out at the older boy. “Excuse me for wanting to smell decent!” Seth left his bathroom and pulled a pair of boxers and jeans from the dresser in the corner. After pulling them on he dropped the towel into a pile of dirty clothes and stood in front of his closet. “T-shirt?” He questioned.
"Well...I hope you wear one..." Jacob said, scratching his head as he leaned against the back of the door. "I know you want to look good for Jasper, but forgoing a shirt might be over kill."
Seth rolled his eyes. “I meant a t-shirt vs. a nice shirt. And here I thought being around Alice more would have had some effect.”
"Just put on a shirt," Jacob replied. "It's not like we're going anywhere. We'll just hang around until Leah or your mother come home."
Seth stared into his closet for another minute before pulling out a brown t-shirt that had a funny saying on it. He pulled it on and ran a hand through his short hair as he turned to Jacob. “Happy?”
"Why are you asking me?" Jacob asked, blinking before he shook his head. "You look fine, okay? Just relax and don't freak out."
“Easy for you to say, you’ve gotten used to this imprinting thing,” Seth mumbled. Jacob chose to ignore that as they left Seth’s room. As they entered the living room Seth gave Edward the best smile he could muster and said, “Hi Edward” even though his eyes were locked on Jasper.
'He looks really good...'
Edward smiled at the stray thought running through his brother's head as he turned to Seth and returned the younger's greeting, even though the shifter only had eyes for his brother. He held back a laugh before he stepped closer to his own shifter, wrapping an arm around his waist before pulling him closer to his side.
‘Are you sure this was a good idea? To bring them together so soon?’ Jacob thought.
Edward turned his head and pressed his lips against Jacob's ear, kissing the skin and then saying softly. "Seth needs to know that Jasper's not going to hate him for this," he replied softly, pressing his lips against the skin again. "And by my brother's thoughts..." His lips curled into a grin.
Jacob shivered. Edward’s cool breath on his ear had that and another effect. “That tickles,” he replied with a smile. “But I’m glad.”
Edward's lips curled into a grin, catching Jacob's thought process. "Glad? About what?" He asked, the tone of his voice holding a seductive tone to it.
“That your grin indicates something good,” Jacob replied. “And quit that, I don’t think Seth would appreciate us going at it right here.”
Edward chuckled softly. The sound deep and husky. "No. He wouldn't," he replied, stepping away from the shifter in his arms. He'd rather not tempt himself. He had thought he was satiated this morning when he left Jacob's, but apparently he had a few more rounds left in him.
Next >>
A/N: (Just for me)...pg. 19
starry_nights88 left the Twilight fandom some time ago. If you didn't know that... well, you've been out of the loop. I still hold a candle of hope that she'll return and finish some day but in the meantime she has given me permission to post the RP we were working on for the side story of Intermediate Imprinting, II: Temptation, which centers around Jasper & Seth. I want to be perfectly clear. This is completely and totally an RP. It has not been edited. It does not match up timeline wise. It is extremely long (658 pages), so it will take multiple posts to be posted in its entirety. I will most likely post as much as I can once a day... though depending on my life there may be a day or more in between posts.
Okay, I think that covers everything. Without further ado, I give you Intermediate Imprinting: Temptation!
Intermediate Imprinting: Temptation
Prologue
Alice stepped off the bus in Philadelphia, PA. She took in a deep breath of the cool night air even though she did not need to. A smile graced her lips as the buildings around her clicked with the vision she had had. This was it, this was the place she would meet him.
Going to the diner on the corner, she took a seat on a stool at the counter. Glancing at her watch she saw that she still had at least two hours before he was going to come in. Pulling out her drawing pad she started to sketch random visions to pass the time.
The clock on the wall chimed 9pm and Alice looked up just in time to see a tall male with curly blonde hair reflected in the mirror behind the counter as he walked by outside. A smile tugged at her lips, this was him. She stood as the bell over the door jiggling with his entrance, turning her gold eyes met his red ones.
“Hello Jasper, you’re late, I’ve been waiting,” she teased. Her grinned widened at his sheepish look before he bowed his head like a good southern gentleman.
“I’m sorry, ma’am.”
Alice smiled and offered her hand out to him, a silent request to leave the diner and to start a new life together. Jasper stared at her hand for a moment before he took it, accepting her offer.
After leaving the diner they went to the park, being late there were very few about so they could speak freely. Jasper told her about his life. He had been a major in the Confederate Army before he had been turned by a vampiress named Maria. He had helped with newborn’s in Texas before coming north with two of the newborn’s he had felt a connection with. Alice found him fascinating. Alice told Jasper about her power, he was curious as to how she had known he would come into that diner. Jasper had empathy, he could influence others emotions… though he was still learning to control how much he felt from others so that it wasn’t overwhelming.
As they found a bench to sit on Alice’s gaze went blank. In a previous vision she had seen herself and Jasper getting married. Now she saw herself alone, but happy. Alice frowned, she had thought Jasper was he mate… but if she were alone and happy… that couldn’t be.
“Alice?” Jasper questioned laying a hand on her arm.
The contact brought another vision before her eyes. There was Jasper and then everything went black. What? That had never, well… only if someone died. Turning she looked at Jasper and concentrated on his future. Nothing, just black. She wanted to cry. She loved Jasper; she didn’t want him to die.
Slipping her hand into his she gave him a smile. “It’s fine. You’ll be happy,” she said. Jasper tipped his head giving her a curious look. Alice’s smile only widened, Jasper would be happy, she would make sure of that.
Chapter 1:
"I didn't think she'd go this far..." Edward muttered, rather crossly as he looked around the front room of his family's mansion, pointedly ignoring the streamers and banners that hung around the room. He looked back at his lover, giving him a bored expression. "If I had known she'd pull this, I would've kept you occupied at your house."
Jacob rolled his eyes, though there was a small smile on his face. "She would've came after us and dragged us back kicking and screaming," he pointed out and Edward knew he wasn't far from the truth. "Though there's nothing stopping us from sneaking away later though."
“You smell different.” Edward looked to his left where the youngest shifter stood. Leah had finally agreed to let him meet the rest of the Cullen’s at this gathering. Edward could tell by his thoughts that he was trying to sort this out. Of course, the expression on his face told that too, his nose wrinkled each time he took a sniff.
Jacob blinked and looked at Seth oddly. "Of course he smells different," he replied, noting that Edward's scent had begun to change shortly after his imprint. The vampire no longer smelled disgusting (neither did the rest of the Cullens) where as a vampire he hadn't had contact with still stank.
"You didn't smell very good at first either," Edward pointed out with a soft snort, his arms crossing over his chest.
“No, I mean…” Seth leaned into Edward and took a deep sniff of his arm. He looked back between them as he pulled back. “He smells like you.” Leaning into Jacob he smelled him too. “And you smell like him… you fulfilled the imprint didn’t you!”
Jacob blanched at that, the plate of food he held in his hand would've hit the floor if Edward hadn't grabbed it before he dropped it. They hadn't told anyone, but Rosalie that they had slept together. "W-what? You can tell?"
"It's not hard to miss," Edward pointed back out, a crooked smirk on his face as he handed the plate back to Jacob, the shifter's gaze snapping to him. His eyes narrowed in a glare.
“I can’t believe…” Jacob started but he trailed off as Seth’s face split into a grin.
“You did!” He hugged Jacob. “Congratulations! I knew cause you had the same kind of smell Leah did. But no one else has said anything? Really?” Seth scratched his head. “You would think with the Cullen’s heightened senses they would have known…”
Suddenly Jacob wanted to leave and he wanted to leave now, Edward would've appeased that thought, but it would've been much too hard. Alice would've tracked them down and brought them back. And Jacob knew this. His eyes darted around the room, taking in each face that he saw, wondering who knew and just wasn't saying anything.
Alice met his gaze with a smile. She winked at him and Jacob paled… if Alice knew then they all knew. His gaze went to Edward and he glared. ‘You are so not getting any later,’ he thought.
Edward arched a single eyebrow at that thought. "And why not?" he asked, turning to his lover slightly, ignoring the snickering Seth on his left for the moment.
"Oh. You know why," Jacob replied, looking away as Alice started making her way over, but sadly Jacob did not notice this. He was turned away from her.
Alice jumped on Jacob and hugged him tightly, even though her feet now didn’t touch the ground. Jacob nearly stumbled, not expecting the added weight. “So how was it?” She questioned… he could just feel her smile.
"Why do you care?" Jacob was, in a word; mortified at Alice's general curiosity, but Alice was a curious person. Well...maybe nosy would be a more befitting word. She was nosy.
While Jacob was busy being mortified, Edward was fighting back his chuckles before wrapping an arm around the younger's shoulders, pulling him closer. "It was good, Alice and that's all you need to know."
“But I want details so I can make t-shirts!” She pouted. Somehow Seth knew she was only teasing but Jacob looked ready to pass out from embarrassment and this only caused him to laugh harder.
"Well you can't have details!" Edward sniffed, though he was still struggling with his laughter as Jacob buried his face in his neck, the younger's thoughts a jumbled mess of curses and death threats towards Alice.
Alice huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. "At least let me make a toast then!" She said, her lower lip stuck out in a pleading pout. "Just a little one."
Edward sighed. “Alright, a toast. To what?”
“Not us, please not us,” Jacob moaned softly.
"Why to Edward of course!" Alice replied, grinning broadly. "For finally losing his virginity after one hundred and nine sexless years!"
Seth nearly collapsed from his laughter. Jacob’s face entered new levels when he came to shades of red as he tried to basically hide against Edward. If anyone had not known that they had had sex yet… they did now.
‘She’s dead… next time I phase say goodbye to your sister,’ Jacob thought.
"It could be worse," Edward pointed out with a grin, though he did not want his sister to make a toast about him and his lack of virginity.
Jacob snorted softly and looked up from his lover's shoulder. "Oh yeah? How?"
"She could want video evidence."
That shut Jacob up.
Alice waltzed across the room and picked up a glass of champagne, which she had insisted on having even though the majority of them didn’t drink. Also bringing up a spoon she gently tapped it against the glass to get everyone’s attention. “Everyone, please raise your glasses, we have a toast.” She looked at Edward and Jacob and winked.
“Alice,” Edward growled.
Alice raised her glass and everyone followed suit. “To Rosalie, she isn’t with us right now but that doesn’t mean she is absent from our thoughts.”
"Nice save, don't you think?" Jasper asked, walking up to the three as soon as his mate had stepped away to make the toast. Having heard everything that had gone on, he himself was struggling with laughter, but unlike everyone else he hadn't needed the scents to know Jacob and Edward reached a new level in their relationship. Their feelings told the story well enough.
"Lucky save," Edward pointed out, looking over at his brother with a sigh.
There was a gasp and then a glass breaking to Edward’s left. He knew from the thoughts before he even turned that it was Seth. The shocked look on the shifter’s face was enough to stop him from saying anything though; Seth’s eyes were glued to Jasper.
“Seth?” Jacob questioned. “Are you alright?”
Seth snapped out of whatever daze he was in as Jacob lay a hand on his shoulder. “W-wha?” He realized then that everyone was looking at him. His eyes widened and they went to the broken champagne glass and then to Alice. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” He exclaimed and bolted out of the house.
Jacob and Edward, almost immediately, sprinted after the younger teenager. Both knowing what had happened. Seth had imprinted. On who...only Edward knew, not having enough time to tell his lover as they left the house and caught Seth in the front yard, just short of disappearing into the woods. "Its okay, Seth! It's okay!" Jacob said in a rush, sliding to his knees in front of the boy who had fallen to the ground.
Alice's face fell, an almost painful expression coming over her features as Jasper touched her arm and called her name. She thought she had more time. She thought they had more time together. She didn't think he'd be taken away from her so soon. "I-I'm alright," she said, brushing Jasper's comforting touch off of her.
"You're shaking Alice..." Jasper pointed out, but could not say anything more as Leah made her way over.
"What happened?" She asked, looking in between Alice and Jasper, having seen Seth run out of the house, but not knowing why her little brother had.
Alice smiled, though it was much sadder than any Leah had ever seen before. “I had a vision,” she said.
"A vision?" Leah replied in confusion. "But why would that upset Seth? He ran outta here like a bat outta hell!"
“Jasper’s future has disappeared,” Alice said quietly. Leah’s eyes widened.
“You mean…”
Seth sucked in gulping breaths of air as he sobbed. “No no no! It’s not okay! Don’t you dare say its okay!”
"You imprinted," Jacob replied. "There's nothing wrong with that! It's natural!" He laid a hand on Seth's shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze as Edward kneeled down on the other side of him. "Who'd you imprint on?"
"Jasper," Edward answered quickly, glancing over at Jacob, who frowned at that knowledge.
Seth was about ready to hyperventilate and then he saw Jacob’s frown. “See! It’s not okay! Alice is going to hate me. I don’t want her to hate me! And… and… Jasper will never accept me!” Seth cried.
"Hey, hey, hey! Alice won't hate you! I don't think Alice could hate anyone," Jacob replied, jumping at the intensity of Seth's misery. "A-and Jasper...! I'm sure he won't completely reject you...you might not get what you want...but, I don't think he'd turn you away completely."
Edward stood. "Look. I'll go talk to him, alright? I'm sure they know by now what's going on," he replied, reaching down to ruffle the boy's hair.
Alice only nodded numbly, Jasper's eyes widening. "He imprinted on..."
She looked up at him. "He imprinted on you, Jasper. I didn't know it'd be him...but, I knew it'd happen eventually. I just didn't think it'd be so soon."
"You knew?"
“Of course I knew,” Alice snapped. “I didn’t know it would be Seth… but Jasper…” She turned so that she was facing him and placed her hands on his shoulders. “Listen to me right now. Accept the imprint.”
"But what about you?" Jasper asked, his voice sounding as broken as Alice must've felt, but she was holding herself together. Jasper could tell. He was falling apart, but somehow the girl managed to keep herself calm and rational.
Leah stepped away from the pair, immediately going to her brother to make sure he was alright. Alice and Jasper could sort themselves out.
Alice took one of Jasper’s hands and laced their fingers together before she kissed them. “Jazz… part of me will always love you but we are not meant to be forever. Your future has disappeared from my sight, you may not realize it now… but some part of you has already accepted this. He is yours and you are his, you will complete each other in ways you had only dreamed before,” she told him.
Leah passed Edward as she went to find her brother. “How is he?” She questioned.
"He's convinced that Alice hates him and Jasper will never accept him," Edward replied, slowing for a moment to talk to the girl. "Jacob's trying to console him, but..." He just shook his head and sighed softly. "I'm going to talk to Jasper."
Leah nodded. "Alice is talking to him right now...she seems rather...I dunno...calm about this whole thing?" She said, frowning.
Edward searched out his adoptive sister’s mind. “She knew,” he murmured. “She didn’t know when but she knew something was going to happen.”
Leah nodded slowly. "That's what I gathered..." she sighed softly, looking over to Jacob and Seth.
"You'd better go see to your brother," Edward said before he set off into the house again.
Jasper squeezed the hands that held his own. "But what about us?"
Alice gave him the most heartbreaking smile he had ever seen. “There is no us, not anymore.” With that she let go of his hands and quickly disappeared upstairs.
Jasper watched Alice go, the pain welling strong and hard in his chest as he was finally hit with the shock that Alice had left him. Alice had left him and she wasn't coming back. He felt hands touch his cheeks, and heard Esme's sweet voice calling to him.
“Jasper…Jasper… its okay,” Esme told him trying to get him to look into her eyes. “It’s okay.”
By the time Leah had reached Jacob and Seth, her brother had wrapped his arms around the older boy and was crying into his shirt. Jacob was whispered nonsense to him, trying to calm him down but it didn’t seem to be helping. Kneeling down on the ground beside them she laid a hand on Seth’s shoulder. He glanced at her and then threw himself into her arms.
“Shh… baby, its okay,” she whispered stroking his hair.
Edward stepped into the house and his eyes fell on Esme and Jasper. Esme's thoughts were laced with worry and Jasper's were nothing but a jumbled mess, much like Seth's were. "Jasper," he said, stepping up beside Esme.
Jasper glanced at him. He was in shock. Alice had left him… she had left… “She left…” He finally mumbled. And there was something about the boy and an imprint in the back of his mind but right now it was just Alice.
"I know, Jasper." Edward replied, seeing more of Alice's vision, an older one, play out before his eyes. She was still trying to help. Revealing the missing puzzle pieces. "She had a vision of you leaving and you both being happy."
“But how can we be happy if we’re not together? We’re ma-”
“You aren’t mates,” Edward stated.
“What?” Alice had destroyed his world and now Edward was crushing up the pieces.
"You aren't mates. Just like Emmett and Rosalie weren't mates. Just like Bella and I weren't mates," Edward replied, gently nudging Esme aside before he grasped Jasper's upper arms. "You can be happier than you've ever been with Alice...if you just give Seth a chance. You don't have to be anything more than his friend, but if you accept what's happened...everything else will come naturally."
“But how did… how can this work? I’m not attracted to guys! I don’t know him!” Why did this have to be so confusing?
"And I am?" Edward replied, giving his brother a look. "I may be with Jacob, but he's the only male I'll ever look at in a sexual light." He sighed softly. "Look...get to know him...you'll like him, I promise. I think...he'll be good for you. Especially now."
“Tonight?” Jasper wondered. He was so confused… he didn’t know if he could keep his emotions in check around the young shifter… he didn’t want to lose control and hurt him.
"No. Not tonight, but soon. Give yourself some time to come to terms with what happened. Give him some time to come to terms with what happened. But don't make him wait too long," Edward replied.
Jasper nodded, taking a deep unneeded breath. “Thank you Edward.” He glanced up the stairs. “Alice will be alright?”
Edward nodded. "In time. She'll be fine. Just like you."
Jasper nodded and disappeared upstairs, he paused outside the room he and Alice had always shared before continuing up to the next floor where the extra rooms were. Closing the door behind himself he lay on the futon and just thought. ‘I’m sorry Edward… maybe you shouldn’t stay here tonight.’
Seth sniffed into Leah’s shirt. “I wanna go home.”
Leah nodded, holding her brother closer. "Of course. I'll get Emmett to take us home."
“I’ll go get him,” Jacob told her as he get up and headed back to the house.
Edward's eyes lingered on the stairs and he had already made plans to stay with Jacob through the night, though upon the sudden imprint he had reconsidered those plans, but Jasper's thoughts had just made him reconsider again.
A few moments later Jacob walked through the door, immediately he walked over to the shifter. "How is he?" The vampire asked, his frown deepening at the saddened look he found on his lover's face.
"He wants to go home," Jacob replied, looking up at Edward.
The vampire nodded. "Go find Emmett."
Jacob returned the nod and disappeared into the living room where Leah and Emmett had last been. Emmett was sitting on the couch waiting for her return.
“What’s going on?” He questioned, he stood at the look on Jacob’s face. Of course he had heard everything that had been said but it had all happened really fast.
“Seth imprinted on Jasper… he’s not taking it well. Leah wants to know if you’ll take them home.”
Emmett nodded. “Of course.” He was already pulling his jeep keys out of his pocket as he said this. Jacob watched him go and then went back to Edward.
“Are you okay?” Jacob questioned taking Edward’s hand.
"I'm fine," he reassured the wolf, lacing their fingers together, giving the younger's a comforting squeeze. "Maybe a little worried about Jasper, but I know that he'll pull through. He'll just need some time," Edward answered, sighing softly as he tugged the younger towards the door. "Come on. I'll take you home."
Jacob nodded and wished Esme a goodnight as they left. “Are you staying with me tonight?” Jacob questioned. Emmett was putting Seth into the backseat of his jeep when they came out, Leah watching worriedly before she climbed into the front seat. Emmett glanced over at them as they went to Edward’s Volvo.
‘I’ll keep an eye on him tonight,’ Emmett thought.
Edward looked over his shoulder, catching his brother's eye before he nodded his understanding. He turned back to his lover. "Yes," he replied easily, offering the younger a smile.
Jacob returned the smile over the hood of the car as he opened the passenger side down, his mind running ramped with things they could do together to occupy the time.
The thoughts made Edward smirk as he slid into the car after Jacob.
Seth was exhausted and had cried himself to sleep by the time Emmett pulled his jeep up outside the Clearwater’s house. Emmett glanced back at the boy, since he had started spending more time with Leah he had been able to get to know her brother better as well. Seth was upbeat and just… happy, hell Emmett would go as far to say that he was just innocent. The tear tracks on Seth’s cheeks didn’t fit the image he had of the boy.
‘If Jasper hurts him…’ He thought as Leah laid a hand on his arm.
“I’ll get his bed ready if you’ll bring him in,” she told him. Emmett nodded and got out, coming around to open the door for her before gathering Seth into his arms.
He followed the only female shifter to the door, despite the situation he found himself struggling with the urge to stare of Leah's curvy ass. Before they hit the door, however, Leah came to a dead halt.
"You're home early."
Emmett resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he shifted the sleeping teenager in his arms. Sue had met Leah at the front door. "Is everything alright?"
“Everything’s fine,” Leah replied, an edge to her voice. “Seth fell asleep so Emmett’s bringing him inside.”
Sue might not've believed what Leah said, if she did she didn't say anything as she stepped aside to let her daughter and her imprint inside. "Alright," she replied, her gaze lingering on Emmett as he passed her.
The vampire stiffened and for the life of him couldn't figure out what Leah's mother had against him. But he didn't question it. She hadn't tried to keep them apart, so he'd keep his mouth shut.
Emmett followed Leah to Seth’s room. She didn’t have to do much to get his bed ready; Seth was a typical teenager and never made his bed unless he was forced. Leah did straighten the sheets and then Emmett laid Seth down and she covered him up.
“I’m gonna stick around tonight,” he told her quietly. “I told Edward I’d keep an eye on him.”
Leah nodded, biting her bottom lip as she stood back up and turned to face the vampire. "Alright...just don't worry about my mom; I'll take care of her."
Emmett grinned at her. “Should I leave and sneak back in?”
Leah smiled at that. A nice solution to the problem her mother would be. "That sounds good. I'll leave my window unlocked, okay?"
“Alright babe.” Emmett leaned down at kissed her briefly before making a show of leaving. “Goodnight Ms. Clearwater.”
Sue glared at him from her chair in the living room. “I may not be able to keep you away from my daughter but stay away from my son leech,” she whispered knowing he would hear her.
Emmett almost, almost turned around, but his love for Leah and her younger brother kept him moving. He walked out of the door and immediately headed to the back of the house where Leah's window was unlocked and waiting for him.
The sun rose the next morning over a quiet Cullen household. Everyone within the house was still reeling from the revelation of Seth’s imprint the night before. Alice hadn’t come out of her room, Esme had stayed with her most of the night, Carlisle had already left for the hospital and Jasper… Jasper stood at the window of the room he had stayed in the night before watching the sun rise.
He had spent the entire night thinking over what he knew of the shifters, he knew next to nothing about the youngest other than the fact that he was Leah’s brother. It bothered him to not know his… potential soul mate? Jasper shook his head that sounded wrong but it was the only thing he could think of to call Seth.
Alice had been right about one thing, when he thought of accepting the imprint he felt at peace and a bit of longing. But he still loved Alice, so much. He would have to get to know Seth before making any such decision on their potential future.
Edward had left Jacob's just before the sun rose and soon after Jacob finally succumbed to the sleep he had been denying all night. He was now searching Jasper out, zeroing in on him and his thoughts. He felt a sense of relief upon noticing that Jasper, at least, wasn't completely rejecting the idea of accepting the imprint. He arrived at the room and knocked softly at the door, waiting for his brother to allow him in.
“Come in Edward,” Jasper called not leaving his spot by the window.
Edward pushed open the door and though he knew the answer, he asked, "How are you holding up?"
“Better than can expected I suppose,” Jasper answered. “I cannot make a real decision until I know Seth… I know nothing about him.”
"There's a simple solution to that," Edward pointed out as he joined Jasper at the window. "Get to know him."
Jasper glanced over at him. “Thank you Captain Obvious. I will… I think now I’m still in shock. First you and Jacob… then Leah and Emmett and now this, it makes me wonder what is going on.”
Edward chuckled softly at that. "I thought it was rather obvious. Fate has a twisted sense of humor," he pointed out, looking away from his brother for a moment. "Jacob and I are going over to Seth's this afternoon. Why don't you come?"
“Would that be the best idea?” Jasper questioned.
"Seth's miserable. It might help him if you show him a little attention." Edward sighed and shifted, looking at his brother again. "I'm not saying to lie and tell him you accept him. But you could try to be his friend...not to mention show him you don't hate his guts."
Jasper sighed and nodded. "Alright, let me go change and I'll come."
Edward nodded. "Come find me when you're ready to go," he said, turning back to the door to leave to give his brother a little privacy to gather himself.
On his way downstairs a hand reached out of Alice’s room and pulled him inside. “How is he?” Alice questioned.
“He’s…alright. It’s quite a shock to go through,” Edward answered. Alice nodded.
“And Seth?”
“Miserable and thinks you hate him.”
Alice spun around, a shocked look on her face. “Why would I hate him?”
"Because he imprinted on your mate...?" Edward replied as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "He doesn't want to hurt you or Jasper."
“But we aren’t mates. Oh Edward! You have to tell him that I don’t hate him. Have him come over again, we’ll go out and do something…”
“I don’t think Seth is the shopping type Alice.”
“I do other things besides shop you know.”
"He won't sit through a make-over either," Edward pointed out flatly, an eyebrow arched in amusement before he shook his head. "I'm sure he'll come over again Alice."
“I wish I could see the shifters,” she sighed. “But you will tell him that I don’t hate him?”
"Of course." Edward nodded.
She smiled and kissed his cheek. “You should go; Jasper will be ready in a minute. Don’t look at me like that; of course I know how long it takes him to get ready.”
"He can wait for a moment," Edward replied, giving the smaller vampire a serious look. "We've talked about Jasper and about Seth, but how are you doing?"
“I’m fine Edward.” The look he gave her said that he clearly didn’t believe her. Alice’s face finally fell and she sat on the edge of the bed that she and Jasper had shared for so many years. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done… to walk away from him last night,” she whispered.
"Then why did you do it?" Edward asked softly, crossing the room to kneel down in front of the black haired girl. "I know you had a vision, but you also know your visions are subject to change based on a person's choice. What if your choice last night was the reason you had that vision? What if you had stayed with him?"
Alice’s eyes went blank for a moment. “Then we would have been living a lie. No matter how I look at it… Jazz’s future always goes black, just like yours. I knew deep down that Jasper wasn’t my true mate. He’s my best friend, we are close… closer than close. But what kind of being would I be if I denied him the chance at true happiness?”
Edward nodded in understanding, finally understanding his sister's choice. Sometimes...when you loved someone, you had to let them go. She loved Jasper enough to give him a chance at true happiness. He stood up. "I'll be sure to talk to Seth for you," he promised, looking down at the girl.
“Thank you,” she said giving him a small smile. Edward nodded and went downstairs; Jasper was waiting, looking just a tad bit more nervous than Edward had ever seen him. Edward smirked at the fact that Jasper was wearing a neutral color that accented his hair and eyes. From his brother’s thoughts he knew this was a somewhat unconscious action but there was also the smallest hint there that he wanted to look attractive to Seth.
The pair walked to the garage, sharing a somewhat comfortable silence. "Do you want to take my car or yours?" Edward asked, looking over at the blond headed vampire.
Jasper shrugged. “You know where you’re going,” he answered.
Edward nodded, making his way to his Volvo.
“Are we meeting Jacob there?” Jasper questioned as they climbed into the car.
"Mhm. He was suppose to head over after he woke up this morning...or afternoon more like," Edward grinned a little deviously as he pulled open the driver side door, sliding into his car.
Jasper rolled his eyes. “Leave it to you to keep your boyfriend up to who knows when doing only you know what.”
"Oh I think you know what we were doing..." Edward replied with a smirk, but he didn't push the subject. It was uncomfortable for Jasper; he didn't need his brother's gift to realize this. "Emmett's also over there. He stayed with Leah last night to keep an eye on Seth."
“To keep an eye on him? Why?”
"He was really upset last night," Edward replied, heaving a great sigh.
Jasper was quiet for a moment as he stared at the passing scenery on his side of the car. “I could have handled it better…”
Edward shrugged, starting the car. "What happened, happened." He pulled out of the garage. "All you can do now is make it better."
“I will try…Seth will give me that chance?”
"I think he will. Yes," Edward replied, pulling out of the Cullen's long drive way, heading to the main road and then towards the town of Forks.
Seth groaned and rubbed his eyes, which felt very itchy from all the crying he had done the night before. Stretching he felt his back pop and then he turned over and spotted a note taped to the shade of the lamp on his bedside table.
Hope you’re feeling better this morning Seth. Emmett and I are going out for the rest of the day. Mom went… somewhere but she won’t be back until tonight. I haven’t told her yet. Jacob is coming over later. I love you. – Leah
Seth smiled a little. His sister was one of the best, even if she could be a real bitch sometimes. Seth’s stomach growled, he didn’t really feel like eating but it wouldn’t stop so he got up and went to the kitchen to see what they had. A few minutes of searching found him in front of the microwave emptying a can of beef stew into a bowl and warming it up.
Jacob had woken up sore and stiff, cursing his lover with everything that he was as he showered and dressed before heading over to Seth's like he had promised Leah. The Clearwater's didn't live that far from him, he almost didn't need to take his car, but he took it any way. Just in case.
He pulled up into the drive way and frowned at the lack of cars that he had seen, but he knew Seth was still at home. He could easily smell his pack mate. He turned off the car and climbed out, making his way up to the younger teen's front door, quickly knocking on it.
"Come in!" Seth called. Jacob opened the door and went in just as the microwave dinged. "Hey Jacob, sorry, it was almost done." Seth opened the microwave and took the hot bowl out; he quickly set it on the counter for it to cool.
“It's alright," Jacob replied, sniffing the air. "Whatca cooking?" He asked, his stomach betraying he had not eaten with a loud grumble.
"Beef stew, want some? I'll make another can," Seth offered with a grin.
"That's the best thing I've heard all day," Jacob replied, returning the younger's grin as he stepped into the kitchen.
Seth nodded and handed him the cooling bowl and a spoon before grabbing a new bowl for himself. A few minutes later they were both eating their stew at the table. When Seth finished he took his bowl to the sink and rinsed it out.
“I’m sorry about last night,” he said quietly.
Jacob looked up from his own bowl. "Don't apologize about last night," he said, frowning slightly. "There's no reason for it."
“No reason? Where were you? I acted horrible… I don’t blame Jasper for not wanting me.”
"How was it horrible?" Jacob asked. "I freaked out when I imprinted on Edward too, you know." He reminded the other, giving him a serious look before he finished off his stew. He rose and grabbed the bowl to rinse it in the sink.
“I know… I just… I don’t know.” Seth ran a hand through his short hair. “Fate sure has a sick sense of humor huh? Leah didn’t tell mom last night… she’s gonna freak.”
Jacob sighed softly at that. It really did. Fate and its twisted sense of humor. "She really didn't take to Leah's imprint to well, did she?"
Seth shook his head. “She hates Emmett. If she could she would forbid him from coming here. If she found out that he stays over some nights… it would not be pretty.”
"It's a good thing Emmett's a vampire then and can easily sneak in," Jacob pointed out with a grin before he took a seat at the table again.
Seth nodded. “I don’t understand it Jake… I’ve never understood it really. All the Cullen’s are so nice, why should we hate them for something they can’t control?”
Jacob sighed even as he smiled sadly at Seth. This was what he loved most about the younger boy… he was so pure and innocent… and just good.
"I think..." Jacob began, his voice thoughtful because he really didn't know, he was just speculating. "Everyone never bothered to get to know them as people...we just saw what they ate...or are supposed to eat anyway..." He sighed, shrugging. He really couldn't say. Before the imprint he had been just as against the Cullen’s as everyone else. He hated to admit it, but it was true. Seth was the only wolf who never had any negative feelings towards the family of vampires.
“Well I’m glad things are changing…even if it had to happen in such a strange way. I hope Jasper will at least be my friend, no offense but I don’t want to go through what you did.” A car pulled up outside the house and from his spot by the sink Seth could see it was Edward’s silver Volvo. “Edward’s here.”
"Why wouldn't he want to be your friend?" Jacob said, grinning as he stood from the table and made his way over to the sink, looking out the window as well. "He promised he'd come over today," he pointed out, looking at the younger teenager. "He's worried about you too, you know."
Seth shrugged. “I dunno, I don’t know much about him other than he was with Alice and she’s really nice. See… I told you last night was bad.” Seth gave him a pointed look. “Do you know any-” His words stopped and his eyes widened as he watched Jasper get out of Edward’s car. “He brought him!”
"He brought who?" Jacob asked, bending over again to look out of the window, only then realizing how stupid his question was. "Oh!" He minutely wondered what in the hell his lover had been thinking in bringing along Jasper, but then he realized the other vampire might've willingly wanted to tag along. He looked at the blond vampire again, noticing how tense and unsure he was before deciding that he definitely didn't come of his own freewill. Edward must've talked him into it. "Maybe...maybe he's worried too?"
Seth looked between Jacob and the figures of the vampires through the window. As the two started to walk up to the house Seth glanced down at the wrinkled clothes he had been wearing the night before and slept in. He made a mad dash out of the kitchen leaving Jacob to wonder where he was going. Seth’s head appeared around the wall another second later. “Don’t let him in! I’m not anywhere near cute yet!”
Jacob's mouth dropped in shock. "Nice to see your taking his sudden appearance well, kid!" He returned, shaking his head as he made his way to the front door to let the two in, ignoring Seth's snappy retort.
Edward smiled as Jacob opened the door. “I was hoping you would have woken up by now.”
Jacob rolled his eyes. "I would've been up sooner, but a certain someone was insatiable last night," he replied, giving his lover a look before his eyes flickered over to the other vampire. "Hey Jasper," he greeted.
The vampire met his gaze, momentarily overwhelmed by the happiness his brother and the shifter shared in seeing each other again. This was an accept imprint? This was what love really felt like. It was almost foreign to him. He had never felt anything that deep, that intense with Alice. "Jacob," he returned with a nod.
Jacob leaned against the doorframe. “I’m technically not supposed to let you in yet.”
Confusion passed over Edward's features, but the panicked thoughts in the youngest shifter's head cleared his confusion instantly. "He wants to be...cute for Jasper?" He asked in a hushed tone, though he knew his brother could hear, his eyebrow arched in question.
Jacob shrugged. “That’s what he said. C’mon in, I’ll hurry him up. Just have a seat in the living room or something.” He stepped back to let the two vampires in.
"I know that's what he said. I saw the memory," Edward pointed out with an amused grin at his lover's annoyed expression as he made him way into the house, followed by his brother, who was silently thinking about the fact that Seth was trying to make himself attractive when he had unknowingly done the same thing before they left home.
Jacob closed the door after they were in. His hand brushed Edward’s as he walked past to go to Seth’s room.
Jasper made no comment on this action, sometimes their feelings could be overwhelming but he also loved them. Feeling the emotion of love from someone was always one of the best, it made him feel light. Edward led him to the living room, Jasper looked around with a military mindset, making note of the quickest escape route and such.
The shower shut off just as Jacob knocked and went into Seth’s room. “Some friend you are Jake, I told you not to let them in,” Seth said as he rubbed viciously at his hair with a towel, another around his waist.
"Well I didn't think you'd shower! I don't think they'd appreciate having to wait on the porch while you prettied yourself up like some girl! What is it with you Clearwater’s?!" Jacob teased.
Seth stuck his tongue out at the older boy. “Excuse me for wanting to smell decent!” Seth left his bathroom and pulled a pair of boxers and jeans from the dresser in the corner. After pulling them on he dropped the towel into a pile of dirty clothes and stood in front of his closet. “T-shirt?” He questioned.
"Well...I hope you wear one..." Jacob said, scratching his head as he leaned against the back of the door. "I know you want to look good for Jasper, but forgoing a shirt might be over kill."
Seth rolled his eyes. “I meant a t-shirt vs. a nice shirt. And here I thought being around Alice more would have had some effect.”
"Just put on a shirt," Jacob replied. "It's not like we're going anywhere. We'll just hang around until Leah or your mother come home."
Seth stared into his closet for another minute before pulling out a brown t-shirt that had a funny saying on it. He pulled it on and ran a hand through his short hair as he turned to Jacob. “Happy?”
"Why are you asking me?" Jacob asked, blinking before he shook his head. "You look fine, okay? Just relax and don't freak out."
“Easy for you to say, you’ve gotten used to this imprinting thing,” Seth mumbled. Jacob chose to ignore that as they left Seth’s room. As they entered the living room Seth gave Edward the best smile he could muster and said, “Hi Edward” even though his eyes were locked on Jasper.
'He looks really good...'
Edward smiled at the stray thought running through his brother's head as he turned to Seth and returned the younger's greeting, even though the shifter only had eyes for his brother. He held back a laugh before he stepped closer to his own shifter, wrapping an arm around his waist before pulling him closer to his side.
‘Are you sure this was a good idea? To bring them together so soon?’ Jacob thought.
Edward turned his head and pressed his lips against Jacob's ear, kissing the skin and then saying softly. "Seth needs to know that Jasper's not going to hate him for this," he replied softly, pressing his lips against the skin again. "And by my brother's thoughts..." His lips curled into a grin.
Jacob shivered. Edward’s cool breath on his ear had that and another effect. “That tickles,” he replied with a smile. “But I’m glad.”
Edward's lips curled into a grin, catching Jacob's thought process. "Glad? About what?" He asked, the tone of his voice holding a seductive tone to it.
“That your grin indicates something good,” Jacob replied. “And quit that, I don’t think Seth would appreciate us going at it right here.”
Edward chuckled softly. The sound deep and husky. "No. He wouldn't," he replied, stepping away from the shifter in his arms. He'd rather not tempt himself. He had thought he was satiated this morning when he left Jacob's, but apparently he had a few more rounds left in him.
A/N: (Just for me)...pg. 19
