Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
Never Had A Choice
Infinity just makes things so much harder.
It wasn't as if neither had known, not really.
The only difference was that Seth knew it wasn't he who would be doing the leaving behind.
"Thank you for meeting me."
He couldn't help but smile, "Like I had a choice."
Jasper finally had the courage to look into the boy's eyes, and he wished suddenly that he hadn't.
Desperation, understanding and…mourning.
It was almost overwhelming; he didn't understand how the boy could be standing there so composed, lips still curved with a smile.
"I don't either," the words came out strangled, and Seth's control wavered, "You know that right?"
All the boy could do was nod, hand twitching at his side.
"Renesmee and the others are here," the boy sniffed, "I'm sure the both of you will visit sometimes."
"I will come and visit you," Jasper's voice was desperate now, fearing the distance between their bodies and wanting so terribly to cross it.
"We have to keep up pretenses," Seth smiled. Jasper's own words thrown right back at him, and he could remember when his had said them, so many years ago when desperation had been another thing entirely. When lust and need were as common as field mice.
"How can you stand there and take this?"
The emotions were blinding, and finally Seth stepped forward and grabbed Jasper's shoulders.
"I can't let emotions get the best of me when I'm a wolf, you know that."
He felt pathetic for letting them effect him so dearly, almost ashamed.
They were at eye level now, his warm breath crossing Jasper's face. Warm like sun roasted spices. Cinnamon. Nutmeg. Cumin. The very earth beneath their feet.
Seth was what kept him so grounded, how was he to let go of that now, after so long?
"You will be just fine," Seth whispered, "You'll live on a beach with your wife, and you'll go hunting and make love to her every single night."
"What about you?" Jasper's words were soft, sweet against Seth's cheek.
""I'll be just as okay," Seth sighed, "I'll keep looking for her, keep Leah from completely falling off the face of the planet. Keep holding the pack together. Same old, same old. Just the way I like it."
He would have been convincing had Jasper not received the gift he was given when he was turned, but he let himself believe in the outright lie Seth just told. For both their sakes.
Jasper straightened, Seth's hands falling from his shoulders.
"Be safe, okay? That's all I want."
"I know," Seth smiled patiently, "Get going, she's waiting for you."
There was a fleeting moment when their eyes met again, and for the first time in over two hundred years Jasper felt the sting of tears in the back of his eyes, though no matter the urge none seemed to form.
He leaned forward, and pressed his lips to the boy's forehead.
"I'll be back for you."
Seth smiled again, this time, it finally reached his eyes.
"I already know that."
Author's Note: Another from a prompt being the song Run by Snow Patrol. I really like it. Seth and Jasper. Different. Delcious. Reviews are love. -Delta