Hey, hey, my lovelies!

So this is a turning chapter. A lot happens for the good between Chris and Seth. I hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN TWILIGHT! UNFORTUNATELY… D:

Without further ado…Enjoy!

Chapter 9

Spark

Chris' Point of View

I growled in frustration as my skin sizzled against the piece of crap engine I was working on. I yanked my hand back, assessing the damage up close. Yep, another blister for my blister riddled hand. I sighed, shaking my hand slightly to rid it of the sting before getting back to work, silently. I could feel eyes on me, concerned eyes but I ignored the, fiddling away with the engine.

My mood was foul, as you could probably guess. I certainly wasn't very sociable right now, even towards Paul or Rachel but it didn't warn them off at all. Oh no, not them. They invited me over for dinner almost every night and I accepted just to be polite to the people who have had my back for most of my time spent here. They tried to pick up conversation whenever they could, not even expecting me to answer back but spoke nonetheless, like reminding me that they were there. I had to admit that I appreciated it that. They didn't hate me for what I'd done to their elder, unlike some other idiots around here, namely his sons.

It'd been a week since the emotional tirade I went on towards Joshua and I hadn't spoken to him since, though that didn't mean I didn't see him. In fact, every morning before school and evening after I came home from work or Paul's house, Joshua had made it a habit for the last week to show up at my front door, uninvited. I just end up slamming the door in his face or ignoring him as I walked to my bike, every time.

I wasn't interested in what he had to say. He may be my father, the guy who lent out his sperm, but he wasn't my Dad and he had no right to me anymore. The courts say so. He's had 17 years to find and talk to me like he wanted to do now. What had been stopping him then and why now? I didn't give a toss. I'd survived without him thus far, albeit barely but still, I survived. I didn't need him at all.

Thankfully, none of the guys said anything at work or school so that was a bonus. I didn't think about how belly up things could go for me here if everyone held some resentment towards me. I would probably leave and for some reason, the thought caused a dull ache in my chest.

I wasn't in my right mind when I attacked Joshua but that doesn't mean I regret it now. No way. I was glad that I roughed him up like I had. It relieved some pent up anger from my chest and I felt lighter sometimes, when I was relaxing. I'd waited 17 years to bring justice to his abandonment and now that I had, I could truly forget about him. I could have lost everything though – my residence, my school, my job. But I didn't and for that, I had Paul to thank.

I owed Paul and Rachel so much. They've stood by me more than anyone else, supporting and comforting me even when I didn't want anything from them, when I wanted to be alone. I've been able to trust them above everyone else, which was something I found extremely difficult to do, and I was then able to tell them things that I had not even told my ex-social worker. It was easy to be myself with them…and I fucking loved it.

I spoke about my trivial matters with them, expanding my personal opinions and laughed more. Even my smile made a regular appearance on my face whilst at their house, whether it was watching the game with Paul, joking around with him or trying to teach Rachel how to cook. She was hopeless, she truly was but both of them appreciated my effort.

Despite my awesome week with Paul and Rachel though, I couldn't help but be in a foul mood this morning and for once, it had nothing whatsoever to do with Joshua Uley…Kind of.

Flashback…

I was running late for school. I'd had a nightmare last night and it took me forever to get back to sleep. I did eventually at four this morning and I was up at 6 again. I'm paying for that now. I'd be lucky if I made it there for the second bell at this rate. I pulled on my leather jacket, a piece of toast hanging out my mouth. My keys were in the bowl beside the door so I just had to pick up my wallet, phone and iPod before taking off out the door, picking up my keys along the way.

I locked the door, keeping my head down and I wasn't paying attention whatsoever. I suddenly collided with a fucking brick wall which happened to sit right in the middle of my footpath and have hands that caught me before I could crash to the ground. Unfortunately, my iPod wasn't so lucky and it jolted out of my hands and to the hard ground below, luckily not smashing it. I growled in frustration and looked up, only to come face to face with the two people who came close to being as bad at Uley – his sons, Sam and Embry.

Sam was scowling as always when he saw me around the Res but Embry was smiling pleasantly, looking apologetic as he'd been the one I'd bumped into. He bent down, scooping up my iPod and offering it to me like some sort of peace offering. I took them quickly, mumbling thank you before moving to walk around them. A hand shot out, taking my forearm into it hard to halt me. I looked at the hand in disgust and then at its owner. Sam.

"Let go of me before you lose your arm." I ordered, deadly calm and glaring. He scowled back but let go of my arm. I began to walk away again but Embry called my name.

"Hey Chris, just wait a sec, please? We just want to talk." He called, calmly. I sighed, mounting my bike after getting out my helmet.

"I don't have time. I'm late for school." I mumbled, not looking at them. I'm glad that I had the excuse. I really didn't want to talk to them or their father.

"Fine then. Later, talk to us later." Embry asked.

"no."

"Why not?" Sam asked, exasperated.

"Because there's nothing to say. Just because we share a father doesn't make us family. It doesn't make us brothers. I need to go." I snapped back, shoving on my helmet and starting the engine of my bike.

"We're not like him, Chris. The both of us were in exactly the same position as you are now, hating him but we got over it. We're sure you could to if you just spoke to him." He told me, trying to be reasonable. I stared at him blankly as his words passed straight through my head.

"Not happening; never will." I replied shortly before gunning the engine and peeling down the street towards school, seething.

End Flashback…

School hadn't treated me any better, to be honest. In fact, it was damn right hell. My teachers got onto me for my foul mood, which of course, placed me in an even fouler one. They didn't seem to get that at all. The stares were much more annoying today from the other students. I've been there how long and they're still gaping at me like I had green skin. Freaks.

The only comfort I seemed to take in as my own was from the Clearwater twins, Leah and Seth…

Seth…

I was finding it increasingly harder to ignore the flutter my stomach gave every time I heard, thought or spoke his name, though the latter was highly unusual, in public at least. Yeah, you heard me and probably assumed right – my favourite pass time right now seemed to be jacking off to images of the boy Clearwater.

It would disturb most guys to think about another guy whilst they were jacking off but not me, I chose to. I couldn't help it. It felt wrong to think of someone else during and I couldn't figure out why. It wasn't like it was just regular experience either. I came, hard every time and it always left me panting and mind boggled.

I just couldn't shift him from my head but then, I had no idea how he got there in the first place. He was just there one day and then I couldn't budge him.

A loud crash sounded behind me and I spun around to find the source. Quil and Jacob were wrestling and had knocked a crate of parts over, laughing hysterically. I was so surprised and amused by them that I didn't even feel the burn until it became too unbearable. I screamed, cursing loudly and capturing the whole shop's attention as I held my hand close to my chest, grimacing. Jacob dashed towards me, concerned but it was Seth who reached me first, firing questions at me left, right and centre without giving me a chance to reply to any of them, not that I caught any of them anyway he was talking so fast.

"Oh my God, are you alright? Why did you scream? What happened? Can I see it? Do you need a doctor? Fuck, you probably do! Can you ride your bike? No, of course not. Should I drive you? Yeah, yeah I'll drive you-"

"Seth, easy, calm down and take a deep breath. I'm fine. I just burned myself." I assured him, not liking his hysterical state. It made me uneasy and it made me even more so to know that it was because of him. He continued to fuss over me as if he didn't even hear what I said and I sighed, grabbing the hand that was trying to grasp my injure one to inspect it.

We both froze at the contact for a mixture of reasons. For me, it was the fact that he'd gasped and he was now looking at me as if the sun literally shone out my ass. It was also the fact that I had grabbed his hand right in front of his friends, my boss and co-workers. For him, I was sure it was because I'd grabbed him at all, effectively bringing him out of his dazed and hysterical state of worry (of which I found very flattering, surprisingly). I think the one reason we had in common, however, was the intense electrical charge pulsing between us, originating at our hands. It was like wild fire coursing through my veins and it stunned my entire body.

Silence took over the shop as we stood motionless, staring into each other's eyes like we were the only two there but I paid the others no mind anyway, seeming hypnotised by this strange creature before me.

Silence took over the shop as we stood motionless, staring into each other's eyes like we were the only two there but I paid the others no mind anyway, seeming hypnotised by this strange creature before me. He swallowed convulsively, drawing my gaze down to the column of his throat, where his Adam's apple bobbed deliciously. Why did I have a sudden urge to lick and bite him?

I closed my eyes, gently pulling my hand away from his before I did something that I'd regret later. Jacob took my burnt arms, gently turning it palm upward so that he could inspect it. I heard several hissing sounds but I was still looking at Seth. He looked so worried and he cursed, glancing down at my hand.

"Shit, Chris, you need to go to the hospital. You have second degree burns here. What the fuck did you do? Close your fist around it and forget?" Jacob gasped, his eyes wide. I shrugged.

"Something like that." I mumbled. "I can't feel it really. I'm fine."

"No fucking way. You're going. No arguing or I'll tell my mom and she'll come down and take you, not to mention the lecture you'll receive." Seth added, stern but with a chuckle at the end. I sighed, dreading the thought of Sue coming down here and I knew he wasn't joking about the lecture. By the smug (sexy) look on his face, I knew he knew what I was thinking.

"Fine, whatever, let's go." I grumbled, crossing my arms. He beamed like kid on Christmas morning, which I didn't get since he was only taking me to the hospital, and I heard a few chuckles from the guys.

He practically dragged me towards his car and I'd be lying if I didn't find it adorable. Being here has seriously screwed me up if I'm thinking like this. I'd never have thought like this before coming here. I let him though, finding that I liked the contact between us and that I didn't have to pretend it wasn't happening because he had a hold of me instead of the other way round.

He actually opened my door for me and as I cocked an eyebrow at him, he blushed scarlet, realising what he'd just done. I had to admit, it made me feel like a chick but I'd be damned if I didn't think it was the most adorable and sweetest thing someone had done for me. Yep, being here had screwed me up for good.

"Yeah, don't do that shit again or I might hit you. Fair warning." I told him, climbing into the truck. He nodded, blushing deeper and he began to close the door behind me. My hand shot out, halting the door as I gave him a reproachful but amused look from under my eyelashes. He frowned in confusion for a minute before he clocked on and released the door as if it had just burned him.

"Uh, yeah, sorry about that." He murmured, nervously wringing his hands. I smiled and nodded, closing the door myself. I noticed that he hadn't moved after a minute and frowned in confusion. Near the garage, I saw Jacob and Paul mouthing something but couldn't make out what they were saying. I rolled my eyes then unwound my window, capturing Seth's attention. He was blushing more than ever and damn, if it wasn't cute! What the hell had they said to him?

"Yeah, my hand is kinda burning in here so could we, like, get a move on and not mouth at each other across the lot?" I asked, suppressing a smirk. I couldn't help but mess with the guy. He was easy to wind up, to be honest. His eyes widened at me caught and he began to nod his head like a Churchill dog, rushing over to the drivers' seat. I couldn't stop the low chuckle that escaped me as I wound my window back up.

I waved to the other guys as we drove away, feeling the smirk firmly in place despite trying to fight it. The drive was silent and I peered out my window, thoughtfully. In my peripheral, I caught the annoying bouncing of Seth's knee and without thinking, my hand reached over to still it. We both froze. What was with my involuntary behaviour today? Had the link between my brain and limbs been severed or something? Damn.

I glanced up at him, catching his gaze and my breath hitched. I swallowed hard, slowly taking my hand away from his knee and my fingers kneaded softly without permission. His eyes rolled back and at the last minute, his hand shot out and trapped mine between his and his knee. My stomach quivered at his touch and my mind was screaming at me that we were traveling into dangerous waters right now. I swallowed hard, looking at him straight in the eyes as I pulled my hand from under his, hoping that he got the picture. He sighed, returning his hand to the steering wheel, watching the road in front of him.

Oh fuck, Chris, what the hell are you doing?

Seth's Point of View

My heart was using my ribcage as its own personal drum. I could hardly get air into my lungs enough to stay conscious. All I could think about was the feel of his hand in mine, how well they fit together and how he didn't seem to complain too much about it. My wolf was giddy with excitement at being so close to our imprint and all I wanted to do was reach back over and take his hand. Well, his good hand at least.

When he screamed back at the shop, I nearly fainted with the amount of fear, worry and panic coursing through me. My wolf had been snarling within me, urging me to search and destroy, to protect our mate. When we both realised that there was no danger (though we considered pulverising the car that hurt him) and that he'd hurt himself badly, I was at his side faster than you could say 'Ephraim Black'. I fussed over him more than I probably should have, considering we barely called each other friends. I probably freaked him out a lot more than he let on. The last thing I wanted to do was scare him.

We he actually let me drag him towards my truck, I felt like doing a happy dance right in the middle of Jake's garage. My wolf was howling with the prospect of having alone time with Chris, even in a measly little hospital. We'd take what we could get without complaint.

Now, we found ourselves driving towards Forks General Hospital to treat his burnt hand. I still can't believe he'd done that. He should have known better!

"Oh, I'm sorry. We humans aren't allowed to make mistakes?" Chris asked suddenly, totally blanking my mind. What's he talking about?

"Huh?" Oh, what an eloquent response, you dipshit! No wonder you're only getting Cs in English! I'm amazed you're getting as much. Idiot.

But, my temporary mental retardation seemed to amuse Chris as he chuckled and I didn't seem to dumb anymore. He peered over to me, still chuckling with a beautiful grin on his face. My stomach clenched with desire as SJ perked up and said hello.

"You said that out loud." He told me, grinning. My eyes widened in mortification as I thought he meant my last thought. My expression drove him to explain. "You said 'I should have known better' and then I said, 'Oh, I'm sorry. We humans aren't allowed to make mistakes?'"

"Oh…" I'm a total idiot. "I mean, uh, sorry. I didn't mean to, really. Apparently, I do it a lot but I never know when I'm doing it. It's quite embarrassing." I rambled, blushing.

"I dunno…It's kinda cute." He contradicted before his eyes became as wide as saucers and he peered out the window, blushing slightly.

"Excuse me?" I asked, dumbfounded. Had he really just said what I think he did?

"Um…nothing." I he mumbled, lowly. I shook my head.

"No, no, no, no, no. Did you just say I was cute?" I asked, grinning as my wolf did his own happy dance within me. I wished more than ever that I could on him. He sighed.

"Actually, I said that the habit was cute, not you." He corrected, matter-of-factly. It didn't put me down though. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"But the habit is a part of me and you called it cute so you indirectly called me cute too."

How'd you figure?"

Admit it. You think I'm cute, Chris Tyler." I teased, poking his side. He flinched in surprise and gaped at me. I grinned.

"Had anyone told you how annoying you are?" he asked, exasperated but I could see a smile twitching at his lips. He was avoiding my statement. Ha! He totally did! YES!

"Yeah, Leah says it every day but stop avoiding me. Admit it."

"Oh look, we're here." He replied, quickly getting out the car faster than I could look up to confirm his statement. I gaped after him, gobsmacked that he actually full out avoiding the whole topic of me being cute.

What did that mean, anyway? Why did he keep avoiding it? Did he really not think I was cute? Did that mean he found me ugly? Or did he think I was cute and just didn't want to admit it? Was he embarrassed to say? Or perhaps ashamed to think of me that way?

My mind was in shambles as I tried to wrap it around the many different scenarios racing through it. Each different one made my wolf and I react in three different ways. The thought f him thinking I was cute made us both smile and jump with glee. He not thinking it at all made us sad, depressed and we even whimpered a tiny bit. And lastly, I couldn't bear the thought of him thinking I was cute but being ashamed to think that way. It devastated me and the wolf exponentially.

"Um…yeah, that was your cue to get out the car too." Chris chuckled from beside me. I jumped, not even realising that he had opened my car door. I peered over at him, blushing.

"Oh, um, yeah, sorry. I'll just get out." I stuttered,, unable to meet his gaze because I felt like a complete and utter tool. Though, I did notice that he opened and closed my door behind me when I got out and I didn't know why he didn't like it. I felt cared for and found that I loved it. Stupid, huh? I coughed nervously as he glanced my way before stalking towards the A&E entrance with me trailing behind him like a little lost puppy.

In fact, that's all I could do. Chris seemed to know where to go through the hospital. I felt uncomfortable with that thought. Why was he so familiar? Was he hurt a lot in his past? I buried the thought in the back of my mind. My wolf growled and became angry so it had to be. I couldn't phase in a hospital, even more so near Chris.

So I concentrated on the way he walked and the slight sway of his shoulders. I tried to keep my eyes forward and not let them linger lower, towards his ass but I just couldn't help it. I bit back a groan at the sight of it as he walked. It took everything in me not to reach forward and fucking grab and molest it or something. Surely, he'd deck me for that, right?

My mind drifted back to that day in the garage and every day after that when he'd taken his shirt off. I almost drooled every time seeing his tight, ripped abs and strong pectorals straining with his every movement. To be honest, I hadn't even seen another guy who wasn't a werewolf with abs like ours. It just made me think about all the hard work he'd have had to put in to get his physique. It also made me wonder how hard he'd work if we were f-

I collided with a soft back and I yelped, reaching out instinctively to catch Chris before he fell forwards to the floor. Steadying him, I apologised profusely whilst brushing off everywhere I could reach. He laughed, seizing my hands with his one and giving me a mock glare, shining with humor.

"Care to pay attention now?" he chuckled, shaking his head. I nodded like a Churchill dog. He grinned. "Good."

I bowed my head in shame as he turned to walk again, smirking at me over his shoulder. Then it hit me…HE CAUGHT ME CHECKING HIM OUT! My face flamed dangerously and I wanted to dive for cover in case I caught fire. The sight made Chris laugh out loud, knowing that I'd clocked on to what his smirk meant.

I made an effort to keep my eyes anywhere but him for the rest of our time in the hospital, following obediently and waiting when I couldn't go in with him into the rooms for treatment, at which time I sat anxiously looking at the door every few seconds and biting my nails. Eventually, he came out with a white bandage wrapped tightly around his hand and I could smell the chemicals and ointments they'd used on it to keep it clean and whatnot. I stood instantly, making the nurse look at me speculatively before smirking at Chris. He chuckled before flagging me to follow him. And I did, like the obedient puppy I am.

Reaching the lobby of the hospital, I knew that our time was coming to an end and my heart began to ache painfully in my chest. I hated and couldn't bear the thought of leaving him whilst he was injured as he was right now but I knew that I had no excuse to stay with him anymore. My wolf whimpered and I had the strong urge to answer him in kind. He didn't want this anymore than I did.

"So, um…" I stuttered awkwardly, kicking the non-existent sand at my feet just so I didn't have to look at him in my awkwardness. It only worsened the ache in my chest when I did anyway. I already knew I was spending the rest of my evening and night laid outside his our inside the treeline.

"So…" he repeated, lowly. Damn, he was as awkward as I was right now and all I wanted to do was pull him to my chest and hug it all away, so that he was happy again. "So I guess you should take me home then?"

It came out more as a question and it made me smile because whether he was conscious of it or not, he didn't want us to go our separate ways any more than I did. I nodded reluctantly though, still coming up blank for an excuse to stay in his presence as we made our way to the car.

I resisted the urge to open his door for him but also to ask him to open mine for me as well. It was weird to feel like you wanted to protect my imprint, like my wolf wanted and hounded me to do but then, at the same time, to want your imprint to protect you instead, which the man in me wanted. It was very confusing. Being in his presence felt beyond right and calming but I couldn't help the feeling that something was missing from our imprint dynamic and my wolf and I couldn't put a finger (and claw) on what was missing or even why it was.

We both climbed into the car in silence, thinking about the time we'd spent together thus far. It was only in a hospital but I had more fun than had anticipated. Chris was a lot more open with you when he felt more comfortable around your presence and was funnier than I would have expected as well. Whilst we were waiting those few times to see some other health professional, he practically had me in stitches with the different running commentaries he made for each of the staff.

I never truly realised how much he and Paul were alike. They were exactly the same and it made sense why Paul had been drawn to help him, and even Rachel's reasoning made complete sense. They both saw Paul in Chris' personality, well the old, angry Paul but Paul nonetheless. That's why they connected so well.

We were still silent halfway towards Chris' house and I found myself slowing down in a last ditch effort to spend more time with him. God, I wish I did. I don't know whether he noticed or not, or if he felt the same. I was started out of my thoughts when Chris cursed loudly and my head snapped over to him. My eyes widened in panic as I thought he'd hurt himself again.

"I need to get my bike but I can't ride it with this fucking bandage!" he growled. Fuck, that was sexy – both his swearing and the growl! Then I sighed in relief as I realised that he hadn't cursed because he'd hurt himself again but because he was worried about his bike. He really needed to stop exclaiming like that though. I don't know how much my wolf and I could take. I smiled, whipping out my phone.

Why don't I just call one of the guys to pick it up and ride it back to your house for when we get there? I'm sure they wouldn't mind. You left your keys there, right?" I asked, already typing in Jake's number to call. He made a noise half panicked and half protesting as he turned to me wide eyed, shaking his head almost frantically.

"No way! No one rides the bike except me! No one! No way!" he spluttered, frowning. "I'll do it myself. I'll be fine. It's okay. Put the phone down."

I frowned deeply. "No, I don't think that's a good idea. I'd hate for you to crash. No, it's safer this way." I expressed, worriedly. He stared at me dumbfounded for a moment, as if he was surprised that I'd care so much about him – To bad, baby because I care more than anyone now. Better get used to it, I thought – before sighing, deeply.

"Fine then…but Paul has to be the one to get it. No one else. Only him." He stipulated, crossing his arms as he sulked out the window. I smiled at the cuteness of it for a second before deleting Jake's number off my phone and typing in Paul's. he picked up after the second ring and sounded like he was just finishing off a mouthful of food.

"Hey Seth, how's Chris?" he asked before I had even opened my mouth to say hello. I sighed but smiled.

"He's good. Just bandaged up nice and tight." I informed him, glancing over at Chris to see him glaring at the phone as if he resented the fact that he couldn't hear the conversation. I smirked.

"Good. Are you on your way back then?"

"Yeah."

"Was there something that you needed, Seth?" he asked, slightly exasperated as I wasn't speaking and yet I was the one to call him.

I blushed and I heard Chris chuckle. Glancing over to him, I said, "Oh yeah, could you possibly get his bike from the shop and ride it back to his house? He can't ride with his hand and I don't want him to try." I asked, biting my lip. I tried to ignore Chris' eyes watching the movement but really, who could ignore their imprint looking at them like he was right now? I swallowed hard and his gaze moved to my thought. I almost groaned as he licked his lips, unknowingly.

"Oh hell yes! I've been itching to get on that bike since he arrived! He never let me when I asked before though. Sure thing. See you at his house." he agreed excitedly.

"I think most of the guys have wanted to ride that bike. You're gonna make a lot of them jealous." I chuckled, smiling at Chris, who smirked. Oh yeah, he knew the envy he received for that bike.

Paul laughed. "I'd be sure to rub it in their faces." He vowed. I laughed as well.

"Alright, well, we'll see ya."

"Tell him to be careful! I'll be inspecting it when we get there so there better not be a scratch!" Chris shouted, suddenly, making me jump and Paul laugh on the other side of the receiver.

"You get that?" I chuckled, rolling my eyes at Chris, who looked to be 100% serious. Paul laughed again.

"Yeah. Tell him I'm gonna grind up his right side, just so he knows." He teased and I chuckled.

"He says he's gonna grind up the right side, just so you know." I forwarded, watching as Chris' face paled before glaring at the receiver again.

"I'll strangle him! You know what, forget it. I'll get it myself." He rushed, quickly reaching over for my phone to hang up but I moved out of his way, grinning.

"Alright, so if you just take it to Chris' house, Paul. We'll see you there." I said.

Paul cackled. "Yeah, you bet. See ya."

"Bye."

We both hung up and I threw my phone into the side compartment of my door. I turned to Chris to see him glaring at me, arms crossed. I wanted to feel ashamed that I'd upset him but the twitching at the corners of his lips prevented me from going there. He wasn't mad at me.

"Don't worry, Chris. He'll take good care of her, I promise." I assured him, smiling. He stared at me for another second before deflating, looking out the window.

"He'd better." He threatened, lowly. I smiled, happy that I could give him that assurance. It made me feel useful, helpful.

We drove for a few more minutes until our attention was snapped to our left as the familiar sound of Chris' beast of a bike approached fast behind us. Chris was practically on the edge of his seat and nearly fainted as Paul manoeuvred the bike so it was inches away from the side of my truck, grinning manically at Chris through the window. I laughed, shaking my head. Oh yeah, he was having the time of his life on there. Then he zoomed past us towards the house.

"Never again. He's never riding that bike again. He'd not even going to touch it. The fucker!" Chris exclaimed, glaring at the guy until he disappeared around a bend.

"I meant what I said, Chris. He's just fucking with you. I'll help you beat him up when we get home." I promised, putting a hand on his forearm before i could think about it. He tensed for a second before relaxing, acting as if my hand wasn't there at all but I saw the slight smile on his face as he looked out the window. My heart soared. He liked my touch?

"Yeah, okay." He murmured, lowly. I smiled and pulled onto his street.

As we approached the house, Paul was leant against the bike, looking smug as fuck with his arms crossed over his chest. I hadn't even pull on the handbrake before Chris was out and screaming at Paul.

"You little fucker! What did you think you were trying to pull? That's my pride and joy and you act like it means nothing! Idiot!" he shouted with his arms flailing.

Paul laughed. "Oh please, nothing's happened to it. Chill out before you give yourself a migraine or something. Here's your keys." He said, throwing them at him. Chris caught them calmly, panting hard as he glared at Paul, who was still smirking.

"Fucker." Chris mumbled before smiling and bumping his fist with his. Paul then laughed, pulling Chris into a headlock as he walked towards the house.

"I thought you knew what the fuck you were doing with cars?"

"I do." Chris answered, defensively. Paul chuckled, doubtfully.

"Yeah, right. All mechanics hold onto the hot metal of the engine like their life depended on it and gave themselves second degree burns." He relied, dryly. Chris threw him the finger, laughing as he pushed him off him. I watched in amazement at the sheer openness of Chris right now. There were no boundaries between them and I wanted more than anything to have that as well.

And then Chris looked back at me, smiling as he inclined his head inside. "You coming in? You gotta be hungry as you missed dinner." He asked, unsurely. I beamed and nodded. I saw Paul silently chuckling behind Chris and glared at him.

"You bet. I could always eat." I replied, following the pair into the house.

I had never been here and as soon as I stepped in the front door, I never wanted to leave. It smelled overwhelmingly like him here. Every surface permeated his scent and I just wanted to bury my face into his couch, knowing that, besides his own bed, it would be one of the most concentrated surfaces in the house. it was so Chris' style but was more feminine that I had expected. Most bachelor pads don't have any womanly touch inside them at all but his has. It was amazing.

It felt like home.

And I wanted so much for it to be a reality.

I was brought out of my daydream by loud laughter retreating towards what I assumed to be the kitchen. Not wanting to linger too long around here, I quickly followed after them, becoming in awe of his kitchen. I smiled at the modernisms of it and especially loved the island counters and the bar stools. Paul seemed totally at ease here, even to the point here he was the one getting three beers out of the fridge instead of Chris. He just sat at the counter, hands together in front of him as he listened to Paul talk with rapt attention, like he was his idol or something. Did Paul realise the way Chris looked at him? I doubt it.

"Seth, come and sit down. We don't bite." Paul ordered, placing a beer in front of the seat next to Chris. I blushed as Paul smirked mischievously. "Well, I can't speak for Chris but he might if you asked him to."

My face flamed dangerously as my eyes widened tot eh point they hurt. Chris was tense in his seat and all Paul could do was laugh at our reactions, shaking his head at something. I swallowed hard, wanting to hide my face in embarrassment as I took the seat next to Chris, downing nearly half of my beer whilst glaring at Paul across the counter. He just shrugged, sipping his own beer.

"Paul, shut the fuck up!" Chris laughed, shaking his head. Paul grinned.

"You know it's true."

"No, it isn't." he laughed again and I sat there dumbfounded. Was this the same Chris that came here weeks ago? No, it wasn't, I was adamant about that fact. Why did he laugh the notion of biting me off? Was it because he didn't want to? Or that he was embarrassed as well? Why is that? "Just shut the fuck up and start making some sandwiches, Meraz."

"Only if I can make myself some, Tyler."

"You will with or without my permission so just hurry up." He laughed before getting to his feet, grabbing his beer and looking at me with a smile on his face.

"Come on, let's watch some TV whilst he pays me back for endangering my Baby." He told me, smirking. I chuckled.

"Oh, get over it. She's fine!" Paul laughed.

"Not the point." He called over his shoulder before flopping down onto the couch, never jostling his beer. He smiled up at me and patted the seat next to him. I was surprised as I sat down, glancing at him. He chuckled. "Relax Seth, I really won't bite…I know that I set a bad impression when I first came here but…I want to change that, if you'll let me."

I stared at him, dumbfounded. Where was the Chris I'd been used to seeing these past few weeks?

"Right." I chuckled, sitting down as close as I dared next to him. He glanced at me, as if he knew what I was thinking and trying to do and I blushed. My ears felt like they were on fire and I cursed this bad habit; it gave me right away.

We sat in silence as he began to flick through the channels, settling on a rerun of baseball game that I'd missed last night but really wanted to watch. He looked over at me as if to ask 'is this alright?' and I smiled, nodding. He smiled back before turning back to the TV. I had to fight the urge to reach over and take his hand or something stupid like that.

My knees began to bounce with the nervousness and anxiety that was circling throughout my entire body ad I could see Chris glancing between it and my face with an amused expression. he didn't do anything to make me stop though, which slightly disappointed me but just because he did it once, I shouldn't expect him to do it every time.

Paul was taking entirely too long in the kitchen, making our sandwiches. I could hear him banging around, chuckling to himself every so often like a mad man. I wasn't complaining though. I'd take any and all chances to spend some time with Chris.

"So, Seth, tell me about yourself." Chris ordered, smiling as he muted the TV. I looked at it and then him, wondering if this was too good to be true. Was he really trying to get to know me? Was I really questioning this? Why wasn't I talking already? Your imprint is talking to you!

"Oh, um…" Nice, real nice. Idiot. "I mean, I'm not…that interesting actually."

He chuckled. "Come on, don't be shy. There has to be something unique about you." He said, still smiling. Yeah, I spout fur, chase and kill vampires in my spare time and see fully grown men naked from time to time because it's unavoidable. Yeah, I could totally tell him that. I shrugged instead. "Okay…you don't have to tell me. I was just trying to make conversation."

Guilt immediately engulfed me at his crestfallen expression as he moved to unmute the TV and my hand shot out before I could stop it, grabbing his to stop him. He froze, glancing over at me hesitantly and then down at our hands. My eyes closed as I revelled in the static electricity coursing through us. It made every single hair on my body stand on end and my heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest. It was that loud I was thoroughly convinced he could hear it with his simple human ears.

My eyes snapped open when he flipped his hand palm up, brushing it against my own. I looked over at him, seeing him watch our hands with wonder and confusion. Abruptly, his gaze caught mine and I was stunned in place by the mixture of emotion passing through his eyes, none of which I could identify right now. I swallowed hard, getting ready to pull my hand away as to not freak him out anymore when his voice permeated the air, making me freeze all over again.

"What are you doing to me?" he whispered and I'm pretty sure I wasn't supposed to hear it and yet, unable to stop answering him.

"You do the same to me." I whispered back, making him snap his wide gaze to mine with shock and surprise. I blushed, surprised that I'd said that but not regretting it at all.

Suddenly, his hand snatched away from mine as he looked away, flustered. His heart sounded like a jackhammer against his chest and I wondered if he was going to go into some sort of cardiac arrest. I panicked slightly as I didn't want him to pull away from me, closing himself off from me because I was such an idiot and my brain filter decided to take an extended vacation to the Bahamas without giving me any notice.

I opened my mouth to speak but he beat me to it, making me jump embarrassingly. "So, you were going to tell me about yourself. Please…"

"R-right…Oh, um…okay…Well, I'm eighteen and a senior at school." I told him, shrugging. He chuckled.

"Yeah, I kinda figured that out with seeing you in the same classes as me at school. And your mom already told me that anyway." He replied, smirking. I blushed and nodded.

"Um…I don't know what to say. What do you want to know?" I asked, flustered. He stared at me for a long time.

"Whatever you want to tell me, I guess." He shrugged.

I nodded but didn't say anything, not knowing where to start. He waited patiently until it became too long and he sighed, shrugging once again.

"Okay, you don't have to, really. Forget I asked. Just tell me to fuck off if I'm being nosy." He told me, turning back to the TV and unmuting it. I swallowed hard before taking the remote out of his hands and re-muting it. He looked at me surprised. I smiled.

"I was just thinking of where to start. Just…give me a minute, okay?" he nodded and did just that. "Okay, so…did you know that Leah's my twin?"

"Actually, no. I didn't know that. You seem so much younger than her." He replied, thoughtfully. The worried expression on my face must have lead him to explain further because I had no idea what he meant by that. "Well, because she's so serious and mature. I mean, not saying that you're immature or anything, because you're not. I would never say…What I'm saying is that you're more carefree and laid back than her?"

I smirked at him as his nervousness and embarrassment seeped into his own speech and found it incredibly cute. "Now who's acting like the other's going to bite?" I teased, making the both of us laugh. The tension eased considerably. "No, I know what you mean. Leah has always been that way. Well, no, that's not correct. She's been like that since Sam imp- dumped her for her cousin, Emily Young."

"Sam?" he asked, blankly. I nodded, confused by his changed demeanour. His eyes narrowed and he looked away. "I don't want to talk about him. Or his brother. Or his father. Don't bring them up again, please?"

I stared at him, utterly perplexed until everything clicked and I stuttered over an apology. "O-Oh my God, yeah, sorry. I-I won't bring them up again. Sorry."

"Yep…As you were saying though."

"Right, um…he dumped my sister for our cousin and it turned Leah a little bitter and stuff so she grew up a lot. I still like the simple things in life. Sleeping. Running. A good laugh. Mom's cookies." I added, chuckling. A shadow crept across his face but he smiled as well. I realised that I'd mentioned my mom…he hadn't had the chance to try his mom's cookies. Fuck. "I mean…forget that last one."

"No, no, I know what you mean. Sue's cookies are the best. I can't sort of remember how my grandmother's tasted. Kind of. I knew they were good, at least."

"Cool. Maybe I can encourage mom to bring some around for you."

"Doesn't have to be your mom. I wouldn't mind if you brought them." He mumbled and again, I'm pretty sure I wasn't supposed to hear it. This time, I played it that way.

"What was that?" I asked, smiling slightly as he blushed, cutely. He swallowed hard.

"Oh, nothing. I didn't say anything, really." He spluttered. I nodded.

It was at this point where we welcomed the appearance of Paul, carrying in two plates of sandwiches, one piled higher than the other of which he handed to me. I thanked him, choosing to ignore his meaningful smirk and wink. He'd heard our whole conversation and stayed in the kitchen to make sure that we'd had it. Damn it, just what I needed. Paul left to get his own plate before coming back in and sitting in the recliner in the corner.

"Cheers Paul." Chris mumbled before digging in with one hand. I was half tempted to hold the sandwich to his mouth, so he wouldn't have to do anything but I refrained, eating my own sandwiches a lot slower than I would have normally. It was like being in his presence made me hyperaware of what I was doing, to please him and not scare him away.

"So what did the doctor say about your hand, Chris?" Paul asked, eyeing the bandage worriedly. Chris shrugged.

"I need to go back in two weeks for them to check it over and shit but until then, I just need to clean it once or twice a day." He replied, nonchalantly. Paul nodded.

"I still can't believe you did tha-"

We were interrupted by a knock at the door and I tensed, sensing who it was immediately, or three someone's. I glanced at Paul, who was glaring at the front door from his seat. Chris rose to his feet, sighing as he made his way over to the door.

"Prepare yourself this isn't going to be pretty." He called over his shoulder, as if he knew exactly who was on the other side of that door like we did. it was like he was expecting them, to an extent.

I bit my lip as he opened the door, hoping that this wasn't going to go belly up and upset Chris again. That's the last thing he needed. I just wish that they'd leave him alone.

"Hello Chris. May we come in?"

Yeah, so I bet you know who's at the door. I didn't really make it a massive secret. How did you like Chris and Seth's interactions? I love writing them two! I hope you enjoyed the chapter, hopefully enough to leave a little review if you wish

Thanks for reading

Love,
MrsWolfPack
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