Here is Chapter Seven to 'When the Water's Not So Clear'. I hope you guys like it :D

There's not much going on really, but It'll soon get some more plot in it haha I felt like I rushed the whole imprinting thing and I wanted to give Jake some time to contemplate on his love for Seth.

Anyway enjoy =)

DISCLAIMER: I own nada =(


Seth's POV

I regretfully pulled back from Jake's embrace, feeling the cold from my house finally set in once away from Jake's warm body. He held me at arm's length, and smiled at me devilishly, biting his bottom lip with his top row of perfect teeth. He let me go, grabbing one of my hands and led me back to the couch, sitting and then pulling me down into a straddling position into his lap, those massive, gentle hands holding me at my back.

And he kissed me again.

I felt my eyes close slowly, feeling the heat radiate off of Jacob, his dark pink lips moving with my in perfect synchronization. My hands found their way to his long black hair, tangling themselves in the raven locks. I pulled his face into mine harder, and he let out a throaty growl.

He pulled back this time and looked me in the eyes with an expression that I couldn't describe, but I knew my face held the same. The rain outside only fell harder, and lighting lit the sky like the flash of a camera followed soon by the accompanying thunder.

I tensed, and he held me closer, my own arms wrapping behind his back, I leaned my head on his muscled chest and sighed in content.

"Jake…"I whispered, afraid to speak to loud for it might shatter this perfect moment. "I'm so happy." A tear slid down my face, but this one was a joyous tear unlike those painful ones I shed earlier. I happily allowed these to fall.

"Me too Seth." He said in a low voice also, he sounded as genuinely content as I felt, and this thought made me cry even more. How could I be this happy all of a sudden? What changed in him?

"What changed Jake?" I asked, wishing I could pull back those words and swallow them. This was a discussion for another time, a less perfect time, when anything else mattered but me and him holding one another.

He just made a "Hmmm?" sound and I pulled back, looking him in the eyes with a bashful smile and he returned the grin softly before reaching forward and kissing away a few tears trailing down my cheek.

His lips were so warm, so roughly soft, that strange oxymoron the only way I could think to describe it. They weren't the small curious lips of a boy, or the delicate lips of a woman, no they were that of a man, protective and gentle, and only for me to taste.

"What do you mean?" he asked me, confusion embedded into those chiseled features of his face.

"I mean…" I looked down, not wanting to face him, "It's just, you changed so suddenly…have you always felt like this about me?" I asked, hoping this wouldn't upset him or anything, me questioning him like this.

"I guess…" He started, looking lost in thought, "I guess I always knew, deep down, but I just realized it." He admitted sheepishly, "I hope I didn't freak you out, I had no Idea you felt this way for me…"

He looked so cute, all bashful with his face red. He had his head bent down, looking up at me, a small frown threatening to burst into a smile plastered on his face.

I kissed his forehead, some of his hair falling to the sides of his face, framing the perfection with silk black curtains. "I have…"I said between another kiss. "For so long."

He smiled again and laid back on the sofa, pulling me down with him. I laid my head on his chest, those rock hard pectorals made a damn good pillow, and I listened to his heart beat mingle with the sounds of the rain.

I don't know if I'd ever been more at peace. The terror from earlier today seemed like a distant nightmare, and I could think about that man and those wolves, probably even face them, If I was in Jake's arms, and feel as if they could never harm me.

"Mhmmmm…" came a smartass sounding voice from the doorway, when did the door even open? I must have been so engrossed in Jake that I didn't even notice. Both mine and Jake's head snapped toward the doorway to see a very amused looking Leah standing there, a few grocery bags in hand. "I always knew you two were butt buddies."

I then remembered the compromising position me and Jake were in and immediately jumped up, my knee landing in a very, very bad place.

"Oh, SHIT!" Jake screamed as my knee collided with his groin. I so didn't mean to do that, I know what that feels like and wouldn't wish it on anybody.

I jumped off of him and onto the floor, as his hands shot to cup his precious family jewels I'd just crushed, he leaned forward and made a few whimpering sounds.

"Jake," I started, wincing at the memories of my own past experiences. "I am so sorry man, I did not mean to do that." I tried to apologize, rubbing his back as he had his head between his knees.

"Seth, don't crush Jake's poor little balls!" She said with a false scolding tone, I could already feel the smart remark coming. "You might want to play with them later."

My face grew so hot I thought it might melt off, I turned every shade of red imaginable. I stood up, ignoring Jake's whimpering and clenched my fist. I was about to cuss her all to hell and back when mom and dad walked in. They set down some bags in the floor and mom took off her rain coat while dad headed back out to the car.

"Sweetie go help you father with the groceries please." Mom said in that sweet, polite 'do it now' tone. "Oh hey Jake…what's wrong?" She asked once she saw him in obvious pain.

"Nothing, Mrs. Clearwater." Jake said, still groaning and moaning as if he was about to die. He clutched his stomach, man that was the worst part, the after effect of the pain shooting to your stomach. "I just, still don't feel so good."

"Oh that's right, Billy had told me you still weren't feeling to well…" she said, a look of curiosity in her eyes. She probably knew Jake shouldn't be here. "Do you feel up to staying for dinner honey?" She asked in all her motherly charm.

Leah was about to say something to mom, a mischievous glint in her eyes and I shot her a look that could kill, and she only closed her mouth, giving me a 'I got shit on you' grin.

"Actually, that would be great." Jake said, thanking my mom for her generosity. He then got up, shaking off the last bit of pain, and limped outside to help my dad. I followed after, but not before giving Leah a hard punch to the arm.

She just laughed and rubbed her arm, muttering something about blackmail.


Jake's POV

When I'd returned from the Clearwater's house dad and Sam were in the kitchen waiting on me. They were so upset, it wasn't even funny. Dad cussed at me. Telling me how irresponsible I was and how I endangered the Clearwaters. Sam just nodded and agreed with dad through the whole conversation.

"Everything is completely new to you son!" he screamed, his eyes wide with anger, his face seeming to be even more wrinkled with worry. "You don't know what the hell your dealing with! You don't understand what a gift you have been given, but how dangerous it also is!"

"Jake you just…" he calmed down some, rubbing his face with his hand. I then realized he looked tired, as if he's gotten the worst end of the deal here. Sitting home all worrying about if his son was going to maul someone, if the tribe's secret was going to be exposed to those who shouldn't be troubled with the truth of a legend, worrying if his son would be okay, worrying about me. I never realized it, and I suddenly felt a small bit of remorse, only a hint though, I'd never regret seeing Seth today.

"You just…" He continued again. "You need to control this Jake, you need to understand the dangers here."

"I'm sorry dad." I said in a low voice, truly sorry to have caused him any worry, but that's it.

"Your lucky Sam was there, just to keep you in check." He said again.

What the hell? Sam wasn't there…

I heard Sam cough, he looked uneasy, uncomfortable. "Yea Jake, I…" he hesitated, something different about him. "I was there, outside their house…they didn't see me." He looked almost embarrassed.

I just stared in shock. Had he…he hadn'tcouldn't have… seen me and Seth…together.

"I had to ensure the Clearwater's safety." he stated and got up abruptly. "But I am going to head out, tonight is my night to patrol the reservation, I will be back first thing in the morning. Billy you have my Cell number."

He surely would have told my father if he had…wouldn't he? Dad would be upset, disappointed, he'd…I don't know what he'd do. I never ever imagined being gay, and definitely not turning gay in a day's time. I hadn't fully figured that one out yet, but if It made me feel like this…if Seth made me feel like this I would not question it (no matter how freaked I truly am).

After Sam left, I told dad to get some rest, that I'd be fine and that I felt great. He looked unsure, but I could see the fatigue on his face winning this battle. He eventually complied and rolled off to bed, leaving me alone in the house.

I walked to my room, lost in thought.

Had I always felt like this for Seth?

It was a thought that stood in the back of my mind all day, ever since I'd seen him, ever since I'd realized I loved the boy with every fiber of my being. It was a legitimate question, I mean, I've heard of love at first sight, and I'd believe it to be the case If I hadn't known Seth all my damn life.

He said he felt like this for me for the longest time.

Maybe I have held these feelings without noticing it, I never really chased girls like Quil or Embry, I always just wanted to spend my time with Seth…always.

I mean of course I had a few crushes, there were a few girls that I had liked back in grade school, I'd even shared my first kiss with a girl back in grade school.

It reminded me of how I kissed my mother now that I have kissed Seth.

All facts lead to me always having these feelings for Seth.

Am I really that fucking dense?

I admit I'm not that smart, but damn, if I've always felt like I have today for Seth, what makes today any different? Why was it so much stronger? Why did I only realize it today?!

I paced my room, trying to think of an answer…It just didn't make sense. I hated questioning it like this but damn was I confused. I love him so much, when did it start?

I was so lost in thought, pacing back and forth, that I bumped into my dresser, this new strength of mine almost knocking the weak thing over. All the stuff I'd had on top fell to the floor with a thump.

Damn, I hope that didn't wake dad.

I bent over to pick up the items, and I noticed my birthday present from Seth. The scrapbook and two CD's were lying next to each other on the floor and I realized I never really took much time to look through it, he'd worked so hard to put this together for me. My heart swelled inside of my chest again, he was the sweetest, I can't believe I just noticed today how he felt for me.

I picked up the scrapbook and the CD entitled "Our Favorites" and headed out to the garage. I opened the door to the Rabbit and sat myself inside.

I popped in the CD and hit play as track 1 blinked on screen. It was "Everything" by Lifehouse. We loved this band more than anything, both of us being softy's at heart. It always soothed us when we listened to them, It fit my mood perfectly.

I opened the scrapbook as the melody began to play, and the first picture was of us when we were so very young. Our mother's had been best friends just like we were soon to be, and it was a picture of mom holding me on her lap, my two front teeth missing as I grinned at the camera. My hair was shaggy, just coming over my ears the tiniest bit, and mom's long black hair was pulled into a ponytail. Her russet skin matched mine perfectly and her perfect white teeth shown as she bent down to smile beside me.

God she was beautiful…I missed her.

Beside us on the couch of our living room (the new leather shining unlike now, dull and worn down with age) was Seth and his mother, he was in a diaper (still not potty trained) and was sucking on a pacifier. His mother looked happy, her long brown hair falling to her shoulder as she smiled at the camera too.

A tear slid down my cheek as I remembered the day mom passed away…

Find Me Here

Speak To Me

I was sitting all alone on the beach hugging my knees to my chest, ten years old at the time, watching the waves roll in, touching my bare feet lightly and receding back to the ocean.

I had been crying so hard, my back shaking as I trembled and sobbed.

"Jake?" came a voice from behind me, "Are you okay? What's wrong?" Seth hurried up behind me and wrapped his skinny arms around my wider frame.

I want to feel you

I need to hear you

"They…" I started, a sob escaping to disrupt my sentence. "They unplugged her today."

Realization hit Seth's face like a truck, and he hugged me closer whispering how sorry he was, and I truly felt his sympathy. I pulled my arms away from my knees and curled myself around Seth's lithe form. He held me there, in his tiny arms as I wept for the loss of my mother.

She'd been hit by a drunk driver, the side of the Rabbit destroyed. She loved that car, and it was the last place she'd ever be conscious. Dad was forever paralyzed from the waste down, riding in the passenger seat as the drunk driver hit directly on mom's side.

Seth stroked my back with his tiny tan hand and cried with me.

It began to rain, but we didn't care, nothing mattered then…it didn't seem like anything ever would again.

You are the light

That's leading meTo the place where I find peace again.

I remembered that day so vividly sitting here in mom's car. A tear fell to the photo below and I turned the page. I would have never survived that day, much less the funeral, if Seth wasn't there to hold my hand, to lead me back to life, to help ease the pain of loss.

You are the strength,

that keeps me are the hope,

that keeps me trusting.

The next few pages held pictures of me and Seth growing up, our families being so close, I guess I could say family since our two seemed to blend into one.

I came across a picture of us riding our bikes. Seth's still had training wheels, but I was proudly riding my red, shiny bike with only two wheels.

"Seth come on now," I said as I remembered this day like it wasn't a lifetime ago. "You need to get rid of those training wheels." I urged as 6 year old Seth rode slowly across the pavement.

He stuck his tongue out at me and I laughed. "Come on, it's so much better with only two wheels." I tried to convince, riding around him in circles.

"I like my training wheels…" He said softly, looking down whiling stopping on his bike. Apparently I was making him feel bad about himself for still using the training wheels. I knew he was scared, and I didn't mean to make him feel like a baby, so I got off my bike and laid it on the ground. I walked over to him, and put my hand on his handle bars.

"What if I help you?" I asked, smiling my best grin at him and he perked up at that. "I can take these off with some of my dad's tools…" I continued, pointing to his training wheels, "And I promise, I'll teach you how to ride without them, I won't let you fall." I promised. He looked unsure, but nodded anyway, biting at his lower lip. He looked so hopeful and scared at the same time.

You are the light to my soul

You are my purpose...you're everything.

I'd successfully removed his training wheels with one of dad's screw drivers and he seemed impressed by my ability to do so.

"There we go." I said, standing up with the tool in hand. "Much better."

I turned around and saw Seth staring at his shoes nervously, he looked so cute standing there but he was about to be riding like the wind if I could help it, and on two wheels!

"You ready?" I asked and he only nodded, walking forward with his hands behind his back, mounting the bike then gripping the handlebars. The bike was a bit too big for him, his feet wouldn't touch the ground, so I had to hold onto him and the bike, him not being used to the need to balance which his training wheels had done for him.

"Here we go." I said as I pushed him forward, he pedaled lightly, not needing to really since I was doing all the work.

"Tell me when you want me to let go?" I asked.

"NO! Jake don't let go!" he pleaded, looking at me with brown chocolate eyes, afraid that I might let him fall.

"I won't let you fall…" I said with a smile, "I promised remember?" I winked at him.

He seemed to be okay with that and allowed me to let go. I walked next to the bike as he wobbled along, my hands staying near to keep him steady whenever he came close to falling.

"Jake!" he said excitedly, "I'm doing it, I'm really really doing it!" He smiled so brightly and looked at me in amazement and pride. He swerved then and I grabbed hold of the bike, keeping him still.

We both laughed, "See I told you you could!" I said excited myself. I continued to help him steady himself as he rode, and I eventually backed off further as he got the hang of it. He was a fast learner, and I knew he could do it.

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

I laughed at the memory, wiping a tear away from my cheek. God I am such a girl, all this crying can't be good. Maybe it comes with the whole gay thing? Or maybe I'm just a pansy.

I continued to flip through the pages, coming across pictures of birthday parties filled with balloons and familiar faces, cakes lit with candles and puckered lips ready to blow them out.

I flipped through pictures of us at my eighth grade graduation, me in my orange robe and hat looking proud as ever to get the hell out of there. Seth didn't look to happy, I remember he was afraid that I was going to go off to high school and forget all about him. He was afraid I'd make new friends and start going to parties and be a part of the 'in' crowd that he never was. I reassured him that that would never happen. Not in a million years, and he took comfort in my words, but I could hear a hint of worry in his tone, even when uttered from a smile.

You calm the storms, and you give rest

You me hold me in your hands, you won't let fall

You me steal my heart, and you take my breath away

Would you take me in? Take me deeper now?

The song continued to play, and my mind continued to run. This really had been the greatest birthday present anyone ever got me, greater than the CD player or the iPod, greater than these seat covers (no matter how good they looked on the Rabbit or how comfortable they felt.)

It was a present from the heart, a heart that yearned for me all these years and I'd never noticed. It was more than just the pictures that I was grateful for, I don't know if he realized the deeper present that he gave me, the one that was placed inside this book and copied on that blank CD.

It was his friendship all these years, it was the memories he made with me, and it was the bond we formed that could never be broken.

I couldn't believe I'd known him all my life and only today, after fifteen years of friendship, only realize how deep my love ran for the boy. I suppose though, that today was the prize after all these years.

My love for Seth ran deeper than any high school fling, any halfhearted romance.

My love for Seth was born from a friendship that would transcend any other bond I'd form in my life.

My love for Seth was irrevocable, inevitable and it was true. He held my heart in his hands, to whom I would never trust with anyone else…never trust in any other hands other than the small ones that fit so perfectly in mine, the tiny hands that could send a shiver through my soul when touched by.

Those gentle hands I trusted.

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

Seth Clearwater was my life now, he would never be anything less. I am truly blessed to have him, he'll never feel lonely if I can help it, he'll never feel cold with me around, he'll never feel sadness If I could prevent it.

I will love and protect him for all my life, no matter what anyone says. I'm in love, and I always will be.

Cause you're all I want,

You're all I need

You're everything, everything

You're all I want your all I need

You're everything...


Kay so I hope there weren't too many errors in that one haha I noticed as I was posting it, the lyrics in the song got messed up for some odd reason, I don't know what I'm doing wrong but if there was anything to bad in there that you couldn't read because of the mistakes, let me know and I'll try and fix it =) I read over it before I posted and it looked fine, but I mess these things up when I upload em somehow haha

I hope you enjoyed it, and reviews are AWESOME :D

Thanks to everyone for the reviews I do get btw, ily guys.