Meaningful Artifacts [Edward/Jacob]

six.

Jacob's late. 

He's extremely late when it comes to imprinting. Being as late as he is, the symptoms are about ten times as strong as they would've been if he hadn't wasted his youth chasing after someone who didn't even genuinely like him, let alone love him.

Not being mated has rarely bothered him before, but he can't help but feel agitated when Embry saunters in and fixed him with one of those pitying stares. Once they were past that phase where all of his friends seemed to be finding their person, it no longer irritated him that he couldn't seem to get it right. Though, maybe he should've been a bit more worried.

He was laid up in bed under multiple blankets, courtesy of Leah, sweating profusely. His bones ached and his stomach was in knots. He gets it, he looks like shit, but he didn't need to be reminded of it every time someone so much as looked his way. He's carrying a stack of blankets with a couple of pillows precariously balanced on top which he places in front of the bed before he finally, truly looks into Jacob's eyes.

"Promise you won't shoot the messenger..." He starts out, already looking as if he regrets stepping foot into the room in the first place.

Oh, great. That's never good. What kind of ridiculous shit had they gotten him into today?

"Seth wanted me to tell you that he may or may not have accidentally invited Edward over to the house." Embry mumbles, before taking a step back as if he thought Jacob was going to lunge at him and strangle him. 

Honestly, he wishes he had the strength. He can feel his heart hammering in his chest, but it takes effort just to keep his eyelids from drooping. As if he wasn't sweating enough, he starts basically dripping. 

How the fuck do you accidentally invite someone over? He wants to yell at the top of lungs, but he doesn't need to as the twitch of his left eye says enough. Embry slowly starts to inch back as if he's thinking about making a run for it. 

Jacob can feel his stomach knot up, nausea hitting him square in the face as he rocks back against the concerning amount of pillows currently on his bed. 

He doesn't want to see anyone right now, but especially not Edward. He liked the way he used to feel when he looked at the man. He used to have this disdain and anger every time he saw him, ready to lunge at him every time he even opened his mouth. He felt like he had a pretty good reason to hate him. In hindsight, it wasn't as strong of a case as he'd thought. It was downright stupid, in fact. The sudden realization maybe due to his delirium mixed with the fact that he'd imprinted on him, but it was valid nonetheless. Now, he felt like he may combust at the sight of him, but he might have to throw up first. 

He starts the water for a shower and it takes him a solid ten minutes to get inside of it as he lingers near the toilet. He finally steps in, letting out a sigh as he felt the hot water run over his shoulders. He turns around and tilts his head back and feels the water run through his hair. He turns back around with his eyes closed, reaching blindly for the shampoo. He lathers with his eyes closed and opens them once he's thoroughly massaged it through his scalp. His eyes wander for a second until they meet the reflection of the shower head and he thinks he's going to shit himself. There's a person there. Edward to be specific, staring back up at him...at least that's what he thinks he sees. Though, he's alone when he blindly starts swinging with abandoned, soapy hands connecting with nothing but air. 

He's losing it. He must be. 

He turns around and lets out a stuttering gasp before shakily going back to rinsing his hair. He grabs for the conditioner and runs that through his hair. He relaxes for a moment, thinking he'd simply seen something that couldn't possibly be there. He closes his eyes, takes his time conditioning, eyes closing as he runs his nails over scalp.