#the thing alec saw in the woods was a child of the moon but it wasn’t hungry so didn’t attack

[therealvinelle]

Hi, I was reading a post here in Tumblr about how Edward has two gifts, he can hear thoughts and is super fast, so I wonder what is your opinion about this topic?.

Furthermore, what others power might the Volturi's leaders and guards might have?

Edward has one gift, and it’s telepathy. Being fast isn’t a gift.

Strength, speed and even senses is varied among vampires. Some, like Emmett, are on the extreme end, but that doesn’t make Emmett gifted, nor does it mean that the rest are at an equal level. The Cullens have clear variations between them.

Physique appears to play a dominant role in how these variations play out: Alice, who was malnourished and never made it past 4′10″, is the physically weakest of the coven, while Emmett at 6′5″ and a mountain of muscles is the strongest. This is made very clear during the baseball game:

“Emmett was hovering close to third (base), knowing that Alice didn’t have the muscle to outstrip Rosalie’s fielding." (Midnight Sun, chapter The Game)

There’s also the fact that it’s taken for granted that Emmett would be intimidating to other vampires, and he is dismayed when James is more worried about Jasper, who is lean.

I suspect this disparity exists simply because a large frame means more tissue to have blood in. Newborns, animal, and human-eating vampires all having a difference in terms of strength is proof that blood has the final say in a vampire’s prowess, so Emmett being able to contain more of it than Alice and therefore being stronger makes sense to me.

This isn’t the meta for me to get into that, but I don’t think vampires have muscles in the sense we do. Or rather, we can’t know that they do. Renesmée is proof that Edward retains his human DNA, or she would be a clone of Bella. Nahuel is proof that Joham retains a Y-chromosome. Does this mean that vampires have different cell types? Does a vampire’s stone-like skin still contain human DNA? One would think yes - except, if you rip a vampire apart, you get rubble. The parts are all solid. There’s also Carlisle theorizing that vampires digest blood by absorbing it through porous tissue, which makes me wonder why he dismissed his digestive system (my guess: vivisection fun times with Aro in Volterra. Carlisle couldn’t have done it on his own, and Aro is the only one mad and curious enough to be down for that). I’m getting off-topic - what I’m saying is, we don’t know how vampires work, meaning I can’t build this meta off of the assumption that they have muscles. I simply can’t know for sure that they do.

The important thing is that a vampire’s physique is a deciding factor in how strong they are.

There’s also Laurent’s warning about James, that he has “unparalleled senses”, meaning some vampires are better at sight, hearing, and smell than others. I can believe that, because we have canon examples of vampires being bad at tracking.

There’s Edward in Port Angeles, who couldn’t track Bella’s, his singer, scent to her location, and (I admit this one is conjecture but it’s so probable that I say it goes) Carlisle’s creator, who after taking care of the mob must have realized he’d bitten one of the humans, meaning a newborn would soon be loose in London. This is punishable by death by the Volturi. The fact that he didn’t return to finish Carlisle off means that he was unable to find him. I remind the audience that Carlisle was bleeding and suffering the effects by a venom intended to paralyze the victim. To put it this way, Carlisle wouldn’t have survived James, or anybody with a trace of tracking competence. By comparison, Carlisle was able to locate a dying Rosalie by the smell of her blood, even though there wouldn’t have been a trail for him to follow, as her body had not been moved.

When it comes to these disparities in strength and speed among the Volturi, I imagine Jane and Alec are the physically weakest members of the guard, and among the slowest. They’re prepubescent, meaning no muscle for them, and their height (a humble 4′8″ and 4′10″) implies very short legs. They’re simply not going to get as far as an adult would, not in the same number of steps. Renata at 5′0″ is another tiny vampire lady who likely isn’t very strong or fast.

That’s not to say I think these physically weaker members of the Volturi guard are necessarily useless in hand-to-hand combat, Alec at least is a boy stuck in a playful age, and the males around him are trained warriors. He’s probably picked up a few things over the years.

As for the others, Aro is described as frail-looking, which hints at him being quite thin. I don’t think he’s weak, if he couldn’t win a fight he wouldn’t be around, but I do think he’s probably below average in terms of strength. Caius I picture as a Harrison Ford type, so of course I’m gonna think he’s a bit burly, but this is me headcanoning and not actually hinted at in canon. Marcus is 19, so I imagine he can only be so strong.

Back to Edward’s speed.

He’s a 6′2″ teen, that’s code for “very long legs”, though I’m actually going to go ahead and posit that he’s not actually that fast. Strap in for this next part:

The guy was a teenager who lay dying for an undisclosed amount of time. The fact that Carlisle had the time to get to know his mother points to a few weeks, at least. And Edward was very ill:

Elizabeth worried obsessively over her son. She hurt her own chances of survival trying to nurse him from her sickbed. I expected that he would go first, he was so much worse off than she was. (New Moon, page 21)

Muscles atrophy quickly, never more so than when you’re a teen ravaged by fever, on your deathbed. And as I’ve explained above, I think your physique in life ties directly into your vampiric prowess.

I think Edward is certainly the physically weakest of the male Cullens, quite likely weaker than Rosalie as well, maybe even Esme.

Now, speed is not the same as strength. However, for humans, the two are connected. It’s the muscle fibers in our legs that determine our speed. Basically, type I fibers make an enduring runner, type II fibers make a speed runner. So, assuming that vampires retain their human musculature, one could argue that Edward had a lot of type II in life. However, Carlisle when he was human was able to outrun the mob he was with:

He ran through the streets, and Carlisle — he was twenty-three and very fast — was in the lead of the pursuit. (Twilight, page 158)

Carlisle clearly had a lot of type II fibers, and unlike Edward he was in peak physical condition when he died. He was also an adult who’d had more time to develop musculature, while Edward was a seventeen-year-old. If musculature was a deciding factor, one would think they would at the very least be of equal speed, though realistically Edward should be slower.

So, if it’s not muscles, what is it that makes Edward faster than the others?

It could be a matter of technique. Except, the way Bella describes movement when she wakes up as a vampire, it’s all very automated. Her body knows exactly how to do everything, and executes it without much input from her:

After that first frozen second of shock, my body responded to the unfamiliar touch in a way that shocked me even more.

Air hissed up my throat, spitting through my clenched teeth with a low, menacing sound like a swarm of bees. Before the sound was out, my muscles bunched and arched, twisting away from the unknown. I flipped off my back in a spin so fast it should have turned the room into an incomprehensible blur—but it did not. I saw every dust mote, every splinter in the wood-paneled walls, every loose thread in microscopic detail as my eyes whirled past them.

So by the time I found myself crouched against the wall defensively—about a sixteenth of a second later—I already understood what had startled me, and that I had overreacted. (Breaking Dawn, page 251-252)

Growling, crouching - those are all distinctly vampiric, non-human ways to act. Bella didn’t learn this, her body knew it of its own accord. When she later runs, she explains it as happening the same way - she just does it.

The way Bella experiences it, vampiric movement is like a package she downloaded, and that executes her instinctual commands with no need for her to actually know how to do any of this. Her grace is another example of this - Bella Swan may be in charge of her own consciousness, but the venom is entirely in control of her body.

Given these facts, I don’t think it’s technique that makes Edward a better runner than others. His technique is likely similar to everyone else’s. If it isn’t, if technique is what makes the difference, then who is and isn’t fast is an arbitrary process.

With that, we get to my controversial theory about why Edward is the fastest Cullen: he’s not.

Running and being fast is the only thing about vampirism that Edward enjoys. This is for another meta, but Edward is extremely depressed about every single other bit of it. Every aspect of being a vampire torments him.

Except the running. He enjoys all of it, especially being the fastest, so much. And as a newborn, he would have been faster than Carlisle.

But after that, when his newborn strength faded…

I honestly think that Carlisle decided to just slow down a bit when running with him, let Edward have this. It’s no skin of his back, and it makes Edward happy, so why not.

Esme joins the family, and of course she would be down for this. Nothing is more parental, more maternal, than losing at checkers to make your child happy, after all. Could also be she’s not very fast herself, but even if she were then she would downplay it to make Edward feel like Jesse Owens.

Enter Rosalie, who would think it’s completely ridiculous, yes, but she would also recognize this excellent opportunity to call in a big favor from Carlisle later on. There’s also the fact that I think Carlisle has a gift (yes, yes, meta is coming, people) that makes him very persuasive people. And also that for all that Rose gets a lot of bad rep, she is very generous and loves her family, if being fast makes Edward happy then alright.

Emmett is an easy-going guy, he goes along with things. Alice adores Edward and would go along with it. She also has tiny matchstick legs and couldn’t outrun him if she tried. Jasper could not care less.

Bella does get outrun by Edward after waking up, but she also did zero exercise in life (listing this in case musculature matter), had Renesmée devour her from within rendering her emaciated, and then died like a slasher movie murder victim. There’s not a lot of blood in her, and what little blood there is doesn’t have a lot to work with. She does defeat Emmett at arm wrestling, so I’ll concede that. However, there are enough extenuating circumstances surrounding Bella that I think my “Edward isn’t that fast” theory survives his ability to outrun her.

So, I believe Edward is the fast Cullen because Carlisle told a white lie in 1919, no one ever corrected that, and now it’s too late.

[lapinmiel]

[Backstory] Jane and Alec, Volturi Guards.

Jane and Alec, two of the most precious possessions of the Volturi, are the most feared vampires in the whole vampire world. While we know their names, positions and powers, do we know how their life was before joining the Volturi? The answer is a no.

This post provides an inside look to Jane and Alec’s life prior to joining the Volturi. Enjoy!

Note: This post is long. You might as well get a cup of tea before starting reading it.

• Jane and Alec, the twins of the town’s most renowned carpenter, were born in Perlshaw in A.D. 762. Their birth was both a surprise and horror, their mother, Eudelme, was bathing in the nearby pond near their house. The birth was so easy that she didn’t realize the twins — at the time who she thought was just a big, strong baby; were being born until she felt pressure on her lower area. Jane was born first, while her mother was still in the water. Alec came after her right when Eudelme came out of the water and laid on the ground, screaming for help to her friends who were bathing with her.

• The day they were born was extraordinarily calm and the skies were topaz blue. Their mother had never seen butterflies that pretty before that day and their father was paid some extra coins for his work. Their aunt, Aebbe, had dreamt of two angels coming to their house the night before their birth and woke up thrilled. She woke up started praying without saying anything to anyone. When Aebbe saw the twins for the first time when she helped her sister care for them by the pond, tears rolled up to her eyes — she knew that these were the angels she saw the night before.

• Eudelme and Aebbe took the twins home, that night, when their father Anselm arrived, they named the twins. Jane was the name of Eudelme’s friend who saved her when they were being attacked by wolves in the forest and Alec was the name of a hero in their area. Even though the names were uncommon, even unheard in some places, people grew to get used to them.

• Their birth came with luck. Their family’s own little garden started to produce more herbs, the flowers and trees around the house were greener and more fragrant, their father started to be paid more in his work and eventually, found another job that paid him more. Regardless of the weather, their house was always warm and cozy, the fire was burning brightly and prosperity started to be present.

• The twins were odd, charming little creatures when they were little. Their earth-colored curls shone so brightly as if they carried the sun in their hair, their eyes were so striking that you wanted to keep looking once you’ve looked at them. Their tiny pink lips were always smiling, they liked to babble. The twins seemed to communicate with each other in their ways, they didn’t start speaking their language until they were around five. Due to their own ways of communication, they didn’t have a lot of friends, preferring to play with each other.

• By the time they reached the age of seven, they were interacting with more people. They were naturally reserved, enjoying each other’s company, it was a rare sight to see them playing with other kids. This situation started to change when Alec became some sort of friends with the neighbour’s son, Eadger, who was more than eager to befriend them. Eadger was a shy child that had almost no friends. Eudelme thought that if the child had a good relationship with her twins, she could leave them together and go to work. Since she was worried so much about the twins due to their “closedness” to the outer people, she preferred not to work and took care of them. But she had to work, Aebbe was needing her help because of the number of orders she was receiving. This was, of course, due to the luck of the twins.

• As their friendship grew, Alec, Jane and Eadger started spending more and more time together. Their mothers, Eudelme and Saehild, also became friends shortly after their children. Saehild would often visit them in their house to take Jane and Alec with her. She was exceptionally fond of them, often thinking that they were the siblings of her son.

• Shortly after the child became friends, the luck of the twins started to emerge in the household of Saehild and Eadgar. Saehild’s never-ending wish to conceive twins became true. Her husband, Hunsige got lent a fortune from his great aunt, who was a little baronet in the north. When Saehild went into labour, she was with Eudelme and the children were playing in the snow outside. Much curiously, they weren’t cold and they weren’t getting wet. No one thought about this as a bad thing, not even Saehild, who didn’t want to let children play in the snow.

• Just in the middle of the labour, Jane came inside the room and with her came a wave of serenity. The town’s midwife was called to help, when she realized that the baby had its eyes open at birth, she announced that it was the sign of the Devil. Saehild got terrified. Jane didn’t understand what it was with her little human mind. At that time, no one suspected the twins of witchcraft, they weren’t doing it anyway. But with the midwife’s superstition, Saehild’s husband, Hunsige, started to think that the cause of the Devil’s sign was the family of the twins. Because before becoming friends with them, their family was a faithful household that the Devil wouldn’t come nearby, he thought.

• The birth was right before the twins’ eighth birthday. Somehow, the luck they brought to people who were good to them seemed to get more and more powerful as they grew older, as well as the bad luck they brought to people who were bad to them. One of the instances of their bad luck was when their father was punished in his job for misuse of something. He was beaten by the sons of his patron, days later, one of the sons were attacked by a wolf — just like how the twins’ mother was attacked when she was a young girl. A week later, the other son caught a sickness that no one could tell what was, it didn’t take long until he went blind.

• Their luck was powerful but the bad luck was something wicked, something only witches could be responsible for. Or the town folk thought so.

• At first, people thought that demons and bad spirits started to take over the city. After the patron’s sons, the midwife who helped Saehild fell down a couple of stairs and broke her back. Eventually, she was left paralyzed. Later, the only butcher in the town lost all his animals. After him, an old couple’s house burned and they died while trying to get out. No one could understand the reasons behind — but deep down, the twins and their family knew: the midwife had thought something was wrong with the twins, the butcher was trying to find occasions to harass Eudelme and the old couple was badmouthing Aebbe for she didn’t marry their son.

• All these things happened in a span of three months. Winter was coming, and the midwife was still talking about the twins. She was claiming that she saw in a dream that the twins were the servants of the Devil, as well as Saehild’s twins. She started convincing people that the relationship between these twins was nothing normal and they were spending time to find ways to call the devil upon the town. But at the time, Saehild’s twins were only two and they couldn’t even talk.

• Shortly after, people started believing in these superstitions. People were claiming here and there that they saw the twins floating in the air, shouting unknown words during a full moon and circling around a fire. None of these things were true, but the effect they had was more than real.

• One person claimed that in the early days of November, she saw about a dozen red eyes looking at the town from the woods. She claimed that she got scared she couldn’t talk for a few days.

Those eyes were the eyes of Jane and Alec’s future family, but they were yet to know it.

• Their lives started to change. The twins didn’t have a special circle to begin with, they only had Eadgar and his siblings. Eadgar’s mother Saehild kept meeting with Eudelme and warned her about the town folk’s rumours. Eudelme started to worry about her children but had no power to do anything.

• She started not allowing them to go out. She didn’t tell the twins why but Jane and Alec sensed. Somehow, they sensed that people were talking about them.

• After not being allowed outside for about a month, the rumours started to disappear. During the month, Eudelme and Anselm took kids outside to entertain them at every chance. They took them to the mountains, to the pond nearby, to see the waterfall that fed the pond. The twins learned how to climb and swim. They were happier than ever, as a family, they felt whole. Alec developed an interest in insects. He would often sneak out of the house at night to collect insects without being seen by people. Jane hated insects, so she never sneaked out with him.

• One full moon night, when Alec was out collecting insects when he heard some branches cracking as if something was coming his way. Of course, he heard it and got fearful. The sound of branches cracking grew louder, that was when Alec saw a pair of big, silver eyes. He had seen them before. He had seen a wolf before. But the thing had a difference — its eyes were at least the size of Alec’s hand. His heart felt like it stopped for a moment, and in the other, he started to run for his life. When he arrived home, Jane welcomed him, after seeing that her brother was out of breath, Jane asked him what happened and Alec told what he saw. Jane suspected that it was a werewolf that their mother told them about. That night, they slept while holding each other’s hands.

Unbeknownst to them, the next day was coming with its own storms.

• The next day, they opened their eyes up to a mess. Without being able to understand what was happening, they heard screaming sounds outside. Alec jumped out of the bed and rushed to the outside. Jane followed him and in the garden, they saw their mother looking at somewhere. Alec came beside her, tried looking into his mother’s eyes. She was devastated. Her eyes were the tellers of all that was happening: Saehild was being taken to the town’s center, more like being dragged, by townsfolk. Her clothes were being ripped away, her mouth tearing from inside due to her screams, her eyes crying tears of blood. No one said anything. Jane and Alec were too afraid to react. They were nailed to the ground.

• Days later, the news of what Saehild was accused of reached the twins’ house. It was witchcraft. Allegedly, someone claimed to see her transform into a big, dog-like creature and run towards the woods. No words were said. Eudelme and Aebbe were devastated beyond words. The reason was that if Saehild was going to be hanged or burned, it would come to them too. Because they spent almost all of their time together. Eating, letting children play, knitting, doing housework... Neither knew that their newly developed friendship would cause more harm than good.

• Two days later the spread of the news, Saehild was burned on the stake. The screams of pain traveled through the air to the ears of Jane and Alec, without knowing what would happen next, they prayed for her pain to ease, for her screams to turn into peaceful songs, and her body to not feel the fire. It was an endless day, the sun seemed not to set. Eudelme and Aebbe considered taking the children and running away, but Anselm stopped them. Despite Eudelme’s tears and claims that they’ll eventually be blamed too, Anselm didn’t step back and told them that no one would blame them. It wasn’t a solid idea to stand on, and soon, the rumours started spreading again.

• Saehild’s twins were now the center of the rumours. It was the midwife again, talking about them in a way that the twins were feared in the town. The talks were almost similar: they were the Devil’s seeds. They were born with their eyes open and they carried the mark of the Devil on their necks, which was nothing more than a birthmark. Saehild’s husband was isolated in his house with Eadgar and the twins. It wasn’t like he didn’t want to go out, he wasn’t allowed. While his wife burned, he made it clear that he wasn’t a sorcerer, thus didn’t know about his wife’s crimes. At heart, he was crushed into pieces but he couldn’t take his pain out. He had to act like Saehild was guilty. It was the only way to survive.

• After a month of isolation from the town, Eudelme decided to take the twins away with her. Because she knew what was coming. She’d heard the talk. It wasn’t only her twins too, Saehild’s twins were also mentioned. She even heard someone say that the twins were the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. She feared the outcome of all the talk.

• Jane and Alec were little, but they were grown enough to understand what was happening. They understood that people were speculating about them, but didn’t understand why. They couldn’t understand why people chose to talk about them while all they did was to be children. Talking, playing, smiling. Suddenly, their regular acts became the most dangerous things to them. The luck they brought to the ones who were good to them wasn’t noticed but people were fast to realize what was happening to people when they weren’t good to the twins.

• It was the last speculation Eudelme could bear. The night that she heard it, she packed her bags and took the children with her as well as Aebbe. They ran away to the woods. Without having a route or a place to stay, they ran for their lives. Aebbe held Alec’s and Eudelme held Jane’s hands, they didn’t even have a candle to light their way.

However, their steps were far from taking them to safety. The townsfolk had already heard about their plan.

• After ten minutes of running through the woods, Aebbe noticed fire beyond. Torches of the townsfolk who were waiting for them. She shoıted at Eudelme, commanding her to look ahead and see what was there. But her voice was too loud to not be heard by the folk. As Eudelme heard it, the fold heard it too and began marching towards the four.

• After that was pure panic. Not knowing what to do, Eudelme froze for a couple of minutes, enough to get caught by the folk. Alec tried to drag her to run with him but Eudelme was completely frozen in a state that she seemed like a marble statue. Holding her son’s hand so tightly that Alec couldn’t let go of her hand. They got him first.

• It was only when they heard Alec’s screams that Aebbe and Jane realized they were captured. Jane looked back, but the sky was so dark that she couldn’t see anything. Breathing hardly, she tried to stop Aebbe and help her brother but Aebbe was smart to not allow her. Still hearing her brother’s screams for help, Jane started crying and shouting at him, saying his name without stopping. The pain she felt in her torso was more than what a little child could bear, and she didn’t even understand why these things were happening to her.

• After another ten minutes of running, Aebbe was confronted by another group of people. She stood in front of Jane, trying to hide. Nevertheless, it wasn’t the best idea. Suddenly, someone snatched her away from Aebbe’s hands. Little Jane tried so hard to kick and bite the man, but her body was too tiny to leave any damage. The man quickly tied her hands and feet with a rope right in front of Aebbe’s hands. After that was a mess. Aebbe tried fighting back, even though he couldn’t see well at night. She tried kicking some men around but that ended with a sharp pain in her head. The last thing she felt was the smooth sensation of falling asleep.

She fell right beside Jane. Seeing her aunt in blood, Jane screamed so loudly that as if her lungs were about to explode, but that ended with a sharp pain for her too.

• The twins woke up tied at stakes. Their mother was there too. And unexpectedly, the twin siblings of Eadgar were also there. It was clear for Eudelme but the children couldn’t comprehend anything.

• Jane and Alec asked each other if they were good. Then they asked Eudelme who was nearly unconscious from being beaten. It was harder for her. People thought that she’d sold her soul to the Devil for power. She wanted to ask them which power was it because they still were peasants who could hardly afford food for their children. But she knew that there wouldn’t be any answer. They were already judged and no one was coming to save them.

• The other twins were so little that they couldn’t even react to anything. When Jane looked at them, they were looking around and trying to move. There was no trace of fear in their eyes. The twins didn’t know that they were about to die. They didn’t know that they were the subjects of a crime they couldn’t even comprehend. They didn’t know that these grown people looked at them and saw the eyes of the Devil in their innocent eyes. Jane couldn’t understand what was happening until then, but after looking at the twins, she knew. She understood. Because she’d seen her father in the crowd, looking at them with empty eyes. She later realized that he was already plotting their ends when Saehild was taken away, but they couldn’t catch the signs of it.

When Jane saw the faces of the folk, she realized one thing. People weren’t to be trusted. Even in her new life, she kept reminding herself of that. She only trusted her brother.

• While they were set on fire, Eudelme was already gone. Her heart had already stopped beating. But Jane and Alec were still alive and feeling.

• Alec’s pain started from his hands. He didn’t know why, but the fire started burning him from his hands first. When he first felt it, he tried so hard to find a way out that his mind focused only on finding a way. He tried moving his limbs, sliding from the stake, moving his shoulder, but nothing worked. As the paralyzing sensation of being burned alive spread up his veins, he realized there was no cure. His heart was getting faster and faster, increasing his fear of the realization that the burning smell he felt was from his own hands. It wasn't over yet — Alec thought he could still somehow escape. If he could hold on until the fire went out, he could somehow escape when the people dispersed. He could not understand what fire and death meant. Unclear how he tried to convince himself that the pain was not real. He focused his mind on his skin. There was no feeling, he did not feel. The warmth in his skin was not there. The burning smell on his nose was a trick of his mind. The red color that came through his eyes was not real. He focused so much on this, on this lie — that after a while he thought that his pain had subsided. He tried to smile but was too exhausted to do it.

• Jane, on the other hand, had already given up. She knew she couldn’t escape She wasn't aware of what was happening, why they ran away, and what might happen until she was attached to this stake and saw people's faces. Pain and tears were shed fire climbed up from her feet. She got carried away. There was no way out, no ointment to relieve the pain. She could hear and smell the burning of both her own body and those around her. Her eyes were closed, but she could see everything that was around her. She heard people staring at them with disgust, shouting them to burn, talking about the evil of witchcraft, and crying happily as they burned for a crime they did not commit. She suddenly opened her eyes; she didn't look around, just looked in front of her, at the people. Dozens of pairs of eyes, she looked at. She looked at each of them with blame, pity, anger. She wanted them to feel this pain too. At that moment, she really wanted to become a witch and inflict pain on anyone who did it to them with her magic.

• Then, as if nothing happened, everything stopped. They weren’t feeling anything. They weren’t seeing anything. They felt bodiless like some kind of magical creature. They couldn’t even think. They were just there, but they weren’t even aware of that.

• After an unknown amount of time, Alec opened his right eyes just barely. The stars were there, shining brightly as if nothing happened. The moon was there too. It was as if nothing had happened, the fires had not been lit. Alec felt nothing but his sight, and at last, he managed to stop his pain, he thought for a moment. But all that happened was that they burned to ashes and their minds weren't even enough to think and feel.

• Alec's consciousness was coming and going with his eyes open. He felt there for a moment, and not for a moment. Alec saw a man in a black cloak approaching him. His mind kept pacing, even when the man was saying something to him, he couldn't understand what was being said. Then he found himself in heaven. Then in a barren land. Then in a garden.

• Later, he found himself lying in a room. His eyes were open. As he gazed at the stone ceiling, he felt nothing. After a time that his mind could not yet grasp how long was, he realized he was feeling his fingers. The fingers that he couldn't feel just a few seconds ago. The seconds were not real seconds, of course, the time had flowed so differently for him that he did not realize that he had been sleeping for five days. Then he suddenly realized that he could feel his whole body. He wanted to stand up — he found himself standing, before even knowing what happened. His hands had already appeared before his eyes as he thought he wanted to see his hands. At that moment he was met with too much shock to understand what was going through: his hands were unburned. Her white skin was healthier than ever. Then he realized that his skin was glimmering.

• Examining the glow of his skin with puzzled eyes, realizing he was wearing black clothes, he didn't even hear anyone approaching the room. Seconds later, someone entered the room. He turned and looked. Jane was standing before his eyes as if nothing had happened.

One thing was changed — her eyes were as red as the fire they were burned in.

• As Alec tried to understand what was happening, he noticed the middle-aged man behind Jane. Like Jane, his eyes were red. Then Alec noticed that their skins were glimmering. Like his own skin.

• The minutes after that moment was spent listening to what had happened and learning what their life would be like from then on. The man told the twins that when he found them, they had been burned to their bones. He thought they could not be saved, but he did not give up hope. He had brought them here, to the place he called Volterra, to this castle where his family lived, and waited for them to wake up. Jane had recovered and transformed in three days and Alec in five days. He told the twins that they were not human beings but superior beings now, and that they would not die anymore, that no one could harm them anymore. Then he referred to them as my children. Sitting in that stone room at that moment, for the first time since their families, the twins realized that they were truly loved by someone. It happened naturally, nobody needed to affect their emotions. They both remembered their father who had betrayed them, while the man took them under his arms and hugged them. They felt something move from where their unbeating hearts were. Within minutes, they were used to the people they were with. After all, they were two kids. Children who were burned and resurrected on false accusations. Children who couldn’t realize it yet, but would be the most feared people in the world of their own and will not pity anyone but their family, the Volturi.

[symphonic--chaos]

Fic inspired by the Panic! at the Disco song ‘When the Day met the Night’

Also cross-posted here on AO3!

When the sun found the moon

She was drinking tea in a garden

Under the green umbrella trees

In the middle of summer

“May I sit here?“ 

The voice attached to the words was smooth and soft, a gentle breeze in the dead of a starry night. Alec saw the rings adorning tan fingers, wrapped around the saucer balancing a steaming cup of coffee filled to the brim, first. A black vest secured over a wine red shirt, both fitted very well, and lingering with him was the mixed scent of sandalwood with eucalyptus and …coconut? Alec felt like he was in a homey cottage at a beach, a place he rarely went. In fact, the last time he may have gone was when he was a child. He suddenly felt nostalgic. Continuing up and up the long figure, who must have been almost as tall as himself were he standing, he was surprised to see a warm smile greeting him, curious eyes lined in black and accented with gold and red eyeshadow.

"Uh, sure. Yeah, help yourself." 

The man settled down across from him at the table, setting the drink down with with a book, brown and almost brittle looking book beside it. Maybe Alec’s eyes lingered too long on it out of his sheer curiousity, as the slim fingers turned it carefully in his direction in an offering.

"Would you like to see it? It’s Les Miserables, one of the originals.”

Alec looked up from the book to meet the strangers eyes, which were a striking mix of a brownish gold, which seemed to catch the sun and reflect it back on him. They seemed tired, but kind. There was a mischievous and playful glint hidden within them, one that made Alec wonder if this was some kind of setup by his sister or best friend, Jace, but yet… This didn’t seem like their kind of prank. Plus, this stranger seemed so warm all over, like he was made of the gold he wore in both makeup and jewelry - perhaps too warm and seemingly kind to do a prank like that. 

A common misconception about snakes was that they could hypnotize their prey, much like a charmer could do to a snake. Most prey, however, either freeze out of fear or pure curiousity of the way the snake weaves to gauge its distance to the prey. In the same way, Alec felt frozen once their eyes met, and it was only when the bright flash of teeth were exposed in an amused smile that had to read his gaze away. Clearing his throat and taking a sip of his tea, the feeling he'd had was something that alarmed him, not in a sense of danger as he was used to, but out of the sudden attraction he held for someone he didn’t even know. 

“Aren’t these hard to come across?” Alec asked finally as he picked up the book, gingerly looking over the spine and page edges, then opened it to look over the first few pages. 

“I own an antique shop. Nothing is hard to come across when you have the right connections.”

Alec placed the book back down as carefully as he’d handled it, a movement to their left catching his attention momentarily enough for him to realize that there was plenty of open seats around them that could have been chosen, but yet …

When the moon found the sun

He looked like he was barely hanging on

But her eyes saved his life

In the middle of summer (summer)

Magnus had leaned his elbow lightly on the edge of the table to watch Alec look over the book, his defined jaw resting in his palm as he watched the black-haired beauty come to the realization that he had sat there with him on purpose. Was the offer of the book an excuse to study the strong features of the other man’s face? Absolutely. A true weakness of his was black hair and blue eyes, and while this particular fellow had green eyes, they were just as striking. Magnus shifted to lift his coffee cup, enjoy the scent of the chocolate raspberry (arabica, not robusta) wafting from it before he took a slow sip from it. So far so good, the handsome one hadn’t rejected his friendly advances yet, so maybe he could at least push for a name. 

“I’m Magnus,” he said as he placed the cup down, extending a hand in greeting. He was pleasantly surprised when Alec took it and shook it, reveling in the bright smile that his new companion gave him.

“Alexander. Er, Alec. So, uh, you choose to sit with people over sitting alone often?”

“No, I prefer to sit alone, especially when the leaves make such a beautiful noise when the wind blows. But you’ve caught my eye here a couple times before, and today I was feeling particularly courageous and decided to come say hi.”

Alec looked surprised by that, and Magnus wondered if perhaps that had been too forward, but the goofy, almost shy smile that crossed his face said otherwise and Magnus couldn’t help but smile himself. While most would flirt back, this ‘Alec’ seemed to take it in appreciation, pride, which told Magnus that either the man was never flirted with, or he was the first person to do so -slowly- with him. That flirting would be held back just enough to be a hint, Magnus decided then, especially when he noticed the drawing on the notebook in front of Alec, the most detailed yet delicate drawing of a sleeping child at the table nearby. Above it, a small drawing of the fountain to their left, and on the bottom right corner, another detailed drawing of a flower from one of the bushes along the main street outside the cafe. The man was talented and he found himself wanting to learn more about him.

“These are beautiful, Alexander.”

“It’s…Thank you, I’m an artist.”

So he said, “Would it be all right

If we just sat and talked for a little while

If in exchange for your time

I give you this smile?”

Magnus had soon found that not only was he an artist of multiple art world medias, but that he also took up a tattoo gun as a means to show his creativity and talent. Magnus’s fingers played over the edge of the business card he’d been given by Alec, admiring the black and white abstract artwork that decorated the background and the bright but simple lettering giving out the artists information.

Alec Lightwood

Tattoo Artist

xxx-xxx-xxxx

The back seemed simple in comparison to the art on the front, a white marble design with only the name of the parlor in blue scrolling font across the middle:

The Shadow Institute

The telltale lurch of the metro signalled that they were close to his home, his thumb brushing over the front of the card before it was slipped into the pocket of his vest. People stepped up beside him to wait at the doors he stood in front of, the train coming to a stop as the announcer came cross the speakers.

Greenpoint Ave, doors open on the right.

So she said, “That’s OK

As long as you can make a promise

Not to break my little heart

Or leave me all alone in the summer.”

Ding ding

“Alexander! What a pleasant surprise!”

Alec balanced the drink tray carefully in one hand as his other gently shut the old wood door behind him, the smell of incense and the smallest hint of polish breathed in as he collected himself to make a first move. Eventually. Alec turned to Magnus, seated on a high stool with a small desk clock rested on the counter in front of him, realizing the polish smell came from the small white rag in his hand.

“I brought you coffee, since you brought me the food and coffee at the shop the other day." 

The tray was placed on the counter and Magnus was quick to notice the intricate flower and skull designs drawn on his own, a sly smile crossing his face. Alec had seen the drawings he lingered on when looking through his portfolio, and even remembered his passing comment about enjoyment from beautiful things mixed with the macabre.

"I appreciate it, I was thinking about getting some in an hour, but you’ve saved me the trip. I hope you’ll be staying for a bit? Surely you didn’t come all the way out here only to bring me coffee." 

Alec nodded in response, offering Magnus a smile as he took his own drink from the tray to sip from it. He’d yet to come to the shop, so he found himself unable to stop looking around at the various items on the wall, mainly artwork and sculptures, everything looking clean and well maintained. 

"So do you work here alone? This is a lot of things to keep clean and tidy all the time, isn’t it?”

Alec’s steps took him around the store, opening various small boxes and looking at different appliances like sewing machines, record players, radios, everything such a different look and design than their current day counterparts. Magnus seemed to fit this category too, he looked young, but something about talking to him made Alec feel like he was talking to an old soul. It was refreshing and kept his interest and it certainly made him glad that Magnus had approached him at the shop.

“No, three of my friends also work here. I had mentioned wanting to open the shop and they were all interested in helping out, they’re all history buffs." 

Magnus had finished polishing the brass on the clock and was now watching Alec, studying the way his face changed at certain objects that caught his attention. When Alec returned to the counter and looked at the photo on the wall behind him, he leaned over to inspect it closer, which had him nice and close to Magnus.

"That’s Catarina, Ragnor, and Dorothea. Cat, Dot, and Cabbage.”

“Cabbage?”

Magnus smiled as Alec looked at him, their faces less than a foot apart. He smelled like the mahogany and teakwood that made up a few of the clocks in the shop. It made Magnus wonder if Alec regularly chose woodsy scented colognes or if this was chosen to entice and attract- and either way, it was working. Almost distracted from the question he’d been asked, far too busy enjoying the somewhat fair skin on a jaw graced with what looked like two day stubble and wanting to run his fingers along it. Or his lips. 

He was the full moon on a cloudless night and Magnus found himself wanting to worship him like the pagans worshipped her.

“Cabbage,” Magnus finally breathed out as his eyes rose to meet those expectantly looking at him. “Once we were at the farmers market and passing a truck. One small freak accident later, and a small sea of cabbages were falling out of the truck and onto him. He was okay, I was not.”

“You weren’t? Did they fall on you or…?" Alec looked alarmed by the story, the cup he'd been cradling placed on the counter.

"Oh, no. I just couldn’t breathe because I was laughing so hard at him being buried under cabbages. He hates them.”

Their laughter rang out throughout the shop, the soft chiming of the grandfather clock at the door mingling throughout it to let them know it was noon.

Well he was just hanging around

Then he fell in love

And he didn’t know how

But he couldn’t get out

Just hanging around

Then he fell in love

Crickets chirped all around the two figures sprawled on the large blanket, the grass in the field unkempt and scraggly, but holding the fresh scent of rain. The damp soaking into the blanket didn’t seem to bother the duo, Magnus’s attention held by the stars and full moon above them while Alec’s own was on their entwined hands. It had been a year since they met, 10 months since they’d admitted their attraction, 8 months since their professions of love and it hadn’t budged since then, only grown.

“Do you think we should paint the apartment neutral colors, or neutral with an accent wall?”

Alec looked up as he was questioned, a soft smile curling on his lips at the reminder that they would be moving in together at the end of the year. His arm shifted up to rest his head on as he looked at Magnus’s face, illuminated like the field by the glow of the moon above them, his fingers moving to stroke up Magnus’s arm.

“Whatever you think will look best. We could do both? We have opposite color preferences, but they look good together.”

“Blues…purples…black and white, gold accents? We can figure something out.” Magnus hummed and soon turned on his side to mimic how Alec was laying, though the arm not pinned lifted so his fingers could run through Alec’s hair. 

“I’m glad you didn’t think I was some stalker creep for approaching you that day, you know.”

“I mean, I did a little…”

Alec had grinned with his lie, a fake yelp given as Magnus playfully growled and tugged the hair his fingers were running through. The taller man’s arms shifted then, grabbing Magnus and tugging him close as he rolled into his back, leaving Magnus to prop himself up on his elbows on either side of Alec’s head, their lips inches apart.

“I’m glad you came over. I’d seen you before, too. I’m pretty sure I have a drawing of the side of your face in my book, somewhere. I liked your profile.” Alec’s hands traveled slowly up the back of Magnus’s thighs, over his rear, and under the soft silk shirt Magnus had worn on their date. 

“You’ll have to show me. Maybe I’ll draw your profile too, terribly. We can frame them and put them on opposite sides of the hallway at the new place.”

This earned a chuckle from Alec, who pressed a soft kiss to Magnus’s lips, which seemed to trigger the other man into over-reciprocating. Several kisses assaulted him, covering his cheeks, his nose, chin, forehead, jaw, before a final was placed to his neck and joined by a gentle bite.

“I’d like that. All…domestic.”

“I like you, Alexander.”

“And I love you, Magnus.”

In the middle of summer

All was golden in the sky

All was golden when the day met the night

[anavoliselenu]

freedom ch 19

5 years later

JUSTIN POV

"Justin, I don't know why you always wait to do these things." Emmett spoke to me angrily over the phone.

"Because I keep forgetting."

"If I ever forgot my anniversary, Rosalie would chop my balls off."

"Yeah, well, can you just make the reservations? They like you better at the restaurant."

"Fine, but I'm not babysitting."

"I've got that covered." I spun around in my chair. "Thanks so fucking much."

I put the phone down and ran my hands through my hair, a habit that wouldn't ever set me free.

It was only eleven in the morning, and I already felt like I had been through a full day. Papers were strewn across my large desk and my computer screen flicked with documents of all kinds.

"Okay, Justin, dinner reservations made," I said to myself, checking things off of my mental list. "What next?"

A small giggle interrupted my thoughts. I sat up a little straighter, listening for it again. Maybe I was going crazy.

I smiled slightly when I saw ten small digits curl around the edge of my desk. A shock of dark brown hair followed, and then bright green eyes. The head ducked down quickly, giggling again.

"Who might that be?" I tapped my pen against the wood.

"Shhhhh." Another voice was added to the first.

"Oh, two of them?" I got up from my chair and walked slowly around the desk, being sure my feet made heavy sounds.

Their giggling got louder as they ran away from me.

"You'll never catch us!" Sophia darted across the room, her long brown hair flowing as she ran. Roman chased after her, but he wasn't as fast. I snatched him up by his ankle and held him in the air.

"And what exactly are you two doing?" I asked.

"We're bored. Take us to the zoo." He smiled. "Please."

"You know I can't do that." I swung him from side to side, his arms flinging around. His shirt fell down, revealing his stomach, which I poked. "I have work to do."

"You always have work to do." Sophia skipped out of the bathroom, dancing around in a light blue, summery dress.

I set Roman down on the floor. His pale face had turned a tomato red, and he swayed from side-to-side, trying to get his bearings.

"Mama says we're here so you can relax. You're not relaxing," Sophia said, very matter-of-factually.

"Well, your mother forgets that I can't take breaks like she can." I sat back down in my chair. They came over to me, looking just as identical as the day they were born. Everything about them was the same. It was eerily shocking at times.

"But you promised you would take us," Roman pouted.

"Did I?" I put my glasses on. "As I recall, you didn't want to visit the zoo because you were afraid of the tigers."

"No, that was Sophia," he protested.

"Was not!" she shouted. "I'm not afraid, Daddy."

They began to argue in their language, which I would never be able to understand. They talked so fast that it was impossible to catch. When the argument got physical, I lifted Roman up and placed him on the other side of the desk.

"She started it." He crossed his arms. His face became crinkled, a trait that the kids picked up from Selena.

"I will take you guys out to do something fun tomorrow. You mother and I are having dinner tonight."

"Oh, can we come?" Sophia climbed into my lap.

"Absolutely not."

"Why?" Roman asked.

"Because we need a night away. You are driving us crazy," I joked, even though it was true. At some times, I thought I might literally go insane. No one said raising kids was easy, but I didn't think it would be this hard either. Selena was the only thing that kept me smiling through most of it.

"You can help Katy Nana make a cake," I said, hoping to cheer them up. They weren't allowed to have sweets often, so it was a treat.

"Really?" Sophia's green eyes shone. "Let's go find her, Roman."

She jumped from my lap and clasped hands with her brother, all thoughts of an argument forgotten. They began to charge out of the room.

"Dove è tua madre" I called after them, asking where their mother was.

"Outside!"

I sighed and collapsed further into my chair. Maybe I could take a small break? I deserved one after the morning I'd had.

Fuck it...

I got up from my seat and stretched out my aching muscles. With less than four hours of sleep last night, my body was not happy with me at the moment.

Over the years, I had cut back a lot on my workload at Bieber, Inc. I realized that I needed to make a decision. I couldn't run a crime family and a business at the same time. I was starting to waste away.

Bieber Inc. was managed by Alec and Jane. Jane, now a Bieber herself, was the most organized person I knew, and I couldn't think of anyone better to take over my role as CFO. Of course, I was still consulted on everything, but I almost never went into the office. It wasn't necessary. Alec kept everything from falling apart while I stayed at home working on... other aspects of my life.

Crime was still a heavy part of the Bieber family, even after the "the Trial of the Century", as many news outlets called it.

After my arrest, I was brought before a judge where a laundry list of allegations was brought against me, the most heinous being the murder of a police officer. I plead guilty to almost half of them, just because I didn't feel like fighting the charges. The murder was a different case within itself.

The trial lasted about a year, and there wasn't any possible way for me to get out of it. I was detained in a facility, away from my family for the entire duration. I lived in a padded cell and missed some of the most important moments in my life, up to that point: The twins' first steps, their first words, Alec and Jane's wedding; the adoption of Rose and Emmett's first child. Roman and Sophia didn't even know me when I came home. That's what hurt the most.

Selena, as always, was a savior. She did everything she could to help me during that year and it was her testimony that probably set me free. It brought everyone in the courtroom to tears, and I had never heard anything so heartfelt. The jury was so impressed, I don't they would have committed me if I had killed one of their own children. Plus, there was minimal evidence as to my crimes. That helped a lot.

I owed IsaSelena Bieber my life.

"And yet, you forgot our anniversary," I scolded myself, shaking my head.

I took the stairs two at a time and glided into the front foyer on the newly polished hardwood floors before going outside. We were at the lake house, and the sun was brightly shining, making the air unseasonably hot for an April morning.

It was impossible for us to live in Chicago all year round these days. It was just... too much for the family. Whenever life got a little heavy, I would move us out of the city, just for a little bit until things cooled off. This was one of those times. The kids were being homeschooled right now so they weren't missing anything and they just thought of it as a mini-vacation. That's all they needed to know.

Beyond that, I found myself a lot less stressed and able to actually breathe these days. Life was a lot better, I had to admit.

I rounded the house and began to hear the soft waves of the lake lapping at the rocky shore. I saw Selena down the beach, holding the hands of our one year old as he walked on the sand. He was still a little wobbly up on two legs.

Santino spotted me first and literally began bouncing on his feet. His smile was infectious, and I squatted down so that he could walk towards me. Selena let him go, and he stumbled into my arms before I lifted him up.

"You're getting so good." I kissed his chubby cheeks.

His hair was the strangest color I had ever seen: a bronze that wasn't quite as light as mine, but a brown not as dark as Selena's. And his eyes weren't of either of us. They were Carlisle's bright blue. We thought they would change as the months went on, but never did.

"Santino has had quite the morning." Selena walked up to me, carrying their shoes. "He found his first fish and tried to eat it."

"Well, he's a growing boy. Always hungry."

"I feed him enough." She pulled me down by my arm until our lips touched. "I feel like I haven't seen you in a long time."

"I know." I sat on the sand, pulling Santino into my lap. Selena followed and scooted up next to me.

Five years had done nothing to her. She looked almost the same as the ever. No lines on her face or signs of aging. Well, I didn't see any, but she assured me they were there. And her body... I won't even begin to discuss that subject or my mind might go to very inappropriate places.

"Happy anniversary," I whispered to her, bouncing Santino on my lap.

Selena froze. "Oh, is it?"

"Yes."

"Justin, I am so sorry. I forgot." She looked nearly panicked. "I've just been so busy trying to get the kids..."

"Selena, don't worry about it," I chuckled, interrupting her before she pulled her hair out. I didn't think she needed to know that I forgot as well. "We've all been busy."

"But that's no excuse. I feel so bad." She covered her mouth as if she was in shock.

"Honestly, it's not that big of a deal. I think the law allows us to forget a maximum of two anniversaries throughout our life."

She giggled at my horrible attempt at a joke. "Well, thank you, and happy anniversary."

"I've made reservations for us in town for dinner."

Selena nodded. "That sounds nice."

Santino began to reach for his mother, and I handed him over as he started making gurgling noises. I never thought that I would have even one child, let alone three. But Santino was certainly a surprise, just like the twins. I had a far better reaction this time around.

I wasn't as confused and could comprehend this pregnancy more rationally. Selena was over the moon, and when Santino was born, I had never seen her cry so much. She promised me they were happy tears.

We never really talked about how many kids we wanted or when we should stop, but I figured we weren't stopping any time soon. Selena was such a good mother, it would be a waste to not let have more. I was fine with that... I think. I was sure I could handle more.

"You're smiling again," Selena pointed out.

"Am I?" I looked out to the lake. It was so peaceful here.

"You do that a lot more often nowadays."

"I have more to smile about than I used to," I told her truthfully.

She was about to say something else, but we were interrupted by Roman who ran towards us on the beach. "Daddy, Uncle Alec is here!"

I checked my watch. Damn.

"Come on, let's get you two inside. I don't want him getting too much sun." I took Santino from Selena and helped her up. She held my hand as we walked back towards the house.

Alec was waiting in the family room, playing some kind of game with Roman and Sophia sitting on his lap. They were best buddies, all three of them. He was just as much a kid now as he always had, even being five years older and a married man.

"What did you bring us?" Sophia rubbed her palm over Alec's cheek. You could almost see him melt on the sofa.

"Bring you? I just saw you squirts last week. Actually, I usually see you every damn day," Alec replied.

Roman and Sophia gasped.

"You said a bad word, Alec. You owe them money for the swear jar." Selena sat in one of the comfy chairs, placing Santino on the floor, who began crawling around.

"Damn." Alec pulled out his wallet.

"That's another one," Roman pointed out. "We're going to be rich."

Alec gave them each a fifty dollar bill. "Spend it wisely. Buy a car or a prostitute."

"What's a prostitute?" Sophia asked.

I had to stop this before it got out of hand. I lifted her off of Alec's lap. "You two go upstairs and practice your piano."

Sophia took off, her question forgotten, but Roman rolled his eyes and acted as if his feet were made of lead. He knew better than to say anything.

"You really need to watch your mouth." I hit Alec across the back of his head. "They're like sponges. They soak up everything and I don't want to have a conversation about hookers with my daughter."

"I can't help it." He shrugged innocently. "You made me this way."

"You most certainly can help it." Selena shook her head. "You need to be setting an example."

"What the hell are you doing here anyway? We left the city to get away from you guys." I sat on the arm of the chair that Selena was in.

"Yeah, well, they're all coming here for the weekend anyway. I thought I'd get a jump on it. Besides, we have some work to do." Alec kicked his feet up on the coffee table.

I sighed heavily, "Can't you all just stay away from us for one weekend? It is our anniversary after all."

"Shit, is it?" He sat up straighter. "Then I'll have to get you something nice."

"Thank you in advance." Selena picked Santino up from the floor. "If you'll excuse me, it's time for a feeding and then a nap."

"I wish," Alec groaned. "The life of a baby must be nice."

Selena left a long, lingering kiss on my lips before leaving the room.

"Why are you here?" I sank into the chair. "It better be for a good reason."

"I just need your verbal confirmation to kill a guy," he answered bluntly.

"A guy? Who?"

"One of your drug runners is running a little too wild. He's 'misplaced' more than ten kilos in the past year and I think it's time for him to go. Emmett, Jasper, and I have already voted on the matter. We just need your say-so to get on a plane to Argentina."

I took off my glasses. "Keep it quiet and for God's sake, do not get caught up in some kind of fight. If you miss your opportunity come straight home. It's not worth it."

"I wish you could come with us. It would make things so much easier."

"You know I can't do that. They watch me like I'm some kind of animal," I said angrily, thinking about my caged existence.

"Remember what your therapist said, do your breathing exercises," Alec warned.

I inhaled and counted before exhaling out my frustration. "I'm fine."

"We'll let you know when it's done." Alec stood up and stretched. "I think I might take a nap myself. Little Santino isn't the only one who needs a break."

I helped Selena get out of the low-sinking Ferrari after I pulled up to the valet. One black stiletto heeled foot at a time she floated out of the car, as much grace as a dancer or gymnast. A far departure from the Selena from so long ago. Her dress, one of my favorites, was red, V-necked, capped sleeved, and tight.

"We could have just stayed at home. I wouldn't mind," Selena said.

"No, no. Of course not."

There were only a few nice restaurants in this small town, but this was one of the better ones.

I dropped the keys reluctantly in the valet's hands and glared at him. I think he got my point without words.

The place was fairly small and intimate, candlelit with soft music playing throughout. It was nice enough outside that I requested a table on the patio and we were situated in a secluded corner.

"This is wonderful." Selena picked up the wine list as soon as she sat down.

"Just something small for our anniversary."

"Six years and counting." She sighed. "You've put me through a hell of a lot."

I had to physically stop myself from hanging my head. She was so forgiving and patient and... perfect.

"If you were any lesser women, my ass would have been on the curb," I admitted. "Thank you for putting up with me."

"Thank you for dealing with my horrible pregnancy mood swings."

I laughed and nodded. "True. You get as bad as me when you're pregnant."

We spent dinner just talking. Sometimes there would be lulls in the conversation, but it was never awkward or forced. It felt really nice to eat without kids. I forgot what silence sounded like. By the time our second bottle of wine was finished, I was more than a little horny.

I decided to call back to the house and tell Katy Nana that we wouldn't be home tonight. Selena and I walked towards the nearest hotel. Fortunately, this town had a great selection of nice places to stay for the night due to all the tourists.

As soon as the door closed to our room, the clothes started coming off.

"Justin, slow down. You're going to rip my arms off." She stumbled away from me as my hands fumbled with her bra.

"Selena, come back." I groaned, feeling cold with her being all the way across the room.

"Did you bring any condoms?" She stepped out of her heels.

"What? No, of course I didn't." I fell on the bed, trying to get my belt off.

"Damn it, Justin. I can't get pregnant again. Not right now."

"But you're on birth control," I pointed out.

"I've missed a couple of days. I forgot. I don't want to chance it."

"I'll pull out."

Selena gave me a look that said, Really? She didn't believe me in the slightest.

"You don't have the self-control for that." She had since disregarded all of her clothes and climbed on top of me. The lace of her underwear rubbed against my exposed stomach as my shirt rode up my body.

"I can do it. Don't make me go without tonight."

She began kissing my neck, teasing me with her lips.

"We used to fuck every day," I sighed in pleasure. "Now we have sex maybe twice a week."

"That is not true and you know it." She laughed against my skin. "You bend me over any sturdy structure you can find. Sometimes I can't even walk when I leave your office. It's quite embarrassing, actually."

"Well, fine, but we don't fuck as much as we used to. I miss it."

"You miss the fucking?"

"I miss the constant fucking. And more than that, the connection." I was speaking seriously now, but she was distracting me as her tiny hands began pulling my pants away.

"Physical or emotional connection?"

"Both," I gurgled out.

"That's what tonight is about."

"Thank you, God."

My clothes were slowly removed by her torturous hands that teased me so horribly.

She climbed up my body, sexy as hell, and leaned forward. I felt her breath wash over my face as my own stopped entirely. In fact, my whole body shut down… my heart, lungs… even my thoughts froze in that moment as I waited for Selena's lips to touch mine again. My self-control was gone.

Her soft lips descended and my body kick-started into a hot-blooded frenzy. Her kiss was hesitant at first, a mere brush of warm lips, but when I moaned in response, my fingers went into her hair, locking her into me.

Her teeth grated against my bottom lip, then my tongue, and I opened to welcome her, my hands trailing up her thighs. Her ass sat high in the air and I pulled down to meet my waist. She yelped in surprise at the contact, but I wouldn't let go.

My whole body reacted to the touch of her against me. She gasped lightly as my hardened erection nestled between her legs.

"I need you now." She pulled at my hair.

"Not yet. It's been too long." I flipped us over skillfully so that she was staring up at me with erotic eyes.

I smirked and bent down to trail my tongue along her neck, planting wet, nibbling kisses from her shoulder, up to her ear, then back again.

"God. You're killing me," she groaned.

I lifted her hands above her head, tightening my hold so that she couldn't get away once I started my torturing. I pushed a knee between her legs to force them apart slightly. I reached between us and stroked her continuously.

I covered her mouth with mine, swallowing her cries as she rode out her orgasm.

I didn't let her arms go as I pushed my dick inside.

"Jesus," I said through gritted teeth. I pulled out slowly, then pushed back in fully, and we groaned in unison. I had to stay still for a second to get myself acclimated.

"I don't think," I said as I pulled out again, "that I can go slow." I thrust a little harder and my eyes rolled back in my head.

"I don't need slow, Justin. I need you. Now."

I lifted one of her legs onto my waist, deepening my angle.

"Shit," she grunted. "So good. It's so good."

I could only moan in response as I thrust powerfully into her again and again… each pounding taking us higher and higher.

"I'm going to…" I muttered, my eyes clenched tight and sweat glistening on my forehead. "Fuck. I'm gonna…"

My work was quick, really quick because I didn't have the time to lavish her right now. I just needed to get the fucking out of the way early in the night. We could make love later.

We both let the coil go in our bodies, almost bringing the walls down with our shouts. I was sure we were scaring the tenants next door.

I collapsed on top of her, sweaty body against sweaty body. Her small limbs clung to me, forcing us to get tangled within the messy sheets.

"I didn't pull out," I said apologetically.

She laughed quietly, "I know. I wouldn't want you to. It felt too good."

I smiled against her skin and kissed anywhere I could reach. "Here's to another five years of the same."

Five years later

SELENA POV

The blaring alarm clock jerked my mind out of peaceful sleep and I rolled over, into Justin's chest. He groaned and shifted under the sheets, his naked body brushing mine. We always slept nude nowadays. It just felt better that way.

"Selena, get the kids up." He yawned.

"No, I did it last time. You go." I pushed him.

He grumbled into a pillow. After a few silent minutes, I realized that he really wasn't getting up. I huffed and blinked my eyes awake. I nearly fell onto the floor, still tired from being up most of the night.

I grabbed my soft, silk robe from the bed post and tucked it around my body.

It was going to be a hot day. The month of June had been unseasonably stuffy here in Chicago, but it rained last night so I hoped it cooled off a little.

Today, the entire family was going to the wedding of one of Justin's cousins, John. The entire family. There would be a lot of Italian people crammed onto the luscious back lawn of the country club, and of course there was going to be drama. I could feel it in my bones.

But before I could even begin to think about the wedding, I had to get the kids up, which was a chore in itself.

I walked up the stairs to the third floor and knocked on the first door.

"Come in," Roman's voice said loud and clear.

I peeked my head in. "Just coming to see if you were awake."

"Of course." His ten-year old self stood in front of the mirror, and he fixed his tie. His shoes were shined and his shirt was neatly pressed.

He looked more like Justin every day. I could always count on him to be the most prepared of all my children. His grades were exceptional, his room was always pristine, his goals were always set, and it scared me sometimes how smart he was. He retained facts and could spit them out during any conversation. On top of all that, Roman was likable. His smile was blinding and he had a draw to him that made people just feel relaxed. I couldn't explain it.

Esme warned me that Justin was the same way, so I should watch out as Roman got older.

"Do I look okay?" He turned around and tried to fix his hair. It was just as unruly as Justin's as well, but with my dark coloring.

"You look so handsome. Just like your father."

"Really?" His green eyes shined. "I think so too."

I laughed at his youthful energy. "Why don't you go downstairs and help Katy Nana with breakfast?"

"Okay, Mom. I will in a little bit." He went over to his bed, preparing to make it up.

Everything in his room had to be just right, not a book or pencil out of place. It worried me out motivated Roman was at some times. I felt like he was growing up way too fast. But Justin encouraged his independence. I just hoped that Roman would just take a little time to be a kid. He was only ten, after all.

I shut the door and left him to his morning routine before crossing the hall to Sophia's room. It was painted in light pastel colors of nothing in particular, but the walls were covered in posters. She was sprawled out in bed, her hair falling out of the ponytail she slept in.

I shook her body. "Sophia, it's time to get up."

She groaned.

"Sophia, we have to get to the wedding on time."

"But I don't wanna go," her sweet voice whined. "Please don't make me go."

"But we bought you that cute blue dress and your new shoes. Don't you want to wear them?"

She sighed dramatically, "I suppose."

Sophia was the little drama queen of the family, quite the actress. She enjoyed being the center of attention, but we made sure she wasn't spoiled. That was the one thing I couldn't tolerate. She realized that value of handwork and made rather good grades like her brother. Sophia enjoyed dressing up and shopping and dancing, nothing like me at her age, but she had a sense of humor that knocked me on my ass sometimes. The things her vivid mind came up with could only come from her.

"I'll be back in ten minutes. Be up and have your teeth brushed," I warned.

"Okay!" She pulled the covers over her face.

Next on my list was Santino. He was a six year old tornado of destruction. Like me, he was uncoordinated and clumsy, which did not bode well for his adventurous spirit. He would get into everything and we had to watch him like hawks.

His room was a mess, clothes everywhere, and I tripped over three toy cars on my way to his bed. He was going to be cleaning this place up when we got home. I didn't realize how bad it was.

Santino looked nothing like my other children, nor did he look like Justin or me. He had dirty blonde hair that lightened in the sun and his eyes were clear blue. He was Carlilse's clone down to the bone structure and attitude. They even walked similarly. Of course, those two were best beds and Carlisle encouraged Santino's mischievous ways. He thought it was cute. I begged to differ. I was always worried about him.

He climbed a tall tree in the back yard last week and fell, so his arm was currently in a cast. He thought that meant he didn't have to attend the wedding, but I assured him that wasn't the case.

"Santino, wake up!" I had to be forceful with him or he would sleep the whole day. I ripped the covers from his body.

He rolled away from me and pretended not to hear me.

"I'll send your dad in here," I threatened him.

"Okay, okay." He dragged himself to the bathroom.

I went to his closet and picked out his small custom Armani suit. I laid it on his bed. "I'll be back to help you after I get everyone else ready, sweetheart."

I continued down the hall where my next little girl was sleeping peacefully.

Milania was four and the sweetest child I could have hoped for. She never fussed and rarely cried, even as a baby. She would cling to me like her life depended on it and had us all wrapped around her tiny fingers.

She looked like a cherub in bed with her small mouth opened and eyelids flickering, dreaming of ponies or candy or rainbows. I'm sure that's what she dreamed about because that's all she talked about. Her hair was a soft color like Justin's but a lot curlier, like mine.

"Baby, it's time to get up." I kissed her cheek.

"Mama?" Her hands grabbed for me. I lifted her out of bed and placed her on my hip. "We can go to the wedding today?"

"Yes, and you can wear your princess dress."

"Okay." She yawned. It took her longer to wake up than the rest of them, so I carried her around with me.

"You can help me wake up the boys," I whispered to her.

She nodded her head in the crook of my neck.

Giovanni and Dante, my other set of twins and my youngest, had just turned two. Like Roman and Sophia, they were connected in a way that I would never understand. It was strange because they fought like they hated each other, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. We tried to separate them; they refused to be far away from each other. They even slept in the same bed.

"Boys, time to get up." I turned on the lights in their large room. It was filled with all kinds of toys and areas to play. They liked to roll around on the floor so they needed space.

"Mrs. Selena, I can handle the twins." Carmela appeared out of nowhere and rushed towards the crib. "You go get ready."

"Are you sure? I don't mind feeding and changing them first."

"No, no. It's fine. I can do it all."

"Thank you." I hugged her and rushed out of the room. We were already running late.

On my way down the stairs, I heard Justin trying to rip Santino out of bed, and they were fighting loudly. I didn't even want to deal with that. I grabbed Milania's dress from her room. She could get ready with me.

"Are you up, baby?" I asked, setting her on the bed.

"I'm hungry, Mommy."

"You can have your yogurt after you get dressed." That probably wasn't the best of ideas, but it would take longer for us to get ready if she ate first.

I took my shower last night, so that I didn't even have to worry about it this morning. I chose a bright yellow dress out of the closet and a pair of bright red pumps that would match the then red belt of the outfit.

"That's pretty, Mommy."

"Thank you, Milania."

"I want to wear shoes like yours." She crawled over the blankets and pillows until she reached the footboard.

"You would break your poor ankles. You can't wear these yet."

"When can I?"

"When you're older."

"That's your answer for everything." She looked at me disapprovingly.

"You have more growing to do," I said simply.

"I hate early mornings." Justin came into the room, his hair disheveled and his face red.

"You don't have to get them up for school. This is what I go through every day," I said, zipping up my dress.

"Papa!" Milania shouted, holding up her arms.

"Bambina, you look wide eyed and beautiful this morning." He scooped her off of the bed.

Her arms wrapped around his neck and they lost themselves in their own little world. It warmed my heart so much to see Justin this way. He reserved his warm and fuzzy side for the kids, but no one would know that from his exterior.

They chatted on the bed in rapid Italian and Milania made sure to fill her father in on her dreams. Justin seemed genuinely interested. He kept her distracted while I did her hair and slipped on her dress. It was quick and easy work, which was unusual for her.

An hour later, we were all downstairs; Justin, myself, and our six kids.

Alice and Jasper were still childless, by choice. They just weren't ready, as they told us every time we hounded them for details. Alec and Jane were, likewise, childless. Although, I thought they were in the process. They were very secretive about things, though, so we didn't really know what was going on there.

"Mama, why can't I be the flower girl?" Milania asked, slowly and delicately bring a spoon full of yogurt to her mouth.

"Because you were already a flower girl last year, remember?" Justin said to her.

"And you said I did a good job."

"You did, sweetheart, but they just didn't want the same one," I explained.

She seemed to understand, going back to her breakfast.

I continued to slowly feed Giovani and Dante small pieces of fruit. They were still in their precious little pajamas since they weren't going to the wedding.

"Santino, leave Francis alone," I shouted at my son, who was poking our dog on the floor.

"He doesn't do anything anymore. Make him play with me," he whined.

Francis huffed, his fat cheeks puffing up with air.

"He's a million years old. It's only a matter of days before he drops dead," Justin said unemotionally, typing on his phone.

I hit him in the arm for being so insensitive.

"What's wrong with Fanny?" Sophia asked.

"Nothing, sweetheart. He's just sleepy. Leave him alone, Santino."

"Fine. I'll go play with Bosco." He pouted and walked away from the table, his toast only half finished.

"Do you have the wedding gifts?" I asked Justin as we packed up the kids into the car. It was a giant production to go anywhere nowadays. Diaper bags and car seats and bottles. We needed to start getting ready at least half an hour early to do anything.

"Yup." He patted the front pocket of his navy blue suit.

I stood back to look at him just a second. He was leaning over to buckle in Milania and as smooth as ever. I swear the Bieber men didn't seem to age. Justin was still the same man he was ten years ago, just a little wiser and more calm. His body was rock solid. His hair was still lustrous and his voice still sent tingles all over my skin.

I don't know how he did it because some days I wanted to just rip my hair out, but he was always my steady rock. No matter what the situation, he had a solution and plan to execute.

"Stop staring at my ass." Justin shut the door of the car with the ends of his lips pulled up slightly.

"I wasn't," I said too quickly.

He took my hand and pulled me towards him. "Mrs. Bieber, you're a terrible liar."

"I can't help it. You're so damn sexy." I blushed.

"You're still hot over me?"

"Always."

His head bent down until his lips met mine. Our hands started to roam and I trailed my nails over his hard chest and pulled at his shirt, hoping that I didn't mess it up too badly.

A throat cleared and I broke away from Justin to see Roman glaring at us, his window rolled down.

"What?" Justin said rather harshly.

"I don't want to rush anybody, but we're already ten minutes late."

"Later," I promised my husband with a final soft kiss and ran around to my side of the car.

We were off and racing towards the country club. I kept the kids from killing each other in the back on our way. Roman and Santino were especially feisty today. Those two were just total opposites in every way, and it proved to be quite challenging having them in close vicinities. They didn't get along too well, but Carlisle said that Justin and Emmett were the same growing up.

We pulled up to the venue and a valet took Justin's keys.

"You're going to behave yourself?" Justin asked Santino, fixing his tie.

"Yes, Dad." He rolled his eyes.

"I mean it. If you do anything to fuck this up, I'll send you to military school."

"Justin, don't say things like that," I whispered to him.

"Well, it's true." He looked sternly at Santino. If that boy messed up, there would be hell to pay.

Justin had a parenting style that I could only describe as... strange. I thought that as time went on, he would become more accustomed to having kids, but he never really did. On his good days, he could be the most loving and caring father in the world. But on his bad days, the kids knew to stay away. Justin, of course, loved all of our children, but he was incredibly strict and talked to the kids as if they were adults. I had to rein him in on multiple occasions when I felt he went a little too far.

Santino stayed near me as we walked into the country club. Roman and Sophia immediately found some family friends from school and went off to speak with them. The whole wedding was outside so there were tents set up around the lawn and soft lanterns that hung delicately in the sky.

It was cocktail hour and people were milling around the grass, dressed in their finest clothes. This wedding was kind of a big deal and with Justin being the head of the family, he paid for everything. I didn't know his cousin too well, but I had met her a few times and she seemed kind of shocked that Justin was willing to fund her entire wedding, but he assured her it wasn't a big deal. He did it for a lot of family members.

Alice, of course, was in charge of designing the day and making sure the bride felt special.

"Fucking finally!" I heard Rosalie's voice as we entered one of the tents with a bar.

I don't think I would ever get she or Justin to keep their language in check around the children.

"Hi, sweetheart." Rose stole Milania from my arms and swung her around. They both giggled and smiled at each other.

"You look so pretty," Milania told her.

"So do you. I love your dress."

"Mama, just bought it for me. She says I look like a princess."

"Of course you do."

"Mama, I'm going to go see Grandma." Milania squirmed out of Rose's arms.

"Okay, but don't get your dress dirty."

I saw Carlisle and Esme nearly beam until their cheeks burst as Milania ran towards them from across the tent. I knew they would occupy her for the rest of the night.

"Santino, go find your Uncle Jasper. He has a present for you," Rosalie said, ruffling up his hair.

"Really? What is it?"

"I can't tell you. That's why it's called a present."

Santino took off and disappeared into the crowd of people.

Now that the kids were all taken care of Rose let loose. She turned on me with her hands on her hips. "I've been waiting her for over an hour. What the hell took you guys so long?"

"We have kids. It takes a long time to do anything."

"Don't lecture me." Her still perfectly beautiful face scrunched up in anger. "I have kids too, but I can still be on time. I had no one to talk to since Alice is running around with her head cut off."

She and Emmett had two kids now. Both adopted, but they couldn't be happier. I just don't think it was in Rosalie's cards to get pregnant. It took her a long time to handle that fact, but she was okay with it now.

"Does it always have to be about you?" Justin sighed, taking a sip of some amber liquid, which miraculously appeared in his hand. He also brought one for me, which I took without question.

"I like talking about myself, so shoot me," she replied.

"If you weren't married to my brother, I would. Believe me."

"Okay, okay." I broke them up. "Rose, let's go sit down."

I squinted my eyes at Justin as we walked away. Those two still hated each other. If either of them had the maturity to let their decade-long feud go, it was Justin, but he wasn't doing a very good job at the moment. He promised me he would at least try. That was all I could ask for.

It felt nice to just sit back and talk to Rosalie without children around. I always kept tabs on them under the tent, but relaxed a little.

"This wedding is going to be shit," she complained to me, picking up a cloth napkin and inspecting it.

"Why are you always so negative?"

"Someone has to be." She shrugged.

"You've only gotten worse with age." I took a sip of my drink.

After another half an hour, we were joined by Jasper and Emmett. Alice was busy with the bride inside, so I doubted I would be seeing her tonight. Alec and Jane weren't even attending the wedding because they were on one of their romantic getaways. They would take off without warning and wouldn't return sometimes for a month.

I looked around the tents and saw a lot of our family; aunts, uncles, grandparents, nieces, and nephews. I loved it when we Biebers were together like this.

Of course, there always had to be something to get us off track.

I spotted two men in suits and sunglasses on the other side of the lawn. They looked incredibly out of place.

I sighed to myself, taking a large sip of my drink.

"What is it?" Justin whispered.

"Probably nothing." I didn't want to draw any attention to something that might just be my paranoia.

I didn't expect Justin to give up his life in the mob completely, but he had to take it slow. He had kids now and I needed him around for a couple more decades. But to give Justin credit, he had been dealing in more... legitimate areas of business in the past few years.

"Who the hell is that?" Jasper craned his neck trying to take a look at the two men I had spotted seconds before. They looked rather hostile and obviously not here for the wedding.

Justin did not seem pleased and I felt his body stiffen. I rubbed my hand across his back, letting him know to calm down. He knew there was trouble ahead, but I prayed he wouldn't do anything too drastic.

"Remember that there are kids around." I whispered to him.

He would never do anything if our children were in jeopardy. At some point, we would tell them what their father did, but they knew he wasn't just another ordinary man. We never hid our life from them, but did everything we could to protect them.

"I'll just be a second." Justin kissed my temple and then got up from the seat, fixing his navy blue suit jacket. Emmett and Jasper both followed him across the lawn.

"Where's Daddy going?" Milania ran over to me. "I want to show him something."

"He'll be back soon." I smoothed out the hair falling into her face.

"Is everything okay?" She asked, her voice so sweet and innocent.

"Come on, let's get ready for the wedding," Rose said, getting up and taking her hand.

I quickly found the rest of my kids and got to our assigned seats right up front. I needed them close; although, Santino protested about having to sit next to me instead of his grandparents, but he quieted down when he saw the unwavering look on my face. I left a seat on the end of our row open for Justin.

The wedding area was beautiful. Decorated all in white with ribbons and bright green flowers.

"Where's Dad?" Roman asked while we got situated.

"He's busy, sweetheart."

Roman's face told me that he wanted to ask more questions, but he didn't.

Justin returned just as the ceremony was beginning. The bride looked beautiful in her white dress and she walked down the aisle with her father on her arm.

As we sat down, I looked Justin over. He was trying to hide his hands from me.

"What happened?" I whispered to him during the ceremony.

"Nothing. Pay attention."

"Justin, don't lie to me." I unfolded his hands so that I could see them. His knuckles were raw and bloodied. The skin was peeling away and he tried to pull away.

"Don't make a big deal out of this."

I mumbled to myself and picked up my purse, pulling out a disinfecting wipe, "You're lucky I didn't bring my needle and thread. I would stitch your fucking knuckles up right here."

Justin pulled his hands away and slung his arm behind my chair, pulling me close. "Stop obsessing over things you can't change."

"What things?"

"I don't know. Whatever has you pissed," he whispered into my ear. "Just think happy things. We're at a wedding, with our family. Do you remember our wedding?"

"Stop trying to distract me. I'm still mad."

He held a firm grasp onto my shoulder. "Do you remember our wedding?"

I sighed, "Yes. Of course."

"Tell me what you remember?"

"You were nervous as hell," I laughed quietly.

"I was not."

"You might not have looked it, but I could tell. I know you too well."

"You certainly do, Mrs. Bieber." He kissed the side of my head.

The first time I laid eyes on Justin, I was eighteen years old. That was so long ago, but our love only grew stronger. I couldn't see him not being in my life. It just didn't make any sense to me. I could never conceive that thought. We had been through so much together and I would always love him.

Of course, all those years together weren't easy. Hell no. With six kids, and I was sure there would be at least one more before it was all said and done, it was hard.

There were times that I wanted to kill Justin, chop him up, and then bury him in the backyard. We sometimes fought like we hated each other, but that was us. That was Justin and Selena. Stubborn. Aggressive. Loud. Sometimes unreasonable. But always in love.

And that's how it would always be.

[toffeetaffy]

Beast at My Side [8]

Plucked from the Frost

Darkness. Only darkness.

Then something. A feeling. Small at first, then greater, more urgent. A tugging in my gut. Like the floor falling away, like sinking into space. Black, blacker, blackest. Later, there's a sliver of light. It stretches out across my vision until it's ripping and tearing, sending the shadows haemorrhaging from everywhere at once. It all fades in and out, keeping perfect time with the throbbing in my head. The world feels wet, cold, and blue all-over. Blue sky, blue hands, blue lips. I scrub at my eyes with stinging fingers, useless from the chill, and find myself sitting in a sea of stars. Not stars. Snow. It sparkles in every direction, blinding and white, numbing my legs, soaking my skin. I make three failed attempts at standing before I hear the voice.

"Hello, young thing."

Two cloaked figures, hand-in-hand, stand perfectly still behind me. I do not know which of them spoke, but it is clear that neither is entirely human. The pair are small and strange. Bodies petite, cheeks plump. Remnants of their stolen youth. When I open my mouth to respond, the noisy, uncontrollable chatter of my teeth seems deafening.

"It will freeze... it will die," one says.

"Oh, it will die," the other responds, "but we still have time." Their faces turn back to me, blank, unblinking. "Do you know who we are?"

I shake my head, no.

"Do you know what we are?"

One nod, yes.

The inquirer smiles. She tells me that I may call them Jane and Alec, that they are here on Volturi business. I am that business. "There are laws, young thing. You broke them; you, Carlisle, and his mangy brood."

What exactly does it cost me to know your secret? Alice: brutal and beautiful, I wonder if she saw me here, on my knees. I wonder if she saw me die. Whatever lenience her affiliation with the Volturi affords the Cullen's does not seem to extend to me. They mean to punish me, to snatch away my life like a simple petty theft. At the top of a tree, at the edge of a building, in the hands of a monster I had wished for death. But now, with my palms pressed to my chest, I can feel my brothers heartbeat. I'm sorry, Luc. Sorry that I couldn't save you, sorry that I couldn't save myself.

"Make it quick, make it clean," the boy says.

"No. We make an example. They overstep their bounds. The law is immutable."

My veins begin to itch. My skin heats, sweats. And then my mind is on fire. Everything ceases to exist beyond the cutting, the burning, the constricting; a pain so pure it is beyond imagining. A stream of relentless torment floods my body and saturates my psyche. I can hear myself screaming, feel it tearing up my throat, rushing between gritted teeth. When I am certain I will die, the agony wanes. I breathe. I cry. I fall onto my hands and knees, shaking and shivering, the snow stained pink with blood. And though I would swear to the reality of every slice, every rupture I endured, I can see no visible wounds. Then I taste it. Coppery and foul, blood oozes from my eyes, my nose, my ears. The agony of Jane's gift is unfathomable. This will not be quick. This will not be clean.

Behind her, the boy stands motionless—this is not his crusade, is not his choice—yet there he is, at her heels like a shadow. Now I see them for what they are. Not just demons made of living stone, but family. He will let me die to please her. Somehow, sickeningly, I understand.

I cough into my hands, splatter them with gore all warm and sticky. "I had a brother. I used to follow him everywhere. Until I didn't... until I couldn't. I loved him more than anyone, more than anything. I just wanted him to be happy."

He looks at me. It's the first time I've really felt the weight of his gaze. It is pained, and ancient, and powerful. I am not foolish enough to imagine it may also be merciful but there is something, something when he speaks again. "Return it to its patriarch, or deliver it to our masters. I do not wish to linger here."

"No. What? No!" Her first loss of composure. A naked stutter of fury.

"This is not how it's done," he says, "the law is immutable."

Pacing, clutching, hungry, and hollow. She seethes in silence for one minute, then two. There's a low growl to signal her approach, a guttural sound that vibrates through her lips and struggles to pierce the freezing winds. When I think I have mustered the courage to speak again, she grabs at my collar, gathers it tightly in her fist, and hurls me through the air. Beneath me, the snow glitters like smashed glass; above me, the cloudless sky is blue, then purple, then blue, then black. The descent is fast. Too fast. I drive into the snow with my shoulder, my cheek. There's a sound like a snapping twig, a rush of warmth as I bleed anew. I cannot move. Not an arm, not an inch. Sinking deeper, snow fills my mouth, my nose until it is all I can breathe.

___

I am plucked from the frost, gathered up like a child. The one who carries me has dark skin, blanched a peculiar olive by his undead curse. Deducing what he is is simple enough. The eyes are a giveaway; where Bella's are a ruddy brown, his are as vivid as sour cherries. The cloak across his shoulders is dark and familiar - Volturi. Another. More. Always more. I may never escape them. He seems to find my sobbing and shaking as unwelcome as I do. There is little I can do to halt either. My head lolls to the side and I see another figure, clad in black, forging the path ahead.

Struggling is futile. I try it just the same. And though I doubt he struggles to restrain me, he stops. He places me on the ground in a jumble of limbs. In three deft swipes he removes his cloak, wraps me in it, and has me back in his arms. He tells me to be still. He tells me we are friends.

We travel through the woods. The trees grow thicker and taller, cluster together until we're weaving between them at an entirely human pace. We stop at a cabin. It exists in a clearing so small and perfectly formed that I have no doubt it was created to hide this place from sight. Its log walls are mouldy and grey, the front of it barely wide enough to contain the single door and shuttered window. Inside is as sparse and colourless. The only reprieve - a dimly glowing fire. My captor deposits me there and flees the cabin, leaving me alone with his companion. She turns to me then, and I find myself staring blearily at the face of Alice Cullen.

"I'm sorry, Lena. I know you have a million questions, and I'll answer what I can later, but I can't wait here with you. There's too much... much too much... I'm sorry." She disappears in a blur, desperate to escape the much-too-much blood that drains from my body, soaks the boards beneath me.

Later, there's a tinny little sound like a voice from a radio. It crackles like static in my ears, urges me to open my eyes. I do. Carlisle Cullen—patriarch and protector—kneels before me, probes at my skull with practised hands. He removes my clothes, strips me down to my underwear with less regard for my pride than my health, and begins. There are needles to numb and stitches to bind. Limbs are stretched, muscles flexed, and tissue tested. When his work is complete I notice the moonlight, pale and silver. The dying of the day.

"How long?"

Though it is barely a question, he intuits my meaning well enough. The tinny fizz of his voice grows thicker, more real. "You went missing yesterday. Alice and Demitri found you."

He spends some time helping me dress. The clothes, he tells me, Bella picked from my bag. The largest, warmest things she could find. I fumble with the laces of my boots, my discoloured fingertips struggling to comply. This task he completes for me too, before guiding my hands into a bowl of water warmed on the hearth. He gathers up the bloodied gauze and cotton, pitches them into the fire. Then, my clothes. I want weep and wail, to thrash about, but all I do is stare. My dead brothers sweatshirt smoulders, then sparks. Soon it will be gone. Ash and dust like he will be. The patriarch leaves me alone with my thoughts, my pain, my burnt and blistered skin.

When the mess of my mortality is squared away, his family arrives. Bella rubs at my hair with a damp cloth while Edward stares through narrowed eyes. It's a familiar expression. He picks my brain clean, pinches his face in displeasure. Jasper and Alice chatter softly. The only evidence of this exchange are quivering lips and hurried glances. She smiles at me, small and lovely, with a hint of condescension. He does not meet my gaze. I've never seen a thing more captivating than the two of them. She's a jar of starlight, he's a ray of golden sun. Together they are heaven. Last is Demitri, the Volturi who calls himself my friend. I track the line of his body—curved and lean—to find his hand entwined with Alice's. There is no great mystery as to what brings him here. It is love. As clear on his face as the moon in the sky.

Alice tells me she is sorry. She stutters and stammers in her human affectation. This guise is just one of many - a soft and humble skin to make me feel bigger, feel braver. And I do. "It wasn't supposed to be like this. I didn't see- Don't know how I missed it." She kneels before me, hardly deterred by my conspicuous flinch. "You don't have to worry about Jane anymore."

"She's gone?"

As Alice answers 'yes', Jasper responds 'no'.

"We don't know how Jane found out about you," Edward says. "Alice will speak to the Volturi, she'll explain your situation. Whatever decision there is to be made, we still have time."

"My situation?"

The room floods with silence. It comes up to my chin, laps at my lips, threatens to sweep me away. Bella ceases her grooming and stares into the fire. I look at her face, all perfect and pale, and void of pretence. No more holding hands, no more climbing trees, no more laughing until our lungs ache. I am wrecked. I am ravaged. Whatever secret she still keeps could be the one that finally kills me. Though I should have seen it sooner, it is only now that I realise just how unsuited I am to keep her company. I am a gentle heart, wrapped in the softest skin, far too fragile for games such as these.

"Fine. But why not just kill me? Why drag me all the way out to... wherever the hell we are?"

"Too close to home," she says, "we're not her only enemies out here. She can't afford to get caught by the pack."

The pack. I think of Jacob—the boy, the wolf, the warrior—trying so hard to warn me from danger. He was right. Bella can't fix me, can't save me. She can barely keep me alive. "Should I- I mean- Is it too late for me to just drive home and pretend I don't know about any of this?"

"Could you?" The doctor asks.

I want to say yes; make the word like a box and stuff my concerns inside. But a lie like that is a considerable burden. My heart is heavy enough. Any lingering doubt dissipates as Edward and I respond in unison, "no."

They chatter on around me in a storm of words loud enough to hear, but too quick to comprehend. There is an itch under my skin. The smeary irritation of being spoken about and not spoken to. Wobbling lips, tapping tongues. These six strange things cast their shadows, roll their dice, decide my fate, and only one will look at me. Jasper. He approaches the fire. He stares at the odorous remains of my oversized sweatshirt as though it means something more than it does. For me, it is an ending. The bloody resolution of a weeks long nightmare. For him, it is Saturday.

He takes my hands in his. It is not a romantic gesture, it is not comfort or companionship. It feels dutiful, the way he examines my hands, the way he dries them gently and binds them loosely. But there is something intimate in his gaze. As though he stares in to the centre of me until he sees the light inside. The astronomical light that flares and burns, that heats my chest with each press of his skin to mine. But it isn't real. It can't be. No blush on my cheek or swell in my chest should survive his brutal past. My fragile skin and feeble bones barely survive his present. I was a fool to build a heart of twigs - too easy to burn, too easy to break. More foolish still to give it to him, to set the thing ablaze.

"I'll fix this," he says.

If Jasper says more aloud, I do not hear it. Edward argues against something unspoken, and suddenly the silent creatures are loud and livid. The noise of it is like a kick in the teeth, like a slap in the face. No more secretive whispers, no more furtive glances. Whatever information Edward has stolen from Jasper's mind, he does not care for it. But no one does, it seems. Their voices overlap, winding together like an ocean of sound until I am fully submerged in it. When I've finally had enough of their sniping and scoffing, I leave. They let me.

My nose burns and my eyes water. I feel small, and empty, and tired. So terribly tired. The towering trees and sparkling sky paint a mockingly beautiful landscape, but I have little time to enjoy it before the cabin door opens and Bella follows me outside. She doesn't tell me why they argue, and I am too cowardly to ask. Even if I wished to be, I cannot be like Bella. Keeping the company of monsters will not make me capable, will not make me courageous. It will make me dead. These creatures are violent, their desires are dark. I would not trade my bleeding heart or my racing pulse to live forever, made of stone. No, even if I wished to be, I cannot be like Bella.

Breathe, she tells me, before hoisting me onto her back. I fold my arms over her shoulders, wrap my legs around her waist. It feels like so long since she taught me to fly, so long since we scaled a tree and imagined a new world. The thought makes me cry. Just a little. Because even though I want to be ready, I know that it is still too soon to fly, to climb. It is still too soon to heal.

She cuts through the air like a knife. The path she carves is narrow and light, twisting further away from her angry family, the mouldy cabin, and my blood-drenched clothes. I see their cars in the distance. Three of them, covered in snow. Bella sets me down and takes my face in her hands. There's a crease in her brow—an ugly furrow through her pristine skin. She scrutinises me like a stag in her sights. And then, she backs away. It's slow, palms forward as though she expects me to raise my hooves and lunge. She's doing something stupid. Something she'll regret. I don't have time to figure out what it is before she is gone, and Jasper stands in her place.

There is something urgent in the way he grips at my arms, my shoulders. He clenches and clings, he squeezes tighter than he knows he should. I know that he won't apologise for his long forgotten life. He knows that I don't regret my judgement of him. This hole we've dug is a curious thing. It is somehow furious and desirous, and no longer recognisable as a petty crush on a pretty boy. We made ourselves strange. We made ourselves cold.

"Would you promise me something?"

It isn't a demand. We both know he has no right to such a thing. I am small and mean, and eager to deny him for nothing more than the taste of power it would bring. But still I say yes, and the lie lingers on my lips, sticky and sour.

"I'm fixing to do something foolish." He laughs. It isn't a sound he means. But decades of pretending to be human have taught him that it's the perfect place to put a grim chuckle. "And Bella's gonna beg you to stop me. All I need you to promise is that you won't."

Foolish means dangerous. Dangerous for him means deadly for me, and I am neither silly nor lovesick enough to follow him to my death. Not like Bella was. "I won't stop you." My answer seems to satisfy him, and I cannot help but feel like I have passed an unspoken test. "So when... when will I see you again?" I offer him something a little like hope. A trail to follow back to me.

"The very second you wish to."

I suspect he knows that won't be soon.

He lets his hand press against my face. Fingertips trace the curve of my cheek, the slope of my neck, before he presses his mouth to mine. It is delicate work. Slow, cautious, seductive in a way I have never felt before. This is the breadth of his evil, the depth of his darkness. He brazenly plunders willing prey. My cheeks heat, my lips chill. I am the scarcely smothered flame of vulgar human desire.

He doesn't speak another word. But he walks away with my heart between his teeth.

___

← prev  -  next  →

[thingsmissed-blog1]

             — ♛ Full moons are said to be extremely powerful, throughout centuries Jane heard of how powerful the full moon can be and she believed it to an extent given the fact that she was a supernatural being and had witnessed many crazy things happen on those nights but never did anything completely crazy happen to her until one night during a full moon, her bloodlust was out of control and Alec had to save her ass by raiding a hospital and taking as much blood as he could get his hands on, bringing it to her only to find that it wasn’t enough. Jane went to Dante, a human that she had a powerful connection with to being with. He donated some of his blood to her without even thinking about it, something that was kind of odd. The bloodlust died down some when she drank his blood from the wine glass that he had offered her. She could control her need once more and one thing leads to another and she found herself in his arms, trying to be gentle as can be. She stays in his arms all night while he slept just listening to his breathing as he slept.  That morning before she left, with his permission, Jane bit Dante’s forearm and sent him into the state of changing from a human to a vampire. A few days later, Dante woke up and went with Jane to a patch of woods where hikers would normally become stranded and allowed him to feed.              — ♛ Three months go by and Jane starts to feel different, odd almost in a way that she never felt before. She had a sick feeling in her stomach, something she has never experienced in her vampire life, a small flutter was noticeable inside of her that was odd. She lets it go thinking nothing of it considering that vampires can not get pregnant. Time passes and she notices that her size is slowly going up, her clothing having to be altered just so that they would fit right. It wasn’t until Aro had found some witch, the same high powered witch that had messed up a spell on that full moon, that would end up telling her the news. That she was indeed pregnant with a child. Jane and everyone else had been ignoring the scent of a vampire-human hybrid whenever Jane was around just finding it odd but not saying anything as they didn’t want to piss off the already easily angered Jane Volturi.              — ♛ During her pregnancy, which happened to be nine months long, Jane’s size in clothes didn’t change that much at all, just two or three dress sizes making the skinny vampire look a little heavier than before but not overly round but her belly looked like four-month pregnant belly would look, and that was at the end of her pregnancy. Jane had a bloodlust that was hard to keep under control, needing to feed more often than she had done when she was not with child. Aro had found a blood bank that gave Jane blood often. Aro was far from happy about this sudden child that happened to be taking up space in his prized possession so he banished Dante from the Volturi grounds, telling Jane that he had him killed. When Jane gave birth, he took the Hybrid from Jane’s arms and left the room, telling her that the child was killed because it was not one of them.              — ♛ The bond that Chelsea controls between Jane and the Volturi broke when Isadora was born, it was fast and swift and left no trace leaving Chelsea to still think she had control of Jane’s loyalty but she didn’t. Jane suddenly had a clear head, something she hadn’t had in what felt like her whole lifetime. Jane kept everyone thinking that she was still loyal to the Volturi, she was until she found out that Aro had lied, he had taken the hybrid child to England and left her in the woods to dry, hoping she was more vampire and some human would find her and burn her but that wasn’t what happened. No, Alice and Jasper took the child into their home. Jane found out because she had been looking for Dante, who also happened to run across the Cullen’s path, leaving a trail that leads her right to her child. She had been told by Aro that Dante and Isadora were dead but she knew in her heart that Dante wasn’t dead.              — ♛ While out on a mission with Alec, she makes a stop at the Cullen’s place to find that her child is in good health and has a loving family that adores her. Her name is not Isadora, the name Jane had picked but rather Felicity a name picked by Jasper and Alice for her little girl. Her little girl looked about two years old when Jane first saw her with the Cullen’s but in a human time frame, it had been five months since her birth.

             — ♛ Jane will never call her child Felicity, it just isn’t something that she can come to grips with and be okay with. Her child will always be Isadora to her. The reason Jane will never call her anything but Isadora is because her mother and aunt were both represented in the name of Jane’s child. Isadora’s full name is Isadora Faye Volturi. Faye was the name of Jane’s mother and Isadora was the name of her aunt, one that Jane loved as a child and had hoped to grow up to be just like both of these females, who Jane thought of as strong.

             — ♛ PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS VERSE IS A VERSE THAT IS COMPLETELY AU AND NONE OF THE THINGS IN THIS VERSE ARE TO BE COPIED BY ANYONE WITHOUT MY PERMISSION OR @MISFITXMUSES ’S PERMISSION AS WE WORKED LONG AND HARD ON THIS VERSE. THE IDEA OF ISADORA/FELICITY IS COMPLETELY@MISFITXMUSES AND IS NOT TO BE COPIED FOR ANY REASON. MY PERSONAL VERSION OF JANE IS NOT TO BE COPIED OR ANYTHING EITHER.