1922, Pittsburgh.

[ofthefamily]

The trail of bodies is indistinct and only a trail at all if you knew what you were looking for. No human did.

When dead-on-arrivals start coming in from the Southside Slopes on a daily basis instead of sporadically, with wounds no one can explain --

Edward, Carlisle thinks carefully to the bronze-haired boy sitting in a second-year anatomy class two floors up from Carlisle's rounds as the newest doctor on call, I have to go pay a housecall.

With clouds descending over Pittsburgh, Carlisle takes a walk.

Comments

[themidnightson]

"You-" It was hard and still, right as Edward closed his mouth on the word, having not meant for that part of it come out.

[ofthefamily]

"Stop that and tell me." I can't deal with that right now Edward.

[themidnightson]

It takes a while, there are no false starts, but there is a forced exhale. "You actually thought I'd listen." Beat. "Still think I should have."

Edward shook his head, lips hardening pressed together.

"It's one thing to request that I stay with her while you were-" there's not a pause her, but there's an outward wave with his hand. All words are too small for the thought; for the fact Carlisle Cullen beat a defenseless man, even if it was deserved.

"--but to think I'd just walk away, and go wait by her side in that house, while he was waiting for you to make the smallest mistake, fall for some provocation that would open other venues of response from him, or them-"

[ofthefamily]

Almost angry, "I am not incapable of defending myself, Edward."

[themidnightson]

"No, you're incapable of being inclusive."

He hadn't meant to say that. He swore under his breath.


"I didn't mean that." He didn't.

Even if it was true, sometimes, lately.

[ofthefamily]

Yes you did mean that. You've never said anything to me that you didn't mean.

Deeper, quieter, a You expect three hundred years of habit to be obliterated in a mere four

If the Volturi ever were to lay their hands on you, I would not be able to stop them from twisting you to their ways. You would fault me for wanting to keep you safe because that prevents you from, what? Coming to my rescue?


Why should you?

It's a rare emotion for Carlisle. Fear. He's panicked before, but fear is -- something else.

If I were to put you in harm's way --

[themidnightson]

"It's not all up to you," Edward snapped.

[ofthefamily]

What is he thinking? Carlisle asks himself desperately, hands still shoved into his pockets while keeping his face as unruffled as possible. There are so many things he could be referencing --

It's not that I don't trust you Edward --

Defeated, "Fault me if you wish to do so. I did what I thought was best."

[themidnightson]

"I know." It's not sharp this time. There's heaviness, impatience and remorse in his tone but none of them are exactly where the words come from.

[ofthefamily]

Is that not good enough?
Maybe you want them to see you
"That is unfair of me."
but with your regrets and secrets you don't really want them to be you

Did you have any other questions about the messenger? Carlisle hazards, before he continues to swallow his entire leg. There are certainly other things he could ask about. So Carlisle waits.

[themidnightson]

"Tell me about the worst inevitability with them. They make you-" he stopped eyes narrowing, because the words for thoughts and reactions are so strong and certain in Carlisle. "I don't have points of reference, except for what I have picked up."

Beat.

"And him."

[ofthefamily]

"The worst? They decide I -- we -- are exposing too much of ourselves to humanity at large and they send their emissaries to stop us."

Orange flames dance around behind Carlisle's gold eyes. He's seen what the emissaries are capable of when ordered to a task.

A flicker of subconscious amusement. I think they would find me a stronger man than the one who left.

[themidnightson]

That is troublesome.

The images, not the statement.



"And for me?"

[ofthefamily]

The amusement rises to the forefront.

They wouldn't know what hit them. To use a phrase.

[themidnightson]

"That's not what I meant."

There's a serious, if uncertain, glance.

"Tell me my worst inevitability where it comes to them. When you get close to the idea it all--" he made a face. It jumbled. Carlisle didn't even get close to the thought without rage or fear or violent threats. All of which were not normal.

[ofthefamily]

Carlisle swallows hard.

"Maintaining the diet that you and I have adopted would be the least of your concerns," he starts out slowly.

I don't know what they would do, exactly. That is what scares me more. If they liked you, they would probably place you in their vanguard. Keeping their form of peace in our world. As soon as they tired of you...

I was their amusement, Edward. The deviant who wasn't like them. I have no clue what they would think of you and I never want to know.

[themidnightson]

It harder to be properly respectful of the unknown eventuality, except he can feel the weight of Carlisle's thoughts. How it's worse for that with what is known. The feel of dark and cloying potential. He's not sure that asking helped anymore than having the man's head available only for minutes.

"No Italian vacations," he mumbled through an exhale.

[ofthefamily]

"Too sunny anyway," Carlisle offers in no other way that can be translated except I'm sorry.

[themidnightson]

Edward snorted.

Then shook his head with a forced shrug.

"I don't understand, but that's becoming common."

There isn't an insult in the way it's phrased, just plain.

[ofthefamily]

Carlisle shrugs.

"I may be one of the simpler vampires you'll meet."

[themidnightson]

Edward shook his head again.

"You're hardly simple."

[ofthefamily]

"Best news I've had all day."