9. Planet Carlisle
They lost track of how long they actually laid there. Clark even fell asleep for a couple of hours with the biggest smile Carlisle had yet to see on him. It filled Carlisle with pride that he could make his mate so happy, and thought of how he would do anything to see him smile like this permanently.
Waking up, Clark opened his eyes to see it was now daylight. Pulling his mate into a loving hug, he said a quick good morning while kissing his hair. "I don't think I have any words for what happened last night." He commented after a while.
Carlisle turned his head to look up, "We think alike, but I don't think we need any, let's just call it the best experience of our existence."
Clark looked down at him and nodded in response, "Would you like to explore your world today my love?"
"I was looking at the tree last night while you slept, this might sound crazy but I think it's sentient." Carlisle knew how crazy it must sound but something told him he was right.
Clark nodded in acceptance, "That's entirely possible, my Carlisle. There are many odd things about this planet that not even I understand and what you say seems likely. Let's take a closer look shall we?"
When his mate nodded, he lifted them both off the ground and into the air. He stopped in front of one of the many hanging white strings, "Let's touch one and see if they do anything,"
They both reached out to touch the same one and gasped when they felt their minds being invaded. It felt intrusive to them both but it was gone just as quick as it came and now a voice filled both their minds, 'I welcome the both of you.' A strong and commanding feminine voice said in their heads.
'Thank you' Carlisle answered politely while Clark got a little worried, 'Who are you?' he asked suspiciously.
'I am the planet; you may call me Aiwa or Carlisle as you have now named me. I have seen your memories and heard all the thoughts you have had throughout your lives. You are the first intelligent life that has come across me and I have learned much from you both. I know that you mean no harm to me, by the love I saw in you the night before.' Aiwa explained. Carlisle was a bit embarrassed by the last part, 'Do not be embarrassed child, it was a beautiful thing to witness for me and it has given me much to look forward to in my future. If you so choose to accept, I would like you both to become my chosen protectors from whatever may come in the future. There will be many threats to me from what I can see of your worlds and I would like to know if you will help me preserve life here as true owners of these lands. I do not ask for you to solve all little things or for you to live here but only that you come when I am truly in need.' Aiwa said kindly.
'We would be honored' Carlisle said, not even thinking about any other option but to do as she request. He genuinely wanted to do anything to protect the planet from any harm but he knew that was more Clark's department.
'I will do anything in my power to protect you for eternity as long as you recognize my mate as your owner,' Clark responded to Clark's thoughts which he could currently hear. It was the most precious gift that he could think of and was excited to hear more but more important things were going on.
'Very well, I will answer to only you both seeing as I know you will never abuse me or the life living here or anywhere. I only ask that you preserve life and let any living being here evolve naturally. I know the animals as you call them better than anyone and you may drink one of the large black ones. It will be all you will ever need to drink, from what I can tell.'
'Can I eventually bring my family to visit here or live even?' Carlisle asked the planet hesitantly.
'You may do as you wish dear Carlisle; they may even drink one of the animals if you wish, but the animals will have to willingly give their lives to them. I will trust your judgment as my owner from here on and go by what you decide. I know that my fate is in good hands. Preserve this place and the forest full of trees similar to this one most of all and come to me with to me with any questions at any time; I will only talk to you though. I cannot do much for you other than protect your mind from any intruders. This is also to protect me as well as Kal-El in the future, so will you allow me to guard your mind?' Aiwa asked kindly.
'It would be a great gift Aiwa, but will no one be able to get past the block?' Carlisle asked.
'You will be able to control who you want to allow into your mind, such as your son dear Carlisle. It will otherwise be stronger than even your soulmate's impossibly strong block, since I was able to get past his.' Aiwa explained.
'Do it please; I want nothing but the best protection on you my love.' Clark pleaded.
'It's alright Kal, I would never pass up a chance to keep you and Aiwa safe in my mind, so do it please.' Carlisle assured him and gave Aiwa permission.
'Your chosen animal is waiting not too far from here dear Carlisle, keep in mind that he chose to do this willingly, so please accept his offering. You will receive my protection immediately after leaving. Goodbye for now Carlisle Cullen and Kal-EL.' Aiwa told them kindly and then sent them back through the white mental tunnel that they went through before.
With that, their mind went back through the pathway from which they came from and they ended up back in their naked bodies. Neither said anything for a minute after that, "Well it looks like this is officially your planet my love." Clark finally commented with a smug smile.
Carlisle chuckled at the absurdity of what had just happened. He never actually thought that he would take being the owner of the planet to heart after Clark gave it to him but now… "Yes, looks like we own it officially." He replied with a hesitant smile, still not letting it sinking in.
"No Carlisle, you own it, I'm just the muscle, and I wouldn't have it any other way." Clark finished, still smiling smugly.
Carlisle rolled his eyes at the muscle reference, "Yes, muscle," he said, placing his hand on one of Clark's large biceps then feeling him up.
Clark narrowed his eyes playfully at his mate, "You know what I meant, but if your mind is having those kinds of thoughts, I'd be happy to satisfy you again."
Carlisle chuckled, "Later, I want to see what the planet said about the animal first. I promise to make it up to you later though, I promise."
"No need to promise anything my love, I'm curious about it too and if it will make you happy then I'm all for it. We should get dressed first though." Clark told him honestly.
When they finished getting dressed, they took off into the sky. Carlisle was amazed by how the floating mountains looked in broad daylight. He watched them in awe as they moved in every which way, but his mind quickly focused on what they were about to do. They didn't have to go far at all to find what they thought looked like a panther; only it was twenty times larger, had six legs and by far more dangerous looking. It was joined by another one moments later, followed by twenty other little ones.
Carlisle was surprised when they all actually bowed their heads at him. The larger one, which he could tell was the male, stepped up to him afterwards and tilted its neck to the side.
Carlisle was taken aback by the action yet again shook his head vigorously, "I can't take him away from his family; I won't do it Kal."
"I know my love, you don't have to, we can go find another one for you to feed on." Clark smiled at his mate's display of compassion. "Remember what Aiwa said though."
"But it will just be the same thing, I will be killing a life and I don't know if I can do that here, it's different," Carlisle said, while now caressing the giant black animal with his hand affectionately.
He knew somehow that it actually knew what Carlisle was supposed to do with him and he was willingly giving himself as a sacrifice of sorts. After just a moment of standing there petting the animal, he heard the female walking up to him as well. He was surprised when he felt her nudge his back with her head to try and push him towards the male.
"I think she's encouraging you Carlisle. They must know what's going on and seem to accept it, especially if they recognize you as the owner of the planet as I suspect they do. They must think it a great honor to have you do this, just look at the children." Clark finished saying what he was thinking.
Carlisle did turn to look at the small children to find them all looking at him with what he could make out to be hopeful eyes. He then turned to look at the female and she actually nodded at him and pushed him towards the male again.
Carlisle turned to look at Clark with pleading eyes, "I can't do it Kal; I'm supposed to protect them, not kill them."
It pained Clark to see Carlisle like this, but he knew that this would help him live a better life. He was torn between telling him that he didn't have to do it and encouraging him to do something that would no doubt help him. "If you don't do this, you will continue killing more animals on earth my love. It will be almost the same, except that the ones on earth are not willingly giving themselves to you." Clark reasoned. It pained him to encourage something that Carlisle didn't want to do, but it was for his own benefit.
Carlisle looked at Clark intently for a moment and then finally nodded with a sad face. He took one last glance at the children that would soon be without a father and female that would soon be without a lover. He turned to the male with a pained look and leaned down towards its neck.
Not wanting to delay things any longer he quickly sank his teeth into the black animal and drank. The blood that flowed into him was entirely different from any he had ever had of course. It was even more potent than human blood and satisfied his thirst within seconds but he didn't stop. He drank every last drop that the animal was offering even when he started to feel full. He even managed to control his bloodlust after the first few seconds since he did not want to enjoy a second of what he was doing.
Clark watched on with sad and sympathetic eyes as his mate did something that he felt so guilty about. He wanted to stop him and take him into his arms, then tell him that he didn't have to do it anymore but he knew this was something that would help him somehow. He used his x-ray vision to make sure that his body was not rejecting the blood in any way and found himself surprised by what he saw.
The blood of the animal was actually replacing the animal blood already in him by seemingly evaporating it into nothing. This blood then clung to every part of his insides as it kept on flowing to other areas of his body. The blood quickly covered all of his body but Carlisle was determined to finish what the animal and his family were offering and so he drank every last bit of blood. He soon finished and gently laid the body of the male on the ground, vaguely taking notices of extreme differences he was feeling.
"I'm so sorry," Carlisle whispered to the animal with regret. He looked up to see one of the little white creatures come towards him. It landed on his hand when he extended it, and he then placed it on top of the dead animal. When he did so, the little white thing glowed brightly then faded into a pale white.
The female animal then walked up to him and once again and bowed down along with her children. With no further reason to stay there, they left the area slowly. Clark picked his mate off the floor and kissed his cheek lovingly.
"You did what you had to do my Carlisle," he whispered in his ear. "I can see the blood in your body has actually stopped flowing and is clinging tightly with no sign that it will ever fade away. Your body temperature is slowing it down and freezing most of it already so I think that's what will happen to all of it in a couple of minutes." Clark explained softly and then asked, "How do you feel?"
"Physically? Stronger, faster, and my senses are more than three times as good as they were before; that's how I feel, three times everything. I'm trying to be ok with taking his life though, but it's hard." Carlisle said sadly.
"You're planet wanted to help you my love, and it helped you in the biggest way possible. You will probably never have to take a life in such a way again. Then again, because you feel this way is why the planet chose you to be its owner, so it's not a bad thing that you feel this way." Clark told him then paused, looking into his eyes intensely, "Your eyes… they turned blue," he said with amazement, "The color looks perfect on you, it compliments your skin nicely my love." He complimented lovingly.
Carlisle finally allowed himself a real smile and let go of some of his regret for now. "Would you take me to see more of our world?"
"You know I will do absolutely anything for you my love, I'll go slow and don't hesitate to tell me if you want to stop anywhere at all. Promise?" Clark asked expectantly.
Carlisle nodded, "Promise."
The world was truly a sight to see, everything in it was a mystery but all the animals seemed to respond positively towards them. Carlisle would have to ask the planet about that later, he thought. Everything from the plant all around, to the vast oceans and landscapes was almost overwhelming to see. By the time they returned to Aiwa, as they had decided to call the tree, they had seen one third of the world by air. They had made quick stops to look at certain things like unique animals and landscapes that seemed somewhat important, like the enormous tree and the beautiful forest that Aiwa had told them about.
They talked to the planet for a while, asking it questions such as how it knew their language and why the animals all responded well to them. Carlisle even apologized to it for feeding on the one animal but the planet only told him that the animal willingly gave his life to help him live a better one. Hearing this once again, helped Carlisle accept what he did and so he put his regret aside and moved on. The planet then proceeded to tell Clark about what he should and shouldn't eat, although it doubted that anything would have any seriously bad effect on the man. Lastly, the planet helped Carlisle learn more about his mental wall and what it could do. It was a very strong defense and it also helped him develop an actual mental connection with the planets network. Aiwa explained that he would eventually learn how to talk to her from even earth if he wanted to. When they finished, they said their goodbye's to Aiwa and left the being to spend the night together.
They made passionate love three times that night, sharing one another entirely. Carlisle had been extremely self-conscious about doing anything because he knew that the planet could see what they were going to do. All his inhibitions were washed away as soon as Clark kissed him however.
When Clark next woke up, he knew they would have to return soon so he took Carlisle out to find little things that he might want to take back home. Throughout the day, they ventured out into the world and found little things like a plant that seemed to be almost alive. They also found an almost unbreakable kind of metal; it was stronger than anything on earth. The last thing they chose to take was a small of floating rock. They wondered if it would float on earth if they took it there.
A few hours had passed and now they were ready to go back home to their family. They did so in the same manner in which they came, except now, thing actually went a lot smoother, with Carlisle's overall heightened abilities. He could actually see far more of what they were passing and was not as worried about being accidentally thrown away into space by the incredible speed they were traveling in. He didn't even have to use all his strength to feel safe but he did so anyway because he loved feeling Clark's body pressed against his tightly.
It took a little less than two hours to arrive back at the Cullen home this time since Clark went a little faster. They found everyone waiting for them outside when they arrived; including Bella who looked at them rather embarrassed. Alice was immediately at their side when they touched the ground bombarding them with questions. Her siblings weren't much better.
"So where did you go, tell me everything!" She asked excitedly.
"Carlisle why can't I hear your thoughts?" Edward asked worriedly.
"Carlisle why are your eyes blue now?" Jasper asked extremely curious.
"What are those smells?" Rosalie wondered, not repulsed, but curious.
And finally, "So did you two finally get it on?" Emmet asked with a grin.
Bella chose to stay out of it since there was not much for her to comment on.
"One thing at a time please, let's go inside first and talk like civilized people." Carlisle answered them all, while getting off of Clark then grabbing his hand. He was in such a good mood that he decided to tease Edward by showing him a snap shot of his world and nothing else.
Edward gasped when he saw a brief picture of his both fathers surrounded by glowing woods. "Carlisle what the hell was that!" he demanded of his father immediately, crazed with curiosity now.
Carlisle shrugged and smirked at him, "Come inside and maybe I'll tell you all about my planet; but I won't guarantee anything." He teased them all then ran into the house at triple the vampire speed, after letting go of Clark's hand to show them it wasn't him using the speed.
Clark chuckled at their stunned faces and followed his mate immediately. A second later, all the vampires were speeding in doors to get answers. Edward had scooped Bella up and taken her inside, at full speed, not remembering that she would get dizzy.
They found Carlisle in the living room sitting on Clark's lap, with Clark's arms wrapped around him securely. They all sat down in different places and waited silently and expectantly as they stared at the couple.
"I shouldn't need to remind you that whatever is said must stay secret at all costs?" when he got a round of nods, he continued. "Well as you all must have guessed, we didn't stay on earth this weekend."
"Was it the moon again? Did Clark put your full name on it yours? Come on tell me Carlisle!" Alice asked and demanded of his father at once.
"Alice is being too demanding my love; I don't think they deserve to know anymore." Clark told Carlisle as seriously as he could.
When Carlisle got a thoughtful look on his face, several vampires shouted, "Alice, shut up!"
Jasper would have joined them this time but he bit his lips to avoid being punished later for saying something like that.
Alice quickly shut up and laid back onto Jasper.
After everyone got quite, Carlisle decided to continue by answering her question, "No Alice, we went far, far father than that. To another galaxy in fact." He paused to let the information sink in, "There, your father gave me a planet." He said in a matter of fact tone.
"He gave you a plant!" Emmet shouted at the absurdity of what was being told to him.
Edward however simply stared at him, not surprised that Clark would think to do such a thing, "Of course he gave you a planet, I mean people give people planets all the time." Edward ended sarcastically.
Carlisle countered with an image of Planet Carlisle from space. Even from there, it looked beautiful and the image did the job. Edward gasped loudly and got another wide eyed look; it was one thing to hear about things and another thing to see them.
"Keep interrupting like that and I won't let you see anything else," Carlisle threatened his son.
Edward quickly nodded at his father, "I'm so sorry please go on." He said with excitement filled eyes.
Bella looked at Edward like she didn't know him. She had never seen him act like this; whatever he just saw must have been a lot more amazing than hearing about another galaxy.
"Alright then, so when we got to Planet Carlisle…" he was interrupted again.
"Planet Carlisle!" Emmet interrupted again.
"Emmet, stop interrupting your father or I'm throwing you out in space for the remainder of the conversation." Clark threatened seriously.
Emmet immediately apologized after hearing that and assured them it wouldn't happen again.
"Yes, Planet Carlisle, that's what Clark named it and then the planet itself accepted the name and me as its owner." Carlisle stated, knowing he needed to pause.
Everyone's mouth's opened and closed with a million questions, knowing that their father wouldn't lie to them, but not wanting to interrupt again for the sake of knowing everything.
Carlisle smiled after no one dared to interrupt and continued, "You see, the planet itself is a sentient being and it accepted me as its owner, along with Clark here as its protector. The planet itself is three times the size of earth with many things you would probably have to see to believe. There are all sorts of different animal-like creatures around, vast oceans, floating mountains, entire forests that glow beautifully in the night with all sorts of colors. All life is in touch with the planet making even the air full with life."
Everyone stared at him with disbelieving eyes, except for Clark who had of course been there and Edward who was being allowed to see bits and pieces of the planet. Carlisle quickly took a rock out and showed it to them. They frowned at seeing that it was just a simple rock but were startled when Carlisle threw it into the air and it didn't come back down.
Jasper was the first one up his seat and in front of the rock, not daring to touch it. All the mated pairs where soon gathered around the rock, staring at it in wonder. Even Edward went to see it, wanting to see it with his own eyes and not only through Carlisle's mind.
"Ok, someone get the lights and close all curtains, I have some things to show you." Carlisle told them.
Immediately all the vampires closed everything in two seconds and returned to stand where their fathers and now Bella was sitting. Carlisle reached into his pocket and took a small pink glowing plant. They were staring intently at it already and were soon startled when the plant shot up.
Bella was the most startled, and gave a startled cry of surprise to which Clark chuckled to. The vampires where startled by the action but the plant wasn't fast enough to surprise them.
"Amazing," Jasper commented while Rosalie thought it, 'Beautiful'.
When Emmet tried to touch it, the plant immediately shrunk again. "Damn," he let out disappointed.
"You can turn on the light again kids, there's one last thing." Clark told them all.
When they turned it on, Carlisle was now holding something in his hand. It was small but they were sure they had never seen the piece of metal before. "This is what I decided to name, unobtanium. You can pass it around, it won't break; I guarantee it."
Jasper immediately took it first and examined it, "Why that name Carlisle?"
"Because it's impossible to obtain, and it's stronger than any mineral here by far, and lastly, it reminds me of titanium somehow." Carlisle explained.
They nodded in acceptance, even Bella who had just been sitting watching everything in amazement. Carlisle then waited for them to finish examining the piece of titanium-like mineral, "Alright everyone, go ahead and sit back down, we have something important to share with you."
When they were all seated, Carlisle started again, "First know that this is your choice to make and whatever you decide is fine with us. You must have noticed that my eyes are now light blue?" he received affirmative reactions, "That's because as the owner of the planet now, I was allowed to feed on one of its animals. The blood was different as you can imagine and I'm positive you have noticed other changes already. It tripled everything that in me and most importantly, I won't have to feed anymore. The blood of the animal essentially killed the blood I had in my body from the recent hunt and replaced it. It is now frozen inside of me, not moving or dissipating in any way. We don't think it will ever need to be renewed since Clark can see how well my body accepted it." He paused to look at his family.
They all had different expressions but they were all, without a doubt stunned at what was being said. To possibly never have to feed again was unimaginable to any of them.
"As owner of the planet, it said it trusted my judgment and welcomed my family as well; so I'm offering to have my mate here take you to our planet one at a time and have you feed on an animal. It will do everything I just said and you will not feel bloodlust ever again. Now I know some of you will jump at the chance but please think about it carefully before answering us. Clark can take you there too Bella, when your turned of course. Take until Thursday to decide this carefully so we can start early Saturday and finish on Sunday. Isabella, you have more time to decide of course."
"I want to do it!" Edward was the first to get up, thinking how easier it would be to be around Bella.
"Oh yeah? And who's going to turn Bella? Your father still has his venom but who is to say that it wasn't altered somehow. Do you want to risk a side effect on her?" Edward opened his mouth to respond to his second father but quickly sat back down; ashamed that he had acted so irrationally. "Ok then, think about how your lives will change everyone. Carlisle won't take it as hard because he never really enjoyed the hunt, and his bloodlust was almost completely controlled. But can someone like you Emmet, give up the hunt? So you have to be certain of this life altering decision please. Will it make you bored with life Jasper? Are you all willing to risk having your gifts taken away? So think about everything please."
"That's all for now everyone, I'm sure you have a lot to discuss with your mates so we will be going to our Forks home for now," Carlisle said after kissing Clark on the lips and getting up from his lap.
Clark stopped mid-way and turned to them once more, "One more thing. Try and not let things such as wanting to see Planet Carlisle or wanting to be more powerful influence your decisions in any way. It was extremely hard for your father to kill the animal who had willingly offered himself. The animals mate and children even encouraged him to take his life for the sake of him having a better one. He is willing to take life away from the planet that he is now literally connected to and swore to protect. So value his decision to let you do this with everything you have, because you will also go through the same thing. Some of you might not care that you will be taking the animals life in front of their family, but Carlisle does, so respect that at the very least." Clark finished telling them all seriously.
Carlisle would have been crying if he had tears. This man never seized to surprise him by just being who he was. It felt so good to know that he found this specific man as his soulmate; he understood him so completely without even having to tell him how he truly felt and it made him feel good inside.
Everyone else was startled by the intensity and significance of what Clark just told them. None of them had thought that Carlisle was actually connected to the planet. If this was true and what he said earlier was true then… "You're connected to everything on the entire planet, not just the planet itself." Jasper thought out loud.
"Yes, the animals listen and recognize me, and the plants seem to move if I tell them to. Even the floating mountains seem to want to move, should I ask them to. They all know and sense me just as I do them." Carlisle confirmed.
"And you're willing to take life away from it even though you might actually feel it now?" Rosalie asked pointedly.
"You are our children Rosalie and I trust you as much as the planet trusts me, which is completely. I have faith that you will be doing it for the right reasons. Don't mind your dad though, I wasn't aware he knew all of that or else I would have stopped him from telling you." After lovingly kissing Clark's cheek he added, "I know he looks tough and says things that scare you but he's just a big pile of much inside really." He finished with a smirk.
"Carlisle!" Clark whined, "You're ruining my tough dad image in front of the kids!" he complained while fidgeting and looking away.
"Whatever tough guy, now let's go, I still have that things that I have to make up for rem…" He was cut off by Clark when he abruptly picked him up and sped him out of the house in the next millisecond.
Everyone would have laughed at both their fathers', but they were too deep in thought to respond to it, even Emmet. This really was a life altering decision and they had to think very carefully about it. Bella was thinking about how this changed everything about her future as well, but she couldn't get passed the fact that she would have to kill an animal in front of their family.
