Cast Aside
Chapter 9
July 1920
Edward and Carlisle stood before the abandoned Chicago home of his childhood, which he had inhabited just shy of two years ago. The once manicured lawn was unkempt and overgrown, and vines had begun to climb the exterior of the two-story dwelling. Edward's face was grim, and his mouth turned down slightly at the corners as he surveyed the outside of his former home.
"I can hire a caretaker for the estate, if you'd like."
"I would, thank you."
Slowly, they approached the door, finding it unlocked. On entry, they found the furniture covered in dust cloths, which had collected a thick layer of dust after the long period of disuse. Edward walked ahead of Carlisle, gravitating to the family room, and stopped before his mother's old piano. The young vampire lifted the dust cover off, sending particles floating into the air which danced in the pale moonlight. He stood and stared for a few moments.
"It still smells like her," he murmured, his tone taking on a despondent quality.
As Edward sat gingerly on the piano bench and lifted the key cover, Carlisle's mind traveled back to when Edward was still human. He recalled how he'd watched the boy compose a mournful song for his father after the man had succumbed to the flu. Carlisle had been struggling internally with his desire for the boy, and had ultimately decided to never see Edward again, for both of their sakes. Fate had other plans, however, and the pair were now forever bound to one another.
Edward made no outward indication that he had seen Carlisle's memory, but the elder vampire knew he had; Carlisle did not try to keep it from him. Instead, Edward plucked out a few notes before frowning deeply and folding his hands in his lap.
"Are you all right?" Carlisle inquired.
Edward shrugged. "It's out of tune," he replied simply, his voice a monotone.
Carlisle did not know what to say, so he remained silent. Edward sat motionless for a few more moments before speaking.
"I'd like to be alone for a while, if that's all right."
Of course. Take all the time you need. I'll be back soon.
Carlisle left the boy to mourn his losses in solitude. He headed into the heart of the city, under cover of darkness; it was probably around two o'clock in the morning. The streets were deserted, and Carlisle made his way quickly to the city clerk's office, deftly slipping in through an unlocked window.
The elder vampire spent several hours in search of a property he and Edward might be able to live in. He steered clear of big cities, eventually finding a settlement named Ashland in nearby Wisconsin, which had recently constructed a small clinic where he might apply to be a doctor. According to the map of the area, there was plenty of ground for hunting, and it bordered Lake Superior for the occasional swim. Carlisle wondered if Edward had ever gone on family vacations to the Great Lake bordering Chicago, Lake Michigan. He hoped not—Carlisle loved introducing Edward to new things. It was decided; they would head for northern Wisconsin that evening.
Upon his return to Edward's childhood home, Carlisle waited outside for the boy. Edward would know he was waiting, and Carlisle wanted to allow him privacy to say his goodbyes to his human life. Thirty minutes later, Edward emerged with a small satchel slung over his shoulder, no doubt full of personal effects and mementos. Carlisle did not ask, and Edward did not tell. They simply walked away from the house toward the next chapter of their eternity, and Edward did not look back.
November 1920
The pair of vampires had lived in Ashland, Wisconsin for several months. The home they shared was located on the outskirts of town, a fair distance from the prying eyes of humans. It was a two bedroom farmhouse, the number of bedrooms solely to keep up appearances should a workman ever be required, though they only had one bed in the larger of the two rooms. The smaller was used for storage.
Carlisle had begun work at the medical clinic shortly after they moved to the area. Edward had impeccable control over himself, having been molded by the morals of his maker, so Carlisle did not worry leaving him alone for eight to ten hours at a time. Carlisle worked the night shift, which was quite welcomed by the administrators of the clinic, as most humans avoided working overnight. As much as Carlisle enjoyed spending every moment with his charge, it felt nice to be able to think freely and to return to the passion of his existence—aiding ill humans.
On the eve of the second anniversary of Edward's transformation, Carlisle took the night off, and the pair went on an extended hunt. Edward gave no indication he realized the significance of the date, which pleased Carlisle. It meant the surprise he had planned for Edward was well-protected, as Edward would not have cause to root around in Carlisle's mind. Even so, Carlisle held onto the wall around his thoughts, though it was with difficulty, as he was excited for Edward to see what he'd done for him back at home. Luckily, Edward was distracted by the abundance of big game, so he did not take notice of Carlisle's struggle.
He managed to keep Edward away from the house until midday, which he hoped was sufficient. The elder vampire had paid a pretty penny for the services that would have been rendered at their home that morning, and he hoped it was done perfectly. As they approached the small house, Carlisle saw the invoice posted on the front door. The job was done, and he projected his excitement to Edward.
"You have a surprise for me?" Edward asked in disbelief, though he smiled in delight.
"Go inside and see."
Edward raced toward the house, Carlisle hot on his heels so he wouldn't miss Edward's reaction to his gift. Edward burst through the door and skidded to a stop, his jaw dropping comically as he took in the large item nestled in the corner of the living room. Edward's mother's grand piano looked very grand indeed in the small space. Carlisle had been very specific that, while it should be tuned to perfection, it should not be cleaned, so that Elizabeth's scent might be retained. He was pleased to note the woman's scent did cling to the instrument, however faintly.
"Thank you," Edward whispered, gazing at the instrument reverently. He crossed to the bench and sat down, gently lifting the lid from the keys and gingerly running his fingers across them. "Carlisle, what is the occasion for this?"
Carlisle crossed to the piano and bent down, hugging Edward from behind. He placed a soft kiss below the boy's ear. "Happy birthday, Edward."
Edward's shoulders stiffened and he pulled away, turning to look into Carlisle's eyes. His expression was grim. "My birthday is in June."
Carlisle's brow knitted together in confusion at Edward's sudden solemnity. Edward took a deep breath before elaborating. "This is the day I died, the day I lost my mother, the day I lost my humanity forever. It is not a day I wish to celebrate." He took in Carlisle's crestfallen expression and shrugged, attempting to soften his words to assuage his sire's feelings. "I suppose it is a rebirth day of sorts."
Carlisle held his gaze for a moment, then drew Edward closer, holding his back tight to his chest and peppering kisses along the boy's neck until he reached the mark he'd left on Edward's skin. He fitted his lips over it and licked the skin beneath.
Let's think of today as the day you were born into my life forever.
Edward's body softened at Carlisle's heartfelt thought. "Oh, Carlisle. This gift is truly so thoughtful. What did I do to deserve you?"
"I could ask the same question."
Their lips molded together, fitting perfectly against one another. Slowly at first, their kisses gained fire as Edward tasted Carlisle's lips with his tongue, coaxing the elder's mouth open. Carlisle let him in, and their tongues explored the cool depths. Edward's arms wrapped around Carlisle's neck, playing with the hair on the nape of his neck, while Carlisle's hands explored the contours of Edward's shoulders and spine beneath his cotton shirt. Edward moved closer, rubbing the evidence of his arousal against Carlisle's thigh, but Carlisle drew back, causing Edward to whine in protest. Holding the boy at arm's length despite his own burgeoning need, Carlisle stared into the younger vampire's lust-darkened eyes.
"Not now—I want you to play for me."
Edward smiled and ducked his head. "How can I play with this torture in my lap?"
They chuckled together before Edward reoriented himself to face the keys, Carlisle still facing Edward, straddling the bench. Edward seemed lost in thought as he considered what to play, but before long, he settled on something.
Closing his eyes, his hands hovered over the keys. "I've had these lyrics in my head for some time. It will be nice to set them to music."
Carlisle felt a rush of anticipation. He'd heard Edward sing many times, but he only heard the boy play twice—once while he was human and Carlisle crept outside his family's window, and the second in Denali, where Carlisle had been distracted by Tanya's interrogation. Carlisle found he couldn't wait to hear Edward compose something for him on the spot.
After some consideration, Edward's hands lowered and the first few notes rang out, quickly becoming a flood of chords. Carlisle watched him play, beautiful music flowing from Edward's fingers. His head was tilted back with eyes still closed, his shoulders slack and body moving fluidly with the sounds he created. Carlisle was swept away by the sight of his lover looking so free, doing what he truly loved—what he was well and truly born to do. He felt lucky to be in the presence of such talent. And then Edward sang the lyrics trapped in his head for so long:
I'm looking for the tower of learning
I'm looking for the copious prize
I saw it in your eyes, what I'm looking for
I saw it in your eyes, what I'm looking for
I really do fear that I'm dying
I really do fear that I'm dead
I saw it in your eyes, what I'm looking for
I saw it in your eyes, what will make me live
The song continued, and ultimately ended with more solo instrumental accompaniment.
"That was beautiful," Carlisle whispered, awed by Edward's talent.
Edward finally opened his eyes, turning his body toward his sire. A shy smile graced his face. "Not as beautiful as the muse that inspired it."
Before Carlisle realized what he was doing, Edward swung Carlisle's outer leg over the bench so that he sat properly in front of the piano. Just as rapidly, Edward was on his knees under the keyboard, face-to-face with Carlisle's turgid, clothed erection. As he began to undo the trousers, Carlisle stilled his hand.
This is your day—I should be doing this for you.
"But I want to."
Edward slapped his hand away, and Carlisle did not protest again. He deftly undid the buttons of Carlisle's fly, his erection bursting free of the fabric prison. Edward glanced up at him and grinned. "No undergarments today? How uncharacteristic of you."
Carlisle's words came out in grunts. "Perhaps I hoped for something like this."
"Ah, well, allow me to make your dreams come true."
In one fluid motion, Carlisle's length was buried in Edward's throat. Carlisle cried out at the sudden pleasure of being encased in warm, tight wetness, and Edward swallowed, intensifying the sensation. Carlisle gripped the bench tightly as Edward massaged the throbbing vein that ran along the underside of his cock with his powerful tongue. The sounds coming out of him were terribly obscene, but Carlisle simply couldn't contain himself as he watched Edward bob over his length, propriety be damned. Pretty, pink lips wrapped around the root, perfectly sculpted nose nestling in the curly blonde hair at the base. Carlisle wove his fingers through the boy's tousled locks, and Edward looked up at him through long lashes, the corners of his mouth turning up as he grinned salaciously around Carlisle's cock..
Carlisle could not look at the boy's wicked beauty any longer lest he end this pleasure far too quickly. He closed his eyes and let Edward work him over, his toes curling with the sensations traversing the length of his body, igniting every nerve. He gripped Edward's hair tighter as his balls drew closer to his body, signifying his impending release. He didn't want to climax in Edward's throat, preferring to bury himself deep inside the boy's tight rear. Edward groaned at Carlisle's thoughts, and Carlisle dragged him off his cock by the hair, pulling him to his feet as Carlisle rose with him. His trousers pooled at his feet as he whipped the young vampire around to face the piano.
In one motion, he removed Edward's pants and thrust inside his tight heat. Edward cried out as he was filled abruptly, his hands finding purchase on the keyboard. A cacophony of sound rang out as Edward sought to keep himself upright under Carlisle's pummeling assault. Discordant notes mixed with moans and sighs and colliding marble skin.
Carlisle was too far gone to last. He wrapped one hand around Edward's cock, pumping roughly, and he pounded him from behind, his hips relentless as he chased his orgasm. It crashed over him, blinding him temporarily, his seed shooting out into Edward's cool cavern. The feel of his sire's climax caused Edward's own release, his own cock erupting over Carlisle's hand, and his muscles involuntarily clutching the elder's softening organ.
Carlisle's knees felt weak even though he did not tire, and he sank to the floor, taking Edward with him. He sat with Edward still impaled on his lap, the boy's head tilted back to lean against his sire's shoulder as he gasped for breath he did not need. Carlisle held tight around Edward's waist with one arm, his free hand running circles over the boy's lean, hard chest until his cock eventually slipped out. Edward sighed at the loss and opened his eyes. He gave Carlisle an adoring look before turning his gaze back to the piano before them.
Edward laughed, his shoulders shaking with mirth. "Oh, my!"
Carlisle peered over Edward's lithe shoulder and took in the splotches of semen staining the face of the piano. Edward stood up and examined the spots closer.
"I don't think my mother had this in mind for her piano."
Carlisle chuckled. "No, I don't suppose so."
Edward turned around and wrapped his arms around Carlisle's waist, pulling him close. "We surely christened it, didn't we?"
Carlisle cringed at the blasphemy, but Edward looked so content. He played along so as not to embarrass his young lover. "I suppose we did."
Edward turned back around and pressed a few keys experimentally. The sounds produced seemed wrong even to Carlisle's untrained ear.
"It seems we will need to get this re-tuned."
"Perhaps we should keep a tuner on hand," Edward replied slyly, before pulling Carlisle close once more.
A/N: Thank you as always to my beautiful betas, harrytwifan and remylebeauishot!
The song is "Tower of Learning" by Rufus Wainwright. Links are such a pain on FFn, so I created a playlist in the "Notes" section of my Facebook page: Edwards Mateforever (the page is public, but send me a friend request anyway!)
I am participating in an anonymous contest, Reflections of Summer Twilight Non-Canon Fanfic Contest. It will be held on The Writer's Coffee Shop ~ lemons required ;) All entries will be posted the first week of November. Public voting poll will be open Friday, Nov 15 thru Sunday, Nov 24. Bookmark it on TWCS now! A lot of great authors are taking part.
Since so many fics are being pulled from this site (and mine will very likely be among them), I have been moving all of my stories to FictionPad and Archive of Our Own. All three sites will be updated with each new chapter, starting with this one.