This work was originally published in 2009 when Twilight was wildly popular. I was part of an extraordinary group of talented writers - feckle, sisterglitch, sandraj60, clarion, lucidscreamer, kyilliki, avioleta and many many more - who had more fun with these characters than anyone has a right to ;) My personal pairing was Edward/Carlisle (I role-played Carlisle) and we started a whole AU that began with Carlisle in London before he was turned and ended - well, we never did finish it. Real life and other interests demanded our attention.
Flashforward to the Covid-19 lockdown and feckle, sisterglitch and I started reminiscing about what fun we had had. And, to help with the stress of the quarantine, suddenly everything imaginable was on tv! Including the Twilight series. While I had watched the first movie, I had never actually seen the others and found out all sorts of things I had never known. And what with watching and PMing the others - Well,that got us all riled up again!
So here is the original fic that brought us together. I fully intend to finish A Song (for Him) and Changing (and feckle claims to have an old copy of A Separate Sphere kicking around) and if Covid-19 turns in to Covid-21, there is no telling how much we will get written!
Author's Note: This work was inspired by the authors of Lifetime Prelude on LiveJournal (community dot livejournal dot com/lifetimeprelude/) and I base my characters largely on their depiction of Edward and Carlisle. I was delighted to find that comm still on LJ and you are encouraged to have a look. The beginning of my fic starts where they leave the boys in Vermont. A huge thank you to steph muji and wanderlustlover!
Original note: The change in Edward and Carlisle's relationship occurred during their travels in Europe in the first year of Edward's "life" and the two are now quite established as a couple. That said, Edward was quite young when changed and strongly influenced by Carlisle. They have not been separated by choice for any extended period of time until their relocation to America. Now Edward has been left on his own for much of the day while Carlisle works at the hospital. As a young person, and an even younger vampire, he has little understanding of what he is supposed to be doing during that time. Consequently, he spends a great deal of time simply trapped in the house feeding his own insecurity. It is this unfortunate state of affairs that makes him easy prey for the Volturi. The first chapter is pretty graphic (the flashback will be worse!), but I firmly believe vampires are not the cuddly creatures in the Hollywood portrayals. Edward describes himself in the "Twilight" series as "dangerous", a "killer", and a "predator". In that vein, I have made the Volturi as vicious and evil as I believe they are supposed to be.
Reviews are crucial for motivation, and I reply to every review, I promise. Tell me if you liked it or not, but please don't tell me you don't like the Edward/Carlisle pairing, because this is what it is! And any input you have on how to make it better/more readable is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for reading ~ Paceisthetrick
Preface
Somewhere in the deep recesses of his mind, he realized that he was badly hurt. But he was unable to recall how he had come to be here, lying on the forest floor covered in dirt and leaves. Instinctively, he knew he should hide before the danger returned and reflex propelled him to pull himself upright and move toward the house, his home. He staggered the few hundred yards before collapsing and then crawled the remainder of the way. Painfully slow, he climbed - nails digging deep in to the wood - up the back steps. He called out for help, and the raspy, broken sound of his voice frightened him even more.
"Carlisle!"
There was no answer.
Chapter 1 (Warning! Graphic acts of violence)
Carlisle returned home in an upbeat mood, eager for his five days vacation and the first opportunity to relax alone with Edward since the move. He recognized that his young companion had taken a back seat to his profession when he made the decision to return to work, and he was anxious to make it up to him. The enormity of the gratitude he felt to the boy weighed heavily on his brain. They had spent nearly every day of the first year together and he knew the abrupt change in their routine was taking its toll on the younger man. He would have been blind not to see that Edward felt lost here in a new town, in a new life that made little sense to him, with Carlisle suddenly gone for large portions of the day.
He entered through the back door and placed his briefcase and umbrella on the side table, hanging his coat on the rack beside it.
"Edward?" He called, turning to listen for him as he rolled up his sleeves and loosened his tie.
No answer.
It occurred to him that Edward might be out hunting, but that seemed unlikely since the two of them had just fed that weekend. The music store? The library? He shrugged, a little let down at having to wait to see him, but understanding. He needed to let Edward make his way in the world without orchestrating every move.
And, then, how much better if he had not stayed home all day. He thought about the boredom Edward was enduring solely for his benefit...
He'd make it up to him in Boston. Theatre, concerts and the Red Sox!
He walked through the large company room to the front porch, hoping he might find Edward there anyway. Perhaps he was reading and simply didn't want to be disturbed.
And then he heard it: a whisper of a movement, barely discernible, upstairs. A flash and Carlisle entered the room to find Edward crouched in the corner between the bed and the wall.
"Edward? What's wrong?" He eyed the huddled form speculatively, trying to assess the situation.
Edward's eyes were clenched tightly shut, his lips a thin line, his arms protectively locked around his chest.
"Edward? What has happened?" He feared the worst, but his keen vision was that while Edward was disheveled, he clearly was not bloody. So perhaps no one was actually attacked.
Edward groaned loudly as in response to his thoughts, clutching himself tighter.
"Edward! Look at me!" He bent down to shake Edward's shoulder, trying to force a response from him. Better to deal with it all right now and learn from the mistake. I will forgive you.
Uncanny sounds came from deep within Edward - low, keening, savage, like a wounded animal. His pushed Carlisle away..
Changing tactics, Carlisle sat down on the floor beside him and placed his arm comfortingly around the other man's shoulders. "Edward, it's alright. You can tell me. Whatever happened, we will deal with it together."
Edward inhaled in short bursts – ascertaining the level of danger - before stiffly unlocking his arms and pulling himself to Carlisle's chest. His breathing remained erratic, but he pressed his head close to the older vampire for comfort.
Carlisle wrapped him tightly in his arms, soothing him with little pats. We are heading out of town anyway. So long as the damage wasn't too great things will blow over. Trust me.
Edward's hand clawed at Carlisle's shirt, and he buried his head against his chest.
"It's alright, I'm here. Just tell me who and where so that I can help." He buried his lips in Edward's hair, rocking him back and forth a little too violently to calm him, shushing softly in his ear.
Carlisle's brain was shuffling through various scenarios - most of which involved a loner, someone on the lake, maybe. Only years of medical training and rigid discipline enabled him to remain calm and clear in even the most volatile situations; crucial now as Edward was still on the verge of hysteria.
"Edward! Edward, listen to me. You must calm down and tell me what has happened. I cannot help until I know what is wrong." If someone is hurt, I will go and find them. If someone is - He quickly smoothed that thought away.
After what felt like an interminable period of time, Edward's moans ceased, but now he just stared catatonic at Carlisle's shirt. Carlisle wasn't entirely sure this change was preferable. They had transcended one non-communicative state for another.
He managed to coax him in to looking at him and heaved a huge sigh of relief when he found they were still golden. His mind was progressively lighter. Except for Edward's state.
He reached down to investigate the boy's torn clothing, hoping to find a clue there, but jerked back when Edward snarled and struck at him. He was flung backwards to the opposite wall, damaging the artwork and furniture in his path.
Good God, Edward! Stunned. What is the matter with you?
Edward's mouth emitted another awful howl as he curled back into fetal position. The snarl had become a howl.
"Edward! Look at me!" Gentle but firm. He cradled Edward's face in his hands. Please tell me what is wrong!
Edward's hand grasped his arm and his lips began to tremble as he looked up into Carlisle's eyes. He was shaking violently.
He tried to stammer out a word, cried out, closed his mouth, and shut his eyes tightly again with a shudder.
It's alright, you can tell me. He encouraged, brushing the hair out of Edward's eyes and kissing him softly on the forehead.
Edward took another ragged breath and tried again.
"They came here." He managed a broken whisper.
If he were human, Carlisle would say he felt the wind was knocked out of him. As it was, the weight of Edward's words caused his body to sag as his brain struggled to process the information. No need to ask who They were.
He felt fairly certain he already knew what had happened and even more strongly that he had no desire to actually know the details. He felt stunned and sick and angry and... helpless. The growls in his chest matched the white noise in his head, and the only word he could form was a resounding NO!
NO! NO! NO! This could not possibly be happening to him. Not when his life seemed idyllic - Edward, the house, his medical practice. What had he done to deserve this? Why had they come looking for him? Edward. They wanted Edward.
Dear God, they tried to take him from me...
He turned his attention back to the frightened being in his arms.
Oh my Edward! He nestled his cheek into the thick auburn hair, protectively shielding him.
And then he froze as the realization came to him. Oh, God. What have I done?
Edward tried to pull away, as overwhelmed by Carlisle's thoughts as the course of the day's events. He began to scream again, hoping the buzzing in his brain would cease.
Dear God, I let this happen. Carlisle was lost completely in his mental attack on himself, oblivious to the growing distress of the man in his arms. I wasn't here. I left him alone. What was I thinking? Of course they would come here. I knew they would come. Why was I such a fool? My God. my GOD!
He cursed himself over and over, before his rational half resurfaced, stronger now, and resumed control.
"Edward." He turned quietly to his charge. "I need to see where you're hurt so that I can help. I may be able to take the pain away."
He moved to unbutton his shirt, and again was met with resistance. Edward didn't want to be touched there.
"Edward. I know how frightened you are but please be still so that I can examine you."
So that I can examine you? He was starting to sound like a doctor. He mentally kicked himself, drew a steady breath and regrouped.
Edward! Carlisle breathed soothingly into his ear, planting a kiss in his hair. "Let me help you. I'll put you in a nice, warm bath and you'll feel better. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
Scrub their filth away.
Edward heard that subconscious angry thought and grew passive in Carlisle's arms.
Carlisle made swift work of undressing him - I won't hurt you, my darling, I would never hurt you! – and tried to ascertain exactly what had transpired in their torture session. He leaned Edward back on the bed, eyes quickly taking in the damage on his front side.
Marks across Edward's stomach and thighs, and Dear GOD!, his penis. He was covered in dried venom. Carlisle could barely summon the emotional strength to turn him over.
More marks, and far worse. Evidence that Edward had been raped. Repeatedly, by the look of it.
Carlisle's face contorted with the pain, rage, shock that had continually assaulted his brain since Edward had spoken. It took everything he had to turn Edward back over in his arms, kissing his forehead tenderly and lifting him up.
"A warm bath will make you feel better."
No, it wouldn't, but it would give him something to focus on while he figured out how to handle the emotions that left him feeling out of control.
He eased the shaking boy into the tub, set the water temperature just right, added Edward's favorite bath salts, and tried to make him comfortable.
He took a soft cloth and lathered it with soap, forcing himself to smile reassuringly at Edward as he gently smoothed the creases on his forehead, trying to erase the horror indelibly etched in his brain.
Edward's eyes remained glassy and half-closed, but he willingly submitted to Carlisle's ministrations.
Carlisle's hands glided over the tender spots, replacing savagery with a soapy film that he then rinsed away. It was more symbolic than anything else, but it helped to calm both of them.
When Carlisle finished, he wrapped a large towel around Edward's trunk, lifted him easily out of the tub and carried him to the bed. He gently toweled him dry, and then wrapped him back up snugly in a blanket while he went to fetch clean clothes.
He was puzzled by the thick liquid that continued to seep from Edward's rectum. He had initially thought it was simply the aftermath of repeated sexual encounters, but the physician in him questioned that when it didn't stop.
He looked closer and exhaled heavily. Edward, he closed his eyes, dreading having to subject the boy to more. Edward, I think there may be something inside of you that your body is trying to reject. I will need to remove it.
The horrible wailing began again. Carlisle flinched, but also realized he had guessed correctly. He stood and walked to the table, opening his medical bag and removing a pair of forceps and a small bottle of oil. He swore under his breath, clenching his fist. Of all the things they could have done…
He tried to make his mindset calmer as he returned to Edward. Edward, please hold very still and I will try to be quick. Edward moved to cover himself, but Carlisle restrained him and turned him on his side.
Lubricating his fingers with the oil, Carlisle reached up inside Edward, probing, feeling for the object. Edward moaned incessantly. He found nothing so he reached for the forceps, oiling them before slipping them into Edward This will pinch a little, try to relax. Edward began to scream.
Carlisle held him firmly, shushing in low, comforting tones while prodding the tissue further up until he touched a foreign object. He gently maneuvered until he had it, and then slowly pulled it out.
He stared down in horror at his ring, the very one he had given Edward.
"Mine!" Edward grasped it from his hand, clutching it to his chest. He turned away from Carlisle, shaking convulsively.
Merciful God! How much more lay in store for him?
Carlisle sat back heavily on the bed, depressed and defeated. He stared at the sobbing figure for a while before reaching over to take him in his arms.
"You're safe now, Edward. It's over now." He willed rather than believed it to be true, but aloud it had some credibility. He pressed his lips into Edward's wet hair. My angel.
The numbness overtook them both.