A/N: Cover drawn by SoubiVee on Twitter.

Blood Bound
Chapter I :: Don't (Leave Me Behind)

Forks is a small town, the perfect place to stay for a few months before wandering to another destination. Alec found some dingy room in a motel to stay at until he decides to move onwards, and for the first couple of months, things are peaceful. Quiet. Exactly how he likes it.

However, if there's one thing Alec realized about himself many years ago, danger tends to follow him around like a magnet. He still doesn't understand how or why he was spared from the brutal slaughtering of his friends and family all those years ago, but ever since, it seems like something, or rather, someone, wants to get rid of him, to finish what they started with the killing of everything and everyone Alec ever loved.

He didn't expect to be attacked as he was sitting outside, trying to get some fresh air. The thing – Alec doesn't know exactly what it was – broke his arm before bolting away for some strange reason. All he knows is the pain was excruciating, and, looking over himself, he notices there's some wounds that look like scratches but far worse.

Yeah, he's gonna need stitches for those, and his arm was definitely broken. So, as much as Alec hates hospitals, he called a cab and went to the nearest one. As he got registered and sat in the waiting room, he thought he saw a flash of topaz looking at him and he was called in a few minutes later.

Weird. I thought I'd have to wait longer.

A nurse gets him set up in one of the rooms, and Alec cringes. He should probably ask for something for pain, but he was never the type to rely on medication. He preferred to wait things out and deal with pain on his own.

Alec doesn't realize someone comes in until a soft, cold, gentle hand touches his arm. Grinding his teeth at the pain, Alec's blue stares into topaz, the same he thought he saw before he was called in.

The doctor looks at him, and Alec feels his heart quicken. God, he was pretty. But he bashes the thought away as quick it came. No attachments, remember? Alec tells himself.

"What happened?" the doctor asks, and Alec blinks; it almost sounded like he was snarling. That wouldn't make sense, though.

"I was getting some air and some weird thing attacked me. Dunno what it was," Alec admits with a shrug. "I'm kinda prone to getting into danger, so I should expect shit like that by now."

For a split second, Alec thinks those eyes go black, but it's there for such a split second he brushes it off. "I'll have to set your arm and your wounds need stitches. I'll be right back."

Alec nods, watching the doctor walk out of the room. He almost misses the man's touch, but he shakes it off. No attachments, no attachments, Alec repeats to himself like a mantra.

Everything he ever cared about was always ripped away from him, and Alec would rather spare himself the pain of losing yet another thing he cares about. Besides, the doctor was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. He probably already had a girlfriend, or hell, maybe even a wife.

For some strange reason, the thought makes a pang of pain zing along Alec's heart, but once more he shakes it off. No. No attachments.

The doctor returns after a few minutes with the means to stitch up the cuts among his arms and the one on his palm. Those frigid fingers once more find his arm, and as much as Alec hates himself for it, he lets out a tiny pained noise, missing the sharp intake of breath the beautiful doctor takes at it.

"Your arm is worse than I thought. I'll have to re-break it for it to heal properly," he murmurs, almost sounding regretful. "I'll give you morphine for the pain before I do."

"No," Alec rasps. "No painkillers."

Topaz stares into blue, and Alec hopes he sees the resolve in his eyes. The doctor looks away after a moment, nodding, and starting the process of stitching up the various cuts on his arm before moving to his palm.

"Any particular reason you're against painkillers?" the taller man asks, and Alec doesn't expect the tone. It's soft, quiet, and curious.

"I just-... don't have a good experience with them," Alec hisses as the doctor finishes up the last of the stitches. "I'll be okay; my pain tolerance is considered godly," he adds on with a cheeky grin.

Alec finds himself happy when the doctor chuckles at his lame attempt at a joke. "I'll do it quickly."

The other blond takes Alec's hand, and Alec doesn't know why at first, but quickly figures it out when he starts the task of resetting his bones. A scream of agony rips through Alec as he grips onto the doctor's hand hard enough he's sure it hurts, but if it does, the man is kind enough to let him crush his hand as it's done within the next couple of minutes.

Gasping for air, pain cascading through every nerve of his body, Alec collapses against the doctor's chest, desperately trying to get air in his lungs. He doesn't expect cold, strong arms to weave around his body, or hold him like he's the most precious thing in the world. But when Alec breaks the contact, he sees those eyes brimming with regret and… is that longing?

"T-Thanks, doc… I'll be okay."

"Carlisle."

"Huh?"

"My name," Carlisle says with the smallest of smiles on his face. "May I know yours?"

"Alec. Alec Davis," Alec introduces himself. "Seriously, though, thanks… I'll get out of your hair now."

"Not before we cast your arm," Carlisle replies, and Alec blinks at the sharp undertone. "I'll be back in a moment."

Alec sits there like a fish out of water, cheeks flushing when Carlisle returns with the means to cast his arm. It lasts a good five minutes before it's over, and Alec gives the other blond the best smile he can muster, moving off the bed and walking out of the room.

He looks over his shoulder, his good arm waving at Carlisle, before he walks out of the hospital. If he had lingered even a second longer, he would have seen the look of longing and agony on the doctor's face.

Carlisle excused himself after Alec left. When he caught those blue eyes for the split second he did, he felt his entire body and soul – or what was left of it – call for the strange man. He immediately told the nurse to bring him in, and that he would be looking after him, to which she cocked an eyebrow but nodded.

He wasn't stupid; those wounds Alec carried weren't caused by a rabid animal or anything akin to it. They were by his kind, and it killed him to watch Alec walk out of the hospital, not knowing where he would end up or if he would be so lucky to survive another vampire attack.

Carlisle reaches for his phone, calling Alice, saying without preamble, "You saw him, didn't you?"

"Yeah," Alice replies. "He's staying at a motel a few blocks away from the hospital." After a second of silence, she adds on, "We'll keep tabs on him and make sure this doesn't happen again."

"Good," Carlisle replies. "In all my centuries, I never thought I would find him. I can't let anything happen."

"And it won't," Alice reassures. "Edward's on his way to his motel, Emmett too. They won't let any harm befall your mate."

Letting out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, Carlisle nods. "I'll be home within the hour. We'll discuss what to do about Alec then."

Alec. Even saying his name sparked something Carlisle hadn't felt in all his centuries. He was made for him, just as Alec was. While he doesn't know how he's going to obtain the mortal, until he does, the least he can do is keep a close watch on him.

Carlisle didn't particularly like his comment about how danger followed him, either.

When Alec gets back to his motel, he feels like someone, or something, is watching him, but he shakes the feeling off and enters the dingy room that's not home, but it's the best he can do for now. He wasn't going to stick around for much longer, anyway.

He couldn't. Carlisle evoked something in Alec he hadn't felt since he lost everything. And he didn't want to lose anything, or anyone, else, so he had to leave before he formed some kind of attachment to the good doctor.

Opening his fridge, Alec slams it shut once he realizes he doesn't have a lot of food. More fast food, it seems. He was getting rather tired of eating grease all the time, but he couldn't really afford anything else.

A swift knock at his door startles Alec and he doesn't want to open it at first, but then the knock comes again, and he saunters towards the door, opening it, and seeing a man he doesn't recognize on the other side.

"Can I help you?" Alec questions, but finds himself surprised when food is shoved in his arms before the person darts off. Quirking an eyebrow, Alec looks at what the stranger gave him. The name of an expensive restaurant is the first thing he notices; it's definitely something he could never afford to get himself. And it smells so damn good that Alec is quick to delve into it.

While Alec knows better than to accept food from strangers, he was so damn hungry and tired of cheap food he stuffs his face without thinking. And when it's done, the blond finds himself sated and full for the first time in a lot of years.

Throwing on the television, Alec watches some mindless drama before he falls asleep on the couch. He doesn't see the same man who gave him the food come in or lock his door, nor does he notice how he sits in a tree and keeps a close watch on his window.

Carlisle wasn't the type to pace, but his whole body was tightly wound as he waited for Edward to return. His children knew better than to ask questions, so they could only watch as their father walked to and fro with an irritated spring to his step.

"Edward," Alice calls once he comes in, and Edward looks grim. "Is he okay?"

"He plans on leaving," Edward replies. "I saw his mind, what he's been through. His entire family and all his friends were murdered by vampires and ever since then, he believes nothing good – love, happiness, joy – is meant for him."

Carlisle snarls at those words, and if his heart still pumped life, it would have twisted in pain. "What else?" he demands.

Edward sighs. "He hasn't had decent food in a lot of years. I told Emmett to fetch him something that would at least keep him sated."

No one's surprised when Carlisle starts pacing again, anger joining the irritation. "I can't let him live like that."

"He won't," Alice whispers. "You'll be together, I can see it. But…"

"But what?"

"He was right, danger follows him. He wasn't meant to survive. He's being hunted."

The windows break with the force of Carlisle's emotions, and no one can fault him for it. Nor can they stop him as he runs out of the house, and all they can do is hope everything will be okay.

Alec wakes some time later, stretching and yawning. His bones crack pleasantly and he can't help but look out the yellow tinted window of the motel. He'll leave within the week. That way, he can't get attached to anyone or anything here.

He thinks he hears fighting outside, making him arch an eyebrow in confusion. Just as he goes to see what the commotion is, a hand wraps itself around his neck, tilting his head back to look into someone's eyes.

Red. The color of blood.

The same eyes which tore apart everything he ever loved.

"Simple minded Alec," the man snarls. "It is time for you to face your damnation."

An inhumane roar echoes in Alec's ears, making him wince. But the man is ripped away from him and he's left to fall onto the floor, letting out a pained noise. He can't bring himself to look up – if he did, he would have seen the exact same scene he saw all those years ago when his family and friends were torn asunder.

"Alec? Alec, it's alright. Look at me."

For the first time in all his miserable years, Alec can't resist the voice. His blue eyes look into topaz, and, similar to when his arm was getting reset, he falls into Carlisle's waiting arms, not understanding why he feels so drawn in and so safe within a single man's embrace.

"Why are you here?" Alec can't help but blurt out, hating the weak croak his voice is.

"Because you needed me," is the hushed whisper he gets as a reply. Carlisle's arms go around his legs, carrying him bridal style out of the dingy motel room. At that moment, Alec never wants to go back. He wants to remain in this man's arms for the rest of his days.

Such a stupid thought. He was going to leave anyway. He can't let Carlisle get caught in the danger sticking to him like a second skin, following and threatening him whenever he goes.

The man who brought him food suddenly appears next to them, and Alec wonders when he got there. All he knows is he's being walked towards a fancy sports car, something he could never afford even if he worked his ass off the rest of his life, and he keeps his head tucked against Carlisle's chest.

Alec doesn't miss the way his fingers clutch onto his shirt almost desperately.

"Geez, danger really does follow you around, huh?" the larger man beside them teases, but he quickly shuts up at the low growl from Carlisle. Why would he growling? It was just a joke.

No further words are said as the other man gets in the front seat, and Alec can't help but blush deep red as Carlisle settles them in the back, keeping a secure, comforting grip on him. The coldness of his body – and for a moment, Alec questions why it's such a way – encourages him to slip his eyes shut, nuzzling his face against the other blond's chest as sleep wraps around him like a warm duvet.

Seeing the vampire about kill his mate sparked an inhumane rage Carlisle hadn't felt in all his years. And it was only quelled with Alec tucked against him, curled close to his body, and with his arms around him to shield the human from any threat daring to come his way.

He would protect him. By the gods, he would protect him.

Emmett, thankfully, drove past the speed limit to get to their house, and Carlisle was equally thankful Alec stayed slumbering as they exited the car. The mortal nuzzled closer to Carlisle as he slept, and it made a warm smile cross the vampire's face as he walked into their home with Emmett close behind.

Yes, their home. This place was now as much Alec's as it was Carlisle's; it was the moment he laid eyes on the beautiful mortal and his entire being called for him.

Rosalie looks up as they walk in, a look of longing entirely different than her father's resting on her face. Carlisle knew how much she longed for mortality, so being around a human must be exceptionally difficult on her. Alec has something she could only dream of.

Alice and Jasper sit nearby. Edward leans against the wall, and they all look towards Carlisle and Emmett as they walk in. Their father sits on the couch, carefully so he doesn't wake the sleeping human in his arms, and they all gather around, whispering in hushed voices so it doesn't wake Alec.

They don't want to face Carlisle's anger at waking him, and the poor thing looks exhausted, so it's better to let him rest.

"I didn't recognize any of the vampires who attacked his family and friends," Edward murmurs. "But Alec doesn't know what they are. That works out for us, I guess."

Alice nods. "It's better he doesn't. It's easier to protect him that way."

A soft mumble draws their attention to Alec. He tucks himself closer to Carlisle, and the man responds by tangling his fingers through Alec's hair, soothing him into deeper rest.

"If he's going to be a part of our world, he should know someday," Emmett remarks. "Carlisle can only resist him for so long."

All eyes drift to their father, who's occupied with the slumbering mortal in his arms. But they know he's paying attention to each and every word they say, so they continue with discussing what to do about the whole situation.

"Alec's terrified of becoming attached to anyone," Edward says. A soft, pained sound leaves their father at those words, but he presses onwards. "If he leaves, it'll kill him. We have to find some way to make him stay without freaking him out."

"He already cares for Carlisle," Alice murmurs. "You don't need any powers to see that. But you're right, we have to figure out a way to make him stay."

"Where he goes, I will follow," Carlisle whispers, making all eyes turn on him. "No matter where that is."

"You need us to help protect him," Jasper says. "You can't fight alone."

A soft moan breaks the tense silence, and Alec opens his eyes, his expression immediately turning wild and fearful. They dart to and fro like a wild animal, and he looks like he wants to run far, far away, but Carlisle tightens his grip on his mate, making him look at him in shock.

"You're safe, Alec. Shh, you're okay," Carlisle soothes, and it seems to calm the raw panic in Alec's entire core. He nods, and unconsciously cuddles closer to Carlisle, who lets out a pleased hum at the action. "We aren't going to let anyone hurt you."

"Y-you guys don't know what happened. I can't-..." Alec's voice cracks. "I can't let anyone else die."

"You won't," Carlisle reassures his beloved, leaning their foreheads together. Alec blushes at the intimate gesture and looks like he doesn't understand why Carlisle is acting in such a way. "We'll protect you. I'll protect you."

"That's what Mom said before-..." Alec chokes on the word. Carlisle shushes him again, weaving his fingers through platinum blond hair, and it seems to give Alec the will to continue. "Before she was torn apart."

They look on sadly as Alec's eyes fill with tears, and he tucks his face against Carlisle's neck, broken, agonizing sobs slipping from between clenched teeth. All they can do is watch as their father tightens his grasp on him, whispering soothing, hushed words against his hair, and after a few minutes, Alec calms, but wrings his hands.

"I don't understand," he whispers, sounding pained and so very confused. "I don't understand why it hurts so fucking bad to think of leaving. I want to; I don't want to lose anyone else. But I can't. I can't, and I don't understand why."

He buries himself deeper against Carlisle, and in reply, the vampire holds his mate close, hoping his touch serves as a grounding technique. "One day," is all he whispers against Alec's hair, and while Alec lets out a disgruntled sound, he says nothing else, just keeps himself tucked against the taller man.

Silence passes between the Cullens as they debate their next move, but Alice suddenly goes rigid, eyes going blank for a few seconds before she gasps.

"They're coming."

"Who?" Jasper asks.

"They know. And they want to inflict the same pain onto him again."

Alec's eyes go wide, and he tries to bolt out of Carlisle's arms, but he holds his precious one even closer to his body. "No, no, no. I can't-..."

"You won't," Carlisle promises. "You won't."

Alec's breathing quickens and becomes labored, his entire body shaking. "I can't lose anyone else. I fucking can't. I can't, I can't, I can't-..."

"Alec, shhh, stop," the vampire whispers, tracing Alec's cheek with his fingers. "You won't. I promise you."

"You don't know what they can do. They tore apart every last person and thing I cared about. They'll do the same to you."

"I'd like to see 'em try," Emmett snarls, and the rest of them nod. "We gotta tell him."

"Tell me?" Alec questions, all big eyes and confusion.

Carlisle closes his eyes in pain, not liking this is the way he has to tell Alec, but if it'll reassure him he won't leave him, then it's what he has to do.

Anything to get the haunted look out of his mate's eyes.

"We're the same as them. And that, Alec, is why we, I, will protect you."

The same as them.

Alec doesn't register those words, not at first. But after a few minutes of tense silence, his eyes go wide, looking at them with alarm.

What? They're murderers?

"No," Edward says, and Alec blinks, looking at the man in surprise. "We're not like them in that way. Other ways."

"I don't-... I don't understand. How, then?" Alec questions. He's so fucking confused right now he can't stand it. But what he does know is the arms around his body tighten, and he can't help but rest his head against Carlisle's shoulder.

It doesn't make sense why this sole person serves to keep Alec front and center, but he guesses that's a tale for another day.

"We're strong like them," Carlisle's voice murmurs, close to Alec's ear, and it makes him shiver. "That's how we can protect you."

"B-But-..."

"It'll be okay, Alec," a woman's voice he doesn't recognize reassures, and he looks at her. She's kinda cute. Edward laughs when he thinks that, and Alec arches an eyebrow.

"What's so funny?" he mutters.

"Just be glad no one else can hear thoughts," Edward jests, and Alec narrows his eyes.

Huh?

Alec feels the mood shift whenever those around him go rigid and tense. He doesn't understand what's going on, or why the sudden change in atmosphere, but the woman who spoke earlier whispers something to Carlisle, something he can't quite hear, and he nods.

An indignant noise slips from Alec's lips as he picks him up and takes him to a room. He looks around; it looks like a study of sorts, and Carlisle sets him on a chair, brushing his hair away from his face with a tenderness Alec hasn't felt in many, many years.

"I'll be back. Do not leave here until I return."

Before Carlisle can leave, Alec grips his hand, and the man turns, giving Alec a warm, comforting smile. Ah hell, Alec mutters inwardly, and he shoots up from the chair, gripping onto the taller man's shirt.

He doesn't know why he feels compelled to do so, but later, Alec chalks it up to fear and terror of never seeing Carlisle again, the one person who his entire self calls for.

He kisses him.

Carlisle never felt as alive as he did when Alec's lips claimed his in a soft, fearful kiss.

He almost couldn't control himself. He backs Alec against the wall, kissing him without thought or abandon, before pulling away, and Alec stares at him with wide eyes and bruised lips. It's perfect. Alec is perfect.

"I will be back." And it's the hardest thing Carlisle ever did in all his years, locking the door and joining his family in a fight to protect his most beloved mate.

He hears Alec slide against the wall and sob, but he'll comfort him later, as much as it pains him. He has to finish this. He has to make sure danger never follows his treasure ever again.

The vampires surround their home, and once they're in sight, Carlisle feels a violent urge to slaughter each and every one of them. They caused Alec such despair and agony, and they will die for it.

"So he has protection now," one of them says, the obvious ringleader of the coven. "Doesn't matter. We'll still obliterate him."

That's the only thing that needs to be said before the fight begins. The Cullens are ruthless in their attack, but Carlisle is, perhaps, the most brutal and violent with how destroys each and every vampire who thought they could harm his precious, beloved Alec. He relishes in their screams and knows this is only the beginning of healing the everlasting damage these bastards caused.

After they're torn apart and bodies burned, Carlisle has an uneasy feeling, one he doesn't understand until a laugh bellows a few feet away. He turns, eyes going wide.

One of them has Alec in their clutches.

Alec listens to the sounds of the battle and can't stand sitting around doing nothing. As much as Carlisle wants him to stay put until it's over, Alec knows he can't sit here and let them protect him.

He steps out of the study, but seconds later, a cold hand grips his throat, hoisting him up in the air. Alec coughs and gags as they tighten their grip on his neck, and within seconds, falls unconscious, thinking one thing before his world goes black.

I'm sorry, Carlisle…

"Humans are… rather stupid," the vampire sneers, and Carlisle snarls, wishing with every fiber of his being he could get Alec out of the bastard's hold. But he can't. He has to bide his time and wait for the right moment. "He didn't want to sit around and wait, but that will ultimately be his end."

From the corner of his eye, Carlisle notices Edward, and he nods at his son, who uses his speed to grab onto the man, severing his head from his shoulders in one quick jerk. Alec falls to the ground and Carlisle catches him before his face meets the earth, cradling him close to his form.

"Alec, sweetheart, you can wake up. It's okay. Wake up, darling."

"Mm…" Alec opens his eyes, blinking wearily. "C-Carlisle… I'm-..."

Any further words are silenced when Carlisle kisses him once again, and Alec melts into it, grasping onto the vampire with every ounce of strength he has. It lasts a few moments, but when they break apart, Alec bites his lip, tucking his head against Carlisle's neck and trembling.

"Shh, my love. You're okay. Everything is alright."

Alec nods, but keeps a tight grip on him, almost like he's afraid this is all some sick dream and he'll wake up alone. Tangling his fingers through Alec's hair, knowing it's a comforting thing for his beloved, Carlisle pulls Alec ever closer to the point nothing can get between them.

The rest of his family approaches, giving the mates the space they need, but close by in case they're needed. After a good ten minutes, Alec's shivering stops, and he looks at them before his eyes settle on Carlisle's.

A tiny smile lingers on his face as he leans forward. Carlisle meets him halfway, and everything is okay in their worlds when their lips touch.

When they pull apart, Alec's smile is wide and goofy, happiness emitting off his body in waves. And, from that moment forward, Carlisle swears to protect that smile, to do everything in his power to ensure Alec never feels alone or fearful ever again.

He'll tell Alec of the bond they share when the time is right. For now, he'll enjoy having a normal relationship with his beloved, or as normal as they could possibly get.

As Alec curls against him, Carlisle wraps his arms around his most precious mate, kissing his hair. Yes. One day he'll tell him everything.

Not today.

TBC...