Iridescence | Edward x OC

11

Why struggle to open the door between us when the whole wall is an illusion?

                                                     - Rumi
-

With the Cullen's no longer having to keep their secret around Aris, that just created room for them to become all the more close. And while she was hesitant about it at first, she eventually did allow them to meet her mother and brother, as well as her father whom Carlisle had already met countless times before because of their work.

The Cullen's had not yet caught on to the fact that Jack and Talia weren't humans like Aris had said, and she really hoped it stayed that way. She knew that in time the truth of her being iridescent would most likely come out, as secrets as big as that can almost never stay hidden, but for the moment, she was just enjoying the time their families got to spend together without the burden of having to pretend like she didn't know what the Cullen's were.

"So, you seriously don't see anything weird about this?" Aris asked, appalled.

"What? There's nothing wrong about hunting with your friends." Edward stated plainly, taking a seat next to Aris.

They were both sitting outside on a bench in the Cullen's backyard, enjoying the sunny weather for the first time in the past month or so.

"It's just weird to me, I dunno," she chuckled, taking a bite out of her apple that Alice had graciously given to her earlier, "it just seems... wrong. I mean seriously, how often do you think someone goes up to a friend and says "hey buddy! Feelin' hungry, wanna go hunt some mountain lions with me?""

Edward's beautiful laugh filled up the space between them, his crooked smile causing a bright one to appear on Aris's face.

"I wouldn't know, I've never really had friends outside of my family and the Denali's before." Edward shrugged, his laugh finally settling.

"You'd make more if you'd be better with first impressions." Aris teased, nudging him slightly.

"I usually am," he said defensively, "just not with you."

Aris rolled her eyes, taking another bite of her apple.

"Are you ever going to tell me why, or am I going to have to wallow in this mystery for the rest of eternity?"

Edward had to stop the huge smile that was threatening to break out on his face at the thought of that. He wouldn't have to deal with the pain he'd feel from Aris dying of old age, and if she continued to spend time around him and his family, she'd become strong enough to the point where she wouldn't die of any casualties either.

He didn't know why the thought of Aris dying caused his insides to crumble and a weight to crush his shoulders. Just the mere thought of it was unbearable. Not wanting to admit to himself what the reason truly was, he decided on the fact that Aris was the closest to a friend he ever had, excluding his family and the Denali's.

It was funny though. He considered her a friend, but every time he thought of her, the first word that came to mind was enemy. She made his blood boil 90% of the time they were together, excluding times like now where they were capable of having normal conversations. And even though she made his blood boil 90% of the time they were together, over time he slowly started enjoying their little banters. He started enjoying the anger she made him feel and the way he could retaliate in such a way that she felt it as well. It always kept things interesting, and he never felt bored in her presence, which was more than he could say about most of the people he knew.

"I'll tell you one day, Shields." He promised, causing her insides to relax slightly, knowing that one day she'd have this nagging itch put to rest.