How we were (Carlisle Cullen x Male OC)

6.5

And he kept his word.

It was dark when he got back. He had spent hours mapping the forest around the Cullens house, walking until he memorised it.

He walks so far he comes across a small stream. Water was always the hardest thing for him to cross over with his gift, and he wasn't sure how long Carlisle would stay in Forks, but it would be a nice place to visit again eventually.

Taking off both his shoes and socks, he rolls his trousers up just slightly and walks into the stream.

He had never been near any large bodies of water when he was human, and he wished he could feel how cold the water was.

He only took five steps before he noticed a strange ripping in the water, followed by a rumble in the distance, getting louder as it got closer.

A snarl quickly followed as several large wolves ran through the trees straight towards him.

He staggers back in shock, watching them get closer and closer.

"William!" Carlisle's voice brakes through their growls. Turning quickly, he uses his gift to get to Carlisle just as their teeth snap at him, ripping the arm of his shirt.

"William don't!—" grabbing Carlisle by the arm, he makes them appear a few feet away, confused why Carlisle wants him to stop.

The rest of the Cullens appear around them in a semi-cirle. His head snaps from Carlisle to the wolves and back. Fear gripped him and sunk into his ribs, sharp and cold.

"He doesn't know," Carlisle pants with his hand held out "William is visiting and he didn't know any better"

He knew he was probably holding Carlisle's arm too tight, but he couldn't stop the shaking.

"I'll show him the treaty boarder, he won't cross it again" he promised.

The wolves snarled at them but didn't come any closer.

"we'll leave now" helping William to stand, taking most of his weight, "I'm sorry".

Carlisle has to almost carry him back home. When they enter, he turns in Carlisle's arms and hides his face in his neck.

"I'm sorry" he can't stop the words "I'm sorry, I'm sorry—"

"Don't" he's pulled closer "don't be sorry". Carlisle's makes a gentle shushing noise as he tightens his arms around William.

"I just wanted to—" his throat closes up as his eyes burn with tears he can't cry "I just wanted to follow the water—".

"I know" a kiss is placed onto the crown of his head "you didn't know it's my fault"

His bottom lip wobbles as fear still stabbed at his ribs "no Carlisle—" he can barley get the words out "I should have come back—"

He shakes as he grips onto Carlisle's jumper tighter.

"It's all my fault"

Everything was. He and Carlisle hadn't spoke in almost one hundred years. He had almost gotten Carlisle hurt because he didn't come back straight the way.

It was all his fault.

"silly boy" Carlisle pulls back slightly so he can see William's face.

William's chest shudders again as one of Carlisle's hands moves its way up his body to cup the back of his neck, fingers threading through his hair at his nape.

"You did come back"

William finds himself moving forward without realising. Felt himself smiling up at him. Breathless in a way he hadn't felt in hundreds of years.