The Huntsman's Swan (REWRITING)

Going Home

"She's brought him to life," Esme says, smiling as she leans against her husband. Smiling down at the woman, Carlisle kissed her forehead before returning to the couple outside.

"He's been all alone for too long,"

But how can this end well?

There had never been an excellent end to relationships that were shared between vampires and humans. They were far too different. One cannot test the temper of life and death for too long. It will one day reap what it is owed.

"I can see the doubt in your eyes, Carlisle. Bella is what he wants. It will work out. Somehow," she reassures, her hand now resting on his chest. Carlisle smiles gently at Esme as he takes her hand and places a soft kiss behind it.

Gabby stood by the balcony, letting the forest air wrap around her. She could hear her sister's giggles and the soft zoom of moving trees from far away. She was thankful for Jasper's bedroom, where the balcony behind a corner of the house hid her from prying eyes.

"I can feel your distress." A voice came from behind. Gabby didn't have to turn to know who it was. The sweet honey-like southern accent had given it all away. "A penny for your thoughts?" Jasper continued as he stood beside her, his side leaning on the railing as he watched her face contort from a blank face to a smile.

"It's nothing."

"Is it?" Jasper asks, his hand wrapping around her hands, stopping them from picking at her nails, "Then why has it disturbed you so?"

Gabby smiled tightly and placed his hand on her cheek. The coldness of his touch met the warmth of hers. She loved it; she saw it as a little quirky romantic dynamic, like the golden retriever and black cat romances. Hers was the cold and warm hands type of couple. Opposites attract; despite how unhinged she might sound, she had fallen in love with him. It was unbelievable how he was nothing but a creep with a staring problem a couple of months ago, and now she called him hers.

Her man.

Her lover.

Her euphoria.

Jasper softly smiled as he felt her hand rest gently on his. He knew something was bothering her. Something that was bothering her. But he knew that if she wanted to talk, she'd talk. So, instead, he focused on the joining of her skin with his.

It was disturbing how much different the temperatures of their bodies emitted. He was dead. He was a walking corpse, his skin was cold, and his heart stopped beating decades, centuries ago.

He felt like a monster as he stroked her cheek. She deserved to love a man who could give her a life. Not one that would trap her in an inevitable race with age and time. He couldn't do it to her. And so he pulled his hand away from her. He watched Gabby's eyes falter, her hands stilling as he turned his side to her.

Right there, he could turn back around, be selfish, love her until her time ticked to zero or turn her into something monstrous, turn her into. Him.

He couldn't

Jasper felt her shift, moving back to her old position on the balcony, facing the forest face, her hands picking at her nails. He didn't move to stop her this time.

Gabby knew.

Jasper knew.

This was goodbye.

✄

Gabby, Bella and Charlie sat at their usual booth silently. Their dinner was plated before them; the sounds of cutlery scraping against the plates were the only thing being exchanged between them.