Quinn O'Connell was the pretty girl in pink, the homecoming queen and all-around straight-A student. Most people saw her as uptight, narcissistic but most importantly... They saw her as a control freak with her perfect blonde hair and patronising sm...
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"Right" Carlisle clicked his tongue as they entered the beautifully impeccable modern kitchen, guiding her toward one of the barstools. His hand slipped from hers as she hopped up carefully, her short legs swinging slightly as she observed him, from her limited knowledge of Carlisle, she could now see that he appeared calmer here, in his home... freer than he had been at the hospital. "Esme purchased these... cookbooks, I believe they were intended more for... decoration but they shall do." he decided as he pulled out a collection of books from the cupboard and she couldn't help the smile that cracked on her lips at how uncomfortable he was in his own kitchen.
"Carlisle" his golden eyes flashed up to hers from where he was leafing through the book faster than her eyes could process. "I can cook" he blinked at her for a moment before shaking his head decisively.
"No, no, I want to learn." he nodded and she beamed as she slid off the stall, rounding the counter to stand beside him, his pale hands slowed so that she could see the images on the pages as he pawed through them. "Is there anything you... fancy?" he questioned and she looked up into his golden eyes that were already staring down at her carefully.
"We could try pancakes?" she smiled and he nodded, agreeing as he found the page, clapping happily when he did.
"Yes, these will do" he nodded along and Quinn giggled. "What?" he couldn't help the smile that stretched over his own lips as she laughed at him.
"Nothing" he narrowed his eyes slightly at her vague answer, teasingly. "This just isn't how I thought I would spend the early hours of Wednesday morning" she smiled and he chuckled before shrugging.
"Well, here we are."
"Here we are" she repeated and for a moment, neither of them said anything but the air was not tense with awkwardness... On the contrary, only calm surrounded them.
"Rosalie and Alice brought some food a few days ago... They said that at the time, it was for appearances, I didn't question it," he informed as he quickly pulled the ingredients from the cupboard and Quinn watched with eager eyes as he followed the recipe to the letter, acting carefully.
"You didn't know I was coming?" she wondered and his eyes flashed up to hers in an instant.
"Oh, I hoped you would, but they have all been a bit secretive lately, I didn't know you were coming until you sent that text to Edward," he stated, frowning at the recipe. "It says to... Is this too much?" he gestured to the pan as he added a ladle of his mixture and she smiled gently, shaking her head.
"Perfect" Quinn promised and he smiled brightly in pride for a moment before turning back to the pancake, watching it closely in anticipation to flip it.
"As it turns out, Alice and Edward knew that you would be moving in here today the second he saved you from that van... They asked the family and they all agreed. I found out last." he chuckled as if recalling the memory and her gaze fell down to her lap slightly. She didn't want to intrude on anyone's home, anyone's family. "However, I am probably happiest about how this turned out" this had Quinn's gaze fashing up to meet his in a moment and he smiled, only having to pull his gaze away briefly to flip the pancake and he looked as though he wanted to cheer when he succeeded.
"You were?"
"Of course, Emmett and Jasper have offered to collect your things for you... If that is what you would like. Or, Alice and Rosalie are very eager to go shopping" he chuckled, speaking very fondly of his family and it made the blonde girl smile.
"Whatever is easiest, there are only a few things that I want from Hargreaves house" she huffed as she said the name and he walked around the counter, placing the plate in front of her but not acknowledging it as he slowly swivelled the stool to face him.
"Quinn, you're never going to have to go back there," he promised sincerely and she smiled weakly, wanting nothing more than to throw her arms around him and hold on forever. Of course, she restrained from doing so. "...Are you tired, Quinn?"
"Not really" she smiled as she cut into her pancake and he watched her like an owl, waiting for her verdict. After swallowing, she sent him a dazzling smile. "Turns out, Vampires can cook" he grinned proudly in return before going back to clean away the mess before Esme told him off. Quinn felt so free with Carlisle as if she was completely safe and no dark memories surfaced as he stood beside her. It was exhilarating to feel so... At peace.
"Carlisle?"
"Yes?"
"Um... I" she stuttered, having finished her food now. "I hit my head again last night... Do you... Do you think it's okay?" his back tensed from where he was washing up because they both knew that she didn't hit her head. Composing himself with a few deep breaths, he turned back around to face her with his usual smile.
"Can I have a look Quinn?" she nodded and he was by her side in a second, somehow, their speed didn't scare her. At first, she had been reasonably shocked but now, it was just a part of them that made her smile. They were extraordinary. His fingers were gentle as he pressed on her head and she winced, noticing that he did too. When his prodding was finished, his hand smoothed over the back of her head, brushing the curls and she couldn't help but lean into his cool fingers, looking up at him. Carlisle seemed mesmerised for a moment, repeating the action and finding her eyes flutter closed softly before reopening with a sparkling blue gaze. Neither of them spoke for a long time in fear of ruining the moment.
"Are you okay, Quinn?" his voice was barely audible, soft as silk and their eyes never left one another's, one of his hands still on the back of her head, his other holding the side of her stool. But Quinn felt nothing but safe.
