who are you? -- Cedric Diggory x Edward Cullen

chapter 15

During Mia's babysitting sesion, Edward had gone out to do his scouting routine for Victoria, checking obvious areas near Mia's home to ensure her safety.

He had made this a weekly venture, more for his conscience than Mia's safety.

Today was a particularly quiet day, no birds chirping, not even the sound of the leaves rustling.

In a world where Victoria didn't exist Edward might find comfort in the serene silence. Sadly he was not in that world.

Edward had now searched the majority of the forest behind Mia's house and found nothing. Right as he believed it was safe, he allowed himself to close his eyes and breathe. The short lived moment was shattered in a matter of seconds when a body pressed itself behind him and a hand slithered its way around his neck.

"Hello, lover" Victoria growled into his ear.

"Victoria" he was eerily calm and this further frustrated Victoria causing her to tighten her grip around his neck.

"Hide her all you want, but you can't protect her forever" she hummed.

Initially, Edward felt panicked, his panic soon turned into anger he turned around to attack the red-head but it seemed she had already slipped out of his grasp and left him alone in the silent forest.

As soon as Edward found his bearing's he broke out into a sprint nearing Mia's home. Victoria's threat rang through his ears;

Cant protect her, forever.

His need to protect her grew stronger with every step.

He reached her porch and frantically threw open her door, only to hear the sound of Mia's laugh. He physically relaxed, the adrenaline wearing off, he allowed himself a moment.

Yet another moment was stolen when he realised Victoria was referring to Bella, not Mia.

A new guilt built up inside of him, his stomach caved in on itself. He felt sick. How could neglect Bella's life?

Another laugh tore its way through Mia's throat and he had to see what she was so hysterical about.

He was bewildered to find a rather pink Adrien, seated on a stool on the receiving end of Mia's irritating look.

He almost found it amusing to watch her irritation be directed at someone other than himself for once.

He leaned on the door way, crossing his ankles, "Getting along well, are we?" He said dryly.

Mia looked at his reflection in the mirror and just for a moment she felt like she was looking at Cedric. She felt a painful twinge in her chest. When Edward raised a confused brow she scowled at him in response.

"Don't ever leave me alone with him again" she narrowed her eyes at his reflection and turned around, marching off into her room, bumping Edwards' shoulder in the process.

"You know," Adrien started, getting off of his stool to stand and put a hand on companions shoulder, "I think you might have more luck with guys" he said pursing his lips, "gay bar next Friday?" He suggested.

Edward rolled his eyes, "If you wanted to go to a gay bar you could've just said it, no need to beat around the bush" he smirked.

"You caught me, leather pants and those martini's with little umbrellas are my kind of scene" he gave Edward a sly wink.

"Right" Edward scoffed.

"I better be getting home" Adrien stretched his arms, "wife and kids are waiting"

"You don't have kids"

"We have Phoenix" he said dully.

Edward shot Adrien an empathetic look.

"Just this morning I woke up and found him sleeping by our feet because he had a 'nightmare'," Adrien went on a miniature rant, "And not to mention, when I kicked him off of the bed Delilah completely babied him! You would think they were the ones who were married" he grumbled.

Edward gave a hearty chuckle.

"I have..." Edward paused, "one last thing to do tonight" he admitted, remembering Bella, "Do you mind staying just for another hour or so? Mia's not safe with—

"Yeah, yeah, orange tumour running around and all, don't worry I'll spare an hour, just for you"

Edward gave his friend a grateful smile and left the house for the second time that night.

.

Bella Swan was staring out of her window as she did most nights after her and Edwards quarrel.

This night would've been the same as the rest except unlike most nights there was a vampire studying her from the inside of her room.

Bella looked up at the reflection on the window and saw Edward, she thought her mind was trying to make up for his absence, but when she turned around he was still there.

She was gaping at Edward standing there, in her room.

"Edward?" She choked out, rising from her seat.

"Hello, Bella" he gave her a weak smile.

"Oh my god" she breathed, as she practically threw herself onto Edward.

He held onto her and closed his eyes tightly, trying to remember her scent, the way she felt in his arms.

He wanted to repeat the words I love you to her until his tongue felt numb, and he did.

But what Edward hadn't quite realised was he wasn't repeating those 3 words to her because they were true, he repeated these words because he was trying to convince himself that he loved her.

When Bella let go of their warm embrace, they both studied each other in silence. Bella had a doe smile on her face but Edward's face was unreadable.

Bella reached out to touch his face, "Edward I—

He backed away and she pulled her hand back as if something had burnt her.

"You're alright?" He asked her, stepping closer.

Her offended look morphed into a pleased one.

She nodded.

"Okay" he breathed, they were close enough that his breath made a few of the hairs on her face move.

"Okay" she replied.

"Edward, we need to talk" she placed a hand on his bicep.

"About what?"

She scoffed, "You know exactly what"

"No, Bella. Not today"

"Then when!" She threw her arms in the air, exasperated, "I never see you. I tried to go to your house but imagine my surprise when Esme tells me you moved out! You would go to such great lengths to avoid me?"

"It's not all about you, Bella" he sneered.

"Then who is it about?" She shouted.

He was silent.

She gasped at a realisation, "This is about her" she said in a disgusted tone, "isn't it?"

He knew exactly who she was referring too.

He pursed his lips in thought.

"Answer me Edward! This is about—

Edward cut her off with a swift kiss. She kissed him back, forgetting the name that was on the tip of her tongue.

That night they had decided to never speak about this, and to have each other once again.