»—— act one. twilight
☽⋅── SIXTEEN ──came close to losing myself ─⋅☾

Despite the fading hours of the evening, the Cullens finally returned home, minus Edward, who seemed to be out with Eleanor at Charlie's.

Meanwhile, Alice excitedly began preparations for a grand dinner, while Carlisle, with a suspicion that she might have foreseen something concerning Eve's extended stay, observed the situation intently.

As Alice gestured for him to guide Eve to his office, Carlisle obliged, gently holding her hand as they ascended the stairs.

As they walked, his thoughts were occupied by the knowledge of the secret treaty they had with the Quileute, a subject he had brought up with Eve earlier. However, with her mind now aware of secrets, he could see the path of uncovering more about their world, especially the Volturi, which he had been dreading.

As they reached his office, he held the door open for her, letting her step inside first.

As Carlisle ushered her into his office, Eve was taken aback by the grandeur of the room. Her gaze wandered to the high-ceilinged space, her attention captured by the expansive windows facing west. The walls were panelled in a darker wood material, their details visible. However, the majority of the wall space was taken up by towering shelves filled with a collection of books, their number nearly matching the size of the library from her childhood home.

As Eve explored the room, her hand gliding over the imposing mahogany desk, her attention fixated on the perfectly organized workspace. She observed the meticulousness of the office, noting that it resembled the one in the hospital in terms of cleanliness and orderliness. 

Meanwhile, Carlisle stood beside her, his gaze watching her every interaction with his office with an adoring gaze, at the mesmerized look she had.

Carlisle observed Eve as she walked towards the wall adorned with various framed pictures of different sizes and colours, his expression unreadable. As she moved to the far left, she was inexplicably drawn to a small oil painting in a plain wooden frame.

He watched her reach out to touch the frame, her attention seemingly riveted on the picture itself. Within the artwork, one recognized a depiction of a miniature city with steeply slanted roofs and slender spires on towers crowned by a handful of steeple-like structures. The foreground was marked by a wide river, with a bridge dotted with small cathedrals crossing it.

As Carlisle approached her, surprise flickered in his eyes when he noticed her intense interest in that particular picture. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, gazing at the painting alongside her. 

"Out of all the pictures, you were drawn to this one?" Carlisle asked, his voice curious but gentle. 

Eve looked up at him, then back at the picture. "It seems different from the rest," she replied quietly. 

Carlisle's smile widened as he touched the frame, his eyes softening as they travelled to the painting. "The London of my youth," he began.

"London in the 1650s." he continued, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia and a touch of wistfulness. With a tender gaze, he turned his attention to the painting, recalling memories from his youthful days.

"You know the story about my transformation," he began, his voice laced with a sense of nostalgia and a hint of melancholy. "When I discovered the truth about my condition and the ability to sustain myself with animal blood, I felt myself again." 

He paused for a moment, his gaze locked on the painting, his thoughts swirling. "With this newfound knowledge, I realized the limitless potential I now possessed. So, I decided to make the most of my time," he said, his voice soft yet resolute.

"With an insatiable thirst for knowledge, I began studying by night and making plans during the day," he relayed, his voice steady. 

Then, he glanced at her, noting her attention as he continued, "When I had a clear plan, I decided to swim to France." 

Eve, surprised, tilted her head up to him and asked incredulously, "You swam the entire way?" 

Carlisle nodded, "Since we don't need to breathe, it was a relatively simple feat," he replied, before switching his focus to another striking painting.

The canvas depicted vivid scenes of colourful figures in flowing robes, their figures wrapped around graceful pillars and extending from lofty balconies. The painting was the most vibrant and ornate among them all, its size nearly double that of the adjacent door it hung next to. 

"After reaching France, I journeyed further into Europe to the universities there," Carlisle's voice carried a warm tone of reminiscence. 

"By night, I immersed myself in my studies, focusing on music, science, and medicine," he continued, his gaze flickering to Eve briefly, noting her intense concentration on the story. "Eventually, I found my calling in healing humans," he concluded, gently pinching her cheek, amused by her unwavering focus.

Carlisle steered his attention back to the painting, his expression was thoughtful and slightly sombre. "I needed to acquire the utmost self-control if I were to save human lives," he began, his voice quiet yet firm. "For two centuries, I honed my discipline and eventually, I mastered the ability to be completely immune to the intoxicating scent of human blood."

"Eventually, my studies led me to Italy, where I came across other vampires, more refined and educated than those encountered in the London sewers," Carlisle recounted, his voice reflecting a sense of progress. 

As he lifted his head, his gaze directed at the canvas, Eve followed it, her eyes widening in realization. She recognized the gold hair, the features and the face - it was Carlisle himself reflected in the painting.

Carlisle's demeanour darkened, his eyes fixed on the scene in the painting. He paused before raising his hand, pointing at the other three men within the portrait. 

"Marcus, Caius, and Aro," he recounted, his voice low and solemn, his gaze meeting hers. A heavy silence blanketed the space between them, each name a reminder of past acquaintances and memories.

"Those were my companions," he added, his voice carrying a weight of history, "Aro was the leader, Marcus was the mediator, and Caius was the powerful warrior."  

Carlisle's hand hovered over the three figures in the painting, a hint of regret and melancholy lacing his words.

"What happened to them?" Eve asked cautiously. 

Carlisle let out a dry chuckle, his expression tinged with resignation. "They're still around, enduring through centuries," he replied, his tone laced with a hint of irony. "I spent several decades with them, drawn to their sophistication and refinement, but the challenge lay in their reliance on human blood as what they called our 'natural food source'," he explained.

"They attempted to convince me, and I attempted to persuade them in return," Carlisle's voice grew firm, a touch of determination interwoven with his words as he looked at her. "However, our differing perspectives seemed unshakeable," he continued, reflecting on the conversations he had with his former companions. 

Carlisle turned his attention back to the painting before him, his eyes fixed on the figures depicted. "These vampires," he began, a hint of authority in his voice, "are known as the Volturi. They are the most prominent and influential coven, wielding immense power."

His gaze moved up to meet Eve's. "They are tasked with enforcing the laws that govern the vampire world."

Eve's eyes widened slightly, her gaze shifting from Carlisle to the painting and then back to him as she spoke. "Carlisle..." she began, her voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"Does Eleanor and I knowing your kind violate any of their laws?" she asked, her voice tinged with earnestness. "Please, be completely honest with me."

Carlisle paused for a moment, his attention shifting from the painting to Eve's face. A moment of contemplation passed before he began speaking.

"Eve," he began, his voice gentle yet serious. "Your question deserves an honest answer."

He let out a soft sigh before continuing, his eyes locking onto hers in a firm yet tender gaze. "To answer bluntly," he began, "yes, it does break their laws. Vampires are meant to remain a secret to humans."

Carlisle's words hung in the air between them, the weight of their significance settling upon them. He held Eve's gaze, his eyes reflecting a mix of solemnity and contemplation.

"The Volturi take the law very seriously," he explained, his voice carrying a note of seriousness. "The secrecy of vampires and their existence is paramount to them. Their laws are stringent, and they fiercely guard this secrecy. As for Eleanor and yourself..." he trailed off, leaving the implications hanging.

The room fell into a quiet spell, filled with an air of deep contemplation as Carlisle allowed his words to linger. He studied Eve's face, observing the mix of emotions that flickered across it.

"Eleanor and you," he repeated slowly, "know far more than the average human is supposed to."

Eve's voice filled with a hint of uncertainty as she admitted, "Actually, I've always sensed that knowing this much comes with some danger." She took a moment to collect her thoughts, her gaze meeting Carlisle's before continuing, "However..." Her expression softened as she voiced the thought that had been lingering in her mind, "Deep within my heart, there's a feeling telling me not to worry. I can't quite explain it, but it's there."

Intrigue piqued in Carlisle's eyes as he listened to Eve. There was a hint of surprise in his expression, but beneath it lay a sense of understanding.

"A feeling, you say?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity. "That's something unique. Most humans would be scared, yet..." He trailed off, his own eyes searching hers for a moment before speaking again. "...you seem strangely calm."

Eve chuckled softly, her voice filled with reassurance as she spoke. "I have my quirks, and I intend to embrace them."

She cupped his cheeks gently, her thumbs drawing soothing circles across his skin. "When I discovered your true nature, I realized the danger we could face." A tender expression graced her features as she looked at him.

Carlisle's smile faltered, tinged with a hint of sadness. "And what about Eleanor?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Eve's expression softened at the mention of Eleanor's name, a hint of worry tugging at her heart. "Of course, I worry about Eleanor," she responded, her voice filled with a sense of responsibility. "I would be a terrible mother if I didn't."

She paused for a moment, her eyes searching his for reassurance. "But my heart..." she trailed off, a soft sigh escaping her lips, "my heart is telling me that we, you and me, will be okay."

"Eleanor will undoubtedly be in danger as well," Carlisle stated, his voice filled with a hint of gravitas.

"Can you truly trust your instincts, even in the face of such potential peril?" he asked, his gaze fixed on Eve, searching for an answer.

Eve's expression softened as she met Carlisle's gaze, her thoughts swirling with a mix of reassurance and uncertainty. There was a flicker of hesitation in her eyes, but a flicker of determination as well.

"I..." she began, her voice wavering slightly. "I want to believe that my instincts are right, yes. But..." She trailed off, her fingers pausing on his face for a brief moment.

Carlisle's gaze deepened as he observed Eve's hesitation. His thoughts mirrored hers, the weight of their situation weighing on his shoulders.

"But what?" he asked, gently encouraging her to continue.

A heavy sigh escaped Eve's lips as she grappled with her thoughts. Her hands, still resting on Carlisle's face, fidgeted slightly.

"But..." she hesitates, her voice barely above a whisper, "I can't ignore the risks. I know they're there, and they're real."

Carlisle's expression grew sombre as he absorbed her words. He nodded in understanding, the seriousness in his tone clear.

"I understand those concerns," he replied quietly. "The risks are significant, and acknowledging them is crucial."

Eve nodded, a resigned sigh escaping her lips as she met Carlisle's solemn gaze. "I know," she murmured, her voice laced with a hint of fatigue. "We should both be aware of these risks."

"Yes, we should," Carlisle agreed, his tone steady yet understanding. He reached up and gently covered one of her hands with his, intertwining their fingers.

A soft smile tugged at Eve's lips as she felt Carlisle hold her hand, her fingers intertwining with his. She squeezed his hand gently, the gesture conveying unspoken trust and a hint of vulnerability.

"To find kindred others who aligned with my principles," Carlisle's tone changed, his voice filled with a renewed sense of purpose, "I set my sights on the New World, yearning to discover those who echoed the same ideals I held."

"And well, you know how the story unfolds," Carlisle's words trailed off as he resumed his simple gesture of playing with her hair, his hand gently weaving through the strands. 

He chuckled softly. "From encountering Edward and the rest, to Rosalie, Emmett, Alice and Jasper."

"The centuries passed rhythmically," Carlisle continued, the corners of his mouth curling into a slight smile. "Throughout my years of study, healing, and navigating daily routines, a crucial piece was still missing. A vital aspect of my being remained unfulfilled." 

A period of stillness enveloped the room, broken only by Carlisle's eyes shifting to the collection of paintings that hung on the walls.

"What was missing?" Eve questioned, her voice soft and measured, as Carlisle moved to stand directly in front of her, his hands enveloping hers in a gentle grip.

Carlisle held her gaze for a moment before he answered, his voice low and sincere, "A sense of purpose and fulfilment, a connection to something more profound."

"A sense of emptiness," He recited, his voice soft and measured. He held her gaze as he spoke, letting his confession hang in the air for a moment before he continued

Carlisle leaned in even closer, their faces now almost touching, and he whispered in a voice laced with a hint of yearning, "That gnawing feeling of incompleteness, refused to subside. No matter how much I sought knowledge, how deeply I delved into study, the void persisted."

He closed the remaining distance between them, his hand gently cupping her cheek. "Until that fateful day when it finally, unexpectedly, was filled."

"What was it?" she whispered, her warm breath mingling with the air between them, with her presence seemingly the only source of warmth in their proximity.

"You," Carlisle replied, his voice barely a whisper. Before she could respond further, he leaned in, pressing their lips together in a tender kiss.

Amid the kiss, Carlisle's hands extended from her face to envelop her whole body. He drew her even closer, deepening their embrace as their lips remained locked in a heated exchange, the moment filled with unspoken emotions and magnetic attraction.

As the intensity of the moment grew, Carlisle increased the fervour of their kiss, his lips exploring hers with passionate fervour. His hands moved across her body, tracing languid lines from her waist to her hips, his touch both tender and insistent. He pulled her even closer, almost as if he couldn't bear an inch of distance between them, the magnetic pull between them almost magnetic and overpowering.

Within the passionate exchange of their kiss, Carlisle found himself struggling to maintain his usual restraint, his self-control slowly slipping away as his desire for her grew more intense. His movements remained measured, mindful to avoid causing her any harm with his strength.

When her hand slid across his body, mirroring the intensity of her hunger, Carlisle sensed the mutual hunger between them, although hers paled in comparison to his own. Despite the overwhelming desire, he carefully guided her touch and deepened the kiss with increased urgency, holding her with a tenderness that seemed to contradict the raw need within him.

The moment's intensity was quickly matched by a mutual sense of restraint. Their minds seemed to be on the same wavelength as they both pulled away from the passionate kiss, their breaths ragged and uneven. With a hint of longing in his gaze, Carlisle lifted his forehead from hers, his gaze meeting hers, a mix of longing and restraint evident in his expression. He let out a soft sigh, his voice tinged with resignation as he spoke.

"I came close to losing myself," he admitted, his voice low and husky. Eve's soft laugh filled the intimate atmosphere, her hand still tenderly stroking his cheek.

Carlisle's tone softened as he spoke, his words laced with vulnerability and introspection. In response, Eve's soothing hand moved its gentle path through his hair, a tender comfort that calmed his restless mind.

"It felt like the very essence of my being was put to the test as if the thin line between restraint and desire had been pushed to its limits," he confessed, the warmth of her touch offering a brief respite from the internal turmoil.

"Well," Eve chimed in, a hint of a playful smile playing on her lips, "if I said that I wanted that kiss to last longer, I'd probably feel guilty about it." She locked her gaze with his, her eyes filled with tenderness and affection.

A light, almost playful, tone laced Carlisle's words as he continued to hold Eve's gaze. "Trust me," he added, his voice tinged with a hint of longing. "If only you understood the intensity of the thoughts racing through my mind after that kiss, our conversation might take on a very different tone." He let out another soft chuckle, his eyes flickering with a mixture of vulnerability and warmth.

A gentle hum left Eve's lips as she leaned in and planted a tender kiss on his nose. She stepped back slightly, yet not before reaching out to take his hand, holding it gently.

"I promise," she said softly, her voice filled with warmth and sincerity. "No more teasing."

Carlisle felt the gentle press of her kiss against his nose, followed by a tender touch as Eve's hand reached out to hold his. "Promise?" he echoed, the corner of his mouth slightly curving into a warm smile. He squeezed her hand gently, sensing the sincerity in her voice as she reassured him. "No more teasing, you say?"

Eve chuckled softly, a playful twinkle in her eye as she confessed, "All right, I lied. I might still tease you a little." She followed her statement with a cheeky wink, prompting a hearty laughter to rumble through Carlisle's throat.