Edited 6/2/22.

A/N: This chapter contains blood, mild swearing, and referenced homophobia.

***

Marshall is awoken by the sound of a door slamming. It's a noise that irritates him, but the heaviness of his eyelids is enough to keep him teetering on the edge of consciousness. He's further submerged in a world of comfort as two soft hands weave through his dark locks, fingers gliding across his scalp. The pressure is delicate. Gentle. It receives a short sigh in appreciation.

Pleasant warmth from his blanket mixed with the muted scent of his sister's perfume fills the older male with a sense of ease. He begins to drift back to sleep. It's a fleeting moment of peace though, as the sound of pacing and huffing can be heard alongside more doors slamming.

He grumbles.

"Easy," a quiet voice chimes in.

Marshall kicks his blanket off to the side, rolling onto his back. No movements are made to get up though, because Rosalie continues playing with his black waves in an attempt to quell her older brother's agitation.

Golden eyes open in a sluggish, tired manner. A yawn is held back while looking up at the bright ceiling panels above. In his peripheral vision, he can make out the familiar forms of the other Cullens taking some time to unwind after a long day.

Well, all but one.

Marshall rolls his eyes at the sound of loud and fast piano keys coming from upstairs. "Oh gosh, what's he moping about now?"

"He's causing trouble is what he's doing." Rosalie giggles.

"It seems that our dear brother has found his blood singer," Alice states. She continues overlooking a fashion magazine while she speaks. "There's a new girl in our grade. They share a few classes together. From what I've heard, her name's Bella Swan-- and she's from Arizona."

"So what- he's pissy because he can't eat her?"

"Marsh." Rosalie shakes her head, laughing.

"Well, from what I've seen, Bella might be a little more than just an interest of food when it comes to Edward," Alice adds.

Everyone looks up toward the ceiling when rushed piano keys become even faster. A recently quiet household is now wailing with a melancholic soundtrack.

Marshall sighs. He takes hold of Rosalie's hand. Before removing it from his head, the older male gives her appendage a light squeeze in thanks. He sits up with a groan, stretching both arms above his head. A moment is taken to revel in the addictive feelings of muscles extending and bones cracking.

Attention shifts to a nearby window where a partially hidden moon can be seen hanging in the darkened sky. Dim lights illuminate the front porch with a pale yellow glow. Despite thick glass and wood separating him from the outside world, chirping from crickets can be heard clear as day.

Now that sleeping peacefully isn't an option, it'd be an opportune time to go out and do something else.

"I'm going hunting." Golden eyes dart over to Rosalie. "Want to come?"

"Sure. We can have some sibling bonding time."

Both Hales share a quick laugh together.

Marshall stands first. He puts a hand out for his sister who takes it without hesitation. His larger appendage engulfs her smaller one. A larger palm shields hers, and longer fingers interlace with more slender ones to hold them as closely as possible.

It's a passing gesture that visually displays his seniority, maturity, and overall protective demeanor in terms of the younger woman.

The duo give lighthearted goodbyes to their other coven mates before leaving. Marshall holds the door open for his sister, allowing her to go first. A quiet thanks is given in return to the kind gesture.

Cold air, pine, and wet grass engulfs their senses. The older vampire takes a deep breath and sighs.

He's always loved the smell of the forest.

Nearby calling of an owl brings his attention to another section of the wooded area in front of the house. He takes a moment to breathe it all in.

Both eyes close. Loss of vision causes an already hyperresponsive sense of hearing to become even more finely tuned.

Flowing water is faint and comes from a nearby stream. Dead leaves blow in the wind. They smack against the rough trunks of aged trees. Light mewling from a deer breaks the silence.

It's far but still close enough for Marshall's sensitive nose to pick up a delightful scent of blood.

He opens his eyes. Gold is completely overtaken by black thanks to steadily climbing hunger. Without a second thought, he disappears from sight with his sister in tow.

Marshall dodges trees left and right with ease. His impressive speed makes it so his feet barely make contact with the ground. While running, he takes a moment to observe his hunting companion.

She's keeping up with him like normal. Her usual stoic expression is hidden by a bright, beautiful smile. Rosalie laughs in response to the freedom of running at her fastest alongside her brother.

It distracts Marshall's hungered frenzy for a moment. He smiles at her genuine glee, the bigger sibling in him relishing in his sister's genuine happiness. Warmth spreads in his chest as he continues to watch.

A momentary break from reality is shattered though, at the sound of additional footsteps.

Looking in front of him, Marshall notices a bear creeping up onto the scene. Growling, the older male leaves the deer to Rosalie. He sets his sights on the bigger predator. Well, prey now that he has his sights set on the creature.

Marshall licks his lips. His breathing quickens. His teeth grind against each other. Natural fangs push into his tongue. It feels like the muscle is pulsating in excitement, but that's just the hunger talking.

His throat burns with every step taken closer to the large bear. It only has enough time to look in the vampire's direction before it's seized upon.

The bear is tackled at great speed. Marshall wraps his hands around its neck and twists. A loud crack resonates from the animal. It falls limp in the vampire's grasp. A snarl escapes him.

He parts his lips, and his teeth rip into the creature's warm flesh. Quick piercing of its jugular fills his mouth with blood. He gulps and gulps and gulps until the animal is left bone dry. A slight aching in the throat is ignored; the sensation coming from animal blood not being completely enough to fully satiate his hunger.

An iron grip on the bear's corpse loosens. Pointed teeth retract from its throat. Marshall steps away from the limp carcass while wiping the edges of his mouth.

"Not a bad catch, Marsh," Rosalie comments, walking up to her brother.

"Eh, it barely had time to react. I will admit, I was a little barbaric today."

"But you still killed it beforehand like you always do."

"If it's going to die anyway, I'd rather the process be quick and as painless as possible."

Rosalie nods her head in understanding. The duo walk away from their fresh kills with intrusive thirsts now quenched. A leisure pace is taken. It's actually quite beautiful out, so they figure they may as well enjoy the nice weather.

Marshall looks up toward the sky. Through several breaks in the tops of trees, he can make out a few constellations. Dark clouds block part of his view. Nevertheless, the sight of glimmering stars makes him smile.

It's a gorgeous, natural spectacle. One which causes the vampire to reminisce about a similar radiance that can also be seen in a certain wolf's rich brown eyes.

"Mind if I pick at your brain, Marsh?" Rosalie asks.

"Well, knew this was coming," he mutters before speaking louder. "Depends. Is this going to end in an argument?"

"I hope not."

"Normally I'd say no because I'm pretty sure I know where this is going. But because it's you, I'll let it slide. So, go ahead. Ask away."

Rosalie releases a huff of air, the sound resembling a breathy laugh. "I'm not trying to be a gatekeeper. I like that you're going out more. It means you're being open with other people. I think that'll do you some good- give you a chance to get out of your shell."

"I'm not that closed off, am I?"

"You sleep with a different person every other day, you tell me." Rosalie shakes her head. "You're definitely more open than Edward though. At least you're not running for the hills because of some human."

"...I take it you already don't like her?" Marshall's tone is nothing short of amused.

"I don't really know why everyone is fawning over her. She's awkward and rather plain if you ask me," Rosalie admits. "But still, even though Edward is trying to stay away- we can all tell that he's intrigued by her. And she's intrigued by him. I'm concerned that this might be more than a blood singer attachment."

Marshall is quiet for a moment. He thinks back to the last few weeks he's been spending with Paul. The vampire's mind wanders to their slowly budding friendship. He licks his lips at the thought of his mate's unique scent.

"...And if it is more than that? If she really could be his mate?"

"Then things are definitely going to get a whole lot more annoying." Rosalie sighs. "I'm hoping when you find your mate, she'll at least be tolerable."

Marshall frowns.

Here they go with this lecture for the millionth time.

"Really? This again?"

"What do you mean?"

"It could be a she. Or it could be a he. Or even a they. I wouldn't mind either way. But not everything has to be so heteronormative when it comes to me finding a partner. I'd appreciate it if you stopped making underhanded comments like that."

"...Sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

"No." He sighs. "I'm sorry for snapping at you. I know that you care. But- I don't know- it gets old after awhile. If you don't understand it then that's one thing. It'd just be nice if you could keep your rude comments to yourself."

"I don't know- you're right, I don't understand it. After all these years, you'd think I would. Maybe it's my stubbornness."

Rosalie's joke is met with an annoyed huff from the other vampire. He puts his hands in his pockets as a means of hiding clenched fists.

"Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Blame the inability to change on stubbornness. You're reminding me of mom right now." He sucks his teeth. "And look- I don't understand certain things, but that doesn't make them any less valid. Like, I don't understand why people like coleslaw. But good for them if they do. And more for them if I don't like it. It's not like my distaste for something that a stranger likes means shit."

"It's just... weird."

"Rose."

"I'm just saying, it makes more sense if-"

"Rose."

"Well, if you had a girlfriend maybe you'd-"

"Rosalie." Marshall takes in a deep breath to rein himself back in. He doesn't want his anger to cloud his other senses. "Enough. Please stop. I'm done talking about this. I came out here because I wanted to spend time with you. I didn't come out here so you could shit on my love life."

"...Sorry."

"Whatever. Let's just go home."

Marshall doesn't wait for his sister to answer. His leisure pace is replaced by a fast sprint brought on by his enhanced speed. Wind rushes through his ears and tousles his hair. The world around him is slow despite his quick movements. Anger melts into a familiar sensation of emptiness.

He forces his mind to go blank for the rest of the journey back home.