47; peace is rare thing

Just to Clarify; there is always something happening that stands in Elias' way.

He should know this by now; peace is a rare and valuable thing and it's never stayed with the curly haired boy for as long as he craved. He found it in the arms of his lover and in fleeting moments with those he calls family, but there's always something disturbing true peace.

Ironic, as being a vampire, having immortal time, would usually theorise that you'd have more than enough time. More time than you knew what to do with it.

Elias could only be so lucky.

The day after the wedding is Eli's birthday. He should be turning nineteen but since he's frozen, he remains gracefully at eighteen. He's not mourning the fact; he knew from that moment in the hospital room, with doctors telling him that he had two tumours in his head, that reaching nineteen was impossible. He'd let the idea go. Let it slip through his fingers like sand and forced himself to not feel bad for himself. A lot of people never turn nineteen. He shouldn't shed any tears for himself and he didn't. He only cried for others- after all, your own death affects the people around you, not just yourself.

So he was eighteen, but it was still his birthday. His first immortal birthday. Because those count, at least to the Cullens... he'd definitely forgotten if he's honest.

There was things to do; he'd been busy with the wedding, he'd been trying to reconnect with Jace, he'd been fighting his instincts and his thirsts... he's definitely been twirling his black ring around his finger, grinning to himself as he thought about himself as Elias Hale.

So on the first full day on his immortal life that wasn't filled to the brim with something to do, Elias tried to find peace that lasted longer than a few hours.

He wasn't so lucky.

Alice had reminded him, ruined it for him, or her noise had. She'd gone all out with the decorations for wedding and of course he'd heard her moving around in the house the next day, heard her ordering family members to decorate. Or Elias thought she was ordering them to take the wedding decor down- it's why he'd pushed his headphones in and closed his eyes. A moment of little peace he's learned to find.

It was such a isolated feeling, having only his nose, touch and taste available. A vampire uses all their senses to protect themself, especially a newborn. It's why he wraps himself in Jaspers arms when he does disconnect from the world via headphones. Nothing could hurt him when the blond was there.

So he's there, unmoving, peaceful, for multiple hours as the sun rises on the thirteenth of august. The musics loud, covering Alice's barking orders downstairs, the scent of his mate is heavy and welcome and he's fed recently so there's no blaring burn in his throat. He's humming without realising, rubbing his cheek against jaspers shirt clad shoulder- the blondes hands have been running through his curly hair for hours it's making him feel all dazed and nice.

Then Jasper tapped his fingers on the newborns neck. Two taps in succession. It meant stop, in their own language. Like California is their safe word, tap out is their safe action. It meant take a moment and calculate, stop. It's a call and response so deeply embedded in his mind that as soon as he does it, Elias is sitting up, headphones out, surveying the blond in concern.

But Jasper only smiles, showing he'd done that for another reason. Elias turns his head to the door, senses picking up to footsteps coming their way. Alice bounces her way into their room and practically flings herself between him and Jasper. She's all wide smiles and sparky energy. Elias immediately knows he's in for it.

"Happy birthday you two!" She cries, flinging her arms around not only Elias, but Jasper too. His birthday is today too, simply because Elias had chosen it when the vampire couldn't remember his own human one.

Huh? Elias mind supplies, before a memory triggers in his mind. He'd promised her she could throw a party for his first vampire birthday, all expenses taken and no copping out on anything. It was a gift for her because he'd been a bad sport on his eighteenth birthday.

"Come on!" She laughs, dragging him up when he starts to groan in protest. Jasper follows them, laughing to himself, which kind of makes everything better.

Traitor, Elias mouths to the blond as he gets dragged down the stairs. It makes Jasper laugh harder.

Alice is buzzing in motion as they go and Elias is mid step when his mind pings to the multiple heat sources outside. Fire. The minimum heat of vampires waiting near the fire. Without command, his feet quicken as he wants to find the source- loved ones being near fire beings this blaring red colour behind his eyes that's never happened before.

Alice is trying to slow him, her small hands gripping his arm with immortal strength. He's in no state of mind to humour her, so he breaks out of her hold and steps outside the house into the morning light, her words hissing into grumbles behind him. "Hold on, I want, ugh! Fine, go, all my hard work..."

Outside, where Bellas wedding was held only twelve hours earlier, has transformed. The flowers are gone, the pews and benches are gone. Instead, there's thousands of white candles, all varying in size, alight on decorative tables and in metal holders on the moss floor. Where the candles can't stand without a support, lanterns hang in their place. Beautiful red lanterns, hanging from trees and crossing over his head, with flickering tea lights inside, making red dance across the green garden. It's so beautiful, so calming to be completely surrounded by fire and not actually be engulfed by it. To not fear that it's going to get out of control, that he could hurt someone...

It's everything he's worried about when they've talked about his power, wrapped up into a gift.

He looks around with a thick throat, not even able to categorise how all his family are waiting for him to speak, to see his reaction. To the side of the garden, surrounded by considerably less candles, is a beautifully carved wooden table that's decorated in presents. With his enhanced eyesight, he can read how each label is written to Jasper only. Because Elias doesn't like receiving gifts, he doesn't like accepting them, he doesn't want them. Jasper does though. He likes to be surprised. They'd listened.

On another table, there's a speaker connected to a phone, playing some low bass music that Elias knows no one in the family like. He knows as the song switches, that it's a album Jasper and Eli have bonded over. It's for them.

There's fire, and a place to dance. There's no presents for him. No strange family members like the Denalis, just the ones he's comfortable with. Any walls he'd built up, any sense of having to fake normality and appreciation melts, it melts out of him. True relaxation and eagerness takes its place. Peace. This is the party he never knew he wanted. This is the atmosphere he'd craved for the last eighteen years. No expeditions. Just fun. Just family.

"Alice..." Eli finds it hard to speak, which is a shock. He can't stop looking, can't stop the way his lip want to quiver. The pixie girl steps up next to him, so small in comparison to his height, her gaze heavy in expectancy, worried that she'd got it wrong. Sweet little Alice, who looks out for everyone, who does everything to make anyone happy.

"You're fucking amazing Alice. You've outdone yourself," he finds himself saying in giddy laughter, pulling her to his chest for a hug. He can't find the words to show how he truly means it, but the action is enough for her. Elias doesn't give hugs easily.

"Really?" She giggles in relief, wrapping her arms around him fiercely. Her head reaches his chin.

"Yes!" He swears, pulling back, kissing both her cheeks, laughing when she does. He glances at Jasper, unable to stop the way he wants to share his expression of holy fuck are you seeing this? "You're the best sister ever. Thank you."

Jaspers, all lax and teeth on show as he grins, comes to wrap his around around Elias, his chin resting on Eli's shoulder. "Thank you Alice," he bids. The curly haired boy knows that without looking that his gaze is heavy with the true meaning of his words. All this is nice, but seeing Eli's reaction is truly remarkable.

"Come here Jasper," Nate calls, over at the table, thumbing the phone with furrowed brows. "Choose a song, I don't know any of them and I want something I can dance with Alice to."

Jasper goes, along with Alice, because even music needs her supervision. Elias hangs back, flicking his own immortal eyes to his family members. Rose and Emmett are teasing at each other, whispering about how Alice got it right- Rose was betting Elias to be a spoil sport and not like it, but even she's relieved that he's pleased. Esme and Carlisle stand and watch all their children, carefully ignoring Elias so he's not overwhelmed with attention. They look utterly bliss. It's a good look.

Elias collects the memory, closing his eyes, letting it paint his eyelids with colour and emotion. He'll remember this forever, he'll be able to recall it with perfect memory... but he'll remember it specifically so he can tell Bella about it when she's back. This is what is waiting for you, this is the life we've chosen now. This is peace.

When he opens his eyes, he steps further into the flame lit garden, the red shadows of the lanterns covering the small glow of his skin from the exposed sun.

•••

They listen to Alice talk about her party planning. They open Jaspers presents. They joke about Jasper getting older, about how this time next year Eli's eyes will match the family. Nate swears that if his hair- carefully done up in a bun on the top of his head- gets singed by one candle, he'll never go to another party. They laugh in sync, but go silent when Carlisle twirls Esme under his careful hand, swaying to a rock band that's playing a slow song. Their kids freeze, utterly compelled to watch their parental figures be so openly happy and in love. It's no surprise that after that Rosalie switches station to a older playlist, one more suitable for Jasper. Elias doesn't recall the song, it feels like a war tune in tone and when Jasper grabs ahold of him to dance, he doesn't even ask about it. He's too busy looking into his husbands eyes.

Husband. Huh, who would have thought that world could mean so much yet be such a mundane title?

And with every sway, every flicker of candle, any wall left in Elias goes crumbing down. Emotion is in its place, wild and true. He can't stop smiling. The words thank you, I appreciate you, I love you, want to come out endlessly, like blood spilling from a open artery. Only he doesn't want to stop bleeding. It feels too good.

They switch partners, all of the loud in laughter and unable to stop themself. It's so good, feeling like this, seeing his family like this. As the sun falls high and starts to dip, he wants to reach out with his bare hands and keep it still. He wants this moment to last forever. He doesn't know what tomorrow can bring, but he knows what today holds.

"Hale," Rosalie sniffs fake mockingly when Elias holds a hand out. She makes a show to grab it and places her hand on his rib cage.

"Hello Hale," he bids back with a sharp grin, one they share, before politely placing his hand on her hip.

They start to waltz, very oddly. They're completely out of sync, Elias keeps stepping on her feet and Rosalie does a step that Elias isn't sure that's completely right for the waltz. Then again, she did learn to dance before he was born, so he won't bring it up.

"You need dance lessons," she tuts when he steps out of formation. He corrects himself, concentration on learning from her as they do a box formation.

"I'm not used to leading. Jasper usually pushes me around and I just follow him," he hums, then grins as they go around again and he doesn't mess it up. When he looks up, Rosalie's face is lit up in glee.

"Oh' I know that, it's horrendous to see him drag you about the dance floor," she makes a point of pulling Eli's hand as the move, showing how he just follows her without force. He knows when to pick and choose his fights, dancing will never be his thing. He's sure he'll be learning it for the rest of his life. She laughs to herself, especially as he glares are her. They're both teasing, too open and unable to form the proper heat to scorn each other. It's nice.

"Though," she ponders thoughtfully, her golden eyes fogging with true meaning, "I'm glad he's finally able to dance, it's been almost pitiful seeing him partnerless when everyone else was having fun."

Elias can imagine it, watching your brother be so... alone. For years. Hurting. Waiting. Wanting.

Elias swallows the venom in his mouth. He casts a look to Jasper now, spinning Esme around their makeshift dance floor on the candle lit grass. He reminds himself that no traces of their past remain on Jaspers face.

"He's got a dance partner for life now," Elias promises, to himself, the world.

They spin once more, Elias getting the formation memorised in his mind. He rises one arm, allowing Rose to twist under it. The red of the lights is doing funny things to the colouring of all of them now the suns setting- all their skins tinted pink and her hairs gone from blonde to rose gold. He can only imagine how he looks in the light, his orange eyes alight with the flames around them, his dark hair going copper streaked.

"You like your ring?" Rosalie ponders, tapping his hand with one finger as they're dancing. He looks down, unable to hide the flush of euphoria that's thrills him when spotting the black band on his ring finger. It looks even darker against his skin than it did against his necklace.

"I love it. Its perfect, don't you think?" He's being rhetorical, already knowing she'd hate something like that herself. It's not conceptually attraction in any decade, but it fits Elias demeanour perfectly.

She doesn't answer, instead she boats. "Did you know I helped research your the ring? It took almost a month."

Eli's brows pinch. "No, what's with the research?" He rubs the metal between his fingers. He can't tell the difference in metal against his skin, not like other vampires- he has to know and to categorise them before recalling them. "It just feels like normal metal to me."

She rolls her eyes, casting a half hearted glare to where Jasper is. No one's listening to them talk, too entirely engaged with themself. "Of course he forgot to tell you all the effort everyone put into it-This is where you're supposed to spin me," Elias does so robotically, too interested in her words more than dancing now. Once they settle back into their box rhythm, she speaks again. "It's the most heat resistant metal on earth. It won't melt or break when you're on fire, so there's no need to take it off or worry about ruining it. It's got a melting point of four thousand degrees. It's what NASA use to build rockets. Emmett and Edward had a great time testing it with a blow torch."

Eli's throat feels tight. "You all pitched in with it?"

She nods once, proud of herself and the time she spent. "It was Jaspers idea of course, with my research. Esme asked Bella to help with the design, they both agreed you'd like it simple, the thought behind it much grander than the look. They wanted it to match the watch you received for graduation. Alice orchestrated, along with Nate being her lap dog of course."

"You always have a way with words," Eli mumbles, lacking any heat. He can't think past the fact the ring on his finger is entirely his- made for him, made to suit him, made by his entire family.

She ignores the jab. "Carlisle was more than happy to pay. I think he's more ecstatic than Jasper, if I'm honest. I haven't seen him smile this much since..." her eyes cast over to their father, who's laughing lightly as Alice talks to him. He's almost glowing. "Well, ever. All of his children are happy. Or as close as we can get to it in this immortal life."

She spins again, unaware or uncaring at how Eli's gone stiff in dancing, his hand limp on hers, his eyes watering slightly with venom at all the information. He's not a cut open artery now, he's completely exposed- sliced open so all his insides are on show. Every bad action, every bit of anger and darkness that he's tried to bury, every fiery part of himself that his human family couldn't have known about, couldn't love, on show.

And his family loved him for it anyway. For the light and for the dark.

He's moving without meaning, his steps light and airy and human paced. Rosalie let's him go, doesn't speak out to ask why as she knows the others will catch it. Elias' face has gone slack, as if he can't settle on one emotion to express, his eyes are completely open with the weight of it all. He's moving, the mantra, I've got to, I've got to, being repeated without an actual ending. He's moving, following the scent of the golden haired man that leads the family. Up the stairs, inside the house, towards his study.

The doors open, a invitation that Carlisle can speak. That he's not busy. Elias peers in and the oddest memory of himself being a kid triggers in his mind. It's a memory he didn't know he possessed. It was his birth family. Before the fire. He was standing at the entrance to his parents bedroom, calling for them. He can't remember what for- one of his most basic needs, like attention or food. He can't even remember their faces anymore, can't recall what features he got from who. But he remembers the feeling of reaching out, calling out, and waiting for the response he never got. A rejection like that scars.

"Carlisle," Eli whispers, throat tight with venom and emotion.

This time, someone answers. Carlisle's placing his phone on the desk, having heard the newborn approaching. "Yes Elias?" He responds, because Elias is not a kid anymore. When he calls out for a parent now, when he wants anything, he can receive it.

Elias crosses the room and hugs the man because he can't explain it. Can't start to. But he can hug, so he does. Carlisle smells like sunshine and oak and he hugs with a gentleness that any parent should have.

Carlisle makes a noise, like a hum of sorts, then pats Eli's curls in fondness. He's smiling, not that Elias can see since his face is on his shoulder. Carlisle doesn't ask if he's ok, because the doctor knows his answer already, he knows that prodding the newborn will lead him to shutting down or blowing up. Carlisle knows that once you earn Elias' trust, he'll share himself with you freely and when he's ready.

So instead he pulls Elias away from him, holding him dearly by the cheeks, checking his expression instead because even if Carlisle knows all that about Elias, his urge to check and to care can't be stopped.

"Who was on the phone?" Elias asks instead of explaining, remembering how the man ending a phone call and placing it down as he entered.

"I'm just checking in that Edward and Bella got to the island safely. They have," he tells, pushing Eli's hair back from his forehead before letting go of his face, aware that yes, the boys ok. Just emotional in a good way.

The laugh that comes out the newborns throat is amused but not surprised. "You gave them the island as a present?"

"I loaned it," Carlisle corrects, as if that's normal. Well, to him it is. "It's a beautiful place, maybe one day you and Jasper could go, I think the alone time would be appreciated."

Elias has the image of Jasper, barefoot and shirtless, in the ocean. His skin sparkling and his expression free because on the island there is no one but them. It makes Eli's fingers twitch and his skin spark in yearning.

"I'd like that very much," the curly haired boy nods, knowing he'll keep the man to his word. Maybe in a few years, since he knows the island doesn't have a sustainable blood supply. They'd have to go to mainland to hunt.

Carlisle looks pleased, then frowns. Eli's expression catches onto his. "May I ask why you don't like us gifting you things? Because you agree to visiting the island, but disagree to any presents for today. I'd theorises last year that you didn't like money spending on you, but you're aware that it's no issue for us now."

Eli's lips quirk. Yes, money was no issue. He knows this from his own bank account he holds. "I don't care how much you spend, it's the idea of the gift I can't accept," he shudders delicately at the idea, "And you already have the island, that's not going anywhere if I say yes or no."

"Ok," the doctor nods, intrigued. "But gift giving is one of the ways we show love in this family."

Elias actually scoffs at the man. "I know I'm loved without a gift on my birthday Carlisle," he says, heavy and true. It's a big thing, one that's taken him a long time to process and accept. He can be loved for all of him, not just the parts that don't scare people.

"Then why?" Carlisle asks tentatively, aware that it can be coming across as prodding.

Elias sighs heavily. Memory calls to him from the times he's opened up and been shouted at for it, been rejected for it. "Don't scold me for how I think, ok?" He asks, half joking

"You know I would never son," is the older vampires instantly tut.

And Elias does.

"It's that, the word son. The understanding. The fact you guys know I would like just us here, so you asked the Denlis to come back when Bella was home. It's the fact you know I don't like presents, even if you didn't understand why, so you didn't get me any. It's how you understanding how I am and adapt to my preferences. It's the fact that I've never fit in anywhere and yet I'm here, feeling exactly where I should be. Where I was born to be. You never judge or hate me or fear me for for who I am, for what I'm made of... for who I love." He casts a glance to where he should see the back garden from Carlisle office, to where Jasper is.

He looks at Jasper and at his own reflection at the same time. He sees his own reflection, a dark haired pale vampire, capable of killing and burning and destroying. He sees the harshness of his eyes and the power in his stance.

He sees the teenager he is, the little boy that got neglected when a child, the boy who got burnt and harnessed that gift, the boy who found love in a different family that loved him back but not entirely, not for all of him. He saw the rejection and the secret fear his human parents felt.

He saw how his new family knew he had both sides of him and accepted it.

He speaks with that in mind. "The greatest gift I've been given is this life. This family. Him," the newborn softens in expression at all he thought of Jasper. Of loving him, of being loved. He turns back to the silent doctor next to him, allowing his expression to reign free, to show his upmost respect and gratitude, "I love you Carlisle and I don't think I'll ever be able to thank you in the intensity I feel. So I love today, but I don't need the gifts, I don't need anything Carlisle... if I do, I know I can ask. I can get it myself. You've made that very clear."

Elias has half a second to register how Carlisles eyes are watering with venom, with tears that cannot fall, before he's being pulled into a hug. The newborn laughs deeply in surprise. "You're so very welcome Elias, there's no need to thank me. It's a pleasure to have you as a son," the older man swears, muffled slightly against Eli's shoulder.

•••

When Elias retreats back outside, everyone has left. It's happened in the space of the office conversation. Some have gone hunting, the others are working on the construction of the cottage. He knows they've made them self scarce with different excuses so there's privacy for Jasper and Elias. He's so incredibly great-full that it makes his skin spark in warmth.

Or maybe that's Jasper, who's dashing in his simple jeans and shirt and covered in the flickering red shadows of the flames. He's waiting for Elias, his palm up in invitation to dance, to touch. He's smiling so carefully it's hard to see if you don't know what you're looking for.

Elias knows where to look, where to touch. He slots against Jasper perfectly, his expression catching onto the empaths.

"My love," Elias greets, cause there's no other words to say. My love, just love, all love- he is everything to Elias. Every reason for his instincts, every boost to his emotion. Elias burnt just for him.

Jasper knows this. It's why his eyes close momentarily, collecting the heat that's slowly pouring off Eli's skin and the heat of his words. It's like sunshine.

"You're happy," he realises. Happier than he has been in all his life. Not just a blip of it before something took their attention. Endless happiness, like a sun that doesn't ever have to go away.

"Yes," Elias replies, bringing the man's hand up to his lips, kissing his knuckles and then the matching black ring on his finger. "Happy birthday my love."

Jasper looks bashfully blissed with the words even before Elias shows his other hand, the black book he's holding. "Thank you darling," Jasper grins, completely devoted to the man in front of him. But he doesn't make a move to grab his present, instead he says, "I want to wait and read them when i can fully focus on them, so I can cherish every word." He dips forward, flush against Eli's body, until their nose to nose. They get both know where this is going, where they want it to. So close to kissing... Elias leans forward without command. "But can you tell me one?" The blond asks, inching back, leaving Elias wanting and waiting.

He's teasing, holding out to see if Elias will bite. Elias will, just because he's so very tempting and Elias desperately wants to kiss him. So he speaks from memory, his voice like honey and his eyes entirely too intense for a normal person to withstand.

"The world really does look different when you're reborn. The ocean is no longer blue, it's honey golden, bleaching white with the power of the moonlight. The sky is dark when hungry, when hunting, a void desperate to be filled. When sun comes, colours burst and I cannot catch them all. There's too many, each one is like the burning of a star. I'd watch them forever, I can. I do. Every breath is new and clean and all of it is you and I cannot stop taking it all in. The world is no longer what it was, it is now just you..." he palms Jaspers cheek, "just you."

Jaspers stopped breathing entirely.

Elias kisses him. It's unyielding and full, like every emotion Elias has for the man. It kickstarts Jasper back to life and the moment, to the taste of Eli's lips, the smokey wood scent from his skin, the warmth eroding his body and wrapping around the blond.

They kiss, taste, touch. They love.

It was as if the day before was years away. There was similarities of course, the drunkenness of their emotions making them sloppy and clingy. But the difference was that today Elias had no other distraction, no other plans, nothing to make him sad or grieving. Every wall in him had crumbled until his soul was free to see. It was just he and Jasper and how everything made them feel; the world had been so damn ugly to them that it felt so foreign to finally see how great it could be. They were stuffed of it, smearing their words and touches and eyes.

"Please, tell me-" Jasper gasps as he pushes into Eli's body.

"-I'm so happy," the newborn cries in pleasure, "I love this life, my love, I want to do this every day for the rest of my existence. I'm sorry I ever tried to stop this happening. I was so scared and so stupid to think you'd leave me. I understand now. I understand, I do. How could you ever not love me? You've done so much for me, I'm so happy. I am. I've never been this happy."

He's holding on too tight, his sight is blurry with tears and his heart full. They're rocking against each other, slow and passionate, building it up with intention.

"I'm so glad Elias. I've wanted nothing but to see you smile from the moment I met you. Everytime I've upset you, it feels like my hearts breaking. I'm glad you understand, I'm glad you chose me. I'll never leave you, and never leave me in return," Jasper says, begs, promises in a cry.

"Never," Eli swears in retaliation, all strung out and high, "I feel like I could rival the sun when you look at me."

Jaspers gaze is smothering. "Burn all you want, you know you can't hurt me."

And the only words left for Elias is I love you. He whispers it into the man's scarred skin like it's paper and his words are a pen. They'd never be erased, never unheard, never be forgotten. Jasper would have Eli's love until the end of the earth, and then after.

Just as Elias would have his.

•••

Here's the thing, being human felt like a lifetime ago, rather than a few months. He's starting to forget the little details of his memories like many vampires do, especially as his senses were so muddy back then. He can remember the feelings associated with them, but the image is blurry. He can't recall the exact way his mothers face had changed when she was furious, or the shade of his brothers eyes. He mourns for it, much like he does them.

He also can't remember how fast his old bike used to go, or the exact details of what it looked like. It wasn't anything special to anyone else if they saw it, just a dirt bike they'd pulled from being garbage. But it was dear to him because he helped built it, he spent time fixing it and creating friendships around it. He remembers giving it Jace and how the man's joy was obvious.

He remembers how he loved driving it because the exhilaration of speeding. It's such a little thing with how fast he is now, but he hasn't realised he missed it until he was sat on a new bike and heard the sweet sound of tires against wet cement of Forks.

"Good?" Jasper calls out over his black helmet, worry clean in his voice.

They're at a set of lights, both of them each on a sleek motorbike. The suns shining for once and he's actually in public. They're both wearing leather protective gear, not one inch of skin showing, meaning it's safe for them. There's a helmet on his head with a dark coloured visor. It's making his sight tint darkly but it's a small price to pay for the treasure of being in public. The last time he was close to humans was two weeks ago, at the wedding, but before that was months. He forgot what it was like.

Elias takes a moment to recognise Jaspers question. He's thrilled with the feeling of driving, of freedom, he can smell the lingering scents of humans even past his helmet. It's not bad though, there's no flare of hunting instincts.

"Good," Elias nods, going as far to thumbs up.

Jasper nods, then leans backwards on his black bike, impatiently waiting for the light to change. They'd run it, but it's best not to break the law when in Forks still. If they got pulled, or if a cop even tried to, they'd have to run. It would be easy but it would be a little glaringly obvious what family in the small town could afford two brand new motorcycles. The humans were stupid, but not entirely oblivious.

So whilst they wait, Elias continues to have a feast of the eyes by looking at his husband. It's entirely unfair how good looking he is, especially as its capable of rendering Elias stupid. Seriously, a leather jacket shouldn't make Elias want to lose control, yet here he is, his jeans feeling a little tight.

"Can I say?" Elias calls with a thick voice, unable to stop himself, "That leather is really doing it for me."

Jaspers head cocks to the side. Elias can't see his face past the helmet, but he sounds like he's amused as he says, "That fuel tank is between your legs darlin, don't burn too hot. You'll explode."

Elias looks down at his own maroon coloured bike and back at Jasper. He's about to reply, something equally as cocky, when they both catch onto the sound of a car approaching. Elias breathes in clean air, then stops all together so no scent of blood can taunt him.

Jasper stiffens and leans forward, instantly retaining the image of a slouching normal human waiting for the light to change. Elias tries to copy him but is a little too nervous to be perfect.

"Oh' just our luck," the blond hisses quietly. Elias doesn't understand until the car begins them pulls up to a stop next to them.

"Angela, look, look. They're so hot," Jessica Stanley's voice is even more scratchy than he remembers and he wants to instantly kill her. It's not even a vampire instinct either, it's completely his own annoyance.

The other human in the car, the driver, is also a female. Elias can tell by the way their scent reaches him, even past his helmet. Fruity and artificial with chemicals from what perfume they're wearing. Still entirely too appealing. Elias feels the flame in his throat roar, but his mind doesn't darken, he's fine. He can ignore them.

"Jess you can't even see them," Angela Weber, ever so lovely, tuts at her.

Jessica moves around, the noise loud in Eli's ears. "But look at that physique of the man on the black bike, the one closer to us. I mean both are gorgeous, but he looks stronger, I want someone who can throw me around... hm, gosh, I love a man in leather."

Elias cocks his head to Jasper as if to say are you fucking listening to this?

Jaspers laugh is quiet and confirming. He's probably amused because Elias said the same thing only a moment ago. Bastard.

"Leather does seem badass," the other girl agrees.

"Angela, take one look at those thighs draped all over that expensive metal and tell me it doesn't make your mouth water. And those wide shoulders, I want to hang off him," Jess purrs. Elias eyesight might be dark because of the helmet, but it goes almost black with the open admiration someone gives Jasper. He definitely wants to kill her, then he wants to smear the blood over Jaspers body like a claim so no one ever flirts with him again.

Ok. That's definitely a vampire reaction. He pushes the idea away, telling himself to be calm, be calm, be fucking calm. It's not even the blood calling him, it's the fact it's her and he can definitely feel his human memory of annoyance seeping into his vampire body.

"I'm looking at the road, I'm looking at the road," Angela mumbles under her breath, embarrassed. "They better not hear you, you're so loud Jess."

Jess isn't finished. "The things I'd do for a bite of that," she huffs.

The things I'd do to let Jasper bite you, Eli thinks threateningly, then pushes it away. Jess is a silly human who means very little in the grand of things and isn't worth the thought.

The light finally turns fucking green.

Elias doesn't move instantly. He turns his head to the side, looking past Jasper- who hasn't move yet, ready just incase Eli's control snaps- and into the car. He stares past his helmet and the glass and straight into Jessica's eyes. He lets every bit of murderous intent seep out and hopes even if she can't see him, she can feel it.

And if the sound of her pattering afraid heart is anything. She has.

Elias grins to himself darkly and then revs his bike purposely as he speeds off, Jasper a second behind him, both of them spraying water off their back tires and leaving Eli's old human friends behind.

•••

They drive for hours.

They drive until things become unfamiliar and they drive even more. They drive until the worry from the idea seems silly. It does, in retrospective.

Sure, driving meant accidents- could he really stop himself if someone's blood spilled? Elias, as much as a ass he is, he doesn't want to hurt a human. It's why he'd not complained about being hoarded in the safe glass house miles away from everyone. 

"Carlisle wouldn't agree to this if he didn't trust us," was Jaspers solid argument. It's very hard to argue with Jasper- even if his power doesn't work on Eli, he has other ways of calming Eli down.

So they drive, they race, they get completely lost.

Well, not exactly, because both boys have perfect memories and they could trace back every road they've driven down in the last ten hours. But that doesn't mean they pay attention to the highway signs they've been speeding past.

"Your fault darlin," Jasper mumbles as he walks away from the parked bikes, his voice the most carefree Elias has heard in a longtime despite being around humans.

It's almost night now, the sky's a hybrid of blue and navy, covered by thick white clouds so the light can't escape and shine off Eli. He sits on his red bike, holding it up with his feet as he runs his hands over his messed up curls.

He glares mockingly at Jaspers retreating form as he walks into the small gas station to pay for the fuel. It's pointless as Elias has dark sunglasses, hiding his orange pupils, but he does it anyway.

It's not that Jasper doesn't deserve it. He'd taken full advantage of the fact he's a better driver- he'd practically done circles around Elias at first, taunting the newborn. And well, Elias is competitive, so he'd retaliated in the best way he knows how- scaring the blond.

Elias laughs to himself at the memory of weaving in and out of the humans car drivers- he'd never in a hundred years hit them, his coordination is too great. He could close his eyes and not swerve a inch from the centre of the road.

But Jaspers worry of Eli hadn't lessened when the boy had turned- at some point Elias had half a mind to shout at the blond he can't be hurt now. But then Eli realised going 120mph around a sharp bend to scare Jasper was too great of a temptation.

Honestly, it's no wonder they got lost.

Elias grins harder, resisting the urge to properly cackle as he's currently not trying to smell any human blood. There's only one person around- a male, with a anxious heartbeat- and he's talking to Jasper at the checkout. Telling him they are near a small town in Spokane.

The shrill of a phone ringing makes Elias wince- he'd been tuning into Jasper with his hearing instead of looking into the store since he didn't want to be temped with seeing the humans blood pumping under his skin. Then as he hears Alices bell tone voice down the phone, her panic clear, Elias turns his head, dread lining his throat.

Something is wrong.

Before he can listen and watch further, Eli's phone rings too. The dread doubles as he pulls the device out his leather jacket pocket. Bella.

"Elias," her voice is frail, panicked just like Alice is as she talks to Jasper inside. Elias sucks in a sharp breath in shock, the smell of human blood burns less than his worry as Bella speaks again, "Are you alone? Can you talk? I need your help, if you'll help me."

Elias' mind is already made up. It is in the same moment she says 'I need your help'. Bella hadn't ever said that with that level of desperate urgency; life and death urgency. They'd been through a awful lot together, through the time both of them were human and bleeding out in a ballet studio. Through their souls being broken and torn as their soulmates left, to hospital death diagnoses and all the way to when Elias had his throat torn out as fire scorned him.

Bella had always been there, she'd always been a column of support and understanding to whatever was happening. She stood by Elias when he was unsure to die from cancer or continue living as a immortal. Sure, she wanted him to turn so they'd always be together, but she wasn't going to persuade him from his choice if he wanted to pass along human.

And as she speaks down the phone, stumbling past her words and story, Elias feels the spark hidden inside his immortal body surface instinctively to his skin.

Bella had supported Elias with his choices when he was human- why should he do different for her choice of pregnancy?

"Did you hear what Alice said?" Jasper speaks loudly in concern, in front of Elias now. The newborns frozen, his face is torn between shock and anger, eyes cloudy as his thoughts overtake his body. Between his fingers the phone call has ended, the material of the device smoking and melting where it touches his bare skin.

Jasper steps closer cautiously, pressing his hand against Eli's cheek. His eyes- only a month or two away from being full vegetarian gold- are visible as the sunglasses slip down his nose, so Jasper can see Elias still stuck in his head, still shocked, still burning.

Then, like a switch, he blinks once and is himself again- only now there's a fierce determination masking him. Feral.

"She's inconsolable Jasper, she needs help," Elias manages to say, the words mixed with a snarl. Elias moves, forgetting to stay at a human pace as he tries tugging on his gloves and helmet- he needs to go, to meet her at the airport, he needs to help, he needs to help, he needs to help.

"-Hey," Jasper grabs his wrists, stopping him. His expression reflects Eli's, only more concerned. "Slow down, you need to think straight. You need to calm down."

How could he ever calm down? His best friend is pregnant, her possibility of death growing higher as she traveled back with her husband- who wants to get rid of the baby. No matter what Bella tries to say.

Elias shakes his head, the words coming out hotter than hell. "We both know Edward, he'll do what he thinks is best and Bella's not strong enough to stop him."

Bellas not strong enough to stop him. It's funny, how the picture paints perfectly into both of the vampires minds. How they know already that this is going to form a fight- as much as they hate to admit it. Edward will do anything to try protect Bella, even if it means from herself.

But Bella doesn't need someone protecting her from herself- she needs someone in her corner this time. She needs support- and Elias will be damned if he doesn't support her like she does him.

"But you can stop him," Jasper says, half a hiss at the mention of Elias fighting, getting hurt.

Yes. Edward can't read Eli's brain fully, it's very touch and go- he grasped at words. So can't read his moves before he attacked, and even if he did, Eli's skin will burn the minute someone touches him.

Eli's lips turn up into a snarl, teeth as sharp and dangerous as his expression. "He'll want your help Jasper, you're the best fighter." The statement itself is a question- who will you be siding with?

It's such a silly question, but Elias asks anyway. He won't force him, he won't force his hand like Maria had. That's not who Elias is, that's not who Jasper is now. He has choice.

Jasper shakes his head, strings of blond hair swaying against his jaw. "No," he says disgustedly, "I won't involve myself in taking her choice away," his eyes soften, only minuscule. Only someone who loves Jasper would see it. "I am not that kind of person anymore."

Elis chest pangs again, above the area his heart should beat. Elias doesn't like the thought fighting, especially with Jasper involved. He doesn't want the blond around that environment. Yet Eli knows from the one short phone call with Bella, Edward is past reason. He wants Bella safe. Bella thinks shes safe with the baby.

Lines are being drawn.

"Neither am I," The orange eyed vampire declares.

They sigh at the same time, then reach for each other's hand at the same time too- the comfort of being united helping them think of a plan. Alice said Bella and Edward had already started flying home hours ago. They were gonna be back soon. Edward will kick into action as soon as the family meet them at the airport. Washington soil is their home ground, is protection and family and help.

It's a line Bella can't cross alone. Elias will be there, Jasper, too. Out of obligation of not taking anyone's choices away, of not being a unnecessary killer, of always being beside Elias, more than agreeing with the cause. It's ok.

Who'd side with them- Carlisle? Alice? If they did, Esme and Nate will too. Someone has to help Bella as soon as she lands, and Elias knows 100% Rosalie will help her, so that means Emmett will. But could two vampires face five? Emmett has the strength, but Alice and Edward have the gifts. And working together they're a well oiled machine that can slip past anyone. Most of the time. They cant slip past Elias. They won't.

But can Elias handle walking into a human airport to protect his sister, without slaughtering people?

No.

"I'll do it," Jasper assures, he knows Eli's emotional state without using his gift- he can read it all over Eli's face. He's planning, strategising, much like Jasper is. It'll be even odds, but it's not strangers they're fighting- it's family. "I'll make sure she's fine until you can protect her," he promises, and Elias smiles sadly.

"Thank you," he sighs, pressing his lips into the other boys for a short moment, trying to portray his appreciation. Jasper smiles a little into his lips, then pulls away so they can start the journey to Seattle airport.

This time as they speed, weaving in and out of other cars, it's not because they're chasing the thrill of going a hundreds of miles an hour. They're fighting against time. Bella and Edward land at eleven, its nine. Jasper, muffled slightly by his helmet and the wind as they drive, says it takes a human four hours to get to Seattle from Spokane.

They get to the airport in a little over two. It costs them the rubber of their bike wheels, but the pair do it.

Elias grits his teeth as they have to drive normal speed around the airport, especially as they stop completely so Jasper can pay to get into the car park. If it isn't for the hundreds of humans and their thumping hearts- as well as the way Eli's has to hold his breath try ignore them- he'd have told the blond to run for the gate.

Elias spots Carlisles car and Rosalies car soon after. Jasper- ignoring any actual parking space- stops next to the red convertible, hastily pulling off his gloves and helmet.

"Elias-" Jasper begins as he swings his leg off the bike, looking at the newborn and towards where his families scent trails off into the building.

"Go," Elias orders through limited air he has in his lungs. Jasper wavers, not wanting to leave him so vulnerable where humans are around.

"You leave if we take too long or it gets too much," the blond says strictly, his voice one Elias doesn't hear often. Complete and utter seriousness. Eli nods again behind his helmet, meaning it, then watches as the blond treks through the humans and indoors.

Elias shuts off his bike, kicking the stand up so he can finally get off it. Without much thought, he shrugs off his gloves and helmet- the thick material of the protective gear doesn't help much with the inferno being shoved down Eli's throat. It only darkens his eyesight.

A family pass by his left, a mom and dad giggling with their arms over their small son as they wheel their suitcases behind them. The young boy around Easton's age- even has the curls. Their scent smacks Elias in the face.

Trying to ignore the inferno building in his throat, Elias slips a pair of sunglasses on to hide his eyes and focuses instead on trying to find his families voice amongst the chaos inside.

It's difficult to pick up the others, but Jaspers is almost too easy. Eli's could pick his breathing pattern out if need be. He's up and east of Elias, he's not breathing either- Eli can hear the grind of his teeth too.

"Jasper!" That's Alice, her bell voice full of rage despite the one word being a whisper. Elias can hear the murmurs of his other family members as Jaspers stops next to Alice. "Why have you left Elias alone you know I can't see-"

"-he's fine," Jasper rebukes stiffly, sure of himself, believing in Elias. Elias promises mentally to not let him down. "He wants me to be here."

Alices almost snarls in fustration. "Don't you think I have enough to see right now without checking if there's going to be a slaughter-"

"-Alice, Jasper," This is Carlisle, soothing despite the situation. Elias feels the tension in his shoulders melt at his father figures calmness. Carlisle is the voice of reason of the family, the man who sees things from everyone's perspective. If he can keep his exterior, so can Elias. "Let's not argue, Edward and Bellas plane just touched down. They need us and we all know Jasper wouldn't have left Elias without being certain it's safe. We have bigger things to worry about at the moment and Elias can handle himself."

That kicks them both into action. It kicks all of them into action actually. Elias zones out of their noise and instead tries finding another person in the chaos. Elias remembers how Bella has a odd heartbeat, much like her breathing pattern- she really is clumsy down to her dna.

But can't find it, especially with the thousands of humans around. It's so distracting, the hearts, the urge to get up and follow the sloshing noise of blood. He shakes his head, casting the noise away and instead focuses on the dark map inside his mind.

He reaches out, like a shaking hand in the void, and feels around everything in a three mile radius. It's instant, a infrared map sharp and clear within him. Everything in this world generates or carries heat, even vampires if they're close enough to the source. He searches for his family, seeing them next to the pulsing moving blots of humans, then he finds the woman he calls a sister. It's not like the rest of the map, not random beat, it's almost familiar, her warmth. He knows without even realising it, without testing it that as soon as he finds Bellas heat and is familiar with it, that if he ever lost her, he could find her again.

Eyes still closed, Elias tracks her and brings in his other senses to play. He hears Bella and Edward just as they're on their the way to meet the rest of the family. He's rushing, she's not. She's dragging it out, unsure if everyone is here on time. If Elias is here on time. Her heart keeps skipping.

Bella sighs loudly, like she'd been holding it in for a lifetime, her footsteps quicken until she's standing next to another person. Elias can practically feel the tension before Edward gasps past a snarl. "Rosalie-"

"-Not here son," Carlisle orders strictly, the silence that follows makes Eli's lips rise.

It only takes a few minutes until they're in sight and Elias tracks them all the way. As soon as they're in sight, he opens his eyes and lets the map in his mind fall away. They're exiting the airport, too quick to be casual, especially as all of them are stricken in expression. Rosalie has one arm out behind Bella as they rush out, Jasper is standing with his hands curled next to them both, their steps fast to get the car park. Behind them the rest of the family are looking at the trio with indifferent eyes, as if they're unsure what to make of their sudden alliance. 

Once Bella spots Elias waiting, her downtrodden expression lightens into a new one; hope. Without so much of a  warning she crosses the distance between them in a sprint. 

"No!" Edward snarls in realisation, in betrayal, as Elias curls himself protectively around the human girl, his own teeth bared in warning incase he tries tearing her away from him. Her blood is clear and calling, but the sight of Edward- ready to lunge and grab Bella, is more important.

Rosalie, followed by Emmett, flag next to Elias and Bella. Across them, Edward, Alice, Carlisle and Esme freeze in shock. The distance separating the group is where Nate and Jasper stand, uncertain to what's about to happen.

But Elias already knows. He sees the battle lines being drawn- all the trepidation over a cause both sides wanted- safety of a family member. He knows that if someone crosses it, a fight is going to break out.

Eli looks down at the human as she trembles in his marble grasp. Her delicate arms press protectively around her stomach, just like Eli's arms are around her. He can't stop the way his teeth set together harshly, the way venom flares in his mouth as hot as the spark running along his skin- all over one sudden terrorising thought.

Everyone knows that when you draw a line, someones bound to cross it.

Hey! This is 9000 words and full of fluff and happiness and family until yano, back to the original breaking dawn plot. How do you like it? Also, I got some bad comments for the first time and they made me laugh- if you follow my instagram I hope you read them and laughed too :)

I hope you're all safe and well <3

Don't be a silent reader!