33; a mocking laugh in the woods

Just to Clarify; the inside of the Cameron home is exactly how Elias remembers it. Small, homely, smelling of baked goods that makes his mouth water as soon as he steps in.

It's only when he and Jace walk into the kitchen this time, there's a shift in how Eli remembers it. Nina, Jace's mother, Cassandra's much loved best friend, doesn't get up from the table to welcome him. It's small and it's a signal straight away that somethings wrong.

"Elias," Nina says his name with difficulty. She's as Eli remembers from his families trips to her house for Sunday breakfast- the ones he doesn't join- all long ink hair, native copper skin and don't forget the poorly hidden hostility behind her dark eyes. "I wasn't expecting you."

Eli's poker face is much better, despite the way his fingers twitch with the need to trace his neck scar. "Jace convinced me to ditch school," he jokes with put on lightness, even going as far as to place his arm over Jace's wide shoulder.

Jace is either oblivious to the tension or is going along with Eli perfectly. "I saved him from the pale faces," he grins, wide and real and oh, he can't see it.

Nina laughs lightly, awkwardly. Or it seems that way to Elias as he watches her. "Are you sure it's ok for you to be here, with the whole..." her words tremble under the weight of Eli's grey eyes.

The human boys cocks his head, testing his theory. "A tumour isn't going to slow me down," he hums, and just like he expects, she shows her true intentions- she flinches. Next to him, Jace starts to realise her obvious discomfort too.

"I wasn't talking about that," she mumbles, her dark eyes solely on Jace, asking a question that Elias wants to hear out loud.

Jace- lovely Jace- answers it for him. "Sam doesn't mind Elias being here mom. He's fine," he emphasises the last part, sounding embarrassed. He glances at Eli, only to see his face carefully composed.

"Ok," Nina sighs, getting up to her feet. She tucks the chair under the table quickly, her eyes nowhere near where Elias stands. "I've got a mile long list of things to do at the bakery, so I'll see you later Jace."

Elias doesn't mean to watch her like a hawk as she leaves, but he can't seem to look away, waiting for her to break and look at him properly. She doesn't- she slides past him and Jace with only her orange scented perfume wafting after her as any indication she was here in the first place.

Jace's turns to Eli as soon as she's gone, causing the Sherwood's boys arm to fall back to his side. "I'm sorry, I know that was awkward and I don't understand why she acted-" he starts.

"Don't worry," Elias puts both hands up in effort to stop him, a waxy smile on his lips, "a unwelcome, uncomfortable vibe is basically my new normal now."

Jace's brows furrow. "Are the Cullen's-"

"-it's actually the humans in my life who are the ones causing me most trouble right now," Eli interrupts, a heat in his words as he defends them. Jace looks taken aback, so Eli forces himself to loosen up, to exhale. "or so I thought until you told me Victoria came back."

Jace winces. "Sit," he mumbles, taking a few steps across the small kitchen to pull out a chair for Elias at the table. The human listens, eager yet apprehensive to hear what the stories going to tell. Jace sits across from him, in the same place Nina sat, only he looks less like her in hostility. "Look, I'm sorry about how Jake came over and told you and Bella. I tried to stop him, but he was hell bent on it."

"It's fine." It wasn't, causing a scene like that, but Elias can't get caught up on the details when there was more pressing matters at hand. "Come on then, tell me what happened this weekend."

So Jace does. From the moments they caught 'sniff' - Jace's words - of her near the border, to chasing her as a pack to both sides of the river, to the whole interaction with Emmett. Elias has to curl his hand into a fist under the table as he says, "did Paul hurt Emmett?"

Of course he didn't- Eli shouldn't be so paranoid, but he can't help it. Maybe it's a side effect of the tumour, or a side effect of having a vampire hunting you.

"She didn't get anywhere near town Elias, I promise you," is what Jace finishes up with, his hands tugged on his short shaggy hair in worry since Eli listened to the whole story with a straight face.

"You think I give a fuck if she comes near me?" Elias asks, actually laughing a little- not the real type. The one when he's so caught of guard that humour seems like the best option. "She could tear my fucking arms off and beat me with them for all I care about!" Just don't hurt the ones I love.

Jace frowns, watching the human incredulously. "You can't mean that," he whispers, but he's got a good grasp at when Eli is making a joke and this isn't one of those time. "Hey, are you ok?"

The seriousness of his voice makes Eli bring his hand up to his neck scar. He doesn't want to talk about himself, not with Jace, not when every word he says gets shared with his pack. Eli knows it's not Jace's fault, but look how he's being treated now just because they know he wanted to become one of the creatures they despised?

Jace's dark and observing eyes track Eli's hand movement- a sure tell tale sign that he's nervous- and it causes the human to stop. "Can we talk about something else? I don't wanna talk about this," he prompts, smiling a little awkwardly.

It takes a moment for the request to sink in. "Ok..." Jace hums for a moment, thinking, then his head cocks to the side as he states unsurely, "I brought you to my house because I was scared if I brought you to Sam's you'd start a fight?"

That makes a unexpected laugh come from Elias. "I wouldn't start anything..." Eli assures, then as a aftermath mumbles, "sure as hell would finish it though."

Jace just shakes his head, well aware of his antics.

"Hey," Eli calls, sobering up a little, "Thanks for not taking me to the pack house."

Red paints Jace's cheeks at the seriousness and sincerity of Eli's voice. "That's fine," he coughs,"what's your whole deal with Sam? I can't ever seem to get a answer over your two's silent pissing contest."

Elias traces his scar with his finger tips, looking away from the wolf. Jace doesn't exactly sound protective for his alpha, but Elias knows the bond between pack members is deeper than he can ever imagine.

"I didn't like him from the start. Since you told me the story of how he broke Leahs heart," his lips rise into a dark smirk as he knows Sam will hear this in the pack link, "I don't think he would've been appreciative of me calling him out in his own house."

The last part doesn't really register to Jace. "But he imprinted on Emily, it wasn't his fault," he defends, all puppy like.

"So?" Eli's voice is sharper than he means it to be. He makes sure to speak calmer, not wanting to take it out on Jace. "As you explained it, he could've still loved Leah and care for Emily at the same time. The imprint doesn't have to be a romantic relationship, Sam and Emily could have been friends."

Elias turns back, face a scowl as he looks at Jace. "In my eyes he broke Leahs heart when he didn't have to. I've had my heart broke, it sucks."

Jace's protective expression cracks, "I never thought of it like that," he mumbles, eyes far away in thought.

"Don't go hating your alpha just because of me now," Eli teases, reaching his leg out to kick the boys foot in a child like antic.

Jace purses his lips as if he's thinking about it, "You know I can't hate anyone. I've tried, I just can't do it- no matter what they've done to me."

Elias knows that- for such a feral creature Jace is surpassingly soft inside. Some part of Eli wishes he's like him- forgiving, always seeing the best in people- then he pushes that away. Sometimes Jace is too soft, almost gullible if it isn't for the fact hes incredibly smart and observing.

"Hey, do you even want to imprint?" Elias asks without thinking.

Jace shrugs. "Not really," he says, dark eyes clouding, "I've seen the other boys minds, they're completely orientated around that one person," a red tint flushes over his copper skin, "I wouldn't like to the fall in love with someone because of a wolf bond."

"I get that," Eli mumbles, since despite what people say, he can see other peoples perspectives. It'd feel like having your choice taken away from you, to him.

Jace leans onto the table with his elbows, with teeth edging into his lip "Can I ask..." he trails off, unsure about how to word it, "about you and him?"

"You can," Eli nods, leaning backwards, relaxing into the stiff wooden chair like the question doesn't make his heart race, "I might not answer though."

Jace nods, his expression showing how he carefully thinks over his words "Why didn't he tell you he was hunting Victoria?"

Ok, not so bad, he thinks. Could be worse. "I don't know," he mumbles, trying to imagine it from Jaspers point of view. "I know his actions are from a right place and he's only trying to protect me but sometimes I just feel like screaming at him that I'm not some docile little thing," he swears, hands clenching.

Jace winces audibly causing Elias to look at him. "You are now- no don't give me that look," he holds his hands up in surrender.

"I can and will punch you," the human warns, "or burn you, since that will hurt more," he lifts his hand, palm up, as if he's going to do it.

Jace giggles nervously, reaching across the table to push the hand back to Eli's side. Elias let's him. "You know what I mean. You are getting weaker- stop glaring Elias."

"Then stop insulting me," Elias huffs, covering his hurt with a careful mask.

Jace sighs at the boys defensive tone. "I think he's overprotective because he doesn't want you to deteriorate so quickly because of the stress around you," he makes a motion of around them, "and there is a lot going on."

Elias knows this- but hearing Jace tell him hits differently. "Tumours suck," he states thickly, dropping his head into his hand, as if it will help how his chest tightens with the urge to scream.

"Dating a vampire doesn't help with stress levels," Jace points out, and when Elias lifts his head, he's got a cheeky grin decorating his face.

Grey eyes narrow in defence. "We aren't dating," he clarifies, hating the way it leaves a sour taste on his tongue, acid like.

Jace's brows furrow. "Then what are you?"

Ex lovers still in love? Soulmates? Confused? Wanting him but scared of him leaving? Only feeling right when I'm near him?

"I haven't found a word for it," the Sherwood boy settles on, hating how he doesn't have a label for it. He used to, boyfriend- but even that didn't feel like a serious enough label.

Jace watches the humans reaction carefully, the way the love laces his grey eyes without knowledge. They might not be dating, but the two boys are completely in love with each other.

"I'm gonna ask you something grey- because I'm a nosey bastard as you put it- and feel free to get up and leave if you don't want to answer," he warns, unable to keep it in now.

Elias' face tighten but he nods, granting permission. Jace coughs, turning from the boys thunderstorm eyes nervously, "Are you going to ask him to turn you?"

The way he says it... it isn't Jace. It isn't soft and curious, it's something else. Something Elias hasn't seen from Jace- but it is from someone else. Suddenly it's not like he's talking to a friend, he feels like he's being interrogated by someone else.

Then it clicks.

"Are you asking because you're my friend, or because your pack told you to ask?" Eli demands harshly, his hands a pit of warmth on the table. Fucking Sam.

Before Jace can answer- not that he needs to. His answer means nothing when his expression of guilt speaks a thousand words, the sound of the front door banging catches both of the teens attentions. They turn their heads to the doorway, listening as the single set of steps come closer.

Jared, wearing only cut off shorts and standing like a soldier, scans the scene with mischievous eyes. The way the airs charged with energy, the way Elias and Jace have sat across from each other like a business meeting.

"Ooh," he grins, "a lovers tiff?"

The warmth in Eli's hands gets to the point that if he was wearing long sleeves, they'd be smoking. "Unless you see Jasper hanging around here, then no. Jace and I are just having a regular conversation."

Bad move to mention the Cullens around someone other than Jace. Elias would of realised this, if his mind wasn't so buzzed and he wasn't so pissed already.

"As if vampires are capable of love," Jared spits the words out like they physically hurt him to say them, glaring Eli down with a challenge

Elias hasn't ever been one to back down, so he meets the werewolf's gaze head on, even if he knows it's probably a stupid idea. Like he said- he's pretty protective these days.

"You might burn hot Jared," the words are as dark as the look in his eyes, especially as actual smoke starts to rise from his closed fists, "but I can burn you hotter. So watch your words."

Jace rises from his chair, ready to interrupt whatever is going on.

Jared steps one, blocked by his twins quick movements of putting his hand on his shoulders- it doesn't stop the way his words get thrown about. "You powers a party trick, you couldn't cunjour one flame with a lighter. By the time you've reached into your pocket I'd have knocked you unconscious."

Eli's smile could temp fate. He stands up, the heat rolling off him in waves- beads of sweat start to form on both wolves skin. "You wanna test it fluff ball?" He bets, kicking the heat up until it's like both of them are standing next to a bonfire.

Jared goes to step forward again when Jace pushes him back. With one hand still on him, he points a warning at the human- especially as Eli's that's starting to spread his fingers out like he's going to spread his power even more. "Stop it you two," he snaps loudly.

The sound of his warning breaks whatever spell Eli's under- he blinks, suddenly aware of what's happening, what he's doing. How in hell did he lose control like that?

He steps sideways, closer to the door. "I'm gonna go," he announces, trying to not sound as spooked as he feels.

Jared takes his retreat with happiness. "Run back to your vampires," he huffs.

As he's walking, he casts a look over his shoulder, smirking coldly as he says "With fucking pleasure."

It's night now and by the time he's outside, feet scuffing up gravel on the sidewalk, Jace has caught up with him. "Look, I'm sorry-" he starts, grabbing the waved haired boy by the shoulder.

Eli jerks away from his touch. "Jace, I'm sick of people being fucking sorry," the snap of his words makes Jace's face fall in guilt, which only makes Eli feel even worse. He wants to apologise, but it won't do anything now, he's already said it. "Look, I just want to go somewhere where it doesn't feel like I'm unwelcome, ok?"

Jace nods sadly. "Come on, I'll take you home," he nods towards the bike parked in the driveway. "You can't walk all the way home."

I would have, I'm stubborn, he thinks, but says instead, "Drop me off at the treaty line, I'm not going to my house."

Jace gives Eli the helmet for the ride and Elias spends the trip with his eyes closed and his head pressed firmly between Jace's shoulder blades. He's tired now and it's not from the tumour or anything physically. It's the sort of tired that comes from bad emotions, the sort of tired that makes him want to skate around aimlessly with headphones in until he can't think anymore. Or drive with Jasper until the only thing he can focus on is how the blond boy looks and how soft his skin is when they're holding hands.

"You look sad," Jace mumbles once they're at the treaty line and Eli's face isn't covered by a helmet. Without warning, he moves and wraps his arms around Eli's shoulders in a tight hug.

Eli sighs, allowing it despite the way it's the wrong person he wants it from. "Jus' tired," he promises into the material of Jace's shirt clad shoulder.

Jace pulls back after a few seconds, worry still etched on his face. He wants the human to talk to him, but knows he's probably not the right set of ears. He forces the worry into something else.

"I'm not sure about this, just leaving you here," the wolf looks around the dark woods around them. It's the main road between La Push and Forks and it's completely dark.

"Look, I text Nate before we set off, he'll pick me up in a few minutes. I'll be fine, go back and make sure Jared isn't wolfed out and chewing your furniture," Eli assures through weak sarcasm, showing off a waxy smile.

It doesn't take much more than that- despite Jace's more open attitude towards the Cullens, he's not entirely comfortable in being near them if not necessary.

Once the headlight from Jace's bike is gone, it's pitch black for him. Eli grabs his phone from his jean pocket, shining the light from the screen so he can walk to the side of the road Nate will come from. His feet make a lot of noise as he stands on fallen leafs from the tall trees surrounding him, but he doesn't feel particularly bothered about it.

He knows vampires drive fast, so he pockets the phone again and looks to where he knows headlights should come from. Within a minute, a prickle passes over Eli's spine that has nothing to do with the cold.

He tries to ignore it, ignore the goosebumps that he feels on his exposed skin, but then the signal in his ever filtering mind comes through. Coldness, lack of heat, across the road, deep into the dark woods.

Instantly he's awake- buzzed so much that his warming hands shake as he goes to take the phone back out his pocket. Someone's already ringing him before he can press a button- Jasper. By the time he's pressing the device to his ear the calls already connected.

"Jasper?" Elias exhales his name out like a plea, eyes stuck to where he feels the person, the vampire, across from him. It's too dark to see anything and all he can hear is the brush of leafs against each other and his heartbeat in his ears.

"Elias, are you okay?" Jasper questions in the same tone Eli speaks in, a plea, he sounds almost out of breath- no thats wind. He must be running. "Are you still at the treaty line? I'm coming."

"Yes," the human whispers, swallowing thickly. He can feel the vampire move closer, like a taunt. When he speaks the words are wobbly, "I'm so sorry. Jace dropped me off at the treaty line, I was gonna surprise you and catch a lift with Nate but..." closer and closer. Elias feels his skin spark, wanting to burn, but he can't do that and track heat at the same time. Panic starts kicking in more. "Normally I'd blame it on paranoia, but I know someone's here with me."

"I'm on my way," there's the sound,  wind against the phone, he's running to you, he'll get here in time, "don't stray from that road Elias, do you hear me? Edward just called, a vampire was in Bella's house. Stay exactly where you are!" Jaspers voice is dark and stern, for once Elias doesn't want to snap at him for ordering him around.

"Okay," he promises in a dead voice, a scared voice. The coldness of the vampire is directly across the road, in the tree lining now. They've stopped. "Jasper..." the sound of his name on Eli's tongue is sweet and as soft as a caress. Elias feels his eyes close for a moment. "I love you."

There's the slightest snap of a branch, the rustle of leaves from the floor. Elias takes a step back, opens his eyes, bares his teeth like he's seen vampires do so many times in warning, then drops the phone.

With his skin smoking, Eli eyes the space he felt the vampire last and spreads his burning palms out with intention to use them.

"I don't know who you are, but this land is claimed. I'd leave if I were you, my coven is moments away," he threatens with more confidence he's ever faked, the words hardly a whisper in the wind, just enough for a vampire to hear.

Elias swears, over the sound of his blood rushing in his ears, he hears the makings of a deep laugh in the woods- it's mocking, surprised. He doesn't know if that laugh is real or a produce of his adrenaline fuelled mind, but he doesn't stick to find out. He angles right, for the road leading to Forks and makes a run for it.

In the back of his mind he knows he can't outrun a vampire, but he also can't fight something he can't see. So with every slap of his converse hitting the concrete and every lucky breath that comes out his mouth, Elias runs with his life on the line- feeling like someone's only a inch behind him, ready to end him.

It doesn't take long- longer than he'd think- when his feet suddenly aren't pounding against the ground. He waits, for the pain, the attack of something that is watching him in the woods, but it doesn't come. He goes to burn, to twist and fight- but then he feels it. The coldness, the touch of someone Elias wants to feel. The scent of leather and woods and fresh cotton.

There's arms, cradling him to a stone cold chest, a chest that's rumbling with dangerous snarls. Elias gasps in relief, wrapping around the vampire like a suit of armour- ironic because it's Jaspers who's protecting him.

Elias cranes his face around, surveying the woods, trying to see past the relieved tears in his eyes to see if the other vampires here too.

"I swear," Elias shakes his words out, turning in Jaspers arm, one arm really, because jaspers other arm is locked next to him with claw like fingers ready to use, "someone was right there Jasper. I felt them."

Jaspers body crouches down further, his arm tightening over Elias painfully. The blond haired boys head swivels to the side with a snarl the exact moment a small girl steps out the woods.

"Jasper," Alice  calls softly as she walks slowly to the lair, hands up in surrender. It's as if Jasper doesn't recognise her. "Elias is fine. You need to calm down." Her eyes are panicked despite her calming tone.

"Jasp," Elias mutters, looking up at him awkwardly- since they're still crouched in a defensive stance.

His pale features are completely foreign, eyes now black and unfamiliar- for a small moment Elias thinks Jasper is acting this way since he's angry, that's why he's still snarling quietly. But he's not angry- he's scared.

"I'm okay. I'm okay Jasper, no one touched me," Eli pants, trying to find the humanity that's buried under his vampire instincts. He slides his shaky hands to Jaspers neck, thumb cradling his jaw and slowly pulling his gaze to the humans. "Look at me, I'm completely fine. I'm just freaked out. I'm ok. You got here in time."

Jaspers lips pull down, hiding his teeth and stopping his snarl. It takes a few breaths before light comes back to his dark eyes as Jasper counties to take in the human pressed against him.

"Your scent," Jasper utters painfully, relaxing in stance, letting Elias breathe. "Your scent mixed with the other vampires..." he recalls, but is unable to finish as another rumble tears in his throat.

"Come on Jasper, we have to get back," Alice appears next to them, worry shining in her eyes as she takes in how Jasper is still holding Elias, as if someone is going to try take him. Elias can't seem to find it in him to try relax him further as a huge amount of relief swarms him- it makes him a little light headed really. "Elias is fine," she repeats.

Jaspers muscles loosen but he's not exactly at ease. "Fine," he growls, his other arm wrapping around his human. "Hold on Elias, we're going to run to my house."

Elias grips onto Jasper with his shaking hands, eyes squeezing shut as he knows they have to go through the woods. He doesn't want to see the dark, or whatever can be hiding in it.

They only run for a ten minutes as they're not that far from the Cullen home. By the time Elias is set down onto stable floor he knows he's indoors- the Cullen home always holds warmth in the air when humans visit, Esme's doing . "We'll always keep the house warm so you know you're welcome," she said once when Eli asked.

"Oh Elias!" Esme cries, rushing across the living room to envelop him in a hug. A awkward one since Jasper is still holding him, or maybe the better description is unable to release him, not that Eli wants him to let go. He's sure his touch is the only thing keeping him stable.

"I'm okay Esme," Elias mutters into her honey curls, looking past her shoulder to all the other Cullen members surrounding the living room. Alice sits alone on the couch, looking like she was searching the future. Carlisle had one hand on her shoulder, like comfort. She probably felt bad, she put too much pressure on herself to see everything for everyone.

Rosalie leant against the wall, her arms crossed and her beautiful face stern in business. Eli sends her a small twitch of a smile, just to see her reaction- she doesn't react much, but she looks relieved.

There's a slamming of the door and Eli jerks his head to the left towards the staircase. Edward enters first, his arm guiding Bella up the steps- the sight of her sends another shot of relief through Eli's fried system.

"Bella!" Elias calls out shakily, causing the brown haired girl to run to him. Eli's back is still pressed into Jasper, but he's still able to hold her into his chest when close enough.

"Elle, Edward said, he said-" the words don't get out fast enough when she starts to cry into him. Eli grips her harder to comfort her, but turns his head to Jasper, pleading with his eyes to help calm her.

"Everyone's ok honey," Esme soothes, one cold hand coming to press against Eli's shoulder and the other rubbing against Bella's back. She pulls back from Eli's chest, red cheeked and eyes watering.

"Haven't you heard Bella?" Eli mumbles, causing everyone to look at him. "I'm a badass, even vampires are scared of me."

The joke cracks the tension, and the tears. Eli let's out a tough laugh, making Bella release one too.

"What exactly happened?" Edward asks, walking over to their group. Bella meets him halfway and burrows herself in his chest, sniffling away any of the emotion threatening to overtake her.

Elias isn't sure he can speak clearly, and not without his voice wobbling. Instead, he thinks back to what just happened, over and over so Edward can get the full gist of his patchy mind.

"Elias was waiting for Nate, he was standing at the side of the road. It's too dark to see anything other than a few trees. But he can sense them, the heat, there isn't any. They're across from him..." Edward pauses as he annotates, making sure he gets everything. Jaspers hands tighten on Eli's hips. "Elias rang Jasper straight away and the person stopped moving. He's waiting. It's as if he was listening."

Taunting it felt like, but listening to me was probably right, Elias thinks, then shakes away the thought so Edward can carry on reading his memory. "By the time Elias dropped the phone, he's just a few feet away, hidden by the trees. Elias looses sight of him when he burns his skin. He can't burn and track the heat..."

"Did you see anything else?" Carlisle asks, "any indication that we know this intruder?"

Jaspers arms pull him backwards until there's not a gap between them- normally he'd be embarrassed, but the protection Jaspers touch offers washes away the recent memories.

"No, no go back," Edward mutters, looking at the human, still trying to catch all the bits of his mind, "what happened after you spoke to the person?"

"You spoke to them?" Bella almost shouts, a green tint coming to her face.

"No, no, not really," Elias shakes his head, "I just knew I needed to do something if I couldn't fight them... I started speaking without thinking."

"Did they answer?" Carlisle appears next to Esme, his face barren of fear, only concern. Eli has a feeling it's a act, but it does help to see him so calm.

"No," Edward answers for him, eyes closed now as he replays the memory Eli is trying to show him. "There was a laugh, male. He's surprised that Elias threatened him."

Jaspers chest starts to rumble in a growl the same time someone opens the downstairs door again. Elias is glad of the shift of attention as Nate and Emmett come barrelling up the stairs.

"We didn't recognize his scent," Emmett huffs in disappointment- always itching for a fight- as he settles next to Rosalie across the room.

"They weaved from Bella's house to the woods. The scent lingered heavily where Elias was," Nate explains, flashing Elias a smile as he passes by him to be with Alice. She loosens up once he's near, finally stopping trying to read the future. "They got into a car miles away and the scent disappeared."

"A nomad passing through?" Esme theorises hopefully.

"A passer-by wouldn't have left Bella's father alive," Rose points out, beautiful face deep in thought. "And they definitely would have taken the chance at Elias whilst they had it."

Elias shivers the same time Carlisle sighs, "Someone's orchestrating this."

Bella ricochets the thought that chills his spine. "Victoria?"

Alice shakes her head, soothing the two humans hearts, "I would've seen her deciding."

Edwards black eyes find Alice's, "It has to be the Volturi."

That makes Elias even more terrified- one vampire with a grudge they can handle. But the kings and guards of the vampire world against one coven? No one will survive.

"I don't think it's the Volturi either. I've been watching Aro's decisions too," Alice chides, but it doesn't help Elias' troubled heart.

"So we keep looking," Jasper exhales through clenched teeth, his breath running on the back of Eli's neck.

"We also take shifts, guarding you both at your house," Carlisle ensures, kind face forged of steel.

"Another protection detail?" Rose sneers, but Elias knows it isn't as hurtful as she means it to be.

Jasper doesn't. "Rosalie," he growls, literally. Elias can feel the way his muscles coil from behind the human.

"No," Elias orders, his hand overlapping where Jaspers pale one is on his hip. He meets rose's gaze, "she's right."

"You can't protect us, watch our families and search for the intruder," Bella agrees with him.

"And for Victoria," Elias adds, shivering against Jaspers body again.

Bella nods, "And keep yourselves fed," her eyes flicker to Jasper once before she looks directly at Edward. "We won't let you do it."

"I'm not leaving you here defenceless," Edward frowns, his argument lacking the right enthusiasm since he knows they're both right.

As soon as he says the word 'defenceless' Elias and Bella look at each other, a conversation passing in their connected eyes for a few seconds. Elias sighs, a headache forming, but ultimately he nods at her in encouragement.

"We wouldn't be unprotected," Bella's voice drops to a whisper, "We have the wolves."

•••

Theres more talking, more plans, more details Elias can't stand to be around. The day had been more stressful than anything he's faced in a while and he was struggling to stay up on his feet.

Luckily Jasper was still behind him, holding him up. "Come on," he encourages, his voice a whisper against Eli's ear.

It's blur, the next thing Elias knows he's in Jaspers bedroom. It's so familiar, even after all this time, and it's comforting because nothings changed. Elias still has the he brought pillow on the bed, his music cds are exactly where he left them on the book shelf- even the black jean jacket is hung up on the back of the desk chair.

And Elias starts to cry.

"Come here darlin," the blond mummers, pulling the human along into the bathroom. Elias cries and can't seem to find the will to stop- it's not that he's sad. But he is frustrated, worn out. It seems the best outlet. So he burrows his head into Jasper hard cold chest and let's it all out.

How he feels about his parents, how uncomfortable it is at home, how he can't visit Jace without hostility, how he's dying and he doesn't want to, how despite his efforts of preparing himself for an attack he still wasn't ready for today, how close he was to death, how Jasper was his biggest worry when he fighting, how telling Jasper he loved him was the only thing that mattered.

The blond boy pulls the human under the soft stream of water coming from the shower, still clothed, still having his arms wrapped around Eli. The vampire slots his head so perfectly against the humans shoulder, breathes in his scent and allows them both to unwind in each other's arms.

They might have been in there for ten minutes or an hour, but all Eli knows is when he opens his eyes he feels better and Jasper looks relaxed.

"Hey Jasp?" Elias whispers, looking into the darkness of the other man's eyes, "I don't have any other clothes."

That makes the blond crack a smile and makes warmth spread in Eli's chest- so pretty. "I'll get you some," he assures, moving one hand up and pushing back the curls that have formed in Eli's hair. Eli leans into the touch.

"I'm gonna get undressed now," the human half says, half warns, turning around. There's no embarrassment as he strips the wet clothes he's wearing and let's them fall to the tiled floor.

Elias turns back, he almost slips in shock when spotting Jaspers bare chest getting sprayed in water. A quick glance down his body leaves Elias red cheeked and grinning.

"Your scent," Jasper tries to say, but his eyes are downcast to the middle of Eli's hips and it makes the human struggle to swallow properly. "You smelt of the other vampire, that's why we're..." he motions to the shower with one hand, finally looking back up to Eli's red rimmed eyes. They're dilated, just like the humans.

"Understandable," the curly haired boy nods casually, even though his voice is deeper than usual. "Pass me the shampoo?"

Jasper nods, moves without removing his eyes from Eli's naked body and grabs some expensive looking shampoo that's labelled in another language. Fancy, Eli wants to joke, but Jasper unfastens the lip and pours some onto his palm and oh god who knew someone washing your hair could feel so nice?

Elias, without any shame, leans into Jasper with a purr. The boy has magic fingers. Eli tries not letting his mind wonder as he leans his head back into jaspers shoulder, the water falling down his face and chest and legs.

"Rinse," the blond whispers, nudging him into a better position back under the stream. Elias closes his eyes and follows the instructions, a warm fuzzy feeling spreading through him at how nice it feels to be looked after.

Conditioner comes next and then body wash- which Eli decides to do himself because the last thing he needs is Jasper giving him a rub down and something accidentally going up. Jasper knows that too, because when he steps out of the shower to grab them both a towel, he has a shit eating grin on his face and Eli wants to stick his tongue out at him.

They both get dressed in shirts and shorts before Eli warms his palms and runs them through his hair to dry it- a quick trick he learnt that he loves. Jasper looks at him in envy, so he can't help but go over to the vampire and run his fingers through the wavy silk like strands and ha! It's Jaspers turn to purr like a cat!

By the time Jasper pulls back the comforter on the bed, Eli's eyes are drooping in the need to sleep. He crawls under the quilt, pats the empty side next to him so Jasper doesn't stand there all unsure like, then rests his head on the pillow.

"Elle?" Jasper whispers once they're settled. The human cracks one tired open as a answer and the vampire states simply, "you smell better now."

Elias falls into a easy sleep with a smile on his face.

So death close calls make them get closer? You like? No? I'm thinking about making this a mature book, if you know what I mean- but I'm unsure. Would you like that?

Also, I haven't slept, so two updated in like two days!

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