back2thebasics

Present day

The town has not changed as much as you expected.

The streets are paved now, and cars roll where carriages once rattled, but the bones of the place are the same. The narrow lanes, the sharp angles of the buildings, the gray fog that still clings to the river in the morning. It feels strange to walk here again after so many years, like stepping into a memory you never meant to revisit.

You tell yourself you came out of curiosity. That you only wanted to see it again, nothing more. But when you turn a corner and almost collide with him, you know that is a lie.

Carlisle Cullen stands in front of you, exactly as you remember. His hair is lighter than it was in the gaslight of the 1890s, almost glowing in the dull daylight. His face is the same, his eyes still gold. You freeze, your chest tightening with something sharp and familiar.

He blinks, surprise flickering across his features, then softens into recognition. “It’s you.”

Your throat feels dry, though you do not need air. “Carlisle.”

For a moment, neither of you moves. The crowd flows around you, mortals passing without a glance, as if the two of you are only ghosts. Then he smiles, small and quiet, and gestures toward the café across the street. “Will you walk with me?”

You nod.

Inside, the café smells of roasted coffee and sugar, scents that mean nothing to you but fill the air with warmth. Carlisle holds the door for you, and you remember suddenly how gentle he always was, patient and caring.

You sit across from him at a small table. Neither of you orders. You simply look at each other, the weight of decades pressing between you.

“I wondered if I would ever see you again,” he says at last.

You laugh under your breath. “I told myself I would never come back. But here I am.”

His smile fades into something more thoughtful. “You left that morning. You told me you were going hunting. I knew it wasn’t true.”

Shame twists in your chest. “I couldn’t stay. I wasn’t ready. I didn’t trust myself.”

“I know,” he says gently. “I understood then. I understand now.”

You study him, the kindness in his eyes, and finally find the words you have wanted to say for so long. “You saved me, Carlisle. More than you know. You told me about your diet that night, about choosing differently. I didn’t believe you then, but I tried later. It was hard, but I managed. There were times it kept me alive. Times it kept me from being a monster.”

He leans forward, his gaze intent. “You did? You follow it now?”

You nod. “Not perfectly. But well enough. Enough to survive. And I owe that to you.”

Something flickers in his eyes, pride and relief tangled together. He reaches across the table, his hand brushing yours just like it did that night so long ago. The contact sends a jolt through you, sharp and undeniable.

You end up walking again, the streets glowing under the soft wash of evening. Conversation flows easily, filled with stories of the years you spent apart. He tells you about the family he built, the Cullens. You tell him about the lonely decades when you tried and failed and tried again to master your hunger.

The closer the night draws in, the harder it becomes to ignore the tension stretching between you. Every step feels heavy with memory. When he suggests returning to where he is staying, you do not hesitate.

The house he has taken for the visit is small and quiet. The moment the door shuts behind you, the space between you breaks. His hands are on your face, yours are clutching at his shoulders, and the kiss is everything you remembered and more.

It is not rushed this time. It is not the reckless fever of two lost creatures clinging to each other for a single night. It is steady, certain, years of restraint finally giving way. He lifts you easily, his mouth never leaving yours, and carries you to the bedroom.

His body moves against yours with the same careful reverence you remember, but there is urgency too, a hunger that matches your own. You hold him as if you are afraid to lose him again, and he holds you just as tightly.

“I have waited centuries to see you again. Touch you once more.” He almost whispers in your ear, laying you down on the mattress. Chills run up your spine from his words. Emotions flood, finally breaking the invisible wall holding back years of regrets and thinking of him. Thinking about where he is or what he has become.

“ I wanted to come find you, but I was a coward. I couldn't face you after I ran away like that.” You admit, shying away from his gaze as he cages you in on the bed, his larger frame hovering above you. His hand gently guides your chin to face him once more, and you stare up into the most mesmerizing golden eyes.

“You are here now, are you not?” He smiled down at you like nothing had ever happened. Only someone like Carlisle could forgive so easily.

“Yes, I am.” You answer softly, your eyes trailing down to his perfect lips, slightly tilted up in the most seductive smile. He leans down slowly, making your breath hitch in anticipation. He trails his nose down the column of your throat, you grab at his shirt, and without thinking, rip the material.

“ Carlisle, I'm so sorry! Your shirt.” You let go of the now ruined white button-up, which was way too flimsy for your accidental surge of strength. This never happened before, but Carlisle seemed to bring out a desire so deeply rooted in you that it scared you. That's why you had decided to leave that night long ago. The emotions flood in, but before they can spiral out of control, Carlisle reassures you. Calm as always.

“ Why would you be sorry, my love?” He asks his voice low and breathy. His eyes drink you in with such lust and admiration that it makes you feel shy even with all the experience you've gotten over the decades. No one has made you blush, made your heart flutter quite like Carlisle. After spending years trying to replace him, you now have the real deal right where you want him. In bed. He surprises you by just ripping off the rest of the shirt, not bothering to unbutton it.

“ Dr Cullen!” You fake gasp, playfully letting yourself relax under him.

He lets out a playful low groan that almost sounds like a growl as he ducks down to kiss your neck. He trails down slowly, starting to peel your layers back as he goes. Your sweater comes off along with his pants, and then yours until there are no barriers left between the two of you. Although you had spent time apart and had lovers in between, you seemed to both remember each other's bodies like you’d only left yesterday. His hands explored your body with the expert care that you would expect from a talented Doctor. Then there was his mouth, never leaving you for long, kissing your lips, your neck, and your breasts. He liked your nipples while playing with the other. You stroked his hard length as he explored you with his mouth and hands. When he touched your wet pussy you let out a little moan, your hips bucking up slightly at the touch of his cold fingers to your clit. He stroked you exactly how you liked, and you gripped him harder in approval. You felt precum drip on your fingers, and you wanted nothing more than for him to be inside you.  

“Carlisle, I need you.” The words escaped you without thought. He wasted no time granting your wish, as you guided him to your entrance. He slowly thrust in, filling you inch by inch.

“ You are beautiful, Y/N, the way you take me like you were made for me.” He whispers in the shell of your ear. Your nails scratch down his hard, muscled back as he sets the pace, teasing you with the slow, sensual strokes that leave you needing more.

“Fuck you’re perfect, darling.” He says as he finally picks up the pace, giving you exactly what you want. With one strong arm snaking around your waist, he lifts you up easily, pressing you to him as he fucked you. Years of longing and regret all came to an end with one passionate night. You wrap your legs around his waist, clinging onto him as he holds you close. He lifts you off the bed easily, holding you and moving you to the dresser across the room. Carlisle, still deep inside you, places you down gently on the edge of the dresser, thrusting into you at a strong and steady pace. The dresser shakes and rattles as he speeds up even more, gripping your thighs, spreading them wide for him. You still cling to him, your arms around his neck, your lips nipping at his jaw, kissing down his neck.

He finds your clit and rubs small circles with his thumb as he pounds into you. Your head tilts back in pleasure, and you can't stop the moans that escape you as he expertly pushes you near climax.

“ Fuck yes, Carlisle, it feels so good.” You encourage getting closer and closer to the mindblowing orgasm you know is coming. He lets out a low throaty moan that sends a pulse to your core and tips you over the edge. He speeds up, pressing down slightly harder on your sensitive clit and throws you off the edge into orgasm. Your eyes squeeze shut as your body is flooded with pleasure, your senses heighten to a new level, you feel Carlisle finish as well, and the sense of connection of the two of you coming together makes your orgasm double in intensity. Your legs shake as you ride the wave of your orgasm. Carlisle slows down gradually as he cups your neck and head with both hands, staring deeply into your eyes. He pulls out and takes you into his arms. Still caught in the post orgasm haze, you hold onto him and let him take you to the ensuite bathroom where he carefully and caringly cleans you off, sneaking kisses from you as he does. You can't help but feel like you're in a dream. If you were able to sleep, you would pinch yourself just to make sure. He smiles down at you after he's done. The silence between you is comfortable as you both bask in the surreal moment.

Later, when the room is dark and the silence has settled, you lie tangled together. His hand rests against your waist, his breath brushing your temple. You do not lie this time.

“I am not leaving,” you whisper.

He presses a kiss to your hair, his voice quiet but firm. “Good. I don't want you to. Ever again”