#marcus volturi

ARO

✩ Takes Aro a long time before saying the three words, telling you more with his actions. Walking with you through the gardens, romantic dances and dinners, and gifts, he thinks to show it is better than to say it. Flooding your mind enough that even if you say it to him, you don't even notice he never says it back.

✩ Only after he turns you does Aro say the three words. Looking into your crimson eyes, whispering it in what would be too quiet for your former human ears to hear. Making you realize it's your first time hearing him say 'I love you,' wondering if the reason was you couldn't hear him say it or if he said the three words to what he created.

✩ The words slip from his lips the first time saying it, overwhelmed by your new nature's beauty. Holding your hand, kissing the warm, glowing skin of your hand, trailing up to your shoulder, face inches apart, gazing into your eyes as the three words slip from Aro's lips.

✩ Kisses your lips after saying it, breaking it just to hear you say it back, kissing you harder after you do. Cracking his lips onto your newborn one's, forcing Aro to pull away, saying "I love you" once again, louder.

✩ Doesn't often say the three words, almost saving it for special moments. Hearing him say it during a tender moment together or on your anniversary. Though if you ask or say it more, he'll follow, will even pout if you don't say it back.

Gazing into the crimson-colored eyes of your lover, now matching your own, turned hours ago, only now waking. Sitting up in your shared bed, faint memories of all your human nights you'd spent in them spark within your mind.

Holding your hand, feeling Aro's warmth instead of a constant chill. Helping you up off the bed, standing before Aro, who says nothing but stares as if he's lost in your eyes. Scanning over every inch of what vampirism has made of you, what he's made of you.

"I love you," Aro speaks, bringing your hand up to his lips, feeling their warmth.

"I love you too, Aro," you say, hearing how it sounds much more different than his declaration. Trading the skin of your hand for your lips, feeling their softness at last, even as he deepens the kiss.

MARCUS

✩ Not the first time saying it to you, having said it without your knowledge. Having said in passing or in little moments in a low whisper, too low for your mortal ears to pick up.

✩ A few months before he actually says it aloud for your ears to hear, though, for his low whispered ones, it'll take him a month or two. Doing his best to spend most days with you, even when he has court matters to attend to, never forgetting to utter the three words behind as a silent goodbye.

✩ Taking some time before he gets the confidence to say it aloud, doing so in a moment of pure tenderness. Spending every evening together, holding you close to his chest, absorbing your human warmth, gently kissing the top of your head, finally letting the three words "I love you" out.

✩ Hiding his shock with a stone face, though cracking with a small smile once you look up, surprised. Leading him to say it again and again and again, saying it every chance he gets. Loving the sight of blood rushing to your cheeks, hearing you say it back, causing him to say it again and again, loving your reaction even if it's an annoyed one.

✩ The three words are the first thing you hear after he turns you, and every endless day after that. Hearing it at least a hundred times a day, when he can't be around to say it, he'll leave little pieces of paper written with quotes from your favorite novels that have the three words.

Laying atop the castle's library couches, back pressed against your vampire lover. Feeling his cold fingers play with your features, ones he could see so as not to poke your eye.

Reading one of the many books Marcus had recommended to you, barely reading a single sentence, lost in your lover's gentle touch. Tempted to close the book as his head leans down, feeling his unneeded breath touch down upon your head before a cold kiss follows, sending slivers down your spine.

"I love you," Marcus says, feeling the words upon your scalp and in your cheeks as they flush with red. Planting a kiss atop your head, uttering the words again, "I love you."

"I love you too, Marcus," you finally say back, hearing as he inhales a shaky breath before uttering it again.

"I love you."

"I love you too," you laugh, hearing him again.

"I love you."

CAIUS

✩ Has said it before, aloud, only in a language you wouldn't understand, then gets dismissive if you don't understand. Though he doesn't do it often enough for you to seek out what he was saying.

✩ Surprisingly, it doesn't matter if you're human or vampire, he falls in love with you just the same and says it, though he would prefer to turn you quickly. Says the three words in a language you don't know or one he avoids teaching you to speak four months into your relationship, saying it aloud only a month after.

✩ Says the three words for the first time during one of your extravagant dates, staring into your human eyes, seeing the beauty within them. Hearing your beating heart as it increases in pace, causing Caius to panic, gets even more flustered as he fails to mask it all.

✩ Softens in your arms when you say it back, gazing into Caius' gentle eyes that gleam in the candlelight before your lips meet. Once breaking the kisses, allowed to stare into his star-struck eyes does he say it again, giving you a rare smile when once again you say it back, pulling you into a much deeper kiss.

✩ Says it more when you're alone together, or as he admires your existence, slipping it in the air between you as if it were a breeze. Only for Caius to turn shy, as if you weren't the love of his endless life. Becomes very clingy if you say it first, making sure you hear him say it back, but only when you're alone, of course.

Staring out onto the vast city glowing in the night, flown out of Italy just to see it from the balcony you stand upon. Staying at one of the most expensive hotels in the entire country, your dear Caius had taken you to, being one of the many places you wished to see before turning.

Looking away from the view as a hand touches you back, finding a pair of crimson eyes that belong to your vampire lover. Flooded with ecstasy as he smiles sharply, not bothering to look upon the city, treating you as his breathtaking view. Smile twisting into a smirk, knowing you're his and will be forever, city after city.

"I love you," Caius declares, chest rising with a deep breath. Watching as his smirk softens, hand hardens against your back.

"I love you too, Caius," you reciprocate, pressing against the vampire, cupping his cold, hard cheek. Pressing your human lips upon his, welcomed by the softest kiss his vampiric lips could manage, wrapping his arms around you.

CARLISLE

✩ Has not said it before the first time, living more of a human life than a vampiric one, Carlisle takes the pace as one when it comes to your relationship. Even if you're both vampires, he prefers it that way, savoring each moment.

✩ Takes Carlisle six months of dating before he says the words, though if you say it first sooner, he'll say it back and continue to do so from then on. Has many moments before the six months of wanting to say the words but has too much self-control to say them, but also is a bit worried it might be too early to say it.

✩ Says it on one of Fork's rainy mornings, the window cracked just enough to smell the rain, laying in his bed. Cupping your cheek, caressing his thumb gently, gazing into his amber eyes, hearing as he whispers the three words.

✩ Smiles after, as if it took weight off his chest, wanting to utter the words since the day he met you. Melts as you say it back, becoming very clingy in the moment, pulling you closer to him before kissing your lips.

✩ Tells you "I love you" every time you part in the morning, when he gets home, and during moments when your bodies are wrapped together. Always accompanies the three words with a kiss on your cheek, lips, or neck. You'll know when he's about to say it, as he becomes clingy before saying it.

Thumb gently against your cheek, waking, soft amber eyes greeting your eyes as they open. Hearing Carlisle's even breaths as a smile grows on both of your lips before they connect. Humming between the kiss, your body moving closer to the man you'd been dating for the past six months.

Staying the night after a dinner date night, made just for you to try, telling you about his cooking classes. Filling you with good food before cuddling up on the couch, watching your favorite movies, then offering his bed to you.

Breaking the kiss, fingers still running through Carlisle's blonde locks, gazing into his kind eyes. "I love you," Carlisle whispers, lips inches apart. Feeling the heat of your smile as your lips stretch into one.

"I love you too," you whisper back, causing him to melt in your warm arms. Leaning in, lips connecting as the rising sun shines over the bedroom.

Hello, I hope you enjoyed if there is any grammar mistakes or misspellings sorry about that feel free to let me know in the comments, have a great day/afternoon/night!

♥ mx-pastelwriting does not consent to their fanfiction being copied, copied & credited, translated, used in videos and/or audios, screenshotted, used in AI.

Sharks were surprisingly straightforward. Squid were judgmental and sea turtles had somehow mastered the art of looking disappointed.

It was, honestly, one of the best vacations you'd ever had.

Eventually, however, even paradise got boring. Which was why nearly five months later you found yourself returning to Forks. Not because you missed anyone. That would just be embarrassing. You simply wanted to check on things.

Maybe visit Charlie. Maybe see if Bella had finally used the therapy sessions. Maybe punch Edward if he was around.

Normal things.

However, the moment you stood outside the Swan house, something felt off. You couldn't explain it, but the vibe was just depressing. "...Jesus Christ."

Then you walked inside and immediately wished you hadn't. Because Bella was curled into a ball on the couch. Not reading, not sleeping, not watching television. Just existing. "...What the fuck."

You checked for a pulse. And, hurray, she was still alive. "Bella?" Nothing. "You good?" Nothing. "Blink twice if you've been possessed." Nothing.

Jesus Christ. This some scary shit.

You were about two seconds away from quietly backing out and pretending you never came when a damn bird flew through the open window. It flew overhead for a second before it attempted to take a shit on your shoulder.

"YOU FILTHY LITTLE—"

Bella's head snapped toward you. You froze. The bird wisely fled the scene.

Then Bella stood up. Her eyes looked unhinged, like somebody had removed all the lights and forgotten to put them back. You took a cautious step backward. "Nope." Another stop. "Absolutely not."

And then she launched herself at you.

"What the fu—"

You barely had enough time to brace yourself before she slammed into your chest. Her arms wrapped around you. Tightly, way too tightly. "You're back." Not liking the physical contact, you tried to push her off, but discovered something horrifying. Bella was stronger than she looked. Pushing, shoving, and even an elbow to the ribs didn't grant you sweet release.

You stared at the ceiling.

This was somehow worse than the comatose phase.

After several minutes, in what felt like a hostage negotiation, you finally managed to pry her off. Taking a seat on the couch, Bella immediately filled the spot beside you. Far too close for comfort, mind you. And, more concerningly, she never stopped staring. Not once. You'd seen bears look at food with less intensity.

"....So, where's Charlie?"

"At work."

"Good."

Pause.

"Where is the rest of your family?"

There it was.

You sighed. "Vacation."

"Vacation?"

"Yep."

"Where?"

"No clue."

"When are they coming back?"

"No clue."

"Do they miss me?"

You stared at Bella as the silence stretched to uncomfortable levels "Girl," you pointed at her. "What have you been doing for the last five months?"

Bella shrugged. The gesture irritated you immediately. "Nothing really. I've just been...here."

You looked toward the ceiling, searching for strength, yet found none. "Okay but like..." You gestured wildly. "Anything else?"

Silence.

Your eye twitched. "A hobby?" Nothing. "A friend?" Nothing. "A new crush?" Nothing. You slowly sat up straighter. "...Therapy?"

Bella immediately looked away.

You felt something inside you snap. "ISABELA MARIE SWAN." She visibly flinched. "Oh my God." You stood up. "OH MY GOD."

"It wasn't—"

"I PREPAID AN ENTIRE YEAR."

Bella shrank into the couch. "I know."

"Do you know how expensive that was?"

"I know."

"Do you know how hard it is to find a therapist who won't immediately kick you out the door after hearing vampire-related nonsense? And you didn't go?"

"I was busy."

"Busy doing what?! Auditioning to become furniture?"

Bella looked offended. "I was depressed."

"THAT'S WHAT THE THERAPY WAS FOR!" You began pacing because if you sat down again, you might actually lose your mind. "I left resources. I left support. I left professional help. I LEFT A NOTEBOOK."

Bella quietly mumbled, "I used the notebook."

You stopped pacing, hope flickered in your eyes. "...Really?"

She nodded.

Your shoulders relaxed slightly. "Okay." Maybe there was progress. Maybe things weren't as bad as they looked. "That's good."

Bella hesitated then added, "Most of it was about Edward."

The hope died instantly. You dragged both hands down your face. "Unbelievable."

And somehow, against all reason, you already knew you weren't leaving anytime soon. Because somebody clearly needed adult supervision, and unfortunately, you were the closest thing available.

"Okay," You pointed a finger at her. "First thing tomorrow, we're getting you a hobby."

Bella blinked. "A hobby?"

"Yes."

"What kind?"

You thought about it then shrugged. "At this point, I don't care. Knitting. Karate. Tax fraud. Something."

You had honestly expected her to choose something boring like journaling. You had not, however, expected the universe to hand her Jacob Black. Which, in hindsight, was exactly the sort of thing the universe would do. And honestly? You liked him immediately.

Not in a “oh, I endorse this relationship” way. More in a “compared to Edward, this kid feels like a green flag” way.

Jacob was blunt. He was loud. He had the general energy of a golden retriever that had learned how to be sarcastic. He called Bella on her nonsense, talked to her like a person instead of a fragile glass ornament, and, most importantly, did not spend his nights lurking outside someone's window like a supernatural creeper with abandonment issues.

Which was deeply refreshing.

On your end, you made her eat. You made her shower. You made her change clothes that no longer qualified as clothes and more as crime scene evidence. You made her go outside, even if it was just to stand on the porch and glare at the sky like it had personally offended her. And somehow, through all of it, Jacob had wormed his way into the routine too, offering her rides, bad jokes, and a level of emotional maturity your brother Edward could only hope to have.

And then, because the universe apparently hates peace and you winning in life, Alice came back to ruin everything. You were sitting on Charlie's couch when the front door opened, and there stood your sister with an expression of utter disbelief.

"Alice!"

The amount of happiness that flooded Bella's face was honestly alarming. Before you could blink, Bella had launched herself across the room and wrapped Alice in a hug.

For a moment, you actually pitied your sister. Because damn, that human was strong. Months of hauling motorcycle parts around with Jacob had apparently paid off as Alice staggered backward slightly from the force of impact.

"You're here."

Alice hugged her back automatically, though her expression remained completely bewildered. After a moment, she pulled away just enough to stare at Bella's face.

“Would you like to explain to me how you’re still alive?! I saw a vision of you, jumping off a cliff. I knew I’d be too late but—” Her expression sharpened into pure outrage. “Why the hell would you try to kill yourself?!”

Bella eyes widened. “I didn’t. I was cliff jumping.”

“Why?”

Bella hesitated, then gave the most unconvincing shrug of all time. “Um…fun?”

Alice’s expression twisted in disbelief so complete it was almost impressive. “That was fun for you?”

“Until I hit the water.”

“I have never met anyone more prone to life-threatening idiocy in my life.” Then she wrinkled her nose in disgust. “And what is that hideous wet dog smell?”

“Oh, probably Jacob. He’s a werewolf.”

"Great, you manage to—" Alice abruptly stops, eyes going hazy, which is a clear indicator that she's currently receiving a vision. You straightened on the sofa, but didn't dare approach her, as last time you did, she backhanded you so hard you crashed through Carlisle's antique bookshelf.

She still owed you an apology by the way.

The longer Alice remained still, the more you grew concerned. Concerned in the sense that if this turned into another family crisis, you were going to return to the ocean and stay there indefinitely.

Alice inhaled sharply. Her eyes snapped back into focus, and for the first time since arriving, she looked afraid. "Bella, Edward thinks you're dead."

The next minutes were spent with Alice informing Bella about what her vision entailed, and honestly, you stopped listening at the mention of the Volturi.

No. Just no.

You knew about the Volturi.

Ancient vampires. Ridiculous power. Enough influence to make kings kneel. And one of them, if old stories were to be believed, had the personality of a medieval tax collector.

No thank you.

You valued your life or at least your continued existence. You had no desire to meet the vampire equivalent of Vlad the Impaler and his equally terrifying coworkers.

At some point you must have started dissociating because the next thing you knew the house was eerily quiet. You looked around and realized that your sister and Bella were gone, along with the car previously out front.

“…Huh.”

They left without you. Good. Excellent. Wonderful. You made yourself more comfortable on the couch. Problem solved. Then, the front door slammed open and you barely had time to react before tiny vampire hands grabbed your arm.

“Get up.”

“No.”

Alice pulled. You didn’t move. She pulled harder. You remained firmly planted on the couch. The couch, however, groaned in protest.

“Get up.”

“No way in hell am I going all the way to Italy just because Edward decided he wanted to become a damn drama queen. I already fixed Bella to the best of my abilities. I ain’t no genie.”

Alice stared at you with the same expression she always got when she was seconds away from either winning or committing a crime. “You are coming.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are.”

“No, I’m really, sincerely, deeply not.”

Alice’s jaw tightened. “Y/N.”

You folded your arms and sank deeper into the couch like a stubborn cat with a grudge. “Alice, listen to me very carefully. I have spent months dragging Bella out of a depressive swamp because your brother thought being emotionally devastating was a personality trait. I have done my civic duty. I have fulfilled my obligation to the vampire community. I have contributed. I am done. This is the end of my shift.”

Alice made a noise in the back of her throat that meant she was losing patience, which was honestly rude considering you were the one being inconvenienced.

“Edward thinks she’s dead.” she said, a little more sharply now, as if that was supposed to change your mind.

You deadpanned. “And? That is a he problem.”

“He’s going to Volterra.”

“Sounds like a him-and-the-Italian-police problem.”

Alice’s eyes flashed. “He’s serious.”

You shrugged. “Natural consequences.”

"He's going to kill himself!"

“And whose fault is that? The man has existed for over a century and apparently never learned how to use a damn telephone.”

“He’s grieving!”

“He’s stupid!”

“He’s emotional!”

“He’s Edward!” You threw your hands into the air. "I'm not stopping you or Bella from saving him, although he kinda deserves it, but I'm also not joining."

And you stayed true to your word.

You didn’t go to Italy.

You didn’t stand around in ancient marble hallways while vampires with inferiority complexes made speeches about blood and fate and whatever other miserable nonsense old immortals used to fill the centuries. You didn’t watch Edward and Bella have whatever emotional disaster of a reunion that was bound to happen.

You went back to your rented apartment, kicked your shoes off by the door, and for the first time in what felt like forever, let silence sit with you without demanding anything in return.

It was glorious.

You made tea you didn’t need. Sat on your couch like a king who had survived a coup. Opened a book, read the same sentence four times, and still counted that as a win. There was no Bella crisis. No Edward crisis. No family meeting. No one collapsing emotionally in front of you and expecting you to catch them.

For maybe five whole day, your life was peaceful until there was a knock on your door. Frowning because you rarely had visitors that were not family, you stood up and opened the door.

“…Jasper?”

Your brother smiled in greeting, and before you could stop yourself, you threw your arms around him. “Dude, I missed you. Like—I don’t say this often, but I did.”

Jasper laughed softly, returning the hug. “I missed you too.”

And there it was.

The reason Alice’s emotional blackmail worked every single time. Because if she was your sister, Jasper was your platonic soulmate. Your brother from another mother. The person who understood silence as fluently as conversation.

“Get in here.”

Jasper entered your apartment and stopped. His golden eyes traveled over the space. The ocean maps. The marine biology books. The suspiciously large amount of waterproof equipment, and the whiteboard.

Written across it in large letters was:

DO VAMPIRES BECOME MERMAIDS IF THEY DRINK FISH BLOOD??

Jasper turned to you confused. “…What?”

You immediately lit up. “Oh, I’m so glad you asked.”

Three hours later, Jasper was sat on your couch listening patiently while you explained your adventures beneath the sea. You told him about wrestling sharks. Losing to octopi and discovering that dolphins were evil.

“They’re organized,” you said gravely. “Too organized.”

Jasper nodded solemnly. “I believe you.”

“THANK YOU.”

“Nobody else does?”

“They called me paranoid.”

Jasper frowned. “You are, but dolphins are unsettling.”

You pointed at him dramatically. “Exactly! This is why you’re my favorite.” A pause. “…Don’t tell the others except Edward. He doesn't even make it on the list.”

“I won’t.”

You relaxed then narrowed your eyes. “Wait.” Jasper froze before you pointed accusingly. “You didn’t come all this way just to visit me.”

He looked away.

Bingo.

You gasped dramatically. “YOU HAVE AN AGENDA.”

Jasper looked almost guilty. Which on Jasper meant he looked vaguely uncomfortable. “Carlisle asked me to find you.”

You slumped. “Of course he did.” You buried your face into a pillow. “I’m not coming back.”

Jasper sighed. “I figured you’d say that.”

“Good. Then mission accomplished.”

“It’s important.”

“No.”

“Y/N.”

“No.”

“Bella’s holding a vote.”

You stopped and slowly lowered the pillow. “…What kind of vote?”

Jasper hesitated. “The family’s voting on whether she should become a vampire.”

Silence.

Then sat up straight. “Oh.”

Well, that changed things. Not because you particularly cared about vampire politics. No, but because Edward hated the idea of turning Bella into one of your kind. A grin spread across your face.

Jasper immediately looked concerned. “Why are you smiling like that?”

You stood. Grabbed your jacket and smiled wider. “Jasper.”

“Yes?”

“Take me home.”

SMALL TIME SKIP

The drive back to Forks felt like walking into a storm you’d already survived once, but this time you had your own reasons for being there. Not Edward. Never Edward. If anything, Edward was just a bonus source of irritation.

By the time you reached the house, everyone was present.

Esme, looking worried and gentle. Carlisle, composed but tired. Rosalie, looking like she’d rather bite someone than participate in sentiment. Emmett, looking entertained by the drama of it all. Alice, vibrating with anticipation. Edward, pale and tight-jawed and already looking like he wanted to object to the concept of free will.

And Bella, at the center of it all, looked nervous but determined.

You took your place without ceremony, shoving your hands into your pockets and surveying the room. “Wow, you people really know how to create a joyful atmosphere.”

Alice smiled at you. “You came.”

“Against my better judgment.”

Edward’s eyes narrowed. “I thought you were done with all this.”

“I was,” you said. “but then I got invited to watch your misery in current time."

Rosalie snorted.

Bella glanced at you, some of the tension easing from her shoulders. “You really came back.”

You shrugged. “Jasper guilt tripped me.”

Jasper lifted one shoulder, guilty and unapologetic all at once.

Carlisle began speaking, explaining the vote again, though everyone already knew what it was about. Bella would become one of them, if they agreed, if they trusted her choice, if the family decided this was the right step.

You didn’t say much while the others talked. You mostly watched Edward, because it was hard not to. He looked furious at the idea, even as he kept trying to frame it as concern. He was miserable in that way only Edward could be. Like a man being asked to suffer by the universe and somehow blaming everyone else for the weather.

Bella took a breath.

Then she looked at everyone and, with the kind of steadiness that had become a little more impressive now that she was standing on the edge of becoming immortal, she said what she wanted.

And when eyes turned to you, you already knew what you were going to say.

You didn’t hesitate. “I vote yes.”

Edward stared at you like you’d betrayed some sacred blood oath. “Why?”

You smiled, all teeth. “Because you hate it.”

Emmett barked out a laugh. Alice was grinning. Bella stared at you, a little startled, a little touched. Edward looked deeply, personally wronged.

You folded your arms and kept going, because honestly, this had been building for months.

“She wants it,” you said, glancing at Bella. “And after everything she’s been through because of you, I’m not going to stand here and tell her she has to stay human just because you can’t handle the idea of consequences.”

Edward’s jaw tightened.

“Oh, don’t make that face. You spent months treating Bella like the center of your universe and then acted surprised when that universe exploded. If she wants to stop being fragile, let her. Maybe then she can survive your nonsense.”

You pointed at him.

“And before you start, no, I do not care that this isn’t what you wanted. You got your way every time this family caved for months. My turn.”

Edward muttered something under his breath that definitely was not polite.

You grinned.