Twilight The Stranger's Gaze

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WARNING: This chapter is mostly romance, if that's not your thing I recommend reading only the last paragraphs.

Nate was driving through the rain, the droplets sliding down the windshield, distorting the yellow glow of the streetlights on the wet asphalt. The wipers moved in a slow rhythm, leaving streaks of water that were covered again within seconds, just like his mind, which barely cleared before filling up with thoughts again.

The blue suit Alice had chosen for him was still in good condition, though the collar of his shirt was damp, clinging cold and persistent to his skin. The boutonniere Edward had given him rested on the passenger seat, still holding a few raindrops on its petals. Nate glanced at it, feeling a knot form in his throat.

As he drove down the road leading to the Cullens' house, he couldn't help but think about how he had ended up in Forks.

He remembered how he felt the first time he stepped into this place: an empty shell, an echo of who he had been before losing his parents. He had come here searching for a place to hide from the pain, convinced that if he kept himself busy, if he walked enough under the rain, if he isolated himself enough, the emptiness inside him would stop hurting.

He remembered how, just a few weeks later, he discovered the Cullens' secret. How, in an instant, all the apathy he felt turned into anger. A protective instinct, so fierce it had surprised him, ignited within him. He was ready for anything, even to give his life, to protect the people of Forks from them, to make sure no one else lost their family the way he had lost his.

Back then, he would have given anything to make them disappear from Forks, to watch them leave and have his world feel "safe" again.

And now, as the lights of the Cullens' house appeared in the distance between the trees, he found himself driving toward them, simply because he could no longer stay away from her.

A brief, dry laugh escaped him, heavy with irony, as he slowed down, turning onto the gravel driveway. The Nate who had arrived in Forks would have done everything he could to find a way to kill them, to rid the town of their presence. The Nate he was now, the one who had rebuilt himself through silences, arguments, tension-filled conversations, and unexpected laughter, was nervous, his heart pounding, because he didn't want to stay away from Alice.

When he parked in front of the house, he left the engine running for a moment as the rain continued to softly drum on the roof. Steam fogged the windows, blurring the warm lights of the house on the other side of the glass.

With a long sigh, he opened the glove compartment and took out his father's knife. He held it in his hands, feeling the cold metal against his skin. He turned it over a few times, his thumb brushing over the handle as memories softly yet painfully hit his mind.

He remembered the good moments. The laughter in the kitchen while they cooked together. The walks in the park while his mother tucked her hair behind her ear. The nights when his father taught him something new, as if there was nothing in the world he didn't know. He remembered that feeling of safety, of family, of home.

He kept looking at the knife as if his gaze could uncover every secret it held, as if the key to why his world had fallen apart was hidden in its blade.

He tucked it into the inner pocket of his jacket with a slow, firm motion, as if drawing an invisible line between the past and what he was about to do, knowing he would need every ounce of willpower now.

He turned off the engine, the hum of the car ceasing while the rain became the only sound filling the space. Carefully, he picked up the boutonniere before opening the door, letting the cold and damp air brush against his skin as he stepped out.

Standing in the rain, he took a deep breath, water running down his hair, sliding down the collar of his shirt, soaking the shoulders of his jacket. He looked toward the Cullens' house, lit with warm lights filtering through the windows, and for a moment, something inside him calmed.

He thought of Alice.

He thought about what it had been like to have her by his side, how her mere presence lifted the weight off his shoulders, how talking to her felt like he could be himself for the first time in a long while. Without having to measure every word, without analyzing every step, without building walls to protect himself.

It was like being home, once again.

He thought about how much she meant to him, even if until recently, he hadn't been willing to admit it out loud.

He thought about how he didn't want to make her wait any longer.

And deep down, he didn't want to wait anymore either.

He knew, in a way, that what he was about to do was selfish. There were things he needed to resolve, matters he hadn't yet put to rest. But he didn't want to leave things unfinished. He didn't want to keep walking with uncertainty burning at his back every day.

For once, he didn't want to plan. He just wanted to say what was in his heart.

He allowed himself to smile, even if it was a small smile, filled with a genuine nervousness that made him feel human.

With firm steps, he walked toward the entrance, feeling the gravel give way under his shoes as the rain kept falling around him. He climbed the porch steps, adjusted his soaked jacket with a shrug of his shoulders, took one last deep breath as his heart pounded hard, and raised his hand to knock on the door.

The sound of his knuckles against the wood was lost in the constant murmur of the rain.

But at that moment, Nate knew that every heartbeat, every breath, every step that had brought him here had been worth it.

It wasn't long before someone opened the door.

It was Carlisle.

He wore the calm that always seemed to surround him, as if even the rain softly falling on the porch couldn't disturb him. Upon seeing Nate, a warm smile formed on his face, but it quickly faded as he looked him over from head to toe. His eyes fell to the boutonniere Nate held carefully in one hand, to the drenched suit, to the wet hair dripping onto the collar of his shirt.

And then his gaze rested on Nate's face, reading every line of tension there.

Carlisle didn't take long to understand.

In a kind, almost understanding tone, he spoke:

"It's good to see you well, Nate. I thought you'd be at the dance with Bella tonight."

Nate forced a small smile, his breath still heavy in his chest, as if each heartbeat reminded him why he was here.

"Hi, doctor." He paused briefly, lowering his gaze before meeting Carlisle's eyes again. "I never thanked you for… for treating me after the incident in Phoenix."

His voice came out low, sincere, carrying a trace of exhaustion he hadn't had time to process. But seeing the way Carlisle looked at him, that deep look that seemed to see right through him, Nate let out a sigh, letting some of the weight he carried fall away.

"Yes, I was there… until recently." His hand tightened around the boutonniere. "But… I need to talk to Alice."

For a moment, the space between them was filled with a heavy silence, only interrupted by the constant murmur of the rain and the distant creaking of the house.

Carlisle held his gaze with the same serenity as always, but there was a different glint in his eyes, something between protection and understanding, as if he could see every step that had brought Nate here.

"I don't want to stop you, Nate," he said softly. "A part of me knows that even if I tried, you would find a way to get to her."

His tone wasn't threatening, nor a warning, but rather a truth they both recognized.

"But I need you to understand what you're doing."

Nate looked at him steadily, the blue of his eyes unwavering, not looking away for a second.

Carlisle continued:

"For us, loving someone… is not the same as it is for humans." His words were careful, each one carrying measured weight. "For us, it is something that marks us forever."

There was a flash of pain in his gaze, just for a second, as quick as a heartbeat.

"I know you're a good person, Nate. I've seen it. I witnessed everything you did to protect Bella, even when you didn't have to."

His eyes softened before hardening again with a paternal glint.

"But I don't want you to hurt my daughter. Alice has been through much more than you can imagine, and even if she hides it with her smile, even if she makes everything look easy… I know how much it can hurt her if she gets hurt."

Nate swallowed but didn't look away.

Carlisle tilted his head slightly.

"I have the feeling that you're not yet ready to give yourself fully to her." His voice was not cruel, but filled with an honesty that was almost painful. "At least… not in the way she would be willing to give herself to you."

The rain hit the porch steps as the cold breeze stirred Nate's wet hair.

For a moment, nothing moved.

Nate held Carlisle's gaze, no trace of doubt in his eyes. He felt the beating of his own heart pounding in his ears, strong and determined, reminding him why he was here.

He took a deep breath, letting the cold air fill his lungs before speaking, his voice clear and calm:

"I know."

His hand gripped the boutonniere a bit tighter as water continued to drip down his neck.

"I truly hope you do," Carlisle murmured with a tired sigh before shifting his gaze to the darkness behind Nate.

Nate turned around.

There, leaning against the side of his car, arms crossed as if trying to hold herself together, was Alice.

The rain fell on her hair, soaking the dark strands that clung to her pale cheeks. She had her arms crossed, as if hugging herself, and her gaze was fixed on the ground, unable to lift, as if the mere act of doing so could break her.

Nate's heart tightened, each beat ringing in his ears as he looked at her. For a moment, everything stopped: the rain, the cold, the night itself.

A soft creak snapped him out of the moment as Carlisle stepped back before turning and quietly closing the door behind him.

Nate stood there, in the rain, letting the water run down his face and neck. He took a deep breath and began walking toward her.

Alice didn't look up until he was just a few steps away. Her golden eyes shone with something different, with a storm she couldn't hide, even if she wanted to.

"Why did you come, Nate?" Her voice was low, barely a whisper blending with the sound of the rain. "I thought tonight was the dance."

Nate let out a soft, tired laugh. "It was the dance," he replied calmly. "I was there… until I realized it wasn't where I wanted to be."

Alice lifted her gaze, and though she couldn't cry, the droplets sliding down her cheeks looked like tears, leaving silent lines on her skin.

"You shouldn't be here," she murmured, shaking her head softly. "You should be there, dancing, making plans, living a normal life… one that's yours."

Nate looked down, taking a deep breath, but didn't respond immediately.

Alice took a deep breath, her voice trembling as she spoke:

"When we met, everything was so easy. Talking to you, walking together, laughing… it was so simple I thought I could handle it, that I could stay close to you and it wouldn't matter."

Her fingers clutched at her own arms, trying to stop the shaking.

"But after James… I realized it wasn't that simple," she continued, her eyes locked on his. "That being close to my world puts you at risk. And that every day… every time I looked at you…" Her voice broke for a moment. "You mattered to me more. So much more than you should."

Nate felt a strong heartbeat in his chest, echoing in his ears as he listened.

"And now… now is the time when we can still stop this," Alice whispered. "Before it's too late, before it becomes impossible for me."

The sound of the rain filled the space between them for a moment.

"You're the smartest person I know, Nate. I'm sure you know all the reasons why we shouldn't be together," Alice continued softly.

"I understand, Alice," Nate said calmly, his voice firm yet gentle. "I know you're right."

Alice looked at him, surprised by his words, holding her breath.

"I should walk away," he continued honestly. "I should pretend that none of this matters, that nothing happened."

His gaze softened, and for a moment, he let the water hit his face without moving.

"But I don't want to."

Alice closed her eyes tightly, trembling, her shoulders shaking.

"I know it's not the smartest thing," Nate admitted, with a small, tired smile. "But the good things I feel when I'm with you… They outweigh all the bad."

Alice opened her eyes, a glint of longing reflected in her golden irises. Her breathing was quick, and every word from Nate seemed to hit her chest.

"I thought what I felt for you was just infatuation, then I believed I just enjoyed your company. But what I feel for you isn't fragile, and it won't disappear no matter how hard I try to make it," he added softly. "I don't want to keep pretending it isn't there."

Alice lowered her gaze, covering her mouth with her hand for a second, her voice barely a whisper:

"I…" She swallowed, her shoulders lifting with a tremble. "I don't want it to disappear either."

She forced herself to look up, water streaming down her cheeks, her golden eyes more vulnerable than ever.

"But… I'm scared," she whispered, her voice breaking.

A silence settled between them as Nate looked at her, letting his heartbeat calm.

He stepped even closer to her, speaking almost in a whisper: "I'm willing to take the risk," he said with decision in his voice, "but if you're not, just tell me you don't want to be with me. If that's what you want… I'll leave."

Alice stood still, her lips trembling, her hands clenched, as the rain continued to slide down her face.

"It's not fair…" she murmured, her voice barely audible.

For a second, Nate felt like he couldn't move, his heart pounding as he heard those words.

"Of course I want to be with you."

Alice's voice barely held for a moment before she launched herself toward him, wrapping him in a hug that nearly took his breath away. Nate held her tightly, lowering his head to rest it on her wet hair as his arms wrapped around her waist.

The world seemed to go quiet around them, leaving only the rhythm of their breathing and the constant sound of the rain on their bodies. They stayed like that, saying nothing, letting the moment speak for them, holding each other as if they couldn't let go.

When they finally pulled back just enough to look at each other, Nate lifted the soaked boutonniere with a crooked smile.

"In my defense…" he said, lifting the crushed flowers, "it looked a lot better before it got soaked."

Alice let out a soft laugh, the kind that lightened the heaviness in Nate's chest. Her lips curved into a smile as she took the boutonniere delicately.

"Thank you," she murmured, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"You're welcome," Nate replied, with a softer smile as he leaned in to press his forehead to hers, sharing the same breath for a moment.

Then, as if remembering something, he turned and reached through the half-open window of the car, turning on the radio. A soft song filled the cold, damp air, blending with the rain.

"You know," Nate said as he returned to her with that calm smile that made her feel safe, "technically, it's still prom night."

Alice raised an eyebrow, amused.

"Here? Now?" she asked.

"I can't think of a better place," he replied, offering her his hand.

Alice took it, and Nate gently pulled her closer, placing a hand on her waist as she rested hers on his chest, right over the warm, steady heartbeat under her palm.

They began to sway to the rhythm of the music, in a slow dance over the wet gravel, under the rain that continued to fall. Alice looked up to meet Nate's gaze, who smiled before leaning in to touch his forehead to hers.

"Thank you for not leaving," Alice whispered, her words getting lost in the music.

"Thank you for letting me stay," Nate replied, a sparkle in his eyes.

For a moment, everything stopped. The music, the rain, the cold… it all shrank to that instant, their eyes filled with shared longing as their lips met in a soft, slow kiss, full of care and a contained hunger.

The kiss deepened, Alice rising on her tiptoes while Nate leaned further down to her, wrapping an arm around her as his fingers tangled in her wet hair. Their lips moved with a mix of urgency and tenderness, every second a reminder that they were there, together.

When they pulled away just enough to breathe, their foreheads remained pressed together, small, knowing smiles on their lips as the rain continued to fall on them.

In that moment, under the storm, dancing in the night, they both knew that nothing would ever be the same again.

And for the first time, neither of them wanted it to be.

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They stayed there, wrapped in each other's arms, kissing under the rain for a long while, unhurried, as if the world could pause in that moment just for them.

Alice, who had been on her tiptoes to reach him, finally let both feet rest on the ground, leaning her head against Nate's chest with a serene smile, closing her eyes for a moment to savor the warm heartbeat beneath her ear.

Nate, one hand absentmindedly tracing patterns on Alice's back, looked genuinely happy, wearing that rare, calm expression he seldom allowed himself to feel. They stayed like that for a while, breathing together, letting the rain become a soft backdrop to their silence.

Finally, Alice tilted her face up to him, still pressed against his chest, an uncertain expression in her golden eyes as she whispered:

"Are you sure you won't regret this?"

Nate lowered his gaze to her with a confident, reassuring smile.

"I just hope you won't regret it," he replied softly, before adding with a playful grin, "Besides… everyone we know has been assuming we're together for ages. I wouldn't want to disappoint them."

Alice let out a small laugh, catching on to the tease, gently rubbing her cheek against Nate's chest with her eyes closed.

"You're right," she murmured with a hint of humor, "we have to be together… for them."

Nate's warm laughter echoed softly between them, and they stayed there a moment longer, letting the rain continue to soak them, uncaring of anything outside that moment.

It was Alice who finally broke the silence, her voice calm but carrying something new:

"I think things are going to be very different now."

Nate smiled, but his expression turned serious all of a sudden, a shadow of uncertainty crossing his eyes.

"About that… there's something we need to talk about."

Alice immediately lifted her gaze, expectant, a slight tension in her shoulders.

Nate took a deep breath, placing a hand on Alice's cheek, his thumb softly brushing over her cold, rain-wet skin as he looked into her eyes.

"There's another reason I came today," he continued, honesty clear in every word. "I didn't want to leave things hanging between us… before I leave."

Alice blinked, confusion flickering across her face.

"Where are you going?" she asked quietly.

Nate sighed, lowering his gaze for a moment before finding her eyes again. Carefully, he pulled his father's knife from the pocket of his suit—the same knife he had used to end James' life months ago—holding it firmly as he showed it between them.

"I need to leave Forks for a few weeks," he finally said, rain sliding down his jaw, his gaze steady. "Or… at least long enough to figure out what this really means."

Alice's eyes darkened for a moment, reflecting worry, unspoken questions, and the heavy weight of understanding exactly what that knife meant—knowing in that instant that, indeed, things would never be the same again.

End of Volume One.

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AUTHOR'S NOTES: We've finally reached the end of volume 1! For those who want to know, the next volume is where the story starts to move in another direction, leaving canon behind (among other things that many asked). I uploaded a double chapter today to finish the volume properly. I won't be uploading any more chapters for another 3 days. (When I finish this volume on Patreon, I'll take a two-day break, so I have to close the gap.) See you!

* If I see too many Powerstones, I might regret it and upload the next chapters.