This Is Me
Rosalie pulled up to the Swan house after school hours, her cherry red car gleaming in the afternoon sunlight. Charlie’s cruiser was parked in the driveway, along with Bella's old truck, grounding her nerves as she stepped out and approached the door. Bella answered before she could knock, her expression lighting up when she saw Rosalie.
“Hey,” Bella greeted, stepping aside to let her in.
“Hi,” Rosalie said, her voice softening. “I hope I’m not intruding.”
“Not at all,” Bella replied quickly. “Come on, Charlie’s in the living room.”
They walked into the house, the sound of a baseball game playing on the TV filling the air. Charlie glanced up from his recliner, his face breaking into a small smile.
“Rosalie, right?” he said, setting his beer down on the side table.
“Yes, sir,” Rosalie replied politely, standing with her usual poised demeanor.
“Thanks again for helping me out the other day,” Charlie said, gesturing toward his leg. “I don’t know what Bella would’ve done without you.”
"It was no trouble,” Rosalie said, her lips twitching into a faint smile.
Bella sat on the arm of the couch, her eyes flicking between Rosalie and her dad. “Rosalie’s a big baseball fan too, Dad.”
Charlie raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? Who’s your team?”
“The Mariners of course,” Rosalie replied smoothly, earning a satisfied nod from Charlie.
“Well, at least you’ve got good taste,” Charlie said with a chuckle.
Rosalie engaged in polite small talk, answering a few of Charlie’s questions about school and sports, all the while aware of Bella’s gaze lingering on her. Finally, Bella stood and gestured toward the stairs.
“Want to head up to my room?” Bella asked, her tone casual but her expression a little hesitant.
“Sure,” Rosalie replied.
"Thank your mom for that casserole for me please," Charlie called out as they disappeared up the stairs.
Bella pushed the door open, revealing a room that felt frozen in time. Posters of her favorite bands covered the walls, strings of fairy lights were draped haphazardly around the room, and a cluttered desk sat under the window, piled with books and notebooks. Bella hesitated, standing awkwardly in the doorway as Rosalie stepped inside.
“Full disclosure,” Bella said, her cheeks flushing slightly, “this room hasn’t changed much since high school.”
Rosalie glanced around, her golden eyes scanning the room. She moved toward a bookshelf filled with worn novels, trailing her fingers lightly over the spines. “It’s charming,” she said, her voice thoughtful. “It’s like stepping into a time capsule of who you were.”
Bella crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe. “So, what’s the verdict? Teenage me - predictable, or embarrassing?”
Rosalie turned, her lips curving into a faint smirk. “Predictable, maybe. But in a good way. I like seeing this side of you.”
Bella arched a brow, walking over to her bed and sitting on the edge. “What do you mean, ‘this side of me’?”
Rosalie leaned against the bookshelf, her posture elegant and composed. “You’re always so confident now, so sure of yourself. This feels a little more vulnerable. It’s interesting.”
Bella laughed nervously, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Well, teenage me wasn’t exactly a beacon of confidence. I was shy, kind of awkward, and definitely too obsessed with certain books.” She gestured toward the shelf Rosalie was standing near.
Rosalie glanced at the titles, her smirk softening. “Let me guess ‘Pride and Prejudice’ was your favorite?”
Bella’s eyes widened. “How did you know?”
Rosalie shrugged. “It’s the classic choice for someone who probably likes strong, complicated characters. Elizabeth Bennet reminds me of you, actually.”
Bella blinked, her cheeks heating further. “That’s probably the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
Rosalie tilted her head, her gaze steady. “It’s just the truth. You’re more than you give yourself credit for.”
Bella looked down at her hands, twisting her fingers together. “You’re making me sound a lot cooler than I actually am.”
Rosalie moved closer, sitting down on the chair by Bella’s desk. “I think you’re plenty cool. You’re witty, self-assured, and you care deeply about the people around you. That’s not something everyone has.”
Bella let out a soft laugh, looking back up at Rosalie. “You make me sound pretty awesome, I must say. But what about you? You seem so untouchable. Like nothing ever gets to you.”
Rosalie’s expression flickered, her smirk giving way to something softer. “That’s not entirely true. I’ve learned how to keep people at a distance, but that doesn’t mean nothing gets to me.”
Bella leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on her knees. “Why keep people at a distance? I mean, you seem like someone people would want to get to know. I know that I want to know everything about you.”
Rosalie hesitated, her golden eyes meeting Bella’s. “Sometimes it’s easier to keep people out than to let them in. It saves you from disappointment or from losing them.”
Bella frowned, her brow furrowing. “That sounds lonely.”
Rosalie’s lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn’t deny it. “It can be.”
The room fell quiet for a moment, the weight of Rosalie’s words hanging in the air. Bella shifted slightly, her voice softer when she spoke again. “You don’t have to keep me at a distance, you know.”
Rosalie looked at her, something unreadable flickering in her expression. “You say that now, but you might not feel the same once you really know me.”
Bella shook her head. “I don’t believe that. The more I get to know you, the more I want to know.”
Rosalie’s lips curved into a faint smile, though her gaze remained steady as she looked into Bella's eyes. “You make it so easy, when you're so open about who you are and what you want.”
Bella laughed lightly, her nervousness creeping back in under Rosalie's intense stare but she steeled her nerves to finally say the one thing that has been running through her mind nonstop since meeting Rosalie. “You’re making it hard to keep my cool, you know.”
Rosalie arched a brow. “Why’s that?”
Bella hesitated, her cheeks flushing again as she looked down at her hands. “Because all I can think about right now is how much I want to kiss you.”
The words hung in the air between them, Bella’s heart pounding as she risked a glance at Rosalie. For a moment, Rosalie’s expression softened further, vulnerability flashing across her features.
“Bella...” Rosalie began, her voice careful. “There’s something you need to know before this goes any further. I told you things were complicated.”
Bella frowned, leaning back slightly. “What do you mean?”
Rosalie hesitated again, her jaw tightening. “I can’t explain it here. Not with Charlie downstairs. Can we take a walk? There’s something I want to show you.”
Bella’s heart sank slightly, misinterpreting Rosalie’s hesitation. “Oh. Yeah, sure. If that’s what you want.”
Rosalie stood, her expression softening as she reached out to brush Bella’s hand briefly. “It’s not a rejection, Bella. Trust me.”
Bella nodded, forcing a small smile. “Okay. Let me grab my jacket.”
As they left the room and headed outside, Bella couldn’t shake the nervous flutter in her chest. Whatever Rosalie needed to show her, she hoped it would bring them closer together rather than push them apart.
They stepped out into the cool afternoon air, the woods behind the Swan house quiet except for the rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of birds. Rosalie led the way, her movements graceful and purposeful. Bella kept sneaking glances at her, the weight of Rosalie’s hesitation pressing down on her thoughts.
“What’s this about?” Bella finally asked as they walked deeper into the trees.
Rosalie paused and turned to face her, her expression softening. “Do you trust me, Bella?”
Bella frowned, confused but earnest. “Of course I do. Why?”
Without a word, Rosalie stepped closer, her hands gently gripping Bella’s waist before sliding down to her thighs. She lifted Bella effortlessly, her strength both surprising and graceful. Bella gasped as her legs instinctively wrapped around Rosalie’s waist, her hands gripping her shoulders for balance.
“Rosalie,” Bella said, her breath hitching. Their faces were so close, her heart pounding in her chest. "You're making the whole no kissing thing really hard when you pull moves like this," Bella murmured, breathless and a little turned on by Rosalie's show of strength.
Rosalie tilted her head slightly, a smug smile playing on her lips. “It will be faster to get to where we are going this way, you'll see.”
Bella laughed nervously, unsure of what to make of the current situation. Her cheeks were flushed and her heart was beating fast in her chest. “I kind of thought I’d be the dude in the relationship, but here you are, showing off your strength,” she joked, trying to distract herself from the feeling of her body pressed against Rosalie's in all the right places.
Rosalie chuckled, the sound low and warm. “You can be the dude next time if that’s what you really want.”
Bella smirked, her confidence returning. “Actually, this is kind of a turn-on. I might have to rethink my stance.”
Rosalie’s smile deepened, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper as her lips ghosted over the shell of Bella's ear. “I can tell.”
Bella bit her lip and squeezed her legs tighter around Rosalie's waist. The friction it caused was heavenly and Bella momentarily got lost to the sensation.
“I can smell it,” Rosalie confessed, her smirk turning mischievous. Bella noticed her eyes had darkened as well as she spoke, but was caught between desire and embarrassment at Rosalie's admittance. Bella groaned, covering her face with her hands.
“You can smell it? How? What?" Bella questioned.
“You'll understand soon,” Rosalie said softly, her gaze locking onto Bella’s again. “Do you trust me?” she asked once more.
Bella took one more long look into Rosalie's golden eyes, seeing desire and joy reflected back at her before she answered. “Yes, I trust you.”
“Hold on tight then,” Rosalie instructed, her tone light but steady.
Before Bella could question her, Rosalie began to move, her speed inhumanly fast but not overwhelming. Trees blurred past as she carried Bella deeper into the woods, the sunlight dancing through the canopy above.
When they finally stopped, they were in a serene clearing by the water. Sunlight reflected off the gentle ripples, casting a shimmering glow across the scene. Bella stared at Rosalie, her breath catching as the light hit her skin, making it sparkle like polished diamonds.
“You’re uhh...sparkling,” Bella whispered, her voice filled with wonder.
Rosalie set her down gently, her hands lingering for a moment before stepping back. Her expression was calm, but her golden eyes held a quiet intensity.
“There’s more,” Rosalie said softly, “but only if you’re ready to know.”
Bella looked at her, her breath hitching again, as she reached out to run her fingers over Rosalie's jaw in wonderment. “I want to know, and I still really want to kiss you,” she confessed.
Rosalie froze at Bella’s touch, her cool, marble-like skin buzzing faintly where Bella’s fingers traced her jaw. Her golden eyes softened as she met Bella’s gaze, a mixture of hesitation and something deeper flickering in their depths.
“Bella,” Rosalie murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Bella smiled faintly, her hand dropping but not moving far as if she couldn’t bear to put distance between them. “I don’t know what it is about you, Rosalie, but I’ve never felt like this before. It’s... consuming. You’re consuming me.”
Rosalie’s lips parted, a quiet breath escaping as she processed Bella’s words. “It’s the same for me,” she admitted, her voice steadier now. “But before I can kiss you, or let this go any further, you need to understand what I am. Who I am.”
Bella’s brow furrowed, her curiosity and affection shining in equal measure. “Rosalie, whatever you have to say isn't going to change my feelings.”
Rosalie smiled faintly, a flicker of pain crossing her face. “You might care once you know the truth. But you deserve to know.”
She stepped back slightly, tilting her head to catch the sunlight filtering through the trees. Bella’s breath stayed caught in her throat as she stared, still awed by the sight of Rosalie's sparkling skin.
“You’re something else, that's for certain. Captivating, to say the least,” Bella whispered, her voice filled with wonder.
“This is what I am,” Rosalie said softly, her tone both reverent and cautious. “I’m not human, Bella. I haven’t been for a very long time.”
Bella blinked, her gaze shifting between Rosalie’s glittering skin and her steady golden eyes. “What are you saying?”
Rosalie exhaled slowly, her voice even as she spoke. “I’m a vampire.”
Bella’s eyes widened slightly, sucking in a breath at the confession, but she didn’t step back. Instead, she tilted her head, her curiosity overriding any hint of fear. “A vampire? Like blood and fangs and sleeping in coffins?”
Rosalie’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “Not exactly. No coffins, at least. But the blood part... yes.”
Bella’s eyes searched Rosalie’s face, her expression unreadable for a moment before a soft laugh escaped her lips. “That explains a lot, actually.”
Rosalie blinked, startled by Bella’s reaction. She’d already become attuned to the beating of Bella's heart and was amazed that it hadn't become elevated with her confession. “You’re not scared?”
Bella shook her head, her smile growing. “I’m not scared. Surprised? Yes. Intrigued? Definitely. But scared? No.”
Rosalie’s shoulders relaxed slightly, though a trace of uncertainty lingered. “You don’t think I’m a monster?”
Bella reached out again, this time placing her hand gently against Rosalie’s cheek. “How could I? You’ve been nothing but kind and patient with me. And honestly, I’ve never felt safer with anyone.”
Rosalie’s lips curved into a small, genuine smile as she leaned into Bella’s touch. “You’re incredible, you know that?”
Bella laughed softly, her cheeks flushing. “Maybe. But only because you bring it out in me.”
Rosalie hesitated for a moment before stepping closer, her hands finding Bella’s waist. “Are you sure you still want to kiss me? Even knowing what I am?”
Bella grinned, her voice teasing but warm. “Rosalie, I think I want to kiss you even more now.”
"Bella, you are so fearless," Rosalie said in response. The sound of her voice low and melodic as she leaned in slowly.
"I'm not fearless," Bella admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "You just make me feel like maybe I could be."
Rosalie’s gaze flickered down to Bella’s lips, her restrainst slipping as the pull between them grew stronger. "Bella," she murmured, loving the feel of the girls name in her mouth. Her voice full of longing.
Bella's breath hitched at the timber of it, her hands sliding around to rest at the nape of Rosalie's neck. "Please Rosalie, I want this. I want you."
Rosalie hesitated only a heartbeat longer before giving in. She closed the small distance between them slowly, giving Bella every chance to pull away. Bella didn’t, and her eyes fluttered closed as Rosalie’s lips finally met hers.
The kiss was anything but tentative, and Bella let out a surprised gasp as Rosalie's lips slid against hers finally. Rosalie’s grip on Bella’s waist tightened just slightly, pulling their bodies flush together. Bella responded instinctively, her fingers tangling into golden hair as she made it clear she was not going to be done with this kiss any time soon. She flicked her tongue out across cool lips, wanting, craving more of the goddess in front of her.
The kiss deepened, their bodies molding against one another as if they were made to fit together. Rosalie let out a quiet, almost inaudible, sound. It came out as a mix of a sigh and a growl as the mating bond surged to life inside of her. She tilted Bella's head slightly to deepen the kiss further, her lips and tongue moving with deliberate intensity as she licked inside the brunette's mouth. She couldn't get enough of the taste of Bella on her tongue. She could kiss her for eternity and never stop.
Bella felt her knees weaken, her head spinning, and her heart racing as her senses were overwhelmed by everything that was Rosalie. Before she could control it, a soft moan escaped her lips. The taste of Rosalie was sweeter than anything she had ever experienced before.
She was forced to pull back to catch her breath, already feeling unsteady on her feet. "Holy shit Rose," she panted slightly. "I've never felt anything that intense in my life." Bella’s breath was uneven, her cheeks flushed.
"That's the next thing we need to discuss actually," Rosalie replied, trying her best to regain her composure while holding herself back from kissing Bella senseless again.
"There's more?" Bella tried to shake herself out of her own haze but kept her arms wrapped loosely around the blonde’s neck not being able to stand the thought of putting any space in between them right now.
Rosalie couldn't come up with any delicate way to put it in the moment, not while her own mind was still replaying that incredible kiss. "You're my mate," she said bluntly. "That's why this feels so intense and uncontrollable. You're mine Bella Swan and I am meant to be yours."
Bella took a long moment to mull over Rosalie's words before she spoke, her voice breathless but playful, “I don't really know what that means exactly, but I guess I can cross ‘kiss a vampire’ off my bucket list now.”
Rosalie laughed softly, pressing her forehead against Bella’s. “You’re impossible.”
“And you like me anyway,” Bella replied with a grin.
“I do,” Rosalie admitted, her voice soft but certain. “More than I’ve ever liked anyone."
Bella’s smile softened, her hands sliding down to clasp Rosalie’s. “So, explain this mate thing? I assume it's more than just finding me irresistibly charming and good looking?”
Rosalie leaned back slightly, her golden eyes searching Bella’s face with a mix of tenderness and hesitation. Her fingers lingered on Bella’s cheek, brushing softly over her flushed skin as if committing the moment to memory.
She took a deep breath that she didn't need to steady herself, her cool hand slipping away to rest on Bella’s shoulder. “What I’m about to explain might sound strange, even impossible. But it’s important you understand.”
Bella’s brows furrowed slightly, her gaze steady. “I’m listening.”
Rosalie stepped back just enough to give them some space, though her hands stayed lightly on Bella’s arms, grounding them both. “In our world, among vampires, there’s something we call the mating bond. It’s rare, but when it happens, it’s... undeniable. It’s like finding the one person you’re meant to be with for eternity. No one else compares. Nothing else matters.”
Bella’s eyes widened slightly, her heart skipping a beat. “And you’re saying I’m your mate?”
Rosalie nodded slowly, her gaze unwavering. “Yes, Bella. From the moment I saw you, I suspected. But after yesterday I knew for sure. It’s not just physical attraction or infatuation, it’s something deeper, something I can’t fully explain. I feel drawn to you in a way I’ve never felt with anyone before.”
Bella’s lips parted in awe, her voice a soft whisper. “So that’s why I feel like this? Like I can’t stop thinking about you? Like just being near you feels right?”
Rosalie’s lips curved into a faint smile. “It’s possible. The bond can affect both of us, even if you’re human. That’s why everything feels so intense and why being apart feels wrong.”
Bella processed the revelation in silence, her mind racing but not with fear. Instead, a sense of clarity washed over her, as if everything finally made sense.
“And this bond,” Bella said carefully, her eyes locking onto Rosalie’s. “It’s permanent? Like, forever?”
Rosalie nodded. “For me, yes. Vampires don’t form bonds like this lightly. It’s eternal. But for you, Bella...” Her voice softened, tinged with vulnerability. “You still have a choice. You’re human, and I don’t want you to feel trapped by something you didn’t choose.”
Bella pressed her body once more against Rosalie's before she looked right into golden eyes. “Rosalie, this doesn’t feel like something I need to be convinced of. It just feels right. Like you said, nothing else matters.”
Rosalie’s breath caught, her carefully constructed walls ccracking completely under the weight of Bella’s honesty. “You’re incredible,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.
Bella smiled, her confidence growing as she looked up at Rosalie. “So, if this bond means we’re supposed to be together, does that mean there are rules? Like, do I have to do anything differently now that I know?”
Rosalie chuckled softly, the sound warm and genuine. “There are no rules, Bella. The bond is about choice, not obligation. I want you to be with me because you want it, not because some bond dictates it.”
Bella grinned, her fingers tightening around Rosalie’s. “Well, in that case, I guess we’re stuck with each other. I can think of worse fates.”
Rosalie’s laughter was quiet but full of relief as she pulled Bella into a gentle embrace. “You have no idea what it means to hear you say that.”
Bella rested her head against Rosalie’s shoulder, her voice soft but filled with certainty. “I think I do, Rosalie. And I’m all in. I want to keep getting to know you, and I really want to do more of that kissing.”
Rosalie laughed, full of joy as she held her mate close. "I think we can manage to fit that in. I don't sleep, after all. I have plenty of time for kissing you," she finished with a low, seductive voice.
"Fuck," Bella shivered in her arms. "Warn a girl, would ya? I'm going to spontaneously combust if you keep being so hot."
Another laugh spilled from Rosalie’s lips and she idly wondered how long it had been since she laughed this much with anyone. If she ever had at all. "Shall we head back before Charlie starts to worry? I can answer any questions you have along the way. We can take the human route this time."
"One more kiss for the road?" Bella asked, batting her eyelashes innocently. Rosalie shot her a look that made it clear she wasn't buying the act, but gently pressed her lips to Bella's once more.
When they broke apart Rosalie took Bella's hand in her own, leading her to the trail that would take them home. They walked in silence for a bit, each mulling over their revealing afternoon. Finally, Bella broke the silence. "Does this mean I'm not actually older than you?"
Rosalie grinned, glad she could finally stop pretending to be a regular high school student. "I'm 95 years old, Bella."
Bella tripped over her own feet at the statement but Rosalie was quick to grab her and steady her. "I knew you were too mature to be eighteen!" she declared triumphantly. "I never thought I'd be into cougars though, but here we are I guess," she teased.
"I'll show you a cougar!" Rosalie growled playfully in retort. Before Bella could blink Rosalie was playfully chasing her home through the woods, her laughter trailing in the space behind her. Rosalie couldn't help but marvel that here she was, an apex predator, chasing her human through the woods. Bella was showing her complete trust and faith, once again leaving her heart full to bursting with affection. Her human was perfect.