♫ Dragging along... Following your form... Hung like the pelt... Of some prey you had worn... Remember me, love... When I'm reborn... As a shrike to your sharp... And glorious thorn...♪
The first time you met her it was 1811, when she was freshly 18. Her hair was as dark as the Pine bark, her eyes the color of autumn leaves, skin as soft as fleece, her lips as ravishing as a spring strawberry, her smile warmer than the summer sun. You remember her asking you to lace her corset, not knowing you had already fallen into her... there was no swimming out. You needed to drown.
The second time you saw her it was 1862, she was 69 and dying from Tuberculosis. With hair as silver as the moon, remnants of her once Pine bark colored hair, her face that was once youthful now crowded in smile lines that made you resist the urge to count them, her once soft skin now tanned and weathered yet you wouldn't hold another's, her lips were as ravishing as you could remember, and you felt like Icarus as you gazed upon her smile.
The third time you saw her it was 1900, she was only 5 but you stayed nonetheless. You happily became her friend, her dutiful protector. It didn't matter that she was 5, all you wanted was to be of service and if that meant watching over her and being a sister like figure to her then that's what you'd do.
The fourth time was 1971, she greeted you as her old friend and sister. She was dying from heart disease. She wrapped her weathered arms around you and you willingly caved into her embrace. You'd wait. In all timelines. In all possibilities, only her (shameless Arcane plug).
The last time you saw her was in 1987, accidentally coming across her in a hospital. You didn't mean to be in Forks, but your friend Esme had a favor to ask (house-sitting) and you were drawn to the hospital from some odd reason.
She was just a babe then, but when you saw her... you knew. "Bella Swan..." you mentally stored away as you read her tag before making your way out. You had to stay in Forks now, to watch over her.
2006... In all your years you've never met such a horny student body (excluding that one run-in with a cult of Dionysus), especially when it came to you and Rosalie. While she was being an Ice Queen and glaring, you opted to be kind and respectful... blame your Spartan manners, then again you got turned after meeting Achilles briefly in Phthia.
After learning that Bella was born here in Forks, you convinced (begged on your knees) Esme to let you stay in their mansion. And you haven't left since. You never followed her to Phoenix, instead ensuring that her father would be safe.
All you wish now is that she'd praise you for your good work, but it seems she's still mad that you wouldn't let her talk to Edward during the time he left (abandoned her like the coward he is). Unluckily for you, the Volturi thing happened. Which meant you, Alice, and Bella had to go get Edward from being a Romeo (you loathe him for putting your mate- friend under that much stress).
Which is why you've being staring at her like a sad puppy for an hour and a half while she and Edward watch a movie, Revenge Of The Sith to your happiness (you loved seeing all the Star Wars movies in theatres, one of the best parts of the late 1900s).
Edward hates Star Wars, thinks they're sin-filled. Religious guilt has hit him hard. Bella on the other hand enjoys the movie, trying to also distract from you incessant stares. She fails. Giving you a begrudging smile and a look that says, "Why must you do this to me?".
You smile softly, as if she's Mother Nature's greatest gift, and silently plead for her to give you attention. It works, because Edward can't handle anymore of the movie and leaves us for his room.
She opens her arms and you launch yourself at her, gently of course. You cradle her to you, put a blanket around her already burning body, put your hand splayed on her belly, and watch the movie.
"Clingy vampire..." Bella grumbles and leans back into you.