The Last Sleep by ninety6tears (PG-13)

[flowrs4ophelia.livejournal.com]

Fandom Category: Twilight
Pairing: Jacob/Bella, some Edward/Bella
Fic Title: The Last Sleep
Author: ninety6tears
Link: http://ninety6tears.livejournal.com/60698.html
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Genre: drama, romance, friendship
WIP?: No

Why This Must Be Read: There are a lot of Twilight fics to be found that are unbelievably good and moving compared to the source material, but to me this one is the greatest example. The bittersweet and somewhat ambiguous ending stayed on my mind haunting me for days after I first read it and I can think of very few works of fanfic that have ever affected me as deeply.

This is not at all a "what should have happened" kind of fic and isn't even about Edward vs. Jacob or who Bella will end up with in the end, though her relationships with both are significant and beautifully written in it (the fic is aimed more toward J/B fans but I enjoyed all the parts with other characters, too). It simply explores the idea of choosing immortality in a much darker way than canon, not objectively determining which is the only right choice as much as examining how much difference it makes having complete control over your own fate no matter what kind of a life it is. This is about Bella finally learning to put herself first by making a choice that is devastating to everyone close to her, the depth of Jacob's love for her because he can let go, and the curse of Edward's because he never can. A pretty intense read at parts and probably not easy to digest in one sitting, but so worth getting through. (Yes, possibly even if you really hate Twilight.)