The Selection (1x1 with AnnaCat17)

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

"Okay," Karter's sister whispered, too shocked and upset to argue about it. She stumbled to the kitchen to make a beverage.
Karter slumped to the ground, taking his head in his hands.

[AnnaCat17]

Gabel stayed silent and tried to think over the options until his sister had set the drinks on the desk and he had shut the door behind her, leaving them alone. He looked at Karter for a long moment before walking over and taking a drink of the alcohol. "So what, if i tell you i love you and let you do what you want with me youll stop this insanity and actually try to make a life for yourself again? Because if that is what it takes then ill do it because im not letting you kill yourself."

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Karter shook his head, gripping his cup of tea tightly with his hands. "You'd have to mean it. And I know you don't." He stared at his tea. "I just want what Vice has. What Matteo has. Someone that loves them unconditionally and keeps them from turning like this. Like me. I'm a mess." Tears pricked his eyes. "I want things to go back to how they had been before the Selection."

[AnnaCat17]

"You clearly havent heard a word i have said this entire time." He sighed and walked over to sit with him on the ground. He sipped from the bottle, feeling the liquor burn as it slid down his throat. "Karter, i care deeply about you. Im not the type to make bold moves but i kissed you in Sweden because i knew that was probably going to be my only chance to let you know how i feel. Ive gotten over the fact that you dont feel the same way but doing this is just going to hurt us both." He reached out and gently held his hand. "You will one day have what they have, maybe even better, but that wont happen if you die. Somewhere out there is the man you have been dreaming of and if it means seeing you happy, and more importantly alive, ill help you find him. Dont give up. Giving up now means never getting your dream and passing your pain on to those of us who care about you." He bit his lip sadly. "Im sorry i ruined your chances with the prince. If i had known this is where it would lead us i never would have kissed you. Im really sorry, Karter."

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Karter gazed into his eyes, believing every word that he said. He took Gabel's hand, gently pressing it against his cheek. "I like you," he whispered. "A lot. I wanted to kiss you so badly every time were around each other. It's my fault that we got torn away from each other. I want to make up for that, to try again. And in return, I'll only donate whatever organs Jakob needs that I can spare while still living."

[AnnaCat17]

"That would be one kidney. Everything else you either need both of or only have one of." He sighed and pulled his hand away, letting it drop uselessly into his lap. "Karter, i just want you to be happy. Ill do whatever it takes to keep you alive but you dont owe me anything. Im just your neighbor. I think you should let yourself consider other, better options before you go off swearing your allegiance to me."

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Karter slumped a bit, gripping his cup of tea tightly without drinking it. He just shrugged, looking down at the floor.

Solace got up during the night to take care of Pravin. She had been thinking a lot about how she wanted another kid, but she didn't say anything to Sutton about it. She doubted he would want another one. But she loved kids, and she worked at a daycare when she wasn't helping out with teaching a kindergarten class. She'd have lots of kids if she could.

[AnnaCat17]

Gabel bit his lip sadly. He knew it would just hurt himself but he couldnt stand to see Karter so upset. He sat both of their drinks aside before moving closer to him. He brushed his lips against Karter's, slowly kissing him as he tried to distract his troubled mind.

Sutton released a tired groan as he felt her get up and tried to fall back asleep, worn out after the wedding reception they had been at.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Karter wrapped his arms around him, pulling him closer. He softly kissed him back, closing his eyes as he relaxed.

Solace smiled as she returned to the bed, seeing how tired Sutton was. She lied back down beside him, wrapping her arms around him. "Do you want to have another kid?" she asked him softly, feeling able to talk to him since he was mostly asleep.

[AnnaCat17]

Gabel shifted into his lap as he continued to kiss him, gripping his shirt tightly. "Please dont die." He whispered against his lips. "Ill help you find someone if you want, just please dont give up."

Sutton instinctively wrapped his as around her and pulled her close protectively. He covered her face in drowsy kisses as his half asleep mind tried to consider her question. "Not really but we can do whatever you want. Im sure ill get excited about it once you are pregnant same as i was with Pravin." He mumbled into her hair.