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Carter only hesitates for a second, but it’s an awful second. Then he nods. “Yeah, okay. That sounds nice.”
Dinner is a rowdy affair, with the operatives giving each other a lot of shit and most of the survivors joining in. Nolan is fucking funny, which Carter definitely didn’t see coming. He also greatly enjoys making Maison blush – something Carter wasn’t aware his brother could even do. Matt still doesn’t talk, but he makes it through the entire meal without leaving, and he softly laughs a few times. It makes Carter smile, even if a part of him aches with the realization that he misses them. Not enough to come back, but enough to be a little sad at the reminder he’ll be leaving again.
The operatives leave the table right after eating, clearing it and telling the rest of them to take their time. Then it’s just the survivors, sipping drinks and talking about everything and nothing at all. They skirt away from the heavier things, though a comment here or there refers to their shared past.
Nolan talks about how he used to want to work in tech, but now thinks he’d like something to do with cooking, even if it’s just staying at the safehouse and cooking for future survivors. Bryce confides that he’s been writing about what he’s been through, shrugging it off with a blush and mentioning that he’ll probably never be able to publish it because of security reasons. They all agree that if the operatives said it was fine, they’d be okay with their stories being told by him, if names are changed. He lights up at that.
Carter realizes as he listens to them all make plans that he’s not entirely sure what he’s going to do with his future.
Other than Travis.
He’s pretty damn sure he wants Travis in his future.
Casey is uncomfortably quiet through the whole night. He’s the first to leave, mumbling something about needing sleep. Carter stays to finish his glass of wine with the others before saying the same. Nolan rolls his eyes and even Matt smirks at him.
“We’re all aware you don’t have sleep on the mind,” Bryce teases. “But go on. Get your man.”
Face hot, Carter flips them all off and hurries out to rinse his glass and put it in the dishwasher. He stops short when he turns to find Maison standing in the kitchen. He gives Carter a gentle smile. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
“I didn’t want to bother you earlier, with all your friends being excited. And I don’t want to keep you. I - well, I know you’re probably headed to Travis now.” Carter parts his lips, ready to… argue, maybe? Or defend himself at least? But Maison puts his hand up and continues. “I’m glad. I think maybe I was wrong about the two of you. He clearly wants what’s best for you, and I can tell you need each other.”
“I don’t need him,” Carter says, definitely defensive.
Maison shrugs. “Alright. It’d be okay if you did, though. You might not need him to survive or to be okay, but I think you need him to be happy. And that’s perfectly fine, Carter.”
Vulnerability makes Carter’s throat tight. “You think so?”
“I do.” Maison laughs softly. “And in case you were wondering, I think that man needs you too. Maybe more than you need him.”
“Yeah?”
“Absolutely.”
Carter fights back a grin, changing the subject before he loses the battle. “Um - did you want to talk about something?”
“That, mostly. I wanted to tell you that it’s okay. Not that you need my permission or any shit like that, but I’ve been vocal about the two of you in the past, so I wanted to make sure you knew that I’m over it. No more snide comments or rudeness. I’m even working on not being so fucking jealous of the connection you two have. I just want you to be happy. And Travis. He deserves it, after all he’s been through this past decade.”
“You’re talking like we’re already together.”
Maison crosses his arms over his chest, lips twitching toward a smirk. “It’s only a matter of time, kid.”
Carter considers arguing. Instead, he just pushes past his brother with a, “Go to sleep, old man,” and hurries off with a stupid smile on his face.
After Carter finds Travis’s bedroom and knocks, the door immediately swings open. Carter raises his eyebrows and laughs softly. Travis joins him. “Yeah, that was a little eager, wasn’t it?”
“A little,” Carter agrees. His eyes rake over the man before him. He had avoided paying too much attention to him so far tonight, not wanting to spiral into a desire-soaked-trance that everyone might notice, but now that they’re alone he can take his fill. Travis in low-slung jeans and a burgundy henley with sleeves pushed up and the top two buttons undone to expose a bit of his broad chest should be fucking illegal.
Carter’s already getting hard. He shifts his weight, hoping it’s not noticeable, and mumbles, “So. Um. Hi.”
“Hey.” Travis runs a hand through his hair, looking more unsure than Carter has ever seen him. It’s strange, but also kind of nice. It makes him more human. Safer to love, somehow. “Hello.”
“Hello.”
Travis chuckles. “Is it time to stop greeting each other now?”
“Probably.” Carter’s eyes dart over Travis’s shoulder, taking in the man’s bedroom. He’s been in it before, but tonight feels different. Charged. Like even the air around them knows how badly the two of them want to tear each other’s clothes off. “We could move on to the next phase, maybe?”
