Ashelia's need for the sun was something Carter was quick to pick up on, and something she did her best to help with. Although her room lacked the large window Ashelia's had, she always made sure to keep the curtains open when her girlfriend stayed with her, just so to make certain the sunlight still poured in for her. And when she got home from her overnight shifts at the diner, if it was around sunrise, she made sure to wake Ashelia if she wasn't already up.
But there was a sort of sadness to it, too. Carter knew how much Ashelia missed Dalmasca, and could only imagine how much grief she carried because of it. The sun... was consistent. It had been there for her in Dalmasca, as it was here for her now. She had a connection to it, Carter knew, because of her Dynast blood, and despite her sympathetic grief for her, it never failed to amaze her. Ashelia... was never harmed by the sun, and could look at it with ease. It warmed her, brought her peace, and to see her at ease was something Carter wanted to cherish.
She had stayed with Ashelia in her room that night, and by the time the sun was rising, she was still curled in bed. Rather reluctant to get up, even with her girlfriend's alarm, and her getting out of bed, as much as she was left already missing her warmth. But the absence of her beside her soon lured Carter out of the throes of sleep, and with a muffled groan, she turned and buried her face into the pillow to try and block out the sunlight. A part of her was still tempted to let herself nod off again, but...
With a deep breath, she stretched and slowly sat up with a yawn. She rubbed at her eyes, her mind still foggy, and blinked blearily as she turned to look over at Ashelia - her heart fluttering as she took in the sight of her standing there, bathed in the dawn's light. She was a sight to behold, most certainly, and it was enough for Carter to finally force herself out of bed as well, as she made her way over. But before she could speak - or, at least, try to speak - her girlfriend turned to her first.
She smiled, and shuffled over to Ashelia's side. "Mor-mornin'," she rasped - her voice hoarse and thick with sleep, though filled with the same love that shown through her weary eyes. She wrapped her arms around her girlfriend's waist, and leaned against her with a faint hum, though she kept her gaze on her, rather than the sunrise. "I- I just got up- up, love."
Oh, how beautiful she was in the sunlight. No matter what Ashelia did, Carter always thought her to be beautiful, but seeing her like this, with her hair as though aflame in the morning sun, was enough to take her breath away. She gently kissed her shoulder before she nuzzled her - taking in her warmth. "An-and I'm- I'm saying hello to- to mine," she murmured as her smile widened, and she lifted her gaze back up to her. "I- I can get dre-dressed if you want- want to go out-outside, if you'd- you'd like. That- that way you can- can be out in the- in the sun a- a bit more."
Oh, Basch felt so lewd and inappropriate with how he felt right now, and how he was looking at his lover. He knew they were courting and they had already shared a bed, and yet he still struggled with outward expressions of sexuality, still feeling emotionally shackled by the constraints of his time period, his former profession, and his own repression. Though... with Carter smiling at him in that way, and with how much she seemed to welcome his affections, Basch pushed himself to be honest with her. She had been so patient with him, and with all his idiosyncrasies from his very different world, and so he thought the least he could do was push himself to adapt and meet her halfway.
He was embarrassed by his obvious arousal, but not as much as he might have been had they been in a public place, or had he been with anyone other than Carter. Having repressed anything to do with sex for the vast majority of his thirty-six years, Basch was somewhat turned on by the wind now, having opened a door that now refused to stay closed. He managed it well enough, but sometimes in situations like this, it got away from him. Thankfully, Carter was understanding and neither mocked nor shamed him for it.
As Basch nuzzled her and grazed his lips over hers in a feather soft manner, he smiled at her reaction. It was a mix of shyness, interest, and eagerness, and it did absolutely nothing to help him control his own desires. Still, he didn't want to assume that perhaps she might want more from him this night, and so he sought to restrain himself out of respect for her. But when she asked him to explain what he meant, he felt himself flush hot all over again. "I could try... for your sake, my love..." he said, with a smile so boyish and shy despite his very adult desires. Speaking about sexual desire was so far from Basch's normal state of being, but he was trying every day to be a more whole person, and not the bottled, repressed shell he'd forced himself to be for so many years.
"I am not certain why," he began, "but being out of doors, in nature, speaks to me in a very primal way. Perhaps it extends back to my childhood in Landis, when I would hunt in the woods and swim in the ocean, and dive from from rocky cliffs. I was less inhibited then. Freer, and more alive. For so many years, I worked to restrain myself, to fit a mold I thought I need to. But always, nature drew me at least partially back to that wilder youth of mine." His lips moved to her neck as he spoke, his voice still so throaty with need. "Being here with you, under the stars... it stokes my desire for you. 'Tis as if I've imbibed an entire bottle of wine entirely by myself," he said with a slight chuckle. "You... and nature... are intoxicating me in the best of ways."
The kiss was lovely, and it had his heart beating and his body heating up even more as he took in the sight and scent of her. When she suggested they go back to the compound, but then said they could also remain right where they were, he grinned with that same boyish wanting. "What if we did stay here?" he whispered, gazing at her almost playfully. "Only the gods would see us... is that not true?" He didn't think anyone would be wandering out this far at night from the compound, so... what was the harm in it? He chuckled, though, and his knightly ways crept back in a little. "Though, I suppose, for propriety's sake, we ought to return..." His gaze lingered on hers, though, practically begging her to take the plunge with him and stay.
Carter would be lying if she tried to pretend the way Basch was looking at her - the way he was responding to her - wasn't turning her on further. He was always so respectful of her, and she knew if she had even a moment's hesitation or disinterest, he'd do everything he could to make her comfortable and brush it all aside. But, god, maybe this had been far from her mind when she first invited him to stargaze with her, but this was something she wanted.
Yet, she didn't comment on his arousal, wanting to be certain he was interested in having sex as she was, and instead stole a quick kiss as he brushed his lips over hers. Her heart skipping a beat as she smiled shyly - her cheeks flushed as she kept her thighs pressed firmly together to ease her own desires. And the way he flushed as she asked him to explain... She stifled a small giggle, absolutely smitten with his boyish smile, and nuzzled him. "I'd- I'd love to- to hear it, baby," she encouraged, knowing that... it wasn't easy for Basch to talk about his wants and needs, sexual or otherwise. If he didn't want to try and explain it, that would be just fine with her, but if he did, she wanted him to know it was more than alright.
She kissed him again - another quick peck, and still encouraging all the same - before she leaned back on her heels and titled her head. Carter's expression was warm and open, her desire not at all hidden from her gaze, as she listened to him talk. Her heart still raced in her chest as she fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, but her expression softened to hear, even if just briefly, of his childhood. Of how free he had been and how nature could draw that back out of him, even despite how hard he tried to fit himself into a mold that was ever-so restrictive. "Per-perhaps I- I should take you- you out more oft-often," she teased, and brushed her fingers across his cheek - her touch light and soft as she drank him in. "I- I like see-seeing you this way."
Her heart skipped a beat as Basch leaned in close, and her breath audibly hitched as his lips moved down to her neck. Her pulse quickened, and she wondered if he could feel it beneath his lips as she tilted her head back to allow him better access. As she moved closer to him, and as a breathy moan of his name caught in her throat as she shivered again. "The- the feeling's mu-mutual," she managed to get out - feeling pleasantly dizzy with how close he was and with his lips against her neck. "God, Basch, I..." I need you, went unspoken, though perhaps the way she leaned into him and gripped at his arms made that clear.
And, oh, the way that playful look in his eyes made her feel... "I- I suppose that's- that's true," Carter rasped as she grinned. Although tempted to ask him to go back to the compound so they could have guaranteed privacy, she... couldn't resist the way Basch was looking at her. The way his gaze lingered - the unspoken request for her to stay. He had said that nature made him feel a bit wild, and... well, if this was something he wanted, what was the harm in exploring that fun change?
She bit her lip, and instead of answering him verbally, her grin turned a bit shy, and she moved to settle onto his lap - straddling him as she rolled her hips against his. "We- we can stay," she whispered as she cupped his face in her hands, and leaned forward as she nuzzled him. Almost desperate for some sort of relief from her building arousal. "I- I need you, Basch..."
Ohh boy. As soon as Pietro saw that furrow in her brow, that look of worry in her eyes, he knew he'd screwed up. He tried his best to look as awake as possible, but... well, on only a few winks of sleep that had been damn near impossible. And Carter was ever the perceptive girlfriend, of course. For a minute, he thought he might get a lecture about the importance of getting enough sleep, but... instead Carter simply went back to her paperwork. That... was kindof a relief for him.
He smiled as she said she thought her shift would never end. "At least... having a job's better than not having one at all, right?" he said with a shrug. "I get it, though. I'm glad you got some sleep, anyway." His smile grew when she patted the bed and invited him to sit with her. "Okay," he happily replied, doing just that. With a contented sigh, he skooched close to her. Despite how tired he was, he still had a twinkle in his eye for his girlfriend. "Hey..." he whispered playfully, his own head canting.
Could she remind him about how important it was to get enough sleep? Sure, and she'd be a hypocrite for doing so. Should she remind him? Well... no.
Carter knew that Pietro was already aware of how important sleep was, and she felt it would only be insulting if she told him otherwise. She knew that some nights were hard to sleep, even with nothing particularly wrong, and she... simply wanted to help. She didn't have the want or see the need of lecturing him, and, admittedly, she did just want to spend time with him. Her boyfriend's company was always preferred over her work, anyway.
"I- I suppose," she agreed, and couldn't stop herself from smiling just in response to his own. Her expression softening despite the worry that still lingered. Pietro always seemed to have that ability on her, to distract herself just enough from whatever it was that troubled her, even if it was her worry for him. "I- I would've pre-preferred to have been here with- here with you, though."
Her gaze brightened as her boyfriend joined her on the bed and skooched close to her, and Carter opened her arms to him in a silent invitation to cuddle. Both in the hopes of helping him settle down, and so she could hold him close just to be with him. "Hey," she repeated as her smile widened, and her knitted brow relaxed. "Is- is there some-something I- I can to do help you- you relax?"
If Pietro didn't want her to worry about him, it was too late. Carter had already noticed the air of exhaustion that seemed to follow him, and his exhausted chuckle only proved her worry further. Of course, hearing that he only got about eight minutes of sleep did little to help, and her brow knitted together. Her worry evident in her expression as she tilted her head and studied him quietly. Then, she turned her attention back to the papers she had strewn across her bed as she went through her notes, and quickly shuffled them back together.
"I- I slept just fine- fine once I- I got home," she said as she shoved the papers back into their folder. "I- I didn't think my- my shift was- was ever gonna end- end last night." She let out a quiet chuckle as she moved her work onto her nightstand, and scooted over - patting the space next to her. Her expression still worried, but now hopeful, as she gazed up at him and tilted her head again. "Sit- sit with me?"
It was so peaceful out at night in upstate New York. Unlike that of the city the Avengers Tower was located in, the grounds of the Avengers compound were dark, quiet, and tranquil at night, save of course for the sounds of various animals and the gentle rustling of leaves on the trees. It reminded him of nights in Landis, to some degree, something he hadn't thought about in a very long time. He would have been untruthful had he said the night air and the atmosphere of it all hadn't put him in a bit of a mood...
But of course, Basch was nothing if not a respectful gentleman. Even though he and Carter had already consummated their love before, that did not mean she had any such ideas to do so again tonight. Or that she would ever want to... out of doors. Sitting there with Carter, though, and seeing how happy she looked... well... It did things to him. Good things. As she said she loved him and kissed his cheek, he felt heat rush through him, and to his slight dismay, he felt something stirring in his loins. Where was his decency tonight? He shifted a little to avoid any potential visual representation of how her affections had made him feel making itself known 'neath his jeans.
He was wholly unable to prevent the smile that came to his lips as she asked if he was okay. Basch cleared his throat awkwardly. Oh, he was more than okay, that was the problem. "Aye..." he said, his voice even throatier than before. He might have been able to keep it together, had she not turned into him and brushed her lips against hers. He let his own linger nears hers as she eyes blinked slowly, lazily. "Perhaps... 'tis the night air. Or the smell of the trees..." he whispered, "but being out of doors has always made me feel... somewhat wild..."
It was a lot for him to say, because... well, Basch and wild? Did they even belong in the same sentence? They did, under the right circumstances. Unable to hold back, he lifted his hand to her cheek, reaching up into her hair as he passionately kissed her lips. Only that, though, for surely it would be indecent to continue out here like this, would it not? "Aye..." he whispered in response to her question. "You are on my mind, my love."
Carter had turned herself so she could face Basch as she kissed his cheek, though pulled back as he shifted - her head tilting curiously. She would've brushed it off as him simply just trying to get comfortable, but...
Her face flushed as her gaze flickered down, though she quickly averted her attention to keep from making him feel awkward or embarrassed by the visible strain against his jeans. Though... admittedly, it did little to calm her racing heart or the heat in her belly, and she swallowed thickly as he spoke again. The throatiness of his voice doing nothing to ease her growing desire. And, oh, the way he blinked lazily at her, the way he kept his lips brushing against her own, only served to send a shiver down her spine that had nothing to do with the night air.
"Is- is that so?" she breathed, and bit her lip as she nuzzled her nose against his. Relishing his attention as she struggled to keep her mind from wandering, even though him saying he felt... somewhat wild did nothing to help with that, either. Just because he felt that way didn't mean he would be interested in having sex with her that night, let alone outside, but her mind seemed to have no intention of keeping focus, much to her near-embarrassment. "Um... Do... do you- you want to- to share what- what you mean...?" She had a feeling she knew damn well what he meant, but she wanted to make sure before she said something off and made things awkward from her own desire. Because if he was feeling the same that she was...
The moment Basch rested his hand against her cheek and reached into her hair, it was over for her. Carter melted into him as he kissed her - returning it just as passionately as she draped her arms over his shoulders. Her eyes fluttered shut - her heart still running wild. Unaware her breath had caught in her lungs until he broke the kiss, and a shaky gasp fell from her lips as she opened her eyes. She bit her lip as he told her she was on his mind, her face flushed, and she took a shaky breath as she shifted. "As- as are you," she admitted - her voice husky as her gaze flickered back down to his lips. As she wanted so desperately to feel his hands against her skin again. "If, um... If- if you wan-wanted, we could go- go back and you- you can tell me- me what I'm- I'm doing on your- your mind, or..."
Carter's face flushed hotter. Was it weird to suggest they could stay there? But, it wasn't like they would get caught - there was enough distance between them and the compound, and it wasn't as though anyone would be looking for them. "We coul-could stay here, if- if you wanted."
Was it a bad idea to ask? Maybe, maybe not. Really, Carter couldn't be certain unless she asked, and... well, she might've been more inclined to keep her mouth shut had it not been for Ashelia lying so close, and a... particular dream the night before. Not that she would admit that. Not yet, anyway.
Her heart was already pounding as she struggled to get her question out, and Carter covered her face with her hands in embarrassment when she saw Ashelia flush red and grin. But the relief she felt was overwhelming when she heard her girlfriend begin to tease her, and she couldn't help but chuckle nervously again. Her ears burning as she kept her face covered. "Oh, god," she groaned, but couldn't help her shy grin. Her heart skipping a beat at her girlfriend's giggle. Despite her embarrassment, this... wasn't so bad. The knot of worry over offending or making her girlfriend uncomfortable came undone with Ashelia's giggle, and... Carter couldn't help but giggle herself.
But before she could try to speak, Ashelia beat her to it, and Carter's breath hitched in her throat. Her heart skipping a beat before it began to race once more. She... she wanted to have sex with her? Very much so?
Carter pulled her hands away from her still-reddened face, and pushed herself up to sit beside Ashelia. She bit her lip, and hesitantly reached out to take her hand - as if worried touching her could cause a different reaction. But seeing her girlfriend's flushed face and her beautiful smile... oh, how that did things to her, and Carter did her best to ignore the heat in her lower belly. "I- I don't have ex-experience, either," she whispered, and squeezed her girlfriend's hand. "Though, may-maybe how I- I asked proved that." Humor danced in her gaze as she giggled again, and she averted her gaze shyly. Wondering if Ashelia could feel how quick her pulse had become.
"I- I, um..." She cleared her throat. "I- I would like my- my first time to be- to be with you," she said softly, and bit her lip again. "When-whenever you would li-like to try."
As much as she was certainly in the mood, the last thing Carter wanted was for Ashelia to feel rushed. She would gladly wait for her, and she didn't at all expect her girlfriend admitting she wanted to have sex with her as her wanting to try then. She could figure herself out, after all.
Carter couldn't help but smile at that, and she turned her head to kiss his cheek. "May-maybe not, but I- I still appre-preciate it," she murmured, and gave his thigh a gentle squeeze - unaware of what she was doing to him. "I- I love you, Basch." With another kiss on his cheek, she pulled back, and leaned against him with a soft sigh. Enjoying the warmth of his body against hers and the privacy they had.
When he tried to speak again... the throatiness of his voice caused her heart to skip a beat, and she felt herself flush. Heat coiling in her lower belly. Although it had been unintentional, with her not even realizing where she had placed her hand, she suddenly felt more aware of him, and bit her lip. Her heart beginning to race. "You- you okay?" her voice was soft - barely above a whisper. Her hand still on his thigh. "Basch..."
She giggled as he nuzzled her, a light blush coloring her face, and Carter felt her heart skip another beat as she felt his breath against the side of her neck. Her mind now thoroughly distracted by him, and she let out a shaky breath. Would it be so wrong if this innocent little outing turned into something else...? "You- you seem dis-distracted," she whispered, and turned her head so she could brush her lips over his. Her heart beating so fast, she was certain he would hear it. "Is- is there some-something on your mind?"
A stifled giggle caught in her throat as Carter beamed up at Pietro, and let him pull her close. Warmth and giddiness bloomed in her chest as adoration filled her eyes, and she leaned into him with a hug. Practically glowing as she gazed up at him fondly.
"The- the feeling is- is mutual," she murmured as she rested her head against his chest. "You've- you've changed my- my life, too, and I- I can't thank- thank you enough for- for it. It's- it's so much better with you- with you in it." Carter lifted her head away, and leaned up to kiss his jaw with a twinkle in her gaze. "I- I love you so- so much, Pietro."
There were times Carter could still hardly believe how much her life had changed for the better because of both Ashelia and Basch. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined how dear they would be to her when they first arrived. Displaced from their home with both time and place. She hadn't expected how hard she would have fallen for Ashelia while befriending her, and... nor had she expected the same to happen with Basch, as she and Ashelia did their best to help him adjust.
And yet, there she was, sitting next to Ashelia while Basch lay across their legs - her hand resting on his as her cheek rested against Ashelia's head. Her heart filled with warmth and love, something she never thought could happen to her, and she felt... safe. Being with them... meant more to her than they possibly knew, and Carter could weep out of sheer happiness alone. Never did she think she could be loved or wanted by anyone, let alone by two people who meant more to her than most. She had been ready to accept that there was... simply something wrong with her, and that it would keep her from the love, happiness, and security she desperately craved, when Ashelia had come into her life. Something she had thought possible again, when she found herself falling for Basch the same way she had with their girlfriend. And, now...
She watched as Ashelia tickled Basch's nose with the ends of his hair - watched as he grinned and listened as she giggled - and felt her throat tighten. Her eyes turning glassy despite her adoring grin, and felt herself get choked up with just how much they meant to her. How much they had changed her life for the better. Did they know that? Did they understand just what they had done for her heart?
Her words fell out before she could stop them, though she didn't mind. And their reactions... god, Carter almost cried. Her smile only widened as Ashelia spoke, and leaned closer so she could kiss her cheek. Her heart fluttering wildly in her chest as Basch kissed the back of her hand. Their affection for her almost overwhelming.
With a choked giggle of her own, Carter shook her head and leaned her cheek against Ashelia's head. She wrapped her free arm around her, and squeezed Basch's hand tight - holding onto it as she gently rubbed her thumb against his skin. "Sorry," she said with another choked giggle as she blinked back tears. Her smile never wavering as she held them both. "I- I didn't mean to- to make you both cr-cry. I- I just..." She swallowed thickly, and huffed in amusement as she did her best to fight back fresh tears. "You've- you've both done so mu-much for me. You've- you've made my- my life so much bri-brighter, and I- I can't thank you- you enough for- for it."
Something was bothering Ashelia. That much was obvious to Carter, and it worried her. She seemed... tired. On edge, even. From what, Carter wasn't certain, so she had simply offered a gentle reminder - a way to offer her ear if her girlfriend wanted to talk about it. About anything, really. And as she laid down and curled up beside her, she--
Oh.
Carter's heart broke as she saw the tears in Ashelia's eyes, and she quietly slid down to lay beside her. She turned onto her side, her brows furrowed as she listened, and she reached out and gently brushed a hand through her girlfriend's hair. Her throat tightening as she listened to her explain what had been weighing on her. And... god, what could she say to that? How could she make this better? She gently brushed her fingers through Ashelia's hair as she struggled to come up with a response, but... then her girlfriend continued, and Carter felt her heart skip a beat.
Her love and adoration for her girlfriend was unwavering, but there were times she felt she wasn't quite what Ashelia needed. Sometimes she wondered if she was too much or not enough. Sometimes she wondered if she was truly happy with her, with how wildly different their circumstances were. She did her best to understand all that Ashelia told her, but... her worries were persistent, as careful as she was to ignore them. But to hear her say that, despite all that she had lost, she was one of the few lights left...
Still quiet, Carter propped herself up onto her elbow and leaned over - pressing a tender kiss against Ashelia's temple before she let her lips linger. "I- I know I- I can't change what ha-happened or re-replace what you've lost," she murmured as she brushed through her hair, "but I'll- I'll do any-anything I- I can to make it bet-better. What-whatever you need, jus-just tell me." She kissed her girlfriend's temple again, and settled back down beside her - moving her hand to cradle her cheek. Her brow still slightly furrowed as she searched her gaze, but she offered a soft smile.
"I- I love you so mu-much, too, my sun," Carter whispered, and ran her thumb along Ashelia's cheek. "You're- you're my ev-everything.''
Warmth glowed in Carter's gaze from Basch's response, and she snuggled closer into his side. Her eyes closed as she turned to rest her head against his. "I- I know I- I am," she said softly, as her smile only grew with his kiss. "I've- I've never felt safer than whe-when I'm- I'm with you." It was his gentle, loving nature. His patience and kind heart. It was the way he held her, and made her feel loved.
God, how lucky was she to have him in her life?
She opened her eyes as she lifted her head away, and gazed at Basch adoringly. Her expression softening. "You're- you're far too good to- to me, love," Carter murmured, and pressed a lingering kiss against his jaw. "I- I hope you know you- you mean the- the world to- to me."
Although it... was no longer a surprise to see the confrontations between Noah and Basch, it still never failed to break Carter's heart. She understood Noah's anger - after all, she knew well the agony of abandonment - but, oh, how her heart went out to Basch each and every time. She saw his agony. Saw how he tried to de-escalate the situation each time, and how devastated it left him. It wasn't her place to try and help mend the burnt bridge between the brothers, but... she could, at least, be there for Basch at the end of it.
So, when she had heard of yet another one-sided quarrel between them, she immediately sought Basch out. To her, and even to Ashelia, she knew, from their many conversations about Basch, that he would be hurting, and... knew he hurt still, being... alone. He hid it well, and perhaps it was simply her projecting her own insecurities onto him, but he always held an air of loneliness to him that... the others didn't seem to carry. It made sense, given Noah wanted nothing to do with him and Ashelia was...
"I'm- I'm sorry," Carter murmured after he told her what happened, as she sat by his side, and, without thinking, reached out to rest her hand upon his. Was it just her, or had he leaned closer? Was she making him uncomfortable? It didn't seem like it, but, for a moment, she wondered if she should get Ashelia. But, no, now was not the time to tell him. "I- I wish I- I could do more to- to help, but... you- you don't need to- to be a-alone with this. I'm- I'm always here for- for you."
Gingerly, she rubbed her thumb against his hand absentmindedly, and offered a small smile. They were definitely sitting too close, but... she made no move to pull away from him. Her worries falling from her mind as she focused on comforting him the best she could. "Ashe- Ashe and I- I are both here for- for you. I- I promise." Her head tilted slightly. "I'll- I'll listen if you- you ever want to- to talk, Basch, or if you- you just want to- to go for a- a walk to clear- clear your head, we- we can do that- that too." She squeezed his hand and held it - her body turned to face him as they sat close together. Any worries of how it might appear far from her mind. Yet, before she could stop herself or even think about what she was doing, she opened her mouth, and--
"I- I love you."
Too late, did Carter realize what she had said, and her eyes widened in mortification. Her face flushing brightly as she jerked her hand back and covered her mouth - an apology dying in her throat as Basch stared at her in surprise. She wasn't sorry for loving him, not at all, but... oh, this was not how she meant to reveal it. She had already discussed her feelings for him with Ashelia, and knew the love she felt for him as well, but... they had been trying to think of how to approach him about it. This... this was...
"I'm- I'm sorry," she blurted finally, before words began to pour out like a burst dam. "This- this wasn't how I- I wanted you to- to know. But I- I do-- I- I do love- love you. Um, Ashe- Ashe knows. She-- She, um, she- she knows and we- we were-- God, um, I- I should--"
She inhaled sharply and held it for a moment to try and calm the way her heart raced wildly in her chest. Tears threatened to spill as she blinked rapidly, and wanted nothing more than to disappear - her face hot with embarrassment as her stomach twisted. Did she just ruin it before there was even a chance of something for the three of them? Oh, god, would he want to be her friend after this? Was Ashelia going to be upset she blew it? Would he think she was unfaithful?
Great job, Carter!
"I'm- I'm sorry," she repeated again. Her voice tight. "I- I didn't mea-mean to make thi-things un-uncomfortable or- or awkward. I- I didn't--" She swallowed thickly, and averted her gaze as she began to fidget with her bracelet. Her heart still hammering in her chest as the blood in her ears all but drowned out anything else. "Can- can I- I get Ashe? We- we have some-something we want- want to tell- tell you, bu-but we-- We- we weren't sure- sure how, and- and I- I promise it's- it's not bad, but I- I--" Stop, stop, stop! Stop talking! "I'm- I'm sorry."
There was no missing the vulnerability in Basch's eyes when she pulled away from him. No missing how close he seemed to tears. Carter knew how conflicted he was when it came to physical affection - knew how much he needed it, and... how much guilt he felt accepting it. And, god, seeing the pain her pulling away from him damn near broke her heart.
There was no hesitation as she hugged him again - tighter this time, with her hand in his hair and the other on his back. She rested her chin on the top of his head and ran her fingers through his hair, and felt her heart ache as Basch released a trembling sigh and clung to her. Her throat tight as she pressed another kiss to the top of his head. "I've- I've got you," she repeated quietly. "I've- I've got you, love." And, oh, how she meant it. Whatever he needed from her, she was willing to give. If he needed her to hold him, she would. However long he needed. However long he wanted. For everything he had done for her, for how much he comforted her when she needed it, this was the least she could do for him in turn.
As he whispered for forgiveness, Carter gently shook her head. Her fingers still gently running through his hair before she settled her hand on the back of his neck. "You've- you've done noth-nothing wrong," she murmured, and closed her eyes as he slowly relaxed against her. Rubbing his back as she kissed his head again. "I- I love you too, Basch, more- more than any-anything. You mean the- the world to m-me." She meant it, with every fiber of her being. And as he spoke of just needing her for a moment more...
A small smile flickered over her lips, and Carter pulled her head away to gaze at him affectionately. She gently slipped her hand from his neck and to his cheek to cradle it, and brushed her thumb against his skin as she tilted her head. "You- you have me," she promised. "I'm- I'm not going any-anywhere, my love. I'm- I'm all yours for to-today."
snowghoul
theartofmadeline
andulkaphoto
2087
vaporwave
