<b><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'">...Meant to survive.</span></b><br/><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><br/>
But Asa wasn't <i>meant</i> to have lived as long as he had. He'd stolen more than his fair share of time. He'd lived multiple life times. Cheated death more than once. He purposely shortened the lives of others to lengthen his own. No, it had nothing to do with survival. It was part fear of not knowing what waited on the other side of it all. But even stronger than the fear of a permanent death was the desire to simply live. A purely selfish desire that he'd done unthinkable things to fulfill. Yes, there had been moments when death was something he ached for. But when it came down to it, he could never go through with it.<br/>
<br/>
Asa didn't look forward to the time when Carter would seek him out with more questions. He promptly deflected Carter's probing question of what he might still be hiding with a question of his own, "Am I not allowed to be nervous that you may ask questions I may not want to answer?" He met the other's searching gaze, partially curious what the other saw when he looked at him that way. Was his apprehension so easily apparent? "And not all history is meant to be studied." Most of all his own history. One that even he preferred to not dwell upon.<br/>
<br/>
It still sent a spike of irritation through the vampire when he thought on Carter's first experience in the outside world. That it was memorable in all the wrong ways. Even if it was a necessary lesson the younger needed to learn.<br/>
<br/>
"You're perfect enough for me," Asa said, taking hold of Carter's hand as he stood, "And that's all that matters." Perfectly imperfect. Even as broken as he was and for all of his flaws, it was Carter's humanity that made him perfect in Asa's eyes. It was something Asa had lost a long time ago. Something he would never get back. <br/>
<br/>
It came as no surprise that Carter had no memories of being out with Asa. Aside from the occasional late night strolls on the estate grounds, or the rooftop camp outs when Asa had first introduced Carter to astronomy, there had been only two occasions where Asa had taken Carter off the estate. Both of those times Carter's memory of the events had been put dormant. <br/>
<br/>
He knew that Carter needed this chance to explore the world outside of his protective bubble. But it didn't make it any easier. Any fears he may have had previously about Carter sneaking had already been put to bed. But even with Asa going with him and knowing he'd keep the male out of trouble, he couldn't quite silence the fear that something bad would happen. Something that could have been prevented had they not taken this little venture. Keeping his thoughts to himself, he kissed the top of Carter's head, nuzzling his hair and inhaling his scent before nodding lightly, "You're right."<br/>
<br/>
By the time they reached town the sun had already set, the sky dark and the town brightly lit. The approach of night doing nothing to dissuade the residents and tourists alike from staying outdoors. It was a stark contrast to how it used to be centuries past when the threat of death and a strict curfew had left the streets deserted. Eerie in their emptiness. But now, the night was a living breathing thing. Brightly lit streets and store fronts mingled with the chaos of vehicles and passersby. <br/>
<br/>
Unwittingly, Asa's fingers tightened around Carter's before he loosened his grip. He'd never much enjoyed coming into town. But he also couldn't resist the pull to be among mortals. And he frequented town enough that there were some who knew him by name. Intimately. <br/>
<br/>
He turned to Cater, his smile coming easily enough, "The night is yours. Lead the way." Hoping that he wouldn't come to regret his words, he said, "We'll stay as long as you want." </span>