<span style="font-family: 'Georgia'">A bad dream would've been a preferable alternative. Unfortunately, life couldn't be so simple.  <br/>
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The vehemence in Carter's tone drew a small smile from Asa. He had no doubt that Carter would indeed make the poor unfortunate soul's life hell. He didn't try to explain to the boy why he did in fact need a friend, whether he wanted it to accept it or not. And why he couldn't have what he wanted from Asa. But that was all conversation for another day. <br/>
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He listened in intent silence as Carter went through the events of his night, the vampire's lust for blood threatening to rear it's ugly head with every word. There was no doubt in his mind that the night's events could've taken a completely different path.<br/>
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<i>"Half of what? Do you think the guys did something?" </i><br/>
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"I do," he murmured, voice a low, dark rumble. He'd been 'this' close to losing Carter. Come hell or high water, someone was going to answer for it. But for now he simply enjoyed the moment of having the other pressed so close. It'd been too long since they'd last been this close, and Asa was to fault for that. So careful to never cross certain boundaries. But if there was one thing this night had made clear, it was that time was a precious commodity Asa had taken for granted, and Carter could be snatched away from him far too quickly for comfort. <br/>
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Carter couldn't know how much his promise to not leave the house put Asa at ease. He would put up with any manner of childish tantrums so long as he knew Carter wouldn't try what he had tonight. "You need to sleep, we'll talk more tomorrow," Asa said, biting back the admission that he too enjoyed being there with Carter. It proved harder still to pull himself away from Carter, instantly feeling the loss as he moved away from the other's warmth. "You will sleep here tonight." Having already decided that Carter would sleep here with him tonight, where he could keep an eye on him, at least until the drugs were fully out of his system. "But first you will get out of these clothes," he didn't wait or ask for permission as he tugged at the base of the other's shirt, the thick scent of the bar and death clung to Carter's clothes and Asa wouldn't allow it in his bed. Silently he worked to undress Carter, his cool fingers brushing against the other's torso as he pulled the shirt over the boys head and he was careful not to linger. Not to drag his fingers over the other's heated skin. This was neither the time nor the place.<br/>
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Drawing back the bed covers he waited for Carter to lay down before he tucked the other in, planting a soft kiss against his forehead, "Now sleep, tomorrow is going to be a long day." His fingers combed through Carter's hair before he pulled away, planning to leave Carter to sleep in peace while he went to take care of a few things. </span>