<em>Carver, outside with Brett </em><br/><br/>Carver had expected that Brett would take the opportunity of the two of them walking the grounds to speak with him.  He hadn't, though, expected the particular subject that Brett had chosen.  He swung a light around, looking outward as he considered how best to answer the man's question.<br/><br/>"Well, honestly, I don't know.  I never thought to ask, frankly."<br/><br/>A few steps passed in silence.  "I know that some mornings the three of them would wake up together in their large bed.  I guess that, now that I think on it, most of the time, Mother would be in the center.  I never saw my dads making out, if that's what you mean.  They were both tender with her.  Daddy Walt was a little more expressive of his emotions than Daddy Rick.  And sometimes, either of them might not be there for a night or a few.  Travel and such.  On those nights, the remaining dad would spend it with mom and us of course."<br/><br/>He paused and turned the light toward a sound.  Nothing more seemed to come from the darkness.  He frowned slightly as he continued.<br/><br/>"Now, the whole family did express physical affection in innocent ways, of course.  Kisses on cheeks and lips and hugs, etcetera.  And yeah, even between Rick and Walt.  So, I guess the answer to your question is...'Maybe?'"<br/><br/>He gave a brief shrug and chuckle.<br/><br/>When Brett mentioned what basically amounted to figuring out who the Alpha was, Carter shook his head.  He shook Brett's hand in return, his grip tight, but not too harsh.  When they parted, he spoke more.<br/><br/>"I don't think we need to worry about setting up some sort of pack like behavior system, Brett.  We aren't wolves."<br/><br/>He paused, as if expecting to hear the cry of a wolf.  In a movie, such a moment would have been perfect.  But this time, it passed in silence.<br/><br/>"Each of my parents had their specialties.  Each deferred to the expert in whatever they were doing.  Rick knew the land and taught me my skills.  Walt was a doctor and dictated how we should live to be healthy.  I admit that I bonded with Rick more than Walt...although, to be honest, I've suspected that Walt was my biological father.  I favor him in looks."<br/><br/>"Regardless, I'm not looking to prove that I'm in charge.  I just have a hint of what might be out there."  Carver gestured with his flashlight outwards.  The beam of light was swallowed up by the dark.<br/><br/>"And how to deal with it."  He patted the weapon slung over his shoulder.  "I'm not looking to show that I'm some alpha wolf/male, Brett."<br/><br/>He gave the other man a wry smile.  "Don't they say wolves mate for life, one to one and all that?  Fuck that, my friend."<br/><br/>He gave a laugh as the pair of them completed their circuit of the grounds.  "Besides, that myth is exactly that; a myth."<br/><br/>He glanced toward Brett.  "I came from a nontraditional upbringing.  I accepted that I was never going to be looking for a traditional marriage bond.  It took some doing, accepting that about me, but it is what it is.  I can't say if this is where I'm supposed to be...but it's not bad.  Definitely not bad at all."<br/>