Carter's Savior

Twelve

Sloan's POV

Carter is amazing.

I mean I knew he was amazing before, but now...he's truly amazing. He's so fucking smart too. We started a sign language class that's taught online today. And he is picking it up with ease. Me on the other hand I'm struggling. Very badly.

Carter tried to help me out as much as he could but I could see he was holding back a laugh. But I didn't care, he could laugh at me all he wanted. As long as he's laughing and not crying. We were in session three and at this point, we were supposed to have the alphabet down, and the basics. Now we are learning popular phrases.

Truly, I think the only reason why I have made it this far has been because of pure willpower. To have one way to communicate with my mate. Also knowing that no one else would know how to talk with him made me happy, but also guilty. I should probably tell someone back home soon that Carter is mute now.

I'm just worried about how they'd handle it.

Not well. Not well at all.

If they can't even notice when he is upset, no way in hell would they take the time to learn sign for him. And that in itself breaks my heart for Carter.

'Break?' Carter signed to me. I didn't even notice I was rubbing my hands, they were slightly crampy.

(A.N. Carter signing will look like he is talking but he is not. The one quotation mark indicates a sign. The to " indicate speech. Carry on.)

"No, I'm okay, I can still go," I told him determined. But he just leaned forward and paused the TV. We somehow both migrated to the floor during our time learning but I didn't mind. We also sat close enough to where our legs were touching and the sparks were enough to soothe me.

It still felt like a dream. That we were cuddling, and talking and were around each other without arguing, it didn't feel real, but also at the same time I was relishing in it. I wanted to drown in it and I'd die a happy man.

There was still so much I didn't know, and there was still so much to learn. I knew it would take time for him to open up, and tell me why he left. And why he held so much pain. But until then it was my duty to be here. And just let Carter be himself.

'You're not okay.' He chuckled and a soft smile sat on his face. He grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around his shoulders. He still had a hoodie on and his durag. He looked so cute like this. And those green eyes...my goddess they get me every time.

"How did you learn so quickly?" I asked him truthfully keeping my eyes attached to his.

'Photogenic memory.' He spelled the words out, seeing as he didn't know the signs and it took a second but I finally understood. And I was fucking shocked.

"You have a photogenic memory? Why didn't I know that?" Carter just chuckled lightly but I couldn't help but notice his eyes went downcast, and sadness was there.

'No one knows.' He sighed and I could see he was fighting something deep in himself. 'No one cares to know.'

How in the hell could Crispin and Dieter go all these years and not know their son had this gift? This just added to my anger of needing my questions answered. Because something's not right here...and I'm going to find out.

"So you're saying you're a secret genius?" That caused a light laugh out of him, and I could feel his mood change. Loren let me know he was proud of me for making our mate feel better. His laugh was music to my ears too. I had never heard him laugh so much, even with Ezra. And here he was doing it so freely with me...I couldn't help but be overcome with joy.