Commandments (short story, completed)

Thou Shall Stay Focused./

Sunlight streamed in through the two large windows on either side of the bed. I groaned, cursing the sun for being so bright and hot. Way too hot. I blinked my eyes open, bracing myself to face the excruciating light.

Instead, I found the source of intense heat. Carter was completely wrapped around me, arms squeezing my torso, legs tangled in mine. I couldn't help but smile, turning over to face him. I moved gently so as not to wake him. I simply studied him for a moment. Perfectly structured face, so masculine save for the long eyelashes nearly touching his cheekbones. His dark hair was going in about a million different directions. Clearly, we were separate at some point in the night.

I ran a hand through his hair. Carter moved slightly, then quickly relaxed back into his sleep. He was so peaceful. I took this moment to be a complete creep.

My fingers trailed over his sharp jaw, covered in a slight bit of stubble. It felt scratchy, but oddly good against my fingers. I resisted the urge to go into full on creep mode and rub my face against his.

My fingers trailed lower, tracing his collar bone and scratching through the hair on his chest. Carter had taken his T-shirt off just before we drifted last night.. how the incredible sight of his bare chest escaped my attention I'm unsure. My hungry fingers familiarized themselves with his perfectly chiseled abs and went to explore lower....

"Nia."

I started, fingers freezing and eyes jumping up from the not so innocent place they were heading.

Carter's lips quirked as he fought against a smile. "And just what, exactly, are you doing?"

I bit my lip guiltily. "Definitely not feeling you up in your sleep."

A laugh burst from his lips. I giggled, covering my face with my hands. He gently pried my hands away, then kissed the tip of my nose. "Good morning."

"Good morning," I replied.

"Definitely not a bad way to wake up."

I smacked him in the chest, causing him to burst out in laughter again. "Shut up!" He rolled over onto his back, giving me a fantastic view of those abs, and the deep V forming where his sweats rode low on his hips. "I was just curious," I mumbled.

He smirked, not in the most humble way.

"How'd you get this?" I tapped a dark red spot above his collarbone that I seemed to have missed on my previous quest. "Birth mark?"

"Nope. Three brothers."

My jaw dropped. "There's three more of you? Your poor mother."

He frowned in mock defensiveness. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Does your family stay in the area?" I asked, sidestepping his question.

"Kind of, they aren't too far away."

"You never mention them."

He shrugged. "There's never really been an opportunity to bring them up." I studied him. There was so much I didn't know, but I definitely wanted to. I knew I was floating into unchartered territory but I couldn't help myself.

"Are your parents still together?"

"Yeah, they are." He smiled a little to himself. That must be where his endless optimism and sweetness came from.

"Have you had a great love in your life?"

The question clearly threw him. He thought for a minute, then shook his head slowly. "A few girlfriends, sure, but I wouldn't say I've had a great love. Until quite recently," he added quietly.

I smiled, then straightened my expression. "Carter..."

"It's a little early for this, don't you think?" He chuckled nervously. "I haven't even brushed my teeth." He rose from the bed, stretching as he went. He glanced at me over his shoulder. "Want breakfast?" I shook my head. He disappeared into the bathroom.

I sat there, mildly upset that he didn't want to tell me more about himself. I genuinely did want to know everything about him. I know everything would be going to shit soon, but if I had to be locked up in a padded room for the rest of my days I would prefer to have as much Carter trivia to occupy my brain as possible.

The man himself peeked back into the room, toothbrush perched between his lips. "So, how'd you sleep? You feeling okay?"

"I'm fine, Carter." I thought back to Dex's face, bloody and coming at me savagely. I shivered. "A little shaken," I admitted. "But fine."

He nodded, walked out for a second, came right back to his perch in the doorway. "Paula's coming over after her shift this evening, to discuss how we should proceed. I'm not leaving you alone, so I'll be working from home today. Please make yourself at home, Nia."

I couldn't help but melt when my name rolled off his tongue. "Thank you. I don't want to take you from your responsibilities at the hospital, though." I stared down at the rich comforter dejectedly. "I may as well go with you. That's where I'll end up anyway."

Carter frowned, left the room once more, and came right back without his toothbrush this time. Sadly, he had rediscovered his T-shirt. He came to sit closely next to me on the bed, but did not touch me. "We're going to go every route possible to avoid that. I want you to get better, but I know how miserable you were being confined in there." He thought for a minute. "But we can't very well let you go back to that apartment. That would be ludicrous."

I silently agreed. Much as I hated to be so weak, I couldn't even fathom going back to that apartment to be by myself. Dex would definitely be there, waiting. But Carter was right. When I wasn't in session with him, or doing extracurriculars with Ms. J, I was fucking miserable at Haven.

So where does that leave me? I knew it went against everything for me to stay here another night, as much as I wanted to. I made a vow to myself last night, to not take anything from Carter, to assure that when we part ways he is whole, and I won't have broken him in any way.

Easier said than done.

"We'll figure it out," Carter said quietly, reading my distressed expression. "Please don't worry. You will get better." I was more concerned with me and him, but him knowing that wouldn't help anything.

"There's an extra toothbrush in the bathroom, and I can run out and get you some clothes." I looked at him skeptically. He chuckled. "Basic stuff only, I promise. There's soap and all that in the bathroom, too. Like I said, make yourself at home."

He stood, pulling me gently across the bed and up with him. "Go ahead, get cleaned up. You stink."

"Hey." I went to smack him again, but he caught my hand. He smiled, and tugged me forward until I was right up against him. I felt his lips skim the top of my head, and closed my eyes. How easy it could be.

He released me all too soon. "Okay. I'll be back." I just stood there. He stepped out of the room. I heard movement and keys jingling. His dark head popped in the room once more. "Now, Nia."

I nodded and pushed my feet forward. I needed to get it together.

***Sidebar: votes, Feedback?! Would love to hear from you. Also kind of missed these characters as weird as that is lol so will be posting more soon... thank y'all for reading :)