Despite his longing to see the rest of the animals, Donnie hesitated. "Are you sure?" He didn't want to just leave Carter alone if something was wrong with him. But whatever was wrong, it didn't seem to be physical. Rather, it was some sort of mental or emotional battle within himself. Donnie had known enough struggling people to recognize the signs. When Carter wordlessly nodded, Donnie figured that the man probably needed his privacy. "Okay. I'm gonna go see the rest of the animals. You don't even want to see the reindeer?"
"I guess I do want to see the reindeer," Carter admitted. Actually, he wanted to go everywhere with the boy. He wanted to let Donnie hold his hand and lead him anywhere. That was completely inappropriate however, and the very thought appalled him. He was supposed to be the boy's guardian, not his lover. It was becoming hard to draw the line between caring and romantic, and being here alone with the boy wasn't helping. He couldn't just leave now though, and he didn't want to call Justus in and leave Donnie hanging. Carter had promised that he would be the one to accompany Donnie, and so he would do so. "Come and get me when you get to the reindeer, and I'll come and see it with you."
Donnie nodded and scampered off. He still wasn't sure about leaving Carter alone, but what could he do? Besides, Carter would probably be okay after some time alone...probably.
[Post 16]
"I guess I do want to see the reindeer," Carter admitted. Actually, he wanted to go everywhere with the boy. He wanted to let Donnie hold his hand and lead him anywhere. That was completely inappropriate however, and the very thought appalled him. He was supposed to be the boy's guardian, not his lover. It was becoming hard to draw the line between caring and romantic, and being here alone with the boy wasn't helping. He couldn't just leave now though, and he didn't want to call Justus in and leave Donnie hanging. Carter had promised that he would be the one to accompany Donnie, and so he would do so. "Come and get me when you get to the reindeer, and I'll come and see it with you."
Donnie nodded and scampered off. He still wasn't sure about leaving Carter alone, but what could he do? Besides, Carter would probably be okay after some time alone...probably.
[Post 16]