Ethan, Who Loved Carter

Everyone has their own music; they just don't realize it.

Ethan seemed to revel in Carter's most hated tics. He'd set them to music. The light bounce of notes, starts and stops, of Ethan's song, it was the music of Carter's Tourette's, and Ethan had made it beautiful. He'd made Carter feel beautiful for having them.

I’m almost a hermit and I need people. I can’t imagine what it’s like for a butterfly like you.” Ethan’s mouth twitched and he smiled. “What color butterfly am I?” Kneeling on the floor, Carter slid into Ethan’s arms. “Every color. You’re every one.

And Mom doesn't like anyone cutting her flowers, so I cut up her magazines instead. Do you like it?

He’d never felt like this with any of them. If only he’d known what feeling to look for, he could have saved himself from hurt.

Ethan rescued Carter now though, didn’t he? Or they rescued each other. It got too complicated for Carter to think about. They needed each other. It boiled down to that. That they wanted each other too was the bonus. Carter dreamed about Ethan, about his dick, his hands, as much now as he had before they were together. There it was, a new Before, and now, a new After, one they could share. "I love you," Carter whispered. Ethan heard anyway and grinned down at Carter. Nothing mattered in the room except Ethan. Maybe nothing mattered in the world except Ethan.

You make me feel like there is nothing wrong with me". "I want you every day". "Your ass is amazing". He put a smiley face on the last one

There were no strangers here tonight, only family. As he sang, Carter focused on sending the love he felt back out to Liz and Nolan, to Elliot and Jennifer, and Ethan, especially Ethan, who saw music in the sky and goodness in every person. Ethan, who had seen Carter in a way Carter had never seen himself, and showed Carter that he was more than a series of twitches and consonants. Ethan, who Carter loved. Ethan, who loved Carter.

Now, it felt like they were transferring their best qualities to each other, so Ethan felt strong and smart. Carter tapped the steering wheel as he drove, so Ethan tapped his knee, as if he could take away some of Carter's twiches, even though Ethan loved them as part of Carter. But, if they caused Carter pain, then Ethan would wish them away.

Love? Carter hadn’t had any idea what it was, but now, he looked at Ethan and found a thousand definitions for it.

It's been a slow road through his recovery, but he's the same person with a few alterations. Still my sweet boy.

Somewhere, there are people like Carter and Ethan. And many more who are nothing like them. Maybe you know them. Maybe you are them. Either way, welcome.

YOU need to shower before you go to your appointment,” Carter said. “You’re starting to attract flies.