The truth about what really happened in that back alley, about why he is here, still weighs heavy on his heart and part of him wants to just... lay down and be done with everything. The shock and pain over what his family had done had slowly waned into the dull ache of a broken heart. Or maybe he's still in shock. Maybe he'll just be in shock for the rest of his life.
On top of that, Moreau has taken a sudden interest in him that he finds uncanny, requesting his presence more often 'now that he's settled in'. There's a new set of clothes in his room, too, suits and casual wear that probably costs more than Carter's entire clinic, all neatly prepared for him next to his labcoats and scrubs.
It's uncomfortable and maybe he should ask Eliot about it but the truth is, he doesn't have to. Now that he knows the truth Carter knows what this is. Why he's here. The role he's supposed to play. This he understands, this he grew up with.
A way for Moreau to display power during business meetings, having a Carter at his side. A way to exert it outside of meetings.
At first they're just short meetings, holding conversation. He's clumsy and nervous but Moreau seems to like that and soon after the meetings get longer and longer and Carter is sitting by the pool, champagne in hand and tries his best not to get shot. He's surprised to find that Moreau can actually be funny, witty, and sometimes when Carter is relaxed enough (or drunk enough) he can almost con himself into believing he's having a good time. Almost.
The only truly positive side-effect is Brett's face. The first time he comes in to see Carter seated at Moreau's side at the pool the sudden panic in his eyes is almost worth everything else that happened. Almost. But it doesn't quite make up for the goons with their machine guns patrolling the pool, or Moreau's voice lulling him in with strange charm, or having to sit there like some sort of trophy.
So when Eliot's invitation comes in he smiles for real, interrupting his current task to head over to the kitchen and meet him.
"Can smell that from a mile away," he calls out instead of a greeting.
no subject
The truth about what really happened in that back alley, about why he is here, still weighs heavy on his heart and part of him wants to just... lay down and be done with everything. The shock and pain over what his family had done had slowly waned into the dull ache of a broken heart. Or maybe he's still in shock. Maybe he'll just be in shock for the rest of his life.
On top of that, Moreau has taken a sudden interest in him that he finds uncanny, requesting his presence more often 'now that he's settled in'. There's a new set of clothes in his room, too, suits and casual wear that probably costs more than Carter's entire clinic, all neatly prepared for him next to his labcoats and scrubs.
It's uncomfortable and maybe he should ask Eliot about it but the truth is, he doesn't have to. Now that he knows the truth Carter knows what this is. Why he's here. The role he's supposed to play. This he understands, this he grew up with.
A way for Moreau to display power during business meetings, having a Carter at his side. A way to exert it outside of meetings.
At first they're just short meetings, holding conversation. He's clumsy and nervous but Moreau seems to like that and soon after the meetings get longer and longer and Carter is sitting by the pool, champagne in hand and tries his best not to get shot. He's surprised to find that Moreau can actually be funny, witty, and sometimes when Carter is relaxed enough (or drunk enough) he can almost con himself into believing he's having a good time. Almost.
The only truly positive side-effect is Brett's face. The first time he comes in to see Carter seated at Moreau's side at the pool the sudden panic in his eyes is almost worth everything else that happened. Almost. But it doesn't quite make up for the goons with their machine guns patrolling the pool, or Moreau's voice lulling him in with strange charm, or having to sit there like some sort of trophy.
So when Eliot's invitation comes in he smiles for real, interrupting his current task to head over to the kitchen and meet him.
"Can smell that from a mile away," he calls out instead of a greeting.