Being his partner?
Pressing in closer, Carter buries his face in Aries's neck before exhaling a heavy sigh. Dropping his head onto Aries's shoulder, he whispers, "Can you be my partner? Or are you giving up on P too… just like everyone else?"
"P'Carter, y-you're drunk", Aries tries to push Carter slowly away from his body.
Carter tightens his hand around Aries's waist, stares into his eyes, as if waiting for an answer.
Cleo enters into the kitchen, his mouth agape in shock witnessing the scene. A sudden footstep snaps him out of his daze, he rushes towards Carter, yanks him away from Aries, and pinches Carter lightly, murmuring, "Come to your senses! This is Aries! Not Shin! Oliver's coming."
Carter's face turned calm, as if he didn't lose his sanity just a moment ago.
Oliver senses a strange tension hanging in the air. His gaze shifts between Aries, Carter, and Cleo before he strides toward Aries, grabs his arm, and pulls him out of the kitchen, confusion etched across his face.
"What are you doing here?", asks Oliver.
"I was thirsty. So, I came to get some water", replies Aries, nonchalantly.
"So, you're saying Leo didn't call you?" questions Oliver.
"How did you know?", snaps Aries.
"Doesn't matter. Do you still have feelings for Carter?"
Phi's sudden question took me like a hurricane. I know this isn't the right time to discuss this thing. But I really can't answer anything because I have no clue what I feel for him, right now.
"I'm asking you", Oliver still gazes at Aries.
"Phi, chill! That was ages ago. It's embarrassing to even think about it now," Aries says, keeping his head down to hide the sour look creeping onto his face.
"That's what I thought. Now it makes sense why you refused to meet him after that time", Oliver heaved a sigh of relief, dropping himself to the couch.
Carter and Cleo step into the living room, their eyes immediately landing on Aries, his head lowered, while Oliver lazily lies on the couch.
Carter's eyes didn't leave Aries's figure at all. Just as Aries's about to enter the stairs, Carter grabs his arms, startling Cleo and Oliver, but the most startled person was none other than Aries.
Aries's heart beats uncontrollably like raindrops pounding against a tin roof. His eyes are glued to his hand being held by P'Carter, with a strong grip.
"Oliver, I want to talk to you. I want to take Aries as my new partner", said Carter.
What do you mean?" Oliver exclaims, his posture stiffening as he stands up quickly.
"I know what I'm talking about. See, I really don't want to disturb Shin again. He made his decision and I'm happy for him. Aries's also looking for a role. I heard Cleo that he recently auditioned for a role, yet he didn't get because someone used their influence to get the role"
"What are you saying, Carter?", asks Cleo.
"Look, Cleo, I've seen his progress, and Aries's improved a lot. Plus, I need a partner too. Why can't I choose him?" Carter asks
"You can't!" Cleo drags Carter, signals Oliver to follow him outside.
"You do remember you rejected him when he proposed, right?", Cleo asks bluntly.
"It was years ago, and remember he was just a school kid at that time. Why are you making it a big deal now, Cleo?", questions Carter.
Oliver stands between Cleo and Carter. "If it's about that time, Aries already told me it was just a crush, something embarrassing to even think about now. But my concern is that Aries still has so much to learn about acting and he's still studying. Will he be able to handle it? And don't even get me started on your toxic fanbase. I know he's strong, but he's my little brother. On top of all that, do you honestly think he'd agree to be your partner?"
Carter meets Oliver's gaze. "Think about him being partnered with strangers. You know what the world's like. No one's more trustworthy than me. I promise, I'll look out for him. He won't be bullied, and with me, he'll be safe. You can be at ease."
Oliver pauses for a moment, realizing that what Carter said is undeniably true. With Carter around, he knows Aries will be well taShin care of, especially since he's often away on business trips. After the last two shows, Aries came home late with no one by his side, and it later turned out the company was a scam. Besides Carter, Oliver doesn't know anyone in the entertainment industry who could properly look after Aries.
Oliver hesitates, choosing his words carefully. "I get it, but I don't want him to be treated like someone's second choice. You and Shin had a great connection, but you and Aries hardly even spoke. And after that whole incident, you both cut ties completely.
"I promise, he's no one's replacement! At Least not mine! I'm not even choosing him because he's your brother. As an actor as well, I can see his potential. Trust me!", replied Carter with a sincere tone.
With a heavy sigh, Oliver looks toward the house, spotting Aries standing there, frozen in place, staring at them. Oliver knew Aries couldn't hear a word they said, having locked the door before stepping out.
"Ugh! You are putting me in a tough spot. Let's go inside and ask him if he wants to do it", says Oliver as he heads inside the house, moving towards Aries who's standing still, eyes fixed on them.
Aries watches his brother and the rest approach him. He vaguely has an idea now about the situation. He read their lips clear enough to know what's coming his way. Aries concealed his emotions, as he head spins around that one line Carter said, "He's no one's replacement! At least not mine!"
"What does that mean? I wanted to act because I wanted to be with him, even if it was just for one series. If I could play any role alongside him, that would be more than enough for me. But is it really time to completely let go of what I feel for him? Staying too close and acting with him, will give me more time to understand him even better. What if he's not the same P'Carter I fell in love with. What if he's someone who's completely different from what I perceived him to be?" Aries's mind races with so many questions.
Oliver and Carter in the front, followed by Cleo walked straight to Aries.
Before anyone could utter a word, Carter jumps in front of Aries, looks at him and gives a gentle smile.
He slowly pats his head, "Aries, you haven't given me an answer yet. You haven't forgotten my question, right?"
Aries wants to clearly decline the offer considering all the questions that invaded his mind a moment ago.
But seeing the man he cherishes, standing in front of him, defeated face as if the world has completely given up on him, Aries clearly couldn't decline.
The flicker of hope in Carter's eyes when he looked at Aries was all it took to prompt a simple "yes" from Aries.
Carter pulled him into a tight hug, a tear slipping from his eye and landing on Aries's crystalline shoulder. Aries shuddered under Carter's firm grip.
Carter slowly wipes his tears, and whispers in Aries's ears, "I won't let you down, Aries"