What Happens in Vienna {ManxMan}

CHAPTER 17 (Carter)

I didn't expect it. Honestly if I had to take into consideration all the bad, evil things that I had done, or at least had a hand in doing, then I would have never believed it was possible, but it was. I'd somehow, against all the odds, fallen in love, and when I woke up the next morning wrapped in Tobias Florian's embrace, I swear nothing else mattered to me. Bombs could fall from the sky and I wouldn't care, because I'd never felt more satisfied and at home than I did now.

My bad leg was throbbing, my other thigh was sore, my arm was aching, and if felt like my hips had been slammed repeatedly against an iron bar, but I didn't mind. The sleepy feeling of floating was surrounding my entire body, I was on cloud nine, pressing against Tobias' body and smiling a genuine smile as I put my ear just above his heart so I could let the sound of his body lull me back into sleep.

He loved me.

I covered my mouth with my hands and tried to stop the childish giggling.

He loved me.

It was hard not to wake him up, just so I could see his eyes and his smile, so I could his morning voice. I wanted to play with his hair and hug him, touch him for no reason just because I could, because he didn't mind it when I touched him. When was the last time I felt this happy? It was a long time ago, but having the feeling back was exhilarating.

I wanted to stay with this man for the rest of my life, and my hands cupped around his face so I could whisper to him.

"I love yo-."

A noise that seemed to break the barriers of sound itself boomed through the area from somewhere outside, so deafening and loud I had to yank my hands back to cover my ears, Tobias' eyes snapping open as he sat up, looking completely shocked as another high-pitched whistle echoed before there was a crack, followed by that same booming noise, closer this time, making the entire building shake.

Books fell off the shelves, and Tobias' eyes flashed as he yanked me closer, holding me protectively against his chest as he reached over to the window beside us and tore the curtain open. Unadulterated fear shook me as I caught sight of the jet zooming into the distance, probably preparing for another sweep over us. Even from where I was, I recognized it, and my voice came out on a shudder.

"No...."

"It's them, isn't it?" Tobias asked, and I nodded, turning to watch him when he stood from the bed, grabbing clean clothes, "Get dressed, we'll figure it out."

"Tobias," my voice was weak as I pushed the sheets away from my legs, "I.... I can't stay."

He stopped and stared at me for a long moment before turning and grabbing another change of clothes from his dresser, tossing them to me, "Those should fit you, hurry."

I obeyed only because getting dressed was probably a smart idea, but when I was done tying my shoes I stood up and grabbed Tobias to stop his rummaging, "Whatever you're thinking, stop it," I said, trying to stay as calm as I could, "I know you want to protect me, I know you don't want me to leave, but I also know you can't fight them. I don't know what I'd do if you got hurt, especially because of me!"

"I don't care if I do get hurt," Tobias argued, reaching out to grab my face, "I will not let them take you from me."

"What do you plan on doing then?" I asked, my voice trembling, "Sacrifice your people for me? You won't win, you don't know enough about them to go off on a blind attack. You will die. All of these people will die! Bryn and Sasha.... Do you have any idea what Bay would do to Sasha?!"

"Carter-."

"You can't sacrifice everything you've worked for just because of me," I said, and Tobias shook his head, speaking with a whisper.