Title: I'm the lie living for you

Disclaimer: not my characters; title from Evanescence

Warnings: references to violence; takes place during and after the fourth movie

Pairings: Brian/Carter, Carter's parents

Rating: PG

Wordcount: 320

Point of view: third

"Carter," Roman says through the phone and Carter feels blood in his mouth, skin shredded beneath his claws.

.

"Now, look," Roman says, "me and Toretto here, we got a plan. Carter, don't —"

.

"Corazon," Mama says, "let them try before you make the world bleed."

"When Daddy died," Carter begins, but Mama interrupts to say, "Your mate is not dead."

Carter doesn't snarl at her, but it's a near thing. "If their plan doesn't work," he bites out, claws digging into his thigh.

"If their plan does not work," Mama agrees.

.

"Heir Herrera," Toretto's second says, "we're goin' tomorrow. They're moving him."

.

Carter stands in his and Brian's den, where no one else is allowed. Brian's scent hasn't faded yet – he's only been gone for a few weeks. Nearly a month on this favor for Alpha Reyes, a week and a half to get to Braga, the rest in custody. And now, Brian is possibly only days away from returning.

He shifts and curls up on their bed.

.

"Carter," Brian murmurs, and everything in Carter settles.

"Brian," he says. "Comin' home?"

"Yeah." Brian sounds tired. "You got another plane that can pick us up? Fuck… I don't even know where we are."

Carter laughs softly. "Put Roman or Toretto on the phone, babe. We'll handle it."

"Okay," Brian sighs. "See you soon. Love you."

"Love you, too," Carter says.

.

"Reyes owes us so fuckin' much," Carter says and Mama doesn't even fuss at him for the language.

"He is aware," Mama says. Carter's not fooled, though; she's been worried and angry, too. "Carter," she says, reaching out so Carter goes to sit next to her on the couch. "Your mate is on the way home, Heir. We should rejoice."

Carter kisses her cheek and looks out the window, at his childhood home. "I am, Mama."

But next time, with Mama's approval or not, if Brian has to go somewhere, Carter's going too.