Carter: fidgeting with his hands I-I... I n-need to t-tell you s-something, u-um...
looking away What is it, Carter? You're driving me crazy with all this dancing around.
takes a deep breath I... I've been hiding something from you, Jensen. Something important. pauses, looks down I have a... a secret crush on someone else.
stunned silence What the fuck, Carter? Who's this other person? Why didn't you tell me before now?
swallows hard, looking into Jensen's eyes It's someone I met online, Jensen. We've been talking for a while now, and... I can't stop thinking about them.
anger flashes in his eyes Are you fucking kidding me, Carter? You think this is fair? After everything we've been through, you want to replace me?
voice trembling No, Jensen! It's not like that. I don't want to replace you. This person... they're just someone I'm attracted to, someone who understands me in a way you never have.
anger intensifies So that's it? You're just going to drop all this on me and expect me to understand?
stands up and paces Look, Jensen, I didn't mean to hurt you. But I can't keep this inside anymore.
stands up, fists clenched You know what, Carter? I don't even know who you are anymore. pauses, tears welling up And if you think this is really happening, then maybe we need some space to figure things out.
takes a step back, hurt Jensen, please... I don't want to lose you. I just... I needed to be honest.
turns away, voice choked with emotion I just... I need some time, Carter. Time to think.
softly I understand, Jensen. I'll give you the time you need. Just know that I love you, and I'm sorry for hurting you.
Silence fills the room as both characters stand in their own turmoil.
takes a deep breath and takes out a notebook Maybe... maybe we can start couples therapy. It could help us work through this, Jensen.
looks back at Carter, conflicted Therapy... It’s not a bad idea, I guess. But it feels like a last resort.
opens up the notebook and starts writing down possible therapists in the area
sighs, rubbing his temples Alright, Carter. Let's do it. Therapy... couples therapy.
Jensen and Carter begin attending couples therapy sessions together, where they learn healthy communication strategies and work through their emotions with the guidance of a trained therapist.
at the therapist's office, preparing for a session Alright, let's see this through, Carter. We're here to fix this, right?
nervously fidgeting with his hands Y-yeah, Jensen. I-I'm ready to work through this with you.
starts the conversation with the therapist So, Carter, what exactly happened? How did things get so messed up?
takes a deep breath and speaks calmly Well, Jensen, it all started when I met this person online.
gazes at the therapist, trying to stay composed And what happened after that, Carter?
pauses, his voice cracking A-after that... after that we started talking every day. They made me feel understood in ways that... that I hadn't felt before.
listens intently, a mix of concern and curiosity on his face Understandable. But why didn't you tell me sooner, Carter?
tears well up in his eyes B-because I was scared, Jensen. Scared of losing you, scared of hurting you. I didn't know how you'd react...
reaches across the table, taking Carter's hand It's okay, Carter. We're here now. Let's work through this together, okay?
squeezes Jensen's hand tightly, finding comfort in his touch Y-yeah... y-you're right. We can get through this together.
smiles softly That's what I like to hear, Carter. Now, let's focus on moving forward, shall we?
closes his notebook and looks determined Yeah, let's move forward. We've already taken the first step by coming here, and I'm not going to let anyone or anything come between us again.
grins, squeezing Carter's hand gently Hell yeah, we are! Moving forward, together. No more secrets.
takes a deep breath Exactly, Jensen. No more secrets. From now on, we're going to communicate openly and honestly with each other.