Breaking the News

Jack sat on the couch, leg bouncing anxiously, waiting for the familiar sound of Kara's key in the lock.

When Kara walked in, Jack stood up, mouth dry. Her eyes widened, seeing the obvious distress on his face.

"What's wrong, honey?" Kara asked, dropping her bag and rushing over to him.

Jack swallowed hard. "There's something I have to tell you."

Kara took his hands. "You can tell me anything." Her eyes were full of concern and love.

"I caught it, Kara," Jack said softly. "The Cock Sucker Virus. The Sucker variant. I'm going to become a Sucker."

Kara stared at him, frozen in place. Jack could see the mix of emotions swirling in her eyes: shock, fear, confusion, and something else he couldn't quite identify.

After a long moment, Kara reached up and caressed his cheek. "Oh Jack," she whispered. "I'm so sorry."

Her gentle touch made his eyes fill with tears. "I didn't want this," he said hoarsely. "I don't want to lose you."

"You won't lose me," Kara said firmly. "We'll get through this together. I love you, no matter what."

Jack pulled Kara into his arms, holding her tightly. He breathed in her familiar scent, letting it calm his frayed nerves. She didn't reject him. She still loved him.

As Kara stroked his hair, Jack felt a surge of love and gratitude for this amazing woman. His mutation may change his body, but it would never change his heart. They would face the future side by side, bonded as deeply as ever.

Kara pulled away from Jack's embrace, her eyes troubled. "I need some time to process this," she said quietly. "There's so much to consider, and I have to figure out where we go from here."

Jack's heart sank, but he nodded. He couldn't expect Kara to instantly accept such life-changing news. "I understand," he said. "Take all the time you need."

Kara gave him a sad smile. "Thank you for understanding. I love you, Jack, but this is a lot to take in. I'll be back soon, I promise."

She kissed him softly, then left the house without another word. Jack sank onto the couch, burying his face in his hands. He couldn't blame Kara for needing space, but her absence left an aching void inside him.

A few hours had passed, and Jack began to grow worried. Where was Kara? What was she thinking about their situation? His anxiety built with every minute, his imagination conjuring worst-case scenarios.

He was about to call Kara when the front door opened. Kara stepped inside, her eyes red from crying. Jack stood up, his heart pounding. "Kara? What's wrong?"

Kara took a deep, shaky breath. "I've made my decision," she said, her voice heavy with emotion. "About us, and our future."

Jack stared at her, dread pooling in his gut. He braced himself for the words he feared most. The words that would break his heart into pieces.

Kara walked over to Jack and took his hands in hers. Her gaze searched his face, as if memorizing his features. "I don't want to lose you," she whispered. "You're the love of my life, Jack, and I can't imagine living without you."

Jack's eyes widened. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I went out tonight and did something crazy." Kara gave a tearful laugh. "Something really, really crazy. Because I couldn't stand the thought of us being separated, of you belonging to someone else."

"Kara, what did you do?" Jack asked softly. His heart began to race with impossible hope.

"I found someone who could infect me too," Kara confessed. "So we can be Suckers together, for the same Owner, and never be apart."

Jack stared at her, stunned into silence. Then he crushed Kara into his arms, embracing her tightly as tears of joy and relief spilled down his cheeks.

"You'd do that for me?" he asked hoarsely. "You'd become a Sucker, just so we could stay together?"

"My life means nothing without you," Kara replied, hugging him back just as fiercely. "You're my world, Jack. My everything. And now, we'll get to share this new life together."

Jack couldn't speak. He simply held Kara close, overwhelmed by her sacrifice and love. They stayed like that for a long time, drawing comfort from each other. Eventually, they fell asleep on the couch, wrapped in each other's arms. Their future was uncertain, but they would face it side by side, bonded as deeply as two people could be.