Freddie's eyes widened slightly as he heard a knocking on the window behind him, and he turned his head to look. Oh. It was Carly. She raised an eyebrow and he nodded, gesturing her out onto the fire escape as he sat up straight and turned around properly to face her. She slipped through the window and perched on the windowsill and watched him silently, brushing a strand of hair off of her face. He shot her a questioning look.
"Hey," she said eventually. "Are you... okay?" Freddie smiled weakly and shrugged.
"I guess," he replied. "Shouldn't you be having your meatball war around now?" Carly bit her lip and shook her head.
"I wanted to come and see you first," she said quietly. "Sam-"
"I know," Freddie said, cutting her off. A grin flicked across his face and he nodded at his laptop. "You didn't think I'd miss iCarly, did you?"
"Of course not," Carly replied. She looked away nervously and gazed out across the dark cityscape.
"How did you convince her?" Freddie asked, getting to his feet. Carly glanced back at him and shook her head.
"I didn't," she told him. "That... that was all Sam. I was just gonna throw meatballs at her." Freddie nodded and leant back against the steps, ignoring the cold touch of the metal through his shirt. His eyes were still fixed on Carly, but she had returned to staring out over Seattle.
"I know me and her don't always get along, but I can see why you guys are friends," Freddie said slowly. "I mean, she has her moments." Carly nodded, still looking away from him. He sighed.
"And... I'm sorry we're always fighting. That can't be easy for you to deal with." Carly glanced at him and allowed a herself a smile.
"It wouldn't be the same without you two always hating on each other," she laughed. Freddie sunk down onto the sill next to her.
"Usually I'd agree," he muttered. "But this whole kissing thing, it just sorta spiraled out of control." Carly's face fell and she reached out an hand to touch Freddie's arm.
"People take these things way too seriously," she agreed. "You spend so long wondering how it's gonna be, and then... well, once it's done it kinda seems like it wasn't even worth it." She smiled sadly and leant back.
"You're not missing anything special," she sighed. Freddie glanced at the floor before flicking his eyes back to Carly. She was right there, he couldn't let the moment pass. Not this time. Not when she was... no. This was no different to any other time.
"Freddie?" Carly's voice cut through his thoughts and he realised that she had moved closer. Her hand was on his shoulder and her face, her beautiful, perfect face, was tilted in anxiety right in front of his.
"I was just thinking-" he began, before cutting himself off with a shake of his head.
"What?" she pressed. He swallowed nervously.
"Well, you know, I was thinking that maybe..."
"Maybe we could kiss?" Freddie breathed out sharply, his mouth dry. He turned away.
"But it's stupid, I know. It's been a couple of years now, I should just-"
"I'm up for it if you are." Freddie's eyes widened and he looked back at Carly. She was smiling at him, and her eyes told him she was earnest. She was actually offering to... kiss him. He gaped wordlessly and she giggled, rubbing his shoulder gently.
"Just so you can say you've done it," she continued. He nodded slightly.
"Are you sure?" he asked. She nodded back at him and she shuffled closer, her arm moving from his shoulder around his back. Without thinking he let his arm slip around her body as well, and suddenly her face was inches from his. He dipped his head and their lips met. Carly's other arm snaked around his neck and she pulled his head down toward her, drawing him into the kiss as-
And then she pulled back and it was over. Freddie reluctantly released her from his embrace and she slid back away from him, smiling at his shocked face.
"How was that?" she asked. He let out a slow breath.
"Better than I ever imagined," he gasped. Carly's smile widened.
"Don't get too used to it," she warned him. "This is just to stop people teasing you about never having kissed anyone." She leant forward and pecked him on the cheek before standing up and climbing back through the window.
"And everything's forgiven with Sam?" she asked. Freddie nodded.
"For now," he chuckled weakly. "You can't expect us to become friends overnight." He shot out a hand to grab her arm as she began to walk away.
"Carly," he said quietly. "Thanks." She smiled and said nothing, simply pulling gently out of his grasp and walking away silently, leaving Freddie sat on the windowsill on his own.