Carlos sighed as he hugged his favourite stuffed puppy, Mr. Snuggles. The animal was very worn but Carlos found it was the only thing that could make him feel better when he was crying. He hadn't been able to stop since he had woken up, his dream still fresh on his mind.
It wasn't a nightmare though. It was a beautiful dream about James kissing him in the park. But the reason Carlos was crying was that he knew that James loving him would only ever happen in Carlos' head. In reality, James was too busy chasing after Lucy or whatever girl had caught his fancy that week. And Carlos knew that was the way it was supposed to be. James was so handsome and deserved a beautiful goddess, not Carlos, the awkward, helmet-wearing boy.
A sudden shake on his shoulder jerked Carlos out of his depressing thoughts.
"Carlos?"
Turning at the question, Carlos gasped as he saw the man of his dreams crouching beside him only in boxers.
"I heard you crying. Did you have a nightmare?" James asked in a worried tone.
Carlos nodded, not wanting to break down more. Of course James was being so sweet and making Carlos fall in love with him more. And here Carlos was being weak and crying. Just another reason why he wasn't good enough.
"Do you want to talk about it?" James asked, frowning as Carlos shook his head. He knew Carlos had been having weird dreams for the past couple of nights where he kept murmuring in his sleep. James had even heard his name a few times. He was hoping Carlos was having good dreams about him but that didn't seem to be the case.
"Ok well I'll get you some tea," James said. But before he could head to the kitchen to make Carlos his favourite drink, he leaned down and kissed his best friend's forehead.
A second later he was mentally cursing himself out at letting his feelings and concern get the best of him.
"Why did you do that?" Carlos asked wide-eyed, grabbing on to James' wrist so he wouldn't leave.
"Cause I like you," James said in a small voice deciding it was now or never. Instead of the yells in disgust he was expecting, he was met with more tears from Carlos.
"I'm sorry," he hastily apologized wanting to dash but Carlos just smiled and pulled James in for a hug.
"These are happy tears. I thought I wasn't good enough for you. I'm not like the girls around the Palm Woods. I'm not perfect but I do like you so much," Carlos murmured into James' neck.
James squeezed back impossibly tighter wanting to erase those doubts.
"You aren't them Carlos. You are so much better. They were just distractions because I thought you just wanted the Jennifer's. To find out you like me back is amazing. You don't have to be perfect Carlos, you just have to be you! You are hyperactive, a kid at heart and the nicest person ever. I love you!" James blurted out, wanting Carlos to realize his feelings. He was not disappointed in the response he got.
"I love you too."
