Carter was, in fact, a dumbass. According to Kyle, at least. His best friend always got into trouble - fights, mostly.

So when Carter came to Kyle's front door with a sheepish grin and multiple cuts and bruises scattering his face, it was really no surprise. 

"What's the story this time?" Kyle deadpanned. He was not pleased. Now he had to listen to Carter complain on his couch about how the other guy was a douchebag, and he "totally had it under control." He never has it under control, just to clarify. 

"Some guy called me a fag. What was I supposed to do?" Carter shot back, a slight bit of spice in his tone. 

"Oh, I don't know, ignore him? We live in the South, Carter. You're not even out yet," Kyle replied in an even tone. "Now he really thinks you're gay."

"Whatever," Carter scoffed. Kyle stepped aside for his friend to step him, and he begrudgingly huffed his way over to the couch. 

As for Carter's sexuality, only his sister and Kyle knows about it. He realized he was bisexual in junior year. They're now nearing the end of their senior year. His sister is accepting, she is also part of the community. Kyle knew before Carter ever told him, when Carter first realized. It was a walking pride flag at that point, at least to Kyle.

Carter plopped himself down on the couch - quite dramatically - and pulled out his phone. Kyle sighed, walked into the bathroom, and grabbed the first aid kit. Carter glanced up from his phone at Kyle in the doorway across from him. He stared for a few seconds before he realized he was smiling. He quickly shook his head and looked back down at his phone before Kyle turned around and walked back out with the first aid kit, alcohol, and a wet cloth. 

Kyle scooted close and began dabbing at the dried blood spots on Carter's face. Carter scowled and tried to move away, dodging his head left and right out of the way of his friend's hand. Kyle let out a frustrated groan and slammed the cloth back in his lap.

"Are you going to cooperate?" Kyle asked sternly. It was almost scary how his eyes bored into Carter's. Carter grumbled.

"Fine. But be gentle."

Kyle slowly began to dab at his face with the cloth, gently wiping away the blood surrounding the small but black-and-blue cuts. Carter winced a few times, but he's preparing himself for the alcohol. Kyle takes a cotton ball, pours some alcohol on it, and dabs a little at the cuts. Carter winces again, but sucks it up. He should be used to it by now, at least that's what both of them are thinking. 

Carter glances away then down in his lap when Kyle is done with the doctoring of his face. He grumbles a bit of nonsense while Kyle grabs the bandaids and wrap. 

"Give me your hand. You punch too hard," Kyle said. Carter rolled his eyes and held out his bloodied and bruised knuckles. Kyle wiped away the blood and held the palm of Carter's hand in his fingers, then gently wrapped his knuckles in the gauze wrap. 

"Am I good to go now?" Carter finally asked. He was frowning, but in Kyle's eyes, it was a whiny pout. 

"Did you get hit anywhere else?" Kyle asked, crossing his arms. 

Carter once again rolled his eyes. "Only my stomach, like, twice. But I'm fine."

"Shirt. Off." Kyle was dead serious.

Carter took off his black tee, setting it down next to him. He had a large bruise on his side. Kyle sighed, but snuck a glance at his abs. They never failed to amaze him. He wished he could be that fit.

Kyle got up and retrieved an ice pack, then came back and placed the ice pack wrapped in a towel on the bruise. "Hold that."

Carter took it from him, their fingers barely brushing together. Carter felt his cheeks heat up slightly. He glanced down to avoid Kyle's eyes, but they were focused on his feet. He looked awkward, but that wasn't a rare occurrence. 

"Want to watch a movie?" Kyle asked suddenly. There must have been some tension that Carter totally missed, at least that's what the injured boy thought.

"Yeah, sure. What are ya feelin'?" Carter replied casually, trying to keep the situation light. 

"Hmm..." Kyle seemed deeply in thought. Carter watched him momentarily.

"Dude, it's just a movie. Choose one." Carter sounded rude, but Kyle knew at that point that it was just his tone. 

"Fine. I want to watch To All The Boys I Loved Before."

Carter groaned. "Are you going to make me watch all of them? Again?"

Kyle grinned like a child. "You know they're cute movies!"

"They're cheesy, and obviously meant for preteens."

"I think they're cute, and you're going to watch them with me."

Carter rolled his eyes for the, what, third time that day? He was tired of these movies. He's watched them all five times in the past six months. 

"Don't give me attitude," Kyle grumbled. Carter finally complied and sat back on the couch, crossing one leg over the other. Kyle hurried to put the movie on, then set up his "fortress," which consisted of four pillows, two throw blankets, one comforter, and a quilt. Carter watched him gather all this from his room and side closets while the movie loaded up. He caught himself smiling again. He hated when he did that.

Kyle looked over at him, catching a glimpse of his grin before he had turned away to look at the screen. Kyle just shrugged a little and cozied up to watch the movie.

Halfway through the movie, Carter yawned. He was getting a bit tired. Kyle looked over at him.

"Are you tired already?" He asked with a pout. Carter chuckled a little.

"Sorry. It's been a long day."

"It's only six o'clock," Kyle deadpanned. He was used to pulling all-nighters, so six o'clock is way too early to be getting tired.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll just lay down," Carter mumbled, scooting down to lay on the couch. His feet were on Kyle's lap, but neither of them cared. 

Once the movie was over, Carter was out like a light. Kyle got up, turned off the tv, and went to his bedroom. He pulled out his journal, where he kept track of his mood, checklists, and general emotions. This was basically his diary where he pined about his best friend. 

Kyle's been out for years. Ever since he was thirteen, he knew he was gay. And he's had a crush on Carter since they were fifteen. It was hard to keep his feelings in check when around the dumbass. But he couldn't help but think, that's my dumbass. 

He took out a pen and began scribbling a few notes down. He wrote "happy" in gold pen on his mood tracker and checked off all the things on his to-do list. He finished his homework, watched a movie, finished his laundry. It was a productive day.

Then it came time for the actual journaling part. He thought for a second before pressing his pen to the paper. He messily wrote a few things: Carter's smile, Carter's laugh, Carter's cute sleepy face. It was mostly admiration for his physical characteristics. He also admired everything about his personality: his feisty and protective attitude, his ADHD mind that goes a mile a minute, and his sense of shitty humor. Dare he say, he loved this man. More than anything.

Kyle sighed and shut his notebook. When he checked the clock, it was eight p.m. He figured he'd go wake Carter and let him decide whether he wanted to go home or not. He walked into the living room to see Carter sitting up on the couch, furiously typing at his phone. Kyle noticed that Carter didn't even sense his presence, so he sat on the couch next to him. Carter jumped and dropped his phone. Kyle raised an eyebrow and picked up his phone. He wanted so bad to read what he was writing, but he didn't, and just handed Carter's phone back to him. Carter sighed.

"What's wrong?" Kyle asked. Carter just looked away. Kyle scooted closer, taking the risk to place his hand on Carter's.

Before anything could be processed, Carter grabbed his hand tight and yanked the smaller boy towards him, pressing his lips hard into the other's. Kyle couldn't react for at least a few seconds. Carter pulled away, scooting away and rambling on apologies. Kyle shook his head a little, staring at Carter.

"Do it again," Kyle whispered, staring at him with sincerity.

"What?" Carter looked up at him.

Kyle crawled over to him, placing his hand on the other's. "Do it again. Please," he whispered even quieter. 

Carter gently pressed his lips into Kyle's, wrapping his arms around his waist. Kyle shifted himself until he was in Carter's lap, holding his face in his hands and kissing him passionately. It was everything he dreamed of coming true. He wanted Carter to himself so bad, and he thinks he finally got it.

Carter finally pulled away after about a minute. 

"So, I love you," Carter let out quickly but matter-of-fact. Kyle grinned.

"I love you too, stupid," He responded, caressing his cheek with his thumb. Carter pouted, then leaned in and kissed him again.

They ended the night by making out, then falling asleep on the couch. It was probably the best night of their lives.