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“Kendall! You scared me!” Carlos whisper-shouted. “What are you doing awake?”
“I can ask you the same,” Kendall replied from the couch, slurred.
Carlos shrugged. “I always grab a 3:00 am snack.”
“ Always? Like… every night ? ” Kendall asked.
“Yes, Kendall, every night,” he rolled his eyes. “Now, your turn. Why are you up?”
Kendall just huffed, which was not an answer, but he darted his eyes, which meant, whatever the reason, it couldn't be good. Carlos frowned, snack forgotten, and approached Kendall with a raised brow.
“Bad dream,” Kendall answered, simply. “My dad…and stuff.” Carlos didn’t need to hear any more before he was taking a seat next to Kendall and swinging an arm around him. “It’s fine. I just —”
“I know,” Carlos assured. Truth be told, he and the others have seen Kendall seriously messed up over his dad. A lack of sleep was certainly not the worst it could get. “You don’t have to say anything.”
Kendall just nodded and yawned. Exhausted, literally and mentally. “Yeah.”
“C’mere,” Carlos whispered. And with that, Kendall slumped against Carlos until his cheek was pressed against his chest.
Frankly, Carlos didn’t really know how to react “properly” when his friends were sad. He did better with goofing off and silly, fun adventures. Of course, he was always there to listen to them when they needed an ear, but it was clear to them that negative emotions and vulnerability made Carlos pretty uncomfortable. Sure, he was nice. Maybe even to a fault. But when things got deeper than something that required base-level kindness and meaningful favors, it was tricky for him. When he was upset, he preferred to punch things until he was too tired to think about what was bothering him in the first place.
But that wasn’t Kendall’s style. He felt his feelings, as obvious as that sounded. Usually by himself, not wanting to burden his friends with his problems, when they all knew he would go to the end of the earth to help them when they needed it. Even still, Kendall had a much harder time accepting help than giving it.
James was better at getting through to him, and Logan was better at helping solve things, but right now, they were fast asleep. It was just him and Kendall.
And Carlos loved Kendall much more than he hated vulnerability. So, he let himself fall backwards until his back hit the couch, taking Kendall with him. He couldn't always say the right things; he wouldn't even know where to begin, but he could hold him. He could be there. He knew Kendall wouldn't ask for it, but he also knew Kendall craved it, and Carlos was nothing if not a top-grade, premium cuddler.
Carlos ran a hand through Kendall’s hair. “Let's try to get some sleep, yeah?” It wouldn't be the first time any of them crashed on the couch, intertwined, and it certainly wouldn't be the last.
“Sounds…sounds good,” Kendall responded.
“Big spoon or little?”
Kendall thought for a second, as if he had been asked a question worth pondering. “Like this is good. How we are now.”
Little, then. Got it.
Carlos held him tighter and began, “I’m not good at this stuff, usually. But—”
“Shut up. This is exactly what I need.”
Carlos smiled. “Cool.”