Lying is usually wrong and immoral. The sin of not telling the truth is something no one should do, it only leads to betrayal. But for Carlos, he had to do it for his job. He had no choice or else he couldn't get the bills done and food on his table. It wasn't the best way to get things done, but there wasn't any other choice that his boss would accept. Stubborn bastard, he thought to himself while standing in the cold autumn weather. The wind was blowing against his face.

For a year, he's been undercover at the shitty gas station at the edge of town. His boss wanted him to investigate it due to the entity being located there. The job wasn't too bad, sure he did kill the same guy three times by accident but he got over it. Things could be infuriating at times, like the owners removing their cameras. But they got information via more alternative ways.

It was rather boring, but there was one reason besides him being forced to and the pay. And that was the person known as Jack Townsend.

Jack was the only full-time employee in this establishment. He was usually at the cash register, reading a book or writing his blog about this place. And well, Carlos cared about him very much. Despite Jack not being the most normal guy, he did make it up for being a usually overall chill person to speak to. Unlike other people like Jerry who were to put it nicely, different to say the least.

In almost a year's time, he and Jack had been through a lot of weird things that happened in that Gas Station. From the Kieffer fiasco to the recent "Dark God" incident. He's been through so much with this one guy. He felt close to Jack. To Carlos, Jack didn't really have any friends besides him. He was always alone in Carlos' eyes. There was always some aura around Jack that made Carlos want, no need to talk to him. To help him, to at least make it easier for him. Especially after he had to use crutches after Spencer beat the shit out of him. (Oh God how much Carlos hated him for doing that to Jack.)

And that was the reason why Carlos felt nothing but pure dread right now. He stood outside of the Gas Station he visited hundreds of times. He never knew why his boss thought Jack got compromised. He thought they were lying. He didn't want to do this at all. He would rather want Jack to join the team and possibly be his. But no, things happen and change the future in ways that Carlos didn't approve of.

The jacket he wore hid the pistol on his waistband in case the worst happened. And yet he felt wrong having it. He had used this firearm multiple times yet this time left him disturbed. The chain on his neck felt like a curse rather than a blessing.

"Oh God no." Carlos muttered to himself. He could feel himself tense up in anxiety. He attempted to calm himself down.

No, he thought, Don't act emotional, you handled worse. Just act calm and natural. Everything will be fine okay? Act natural, it's better for everyone.

Carlos waited for about a minute. He processed through so many emotions all at one time. None of them are good.

"Okay," he thought to himself. Shaking his head to knock the feelings. "Here goes nothing..."

He slowly walked to the Gas Station. In an instant, he acted like his calm and normal self. Quiet, relaxed, and ready to do any task.

But all of that slowly crumbled into pieces when he opened the door.

Jack was there. He looked like he made his way out of the counter. Crutches under his armpits. His face looked like he was terrified. The mere sight of this made Carlos feel bad... Very bad. It looked like he did this just as Carlos pushed through the door.

Oh, Carlos thought, he looks on edge. I don't like this...

Carlos decided to speak to see if he could make this easier by any chance.

"Hey Jack," Carlos started, his voice sounding strange due to the bottled-up sentiments. "Where are you heading?"

Jack replied, sounding awkward. "Hey man, I was about to head outside to get some fresh air."

Carlos could just feel the stress inside Jack's very words. He knew Jack was scared, scared of him. This whole situation felt awful.

Carlos still tried to make this a little more casual. "I get it, I think I need a little fresh air as well," Carlos replied before doing a short laugh. "Do you want some company?"

Jack started shaking lightly like a freezing homeless man. The skinny employee stared at Carlos dead in the eyes. He looked so worried already.

"Well, actually," Jack said, trying to evade this, "I'm kinda feeling a little seasick. I think I need to go to the bathroom. You don't mind watching the cash register until I come back?"

Jack then turned to the bathroom door. He realigned the crutches and tried to get there as quickly as he could. Carlos took a step forward to block the path toward him. He sighed, feeling like he was dealing with a panic attack.

"Jack," Carlos ordered, "We need to talk, now."

"Alright."

"No, not here. In the cooler."

"Why not here?"

"Good question, ain't it?"

Suddenly the sound of an egg timer started to ding. It caused Carlos and Jack to jump in surprise. Carlos forced out a laugh for damage control.

Jack wanted to ask Carlos a question. But he didn't want to sound accusatory. He seemed terrified, yet he decided to pull the trigger after taking a deep breath.

"Hey Carlos, weird question, didn't you cut the phone lines just now!?" Jack asked, he sounded more paranoid than usual.

Carlos didn't even want to think about that. He just repeated the demand. "The cooler, Jack. Please!"

This confused Jack. He never expected Carlos to be so demanding. Carlos was a quiet, calm, and collected man. So seeing him be this way was rather concerning to him.

"Dude, why are you b-"

Carlos interrupted Jack, immediately chastising himself mentally while speaking. " Now Jack. I'm not telling you again."

Carlos sighed again and reluctantly grabbed his jacket and pulled. Showing the piece of his gun between his waistband.

Jack wasn't surprised at this after all the things they'd been through and seen. But not something he wanted to see in this encounter. He decided to not ask any questions for now and went into the cooler with Carlos.

Jack stood in the cooler with his crutches as Carlos stood by. Being the only thing between Jack and the open door. Carlos didn't want to close the door. He didn't want Jack to get hurt or freeze in here.

Jack widens his eyes as he realizes a delayed observation: "We don't sell cookies here... Do we?"

Oh, Carlos thought. Someone finally realized it. Good that Jack realized that first.

"Yeah, I'm surprised that no one connected the dots. Especially before now." He replied, attempting to sound calm. But it became harder to do.

Jack started shivering in fear. Carlos noticed it and immediately widened his eyes. No no no! Carlos thought to himself. Please don't shiver man! I'm here Jack! You're safe!

It took him another minute before he spoke in a calming voice, "Hey, relax Jack, you're not going to be hurt okay?"

Jack wasn't calmed down though. He didn't know what to say besides "Oh, okay then,"

Jack decided to ask a question to judge his safety. "Do you have any weapons now?"

Carlos felt like he backstabbed someone, he shook his head, and he felt sorry for Jack even more. He grabbed and reached for his golden cross necklace from under his shirt. He snapped the cross from its chains via yanking. He pushed his thumb on the cross and sighed. Looking at it while judging himself for doing this to his friend.

"No I don't," he answered, his tone sounding depressed.

The cross electronically beeped, surprising the employee in front of Carlos. The store phone started ringing. But Carlos didn't care.

His thoughts started to go after him. Telling himself to just do it. To admit it towards Jack...

But instead, Carlos smiled and said "Remember that time you forgot me in the cooler. And I stayed there for three hours?"

Jack nervously nodded. "Yeah, sorry about that."

"I'm not going to do that to you alright?"

"Thank you?" Jack sounds confused.

Carlos sighed, his boss was waiting for him... But he didn't want to let Jack be here for long. What should I do!? He thought, I do have a job, but I don't want Jack acting like I'm going to kill him. I might as well show him a little compassion.

Carlos sighed and looked down at the floor. He then looked up at Jack, a face filled with... affection.

"Jack," Carlos spoke softly. "Can I tell you something?"

Jack quickly nodded his anxiety at an all-time high. "Yeah, do it."

Carlos took off his jacket, took the hidden gun, and moved it to the said coat. He put the jacket to the side and walked closer to Jack.

He closed the distance rather easily and began to wrap Jack in his arms. Pulling him close to his chest. It was rather easy for Carlos to hug Jack. He was taller and overall larger than his coworker.

He began to caress the back of Jack's head gently with his left. Jack grunted at the sudden embrace, but he quickly relaxed, the negative chords were gone as Carlos squeezed him gently.

"You are loved," Carlos said softly, he sounded genuine. "You may think otherwise. But you have people who care about you. People who will help and support you. You're a hard-working person who has potential in this world. Whoever says otherwise is wrong. And you should never listen to those assholes. Screw them. Don't you ever forget about that, okay? You're loved. Period."

Jack rested his head on Carlos. Seeming to just accept what happened. His crutches dropped on the ground with a clank as he wrapped his arms around Carlos' neck. He felt so comfortable in his best friend's arms. He just replied with a simple "Okay."

The phone continued ringing. Driving Carlos crazy... Oh God, he had to hurry up.

Carlos thought quickly. He pulled Jack slowly away, followed by him lightly putting Jack down on his back. His right is below Jack's head, left resting on Jack's chest with a little bit of pressure.

Jack didn't fight back. He only had one working leg after all.

Jack let Carlos lay him down on the cold floor. He didn't say a word as he looked above the crouching Carlos getting up slowly. But not before rubbing his hair back with a small smile.

Carlos got up and turned to leave. But not before saying "Look, I have to answer this call. Sorry for doing that but I needed to get there. I'll help you get up after okay?"

Jack nodded his head. He had to listen to him to survive. Sure, he liked being held. But he has to listen...

"Yeah," Jack replied, it almost sounded like a whisper. "Just please be back. Don't wanna freeze to death.

Carlos simply nodded and walked out. Closing the door behind him, leaving Jack in the dark, literally and sorta figuratively.

Carlos went out. Immediately walked to the phone behind the counter and answered it as soon as he could. He wasn't expected to hear what he heard from his boss. Jack somehow pushed the door open with one of his crutches to hear the conversation from the cooler.

"Hey, sorry I'm late. Wait what?" He quickly became emotional, to the point of screaming at his boss at some point. "That's not necessary! He doesn't deserve this! Come on, he's an innocent man damn it! I can flip him back! You're not listening to me, he's more valuable alive! We can't risk it!"

Carlos felt like he was about to break something. He didn't believe this. His boss wanted him to kill Jack... This couldn't be! The most important person in his life is being forced to die... And all because he couldn't convince the boss.

Carlos began to cry. He couldn't handle it. He looked down at the counter as he let the tears flow. Making the counter wet as he looked at it. He let him down, he let himself down... This made Carlos want to lose his mind.

"No! This can't end like this!" He whisper-shouted. He slammed the counter hard as he ranted. "I love him! I just can't kill him!"

Jack was hearing all of this. He widened his eyes.

Wait, he WHAT? Jack thought he tried to get up. Trying to escape while searching for his crutches. He needed to go now.

Carlos lifted his head, noticing the cooler open. Oh God, Carlos thought while in tears, he heard me...

Carlos quickly ran towards the cooler, passed the counter, opened the door, and looked down at Jack.

Jack was sitting up, his face filled with fear, shock, and surprise. He slowly used his hands to move back. He shivered in fear at his crying coworker. This hurt Carlos so much... the feeling of his love being scared caused him to cry more...

He quickly sat down after closing the door. As he pulled Jack by the arm. Causing Jack to gently slam against his chest. Carlos followed this by wrapping his arms around him. Jack could feel his ear on Carlos' chest. The shivering stopped at the utter warmth Carlos gave out. His tears continued on as Jack looked up at his best friend.

"C-Carlos," Jack asked, seemingly extremely concerned. "What's going on? Why are you crying?"

Carlos gulped as he heard Jack say that. He held him tighter as he wrapped his legs around Jack's skinny frame. He looked down at him. His face dampened with his tears.

"Don't worry man, I just... love you so much!" Carlos admitted. Now he wasn't hiding anything anymore. He was tired of this. Jack deserved the truth. "I'm sorry but I want you in my arms! You're such a great person! You were like me, just a normal guy here who is so... kind! I'm sorry but I can't contain it anymore! And I just found out they want you dead! I-I can't let you die!"

Jack just blushed so much that he thought he was red. He couldn't believe it. Carlos loved him... he felt so fuzzy all of a sudden. Why!? He didn't know. He just calmed down and began to wipe Carlos' tears away with his thumb. He felt so soft and nice, all cuddled up in his arms.

"Hey hey, it's okay. I feel the same."

Carlos widened his eyes. "Really? You mean I-"

Before he could finish, he felt a pair of lips hit his. They're so warm... all Carlos had to do was kiss back. His hands-on Jack's head and neck...

They continued making out for what felt like forever. It lasted at least five minutes. It just was so peaceful. Carlos slowly pulled away. He rested his head on Jack's. Finally, he was at peace.

"Love you, Jack..." Carlos cooed, rubbing Jack's back.

Jack simply closed his eyes and rested on Carlos' chest. It was nice and warm. As well as being soft...

He smiled and said "I love you too... Thank you... so much." before just staying there. Sure, this was probably not going to last forever but so what? Jack was so touch-starved and unloved. He needed this. And all he needed was Carlos. And Carlos would say the same exact thing...

The End.