A/N: Hey guys. Hope you enjoy this chapter. This story is far from over and I hope you're enjoying it as much as I'm enjoying writing it. :)

***John's POV***

I don't know what I was thinking when I kissed him. I guess I could lie and say I was just doing it because I thought he needed reassurance that he wasn't as pathetic as he thought, that he wasn't worthless. I could lie and say that's why I did it but we all know it's not why I really did it.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it and I'd also be lying if I said I hadn't imagined kissing him once or twice before(a lot more than that).

So I won't lie I'll tell the truth. I John Egbert am in love with my best friend Karkat Vantas.

I don't know when or how it happened but somewhere along the way our friendship turned into something more to me. It's the reason I hated Sollux the moment Karkat introduced us on his 18th birthday.

I've loved him for a long time but me being me just brushed it off as nothing more than being overprotective or even looking out for him. I brushed everything off and ignored all the signs up until that moment he told me he was pathetic. It was like something in me snapped. I didn't like hearing those words from him because they weren't true not in the slightest.

Karkat's like a little kitten angry at the world and everything in it except for the people he loves.

I always knew he had self-esteem issues but to hear him say it out loud hurts for some reason because I don't want him to think that way about himself. I don't know what happened but my mind went blank and all I could do was kiss him to show him he wasn't worthless to show him how I felt.

I just wanted him to be happy again and it was all I could think of at the moment.

To say I enjoyed the kiss would be an understatement.

It was the best kiss I'd had in my entire life.

His lips were soft and when he responded to it eagerly all I could do was comply. His hands went to my hair tugging me closer as he opened his mouth letting my tongue slide in. It was slow and passionate and everything I could have asked for it to be.

When we finally pulled away Karkat looked at me confused for a moment before he turned his face away blushing.

He was so cute and I couldn't help but want my lips on his again.

"What was that for?" he asked still not meeting my gaze. I turned his head toward me so he was looking straight into my eyes.

"I love you Karkat. I love you so much I was just too dumb to realize it. I've actually loved you for awhile but you know oblivious me" He laughed at that giving me a small smile that for once in a long time actually reached his eyes. He was genuinely happy and I was glad I could be the one to do that for him.

"John?"

"What is it?"

"What if…?" he sighs looking away. "What if we do this...and things don't work out?" I frowned at that.

I knew things could go bad if we dated. I knew that if we broke up or something happened things may not be the same in our friendship-not like how it is now anyway. I knew that there were so many ways this thing could possibly go wrong but I didn't want to hide from my feelings anymore. I want to take a chance with him because even if being his boyfriend goes wrong I know that I'll always stick by him no matter what because that's what friends are for.

"I'm willing to take the risk because you're worth it even if you don't think so I do. You're worth so much and even if things go wrong I'll always be here for you as a friend" I say and before I know it his lips are on mine again but before I can respond he pulls away.

"I love you John" he mumbles. "I think I always have."

***Karkat's POV***

When he kissed me to say I was shocked would be a complete understatement. I was confused and scared of what would happen once he pulled away so I kissed back deciding to go for it.

If it was the only chance I'd get to kiss him I wasn't going to let it go to waste.

I loved him and that was final.

After the kiss when he told me he loved me too it made me ecstatic. I never in a million years imagined he would feel the same. I'll admit that part of me is still doubtful and scared that he'll realize this isn't what he wants but I don't want to lose this opportunity so I'm risking everything I have with him to see if we'll work out.

There's the chance that I'll lose him in the long run and I'm scared but for now I'm going to live in the moment and just hope that I'm making the right decision not just for me but for John too.