Hey, guys. Well, if you've read some of my other stories, you know I have one called 'Jarlos Forever' and this is one of the one-shots in it. But, someone suggested that I continue that and I thought that'd be a good idea. Whoever you are, thanks and I hope you like this so, :D

Carlos walked along the sidewalk glancing over his shoulder every now and then just to make sure he wasn't being followed. He sighed, but the sense of fear didn't go away. He had been being bullied for the past few weeks, they hadn't done anything to him physically, but mentally, they were killing him. He vowed not to tell the guys, he didn't like them to make a fuss over him.

There were 3 of them. They would always crowd around him while he walked home. Usually, James was with him, but today he had decided to go to the pool. Carlos almost begged James to come, but he didn't catch the signs. It wasn't his fault. He had no idea this was going on and hopefully he wouldn't find out.

"Hey, buddy!" He flinched when he heard that voice. It had to be that damn voice every time. "What are you doing walking all by yourself?" he asked in a falsely cheerful tone putting a hand on Carlos shoulder. Carlos dreaded it, but he looked in the direction of the boy that was torturing him.

The boy was large and built like a football player. He was wearing a varsity jacket and an almost sincere grin. It would've looked real if his eyes didn't look like they belonged to a hungry tiger playing with its prey. Carlos was tensed almost to the point of shivering. He tried to relax, but the attempt failed.

Carlos had recently found out the boy's name was Danny. He didn't know his last name, only his first. He didn't really care. He just wanted to get home. "Hi." Carlos answered weakly.

"Finally! You talk! How are you, buddy?" he said smiling wider. Those malicious eyes seemed to taunt Carlos.

"Good. I'm just heading home." he was trying his best to sound casual, but he couldn't.

"That's great! I can walk with you, so I'll know where my best buddy lives!" Carlos' stomach grew ice-cold. He broke away from the taller boy an ran as fast as he could. "Hey! Get back here, you little queer!" he yelled angrily following the younger boy relentlessly.

He turned to corner without a pause and tripped over a rock. He fell to the ground with a yelp as he felt a sharp pain in his ankle. He stayed down because he knew he couldn't run any farther. He heard footsteps behind him and the boy appeared around the corner. He bent down and picked up Carlos by the front of his shirt.

Carlos whimpered and closed his eyes tightly. "Look at me when I'm talking to you!" he growled ferociously. He reluctantly opened his eyes and his fear started to rise to a breaking point. He couldn't escape that gaze. Such hatred and... something else Carlos couldn't quite make out, because the boy hid it well.

"What do you want?" Carlos asked quietly.

"I'm taking you home because you twisted your ankle." he grinned like a Cheshire cat. He lifted Carlos up with ease and made the smaller boy tell him where he lived.

They arrived at the Palmwoods and James was sitting by the pool. He saw Carlos and raised his sunglasses a little to see better. There was a weird look in his eyes as he ran over to Danny and Carlos. "What happened to Carlos?" he asked looking at his boyfriend lying in the arms of a stranger.

"He fell and twisted his ankle, so I brought him home." Carlos loathed how easy it was for him to seem caring because he knew the boy hated him and he didn't have a reason.

"Here, let me take him." James said holding out his arms. Carlos looked up at Danny and was startled by what he saw in his eyes. He saw a sort of sadness, like he didn't want to let Carlos go, and he was scared. He reluctantly set him in James' arms and walked away.

They watched him leave and the brunette looked down at his injured Carlos. "What happened, really?"

"Exactly what he said. I was running home, tripped and he happened to be walking by so, he took me home." Carlos stated plainly as if it was just a coincidence. James carried him to the apartment and set him down on the couch.

He kissed Carlos' cheek. "I have to go. Gustavo wants me at the studio. You gonna be okay, babe?"

The smaller boy nodded and James left the room. He sighed and glanced around the room. His eyes stopped on Kendall and Logan's door. He took a deep breath and yelled, "Logan! Kendall! Are you here?"

There was a silence and he thought he wouldn't get an answer but Logan's voice piped up. "Yeah, we'll be out in a second, C."

Carlos blinked and stared at the ceiling. He couldn't believe he was going to tell them, but he had to. Danny making him hurt his ankle was the last straw. He didn't want to be a victim any more and he needed help to do so.

Kendall walked out with Logan close behind. "What wrong, Carlos?" Kendall asked in a concerned tone.

"There's this guy who always messes with me and today he chased me, making me trip and twist my ankle but he carried me home. I need help." he said looking at the two boys with a pleading expression.

Kendall looked annoyed and Logan was staring at Carlos' ankle. He walked over to the couch and moved the younger boy's feet so he could make sure he was okay. Kendall's knuckles were turning white. "What's his name and where do you see him?"

"Danny and near the park every day." Carlos replied. He winced as Logan poked his ankle. He looked at the end of the couch.

Logan shrugged and said, "Can you move it?" Carlos wiggled it. "It's probably just sprained." The raven-haired boy nodded. "I'm going to go get an ice pack." he said standing up and walking into the kitchen.

Kendall sat on the edge of the couch and pulled Carlos into his arms. He whispered into his ear, "Everything's gonna be okay, C." Just then, James walked in. For a moment he just stood at the door then he raised his eyebrow.

"Why are you holding my boyfriend like a kid? That's my job." he said walking over to the couch and staring at Kendall for an explanation.

Kendall looked down at Carlos. "Can I tell him?" Carlos looked back and forth between his boyfriend and the one holding him. He sighed and nodded. Kendall turned his attention to James. "Carlos is being bullied and he didn't want to tell you because you'd make a big deal out of it."

James blinked and looked down at the Latino. He nodded and James took him from Kendall, holding him close and gently. "You can tell me anything, you know." he nodded again. "Was it the boy that brought you home?" Carlos nodded again. "We'll take care of it, don't worry, Carly."

"Thanks." he mumbled into his shirt. "I love you." he said unexpectedly.

"I love you, too." he looked up at Logan who was giving Kendall the ice pack. He put it on the sprained ankle carefully and Carlos whimpered. "Shhh. It's okay." James said putting his finger on the younger boy's lips. He turned his attention to Kendall. "What's the plan?"

~The*Next*Day~

Kendall, Logan, James and Carlos walked down the sidewalk. Kendall was carrying a hockey stick and Carlos had his helmet strapped on with James arm around his waist. Logan looked like he could set a fire with his eyes when Danny appeared.

He smiled and it looked sincere. "Hey, guys. I see the little guy is okay."

Logan's anger flared. "Yeah, no thanks to you."

Danny raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Kendall gripped the hockey stick tighter. "We mean, Carlos told us what really happened. If you mess with our friend anymore, you'll have to go through me, Logan and Carlos' boyfriend. I'm sure you know how guys can get when the one they love is getting pushed around. So back off."

Surprisingly, he laughed. "What are you squirts gonna do?"

Logan stepped forward. "We'll use the hockey stick for persuasion and I'll add we won't stop until you're sorry."

All of the boys, except Carlos, were giving him a death glare. Danny walked backwards a step and raised his hands in defense. "Fine. See ya, losers." he said turning around and walking away.

Carlos was finally rid of that looming feeling of dread. James kissed the side of his head. "He won't be bothering you anymore." for the first time since he met Danny, Carlos smiled brightly.

Things are only beginning, but how will Danny react the next time he meets Carlos? You'll see that in the next chapter.

~Momo