It was always like this and they knew it would never change (but it didn't really stop them from wishing it would).
It was always Kendall who got to pick up all the pieces when James messed up (which was actually a lot more than either boy was willing to admit).
Kendall did his best not to blame James for all of the trouble he got into, but there were times when he couldn't help it. James wouldn't have had these sort of problems if he didn't keep dating the same type of guys. Kendall could tell what was coming each time James brought a new boy home, but whenever he tried to say something, James would yell that Kendall was only jealous. Kendall, who had grown tired of arguing, agreed every time (and maybe a part of it was because James wasn't exactly wrong).
It was always James who fought Kendall tooth and nail to let him fix it himself (even though he only ever made things worse).
James didn't see anything wrong with his relationships at first. Sure, his boyfriends would hit him every once in a while, but they didn't mean it. They apologized right after and he deserved it when it happened. It was like his parents' relationship and if his mom could handle it, so could he (because James Diamond had never been a weak person and he wasn't going to start now).
It was always Kendall who went against James' requests after about a month of seeing his best friend get broken down to almost the point of no return (and he never knew how he made it so long before he did it).
Kendall didn't understand how these guys could fucking smirk the whole time. Kendall would yell until he was red in the face and they had the balls to laugh at him. They told him that it wasn't their fault that James was a pussy and couldn't take a punch. Kendall would just hit them until they swore they'd move out of the Palmwoods and get out of James' life for good. Kendall could never see how they could treat James like he was less than a person (but Logan told him that it was because James lent himself out to being treated like crap because it was what he was used to).
It was always James who cried after it was over because he was 'in love' with the guy (though it was more like he was dependent on their company more than anything).
James would cry on Kendall's chest when Kendall told him that everything was taken care of. He'd lash out at Kendall, switching to the silent treatment after getting a few good hits in. It was all Kendall's fault that James was alone. Kendall had only done it because he couldn't stand to see James happy (because he had been happy, right?).
It was Kendall who tried to set James up with nice guys (because it was easier than admitting than he was in love with James).
Kendall hoped that James would like the guys, but he never did. Steven's ears were too big. Eric didn't understand him. What was Kendall even thinking when he tried to set him up with Joel? Kendall was always disappointed that James didn't like any of the guys (or maybe he was excited? Yeah, he was definitely excited).
It was always James who easily turned down the guys that Kendall tried to set him up with because they were way too much like him (and James can't stand to have someone who's like Kendall if he can't really have Kendall).
James hated Kendall for kissing him. Well, no, that wasn't true. He hated Kendall for only kissing him once. It was in the locker room in the eighth grade and after it happened, Kendall never mentioned it again. Whenever James tried to mention it, Kendall would pretend like he hadn't heard. There was no way he could date anyone that reminded him of Kendall (so he dated guys that were the opposite).
It was always Kendall trying to save James and James trying to forget Kendall (and neither boy would even have the need if he would just open his eyes).