Hey everybody. Thank you so much for the reviews. This was my first BTR fanfic so I was nervous about how it would do. Seems like a good idea to me . Here's another chapter.

…

Logan woke with a start, not quite believing the dream he had. In his dream, Jett, ruthless tyrant as he was, took things too far by slashing Kendall's throat with razor, leaving him to rot in an alley far away. It was so vivid he had to wonder if he just predicted the blonde's future. He hoped not. It was a scary thought to think about, bloody Kendall lying in an alley, unable to call out for help, slowly and painfully dying. The brunette shuddered. He didn't figure he was going back to bed any time soon, so he swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat there for a minute, contemplating the meaning of his dream.

He finally had to get out of his room. His parents were both gone, again, so that left the house for him. He showered and changed quickly, not wanting to dawdle too long. He grabbed a protein bar on the way out and slid behind the wheel of his car. He ate it on the way to practice. As he pulled into the parking lot to the rink, he saw an unfamiliar truck parked at the end of the parking lot. He got out of his car and walked over to it. He was surprised to see Kendall, curled up around a sketchpad in the drivers seat. He gently tapped the window, and the blonde started. He looked up at the brunette with surprise. He rolled down the window and cocked his head to the side.

"Hey Kendall," Logan said, not sure where to start the conversation. "Do you always come to school this early?"

A nod.

"How come I never see your truck then?" Kendall pointed across the parking lot. It took a minute for the information to sink in. "You're normally parked in the teacher's parking lot?" Another nod. Logan thought about why the blonde would want to sit in his truck for almost an hour rather than be at home still curled up in bed. He noticed Kendall's arms had draped over his sketchpad, hiding whatever it was he'd been working on. "Can I see your drawings Kendall?" the brunette asked. The blonde's green eyes widened and he hugged the sketchpad to his chest, shaking his head. Logan looked at him. "I won't make fun of them Kendall."

I still don't want you to look at them! Kendall screamed inside his head. He settled on shaking his head more vigorously, holding the sketchpad so close it was reopening the old wounds on his chest. Logan's eyes traveled downward. Kendall knew he wouldn't be able to see any blood or anything of the sort, but then the brunette's gaze landed on his wrists. His brown eyes widened until the blonde thought they'd pop out of his head. He looked down and saw the freshly made slash marks showing a bit as his sleeve was rolled up just a tad. He yanked it back down, but not in time.

"Oh Kendall," Logan breathed. He reached out and grabbed Kendall's wrist. The blonde flinched away and tried to reclaim his arm. But Logan's hold was firm, and he kept it as he rolled of the sleeve, revealing more ugly scars, bruises, and cuts. Kendall's eyes had misted over, and it looked like he was trying hard not to shed any tears. Logan had to hold them back himself. "Kendall, did Jett and Wayne-Wayne do this to you?" That the blonde could answer truthfully. He shook his head. The brunette looked relieved. "Good, I didn't want to have James and Carlos boot them off of the team." He smiled a bit at the end, and the blonde found himself smiling back. He couldn't explain why, but something in the brunette's smile seemed genuine. He didn't seem like he was trying to hurt him. That was the only touch he'd gotten since coming back to school that didn't have a punch or jab after it.

"Yo, Logan!" Logan whirled around to find Carlos running up the parking lot towards them. Kendall shrank back in his seat, shaking. Logan released the blonde's wrist as Carlos reached them. "Dude, why're you hanging out with this fag? Come inside. Coach is about to blow a gasket; his star goalie is missing and he's ready for warm-ups." As he was talking, the other boy managed to drag the brunette away. Logan turned back to Kendall's truck, but he could no longer see the blonde inside.

…

Kendall waited until just a few minutes before school started to make his way inside. The less time he spent in the hallways the better. The hockey team always tormented him on his way to his first class. He'd learned long ago that he should take his belongings with him at all times, to any class. Try not to stop at your locker. Keep your head down and avoid eye contact. And that's what he did. He shouldered his bag and headed down to auto mechanics class, slipping into his assigned work area and getting an early start with his work. He hated lingering in the hallway. The teacher was normally nice enough to let Kendall arrive before the bell and stay.

"Kendall," he said. Kendall looked at him, cocking his head to show he was listening. "Could you run out to my car and grab the lesson plans for my later classes?" Kendall gulped, but he nodded. He set down his tools and headed out the door. He stood by the door for a second, looking down the hallway. He couldn't see anybody, so he figured it was safe. He started down slowly, keeping watch for anything suspicious. He didn't catch Jett's foot in time, and he tumbled over, bashing his chin on the hard, tile floor. He let out a silent groan and looked up at his tormentor. The rest of the team, minus Logan and James, were gathered in a loose circle around him.

"I saw you with Logan this morning," Carlos growled at the blonde, picking him up by his shirtfront until they were nose to nose. "If you even think about turning him gay I will pound you into the ground so hard we won't need to dig you a grave afterwards, if we'd dig you a grave." He threw the blonde down onto the floor again. Jett and Wayne-Wayne then took turns kicking him in the stomach and side. His stomach exploded in pain as the upset the old bruises and no doubt made more. He gave a silent whimper and tried to curl up, his only self defense move. Ben, another team member, kicked him in the back, making him uncurl and almost howl out loud with pain. Silent sobs overtook him, making him shake. Logan he thought. Please help me! I need you! On and on the kicking went, with no end in the near future. Kendall had about given up when he heard the most beautiful voice ever.

"Stop!" Logan ran up and tackled Ben, knocking Jett over in the process. Wayne-Wayne, taking the hint, backed away from the bloody blonde. "What's the matter with you?" Logan hissed to the team, looking at each individual member. "Do you think you're so tough that you can pick on the defenseless?" He leaned down and helped Kendall to a sitting position. The blonde clutched his aching sides, almost doubled over in pain. "You won't get away with this," Logan threatened, helping the blonde stand up and walking him out of the hallway.

Thank you Kendall thought to whatever higher power was taking pity on him today. Logan was lifting the bottom of the blonde's shirt to access the damage. Kendall freaked when he felt the brunette's fingers on his torso. He wiggled away from Logan, sinking against the wall and curling up, rocking slightly. Logan looked at him with a gaze mixed with concern and pity. He felt awful for the way the team had treated the blonde. But it seemed to go much deeper than that. Logan was really starting to fall for the blonde, even if they hadn't officially met before this year.

"I'll walk you to the office," Logan offered. "Maybe they can call your dad and he could come get you." The blonde's green eyes widened once again. He looked fearful at the mention of his dad. Logan didn't understand. Weren't kids suppose to look relieved when you mentioned their parents. "How about I just walk you back to class," he said after a minute. The blonde nodded. Logan helped him up and, with Kendall leaning on the brunette's shoulder, walked him back to class. Kendall gave Logan a loose hug before disappearing into the classroom. Logan looked at the door for a long time.

I'll keep an eye on you Kendall, Logan vowed to himself. No one will hurt you if you're my friend.

…

After the beating, Kendall felt too weak to do much of anything. Thankfully the teacher understood and instead of working, the blonde got to sit in the hallway and rest. He was grateful for Logan standing up for him when the hockey team cornered him in this hallway, but he felt unbelievably sad. The brunette had no idea what he was getting himself into. Not only did he stand up for the mute kid, he stood up for the gay mute kid.

It was no secret Kendall was gay. He'd known for a few years. He'd opened up about it last year, the same year that he…left school. He hated thinking about his time away. If he had to choose back then, he would've gladly taken the torment and ridicule at school over the alternative. But his dad didn't let him have a choice. He'd forced him to move away, and later forced him to move back. He knew his dad hated him; had somehow always known, but lately he'd show how much he hated his only son.

The blonde closed his eyes, willing the daydream he'd been having while he thought to go away. Neither school nor home was ever easy for him to bear, but he did his best. Logan seemed to be the only bright side to this whole thing, but he couldn't tell if the brunette was being sincere or if he was setting Kendall up for the biggest prank yet. Maybe the team had set it up that he'd tackle them then lead the blonde away so they could discuss what to do next then confide in the brunette when he returned. Kendall didn't think he was being too fair to the brunette, but after a year of torment from pretty much everyone, he couldn't bring himself to trust Logan yet. Being beaten every night by his dad didn't help either; his trust of anyone at his house was pretty much nonexistent.

The bell rang, signaling the start of his next class. He slung his bag over his shoulder and rushed to his next class, sliding into his seat before he could hunt down Logan, or visa versa.

…

A/N Well what do you think? Is a friendship truly blossoming between the boys, or is Logan leading Kendall on? Is Kendall right for not trusting Logan? Please read and review!