Cookie Monster Giggles, yes, nick's going to be appearing more after this chapter.
this chapter is horrendous. i only like the ending omfg.
i apologize for this chapter.
but enjoy?
James wakes up to a grinning Kendall.
The blonde's smile is so wide James is afraid it might break his face. "Happy birthday!"
James groans and pulls his comforter over his head. Kendall frowns and pulls it back down.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Did Carlos tell you?" James asks, ignoring Kendall's question. "Because if he did, he's a dead man."
Kendall shakes his head. "Nope, Jeeves did."
"Well, he's going to die." James gets out of his bed but Kendall pushes him back down.
"Why aren't you happy?" Kendall asks. "You're 21. You're legal in the states."
James shrugs. "What's so special about them anyway? It's just one year closer to death."
Kendall blinks. "I was expecting you to be all thrilled and be all like 'let's go partying guys! Let's get drunk!' but no."
James doesn't reply. He just sits there, waiting for Kendall to leave or for Kendall to let him go.
The blonde nudged him softly. "Why do you hate birthdays?"
James sighs dramatically. "My mum used to throw me a party every year. She'd get all excited and she'd decorate the palace with whatever theme I wanted." James smiles sadly. "Everyone would show up, everyone. Except of course, my dad. After 10 years of him not showing up I told my mum I didn't want any more parties. She was disappointed. She lived to throw parties but I never enjoyed them. I was a kid, I was supposed to be happy, especially with all the gifts I got. I never gave a shit. I just threw them away into the game room. Didn't even bother opening them. What was the point? Nothing was going to make me happy."
Kendall's silent, absolutely stunned. He has no idea what to say so he doesn't.
"He didn't even get me a present." James laughs bitterly. "Not one. I didn't even get a measly 'happy birthday, son'."
"I'm sorry." Kendall says gently as he rubs James' back.
James shrugs. "I haven't had a proper birthday since I was 10, I'm over it."
"What about your mom?"
"She always buys me a present, even when she knows I don't want it."
"So, this year we're going-"
"You're going to do nothing." James interrupts.
Kendall opens his mouth to protest but James shakes his head.
"I don't want a party, I don't want presents, I don't want anything."
"James, c'mon. It's your 21st."
"That doesn't mean anything." James' tone is firm.
Kendall looks at him. The prince's face is stone hard and serious.
The blonde nods. "Fine. But can I see that game room?"
And just like that James is smiling. He nods and gets up.
Carlos and Logan are playing hockey in the basement when Kendall comes running in.
"You guys have to help me." He says.
"With what?" Carlos asks.
"James' birthday party."
"No point." Carlos says and goes back to shooting pucks into the net.
Kendall frowns and walks into the rink.
"You're going to ruin the ice." Logan says.
Kendall ignores him and walks over to Carlos.
"He's your best friend!" Kendall exclaims. "You're not going to do anything?"
Carlos looks at the blonde and sighs. "I've tried, plenty of times. He just tells me to fuck off."
"But this year, you are."
The Latino shakes his head. "If you plan on throwing a party, don't. He'll hate it. He hates parties."
"Really?" Logan asks with his eyebrows raised. "Because he sure seemed to love partying at the club."
"That's different." Carlos answers impatiently.
"Look, he told me about his dad." Kendall says and that gets Carlos' attention. "He told me he was a dick and I just want him to like his birthdays. You're supposed to enjoy your birthday, not hate it. I mean it was the day he was born."
"James doesn't exactly see that as a good thing." Carlos says softly.
"I don't care what he says. I don't care what you say. We are throwing him a party."
"Is that really a good idea?" Logan asks, skating over to them. "I mean he might get royally pissed. Ha-ha, get it." When his friends look at him blankly he coughs and continues. "I don't want him getting pissed. If he gets pissed he could kick us out."
Kendall rolls his eyes. "He cares about Carlos' happiness. He's not going to kick you out, dipshit."
Logan blushes and stares down at his feet.
The blonde turns back to Carlos. "Carlos, c'mon. I just want James to enjoy the day he was born."
"Because we all know you enjoy it." Logan mutters.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Kendall asks.
"Fine." Carlos sighs. "I'll help but if he gets majorly pissed, we're all blaming you."
"Fair enough." Kendall agrees.
Carlos skates out of the rink, grabbing Logan's hand on his way and goes to inform Jeeves, Lucy and Alfred to start preparing for James' birthday party. Kendall quickly gets dressed leaves the castle, hoping to give James a present he'll like.
James spends the entire day in his room. He blasts his music on his surround sound system and sleeps it off. The last thing he wants to think about is how crappy his childhood was, not that he doesn't think about it every single day. His birthday just hits him hard.
He's dreaming of Skye when Kendall shoves him awake. James' eyes snap open. Kendall's standing over him, smiling nervously and with a tux on. James does not think about how good the blonde looks. He doesn't think about ripping his tux off and fucking him senseless.
"I am not getting out of this room." James says before closing his eyes again.
Kendall sits down on the bed. "James, you don't want to keep your guests waiting."
"I told you I didn't want a party." James says flatly.
"Fine," Kendall huffs "you have left me with no choice."
The prince snorts. "What're you gonna do? Drag me out? Pour cold water over my face?"
Kendall shakes his head and stands up. "Even better. I'm gonna jump on your bed until you get out."
"Good luck." James says, pulling his comforter over him. "I can sleep through a hurricane."
"We'll see about that." Kendall grins and starts to jump up and down.
The bed moves up and down and so does James. He glares at the blonde. Not only is he annoying James but he is also ruining his bed. He grabs onto Kendall's ankle and pulls him down only to have him land on the prince himself. Their chests collide, making Kendall let out a breath.
"Fuck." He mutters. "Your chest is stone hard."
"It's not the only thing that's hard." James whispers, his eyes going from Kendall's glazed ones to Kendall's plush lips.
The prince slightly lifts his head to touch his lips to the blonde's but of course, with his luck, he gets interrupted. The door slams open and in walks Lucy.
"What's wrong with you?" She snaps.
Kendall rolls off of James and stands up, smoothing his hair and straightening his blazer. His cheeks and ears are bright red as he stares down at his feet.
James rolls his eyes and looks at his secretary.
"You're lucky it was me who caught you and not Nick."
"You look hot." James comments and she does.
She's wearing a tight strapless red dress and her hair's up in a bun. She's also wearing makeup. She rarely ever wears makeup.
She just glares at him, ignoring the compliment. "Get your arse up. You are going to your own party."
"Lucyyyyyyyyy." He whines.
Lucy just ignores him and goes into his closet. He pulls out a Armani tux and throws it onto his bed.
"Let's go." She tells him.
James shakes his head and hides himself under his covers.
"Do you see what I have to deal with?" Lucy says to Kendall.
The blonde just smiles before mouthing a 'good luck' to Lucy and leaving the room. He softly closes the door on his way out and heads down to where the party is being held. The woman takes her heels off and gets into bed with the prince. She pulls the comforter over her head as well and turns to look at James. He's trying incredibly hard not look at her because they both know she sees right through him.
"Seriously, James." Lucy says softly. "Kendall's spent a great deal trying to persuade us to throw you this party and I know he went through hell to get you your present."
James groans guiltily. "Don't guilt trip me."
Lucy rolls her eyes. "I'm not trying to, imbecile. I just know he wants you to enjoy the day you were born."
"You know why I don't enjoy the day I was born."
"Yeah, your dad was a dick," She says and James nods his agreement "but he's gone now. You can't live your life miserably because he ruined almost everything for you."
"I would have just been fine playing hockey." The prince grumbles.
"I know, but let's go. Time to shine." Lucy nudges him.
He finally looks at her. She's looking right back, a gentle smile playing on her lips.
"Who'd you guys invite?" He asks.
"Everyone." She answers lightly.
"Not her, I hope."
Lucy scoffs. "Yeah, right." She gets out of his bed and pulls the comforter off of him.
"Get dressed." She orders him and leaves the room.
James obeys and starts to get dressed. He goes into the bathroom and fixes his hair. He puts his shiny black shoes on and heads downstairs. He walks into the room and finds everyone he knows dancing. He involuntarily groans just as Kendall shows up next to him. He's grinning brightly and it just washes all of James' negative emotions away. The least he can do is enjoy it for Kendall.
"You don't hate me do you?" Kendall asks.
"I'll get over it, eventually."
"I tried getting your mom to come down but I had no idea where she was staying or her cell number and no one would tell me."
James just smiles fondly. "It's more than enough, thank you."
"I know you don't want to be here so let me just show you your present."
The prince looks at him.
Kendall holds his hands up. "You'll like it. I hope."
"Nope, he has to have fun first." Lucy says and grabs their arms, dragging them to the dance floor. "Either you two dance or I'm going to dance with James."
"But my present." Kendall argues.
"S-It will be fine." Lucy waves a hand and pushes Kendall into James.
She winks at them before leaving the dance floor to watch them.
"Well, then." James says, holding his hand out. "Would you like to dance, Mr. Knight?"
Kendall smiles shyly, taking the hand. "I'd love too."
Suddenly Carlos breaks them apart, shoving Logan into James' side.
"You can't dance with Mr. Knight." The Latino says. "Logan's gonna be your fiancé."
James rolls his eyes and pushes him away. "It's my birthday and I'm going to dance with whoever I want."
Carlos grins before dragging Logan away from them. James puts a hand around Kendall's waist and brings him closer. Kendall squeaks as he puts his hand around James' neck.
"We shouldn't do anything that could jeopardize your chance of becoming king."
"Dancing isn't going to harm anyone."
"Yeah but-"
"Mind if I have a dance with Kendall?" Nick asks, showing up out of fucking nowhere.
"Yes, I do in fact." James says, tightening his grip on Kendall.
Nick raises his eyebrows. "Shouldn't you be dancing with your fiancé?"
"Shouldn't you?" James counters.
"I don't have a fiancé."
"But you do have a girlfriend."
Nick just blinks.
James rolls his eyes and leads Kendall out of the room.
"Show me my present."
Kendall's eyes light up. He grabs James' hand and leads him upstairs and into the game room where Carlos and Logan already are.
"They're my presents?" James deadpans. "I can't stand Logan and I already have Carlos."
"What? No." Kendall lets go of James' hand and looks around.
"This room is huge." Logan comments.
James shrugs. "It's alright, I guess."
It's about the same size of his arena but he spent most of his time in the game room when he was a child so he doesn't exactly see how 'big' it really is.
"Found her!" They hear Kendall yell from the bounce house.
He steps out, holding Skye's hand. The second Skyler sees James, her entire face lights up and she comes running over to him. Shocked and utterly confused, he bends down and picks her up.
"Happy birthday, Uncle Jamie!" She yells into his ear as she wraps her little arms around his neck.
James is choked up and all he can do is stare at Kendall. The blonde swallows and nervously shifts from his left foot to his right foot, waiting for James' reaction.
James buries his face into her hair and hugs her tightly. "Thanks, baby girl."
"You have a niece?" Logan asks.
James kisses the top of Skye's head before putting her down. He looks at Logan and nods.
"Something like that." The prince answers.
"Hey, Skye!" Carlos grins, bending down to her level.
"Hi, Uncle Carlitos." She smiles.
"Would you like some cake?" He asks her.
She nods.
"When did they cut the cake?" Logan asks dumbfounded.
Carlos just laughs and takes Skye's hand, leading her out of the room.
"She's your daughter, isn't she?" Logan asks softly.
James shrugs. "Depends, can you keep your mouth shut?"
Logan grins. "Better than Kendall, that's for sure."
Kendall frowns. "Hey!"
"You know, you aren't that bad." James tells the brunette.
"Likewise."
James sits down on a bean chair and Kendall takes a seat next to him.
"You're not mad are you?" Kendall asks.
"How'd you sneak her in?" James asks tightly.
"Lucy, Jeeves and Carlos helped me." The blonde answers.
"What if someone saw her?!"
Kendall swallows. "But no one did."
James shakes his head and stares ahead.
"James, I know you wanted to see her and I know you want her here."
"I just don't want anyone to see her."
"No one's going to see her, there aren't any cameras in this room."
James looks at him and a smile creeps his face. "How did you know there aren't any?"
Kendall raises his eyebrows. "You told me and because it's the game room. I'm sure your mom wanted you to have your alone time in here."
James' smile falters.
"You get to spend the night with her." Kendall tells him, hoping that gorgeous smile is back on the prince's face. "The lady gave me so much shit and it was so hard to bring her but they agreed."
Carlos and Skye walk back into the room, Skye holding a big bowl of ice cream. She crawls into James' lap and hands the bowl and spoon to him.
"Hey, what do you say to spending the night here?" James asks her.
She looks up at him and frantically nods. "Really? I get you for whole night?"
James' heart breaks. "Yes."
"We gonna have so much fun!" She grins, her hazel eyes shining with happiness.
James smiles. "Yes, you bet we will but first, you are not having all this ice cream."
"You silly, Uncle Jamie." She giggles. "Half is for you."
James kisses her cheek and feeds her. Logan and Carlos leave but Kendall stays and watches them.
James and his daughter spend the rest of the night playing with various toys and chasing each other around. The blonde smiles the entire time he watches them. James is so content that Kendall can practically feel his happiness radiating off onto him. In the few weeks that he's been here he hasn't seen James smile so much. It makes Kendall feel warm inside.
Skye tackles James to the ground and starts to tickle him. James laughs and tickles her right back. This is what Kendall wants to see. He wants to see James be happy and be himself. And he's only happy when Skye's around.
Well, Kendall. It's up to you to unite James with his daughter. Kendall tells himself as Skye falls asleep wrapped in James' embrace.
