"What was your first kiss with James like?"
The question broke the silence that had settled over them as they drove down the street towards Carlos' place. The only thing Carlos had been able to think of the entire ride was Logan. He could still practically feel the other boy's lips on his own; the way his lips pressed shyly against his own, the way Logan's small body seemed to lean into his. Everything about it was perfect and that's why it absolutely terrified the Latino boy.
"Magic," Kendall replied immediately, without even thinking. The images flashing through his mind did so with ease; playing on a loop over and over again in crystal clarity. He could remember what James was wearing, each and every detail. More over, he could remember exactly what he felt, desperately wishing he could feel that again.
It was their second date. The sky was clear and the moon was shinning bright, as if setting the mood for the two as they walked down the street, just outside the restaurant they had just dined at. James had been extremely thrilled when Kendall asked him out on a second date. He had spent hours getting ready that evening, wanting to look absolutely perfect.
When Kendall picked him up, his heart fluttered excitedly like it always did when he saw the blond. Things had been going great until halfway through the dinner, after chatting while waiting for their food. Their conversation didn't die once their food arrived. They continued talking with one another about anything and everything. About halfway through, Kendall became more interested in whoever was currently texting him. James couldn't help the pout that tugged at his lips. Who was so important to the blond that he had to completely ignore him on their date?
Considering how much he liked the other boy, he dismissed the feeling throughout the dinner whenever Kendall would pick up his phone. After they finished dinner and the blond payed their check, they were walking along outside. The cold weather set chills through his body and James thought it would be the perfect time for Kendall to hold his hand or slip an arm around his waist to "keep him warm." The blond, however, thought it was the perfect time to further ignore him and continue to text whoever he'd been talking to this whole evening.
James was sick of it.
Kendall was on a date with him and should be paying attention to him. With a smirk, he reached over mid-text and snatched away Kendall's phone. Kendall let out a indignant yell and lunged towards him to retrieve. James was too fast though, laughing as he dodged from Kendall's advance.
"James, give me back my phone," Kendall insisted firmly, moving towards the brunette again, only to have him step across the sidewalk.
"No," James answered bluntly.
"This isn't funny," the blond boy muttered, shaking his head as he reached for his phone yet again. The brunette was quick though and slid his hands behind his back, ruining Kendall's attempt to grab it. "Give me my phone back. This is important!"
James laughed and tried to hold Kendall's phone as far away as possible as the blond stepped closer, arms reaching around James' back. He was so close to grabbing his phone, he tried reaching a little further. It took each boy a few seconds to realize just how close they were; their chests pressed together, faces mere inches apart when they straightened.
And suddenly, his phone was the last thing on Kendall's mind. Nothing seemed important beside the feel of James' warmth breath ghosting over his lips. Their lips met halfway in a sudden, sweet kiss. Kendall's hands slipped back from James' to cup the brunette's cheek as he took the other's bottom lip between his. His eyes slipped shut and his every sense was filled with nothing but James. The subtle scent of his cologne, the feel of his soft soft underneath his fingertips, the sound of perfection and the taste of the pink lemonade James drank that night. It was absolutely perfect.
Pulling apart a couple of minutes later, Kendall rested his forehead against James', enjoying the way their breaths mingled every time they exhaled. Both boys were wearing identical grins.
"Is your phone still more important?" James questioned smugly.
"My wha-?" Kendall mumbled, meeting James' soft brown eyes.
The other boy smiled sweetly, "Much better," he murmured before leaning in and pressing their lips together for another kiss. And with each kiss, Kendall forgot anything and everything that was ever more important than the boy he was falling in love with.
Before the usual longing nostalgia could wash over him, something else beat it to the punch. Realization. His eyebrows quirked in interest as he briefly glanced over at his friend in the passenger seat.
"Did you and Logan...?" Kendall let the end of his question trail off as it was extremely obvious what he was implying. And by the way Carlos immediately turned red and smiled, the answer was just as obvious. "That's so awesome buddy!" He was genuinely happy for his friend even if he was a little jealous that his friend had someone to love and hold and he didn't anymore.
Carlos was amazed, flabbergasted, astounded by the effect the cute brunette had on him. One date, one kiss and he already felt the need to be a better person. He already wanted to give up all his bad habits and be the good guy Logan seemed to see.
That's why the following afternoon found him at the kitchen table, book sprawled out before him, pen in hand. He frowned in confusion as he read the problem for the third time, trying to understand what it was even asking. Carlos liked Logan so much that he was doing (or attempting) his homework. It was basically a lost cause now to start doing it, considering how much he'd already missed but that wasn't the point.
After re-reading the question a couple more times, Carlos threw his pen down, reaching into his pocket for his phone and dialing the only number he knew for help.
"Hello?"
"Hey Logan, it's me."
With shaky hands, Kendall fished his phone out of his pocket, heart pierced momentarily by the picture in the background and the overwhelming urge to go back to that moment. When he had the love of his life in his arms. Trembling fingers punched a familiar number and he put the phone to his ear, sorrowful relief flooding his system.
"Hey Kendy, it's me."
"Oh, hey Carlos. What's up?"
"I was giving this math thing a try," Carlos said, staring down at the book on the table. "But I'm not having an easy time with it."
"Why don't you come over and I can help you."
"I know you're out working right now. But I just wanted to call because I miss you..."
Kendall could already feel the tears welling up in his eyes as he listened to the last voicemail James sent him. He could remember that exact day.
He'd been dealing with gang issues all day and he was getting sick of it. All he wanted to do was go home so he could see James. That's all that mattered, that's all that was on his mind. He left the remaining work for Carlos, trusting his right hand man to get it done. He went straight to James' house, picking a small pebble from his lawn and tossing it at his window. It was impossible to soften the grin that spread over his face when James appeared in the window. The brunette seemed to be wearing an identical smile as he held up one finger, then disappeared for a few seconds.
A couple minutes later and the front door of James' house was opening and the brunette was running towards him. He opened his arms just in time to catch the other boy, arms wrapped around him as James wrapped his legs around his waist. Kendall spun them around, laughing happily as James cupped his cheeks and brought their lips together in a firm, sweet kiss. For a few moments, it felt like the whole world came to a stop and it was just them, in that moment.
"Hop in beautiful."
Carlos smiled as he leaned closer, feigning an interest in the math book before him. In all honesty, he just wanted to get closer to the other boy sitting beside him. That's where his attention currently was.
"So by using this formula and plugging in x's represented value into it, you just solve the equation from there and get your answer."
Carlos nodded slowly, listening intently to those instructions. "One more time," he requested, cringing slightly as if expecting the other boy to blow up at him for not understanding.
Logan smiled fondly and leaned closer to the Latino before beginning to explain again. "Okay, so if this is x..."
"C'mon Kendy, you're so slow!" the other boy called playfully, jogging into front of the blond, turning around to see he was still a good twenty feet behind him.
"Oh yeah? Is that what you think?" Kendall questioned challengingly, taking off into a sprint towards the teasing brunette.
James squeaked in surprise and turned forward again, half-heartedly running away. The blond caught up to him in a matter of seconds, throwing his arm around his waist, picking him off the ground and spinning him away. James shrieked with laughter, clutching Kendall's arms tightly.
Kendall lowered James back to the ground, keeping his arms secure around his waist. James turned in this embrace, resting his forehead against Kendall's, cold breaths mingling together. "I love you."
Kendall brushed back James' hair, hand trailing down to rest on his neck. "I love you too."
"That's it Carlos!" Logan exclaimed excitedly as he watched the Latino boy properly solve the problem they'd been working on for quite some time. A fond smile tugged at his lips at the accomplished look on Carlos' face.
"I did it?" he questioned, surprise and disbelief evident in his voice. "Sweet! So what's my prize?"
Logan's cheeks tinted a dark pink as he leaned over and press his lips against Carlos' cheek chastely. The Latino boy smiled, reaching over to cup Logan's rosy cheek, bringing their lips together in an extremely soft, but sweet kiss.
And it was almost possible to hear the way their heartbeats seemed to sync up in their excited, enamored states.
"Kendall, what are you doing?"
The pretty boy was sitting on the lowest branch of the tallest tree in the park. His hazel eyes scanned over the park, finding such beauty in the thin layer of snow over the ground. Because of this, they were the only two residing in the park. James liked the idea of having it all to themselves.
He watched in interest and curiosity as Kendall pulled out his pocket knife, bringing the blade to the tree trunk. Roughly five minutes passed and James was staring at the craving Kendall engraved into the tree. JD + KK, enclosed in a heart.
"'Til death do us part," James said softly.
Kendall shook his head, finding that wasn't quite long enough for him. There was no doubt in his mind that he would always love James, no matter what circumstances came between them or broke them up. "Forever."
That was still true to that very day. Eleven months later and he was still so in love with James that it was almost painful. He didn't say forever because he was scared to think about death tearing them apart; he said forever because he meant it, because he knew he would love James every single day of his life. He just hated how he had to spend the rest of those days without the other boy.
"So I guess I'll let you get back to work. I just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you and I love you."
A/N: I thought of this really cool linking storyline ideas and I wanted to try it. Kinda like a movie where they switch between two scenes. I hope it turned out okay and wasn't too confusing. I cried a little writing some of those Kames scenes. I apologize for those who have been waiting for this to update. I've been enamored with another story of mine so this one was unintentionally ignored. I'll try not to let that happen again. Let me know what you guys think.