A/N: I decided to post this early even though I'm not done with everything I planned in this chapter. I really wanted to post it early so I decided to cheat the system and name this chapter 10 part a and I'll finish and post part b later. This chapter has so much unexpected, unplanned fluff and sweetness. Hope you guys enjoy. (And about a sequel, I think I'll probably just write a long epilogue instead)
His heart thumped violently in his chest with each hesitant step he took. The strongest hunch had overtaken him the second they got home; he knew something was wrong. He could feel it in every bone of his body. After ushering Katie off to her room, insisting she locked the door and not to come out until he came to get her, he made his way through the house. Each room found silence and empty space.
The family living room, the kitchen, and the bathroom were all empty, showing no sign of recent occupants. It wasn't until he was by his own room (which was right across from its parents' bedroom) did he finally hear evidence of life in the house. His mom's whimper. He peered into the open door and instantly brought a hand to cover his mouth from screaming at the sight before him. Adrenaline shook his hands and his whole body as he ran back to the kitchen, instincts telling him to save and protect his mom. He grabbed the biggest knife he could find and headed back to their room, taking a deep breath before easing the door open.
Kendall woke up that morning, chest heaving erratically, skin covered in a light layer of sweat as he sat up, rubbing his hands over his face. He pulled them back, noting the way they shook. It was a tremble that no amount of deep breathing could calm. He tried taking in a few deep breaths but it had no affect on his distressed state. But one look at the gorgeous boy sleeping beside him...
He couldn't describe it; there were no words, he found, to describe this amazing power James had. There was just something about the other boy that instantly calmed him. One look at him and all the memories of their short time together, all the touches, the kisses, even the pointless conversation, it all had a way of taking Kendall away from that troubled time in his life and reminding him what a great place he was in. It reminded him that he had someone to fall back on, someone to catch him when he fell. He realized this, that this was why one look at James was so calming to him.
He just wished he would/could use this rationale to convince himself to come clean to James about his past. After all, the brunette had been more than open with him. So who was he to not return the favor? In all honestly, Kendall found he could spend hours thinking about this, debating it, running over the various outcomes in his head. And that's what scared him, thinking of all the ways James could reject him afterwards. He realized that honesty and communication were two key aspect of a relationship but he kept telling himself that he wouldn't have a relationship at all once he did finally honestly communicate with James about his past.
Sighing and taking one more glance at the sleeping boy beside him, he rolled out of bed and downstairs to make some breakfast and clear his head.
James awoke with the strongest sense of content; the morning's temporary disorientation left him momentarily confused of his whereabouts but the second he inhaled, that confusion left him. The wonderful mix of cologne and fabric softener filled his senses, providing such a relaxation that he couldn't describe. He loved that distinct smell that couldn't describe any other way than just Kendall. It was his favorite scent in the world.
He rolled over in Kendall's bed, finding, sadly, said blond was not sleeping beside him. Shaking off that initial disappointment, wanting to wake up to the feel of Kendall's arm around him, he got out of bed and shuffled in the direction of Kendall's upbeat singing. This lead him to the kitchen and he stood in the doorway for a few moments, watching with a fond smile as Kendall poured three bowls of cereal, dancing and singing while he did so. Katie was joining in on this fun, getting the milk from the fridge.
Kendall seemed to notice him a few seconds later, completely comfortable with the situation James had found him in. Most people he knew would be embarrassed to be found jamming out in their kitchen. That's what he loved about Kendall, his assurance, his confidence in himself and everything he did.
"C'mon," Kendall pressed gently, "Grace us with your voice."
James waved his hand dismissively, "Not so early," he groaned. He made a point never to sing this early in the morning, his voice was usually still adjusting to being awake.
A soft smile graced Kendall's lips as he gestured towards the far counter. "Coffee's almost ready."
The look on James' face was priceless; it was such a deep appreciation and probably a little bit of shock at how well he knew the brunette. But nevertheless, it brought the biggest smile to Kendall's face. Any happy expression James exhibited seemed to do this. He couldn't change it even if he tried. He would never even dream of doing such a thing.
Had Katie not been sitting there eating her cereal, James would've given Kendall a thank you kiss. He settled for a quick peck on the cheek instead, mouthing his appreciation. A light blush spread over his cheeks at the fond smile on Kendall's face. If Katie noticed this exchange between them, she didn't mention it.
James poured himself a cup of coffee and added a bit of vanilla creamer before taking a seat at the island beside Katie. He smiled up at Kendall as the other set a bowl of cereal down in front of him.
"Sorry," Kendall apologized with a chuckle, "You know how great my cooking abilities are."
"It's perfect," James murmured, taking a sip of his coffee. Their eyes locked for a few seconds before each boy turned away with a blush and smile. Katie sighed, quickly finishing her cereal then excusing herself to the living room to watch TV.
James looked up at Kendall, patting the seat beside him invitingly. Kendall took that seat beside him, setting his bowl down on the counter and grabbing his spoon. He shoved the spoonful of cereal in his mouth, not noticing the few droplets of milk dripping down his chin. With a soft smile on his face, James reached up and thumbed away the liquid, wiping it on his napkin. He couldn't resist the urge to reach back up again, running his thumb over Kendall's soft cheek, staring into his sweet, gentle emerald eyes. His other hand toyed with the blonde's soft hair, sifting his fingers through it, letting it fall back into place with the soft giggle when it fell in front of his eyes. He brushed it back out of his face, biting his lip shyly.
Kendall just sat there, not really mind all the brunette's affectionate touches. James was just being far too cute for him to stand; he leaned over in his chair, bracing a hand against the back of James' and pressing his lips against the other boy's soft ones. He moved his lips against James', smiling when the other kissed back slow and sweet. That was his favorite kind of kiss with James, the ones that weren't rushed and could/would go on forever, the ones he could get tangled up in, the ones he got caught up in. He could spend eternity kissing James like this and it would never seem quite long enough.
Kendall pulled away slowly, lips still tingling and curling into a giddy smile. He sighed in content, resting his forehead against James', one hand resting on his thigh while the other combed through his soft, slightly messy hair.
"You busy today?" he whispered, lips still lightly brushing against James'.
James shook his head, wearing the widest grin. "I didn't have anything planned."
"Wanna bake those extra credit cookies for cooking class today?" Kendall asked, hopeful that James would say yes, not so it'd be easier but that he'd get to spend another day with the brunette. "I know she said we could do it separately and frankly you'd probably be better off doing it alone or with someone else but-"
James tilted his head forward, taking Kendall's top lip between his, interrupting him with a chaste kiss. "I wouldn't dream of making cookies with anyone else."
"Somehow that's a little surprising to me," Kendall said with a chuckle.
James laughed too, softly, to keep from expressing how much he loved baking with Kendall, how much he loved Kendall period.
"You know, you could die if you keeping doing that," Kendall informed the brunette as he placed blobs of chocolate chip cookie dough onto the baking sheet. It was their second batch, their 1st decent one; the very first batch was deemed inedible. This batch was apparently much better if the amount of dough James had already consumed was any indication.
"What?" James asked innocently, looking up with questioning brown eyes. His expression would've been downright adorable had he not frozen with his lips curled halfway around his finger. Kendall feared he might die if James continued being so unknowingly sexy.
Kendall had to force himself back to reality just in time to register James slowly drawing his finger from his mouth. "E-ea-eating too much cookie dough," he stammered, a light blush from dirty thoughts dusting his cheeks. "You could die from eating too much."
James repeated this action again, dipping his finger into the bowl to gather some dough before popping it in his mouth once again. "I don't even care," he moaned, licking the delicious, sugary substance from his finger. "That would be a happy death."
"I would care," Kendall whispered hotly, before he, having had enough of James' unknowing teasing, crashed his lips against the other boy's. After initial shock wore off, he felt James kissing back with the same desperate passion. The kiss was fast pace and needy, deepening within seconds, Kendall tasting the sweetness on his tongue.
In the heat of the kiss, Kendall's hands gripped James' hips, guiding him back against the wall. He didn't even realize until a soft gasp hit his ears that his own hips were pressing James' against the wall. He flashed a sheepish grin before diving forward once more, resuming their hot, deep kiss. Kendall took James' parted lips as an opportunity, slipping his tongue into the other's mouth. He smiled into their kiss at the feel of James' hands on him, one cupping his cheek, the other tangled in his hair. His own hands wandered a bit, one slipping under James' shirt, enjoying the feel of soft skin.
Another gasp was emitted into the kiss and Kendall had no clue who it had been but Kendall didn't acre because the way their tongues were sliding together was nothing short of intoxicating. It wasn't just him either; James felt the exact same way, transfixed on all the different emotions and sensations rushing over him; the feel of Kendall's hands on his hips and under his shirt, how good Kendall's lips left against his own and how secure it felt to have Kendall's body against his.
Somehow, in the middle of a make out session in the middle of Kendall's kitchen, he had never felt as safe as he did in that moment. He would've given himself to Kendall that second, if he asked. But unfortunately their location didn't allow that and an obnoxious beeping reminded them of that. With much reluctance on both their parts, they pulled apart, both panting slightly. The repetition of the timer instilled a sense of urgency and Kendall went to remove the cookies from the oven.
"Mind if I shower real quick?" James asked breathlessly, still leaning back against the wall.
Kendall could really only nod, speechless from their heated make out session, even more when James, whose cheeks were a deep pink, leaned over and kissed his cheek in appreciation.
Kendall's stomach and heart always did funny things whenever James was around; his heart would skip a beat when James looked at him with those soft brown eyes, his stomach filled with butterflies when James was about to kiss him but Kendall found it impossible to describe how he felt when James came back into the kitchen, newly clad in a pair of his sweats and one of his sweatshirts.
"Hope you don't mind," James murmured, leaning against the doorway.
Kendall's heart fluttered, his stomach turned and his head spun at the beyond endearing sight of James in his clothes. "Not at all," he answered with the fondest, caring tone in his voice. There was just something about how at ease they were with each other that James felt comfortable enough to go into his room and just borrow some of his clothes. (Not that Kendall minded at all.) There were so many things about James that he loved, he'd never have enough time to discover every little fact about this love. But he wouldn't mind spending forever trying.
"Need help with anything?" James asked, smiling cheerfully, moving to stand beside the other boy, who was mixing up some ingredients.
"Yeah, grab the flour," Kendall said, pointing to a cabinet behind him. He tried to ignore how James' (his) shirt rode up when he reached high, revealing a patch of smooth skin of his lower back. It took everything he had to resist the temptation to touch and kiss that exposed skin. This momentary distraction was all it took and his hand slipped, falling into the bowl of mixed ingredients. James, holding the flour, turned around and burst out laughing as Kendall pulled his hand from the mixture.
"You think that's funny?" Kendall growled playfully, wiping his hand off on the dish towel.
James grinned that sweet grin of his and nodded. "Yeah, a little bit."
"Do you trust me James?" he asked, teasingly menacing as he dipped his hand into the flour. Somehow, the two gravitated towards one another, like some divine force insisting they be together.
"Yeah," James whispered without a second of hesitation. Their closeness made his head spin a little.
"You shouldn't."
His confession was on the tip of his tongue; he was so close to divulging every secret of his past. His words held a morbid truth; James really shouldn't trust him. He hadn't even the brunette any reason to do so; even when James was completely honest with him, he didn't exercise that trust enough to talk about his own past. And, as a dozen times before, he chickened out.
Instead of coming clean, he killed the silence by running his flour covered hand through James' hair, causing him to squeal indignantly. Kendall chuckled lowly, "Calm down," he muttered affectionately, running his clean hand through James' hair, removing all traces of flour from the other's damp hair. The soft smile tweaking James' lips made Kendall's heart soar, he'd never get used to that feeling. Just as he leaned in for what seemed like their hundredth kiss that night (not that he was complaining), they heard the front door open and stepped apart, resuming dinner preparation with secret smiles.