A/N: Hi! This is the last chapter of this story. I hope you like it! Thank you so much for reading! And I apologize times a million for having such slow updates. I'm usually not like this but... yeah. Sorry.

James forced his heavy eyelids open, his long, curved eyelashes sticking together and trying to stop him. He was tempted to give in, to let his tired eyes win and just put his head back down on the soft pillow, when he heard a soft, oh-so-familiar voice.

"Rise and shine, big guy," Kendall sing-songed, nudging his side gently. James forced his eyes open, seeing the smiling face of the guy whom he'd been supporting for what seemed like his entire life. Funny how now Kendall was the one willing him to get out of bed in the morning, and not the other way around.

Letting out a small yawn, James rubbed his eyes with the backs of his hands, appearing more like a cute little baby than a six-foot-two sex god. He stretched his perfectly crafted arms over his head, flexing the muscles that were his own personal pride.

"Time?" James mumbled, turning his head to face Kendall. He watched as the blonde slowly turned, checking the digital clock behind him.

"Around ten," Kendall said, adding, "But don't worry, it's Saturday. That's why we all had such a crazy night."

"Oh, shit, last night," James groaned, covering his face with his large hand. "Logan," he mumbled, letting a long sigh out and dragging the hand over his pretty face. James sat up in bed, inspecting his black v-neck and boxers. A pair of faded, pre-distressed jeans were lying on the floor next to his bed, and he already knew that Kendall must've helped him get them off.

"Did..." James paused, gulping as he looked up at Kendall, "Did Logan say anything to you? About... What happened last night?" He looked around nervously, studying the texture of the ceiling intently. James really, really hoped Logan hadn't said anything. The last thing he needed was another awkward moment with Kendall. He barely even remembered what had happened. He was kissing Logan, and Kendall's name just slipped out. It was an accident. It was all a blur. After that, Logan stormed out, and James didn't remember anything else from that moment to when he woke up in his bed.

"Uh... Yeah," Kendall said, scratching the back of his neck. He saw James's eyes widen, and smiled gently at him, sitting down on the edge of the other boy's bed. "But don't sweat it, big guy," Kendall told him, his eyes sympathetic and tired, "We all screw up. It's okay. You wanna know what happened?"

"Not really," James admitted, worrying away at his lip with his teeth. He looked up at Kendall, his slouched position making him feel like a little kid. Propping himself up with his hands, James slowly nodded, silently communicating to Kendall that he needed to hear the story.

"Well," Kendall said, lowering his voice and turning so that he faced James more, "Last night, I, um, slept with Camille-"

"Alright!" James cheered, a big, shiny, white smile breaking out across his face. He seemed to have converted back to his old self in that second, the party-hardy manwhore who always wanted his friends to get lucky. It was funny, how he could slip back into that personality so easily, not wasting a moment before he'd turn from a thoughtful, sensitive guy, to the tool as whom he was publicly known.

Kendall laughed, giving James the high-five he'd requested, and continued with his story. "After, we were under a blanket," he continued, "and Logan stumbled in, piss drunk, screaming about how everyone he likes likes me instead," Kendall gulped, noticing a wince in James's expression as he spoke, "and then he screamed about what had happened, made some comments about the fact that I was naked under a blanket with Camille," Kendall took a deep breath, finishing his story, "and stormed off. And then we went to get you."

"We?" James squeaked, flinching, "Camille saw me like... However I was, too?"

"Yeah," Kendall nodded slowly, frowning. "But hey," he added, cracking a smile, "she saw me face down in an ally. I think we're even."

"I guess so," James grinned at him. He turned his shouders, cracking his back loudly and getting a grimace out of Kendall. Entertained by Kendall's negative reaction, he turned the other way and cracked that part of his back, too.

"I should probably go talk to Logan, huh?" James said, sighing as he got out of bed. Kendall watched him saunter across the room, trying to convey confidence and indifference, and pull on a pair of gray sweatpants. Kendall smiled, amused by how after all this time, James still tried to act calm around him, when they both knew Kendall could tell he was internally freaking out. Poor guy. James of all people didn't deserve this. Sure, he didn't treat everyone he met like gold, but he'd also always been there for Kendall and the other two guys- always ready to support them or go on a rescue mission when they seriously fucked up. Especially for Kendall. What James had gone through for Kendall, the blonde wouldn't have wished on his worst enemy, and certainly not his best friend.

James reached the door, then stopped, biting his lip. This felt so weird, like the ending of a sad movie. Maybe it was more like a calm before a storm. Just him and Kendall, relaxed and sleepy in their room, as they had always been. James didn't know what side of Logan he'd be facing, or what drama was to come, but he wanted to make that moment last.

Turning back towards Kendall, James crossed the room once again and sat down on his bed, next to his friend. He offered Kendall a gentle smile, taking a deep breath as he looked at Kendall's confused face.

"Kendall, you're a great friend," James murmured, his voice barely audible but still happy, "and I'll always be here for you. But we can't be anything more than that," He paused for a moment, glancing away from Kendall's gaze and fixating on the glossy floorboards. Forcing himself to look back at the blonde, James noticed how the sunlight washed through Kendall's eyes, reflecting off of the light green and bringing out golden tones.

"And I'm glad that's clear now," James continued, "because you're a really great friend. More than you realize. You always have been," He sighed, thoughtfully licking his lips as he spoke, "You're like a brother to me, Kendall, and I never want that to change. Ever. I don't know what will happen today, but no matter what, I want to know that I'll have you to turn to at the end of it, and you'll have me."

Before he could say a word, James felt Kendall's arms wrap around him, his body being pulled in close to Kendall's. Running a gentle hand over James's muscular back, Kendall silently commended himself for their current position. It prevented James from seeing the tears that brimmed his eyes.

"I love you, bro," Kendall breathed, trying to prevent himself from sounding choked up.

"Back atcha."

James took a deep breath, running a hand over his hair. The moment of peace was long gone. His heart was thumping faster and faster, his palms were sweaty, and his stomach kept flipping around. Part of him just wanted to be back in his room, comfortably talking to Kendall. However, he knew he had to do this. He'd never be able to forgive himself if he didn't.

Shaking, James raised his hand to the door, lightly rapping his knuckles against it. He hooked his thumbs into his jeans' pockets, hoping Logan would let him in.

The door to Logan and Carlos's room opened a few inches, and Carlos leaned his head to the side to peer out, only showing himself from the bridge of his nose up. The door was held like that, as if they had one of those chains that prevented it from opening all the way. If James wasn't about to be driven insane by his nerves, he probably would've found it hysterical.

"May I help you?" Carlos asked, a slightly hostile tone coming through his voice. Ouch. James didn't usually get hostility from Carlos. He was much more accustomed to being greeted with video games and pie.

"Uhh... Yeah," James said, gulping nervously, "Can I talk to Logan?"

"You mean may you talk to Logan?" Carlos insisted, raising his eyebrows at James. He was talking to James like he was a prisoner, and Carlos was a guard, just trying to break his spirits.

James nodded, glancing away from Carlos's dark and unwelcoming eyes. It was weird; Carlos was usually so open. And he certainly wasn't one to correct, or even know, grammar. He must've gotten the full recap on how James had fucked up.

"I'll ask if he wants to be seen right now," Carlos told him, his tone factual and none too gentle. With that, the little latino shut the door on James's face, apparently going to consult with the boy who'd been hurt by James. Actually, this professional and hostile attitude was kind of sweet: clearly, Carlos was just trying to protect Logan, and he was taking his role very seriously. No one was about to get to Logan if they didn't already have his approval. Carlos would make sure of it.

James waited anxiously, the seconds feeling like years. What if Logan told Carlos not to let him in? What was he supposed to do, just give up? He couldn't. He wouldn't. There was no way James was going to let that happen. It would even disappoint Kendall, and James had sworn he wouldn't disappoint Kendall. He needed to make things right.

What seemed like eons later, the door opened with a high-pitched creak. James looked inside, taking note of Logan sitting up on his bed, and Carlos holding the door open. The floor was littered with socks, magazines, and even some food on one side, and was perfectly neat and tidy on the other. Even if he hadn't been there a million times before, James immediately would have known which side of the room belonged to each of his friends.

"You may enter," Carlos stated in a commanding yet flat tone. He wore a grimace on his face, a clear sign that if you asked Carlos, there was absolutely no reason for James to be there. He would just do more harm, and Carlos didn't like to see people, unlike cats, get hurt.

James strode into the room, trying to seem confident but as approachable as ever. The air felt stiff, tight, as if it wouldn't sit correctly in his lungs because it had been laced with some powerful James repellent. As he heard the door glide closed and come to a stop with a click, James felt as awkward and uncomfortable as ever.

Maybe that was a good thing.

"May I sit?" James asked, gesturing towards the bed, next to Logan. After a nod of approval, he took his seat, noticing Carlos standing at the doorway, stationed like a guard.

"Carlos, would you mind getting me a glass of water?" Logan asked, a gentle, pleading tone to his voice. He tilted his head to the side a little and fixed Carlos with a warm gaze that would make a puppy look like a velociraptor. Or so James thought.

"Yes, Logan," Carlos said obediently, turning to exit the room. He was still standing perfectly straight, and James thought he'd look more suiting to his current role if he was wearing a black blazer and a pair of thin sunglasses.

"Me too, please?" James added, hoping to get through to the side of Carlos that regarded him as a friend, not an adversary.

"I only get things for loyal friends," Carlos answered him, his tone clear, sharp, and not tangibly pained. How hurt he secretly felt, on the other hand, was a different story.

"Carlos, please get James a water too. He is our friend," Logan bade him, half-smiling as he spoke. He watched in approval as Carlos nodded, slightly disappointed, and disappeared from the room in search of water.

"Wow," James sucked in a breath, "you've really got him at your command."

"Yeah," Logan sighed, "he's worried about me."

"Well, he's a good wench."

"Cut the crap, James," Logan said suddenly, rolling his eyes at the taller boy, "I know why you're here. You know why I got rid of Carlos. You want to talk. So talk," he crossed his arms over his chest, a flat, disapproving look coming over the face that had moments earlier been so friendly. Maybe Logan did have a soft spot for James, but he sure was going to try to cover it up.

James couldn't help but smile at Logan's attempt at being harsh; he was so cute when he got like that.

"Alright," James began, taking note of how it looked like it was getting hard for Logan not to smile. "Logan, you're arguably the best fucking guy I've ever met," he took a deep breath before continuing, letting the smile drop off of his face and get itself replaced by a serious expression, "I mean, you're nice to people- like, genuinely nice- to anyone you meet, really. You're not gonna go talking shit behind their backs, lying to them, or pulling any other kind of crap on people who don't deserve it. I've always admired that about you. You don't have any dirty secrets, nothing hidden under your matress, at least, not that I've noticed. The truth is, a guy as sleazy as me doesn't deserve someone like you. I don't know if I ever will. And I really don't have any good reason why you should take me, when you deserve someone a hundred times better, but it's not like I'm not going anywhere," by that point, he allowed himself to smile again, "You're kinda stuck with me."

If James had anything else to say, he wouldn't have gotten a chance to do so, because his mouth quickly became occupied with Logan's. Apparently, there was something about being complimented extensively that made someone want to exchange tongues with the other, and James wasn't about to question it. He placed a hand at the nape of Logan's neck, tasting his soft, warm lips as they moved against James's mouth. The kiss was gentle, tender, and somehow fiery hot. James could feel Logan's thumb pressed against the side of his face, and he tipped his head to the side, shifting into Logan's hand. Their tongues wrestled and tangled, leaving time in a mix of slow motion and sudden acceleration.

It was like flying. Falling. Swimming. Sinking. James didn't know exactly what, but he liked it.

He liked it a a lot.

James climbed on top of Logan, clearly not giving a damn who saw them at the ever-crowded Palm Woods pool scene. From the looks of it, Logan wasn't quite as confident, putting a hand on James's chest and pushing him away a little bit as his face blushed red. Carlos sat nearby, giggling and adjusting the neon-framed sunglasses on his sun tanned face as he waved to the Jennifers.

"They're crazy," Kendall commented, shaking his head and looking at Camille. The pair backed away from the large window of 2J, Kendall pulling the girl onto his lap. She settled into his body nicely, fitting snugly in the crook of his arm and entangling her legs with his. For a moment they sat like that, feeling each other's heartbeats without saying a word. The seconds ticked away on a nearby clock, and the silence reverberated throughout the large, empty apartment.

"So," Kendall spoke first, taking a deep breath of Camille's sweet perfume and hair spray, "how long do you think this whole 'peace' thing will last?"

"Who knows?" Camille replied with a small smile. She reached for Kendall's hand with her thin, elegant fingers, entwining them gently and giving his hand a squeeze, "Who cares?"

That was the thing. They had no guarantees, no deadlines: nothing but empty promises. They had no way of knowing whether all would still be well a year, a month, or a day from then, and surely it wouldn't. Nothing stayed perfect; nothing stayed the same. However, it continued, and it was ridiculous, and crazy, and they saw no reason why they shouldn't enjoy the moment of peace- however long it lasted.

A/N: So, I'm not sure how I feel about this ending... I think it's a little cheesy, lol. Still, I wanted to bring it back to the original pairing. So yeah, there you go. It's done. Please review!