"You ready for this?"

"Not even remotely." Kendall spun back to wave at his mom and Katie as they drove off. "You grabbed the brownies, right?"

"Yes, they're wrapped inside my jacket." Logan juggled said jacket to his other arm while digging in his pocket for his phone. "James just texted me, they're about ten minutes away. Let's go buy some popcorn and—oh wait, he just texted me again. He says I'm not allowed to buy myself anything, he wants to treat me."

Kendall rolled his eyes. "And you didn't want to date him."

"We're not dating. This is a friends thing. I made that clear last night."

"When you snuck out for your midnight phone call," Kendall teased, pulling out his wallet as they approached the ticket counter. "By the way, I'm paying for you since I made you come. Or is James going to get mad at me for buying your ticket?" he smirked.

"Shut up, it's not a date!"

"Might as well be. I bet he holds your hand during the movie."

"Oh my god, Kendall, will you stop?"

"You're so red right now. You know you want that."

"It's not that, it's..."

"What?"

Logan waited until Kendall had paid for their tickets before answering, dragging Kendall away from the line. "Jack promised me that. Holding my hand during a movie. It's...one of my things."

"Oh. I'm sorry, dude."

"It's fine. It still hurts, but I'm dealing with it. Get the door for me?"

Ten minutes later they were settled in the theater, all the way up at the top with the jacket-wrapped brownies on a seat to Logan's left and Kendall three seats away to leave room for the other two in between. In Kendall's lap he held popcorn and drinks for himself and Carlos.

"Carlos is going to be so confused when he sees us here."

Kendall chuckled. "I wonder how long it'll take him to figure it out, that I'm his date."

"Hopefully he won't think I'm his date."

"If he does, just steer him my way. Oh look, your boyfriend's here."

Logan sat up straighter, craning his neck to spy James. "I don't see him."

"No, I meant...wow, poor choice of words. I meant the other one."

Freezing up when he realized who Kendall had been referring to, Logan allowed his eyes to roam the theater until he found Jack about halfway toward the front, sitting amid two guys and a girl. "Is that Shannon?"

"Doesn't look like her. I think it's Stephanie from my English class. But she's dating Bret, that guy between her and Jack. So he's just hanging out with friends, is my guess."

"This is awkward. Part of me really wants to go over there and talk to him."

"Why don't you?"

"Because the rest of me just wants to sit next to that. Holy fuck, James looks good."

Kendall swiveled his head until he caught sight of James and Carlos just inside the theater entrance. "Whoa. He did something different with his hair."

"I know, it's all slicked down. Makes me want to mess it up."

"He's not gonna stop you." Kendall nodded at James when their eyes met, then they watched James point them out to Carlos. "Shit, this is it. Logan, what if he hates me?"

"Then it wasn't meant to be. Isn't that what you always tell me?"

"Yeah, but this is me we're talking about. Here they come, do I look okay?"

"You look fantastic, relax. No matter what happens, Carlos isn't going to hate you. I promise."

"You'd better be right." His face changed when Carlos turned into the aisle. "Hey, buddy!"

"Dude, what are you guys doing here?!"

"We couldn't let you face the mystery date alone!" Kendall dragged Carlos past Logan and down into the seat next to him.

"But I thought you guys had plans."

"They fell through," he lied smoothly. "So we came to support you instead. You look great."

"Thanks. James helped me get ready."

Logan stood to allow James to pass, body humming when James' brushed against his.

"Hey," James greeted softly.

"Hi."

There was no way he'd be able to stand two hours of this. It was worse than he'd ever imagined, and when James sat Logan remained standing. "I'll be back."

"Where are you going?" Kendall asked sharply, a threatening look aimed at Logan.

"Just to the bathroom. I'll be right back."

"I'll come with you," James smiled, standing and placing a hand on Logan's shoulder. "We need to get snacks anyway."

"Wait, I want something!" Carlos called out. "Or should I wait for my date? Where is she? Or he? I don't care at this point, I just want a kiss!"

Thinking of the brownies, Logan smirked. "Kendall's got snacks for both of you, Carlos. Just enjoy that while waiting."

He turned away and moved to the aisle, James a solid presence behind him. When he felt James' hand brush against his as if searching for it, he slid it into his pocket instead.

"You're tense," James commented. "What's wrong?"

"Just...a lot on my mind." He couldn't resist a glance to his right as they passed Jack's row, surprised to find Jack's eyes on him. Logan's motion stopped for a moment, James almost bumping into him.

The urge to confront Jack hit him again, especially when Jack had the nerve to smile at him before whispering something to the guy at his left.

"It's him, isn't it?" James asked quietly. "He's the idiot who dumped you."

"Doesn't matter." Logan shrugged it off, continuing out to the lobby with James on his heels. "I really want to say something, though. The way it happened...there was no warning."

"It's best to let it go," James suggested. "Just move on. I know it hurts, but there are better things waiting. If you open your heart to it."

Rather than head for the bathroom, which had been Logan's intent, he walked to the snack bar and took a spot at the end of a line. When James stepped up behind him, he leaned back against James and allowed arms to stretch around his waist. Here was the peace again, the rightness that he'd craved all night.

But he'd never experienced this with Jack. What if Jack's arms around him felt the same way? What if the guy working the snack bar had the same effect on him? What if...

Kendall. Kendall's arms around him felt nice, but nothing like this. And if anyone else could make him whole, it would be Kendall. They moved further up in the line, James continuing to hold Logan against his body, and when James spoke into his ear a shiver passed through him.

"Do you want anything besides popcorn? I'll buy you whatever you want."

"Popcorn's fine," Logan managed. "Though I could go for another hot dog. Only hold the onions so that when I throw myself at you passionately and kiss you with abandon, you don't gag."

James was shocked into a hearty laugh, hugging Logan tighter against him. "Noted. And I might hold you to that, so don't offer it if you don't mean it."

It wasn't until James was forced to let go that he did, digging for his wallet while Logan extracted a pile of napkins from the dispenser. It was only then that Logan considered how nice it was to be shown affection in a public setting. There wasn't an ounce of shame in James, who had ordered their food while still wrapped around Logan and immediately slid an arm around his shoulders after balancing a tray of drinks in his left hand. "Let's get some stuff for the dogs."

Logan carried the food back into the theater, leading the way and this time not even glancing toward Jack as they passed. He felt Jack's gaze on him, though, and reminded himself that Jack wasn't capable of dating a guy. End of story. It was time to move on.

Once they were seated again, Carlos whined, "James, I don't think my date is coming. The movie's gonna start any minute. What if I'm being stood up?"

"Then you have a good time with us instead," James answered, juggling food around with Logan until they were comfortable. "We're not so bad, right? And hey, I bet Kendall makes a great date."

Kendall's eyes widened, his face silently telling James that was too much, but James only shrugged—wasn't that why they were here?

"Yeah, but it's not like Kendall's gonna kiss me, and that's what I'm dying for. I just need to be kissed!"

Logan raised an eyebrow at Kendall, who seemed to freeze up now that the perfect moment to spill the truth was upon him. It amazed Logan, who had always known Kendall to be the confident one in any situation. When Kendall remained quiet, Logan came to the rescue by unwrapping the plate of brownies and removing the plastic wrap. "Don't be so sure, look what Kendall brought you. Not just any old brownies, but ones he made with his own hands."

He passed Carlos the plate, James helping to get it there, and grinned when Carlos' jaw dropped. "Kendall, you made these for me?"

"I did," Kendall nodded, clearing his throat.

"Look, you even put yellow frosting! You're the best."

"Don't forget it," James said to him. "And what are those on top?"

Carlos' eyes narrowed on the plate. "Kisses? You put kisses on them? Aww, Kendall, this is perfect! Can I eat them now?"

"Go ahead, buddy," Kendall grinned, beginning to relax. "They're all yours."

"Not all of them," Logan commented, reaching past James to grab one. "I promised someone a kiss tonight, too." He set the brownie in James' food box. "There you go. One kiss, from me to you."

James lifted an eyebrow at Logan. "Not exactly what I had in mind."

"Friends," Logan reminded him. "That's what I have to offer."

The lights went down then, James and Logan locked in a stare until James nodded and focused on the screen. Logan relaxed and took a bite of his hot dog, content and almost forgetting that Jack was in the same room.

"I can't believe I got stood up," Carlos sighed, then shoved half a brownie in his mouth. "All I wanted was a real date. Someone who knows me well enough to do all this, and gives me flowers, and I can take skating. Someone who will buy me snacks at the movies. Is that too much to ask?"

"I don't think so," Kendall replied quietly, offering Carlos his drink. "Here, don't forget about this. And you've still got popcorn over here, too."

"Thanks, Kendall."

James tilted his head closer to Logan. "He's never going to figure it out," he whispered. "Kendall just needs to tell him."

"Shh, after the movie. Kendall picked a scary one on purpose, so Carlos will hold onto him."

"Sneaky. You can hold onto me if you want. Just saying."

"I'll keep that in mind," Logan smiled.

The food was gone twenty minutes in (except for the brownies, which Carlos was still slowly working his way through), leaving Logan free to lean his head on James' shoulder as he had the night before. A few minutes later James' fingers worked their way into Logan's hair, and Logan had a hard time focusing on the drama playing out before them. He was thirsty but didn't want to move, and as if reading his mind James lifted his own drink to Logan's lips. He took a sip and then watched James do the same. "Thanks."

"Mm-hm."

At one point he glanced past James to see Carlos cuddled up to Kendall, who grinned at Logan and gave him a discreet thumbs up. Logan chuckled softly and turned to the screen again, a little disappointed when James removed his arm from around Logan's shoulders but getting over it quickly when he realized James was merely lifting the chair's arm so he could pull Logan closer. Logan immediately responded to the hand brushing against his, twining their fingers together and cuddling against James' shoulder.

It was a few minutes more before it hit Logan, the truth of the situation slamming into him so suddenly he was stunned.

He was holding hands with someone in a movie theater. Not just any someone, but a guy who would have gladly considered this a date and who had commented (jokingly, but still) that he would have given Logan roses had he been given the chance. True, he hadn't written any songs or poems for Logan, but hadn't he made some sort of comment the other day about how guys can write romantic things as well? Maybe there was a side to James that Logan didn't know about yet.

Maybe Kendall had been right all along, and Logan just hadn't given James a chance to show that side of himself. Maybe he'd be an idiot for letting this opportunity pass him by, when all James had done since his return was to be everything Logan was looking for in a boyfriend.

A life without risks is a life unlived, my friend.

"What's wrong?" James whispered, as always attuned to his mood.

Instead of answering, Logan turned his face to study James'. The concern he saw there was genuine, the hazel eyes he dreamed about somehow bright even in the dim theater. What was wrong with him, pushing this beautiful soul away—a young man who had not only offered to be whatever Logan needed, but come through in that aspect more than once. No one else made Logan feel the way he was feeling now, the way he felt every time James touched him or looked into his eyes.

"I'm sorry," Logan whispered, and for the first time he truly was.

"For what?"

"Everything."

James seemed confused for a few seconds, but when Logan lifted a hand to cup his cheek and tilt his face down, his breath caught. "Is this the part where you throw yourself at me and kiss me with abandon?"

"I think so."

A soft smile tweaked James' lips, his eyes showing that he could hardly believe it was finally happening, and Logan closed his own to let James handle the rest. He felt James' breath on his face, opened his mouth slightly, and-

"Oh my god!"

Carlos' yell caused not only James and Logan to jump, but everyone in the back half of the theater. Curious and annoyed faces turned back to see what all the commotion was about, but Carlos might as well have been in another world. "Kendall! It's you!"

"Shh, Carlos," James hissed, offering apologetic glances at the people around them. "Not here, save it for-"

"I can't believe I didn't figure it out sooner!"

By now Kendall was also hushing Carlos, pleading with him to keep his voice down.

"You love me!"

Shaking his head and wondering why he hadn't seen this coming, Logan grabbed his jacket in one hand and pulled James up with the other. "We're leaving. Carlos, go. Now."

Kendall stood to rush Carlos out of the theater while James and Logan followed.

Rather than head for the lobby, Kendall pushed Carlos in the other direction, not stopping until they were in the back hallway containing doors to the smaller theaters. It was mostly deserted, and Kendall only felt it safe to drop his hands from Carlos' shoulders when they'd reached the furthest theater.

"Okay, now you can freak out."

"It's you?!" Carlos goggled, Logan unable to tell by his expression if the knowledge was welcome or revolting.

"It's me. I didn't know how to tell you and-"

"You could've just said it!"

"I know, but I was scared. You don't even like guys and I didn't want you to hate me and hey, you got roses and brownies out of it, right?"

"Don't forget the poem," Carlos grinned.

Sensing that the danger had passed, James sank onto a nearby bench and tugged Logan down next to him. Once there James didn't release his hand, and Logan made no move to pull it away.

"You really liked the poem, didn't you?" Kendall smiled.

"Dude, it was awesome! You really wrote that all by yourself?"

"Completely. And baked the brownies, though Logan helped with that."

"Aww, you guys," Carlos beamed, eyes twinkling as he glanced over at the other two. "You both knew?"

James nodded, proud of himself for managing to keep the secret.

The light in Carlos' eyes died suddenly. "Wait. Is this...are you guys messing with me? Is this a joke?"

"Of course not," James answered.

Kendall's eyebrows furrowed together. "Why would we?"

"Because you think it's funny. Because I'm an easy target. Because-"

Without warning, Kendall dipped his face down and silenced Carlos with his lips, Carlos letting out a sound of surprise before his fingers clutched at Kendall's shirt.

"Does that feel like a joke?" Kendall whispered after a few moments.

"Oh my god. You love me."

"That's what I've been trying to tell you. If you don't feel the same it's okay, I know this is a shock for you, just promise you won't-"

This time it was Carlos who cut off Kendall's words with a kiss. James chuckled while Logan shook his head.

"They're adorable," Logan smiled, laying his head on James' shoulder again to watch. "I'm betting Carlos will want to stay at Kendall's tonight."

"Probably. Were you supposed to?"

"Yeah, but I'm cool with going home. They need time together."

"So do we, because at the rate we're going, a kiss is never gonna happen."

Logan laughed, cheek rubbing over James' shoulder as he nodded. "Want to come home with me?"

James tensed next to him but then turned to face Logan, who lifted his head to stare back. "Are you serious?"

"Surprisingly, I am. My mom's supposed to be out half the night, she went out with some friends because she knew I'd be gone. Come home with me, James."

For a moment Logan actually thought he'd scared James, because there was no answer and the look in his eyes was impossible to decipher. The trembling Logan felt in James' hand didn't help, and Logan opened his mouth to take back the words but then James nodded, a hesitant smile gracing his lips.

"You sure?" Logan pressed. "You don't seem sure."

"Positive," James answered firmly. "I just can't believe it's finally happening. You're holding my hand and talking to me and if I'm lucky, kissing me goodnight and-"

Logan nodded, biting his lip at the thought and turning to hurry along the other two, who were still kissing. They seemed oblivious to anything else, not even breaking apart when two guys passed and one of them apologized for brushing against Kendall.

Logan's heart dropped into his stomach when he realized who had spoken.

"Let's wait outside," James urged, knowing why Logan was suddenly rigid next to him.

"I want to say something."

"He's not worth it, Logan."

"You don't know what happened, he didn't even..."

Logan couldn't continue because words failed him when the buddy Jack was with pulled him closer for a kiss, both of them laughing until their lips met.

"Logan."

All Logan could do was stare, a betrayal deep enough to rival the one he'd felt toward James climbing up into his chest.

"Logan, come on, let's go."

James stood suddenly and moved in the opposite direction, pulling Logan hard and not letting go of his hand when Logan attempted to tug it free.

"Let me go," Logan threatened in a low voice.

"No. Let it go, he isn't worth-"

With a strength he didn't know he had, Logan wrenched his hand away and spun back to face Jack, who was still engaged in a liplock with the same guy who was always with Jack at school.

"Logan!"

The yell was loud enough to startle Kendall and Carlos, who broke apart to stare at James with wide eyes the same way Jack and his buddy were. James was paying them no attention, though, as he rushed Logan from behind and wrapped around him to pin his arms down while simultaneously lifting him and spinning him away.

"James, what the hell? Let me go!"

James continued to push Logan awkwardly back down the hall. "Let it go," he repeated.

"You have no right to-" He stopped speaking when James set him down long enough to open the door to the men's room, then shoved him in and followed.

"It's not going to do any good. I'm sorry, I know it hurts, but he made his choice."

"He told me it was because he couldn't date a guy! He owes me an explanation!"

"You're right, but now isn't the time."

"I'd say now is the perfect time, James! He stood there and kissed another guy right in front of me, and you tell me how that's not supposed to-"

"Just stop!" James yelled, shocking Logan into silence. "Will you just look at me for once? I'm standing right here in front of you, offering you everything you've ever wanted, and all you can see is him. I've been invisible to you for weeks, Logan, please just look at me. See me."

"I do see you," Logan sighed, "and I'm sorry, but I can't just turn off feelings overnight."

Ignoring the last comment, James shook his head. "Don't see the kid you used to know. Look at me and see me, what I am now, what I can be to you if you just let me. Logan, please," he begged, and Logan was stunned to see tears forming in his eyes. "Just...let me love you."

"James..." Logan's face fell. He stepped closer to James and reached out for both hands, holding them tight.

"All of the things you wanted with him, I can give you those things. Please just open your heart, give me a chance to show you."

"He hurt me," Logan said softly. "It's hard to let that go."

"I know he did," James whispered, freeing his hands so he could pull Logan into the safety of his arms, where Logan pressed his face to James' neck. "I know. And I'm so sorry."

The voice worked its magic, slipping through the cracks in what defenses Logan had left until it reached his heart. The warmth that surrounded him was a refuge, a place he could rest and know he was safe.

"I'm here."

That was all it took. Logan accepted the words, accepted the presence, accepted the offer of devotion that he'd been too blind to see. His heart opened and the grief spilled out, hot tears escaping to slide down James' neck.

When Kendall and Carlos peeked in it was to the sight of James holding Logan and rocking him gently, rubbing his back and kissing his hair while Logan cried. "He's gone," Kendall mouthed, James nodding but making no move to release Logan, and when Kendall gestured they would be outside he nodded again.

The few men who entered the restroom politely averted their eyes from them, but James wouldn't have cared anyway. He reached for a nearby paper towel from the dispenser and wiped at Logan's eyes, his own full of compassion when they finally caught Logan's again. "It's gonna be okay. I promise."

"Will you still come home with me?"

"If that's what you want."

Logan nodded, embarrassed when he caught sight of his puffy face in the mirror. "I'm sorry. You deserve someone who isn't always crying over another guy."

"I'm not worried about it," James smiled, kissing Logan's forehead. "You won't even remember his name by morning."

Logan laughed, hugging James tight. "I'm so glad you're here."

"Exactly," James grinned. "You okay?"

"I will be. I just want to go home."

"Then I'll find a way to make that happen. Come on."