A/N—Posting another chapter of this one in order to get myself back into it mentally. I wasn't sure I was going to continue this story but I hate leaving things unfinished so my hope is that I'm able to get back my inspiration. We left off at James' birthday party after he and Kendall argued yet again about James dancing with a girl. James stormed out, and that's where this chapter picks up. This takes us through the rest of the evening. As always I appreciate you for reading this! I hope you enjoy. :)

He chose Tracy as his dance partner, glad that she was eager to be his girl for the night. At least somebody was. Kendall watched James from the sidelines of the dance floor; he'd occluded himself again and though James couldn't see him, he felt those piercing green eyes watching his every move. He attempted to ignore the feeling and smiled at Tracy, who kept trying to pull him closer. The need to meet Kendall halfway kept James from allowing it.

They made it through three songs before the music was cut off and Lucy called out it was time for cake. James made his way through the crowd to find she'd wheeled out a massive cake on a cart; he laughed when he noted his own face spread across the frosting. It was from the cover of his single, and she'd even had them include his name in the slick font Gustavo had chosen as his signature logo. James had no idea how Lucy had pulled all of this together in such a short time, but he couldn't have been more thankful to have her as his partner in crime. "You're my hero," he mouthed, hoping his emotions wouldn't tumble out in the form of tears; he couldn't cry at his own birthday party, especially with so many people pointing their phones his way to film the moment.

Lucy nodded with a smug smile, then backed off to let him take his place behind the cake. He made a brief speech thanking everyone for coming and reminding them to check out his single, along with the information that he'd be releasing a video for it soon and that the album was almost done. The crowd cheered. He'd never felt more like his life was on track. This was everything he'd always dreamed of. It was enough to get those damn tears rising to the surface again. Lucy leading everyone in the birthday song only made it worse. In order to keep the emotions in check, James hurriedly blew out his eighteen candles before raising his arms to the sky in victory.

This was living.

He and Lucy moved away to let the caterers do their job in serving up cake. He sensed Kendall behind them as they rounded a corner into the hall but ignored that. "Thank you," he said again, this time succeeding in the hug he needed to give. Lucy smiled and returned the embrace.

"Anything for my best bud. I expect way more than this on my next birthday. Just saying."

James laughed, knowing she was joking—sort of. There was also the fact that if his album flopped, he wouldn't even be here for her next birthday. The thought of moving back to Minnesota a failure filled him with dread. "I'm so happy right now, Lucy. I love my life. I don't want it to end."

"Just keep working on your career. Don't let yourself get distracted." She stepped out of the hug to level him with a serious expression. "I know you love sex and love the fame, but trust me when I say fame will come with hard work. You've got the talent. You've got the look. Let those things work for you and focus on putting out quality content."

"I am. I'm trying."

"I know, but now that you're eighteen you might let yourself get swept up in things that will drag you down. You're already talking about partying more and buying sex. That stuff is only going to bring you trouble."

A sound of agreement came from just over James' left shoulder; luckily it was quiet enough that Lucy didn't hear it, but James rolled his eyes. Of course Kendall would agree with that. "I was just...you know. Wanting to live the life."

"I get that, but if you want the life to last, you have to focus on putting in the time and effort now to do it right." Probably seeing that James was starting to tune her out, Lucy sighed. "Sorry, I don't mean to lecture you on your birthday. I'm saying these things because I care and I want you to stay out here."

"I know. And I appreciate all your advice."

"Have I ever been wrong?" she smirked.

"Uh...just the time when you said pineapple is good on pizza."

"Hey!" Lucy smacked his arm lightly, her face morphing into a full smile. "It is good, you just have no taste. How much longer are you staying?"

"I don't know, I guess we'll see how I feel."

"Okay, let me know when you're getting ready to leave so I can—"

Realizing what Lucy was about to say because she had no idea Kendall was in their vicinity, James cut her off quick. "Right. Thanks. I will."

Lucy blinked once before craning her neck around in search of someone. "Where is your bodyguard anyway?"

"Oh, he's around."

"I'm shocked he let you take off alone."

"Me too. We should get back in there in case Camille is hounding him again."

When Lucy stepped around him, James purposely twisted his body to block Kendall so that she wouldn't bump into the invisible angel by mistake. It brought him closer to Kendall, and he felt a strong arm slide around his waist from behind. James tried to step away once Lucy had passed, but the arm tightened to drag him back against the firm body.

"You will not buy sex," Kendall hissed into his ear.

James' breath hitched. It was a command that clearly wasn't up for debate. Before he could reply, Kendall added more.

"You will not hug her again. She cares for you."

"I told you about that," James whispered. "We're just friends."

"Feelings change. No more hugs tonight, do you understand? If you need one, you come to me."

There was that vision in his head again of being enveloped in Kendall's wings. Maybe even while lying in bed, with Kendall keeping him safe and secure.

Lucy stopped just before turning the corner. She looked back in question. "You coming?"

"Yeah. Was just...thinking. I'm right behind you. Go ahead."

Lucy shrugged but disappeared. This time when James stepped forward, Kendall let him go—at least until the hand clamped down on his shoulder again. "Do you understand?"

James swallowed hard. "Yes."

Apparently satisfied, Kendall dropped his hand. James shot forward, eager to get away from Kendall and find a girl he could be alone with.

Suddenly his body was wide awake.

James searched out Camille once back in the main room. He spotted her shoving a forkful of cake into her mouth next to Jo, who looked bored and as if she would in fact rather be at home doing nothing.

Whatever. James had gotten what he wanted out of her for the night. Let her leave.

Camille, though...she could be useful.

"Hey," James said softly, knowing Kendall would hear even over the loud music. "Show yourself."

Kendall immediately complied. James hadn't quite thought that through and hoped no one noticed the sudden appearance. "You wish me to be with you now?"

"Sure, why not?" He led Kendall over to the girls, who had positioned themselves in a corner. "Hey, ladies! Having fun?"

"This cake is fantastic," Camille said with enthusiasm. "I need to know where you got it from so I can have it on my birthday."

"Ask Lucy, she put all this together. Or maybe Kelly ordered the cake. I'm not sure. I'll find out and let you know. Are you done dancing for the night?"

"Nope, I was just taking a cake break." After forking in the last bite, Camille dumped the empty paper plate into a nearby trash can and licked frosting off her lips. "You want to dance?" And then just as James had hoped she would, she turned her attention to Kendall. "Or do you want to dance? You were just starting to get it down."

Kendall's eyes widened as he shook his head. James chuckled and pushed him toward her. "Go on, buddy. Have some fun."

Kendall turned a cutting glare his way.

"Seriously. I'm just gonna be here talking to Jo. It's fine."

Kendall didn't want to go. James ignored his outrage and turned away, striking up a conversation with Jo. He heard Camille drag Kendall away and let out a breath of relief.

Now to see if he could sneak out without Kendall noticing.

It was as if someone really had coached Camille about keeping Kendall distracted. She turned them so that his back was to James, giving him the perfect opportunity to slip away. Jo didn't even bat an eye when James unexpectedly took off at a fast pace. He'd seen Tracy near the entrance and wanted to get to her before Kendall realized he was missing. Once he reached her, he gripped her hand and dragged her away from the girl she was talking to, offering no explanation until they'd reached the studio's lobby.

"Sorry, I needed to get out of there fast."

Tracy was about to ask if he was okay, then noticed his flushed face and the way he was barely containing himself. "Oh. You're in the mood." The knowledge pleased her. She moved in for a kiss.

James halted her halfway, a hand pressed to her chest and wow, her breast felt good against his hand. Nothing was going to stop him from having this tonight. "Out there."

Tracy didn't hesitate to follow. He got her outside the office and into the main hall, where he searched until he found a utility closet he'd passed every day since coming to work with Gustavo. Again, Tracy questioned nothing. James pulled her inside and closed the door, leaving them in the dark but that was fine. They didn't need to see for this. He knew he was pushing it by sneaking off without Kendall, especially when he was going to have her alone in his bathroom before the hour was out, but James didn't want to wait. His body was on fire.

Thankfully, Tracy seemed to be on the same page. She let him press her up against the door and run his hands up her top, where they eagerly cupped her breasts while she kissed him. Her own hand slipped down his stomach and kept going until she was stroking him through the jeans. This was what he loved about her; she was easy. There was never any argument. He didn't know if she was like this with all guys or just him, but then again he really didn't care. She was here when he needed her and was willing to give whatever he desired. He'd definitely be getting a birthday blow job out of her tonight.

Fuck yes.

Light crashed in when the door suddenly flew open. Tracy gasped and pulled away, shielding her eyes. James didn't even have to look; he knew who it was. Somehow Kendall had found him, because of course he would. He was just that fucking annoying.

"James! What are you doing?!"

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck.

That iron grip reached out and found Tracy's upper arm to yank her out of the closet. She let out a yelp.

"Hey!" James yelled. "Don't hurt her."

Kendall's expression showed that her welfare was the last thing he was worried about; she was the enemy. "Get away from him!"

"Kendall, stop it!" James shoved him, or tried to; this time he didn't budge, probably because he was up against what he considered a threat. "Let her go!"

"She was touching you!"

"Jesus Christ," James sighed, right back to wishing Kendall would just disappear from his life. "Tracy, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

She twisted out of Kendall's grip. "This must be the bodyguard Lucy told me about. Geez, dude, relax. We were just making out. It's no big deal."

Tracy obviously had no idea just how big a deal that was to Kendall. He turned furious eyes her way. James stepped between them. "It's my fault. I made her come out here. Don't you yell at her again." He waited a beat to make sure Kendall was going to stay quiet, then spun to face Tracy. "Go. I'm sorry about this."

"Yeah, this guy needs to be fired, James."

"I'm..." What really could he say? He couldn't explain Kendall's over-the-top behavior. "He's just overprotective. I'll uh...catch up with you later?" He prayed she'd get the hint.

She glanced at Kendall as if reconsidering the idea of joining James at his apartment, but then nodded. "Sure. Happy birthday."

"Thanks. It's been...different."

"I can see that." She stepped closer in order to give him a quick peck on the lips. Kendall dragged James out of reach before her mouth could get there.

"Leave now."

"Oh my god, dude, chill the fuck out. I'm going." With a roll of her eyes, Tracy headed back into the studio.

Now the enraged gaze settled on James. "What is wrong with you?"

"Me? What's wrong with you? I told you I'm not going to fall in love!"

"You promised me! We made an agreement that you would not touch anyone!"

Hearing voices coming from the direction of the elevator, James made the quick decision to pull Kendall into the closet the way he had Tracy, though this time it would be for a much different reason. He wanted no one to hear them arguing. Once they were alone, he said, "I know. I'm sorry. I just...Kendall, I'm human. I have urges. I can't just pretend they aren't here."

"You have to! This is going to get you killed! How many times must I—"

"Lower your voice," James hissed. "The last thing I need is for someone to open this door and catch me in the closet with a dude."

Kendall was plainly attempting to hold on to his patience and failing. "James, I don't understand why you would lie to me. You promised. I thought we understood each other. I thought you were willing to work with me."

"I was. And then..."

"Then what?"

James couldn't see Kendall's face in the dark, but he heard the genuine disappointment and confusion in the voice that had become like his own conscience. "I don't know. I just...I was turned on. The party, you know? All those people there for me. For me. And the girls paying attention to me, and I guess it all got to me. I got hot. I needed to be with someone."

"No, James, you cannot be with someone. That is the reason I'm here, to keep you from being with someone."

"I know, and it sucks. It fucking sucks. What am I supposed to do, just take care of these urges by myself for the next year? It's not fair!"

"God has never promised that life on Earth would be fair. You must take this seriously. All of Heaven is at stake. Does that not concern you? Does it not matter? Trust me, when you die you will be glad that Heaven is intact. You don't want the other option."

"I just want to be a teenager!" James yelled. "I mean, I guess an adult, but like...I want to live my fucking life! Let me have a life!"

"I thought you did not wish to be overheard."

"Fuck," James muttered, hating that he'd let himself get so worked up. "Kendall...I can't do this. I tried, okay? I tried. For you. But this isn't me. This isn't my life. I need sex. I need girls. None of this means anything without the fun that comes with it."

"So then you want to die. You're willing to risk your own life, and the future of Heaven, for a momentary satisfaction that will pass in the blink of an eye."

"God, you make it sound like I'm being selfish to want to enjoy life. It's my fucking birthday! Let me have one night!"

"I cannot. This night could be what sets your death into motion. She...that whore...could be already working her way into your heart."

"Don't call her a whore. She's a nice girl."

A disbelieving laugh escaped Kendall. "Nice girls don't squeeze your penis in a dark closet."

"Okay, first...ew. Don't call it a penis. And second, what do you know? You don't even remember your time on Earth. I bet you had girls squeezing your penis all the time when you were alive."

Kendall shuddered at the mere thought. "I am positive that I did not."

"But you don't know. You can't know."

"James, we are not discussing my former life. This is about you and your safety. The safety of the world. Please. I am begging you. Obey me. Understand that my only concern is you. I care for nothing else other than your safety."

James suddenly wished he could see Kendall's face—more accurately, his eyes. There was something in Kendall's eyes that he liked whenever Kendall made a comment like that. Maybe it really was just that someone actually cared about him. The fight went out of him. "Look. Let's just go home. I'm not having any fun here because you won't let me, and the temptation of all these girls around is making me crazy."

"That is what I tried to explain before we came here. I warned you it would be difficult to keep your desires under control amidst females, did I not?"

He had. James hated him for it, but he had said that. Why did Kendall always have to be right? "Whatever. Let me go say goodbye to Lucy, and we'll—"

"No more hugs. Use me if you need that."

"Right, no hugs. Got it." Defeated, James stepped out of the closet and into fluorescent lighting that was nearly blinding. "Are you gonna wait here, or—"

"Absolutely not. I am always by—"

"My side, right. I remember."

The prospect of an entire year of loneliness ate away at James as he trudged back to the party.

Then he remembered that he still had an ace up his sleeve with the plan to hide Tracy in his bathroom, and his steps lightened.

James didn't force Kendall to ride the shuttle back to The Palm Woods this time; his joy in making Kendall suffer had faded, at least for the moment. He allowed Kendall to transport them from the stairwell of Rocque Records to one on the second floor of his building, and luckily no one was around to see them materialize out of thin air. Kendall followed James out into the hall, one hand on his shoulder as always when they were in public. James told himself to just play it cool. If Kendall sensed any kind of sneakiness in him, his dreams of sex (albeit in a bathtub or up against a wall, which might actually be fun to try) would never come to pass tonight.

He was just about to slide his key card into the lock when Kendall's grip tightened painfully, making James hiss. "Ow, dude, lighten up! That hurts!" He tried to twist out from under Kendall's hand, but the angel held on and spoke in a low voice.

"Do not go in there."

"What? It's my home, of course I'm going in there. Kendall, seriously, can you let up on my shoulder?"

"There is someone inside. In your bathroom."

All of James' hopes died in one fell swoop. He didn't even have the energy to groan in disappointment. How had he forgotten that Kendall could (and would) scan the place before they entered? He may be annoying, but he took his job to heart and would make sure James was safe no matter where they were.

"Go back to the stairs." Kendall snatched the card from James, having seen him use it enough to know how it worked. "I will take care of this."

Visions of Kendall screaming at (and possibly hurting) Tracy flooded James' brain. "Kendall, wait."

He got the door open and looked back. "Go now. It's that whore from your party. She must understand that you are not going to be with her."

"Quit calling her a whore. Don't hurt her, she—"

"She has already been warned to stay away. I will not—"

James pushed past Kendall to block him. "Stop. Let me talk to her."

"You will go nowhere near her."

"Kendall, will you just—"

James' words cut off when he was shoved up against the living room wall by an invisible hand. He felt the force pushing him, not in a violent way but strong enough that he couldn't fight it. He tried to move, tried to do anything, and found that he couldn't; he was trapped into place against the wall, barely able to even speak. "Kendall," he rasped.

Kendall walked away. James still couldn't move.

"What the fuck," he whispered, still attempting to free himself. "Kendall, let me go!" It came out as a harsh gasp.

Next he heard Tracy scream. He fought harder; it did no good. He was stuck as if chains were holding him in place.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Tracy yelled. James watched while Kendall lifted her off the ground like she weighed nothing and carried her toward the front door. "James, help me!"

He couldn't. He could only watch with an apologetic gaze.

"Let me go! He asked me to be here, he wants me here! You can't...James, tell him! Tell him you asked Lucy to sneak me in!"

James' eyes fell shut. He'd be hearing about this soon enough.

The door opened without being touched, and thankfully Tracy was too busy screaming at James to notice. Kendall deposited her in the hall and warned, "Do not attempt to see James again. Ever. I will not hesitate to physically keep you away in the future. Do you understand me?"

Tracy looked at Kendall like he was insane—not that James could blame her. "Are you kidding me? You're crazy. Like...seriously crazy. James, I like you and all, but I can't deal with this. If you ever get rid of this asshole, look me up." She dug in her pocket to pull out a second key card, the one Lucy had given her. She threw it at Kendall's face. "Here, Psycho. Keep it."

Kendall slammed the door in her face. When he turned toward James, it was with a look of fury that James hadn't seen before.

James licked his lips, able to do that at least. "You can't just—"

"You betrayed me. Again."

"You left me no choice!"

"I've given you all the choices thus far, and I realize now that was my mistake! I cannot allow you to make choices!"

James fought to free himself, annoyed that he still couldn't. "Can you at least let me move now? The danger's gone."

"No, because the danger is never gone. How are you still not understanding that? I have been patient with you. I have tried to let you be happy. Yet you still—"

"But you're not, Kendall! I'm not happy! I can't have sex, I can't be around people, I can't even move!" He cleared his throat, trying to free it from the tightness. "Can you let me talk properly? Or is that gonna get me killed, too?" Instantly James felt his throat open up and he took a deep breath. "Thank you." He still couldn't move, but it was something. "You keep asking me to understand your point of view, but you're not understanding mine. I need people!"

"You have me!"

"One person isn't enough! And you're not even a person, you're a fucking...whatever the hell you are. I need a friend!"

"I have allowed you Lucy. I thought we compromised with her."

"Okay, but she's still just one person. You don't get it, Kendall."

"Neither do you, James. No matter how many times I try to explain the danger you're in, you fight me and lie to my face and..." A light bulb went off in Kendall's brain. "At the party. You wanted me to dance with Camille so that you could be alone with the whore. You tricked me!"

"Fuck," James sighed. His body was still frozen against the wall, and it was uncomfortable. What was worse was the hurt that crept into Kendall's gaze upon the realization that James had manipulated him.

Kendall was nodding slowly. "I see it now. I see what I must do to keep you safe. I've been too lenient."

"Kendall—"

That was all James got out before Kendall snapped his fingers. James' surroundings shifted. One second he was in the living room, the next he was lying on his bed, which was at least more comfortable. He still couldn't move, though. Kendall stared down at him from next to the bed.

"You're gonna keep me here? Like...forever?"

"If I must."

Invisible bands wrapped around him, but James knew that they didn't exist; Kendall was keeping him in place with the sheer power of his mind. "You can't do that."

"I will do what I must to keep you safe."

James' body was trapped, yet at the same time quite alive. He tried to move his arms and couldn't. "People will come looking for me. Lucy will worry if she doesn't hear from me tomorrow."

"We will discuss tomorrow when the time comes. For now, I have learned that I cannot trust you. You lie to me. You run from me. You doubt that I know what is best for you."

"Kendall, you have me trapped to a fucking bed. I'm pretty sure this isn't what's best for me." But James had to admit, if the circumstances were different, and he was here by choice...yeah, he could see himself enjoying this. One part of his body seemed to be enjoying it even now. "Are you going to keep me here all night?"

"Yes."

"What if I have to pee?"

"I will accompany you into the room."

"That's disgusting. We discussed that the bathroom is off limits."

"Our discussions have no value now. They are full of lies from you."

"So you're just gonna...what? Stand over the bed and watch me all night?"

"Yes."

James bit his lip. He'd never be able to sleep like this. "Can you let me move?"

"No. You will try to escape."

"I won't. I swear I won't, Kendall."

"I no longer believe you when you speak."

"Kendall..." James let out a groan of frustration. "You can't just...look, I swear. I promise, I won't try to leave. But I can't sleep like this. I need to be able to move."

"If you can move, you can run."

"I won't! Block the door if you need to, stand guard."

Kendall seemed to consider that, his gaze narrowing as he stared down at James. "Are you comfortable in that clothing? Will that keep you from sleeping?"

"I could probably sleep in it if I needed to, but I wouldn't be comfortable. At least let me take off the jacket."

Kendall disappeared. For a second James thought he'd occluded himself again, then realized he was standing in the bedroom doorway. A moment later, James felt his body relax. He tested it and was relieved to discover he had free will again. "Thank you."

"You cannot escape this room. There is a window, but a fall from this height would hurt you. I would not suggest it."

"Trust me, I'm not leaving the room." He sat up and stretched. It felt good to be able to. He removed his boots, then stripped out of the jacket. "I'm going to get my sweats, okay? Don't freak out."

"What is a sweat? I thought that was moisture secreted from the body when it is overheated."

"It is, but sweats are what we call a certain type of pants we wear when exercising. When sweating, I guess you'd say. Ha, I never made that connection before." Proud of himself, James hung up his jacket in the closet before removing his shirt and dumping that into a hamper. Next went the jeans, and he was careful in pushing those down because his body was still wide awake. It probably would be until he could take care of the problem, and how was he going to manage that with Kendall around every second? Would he just be stuck with a boner for the next year, never able to find release? The thought was depressing.

Turning his back on Kendall, James slid the boxers down and kicked them away. When he twisted to grab a clean pair from the dresser, he noted that Kendall's eyes were glued to his crotch. "Dude. Are you seriously staring at my junk again?"

"It is different. Larger. Longer. What made it change?"

James rolled his eyes. "You're so concerned with love and sex, but you don't know the first thing about either one. I thought you knew how the human body worked."

"I know enough," Kendall replied, sounding both embarrassed and offended.

"Clearly you don't. This is called an erection. It's what happens when a dude is in the mood."

"What mood?"

"For sex, Kendall. It means I need sex. Which I'm being denied. So now I'm stuck with this boner thanks to you." He pulled the new boxers up to his waist, blocking Kendall's view of it.

"Does it hurt?"

"It's...a different kind of pain. More annoying than actual pain, but yeah. It can hurt if it's not taken care of."

"And sex is the only way."

James considered lying and saying that yes, without a woman to help him he'd suffer forever. But Kendall had mentioned his lying more than once, and he was eager to gain back Kendall's trust, so he spoke the truth. "Yes, but I don't necessarily need another person to do that. I just need privacy."

Kendall's lips pursed. "Explain."

"I can jack off."

Kendall waited for more.

"Like...imitate the act of sex. With my hand. It's not as fun, but it gets the job done."

"How does that work? What does your hand do?"

"You know, you just..." James shook his head. "Forget it. I'm not having this conversation. The point is...what was the point? My dick looks like this because I got turned on at the party and never got to do anything about it. Thanks to you."

"I will not apologize for saving your life."

"And I won't apologize for trying to live it." Now clothed in the sweats he'd pulled from the dresser, James reached in for a second pair and tossed it to Kendall. "Get out of those party clothes. We might as well be comfortable when we sleep."

And there was a thought James hadn't really considered. Where would Kendall sleep? Oh right, he didn't need sleep. He'd probably just stand in the doorway all night.

"I do not require sleep."

"Yeah, you said that. Do what you want. I need to pee before bed."

"Not without me."

James didn't bother arguing. He supposed it was no different from taking a leak in a public bathroom; the difference was that this guy would actually be watching him. He stood in front of the toilet, attempting to forget that. It didn't work. "Can you look away for a second?"

"No."

"Kendall, I'm not going anywhere. There isn't even a window in here. Just turn your back and block the door if you're so worried about me."

"You cannot get past me. Do not try."

"I won't. Just let me pee, Jesus."

Finally Kendall turned away. James tried to let it go. It still wouldn't come.

"Why are you hesitating?"

"Because I can't take a piss with a boner, okay? The body doesn't work that way."

"Can you make the erection go away?"

"Not with you watching me."

"Perhaps I can help."

"Nope, not going there." Frustrated, James gave up and put it back in the sweats. "Forget it. It'll go away eventually and I'll just pee then."

"James, just tell me what to do and I can make it go away."

"Kendall, that is not happening. Ever. Thanks, but no thanks." He pushed Kendall out of the way, Kendall allowing it, and trudged back to the bedroom. "Just...let me sleep. I want to sleep."

"Sleep is good. It rejuvenates the body. I do know that."

"Good for you." James was done fighting Kendall, at least for tonight. He collapsed onto the bed and reached for the phone he'd set on his nightstand while changing. "You are going to let me shoot my video tomorrow, right?"

"As long as only the staff is present, the way we discussed it earlier. No lies, James."

"No lies, Kendall. I just want to make a video."

"Then yes. It is allowed."

James set an alarm. "In the morning I'll need to shower and get breakfast before we leave."

"Understood."

After replacing the phone, James turned onto his side and attempted to relax. It wasn't easy with his body and mind both so awake, but he closed his eyes and let out a sigh. "Can you turn off the light, please?" He didn't know for sure where Kendall was at this point, but assumed he was near. Sure enough, the room was plunged into darkness and Kendall's voice sounded from behind him.

"I can see in the dark. In case you're planning to escape me."

"I'm not. I fucking give up on that."

James was surprised a few seconds later by the mattress shifting under him. He'd expected that Kendall would remain in the doorway. He opened his eyes, making out the vague shape of Kendall's body next to him. "What are you doing?"

"Making sure you do not leave."

"I already said—"

"I have learned to not trust what you say. I feel you are safer with me near."

"And the door is too far away?"

"This will keep you safe in a more comfortable manner than me restraining you. But be warned that if need be, I will restrain you again."

James' cock twitched. Damn this boner that would not go away!

A sudden fluttery sound startled James. "What was that?"

"My wings."

Before James could react, Kendall's arms reached out to lift his upper body from the bed and drag him close in an embrace. Kendall had discarded the clothing (probably with another snap of his fingers), so when James was cuddled in, his face was pressed to Kendall's bare chest. Then the wings closed around him, trapping him in a cocoon of warmth and safety. It was almost exactly what he'd pictured earlier, only this time they were skin to skin. Kendall reclined so that they were lying on the bed, on their sides facing each other.

"Your heart is beating very fast. Are you well, James?"

Was he? James didn't even know anymore, his body was doing all sorts of crazy things. "I can't breathe easily."

Kendall loosened his grip enough to put a little space between them, but the wings didn't move. "Better?"

"It's...yeah. I'm okay." Being enveloped in Kendall's wings was like...well, there were no words to describe it. James wasn't sure how to feel about it. He should feel trapped. He should feel annoyed. Instead, he felt...

Peace.

It was that same feeling of peace Kendall had given him earlier, with a touch to the chest. This time it was at all of their contact points, and warmth suffused his body. He had a small amount of freedom inside the cocoon, so he moved a hand around Kendall's body in order to reach the feathery wall. His fingers stroked the softness and he found it soothing. "Does this bother you?" he asked softly. "If I do this?"

"Not at all."

"But you feel it?"

"Oh, yes. I feel it."

The tone of his voice encouraged James to continue, because it was rare to hear Kendall sound as if he was at peace himself. James shifted until he was comfortable, with his head on Kendall's shoulder and one hand pressed to Kendall's chest. The other continued the soothing stroking motion; it calmed him enough to feel drowsy.

"Are you well?"

James never answered. He'd fallen into slumber, his body finally relaxed and at peace.