A/N—Another shorter chapter, but it's hard to find places to cut in this story. Sorry it's been so long since I posted. Next week I should be posting my entry for the Halloween challenge, but then the week after I'll be back with more of this one. Thanks as always to those sticking around to continue reading! Your reviews make my day every time. :)

As he had earlier in the day, James opened his eyes to complete darkness that was comforting rather than suffocating. Perhaps it was the feel of Kendall's body against his, the vise of arms around him that provided safety to his mind. "What time is it?" he asked, his voice gruff from deep sleep.

"4:59 P.M." came the ready answer.

James' eyes rolled because of course Kendall couldn't just say five o'clock like most people would. Then again, Kendall wasn't technically a person and James needed to keep that in mind. His lids felt heavy and gritty, but his mind and body were refreshed as they had been upon waking that morning.

Definitely need to make wing-sleep a habit.

"Are you better, James? Did sleep help soothe you?"

"Yeah, actually. It did." His bladder signaled it would be needing release soon, but he could afford himself a few minutes more of this heaven. He found it interesting that Kendall wasn't worried about anything going on outside the wings; his head was enveloped by them as well, as if nothing beyond mattered. James had the feeling that something catastrophic could be happening around them and he'd still be safe, both of them wrapped in the cocoon of peace because Kendall wouldn't let anything hurt him.

It was actually...nice...to know he was so protected.

Of course, Kendall could probably see through the wings. He could apparently see through anything.

Except his own eyelids. He said he can't scan with his eyes closed.

"You don't sleep at all?"

"I do not."

"And you don't get tired?"

"No."

"Doesn't that make you crazy? Like...when does your mind ever rest?"

"My mind has no need of rest, James. How is your mind?"

"My mind is fine, thanks." It wouldn't be once he let in the memories from his failed attempt to shoot a music video, so for the moment he shied away from those. "I need to text Lucy. She's probably mad at me."

"I did not sense anger from her so much as concern. She does not trust me."

"Nope, not at all. I guess I can understand that. If she suddenly had a dude in her life that was controlling everywhere she went, I'd be concerned, too."

"Because you care?"

"Because we're friends. And yeah, I care. I can't tell her the truth, so of course she doesn't understand."

"You could tell her, James. It is better than lying."

"No, it's not. I know you don't get that. You just have to trust me. No one can know that you're an angel."

He felt Kendall's nod in the form of a strong chin rubbing over his hair. "I will trust your judgment."

"Thank you." James sighed, not really wanting to move. It just felt so peaceful here in bed.

"Your phone was making noises while you slept."

So he could hear outside the wings as well. Sounds were muffled for James from the inside. "Sorry if they were disturbing. Probably Lucy trying to call and check on me." Reluctantly, James loosened himself from Kendall's grip. The wings parted slowly to let in light. Thankfully it was late enough that the sun had begun to dip and wasn't as blinding in the room.

Once free, James rolled over to reach for his phone. He'd missed three calls, and all from the same person—surprisingly, not Lucy. "Shit. My mom's been calling."

"Your mother?"

"Yeah. She called three times, how long was I asleep?" James sat up and dropped his socked feet to the floor, only then realizing he'd never changed out of the tux. "Fuck. They're gonna kill me because this is wrinkled. I don't even own an iron. I wonder if housekeeping could bring me one. Wait, can you iron a tux? God, I don't want to think about this right now."

"Is there some way I can help?"

"Nah, not unless you know how to get wrinkles out of a suit."

"That was not part of my training, unfortunately."

"Didn't figure it was." He finally stood, then stretched his hands toward the ceiling to work out the kinks. "I have to pee, then I'm going to see what Mom wants. Then I'll text Lucy and invite her over for dinner. You're just gonna have to deal."

"Deal?"

"Yes. It means accept my choice even if you don't like it."

"Ah. The same way you have no choice in my actions to keep you safe."

"Right. Something like that."

James spun around, intending to say more, but the sight of Kendall still reclined on his bed, wings expanded, silenced him. Kendall hadn't removed any clothing other than the shirt, not even the shoes, but he appeared to be completely at ease. His long torso was smooth, no hint of hair. His skin was pale. James quelled the sudden urge to run a finger down Kendall's chest, just to see if his skin there was as silky as it looked.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"What? I'm not. Put on your shirt." James turned away, shaking his thoughts loose from whatever trance that had been. Lucy had to be right. The angel was hypnotic. All angels probably were, it was something in their DNA, like a superpower they carried. Did angels even have DNA?

James! Focus. Pee. Call Mom. Text Lucy. In that order. Move.

With Kendall (now fully clothed) following in his wake, James did.

Before he called his mother James changed out of the tux and hung it up. Google showed him that it was okay to iron a tux, so now all he had to do was ask for one from the front desk—and then Google how to iron properly. But he'd worry about that tomorrow, on his day off from...well, everything. In fact, an entire day spent inside his apartment, perhaps napping off and on, sounded fantastic.

Who was he?

Now dressed in an old pair of jeans and a baggy tee (who'd be seeing him other than Kendall and Lucy?), he dropped onto the sofa and stretched out his legs across it. Kendall planted himself behind the couch, at the ready for...who ever knew what dangers Kendall was imagining? "Sit."

"Pardon?"

"I might be on the phone for a while, so get comfortable."

"I've told you, I don't get tired."

He was back to watching his words in order to speak less stiffly. James smiled. "Come on, just sit with me. It's weird to have you hovering over me."

After a nod, Kendall moved around the sofa and seated himself near James' bare feet.

"Better. Now let's see what Mom wants. It can't be good if she called three times. Mom's too busy for that."

Sending up a prayer that she hadn't been harmed in any way, James returned the call. It was declined immediately and James frowned. Three seconds later, her own call came in but she'd chosen a face-to-face. "James?" Her outfit showed she'd been working as usual, yet her eyes reflected muted panic.

"Hey, Mom. Sorry, I was napping."

"Napping?!" As if it was the most outrageous thing she'd ever heard.

"Yeah. I had a long day."

"Since when do you nap in the middle of the day?"

"I don't know, I was tired. I just needed..." She wouldn't understand needing a break from everything; she thrived on constant activity. "Like I said, it was a long day."

"Kelly informed me you left the shoot early."

"Oh. Yeah, it uh...she sent me home. We're going to finish up on Monday." He felt Kendall's intense green eyes on him. Tried to ignore them.

"She said it didn't go well."

"Mom, it's fine. I'll be fine. It's...you know. The acting thing. I just need more coaching."

"You always did struggle with that."

"Right." Thanks for reminding me. "I'm not worried about it." A complete lie. Kendall's gaze narrowed as if he knew that. James looked away.

"So it's not because of this boy?"

"Boy? What boy?"

"Kendall. Your new friend."

"Wait, what? It has nothing to do with Kendall. Why would it?"

"Because Kelly contacted me, just as you suspected she would. She's concerned about him, and she received a call from your friend Lucy as well. Both say this young man is attempting to control you."

"Oh my god." James' head fell back in frustration. "Mom, they're overreacting. It's not like that."

"No? So he isn't keeping you away from everyone?"

Okay yes, he totally was. But James' mother would never understand that. The problem was that his mother pretty much always knew when he was lying. He'd have to choose his words carefully. "I told you he's pretending to be my bodyguard."

"And is he going overboard with that?"

Yes. A hundred percent yes. "No, Mom. He's like...helping me keep my focus on the career rather than all the outside stuff. You know, parties and girls and stuff. It's more like that. Lucy doesn't trust him, and I get it because she doesn't know him. I'm inviting her over tonight to hang out with us so she can spend time with him. She'll be fine after that."

"I see. And Kelly's concerns? Are they also ridiculous? She claims he insists on being near you at all times."

"Right, for the bodyguard thing. He just looks out for me, I told you."

She wasn't completely satisfied with that answer; it was clear on her face. "I want to meet him."

James blinked in shock. "Meet him? Like...you're coming out here?"

"Don't be silly, I have no time for a jaunt to Hollywood. I assume he's there, hovering?"

He would've been, had James not insisted he take the couch. "He's here. Not hovering, just...we're hanging out."

"I want to meet him, James. Put him on."

Well, fuck. Who knew what crazy things Kendall might say? He didn't even know how to use the phone. Thinking fast, James shifted around on the sofa so that his back was to Kendall, then positioned the phone to include them both in the frame. He smiled at Kendall's curious face peeking over his shoulder. "Mom, meet Kendall. Kendall? My mom."

Kendall nodded once. "Hello."

Intelligent hazel eyes that matched James' studied him intently through the tiny screen. "You're Kendall."

"I am. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Hmm. My son says you're living with him now."

"For the next year, yes."

"The next year? And then what?"

James cut in before Kendall could. "He hasn't decided yet. I told him he could stay here for a year."

"James, you don't even know if you'll be there for a year."

White hot fury rose in him, like it did every time his mother insinuated that his career would fail and he'd be sent home in disgrace. "Yes, I will. I'm doing this, Mom. I'm staying here."

Her true thoughts came through in her expression: We'll just see about that. What she said out loud was, "Kendall. Tell me a little about yourself."

"Mom, I already told you that Kendall doesn't like to talk about his past."

"I'm not asking about his past." Her gaze never cut away from Kendall. "Tell me about yourself, Kendall."

Out of view of the screen, James squeezed Kendall's knee in warning. What, really, could Kendall say that wouldn't give away the truth?

"There is not much to speak of. I am new to this place."

Okay, that wasn't a lie. But it wouldn't satisfy Brooke, either.

"And why are you there? What brought you to Hollywood?"

James closed his eyes, silently praying for Kendall to lie.

"Things I cannot disclose. What I can tell you is that I mean your son no harm. He is safe with me."

James' eyes opened in time to catch the surprise on his mother's face. "I sense truth in that statement."

"I do not lie. James will be protected at all times. There are many dangers in this place, but I swear to you that your son will remain safe."

Something passed between them, some understanding that James felt more than saw. His mother said, "See that he does. James? A word? Privately?"

"Sure, Mom. Kendall, I'll be in the bedroom." James pushed up off the sofa, already seeing the argument about to erupt. He whispered, "I'll be right back!"

Of course that wasn't good enough, because by the time he arrived in the bedroom, Kendall had already stationed himself there. James rolled his eyes but made sure to keep the phone turned away so his mother wasn't aware of Kendall's presence. "Okay, you can talk now."

"He's an odd one."

"I know," James sighed. "But he's not—"

"But he's honest. I know when people are lying. That boy didn't lie to me, not once."

"No. He um...he actually gets mad at me when I lie to people. He says it's wrong."

"Well, in the right circumstances it can be necessary."

"That's what I said!"

"But what matters is that he's telling the truth and he intends to watch over you."

James could've laughed at the understatement.

"Does he do any drugs? Drink?"

"No, Mom, nothing like that. He's like...a total straight arrow. So much that it's boring."

"Good, you need an influence like that in your life. Especially now that you don't have Logan to keep you in line. Not that he ever could, you'd just roll right over his objections. But he always tried."

"Yeah, he did," James smiled. "I talked to him yesterday, Mom. Carlos, too. It was really good to hear from them."

"Sylvia tells me that Carlos misses you dearly. Are you sure you won't give up this outlandish dream of yours and come home, James?"

"No, Mom. You gave me a year to make it work. I'm taking the entire year, no matter what."

"Well, I do feel better knowing that Kendall will be with you for that entire year. As strange as he is, he seems to want to protect you."

"That he does."

"I insist on a phone call twice per week from now on. And I'll need Kendall's phone number."

"Oh, he doesn't have a phone." Before his mother could voice her disbelief, he added, "It was stolen from him. So for now, we just use mine."

"I see. And he has no money to get a new one?"

"No. He doesn't have any money at all, which is why he's staying here."

Brooke's face changed. "Look out for each other, then. It sounds like he needs you just as much as you need him. I'm still not sure I trust him completely, but I do believe he has good intentions."

"He does, Mom. I swear. Lucy and Kelly just don't know him well enough yet. Did you cover for me and say he's my cousin?"

"Yes, I corroborated your lies. Don't make me regret it."

"I won't. And I'll check in just so you know I'm okay."

"Wednesdays and Saturdays, James. Like clockwork."

"Deal."

"If I don't hear from you, I'll contact Kelly."

"You won't have to."

"Good. I have a meeting in five, so I'm going to let you go. I'll be calling Kelly first to inform her that all is well. Take care of yourself, James. And take care of that boy."

"Yep. Kisses."

"No, don't just say it. Do it."

Would he ever be an adult in her eyes? James made a kissy face to his mother before hanging up the call and letting out a long breath.

"Your mother shares your eye color."

James nodded, pocketing his phone. "Yeah. Oh my god, that was horrible."

"Was it? I thought it went well. She knows I wish only to protect you, and she approves."

"Yes, but she still doesn't completely trust you. She said that."

"Trust is built over time. Or destroyed."

"Right, because you still don't trust me."

"Not after last night. Your hair is a shade lighter than hers."

"I have highlights. And she dyes hers." James met Kendall's gaze. "Why are you stuck on her appearance?"

"I am fascinated by the similar traits passed down by family. Looking into her eyes was like looking into yours. The color changes with your emotions."

"Really?" James had never noticed or been told that.

"Yes. She was cold at first, suspicious. Her eyes stayed golden brown. Then as she began to trust me more, they lightened to a greener shade. Just as yours do when we are alone and you are relaxed."

"Huh. Who knew your eyes could say so much?"

"I am sure the Lord planned it that way."

"Yeah, probably." Mentally shifting gears, James said, "I should text Lucy. I'm pissed at her for calling Kelly, though."

"It is because she cares, James."

"Still. She should trust my judgment. I told her I was fine, that you weren't dangerous." Which was a lie, because Kendall could be. James had seen hints of that last night. One snap of his fingers, and James was completely under his control.

And here came that weird, squirmy feeling again.

"What are you intending for this evening? I would like to be prepared."

Shaking his thoughts free, James blinked at Kendall. "Nothing exciting. Maybe pizza and a movie. I want her to accept you, to know you're cool."

Kendall frowned. "I do not feel temperature as humans do, James."

All James could do was laugh. "There you go again, being literal."

"It is all I know how to be."

"Yeah, we're gonna work on that." James moved close enough to take Kendall by the elbow, then steered him toward the bedroom door. "We've got a year to work on that dorky side of you. We'll start tonight, with Lucy."

"If we must," Kendall muttered. "She will not stay the night."

"No, Kendall, she'll be gone before bed. No arguments here."

"That will be a nice change."

James was about to be offended until he caught Kendall's smirk.

Well well well, you're teasing me now. You'll be human before you know it.