A/N—Hey all, Happy New Year! I'm sorry it's been so long since I posted; work has been more hectic than ever before and I haven't had the mental energy to write at all, let alone post. I'm hoping to get back to a routine with writing starting this week, wish me luck! If you're reading this, thank you for coming back to the story! I hope everyone is well. :)

As a reminder, we left off on a Sunday afternoon with James and Kendall playing a video game together. This chapter wraps up Sunday evening. Hope you enjoy!

Hours later, James called a halt to the game out of a necessity for the bathroom. Kendall dutifully waited outside, back turned, while James tried to decide what he wanted to do with the rest of his day off. He'd skipped lunch, so an early dinner sounded nice. He could order in. Maybe another movie to pass the time. And how long had it been since he'd visited the gym? Surely since before Kendall arrived. As the downstairs gym tended to be used more by guys than girls, Kendall might actually be tolerable for a cardio session. In fact, the thought of getting on a treadmill and running until he could barely stay upright sounded appealing at the moment. Yeah, that was definitely the plan.

"I'm going to the gym," James announced as he stepped out of the bathroom and sauntered past Kendall.

"The gym? That is a center for exercise, correct?"

"Correct." The shirt James was wearing would be fine for a workout; he just needed shorts or a pair of sweats.

Kendall watched while James rooted through his dresser. "Where is the gym?"

"Downstairs, off the lobby. And before you say it, there usually aren't girls in there. Sometimes one or two, but all I want is to use the treadmill."

"And that requires no interaction from another human?"

"Nope. Just me running for the next hour."

Kendall frowned. "Where will you run to?"

"Nowhere physically. It's a way to run without actually going anywhere."

"I do not understand."

"You will." Having donned a pair of sweat pants, James sat on the bed and reached for his sneakers.

"But if you are running, how can you not be—"

A knock on the front door had Kendall suddenly on high alert. Eyes wide, he pointed at James and said, "Do not move."

"Relax, it's probably just Lucy. She said she might stop by after her press meetings."

Kendall shook his head, face turned toward the bedroom wall—but of course seeing all the way through multiple walls to the front door. "It is Jo."

James' head swung up fast. "Jo? Like...Jo Taylor?"

"The girl named Jo from your party. You will not answer the door."

"Jo? Are you sure? Is she alone?"

"I am positive. If you do not speak to her, will she give up and leave?"

"What the fuck does Jo want?" More curious than anything else, as she'd made it clear she had no interest in James, he finished tying the second shoe and hopped up from the bed to find out.

"James, you will not open that door!"

"I'm not just going to ignore it."

"You will not..." Kendall trailed off when he realized James was going to do it anyway. By the time James got to the living room, Kendall was already at the door. "Stand there." He pointed to the left, where James would be hidden by the door once it was opened. "I will handle this."

"Kendall, it's Jo. She's not after my body."

"As I have said numerous times, it is your heart I'm more concerned with."

"Yeah, Jo wants nothing to do with that, either," James scoffed.

"And yet she is here."

There was another knock, this one louder. "Do not move," Kendall warned.

"Or what? You'll trap me up against the wall again?"

One of Kendall's brows rose, the thought clear on his face: Not a bad idea.

"Kendall, don't—" That was all he got out before he was incapable of movement with his body slammed against the hard surface. "Dammit, Kendall," he managed to get out.

Kendall opened the door, not even a hint of a smile on his face. James heard Jo next, a much friendlier tone than he was used to from her.

"Hi. I was starting to think no one was home."

"James is not available."

"Oh. Well, I was actually looking for you."

"For me?"

"Yeah."

"You have found me."

"Right." A nervous giggle escaped Jo, James outraged at the fact that she dared to come up to his apartment now when she'd never attempted it even once before. But of course, for Kendall, she made the effort. She continued, "Um, I was wondering if you'd want to grab a smoothie down by the pool? Or if you're hungry, we could get dinner together? I know this really great Italian place that—"

Kendall cut her off. "I have explained that James is not available."

That shut her up for a good five seconds. "Right, but it's not him I'm asking. It's you. I um...I thought maybe you and I could..."

"I do not go anywhere without James."

After another hesitation, Jo said, "I see. So...no."

"No."

"Okay. Well...see you around, I guess." When Kendall said nothing, she added, "Bye."

"Goodbye."

The door was closed and locked before James was released. He took in a deep breath and then let it out in relief. "Please don't do that again."

"Which act of mine are you referring to?"

"Freezing me up against the wall like that. It's hard and it hurts."

Immediately concerned, Kendall approached to lay soothing hands on James' shoulders. "Forgive me, I meant you no pain. How can I help?"

"I'm fine." James waved away the attempt at consolation. "But dude. We really need to work on how you talk to girls."

"Was I not clear enough with Jo?"

"Oh no, you were definitely clear," James chuckled. He stretched to get the kinks out. "But you were also rude. There's a nice way to let chicks down."

Kendall considered that, back to frowning again. "I do not understand why she wished to be alone with me. I am merely here to perform a duty."

"Yeah, thanks for the reminder." Annoyance started to creep back up. James shook it off and explained, "She likes you, Kendall. Thinks you're hot. Which is bullshit, since I've been trying to get her attention for months. One look at you and suddenly she's wanting a smoothie date. What the hell, man? She doesn't give a shit about me. She hates me."

Kendall watched James pace around the living room. "I sense that you are upset. What can I do to help you?"

"Nothing, Kendall. It's not your fault, it's just not fair."

"So...it is Jo that you would like to be with? Should I be more concerned with her as a threat than Lucy?"

"Not even close," James spat. "Because she wants nothing to do with me."

Kendall nodded. "Good."

James thought about explaining to Kendall why that wasn't good, it was totally messed up, and then decided to not even bother; it wouldn't make a difference to Kendall, who had a sort of twisted tunnel vision where James was the only thing that mattered. "Well, I can't go to the gym now. You told her I'm not available, so if she sees me down there it's just going to piss her off."

"Piss?"

And now they were back to this. It was exhausting having to spell out every single phrase for Kendall. "Anger. She'd be angry if she saw me because then she'd know you lied."

"I did not lie. The words I spoke to her are the truth. You are not available."

"Forget it." Frustration seeped into his tone. "I guess I'll just order dinner now since I can't go work out." James toed off his sneakers before dropping to the sofa and pulling out his phone.

"You will eat here in the apartment?"

"Yes, Kendall. It's not like you'll let me eat out."

"I would prefer that you remain here, yes."

"Right. So another boring night in, got it."

Kendall's face fell. He walked over to stand behind the couch, letting one hand rest on James' shoulder. "I am sorry that everything I do makes you unhappy. It is not my wish for you to be miserable. I just need you to be safe."

"Yeah. You've made that clear."

"Perhaps there is some way that—"

"Hey, Kendall? This is one of those times I'd really like to be alone. I know that's impossible, so can you just...you know. Disappear for a while? Give me some peace?"

The warmth of Kendall's hand on his shoulder melted away. James sensed more than saw Kendall's body fade into nothing, and waited for relief to kick in. It didn't; what James felt was more along the lines of guilt, which he shoved down and tried to ignore. He wasn't doing anything wrong. Sometimes you just needed a moment to yourself.

Ten minutes into that, he glanced up from his phone to see the television staring back at him. Not even thirty minutes before, he'd actually been having fun with Kendall and forgotten that he was essentially trapped. It had felt like just hanging out with a buddy. Why couldn't all of their time be like that? Kendall was truly only annoying when others were around. Here in the apartment, he wasn't so bad.

The guilt came back as it suddenly occurred to James to wonder what it must feel like when someone basically said, "Hey, you're annoying and I need you to leave." Memories of being kicked out of his mother's home office as a child (and sometimes even as a teenager) flooded him. How often had he heard similar words from her? "James, go and play somewhere else. Mommy has to work now." When he got older, it was more like, "Here's some money, now go find somewhere else to be." Sure, the money helped a tiny bit, but what James had wanted more than that was just time to talk to his mother. He'd wanted to seen by her, to be valued, to be important enough for her to pay attention to.

Instead, he'd been a bother. An interruption. An annoyance.

"Dammit," he whispered, realizing that he was treating Kendall the same way. And as much as he didn't want to face it, he'd hurt Kendall's feelings at times by doing the exact same thing his mother had. Damn Kendall for even having feelings. Shouldn't he be some sort of robot when it came to this sort of thing?

He wasn't, though. Apparently angels retained some humanity. He sighed before trying a soft, "Kendall? You there?" He knew that Kendall was, because one thing the angel would always be was there.

"I am."

The voice came from right behind, just as James had expected it to. "Want to watch a movie with me?"

"If that is what you wish. I will remain here."

James twisted around on the sofa to look at Kendall, which did no good since he was still occluded. "No, I mean with me. Like we did last night. Show yourself."

Kendall appeared. His face was guarded, green eyes unreadable.

"Come sit next to me."

"You no longer wish to be alone?"

"Am I ever really alone?"

"No, James. You are not."

Kendall said it while staring into his eyes with that weird intensity he'd never felt from anyone else, and for a few seconds James couldn't look away. Kendall meant every word out of his mouth—James would never be alone. In this moment, it was oddly comforting. He patted the cushion next to him. "Come."

Kendall didn't bother to walk around the sofa. James barely had time to get his hand out of the way before Kendall would've sat on it, suddenly appearing next to James in the blink of an eye.

"Did you order your dinner?" he asked.

"Yeah. I would've got you something, but I know you don't like food."

Kendall had no answer for that. James was already reaching for the remote to search for a movie. "Let's try a comedy this time. I'd like to laugh for a change."

Again, Kendall said nothing. He was tense next to James, which made no sense since there weren't any threats nearby. Or...were there? "Is someone outside the door?"

Kendall's head turned in that direction. "No. Did you hear something?"

"No. You're just...never mind."

"I am what?"

"I don't know, you're all tense. Like there's a threat."

"There is no threat at this moment."

"Okay, good. That's great. So...relax."

Five minutes into the movie Kendall was still rigid. He hadn't asked one question or even cracked a smile. Swallowing his pride, James tried, "I'm sorry."

"Pardon?"

"I'm sorry. For asking you to disappear. My mom used to do that to me and I hated it. You're not a bother, Kendall. It's just hard to think sometimes with you around. How about in the future rather than asking you to disappear, I just ask for some quiet time instead?"

"I would prefer that."

James nodded. "I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings."

Kendall didn't answer. James returned his focus to the movie, but realized a few minutes later that Kendall wasn't stiff anymore. Thirty seconds after that, he actually laughed. And when James curled his feet up under himself and leaned in, Kendall held out his right arm to let James cuddle in as he had the night before. Kendall's fingers raked through James' hair, leaving peace in their wake.

This was so much better than fighting with Kendall.

James was halfway through his dinner when he realized Kendall was staring at him; this on its own was nothing new, but something about the laser-focus of it when there was no threat nearby felt off. He'd been absently forking steak and rice into his mouth while watching the movie, so engrossed that Kendall's attention hadn't penetrated right away. Once he was aware of it, it made him uncomfortable. He finally turned his head to meet Kendall's gaze and said, "What."

It wasn't James Kendall had been focused on, though—it was the food. Kendall was looking down at the bowl on James' lap with something like desire. But angels didn't experience hunger, so...

"Kendall?" James tried, as there had been no response to his previous query.

Kendall's head came up slowly. "Yes? Are you well?"

"Are you? Do you want a bite of this?"

"No."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Then stop staring at me while I eat. It makes me uncomfortable."

"Of course."

"Thank you."

James shoveled in more food; Kendall's attention returned to the screen—or so James thought until he asked, "Is there more of that pie that I sampled last night? The pizza?"

James' chewing slowed. "Pizza? Yeah, I think there are like two slices left. Did you want them?"

Clearly not wanting to admit it, Kendall said, "I cannot stop my mind from returning to it. Throughout the day I have remembered the taste and wished to have it in my mouth again."

"Okay, that's a weird way to put it, but what you're feeling is totally normal. You're craving pizza!" Amused, James set down his bowl on the coffee table and jumped up from the sofa with a grin. "I'll go get it for you. Want some pop, too?"

"Pop?"

"Oh sorry, out here everyone calls it soda. I'm still not used to that."

"That is a beverage, yes? Do I need a beverage?"

"It helps you swallow. I'll just get you some water again."

"Water will suffice."

"Suffice," James echoed under his breath. He continued to mumble on his way to the kitchen. "Who talks like that?"

"Do you require my assistance?"

"No, Kendall, just sit there and watch the movie. I'll be back in a sec!"

After using the microwave to heat up the pizza, James grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator and took both back to the couch, where Kendall waited—rigid as always.

"Why are you tense again?" James wondered as he passed over the plate. "You were relaxed, it was so nice for a change."

"You were far from me."

"Kendall, I was literally in the next room. And it's not like you weren't scanning for me every second anyway."

"I was," Kendall nodded. "You did not attempt an escape."

James waved a hand. "I'm over that. It's useless. Let's just enjoy our dinner together." He picked up his own food before settling back onto the sofa. Though he was tempted to watch Kendall eat out of sheer fascination, he fought the urge and kept his attention on the movie—sort of.

Occasional glimpses to the side were enough to show James that Kendall was ecstatic over the taste of pizza. His eyes closed as he chewed (slowly at first, as if he had to remember how to do it), and when he opened them there was joy in the green gaze. James usually had the same reaction to pizza, so he understood completely.

"You know, you really are adorable sometimes. I hate to admit that, but..." He shrugged.

"Shh, James. Allow me to eat in peace."

James couldn't hold back a laugh. "Funny how it's usually me saying stuff like that. Pizza's amazing, right?"

"I am quite enjoying this."

"I see that." But rather than needle him further, James gave Kendall what he'd asked. They finished their meals in silence while the movie played on, and when both dishes were empty James reclaimed his place under Kendall's arm. Kendall waited for him to get comfortable, then returned his hand to James' hair. James' head settled onto Kendall's shoulder.

Normally on Sunday evenings the anxiety started to creep back in. What if he disappointed Gustavo the next day? What if he didn't get enough sleep and his voice sounded like crap? What if he failed the assignment from Miss Collins and was forced to move back home (that one he no longer had to worry about, at least)? Sunday was his one day to not think about the fame, the career, how lonely he was, or how much was riding on this album. He was able to put it all out of his head, at least until the evening when it washed over him like a tidal wave.

Tonight, though, he was at peace. All of the noise and stress of Hollywood seemed far away when he was trapped in the apartment with Kendall. He was safe. He was protected. He was...well, valued. Even if it was only a job to Kendall, it was one he took seriously and James was the person he was devoted to. James wasn't alone.

It was actually...nice.

James' mind had drifted from the movie for a bit, but a giggle from the screen brought his focus back and he was surprised to find himself staring at a breast. Well, two if he was honest about it. The female star was being undressed by another character. They kissed on the screen before her hand started to travel south, and though its destination was only hinted at, James knew damn well she was reaching for his dick.

God, he was so lonely. Why did Kendall have to be such an asshole about sex?

As the love scene progressed, James was glued to it. His body craved to be touched again, to have greedy hands on him, to have those hands (or a mouth, he wasn't picky) get him to his favorite place—complete ecstasy. He watched the lovers take it all the way, wishing it was him and that someone was making love to him with abandon.

A soft whisper floated into his ear. "James? Are you well?"

Was he? No, definitely not, because he was so turned on that the voice sent shivers down his spine. Kendall's voice. And that wasn't weird at all, right?

Kendall's fingers tightened in his hair, an attempt to gain James' attention. Instead it only made him hotter; he bit down on a moan that wanted to break free. Concerned, Kendall tried again. "James, something is wrong. Your body temperature is climbing. Do you have a fever? I recall hearing that a fever could be dangerous for a human if—"

James stood up suddenly, needing Kendall to stop touching him. In truth what he needed was more touch, but Kendall wouldn't understand that and Kendall was the last person he wanted to do it anyway. But at least the movement had shut Kendall up for five seconds. "I need to go to the bathroom. Upset stomach," he lied.

Kendall immediately followed. "Is there something I can—"

"Nope!" James called back. "Just give me a few minutes alone and I'll be fine!" Just before closing the bathroom door, he spun to face Kendall. "And no scanning! Bathroom time is private!"

"I understand," Kendall nodded, barely getting the words out in time as the door slammed in his face.

James couldn't get his pants down fast enough. The toilet wasn't the best place for a self-love session, but it was the only place he was allowed to be alone. He closed his eyes and let his hand take control, stroking himself eagerly. He hated Kendall for this, for forcing him to do it in secret like it was something to be ashamed of. Sex was supposed to be fun. It was supposed to involve two people. He wasn't supposed to be shut up in a bathroom having to hide what he was doing.

Still, it did the job. His breathing quickened as he approached the finale, and he couldn't keep gasps of pleasure from escaping. He'd been waiting days for this. He rushed toward climax, eyes closed to heighten the experience, and let it wash over him in waves of pleasure that made the whole thing worth it. Damn, he'd needed that.

His body loose and rubbery, James smiled and opened his eyes. It took a few seconds for him to be aware that he wasn't alone; Kendall was standing in the open doorway, his own eyes wide as they stared at James in...what was it? Concern? Awe? Maybe a little bit of both. "Kendall, what the hell?" James couldn't even be properly mad at the moment—he was too relaxed. "I told you not to spy on me."

"I...you were crying out. You sounded as if you were in distress. I was worried."

"I was fine. Just needed some time to myself." Suddenly realizing that his pants were still down around his ankles, James stood up and turned his back to Kendall in order to clean up the mess he'd made.

"You said your stomach was upset."

"I lied." James didn't even feel guilty about it. He'd so needed this. Expecting Kendall to be outraged over the fact that he'd been lied to yet again, James was surprised when the angel had nothing to say in return. After pulling up his pants, James washed his hands and then twisted toward the door. Kendall's gaze was on his crotch. "You know, if you don't stop staring at my junk I'm going to start wondering about you."

Kendall's eyes drifted up to James' face—slowly. "Why did you lie to me?"

"Because I didn't think you'd understand."

"Was that sex?"

"Uh...not really, but it was the best I could do alone. Since you won't let me actually be near a girl." James strutted toward the door, nudging Kendall aside to move past. He was tired now, but it was a good tired. "Wait. Go pee."

"Pardon?"

"Pee before you sleep. You drank water, you'll have to pee soon. Get it out of the way now so that we can sleep through the night."

Though he clearly had no desire to use the toilet, Kendall complied. James waited just outside the door until Kendall had flushed and washed his hands, then he was on the move again. "Why did you watch me when I asked you not to?"

"I was concerned." Kendall's voice followed him around the apartment as he shut everything down for the night. "I thought you were having another attack of panic."

"Nope. Just the opposite. I'm sorry that I lied, but this is the only way I can release my urges without someone else around. We talked about that last night, remember?"

"I recall. I offered to help you."

"And I took care of the problem myself." Having made it to the bedroom, James started to strip out of his clothes. "Can we go to bed now? I'm tired."

"You are relaxed."

"Very," James agreed. All he wanted now was to sleep in the feathers.

"Was it the images on the screen?" Kendall suddenly asked. "The act of sex being played out in front of you? Is that what affected you so deeply? I was concerned when your temperature began to rise."

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's what did it."

"I see. So in the future I shall make sure there is no sex in the entertainment from the television."

James rolled his eyes. "Kendall, there's nothing wrong with what I did. It's totally natural. Humans were built to enjoy sex."

"For the purpose of procreating, yes."

"Oh my god, you're so annoying. Sex feels good even when there's no...what did you say? Procreating?"

"Yes. The Lord intended it to be a pleasurable experience so that humans would want to multiply."

"Stop making it all technical. It's sex. It feels good. That's all I need to know. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to get some sleep. I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow."

"Ah, yes. You will return to the studio to complete the music video."

"Right. And don't let me forget to take the tux with me in the morning!"

"I shall remind you." Kendall frowned. "Why are you staring at me?"

"Because you're still dressed. It's bedtime."

"Oh, of course."

James waited until Kendall was down to boxers, then patted the mattress. "Come. I need my beauty sleep."

"Does sleep actually help humans to retain beauty?"

"I have no idea, but I'm not taking any chances. This face needs to sell records." When Kendall opened his mouth as if to ask more questions, James groaned. "Kendall, please. I just want to sleep. I need you here."

That was all it took. Kendall stood next to the bed and spread his wings, soft white tipped in silver reaching out in two directions. James felt himself stir in the boxers, ignoring the implications of what that might suggest about him. He was too tired to think right now anyway. He just needed to feel those wings around him and everything would be fine.

Kendall obliged and climbed into bed. After turning off the light, James settled into place with his face buried against Kendall's chest. Kendall's arms pulled him in tight, and then the wings curled in and around. James let out a relieved sigh. His fingers skimmed over the feathers in a slow, methodic rhythm that relaxed him further while at the same time warming his body from the inside out. He fell toward slumber in a half-aroused state that he blamed on his earlier solitary session in the bathroom.

"Goodnight, James," Kendall whispered.

With a sleepy smile, James squeezed Kendall tighter as a happy sigh escaped him. "Night, Kendall."

Dreams claimed him effortlessly after that.