A/N—Reminder that I don't own these characters and that all credit goes to the creators of "Big Time Rush."

Found a little time before work to sneak this in. I'm SO SO happy you guys are enjoying this story! :D Thanks for reading.

Tuesday

Logan's steps faltered when he neared his classroom, his heartbeat picking up into a faster rhythm. Kendall Knight was standing outside the door.

"Hey," Logan managed, nerves making him fumble the attempt to switch his cloth briefcase from one hand to the other while still keeping hold of a bag of food. It started to slip, but Kendall awkwardly bent down to catch it before gravity took control. "Thanks. I uh...must be because it's so early, I'm not usually this clumsy."

"I never was either until I lost part of my leg. Balance had never been an issue for me." Kendall turned the knob and opened the door for Logan, who thanked him again before stepping inside the empty room.

He set his briefcase on the desk and smiled up at Kendall. "This is a nice surprise."

"Is it? I was worried you'd be a little creeped out that I was waiting outside your classroom."

"I guess that depends on the reason," Logan smirked. "What can I help you with?"

"Um. Well..."

Logan's gaze narrowed when Kendall started to show signs of his own nerves. A hand on the back of his neck, his cheeks flushing, and gorgeous green eyes looking anywhere but into his. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, fine, I just...would you believe this is my first time asking anyone out?"

Oh my god. Logan froze in shock.

"Wow, I'm still holding this." Kendall set the plastic bag containing two foam containers on the desk, then stepped back. "Sorry, I'm a complete failure when it comes to this sort of thing."

"No, it's not you, I just...really? Me?"

"Why not you?" Now Kendall found the courage to meet Logan's gaze, and when he did, a hesitant smile graced his features. "I admit I don't know you very well, but I like what I do know."

The smile helped Logan relax. Kendall was just as nervous as he was. "What did you have in mind?"

"I was thinking lunch today. I'm new to the area, so you probably know the places around here best but—"

"Oh. Kendall, I'm so sorry, but I can't do lunch."

"Meeting?"

"No, it's not that, it's...hard to explain. James is going through a rough time right now and I need to be there for him. I'm really sorry."

"Oh. Sure. That's totally cool, I understand. Should I not sit with you guys today?"

"No, it's fine, I just don't want to leave him alone."

"Okay. Well um...yeah. See you then, I guess."

"Kendall, I really am sorry."

"It's totally fine." Kendall waved it away like it was no big deal, then turned toward the room's entrance. "Have a good day."

"Kendall—"

The door opened just as Kendall was reaching for it. Expecting a student, he started to nod politely but then froze when it was James who almost barreled into him with a container of coffee cups. "Sorry," Kendall mumbled.

Logan watched emotions flicker across James' face and prayed he wouldn't sink into the immature rudeness that came out when he was feeling off balance. "Hey," was what came out instead.

Kendall licked his lips, not sure how to read that one word. "Hey. How's it going?"

"Uh...fine. Uh...you?"

"It's...not bad. See you at lunch."

"Sure."

Once they were alone, Logan let out the breath he hadn't known he was holding. "Thanks. I know you're trying."

James slowly approached the desk, then laid down the coffee. "What did he want?"

"Kendall? Just...you know. I think he's just trying to get to know me better."

"Right," James nodded, still not looking at Logan and instead focusing on removing his cup from the cradle. "So are you gonna date him?"

"Not today."

"Okay. I mean, if you do, it's cool."

"Really?" Logan searched for any sign of a lie in that, but James wouldn't meet his eyes. "I know you don't like him."

Finally James raised his gaze. "I just want you to be happy, Logan."

"I know." Logan reached into the bag and pulled out one of the meals. "Pancakes today."

"Dude, you always know just what to say."

With a grin, Logan passed it over. "Extra syrup for you."

"Thanks. I had them add an extra shot of hazelnut for you. Figured I need to treat you once in awhile, make sure you stick around."

Hearing the fear behind the joke, Logan was glad he'd said no to Kendall. James didn't have anyone besides him, and even with their non-romantic status it would be difficult on him when Logan started dating. He didn't even want to think about what it would feel like when James did. "I'm not going anywhere, James."

"Of course you're not, then who would bring you coffee every morning?"

"Exactly. Can't walk away from that."

The smile James tossed back was the flirty one that always made Logan's heart stutter. "See you at lunch."

"I'll be there. Hey, wait. Did you talk to your girl last night? How did it go?"

"Really good, actually. She's...pretty amazing. I can't wait to talk to her again tonight. I feel like we could talk for hours."

"That's...so great. I'm happy for you, James. You deserve someone special in your life."

"So do you. Do what you need to do, okay? Don't let anyone hold you back."

Don't let anyone hold you back.

The sentence echoed in Logan's mind after James escaped. He was letting James hold him back, and for what? Something that would never be? He hadn't wanted to hurt James' feelings by abandoning him at lunch, but James was making it clear that there was someone new in his life that he found...interesting. Worthy of his time. Probably way more fun than Logan.

It's time. It's never going to change, and it's time.

"Coach."

Kendall kept his attention on the hoop, the ball bouncing up against his hand as he dribbled it. He hadn't made a shot once and the kids were starting to tease him about it. "I got this, dude. Hockey's my thing, but if I can't even sink one shot, I'm a failure as a man."

"Coach, no. Mr. Mitchell wants you. He's over by the door."

His hand missed the ball. One of the students reached out to grab it, and then Kendall realized that all of them were staring behind him toward the door. When Kendall spun around he grinned at the sight of Logan looking so uncomfortable and out of place in a high school gym. Logan lifted a hand in greeting and Kendall started walking toward him, the students forgotten for a moment.

All except Oscar, who kept pace next to him. "Hey uh...Coach. I know you're new here so you probably don't know all the gossip and stuff, but...I need to warn you just in case. Mitchell's gay, okay?"

"Is he?" Kendall smirked.

"Yeah. I got nothing against gay dudes, but I didn't want you getting into an awkward situation."

"Do all the students know this about him?"

"It's the gossip. I mean I guess it might not be true, because some even think Mr. Diamond's gay. And we all know he's not."

"We do know that," Kendall agreed. He patted Oscar on the shoulder. "Thanks for the heads up. I appreciate you looking out for me. I'll be right back and I expect you to get out of my way so I can make that shot."

"In your dreams, man!"

Oscar laughed behind him, Kendall closing the distance until he was close enough to speak quietly with Logan. "Are you lost, Mr. Mitchell?" he teased.

"You caught me. I was looking for the library."

"I would've guessed a math conference."

"You would've been so wrong."

They shared a grin, Kendall biting his lip before asking, "To what do I owe the pleasure of your gorgeous smile?"

"Wow. You're slick."

Kendall blinked in surprise. "Really? That was good?"

"It was excellent. You can't see it, but I'm swooning on the inside."

"No shit. You're not just saying that?"

"I'm really not," Logan laughed. "It's embarrassing to admit that, but...it's true."

"Nice. I've been trying to work on my flirting."

"Is that all I am to you? Practice?"

When Kendall stepped even closer, Logan's breath caught. "Is that all you want to be?"

Logan cleared his throat, having to fight for composure. "Um. So you uh...you asked me out? This morning?"

"I did. You said no."

"I wanted to apologize for that. It wasn't that I didn't want to, it was just—"

"I know. You're a good friend and James is a little needy. Is that it?"

"Well...I guess that's accurate, but it's not like he hasn't been there for me when I was needy."

"I understand. If you ever change your mind, you know where to find me."

"Right, that's...actually why I'm here."

One of Kendall's eyebrows shot up. "You want to get lunch with me?"

"I was thinking maybe dinner. If you're free."

"Dinner." Mind spinning, Kendall nodded before Logan could change his mind again. "Anytime. Just not before six, because I stay after to coach the team."

"Yeah, I have plans after school as well. How about...seven? Is that too late?"

"No, that's perfect. What kind of food do you like? I'll buy."

"Let's go halves. You good with Chinese?"

"I am great with Chinese. Just don't expect me to use chopsticks."

"I can live with that," Logan laughed. "So uh. It's a date?"

"It is one hundred percent a date."

Logan couldn't find words, his elation making itself known via a bright smile and dancing eyes.

"Would you mind picking me up? I'm only a mile from here."

"No, that's fine. Seven o'clock."

"Seven o'clock," Kendall echoed, and they quickly exchanged information before he asked, "So how long were you standing there watching me?"

"What time is it?" Logan looked up at the clock on the wall. "Let's see, my free period started eleven minutes ago, it took me about three to walk over here, so...long enough to know you play basketball about as well as I do?"

"Wow, are you really going there, Mitchell?"

"I'm going there, Knight."

"Don't move. I'm gonna sink the next one."

"That's not what your students are saying. It's really nothing more than physics, you know."

"Keep it up and I'm making you pay the whole check tonight."

"Make that shot and you get a kiss goodnight."

Kendall inhaled sharply. "Oh, you are so getting kissed tonight."

"I'll believe it when I see it, Hot Shot."

Without another word, Kendall strode back to the court and reached out an arm for the ball. Oscar tossed it to him. "Coach, you're never gonna make it from back there. You can't even make it from here."

"Watch and learn about the power of motivation, my young ones."

Kendall thought about what it might feel like to kiss Logan, to tease his lips open with a probing tongue. He studied the net as if it was a goal he had to shoot a puck into, figuring out trajectory and aim, then tossed the ball with determination.

Nothing but net.

Lucy's pen stopped in mid-word at a knock on her door. "It's open!" When Kendall poked his head in, she grinned.

"You busy?"

"I'm free for the next ten minutes." She waited until Kendall was inside with the door closed to squeal, "Look! I finished one of the turrets! I finally figured it out!"

Kendall frowned at the Lego cylinder she held up proudly. "It's kind of..."

"Don't say uneven. If you look at the box, it's supposed to look that way. At least..." She glanced back and forth between the picture and the object in her hand. "Damn. Well, there goes my high for the day. You'd better be here with good news."

"I am, actually." Kendall took the seat in front of her desk. "I just wanted to thank you for the advice about Logan. I probably would've waited too long on my own, and totally blown my chance."

"Yeah? So you asked him out?"

"This morning. He said no."

"I can't say I'm surprised. I was hoping he'd have the guts to do it, though."

"Then he came and found me last period to ask me to dinner instead of lunch."

Lucy's eyes lit up while her mouth dropped open. "Seriously? Go, Mitchell! I didn't think he had that in him!"

"He did. I'm nervous but excited and...I need help."

"With what?"

"I've never actually been on a date."

"Are you kidding? Even before the whole leg thing?"

"I was too busy with hockey before that."

"Always make time for sex, dude. Or at least for someone who makes you feel good about yourself."

"Hockey did that for me."

"Hockey can't bring you to climax. Or..." Her face screwed up with a grimace. "You know what? I don't want to know. Where are you taking him?"

"We're going out for Chinese."

"God, I love Chinese. You should bring me your leftovers tomorrow."

"I'm hoping there won't be any. We might...you know. Share or something."

Lucy barely held on to the snicker that wanted to break free. "You're adorable. I'm guessing you find that romantic?"

"You're the second person to tell me that."

"Which part?"

"That I'm adorable. Is it a bad thing?"

"No, it's wonderful. It's who you are, don't be ashamed. I'm down to five minutes, what do you want from me?"

"Just...any advice? You know him better than I do, so I was hoping—"

"Not really. I told you, he doesn't talk to people. I think he tolerates Susan from the math department, and then of course there's James. He'd be the one to ask for advice about how to win Logan over. In fact, I'd pay to see that conversation."

"He doesn't like me, so..."

"Right. Also not a surprise. All I can tell you for sure about Logan is that it's best to be...what's the word? Mature? Classy?"

"Oh god, I'm so not classy."

"Just don't be loud and aggressive. That sort of thing seems to turn him off. So does immaturity. Still a mystery to me that he's so close to James, but whatever. Just treat him right. You got any sisters?"

"I do. One."

"Is she younger?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Treat Logan like you'd want a guy to treat her. I don't think you can go wrong with that."

"So...with respect and politeness. That shouldn't be hard, I do respect what I know of him. And I know how to be polite."

"You got this. Let me know how it goes."

"I will. And thanks again."

"That's what I'm here for. But you owe me, so plan to spend all of the period in here tomorrow helping me fix the turret."

"Deal," Kendall laughed.

She stopped him just as he was walking out. "Hey. You planning to eat lunch with Logan and James today?"

"I am."

"Let me know how that goes, too."

Kendall bit his lip. "Should I be worried about it?"

"Nope. Just tell me how it goes."

"...Okay." He stepped aside as a student approached. "Thanks, Lucy."

"Have fun tonight!"

Logan waved at James before instructing his class to continue on the assignment and stepping out into the hall.

"What's up? You needed to talk to me and it can't wait until lunch?"

"Yeah." Logan looked around, grateful to see they were alone in the hall. "I wanted to warn you, because I know how much it hurt you that Kendall and I were flirting the other day."

James blinked, standing up straighter as his guard came up. "So you're warning me that you're gonna flirt again today?"

"No. At least...well, I don't know what's going to happen. But...he asked me out."

It was like a punch to the stomach, all of the air leaving James' lungs. "Oh. And you said yes?"

"I did. We're going out tonight."

"Oh. Well...congrats. I know you were hoping for that. I'll just go home after school."

"Are you crazy? I need you with me to help me get ready. I'm terrified."

"Why? The guy obviously likes you. And you've been on dates before."

"I know, but...James, please. I need you."

"Right." Reminding himself that nothing mattered but Logan's happiness, James nodded. "Sure."

"I'm sorry. I know he's the last person you want me to date."

"As long as he doesn't hurt you and makes you happy, I'll live with it. Isn't that what friends do?"

"They do," Logan smiled, ignoring the tears that wanted to spring into his eyes anytime James mentioned their friendship. As he'd accepted that morning, it was never going to change. "I just didn't want you to have that bomb dropped on you out of nowhere if we started talking about it at lunch."

"I appreciate that. I really am trying, Logan."

"I know. And it means everything to me."

James nodded. "Okay. See you in about forty-five minutes."

"I brought that yogurt you really like."

"Yeah? Thanks, dude!"

The old friend was back, the fake smile that had seen him through his worst times. It was still easy to fake, James holding it in place until the door closed behind Logan and he could stop acting. Then his lips drooped and he ducked into a nearby restroom, thankful it was unoccupied because the tears weren't going to stay where he needed them to this time.

Conversation over lunch centered around school, Logan keeping things light and James knowing it was for his sake. The cute little smiles Kendall and Logan shared were bad enough even so. James contributed when asked a direct question, otherwise keeping to himself mostly and wishing the time would pass faster because only part of his discomfort was due to the impending date.

The rest was because Rush and Kendall were becoming a blur in his head and he couldn't seem to separate them. This had to stop.

He later helped Logan pick out an outfit and do his hair, counting down the minutes until he could say it. "I'm gonna head out."

"Already? I don't have to leave until 6:30! What time is it now?"

James slipped his phone out of his pocket and answered, "6:15."

"So that's fifteen more minutes you can stay here and calm me down."

"Dude, you look hot. He's going to love you, there's nothing to worry about."

"Okay but you usually only say that when you're trying to mess with me around my mom. Are you messing with me?"

"I'm not," James chuckled. He dropped his phone lightly onto a nearby table and stepped up to Logan to fix his collar. "I mean it. If I was into dudes, I'd be extremely jealous right now that he gets to enjoy all this."

"The sweater's not too much? I feel like it screams 'nerd.'"

"It does, but that's you. Own it. He knows you're a nerd and he asked you out anyway, right?"

"I guess."

"He did. He likes what he sees. It's going to be fine, I promise."

"Should I take something? Like flowers or...I don't know. A box of candy?"

"No, because you're going out to dinner. Wait, do you have a box of candy around here? Because if anyone needs that tonight, it's me."

"In the cupboard above the fridge. I hide it there so you won't find it, and it's high enough up that I have to drag a chair over to reach it. So it keeps me from getting into it unless it's an emergency."

"It's an emergency," James promised. He strutted into the kitchen and stood on tiptoe to open the cupboard. "Dude, you've been holding out! There are five boxes up here!"

"Just take one."

"I might need two."

"You won't need any, because you'll be too busy chatting up your girl."

Well. There was that, James supposed. He thought back to the way he'd ended up so hard after their conversation that he'd had to satisfy himself while attempting to block the vision of Knight doing the same in his head. Sadly, all that aggression he knew Knight was hiding made it difficult, and in the end he'd given in to the visions and let them intensify the moment.

Which...was a really bad idea, considering the guy was probably going to end up his best friend's boyfriend.

Fuck it. James pulled down a second box of chocolate.

"I said one!"

"I'm taking two and you can just suck on that." James spun around to catch a smirk at Logan's lips and tsked. "Really? But I'm the immature one."

"Hey, I'm about to go on a date with a gorgeous guy. Let me think about that sort of thing for once."

"Fine, just don't yell at me for it when I do." Setting down the boxes next to his phone, James noted a new email had come in. He gasped softly when he realized it was to the address he'd created for Rush.

"And these shoes are okay?"

"The shoes are fine, I told you that four times already." James slid the notification to the side, eagerly waiting for the email to open.

"Hey, really sorry but I can't make it tonight. I hope things went well with your buddy and the hot guy today, and I can't wait to hear about the conversation you had with him because I believe in you and I know you came through on that. Tomorrow! Same time. :)

Rush"

James' heart plummeted. The prospect of talking to Rush was all that had been getting him through the torture of helping Logan win another man over. Now all he had was chocolate, and thank God he'd grabbed two boxes.

"What time is it?" Logan wondered.

"Uh, close enough. You should go."

"Okay. One last look at me. Will I do?"

James forced himself to really look at the man who'd come to own his heart, an ache of desperate longing gnawing at his chest. "You're perfect," he said with absolute truth.

"I just hope he thinks so."

"He's not stupid, Logan. He will. Do me a favor and text me when you get home? Just so I know you're home safe."

"I'll try to remember. You excited to go hang out with your girl?"

James blinked a few times before replying, "Totally. It's gonna be a great night."

"I'm glad! We both really need this."

Though he considered going back for a third box, James forced himself to be satisfied with just the two. Logan had once told him eating too much candy too fast would result in a sugar drop strong enough to bring on sleep, and tonight nothing sounded better than that.