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

Thank you so much for reading! :)

Logan knew it when James stepped into the kitchen by his sense of smell alone. It was that fresh-from-the-shower scent that always soothed Logan, a mixture of conditioner and deodorant, but today there was the added bonus of some sort of setting spray (though Logan didn't even know what that was) and...

"Are you wearing cologne?"

He spun around to take in the sight of his ex-boyfriend groomed as if he was about to take the "National Pop Star" stage.

"Wow, you look..."

James' nose scrunched up. "Okay? I went for a little extra with my hair, does it look like...too much?"

"You look incredible. Is this all for...?"

"Yeah." James took a deep breath and just said it. "I'm meeting him tonight. Not until after five, but I'm going straight there from school so I needed to get ready now. Is this shirt okay? I couldn't decide between this one and the dark green."

"I like you in green, but I think gray gives you this...I don't know. A softer look, if that makes sense?"

"It does," James nodded. He smiled. "This is perfect, then." Finally noticing what sat on the counter behind Logan, he asked, "Chocolate and banana nut muffins? Jesus, Logan, how long have you been up?"

"Hours," Logan admitted, turning back to the freshly-baked muffins with a sigh. "I couldn't sleep. I'm so nervous."

James stepped up behind him and wrapped his arms around Logan in a tight hug. "It's gonna be fine. He likes you. Though I have to admit, chocolate's a great bribe."

"I just...I feel horrible about what I did yesterday. What was I thinking?"

"You weren't. And for you, that's progress. I promise, dude, he can't stop thinking about it. He's probably dying to see you again."

"Yeah, to tell me I'm a freak." Logan started transferring muffins from a pan into a plastic container.

"Stop it. I'm telling you, he fell asleep last night reliving it. Probably with his eyes closed and his hand yanking it."

Logan shoved James away, but there was a tiny smile at his lips. "Sit down and I'll bring you breakfast."

"Thanks, babe."

Five minutes later a perfectly-doctored mug of coffee was set down next to a plate of chocolate muffins that James had already begun to devour. Logan settled into the seat across from him with a muffin of his own. "So you talked to him last night?"

"Yeah. I was kind of surprised at how willing he was to meet me. I mean, there was no hesitation. I said I want to meet up, he said name the time and place. Like he'd been waiting for it."

"Maybe he has. Maybe he's wanted this from the start."

"No, at the beginning we both wanted to remain anonymous. It wasn't just me. He has a lot to lose if he comes out, too."

"So are you going to date in secret?"

"I don't know. I just don't know what to expect or what he wants."

"I thought you said you both wanted the same thing."

"In a boyfriend, sure. There's a level of devotion and security that we both need. But as far as sharing that with the rest of the world...we haven't talked about it. I just...I'm so scared we'll meet and the chemistry won't be there. That all of it's either in my head or he won't like the way I look or..."

"James." When James said nothing and continued to stare down at the table, Logan added, "Look at me." Finally James did. "He's going to love you. You told me once that you opened up to him completely, that you share everything with him and hide nothing. Right?"

"Yeah."

"Then he knows you. The looks thing...well, trust me when I say you've got nothing to worry about there, but even so, that's not what matters. I mean, like I said. Carlos was dressed as a total nerd and I still found him the hottest thing I've ever seen. No offense."

"None taken," James chuckled. "I know what you mean."

"It's not always about looks. It's about that connection. And if you two have it online, I can only imagine it's ten times as powerful in person."

"I hope so. If it's even half as much as what I feel every time I look at Kendall, I'd be satisfied."

Logan smiled and finished the last bite of his banana muffin. "You about ready to go?"

"Yeah. I need to practice some songs for the concert so I'm just gonna head over to the choir room instead of walking you to class, if that's okay."

"Of course it's okay. I need to go bribe Carlos with muffins anyway."

James grinned. "Take chocolate."

"I'm taking both, just in case."

When Logan stood to clean up their dishes, James joined him at the sink and rinsed out their mugs. "I wasn't thinking when I made the date last night. I forgot about choir practice. I was thinking about maybe seeing if Rush would mind postponing it all until next week."

"Oh, no. You're not chickening out."

"No, it's not that, but Thomas is counting on me to be there today and I feel like an ass just taking off early. The concert's two days away!"

"They'll manage without you."

"I'm the piano player! I have to be there!"

"James." Logan shut off the faucet and wiped his hands on a towel before taking both of James' hands in his so they could look at each other. "I know you're scared. I get it, I'm terrified to even show my face in that auto shop today. But we have to do this. We have to see this through."

"It's not just that, Logan. Rush said he'd wait for me as long as I need him to, so I'm sure next week would be fine. Those kids...I know I'm not a real teacher or anything but those kids count on me. Some of them even look up to me. It's dumb, but...I care. They're my kids. I owe this to them."

"It's not dumb," Logan promised. "I understand completely. What time is practice over?"

"Supposed to be five, but it might run over."

"And what time are you meeting Rush?"

"5:30."

"Then just tell Thomas you have to leave on time. Make sure he knows that tomorrow you'll stay as long as they need you, but today you can't go past five. He'll be fine with it, James."

James sighed. Logan's logic always squashed his feeble arguments.

A brief kiss was pressed to James' lips. "He's going to fall in love with you."

"We're not supposed to do that anymore," James reminded him.

Logan shrugged. "Call that a goodbye kiss."

A devilish gleam entered James' eye. He smirked before dipping Logan back halfway to the floor and kissing the hell out of him. When they straightened again, both were out of breath.

"What the hell, James?"

He sauntered out of the kitchen with a wink back over his shoulder. "That's a goodbye kiss."

All Logan could do was laugh.

"You thinking of coming over to the dark side, Mr. Mitchell?"

Startled, Logan straightened so fast he almost bumped his head on the hood of the Skyliner. His face was red when he turned to greet Carlos, whose hair had that almost-dry look that told Logan he'd showered just before leaving the house. Logan would be willing to bet he'd have that deodorant/aftershave scent about him as well, the one that drove Logan wild. And probably no 'Cuda for him; Carlos was most likely an Old Spice man like his father had been.

He'd worry about why he found that so attractive another day.

"I hope it's okay that I'm here."

"It's fine," Carlos smiled, but his arms were crossed over his chest and Logan noticed that he wasn't coming any closer. He didn't trust himself.

Or maybe he doesn't trust me.

The thought was sobering. Logan held out a large sealed plastic baggie full of muffins. "I brought you a peace offering."

"A peace offering? Are we fighting?"

"I don't know, things got weird yesterday and...I just didn't want it to change anything."

"Kind of hard for that not to change anything."

"I know." Logan's face flamed. This had been a mistake. He set the muffins down on the car's roof, letting his hand run over the smooth leather of the interior one last time before saying a mental goodbye to the most beautiful car he'd ever laid eyes on. "If you don't want to sit with us at lunch, I understand. And I'm sorry I made things awkward for you."

Logan was almost past Carlos when a hand shot out to grab his wrist. He froze, his body in chaos; half of him trembled from the fear that he'd never see Carlos again, the other because even that touch sent him into a frenzy of need.

"It's not that I didn't like it. I liked it too much. So much that I can't look at you without wanting to do it again."

Logan licked his lips. His heart felt like it might shatter his rib cage. He leaned in close enough to whisper into Carlos' ear. "Let me cook you dinner tonight and maybe we can."

As if burned, Carlos dropped Logan's forearm and backed away. "I'm not getting involved with someone who's taken."

Oh. Maybe he should've started with that vital piece of information. Logan cleared his throat. "I'm not. We ended things last night. We do better as friends than lovers."

There it was, that hope Carlos was afraid to unleash in case he'd heard wrong. "You guys broke up?"

Logan nodded.

"Is it because of me?"

"Partly," Logan admitted. "You kind of...turned my entire world upside down."

"That's how I feel. Like I can't think about anything else." Carlos bit his lip anxiously. "Does he hate me?"

"No," Logan smiled. "Because the other part of why we broke up is that he's in love with someone else, too." Seeing that maybe a declaration of love had been too much, Logan amended, "Not that we're in love. I mean, we hardly know each other. But...I think we might get there one day. I'd like to try and find out."

"Well, I'm definitely in love with your smile," Carlos shared. "And your eyes. The way they change when you're turned on."

The way they're about to if you keep talking like that. How did Carlos do this to him with just words? "I'd say that's a good first step. Will you have dinner with me?"

The length of time that passed before Carlos answered had Logan wanting to pull his hair out in agony. "Will you come to the car show with me Friday?"

Logan gave a fast nod. "It's a date."

Carlos finally closed the distance between them, looking back toward the classroom entrance before kissing Logan softly. Logan shivered from the promise behind that simple kiss. "Then so is tonight. What time?"

"Six okay?"

"Just tell me where."

The bell rang at the same time Logan's face lit up with a grin of excitement. "I'll text you the address."

"You don't have my number."

Logan stepped away just in time.

"Morning, Mr. Garcia!"

"Hey, Brent!"

Quietly, Logan stated, "I'll get your number from Lucy."

"Perfect. See you at lunch?"

"It's a date," he winked.

As Logan rushed toward the door, he heard Carlos call out to the students filing in. "Banana nut muffins for the students who get the answers right on today's quiz!"

"I see chocolate in there, too, Mr. Garcia!" was yelled.

"Those are for me," Carlos informed them.

Logan smiled all the way to the math building.

"Damn, someone's on fire today. You look good enough to eat. Or at least suck on. For hours."

James shivered, fingers gripping the lip of the table tight as he fought off the lust that hit him from the whisper in his ear. He couldn't see who it was, but he didn't have to. "Kendall, that's not funny," he warned through gritted teeth.

Kendall seemed to find it amusing enough, though, as he fell into the chair next to James. "It's the truth."

"That's Logan's chair."

"You guys aren't a thing anymore. I can sit where I want."

"He's bringing my food."

"And he can pass it over to you just as easily as he passes it to me when I sit over there." Kendall scooted his chair a little closer. "Mmm, you smell so good."

"What are you doing? I told you I'm into someone else."

"So we can't sit next to each other?" He leaned closer and said quietly, "Because honestly, James, if you can't even sit next to me without wanting to hop onto my dick, maybe that should tell you something."

James gasped as if deeply offended, then smacked Kendall's arm. "You're an asshole."

"Yet you love me."

"Nope. Not you."

Kendall said nothing to that, just smirked in that way that annoyed James.

"Where's Lucy?"

"She had an emergency with a student. She won't be joining us today."

"Damn," James sighed. "I'm nervous and needed advice."

"I'm sitting right here."

"I don't trust your advice. At least not in your current mood. What's got you so wound up, anyway?"

Kendall grinned and pulled a sandwich out of his lunch bag. "I happen to have a date tonight."

"Oh. Good for you."

"Like you're not sitting over there getting jealous."

"What? Kendall, you are so...you know what? I'm not doing this with you. Where the hell are Logan and Carlos?"

"If I had to guess..."

That brought a laugh out of James. "I still can't believe that."

"Right? He wouldn't even let me kiss him in the equipment room."

"He wouldn't even hold my hand."

"Which is better for you around here, I guess."

"I guess."

A banana landed on the table in front of James. "Here. Have a banana while you wait."

James stared down at the long yellow fruit, suddenly breathless.

I don't know about you, but a sundae isn't complete to me without a nice big banana.

He couldn't eat this in front of Kendall. The man was taunting him, as if he somehow knew what that represented in James' mind. Why was he being such a shit today?

"I'll suffer, thanks." Now was not the time to be thinking of sex with Rush.

"Your loss," Kendall shrugged, biting a large chunk out of the corner of his sandwich. "So why are you sexier than usual today?"

"I have a date, too."

"Yeah?"

"Yep."

"So you're doing it."

"I'm totally doing it."

"Excited?"

"Terrified," James admitted.

"No need to be. It's gonna be fantastic."

"I still just don't know what to expect. I don't even know what he looks like. He didn't tell me."

"Hopefully he's not hideous."

"Thanks, that makes me feel so much better." James glanced up when Logan and Carlos arrived. "Hey."

"Where's Lucy?" Logan asked.

"Emergency with a student," Kendall supplied. "Carlos. Glad you could join us. Sorry I missed you yesterday."

"It's okay. We didn't stay the entire time anyway."

When both Kendall and James smirked, Logan warned them with a hard glare. They wisely kept their thoughts to themselves.

"James, what time do you think you'll be home tonight?"

"I have no idea. If I knew what to expect..."

"Yeah. I know."

"Do I need to be gone?"

Carlos suddenly couldn't meet James' eyes. Logan reached over to squeeze his thigh in a reassuring gesture. "I invited Carlos over for dinner. I figured it would be fine since you were going out."

"Oh. It's totally fine, I just...I don't know how this is gonna go."

Kendall nudged James with his elbow. "You should plan on being out all night."

James silently thanked Logan for the sandwich and fruit cup he passed over. "Don't you think that's a bit presumptuous? It's a first date and with a guy I've never even met."

"Like he's gonna take one look at you and not want to take you home?"

James' mouth moved without words. It was one thing for Kendall to flirt with him, but to do it in front of others and so blatantly? He saw Carlos lean over and whisper something to Logan, who shook his head. "You'll have to excuse the asshole over here. He's in a mood today."

"I'm happy," Kendall grinned, eyes twinkling. "Today is a very good day."

"He's got a date tonight," James explained.

"Not just any date. The man of my dreams."

James rolled his eyes, but Carlos offered him a smile. "That's great, dude! I'm sure it'll go well."

"Me, too. My guy's incredible."

"So is mine," James pointed out, as if that had anything to do with the conversation.

Kendall set down the napkin he'd been using to wipe his mouth and turned in the chair to face James. "My guy's funny."

James forked up a grape from his cup. "My guy's noble."

"My guy's hot."

"My guy's smoking."

"My guy's—"

"Do we really have to do this?" Logan interrupted. "Why is everything between you two a challenge or a contest? Can't you just get along?"

Kendall smirked over at Logan before returning his attention to James. "My guy knows how to get me off with words alone."

Logan waved a hand at them in dismissal. "I give up. Carlos, I'm sorry, just tune them out. They won't stop until one backs down. Tell me more about your uncle, since I'm going to meet him. He knows you're gay, right?"

The other two paid them no mind. Now James was turned in his own chair to face Kendall, shifting closer so as to not be overheard. "My guy likes it up against the wall."

"My guy lets me pound him into the ground."

"My guy fucks me all night long."

"My guy begs for more even after he comes."

James' breathing was shallow. "My guy makes sure I know I belong to him."

Kendall made a strangled noise. "My guy lets me hold him when it's over."

James licked his lips. "My guy kisses me like he never wants to stop."

"My guy's in love with me."

James' voice was a whisper in Kendall's ear. "My guy asked me to marry him."

Kendall's breathing hitched. "My guy...said yes."

Another whisper came in, this one from behind. "Do you guys need my car again?"

Kendall and James both jumped, James' temple knocking into Lucy's nose. "Shit. Sorry!"

"Ow." She rubbed it but was smirking when her hand fell away. "You guys need to dial it down unless you're ready to come out. Which we'd of course all highly approve of." Raising her voice, she greeted Logan and Carlos before taking the seat between James and Logan.

"How's your student?" Logan immediately wanted to know.

"She'll be okay. Had a run-in with some bullies, who have all been identified and suspended. I'm so tired of dealing with that crap. Can't kids just be nice?"

"Most adults can't even be nice," Carlos pointed out. "But it's horrible, some of the stuff I see. I make sure my students all know they can come talk to me about anything."

"That's nice," Logan smiled. "I never even think about things like that with the kids. For me it's all about the math."

Kendall broke open a pudding cup and nodded. "I'm the same as Carlos. Probably why my boys pulled it together so fast, because I made it clear we're a family and it's important to support each other." He dipped his spoon into the chocolate and offered it to James, who was surprised but accepted. Kendall couldn't take his eyes off James' lips as they slid across the spoon.

Logan shrugged. "I guess I just never considered myself someone who would give good advice."

"Are you kidding?" James asked. He accepted another bite of pudding before adding, "You give the best advice. Why do you think we became such good friends? I know you're always there for me."

"Okay, but these are kids who look up to us for guidance. What if I screw one up?"

"You won't," Lucy promised. "And if you ever see a kid who needs help and don't know what to say, send them my way. I know you don't exactly approve of me but—"

"That's not true," Logan argued. "I think you're wonderful. A little rough around the edges, but you've proven yourself a great friend to Kendall and James. And when I needed advice yesterday, you...steered me in the right direction."

Carlos' lips turned up. "So I have you to thank for that?"

"You do," Lucy confirmed. "And you're welcome." Noting that James had peeled the banana and was holding it out to Kendall, who slid his mouth halfway down it while they locked gazes, she slapped her hand down on the table. "Do you two want to get fired?" she hissed.

"What?" Kendall said in an annoyed tone. "I'm just eating my lunch."

She slid her car keys across the table. "Make sure I get those back before I go home today."

James shook his head. "No, it's not like that. Kendall's just...in a mood today. I'm gonna go anyway, I need to practice for the concert more before next period."

Kendall stood up with him. "Can I walk you to class?"

Surprised by the offer, James initially said no. Then he thought it over and changed his mind. "Yeah. We need to talk." He looked over at Logan, uncertainty rising in his eyes. "See you...whenever?"

Logan nodded. "Let me know how it goes. Carlos won't mind if you call."

"Not at all," Carlos agreed. "Call if you need us."

"Thanks. Lucy..."

"Call if you need me, too. Jo's hanging out tonight but we're just gonna watch a show. At least until...don't call after ten."

"Understood," James chuckled. He glanced over at Kendall, who was waiting patiently with a warm look in his eyes. "After you."

The other three were silent as they watched James and Kendall make their way through the tables. Kendall held the door for James, then settled a hand on his shoulder before following him out.

Logan let out a deep sigh. "I'm worried that James is making a mistake."

"What kind of mistake?" Carlos wanted to know.

"You asked me earlier if Kendall was the one James was in love with?"

"You said no."

"Right. Because tonight he's meeting another guy he's been talking to. But it's obvious Kendall is head over heels for him, and I mean...you saw them just now. James can fight it all he wants, but I think he likes Kendall just as much."

Carlos nodded slowly. "I told you, didn't I? I saw it at the dance."

"Oh my god. You did. How did I miss it?" A sudden thought occurred to him. "Lucy. Did you know this? That they were into each other all this time?"

Lucy picked at her salad, keeping her eyes on that. "Can't talk about it."

"You did! Why didn't you say something? Maybe if we'd broken up sooner, James would've gone for Kendall instead of this Rush guy."

"Not my place. Like I told Kendall, you guys had to come to that realization on your own."

"That we weren't meant for each other?"

She nodded, chewing through a huge chunk of lettuce.

"So he wanted to break us up?"

"No, of course not. I mean...not until he knew that James was unhappy with you. He was the one who got you guys together in the first place."

Logan frowned. "By breaking up with me, you mean?"

"Yeah, and by..." She almost bit her tongue clamping her mouth closed hard. "So, Carlos, looks like I was right about you finding a nice guy here, right?"

Logan and Carlos exchanged a look. "Lucy, what aren't you telling me?"

She tried to ignore Logan's question by sipping at her soda, but when they were still staring her down after she caved. "Okay, okay, I'm dying to tell someone and James is gonna know in a matter of hours anyway. But Logan, you can't tell him! And you can't either, Carlos!"

"Tell him what?!"

Lucy leaned in closer, causing them both to do the same. "So. Remember the day you and James got together? Or...wait, no. The day before that. When Kendall dumped you."

"Of course I do."

"And remember how that Rush guy dumped James? The same day?"

"Yes. It was...I always felt like the timing on that was perfect."

"There was a reason for that, Logan. Rush broke up with James because he found out who James is."

Logan gasped softly. "Oh, no. That was James' fear, that he'd be judged for the Pop Star thing."

"That wasn't the issue. He broke up with both of you because he knew you were in love with each other and didn't want to keep you apart."

Creases of confusion spread across Logan's forehead. "What? Who?"

Carlos nudged Logan's arm. "And you call yourself a genius. Kendall is Rush, right?"

"Totally!" Lucy exclaimed, her face full of joy. "I've been dying to tell someone for months!"

Logan's reaction wasn't quite as effusive. He sat in silence absorbing it, casting back in his mind over the past three months. It fit. "Oh my god. And James has no idea?"

"No. Obviously Kendall does, and that's why he's in a such a good mood today. He can finally tell James. I think it's gonna backfire and that James will be pissed, but Kendall's not worried about it at all. He says James is going to love him no matter what."

Logan thought that over before commenting. "He's right. James will be furious, but once he calms down I think it's going to make him feel better. Because I think the confusion over his feelings for Kendall when he wants to be with Rush is making him crazy."

"I know! It's almost funny, right?"

Carlos started laughing so hard the other two looked at him in question. "I just realized. They were sitting here fighting over whose guy was better. They were talking about each other!"

"Oh god," Logan groaned. "And Kendall knew the whole time. What an absolute shit."

"It's funny, Logan," Carlos snickered. "You have to admit."

"Is that what they were whispering about when I walked in?" Lucy wondered. "It looked like they were about to devour each other."

Logan shook his head. "I don't get them. They're both so scared to come out, but they sit here in the staff room and practically make out without even touching."

"I don't think they can help themselves. Both of them are so into that whole...possession thing."

"Possession thing?" Carlos echoed.

Logan's head tilted as he studied Carlos. "I never understood it before. I think I'm starting to."

Lucy reached out to grab her keys, then slid them their way. "Lock up when you leave."

"Shut up, we don't need your car!" Logan spluttered.

"That's right," Carlos agreed as he pushed the chair back and stood up. "We've got mine."

Logan hissed, "Carlos, we are not making out on school property!"

Carlos winked at Lucy. "Isn't he cute when he protests?"

Lucy laughed. Carlos was exactly what Logan needed in his life. James had tried, but James was also so afraid to lose Logan that he held back. Carlos had no such fears.

He knew Logan wanted him.

Kendall's hand on his shoulder as they walked across campus made James feel as if everyone was staring, but he couldn't bring himself to move away. It felt...comforting. Safe. Possessive.

But that's wrong. He doesn't own me. Rush does.

"Listen, Kendall...this is hard to say."

"Just say it. Don't ever hold back with me, tell me what's on your mind."

"I don't want to hurt you."

"If you do, we'll get through it. It's not like I'm going to walk away just because I'm hurt."

"But see...there's nothing to walk away from. I told you last night, there's someone else. And I'm sorry, I know how you feel about me but I'm loyal when I'm with someone. I don't cheat. I don't screw around. The flirting back there...that needs to stop."

Kendall offered him a soft smile. "Even though you love it so much?"

"Mostly because I love it so much. I can't risk losing this guy before I even have him. Do you understand?"

"I do," Kendall nodded. "I love that about you. When you're with someone, you're with him."

"Exactly. He even said something like that last night. I can't...as great as you are, it's him I want to be with."

"I understand." Kendall reached out to grab the door for James, then followed him into the building.

"Don't you have to get to class?"

"We've still got some time. And my kids have to suit up for P.E. anyway. I was hoping you might play for me."

That stopped James' movement. He halted just outside the choir room. "Really?"

"Yeah. I've never heard you play. I'd like to."

James' face fell, sorrow shining in his eyes. "I'm sorry I can't be what you need."

Rather than reply to that, Kendall gestured toward the door with his head. "Go on in. Play for me."

Thomas was leaving just as they walked in. "Oh! You're here."

"Yeah, I thought I'd get a little practice in before we rehearse. And again, I'm sorry about tonight."

"Don't worry about it, we should be wrapping up by five anyway. Have fun tonight. Ah, Kendall, I haven't had a chance yet to congratulate you on the win. I hear we're going to state!"

"We are," Kendall grinned. "Thanks. My boys really hustled for this."

"They were phenomenal," James agreed. "Logan and I are heading out to the championship game this weekend, if you wanted to join us."

"I'd love to but the wife is dragging me to her sister's for the weekend. Best of luck, though."

"Thanks."

"I haven't had a chance to eat yet, so I'm taking the last ten minutes to run to the cafeteria. You've got the place to yourself, James."

"Awesome. See you in a few."

Once the door closed behind Thomas, Kendall ran his hands up James' back to settle on his shoulders. "The whole place to ourselves, hmm?" he hummed.

"Did we not just have a conversation about the fact that I don't belong to you?"

James' words were stilted, though, as if he was having trouble getting them past his teeth. Kendall slid his hands down James' arms to twine their fingers together. "Play for me," he whispered.

James silently followed the command. He moved into place on the bench, a bolt of lightning running through him when Kendall's hands returned to what they'd apparently decided was their home. A squeeze to both shoulders had James hissing in a breath. "What should I play?"

"Something that makes you happy."

There was one song that had always resonated with James. It was a somber piano masterpiece that left most feeling melancholy, but to James it had always felt soothing. There was just something heavy and comforting about it. After getting his fingers in the right places, James launched into the stark notes of Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata."

As always when he played this song, he closed his eyes and let the melody sweep him away. This time, though, he took Kendall with him. Warm hands felt like anchors on his shoulders, keeping them joined through the maelstrom of emotion. He was usually deep into the darkness when he played this one, but this time they sailed through it together so that it was comforting and safe rather than cold and lonely.

Two minutes in, warm lips brushed against his neck. "You're so beautiful," Kendall whispered. James' fingers stumbled over the keys. "Keep going. I got you."

He leaned back as he continued, Kendall's body a source of strength holding him up. The feel of an obvious erection against his back made James feel better about his own. He'd had no idea music could be arousing, but somehow Kendall seemed to make everything that way.

"I want this to play at our wedding."

Was there even any use in reminding Kendall again that he was in love with someone else? James let it go this time, not wanting to ruin the mood. He hadn't completely committed to Rush yet anyway, right? That would be tonight. Come this time tomorrow, he'd have a boyfriend again. One that had promised forever.

For now, though...

With an abrupt smashing of keys, the music came to a halt before James reached up to grab Kendall by the hair and drag him down for a kiss so deep they felt it in their toes. Kendall responded just as fiercely, sliding his arms around James' waist in a clear declaration of MINE.

James wasn't, of course, but for the moment he could pretend. Kendall worked his mouth open wider and James allowed it, wanting to get as deep inside as he was able. When Kendall's fingers dug into his sides, James let out a needy sound. More, that sound said, and it flipped a switch in Kendall so that he shoved James back onto the bench and moved to straddle him. James reached up in invitation, eyes begging for it.

Voices outside the classroom cut through their trance. Kendall moved away as fast he was able, making it possible for James to sit up. He immediately untucked his shirt so that it could hang down over his hips. Luckily Kendall's flannel managed the same task.

They forced smiles for the two students walking in, James greeting them and waiting until they'd crossed to a set of risers to speak. "We almost got caught," he said in wonder, shocked at his own behavior. "What the fuck were we thinking?"

"You know...I think you might actually be worth that."

James shifted around on the bench to face Kendall, staring up at him with wide eyes. "What?"

"There's no way in hell I can keep my hands off you in public. You make me feel this weird...like a dog marking its territory?"

"Oh my god, Kendall, how many times do I have to say it? I don't belong to you!"

Kendall only smiled down at James. "Good luck on your date tonight."

"You want it to fail. You want me to come running back to you, don't you?"

"Nope. I want your date to work out so splendidly that you don't even go home tonight."

"You're insane. And hello, you have your own date! Don't you care about that?"

"It's all I can think about."

"Then get out of here and leave me in peace."

"As you wish." Kendall bent down to say one more thing before walking away. "I love you."

James just stared after him in disbelief. What the fuck was wrong with this man?