AN: hi everyone! so we're picking up right were we left off. I'm excited to say that outside of some editing I've finish the story, so expect new chapters coming in quickly. Hope you enjoy! :)

Chapter 9

The worst part of getting through an already hellacious day was having to hear what everyone they knew had to say. Lucy had texted James, "I knew it!" Kendall's mom shared her heartbreak that the news was leaked and that it took away from an otherwise exciting moment. Katie had said that this was not on her bingo card for the year. And then there were the two next to the outed pair.

"I just wish you guys had the chance to tell us yourselves," Logan said. He was definitely feeling more sympathetic. "Although I should've known it was a matter of time before you two got together."

"What?!" James asked, aghast.

"Kendall came out to me just before the news broke out."

"And of course everyone knows before me," Carlos whined, making a point to cross his arms dramatically.

"We were going to tell you both when we were ready," Kendall said. "We just wanted to enjoy this thing we have going on for ourselves for just a little bit." The desperation in his voice was apparent. Carlos frowned in response, equal parts resentment and apologetic.

"It just sucks that this can affect the future of the band," Carlos added. "Since no one else will say it."

Kendall had it with the attitude and feeling sorry for him and James. "Listen! We have had our dreams threaten to be ripped from us several times over. We've survived a monkey rejecting our demos, a producer disguised as a hawk supervillain and much more. We will overcome this and come out better than ever."

"Kendall, I love that you're in leader-speech mode," Logan started, "but we haven't had to face a scandal like this since Lucy swifted you. And back then we just had to get her to deny it. This is bigger and different."

"True," Kendall conceded. "But we didn't know what to do back then at the time and we found a solution, right?"

"Right," the other three said in unison.

"So we'll hear out our PR team. If we like their idea we'll go along. Remember, the celebrity gossip life cycle is about six weeks."

The boys nodded.

"I just wish you guys could just be together and it not be a whole thing," Carlos said. Kendall was surprised by how he was touched by the sentiment.

"No matter what, we're best friends," Kendall said. " Nothing's gonna change that." The band engaged in a group hug and decided to retreat to bed.

This time the lovers of the group hung out in James's room which featured LED lights under the bed and lining the tops of the walls. Back then and even now, Kendall wanted to call him a slut for it. But instead he laid his head on the brunette's bare chest and pondered what this relationship was going to mean for them. He could muster up the encouragement for his friends like it was nothing, but he was feeling the anxiety of the whole situation quietly in his mind. Not even James stroking his arm could ease it.

"You know this news isn't gonna stop this, right?" James asked.

"Right," Kendall replied. And for the most part he believed him. He checked his phone for the time. 12:27 "You think you're gonna get any sleep?"

"Not anytime soon," James said, tilting his head down towards Kendall. "Let's go down to the pool."

"Really?" Kendall asked. They had hardly used it since moving in. Didn't feel the same as when they were at the palm woods.

"Why not? Might be a good way to tire us out." James got out of the bed with just his boxer briefs on and reached to take Kendall's hand. The blonde was wearing James's t-shirt and his own underwear . The two made their way to the pool hand in hand. Outside James stepped to the edge and stripped off the little bit of clothing he had left. Kendall was feeling a little shy watching his friend-lover-guy disrobe in front of him.

"Well, aren't you coming in?" James said, turning back as he was getting in the water.

"Y-yeah," Kendall stammered as he began to awkwardly disrobe and follow him.

The water was just under lukewarm. James faced away from him, submerged to his waist. The brunette turned his head to Kendall and grinned. Kendall gasped at how beautiful he looked in pool lights. Kendall found himself walking just a little faster to meet him.

James noticed this and teased Kendall, inching away. Kendall wasn't letting him win. He lunged forward and wrapped his arms around James and kissed him. He returned the affection and went deeper and the battle for dominance began. Kendall's mind spiraled into ecstasy. "Jamie," he moaned, as he grabbed on tighter to James's hard yet supple body.

"My Kendall," James whispered in his ear before nibbling. But then he pulled away and paused to examine Kendall's face. "You are so beautiful."

Kendall's heart was already racing, but when James made that simple statement he thought it would explode. He knew at that moment it was all more than just how beautiful James was, more than the way he made him feel or laugh. Kendall knew that he would do anything for James. He could fall in love with James at any given moment again and again.

"Jamie?" Kendall asked softly.

"Yeah, baby?" James offered, slightly smiling, his arms around the blonde's neck.

"I want you to make love to me."

James's smile turned into a devilish grin and he kissed him. "Let's go back upstairs then."

The boys dried off, leaving their clothes downstairs, and ran into James's room. James wasted no time and laid Kendall down on the bed and took the lead kissing him. He could feel James hard cock in between his legs causing his own member to rise. He raked his fingers down James's back until he could grab his ass.

"Are you ready?" James asked. Kendall nodded. The brunette reached into his bedside table and grabbed a bottle. He poured a liquid onto his fingers and proceeded to probe inside Kendall kissing him while doing so. Kendall gasped at the unfamiliar sensation but made the effort to relax himself. This is really happening, he thought to himself.

"Ok," James said. "Now just relax. If you want me to stop, I will."

"Ok," Kendall agreed. Slowly and intentionally James entered Kendall releasing a moan of pleasure as he breached further. Kendall winced as he felt his hole stretched but remembered to breathe through and suddenly it was an overwhelming sense of pleasure and ecstasy. James noted that and began to stroke slowly, passionately. Kendall gripped harder. "Oh my god," he cried out. James responded by developing a faster rhythm, moaning as well. Kendall delighted at knowing he could make him feel as good as he did. Panting, grinding and kissing Kendall rode the sensation of James inside of him until he came just from being penetrated. "Oh god." James followed in release inside of him. The two went slack from orgasm. Spent, they made their way under the covers and drifted asleep, Kendall on his chest breathing softly in delight that he gave his virginity to the man he loved.