An: hi everyone! Sorry this took so long to post, I have another idea that I've been working on. Til then I should have the rest of this posted next week! Hope you enjoy! :)

Chapter 12

The four had agreed to go straight home after seeing the mob of people. Kendall raced to his room while James followed.

"Protesters!?" Kendall exclaimed. "We have fucking protesters."

"Don't worry about them, Kendall," James said, trying to calm his blonde lover.

"They're outside of the studio!" Kendall yelled, not giving into James's state of ease. His breathing was growing heavier. "This isn't just hate online coming for us. They are out there, in our faces!"

"To do what?" James's voice elevated. "Hold up a sign that they wasted their time making. We have security. They're going to add more knowing they're out there. We don't need to worry about them."

Kendall was infuriated that James was so cavalier about this. It already took them so long to be together and now they have to see the world hate them for it. "Why not!" Kendall yelled, and at James this time.

"Because I burn for you!" James yelled back. Kendall gasped, shocked at the intensity in the hazel eyes in front of him. "I have been waiting for so long to love you like this. When I met you in your room at midnight it was because I wanted to be close to you and love you even if you didn't want me that way. And if you think I'm letting fifteen people with some signs or even a thousand get in the way of that, you have me fucked up."

"James," Kendall breathed out.

"I don't give a fuck how any of this turns out as long as I leave it with you by my side, Kendall. I love you."

"I love you, too," Kendall said, his voice shaking. He always knew there was a passion in James. But it broke him to see it channeled towards himself. It was as if he suddenly believed that the whole time, without question, they had always had a burning desire for each other. That Kendall wasn't lucky that James was with him. James chose Kendall through in through, the same way Kendall chose James.

Without thinking, he ran into James's arms, quiet tears shedding themselves from his eyes. "What are we gonna do, Jamie?"

"We're not gonna let them win. They don't get to see us fall," James said, stroking Kendall's back. "Let me take you somewhere tonight."

"Ok," Kendall said, looking up at him. "Where?"

"Don't you know I love surprising you?"

It was 11:30 when the two got out of the Uber they ordered. James told him drinks were a definite part of the evening and knew better than to drive them. That was fine by Kendall who felt he could use a couple drinks after this past week. They stepped out onto a street drenched in color. Neon lights adorned everywhere they turned while balls of color lights hung overhead.

"West Hollywood?" Kendall asked, surprised. He needed no confirmation.

"WeHo, baby," James said, throwing his arms up and flashing his award-winning smile. "C'mon, I wanna show you something." He took Kendall's hand, practically dragging him into a bar aglow with rainbow neon. The music was already blaring from the outside. Once they got in, the bass was booming nearly as much as if they were on stage. Strobe lights and lasers danced alongside the crowd on the dance floor, men wearing just boots and underwear were body rolling on pedestals scattered throughout the room. It was a scene like Kendall had never seen before.

James led them to the bar ordering himself a spicy margarita and Kendall and dirty Shirley.

"I know this isn't normally your thing," James said, getting close to Kendall's ear. "But humor me. We're letting go, tonight."

"I'll drink to that," Kendall replied, raising his glass and taking a generous swig of his drink. He trusted James more than ever now and was ready for whatever the night would bring them.

Three drinks later and the boys were on the dance floor, jumping, grinding and feeling free. There was no judgment as they saw other guys around doing the same. Girls complimented them without flirtation. There were even fans congratulating them on their public relationship. James had taken them to a safe space where they were completely free to be themselves.

Feeling completely uninhibited, Kendall grabbed James face and brought to his, kissing him as if they were the only ones in the room.

The pair had stumbled their way back into the house around four, giggling and clinging onto each other until they fell into Kendall's bed. Through a drunken haze, Kendall felt the presence of something much bigger than a mob of people or haters on the internet. He looked over at the man he loved asleep in his bed and thought of the night they shared, feeling a sense of pride in who he was.