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"This is no use," Logan grumbles in defeat, dropping the bouquet as James approaches. "It's not working out."
"We can't give up now!" James protests, angrily pulling off his flower hat. "I got terrorized by bees for you!"
Logan's eyes roll. "That's my point, this isn't worth being terrorized by bees."
"But you like Camille, don't you?"
"Yeah..." Logan makes a face.
"Okay, that is not how anyone acts when they like someone," James says matter-of-factly. "What's the deal? You think Camille is cool."
Logan glances around self-consciously. The Palm Woods park is occupied by its usual inhabitants, though they're all at a far enough distance that he only feels a little worried as he harshly whispers, "James, I don't want to ask anyone to the dance that isn't Kendall."
James makes the face of someone who finally pieced together a very obvious puzzle. "Ohhh. Yep, I see why that would be a problem."
"Yeah." Logan shrinks in on himself as the two of them begin a steady pace towards the Palm Woods. He swats at a couple lingering bees. "Can you dispose of that death magnetic?"
James tosses the flower hat across the park. "Anyway, why didn't you tell me that awhile ago?"
"Because," Logan begins in the tone he adopts every time he's about to explain something he carefully pondered for an inane amount of time, "he's going to ask Jo to the dance and... I don't know. It's silly but, I wanted to have a date so I didn't seem like the pathetic loser moping over his straight best friend." He shrugs in a pathetic attempt at being casual.
"Okay, wait. How do you know he's going to ask Jo to the dance? He hasn't said anything about that."
"Uh, why wouldn't he?"
"Uh, why would he? Things have been weird between them ever since they realized they have literally nothing in common. Literally nothing. Dude, she hates hockey." They pause in front of the elevator, share a mutual shiver, and then step in. "Kendall can't date someone that hates hockey. It's the law," James says resolutely.
"I don't know..." Logan pretends to be interested in the elevator panel as he presses a button. "She's a pretty girl and she's interested in him, so... why wouldn't he ask her?"
James' brows raise and his eyes slant into a dubious look. "Dude."
"What?" Logan blinks.
James stares for a moment longer before shaking his head in disbelief. "Ugh. Nothing, but you need to ask Kendall to that dance."
"Ha, ha," Logan deadpans.
"Dude, I'm not joking."
"What makes you think that he would say yes?"
"You'd be surprised..." James mutters, words buried by the sound of the elevator doors opening.
"What was that?"
"Nothing. Now come on!" He wraps his hand around Logan's wrist, pulling the boy into the hallway.
"Woah, woah, wait! We're not--" Logan stutters, attempting to break free from James' grasp. Alas, James hits the gym unfairly often.
"Yes, we are," James fights, tugging him towards their apartment. Logan's heels dig into the floor and he reaches his free hand back towards the elevator, reaching for the elevator doors but only grabbing the air. A teenage girl that had stepped inside stares at him with wide eyes. He chokes out a 'help,' but she only jams the elevator buttons as if her life depends on it. "You are going in there and you are asking Kendall to that dance!"
"James, no! That- that's a horrible idea, he likes Jo and he doesn't like me and he doesn't like guys in general and--"
"Lalala don't care!" The apartment door opens and Logan whimpers as James grabs his shoulders and directs him towards the bathroom. A man that Logan recognizes as Fabio leaves the bathroom as they enter, giving Logan and James pause.
"So!" Kendall says loudly, a kebob in his hand and Katie at his side. "Did you guys find a date to the dance?"
Logan makes a pained noise as James says, "Actually, there's something Logan wants to ask you." Kendall tilts his head at this and gives Logan an expectant look.
"No no no, there's nothing I want to ask you, nothing at all," he laughs anxiously, making a face that implies James has suddenly gone insane.
"Yes, there is. In fact, why don't you two step out here for some privacy?" James ushers Logan and Kendall into the kitchen, sends them an encouraging smile, then slams the bathroom door shut with him and Katie inside.
In the kitchen, Kendall slowly turns his head from the door, confusion etched on his face. It falls and is replaced with a smile when he meets Logan's eyes. "Anyway, what did you need to ask me?"
Logan stares with wide eyes at Kendall, whose smile is so friendly, so inviting. It shouldn't be hard, the way it was with Camille. Kendall is his best friend. Logically, the worse that would happen is that Kendall would say no, be confused about the offer, but move past it. Logan knows this and yet, there's sweat on the back of his neck and he can't stop making incomprehensible noises.
Kendall frowns at Logan's nervousness. "Are you okay? You know you can tell me anything, right?"
"You won't be mad?" Logan asks like a child.
"There's no guarantee, but probably not." Kendall smiles teasingly. "Seriously, what's up?"
Logan takes a deep breath, lungs full and nails leaving crescent-shaped indents in his palms. "Listen, Kendall... I've liked you for ages, well, since eighth grade to be exact, and I know this is coming out of nowhere and it's okay if you say no, it'll be painfully awkward but it's okay and well... will you be my date to the dance?" He braces himself and squeezes his eyes shut, but finds that that's even worse than the alternative of not seeing Kendall's face, so he peeks them back open like he's about to witness a car crash.
Kendall only blinks at him. "That's it? That's what you were worried about asking me?"
"Uh... yeah?" Logan replies hesitantly.
"Dude..." Kendall shakes his head as a grin spreads his lips. "Why would I say anything other than yes?"
Logan's breath hitches in his throat. "You're saying yes?" He asks hopefully.
"Duh? I'm glad you asked me, actually. I guess I can save the method I planned on asking you with, for something else."
"You- you were going to ask me?" Logan may need to sit down very soon, or he will be coming in contact with the floor whether he likes it or not.
"Well yeah, I've kinda been crazy about you for awhile." Kendall pauses, studying Logan carefully. "Is that cool?"
"That's..." Logan beams. "So cool."
"Cool." Kendall leans forward and presses a gentle kiss to Logan's cheek. Paralyzed, Logan watches as Kendall pulls away with a bright smile. "Can't wait. I'm gonna start getting ready... but first." He opens the bathroom door, causing Katie and James to topple out onto the floor. With that, he departs, making his way to the bedroom.
"See... I told you..." James groans in pain.
"Oh, man up." Katie rolls her eyes and springs to her feet. Her bored, unamused gaze flickers up to a still-frozen Logan. "And Carlos owes me ten bucks!"
-
Logan has the decency to find Camille and hastily spew a vaguely sincere apology at her. She's crestfallen at first, and he feels like gum on the sidewalk, until she says, "Darn it, I owe Carlos twenty bucks. I thought for sure it'd be another three months before you finally came to your senses." His friends all making bets with each other-- it's very expected. He isn't surprised and he doesn't have the capacity to even be a little disgruntled because he's going to the dance with Kendall and his cheek still tingles where Kendall kissed it.
And once Kendall, Logan, and James arrive at Rocque Records, Kendall interlocks his fingers with Logan's on their way inside, smiling cautiously at Logan when he looks up wondrously at Kendall. "This okay?" Logan can only nod with a record-breaking smile. Behind them, James scoffs.
"You guys are about to be the most annoying couple here."
"Maybe you're just bitter that you don't have a date," Kendall teases, tightening his grip on Logan's hand.
"Woooah wait." James halts, prompting the two to do the same and cock their heads back in confusion. "I was so busy helping Logan that I never asked anyone to the dance."
"James, you unintentionally asked approximately seven girls to the dance," Logan reminds him.
"Wait..." James' brows knit together, chin tilting to the side as if attempting to recall.
Kendall suddenly turns his head, face scrunched as he listens to the distant chattering and music. "Is that Carlos speaking in a Jamaican accent?"
Logan sucks air through his teeth. "This should be good..."
The three of them approach the designated section of Rocque Records, decorated in party streamers, a large banner, and balloons. Carlos, who's wearing a gaudy, glimmering purple blazer, is surrounded by three very unhappy Jennifers. He's looking between the three of them frantically, as they all fight over... Carlos? Olaf? Marcello? Ronaldolo?
"They sound pretty peeved," Kendall notes.
"What should we do?" Logan wonders.
Suddenly, James storms ahead. "I've got this." He slings an arm around Carlos' shoulder and says to the Jennifers, "Sorry, girls, but Carlos has a one-way ticket on Diamond Express tonight."
Kendall and Logan share a baffled, yet amused, glance.
"I..." Carlos starts.
"Wha-- Carlos!" Blonde Jennifer exclaims in offense. "Why would you ask us out if he's already your date?"
"Oh, so now he's not Olaf or Marcello or Ronaldolo?" James asks in annoyance. The three girls say nothing, only cross their arms and simmer with anger.
"I--" Carlos tries once more, though his tongue fails on him.
"You wanna dance, Carlos?" James asks, sending Kendall and Logan a thumbs-up that they return.
There's a pause, and then Carlos grins. "Carlos would love to dance. And by the way, Olaf and Marcello and Ronadolo have left the building. And how hot is James?!" The two boys lock arms, James smiling smugly as they walk into the dance room.
Kendall turns to Logan and says, "Well, that worked out well."
"Yeah..." Logan knows he's acting like a starstruck kid around their idol, but he can't help it. He's been pining over Kendall for so long, and to know the feelings are mutual makes his chest and stomach feel fluttery. Kendall meets his big eyes with a gentle laugh, though he doesn't look too different.
"You know, we have a song to sing." His arms snake around Logan's waist, corner of his mouth raised into a smirk. Everyone's filed into the dance room with the small practice stage, but even if the two of them had a million eyewitnesses right now, Logan wouldn't care.
"And then?" Logan asks excitedly as he ties his arms around Kendall's neck.
"And then... we dance."
"And then...?"
"And then we... slow dance."
"And theeen?"
Kendall laughs. "And then I kiss you. And don't you dare add another 'and then!'"
Logan shakes his head slowly. "Not feeling that bold tonight. Can we go sing so you can kiss me?"
Kendall kisses his forehead and says, "Yes."
The performance goes swimmingly, and Jo and Camille are almost overbearingly supportive of Kendall and Logan. James eventually gets chased out of Rocque Records by seven former-dates. Carlos chases after them, shouting, "Get away from my date!" Kendall and Logan share a laugh, and then the promised kiss. Logan deems the Palm Woods Move Your Butt Dance as an absolute success. He wouldn't mind arranging more dances if they all end like this.