Only one

Under the spotlight

The day of the red carpet event arrived with the weight of a thousand expectations pressing down on Kendall and Logan. The rumors about their relationship had only intensified in the days since the photos leaked, and despite their best efforts to lay low, they knew this event would thrust them right back into the public eye.

It was their first major appearance since the photos went viral, and the timing couldn't have been worse. In just a few days, they would be heading off for their European tour, but tonight, all eyes would be on them.

Backstage at the event venue, the atmosphere was a mix of excitement and tension. The team was buzzing around, making final preparations, adjusting outfits, and giving last-minute pep talks. James and Carlos were already dressed, looking sharp in their suits, and were now getting their hair styled by the glam team.

Kendall stood in front of the mirror, tugging at the collar of his tailored suit jacket, trying to find some semblance of calm. But his nerves were frayed, and his anxiety was palpable. Every movement felt heavy, like he was moving through molasses.

Logan was next to him, adjusting his tie with shaky hands. He glanced over at Kendall, their eyes meeting in the mirror. He could see the exhaustion and worry etched on Kendall's face, mirroring his own. Neither of them had slept much since the leak, and the pressure of tonight was suffocating.

James, noticing the tension, walked over to them. "You guys doing okay?" he asked softly, careful not to draw the attention of the team buzzing around them.

Kendall forced a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, just... trying to get my head in the game."

Carlos joined them, his usual energetic demeanor subdued. He placed a reassuring hand on Kendall's shoulder. "We've got your back, you know that, right? Whatever happens out there, we're in this together."

Logan nodded, but the pit in his stomach didn't ease. "Thanks, guys. We just... we're trying to figure out how to handle this without making things worse."

James exchanged a glance with Carlos before looking back at Kendall and Logan. "You don't have to figure it all out tonight. Just get through this, and then we can talk about what's next. But you're not alone in this, okay?"

Kendall exhaled slowly, grateful for their support, even though it didn't make the anxiety disappear. "We know. It's just... hard."

Before they could say anything else, their manager appeared, clipboard in hand. "Alright, guys, it's almost time. The car is ready to take you to the carpet. Remember, keep it cool out there. Smile, wave, and if anyone asks anything you don't want to answer, just steer the conversation back to the tour. Got it?"

They all nodded, though Kendall's heart was pounding in his chest. This was the last place he wanted to be right now, but there was no escaping it.

As they made their way to the car, Kendall felt Logan's hand brush against his. It was a small, fleeting gesture, but it grounded him for a moment. They exchanged a brief glance, a silent acknowledgment that they were in this together, no matter what happened.

The ride to the event was tense. The closer they got, the more the reality of what awaited them sank in. They could already hear the distant roar of the crowd and the flashing of cameras as they approached the venue.

When they finally arrived, the doors opened, and they were greeted by a blinding barrage of camera flashes and the deafening sound of fans screaming their names. Kendall's pulse quickened, his anxiety spiking as he stepped out of the car.

The four of them posed together, putting on their best smiles, but Kendall felt like he was on the edge of a breakdown. The cameras were relentless, snapping photo after photo, and all he could think about was the endless speculation that was sure to follow.

As they made their way down the carpet, reporters started shouting questions, some about the tour, but others, more pointed, about the rumors.

"Kendall! Logan! Care to comment on the recent photos?"

"Are the rumors true? Are you two a couple?"

"Can we expect an announcement soon?"

Kendall's heart raced, and he felt Logan stiffen beside him. They had anticipated these questions, but hearing them shouted so publicly made it feel so much worse. They kept walking, trying to focus on the cameras ahead and not the voices calling out their fears.

James, sensing their discomfort, stepped forward, taking the lead. "We're excited to be here tonight," he said with a broad smile, expertly steering the conversation. "We've got a lot planned for the European tour, and we can't wait to share it with all of you."

Carlos joined in, his enthusiasm helping to deflect the attention. "Yeah, we've been working on some new stuff, and we think the fans are really going to love it. It's going to be an epic tour!"

Kendall and Logan stayed close behind them, letting their bandmates shield them from the more invasive questions. But even with James and Carlos running interference, the tension was unbearable.

As they neared the end of the carpet, a particularly bold reporter managed to push through the crowd, her voice cutting through the noise. "Kendall, Logan! Fans are dying to know—are you ready to finally address the rumors?"

Kendall froze, his mind going blank as the question hung in the air. He didn't know how to respond, didn't know what the right answer was. His breath quickened, and he could feel the walls closing in.

Logan, sensing Kendall's panic, quickly stepped in, forcing a smile. "We're here to focus on the music and the tour. That's what matters right now," he said, his voice steady, though inside, he was just as shaken.

The reporter didn't push further, and security quickly moved them along. But the damage was done. The anxiety that had been simmering beneath the surface threatened to spill over.

Finally, they made it inside the venue, away from the cameras and the questions. Kendall let out a shaky breath, his hands trembling. He felt like he'd just run a marathon.

James and Carlos were by their side in an instant, concern etched on their faces. "You guys okay?" James asked, his voice low.

Kendall nodded, though he felt anything but okay. "I just... I need a minute," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Logan guided him to a quiet corner, away from the noise and the crowd. "It's over for now," he said softly, trying to reassure him. "We did it. We got through it."

Kendall leaned against the wall, trying to steady his breathing. "I don't know how much more of this I can take, Logan. It's too much."

Logan placed a comforting hand on Kendall's back, his own heart aching with how much this was affecting him. "I know it's hard, but we'll figure it out. We're not alone in this. James and Carlos are with us, and we'll get through this together."

Kendall nodded, though the weight of everything still pressed heavily on him. They had survived the red carpet, but the anxiety lingered, gnawing at him, reminding him that this was far from over. And with the European tour just days away, the pressure was only going to intensify.

As they rejoined James and Carlos, putting on brave faces for the night ahead, Kendall couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a storm they weren't prepared for.