Only one

Shadows and light

The red carpet was bustling with energy as the band made their way down, interacting with fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favorite musicians. The excitement in the air was palpable, with fans cheering and waving signs, some even holding up phones to capture the moment. Kendall, Logan, James, and Carlos moved along, stopping every few steps to engage with their supporters.

A young woman with bright pink hair managed to get Kendall's attention. "Kendall! I just wanted to say thank you for your music," she said, her voice shaky with emotion. "It helped me through some really dark times."

Kendall's heart swelled with warmth as he leaned in closer, taking her hand briefly. "Thank you so much for sharing that. It means the world to us that our music can do that for you."

Logan was nearby, talking to a young man who complimented his suit. "You guys look amazing tonight. Seriously, you always have the best style."

Logan smiled, appreciative. "Thanks, man. We've got a great team that helps us out, but it's cool to hear that you like it."

Carlos and James were a few steps ahead, signing autographs and laughing with fans. The atmosphere was electric, filled with love and support. It was exactly the kind of energy they needed before entering the venue for the award show.

But then, out of nowhere, the mood shifted.

A reporter standing on the sidelines, clearly more interested in stirring up controversy than celebrating the night, shouted something vile and derogatory towards Logan. The words hung in the air, sharp and cutting, and Logan froze, his smile faltering as the venom of the comment hit him.

For a moment, everything seemed to stand still. Logan's mind raced, the reporter's words echoing in his head. He could feel his composure slipping away, the old wounds of fear and anxiety threatening to resurface.

Without a word, Logan turned and started walking towards the entrance of the venue. His steps were quick, almost mechanical, as he tried to distance himself from the hateful words. He needed to get away, to find a place where he could breathe again.

As soon as he was out of the public eye, Logan broke into a run, his heart pounding as he searched for a place to escape. He found himself in a secluded stairway, hidden from the rest of the venue. It was quiet, the only sound being his ragged breathing as he leaned against the cold wall, trying to steady himself.

Outside, Kendall, James, and Carlos had heard the reporter's comment. The fans around them had gone silent, shock and anger rippling through the crowd. Carlos was the first to respond, his voice steady but firm. "That was completely uncalled for. We're here to celebrate tonight, not tear people down."

James nodded, adding, "We're all about positivity. Let's keep it that way."

Kendall, however, could barely keep his anger in check. He offered the fans a small smile and a wave, doing his best to maintain composure, but inside he was boiling. He excused himself quickly, his only thought being to find Logan.

As soon as he was inside the venue, Kendall started searching frantically. He moved through the hallways, scanning every corner, every room. Where could Logan have gone? He needed to find him, to make sure he was okay. After what felt like an eternity, Kendall spotted the entrance to the stairway and pushed the door open.

There, sitting on the steps with his head in his hands, was Logan.

Kendall's heart ached at the sight. He walked over slowly, not wanting to startle him. He sat down next to Logan, not saying anything at first, just being there. After a moment, he reached out, gently placing a hand on Logan's back.

Logan looked up, his eyes red and glassy. "Kendall..." he started, his voice cracking. "I...I'm sorry. I just couldn't-"

"Shh, it's okay," Kendall interrupted, his voice soft and reassuring. "You don't have to apologize, Logie. That was awful, what they said. I get it."

Logan shook his head, wiping at his eyes. "I tried to keep it together, but I just... I couldn't. Not this time."

Kendall pulled him into a hug, holding him tightly. "You don't have to keep it together all the time. Not with me, not with any of us. We're here for you, okay?"

Logan nodded against Kendall's shoulder, feeling a little more grounded with each passing second. The warmth of Kendall's embrace, the steadiness of his voice-it was enough to start calming the storm inside him.

They sat there in silence for a while, just holding onto each other. Eventually, Logan pulled back slightly, taking a deep breath. "Thank you," he said quietly. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Kendall offered him a small smile, brushing a stray tear from Logan's cheek. "You'll never have to find out. I'm here, and so are James and Carlos. We've got your back."

As if on cue, the door to the stairway creaked open, and Carlos and James stepped inside. They had been searching for Logan too, worried about their friend. Seeing the couple sitting together, clearly still upset but also finding comfort in each other, they both let out sighs of relief.

"You guys okay?" Carlos asked, his voice full of concern.

Logan nodded, offering them a weak smile. "Yeah, I think so. Just needed a moment."

James walked over, placing a hand on Logan's shoulder. "Take all the time you need, man. We're not going anywhere."

The four of them stayed there for a few minutes, sitting on the steps in that quiet stairway. Outside, fans were already taking to social media, outraged at the reporter's behavior. The hashtag #SupportLogan started trending within minutes, with fans sharing their love and solidarity for the band. They were determined to make sure that the hateful words of one person wouldn't overshadow the love and support of the many.

After a while, Logan took a deep breath and stood up, pulling Kendall with him. "Alright," he said, his voice a little stronger. "Let's go out there and show them who we are."

Kendall squeezed his hand, smiling. "That's the spirit."

With their heads held high, the band made their way back to the event. They knew that there would be challenges ahead, but they also knew that they could face them together-no matter what.