Again nic98ole is crazy! I love her. Her incredible stories are always inspiring me. Her latest story setting in the mid 1900's inspired me to try an AU story in a different time period, the 1930's.

Sorry if the story has a lot of typos. I have too much school related things to do to make a couple of revisions.

*Completely unrelated to the story but… I had a Nerdy BTR moment in class. My teacher was talking about chemicals in the body and he said glucose over and over, and all I heard was Carlos... "Carlos is the sweet chemical the body needs"… -.-' I need to stop my btr addiction.

Working for my man

"Two double cheeseburgers, a milkshake and a side of tots." Kendall whips the tray of arteries clogging, wallet slimming foods on the table. He's wearing his uniform of vertical black and white pinstripe shirt, matching pants and an obligated smile to "enhance" customer satisfaction. It's just another idea corporation wisps up to make more money in this troubled time.

And everyone needs to make more money. Well everyone, besides the rich eating in front of the blonde, knows that there is the horrible recession the country no, the world is going through. Tornadoes and hurricanes can kill thousands of lives but this recession is killing millions of people. A natural disaster is no match for this man made disaster. But what can a young, twenty two year old blonde do? All he can do is try to brave out the storm.

"Is there anything else?" He asks with his raised voice, specifically made as his normal everyday voice is not "happy" enough. But how can he be happy working in a place he can't afford to eat? After getting a smile and a shake from the customer, Kendall rolls away on his roller skates, another reason why he hates his job, as he reminds himself how much he needs his paycheck.

...

"Bye Mr. Griffin." Kendall says in his normal although much more content voice. He waves his salary holding hand to the boss and walks down the block clad in his uniform with a real smile.

Reviewing his envelope, he counts the inner. Adding the small tips the patrons gave him for his deceitful happiness and customer service to his salary, Kendall decides to up his usual dinner and make something more hearty.

Ring! Ring! The bells chime as Kendall goes through the wooden doors. His eyes dart to the fat man behind the counter, sharpening his knives. A gross sight in front of him; the white apron around the butcher is stained with bloods of different animals and hues of reds.

"Ah, Mr. Kendall." The meat cutter greets with his nasally voice. Oh how the annoying tone reminds him of his forced happy voice.

"Mr. Bitters. I like a pound of ground beef with a clove of garlic mashed in." Kendall requests after reading the daily deals on the bulletin.

"No problem." The butcher goes chopping the blob of meat, adding the specks of the aromatic clove into it. "So when are you going to get a wife or at least a girlfriend?" It's not one of Kendall's favorite questions and is actually the reason why he avoids this butcher. He would go to another but Mr. Bitters is the cheapest in the city. "You know why you don't have a girlfriend?" He continues badgering, twirling the butcher knife at him. "It's because of that failed singer you are living with. There is nothing worst than giving off the illusion of being a fag."

Kendall resists rolling his eyes at the one word he hates and the type of people the country discriminates against.

"If you keep hanging out with him, all the girls will run away from you." A hard laugh rushes out of the oversize man, making Kendall worry if any of his spit will spoil the product.

But to much of the bitter man's point, Kendall has been living with James as secret lovers since high school. Secret being the keyword as homosexuals are not the most accepted nor are they even many opened men strolling the streets.

"I hate to see a fine, hard working man such as yourself become like the gay fags that lives across your hall. They are the worst kind of people, pretending they fit in society." He shakes his head, weighing the meat.

Kendall shakes his head too, reaching his boiling point with all the discriminating comments. He can only imagine what if the cruel, closed minded man finds out Kendall's secret. How much the will the cost increase or would the fat man open the shop to him in the future?

"Homosexuals are the worst." Kendall finally musters the energy to lie. He cringes, curls his toes, digs his nails, and does everything and anything just to stop himself from jumping over the counter to attack the hypocritical, girlfriend-less man. "I will never hang out with those people across the hall and James will not stop me from finding a wife." His high voice returns; the fake tone he uses to please.

"What I like to hear." A creepy smile broadens on his face. "That would be seven cents."

Kendall furrows and pulls out the tip change he has in his right pocket, thinking about the cost. "It's not thirteen cents?"

"Not for straight men like yourself. That price is really for the fags I hate. They don't deserve the same price we normal folk gets." Again, the horrid laugh emits for his lips.

Kendall suppresses his angry and fury at the man as he registers that the cost is only seven cents. That is a really excellent price for beef. Sighingly, Kendall accepts the offer, hiding behind the closet façade he so desperately clings on to. "Thank you."

"Anytime." Mr. Bitters clicks his teeth loudly as Kendall quickly hastens out of the shop.

...

Never more is Kendall happy to return to his humble home. It's not lavished or decorated with the latest styles but he loves it as if it is the house everyone wants in the magazine because everything was a product of his hard labor. Things brought with one's sweat and blood is better than something given, right?

Tiredly, he throws his roller skates onto the floor next to the beaten up couch and falls on the comfort of the broken spring cushion. A sigh is released from his mouth as he relaxes to the rhythm of the clock. Unfortunately, staring at the clock reminds him that he had to get the food started before James comes home.

A groan replaces the content sign as Kendall grabs the bag of just purchased meat and walks to the kitchen.

"Hi Kendall!" A round button head pops from the arch connecting the kitchen to the hall, a genuine smile displaying on the tan face.

"Hey Carlos." Kendall continues flipping the beef patties and stirring the assorted vegetables. This is a normal everyday occurrence. He expects his fun loving next door neighbor to pop over. That is why instead of stopping his cooking everyday to open the door, he gave the guy a copy of his key. Carlos is the most trustworthy person anyone can ever wish to befriend.

"Do you need help?" Kendall tilts his head to him, knowing the pretense of the question. Carlos usually comes over after his shift as a police officer. Times are hard but for Carlos it's harder. He is the guy Mr. Bitters would never allow in his shop. He is the guy a manager would pay ten cents less just because they can and don't like him. But he is Kendall's best friend.

"Nah I don't need help. Do you want to stay for dinner?" Kendall asks, seeing the Latino jump next to him in his officer uniform.

"You know I love to." Kendall smiles, returning his gaze to the sizzling meat. Carlos is the person Kendall wishes to be like one day, out going, fun, and a ball of sunshine, but most importantly, open about his sexuality. Not everyone is as strong as Carlos.

At the dinner table, Kendall sets three plates of food, one for each of them and one for James. Carlos is wolfing down the food as if he didn't have breakfast or lunch which would not surprise Kendall in the least.

"So how is Logan?" Kendall asks, trying to slow the hungry man before he chokes.

Carlos smiles, bits of corn and broccoli sticking to his lips. Kendall laughs at how adorable Carlos is for his age. He assumes cuteness dies with age but with Carlos, every day he becomes cuter and more adorable.

"I love Logan." Carlos says. No surprise to Kendall. That is how Carlos starts every conversation about his boyfriend, regardless of what question is asked. "Logan is doing great in college. I know the moment he gets out of school, he will be the richest and best doctor in the world."

Kendall stares at his friend's face. Maybe it's the fake smile he wears everyday, but he has a feeling Carlos is wearing one too. "Are you happy Carlos?" He asks genuinely concern for the Latino's happiness. With two jobs to support Logan's education and the world hating him for being gay, life can't be all hearts and rainbow.

"Of course I am happy. I have friends and a loving boyfriend. I would give up living just for him." He answers hesitantly. "I love working for my man. And he is my man. He is the man I would marry if I could. I would marry him tomorrow. I-"

"Carlos!" Kendall stops his rambles, nervously noticing the trembling hands, the small quivers and the wary eyes. He should not have asked the question. "How is the hamburger?"

"I like it!" The smile returns and he continues eating. The best way to stop Carlos from wallowing in sorrow is to distract him. Short term memory is Carlos' greatest flaw, although Kendall thinks of it as Carlos' ability to let go and move on. "It's the best meal I had since your pasta yesterday."

"I'm glad you think that." Again, Kendall can't help think about the hidden message woven into Carlos' words. Hopefully, Carlos ate something during the day but Kendall is smart enough to know Carlos would do anything to support Logan, even unhealthily starve himself in exchange for another textbook or even a pencil. Whatever Logan needs, Carlos is there to help. Sometime Kendall can't help wonder if Carlos even tells Logan what he goes through for him but knowing Carlos, Logan probably thinks Carlos is care freely earning dollars of money a day.

"Well it is great having you here, Carlos." Kendall opens the door after their meal. Beaming at the happy and full officer, Kendall pulls Carlos into a hug. "Don't be a stranger. You're always welcome."

"That's why you gave me your keys." Carlos jokes in his ear. "Thanks Kendall. I really needed that meal."

Again, his words are breaking him. Kendall doesn't know if he is over analyzing his friend or Carlos is hinting something subconscious.

"No problem Carlitos but do you need help will the laundries? You must have at least five loads to do tonight and it's eight." That's his second job. It's not a good paying job nor is it a real job. Carlos been washing other tenants' clothes for pocket change, literally change. Normally Laundromats charge ten cents a pound but Carlos charges ten cents a load. It's not good pay but what can a gay man say to narrow minded tenants?

"Nah, it's ok, Kendall." Carlos takes a minute to think. "If I start them now, I can sleep at two with Logie. He'll probably be sleeping at twelve but I love crawling into his arms at night."

"Ok and Carlos... sorry about dinner." Kendall rubs his neck, an embarrassing blush on his cheeks. "I never meant to make you uncomfortable talking about Logan."

"Say no more." Carlos gives his typical, everyday smile. "You are just being Kendall, a good, best friend... but really I am happy. I might have a down in luck life but I love Logan. As long as I know I love him and he loves me, how can I not be happy?"

A lot of reasons clouds Kendall's mind. You pay more for food, people pay you less at work and everyone just hates us. "You're right Carlos. Logan is luck to have you as his husband."

He blushes, copying Kendall's neck rub. "I hope one day I can propose to Logan. The world will hate us but it won't matter if Logan says I do. Well I got to go. Logan needs a power kiss to finish his homework. Bye Kendall." Carlos ends, walking across the hall to his door.

Falling down on his couch after watching his friend go home leaves a smile on his lips. He is thinking how adorable Carlos is walking to the studious boy and giving him a quick, innocent peck on the cheek, yelling "power kiss!" Kendall saw Carlos do the kiss once when he unexpectedly walked over for a cup of sugar. They are the cutest couple but still the thought that Logan is blindly accomplishing his dream while Carlos is painstakingly over working himself lingers in his mind. Carlos is too nice.

"I'm home!" A bang follows the shriek from none other than James Diamond. "I'm back from the monstrosity we call New York." He collapses on top of Kendall, nuzzling his cheek against the nape of Kendall' neck.

"Hi to you too, honey." Kendall plays along. "You're drunk aren't you?"

"Stop it Kendy!" He pouts, unbuttoning Kendall's work shirt. "I am not drunk."

"Oh, yes you are." Kendall hisses at the chain of light pecks James leaves after every button unhooked. This is James' version of a power kiss, probably a lot more effective that Carlos'. "What are you doing?"

"Trading sex for sixty cents." James answers frankly. "I owe Ted the money for drinks and shots and other things you won't like." James slurps, mumbling the last few words.

Kendall sighs, pushing James' feathering fingers off him. "You got to stop drinking." Kendall fishes the rest of his hard earned money from his pocket. He hands the drunk brunette the exact charge. Any penny more is a penny that will be spend on alcohol. "Please James. Stop drinking for me."

"But Kendy, I love you." James returns the pout, sealing his arms around Kendall. Maybe this is how Carlos feels. To have someone love you like this is why Carlos would sacrifice everything for Logan. Maybe James' "I love you's" are enough for Kendall to enable James' drinking. "And I am trying really hard to get a job."

"It's ok Jamie." Kendall brushes his hair, something he can only do when James is intoxicated. "I know how tough it is to find a job as a singer in this economy." He lies. He doesn't even know the first thing about the singing world except his Jamie is not a part of it.

"Are you sure? Do you hate me?" James cries, soaking the only pair of work clothes Kendall owns.

The blonde sighs at how many emotions James goes through drunk. "I love you." He kisses the top of his greased brown locks. "Go to sleep." And just like that, he falls fast asleep in Kendall's arms.

Kendall carries the limp body into the single small bed and tucks him in. He watches James lightly snores and tosses in the white sheets. "I love James." Kendall repeats as he walks to the window. Leaning forward on the window sill, He looks at the single tree growing three backyards down.

The tree was suppose to be cut down a long time ago, way before the silly stock market crashed but the tree is still standing strong. It always comforts Kendall. No matter how many people hate the tree or yell that the tree is a nuisance to society, the tree continues to grow, breaking to its own whims. There are no changes to the tree since Kendall first saw it. The tree is still brown with green leaves. The same animals accessorize the hands of the tree. Nothing has changed. The tree still grows the way it wants to grow, bending to its own will and nature.

Something Kendall wishes he can do one day.

This is just an idea. I might continue but I don't have a plan… and I have four science classes and a job. But review if you like it. I'll try to continue it with my other stories if people like it but for now it's a one-shot.

Please review :).