Chapter Text
Cole released him. A drop of sweat rolled down his cheek, eyes filled with wary.
"So...do you-"
Kai rose a hand, giving him a half-hearted smile. "Oh, don't get me wrong, I don't have any memories of my past life either," He waved a hand. "My family had suggested that I was possibly your mate reincarnated." Cole stared, expression unreadable.
Oh, well, accurately, Nya. Kai thought grimly. "Neither of us have any memories of our previous life, isn't that funny?"
"..." Cole leaned back, a large hand covering his own face. Then, he slowly lowered it as his face hardened.
"Is that what they told you to say?"
Cole's jaw gritted as Kai internally sighed. "Do you really think I'd fall for that?"
Well, at least I know this ghost isn't a idiot Kai thought, fixing his jacket.
Cole continued, "Centuries may have gone by while I was asleep, but humans still show greed and power," Cole's fists clenched. "Do you wish to use my amnesia against me?"
"Do you think you can sweet-talk into giving you everything you wanted?"
Kai exhaled softly. "Look, I know this is a lot to take in, but..." He tilted his head, crossing his arms with a small smirk. "What if what I'm saying is true?"
"You'll regret not listening to me."
Silence. Kai continued. "I get it, you don't trust me." His hand hovered Cole's arm. "But...you have nothing to lose if you let me stay here, and just keeping me around, right?"
"What's the harm in that?"
Kai clasped a hand on his shoulder. "Nothing wrong proving my theory to you."
Cole shrugged his hand off sharply. "...And what do you suggest?"
Kai grinned. "I suggest that.."
"We should be roommates!"
Cole stared at him blankly. Kai put an arm up as he explained. "Living together will give us more answers, no doubt about it, and you may think that's a silly, horrible, disgusting, weird-"
"Okay, I get it, get to your point." Cole interrupted, an unamused expression on his face. Kai chuckled. "Well, I'm just saying it might help you remember."
Though, I'm fucking screwed if he actually gets his memories back.
Kai placed his hand on his own chest, raising an eyebrow. "I'm pretty confident I'm the one you are waiting for, so, are you sure you want to kick me out like this?"
"You might regret it."
Cole's bangs shadowed his eyes, giving no emotion, though his mouth slowly opened. "..."
He turned away. "..Do whatever you want."
Kai blinked, watching the ghost walk off.
Huh. Guess he'll take that as a yes.
Kai plopped on the couch, massaging his forehead as he exhaled loudly. I didn't mean to go that far...but he got me riled up. The brunette clasped his hands together, eyes closed. And I doubt he's the type to give out second chances so easily...
Hopefully, he's convinced. And if not?
Kai scratched his ear casually. "Well, I'm sure things will work out fine."
"....Probably."
Kai was in the guest room, setting out his items as Zane helped him. Kai said no need, but Zane insisted so. Well, at least this guy has some empathy Kai thought, rearranging his clothes when he realized something.
How..how was he able to touch Cole?
"Hey Zane.."
"Yes?"
Kai looked at him. "Are you able to touch Cole?"
Zane's brows slightly furrowed, placing down one of Kai's items. "Well...no, I can't."
Kai just got more confused.
"So how was I-"
"I suggest that maybe because Master Cole serves your bloodline, you are able to interact with him like a normal being, unlike me." Zane stretched his fingers out. "I am merely just a robot."
Kai hummed. Huh, explains that embarrassing moment when I touched his chest. Kai's cheeks reddened slightly. So embarrassing.
As they finished, Kai sat on his bed, sighing softly.
"I'm glad Master Cole didn't hurt you." Zane said, his hands folded politely as he sat down where Kai patted a spot on the bed.
"Hm?"
"Well, Master Cole is usually never in a good mood, and does not take kindly to humans."
Kai snorted. "Really?"
Zane smiles softly. "Though, I am glad we will be able to live together. I've worked here..since forever, so cleaning the guest room didn't seem important, but I'm glad I still did anyway."
The humanoid scratches his cheek shyly. "I do hope some of your energy can rub off Master Cole."
Kai patted a hand on his shoulder, cracking a grin. "I appreciate it." They chatted before Zane left to tend the garden outside, and Kai was getting thirsty.
The brunette walked down the hall, grabbing a cup from the kitchen when he spotted Cole again in the living room, holding a book. "Huh, thought you left to go to your room but..." Cole looked up silently.
"..."
Kai sighed light-heartedly. "Relax, will you? I live here now, and I'm just trying to get along with you."
Cole grumbled. "Maybe we'll get along if you just stay out of my sight."
Kai tsked. "If you never see me, how will you remember that we got married?"
If looks could kill, Cole's glare would take first place.
Kai grinned. "Just joking!"
For somebody who's like 400 years old, he sure acts like a kid..
Cole shut his book, inhaling gruffly. "Don't get the wrong idea, alright? I didn't let you stay because I believe your claims, I'm just keeping you around because I can kick you out as easily as I let you in."
Kai internally rolled his eyes. "Yeah...right."
Basically, you're just hesitating because you're unsure too.
"Let's get along though, okay?" His hand brushed Cole's shoulder.
His glare hardened even more. Kai turned around, sighing. "Ok, okay, I'll leave now and leave you to your reading time, alright?"
He walked off as Cole watched him leave, turning a corner. Cole placed the book aside as he rubbed his face with his hand.
"..." He let out a tired sigh, eyes filled with uncertainty. Past memories washed over him.
"Oh, Cole..."
"Are you alright?" The shadow leaned, caressing his face.
Cole inhaled sharply, his eyes squeezed shut.
"Fuck.."
..
Cole stared at the hefty bowl placed on the dining table. It was just rice and chicken. Though, it looked appetizing.
He leaned slightly, before he flinched when Kai popped out of nowhere, holding some chopsticks.
"Oh, hey Cole!" Kai grinned. Cole stared.
"Like what you see? I cooked it, got some while I was out." Kai huffed smugly.
"..."
"Why'd you make so much?"
Kai poked him with his elbow. "Duh, for you and me!”
"Though, I'm not sure if… ghosts eat, but I didn't want to feel guilty."
Cole felt a headache forming in.
"Are you impressed?" Kai asked, leaning in curiously.
Cole looked away. "Fuck, I don't know what made you want to do this."
Kai placed the chopsticks down. "Didn't I tell you already? I want us to get closer!"
Cole let out a deep sigh, turning away. "Ha..you can eat it. Don't do this-"
Kai shot his arm out, blocking Cole's path. The ghost flinched slightly, blinking.
"Not so fast!" Kai waved his arm.
"I understand how you feel, but it won't kill you to cooperate." I mean, ghosts are already dead, no? Kai thought.
He continued, "We're in the same boat right now, and I know you are wondering if I'm your soulmate just as much as I am." He tapped the table. "This is the bare minimum, the least you could do, right?"
"It doesn't have to be everyday, just once and a while." And to stop ignoring me in the damn living room and hiding in your room.
"..."
Cole pulled the chair, and sat.
Kai blinked. That was easy.
So the ghost falls under pressure...Kai sat down as well, giving the ghost a generous scoop.
Cole lifted the chopsticks, taking a bite. Kai watched, shamelessly eager for Cole's reaction.
To which, he gave none.
He just ate silently. Kai groaned loudly, making Cole look up.
"So? is it good? bad? a review would be nice!" Kai huffed. Cole's fingers curled around the chopsticks.
"...It's alright."
Kai's ego would take the hit for now, but he swore he'll get a reaction out of him with his culinary skills one day.
He switched topics. "So, Cole, well...you got any boundaries you wanna establish or what?"
Cole gave him a flat stare. You already crossed all of them.
Kai crossed his arms. "Well, I'll go first then."
"I want you to not be so stubborn on hating me, okay? because I don't hate you, and I get that we got off the wrong foot, but there's a chance we can turn things around."
The brunette tilted his head. "Easy to remember, right?"
"I'm not asking for much, here."
Cole only sighed.
Eventually, they finished, and Kai grabbed the dishes as he went to the sink to clean them.
Cole only looked at him for a moment, before turning away.
There’s no way he’ll last for more than a week.