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Dinner was finished not to long ago and everyone was doing their own, favorable tasks. Well, except for Kai, since it was his day for dishes.
He and Zane had already made plans earlier that day and Kai knew the nindroid was going to come get him soon so they could hangout, so the fire elemental was trying to get these stupid dishes done as fast as possible. Hangout as in Zane was going to be constructing something that was extremely important, at least that’s how the white ninja had put it. Zane told him what it was, but Kai couldn’t remember.
Either way, it was something to do with mechanics and building stuff that Kai more than likely wasn’t going to understand, but if it meant he got to spend some time with his crush one on one, then he was all in. Besides, this was probably one of the only times he was going to be able to get some alone time with the ice elemental.
The two nindroids of the monastery were usually working together to build equipment needed for the team, but Pixal and Nya already had their own date planned so that’s taken care of.
As far as the other ninja were concerned, no way was Kai going to tell them to stop being around Zane. That would either make them upset or suspicious, and Kai wasn’t gonna blatantly say it’s because he had a thing for the ice ninja. He’d get teased about it forever!
Sure Kai would probably be able to spend more time one on one with Zane if the others knew about his crush, but Zane would definitely find out. Mostly because some of the ninja couldn’t keep their mouths shut. Zane could be a bit… dense when it came to social cues, but even so, the nindroid would definitely put the pieces together and Kai wasn’t ready for the confrontation that was sure to come if Zane found out.
The only one Kai told his little secret to was Nya. He confided in the water master about almost anything. He had a feeling Pixal knew too, but they were rather observant, he wouldn’t be surprised if Pixal figured it out herself.
Knowing that Zane was planning to come get him soon, and with some of the dishes having left over food that didn’t get scrapped off into the trash, Kai formed an idea.
He turned the faucet off and dried his hands on a nearby rag. He ran his now dry thumb across the leftover marinara sauce left on the plate and wiped it on his cheek.
“What are you doing?”
Kai jumped at the sudden voice of his sister. He turned his head to look over at the water ninja leaning against the door way who wore a very unamused face.
“Nothing, what’re you talking about?” He wiped the remaining sauce off his thumb onto the rag he previously used to dry his hands.
“What do you mean, what am I talking about?” Nya walked into the kitchen, taking the few steps towards her brother. “Why are you playing with spaghetti sauce? Stop putting that all over your face.” She scolded.
“It’s literally just on my cheek.” Kai answered. matter-of-factly. “And there’s a reason.”
“What reason could you possibly have?”
“I-“
“Save it, I don’t actually care. Just wipe that stuff off your face. It’s making you look dumb, and uglier than usual.” Nya reached her hand to ‘gently’ wipe the sauce off Kai’s cheek, which resulted in her hand getting slapped away.
“Stop!” Kai gave his sister a lighthearted glare, not actually upset, but she was about to mess things up!
“Nya, there you are.” Pixal came into the kitchen upon seeing their girlfriend. “I was looking for you. I thought we agreed to meet in the room?” They thought out loud, making her way towards Nya.
“Oh, right, sorry. I got distracted.” Nya held her partner’s hand in her own once Pixal was next to her, tangling their fingers together.
“No worries.” The nindroid gave a genuine smile and a kiss on the water ninja’s cheek. Keeping the smile, she went to greet Kai when her smile altered a bit. “Oh, Kai, you have something on your cheek.” They pointed to their own metallic cheek.
“I know, I know. I just-“ Kai paused when he heard the soft pitter patter of steps, a light robotic clank to it told Kai it was Zane coming. “Okay, shush, both of you.” He firmly whispered to the two, holding a finger to his mouth to indicate silence.
“What? Why are you-“
“Sh! Stop talking for once!” Kai whispered yelled, cutting Nya off. He waved his hands around frantically for half a second before dropping them calmly by his sides.
“Kai, are you done with the dishes?” Zane came into the room with a smile of his own, but just like Pixal’s, it faltered when they caught
sight of the substance on Kai’s cheek. “I assume you’re aware there’s marina sauce on your cheek.”
“Oh, what? Really? Where?” Kai raised his hand to his clean cheek, acting completely oblivious.
Nya just stared dumbfounded at the fire elemental. All the brothers in the world and she got stuck with him ? Figures. Pixal was just as confused as her partner.
“No,” Zane smiled, almost looking sympathetic. “The other cheek.”
“Here?” Kai moved his hand to his other cheek, purposely missing where the sauce was. When he obviously didn’t feel the substance, he faked an annoyed huff. “Can you get it for me?”
“Of course.” Zane grabbed a clean rag out of the nearby drawer. “Here,” They placed a hand on Kai’s clean cheek to keep his face in place while they wiped off the red ninja’s dirtied cheek with a rag. “I’m surprised neither of you didn’t say anything.” He glanced at the other two.
“Oh, I knoooow.” Kai drawled. He glanced at the water master and other nindroid with a smug smirk.
Nya wanted to absolutely strangle the life out of her brother, the evidence of it clear on her face.
Pixal, luckily, was there to stop Nya from going completely crazy. Still holding hands, they gave a soft squeeze to their girlfriend’s hand. While Pixal had no idea why Kai was acting so unaware, she assumed there was some type of purpose.
Kai peered up at the slightly taller boy with the most lovesick expression while Zane oh so tenderly ridded his cheek of spaghetti sauce. Almost as if Zane was cleaning a wound and didn’t want to accidentally hurt him. He leaned a bit more into the ice ninja’s cool touch and wrapped his arms around the nindroid’s waist, letting his eyes flutter shut.
He heard Nya whisper something to her girlfriend, to which Pixal giggle at whatever Nya said. It was probably about him, but Kai really didn’t care. He felt too comfortable to care.
“Hmm, okay. Better.” Zane spoke once any trace of marina was gone. His eyes trailed off from the now clean cheek to Kai’s eyes, a little laugh escaping when they saw the other’s eyes were shut. “Kai?”
“Yeah?” The fire master opened his eyes just enough to see. “You done?”
Zane nodded. “I am.” They set the rag neatly onto the counter, their other hand still on Kai’s cheek. “Now you can finish the dishes, without marinara on your face.” He smiled down at the almost drowsy looking boy.
“Yeah.”
“I don’t think it’ll take you long to finish. Perhaps around five to ten minutes or so? You can just meet me in the work station when you’re finished?” Zane suggested.
“Yeah.” Kai repeated.
“Alright, well, if you let me go you can get to that. Would you like for me to help you?” The white ninja offered.
Kai shook his head, unwrapping his arms from around the nindroid’s waist. “No, it’s okay. It’s my dish day, that wouldn’t be fair. I’ll meet you over there soon.”
“Of course.” Zane gave a bright smile. He looked at the water ninja and the other nindroid in the room. “And I hope you two enjoy your date.”
“We will, thank you, Zane.” Pixal replied with a smile. Nay nodded along with a smile of her own in response.
Once Zane was out of the room and surely out of earshot, Nya immediately spoke up.
“You are pathetic. ”
“What?” The red ninja feigned offense. “What’d I do?”
“You know exactly what you did.” Nya rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “I really can’t believe you. Was that an attempt to get Zane’s attention or something?”
“Yes, and it worked!” Kai smiled proudly.
“Umm…” Pixal looked off to the side. “I wouldn’t be so sure of that, Kai. Zane didn’t appear to see it as a flirtatious manner.” They spoke with care, not wanting to possibly hurt Kai’s feelings.
“Exactly. You just suck at flirting, Kai.” Nya on the other hand had no problem being a little mean to her brother.
Fortunately Kai was more than used to her sister’s jabs to his ego. “Sure. Don’t you two have a date to get to?”
“Oh, yes!” Pixal answered excitedly. She looked at her girlfriend. “Would you like to go get ready now?”
Nya nodded. “Yeah let’s go, Pix, before Kai drives me more insane.” She uncrossed her arms and took the nindroid’s hand in her own again.
“Stay safe, kids!” Kai teased as the two walked out of the kitchen.
“We will!” Pixal tugged Nya along faster before the water ninja had a chance to yell at him.