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Cole and his father didn’t meet regularly. They fought often and usually never agreed on a topic. But, Cole had to give it to him, his father had been trying. He had extended an invitation last month on friday and that had somehow turned into weekly meetings on the same day.
Things were awkward and Cole had broken a tea cup in his own anger once but the situation was also getting better. Which was the primary reason he was here, trying to make small talk with his father when he could’ve been playing the new release of the game Kai had gotten Jay as a gift last week.
Cole put his cup down, the conversation was ending and he really couldn’t stand staring silently at his father today. Not when he could be doing more productive things. Like beating new levels in games. His father took the cue and brought both their cups to the kitchen while Cole packed. They both weren’t huge fans of tea but slurping it made a great escape from personal talk.
Cole slung his backpack on his shoulder, heading for the door. His father’s gaze softened as he took hold of the door. “Don’t forget to bring your boyfriends to meet me officially next time, Cole.” Wait. Boyfriends? Cole froze then furrowed his brow. “Boyfriends?” Lou nodded, “Those ninjas, I would love to meet them.”
They were dating? He ran back his memories, analyzing the details. That made sense. But that meant he had done nothing to be affectionate. He hadn't even known that they were dating. Cole turned heel and headed towards the headquarters. He had to fix this immediately.
At least his father was supportive.
When Cole arrived at headquarters, Jay was the only one playing the game on the couch. He didn’t tilt his head up from the game but Cole knew he realized he had entered the room. Cole frowned then sat on the couch next to Jay.
If they were dating, why hadn’t they commented on how much of a shitty boyfriend he was being? Jay was still focused on the game, his tongue sticking out in concentration. Cole huffed silently. He promised himself he would be a better boyfriend. He had to start making progress now.
Cole scooted towards Jay, resting his head on top of his shoulder. Jay startleted but kept his attention on the game. Cole gently turned his head and pecked Jay on the cheek. “I’m gonna go check the fridge, babe.” Jay’s hands jerked and the controller slipped from his grip with a zap of lightning, falling harmlessly on the floor. The TV screen lit up with the death screen but Jay seemed too surprised to notice.
Cole got up and left the room, heading towards the kitchen. He heard the leftover plate of pasta from yesterday’s dinner calling out to him.
Jay blinked then very very slowly raised his hand to cup his cheek. His face was flushed and he was too out of it to even pick the console back up. “What the fuck?” His breath hitched and the words came out rushed and whispered. He glanced down, analyzing the fried console. There was no saving that. “What the fuck?”
Cole hummed as he entered the kitchen. He sent a small greeting towards Zane who was stirring soup, most probably today’s dinner. He took the pasta out of the fridge and placed it in the microwave to heat it. His gaze slid towards Zane then back towards the microwave, it still had time before it was fully heated.
Zane lifted the spoon to get a taste, making sure the soup didn’t taste bad. Cole thought it was an useless action because everything Zane cooked tasted like it came from the heavens. Cole stepped towards Zane, taking hold of the arm that held the spoon to push it away. “Cole? Wh—”
Zane’s eyes widened in surprise as Cole leaned in, kissing the side of his mouth. The spoon slid from Zane’s hand, clattering on the floor. Zane swore a circuit overheated in him. Cole pulled away, a small, flustered smile on his face. “There was some soup.” Zane gulped, his eyes locked onto Cole’s.
His wires were frying from trying to work out his thoughts, his brain repeating ‘What. What. What.’ like a broken record. The microwave beeped and Cole stepped out of his vision range, taking the heated pasta out. “I’m gonna go eat this, thanks for the food, Zane.”
WHAT.
Cole placed his pasta on the table, sitting next to Kai. Lloyd was on the other side of the room, holding a cup of water and gazing out the window. Kai had a slice of cheesecake in front of him and was toying with it instead of eating it. When he noticed Cole, he sent a glare his way and put an arm around his food. “I bought this. With my own money.” Cole raised his hands in mock surrender.
He munched on his meal, and pushed the plate away when he finished it. He would put it in the washer later. His gaze locked on Kai and the cheesecake he still hadn’t managed to finish. Cole subtly scooted his chair towards Kai. Kai quickly turned towards him, opening his mouth to say something. Apparently, he seemed to notice the lack of distance between them and his mouth closed automatically.
Cole bended slightly forwards and connected their lips. Lloyd started choking and the cup he was holding shattered on the floor. Cole snatched Kai’s plate and swayed away with a smug smirk, “Thanks for the cheesecake, darling.” With that, Cole exited the room, looking pleased with his acquired sweet.
Kai’s mouth fell open and his body heated up. He tried to close his mouth and failed when it only dropped open again. A small flame appeared on his shoulder and spread to his hair. Lloyd inhaled, trying to stop coughing. “Kai, Kai, you’re gonna burn down the room, Kai—”
Cole sighed happily as he placed the, now empty, plate on the ground. He planned on dozing on his bed for a while — there was no training and he didn’t think he had any other agenda for the day. His newly acquired peace was interrupted by the door opening loudly — accompanied by three people entering.
“What. The. Hell.” Cole opened one of his eyes, looking questioningly at the face of Kai. “What?” Kai spluttered, “Don’t you ‘what’ me! Why did you kiss me?” Cole, instantly focusing, opened his other eye. “And, and me! You kissed me on the cheek!” Jay’s face was red and he was fidgeting in his place.
Zane nodded from next to Jay, “You also. You also kissed me.” Kai gestured frantically at the two, an obvious ‘you-see?’ gesture. Cole’s face scrunched up, “Because we’re dating? Duh?” The three of them froze and the room was getting hotter than colder.
Kai blinked, “What.” Cole glanced between each of them, “We’re…dating…?” He repeated. Zane stepped up, whispering “We are?” Jay, with a much louder tone, “We are?! Why didn’t any of you tell me?!” Kai whipped his head left, “I didn’t even know!”
Cole wilted. They weren’t dating? His face flushed and he lifted his arms to hide it. Kai turned towards him and hastily took a place next to him in the bed. “Now I don't know about any of you, but I feel like my apparently not so unrequited crushes like me back and I am not spending the happiness of it feeling flustered.”
Zane snapped out his daze and took place on the other side of Cole, nodding. “You’re correct, Kai.” Cole glanced between them, his face still scarlet red. Jay’s face split into a huge grin and he jumped on top of Cole, making the other let out a groan.
“This is, like, legit the happiest day of my life. I couldn’t even imagine any of you liking me back and— Just. Wow.” Kai snorted and punched Jay in the arm. “You’re a huge sap.” Zane snuggled up to Cole, “I guess I’ll have to thank you for the opportunity Cole.” Cole huffed and a grin tugged at his lips.
“To make it official, will you guys be my, and each other's, boyfriends?” Kai slapped a hand on his mouth, muffling the laugh that escaped him. “We’re all cuddling, red-faced. I don’t think it’ll get more official than that.”