Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Amid silence, the room felt heavy to the feeling of competition. Cole and Jay were head-to-head in a wild game of Lava Zombies, and the mashing of buttons were a constant droning in the odd silence.

20-19, “Take that! Lets go!” Cole stood up, a controller in one hand, and everyone cheered in a cacophonous symphony to his well-deserved victory. “Great game.” he turned to Zane and gave him a high-five while gently nudging Jay’s shoulder.

“That was quite the game indeed.” Zane’s voice interjected as he stood up signalling off that he was off. His footsteps tapered off as they grew further away through the corridors as the lights turn out, leaving Lloyd, Nya, Jay at the mercy of Cole. Pixal already went to bed, and Kai - was nowhere to be found.

“Aight. Imma head off too. You know, we have that really important mission tomorrow.” Llyod turned to Cole and Nya . It was already 11pm, not exactly anything early nor anything late by the ninja’s standards. No one knew what the mission was about, except that it was quintessential to get some rest.

“Right, me too” Nya said, placing the controller on the table and walking towards the door.

“Waait for me!” Jay huffed, still sore from losing to Cole, and annoyed his video game time was up. He was supposedly the video game guru and champion of the team but guess not. He got up from the floor and dashed towards Nya, in an attempt to catch up to her, who was now stopped and wavered her hand around in a circular motion, signalling Jay to walk faster. She rolled her eyes and scoffed, and just as they were about to leave –

“Have y- you seen Kai, by any chance?” Cole’s face lit up in a dust of red ash as he quickly turned around, while trying to avoid Nya’s gaze which was now averted towards him. He was the last one to finish and so was designated the role of cleaning this abysmal mess. All seven of them agreed on responsibility months ago, although most share similar misgivings now.  Chips, crackers, and carrots? Were scattered all over the floor as his hands cupped them into a bin.

“I haven’t seen him in a while. I mean, he must be in his room sleeping. Why?” Nya put her hand on her hips, her voice sounded interrogative as Cole stammered trying to articulate a response. “Anyways, you should get some rest too. Cya Cole.”

“Uh, I don’t know. Really. Just haven’t seen him-” Before he could finish, Nya and Jay were leaving, with a large smirk streaked across their faces. Does she know? Sure, he had already told everyone that he was gay but being in love with Nya’s brother? That was a whole other league. He won’t even love me. Never! There’s nothing that I have, especially that Skylor. Why on Earth would he ever love me?

A silence clouded the room through the gentle patter of rain that tapped on the roof. He picked up the last piece, a carrot. It looked rather tasty. In fact, Cole poised it towards his mouth, took a good look at it, then stopped. Knowing where that’s been - around Jay... he tossed up and into the bin.

He finished up, making the final checks before closing the door behind him and turning off the lights. A darkness enveloped the monastery, and a silence filled the air. The noirette was never afraid of the dark, or being alone, but something about today sent a chill that rattled down his spine. Heading to Kai’s room was a journey he took countless times; he’s been here so many times you could put a blindfold on him, and he would still be able to find his way. Although the frequent trips, Kai and him haven’t hung out in months. The uncanny silence made blood course through his body, and each step, piecing through the silence until a wooden door was presented to him.

Knock Knock Knock. The wooden door sung, but there was no response from inside. His pulse, now the tormented by fear, was coursing through his fingers as they turned the knob. Lunging himself in so quickly, he fell flat on his face with a deafening thud that would surely wake everyone up. Surprisingly, not a single soul peered to check, pretty sloppy work for ninja I must say. A window was left open with the wind howling inside and the curtains that draped over it, now soaring like ghosts.

“Kai?” There was no response. His heart began to sink. Pillows, a bedsheet, clothes, and everything, were strewn across the room as if it were a scene of a crime. He paced around the fiery ninja’s room, nothing but the wind and ethereal light comforted him as he peered out of the window that had caused him so much anguish. A tear streamed down his agonised face, he didn’t want to think about it, he didn’t want to think it actually happened. Perhaps Kai was up there? Please, please tell me he is. The black-haired ninja climbed up to the roof as quietly as possible, hoping the others wouldn’t notice, especially after what happened. Outside, under the moonlight, the air was quite refreshing, and it made him feel at ease, especially when a spikey haired silhouette was sitting on the edge. He was gazing into the epochal distance under the moon’s scintillating glow with legs hanging over the ledge. Kai loved watching the stars, he loved the quiet and the serenity of it all.

As a child Kai would always find an excuse to transfix himself amongst the stars. He often skipped dinner and stayed up late, even falling asleep outside, on the grass and all alone. Before his mother and father died, the stars were his safe place, away from all the danger and evil in the world. Now, after their death, the things Kai had to give up taking care of Nya. He sacrificed himself, his future, his emotions all to ensure his sister was safe. But occasionally, now, he would watch the stars, this was his escape from reality.

“Hey. Whatcha doing here” Cole asked, as he slowly stepped towards him, now standing over the red one. Kai jolted in shock as he looked up towards Cole, his face shaken but then eased a bit after looking at who it was. He gave Cole a weak smile and instructed Cole to sit and join him.

“I could probably ask the same to you” He was now laying down, looking up to the sky. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” His legs kicking in the air recalling the best memories they had together.

Cole heard nothing, nothing of what he just said. It didn’t matter to him; all that mattered was that Kai was safe, and not taken somewhere by some abductor. The raven-haired boy was drawn to the rhythmic rising and falling of Kai’s chest, it was so hypnotising. He looked into Kai’s amber eyes – how they flicker under the ethereal light – how his hair danced carefree in the wind – just him – how he was so Kai.

Kai felt a pair of eyes watching him and took a swift glance out of the corner of his eye. Cole’s lips were wide open and his pupils dilated just beautifully staring at him. “Cole? Cole buddy?” Kai pushed his body up from laying down and used his arms as support. He turned his head towards Cole, shuddered as he hesitated to look up into those forest-green eyes. He inched closer and rested his head on Cole’s shoulder.

Kai let out a quiet chuckle to see Cole’s face jolt in surprise and turn away in embarrassment. A barrage of questions sung through his mind, he obviously knew that Kai and himself were close, very close friends for the matter. But none have dared to do this before. Adding to that, they haven’t hung out or spoke to each other that much in months. So why did he do that? Does he? Like me?

Cole was infixed in a trance, a fantasy, all he could think about was what Kai had just done. The brunette’s feathery hair quivering on his shoulder, nuzzling against his neck. A warmth that diffused from Kai’s body to his own. He was like portable heater. Kai had always worn hair gel, giving the distinct spikey look, but recently he’s been using much less of it. This, however, was the first time in a very long time, that Cole had seen Kai’s hair without any gel, Cole still thought he looked great even without it, so he didn’t really understand why Kai used it so often?

 “Why didn’t you join us? It would’ve been soo much more fun if you were there” he turned to Kai, looking straight into the red velvety lips. Much to Cole’s dismay, he felt a slight blush graze against his face when Kai angled his head towards him. He tried to drag his mind away from the thoughts, but each time he tried, they came back and latched on, each time harder to think them away.

“You know me - I’m not much of a gamer.” He responded playfully giving a nudge on his shoulder, while looking past his it into the stars while releasing an audible sigh. Kai felt so comfortable around him, he felt so free, but he could never be happy...

Kai scooted over closer to Cole, practically on him, and Cole’s whole body tensed up with the hairs on his leg standing up. Cole’s pulse was a droning rhythm that had no intentions of slowing down as long as Kai was here. It probably wasn’t good for his body, but he didn’t care — not one bit. They sat like this for at least fifteen minutes, under the serene and quixotic moonlight, none of them wanted to let go, but as he opened his mouth about to say something. He was stopped by a river of blood that streamed down from Kai’s right hand to base of his arm. Unbeknownst to Cole, it was covering a deep laceration on Kai’s other arm...

“Kai! Your hand - what’s happened to it?” Cole’s voice was tense but his actions ever more caring as he knelt and quickly cupped Kai’s hand in his larger ones. They were warm, but felt a little cooler than usual...

“I’m fine...” he assured hesitantly. Cole wasn’t convinced and gave a worrying look in his starry eyes. Don’t think about it! Don’t do it! Don’t! Kai’s eyes were one of Cole’s many weakness about the red one, his touch, his face, hispersonality - him.

“Really. Don’t worry about me. It was probably just a scratch, that’s it.” A lump formed in his throat as it narrowed, and guilt surfaced as his voice found it difficult to speak... without lying.

“What happened?” his hands clenched tighter onto Kai’s as head skewed up, now looking him in the eyes with a worrying look. A warmth that enclosed over his hands now slew into a cold embrace. “What really happened?”

“I told you. I’m fine.” Assuring Cole, assuring himself as he tried to move his hand away from Cole’s grasp. A silence slowly erupted, Cole sighed and went downstairs, leaving Kai all alone. He looked at the deep cut in his arm, and a haze formed within his eyes, clouding his vision. He couldn’t cry, it would make him feel weak, feel hopeless. The soft chirping of crickets was only broken by the patter of Cole’s steps as he approached him with a medical box in one hand - a weak smile in the other. He sat next to Kai and wrapped a bandage around the wound with a rich red soaking it almost immediately. “I really like spending time with you. And thanks - for helping me.”

Cole said nothing but the red stained on his face said it all. The weak smile shifted into joy as he finished wrapping the bandage. Kai scooted closer again, their shoulders touching with his gaze rapt into the distance. Cole scootched upwards a bit, a chill flowing through his body while towering over him. He rested a hand on his head and began mindlessly playing with Kai’s perfect hair. They couldn’t remember the last time they hung out with each other, but they certainly loved each other’s company.

In the midst of silence, the raspy and hoarse voice of Kai buzzed. “When was the last time we hung out with each other?” His head gently lifted away from the raven-haired boy’s shoulder as he recalled all their memories together while looking at him in his glassy green eyes.

“A few months probably. I dunno why we ever stopped. I think it was mainly my fau-” Cole replied back towards him.

Kai interjected as he averted his gaze away from the noirette and into the distance. “And I missed every moment of it. We can hang out in my room? I promise I’m not boring; we can play some games, chill, watch a movie?”

“Well I don’t see why not. We still have some time to spare.”

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12:21 the beeping of the clock regulates in a slow, quiet manner. All of the ninja were sound asleep – all but two. Kai and Cole were on the Kai’s bed playing blackjack. Of course, it was Kai’s idea, he was never any good at video games but at least he’d have a fighting chance at another game.

“Come on!” Kai’s agitation and frustration threw the cards in the air, landing all over the room. One made its way to the bridge of his nose, Cole chuckled cutely as Kai positioned his lips and blew it off. He wished he could take a photo, and as much as he wanted to, he didn’t. Another found itself in his hair and Cole reached to grab it, but Kai skewed his head backwards and caused Cole’s hands to smear across his face. Kai’s face was incredibly soft, and smooth like peanut butter. The black-haired boy’s hands were large, large enough to almost cover Kai’s entire face. His face nuzzled into the spaces of Cole’s hands, radiating a warmth that struck reality in Cole. Kai felt safe around the other boy, he felt comfortable, he felt wonderful. As much as Cole didn’t want to admit it, he loved the feeling of the red boy’s face in his hands.

“Shit! I’m so so sorry, I didn’t mean for that to happen... Oh well it’s pretty late now. I should be going.” The raven-haired boy coughed as he struggled to speak the truth. His hand sharply pulling away from Kai’s face as red glitter dusted his cheeks. The red one was looking straight at Cole, but the raven-haired boy dared not to look back, his gaze peering past Kai and looking on the floor behind him.

“Oh, come on, don’t leave me. It’s been like what? One hour. You can stay here, I don’t mind” Kai interjected, looking at Cole with a pout in his eyes. Cole was lost for words: did he really say that? am I dreaming? What should I say? If he didn’t say anything soon, it would make him a little suspicious. “Just get in”.

The black canvas of night was a quiet that spread into Kai’s room. Cole could barely make out the moonlight glimmering in through the window from the sight of Kai’s back. In his head, he imagined himself drawing circles on his back while hugging him and giving him kisses. It was not until Kai rolled over and presented himself to Cole, when we was shot back into reality. His eyes were fixated dead onto where Kai’s back was. He jolted and shook his head trying to avoid Kai’s gaze. “What amazing sight were you looking at?” Kai laughed teasingly, a little smirk forming on his face.

Chapter Text

Shafts of sunlight permeate through the blinds of the room, slanting across the faces of Kai and Cole. Clanks and thuds coming from the kitchen as voices delve into a plumage of confusion. Slight bags formed under his eyes, and they strained while looking in the light. The reality of the situation then struck him: he fell asleep in his friend’s room, in his bed and spooning him? Placing his feet on the cold stone floor, he looked at Kai, still sleeping, and made his way to the kitchen where he was greeted with Zane.

“You’re up. Finally. Where’s Kai?”

“Still sleeping” His hand covered a yawn that released from his mouth. “Anyways, what’s on for breakfast. I’m hungry.”

The extraordinary aromas that were expelled from the kitchen ensnared Cole’s sinuses. Toast and pancakes. Cole was able to make out what type of food it was just from the smell alone. A superpower if you ask me. And Zane, was an extraordinary cook, whatever he made, always seems to please Cole’s taste. But really, these pancakes were great.

“These – are – so good. Mm”. Cole spoke inaudibly as he stuffed his face full of it.

“That’s what you said about every other thing I have made”. Zane retorted, holding a spatula in one hand and pointing towards Cole with a jaunty look.

That’s when the room went silent. The clanging of forks against ceramic plates clouded the room until all that could be heard was the munching of Cole’s mouth devouring the food. Everyone (but Cole) turned towards the doorframe, gaping holes in each of their mouths, shock running through their bodies. Kai was standing, leading against the doorframe, his hair without any gel, soft and lush. The others haven’t seen Kai like this in years, so they were all surprised and pretty excited. Cole on the other hand hadn’t noticed his presence; when he angled his head towards him, his eyes lit up in a green that glittered in his eyes. He fell into a quixotic trance, staring through him, and imagining everything about Kai, his gorgeous face, soft fluffy hair, and that cute smile.

All of a sudden, a cough erupted from his chest. He immediately dropped the fork and clenched his neck. Everyone turned around to Cole, but only Kai understood what was happening. He wrapped his arms around Cole’s body and thrusted his body while patting his back repeatedly. A bolus of pancakes and toast spat themselves out from his mouth as he felt the cold shiver recede into a warmth that suffocated him. Coughing. Lots of coughing came from the black haired boy as the room resumed from the eerie silence.

“That’s why I keep telling you to stop stuffing yourself!” he scolded, pulling the plate of pancakes away and latching his arms onto Cole’s shoulder, pivoting him around. The raven-haired boy was facing Kai, with worry melting in his eyes. “You good?”

“Wh- who thought you had a single caring bone in your body?” the noirette snorted amid a cough between his words, paint evident in his voice as he clenched his stomach with his arm. His bullet of amusement missed the target, Kai, whose face now furrowed in thought. His gaze bored straight into Cole; it was as if he didn’t exist at this moment. “Kai?” His voice terse, as it strained, void of laughter and amusement, now full of worry. Cole racked his hand on Kai’s shoulder, breaking the trance that Kai was not aware he was under. Kai’s body jerked away in surprise, his body tensing up. Cole’s touch brought him back to reality, one that he felt he didn’t belong in and he let out an audible sigh before turning away. No words escaping his mouth. Not a single one.

“Ka-” a whisper barely escaped from his mouth; his hand raised in an attempt to latch on to Kai’s shoulders. He was too late, Kai’s red transformed into blob then into a miniscule speck in the sunlight that slanted through the windows as he walked away in the corridor. He looked like the red stars. The same stars Cole and Kai were up watching last night. Cole turned back around, facing his plate of food, his insatiable appetite seemingly vanished. He brought up his hand and bawled it in a fist, resting his head on it as he lamentably prodded the fork into the plate.

“Cole. Are you okay?” Voices spoke from behind him.

----

“What the actual fuck. Who does he think he is? Oh ‘Mr I thought you don’t care’. Is that all he’s gonna fuckin’ say after what just happened?”. Kai’s voice tapered off as he stormed off to his room, slamming the door behind him. He jumped onto his bed and stuffed his pillow into his face as a breath of anger escaped his mouth.

“Hey. Kai, are you in here? A voice from outside punctured through the thin walls of the monastery. He didn’t recognise the voice, but it was obviously-

“Cole? What do you want.” He uttered bluntly looking up into those eyes, a pair of burnished copper eyes that towered over him, leaning on the doorframe. He tried to tear away his gaze but each time, it came back, staring longer and longer.

“Kai, did I do something? Did I say something? What’s wrong?” Cole lifted his hand from the plate of food and grabbed the other boy’s hand. A warmth immediately shuddered itself onto Cole’s hand. A yearning for this warmth, a warmth he missed dearly, but only experienced yesterday.

“It’s nothing. Everything’s fine.” The more he thought about it, the more he realised it wasn’t worth starting drama over something so small. He scanned the entirety of the noirette’s body, noticing a plate of food, pancakes, and toast. A rich aroma from Zane’s perfectly crafted recipe entered his nose.

“Alright then.” He was a bit sceptical but decided not to push it. There was a silence that clouded the tension between them. He noticed Kai’s gaze scanning around himself when he suddenly recalled why he came here. “Oh right. I came here to give you some food. There was none left, and well considering you didn’t eat, so yeah. Here”. He handed him the plate, his body immediately tensed up feeling Kai’s silky hands graze against his own.

“Uh-hem”. Kai coughed. Cole didn’t even realise his hands were still clenching onto the plate, until Kai made it more obvious than it already was. He grabbed the plate and began eating it, each piece melting in his mouth. While Cole was on laying on the floor drafting things in his sketch book.

“Damn! These are some great pancakes.” Kai called out covering his mouth stuffed with food. Normally it would just be Cole who gets crazy for food, well today it’s both.

“I know right!?” Cole flipped his sketch book close and hopped up onto Kai’s bed and tore a piece from the pancake.

“Hey that’s mine!”

“Well actually it was mine first. I just gave it to you”.

The two broke out in a fit of giggling and eventually ended up in a wrestling match for the last piece of toast. Kai had hurled his hands towards Cole’s but hadn’t accounted for Cole just simply pushing him off the bed and onto the floor. He winced at the pain, but he “didn’t” mind it much as a grin widened across his face with Cole now on top of him. His hands clutched onto Cole’s shoulders, griping them tight as he heaved Cole from over him, and pushed him onto the side. Kai’s voice strained and panted as he grimaced at the slight pain coming from this right arm. Cole was still determined to win, although being very much tired and worn out himself. They were on their sides on the floor hands clamp-tight on each other’s shoulder and chest. Through all the squealing and laughing Kai found himself making out the outline of Cole’s muscular body through his gi. He immediately dismissed the thought of running his hands all over his rock-hard abs when he felt Cole’s callous hands reach into his chest, moving to the sides and tickling him. Kai instantaneously released his grip on Cole and curled up into a ball squirming, trying to avoid Cole’s touch.

Cole took his chance and reached for the plate, avidly consuming the now cold slice of toast. He turned his face towards Kai who sheepishly looked back, exhaustion painted all over his body. Kai’s bones ached, his face redder than his gi, a clammy sweat on his hands, a cold arrow that pierced through his right arm; it sent a shiver that rocked his bones from the inside, and his face contorted into dejection.

Cole swiped a glace and pivoted around to Kai, noticing his tenderness. He extended his hand and placed it on the brunette’s shoulder, making him slightly wince, Cole not noticing it. “Did I do something?”

“Nah. I’m good. It’s probably just a slight sprain.” Kai attempted to explain, giving him the half-correct story. Tearing his gaze from the floor he was a bit surprised when he was met with Cole’s eyes filled with concern. Him and Cole had switched places, now Cole’s the one worrying about him.

Left defeated, Cole sighed and stood up, extending his arm to Kai. He tensed up at the feeling of the other boy’s arm on his own. Kai gave a slight grimace as he felt Cole’s firm grip pulling him up.