Work Text:
“Come on. I can’t believe you’re still mad at me”, the blue ninja says while watching the black ninja, using the whole couch for himself.
Cole doesn’t remember when exactly he felt in love with Jay. When looking at him first brought up a warm feeling inside his stomach. When thinking about spending time with his best friend turned into wanting to be with him all the time.
Being in love with him is easy, for most of the times. Actually always, except when Nya is there.
“You zapped me because I won against you in Prime Empire. Just admit you’re a loser and ranked right on third place and I will give you a place on this comfortable sofa again.”
Cole isn’t really mad; he just loves to annoy Jay. Seeing him angrily taking place on the floor brings him the kind of joy he didn’t get enough of.
“I hate you. No real best friend would let his better half sit on the floor in the middle of December. Look, it’s freezing outside and this time it isn’t because of Zane’s powers.”
Jay will never know how bad his words hurt Cole sometimes. He knows he should be honored to be called Jay’s best friend, but his heart tells him, that it’s not enough. When he looks at him right now and his body heats up … no, this isn’t called a friendship. You don’t have a desire to count the others freckles. Get lost in the other persons eyes. These feeling are called love.
“Well, you should have thought about that before you started ranting about me. Now it’s to late. You won’t come up here again without an apology.”
Jay’s face slowly reddens and is soon covered not only in freckles, but also in anger. “This isn’t your house. You can’t decide on who sits on the couch.”
Cole shrugs. “I’m technically just laying here comfortably. There is no place for you left. It’s not like I hold you back from sitting on the sofa.”
“I’m cold.” Jay says and tries to cover his arms. “And I forgot where I placed my sweater.”
Cole knows he shouldn’t say it, but sometimes when he talks to Jay, his head just stops working. “You can have mine. It’s pretty warm on here, with all the pillows, and the soft blanket …”
“Wow, so you’re going to give me your sweater, but no place on the couch?”
“Yeah.”
Jay sends him an annoyed look. “Okay, fine. Give it to me then.”
Cole tries very hard not to show any emotion when he pulls his sweater of. Glady his shirt stays in place and doesn’t reveal any skin. He wants to impress Jay, but not like this …
Cole tries really hard to not do anything that could make Jay uncomfortable. Although the blue ninja does not know about his crush in the first place, Cole does everything to hide it, and is never the one who hugs first or ask for a meeting with just the two of them, because he does not want to look like he tries hitting on Jay. The blue ninja has a girlfriend after all.
But sometimes, when Cole’s mouth speaks first and his brain works later, sentences like the one with the sweater slip out, what gets him into situations that are both beautiful and terrible.
Beautiful, because it feels like he’s dating Jay. The way they fight always feels like teasing between lovers. Terrible, when the moment is over, and he’s pushed back into reality.
Black tosses the sweater to blue, and he pulls it over his shivering body. “I won’t thank you though.”
“You don’t need to. You look ridiculous. It’s three sizes too big.” That’s not the truth, but Cole tries very hard to not tell Jay how cute he looks.
“Hey!”, the smaller boy comments. “Last time you said it looked better on me than it did on you.”
Oh yeah, he tried very hard to forget about that. Another example of him speaking first and thinking later. “Well … I lied. To make you feel better. Because you were already pissed that day.”
“Oh, how sweet. So, you do care for my wellbeing. Then why can’t I sit on the sofa?”
Cole gives him a look that tells – seriously? Not again.
“Come on. Don’t you like me?”
Only if Jay knew how much Cole liked him.
Slow footsteps are hearable outside of the living room, what makes both boys turn to the sound.
Cole knows who it is, even before the Master of Water steps inside the room. The connection to the earth brings him knowledge of everyone’s walking style. So, Jay watches Nya, but Cole watches Jay’s eyes as she walks by. They are brighter than the blue sky.
Nya’s got you mesmerized, while I die – Cole thinks.
Why would you ever kiss me?
I'm not even half as pretty.
I gave you my sweater, it′s just polyester .
But you like her better .
Wish I were Nya.
“What are you doing here?”, the Master of Water asks, scanning her boyfriend, who still lays on the floor, the hood of Cole’s clothing hiding his hair.
“Cole hates me.”
“And that’s why you’re wearing his sweater?” Nya raises one eyebrow.
“He’s trying to make up for it, by pretending to be my friend. I didn’t get a spot on the couch, but I did get his hoodie.”
“He lost a game against me and zapped me for it. He won’t come back up here till he admits that he’s wrong.”
Nya shakes her head in disbelief. “I will never understand this strange bond between you two.”
“Yeah, you probably won’t. But why did you come here? I thought you and Pixal work on new vehicles.” The blue ninja leaves his place on the floor and stands up.
“We’re not done, but I just wanted to see you.”
“Oh, that’s sweet.”
They hug, and Cole tries very hard to look into another direction. Gladly both of them don’t notice, how his hand slowly balls into a fist. Seeing the person, you’re so in love with, standing there with someone else brings up the strangest emotions in the world. The body turns hot and cold at the same time, and you don’t know if you want to cry or feel a tiny bit of joy. Because your favorite person being happy is the best thing that could have happened. But it’s hard to admit because it’s not with you.
“Would you like to stay for a few minutes and help me beat Cole in Prime Empire?”, Jay asks.
Nya’s face brightens up. “Oh, absolutely.”
Cole watches as Jay stands with her, holding her hand.
Put his arm 'round her shoulder, now he’s getting colder.
They choose Nya a controller and take place next to him. Nya places her legs onto Jay’s lap, what make her feet hit Cole’s legs.
“Sorry”, she whispers. “You’re alright?”
“Sure.” He smiles, but when everyone shifts their glance towards the TV, Cole’s smile fates. He does not want to sit so close to them. He wants Nya to leave, her appearance made the whole atmosphere change. Jay hasn’t looked at him once since she got here.
But how could he hate her?
She′s such an angel.
But then again, he kinda wish she were gone as she sits here, cuddling with the boy he’s in love with for so long. The one he never got a chance with, because his eyes were on the Master of water, the moment they meet.
Obviously, Cole loses the next game, because his concentration isn’t on the TV, but on the couple next to him. He’s relieved when Nya gifts Jay a kiss and leaves without another word. Jay mocks him with his lost, but he does not care. The last minutes were more upsetting to him than he wanted to.
Trying to get his concentration back, he watches Jay again, as Nya walks by.
What a sight for sore eyes. Jay’s eyes will forever be brighter, and more beautiful, than the blue sky.
Nya′s got you mesmerized, while I die – Cole thinks.
Why would you ever kiss me?
I'm not even half as pretty.
I gave you my sweater, it′s just polyester .
But you like her better.
I wish I were Nya.
Jay catches him staring, what makes Cole’s heart skip a beat. Has he noticed?
But the eyes of the Master of lightning softens and he says, “Don’t look so sad. One day, we’re going to find you a girlfriend too.”
Oh, oh.
Not that topic again. Normally it’s Kai’s job to remind him of his missing relationship once a week. But now it’s seems to be Jay’s turn.
“I’m fine.” A girlfriend surely is the last thing Cole would ever want.
I wish I were Nya.
“You’re sure? I know dating can be strange when you first do it, but maybe seeing someone else than me and the other ninjas could bring you some joy.”
“I have Vania and the Upply. If a want a change, I go on a trip to Shintaro.”
“Ah yes, the princess.” Jay’s look change into a knowing grin.
Oh, oh.
“Stop it”, Cole demands. “You know we’re just friends.”
“Nya first said that too and look where we’re now.”
Cole’s heart feels heavy, and he wants to flee the situation. Talking about it to Kai already feels bad but talking with the guy he’s in love with about his best friend – who turns out to be a girl – a gender he has no want to date, feels like hell.
Wish I were Nya
“Well … it may have turned out right for you, but I know what I want and that surely isn’t messing up the relationship with my best friend.”
Cole said that on purpose. Jay may think he talked about Vania, but actually it was a reminder of not telling Jay the truth. Because he won’t ever know why he’s not dating anyone. Why no girl ever brought up butterflies in his stomach. And why playing videogames and fighting over it with Jay is the most appealing activity for him.
When Jay drops the topic and wants to continue gaming, Cole excuses himself to get a bottle of water from the kitchen. He tried very hard to hold back tears, but the moment he’s out of the room, he let them fall.
Why would you ever kiss me?
I'm not even half as pretty.
I gave you my sweater, it′s just polyester.
But you like her better.
Wish I were...