Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Senior year already man, I can't believe it," Jay exclaimed as he sat on the couch of the shared dorm room common area. His girlfriend, Nya, was seated beside him, drinking an energy drink. The rest of the friend group sat around them, doing their own things in the company of each other. Kai and Cole sat together on a small couch, going over revision notes for one of their classes. They were practically attached at the hip, you'd have to pry them apart to get them away from one another. The pair had been best friends since they met, their personalities just clicked. A lot of their friends believed there was something else going on, but both boys had always denied anything.

"Isn't it weird to think if we all hadn't been put in the same dorm rooms we wouldn't have been friends, like, ever?" Nya replied.

"The butterfly effect." Lloyd, Kai and Nya's little brother, (he wasn't actually their little brother, but the two siblings have always felt that way about him) chimed in. He was sitting on the floor leaning on a pillow, channel surfing through the TV to find something decent to put on.

"I say we go out clubbing to celebrate." Kai looked up from his papers, a smug grin on his face. Cole chuckled next to him, no one surprised by his suggestion.

"I'm down," Cole stated, stretching his arms out against the couch.

"What exactly are we celebrating?" Zane asks from the kitchen, his head inside the fridge in search of something to eat.

"Our last year in college! and you can never go wrong with drinking." Kai told Zane, but in reality, everyone was listening. As the blonde head walked back into the kitchen, humming in agreement, Jay chimed in.

"Sounds good to me, Lloyd, Nya?" He asked the two.

"You bet," Lloyd smirked as he turned around. Nya rolled her eyes, unamused at the offer.

"Do I have to?" She groaned in annoyance.

"Yes!" Kai cut in before anyone else had a say, making the group chuckle.

"I'll ask Sky and Harumi then. Oh! and Pixal! What about Hailey, Cole?" Nya asked. Hailey was Coles's cousin, she was only a year and a bit younger but had gone out with the friends a few times now. Harumi was a good friend of theirs whom the group had met when they first started at Ninjago University, as she was in a few of Nya's classes and gradually made her way into the friend group. Sky was a nickname for Skylor, a former girlfriend of Kai's. They dated the first year of college but split after they agreed they were better off as friends. They really did believe their relationship was platonic rather than romantic because they have been very good friends ever since, Lloyd and Nya also get along with her really well. Pixal was Zane's girlfriend, whom he had been dating since high school.

"Hailey might not be able to come. I think she went home for a few days, I'll text her." Cole replied, instantly getting out his phone to do so.

"I'm sure Pixal would love to. She's been talking about us going out for a few weeks now." Zane told Nya. As the friend group texted and arranged plans in their group chat, they decided what worked best for everyone was tomorrow night, everyone was going to meet in the common area of their dorm rooms at 7 to leave at 7:30 pm.

"Now that's sorted, I'm heading in for the night. Early sleep tonight so I can par-tay away tomorrow!" Jay chuckled to himself, finding his little rhyme amusing. The rest of the group just rolled their eyes and scoffed, until Nya agreed with him and the two headed to Jay's room to sleep.

"Yeah, i reckon ill stay in my room for the rest of the night. See yous tomorrow." Lloyd said, picking up his things and saying goodnight to everyone properly. After Zane said his goodnight, it was just Kai and Cole left, and the two had no desire in going to bed.

"I'm so pumped for tomorrow night, i haven't gone out in so long," Kai explained giddily, turning to face Cole. The other teen raised an eyebrow, smirking.

"You mean you're pumped to go out and get piss drunk and make me look after you the whole night?" Cole corrected playfully, resulting in a punch to the arm.

"If you mean the night we went out with you, me, Lloyd and Zane and I couldn't walk properly, that was a once-off!" He defended himself. Crossing his arms in a huff. Cole chuckled, resting his head on his elbow that was positioned on the couch to face Kai. The two continued bantering, which only made Coles's heart flutter. He loved being childish with Kai, even if it fed his delusion that Kai was somehow, in some universe, into him the way he was. Cole had lost a lot of hope that Kai was one day randomly going to confess over the years he had liked him, four to be exact. His feelings only grew stronger, however, and he now believed he was fully in love with the brunet. Everything about Kai was perfect in Coles's eyes. His hair, the way he obsessed over it to make it perfect, his pretty amber eyes, the way he always threw his head back when Cole made him laugh too hard. How he was shorter than Cole, (who teased him for it, but Kai secretly loved it) and how he always had time to hang out with him, even if in reality he didn't he just couldn't get enough of Coles company. Cole especially loved Kai's feisty, cocky personality. It made him more interesting and attractive. Kai was so confident in himself, it was just so damn hot. The two had even started cuddling recently, which is when Kai's feelings for Cole became more than just best mates.

Kai was sure what he felt for Cole was attraction, love, whatever you want to call it. However, he was terrified of it. He knew Cole was gay, Cole wasn't ashamed of it. But just because your best friend is gay doesn't mean they're into you, so Kai always tended to overthink their interactions. But Kai couldn't help what he was feeling. He was so respectful and gentle and kind to Kai, always putting him before himself, always remembering to check up on him every day without fail, and sneaking into Kai's dorm room almost every night so they could spend more time together. Not to mention Coles's eyes were stunning. He had Heterochromia, one eye a dark brown and the other a green. And, ugh, when he wore his reading glasses Kai absolutely folded.

"Kai!" Cole snapped his fingers in front of the dazed teenager's face, breaking his thought train. Kai flinched, while Cole relaxed as he finally got him to listen again. "You totally zoned out dude, you good?"

"Sorry, I was thinking. What were you saying?" Kai asked, focusing his attention back on Cole. He'd think about his feelings later.

Cole looked at him suspiciously, debating whether to ask him what he was thinking about. He ended up dropping it and went on with his question.

"I asked you what you were gonna wear tomorrow night, I have no idea." He paused. "Actually, Jay bought these coloured bandanas the other day, we could all go matching for fun or something." Kai's eyes lit up at the mention of outfits, and instantly started nodding.

"Yes, oh my god that would be so fun! we could all wear white t-shirts and jeans and have the bandana tied around our arms!" Kai loved fashion, although he sucked at it, but he was improving. Cole on the other hand always had good style, always had a good outfit on. He often told Kai what to wear because he was so incredibly hopeless

"Usually, you have really shit outfit suggestions-" Kai opened his mouth to protest, offended. "But! that's actually a good idea, we'll let everyone know."

"Better give me credit, don't steal my ideas!" Kai huffed. Cole rolled his eyes, standing up from the couch as Kai followed him. The two had also begun to take naps together or just spend the night together, but their friends hadn't picked up on that yet, nor did they want them to.

" Believe me, I wouldn't dream of stealing any of your other so-called 'ideas'." He chuckled to himself, as Kai again got offended. They began to bicker at each other, even when they were brushing their teeth until it came to when they needed to go to bed and Cole had to ask the still awkward question.

"Are you staying in my room tonight? Or do you want me to stay in yours?" He asked, standing in the middle of his room's doorway. Kai gave a lopsided grin back.

"We both need a good sleep for tomorrow, and we know damn well we'll be up all night talking about nonsense," Kai told him, as hard as it may have been. You have no idea how badly he wanted to curl up into Cole's soft, warm sheets and lay in his arms and stroke his fingers through his hair and-

He should probably stop thinking about Cole's bed.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Cole looked at him, disappointment obvious in his expression yet he gave Kai a smile back. They embraced in a hug before Kai wandered off to his room, and Cole closed the door behind him.

Chapter Text

The next day came and went, and soon enough it was evening and the group of friends were getting ready to go out.

Nya, Harumi, Skylor and Pixal were in Nya's dorm getting ready, they had decided on a glitter theme (or you could say Harumi made them, Skylor, Nya and Pixal had no choice.)
"Are you sure we need this much glitter spray?" Nya groaned, while Harumi continued to apply the spray to her hair, ruffling it around.

"Oh be quiet and cover your face or you'll get glitter in your mouth!" Harumi remarked as she angled the can towards Nya's face so she could get in her roots. The raven haired girl shut-up quickly and covered her face. She wasn't really in the mood to taste chemicals.

"Does someone have the glitter eye-shadow?" Pixal asked from the other side of the room, sitting cross-legged on the ground in-front of a mirror. Skylor, who was on the bed with a hand-held mirror, reached across the bed to pass it over to her friend. Soft music playing in the background filled the silence, although it was comfortable rather than awkward. The girls had agreed to all wear matching hair. Two braids which extended into ponytails, with the rest of their hair out. Harumi and Pixal were the only ones who knew how to braid, so they did themselves and then started on the other two girls. Whilst she was getting her hair braided, Nya had a topic she had been wanting to discuss for a while. Usually, she would tell her boyfriend Jay first, but him being best friends with Cole only meant that it would eventually get back to him, because Jay, the sweet boy he is, couldn't keep his mouth shut for the life of him. She had been waiting to ask the girls but hadn't found a chance to until tonight.

"Girls, i have to tell you something, or rather, am asking for your opinions." They immediately perked up, and Skylor turned off her phone, placing it screen-down.

"Go on!" Harumi assured her.

"Do you guys feel as if Cole and Kai have something more than just a platonic friendship-"

"OH MY GOD YES! I have been waiting for someone to say this!" Skylor turned her head to face Nya, to which Pixal yanked her by her auburn hair to face forward.

"Please, keep your head straight, Sky! And yes Nya, I absolutely agree. I've been watching their body language and the way they interact for quiet some time, and I must say they act as if they are in a relationship."

"100 percent agree with everyone. Something needs to happen, I'm tempted to just give them a little push to get it going!" Harumi commented, as she finished Nya's hair and began to puff it out and pull strands out.

"I'm so glad you girls agree. I was beginning to think I was hallucinating." She replied.

"I half agree with you Harumi because they're obviously so in love with each other, but i feel like it's something they need to figure out for themselves," Pixal says. Skylor nods her head and hums in agreement.

"I completely agree. It's something that will happen if it's meant to happen. If it doesn't, we can try giving them a little kick, but if they really do see each other as friends then i guess we were imagining it." Skylor says as all the girls agree, giggling. Before anyone can speak again, there is a knock on Nya's door.

"Yes?" She asks, facing towards the door. Kai appears on the other side, and what he's got on takes all the girls by surprise. They all grinned as they take in Kai's outfit. He has a dark red cowboy hat, a matching red bandana tied around his bicep, dark-wash blue jeans and red cowboy shoes.

"Well dont you look good!" Harumi compliments with a smile, adoring what her friend is wearing. Kai looks down at his outfit as if he forgot he even had it on.

"Thanks, all us guys are matching. And before Cole says anything, I came up with the idea! not him!" He huffs, and all the girls share a brief, pointed look.

"I cant wait too see you boys' outfits. But what did you need?" Nya asks her brother, Kai focuses his attention back to Nya.

"We were just wondering when abouts you girls would be ready? It's almost 7:30 and i'm feigning for a drink." Kai complained. Nya rolled her eyes as she began collecting things off her floor to put in her purse, as did the other girls.

"Give us 5 minutes, we'll be out the door by then." She told Kai, who closed the door again and went to go sit in the living room with his friends. Re-claiming his seat next to Cole, who had the exact same outfit on as him, just in black. Zane who was in all white, Lloyd who was in green and Jay who was in blue (which kind of clashes with his jeans, but no one was going to tell him that because he LOVED blue).

Almost as soon as he sat down, the girls all piled out of the room in their sparkly mini dresses and matching hair.

"You girls look gorgeous, now can we please go?" Cole pleaded, he was clearly just as desperate for a good drink as well.

"Yes, god so impatient! But thank you, we need photos before we go please!" Skylor replied, and the boys reluctantly agreed as they piled in-front of a mirror and posed for a photo. In the end, the girls ended up forcing their friends to take a million (exaggerated by Lloyd) photos of them together, until they were finally satisfied and ready to leave. As everyone was collecting their bags, belongings and other things they'd need for tonight, Kai perks up.

"Hold up, did anyone call an Uber?" The silence that followed made everyone groan, realising they had forgot the most important thing: their way to get to the club.

"Don't worry! I booked one earlier today, the drivers should be here to pick us up any time now. I had to book two because there wouldn't have been enough seats." Zane called out, as he emerged from one of the rooms he went to to go get his phone. Everyone sighed in relief, what would they do without Zane?

Chapter Text

As the group arrived at the club, the excitement for the night ahead began to rise. The moment the friends entered the club, they had all practically teleported instantly to the bar, ordering shots and drinks one after another. Which led to the first disagreement of the night.

"Paying together or separate?" The bartender asked, who was a lady with pink, long hair tied up into a ponytail.

"Together, thank you." Cole instantly said, much to Kai's disapproval. He turned to his friend with a glare.

"No! Separately!" Kai protested, trying to shove Cole out of the way, who was already pulling out his card from his wallet.

"Do you two need to discuss this or...?" The poor bartender looked so uncomfortable it made Cole almost feel bad, but he was not backing down to Kai. It was one of his "love languages", that's what you could call it. He loved spoiling and gift-giving to people he loved, which explains why he always spoiled Kai.

"Yes!" Kai said at the exact time Cole told her a calm, "No."

Before Kai could argue any more, the raven-haired boy had already tapped his card and it had gone through with a beep, causing the brunet to huff. The drinks were then given to them, Kai not speaking a word to Cole. He was too annoyed to give him a thank you.

When they placed their drinks on the table all their friends were sitting at, Cole turned to Kai with a grin.

"Stop sulking, it doesn't do you any good to your face. Just gives you more wrinkles."

"Oh shutup. You always spoil me and always pay for me, stop it!" Kai exclaimed.

"It's not a big deal, you know i cant help doing it." Cole responded. The shorter teen just shook his head, dropping the whole argument. Taking one of the shot glasses and chucking back his head to drink it with no hesitation. He stuck his tongue out in disgust at the strong-ness of the drink, surprised at the flavour, but damn he needed that.

"I probably should've gone with a lighter shot to begin with. Haven't done them in fucking ages." Kai thought out loud, while Cole also just picked up a glass and let it run down his throat, burning the insides. Kai watched as he licked his lips, running the back of his hand across his face to get rid of the liquid that escaped. The pair continued taking the rest of their shots, joined by a few of their friends coming over every once in a while. Cole ended up again ordering them both a margarita, much to Kai's oblivion. Throughout the night, they kept drinking, but at a reasonable pace. Jay, Lloyd and Addison however where completely smashed within the first two hours, no surprise to anyone. Zane had only had one martini since they got here, Pixal was on a cruiser and all of two shots, Nya had only had a taste of Pixal's cruiser and Skylor had been drinking a fair lot. It wouldn't be right to say Kai was drunk, but he wasn't sober. His words were beginning to slur, Cole was having a hard time understanding him. It takes a lot of alcohol for Cole to get fully drunk, so even if he has had a few drinks he's not completely out of it.

Right now, Kai was standing with Jay who had challenged him who could finish their cruiser the fastest. They liked to call it a 'vortex'.

"Oi Cole! Get over over! Kai just said he can do a better vortex than you." Jay giggled, and Kai stared at Cole with a playful expression on his face.

Oh boy. Drinking games with their group was never a good idea.

But, Coles alcohol infused system took over his brain and he waltzed over, taking a beer from Jays hand and holding it up to Kai. Kai's smirk grew, and Jay pulled out his phone to film the ordeal.

"Go!" Jay called out, laughing from behind the camera. They two boys grinned at each other and quickly downed their drinks, however, Kai failing miserably. Half of the drink poured down his shirt, causing the brunet to flinch in reaction and pull his drink away from his mouth. He looked up at Cole who was finishing the last of his. Kai must admit, he looked gorgeous. The club lights reflecting onto him perfectly, his muscles glistening from sweat as it was abnormally hot in here. (or was it just Cole?) Cole chucked the drink onto the counter, shaking his head. He made eye contact with Kai, who felt his stomach flip when he didn't break it as he spoke.

"Still think you can do better than me?" Cole chuckled, stepping closer to Kai. He couldn't form words, too struck by the way Cole looked, the sudden intoxicating urge taking over his body. He didn't think, he just acted.

Kai grabbed Coles wrist, pulling him swiftly towards him and placing his free hand on Coles shoulder to steady himself as Kai pulled the taller boy in and their lips met. Coles whole world froze, unable to register what was happening as Kai's lips where pressed onto his. His brain fogged up, completely in shock, but in almost seconds his brain caught up and reacted as he attacked his lips. Kai squeaked in response, not expecting the approach, but went with it. That's what they both did, they just went with it. Coles hands latched onto Kais hips, pulling him closer. Confused thoughts were overridden by strong feelings as the boys continued to kiss, until they heard a familiar voice gasp beside them. They hesitantly pulled away from each other, and that's when their surroundings came back into view. Jays flash from his phone was blinding Coles eyes, and Kai took into note how Lloyd and Pixel where now standing next to him. Jays hand was placed over his mouth in shock, not moving his other hand that had his phone in it, which had conveniently filmed the entire kiss. Pixel stood there unfazed, almost like it was natural for Kai and Cole to make-out in the middle of a club surrounded by people who they knew. Cole could've sworn he saw a smile on her face, but noted it for later as Lloyd was jumping up and down, screaming in excitement.

"I HAVE WAITED- NO, WE HAVE WAITED SO LONG FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN!" He squealed, shaking Jays shoulder, to which his phone was knocked out of his hand and stopped recording. Jay wasn't bothered, instead couldn't take his eyes off the two boys, who felt like they were on a stage in the spotlight. "Bout' bloody time!"

"I am not surprised. It was bound to happen soon enough." Pixel stated, before walking away. Kai and Cole finally looked at one another, Cole almost shaking with anxiety as he searched Kai's face. Their arms were still placed around one another, but instead Kai's hand that was previously wrapped around Coles wrist was now intertwined with the ravens hand. Kai didn't care about anyone around them. He didn't care about the blinding lights, or the incredibly loud music blaring from the other side of the room. He only cared about Cole in this moment, and wanted to show him that. Kai lifted his hand that was resting on Coles shoulder and pulled out his phone, frantically searching for an uber to take them back home. It was really only a 10 minute walk, but Kai wasn't about to let the nerves take over the adrenaline he was feeling right now. He didn't want this moment to end, and neither did Cole.

Once an uber was booked(he managed to find one that was only a few minutes away) He turned to face Cole and grinned.

Just go with it.

He pulled on the hands that were intertwined, and ran up to Pixel.

"If anyone asks, we're going back home. Nya will most likely get worried. Please, don't tell anyone. And tell Jay and Lloyd to keep their mouths shut!"

Pixel chuckled, and patted Kai on the shoulder. "Go enjoy yourselves, I'll do my best with those two." She pointed at Jay and Lloyd, who were inspecting the video. "Get home safe."

"Love you a million pix, see ya!" Again, he pulled on Coles hand and led him out of the club, just in time to see their uber pull up. It had started to lightly rain, so the two dashed to the car door and practically pushed each other inside, giggling. Cole was confused, in-fact, even further than confused, but he didn't care. Kai kissed him. He initiated this. He wanted this, and Cole would be out of his mind to put a stop to this. Sure, they were both drunk and there was an extremely high chance Kai wasn't thinking properly - if he ever was -but Cole could care less at that moment. He grinned at Kai as he explained to the driver where they were going, before closing the privacy window and leapt onto Cole once again.

Chapter Text

Cole aggressively shoved Kai onto his door, pinning his hips against it with his large hands. Kai groaned in response, tangling his fingers through Cole's hair and desperately kissed him. Cole's tongue was hot inside his mouth, exploring it as if he owned it. Kai's entire brain was clouded, he couldn't think straight. The intense effect Cole had on him as he kissed him senseless made Kai weak.

"Cole.." Kai muttered, pushing away the taller boy's shoulders slightly so that he could breathe. The two's breath mixed as they panted, the smell of alcohol faint. Cole pressed a kiss to Kai's cheek, then his Jaw and his neck before Kai held Cole's jaw and traced his thumb up and down, tickling the slight stubble that was there. Kai smiled softly, pushing them both off the door, opening it and lead towards Cole's bed- his incredibly soft bed- turned them around so Kai fell onto the soft covers on his back. He waited for Cole to climb on top of him, resting his weight on his elbows.

"You alright?" Kai said softly, a little impatient that he wasn't getting any attention. Cole raised his eyebrow.

"I take it you want to have sex, correct?" Cole said bluntly. Kai's jaw dropped open but no words came out, taken aback by Cole's bluntness.

"I- I well..yes? But if you don't want to that's okay! Completely fine." Kai said nervously, now seriously afraid he had taken their- whatever this was, the wrong way. Cole hummed, scanning his eyes over Kai's body until he met his gaze. He then gently placed his large hands around the brunet's soft and shapely thighs, pulling him closer.

"No Kai, I really, really want to fuck you. Believe me." Cole said in a low voice, sending shivers through Kai's body. "But I don't want you to regret it in the morning. I know I won't, but I had no idea you were gay." Cole placed another kiss to his forehead, Kai having to restrain himself from making a noise.

"I'm bi, but I've never told anyone. please don't-"

"I would never firefly, that's not my place to say." He cut Kai off, rubbing circular motions with his thumbs on Kai's warm thighs as he blushed at the nickname. He couldn't help himself to groan at the touch as well, absolutely loving Cole's affection towards him. Cole finally climbed over and on top of Kai. He gave him sweet kisses down his neck, until he slid Kai's white shirt off, the boy underneath him lifting his arms up in assistance. Once Kai's shirt was forgotten on the floor, Cole also pulled his off, receiving a smirk from Kai. The smirk fell into a small gasp as soon as the taller man began to place kisses over Kai's collarbone and chest, which were hot, wet and open. Kai began to squirm underneath Cole's body, his face hot. Kai threaded his fingers through Cole's soft hair, arching his back to bring him even closer than he already was. His body was now impossibly hot, his mind had fallen into puddy and his senses on fire.

Cole continued to practically worship the boy underneath him, having fantasised about this for years. He couldn't believe he was even doing this, but hell if he was going to stop now. Cole moved from Kai's chest to his neck, beginning to mark him with no hesitation. Kai, however, did.

"Cole..they're gonna see." He whimpered out, and Cole flushed an embarrassing shade of red while the heat spread across his body at the sound of Kai's tone. He kept his composure however, and gave Kai a gentle kiss on the lips, tracing a thumb across his bicep, attached to the hands still tangled in his hair.

"It doesn't matter anyways, every one of them would've seen the video by now, we don't need to hide."

"I just hate when people are involved in my personal life," Kai replied.

"Why is that so attractive?" Cole breathed out.

"Because I'm attractive," Kai said smugly. Cole chuckled, rolling his eyes.

"I can't say you're wrong."

-----

Hot breaths were softly hitting the back of Kai's neck every few seconds, and he knew exactly who they belonged to. Kai had been up for about an hour now, at least that's what he thought. He had been too scared to move in case he woke up the owner of the arms twisted around his body. Kai just didn't know what to think about last night, he almost wished he didn't remember any of it. It seemed as soon as he entered Cole's room last night Kai sobered up completely, and now every single detail that happened was engraved into his brain. Forever.

Oh yeah, they definitely had sex. Very passionate, loving sex that had Kai's head spinning.

Kai hoped that at least Cole wouldn't remember any of it, maybe that would hurt his ego a little less.

The breaths suddenly came to a halt, instead breathing in quickly as the incredibly toned arms around Kai's torso retreated. The brunet wanted to admit he missed them, but he couldn't. Sheets were then rustled, and Kai felt the bed shift in weight as he figured Cole had sat up. Silence. He cringed to himself, reality was about to set in. Couldn't last night just play on repeat for the rest of time?

"Kai?" Cole eventually muttered out, his morning voice lacing through Kai's ears.

However, Kai immediately felt like he wanted to puke. He internally sighed, not able to face the raven-head yet.

Cole knew Kai wasn't asleep, he had seen his eyes open just a moment ago. He hesitantly lifted his hand to gently place on Kai's shoulder, tracing his thumb up and down to hopefully calm Kai's nerves which were quite obvious. Without thinking, he placed a soft kiss to Kai's temple, regretting it almost instantly as Kai quickly turned his head around to finally meet Cole's gaze, his breath catching in his throat. They stare into each other for quite some time, the fear slowly dissipating from Kai's amber iris's.

"You're...you're not mad?" Kai whispered, as barely audible to Cole. He breathed out, anxiety pushed away.

"Of course not. Am I supposed to be?" Cole replied soothingly. He smiled softly at the brunet below him, who returned it immediately as he turned around to face Cole completely.

"I just thought you would be...I don't know." Kai tried to brush it off. His eyes averted away from Cole's green and brown eyes, keeping quiet. Kai sucked at expressing his feelings, especially when things got real and raw. Emotional you could say, he could never find the words and then ended up not speaking about it ever. He really wanted to change that, he wanted to change it for Cole.

"Things happen, but I'm not mad in the slightest." He responded. Kai pulled in a shaky breath, he needed to be honest.

"I didn't think you were attracted to me like that," Kai admitted, closing in on himself. God, he hated this.

"Are you kidding?" Cole practically snorted. Kai furrowed his eyebrows.

"What do you mean?"

"You're probably the most attractive person I've ever seen." Cole blurted out, but he meant it.

"Oh please, that is so exaggerated." Kai rolled his eyes, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. He wanted to deny that the comment Cole gave him hadn't made his stomach do triple flips, but he couldn't. Cole returned it with a smile, flicking a piece of Kai's brunette locks out of his eyes. "You're not half bad yourself," Kai added, his smirk growing wider.

"Are you sure about that? Because last night said different-" Kai immediately turned to smack him on the arm, blush evident all over his face. Cole burst out laughing, hugging Kai in an attempt to say sorry.

Once they (mainly Cole not being able to stop laughing at his joke that was clearly unfunny to Kai) had managed to calm down, the two boys got dressed and made themselves look half decent, all in Cole's room which hid them from the outside world.

"You've gotta admit Kai, that was some good fucking sex," Cole told him, and Kai knew perfectly well that he was right.

"I couldn't get away with lying even if I tried, could I?" Kai smiled, and Cole did with him. "Yes Cole, it was good. Better than good. Mind-blowing." He giggled as Cole pulled him close by his hips, softly kissing his cheek. Kai cupped Cole's face with his hands, bringing his beautifully gorgeous face closer as their lips met in a soft kiss. It was gentle but intense. Kai's heart fluttered, while Coles beat a million miles per hour. This was the second kiss Kai had initiated. Sure he had been the one to kiss Cole first many times the night before, but the first time Kai ever kissed Cole at the club and the kiss they were both very present in right now felt so different. It felt so real, so domestic. How they were acting right now felt so right, so normal. Like they had been together for years. Neither of them wanted to question it for the time being.

Okay, Cole was getting carried away. this was nowhere near a relationship. They were fuck buddies if anything.

Eventually, the two men broke apart, smiling at each other as their eyes met.

"You hungry?" Cole asked, pulling his face a little further so he could relax his neck as he stared down at Kai's pretty amber eyes.

"Starving actually, are you offering to make breakfast for me?" A playful smile spread across the brunets face, and Cole couldn't resist kissing it.

"I'd love to, but I'm not too sure I want to face them yet." Cole chuckled, pointing his head towards the door, meaning their friends that were probably all awake and doing their own thing in the main kitchen. Kai hummed, agreeing with him.

"Well as much as I wish we could, we can't stay in here forever and hide away. I'm hungry and I want to eat." Kai replied, pulling away from Cole and towards the door, but the raven tugged on his jumper sleeve. Kai turned his head around questioningly.

"You're gonna go out there in my hoodie, my trackies and hickeys very visible on your neck?" He gave Kai a lopsided grin. Kai's cheeks turned blush, looking down at his outfit. He took in a deep breath, deciding to try and express how he felt.

"I mean like you said last night, they all probably would've seen the video of us kissing by now, and they would've figured out we went home together. There's no point on denying it anymore. I- if, they ask about anything though, please don't respond. I'm..I'm scared of what they are going to say but we can't act like nothing happened." Kai admitted nervously, not making eye contact with Cole as he came closer and wrapped an arm loosely around his waist.

"Kai, i've been out to everyone for years, not once has anyone judged me. I can assure you, they won't have a problem with it. I know it's scary, but i'm telling you that your head plays it up more than it really is." Cole comforted him as Kai bit his lip, how was Cole always so good with his words?

"I know. I just.. I don't know." Kai trailed off again, the confidence he had before fizzling away. It only ever lasted a small amount of time, before his overthinking got the best of him and he was afraid of judgement.

"Let's just go out, and if anyone asks anything personal we ignore them. Does that sound alright?" Cole murmured, placing another kiss on Kai's lips. "Plus, i'm not really keen on boasting about what happened between us last night when we haven't discussed it ourselves, so i'm on the same page as you."

Discuss. Kai hated that word. He hated its entire meaning, it's reason. It meant he had to talk about how he felt, openly to another person. Although the idea of talking to Cole eased his mind slightly, he still hated it. He always used to choke as a kid when trying to tell his parents how he felt, always ended up with tears streaming down his face. Kai felt so weak, so vulnerable. Although he has a good and stable relationship with his parents, they never really brought up ways to express emotions. So, he always hid them away. He always avoided talking about them, it's just how he coped.

"Yeah, that's fine." Kai finally replied, smiling shyly up at Cole. As Cole began to open the door, Kai was the one to pull him back this time. He quickly turned his head to meet amber eyes, green and brown ones filled with worry and care. Kai's heart practically melted at the man's concerned face, knowing it was all for him. He didn't say anything, expect pull him in for another kiss, addicted to Coles soft lips and the way he gently kissed him.

Oh god, the things that man was doing to him.

Chapter Text

As Kai and Cole padded their feet across the wooden floors to the kitchen, Kai's throat felt like it was practically closing up. He was so scared. What were his friends going to think of him? What was Nya going to think of him? What if she told their parents before Kai could, and his parents were disgusted? What if his friends were disgusted?

Stop it. Kai thought. Cole is gay, and no one ever had an issue. They are not going to hate you.

Cole himself was nervous, but not as petrified as he noticed Kai was. Before they passed the wall that would lead them into the kitchen and living room, Cole stopped Kai.

"It's going to be okay. No one's going to hate you. I know it's scary and i know it's hard but trust me, you'll feel so much better knowing you aren't hiding anymore." Cole said calmly to the shorter boy, who looked up at him with amazement.

"How did you know exactly what i was thinking?" Kai whispered. He could hear their friend's voices, barely 5 meters away. All he could concentrate on was Cole, and his caring heart, his soothing voice and handsome face. How he knew exactly how to calm Kai down, he'll never know. But he's grateful, Kai was so so grateful for Cole.

"I've been there, and i can practically feel your anxiety. Just breathe, i promise you'll be okay." Cole held onto Kai's hand and gently rubbed a finger across the palm, until Kai turned around to look over his shoulder before turning back.

"Better late than never." Kai said before letting go of their intertwined hands and calmly walking into the kitchen with Cole right behind him. Lloyd, Nya, Jay, Zane and Harumi were all either sitting on the couch or at the kitchen table with cups of tea or coffee. Lloyd noticed them and immediately gave Jay a pointed look, who watched them both walk to the other side of the bench and grab mugs.

"Good-morning, how's everyone feeling?" Cole smiled at his friends. Everyone grunted back, clearly tired after last nights events. Cole could say the same for him and Kai.

"I am feeling quite well rested, how about you two?" Zane asked, placing his cup of tea down on the coffee table.

"Exhausted, but other than that nothing bad. No headaches, blah blah." Cole responded. Kai nodded in agreement as he placed the tea bags in their mugs, one peppermint and one camomile, for Cole. As Kai filled their cups up with hot water, Cole moved closely to the side of him.

"Eggs and bacon with toast? Or pancakes?" Cole asked, smiling at the brunet. Kai thought for a second while he added some cold water to top up their drinks.

"Eggs, bacon and toast sounds good. Thank you." He retuned a warm smile, holding Cole's mug up for him to take, which he did gratefully.

"Sooo..." Lloyd began, which earned him a flick on the arm from Nya who stared him down. Kai's heart practically leapt out of his chest, before slamming back in. Cole quickly glanced at the brunet, the poor boy looked like he was about to faint. He gave Kai a warm, comforting smile in hopes to ease his jitters.

"So is right! Are we not gonna talk about it?" Jay said, clearly not catching onto Nya trying to silently tell them to shut up. Lloyd smiled along with Jay, clearly intrigued and waiting for the two boys behind the kitchen bench to spill. "You two kissing has got to be the most shocking thing of...this year!" Jay dramatically flung his arms into the air.

Coles face flushed red as he scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment. The room fell silent for a moment, the two boys cringing internally.

"W-what are you going on about?" Kai tried to play it off, but knew he was doomed when Jay whipped out his phone quickly to which Nya snatched it out of his hands.

"Nya! Give it back! If Kai doesn't remember than we can just show him." He snickered, Lloyd grinning evilly beside him. Kai hid his crimson face in his hands, groaning. Cole chuckled behind him, running a hand up and down his back soothingly.

"Can we go one day without fighting in this group?" Zane muttered as his eyes scanned over the campus newsletter.

"Stop the teasing for gods sake you two, yes they kissed, yes you got it on video, yes they are friends but just leave them alone." Nya told them, scowling as she said it. Nya was pissed, Jay and Lloyd were acting like a bunch of 7th graders. She may love them both to death but god were they being annoying right now. Jay wiped the grin off his face, as Lloyd's smirk dropped and they both fell silent. Kai gaped at his sister, taken aback by Nya's reaction. He shot a thankful smile, as did Cole.

"I agree with Nya." Harumi spoke up from the couch. "Just leave them alone, it's none of our business."

"Thank you Harumi." Cole nodded towards her, as they smiled at each other. He turned back to his bacon that was sizzling, when his and Kai's toast popped out of the toaster.

God that was so awkward.

No one talked for the rest of the morning, leading Cole and Kai to hold back on any conversation. Once the two had finished their breakfast, they washed their plates and placed them in the dishwasher and cleaned up before quickly leaving. Once they had retreated back to Cole's room, Kai erupted into laughter while having to slap his hand over his mouth to not sound like a maniac. However the noiret looked at him just like he was one as he closed the door and furrowed his eyebrows.

"What are you laughing about?" He crossed his arms as Kai flopped onto silk bed sheets. Holding his stomach with his arm, Kai attempted to speak.

"That..was so embarrassing!" He giggled out, smile contagious as Cole also broke out into a smile, eventually turning to laughter.

A knock on their door caused their laughter to fade, and Cole opened it. Nya barged in, a freakishly big grin on her face as she approached the bed and jumped into Kai's arms, to which they fell onto the bed. He furrowed his eyebrows and looked up at Cole who was standing by the door in confusion.

"Why do you look like you've just won the lottery? What did i do?"

"Why didn't you tell me?!" She chuckled, sitting upright to allow Kai to do so as well.

"I'm so lost." He responded.

"Kai! You're Gay! why didn't you ever say anything?" Nya exclaimed, and Kai immediately went red. A few seconds of silence followed, the brunet forgetting how to speak.

"I'm not- I don't.." Kai began, but couldn't finish. He felt so weak, he couldn't even speak a clear sentence on a topic that he knows isn't even considered controversial to his sister. He glanced at Cole who gave him a slight encouraging nod.

"Do you want me to leave..?" He asked Kai with a gentle tone, who looked at him with uncertainty.

"Will you be mad if i say yes?" He responds quietly. Cole chuckled softly, turning to leave.

"Why do you think I asked you?"

"But we're in your room-"

"Kai." Cole interrupted him. "Take as long as you need. My laptop is out here anyways, I can finish some assignments. It's not a big deal, promise."

Kai bit his lower lip and sighed. "Thank you."

Cole just smiled and closed the door, the room filling with silence as Kai met his sister's gaze again.

"You don't have to tell me. I just want you to know that I will never ever judge you."

"I'm bisexual. I have been for as long as i can remember. It's part of the reason I broke up with Sky, I felt like I was lying to myself and to her. I'm more attracted to men than I am to women. It's..it's difficult to explain because i don't even understand it myself." Kai breathed out.

"Whatever your sexuality is Kai, i don't care as long as you are happy. I'm so sorry you felt that you couldn't tell me." Nya told Kai, a sad look on her face. She was clearly upset about the fact Kai didn't feel comfortable enough to come to her first.

"I really wanted to, trust me. I just couldn't get the words out. I never found the right time. Cole was the first person I ever openly admitted that to, and that was only last night." He blushed, Nya's face spread into a smirk.

"Last night huh?" She giggled, poking Kai's ribs. "Sooo...? Spill! i need to know! And don't leave out the details." Kai chuckled, blushing.

"Don't tell a fucking soul Nya." He drilled into her, while she just continued to laugh.

"Was it good?"

"Good is an understatement. Holy shit, best sex i've ever had." Kai sighed, again flopping onto his back against Coles mattress- that he had fucked him on, mind you.

"Really?! Damn he must know what he's doing, you never say that!" Nya gasped.

"I couldn't walk Nya. He had to carry me to the bathroom and hold me while i stood because i couldn't stand on my fucking own. It was embarrassing but so worth it." Nya gawked at Kai, her hand covering her mouth in shock.

"Okay! stop there that's enough details." She shook her head. Kai was smiling up at the ceiling, and turned to look at Nya as she spoke.

"Well, how do you feel about it? Are you going to talk about it with him?" She asked softly. Kai sighed as he blinked back up the roof.

"Nya you know how i struggle with that stuff. I can barely open up to you as is." He chewed on the inside of his mouth nervously, it frustrated him that he couldn't even talk to his sister properly about his feelings. "But- don't take offence to this," Nya chuckled. "I find that Cole is probably the only person that i feel somewhat comfortable enough with to open up to in a healthy way. Every other time it either just comes out in anger or it's toxic. There's just something so easy going about him. Maybe because i've been so close to him for like 4 years now, i don't know." He told her and Nya smiled fondly.

"Kai, that's great. I don't mind that you can't open up to me as much as you can to Cole, i'm just glad you have someone that you can lean on when you need support. I know what you're like when you keep your feelings bottled up to long," Kai snorted to that comment. "And i'd much rather you have someone than keeping it to yourself." She pulled him up and into a hug, Kai returning it gratefully. "Please, if he asks to talk about it, tell him that it will be difficult for you to express your emotions properly. Just start there, so he understands. Cole always understands." Kai nodded in agreement.

"I'll try. Before we came out of his room today he said something like 'we haven't even discussed the situation ourselves' so i assume we will be doing so soon. I'm just nervous." He took a deep breath in. "And..i really like him. I have for a while, God i've never admitted that even to myself." Nya's features softened, she gently placed a hand on Kai's shoulder.

"I'm so proud of you. See how much you just opened up to me? And, i don't think you like him Kai, i think you're in-love with him." She rolled her eyes, while Kai's widened.

"Alright let's not get carried away."

Chapter Text

"Finished your assignments yet?" Kai questioned as he made his way to Cole who was seated on the massive beanbag on the floor. It could easily fit three of them, still with room left for them all to be comfortable. Cole looked up from his laptop, glasses hanging low on his nose and Kai's heart jumped, it practically leapt when a genuine adoring smile stretched across his face. Cole's dark hair was hanging loosely over his face, his thick eyebrows unknotting from focus as his eyes met the brunet who had just walked into the room - wearing Cole's hoodie. Kai plopped down next to him, peering at his screen before Cole closed it and turned his attention to him while taking off his glasses. Kai frowned, and spoke before thinking.

"Don't take them off. They look good on you." He internally face palmed. Coles smile seemed to get even bigger, resting them back on his ears.

"Didn't know you had a glasses kink." Kai rolled his eyes as Cole chuckled. "But yes, i did finish my assignments. You and Nya have a good talk?"

Kai nodded. "I always question why i'm so scared to tell her stuff. She's so understanding- well obviously she's my sister- but i always have this assumption she doesn't care." Kai blushed "She also asked for details about us last night."

Cole blushed too. "Didn't tell her too much did you?"

"No, she made me stop when i told her about the part when i couldn't walk." Kai's face contorted into a smile as he giggled, Cole couldn't help but follow. "Which was a humbling experience, by the way."

"I guess next time I just won't fuck you as hard, right?" Cole smirked as he placed his laptop on the ground next to the beanbag. Kais face flushed as he rolled his eyes.

"You'll get a 'next time' if you're lucky." He played into Coles banter, who just smiled and chuckled. It was nice that their flirty banter still felt normal. It made this whole thing between them feel a little less serious. They stared at each for some time before Cole's deep sigh interrupted the peace.

"Are we going to talk about it?" He asked. He sounded mature, confident. Kai internally scoffed. Of course he was. Cole has always been mature and grounded and intelligent and all those perfect things that Kai is not. Especially when it comes to serious situations, like this. Kai sucked at it, he was never confident and he was most definitely never mature.

"What is there to talk about?" Kai wanted to scream at himself as Cole frowned slightly. Nya's words rang through his mind.

'if he asks to talk about it, tell him that it will be difficult for you to express your emotions properly. Just start there.'

Well he certainly hadn't done that, of course. Typical Kai. "I mean, I thought we had our little moment this morning when you said you weren't mad about what had happened. I thought we were fine." He tried.

Cole's eye contact was going to be the death of him. The intense stare was as if he was seeing right into the deepest depths of Kai, it felt almost intruding. The expression Cole presented however was so unreadable it was doing Kai's head in.

"I meant we should talk about what this means for us. Best friends don't just fuck and then move on like it never happened, at-least I don't." Kai crossed his arms over himself as an uncomfortable silence lingered for a moment. "And Kai, we didn't just 'fuck'. That wasn't casual sex. There was something else there, it was lingering the whole night and you and I both know it." Coles voice shifted to a soft tone as Kai had to break the eye contact. A foreign feeling fluttered throughout Kai's chest, as he shakily exhaled. He was at a loss for words. He knew damn well Cole was right, he just didn't know how to address it, how to word it, how to communicate it.

"I don't know what you want me to say." Kai finally answers, quietly. His gaze had stayed fixated on the floor until Jay bursted into the room as he made his presence known, making the two men who were seated together on the bean bag jump slightly.

"Oi, we' re thinking of going out for dinner tonight at that Japanese place down the road, you two coming?" He asked, leaning his elbows on top of the kitchen table as he drank from a water bottle he snagged from the fridge. Kai didn't even have a second thought as he immediately turned to look at Cole before standing up.

"No thanks, I think I'm going to stay in. Don't feel too well today." He lied, answering bluntly as he walked past Jay to get towards his room. Kai felt perfectly fine, but socialising was not on his cards right now.

"I'll be there, Jay." Kai heard Cole say before he closed his door and flopped onto his bed, putting his headphones over his ears and turning on some music to hopefully drown out the thoughts of how much of an idiot he was.

---

As Cole sat quietly at the end of table inside a magnificently tasty restaurant, he couldn't help but be miserable. Kai was confusing him. Kai was the one who initiated this whole situation, he kissed Cole first. Now he wanted to act as if nothing happened and it was all normal.

Cole didn't want to say it, but last night didn't feel like sex. It felt like love. It was an indescribable feeling because he had never felt that way before. He knew Kai felt it to, pushed forward by the haze of alcohol and pleasure, he knew deep down Kai was reciprocating his feelings. It was confirmed when all the times their hands intertwined while Cole was blissfully inside of Kai, how the brunet held onto him like he was a lifeline or how the kissing felt so deep and intimate like they had been doing it their whole lives couldn't just be described as a hook up, no it was much much more than that.

"Cole, you good?" He heard someone call out to him from the other end of the table. Embarrassed as he snapped from his trance, he weakly smiled at Lloyd who was looking at him expectantly.

"Yeah..yeah sorry."

"You look a bit flushed man, you sure you're feeling alright?" He questioned. Cole took his opportunity, it was practically handed to him.

"Actually I don't feel the best. Probably from last night, i'm still feeling a little bit of nausea. I might head home." While Cole definitely felt flushed, he was determined. Determined to get home and get answers from Kai, and he wanted them now.

He looked over at the rest of his friends, disappointment painted over their faces as Cole got up and gathered his stuff before waving.

"Have fun guys. Text me my half of the meal when you guys go to pay and i'll send it through to someone. See yous later." He smiled, everyone wishing him goodbye.

"Check up on Kai for me please!" Nya yelled out before he exited through door, and he held a thumbs up. Cole walked through the parking lot swiftly and hopped into his truck, exhaling deeply. His mind was racing a million thoughts per second. All he could think about was how increasingly confused he was becoming with how calm Kai was about their 'mess'. He seemed so unaffected by it. But, on the other hand, Cole knew Kai didn't like talking about his feelings. Well, he had never outright said it but Cole could understand with how long he had known him.

He was now second guessing coming home early. he knew he wasn't going to get any sort of answer out of Kai, and now he just looked suspicious coming home without the rest of their friends. He was increasingly second guessing himself as he stood outside the door to their dorm. He looked stupid, anything he tried to say would sound stupid.

As he took a deep breath in and opened the door, he was instantly met with a startled Kai, hand placed over his chest in shock as he sat on the kitchen counter.

"Jesus fucking christ Cole, scared the shit out of me. What are you doing home so early?"

And every single conversation he had imagined to start between the two to get answers from Kai evaporated out the door he had just come in from. Cole had only been gone, barely, half an hour. In that half an hour Kai had done something, to make himself look even more gorgeous than he looked before.

Or maybe it was the fact he was in Coles shirt and grey sweatpants with un-styled hair.

Or maybe it was the way that the sunset was casting light into the room while the lamp that sat next to the window illuminated onto his features, creating a soft glow.

Or maybe Cole was just in-love, and he could never be angry at Kai.

"Sorry, i didn't mean to scare you." He pauses, Kai staring questionably at him. "I-I didn't feel too well. Decided it was better to come home instead of being out all night with them."

Kai hummed with a nod, an awkward silence lingered for a few moments. Cole didn't know what to say, he couldn't even trust himself to speak right now.

"Do you want some tea? Tea always makes you feel better when you feel sick." Kai asked, jumping down from the bench and approaching the tea station they had setup in the kitchen. "Also, i hope you don't mind, i'm in your clothes."

"Oh, um, sure. thank you." Cole spoke softly. "I'll have chamomile, of course." Kai smiled at him in return, turning the kettle on and grabbing two mugs. "And it's fine."

Why was he acting so casual? Cole asked himself again, to which he knows he can't find an answer to that either. So, the hell, how about he just plays along?

"Do you wanna watch something together? Without Jay here we don't have to watch Star Wars a million times over."

Kai chuckled. He placed their tea bags into the mugs and poured the boiling water in, topping it with cold. "Sure. You pick?"

Cole thought for a moment. "Are you going to judge me if i suggest Gossip Girl?" Kai turned around to with both of their mugs in hand, a smirk on his face.

"I am going to hold that against you for the rest of your life. Gossip Girl! Who would've thought?" He laughed, Cole joining him.

Cole made Kai start from the first season, so he understood everything. They sat in a comfortable silence the first few episodes, until Cole couldn't help but commentate everything that was happening.

"Okay, so you're saying that technically if Lily and Rufus were to date or get married, Serena and Dan would be step siblings? That's so weird." Kai chucked a piece of popcorn into his mouth that he had retrieved from the pantry during the second episode.

Cole nodded his head. "Their whole family dynamic is so weird. Lily and Rufus actually end up-"

"Don't spoil it for gods sakes!" Kai quickly interrupted him, throwing popcorn at the raven-head.

"Sorry!" They laughed. For the first time today, Cole felt relaxed. He always felt like this around Kai.

However the doubt still burned in the back of his mind. Cole knew no matter what he needed to address his and Kai's current situation no matter how much the other tried to avoid it. He began to drift off, trying to think of an approach that wouldn't scare Kai of sharing his feelings. Eventually, he decided there was no way around it, it had to be forward.

"Kai..." Cole breathed deeply. "Please, can we talk?"

Kai's demeanour changed, but not immediately like usual. He took a few shaky breaths, before turning to face Cole. He had to say something, he knew it wasn't fair.

"Cole, I need you to understand one thing. I cannot communicate properly." He paused for a moment. "When i try, my breath catches and i cannot form the words i want to. Its like my brain automatically shuts off."

"I understand. But see, you just did it then. You just told me how you struggle to talk, but you just did."

Kai smiled softly at him. He looked away for a minute as Cole spoke again.

"I know whats happened between us is confusing, but I want us to work it out together. I..I want something to come of this, of us. You are important to me, more than you think you are."

Kai's expression is hard to read. His eyebrows are crossed, yet his face soft.

"I'm scared, Cole. But I think I want something out of...this as well."

Cole cannot help but smile. Oh, he wanted to giggle and kick is feet for gods sake. "So lets do it. Together. Theres no need for rush, let's figure our feelings out day by day."

Kai exhaled, his nerves leaving with his breath. Oh wow, they were really doing this.

They shuffled closer, smiling at each other. Cole to appear calm, but he felt as if he were about to implode from the inside. Before he can think straight, Kai places a gentle hand on Coles cheek, bringing him into a sweet kiss. Quickly, the two melt into a slow rhythm and Cole's hands finds their place on Kai's lower back, sighing at the touch. God, It'd had been barely a day and Kai had already missed the feeling of Cole's lips on his. The feeling was not even comparable, it fuelled Kai inside. As they get carried away, they hear the front door open. Kai pulls back immediately, leaning back casually into the couch as if he was there the whole time. Cole smirks at him, doing the same as their friends all poured into the living room.

"Hey you two! Feeling better Cole?" Lloyd questions, plopping himself next to Kai, who was trying to hide the fact that he was still incredibly flushed.

"Oh, much better." Cole smiles, almost a smirk as he turns his head to meet Kai. And that was it, Kai gave up on trying to hide as his face turned beet red.

But a small sliver behind a locked door in the very depths of Kai's mind, was the voice that always seemed to crawl out of its restraints. Telling him, he was going to fuck this up. He was going to ruin and destroy everything that was good in his life, which right now included the man sitting next to him.

He couldn't, he couldn't let them win. He let them ruin what he had with Skylor, he couldn't let that happen to him and Cole.