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Emotions were not something the master of fire handled well. Kai was spontaneous, choosing to, somewhat ironically, go with the flow. He did whatever he was in the mood for, whether that was food, sleep or exercise. Hence his current predicament of training in the middle of the night. He tried his best not to wake the team so he chose to work on his sword technique. Striking the same sequence until he was sweating through the gi he’d thrown on on a whim.
His mind was running a million miles a minute which meant sleep was out of the question. He knew he needed it but neither his body nor brain agreed with him. Fire meant he was always warm; he didn’t feel the cold, night air that would’ve been chilling to others. Kai thrust the wooden practice sword, advanced, spun, lunged and swung in a strong downwards attack. He retreated a few paces back and begun the sequence again careful of his footing and balance of his stance.
Exercise had always helped chase away the unwanted and annoying human capability of thinking. Lately a singular topic had been on his mind. With the rest of the team in a relationship— minus Lloyd and Master Wu, he and Cole were the only ones without partners. Nya had Jay and god was he happy for her, but his chest tightened whenever he thought for too long about the implications of what that meant for his little sister. He was so proud of her. She’d come a long way, his little sister was a Samurai for heavens sake! But that meant she rarely needed him anymore. She had Jay to listen to her, to comfort her, to talk and joke and laugh with her. He swung the practice sword again. And Zane had Pixal. It was a different sort of pulling away he felt towards his Nindroid brother. He was happy. He was happy for him and Pixal, for Jay and Nya, but he felt so left behind.
Kai stilled breathing in the chill night air that invigorated his systems despite their normally overwhelming heat. He stilled for longer than he needed to and let his breathing calm his muscles, swell his chest and take some of the weighted feeling left-over from his earlier drowsiness after waking up. His eyes had closed as he alternated breathing in through his nose and mouth. It had been a technique Master Wu had taught them all, but breathing was particularly important for Kai. Master Wu had explained that his relationship with air was very similar to that of his element’s relationship. Of course being human Kai needed air to breath anyway, but the more air he was able to intake the stronger both his body and element were. His control more potent. His muscles more relaxed.
His mind wandered ever so slightly as he let the air fill his lungs. Cole. Kai had never been one to flirt with girls. Even if the choice had arisen with the majority of his time being dedicated to taking care of his sister and up keeping the shop the thought of a relationship never crossed his mind. Sure he found girls attractive. He’d heard people who liked their same gender describe the appreciation as though looking at a piece of art, but though that analogy was rather poor. Not that he had a better one. Kai wouldn’t necessarily describe himself as gay, but bi didn’t really feel like it suited him either. He knew he wasn’t asexual. The uncertainty of who— what he was was irritated him. He didn’t know and uncertainty was something hated.
The more he thought the more his mind wandered back to the master of earth. Muscles. Muscles were something that attracted Kai, but that wasn’t all. Cole was a dork, maybe less so than Kai but it was still endearing. The man was also caring and tooth rottenly sweet sometimes. He cared for everyone, even Kai. Kai remembered after the team had saved him from the Serpentine how Cole had pestered him with questions all the way back to the base. Kai had brushed them off with a joke but it had been a relief to know how much the other cared for him even if he was a ‘hothead’.
Air in his lungs Kai adjusted the grip on his sword, Kai lunged, angling the sword for a reverse slash. He didn’t understand feelings so understanding love was out of the question. He knew what he felt for Cole was different from how he felt towards either Zane or Jay. But he didn’t have a name for it and didn’t want to ascribe a word for it that he didn’t understand. All he knew what that Cole made him feel safe, protected. Maybe that was just the aura from his element. He wasn’t sure. But it was Cole.
Kai parried an imaginary attack, falling into remembered sequence easily. Lunge, thrust, sidestep, slash. Kai paused mid strike when he heard a soft chuckle form the entrance to the Bounty’s lower deck. He turned seeing the very person he’d just been thinking about in the doorway. He was suddenly very grateful there was no moon tonight as he could feel his face heat. Cole was holding two plates.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Kai laughed in disbelief. Cole was holding two slices of cake. Kai slung the sword over his shoulder and walked over to the other, Cole had on his own goofy smile, brow raised in question. “You know its like— shit I don’t know, I know it’s late though.” The other chuckled and held out one of the plates to him.
“Eh, a midnight snack never hurt anyone as far as I’m concerned. Join me?” Kai rolled his eyes, but leaned the practice sword next to the door and took the plate. He’d put the sword away later. “Where do ya wanna eat?” Cole asked. Kai shrugged.
“I don’t really have a preference but it’s nice out right now.” Cole scrunched his face for a second before his features relaxed and he nodded with a shrug.
“Oh come on, don’t be such a baby, Cole. I’m literally a walking furnace.” Kai grinned as he walked backwards leading them to the stairs on the other side of the training deck. “Also you asked me.” He added.
“Hey, I brought you cake.” Kai shrugged, still grinning.
Both sat on the stairs, Kai a step or so above the other as to give the larger man some space. They ate in silence.
“So-“ He started after Cole had sat his plate down. “Why’re you up?” Even in the dark Kai saw the other shrug.
“Dunno. This whole thing with Lloyd is kinda freaking me out, I guess.” Cole paused a moment before asking, “You? That is- if you want to talk, you don’t have to.” Cole reassured, turning back he gave the fire master a sheepish grin. Kai groaned.
“Man this darkness is annoying.” He heard Cole make a noise.
“Hey, I asked you.” Kai raised his arms in surrender.
“Yeah, yeah you did. I thought the moon might at least have been out tonight but noooooo.” Cole chuckled. Below him Cole leaned back on the step above where he was sitting, the one Kai’s feet were currently planted on.
“Mad you can’t control the moon too?” Cole teased. Kai rolled his eyes.
“Thanks blockhead.” Kai shoved at Cole’s elbow with his foot.
“Hey! Rude!” They both laughed. Kai sighed.
After a few minutes of continued silence Kai slid down to join Cole on his step. Cole glanced at him.
“Doin alright, ‘hothead’?” Kai nudged him. Their sides were pressed together, the contact comforting. Kai breathed out a breath and rested his chin on his knees he’d pulled to his chest.
“I guess it’s a little stupid but— ugh I dunno.” Cole gave him a reassuring nudge.
“Hey it can’t be as stupid as anything you said under the Venomari venom.” Cole joked. Kai stuck his tongue out at the other Ninja who just laughed. Kai loved when Cole laughed. A whole body laugh.
“I guess…” Kai trailed off. The two elemental masters sat in silence on the dark ship, enjoying the other’s company and listening to the sails flap in the wind. Kai sighed, letting his courage build up.
“This whole thing with Jay and Nya and now Zane and Pixal— I dunno-“ Kai gulped. “Damn. I just feel- left behind I guess. Like how you all found your true potential before I did. I feel- well I don’t quite know honestly. I’ve never been in a relationship I have no clue what one would even entail— I guess what I’m saying is I’m a bit jealous.” Kai laughed at himself. Cole hadn’t responded so Kai continued. “I’m happy for them don’t get me wrong I just- I wish I understood what it was like. I’ve been taking care of Nya my whole life so nothing like what those four have ever had a chance for me.” Kai stopped talking before he said anything else. He felt Cole’s eyes on him. Kai didn’t think he would speak until,
“What kind of- partnership do you imagine for yourself?” Cole spoke cautiously. The question took Kai by surprise. He shrugged.
“Honestly I don’t really think of that but-“ he sucked in a breath for what he was about to confess. “But when I do I see- I see this.”
“This?” Cole asked. Kai nodded, his whole body tense.
“Yeah- well- more specifically I see us. You.” Kai dared to look at the other. He saw a look of shocked wide, brow eyes looking back at him, lips slightly parted. Kai smiled sadly and looked away. “I’m not good at feelings- but I like to imagine scenarios where you’re there for me, with me, near me.“ Kai made himself stop before he overwhelmed the other. His body was still tense. Kai heard a sound like Cole releasing a breath through his nose.
“You imagine us?” Kai chuckled.
“Yeah. Yeah I do.” Kai made himself stop there, chancing another look at the other ninja who he’d just confessed to.
“You- like me?” Cole sound bewildered but Kai decided it wasn’t in a bad way.
“Well, I told you I’m not good with emotions, but I know what I feel for you is different from the others. So yeah- I guess- I guess I do like you.” Suddenly Kai was tackled into the side of the staircase. Cole was holding onto him so tightly Kai didn’t know what to do and before he could stop it Cole had lifted him into the air and was holding onto his waist looking at him with such adoration Kai had never seen before. Kai was speechless as he steadied himself, holding onto Cole’s shoulders.
“Do you mean that?” Cole asked him. Kai blinked.
“Cole- I- why am I in the air?” Cole seemed to realize what he was doing and set Kai on the ground, still holding onto his waist, still looking at him in awe.
“Do you- really like me?” It was a breathless question. Kai gave a shy grin and nodded still a little confused as to the other’s reaction. And then Cole grinned, brighter than Kai had ever seen him and enveloped him into a hug.
“C-Cole?” Kai asked, slightly concerned but his voice muffled by his newfound position.
“I-I didn’t think-“
“Cole?” Suddenly Cole pulled back and cupped his face.
“I love you too.” Kai’s face probably resembled Cole’s from earlier. Kai blinked a few times and then there were tears in his eyes and it was his turn to dive into the other’s arms. Cole caught him around the waist and swung them both around a few times before setting Kai back down on his feet. Cole rested their foreheads against Kai and they simply stared at each other for a few moments, reveling in their new understanding of each other. Kai hadn’t realized he’d been crying until he felt the other’s sure hands wiping them away from his skin.
“I feel like this is a dream.” Kai said. Cole chuckled, voice equally as emotional.
“I feel the same. Kai Smith, in love with me? It’s like- oh I don’t know but it’s certainly something!” Cole said and it was Kai’s turn to chuckle.
“So me loving you is just something?”
“Oh shove off, let me have my moment.” Cole pouted. Kai pressed them closer together. Their foreheads were still pressed together when their lips met in a soft, pleasant kiss. Kai smiled into it, pulling back and grinning dumbly at the other.
“So- Cole Brookstone,” Kai passed for dramatic effect grinning at the other the whole time. “Will you do me the honor of being my boyfriend?” Cole grinned at him and pulled him in for one of his trademark bear hugs.
“Never thought you’d be the one confessing.” He joked, Kai his him playfully on the arm after they’d pulled apart. “But the answer is always yes if- if you’ll be mine, Kai Smith. Be my boyfriend?” Kai grinned even wider.
“Yes, yes and double yes.”
“I think that’s a triple yes, love.” Kai rolled his eyes, but his grin remained. They gazed at each other fondly. Cole reached a hand out and tilted Kai’s chin up. Kai raised a brow. “Kiss me again?” Kai nodded and pulled Cole down for another, longer, and if possible, sweeter kiss than before. Kai didn’t want to pull back, he cursed his element’s need for air. He never wanted to stop kissing Cole and Cole seemed to think similarly for when they did finally break the kiss their eyes gazed into each other. Both looking at each other in awe.
“Shall we go inside my love?”
“I’d follow you anywhere, Kai.” Kai chuckled.
“A terrible idea really.” Cole rolled his eyes.
“There are plenty of terrible ideas that come from that head of yours-“ Cole put his forefinger against Kai’s forehead. “But this- us, will never be one.” Cole said firmly and Kai believed every word.