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It took about a month before they finally had to cave in.
A month of sleeplessness, pain, and overwhelming anxiety.
None of them thought everything would be fine after Cole turned human again, and he was trying, but it was a struggle. And they were getting through it. Cole had begun to fall asleep for more than a couple of hours at a time, begun to eat without choking from forgetting to swallow, and begun to move around on his own. It was progress, and that was all they needed.
Cole had started to do stretches, light lifting, and things to focus on his muscles moving and his lungs breathing. It was a lot. He did three half-hour workouts a day, even though Kai argued it was too much. His muscles screamed, and his balance was lost so often that he needed a spotter for any moves. His legs continued to give out on him, yet he just gritted his teeth and tried again.
His body was still betraying him, and his mind wasn't much better. He was still getting fluids intravenously, forcing himself to focus on anything other than the saline drip. His limbs felt stabbed from the slightest touch as they reoriented to sensory input. Loud noises and bright lights caused meltdowns, which led to panic attacks, which just circled around in a spiral. And a million other little things just to make it harder for the earth ninja.
Instead of relying on the ninja, Cole just bottled everything away and threw himself into training, into ignoring the loud noises and bright sounds, forcing himself to take sips of the offered water with his hands clenched tightly, trying to keep plain foods down as his stomach gurgled at the prospect of learning to work. Kai even caught him posting a Chirp that he was training as an excuse for being out of the public eye. He soldiered on, as he always did.
But it was getting time, as Jay passed Cole in the hall, and his nose scrunched up. It was a tiny, barely noticeable thing, but Cole cringed as he continued his wobbly walk down the hall.
Five days after coming back, Cole had begun using body wipes to clean himself, getting one of them to wring out the solution until it was nearly dry. But with all the training, it was beginning to have an effect. Cole noticed it too, of course he did; his sense of smell was overwhelming, and he winced as his body odor assaulted his nose.
He couldn't hide it anymore. Even the strong deodorant they all used to mask the combat stink wasn't working enough. He put the cuff of his hoodie to his nose, inhaling the neutral scent of the detergent, trying to continue to ignore the embarrassment. But it didn't last long.
And his hair… it was starting to get overly greasy and knotted. Zane had worked meticulously at it nightly, using no-rinse hair care and dry shampoo, but the product was building up. He was pretty sure there was a mat or two in there.
Cole shivered. He'd never gotten this bad. He took care of himself at home, buying the bare minimum of products with the weekly budget Lou left on the counter before leaving the house. And when Zane… was gone, he had to keep his health in mind. Even escaping to the woods, he had a job, coworkers, and a goal to go back eventually.
Being a ghost tanked his mental health. If he were alive, he probably would've neglected himself worse. It was a small grace that he hadn't needed to stay hygienic or eat or sleep.
But now he did. And he couldn't do it. He tried, shakily, one day, about a week ago. He brushed his teeth, Jay helping so his hands didn't spasm too much. After that, when Jay offered mouthwash, Cole froze. He couldn't rinse it out. It was too close to water. Jay had shrugged, placing it back down nonchalantly. Cole spat the bits of toothpaste out, turning on the sink faucet to clean off the brush. The sudden pour of water made him scramble back, tripping over his feet and hitting his head on the tile floor. The others had rushed over, Zane frantically assessing him for a concussion as pain seared through Cole's head.
He didn't go anywhere near the water again.
Avoiding it forever was impossible, unless he wanted to become the mud ninja. It was a tempting thought, but not a logical one.
Thus, the foreign words slowly trickled out of his mouth.
"I need help," he says, one morning shakily.
The ninja were splayed out on the couch in the new common room of the temple. Jay was playing a video game, Kai was scrolling through his social media, and Cole and Zane were reading. It was nice and peaceful. Until Jay's character died on the screen, and Cole snapped his book closed and spoke.
Kai puts down his phone, looking over at Cole's twitching fingers. "Yeah, what do you need, buddy?" He asks softly. He sat up, eyes darting towards the others before looking back. These were never-used words from the earth ninja.
The other's face turned a slight shade darker, eyes fixed on the opposing wall. How was he supposed to explain this to them?
It was humiliating, asking for help. He was supposed to be the strong one. The others were supposed to rely on him!
(Maybe it would have been better if he were a ghost. At least then he was more useful.)
Cole exhaled a rattling breath to try and pull himself out of that thought. The others were waiting, patient and gentle, as he tried to roll the words over his tongue. Talking had become easy. After only a few minutes, muscle memory kicked in when the others called out for him. But it was a strange sensation, feeling his jaw and throat and tongue all again.
It only takes a minute or two before he decides to forgo an attempt at eloquence. "I know you guys can smell it too. I stink, don't I?" Raising the hoodie cuff to his nose again, the scent of his sweat had begun to permeate it.
"Well…" Jay says, drawing out the word in a lighthearted tone, and Kai kicks him with a pointed look.
Zane tilts his head. "My olfactory senses have never been as sensitive as the rest of you, but there has been a noticeable change. I have noticed you have not used your usual 10 minutes and 20 seconds in the bathroom each night." His eyes briefly alight, running through some sort of memory node in his head as he taps his chin. It only takes a moment before his eyes widen. "The water," he concludes, and Cole nods sheepishly.
And the words start tumbling out. "Look, I—I know it won't hurt me, at least I think," his fingers trace his scar, still a sickly green color, and he flinches, "at least not most of me. But I just—I can't. I know what it feels like. It burns through me, and I just—"
"Your body isn't convinced," Zane finishes. "All of your instincts still try and pull away, so you need help; am I correct?"
Cole nods, pulling his knees up to his chest. He rolls his tongue across his lips, a strange, mildly disgusting feeling. They're slimy now, and he wipes it away quickly. His eyes mist over, and he dabs at them, drawing in a quick breath to keep himself from tears.
A gentle chill radiates on his shoulder where Zane hovers a hand and, after a small nod, rests it. Cole's lungs shudder again. The nindroid's thumb starts rubbing tiny circles as he tries to wipe away another round of tears.
"I'm sorry, I tried. I tried to wash my face the other day, but I couldn't get my hands under. I've just been using the wipes. I—I was able to use sanitizer recently, but. I'm sorry. It's gross," he gasps for a minute, gripping the edge of the couch as his brain stutters for a moment. Kai leaps up to him, but Cole shakes his head, forcing himself to take slower breaths.
The room is silent for a moment, and Cole shrinks under it before the others explode chaotically.
"Cole, you—don't say that!" Jay shrieks, and Cole's hands shoot up to his ears. Jay winces, lowering his voice. "Sorry, just—I mean," he fumbles through his words, "that's not a fair thing to say. It's been a month. A month! You've had to relearn how to eat and sleep and shit and—"
"Okay, Jay," Cole bemoaned, and Jay shut his mouth. "I could do those things on my own, thank you." Jay laughs nervously as Cole side-eyes him.
Zane shakes his head. "Jay is right, though. You have been relearning how to be alive for a month, after a full year of being a ghost. It is a learning curve. It's okay to ask for help for this."
Scoffs came from Kai. "You nearly choked on the first three meals you had. I wouldn't say that was all on your own. But it's not a bad thing. The universe literally sewed you together in, like, three seconds, and your body has to basically relearn everything."
Static zipped up the fire ninja's arm, and he yelped. Jay smirked. "And you thought I was insensitive. Don't knock down his accomplishments." After a whined apology from Kai, his posture slumped. "But boulderbrain, really, you wouldn't ask for help if you were stuck in a spider pit and we had the rope. You'd try and climb your way out without it."
Cole curls his hand into a fist, rubbing the knuckles against his jaw, a self-soothing stim he picked up from Jay. His protective little ball of defense didn't loosen. "I know… I just don't want you guys to feel like I'm depending on you. Fuck, you know!"
An aggravated sigh comes from Kai's mouth as he puts his hands on his hips. "Yes, your ever-incessant need to put our needs before yours. C'mon, dummy, we're gonna help you whether you like it or not."
Cole groans, head tilting forward to hit his knees. "I hate all of you."
"That is clearly a lie," Zane points out, and Cole flips him off, gaining a laugh from the rest of them.
Two hands hover over Cole's jaw before cupping his face, and his eyes jolt up to meet Kai's. "You are not a burden, and you can rely on us, you hear me?" He says, firmly, and Cole crashes into him in an embrace. Kai holds him tightly, and the earth ninja hiccups through a sob. "We'll get it ready, okay? Don't worry about it. I'm guessing a shower is out of the question?" A small nod against his shoulder.
"A sponge bath would be most appropriate," Zane affirms, "it only requires minimal water but will still ensure hygiene. Easier than a full bath. I will prepare a bucket and soap. Jay, could you gather a towel and multiple washcloths? About four should do. Kai, take him to the bathroom; it will give us enough privacy if the others decide to come back early."
Cole makes a pitiful sound, somewhere between a whine and a sigh. His face heats up against Kai's neck. "This is embarrassing," he mutters, trying to hide his expression.
"Master, you are so horrible at relying on others," Kai teases, and Cole removes his face to stick his tongue out.
It takes a few minutes as Kai helps Cole stand, and the other two scurry off to prepare. He walks down the hallway, waving off Kai's help and managing to get down in a semi-timely manner without needing the wall for support. (He only loses balance once and manages to keep himself on his feet.)
Kai turns on the dim lights installed by Nya, and Cole notices a change in the decor. Nestled right where the sign for "Future Shower" was posted sat a small plastic chair. Small linear holes sat on the bottom, small enough not to be uncomfortable. Oh. That was definitely a recent purchase. Cole tried not to think of the fact that one of the ninja would have to explain buying a shower chair.
He sits down on it for a moment to catch his breath. His legs begin to shake as the reality of the situation begins to dawn on him, chest tightening as he tries to relax. Kai rubs a thumb over his knuckles in comfort. The embarrassment of needing reassurance for showering makes him want to pull away, but he refrains.
The fire elemental hums, moving to pull over the clothes bin. "I'd assume you'd like to get undressed yourself? Or should I help you with that?" His voice rises into a tease, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
He barely manages to dodge the sweaty hoodie thrown at him, grabbing it mid-air and throwing it in the bin. Cole glowers at him. Kai sighs dramatically. "Fine, fine, no striptease. Man, way to take the fun out of it."
"I'm going to actually throw you through the wall."
Kai pouts. "Now come on, I know I like it rough, but that's a little too much."
Something small hits him in the face, and he yelps. He fumbles catching it, staring down. "Are you—are you throwing pebbles at me?"
His answer is another tiny rock to the face. Cole snorts loudly, a smile breaking out as Kai makes a face. His hands are already forming another, and Kai raises his arms defensively. "Jay, Zane, hurry up," he wails, "I'm being attacked!"
Jay swoops in, watching as the stones clatter on the floor, looking between them. His brain processes for a second before it seems to click. He snorts and shakes his head.
"Don't just stand there! He's going to ruin my beautiful face!" Kai cries, trying to dodge the tiny, harmless rocks Cole is pelting him with.
"Hmm, well, the fangirls dig the battle-worn look. Maybe this isn't all bad. I think he's helping!" Jay decides, shit-eating grin on his face, as he avoids the line of fire and places the towels and washcloths on the lip of the sink that doesn't work yet.
A growl erupted from the fire ninja, and Cole stopped the attacks to glance between the two. "As entertaining as your fights are, the bathroom's tiny." His wrist flexes, and the pebbles on the floor snap to his hands and dissipate. "We don't need it ruined."
The two stand down, and not long after, Zane comes in with a small handful of soaps from the supply closet and a (full) bucket of water, walking precariously to avoid splashing it on the ground.
Cole swallows. He's grateful only the toilet has plumbing, and thus Zane had to fill the bucket elsewhere, but the water sloshes gently as Zane sets it down. He ignores the voice in his brain screaming to get away, blaring danger alarms, and his legs twitch with anxiety. His stomach flips around, and he swallows down the nausea carefully. Cole closes his eyes, breathing in and out.
He can do this.
His hands spasm a bit as he pulls off his shirt. Slippers and socks off next. Kai spots him as he stands and shucks off everything else.
None of them ever had a problem changing around each other, and cutting open others' clothes to access wounds was normal. Shame was a long-forgotten concept.
But this was the first time they've seen him since his reanimation. He forced himself to stay out of their gaze until now. It took so much effort, striving to keep Zane from fully going mother hen and forcing his body as it screamed to take care of himself. Hiding in large clothes and staying away from them as much as possible. He didn't want them to see it. But now they had to. Cole hunches over, arms crossed. His chin tucks to his chest as he tries to make himself as small as possible.
Jay blinked, and Kai glanced over to Zane, who tried to remain unfazed.
It was like Cole's body was without blemish. No blots of discoloration from burns, no uneven skin from hormonal acne, and not a single scar save the one cleaving through his head. And it was strange. An obviously human body, but put together as if simply from anatomical reference. He knew it. His spine curved a little less, and his hips were smaller. His fingers are longer and more lithe than his large hands before. His nose's slope was smaller, his eyes now hooded perfectly evenly. It was like an unfinished render of a body, just the start of what he was. (Which made sense, Cole thinks, with all of three seconds the universe had to slap him back into a body.) His hands balled up, the calluses from fighting gone in this body.
He shrank back as their gaze lingered just a second too long, mouths working to try and speak.
"Oh," Jay says, eventually, before shaking his head. "Okay… Okay. Lightning to Kai," he turns, snapping his fingers in front of the other's gaze, who turns and blinks. Zane's optics flicker for a moment before he moves to kneel in front of Cole.
"Cole," he breathed out, his metallic hand gently pulling the other's chin up. "Look at us," he asks softly. Cole's eyes are pointedly looking away from him but slowly move to meet his gaze. Zane smiles, a tiny, tender look that barely moves his faceplates.
"I didn't know… I didn't want to tell you guys," Cole says. "I'll get used to it. It's not that big of a deal, it's not—" He cuts himself off as his eyes dart to Zane before he shakes his head.
Zane frowns. "Cole, don't you dare compare what you are going through with my rebuilt body. I am not distressed about it; you are. And you have every right to be." He prods Cole to uncurl, slowly, patiently. "You don't have to look if you don't want to," he offers.
The bucket is moved next to him. Jay hands him one of the washcloths. Cole inhales sharply. "I need to watch," he says, "at least in the beginning. I might accidentally punch you if I don't prepare. Like Jay, when getting his vaccines."
A retort almost escaped the lightning ninja before he shut his mouth. Kai cleared his throat to stifle a giggle. Zane shook his head and smiled. "Alright," he replied.
The water sloshes as Zane dips the cloth into it, and Cole's eyes are glued to the droplets streaming into the bucket as it's plucked out. The surface of the water ripples violently, and Cole moves his legs further away, gritting his teeth and trying to remember to breathe. They run harmlessly from Zane's hands, slowing into pattering drops as Zane wrings out the cloth. The ripples slow, and air returns to Cole's lungs as the water settles.
But the washcloth comes near him, and he flinches so hard the chair nearly topples over. Jay grabs it, forcing it back down as Cole panics at the sudden loss of control. He's so pathetic, he nearly fell back in a fucking chair from the fear of a washcloth. (What would his father think, if he looked at him now?)
Suddenly, Kai is behind him, arms draped around Cole. "It's okay, you're safe, this is a lot," he mutters gently in Cole's ear. "Why don't we do a test drop? Just a little bit wouldn't kill you even as a ghost, right?" Cole shudders, nodding.
Jay reaches over, dipping just his index finger in the bucket. Slowly, he moves to Cole's hand.
"It's not gonna hurt you," Kai reaffirms, and Jay uses his dry hand to hold Cole's palm up.
It's a featherlight feeling as Jay's finger trails against his skin, following the lines around. The wetness makes his muscles stiffen, but it doesn't hurt. It's an odd feeling, but safe.
Cole's body relaxes, and Jay offers him a small smile. He dips his hand in next, and Cole watches with bated breath as he raises a fist over Cole's hand.
A tiny drop runs down it and plops onto Cole's palm. He makes a muffled wince. Jay grips him tighter to prevent him from jerking away. "See?" He says. "You're safe."
It's not normal to see this level of sincerity from Jay of all people. It almost feels surreal to not see him making jabs. But here he is, staring at Cole with no mirth or malice, just warmth and reassurance. In a spur of courage, he reaches out to grip Jay's damp hand. The other's face breaks out into a wide grin, threading their fingers together. "I missed how warm your hands are," he says quietly, and Cole bites back the retort of him being sappy.
They sit like that for a while, and Cole relishes the sensation of Jay's hands locked in his own and Kai's arms around him. It was nice, Kai's warmth enveloping him and Jay's thumb rubbing into his.
But, of course, they couldn't just sit and do that forever. Cole sighs. "I'm ready," he decides, turning to Zane, who nods. The washcloth comes near again, and Jay squeezes his hand in comfort.
It lands, unceremoniously, on Cole's shoulder.
And it doesn't hurt.
Zane begins to rub, getting the worst of the dirt and grime off his arm. He puts the washcloth back in, rinsing it out and continuing. "Relax," Kai says, and Cole realizes he's still tense. His eyes follow everything Zane does, every single movement of the other's hand.
After what feels like forever, Zane switches to the other arm. The one Jay's currently holding. Cole pouts after Jay lets go, which earns a chuckle from the other.
"Sap," he says, and Cole uses his cleaned hand to flip him off.
Zane clicks his tongue, eyebrow raised. "You two will not be starting a brawl right now."
"Of course not!" Jay said, "That would just be rude! That's like saying I'd kick a baby!"
Cole sneers. Well, attempting to keep serious about this has gone down the drain. "Oh, I'm the baby? Who still sleeps with a stuffed animal here?"
A gasp arises from the other. "How dare you? I know for a fact you still have a baby blanket in your closet!"
"Yeah, and my mom knit it for me," he said, raising his chin. "Master forbid I keep her memory." He grins as he watches Jay stutter and cross his arms.
"Come on, that's not fair!" He huffs, stomping his foot. "You can't keep playing the dead mom card! That's, like, against the rules of banter."
"Sorry, I don't think you ever told me those rules. Must have been kept between you and Mr. Cuddlewomp." Jay's face turns bright red, and Cole's face splits into a victorious grin. Jay stumbles over a response before huffing again and accepting defeat.
He bumps his forehead against Cole's gently. "You're still annoying as hell. Glad the rift didn't take that away."
Cole coos, dipping his head just enough to hit against Jay's nose. "Aww, now who's the sap?" He says as Jay yelps and jolts back. He rubs it and gives Cole a murderous look.
"Alright, you two," Kai groans, "can we please get this over with, and then you guys can kill each other after?"
Both immediately roll their eyes, and Cole removes Kai's arms. "Okay," he drags out and cracks his neck. "We can continue. I'm alright, at least for now."
He doesn't think Kai truly understands their banter. Sure, they'll include him now and again, and Kai throws his own insults. But they've always been on a different wavelength. And Jay knew just how to do it to get Cole to loosen up.
The rest of the wash goes smoother. Zane wipes Cole down, going down his body with efficient precision. He cleans down the back, hoisting Cole up to get everywhere. He swaps out the washcloth, dipping it into the water and pouring a small bit of soap into it. He rubs it around the cloth before starting circles on Cole's skin.
It's a nice feeling. His eyes slip closed for a moment, and Kai's hands reach to card through his hair. This was easier than he thought.
Zane wipes off the soap with another cloth and puts them aside. "I will need to do your face," he says carefully, and Cole's eyes fly open. He frowns, and Jay squeezes his hand in comfort.
"Okay," he mumbles eventually. This was going to be less fun.
The washcloth dips in the water again, is wrung out, and draws near his face. Kai is behind him, so he can't dodge out of the way. He grits his teeth as it lands on his cheek.
His face is more sensitive than the rest of his body, probably due to the proximity to his scar. The cloth is more uncomfortable there, and he winces. Zane wipes his face gently, eyes squinting as he reaches Cole's forehead. He dabs precariously near the raw edges of the scar, and Cole's breath speeds up.
"Cole, breathe, breathe," Jay says. "It's okay. It's just a scar. You're okay."
Cole's neck twitches at the most unfortunate moment, and the damp cloth ends up right along the green scar.
It pulses in response, and Cole doubles over with a gasp. It's like spiders skittering under his skin, cold and uncomfortable. The sensation is overwhelming. Jay grabs him, and Cole yanks him off. He fumbles out of the chair, falling onto the cold concrete floor.
The bucket spills, because of course it does, and Cole screams.
He's dying he's dying he can feel the acid burning his skin he's going to die here in the bathroom naked and pathetic and he can't do anything about it.
Cole's back slams against the wall as he continues to scream, eyes wild and unfocused. It hurts it hurts it hurtshurtshurts.
Hands reach towards him, and he slaps them away, his skin crackling and sizzling with pain pain pain. Everything overloads his system: a cacophony of sounds and smells and sights and the agony of water burning through his skin. His ectoplasm drips onto the floor, and his body is going to disintegrate. He's going to die here.
Cole digs his nails into his shins, watching as the ectoplasm continues to drip and his head feels light. This is death, isn't it? This is it. He spent an entire year dodging water, and now a little bucket took him out.
His chest burns; it probably splashed on there too. His brain is stuffed with cotton, and dark spots dance at the corners of his eye. He bangs his head against the wall, begging to stay here, stay alive, and just focus a little longer. The pain sears through his skull, and it isn't long before the spots grow bigger.
His body is simultaneously on fire and frozen still, and Cole slumps over finally as death claims him.
"Cole, Cole?"
It's cold now. Very cold. The right side of his face is against something smooth but cool.
His eyes blink sluggishly. The light permeates his vision, and he groans. "Am I dead?" He manages to choke out.
A forced laugh from above him. "Not yet, dumbass. You passed out."
"Hypoxia induced from a severe panic attack," another voice added.
Cole squints, looking up. Jay's worried blue eyes stare back down at him. "Morning Dirtclod," he teases lightly, and Cole groans again.
"Fuck me," he mutters, and Kai snorts.
His arms shake as he pushes himself off the floor; Kai's hands reach under his arms to support him.
Something wet and sticky runs down his face, and he winces, the sensation extremely unpleasant. He raises his hand to his jaw, looking at the liquid on his fingers.
It's green.
His chest heaves. He's a ghost again. That's it, he knew it. He's dead. He's dead, and they're just trying to keep him calm. "I'm a ghost again," his voice warbles out, and Jay grips his shoulders, shaking him gently. Cole looks up at him, and Jay shakes his head.
"Cole, baby, that's red. It's regular blood. You're colorblind, remember? It's okay. It's red. You're not a ghost. You're alive. You hit your temple on the way down and busted it a bit."
Oh. That's right. He blinks, inspecting it again. It is red. Air seeps into his lungs, and he relaxes, reality coming back to him.
He had freaked out, majorly. The water bucket. His eyes drifted to where it sat on its side, the chair knocked back. Jay and Kai are crouched next to him, Zane dwindling behind.
"'M sorry," he mumbles as Kai begins to clean up the blood. Jay hums, rubbing a thumb against his cheek.
"It's okay," the lightning ninja replies gently. "Though I think we should get you to a doctor. You probably have a concussion."
Cole turns, noticing a large crack in the wall behind him. Ah. He distinctly remembers slamming his head into that. "Maybe they can sedate me and throw me in a tub," he jokes, wincing as his head throbs.
Jay swats at him playfully. "Maybe," he replies.
His eyes dart over to Zane, who is trying and failing to show a stoic face. It twitches occasionally as he offers a smile, and Cole's eyes narrow.
"Zane, hold out your hands," he demands, and Zane's eyes grow wide.
"Cole I don't think—" he starts, but the look he gets makes him sigh.
The nindroid's arms are, for lack of a better term, shredded. The right one dangles off a few wires and crushes into itself. The other one has shattered bits falling off of it. "I knew your strength was going to go off. I figured it would be easier to repair my arms than Kai's or Jay's," Zane explained meekly as he cowered under Cole's gaze.
"Master forbid you stop self-sacrificing for five minutes," he sighed, and Kai's eyebrows shot up.
"Pot calling the kettle?"
Cole fixes him a look, which probably isn't as intimidating as he would like considering the situation. "You guys should've slapped some vengestone on me," he bemoans.
"You'd go berserk with that sensory nightmare. Hell, I go berserk, and mine aren't exacerbated by supernatural woo-hoo," Jay points out, wiggling his fingers on the "woo-hoo" part. "I'm glad it's not my arms for once. That would be a bitch to heal. Zane's right. He'll be in fighting shape in—" Jay squints at the damage. "A week…maybe two. I'd be out of commission for months."
Cole grunts in a regrettable acceptance. Zane's recklessness was logical sometimes, however, unfortunately. He was still allowed to hate it and express his hatred.
"Okay mama bear, let's get you up so we can take you to the hospital," Kai teases.
He bites back the retort that he's fine. Falling unconscious after a concussion needs to be checked out, and he would not be able to wiggle out of that one. Jay and Kai heave him up on each side, and the room spins.
Zane nudges the chair back up as Cole settles on it. "Just. Just get some shorts and a zip-up hoodie," he manages out. "I don't think trying to put my hands above my head is a good idea right now."
Jay runs off for it. Kai hums. "I might be able to carry you to the car," he offers, and Cole's ears burn as he scowls.
"I'd rather die again," he mutters, and Kai swats at him with one of the dry towels. "There's still the wheelchair, right?"
Kai sighs. "Yeah, I'll go grab it. Don't do anything stupid," he threatens as he turns on his heels.
Like cogs, the others help him slip into loose basketball shorts and a hoodie. He moves himself to the chair, letting Jay wheel him out.
"I'm sorry, guys," he says again, quieter than before. Jay squeezes his shoulder.
"It's okay; it's just a learning curve."