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Zoning out when your best friend is venting to you is probably not the best thing to do.
But Kai was tired! He was tired from fighting the stupid fucking nindroids, tired of worrying about his and his family’s safety…
And so tired of whatever teen-drama slash romance bullshit was going on between his friends!
“......and I don’t know what his problem is. We’ve been so close since we became Ninja and he just throws it all away like that, over something that isn’t even my fault! I can’t……”
Kai shifts his position on where he’s laying down, moving to rest his hands behind his head with a grunt. He glances at Cole, who seems too busy waving his arms around and muttering angrily about his fight with Jay.
What had happened again?
“–I mean, how in the name of the First Master can someone believe a goddamn machine on who your soulmate is? That’s the stupidest thing I’ve heard!”
Right. That.
“Have you tried reasoning with Jay?” He offers, realising almost immediately how unhelpful that was because of course Cole tried talking to Jay.
And obviously that miffed Cole. He made a face, “Yeah, I have! And that idiot decided that he’ll believe some stupid rumour instead of trying to talk it out. Like fucking adults.”
Wow, okay. Cole wasn’t the type of person to swear that easily, so he must definitely be pissed at what was happening.
Kai was too, he wasn’t gonna act otherwise. The whole situation was distasteful– your friend fighting over your little sister like some trophy. While he wasn't exactly against Nya and Jay dating (contrary to popular belief), he also wasn't jumping with joy at the way Jay prioritized his love-life when they clearly had more important things to handle!
He turned his head to properly look at Cole now. He looked upset. Angry, yes. But also upset, in a way Kai hadn’t seen him look very often.
Understandable. Cole’s best friend decided to trust some match-making console over the words of his family and the love of his girlfriend and now sees Cole as his worst enemy.
Kai softens up when he sees Cole’s face– who continues his rant.
“And see, my issue is that instead of calling Nya out on this– this bullshit, he decides to take all his anger out on me! I’ve told that dumbass so many times, ‘I’m not into girls!’, but nooo, just don’t fucking listen!” He frowns, a scowl gracing his usually gentle features.
“And Nya’s not any better! No offense, Kai–” He turns to his friend. “–But she was the first person to know I was gay. Despite that, she acts like she sees me as a romantic partner and practically cheated on Jay by making advances on me! What the fuck’s that about?”
He scoffed, stretching his foot out and pushed a few pebbles with the tip of his shoes.
Kai watches, his eyes tracing every small detail about the other man. The crease of his forehead as he frowned, the downward curve of his lips, his drooped eyes and the way they reflected the overhead lights–
Okay, no, wait. Focus on what he’s saying.
“–I don’t know man. Did I do something wrong? Did I like…flirt, somehow?” He turns to Kai (who totally doesn’t flinch at the unexpected attention), and his expression is somewhat sadder than before.
“What! No, of course not!” Kai says, surprised, pushing himself up onto his elbows. “Jay is in the wrong here. Completely. And…” Kai winced, “Nya as well. She’s also messed up bad.”
Cole looks at him, seems to study his face for confirmation. His eyes are burning into Kai’s, and Fire feels his heart jump slightly under the other man’s gaze.
Cole sighs, turning back to look at the stars hanging above him. There’s longing in his expression– a bit of regret, too.
“I don’t know, dude. I just wish Jay would forget about this crap. How am I supposed to focus on finding Sensei with him on my ass!” He sighs again. “I hate everything about this.”
Kai goes quiet for a moment. He lays back down on the pile of junk they were on, and shuffles very slightly towards Cole. “I’m… sure he’ll come around soon. You know, see that this whole thing is stupid.”
He isn’t sure what else to say.
Cole isn’t either, which is weird, because Cole always knows what to say.
Watching his friend look and feel so hopeless pisses Kai off and he shoves Cole lightly in his shoulder.
“Look man, I don’t know what to say in this situation– cause it’s extremely fucked up. But I can tell you that whatever’s happening is not your fault. So stop blaming yourself for it.”
Cole rolled his eyes, “I’m not. Kind of. But I just…”
“No!” Kai cut in, surprising Cole. “No buts. If you want, I’ll beat some sense into Jay myself. Or even Nya, for that matter. But stop fucking yourself over shit that you aren’t even responsible for.”
Earth blinked, and Kai thought he saw a slight redness in his cheeks, before looking away and scoffing. “I can beat Jay up myself. I’m confident enough of that.”
He glanced at Kai again, his eyes glinting an amber that had always seemed warmer than Kai’s own flame.
No, his heart did not jump in his chest. No, it did not try to burst out of his ribcage when they locked eyes.
Cole smiled. Well, it was more of a slight twitch of his lips, but it was there. “I didn’t know you were that good with words.”
Kai grinned, sharp and a little crooked and something that was just so Kai. “Don’t get used to it.”
That seemed to draw out a laugh from Cole as he punched Fire’s arm. They both lay side-by-side in silence for a bit. Cole swears he could die right on the spot from the proximity.
Fucking First Spinjitsu Master, they were right next to each other!
Yeah, Jay didn’t need to worry about Cole stealing Nya. He’d have no problems in that category at least.
“I just..” Cole started again, faltering slightly when he felt Kai’s eyes land on him, “I hate the fact that Jay looks at me like I stabbed him. I’d never do that– to him or Nya!”
Kai’s mouth opens, then closes. After a moment, “I know,” He says, and his voice is calmingly quiet.
Cole’s body seems to relax. He sags the slightest bit against Kai (‘fuck you fuck you oh my god–’ Kai thinks) and his eyes flutter close. “Thanks.” He mutters.
“Anytime,” Kai smiles– though Cole can’t see it.
Kai stares up at the stars. What is wrong with me? Am I sick? He asks them. Because why on earth has his heart been feeling jumpy around the Master of Earth lately?
The stars don’t reply. They never do. They’re merely guides for those who have lost their way, not those who choose not to acknowledge the paths beyond them.
But what was he supposed to acknowledge?!
It makes him frustrated and confused. It makes him giddy with happiness.
Cole’s head lifts slightly, “Hey, d’you think we should head back to the trailer? Zane might be preparing dinner.”
Kai shakes himself out of his thoughts, feeling slightly stupid. “Sure.”
As they push themselves up and climb down the pile of junk, he doesn’t miss the way Cole glances at him with a look close to gratitude and something Kai doesn’t understand.
They start walking over to the trailer, deliberately using the longer route. Cole seems to be mentally bracing himself for another possible fight breaking out.
‘Well, if that happens, then I’ll be there to stop it.’ Kai thinks.
They step inside and the atmosphere is tense. Jay ignores Cole at first– Nya does the same with everyone in the trailer.
Kai stays beside Cole the entire time. Leaving was never an option.
Ninja never quit, right?