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Cole watched from the doorway as Jay exasperatedly tinkered with his latest invention. He liked watching his boyfriend work, despite not entirely understanding what he was doing. When Jay was focused, he had this determined look on his face that Cole found to be incredibly attractive.
Suddenly, Jay groaned, placing his head into his hands. “Come on, Jay! Get it together. You’re an inventor,” he muttered to himself. After a moment, he begrudgingly picked up his screwdriver and continued his task.
Cole decided to make his presence known, approaching Jay from behind. “Hey, everything okay?” he questioned, placing a gentle hand on his partner’s shoulder.
“Yeah, I just…yeah I’m fine,” the lightning ninja sighed.
“Really? You seem frustrated. Maybe it’s time for a break.”
“Honestly, it's fine. ‘M just being stupid as usual— can’t seem to do anything right,” he joked weakly. The corners of his mouth bent into a smile, but his eyes didn’t seem to get the memo. Something was wrong.
Cole’s face fell, his voice firm as he spoke, “Stop that.”
Jay froze, confusion spreading across his face. “What?” A nervous laugh escaped his throat.
“Stop doing that.”
“Doing what?” Jay was extremely confused.
Cole was visibly upset now. "Putting yourself down and then playing it off as a joke.”
“I don’t…I…huh?” he stammered, scratching his head. Jay had no idea what he was talking about. Did he say something wrong? Sure, he made jokes a lot, but it was nothing new. He was just trying to lighten the mood, so why was the man in front of him so troubled?
“I’m sick of watching you insult yourself all the time!” the earth elemental spoke, almost shouting.
Jay stared at him in shock. The black ninja was the most level-headed person he knew. They’d had issues in the past (especially during the Tournament of Elements), but Cole hadn’t had a history of outbursts in years.
Cole paused to take a deep breath before speaking again. “You are the most amazing person I have ever met, Jay. Call me cheesy all you want,” —Cole began to grin— ”but when I’m with you, I feel like I have the world in my hands. I just…I wish you wouldn’t talk like that all the time. It may not seem like a big deal to you but it is. It is to me.” He held Jay’s hands in his, rubbing them softly as if to ask forgiveness for raising his voice.
“I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry.” The shorter man fidgeted as he spoke, “It’s just a habit I guess. I think I use humor to cope with my uh— issues. I don’t know. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“Don’t apologize.” Cole’s hand gently cupped his boyfriend’s face. His thumb traced Jay’s freckles as if he were mapping out constellations in a sky full of stars.
“Cole…” Jay breathed.
“I wish you could see yourself the way I see you.”
Jay paused before tentatively pressing his lips against Cole’s. Sparks of electricity danced up and down his arms, a direct product of his elemental powers. The two of them had been dating for months now, but Jay still felt butterflies every time. Cole melted into the kiss with his entire being, holding the other man in his arms as if he were the most precious thing in the world.
“You’re beautiful,” Cole muttered between kisses, running his fingers through auburn curls.
“I love you,” Jay whispered contently.