Chapter Text
« Hello, fellow ninjas! And welcome to cooking lessons with me, Zane. I see we have a few attendees, hm, Nya, P.I.X.A.L and … Kai. » Zane spoke with a smile. Tonight was the beginning of the ninja's so - called workshop, where each elemental master taught a certain skill of theirs, for "teambuilding" and "spirit", as master Wu wisely said. Zane's lessons were on cooking and baking.
"Today, we will be making a traditional apple pie. The ingredients are laid out on the table. Let us pair up in order to commence with the cooking. Hm… as I have recently learnt, P.I.X.A.L and Nya are in a relationship, maybe it is a better idea for me to pair up with Kai…" At that, Nya snickered and tapped Pixal's shoulder.
Of course, Zane had to mention the recent development, in the straightforward manner that he always "mentioned" things. And Kai didn't know. His eyebrows flew up and he gasped in shock, as the bowl he was previously holding shattered on the floor.
"Ahem. Kai, what is the issue? Is it something with the instructions?"
"EXCUSE ME? WHAT IS THE ISSUE? MY SISTER IS DATING PIXAL, AND I HAD NO FREAKING CLUE!"
"Well, it is a known fact that your gaydar is broken as fuck." Nya laughed.
"Okay, but how does it even work with a nindroid?"
The two robots in the room both frowned, stepping a meter away from the knives. The inappropriate question rung still in the room until Nya shoved Kai, his upset "What?" breaking the awkward silence.
"Technically speaking, nindroids are adaptable to the needs of their partner, and are able to adjust to both romantic and sexual cues." Pixal informed. "We are highly empathetic and social creatures." She said, with offense.
"To be honest, I would never think you're so judgemental, given your humongous crush on — HMPGHSJHGHKH!"
A hand flung over Nya's mouth and trapped the sound inside, never revealing just who Kai had romantic interest in.
Zane sighed, and uttered, disappointed: "The recipe is on the chalkboard, and if you have any questions regarding the process, feel free to ask me." Slowly, but surely, everyone returned to their positions next to their respective partners, and began peeling and slicing apples.
Only Kai was too distracted by the push and pull of Zane's metallic biceps while his knife sliced through the soft flesh of the fruit. He imagined those cold hands caressing his skin, his arms, legs, thighs—
"Kai? Are you alright?" His train of thought was interrupted by a worried Zane, who put his kinfe down just to look Kai deep in the eyes and ask him this. A bitter wave swallowed Kai. If only the ice ninja knew how he felt, everything would be much easier… but for now, the painful process of being around him had to ensue.
"Yea, I'm alright Zane, thanks for asking."
"No worries. It is my job to protect those in need of protection."
There it is, that old phrase of his, the one that made him sacrifice himself countless times for the sake of the other ninja. How could he not realize that he is the most important link in the chain? That without him, everything just falls apart? That without him, Kai can barely live? That he turned to drink and fighting, just to numb the pain of being alone with the guilt of staying alive without the nindroid? Longing in deep, dark, moonless nights, crawling in empty sheets, a hand wrapped tightly around his cock, imagining Zane instead of the unfulfilling substitute. But, in the end, it is in Zane's program to protect the helpless ones. And at many moments, Kai and his friends were included in that group.
While Zane and Kai chopped away at the apples, the girls were mixing the dough. The sweet scent of cinnamon and sugar filled the room as the mixer whirred and stirred the substance.
Suddenly, cold rushed through Kai's body, only to realize it to be Zane's hand lying on top of Kai's. Zane's hand…on Kai's? Maybe the nindroid was so occupied with laying out the apples with one hand that he forgot where his other was. Yes, that had to be it. But no, as Kai looked at Zane, his gaze was met with the icy blue eyes of the ninja. And the grip on Kai's hand only tightened. Could this be Zane's idea of flirting? He tried to wiggle his hand out of the sudden embrace, with no success, until Pixal and Nya came over with the dough. Only then, could Kai's fingers escape the cold prison and finally start pouring the dough over the apples.
Tick - tock, the timer ticked as the seconds counted down until the moment of truth, when the pie can be finally revealed. Since Nya and Pixal went to hang out alone in the other room (we all know how they hang out, thought Kai), Zane and Kai were all on their own.
"Soooo, snowflake (shit that came out wrong), wanna play videogames or watch a movie?"
"Actually Kai, I was wondering if we could talk."
"Yeahhh, wassup?" asked Kai, unsure if he should be worried or not. Truly, this nindroid would be the death of him.
"There is… a problem. You see, my core overheats, erm… whenever I am around you."
"Uh, what's that supposed to mean?" Kai had no idea about technology, so he was doubtful he could help with the issue.
"P.I.X.A.L said there is not a direct malfunction with my parts, but rather, the situation is that, I appear to have feelings for you!" Zane said, in the same tone one would speak about the weather.
Kai's heart dropped. Zane…was in love with him? Is this supposed to be a joke? And that's how he says it? There is no way this could be true. Were his prayers being answered? Oh, for FSM’s sake, this has to be unreal.
"Are you joking? There's no way. I don't know what to say!"
"Are my feelings not reciprocated? I see. Well, I … predicted that outcome too. In this case, I am leaving temporarily to Borg Tower. My help is required there. Goodbye, Kai. And I apologise for ruining your cooking masterclass."
And before Kai could say anything, he shut the door into the cold, dark evening.