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“I think I love you.”
“We’re dating, you dumbass. It’d be surprising if you didn’t.”
Cole hummed mindlessly, the only thought forming in his mind was how fluffy Kai’s hair was. The brunette’s eyes then dropped to his boyfriend’s lips. Cole caught it, “You can’t be serious. We can’t make out like this.” He said.
The pair were currently lying on Cole’s bed facing each other. The sole reason Kai was not in his territory was that Cole had asked earlier in the day if they could sleep together. Of course, Kai didn’t have to think too hard about it as the immediate and reasonable answer was yes.
Kai then avoided eye contact. Was he that obvious?. Cole didn’t mind making out, in fact, he wanted to. But the position they were currently in was not ideal. His broad shoulders were blocking perfect contact between the pillow and his neck.
“It’s okay, we don’t have to if you don’t want to,” Kai mumbled, gaze still not meeting that of the older boy. Cole immediately took it as if he had shut Kai down even though that was not his goal. “No, no. I didn’t mean it like that.” He was quick to take back his words, placing his palm on Kai’s cheek and brushing his thumb over the softness. “I want to make out with you. It’s just, not this way. Maybe if we sit up?”, he shrugged in a suggesting matter.
The younger boy chuckled softly seeing as how his boyfriend was quick to comply with his demands even on his own accord. “No, it’s fine. Not now anyway. I want to cuddle right now.”
Cole accepted and his hand moved back to Kai’s neck, making the younger shiver involuntarily. Cole’s rough fingers played with the hair at Kai’s nape. “Your hair is really soft after you wash it.” The master of earth commented. Kai didn’t say anything back, relaxing under the soothing motion. His eyes were drooping but never really closing.
When he noticed how awake Cole was he forced them open to stare at his boyfriend’s handsome face. “You’re not going to sleep,” he said in a low voice. Cole’s hand dropped to catch Kai’s, crossing their fingers together and bringing them up to their faces. “I can’t. For some reason, I haven’t gotten enough sleep these last few days.” Cole’s voice was rough when he talked in a shushed tone and that made Kai’s heart start beating faster.
Kai pulled his hand back only to reach out and brush away Cole’s dark locks from his forehead. “Is it because we haven’t been sleeping together? Is that why you asked me to sleep with you tonight?” Kai asked. Cold didn’t give him an answer, besides pulling him closer.
The noirette buried his face into the crook of his boyfriend’s neck to absorb the scent coming from his body. “You smell nice.” Cole’s voice grumbled from the crook of Kai’s neck all the way down to his whole body. The older boy wanted to avoid the topic, not wanting to talk about the haunting nightmares plaguing his nights.
The master of fire respected his wishes not to delve into it. Cole then lifted his head, his droopy eyes which were not plagued by sleep staring into Kai’s warm brown ones. “I want to go out.” Kai’s eyes widened at Cole’s words. Why the hell did you want to get out of a soft bed and dive into the chilly night?
“Where?” Kai interrogated with rapidly blinking eyes. Cole shrugged h his shoulders again, avoiding eye contact. “I don’t know,” he admitted, this time his eyes went back to stare at Kai once more. “Maybe to get some food?” He suggested. Kai scoffed, “Dude, we had dinner a few hours ago,” pointing out the boys’ huge appetite.
Cole smirked and leaned up to place a peck on Kai’s lips before detangling himself and moving to the edge of his bed. “I’m going to Skylor’s for some noodles.” The noirette announced. Kai sat up from the older boy's bed, “And you’re leaving me?”, he raised an eyebrow accusingly. Cole grabbed his Chrome Hearts beanie from the dresser and slipped it on, then leaned over the bed. “Of course not, hotshot. Wanna come with?” He asked placing yet another kiss on the master of fire’s lips.
Kai nodded and Cole pulled back, “I’ll be outside.” He said with a wink and walked out the door of his room. Kai wasted no time getting ready. Cole didn’t have to change, as he was clad in a soft hoodie and sweats beforehand. Kai though, wasn’t wearing as many layers due to his body temperature, and was in basketball shorts with a tank top needing to change. Even his high body temperature couldn’t resist the chill tonight.
A few minutes later he joined Cole in the noirette’s car. Cole was already waiting, scrolling through Twitter on his phone which he later put down to begin the short drive to Skylor’s noodle shop.
When they arrived, Skylor was closing up shop. The pair stood in front of a certain red-haired woman waiting for her to turn around. When she did, she had a tired look on her face. Skylor placed a hand on her hip, “Don’t tell me you came here to eat.” She said almost in a pleading manner. Cole rubbed the back of his neck and looked away embarrassed.
Kai went to put up a fake display to convince her to let them in. “Oh Skylor, can’t you let two of the amazing heroes of Ninjago into your shop for a few minutes to satisfy their hunger?” He put the back of his hand to his forehead, with his other on top of his chest. “No.” Skylor deadpanned.
Cole took matters into his own hands as he was the one who suggested they go out. “Can’t you, Sky? Please?” He pleaded with his hands in his pockets. Kai repeated his boyfriend’s words, patting the older boy’s belly. “Please Skylor. My dear lover over here is dying of hunger!”, Kai dramatically begged.
Skylor sighed, “Well, I don’t see you actively dying. But it wouldn’t hurt to get extra cash.” The woman shrugged in acceptance and turned around to open up shop again only for the pair. Kai smirked and shook his head in victory as if his plan had ‘worked’. He patted Cole’s back, letting him advance first, “Let’s go, big guy.”
Since Skylor had walked in first, the lights were already on. The ninjas then walked to the back of the shop and picked a booth to sit in while they waited for Skylor to bring them their food. Cole swiftly reached for the hem of his hoodie and pulled it above his head revealing a tank top underneath, then set the hoodie beside his seat. “Why take it off?” Kai questioned the motion as he sank into the cushions.
Cole looked up, “Food’s coming.” He responded and fished out his phone. “So?”, Kai questioned further, “So, I’m going to get hot while I eat yummy food,” Cole answered.
In Kai’s head, the response was a tad rude, maybe it was the tone. But Cole always got hangry when he went long periods of time without eating food, despite the fact thy had dinner hours ago. Still, Kai thought to bring up Cole’s ‘mood’. “You know, I missed when we were in bed and you were all nice to me.”
Cole looked up from his phone with a questioning brow. “What the hell are you talking about?”, but Kai dropped it, not wanting to turn his boyfriends’ mood sourer than it already was.
About 30 minutes later, Skylor walked up to them with their bowls in hand. She hadn’t taken their order because she decided to just cook up what was already in the kitchen: noodles. Not only did it save time and hassle of making extra complicated meals at 2:00 am, but the ninja would also be happy with whatever they got (at least Cole anyway), them being even let inside the restaurant was enough.
Cole immediately put his phone down on the table and began to eat once Skylor properly handed him his bowl. Kai’s bowl was obviously smaller, as he wasn’t exactly speaking for himself when begging for food but for his boyfriend.
Kai didn’t eat as fast as Cole, as he didn’t have the same big appetite. When Cole finished his bowl he looked over at Kai questioningly. “How are you not even finished?”
Kai shrugged not giving a clear response. He then grabbed a piece of meat between his chopsticks and offered it to his boyfriend. Cole blinked in surprise yet took it between his lips. Yum.
Kai then brought the chopsticks up to his own lips, “Indirect kiss.” He said. After chewing and swallowing the offered piece of meat, Cole looked back up at Kai, “I could kiss you if you want.” The master of heart joked. “Maybe when we’re home,” Kai added.
After Kai finished his bowl rather quickly due to Cole’s demands to get home, Skylor came up and took their dishes. Before she left for the kitchen again, Kai thanked her for allowing them in at the dead of night. “This is never happening again, okay?” The woman hissed in anger at having to do more dishes. Skylor’s sour mood didn’t last long when she was handed money for her services.
She still threatened them not to come again at 2:00 am.
Back at the monastery and in Cole’s soft bed, the pair were back to lying close to each other with Cole pressed against Kai’s chest listening to the brunette’s heartbeat. “You know I’ll always be here, right?” Kai spoke.
Cole was finally drifting to sleep so only a low hum came from the older boy. Kai kinda had a vague idea of why Cole had sleepless nights. Even though his boyfriend told him not to dig too deep into it, he couldn’t help but worry. He too was scarred by the memory of seeing the noirette fall into the black clouds and into his supposed death.
Cole would open up to him on his own terms. It seems like now he needs time to process what happened to him, and then maybe, he’ll confide in Kai to get him through that period of his life.
Now though, he’s just happy to see the master of Earth sleeping soundly.