CHAPTER 88:

Welcome home

Jay hadn't meant for such a stupid sentence to really be the first thing the royal family heard from him after all this time, but the emotion of seeing everyone again had made his brain stop working all of a sudden.

A deadly silence filled the place, the three royal spouses and Nya only staring at him with wide eyes and bated breath. Right when Jay was about to turn towards Skylor and ask the girl for help, Lloyd jumped away from his seat and over the table, creating a mess with the objects scattered on it. Zane protested lightly but his blond peer wasn't listening. Lloyd tripped over the furniture, almost falling face-first onto the floor. On instinct, Jay took a swift stride and reached his arms out just in time to catch the boy before he got hurt. Their gazes met and Jay felt Lloyd's grip grow tighter around his arms, trembling from how hard he was holding onto the boy.

"You're… real…" Lloyd murmured brokenly, the young man struggling to believe he was standing in front of his old friend. Jay nodded, already feeling the tears in his eyes as Lloyd wrapped his arms around his neck and bawled, "You came back!"

Jay held the sobbing mess tight against him, tears rolled free down his face —happy tears. How much had these two boys hated each other back when they met! Jay couldn't help but be amazed at what he was feeling right now; the need to never let go of Lloyd and protect him forever.

"Oh, Brahma almighty!" Nya shouted then latched onto the boys as well. "J-Jay! Oh, Heavens, it's really you!"

Jay was having a hard time replying to the princess, his throat felt constricted with so many emotions, he resolved to just put an arm around her and bring Nya closer to their group embrace. All along he heard Skylor snickering on the side, surely the girl was proud of the surprise they had just pulled on the royal family.

Blue eyes rose and stared ahead at the two remaining boys in the room. Cole and Zane had stood up from their seats, the former gaped at the scene before them while Zane had a much more calmed look on his face, but still contemplated with astonishment like his friend.

Cole went slow around the table, his breath growing louder with every step that brought him closer to Jay. Noticing that, the princess grabbed Lloyd and gently pulled him a few inches away with her. Although he was still a ball of jitters and tears, Lloyd understood.

Cole stood next to Jay, his lips quivering, the poor young man was trying to form some words but nothing came out. Jay could relate. Choking on a sob, the smaller boy put his arms around Cole's neck and closed the space between their bodies.

Cole let out a gasp, yet immediately hugged him back. Jay felt some pain in his torso as Cole crushed him between strong arms, but he welcomed it. What gave another fractured rib or two if he could stay like this, fusing with Cole's warmth, until the end of times?

Although Jay had seen Cole crying before, it still surprised him that the apparent cold-blooded warrior could be as emotional as anyone else, or even more. Cole's tears cascaded down his face and soaked Jay's clothes. The young man clung to his friend with all his might, grabbing at his clothes and wrinkling the fabric as he trembled.

"I... missed you…" Cole mumbled brokenly next to Jay's ear.

The smaller boy stroked his hair, feeling all sorts of jitters as his fingers ran through the black mane. Jay hadn't realized how much he'd been wanting to brush Cole's hair again!

"Missed you… too," he replied, mimicking the unsteadiness in his companion's voice. Jay could barely speak anymore, but words weren't really needed at that moment, the overwhelming love going around the boys was a crystal clear message.

As Jay pulled away an inch to rub a sleeve on his wet face, he saw Zane had walked towards them as well and was standing by their side.

Reluctantly letting go of Cole, Jay stretched a hand in the blond's direction.

"Zane…"

The former doctor's impassible demeanor evolved into a crooked smile as he bit on his lip with sentiment. His arms welcomed Jay and the boy was receiving his fourth hug in a millisecond. Zane, though, was a lot more gentle in his squeeze.

"It's so good to see you again," Zane whispered when the agitation in his veins allowed him control over his mouth. Jay nodded, for the feeling was mutual.

Cole's arms appeared around the two boys and the young man rested his head on Jay, then Lloyd joined as well, slipping into the most heartfelt embrace Jay had ever partaken in. His heart melted, rejoiced in the feeling of being showered by these guys' love after so much time. Nya was the last one to join, clumsily wrapping her arms around the giant mass of boys and kissing Jay's head.

"Kai is going to have a heart attack when he sees you!" Said the princess with a soft smile.

"That's exactly what we wanted to talk about." Skylor's addition caught the attention of the whole royal family, making them turn their gazes towards her and stare with confusion and curiosity.

Given that the Maharaja wouldn't be coming home anytime soon, Skylor and Jay had enough time to update the princess and royal spouses about the current situation. As they sat all together around the table, Jay relayed them the events that had led him to find Skylor —or the other way around to be more precise— and how he would have reappeared in their lives a lot sooner hadn't it been for the injuries that kept him bed-bound until recently. The royal family would interrupt him every so often unintentionally, commenting on the awful experience with the thieves, asking for more details, Zane even low-key demanded Jay would let him examine his body later to make sure his health wasn't at risk.

Jay did his best to respond to all of their questions and affection. It wasn't easy nor his cup of tea to talk about the horrors he'd gone through, but finding himself surrounded by these lovely people, in a safe environment, gave him the strength he needed. More often than not he found himself holding Lloyd's hand for comfort —which the boy returned more than willingly with a gentle squeeze— or leaning onto Cole's shoulder, who also sat by his side.

"That's why I got him some nice clothes," Skylor concluded as they reached the end of the story. "I thought we could surprise Kai, pretending Jay was a new rich asking for a business meeting, but… I guess I didn't foresee all the variables." The girl shrugged with a sad smirk.

"Well, he isn't aware of Jay's presence yet, I'm sure we can still work something out." Nya smiled next to her.

Lloyd effusively exclaimed a "Yes!", bouncing on his seat as the hype built up in his body, his excitement spreading to Jay in seconds. The gingerhead looked at Cole and found a happy grin on his face too. Everyone seemed ecstatic to give Kai the surprise of his life. Everyone except the silent blond that sat across from Jay.

Before long, Zane's dull mood was acknowledged by the rest of the participants, which raised questions.

"Kai hasn't been very emotionally stable as of late. I don't know how I feel at the idea of making him go through that," Zane explained, choosing his words with a methodical tone that seemed too much even for him.

"What?! Zane, this is what Kai needs!" Lloyd protested. "If he's been like that it's because he misses Jay like crazy!"

Zane peacefully tried to argue with Lloyd when the princess joined their discussion.

"I get what you mean, Zane. It's true that my brother hasn't been in the best shape these past weeks, but no matter how much we try to prepare him, he is going to freak out as soon as he hears Jay is here."

The princess' reasoning seemed to destroy Zane's every possibility at another rebuttal, yet the boy didn't seem much convinced by her arguments.

"What's wrong?" Jay asked. Did the ex-doctor know something no one else did? Something that could really put Kai in danger if Jay just popped into the monarch's life again?

Zane took a deep breath, his gaze tiredly rose from the table and locked with Jay's.

"May I be honest with you?" He inquired with a stern voice.

Jay tensed but nodded with determination.

"I am utterly pleased to see you again, Jay, and for you to grace our house with your presence. Don't ever doubt that for a second," Zane said, and his tone was nothing but genuine. "But… Your departure has been a major blow to our family and mental health, especially Kai's. It has put us all in a very complicated situation, and while I am aware it was not your intention... I can't allow that to happen again. Kai's heart wouldn't make it."

Zane's eyes moved to Cole, the noiret went stiff for a second, his warm chocolate irises stole a quick look in Jay's direction before they finally avoided him. Cole bit his lip, silently letting them know that he agreed with his companion's speech —or at least a part of it.

Jay's chest ached, but he knew Zane was telling the truth. They had all the right to be skeptical about his comeback. While Jay could only imagine the scope of the pain he'd inflicted in Kai's heart, these guys had had to actually witness and deal with it. It was only natural for them to want to protect themselves against a relapse.

But Jay had not crossed the country and almost died in the process to be stopped now.

"It won't happen again," he assured and observed Zane's fearful eyes staring back at him. Jay took a moment to just breathe and collect himself. He couldn't screw up now. "I've realized that... I love Kai… Well, and all of you too," he said, feeling his cheeks heating up.

Their reaction wasn't delayed; Lloyd gasped, Nya flinched, Cole stared at him, mouth agape, even Zane's eyes flickered with a brief spark of joy, although his demeanor remained as serious as before.

"I swear it on my life." Jay continued. "I want to stay here. I want to be with all of you forever… If you guys accept me, that is." Jay muttered the last part, aware that he couldn't force these people to do as he pleased just because.

Lloyd's body bounced lightly again as the boy's gaze alternated between Cole and Zane, obviously waiting for the older companions to give their okay once and for all. It was nice to know that Lloyd had nothing against Jay's return, despite all they had been through when they started living together, but just Lloyd's consent wouldn't be enough.

"What about your parents?" Cole finally spoke. The boy worried that Jay would get homesick again and feel the need to escape from the palace walls for a second time.

"They're the ones that encouraged me to come back," Jay told the royal family, earning another surprised look from them. "They understand it and… they want me to be happy above all."

Cole's eyes went from uncertainty to weak hope, he turned towards Zane and stared at the boy in a silent plea. Zane's icy eyes zeroed in on Jay once anew.

"Are you completely sure about this?" He pronounced each word very slow as if trying to give Jay extra time to consider his choice.

There was nothing to contemplate though, Jay had thought long enough already.

"Yes, I am sure," he responded steadfastly.

Everyone turned their focus on Zane. The ex-doctor had listened to Jay's arguments and was now considering what would be his final stance. Cole stretched an arm over the table and squeezed the blond's hand, breaking Zane out of his trance. The noiret smiled pitiful at him and Zane sighed.

"Alright, I guess..." He finally said.

Lloyd automatically jumped on top of Jay, hugging him and celebrating all along with the rest.

"I hope I'm not making the wrong decision here," Zane muttered.

"When have you ever been wrong?" Cole reassured him with a kiss on the lips.

Zane cocked a half-incredulous, half-knowing eyebrow at him, which earned the blond another kiss, this time more passionate as Cole's elation got the best of him.

••••••••••••

"That's his carriage."

Everyone in the royal bedroom whipped their heads around and fixed on Cole. The boy stood by the balcony of the royal bedroom, watching with trained vision as a familiar vehicle neared the palace lands. He turned and smiled at his family and friends with a nod.

Lloyd rose from the sofa in a heartbeat, his excited giggles denoted that he was eager to set the new "Surprise Kai" plan in motion. Nya, Skylor, and Zane followed suit, getting up as well.

"I better get going if I want to catch him," said Zane and everyone agreed.

"And I guess we should all hide," the princess commented, grabbing onto Lloyd and the spy before guiding them towards the door.

Before the group left, Jay stopped Zane for a second.

"Thank you for giving me a chance. I promise you; none of you will regret it," Jay said as he stared at Zane's eyes with a sheepish look.

The blond beamed and gave him a hug, squeezing Jay in his arms lovingly. "I know. Sorry about earlier. I'm… sensitive too," he admitted with a somewhat embarrassed sigh. Jay snickered nervously; as if he could ever hold it against Zane.

He then turned towards Lloyd.

"I'm sorry for losing your harmony ball. I tried to keep it safe but-"

Lloyd threw his arms around Jay's neck, locking the boy in a tight hug.

"I'll gift you a new one."

Jay smiled, touched, and squeezed the boy one last time before Nya ushered them all out of the room.

"Come on, or you'll miss him!" She reminded Zane and soon noticed that Cole wasn't following the group. "Are you coming too?" She called her brother-in-law.

"Yeah, I'll be right there," the other responded, lingering by the balcony doorway.

Nya, Skylor, Zane, and Lloyd finally walked out of the royal bedroom, ready to follow the strategy they had come up with earlier all together. As soon as they were gone, Cole moved inside. He was supposed to hide with his friends, but rather than that he stopped next to Jay. The two boys stared at each other in silence for a moment, goofy and tender smiles on their faces as they both realized they were alone for the first time in many weeks.

"You should go... before it's too late," Jay politely reminded him.

"Yeah," Cole acknowledged but didn't move away an inch. Instead, he reached out, grasped Jay's hands, and brought him close for the umpteenth embrace they had shared that day.

Jay let himself sink in the feeling of being held by that gorgeous man once more. They remained silent. Granted that Jay was quite the chatterbox, he didn't mind their quiet exchange, for he knew Cole must have been struggling with words more than ever. When they pulled away both of their faces had a soft blush spread all over the skin —and a couple of tears lingering by the corners of their eyes. Cole wiped Jay's with his thumbs. His fingers, although calloused, felt like the most tender of the caresses to the other boy.

"If he faints or something, just call for us. We'll be right on the other side of that door."

Jay knew Cole was joking, but that was actually possible. After all, the monarch's emotions had proved to be very intense in the past.

Cole's arms went around Jay again, hugging him tenderly.

"Welcome home."

The whisper fell from Cole's lips and caressed Jay's ear like a gentle summer breeze. Shaky fingers then made their way up Cole's back, grabbing fistfuls of the shirt. It all still felt like a dream for the Shaiyan boy to be here again, touching these people that now belonged in his heart.

Cole left and Jay found himself alone in the royal bedroom at last. He peeked through the balcony, effectively spotting an expensive-looking carriage by the royal entrance.

Jay's hands went up to his chest again, the harmony ball might not be there anymore, but the instinctive gesture somewhat calmed his heart —thanks Brahma that Lloyd hadn't minded he lost the charm during those unfortunate events.

Jay looked into the room again as he leaned on the wall. In a matter of minutes, the handsome king would appear through the bedroom's door.

In a matter of minutes, Jay would come clean to him and ask for Kai's forgiveness.

In a matter of minutes, he would tell the monarch the truth about his feelings for him.

And then, as everyone assured him, this story that had turned their lives upside down would come to an ending.

A happy ending.