Author's Note: Hey, everyone! Thanks so much for giving me the added time to spend with my family with no complaints. I appreciated it very much! Things aren't as busy and hectic anymore, so I've been able to get some writing done this past week. I know I said that the next chapter would be featuring the expedition, but I forgot to add a few things to the precious chapter, so…yeah! We're still with Cole and Jay for this one. Hope you all enjoy, regardless!

Unexpected

By: Mad Betrayal

"Without wearing any mask we are conscious of, we have a special face for each friend…"—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Chapter 31 ~ Stay Positive

I don't…

I don't…want…

Engulfed in a world of shadows once again, Jay couldn't move. He knew he was in pain, but he couldn't feel it. He knew others were in the room, but he couldn't hear them. He was conscious and yet he wasn't. He was dreaming a dreamless dream devoid of color or substance. He was stuck in limbo between lucidity and oblivion.

But there was something quite different about this lapse of emptiness. Apollo's voice was silent, and there wasn't an ounce of cold to be felt. It was warm. Soothing. And comfortably quiet.

Uh… What… What's that…?

Within the void, there was a sudden spark of color. Green. A bright, brilliant green. It reminded Jay of something. Or rather…someone.

…Cole…?

Steadily the glowing speck strengthened and expanded in size, until it created a wild starburst of summer. Now a moving entity of emerald, it weaved through the abyss in a hypnotic way, leaving a trail of golden dust in its wake. The jovial way it moved…and that familiar yet mysterious gold powder dispersed the thought of Jay's best friend, and instead instilled a more wary notion.

(There, there. That went smoothly…albeit in the most grotesque way! Hee hee! But anyways, it looks like your system is clean—all flushed out.)

Jay wanted to scowl, to turn away, and to completely ignore the alien plant that had decided to torment him—to change his life on a whim. But alas…he couldn't, because he needed to know what was happening to him.

"What are you doing to me…? What's next?"

Still dancing to and fro, the Mana Cetra replied jubilantly, their beguiled cadence like chiming bells in the wind.

(Cleansing you, of course! Like I said, all part of the process. You will feel sick and weak for a few days, but it's nothing your body can't handle. I will watch over you, Marked One. I, Isis, have designated myself as your caretaker until the alterations are complete and you are healthy.)

"Why?" Jay huffed, not liking at all what "Isis" had said. "Why... this?"

(Why make you… "toss your cookies"? Hee hee hee! I really do like the way you humans talk. But to answer your question, all that undigested gunk had to come out of you one way or another! Though I guess I could've made you poop—)

"That's not what I meant!" Jay snapped, causing the glowing green sphere to stop mid-swoop. "What I meant was why me? Or any other guy for that matter! What gives you all the right to come here and randomly start screwin' around with our bodies, huh? Don't we have a choice?! What if we don't want this…'capability'? What if we don't want…to be seen as a freak…?"

That's what bothered Jay the most. Homosexuality wasn't the issue, since he knew he had feelings for Cole. It was the unnatural prospect of men becoming legitimate mothers that irked the hell out of him. Men have never been able to have babies! It was scientifically impossible! And now what? Some alien life-forms comes to their planet, sprinkle some weird fairy dust, and bim-bam-boom! Men can get pregnant by other men now?! That would never be seen as socially acceptable. Hell! Homosexuality in general was barely socially acceptable!

So in short, Jay just didn't want to deal. It was just too much for his mind to handle. Not now. Not ever.

Isis remained still and quiet for a time, until they slowly started moving again. They swooped and curved an elaborate figure-eight, their pretty essence of gold creating a starlit night against the black void.

(Hmm… Well, it you wanna get technical, I'd say you were already kinda freakish. I mean, how many humans you know can shoot lightning out of their fingertips?)

Well two actually… Jay groused, his long-lost twin coming to mind. But wait…if this is happening to me… does that mean it's going to happen to Apollo too? Because we have the same DNA…? A sudden image of a heavily pregnant deity popped forth into Jay's mind. His white mask was still in place, only…he looked like he was about to bust out of leather pants and fishnet tank, the top buttons undone and his engorged stomach straining against his holey shirt, looking like a blowfish caught in a fisherman's net. Jay quickly destroyed the cringe-worthy image. He didn't comment, though, and instead chose to stay silent. Isis pulsed softly, their echoing tone matching their aura.

(But you seemed to have forgotten, so I'll remind you again. And this time, I'm gonna make myself clear… Your choices are still your own. We, the Mana Cetra, cannot control how you feel. Just because you're a Marked One doesn't set your future in stone as a male mother. If you fall in love with a female human, then by all means, procreate! And if you fall in love with a male human, you have that option to procreate as well. If it helps, then just think of your new development as another option. That's all…)

"My choice…? My…choice… Even so…" The prospect of pregnant men was too absurd—too radical of a change to his world. Thus, Jay would turn a blind eye. And in any event, as things stood now, he wasn't exactly in the market for romantic partners. For now, he just wanted to focus on rehabilitating himself—both physically and mentally. Plus, he was given a second chance at life thanks to Cole. He'd better not waste it and proceed to fulfill his promise to Nya.

He eyed the glowing green orb invading his subconscious. He had been marked. It would be wise for him to ask about anything else that would happen to his body…pain-wise that is. "What am I to expect from being a Marked One? Besides your radical theory. Will my body change in any way?"

Isis seemed to brush aside his rather brusque rebuff and answered readily.

(Outside the mark, not really. Although…there is something I must warn you about… Hee hee hee…)

What? Why were they laughing? Jay instantly became wary again. Isis continued to flutter and bounce happily amid the darkness.

(Weeeellll… You know how human females go through—oh what's the term you use… Oh! "Period" once a month?)

Yeah. Jay absolutely did not like where this was going… "No. No, you don't mean…"

(Weeeeeelllllll, not exactly. You don't have a vagina, thus you don't have a vaginal wall to shed. So yeah! No bleeding or anything. You'll just go through estrus once a month—umm heat! Yeah, heat!)

Wait, what!? Weren't heat cycles something wild animals went through?! Jay tried his damndest to stay calm. "And…what exactly does that mean specifically…?"

(Hmm, good question! I'd say it'll be different for each of you and how you handle it. But basically what it means is that you'll have an increased sex drive. If you've already mated, then no prob! You'd simply seek that person out and start gettin' it on! But if not, then uh…your body will ache to copulate. Your scent may change too! And those with particularly keen olfactory sense may smell you. Oh! Hey! You know the one who loves you very much? Maybe you could ask him to mate with you, eh? I'm sure he wouldn't mind at all! Hee hee! Oh, I can just imagine all the little beauties you and him could make! That'd be adorable, I just know it! Maybe two girls and two boys, huh? And they'd have cool names like Osiris—no! Not Osiris, they're mean to me! How about Amun? Or Seth? Or—)

Jay had stopped listening some time ago. None of this was true, right…? All of what Isis was saying was baseless conjecture. Supposition. He had nothing to worry about…right…? Right. All he had to do was stick to his original plan. Nothing atrocious would come out of him being marked. He wouldn't experience any of this nonsense. Yes. Yes, that's right. He would stay positive. Positive thinking. He would let the Mana Cetra prattle on about their nonsensical mumbo-jumbo, and he would ignore and deny it all.

Everything would be okay if he did that…right…?

*~XxX~*

Even while sleeping he looks pensive… Cole watched ruefully his best friend slept, keeping a gentle, yet secure hold on Jay's injured hand. The other man's face was far from serene as he rested. For one, the color had drained from him again. He lay pale and beleaguered, as if locked in an inescapable nightmare. His brow furrowed. His lips pursed. And now… Cole used his other hand to place it onto Jay's sweaty forehead. And now…he was running a fever. Cole's heart clenched at how weak his best friend looked beside him. He hated seeing Jay like this. But even more agonizing, was feeling so goddamn helpless to alleviate his friend's pain.

"Hmm…blood pressure's normal…and there's nothing showing up from his blood analysis either…" Aaron, Fayth, and Ian were the only ones present at the moment out of Aaron's team. The Danish doctor stood between his subordinates, clipboard in hand, flipping page after page with a critical eye as he looked over Jay's chart. "Hemoglobin…ESR…cholesterol…serum amylase, everything's normal."

Aaron huffed irritably and turned to the other blond beside him. "What about the vomit? Have the results came back yet?"

"The previous one, aye. Nothin' fruitful, though. Just some undigested food bits. No blood or incongruities of any kind." Ian jutted his thumb over his shoulder. "Omar just took the latest cowk, though. Should be ready soon."

Right. They had cleaned up Jay awhile ago, and Omar had taken the freshly soiled sheet out of the room for analysis since Jay's newest upheaval had looked slightly different than before.

"We only have three symptoms to work with, Walker," Fayth counted off three fingers, "vomiting, fever, and paleness. Jay was a little ghostly after his surgery, but that was to be expected." The lone female nurse tapped the chart in her superior's grasp. "Does your cousin have any history of anemia?"

Aaron shook his head. "Not that I'm aware of…though cousin Vincent is always unusually pale. And he is on Uncle Ed's side of the family." He suddenly chuckled, cracking a smile. "When we were kids, Jay always thought he was part vampire, while I always thought he was a goth."

It was a genial comment, one that spoke of the closeness of the Walker family. And from Aaron's forlorn anxiousness as he peered at his bed-ridden cousin, Cole felt the need to speak up. "He's going to be fine, Aaron. So don't worry, okay?" After all, worrying wastes energy, and the black ninja had faith in Jay's strength…and in his dreams.

Aaron just nodded. "Yeah." He then turned to Fayth. "How soon were we arranged for image analysis?"

"The day after tomorrow at the regime's behest," Fayth reported. "They want results as soon as possible."

Aaron frowned and handed his clipboard to Ian. "Then update the report from the blood analysis. Maybe that will shut them up for a while."

"Yessir!"

When Fayth turned to leave, Aaron muttered something unintelligible under his breath—something about being hounded, which apparently amused Ian as he laughed outright at his clearly agitated superior. "Them's the brakes, doc. Y'know them high-steppin', pencil-pushers will never stap ther havering."

"Don't I know it," Aaron sighed. "Anyway, Ian, go check on Omar. And see if you can get some toiletries in here for them to use. I'll give Jay an auscultation when he wakes up."

Ian gave a two-finger salute and sauntered out the room as well. Aaron turned to Cole. "And still nothing from you, right? No symptoms at all?" He inquired, and Cole nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just the usual aches and pains from my injuries."

Aaron nodded absently and went to stand by Jay's bedside on the opposite of Cole. He reached for his cousin and lightly traced the mythical mark between his neck and shoulder, his eyes narrowed in both concern and wonder. Cole watched him.

"…What is it?"

"Just thinking about what you told me earlier. I believe you, don't worry. Even though I haven't known you for very long, you come off as a serious and dependable guy. Plus…Jay trusts you." His gaze met Cole's then. "My team and I will protect you two while you're in here, but as soon as you leave and rejoin the others—when I place Jay in your care…" When Aaron trailed off, Cole saw the conflict and distinct apprehension line his face. He understood perfectly.

"I'll be there for Jay when he needs me," Cole assured. "But there's something you need to understand, Aaron. Jay has his own strength. I think he's proved that, hasn't he? You should believe in him a bit more."

"Damn straight…" A groggily voice suddenly droned out. And Cole and Aaron immediately snapped their attentions to the rousing Master of Lightning.

"Jay!"

Cole smiled happily as his best friend's peerless sapphire eyes slowly but surely revealed themselves for a second time since they've been down here. Jay groaned and lifted his hand to press against his head. "Both of you are a couple of worrywarts…" he groused tiredly. "…I'm fine."

"Already with the snark, huh. I guess that's reassuring." It was apparent to Cole that Aaron was trying his best to appear nonplussed by Jay's awakening, but the older man practically oozed with relief.

Jay must've caught this too as he lowered his hand and regarded his cousin with warm fatigue. Soft Norwegian words filtered through Jay's lips then, and Aaron reciprocated, answering his cousin in his own Nordic tongue. Cole didn't bother asking for an interpretation. For he knew it wasn't any of his business. This was their moment. Thus, he would let them be.

After a time, the shadows of worry dissipated from Aaron's face and he dipped his head in a nod towards Cole. "Alright, just tell us what happened—if anything. You've been unconscious for almost an hour."

Jay's expression became strangely detached. His eyes held a distant sheen to them as if he was peering at something that only he could see. The earth ninja took in his fellow master's stoic visage thoughtfully. He's probably just feeling sick… Cole surmised.

Sighing, Jay shrugged. "Throwing up takes a lot outta you, yanno? Nothing happened—nothing special. I just passed out."

Cole frowned disbelievingly, and judging from Aaron's tight-lipped expression, he was just as skeptical. "Jay, you suck at lying, so why even bother?" He said pointedly, causing deep blues to send an obstinate glare his way. Cole ignored it and soldiered on. "Your mark reacted, so that must mean some—"

"It doesn't mean anything, okay!" Jay retorted, jerking his hand out of Cole's and cradling it to his chest. He winced at sudden spike of pain from the rough treatment of his injured had, but continued to glower at his fellow ninja in warning. "The mark or whatever doesn't mean anything," he stated lowly, punctuating each word with resolute stubbornness. "It's stupid and unfounded. So whatever you're thinking get rid of it—dispel it from your mind!"

Cole gawked at Jay in utter disbelief. What in the hell happened while he was passed out?! Why was he so angry? Especially when just before, they were getting along so well. If anything, the way Jay was acting right now was stupid and unfounded! Cole closed his mouth into a scowl and narrowed his eyes at his best friend. "I don't know what your deal is, but you have absolutely no right to tell me what I can or cannot think, Jason!"

"I told you never call me that!"

"Hey! Enough! Stop it, both of you!"

Aaron placed his hand on Jay's shoulder to stay him as the distraught brunet had lunged from his relaxed incline when he had shouted at Cole. Cole didn't see the reproachful look thrown his way by narrowed cobalt, for he was staring frustratingly into the sapphire eyes of the one he loved most. And those same deep blues stared unflinchingly right back. Hard, flat…glassy…and hurt. Whatever physical pain Jay had to be feeling was being overshadowed by his rage of emotions right now. Shit. Why did being in love have to be so maddening!? No. He wasn't going to apologize, because Jay had snapped at him for no reason! When all he had done was make a simple observation.

A steely silence dominated the ambiance, with nothing but the upped tempo of their heart monitors to fill the void. Well, more like one monitor. The synchronized rhythms of two hearts beating as one sliced through Cole's soul and made him turn away from the other man. He turned away from them both. Tunneling under the covers and unto his side, Cole released a disgruntled huff. That loud and obnoxious beep, beep, beep pounded in his ears. Reminding him. Taunting him. He closed his eyes. He needed to calm down.

"Okay, Jay, so nothing happened. We'll just leave it at that. Slap af…"

Aaron's words—even the foreign bit at the end—seemed to do the trick and the frantic tempos of the heart monitors gradually slowed and evened out. Cole opened his eyes, calm and composed. He could fell a set of eyes on his back, but it was only momentary. Soon, Aaron's pleasant alto harmonized through the now simmering vibes.

"…Just tell me how you fell. Any different?"

Jay exhaled a slow, elongated breath. "Still queasy…and fatigued I guess. And my head hurts…well worse now…" Another heated glance was thrown at his back and it took Cole a great deal of control not to scowl and snap back at Jay.

"Slap af…" Aaron repeated softly. "Let me auscultate you. I wanna see if I can hear any abnormalities in your stomach."

"Oh…okay."

Even though Cole was curious, he didn't give in to the urge to turn around. Listening was good enough. He could hear the shift of sheets and a little discomfited grunt as Jay tried to sit up straighter. He could hear Aaron's whispered encouragements—some in English, some in Danish. He heard Jay's deep breathing at his cousin's request, and Aaron's 'hmm's of contemplation through it all.

After a few minutes, Aaron spoke up again. "Hmm…your bowels sound kind of strained… Yeah, we're gonna definitely need to do a CT scan, and probably even a scintigraphy… Okay, Jay, now listen. You're scheduled to undergo image analysis the day after tomorrow. But depending on your pain, you need to let me know if I need to get you in sooner than that. So what's up? Ranging from 1 to 10, how bad is your pain?"

Cole unconsciously tensed. If Jay felt that his pain was too intolerable, then their time alone together could be cut in half if not shorter. Not that Cole wanted Jay to suffer needlessly or anything, he just felt that they could really used this time away from the others to talk about them…and where they stood…and how much Jay remembered. But if Jay's pain was too great, then Cole would just take what he could get and work with it. Then again, maybe Jay was too upset and didn't want to be around Cole any longer than he had to—

"Meh…nothing I can't deal with—just a five, maybe even a four."

Cole blinked. Jay hadn't spoken in false bravado. He had sounded tired, but also somewhat relaxed. He really was okay. But then, why couldn't he just answer them truthfully about why he had passed out? Everyone saw it… Not only did Jay's mark pulse blue, but his eyes had flared blue as well when he threw up. That wasn't normal. Something had happened.

"Okay, sounds good," Aaron chirped. "We'll keep things as they are then. In the mean time…here you go, pukey. Cole? You want one? A stick of gum?"

Cole's mouth watered at the prospect, having not eaten in over twenty-four hours now. He rolled over carefully and sat up, mindful of his fractured ribs. Jay was already chewing on his gum with gusto, his eyes as bright and alert as ever.

"Thanks, Aaron," he said, over a grinning mouthful, just as Cole took his offered stick. "My mouth was feeling so gross."

"Yeah…thanks." Cole couldn't offer Aaron a bright a smile as Jay, but he could at least get his lips to upturn slightly to show his appreciation. And apparently that was all that was needed for the Danish doctor to grin back.

"No prob. Ian should be back shortly with some toiletries for you guys to use while you're here. Gotta keep up with hygiene no matter where you are, right? Anyway, it's almost lunch time and I bet you both could eat a little bit of something, right?"

Was it his birthday?! Cole knew it wasn't, but still. He was overjoyed! The gum in his mouth doing nothing other than wetting his appetite. His stomach roared with discontent. Not growled but roared. He could definitely use a lot of something. Thus, with his sour mood abated, Cole focused on the current topic. Food.

"So what's on the menu?" He asked eagerly. Hell, even hospital food sounded great right about now.

Aaron chuckled, smiling brightly. And even Jay had a fraction of a grin on his face when he turned to look at Cole knowingly.

This was safe for the time being. They'd just do this.

"Well, I know that for lunch the cafeteria's serving either Salisbury steak or grilled chicken breast—"

"Salisbury steak!" Cole blurted, cutting off the Danish doctor. Jay outright laughed at Aaron's wide-eyed expression. Obviously he wasn't used to dealing with a hungry Cole.

"Uh…oookay. One Salisbury steak meal for Cole. Actually, one for me too, that sounds good. I don't know about their drinks, so are you picky?"

"Nah, pretty liberal there."

"Okay, and Jay, I know you probably can't handle something that heavy, so how does soup and crackers sound?"

Having calmed down after Cole's ecstatic hurrah of food, Jay gave his reply with a few chortles thrown in. "Yeah, that actually sounds perfect. Thanks again, Aaron."

And Cole concurred. "I know you and your squad is sticking your necks out for us. So yeah, thanks. For everything."

Aaron didn't just diffuse the situation between him and Jay. While they were distanced from the others, he and his team were the only ones they could truly trust. They owed a lot to this man—Jay's cousin. Aaron rose from his seat. "Alright, just give me some time. If not me, then I'll have someone from my team deliver you guys some food. Rest well until then."

"Hey, Aaron, before you go, what about the others?" Jay asked expectantly. "They can come visit us, right?"

The blond Nordic looked dubious before realization dawned. "That's right…I didn't get a chance to fill you both in entirely… Well, you know that expedition I told you about before you fainted, Jay? That's where the majority of your clan is right now. Along with Ada and her team of scientists and military personnel."

"What?"

"Yeah, they all left at six o'clock this morning, and won't be back until the sixteenth."

"The sixteenth? So then…today is…"

December 13th… Nya's birthday had passed. Jay grimaced but nodded. "And all of them are gone?"

"The majority of them—yeah. Brad in particular seemed anxious to get up there. And after that, everyone else became curious as well, or maybe they just didn't what Brad to go alone. Either or, it was clear Ada was going to have more able bodies besides her soldiers who could offer protection and cover more ground. And although Nya joined at the last minute—"

"Nya went with them?" Jay inquired next, surprised.

Aaron smiled. "Yeah. Apparently she and Ada bonded a bit last night while they were bunking together. Ada was a little vague on the details, but I could tell she was intrigued by Nya. Who knows? Maybe she'll be the first of Ada's bridesmaids."

"I…I see." Cole's eyes fell on Jay as the other ninja smiled softly to himself. "It'd be great if she did acquire a little female companionship. Being around nothing but guys has to get tiring after awhile."

After taking a moment to absorb this new bit of info, Cole lifted his gaze to the Danish doctor. "So who chose to remain here?"

"Your teachers, Wu and Garmadon. And sorry, but I doubt anyone will be allowed clearance to see you two until after you've been removed from quarantine. Safety precautions and all that."

Cole thought as much. "But it's nothing I would despair over, though." Aaron shrugged good-naturedly. "Like I was telling Cole earlier, Jay, you guys should just use this opportunity to relax…as if you were on a mini vacation away from home. And ja, ja, while it's not at all glamorous, you're in good company, right? So it wouldn't be good to be at each other's throats." Aaron turned away from the bed-ridden ninja with his hands lifted in mock-surrender. "Just a suggestion. I know you guys are grown. Food's on the way, okay?"

He made his way to the door, but before passing through, he stopped and glanced at Jay over his shoulder, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "You already have a bald spot to contend with, cousin. You don't wanna lose anymore hair due to stress now, would you?"

"What?!" Jay yelped, but Aaron was already out the door, beaming all the while.

"See ya!"

When the automated door slid shut, the blue ninja whirled to face Cole, blue eyes wide. "What did he mean by that?! What bald spot?!"

Cole cocked a wry eyebrow. "He meant your surgery, Jay. They had to shave some of your hair off in order to reach the wound and close it."

"Oh…" Jay suddenly turned sheepish and shifted his focus down to his lap, chewing slowly. "I hope it's not too bad." He lifted a hand to self-consciously touch his bandaged head. "I don't know how I'd deal if I had to leave this place lookin' like Friar Tuck…"

Cole laughed despite himself. "Nah, Aaron wouldn't do that to you unless he absolutely had to."

An almost imperceptible quirk of the lips was all Cole got out of Jay before a heavy silence ensued. Cole chewed on his gum. Okay, so now what? It was obvious they needed to talk about why Jay was so against talking about why he passed out. So should he just come out with it? Cole bowed his head with a frown, his hands clenching the sheets tightly. Finally, taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and opened his mouth.

"I don't like it when you lie to me."

"Don't call me by that name."

Having spoken in unison, both young men cringed at the accusation thrown by the other. Sapphire met emerald sadly. "I'm sorry, Cole."

"Yeah, Jay, me too."

He tried to keep those peerless blues locked with his, but Jay soon turned away, a pretty pink blush lighting his cheeks. Cole's heart fluttered just from seeing it. He wanted t move closer. He wanted to reach out and take Jay's hand in his—to comfort him the best way he could. But, he wouldn't push his luck. The taste of spearmint on his tongue gave him a bit more confidence if that made any sense, and he decided to voice his opinion.

"But Jay…uh…what happened? If you don't want to believe it? Fine. You don't have to. If you don't want to tell Aaron—okay. But maybe talking about it with me will help… You know you have my word. Anything you want to stay between us, will stay between us. So…"

"It's just so stupid, Cole," Jay growled, shaking his head slightly, a diffident grimace marring his lips. "And the way Isis was speaking about it so carefree and casually really bothered me."

"Huh? Who's Isis?"

Jay shivered. "…It's… That's the name of the Mana Cetra that's inside my sub-conscious right now. Don't ask how, I don't know. They just said…they'd be with me until my body finishes adjusting to the change…to make sure nothing goes wrong…"

"Oh…" Cole's heart thumped loudly. His tongue played with the gum in his mouth. "…Well that's good…right…?"

That dubious frown didn't leave Jay's face. "…They'd said that I would go through something once a month… That I would go through…"heat"."

"Huh?"

Jay rolled his eyes. "It's so stupid. Supposedly, I'm going to have a manic sex drive and wanna bang anyone within a twelve mile radius."

"Huh?!"

"I know right? It's completely ludicrous! Tch! And apparently, I'm gonna give off some kind of scent, and some people will be able to smell my "heat"." A mocking chuckle escaped the blue ninja then, and he smiled a crooked smile. "Can you imagine Kai with his super-sensitive nose sniffing around me? Ahahaha… That'll be hilarious actually!"

Huh…? Cole's mind had gone completely blank as a few choice words from a past dream filtered through…

"Cole, where are you? Cole, I need you."

"Sorry, hun. I'll be there soon, okay?"

"Why'd you leave? You know this happens every month!"

"I know, but today's your birthday. I had to pick-up your gift…"

"Søt idiot… All I need is you, alright? Nothing else but you."

Jay was still talking, but Cole couldn't process the words. No. The Jay of the present was being overshadowed by the Jay of the future, and with those sensuous strings of dialogue, came flashes from the dream itself: He had barely opened the door to their shared apartment before he was slammed up against it by his boyfriend, his mouth hot and searing as he was pinned to it with a desperate kiss. Cole had dropped the bags then, wanting to encircle his arms around the hot, lithe body in front of him.

Quick breathes, rough pants, hands on his body tugging off his clothes…

Long, silky cinnamon and chestnut tresses in his grasp, lustful sapphire eyes boring into his own dazed emerald gaze, veins of azure lightning coiling and tickling his skin, making him gasp and moan throatily…

Jay was in heat… And his mark had pulsed and pulsed and pulsed…

"Oh god, Cole…"

Such wanton words had been said against his lips. More gratuitous bodily contact and more steamy kisses had been shared, leaving the taste of sweet and tart berries overpowering his tongue. Cole had deftly switched their positions, pinning Jay against the door instead and driving his knee up between the other ninja's legs.

Jay had thrown his head back as he cried out in blissful elation, his fair cheeks painted red. Green eyes, hooded with triumph and adoration, eyed the strong, graceful white column that had been exposed to him. Cole had swooped down. Licking, sucking, kissing, and marking all the skin he could reach. And that scent. Ohhhh…that fucking scent had driven him mad with untamable desire. Apples and cinnamon had been entangled with a new, exotic musk that amplified his homey scent, giving it a delectably spicy and enriching nuance.

Cole had given an animalistic growl and slid his hands down underneath the waistband of Jay's boxers to grip and fondle the smooth, fleshy globes of the other man's ass. And Jay had keened, whimpered, and purred his delight to all of the earth ninja's possessive ministrations. Yes. Oh god, yes… Jay had been wet—moist from his heat as he always got. Cole's erection had strained against his pants as his hips gave an involuntary buck against Jay's.

Jay had openly panted. "Yes, Cole! Right here! Right now! Take me! I'm yours…"

In response, Cole had said nothing and just literally tore the undergarments right off Jay's body and hoisted him up by his thighs…

"Cole…? Cole can you hear me?"

Jolted from the reenactment of a past dream, Cole blinked and turned to face Jay's inquisitive and slightly worried gaze. "Uh…" He swallowed hard and immediately balked.

"C-Cole?"

The ninja leader started to hack and cough, having forgotten about his gum and had subsequently swallowed it.

"Cole! Are you okay, man?"

Cole struggled for breath for a moment before gasping out, "Yeah, yeah, I'm *cough cough* fine. Just…*ahem* so unbelievable!" It was the only response he could think of.

But it looked like it worked as Jay patted his back in comfort and understanding. He nodded. "Tell me about it," he deadpanned. "But don't worry. I'm not gonna let it get to me. Not at all. Positive thinking, right?"

Having settled down, Cole glanced at Jay. He looked resigned to his decision to ignore the Mana Cetra's foreshadowing. And although Cole didn't want to get into another argument, he felt he had to say something! His heart was a restless and unforgiving earthquake inside his chest! He had wanted to take things slow, but…but…

Jay suddenly moved closer and gently leaned against him. "I don't wanna be mad at you…" he whispered quietly, causing Cole's mouth to click shut. "…So, let's just forget this, okay…?

Cole closed his eyes painfully. Why was being in love such agony? It just wasn't fair… But again, he adhered to his best friend's wishes and brought his arm around the younger man's back. "Yeah…okay…" His voice was breathless and tired, but he hadn't given up! He would never give up Jay until he knew for certain what would become of them.

Jay sighed contently and snuggled against him. "…Sorry…" he mumbled into Cole's chest. "…You're just so comfy… You support me in a way no pillows can… Firm and…smooth…"

Cole smiled.

"…Wake me when the food gets here… Just gonna…snooze…for a bit…"

Cole turned gingerly on his side to face Jay to let him snuggle into him more firmly, his bandaged head supported by his strong shoulder. He coddled his injured best friend, the same warm smile ghosting his lips. Jay said he would stay positive… Well, he would too.

Author's Note: I wanna thank you all again for being patient and civil. The next update shouldn't take nearly as long as this one did…at least I hope not. Anyway, the next chapter for this story will definitely be about the expedition and will either be in Kai or Zane's POV's. As for Ninjalogy, I think it's about time I finished up Look But Don't Touch. Well, whichever comes first will be sure to please! So until next time, people!