"This is so nice," Kai groaned, slowly sinking into the hot tub.
"I know; great idea, right?" Cole hummed, sitting opposite Kai.
"Yeah, great idea," Jay hummed.
Cole watched Jay sink so his head was above the water. The redhead avoided meeting Cole's gaze, but Cole knew he would look at him as soon as he looked away. Cole was used to people admiring him, but this was new.
"Any other plans for the day?" Kai asked, gaining Cole's attention.
"Not really," Cole replied. "I mean, I'm not used to any of this."
"Any of what?" Jay asked, suddenly interested in the conversation.
"This," Cole waved his hand around. "There isn't a schedule or routine for us to follow, no guidelines for how we act or what we can and cannot do. It's kind of nice to just kick back and relax for once."
"I've been thinking the same thing," Jay grinned, realizing he had something in common with his crush.
"Really?" Cole hummed, scooting towards Jay slightly.
"Yeah," Jay nodded. "My dad is kinda famous, and he's always had my family in the public eye. I must always look my best and be well-behaved if any paparazzi are around."
"My step-father is King of a kingdom, so kinda different," Cole shrugged.
"King!" Kai gasped. "So, you are actually a prince?"
"It's complicated," Cole mumbled, looking away.
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't wanna," Jay jumped in, seeing Cole's disinterest and discomfort.
"Talk about what?"
All three turned to the source of the voice, seeing Nya and Lloyd walking up to the hot tub.
"Yo, this dude is an actual prince," Kai grinned.
"Really?" Lloyd grinned, looking over at Cole, who shyly nodded. "That's sick, dude!"
"You can think it is," Cole muttered.
"How did you guys find us?" Jay asked, trying to shift the subject away from Cole.
"Nya wanted to find Kai so they could talk, and Wu said you guys were out here," Lloyd explained.
"Talk about what?" Kai asked, looking unimpressed. "What is there to talk about?"
"Seriously," Nya groaned. "Why are you always like this?"
"Like what?" Kai retorted.
"Closed off? Isolated? Quiet?" Nya frowned. "I want to make it up to you."
"Well, maybe now isn't the time," Kai returned, glaring at Nya.
"Are you still mad?" Nya asked, looking slightly hurt.
"No, I just would rather not talk about this with everyone around," Kai replied. "Seems like a private convo between us, doesn't it?"
Nya sighed, slightly in relief, "Fair enough."
"Moving past that," Lloyd shifted, cuddling up with Nya in the corner of the tub. "He's a prince."
"Lloyd, he doesn't want to talk about it!" Jay hissed.
"Ok, ok," Lloyd threw his hands in the air.
"Thanks, Jay," Cole mumbled, loud enough the redhead could hear. Jay gave Cole a soft smile, then quickly realized Cole was conflicted.
"Are you going to be ok?" Jay asked.
"You guys should know about my situation before we return, just in case we end up in Shintaro."
"Shintaro?" Lloyd's voice echoed. "The Ivory City Shintaro? The one no one ever gets to visit and is only ever spoken of?"
"Yeah, that one," Cole grumbled, looking disgruntled.
"That's where you're from? Dude, I've always wanted to go there," Lloyd beamed.
"Who hasn't," Nya added.
"Guys, let him talk," Jay hushed.
A mumble of apologies echoed as all eyes returned to Cole. Personally, he didn't mind that they were getting distracted. He didn't exactly know what they would be going back to. If these ninja versions of themselves were a team, there was a good chance they would be together somewhere. Possibly in Shintaro with his mother, who would be less than impressed.
"I moved there when I was little," Cole continued. "My mother always says my father was toxic to her, and she couldn't handle being around him. She also said he couldn't care for me, so she took me with her. She was good friends with King Vangelis; his daughter was about my age. Eventually, the two married, and we became step-siblings. She's heir to the throne, but I'm second in line as I'm the only 'family' there."
"So, you are a prince," Lloyd awed.
"I guess, yeah," Cole replied. "Not that I was born into it."
"So, you could become a King?" Jay asked.
"Possibly, but I doubt it," Cole replied. "Again, Vania is in line for the throne. So unless something happens, I wouldn't ever be in charge."
"Your life sounds so cool," Lloyd grinned.
"Like ours isn't," Nya hummed, leaning on Lloyd.
"Oh?" Jay hummed, looking over at the couple.
"I guess we are having story time," Nya chuckled, looking down at Lloyd.
"Well, I know Nya and Kai know this, but Cole definitely doesn't," Lloyd hummed, looking over at the prince, "but do you know the story of the First Spinjitzu Master."
"Yeah," Cole nodded, "my mom told me about it when I was discovering my powers."
"Yeah, same," Jay nodded, listening.
"So you know the two sons, right?" Lloyd asked, receiving nods. "The eldest is my dad."
"Wait, wait, wait," Jay spluttered, "You're dad is the son of the First Spinjitzu Master?"
"Dude, Sensei Wu is the other son," Kai laughed, seeing his friend shocked.
"He is!?" Jay cried.
Lloyd leaned over to Kai, whispering, "I see why you two are friends."
Kai snickered, rolling his eyes.
"Back on topic," Nya said, grabbing everyone's attention. "Lloyd's dad mentored Kai, Lloyd and me, helping our parents teach us to master our powers. Since then, Lloyd and I have joined his mom, Misako, on her adventures and explorations."
"It's how I got my scar," Lloyd commented.
"What about you, Kai?" Cole asked.
"I still train with Lloyd's dad," Kai replied. "Sensei Garmadon runs a Dojo downtown Ninjago City, and I'm a teacher there part-time. Jay and I volunteer at the theatre, working backstage on props and scenery."
"That's where you go?" Nya asked.
"Yeah, but don't go telling mom and dad," Kai glared. "Dad already has enough reasons to hate me; I don't need you fueling the fire."
"I won't, I promise," Nya nodded.
"Well, you guys know my dad is a movie star," Jay shrugged, "not much else special about my life."
"Really?" Cole asked, surprised.
"Nope," he replied. "I went to a private school, took acting and voice lessons, and did theatre work, my dad takes me to his red carpet events, but I don't do much else. Other than my mom taking me to train."
"So, simple life?" Cole asked.
"For the most part," Jay shrugged. "On another note, I'm starting to overheat a bit. I'm going to chill off for a bit."
Everyone nodded, watching Jay leave. As soon as Jay disappeared inside, Kai snapped his head to Cole, looking surprised.
"Dude, he was so chill with you here," Kai gasped.
"I know," Cole nodded, "it was weird. I thought he would be flustered, but he was pretty chill."
"What are you two talking about?" Lloyd frowned.
"Cole and Jay both have feelings for each other, but Cole is convinced he can get Jay to confess," Kai explained. "But I keep telling him there is no way."
"He's getting more comfortable with me," Cole countered. "He might confess soon."
"I'm with Cole on this one," Lloyd chimed in. "Plus, Cole and Jay are rooming together. Who knows how fast they could bond, and Jay could confess."
"You also don't know Jay," Kai countered. "He gets really flustered when he is alone with Cole."
"I'm with Kai here," Nya nodded, "Jay does get really flustered. He can hardly talk half the time with Cole around. I think we got lucky just now that he was comfortable."
"Well, we will see what happens in time," Cole affirmed, leaning back and crossing his arms.
"Fair enough," Kai smirked.
"What is happening here?" Lloyd whispered to Nya, who shrugged.
"Well, I told Sensei Wu I'd help make dinner," Kai sighed. "I should at least go do that."
And Kai stepped out of the tub, disappearing inside. The others followed only a short time after.
The rest of the afternoon was quiet and peaceful. Kai was in the kitchen, helping Wu make dinner for the group. The two worked silently, with the occasional word about the food, so everything would be ready around the same time.
Kai turned to set the table, grabbing eight plates and matching cutlery for everyone. He walked over to the table, setting the stack of plates and cutlery on the table. He looked up as Cole walked into the kitchen, looking around.
"Hey, Cole," Kai nodded as he set out the plates. "What's up?"
"Just looking for Jay. Have you seen him?" Cole replied.
"No, why?" Kai questioned, glancing up at Cole.
"No reason," Cole replied, clearly hiding something.
"Ok then," Kai frowned, not quite believing him. "Anyways, would you like to join him and me for game night? We were thinking of playing Prime Empire tonight."
"I'm not really a gamer," Cole replied, "not really something we have. Vania and I played on a handheld I had when I was little, but I don't really play anything now."
"We can always teach you," Kai replied. "It could be a bonding moment for you and Jay."
"I guess it wouldn't hurt," Cole shrugged. "Sure, we can play."
"Great," Kai grinned.
"Cole," Wu's voice called over from the kitchen, "Would you mind finding everyone and letting them know dinner is just about ready."
"Ok," Cole called back. He turned to Kai, "Guess I'll find him somehow."
"Fair enough," Kai nodded.
Cole turned and walked out of the kitchen, bumping into Zane in the hallway.
"S-sorry," Zane stuttered.
"It's alright," Cole replied, smiling at the android. "Not your fault."
Zane nodded, looking around. "I heard Wu say dinner was ready."
"Yeah, I was about to get everyone together," Cole replied. "Did you want to help?"
"Sure," Zane smiled back. "I'll go get Pixal and Jay."
"Jay's with Pixal?" Cole questioned, his stomach twisting at the idea of Jay possibly falling for someone else.
"Yeah," Zane nodded. "He wanted to ask her about taking one of the bikes for a spin tomorrow morning. Then they started talking about technology and inventing stuff."
"Ok," Cole nodded, trying to convince himself that this wasn't Jay falling in love with someone else.
"Or you can get them if you'd rather," Zane suggested.
"It's alright," Cole shook his head, clearing his mind from the racing thoughts. "I'll go find Lloyd and Nya."
"Alright," Zane nodded.
Cole turned, disappearing down the hallway towards the bedrooms.
Could Jay have given up on him, and that's why he was more comfortable in the hot tub? Did Kai say something? Would Kai have said something to win the bet? Would he be that petty? He couldn't be, right?
Cole paused outside the bedrooms, hearing Lloyd and Nya's voices from inside Nya's bedroom. He sighed, turning and knocking on the door.
"Yeah?" Nya called from inside.
"Dinner's ready," Cole replied.
The room was silent momentarily before Cole heard footsteps, and the door opened. Nya stood there, staring at him with confusion.
"Are you alright?" she asked, her voice hushed.
"Yeah," Cole mumbled.
Nya crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe. "I have a hard time believing that."
Lloyd appeared behind her, looking between the two. "What's going on?"
"It's nothing," Cole replied, turning to leave.
"Cole," Nya warned.
Cole froze, recognizing the tone in her voice from conversations with Vania. Cole sighed, turning back to face Nya. She stepped back into the room, holding the door open to invite him inside. Cole reluctantly stepped inside the room, quietly slipping onto the loveseat in the corner of the room.
"So, spill the tea," Nya spoke, sitting on the bed across from Cole.
"It's really not that important," Cole tried to argue.
"If it weren't that important, we wouldn't be sitting here," Nya frowned. "Now come on, out with it."
Cole glanced over at Lloyd, hoping for help out of the situation. Lloyd glanced at Nya, then moved to sit next to Cole. Lloyd patted him on the shoulder, and Cole sighed.
"I just found out that Jay's spent the afternoon with Pixal," Cole explained. "And I'm worried that he was so comfortable with me in the hot tub early because he doesn't actually have feelings for me."
"That's it?" Nya asked, frowning.
"Dude, he's in love with you," Lloyd frowned. "I don't know what's got you thinking like this, but he does."
"How do you know?" Cole asked.
"Because he literally said it," Nya replied, stating it as apparent.
"Really?" Cole hummed, his eyes lighting up.
"We were down there when he came to talk with Pixal," Nya continued. "He was asking about using the bikes to take you for a morning ride. He wants to get to know you and possibly confess if he thinks you like him back."
"Well, I feel kinda stupid now," Cole muttered.
"I believe it," Nya smirked.
"Are you three coming or what?" Kai's voice shouted from down the hallway.
"Coming!" Lloyd called back. He looked between the two, then focused on Cole. "Do you feel better now?"
"Yeah," Cole nodded, getting to his feet.
"Good," Nya nodded, quickly standing up, "because I'm hungry. Let's go."
She walked out, the boys quickly following her to the dining room.
At dinner, Cole sat next to Jay. The faint blush on his cheeks was enough to let everyone know what he was thinking. Cole felt relieved seeing Jay was still getting flustered around him. Even if he was getting better at hiding it. Cole turned to Jay, who froze and stared at Cole in his peripheral.
"So Jay, you and Kai are playing video games after dinner, right?"
Jay looked at Kai with a helpless expression. Kai just shrugged with a "guilty as charged" look.
"Yeah, and you're still joining us, right?" Kai added.
"Joining?" Jay squeaked.
"Yeah, I invited Cole to join us," Kai answered. "He's nowhere near our level, so there shouldn't be any competition."
"Ha, sure," Cole rolled his eyes.
"Do you like video games?" Jay's eyes lit up.
Cole chuckled as Jay turned to look at him.
"Vania and I play a few old games every so often. I have had a little handheld gaming system since I was 5."
Jay's face lit up as he started to ramble. He was asking Cole all sorts of questions and just general game stuff. Sometimes, Cole knew what Jay was talking about; other times, he didn't. When he wasn't sure, he'd ask and smile as Jay rambled about whatever it was.
"So, any action yet?" Kai whispered to Nya.
Nya shrugged, watching the two bonding and very clearly crushing for the other.
"Jay's been avoiding him until now," Nya replied quietly. "But my understanding is he's planning on taking Cole out tomorrow to get to know him and possibly ask him out."
Kai nodded, smiling at his best friend rambling.
Jay was gushing about Prime Empire. "It was a huge breakthrough in video game technology! Advertising that you could actually go in the game! How cool is that?"
"It is not as cool as you think-" Pixal muttered. "The ninja told us about their time in Prime Empire. It is extremely dangerous."
A few confused looks were cast at Pixal, but they brushed her comment off.
"So, shall we go play then?" Kai asked.
Cole nodded as Jay's face turned red again. He'd forgotten that they were about to play games with Cole.
Kai, Jay and Cole excused themselves. Lloyd told them he and Nya would come and join them once the dishes were done. Pixal and Zane returned to the lab to work on more upgrades to Zane's system.
Cole followed Jay and Kai from the kitchen and down the hall toward the game room. Jay was frantically whispering things to Kai, either gushing or panicking. Cole couldn't really tell. Jay was flustered, and Kai laughed at him, making it difficult to tell.
Cole flopped on the couch and grabbed a controller, patting the couch to invite Jay to sit.
"Thanks, buddy!" Kai grinned and flopped beside Cole, much to the earth elemental's annoyance.
"That spot was for Jay."
"There's another couch."
Cole shoved Kai off the couch, letting the fire elemental land with a thud. "Then sit there. I want Jay to sit here."
Kai cast Cole a glare, standing up and sitting back down on the couch and a challenging glare. Cole returned the look, ready to fight with him over it.
Jay wasn't impressed with the boys arguing, hoping to compromise. "It's okay, Cole. I can sit there-"
"Okay, fine, I'll move." Cole moved to the other couch.
But Kai wasn't done messing around. Instead, Kai followed and parked his ass right in his lap. This made Cole very flustered, spluttering for words for a moment.
"What are you doing?" Cole hissed, his face turning redder each second.
"Getting comfy." Kai shifted around in Cole's lap before leaning against his chest. "Ahh, nice and warm."
"Dude-"
Jay laughed and flopped in Kai's lap. "Not so bad yourself, Kai."
Cole was bright red and very confused. "I thought you weren't dating?"
"We're not."
"I'm so confused. Are you hitting on me now?"
"Why? You want me to?" Kai teased, tapping Cole on the nose.
Jay giggled and slid off Kai's lap, getting comfy beside Cole. He pulled Cole's arm around his shoulder, snuggling up against him so his head rested against Cole's chest.
"Gotta say, big guy, you make a nice chair." Kai snuggled back against him a bit more, trying not to laugh as Cole stuttered and stammered, unable to respond.
"Just-" Cole groaned, unable to figure out how to respond.
Kai and Jay just laughed, leaving the prince in confusion.
"I told him I could make him flustered, dude," Kai laughed, leaning over to Jay.
"Ok, you win," Jay said between chuckles.
"What are you two going on about?" Cole asked, feeling very left out of the conversation.
"Jay was complaining that he gets flustered, but you always seem so composed," Kai explained. "So I told him I could get you flustered without trying too hard."
"I didn't believe him and bet him dish duty that he couldn't do it," Jay added.
"You did this for a bet!" Cole cried.
"Yeah," Kai shrugged before a smirk formed, "Why? Did you like it?"
Cole's eyes went wide, staring at Kai. Kai's grin grew into a smirk, taking Cole's chin in his hand and bringing their faces closer together.
"I thought you weren't interested," Cole mumbled.
"I'm not," Kai replied.
"Then what are you doing?"
"We'll talk about that later, hon."
"What the fuck did we just walk in on?" Nya stood in the doorway, Lloyd right behind her.
"Oh, nothing." Kai cooed softly, moving his hand away from Cole. Jay broke down laughing again as Kai moved, slipping to sit next to Cole.
"If you two are gonna bang, do it in a bedroom, not here." Nya chuckled, walking over to the other couch.
Kai and Jay were dying, unable to contain their laughter.
"Okay, can someone please tell me what's going on?" Lloyd asked, looking between the three on the couch.
Nya simply rolled her eyes, motioning for Lloyd to sit with her. Lloyd reluctantly did, although he still had a lot of questions.
"So, what's the plan here?" Nya asked as the fits of laughter settled.
"Well, we were gonna play a game," Cole huffed. "But thanks to someone, I can't think straight, so let's watch a movie or something."
"What are we watching?" Lloyd asked as he snuggled up against Nya.
"Kung Fu Koala," Cole responded, trying to keep it cool and start the movie.
After all, he had his crush and crush's best friend snuggled up against him. He glanced down at Jay, seeing the redhead's eyes locked on the TV. He shifted, scooting in closer to Cole, his hand moving to sit on Cole's thigh. He glanced down, then up at Cole for a moment. Cole smiled down at him, getting a smile before Jay returned to the movie.
'This will work out,' Cole thought to himself. 'It will all work out in the end.'