Days Go By | lavashipping

*✰-....

[whoopsies?]

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Cole watched Kai's fingers toy with his own, letting his muscles relax in their shared warmth like in a jacuzzi. He could stay like that forever. Wanted to stay like that forever. Just the skin-on-skin contact, a soft bed with one too many pillows, and Kai breathing right next to his ear. Just existing.

He didn't dare squeeze Kai's hand, he kept it relaxed to let Kai fumble with it. But he did snuggle even further into Kai's chest, as if there was any more room left. They could become one at this pace.

"Why did you decide to date me?" Although their voice fit right into the calm they nurtured, it pulled Cole out of the forest of his head. Maybe for the better. It was too easy to wander into the dark and he did not keep any thread or bread crumbs on himself.

Kai stopped the fidgeting and intertwined them.

In the moment, an eternity felt like a breath and Cole was glad for that, because in a different situation his silence would've sounded worse.

"I didn't, really. I mean, you just inserted yourself into my life and I couldn't be happier."

And he couldn't. He really couldn't. He got lost in the darkest heart of the forest and instead of having the luck of finding some fireflies, he stumbled over a phoenix.

Tears pricked his eyes and he hoped Kai couldn't see them from his angle.

"You were the first one to suggest being partners. Boyfriends. Lovers. Whatever."

Cole tilted his head backwards. "Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering." Kai sighed. "Just that you haven't been dating for years and now here I am..."

"Believe me, this was the last thing I expected when I moved and searched for the closest coffee shop, but I'm glad it was yours."

The warm breath that escaped as Kai chuckled washed over Cole's neck like ocean waves and he closed his eyes for a moment to enjoy the closeness. He felt a thumb rub circles over his heart. Cole opened his eyes before it got too dark.

"I have to tell you something."

"What is it?" they murmured between the slow kisses dedicated to the crook of Cole's neck.

"I, uh, have sort of been going to evening cooking classes?" Cold nipped at his back as Kai lifted himself up. The timid rustle of the blanket the only sound since his poor admission. He had to force himself to stop holding his breath.

"You weren't drowning yourself in work?"

"No, I was drowning in soup lessons." Cole laughed at his own joke alone. Kai was quiet and tense like a guitar string. "Yeah, that— That was a lie. When I said I was staying later at Shintaro, I was actually... Well, I wanted to be able to make you sometimes something too and not be a complete disaster."

"You're learning to cook for me?" Kai's voice cracked and Cole expected the frown even before he turned on his back to see him better. His eyes glistened but although he shut them close, he wasn't fast enough.

"Been trying to."

"That's why you've been getting friendly with kitchens," they whispered to themself, shaking their head before reopening their eyes to look down on him. "Why? Why are you telling me this now?"

However soothing that gaze was, Cole looked away, feeling his face heating up. "I just... couldn't keep on keeping it from you."

The familiar smirk returned to his voice and face. "'Cause you were worried I'd get the wrong idea?"