I'd Punch you before I Kiss You • NINJAGO MODERN AU

[ xvi ] | You do you, I'll do it better

          Kai stretched his arms and pulled his legs, his racing suit fit him okay, his neck was a bit tighter but it didn't bother him as much. He looked at himself in the mirror, the sun was setting outside the windows, the lights were dim so a part of his face was illuminated with the orange sunlight rays. He's reflection looked... different to say the least. His hair had grown about an inch or two and he had lessened gelling his hair up which left his falling close to his shoulders with a slight fringe over his eye. His hazel eyes looked less charming as he had remembered himself on the first day- maybe they weren't as dazzling to begin with. He narrowed his eyes and held his chin, shifting it upwards, seeing clear signs that he couldn't be bothered to shave; In short he looked unlike himself, or at least the perfect, cocky and handsome self persona. 

       He wasn't okay- even he had to admit it at some point. Not everything was okay, nothing was. He hadn't heard from his parents. God knows how Alex is planning to kill him. He wasn't in his right mind to think straight. His loyalties, his life, his... attractions. He thought Cole was the last guy he'd fall for. Just a toy to be tossed back and forth for his own amusement. Part of him was guilty for treating him like shit. First his intentions were...-bad. 

      Cole knew what he was getting into, a voice in Kai's head said. "He didn't, he needed someone, I could've been there" he said out loud, his fists clenching. Did he complain? He did call you back when you left without another word??? "I didn't give him a chance to" Kai clenched his jaw and hung his head, unable to look at himself, imagining his own self jumping out and trying to choke him. He gasped back and looked up, only seeing his normal reflection. 

      He moved his hand, drawing an invisible circle in the air to make sure he wasn't seeing things. The Kai in the mirror, did the same, the same stressed out eyes looked straight into Kai's. "Calm down Kai, You're... alone" Kai took in breaths. It worked a bit and he stood up properly, adjusting his suit and tightening his shoulder pads; he had a job to do- he wasn't going to mess it up this time.

     He flinched as a sharp knock was placed on his door, "Give me a minute!" He yelled back, not really caring for who was on the other end. He clenched his hand over his chest and stood there silently, his mind racing all over the place. He was nervous- nervous about messing it up again and failing at something so simple, anxious about not giving his best and screwing it up in front of Cole, letting his walls down accidentally and possibly telling him how much he regrets how they met and how much he wants to apologize.

    He reached and hesitantly opened the door and almost knocked heads into Zane. "Hey" He blinked, his usually pale cheeks looking a bit flustered. "Hm?" Kai mumbled, not quite meeting his eye. "Slept okay?"

     "Why do you care? Did Nya ask you to check up on me?" Kai spat, glaring at the taller boy. Zane's expression hardened but still looked empathic. "No. Does she have to tell me to see if my friend is okay?"

     "Friend? Shocking" Kai shoved past him. Zane seemed to hesitate, "I- If it makes you feel better; I got you something, " Zane grabbed something from his back pocket, "A new communicator; Longer range and better data going through" Kai almost thought he was going to find him something 'useful' but he settled on this. He snatched it and adjusted it to his ear. "Cole has the other one"

     "Oh" Kai said with out realizing. He shook his head, sensing Zane getting suspicious he avoided his gaze. "I know you two will do great" Zane crossed his arms with a small smile. Kai ticked a mental box labeled, 'Zane smiled- or at least it looked like it'.

     "Where's everyone else?" Kai noticed the emptiness in the apartment. Zane rubbed the back of his neck with an awkward smirk, "Change of plans, Jay will be replaced by Nya for overhead observation as he would be with us in questioning"