ColexKai = Lava = Perfect♥️

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As the evening sun painted the horizon in hues of orange and violet, the Destiny's Bounty sliced through the skies.

High above Ninjago, the ninjas made their triumphant return from yet another successful mission.

The ship buzzed with the soft hum of engines, and though their spirits were high, the journey had taken its toll on them.

Cole, the earth ninja, found himself wholly fatigued, yet quietly content from the post-mission adrenaline.

Oblivious to the world, he slumped onto the couch in the ship's common area.

Beside him, Kai, who stretched his legs across the floor, looked at him.

He was looking tired, probably hadn't even noticed Kai sitting here as well.

A few hours ago, Cole had made a risky stunt to safe Kai's life, and the fire master had not yet found the time to thank him for that.

But now, as Cole sat down next to him, he thought about the mission again and how it would've ended for him, if it wasn't for Cole. Whenever anyone else had saved him, Nya or Jay or Lloyd or Zane, Kai had gotten mad.

At himself. For being helpless. And sometimes the others helped making him feel that way. By rubbing it under his nose.

Not Cole though. Never. If Kai would make a bet about it, he'd say that Cole didn't even realize, what it meant for Kai. For Cole it was natural to risk his life for the people he loved. Probably already some sort of muscle memory.

But to Kai it meant the world, that the black ninja felt this way about him.

Just as Kai wanted to speak up, tell him about his feelings, tell him that he should know he could feek the same way with him, that Cole could also trust Kai with his life, something happened.

The swaying rhythm of the ship matched Cole’s heartbeat, and before long, lulled by the gentle sway, he drifted into dreamless sleep.

His head tilted naturally onto Kai's shoulder, an unconscious testament of the trust, Kai had wanted him to feel.

Kai froze, eyes wide with surprise at first, but a smile soon softened his features.

As if the universe conspired to draw them even closer, a sudden gust shook the ship. The movement shifted Cole's sleeping form, causing him to slide until his head lay comfortably in Kai's lap.

Despite the unexpected tumble, Cole slept peacefully, completely unfazed.

Kai, unsure of what to make of the situation, hesitated momentarily.

Eventually, however, drawn by an impulse he couldn't quite explain, his fingers softly wove their way through Cole's dark hair.

It was rare to see such vulnerability from the unshakeable earth ninja, and Kai found it utterly endearing. He watched Cole, whose breaths were deep and even, lips whispering soft, unintelligible murmurs.

With the ship's descending altitude, the world seemed to dissolve around them, leaving only whispered winds and the warmth of their shared presence.

In the next room, Zane and Lloyd were already discussing next missions, and Jay was loud about some video game, but red and black were in their own peaceful bubble.

Cole wrapped his arms around his torso, curling his legs up onto the couch and burrowing deeper into Kai’s warmth, contentment painted every line of his sleeping face.

As the ship began its steady descent into Ninjago, the sounds of its landing jolted Cole awake.

He blinked, disoriented at first. When he registered his head was on Kai’s lap, every fiber of his being ignited into a vibrant, crimson hue.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I hope I didn’t drool on you!", he exclaimed, scrambling to sit upright, awkwardness tinged with sincerity.

Kai laughed, a brilliant, pure sound that danced through the air and settled into Cole’s bones, a melody he cherished more than any song he’d ever heard.

"You saved my life today, Cole. I’d say you earned the right to drool on me", Kai teased, his eyes gleaming with affection.

Cole’s blush deepened, and Kai found it nearly as enchanting as the bold warrior's usual bravado.

"I... uh... I should... I mean...", Cole stammered, unable to piece together a complete sentence let alone a thought, as he rose to his feet, flustered.

As he gave up speaking and just turned to leave, Kai’s gentle smirk and his hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"You know, you seemed pretty comfortable. Maybe next time we should just find somewhere else to sit. Or not, if you like this spot", Kai suggested, his voice light and teasing but layered with deeper meaning.

Cole hesitated, glancing back at Kai, who, despite his teasing words, looked sincere.

It dawned on Cole that somehow, maybe, he had been more than comfortable. It was a curious sense of safety, a warmth that went beyond mere physical closeness. I mean... how did he manage to fall asleep on someone else?? He was never the type to show such vulnerability to... anyone. But if he can with Kai, then what...

"Yeah", Cole replied, finally landing on a shy smile. "Yeah, maybe"

As they touched ground, the other ninjas eagerly rushed out off the bounty towards their home: the monastery.

Yet, it was as though Cole and Kai walked a path separate from their friends, a path unknown and undefined.

Perhaps, as all great romances begin, it was that the familiarity of friendship had paved the way for something deeper, a tale yet unwritten but eagerly anticipated by both.

A flame of new possibilities was now kindling between them.