Archive of Our Own

It was quite known that while Jay was Cole's best friend, the Earth Ninja always seemed closer to the team's two nindroids, especially within the past year.

The others could simply chalk Cole and Zane's bond up to the fact that Cole was a big foodie with a sweet tooth that could rival Lloyd's, and Zane loved to cook for his friends. When Zane was preparing a meal, you could usually grantee Cole would be nearby, watching the process with fascination, occasionally being allowed to help. They were also the first two to be recruited by Wu, and therefore knew each other the longest.

However they couldn't quite think of an explanation as to why Cole and Pixal had taken to each other so well. The two barely had anything in common, besides being terrible cooks and big fans of rock music. Cole never had any interest in machinery, yet he would often sit in the bunker with Pixal, keeping her company as she worked late into the night.

Though, perhaps that was simply because Cole had been a diagnosed insomniac since returning from being a ghost, and there was really no one else to talk to at three in the morning.

And it wasn't just Cole; Zane and Pixal- whether intentional or not- also tended to play favourites with the Master of Earth.

Cole got away with stealing food from the kitchen. Where the others would be scolded, Cole received a playful warning from the Ice Elemental, then sent away with whatever he'd snagged. Zane also bought Cole random gifts. Be it a sketchbook or pastry, Ice would frequently come home with a present he'd purchased for Earth. Of course, Cole was extremely humble when this happened. He would protest to the gift, eventually giving in after Zane insisted he have it, and accepting the present with about a million 'thank you's'.

And Cole was allowed around the X suit. Pixal rarely let anyone close to her suit, unless it was Nya or Zane, and only then because she couldn't sort out whatever problem it had on her own. But Cole, who- once again- had never displayed interest in technology, and probably the most likely to accidently break something (the team loved him, but Cole was extremely clutzy at times, and often didn't know his own strength), was given joyrides on the mech by Pixal, or permitted to sit inside the suit as she tinkered.

The team didn't mind that much- they would be the world's biggest hypocrites if they did, as Kai often let Lloyd get away with mischief with less than a warning, and Jay constantly showered Nya in little gifts and trinkets he'd find while out.

But, Kai saw Lloyd as his little brother, of course the little green gremlin could get away with stuff when it came to Kai. And Jay and Nya were betrothed, random shows of affection were common- even expected- from couples.

So what made Cole, Pixal and Zane different? Obviously the nindroids were together, but what about Cole? Did they see him as a sibling? Come to think of it, they couldn't recall the last time Zane referred to Cole as 'brother', something he called all the others (or 'sister' for Nya, naturally), and Pixal, while she was their sister, had never explicitly called any of them by a sibling title, always addressing them by their name, or a nickname.

Speaking of nicknames, the three seemed to have an abundance for each other. Cole had been affectionally dubbed names such as 'Gaia', 'Gem', and 'Dangerbuff' by the nindroids. Zane was 'Pinky', 'Frosty', 'Jaguar' and 'Tincan'; Pixal was 'Pixie (Dust)', 'Cookie', 'Borg junior', or 'Sam', but the three had also called to each other in German on certain occasions, a language none of the others understood.

In conclusion, the team definitely noticed the strange cosiness between those three. Before, they'd always just assumed Cole had simply become Zane's and Pixal's designated third wheel- even if he never meant to, and they simply didn't mind his company.

That of course all change when Jay spotted Cole and Pixal making out in the kitchen one day.

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Jay simply wanted to get a snack, not uncover- what he thought was- a scandal that could possibly destroy the team dynamic.

Approaching the kitchen, he'd heard noises from inside, but waved it off as someone on a similar mission to himself.

When he looked around the doorframe to see who it was, however, he found himself audience Pixal lifting Cole onto the counter, running a hand up and down his thigh as they passionately rammed their lips together. Cole had one arm draped over her shoulder, his other hand tangled in her hair, her ponytail coming loose as he wrapped his legs around her waist, pulling her in and deepening the kiss. Pixal hummed in approval, tracing shapes into Cole's neck with her free hand, making him shiver into her.

Horrified, Jay fumbled with his phone for a moment before snapping a photo and dashing off before they noticed him. Not that they would have anyway; they seemed far too engrossed in pressing into each other.

Jay's legs shook as they carried him across the Bounty. His lungs tightened, and his chest heaved. He just wanted to get away from what he'd seen.

"Jay?"

He slammed into Kai, leaping back with a yelp and stumbling to the floor as he looked up at the Fire Ninja. Kai raised an eyebrow, extending a hand to Jay.

"You okay Blue?" He asked, "You seem shook up. Are you having a panic attack?"

Jay gasped for a few minutes, steadying his breathing, before eventually accepting Kai's hand, the Fire Elemental pulling him to his feet.

"What's up Jay?"

"I think I just saw something I shouldn't have."

Kai grew more confused, "What could you have seen? Did you walk in on Master Wu changing or something?"

Jay practically went green, "Ew! No, gross Kai!" He shuddered as he tried to shove away the mental image Kai had just presented him with.

Kai chuckled, "See, it couldn't have been that bad."

Jay didn't smile back.

"I think it might be worse to be honest. Grab Lloyd and Nya; we need to talk about this."

"What about Cole, Zane and Pixal?"

"No! They can't know yet."

Kai shrugged.

"Alright, if you say so. Lloyd's in the living room, we can get him and meet Nya in the bridge."

Jay nodded, and Kai squeezed his shoulder.

"Deep breaths Sparky; you can't tell us anything if you're still panicking."

"Right, thanks Kai."

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"Jay, what did you need us for?" Nya asked, when Lloyd looked around.

"Where are the others?" He asked.

"Uhm... I don't know where Zane is," Jay stuttered, "But Cole and Pixal are- uhm- kinda occupied."

"Doing what?" Nya asked with an amused but confused smile.

Jay opened his phone, showing them the photo.

They leant in to see, before all reeling back in horror almost instantly.

"What..." Lloyd mumbled.

"I can't believe it," Nya stated.

"Neither can I, and I witnessed it," Jay told her.

"That... I wasn't expecting that at all," Kai remarked.

The four stood in silence for a moment as they processed the fact that one of their teammates was a homewrecker, and another was a cheater.

"How are we gonna tell Zane?" Lloyd mumbled.

"Tell me what?"

They all jumped at Zane's sudden voice, whipping around to face the nindroid in the doorway, who was accompanied by Wu.

"Why are you four having a secret meeting?" Wu chuckled, he and Zane stepping into the room.

"Uhh, h-hey Zane!" Jay managed, "How are you man?"

"I am well, why? Is something wrong?" Zane seemed to scan Jay, "Your anxiety levels are quite high." He then glanced around the room, "Curious, all of your anxiety levels have spiked. Are you all okay?"

"Right now, no," Kai admitted, "Jay... found something you might not like."

"If it's a sealed tomb then I suggest you leave it alone," Wu joked.

"It's a little more personal," Nya managed.

"You are all acting very strangely," Zane remarked.

"Because Cole and Pixal were kissing in the kitchen!" Lloyd blurted out, the other three cringing at his outburst.

"They were?" Wu asked, looking very shocked despite his calm voice, "That might be a problem."

"How do you know this?" Zane asked.

"Uhm, I walked in on them," Jay spoke up, "They didn't notice me, and I managed to take a photo before I ran off." He slid the phone over to Zane, who inspected the picture for a moment.

"Sorry Zane, we know you really love Pixal," Kai mumbled.

Zane hummed, setting the phone down. "I'd say they're doing just a bit more than kissing, Lloyd," He joked, "Though, I'm not that surprised, but I did expect them to be blowing up the microwave by this point."

"Not surpris- Zane you knew?!" Nya realised.

"That Cole and Pixal 'kiss'? Yes, of course I knew."

Jay sucked his teeth sympathetically, "So it's been going on for a while huh? That sucks man, are you sure you're alright?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Dude, did a villain attack or something?" Cole's voice rang through the hall, "Where is everyone?"

"I'm pretty sure I'd know if there was an attack, Cole," Pixal answered, the two entering the bridge, "Ah, we have located them. Hello everyone."

"Hello Cookie, Gem," Zane greeted them with a bright smile, much to everyone's confusion. "You've arrived just in time; I believe there's been some miscommunication between the others."

"Really, how?" Cole asked, walking up to Ice and taking a look at everyone, who glared daggers at him. "Geez, stone-faced much guys? That's usually my thing."

"Cole, I do not think joking is really the most appropriate response to this," Wu began, "Especially after what we've discovered about you and Pixal."

Cole raised an eyebrow, "What?"

"Dude, you're disgusting!" Kai yelled, and Cole blinked in surprise, backing away slightly at Kai's tone.

"Honestly, after what happened with me and Nya I thought you'd steer clear of other people's girlfriends," Jay added.

"Huh?"

"Don't act coy," Nya stated fiercely, "You and Pixal know exactly what you've done."

"Alright, I don't appreciate the tone you're using," Zane told them, stepping slightly in front of Cole, who looked extremely confused and verging on upset.

"Zane, why are you defending them?!" Lloyd asked, "Pixal cheated on you- with Cole! One of your best friends!"

"Cheated?" Pixal repeated.

"You were making out with Cole for First Master's sake!" Jay yelled, "I have proof- and the image seared into my brain!"

Realisation dawned across Cole and Pixal's faces, before Cole's quickly flushed a dark red, hiding his face in Zane's back.

"Did you ever think about what you were doing?" Nya asked, "How Zane would feel?"

"I mean, he's welcome to join," Pixal stated nonchalantly, "He just isn't into the more sexually intimate side of relationships."

"It's true; I appreciate hand holding or hugs more than kisses," Zane added.

"What- what are you talking about?!" Kai asked, more confused than angry.

"Pixal and I are together, yes," Zane began.

"But Cole joined our relationship quite a while ago," Pixal finished, "We just haven't announced it due to worry about your reactions."

"You guys are all together?" Lloyd asked, "But how does that work?"

Cole, having regained his composure, stepped around Zane, "Polyamory, Greenie. Basically, I'm dating Pix and Zane, and they're both dating each other, so it's three people instead of two. Make sense?"

"Dude, since when were you poly?" Nya asked.

"Actually, I figured it out after me and Jay stopped butting heads over you, Nya. Being a ghost gave me a lot of time to reflect on my life. It wasn't long after Pix came back that I fell for both her and Frosty."

"Can you blame him?" Pixal chuckled, "Zane was quite dashing in that Snake Jaguar disguise."

"He really was honestly," Cole agreed wistfully, while Zane chuckled.

"You two flatter me."

"Always Zane," Pixal stated, "Does anyone else have anymore questions?"

The room was silent for a moment, before Kai glanced back at the photo.

"Hold on- Pixal's picking Cole up in this!"

"Oh yeah, she does that a lot."

"Huh?!"