landondeeznuts

[landondeeznuts]

[landondeeznuts]

𝚁𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚂𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝙼𝚎𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜

Pairing: Cole Brookstone x Gender Neutral MC

Rating: PG

Summary: Gender Neutral Reader who so happens to be Kai and Nya's (I guess Lloyd's too) Cousin, meets Cole while shopping. Cole is also a little shy in this story

(Posted over on Ao3 first)

Y/n was happily flipping through vinyl records in the store, drawn into the soft rock section. Amid the nostalgic tunes, a tall guy with tousled black hair caught their eye. His headphones created a zone, shutting out the world as he searched for the perfect track. Unbeknownst to Y/n, the record they were after was right in front of this stranger.

Summoning some courage, they tapped him on the shoulder. "Can I help you?" he asked kindly. Y/n felt a slight flush. "I don't suppose I can squeeze in there to get that," they gestured to the record they had their eye on. "Oh, sorry, yeah, of course," he replied, making space for them. As Y/n reached for the record, they couldn't help but notice Cole's handsome face, somewhat obscured by a plain black hoodie and inconspicuous sweats. Yet, the attire couldn't hide the undoubtedly muscular arms beneath. A warm familiarity lingered in the air, tugging at the edges of Y/n's consciousness.

Tilting their head, Y/n couldn't resist asking, "Do I know you? You look oddly familiar." Cole, caught off guard, responded with a nervous chuckle, "Me? Uh, I don't think so." His gaze momentarily wandered, glancing over Y/n's shoulder before refocusing. Suddenly, it clicked for Y/n—the amber eyes, the thick curly black hair, the strong jawline—all reminiscent of the elemental master of earth, Cole, that they had vividly heard about.

"Is your name Cole?" Y/n asked, excitement and realization evident in their voice. He froze, eyes widening with surprise and curiosity. "Uh... you... how do you know me?" Y/n chuckled, feeling a connection through Kai's shared stories. "Kai," they revealed with a grin. "Kai?" Cole's astonishment was palpable. "Yeah, he's my cousin."

"Kai mentioned me?" Cole inquired, still processing the unexpected encounter. "He's mentioned all of you," Y/n reassured him with a smile. His response was a sincere "Wow... that's... wow," as he shifted, still processing the revelation. "It's nice to meet you, I'm Cole." “Y/n,” they replied, returning the warmth with a smile. “That’s a really nice name,” Cole complimented, a genuine smile playing on his lips. Y/n found themselves basking in the easygoing atmosphere, an unspoken understanding growing between them.

Gesturing towards the record, Cole asked, “You wanted that one, right?” Y/n nodded, their shared interest bridging the gap between strangers. “Here, I’ll just—” Before Y/n could respond, Cole gracefully moved behind them, his proximity sending a gentle thrill through Y/n. He leaned over their shoulder to retrieve the record, and Y/n couldn't help but blush at the unexpected closeness. “Kai failed to mention you're a gentleman,” Y/n teased, playfully acknowledging the subtle gesture.

“Oh, you… uh…” Cole stammered, suddenly self-aware. Straightening up, he handed the record to Y/n with a charming smile. “And cute,” Y/n added, causing Cole's blush to intensify. “Uh…. heh…” Y/n hid a chuckle behind their hand. “Real cute.” Cole's gaze met theirs, a genuine smile forming on his face. “I… um… you’re cute, too…” His admission was met with a reciprocal blush from Y/n, the air thickening with unspoken chemistry.

“Why thank you,” Y/n beamed, the exchange creating a delightful rapport. “Of course,” Cole replied, a subtle grin playing on his lips. Emboldened by the shared moment, Y/n couldn't resist a playful tease. “Hey… uh… um…” Cole looked at the price tag and then back at them. “Are you busy this evening?” Y/n, contemplating the answer with a playful demeanor, looked up. “Schedules free.” Cole's surprise was evident. “Oh? Well… um… would you like to… I dunno… do something together?”

The air crackled with anticipation as Y/n hummed, leaning in a bit. "Like?" they inquired, inviting Cole to share his thoughts. Cole, momentarily flustered, cleared his throat and looked down. "Well, there's a coffee shop that's open late near here, and I thought we could get coffee there." Y/n's smile widened. "Coffee sounds nice." Cole visibly relaxed. "Great! Uh, should we meet there at, I don't know, seven? Or do you have other plans?" After a moment, he spoke again. "It might be a little late... how about we make it six?"

"Six sounds great," Y/n sighed contentedly, their heart fluttering with excitement. "Okay, great. Um... the coffee shop's called 'The Rusty Cup,' it's on North Street, right next to that park. See you then?" Cole's smile held a hint of anticipation. "See you then," Y/n reciprocated with a smile. He nodded once. "Okay, see you then... y/n." The name rolled off his tongue with a warmth that lingered, leaving Y/n's heart racing in the most delightful and fluffy way.

______________________________________________________________

Time passed, and Y/n found themselves outside 'The Rusty Cup.' The soft glow of the coffee shop's warm lights spilled onto the sidewalk, creating an inviting ambiance. A cool evening breeze played with the edges of Y/n's hair as they waited, their heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and curiosity.

Just as they were about to enter, the door swung open, and there stood Cole, a genuine smile lighting up his face. "Hey," he greeted warmly, his amber eyes sparkling. Y/n returned the smile, feeling an inexplicable sense of ease in his presence. "Hi, Cole. Ready for that coffee?" they asked with a playful glint in their eye.

"Absolutely," he replied, holding the door open for them. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped them as they stepped inside. Finding a cozy corner, they settled into a pair of overstuffed chairs, the soft hum of conversation and the gentle whirr of the espresso machine creating a comforting backdrop.

As they sipped their coffee and exchanged stories, Y/n couldn't help but marvel at the effortless connection they were building. Cole, usually reserved, gradually opened up about his passion for music, sharing anecdotes about his adventures as the elemental master of earth. Y/n, in turn, revealed their own interests and dreams, creating a mosaic of shared experiences.

Time seemed to slip away unnoticed, and before they knew it, the coffee shop's closing hour approached. Reluctantly, they gathered their things, the night having woven an invisible thread between them. Standing outside, Y/n felt a sense of gratitude for the unexpected encounter and the easy camaraderie that had blossomed.

"Well, this was unexpectedly wonderful," Cole remarked, a soft smile playing on his lips. Y/n nodded in agreement, a warmth settling in their chest. "Definitely. We should do it again sometime," they suggested, the prospect of future meetings already brightening their thoughts.

Cole's eyes crinkled with a smile. "I'd like that. 

______________________________________________________________

The next day, Y/n found themselves happily lost in a tune when a bright idea crossed their mind. Why not share the exciting news with Kai, who unintentionally played a role in their unexpected encounter with Cole? Pulling out their phone, Y/n began crafting a message to Kai.

Y/n: Hey Kai! Guess who I bumped into at the record store yesterday? Your partner in crime, Cole! 😊

Kai's response was swift, embodying his usual quick-witted charm.

Kai: Oh, Cole! Stirring up trouble, I hope.

Y/n chuckled at the familiar banter, fully aware of Kai's penchant for teasing.

Y/n: Surprisingly, no trouble at all. Just helping me grab a record. He's a total gentleman.

Kai: A gentleman, huh? That's a new one. Did he pull out a chair for you at the coffee shop?

Y/n couldn't help but grin, picturing Kai's mischievous expression.

Y/n: You got it! How did you guess?

Kai: Lucky hunch. So, spill the beans. Why are you updating me? Should I be on high alert?

Y/n: No need to worry, just wanted to let you know your buddy's got some impressive manners. We got coffee, chatted about music, you know, the usual.

Kai: Coffee? Music? Sounds like a date. Should I be shopping for a wedding gift?

Y/n burst into laughter, imagining Kai preparing for a non-existent wedding.

Y/n: Hold your horses, matchmaker. It was just coffee. But hey, Cole did mention he's into music. Think he's hiding a secret playlist?

Kai: Oh, more than a playlist. Thinks he's the DJ of our ninja team. But don't be fooled; he's got a soft spot for cheesy love songs.

Y/n grinned, picturing Cole secretly vibing to love ballads. Kai's protective humor didn't go unnoticed.

Y/n: DJ Cole and his love for cheesy tunes noted. Thanks for the heads up, Kai. 😄

Kai: Anytime, cuz. Keep me posted on your coffee escapades. And remember, I've got my eye on that dunderhead.

Y/n chuckled, appreciating Kai's playful concern.

Y/n: Will do, Kai. You've got a front-row seat to this budding friendship.

As Y/n tucked their phone away, a warm feeling settled in their chest. Kai's teasing, sprinkled with a protective touch, hinted at a genuine care for family. The fluffy banter served as a comforting reminder of the support surrounding this newfound connection with Cole.