Summary: Kai tells Cinder something that throws her off. He's also slightly intoxicated.
Masterlist
Words: 777
AO3 Link
A/N: Chapter 1 of my College AU miniseries! Hope you enjoy, I've been saving this one in my pocket. Also, shoutout to @cinderswirecutters who beta-read the first couple chapters and has provided me so much support! Love you! This is a short one, so bear with me...
Kai was drunk—that much Cinder could tell. He giggled over every small joke, slurring on every phrase, and was as pink as a peach. His usual kept hair had fallen into his eyes, and whatever composure he’d started the night with had long since vanished.
Oh, and he was clutching onto Cinder for dear life.
She, who had a few drinks but nowhere near as many as Kai, laughed along with him and found his chuckles endearing. They were on the couch in her small suite of four. Cress went to bed early, but Scarlet, Wolf, Jacin, and Winter played cards on the ground. Thorne had a mixer at his fraternity. Iko was passed out in a corner after losing a drinking game with none other than, yes, Kai.
“No, Go Fish, baby!” Scarlet grinned at Winter. Winter pouted on Jacin’s arm and picked up yet another card. She was having lots of bad luck in this game. Wolf was on the same boat. Jacin and Scarlet were neck and neck.
Kai muttered something to himself and then laughed out loud again. “Kai, what’s up?” She giggled.
“You’re– You’re just so warm.” He cooed, tucking his head inside the curve of her neck. If she didn’t feel hot before, she definitely was now. His arms were still wrapped tightly around her waist, securing her by his side. “Don’t leave,” he muttered.
At least he didn’t have wandering hands. He only wanted to hug her, it seemed. She tried not to think about why.
She did not want to think about his patient smile or his pretty eyes. Or how he could always tell when she was uncomfortable and magically appear to make her feel better. She did not want to think about their years of friendship—full of almosts and tense moments. Their almost-kiss when he passed his calc exam with flying colors (which he insisted was because of her). The way she could easily relax around him without even trying. The way he made her laugh.
She definitely did not want to think about the way his silky black hair fell beautifully on his face every single time. Or how unfairly intelligent he was—or how he seemed just as infatuated with her. How she often caught him staring, talking about her, grinning at her. How beautiful he looked in the sun.
Yet, they were merely friends, right? These feelings, which seemed to come and go since the beginning of their relationship, were transient. They were only merely attracted to each other, nothing else. A small crush, but nothing more. Maybe she did have too much to drink.
“Are you tired yet?” She asked through her blush.
“Yes. Sooooo tired,” he groaned, moving his mouth against her neck. “I need to text Jade.”
She also did not want to think about his kind-of-but-also-not girlfriend. Jade, a 5’2” black-haired Chinese girl with tattoos, was obsessed with him. So much that she forbade him from seeing Cinder because she thought Cinder was trying to steal him at all costs. He broke up with her a month ago, claiming that he never really fell in love and could not see a future with Jade, but somehow he got back into texting her again. Kai swears they’re not together, but they hang out after their policy class and text almost every day. Thorne, his roommate, also swears that he’s trying to end it, but Jade was just persistent and clingy, and Kai, being the empath that he is, felt bad.
Not that Cinder actually wanted him, or anything. Jade had nothing to worry about. “Then go text her.”
“I don’t wanna.” He sounded like a two-year-old. “She’ll just get mad and insist on dating again.”
“Are you not?” She teased, already knowing his answer.
Kai let out a long dramatic groan. “Noooooooo. I don’t want her.” He struggled to puff out air. “I–I never wanted her.”
She had to admit it was kind of fun teasing him like this. He’ll regret his answers in the morning. “Then why’d you date her?” She asked with a smile.
He paused for so long she thought he actually fell asleep. Then, he slowly pulled away so he could meet her eyes. She saw copper brimming with emotion. His lips trembled as if he were struggling to get the words out. After a sigh, he spoke, “because she reminded me of you, Cinder. I always–” Another sigh before continuing, “always wanted you.”
Cinder’s heart froze in her chest. His words didn’t even have time to sink in before he collapsed in her lap, this time falling asleep for real.
And now her whole world was off-center.
Tagging: @just2bubbly @cinderswrench @cindersassasin @the-wee-woo-royal @deprivedmusicaljunkie @crescentchat @wheresmymom-imlost @salt-warrior @rapunzelfromthemoon @briggycat @impossiblesuitcase @kaider-is-my-otp @definitelynotisabel @therealkaidertrash21 @cinderswirecutters @cyborgcourt @alsedoesart @asters-28 @sarabankesley @fuck-is-going-on @chronicles-rampion @gaiabythesea (i'm going to be tagging each new ch so let me know if you'd like to be added or removed <3)
Summary: While clearly still being in a frazzled state, Cinder has an enlightening conversation with someone she naively didn't expect and... well, another accident happens... one she doesn't know if she regrets.
Masterlist
Words: 3.5
AO3 Link
A/N: sorry it took me all day to post this, i've been out. i also wrote this after binging love island... do with that information what you will. recall cinder and kai's interaction in chapter one, especially his words. it's what made cinder go crazy in the first place. special shoutout to elle, aster, and gaia who have been stalking my account. i'll take you out to chili's to compensate. on me.
When the knock on the door finally came, Cinder was somewhat prepared. After her conversation with Scarlet, she spent the majority of her day mapping out possible scenarios. She turned off her phone, accidentally ignoring Thorne’s calls and messages. The silence helped her gather her thoughts.
Now, she was ready to act. At least, she tried to convince herself that. However, her determination was poorly expressed by her trembling fingers. The cool handle twisted underneath her grip as she slowly pulled it toward her. She took her final breath before facing the boy she had been dreading speaking to all day.
Expecting dark blue irises was her first mistake. Her throat contracted in surprise. She was met with a soft copper brown instead, and her heart squeezed as her body froze. When it came to this boy, she had learned that she retained little control of her physical—and mental—actions.
Kai smiled in greeting, his hands tucked into his jean pockets as he leaned his head to one side. “I was going to bring flowers, but Scar’s not back yet and I can’t wait another moment longer to speak to you.”
This wasn’t right. Thorne was supposed to speak with her first. She had to get him out of the way before she could fully face her feelings with Kai. It was easier to focus on Thorne than Kai. She didn't know what to say or do.
Visions of Thorne morphing into Kai began to cloud her head. How badly she had wanted it to be him. How badly she wanted… well, him.
“Flowers?” was all she could breathe out.
He ducked his head sheepishly, scratching his neck. “Yeah. I would’ve just gotten them myself, but I already asked her to buy them and I would feel bad if I didn’t use them. I swear, as soon as she gets here, they’re yours.”
“Why?” She knew why. She just couldn’t think of anything else to respond with.
He chuckled. “If you’ll let me in, I can tell you.” Crap. He used a low, soothing voice that settled deep in her belly. It was as gentle as it was attractive and never failed to make her guts flip. Paired with the eye contact he maintained, Cinder didn’t know how she didn’t fall to her knees.
The chaos of the past few days threw her usually well-regulated emotions through a typhoon. Everything was out of sorts and, as a result, everything felt more heightened and dramatic than it was. She doubted she’d be internally reacting like this if the past weekend hadn’t happened.
“Or we can talk out here, if you prefer that.” Kai recovered after she didn’t respond.
“No, please come inside. The other girls are in the library, so, yeah.” She trailed off, letting him in.
Kai walked behind Cinder as she sat herself down on the long couch in the shared space. It faced the small TV and had seen countless stories play out, including Kai’s drunken confession.
There was a moment of awkward silence before he lowered himself next to her. Now, they were at least four feet apart, their bodies turned towards each other. A wish to scoot closer suddenly overtook her mind, and she nearly complied before shoving it away. She was hyperaware of the damage that could be done as a result of neglecting her feelings. She was either going to jump him and never let go or run away. Neither felt right nor wrong, so she stayed put with her hands folded neatly in her lap.
Cinder could not be trusted in this wretched state.
“Okay, about Friday night, I just want to apologize—" he started.
“About what?” She blurted, still preoccupied with keeping herself at bay. It was easier to look at dust settling on the TV than him.
“About getting drunk and you having to take care of me. I shouldn’t have dumped that on you.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. Besides, we both had more than we can handle.” She turned to look at him. “I’ll always care for you.” Now she was speaking without thinking. Control yourself.
Kai paused, searching for something in her eyes. She chose not to dwell on his gaze. Once satisfied, he continued. “I also wanted to talk to you about what I said.”
Her heart dropped. His voice, genuine and gentle, rang through her mind like Christmas bells. Cinder. At once, she was transported back Friday night.
“...Do you remember?” she murmured.
He shuffled closer. Three feet, now. “I was hoping you could tell me.”
She gulped. “About what you said?”
“Well, yes.” You’re so warm! His voice continued to jingle as the memory ceased to leave her mind.
Noticing her discomfort, he got even closer. “Did I say something to upset you? Oh stars, I’m so sorry.”
I-I never wanted her! “No!” She waved her hands, accidentally reducing the distance in her haste to comfort him. Two feet. “I mean, not exactly.”
“Did I say something bad? Clearly, it’s bothering you.” His eyes expressed true guilt. Her heart twisted painfully. If only he knew.
She reminded me of you, Cinder.
“No, you didn’t. You just— surprised me...” She could barely handle looking at him a minute longer without feeling strangely heavy. Yet, she couldn’t break eye contact. Her breaths started to come in short wisps as her chest tightened. It felt as though her entire body was being pulled by an invisible rope, and she was doing everything in her power to resist it. However, the more the copper in his eyes shone, the more her body relented. They were now less than a foot away, all by her own doing. “You— you said things that threw me off a bit.”
She had been aching for this man ever since her accidental kiss. Her fingers throbbed in response to resisting his pull. She wished for her whole body to be wrapped around his structured figure. She pictured his hand entangling itself in her brown hair. Her lips tingled as she thought of what it would be like to kiss him for hours upon hours.
His voice dropped. “Oh, no. I think I can piece it together now.”
Cinder’s mind fought itself to bring her back to the present, but she struggled to separate fantasy from reality. Kai, on the other hand, looked worried, debating about what to do. Either confess or apologize.
He better make his decision quickly before she made a move she was half-conscious of doing.
“Did you mean it?” The words came out like a plea. Through the messy haze that fuddled her brain, one thing seemed certain. She wanted him.
Nevermind Thorne, their kiss, and their friendship. She never wanted to be with a person more than Kai. The man who could charm the stars with his eyes as easily as he could speak to a crowd. The person who trusted her enough to let vulnerability seep through cracks. The person she was inexplicably drawn to, and not only because of his face.
When she met Jade for the first time, something dark coated their conversations. Cinder could now label it as envy. Pure jealousy, on both ends. It hurt seeing Kai with someone who wasn’t her. Yet, she hadn’t known it then. When they broke up, she felt guilty for being slightly happy, even though Kai expressed his relief numerous times. Yes, she was attracted to him, but she had no clue that her feelings would ever reach this level.
A revelation she hadn’t realized she was anticipating began to form. It came from every small smile he had offered her over the years. Every joke. Every conversation. Every quiet gaze. No matter what either of them said or did, their relationship would transform after today. Into what exactly depended on his next words.
He reached out to soothe her trembling hand. She didn’t even notice until he caressed the scars that soiled her skin. Kai sighed, staring at their touch. “Yes, Cinder, I did.” Her eyes widened. “I’m sorry to put you in this situation; you deserve better. But, I came here today to express how I feel to you. You don’t have to say anything, but I’ve always wanted our friendship to turn into something more.”
She should be reasonable and think about Jade like she usually did. Selfishly, Jade didn’t exist right now. Perhaps a bad decision, but Cinder had a streak to keep up.
Kai flipped her palm so it was facing upwards. He traced the callouses on her long fingers, following the intricacies of her burns. This wasn’t the first time he had done this, yet it felt much more serious. Having someone look at her imperfections with such respect was still a sensation she was learning to deal with. She thought that he’d interlace their fingers. When he didn’t, Cinder did.
He continued. “Listen, I’m going to sound like a complete jerk, but the entirety of my relationship with Jade never felt genuine. A part of me always ended up thinking of you.” He squeezed. “Wanting you.”
Cinder was so focused on how his thumb softly rubbed the back of her hand that when he cupped her cheek with his free palm, she was taken by surprise. It was like the gravity of his words was emphasized by the intensity in his eyes. Her heart began to beat impossibly faster while she tried to control her breaths. His touch gradually rose from her chin to her ear, where he tucked a loose flyaway away behind it.
I always wanted you… The look he gave her that night was all she could think about. She wondered what her expression looked like to him.
“Kai…” was all she could breathe out. It was the only thing she could think about anyway. They were less than a foot apart at this point and gradually closing the distance. Whereas earlier thousands of possibilities arose in her mind, she could only see one conclusion. Well, two, but she only wanted one of them.
He, however, looked at her like she was made of pure gold. Like she was the only thing to be looked at. Like she was a timeless painting in the Louvre that people journey from all over the world to see. His eyes told her that she was more than a prize to him; she was someone to be appreciated. Venerated. Loved. She never thought anyone would ever perceive her in that way. Yet, here he was, a few inches in front of her, and she wanted him badly. She wanted him to look at her that way forever.
“I hope you forgive me, Cinder. And I’d like to take you out on a date, if you’ll accept me. After seeing what we could be like on Friday, it’s all I can think about. I— I need you to know how I feel.” He broke their shared gaze to kiss the tips of her fingers. Even the way he held her conveyed reverence and awe. His eyes snapped back to hers as if they needed to pierce into hers. “I like you a lot, Cinder. Maybe more than that.” He chuckled awkwardly. “We don’t have to go there right now. But my point is–”
She didn’t know what got into her, honestly. Kai’s face got closer and closer until her eyes slipped shut and the world went dark. It wasn’t until she pulled away for air that she realized that she’d kissed him. She barely had time to think before going back for another.
The kiss began slow soft, and sweet, but quickly deepened. Words she couldn’t form passed through contented sighs and quiet moans. It wasn’t hungry or desperate, like…. Something teetered in the corner of her mind; something she had to remember. Yet, the glory of his lips overtook her senses. Finally, her body and mind reverberated. This is what she wanted, and it was happening at last.
While her hands preoccupied themselves with learning the feel of his face and hair, he gently squeezed her neck, holding her head firm. The pressure made it slightly harder to breathe, but easier for embarrassing noises to come out of her. His other palm held her waist, sliding up and down her torso. Realizing that she wasn’t close enough for him to dip lower than the curve on her hip, she attempted to get closer… except she lost her balance and practically fell on top of him.
He wasn’t expecting her sudden lunge, and so he fell backwards, bringing her with him. Now, she hovered above him, hair falling in between them. Cinder giggled, her lips touching his with each laugh. Kai chuckled, pushing her hair out of her face and pulling her back into his warmth. Her legs grounded her on either side of his hips as his hand, now lower than her waist, kept their bodies close. In the small breaks she took to gather her breath, he tenderly pulled her back, like he couldn’t get enough. In fact, she could feel the small smile he fought to control on his lips, one she began to mirror.
Kai was so gentle. Not rough at all. Unlike—
His hair was softer than she predicted; it was like running your fingers through silk ribbons. He was firm but also delicate. He guided her but never commanded. Stars, even his tongue felt like he was trying to embrace her. Their kiss didn’t feel impulsive, like the other one. It felt like they were meant to end up tangled on this couch, kissing with no intention of ever stopping.
A phantom memory of coarse and hungry lips shot uneasy electricity up her spine. Dread possessed her stomach before travelling up to her sternum. Lucidity awoke her nerves, and her excited heart sank.
Though being with him felt so right, it was so wrong of her to kiss him on many levels. There were too many people involved; too many things that could go awry.
She snapped backwards, gasping for air.
Kai immediately sat up, his tousled hair matching the worry clear on his face. “Are you okay? What happened?” He was quick to ask. “Did I do something…?” he asked hesitantly.
Cinder shook her head apologetically. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand before speaking. “It’s not you; I’m sorry. I–I did something I shouldn’t have.”
His lips twitched, misreading her explanation. The red on his ears spread to his cheeks, breaking out into a lazy smile as his eyes drifted back into the daze they’d held only seconds before. “There’s nothing to apologize for, darling. C’mere, we can talk it out.”
She wanted nothing more than to trap herself in his arms again and memorize the hardness of his chest while he showered her with pet names and praises, but her conscience held her back. “No, Kai, I can’t. Fuck.”
Her hands covered her face in shame. Kai peeled her fingers back and met her eyes through the cracks. “Cinder, tell me, what’s wrong?”
She gulped, her guilt almost bringing her to tears. “You’re not going to like it.”
He chuckled softly, still trying to pull her hands away. “I’m a grown man; I think I can handle it.”
Before Kai could hold her face again after successfully freeing her cheeks, she stood up from the couch and paced. “Seriously, don’t get mad.”
“Why would I get mad? What did you do?” He followed and tried to stop her nervous fidgeting, placing calm hands on her shoulders. His voice softened “Cinder, you can tell me.”
She didn’t look up from her feet, gathering courage. “Kai, before today, I wasn’t sure if what I felt for you was just a crush or more than that. And then, you said all those things, and, well, I realized that I want to be with you too. If the kiss wasn’t obvious enough about how I felt, here it is. I want you to know that I really like you.”
“Then what’s wrong?” Kai murmured. Anxiety creased his brow.
“The timing.” She paused, dreading her next words. He deserved to know, especially if they wanted to pursue a serious relationship.
His hands moved down to her waist, holding her sides reassuringly. "If it’s about Jade, I swear there is nothing going on. I can cut her off—”
Aces, she honestly forgot about Jade. “No– I mean, that’s part of it, but I made a mistake.”
“What? When?”
She took in a long sigh, facing him with something akin to regret. His eyes widened, deciphering her expression. “Kai, I kissed Thorne.”
His face morphed into confusion. “Huh?”
“Last night, I kissed him. And we made out a little bit, but—” His eyes scrunched like he was in pain. The warmth on her waist left as he dragged his hands over his face.
“Hold on.” He closed his eyes as he tried to process the information. “Why?”
“I don’t know. One minute I was kissing him and the next I was— I don’t know.”
An awkward pause followed, ending with Kai taking a step back. “You kissed him yesterday, then you kissed me today. Cinder, do you know how that makes me feel?”
“Horrible. Like I’m going back and forth, but, Kai, I swear I’m not. I was just confused—”
“Cinder, I didn’t know I was losing a battle for your attention. And, worse, that I’m losing to Thorne who fucking told me that—-”
“Kai, I understand you.” She raised her hands as his voice began to rise. His composure was cracking, just slightly. It seemed like Thorne bothered him more than her, and she was selfishly grateful.
“What?” His tone was full of utter bewilderment.
“When I was kissing him, I kept picturing your face. Like how you told me what you felt with Jade.”
He cocked his head, not following. “That’s what I said? Holy shit.”
“I thought you knew.”
“I thought I confessed my feelings, not that.” He blushed. “I regret continuing with Jade while I was falling for you.”
Cinder’s heart twitched, like he was pinching her arteries with tweezers. “Kai, I shouldn’t have kissed you, especially after kissing Thorne. I’m still confused about my own feelings, and—”
“Be honest, do you have any for him?” His lip trembled as if he were stuck in a state of disbelief.
She sighed. “I thought I did, but I’d rather just be friends.”
He stilled, scanning her face. She let him settle a little longer. “Do you… do you want us to be just friends?”
“Is it wrong to say that I don’t?”
Kai’s beautiful eyes widened just slightly, like he was restraining himself from closing the gap again. His voice dropped instead. He’d always been good at self-control. “What would you have said before we kissed?”
She didn’t want to answer, yet Cinder couldn’t handle ever holding her tongue from him. “I don’t know.” She finally conceded, her voice low and shuddering.
Cinder knew where his thought process was heading. Physical familiarity, such as kissing, can influence anyone’s emotions a great deal. It definitely factored into this situation. However, it didn’t persuade her; it revealed a truth she didn’t know she had hidden away. A stupid box locked away within her mind forcibly opened.
Cinder loved Kai. The truth was that simple. The kiss made her accept it. The next step was to confess.
“I think you should talk to Thorne before you make any decisions,” Kai stated. He fixed his face into a smooth expression and met her stare. “So it’s fair to him. And to yourself.”
“I agree.” She stepped forward, her pulse quickening. “Kai, I’m so sorry.”
He didn’t move. “It’s okay.”
“I don’t regret not kissing you, even if it wasn’t the best choice.”
He chuckled, sparkles dotting the copper. “Definitely not a wise one, on both of our ends.” He then turned serious. “I plan on ending things permanently with Jade. Ever since we broke up, I haven’t even considered taking her back.”
“Let me talk to Thorne, and we’ll figure everything else out, ok?” She settled, opening her arms.
He accepted her hug, holding her tightly. Her nose pressed into the smooth skin of his neck, basking in his delicious cologne, wanting to douse herself in his scent. Neither of them moved, both dreading parting.
“I’m sorry for kissing you back.” He breathed into her hair. “And for getting worked up. I’m not mad—I’m a man of my word.”
She sighed, her lips perking to the side. “Sure.” Then, hesitating. “I really do like you, Kai. A lot. I don’t care about Jade or Thorne; I just want you.” She held onto him tighter.
“I’m all yours, Cinder.” The words were so quiet, she almost didn’t hear them. He pressed a sweet kiss on her forehead. She lost herself in the feeling.
At that moment, when they were secure in each other, the key to her dorm turned. She didn’t process the sound fast enough, too caught up in Kai’s warmth, until multiple gasps separated them.
Amongst the three who entered the room, one stood out the most. Dark blue eyes that were usually filled with mirth were now expressing shock and borderline… betrayal?
Her chest tore at the sound of his voice calling her name. “Cinder?” he called, nearly cracking with hurt.
“Thorne.”
A/N: if a guy ever says they wanted you while they were dating someone else, run. if it's kai, marry him. after watching love island, i wanted kaider to makeout so i willed them to. captlinh shippers, i'm sorry. kaiswell shippers, next week will hurt you. thank you @cinderswirecutters for beta-reading!!! i love reading all your suggestions and your comments. i appreciate you SO much. my goat. my shayla.
Tagging: @just2bubbly @cinderswrench @cindersassasin @the-wee-woo-royal @deprivedmusicaljunkie @crescentchat @wheresmymom-imlost @salt-warrior @rapunzelfromthemoon @briggycat @impossiblesuitcase @kaider-is-my-otp @definitelynotisabel @therealkaidertrash21 @cinderswirecutters @cyborgcourt @alsedoesart @asters-28 @sarabankesley @fuck-is-going-on @chronicles-rampion @gaiabythesea (i'm going to be tagging each new ch so let me know if you'd like to be added or removed <3)
Summary: Thorne finally makes it back to his dorm, only to converse with the one person he didn't want to see.
Masterlist
Words: 1.2k
AO3 Link
A/N: bless my kaiswell heart. oh, and if you love thorne, i'm sorry. he will be going through it for the majority of this miniseries.
By the time Thorne got back to his dorm, he felt like he just finished a marathon. He spent the last two days at his fraternity, more time than he’d spent there the entire month, got drunk both times, was forced to watch over new pledges, narrowly avoided missing the due date for his paper, then proceeded to screw things up with the best person in his life.
Honestly, he felt like ripping open his shirt and screaming if he had the energy. Instead, he folded over his bed, groaning into his pillow. That’s when he noticed the silence. Where was his roommate?
Because the universe just loved tormenting him today, Kai opened the door. Wearing nothing but a towel around his waist, he looked like he’d just stepped out of an advertisement. Aces, when did his abs get so refined? Thorne had to keep up.
The kid’s eyes widened with excitement when he spotted Thorne. “You’re back!”
“What’s up, bro?” Thorne attempted nonchalance, trying not to think about how Cinder had shivered in his arms. Worst Roommate Ever award goes to Carswell Thorne for making out with the girl Kai had been obsessed with for the past three years. Though, of course, it was him who got with Cinder before Kai.
He eagerly set his shower caddy down and practically ran to Thorne’s side. “I need your help.”
“I don’t think you’ve ever said that to me. Let me relish this moment.” Thorne joked, but it felt off. Maybe because he just kissed his best friend! Maybe because he was already thinking of ways to get her to his room without Kai knowing! The same guy who begged for his help whenever she was single! Kai should not want his help.
“Put some clothes on first, Calvin Klein.”
Kai ignored his request. “I drank way too much last night and I said something to Cinder and I think I freaked her out.”
“I could tell. You slept until it was practically dark out. What did you say?”
He already knew. Cinder had told him. Then he kissed her. And she kissed him back. What does that mean? Usually A + B = C, but in this case, it equaled glaring and hatred. He may have instigated it, but she returned it.
“I don’t remember. Not really. Something about Jade.” He frowned. “But she’s been ignoring my texts.” He groaned.
“Are you and Jade dating, by the way?” Please say yes. Aces, Kai, for the love of everything good in this world, please say yes.
Another deliberating glare. Maybe Cinder and Kai really do belong together. Maybe Thorne should kiss Kai to make it even.
“You of all people should know how much I want to get out of this. I trust you the most.” He paused, as if debating whether to add to his statement. “You’re like my best friend, actually.”
On the outside, Thorne was merely looking at Kai, maybe even smiling. On the inside, Thorne was smashing his head against the wall, trying (and failing) to remove all feelings of guilt, shame, and regret. So he’d managed to screw over two of his best friends today, and he was lying to one of their faces. What a day! He used to consider himself lucky; now he was convinced he was out of stars to wish upon.
“I love you too, bro. No need to get all emotional.” He managed to speak. Then his tongue ran faster than his brain (which kept happening in all sorts of different ways). “Is that why you have no clothes on? Are you trying to seduce me?”
Another Cinder-like scowl. “Sorry, but I don’t swing that way.”
“I could kiss you right now and I think you’d like that.”
“No, I’d gag–”
“You sure would.” Thorne erupted into a grin.
Kai gaped for a second, then recomposed himself. “I actually don’t think I could, given that I’ve seen your ‘friend,’ and it’s nothing to look at. Actually, it was hard to tell what it even was, given how small it was.”
“Aw, you think about me that much? I’m touched.” He cocked his head. “Just like how I’m going to–”
“Ok, I’ve had enough.” Kai turned and walked away. Thorne chuckled and watched him leave.
“Turn around, pervert.”
“Nah, I like the view.”
Glare number three.
“If you wish, but only because I’m your best friend.”
“Shut up. I take it back.”
“No takebacks.”
“This isn’t kindergarten.”
“I don’t care.”
Once Kai changed, he returned to Thorne’s side of the room. “I think I might like Cinder again.”
Aces and Spades, sometimes Kai acted like they were in middle school. “What, do you like-like her?”
Glare number four. “Actually, I don’t need your help.”
Thorne grabbed his shoulder before he could leave. “I’m sorry, dude. Continue?”
Kai sighed, running his hand through wet hair. “I mean, I don’t even think I ever not liked her.”
“You mean love.”
He remained silent, which was all the confirmation Thorne was going to get.
“Well, you’re an asshole.” Thorne blurted. Perfect example of the ‘freudian slip.’ He knew that from when he’d quizzed Jacin in psychology.
Kai whipped his head towards him. “In what way?!”
Thorne shut his eyes. He remembered how distraught Cinder looked over Kai still being with Jade. The very reason she came to Thorne was because of this kid. Did Kai not know how much pain he was causing her?
“Imagine how Jade’s gonna feel if you got with Cinder. She might actually kill both of you.”
His roommate nodded. “I’ve accepted that fact, but something tells me that’s not all you meant to say.”
Thorne sighed. Kai was always good at reading people. He always had to be on guard whenever he had to hide something from the kid.
“Well, you’d make Cinder upset too.” He tried to act cool about it, but he couldn’t forget his desire to cheer the girl up while she subconsciously bit her lip.
Kai’s eyes narrowed. “You saw her today.”
How did he know that? “Uh, what?”
“You did. She told you what I said, did she?”
“I saw her, but she only seemed down. She didn't talk much.” No, but their bodies were. Oh, shut up Thorne!
Kai stared at him for a few more seconds before dropping the subject. “I think I’m gonna sleep now.”
The kid, disheartened, sluggishly made his way across the room. He climbed the cheap wooden ladder to tuck himself into his lofted bed. Thorne finally collapsed on his own with a deep sigh and finally began to unpack his bad decisions.
Sure, Thorne has found himself attracted to Cinder, but he never considered a relationship with her. No–he had. He never thought about it seriously enough to expect a good outcome, however. Plus, he couldn’t tell if Cinder actually thought he was hot or not.
The answer was yes, apparently.
Thorne shut his eyes, remembering the feeling of her lips against his. The way her fingers tugged recklessly at the ends of his hair. How she quieted his grunts with her mouth and–
“Thorne?” Kai suddenly asked.
He reluctantly opened his eyes. “Yeah?”
“You’ll help me? Get with Cinder, I mean?” Kai’s voice was small and vulnerable. He could feel the hope behind it.
He gulped. “Yeah, dude.”
“Also, can you turn off your lamp?”
Thorne chuckled but it sounded hollow against the guilt in his chest. “Sorry, yeah. Good night.”
“Night.”
He might be a bad friend tonight, but he’d make up for his sins tomorrow. Now, all he had to do was to get Cinder out of his head.
A/N: fyi, this is how allegedly straight male guys in college act with each other.
Tagging: @just2bubbly @cinderswrench @cindersassasin @the-wee-woo-royal @deprivedmusicaljunkie @crescentchat @wheresmymom-imlost @salt-warrior @rapunzelfromthemoon @briggycat @impossiblesuitcase @kaider-is-my-otp @definitelynotisabel @therealkaidertrash21 @cinderswirecutters @cyborgcourt @alsedoesart @asters-28 @sarabankesley @fuck-is-going-on @chronicles-rampion @gaiabythesea (i'm going to be tagging each new ch so let me know if you'd like to be added or removed <3)
Summary: Still confused after Kai's drunken confession, she decides to visit a friend for advice. Except, there's something different in the air this time and one thing leads to another.
Masterlist
Words: 2.4k
Ao3 Link
A/N: So... this is what I've been rambling on for month. I think is was this chapter that I released a snippet of. Anyways, here's the college headcanon that I brought to life via this fic. Kaider fans, you might not like this, bue stick around. My rarepair shippers, FEAST.
Cinder struggled climbing over the gutter that led to the roof of her dorm. Students were strictly forbidden to trespass, and for good reason, but she and Thorne had claimed this haven a little over two years ago. Nobody else knew about the secret path they carved out, other than their friends, and it remained one of her favorite places.
As first-years, Thorne would invite her on a secret rendezvous to go smoke and bicker. Sophomore year Cinder quit smoking, and he followed suit a couple months later. Still, she felt at peace when she was there, alone or with him. It was silent; a corner of the earth she could escape to when everyone else was too loud.
She grunted, stepping over the brick ledge, finding Thorne already grinning at her.
“Hey, princess!” He greeted, a little too chirpily at this hour. “Need some help?”
She scowled in return. “Don’t call me that.” She grumbled as she wobbled to him. Thorne stole the nickname from Jacin, who dubbed her that last year when Iko made her walk around campus with a plastic tiara after losing a bet. Unfortunately, it stuck around.
“Hey, watch that attitude. You called me here, ‘member?” He rolled his eyes.
Cinder caught a whiff of an unpleasant smell she thought they left behind. “Are you smoking?”
He huffed out a small puff of grey air. “The house had some extra, and I wanted to release some steam. I can tell you need one too.” He replied, not waiting for a rebuttal.
Although cigarettes made her cringe, she couldn’t deny his accurate inference. After a moment’s hesitation, she sat down and lifted her palm up expectantly. He took one from the Marlboro box on the ground and gave it to her.
A breeze tickled her bare shoulders. She cursed. “It’s cold tonight.” Maybe she should’ve not worn a tank top.
Beside her, Thorne chuckled. “Here, take my jacket. I’m starting to sweat.”
Cinder opened her mouth to protest, but he was already shrugging the big leather garment off and placing it over her back, cigarette poking out from the corner of his mouth. She could only thank him.
Whenever she thought about her closest friends, Iko was no longer the sole face that popped up. The blue-haired girl now shared a seat with Carswell Thorne. He became her confidante, advisor, and occasional person to do reckless things with. With Iko at sorority events, Cinder got even closer to the rogue. Even though he too was involved with Greek life, he skipped them often and never faced any consequences. They’ve grown considerably comfortable around each other. Comfortable enough to randomly appear in his room and ask to sleep in his bed when she was too lazy to clean her sheets. Comfortable enough for him to show up at her dorm and for none of her suitemates to be bothered. Comfortable enough to doze off on each other’s side after studying for midterms. From the moment they met, they had an instant connection, a connection that had lasted for almost three years.
Thorne laid back on his palms, staring at the sky. “Ok, what’s up?”
She did the opposite; she leaned forward and hugged her knees to her chest. “Couldn’t I just call you here because I wanted to see you?”
“Ha! That’s sweet. I appreciate your obvious adoration towards me, but we both know that’s not why you called me.” Silence followed. “This is about my roommate, right?”
Cinder huffed and dug her head into her forearms.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He sighed and blew out his cigarette again.
“I just don’t know what to do.” She confessed, her voice half muffled. “You don’t know what he said last night.”
“I don’t. He was already in bed when I got home last night and dead asleep when I left this morning. He only gets like this when he’s severely hungover. How much did he drink, Cinder?”
“A lot. I mean, enough to make him bad off, which is not much compared to you,” she joked.
“What did he tell you?” He asked bluntly.
She recalled the fuzzy memory from last night. His closeness. His sparkling copper eyes. The genuine but heartbreaking tone of his voice. “That he only dated Jade because she reminds him of me.”
Cinder refused to move her gaze from her beat-up Converse. The corner of the white tip was starting to bend upwards.
“Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.” Thorne sat up, covering his face with his hands. “To be fair, I don’t think Kai knows that when he’s sober.”
“A drunk man’s words are a sober man’s thoughts.” Cinder mumbled. She didn’t want to think about it, not really. She came here to escape, not to wallow. The small white object twisted around her fingers.
“I always hated that saying. It’s not true. Do you know how many things I say to girls when I black out?”
“I don’t want to know.” She grunted. “It’s true this time, though?”
“Yeah, everyone knows that Jade hates you because you’re gonna take Kai away from her one day.” He noted.
She finally raised her head and glared at him.
“What? We all know this.” Thorne chuckled. “I think most of their arguments are about you.”
She groaned. “I think I want your lighter now.”
He sighed. “It’s so farrrr.” He then perked up and got close to her. “Put it in your mouth.”
Cinder raised an eyebrow, but obeyed nevertheless. He put his own cigarette in his mouth and leaned in so close she thought he was going to kiss her. She nearly jolted back before she realized his goal. He touched the tips of the tobacco-filled paper, using his already burning end to light hers.
The closeness and intimacy of the action made her heart race, just ever so slightly. He stayed there for a few seconds, making contact with her own widened eyes. She tried not to breathe as his gaze gradually intensified. Or move. They’d been much closer with each other before; however, this felt… different. Weird. In neither a good nor a bad way. Just… weird.
Once her end was lit, he pulled away, leaning on one hand while the other rested on his propped-up knee. He didn’t stray too far, though, and remained close. Cinder blinked the tension away from her mind and focused on her cigarette.
“So, will you?” Thorne asked, still looking at her.
She coughed. It’s been a minute since she smoked. “Will I what?”
“Take Kai away from Jade?”
“No! I’m not a homewrecker!” She rubbed her face with her fingers.
“Well…” Thorne responded in a high-pitched voice. “He kind of did confess his love for you.”
“He never said he loved me. Whatever crush he seems to have will pass– I’m sure it will.”
“Has yours passed?”
“That’s assuming I ever had one.”
“Well…”
She yanked a piece of his short brown hair. He cried out, flinching. “I don’t!”
“Cinder–! Damnit.” He caught her wrist before she could make another move. She moved to her knees trying to pull away, but he only tightened his grip. She was essentially kneeling in front of his slouched body. “That– that huuuuuurt.”
Cinder paused, cocking her head. Something about the tone of his voice, the slight slur, and demeanor of his movements wasn’t right. Oh stars, she had been too wrapped up in herself to notice Thorne’s state. “Are you drunk?”
His head, that was previously hung in mock pain, slowly lifted. A slowly increasing smile revealed the truth. “No…”
“Carswell, I’m not going to thug this out with you if you’re not with me.”
His tone grew serious. “Seriously I’m not. I only had a few shots before I got here–”
“A few?!”
“But it was at the house, so if anything, I’m tipsy. Definitely not drunk.” He chuckled.
She bit the inside of her cheek, contemplating. “Ok…”
With his free hand, he smoked his cigarette again. She did the same. He still refused to let go. “What do you feel when you see him?” He asked.
She blinked, looking down at her knees. Emotions she tried to push back threatened to break the vault she so laboriously created. Copper eyes and perfect smiles greeted her imagination. Giggles and complaints. A brush of the hand, a stolen glance, and sarcastic comment. Really, there was so much she could dwell on but refused to. He was a great friend, he couldn’t be anything more. Ever. Right?
“I… Don’t know.”
“So, not nothing.” He chuckled dryly.
She copied him. “No, not nothing.” Why was he still holding her hand?
Another puff of smoke. “You love him.”
Cinder flinched, looking up. “No, it’s not that.”
“You do. It’s evident on your face. You love the kid.” He rolled his eyes. “You’ve known longer than I have, sweetheart. You just refuse to admit it.”
They stared at each other for a long time. Then, something sparked in his eye, like an idea. He got closer. Cinder didn’t move. He dug the bud on the concrete floor.
The silence brought her to submission. “Maybe you're right.” She whispered. He finally let go of her arm to throw away the bud from the other. Sitting up, they were now eye-level to each other. Cinder kneeling and Thorne comfortable in front of her.
“I am right.” He smiled again, leaning even closer. What was he planning to do?
“What do I do?” She asked, like a plea for help. Like she was barely hanging on a broken raft at sea and he was a captain of a mighty ship, promising safety.
“I can tell you, but you won’t like it.” She could smell the alcohol and smoke on his lips, dangerously close to hers. Still, she didn't think much of it—only that she needed an answer. Or rather, she needed a distraction to cover up the turbulence brewing in her mind.
“Tell me.”
He chuckled again. She started to feel slightly intoxicated herself. “You have to tell this-” He tapped his index finger to her temple, “-to let this out-” he slowly dragged it down to her rapidly beating chest, “so you can use this-” his finger carved its way up her neck to her mouth, slightly opening it, “to get what you want.” He then cupped her cheek, replacing his index with his thumb.
“Let my heart out, huh?”
“Now, you’re getting it, honey. Let go.” He kept smiling—his gaze moving between her lips and her eyes while hers remained fixed.
“What are you doing?” She asked, utterly perplexed. He was confusing her even more. First, he tells her that she’s in love with Kai and now he’s holding her face like wanted to kiss her.
“I don’t know, this feels right.” He hummed. Then—oh stars, he started to lean in.
She froze instead of stopping him, missing the opportunity to push him away before he pressed his lips to hers. Let go.
She didn’t know what exactly possessed her, but the vault she tried so hard to keep closed suddenly broke open, everything flooding out like a dam breach. Her eyes shut closed as her mind wandered, and her senses took over.
Cinder kissed him back. She clutched at his hair like it was a lifeline and he responded almost immediately. His fingers rolled circles on her neck while his other one roamed free around her back. She bit back a moan when he found her hair. Suddenly, she was sitting on his lap, practically straddling him, wrapped up all over each other. He pulled his jacket off her shoulder and teased his hands under her tank-top.
Then, the strangest thing that has ever happened to her began. It was like she was suddenly yanked out of this universe and into the galaxy within her own brain. Thoughts assaulted her with metal baseball bats. The pelts almost felt painful physically.
As her fingers coursed through rough hair, she couldn’t help but imagine them much softer– silklike, even. The hands groping her were not rough but gentle and patient. The grunts she heard beneath her weren’t deep and growl-like, but patient and low. Even the lips she seemed infatuated with felt fuller and less-hungry.
She heard the same voice over and over in heard, swirling around her like she was caught in the middle of a school of fish. Or a flock of birds. Her eyes grew sore because of how tight she was squeezing them, trying to get the buzz out of her head. It was sweet, kind, and beautiful. Forgiving. Good stars, he had a girlfriend! Kind of! He shouldn’t say those kinds of words to someone who’s loved him forever. Who he possibly loved back. Right? Right?!
I always wanted you.
With a cry, she pulled away, about to accuse Kai of messing her up and throwing her off her rocker, when she realized that the startled eyes staring back at her weren’t the warm copper she expected—but harsh blue.
She gasped, suddenly remembering where she was and what she just did. “No, no, no, no, no–” She mumbled, pulling away from Thorne.
“Cinder, wait! I wasn’t thinking straight–” He tried to grab her but she jerked away.
Standing up, she tidied herself up, including fixing her top he was trying to take off. She quickly grabbed her phone and moved to make a quick escape when he begged her to wait once again.
“Just shut the fuck up!” She screamed. “I don’t want to see you! Leave me alone!” Tears sprung to her eyes, but she knew it wasn't from Thorne alone.
“Wait!” Thorne followed her down the wall. “Cinder, please!”
Once she successfully landed on the metal platform below her, she paused and looked above. Thorne was leaning over the brick ledge with his hand stretched out, the same one that attempted to remove her bra not even ten minutes ago. “What?”
He stuttered, searching for words. “What does this mean?”
She started, not expecting that. “Nothing, Thorne.” She tried to ignore how mean she sounded by ducking inside the door and away from her best friend.
So she did love Kai. And she found that out by kissing his roommate.
A/N: YAY! She finally posted it, after promising to do that for months. Sheesh, I hope she continues to update every Tuesday like she said she was.
Tagging: @just2bubbly @cinderswrench @cindersassasin @the-wee-woo-royal @deprivedmusicaljunkie @crescentchat @wheresmymom-imlost @salt-warrior @rapunzelfromthemoon @briggycat @impossiblesuitcase @kaider-is-my-otp @definitelynotisabel @therealkaidertrash21 @cinderswirecutters @cyborgcourt @alsedoesart @asters-28 @sarabankesley @fuck-is-going-on @chronicles-rampion @gaiabythesea (i'm going to be tagging each new ch so let me know if you'd like to be added or removed <3)
Summary: Scarlet's going on a date, but not before her friends ask her for advice.
Masterlist
Words: 3.2k
AO3 Link
A/N: it's literally just the title. i couldn't think of a better one, sorry. but, yeah, if you have gossip, go to scarlet!
Scarlet yawned obnoxiously, already knowing that the small noises she made weren’t going to wake anyone up. She kneeled in front of their barely functional mini fridge, debating on getting a Hawaiian Slush or Cotton Candy flavored energy drink. The bright colors of the first caught her eye. Hawaiian Slush it is.
She yawned again, absently playing with her single braid she’d hastily tied earlier that morning.
She took three sips of her drink before the door to her suitemates’ room opened. Cinder walked out looking more disheveled than usual. There were dark circles under her eyes, and her hair stuck out in every direction.
“Rough night?” Scarlet asked, offering her an energy drink.
Cinder jerked, obviously startled. “What are you doing up?”
“Wolf’s taking me to the Farmer’s Market. All the good stuff gets taken in the morning, so we have to leave soon.” Scarlet remembered the last time she visited in the afternoon, and all of the honey packets were gone. She promised herself to never feel that level of disappointment again.
“Wanna come with?”
Cinder shook her head, rubbing at her temple simultaneously. “No, I don’t want to interrupt your date.”
“You wouldn’t be interrupting anything. It’s more of a chore than a date. Besides, Kai’s coming.” Scarlet had to hide her smirk behind the can while she gauged Cinder’s reaction. Like always, her head ticked to the side a bit as she subconsciously attempted nonchalance.
Scarlet had purposely made sure Kai snuggled up next to Cinder on Friday night. She was also responsible for getting him to drink. He’d gotten a little too drunk, though; she’d only wanted him tipsy enough to get touchy.
He’d been all over Cinder that night. Scarlet’s mission had succeeded.
“Oh.” Cinder chewed her lip before changing the subject. “I–I need your advice on something.”
Ah, about Kai, right? “Of course.”
The brunette bashfully looked at the hands she was anxiously wringing together. “So, hypothetically, someone shares a… a moment with someone they consider close.”
Scarlet frowned and furrowed her brow. “Okay… What kind of moment?”
“Uh.” Another nervous pause. “An intense moment.”
“Passionate?”
“You could say that.”
Scarlet’s lips quirked. “A kiss, then?”
Cinder jolted. “I– Yes. Yes, a kiss”
“Okay, I understand.” She couldn’t hide her smile. So Kai had made a move after all. Scarlet’s memory was a bit fuzzy as well, so she didn’t have all the details. “Well, did you like it?”
Cinder’s brow furrowed. “This is a hypothetical.”
“Right, right.” Sure, Scarlet would play along. “What’s the issue?”
“So… what if, during the kiss, that person started thinking about someone else?”
Scarlet nearly snorted. “What?”
“Yeah. Tough position to be in, right?”
“Who’d you–they think of?”
“Another friend.”
“Close?”
“I guess you could say that.” Maybe this really wasn’t about Cinder.
Scarlet hummed to herself. “So, what’s your question?”
The bashful mechanic chewed her lip worriedly. “I guess–I mean, what do you do in that situation? Do you confess your feelings, cut off the other guy, or dig a hole big enough to hide in forever?”
Scarlet laughed. In all honesty, she didn’t have any advice. “Definetey the hole.”
She sighed into the tall metal can. “Well, I was only in a love triangle once, back in high school. I didn’t like either of the guys who were fighting over me, and I’m pretty sure it was all a big joke.”
She hesitated, watching Cinder in front of her stare at the floor.
“I’d tell that someone to go with their gut. They don’t have to ‘choose,’ nor do they owe anyone anything. But if they really want to be with one of them, then they should go for it. Does that make any sense?”
Cinder’s face relaxed a little bit. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“Good thing this is all a hypothetical, right?” Scarlet joked. Cinder laughed but there was no humor behind it.
“Right.” She looked away, seeming to ponder for a moment. What could she possibly be going through?
“Have fun at the Farmer’s Market, I’ll see you for dinner?” She framed the second half like a question.
“Yes, of course. I’ll probably go to the kitchen to cook anyways, you’re more than welcome to join.”
Cinder grimaced. “I promise, you don’t want me anywhere near a stove.”
Scarlet laughed as she watched the tall brunette walk out of the common space. Her heart felt for the girl. Cinder had wrung her hands nonstop throughout their conversation, and the worried look never left her face. Part of Scarlet wanted to press the matter further, but she knew Cinder well enough to let it be. Cinder wouldn’t elaborate anyway, at least not yet.
Sighing, she left their dorm and made the short walk to the boys.
To her surprise, Carswell “I need my beauty sleep” Thorne answered the door. Her shock must have been evident on her face because he responded with, “What, think I’m not capable of waking up before ten?”
“You purposely chose classes after eleven so you could get over your hangovers peacefully, so yeah, I didn’t think you were capable.”
“Think again, Scar. I’m full of surprises.” He eyed her drink. “You want the rest of that?”
She thought it over for a moment. “Nah, you can have the rest. I’ll probably get a coffee later anyways.”
She passed it over. He downed the rest in seconds. “Thanks.”
“Am I allowed to come in now?” She was tired of standing in the hallway.
Thorne’s eyes widened. “Oh, jeez, sorry. Yeah, yeah, of course.”
He moved out of the way for Scarlet to easily slip pass. At the same time, Wolf stepped out of his room into the shared space.
His intense green eyes immediately sparkled with surprise and happiness. She could only imagine her own expression as something similar. They walked towards each other like opposite poles of a magnet. She threw her arms around his broad shoulders and smiled while his hands fit comfortably around her waist.
“Good morning, you.” Scarlet greeted, lowering her voice as he grew closer.
“Good morning.” Their foreheads pressed after they shared a quick kiss. “Sorry, I couldn’t see you much yesterday. Practice went long. How did you sleep?”
“Like a rock. And don’t apologize; I know how tedious practice can get.”
Wolf chuckled. “I’ll make it up for you today. Also, Kai cancelled last night. He’s not feeling well.”
“Okay, just us then.” She gently kissed him, already missing his lips. He responded by slowly kissing her back. She fought down a smile as her fingers found the familiar curls of his hair. His hands began to wander upwards. Then they were unfortunately reminded of their audience.
Thorne coughed awkwardly in the corner of the common room. “Oh, don’t mind me.”
They pulled away. Scarlet bit back a groan. “Oh! Thorne that reminds me, I have to tell you something.” She giggled to herself as she left Wolf’s warm embrace to reach the lesser man.
Thorne raised an eyebrow. “Nothing good, I’m guessing.”
She punched his side. “It’s good news, actually. Remember our plan Friday night, you know, the one that you left me to do alone while you partied at the frat?”
His jaw clenched as his face tightened. “Mhm.”
First Cinder, and now Thorne was acting weird. She wasn't one to pry, but their reactions were starting to nag at her curiosity.
“Well, it worked! They were cozying up all night together. I didn’t ask what they were talking about, but Cinder was flustered all day yesterday.”
“And today?” He blurted. Scarlet scrunched her brows. “How–how was she today? Is she awake?”
She bit her lip. “Well, she was acting a little strange today. I mean, she asked me weirdly specific questions.”
“What type of questions?” He grew more adamant by the second.
“Why is it your business?” Scarlet crossed her arms. “What’s going on, Thorne?”
He froze, then anxiously searched the room. When he decided Wolf was out of earshot, he beckoned Scarlet to come closer. “You cannot tell anybody this. Don’t even let Cinder know I told you.”
The puzzle pieces began to slide together as he spoke. The hypothetical, two close friends, kissing. Scarlet thought of an outcome–a crazy, impossible outcome–and she hoped it was merely speculation. “...Okay.”
He sighed, dragging a hand through his hair, looking very much in distress. “I– We– uh, I can’t do this.”
“No, you’re not going to start telling me then back off at the last minute.” She huffed. “What is going on?”
He stared at her for a few heartbeats before blurting, “Scarlet, we kissed. Cinder and I kissed.”
Nevermind, Scarlet was right. Still, the answer was absolutely shocking. Her jaw dropped, leaving her speechless..
Thorne looked almost ashamed, resolving to look away.
After recollecting herself, Scarlet cleared her throat. “What? I– Thorne! You have feelings for her?! After you pledged to get her and Kai together?! I’m so confused.”
He shook his head. “No, no, I don’t have– well–”
“Don’t finish that.” She shut her eyes. “Was it like a peck? Or something more passionate?”
“Passionate? I guess?”
“Oh my stars, did you sleep with her?” Scarlet accused.
“No!” He accidentally raised his voice, causing Wolf to glance at them in curiosity. Scarlet returned a weak thumbs up. He cocked his head, wanting to be in the loop, but resigned to sit himself down on the couch instead.
“No, I would never– she would never.”
She dragged her hands slowly across her face, from her forehead to her chin, stopping to massage them deeply into her eyes. Definitely too early for this drama. And to think Cinder was at the heart of it? She almost giggled. “Have you told Kai?”
“Aces, no! He’d kill me.” He looked away, almost ashamed. “Plus, I kind of promised to help him with Cinder… last night.”
Scarlet actually laughed this time. “You just keep making it worse. And Cinder?”
“She ignored my calls last night and I’ve been left on read since then.” Thorne huffed. “She clearly doesn’t want to talk.”
“It would be an uncomfortable conversation to have, anyone would be hesitant.” She bit her lip pensively. “Still, I would make an effort to talk to her. For her sake, at least.”
A few seconds of silence passed between them. Thorne chewed anxiously on his lip while Scarlet lost herself in thought.
“Thorne…” She murmured, lowering her voice and repeated her question. “Do you have feelings for her?”
He didn’t respond, waiting a little too long for him to deny it and make it sound believable. She sighed, receiving her answer. “I don’t know.” His blue eyes moved from hers to stare at the floor. She did the same. Well if that’s the case, then…
“Good stars.” She finally commented. “I think you’re in deep shit.”
He snorted. “Really?” His voice softened, making Scarlet hear vulnerability she never heard from him before. “Hey…”
“What’s your question?” She already saw it coming.
“You think there’s a chance…?” He trailed off, not finishing his sentence.
“That she’ll pick you?” She turned to look at his side profile. “If I’m being completely honest, yes.”
He whipped his head, eyes wide open. “You mean it?”
“I do. But she’ll probably end up with Kai. I mean, you’re asking her to pick between three years of mutual yearning versus one makeout session.” She huffed. “Though, I can’t deny the fact that there’s a possibility that she might have feelings for you. But–”
“Her feelings for Kai might be greater.” Thorne finished, shutting his eyes. She couldn’t help but feel bad for the rascal. “It’s just not fair though.”
“Why? Because you two have been best friends since you met and have been with each other through thick and thin?”
“Yes! And Kai, as smart as he is, makes stupid-ass decisions. I told him dating Jade was a bad idea, and he still did it, despite him still having feelings for Cinder.” Thorne groaned. “He made her overthink and try to push down her own feelings, and now it's exploded. He told her that he only dated Jade because she reminded him of Cinder, and Cinder’s going crazy right now.”
Scarlet gasped, swallowing the new information. “He said that?”
“Yup, Friday night. Then Cinder came to me freaking out, and I–I don’t know why I kissed her.” He sighed. “But she kissed me back.”
“I wouldn’t get hopeful.” She could see sparks beginning to shine in his eyes. She knew what he was thinking. Maybe, just maybe if they got together… “You caught her at a very turbulent time. Like I said, she probably does have feelings for you, but she’s had feelings for Kai for much longer. And she was thinking about him all day. Her mind was probably all jumbled.”
“I keep telling myself that, but she wouldn’t kiss me back if she didn’t want to.”
“Or she could be confused.”
“It’s Cinder we’re talking about. She doesn’t give her kisses out like that.”
“Thorne, you of all people should know that a kiss doesn’t mean you’ll end up together forever.” She bit her lip. “This conversation is getting confusing.”
“Yeah, I can’t tell if you’re rooting for me or not.”
“I’m rooting for Cinder, and we’re both not sure what she wants.” She patted his shoulder. “There’s also a chance she doesn’t get with either of you.”
He snorted. “But you think if she had to choose, she’d choose Kai.”
“Well, yes.”
Jacin came out of his room at that moment, yawning as he raised an eyebrow at Wolf lounging on the couch. Wolf shrugged in response. “Good morning, sunshine.” Thorne greeted.
Jacin grunted. “I thought you would be gone by now,” he said to Scarlet.
“Uh, we’re leaving soon.”
Jacin nodded.
“What time did you sleep last night?”
Jacin sighed. “‘Don’t remember. I need coffee.” He immediately started brewing a pot. Wolf told her that nobody abuses the coffee machine like Jacin did. In fact, he’d broken twice because of how much he overused it.
“Is Thorne going with you, or is he staying here?”
“You know, you can talk to me instead of asking her,” Thorne deadpanned.
“No, Wolf and I are actually going on a date. Just the two of us, now." Scarlet answered.
The smell of fresh coffee brewing almost made Scarlet ask for a cup, despite having already downed an entire can of caffeine. At that moment, the door to Thorne’s room opened, the topic of their previous conversation himself walking out. He was still in his pajamas, rubbing one of his eyes out of sleep. “Oh, thank the stars.” He mumbled, yawning. “Before you go, can you do me a favor?”
The question was directed at her. Scarlet blinked. “Depends on the favor.”
“Oh, nothing crazy. I just need something from the Farmer’s Market,” Kai explained, scratching his neck. “Sorry I can’t go anymore.”
“It’s totally fine, we don’t mind. What do you need?” She asked.
He suddenly looked shy, a small blush covering his ears. He looked away. “Flowers.”
Thorne flinched, turning away. What a mess. “Any specific type?”
“Peonies. Please? I’ll pay you. Just text me the price.”
Thorne sighed next to her. “You’re so obvious, dude.” Thorne walked up to Kai and slapped his back. “At this point, the whole world’s gonna know before her.”
Really Thorne? Is being a double agent the way to go? Scarlet thought. “Okay, I got you. Z, you ready?”
Wolf looked up from his phone, glad to end his doomscrolling. “Yes.”
“Can I drive?”
“Of course, but please be mindful of speed bumps.”
Kai beamed at Scarlet. “Thank you so much!”
“I’ll make sure to get the prettiest flowers.” Scarlet winked. She wasn’t going to pick a side either.
His blush deepened. Wolf made his way towards the door, popping his joints as they did. Right before they left, Scarlet grabbed Thorne and hauled him outside of the room, away from Kai. “Hey– What?”
“Why have these feelings now, after you kissed her?” She asked.
He blinked. “I think it’s because I kissed her… I’m thinking of her like this.”
“Exactly. You’re letting attraction get in the way. You love Cinder, you are attracted to her, but can you really commit to her romantically?”
He furrowed his brow, glancing at Wolf nervously. Thankfully, Wolf didn’t ask any questions. “I haven’t thought that far yet.”
“You know who can?”
Thorne lowered his gaze to his feet. “I do.”
“Figure it out, Thorne. If you want something with her, then be serious about it and pursue it. If not, then step aside. No need to make her life more complicated than it is.”
She’d never seen Thorne like this before. He was genuinely disheveled, mumbling about like a person who went forty eight hours without sleep. He sure looked like one too. She felt a surge of pity for the man, in spite of how much he got on her nerves.
“Look, I would advise you to not get too involved with Kai. You’re still figuring your feelings out, and so is he. Unfortunately, it is about the same person and that’s bound to create tension. The less drama the better.” Scarlet patted his shoulder in support, her voice taking a motherly turn.
“I’m not going to sit here and give my opinion on who is better for Cinder because that is not my place. The decision is entirely up to her. I also won’t treat any of you any differently no matter the consequence. Just try to handle this with some grace? You’re all adults; put that maturity to use, okay?”
“Okay.” Thorne repeated. His posture straightened and Scarlet could see his confidence spark back into his demeanor. “I won’t start anything.”
“Oh, and above all, do not pressure Cinder into anything. If you want to converse with her, be my guest, but do not make her uncomfortable.” There was a bit of a bite in her last sentence. She loved her guy friends very much, but they would never compare to her beautiful girlfriends. It was in her blood to always favor the woman, as a woman herself.
“I know that! She’s my best friend.” His face began to crack again. “I fucked upppp.”
At that, Wolf coughed awkwardly to signal their departure time. To be honest, Scarlet didn’t want to play caregiver any longer–especially not for Carswell Thorne. “Hey, I have to go, but we will speak more on this when I get back, alright?”
Thorne smiled. “Alright. Thank you so much Scar. You’re the only person I’ve talked to about this.”
She smiled back. “Of course! Come to me about anything anytime. Okay, I’m leaving for real now, byeee!”
“See you! Bye Wolf! Be safe!”
Scarlet followed her boyfriend down the hallway, biting her lip in thought. What a mess. She sighed somewhat dramatically, catching Wolf’s eye. “Do you want to talk about it?”
She scrunched up her nose, hiding her smile. “You’re such a gossip.” She teased.
Wolf chuckled but hugged her side reassuringly. “No, I just hate to see you stressed.”
“I’m ready to start this date.” She mumbled, nose scrunched up.
Her boyfriend laughed in agreement.
A/N: i love how the fandom decided she was the mom friend of the group, and in my eyes, that means everyone goes to her for advice and gossip. like yes, her hair is so big because it is full of secrets. also, shoutout to elle for beta reading!! she's the best, i swear!!
Tagging: @just2bubbly @cinderswrench @cindersassasin @the-wee-woo-royal @deprivedmusicaljunkie @crescentchat @wheresmymom-imlost @salt-warrior @rapunzelfromthemoon @briggycat @impossiblesuitcase @kaider-is-my-otp @definitelynotisabel @therealkaidertrash21 @cinderswirecutters @cyborgcourt @alsedoesart @asters-28 @sarabankesley @fuck-is-going-on @chronicles-rampion @gaiabythesea (i'm going to be tagging each new ch so let me know if you'd like to be added or removed <3)
Setting: Modern-day College AU
Pairing(s): Kai x Cinder (centric), Carswell Thorne x Cinder Linh
Words: ~2k per chapter
Warnings: Cursing, suggestive language, drinking, smoking
AO3 Link
Summary: Although Cinder is a bright young woman, she too can make mistakes. Yet, the worst ones somehow leads to a brighter path of success, even if the journey is chaotic and, well, messy. Don't follow in her footsteps and define your feelings before you act, unless you want to end up sailing out into the dark see with map nor light to guide you. OR, Cinder kisses the wrong guy and ends up finding who she really likes because of it... not without drama, of course!
A/N: Yay, my first completed miniseries! I will be releasing this once week on Tuesdays, and the finale a little later. Bonus chapters will appear randomly so keep in eye out :). For context, all characters are in the same year and have 1-2 age gaps. For example, Kai and Cinder are both juniors/ third-years in university, but Kai is 20, and Cinder is 19 (she skipped a year in high school). So no unnecessary age gaps. Refer to my TLC College Headcanons list for all the characters majors and daily life. The girls except for Iko live together and so do they guys. They live on the same floor, just opposite ends. Wolflet is together, nobody knows what jacinter is, kaider is... getting there, and Cress has a fat crush on Thorne.
Drunk and Wanting
The Mistake
"Roommates" of a Feather
S.G.I.D
The Anticipated Revelation
Best Friends Forever?
The Choice (finale)
Epilogue
I might add a chapter, might take one out, I'm IMPULSIVE. I figured I should get the first ones out ASAP. ANNNND special thanks to @cinderswirecutters for beta reading. please go check out her fics, she is incredible. this series would not be worth reading without her edits <3.
Tagging: @just2bubbly @cinderswrench @cindersassasin @the-wee-woo-royal @deprivedmusicaljunkie @crescentchat @wheresmymom-imlost @salt-warrior @rapunzelfromthemoon @briggycat @impossiblesuitcase @kaider-is-my-otp @definitelynotisabel @therealkaidertrash21 @cinderswirecutters @cyborgcourt @alsedoesart @asters-28 @sarabankesley @fuck-is-going-on @chronicles-rampion @gaiabythesea (i'm going to be tagging each new ch so let me know if you'd like to be added or removed <3)
Chapters: 3/8
Fandom: Lunar Chronicles - Marissa Meyer
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Kai/Linh Cinder, Linh Cinder/Carswell Thorne, Linh Cinder & Carswell Thorne, Crescent Moon "Cress" Darnel/Carswell Thorne, Scarlet Benoit/Wolf | Ze'ev Kesley, Jacin Clay/Winter Hayle-Blackburn, Iko & Linh Cinder
Characters: Kai (Lunar Chronicles), Linh Cinder, Carswell Thorne, Scarlet Benoit, Wolf | Ze'ev Kesley, Jacin Clay, Winter Hayle-Blackburn, Iko (Lunar Chronicles), Crescent Moon "Cress" Darnel
Additional Tags: Fluff, Angst, Yearning, Love Confessions, Idiots in Love, Love Triangles, Implied/Referenced Cheating, okay not actually cheating but like some would say, Miscommunication, Kissing, Mistakes, Drama, Heartbreak, Dating, Alternate Universe - College/University, Screaming, Slow Burn, actually nah, what's the word for realizing you're in love with someone else by being with someone else?, happens TO both characters, Friendship, Platonic Relationships, sigh
Series: Part 1 of College is for Mistakes and Success
Summary:
Although Cinder is a bright young woman, she too can make mistakes. Yet, the worst ones somehow leads to a brighter path of success, even if the journey is chaotic and, well, messy. Don't follow in her footsteps and define your feelings before you act, unless you want to end up sailing out into the dark see with map nor light to guide you. OR, Cinder kisses the wrong guy and ends up finding who she really likes because of it... not without drama, of course!
