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They met by chance, a letter sent to the wrong house had started this whole thing between the two. Cole couldn’t understand how the mailman could have messed up the shipping address so badly at the time. But he was thankful to whatever god that the letter had a return address. And even more grateful for who the return address belonged to. On the letter that wasn’t addressed to Cole read the name Zane Julian. The envelope looked expensive, it was firm and crisp. The kind of paper that could not be bent easily. It even had one of those fancy wax seals with a family crest. Cole didn’t open the letter; it was addressed to Cirus Borg after all. One of the greatest scientists of their generation. Which was an even bigger shock and intrigued Cole more into figuring out who this Zane Julian was. The last name sounded familiar but he couldn't quite put his finger on who it could be.
“I’ll have to write to him myself,” Cole mumbled, placing the letter on his coffee table.
Cole searched around his house for a decent pen. He had a bad habit of keeping all the crappy ones that had run out of ink. Cole got out a black ink pen and random paper to scribble down that the mailman had sent the letter to the wrong house.
“Dear, Mr Julian. You don’t know me but, actually, that’s a horrible way to start this. I sound like a hitman. Your letter to Mr Borg was sent to my house by accident. My name’s Cole Brookstone by the way I know this seems very random but I felt bad sending back this letter without explanation. I didn’t open it, so don’t worry it looks important. I hope it gets back to you quickly. Looks super fancy too so hopefully it’s nothing too important that I somehow delayed being delivered. Again Sorry, Cole Brookstone.”
Cole finished the letter signing his name at the end. He felt silly, but for some reason, he was intrigued by the man behind the letter. In his crappy little apartment, it was not often something like this showed up in his mailbox. Cole closed the door behind him not wasting time to send both the letters back to this Zane character and maybe just maybe he’d get an answer back.
And Cole did, not even a week later he got a letter in his mailbox addressed to him this time. In a fancy white envelope with a wax seal on the front. Cole's stomach flipped, he didn’t really expect to get a reply so quickly and he would be lying if he didn’t say he was nervous. Cole didn’t waste time to open the letter the second he was back in his living room. He carefully opened the letter and placed the fancy envelope on his coffee table.
“Dear, Mr Brookstone. Thank you so much for sending the letter to Mr Borg back unopened. I am eternally grateful to you. I almost had a heart attack upon reading your letter. Anyone else would have sold that letter for whatever info was inside. So I say to you once more thank you so much. I would also like to say the way you write is very humorous. I had a good laugh at the first couple of lines once I calmed down. I must send you something as a token of my gratitude. Thank you again, Zane Julian.”
Cole read the letter over and over. Letting his eyes linger on each word and every syllable in the sentences that were written. Like he could hear the man’s voice behind the words. Cole was giddy. Zane thought he was funny. It wasn’t like he knew the man at all. But the way Zane wrote made him swoon weirdly. Like a prince from a fairy tale was writing to him. But he had a good feeling in his gut. Zane thought Cole was funny which overall was a win in his book. Cole was going to write to him again. He needed to know more about the man behind the letter. This time he was gonna plush a little to see the man behind the words. Cole picked up a random pen and paper once again writing back to the mystery man.
“Dear, Mr Julian. You can just call me Cole by the way. Mr Brookstone is my father; also you don’t need to send me a gift. I’d feel like I’m taking advantage of you in some weird way. The letter must have been important if my message caused you to panic. Sorry about that, I wasn't sure what to do at the time. But what I’m confused about is why someone working for Mr Borg has the time to send a random guy a gift. You’re too nice Mr. Julian. You gotta be careful who you’re sweet with. Someone could take advantage of you. Thank you for responding, Cole Brookstone.”
Cole sealed the letter by licking the envelope shut. He felt bad doing so but he didn’t have a fancy wax seal like Zane. It would do for now, maybe he’d venture out into the market and get one of those envelope glue sticks. Cole put the coolest stamp he could find on the letter. It was a little picture of a robot fighting a dragon.
“This is sure to impress Zane,” Cole said to himself. Cole had that same feeling in his chest he felt a week ago. Maybe this would bloom into a friendship. Cole didn’t have many friends other than his co-workers at the tea shop he worked at. Even then they rarely even hung out outside of work. Unless their boss invited them to something or it was a holiday party. Cole only went to those for the cake. But he wasn’t the biggest social gathering kinda guy. Once Cole made it to the mailbox he looked down at his letter once more before sliding it into the blue box. The wind blew through his hoodie signaling that he needed to head back inside and get to bed. He had work in the morning anyway.
A month passed before Cole heard from Zane again. Cole was closing up shop getting ready to make his long commute home. He couldn't afford a car so he would walk or take the bus, his own personal chauffeur he would call it.
“You're heading home for the night already?” Kai said, lightly punching Cole's shoulder.
“Yeah gotta…game to watch.” Cole lied. He didn’t feel like going out drinking with the others. Cole only went drinking with them once and got the worst hangover ever from it. He just wanted to go home and lay in his bed. And overthink about if he’d crossed a line in the last letter he sent to Zane.
“Since when did you watch sports?” Jay asked zipping up his jacket tight before holding hands with Kai to keep them warm.
“Since…forever.” Cole lied again, looking away from the two.
“If you don’t want to go out drinking just say it. You don’t gotta lie circles around us.” Kai sighed pulling Jay closer to him.
“I just don’t feel like it today, sorry.” Cole cringed at himself. He hated these kinds of interactions; he just wanted to go home.
“You never feel like it. I feel like it would do you some good to get out a little.” Kai pressed on waiting for Cole's answer.
“Uh,” Cole wanted to shrivel up at this point. Truly he wanted to check if Zane had gotten back to him yet. He should've just gotten over it by now but he still had hope. Maybe Zane was busy, Cole didn’t know what the man did but he had to be busy if he was in contact with Cirus Brog.
“Leave him be, guys. Just ask him again next Friday.” Lloyd chuckled, locking the door behind him. Lloyd was the boss's nephew who took over for Mr. Wu when he wasn’t feeling strong enough to come in. Which was more often these days because the man was getting old.
“Whatever.”
“Let's just go guys, the bar awaits.” Kai huffed out, turning in the direction of the local bar and carrying Jay along.
“Don’t let them pressure you Cole, come whenever you feel like it,” Lloyd said, giving Cole a weak smile.
“Thanks, see ya Monday.” Cole sighed and Lloyd nodded in return following the other two to the bar in the other direction. Cole turned around, preparing himself again for a long commute and possibly an empty mailbox. He didn’t want to say he felt hurt by Zane’s silence. Cole barely knew the guy, but he would be lying to himself if he didn’t feel a little bit disappointed. Zane was something different in his stagnant lifestyle. The man’s response was something to look forward to other than his bed once he got home. Cole opened his mailbox not expecting anything to show up but it was a force of habit at this point. A medium-sized box sat in the cubby with a letter placed on top. A letter from Zane! Cole perked up upon reading the name on the mail. The box was from Zane too which was probably the gift he mentioned sending. Cole rushed into his apartment. Tearing open the envelope he began to read.
“Dear, Cole. Sorry for such a late response. I’ll let you in on a little secret. I’m a scientist who works in Borg Labs. Also, you can call me Zane. As you would say Dr. Julian was my father. I've been very busy the past couple of weeks. I didn’t have much time to write back and find you a gift. Hopefully, you’re not upset with my lateness. Also, I hope you enjoy the present I got you. I refuse to refrain from sending you something as you helped me greatly weeks ago. I wasn’t sure what you would like so I went with my gut as people say. Hope you enjoy it, Zane Julian.”
Cole read over the letter once more before opening the box. Cole thought about where he had heard the name Julian before realizing that Zane’s father must have been THE Dr. Julian. The man who invented the first Androids. Dr Julian was a robotic genius when he was alive. Which meant Zane was his predecessor. Cole held the box in his lap looking down at it once more. The box was just as fancy as the envelope which made it hard for him to want to break it open. After delicately getting around the packaging Cole opened the box to reveal a box of gourmet chocolates.
“Whoa, this guy’s probably rich.” Cole sighed, reading the name of the chocolate brand that he could not pronounce.
A little part of him felt like he was in a movie. One of those cheesy romance movies. But knowing that this guy was Dr Julian’s son there was no way he had any chance now. Not like he did in the first place but now Cole was completely sure of it. The chocolates were the best thing he’d ever eaten. He’d finished the whole box after he ate dinner. He was slightly ashamed of himself but satisfied, nonetheless.
Cole grabbed his pen and a loose piece of paper. He wasn’t sure what to write this time. Should he talk about himself or say thank you and end this whole exchange? He didn’t want to stop writing to Zane, not yet.
“Dear, Zane. First, thank you so much for the chocolates. They were delicious, I’ve never had gourmet chocolates before or gourmet anything. I’m a very big fan of sweets, specifically cake though. Second of all, you really shouldn't have gotten me a gift but I’m grateful. Since you shared a secret with me I’ll share one with you. I’m the son of Lou from the Royal Blacksmiths. We don’t get along much these days but if you ever saw me you’d recognize me in a heartbeat. Also thank you for responding, I’d be lying if I wasn’t worried you wouldn’t respond. Maybe you’ll answer again and we could be friends? Thanks again, Cole.”
Cole sealed the letter as he did the last time. He felt nervous this time around. Like he was confessing to his crush for the first time, it was stupid, he was just thanking a random man for a wonderful gift. Zane would probably read his letter and leave their conversation as it stands. Maybe alluding to wanting to talk to the man more was a bad idea. Cole couldn't help but try. He’d have to see it through.
Cole clocked out of work after another long day of people asking the difference between oolong and black tea. He would be lying if he said he hadn’t spaced out for most of his shift. And the others had noticed.
“Something on your mind Cole, or is it, someone?” Lloyd poked Cole's side, also clocking out of work beside him. Lloyd was obviously joking but the question had struck a nerve. Zane had yet to answer his letter. Weeks had passed since Cole extended the branch of friendship out to the scientist. But every day that passed he checked his mailbox it was completely empty. It made him somewhat sad, maybe he was reading the letters all wrong after all. And it was getting harder for him to be optimistic as the days passed. He was starting to lose hope.
“I'm doing fine Lloyd, just one of those days you know?” More like weeks, Cole joked to himself. He turned to leave the break room before Lloyd grabbed Cole's arm.
“You know if you need some time off just let me know.”
“I can talk down my uncle, if anything I can just cover your shifts. You seem like you need a day off or maybe a week.” Lloyd’s lip quirked up weirdly. Like he was trying to smile but not look too happy at the same time. Cole turned around facing the man now.
“I’ll think about it. Maybe I do need a day off.” Cole sighed.
“I don’t need you overworking yourself, but I also worry about you, Cole.”
“If you ever need someone to talk to you can always call me, okay?” Lloyd stepped back grabbing his bag from the hook near the door. Cole nodded taking Lloyd's words to heart before making his way out of the shop.
Cole walked up to his apartment to see the mailman struggling to open the door by himself. With the amount of packages in his hand and the big bag on his back. It would only be possible for him to open the door with someone else's help. Cole rushed up next to the man to help out.
“Thanks.” The mailman huffed out. Carefully dropping the packages in his arms on the floor near the community mailboxes. Cole looked over the man's shoulder to see a letter with a familiar family crest and a package with his name on it both from Zane. Cole's eyes widened slightly wanting to reach out and take the mail from the man's hands. He held himself back politely asking him for his mail before quickly returning to his apartment. Cole wasted no time to open the letter. He’d usually admire the envelope and the wax seal before opening the message but at this time he was desperate. Their weird friendship could end with the words held in the letter.
“Dear, Cole. I would love to be your friend. Believe it or not, I don't get out much. Working in the lab almost every day takes up a lot of my time. So it's hard for me to make friends. A lot of my co-workers are older so it's nice to talk with someone my age. Also, I do recognize you and your father. My father was a big fan of the royal blacksmiths when he was still with us. I'm glad you enjoyed the chocolates. I'm not the biggest fan of sweets myself so it's great that you liked them. I know you said not to send you any more gifts but I couldn't help myself. I won't tell you what it is in this letter, it's a surprise! Also as much as I'd like to keep exchanging letters with you. I'd rather talk to you in a faster fashion. Hope to hear from you soon and hope I'm not being too pushy. Thank you, Zane Julian.”
Cole stared at the phone number at the end of the page. He thought he was seeing things.
“He gave me his number!” Cole giggled to himself feeling joy he hadn’t felt in years. He’d add Zane to his contact later. First, he needed to open this mysterious box and see whatever this gift was that Zane had sent him. Sitting on his cheap couch Cole opened the box without hesitation. It was filled to the brim with different expensive treats. Cole held his breath for a moment before proceeding to dig into the box. He felt spoiled as hell. What had he done for Zane to be treated like this? Cole finally found what he had been looking for. A little note from Zane himself. He figured there would be one in the box since it looked like a gift package.
“Hope you enjoy it!! Don't freak out, this wasn’t expensive ~Zane.” Cole read aloud.
“Like hell, I'm gonna believe that,” Cole said placing the box on the floor. Most of the stuff in there could cover half his rent. He wouldn't dwell on it. Zane had to be rich if he thought those gifts were anything but expensive. Cole picked up the original letter again gazing at the numbers at the end of the page once more.
“Should I call him?” Cole panicked upon punching the numbers into his phone. Zane could be busy or maybe he wouldn't even pick up. Cole knew if it was him in that situation he’d just let his phone ring especially if he didn’t know the number. But maybe since Zane gave him the number he was allowed to call. Maybe Zane was up waiting for him to call him.
“Damn it, if he doesn’t answer ill just text him.” Cole didn’t wanna overthink this anymore. And he’d be lying if he said he didn’t want to know what the man behind the letters sounded like.
The phone rang twice before someone picked up.
“Hello, this is Zane Julian speaking,” Zane said. Cole's first thought was that Zane's voice was rich. The main himself sounded expensive and it threw Cole for a moment. Making him feel lesser than his friend.
“Uh…this is Cole.” Cole felt a lump in his throat. Maybe it wasn’t the best idea to call Zane out of the blue like this. His nerves got the best of him and at that moment he wanted to just hang up the phone.
“Cole! Cole Brookstone!?” Zane exclaimed with excitement.
“I’ve been waiting for you to call all day. I was afraid giving you my number was a little forward.” Zane huffed out a dry laugh.
Cole sighed upon hearing that Zane was just as nervous as him. Of course he would be he’s the one you gave Cole his number. He had nothing to worry about.
“Yeah sorry if I'm calling really late. I get off work around this time on most days.” Cole went to sit back down on his couch. Noticing that he was pacing around his room with anticipation.
“Oh, if you don’t mind me asking where do you work?” Zane said.
“A family-owned tea shop. Nothing special, wasn’t really into the whole music business thing like my pops but I make do.” Cole felt like he overshared a little but hopefully, Zane would just gloss over the fact that Cole was working minimum wage while his father was a superstar. Cole not wanting to be a singer wasn’t the only thing that separated him from his father but Cole didn’t want to get into that whole situation.
“That sounds nice.” Zane hummed, it sounded like he was moving things around on the other end.
“So if I called you around this time tomorrow, would you mind?” Zane asked. Cole was taken back for a moment before answering quickly. Not wanting Zane to think Cole was against his request.
“That would be wonderful. Though I'm probably gonna pick up takeout before coming home tomorrow. So if I don't answer the first time don’t get mad at me.” Cole said, feeling stupid after blurting out his afternoon plans to this stranger.
Zane giggled on the other end before responding.
“What kinda of takeout?” Zane said humorously.
“It's a sushi place my coworker and I go to every once and a while,” Cole said. Lloyd would treat them all to sushi around New Year's or if it was one of their birthdays. It was probably the best thing about his job.
“I've never had sushi before. I’ve always wanted to try it though. Just never got around to it.” Zane said.
“You’ve never had sushi!?” Cole exclaimed.
The two talked like this for what felt like hours before Cole realized it was getting late. He didn't need to get up early for work but he didn’t want to keep Zane up late. The guy had a way more important job than Cole by a long shot and he didn’t want to be the man responsible for disturbing his sleep schedule.
“It's getting pretty late. I don't want to keep you up.” Cole said suddenly cutting Zane off before he could start another sentence. The line went silent for a moment before the other spoke again.
“That it is. I must have gotten carried away.” Zane sighed.
“I enjoyed our talk. I’ll speak with you again tomorrow. Goodnight Cole sleep well.” Zane said. Cole giggled at how formally Zane talked. It was endearing and cute. Made him feel like he was speaking to a prince.
“I'll be looking forward to it. Goodnight Zane.” Cole said hanging up the phone in the process. Cole moved to lie down on his couch looking up at the ceiling. He clutched his chest realizing that he had the fattest crush on a man he’d never meet. Cole sighed rolling off the couch and onto the floor. Not wanting to make the walk to his bedroom. But he knew if he slept on the couch his back would hurt for days. He got up from the floor slowly. Still dazed from the pleasant conversation he had had moments ago. Cole couldn't wait for tomorrow.
Cole was in a happy daze throughout his shift. For once it didn’t feel like hell on earth at work. And the others had taken note of his mood. Making side comments on his behavior but Cole was just too giddy to care.
“Did you drink before clocking in?” Kai jabbed at Cole.
They would be closing in a few anyway. The shop was empty at this point so they could goof off while they cleaned up. Kai wasn’t helping, if anything he was making it harder for everyone to finish their tasks with his ongoing chatter.
“I’d never, what do I look like you?” Cole huffed out and the others giggled.
“That was one time. I wasn’t even drunk It was a hungover.” Kai exclaimed.
“It was barely a hangover you kept falling all over me.” Jay giggled.
“Hang over my butt. I had to send you home early.”
“You kept dropping people's tea cups.”Lloyd giggled.
They all laughed together Cole joining in on the chatter. Which probably surprised the others to an extent. But no one pushed Cole to explain himself.
They moved to the break room to clock out once they finished cleaning. Lloyd pulled Cole aside after he clocked out. Cole knew Lloyd would question his mood soon enough. But he’d go along with it since he did want to talk about Zane with someone he trusted.
“Spill, what are you so giddy about today.” Lloyd eyed him.
“I can't be happy?” Cole said sarcastically. Lloyd jabbed a finger into his side making Cole wheeze for a moment before he composed himself again.
“Alright alright.” Cole folded humoring Lloyd.
“I've been talking to this guy for a couple of months now. We exchanged numbers yesterday.” Cole mumbled. It felt weird to actually share the fact that he was talking to someone. Especially since Zane was super important to Borg Industries. He’d leave that part out for Lloyd though.
“You just exchanged numbers?” Lloyd questioned looking confused as hell.
“It's a long story but we would send letters to each other for a while before he gave me his number,” Cole said. Lloyd's mouth hung open slightly before he started to giggle.
“Who is this guy, Prince Charming?” Lloyd giggled. Yet to Cole, Zane did feel like his own weird version of Prince Charming. It was beyond him why Zane even wanted to keep in contact with him but he wasn’t complaining. He liked having the man in his life.
“Well, I'm happy for you. I've never had a pen pal before.” Lloyd patted Cole's shoulder and moved aside so Cole could finally clock out of work.
“Penpal? I guess you could call it that.” Cole sighed knowing that he’d come to like Zane more than a pal. His crush on Zane was silly though. Deep down he knew that nothing would come out of this other than a friendship.
“So wait, you’ve never met him in real life?” Lloyd said locking the door behind them. Cole hurried to put his hands into his pockets before the winter air could pierce them. It was freezing tonight and Cole wished he’d remembered to bring gloves with him before he left his apartment this morning. Cole rubbed his hands together in his pockets trying to figure out how to answer Lloyd's question without outting who Zane really was.
“We’ve never met before. But I’d like to meet in him the future.” This was true. Even though Cole doubted Zane wanted to meet him. Cole was just probably someone new for Zane to talk to. Someone different in his life who wasn’t a scientist or billionaire. But that's all he would ever be. Just some guy Zane wrote letters too.
Cole briefly talked about Zane more with Lloyd before realizing he had a sushi order to go pick up before Zane called him.
“See you next week Cole.” Lloyd waved as Cole left the sushi restaurant. Cole talking about the place had made Lloyd want to get some too. But Lloyd preferred to sit down and eat there instead of eating with his family at home. Cole waved, rushing out of the restaurant to make it back to his apartment in time. He wasn’t too far from home but his phone had already begun to ring.
Balancing the takeout in one hand Cole picked up the phone not wanting to keep Zane waiting. After thinking about the man all day he couldn’t wait any longer to speak to Zane.
“Zane!” Cole said with excitement almost dropping his food in the process of opening his apartment door.
“I'm sorry did I catch you at a bad time?” Zane asked with slight alarm in his voice.
“Oh no, you’re fine. I just got home actually. Time got away from me since I walked to the sushi spot with my coworker.” Cole said rushing to get his words out.
“Walking in this cold? I hope you tried to stay warm. I don't want you getting sick.” Zane said—concern laced in his words. Rightfully so since Cole didn’t really prepare for the cold he had faced today. He’d bundle up better next time.
“I don’t have a car at the moment. so I don't have a choice but to walk. I’ll try and stay warm though.” Cole smiled realizing that Zane was worried about him.
“I got my sushi. It's all squid rolls though, my favorite.” Cole moved to sit at his crappy dinner table. Which was just a foldable table and two foldable chairs. There wasn’t much room in the apartment for anything bigger.
“Enough about me though. How was your day?”
“Invent anything cool?” Cole said enthusiastically. He didn't do much at work other than deal with annoying customers and Kai. Hearing about Zane's well-established life felt like a fairytale to his ears.
“We’re working on something at the labs. I can’t share a lot about it because it's confidential information. But I can tell you it has to do with robotics.” Zane whispered as if there were other's ears listening in on their conversation. Cole knew Zane had been home for a while now. He had shared his schedule with Cole the day before. Just in case Cole ever wanted to call him randomly.
“You’re building robots! That's awesome!” Cole cheered over the phone. Realizing he was being loud he tried to hold his excitement back.
‘Sorry, your life is just so exciting.” Cole sighed. Pushing the food around on his plate.
“No need to apologize Cole. it's cute.” Zane mumbled over the phone. Cole wasn’t sure if he heard him right. But he stayed silent for a moment before talking again.
“What was that last part?” Cole asked in a mischievous tone.
“I said it's cute. You’re cute when you get excited about little things like that. To me, it's just another Tuesday when it comes to science.” Zane huffed out a shallow chuckle. Cole was suddenly giddy. Zane thought he was cute! Well, he thought Cole's reaction was cute. But he still thought Cole was cute in some way shape or form.
“I don't know, your life’s way more interesting than mine.”
“That fact that you’re able to create all that technology we all use every day. It's almost unbelievable. It's like magic.” Cole sighed. Zane hummed listening to Cole ramble on.
“What’s your dream? Like what would you want to be if you could do anything?” Zane asked suddenly. Cole was taken out of the conversation from that question for the moment. He had not thought about what he’d truly like to do with his life in a while. He’d been going through the motions of life for so long that he hadn’t sat down and really thought about it.
“An artist.” Cole blurted out.
“Not the kind my dad wanted me to be. I want to create comic books or graphic novels. My dad never really liked the idea of me making comic books though. We’d fall out over a lot else. But I guess it was just a silly dream in the end. ” He finished waiting for the man on the other end to respond.
“Do you like to draw?” Zane sounded curious.
“Like? I love drawing. I haven’t had the time to sit down and sketch in the last couple of weeks.”
“But when I do draw it's all ninjas and dragons. Sometimes robots but I'm not the best at their proportions.”
“Usually, I draw almost every day. My art feels like the only thing I have control of sometimes.” Cole looked down at his now empty plate. Realizing that he had been picking at it for the last ten minutes.
“That’s only a dream though,” Cole whispered. He’d been rambling on for too long. Zane didn’t care to hear about the details of his fantasies. He was just asking out of the kindness of his heart.
“You probably didn't want to hear all of that, Sorry.” Cole stifled a nervous laugh after realizing the line was pretty silent on Zane's end.
“You didn't do anything wrong. Theirs nothing to apologize for.” Zane hummed.
“Do you believe in destiny?” Zane blurted out. Cole blinked getting up from his “dining table” and cleaning up the mess around him as we worked through this conversation in his mind.
“I mean, probably. I’d like to think everything happens for a reason.” Made his way to his living room. Lying down on his couch once more facing the ceiling.
“I was just thinking while you were talking. I’m glad we met Cole.”
“It almost feels like we were destined to be in each other's lives. Sorry if I sound corny, you’re just the brightest person I’ve met in my life.”
“Like a breath of fresh air.” Zane trailed off sounding like he was falling asleep but with a hint of desperation in his voice. Cole’s heart skipped a beat. Cole had never heard someone speak about him in such a way. The shock he had felt almost made him forget he was even on the phone.
“It's not corny at all. It's beautiful actually.” Cole whispered having a hard time believing the words coming out of his mouth. Then a question popped into Cole's mind. One that had been lingering on his mind for months now.
“Would you ever want to meet in person?” Cole let the words linger on his lips as he tried to finish his sentence. Not wanting to be too forward with his advances. But he couldn’t help it. Especially with the way that Zane was speaking to him.
“More than anything else in the world,” Zane mumbled. Alright, he had to be falling asleep on himself, Cole giggled.
“Because I would love to see your handsome face in person,” Cole whispered.
“What was that?” Zane sounded awake now.
“I said you sound tired.” Cole’s face flushed as the words spilled from his mouth.
“We should probably call it a night it's getting pretty late.” Cole looked at the clock on his screen. Finding any way possible to get out of this conversation quickly.
“You’re right, that's too bad.” Zane agreed but refused to hang up the phone.
“Talk again soon?” Cole was hesitant but hopeful that Zane would say yes.
“I'll be waiting,” Zane mumbled. Once the line went dead Cole refused to move from his spot on the couch.
“Were we flirting just now?” Cole sat up suddenly.
“That was definitely flirting,” Cole whispered out loud, as if the words couldn’t be heard even by himself.
Cole opened up his phone once more. Going to Lloyd's contact so he could text him quickly.
“I won't be coming in for a couple of days next month.” Cole hit send and closed his eyes, reflecting on what was next to come.
A month had passed since that night. The two talked on the phone multiple times a week. While sometimes sending each other letters to keep up the sentiment. While Cole’s letters were just drawings of characters he had made up. And whatever Zane requested he’d send to him. Zane on the other hand would send Cole detailed letters. Sometimes they were just silly notes that he’d send along with the sweets he’d sent that Cole kept refusing. Sometimes it was something short and cute. That would set Cole’s heart a flame.
“How strange to dream of you. Even though I'm awake.-Zane” Cole had kept that one on his bedside table. Zane was a romantic which was a shock to Cole. Since to him, it felt like a joke that someone like Zane would even consider pursuing him. He wasn’t complaining though he was giddy as hell. Especially because he was now waiting for Zane to arrive in front of his apartment. Should he have waited inside? Well yes. But Cole was too excited to finally be able to meet Zane in person. They had planned their meet-up after Cole asked to meet Zane a month ago. Zane's schedule didn't allow for him to leave work for a long time. But after begging his boss for a mini vacation he finally had time to visit Cole. While Cole just had to tell Lloyd he wasn’t coming in for a couple of days. He obviously filled in Lloyd on what was happening in his personal life. Lloyd was over-excited for him and gladly took the heat from his uncle for Cole's absence. Cole would have to repay Lloyd later. He would probably treat Lloyd to a fancy lunch or something. But he knew that Lloyd would just refuse his gesture out of the kindness of his heart.
The shinest white car Cole had ever seen pulled up in front of his dinky apartment complex. He tried to hide his excitement but the smile that crept on his face when the car window rolled down was something he could not hide. Zane was even more handsome in person, and Cole had to stop himself from staring.
“Hello, Mr. Brookstone.” Zane teased with a smile plastered on his face.
“Hello, handsome.” Cole chuckled leaning into Zane's car so he could get a better look at him.
“Your eyes are pretty. Blue like the sky.” Cole said now moving away from the window once his nerves got the best of him. Zane was finally in front of him. This all felt like a fever dream. Zane smiled turning off his car and finally opening his door to fully stand in front of Cole. Zane was taller than him to Coles's shock. Not extremely tall but tall enough that Cole had to slightly look up at the man.
“I can’t believe I'm in front of you right now,” Zane said gazing at Cole. Zane reached for Cole's hands which Cole allowed as they took each other in for a moment.
“May I hug you?” Zane asked. He was polite as ever. Cole felt so ill-mannered compared to Zane sometimes. Zane was such a gentleman it scared him. So much to the point, he felt like he was talking to a robot sometimes. But Zane's polite tongue was ever so endearing to Cole. It made him more enthralled by him by the second.
“You may.” Cole joked, face flushing already at what they were doing out in the open. Zane wasted no time to wrap his arms around Cole. Cole nuzzled his head under Zane's chin as he embraced him. Zane was thinner than Cole but still strong and held him in the most loving embrace he ever felt. Zane suddenly pulled away from Cole excitement in his eyes.
“You’re real,” Zane exclaimed smiling ear to ear.
“I brought you something. I know you don’t like to get surprise gifts but I can't help but spoil you.” Zane moved to open the back of his car. Cole saw that the tips of Zane's ears had flushed probably from embarrassment. As much as he didn’t want to accept a gift from Zane him already being here was enough. He would be lying if he wasn’t excited to see what Zane was going to gift him. Once Zane grabbed the bag he turned around and coyly handed it to Cole. the gift bad was hefty making Cole feel bad that he hadn’t bought anything for Zane in return.
“I hope it's not too much I didn't want to overwhelm you.” Zane laughed awkwardly watching Cole open the contents of the gift bag.
“Oh, you shouldn’t have.” Cole smiled. The bag contained all his favorite brands of chocolate and the brands of pens and Sketchbook he had told Zane about during various conversations.
“I know you said being a comic book artist was just a dream. But I feel like after seeing your talents it is very much possible. I know these supplies aren’t much But I wanted to support you In a way I knew that I could.” Zane smiled.
“Thank you so much I don't know what to say” Cole sighed looking down into the bag once more. How had he gotten so lucky to have fallen into Zane's life?
“I wish I could've gotten you something. But I'm not sure what to get you that you don’t already have.” Cole smirked awkwardly. This whole ordeal felt like a sugar daddy situation, Cole thought in the back of his head. He tried to hold in his giggle. Not wanting to alarm Zane.
“Being here with you is all I need.” Zane smiled taking Cole’s hand in his. While looking into Cole’s eyes, Zane’s demeanor became serious for a moment. Zane squeezed Cole's hand beginning to speak once more.
“I know we’ve only known each other for a couple of months now.”
“But I have never felt more contented with someone as I do you, Cole.”
“If it wasn’t obvious enough I’ve fallen for your charm. I've fallen for the way you laugh at your own jokes or the way you always refuse my gifts. The way that you take so much time into your art. And the way that you even let me grace you with my presence.” Zane chuckled watching Cole’s cheeks get redder by the minute. Zane squeezed Cole’s hand once more before continuing.
“And I think… I can love you.” Zane began to fidget realizing the words that had just left his lips. Cole squeezed Zane's now limp hand as Zane tried to let go. He was in shock, to say the least. But at the same time over the moon. Zane liked him!? Liked him enough to have the gall to basically say he loved him. Cole's heart clenched in his chest.
“If I said I think I could love you too would you call me crazy?” Cole asked, smirk creeping up on his lips.
“I’d say that you weren’t crazy at all.” Zane with a look of relief on his face. Finally smiled pulling Cole back into an embrace.
“Hey, I don’t like to kiss on the first meeting but you’re making it hard for me,” Cole mumbled into Zane's chest. Zane moved Cole’s head with his finger so they were now looking at each other.
“I wouldn’t mind a kiss.”
“Especially from someone like you.” Zane was smirking now.
Cole leaned in close Zane's small breaths warmed up his face from the winter air before they finally connected. It didn't last long. But, the memory of the kiss would last in Cole’s mind for years to come. Cole would remember the way Zane embraced him in those moments to warm his shivering body. In that moment Cole could feel Zane's heartbeat dance with his. Like two souls coming together again. Saying I'll be yours. And you’ll be mine.