#pw15

~

At the first buzz, Jay tugged his phone out of his pocket, habit leading him through the motions as he picked up on speaker before tossing his phone onto his desk. “Yo.”

“Hey.” Aydan’s soft voice came through the speaker. “Are you busy?”

“Not so much I can’t talk.” Not to mention he was ready for a break anyways. “What’s up?”

“Nothing much. I just… wanted to talk to you.”

“Okay.” Jay leaned back in his chair, pulling up his legs. “Anything in particular?”

There was a long pause before Aydan spoke again. “Never mind, I’m just being dumb.”

“No you’re not,” Jay said easily. “What’s up pup?”

“It’s stupid.”

“Aydan, sweetheart, I’d be willing to bet it’s not and you’re just psyching yourself out.”

Another pause.

“It’s dumb,” Aydan said. “I just—I miss you. And I know Basil’s here, and so is Uncle Kai so it’s not even like I don’t know anybody, but it’s just—ugh. I’m being dumb.”

“No you’re not.” Jay sighed, slowly spinning around in his chair. “I really wish I didn’t have to leave for another mission so quick. I would rather be there to help you settle in.”

“But you had to.”

Jay didn’t miss Aydan’s miserable tone, and in a split second he’d made up his mind. “Hey Ay—”

He was cut off by a knock at his door, a vaguely familiar voice calling his name. Jay could picture the kid, but couldn’t come up with name. Not that it was even important, since the kid wasn’t the Nova he was looking for.

Jay sighed a curse. “Never mind. I gotta go. Sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“Hey. I love you.”

There was a pause, then as another knock sounded, Aydan whispered back, “I love you too.”

~

“Jay Miles!”

“Quit it Baz, I don’t need you to read me the riot act.” Jay hissed softly as he finished cleaning his arm. The cut wasn’t too deep, but fuck it hurt.

“Then be more careful dammit!”

“I’m trying!” Jay sighed, then threw the washcloth into a corner and set to work bandaging his arm. “I’m trying, okay?” he repeated, quieter now. “But I’m here and all in one piece. It could have been worse. I’m fine.”

Silence followed his statement, and Jay glanced up to see Basil frowning.

“I’ll be fine,” Jay stressed, tying off the bandages.

“I should be there.”

“You can’t.”

Basil sighed. “I hate that you’re getting hurt and there’s nothing I can do to help.”

“You are helping Baz.” Jay flashed him a tired grin. “You have your part to play, just like I do.”

“You know full well what I mean.” But Basil’s frown had softened. “Just promise me you’ll come back in once piece Jay?”

“I’ll do my best.”

Basil held out his hand, and Jay reached out with his good arm to take it.

“Soon,” he promised, the hologram fizzing and hissing where it touched his skin.

~

“Ay,” Jay whined, “I’m bored.”

“Don’t you have homework to do?” Aydan asked, not even looking up from the wires she was soldering.

“Fuck that shit.”

Aydan laughed. “You have a cover to keep up Jay.”

“Fuck. That. Shit.” Jay fought the temptation to tug Aydan away from her project and into cuddles. “I’m already skipping class to try and find our Nova, so what if I don’t do some homework?”

“Does that fall under keeping your head down?”

Jay scowled. “Don’t use logic on me.”

“Make me.” Aydan looked up just long enough to grin at Jay.

“Brat.” Jay couldn’t stop himself in time from ruffling Aydan’s hair, the hologram hissing with static where he touched it.

When Jay withdrew his hand, Aydan shuddered. “That felt weird.”

“I know. Sorry. Habit.”

“Forgot I wasn’t actually here?”

Jay grumbled and fell onto his back to avoid answering.

Aydan let out a little snicker. “Love you Jay.”

“Love you too.”

~

“Something’s up,” Jay said suspiciously the moment Basil picked up.

“What makes you say that?” Basil made sure he didn’t lose Aydan as they made their way through the crowded lobby.

“Because I want to see you, but you picked it up as a regular call.” Even through the phone, Basil could definitely hear the pout in his boyfriend’s voice.

“Sorry,” Basil said, knowing he didn’t sound sorry at all. “Little bit busy Jay. Can’t do holograms right now.”

“And just what are you doing on a Friday afternoon that you’re being so cagey about?” Jay asked. “I know it’s not anything for Boss, or your dad, cause you would tell me straight up if it was.”

“A thing,” Basil said evasively. Jay huffed in response.

“Hey,” Aydan said, tugging on Basil’s arm to get his attention. “Missed the stairs.”

Basil cursed softly and backtracked. “How would I get on without you,” he said with a grin.

“Is that Ay?” Jay asked over the phone. “I wanna talk to her.”

Basil held out his phone to Aydan, who took it. “Hi Jay. A thing. Yes I do love you, no that doesn’t mean I’m gonna tell you.”

Basil snickered, holding the stairwell door open for her. “What floor?” he asked lowly.

“Third,” Aydan replied before turning her attention back to the phone. “A hint, hmmm. It’s a thing.”

In the quiet of the empty stairwell, Basil could hear Jay’s response. “You ain’t cute Ay.”

“Lies,” Basil said in response, hopefully loud enough for Jay to hear. “Kitten is adorable.”

Aydan blushed even as Jay laughed. “What are you two doing?” he asked again. “C’mon, why you gotta be so secretive?”

“Because,” Aydan drew out the word.

“It’s fun,” Basil finished as they reached the third landing.

“Oh come on,” Jay said. “What’ll it take for you to tell me, hm?”

Aydan hummed, pretending to think as they made their way down the hall and Basil knocked on a door.

Jay huffed. “Think about it, and I’ll call you back in a bit. Gotta see who wants me now.”

“Okay,” Aydan said, handing Basil back his phone as Jay hung up.

A moment later, the door opened, and Jay stopped short at the sight of Basil and Aydan. “What the—” His face broke into a grin, and he pulled Aydan into a tight hug. “What the fuck, oh my god you guys.”

“Let us have our surprises, hm Jay?” Basil smirked as he leaned against the doorframe.

Jay released Aydan only to attack Basil next. “Fuck you, making me curious n shit,” he mumbled, then he let go and took a step back. “What are you two doing here?”

“You have a free weekend, we have a free weekend,” Basil shrugged. “And you’re long overdue for some cuddles.”