New Life : A Second Chance

"Send her in," Nitocris said, "And next time she comes, let her through. She has A-Clearance."

"Understood, Boss," 

"I wonder why she's here," mumbled XingKyle KyleHan, "Did something happen to Kyle?"

Nitocris rolled his eyes and he hissed, "If you mention his name one more time, I'm going to make sure you're not able to get up from bed tomorrow."

"Oh, pish-posh," Xing Han scoffed, not taking Nitocris's words seriously, "But you really need to get your jealousy under control, Cookie."

"I'm not jealous," Nitocris replied perusing his documents again, "I just don't like another man's name to pass by your lips."

Xing Han rolled his eyes, bounced over and grabbed Nitocirs by his face and said, "These lips belong to you. What comes out of it, though, is mine. Kyle Kyle Kyle Kyle Kyle Kyle mmmfmff …"

When Kay entered the office later, Xing Han was busy fixing his hair and clothes. She raised an eyebrow, thinking that Kyle and his BFF had a lot more in common than they thought.

"Kaaaayyyy!!!" Xing Han shouted, flinging his arms wide open and bouncing over, "What brings you here? Is everything alright?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you at work, Big Bro Nic," Kay began, "Do you have some time?"

Nitocris tilted his head. He got up, gesturing to her to sit on the sofa, "For you, of course."

Kay had never come here before, and previously, she would just drop by Shifu's place if she wanted to visit them. Xing Han and Nitocris always went over for dinner on Sundays there, as family is family.

This, obviously, was not a social call.

Or, perhaps it was, but it was dealing with something that Kay couldn't wait for.

Xing Han looked at her worriedly, "Is something wrong? Are you okay? Is Kyle okay?"

Kay gave a small smile, "We're okay as okay can be, I suppose. Kyle's being as dense as ever about Sayuri and is about to be a foster parent to Kyle Jr."

"Wait, what? Kyle and Sayuri?! Since when did that happen?!" Xing Han gasped, then pouted. 

"How come he doesn't talk to us anymore?" 

"Life, I suppose," Kay said, sighing, "We're all so busy now with our respective work and before you know it, we haven't met for quite some time."

"This has to change!" Xing Han said while Nitocris reached over and pulled Xing Han into his embrace. He ran his hand on Xing Han's arm, calming him down. 

"I'm going to set-up regular get-togethers! Where the five of us can just meet and talk, like we used to do at the end of the year," Xing Han said, reminiscing about the 'good 'ol days'.

It was true.

They were close, and the Elite Five had gone through lots of things together and no matter how long they were separated - the bond was still there. However, meeting up and talking have lessened. 

Such friendships, though did not break due to the distance and time, should still be maintained.

"So, what brings you over, Kay?" Nitocris asked, his voice breaking Xing Han out of his thoughts and planning.

Xing Han looked at Kay guiltily. He had been so caught up with his thoughts that he had neglected the reason Kay came in the first place. Luckily, his Cookie had been paying attention!

Kay started fidgeting, looking at both of them. 

"Erm, well …" she began, focusing her attention on Nitocris, "If you don't mind me asking … erm, you see … that is … okay. Big Bro Nic, you and Xing Han are obviously perfect for each other and are happy."

Xing Han grinned, leaned on Nitocris and nodded, "Yes, yes, my Cookie is the best!"

Nitocris just gave a small smile of indulgence, gripping Xing Han closer.

"It's just that … I was wondering," Kay continued, "When did you know? I mean, the age difference is huge …"

"It's not THAT huge! Cookie is only 8 years older than me. Prime of his life, too," Xing Han protested, "And anyway, age doesn't matter if the heart feels it is right."

Kay started fiddling with her hands, "But how do you know that it's right? And the age difference may not seem huge now, since you're 20 and Big Bro Nic is 28, but … well, when you guys got together, you were only 16 and Big Bro Nic was 24. I'm' sure Big Bro's feelings for you was way before then."

Xing Han looked at his beloved, and tilted his head, "That's true. You said you were waiting for me to grow up. How long did you wait?"

Nitocris's mouth twitched then he looked at his puppy lovingly, "Not long. Just two, maybe three, years."

Xing Han gasped, "But you were being so annoying …"

"Anything to make you think of me," Nitocris said, non-plussed.

"See," Kay said, wringing her hands more, "You were still a minor then, Xing Han. It's like, borderline peadophile."

The temperature in the room suddenly dipped as Nitocris answered testily, "It is NOT. My feelings were pure."

"Big Bro Nic," Kay said, turning to Nitocris, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way. It just … it just feels that way to me right now."

Suddenly, a lightbulb switched on above Xing Han - albeit, a bit late.

"KAY!" Xing Han exploded, "You fell in love?! With a cub?!"

"Xing Han!" Kay wailed, "Don't make it sound worse than it already is!! And I am NOT a cougar! Cougars are these 40+-year-old women who go for younger men."

"Puppy, stop it," Nitocris admonished his beloved, "Kay is upset enough as she is."

Kay sat there with her head hung low and Xing Han felt bad immediately. He rushed over to her side and was blubbering, "Kay! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean it that way!"

"No, it's okay," Kay said ruefully, "You're absolutely right. If people knew that I am in love with a 14-year-old boy, wouldn't they say I am a cradle-snatcher? A vixen?" 

"Love is love, Kay," Nitocris answered simply.