still a kid

by aflowerfieldofdaisies

Summary:

Morro, having died again finds himself in a yucky, no good, terrible bog in the departed realm. Finally free of the Preeminent's influence on him, he finds solace in a couple who offered to take him in. He starts to get to know them better. That is until those dumbass ninja show up and fuck everything up. again.

Kai missed his parents. He had a hole in his heart that someone like Wu just cant fill. He loves Wu, sure, but he never had the influence of his parents, not in his early years, and certainly not in his older years. He just wants to meet them.. just once would be enough. So he does. He goes off to the departed realm, dragging a few others with him but when he finally tracks them down there, he doesn't expect the ghost who opens the door to be.. Morro?

back from short hiatus! being rewritten a bit as well! ^_^

Notes:

he kinda wants to die guys.......,, (what a dumbass. He's already dead lmfao.)

Chapter 1: gone with the water

Summary:

Prologue!! ;)

Notes:

short prologue. follow me on x at @aflower_field if u want. might do updates or something there, idk

The boys sunken, dark eyes glimmered in the never-ending darkness of the night as he locked eyes with his former mentor, glancing up at him as the preeminent pulled him down.

It almost made Morro feel like a child again, the little boy who had to look up to see Wu’s face. The same little one who had flown that kite, the same little boy who ran off to find a legend that may as well never existed.

“Sensei?..” He flinched at the sound of his own voice, which was rough and ragged. Wu’s eyes shined as he looked at Morro.. It was hard to tell if the shine was from tears or what, but there was certainly a hint of emotion peaking through Wu’s usual mask of calm.

“Do you..,” He faltered in his speech before continuing. “Do you still have that kite?” He asked, his voice soft, it was still ragged, but it was nothing like the voice he used to bark orders or taunt Lloyd. Wu chuckled dryly.

“I do, young Morro.” Wu cast a glance over to where the ninja were standing. They were watching from behind warily, obviously keeping tabs on the two even from the distance.

Morro’s eyes started to well up, burning his face and betraying his better judgement. He quickly blinked the water away, looking at Wu.

“I’m.. glad you kept it.” Wu seemed startled by the statement, like he didn’t think Morro would say that sort of thing in his final moments. “I always wanted to make you proud you know?” He thought, smiling a bit at Wu.

“I know, Morro.” Wu said quietly, his voice shaky and quiet. “I know.”

A single drop of water burned Morro’s skin.

He shirked in pain, just a bit, and grapsed Wu’s hand gently, feeling the Preeminent’s pull on his foot.

The tentacle was latched on, gripping with the full intent to bring the first general down with it. He knew he wasn’t going to be able to escape.

He looked up, just a bit more, a hint of the usual devious smirk he wore on his face, if not a bit more earnest, peeking through and he looked at Wu.

He saw the realization hit Wu.

He saw the sadness enter his eyes as he realized they would never fully be able to function as a family again, not now and not ever. Wu’s eyes widened as he watched Morro gently place the Realm Crystal in his hand, its soft glow illuminating the two and the dark murky depths of the water.

“Morro,” Wu muttered, his eyes covered by his hat.

He smiled again, full on smirking as he spoke, a melancholy, somewhat bitter tone seeping into his voice.

“You can only save those, who want to be saved.” He remarked softly, allowing the crystal to fall into Wu’s hands.

“Goodbye, sensei.”

He let go of Wu’s hand, feeling the older man try to latch on but fail as the tentacle grabbed the ghost while she could and dragged him,

down,

 

down,

 

down.

 

and then he was gone.

Notes:

okay. second time editing it now. I promise I have the ability to cook guys.

Chapter 2: start of the (2nd) end.

Summary:

Morro finds himself in the departed realm, dirty and alone until he isn’t.

He felt the Preeminent’s cold, slimy tentacle burrow into his leg, shuddering with one final burst of strength pulling Morro down into the depths of the water.

then

he

fell.

He didn’t know how long he fell, but it felt like forever. While he fell, He could barely think. the thoughts he did think were primitive and undeveloped, as though the dunk into the depth had stripped him of anything more developed than the word regret.

Finally, after an what felt like an eternity, it spat him out somewhere else.

The Departed Realm.

Morro, was in the departed realm.

No, no, no, no. He wasn’t supposed to be here. He was bad, evil. He hurt and pillaged and stole. He was not a good man, not at all. He caused so much pain in his lifetime, to himself and to others. It didn’t seem right that he was here. One final act of justice didn’t seem to balance out his sins. At least, not to him.

Regardless of his opinion on the current situation, he was there in the departed realm.

And so, he just sat there.

He decided that if he was here, he would do what he wanted, and that was sitting in a foggy swamp apparently.

He felt empty, but that wasn’t much different from his usual state. It was nice, quiet even. He didn’t have his rapid, angry thoughts of revenge and jealousy rampaging throughout his mind anymore. It was.. quiet. Serene even.

The flowers cascading softly off the branches felt almost like a allegory for him. The beloved student falling off his throne. Was he beloved? No. Definitely not. Not after all he’s done.

As he sort of zoned off, a man approached. He wore a red gi and a black belt.

His face was sharp and angular, with fiery eyes and a scraggly beard. He didn’t look all that threatening, but Morro knew to never underestimate someone. He was the living embodiment of that sentiment after all, with his thin pale frame making him seem scrawny and weak.

The man eyed him warily, gaze sharp. It seemed unnatural on him.

He watched as a hawk would eye its prey, though Morro was sure that if the man was to attack him, he would become Morro’s prey.

His gaze softened a bit as he came closer, moving towards Morro in small strides, as if approaching a frightened cat which Morro was certainly not.

“Who are you?” Morro called out to the man, positioning himself in a way that would make a good defense if the man tried to attack. He felt clumsy, but he guessed it was because of the territory.

“Whoa there cowboy! Slow down a bit just a bit, alright? I’m not gonna hurt you.” He spoke the words lightly, they were fragile, which Morro was certainly not. “What’s a kid like you doing down in this swamp?”

Morro glared suspiciously at him again, his mouth twitching to say some retort but deciding against it as he instead tried to get up. He stared, watching as he clambered up.

“The better question is more,” He watched Morro scramble to get up, and offered a hand which Morro glared at suspiciously. “What’s a kid like you doing in the departed realm at all?”

His foot tapped against the mushy ground as he spoke, making a slight squishing noise each time.

“A kid?” Morro spat the words out, annoyed that he might even consider him a kid. “I’m not a kid.”

The man tapped his foot a little more rapidly, “Well, you can’t be much older than 13.” He insisted.

Morro just stared incredulously, had this guy been drinking? He was most obviously, not a kid. He hadn’t smelled anything on his breath, maybe drugs?

“I mean, just look at yourself. You look much too young to be in a place like this.” He continued.

He gestured to their surroundings. A bog with a green hue tinting it with fog everywhere and weeping willows flowering. The small yellow flowers falling into the gross muck, which.. Morro was covered in.

“Dear?..” the woman called out to Red. “Is the boy alright?” she stayed a little while back, close to a cabin that seemed primitive.

“I’m fine.” he snapped, the slight rasp in his throat growing more noticeable as he grew more annoyed. The wind picked up a little with Morro’s annoyance as well.

Moving his hand to rub his temple, he noticed a small difference.

The scar he got right before entering the Caves of Despair was fresh.

What. The fuck.

Brushing part of his overgrown bangs to look at his reflection, he noticed it. Realized why they were calling him a kid again. It’s because he was. His small, gaunt face filled with the marks of scratched skin, plus the fact that his lips seemed unusually chapped practically confirmed it for him.

He was a kid again.

 

“What the fuck.?” Morro whispered, his head suddenly dizzying yet again. The fire-eyed man came over to Morro, reaching his hand out more for Morro to grab, which as much as Morro hated it. He did.

“Who the hell are you?” He whispered skeptically.

“The name’s Ray, Ray Smith.”

Notes:

firestorm.... old wojira duo.... haha... lets go trio!!!!!!

reworked chapter! hope its a bit better!

Chapter 3: thinking about you

Summary:

first kai chapter!!!

kai has to go help ronin move into the tea shop, but thinks about his parents while doing so :p

Kai yawned, pulling his sheets over his head as Cole called his name.

“Kai! Get your lazy ash outta bed!” Cole shouted, his voice playful, “or else i’ll tell Zane that i’m making breakfast!”

“noo…” He mumbled, blinking the dizziness out of his eyes. “i’m up.. i’m up..”

He grabbed his training gi and headed to the bathroom to change. As he walked into the bathroom he realized his hair was a complete mess, he REALLY needed some hair gel for his signature style

He opened the closet, passing by the others things, and debated which cologne he would use, berrylicious or coconut..?

“Cole?” Which cologne should I use today?” kai shouted through his toothbrushing, the bristles moving over his rarely brushed molars.

“Dude. I’m right here, shut up. Also Lloyd is sleeping for the first time in like 10 days, you really need to shut your yap.” Cole muttered as he walked into the bathroom. His shirt was off.

Oh god.

He was hot.

He shook his head, going back to focusing on his teeth and moving to spit his now watery tootpaste out.

He snuck a glance towards Cole, who was putting a conditioner of some sort? in his hair. He went back to colognes, and debated with himself.

They cleaned themselves up in silence til Kai decided to say something.

“err.. uh! ok. is Lloyd alright? He was pretty tired.”

Cole nodded, his shaggy hair floating down as he did. His curls were beautiful, he obviously took good care of them.

“Yeah. He’ll be fine. Poor bugger hasn’t been able to sleep lately, so me and Zane have been taking turns staying up with him.”

Kai shook his head sadly and glanced over to Cole, now noticing the deep bags underneath his eyes.

“You need to sleep. I can see the bags under your eyes, and that’s not good.”

Cole smirked a bit and turned to face him, a bit of snark in his voice.

“‘Not good’? Wow. What gave that off? Elemental master of Obvious everyone!” He laughed a bit, his anxiety about Kai asking him about this apparent though.

Kai’s gaze softened, and he spoke lightly. “No, seriously. You need to get some sleep, i’ll take the next shift tonight if needed. You guys don’t have to help him alone. You know that right?”

Cole nodded quietly, then remarked, “Oh yeah, forgot to mention, you have got a hot date with Ronin today. You gotta help him move in or something.” He gestured nonchalantly with his hands before walking off, Kai following shortly behind.

“Uggfhhhhhg…. Ronin? Really? You know how i feel about that guy. Ya know, with him hitting on my sister and stuff?” Cole rolled his eyes. “Guess you shouldn’t have slept in late then.” he said good-naturedly, grabbing a shirt and putting it on. aw man.

…

Kai stumbled into the tea shop, still tasting the terrible toast Cole had tried to butter lumped in his throat. ‘How does he mess THAT up..?’ Kai thought.

Moving quickly through the small shop, he zoomed into the room, when he walked into the room, Ronin was sitting on the mattress-bed hybrid right next to the window. He held a photo.

He couldn’t see it very well through the glint coming from the small window, but he glanced a small boy smiling with another person, maybe a bit older?

He walked forward, moving to speak to Ronin when he tripped over a curled up rug, making a clattering noise as he hit a box trying to steady himself.

Ronin jumped, and quickly looked over. His gaze was wary and unnerving and a bit.. wet.

“Oh. Hey Kai.” Ronin placed the photo down on his bed, and waved.

“Come to help with the boxes?” He nodded, a bit of a frown on his face,

“Must’ve lost the bet.” He teased. Kai rolled his eyes jokingly, but still had a sense that he had walked into something.

The two easily got into the rhythm of moving boxes. It was easy and fast enough. The room was small, but Ronin seemed at home with it. As he hung up a little framed photo, Ronin spoke. It was a bit light, sort of a hum.

“Hey man, sorry you had to see that earlier, I’m kinda missing my mom.” He muttered it a bit.
The word, ‘mom’ seemed so right in the man’s mouth. It was weird. Kai never got to say it in such a lax context. It was always comforting Nya, telling her that the pair of their parents would come back someday. Neither of them really believed it anymore.

“Oh. Well, cheers to that i guess.” Kai muttered. Ronin chuckled a bit and spoke again, “Miss her lots, she was a good woman. I’m sure she’d be proud to know i’m friends with some pretty cool ninjas.” He knocked Kai softly on the shoulder playfully.

“But hey, she’s in a better place right?” He chuckled again. Kai nodded softly. “I miss my parents too.” He whispered, a bit of a softer side peeking through his mask of confidence and anger. “They left when i was young. I don’t know where they are now.”

Ronin’s eyes widened a bit, understanding. He put his arm around Kai’s shoulder, like how an older brother would. It was nice in a weird way.

“Hey, well. You got the old geezer, and you got some other pretty cool people too.” He smiled. “It’s good to feel sad. How you know your brain is working. Doubt you actually took any time to grieve, not with your sister. You seem a bit too selfless for that. How about you take some time now, huh? Find someone you love and confide in them. Easy enough for you.”

He ruffled Kai’s hair, something he wouldn’t have appreciated on any other day, but he found a semblance of comfort in it cause hey, it wasn’t like any other day.

The two sat in silence for a bit, before Robin got up.

“Hey, you can.. you can go now. I’ll handle these last few boxes.” Kai nodded softly.

He got up and walked out, stopping in the door frame as he heard Ronin speak.

“Think on what i said, ‘kay kid?”

Amother nod. It didn’t feel real, he walked down and out the door, stopping near the small pond outside. He glanced in the pool and saw his reflection looking back. A vain and shallow looking man, with too much sorrow inside him.

‘Nothing compared to what Lloyd is going through.’ He dismissed. Walking slowly, he spotted Jay.

Jay waved him over, smiling happily. His freckles were especially out today and his auburn light curls were pooled all around his face.

“Hey dude!” He noticed the blank expression on Kai’s face and softened a bit. “You doing alright?”

Kai softly nodded, and looked towards Jay, meeting his electric blue eyes.

“Yeah. i think… i think i miss my parents.” He voiced. Jay nodded.

“I get it. I miss my parents pretty often too. Doesn’t get easier to think about them.” He began, “It’s okay dude.”

Kai sniffled a bit before recollecting himself. He wasn’t allowed to be sad. He had to focus on Nya and Lloyd. Even if he never thought he was good enough, that was alright. He just had to be good enough to protect them. To protect the ones he loved. He could be useful then. He could protect them.

He thought back to his childhood, the faint memory of the day his parents died settling itself in his mind like a too heavy weight. He wasn’t able to protect them. He should have been able to.

He was going to protect the ones he loved, even if it cost his life. He was sure of it. He was going to train. He was going to work as hard as he possibly could. He wanted to meet his parents too. The Realm Crystal could open holes anywhere after all. If it went missing for a bit, along.with him… Surely no one would notice?

Kai refocused, now intent on the task at hand. “Thanks man. Have you seen Wu? I need to talk to him.”

Jay, unnerved by the sudden shift in demeanor, sad a little anxiously, “Y-yeah..? He’s in the kitchen now I think. Making a salad or something with Lloyd.” Kai nodded and gave Jay one of his trademarked smirks happily befobefore walking off quickly.

‘why are both of them so hot.’ Jay thought to himself.

…

He rushed into the kitchen, his heart beating quickly and his eyes sharp and cautious.

He walked by a little display near the doorway, almost knocking over some fine china. He quickly picked it up beforeit fell and rearranged it before coming into the kitchen.

There he was. The man with all Kai’s answers. Wu. Lloyd was right next to him, helping him rinse some lettuce for a salad Misako wanted to try. He smiled gently as Kai walked in, his nose twitching a bit unnaturally as if he smelt him before he saw him. He looked much more rested, the bags under his eyes fading slightly. That was good to see.

Kai smiled back at Lloyd, then turned to Wu. Lloyd tapped him on the shoulder and gestured towards Kai, letting him know that Kai wanted to speak.

His eyes locked onto Wu’s and he said one single sentence.

“Tell me everything you know about my parents.”

Notes:

Jay's "oh my god why are they both so hot" about the smith siblings is my favorite thing ever lmao also ooo drama on huh big overhaul to the entire structure of this chaoter!! Editing is so much easier than writing uhghghh

Chapter 4: their smiles.

Notes:

hi guys! What's up! I'm definitely not struggling with depression! Hahahaa.... ok but seriously, ill be much more active in updating. I am way more invested in the storyline after a few tweaks, and am pretty happy with my writing currently. I'm getting therapy for my issues, and was finally able to open up about some deep rooted trauma and let the past go. It's not all good, ill be honest, but it's not all bad either. I really do love living and writing and looking out at the sun or appreciating all the beautiful smiles around me. Life is so beautiful and I'm so glad I'm not dead. Writing is such a joy im so glad to have and I hope you guys like the chapter <33 hoping to go for some morro and ray interactions next chapteralong with lava comfort and evil neurodivergent heist planning!!

 

…

 

Wu sighed as he asked, seemingly becoming smaller from the exhale. Lloyd glanced over to him cautiously, as if a small breeze might knock him over.

 

That’s how it felt these days, ever since the incident, Wu had been acting different, more melancholy.

 

He glanced wistfully at the ninja more often, he checked a spare bedroom an awful lot. It was as if he was looking for something, or someone.

 

He certainly was more closed off too. Cole and him barely chattered like they used to. A barrier of sorts popped up after the ninja learned Wu hadn’t been telling the full truth about his past, though to be fair, the ninja had never asked.

…

 

A little bit after everything that happened at Stix, they finally decided to ask each other what they thought on it. Kai was the one who initiated it, though Jay seemed to take it as an opportunity to rant a bit.

 

“All i’m saying is..” he started exasperated, and already out of breath. “maybe.. it would have been nice for the guy to tell us about his.. hmm.. potentially evil first apprentice of his!”

 

Kai sighed, making a big puff with his mouth as he absentmindedly punched the training bag in their little home training center. It was clear he was annoyed.

 

Cole shook his head in exhaustion. While Zane took it upon himself to try to explain to Jay the intricacies about relationships with people. He started blabbing on about how its his privacy and he didn’t have to share everything with the ninja. Jay was not having it and was interjecting with annoyed remarks on all Zane’s little points.

 

Kai sighed. Again. He was pissed as well, but Zane, annoyingly did have a point. Wu didn’t have to share everything with the ninja, but a few mentions here or there would have been nice. A little warning about a vengeful student. Maybe it could have saved him that beating they got the first time Lloyd got possessed.

 

Kai punched the beat-up bag a little harder, pretending to shoulder a blow.

 

“Ya’know, I’m fuming too,” he amended, Cole nodding in agreement. “But think about how Sensei might be feeling right now. He’s probably grieving all over again, and mad at himself for not warning us about Morro earlier. I don’t really blame him for keeping his,” Kai did air quotes. “‘biggest regret’ secret.”

 

Kai surprised himself with his empathetic words as he was a well-known hothead, but he stood by them wholeheartedly. He did feel bad for Wu.

 

It seemed Cole was surprised too as he knocked Kai on the shoulder and praised him, “When did Kai become so emotionally intelligent, man?”

 

He smiled a bit, recalling that warm fuzziness, not unlike fire, but something softer, that radiated from him after that.

 

…

 

The spiky haired boy snapped out of it as Wu started to speak.

 

“hmm.. i suppose you and Nya are old enough for this tale.” He spoke, his gaze flickering as he assessed Kai.

 

He looked to Lloyd, half expectingly, who quickly left to get Nya.

 

He had that gleam in his eye. He was obviously intrigued as well. Neither of the Smith siblings really talked about their parents, and as an “honorary Smith kid” (the title Kai had given him) he seemed to think he should be involved as well. Kai wasn’t as sure of that, but didn’t seem to mind all that much.

 

Pulling out a chair for himself, Wu stopped chopping and dicing that is what you do in a kitchen right? Kai wondered.

 

Wu moved over and sat down at rickety wooden table. Kai took that as his cue to also sit down, and pulled out a chair nearby, its leg was rickety and creaked when Kai bounced his leg, which was to be frank, pretty annoying.

 

He and Wu sat there in silence for a few moments before Lloyd came rushing in with Nya.

 

She was mildly annoyed, with a bit of intrigue surely, mixed in there. She walked with force behind her steps, purpose filling her before noticing the tense atmosphere.

 

She stood there awkwardly in the doorway for a moment before mumbling a little “Soo.. What’s up Sensei?”

 

“I have decided its finally time to tell you the story of your parents.” Nya’s eyes lighted up a little, her obviously getting hooked. She quickly pulled out the chair next to Kai and sat down a little too eagerly for his liking. Lloyd remained in the doorway, leaning with a newfound seriousness.

 

“Your parents names were Ray and Maya Smith. They were simple people, happy with the bare minimum.” Wu smiled as he spoke, it was a soft one smile but a genuine one at that.

 

“Maya was a writer, she loved to wander the wilderness for hours, she lounged under tress in the sunshine and kept you father in his place.” Wu chuckled a bit at that last part and Nya sat a little more uptight, but relaxed as Wu continued.

 

“Your father was, as you know a blacksmith, he loved feeling steel melt between his fingers. He and your mother together, well.. they were unstoppable. " Nya, and now Kai, hooked himself, devoured this information, waiting eagerly for more. Lloyd watched as well, silently from the doorframe, his interest piqued.

 

“That was til one fateful day.”

 

…

 

Maya chuckled happily in the sunlight under the tree, giggling at the joke her husband had told her. She was scribbling down a poem, just something stupid about smiles and how her husbands was absolutely enamoring.

 

She glanced over to where Kai and Nya were playing with some blocks and toy cars, Kai pretending to be a monster ravaging the city while Nya pretended there was a car jam. Her daughter had priorities, thinking about how terrible that traffic would be.

 

She went back to doodling for a little longer before she noticed a figure approaching from below the hill, it must have been..

 

“Well, hello Acronix!” Ray called out, a bit of a twang hidden somewhere in there.

 

Acronix said nothing, silently approaching. Maya had gotten goosebumps and a bad feeling, a very bad feeling.

 

There was silence for a moment, before it seemed Ray had gotten a similar bad feeling. He gestured for Maya to grab the kids. Just to be safe. You never knew who you could trust now, in this time of hysteria. Not with the Serpentine War and the secret Elemental Master spys and all that.

 

She quickly hurried her kids inside, telling them that they would bake cookies and she just needed them to get the ingredients. They jumped up quickly and raced to see who could get to the kitchen the fastest, eager to help their mommy.

 

Maya after finishing talking to the kids quickly rushed outside. Acronix had gotten up the small hill, to where there blacksmith shop was, and was chatting to Ray.

 

Acronix glanced over as if looking for something, gazing over the landscape then landed his eyes on Maya and waved. She smiled, moving closer to the two to see what prompted this mysterious visit.

 

Probably just a quick visit for a weapon, after all, Acronix was holding a knife.

 

Ray smiled a little, gesturing for her to come nearer. oh.. that smile, she thought warmly.

 

She then turned to look at Acronix and

 

oh. that smile.

 

Maya turned her full attention to Acronix, tears welling in her eyes. Now realizing that Acronix had a knife in his hands.

 

Blood was seeping out the wound, plunging his shirt in red, red, red.

 

A dangerous knife.

 

That his knife was halfway through Ray’s gut. That Ray’s beautiful, blinding smile faltered for just a second and that Ray had now fallen over.

 

His eyes were fading rapidly. The shine that sparked every time she joked or one of the kids told him something sweet. It was fading.

 

Maya shrieked, covering her mouth as to not scare the kids. They didn’t seem to notice from inside the house, happily chattering on.

 

She had hot, wet tears pouring down her face, she was so scared. She was so so scared.

 

She was shaking. He wasn’t doing anything, just standing above the newly made corpse of the man she loved. She had to move. She had to leave. She had to run, and get her and the kids the fuck out of there.

 

She looked Acronix in the eye. He had a kind of rage in his eye, an unbridled chaos. It was so unnerving. So indescribably rage inducing she probably would have plunged a knife into him, had he not been the one holding the weapon.

 

She trembled as she spoke, looking down at her husbands maimed body, she asked, it was barely a hushed whisper. She asked him.

 

“..why?”

 

Her face was wet. So wet.

 

Everything felt weightless.

 

She felt like her kimono was weighing down on her now, as a pack of bricks would. The serene blue felt out of place for this moment.

 

Everything was flashing and she wanted to curl up and cry. She looked back down at her husband, blood pouring out slowly. Ebbing away at his life. It was practically gone already, just like the beautiful shine in his eyes.

 

She watched her tears fall onto the ground. They were shiny and clear and making a too loud plop in the total silence that she was stuck in. She also watched Acronix’s grin widen. The unnerving, weird, freak like grin that spread unnaturally across his face.

 

He was a madman.

 

“Why is certainly a good question, my dear, sweet water elemental.” He spoke theatrically, as if every thing he said and movement he made was rehearsed. Maya cringed in disgust. He was a disgusting putrid man.

 

She hid it though. She hid her disgust behind a mask of nothingness. It because she wanted to get back to her children.

 

No. She needed to get back to them, and she needed to get Ray to a hospital. ‘is he going to be alright even if he gets to a hospital?’ She thought horribly to herself, it was a unnerving thought and something she quickly pushed to the back of her mind.

 

She refocused for a moment. She was zoning out. She needed to focus on the task at hand. She needed to get to her kids, and at least be able to protect them.

 

She watched in horror as Acronix kicked Ray’s hand off his shoe. Ray spoke nothing and did nothing. What would a hospital do for him now? No, No. No. No. Thinking like that would be the death of her, and she was not planning to die anytime soon.

 

Acronix chuckled a little.

 

She was in the presence of a madman . With the door to her house open. With her children being inside said house. She backed up to the door a bit. He must have seen her glances to her children as he giggled a little.

 

“Oh no dear! I’m not here for those brats of yours. I’m here for you, and for,” he gestured vaguely to where Ray was. “him.”

 

Maya felt bile rose in her throat. was her husband just a little ‘him’ to Acronix? Was he nothing but a dead body? Someone he needed dead for whatever wicked, sick plan he had? She was filled with so many emotions. She wanted to scream and cry and shout. She wanted to do anything. Yet she was still.

 

“anyways! back to the good old why. well, the reason is.. well hah! you two meddle too much for your own good. i mean, you think i wouldn’t hear about Wu commissioning a few weapons from you two? That’s just plain silly.”

 

His gaze was cold and he accentuated every last part of his sentences with a hand gesture that vaguely related to what he was talking about.

 

He then started to gesture for them to walk a bit closer to the forest. “Walk with me, wont you?” She glanced back at Ray. Her heart was breaking and pounding at the same time, her head was filled with thoughts yet empty. She had one thought she knew she had though and that one,

 

‘i must protect my children.’

 

If she didn’t focus on protecting them, she would probably have asked Acronix to stab her by now. What was this world if Ray’s beautiful smile was in it?

 

She nodded and her and Acronix moved silently away from the house. She knew to get out of this she had to think smart. She had to be fast, she could still live, sure it would be hollow without Ray, but she had her kids to protect. She was a mother after all, and mothers never leave their children behind.

 

They stopped walking as they arrived in a clearing.

 

“Sit with me?” Acronix sat gingerly on a rock, it was the size of a bench for two. She nodded and sat down, repulsed by the sheer closeness the two were. Her eyes moved towards where the treetops opened to let the sun in.

 

The dappled sunlight poured into the clearing. It was the same sunlight as before but, it just.. wasnt how it had felt earlier. It felt more eerie. more.. ominous.

 

“How sad it is such a tragedy happened on this very fine day!” Acronix laid his slender arm on her shoulder, she shifted uncomfortably.

 

“Indeed it is..” Her voice cracked as she spoke. Her repressed emotions threatened to burst out.

 

Acronix chuckled. “You know, I really didn’t want to kill him.” He spoke, seemingly faking sincerity. She stabbed her nails into her skin, trying to make sure she didn’t do something she would regret.

 

“And i dont really wanna kill you either.” he continued, his tone even more insincere and standoffish.

 

“It’s just me and my brother, well.. we have big plans that we don’t want ruined. And you two? You two are extremely good at meddling.” He gestured nonsensically as he spoke.

 

“So we just had to extinguish the threat. It’s a dog eat dog world out there.” Acronix turned to look at her, his eyes were filled with malice.

 

“Maya, i really do like you. I do. Ideally I would have let you live, but i doubt my brother would allow that so i must apologize for what I’m about to do.”

 

He held his knife with a certain dignity, and was poised for the strike. It still had Ray’s blood on it.

 

She felt everything fade. All her emotions, all her actions. All her thoughts. they all sort of left her. She was hollow, just floating along now. She blinked back to reality for a bit, only enough to experience her final moments. It felt like more of a replay of events that had already happened more than anything.

 

She was on the floor of the forest, rested right where the light shone upon the clearing. A sharp, edging pain nabbed at her stomach. There was blood leaking out. Just like how Ray died. Her stomach churned, and blood leaked out her mouth and poured onto the soft wet grass.

 

She looked up to see Acronix gone. What a coward., couldn’t even see it through. Such a moron.

 

She relaxed. If she was going to die, she would at least be calm in her final moments.

 

She thought back to her idyllic life. She had pictured her and Ray getting old, dying close together on a couch, comforted by each others warmth. The only warmth she felt now was the sunlight licking her wound.

 

She splayed her hands out, feeling it lap at the cold, dark murkiness she felt. It was relaxing in a way. Calming, comforting.

 

The sun was always there, watching over her in her happiest moments.

 

it would watch over Kai and Nyas as well, she thought. It was a connection between the two. Somewhere while Maya lay dying in the clearing near the woods, her children were happily chattering or playing or napping together. Waiting for their mother to come.

 

The sun connected the two even from the distance. And with that, Maya faded out of consciousness, her last thought was of all their smiles.

 

…

 

“Me and Garmadon found their bodies later that day.” Wu spoke, his voice rigid yet packed with emotion. " We had come to pick up the Time Blades, which was the last project your father made.”

 

Lloyd’s glance hesitated as he saw Kai and Nya’s devastated faces at the story, ripe with emotions. Kai was brimming with anger, and Nya just looked hollow. She had a cold, analytical glint in her eye, like she wanted to dissect her mothers killer piece by piece. She gripped Kai’s hand softly, giving back the same pressure he was holding it with.

 

“Tell me you made them pay. Tell me.” Kai spoke, carefully articulating each word. You could hear the flaring of his nose, and see from how his fingers twitched in Nya’s soft hand that he was pissed.

 

Wu shook his head up and down slowly. “I guess you could say we did. Me and garmadon, using the time blades stole their powers from them. Ee sent Krux and Acronix back in time, and sent the time blades somewhere in the time stream.” Kai looked angry still, maybe more angry than before.

 

“So what you’re telling me here, is that they got sent off with basically no consequences?” Kai asked, his eyebrow twitchy along with his hand that Nya seemed to be grasping more tightly.

 

Lloyd moved a little closer to the doorway, blocking it a bit more. He listened to the whole story in a bit of a detached way, similarly to how Nya did. He could tell a outburst was going to come from Kai.

 

 

“Kai, they probably did everything they could but with a bunch of murderers like that.. Maybe the best thing to do was-”

 

Nya was cut off by Kai’s hand starting to burn up. It stung at her skin, and the warmth was irritatingly hot.

 

She was surprised. He hadn’t done that in a long time. He may have been a hothead, but he had some level of control over his powers. Kai seemed surprised by the outburst as well. He released his hand from hers quickly and shook it off.

 

“This is such fucking bullshit,” he mumbled loudly. He could feel Lloyd’s glance from across the room burning into him, curiosity he was too furious to deal with along with his silent hoping to soothe his friend and brother.

 

“And don’t think about following me.” he added, to either Nya or Lloyd who were both now eyeing him as though he were a ticking time bomb. He brushed aside Lloyd in the doorway. Lloyd moved over to make room for him, but could still feel his burning shoulder rub across his, leaving a red streak on his bare arm.

 

Cole was sitting in the living quarters, which was annoyingly enough blocking the path to his room. He rubbed tears out his eyes and walked in the room quickly, careful not to let Cole get a glance of his face.

 

“Hey man! Wanna play some-” Coles shoulder’s drooped slightly and his smile dropped as he noticed the man who had acted as the leader, the one who never let himself falter infront of the others was now ready to dissolve into tears.

 

“Not now.” Kai said, peering into Cole’s jet black eyes. Cole nodded and gave him a soft smile and a pat on the back. His front teeth showing the little gap from childhood Cole still had. He smiled a bit back, his eyes still shiny and ready to cry.

 

Cole looked towards him, obviously worried and asked if he wanted him to go with Kai.

 

Kai, for once, actually accepted help. He wasn’t sure if it was Ronin’s earlier advice rubbing off on him or what, but maybe just for once he could use some help.

Notes:

‘mothers never leave their children behind’ i say, glancing at morro in his cardboard box and shuffling over to hide him

Chapter 5: Not really real, not without your approval.

Summary:

Morro hangs out with Ray and Maya :) he also has a panic attack... but thats irrelevant.

“It’s… nice to meet you.”

 

Morro spoke, his words still sharp and careful even though his sudden nausea made it hard to talk.

 

Ray nodded his head softly, smiling warmly at him as he agreed.

 

“It sure is!”

 

He glanced over to the woman standing farther away.

 

“That there is my wife, Maya. She’s a bit suspicious of people, Don’t tell her I told you that,” He said that last part jokingly, a playful glint in his dark brown eyes.

 

Morro nodded, steadying himself slowly. He moved a green streak of hair out his eyes and glanced towards the small hut in the middle of the murky forest. It was rudimentary and small, more of a cabin than a hut honestly, but it was a decent size. Ray saw him glance towards the hut and smiled a bit.

 

“Would you like to sit and have a cup of tea? We have some water boiling now.”

 

He offered the drink politely, gesturing a small bit towards the house.

 

Morro, not one to ignore a free drink, a habit installed in him from his childhood on the streets, nodded suspiciously. You always had to suspect something after all. No one was kind from the bottom of their heart, that was all just some bullshit made up by people who had the capability and capacity to say that sort of stuff.

 

They walked slowly towards the hut together, Ray’s ghostly hand still on Morro’s, helping him walk. He was feeling a bit less dizzy, the shock of being (and looking) like a helpless kid again being incredibly annoying to him. His scars were still fresh enough looking and the cracks in his lips and skin were still plenty visible, even as a ghostly apparition.

 

He wasn’t one for appearance. It was hard to be when you had more important things to tend to, such as your next meal. But he knew the appearance of a person is what influenced how you thought of them. It’s why people were more likely to ignore him in his rags. Why they were more likely to talk to him, cleaned up in a gi.

 

It was their opinion of him. He always hid his scars, not ashamed particularly, but wary of how his appearance affected others view on of him. They were more likely to pity him if they saw the vulnerability in him, more likely to manipulate him. Just like how Wu did. It still hurt thinking about him, so Morro decided to focus on the presence at hand. Ray.

 

He seemed nice enough, his smile was bright and warm and welcoming, similar to how a younger Wu’s was, but it held a bit of contempt. A bit of anger and hatred in it. It was plain to see, at least for Morro. He saw it every time he looked at his reflection, the pale mirage of a man filled with spite looking back at him.

 

His eyes reminded him of that fire ninja’s… Kai?’s eyes. They were warm, dark brown ones with amber specks that filled them. His eyes were soft, yet seemed as if they could upturn and be filled with that fiery determination that the ninja felt. It was weird how many similarities Ray held to them.

 

The ghost boy shook his head, annoyed by his thinking. He should have been learning where he was and figuring out what was happening. He didn’t want to look like a kid forever, and he certainly wanted to know why he wasn’t back in the pungent depths of the Cursed realm, or whatever was left of them.

 

Ray’s hand let go of his, confident that Morro was steady enough, to wave to his wife. She hurried over to meet them, smiling softly, yet warily as she approached.

 

“Hello dear!” She remarked, smiling at him.

 

She was wearing a ocean blue kimono, filled with tiny details like the waves hitting it in a way that made the whole thing seem brighter and the embroidered cuff details.

 

It seemed like an incredibly intricate piece. It had a large splotch of red in the middle of it though, which sort of ruined the effect. He presumed it was related to the way she died. It was similar to the red on Ray’s coat, though that blended more seamlessly into his outfit.

 

“Hello,” He talked flatly, his tone giving nothing about the way he felt.

 

He held his hand out for a handshake, noticing how the scars around his wrist peeked out from under his sleeve, and the way his fingers shook ever so lightly.

 

She looked perplexed for a moment, before returning to her semi cheerful demeanour. She took his shake and gripped his hand firmly.

 

Strong woman, obviously. Would have made for a good ally in the cursed realm. wondering how she would have acted had they met on different circumstances.

 

“I invited him in for a cup of tea. I hope that’s alright.”

 

Ray spoke confidently, scratching the back of his neck nonchalantly while doing so. She nodded and gestured for them all to enter the small cabin.

 

The first thing he noticed was that it was warm. Way warm. You wouldn’t think a ghost would be able to tell temperatures while.. you know.. dead, but you would be dead wrong. You always had this feeling of an intense chill on you. It might have only been a Cursed Realm thing though, since heat and cold seemed much more different then how it felt there. It felt more.. real in a way.

 

Lots of things felt more real though. The feeling of Ray’s calloused hand on his was real, real and plenty weird, it left him feeling like there was a gaping hole in him or something. It was a hard feeling to describe. It was almost like how Wu held his hand, but it was.. different in a way. Ray’s grip was strong and assured, leading the way for him. Where Wu’s was more light and gentle, as if guiding, expecting him to keep up.

 

The warmth shining onto him was only the first thing he noticed. The second was the water on the stove. He could almost feel the way the water crept up on his pale skin. Burning, scalding, blistering all over, melting him from the outside in. It was horrible, terrible, indescribably terrifying to imagine in every way, which was even more terrifying because he would never be the Green Ninja if he was scared of water.

 

He would never be the Green Ninja either way, so really what did it matter anymore.

 

Nevertheless, he forged on, following Maya until they reached a small couch of sorts and a plush chair. Maya looked at him gently and invited him to sit in the worn chair.

 

He stared at her for a moment, still vacant before looking at the chair for a moment and sitting down, his arms crossed against his chest. It was a normal position for him to sit in, making him seem a big larger and more built than he really was, but it seemed unnatural here. He quickly moved one of his arms to the armrest and used the other to fiddle with the hem of his shirt.

 

He kept his vacant look as Ray sat down and Maya brought the tea over. He wondered how he must look to them. Some pathetic half-witted kid who could barely say anything. He was practically silent the whole time so far. Maybe he should change that? How would he change that? He was Morro, Elemental Master of Wind, not Master of Talking or whatever. He absentmindedly wondered if there really was a Master of Talking. Anything to occupy his mind and take it off his regrets.

 

He was quickly shocked back though as he felt a sort of plop hit him, scalding his hand. He was holding a cup now, with tea in it. Maya pouring the water in. She accidentally dripped a few bits of water onto him as she retracted her arm.

 

Oh.

 

He flinched back, shattering the cup as he did. The boy didn’t really control the flinch, or the dropping of the cup. It just happened.

 

It was weird. The clatter as the porcelain hit the floor filled the room with a sharp, noise that pierced his ears. He inhaled quickly, shuddering with every breath he took. The breaths were getting faster and faster. He brushed against Ray’s hand as he moved his arm close to his chest.

 

The touch made him tremble more, and he growled at Ray. He moved his hand farther away from Morro, glancing anxiously at his wife as she looked st him with concern. Why were they concerned? He was perfectly fine. Perfectly. It didn’t matter that his chest hurt or he couldn’t get any air in just like in that godforsaken cave.

 

“Can I hold your hand?” Maya spoke softly at Morro, hoping to comfort him. He just curled into the couch more.

 

“Don’t touch me- don’t touch me!” He rasped out, his body feeling too lanky and small and not at all like his own. He was weird and freaky and his breathing was weird and he couldn’t breathe and maybe that was why the kids were mean and no one ever listened and—

 

“Hey.”

 

“Look me in the eyes.”

 

Morro turned towards the voice. It was the man’s. It was hard to look at him through his sniffling. When did tears start rolling down his cheeks?

 

They were salty and pooled at the bottom of his lip, which seemed like a permanent scowl. They were weird feeling so he rubbed at them, and scratched.

 

He scratched his cheeks desperately to try to rid himself of the feeling. His cheeks were raw and had a red tint to them. They hurt like hell but he kept scratching. He needed this feeling to go away, and if having to draw ‘blood’ from doing it was a tiny side effect, that was okay.

 

His chest was still moving with heaving sobs, gasping for air quickly and exhaling twice as fast. Maya was panicking now and moving the tea and other things away from him quickly, so he couldn’t use them for anything, or break them again. Ray was just looking at him, his amber eyes peering into him. It was .. calming in a way. Grounding even.

 

“C’mon. Breathe buddy.”

 

His voice was encouraging. Morro focused on his eyes. They still had the specks he saw in them earlier.

 

He breathed, which was weird. Was there even air here? He would have to ask later. Being dead was weird because he didn’t really feel dead, he was breathing, able to ‘drink’ tea and ‘eat’ food. It felt real. It all felt real.

 

Maybe the feeling of comfort he felt when he looked into the parental man’s eyes was real too. Maybe the spark of hope that glistened in his bitter, dark heart was real. Maybe someone could love him.

 

But, nevertheless, the voice came back, it whispered horrible nothings to his mind. The one that tormented him in the middle of the night after training. The one that told him he would never be anything if he wasn’t the Green Ninja.

 

The voice wasn’t wrong though. That was the thing. It told him that nothing really lasted because look where being with Wu got him. That really, none of this was real, because he has been dead for years and the only person who ever cared about him moved on, got new students and forgot about him.

 

He really was nothing without his Sensei’s approval. How pathetic.

 

The lonesome street rat was nothing but a pathetic runt again, muttering to himself in the dark of night. How idiotic. How absolutely stupid of his disgusting self to think he could ever be anything else.

 

Yet.. when the man, Ray, looked into his eyes and he saw the reflection of himself staring back at him, he had a glimmer of hope. Maybe looking different, having a chance to be a kid again was good. Maybe starting over could.. what’s the word..? heal, him in a way. Maybe, like Wu said, he really was still a kid.

 

The thought of Wu both calmed him and hurt him because what did Wu think when he died? Was he really sad or was he disappointed?

 

Everyone was usually disappointed in him. His dumbass deadbeat mom and his ‘friends’ on the street all hated him secretly. Everyone hated him, and he was a disappointment to everyone who met him. Wu wouldn’t want to ever call him his student. Maybe that’s why the New Ninja didn’t know about him. Maybe it was because Wu was embarrassed and disappointed and petrified by the very thought of Morro. He was nothing but a disappointment.

 

He felt crazy, everything seemed to be spinning again and he was dying. Definitely dying. His chest was contorting and wonky and weird all over again, maybe the eyes had been comforting for a moment but they just seemed to pierce into him, as if looking at his rotten heart and wishing to watch it pump every second.

 

Not fun, that was not fun and he was dying and a disappointment and nothing really seemed real anymore, and none of it seemed to matter and even if he didn’t die now he would certainly die again some other time.

 

Morro gulped for air again, the room still spinning and spiraling around him. It was weird and he was weird and a freak headed for the slaughterhouse and nothing really mattered and everything sucked.

 

Ray just sat on the couch, kicking his feet high on the table and waiting patiently. It felt mocking, just like how every other damn thing in his life felt.

 

He suddenly felt hot, really hot, which didn’t help the feeling of dying. It felt like the Caves all over again. He scratched at his skin more, itching over and over under his neck and around his collarbone, itching for some sort of release to all the hotness.

He looked towards the door and tried to stand up, the dizziness making it harder to move. He watched Ray try to get up and help him but Morro pushed him back. He didn’t want to be touched and he didn’t need any help. He was perfectly fine on his own, just like he had always been.

 

He was fine and dandy and nothing possibly was going wrong, he didn’t fall in the goopy mud like substance of the swamp they were in, and he didn’t stumble his way through the marsh. If you thought he did, those were lies and preposterous falsehoods.

 

He ran to a tree and climbed it swiftly, hopping from branch to branch like it was second nature. He liked climbing the trees around the Monastery when he was younger. He didn’t need to be reminded of then.

 

He glanced around anxiously for anyone near him. No one. He gasped for air another time and finally felt like he was able to get a well needed burst of it. The fingers he called his twitched as he let up with the scratching, releasing his arms from the chokehold he had on them.

 

It was refreshing sitting up in the tree, calming. As if the mother of nature was calling his name in an alluring siren song. She lulled him with her bittersweet melody, him imagining how the wind would feel brushing against him in the branches.

 

The idea was relaxing. So relaxing. The call of mother nature didn’t relinquish as he looked down to the grassy floor he was near, the drop seeming so miniscule and the urges compulsing him to just let himself fall.

 

Morro imagined the little body his soul held here on the forest floor, the mush covering him. He thought back to his skeleton in the real world. He wondered if ghosts held skeletons. Probably not.

 

Looking down seemed disgusting all of a sudden, his throat filling with bile as he raised his head and looked at the gloomy sky.

 

It was dark, as dark as a midnight sky. He didn’t know if it was always like that or not? It had been hard to tell when he first arrived, and he didn’t know how long he had been in the hut. The thought of tea made the terrible feeling of sickness rise in his stomach.

 

He felt feverish and way too warm, he was so tired too. He needed to rest, he needed the dizziness and the shortness of breath and the everything to stop for a moment. His head was spinning as he sat wobbly on the branch, it wavering slightly under his weight.

 

The cool air whipping against his body didn’t help his balance, it was almost like the world was urging him to fall, telling him to. A nuisance like him wasn’t needed, was he?

 

He gripped the tree body tightly, urging the wind to not come towards him. He was sure it would listen. Completely sure. It always had before, it was the one constant in his life, the one thing that didn’t seem to change.

 

His wind had been there when he was on the streets, whistling besides him like an old friend. It was next to him when he first tried flying a kite. It was next to him as he died in the Cave, suffocating him slowly while acting as though she was whispering sweet nothings to her lover. She couldn’t help this, it was no fault of hers.

 

The wind had even stayed with him in death, helping him as he worked besides the Preeminent, acting both as her right hand man and her son. He was regarded as the Prince of the Underworld, along with many of the other names they had called him there. Not all of them were respectful, though really who could blame him for thinking they would be in a place like that?

 

He assumed the wind would bend to his will, move besides him, sheltering him from its waves.

 

It didn’t.

 

He raised his hand to move it away, releasing it from the grip on the tree. He pushed and waited for the feeling of the air bending to his whim.

 

He just felt it knock him off the branch, sending a large stick right into his stomach. He lost his breath as he fell. There was a crack.

Chapter 6: lavender peonies and soft words make a guy feel better

Summary:

literally lava fluff with a bit of good older brother kai. like a smidgeon of it. can u tell I've been a lava shipper since 2017. it got me into the fandom.... sigh. hope I did them a bit of jsutice. short asf honestly

Notes:

i procrastinated this so fucking hard and then wrote it in two days. expect next chapter fairly soon, therapy is working its magic and I want to do things for once.

“I- They!- Ughh…” Kai exclaimed, his grip on the stress ball he was holding sending it to its limits. It contorted before Kai let it go. Smashing his hand against the mattress as he fell onto it next to Cole.

 

Plush jumped softly across the bedspread when they laid. Kai wiping small tears out his eyes as his eyebrows furrowed in a mixture of anger and confusion. Cole moved from the edge of the bed where his legs were dangling and laid his hand on Kai’s forehead, massaging it gently as he sighed.

 

“…Thanks.” Kai mumbled, his arm muddling his speech as it was draped over his face. Probably to hide the tears, if Cole knew him well enough.

 

A soft sigh came out of his mouth and he just smiled, rearranging himself on the bed and playing with Kai’s hair gently.

 

“I just,” he exclaimed, getting ready to sit up before falling back down onto the mattress. “I can’t believe-They’re dead, Cole!”

 

Cole’s shoulders slumped as he remembered the weight of his mothers death. How much it affected him, closed him off from the world. He and his mother both knew she would succumb to her sickness. They both knew it was a matter of time. That was a different situations then Kai’s though. He had been holding onto the hope that maybe, one day, he would see his parents.

 

That hope had been crushed as soon as Wu spoke about his parents.

 

He let out another sigh as he massaged the hair further, curling pieces of it in his hands. “I.. I get how you feel,” he started softly. “Losing my mom felt the same way. It’s hard, knowing someone you loved, really loved, is dead.” He gave Kai a small smile.

 

“It’s probably not the exact same feeling, your grief was left to bleed out, like a wound.” Kai moved his arm off his eyes and looked at Cole with his brown eyes, “I’m sure it got patched up, but the whole story must have reopened it.”

 

Kai nodded softly, leaning more into the delicate preening of Cole’s hands.

 

“I really miss them.” He admitted, turning his head sideways to stare through a low window. “It must sound stupid, right? How can I miss someone I only knew for a few years?” He chuckled bitterly, swallowing as he watched the leaves be led by the wind out the window.

 

It was like a small dance, the two leaves twirling and swirling in the mild breeze which came in a bit through the slightly cracked window.

 

“Not really.” Cole admitted, sheepishly turning to watch the leaves too. “I only knew my mom for a few years too. I miss her everyday.”

 

Kai had a small thoughtful frown on his face as he nodded.

 

“I,” Cole started softly before looking away from the window. “I have a little garden for my mom in the forest.” He spoke with a bit of raw emotion in his voice. Kai looked towards him.

 

“If, and i mean only if you want to, If you want to go there with me.. Maybe it could help you feel better about your mom?” He offered with such a heartfelt conviction, it almost made Kai want to cry more. “Being there always makes me feel closer to my mom. I have her favorite flowers planted there and everything.” He admitted again, his voice small.

 

“I would love to go there with you, Cole.” Kai let out a small smile and rubbed his eyes, sitting up in silence as the two sat on his plush mattress.

 

“You’re like a ferret or gerbil or something.” Cole chuckled to himself quietly. Kai felt himself flush and looked at Cole. “You know? Your hair is fuzzy and you’re warm like one.”

 

“Oh.”

 

They both let out a small laugh as Kai punched his shoulder playfully.

 

“Even when comforting me, you’re thinking of those furry little guys!” He laughed, wiping a small tear that had slipped from his eyes off his face.

 

Cole just laughed.

 

The two giggled to themselves as the air breezed into the room, bringing a chill with it as the warm silence filled the room.

 

“Hey Cole?” Kai spoke softly.

 

A nice quiet followed before he answered, “Yeah?”

 

“You’re a pretty cool guy.” Kai admitted softly as he laid his head on his pillow, reaching his hand towards the ceiling.

 

Cole felt himself flush and he nodded softly.

 

“..Thank you.”

 

Comfortable silence was nice. It let both of them breathe, the stuffiness of the one and the warmth of the other setting a calming vibe.

 

“You really wanna see the garden?” He asked quietly.

 

Kai just chuckled softly, “Yeah, yeah I do.” He grabbed Cole’s hand and squeezed it, his warmth transferring to Cole more directly and filling him with a fuzzy feeling as he smiled at the other.

 

They sat in the room for a while. They watched the sun go down through the window and the wind work up. Eventually, a knock was heard. It was light and a bit hesitant.

 

“Guys?” A small voice called from outside the door. Cole glanced over to Kai. Kai nodded and Cole removed himself from the plush bed, stretching his arms as he walked over to the door.

 

He opened it slowly, his eye peeking at Lloyd. “Yeah, dude?” He answered, opening the door. “Everything okay?”

 

Lloyd sniffed softly and looked at him. “Is Kai still mad?” He asked, his voice small. Cole felt himself frown softly as he watched the boy sniffle. “I don’t think so, bud. Why don’t you sit with us?” He gave the offer, creaking the door open more as he yawned.

 

Lloyd walked in slowly, his arms tucked into his hoodie as he sat himself next to Kai on the bed. Kai smiled a little towards Lloyd. Cole waved to Jay and gave a thumbs up, walking out the room to give the two a bit of privacy and to speak to Jay.

 

“Hey, little dude.” Kai greeted him with a smile. “What’s up?” He pried for information gently.

 

“I had a ‘ightmare.” He yawned, letting himself fall over and lean on Kai’s arm. Kai looked towards his brother softly and put his arm around him.”Morro again?” Lloyd nodded.

 

Kai yawned, his brows furrowed. “Bastard.” He seethed before looking towards Lloyd. “Sorry-”

 

“It’s okay, I’m used to it. You get mad for all of us.” Lloyd’s voice was muffled as he spoke because of his sleeve being up against his face, him being curled up.

 

“Kai?”

 

“Yeah dude?”

 

“Is it.. bad I’m not mad at Morro?” His voice was gentle, whimpering almost. He must have almost felt guilty for not being mad like Kai.

 

Kai sighed. “No, its not. We all process our emotions in.. different ways. I get really mad. You might do something else,” Kai scratched his neck. “It’s all normal.”

 

Lloyd nuzzled against Kai’s arm and nodded. “I don’t forgive him.” He said quietly.

 

“You don’t have to.”

 

“Really?” He asked, before admitting, “I feel guilty about it.” quietly.

 

“If anyone should feel guilt, it’s that green bean looking bastard.” He sighed. “Don’t worry, Lloyd. I’m here to protect you.”

 

“You would do that for me?”

 

“Anything for my little brother.” He smiled and looked down towards Lloyd. Lloyd smiled back, his canines poking out.

 

Lloyd yawned and curled up on his pillow. “‘M tired.” He rubbed onto the pillow and snatched a blanket.

 

Kai chuckled. “Okay dude. Sleep tight.” He covered Lloyd’s leg with the blanket. “I’ll be back later.” He sat up from the bed, and left, sneaking one last peek at the small, softly snoring Lloyd as he closed the door.

 

Rubbing his eyes as he walked out the door, he smiled softly as he saw Cole slightly laughing at a joke Jay had spoke. His smile was small and sweet.

 

Jay noticed him and looked away anxiously before muttering a little, “You good, dude?..” quietly.

 

Kai smiled, if not a bit awkwardly and nodded. Jay immediately relaxed and invited him to sit on the couch.

 

“Nah, me and Cole were planning on doing something. Sorry, man.”

 

Jay nodded understandingly and went back to playing his game quietly, nestling back into his spot where he was sitting next to a sleeping Nya on the couch.

 

Kai and Cole snuck out a back patio. They hopped the small fence around the Monastery and went down a back stairway to the forest. Cole said he found it a while back, while exploring. Kai couldn’t help but wonder if there were more ‘secret’ passageways scattered around the Monastery.

 

The forest leaves crackled under their footsteps, crunching loudly under this boots. Soft dappled light came through the canopy of leaves in prickled patches dotting the ground.

 

The crunching became lesser as they reached a less muddy area. The grass was a light green, weeds and little flowers growing in patches.

 

They then reached a clearing. The setting light shone perfectly to frame the bursts of color dotting the forest ground.

 

Kai’s grip on the others hand almost faltered at the flowers, effortlessly blooming and effervescent, almost radiant. They were obviously well maintained, even in the wild environment around them.

 

“Wow..” Kai mumbled, beholding the sight. He was breathless. Cole just clutched his hand again softly. They stood, admiring.

 

Bursts of lavender peonies and white spider lillies were spread across the ground, surrounding a small unmarked rock. They were everywhere on the ground, flourishing in every direction.

 

Kai smiled as he looked at Cole, his eyes filled with tears.

 

“For your mom?”

 

Cole nodded.

 

“This is.. beautiful. Thank you for showing me.”

 

Cole sniffled softly. “Of course.” He affirmed.

 

The two sat on the forest ground. It was soft. They gazed at the flowers until the sun seemed to be almost gone, filling the forest with a serene quiet as crickets chirped.

 

“Cole?”

 

“..Yeah?”

 

“Do you think there’s any way I can talk to my parents again? One last time?”

Notes:

dun dun dun!!!!!!! this is where I actually let it kinda get good!!!!!