A decade of grieving
(basically Cole angst the fic) (ft. writer trying his best to write Jay (no srsly how do you write Jay in a mature setting that wouldn't come off as obnoxious genuinely))
-TW// mentions of death and grieving.
----------------------------------------------
[Jay is walking around the monastery in search of his best friend. He then bumps into Kai.]
Kai: Look where you're walking Walker!
Jay: Har-Har very funny.
Kai: Just messin' with ya.
Jay: Well maybe, some of us are not in the mood for messing around Kai.
Kai: Ohkay wow, who lit up your fuse, lightbulb?
Jay: It's just that I've been searching for Cole since morning, I have to show him this funny meme I found. [Jay shows Kai his phone.]
Kai: [Puts down Jay's phone] ...right
Jay: Have you seen him?
Kai: Now that you've mentioned it, even I haven't seen him around since like?? yesterday night?
Jay: Let's ask Zane, maybe he knows?
----------------------------------------------
[The two then head to the monastery's underground lair, where Zane is helping Pixal build a mech.]
Jay: Zane, Pixal, have you guys seen Cole??
Pixal and Zane, in sync: No, I'm afraid I haven't. [Kai lets out a giggle, Zane and Pixal look at him with a confused gaze.]
Kai: [now trying to control his giggling,] Don't worry about it-
Pixal: If you insist.
Jay: Can we get back on topic please??
Kai: Right, yeah, my bad.
Kai: So, do you guys like- have a clue where he might be?
Zane: I'm afraid I do not. However, I might know why he's away.
Kai: Really??
Jay: Why???
Zane: Today is the 10th anniversary of Lily's passing.
Jay:
Kai: ..Oh.
----------------------------------------------
[Cole is climbing a mountain, the very same one he scaled when his mother had passed away to handle his grief. He was only thirteen back then, now he is twenty-three.]
Cole: I can't believe it! I-I thought I was over it-
Cole: I thought I grieved enough.
Cole: Then why then am I feeling- so- [Cole grunts]
[He reaches the top. He then sits down on the same spot Wu had all those years ago.]
Cole: I just,
Cole: I just can't believe it's been 10years.
Cole: I can't believe she hasn't-
Cole: That she hasn't been in my life for a whole decade-
[He looks up at the sky, perhaps with some hope of seeing her one more time.]
Cole: Get yourself together Cole.
Cole: [Sigh] And I'm talking to myself again.
Cole: I just-, miss her, so much..
----------------------------------------------
[Back at the monastery after filling Lloyd and Nya in on the situation, the ninja all devise a plan.]
Nya: Do you think it would work?
Kai: Ofcourse. I'm not the geckle chancellor for nothin' sis.
Lloyd: You might be the geckle chancellor Kai but would Shintaro allow you in in the first place?
Kai:
Zane: Considering how close Princess Vania and Cole's relationship is I think she would readily let you in after hearing about Cole's predicament.
Jay: And we will ask very nicely~
Lloyd: Well, all in agreement then?
Jay: Yee-up
Nya: Yeah!
Kai: Heck yeah!
Zane: Affirmative.
Lloyd: Alright, it's settled then, next stop Shintaro!
---------------------------------------
[Back to Cole now, he is still sitting at the top of the mountain wondering whether he should start heading back or not.]
Cole: They're probably worried about me.
Cole: I didn't even tell Zane or Master Wu I was leaving.
Cole: I should start climbing down..
Cole: Maybe i'll get back to the monastery before dinner.
Cole: I should call dad up once to check up on him..
[He starts descending the mountain.]
----------------------------------------------
[After a long journey Cole stops by the outskirts of ninjago city to check up on his dad. He rings the doorbell, but to his surprise he isn't greeted with a response. Then it hits him-]
Cole: ...He's also grieving the same way he did all those years ago huh..
Cole: [holding back his tears.] ..out singing and dancing again, ey dad?
[He leaves and heads back to the monastery. It's around dinner time now. Hope no one has noticed his absence, he doesn't want to be bombarded with a million questions today...]
----------------------------------------------
[Before opening the gates to the monastery, he gives himself a reminder.]
Cole: Whatever happens, you'll not cry Cole.
[He is supposed to be the foundation that forms the backbone of the team, he can't let himself cry infront of them, can he?]
[He's the strong one afterall, right?]
[Cole opens the door and heads inside.]
Cole: Hey guys!
[He notices that all the ninja are gathered in the living room.]
Cole: Why are all of you here? Isn't it dinner time? Oh I sure hope the dessert is some good ol' cake!
Cole:
Cole: ..um guys?
Kai: You don't have to pretend man.
Jay: Yeah it's okay-
Cole: [Looking away] I don't understannd what you guys are saying?
[Kai gets up and goes to Cole. He takes his hand and places something in his palm and closes it.]
[Cole opens his palm.]
[It's the pendant Lily gave to Gleck.]
Kai: We're here for you bud.
Jay: Yeah! Just like how you're always there for us!
[Cole finally breaks. It is the first time any of the other ninja have seen him cry.]
Cole: I'm- so-
Cole: i'm so sorry-
[Jay hugs him.]
Jay: You're my best friend you don't have to apologize for crying in front of me.
Kai: Wow that's the most intelligent thing i've ever heard come outta your mouth.
[Cole chuckles, the others also crack a smile. Jay doesn't mind being the punching bag if it is to make his best friend laugh.]
Kai: Feeling better?
Cole: Yeah..
Cole: I love you guys.
Jay: We love you too you big clod.
[They all sit down on the couch. Cole is at the centre w/ Kai and Jay around him. Nya and Pixal are standing behind the couch, Lloyd is sitting on the armrest and Zane is seated at the bottom.]
[Cole sits there looking wishfully at his mother's amulet. He pauses.]
Cole: [sigh] I can't keep this..
Cole: Mom gave it to the geckle not me..
Kai: I asked him if you could have it and he said yes.
Zane: Which was oddly very out of character for Gleck.
Kai: Eh don't worry about it i'm sure he didn't mind it- much.
Jay: Which meansss,
Lloyd: You can keep it Cole!
[Cole holds the pendant close to chest and starts sobbing. He doesn't apologize this time, for he realizes that he's with his family, who'll just as readily be there for him as he would for them.]
----------------------------------------------
[That night Cole finally managed to let out all the grief he had buried inside for the past decade, surrounded by people who loved and cared about him, who patiently stayed by his side till he was feeling okay.]
--------‐-----------------------------------------------------