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nervocat · 3 months

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“The stars look down on you as you wander with your cat guide. They want to tell you a story of theirs. Will you listen to them?”

# — Notes: I'M SO PROUD OF THIS FIC OMGG. This is my first time writing for him tho so. This is also based on Frank Sinatras song "Somethin' Stupid" hehe. (@dumbificat , @aventurintus , @rainswept ⛧ @ ing you three bc yeah :33). I've also GOTTA stop overthinking my fics bc I don't think the ending went well so now I feel the entire fic isn't good.. oops... THIS IS ALSO MY LONGEST FIC EVER BTW # — Word count: 1.1k # — Fandom: Honkai: star rail # — Cw: just a hint of angst but nothing rlly

—Somethin' Stupid

Aventurine walks around Golden Hour, that same smile of his on his face as he takes in the scenery of Penacony for who knows how many times.

“Aventurine!” he hears you call. He immediately stops and looks behind him, and seeing you running over to him makes his smile slightly more genuine.

“Why hello, [name],” he greets you as you come to a halt in front of him. You seemed out of breath, as if you had sought him out for something.

And he wonders why you, of all people in the universe, would search for him.

“I think I've got some free time, so I was wondering if you'd wanna hang out? We don't do it as much anymore,” you say after you catch your breath, though you still breathe heavily from running.

“It would seem so.. how about we go back to the good old days and gamble with each other?”

“Aventurine!” you say in a teasing, playful tone, elbowing him slightly. The blond laughs a bit.

“What? Does [name] not want to lose to me again?”

“Whatever,” you scoff playfully. “But fine, I suppose we could go do that if you want.”

You groan as you put your cards down on the table, hand in your hair. Aventurine — unsurprisingly — won again. While you guys didn't bet large amounts of money and you earned good amounts of it with your job, it still hurt to lose the money.

“Aaand I win,” he sets his cards down on the table, sitting casually in his chair as an arm is behind his head and a leg over his knee. “You’re definitely better than before though, might I say,” Aventurine adds with a cunning smile.

You look up at him as you lean back in your chair, huffing. “Really? I still lost though, of course.. don't think I'll ever win against you,” you answer, and Aventurine can't help but let a genuine smile sneak it's way onto his lips.

It has been a while of knowing each other, and while he has come to terms with liking you — liking being more like love — it was still an odd feeling for him.

Aventurine moves his hand to take a sip of his drink, as do you, and finds himself slipping up on his words — “I love you,” — is what he murmurs. He tenses and looks up to you, his pretty, mixed eyes meeting with yours as you hold your glass in your hand, lips touching the rim of the glass.

How could he have slipped up? How could he have spoiled this night with you? How could he have confessed like this in front of you, you whom he is infatuated with?

It's silent for a moment before you laugh, taking a sip of your drink. “Oh, Aventurine, you’re really saying that here?” he could tell from your eyes you didn't believe his accidental proclamation of love, maybe even despised it in the sense he's said it many other times in a not-so-serious way (that being when he still wasn't aware of his feelings for you).

Aventurine sighs, finally taking that drink he wanted and gulped the rest of it down. “Yes, you're right, how silly of me,” he plays it off, putting his glass down on the table. “Would you like to leave for tonight, mx. [name]? We could always do this another time.”

Oh how he hates knowing he had ruined the night with you by slipping up and saying somethin’ stupid.

“Yeah, I should probably get back to work anyways,” you say as you stand up, a smile creeping into your face. “But, I'll help you clean up before I go, Aven.” said man nods, his mood having turned sour because of his own words.

But oh how right those words felt to say to you, like they have to no one else before.

Aventurine looks at himself in the mirror the night after he hung out with you. His hat was discarded somewhere else and his glasses sat by the sink.

What was he doing? He was practicing words to say to you, to get his feelings across to you and to get you to know that they are, in fact, genuine words.

Aventurine thinks that he's ready to talk with you again, but decides to go off and do his own thing until you say you're ready to go out again.

He walks the streets of Golden Hour again, and he perks up at your voice. Aventurine turns around with his smile turned genuine. “[name]! If it isn't you, my dear friend,” the smell of his perfume wafts over you, though it's not too overpowering this time around.

His perfume smelt nice.. you wondered why it smelt like your favorite scent, but you let it be. “I have some free time again and was wondering if you just wanted to walk around Golden Hour? It's a nice night to do so” You ask him. Aventurine nods.

“Of course, this is your free time you're spending after all,” he answers. You smile at him and as you start walking, so you don't notice the red tint coating his cheeks, a lovestruck smile on his face.

You two walk for a while, just talking about memories or things going on in the other's life. You both were normally very busy individuals, so getting one-on-one time like this was something you both valued.

You and Aventurine, after walking for a bit, have made it to a more secluded part of Penacony, the start sky view not hindered much now with the lack of buildings around.

Aventurine looks over at you as you talk about how work was for you. He finds himself saying those words again after gaining his composure — “I love you, [name],” — and you can hear the sincerity in his voice and see it in his facial expression, it holding a fondness for you.

Aventurine believes he's said somethin’ stupid again, and he was about to switch off of the topic at your shocked face and no response until you say those words back to him.

“I love you too, Aven,” he looks back at you, his eyes widening. “I realized I might've been a bit.. rude, the last time you said you love me.”

You love him? You love him? Aventurine, who is renowned to be a cunning liar and to not be fully trusted?

Aventurines perfume comes back over your senses again and you wholeheartedly welcome it as you wait for his reply. “You.. love me?” he repeats to himself as he turns his body to you.

“Yes, Aventurine, I do love you,” you cup his cheeks in your hands and he melts at your touch.

Under the stars of the Penacony dreamscape, you two share your first kiss with one another, and when you pull away, Aventurine wraps his arm around you in a gentle, warm hug full of gratitude for giving him a chance with you.

★ — © nervocat 2024 || I appreciate any reblogs made, and pls don't repost or translate my works anywhere, ty — ✦

#🗯️ ͏ ͏͏ ͏: ͏ ͏ ͏ stars' tales ˑ ִ✷#・ nouveau livre ˎˊ˗#hsr #star rail #honkai star rail #hsr fluff #aventurine fluff #x gender neutral reader #x gn reader #hsr x gender neutral reader #hsr x gn reader #hsr x reader #honkai star rail x gender neutral reader #honkai star rail x gn reader #honkai star rail x reader #aventurine x gender neutral reader #aventurine x gn reader #aventurine x reader

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formereldestdaughter · 2 months

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ok wait i need to hear more of your thoughts on peeta owning a bakery....

This is one of those rare times where I’m pretty sure this anon isn’t someone I know personally bc I’ve subjected anyone who will listen to my rant about the Peeta Bakery Headcanon. Anyway, you’re gonna regret asking this anon bc there are fucking Layers here.

I know this is probably a controversial take based on the number of fics where I’ve seen it, but I simply do not think that Peeta would open a commercial bakery after Mockingjay!! Like on a metatextual level, I don’t think it really fits with the point of the ending of the series. It actually sort of fascinates me that it’s just such a common headcanon because the ending of Mockingjay is exceedingly vague. I think that vagueness invites us, as readers, to imagine a better world post-revolution. A world where Katniss would feel confident that her children would be safe from injustice, where she’d feel confident that her children would never know want the way she did as a child. A just world. A kinder world. Can a capitalist society ever be just? Is a capitalist society where a disabled teenager has no other means to subsist himself (or feels like there’s no other way he can be a contributing member of his community) really the post-revolution world we dream of? Is that really the best we can imagine?

(This got so insanely long I’m adding a read more lmao)

I get that showing a better world is not always the point of post-mockingjay headcanons/fics. Like there are plenty of really great post-mockingjay fics I’ve seen where, yeah, part of the fic is that society like ISN’T all that different or all that much better. I’ve seen that really well done! Hell, I’ve written them myself! It’s easy to imagine how a lot of aspects of society would not get an overhaul, a lot of the same structural inequalities would continue to exist. One headcanon that really stuck with me (I can’t remember which fic it was from) was that Peeta sells basically mail order baked goods to people on the Capitol, sending them iced cakes and pastries by train, because there are still people who were “fans” of theirs during the Games. And idk this doesn’t actually have much to do with my point lol but I liked it because it’s kind of fucked up and like! Yeah! It makes sense! If he needed money that would be a good way to make it! War often makes people rich, often for horrible reasons, and often it’s people who already have capital in the first place.

Anyway, more about the hypothetical bakery because alright. I bring up the fact that “yeah society not being all that different post-revolution and still being an unjust capitalist hellscape” could be a reason why Peeta re-opens a bakery because that’s actually never the types of fics where I see the bakery headcanon. Fics where Peeta opens a bakery are usually trying to make the exact opposite point. Like. Things are getting better, now he can open a bakery! Look at how much better the world is now, plus he’s got a bakery! Peeta is healing, that’s why he can open a bakery now! And I am so, so sorry to inform everyone who’s never had the grave misfortune of owning a family business, but there is truly nothing further from the truth lmao. Like just putting aside the immense amount of emotional baggage that Peeta has about his family, running a small business is an insane amount of work in any context and being a baker especially is physically grueling and involves early hours (and long hours) that aren’t really the best fit with the multiple ways that Peeta is disabled now. (I could go into this more because I have a lot of thoughts. But I will spare you.). I also think it’s seen throughout the books that Peeta is someone who needs time to pursue creative outlets to process his feelings and someone who values leisure and values quality time with his loved ones. And having grown up in his family’s bakery, I think he’d understand the reality that running a bakery wouldn’t leave much space of those pursuits and wouldn’t leave much space for him to have the things that keep him healthy and stable. I think he’d know that the way he is now— after two Games and the war and unspeakable torture at the hands of a dictator—isn’t compatible with the lifestyle necessary for running a commercial bakery.

And tbh with that in mind, I don’t think he’d push himself to re-open a business (one that would be a constant reminder of his dead family and his complicated relationships with them that got no closure) that would require him to sacrifice his physical and emotional well-being. Like I think he might look into the possibility, I think he might even start trying to open a bakery out of a sense of obligation/duty, maybe harboring some idea that this is who he was supposed to be, who he would've been without the Games, or that it’s this last piece of his family that can live on, or that it’s this last connection to his family so he can’t let it die too. But ultimately, I think any attempt to open a bakery wouldn’t get very far. Maybe he'd start wading into the logistical nightmare that is small business ownership and realize it's not for him (because it's probably also true that as much as him and his brothers were involved in the business, there's almost certainly parts they weren't involved with and didn't see, i.e., filing taxes). Or maybe looking into opening a bakery— how triggering it is, the stress of it— causes a downward spiral. Maybe he hates how much he's worrying everyone by unraveling. Maybe having a breakdown from the stress of just trying to open a bakery makes him realize, yeah, maybe in another life he would have ran his family’s bakery but the way he is now just doesn’t work with running a bakery, not without great sacrifices he's not willing to make. I just can’t see a bakery coming to fruition.

I know a lot of fics include Peeta deciding to reopen a bakery as a big step in his healing or include him rebuilding a bakery as part of his healing process but honestly, I think the opposite would be more true: I think Peeta either trying/failing to open a bakery or ultimately deciding not to open a bakery would be hugely healing for him. I think it would be a huge part of him accepting the way he is now as a person, his new limitations but also his strengths. I think it would be a huge part of him accepting the way his life his now and accepting that he likes his life the way it is, that he’s satisfied with his life without needing to own a bakery. I think it would be an important part of him coming to terms with the loss of his family. I think he knows he can never have things back as they were and I don’t think he would try to recreate them, especially because his family’s legacy isn’t a business. I think he’s emotionally intelligent enough and self reflective enough to realize that what mattered to him about the bakery— taking care of others by feeding them, being integrated into his community and being actively involved in it, brightening people’s days with delightful things whether that’s beautiful cakes or hearty food or delicious treats— and the things he learned from his family through the bakery, are things that he can carry on in other meaningful ways.

(Do you regret sending this ask yet, anon? Because if not, you will soon. I’m not done yet. There’s more.)

I wasn’t really sure where to put this next part in what is rapidly becoming an essay because it sort of combines the points about like “what do we imagine a post-mockingjay society to look like” with the practical difficulties of starting this bakery but here’s another thing: do people really think that the Mellarks owned the land the bakery was on?? Like, sure, the merchants are the petit bourgeois of Twelve but I still don’t imagine they really own anything. In a society where houses are assigned to people upon marriage, where property ownership and capital are so closely interconnected with citizenship (as shown by the Plinths who, by having immense capital, are able to leave their District and become citizens of the Capitol) do people really think the Mellarks would be allowed to own the land their bakery is on?? I always imagined it sort of like a tenant farming situation: the Capitol gives them the raw materials for the bakery and in return the bakery give them some absurdly high portion of their profits, or the Capitol sells them a year’s supply of raw materials at a premium on credit and at the end of the year the Mellarks have to use the money they made with those materials to pay it back, except it’s never enough to turn a profit so they always have to buy next year’s materials on credit and the cycle continues.

We (understandably) get a really skewed view of the merchant class through Katniss’s perspective so I can see why people come to the conclusion that his family owned the property and, as the last surviving member, he would’ve inherited it. I’ve seen the inheritance thing in fics a lot or a hand wavey “well Twelve was decimated to no one owns anything anymore so it can be his” or even like an almost sort of reparations type situation where he’s entitled to the land as a surviving refugee of Twelve. But I don’t know. I guess I don’t think it fits with everything else we know about Panem that the Mellarks would’ve owned that land and I think the question of whether the government would’ve let him take ownership of the land post-revolution brings up a lot of issues about the structure of society post-Mockingjay that I find more interesting to explore in other ways, especially when, from an emotional perspective, 1) I find the idea of Peeta not opening a bakery more compelling and 2) I don’t think it really fits his character arc by the end of Mockingjay to reopen a bakery, as I went on about at length above lol.

On the flip side: literally who cares!! Do whatever you want!! Headcanon whatever you want!! I get why people go for the bakery!! It’s fun, it’s wholesome, it’s a built in bakery AU that isn’t even an AU. It doesn’t matter if it’s practical or realistic!! It doesn’t need to be practical or realistic!! It’s fanfic of a dystopian YA series!! My unfortunate affliction is that I grew up in a family that owned a restaurant and that I have multiple degrees in the social sciences so I can’t see the bakery without being like “What about the overheard? What about the start up costs? Who’s spending long nights balancing the books? Is Peeta covering shifts when an employee calls in sick? Is Peeta the sole person working there until the bakery is open long enough (often a year or more) to start turning a profit? How does that sleep schedule work with his nightmares? How does that work with Katniss’s nightmares? What happens when he has an episode and suddenly needs to take the day off before he has any employees? Does the bakery just remain closed for the day? Can the profit margins withstand regular unexpected closures? Can the supplies withstand regular unexpected closures?” And if the answer is “Elliott none of those things matter he’s not doing the bakery because he needs the money but because he wants to”, then my question is why does he want to? Does he not get the same sort of satisfaction out of feeding his loved ones? Doesn’t Peeta seem like someone who would rather give away baked goods than sell them?? Doesn’t Peeta seem like someone who would prefer to make cakes for people’s special occasions upon and then when they insist on paying him for it, he only lets them “pay for the ingredients” which actually cost significantly more than he says they did??

So yeah my point is that it’s a matter of personal taste! It doesn’t fit the way I see the series but that doesn’t mean it’s like wrong, I’m not an authority on Peeta lmao.

It’s also a matter of personal taste in the sense that I find the themes that most resonate with me at the end of Mockingjay (and the end of Peeta’s arc specifically) more interesting to explore in other ways. Grief, living with loss, relearning yourself, finding hope, figuring out your place in a dramatically different world when you don’t even know who you are anymore, healing, building a new life after such complete and total destruction of your old life— those are all things I find compelling about the end of Mockingjay but for me the bakery isn’t the most compelling way to explore them.

Not to say I find the concept of the bakery totally uninteresting. I have this fic about Johanna that I’ll probably never finish where the point sort of is that, yeah, her life really isn’t all that much better after the war. It’s been years at this point and she’s still miserable and she doesn’t know how to be a person but by the end she’s trying to figure it out. And towards the end, Peeta tells her that he’s spent years sort of passively, half-heartedly trying to figure out how to inherit the land his family’s bakery was on, only to find out it was never theirs in the first place. They’d been renting it the whole time and he’d never even known as a kid. So he sort of passively, half-heartedly went on another wild goose chase to find the owner and now, finally, after years of writing to various government agencies and being sent in circles and things being barely functional, he’s managed to track down the owner. Now it’s owned by the daughter of the man who owned it when he was a kid because the original owner (who was likely up to some sketchy war crime shit) died during the war and she inherited it (the irony…). He got in contact with her and asked how much it would take for her to sell it and she told him she’s not interested in selling but in light of the situation, in light of the fact that he’d have to build a new building in order to operate a bakery, that she’d cut him a deal— she’d only require 50% of the bakery’s profits as rent instead of the 80% his family used to pay. And of course Johanna is outraged, that’s not right, the owner shouldn’t be allowed to do that, they should do something about it, they should fight back. And Peeta is like. Not interested. He was actually sort of relieved that opening wasn’t very feasible. Getting the answer was a lightbulb moment where he saw that over the years of trying to look into this, he’s built a life that he likes— one where he’s stable, where his loved ones are stable, where he’s cared for and can care for others— and he doesn’t really want to change it drastically by opening a bakery anyway. He just needed an answer, one way or another, before he could get some closure and move on. (And the point of the conversation is Johanna is having her own lightbulb moment that it’s okay to move on, it’s okay to change, it’s not a betrayal of the people and things she’s lost but that’s not my point here!!).

But anyway. That’s obviously not about running the bakery— it’s about the choice to not run one.

Anyway!! Anyway… are you satisfied anon? Is this what you wanted?

Lastly, here is my most important qualm with the bakery headcanon: must Peeta be gainfully employed? Is it not enough for him to be Katniss’s boytoy? Can’t he just paint and garden and bake and hang out with his girlfriend all day? Is that really too much to ask?

#peeta mellark #thg #the hunger games #the hunger games meta #anyway wow this got so long and I literally read it through one (1) time so uhhh sorry if this makes no sense!!#as I was doing my one read through and realized that one of my other thoughts on this is that yeah I can much more easily see the #headcanon that peeta like sells baked goods (probably at cost with no profit) out of his kitchen because that’s much more flexible #and I think that would work a lot better with what like I guess I’d call his psychiatric disability post mockingjay #and how he’d certainly want to take care of Katniss too #like that sort of flexibility makes a lot more sense for him and it’s like. if he doesn’t bake for a few days or however long then it’s fin #it’s not a formal brick and mortar business #it’s just something he’s doing because it’s a way to be involved with people and a way to do something he’s passionate about #without there being waste and while covering some of the costs #and he doesn’t have to like keep books or do payroll or any of the things I can’t see him being very passionate about #as far as like bakery management goes Lmao he can just bake!!#but then I started getting into this whole thing about how that quote-unquote ‘running a business’ like that (informally from your house)#is actually a really common practice for people living in poverty so probably something that Katniss and peeta would’ve been familiar wirh #anyway and then this whole rant about how the emphasis on the brick and mortar bakery often goes hand in hand with #this widespread fandom thing of having a fundamental misunderstanding of how rural poverty works and what it looks like #but then I was too deep into it and said you know what? never mind! and deleted it lmao

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aleakybiro · 1 year

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Aromantic ppl need so much more rep. Not just for themselves but like for the good of the world.

As a romantic asexual, figuring out what I am caused me a lot of stress at first. How could I ever have a relationship if I couldn't live up to the expectations of one? Long story short, that turned out to be a good thing bc realising your relationships can't be typical means that you have to define what they mean yourself, and that's honestly really freeing.

But what helped me get to that point was reading about things from the perspective of aro ppl. They won't have a partner in the typical sense so aros build their lives around their other relationships and passions.

And i think that's honestly so important. Even for allos, for everyone. Because we as a society place too much value on one type of relationship. People think being single means being alone. That if you're gonna live with someone they have to be a romantic/sexual partner. And like, why? Maybe it's fine for us to live with our friends if that's what feels better. Maybe you're not alone without a partner because you have friends and family who love you. Why does a partner even have to be romantic?

Point is, basing your plans on one person and making them the one to fulfill all your needs is pretty harmful. All the people in our lives, all the different relationships we have meet different needs and that brings balance. Your friends can be the most important relationships in your life. You can pour your passion into your hobbies and interests because aros aren't people without love. They have just as much love as anyone else, and that love is just directed more into other things.

This perspective changed my life. I'm closer to my friends. I don't obsess over romance anymore. There is so much meaning to what I have right now and I don't need romance, I'm in no rush anymore. And it's all cause aromantic people have the courage to come out and say "we can love, we do love. Look at how much love there is in the world."

So yeah, I think it would benefit so many people to see things this way. To see it in media instead of the main character always needing a love interest, instead of the kiss being this magical thing that fixes everything.

And also, rep for aros and aces shouldn't just be "oh this person is focused on their work so they're probably aro/ace". Rep should be people who are out, or an arc about their feelings towards sex/romance. Rep should be aces who aren't aro and vice versa. Cause the amount of difficulty it would have saved me if i'd just seen people like me a bit more. I want the younger aces to see themselves so they don't have to go through that same difficulty.

Anyways thanks for listening, happy pride! Love comes in many forms!

#asexual #aromantic #aroace #aromantic asexual #pride 2023 #ace #aro

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circus4apsycho8 · 10 months

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Gosh idk if you’re ask box is open rn but I’ve been dying for a story where y/n pulls a Nya and turns into the wind (bc they’re the master of wind) and so Cole plays guitar outside and has tons of wind chimes to make music with his partner still. Bonus points if y/n comes back somehow

Lots of fluff Lots of fluff 😩 I beg

𝚊/𝚗: 𝚒 𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚊𝚍𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚊 <𝟹𝟹𝟹 𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚝𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚘 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐! 𝚒 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢 :) 𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚘, 𝚏𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎𝚜 𝚏𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚎!𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛.

𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚘, 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚕𝚢 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝚊 𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚏𝚒𝚌 𝚜𝚌𝚎𝚗𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚏𝚊𝚒𝚛𝚢 𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚕 - 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚌𝚎𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚎𝚛𝚣𝚊 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚌𝚔𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚝 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚓𝚞𝚙𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚌𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚘𝚗 :)

𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜: 𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚜𝚝, 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚢 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚍 𝚌𝚞𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐

anything. | cole x reader

“This is it, guys,” Lloyd notes, green eyes studying the map anxiously as he leans back. “They have everything that they need, which means that we don’t have much time. We have to find whatever it is that they’re working on and destroy it.”

“The cameras that we’ve hid around Ninjago have picked up heightened activity at a certain warehouse,” Nya adds. “We think that’s where they’re working.”

“Here’s the plan. Me, Kai, Cole, and Zane are going to infiltrate the warehouse first. Jay and Nya, you two are going to keep an eye on the streets around the block. And as for you,” Lloyd turns to face you. “You’re going to keep an eye out from above. Make sure that the communicators in your hoods are working.”

You all nod, everyone pulling their hoods over their heads.

“Okay, what are we waiting for? Let’s do this!” Kai yells.

“NINJAGO!” the seven of you shout together. With that, you all set off for the deck of the Bounty.

You waste no time in leaping off of the edge, using bursts of wind underneath your feet to travel across the sky. You decide to expend the least amount of energy as possible, so you save your elemental dragon for later.

You follow the ninja’s dragons, easily able to keep up with the wind on your side. The breeze snaps past your body, granting you a sense of liberty. It surrounds you entirely – no ground to be found for miles below.

“The warehouse is not far,” comes Zane’s voice via the communicator. “But, we will need to land earlier in order to mask our presence.”

“There’s an alley just before it that you all should be able to land behind,” Pixal replies. “Zane, I have sent you the coordinates. Take the lead and show them.”

Zane’s dragon swoops in front of Lloyd’s, who slows down a little.

You notice that Cole’s being pretty quiet. Not unusual, but you think he’s deep in thought. You turn towards him, letting a blast of wind emanate from your palm. You use the momentum to land on the back of his dragon, immediately snaking your arms around him and hooking them around his torso.

Making sure that your communicator is muted, you set your chin on his shoulder. “Babe, are you doing okay?”

Normally, he’s all hopped up on that pre-fight adrenaline like you are – talking with everyone else, joking and speculating about how the fight may go. But something is different this time. Perhaps because this is going to be the deciding battle? You’re not sure.

You can feel how tense he is against your body. His dragon offers a low wail, making you think he’s somewhat apprehensive.

“Yeah,” he replies, tone quiet. You study what you can see at your angle, but you can’t see much because of his mask. “I just...I don’t know. This feels off.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t put my finger on it. Just...please, be careful?”

“I will if you will,” you mumble.

One of his hands come to grip yours, squeezing it. You snuggle your chin into the crook of his neck, listening as the wind whips past the two of you.

“I love you,” he mumbles.

“I love you too,” you respond, feeling his head lean on yours for a few moments. You notice the silence that has overcome the group as well.

“Will you stay until we get down?” he wonders, still holding your hand.

“Of course,” you respond, frowning.

From there, the group descends from the sky, all heading towards the roof of a building that’s hidden behind a skyscraper. Hopefully, the enemy won’t see you guys because of that.

The elemental dragons dissipate midair, allowing for the seven of you to leap onto the roof of the building. Cole hops down beside you, observing as the others sail down as well.

“Okay, everyone, get into position,” Lloyd states.

With that, Cole’s hand slips out of your grasp as he, Kai, Lloyd, and Zane all go to infiltrate the warehouse. Jay and Nya hop down the side of the building, both going to investigate the street. You, on the other hand, decide to get a better vantage point.

The skyscraper in front of you seems to be tall enough to work. With that thought in mind, you utilize your power to send you sailing up to the top, bursts of wind supporting your feet as you essentially climb the air.

When you reach the top, you latch one of your hands onto the side of the building, not yet wanting to climb over as your power dies down around you. You let yourself hang precariously off the side for a moment, your grip the only thing protecting you from gravity’s unforgiving grasp. The roads and buildings below you are so tiny now...like little dots or stripes all over a canvas.

You can’t help but grin; despite the seriousness of the situation, the adrenaline rush of being up high and in your element never failed to brighten your mood. Now reminded of the task at hand, you hoist yourself over the edge of the building, landing onto the roof with ease.

The breeze slips through the fabric of your gi, beckoning an army of goosebumps to arise all over your skin. You walk around the perimeter of the building, making sure to locate the warehouse where the ninja will be at.

Everything seems to be okay for the moment – the streets are running as normal, citizens carrying on as usual. You lean over the side of the railing for a moment, studying the warehouse. Nothing seems particularly off about it from your viewpoint.

“Everyone else in position?” comes Lloyd’s voice through the communicator. It’s just above a whisper, making you think they’re inside.

Jay’s static-laced voice is the next to sound: “Nya and I are ready!”

“I’m watching from a nearby skyscraper,” you affirm.

“Okay, good. We’re getting ready to breach the building. Keep a close eye out,” Lloyd instructs.

“You got it,” Jay responds.

With that, you simply observe for a few minutes. Nothing much of interest happens, and the others are being silent on the communicator. Paired with how quiet it is, that makes you think that they’ve successfully entered without being caught.

Suddenly growing antsy, you turn to take a look at the other side of the city. Similarly, nothing out of the ordinary is occurring.

Just as you’re about to stride back over to the warehouse side, a flurry of motion catches your attention from your peripheral vision. You twirl back around.

“Huh?” you mumble to yourself, watching as something rises in the distance. It seems to be a tower of sorts...no surprise there, but it looks like it’s...getting taller? And wider?

You frown, leaning on the edge of the building. What is that? It looks like it’s on the outskirts of the city.

“Jay, Nya...do any of you guys see what I’m looking at?” you question.

“No, what?” Nya answers. “Where?”

“It looks like some kind of tower. But it’s expanding, growing taller,” you note, frowning as it swivels to face the city. Suddenly, a horrid feeling creeps through you. “Wait...”

“Guys!” Kai’s voice yells, heavy static obscuring his words. It thickens as he speaks: “...was a trap...can’t get out...need to find...tricked us!”

“A trap?” Jay wonders.

You observe as four metal panels slide open on the tower, revealing some sort of machine. Eyes widening, you instantly leap into action, hopping over the edge and using your wind to dash across the air, straight towards the cannon.

“Jay, follow her! I’ll try to get the others!” Nya says. You can barely hear her because of how loud the wind is, but either way it doesn’t matter. You have to get there before the enemy’s plan succeeds.

So, they’d really thrown you all off this whole time. You’ll admit – it’s probably the smartest plan a villain has had in a long while. They’d completely thrown you off their tail this whole chase.

Even so, they’ve made one mistake – you, Jay and Nya are still free. You can still prevent a disaster.

It doesn’t take you long to arrive at the building. Using the wind to break your fall, you land just past the gated fence. The skyscraper spirals upwards before you, mechanical whirring coming from within.

You watch as the very top expands into what appears to be some sort of giant weapon. A cannon? It kind of reminds you of Garmatron in a way.

“Ninja!” someone yells. You spot a bunch of goons spilling out from the entrance, all armed. “Get her!”

You swing your arm out, sending a strong gust of wind barreling towards them. It hurdles all of them backwards, all smacking the wall roughly. It seems as if the impact has knocked them out thankfully.

But...what in the hell can you possibly do now? They most likely have everything they need completely set up if they’re only revealing themselves to you now.

In other words, there’s not much you can do.

Your breath becomes stuck in your throat as you see magic energy swelling up into a ball at the tip of the cannon. The shot is already charging, and it’s aimed directly at the city!

Immediately, you swivel your head around to survey your surroundings. Ahead is a building that’ll get you high enough to suit your only idea.

In an instant, you’re climbing up the air with the wind blasting from underneath your feet. It only takes you a moment to ascend the side of the building, leaping over the railing to the roof.

You turn to face the cannon, watching as the blast gradually charges. With both hands now out to your sides, you close your eyes.

Center yourself.

The breeze lifts slightly, swirling around you as your fingertips curl. Once you feel a deepened connection with your element, you funnel your protectiveness into the spell.

Now with your emotion woven between the seams of the wind, it snaps into something stronger. Its circumference multiplies, blocking the cannon’s path.

Already you can feel your power weakening, but you don’t dare back off. Not now of all times. Despite being strained, you force yourself into a surge of Spinjitzu – the most emotionally charged burst that you’ve ever performed. The urgency of the situation causes the tornado to spiral, forming a wind barrier that cuts through the atmosphere at a dangerous speed.

From somewhere, you can hear a faint boom. But your surroundings are blurring together, the wind howling far too loud for you to be able to hear anything else. Against your barrier, you can feel rancid energy throwing everything it has at you.

But you push harder.

A raw scream rips from your throat as the wind swirls faster, effectively cutting through the dark magic of the shot before it has a chance to pass you.

Numbness creeps through your body as you feel yourself aligning with the wind; whispers of past masters echo within the confines of your conscience, too garbled to make any sense.

Your vision becomes blinded by a sea of white, feeling now completely gone as you realize that you’re too consumed to return.

But that’s okay.

As the dark magic fades to nothing, you find yourself slipping past the force that lies beyond. The wind gradually fades to a stop, reverting the atmosphere to its normal state as you find yourself standing once more.

Calm overcomes you as you study your surroundings.

...What had you been doing?

You stand there for a moment, finding your memories jaded as the numbness recedes, now replaced with...longing. A burning desire to be where you belong.

Commotion emanates from the road below you, but you find that you don’t particularly care about it. Your interest lies in the horizon.

Now free from the confines of mere physicality, whole with the element you have come to love...

Nothing is holding you back from joining the sky, seeing what the world has to offer...

Still in an anthropomorphic shape, you step onto the ledge of the building. You glance down, at first studying the height and then your hands.

You are the Wind.

Just as you’re about to step over the edge, voices resonate from behind you.

“You did it!”

You turn to face the group before you, all staring at you expectantly. Yes...you recognize these people. Your previous friends.

The one in black – Cole – emerges first. “You’re okay!”

He attempts to embrace you, but to no avail – the wind composing your body simply disperses as he passes through you.

“Ha, that's gonna take some getting used to. But we'll figure out a way to change you back. Don't worry,” Kai assures, stepping forward next to the others.

“Back?” you wonder.

“To normal. You know, the old you,” Jay answers, face falling in confusion alongside Cole’s.

“Normal?”

“Hey...what’s wrong?” Cole questions, now directly in front of you as you stare at him blankly.

Then, you hear it again – those enticingly mysterious whispers. They beckon you to join them in an eternal adventure throughout the sky. You turn to glance at the horizon longingly.

“Do you hear it?” you question, ignoring Cole’s query as you stare at the sky.

“What?” Cole wonders.

“The wind. It's so much louder now. So powerful. More powerful than I could have imagined... I must go.”

“Go? Wait...no. You can’t. Listen, you have to focus. Concentrate. We’ll figure something out!” Cole pleads, trying to touch you once more.

You stare at him. How have you become so faded in what you feel? Either way, the distress on his expression prompts you to take one of his hands in yours, the other settling on his cheek in an attempt to comfort him somewhat.

His stare begs you to remain, with unshed tears lining his eyes. “Please? I...I need you. More than you could ever know.”

Still, you don’t respond. You gently pull your hand out of his grasp, turning to face Wu as he approaches you:

“I implore you. Whatever you're hearing, whatever you're experiencing. Fight it! Remember who you are. Remember.”

You smile slightly. “I am the wind. And we are one.”

With that, you turn to face the sky, your back towards them.

“Wind guide you, my friends. Su’um ahrk morah.”

With that, you leap off of the edge, instantly merging with the wind as the calls of the people behind you fizzle out to nothing.

…

First his mom.

Now you.

Cole finds himself blankly staring at a picture posted on one of the walls in the monastery. It was of you and him – taken by Nya one day while the group had been cleaning. You had jumped on his back, like you always would. Both of you were smiling.

Cole finds his thoughts racing back to the same what-if scenarios he’d been contemplating for the last few hours. Why didn’t he insist on staying with you? What had they missed that led them here?

For a moment, he continues pondering on them when he feels a hand grabbing his shoulder lightly. Cole blinks, a few tears slipping out of his eyes before he turns to find his dad standing next to him.

“Dad...” Cole mutters, suddenly finding his throat too tight for him to speak.

Lou’s expression softens as he studies Cole, moving in to hug Cole a few seconds later. The Master of Earth returns the embrace, trying to hold back his tears to no avail.

The two simply remain in embrace for a few moments as dread washes over Cole. Lou doesn’t falter with the strength of the hug, either.

“I’m sorry, Cole,” Lou whispers. “I’m so sorry.”

Cole finds his throat too tight to speak momentarily as his mind desperately searches for some kind of response.

But for a few seconds, he can’t.

“Dad?” Cole wonders, trying not to let his voice break.

“Yes?”

“Can I...come home with you for a little while? I just...I don’t know if I can be here. I need time away, I think.”

Lou’s expression softens as he nods. “Of course you can, son. You can stay as long as you want.”

“Thank you,” Cole replies, choking up slightly. “I’ll go pack.”

“Take all the time you need. I’ll be here waiting.”

With that, Cole makes his way towards his room. Everything around him suddenly feels too stifling to bear. The remnants of your energy are scattered everywhere, and it suffocates him. The feeling only strengthens its chokehold over him as he passes your room, unable to glance inside.

Once he makes it to his room, he spends a few minutes shoving clothes and other belongings into his duffel bag. He finds that his thoughts are entirely focused on the process of packing, doing his best to ignore the tears pooling in his eyes.

When he finishes, he takes a glance around before zipping the bag shut. After tossing the strap over his shoulder, the sound of a soft knock catches his attention.

Cole pauses, turning slowly.

There, he spots the Smith family gathered solemnly before him.

“Hey Cole,” Kai greets softly, offering a hesitant nod.

“We know you’re about to go, but...we made something for you. All of us. As our...tribute to her. But we think you should have it,” Nya explains, offering Cole a rectangular, black box.

After taking a second to secure the strap of his bag around his shoulder, Cole takes the box gingerly. He removes the lid, breath hitching at the sight of the item.

It’s a windchime – an intricate one, at that. Glass and aluminum sculptures cascade down from the top, all depicting different symbols.

“It’s beautiful,” Cole murmurs, tracing a finger over it. “Thank you.”

“We’re so sorry, Cole,” Nya mumbles, immediately going to hug Cole. The earth elemental returns the embrace, closing his eyes as a few tears run down his cheeks.

“Thank you,” he whispers as she pulls away.

“Let us know if you need anything,” Kai adds, pulling Cole in for a brisk hug as well.

“I will,” Cole replies, nodding towards Ray and Maya. “Thank you all.”

“Travel safely, Cole,” Nya adds.

…

A few weeks pass.

Cole finds himself outside one morning, deep in the forest that’s close to his childhood home. After a few minutes of hiking, he finally arrives at his destination.

“I can’t believe it’s still together,” he mumbles, spotting his old makeshift, childhood fort that he’d built years ago.

It’s nothing much – just an old blanket strung between three trees to make an impromptu tent. It covers a small area between the trees, including a foldable chair and a flat tree stump that serves as a table.

Everything looks so much smaller than I remember, Cole thinks as he sets his case and bag down, glancing at the chair. He tilts it down in order to swipe off the dirt and leaves that have collected on it.

Once that’s done, he sits down slowly, glancing around. The place hasn’t changed much since he last came here – not that it’s much of a surprise. Eventually, Cole spots a short but thick branch within arm’s reach.

Suddenly reminded of the purpose of his visit, he pulls his bag onto his lap. After unzipping it, he takes out the box that the Smiths gave him. He opens it, gingerly pulling the windchime out.

Cole gently slips the loop over the branch, watching as his hands leave the item to make sure it doesn’t slip. Fortunately, the grip stays secure when the wind tousles the dangling bits slightly. In the sunlight, the metal and glass parts sparkle softly.

His eyes linger on the chime momentarily, watching as it starts to emit a soft jingle upon being caressed by the wind. He closes his eyes, listening to its song

A few moments later, Cole bends down to unlatch the case bearing his old guitar. He’d found it stashed within the closet of his childhood room earlier, which is when the idea to come out here occurred to him. As his gaze sweeps the object, he swallows a soft lump in his throat, not allowing his thoughts to wander just yet.

As Cole lifts the instrument out of the case, a whelm of emotion floods him – hints of nostalgia mixed with grief and acceptance. His mother used to use this guitar – she would play him songs when he was little. The memory elicits a smile to cross his face as he sets it on his lap, the familiar weight comforting him slightly.

The wind picks up, causing the windchime’s hum to be joined with the canopy of leaves overhead. Cole listens for a second before deciding to join in. In an attempt to become reacquainted with his former hobby, Cole’s fingertips pluck a few strings.

As he does so, he eventually grows more confident and begins playing a song by memory. At first, he simply hums the lyrics, still somewhat scared to sing. Though, as he continues, he finds himself relaxing as he starts to sing quietly, opening his voice to the earth and wind.

Cole finds himself in a state of thoughtlessness – only softly singing while listening to the windchimes’ addition to his makeshift song. At some point, he even unconsciously imagines you next to him, quietly singing along in place of the chime.

As he finishes, Cole props the guitar against a nearby tree, rubbing a stray tear off of his cheek. He reaches inside his pocket to fish out a picture of you – one taken by Zane a while back.

“I miss you,” he mumbles, tracing the image slightly.

Cole sighs, setting it back in his pocket as he feels his eyes welling up with tears again. The thought occurs to him that you could be anywhere in the sky by now. What were you doing? How much of your identity was lost during the transformation? Would he ever be able to see you again?

He doesn’t know, and he might not ever know. But he had learned a lesson from his mother’s death, and that was to continue fighting no matter what.

Cole allows another set of tears to spill. Deep down, he understands that he needs time to grieve and reset. He’ll return to the monastery once he’s ready. But now is the time for him to rest and begin healing.

So, with a heart not as heavy, Cole packs all of his items back up, heading back to his father’s house for the day.

…

One stormy day, Cole finds himself seated within the old theater in their town, watching as his father’s quartet rehearses an upcoming performance on the stage. The group dances in unison, Cole grateful to see Lou’s relaxed expression as he dances about with his friends.

The raven-haired Master of Earth studies their movements carefully, knowing the quartet would want his feedback if needed.

Too engrossed in the performance, Cole misses the sound of the door opening. Two sneaky pairs of footsteps pad down the aisle leading to each row of theater seats, eventually turning into Cole’s row.

Upon spotting two silhouettes nearing him in his peripheral vision, Cole turns.

“Hey!” whispers Jay in a hushed tone, grinning alongside Nya. “Don’t mind us!”

Nya rolls her eyes, the two sitting down next to Cole. “We’ll wait until they’re finished. Now shush, Jay!”

Cole chuckles, turning his attention back to the performance. Had they really come all this way to see him?

Soon enough, the rehearsal comes to a stop as the Royal Blacksmiths pose at the end, all donning goofy grins. The three ninja stand, offering a round of applause.

“Your hard work has really paid off,” Cole notes as the four men descend the stage. “That was better than last time. Not nearly as many mistakes.”

“Mr. Brookstone! That sounded awesome!” Jay chirps from next to Cole.

“I really liked how you transitioned each song in the medley,” Nya adds.

“Ah, if it isn’t Jay and Nya! Thank you, thank you. We’re glad you all enjoyed the show. What brings you two this way?”

“We came to see Cole,” Jay answers. “You know. Ninja stuff.”

“Right,” Lou acknowledges with a chuckle, walking towards the rest of the quartet. “I’ll leave you three to it, then.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Cole calls, watching as the group enters the backstage area before it goes quiet.

“It’s good to see you, Cole! Sorry we came in kinda unannounced,” Jay starts as Cole turns to face the couple.

“No worries. You know my dad loves having an audience,” Cole replies, shrugging.

“How have you been?” Nya inquires as they sit down again.

Cole smiles smally at the question. “I’m…better now.”

“We’re glad,” Jay adds, his voice lowering. “We’ve been kinda worried, because…well, it’s been a while.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry,” Cole notes. “I started doing miscellaneous work around town to keep busy, so I haven’t had as much time to check in.”

“We understand,” Nya assures. “But, something’s come up back home.”

“Wait, really? What?”

“We’ve received word about a group of criminals attempting to smuggle suspicious amounts of Vengestone throughout Ninjago City,” Jay answers.

“Vengestone? That can’t be good,” Cole mumbles, frowning. “Do you know who’s behind it yet?”

“Remember Miss Demeanor?” Nya prompts. “It’s her. She and a few other goons.”

“But that’s not even the worse part!” Jay cries, eyes widening. “There’s a new group of ninja out there! They’ve been stealing our thunder ever since!”

“And people have been wondering where we are. Though, it’s been a year since we’ve seen any action, so I can’t say I blame them,” Nya remarks. “But, I have to admit, the idea of a new group of ninja just irks me.”

“New ninja? That sucks,” Cole mumbles.

“But, what we’re getting at is…we want you to come back home with us, Cole,” Nya adds. “We have a new threat on our hands, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to stand around and let these tryhard imposters handle it.”

“Yeah,” Jay adds. “We’re going to go find Kai and Lloyd, too.”

“What about Zane?” Cole questions.

“He, Pixal, and Wu are back at the monastery,” Nya explains.

“I see,” Cole trails off for a moment. Part of him likes the peaceful life he’s built for himself here over the past year, but another part of him is ready to go back. To return to the life of a ninja. To protect those who cannot protect themselves.

And he knows that you would be the first person to kick his ass into gear if he were to remain while there were people to be helped.

“Okay,” Cole decides, expression hardening. “Let me go home and pack. I’ll come.”

…

[Somewhere in Ninjago...]

The whispers became clearer after a while.

And you could hear them – the previous masters of wind, their shared memories with their elements all surging within your ethereal mind as you surfed the winds, never once touching the ground.

There was one voice that was...familiar to you – almost akin to a rush of déjà vu, yet somehow stronger. Some of the names were familiar – they would tug at distant memories, but not quite hard enough to bring any to light.

Their strength fades with every passing day, though, and at some point you simply stop worrying about it.

That is, until you find yourself hovering above Ninjago City one night, watching as the citizens gather for a celebration of some sort below.

Intrigued, you land on the roof of a nearby skyscraper, leaning over the edge to observe. In their hands, they bear orange objects.

“It’s a remembrance ceremony.”

You turn upon hearing the new voice, spotting the only other entity you had met in the sky – the only other entity like you. You don’t know his true identity, just that he has been lost to the wind for far longer than you have.

“A ceremony...” you repeat, turning back towards the crowd below. “I see.”

The entity steps closer towards you. “I am glad that you are here. There is something I must ask you.”

“What is it?”

“For some time now, I have been observing you. The other day, you intercepted a rooftop altercation and saved a man from falling to his death. Tell me: why do you save them?”

You pause for a moment, thinking through your answer. Do you save people because it’s right? Well, that must be part of it, but something about that seems...lacking. Incomplete. And you don’t understand why. It’s on the tip of your tongue, except you know you won’t ever be able to understand why by yourself.

For the moment, though, you elect to keep your thoughts to yourself. “Because...it is the right thing to do.”

He seems aware of your hesitancy. “I sense there is more to it than that. After all, we are merely an aspect of nature. Right and wrong do not exist within our territory, yet still you insist upon interfering with human activity.”

“But it feels wrong to me,” you mumble. “And I think there is something I’m missing. Something I’ve lost that has to do with myself.”

“Then find it,” he encourages, the two of you watching as the lanterns begin floating up. “Perhaps the truth is closer than you think.”

“Where would I even begin searching?” you question, trailing off as the lanterns float closer to the skyscraper’s edge.

“Heed their words,” he answers. “You will find what is missing below.”

With that, the entity dissipates, leaving you to figure out what he means. Hm...below. Did he mean the lanterns?

You reach over the edge, grasping one of the lanterns and pulling it closer. It appears to have a message on it, addressed to a name that feels familiar, followed by:

Thank you for stopping that blast of dark magic! Our city would have been torn to pieces if it weren’t for you!

You repeat that name, releasing the lantern. You say it again as you go to grasp another one:

Thank you for saving me and my mommy! I’m sure your friends will miss you, though. But you saved us all. Thank you!

That name. It keeps appearing, again and again, lantern after lantern. Something is on the tip of your tongue, but still you feel that what you’ve learned isn’t quite enough to tip the scales in your advantage.

You continue reading them, all of the messages along the same caliber before you come across one that sticks out to you:

We all appreciate your sacrifice. Without you, Ninjago would have been destroyed. I bet Cole really misses you.

“Cole...”

That’s the name that triggers something. You narrow your thoughts in on that portion, jumping off of the building and going to zip across the sky so you can think about it more clearly.

For a moment, you simply let yourself fall. As you contemplate the name, your form dissipates into the snapping bands of wind around you. An image conjures within the back of your mind – a group of people, their tauntingly familiar faces eating away at that strange wall blocking something.

“Who are they?” you wonder, pushing against that block harder. Even still, it tries to continue its lasting suppression.

But you push even harder.

And finally, like a dam...

...it snaps, allowing heaps of memories to crash through all corners of your mind.

You’re not sure how long it takes you to process it all. You find yourself drifting aimlessly among the skies, sorting through all of the memories and trying to make sense of everything.

But one thing is clear to you – you have to get back. You must find a way to return.

But how?

Your answer hits you a moment later, a mental image piecing together – one of a home long forgotten; a refuge that you had, at one time, known like the back of your hand. It makes sense that they would gather there, right?

Mind set, you begin traveling in the direction of the monastery.

…

Cole sighs, yanking his mask off as the team enters the hangar bay. He runs a gloved hand through his sweaty, tangled hair, using the fabric of his mask to wipe away a few beads of sweat. Damn, he’s more out of practice than he thought.

The others aren’t in any better shape, all sporting defeated expressions as the group processes what had just occurred.

Lloyd is the first one to say what the entire team is thinking: “Ex-ninja? Old-timers? Who do they think they are?!”

“The New Ninja of Ninjago City,” answers the uncaring voice of Zane. “And their arrival was fortuitous. Without their help, it is likely we would have been defeated. I calculate our odds⁠—”

Zane is interrupted as a sudden sound pierces the relative silence of the background – something akin to a distant, shrill whistle. Had it come from within the walls?

The team studies the ceiling for a moment, the sound droning on for a few more seconds before subsiding.

“What was that?” Jay speaks up hesitantly, eyes nervously flicking back to the team.

“Sounded like the wind,” Kai adds. “But...it wasn’t windy when we came inside, right?”

“No, it wasn’t. Not to mention that we’re fully underground now,” Cole mutters.

“I think it came from the vent. Everyone quiet down for a second,” Nya instructs, snatching a flashlight from one of the nearby tables. She approaches the vent, stare scrutinizing as she aims the beam of light inside. “Well, there’s nothing that I can see. But the draft is strong...stronger than it should be.”

The group quiets down once more as the whistling returns, this time even louder. Nya shuts the flashlight off, backing away as the ninja ready themselves.

The vent begins to shake violently, the whistling only increasing in volume.

“Hangar bay sensors are detecting a breach in security,” Zane notes.

“Did the sensors pick up any signs of life?” Jay questions.

Zane shakes his head. “It is some kind of foreign entity. I cannot tell what exactly it is because the readings are unclear. Be ready.”

This causes the group to quiet down, zeroing in on the vent. Moments later, something just...pours out of the opening.

A pool of gray smoke puddles underneath the vent, the substance almost seeming...alive, in a way.

“What the hell?” Kai mutters, stepping forward to observe it. “Is that...smoke? Why is it moving?”

But something about the way the smoke is moving catches Cole off guard, leaving him to continue watching as the others start speculating. Something about it seems...familiar, in a strange way.

That feeling only strengthens as the substance starts to mold itself into an anthropomorphic shape, bands of wind snapping together to form the same figure he hadn’t seen in a year.

Cole crouches near the figure, catching the attention of the others as he says: “Guys...wait, look. It’s not smoke.”

The earth elemental’s eyes remain locked on the figure as the wind finally finishes taking shape. Cole shoves his aching heart to the side as he whispers your name, gently testing the solidity of your form by pressing his hand against yours.

Like last time, it passes through, but the interaction seems to catch your attention. You look up at him, the close angle giving Cole the perfect chance to study you.

Despite being entirely composed of wind, he can still see your expression clearly; you’re straining yourself, trying to focus on speaking without breaking concentration.

“C...Cole...?” you mumble, voice ethereal as your eyes widen slightly. “Is it...is it really you?”

“Yes, yes, baby, it’s me,” Cole answers, tone almost frantic as he strains to listen to your quiet voice. Your form suddenly solidifies enough for him to touch you, allowing him to take you into his arms.

“I...I r-remember now,” you stutter, raising a hand to cup his cheek. “I...need your help.”

“Tell me, sweetheart. Tell me what you need me to do. I’m here,” Cole replies, fingers covering yours.

“There’s a...way back,” you explain, voice straining. “Need to drain...my powers...I c-can't hold this form-”

Cole feels his heart lurch as two pairs of hands pull him away, eyes widening. “No, wait!”

His objections fall on deaf ears as he watches your form turn from that translucent white to the signature, icy blue of Zane’s element.

“Apologies, but freezing her was the only way to maintain her form,” Zane explains, stepping forward to study you.

“She’s...she’s okay, right?” Cole wonders, your frozen body still on the floor.

“Affirmative. In her gaseous state, she should experience no damage. She said she needed to drain her powers, yes?”

“Yeah, that’s what she said, but...that’s impossible, right? There’s no way we can undo whatever spell she performed,” Cole responds, a hand on his forehead.

“No. It's not. Kai had his powers taken away. Remember?” Lloyd interjects as Cole takes a moment to process what his teammates are saying.

Kai nods, eyes downcast at the memory. “Yeah. I remember. Real well. And if you're thinking what I think you're thinking⁠—”

The brunet’s suggestion causes Cole’s understanding to click into place.

Aspheera. She can take away your power. She can save you.

Cole frowns upon remembering that Aspheera is imprisoned, and it would be risky to break her out – especially with those new ninja prowling about. So many things could go wrong...

...but if it worked?

Then...you could come back. For good.

Sensei Wu interrupts this time, having been unusually quiet during the ordeal. “That is out of the question. There has to be another way!”

Lloyd approaches his uncle, coming to a sudden realization. “Master Wu. You spent the last year searching for a way to bring her back. Have you found anything? Anything at all?”

The old man releases a hefty sigh, shaking his head. “I have not.”

“Sensei...” Cole starts, approaching him with pleading eyes. “After all she did...for us, and for the city. This could be the only chance that we have to save her.”

Through Wu’s firm glare, however, Cole takes note of the pain lurking underneath. The exhaustion of hunting for another way, the pain of losing one of his pupils. Even Wu is breaking, despite his next rejection: “This is a mistake! Aspheera can't be trusted! If we let her out of prison, even briefly, lives will be at risk. I...I cannot be a part of this.”

“But, Uncle,” Lloyd argues, eyeing your fallen self. “Everyone is safer with her back!”

“No doubt, this is going to be one of the riskiest missions we’ve ever decided to take,” Nya notes. “And whatever we decide to do...we have to decide as a team.”

“So...are we still a team, then?” Cole wonders, letting the question linger momentarily.

Everyone’s head turns to Lloyd, who proposes the decision:

“All in favor of going after⁠—”

Before he can even finish, the entire team has their hand raised. A sense of relief floods Cole as Lloyd nods, the gravity of the next mission settling in as everyone comes to understand what must be done.

The blond nods as everyone lowers their arm. “Okay then. It's decided. We go get Aspheera, and save her.”

With that, the group disperses after collectively deciding to try and ask the mayor for help first before jumping into any drastic decisions. As everyone goes to gear up, Cole takes the opportunity kneel next to you again.

Tears line his eyes as he gently traces your fingers, wishing he can hold your hand, but scared of his body heat potentially speeding up the melting process.

“Don’t worry about a thing, love,” he mumbles. “I don’t care what I have to do. I’m going to get you back.”

…

You can't move.

No matter how much you try, you’re stuck – frozen, you think. The energy lacing the ice encasing you is familiar; it prevents you from losing your shape. You don’t think you’d be able to reassemble yourself if it melted due to the lack of elemental wind energy present in the bay.

Your vision is completely covered in ice, unable to see anything clearly; silhouettes dip in and out of your vision, sometimes accompanied by muddled voices. If you listen closely enough, you can make out patches of what they’re saying if they’re close enough.

The one you cling to most is Cole’s. He visits you when he can between missions, promising that he’s going to find a way to turn you human again. You wish he could stay with you longer, but are grateful that he’s working so hard to help you.

You have no idea how much time has passed. For the most part, you just feel...cold. You yearn to regain your sense of touch, realizing that you’ve nearly forgotten what it feels like.

At some point, you start to hear...shouting? You can’t quite discern who is speaking, but it seems as if the entire team has returned. More commotion ensues, to the point where you find yourself overwhelmed trying to understand what’s happening.

But...something’s happening.

A sharp vibration instantly snaps the ice off from around your figure, a string of purple light encompassing you. You’re forced off of the ground, a newfound energy clawing its way between you and your elemental power while your vision is completely flooded with purple light. Little by little, the wind that you had grown so accustomed to wielding starts dwindling.

Part of you instinctively latches onto the bit that remains, but the immense power of the spell overwhelms your last bit of control on it.

And then? Your wind is gone. Just like that.

But...that’s not all. The purple abruptly stops, and a loud noise sounds from somewhere near you. A chorus of shouts echo within the bay as the spell releases you.

Blinding lights are the first thing you notice, followed by your body crashing to the ground. The breath in your lungs (if there was any there to begin with) is knocked out, leaving you struggling to breathe. Your skin is burning with the remnants of the spell, paired with the sudden sense of solidity underneath you.

You try to suck in a breath again, but your muscles still won’t obey you.

Suddenly, someone is hovering above you. You realize Cole has swept you into his arms, and he’s trying to tell you something.

“Breathe, baby, breathe. In through your nose, out through your mouth,” he instructs, his voice an anchor of familiarity amidst the chaos of your surroundings.

After a few tries, you’re able to inhale deeply.

“That’s it, there you go. Keep breathing. You’re okay. You’re safe now,” he promises, his spearmint eyes glassy with unshed tears.

“C...Cole...” you drawl, still trying to become reacquainted with your physical body. “Thank...thank you...”

“I told you I’d do anything for you,” he mumbles, dropping his head so that he can press a soft kiss against your lips. You close your eyes, savoring that missed feeling of your lover against you.

More voices – these unfamiliar – start speaking, causing Cole to shift his attention elsewhere. You watch as his expression morphs into one of disappointment, turning back to face you.

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart, but I have to go,” he mumbles. “I’ll be back as fast as I can, but Skylor and Sensei are going to take care of you until we get things sorted out.”

“No...p-please stay!” you choke out, now able to move your hand to clutch his.

“Your friends are being arrested for breaking into Kryptarium Prison and freeing a felon!” announces some punk in a teal gi. “We don't have any reason to arrest you three. Yet. But I warn you: we're watching you. And if you give us any reason to even think you're following the ninja's example, we'll be back. And you will face the New! Ninja! Smoke bomb!”

“Don’t worry about it, love,” Cole states with a sad smile. “We’ll figure something out, okay? I love you.”

“I love you too,” you say as he releases your hand.

With that, the ninja are taken away, leaving you with Skylor, Pixal, and Sensei Wu. Cole breathes a heavy sigh of relief, knowing that you’ve returned and will recover.

“I hope it was worth it, criminal,” sneers the pink ninja.

“It was,” Cole states, glancing back at you one last time before sharing a small, victorious grin with the team. “For her... I’d do anything.”

𝚊/𝚗: 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐! 𝚒 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚊𝚋𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚞𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 :> 𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚓𝚊𝚐𝚘 𝚡 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚛𝚎𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚗; 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚖𝚢 𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚏𝚘!

#ninjago #ninjago x reader #ninjagoxreader #cole x reader #cole brookstone x reader #cole brookestone x reader #ninjago cole x reader

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rkdhsdl · 6 months

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you are feeding into my hpma brainrot right now T~T LIKE I JUST STARTED PLAYING YESTERDAY AND EXPECTED FEWER FCS AND HCS OF DANIEL BUT HERE YOU ARE DOING THE LORD'S WORK.

for a short fic idea, how about a y/n with a flirty attitude that says cheesy pick-up lines to daniel as a way to tease him thinking he'd just shrug them off but he actually fell for them as time passed on. (and they're in the same friend group which makes it harder for daniel to not fall for them)

keep writing author!! i am your number one fan right now (self proclaimed title)

-K.M

love, don’t do this to me…

word count: 1846 gender neutral reader character(s): daniel page TW/CW: i don’t know man, ooc characters + i forgor the story so it probably doesn’t make sense writer’s notes: daniel’s hopelessly in love w/ u and he doesn’t know what to do, and i’m using some of the pickup lines my s/o uses bc they’re so corny + and i think i made this too long oopsies

daniel’s first thought when he met you within the train to hogwarts was, ‘what an eccentric person,’ and nothing more. he still remembers your first interaction with him– well, not really, as he was just watching you talking with lottie animatedly. never would he have realised that he would fall for you in such a short amount of time.

now, daniel thinks that liking you is somewhat of a curse that you put on him, a spell, mayhaps a potion? but he knows deep inside of his heart that isn’t really the case. after some… incidents during your third year, you and your friend group, which included himself, reconciled properly- which may have been the trigger to his thumping heart whenever you were near.

it first started when you were all in your fourth years, sitting on the long dinner tables.

“hey, daniel, oi, listen!” you snap your fingers in front of his face, caramel eyes blinking and looking at you in curiosity. you continue, “you know, it’s pretty hot here…”

daniel squints at you in confusion, eyes urging you to continue. ivy starts to laugh, covering her mouth in a poor attempt to hold her chuckles.

“what do you mean? it’s pretty cool here.” the brown haired boy retorts in confusion.

“i don’t know, to me it’s quite toasty here… maybe it’s because you just came out of the oven, cause you’re really hot–”

daniel’s face contorts into surprise as his ears burn, hands scrambling to cover your mouth before he heard anything more. his eyebrows furrow in annoyance as he notices how your (e/c) eyes started to gleam of smugness, feeling your lips turn into a coy smile.

“merlin’s beard, (y/n), that is not appropriate in public!” the auburn haired boy reprimands you. to be completely honest, he would’ve come back at you with another, more, cheesy pick up line, but in the moment, he could only think about your words. he knew himself that your words didn’t really have much meaning to it, as he heard you vocalise similar words towards the others.

but he couldn’t help but hear his own heart beat vigorously at the thought of you really meaning it to him.

after that, daniel started to act a little off around you. you didn’t notice, though on the other hand, ivy, robyn, kevin and lottie would roll their eyes in exasperation as they saw their brown eyed friend stutter and trip on his steps around you, face burning in a red flush whenever you and daniel would accidentally lock gazes together.

the second time he knew again was in your fifth year.

“come on, daniel, you know you like them!” robyn’s voice is piercing in the evening air, as she points an accusing finger towards daniel.

“shush! what if they hear?” daniel attempts to calm robyn down as he looks around.

and speak of the devil, you float down from your broom, in all your glory as you plop down next to ivy as you bring your broom towards the floor.

“well, since you called, here i am, what’s your other two wishes?” you speak, voice suave and laced with confidence as you lean towards daniel. the four friends gather slightly and watch, finding amusement when daniel starts to stutter and shut down, face turning bright red. your eyes crinkle into a satisfied smirk as you pat his back quite harshly, causing the boy to stumble in his stupor.

“so, why are we here again?” you ask, looking at the dark forest near hagrid’s home, subconsciously taking daniel’s hand into yours as you drag him around towards the entrance– or so you presumed to be– of the forest. the tawny haired boy felt your hand against his, as his mind started to clog up with nothing but fluster, unable to listen to whatever you and the others were talking about.

following this situation, daniel had promptly started avoiding you, which made you slightly confused, though you paid no mind. maybe something happened again, you’d think, as you walk around hogsmeade with lottie and ivy.

the third time he found himself kicking his feet like a highschooler in love was in his dorm bed during the sixth year.

daniel eventually learned the hard way that avoiding and evading situations where you’d be in was unavoidable, and eventually started to try be less obvious about his feelings for you. hopefully, you didn’t know. the last he would want is for your friendship to sever due to his feelings.

daniel was waiting in one of the cafes at hogsmeade as he waited for your arrival. you arrive, cheeks rosy and warm due to the cold of the winter, wrapped up and cosy in your overcoat, scarf and hat. you looked adorable in daniel’s eyes, and he didn’t know that he was staring until you waved your gloved hands in front of him.

he looks at the menu with you, skimming through the assortment of drinks and desserts listed.

as you both order, you both start talking about school, until you decide to start another of your corny pick up lines.

“hey, daniel, you know what’s on the menu?” you ask, trying your best not to pop out a smile.

the boy nods, “yeah, drinks and sorts?”

“no, no, it’s me ‘n’ you~” you reply, with an arch tone laced into your voice. daniel’s eyes blow wide open, ears burning once more as he stares at you dumbfounded, taking some time to understand your words.

once it processes, daniel starts to malfunction slightly as he slams his head on the table, causing some looks from the other booths. you jump slightly, startled, but pat his head as you chuckle.

“really, daniel? your reactions are just too cute!” you coo. your words turn daniel into mush, as he leans into your hand. he wishes you also like him back, as he presses his head into his arms more in bashfulness.

once the two of you headed back to hogwarts, he was nearly screaming into his pillow that night as he kicks his feet, reminiscing your actions and words again and again, repeat in his mind.

the fourth time he know he’s fallen helplessly in love with you was the seventh year, during the early start.

daniel knows that there isn’t much time, and he wishes to spend as much time with you. you and your friends, including him, know that soon, after graduation, you all will part ways, contacts rare as you all live your own individual lives.

the chocolate eyed boy wishes that time would stop, as he looks at your animated conversation with lottie about a new art museum that opened near your home. his gaze is sewn with love and adoration as his eyes trace the side of your face, the outlines and your joyful expression.

ivy, robyn and kevin look at daniel with a deadpan stare as they look at each other with a knowing look.

what the four– including lottie– knew was how you’d stare at daniel the same when he’d be brewing potions in the small potions room that he was practically living in, (e/c) eyes reflecting the small flame under the cauldron as you’d admire his focused expression.

they knew the both of you were hopelessly in love with each other, and they did not want the two of you to part ways without a proper ending.

the four arrange a group study meeting in the library, only for them to not appear as you and daniel stare awkwardly at each other, waiting for lottie, ivy, robyn and kevin.

“maybe they bailed? it’s been well over half an hour…” you mutter, as you set your bag down on the floor, gesturing daniel to sit to the opposite of you.

he complies, pulling the chair to accommodate himself as he sets some books down on the wooden table.

moments of silence pass as you look up towards the boy, his coppery coloured hair complementing his face swishes around slightly as his eyes and head move around to search for information.

“daniel?”

he looks up at you, tilting his head as you smile slightly.

“you know, i’m studying to be a historian, because i’m quite interested into finding a date…”

daniel blinks for a few seconds, face bursting into a bright red, as he stares at you once again in stupor, mouth opening and closing as he attempts to find the right words to come back at your cheesy pick up line. his attempts fail as he deflates into his chair, head sinking down into his hands as he cools his face down.

you chuckle in amusement as you put your books into your bag, doing the same to the flushed boy’s, giving out his bag to him as you stand to his right, scanning his flustered features on his face.

daniel stands up soon after, taking his bag from your hands as he looks away from your smug face, speedwalking from you towards the exit, as you run towards him in mirth, your chuckles reaching his red ears.

the fifth and last time he knows he needs to confess is in christmas, during your seventh year, the last year in hogwarts.

his hands are clammy and shaking, once again in the cafe at hogsmeade, awaiting your arrival. christmas songs are ringing in the streets, as children skip around in merry joy with the songs as the adults walk around, smiles donning their faces.

the bell of the cafe rings as you enter the cafe, sliding into daniel’s booth, smiling as you dust some of the snow off of your shoulders. daniel thinks you look adorable as ever, as he pushes your favourite drink towards you as he sips on his. you look at him with glee as you take the warm beverage with appreciation, smiling as you enjoy the taste.

“(y/n)?” he calls out to you, as you look at him with curiosity. daniel continues, a small smile playing on his features.

“they say nothing lasts forever—so would you be my nothing?”

daniel thinks he did a good job in hiding his nervousness as he looks towards the window, unable to wait for your reaction.

from the peripheral vision of his eyes, he sees your face flare up, ears warm as your eyes stare at him in fluster.

ah, success… he thinks, as he looks at you with the same coy smile of yours, as he gestures for you to come closer. you comply, unable to retort another pick up line back.

“so, would you be the final piece of my life?” he whispers in your ear. daniel hopes that you reciprocate his feelings back, as he looks at you expectantly.

you nod, as you hide your face in your scarf as you collapse into your seat, thoughts running in your mind as you malfunction, unable to connect comprehensible words.

daniel chuckles as he reaches over to pat the top of your head in endearment.

at least he isn’t the only one with adorable reactions.

#hpma x reader #hpma #daniel page x reader #daniel page

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