ninjago oneshots

prompt: upgrade

It was late...He...He should really go to bed...

But Zane couldnt bring himself to, so he stayed where he was, on the deck of the bounty, the moon glowing brightly overhead.

It wasnt a big deal, not really, Nya and Jay wanted to check his system over, it had been ages since anyone had, he himself not knowing he was a nindroid, it would make sense for him to have one so of course he had agreed.

So why was he feeling so hesitant about it? It would all be fine. It was stupid to be so afraid, he had, gotten plenty of tune ups by his father, if memory served correct, this was no differant.

'But it is differant' The little voice inside his head said. 'They dont know what theyre doing, what if they hurt you by accident?'

Zane shook his head, Jay and Nya were very well versed in mechanics and they had read over his blueprints many times.

'What if they hurt you on purpose?'

No...they would never, Nya and Jay were his friends...but still it...he was still...Zane sighed heavily, his brow furrowing in frustration, why was he being like this?

"...Hey" a voice called quietly from close behind.

Zane stiffened whipping his head around.

Kai sat down next to Zane, but not too close, not looking at him or saying anything, he looked up at the stars, as if studying them.

Zane wanted to ask what Kai was doing, but if he did Kai would most likely ask him the same thing, and that was a question he didnt exactly want to answer at the moment, so instead he just stayed quiet...

...Finally after what seemed like forever, though Zane's internal clock said otherwise, Kai shifted uncomfortbly before looking over at Zane "Are you...ok?" He asked cautiously. "...I mean your....uh usually the first in bed but everyone went to sleep awhile ago"

Now Zane kinda was surprised, not in a bad way of course, but when kai had first joined the ninja, his only focus was on saving his sister, -a completly understandable reaction to a family member being kiddnapped he supossed.

And while he could say that kai had now gotten cunrecognizable m over the past few months and was now what one would consider a friend, he was still very awkward (like now) and sometimes distant around them, as if sometimes he wasnt quite sure where he fit in their group...

quickly becoming aware of the silence and Kai's concerned stare Zane leaned back and shook his head. "Everything is fine Kai...I...merely wanted to stargaze for a bit"

Zanes act, however was not very convincing judging by Kai's face. Zane turned not wanting to meet his friends gaze anymore.

"Zane...I know you havent known me as long as the others, but you can still talk to me if you want, you dont have too, but like...im here."

Zane didnt respond right away, mulling over what Kai had said...he looked back over at Kai who was no longer staring at him and was instead looking back up at the sky.

" I am...feeling a bit anxius...about tomorrow" he finally confessed. "I do not understand why, it isn't like I've never done this before, I...I should be fine" Zane said his hand finding the hem of his shirt and figiting with it.

"your scared" Kai said, a statement not a question. "...thats understandable." Zane looked at him confused.

" i mean," Kai elaborated " Before, it was your dad doing it you've never really had anyone else give you a uh 'tune up' right? So yeah its completely understandable for you to be nervous, but why didnt you just tell us that?" Kai fixed him with another stare.

Zane figited "...i didn't wish to be a burden...it would be...stupid to not have my systems checked after...so...so long...not being fully fuctional when i have the choice to be would make me a liability to the team"

Kai looked shocked at hearing this his face twisted into something pained and sad, Kai then sighed and put a hand on Zanes shoulder.

"Zane if you feel uncomfortable with something -espeacially something like this- you should just tell us, none of this liability crap, its a big thing, Jay and Nya will understand...your allowed to have feelings ok? we'll just figure something else out ok?"

Zane looked down, he tried to say something but his throat closed up from emotion, something wet pricking from the corner of his eyes he wiped at his eye's trying to dry them.

Kai, who at this point had gone full big brother mode, wrapped his arm around Zanes shoulder in a half hug "ok?"

Zane nodded, turning so that he was facing his brother, Kai immediately wrapped his other arm around Zane and pulled the taller boy down slightly in a full hug, rubbing his back, and not minding the wet on his pajama shirt as Zane cried, the stress that has been weighing him down lifted, being replaced with relief.

Eventually Zane calmed down and the pair made their way back inside, they would probably have to talk to the others in the morning, but zane wasn't worried, he was confident his brother would help him...it would be fine.

and as zane crawled into bed he found that he actually believed it would.

hey guys so I'm doing the nin-bingo boards on tumble so expect some more storys soon!