darkness in the light

Kai

Kai was tired.

Tired of getting up every day.

Tired of always putting strangers' lives first.

His loved ones or himself paying the price. He looked around seeing his friends, his lovers, broken around him.

He wondered when Zane had eaten for the last time, saving his scraps for the others. He was running on automatic, doing the things that needed to be done. He could see the frost on his arms and legs, as Zane got colder and more distant.

Then there was Cole, who broke more things than they were able to repair. Who broke down every night, unable to sleep. The bags underneath his eyes made him look hollow, and Kai knew his lover was on the verge of breaking.

Jay had tried to stay positive the longest. Cracking a joke and even faking a mental breakdown as he had done in the first realm. That was until he did have a mental breakdown. Several.

He would not talk for days, staring with dead eyes at something no one could see.

But the worse was Lloyd. Lloyds eyes were dull and the light of hope and love he used to hold in them had long gone. As the others skipped a mission or two, Lloyd was always there. His power pulled him empty as they did not get to eat enough.

They were reaching their breaking point. Not because of the bad guys attacking Ninjago. Not because they would challenge them to fight. No.

That they could take. But the people of Ninjago, the people they tried to protect with every cell in their body. Every drop of sweat, blood, and tears dropped for them. It was never enough.

Sure they said thank you. And after they dragged their injured, broken, and tired asses home, they were expected to clean their shit up in town.

As if it belonged with the territory of being a savior.

And after they picked up the whole town, did they get paid?

Did they get fed?

No.

They had to scarper for food and work late hours to make ends meet.

Kai looked around at his lovers. When would this stop?

"Guys..." Lloyd said softly, as they heard the sound of his stomach rumble.

"Is there any food left?" He sound guilty as Jay looked up slowly stroking his hand.

Zane got up, without saying a word and made his way into the kitchen. He came back with a strangely cut piece of bread.

"This is the last piece, Lloyd... I... I cut away the moldy piece for you."

Zane said, barely suppressing his emotions. Cole got to his feet.

"This is ridiculous." His frustration was clear in his voice. "We should have food in the house! I am not going to let my boyfriend eat moldy bread." He pointed at the fire ninja. "Kai. Come we will get you some food, Lloyd." The ninja in black kissed Lloyd's head, before he grabbed Kai by his collar, pulling him out. As they were outside, the cold evening wind blew over the courtyard. "Cole. We can't get any food. We don't have any money." Kai protested. But Cole kept on walking.

"We will think of something Kai." Cole shot back, making his way down the stairs.

They got to a restaurant

The one they saved from the snakes only a week ago. Surely they would be able to spare some food. Cole and Kai walked in. It wasn't crowded and they made their way to the bar.