Heart of the Artisan

Act 0 Ch. 1: The Start of a New Era

Content warnings:
- injury depictions (mature)
- strong language
- character death
- mental illness

Extra notes:
- sequel to ring of the artisan
- this is also going to be jay/reader since that seemed the best option
     * disclaimer: i don't have proper experience in romantic relationships and i'm also aromantic so things may be wrong but i try
- i don't own ninjago lol just the original characters that show up (there are many lol)

~

"Could you pass me that little screwdriver, (Y/n)?"

"Yeah," You gently picked up the screwdriver that sat beside you on the table before passing it to Jay.

"Thanks," Jay offered you a kind smile before he turned his attention back to the task at hand. He slipped his special goggles back over his eyes. They were a pair of magnifying goggles, gifted to him by his father not too long ago.

Currently, you and Jay were creating a small instant camera for Polar, the little plush human who once had a camera for a head. The camera Jay worked on was smaller than the average camera, and on the bottom was a padded hole that could fit Polar's small glass head. Something told you that you should make a "helmet" instead of a functioning camera, just in case.

However, as the two of you worked, you couldn't help but watch Jay in fascination. He was such an amazing inventor. To be able to make simple machines in little to no time simply astonished you.

And Jay's focus was something you adored. Despite Jay's sporadic thinking and hyperactivity most of the time, Jay had the ability to focus on the task at hand when he enjoyed it. It was adorable, watching as the blue ninja stuck out his tongue as he silently tightened a tiny screw.

Over time, though, Jay would periodically sneak glances your way before quickly returning to his work. The air held a little bit of tension whenever he looked your way, as if he wanted to say something to you but wasn't quite sure if he should.

"...Hey, (Y/n)," Jay nervously began. "Or..." He quietly stopped himself, "never mind."

"Sorry," You instinctively said. Was your staring bothering him?

"No! No, no," Jay quickly flipped his goggles off and turned to face you. "Don't apologise! You didn't do anything wrong, at all. I'm just..." He quietly laughed, "a nervous mess, is all."

You held a small smile before you quietly exhaled. You knew Jay wasn't telling you everything, but you didn't want to push the blue ninja.

The two of you sat in silence for only a few moments before Jay spoke again. "Okay, okay, uh..." Jay set down his screwdriver and held a hand on the back of his neck. "I'm not being fully honest. I'm... kind of thinking about asking to hang out with you again, at like... another restaurant, but, uh..." Jay let out a short, embarrassed laugh, "with how the last two went... I'm not sure if I really should."

"Maybe we don't need one?"

"Huh?" Jay stared at you quizzically at your offer.

"Well, I mean..." You took a moment to think of what you wanted to say. "...You asked me out on dates because you, well, like me, right?"

Jay's face flushed red, but he still nodded regardless.

"I don't really know a whole lot about romantic relationships, since I grew up in such a small village," You pondered, "but we don't need dates to start dating, right?" Despite your growing embarrassment, you easily kept your emotions down. You glanced Jay's way, though you found it a little bit difficult to meet the blue ninja's eyes.

Jay didn't respond for a bit, though he soon hesitantly shook his head.

You sighed. "Sorry. What I'm trying to say is: would you like to be my boyfriend?"