All of Our Scars - Ninjago Conia AU FanFic

• VANIA 9 •

He kept his promise.

Vania actually thought he'd forgotten about it. But clearly he hasn't because that's why they were there, lying on their backs against the grass on a field not far from the cliffs of Shintaro. The two were stargazing up at the sky, a beautiful miracle of billions of stars illuminating the dark navy canvas behind it. Vania was awe-struck, no doubt about that. It was beautiful, and Vania smiled softly to herself.

"Thank you," she said, only half tearing her eyes away from the sky to look at Cole, who turned his entire head to face her.

"My pleasure," he said, smiling back at her as she shifted her attention back to the stars, but she could still feel his stare at the side of her head. They had just spent the entire afternoon watching the sunset and chatting, and now that the sun was gone, replaced by the glittering night sky, they decided to star gaze outside for a while.

Vania had always wanted to go here. Shintaro was her birthplace, it was true, but she never really associated herself with home ever since she left. But this place....this was somewhere she had always wanted to go, and nothing, not even horrible childhood memories, could ever change that.

Cole had taken her here as a small pre-Birthday treat. Honestly, Vania had to say she was very surprised to say the least. Not only had he remembered her birthday (or the day before it anyways), but he'd also kept his promise and he had actually taken her. And for the first time in forever, Vania felt her chest glow with a large burst of happiness that she hadn't felt in a long time.

"When people die....what do you think happens?" Vania questioned, her eyes glued to the twinkling stars up above. Beside her, Cole moved a bit, pondering in silence.

"I think....," he started after a while, "That they are still there, except we just can't see them."

"Like ghosts?"

"More like spirits," he responded. Vania tilted her head towards him slightly, but her eyes were still glued at the scene above.

"Well I believe that when people die they become stars. So they're always watching you. But maybe, they become stars and spirits. It's a really odd thing isn't it? I guess we'd never know until we experience it ourselves," Vania said.

"Maybe. My mother would be a star. Probably the brightest. But I still believe she's just a spirit, and she's always there. Right there," Cole said, slightly wistfully. Vania turned her head to look at him completely, staring into his brown earthy eyes.

"What was she like?"

"W-what?"

"You're mother. What was she like?"

The question obviously caught him off guard, and Vania mentally kicked herself as she cursed her stupid brain. It obviously wasn't the best question to ask, and she opened her mouth to apologise, but Cole started talking before she could.

"I....I don't really remember. She was really smart. And the kindest, purest soul ever. You know....you've always kinda reminded me a lot of her....," he said, his voice soft. The two fell silent, especially as Vania didn't know what to say.

Her breathe hitched as she felt his pinky loop with hers, intertwining their finger together. It was just a loose hold, but she didn't let go, and she smiled softly to herself. They just laid on the ground in silence, the only noises being their steady breathing and the distant sound of crashing waves against the cliffs. Laying here now, she could imagine the sea, the sound as it collides against the cliff edge, spraying white foam into the air as it retreats back again, pulling out of the tide and collecting in the endless ocean.

"I really miss her," Cole's voice mumbled, tired and half-muffled. Vania felt her expression falter, and she took Cole's hand and gave it a small squeeze.

"I lost my mother too. It's hard, I know, but you can get through it. I- I really miss her too," she said, the back of her eyes starting to sting, but Vania blinked the tears away.

"I'm sorry," Cole's voice sounded, but Vania just gave a small strained smile.

"It's okay," she whispered.

"I just-"

"I know,"

And the two fell silent yet again, but this time it felt more powerful, and Vania gently closed her eyes, breathing through her nose. A breath escaped her mouth, and Cole gave her hand a squeeze. Vania had completely forgotten they were holding hands, and she felt her neck feel hot and warm. Suddenly she felt very self-conscious, and she could feel their hands intertwined, the feel of his hands against her skin making her sweat.

"You okay?" Cole asked, shifting his body position so he was lying on his side, facing her. Vania decides to do the same, her hands resting her head while Cole is resting his on his left arm.

"Yeah...," she nods, smiling her melancholy smile. Cole reaches over and tucks a strand of her golden hair behind her ear, and she feels herself flush, a light pink dusting her cheeks. She was glad it was so dark, as he probably couldn't tell in the lack of light. Her heart thumps quicker against her ribcage, and she struggles to keep her breathing consistent.

"Well," Cole says, smiling, "Happy early Birthday I guess."

He sits up, and Vania looks up, following suite. From his pocket he pulls something out and passes it to her, and Vania looks at the jewellery box he had just placed in his hand. She opens the box and gives a small gasp, her mouth ticking upwards in a smile and her eyes moistening up.

A necklace.

The chain was gold, and there was a simple flower charm made with a small pearl in the centre and eight sky green pointed oval gemstones as petals. One of her favourite colours.

Vania is left speechless, and she just stares, her jaw hanging slightly open and her eyes wet. Eventually she looks up at Cole, who was looking at her sheepishly, and envelopes him in a hug, flinging her arms around his neck. She feels him stiffen, before he relaxes and puts his arms around her back too.

"Happy Birthday Vany," he whispers.

"Thank you,"

"My pleasure,"

A/N: Oh. My. Lord. Okay so...this chapter is okay I think but it's not what I was going for. This is why there will be a part 2 in Cole's chapter for this scene. It was pretty short this chapter, because I started losing motivation at the end. The next chapter might come in a while though, because school has started and we literally have so much things to do and I only get home at like 5:20. Anyways I hope you liked this, byeeeee!