Jay was sucking on the skin of his right arm.
Why?
Because it was broken.
And yes, it had happened during a mission.
No, he hadn't told Kai or Nya or Cole or anyone.
They already thought of him as weak.
He didn't want to prove their point.
That is why, dear readers, he's lying on his bed trying not to cry.
Jay bit down harder on the inside of his arm, blinking rapidly as his vision blurred with tears. The throb wasn't going away—it had only gotten worse since the mission two days ago. Every shift, every twitch sent sharp stabs of pain up through his shoulder.
And yet, he said nothing.
Because that's what they expected. That Jay would mess up. Be the weak link. Be the funny one who couldn't handle pain or pressure.
So he'd laugh. Grin. Crack a joke.
And now, he lay curled up on his side in his bed, arm cradled protectively against his chest, trying to will the pain away.
A soft knock came at his door.
Jay didn't answer. He rolled away, hoping whoever it was would go away.
The door creaked open anyway.
"Jay?" Kai's voice was unusually soft. "You in here?"
Jay shut his eyes. "Go away."
Kai didn't. Of course he didn't. The fire ninja stepped into the room and paused when he saw the lump on the bed. "I'm coming in," he said, not asking for permission.
Jay groaned and buried his face in the pillow. "Please, Kai—don't start. I'm fine."
Kai didn't say anything at first. He just sat on the edge of the bed and looked at him for a long moment.
Then, quietly, "You've been off. Even Nya noticed."
Jay flinched at her name.
Kai narrowed his eyes. "What's going on, Sparkplug?"
"I told you. I'm fine," Jay snapped.
"Sure you are," Kai said dryly. Then he leaned in. "You've been holding your arm like it's made of glass. That's not fine. Let me see."
Jay turned his head. "No."
"Jay."
"No!"
There was a pause. Then Kai stood up and started walking away.
Jay breathed a sigh of relief.
Until Kai came back—carrying the emergency med kit.
"What are you—"
"I could drag you down to the infirmary and have Zane scan you," Kai said casually, kneeling beside the bed, "but I figured I'd give you the dignity of staying here."
Jay blinked. "Wait... you're not... mocking me?"
Kai raised a brow. "Why would I mock someone for getting hurt doing their job? You're not weak, Jay. You're stubborn and reckless, sure, but not weak."
Jay stared. "But you always... you and Cole—"
Kai sighed. "We tease you. That's not the same as thinking you're weak."
Jay went silent.
"Now let me see your arm."
With trembling fingers, Jay peeled back his sleeve.
Kai's eyes widened. "Whoa. Jay—your arm's definitely fractured. Why didn't you say anything sooner?"
Jay looked down. "Because... I thought you'd laugh. Or say I wasn't tough enough to be a ninja."
Kai's face softened as he gently wrapped the arm. "Jay. Buddy. You're my brother-in-law. A good one. And also kind of a pain in the butt—but you're family. I've got your back."
Jay's throat tightened.
"Besides," Kai added with a smirk, "you can't be that weak. You've put up with me this long."
Jay finally cracked a small, watery laugh. "Yeah, that's true..."
Kai patted his uninjured shoulder. "Now rest. You're grounded. Doctor's orders."
Jay blinked. "Wait—you're not a doctor—"
"I am now," Kai said with mock seriousness. "I have the authority of the Big Brother Union."
Jay rolled his eyes and muttered, "Oh boy..."
But for the first time in two days, he felt... just a little better.
