Taking Control. (a Ninjago fanfic)

Chapter 74- Blame it on the chicken

J A Y

I woke up with a jolt.

Heart pounding.

Sheets twisted around my legs like restraints.

My chest felt like it was full of static again — that same sick feeling from the mirror. Not pain, not much anymore... just memory. Nightmares. Dense and rotten and unforgettable.

Like it got stuck to my lungs and wouldn't wash out no matter how many times I told myself it was over.

I lay there a moment, staring at the ceiling, letting my eyes adjust to the soft glow of moonlight slipping through the paper screens.

My hand clenched the edge of the blanket.

Still here.

Still me.

I whispered the words to myself until my pulse slowed. Until my ribs ached a little less and my palms weren't slick with sweat anymore. Then, quietly, I sat up, peeled the blanket off, and swung my legs over the edge of the bed.

The monastery creaked under my weight — old wood and squeaky floorboards making it difficult for me to be quiet.

I needed something to do.

Eat, maybe. Pretend my stomach didn't still feel like it was in a fist. I wasn't hungry exactly, but I figured at least if I was chewing, I wouldn't be thinking as much.

So I padded down the hallway, barefoot and quiet. I'd gotten good at sneaking around years ago — the whole "being grounded for launching rockets off the training roof" thing had really sharpened my skills.

The kitchen was just around the corner. Light spilled out from under the door.

Someone else was up.

Great. Maybe it was Nya. Or Zane. Or—

I stepped inside.

Kai stood in front of the open fridge, downing a tall glass of milk. He was wearing a red shirt, hair a mess, eyes half-lidded like he hadn't really slept either. The flickering fridge light gave him this weird glow, like a fire barely burning low.

He always drank milk when he was feeling hot. Which was weird, because it was winter. Maybe it's because his injuries have been bothering him. Or his powers have been overused.

I didn't say anything at first.

I think a part of me didn't want to startle him.

He turned slowly at the sound of my footsteps though, still mid-sip—

—and the look on his face changed in an instant.

Something passed behind his eyes.

Recognition.

Then fear.

Then fire.

"Kai—?"

Too late.

He reacted before I could finish the sentence. His instincts took over — flames burst from his hands in a surge of reflex, wild and uncontrolled, and I saw it a second before it hit.

"Wait—!"

A blast of heat clipped me across the shoulder.

I staggered back, smacking into the counter. The sting was instant and sharp and burning. I gritted my teeth and hissed, trying not to shout.

The flame had barely hit me, just about skimming my shoulder, but it was enough to burn through the my shirt easily. My skin sizzled—just a little—and the scent of scorched cotton filled the kitchen.

Kai dropped the glass

"Jay—?!"

The cup hit the floor with a smash, shards scattering everywhere.

He stood frozen for a second, chest heaving, fists still faintly smoking. His eyes were wide, wild, rimmed in terror.

"Shit, Jay—" His voice cracked. "You were in the shadows, and I got a little freaked out, sorry—"

"It's okay," I breathed out, holding my arm. "You didn't fry me that bad."

Kai swore under his breath and rushed forward, grabbing a towel off the counter and soaking it in the sink. "FSM, I'm so sorry, I wasn't thinking, I just— I saw your outline and it was just like—"

"I know," I said, wincing as he gently pressed the cold cloth to my arm. "Trust me, I know."

He went quiet again, staring at my skin like it might fall off.

The silence settled in heavy.

"Kai," I said after a moment. "I'm okay. Really. Just... next time you see a guy in the kitchen, maybe make sure he's an enemy before you throw fire at him."

Kai let out a weak laugh. A real one. But shaky.

"Im so sorry dude," he muttered. "Just... still on edge, I guess."

"You're not the only one," I admitted. "Sometimes I think I still am him. Like I'm just waiting to crack open and let him crawl out again."

He looked up at me. His eyes softened.

"Jay, you fought your way back from something no one else could've survived. You're not him."

I smirked faintly. "Well, he was cooler."

That earned a chuckle. Then a wince as Kai looked down at my shoulder again. "You sure you're okay?"

"I've been hit harder by flying cars."

"...Have you actually—?"

"Long story. Involves Nya, a cocky Lloyd and an innocent bystander— A.K.A me."

Kai shook his head, smiling now. "You're an idiot."

"I know."

He tossed the towel into the sink and leaned back against the counter, exhaling slowly. "I hate that he did this to us."

"Yeah," I said quietly. "Me too."

The kitchen went still again, just the low hum of the fridge behind us.

Then, without looking at me, Kai muttered, "You scared the hell out of me. When you were gone."

I nodded.

"No, Jay, seriously." He grasped me gently by the shoulders, carefully avoiding the fresh burn mark.

He looked tired. His eye bags were prominent, neck still bruised and I don't remember him having that many scars on his arms. Probably my fault.

"There wasn't a moment where none of us thinking of you. I just—" he sighed. "I just want you to know that we never gave up. We never stopped trying to save you. I know we took a long time— trust me, I know. But I need you to understand that — whatever that bitch of an Overlord said to you, it wasn't true. We all love you, ok dude?"

I met his eyes, and nodded again— but this time I meant it.

Wow. Never thought something that genuine and sweet could come out of Kai's mouth.

But they somehow meant even more than anyone else's. Because you know he definitely meant it.

He let me go, glancing over at the still open fridge. "You hungry?"

"Starving."

He reached into the fridge and pulled out two pudding cups. Tossed one at me.

"Breakfast of champions," he said.

I caught it one-handed, grinning. "Pudding at 3am. We really are living the dream."

And with that— for a minute — just a minute — it didn't hurt so much.

~~~

"What are you gonna do about the glass?"

"Blame it on the chicken."

"Solid."