Taking Control. (a Ninjago fanfic)

Chapter 78- Let them look at us, not just you.

L L O Y D

It started with a message.

A simple ping from the head commissioner — congratulating us, thanking us for saving the city (again), and inviting the team to the central station for a formal recognition ceremony.

Usually, we ignored that kind of thing. We're not in it for medals or speeches. But this time... it felt different. Not about being seen, but about being seen again — in the right way.

Jay looked hesitant the moment we brought it up. Arms folded, shoulders tense. The idea of going out in public again — of facing people — clearly made his stomach turn. And I didn't blame him.

"I don't think it's a good idea," he mumbled. "Last time I was in the city, I was the one playing the villain."

No one said anything right away. Rue gently nudged her cereal around in her bowl. Kai shifted uncomfortably on the couch. Even Zane tilted his head like he was buffering.

Then, of course, that weird glowing fluffball made everything worse — or better, depending on how you looked at it.

"Lunar!" Rue snapped her fingers as the creature bounded into the room.

The bright, foxlike creature divebombed into my lap.

"Oof—hey, hey—okay, I'm still drinking this," I said, trying to keep my tea from spilling.

The lumine purred. Like some sort of radiant pillow with stubby paws and wide ears. It burrowed against my chest and glowed brighter, a happy warm golden colour.

Rue smirked. "You're definitely his favourite."

I glanced down. Lunar blinked up at me with huge, trusting eyes. Then flopped over onto her back, demanding belly rubs.

Jay was watching.

Quiet.

Still.

And then—he cracked a small, tired smile. Just for a second.

"He really loves you," he muttered.

I shrugged. "What can I say? I have radiant charm."

The others groaned.

But Rue tilted her head and smiled too. "He glows like that when he feels safe."

Jay rubbed the back of his neck, glancing at Lunar, then around the table.

"I don't know," he muttered. "I just— I'm not sure I can face everyone again. What if they still think I'm—"

"They won't," I said, petting the fox-thing's ears. "And even if some do... you'll have us."

Kai leaned in. "You got thrown into the worst nightmare imaginable, and you fought your way back. If they can't see that, then screw them."

"I'll stay close the whole time," Nya added. "You won't be alone, Jay. Not even for a second."

"You are coming," Rue declared. "Because it's exactly what you need."

"A little confidence booster" Cole added.

"C'mon, how long has it been since we've actually been thanked for saving Ninjago?" Kai chimed in.

Jay chuckled. It was weak. But real.

"A long fucking time."

And after a moment of silence he rolled his eyes and sighed.

"But I didn't really save Ninjago, you guys did. Just go without—"

"No." I butted in, giving him a stern glare.

Jay looked at me for a beat — and I could see it. The fear, still curled up behind his eyes like a shadow that refused to leave. The kind of fear that doesn't yell. The kind that lingers.

He looked away just as quickly, his fingers twisting in the sleeve of his hoodie.

"People don't forget though," he muttered. "Not stuff like that. Doesn't matter how many times we saved them. I fried half the city, Lloyd. Kids, families, gone because of me. What if they never forgive me? What if someone starts coming for me? Or calls me a—"

"Hey," I said, gentle but firm, "they might. And if they do? I'll be right there."

He didn't respond.

So I leaned forward, Lunar still curled in my lap like a radiant heater. "Jay, listen... I know it doesn't all go away just because we want it to. The guilt. The fear. The looks. But we've had our fair share of hate and we're still here.

I paused. "Remember that time when we all got locked up in prison?"

He snorted softly."That happened twice, Greenie"

"Even better to prove my point." I smirked.

He nodded slowly. Still fidgeting. "...What if they are right about me, though?"

"They're not."

"You don't know that."

"Yes, I do," I said, voice sharper now — not angry, just sure. "Because I was there. We were there. We saw you fight. Saw you break through. You didn't give in, Jay. You never stopped trying. That's what makes the difference."

He didn't speak for a while. Just sat there, pulling at a loose thread on the couch cushion, jaw clenched.

"And if they can't see that, then it doesn't matter. You're still a ninja, still a hero, and you'll still save them more times in the future, I'm sure." Nya added on.

More silence. More thinking.

"I—I keep waiting for someone to look at me and flinch."

He looked at me then.

"And I don't know if I can take it, Lloyd."

There it was.

The root of it all.

He wasn't scared of being yelled at. He was scared of being feared.

Of becoming a face that made children cry and parents turn their backs.

Of looking in the mirror and not recognizing the person on the other side.

I didn't try to fix it. Couldn't.

But I could offer him the only thing that mattered.

"Then let them look at us," I said, steady. "Not just you."

He blinked.

I gestured around the room. "They'll see the ninja. The full team. Standing with you. Beside you. Every second. Every step."

Rue nodded from across the room. "Damn right."

Jay hesitated. His fingers stilled.

Lunar wriggled out of my lap and bounded over to him, hopping up and curling gently against his side. Glowing gold again.

And for the first time that morning, Jay didn't flinch.

"...Okay," he said softly. "Okay, yeah, fine, I'll come."

He looked up at me — scared, but not alone.

"Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me," I said, standing. "We're family."

He nodded.

And when we left that morning, Jay stayed close — because he was scared— nervous, probably terrified out of his damn mind about how people were going to react.

But he was being so brave. And coming out in the first place—

That was enough.