Promises (Ninjago's Kai x Reader)

Episode 6 - Habits

WARNING: SUBSTANCE ABUSE

"The resistance never quits!"

Lloyd's battle cry echoes through the halls as I stumble to my room, tears and snot coagulating as they cascade down my face. The words he spoke to me merely ten minutes ago rattle in my brain, harmonizing with the rage-filled screams of the Oni, demanding that I go back and destroy him.

As soon as I'm behind closed doors I collapse again, grief and defeat overcoming me. I crawl across the room and grab the nearest bottle off the windowsill, chugging until the rum begins to burn my throat and I nearly throw it all back up. Coughing and gasping, I take slower sips as I shuffle over to my dresser and dig out the pack of cigarettes that I bought a few months ago, but never actually used. With a shaky hand, I bring one to my lips, summoning a small spark to my fingertips to light it.

One long, slow inhale followed by a quick, raspy exhale, and I'm coughing my lungs out, but the tingly sensation that engulfs my body is worth it. I take another swig of Malibu, leaning against the wall as my mind goes numb.

But the calm doesn't last long. In a matter of minutes, the warm, fuzzy feeling disappears just as quickly as it came, and I find myself sucking the cigarette down to nothing to try and bring it back. I fumble with the pack, spilling it's contents on the floor in my frantic attempt to pull out another.

In a mere thirty minutes, I've finished all twenty cigarettes, and when I realize that I'm less calm than I was when I started, I throw the empty box across the room.

"Fuck!" I scream at the top of my lungs, and for a brief moment, my vision flashes purple. It was a quick release, but it felt good.

And that's when I realize what I need to do.

Wiping away the tears and snot, I stand up and grab a new bottle of Malibu (this time it's pineapple flavored) off my shelf before heading into the bathroom with a newfound purpose. After a quick and much needed shower, I blow dry my hair and pull out every single piece of makeup that I own. I've never attempted a full glam makeup look before, but I used to watch Lily do it every single night, so it cant be that hard. . . right? I don't think too hard about it and get to work.

I surprise myself with how good it actually turned out. I wasn't even paying attention to the colors I was putting on my face, but somehow I ended with a sparkly mauve eyeshadow look that complimented the pale pink blush and ashy greyish brown lipstick. It wasn't perfect like Lily used to do, but it was perfect enough for me.

Taking a long swig of my drink, I saunter to my closet, thoroughly considering every top until I find the perfect one to compliment my makeup. I pair it with a pair of leather pants and my leather boots. Now I'm standing in front of my full length mirror, admiring my work.

The top is a sparkly, purply-mauve color, and clings to my body, accentuating the few curves I do have, with spaghetti-thin straps that showoff my muscles. The K&T necklace rests just above the neckline, so I can't hide it like I usually would. Part of me wonders if he'd even want me to wear his jewelry still, after everything I've done . . . . I shake my head and take another sip of my drink. There's something missing.

I start messing with my hair, pulling it half up, and then all the way up; folding it into a low bun, mid bun, high bun; braiding and unbraiding it, but nothing seems right.

"What do you think?" I ask the Oni.

We think you should be hunting your brother instead of getting ready for a party.

I roll my eyes, wondering why I even bothered to ask them. They're no fun.

We can hear your thoughts, you know.