Alliance: [Cole X Reader]

Thorns and Roses

When I introduced Devin to the boys the next day, they immediately fell in love.

She seems to have bonded with Kai which surprised everyone, considering he isn't very fond of her.

The week before the night they were supposed to go to this tournament dragged by slowly. Of course we had a new dog to take care of and play with, but we were all anxiously waiting for the day to come.

The day before, I sat on the edge of the Bounty, my legs dangling off the side as she sat in a garage. Turns out, she had broken while we were all split up. The mural was still there at least, I made sure to check.

Devin lay beside me, head on her paws fast asleep. Once she was out, she could sleep through anything.

I looked up at the sound of footsteps to see Garmadon. He cast me a smile, which I happily returned, before climbing up to sit beside me.

"Hello." He greeted as he sat down.

"Hey. Its been a while, huh?"

"Correct. To be honest, I missed seeing you and your brother around. How was your time off?"

I winced at the question, and tilted my arm to hide the scar. "Fine. Just missed seeing everyone."

I heard him sigh behind me and he placed a hand on my shoulder. "Lloyd told me, Y/N. You don't have to hide it. I just wanted to tell you that we are all here for you."

I turned to smile at him and nodded. "I know. Thank you."

He retracted his hand and we elapsed into silence for a few moments.

"Devin, correct?" He asked, breaking the quiet.

I nodded and rubbed the puppy's head.

"That was quite kind of Cole to get her for you." Again, I nodded. Where was he going with this?

"Did he ever say why?"

My eyes narrowed and I frowned. "No... it just seemed like he was being nice."

"Any ideas on why he was being 'nice'?"

"I don't understand what you mean." I was so confused.

He chuckled and stood, brushing off his fancy Sensei robe thingy. "I see. I've seen the way he acts around you, Y/N. It may be more than him just being nice."

Why are everything Senseis say so cryptic?

The next morning I awoke to a knock at my door. With a grumble, I sat up and gave a small rub to Devins head before muttering "hold on". I threw a sweatshirt on over my T-shirt and shorts, ran a hand through my messy hair and opened the door. I yawned and blinked, and my eyes eventually focused on Cole.

He gave a soft smile. "Morning. So..." he stopped short and rubbed the back of his neck. "I was wondering, if you wanted to watch the sun rise with me?"

I rubbed my eye with a hand and grumbled again. "Why are you up so early?"

He scoffed and rolled his eyes. "To watch the sun rise, duh."

A deep breath and I nodded. Whatever. I pushed the door to my room open and woke Devin. I also snatched a blanket before following the black haired boy out.

Since the Bounty was out of commission, we were staying at Gamadon's monastery. It was really pretty, but I missed my room in the Destiny's Bounty.

I trudged after Cole, him carrying the blanket because it was more likely that he would need it, and Devin followed at my heels. She was a smart dog and really well behaved for a puppy.

We sat down on the steps, and the Great Dane crawled into our laps. She was big enough to where she didn't fit in one lap anymore.

Crickets sung and the dark sky slowly began to light up with bright colors.

"We leave for the tournament today." Cole muttered, from no where.

"Yeah. Do you know how long you'll be gone?" I asked, playing with the edges of my sweatshirt.

"I hope not very long. But... what if you came too?"

My hands dropped, and I looked up at him, confused.

My breath hitched as my eyes met his. I had never noticed before, but his eyes were more than brown. A soft toasted golden lay embedded in the middle which was surrounded by a dark putter brown circle. They were striking. And... dare I say...

Beautiful.

I shook my head free and looked back towards the sunset. "I'm not... I can't. I'm not an elemental master."

He looked away too, probably noticing my moment of silence. Ugh. I'm so awkward...

"But that's just it. You won't be competing. I can sneak you in, and you can help us find Zane while we're making an appearance."

I absentmindedly played with Devin's soft ear, and in return she tried to lick my face.

"Maybe. But what if I was found? You guys would get kicked out and we would loose our chances of finding Zane..."

"Don't you want to come, Y/N?"

I sighed and slowly nodded. "I do... it'll be the first mission I'll go on with the team..."

A smile and a light chuckle from him and he shook his head. "I know. Just come with us! You'll be able to help, and you won't be left behind. Again."

"Okay."

I shivered and rubbed my arms with my hands. My stupid sweatshirt wasn't keeping me warm at all.

He noticed, of course he noticed, and slowly picked up Devin so he could sit closer to me. In a quick motion, he unfolded the blanket and flipped it so I could drape it over my shoulders. He did the same, and we fell into silence watching the sun rise.

My blood ran cold as I felt his hand wrap around mine.

He doesn't think of you that way, Y/N! He's just being... friendly. A friend. That's all.

No more than that.