[ to @funkyfandomlover as promised. I am so sorry its short but I wanted to make sure i focused on the characters. I do hope its in character and to your liking. And i hope it puts a little bit of ☀️ into your day]
"Kai, what are we doing?" Cole kept staring down from the rooftop.
Kai promised food. Kai said they would be getting food. While he wasnt starving, he was still hungry. He agreed for the food. Kai's company was a perk. He would give it that. Annoying as the ninja could get. He e joked hanging out with him. He didn't understand why at times and other times, he felt he knew what it was. He just didn't want to admit that. Either to himself or the public. He was still unsure as to why but that didnt matter in the grand scheme. Ninjas they were and ninjas they would be, or however that saying went.
"It's a stake out, Cole. Danger is lurking and like the black knight. We must keep Ninjago safe from the clutches of evil," Kai put a foot on the ledge as he looked up into the sky. A hand on his chest with the other on his hip. "For we...are the Ninja."
Cole stared at the current pose. A deadpan reaction to what he was sure Kai saw as epic and heroic. Cute and all but was this much flare really needed for a stake out? And for what? The most minor criminals in the city?
"Right, we'll let me know when you see something Batman," He looked back to the streets below. "I am sure you will get your wish. Thugs never rest. Not in this city."
"Dude, is this because I havent gotten you food yet? I will. I promised you that I would. We get into a fight, win and boom, dinner time." Kai sat by him. "By the way, are we....okay?"
"What kind of question is that? Look at us we are both okay."
"I dont mean," Kai looked away for a second. "It isnt like me to get...deep but I noticed something about you. You seem to be more worried lately. Especially when I am around. Did I do something? Say something?"
Cole stared for a moment. Oh, Kai meant as in if the friendship was okay. He thought it was. Kai had done nothing but be himself. The worry from him was related to...odd feelings he didnt fully seem to know himself. Not that he didn't explore the, he has. Especially after missions. Replaying moments where Kai got hurt, injured...and trying to think of why it bothered him so much. Trying to figure out why it hurt and made him fear for Kai's safety. He didnt need to being others into his own emotional turmoil when he still had to grasp it himself.
"Oh, yeah. We are. It might sound weird but I have been doing alot of thinking after missions. How to do better when it comes to the safety of who fights," Cole turned his back to the street. "And then I cant help but wonder how I could have made sure you all weren't injured."
The strees were quiet. Maybe a car would go by or the sound of steps of people passing. It was going to be a quiet night more than likely.
"Cole..." Kai put a hand on his shoulder. "You cant worry so much about that. If you start worrying about us, then you wont be focused on your own fight. We are okay. We will always be okay. We can heal injuries. Yeah might take a bit but we can heal them."
"And what if one of you gets a bad one? What then? How could I live knowing..." Kai stopped and took a deep breath in and than let it out. "I know i need to focus on my battles. It doesnt stop me from thinking about them after. Especially you."
"Me? Why me specifically?"
"You're my best friend, Kai," Cole looked at him. "If i lost any of the others, I would be upset. If I lost you...I would be furious."
Kai's cheeks turn a light pink, "I...didnt expect such a...deep response." He turned to look at the streets below. "You mean alot to me as well, Cole. I know i dont act or...say it but you do. All our missions...the fun times. Even the bad times. They are nice."
Kai looked back at him. A warm, loving smile that reached his eyes.
"I'm proud to be at your side. No matter what."
Cole went to reply but the sound of someone screaming for help had them both jump over the edge. The duo easily landed. Running to the entrance of a dark alleyway. Limited space to run but their enemies would also be limited. Plus, they were ninja. They hit the end and turned right. The only direction to go in. A dead end where a group of thugs were mugging a bystander.
"Hey! I think that belongs to them," Cole crossed his arms.
"Yeah, let's give it back to them and we can all go about our own ways peacefully," Kai grinned.
The two thugs glanced at one another for a moment. Dropping the items they had taken and standing ready for a fight instead.
"Its always the hard way with these guys," Kai looked at Cole.
"Well, the peacefully way was never fun anyways," Cole stretched. "Shall we?"
"With pleasure," Kai laughed and jumped into the first guy.
He hit the fence hard enough to break through the old wood. The two bystanders grabbed their things and ran by Kai and the one he pinned. Cole jumped back from the same kind of punch.
"Your form is sloppy," He grabbed one arm after dodging for a bit. "You need some actual training."
He kept a good grip on the arm and with his free hand punched them to the side. They hit the trash cans close by.
"Care to try again?" Cole asked, watching the thug stumble back up to their feet. "Guess so."
They swung another fist but he easily grabbed it. Compared to world threats, this was easier. He grabbed the other fist that swung at him. It was also slow. He didnt mind minor fights but this was easy. So why did he feel so on edge suddenly? He slammed his head against the struggling thug. Knocking them out and letting them fall to the ground. The scream that hit his ears got him to turn in seconds.
The side of Kai. A dagger stuck inside with the thug scrambling and stumbling to get away from the scene of the crime. Cole felt something snap. He didnt know where it came from or how deep that fury was. It didn't matter. His mind registered one thing. Kai had been hurt. He shot by Kai and tackled the thug to the ground. The whimpers made him more angry. This...person hurt someone he cared for and now that the consequences were here, they were begging?
"Cole!"
The yell had him turn only his head. Kai was coughing but alive and laughing?
"Never seen you so angry before...care to lend a ninja a hand? Let em go...I called the cops. Sent pictures. They won't get away." Kai's smile never faltered.
Cole turned to the thug. They were whimpering still. He just knocked them out with one hard hit. Letting them drop as he stood.
"You didnt have to do all that. I got care-" Kai stopped when Cole grabbed his hand. "Hey...hey, I am okay. We'll go home and I'll doordash some fo-"
"Food can wait," Cole picked him up without warning. "I need to make sure you are okay. I'll eat after."
Kai held on tightly as Cole walked away. Cole's grip tightened more at that. Kai got hurt and the part of him that fear losing had taken over. His mind went in so many directions. Asking one question over and over. What if I lose him? That empty feeling...that fear of never being able to see Kai. The pain he felt when Kai got hurt. All the times he felt it at the start was fine but this. This pain was worse. It hurt his heart. It hurt his mind. It had him picture a future where Kai was...
"Cole"
"Sorry, I'm fine. Lets hur-" Kai's hand stopped him from talking.
"Cole, I'm fine. I'm right here. I am not going anywhere you cant follow," He moved his hand to his cheek. "I'm not leaving your side."
"...dont scare me like that. My heart cant...handle it.."
"I'm sorry," Kai leaned against his chest. Ear pressed where his heart was. "I'll do better."
"Thank you," Cole kept ealking down the street.
