Sweetness (A Ninjago drabble written for Discord)
Characters: Morro and Cole
Relationship: Gen
Alternative Universe: Morro was saved by Wu and joined the team reluctantly
The Bounty stays floating steadily on the currents of the great Ninjago sea. The sails are drawn close, and just a few hours before that, Jay has made sure to lower the anchors of the ship, securing a place to stay for the night.
They’re a little away from land right now, a tiny ship floating in an ocean full of stars. The night is calm and clear, and there’s a nice breeze that brings the smell of salt and sea into the lower cabins where the ninja are staying.
Morro surveys the darkened bedroom that he shares with the rest of the male team members. There’s only a sliver of light peeking from underneath the doorway, warm and muted, cast by the old lamps mounted on the walls of the Bounty. The light barely casts a volume over the slumbering forms of the ninja, but Morro’s been awake long enough for his eyes to get adjusted. He can see Jay’s sprawling limbs in one corner, and spots Kai’s hanging arm in another. Zane’s sitting as he sleeps, and that’s definitely not creepy at all. He’s going to have to get used to the nindroid eventually.
From where he’s laying, he cannot see Lloyd’s form, but it’s easy to discern each of their breathing patterns, so at least for tonight, Lloyd’s usual bouts of nightmares haven’t come. Morro swallows back the bitter taste as he turns to his side, pulling up his blanket to cover his face as if that action can physically shield him from the growing shame within his heart. They’re both still getting used to being in the presence of each other, and it’s always harder to reconcile when you’ve been the bad guy.
A big wave knocks into the ship, lurching it and Morro has to bite his tongue in order not to scream. Once again, he’s reminded that he’s currently in a vulnerable state. One wrong move and the ninja can definitely just dump him into the ocean. Even if Master Wu’s forgiven him, he doubts the overprotective forces of the ninja will ever truly allow him to coexist with them. Tonight’s just a peaceful night, he reasons. It’s stupid of them to lower their guards around him like this.
Just as he thinks that, the bed right above him creaks. There’s a groan, and judging by the vibrations and how the person moves, it feels like the ninja up there is awake and sitting up. It’s that black ninja, he reminds himself. The one who was also turned into a ghost. He’s not been the most talkative of the bunch, but Morro remembers vividly, when Wu was introducing him formally to the ninja. The black ninja, Cole’s his name, had stood off to the side with his arms crossed, silently glaring at him and puffing himself up like an angry bear. He’d made some snarky comments, but most of the time kept to himself while Kai and Jay made the most noise.
Cole quietly climbs off the bed, landing down from the last step of the ladder in front of Morro’s with a quiet thud. The floorboard barely creaks under his weight, and Morro watches in the shadows as the ninja stretches his arms and rubs at his own face with sluggish movements. It seems he’s not the only fitful sleeper tonight.
The ship lurches again, and Cole curses under his breath. At the same time, the same feeling of sinking and sinking and being swallowed up in so much pain and water chokes a wheezing noise out of Morro. Both of them pause, trying to keep their own sounds from waking up the others. For a moment, Morro’s sure that Cole might have glanced at him, so he quickly shuts his eyes. Peeking from under his eyelashes, he sees Cole’s silhouette tilting his head, before making a move towards the door. Morro closes his eyes again, just in time to hear the door quietly opens and shuts.
He keeps quiet from then on, fatigue finally catching up to him after his body has ridden the rest of the adrenaline from his bloodstream. He doesn’t know how much time has passed, but when his eyes are finally drooping down on their own and his train of thought is spiraling away to uncertainty and the unconscious, the door cracks open again.
Cole steps into the room almost hesitantly. His footsteps are light, and he’s making a show of trying not to step on the squeaky floorboards. As he comes up to the bunk bed they share, he pauses. Even with closed eyes, Morro can still feel his presence next to him, large and staticky, like how ghosts like them should feel. There’s a crinkle, and a tiny, barely noticeable weight is placed right next to his pillow. When he opens his eyes again, Cole’s already climbing up to his own bed. He looks to the side, and under the dimmed light, the wrappings of candies glint, warm and eye catching in their different shapes and sizes.
Morro’s not a sweet tooth, but he’ll allow this just once. When tomorrow comes, maybe he’ll actually try one. Maybe if he does it in front of Cole, it’ll be a return to his peace offering. Maybe, he wonders as he slowly drifts off to sleep, the smell of candy subtle and sweet next to him, maybe Cole will smile.
