Archive of Our Own ^beta

The annual Ninjago City Lantern Festival was in full swing, with vibrant lanterns lighting up the streets and the scent of freshly cooked festival treats wafting through the air. The city buzzed with excitement as vendors shouted to attract customers and performers practiced their routines for the big parade later in the evening.

The ninja had been called in to patrol the event. While the festival was peaceful, their presence reassured the citizens and deterred any potential trouble. At first, the team had stuck together, weaving through the crowd in their usual camaraderie. But as hours ticked by without incident, boredom set in.

“Alright, this is pointless,” Kai groaned, crossing his arms. “The most action we’ve seen is a kid spilling his popcorn.”

Nya shrugged. “That’s the whole idea, Kai. If we’re bored, it means nothing’s going wrong.”

“Maybe so,” Cole said, leaning against a post, “but it doesn’t hurt to split up and cover more ground. Plus, we could actually enjoy the festival.”

Zane, always the voice of reason, nodded. “A logical suggestion. We will maintain communication in case anything arises.”

The group quickly divided into pairs. Zane and Cole decided to patrol the main square, where the largest crowds gathered. Lloyd teamed up with Nya to explore the family area, filled with games and activities for kids. That left Jay and Kai, much to Kai’s initial dismay.

“Great,” Kai muttered as the others dispersed. “I’m stuck with you.”

Jay grinned. “Oh, come on, Fire Boy! You’re lucky to have me. I know all the best snack stands.”

“Fine,” Kai relented. “But if I hear one pun about sparking a flame, I’m ditching you.”

The two began wandering through the rows of stands, stopping occasionally to sample fried dumplings or grilled skewers. Meanwhile, Lloyd and Nya were taking in the more relaxed parts of the festival. Lloyd, ever the optimist, seemed to be enjoying himself.

“You know,” Lloyd said, watching a group of kids run by with glowing lanterns, “it’s kind of nice seeing everyone so happy.”

“Yeah,” Nya agreed, glancing at a booth selling intricate glass sculptures. “It’s moments like this that remind me what we’re protecting.”

Back in the main square, Zane and Cole stood by the central stage. They kept a close eye on the bustling activity, but Cole couldn’t resist getting involved with the younger kids who were painting on the stone tiles. He pulled Zane down so they could paint together.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the excitement in the city grew. The parade was set to begin soon, and the ninja received word to regroup at their designated float. It was just one of their many vehicles from their garage.

The parade began with a thunderous cheer from the crowd as the floats rolled out one by one. Music boomed, lanterns glowed, and performers danced through the streets. The ninja’s float stood out, towering above the others with its dynamic design and nods to each element.

Jay and Kai were positioned near the back of the float, waving to the crowd as they rolled along. Fireworks cracked overhead, and the energy of the festival was contagious—though Kai couldn’t help but notice that something seemed off about Jay.

“Hey, dude, you good?” Kai asked, leaning closer to his teammate, who was unusually quiet.

Jay managed a weak smile but quickly wiped his forehead, which was glistening with sweat. “I think… I need water. Really bad,” he croaked, his voice barely audible over the noise of the parade.

Before Kai could ask more, Jay’s legs wobbled, and he sank to the floor of the float, sitting down with his head in his hands.

Kai crouched beside him, worry flashing across his face. “Hey, stay with me, Lightning Boy. What’s going on?” He scanned Jay’s pale face, noticing the uncharacteristic lack of energy.

“I don’t know,” Jay murmured, his words slurring slightly. “The heat, maybe? Or… all the snacks?”

Kai looked up at the crowd, realizing they were still being watched. The float continued to roll down the street, and fans along the route were cheering obliviously. He knew he couldn’t let anyone suspect something was wrong—not yet, anyway.

“Alright, hang tight. We’ll fix this,” Kai muttered, pulling out his communicator. He radioed to the others, keeping his tone calm despite the knot tightening in his chest.

“This is Kai. I’ve got a situation with Jay. He’s not looking good—might be dehydrated or something. Can someone bring water to us?”

Lloyd’s voice crackled back almost immediately. “What? Is he okay? we’ll get some and bring it to you at the next stop.”

“good,” Kai replied, glancing back at Jay, who was now leaning heavily against the side of the float. The cheerful atmosphere of the parade suddenly felt a lot heavier.

As the ninja float approached the next stop, the parade slowed for a brief intermission. The crowd cheered louder, unaware of the tension among the ninja on board. Kai kept a steady hand on Jay’s shoulder, trying to keep him upright as the float came to a halt.

Seconds later, Zane and Cole appeared at the edge of the float, with Lloyd holding a large bottle of water.

“Jay!” Lloyd called out as he came closer. “We’ve got you.”

Kai helped Jay sit up a little straighter as Lloyd handed him the water. “Drink, dude. Slowly,” Kai said, watching closely as Jay took a shaky sip, then another.

Jay let out a long breath after a few gulps, some color returning to his face. “Thanks,” he muttered hoarsely, his voice sounding a little stronger. “I think I overdid it on the festival snacks—and all the heat.”

Zane crouched beside him, his expression calm but focused. “Dehydration can escalate quickly in situations like this. It’s good that you recognized the symptoms. I recommend resting for the remainder of the parade.”

Cole nodded, patting Jay on the shoulder. “No shame in taking a break, bro. We’ve got this covered.”

Kai exchanged a glance with Zane and Cole. “You two mind taking over for us? I’ll stick with Jay, make sure he’s okay.”

“No problem,” Cole said, hopping aboard with Zane following close behind. “We’ll keep the crowd entertained. You guys just focus on recovering.”

As Cole and Zane stepped into position on the float, the parade resumed its route. Zane offered his signature calm wave to the crowd, while Cole energized the onlookers with his booming enthusiasm. Their teamwork was seamless, keeping the audience’s spirits high.

Meanwhile, Kai sat next to Jay in a shaded corner of the float, making sure he kept sipping water. “You scared me for a second there,” Kai admitted, his voice low enough not to carry over the noise of the parade.

Jay managed a weak chuckle. “Scared myself, too. Guess I learned my lesson about pacing myself at festivals.”

“Yeah, no more eating half the food stands in one go,” Kai teased, though his tone was light. “Just rest up, Spark Plug. We’ll laugh about this later.”

Jay gave a faint smile, his strength slowly returning as the float rolled on toward the end of the street.

As the parade came to a close, the city lights glowed brighter, illuminating the main square where the festival’s final celebration was taking place. A stage had been set up for live music, and a lively band played upbeat tunes that drew the crowd into the heart of the square. Lanterns swayed gently in the evening breeze, casting a warm and magical glow over the scene.

The ninja gathered near the edge of the festivities, relieved that the night had passed without major incidents. Jay was feeling much better now, sipping his third bottle of water while leaning against a post. The others were chatting and laughing, their earlier patrol duties long forgotten.

Cole’s grin widened as he noticed the music picking up. “Zane, come on! You’ve got to dance with me. Don’t even try to say no.”

Zane raised an eyebrow, but before he could protest, Cole grabbed his wrist and dragged him toward the center of the square, where people were already spinning and swaying to the music.

Lloyd and Nya burst out laughing at Zane’s hesitant movements as Cole tried to teach him the rhythm. “Looks like someone’s getting out of their comfort zone,” Lloyd said with a smirk.

Kai, however, wasn’t paying attention to them. His gaze shifted to Jay, who was watching Cole and Zane with a wistful expression. The longing in Jay’s eyes was unmistakable, even as he tried to mask it by looking away when Kai glanced his way.

Kai rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide his smile. “Alright, Lightning Boy, up you go,” he said, pulling Jay to his feet before the latter could protest.

“What—Kai, wait! Zane said i was supposed to stay here!” Jay exclaimed, though the faint flush on his cheeks betrayed his excitement.

“You’re fine,” Kai said firmly, a playful grin on his face. “And don’t think I didn’t notice you staring. Come on, we’re dancing.”

Jay’s protests melted away as Kai tugged him toward the square. The crowd’s energy was contagious, and soon enough, Jay found himself laughing as Kai spun him around with surprising ease.

“See? Not so bad,” Kai teased, clapping in time with the music as he encouraged Jay to loosen up.

Jay, finally giving in, let the rhythm guide him, his earlier exhaustion forgotten.

Nearby, Lloyd and Nya watched with amused smiles, while Cole cheered loudly as Zane managed a surprisingly graceful twirl. The ninja’s laughter and carefree dancing blended seamlessly with the festival’s joy, the perfect end to a night filled with light, laughter, and memories.

As the upbeat music faded out, the band began playing a soft, melodic tune. The crowd’s energy shifted, and couples across the square moved closer together, swaying gently to the rhythm. The lanterns above glowed even brighter, casting a warm, intimate light over the scene.

Kai glanced at Jay, who was still catching his breath from their lively dancing. Jay’s eyes darted nervously to the crowd around them, and he hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Uh... slow song,” Jay murmured awkwardly, shifting on his feet. “I mean, we don’t have to—”

“Don’t overthink it,” Kai interrupted, rolling his eyes but smiling softly. “Come on, Spark Plug.” He reached out, placing his hands loosely around Jay’s waist.

Jay blinked, caught off guard, before his face turned a deep shade of red. “Oh. Okay, uh—yeah.” He fumbled slightly before resting his hands on Kai’s shoulders, his touch tentative at first.

They stood there for a moment, unsure, before falling into a slow sway in time with the music. The rest of the world seemed to blur around them, the festival noise fading into the background.

Kai relaxed into the rhythm, his movements smooth and unhurried. “See? Not so hard, right?”

Jay chuckled nervously, his gaze dropping to avoid Kai’s. “Yeah, it’s... nice. You’re surprisingly good at this.”

“Surprisingly?” Kai teased, smirking. “I’ve got skills, Jay. You should know that by now.”

Jay finally looked up, a small smile forming on his face. “never showed.”

As they swayed back and forth, the tension between them eased. Neither said much, content to let the music guide them. Jay found himself feeling more at ease, his earlier awkwardness melting away.

The soft melody wrapped around them, and for that moment, it was just the two of them. Kai’s grip stayed gentle, his thumbs brushing lightly against Jay’s sides in a way that felt both casual but hesitant . Jay’s hands on Kai’s shoulders steadied him, their closeness bringing a quiet kind of comfort.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better,” Kai said quietly, breaking the silence.

“Me too,” Jay replied, his voice just as soft. “Thanks for... you know, sticking with me tonight.”

Kai chuckled. “Someone’s gotta keep you out of trouble.”

Jay grinned, and they both fell into an easy rhythm again, swaying together under the lantern light as the slow song carried them through the night.

As the song came to an end, Kai and Jay slowly stopped swaying, though neither moved far from the other. Their hands lingered where they’d been, hesitant to break the quiet closeness that had settled between them.

The crowd applauded the band’s performance, and the square began buzzing with renewed energy as people chatted and laughed. Kai glanced over at Cole and Zane, who had also finished their dance. He blinked in surprise as he caught the end of a tender moment—the two sharing a light, affectionate kiss under the glow of the lanterns.

“Woah,” Kai muttered, tilting his head slightly. “They’re so cute.”

Jay followed Kai’s gaze, his smirk growing wider as he looked back at Kai. “Oh, come here, you big goof.”

Before Kai could process what was happening, Jay grabbed the front of his shirt collar and tugged him forward. Their faces met in the middle, their lips pressing together in a sweet, unhurried kiss.

Kai’s eyes widened for a split second before they fluttered shut. His hands instinctively moved back to Jay’s waist, pulling him just a little closer. The noise of the festival faded into the background, leaving only the soft hum of the moment.

Jay’s grip on Kai’s collar loosened as the kiss deepened just enough to feel natural, both of them leaning into the moment with a mix of nervous energy and undeniable affection. When they finally pulled back, their foreheads rested against each other, both smiling like fools.

Kai let out a quiet laugh, his cheeks redder than any fire he’d ever conjured. “Well… didn’t see that coming.”

Jay chuckled softly, his confidence flickering now that the moment had passed. “well you better not be complaining.”

Kai shook his head, his smile growing. “Definitely not complaining.”

Nearby, Cole and Zane were still arm in arm, and Zane’s keen observation had picked up on the scene. He nudged Cole, who turned just in time to catch Jay and Kai’s lingering closeness.

Cole smirked, leaning toward Zane. “Told you they’d figure it out eventually.”

Zane nodded, his expression serene as ever. “It appears the night has been full of pleasant surprises.”

The music picked up again, and as the festival carried on, Kai and Jay stayed close, the lingering warmth of their kiss adding an extra spark to the magic of the evening.