Requested by: Guest, AlexBrooksNinja

Request: Cole/Kai

Warnings: Yaoi

Cole always hated how headstrong and reckless Kai could get. When he first joined the team, he was nervous that such behaviour would get them all into danger, which, of course, it did. Multiple times. He hoped that the fire ninja would grow out of it eventually, which he didn't. Kai tried to be more focused on the team, but once they heard about the prophecy of the Green Ninja, it seemed as though he became more stubborn and hotheaded than ever.

The fact that he thought achieving his true potential would involve him becoming the Green Ninja didn't help matters, either. He became so impulsive that he attacked Garmadon while he was their guest, thinking it would help. Cole didn't think Kai would ever give up on trying to prove himself worthy of the title, which only made him more nervous about the danger he could put them all in.

Thankfully, earlier that evening, when they rescued Lloyd from the Serpentine, Kai discovered his true potential, and also found out Lloyd was the Green Ninja, rather than any of them. Cole noticed Kai became calmer after finding his true potential, but he also seemed to be more distant than before. He wondered if it had to do with what happened, and decided to investigate, telling Kai to meet him on the deck when everyone was asleep.

Cole leaned against the railing, staring up at the darkened sky as stars slowly made themselves noticeable. A loud yawn made him look away, and he saw Kai making his way toward him, rubbing his eyes tiredly.

"Why couldn't we do this in the morning?" Kai asked. "Or earlier? I'd really like to get some sleep for once, what with Garmadon constantly keeping us up every night."

Cole gestured for him to stand at his side. "No. I just wanna talk to you, and it's really important that you listen."

The brunet stared at him for a moment, debating internally whether he should stay or go back to bed. He finally sighed, rolled his eyes, and went to stand beside Cole, folding his arms across his chest. "Fine, but I'm tired and want to sleep, so make it quick."

"Okay. Why are you being so distant now?" When his words were met with a confused glance, Cole continued, "You found your true potential, didn't you? Shouldn't you be happy that you're no longer the only one who hasn't found it yet?"

"I am happy," he insisted. "If that's what all this is about, then I'll tell you now: I'm fine and nothing's wrong. Can I go now?" He didn't wait for an answer, pushing himself off the railing as he walked back the way he came. Cole, however, wasn't about to take that for an answer, quickly reaching out and gripping Kai's wrist firmly.

"I don't think I said we were done yet," Cole said. "I want to know why you're being so distant. You know we're here for you if you need someone to talk to, and now you have your chance." His gaze softened. "Seriously Kai, what's wrong?"

Kai pulled back, but couldn't shake Cole's grip. "Let go. I'm fine."

At this point, the black ninja was fed up with his attitude, and tugged Kai roughly towards him, pinning him against the railing, his arms on either side of him. "No, you aren't. You know, I used to think it was just your stubbornness, or your cockiness, or something else that would get us into trouble one day, and all of it did, but now I'm starting to think this new attitude of yours is more dangerous." He leaned closer. "Now just tell me what's wrong, Kai. I can help."

Kai looked very uncomfortable with how close they were, and turned his head to the side, avoiding Cole's intense gaze. Cole didn't force him to look, though; Kai would only react negatively to that, and it would only lower his chances of getting anything out of him even more. He leaned back, giving Kai some more space, before the brunet finally spoke.

"No, you can't help," Kai muttered, looking up at him just slightly. "Because what's done is done. Lloyd's the Green Ninja and I'm...not."

Cole raised a bushy eyebrow. "That's what all this was about? I thought you said you were fine because you discovered you were actually meant to protect-"

"I know, and I'm still fine with wanting to protect him!" he interrupted. "It's just... I know I'm meant to protect him, and I was never meant to actually be the Green Ninja, but..." He shrugged. "I just wish I was the Green Ninja. I always thought I was good enough, so...does this just mean I'm not?"

He didn't get a reply, and he hung his head, ashamed that he truly felt this way about what had happened. He felt a hand reach up and rub his shoulder gently, and he leaned into Cole's touch, glad that he was there with him.

"Of course you're good enough," Cole murmured. "This just wasn't part of your destiny, I guess. Maybe there's something else in store for you. You'll just have to wait and see what it is and focus on the present for now."

Kai smiled slightly. "Thanks, Cole. I'm just upset that I wasn't able to be the Green Ninja, but someone as young and inexperienced as Lloyd was."

"Well, that's what we're here for, right? We'll be here to teach him how to be a ninja." He took Kai's hands in his, squeezing them in a comforting manner. "We'll show him what being a ninja's all about."

The smile on Kai's face grew wider, and he brought himself closer to Cole, wrapping his arms around his neck in a hug. Cole, a bit surprised by the shift in attitude, simply hugged him back, arms circling his waist. They stayed in the hug for a long time, until a voice rang out in the still air.

"Kai! Cole! There's a Serpentine sighting in Ninjago City! So you better hurry up and-" Jay stopped himself when he saw the two ninja hugging, who quickly separated, trying to make it seem like nothing happened. Zane was right behind him, looking just as confused.

"R-right, of course," Cole stammered, unsheathing his scythe. "Do you know where they are?"

"There is one located in a series of alleyways," reported Zane. "We are unsure how many there are exactly, but we had best be on our guard."

Jay smirked, eyeing Cole and Kai with amusement as they shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. "So, uh... Do we want to know what was going on out here?"

"It's not important," Kai insisted hastily. He drew his sword and pointed it in the air. "Let's just get a move on before more Serpentine show up. I've been wanting to try out my new powers, and I'm not about to let the chance get away from me now!"

Cole smiled at the return of the Kai he was used to seeing and hearing every day. He thought back on what he told the fire ninja before, that he was good enough, that there was more to him than he knew. But Kai's not just good enough, he decided, feeling a wave of affection wash over him as Kai turned to give him a knowing smile. He might not be the Green Ninja, but he's much better than he thinks he is.

Okay, so I think requests will be closed now. I've gotten a lot of them.

Anyway, I decided to bring in Kai's envy over Lloyd being the Green Ninja into this because I just think it's a good extension on what we saw of his character this season :D (And it led to Evil!Kai, and that part was awesome)

Thank you Guest and AlexBrooksNinja for requesting this pairing! Stay tuned!