Chapter Text
"Guys, Guys, Guys, hey, is that Kai?" Is what a rough whisper says.
There's the sound of a closed door and a faint ringing bell.
That 's usual.
Then there's Cole's voice.
That's also not uncommon, especially when they’re all hanging out.
However what caught everyone's attention was the question, or not really the question but the name spoken onto that question.
That's when the other three teens lifted their heads from the video they were watching on Jay's phone, just now noticing that effectively the one entering the 24/7 convenience store was Kai.
Now, that's something they don't always see.
Okay fine, that's a lie, they literally go to the same school, so that's definitely a lie.
He’s known to hand out and sometimes even skip classes at the nearby convenience store, so yeah, technically it shouldn’t be a strange sight.
It's more like a fifty/fifty.
Under normal circumstances they would've tried to strike a conversation with him even if it was something as small as a surprise greeting.
They had been trying to befriend him after all.
The thing is, this time he wasn't alone, that's where the fifty/fifty came into play.
They constantly sawKai, but not with these people, heck, they didn't even know he had friends!
… Well that's another lie because they know that him as a “Red” sees them as friends, but that's under their Ninja disguises so their point still stands.
And it’s known he hangs around a group of rowdy kids, but that’s not important right now. [Lloyd could testify as he hangs with the same group but he’s not about to snitch on them of all people]
But well, who would've thought Kai Jiang Smith had more friends.
Apparently the loner disguise he had at school was just that, a disguise.
Because alongside him there's a gorgeous redhead, a beautiful woman with silver locks and what could only be described as an emo guy.
They knew the silver haired girl was Pixal, Zane's best friend, better known to the group as Samurai X.
If they went by Zane's slightly shocked expression and agape mouth, which was already strange to see, it was safe to assume he didn't know Pixal and Kai were friends.
Which is cool and all, really, is just funny.
They were laughing and being quite loud, a bit of a surprise considering half the time the guy known as Kai was grumpy for something or the other, a scowl usually adorning that beautiful face of his.
So, seeing him act around so freely and happy was definitely worth a whiplash.
"Well" Started Zane, coming out of his stupor first and putting down some noodle packages inside their basket "Is his free day so I guess is sensible to see him hang around with friends"
"Yeah, I guess,” Muttered Jay as he readjusted his scarf, appearing as if the redhead was trying to hide his face from them.
"We shouldn't be talking about that out loud" Hissed Cole between teeth, turning around and hoping they weren't noticed.
Sure they weren't exactly friends in their civilian identities, at least not with Kai and Nya, but they've talked to him enough times to be recognized.
Why were they hiding? Well…
Listen, they were supposed to have secret identities and all okay?
They knew it, and Wu would definitely scold them if he ever found out but Jay had slipped out and that made Cole recognize him, then in turn Zane recognized them both and before they knew it they already knew each other's identities.
Well, officially only Black, Blue and White knew each other, Gray, Red and Green were supposed to still be a mystery.
Lloyd slipped during a patrol with Cole and that's how he found out, and then the others caught up with them and that's how cat got out of the bag.
It was difficult to hide anyways, considering that by "slipping" Lloyd actually meant "I had a full blown panic attack"
But well, it happened so now the four were out to each other which meant they could hang out of school too.
Honestly that had been a relief for Lloyd who for the most part was an absolute loner at school, not for personal decision but because the others wanted nothing to do with him.
Figuring out Nya and Kai had been tricky, it really took them a few months and it only happened by coincidence.
Gray might or not have said a bit too much one of the times she was talking with Blue about the mechas.
Blue who in reality was Jay Walker.
Jay Walker who shared classes with both Nya and Kai Jiang Smith.
Jay who was known as the motor-mouth of the group…
One can see how this had happened.
Yet Wu knew nothing of this and it was better if it stayed that way, no one wanted to get into trouble with the man.
But that wasn’t enough of an excuse to be hiding from Kai of all people in the civilian lives right? Hadn’t they been trying to befriend him anyways?
Then why….?
“You three and your stupid crush are pathethic”
And just like that three sets of eyes went from looking at the gorgeous person that was their teammate to glaring at the smaller teen who was also their teammate.
“We-We are not!” Shrieked Jay, red creeping up his face as he hid more inside his orange scarf.
“Lloyd, that wasn’t nice”
Cole just muttered something under his breath as he leaned against the counter where the coffee and hot-dog machines were, eyes quickly moving up to scan and try to find Kai again.
“I wasn't trying to be nice” He shrugged, popping a popsicle onto his mouth. “And it’s not like I’m lying, look at him!” He motioned towards Cole who in turn turned back to glare at the teen.
“What?” He snapped.
“You’re trying to find him again! At least go and say “Hi””
“Uh no? Don’t you see he’s busy?” Jay fidgeted with his phone before sighing and tucking it inside his jacket, deciding that the best way to blow some steam right now was to just play with some of his keychains.
“Cowards” Muttered Lloyd as he kicked one of the nearby stools.
“You didn’t just say that”
Lloyd smiled… no, he smirked right at Jay, green eyes turning red for a second, sharp fangs glistening under the faulty lights of the store.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about”
Jay glared.
Lloyd’s smirk just widened.
The little demon-
There was a *thud* as Jay tackled Lord Garmadon’s son onto the ground, subtlety all but forgotten.
“Jay Wait -”
And there was another shriek as Lloyd unceremoniusly gripped the teen blue jack and pulled the hood over his head.
A third shriek is heard and the clerk, who had been just lazily scrolling through random stuff on his phone, looked up, caught sight of what was happening and went back to watching videos, he wasn’t paid enough to deal with this.
Meanwhile Cole was just dumbfounded for a moment all while Zane quickly moved to try and pry Jay from Lloyd who was clinging to the young teen in an effort to be an absolute annoyance.
“Cole!” Hissed the taller teen, finally getting out from his stupor and moving to help Zane.
It shouldn’t be this difficult to separate both of them considering Jay was on the weaker side of the spectrum.
Sure he’s still strong, incredibly strong but between all the Ninja he and Kai… err Red were the ones on the weaker side when it came to physical strenght.
So in insight, it is a bit ridiculous Jay kicks were winning this fight.
Not that it reallyattered, because they were stopped soon enough.
“Oh, hey guys”
The four of them froze. They knew that voice all too well.
Three of the current people involved in the “fight” dreamt constantly of it.
“Hey Kai!” Chirped an all too happy Lloyd despite being pinned down on the floor by a now silent Jay.
“Squirt”
Lloyd scoffed from his position on the floor.
“Don't call me that”
The spiky haired teen shrugged, drinking more from the can Lloyd just noticed on his hands.
“I'll happily give you a new nickname the moment you're taller than any of us”
And then Lloyd glared with those asshole red eyes of his.
“I'm taller than Wyldfyre”
“And way older” He smirked “Play with someone your age kid”
“Like you? “
Now it was time for Kai to scowl.
“Say what you want I'm still taller than you” He said rolling his eyes as if he wasn't bothered by the comment.
“For now” Murmured Lloyd as he just decided to lay on the floor.
“Anyways” he said, playing with the keys on his belt. “What did he do this time?”
Still stunned Jay let out a confused “What”
Kai shrugged, leaning against one of the aisles.
“Him”
“Uh? Him?” Parroted Jay.
Kai blinked. “Uhm, yeah?”
“What 's with him?” Cole seemed equally confused and Zane seemed lost too.
So Kai punted Lloyds messy blonde mop slightly.
“Yeah” He repeated. “Why is he on the floor?”
“Oh?” Jay looked down, meeting bright red eyes full of humour. “Oh!” He yelped, letting go of Lloyd, however he didn't move from his spot.
Meanwhile Lloyd did not make a single movement to try and get the blue guy off him.
“We were… “ Started Cole but trialed off trying to think of an excuse that wasn't murdering Lloyd.
“We were talking about comics!”
Good save, Jay.
Kai cocked his head to the side. “Oh?”
“Yeah she there's this one space opera comic called Starfarer, is amazing, you should read it! I've all the current issues so I can lend them to you or you can come over, anyways, is very fun because you got space battles with ships and lasers and shiny swords and-”
Lloyd, from his position on the floor shot his hands up and pretty much silenced the lightning ninja.
“Alright Jay, we get it, shut up now”
Kai huffed a laugh, before addressing the other two.
“Oh so you also like those comics, I know Lloyd loves them, but they're not really my thing”
“That's just because you can't re-”
Kai punted the kid, again.
“Silence”
Lloyd huffed but obeyed.
“I find them interesting” Admitted Zane. “But is not my primary focus when searching for entertainment”
“Oh~ What do you like?”
"Uhm... I like going birdwatching"
"Oh yeah?" Kai leaned a bit on one of the aisles. "That sounds fun, I've never done it but if you ever need a companion just let me know"
"I will"
... Did Zane just scored a date?
"And you big guy?"
"Cole only talks about music" Pipped up Jay.
His commentary was regarded by shove, which finally made him let Lloyd go.
"Rude"
Cole just stick out his tongue at him before lifting up his head to adress the fire elemental.
"I mean... he's no entirely wrong...." He murmured while getting a bit red on the cheeks and scratching his head, Kai didn't seem to mind.
"What kind of music?"
"Any that I find interesting really"
"He has this huge collection of Vinilos!"
And Cole glared at Jay.
"Oh yeah" Chirped Lloyd "You should totally see it Kai!"
"Is truly an impresive collection." Agreed Zane.
"Is really not that amazing"
"Really? They make it sound otherwise" Kai pointed around.
"Is really not-"
"He even got a Vinyl dedicated to each of us"
Now, now that was worth blushing for, and the did.
Kai looked at Cole with a bit of humour in his eyes.
"I... I do not" He stammered out.
"Y'know, if you're up to it I would love to see that collection of yours?"
That meant going to Cole's house, his bedroom to be exact, he didn't know why but the thought just made him that bit more nervous.
"S-Sure man!"
If Kai noticed his blush he didn't said anything.
"And what are you doing here?" Jay had finally gotten up, moving to Zane's side and leaning a bit onto him.
"Oh! We-" He motioned towards his group that was chatting and picking up stuff around the store without minding them. "Are on a skating night?"
"Skate? With roller coasters?"
"Nah" Kai clicked his tongue with annoyance. "Those fuckers are impossible to use"
"You're just bad at it"
"Shut it Lloyd" Kai tried to punt him, again, but this time Lloyd batted his foot away and finally got into a sitting position. Kai scoffed and the blonde teen playfully blew a raspberry at him.
The spiky-haired teen rolled his eyes, slightly annoyed. "Anyways, we brought our skateboards" He pointed to Morro who was carrying his and Kai's boards.
"Waoh! Really?!" Jay jumped forward. "Skateboarding? That's so cool dude!"
"Eh... not really" It was Kai's turn to look embarrased.
"I concur, I also think that's "cool", as Jay says."
The fire ninja snickered "Thanks dude"
Cole seemed the most interested one, still watching Kai's group.
"Any of you have skated before?"
"Nah"
"Nope"
"Negative"
"Ah shame" He passed a hair through his spiky, messy hair "If you ever wanna learn I'm the right guy"
"Morro is better"
"Shut it" Kai glared before looking at the other three. "You could even come with us tonight, I'm sure they won't mind"
"Ah, sorry we already got plans tonight"
Kai hummed in agreement.
"Sometimes we all go, you know, us four, Lloyd, Nya, Harumi and Wyldfyre, we're all chill, if you ever wanna hang out"
"Oh really"
"That's a nice offer"
"Oh, thanks dude"
That perked up Lloyd.
"Where's Nya anyways?"
"With Wyfy and Rumi"
Lloyd smirked at Kai who smirked back.
"You let her alone to babysit those two? You're coming back to a mess"
"Nah, those two get along fairly well, or at least better than I can say about... I don't know, Rumi and Akita"
The teen had to agree with that.
"Besides, is Nya we're talking about"
"I guess you're right"
“Kai! “
Everyone turned heads.
Skylor was motioning him that they were outside, Kai's cue to cut the conversation short.
"Welp, that's my cue, see ya later, I was serious with the offers for the vinilos and the birdwatching by the way" He smiled "Oh and Lloyd, try not to get into too much trouble"
"Says you and that group"
"We're not that bad"
Lloyd rolled his eyes.
"Yeah sure, try not to get detained tonight"
"You bet"
They all watched until Kai opened the door, the bell rang and then ran again and the door closed, the Jay passed an arm around Cole's shoulders and despite their height difference he pulled him in so he could whisper on his ear.
“Why did you said “no” Whispered Jay, angrily.
“Don't you see he's with his friends?!”
“He invited us!”
“He was just being polite! “
“I do think we should've taken on that offer”
“You too Zane?! “
"You always say we should try and spend time with him!"
"I mean yeah but-"
While the three argued Lloyd went and picked a snack from the floor and a can of soda from the refrigerator, he came back to them still arguing about it.
He sighed.
“First Master this is so painful”
Three heads turned around to glare at the youngest of the group.
“I'm waiting for y’all outside once you finish your lovers quarrel”
And with that he stepped outside.