Prompt #1 - Flowers

Summary - Jay's real thoughts about a flower crown. *Minor S14 spoilers!*

Dedication - thelightningninjasis, this is the first oneshot I owe you LOL If you have requests for the other two, let me know!

***(Jay's POV)***

I finger the silky petals of each pink blossom woven into my "crown". The diadem is hardly fashioned for a king (which the people of this island have obviously designated me), but it does get me thinking.

I've always liked flowers. I admit it: I like gardens. I like springtime. Call me sentimental or whatever you want, but I used to help my ma plant her garden in the springtime, and I have fond memories of that. Not that I enjoyed weeding or digging perfect holes to plant each flower bulb in, but I look back on that time with her as priceless.

And now that I don't see her so much anymore, I have new spring memories - memories of my Water Lilly.

Nya enjoys springtime as well. As soon as snow turns to rain and colorless skies turn blue or a stormy gray, it's like you can feel her element's excitement. She only wants to be outside at the beginning of spring.

And spring also means to her new birth - new beginnings. I've watched Nya grow throughout the years as our seasons change, and I couldn't be prouder of her.

When we first met, she was closed off with everyone. She always holed up in her room - to work on her Samurai X suit, as we later found out - or went on missions with Sensei Wu. She became more open as time went on, but I always knew there were parts of her she wouldn't let us see.

I was sure I could break down those walls. I thought the two of us could learn everything about each other in just the course of the first year or so we dated. I thought she would open up quickly when she saw how transparent I was.

It didn't work out that way. Nya became even more private as I pushed her beyond her comfort zone and she questioned her own place in life and on the team.

I remember she was at her worst place after she destroyed the Cursed Realm. She was always so angry with everyone on the team when they made the slightest remark against her.

"Nya, improve your form." Lloyd would be met with an argument.

"Sis, you can take a break on training once in a while. It's good for you to relax." But Kai would be turned away.

"I don't understand why you think the wage gap is such a huge issue these - " And Cole would be blasted off the Destiny's Bounty.

I used to push Nya too far. Then she pushed herself too far, and it took a while to recover from that.

But just like a flower, growing slowly with the proper care, she's blossomed into the fullest picture of herself she's ever been.

I smile as I remember how she played with that giant dog-creature earlier today. She's not afraid to show softness.

And then there's how she revealed to me she wanted to take dancing lessons. She was willing to share her secret dreams with me because she knew I'd support her (even if I didn't necessarily want to).

Not to mention all the other amazing ways she's become the truest version of herself - she jokes with the guys, plays along with my stupid games, and shows compassion for others. And in all this, she's never forfeited her other strengths - her devotion to training, her heart for the team, her urge to beat her own personal best.

I stroke one last petal and place the flower crown back on my head. For her - even though I'm sure I'll be relentlessly teased about this later - I'll wear it with pride.

Plus, these people probably wouldn't take too well to me if their presumed king refused his crown, now would they?