~ Part 6~ | Home

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** Home (Kristen Bell)**
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"If I lost them, I'd lose me
They're my ocean, they're my shore
I wanna give them more
They're my home
My home"

~ Frozen II

P. S this would totally be a Lloyd song for the series.

This chapter is dedicated to @zappy_noodle thank you for pointing out that the artist of some of the fanart I had on the cover didn't want people reusing it. It's very important to me that I don't misuse people's work so thank you very much!

(comment or PM if you'd like a shoutout!)

******

"Hi, Jay."

Nya stepped out from the shadows and looked down at him.

Jay jumped, surprised someone had found him. He had thought his little hiding place was a good one. The blue clad boy swiped at his eyes and got up, forcing a smile. "Oh- uh- hey, Nya."

"Are you okay?" Nya asked gently.

"I'll be alright." Jay shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "All this isn't great for my anxiety but...ever since I came here I've been getting better."

Nya smiled at him, stepping beside him before sitting down. She looked around, Jay had chosen a little corner beside a closet, tucked away in the shadows. "I've felt myself getting better here too." She said softly. "I've never really felt like I belonged anywhere since... since my mom and dad left us. But when we arrived here... it was almost like-"

"Home." Jay finished for her.

They exchanged a look, lips tilting up slightly. "Yeah." Nya murmured, staring off into space. "Home."

They were silent for a few moment. Basking in each other's company. "Jay," Nya finally said. Jay hummed in response. "What are your parents like?"

Jay hesitated for a moment. His brain going to the words that had echoed in his mind since that day. The phrases that kept him up at night. He almost told her- but saying it would make it feel more real.

"My parents.... Ed likes to find old junk and revive it." Jay said finally, sitting down beside Nya. "He sells them and fixes other people things as well. He likes cheesy jokes, comfort food like hamburgers and hash browns, and he loves making Mom special stuff to make her happy and loved. Edna loves knitting, she always likes to be prepared, she enjoys babying me a lot." Jay chuckled, looking down at his hands.

"I had been badly bullied by these kids for awhile and that's when I started having really bad anxiety. When I had my first panic attack Mom was so scared. I guess she just wanted to shield me from all worries after that." Jay smiled fondly. "But I guess what she didn't understand is that I'd never learn if she continued doing that. I guess that's why Wu's school is so good for me. It allows me to test my limits. See who I can be."

Jay remembered the day Wu had taught them parkour on the roof. At the first big jump he had been so sure that he was not going to make it. After all, he had tripped just doing hopscotch. But Master Wu was confident that Jay would be able to do it.

"It's up to us to take that leap of faith." Master Wu had said. "To break down the walls we make around ourselves. No one else can do that for us."

Jay had jumped, there was this horrible feeling of fear mixed in with this whiz of danger that made Jay feel so giddy he got lightheaded. His arms flailed, his legs kicked, but his feet hit the hard surface of the roof. Granted he almost tipped backwards but Master Wu was right there with his bamboo staff to help him gain his balance.

"The walls aren't so high once you get over the first one." Master Wu mused. "Now hurry up. I have tea boiling."

Nya stares at him, hanging onto every word as he recounted stories from his childhood. For a moment Jay realized how he had taken the care from his parents for granted. Nya hasn't been able to have the same childhood as he did. She didn't have any bit on envy in her eyes, just simple joy as she laughed at Jay's jokes and humorous tales. She didn't realize it but someway through there conversation she had slipped her hand through his, twining their fingers together as he talked. Jay's words stumbled when that happened but he tried to pretend he didn't notice, glad for the dark shadows that disguised his scarlet cheeks.

******

"Zane, I've never been so bored in my life. Help me before I die of boredom."

Zane gave Kai a deadpan look. "It is not possible for you to 'die of boredom' Kai." He said, flicking through the pages of Mistaké's recipe book.

"I beg to differ. I have suffered near-death experiences from that exact condition." Kai told him with confidence.

Zane didn't reply, ignoring the dramatic teen as he read over the ingredients for Kung Pow chicken. It looked quite delicious but it was more of a winter dish. Zane dog-eared the corner for future reference. Kai picked up that his babysitter wasn't listening anymore so he turned over in his cot, propping his chin on his elbow as he thought of the perfect thing to get Zane's attention.

"You know... I'm quite experienced in the art of wooing a romantic other." Kai said innocently.

Zane didn't reply simply arching an eyebrow but didn't look his way. A hand reached for the water glass on the counter next to him.

"So if you ever want some advice for this... Pixal, I'd be happy to give it."

Zane's hand slipped, knocking over the cup and sending it clattering to the ground, spilling the liquid everywhere. Kai chortled as Zane grabbed paper towels with a flustered expression and stopped up the mess.

"I-I don't know what you are talking about." Zane said defensively.

"Really?" Kai smirked. "Do you or do you not plan on texting her tonight?"

Zane paused for a brief moment, not meeting Kai's eyes. "I do not have Pixal's number. Nor do I know exactly how to work the cellular device I was given."

Kai gasped. "You didn't get her number?" The boy shook his head. "My, my, Zane. You have much to learn."

Zane gave him a disgruntled look, tossing the wet paper towel in the garbage and getting up. "Well I think that's its time for Cole to come in." Just as he said those words there was a weird ping on the window over Kai's head.

"What was that?" Kai sat up, much to his body's protest and yanked it open. There, perched on the sill, was a metallic bird. Kai yelped when it flew right in.

"The falcon!" Zane gasped with a smile, holding out his forearm for it to land on.

"What the heck?" Kai shouted from the cot but Zane didn't answer when his eyes zeroed in on the note in his beak.

Zane pried it from the falcons mouth and unfolded it. His eyebrows shooting up at what was written inside. In perfect print, each letter evenly spaced, each word on a straight line, was a phone number. Underneath was a message:

Hello Zane,

The DNA results won't be able to come in for a week or so and you left before I could give you my contact information. I'll let you know when the results come out. I enjoyed talking with you. It was nice being able to meet someone who understood me. I hope your friend is alright.

Pixal.

"Mysterious note delivered by bird." Kai's face split in a goofy grin. "I smell a romance happening!"

Zane raised his eyes to stare at him silently. "I miss when you were a moody teenager who hated everybody."

******

"This is the place, sir."

A dark car rolled near the entrance to a long winding road. At the end of the road was the tall sloped building of Master Wu's School for Self-Discovery. The tinted windows rolled down, revealing a tall, broad-shouldered older man sitting in the drivers seat. He flicked off his shades and raised an eyebrow at the building.

"Yes, that looks like something Wu would create." He sighed, wiping the lenses of his sunglasses with a small cloth.

His driver and assistant squinted at the place, taking in its innocent appearance. "Doesn't look like much. Are you sure we should be taking so much action against a tiny school that looks like a temple?"

"Wu isn't a fool." The second man slid his sunglasses back on, concealing his almost red tinted eyes. "He has the same poetic mind of my father. Big dreams that are right out of fairytales. He's influencing children down a path that will get the world nowhere. We must strike before they cut us down."

His voice was deep and rumbling, hard with a businesslike tone but as they turned around and began to drive away he glanced back almost sadly at the depleting shape of his brother's school.

"Everything alright, Mr. Garmadon?" The driver asked, glancing at him.

"Everything will be when I'm done. I'll make sure of it." Garmadon sighed, his eyes gazing at something his companion couldn't see.

"It's time to remake the world in my image."

Authors note***

This ones a bit of a filler so I'm sorry it's shorter than the others. I just felt this was a good place to leave off.

Probably going to start working on the next chapter soon so.... sorry Heart Song and Project Artificial Love fans I'm still not out of my Fractured jam XD.

LuckyBugBooks 🐞