No one likes me.

I'm useless.

I'm just a pawn.

Not even my family likes me.

Those were the words engraved all over Jay's bedroom.

They were also the words Kai and Cole were seeing right now.

The other ninja were on vacation, leaving the three, ' Unfortunate Escape room Comrades', as they liked to call themselves, at the monestay.

Jay hadn't come out for food for the past few days, and Kai and Cole were getting worried.

So they decided to check on him.

But when he didn't answer the door, Cole broke it down.

Now, here they were, staring at the walls.

" What are you doing here?" A voice asked, full of anxiety.

" Jay, what is all this?!" Kai asked, pointing to the walls.

Jay sighed and walked to his bed. " Nothing," He said. " You weren't supposed to see this."

" Jay, we're here now, so just please, tell us why you have all this on the walls!" Cole said.

Jay curled up on the bed, facing the wall, and they could both see splotches of red on his shirt.

Blood.

" Jay, talk to us!" Kai said, desperately, walking to his brother.

Jay sobbed quietly, his body shaking as he curled tighter into himself. Kai, his heart breaking at the sight, slowly approached him. “Jay…” he called softly, reaching out.

When Jay didn’t flinch, Kai gently pulled him upright and wrapped his arms around him, holding him tightly. Jay clung onto him, his tears soaking Kai’s shirt. “Jay, you’re my brother,” Kai whispered, his voice filled with raw emotion. “Of course, I love you.”

But Jay just cried harder, the words seeming to tear open a wound he’d been desperately trying to keep hidden. Kai continued to hold him, rubbing his back in soothing circles. “Jay, please… talk to us. Why are you crying? Tell us, please,” Kai begged, his own voice breaking slightly.

Jay just shook his head, burying his face in Kai’s shoulder. He didn’t know how to put into words the storm of emotions swirling inside him—the feelings of worthlessness, the fear of being a burden, the belief that he didn’t belong anywhere.

Cole, who had been standing nearby, watching the scene with a heavy heart, finally stepped forward. He crouched down in front of Jay, his voice gentle but firm. “Jay, we’re not leaving until you tell us what’s going on. We’re your brothers, and we care about you. We want to help.”

Jay sniffed, his breath hitching as he tried to calm down enough to speak. “I just… I feel like… like no one really needs me. Like I’m just… in the way.” His voice was barely above a whisper, each word carrying the weight of his self-doubt.

Kai tightened his hold on Jay, his heart aching at the confession. “Jay, that’s not true. You’re not in the way. We need you, okay? You’re important to us, to this team. You’re not just a pawn, and you’re definitely not useless.”

Cole nodded in agreement, his eyes soft with understanding. “Jay, we’ve all had moments where we’ve felt down or like we didn’t belong. But the truth is, we’re a team, a family. And family doesn’t give up on each other, no matter what.”

Jay looked up, his eyes red and puffy from crying. “But I keep messing up. I… I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to let anyone down, but I feel like I’m just not good enough.”

Kai gently lifted Jay’s chin, forcing him to meet his eyes. “Jay, we all make mistakes. We all have moments where we feel like we’re not enough. But that doesn’t mean we give up, and it doesn’t mean you’re alone. You have us, and we’re not going anywhere.”

Cole reached out and placed a hand on Jay’s knee. “And we’re not mad at you, Jay. We’re worried because we care. We want to help you through this, but you’ve got to let us in.”

Jay’s lip trembled as he looked between Kai and Cole, the sincerity in their eyes breaking down the walls he’d tried so hard to build. He nodded slowly, his voice barely a whisper. “I’m scared.”

Kai pulled him close again, hugging him tightly. “It’s okay to be scared, Jay. But you don’t have to face it alone. We’re here, and we’re going to get through this together.”

Jay nodded against Kai’s shoulder, the weight of his emotions finally beginning to lift. For the first time in days, he felt a small glimmer of hope—hope that maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t as alone as he thought.

But then, it happened. Again. Jay’s tears welled up again as he caught sight of Kai’s concerned face. Unable to face him, he turned away, burying his face in the pillow as the sobs returned. His shoulders shook with the force of his crying, muffling the sound into the fabric.

Kai’s heart twisted at the sight, and he moved closer, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Jay… what happened? Please, tell us,” Kai urged softly, his voice pleading.

Jay mumbled something into the pillow, the words too faint and garbled to make out. Kai exchanged a worried glance with Cole, who nodded for him to try again.

“Jay,” Kai said, leaning in a bit closer, “I didn’t catch that. Please, talk to me. I’m here for you, we both are. Whatever it is, we can handle it together.”

Jay’s grip on the pillow tightened as he mumbled again, this time slightly clearer but still drenched in sorrow. “I… I don’t… I can’t do anything right.”

Kai’s chest tightened at the familiar strain of self-doubt in Jay’s voice. He reached out, gently rubbing Jay’s back as he spoke. “That’s not true, Jay. We all make mistakes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything right. You’re so much more than you think you are.”

Jay sniffled, his voice trembling as he continued, “I messed up… again. I… I just keep messing up, and now everyone’s going to hate me… they already do. I can’t… I can’t even be a good friend or brother.”

Kai’s eyes softened, hearing the depth of Jay’s despair. “Jay, no one hates you,” he said, his tone firm but kind. “You’re our friend, our brother, and we care about you. We’re not perfect either. You’re not alone in this.”

Cole stepped forward, adding his voice to Kai’s. “Jay, you’ve got to stop being so hard on yourself. We all mess up sometimes, but that doesn’t change how we feel about you. We’re here because we care, because we want to help you through this.”

Jay’s grip on the pillow loosened a bit, though he still couldn’t bring himself to turn around. His voice was raw as he whispered, “But I… I’m so scared of letting everyone down. I don’t want to be the one who ruins everything.”

Kai leaned in closer, his hand gently guiding Jay to turn his head and face them. “Jay, you’re not going to ruin anything. You’re a part of this family, and that means we stick together, no matter what. We’re going to get through this, and you don’t have to do it alone.”

Jay finally looked at Kai, his tear-streaked face full of uncertainty but also a glimmer of hope. Kai gave him a small, reassuring smile. “We’ve got you, Jay. Always.”

Jay nodded, but there was still a storm brewing behind his eyes. Cole could sense there was more Jay wasn’t saying, something deeper eating away at him. The silence hung in the air, heavy and oppressive, until Jay finally broke it.

“I know you all think I’m weak,” Jay said, his voice barely above a whisper, yet laced with a pain that cut through the quiet.

Kai and Cole exchanged a quick glance, both immediately shaking their heads in denial. “No, Jay. We don’t think that,” Kai insisted, his voice full of sincerity.

But Jay shook his head, his frustration bubbling to the surface. “Don’t lie!” he snapped, the words coming out harsher than he intended. His eyes filled with fresh tears as he continued, his voice trembling. “Every time a mission goes wrong, you guys go out without me somewhere! You stay away from me. We all know it!”

Kai’s heart sank as the realization hit him—Jay had been feeling this way for a long time, harboring these thoughts without ever voicing them. “Jay, that’s not why—” Kai began, but Jay cut him off.

“Don’t tell me it’s not true!” Jay cried, his voice breaking. “I see it, every time. You think I’m just going to mess things up again. So you leave me behind, and I know why. It’s because you don’t trust me to handle it.”

Cole stepped forward, his expression pained. “Jay, we don’t leave you out because we think you’re weak,” he said, trying to reach him. “Sometimes, we think you might need a break, or we’re worried about pushing you too hard after a tough mission. But it’s never because we think you’re not strong enough.”

Kai nodded in agreement, his eyes locked on Jay’s. “We care about you, Jay. If we’ve made you feel like we don’t, then that’s our fault, not yours. But I promise you, it’s not because we don’t believe in you.”

Jay’s tears flowed freely now, his breath coming in shaky gasps. “But it feels like… like you’re shutting me out. Like you’re all trying to protect me from something, and I don’t even know what it is.”

Kai felt his chest tighten with guilt. “Jay, I’m sorry,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “We never wanted you to feel like you’re not part of the team. You’re not weak, and you’re not a burden. You’re our brother, and we need you just as much as you need us.”

Cole placed a hand on Jay’s shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You’re stronger than you realize, Jay. You’ve been through so much, and you’re still standing. That takes a kind of strength not everyone has. We’re not perfect either, but we’re stronger together, all of us.”

Jay looked between Kai and Cole, his tear-filled eyes searching their faces for any sign of doubt. But all he saw was the truth in their words, the genuine care and concern they had for him. He let out a shaky breath, the tension in his body slowly easing as he finally allowed himself to believe them.

“I just… I don’t want to mess things up anymore,” Jay whispered, his voice small but filled with a vulnerability he rarely showed.

Kai pulled him into a tight hug, holding him close. “You’re not messing anything up, Jay. We’ve got your back, no matter what. We’re a team, a family. And that means we’re here for each other, through everything.”

Jay’s voice trembled as he asked, “But then why does Master Wu hate me?”

Cole raised an eyebrow, trying to keep things light. “Okay, now you’re just pushing it, Jay.”

“Oh really? You think that?” Jay shot back, his frustration flaring up again as he pulled away from Kai slightly.

“Whoa, buddy, calm down,” Cole said, holding up his hands in a placating gesture. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way.”

Kai quickly wrapped his arms around Jay, pulling him close again. Jay’s head found its place on Kai’s shoulder, where he felt safe. “Jay, no one hates you,” Kai said softly, his voice gentle yet firm. “It’s just your mind, playing tricks on you. We all have those moments when we doubt ourselves.”

Jay sniffled, his grip on Kai tightening. “But what if Wu just got me for the Nunchucks of Lightning? He already has you guys. You’re way cooler than me. You’re not afraid of anything. And I’m afraid of everything.”

Kai sighed, feeling the depth of Jay’s insecurities. “Jay, that’s not true. None of us are fearless. We all have things we’re scared of. But that’s not what defines us.”

Cole nodded, chiming in. “Fear is normal, Jay. It’s how you deal with it that matters. And you’ve faced your fears time and time again. That’s what makes you strong. That’s what makes you one of us.”

Kai continued, “Master Wu didn’t choose you just because of the Nunchucks. He chose you because he saw something special in you, something none of us could bring to the team. Your bravery, your heart, your spirit—that’s what makes you irreplaceable.”

Jay was quiet for a moment, absorbing their words. The doubts and fears that had been gnawing at him still lingered, but they were slowly being overshadowed by the warmth of his brothers’ support.

“But what if I mess up again?” Jay whispered, his voice barely audible.

Kai stroked Jay’s hair, comforting him. “Then we’ll be there to pick you up, just like we always are. That’s what family does. We don’t expect perfection, Jay. We just want you to be yourself.”

Cole smiled softly. “And if you ever forget how awesome you are, we’ll be here to remind you.”

Jay looked up at Kai and Cole, his eyes still teary but with a glimmer of hope. “You guys really don’t think I’m weak?”

Kai shook his head. “Not for a second.”

Cole added, “You’re one of the strongest people I know, Jay. Don’t ever forget that.”

Jay let out a deep breath, some of the tension leaving his body as he leaned into Kai’s embrace. “Thanks, guys. I really needed to hear that.”

Kai and Cole exchanged a look, both of them relieved to see Jay starting to believe in himself again. Kai tightened his hug around Jay. “We’re always here for you, Jay. Always.”

“Jay, pull your sleeves up. We need to see what’s going on,” Kai said, his voice gentle but firm.

Jay took a step back, clearly uncomfortable. “Why would I do that?” he asked, his tone defensive.

Cole stepped closer, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Jay, we’ve seen the blood. We need to make sure you’re okay.”

Kai put a hand on Jay’s shoulder, his expression serious. “Jay, if you’re hiding something, we can’t help you if you don’t let us in. We just want to make sure you’re safe.”

Jay hesitated, looking between Kai and Cole. He looked frightened, which only heightened their worry. His shoulders slumped, and with a resigned sigh, he slowly pulled up his sleeves.

Underneath, there were several fresh cuts and bruises, some of which were still oozing blood. Kai’s eyes widened in shock. “Jay, what did you do?”

Jay looked away, tears welling up in his eyes. “I did it to myself. I just... I couldn’t take it anymore. I thought maybe if I hurt myself, the pain inside would go away.”

Cole’s face softened with empathy. “Jay, you don’t have to hurt yourself. We’re here to help you, and we want to support you through this.”

Kai knelt down beside Jay, gently inspecting the wounds. “This isn’t the answer, Jay. We care about you too much to let you suffer alone. We need to get these treated, and then we’re going to talk about how we can help you.”

Jay’s voice was barely a whisper as he spoke through his tears. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t know how to handle everything.”

Kai gently wrapped Jay’s arms with a clean bandage. “It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. But hurting yourself isn’t the solution. We’ll get through this together. We’re a team, and that includes you.”

Cole nodded, his expression serious but supportive. “We all need help sometimes, Jay. It’s important to reach out and let us be there for you. You’re not alone in this.”

Jay finally looked up, his eyes meeting Kai’s and Cole’s. “Thank you. I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”

Kai gave Jay a reassuring smile. “Anytime, Jay. We’re here for you, no matter what.”

With his sleeves now bandaged and his heart feeling a bit lighter, Jay leaned into Kai’s embrace, feeling the strength and support of his friends around him.

Kai’s concern grew as Jay’s stomach rumbled loudly. He turned to Jay, his expression filled with worry. “Jay, when was the last time you ate?”

Jay hesitated before answering, “Two hours ago.”

Cole, recognizing the lie, gave Kai a concerned look. “Jay, we know that’s not true. You need to eat something.”

Jay shook his head. “I’m fine, Kai. Really.”

Cole stepped in, trying to lighten the mood. “Sorry, bud, but you need to have something. How about water? Or pizza? You love pizza!”

Jay looked away. “If you want some, you could order.”

Kai was getting more frustrated. “Jay, seriously, do you want applesauce? I could do an airplane!”

Jay shook his head stubbornly. “No, thanks.”

Kai wasn’t backing down. “That’s not an option,” he said firmly, grabbing a bib from the drawer and tossing it to Jay. “Sit down.”

Jay sighed and sat on the edge of the bed, looking miserable. Kai made a show of it, attempting to do an airplane sound while holding up a spoon. Unfortunately, his attempt was more like a sputtering engine than an airplane.

Cole tried to stifle a laugh but couldn’t help it. “Kai, maybe you should leave the airplane sound to someone else.”

Kai gave Cole a sheepish grin. “Alright, alright. But seriously, Jay, you need to eat. It’s important for your recovery.”

Jay took two hesitant bites of the applesauce before pushing the cup away. “Okay, I ate,” he said, clearly done with the food.

Kai looked at the small cup and sighed. “Jay, seriously. Just finish this tiny cup. It’s so small!”

Jay snuggled Mr. Cuddlywomp closer and shook his head. “No.”

Kai sat down next to him, placing a hand on Jay’s shoulder. “Look, Jay. I know you don’t want to eat right now, but you need to. How about orange juice? Lemonade?”

Jay’s response was almost a whisper. “I want air.”

Kai felt his frustration rising but kept his voice steady. “Jay Walker, just please eat!”

At that moment, Cole, trying to lighten the mood, produced a puppet. “Look, Jay! There’s a mouse that wants your food! Eat it before the mouse gets it!”

Jay glanced at the puppet and then at the food, his expression still defiant. “It’s fine. Let the mouse have it.”

Cole, clearly disheartened, shrugged. “That usually works.”

Kai rubbed his forehead in exasperation. “Jay, we’re not giving up. You need to eat to get better. We care about you, and we’re not going to stop until you take care of yourself.”

Jay sighed and looked at the applesauce again, clearly worn down by the persistence of his friends. After a long moment, he finally took another bite, though it was clear he wasn’t enjoying it. Kai and Cole exchanged a relieved look, knowing they were making progress, even if it was slow.

After Jay finally finished the small cup of applesauce, Kai breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay, you earned it,” he said with a soft smile. “How about some ice cream?”

Jay shook his head, his eyelids already heavy. “No.”

Kai raised an eyebrow and tried again. “A donut? A pie? Chips?”

Jay barely shook his head this time, his voice barely above a whisper. “No thanks.”

Undeterred, Kai kept offering. “Chocolate? Cookies? Gummies?”

Cole, watching the scene with a mix of amusement and concern, finally stepped in. “Kai,” he said gently, “He’s asleep.”

Kai turned to see Jay, who had curled up with Mr. Cuddlywomp and was fast asleep. His breathing was steady, and his face had a peaceful expression. Jay’s slight snoring and the gentle rise and fall of his chest indicated that he was completely out.

Cole chuckled softly. “He looks so cute.”

Kai nodded, his expression softening. “Yeah, he really does.” He glanced at Jay’s peaceful face and felt a pang of affection. “I’d love to squeeze his cheeks, but I don’t want to wake him.”

Cole grinned. “Probably a good idea. He’s had enough excitement for one day.”

Kai smiled and gently tucked the blanket around Jay, making sure he was comfortable. “You did great today, Jay,” he whispered, more to himself than to anyone else. “We’re all here for you, and we’re going to help you through this.”

Kai and Cole quietly stood up and looked at Jay, who had fallen asleep with Mr. Cuddlywomp still in his arms. His breathing was steady, and he looked peaceful, a stark contrast to the distress he’d shown earlier. Kai’s heart ached at the sight, and he wanted to do something to make it all better, but for now, he knew their focus needed to shift.

“Okay, let’s give him some space,” Kai whispered, careful not to wake Jay. He gently pulled the covers up around Jay and made sure the room was as comfortable as possible.

Cole followed Kai out of the room, closing the door softly behind them. They headed to the living room, the weight of the previous hours heavy on their shoulders. The room was quiet, the sunlight filtering through the windows casting a warm glow on the furniture. Kai sank into a chair, running a hand through his hair, while Cole flopped onto the couch, looking exhausted.

“Man, that was rough,” Cole said, his voice low. “I didn’t realize it had gotten this bad for him.”

Kai nodded, his expression pained. “Neither did I. I knew Jay was struggling, but seeing all that on his walls… I never imagined it was this severe.”

Cole sighed and sat up straighter. “It’s like he’s been bottling everything up for a long time. I thought we were doing enough to support him, but clearly, we missed something.”

Kai leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “It’s not just about missing something. Jay’s always been the one to hide his feelings, to act like everything’s fine even when it’s not. We need to be more vigilant, more proactive in making sure he feels supported.”

“Yeah, and his self-esteem is in such a bad place,” Cole agreed. “He genuinely believes that he’s a burden to everyone. It’s heartbreaking.”

Kai looked out the window thoughtfully. “And the worst part is, he’s pushing himself away because he feels like he doesn’t belong. He’s scared of being useless, of being a disappointment. It’s why he’s been avoiding eating, hiding away in his room.”

Cole nodded, his eyes serious. “I think part of it is also that he’s afraid of being a burden. He doesn’t want to be seen as weak or needing help. That’s why he’s so resistant to accepting anything we offer.”

Kai sighed deeply. “We need to find a way to show him that he’s not a burden, that he’s an essential part of this team. We need to remind him that we care about him and that we value him beyond his role as a ninja.”

Cole rubbed his face with his hands. “But how do we do that? Jay’s always been so self-critical. It’s going to take more than just words to convince him.”

Kai considered this for a moment. “It might help to involve the rest of the team when they get back. They need to be aware of what’s been going on. We need to show Jay that it’s not just us who care, but everyone. A united front might make a difference.”

“Agreed,” Cole said, nodding. “And maybe we should start by changing the environment he’s in. The way he’s been living—surrounded by those negative thoughts—it’s not helping.”

Kai looked at Cole, a plan beginning to form. “Let’s start by making sure Jay knows he’s appreciated. We can arrange something special for when the others return—maybe a surprise that shows how much we value him. In the meantime, let’s keep an eye on him and make sure he’s eating and getting enough rest.”

Cole agreed, standing up. “Let’s also talk to Zane and Lloyd when they get back. They need to understand what’s been happening so they can be supportive, too.”

Kai nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. “Right. We’ll get through this. Jay’s not alone in this fight. He’s got us, and we’re going to make sure he knows it.”

With that, the two friends set about making plans to support Jay and improve his well-being, determined to show him that he was valued, loved, and never alone.

* A few hours later*

In the dead of night, Kai and Cole were jolted awake by the sound of soft, anguished cries. They exchanged worried glances and hurried down the hallway toward Jay’s room. When they burst through the door, they were met with a heart-wrenching sight: Jay, trembling and clutching a dagger tightly.

“Jay!” Kai shouted, his voice filled with alarm. He lunged forward, carefully prying the dagger from Jay’s grip. “What are you doing?”

Cole, moving quickly, pulled Jay away from the weapon and wrapped him in a firm but gentle embrace. Jay was shaking uncontrollably, tears streaming down his face.

“Jay, why would you do that?” Cole asked, his voice full of concern.

Jay, still sobbing, looked at them with tear-filled eyes. “Because I don’t belong. Face it, guys. You and Mia are the only ones who actually love me. The others? They hate me. There’s no reason to live when only three people love you.”

Kai, struggling to contain his frustration and sadness, took a deep breath. “Ayeayeaye. Come on, Jay,” he said, trying to keep his voice calm. “We’re having a sleepover.”

Jay looked up, confused but exhausted. “A sleepover?”

Kai nodded firmly. “Yes. We’re going to stay up and talk, and we’re going to make sure you know you’re not alone. You’re part of this family, Jay. You’re not going anywhere.”

Cole, still holding Jay, nodded in agreement. “We’re all in this together. Let’s get you settled and talk things out.”

With gentle but firm encouragement, Kai and Cole led Jay out of his room and into the living room. They made a makeshift sleep area on the floor with blankets and pillows. Jay, still shaking but too tired to resist, lay down with a weary sigh.

Kai sat beside him and began to talk softly. “Jay, you’re important to all of us. We may not always show it perfectly, but we care about you a lot. We’re a team, and that means we’re here for each other, no matter what.”

Cole, arranging the pillows, added, “We’re not going anywhere. We’ll get through this together. You’re a part of this family, and that means you’re loved more than you realize.”

Jay, his eyes heavy with exhaustion, looked between Kai and Cole. The warmth of their support was starting to break through his despair. As he settled into the blankets, he felt a small sense of comfort.

Kai smiled softly, rubbing Jay’s shoulder. “Now, let’s just relax. We’ll talk more in the morning, okay?”

When Jay finally fell into a deep sleep, Kai and Cole took a moment to process the events of the night. They stood in the living room, their faces etched with concern and frustration.

“How did a sword get in here?” Kai exclaimed, his voice full of distress. “And how could we let Jay get to this point?”

Cole sighed heavily. “Kai, maybe Jay feels overwhelmed by us. Look at us—your cocky attitude, my strength, Lloyd’s leadership, Zane’s intelligence. It might all be intimidating to him.”

Suddenly, Jay stirred in his sleep, letting out a soft moan. Kai rushed to his side, gently soothing him. “Shhhh, easy now,” Kai whispered, trying to calm Jay back into a peaceful slumber.

Cole, watching the scene with a worried expression, asked, “Wait a minute. Didn’t you give Jay a you-know-what a few days ago? With the… thing. You know, TOHS.”

Kai’s eyes widened in confusion. “What? What are you talking about?”

Cole rolled his eyes and said, “Backwards.”

Recognition dawned on Kai’s face. “Oh… Oh, right.”

Cole pressed, “What did you do exactly?”

Kai took a deep breath. “What I do every year. I held him while doing it.”

Cole nodded slowly, processing the information. “Oh. O-kay.”

Kai rubbed his temples, clearly distressed. “I just wish we could have seen this coming. We need to find a way to help Jay feel more secure and less afraid. We can’t let him think he’s alone.”

Cole agreed, his face serious. “We’ll figure it out. But for now, let’s focus on making sure he knows he’s loved and supported. We’ll tackle this together.”

Kai nodded, and the two friends returned to Jay’s side, determined to ensure he felt the love and care they all had for him.

* In the morning*

The next morning, Kai and Cole woke up to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. They both stretched, still feeling the weight of the previous night's events. As they glanced over at Jay, they noticed something that made their hearts ache—Jay was lying on his side, still fast asleep, with his thumb in his mouth.

Kai nudged Cole, who was still groggy. "Cole, look."

Cole blinked a few times to clear his vision, then frowned as he saw what Kai was pointing at. "Oh no…"

Jay, usually so lively and full of energy, looked vulnerable and childlike. The sight of him sucking his thumb, something he hadn’t done since he was a kid, was a clear sign that he was feeling insecure and scared.

Kai knelt beside Jay, gently brushing a few strands of hair away from his forehead. "This isn’t good, Cole. It’s like he's regressing… like he’s looking for comfort in any way he can."

Cole nodded solemnly. "We’ve got to do something, Kai. We can’t let him keep feeling like this."

Kai sighed, his hand resting on Jay’s shoulder. "I know. We need to make sure he knows he’s safe, loved, and that we’re here for him. We can’t let him spiral any further."

As Jay stirred slightly in his sleep, Kai and Cole exchanged determined looks. Whatever it took, they were going to help their brother through this—starting right now.

Kai quietly sat next to Jay, making sure not to wake him up. He watched over his little brother, gently rubbing his back in slow, soothing circles. Jay’s breathing was steady, but the thumb-sucking still worried Kai. He sighed softly, thinking about what they could do to help him feel better.

Meanwhile, Cole decided to take on breakfast duty, thinking it would be a good idea to surprise Jay with something nice when he woke up. He headed to the kitchen, determined to make something simple yet satisfying.

He decided on cereal and toast—a classic, no-fail breakfast. Or so he thought.

Cole poured some cereal into a bowl and turned to the toaster. He popped in a few slices of bread, but when he turned around to get the milk, he knocked over a box of cereal, spilling it everywhere. “Great,” he muttered, bending down to pick up the pieces. Distracted, he didn’t notice the toast was already starting to burn.

The smell hit him a moment later, and he whipped around, eyes widening in panic. Smoke was starting to waft from the toaster, and the toast was definitely not the golden-brown he was aiming for. “Oh no, oh no!” Cole frantically tried to salvage the situation, yanking the toast out. It was charred and smoking, the complete opposite of what he intended.

In his haste to fix things, Cole accidentally knocked the milk jug, which tipped over, spilling milk all over the counter. "Come on!" he groaned, scrambling to clean up the mess.

Kai, hearing the commotion from the other room, couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. “Cole, everything okay in there?”

“Yeah, just fine!” Cole called back, his voice a mix of frustration and embarrassment. “I, uh, almost burned the toaster making cereal.”

Kai shook his head, still smiling. “Just cereal, Cole. How do you mess that up?”

Cole eventually managed to get everything under control—though the toast was a lost cause, he at least got the cereal and a fresh batch of toast ready without any further disasters.

By the time Jay stirred awake, Cole was standing in the doorway, holding a tray with breakfast. He tried to put on a brave face, despite the slight smell of burnt toast still lingering in the air.

“Morning, Jay. How about some breakfast?” Cole said, offering a sheepish grin.

Jay blinked sleepily at him, then glanced at Kai before giving a small smile. “Sure… what happened in the kitchen?”

Cole blushed. “Let’s just say… you should eat up before I try cooking again.”