Insecurities
Just so y'all know, when I was little, I felt like Jay.
Literally.
But, as I wrote last time, I did NOT stab myself.
Thank you very much.
Anyway, enjoy!
.... I think.
Also, in this story, the first part is a part I role played but didnt want to turn it into a story.
Here you go
----
" We may have won, but we lost Jay."
Mia, who was deep in thought, shook her head, and ran to Jay. ( Seabound).
" Jay, you're clearly having problems. But you need to turn back, you need to think, you need to hug Ny-" but when Jay just walked past her, she tried to grab his hand, but he pulled.
" No!" She exclaimed. " Don't leave me."
Jay turned. " I have to. What choice do I have? We're on opposite sides!"
" No, Jay. No we're not." Then, she sighed and looked at the sky, then to Jay. She unclipped her necklace and gave it to Jay, along with a paper. He looked at it, confused.
" Don't forget me. It'll make sense soon, I promise."
" But-"
" It'll make sense soon, I promise." Mia repeated. Then, she ran to the edge, faster than ever, and kept down while spinjitzuing.
Okay, now the real story.
_________
Kai stood in the doorway, eyes wide as he took in the state of Jay's room. The walls were covered in scrawled words, harsh and self-deprecating messages that made Kai's heart sink. The sight of it all was overwhelming, and he couldn't hold back his shock.
"Jay, what in the name of Ninjago has happened to your room?!" Kai exclaimed, his voice filled with concern.
Jay, who was curled up on the bed, barely glanced up at Kai. His face was buried in his pillow, and his body was tense, as if he was trying to disappear into the sheets.
"It's nothing," Jay mumbled, his voice muffled and shaky. "You weren't supposed to see this."
Kai stepped closer, refusing to let Jay shut him out. "This isn't nothing, Jay. Look at these walls! This is serious-talk to me, please."
Jay shook his head, his body trembling slightly. "It's just... how I feel. It doesn't matter."
"It matters to me!" Kai said firmly, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. He reached out to touch Jay's shoulder, but Jay flinched, curling tighter into himself. The reaction only deepened Kai's worry.
"Jay, come on. We're your family-we care about you. We love you. You shouldn't be dealing with this alone," Kai pleaded, trying to get through to his brother.
Jay slowly turned his head to face Kai, his eyes red and puffy from crying. "Do you? Do you really? Because sometimes it feels like... like nobody does."
Kai's heart broke at the sight of Jay's tear-streaked face, and he quickly wrapped his arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. "Of course we do, Jay. We love you so much. I love you so much. You're my brother, and nothing will ever change that."
Jay hesitated for a moment before finally clinging to Kai, burying his face in his shoulder. He started to cry again, the pain and self-doubt pouring out in heavy sobs.
Kai held him close, rubbing his back soothingly. "You're not alone in this, okay? We're here for you, and we'll help you get through it. Whatever it takes, we'll figure it out together."
Jay didn't respond with words, but his grip on Kai tightened, and Kai could feel the raw emotion in every tremble of his body. He knew they had a long road ahead, but at that moment, all that mattered was being there for Jay, reminding him that he was loved-truly and deeply loved.
Kai gently pulled back from the hug, keeping his hands on Jay's shoulders as he looked into his brother's tearful eyes. "Jay, talk to me," Kai urged softly. "What's really going on? I need to understand what you're feeling."
Jay hesitated, biting his lip as he tried to find the right words. His voice was shaky and uncertain when he finally spoke. "Do you remember when Cole lost the Traveler's Tea?" he asked, his eyes darting away from Kai's. "We were all so angry... Cole's strong, he can handle that kind of pressure. But me? I'm not strong like him. If I mess up like that, you'd all be so mad, you'd probably want to banish me from existence. We all know this, Kai."
Kai's heart ached hearing Jay's fears laid out so plainly. "Jay, that's not true," he began, but before he could say more, the door swung open, and Cole walked in, carrying a tray of food with a cheerful grin.
"Hello, people!" Cole greeted, but his smile faded when he saw Jay's tear-streaked face. The atmosphere in the room was heavy, and Cole quickly realized he had walked in on something serious. "Did I interrupt something?"
Kai shook his head and motioned for Cole to come closer. "No, you didn't interrupt. Jay was just opening up about something that's been eating at him," Kai explained, glancing at Cole with a look that said they needed to be careful with their words.
Cole set the tray down on a nearby table and sat on the edge of the bed beside Jay. "What's going on, Jay?" he asked gently, concern etched on his face.
Jay sighed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and fear. "I was just telling Kai... that I'm scared of messing up like you did with the Traveler's Tea. But unlike you, Cole, I'm not strong. I'm just... me. And if I do something wrong, I'm scared you guys would hate me for it. I'm scared you'd want me gone."
Cole's eyes widened in shock, and he immediately shook his head. "Jay, no. That's not true at all! We would never, ever do that. You're part of this family, and we love you, man. We all make mistakes, even me," he said, trying to lighten the mood with a small smile. "But no one's gonna banish you from existence just because of a mistake. We all mess up-it's part of life."
Kai nodded in agreement, his voice firm but gentle. "Jay, you're important to us. You're more than just a teammate-you're our brother. Mistakes or not, we're in this together. We'd never turn our backs on you."
Jay looked between the two of them, his eyes still filled with doubt but also with a flicker of hope. "But... what if I mess up again? What if I can't handle the pressure?"
Cole reached out and ruffled Jay's hair, something he often did to comfort him. "Then we handle it together, like we always do. We've got your back, Jay. Always."
Kai squeezed Jay's shoulder, nodding in agreement. "You don't have to be strong all the time, Jay. That's what we're here for-to support each other. And we'll keep doing that, no matter what."
Jay felt a tear roll down his cheek, but this time it wasn't from sadness. It was from the warmth of knowing his brothers were there for him, no matter what. He wasn't alone, and that made all the difference.
Cole's gaze drifted from Jay to the bed, and his heart sank when he noticed the small red spots scattered across the bedsheet. His expression tightened, concern flooding his features. "Jay... what are those spots?"
Jay, feeling the tension in the room rise, quickly tried to brush it off. "It's nothing," he said, his voice trembling slightly. "It's just from paint... I was working on something earlier."
Kai, who had been watching Jay closely, could sense the lie in his voice. He gently placed a hand on Jay's arm, his tone firm but filled with worry. "Jay, don't do that. Don't lie to us."
Jay looked away, his shoulders tensing as he felt the weight of their concern pressing down on him. "I'm not lying... It's really just paint," he muttered, but the wavering in his voice gave him away.
Kai exchanged a worried glance with Cole, who was already piecing together the truth. "Jay," Kai said softly, leaning in closer. "We're not mad, okay? But we need to know what's really going on. Please... talk to us."
Jay hesitated, his fingers nervously picking at the hem of his shirt. The truth was threatening to spill out, but the fear of their reactions kept him holding back. "I just... I didn't mean for it to get this bad," he finally whispered, his voice barely audible.
Kai's heart broke a little more with each word. "It's okay, Jay. We're here now. Whatever it is, we'll get through it together. But we need you to be honest with us. Please."
Jay felt the tears welling up again as he finally looked at them, his resolve crumbling under their concerned gazes. "I... I hurt myself," he admitted, his voice shaking. "I didn't mean to, but... it just happened. I felt like I couldn't take it anymore."
Cole's expression softened as he reached out and gently placed a hand on Jay's shoulder. "Jay... you don't have to face this alone. We're your brothers, and we're here for you. We'll help you through this, but you have to let us in."
Kai nodded, his own voice filled with emotion. "We love you, Jay. You're not a burden, and you're not weak. You're important to us, more than you know. And we're going to get you the help you need, okay? We'll be with you every step of the way."
Jay felt a mix of relief and guilt wash over him as he looked at his brothers. He had been so consumed by his fears and insecurities that he had forgotten how much they cared. "I'm sorry," he whispered, tears streaming down his face. "I'm so sorry..."
Cole shook his head, pulling Jay into a comforting hug. "You don't have to be sorry, Jay. We're just glad you're still here with us. That's what matters."
Kai joined the embrace, wrapping his arms around both of them. "We'll figure this out together, okay? You're not alone, Jay. Not now, not ever."
Cole chuckled as they heard Jay's stomach, trying to lighten the mood a bit. "How about some food, Jay? I promise it's not burned like last night."
Jay shook his head, his eyes still puffy from crying. "No thanks... I just want to sleep," he murmured, sinking back into the bed.
Kai, ever perceptive, raised an eyebrow. "Sleep, huh? Or are you planning to sneak in a video game session instead?"
Jay's eyes widened in surprise, and he glanced at Kai, trying to figure out how he'd guessed. "Where did you get that from?" he asked, a mix of curiosity and defensiveness in his tone.
Kai smirked, folding his arms as he leaned against the bedpost. "You forget, I know you, Jay. Every time you say you're going to sleep when you're upset, you end up gaming to distract yourself."
Cole grinned, backing Kai up. "Yeah, and we've caught you more than once with a controller in your hand when you're supposed to be resting."
Jay couldn't help but smile a little, feeling a bit more at ease with their teasing. "Okay, okay, maybe I was thinking about playing for a bit... but I just need something to take my mind off things."
Kai softened his expression, sitting down next to Jay. "I get it, Jay. But how about you play with us instead? We can make it a team thing. That way, you're not alone."
Cole nodded, grabbing a controller and waving it in front of Jay. "Yeah, we can totally beat whatever level you're stuck on. Plus, it'll be more fun with all of us playing together."
Jay hesitated for a moment, but the thought of spending time with his brothers, even just playing a game, started to sound like a good idea. "Okay... but only if you promise not to hog all the power-ups," he said with a small grin.
Kai and Cole exchanged victorious looks, glad to see a bit of the old Jay shining through. "Deal," Kai said, grabbing a controller for himself. "Let's do this."
* A few hours later*
A few hours later, after a few rounds of gaming and some much-needed laughter, Jay started to feel weak. His energy was draining fast, so he decided to lay down and get some rest. As he drifted off to sleep, Kai and Cole noticed something concerning.
"Hey, uh, Cole...," Kai started, his eyes narrowing as he spotted something on the bedsheet.
Cole followed Kai's gaze, and his heart sank when he saw the small drops of blood staining the fabric. "Oh no...," he muttered, realization dawning on him. "We never put anything on those cuts, did we?"
Kai's eyes widened in alarm. "No, we didn't," he replied, feeling a surge of guilt and worry wash over him. "We were so focused on making sure he was okay mentally that we completely forgot about his injuries."
Cole sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We need to take care of this now before it gets worse. I can't believe we missed it."
Kai nodded, moving quickly to get the first aid kit. "Let's be careful. We don't want to wake him up, but we have to get those wounds cleaned and bandaged."
Cole carefully rolled Jay onto his back, exposing his arms where the blood had seeped through the fabric. Kai gently pulled up Jay's sleeves, revealing the cuts they hadn't noticed before.
"Jay... why didn't you say anything?" Kai whispered, his voice filled with concern as he carefully cleaned the wounds.
Cole held Jay's arm steady, trying to be as gentle as possible. "He's been through a lot. Maybe he just didn't want to worry us more than we already were."
Kai nodded in agreement, but the guilt still weighed heavily on him. "We need to make sure he knows he can come to us, no matter what. We have to be more vigilant, especially with everything he's been going through."
Once they finished bandaging Jay's cuts, Kai and Cole sat back, watching over their sleeping brother. The sight of Jay, peaceful and unaware of the world around him, made them even more determined to protect him and help him through this difficult time.
"We won't let anything happen to him," Cole said softly, his voice resolute.
Kai nodded, his eyes never leaving Jay's face. "Yeah, we're in this together. We'll get him through it, no matter what it takes."
After tending to Jay’s wounds and making sure he was comfortably asleep, Kai and Cole quietly left the room and headed to the living room. They needed to talk, to process everything that had happened and figure out their next steps.
Kai slumped onto the couch, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I can’t believe we didn’t notice those cuts earlier," he said, his voice tinged with guilt. "We were so focused on his mental state that we completely overlooked his physical injuries."
Cole nodded, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "Yeah… and that’s not like us. We’re usually better about this kind of stuff. It’s just… Jay’s been so down lately. It’s hard to know what to focus on."
Kai sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "I know. It feels like everything’s falling apart. Jay’s always been the one to lighten the mood, to keep us all laughing. Seeing him like this… it’s hard."
Cole pushed off the wall and sat down next to Kai. "We need to come up with a plan. We can’t just keep reacting to everything. We have to be proactive, figure out how to help him before things get any worse."
Kai nodded in agreement. "You’re right. We need to keep a closer eye on him. Make sure he’s eating, resting, and not hiding anything from us. But we also need to be there for him emotionally. He’s feeling like we don’t care, like he’s a burden, and that’s not true. We need to show him that."
Cole looked thoughtful for a moment. "Maybe we should start by doing something special for him. Something to remind him that he’s important to us, that he’s loved. It doesn’t have to be big, just something to lift his spirits."
Kai smiled a little, appreciating the idea. "Yeah, I think that could help. Maybe we could plan a day just for him, do all the things he loves. And we should talk to the others when they get back, make sure they’re aware of what’s going on too."
Cole nodded firmly. "Agreed. We’re all in this together, and that includes Jay. We won’t let him go through this alone."
Kai glanced toward Jay’s room, a look of determination in his eyes. "We’ll get through to him. We just need to keep trying, keep showing him that he’s not alone. We’re his family, and we’ll always be here for him."
After their discussion, Cole decided it was time to bring the others into the loop. He grabbed his phone and dialed Master Wu, his voice steady but urgent.
“Master Wu, we need to talk,” Cole began.
“What is it, Cole?” Wu asked, sensing the seriousness in his student’s tone.
“It’s Jay,” Cole replied, glancing at Kai, who was still sitting on the couch, deep in thought. “He’s… he’s not doing well, Master. We found out he’s been hurting himself, and he thinks… he thinks you all hate him.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line before Wu responded, his voice full of concern. “That’s outrageous! Why would he ever think such a thing? Jay is a valued member of this team. He’s like a son to me!”
“I know, Master,” Cole said, his voice softening slightly. “But Jay’s been feeling really down lately. He thinks he’s useless and that he doesn’t belong. He’s convinced that the only reason you keep him around is for his ability to wield the Nunchucks of Lightning.”
Wu sighed deeply. “This is troubling news, indeed. I never meant for Jay to feel this way. I’ll return to the monastery immediately. In the meantime, make sure he knows that he’s loved and needed.”
“Yes, Master,” Cole said firmly. “We’ll do everything we can to help him. But… we’re going to need the whole team on this. Jay needs to feel supported by all of us.”
“I’ll inform the others,” Wu assured him. “We’ll all be there as soon as possible. Jay is not alone in this. We’ll make sure he knows that.”
After ending the call, Cole looked over at Kai, who had been listening to the conversation. “Master Wu’s on his way back. He’s going to bring the others too.”
Kai nodded, relief evident on his face. “Good. The more of us here, the better. Jay needs to see that we’re all in this together.”
Cole stood up, stretching his arms. “We’ve got some time before they get here. Let’s make sure Jay’s comfortable, and maybe we can start planning that special day for him.”
* Few hours later*
A few hours later, Nya burst through the monastery doors, her face flushed with worry. She practically sprinted up the steps, her heart pounding as she reached the living room where Kai and Cole were waiting.
“Where is he?!” Nya demanded, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and guilt.
Kai, who had been sitting on the couch, quickly stood up and moved toward her. “He’s sleeping,” he said softly, trying to calm his sister down.
Nya’s shoulders slumped with relief, but only for a moment before the guilt crashed over her again. “How could we have not noticed, Kai? How could I have not noticed? I’m… I’m his Yang! I’m supposed to know these things. I’m supposed to be there for him.”
Kai stepped closer and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “Nya, don’t blame yourself. We all missed it. But we’re here now, and we’re going to help him through this.”
Tears welled up in Nya’s eyes as she shook her head, struggling to hold back the emotion. “But I’m his partner, his balance. I should have seen the signs… I should have been there for him when he needed me the most.”
Kai pulled her into a comforting embrace. “Nya, you’re here now, and that’s what matters. We all have moments when we miss things, even when it’s about the people we care about the most. Jay needs you now more than ever, and you’re here for him. That’s what counts.”
Nya held on tightly to her brother, taking comfort in his words. She knew he was right, but the guilt still gnawed at her. “I’m not going to leave his side, Kai. Not until I know he’s okay.”
Kai nodded, understanding her determination. “None of us are. We’re all going to be here for him, every step of the way.”
Together, they made their way to Jay’s room, where their brother slept peacefully, unaware of the support and love gathering around him. Nya vowed to be there for him, just as he had always been there for her. She would be his Yang, his partner, his support, and she would help him through this dark time, no matter what it took.
As the others arrived, Cole briefed them on the situation. Lloyd’s face grew pale as he listened, his concern evident. “This is… really dangerous,” he said, his voice filled with worry. “We need to act quickly.”
Master Wu, having been informed by Cole, had also arrived. His usually calm demeanor was replaced by a deep frown. “I’ve heard everything, and I must stress how critical this situation is. Jay’s well-being is paramount. We need to ensure he receives the care he needs immediately.”
Zane, always the voice of reason, stepped forward. “What’s the plan? How do we best support Jay right now? We can’t let him stay in this state.”
Wu nodded, appreciating the focus on action. “First, we need to make sure Jay is properly treated for his injuries. He needs medical attention for the blood loss, and we must address his emotional state with care. Additionally, we need to talk to him, reassure him, and ensure he knows he’s not alone.”
Kai, standing alongside Nya, added, “We’ve already started taking care of him. We’re going to stay with him and help him through this. But we need to know if there’s anything specific we should do to support him better.”
Wu thought for a moment. “It’s important that Jay knows he is valued and loved. We must work on rebuilding his confidence and ensure he feels secure in our support. Also, please make sure he is monitored regularly for any further signs of distress.”
Lloyd, who had been silently absorbing the situation, nodded in agreement. “We’ll make sure Jay knows he’s part of a team and that we all care deeply about him. He needs to hear that from us, not just once, but repeatedly.”
The group nodded in unison, understanding the gravity of the situation. They made their way to Jay’s room, ready to provide the support and reassurance their friend needed. As they gathered around, each person silently vowed to be there for Jay, to help him through this difficult time and remind him of the love and care that surrounded him.
When Jay woke up, his eyes shot open in terror as he saw the group around him. With a scream of panic, he leapt from the bed and scrambled up to the roof, his face pale and eyes wide. Nya, determined and calm, called out, "Jay, come down! You’re safe here."
Jay, perched on the roof, clutched a small piece of the medallion and threw it down to Nya. “Keep it,” he said, his voice trembling. “Nya, you need Cole. Not me. I've been thinking about it.”
Nya, catching the piece of the medallion, looked up with confusion. “What are you talking about?”
Jay, still on the roof, said, “Nya, you need Cole. Not me. I’ve been thinking about it. Everyone except Kai loved me, and I wasn’t as stupid back then. Why else would you want me around?”
Nya, bewildered, shouted back, “What?! You’re not making any sense!”
Jay’s face twisted with anguish. “It doesn’t need to make sense. Just leave me alone.”
Without hesitation, Nya climbed up to the roof, wrapping her arms tightly around Jay. “Jay, listen to me. You do know I love you, right?”
Jay’s eyes filled with tears as he looked at Nya. “You do know you rarely say that,” he replied quietly.
Nya held him even tighter, her voice steady but gentle. “I’m sorry if I haven’t said it enough. I love you, Jay. You’re important to all of us. We all care about you, and that includes me. You’re not just a part of the team; you’re a part of our family. Please, don’t think otherwise.”
Jay, overwhelmed by Nya’s embrace and words, began to tremble. “But everyone’s better off without me. I mess everything up.”
“No,” Nya said firmly. “We’re all better off with you. We all make mistakes, and that doesn’t make us less valuable. We need you, Jay. I need you. Cole needs you. And Kai—he’s here for you, too. We all are.”
As Jay’s breathing steadied, he clung to Nya, finally allowing himself to accept the comfort she offered. The weight of his fears began to lift, if only slightly, as he realized that he wasn’t alone in this fight.
Wu, seeing the distress in Jay's eyes, asked gently, "Why would you think that, Jay?"
Before Jay could respond, a voice piped up from the doorway. "Because my brother is like Dad."
Everyone turned to see Mia standing there, wearing a shower cap with a towel wrapped around her body, soap and a brush in hand.
Jay, his face a mix of embarrassment and confusion, exclaimed, "Mia, what are you wearing?!"
Mia, trying to stay calm despite the situation, replied, "Relax, Jay."
Jay's frustration only grew. "No, I cannot relax! Could you please put some clothes on?!"
Mia sighed, "I was in the middle of a bath. Anyway, Jay and Dad are the same. They think everyone hates them. Dad once even thought his family didn't like him. That was something I do not want to see again. Ever."
Jay's face tightened with frustration. "Excuse me, but Dad locked himself up and deprived himself of food. I did not do that."
Mia gave Jay a pointed look, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and understanding. "I know you didn’t, Jay. But you’re isolating yourself and pushing us away, just like Dad did. And it hurts to see you do this because I remember how it felt to watch him suffer. We all care about you, Jay. I don’t want you to go through this alone. Not like Dad did."
Wu stepped forward, placing a hand gently on Jay’s shoulder. "Jay, Mia is right. You’re not alone. We’re all here for you, and we want to help you through this. Please, let us. We’re a family, and families support each other through the toughest times."
Mia continued scrubbing her back, seemingly unfazed by the tension in the room. Jay, still confused and frustrated, asked, "Mia! What are you doing?"
Without missing a beat, Mia replied, "Taking a bath."
Jay’s eyes widened. "In front of us?"
Mia, rolling her eyes, responded, "Relax. Sheesh."
Just then, Blackie strutted in, took one look at Mia, and exclaimed, "WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?!"
Mia, not missing a beat, snapped back, "Could you calm down?! Please!"
Jay, exasperated, sighed and said, "Take your bath, then we’ll talk."
Mia sighed and used her water powers to splash herself, adding a dramatic flair. "Okay, okay!"
Jay groaned, shaking his head. "Only you, sis. Only you."
Mia, still in her bath, used her wind powers to shout, "WHAT?! CAN'T HEAR YOU!"
Once she finished and got out of the bath, she looked around to find everyone staring at her. "What? Can’t a girl take a bath? And what are you all doing in the bathroom?"
Jay, still a bit flustered, clarified, "Mia, this is my room."
Mia blinked in surprise, her cheeks flushing slightly as she realized her mistake. "Oh. Well, sorry about that." She quickly gathered her things and left the room, muttering, "Guess I’ll finish my bath somewhere else."
Jay slapped his forehead and yelled, “JUST DO SPINJITZU! SPINJITZU INTO YOUR CLOTHES!”
Mia, looking both surprised and determined, complied and spun into her clothes, emerging in her usual outfit. “Okay, listen, Walker. You are my father, an—”
“Father?” Jay interjected, raising an eyebrow.
Mia’s cheeks flushed as she corrected herself, “I meant brother! Brother! This is hard, okay?”
Jay smirked despite himself. “Are you giving me the speech you gave Dad?”
“Yeah,” Mia admitted, rubbing her head. “I guess it’s kind of the same speech. But Jay, listen. You’ve got to know that we all care about you. I don’t want you feeling like this anymore.”
Jay looked at her, his expression softening. “I know, Mia. I just—sometimes I feel like everyone’s better off without me.”
Mia shook her head firmly. “That’s not true. We all need you, Jay. And we all love you. Even if you think you’re just a pawn, you’re not. You’re important to us.”
Jay nodded slowly, the weight of her words sinking in. “Thanks, Mia. I needed to hear that.”
Mia smiled, relieved to see her brother taking it in. “Anytime, Jay. Now, let’s get out of this bathroom and talk things over properly.”
" It's a room! My room!*
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