For Jay-Lightning .

Challenge: Black Day in December (I am sooo behind schedule with this... at least it's still November 😂!)

Pairings: Bruiseshipping and a bit of platonic Conya (I could never write them as romantic pairing – heck, I can't even read them!)

Setting: A few years later (but not in line with the latest seasons)... and it's a bit sad.

——-

Black Day in December

"Cole?" Nya gently knocked on the closed door to the spare room. "Can I come in?"

After getting no negative response for a couple of seconds, she carefully opened the door and peeked inside.

The small room was a mess, there was no other way to put it. Untouched plates of food – even cake – were scattered across the floor, and a couple of dirty clothes, including the bloodstained black gi, were lying between or even on top of them. Entering the room, Nya was greeted with a horrible stench, and she felt a rush of bile rising up her throat. The Water Ninja fought the urge to either turn around on the spot or to throw up (or maybe both) and quickly walked over to the small window and opened it, to let some fresh air into the chamber, before she directed her attention to the person sitting on the edge of the single bed, covered only by a white bath towel.

About half an hour ago, Cole had been in no better state than the room, neither in his appearance nor in his smell. Now she had at least gotten him as far as to take a shower and shave, but this still didn't change anything about the fact that the black Ninja looked absolutely miserable.

His shoulders were slumped, the damp black hair was even messier than usual, and when he raised his head to look at the young woman, she could see the dark circles under his puffy eyes.

"I am really sorry, but you need to get ready now." She explained in a soft voice. "We-we have to leave soon. I've brought your suit, I know you don't want to go into... your room right now."

"Thanks Nya." Cole gave her a forced smile, as he took the items from her.

She placed her hand on his shoulders in a comforting manner.

"I'll wait outside, okay?"

As she left and quietly closed the door behind her, Cole looked at his black silk suit. He remembered that, when they had bought it, Jay had remarked that this was the perfect outfit for weddings and for funerals. Back then, it had just been a joke.

Despite his shaking hands, Cole managed to change into the formal outfit, apart from the black tie. Maybe Zane could help him with that one.

The Master of Earth was grateful there were no mirrors in the room, he really didn't want to see himself right now.

When he left his little refugium for the first time in a week (except for occasional visits to the bathroom of course), Nya gave him a small encouraging smile. She held tightly onto his arm, as she led him through the temple. As they passed the open door to the game room, Cole caught a glimpse of the Christmas decorations that were still lying around the room, as if they were just waiting for someone to come back and continue putting them up. They had been interrupted doing just that when the call came. The call about some rogue Nindroids pillaging a nearby village. The call that changed everything. Because... someone didn't come back.

And now, there would be no Christmas celebrations at the Temple of Airjitzu this year. But still, none of the other Ninja had bothered so far to put the decorations away. And so, the unlit light chain was still spread out on the floor in the otherwise empty room.

Ironically, this was exactly how Cole's life felt to him right now. Dark and empty. He was sure that Jay would have found that comparison hilarious, but Cole didn't feel like laughing about it at all. Because Jay was dead.

Cole could feel the grip on his arm tighten even further as Nya pulled him away from the game room, from his memories, and his thoughts.

His brothers – well, the remaining three of them – were already waiting in the entrance hall. All of them were wearing the same suit as to Cole and Jay's wedding just a few months ago.

Yes, you were right about the suits, my love. The Master of Earth thought, as he wordlessly handed his tie to Zane, who immediately helped his grieving friend fix his attire.

When they walked outside, Cole noticed what a miserable day it was. Dark and gloomy. Just like him.

Do you know why you are the black Ninja? Jay had once asked. Because it is the colour of your heart. Then, for a short happy while, Jay had been the light in his heart, but now that the light had gone, it felt even darker than before.

Neither of the five Ninja were anywhere near the mental state to conjure their elemental dragon, so Dareth had offered to pick them up with a helicopter.

After a short and awfully quiet ride, they arrived at the little chapel Ed and Edna Walker had selected for their only son's funeral.

Cole himself had been no help with the preparations at all. After the loss of his husband, the usually very stoic and practical man had completely broken down, so Zane, Kai, and Lloyd had taken care of most of the organisation, while Nya had taken care of him.

Having entered through the back door, the decimated team of Elemental Masters had to walk down the aisle all the way to the front of the church.

His father as well as Jay's parents were already seated in the front row. The Walkers looked exhausted and had aged a lot since Cole had last seen them only two days before the incident. Cole silently embraced the elderly couple, before Lou pulled him into a tight hug.

"I love you, my son." He whispered to the black Ninja. "I know how hard it is to lose the person you love. And I am very proud of you. This is a dark day for all of us."

"Thanks, dad." Cole replied. "I love you too."

While his teammates took their seats with the family, Cole kept walking until he came to stop in front of the open coffin. He lowered his gaze.

Yes, Jay was just as beautiful as he had always been.

There were no visible signs of the struggle that he had gone through. The bloodstained blue gi had been replaced by his navy silk wedding suit, and the injuries had been well concealed. All the pain and fear that distorted the handsome face were gone.

The stunning blue eyes were closed, making him look like he was just sleeping. At least to anyone who didn't know the blue Ninja as well as Cole did. Jay would never sleep on his back or without hugging something or someone – with his husband as the preferred object of choice.

The black Ninja smiled fondly at those memories. He would never forget those little things that made Jay, well, Jay.

Cole would remember seeing those sapphire eyes sparkle with life. Hearing those pretty plum lips crack a stupid joke. Or, even better, having them pressed against his own. And he would definitely remember feeling those soft hands run across his skin.

And he wanted to feel them one last time.

Cole knelt down and placed his hand on Jay's, their rings touching each other.

"The past few months with you were the best ones I've ever had." He said. "I love you, Jason Walker-Brookstone. And I will keep loving you for the rest of my life."

Okay, I hate myself right now. How could I kill my favourite ninja???