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spinchip · 1 year

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I'm Alive in New Light

A Ninjago Fanfic for @thebearmage, featuring Bears OC Hesperia (Otherwise known as Cas!)

Available on Ao3

Wordcount: 7k

Ship: Zane/Hesperia (OC)

Summary:

Cas's bar is a place where anyone in Ninjago can come get a drink and relax to live music, play a few rounds of cards, or watch a round of fisticuffs in the fight ring. Emphasis on ANYONE- from Ninjagos most wanted to the resident elemental heroes. When it comes to clientele, however, Cas has never seen a member of the Ninja team spend a night out here. Not until Zane shows up one day, and just... keeps coming back.

The bar is tucked away behind a Chen's noodle shop and a mattress store, the type of place where you have to walk a poorly lit back alley and down a set of old brick stairs to get to- a stone warrior in a hoodie and sunglasses hung out outside the entrance as a bouncer of sorts, though he never really stopped anyone from going inside. Just kept an eye out for police, mostly, or other types of troublemakers. The place was a hot spot for villains completely by happenstance, since this bar was the only place that didn’t kick out Ninjagos most wanted after one glance. Everyone was welcome here from the darkest of hearts to the purest, even if these old walls didn’t see heroes too often.

It’s the very definition of hole-in-the-wall, a place that you hear of by word of mouth instead of ads or billboards or ninjagos favored flashing neon signs. It’s decently sized in the main downstairs area- there’s booths and tables, a few stools at the bar and leather couches along the walls centered around a raised portion of floor surrounded by a low concrete half wall. The brawling ring or live music stage, depending on the night. In the upstairs loft, pool tables and a handful of arcade games are tucked into one corner along with several larger tables for poker and other card games, there’s a few more spots for seating around the railing above the squared circle. There’s bedrooms and more up on the third level, places where too-drunk villains tended to sleep off their hangovers after a particularly fun night.

It’s Cas’ pride and joy.

When he’d first started up the bar- a handful of months after the death of the Overlord- he’d been lost and alone, looking for direction. This place had become his home. Literally when she’d made one of the empty upstairs apartments his own, and figuratively once they’d set down their roots and opened the bar fully. They had found a purpose that grounded them and set the world right again. As the remains of her Fathers army tracked her down in wake of her inheriting his powers, she’d formed herself a little family too. Many of the Stone Warriors and Nindroids had left when she gave them permission to, but a handful stayed by his side. They knew this place like the back of his hand, and once the bar had really gotten into full swing she knew exactly who would come through that door and when. Her regulars were predictable.

Which is why the cold chill that races up her spine is a surprise- not the shiver of winter wind, but something deeper. A pull in his chest that alerted him to a surprising, but not unwelcome, new visitor. He looks up from where he’s wiping a glass clean and zeroes in on him immediately, standing cool and calm by the front door.

He’s not dressed in his ninja suit, opting for dark jeans and a matching turtleneck under a black jacket. Dressed too smart and sharp for this place’s atmosphere. This isn’t the first time Cas has felt that familiar chill- light and dark are connected and intertwined in deepset, ancient ways. Cas has spent years honing his skill of avoiding the ninja. Not out of malicious intent, just that, well, it’s a bit awkward isn’t it? To run into the overlords spawn- your greatest arch nemesis- in the produce section of a walmart?

The point being that Cas has seen him several times in passing around ninjago, but now it’s… different somehow. The cold that runs along his skin is sharper, prickling goosebumps along the back of his neck. Zane’s powers had always felt mild and gentle, the chill of the first snowfall of winter, not… like this. Humming with a deep and contained turmoil. A blizzard.

Zane doesn’t come into the bar any deeper, walking only two short dashes from the door in case he needs to make a quick getaway and settling onto a leather couch, hidden half behind the railing over the boxing ring, and he’s hyper alert and unsure. The ring has been converted into a stage for the night, an up and coming jazz band playing a set that Zane-even as tense as he is- nods his head to.

Cryptor- who’s sitting in a bar stool behind the bar not helping at all- notices Zane right away, “What,” He snarls, rocketing out of his stool to glare at him over the bar, “Is he doing here!?”

“Relax, Cry. He has got a right to be here just as much as the Mechanic or Killow does.” Cas places a calming hand on Cryptors arm, “This is a place for everyone.” He reminds him.

Cryptor is still bristling, “Whatever.” He says, but doesn’t sit back down.

“Is it possible he has come here to destroy us?” Kozu asks, fingers brushing his sword like he’s itching to pull it.

Cas glances at Zane, who is quietly keeping to himself, “I think… he has come alone.” He frowns, “Either way, I do not wish to antagonize him- or any of his friends, if they join him- unless they cause problems first. Understood?”

At the begrudging confirmation, Cas flags down a nindroid to the bar. She’s gotten herself several modifications and upgrades so she doesn’t resemble a typical overlord nindroid at all, which Cas thinks will be best for this interaction. “Do you feel comfortable going and welcoming our newest guest? And seeing if he wants a drink?”

The bot heads over to him without issue, and even though Zane is tense and watchful as she approaches, he doesn’t lash out.

“Just water.” The girl reports back, and when Zane receives his sealed bottle he doesn’t ask for anything else the rest of the night.

After three hours of sitting tucked away on that couch, he stands up and walks out the door, leaving behind a generous tip on the little side table.

This happens four nights in a row before Cas gets tired of it.

“He is not comfortable here.” Cas sighs, irritated by how that gets under their skin, “If we were going to attack him, we would have long ago.”

“I could attack him now, if you want.” Cryptor supplies unhelpfully.

Cas pins him with a look that makes him sigh and sink back into his chair, put out. Cas beckons over that same waitress that’s been serving Zane his water since day one and pours a drink as she comes over, “Here.” They say, finishing off the fancy looking cocktail with a flourish, “This is for Zane, on the house. As a thank you for visiting my establishment.”

She takes it, shooting a questioning look at Cryptor who shrugs in response. She expertly swerves out of the way of a few drunk men and delivers the drink safely. Cas can see her mouth moving before she turns and points directly at Cas at the bar. Zanes brilliant blue eyes cut straight through the dim lights and cigarette smoke, squinting in confusion. Cas offers a smile and lifts her own glass in a toast, his gaze feeling electric on her skin. Zane nods and takes the drink, setting it aside.

Twenty minutes pass.

“He has not even taken one sip.”

Cryptor groans but it’s Kozu who speaks up this time, “Why are you so fixated on the enemy? He is the man who ended your fathers life.”

“What happened to my father is his own fault. Zane did what had to be done.” Cas countered immediately before continuing, “I made this place to be a spot where both sides of this fight could relax. It is an issue if anyone feels unwelcome.”

More time passes. Zane doesn't touch his drink.

Cas is out behind the bar and heading towards him before she can think. His determined march turns more casual as she heads over, and Zane's eyes are on him before he gets within twenty feet, watching him with hawk-like precision. They stop and lean back against the railing right in front of Zane, arching a brow.

“The drink is just called Dark Matter. There isn’t any actual dark matter in it.” Cas starts.

Zane is leaned back and calm, the perfect picture of poised and relaxed. Cas has no doubt in their mind that he’s ready to strike at the first indication of trouble.

“I am a nindroid,” Zane reminds her, “Alcohol does not affect me.” His voice is lower than the last time they heard it, and strangely hoarse, as if his programming couldn’t remember how he’s supposed to sound.

“I know, but it tastes good.” At Zane's unimpressed look, Cas steps forward and takes the drink. Every plate in Zane's body locked and he’s looking at Cas with dangerous eyes, a rattlesnake poised to bite, but Cas doesn’t flinch. He just tosses back half the drink with one gulp- it’s the bar's signature drink because it’s her favorite. “I hope you’ll try it next time. It really is good.”

“Maybe.” Zane says, relaxing ever so slightly.

Cas finishes the drink in silence before heading back to the bar. When they turn around, Zane is gone.

Accidentally, this becomes their pattern.

Zane shows up, orders a water and hangs around for a while before Cas sends over a dark matter cocktail, on the house. Zane leaves it on the table, Cas heads over and chats while she drinks it for him before returning to the bar. When they look back, he’s always gone.

During this particular night, while Cas is sipping their drink and leaning back against the railing, they ask, “Why are you here?”

Zane, who’d been open and casually chatting about their previous conversation topic (the newest prime empire DLC), visibly closes off. His expression shutters, goes flat, and his eyes lose a light Cas had come to appreciate. It seems every ounce of progress they’d made to break down his walls snaps down the middle, shoving them back out of arm's reach. He’s tense and silent where he’s regarding Cas over the rim of his glass. Cas doesn’t think he’ll say another word the rest of the night.

“I needed to get away from the monastery.” He replies, stilted.

Cas frowns and cuts his eyes away to where he’s swirling his drink in its cup, thinking back on the NGTV broadcast only a handful of days before Zane's first appearance at their bar, “On the news… they said your team had stepped away from their duties to the city to ‘mourn a personal tragedy.’ Is that what you are running from?”

“Presumptuous to assume I am running from something.”

“Are you?”

Zane's' eyes turn chilly, “I am not.”

Cas decides to push their luck, “You have not been seen out with the ninja since that announcement… Were you hurt?”

“I am fine.”

A pause- Cas knows the look in Zane's eyes, the hunted expression he wears when he thinks no one is looking, “You do not have to lie to me. No one from your team would have willingly entered this place two weeks ago, but you did. Something changed.”

Zane looks at the boxing ring where two men had just wrapped up a fight, both bloody and laughing, “Thank you for the drink.” A curt dismissal.

The next night he’s back, and he leaves his drink on the table like usual.

It’s only after Cas has taken the first sip that he speaks, “I am here because I am…putting distance between myself and my friends.” He says, stilted. “Circumstances from several weeks ago have caused an irreconcilable change in me. I am different.”

Cas stares at him for a long moment. Zane meets him eye to eye, challenging him. “You chose a bar filled with your greatest enemies to hide, alone, from the rest of the ninja?”

“I came here because I knew the others would not look here.” He smiles softly and while it is gentle and mild mannered, there’s an unmistakable razors edge to it, “I do not fear the violence of anyone here. I am well aware of my capabilities, now more than ever. Lately, I am more comfortable among these people than my friends.” He seems surprised by his admission, hands twitching as if he could snatch it back out of the air where it sits heavily between them. This isn’t the first time during their conversations that Cas has gotten the impression that Zane is deeply dangerous, but it is the closest Zane's ever gotten to verbally confirming his abilities are on a whole new level.

Cas understands that whatever went down was worse than what happened all those years ago with his father- that Zane's death was near insignificant in the wake of this newest trauma, “You’ll always be welcome here.” They say softly.

Their drink is gone. Usually they head back to the bar, but they don’t want to go. She struggles to find more words for a moment, “Can I get you anything else?”

Zanes mouth twitches into a ghost of a smile, “Yes.” He says, to her surprise, “I would like to order the bar's signature drink. I believe it is called a Dark Matter.”

Cas gives him a perplexed look before shaking the empty cup, “You had one. I just drank it.”

“I am aware.” There is a moment of hesitation before Zane says, “I wanted to try it after the third day you sent it, but I thought that if I did, you would not come over. I have come to appreciate our talks.”

A bit of heat floods Cas cheeks, just the barest bashful blush, “Come sit by the bar, then. We can talk while I make it.”

Zane stands but after glancing at his watch, winces, “There is no more time tonight.” He says regretfully as they walk towards the front of the bar together, “Tomorrow, I will sit at the bar.”

“And you’ll try my drink.”

“And I will try your drink.” They stop at the door, the moment strangely poignant. a heartbeat passes, “Goodbye, Cas.”

“See you tomorrow, Zane.” Halfway to the bar, Cas looks over her shoulder. Zane is standing there still, hand on the doorknob, and he smiles slightly before stepping out into the alleyway.

“EW.” Cryptor announces loudly as Cas comes back behind the bar, “WHAT is with the goo-goo eyes.”

“Shut up.” Cas grumbles, face hot.

“You two have become especially close in these past few evenings.” Kozu observes, “You have been in higher spirits since your friendship has blossomed as well. Noticeably.”

“He’s my sworn enemy, remember? Yours too. He killed your dad?” Cryptor points out again, flicking a complimentary peanut out of the little bowl and across the bar top.

“I already told you both I do not hold any hard feelings for that.” Cas shrugs, rinsing her empty cup just to be doing something with her hands, “He is not my enemy. In fact, I think the two of you might actually have more in common than-”

“DON'T finish that sentence.” Cryptor fake gags, throwing himself face down on the bar dramatically.

Cas chuckles quietly, putting the glass away. Kozu’s words sit accusingly in the back of his mind… Sure, she liked talking to Zane. She even looked forward to their little ritual, but was it really affecting his mood so much that Kozu- famously dense when it comes to interpersonal relationships- was picking up on it? Zane was leaving his drink for them, bidding for connection that Cas found she was happy to turn towards. He was a great conversationalist, even the most mundane topics like what laundry detergent he liked best was captivating. Cas liked chatting with him. Cas liked Zane.

As a friend of course. Anything more would just be… messy. Especially since Cas had accidentally on purpose omitted the fact that the Overlord was their father.

“Regardless of any past transgressions, he is welcome in this bar just like everyone else… and I do enjoy talking to him.” They admit before a mischievous grin curls their lips, “And you have to admit, he is… well built. I mean, when his shirt is unbuttoned? The craftsmanship-”

“I’m covering my ears! Can’t hear you!” Cryptor announces loudly, clapping his hands over his head, “La la la la la!!!”

Cas just laughs.

Zane sets the glass down with a clink, face thoughtful as he mulls over the taste. He’s a chef, it’s in his nature! “I thought it was a dark rum, I was not expecting vodka.”

“And blue curacao.” Cas adds, “Cranberry juice, sour mix, and grenadine for color and taste too. It’s good right?”

“It is.” He smiles, taking another drink, “How has your day been?”

“Uneventful.” He talks while he pours a martini for Reflectra, “It’s inventory day so I spent all day here-”

The conversation flows easily as Cas recounts her day and Zane his, breaking off into several tangents during. Cas seems to learn something new about Zane everyday, like his favorite type of bird or his dads name or what he puts into his pot roast to make it taste the best. Little nuggets of information Cas tucks away into their brain for some unknown point in the future. A group of people walk in and Cas shoots Zane an apologetic smile before going to serve them, and it’s during this moment where his back is turned that Cryptor swoops in. Cas doesn’t hear how it starts, but she can definitely hear how it’s going.

“You have no idea what you are talking about.” Zane's voice is razor thin and dangerous- so much so that alarm bells ring in Cas’s head. That tone of voice is what makes them turn around in the first place, to try and damage control.

“Oh yeah? Prove it then.” Cryptor is leaned over the counter glaring at him. He jerks his head towards the empty fighting ring behind him, “Show me.”

“No.” flatly, Zane turns away.

“Cryptor,” Cas starts, but doesn’t get any further.

“You are afraid of me! The great ice ninja is a coward!” He leans back with a vicious grin, “That is why your team has been fighting without you, isn’t it? Zane, left behind and benched because he’s too pathetic-”

Zane bolts to his feet, whipping around to glare at Cryptor with a chilling rage. He turns on heel and storms into the ring, shrugging off his jacket and slinging it over the railing before he spins around. The room is silent as Zane begins to roll up his sleeves, deadly calm. All eyes are on him. “I am no coward.” He doesn’t smile, face smooth and near emotionless, “If you challenge me, I accept.”

Cryptor pauses for only a heartbeat longer before his face twists into a cruel smirk. He vaults over the bar and follows Zane into the ring, tugging off his hoodie and tossing it on the floor. Cas tears out from behind the bar, joining the forming crowd around the two with a rising sense of dread. They want to ask them to stop, but the ring was here for this exact reason. Let off steam, settle disagreements- and they were both adults. It didn’t stop the lead in their stomach dropping to their feet.

Kozu is at the gong, ready to ring it as soon as they both give him the signal that they’re ready.

Ding!

Cryptor lunges across the ring with deadly intent, throwing himself at Zane claws first. Zane steps out of the way and jumps back, putting that space between them. His face is tense and focused as he dodges several more strikes to Cryptos fury. After a particular dodge, When he rests a hand on the concrete wall of the ring, a layer of frost swirls from his fingertips. The moment he notices it, he flinches and yanks his hand away, clearly attempting to will away the reaction. Zane's too distracted to dodge Cryptors next blow, the fist across his jaw causing him to slam into the wall with a grunt.

“Yes!” Cryptor crows, “Finally! I am so tired of this cat and mouse. Fight me!”

Zane nods to himself and stands up, putting up his fists and finally going on the offense. This time, when Cryptor dashes at him for another swing, his dodge is accompanied by a foot at Cryptors ankle that causes him to stumble. No time to get his footing, Cryptor stumbles and isn’t ready for Zanes' kick. He aims directly between his shoulder blades and Cryptor slams face first into the side of the ring with a grunt, recovering quickly and stumbling back to his feet. It goes on like this for longer than a typical fight in the ring, and Zane’s retaliation becomes increasingly more brutal until he cracks the concrete floor with a heel strike intended for Cryptor's throat.

Finally, Cryptor gets the advantage, but just as he goes for the finishing blow- a staff of pure ice springs from Zane's hand, blocking the blow before it could land.

Something changes. The air grows colder, thinner. It’s harder to breathe. From Zane's feet, a thin patina of ice forms jagged and sharp across the floor.

When Cryptor goes to attack, his feet slip. Zane looks at his opponent-

Cas doesn’t breathe.

Zanes eyes are empty, cold, and detached. As Cryptor struggles to get back to his feet, there is no mercy in Zane's' eyes.

Cryptor curses and scrambles on ice. Zane flicks his wrist and ice encases Cryptors arms up to the elbow and his feet to the knees. He’s immobile, unable to escape. Pinned like a bug. Kozu shrinks the gong again, signaling the match has ended.

Zane won.

Pulling at his hands Cryptor groans, “You would pull something like this.” He spits venomously.

The air gets colder. He’s standing over Cryptor and Cas can’t see his face, but he watches Cryptors. He watches the way Cryptors annoyance bleeds into fear- real fear, bone chilling fear as he looks up at Zane. The staff in his hand flattens at the end and forms a razor sharp and deadly blade.

“The fight is over!” Cas calls, firmly.

Zane turns to look at them. The electric blue of his eyes are glowing in the shadows cast on his face. Cas chokes on a wave of cold that suffocates the room.

He’s going to kill Cryptor. He’s going to kill everyone.

“Zane.” Cas coughs out, and that breaks the spell. Zane jerks, dropping the staff that turns to snow before it hits the ground. The oppressive chill lifts, and Zane leaps over the rim of the ring and basically flies out of the door before anyone can even think about catching him.

Anyone other than Cas, of course, who’s on his heels the moment he’s out the door.

“Zane!” He calls again, the two of them scrambling up the fire escape of the apartment complex two blocks down from the bar. She hauls herself up on the roof after him, “Zane, talk to me-”

“That is why I do not fight with the ninja- why I am not allowed to fight with the ninja.” Zane spits out, stumbling against an air conditioning unit. Ice crawls from his fingers immediately, covering the unit and causing it to groan unappreciatively.

Cas gets to their feet, “What is?”

“I am a killer. I was going to kill him.” He takes a shuddering breath, so uncanny to see on a nindroid.

“But you did not.” approaching cautiously, Cas tries to find the words Zane needs to hear.

“I wanted to.” He yanks his hands off the AC, staring down at his palms accusingly, “If I hadn’t snapped out of it I would have killed everyone in that room.”

“Zane…”

“I have to go. I need- I need to go.” He turns around to face Cas and he looks so tired and scared and Cas can’t make any of it better, “I’m sorry.”

“Zane!” Cas calls, but he doesn’t follow the man when he disappears into the night.

When Cas comes back to the bar, the spectacle still has people buzzing,”Hey, you okay?” Cas asks Cryptor, who’s sitting behind the bar again. His ice bonds had turned to snow when Zane had made his escape.

“I’m fine.” He doesn’t elaborate, and Cas knows he’s not telling the truth. They won’t get anything else out of him until the bar closes and everyone is gone, “How’s your boyfriend?” he adds icily.

Cas winces, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to run off and abandon you. It was just so… out of character.”

Cryptor sits in silence for a moment, “...Yes, it was.” He admits, and there's a flicker of fear in his eye that’s swallowed up by newfound respect.

“And he’s not my boyfriend.”

“Yet.” Kozu adds for her, “Did you catch him?”

“Yes, but he wasn’t interested in having a discussion about what happened. He stopped long enough to tell me he needed space.” Cas glances over at the fighting ring, at the crater where Zane had nearly shattered Cryptors skull, “...I don’t think he’ll be back for a while.”

She doesn’t see Zane again for two weeks.

She’d gone on a walk to get some fresh air after moping around their apartment for a while, mood weird and unpleasant. The park was nice around mid-day like this, and as he walks around the pleasant landscaping and thoughtfully placed benches, she sees him sitting in the grass next to the pond. She stops walking, staring at the back of his head for a long moment, unable to decide whether to move forward or turn away. What was the right move?

Zane makes that decision for them. He twitches then looks around- maybe he’d been able to feel Cas’s gaze- twisting around and spotting them down the path. He smiles and it’s only slightly strained, offering a friendly wave.

So Cas joins him, “Hey. Do you mind if I sit?”

“Not at all.” He’s holding a bag of corn, which isn’t as weird as it could have been. The ducks are all over him, begging for treats. One is even sitting in his lap, enjoying gentle pets.

There’s a pause, several moments of peace, “I’ve missed you at the bar.”

Zane winces, “I have been meaning to come back.” He offers Cas a handful of corn and they’re both swarmed by waterfowl before they can blink.

“What happened back there, Zane?”

He winces again, this time turning his face away in shame, “I…”

He doesn’t finish, and Cas is okay with that. They feed the ducks quietly for a long time before another word is spoken.

“After the pyro vipers invasion in Ninjago City, I died.” He says suddenly, “That is the closest thing I can describe it as. Death. I was sent away to another realm. My memories were erased, and I did a great deal of unforgivable things. Things I never would have done before.”

“Zane…”

“I changed. My friends brought me back, but it is all wrong now.” He scratches a duck under its beak, “When I fight, I aim to kill.”

“Sometimes, to protect people, it is necessary.”

“You do not understand. The end goal is death in any fight, no matter how insignificant. Part of me does not see the point in mercy- and that is not all. So many of my principles, the things that made me who I am, have been destroyed or changed because of my time in the Never Realm. I came to your bar that first night because I did not know who I was. There was no way I had to act inside those walls. The monastery is suffocating and ill-fitting, there is so much expectation. I have to be the version of myself from before the Never Realm, but I am not that man anymore.”

Cas allows the silence to settle for a moment, “Who are you?”

“I am still trying to figure that out.” The ducks pick his handful of corn clean, waddling away when he doesn’t move to pour another handful.

Cas reaches out and places his hand on Zanes' empty one, “If you need help figuring it out, you are always welcome at my place.”

He smiles softly and Cas loves the way his expression warms, “Thank you, Cas. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“The bar is closed right now. Would you like to join me for a sparring session?”

Zane pins them with an incredulous look and Cas laughs a little, “Nothing serious that might trigger blood lust. I am thinking that casual, low stakes combat might help you reign in some of your natural reactions.”

Zane hums, “It is possible… I am interested, yes.”

After emptying out the last of the corn for their feathered friends, Cas and Zane walk back to the bar in companionable silence. It’s quiet and still inside, so when they walk through the door Cryptor is immediately aware of their arrival, “Look who the Cas dragged in.” He snarks.

“Hello, Cryptor.” Zane responds wryly, then frowns and hesitates, “About our fight…”

Cryptor holds up a hand to stop him, giving him an unimpressed stare, “Don’t ruin my new respect for you by doing something stupid like apologizing.”

Zane cracks a weak smile, “Understood.”

Cryptor holds out his fist so Zane can bump it, “Good job.” He says begrudgingly. Then, with a smirk, “You left your jacket, you know. Cas has been keeping it safe.” he leans in close, “They won’t stop wearing it.”

“THANK YOU Cryptor! Okay! you can leave now.” Cas physically shoos him up the stairs while he snickers.

Mortified, Cas slowly turns around to face Zane. He’s smiling wider, “It’s a very comfortable jacket.” He says graciously, but the teasing undertone in his voice makes a bit of heat flush Cas’s cheeks.

“Let’s just get to sparring.” She mutters, hoping the fight will mask her blush.

Zane was a formidable opponent before the Never Realm, and now he’s downright vicious. Cas stops the fight several times when Zane's attacks go from friendly jabs to focused and dangerous, centering Zane before they continue. Zane catches himself a few times too, smiling triumphantly when he starts to recognize his patterns and triggers so he can work with them safely. They’ve been exchanging friendly jabs and maybe a few suggestive moments in close combat, but it all culminates when Cas gets a lucky leap at Zane. He trips backwards and Cas lands on top of him, pinning his hands to the floor with a victorious cheer. Cas is sweating and breathing hard, and Zane looks just as perfect as he did that morning at the pond.

The air goes thick with tension.

Zane shifts his pinned palms so their fingers can lace together. The smile on his face grows warmer, more open and inviting. Cas leans down slowly, waiting for any signs of resistance but there is none.

His eyes flutter shut as they come closer, close enough to feel the slight chill that radiates off Zane against their lips-

“Cas!” Kozu calls urgently, clobbering down the stairs. Cas jumps off Zane, scrambling to their feet awkwardly.

Cryptor is clinging to him and tugging backwards, trying to haul him back up the stairs, “Kozu shut up! They are having a moment!”

“I am sorry to interrupt, but I believe you need to be made aware of the situation in downtown Ninjago.” Kozu says briskly, flipping on the TV above the bar.

Zane bolts to the bar at the sight of his friends. Fugidove is robbing Ninjagos history museum with a gang of lackeys as help, but it seems the hired muscle is more interested in fighting than money. Fugidove looks nervous and keeps trying to get them to retreat, but they’re all engaged in a brawl with the ninja that looks more brutal with each passing second. Zane darts for his sweater and phone, opening it to a wall of notifications from his friends.

“They need my help.” He says gravely, looking back at the screen. His hands are shaking, just barely. What if he can’t control himself?

Cas puts a hand on his shoulder, “You can do this.”

Zane reaches up and squeezes her hand appreciatively before blowing out a breath of icy air, “I will be back later tonight.” He promises before he disappears out the door.

He doesn’t come back.

Cas watches a nightmare unfold on the screen once Zane arrives at the fight. Cryptor and Kozu have been grilling them over what exactly they’d walked in on when Zane's white gi catches Cas’s attention. He throws himself into the fray and for a while, he keeps himself together. No unnecessary violence.

And then he’s hit.

A man manages a lucky kick and he stumbles backwards- another blow to the back of the knee and he falls just right so his temple slams against the curb of the sidewalk. There’s an ugly, viscous looking crack that’s leaking dark fluid.

The man is mortally wounded before the broadcast can realize what’s about to happen and cut the air. His body is still and stiff where spires of ice have slammed through skin and bone. The concrete is splattered with blood. Zane staggers to his feet and raises his hand again, towards the remaining men- a loud TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES banner pops up on the screen, and Cas is so worried for Zane he feels ill. He darts for his phone and snatches it up before just staring at it. They had Zane's' number, had gotten it the night of his fight with Cryptor, before the brawl.

He calls.

It goes straight to voicemail.

Every chair, table, couch- even the liquor bottles and glasses behind the bar- glows purple and rises up off the ground. Cas reminds himself to breathe and everything lands with a clatter (or a crash, but Cas didn’t care about destroying a few bottles of rum in the wake of that broadcast.)

“I should have gone with him.” Cas whispers, reigning in their powers.

It’s 2 hours of pacing and checking NGTV.com before the headlines hit: SKIRMISH IN DOWNTOWN NINJAGO LEAVES 11 INJURED AND NINJA MISSING. The news had cut at the first sign of blood, but that hadn’t stopped Zane's' rampage. Ten of those injuries had been bad enough to send them to the hospital, with four in the ICU with grim prospects. To top it off, Zane fled the scene and is unable to be located by anyone- not the police, and not his friends.

Cas closes the bar for the night.

“What are you going to do?” Cryptor asks while Cas scribbles out a note to tape to the door so his regulars don’t waltz in.

“I am going to look for him.” He says firmly, “He does not need to be alone right now.”

“You know where he would go?” Kozu inquiries.

“No, but I have to try.” They pull their shawl tighter around their shoulder, bee-lining for the door.

Kozu and Cryptor both follow them, exchanging a sidelong glance, “Is this wise?” Kozu asks gently.

“He almost killed those guys. What if he attacks you?”

“I can handle it.” And before they can ask any more questions, Cas is gone.

It’s 4 am when they drag themself back into the empty, quiet bar. All alone. They went to the park where they fed ducks, scoured rooftops and back alleys, checked out any break-ins, and even peeked through the windows of the Mechanics newest hideout just to be sure. Zane was nowhere to be found. Cas double checked and did a lap around the city to be certain, but she was still half human and her exhaustion was catching up with her. She needed sleep, they could try again in the morning.

He decides to try his phone one more time, trotting up the stairs to their apartment. They open the door as they hit call, pressing the phone to their ear as they kick off their boots.

In their apartment, deep enough to be out of sight of the entrance, a cell phone rings.

He’s around the corner before he can think, peeling around the corner to come face to face with Zane. Well, Zane's back. He’s faced away from them, staring at the mantle still and motionless. There’s no telling how long he’s been standing there. His phone is tossed aside along with his shurikens, both streaked with oil.

“Zane.” Cas breathes, “I was so worried-”

“What is all of this.” Zane cuts them off, voice flat.

“What?”

Zane doesn’t respond and after a heartbeat it clicks. There were mementos of his father, things he kept on the mantle or the bookshelf right beside it. News clippings, scrolls, photos… the most damning one a picture of him and his father.

The silence grows thick with tension, “He was my father.” he says quietly.

Zane whips around and his eyes glow in the darkness of their apartment, “Your father? You- what is this? Is it revenge?”

“No-!”

“Were you going to trick me, manipulate me into developing feelings for you then- then-”

“Do you really think I would-”

“I do not know!” He snaps, his hands come up to grip his forehead. The crack on his temple looks worse in person, “I thought I knew you, but clearly I do not.”

“What happened between you and my father is in the past,” Cas says firmly, taking a step closer to Zane.

Zane clenches his eyes shut, “I killed him. I killed all those people. I am a monster.” He’s clearly in the middle of a massive breakdown, shaking all over.

“No, Zane.” Cas dares to take another step forward, “You’re not a monster. I am sorry I kept this from you, but I am not angry with you over what happened.” He reaches out, “That fight… Sometimes good people do bad things.”

“Am I a good person?” He opens his eyes and they seem dimmer now, and Zane is swaying on his feet, “I do not know that either. I don’t know who I am anymore.”

Cas rounds the edge of the couch and manages to catch Zane right as his legs give out. He’s been awake too long- even Nindroids need to sleep. Cas feels touched that he came here to rest, even if it had unintended consequences, “You don’t have to have it all figured out. We can find out who you are now together, Zane- but I can guarantee that you are not a monster.”

Zane slumps against them and Cas carefully places him on the couch, wrapping a blanket around him. He sits quietly on his recliner, watching over him as the sun begins to rise.

He opens his eyes at noon, blinking awake sprawled out on the chair with a blanket he certainly hadn’t grabbed tucked around her.

They get to their feet slowly, coaxed into the kitchen by the smell of hot coffee.

Zane is there at the breakfast nook. There’s two cups of coffee on the table, and he smiles weakly when he sees her. The crack on his head is packed with paper towels and wrapped up with gauze, and he looks leagues better than he did last night.

“We should talk.”

Cas is surprised at how smoothly it goes. Zane is a great deal calmer than he was last night, able to really understand and hear Cas’s words rather than give in to panic and fear. They discuss guilt and forgiveness and finally, where they go from here.

“I enjoy spending time with you, Zane.” Cas says honestly. “I am interested in seeing where this goes.”

Zane is quiet for a long moment, “I meant what I said last night. I do not know who I am. If you want the white ninja… he is not here any longer.”

Cas reaches over and touches the tips of Zane's fingers with her own, “I have no expectations of you, Zane. I meant what I said too- I want to be there while you figure it all out, either as your friend or…”

Zane smiles softly, “Thank you, Cas. I… I want that as well.”

“Let's not label anything yet then. We can let it happen naturally, however that may come about.” Zane agrees with Cas’s suggestion.

Several moments of calm silence pass before Zane's phone dings and he winces, “...I believe I must go home now.”

“Your friends?”

He glances at the notification, “They are… not upset with me. Just worried.”

Cas nods, “Understandable. I will walk you to the door.”

They take the stairs down in silence and blissfully Cryptor and Kozu are nowhere to be found. They get to the door and Zane takes in a rush of air to fortify himself.

“I’ll see you soon?” Cas asks.

Zane smiles before he reaches out to squeeze Cas's hand, “Tomorrow night.” He promises, “I would tonight but I do not believe my friends will let me out of their sight.” He jokes.

“Tomorrow night, then.” Cas hesitates, “And Zane… My name is Hesperia. Cas is only a nickname.”

“Hesperia.” Zane tests out quietly, “I like it.” He smiles and laces their fingers together for a moment, a simple goodbye, and then he’s gone.

“Ooo, someone has a boyfriend!!!” Cryptor materializes out of the stock room, giggling all the way.

“Be quiet.” Cas snaps, but can’t hide their smile.

#ninjago #zane julien #ninjago oc hesperia #kozu ninjago #cryptor ninjago #blood #injury #violence #fighting #zane is a little trigger happy #s11 consequences #spinchip fic #ns11 #spinchip posts #writing commissions

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