Chapter Text
Heavy rain thumped against the roof. Every now and then, there was a low rumble of thunder. Not exactly the perfect weather for a celebration. They'd defeated the Nighlok earlier that day. A pesky one that had pretty much woken them up in the early hours of dawn. Not a very smart idea, because a worse thing than a samurai is a cranky team of five.
Ok, four, since Jayden seemed to be ready to fight Nighlok 24/7.
Three, because it was pretty much Kevin's regular wake-up time.
And OK, Emily was pretty much used to getting up early due to living on a farm and Mia didn't seem tired either-
Fine, it was just Mike who was super cranky. Which still worked in their favor since he was so done with the Nighlok that he decided to forgo cracking jokes to kill the Nighlok as fast as possible so he could buy Starbucks.
The plan was to go the beach to relax a little before continuing the regular routine of training again, but the weather threw a wrench into that plan. And so, after a lot of bargaining with Ji, the end result was a little get together while Ji was out for the evening.
Mike cracked his sore shoulder. “Ugh, stupid Nighlok...”
“You know, you wouldn't have been so tired if you just stuck to a healthy sleep cycle.” Kevin quipped.
“Aw, come on Kev, when else am I gonna find the time to do something fun nowadays.” Mike whined as he leaned back in his chair.
“I mean, the dojo's alarm is a great morning alarm.” Emily giggled. “Got all of us immediately awake.”
Mike just crossed his arms. “Hey, I almost jumped out of my skin this morning.”
Emily and Mia giggled, before Mia stood up. “You know what we could use? Some snacks! I'll go make some.”
She might as well have said another Nighlok was on the loose. Emily, Kevin and Mike immediately jumped up from their seat.
“Uhh, actually, I think I've got some snacks stacked away somewhere, we should finish those first.” Mike said very quickly as he ran out of the common room.
“Mia, you've been working really hard today, why don't you go sit down and let me get some refreshments?” Emily suggested, gently but forcefully sitting Mia down again as Kevin quickly mentioned getting them all some water first.
Confused but touched, Mia sat down again, just as Jayden walked into the room. “Antonio's not joining us, said he-, wait, where is everyone?”
“Mike is getting some snacks, and Emily and Kevin are getting drinks.” Mia explained. “I wanted to try making this healthy snack I saw in a magazine once, but I think everyone will be back soon.”
He got the gist of things immediately. “Uh, maybe it's for the best. We shouldn't stray from our regular diet too much.”
At that exact second, Mike walked into the room, carrying several bags of potato chips and dropping them onto the table. Jayden avoided eye contact with Mia.
Kevin and Emily thankfully walked in a few moments later, bringing drinks for everyone. Emily cocked her head at the amount of junkfood on the table. “Where did that came from?”
“My secret stash.” Mike winked at her.
Kevin frowned at him. Mike rolled his eyes. “Liven up Kev, one night of chips isn't gonna kill you.”
He wasn't amused. Mike briefly nodded his head towards Mia, who was looking at Kevin hopefully. Kevin retracted his statement. “Alright, alright, just this once.”
It earned him a 'yes' and triumphant airpump from Mike as Mia settled down disappointed. Trying to divert the conversation, Emily turned to Jayden. “Is Antonio coming?”
“He can't make it.” Jayden answered.
“Bummer.” Mike sighed. “He's fun.”
Mia smiled at him. “I'm sure he'll join us next time. So, what should we do?”
Emily's eyes lightened up. “We should play a game!”
“Truth or dare.” Mike grinned.
“No.” Kevin said firmly. “Last time you made me prank Ji.”
“Exactly why we should do it again.”
“No, no, no no no.”
Mia thought, finger brought to her lips as Kevin and Mike argued. “Oh, how about 'Never Have I Ever?'”
Emily clapped her hands together with a wide smile. “Ooh, yes!”
Mike groaned dramatically. “That game is boring.”
“I'm in favor.” Kevin quickly said. “As long as it's not truth of dare I'm in.”
“I... don't know how to play.” Jayden awkwardly admitted as he scratched his neck. Four pairs of eyes turned on him.
“Wait, seriously?” Mike asked.
“It's really easy.” Mia scooted over a little closer to him to explain better. “We all go in order, holding up our hands, and when it's your turn, you say: Never Have I Ever and then something that you've never done in your life before. And anyone who has done that thing folds a finger. The game ends when there is only one person holding up fingers.”
“Girl's sleepover game.” Mike complained, paused, then grinned. “Wait, I'll start and demonstrate. Never have I ever... worn pink.”
Mia and Emily glared at him as they raised their hands and then lowered one finger, Mia's glare especially harsh. Mike just laughed as he turned to Kevin.
“Put your finger down Kev, the ballerina counts.”
“I thought we had agreed to never bring that up ever again.” He grumbled, but lowered a finger.
Mike just stuck his tongue out, before staring confused at Jayden. “Dude, why do you have a finger down?”
“Because I have worn pink before.” Jayden merely stated.
“Wait, seriously?” Kevin asked, a bit surprised.
Jayden just gave him a Look. “My wardrobe consists mostly of red and white.”
They all simultaneously went: “Ahhh...” as they nodded.
“Alright, my turn.” Kevin propped himself up, biting his lip for a second to come up with a good one before grinning. “Never have I ever... stayed up past 12pm on a day that wasn't New Year's Eve.”
“What??” Mike squawked. “Dude, not even once?”
“Nope.”
“I've never done that either.” Jayden chimed in.
“Me neither.” “My mom always made me go to bed on time.” Both Mia and Emily quipped.
Mike looked bewildered at all of them, before sighing and putting down a finger in defeat. “You guys are all nerds.”
They shared a laugh at that. Emily excitedly looked over at Jayden. “Your turn, Jayden!”
“Come up with a good one.” Mike cheered him on.
Jayden put a hand to his chin, thinking silently. The others watched, curious as to what he'd come up with. Finally, Jayden shifted in position, leaning forward a little and smirking.
“Never have I ever... watched a movie.”
…
Silence.
Complete, utter, silence.
Jayden frowned. “...Guys?”
Kevin broke out of his trance, shaking his head. “I'm sorry, I don't think I heard that correctly. Did you say...?”
“I've never watched a movie before.”
Mike leaned forward, and Jayden wasn't sure if he liked the strange look in his eyes. “Ok, you gotta explain this one.”
He shrugged. “There is no TV in the dojo, remember? Never visited a movie theater either.”
And Mia frowned at him, a similarly strange look on her face. “But... not even a children's cartoon?”
“Not that I remember.” Jayden tentatively shook his head. “Maybe before I was 5... but I have no idea, I don't remember watching any TV beyond going to the hardware store.”
“Ok,” Kevin said, almost sounding as if he was a little out of breath. “I'll go ahead and say even I have watched movies in the past. But man, I thought for sure Ji would have showed you old samurai movies.”
Jayden chuckled. “Nah, he doesn't like those. He once said he only liked the really old ones, and he hasn't been able to find a copy of one.”
They were quiet for a moment, until Emily piped up. “So... everyone except Jayden puts down a finger?”
Though a little disoriented, the game did in fact continue like normal, and Mike and Kevin clearly used the chance to tease each other again. Of course, the normalcy lasted until it was Jayden's turn again.
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TO THE CIRCUS?!”
The game ended with a triumphant Jayden, holding up a total of 7 fingers, and four drained, concerned and bewildered teammates.
“That was fun.” Jayden's eyes shone, looking at the others. “So what's next?”
But they didn't respond, pondering in silence with faces that ranged from very confused to very concerned. Kevin had even stood up, walking around aimlessly, hands in his hair.
Jayden smiled nervously. “...Hello? Guys?”
Finally, Mike stood up, taking in a deep breath and releasing it. “So, I think we're all in agreement here.”
Frowning, Jayden looked at him. “Agreement of what?”
“That we need to sneak out Jayden and let him do normal stuff for once in his life.”
Kevin jumped, sputtering as the others got up too. “Sneak out? Ji will be livid!”
But Mike turned to him, eyes steeled. “You heard him. Dude never got to play video games, watch a movie, go to the circus... you know, things normal kids are supposed to do.”
“But to go against-”
“I'm sorry Kevin.” Mia interrupted him as she straightened herself. “But Ji had many years to let him be a kid. And I cannot stand for this.”
Emily just nodded with the same resolve in her eyes. “Come on Kevin, we're his friends. What kind of friends don't do fun things with each other?”
“Plus, every teen sneaks out once in their life.” Mike added.
“I didn't.”
“OK, counterpoint: you're boring.”
Jayden sighed. “Am I going to get a say in this?”
“No.” They all shut him down.
And Kevin closed his eyes, sighed deeply... and finally caved. “Fine... but this was your idea.”
Joy finally returned to Mike eyes. “Got it. Now, obviously we can't all sneak him out at the same time or just after one another, because that'll make Ji suspicious. So, I'm thinking of a planned schedule...”