Chapter Text
A peaceful night at the monastery is usually a rare one. Whether it’s Lloyd busy training the next generation of ninjas, Kai stopping Wylfyre from accidentally burning something with her elemental powers, or a friendly video game competition quickly turning intense among the Ninja team, chaos can always be found in the home of the Ninja team. For once however, the night was quiet. No dangerous foes were at their door threatening to destroy Ninjago or vowing revenge on one of them. The little found family of Ninjas can relax in peace and enjoy their evening with each other.
Dinner was completed, bellies full and happy faces around the table. The younger ninja recruits; Arin, Sora and Wylfyre, excused themselves from the table to go outside to the courtyard to train. For Fritz and Spitz they stayed inside, off to try out some of Jay’s new video games he recently bought, with Bonzle assuring the adults that she’ll look after them and make sure they don’t cause a ruckus. All that was left at the table was Lloyd and his Ninja team, along with their two friends and partners Pixal and Geo.
“I love it when you cook, Zane!” Cole says after letting out a loud burp. The others around the table hummed in agreement, satisfied with the delicious meal they had tonight, “You always make the best dishes.”
“Thank you,” Zane bows his head, “but I didn’t do it alone. Geo assisted me with cooking dinner tonight.”
“Really?” Cole turns to the Munce-Geckle hybrid sitting next to him, “You helped?”
Geo smiles proudly, his pointy ear perky up as he says, “I’ve been wanting to improve in my cooking skills for a while now, so I’ve been learning from the best!”
Zane chuckles, flattered, “He was a big help. A quick learner too!”
Cole knows all too well of the five years he’s lived with the Finders in the Land of Lost Things that Geo has many impressive talents, but cooking was not one of them. His passion was there but he lacked the skills to make a proper edible dish. Fritz would even say eating nothing was better than eating anything Geo would cook for them. So, when living in the forgotten land, Cole was in charge of cooking the meals for Geo and their kids. An ironic turn of events for Cole for he had a reputation as a not so great cook himself when he was younger. Now he’s home, the Finders and the Ninjas all under one roof, both of Cole’s families together. A big change for them all, and it seems even Geo is making a change working on improving his cooking skills so he can provide and take care of the Finders when Cole’s not around.
Cole goes to take Geo’s hand, telling him softly, “I’m really proud of you.”
“That’s not all I did.” Geo sits up from his seat. He heads off to the kitchen for a moment and returns back with a large plate covered with a dome lid. Carefully setting it on the table, everyone eagerly looks at the plate, wondering what is hidden underneath the lid.
“I hoped you all saved room for…” Gripping the handle, Geo lifts it up, “Cake!”
“Cake?!” Cole gasped. He practically glowed in excitement from the glorious sight before him. A triple layer chocolate cake with whipped cream and sliced strawberries scattered on top. Cole felt as if he was dreaming.
“You’re the best, babe!” He cheers, taking action to cut himself a piece.
“This looks delicious, Geo.” Lloyd smiles, admiring the sweet treat in front of him.
Jay nods in agreement, helping himself to a slice as well, “You've been taking baking lessons from Zane too?”
Geo smiles, sitting back down at the table, “I have! I know how much Cole loves baked goods, so I want to know how to make all of his favorite meals and desserts.”
“You really went all out,” Kai says, taking a piece and placing it on his plate, “Is there any specific reason why you made this?”
“Actually there is! Tomorrow's our anniversary.”
Cole blushes, only responding by giving Geo a quick loving kiss on the cheek before returning back to focusing on eating his chocolate cake.
“Oh, it’s your anniversary?” Pixal’s eyes lit up from the news, “Congratulations! What is it the anniversary of? Your first date?”
Cole and Geo shake their heads.
Zane thought for a moment, “Is it the anniversary of when you two first met?”
“Or your first kiss?” Jay guessed.
They shake their heads again.
“Ooohhh…” Kai gives the couple a teasing smirk, “It’s that kind of anniversary, huh?”
“Kai!” Nya scolds, punching her brother in the arm to shut him up, but all the fire master did was cackle from his joke.
Geo’s cheeks grew flustered from the fire ninja's suggestive guess, “N-No. It’s not that either.”
Cole lets out a laugh, finding it assuming how his friends haven’t figured it out. He thought it was obvious, but it seems they just need it to be spelled out for them.
Shallowing his food, Cole announces to the table, “It’s our wedding anniversary!” before shoving another piece of cake into his mouth. He hums happily, tasting the sweet chocolate cake with the strawberry slices on his tongue.
The table went silent. Staring at the couple in pure disbelief. Did they hear the Master of Earth correctly? Was he making some sort of silly joke? No. Even though Cole could pull something like this, the Munce-Geckle hybrid wouldn’t go along with a prank this serious. Geo just smiled at Cole, watching him happily enjoy the chocolate treat he baked for him. The longer the couple remained silent, the more the Ninjas realized that what they revealed was no prank, but the truth.
“I can’t believe it…” Jay mumbled before slamming his hands on the table and let out a panicked screech that shook the room, “YOU TWO ARE MARRIED?!”
“Yeah.” Cole takes another bite of his cake. Through his chews he asks, “Did I not tell you guys?”
“My memory data does not recall that conversation.” says Pixal, “Zane?”
The Nindroid shakes his head, too stunned to speak after hearing the unexpected news.
“Oh…” Cole thinks for a moment then shrugs, "Well, now you do!” and proceeds to take another bite of his cake.
“For how long?” Lloyd asked, trying to stay calm but his body was shaking trying to process all the information, “How long have you two been married?”
Geo took hold of Cole’s hand then answered, "Tomorrow will be our two year anniversary.”
“TWO YEARS?!” They all screamed.
“Why are you all acting like this is such a shock?” Cole asked, “I thought it was obvious.”
“We just didn’t assume you two were married-married!” Lloyd examines their hands, seeing the couples fingers were intertwined with one another, “We’ve never seen you two wear wedding rings or wear the Yin-Yang medallions, like Jay and Nya.”
The couple look at one another and smile. No words spoken, they reached up to their necks and sneaked a hand down the collar of their shirts. Quickly, they each pulled out a thin piece of rope hanging from their necks, a small semicircle pendant attached to each one. For Geo’s, it looked as if it was made of stone and other minerals, a hint of orange sparkle among the rock’s faint cracks. For Cole’s, it appeared to be made out of two types of metals, iron and copper, fused perfectly together into one solid piece. Though the two pendants were separated, it was obvious that if they were pressed together, it would make a perfect circle, forming into the Yin-Yang promise symbol all couples in Ninjago know too well.
“I made Cole’s and he made mine.” Geo said proudly.
“It’s easier to keep them around our necks and hidden underneath our clothes,” Cole explains, tucking it back under his gi, “It’s important to me. I’d hate to lose it in battle.”
“Mine as well.”
“I can’t believe it…” Jay says, processing all that was said to him. He begins to hyperventilate, then slams his hands on the dining table again. This time sitting up from where he sat, he shouts. “You got married and never told me!”
Cole shrugs, “I’m telling you now.”
“Two years too late!!” Jay screeched, quickly turning into a whine, “I thought we made a pack to be each other's best man if either of us got married! I missed my chance!”
“We were separated by The Merge!” Cole was starting to get irritated, he couldn’t even continue eating his cake.
“All I’m hearing are excuses!" He huffs, “Just for that, you are no longer going to be my best man at my wedding. It’ll be Kai!”
“Please leave me out of this…” Kai mumbles.
Before Jay could ramble on anymore, Nya grabs him, forcing him to sit back down. She gives her fiancé a soft look, telling him to calm down before she looks over at the married couple sitting across the table, “We’re just a little sad we all missed out on such a big moment in your life, Cole.”
The other Ninjas agreed, with Zane saying, “I’m sure your wedding was beautiful! Tell us about it.”
Cole and Geo freeze from the Nindroid’s words. They take a moment to turn and look at each other, eyes widened, then back to their friends. Cole avoided answering by shoving another piece of cake into his mouth.
Geo cleared his throat before admitting, “We didn’t have one.”
Zane tilts his head, unsure if he heard them correctly, “Come again?”
“We didn’t have one,” Geo repeats.
“You didn’t have a wedding?!” Nya was dumbfounded, “Like, at all??”
“Living in the Land of Lost Things, it made a lot of things difficult for Cole and I. We were more focused on whether or not we’ll survive another day, avoiding the Hoarder, and looking out for each other. Especially the kids. We had no time to worry if we could have a proper wedding.”
"So instead, our ‘wedding’ was me and Geo making each other’s Yin-Yang medallions and making our promises to each other, and we've been married ever since.” Cole looks at Geo with a loving smile, “And we’ve never been happier.”
“At the time we didn’t need a wedding,” Geo says, his amber eyes locked onto Cole’s, “Being with each other was enough for us.”
“But you’re not in the Land of Lost Things anymore,” Kai tells them, “You could have a wedding now.”
“That’s a great idea!” Jay perks up, "Tomorrow's your anniversary so it’s the perfect time! We can set something up for you at the monastery, invite all our friends, and you two can have a proper ceremony!"
“That’s true…” Cole thinks it over, “It would be nice to have an actual wedding with all our friends in attendance. I know my Dad will appreciate it too.”
For Geo, the idea excited him but he wasn’t sure if they’ll be able to pull it off at such short notice, “Will we be able to do it though? It is last minute.”
“We can do it!” Nya says excitedly, “If we all worked together, we can give you two the wedding you deserve!”
Pixal raises her hand, “I’ll organize the guest list and Zane can make the wedding cake.”
“I’ll get us the tuxes!” Kai volunteers.
“Nya and I will take care of decorating” Jay lets out a squeal, “I’ll finally get to be the best man!
“And I can officiate the wedding!" Lloyd declares, “As the Green Ninja and Sensei, I’m sure I qualify.”
Cole and Geo were overwhelmed by the many offers from all their friends. Can they really do this? To finally have a proper wedding ceremony with all their friends and family? The thought excited them both. No longer trapped in the Land of Lost Things together, this is the couple’s second chance. An opportunity to finally do this right! A real proper wedding.
“What do you say, Geo?” Cole asked, taking his partner’s hand, "Wanna marry me again!"
“Yeah!” Geo smiled excitedly, “Let’s have a wedding!”