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Ninjago was blanketed in autumn. Lately, the streets had been unbearably cold and damp, but there was a certain atmosphere in that. Everyone in the city was enjoying pastries, coffee, and cozy scarves. But the youngest Smith could never quite get into the autumn spirit.
Autumn landscapes stretched across the entire area — endless fields covered in a thick layer of fiery orange fallen leaves. A light breeze softly brushed her face, while the remaining leaves on the trees clung to the branches as if waiting for the fall, like their very lives depended on it. They seemed to tremble in fear, not from the wind.
On the stairs leading up to the monastery stood a girl. Her hair whipped in the airflow, making the strands tangle and knot even more than before. Nya stood frozen in the silence, scanning her surroundings. Her eyes wandered across the landscape, not searching for anything in particular, but trying to distract herself, to take in every rustle and footstep, every voice and movement. With her arms at her sides, the brunette took a deep breath — and then... Achoo! So loud that the birds perched on the swaying branches startled and shot up into the sky, scrambling to get away as fast as they could.
To be honest, Nya hated autumn... All that mud and slush just didn't sit right with her. Layers upon layers of clothing uncomfortably restricted her movements — she couldn't even scratch her own back properly, let alone train! Her aversion to layering was probably what led to her catching a cold in the first place. All Nya had on was her basic leather jacket, a turtleneck she'd barely been talked into wearing, jeans, combat boots, and Walker's scarf he'd lent her for their walk. Autumn rain was a whole separate category of suffering for her. "But she's the Master of Water!" Sure, technically, but spring and summer downpours always made her smile and feel genuine joy — unlike the autumn ones. In the summer, during one of those "storms," you couldn't drag the girl back inside.
...
– Nya! Get inside already, you're soaked!... Nya-aa!!
Walker, without stepping past the threshold, was yelling indignantly. Catching his breath between shouts, he huffed and grumbled. No matter what, she wouldn't come back — just kept splashing through puddles like a little kid, for crying out loud! You could rarely catch her in such a carefree mood, which made it even more mesmerizing. Her truly childish grin from ear to ear, her wet hair plastered to her neck — it actually made his wind-blurred eyes snap wide open, unwilling to miss a single second of her charming beauty.
And the guy wouldn't have minded watching her like that for the rest of his life, but the rain wasn't exactly drizzling, and it sure didn't feel warm either. He was worried about her. What if she caught a cold? What if she tripped and fell face-first into a puddle? What if she slipped and hurt herself?! Aw, screw it! Grabbing a huge towel, he dashed into the yard, ran up to Nya, and quickly draped it over her head.
You're out of your mind?! I keep telling you, you're gonna freeze! Look at your lips — they're blue already, check it out!
Nya laughed joyfully. Jay's sense of responsibility only ever kicked in during those rare moments when she allowed herself to be a little wild. She absolutely loved it, and the smile just wouldn't leave her face. He nervously traced her slightly cold lips with his thumb, putting on the most pitiful expression he could muster.
– Let's go inside! Go, go, go! Move it, Smith, move it!
Nya, with the towel wrapped around her head, lazily made her way toward the monastery, while the curly-haired guy, trying not to get wet himself, pushed her in the back to speed her up.
...
Her nose was annoyingly itchy, and her nostrils were completely blocked. No matter how desperately Nya tried to get even a tiny breath of air, it was useless — she was officially sick. She tried not to let on that her condition was gradually getting worse, tried to keep a straight face and show up for every training session. Her nose and ears kept clogging up, her head ached with every bit of exertion, and her body felt like it was being put through the wringer from the fever. She thought nasal spray and a bunch of pills would keep the symptoms at bay, but day by day, the team started watching her more and more warily. Every sneeze and cough became more frequent, and her sluggishness and drowsiness grew more obvious.
– Nya, are you feeling sick by any chance?
Cole asked with concern, deliberately softening his tone to avoid pressuring her.
– Nope-nope! I'm totaaaally fine!
The girl drawled out her denial, brushing off the remark. She tried to wave him away, not wanting to show her face, which had become gaunt from all the treatments and poor eating. Her skin had gone dry, and flaking was visible in some places due to dehydration.
And, as luck would have it, right before the planned outing, the brunette finally gave up. Her head was spinning, and her legs could barely hold her. Resigned to the situation, she cleared her throat and turned to face her friends, who were just stepping out of the monastery, laughing and joking with each other in their usual manner. How embarrassing! So humiliating! Just admitting she was wrong, confessing her weakness...
The chatter and laughter died down, and all eyes were on the girl, who had dropped her head toward the floor. She nervously shifted from foot to foot and scratched her nose. She didn't even have to say a word — everyone was already focused on her. The team watched Smith warily, clearly about to make some kind of important announcement. She hesitated for a long time, but she couldn't stall any longer — right now, all eyes were on her.
– I...
– You're sick.
Nya froze. Did she say that out loud? Or was it just her overactive imagination? But quickly snapping out of it, she tried to pull herself together. Jay had been worried sick about her for a while now, but she was so stubborn she wouldn't say a word! Walker never liked to play offense, but given the circumstances, wasn't it justified? Right?
– Uh... yeah? Just a little, though! It's just a cold!
– Case in point!
Kai blurted out, and everyone started exchanging glances and voicing their opinions, discussing the problem right in front of her. They started dishing out advice left and right again! Ugh, so annoying... She knew perfectly well she was in the wrong, but when people point out the obvious in that tone of voice — it's just too much! The youngest Smith glared at everyone from under her brow, already stomping her foot on the ground, hoping someone would finally get the hint! Only Jay looked at her chafed nose with regret in his eyes, as if pitying her with just his gaze. He fidgeted, not knowing where to put himself. But he allowed himself, as her boyfriend, to take her cold hands in his, rubbing her reddened skin with his thumbs.
– Want me to stay home with you?
It seemed like such an ordinary question, but it warmed her heart. The warmth spread through her whole body, and Nya leaned a little closer to Jay. He was the only one who truly knew how to handle her eccentric personality. He didn't shame her or even scold her — just softened, his voice full of concern. But he'd really wanted to go to the arcade today.
– Yeah... If you don't mind?
– Of course I don't mind!
He let out a relieved breath, took her by the forearms, and slid his hands down the length of her arms, as if he'd been waiting for that answer. Turning away from his yang, he nodded to the guys, signaling them to go without him. Only the eldest Smith gave him a nod in return, hoping he'd take care of his little sister. Of course, relying on Jay was a gamble at best, but what was reassuring was that around her, he always tried to keep his clumsiness in check and hide his reckless streak — even though there was really no need. Everyone already knew about the guy's cocky behavior, but at least he tried...
Once inside, Walker was already buzzing around her. He rummaged through all sorts of cabinets and drawers, put the kettle on, turned on the TV, and after settling the brunette on the couch, brought her a blanket, a heating pad, and fresh fruit, like some kind of offering. Nya barely had time to react before she was wrapped up in several layers of very thick blankets.
– Jaaay, I'm roasting!
From under the fabric peeked the girl's face — well, part of it. Her nose stuck out just beyond the blanket's edge. Slightly scrunching up her face, Nya watched the hurricane of activity inside the brunet.
– Oh, I didn't think of that! What if...?
– Jay, just calm down and sit with me, okay?
It was like he'd been doused with cold water. He silently sat down next to her on the couch, occasionally glancing over at her. Just in case she needed something?
The girl could see out of the corner of her eye how often he kept looking her way. It was sweet, but it was exactly what she'd been afraid of. That excessive worry — she could feel the weight of that responsibility pressing down on her. "Nya, you got sick, you cracked, and on top of that, you made everyone worry! Idiot, idiot, idiot!" She couldn't stand feeling helpless. She couldn't even take care of herself! How could she talk about protecting everyone else? That feeling of being useless — it was the worst.
Already regretting her moment of weakness and her sudden confession about her condition, she made another attempt to breathe in — again, no luck.
– Jay... did I really mess up your plans today?
Burying her face in her knees, she turned away, anxiously waiting for his answer. Even though she already knew it by heart.
Meanwhile, Walker, who'd been staring at her face, suddenly snapped out of his trance. This question was so outrageous and uncalled for! Here she was, the girl he'd give his life for, and she was worried about some arcade that could be rescheduled any time?!
– Nya... Ny, how can you not get it?
His gentle, drawn-out voice washed over her from head to toe, sending a pleasant shiver down her arms. She loved it when he called her that. "Ny." Not sure if the tremble was from the fever or from his sweet words — the girl curled up, curling her toes.
– Your health is always my number one priority...
– Nya, you're my forever and always number one.
Unable to hold back, she smiled and turned to face him, not hiding her emotions. Smith stared at him like he was something so precious it shouldn't even be touched. Like he'd shatter any second, fragile as porcelain. It only made her want to pull him close so tightly that he'd feel the same euphoria she did.
He understood her without words — the moment she looked at him, he wrapped her in a firm embrace. Without a second thought, she hugged him back, squeezing his shoulders even tighter. She felt drowsy — was the relief finally here? The weight lifted off her shoulders, and the brunette's grip on his back slowly began to loosen. The only thing the girl remembered afterward was some mumbled nonsense from Walker in his sleep — which didn't really concern her anymore.
...
About a week passed, and the sickness just wouldn't let go. The city was blanketed by a continuous downpour. The guys even had to put out various containers on the porch because the roof was leaking — repairs they'd been putting off until now. The weather was probably connected to the Master of Water's condition, but that was just speculation. Walker was completely wrecked. All day long, he just ran back and forth from the kitchen to his yang's room. Everyone kept telling him to stay away, in case he caught it too. The worst part was that, despite all his care, he couldn't share her pain. He wasn't afraid of getting sick, suffering, running a fever. If he could, he'd take her place in a heartbeat! Seeing her like this — he couldn't stand it. His strongest, most beautiful, most independent Nya Smith — now only occasionally opening her eyes to take a few sips of water. Nothing could break her fever, and she refused to go to the hospital.
Gently stroking the back of the brunette's hand, he mumbled something under his breath. It was unintelligible, kind of like some strange incantation.
– The kitty-cat's sick, the puppy-dog's sick, but Nya's not sick...
Jay felt like the main character in some cheesy drama. Like Titanic or Romeo and Juliet. But the ending was always the same... He proudly lifted his chin to keep from crying right in front of the sleeping Nya.
In the dead silence, a hoarse chuckle rang out. His pupils contracted, and the brunet's head snapped toward the sound. Smith, letting out a heavy sigh, covered her face with the back of her hand.
– Pfft! What about the kitty and puppy? No pity for them?
– I pity you...
Nya fixed her gaze on him. So charming, yet so miserable. Once again, she felt guilty for the pain she was causing him. That's not what she wanted at all! Smith would give anything right now to make him feel even a little better.
– You look so sad, Jay — seriously, stop making that gloomy face...
– You only wake up to drink water! What kind of face am I supposed to have?!
Jay realized how loud he'd gotten, and then, as if regretting his sharpness toward her, he covered his mouth with his hand. His emotions had gotten the better of him ever since his yang confessed to not feeling well. Slumping his shoulders, he hunched over the girl's bed, looking guiltily at her. He wanted to sink through the floor.
– Sorry.
– It's okay, I know this is hard on you.
Nya placed her palm against his burning cheek. Her hand felt so cool against his heated skin — he didn't want to let go at all. An oppressive silence hung in the room. Only the quiet crack of knuckles could be heard from Jay.
– Stop cracking your knuckles! It's bad for your joints...
Even in this state, she found a way to nag him about his health. That was Smith's thing — ignoring her own issues while misplacing her priorities when it came to herself.
– Oh, whatever...
He rolled his eyes dramatically — not with arrogance, but more with a note of annoyance. His worry didn't count, and on top of that, she was giving him grief. He thought that was the height of audacity, but he loved her way too much — he couldn't bring himself to say anything harsher than he'd already said.
Jay glanced through the slightly open shoji leading to the monastery courtyard. The fresh air flowed in nicely, filling the whole room. Nya loved the smell of rain and wet earth, but with her stuffy nose, she couldn't fully enjoy it. He knew that well, so he just looked at her, seeing her wistful expression.
The brunette, noticing his sad face, scoffed and rolled her eyes. She made it her mission to cheer him up — he looked way too down. Like he was the one who was sick.
Nya reached her hand out toward the street and merged several raindrops into one big one. With a deft flick of her fingers, she splashed it right in Walker's face.
– HA-HA-HA!! Your face totally scrunched up!
A wave of the girl's laughter rang through the room. She was holding her stomach, curled up in a ball on her bed, theatrically wiping away nonexistent tears.
– Nya! You just love messing with me, don't you?
– Kinda?..
Jay clicked his tongue and burst out laughing too, wiping his face with his own t-shirt. Seeing her smile after so long was worth everything — he could take a little prank.
Their breathing steadied, and they silently gazed at each other. Her chest slowly rose and fell as the rain filled the silence in the room. She gently squeezed his hand, stroking the back of it with her thumb.
– You'll see, Sparky — soon I'll be back on my feet, and you'll finally get to go to your precious arcade... Promise.
– Screw the arcade, just get better already.
He kissed her burning cheek, changed her cold compress, and left the room with a glimmer of hope for the future. After all, it was just a cold, right?
The next morning, Ninjago City was bathed in beautiful, bright sunshine, and the girl greeted Walker with a happy, affectionate hug when he brought her breakfast.