Requested by marsy-

The wind throws itself against the walls of the Monastery. Rain falls against the roof, the sound echoing around. Thunder and lighting stomp and flash in the sky, the sounds keeping the ninja awake and feeling uneasy.

It's been six months since the water ninja sacrificed herself to save Ninjago City from Kalamaar and Wojira. A long, devastating six months.

There is one ninja who hasn't cried or spoken since she left. He was decanted, of course. His younger sister, who he's sworn to protect his whole life, was gone. She sacrificed herself. Kai couldn't help but blame himself.

Watching outside, a soft whimper escapes Kai's lips as the rain trickles down the glass of the window. Shakily reaching out, he places a finger against the glass, following a small raindrop down onto the window ledge.

Another small whimper escapes his lips as his vision begins to blur. Swiping a hand over his eyes, he stands up and stumbles towards his boyfriend's room, not willing to let anyone other than the love of his life see him crying.

Reaching up, he shakily knocks twice, making sure that the sound is loud enough for Cole to hear it through his oversleeping, but not too loud as it would alert the others, and that's the last thing Kai wants.

The door creaks open and Kai's face to face with his very clearly tired boyfriend. Cole's hair is sticking out in every direction and his tired eyes blink a couple of times.

"Kai?" Cole murmurs quietly, "what's-"

Cole stops himself mid-sentence as he takes a proper look at Kai. The poor boy is shaking violently, his lips shaking and his eyes full of unshed tears. Opening the door, Cole silently invites his boyfriend into his bedroom. Kai darts in and closes the door behind himself, locking it too.

Cole silently sits on his bed and opens his arms to Kai. Kai launches himself into them and falls onto Cole's lap, instantly grabbing his shirt with his shaking fingers, before bursting into loud cries, unable to hold it in any longer.

Cole jumps at first, usually, it takes a while for Kai to open up and cry in front of him. He silently wraps his arms around Kai and holds him close to his own body, something he knows Kai finds incredibly comforting.

Kai cries openly, unable to hide it or keep it to himself anymore. His body shakes and jolts violently as he continues to cry. Almost silent whimpers escape Kai's lips, the sound breaking Cole's heart.

As his whimpers get louder, Kai's cries turn into sobs.

"Breathe," Cole murmurs, holding Kai securely on his lap.

An almost silent wail escapes Kai's lips, his body shaking with sobs, the sound breaking Cole's heart. Cole hushes him and gently rocks him, trying to soothe the younger.

"Baby...shh...I know. I know you just wanna cry and hide all day. I know...but you need to breathe."

Kai wails again, this time a lot louder than the previous time, shattering Cole's heart. Cole holds the boy closer to his body, making sure his hold is tight so he knows that Kai feels safe and secure.

"I know baby...I know. I'm so, so sorry."

Kai shakily lifts Cole's hoodie and shuffles under it, letting it drop down and hide him. He rests his head against Cole's bare chest, directly above the older's heart, whimpering softly as a steady heartbeat floods through his ears.

"Shh...shh sweetheart."

Cole pulls Kai up slightly and rests his head against Kai's, his heart breaking as he feels the younger shake underneath him.

"I know hon...I-I know. I need you to breathe for me."

Kai's head snaps up, their dark eyes meeting. Cole nods slightly.

"In through your nose and out through your mouth."

A loud sob and hiccup is Cole's only response.

"Please Kai," Cole almost begs the younger, "I'll do it with you."

Kai's turns his head up to meet Cole's. The older forms a, what he hopes to be, a reassuring smile and a small nod. Kai sniffles and reaches upwards.

Cole tightens his grip on the fire ninja. Gently holding Kai's head against his chest, Cole takes a deep, steady breath in. He smiles once he feels Kai take a shaky breath, the boy whimpering at the action. Cole threads his fingers through Kai's hair as he steadily releases a breath. Cole gently pulls Kai's head up and showers him with small, gentle and soothing kisses after he feels Kai breathe out.

"You did it, baby. I'm so proud of you."

Kai grabs Cole's wrist and pulls his hand to his cheek, looking up at Cole as tears run down his cheeks. Cole hushes him and cups Kai's cheek with his hand, gently rubbing his thumb across Kai's cheek, drying his tears. Kai sniffles and whimpers, sobbing.

"Hey...can you do that for me again honey?"

Kai nods shakily and does what Cole asks, his body shaking and tears running down his cheeks. Every time Kai successfully breathes in and out, no matter how shaky it is, Cole plants small kisses all over his face, something that's always soothed and calmed Kai.

Eventually, the sobs lessen in volume as Kai cries himself to sleep, keeping a tight grip on Cole as he falls asleep against the taller's chest. Cole slowly lays down and holds Kai against his body, threading his fingers through the shorter's hair.

"I'm so, so sorry baby...I know it's hard. I know. You did really well and I love you so, so much. I'm incredibly proud of you," leaning down, Cole plants a soft kiss on Kai's forehead.

"I can't even imagine how hard this is for you but I need you to know that I'll never, ever leave your side. I'll always be here to hold you and hug you while you cry or if you just want to hug in silence for hours, that's completely fine. I love you so, so much."