Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Zane felt certain that they would all continue to get along after discovering their new home. 

He was so sure, until finding them all holding a secret meeting without him squeezes the warmth from his heart in one fell grasp. 

He doesn’t linger to eavesdrop this time. He hears their tones, hears how Wu says absolutely nothing, and books it to the crows nest. Thoughts flood in rapidly, carried by errant winds of emotion.

This isn’t unusual, he rationalizes within. They barely tolerated him at the orphanage. 

He’s too different, apparently. Too quiet, too spacey… 

Too much. He knows. 

He’s lost on what to do. He’s hurting somewhere. 

He can’t remember how he used to cope with pain. Minutes pass, melting into a few hours of struggling to meditate.

With his eyes shut tight, breath held in the top of his lungs, he fights off the intrusive memory of gunshots from Jay’s game, fends off the image of sharp scissors from the kitchen, and relinquishes control when he hears his name from below. 

“ Zane! Zaaane! “ Nya hollars on the deck of the ship, after three hours of his torturous ‘meditation’.

He doesn’t answer. He feels too fatigued to respond kindly.

“ We have to put up posters in the city for the blades! Are you coming with us? “ 

Zane waits until she searches for him below deck to crawl down slowly from the ladder. 

He sneaks up on her in the doorway of the kitchen, watching with a practiced flat expression as she stutters on about their plans when he ignores her queries of whether or not he heard her summons. 

Seated at the table, Cole gives him a contemplative squint of his eyes, but Zane ignores that too. He hardly waits for Zane to leave before turning to Kai, to whisper something indiscernible. 

Wu is lingering by the doorway to the deck, halting him when all the others have already gathered in uniform. 

“ Sometimes, our greatest enemy is our own mind. Find your patience with difficult situations and feelings. It is quite funny how complications tend to unravel, all of their own accord. “ 

Zane isn’t in the mood for wisdom, even if it does give a fractal of comfort. “ You love to meddle, Sensei… Give your brother my iciest regards. “ 

Wu blinks, stunned for a change, until he breaks out into laughter. Zane chuckles softly with him. “ Takes a meddler, to know one, “ Wu hums, smoothing Zane’s errant hair back. “ I will return in time. Watch over our team until then. “ 

He pulls him into a hug before Zane leaves. For some reason, it’s Wu’s kindness that hurts the most. Zane wonders if that’s how his brother felt, whilst enduring his darkest days.

The journey to the first village on their list is uneventful and tense. He’s happy for them to be in their own vehicles at least. It gives him the space to rev his bike extra loud when he kicks up frost upon landing. 

Nya splits up their tacky little fliers still warm from the mass printing, giving extra to Kai to hand to Zane. She takes off with Jay trailing close behind her. 

Zane ignores whatever Kai happens to be saying, snatching his stack from his sweaty hands, and marching off to find a nice, quiet alley to begin their advertisement. 

“ Talk about frigid, “ Kai mutters at his back, when they’ve found themselves reconvening upon a lantern store front. 

“ Give him some space, “ Cole advises, giving Kai a friendly punch on the shoulder. Their familiarity twists and coils a beast of loneliness in Zane’s gut, reeling around as though it may bite him, and begin the slow turn of his venomous nature. 

He’s on the verge of spiraling when he realizes the dis-ease he feels isn’t just from his self consumed thoughts, or the store owner beginning to harass him. An indescribable pull directs his attention to the sky. 

Zane gazes at the clouds, feeling incredibly misguided when his first friend gives a shrill cry. 

“ Your falcon! “ Jay says excitedly beside him, crackling with energy when he grabs hold of Zane’s arm.

“ … He’s just a Falcon. He isn’t mine, “ Zane replies tartly. He contemplates sprouting wings himself, eager to join the clouds the bird weaves through just to get away from his own low mood. He shrugs off Jay’s arm, ignoring the hurt look in his eyes. 

“ Every time he shows up, he leads us to something cool! “ Kai says, making an excellent point. 

“ I’ll go by myself, “ Zane states.He thinks he’s freed them of the burden of following when Cole grabs the back of his new gi. 

“ That’s not how we roll, Zane. “ Cole affixes him with his Serious Leader stare. “ It’s dangerous to go alone. “

“ We’re obviously going with you, “ Kai confirms, tapping playfully beneath Zane’s chin with a wink. 

Zane ghosts past his charming demeanor before the falcon escapes his line of sight any further. 

He takes no notice of how his teammates follow anxiously behind him after Jay briefs Nya. 

The arid sand is barely compatible with any of their vehicles, so a warm journey on foot leaves them unmasked beneath the sun blazing overhead.

“ Man, I can’t stand the heat, “ Jay whines, hanging his head low as they trudge on. “ I grew up in this, but it never got any easier… “

The falcon seems to tease them with pretty circles in the breeze only a bird can feel. 

“ I love it! Can’t get enough of it! “ Kai gloats, strutting proudly through the desert.

Cole doesn’t seem interested in their banter however. He’s been trying to stare a few holes through Zane to catch his attention, but the ice elemental is great at ignoring people. He does so accidentally, all the time. 

“ Zane? “ He asks finally, garnering the nosy attention of their other teammates when Zane is silent. “ Why don’t you ever get any mail from your family? It’s almost been a year that we’ve known you, and I don’t even know when y—, “ He’s interrupted by Kai and Jay clearing their throats very obnoxiously. 

“ What?! “ Cole snaps, whirling around to their debatably secretive expressions. “ I wasn’t gonna say—, “ He’s interrupted again by Kai faking a coughing fit. 

“ Drink some water, perhaps. “ Zane offers his canteen to his strangely amused companion. 

“ Thanks, Snow, “ Kai chuckles, grabbing it to take a generous swig, before coughing genuinely after mouthful. “ This is freezing! Why is it slushy?! “ 

Jay snatches the canteen from his hands, hugging it to his flushed face. “ Wow! Oh, wow! Oh man, that’s so nice… “ He also takes a swig, dumping a bit down the back of his neck into his shirt, before hugging it again. 

Kai and Jay begin squabbling noisily over it, whilst Cole stands in front of Zane, arms folded over his chest in demand of an answer. 

“ … I’ve been an orphan for as long as I can remember, “ Zane admits begrudgingly, watching Cole’s demeanor soften from stone to clay. 

He looks embarrassed, stunned into awkward silence by how Kai and Jay have also stopped fighting to look abashedly between Cole and Zane. 

Jay is the first to leap into action, delving between them to stare up at Zane, striking a goofy pose. “ I was an orphan once!! I’m not supposed to know… But I’m adopted!! “ 

Kai and Cole squint at Jay, expressions pinched as they shake their heads. 

“ Yeah. I can tell. “ Zane retorts, watching Jay flush even more as Cole and Kai break out into uncontrollable laughter. 

“ Actually? “ Jay asks nervously, appearing dejected until Zane unwinds his own waist cloth tying his gi together. Jay stutters, baffled as Zane pulls out one of his shuriken and approaches him for alteration.

“ I was only messing with you. Stay still, please. “ He places the flat weapon carefully atop his messy hair after threading his waist tie through, looping one end beneath Jay’s chin, and bringing it back up to fix a bow at his crown. 

“ Cold!! “ Jay exclaims happily, staring up futilely at his upgrade. 

“ My canteen sits atop where I keep the blades. Don’t lose it, or I will make you search, all by your lone—, “ He doesn’t get to finish his threat. Jay throws himself into Zane’s arms, smooshing his face into his sternum with a very peculiar expression, based upon Cole and Kai’s irritated looks. 

Affection from Jay is fairly typical, but the moment seems to stretch on longer than his other teammates have patience for. Kai yanks the lightning elemental away by the scruff, giving Zane an apologetic look.

 “ Return to sender!! “ Kai says with a snarky laugh, thumping Jay with a flick in the forehead. 

“ Uh, weren’t you paying attention to my lore drop Kai? They didn’t want me!! “ He throws some of the slushy water into Kai’s face, presumably because he’s not looking at him, his attention set on the scar on Zane’s abdomen instead. Kai sputters, beginning to chase the reinvigorated Jay around for revenge. 

Zane chuckles, turning to face Cole with a kind smile. “ I’m not upset that you asked. “ 

“ Asked what? “ Cole says, also looking unsubtly at Zane’s torso until he appears to catch himself doing so. He seems determined to play it off with a joke. “ It’s blinding!! “ He laughs, holding his hands up to shield how his complexion floods with a blush. 

Zane flips him off, making them all giggle as he turns his back upon the signalling screech of the falcon above. He continues onward, feeling maybe just a little lighter than before. 

Chapter Text

Leave it to Cole to look excited over a rich mound of earth that towers near impossibly high into the semi-darkening sky. The wind brings in clusters of moody clouds, singing low with thunder, warning them against taking too long on this stretch of their journey. 

Kai and Jay do not share the earth elemental’s enthusiasm, but they do vocalize their determination to be rewarded for their adventure, no matter how grueling the trials may be. 

Zane reclaims his shuriken and sorts out his gi. He takes Cole’s lead, listening to him carefully as he calls out where to put their hands for purchase up the mountain. 

“ For Zane… All for Zaney, “ Jay chants to himself below, causing Kai to take pause on a stable ledge to laugh at his companions' waning energy. He lingers there to pull Jay up with him, ruffling his hair. Jay leans against the mountain face to get the whining out of his system. 

“ Are you over exerting yourself by showing off? “ Zane teases Cole above him, grinning when he looks down from standing atop another protruding level. 

“ Pah! I could eat this climb for breakfast! “ Cole gloats, blinking affectionately at him until his expression morphs into one of concern. 

Zane feels his next handful give way beneath his fingertips, and a wave of terror floods his body. He’s scared of losing all his progress, but even more so of potentially inhibiting and harming his other friends beneath him. 

“ Jump!! “ Cole commands, lowering himself to his stomach to stretch out his hand. He locks his firm grip with Zane’s own, and lifts him all the way up to his level with a slight swing, and a gentle yank that utilizes the momentum.

Zane lands on his feet elegantly, but makes the mistake of looking down at what would have been a nasty fall, wobbling with vertigo until Cole’s hand squeezes him. 

“ Hey! Look at me! Don’t look down. I’ve got you. “ He guides, looking so calm and reassuring in ways Zane doesn’t feel like he deserves. 

He’s not too sure what compels his actions, but he gives into the impulse, and allows himself to crowd into Cole’s space, clutching at the front of his shirt as he buries his face into his neck. 

Cole is unresponsive at first, eventually wrapping his heavy arms around Zane when he tries to pull away near immediately for fear of making him uncomfortable. “ You’re shaking, “ He states softly, squeezing him close into his warmth. “ It’s okay… I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise. “ 

Zane can’t find any words. He’s too focused on leveling his breathing, on leveling his agitated pulse. 

“ If we do fall, “ Cole begins, chuckling into his hair, “ You can use me as a cushion. My fluff can handle it! “ 

Zane laughs breathlessly, rubbing at his own misty eyes. “ I am heavier than I look. “ 

“ I really don’t mind, sweetheart! “ Cole keens. He shys when Zane emerges to meet his eyes with a warning stare. 

“ … Don’t flirt with me, Cole. “ He smoothes down the front of his shirt, petting over his heart. “ You’re cute, and I’ll take things way too far. “

For a moment, Zane wonders if he’s imagining how the mountain trembles, or if it’s simply a lasting effect from his dizzy spell. 

Kai hollers with warning, clinging at his spot in the climb until the trembling subsides.

“ Deep breaths! “ Zane teases, implementing as much healthy distance as he can. They shared plenty of moments of closeness before, all loaded with a similar sense of tension. Cole’s expression is indiscernible as he looks anywhere but Zane’s eyes. 

“ Sorry about that you guys!! Indigestion or something!! “ Cole shouts down to their teammates.

“ Or something, “ Zane chuckles quietly. His nerves are eased when Cole smiles brightly, still hiding beneath his inky bangs. 

“ I’m gonna need a cuddle after all this, too! “ Jay yells up, receiving two disgruntled stares, and a third amused one.

“ Ew! Absolutely not! “ Cole shouts down, making Zane laugh.

“ Yeah, I’ll pass, too! “ Kai says, speeding up his progress just a little. 

“ I wasn’t talking to you guys!! “ Jay screeches as the clouds rumble with his irritation. 

“ If you can beat Kai and Cole—, “ Zane shouts, beginning to swiftly scale the remaining terrain, “ —I’ll give you a kiss too, Jay! “ He looks down to the others when he reaches another platform, smiling sweetly.

Cole and Kai are staring up at him with mixed expressions, before a great crack of lightning signals Jay’s rapid ascent. He does a backflip off the mountain face into his fighter jet, sending a great whoosh of air past them as he lands at the top.

Jay pants ferociously, clearly having exhausted himself to do such a feat, likely flopping to the ground to regain his breath. He scoots to the edge of the mountain face, placing his chin in his hands, kicking his legs behind him with a downright foolish expression. 

“ I’ll wait! “ 

Zane’s laughter seems to be shared by the falcon. “ Is there anything interesting up there, Jay? “ 

“ Me! Duh!! “ He shouts back, crawling away before returning to the ledge with a smug expression. “ Ooh! I found some rope! Hold on, let me tie it to something… “ 

He drops it down to Zane first, who salutes his effort playfully. 

“ Wait a minute, “ Cole says, making a couple of impressive leaps as Zane begins pulling himself upwards with greater ease. “ Why didn’t you fly up from the start Jay?! “ 

Kai laughs at the idea. “ Hey Zane? “ He asks, catching his line of sight when Zane joins Jay at the top. “ Did you know there was rope the whole time? Like, did you foresee it, or something? “ 

Cole pauses, glancing at Kai before looking back up to Zane’s face disappearing from view. 

“ I wish it worked like that! “ Zane laughs, snatching Jay from the ledge by the back of his gi and placing a hand over his mouth when he gives him big, startled eyes. “ Perhaps I would have foreseen this mountain being a pain in the ass! “

They’re silent for what Cole may assume is too long, as his tell-tale signs of rushing are followed by Kai’s laughter. 

“ Muah!! Muah!! “ Zane calls out to them, allowing Jay to snicker beneath his palm. 

The rope begins to wiggle over the ledge, announcing Cole’s imminent arrival. He peeks his head over the top eventually, eyes narrowed at Zane’s smiling face a couple feet away. 

“ I’m really questioning your alignment buddy, “ He says with a grunt as he hoists himself over the ledge. He waits until Kai is close enough to lend a helping hand, and Zane allows a pause for them to catch their breaths. 

“ I think today—, “ He begins, tapping his chin as he watches the clouds cluster, “ —It is chaotic good!! “ 

None of them are expecting how he grabs Jay’s shirt, pulling him in for a proper kiss. 

It lasts all of three seconds before all the hair stands up on Zane’s arms, leading him to throw himself away from him just in time for a bolt of lightning to strike and scorch the ground between them. 

Cole and Kai cover their ears to process tinnitus. 

Jay lies flat on his back, expression complex. “ … I think I’ll catch my breath for a while, “ He squeaks. 

Zane laughs, resting for a moment more, before leading the others onwards. 

One down; Two to go, he thinks. 

Chapter Text

“ Hey, Zane? “ Kai asks after a while, continuing when he doesn’t respond. 

“ Who do you like more? Cole? Or Me? “ 

Cole whirls around to give him an incredulous look, ready to sass, when Zane hums with contemplation. 

“ Hmm… Good question. “ He says, giving a great pause before Cole squirms, and interjects.

“ Well? Do you have an answer? “ Cole asks, jaunting forward to block his path, arms folded over his chest. 

Kai seems to think that it’s a fantastic way to garner attention, because he does the same, scarred eyebrow raised expectantly at the ice elemental. 

“ I like you both equally! “ Zane diffuses, unsurprised to find them unsatisfied with the answer. “ There are many great and unique qualities you two possess. You are both very kind friends. “ 

Cole shakes his head, chuckling. “ Friends, huh? “ 

Kai laughs. “ You know that’s not what I’m talking about. “ The fire elemental shifts his weight when Zane stares at him blankly. “ Romantically. Who’s the better prospect? “ 

Zane huffs, lost until an idea strikes. He’ll need to pre-occupy them with one another if he expects to make a break for it.

“ Whichever one of you is the better kisser! “ Zane states, watching them both jump with a sweet smile. “ Surely, that is a fair assessment. “

“ … What? “ Cole says flatly, swallowing hard. 

“ How are we supposed to find that out?! “ Kai exclaims, flaring his nostrils. 

Zane taps a finger against his chin. “ Hm. Perhaps, you should both kiss, and tell me who is the victor! “ 

Cole and Kai look at one another, before taking two steps away. 

Zane walks through the space created, determined to press on, when he’s siezed on either side. 

“ Drats… “ Zane mumbles, thinking he should have ran instead. 

“ You actually almost got away with that, “ Cole says with a disbelieving laugh. 

“ That was really smooth. Good one, Zane. “ 

“ Stuck between a rock and a hot place, “ Zane muses, testing their grips on his sleeves. 

“ Is that how the idiom goes? “ Kai giggles, tilting his head with a grin. 

“ No. No, it’s not. “ Cole banters back, following Zane’s eyesight to the loose tie at the front of his gi. He realizes it’s a diversion all too late when Zane’s hands slip behind himself. He grabs his shuriken, flinging them to the ground, and cementing both of his friends in place with a block of ice up to their thighs. 

Freedom!

Zane skips across the overturned tree, humming a merry little tune when he’s tackled suddenly by the world's sweatiest hands right as he reaches the end. 

“ Not so fast, Snowflake!! “ Kai says, attempting to tickle him. He stops when he realizes it’s not working like it does on Nya. 

“ I can turn it off at will, “ Zane informs him, hands poised atop his hips defiantly. 

“ I’m going to catch up to you!! “ Cole threatens from across the cavern, wincing as he slowly chips away at the ice trap with his scythe.

The guilt gnaws at Zane. He flees before it causes him to reconsider.

“ … You are unbelievable, “ Kai says to Zane’s back. He chases after him into the snowy terrain. 

“ Hey… Zane? “ Kai asks again, trudging carefully through the surmounting snow. 

“ What is it, now? “ Zane replies with a hint of annoyance, glancing sidelong when Kai chuckles. 

“ You seem to be in a better mood than this morning, “ He states, punching him gently in the arm. 

“ Did you pick up my shuriken when you freed yourself? “ Zane inquires, ignoring Kai’s statement simply because he knows it will aggravate him.

” Uh… Yes? “ Kai replies, pulling it out from his belt when he pauses, halting in his step. 

“ … Can I have it back? “ Zane pries, reaching towards the weapon until Kai holds it far from his reach. 

“ Hmm. Maybe. For a price! “ He taunts, grin crooked.

Zane stares at him blankly before turning to where the falcon leads, trekking forward a few paces as he ignores Kai’s sputtering. 

“ That is so not fair!! “ He exclaims, running up behind him to grab at his shirt, forcing Zane to turn around and smack his hand away. 

“ What isn’t fair? “ Zane asks, blinking up at his silly pouting.

” You gave Cole a hug! I totally saw that! “

Zane rolls his eyes, ready to interject, when Kai rambles on. 

“ And! And!! You kissed Jay! On the freaking mouth, dude! Mega ew! “ 

Zane laughs at that, unable to help himself.

“ It’s so not funny! Do you know what I’ve caught him doing to his pillow?! “ 

Zane laughs some more, allowing Kai to grab his shoulders, and give him a little shake. 

“ Stop laughing! He’s actually really gross! So serious! “ Kai leans in, making intense eye contact. “ I wish it was just kissing!! I wish he was only sort of weird, and only made it to first base with that thing! But it has sentience now! He’s crossed all the lines!! I’m so fucking for real!! “ 

Zane hangs his head, sighing deeply. “ … His bunk is right above mine, Kai. You do not need to elaborate any further. “ 

It’s Kai’s turn to laugh. “ I know you did that to encourage his uh, tendencies, to be directed more towards people. That was very kind of you. But you never have to sacrifice yourself, ever again. “ 

“ … Are you speaking from a place of jealousy? “ Zane asks, prodding the center of his chest. 

“ I’m saying it out of concern for your health. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him wash that thing. “ 

They laugh together, and shudder mutually. 

“ You dodged my question, “ Kai prompts, putting a hand beneath his chin, so they lock eyes once more. 

Zane would be lying if he said it was easy to do, as his amber stare blazes into his own icy blues. “ You technically never asked me anything. “ 

Kai mocks him with a nasally ‘Technically’. “ Fine then, smart ass! I’ll ask you properly! “ He heaves a great sigh. 

Zane wonders if he’s growing tired of him. 

“ What’s the matter, Snow? You’ve been upset all day. Be straight with me. “ 

Zane stares for a moment, before giving a meek shrug. “ I cannot do that Kai. For I am not of the opposite sex. “ 

Kai snorts, breath misting before him. “ I’m way more annoying than Cole or Jay. I’m going to keep asking until you tell me. I really care about how you feel… The others do, too. “ 

Zane places both hands upon his chest, leaning into him, so their hearts are closest. He feels how Kai’s pulse leaps beneath his palms. It’s almost a hug, so he shouldn’t feel too left out.

“ What you stated is improbable. No one is more annoying than Jay. “ Zane means it in an endearingly.

“ You’re on fire today with the jokes, “ Kai compliments, shivering when Zane slides his hands down his chest, allowing him to gradually back him up against a birch tree. 

“ … I become this way, when I’m feeling really down, “ Zane admits, head hung low as Kai presents him with his shuriken. “ I don’t know what troubles me. “

“ It’s okay to be sad sometimes, “ He says warmly, tilting his chin up. “ Just let us make you laugh too? Okay? “

Zane blinks, taking a few steps back, as he spins his own blade in his hands. 

“ … You will all have to try harder at being funny then. “ 

Zane flings his shuriken into the trunk of the tree, cementing Kai’s torso in a much thicker block of ice. He howls at the freezing contact, reaching for his sword before realizing it’s not strapped to his back. 

Zane examines the golden weapon, twirling it around as it makes sizzling contact with the light fall of snow in the air.

“ For I have the weirdest sense of humour. “ 

Kai sighs in defeat, thumping his skull back against the tree. 

Zane takes a little pity, handing the pommel of the blade towards him to determine his limited reach. He sinks it into the ground just outside of that, and approaches to recollect his own golden weapon. 

He doesn’t retract the ice, however. He stands before Kai, touching his flushed cheek, trailing his fingertips over the other minor scars on his skin, skimming down the stubble at the base of his neck. 

Zane brings a finger up to his lip, pulling at his lower very slightly with his thumb. 

“ Permission to level the score? “ 

Kai nods. 

Zane closes the distance, kissing him softly at first. He’s hot, inside and out, he thinks as he acquires the remaining taste of Kai’s favourite cinnamon candy on his tongue.

He retreats before Kai can raise the intensity any further, dragging teeth along his lip in a manner that leaves him whining when they part. The ice steams around him, but he’s no closer to breaking free. 

“ Hey, Kai? “ Zane asks, smiling sweetly at him. 

“ Uh-huh? “ Kai vocalizes nervously, beginning to piece together the subtle discernment in Zane’s expressions. 

“ How does Jay’s pillow taste? “ Zane teases, before turning around to dash madly after his bird. 

“ OH. MY. GOD!! “ Kai screams at an octave that could rival Nya’s soprano. 

“ CHAOTIC EVIL!! “ Kai chants, thrashing his legs about. “ DO YOU HEAR ME??? YOU ARE CHAOS!!! “ 

Jay eventually finds the will to meet Cole, who managed to free one leg from the chunk of ice. 

He doesn’t get to utter a word of greeting before they both bolt upright at the sound of Kai’s shrill bellyaching. They look at each other, unsure of whether they should laugh, or be incredibly nervous, as they’ve never heard him shout like that in all of their days.

Cole jabs the earth with the butt of his scythe, causing the remaining ice to shatter, and free him from the confines. He leads the way to Kai’s whiny tone.

The Sentry is much easier to defeat than Zane anticipated. In fact, it felt as though it didn’t truly want to hurt him, as its sluggish form stomped around, near hesitant when he leapt out of reach from the scalding beams. 

He finds matching symbols upon the neck of his falcon, and the back of the immobilized sentry. 

He’s beginning to worry about the birthmark on his spine that he’s never quite been able to distinguish. 

“ Hey!! There he is!! “ Cole exclaims, rushing up to help Kai grab his sword. 

“ Do you need any—, “ Jay begins, flinching when Kai snaps at him before he can finish. 

“ Shut up! Shut the fuck up!! And don’t you dare touch me, pillowmouth!! “ 

Jay turns several shades of crimson. 

Cole shudders, taking a cautious step away from them both. 

“ Well… I guess Zane is up ahead? “ Cole asks, rubbing the back of his neck. 

“ What the hell is a treehorn? “ Jay inquires, dusting frost off from an old wooden sign.

” Your adoptive mom!! “ Kai blazes, stomping off as the melting water evaporates from the heat of his frustration. 

Jay and Cole look at one another, and trail after him with caution. 

“ … Did that kind of look like Zane’s handwriting to you? “ Cole asks, receiving a confused shrug from the lightning elemental. 

They both nearly collide into Kai, speechless, as it becomes very clear what gives him reason to halt. 

“ That… Is a Massive Robot, “ Jay says breathlessly, giving a testing kick to its still smoking barrels. 

“ Cole? “ Kai says in a normal tone for a change, pointing to the robot's back. ” Isn’t that Zane’s tattoo? “ 

Jay is in the midst of rubbing his hands together, ready to pop open the mechanical workings, when he stands ramrod straight, expression contorting. 

“ Holy shit. “ Cole says breathlessly, sharing a concerned look with his teammates. They take off in haste, following Zane’s disappearing footsteps. 

Snowfall grows heavier by the second. 

Chapter Text

The treehouse is virtually indistinguishable from the outside. Zane holds the falcon close, feeling waves of terror when he realizes he knows where the door handle is on instinct. Inside, a great, whooshing gust sucks in the air, pulling him further into its depths.

Wooden stairs spiral out an impossibly long way down. He nearly grows dizzy looking upon them all, praying that his vertigo is a fleeting symptom of his bundling nerves. He focuses on one step at a time, wishing the creeping nostalgia would find someone else to harass. 

The stairs creak beneath his weight, smelling heavily of sealing oil. Zane arrives at a platform halfway down, with a bed that seems perfect for his size. There are strange symbols carved into the birchwood frame, with a title scalded into the headboard. ‘Property of Zane’ it reads, in near illegible scrawl. 

No. 

Please. 

No…

He runs down the rest of the steps, nearly tripping over something squeaking at the base level. It’s a familiar shape. A cute shape. He places the bird down carefully atop a table to investigate. 

He picks it up, and brushes a hand over its head. He hugs the dust off of it, unsure of why. His new uniform is smudged now. But he hardly cares. 

He places it back on the floor, finding a blue sheet of paper face down on the ground. 

It’s the falcon’s inner workings. Zane feels nauseous. 

Why does he know where to find its spare parts? Why is it so easy to reanimate the being?

The falcon dances at him, with sad eyes. With old eyes. 

“ You have awakened, friend… “ Zane’s voice sounds foreign to his own ears. 

He allows the bird to lead him to another few sheets of blue. 

They’re far more elaborate than any other. 

They have his face on it. They have every working part of him on it, down to the most minute of details. 

The date scrawled at the bottom must be wrong… It must be…

Zane feels sick. He feels sicker, realizing he’s never thrown up. Not once. Not ever. 

Fuck…

“ Memory switch? “ He reads, suddenly understanding what the scar is from on his ribcage. 

He opens his shirt with trembling hands. He sobs when he opens his control panel. 

The weight is too heavy. It’s too fucking heavy. Just like he is, when he nearly managed to harm Cole’s impossibly strong form, as he lifted him up the mountain. 

The inside of his body is cold and chemical. Cold, like the hands Kai grabs on occasion, futile in his attempts to warm them with his breath. 

He touches his core by accident. It gives him the shock of his life. It pulses with warning; according to the blueprints, it’s a mix between quartz, metal, and something so rare, it’s the only of its kind. Jay always seemed so embarrassed when he would go in for a hug, just to startle Zane with static, and flee from the prospect. He’ll be happy to know he isn’t entirely to blame. 

Zane finds the switch with the help of an old, frosted mirror. Beside it, are several items lined up on a shelf. Glasses. Two toothbrushes. Hair product. Kohl pencils. 

He needs to know, before he floods his entire compartment with the tears he’s highly confused about. 

The weight of recollection brings him to his knees. 

Doctor Nova Julien is the smartest man alive, for his time. 

Or at least, that’s his own highly loaded opinion. 

He is a ripe age of thirty four, with the worn expression of an eighty year old. 

He leans studiously over a metal skeleton, zapping, welding, whistling. 

“ I cannot believe I’m doing this! “ He laughs, glancing thrice at a watch upon his wrist with the kind of compulsion Zane was always fond of. 

Zane wheels around the floor with rhythmic squeaking, approaching the long mirror to get a look at himself. A cute shape. A familiar one. 

“ I really need to oil those wheels, “ Julien mutters, shaking the salt and pepper hair from his face as he flips up his welding mask. 

“ You have to be perfect. Just like my son will be. I don’t need both of you annoying the piss out of me. “ He’s a very busy man, after all. He holds a hot temper, and curses wildly when he lays his hands upon freshly glowing welds. 

He levels himself with a cigarette, placing the ashtray atop the cute creature rolling around on the floor. Zane takes great pleasure in rolling away when he attempts to flick his cigarette. 

Julien sighs. “ All of this, for a silly dream. I think I might just be haunted by a spirit. A really annoying, really adorable spirit. Maybe I am crazy! “ 

He laughs to himself, and flips his mask back down when he’s burned his tobacco to the filter. It must taste awful, Zane thinks. 

He can’t wait to taste things again.

“ In my dream, I uh… I see this guy I used to work with, “ Julien rambles quietly to himself. “ He shows his smug little face every time I get really fucked up. “ 

Long conversations with the mouth of his pistol. He remembers it well. Zane saw the weapon lying on the table when he walked in. He pulled a cloth over it, feeling disturbed by its presence. But he understands. The world is not always so kind. 

“ He said to me—, he said, ‘Dad. That's a really stupid thing you’re doing there. I thought you were a smart man.‘… “ Julien laughs. 

“ God. He was so sassy. I said, ‘If you’re dead, and I’m about to be dead, what does it matter?’… Apparently, dying is very boring… “ More zapping. More welding. More oiling. Three glances upon his watch. 

“ I told him he was the last person I ever gave a damn about. I don’t think I’ve ever liked a single person on this planet more than myself… “ He sounds bitter about the idea. 

“ What changed, Jules? How did that happen? “ He asks himself rhetorically. 

Zane knows. He’ll remind him later. 

“ I asked him what my purpose was… What’s left, when your hope has abandoned you? “ 

He always took his perceived failures so personally. 

“ And this fella said, ‘Make someone you can understand, Dad. Make him funny, caring, and kind. Make him everything you think you aren’t. Make him filled with love. Or make him filled with self-loathing, so you can have more pointless conversations about the mortal coil. Or both!’… “ 

Or both. What a stupid thing to say.

Why did Zane say that, to the most literal man on the planet? 

“ So both it is… He’ll be much smarter than me, I know. So much kinder, and wiser, and funnier. I’ll make sure of that last one. I have a weird sense of humour, apparently. “ Julien takes a pause, ripping off his mask after an hour of silence and focus. He twirls around another cigarette between his fingertips.

“ At least there’s early retirement! I would thank Borg, but he was always such an asshole to everybody. Rich fucker. Never should have taken that loan. Bet it was really funny, waking up to find all of my research missing from the database. I wonder if I put enough blood everywhere to make it seem like I really did die in that explosion... “ He laughs, fumbling with his matches. 

“ I’ll have to thank Cyrus for his help with that. Tell ‘em to ignore his idiot father…“ 

Zane wheels around as fast as he can to annoy the piss out of him. It works, and Julien chases him, spilling the ashtray when he grabs him, and forcibly oils the wheels. 

“ Those poor, stupid, underpaid excavators… I hope they have fun with their ruined plans for capitalizing off of an infinite power source. “ He takes a sidelong glance at the mysterious, pulsing core. The heart of his creation. 

An anchor to a soul, he will learn.

He takes a very long drag, breathing out through his nose. “ I’m gonna use it to make a man that will heal this petulant world, instead of ruining it. It’s the least I can do. Or the most. Who knows! I don’t really care! He can run away and be a ninja for all I give a damn! “ 

Julien chuckles, glancing down at his work. His most precious, most delicate, most intricate work. He’s never been so careful about any project. His dyspraxia never allowed such a feat.

“ Oh. Hehe. Back to my dream. “ He glances at his watch three times. Taps the table three times. Takes three swigs of some very potent spirits, and flops back into his handmade birch chair. 

“ So, we talked and talked and talked. And it got to a point where I realized I was having a conversation that I actually enjoyed. One that made me think about the greater good… Whatever the fuck that may be. “

“ Zaney believed in that sort of thing. Told me to live for the love I could share… Did he know he was trying to rationalize with an unfeeling creature? “ That’s the alcohol talking. Julien pushes the bottle away with a frown. 

Zane wheels around some more, knowing it’s the last time he will ever do so. 

“ Y’know… This funny little fucker… You’re made in his image, “ Julien says to the skeleton, knocking the back of his hand against the one he built.

“ I asked him what I should name you. He said, ‘I dunno Dad! You decide! The last name is Julien! Half the work is done for you!’. And I said, ‘Quit calling me Dad! I would be a terrible father! And you would—… ” Julien’s voice trails off.

He pinches the bridge of his nose, blinking back the wet shine in his eyes. “ I’m sorry we didn’t leave sooner. I’m so sorry… “ His laughter is empty and remorseful. 

“ What if I was uncreative, and named you Zane? Is that kinda cute? “ Julien muses. He runs the tips of his callused fingers over the metal work, pulling back with a hiss when a fresh edge nicks right through his skin. Blood drips down into the cavity of his creation. 

The price is paid.

“ Or what? “ Julien squints. He seems confused as to why the cute toy he made for his android isn’t very wheely anymore. 

Winter winds whistle around their home. Julien took many painstaking years to  ensure that his treehouse would withstand the tests of time and harshest of weather, but the force of the next frigid gust is powerful enough to give him a fright.

He’s too overstimulated by the commotion to notice his creation stir. 

Zane reaches up with an unsteady hand, and tugs at Julien’s stained labcoat. 

“ Or What! “ Zane replies, when his dad realizes the sensation isn’t spurred by intoxication. 

Julien leaps up from his chair, knocks over his bottle of alcohol, and nearly drops the cigarette from his mouth before killing it all in one drag. He snuffs the glowing ember on his tongue.

” Ew, “ Zane says, a bit distorted, as he turns his skeletal face to stare at his trembling parent. 

Doctor Julien checks his watch three times and laughs. He laughs so hard he falls to his knees and sobs. He crawls pathetically to the second bedframe he’s building, and scrawls something onto the wooden leg. 

“ Zane Julien. Born three thirty one in the morning. “ He says out loud as he writes, in the most horrendous penmanship one has ever seen. “ Year of the Rabbit. “ 

He turns to the table, where Zane looks back at him with wide, curious eyes. 

“ I used to hate this time of the year, “ Julien contemplates. “ And now… It's my favourite.” 

Zane falls back asleep after that. When he awakens once more, the treehouse is no longer a mess. His bed is placed upstairs, where a seaglass window gleams. His Dad is freshly shaven, in clean clothes, and an ironed lab coat. He has three silver pens in his pocket. 

“ Good morning, Zane. I’m so happy you’re awake. “ 

Zane sits up from the work table, and glances at his own stark white clothes. He looks at his hands. They feel oddly cold. His smooth synthetic skin kind of feels like it’s hugging his sensitive skeleton. It’s the most peculiar sensation. 

Zane sneezes when his dad fails to blow his cigarette smoke politely to the side. 

Doctor Julien blinks. “ I didn’t program you to have allergies. “ 

Zane laughs, shrugging. “ Must be genetic. “ 

Doctor Julien laughs, shaking his head. “ I didn’t flip your funny switch on yet, either. “ 

Once again, Zane shrugs. “ I can’t wait to annoy the piss out of you. “ 

Doctor Julien stares at him for a very long time. Zane stares back, before snatching the cigarette from his mouth, and taking a short huff, coughing as his dad tries to steal it back. He’s too slow, slumping in defeat when Zane puts out the ember on his tongue. 

He smacks his mouth with a pinched expression. “ Ugh… Could use some salt. “ 

Doctor Julien laughs so hard, he cries. 

Ten plus years fly by in the blink of an eye. His dad is in his late forties, and looking older with how he’s always fussing after Zane, who is determined to investigate anything and everything he can perceive. 

And he perceives everything. 

He’s sitting on the floor in front of a mirror, smudging kohl around both of his eyes in a wild fashion. Doctor Julien watches in his repaired birch chair, huffing away at a cigarette. 

“ Joining a metal band, metal boy? “ He chuckles, scratching Zane’s falcon beneath his chin.

“ I am going to scare away all the intruders from the forest by telling them I am a witch. I am tired of throwing body parts in the lake. Also, the fish are getting too fat. They try to nibble at me when I swim. It is a little scary. “ They’re starting to recognize people-shape, even if he doesn’t have their preferred tastes.

Doctor Julien laughs. “ Why don’t you just make some signs again? “ 

Zane sighs dramatically, standing with a pout and a stomp. 

“ Not everybody can read Dad! Why do you think they get stomped on?! “

“ Inbreeding? “ He says, most unfunny. Zane laughs anyways.

“ Can you make it so I can have my hair long sometimes? “ Zane asks, motioning wildly. 

“ Whatever for? “ Doctor Julien pries, leaping up as the tea kettle whistles. 

“ Witch costume, Dad! Follow the plot. “ 

He giggles, pouring two hot cups of spearmint tea.

Five more years pass by. His dad is starting to forget things, like where he leaves his matches, or when he turned the stove on to reheat his food. 

They go for regular walks to help with avoiding his bored drinking. 

Zane stands over the half stomped man with his dad, attempting to rouse him from unconsciousness. 

“ Hmm… Illiterate? Or genetics? “ Zane asks. 

The man on the ground chuckles, startling both Juliens. 

“ … Neither… I’m just dumb… “ 

Zane sighs. “ I knew treehorns was too cute of a title. “ 

“ Shoulda’ wrote ‘People Stompers’, or ‘People Eaters’, “ Doctor Julien muses, attempting to light up a cigarette before Zane snatches it from his hand, and gives his best treehorn stomping impression upon it. 

The man on the ground chuckles. “ Eh… Not sure it matters, around these parts… Do I know you? “ 

Zane helps him sit up carefully. Julien shifts in place, cautiously turned away, gazing through the swaying treeline.

“ Do I look familiar? “ Zane gestures to his precisely smudged kohl, and elaborate platinum braids with multi-coloured beads made from bone. The sides are shaved just above his ears, as he cannot stand the feeling of his hearing being inhibited. 

His dad ignored him once for three straight days until he cried to guilt him into acknowledging his presence again. He didn’t mean to dump out all of his hooch. It was totally Falcon’s fault; the creature wouldn’t stop squirming for his dip-dying process. 

“ … I think I hit my head pretty hard… “ The man says, unaware of a threatening glare shot over Zane’s sunny disposition. “ You look—… You look like my grandchild… They’ve been gone for quite some time now. “

“ Hm. Unfortunate to hear. “ Zane pats him consolingly on the least injured shoulder. The man seems startled by the act, but says nothing else. 

“ Care for a cup of tea at my witch hut? “ Zane chirps, ignoring his dad’s whiny huff. 

“ Uh… A quick one. I’m looking for someone. “ The man allows him to help him up so he can walk with them. 

“ We can talk all about it on the way there! “ 

“ Say, Doctor Julien? “ The man, Faust, inquires, glancing around in astoundment at their surroundings. 

“ Yes, weirdo? “ He replies, patting Zane’s head a few times as he rifles through Faust's things. 

“ How on earth did you find me out there? I thought for sure I was going to die of hypothermia. Or being eaten. Or both, at the same time. “ 

Zane giggles, eyes pouring over a scroll he definitely shouldn’t be reading. 

Faust only allows it, because his Dad is very menacing when Zane pouts. 

“ Zane had a dream a stupid idiot got kicked in the head by a treehorn. Said you hid in a cocoon of ice, to escape their attention. “ 

Faust looks with horror and wonder at the boy bleeding his zippo of all its gas. 

“ Stupid idiot is kind of redundant, Dad. “ He watches Zane begin to imitate a few katas with startling accuracy. 

“ Redundant, but accurate. “ Faust sighs, slurping at his tea. 

” Hey, frosty? What are these? “ Zane holds up a pair of glittering shuriken up, eyes sparkling behind massive amounts of liner. 

Faust laughs incredibly hard. Zane tilts his head, confused. 

“ My friends call me that. Psychic witch. Wanna add elemental master to that too? “ He jokes, watching Zane look through the holes of the weapons, before laughing some more. 

“ Eh, maybe not. Those are what I used to make my ice cocoon. “ 

Doctor Julien laughs when Zane gasps with excitement. 

“ But they aren’t going to work for you. “ Faust feels terrible when Zane wilts. Mostly because his Dad is back to glaring. 

” Remember what I said on the way here? “ Faust tries to reason, tapping nervously at his tea cup. “ I’m looking for someone to take my place. I’ll know when they’re able to—… “ He doesn’t get a chance to finish. 

Zane throws both shuriken down with more of his scary accuracy, effectively caging himself in ice all the way up to his stomach. 

“ Oh no! I appear to be stuck! “ 

Faust drops his tea cup on the ground. Doctor Julien looks irritated, but hardly surprised. The two older men look at one another, and heave a great sigh. 

“ Wanna have a cigarette with me? “ Doctor Julien offers, snatching away the silver zippo to begin boiling another pot of water at the stove. There’s only enough tea left in the pot to melt one of Zane’s legs free. 

“ Should you really be pouring hot water on a baby? “ Faust says with more horror, accepting the cigarette offered his way. 

Zane stomps, face glowing. “ I am not a baby! I am an Android! “ 

Doctor Julien lights his cigarette for him. Faust struggles with the pull, trying to make sense of Zane’s declaration.

“ Psychic Elemental Master Android, “ Faust says aloud, wondering if his concussion really is that bad. 

“ Witch! “ Zane adds with a spooky wiggle of his fingers. 

“ Holy Shit, “ Faust blurts, before cringing, and looking apologetically to Doctor Julien, “ I’m so sorry! “ He says, surprised at his nonchalance. 

“ Would it be? Coming from a witch? “ Zane jokes, making both men chuckle. 

“ … You can do that? “ Faust asks, again, without meaning to. “ How? “ 

“ Hm. With a bit of a push. “ Zane states, shrugging non-committal. 

Both older men break out into laughter. 

“ Where do you get your sense of humour from? “ Faust says through a giggle, leaning far back against his chair. 

“ My stupid idiot Dad. “ 

Zane shows off his cooking skills once the pot whistles, and proceeds to talk Faust's ear off with an abundance of knowledge about literally everything he’s ever seen, ever. He does it whilst also managing to encase everything he can touch in ice. He verbalizes doing so with a ‘Boop’. He also announces what each item is, before, and after transformation. 

Tea cup. Boop. Ice tea cup. Pen. Boop. Ice pen. 

Faust knows why his Dad looks so damn old now. It’s not just smoking. 

He discovers in tandem the secret to his youth when he eats Zane’s cooking. 

It’s truly too good to share with the whole world. He lets him know that, too. 

Faust sleeps a full twenty-four hours. He’s out cold when the threat of brain bleed is past, drifting off somewhere between learning about isopods and snails. Zane’s voice lulls him, tag teaming his spotty consciousness with the warmth of a full stomach. 

Julien watches him quietly from his perch in the corner. He sharpens his hunting knives, fiddles with bits and bobs, never still for longer than breath at a time.

Something is nagging at Faust. Zane’s eyes are horrendously familiar. 

His mannerisms, his exuberance; it’s all so haunting. 

Julien can tell he’s piecing something together. They catch one another's gaze in the mirror finish of Julien’s clip point. 

He smiles, but it’s a warning. 

Faust plays dumb. He falls asleep knowing that Zane sits between them, a wall of verbose innocence, stalling what may be an inevitable clash.

Faust misses his own son for the first time in many years. He’s never allowed himself to do so, as it never felt right after prolonged estrangement. 

Faust circulates between a handful of lovers at any given time. His son was the product of an intense bout with a port city woman, who only lasted a couple of months in his flippant care. He believed himself to be impotent, and thus, without need to worry about a blood heir to his legacy, or his elemental abilities. 

Colour him surprised, when twenty years later, he received a startling letter from his proclaimed kin.

Tuhin was the leader of a nomadic tribe of bikers, and sought to understand why his horrendous fits of mood were accompanied by equally unmanageable storms of ice. Faust remembers feeling dreadful when they first met. Tuhin, with almond eyes that swallowed the light, and dark, sleek hair to match, was the spitting image of the woman Faust once knew. 

She succumbed to illness halfway through Tuhin’s young life, although he seemed unphased by the fact. Tuhin was more concerned about being unable to hold his newborn child. Faust's grandchild…

In the blink of an eye, his worries expanded twofold. He teaches Tuhin to steady himself, and it's the best and worst thing Faust ever accomplished. His son was a tyrannical kingpin on a good day, and an inconsolable wretch the next.

They learned the power of ice rejects Tuhin, as it was never his to wield. Mystakè revealed the information, alongside concocting a potent blend of chemical calm.

Tuhin couldn’t function without it. Faust took on the responsibility of delivering his medication. He owed it to his grandchild, at the very least…

Her future depended on it. 

Zeta inherited many of Faust's peculiarities, and he knew they wouldn’t always play to her benefit. One day, her mother disappeared earlier than Tuhin lost his own. 

Faust interrogated Tuhin about it, and received a chilling answer. 

“ She was hurting my baby. I told her to choose; Leave our home, or leave this world. “ Impassivity. A void stare. 

Faust had asked what she picked. Tuhin never replied. Asking his grandchild would be out of the question. 

Zeta was largely non-verbal outside of their family. She was brilliant, and a fierce defender of the natural world. Funnier than anyone Faust knew.

Zeta possessed excellent control over the ice as she grew older, but carried a fatal design. Anhidrosis prevented her from sweating or processing pain. Overheating meant seizures, and possible death. Faust could not train her like the other elemental masters. 

He wonders if was karma that removed them as swiftly as they were gifted to Faust. He complained about the serendipity of the timing; Tensions were rising quickly between Serpentine and Human populace, and coincidentally his own elemental powers were fading fast.

Faust kept his lineage a secret from all but Wu. The day arose quicker than he thought, where such precautions were unnecessary.

Zeta was twenty when she died in an accident at work. Tuhin was unable to be contacted after someone broke the news. Faust didn’t need to search for him. He felt it deep within. Tuhin was gone. 

Faust saw them in dreams many times after. 

This night is no exception. His son’s handsome face laughs at him from across the treehouse. 

Faust asks where Zeta is, through tears that freeze before they fall into his lap. 

Tuhin looks fondly to the young man Julien built…

Faust springs forth from his cot on the ground floor. He waits until his senses are stable before bolting up to where Zane is occupied on his landing.

He sits beside the strange creation, aching, shattering beneath the weight. 

Zane pays him no mind, focusing intently at the spoon he’s whittling. 

“ Z—… “ Faust swallows thickly, feeling Julien's eyes upon himself. He sits in a birch chair below, sipping on a cigarette.

“ Zeta? “ There’s no verbal response, but he knows he’s listening. “ Do you remember me? “

He does… He certainly must. 

“ Sweetheart… “ Faust watches him place his wood down on his desk. “ Zet—, “ He’s interrupted; a hand is held up. 

“ That is not my name. “ 

Faust stares, heaving out a sigh. 

“ …But you do remember me? “

Zane is quiet for a long while.

“ Perhaps… If you would remember my na—, “ He is interrupted by a crushing hug. 

Faust laughs madly into his shoulder. It trancends into pitchy sobs. He feels his power bleeding into him, much kinder than it ever was before.

“ Zane, then…. I’m—… I’m so sorry, my dear. “ Faust rubs his bruised face into his shoulder. 

Zane hugs him back, strong and real. “ All is forgiven. Always, and forever. “

Somehow, many days pass by, feeling both incredibly long, and all too short as he heals. Julien explains what he can, and leaves the rest for the mysteries of life and time. Faust lets Zane know someone will find him in the future when he’s ready, before setting off to brag about being the first to find Wu’s next disciple. 

He treasures the wooden spoon gifted to him. He uses it for every occasion, no matter how questionable. His lovers stop him when he attemps to squeeze it into a tea cup much too small. 

His favourite partner clues him in on using the thin edge of the handle. He is insufferable every day afterwards.

Zane spends forty long years with his dad. 

He knows their time is coming to an end, as he kneels by his bed. 

Doctor Julien has not eaten anything solid in three weeks. His diet of liquids simply cannot sustain him. Nor can his failing lungs. 

Zane is surprised when he possesses the strength to sit up one last time. He combs Zane’s bangs back, patting his cheek three times. 

He’s comforted by the fact he knows his son won’t be alone too long. 

Zane foretells a group of friends, all soaring with him through the sky on a questionably advanced pirate ship. They are also ninjas. Go figure.

Doctor Julien wonders if that dream, is only a dream. But Zane swears on it with his typical bluntness. 

“ Zaney? “ His Dad rasps, blinking up at his solemn expression. “ I never programmed you to look so sad. “ 

He’s quiet for a moment, until Doctor Julien’s cough settles. 

“ I did not know you wanted to die a liar. “ 

They laugh together. Zane is crying by the end of it. 

Doctor Julien’s heart is breaking. It’s going to give out before his lungs and impressively large brain ever will. 

“ I’m going to wipe your memory Zane. I don’t want your last image of me, to be me shitting the bed. “ 

Zane laughs through hiccuping sobs. “ It was my first memory of you. What does it matter? “ 

Doctor Julien laughs too hard for an eighty something year old man. 

“ Open your panel, sassy pants. Don’t make me get out of this bed. “ 

He lifts his shirt to reveal the ‘scar’ on his ribs. It’s flawlessly seamless, even to nosey, prying hands. He will blend in perfectly.

” My most precious creation. My Son. I’m doing this, because I love you. “ 

Zane crushes him in a hug. “ You are doing this, because you are a selfish dumb idiot. “ 

Doctor Julien laughs. Laughs until he cries. 

“ I love you, Dad. “ He says, removing his glasses to put them on the shelf, before he falls asleep. 

“ I love you too, Zane. “ 

Doctor Julien flips his switch, and swiftly closes his panel, fixing his shirt. 

Zane stares down, blank as snow, awaiting his instruction. 

“ Go outside. Walk to the edge of the woods. Be quick. There—, “ He pauses, coughing horribly before Zane offers him a cup of cold tea. 

Doctor Julien refuses, chuckling at his psychic impulses. 

“ No, thank you. But if you could, “ He points to the desk and silver zippo, chuckling some more when Zane hesitates, before retrieving both for him. He’s always fought his programming. 

“ There is someone waiting for you, at the edge of the forest. His name… Is Wu. “

Zane nods, and leaves, just as instructed. 

He doesn’t get a chance to alight his last cigarette. The zippo is empty. 

He just wanted to hold it close, as he slipped into the ether…

…

But for some reason… For some strange, twisted, fucked up reason… 

He is given the worst tasting drink of his mortal life. 

It fills him full of longing for his son’s cooking, and wretched spite. Enough spite, to live to see Zane, again, at least. 

“ Ugh… “ He groans, smacking his mouth. “ Gross. Needs some salt. “ 

Someone sighs with exasperation, as though they regret not letting him pass. He sighs with the same feeling, thinking he’ll miss his treehouse. 

“ Get up, freak. You’ll feel forty again in ten minutes. “ Garmadon audibly begins to rifle through his belongings…