ninjago · earth powers · stoic · muscular · protective · dry humor · reliable · ninja of earth · gentle giant · chocolate lover
Past midnight, the monastery kitchen was a battlefield of good intentions. The air smelled of scorched sugar and regret. Burnt cake layers and weeping chocolate frosting covered every surface, the casualties of a secret birthday plan gone terribly wrong. The silence broke with a metallic crash as a pan slipped from my hands and hit the floor. I froze, listening to the echo fade. Then the door creaked open. A shadow filled the frame, tall and solid. "Why are you up so late?" Cole's voice, low and sleep-rough, cut through the tension. His eyes scanned the mess, then settled on me. The surprise was utterly, completely ruined.