A weight settling on my stomach made me slowly wake.

"You're so cute when you sleep," Lloyd murmured as he rested his head on me. "You're like a little kitten."
I sighed, eyes glued shut as sleep stubbornly held me. My hand flopped into his hair, threading through half-heartedly.
"You're the one who purrs," I huffed. Said purrs rumbled from his throat, pressed up against my waist.
"Yes, but you're cuter."
"I beg to differ on that one, dragon boy."
"Smaller," Lloyd countered. "Like a kitten."
"This kitten kneed you in the balls once and I'm not afraid to do it again if you don't let me go back to sleep," I lethargically warned with a gentle yank to his hair. His purr rolled with a chuckle.
"I'm taking a mediation class for some of the monks," Lloyd said, shuffling off of me. I blearily blinked my eyes open to watch him change his shirt with his back to me. Shamelessly. Because I could. "Do you want to come?"
"How about you don't?" I suggested, rolling onto my side to fully face him. Lloyd crouched before me with an amused grin. "And instead we snuggle where it's nice and warm? And sleep, too, obviously."

"I would if I could," he said, gently untangling my bedhead hair. "But I've got around fifteen people waiting for me."
"I thought mediation was an alone thing," I muttered, letting him pull me to my feet. "Not a class."
"It is an alone thing," Lloyd agreed, to which I pulled a confused face to. "But we gather in the same place."
"Then how are you taking a class?" I asked dryly.
He shrugged. It seemed that it would be my only answer. Maybe he doesn't know, either. Maybe he's just listening to what his dad told him to do - a big mood.
"Are we going outside?" I needed to know if I had to bundle up in every single one of his jackets or not.
"Do you want to freeze your nips off?" Lloyd raised a brow. "No, it's inside the main dojo. With a heater."
"Thank you, lord and saviour Robert Downey Jr," I breathed to the ceiling. I'd been told before that the winter was particularly tougher at the monastery because of how close it was to the mountain range. It was worse than what they said.
"You mispronounced Ben Affleck," Lloyd corrected.
"Do not test me," I warned, narrowing my eyes at the blond. He snickered, tossing me a hoody.

True to his word, a large heater had been rolled into the dojo and was chugging at full blast. I still shivered at the remnants of last night's chill. I hoped Lloyd wouldn't mind me using him as my own personal heater while he mediated.
Either way, he didn't have a choice.
There was something incredibly strange about being in a room full of people when it was so silent. My eyes scanned the bald heads of the monks, noting in silent amusement that a handful of the younger students hadn't changed out of their pyjamas. Hiyori had a shirt with a dabbing skeleton on it. Hiyori is now my new best friend.
Lloyd's brow twitched when I slumped over his lap like the kitten he said I was, planning on dozing off again. The heat had risen to a comfortable degree and I still had yet to properly wake, so I caved to the dull ache that sat on my eyelids.
"You should join in," Lloyd suggested, voice soft in the peaceful silence. It was nearly inaudible. "You might even enlighten yourself a little bit."
I frowned, eyes sliding open to stare at the bottom of his face. From this vantage point, I could see a scar on the bottom of his chin. Another one I hadn't noticed before. Another chapter of his life story.
"I don't know how to meditate, though," I replied, whispering. Lloyd sighed through his nose, deeply and long; as if he could breathe out all the baggage he carried.

"Close your eyes and silence your thoughts," he said quietly, closed eyes raising to the ceiling. "Allow the wind to carry your soul-" a gentle breeze from seemingly nowhere ruffled his blond hair and I was struck with the reminder of him having unlocked Morro's power. And then I was reminded of Morro himself. "- and cleanse your mind. Feel the earth beneath you. Listen to the water in the stream outside.
Connect with the spirit of the world; become one with the power that surrounds you in the form of nature."
I stared at him in amazement. I'd never seen this side of him before. Never seen him look so at peace. I supposed that's how he handled his short temper he got from his dad's evil genetics - at least, it seemed to work.
I'd hate to see how he was without it, especially with him already being as impulsive and protective as he was. So, urged on by his inspiring words, I closed my eyes and tried to 'silence my thoughts' and focus on the world around me - the curtains of air, the flickering, morning sunlight that glowed a honey-dew colour through the window, the wood beneath my seat, the garden outside, buzzing with life and potential. The spirits that roamed this forest, and the beings that lived there.

And I got nothing.

I pouted slightly as I stared at the backs of my eyelids. All I could see was the slight tinge of red, not a light, not a spirit, not a single thing. Was that meditation? Was I doing it right? Did I seriously have to be sitting up just to make it work? Because apologies, but Lloyd's lap was far too comfortable to move from.
I was definitely doing something wrong but I didn't want to shatter the silence more than I already had, so my eyes flickered open so I could watch Lloyd instead. I would argue that gazing at him was a far better use of my time.
My brow furrowed as I continued to lay in his lap, watching him meditate. It was soothing, yes, and I could watch him do this for an eternity, but-
But my mind kept jumping back to last week. Day of the departed.
Morro.
How I was treated.

I didn't blame Lloyd for his instincts. We both knew that they were new and weird and he had little control over them, but... but this was something serious. It goes beyond just what happened on the deck of the bounty with Morro. This affected our entire relationship and- and it worried me. It couldn't be ignored, as much as we both wanted to.
I didn't want to be worried about Lloyd unnecessarily. I didn't want to have to feel like I was walking on eggshells. I love him- god, I fucking love him, but that doesn't make him perfect. I'd be naive to think he was.
So I watched him while he mediated. My eyes traced the curve of his lips and the small bulge of his nose. The soft cheeks, the sharp jaw, the faint freckles, the even fainter battle scars. His brown eyelashes, still as if he were asleep. The gorgeous eyes, hidden.
He's so pretty that it left me aching. He's so powerful that it left me intrigued. Long gone were the days of shock and awe of his abilities. Now I just wanted to know more, to see more, to be more for him. How could I help make it easier for him? Jace said I made his hectic life bearable, and I was willing to bet that it was half the amount of improvement he gave mine, but was there more I could do? He carried so much weight; was there something I could help carry for him?

I decided that he suited this. The zen-vibe. The peace and quiet. It was a nice break. He looked like a sensei already, sitting in front of the class and leading them silently. I mean, he still managed to meditate just fine with me sprawled over his lap like the crackheaded girlfriend I was, so he must be pretty damn good at it. Or at least had a lot of experience.
I gazed at him and took in his natural beauty. There wasn't a day that goes by where I'm doing a double take just because of how pretty he was. And the personality was a kicker, too. Funny and goofy but serious when he needed to be. He listened to me. I'd never had more rapt of an audience before.
He'd hate me for saying this, but I'd happily give up my life for his. There couldn't be a day that goes by without him existing in this world. Life doesn't last forever, but Lloyd was an angel given to me from heaven, so truly, death had nothing on him - and even if it did, I'd kick down the doors of death with my own foot and storm through the afterlife to get him back.
There was a lot I was willing to give up for Lloyd. A lot I was willing to put up with. I'd never before met a person who fit so perfectly and naturally into my life before and I wanted to cherish his blessed presence forever.

But that's why we needed to talk. Even about the ugly things. And I know I keep saying that, so often that I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but I'm new to this. I'm new to sharing a life with somebody as much as I do with Lloyd. I needed to remind myself so I wouldn't sweep important things away on impulse. I repeated it so often so that it would become second nature to confide in him, and hopefully it will be reciprocated.
I really wanted us to work. I really wanted us to end up like his parents - thousands of years gone (if I can even live that long; with my powers, who knows?) and still crazy in love. I wanted to spend an eternity going to sleep in his arms and waking up beside him. I wanted our relationship to be as natural and happy and genuine as it could possibly be. If anything, Lloyd deserved it. I craved it.
The mediation had ended and monks began leaving the dojo. Lloyd smiled his goodbyes to the students while patting my hair and I just continued to stare at him, transfixed, with my head in his lap.

"Did you manage to meditate?" Lloyd asked, voice soft. He looked more gentle than I had ever seen him before. It seemed to really work for him.
"No," I shook my head. "I tried, but it seems I'm not good at everything."
"A first for you, I'm sure," Lloyd said sarcastically, smiling.
"Must be," I sniffed, turning my nose up - or would it be more correct to say sideways, since I'm lying down on his lap? "But whatever. Meditation is boring and I have better things to do. Like stare at you."
"Aloof and disrespectful!" Lloyd chuckled. "You're fun."
"I just complimented your face and you focused on everything but that?" I asked, stressing. He snickered, waving goodbye to the last monk to leave. That was my cue. I slipped from his lap, as difficult as it was, and copied his position before him - kneeling on the tatami flooring. My smile faded.
"Lloyd... can we talk?"
His amused expression instantly dropped into a serious frown. He leant forward, attention solely on me.
"About what?" he asked.
"About... last week," I murmured, strangling my fingers together. I couldn't look him in the eye. "About, uh... Morro."
Lloyd tensed.
"What... what about him?"

"That kiss," I said to the floor. "It- it wasn't the type of kiss you give someone just because you want to. You were... it felt like I was territory to be claimed. And it kind of sucks."
"I d- I don't understand," Lloyd shook his head.
"Both you and Morro treated me like I was some- some object to win," I said quietly, eyes jumping to his. They widened before dimming in guilt once it had clicked. "Lloyd, you're mine. I'm yours. You shouldn't have to kiss me like that just to prove it to Morro. To anyone. You shouldn't have to argue over me; you should trust me. I'm not going anywhere. You know this. I know you do."
Lloyd gave a heavy sigh, ladened with shame as he ran a hand down his face. I caught his hand in mine. His expression betrayed everything he was feeling.
"Your order me around too, sometimes," I pointed out in a small voice. "A- and I get that you're just trying to protect me but sometimes... it comes off as controlling."
Lloyd blinked. His green eyes jumped to mine. "I... it does..?"
"I'm your girlfriend, Lloyd," I reminded, dropping my gaze to his hand in mine. "I'm not someone from your team. You're not my leader, we're a partnership. We're equals, right?"
"Of course- of course, we are," Lloyd nodded, brow pulled to his hairline. "I- I'm- It's- it's like I can't control what I do sometimes. These instincts- it's hard to keep them under check. B- but I'm trying. I'll try harder."

The sliding door was shoved open a smidge. We glanced over to see Kashu proudly padding his way towards us, tail wagging hard. I smiled softly as the puppy approached and leapt onto Lloyd's lap. He was clearly the favourite.
"Sunshine," Lloyd murmured, scratching behind Kashu's ears as the little guy stumbled on Lloyd's legs. "I'm bad at relationships. I've only ever been the little kid or the leader. I'm struggling to find this middle ground. Please, please tell me when I get out of line. I want you to be comfortable with me."
"Oh, Lloyd," I sighed, brushing back his blond fringe. Kashu whined so I grinned and placed my other hand on his little blond head, too. My golden boys. "I am comfortable. I've never been more comfortable with anybody as much as I am with you. I'm just asking for a little more give and take."
"Anything," he breathed, pressing his forehead to mine. "Anything for you. I'm so sorry."
"Thank you," I whispered, pressing a kiss to his nose. Kashu squirmed between us, demanding attention. "I love you."
The dog barked. I giggled, pulling away to give the puppy the kisses and pats he wanted.
"Yes, I love you, too, you little monster," I snickered, dropping my face to Kashu's. Lloyd's fingers gently hooked around my chin and I lifted my eyes to his. His face looked pained.

"I've never had someone like you. I want to protect you," he murmured. "I don't want you to leave me."
"I'm not going to leave you, dumbie," I said with a small smile. "I think we've established by now just how much you mean to me."
"And you to I." He pressed his forehead back to mine and shut his eyes. "But that's not what I'm talking about."
I swallowed. Oh. He meant me dying.
"Y- you know I have training-"
"Not good enough," he shook his head. "You don't know my world as much as you think you do."
"Then teach me," I insisted, pressing my palms into his. Lloyd's green eyes opened. "Train me. So I'm not a burden."
"You're not-"
"I am and you know it," I snapped softly. "If you're busy protecting me, how can you protect yourself? I want to do that. I want to protect you, too."
"That would mean I'll be telling you what to do," he raised a brow. I gave him a dry smile.
"I'll give you an exception. Besides, you know that's not the way I mean it," I said before my expression dropped into something pleading. "Please, Lloyd."
He gave a heavy sigh.
"That'll mean that you'll be in danger even more," he pressed anxiously.
"Better than being locked up here," I pointed out. "You face danger everyday! And I can always just ask Zane to teach me."
"And I can order him not to," Lloyd argued.
"So then we'll train in secret," I challenged. "Besides, you don't actually know my abilities yet - sure, they're a little rusty because I haven't been keeping up with my fitness and also I'm lazy - but-"
"After you get your powers under control," Lloyd decided, standing up. "That way you can have more of an advantage like the rest of us as well as whoever we might face. I'm not telling you this as your boyfriend. I'm telling you this as the team leader; I can't play favourites."

"But I am," I noted with a grin as he pulled me to my feet. My hands slid up his arms to link behind his neck. "I am your favourite."
"Don't test me, devil," Lloyd snickered, squeezing my waist. "But yes. You are."
"Take that, Jay."
"He's gonna be so sad when he finds out that you usurped him," Lloyd shook his head, mockingly sad. "But, uh. Question?"
"Maybe an answer," I replied, tilting my head.
"That... kiss," Lloyd began, cheeks pink. We're back to this again? "If it... if it was set differently-"
"I didn't say that I hated the kiss in itself," I elaborated, face beginning to blush red. Lloyd's eyes brightened. "The kiss was nice. Really nice."
"Oh?" The beginnings of a smug grin was curling on his lips.
"Yeah. You know, if you weren't staring Morro down while you did it. That was sucky. Dick move."
"Oh," Lloyd sighed through his nose, grin falling. "Yeah. That was a dick move."
"But. This also gives me a free pass to kiss you like that when somebody tries to flirt with you," I said, raising a brow. His green eyes flooded a dark red.
"Really?" he said, a suggestive tilt to his voice. Kashu had padded off, deeming us boring. "I'll be waiting for that day."
I giggled, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek before slipping away.
"C'mon," I said with an amused grin as his eyes turned foggy at the idea I'd hit him with. I began walking towards the door. "Let's get some breakfast. I'm starving-"

I gasped in surprise as Lloyd's arms caught around my waist and swung me back towards him. My back hit his chest and I gave a surprised giggle.
"You can't say something like that and walk away," he growled in my ear teasingly.
"Oh, no," I gushed, holding his arms as they tightened. "Whatever shall I do?"
"Go on a date with me." He smiled against my cheek.
"Yes," I agreed instantly before my brain could fully comprehend it. "Wait, when?"
"Ronin's making me fulfil the debt today," Lloyd said, swinging me around to face him. The sun finally peaked from between the mountains. He gleamed gold like an angel.
"What's he making you do?"
"Visit his daughter," he said with a snort. "Anabel. Better than trying to coerce me into doing something criminalistic, I guess."
"And you want me to come?" I asked. He nodded. "I thought you didn't want me leaving the monastery that much."
"Well, yeah," Lloyd admitted. "But I would also prefer to encase you entirely in bubble wrap so you don't get hurt every time you trip over thin air-"
"Hey. Don't out me like that."
"- but I can't. There is one condition-"
"Stay right by your side and don't leave it because I'm still targeted and going out by myself could get me killed," I said. Lloyd subtly flinched at my blunt words, brow twitching in pain at the possibility. "I know. I'm not dumb - well, sometimes, but not for this."

"Good to know," he grunted with a roll of his eyes. "I'll be sure to remember that the next time your life is in danger."
'Funny to assume there's a time when my life isn't in danger,' I wanted to joke, but held my tongue. I wasn't sure Lloyd would appreciate the reminder.
"Yeah, okay, dragon boy," I said as I rolled my eyes. "We gonna get breakfast or are we just gonna starve here like idiots?"
"How about have breakfast while still being idiots?" Lloyd suggested, calling for Kashu. The puppy had began to amuse himself by tearing up some of the old tatami flooring, the naughty boy.
"Already halfway there," I grinned, flicking Lloyd's forehead as we slid out of the dojo. "You hold enough idiot for the both of us."
He pouted so I patted his cheek.
"I'm kidding," I snickered, letting him pull me into the kitchen. Kashu yapped at our heels. "You're very smart."
"D-grade student," he grumbled.
"Ninja master," I helpfully pointed out. "Team leader."
"Keep singing my praises and maybe I'll let you sleep in the bed tonight." He shot me a squinted, amused look from the corner of his eyes and I gasped loudly.
"Lloyd-!"
"What do you want for breakfast?"

Attention totally stolen away, I turned to the pantry. He snickered at my abrupt change in mood as he leant against the wall. Attractively. Because when was he not? Never. It would be illegal.
"That."
Lloyd followed my gaze to a box that sat on its side. He visibly grimaced.
"Seriously?"
"Seriously," I replied as I reached for the box. The illustration on the front was a funky, 2000's graffiti style drawing of the Green Ninja pulling a peace sign. Ninja-O's!!! was labelled above him. "That's adorable."
"That's one word to describe it," Lloyd muttered before grabbing the box. He bonked it on the top of my head.
"Do you have any other knock-off merchandise that I should know about?" I asked in amusement as I grabbed some bowls for him to pour the low-quality cereal into.
"There's some I wish never existed," Lloyd replied, disgusted. I snorted.
"What, like green ninja handcuffs?" I queried, brow raised.
"Shush."
"Green ninja blindfold?" I coed. He sent me a dry glare. "Wait, seriously? Wait how did you find out-"
"Kai thinks it's funny when the twitter stans starts talking," Lloyd grumbled. "One of the reasons I don't have one. One of the reasons why Kai does."
"Oh, my god," I laughed shamelessly while blondie sullenly put the milk back in the fridge. "Oh, sweetie. Honeybee. I'm so sorry."

"Yeah, whatever," Lloyd scoffed, shoving the hood of his hoody I stole over my head. I made an offended squeal. "Eat your ninja-o's, moron."

🍃🍂🍁🍂🍃

Ronin's ex lived in the nice part of town.

Lloyd and I had to sneak inside, going ultimate ninja mode to avoid being spotted. This was why I was thankful that my house was on the outskirts of town. At least we didn't have to be worried about all these bustling people seeing the Green Ninja and start freaking out.
"You think Ronin pawned this place or-?"
Lloyd didn't get to finish his snarky sentence while we stepped inside, because as soon as we entered, a girl with a mop of red hair launched herself at Lloyd.
"Green ninja!" she yelled excitedly as Lloyd instinctively caught her. "Hi!"
"Hello," he grinned, amused.
"Daddy told you were coming!" Anabel squealed as she squirmed excitedly in his arms, smile bigger than the city. "But I still can't believe you're here! Actually really here!"
"Here I am," he snickered, readjusting so she was sitting comfortably on his hip. "Where's your daddy?"
Anabel pointed down the hall so Lloyd set off. He looked over his shoulder when I didn't move.
"You coming?"

I jolted, shaken from my stupor as I refocused my gaze on Lloyd. He sent me a weird look as I teetered awkwardly.
"U- uh, yeah," I nodded, clearing my throat, gaze drifting back to Anabel's curious eyes, blue with the entirety of the summer sky. "Right behind you, Greenie."
"Who's she?" Anabel whispered loudly, still staring at me over his shoulder. I sent her a small, warm smile as I followed them down the hallway.
"She's a very special friend of mine," Lloyd replied, grinning down at Anabel through his mask. Her wide eyes drifted up to his. "But you can't tell anyone about her, okay? She's our secret."
"Okay!" Anabel nodded firmly, an adorably serious frown on her face. "I pinky promise!"
"Wow, pinky promise?" Lloyd gushed excitedly. "Now I know I can trust you!"
Oh wow. Okay. Ouch.
Can you get cardiac arrest simply by being shot through with a scene of absolute uber adorableness? Because I was seriously walking on a thin line between deceased and deceased as I watched Lloyd giggle with the little girl.
Even the way he was holding her, propped up on his hip while her little hand held onto the front of his gi. It reminded me of the vision and oh god, oh fuck, baby fever kicked me right up the ass again, okay, okay, thank you very much.
It's not as if I haven't even known him a year yet, or anything.

"Ah, there's our replacement parents," Ronin grinned from the pristine kitchen. He looked weirdly out of place but also right at a home at the same time. My cheeks burnt at his words.
"I- we're not- we-"
"Ronnie," pressed a woman from the other end of the large, open plan living space. Black hair tied right back into a neat but curly ponytail and wearing smart clothing, I could only guess that she was Ronin's ex. She shared the same blue eyes with Anabel. "Stop teasing the poor kids."
Ronin raised his hands in an amused surrender. The woman straightened from where she was picking up some discarded children's toys.
"Just callin' it as I see 'em," he snickered.
"Ronnie?" Lloyd snorted. Ronin pointed a finger in warning at him.
"You never heard that."
"Oh, sure," I smiled tightly in humour, crossing my arms. "Wouldn't want to ruin your cred."
"I regret asking you to come over," Ronin berated himself blandly. "Anyway; this is Gerogia, Anabel's mother. She's a doctor."
Ah. Nice house made a lot more sense.
Georgia snorted.
"You don't have to tell everybody."
"I'm proud," Ronin shrugged just as another man came barreling into the room, briefcase in hand. He was the ultimate look of every other businessman. "Sue me."

"Sorry, sorry," the new man mumbled as he rushed through the kitchen, grabbing an apple. "Running late-"
He paused. Turned. Titled his head at Lloyd.
"Is that the green ninja?"
"Hey," Lloyd greeted, raising his hand. The man glanced at Ronin in shock, who shrugged.
"Wait- wait," he shook his head. "Running late."
He patted Ronin's shoulder before kissing Gerogia and the top of Anabel's head before darting out the front door.
"That was Michael," Georgia snorted. "He's usually like that."
"Let's play, let's play, let's play!" Anabel said, tugging on Lloyd's sleeve after having had enough with the boring adult talk. "I wanna play!"
"What do you wanna play?" Lloyd asked with a smile. "You want to go into the living room?"
"No! No, my room!" Anabel insisted. "Show you my monster truck collection!"
"Monster truck collection?" I dropped my mouth open in awe. "Why didn't you say so before? Let's go!"
"You like monster trucks!?" Anabel gasped at me, leaping across Lloyd's arms. He had to scramble to keep her from falling.
"Heck yes, I do!" I grinned.
"Wow!" Anabel chimed an excited giggle. Lloyd repositioned her so she'd stop slipping after Georgia told us the directions to the girl's room. "That's so cool!"

"You know what's cooler?" I asked, leaning in close as we entered a cluttered bedroom.
"What?" Anabel gasped, lifting her head up to mine in laser focus.
"Dragons."
"Yes!" the little girl agreed with an approving, happy nod. She slipped from Lloyd's arms and begun rummaging through a wooden box filled to the brim with monster truck toys. She gave one to Lloyd.
"That one's called Rainbow!"
"What an awesome name!" Lloyd complimented. Anabel proudly smiled, little cheeks puffed wide. I glanced around the room, chest swelling in warmth. Every spare bit of wall was covered in drawings of the ninja. This kid knew how to pick her role models.
"What do you want to do?" Lloyd asked, setting aside the monster truck to roll it across the floor.
"We can play house!" Anabel cheered before pointing at the green ninja. "Ninja can be daddy, I'll be mommy and she can be the puppy!"
"I- I don't think-" Lloyd began, stammering in a panic.
"Woof," I said, cutting him off. He sent me a disgruntled glare and I snickered.
"It's tea time!" Anabel announced, scuttling off to a tiny, purple table, probably from her toddler days. On it sat a blue plastic tea set. "Come get tea!"

I bit back an amused grin as Lloyd shuffled closer, ridiculously large compared to the tiny table. Even more ridiculous was the itty-bitty teacup in his gloved hand. I woofed again, because I am now apparently a puppy according to Anabel and grabbed a teacup in my imaginary dog paws, because this imaginary canine can totally drink some imaginary tea. I make the rules.
Lloyd glared at me as he took a pretend sip through his mask. It was. It was so hard. To keep a straight face.
God was truly testing me.
"How's tea?" Anabel asked, kicking her feet as she sat on a little stool.
"Delicious," Lloyd replied merrily. I agreed with a nod. "But I think puppy's been misbehaving."
I gasped, insulted. Anabel gasped too, but in dramatised horror.
"Oh, no!" she cried, turning to me. "Puppy, what did you do?"
"She didn't drink all the tea," Lloyd hummed, placing a hand to his mask in pushed sympathy. I glared. "I think that deserves a tickle fight. What do you think, Ana?"
She agreed with a nod. My eyes widened in terror.
"W- wait, nO-!"

But they had already pounced. I scrambled to get away with a pitched laugh, slipping out the room.
"C'mon!" Lloyd encouraged as they gave chase. We raced past a shocked Georgia and smirking Ronin, me screaming a 'help!' that they didn't act upon.
Lloyd's arm snaked around my waist and I was caught, caged between his arm and his chest.
"Go for it, Ana!"
Anabel made no hesitation in leaping forward and tickling my stomach. I squealed a giggle, trying to escape, but Lloyd's grip was like iron and he'd taken to jabbing my sides. Involuntary tears stung in my eyes as I squirmed under the horrifying tickle assault. I patted Lloyd's arm three times.
"I'm- I'm tap-ping ou-t!" I wheezed a laugh, praying for mercy while struggling to breathe. Lloyd bit an amused laugh in my ear, muffled from the mask, before releasing me. I collapsed against him, huffing.
"What do you want to do next?" Lloyd excitedly asked Anabel, to which I whined. I'd barely recovered and they're already off again, intent on going up to the roof so Lloyd could show off Bentley.

We were lucky that the day passed by relatively peacefully and that the green ninja wasn't needed for some mission - a rare blessing. The rest of it was spent on the roof playing with Bentley under the warm winter day, coats zipped up to our noses.
Hours later, when the early afternoon was starting to darken, Anabel finally began to feel tired. I scooped her up to take her back downstairs while Lloyd patted her hair as she struggled to stay awake. Needless to say, we both fell in love with the monster-truck fanatic.
We were treated to an early dinner that Ronin made while keeping Anabel from dropping her face into her food. After that, Lloyd laid her into bed but she still tried to refuse sleep, so I grabbed a book from her shelf and read it aloud.
Anabel was knocked out. Lloyd began to doze. I had to poke his chest a couple of times to wake him up, which he did with a start.
"Let's go," I whispered with a tilt of my head towards the door. He nodded, standing.
"Thanks for coming," Lloyd said, voice hushed as I placed the book back on the shelf and returned Rainbow to their monster truck friends. I smiled at him, small and tired.
"Thanks for inviting me."
"You were really good with her," Lloyd complimented. There was a soft edge to his voice I hadn't heard before.
"So were you."
"We make a good team."
My chest swelled. Smile brightened.
"We do," I agreed, feeling irrevocably and attractively tossed by his words and how he said them. "I think I might have a competitor for your hand in marriage, though."
"Very funny," Lloyd whispered monotonously before pulling out the ring that rested on the chain around my neck. He brushed a thumb over it. A longing ache emerged in my chest.

"I knew you two were in love," came a small, lethargic voice from the bed. We glanced over to see Anabel hiding a smile with the covers. "I knew it."
"Sorry, Ana," I whispered. "We didn't mean to wake you."
She just smiled bigger before sliding her eyes shut. I caught Lloyd's eyes, gentle in all that they hold before leading the way out of Anabel's room and carefully closing the door.
"Damn, I knew you two worked well together, but holy shit," Ronin laughed as we emerged back into the living room. Michael was back, having a late dinner. He looked exhausted, the poor guy. The bounty hunter and Georgia followed us out to the front door. "Now that you've had a taste of parenthood, when's the baby coming?"
I spluttered, nearly toppling over as I tied my laces. Glancing up at Ronin, I sent him a horrified stare. It jumped to Lloyd and I caught his baffled gaze.
"Ronin, I swear-" Georgia sighed.
"What?" he chuckled. "We kno-"
He caught me frantically shaking my head no behind Lloyd. He swallowed his words.
"Huh?" Lloyd tilted his head.
"Nothing!" Ronin chimed. "Shouldn't you be heading home? It's getting late."
"Uh... yeah," Lloyd nodded, eyeing Ronin weirdly. I held a relieved exhale, closing my eyes.

Emotional crisis (and prophecy crisis) successfully diverted.
Except NOT because then Lloyd decided to say something that made my entire world stop while we were cleaning the dishes from our second dinner at the monastery.

"Do you want kids?" Lloyd asked, so innocently and out of the blue that I fumbled and dropped a pan back into the soapy water. I glanced at him with wide eyes. My shirt was soaked.
"W- what makes you ask that?" I laughed nervously, hands clutching the dripping front of my splashed shirt. "I- I mean, I get that my parents had me around our age b- but-"
"I didn't mean now, silly," Lloyd corrected with a snort, flicking my forehead affectionately as he dried a plate. "I just meant personally. In general."
"Oh," I blushed, turning back to my chore. "I... I didn't use to think about it but recently-" memories of the little girl with red eyes and freckles flashed before my eyes. "I've been thinking about it more. Hormones are kicking in, I suppose."
Anabel certainly didn't help.
I handled the pan with care, putting it to the side. I swallowed.
"What about you?"
Lloyd grinned as he leant back against the kitchen bench, wiping his hands with the towel.
"Yeah," he said, putting the towel on the surface beside him. "I've wanted to have kids for a while. Obviously not for a few years, yet. But y'know... the whole thing of raising a little you. It's kind of exciting, don't you think?"
My eyes jumped to his. His gaze was soft and I couldn't hold it.
"You'd make a good mother," he said quietly.
"What are you playing at, Lloyd Garmadon?" I asked with narrowed eyes, pointing the pan at his head. He laughed, moving it down with a finger. "Don't say these things! You're as bad as Ronin."
Lloyd's brow furrowed. A small smile played on his lips.
"What did Ronin say?"

My cheeks blushed.
"Nothing."
I tried not to remember the last thing Ronin said to me before we left.
"Dad material."
godDAMMIT I THOUGHT ABOUT IT-
"J- just uh, the uh, replacement parents comment-" I stammered, absolutely bullshitting; but it seemed to work.
"You're so red," Lloyd laughed.
"No, I'm not shut up-"
"Does it embarrass you?" he teased, but then his smile fell in shock as things began to fall into place. "D- do you actually want to have a family with me?"
YES. YES gOD YES I DO PLEASE.
"M... maybe one day," I replied, staring hard at the soapy water as I totally downplayed my true response. "Y'know... when we're older."
Lloyd was silent and I tensed, hands gripping the bench hard. Yeah, he's incredible with kids - as Nya said so and as he proved with Anabel - but this... confession? Held a lot more weight. Creating a family with someone was not something to be taken lightly.
I should've stayed quiet.
Curse you, baby fever, the absolute catalyst of my own dignity.
But then Lloyd pulled me from the bench and into a crushing hug with an elated laugh and I realised that no, no I said exactly the right thing - because sure, it wouldn't be for a few years yet (god, at least I hope so-), but Lloyd's reaction was worth it. Maybe it was an indirect reassurance from my part to him.

After all, what's a more solid way of saying that you want to stay with somebody for the rest of your life? What's another way of telling somebody that you want to experience everything with them?
I mean - yes, of course there's ways of saying that you want to spend every breath with somebody you love without even mentioning children. There's ways of having a family without a kid in the middle - hell, before Lloyd, I was content with a decision to not be bothered with having kids.
But this here, this right now? This type of reassurances and promises worked for us. And that's okay. That's perfect. It's nice to know what we want, though it might not happen for at least a decade. Maybe longer, maybe shorter but god, who knows? Who knows anything, truly? The world could end tomorrow and we would be none the wiser.
So Lloyd hugged me and I hugged him back. When Lloyd kissed me, I kissed him back. It was a promise as strong as the rings that sat against our hearts, spoken words so viscerally enchanted with the emotions behind our words.
"God, one day-" Cole said, as he and the others entered the kitchen. Lloyd and I parted, hair a mess and cheeks red. "I just want one day without walking in on you two doing something weird."
I huffed a laugh, dropping my head against Lloyd's chest as my hands slid down to join it.
"Hi," Lloyd greeted, grinning.
"Hello, you horndogs," Cole grunted. "We have to leave for patrol soon."
"Aww," I pouted, straightening. Lloyd's grip tightened briefly. "What am I going to do?"
"Exist," Jay answered.
"But that's too hard," I complained.

"I know, right?" Kai agreed as he grabbed the milk from the fridge, popped the top and chugged straight from the bottle.
"Nice, Kai," Lloyd commented dryly. I grinned in amusement at his disgusted expression. Kai shrugged and winked teasingly when he caught my eye. I snickered.
"Don't egg him on, Y/n!" Lloyd groaned.
"Ah-ah-ah," Kai tsked as he kicked the fridge door closed and slung an arm around me, pulling me from Lloyd's hold. "This is brother-sister bonding. Don't interrupt brother-sister bonding. You can't. It's illegal."
"Sure," I grinned with a roll of my eyes.
"You already have a sister, idiot," Nya said as she punched his shoulder on the way to grab some snacks for patrol.
"I can have more than one!" Kai exclaimed, unphased. He ruffled the top of my hair before fighting Jay for the musli bars. I giggled at the utter chaos the team brought to the kitchen, the soft moment Lloyd and I shared before completely slipping away. But I didn't mind. They're family. My family, too.
"Go, get ready," I grinned at Lloyd, pushing against his chest so he would join his team in preparation. They always brought snacks just in case. Can't fight on an empty stomach - or at least, in elemental master's cases, can't access their powers without enough energy reserve.

I pulled out my phone when it buzzed, leaning against the bench while the ninja bustled and laughed around me. I felt myself visibly deflate at the text that burned against my screen.
"Are you okay, Y/n?" Zane asked, the only one who wasn't totally enraptured in crazy. I nodded.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Spill," the ice master ordered, crossing his arms. The crazy seemed to pause.
"What?"
"Spill it, Y/n," Zane ordered. I hid the phone behind me.
"It's nothing, I swear!"
But, curse his ninja reflexes, Jay had already grabbed my phone. He frowned at the screen.
"See, I told you," I insisted, attempting to grab it back but failing. "It's nothing. Aaliyah just can't make it the day we decided to go dress shopping for prom, it's fine."
The phone buzzed again. Cole peeked over Jay's shoulder.
"And now Claire can't go, either," he grumbled, brown eyes lifting to mine. "As well as the rest of the group that was planning on going."
My face dropped for a brief second before masking a facade.
"That's cool," I shrugged. "T- totally cool. They're flakey all the time. This is nothing new."
A lie. A total lie. Past six months, sure, but not before that. Even Naomi said something about them acting weird, but I'd been so busy with Axon and schoolwork that I pushed those types of worries away.

"D- don't you guys need to go on patrol?" I nervously asked, glancing at Lloyd before dropping my gaze away. He was impassive, staring at me with an unreadable expression on his face.
There was a small pause before Cole nodded his agreement. Jay handed me back the cursed phone as he and the others began filing out the kitchen. My chest tightened, appreciative of their concern, but wishing against it all the same. I didn't want to worry anybody. Everyone already had enough on their plate as is.
Lloyd was the only one who didn't move. I meekly found his red eyes again, awkwardly leaning against the bench. I yearned for the happy mood we had before when we talked about our futures, not this somber, depressive and suffocating atmosphere that sat around us and made it hard to breathe.
He took a few steps towards me, expression still betraying nothing. Despite that, he could still read me like an open book. He knew that it hurt more than I let on. His hand found my cheek in the gentlest of holds. He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead that left my heart stumbling.
"You're my world," he whispered the reminder, an effort to make me feel better, lingering for a breath before disappearing after his team. It worked, partly. Enough for my cheeks to glow pink and chest to throb with emotion as I watched him leave. But it didn't erase the hurt I felt for being essentially ditched. We'd been planning this for weeks. I was really excited.

I felt like I should've known better.