TW: sprained ankle

Lloyd Garmadon sneezed.

"Whoop," Jay chirped, catching his nunchuck under his arm. "You sneezed! That means someone's talking about you!"
Lloyd sniffed, wiping his nose. He regripped his katana.
"Who isn't," he grumbled.
"Think it might be Y/n?" Nya smirked, pulling back her spear. Lloyd deflated, rubbing his tired eyes. He spent the entire night scrubbing the four training rooms as punishment for skipping training and patrol. He wasn't in the mood for being teased by his team.

"Who's Y/n?" Cole asked, dropping his hammer over his shoulder.
"Ooooh, is she that girl from the park?" Jay asked excitedly.
"You mean the one that hit him with the skateboard?" Kai grinned pugnaciously, leaning on his sword. "And her car?"
"The girl that made Lloyd late yesterday?" Zane asked.

Lloyd glared with tired eyes at his team.
"Can we just continue with training?" he asked. "I'm so. I'm so tired."
The others weren't so quick to let it go. Because girls being interested in Lloyd never happened. It wasn't a thing. No girls liked Lloyd because they all knew who Lloyd Garmadon was.
Well. They knew his name.
They knew the fact that he was the cursed son of Lord Garmadon, the bringer of death and doom itself. Despite the fact that his father put those evil-doer days behind him, the people of Ninjago still looked down upon Garmadon and his son.
Especially his son, who was gentle and easy to pick on.

Girls, they ran from him.
Guys, they made fun of him.
And if it was a particularly unlucky day, they'd beat him up to watch him squirm.

Lloyd had a hard life but it just made him more motivated in his training.
In training and fighting, he was allowed to vent the hatred that had been bottled up behind a facade of a content grin. He was allowed to convert the hatred from being outcasted into power, power that he used to fuel his elemental energy.
He couldn't fight back against his bullies because he knew that if he started, he wouldn't be able to regain control of himself before his strength was spent.
So, training and fighting were his coping mechanisms.

And his team knew that. And they weren't letting him leave until he spilled every single juicy detail about his crush.

"Nope," Cole had declared that training was over in exchange for the tea. "Tell us everything."
"Nothing happened!" Lloyd insisted.
"Hoh, yeah, sure," Nya snickered before imitating his voice. "'Keep my hoody, it looks good on you! Wink!'"
His trust was broken.
"Nya!" Lloyd hissed, face burning. Kai spluttered a loud laugh, throwing an arm over Lloyd's shoulder.
"You said that?" he asked incredulously. Lloyd dropped his face into his hands.

"Y/n loved it," Nya continued.
"Nyaaa!" Lloyd whined.
"Come on, Lloyd," Cole pressed. "We're your team!"
Lloyd dropped his head back and he fell onto his behind. This is so embarrassing.
"Fineeee," he groaned, running a hand down his face. He couldn't believe himself. How could he let some girl get the best of him? Just a few weeks ago he was gagging at Nya because of girl cooties (it was met with a kick to the knee and an ironic 'grow up, Lloyd'). "Alright. So, yesterday we met up so I could give her the skateboard and she could return my hoody-"

"The one that Y/n still has," Nya interrupted giddily. He shot her an irritated glare.
"Yes. Thank you, Nya."
She poked her tongue out at him.
"Anyway, we kind of spent the whole day together-"
"Aww," coed Jay.
"- and I walked her home-"
"Aww," coed Jay for a second time.
"- and she may have kissedmeonthecheek."
"Aww- WAIT WHAT?!" Jay shrieked, pointing a finger a Lloyd. "She KISSED YOUR CHEEK?!"
Lloyd swallowed. "YeS."

"What is going on out here?" Sensei Wu asked, appearing out of nowhere. The team jumped.
"Sensei!" Kai cried, the first to recover. "Lloyd's got a girlfriend!"
Lloyd made a sound in between an embarrassed honk and a grunt of betrayal when Wu raised his eyebrows in his direction. Lloyd's face burned a bright red and he hunched his shoulders, wishing for the ground to swallow him whole.
"It's- it's not like that!" Lloyd shrilled, waving his arms and shaking his head in denial. "She's just a friend."

"Uh-huh," Kai nodded, not believing Lloyd for a second. He clasped his hands to his chest and blinked rapidly in a mock of Lloyd's infatuated manner. "That's why you were saying 'oh! Y/n has such entrancing eyes! Oh! Y/n has such a beautiful smile! Oh! Y/n has such an amazing a-"
Lloyd, who had previously been paralysed with embarrassment, suddenly leapt onto Kai and slapped his hand over his mouth. The fire ninja just laughed whole-heartedly, taking joy in seeing Lloyd so flustered about a girl.

"I did not say she has an amazing-" Lloyd caught himself off, shaking his head. "Kai!" he cried, causing Kai to fall into a second fit of laughter.
Wu ignored Kai's teasing, instead turning to his nephew with an intrigued smile.
"It sounds like Lloyd's got himself his first crush," Wu said with piqued eyebrows, a mischievous glint in his old, wise eyes. "Why, I remember my first crush."
"I don't have a crush!"
"How old is Y/n?" Zane asked in an oblivious tone. "Given the differences between your state of mind and physical body, would it not be challenging to find a suitor?"

The others paused, suddenly wondering the same thing. Lloyd ran a hand down his face, suppressing another groan.
"I'm not finding a suitor!" he exclaimed hotly in denial, snarling, eyes flashing red. "I'm not on the search for a girlfriend, I don't want to be in a relationship and I don't have a crush on Y/n!"
The other's however, remained unfazed by his temper.
"Dude just tell us how old she is," Kai said nonchalantly from where he sat on a crate to watch the scene unfold.
Lloyd sighed, giving up. He's too tired for this.
"I don't know - maybe around eighteen? She didn't exactly tell me."

Kai fell off his crate.

"Eighteen?" Cole exclaimed as he stood to attention.
"Jeez, you're ambitious, kid," Jay chortled. "You're really going after the older women."
"It's not like that!"
"Sure, kid," Kai nodded as he stood and brushed himself off. "A fourteen year old boy dating an eighteen year old girl. Nothing wrong with that."
"I said she might be eighteen! She could be younger! Besides, my body's eighteen!
Jay gagged, shaking his head and biting his fist.
"Bro, we don't need to hear about that side of your romantic endeavours."

"UGHHHH!" Lloyd bit a yell and yanked at his hair in frustration. "I give up! I'm going for a run."
He turned around and stormed out of the training room, brushing past his father. Garmadon watched him leave with a confused frown.
"Do I want to know what happened?" he queried, turning back to the team with a flabbergasted expression on his face.
Cole sighed.
"He's just going through puberty," he said.

🍃🍂🍁🍂🍃

My feet carried me without a plan. My mind was too preoccupied with the swirling mess of a billion different thoughts to worry about where to walk, anyway.
I just couldn't comprehend it - on one hand, I couldn't exactly say that Claire or the people on that message site were wrong. On the other, I spent a whole day with him. He was sweet and charming. Nothing about it made sense.

I scuffed my shoes, face tight with conflict. Was Lloyd really that bad to have the entirety of the city loathe him? Aside from Mr. Robuntusson, apparently. What did he actually do? Was there solid proof that he was bad? Or were they just dangerous assumptions with wicked consequences?
I was stopped by the edge of a forest. I stared at it in surprise - the forest is no where near my home and I didn't even know how to get to it. This is weird.

I went to turn, to make my way back home, but something stopped me.
"It's Lord Garmadon's family home... nobody can get close. Can't even see it."
I gazed into the woods. I knew nothing about them, I didn't grow up playing in them.
I know them as well as I know Lloyd, apparently, a darker part of me muttered bitterly.
I wondered if Lloyd was in there. I wondered if he was in the monastery with his dad.

My feet guided me into the woods.

I didn't know what I was thinking, walking into the dark forest without a plan. The rumours of shaking ground and lightning bolts made me jumpy. Maybe this forest is cursed?
Even so, I couldn't entertain the idea of turning around. It was like I didn't even have a choice.
I was pulled forward, stumbling over rocks, brushing past trees and struggling through the undergrowth. I had no control over my own body as I scampered down small cliffs and leapt my way over little streams.

Eventually I found a raging river and that was when I was shaken out of my stupor. The crashing water violated my ears and I blinked, taken aback. What was the time? When did I get here?
More importantly, how do I get home?
The previous tugging sensation that showed me the way seemed to have abandoned me, disappearing as fast as it arrived and leaving me stranded in the middle of a ginormous forest. I felt fear began to trickle down my spine.

I turned back into the forest, thinking that I could possibly retrace my steps. Batting aside low hanging branches and spluttering out bugs.
I pulled out my phone, trying to bring out maps or even call for help but there was no service. I cursed and shoved it back into my pocket. May as well save the battery. It's useless to me right now.
Nothing looked familiar. I swallowed nervously and turned around a tree but just my luck, I stepped on a mossy stone and my ankle gave out with a crack.

I shouted in pain, collapsing to the dewey forest floor. My ankle was burning and aching and as I squeezed tears from my eyes, I began to fear the worst.
Anxiety truly began to set in now and I had trouble keeping my breathing steady. I was downed and lost. No signal. No one knowing where I'd gone off to. No one to help me.
Why did I even want to go for a walk? I should've just stayed home. Curse this damn feeling that took over my body and led me here. All because I couldn't handle what Claire and everyone else said about Lloyd.
Why couldn't I just have one good day?

I leant back against the tree, a feeling of utter hopelessness taking over me and making my body shut down. I relaxed into the foliage, ferns brushing against my cheeks and bark digging into my back. What's the point in trying?
I sniffled, allowing my tears to trail down my cheeks. My ankle was in so much pain. I just wanted to have a nap and wake up at home.

"Hello?" called out a voice.
I gasped, sitting more upright before hissing in pain as I accidentally moved my ankle.
"H- here!" I choked out, relief feeling like a drug. It soothed my entire body, relaxing my muscles. Thank god somebody else was here. "I'm over here!"
There was some shuffling. I blinked, waiting for whoever was there to appear. They went silent.
"H- hello?" I called out tentatively.
"Hold on," the voice grunted. "I'm just- got it!"

My eyebrows dipped over my eyes oddly as I waited for the person to arrive in my line of vision. Oh god, I hope it's not a murderer. Or worse-
"H- OH MY GOD, GET AWAY YOU PERVERT!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as a shirtless man rounded a tree. I curled, holding my arms over my head.
"Y/n, shut up, it's me."
"HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME?!"
The man sighed wearily.
"It's me, I'm the green ninja, you moron."

Wot. I dropped my arms and glared up at the man with the admittedly familiar voice. His head was covered in some weird bundle of material but I recognised his green eyes.
Then my attention dropped to his bare chest.
Holy fuck. I knew that he'd be ripped but god-
I guessed that's what happens when you're a vigilante, constantly on the go to protect the city.
But what really caught my attention was the large scar that cut down the length of his torso. It started from his left clavicle, shot over his heart, dipped across his abs and tapered off at his right hip. Admittedly, I felt a little sick staring at it - it looked like it had been deep that even when it had healed, it was jagged and gory. My own skin ached just looking at it.

"Hey," Greenie said with a smirk in his voice. He knelt before me and his green eyes were half-lidded in enjoyment. "My eyes are up here, doll."
My face burnt a terrible red as my gaze jumped to his smug, half-hidden face. Faint freckles sprinkled over the bridge of his nose. I scowled.
"You scared me!" I shrilled, changing the subject in a chance to regain my dignity. "Where's your shirt?!"
"This is my shirt," he responded dryly, pointing at the material on his head. "I didn't exactly expect to see anyone, least of all you out here, so I had to improvise. I don't live in my mask, you know."
"Oh," was all I could say. He stood and held out his hand to pull me up. I scrunched my face in pain and whimpered as I rightened.

"Are you okay?" he asked, alarmed. "What happened?"
"I don't know," I sniffled, rubbing away the tears harshly. "I slipped on a rock and now my ankle's killing me."
He huffed, glancing down at the foot that I refused to put any weight on.
"What were you even doing all the way out here?" he shook his head. I couldn't look him in the eyes, staring hard at a leaf on the ground.
"It wasn't me," I said quietly. He faltered. "It was that feeling again. The one that makes me do things I don't plan to do."
"... me, too," he said uncomfortably. "I don't usually go off the path when I go for a run but this time I did."
"Kind of glad," I humourlessly breathed a chuckle. "I'd be in real trouble if you didn't show up."

He green ninja released a heavy breath.
"This is starting to become a problem," he muttered, scratching his collarbone.
"I know," I whispered.
"I'll take you back to the monastery to get patched up," he offered, pulling out his phone. "I'll just tell the others that you're coming."
I tilted my head.
"You live in the-"
"Haunted monastery?" he cut me off. "It's not true. We started the rumour because we live and train here. We wanted privacy."

"Oh... I'm sorry. I didn't know," I apologised awkwardly. I won't tell him that I was kinda trying to see if Lloyd lives in his family home, no siree.
"It's okay," the green ninja brushed it off, putting his phone back into his pocket. "You actually got through the barrier, so it's not really your fault."
"Wait- that's actually a thing?" I blanched. "I thought that was just another rumour. How did I get through?"
"Dunno," he shrugged. "It's made by my uncle. Maybe he needs to strengthen it. Can you walk?"

"Erm..." I took an experimental step forward and my ankle gave out again. The green ninja swiftly stepped in front of me and caught my arms, holding me upright. I tried not to think about how close his face was to my bowed head or that I had a full view of his abs oh sweet lord almighty-
"You okay?" he asked, his voice a touch husky. I swallowed sharply, squeezing my eyes shut. He cleared his throat.
"Y- yeah," I stammered, straightening slowly. I refused to meet his eyes.
"Here, I'll carry you."

I stiffened. Pressed against him? Against his bare chest? Carrying me? Bare chest??? An act that's a little more than intimate???
"No!" I shrieked, hopping backwards a few steps until I hit the tree. He stared at me, confused.
"Why not?"
"You're shirtless!" I accused, pointing. "I refuse to be carried when your unfairly attractive abs are fully exposed! I am a woman of god!"
"What," he said emotionlessly.
"THREE METRES FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT!" I screamed as I shuffled around the tree.
"Do you want to walk on that injured ankle?" he asked dryly, following my trip around the trunk. I paused.
"... no."
"Then let me carry you, moron."

I faltered, failing to find any other option. I whined, accepting defeat.
"Fine," I sighed. He shook his head and stepped forward.
"Arms around my neck," he told. I hesitantly did as asked, staring stubbornly over his shoulder. "Oh no, your holy spirit's been squashed."
Just as I was about to retort against that unneeded sass, he suddenly pulled me off of my feet. I yelped in surprise, holding myself tighter against his chest while I waited for my heart to slow. He chuckled, his chest vibrating.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Fine," I whispered. My shirt had risen in the commotion and I tried not to think about the stiff flesh of his scar rubbing against the skin of my hip. He snickered.
"You should see your face. What, you've never had a boyfriend or anything?"

My eyes jumped to his, staring him dead in the eyes.
"As a matter of fact, I haven't," I said. "What's it to you?"
His eyes genuinely looked surprised.
"What, never?" he asked. "I would've thought you'd have boys falling at your feet."
I snorted uglily.
"Okay, Romeo, let's get a move on," I turned my burning face away from his gaze.
"How old are you?" he suddenly asked as he started off at a steady walk despite the uneven terrain. I pulled a face.
"Why do you want to know?"
"Sheesh," he hissed through his teeth. "You're snappy today. It's just a question."

I continued staring ahead, licking my teeth agitatedly.
"Seventeen," I finally answered quietly.
"I'm eighteen," he replied. "Oh, dude, we could totally date or something ha-ha."
I sent him a dry look.
"It was a joke," he rolled his eyes when he caught the unimpressed look on my face. "Did you also injure your sense of humour?"
"Shut up," I slapped his shoulder. "You're such a jerk!"
"And you take everything too seriously," he countered.
"Yeah, well, you're a meanie!"
"And you're a stiff," he recriminated joyously. "We can do this all day, Princess."

I scrunched my nose.
"You're also a huge flirt!" I quickly said before dropping my chin down to my chest, digging it against his skin as if to cut the conversation there while I had the last word.
"I'll take that one as a compliment," he addressed carelessly. I huffed through my nose. He started on an incline, making his way up a hill.
"I'm not too heavy, am I?"
"Light as a feather, sunshine," he replied, not even slightly out of breath. "How's your ankle holding up?"

It ached like no tomorrow.
"Keep talking and maybe I'll forget about the pain," I suggested through gritted teeth.
"Aw. You like the sound of my voice?"
"No," I shook my head. "It's just more irritating than the pain in my ankle."
He whistled. "Ouch. That one stung."
I snorted, closing my eyes and pressing my face against his chest. I could hear his heartbeat. It was strangely soothing.
"I wonder if our tugs lead us to each other?" he mused. I cracked an amused grin.
"Yeah. Maybe we're fated rivals," I suggested. "Too bad I'm a total coward."
"And you can't even walk without injuring yourself," he hummed. "That's not a fair fight."
"Aye, shut up."
He laughed. It reverberated through his chest and into my very bones. I was very tempted to fall asleep...

"Did you seriously just fall asleep?"
I snorted awake. "What?" I asked unattractively, blinking my heavy eyelids.
The green ninja stared down at my face. His eyes looked smug.
"I didn't realised you enjoyed being in my arms this much," he teased. "If I knew I would've offered to carry you those other times, too."
"Let me rest, dammit," I whined, closing my eyes again. "I'm babey," I pouted, snuggling into his arms more.
I was too tried and too sore to care. I'd deal with the consequences of my actions later.

He may have laughed. He may not have. It didn't matter, I was already napping.