TW: blood & slight gore. Obviously. She got shot loL

The funny thing about being shot is that sometimes, you don't even feel the full extent of it.

Sure, there's the initial sting. And then there's a deep ache of ripped muscle and torn sinew. And then, in my case, there was the shock-induced lightheadedness that had my weight staggering in the alleyway I had tried to hide in.
I was so bad at hiding. This was not a successful game of hide and seek for me.
"Y/n!" Lloyd yelled my name for the second time, quickly stepping out of his stunned state to bolt and catch my body before I could fall. My blinking was sluggish as my unfocused sight held the small, golden diamond on the chest of his gi. It swam. I didn't think we were underwater, though.
"Hold on," he said shakily, voice muffled through his mask. "You're gonna be okay." But it seemed like he was saying it more so to reassure himself.
The green ninja gave a quick glance of our surroundings before sweeping me up into his arms. The movement sharpened my senses and suddenly I was too aware of the small, metal object in my body where it shouldn't be. I wasn't sure if my gasp was of shock or pain at the intruding feeling of the bullet but Lloyd still murmured soothing whispers into my ear as he lithely scrambled to somewhere safe.

"Y/n's injured," Lloyd said into the comms, voice cracking as he silently and swiftly carried us up a fire escape. My nose was too keen. All I could smell was the ocean's salt. "I'm taking her home."
There was a reply that I couldn't hear as Lloyd set me down on top of a roof and frantically undid the belt of his gi. It fell open, revealing his undershirt. I watched in bleary existence as he pulled up the long skirt of the ruined dress to tie his belt tightly around my thigh, high above the wound. I'd lost my shoes in the chaos. My feet were bleeding. I think I stepped in glass.
"Ow," I whispered when he tied the knot, only because it felt like I should. Lloyd faltered, red eyes catching my dilated gaze with a scared expression. But he's dealt with worse, right? He'd never looked this scared before about some injury. So why was this time so different?
"Come on," Lloyd whispered, lifting me back up in his arms as Bentley burst to life. The dragon coed a whine and despite everything, I managed to crack a weak smile at him.
I blinked and we were halfway to the monastery.
"Stop falling asleep," Lloyd ordered over the wind, voice wavering. "Please. Don't fall asleep."
"I'm so tired," I whined breathlessly.
"I know," he said, squeezing my shoulder. "Just a little longer."

I could do a little longer. I made myself focus on something, like the way his untied gi fluttered behind him like a cape in the cold night. I forced myself to notice new things, like how he wasn't even holding the reins as we flew. The stars behind his head, the crease between his brows, the short, anxious breaths from behind his mask, the silver moon lighting the bridge of his nose. His red eyes.
I pressed my head against his chest and turned my gaze to his hands. Fingers curled around my knee, bunching the material of the dress. The other was wrapped around my back. He was warm. He was always so warm.
"Lloyd..." I whispered, struggling to lift an arm and grab a fistful of the front of his black undershirt. The ache had grown angry. It felt like it was sucking me into nothing but agony.
"Yeah?"
"It- it hurts," I sniffled, feeling emotionally brittle. One push and I would shatter. Fragile like a child.
Lloyd's red eyes dropped to me and they twitched in sorrow and frustration. A gloved thumb stroked my cheek and I found myself craving the gentle touch, chasing it with a turn of my head.

"It won't hurt for long," he reassured in a murmur, linking his arm back under my legs. I finally felt the chill, shock slowly edging to a disappearance. His warmth was intoxicating in comparison to the cold, so I curled into him closer. My breath hitched at a twinge of agony.
"Why?" I asked quietly, lips brushing against the material of his turtleneck. "Y'gonna chop it off?"
"Not funny."
I giggled weakly, the hand clutching his shirt trailing back down to my stomach. My eyes slowly slid shut once more.
"I th- thought it was funny."
"Hey," Lloyd said softly, gently shaking my shoulder. "Don't fall asleep."
"Mmmmyessir," I slurred, peeling my eyelids back open. They caught his worried gaze. "M' wide awake. Fresh 's a daisy."
His brow crease deepened before he tapped on the side of his mask. I counted the threads of his shirt while he talked to his dad, getting lost after five as my attention span wavered and then repeating. I realised that I could hear his heartbeat, so I decided to turn my attention to that. It was reassuring.

We landed and Lloyd was quick to bring me inside. Dimitri was waiting, holding a cup of tea and hurrying after us as the boy took me to the med bay.
Garmadon was waiting inside and I tried not to look at the medical equipment set next to the gurney that Lloyd sat me on.
"Drink this," Dimitri said as I teetered. I scrunched my nose at the tea in his grasp - it smelt like genuine garbage.
"I d- I don't want-"
"It'll make the pain go away," Lloyd said, cradling my head as I finally slumped, unable to hold my weight. He took the cup from Dimitri and held it up to my lips. I dug my face into his shoulder with a whine, wanting to avoid the god-awful aroma.
"It's tea," I groaned. "How-"
"Drink it, Y/n," Lloyd ordered. I paused before giving a grumble and letting him tip some of the warm liquid into my mouth. It was more horrible than what it smelt like. It took everything in me to keep from gagging.
"How does this taste worse than Cole's cooking?" I cried forlornly.
"You get used to it," Lloyd muttered. "You have to finish the whole thing."

"I'd rather suffer," I whimpered but another sharp ache of the wound had me drinking more, anyway. When it was finished I gave a disgusted sigh.
"How is she?" Garmadon asked as my head lolled before leaning forward to rest on Lloyd's shoulder once more. My eyes fluttered as I tried to focus on something nice - like the smell of Lloyd. Yeah. His smell was nice.
"Well, she still has her terrible sense of humour," Lloyd said.
"Oh, thank god," Garmadon sighed in relief.
"H- hey," I garbled, words drawled and unenunciated. "M' sense of humour is fantastic."
"Lie her down," Garmadon told his son, so Lloyd slowly turned me around on the gurney. "How long ago was she shot?"
"Twenty minutes, give or take," Lloyd replied as he shifted the skirt up to my upper thigh.
"Bullet still inside?"
"A'my fingers s'posed to go numb?" I asked in a means of distraction and also genuinely curious. "Oh! Toes numb, too."
"Yeah," Lloyd answered his dad as they both ignored my incoherent ramblings. Fair enough. I wouldn't want to answer my questions either.
"It's dirty," Garmadon said gravelly as he scanned the wound. I sat up a little before Lloyd encouraged me back down by a hand on my shoulder. "We have to avoid getting an open wound like this infected. And for all we know, it might not just be a bullet. It needs to come out now."

Lloyd shot his dad a worried look.
"Will the tea work in time?"
The expression that crossed over Garmadon's face didn't settle my nerves in the slightest. Lloyd's mouth tightened.
"Jus' fill me up with morphine," I whined, flapping my hand against Lloyd's arm. "I don' care."
"Don't let her look," Garmadon ordered, making my panic skyrocket. All joking demeanour had disappeared as everything set in and I realised the gravity of the situation. I sat up.
"W- wait-!" I stammered before giving a sharp gasp of pain as Garm began gently wiping away the blood. Lloyd quickly cradled my cheeks and pulled my anxious gaze away from the wound.
"Hey, sunshine," Lloyd murmured, pressing his forehead against mine. "You're gonna be okay. Don't think about it."
I appreciated his help but how the fuck was I supposed to not think about it when it felt like the only thing that existed was the injury? Agony curled over me, constricted my entire body until the only thing I could feel was the pain. My breathing shuddered.

"It- it's so sore-" I stammered, voice catching on my dry sobs.
"I know, doll," he whispered, rubbing my cheek with his thumb. "It'll be over soon."
"Okay," Garmadon said quietly, placing a hand on my knee to steady my leg. "Try and stay as still as you can."
Lloyd's hands subtly tightened on my jaw. My eyes dropped to his nose and brows furrowed with mixed emotions. I went to possibly ask for a little more time to mentally prepare - but all that came out was a pitched, pained cry when an intrusion dug into the wound. I wanted to run away. I wanted to curl into a ball and hide. Anything to stop this agony.
The tweezers were freezing and horrible and it felt alien as Garmadon searched for the bullet as gently as he could. I gritted my teeth, unable to stop the shivering, gyratingly sharp wail from my throat. It hurt. It hurt so bad.
Lloyd quickly fumbled for the mask tucked in beside his hip before holding it up.
"Bite down," he said, brushing away some tears with his thumb. I did as told, clenching my teeth down onto the material before another agonised yell could bubble from my throat. "It's okay. You're okay."
Sobbing, I hid my face into his neck. He held me as tight as I did him, letting me use him as my rock.

The tweezers disappeared, slipping away. A hoarse cry, choked and broken, slipped with it.
A clink of metal.
"Just a normal bullet, it seems," Garmadon said, releasing a heavy breath. I relaxed into Lloyd, eyes closing with a low exhale.
"Y/n!" Misako's voice came from the entrance. I shifted my head to peek at the woman as she entered the medbay. "Oh, sweetheart. What happened?"
I couldn't find the energy to speak. My eyelids fluttered shut once more, digging my face back into Lloyd's shirt. His hand rubbed my back. I tried to keep my breathing in time with it.
"It was the gang," Lloyd muttered, answering for me. "They must've followed us to the venue and watched her leave."
"She left alone?" Garmadon asked and a wave of guilt made me feel sick.
Yes, I left alone. Because I am a dumbass. I thought it'd already been established.
I really needed to learn to think things through more. I was far too emotional.
"... yeah," Lloyd replied quietly. "I- I should've gone after her."
My brow twitched and a frown pulled at my lips as I listened to his heartbeat. It wasn't his fault. I made a mental note to fight him on whose fault it was later (it was obviously my fault and I will take this stance to my grave).

"At least we know that Axon truly wasn't lying when he said that he had people out there," Misako murmured. "We're lucky it wasn't worse. A shot to the thigh is an easy mend. Any higher..."
"I don't wanna think about it," Lloyd murmured, bringing me in closer. "I think the others just got back. Can you talk to them about what they found out for me, please?"
Misako gave a soundless reply - a nod, I think, but I was still trying to half-doze against Lloyd's chest as I sprawled out on the gurney - before leaving the bay.
"She has glass in her feet," Garmadon announced, voice steeled and focused. "I'm going to disinfect the bullet wound. Can you take the glass out?"
My hands curled tighter into his shirt.
"I'm stuck," Lloyd noted, slipping his fingers between my bent hands and unhooking them from the material. "It will only take a second. The tea should be working by now - you won't feel a thing."
I forced my eyes open as he gently guided my head away from his shoulder. I wanted to stay pressed up against him forever. There was something so uniquely soothing about being close to Lloyd and I wanted to drown in the sensations of him. Wash away everything else - screw everything else, I just wanted snuggles.

Lloyd gave a crooked, weak smile as his fingertips lingered on the soft skin of my cheek. He finally stepped away and I watched him, bringing out a stool to sit on as he picked up another pair of god-forsaken tweezers at the end of the gurney.
I grimaced, preparing for another crash of agony but- but I couldn't feel a thing.
Genuinely. I blinked in surprise at the effectiveness of the tea (despite the slow start) as I pulled the mask from my mouth and stared while Garmadon disinfected the bullet wound. It was gaping, red and angry and ugly and it should've been burning like a motherfucker from hell but.
There was absolutely nothing.
It was as if my nerves had been completely shut off.
"Th- that tea-" I began, stunned. Even my usual headache had all but disappeared. "Damn. That stuff works wonders."
Garmadon smiled as he worked.
"And you didn't want to take it," he reminded, teasing.
"It smelt like genuine trash," I reasoned. Even my throat which had been ripped raw from screaming felt never better.

"And yet, it's my favourite blend," Lloyd murmured, plucking glass from the bottom of my feet, accompanied by the clinks of the pieces falling into a little bowl. I couldn't even feel the tug.
"Can I take some for period pain?" I asked before stopping and glaring at Lloyd. "Hey! Why didn't you tell me you had this stuff when I was living here?!"
"It's very easy to get addicted to," Garmadon reasoned, placing the bloodied towel aside and unwrapping some thread to begin the stitches. "It's not quite a drug but it impacts the body as if it is. This blend is only used in situations that really require it."
I would argue that I had a situation every month that 'required it' but I kept my mouth shut. Painkillers would have to do.
"Did you see anything about the shooter that could hold some clues as to who this gang may be?" Garmadon asked as he began stitching. I watched, morbidly entranced as the needle stuck through the flesh and tugged the thread through. It felt like I was sitting in a pool of absolutely nothing. I'd completely lost a sense. It was so weird.
"Not much," Lloyd murmured, moving onto my other foot. I wanted to try and do it myself but my hands were shaking too much for some unknown reason. Perhaps the recesses of my panic. "Just that he was wearing a mask and dressed in red and black."

"Like a black widow!" I chimed in. "He also had these weird eyes - they looked like they were glowing from behind his visor! Like how Zane's eyes do when it's dark, but way more spooky."
"Hm," Garmadon hummed. "Maybe we can ask around, find out who this gang might be. Do some research."
"Like anybody would spill to the ninja," Lloyd muttered, grabbing the dirtied towel and turning it around to a clean portion before dunking disinfectant on it. He began wiping down the little cuts. "Especially gang members. Let's just hope that the others found out something."
Garmadon nodded again before lifting his gaze to his son.
"Can you get the second tea ready?"
Lloyd hesitated. A look of reluctance crossed his face before he stood, doing as told. I watched him leave with a soft frown.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly to Garm, once Lloyd had left.
"Whatever for?"
I stared at the stitches, halfway done.
"For everything," I replied. "I feel like it's- like it's all my fault. If I just... handled it differently-"

"Y/n," Garmadon interrupted, voice soft. "You know that I used to be an evil overlord."
"... yes," I answered, despite it sounding more like a statement rather than a question.
"And that I am very not young, correct?"
"Is that a trick question?"
He chuckled, expertly sending the needle through another piece of skin.
"I spent years battling the evil inside of me, trying to stay on the side of good. That did not mean that I had my slip ups. I said things that I regret. I've done things that haunt me," he murmured as he worked. I watched his face, silent. "It has only been three years that I rejoined my family as who I am today. The only reason why I am like this is because I learnt that I cannot hold onto what has already transpired. You must live in the now."
I dropped my gaze, picking at my nails.
"But I ruined the now," I mumbled. "I feel like I can't trust anyone. I'll be fine until I'm suddenly on my own and then I'm double guessing everything. Like- like some scared part of me is wondering if the people that I consider my friends are talking behind my back again. And I stuffed up big time with Lloyd."
Garmadon hummed in thought, threading the last stitch before tying it off neatly and snipping the excess. He rolled the thread back up and dabbed some more disinfectant over the brand new stitches.

"Relationships are messy and hard, especially with what you two have to deal with already," he finally began after a short hit of silence. "There is no such thing as the perfect love story. It's all about growing and developing together, and that may include bumps. Even difficult bumps such as this."
"... yeah," I agreed, staring at my lap.
"This is your first relationship, correct?"
"Yes," I nodded.
"Then everything is so new to you," Garmadon said as he brought out some white paste and began gently slathering it over the stitches. "You are learning about Lloyd, about yourself and about how you two work together. Nothing is ever a straight line. There will be dips. There will be challenges - but as long as you two learn to communicate, I believe that even the world cannot stop you."
My throat tightened and my lips trembled as I let his words sink in. I was trying so hard to be perfect so people wouldn't leave that I stressed myself out. And then I pushed Lloyd away when people left me, anyway.
Why did emotions have to be so messy? Even so, Garmadon had total faith that I- we could fix this. I didn't even know what to do first. How could he have such trust? His words swam and swarmed in my head until I was barely keeping myself from breaking into sobs. I missed him so much.
"I'm sure it will all work out," Garmadon reassured, affectionately swiping the bottom of my chin in a trademark 'dad-ish' kind of way. "He still loves you. Never stopped."
"Th- thanks, dad," I whispered, voice shaky. His hand paused over the stitches and I realised what I had accidentally let slip. My face flushed in embarrassment as I shot my gaze to him. "I- I'm..." I paused, staring at Garm as he scrunched his face, still facing the wound. "... are you crying?"

"No," Garmadon denied, but there was totally a tear in his eye. "This cream just stings."
No, it didn't. I smiled amusedly as he wiped his eye with his sleeve and cleared his throat.
"A- anyway," he continued, green eyes glossy and making my affection for the old man skyrocket. Damn, I was soft. "The second tea that Lloyd is brewing is the accelerated healing blend that Kai told you about the other week. It will vastly reduce the amount of time it'll take for this to heal and prevent needing another numbing tea. But there is a drawback."
I tilted my head, waiting.
"This tea will make you very drowsy," Garmadon said. "What it does is convert all of your body's energy into focusing on healing your wounds and it changes depending on the severity of them. While it doesn't shut down your body, it comes close to it. It'll be best if you stay here until the effects wear off."
"O- oh," I said. "That sounds, uh. Super fun."
Garmadon smiled before gently lifting my leg so he could wrap some gauze around the stitches. It looked to have a waterproof outside.
"It will last a while, so you should prepare for the sleep now," he suggested. "Have a shower, take off your make up and get changed into some different clothes. I can't determine exactly how long this tea will take but it's always nice to be comfortable. It will take a while to brew, anyway."
"Okay," I smiled weakly. "Thanks."
"I'll get Nya to help you out," Garmadon said before patting my shoulder and going off to retrieve the water ninja. It took less than a minute until she came crashing into the medbay. I jumped in surprise, not hearing her footsteps.

"Y/N!" she yelled.
"Nya!" I squeaked in reply.
"I'm so glad you're okay!" Nya gushed before helping me from the bed. I still felt totally numb. I didn't know if I hated the feeling or not. "When we got your call- I- what did we say about not going out alone?!"
"Sorry," I meekly apologised. "I have definitely learnt my lesson-" I smacked my cheek "- stop being so emotional."
Nya caught my hand as I hobbled towards the closest shower.
"Alright, what we're not gonna do is that," she said sternly. "You're injured enough as it is."
I giggled sheepishly.
"It's not bad to be emotional," Nya continued. "It's just learning to handle them."
I nodded, turning into the bathroom.
"I'll get you some clothes," she said. "Then I'll be out here if you need me."
Sending her a small, grateful smile, I began to slowly close the door.
"Thanks, Nya," I said quietly. "Sorry for ruining prom."
She waved me off with a scoff.
"It was getting boring anyway," she reassured with a laugh. My smile grew a little, but I couldn't find it in me to believe her words. "You can use my shampoo if you want. Hairspray sucks."
"Thanks," I said again before finally closing the door and releasing a loaded sigh.

My reflection in the mirror just revealed how tired I really was. The bloodstain on the dress took up a huge chunk of the skirt and I felt myself grow disappointed at my own stupid actions. I almost got myself killed because I couldn't handle the bombshell that Lloyd had dropped. Why did I have to be so weak?
I closed my eyes tiredly before pulling the dress off and gingerly stepping out of it. It pooled on the tiled floor, green and red and I made myself smile dryly at the resemblance to Lloyd's eyes.
My hair was stiff from the spray as I worked the clasp out of the tangled strands, placing it down beside the matching belt. Blood had gotten on the diamontes of the belt, too. I stared at it in exhaustion.
Then I stood in the hot shower for ten solid minutes before actually making myself clean up.
Nya had dropped off some clothes earlier on, sitting in a neat pile by the door. I recognised a green hoody and after putting the sweatpants and loose shirt of Nya's on, I dropped the hoody over my head and let myself soak into the darkness. The smell overtook everything. I felt my tense muscles loosen.
I worked slowly as I removed the rest of the make up the shower didn't after throwing my hair up into a loose, careless bun. It felt better to be in clean clothes. It felt better to be in lazy clothes. I was ready for a long nap.

True to her word, Nya had waited outside the bathroom. Jay had joined her, both having had changed into comfortable clothing for the night.
"You good?" Jay asked, standing.
As good as I could be, I thought to myself. I just gave him a nod.
"Let's get you back," Nya said. "That tea should be ready by now."
"Now I understand why the adults love tea so much," I murmured. "I didn't even know there were so many different kinds. Why isn't it more common knowledge?"
"Because people can go crazy with power," Nya murmured. "We get our tea leaves from Mistaké, but even we aren't allowed to know where she harvests them. The only reason we're allowed to know is because she's a long-time friend of Garm and Wu."
"There's a blend for everything," Jay said with an upbeat grin. "Even for things you don't think is possible."
I sent them a smile. Zane stepped out from the kitchen.
"Dinner is ready," he announced.
"YES!" Nya said excitedly. "You can go the rest of the way to the medbay on your own, right?"
I nodded with an amused grin, letting the two race off for dinner. I continued the short distance on my own, hobbling awkwardly down the hallway before quiet arguing made me pause outside the medbay door.

"So you're just going to give up?" Garmadon asked, voice stern and disappointed.
"Just until summer," Lloyd reasoned. "That's what she told Kai-"
"If you want to get back together, then you need to tell her, son," Garm said. "That's all she wants. That's all she is waiting to hear. Why does it trouble you so?"
"Because it's not that simple, dad!"
"It isn't?"
"No!" Lloyd pressed. "I wish it was that easy but it isn't!"
"It all starts with a confession," Garmadon insisted. "Trust me on this. I have dealt with similar situations-"
"Dad-"
"I did not raise my son to give up on someone he-"
"You didn't raise me at all!" Lloyd yelled. Even I flinched at the harshness of his words. Garmadon didn't reply. A tense silence fell.
"I'm- I'm sorry-" Lloyd tried, voice stressed and small.
"Don't be," Garmadon said quietly. "It was well deserved."
"Dad-"
"Come on in, Y/n," Garmadon said, making me grimace against the wall. "Do not let our bickering get in your way."

I slowly shuffled, peeking my head around the corner. Garmadon held a strained smile and Lloyd was rubbing his face tiredly.
"Is... is this a bad time?" I whispered. "Th- this can wait-"
"It's fine," Garmadon reassured. "The tea is ready. I think I'll go have some dinner."
The sensei left the room and I bit my lip, shifting awkwardly. Lloyd released a sharp exhale before shifting his gaze to me.
"Are you hungry?" he asked gently. I shook my head, feeling a little sick. "Okay. I just- I have to-"
"I know," I breathed, giving an encouraging nod. "It's okay. I can wait."
"Thank you," Lloyd mumbled, rubbing my shoulder affectionately as he quickly passed. Woof. Family drama.
Taking a seat on the gurney, I picked up the mug and took an experimental whiff. Ugh. It smelt worse than the first one. I could wait as long as an eternity before I took it, if given the chance.
Lloyd returned not ten minutes later. The tea had long gone cold but it would've been gross either way. He gave a quiet apology and told me to start drinking the tea. I forced back a gag at the first sip.

"Are you and your dad okay?" I asked, cradling the mug as I gave reluctant sips.
"Yeah," Lloyd replied, leaning against the gurney beside me and crossing his arms. "Sorry you had to hear that."
"Don't worry about it," I murmured, feeling my eyes begin to grow heavy. "Wh- wh0a. This stuff works fast."
He gave a little smile. I drank the last of the tea before pulling the mug away with a disgusted grimace. My head lolled.
"... Lloyd?" I called quietly, voice barely audible. He hummed, letting me drop my cheek onto his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I should've stayed."
For a beat, all I could head was his soft breathing.
"I should've told you that I wasn't going to make it to the park," he said quietly.
"I'm a screw up," I murmured, feeling more of myself sag as my energy all but drained. I was exhausted but I didn't want to sleep.
"So am I," Lloyd said quietly, dropping his head on top of mine. "Can... can we screw up together?"
A lethargic smile pulled at my lips. If I was more fully myself, I would've been squirming and giggling in joy but I didn't even have it in me to keep my eyes open. However, my heart still gave an elated thump.
"I'd like that," I breathed. He gave a relieved sigh.
The mug slipped from my fingers but Lloyd caught it before it could fall. He set it down on the gurney beside him. I was barely aware of anything anymore but I did notice the shift in orientation and the sway of being carried. Lloyd stopped.

"I'm taking Y/n to bed," he said while I dozed in his arms, still somehow conscious despite the overwhelming need to slip into slumber. "I'll bring her back out for dinner when she wakes up."
"Keep it PG in there, kiddos," Garmadon said nonchalantly. "Looking at you, Y/n."
I chuckled lethargically, peeking an eye open at the sensei to send him a grin. He was reading an old book while Misako paged through what looked to be a scrapbook.
"No promises, Mr. Garmadon," I mumbled, making Misako sigh disappointedly and for him to laugh. Lloyd shook his head but he was sniggering. So that's something.
"You are a terrible influence," Misako muttered to her husband before diverting her attention back to me. "We told your mother what happened. She wants you to ring her when you've woken up."
"'Kay," I murmured, sliding my eyes shut once more. My tired grin grew a little wider. "Thanks, mom."
Garmadon chuckled. "Look, Misako. We've adopted another one."
"We adopted her long ago, you silly old man."
I must of slipped asleep because I opened my bleary eyes and was being set down on Lloyd's bed. He sat cross-legged as he pulled the duvet up.

"How are you feeling?"
"... groggy," I mumbled, letting him gently pull me upright. I slumped. He rested his palm against my forehead.
"You're not getting a fever," Lloyd murmured, slowly dragging his fingers down to hook under my jaw. I melted into his hand, eyes half-lidded as I stared at his lips. "That's good."
I hummed in reply but was distracted by my knees over his thighs and the breath tumbling from between his parted lips. We were so close, proximity nothing but a breath. I glanced up to find him staring and our noses brushed. His red eyes were entrancing. I wanted him closer.
Lloyd's gaze dropped to my lips and my breath caught, waiting for him to do something. My chin was slowly titled just that little bit further, encouraged by a lithe finger. My eyes fluttered shut. I could feel him brushing against my top lip before he paused and it took everything in me to not whine at his halt. Even so, he emitted warmth and comfort.
"I shouldn't kiss you," he said quietly, mouth whispering against mine. "Not when you're like this."
Lloyd went to move away but I caught the front of his shirt before he could. I wasn't strong enough to pull him back, so I pathetically tugged on the material instead.
"Please," I whispered, peeling my eyes open and pouting. He shifted forward when I weakly pulled on his shirt and I gently knocked my forehead against his. "Please."

Lloyd's hand caught my chin in the softest of holds. I mustered the best pleading expression I could while being half-unconscious, swallowing nervously. He gave a sigh through his nose and a gentle, adoring smile that had me soaring before capturing my lips in a gentle kiss.
If I had energy, I would've returned it with vigour. I would've pressed back, chased the kiss and I would've run my hands through his hair because I was finally allowed to again. I would've pulled him closer while every sensation rushed a marathon around my body and took a dip in a pool of absolute electrified ecstasy.
Instead, I couldn't move, limbs too heavy and body too tired. My skin tingled pleasantly and my stomach dipped in bliss but I couldn't do anything except flutter my eyes shut and trust that Lloyd knew this was exactly what I wanted.
The kiss was short. But it was sweet and had my heart singing and eyes watering. I pressed my head against his chest to listen to his racing heart and he relaxed, dropping his arms around me. I wanted to cry in happiness.

"I missed this," he whispered into my hair. "I missed you."
I couldn't verbally answer so I nodded, shirt still curled between my fingers.
"Tired?"
I nodded again. He smiled against my hair before shifting so his legs slipped under the covers, too. I felt myself being slowly lowered until my head hit the soft plushness of his pillow.
I frowned, eyes still closed.
"No pillow," I mumbled.
"You don't want a pillow?" Lloyd asked, a little confused.
"No," I slurred, feeling sleep begin to take me. I batted it off as much as I could because I'm stubborn. "You. You pillow."
"Ah," he said, amused. "You want me to be the pillow."
I nodded. He breathily chuckled before pulling me closer and transferring my head to his chest. I gave a sigh through my nose as I relaxed into him.

I finally let sleep take me.

🍃🍂🍁🍂🍃

I woke up and it was as if I never went to sleep at all.

I was still groggy and exhausted, totally drained. It truly felt like I had only taken a blink. But golden sunlight filtered through the crack of Lloyd's curtains and it hit my closed eyes in a way that made me scrunch my face. It was clearly early morning.
I grunted and gave a huff, going to move to stretch before realising that I couldn't. I furrowed my brow, shifting slightly and opening my eyes.
Ah. I was trapped by Lloyd's slumbering hug. The cutest of cages, truly.
I turned my head so I could see his face, still resting on his chest. His arms were clasped around me and legs tangled through mine in a way that left my heart fluttering in joy.
But I was super hungry.
I lethargically managed to haul myself up closer to him so I could press a kiss to the underside of his chin. He didn't budge, so I pressed another. And another. Then I bit his skin.
"... ow," he mumbled before sleepily swatting my face. "Bad dog."

My jaw dropped open wide.
"Did you just call me a dog?" I asked incredulously, words slurring in stunned exhaustion. Lloyd's eyes opened and he lifted his head to send me a sleepy, confused look.
"I thought you were Kashu."
"You called me a dog."
Lloyd grinned, suddenly sharpened. It didn't take long for him to adjust to waking up. We were not the same.
"Would you like it better if I called you puppy?"
My stomach did a flustered twist and I tried my best to remain impassive. It did not work.
"M' hungry," I murmured, changing the subject before I could lose myself to embarrassment. Lloyd's grin widened at my red face.
"Okay, puppy," he murmured, cradling my jaw and pressing a kiss to the tip of my nose. I grumbled. "You're still feeling groggy, right? I'll bring you something to eat."
"Breakfast in bed?" I mumbled with a tired smile, feeling my brief hit of energy quickly drain away. "... sounds nice."
He huffed a smile, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear before slipping away. I continued to watch the doorway long after he'd gone.

I turned my gaze to the ceiling and gave a baffled, exhilarated giggle. Despite everything, despite every little mistake (and every big mistake), something went right.
Sure. That something may have constituted getting shot and feeling sickeningly drowsy, but it was worth it. This warm, fluttery feeling was worth it.
But I could barely stay awake.
"Wakey wakey," Lloyd said brightly upon his return. "I've got eggs and bakey."
I dragged my eyes open at the sound of his voice, watching as he nudged the door open with his foot. Two plates of breakfast were balanced on his hands.
"Yaaaay," I cheered quietly. My arms were shaky and almost akin to uselessness as I tried to lift myself up. "Hrrk. Rubber arms."
"Don't strain yourself," Lloyd joked, settling down onto the bed.
"Ha-ha," I said sarcastically, finally slumping forward and eyeing the plate of food he set before me. My stomach rumbled. My leg ached. "Thanks."

"No problem," he said before taking a bite of bacon and nodding at my leg. "Feeling better?"
I shifted it slightly and pulled a displeased expression.
"It's kind of stiff and sore," I admitted. "And I am still. So tired."
"It takes a while," Lloyd said with a sympathetic smile. "How're your feet? Healed up yet?"
"Dunno," I said with a shrug and suppressing a yawn. I struggled to lift the eggs to my mouth without falling face first into them but by god, I was going to get some food into me. Lloyd shifted back to take a glance.
"Oh, sweet," he said. "They're almost completely healed. Those stitches on your thigh should be able to come out tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" I echoed in disbelief. I pulled up one of my feet to stare at where the glass shards had cut them. True to his word, they were almost healed over. "Whoa. But I'm still so woozy."
"You'll manage."
We ate in silence. One time I passed out mid-chew and Lloyd had to hold up my forehead before I could fall into the plate. I jolted awake and almost choked on the egg. It was a good morning.

"Here," I said, offering him a strip of crispy bacon. "I'm not gonna finish it."
Lloyd took the bacon from my grasp with his teeth. Then he slurped it up like it was soba. I stared as he chewed.
"Revolting," I noted, raising my brows. "Please kiss me."
The grin that crossed over Lloyd's face brightened the entire universe. He was the sun the galaxy gravitated around.
"As you wish, princess," he conceded, shoving aside the plates to link his fingers behind my neck and pull me into a heart-aching kiss. My heart jumped into my throat as he caught my bottom lip between his teeth and gave a gentle tug. Electric shivers tumbled down my spine. I raised my tired arms to loop around his shoulders and and and-

"Sunshine-"
"Whas happin'?" I slurred, lifting my head up quickly. Lloyd was barely concealing his snicker, watching me with his red eyes. They were squinted in amusement.
"You passed out again."
"Oh."
"Mid-kiss."
I blinked.
"... oh," I said again, red brushing my cheeks. "Sorry. Can we try again?"
"Depends," he murmured, brushing his thumb over my bottom lip. They parted under his touch and I melted before him, feeling like putty from his hold. "Are you going to pass out again?"
"I- I'll try my best not to," I squeaked. His smile quirked.
"That's good enough for me," Lloyd conceded, recapturing my mouth for another kiss that had my toes curling in bliss. My eyes slid shut on instinct, hands pulling the material of the back of his shirt into loose fists. He pulled me closer and my entire state of visceral being was sent spiralling into nirvana in response, fire on my skin, electricity in my veins. I could happily stay like this forever.

"Heyaaaaaaaaaah-"

We hastily split apart just as Nya turned around, shielding herself from the view.
"It's, uh- it's good that you guys are back together-"
"Hey, Nya," Lloyd said, bumping his nose against my forehead. I gave a little smile, feeling my brain teeter between consciousness and not. "What is it?"
The water mistress cleared her throat and shifted. I pulled my arm back to thread my hand through Lloyd's hair, revelling in adoring awe at the softness of his blond locks.
"We've got training," she said before shooting a look over her shoulder at us. She broke into a small smile. "You guys look good, being together again."
My tired eyes jumped to her with a dopey grin before I hid myself in Lloyd's chest, flustered. He gave the top of my head a kiss.
"You'll be alright on your own?" Lloyd asked, pulling back to send me a concerned look. Nya had already left.
"Oh, gee," I dramatically huffed, slumping in thought. Relying on his strength to keep my weight upright. "I dunno."
"You're just going to pass out again," Lloyd said dryly.
"Right you are," I yawned, shifting back from him and settling back down. I pulled the duvet over my head. "G'night."

He yanked the duvet down with a playful grin.
"Goodnight," he replied, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Dream of me."
"Cheeseball," I muttered with a drained snigger. "Have fun."
Lloyd gave another smile before slipping from the bed and leaving after Nya. Without him, I was forced to face the complete and utter exhaustion that consumed me entirely. I used every last scrape of my energy reserve and then some. I had the beginnings of a headache.
Shit. I forgot to call mom.
I'll have to do that later.

I can't fucking sleep-
What. What.
I was literally passing out before because of exhaustion and now I can't sleep? Right now. When Lloyd's training and I'm alone in his room.
I hate this reality.
And I missed Lloyd's presence.
Giving a grumbled cry, I forced myself upright. If I wasn't able to sleep, then I'd just be bored. Being bored sucked. I didn't want to be bored.
Pulling the duvet from the bed proved to be a struggle due to the fact that my arms were as wobbly and weak as a newborn baby deer, but I managed. I slowly and shakily draped it over my shoulders before letting that ever insistent tug to pull me forward.
I stumbled and fell into a wall.
Clearing my throat, I pretended that never happened and continued to stagger down the hallway.
This was much more challenging than it needed to be.

"Y/n!" Dimitri called worriedly, appearing from the scroll room as I passed. Wu was inside, pouring over some old parchment. "You shouldn't be up yet. I'll take you bac-"
"Take me back to bed and I'll spill that you've been teaching yourself the renegade but that you keep getting it wrong," I threatened. Dimitri raised his palms.
"After you," he offered. I gave an appreciative grin.
The dojo's doors were left open - a helpful coincidence. Kashu had joined at some point, trotting merrily beside me and occasionally tripping over the duvet that I had curled as best around me that I could. I stumbled inside. Quite the sight, too - what with my messy bed hair and eye bags.
"We have an audience," Garmadon noted warmly, sending me a smile. Lloyd dropped his sword, rushing over as I teetered.
"You shouldn't be walking!" he insisted, catching my shoulders just as I fell towards him.
"Missed you," I murmured into the front of his gi quietly. He sighed, softening. The sound of a phone's camera went off.

"Damn," Cole cursed. "I thought my phone was on silent."
"C'mon," Lloyd urged softly, picking me up like an oversized child before setting me down at the edge of the dojo, out of harm's way but still with a perfect view. "Rest."
"Sir, yes, sir," I said with a messy salute. Kashu jumped onto the poofed up duvet before settling down against my hip and resting his head on his paws.
Lloyd gave a small, loving smile before returning back to his training. I began to doze to the familiar sound of metal against metal, Garmadon's instructing and grunts of exertion of the ninja training. I'd seen enough to grow comfortable during them. It was putting me back to sleep.
I pulled the duvet up closer to snuggle myself into the warmth. Kashu was already fast asleep and I wasn't long behind.
"Crazy how their attitudes changed," Cole said, making my ears prick up at his words.
"I know," Kai replied, amused. "We should've gotten Y/n shot in the leg a long time ag- OW!"
I peeked my eyes open to see Kai rubbing the back of his head with a pout. Lloyd, holding one of the wooden training swords, looked unimpressed. Cole was struggling to hide his laughter.
"Keep talking, Kai," Lloyd grinned despite the warning. "And I'll smack you harder."

A tired, amused smile pulled at my lips as they fooled around, laughing. It was normal between them once more. Everything was back to normal.
Kind of. Almost.
Still...

It was good to be home.