"This is a very terrible idea," I announced as I stared at the oujia board on the table. "Remind me why we're doing this again?"

Lloyd sighed as he took a seat on the other side of the small table in the scroll room, gazing at the board with a indifferent frown. The aged, engraved wood had an air of supernatural warning that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. It would've been different if I still thought that ghosts didn't exist, but after the encounter when Lloyd got possessed by the resident master of wind, Morro, my beliefs did a whole 180°.
"Zane seems to think that if I face my fears, the nightmares will stop," Lloyd murmured, lifting his index finger to the candles to light them. I watched as a spark spat to life from his bare skin and caught aflame on the waxy string. He let out a weary sigh. "We've exhausted all other options."
My brows furrowed in concern as I stared at his tired face. The eye bags had grown worse and he would repeatedly wake me from his tossing and yelling. I too, was losing sleep from his nightmares - but I couldn't tell him that. I didn't want Lloyd to feel worse than he already clearly did.

The green ninja stared at the board with a disgruntled frown, the warm green of the candles flickering their light against his skin. Sympathy left my heart aching - no matter how bad of an idea I thought this was, no matter how afraid I was of the consequences - if Zane thought that this was our last option, then by god I'm going to take it.
I shivered as I switched off the light and took my seat across from Lloyd, sending him a reassuring smile. Reassuring, despite the anxiety spiking along the nerves beneath my skin.
"It'll be okay," I promised, reaching across the table and grabbing his hands. His grip was warm in mine. "I'm right here. I'll stay right here the whole time."
Lloyd held a sigh, red eyes jumping to mine as they found me through his lashes. He gave a small, crooked smile.
"Thanks, kitten," he murmured. He swallowed. "Do you think... do you think Morro will answer?"

I furrowed my brow in thought as my gaze drifted down to his hands in mine. Last we'd seen of the ghost, he vanished into thin air after neglecting to slip through the rift during the Yin Yang Eclipse. His reason for letting himself fade away rather than pursuing a new life still left me wondering if there was more I could've done to convince Morro. He should've taken that second chance. But he didn't, simply because I was in love with Lloyd and not him.
It's far too heavy for a seventeen year old girl to deal with. I hoped that Morro would appear tonight so I could cuss him out to his face - who does that to a person?! It made me lose even more sleep, guilty that it was technically my fault that Morro decided what he did.
Even though Lloyd told me it wasn't my fault.
Even though he reminded me time and time again that it was Morro's own decision.

"I'm not sure," I answered truthfully. "Morro was supposed to be sealed away until the next Yin Yang Eclipse - but does that only mean that he can't get back to this realm himself? Does it still count if we summon him?"
Lloyd was silent, chewing on his lip. My hands tightened over his.
"We... we don't have to do this, Lloyd," I reminded gently, dipping my head to catch his downturned gaze. When his red eyes caught mine, I gave him a fleeting, worried smile. "It's fine if you don't think it's a good idea. There's always other options."
"No," Lloyd shook his head and puffed out his chest for a deep, settling inhale. "I can do this. I've got you with me."
I squeezed his hands with mine. My warm smile returned.
"Of course you do," I murmured. "Always."
Lloyd sent me a shaky smile before clearing his throat and removing his hands from mine. They met again at the planchette that sat on the middle of the board, fingertips lightly touching the wood of the pointer.

"Ready?" Lloyd asked, whispering. I gave a quiet nod, mentally preparing myself. I held my breath, waiting for him to begin. "... what do I say again?"
I smiled a little at his lost expression, staring at me in total confusion.
"I can do it," I offered, watching as the green candlelight flickered warm against his pretty face. "I've watched enough Buzzfeed Unsolved to have a basic idea."
Lloyd silently nodded, watching as I greeted whoever may be in the room with us and said my name, before guiding the planchette to spell it out. Then I introduced Lloyd and spelled out his name.
"Is there anyone here with us?" I asked, heart pounding in my ears. I could feel Lloyd's knees shaking against my own. The candlelights flickered. Our gazes caught.
But the planchette remained still.
"Is there anyone here with us?" I repeated, eyes wandering around the darkened room. My vision played tricks on me, as did my brain. They found creatures staring back at me from the shadows and imagined a chill running down my spine.
And yet, the planchette remained still.

"Okay," I sighed, beginning to move the piece of wood towards the 'goodbye' at the bottom. "This doesn't wor-"
The planchette suddenly stopped dead in its tracks. I jolted, staring at the board with wide eyes. Lloyd gulped. The candlelights vanished and the room was shrouded in darkness.
"Lloyd?" I squeaked, beginning to panic. "C- cut it out!"
"I- it's not me!" he stammered, sharing my fear. I tugged on the planchette to urge it towards the goodbye to no avail. It just slid away, forcing my fingers and Lloyd's along with it. It landed on an M.
"Wh- who's there?" I cried, panic making my voice rise a trembling octave.
Cold fingers brushed up my neck. My breath hitched.
"Hello, pet," purred a voice in my ear.

"Y/n!" Lloyd called, removing his hands from the planchette to yank me towards him. I stumbled over the low table and into his chest, frozen still in fear. He drew me in close by the protective arm around my waist before holding out his palm and summoning a ball of green fire.
"Morro," Lloyd growled as the flames brought the familiar ghost into sight.
"I thought you'd never call," Morro sighed, drifting closer with a Cheshire smile. "I missed you so much! But not you, Lloyd. Not really."
Lloyd's arm tightened around me.
Heart still pounding loud in my ears, I pressed myself closer to Lloyd while Morro edged forward. He reached out to touch my cheek before Lloyd stepped away and brought me with him.
"That's close enough," he snarled. "You're hardly trustworthy."
"I'm hurt," Morro sighed despondently, pulling a pout. "I thought that it'd already been established that I wouldn't wish harm upon my little pet-"
"She's not your-"

"Lloyd," I whispered, placing my hand on his tense, shaking chest. His red eyes dropped to mine. "It's okay."
He stared, conflicted, while I gave a reassuring nod. It was hard enough for him to deal with seeing Morro again - but for him to antagonise Lloyd, too? Morro enjoyed this game. It was easy for him to toy with the green ninja; especially when they both were all too keenly aware of how the other felt. I was stuck in the middle.
The only thing I could do was remind him that no matter what Morro said, no matter what trick he pulled, I was here for Lloyd and only him.
Brushing aside the tension between the two boys, I pulled myself from Lloyd's hold and turned on the lights of the scroll room - if only to rid the spooky atmosphere the shadows brought. Lloyd let his fire die into nothing as artificial lighting brought the room into perfect view.

I took a seat at the table, reclaiming my zabuton. Lloyd and Morro watched each other, expressions guarded and predatory. I rolled my eyes at their raging testosterone.
"Well?" I asked, making the two boys shift their attention to me. "Are you going to stand like dorks or sit and talk like adults?"
Lloyd was first to move, swiftly taking the spot beside me - close enough so his arm brushed mine. Although I knew it was his instincts doing a possessive, needy show of affection, I still felt enamoured by his attention.
Morro slowly took the seat across from us, sending Lloyd a noticeable sneer. I wanted to huff - they could at least pretend to get along. Like what girls do.
It would make things a little bit more easier.
"So, Lloyd," Morro began, using his wind to move the planchette mindlessly across the ouija board. "How are the nightmares holding up? I trust they're making your life hell. I've been told the repercussions of a possession are a sure treat."
"I don't know," Lloyd hummed, red eyes slitted like a snake's as he sent a cruel smile. "How's it like being dead?"
"You're both hopeless," I sighed, dropping my head into my hands.
"It's not my fault that Lloyd's so foolishly in love with you that I gained his emotions," Morro huffed. "That usually doesn't happen."
"It wouldn't have happened if you didn't possess me in the first place-"

"What if we talked about something that we have in common?" I piped up my suggestion, cutting the budding argument off. Both boys stared down at me and my face went red. "N- not that- I meant- I meant Axon-"
"I dunno, Lloyd," Morro sighed with a coy grin. "I'm more inclined to discuss the complexities of us both loving Y/n."
My eyes widened.
"Um-"
"What complexities?" Lloyd shot back in a dark growl. "You're on the sidelines."
"But wouldn't it be exciting to share her?" Morro goaded with a hungry glint in his green eyes as they flickered to me. My mouth went dry under his loaded stare. "Just for one night?"
"Back off!" Lloyd ripped a roar from within his throat, pushing me behind him. I squeaked, having almost lost my balance. I barely caught sight of his unsheathed fangs in warning before I was hidden from view.
"Relax," Morro sighed, leaning back. "It was a joke."
I peeked around Lloyd's tensed bicep. Morro's eyes dropped to me and his grin curled into something wicked.
"... mostly," he purred. A thundering, warning growl from Lloyd made him roll his eyes.

"Oh, come on. Don't act like you're such a saint, green ninja," Morro shot, crossing his arms as he sent Lloyd an unimpressed, taunting look. "We all know that whatever I feel stemmed from you in the first place. The difference is, you're just afraid to act on your feelings."
"The difference is that I respect our boundaries," Lloyd sneered.
"That's just fancy talk for hesitating," Morro snapped, inclining forward with a snarl. "Why are you hiding it from her? I thought relationships were built on communication."
The conversation turned awkward very hard and very fast, but I couldn't help but be curious about what Morro was implying. I was frozen to my spot. Lloyd set his jaw. Morro huffed a smirking laugh.
"Your boyfriend is a freak, Y/n," the ghost slyly revealed, ignoring Lloyd's warning hiss. "I've seen it in his head - all the things he wants to do to you. The only reason why he hasn't done anything is because he doesn't want to break you."
Hah. Okay.
"He wants to see your face red and sweaty. He wants to be the cause of your ecstasy and his. He wants to see you withering beneath him," Morro continued, licking his bottom lip. Lloyd was growing rigid, beginning to steam. "Just as I do-"
"I'm getting Nya," I said dryly, lifting myself to stand and leave the room. Morro's eyes widened in fear.

"O- okay! Alright!" he squeaked, raising his transparent palms in surrender. "I'll cease, just- just please don't get the mistress of water!"
I paused, hand on the doorknob.
"She's only a call away," I warned, raising a brow. Morro scrambled to stand.
"I'll behave!" he vowed, genuine. I regarded him with a cold glare before returning to my seat beside Lloyd.
"Should've started with that," greenie mumbled, avoiding looking at me.
"Should've," I agreed with a scowl. Morro awkwardly took a seat again, staring at the table with his tongue bitten between his teeth. "What do we do now?"
Lloyd leant forward with a slam to the table. I jumped at his sudden action, not expecting it. His face was twisted into something sour and sneering as he regarded Morro.
"I hate your guts."
I stared at the side of his face blankly.
"Anything actually helpful?" I suggested monotonously.
"Why did you want to be the green ninja so badly?" Lloyd shot.

"Why does anyone?" Morro replied venomously. "For the power, you nitwit. You could have the world bowing at your very feet - you could be the king of everything, and yet you let low life, powerless humans walk all over you because of your pops. You play as poor little Lloyd Garmaboy when you could be ruling them all as the all-powerful green ninja."
I drew my arms in close, staring at Morro with a frown. His spiteful eyes bore into Lloyd with malice unmatched.
"Those powers are wasted on you," he spat.
"I keep my identity secret to protect the ones I love," Lloyd boldly replied, eyes red as he stared, unshaken, at his enemy. "You know how many people want me dead? Imagine all those people coming after my friends, my family - coming after Y/n - and ask yourself again as to why I keep my mask on."
Morro faltered, expression falling into a look of shock. He quickly masked it.
"I don't want to rule this realm," Lloyd continued, lifting his shoulders confidently. "I want to protect it. Protect the integrity of it that my grandfather tried to so hard to create. Protect the people who live here and fight for them against evils like you. And if the people of the city cluelessly walk all over me for being a Garmadon, then that's a price I'm more than willing to pay to keep my family safe."

Silence fell. Lloyd's powerful words floated around the room and we soaked in the promises behind them. I stared at him in stunned adoration as he glared determinedly at the cause of his nightmares. His red eyes drifted down to mine and caught my gaze. They softened.
"Oh," Morro said blandly. "That's why she loves you. You're so good, it's... god, it's kind of disgusting."
We ignored him.
"Whatever," Morro muttered. "I knew I was never going to win her affections, anyway. Green ninja always gets what he wants."
I closed my eyes guiltily. Why should I feel guilty? I did, anyway. I sent Morro a sympathetic look.
"If you took that second chance of life," I murmured. "I guarantee that you would've found someone better than me for you to love."
The ghost scoffed with a shake of his head, brushing aside me words scornfully. My frown deepened.
"You just don't get it, do you, pet?" Morro growled, clutching his arms hard as he leant his elbows on the table. "Because of the prophecies, the imprint - hell, just you in general - Lloyd's love for you is a gazillion times more potent than anyone else. And I got the copy and paste of that. Even if I did want to move on from you, the very essence of Lloyd's emotions keep me from ever doing that."

My expression saddened. So he really was just stuck. He didn't ask for this. Morro didn't want to love me at all. The only thing he wanted was Lloyd's power.
A sadistic part of me thought that Morro got what he deserved, that this was his punishment for trying to destroy Ninjago and my boyfriend. But the bigger part of me understood how terribly hurtful unrequited loves could be. I did like Morro - when he isn't antagonising us - and I did think that he deserved far more than to be reduced to a puppet for Axon's master plan, but I had no romantic love for him.
And that was just the hard truth of things.
Even if I did have some feelings for Morro, I couldn't leave Lloyd. He was the centre of my universe, the sun to my galaxy. Sometimes it felt as if loving him was the very reason for my existence. What I felt for Lloyd was so much more than just love.
"I'm sorry," I whispered. Morro grimaced, scowl deepening. "Really, I am. I... I talked to Wu some time ago about ghosts. You have something keeping you from moving on. What is it? Maybe we can help you."
His green eyes drifted to mine.
"Take a guess," he said quietly.

Ughhh. Why did everything have to be so difficult? Why couldn't I just exist in a world where I loved Lloyd and he loved me and nothing bad ever happened. I would kill to get some peace for once.
Lloyd drew me in closer, protectively. Morro looked away before I could catch a glimpse of the longing in his eyes. But he was too slow.
"I used to just want to be the green ninja," Morro murmured. "The resentment of not achieving my goals kept me in this world and then when Lloyd became the green ninja, it was my hate that tethered me."
Lloyd's grip tightened.
"And then," Morro sighed. "And then everything changed when I got inside Lloyd's head. Everything was 'sunshine this' and 'sunshine that.' I couldn't get a break. At first, I wanted to kill you just because Lloyd was being so annoying about how he felt for you - but then, in the bounty when I was just about to end your life, you reached out and touched my face and..."
I remembered it too well. After that, Morro saved me from falling to my death. Between that, Kami's knife being thrown at my head and the shot from the mysterious black and red guy from that gang, it had been the closest I was to dying.

"I remember us both falling for you harder than before when we were on the ship in that dingy old storage room," the ghost continued. "You had no fear at that moment - it was incredible. I'd never seen someone look at me with a loving expression. I'd never seen someone look at somebody they loved who was possessed without being afraid."
My sympathy for Morro only grew the more he revealed.
"I'm sorry, Morro," I apologised in a soft voice. "I can't love you. Do you know if there's any other way for you to move on?"
"I- I don't need you to love me," Morro said, catching my eyes. "I think... part of me knew that you'd never love me back the way you love Lloyd."
"Then what..?" I asked.
"All I would want is a kiss," Morro elaborated. "It's not as if we haven't shared one before."
"No way," Lloyd denied. I stared at the ghost.
"And I'll help find a way to stop Lloyd's nightmares," Morro bargained. My eyes brightened.
"Can I get back to you on that?" I asked before grabbing Lloyd's hand and dragging him from the room. I closed the door behind us and turned to the red-eyed blond. He was already shaking his head.

"I'm doing it," I said.
"No!" Lloyd blanched. "You can't seriously be considering this - what, just for my sake?"
"It's for your sake that I am considering in the first place," I pointed out. "What's one kiss if it means that you don't have to deal with your nightmares and we don't have to worry about Morro ever again?"
"I-" Lloyd struggled, expression torn. I placed my hands on his chest.
"I know this is hard," I murmured, sliding my hands up his neck to cup his cheeks. "And I don't really want to do this, either. But the pros outweigh the cons... and you know that I only love you. It's just a meaningless little kiss and then I'm all yours for the rest of your life."
"You should be mine already," he grumbled, leaning into my hands.
"Of course I'm yours," I soothed. "From the first time we saw each other, I've been yours. As much as you are mine. We're a package deal."
Lloyd's red eyes fell to the side, frowning.
"He deserves to rot."
"You don't mean that," I mumbled, bumping my nose into his clavicle. "You're a better person than that. I know you are. But I'm only going to do this if you're okay with it - we make decisions together."

Lloyd gnawed on his lip. His red eyes jumped to mine.
"Fine," he sighed. "One kiss. But then he doesn't get to look at you."
"Deal," I agreed. "One kiss and then, hell, I'll leave the room while you two discuss your nightmares."
Lloyd nodded. "Thank you."
"Thank you," I pressed, placing a kiss on his cheek before turning to the door. He shuffled a step closer. I sent him a look.
"You don't have to watch," I soothed, inwardly worried that his instincts would make him lose control. "It'll be okay."
"I don't trust him."
"Lloyd-"
"I trust you," he said, words quipped and short and teeth gritted. "But I don't trust Morro. I'm going to be in the room with you."
The look in his eyes were convincing enough that I wouldn't be able to change his mind. I nodded.
"... okay," I whispered. "Ready?"
Lloyd sighed. I could tell that he hated every bit about this. Sometimes we had to do things we didn't want to to get the answers we need.
"Ready," he murmured. I opened the door.

"Okay," I said as Lloyd closed the door behind us and stiffly crossed his arms. His arms were tensed and ready to pounce, muscles bulging and I gulped, remembering when it was Morro who was guiding those head-smashing arms.
"Okay?" Morro asked, lifting his head up.
"I'll do it," I said, taking a seat before the stunned ghost. "One kiss."
"A- and Lloyd's-?"
"Staying to make sure that you don't try to pull any funny business," Lloyd warned, leaning against the door as he tried to pretend that he was okay. My heart ached that I had to put him through this - but I'd find a way to make it up to him. I wouldn't stop looking for a way to make him feel better once all this was over.
Morro's expression brightened as he turned back to me.
"Th- thank you, pet," he gushed before faltering. "B... but it's not a peck, it's... it's a proper kiss. A real one."
"I know," I nodded, inclining forward and closing my eyes. "Let's go."
"Nya's only a call away," Lloyd reminded. "But I'm right here."
"Hear you loud and clear, mr perfect," Morro muttered sourly.
"Can we hurry up, please?" I asked. "I'm supposed to be babysitting my cousin tonight."
"Sorry," Morro said, voice hushed. I could sense him leaning in closer. And closer. And I waited. And waited.

"Hold on."
"What?" I groaned, slumping.
"For... for the kiss to work, it- it needs to be willing," Morro murmured.
"Huh?" I asked, opening my eyes in confusion. Willing? But I already said that I would.
"You need to lead the kiss," he announced quietly. "... and don't kick me in the balls this time."
I needed to what.
"L- lead the kiss?" I asked incredulously. "I..."
The longer I tried to comprehend things, the longer it would take to sort this out. I released a sigh.
"Okay," I breathed, lifting my hand to Morro's transparent cheek. It solidified under my touch and he watched me with bright, excited eyes. If he had a heartbeat, I swore that I'd be able to hear it pounding.
This is for Lloyd, I reminded myself as I closed my eyes and bumped my nose against Morro's. It's to help him. I was willing to do anything to help the betterment of Lloyd - even as something as ridiculous and demeaning as this. Even if he hated it.

I inhaled through my lips before pressing them to Morro's mouth. It was different than what I was used to - it was cold, for one. It didn't have that warmth that Lloyd had. And my stomach failed to flutter and twist with butterflies.
That being said, it wasn't a bad kiss. His lips were soft as I soaked into him. He smelt like the beginnings of a thunderstorm - of ozone and petrichor and geosmin. His hold on my head was delicate and his kiss was sweet, as if he couldn't believe what was happening, as if I would fade away if he so much as breathed wrong. I wondered how he was feeling. Did he feel the sparks and the tingling, pleasurable sensation when I kissed Lloyd? Or was he as blank as I was?
It was a nice kiss. But it still felt horrible. I still wished that it didn't have to come down to this.
I wish that Morro had it better than the hand he had been unfairly dealt.
This wasn't his fault.
I'm going to kill Axon.

We parted and much to my surprise, Morro readily let me pull away. I would've thought that he'd try to hold on to me for as long as he could without facing Lloyd's wrath.
"Thank you," Morro whispered, eyes hazy in bliss. At least he enjoyed it. At least he finally got something good for him.
I gave him a small smile before standing and trying to not look like I was fleeing as fast as I could. Lloyd was staring hard at the ground.
I placed my hand on his arm, touch lingering in what I hoped was reassurance as I went to leave the room.
"Don't go," Lloyd murmured. I paused, hand over the doorknob. "... I need you with me."
I swallowed. I think I'd rather be with him than lose myself to the emerging regrets my brain was slamming me with.
"Okay," I whispered, gratefully linking my fingers through his. "I'll stay."
Lloyd cleared his throat, leading me back to the table.
"Okay," he said, squeezing my hand. Another form of guilt built in my stomach. "How do I stop the nightmares?"

The next half hour was spent with Lloyd and Morro in deep discussion. Apparently, Morro knew more about the brain than I initially thought he would've - spending so long with a master of the mind would do that to somebody, I supposed. It was interesting to listen to.
I tried not to think about the irony of Lloyd getting help with his trauma from the person he got trauma from.
Morro said goodbye - a real, true goodbye. He looked peaceful as he left.
"Are you okay?" I asked quietly into the silence. Lloyd hadn't let go of my hand. "I'm sorry."
He shook his head. "It's not your fault. I'm sorry you had to be put in that position."
I gave a small shrug. "At least your nightmares won't be as bad. I'd do anything if it meant that it would help you."
Lloyd gave a long, heavy sigh through his nose. I glanced up and found him smiling softly at me.
"Thank you," he said, dipping his head to press his forehead against mine. "I know that it wasn't exactly pleasant. It wasn't pleasant for me, either."
"Is it mean if I say that you're a better kisser?" I asked.
"Maybe."
"Darn," I sighed, pulling out my phone to check the time. "Guess I'm mean. Okay, I really have to get going to my aunt's house-"

"No," Lloyd said before sending me a sheepish grin. "Sorry. I'll drop you off to save time, but... can you stay a little longer?"
I furrowed my brow in confusion.
"Yeah, of course - but what for? Aren't you coming with me to babysit?"
"Oh," Lloyd meekly chuckled, rubbing the back of his head as he began to slowly lead me down the hall. "Well... this is probably something better handled here."
My confusion only grew. Lloyd's cheeks blushed a pretty pink.
"You smell like him."
Ah-?
"Ghosts can smell-?"
"I need to fix this before we do anything else."
"Oh," I said as Lloyd swiftly lead me towards his bedroom. A giddy warmth blossomed in my lower gut at the prospect of Lloyd's marking - especially after what had just transpired. I lost myself to selfish fantasies of him being rougher than usual, biting harder than normal, leaving more marks on me than he'd done previously. I shouldn't love the idea of it, but I did.
A coy, little smile grew on my lips.

"I think we have the time," I said airily as Lloyd shoved his bedroom door open and tugged me inside with a snicker.