Alfie Jukes
••• Cigarette •••

but, oh, my days, i think you're lovely
you're my rediscovery
acting like i don't give a damn
and, though i never got it quite correct
i'm taking chances like there's nothing left

•••••

btw if you think yn is stupid for standing up for Claire and the others, then you're very lucky you've never been manipulated by people you thought were your friends before lol :')

Please mind what you say in the comments, as there are many people reading them who have gone through similar situations. Thanks!

Also hi this chapter TOOK it OUT of me. Oh my god. At one point IT WAS 14,300 WORDS WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME.

Its not my favourite but I hope u enjoy anyway sobs,.

TW: sexual tension/steaminess. Yep. This is a romance book alright (+ gore and attempted assault)

  The day of the Festival of Light arrived quickly. It hadn't snowed for the rest of the week, the iciness melting away in the cold, clear-bright days. Saturday was no different.

  The blue sky was crisp and cloudless, promising no atmospheric disturbances for the celebrations taking place later on. I wasn't getting picked up until noon, so I at least had the morning to spend catching up on my homework that had grown into a small pile on my desk.

  Birds chirped on the bare branches of the tree outside my window. Their merry song serenaded me through my quiet studies. 

  I stretched back in my seat and sighed. My english assignment wasn't flowing like how I wanted it to, but I wasn't surprised. All week I'd been fretting over Lloyd attending the Festival of Light, worried that he'd get treated even worse than usual there, but he'd been so excited about it. How could I tell him not to go to a festival held in his honour? What kind of life would Lloyd lead if he lived it in seclusion, afraid of what people said to him?

  I closed my eyes and sighed. Mum was celebrating the festival with Aunt Rose, Dad, and my grandparents in Ignacia. The quiet of the house further incited my concerns, anxiousness unbound and unfettered by distraction. Even studying couldn't curb my focus.

  Weary, my hands laid over my eyes. I hoped that our date at the festival went smoothly.

  When mid-afternoon crawled around and it was time for me to get picked up (Mum had taken the car), I was surprised to hear a knock on the front door. Puzzled, I padded downstairs. Lloyd wasn't one to use a door - he was my door-averse ninja boyfriend. 

  My surprise turned pleasant when I found Kai at the entrance. It'd been a while since I'd spent time with him.

  "Kai!" I greeted with a grin.

  "Heya, Spitfire!" He brought me into a hug so tight that it made me grunt. The ruffle of my hair ignited my amused irritation. "How ya doin'?"

  I sent him an exasperated smile and pushed my hair from my face. "Fine, thanks."

  Kai's amber eyes squinted with a smirk at my reaction. He was such an older brother.

  Rolling my eyes with a smile, I grabbed my winter coat from the rack and locked the door. I hadn't known what the dress code was, but the Fire Master's relaxed outfit of a red racer jacket over his jeans and graphic tee made me feel better about my green tartan pinafore and blouse. 

  "Lloyd's still stuck helping set up at the monastery, so he asked me to pick you up," Kai explained as we trotted down the porch steps toward Nya's truck. "Hope you're not too disappointed."

  I matched his grin. "To spend time with you? Never."

  Chuckling, Kai tapped his fist to my shoulder before hopping into the driver's seat. I climbed into shotgun and scrolled through the list of music on his phone that he handed to me.

  "You know, we haven't had a chance to talk one-on-one recently," Kai said as he began to reverse out of my driveway. His glance at me was filled with concern. "So... last week was pretty rough, huh?"

  I hesitated. Picking a random song, I placed his phone back down and squeezed my hands between my knees. "Yeah."

  Kai sighed. "I'm sorry. I hated keeping that from you, and Lloyd... I love the guy, but he's got a real problem with letting people in."

  Oh, boy, do I know that. The truck began to rumble down my street. I watched Mei tend to her garden as we passed while Pumpkin, the orange tabby cat, lounged in the sun on the patio. I glanced back at Kai with a small smile.

  "I figured that one out pretty quick," I said with dull humour, making him huff a single chuckle. My lips wavered. "He's been through a lot."

  Kai agreed with a grim nod. "He has. You guys seem to be doing alright now, though."

  I slowly brightened, recalling our ice skating-training-date, our self-care night with Jay and Nya, and my attempt to read Lessons in Chemistry aloud to him after his Wednesday night patrol. He'd fallen asleep on my shoulder before I even finished the second page.

  "We are," I happily agreed. "We had a much-needed conversation. Lots of tears and kissing."

  Kai snickered. "And you? How are you doing?"

  My smile at him was warm and genuine. "I'm doing good."

  The slight hesitation behind his jovial mask faded at my answer. Overjoyed, Kai squeezed the nerves above my knee with a gritted-teeth snarl of a grin. I shrieked at the jolting sensation that buzzed along my leg and swatted him away with a shout of complaint.

  I spent the rest of the ride shielding my knees from any more horse bites.

  I wasn't surprised at the string of red lanterns that'd been strung along the front columns of the monastery, given that the celebration had 'light' in the name. The dragon statue in the centre of the pond had even been wrapped with solar fairy lights. I hopped out of the car and admired the decorations as we walked up the stairs.

  "What should I expect?" I asked Kai.

  He toed off his sneakers and nonchalantly shrugged. "Lanterns."

  I eyed the multicoloured string of small sakura lights that lined the entrance parlour. "No way."

  Kai snorted at my comment. "We usually have some food and then light lanterns when it goes dark." He noticed me peering down the long hallways. "Lloyd's probably still out in the garden."

  I shot him a grateful smile. "Okay! Thanks for the lift, Kai."

  I began speedily toward the closest door that led to the garden. Jace barely avoided my warpath, stepping aside and lifting a platter of small paper lanterns.

  "Yeah, yeah," Kai teased. "Just don't kiss in front of me. I already have to deal with Jay dating my sister."

  "Can't promise that!" I called back over my shoulder. "Hi, Jace!"

  Clinging to the trunk of a bare maple as if he were a monkey and hitching a cord to the branch above his head, I found Lloyd helping Dimitri tie up some lanterns in the trees of the tranquillity garden. I had to take pause when I noticed his outfit. He wore the thick drapes of a winter kimono, tabi socks and geta. Even his hair had been tied back.

  Oh, my god. Lloyd didn't tell me he was going to be wearing traditional clothing for tonight! I had to control myself less I fell to my knees and screamed into the dirt. The history nerd inside of me was reaching the highest plane of ascension. First beanies, then ice skates, and now Lloyd in a kimono? Thank you, winter. I'll never complain about you again.

  Kashu excitedly bounded up to me for attention but all I could do was distractedly scratch his head. I'd been struck dumb by Eros' arrow, staring in awe at my boyfriend. My insanely handsome boyfriend, who was laughing at something Dimitri had said and was wearing a kimono.

  Lloyd noticed me hovering and sent a charming grin my way. He finished up his tie before lithely dropping to the dirt without a wobble despite his elevated wooden sandals. Even almost eight months in, his athleticism still left me astounded.

  "Hey!" Lloyd greeted as he jogged toward me. I took a mental snapshot as he crossed the small, red bridge and lamented that I couldn't print it from my brain and stick it on my corkboard. "Sorry, sunshine. I've been busy all morning."

  "It's okay-" I cut myself off with a gasp when I was swept up into a swinging hug. Giddy, I pressed my face into his soft hair and softened into his tight hold. He smelt so good; like trees and rain and fresh buttercups.

  Lloyd placed me on my feet and kissed my forehead. He was a little bit taller than usual, given an extra few inches by the wooden teeth of his geta. I didn't have the mental capacity to be flustered by his affectionate welcome - every part of me was focused on his kimono.

  "Surprise!" Lloyd turned sheepish. "It's a bit much, right?"

  "Are you kidding me?!" I stood back and took in the pine green silk of his kimono with feasting eyes. His haori and hakama were the same dark colour but decorated with embroidered dragons a few shades lighter, so they were only visible when hit by the light. His obi belt was black and slate grey. The haori himo was made of gold-coloured cord, and his yin medallion hung proudly from his neck. "You look amazing! I had no idea that you were going to get all dressed up."

  His cheeks went pink. "You think so?"

  "Yes!" I insisted. I picked up his long, square sleeve and held it up to admire the intricate stitching of the dragons. "I love it! Lloyd, you look gorgeous!"

  He bashfully chuckled and scratched the back of his head, shy at my gushing compliments. He gestured to where Dimitri was igniting the lanterns' wicks with the long neck of a barbecue lighter.

  "You should thank Dim," Lloyd said. He began patting Kashu when he turned to him for attention. "He's the one that makes all of our kimonos."

  My eyes widened. "Dimitri made this?" At Lloyd's nod, I turned to send my praise to the head monk. "Dimitri! You're so talented!"

  Dimitri flicked his hand like he already knew. He was too busy for flattery. I sunk my teeth into my lip and sent Lloyd an amused grin, one which he matched.

  "Can I take a picture?" I asked.

  He sighed like it was a great effort to stand still for a photo. He'd probably already had a run of them from his mother. "If you must."

  "Yay!" I giggled to myself with elation and told Kashu to sit at Lloyd's feet. I bounded back a few paces and took my photos. "Hello, new lock screen. I'm gonna love seeing you first thing in the morning."

  Lloyd rolled his eyes with a red-cheeked smile. "Alright, enough. Mum's bad as it is."

  "Sorry, sorry. Couldn't help myself." I tucked my phone away and jogged back toward him with a shameless smile. I found myself admiring him again - his little ponytail really pulled it all together. "I think this is the best day of my life."

  "You look adorable too, for the record," Lloyd said with a blush. He reached beneath my jacket and adjusted the twisted strap of my pinafore with a fond smile. "I like this."

  I'd wear it every day for the rest of my life if he wanted. Besotted, I shyly dropped my gaze.  "Thanks. You do like me in green."

  He released a single, breathless laugh of fluster. "I do."

  I peeked up and melted beneath Lloyd's soft smile. Kashu's nose bumped into my fingers, his tail wagging.

  "Oh, Y/n!" Misako's call of delight broke our moment. I turned my head and found her pacing toward us, deft in her single-toothed geta with the ease of having worn them for millennia. "I'm so happy you're joining us tonight."

  Misako was also wearing a kimono, but hers was far more bold and colourful than the masculine's understated design. Whereas Lloyd's only splash of bright colour was from his gold haori himo, Misako's entire outfit was a darling, vivid artwork. It was like she was a walking painting.

  Her kimono was a gorgeous emerald gown, embossed with depictions of willow trees and cranes in shades of black. Her obi was a swirling gold, and her obi-age beneath it a striking violet. The obijime cord tying her belt together was black and purple. Her grey hair had been done up with a white blossom kanzashi that gave the illusion of falling petals, and it swayed as she stopped before us.

  I beamed with admiration. "Misako, you look stunning!"

  "Oh, you flatter me." Misako took my hands in hers and squeezed. "I'm so excited for you to see this! It's our youngest tradition, but one of my favourites."

  I glanced around the garden - everything had been decorated. The naked sakura trees were dressed with pink string lights and the stone statues were illuminated by small lawn spotlights. Tea lights floated on the surface of the ponds while paper lanterns with decorative shades swung in the gentle breeze, the fire within flickering and making their painted figures dance. Even the mossy stone lanterns had been lit.

  "I think I'm going to love it, too," I said, before grimacing at my outfit. "I think I'm underdressed."

  "Oh, don't worry about that, sweetie." Misako waved my concern off. "It's just the boys and I that wear these. You look beautiful."

  I blushed. "Thank you."

  "Mum always insists on Dad and I being formal for tonight," Lloyd explained. He came to my side and rested a hand on the small of my back. "She said it's about-"

  "Familial unity, perseverance and courage," Misako primly finished.

  "Our light in the dark," Lloyd warmly added.

  His mother fondly pinched the tip of his nose. "My shining sun."

  My heart warmed at their doting interaction. Last weekend's conversation had been rough for all three Garmadons, but now it seemed to have made them even closer than before. I revelled in the peace of seeing them happy again. How I adored his family.

  Misako turned back to me with the brightened expression of an idea. "We must get you a kimono, Y/n. It's a necessary item for many celebrations here."

  I was shocked by her offer. "Really? I'd love one!"

  She smiled at my eagerness. "Then it's settled. I'll ask Dimitri to make you one as soon as he has the time." Misako picked a piece of bark from the front of Lloyd's kimono and flicked it away. "What have you been doing, climbing trees?"

  Lloyd meekly shrugged. "Maybe?"

  Misako sent him a half-hearted glare. "Go clean up."

  Lloyd dutifully steered us around his unimpressed mother. "Cleaning up."

  I grinned to myself at his obedience.

  We made our way to the closest bathroom to freshen Lloyd's kimono up. I leant against the vanity, finding myself gazing at his outfit again while he picked off bits of dirt and bark. When it was all clean, I patted down the silk of his kimono with a happy smile. My fingers touched his medallion.

  "You know, getting a kimono from Dimitri pretty much means that you've been fully indoctrinated into the monastery," Lloyd amusedly said. "You're never escaping."

  It was said in jest, but I wouldn't have minded it if it were true. I could happily live out the rest of my life in the monastery. I sunk into his chest and wrapped my arms around him, floating in the bliss of his orbit. His hand slid through the hair at the base of my neck.

  "Keep me here forever," I dreamily sighed.

  "Don't tease me," Lloyd murmured. "I'd have you shackled to my side if you let me."

  I chuckled into his kimono. "That wouldn't be so bad."

  "But what about your archaeological digs?"

  "You'll just have to come with me," I said with a content smile.

  Lloyd lifted my chin and kissed my nose. "Deal."

  I preened at his peace. It flowed through me, too; a warm, cosy serenity that I wanted to curl up in and doze. His red eyes weren't hardened by duty or alertness. He was supple and soft, comfortable where we stood. It was my favourite side of him.

  I understood Misako's earlier comment; Lloyd really was like the sun. Hadn't I always compared him to Apollo? Didn't we all orbit around him? His light and warmth draped over us all, like a silk blanket, like the cosmos in the sky. I cradled his cheeks and smiled.

  "'Shining sun,'" I echoed Misako from earlier. "Is that where my nickname came from?"

  Lloyd pressed his lips to the pulse of my wrist. "I might be Fate's light, but you're mine."

  My breath hitched. I was going to die, and die very, very happily. I had no idea that was where my pet name originated from and it filled me with such frazzling, overwhelming infatuation that I froze. I shut down. I was reborn into a thousand, million particles of pure adoration. When Lloyd caught my gaze I'm pretty sure he saw hearts in my eyes.

  I jumped into his chest with a whine of endearment. Lloyd yelped at my sudden love attack and swept to catch me.

  "You're the sweetest, cutest, loveliest man I've ever met," I gushed.

  Lloyd released a flustered laugh at my saccharine fury. "And you're the most adorable, kindest, most amazing person I have the privilege of knowing." He placed me back onto the floor and brushed some hair from my face. "C'mon, sunshine. It should be starting soon."

  I swooned into his touch. Sunshine. I had no idea there was so much meaning behind it - and he'd called me that from before we'd even started dating. Was this what it meant to be soulmates?

  Lloyd chuckled at my smitten expression and herded me toward the East Wing. I floated along beside him like a cloud.

  The dining room had been so thoroughly decorated that it was practically its own festival. The long table was brimming with food, tapestries hung from the walls and decorative lights had been strung along the beams of the ceiling. I was ecstatic to experience a monastery occasion where we were all free of darkened clouds - Lloyd's birthday on the solstice wasn't exactly a chipper celebration.

  I greeted the team while they were still loading the table with more and more food. Before Lloyd and I could offer our help, his dad entered the room.

  "Y/n!" Garmadon quickly placed a heaping plate of homemade sushi onto the table and approached with a joyous smile. "I'm so glad you could make it."

  Like his wife and son, Garmadon was donning his best threads. His kimono was the same slate grey as Lloyd's obi, and much like the lighter-shaded dragons on his sons' hakama and haori, Garmadon's were embroidered with images of pine trees and mountains. His obi was bright, cheerful green and his haori himo was a deep violet.

  I smiled to myself in realisation. They were all matching - though I shouldn't have been surprised, given how colour-coordinated the entire team was. I happily accepted Garmadon's fatherly hug.

  "Looking very dapper, Mr. Garmadon," I complimented.

  "Ah, thank you, my dear. I try," he contently replied with a pat on my head. "This was the last of the plates. Do take a seat."

  Lloyd ushered me toward the end of the table and pulled out the last zabuton for me. I smiled at him with appreciation and took my spot. By the time Lloyd was settled in his seat of honour, the rest of the team, Wu, Misako, Dimitri, and even Dareth had arrived.

  "He helped us out during the battle," Lloyd answered my questioning look. "Believe it or not."

  "Ah," I said.

  "The new student!" Dareth greeted me with delight. He took a spot across the table from me and reached for a potsticker. His hand was slapped away by Zane. "How has your training been going? Kicked evil's butt, yet?"

  I shook my head with a smile. "Not yet. But Lloyd says I've progressed a lot."

  Dareth nodded firmly. "Good. Not that I would need any assistance, but I'm sure the ninja could do with an extra hand now and then."

  "Thank you, Dareth," Lloyd said dryly.

  Dareth placed a hand on his shoulder with a peaceful, teacherly disposition. "Anytime, my young one."

  Mirrored to us and taking the other seat of honour, Garmadon sat at the opposite head of the table with Misako to his right. On my left was Cole, whose eyes kept gravitating back toward the mountain of goodness before us. Zane and Wu turned about the table, pouring traditional matcha tea into each ancient ceramic cup and adding its vegetal aroma to the rest of the feast. I took in everything with wide eyes.

  When all the tea was served, Garmadon rose to his feet and cleared his throat. The chatter fell respectfully quiet. 

  "Another year passes us by on this day where our family was reinvented," Garmadon began with a genial look at the gathering. "Another year of battles won and Ninjago saved. Destiny continues to challenge us, and we continue to rise to the occasion.

  "It has been six years now since the Final Battle between Light and Darkness. It has been six years since you all fought to protect our world from evil and my curse was lifted. I have been returned to the man who I am proud to be, to the side of my beautiful wife, and to my son." Garmadon sent Lloyd a look bursting with pride and love. "Without the Ultimate Spinjitsu Master, none of us would be here today. Without my son, I would not be home."

  'Ultimate Spinjitsu Master' was a grand-sounding title I hadn't heard of before. I glanced at Lloyd - was that why he sounded so unsurprised when I told him that his parents thought he was going to be the next Spinjitsu Master? What was the difference between those two titles? Lloyd took my hand with an amused smile. He could see the questions blooming in my eyes.

  "Friends." Garmadon smiled at Dimitri and Dareth. "Family." He smiled at the team. "And our newest addition, but no less loved." Garmadon nodded toward me with a soft look. My smile wobbled with emotion. "May we have many more years together." He lifted his cup to the ceiling. "To the Light!"

  Everybody lifted their cups in unison. I hurriedly followed.

  "To the Light!" the table cheered. Kashu leapt to his feet and barked at the noise.

   As Garmadon took his seat and sweetly kissed Misako, Lloyd squeezed my hand and stood.

  "Ahh, my turn," Lloyd said impishly, making the room quietly laugh. He stared into his matcha tea with a sigh of reminiscence. "Six years ago, we were faced with the darkest battle Ninjago had ever known. During it, we'd reached our lowest point. We thought we had failed everybody. We believed that we had lost and that Destiny was wrong to trust us, a bunch of kids with powers and no plan. How could we ever defeat a primordial god?" 

  I glanced amongst the team. It was still hard to picture them as fourteen and fighting against the Overlord. It seemed so impossible, like fiction. Their smiles were full of memory.

  "Sometimes, I still can't believe we managed to win," Lloyd continued. "We were still so new - especially me. We hadn't even been together for a year before the battle was upon us without warning, but we proved that our spirit was unbreakable. We proved that ninja never quit."

  Cole pumped his fist into the air. "That's right!" He was hushed by Nya with a grin.

  Lloyd chuckled. "I know I wasn't easy at first-"

  Kai snorted. Wu sent him a warning glare.

  "Thanks, Kai," Lloyd said with a sarcastic smirk. "But you all believed in me. More importantly, you were all there for me when I thought I couldn't do it and was breaking under the pressure. Even to this day, when I think I'm at my limit and can't go on, you all continue to lift me up with your unwavering support. I couldn't have done it without you." Lloyd peeked down at me fondly. "Any of you. My strength is nothing without my family."

  My face crumpled. It took everything in me not to start bawling at his heartfelt affection. Lloyd softened at my reaction before lifting his gaze to the equally emotional faces staring back at him. He raised his cup into the air.

  "To unity, perseverance and courage. To the Light." Lloyd's sincere grin turned cheeky. "And to Zane's cooking!"

  "To Zane's cooking!" the gathering exclaimed with laughter. The nindroid contently smiled and sipped his tea.
 
  When Lloyd took his seat, the table erupted into movement. Chopsticks were lofted, bowls were passed, and plates began to be loaded with food. Conversation resumed with cheer. I caught my boyfriend's eye and smiled sweetly.

  "Corny?" he asked.

  I leant forward and kissed his cheek. "Beautiful," I answered.

  We ate until we could no longer, then drank tea until we couldn't do that, either. All the while I was entertained by tales of the ninja's early days - their messy fails, their hilarious situations, their heartwarming wins. Lloyd had eagerly joined in, reminiscing on the missions he'd snuck into while still untrained, the pranks he'd pull on the team and waving off the remarks of his old Darkley's-regulated bowl cut (bowl cut!). I laughed until my stomach hurt.

  When dusk was upon us and the sky darkened, the celebration moved to the garden. It glowed with all the lights, casting a mythic atmosphere that wrapped all around us. In the centre of the garden stood a decorative stone pillar carved with the iconography of the Final Battle. On it sat a single, unlit lantern.

  Night continued to fall. The sky was growing pitch black with it, but the monastery was illuminated. Lloyd and his parents approached the pillar together while the rest of us were given small, hand-sized lanterns of our own. Kai went along our semi-circle and lit them.

  "What do we do with these?" I whispered to Jay beside me.

  "After Lloyd and his parents light their lantern and lift it into the sky, we whisper a wish into ours and do the same," he answered. He grinned brightly. "I'm gonna wish for a new Starfarer video game!"

  I giggled at his enthusiasm. "Good wish."

  Lloyd lit the big lantern with his pinkie. The flame took, and the lantern blossomed into a golden yellow that flickered against their shapes, a light that drew away the darkness. Lloyd and his parents spoke briefly before he turned away from them and approached.

  My eyes widened as Lloyd stopped before me with a smile. "What are you doing?"

  "We want you to join us," he said. He offered me his hand in invitation.

  "What?" I glanced at Misako and Garmadon's waiting figures with alarm. "But- but this is your family's tradition."

  "Which you're part of," Lloyd softly reminded.

  My face blushed. Jay took my lantern before I could even respond, and I blindly allowed him to. Lloyd tilted his head, smiling with encouragement.

  "I'm not even dressed right," I whispered.

  He undid his Haori and slung it around my shoulders. "There. You fit in perfectly."

  Taken aback by his simple solution, I couldn't help but smile. His resolve was steadfast - it seemed that they wouldn't take no for an answer. Warm with fondness, I took Lloyd's hand and allowed him to lead me toward his parents at the pillar. My heart was pounding, but Misako wrapping her arm around my shoulders and Garmadon's warm grin assured me that I belonged with them.

  "You'll have your kimono by next year's festival," Garmadon kindly promised.

  I laughed quietly, brimming with appreciation for Lloyd and his wonderful parents. I hadn't expected this evening to be so emotional. "Thank you."

  Misako and Garmadon placed their fingers at the bottom of the lantern. Lloyd wove his fingers through mine to join theirs, and my heart thumped when I noticed the tiny motifs of yellow suns that had been painted onto the ochre paper. I caught Lloyd's knowing look. He'd been so slick all this time.

  "To another year with my family," Garmadon said and squeezed my shoulder to make sure I knew I was part of it. "My wonderful family."

  Lloyd touched his lips to my temple. Misako and Garmadon shared a devoted look. We raised our arms and the sun-motif beacon drifted into the night sky.

  That was Lloyd. I stared after the glowing lantern with a whole lot of bittersweet awe. That would've been Lloyd, a single golden light amongst all this darkness. My throat closed up at the momentous significance of it.

  Lloyd's hand tightened in mine. I dropped my gaze and met his red eyes that glowed prismatic in the lights of the garden. Haloed by pinks and reds and greens and purples, draped in his kimono, wearing the prettiest expression I'd ever seen; he was ethereal. I was so grateful he survived that fight.

  "C'mon," Lloyd said gently. He guided me back to where the others were discussing what to wish for or were already murmuring into their lanterns. "Let's send off your wish."

  Jay handed me back my lantern with a familial, amused smile. I thanked him with an embarrassingly thick throat. Lloyd retrieved his own lantern and lit it, then lifted it to his lips to imbue his wish into the fire.

  "To become a great Sensei like my father and uncle," he whispered into his lantern. His gaze lifted to me, waiting. The firelight flickered against him like a dream.

  "Oh." I quickly raised my lantern and bent my head to meet it. My eyes closed tight as I whispered my wish. "Please, please, let me get a scholarship into Borg Tech."

  Lloyd huffed with gentle amusement, like he'd already predicted what my wish was going to be. "Ready?"

  I nodded. We lifted our small lanterns into the sky and watched as they floated upwards, joining the others. The first lantern didn't look so lonely. It wasn't by itself in the darkness. My eyes turned to Lloyd, who was already watching my reaction to it all.

  "Thank you for letting me be here." I took his hand with a grateful smile.

  Lloyd's face melted with adoration. He caught my cheeks and stole a kiss. We both ignored the sound of complaint Kai made in the background.

  "Let's get out of here, sunshine," Lloyd said. "We've got a date to get to."

  My heart fluttered at my lovely pet name. I was going to reshape destiny for this man, and I swore that on all the lanterns in the sky and upon each bulb that illuminated the monastery. I'd never let him be alone again.

  After Lloyd got changed into something less formal and we said our goodbyes, we stepped out onto the driveway, mounted Bentley, and launched into the cold air.

  I turned to look over my shoulder. Through my wind-whipped hair, I could see the small yellow specks of the lanterns drifting over the monastery and into the Alps. I was compelled to giggle, floored by the mystical sight. Lloyd glanced back to watch them just as I did. When our eyes caught, he grinned - soft and fang-toothed, his single dimple captivating. The wind blew through his blond hair like it needed to run its fingers through it.

  In stark contrast to the respectful calmness of the monastery, Ninjago City was awash with blinding, celebratory chaos, and the park was the epicentre of it all. Faraway music drifted on the breeze. Colours stretched into the sky. I couldn't even tell what was what, and as Bentley swooped closer to the crowd, cheers rose to meet us. Lloyd's laughter at the raving reaction caught in the gust and spread the pretty sound of it across the night sky.

  I couldn't help but stare. He was gorgeous like this. He deserved to be praised like this. Let all of Lloyd's sacrifices be repaid for by the gratitude and love of his fans - he was a person deserving of the pedestal he was put on. If only a fraction of that respect could be carried over into the Green Ninja's private life.

  We found a secluded place to land and brushed each other's hair into something presentable. Then, with my hand in his, we slipped into the crowd.

  Every other street had been blocked off, filled with markets or exhibits. Lanterns had been strung between buildings while festival-goers danced to the buskers who played their instruments every few blocks. Children flew golden dragon kites, laughing as they darted around legs. Vendors sold food from trucks and stalls. Ninja paraphernalia was everywhere.

  "Whoa..." Lloyd looked around us in awe.

  I grinned at his stupefied expression. He looked both overwhelmed and like he wanted to see every single knock and cranny of the festival. I hated the city for how they treated Lloyd Garmadon, but their devotion to the Green Ninja was nothing to scoff at. At least he could know he was appreciated.

  I squeezed Lloyd's hand. "It's all for you, hero."

  His eyes dropped at my whisper. His smile was one of amazement, and then all the stimulus had taken his attention again. Lloyd gazed at the booths and vendors as we strolled between them, as bright-eyed as a child.

  It was just as well that he kept getting distracted - the glares we were getting were dirtier than usual, and it made me curl into myself with discomfort. Despite the big bad of this celebration being the Overlord and not Lord Garmadon, it seemed they couldn't make the distinction. Or they didn't care to.

  Their palpable hostility made me wither. I needed to find a distraction so I wouldn't crumble beneath the weight of condemnation. The only thing keeping me together was Lloyd's hand in mine. I feared that alone wouldn't last for long.

  "What's the difference between the Ultimate Spinjitsu Master and the next Spinjitsu Master?" I asked him. "It kinda sounds like a downgrade."
 
  Lloyd's attention turned to me with a baffled snicker. "'Downgrade?'"

  I raised my brows. "You're losing the title 'Ultimate.' That's a downgrade."

  He cocked his head to the side with consideration. "Fair argument, but it's the other way around. The Golden Ninja's official title is the Ultimate Spinjitsu Master." He nudged my arm with a smile. "That's the power you were able to boost me with back at Stiix. When the Senseis talk about the next Spinjitsu Master, they mean the next Uchū."

  "The Ultimate Ultimate Spinjitsu Master," I murmured to myself.

  Lloyd laughed. "Sure."

  We came across a street lined with stalls selling crafts and memorabilia. I lingered at a place selling homemade ninja-themed skin products (the Green Ninja's lip balm flavour was apple), while Lloyd's curiosity pulled him to a booth on the opposite side. I tried not to let the lingering glare of the stall's owner get to me.

  Just as I bought myself the lip balm and a sea-scented candle (Nya-themed, obviously), Lloyd returned with a peculiar poker face. He had a book in hand.

  "Look what I found." He offered me a romance novel featuring a demure-looking woman held to the chest of an overly bulky, oil-slick-skinned man in a nondescript ninja gi with the robe undone. My eyes widened. "It's a ninja romance novel. You'll love it."

  "Oh, my God!" I took it from his hands with a laugh of awe, horror and shock, and flipped to the middle of the book. I read a few sentences before slamming it shut with flaming cheeks. "I'm not old enough to hold this."

  "What?" Confused, Lloyd grabbed it back and flicked it open before I could warn him. "'He slid his-'" he paused, opened his mouth to say something, closed it, and then lobbed the book into the nearest trash can with a perfect throw. "That's enough."

  I held my hand over my mouth. Lloyd had gone red from his collarbones to the tips of his pointed ears. He avoided my stare and seemed to seep in regret.

  My hand dropped an inch. "Did you just buy-?"

  "Yes." Lloyd grimly nodded. "Yes, I did."

  I gasped and covered my mouth again. His weary green gaze turned to me, laden with regret. My thumb and index pinched my nose to stifle my snort. My eyes began to water from the effort of holding it in.

  "To the grave, sunshine," Lloyd said emotionlessly. "To the grave."

  I couldn't do it. I doubled over with a cackle of howling laughter. He buried his blushing face into his hands with a groan of embarrassment.

  "Oh, my god, that's-!" My hysteric gasp cut me off. "Oh, that's so bad!"

  Lloyd dragged his palms down his face with a pained smile. "I'm not gonna be able to forget that for a while."

  "I'm so sorry-" I fell into another round of uncontrollable giggles that sounded like sobs. "Oh, your face!"

  Lloyd caught my waist before I could stumble. I had to hang onto his shoulder just so my legs wouldn't fold me to the ground. Tiredly amused, he had to wipe away my tears of hilarity.

  "Come on, Giggles." Lloyd pulled me along to continue our traverse of the festival. I staggered beside him, weak with mirth. "I'm sure there's more where that came from."

  I burst into a new round of laughter.

  I'd successfully calmed down by the time we made it to Central Park. It had been set up like a carnival, filled with games, attractions, and rides such as bumper cars and a ferris wheel. The crowd was the thickest here, drawn to the excitement. The air smelt of popcorn and fried food.

  "Wanna have a competition?" Lloyd slyly asked.

  I laughed and shook my head. "I've learnt my lesson, thanks. I prefer being on the same side as you."

  He smirked at my honesty and followed after my wandering, perusing the selection of games to try our luck at. Only one thing caught my attention - I'd spotted a top-prize Green Ninja plush hanging above a shooting gallery. It was massive, the perfect size for plushie snuggles.

  I grabbed Lloyd's arm with a death grip. "Oh, my god. I need that."

  Startled, he followed my gaze to the plush. His grin bloomed with amusement, and he let me drag him toward the gallery without complaint. The carny manning the booth glowered at our approach.

  Lloyd paid the fee and stepped back to watch the show. "Go on then, my little sharpshooter."

  Elated, I picked up the plastic gun and aimed at the rolling rows of small yellow ducks. They moved slowly and the distance was pitiful in comparison to the target exercises Dad challenged me with. It was almost too easy to shoot down every last duck. Lloyd proudly ruffled my hair in unsurprised congratulations.

  The carny stared at the fallen targets with a look of reproach. He plucked a large Green Ninja plush from the table behind him and reluctantly handed it to me with a disturbed frown. I was too busy hugging my new favourite possession to care.

  "This is the best day of my life," I reiterated very seriously.

  Lloyd grinned with amusement. He went to reply but was cut off by a sudden peel of mocking laughter behind us. We looked over and found four young men sniggering at the sight of us.

  "Holy shit," one of them said. "I can't believe you're showing your face on a night like this. Why the fuck would we want somebody like you here?"

  "Are you seriously celebrating the day your dad was defeated?" another asked with scathing disbelief.

  Just like Mega Monster Amusement Park. Was Lloyd going to retreat into himself like he did back then? Maybe it was a bad idea to come to the festival.

  Before I could retort with some ill-thought insult, Lloyd beat me to it.

  "Me, celebrate the day my father's curse was lifted and he could finally go back to being a normal man?" he said with a surprising amount of sass. He sent me a shocked look. "Jeez, why would I ever want to celebrate that?"

  I was stunned at his response. The men recovered before I could, and one wearing a baseball cap and a dangerous scowl strode forth. Lloyd pushed me behind him.

  "You think this is some fucking joke? You think it's funny? Your daddy should've died that day and you should've gone down with him, you sick freak."

  Lloyd didn't cower under the tall stance of this man who had naively tried to come off as intimidating. That made him even angrier, and the carny watched with bored interest as Lloyd's shirt was snatched with threat. The rest of his friends circled us, ignited with the intent to start a fight.

  A fight that the Green Ninja could easily handle, but not Lloyd Garmadon.

  "Silent now, huh?" the man spat. He looked him up and down with revulsion. "Look at you. Not even gonna put up a fight in front of your bitch?" He reached into his pocket and brought out a switchblade. "Why don't we fix those ears of yours, freak?"

  The tug in my stomach was sudden and demanding. My hand moved of its own accord, plucking one of the plastic guns from behind me and holding it up to the man's face. He looked at me with disbelief.

  "The fuck are you gonna do with that?" he snorted.

  "You know what's funny?" I asked. "How much these things pack a punch when the target won't back off."

  I aimed it at his eye. The milling crowd finally began to take notice of the situation and lingered, waiting to see who would make the first move.

  The man scoffed. "As if-"

  "I wouldn't test her," Lloyd cut him off. He tilted his head and coolly smiled, dark eyes lidded with promise. "She doesn't miss."

  The men shifted uncomfortably. My brows raised with challenge.

  "Hey, hey!" The carny behind us finally stepped in. "Break it up. Put down the gun, alright? Sheesh."

  The man holding Lloyd's shirt stared me down for another second before cursing under his breath and stepping back. He adjusted his jacket and shot me a murderous glare. The carny snatched the plastic rifle back from my hand with a stink-eye.

  "You always get your girlfriend to defend you?" one of them snipped.

  "I enjoy it." I raised my hand and wiggled my fingers after their departure. "Bye-bye."

  The four men skulked off and most of the gathered crowd dispersed with it. I expelled a heavy exhale of anger. The Green Ninja plush squeezed in my hand gained me some extra critical stares.

  Lloyd finally allowed himself to notice them. He slung an arm around my shoulders and guided me toward a quiet corner between attractions.

  "Alright." Lloyd rubbed his hand down my shoulder. "Lower those hackles of yours, sunshine. It's over."

  I couldn't release my scowl. "Are you okay?"

  "I'm not hurt. You made sure of that," he said softly. "You know, sometimes you remind me of your mother."

  My feeling of injustice was distracted. "Really?"

  "Yeah." Lloyd swiped my hair back from my face with a cherished smile. "Terrifying."

  "Oh." My face warmed at the look he was giving me. "Thanks. I think."

  An explosion of fireworks drew our startled attention to the night sky. The Secret Ninja Force was being celebrated, but green and gold were the most prominent colours. I soured at the sight. The Green Ninja wasn't even allowed to exist in peace at his own festival.

  Lloyd grimaced at another volley of loud eruptions. They were too loud for him. Even the festival itself was telling him he wasn't welcome.

  "I'm getting tired," I said, taking his hand in mine. "Let's go home and watch a movie or something."

  He peeked at me with a small smile. "Batman?"

  I groaned. "If we have to."

  Lloyd brightened at my averse agreement. Wincing at another blow of fireworks, we shuffled out of the crowded park and began the walk back to my suburb. When we passed the last of the stalls and left the bustle and noise behind us, the quiet made it even better.

  "Where're your parents tonight?" Lloyd asked as he unwrapped a toffee.

  I took his offered sweet with a smile. "She and Dad are celebrating in Ignacia with my grandparents and Aunt Rose."

  "How's Rose holding up?"

  I held the toffee to my lips and hesitated. The topic of Aunt Rose reminded me of the interrogation we were going to be conducting at Kryptarium on Thursday. I wasn't looking forward to seeing Axon again.

  "She's still taking it rough," I mumbled. "She's been meeting up with the military's therapist, though. Just trying to untangle her memories and work through it all."

  Lloyd glanced down at me with eyes that betrayed his worry. "And yours? You've been talking with your parents, right?"

  "Yeah." I sighed and placed the toffee on my tongue. "I think my head's been slowly clearing the fake memories out, but there are still moments where I can't tell if something was real or not. At least I know when Axon arrived, now." My gaze watched the sidewalk. "I was six."

  Lloyd ran his tongue over his teeth and looked away. His expression had contorted into a conflicted, troubled scowl, the way it usually did whenever he thought of Axon and his own genetic infliction. I hugged my ninja plush and rested my head against his arm.

  "I'm glad he's in prison," I said quietly. "Thank you for stopping him."

  Lloyd's hand rose and cupped my cheek. He kissed the top of my hair, making me soften, and exhaled a heavy, tired breath. I felt his reluctance like weights on my shoulders. It'd been almost six months and he was still shaken. My family wasn't the only one Axon had infected - he'd managed to push buttons Lloyd didn't even know he had.

  "He won't be able to hurt you anymore," he whispered. And then, because the atmosphere was too heavy, Lloyd smirked. "I think you repaid it by saving me from a beating tonight."

  I was invigorated by the reminder. "Ugh, they were such assholes!"

  "The looks on people's faces are pretty spectacular when they see you holding a Green Ninja plush."

  "Because you simply must be mortal enemies with the guy that saved your dad." I rolled my eyes. "Ridiculous."

  Lloyd laughed. We turned onto my driveway and made our way inside.

  After changing into some comfortable clothes, we lounged on my bed while Lloyd found a Batman movie to watch. I hugged my Green Ninja plush and watched the actual Green Ninja's face as I waited.

  His scar was peeking from beneath the neckline of his shirt. I stared as it shifted across his collarbone while he scrolled. It still made me upset to look at it, but like with morbid fascination, I wanted to know more.

  "Hey, hero?"

  The opening credits of an older film began to play - dark and gritty and overly dramatic. He hummed with acknowledgement.

  "If it's the anniversary of the day you defeated the Overlord, then... how many days ago was it for when you got your scar?" I hesitantly asked.

  Lloyd glanced at me, a little taken aback by the question. He furrowed his brow and his gaze drifted with recollection. "It would've been on Wednesday."

  Wednesday. "You only had four days between getting that injury and having the battle?"

  "Yeah."

  I stared at the side of Lloyd's face as he sat back to the movie. He was hesitant, but not shutting down like how he'd always done before. He was trying so hard to be open for me.

  "That sounds like a nightmare," I murmured. "I wish I was there for you."

  He melted at my quiet lament. He lifted my hand from around the plush and kissed my knuckles.

  "I wish I was there to stop Axon when you were six," he said softly. "But we can't change the past. At least we're here for each other right now."

  I couldn't stop my grin. "You're the Ultimate Cheeseball Master."

  Lloyd huffed with gentle amusement. "I'll take that as a compliment."

  I tried to watch the movie, I did, but I couldn't focus. My eyes drifted back up to Lloyd's content face. He glanced down at me, watched the next too-gritty Batman sequence, and then caught my stare again.

  "What?"

  "Can I see it?" I asked. "I want to try out exposure therapy."

  His confused look deepened with a snort and a smile. "Come again?"

  "The last time I properly saw your scar was when it was still really fresh in Borg's first recording," I explained. "Now I keep getting this horrible feeling whenever I see a glimpse of it. But I think if I see it enough, I'll get used to it. Exposure therapy."

  Dumbfounded, Lloyd stared at me. I matched it, my gaze unwavering. I was being completely serious.

  He shook his head with a grin and sat up to pull his shirt off. I averted my gaze as it was tugged over his head and dropped onto the duvet.

  "You really are the daughter of a psychologist," Lloyd said amusedly. "It's okay, gorgeous. Just say you want my shirt off."

  Blood rushed to my face. "That's not my intention!"

  "Uh-huh. Y'know, exposure therapy has the word 'exposure' in the title."

  Right. I forced my gaze back to Lloyd's bare chest and steeled against my bashfulness. It wasn't hard to keep my stare on him.

  "See?" He spread his arms with a smirk. The muscles beneath his skin shifted as he moved, igniting my face with heat. "Not so scary."

  He was as fit and toned as always, a demigod built for strength and speed. The smooth, scarred skin of his abdomen rose with each breath in a languid way that made me feel like I was watching something I shouldn't. The valleys of his ribs, the contour of his muscles, the way the shadows caught on his curves and edges enticed me forth.

  But the long, jagged scar that crossed him from hip to collar chilled my body. I felt it in the back of my skull - a prickling, horrible sensation. Cold horror. Frigid sympathy. I saw blood upon blood.

  "Does it still give you nightmares?" I quietly asked.

  More serious, Lloyd nodded. "Yeah. What about you?"

  I lifted a shoulder, following the scar with my eyes. "I've had one or two."

  His gaze was intense. "What are you thinking right now?"

  "That my dad would kill you and then me if he saw us like this," I said breathlessly. My next answer was solemn. "I can't look at it without seeing what it was like. It doesn't feel real."

  Lloyd took my hand and placed my palm against his chest. I had to stifle a shudder at the feeling of the bumpy ridges beneath my skin, but the beat of his heart made my lips part. My nerves could sense its thudding rhythm, sending tremors along my arm and into my chest. My heart matched his.

  "Real?" Lloyd asked beneath his breath.

  I raised my eyes to his red gaze. "Real," I whispered. His heartbeat was intoxicating to feel. Mine was starting to race. "Does it still hurt?"

  "No." Lloyd's hand dropped but mine remained, pressed against his heart from behind the scar that almost stopped it. "Sometimes I'll wake from a nightmare and it'll feel weird, but not sore."

  Ever curious, my fingers began following the old slash down his chest with a feather touch. My hand recoiled with a snap when he shivered.

  "Sorry-" Lloyd said, just as I freaked with a "did I hurt you?"

  He softened at my concern, his expression one like the gooey toffee I still tasted on my tongue. He took my hesitant fingers and placed them back against his stomach. His skin was hot to the touch, a pleasant hearth fire.

  "I'm fine, sunshine," Lloyd soothed. "You didn't hurt me."

  "Oh." My brain spun. So my touch had made him feel good, then. Like when I scratched his horn nubs, or when he played with my hair.

  The movie was forgotten, which was crazy because the movie was Batman and Lloyd was Lloyd. His lashes fluttered with a cascade of blinks as my fingers explored the rough divots and mountains of his skin. It was a map, each knick and graze a topography of his past.

  My lips touched the line of the scar that ran across his heart. It thumped against my kiss, sprinting. He sucked in a deep breath.

  This time when he shivered, I didn't pull away. I kissed him again, ascending his scar with each press of my soft lips against its rough edges. Lloyd's hand came to the back of my neck. He swallowed when I pecked the fragile skin of his jugular.

  My fingers traced where his scar dipped toward the curve of his navel. Lloyd shifted. He was beginning to unravel. I was beginning to like the way his face was twisting.

  "How often do you have nightmares about it?" I quietly asked. 

  "Not as much," he breathed. "None, when I'm with you."

  I met his eyes. They were dark and dewy, a ruby chasm I could fling myself into and never reach the bottom. He gazed upon me with such a look that my gut prickled with warmth. My breath hitched.

  "None?"

  Lloyd's hand behind my neck drew me closer to him. "Not a single one."

  I met his lips with ardour; a heartrending, nerve-sizzling kiss that sent a sheet of electricity beneath my skin. He pulled me closer and I obliged to kneel, shuffling across the duvet as I was drawn into his chest, the arms around my waist a shackle. My neck bowed to kiss him. He reached up toward me as if chasing stars.

  My fingertips drifted up the scar that had almost taken him from me before he was even mine, and Lloyd's next breath shuddered at the sensation. I peeked my eyes open. He was drifting, swimming in bliss, his lidded eyes an enamouring shade of heartfelt red. I'd never seen him look like this before. I needed to see it for the rest of my life.

  I gently bit his lip. It parted at my request, and the heat of his mouth drew my brain into a hazed-over fog, making my sense of good reason fade and turn into obscurity. He was light and I was the moth, and I sunk into his invitation with giddy recklessness.

  It was like an embrace with a thunderbolt, an endless wave of static that cruised through my veins. He tasted of toffee and sour candy, a perfect balance of sweet and bitter, and it drove me mad. I felt devolved, sinking further away from composure. My hands buried into his hair and yanked. The sound from his throat made me quiver.

  Lloyd tightened his hold and upended us until I was on my back. I took the momentary chance to catch my breath and was stolen again as soon as he had reoriented himself. I gasped in his exhales. He drank mine. We were a cycle without an end.

  My hands explored him. They were as curious as my restless mind, charting the unknown with hunger unbound. I chased his dips and bumps and savoured his shaking exhalations of rapture. His hand dragged down my thigh and hitched my leg around his waist. He fixed it there, his grip as solid as a manacle. My heartbeat thundered in my ears. I couldn't taste him enough.

  More. I wanted it all. More. Everything. All of his secrets, all of his wishes, every single part of him down to the last atom. I wanted to be his most trusted confidant and the subject of all his desires. I would go to war for him and win.

  Lloyd's palm slid beneath my shirt and caressed the skin above my waistline. I jumped at the foreign feeling. His lips left mine with an exhale.

  "Is this okay?" Lloyd whispered between breaths. My nod came swiftly. His grin was ethereal.

  I shivered as he kissed me again, a soul-sucking gift of tongue and lips and candy-tasting sweetness. His hand slowly rose, setting me on fire and folding my shirt up his wrist. The callouses from his years of fighting scraped against my flesh. My fingers curled amongst his horn nubs.

  His lips slid down my cheek and latched onto the pulse point beneath my jaw. A tingle bolted down my spine and splayed across my core like a brush that had been pressed to a canvas. I arched toward him, needing more. His hand skimmed my ribs. Sparks blew like silent fireworks behind my eyelids, the rush of blood and my drumming pulse the musical accompaniment to Lloyd's uneven breath.

  "Hero," I whispered; a beg, a plea. His hum rumbled down my throat. I turned my head to the side with a dreamy sigh.

  He worked his way down my neck with careful teeth and open-mouthed kisses. Each nip of my thin skin left me trembling more and more until I was shaking beneath him, restless and blissfully unwell. My body writhed with each rise and swell of my serenity, coasting upon it like the waves of a gentle lake. Lloyd marked my throat with evidence that we belonged together, and I was happy to let him.

  His blunt fangs sunk into the crook of my neck, deeper than his other bites and sharper than I was expecting. My belly exploded with butterflies and my breath left me with an audible gasp, and it hurt a little but it felt divine. Everything was so hot and languid, casual and beautiful, and it drove me listless. I thrummed with yearning.

  I could stay like this forever, contently drowning while Lloyd lavished me as if he'd die if he didn't. I was indoctrinated into the monastery? Good. That meant nobody could ever make me leave his side. Every bind that tightened me toward him more was welcomed.

  I squeezed my hands around his curls, enough to elicit a groan and for his fingers to dig around the curve of my rib cage. His thumb pressed into my sternum, touch as needy as mine.

  Lloyd released me with ladened breath, and my wet neck went cold without his mouth to warm it. Through my enthralled vision and beneath his gorging, longing stare, I noticed that his eyes had gone that pretty shade of purple.

  "You're so..." Lloyd didn't have the words to finish his sentence.

  He sat back and I was pulled up with him, a move so swift that it left me winded, and he was kissing me again before I could catch my breath. My head grew dizzy with thrill. I climbed onto his lap and snatched tiny gasps between the breaks of our lips. My neck ached.

  His other hand joined the one beneath my shirt, spanning my sides and exploring my back with poise abandoned. They rose and rose until the shirt that lifted with them was pulled over my head.

  I impatiently flicked it from my arms and cradled Lloyd's face again, kissing him once, until he began to lavish my newly exposed skin with nips and kisses like it were prayer. I tried to catch my breath but it kept escaping on me, elusive and teasing. The heat of his skin against mine was addictive. His devotion was tangible.

  He kissed the centre of my collarbone and rested his forehead there. My chest rose with each deep breath. His hands on the bare skin of my back traced the line of my bra strap. He lifted his head with a sigh and looked me in the eyes. His were still an enigmatic shade of purple, and they were so gorgeous that I went to find his lips again. He turned his face away.

  "We should stop," Lloyd murmured.

  "Why?" I whispered. I kissed the spot beneath his ear, making him shudder. His grip fell to my waist and flexed. "I wanna keep going."

  His next exhale almost sounded pained. "'Cause your mum just got home."

  I paused, listening, and heard the faint rumble of a car in the driveway. My head dropped to his shoulder with a breathless curse. Lloyd huffed with amusement.

  I pulled myself from his lap and tried to scoop back my scattered decorum. Lloyd was much the same, catching his breath with a red face and swollen lips. I didn't realise I was staring at his heaving, bare chest until I noticed him watching mine.

  The post-make-out clarity struck me with a bolt of shock, alarmed at just how far we'd gone and how much further I'd wanted to take it. My brain spasmed with a million new thoughts. Lloyd's gaze lifted to mine, assessing my startled reaction. My face burned hotter beneath his dark stare.

  The front door opening with Mum's entrance pulled me into overdrive. Blushing harder than I'd ever done in my life, I hurriedly pulled my shirt back on and busied myself with fixing my hair. Lloyd began to grin at my returned bashfulness, lounging back on his elbows and watching me fumble.

  "That was... something," Lloyd said with a pleased, husky murmur. "Can we schedule another exposure therapy appointment?"

  I was going to die. I grabbed his shirt and threw it at his face. "Put it on!"

  He did as ordered with a chuckle. I shot under my duvet and yanked it up to my chin, listening out as Mum moved about the house. Even if all the evidence was covered, one look from Mum and it would all be over. She'd be able to see it on our faces. She would've been able to feel it in the air. She knew all the tricks.

  "She's gone to bed," Lloyd supplied.

  I relaxed into my pillow with a sigh of relief. He laid down next to me and watched me stare at the ceiling as my mind reeled.

  "Are you okay?" he whispered. "That wasn't too much?"

  My gaze turned to him. Lloyd's eyes were still purple, a vibrant shade of cut kunzite. They watched my face with concern as if what we'd done could be anything but amazing. I had to smile. He was so caring.

  "I'm okay." Helpless against my wiles, my finger reached out and traced below his eyelid. "Your eyes are such a pretty shade of purple."

  Lloyd's face turned with hesitance. "Purple?"

  I nodded. "They're gorgeous."

  He made a slow, thoughtful sound. The backs of his fingers brushed across the spot where he'd bit me, and I flinched at the sudden twinge.

  His touch paused. I already knew what he was going to say.

  "You didn't hurt me," I said gently. It wasn't a bad ache. "I liked it."

  Lloyd sighed with relief at my reassurance and then went so red that I feared he'd faint. "You liked it?"

  "Did you do it expecting me not to like it?" I asked with a raised brow.

  "No- no!" He shook his head frantically. "I mean, I don't know why... I didn't mean to-"

  I dragged myself onto his chest and grinned down at his stammering. "I was just teasing you."

  Lloyd's purple eyes found mine, brimming with bashfulness. "... right. Yeah."

  Adorable. I touched my lips to his and stroked some curls from his face. He began to settle at my gentle, calming affection. The colour of his eyes faded into a more familiar red.

  We looked down when the quiet sounds of gunfire came from the tipped-over laptop. The movie was still playing. We'd forgotten all about it.

  "I can't believe you managed to make me look away from Batman," Lloyd said with surprise.

  I giggled. My next kiss made him look away from it again.

  When I woke early on Sunday morning and dragged myself into the bathroom, I was pleasantly embarrassed to find my neck littered with love bites.

🍃🍂🍁🍂🍃

  Thursday arrived too quickly for me to be ready for it.

  There'd been a pit gnawing at my stomach for the entire week, one that grew nastier and darker as the day of Axon's interrogation loomed nearer. It'd made me sick with nerves.

  Standing within the walls of Kryptarium Prison - the most famous prison in all of Ninjago - refused to feel real. I kept pinching myself in hopes that I'd wake up from some nightmare, but this was my unfortunate reality. The walls were blank and an oppressive grey. I swore they were closing in on me.

  At least I wasn't alone. The whole team was here, and though I stuck out like a sore thumb with my black track pants, nondescript jersey of Misako's and borrowed training mask, I melded seamlessly with the team. They kept me in the centre, the safest spot to stay. I felt like the weakest calf in a herd of buffalo.

  If Lloyd stood too close to me, nobody said a thing.

  Dad and Jonesy were there on behalf of the military, which made me feel a little bit better. They were challenged with the act of not knowing who the ninja tagalong was and I was challenged by not succumbing to the scared urge to run to my dad for a hug. The discreet thumb-ups they sent my way were appreciated.

  "You can leave anytime," Lloyd said quietly as we waited for the Police Commissioner to arrive. "You don't have to stay. Your dad can take you home."

  "I'm not going to make you face him without me," I insisted, even though I was shaking with fear.

  His brows knotted deeper from behind his mask. Axon had shaken me to the core, but I would never forgive myself if I abandoned Lloyd just so that I could avoid facing him. It wasn't just me freaking out. None of us wanted to be here.

  The Police Commissioner entered with the grating of a heavy door against concrete. We turned to face him.

  "Ninja," the Commissioner gruffly greeted. Though the government and the Secret Ninja Force had teamed up, it seemed that there were still traces of bad blood between them. He turned and walked back into the door he came from. "Follow me."

  Dad and Jonesy marched after him. The rest of us followed more slowly. Lloyd discreetly slid his gloved hand into mine and offered a look of reassurance, though it did nothing to soothe either of us.

  "Alright," the Police Commissioner said as he led us through the labyrinthine tunnels of the prison. His impressive, grey moustache twitched with each irritated scrunch of his nose. "This guy's a real know-it-all. He doesn't have his powers anymore, but Axon'll get you talking in circles before you know it."

  "We've experienced that," the Green Ninja muttered.

  "Ha. Then you know what to expect." The Commissioner punched in the code for the next vault door. "He won't say a word about why he attacked Stiix or why we can't find any legal records about him. All that we can get our hands on are the fake papers he had made when he was posing as the Sergeant Major's nephew."

  I flinched. Lloyd's hand gave mine a secretive squeeze of support.

  "Good luck," the Commissioner said as he opened the final door for us. "He's a real bastard, this one."

  The interrogation cell stretched beyond the entrance, lit with the sickly bright lighting of a hospital. Slumped on the chair with his head hanging back was Axon.

  My breath stopped, stolen by the fear of seeing him again. The rest of the team was equally hesitant. Even with him shackled and powerless, even with him wearing the jumpsuit of a prisoner, we all still remembered just how close he came to winning. He'd almost killed more than half of us.

  Lloyd let my hand go and pushed on. He was the first through the door, shoulders back and set with seriousness. The rest of us cautiously followed his lead. I held Jay's sleeve and shadowed him in.

  "The microphones?" Dad ordered the Commissioner from behind us.

  The older man nodded. "They've been turned off, as we agreed."

  "Good." Dad caught my gaze as he slowly shut the door behind me. "The ninja only agreed to conduct the interrogation if there was no chance of their identities getting leaked. I don't care how much you trust your staff..."

  I stiffened when the door closed and cut him off from me. Lloyd glanced back and caught my aghast gaze. I was sure he could hear the race of my heart. His couldn't have been any better.

  Zane turned his cool gaze to the leader. "Recording in progress," he said.

  Lloyd nodded at him with thanks. Before he could begin to say anything, Axon had lifted his head and turned his yellow eyes over us all, his gaze reproachful and cutting. He already had the upper hand on the conversation and it hadn't even started yet.

  "Well, well," he bitterly began. "The famed ninja, all standing before me. Can I ask for an autograph?"

  "You said you wouldn't talk unless it was with me," Lloyd coldly said. "Talk."

  "I just wanted to catch up," Axon slyly said. "It isn't every day somebody gets attacked by the Lord of Evil's offspring. How's that working out for you? Did you know that I still can't use my arm properly? You could've stopped by and signed my bandage, you know."

  Lloyd's hands balled into fists. "We didn't come here for a chat."

  "How unfortunate," Axon murmured. "How's my cousin doing? Has she grown frightened of you, yet?" His eyes sought me out and he cruelly grinned. "Ah, there she is. Now, why are you looking at me like that? Don't you know we're family?"

  I didn't give him an answer. I couldn't even if I wanted to - my throat had closed up. His wicked eyes narrowed with delight at my reaction.

  "We know why you attacked Stiix," Zane said firmly. "We are also aware that you had something else planned. You are in an inescapable prison and your hideouts have all been searched. Your best course of option is to cooperate."

  "Oh, you ninja." Axon chuckled to himself with a shake of his head. "So presumptuous. You think you know so much more than you really do."

  That didn't sound promising. Nya shared a frustrated look with her brother.

  "What's that supposed to mean?" Jay asked.

  Axon's only reply was a predatory, gleaming smile. Kai shuddered.

  "You're a real creep, you know that?" he grumbled.

  "Why did you target Y/n?" Lloyd asked, taking back the direction of the interrogation. "What business did you have with Morro if Y/n was the person you're after?"

  "I released Morro because you were an inconvenience," Axon seethed. "Your death would've been a bonus little treat for me. But Y/n..? I'm afraid she's someone else's prize."

  What? I stewed in the silence that followed, dumbfounded, running his words over and over in my head. Eyes turned to me. Axon's cruel smile grew.

  There's someone else.

  My vision grew dim at the edge. My body had gone stiff and cold with terror. My gaze turned to Lloyd, but he was just as still.

  "How do we know you're not just trying to freak us out?" Cole asked with scorn. "You've lost your powers, mind man. Now you're scrambling to win with cheap games."

  Unabashed, Axon's eyes slid to me and then landed on Lloyd. He stared at us with the longing of our downfall, as if we were nothing more than entertainment. The more we were hurt, the more he was amused.

  "Did you have a good time at the festival last weekend?" he coolly asked. "Almost got into some trouble there, didn't you?"

  A numbing sensation was injected down my spine and spread throughout my body. Lloyd hesitated.

  "Anybody-" Nya began with a scoff, but was cut short.

  "I certainly hope those men don't want revenge for being threatened by a toy gun." Axon continued. "Though, those fools are the least of your worries. My people are far more skilled than some common brutes."

  Lloyd's snarl had gone ice cold. "What do you mean?"

  "Or - heh, what about your little ice skating date?" Axon continued as if he hadn't heard him. He tilted his head with thought. "Or your fight? Y/n made for such an easy target that week, but it would've been like shooting a dog that was already dying. There'd be no satisfaction in it."

  My legs had gone weak. How could he have known that? I thought he didn't have his powers. My fingers began to dig into Jay's arm.

  "You've been watching us," I realised. There was a tremor to my voice that Axon seized upon. He watched me with ravenous fury. "Why are you telling us this?"

  "Because it's fun to see you squirm," Axon hissed. "Because I sleep better at night if I know you can't sleep at all. Because making the people I hate live in misery is better than any spell or curse."

  Lloyd slammed his taloned hands onto the table so hard that its legs collapsed. "Who is targeting Y/n?!"

  Axon startled backwards. The stone of his power-suppression chains rattled with him, clanging against the iron legs of his seat. But Axon didn't let his fear show for long. His lips curled into a sinister smirk as he leant toward Lloyd's rage with goading.

  "Welcome back, demon spawn," he spat with livid greeting. "Come to destroy my other shoulder? Why not go for the neck this time? That'll get the job done." His face was ugly and twisted with animosity. "Why don't we show them all who their precious team leader really is?"

  Kai glanced at me for help but I was too shaken to do anything. There's someone else. Someone else wants to kill me. They've been watching me. While I've been naively living my life, there have been monsters stalking me from the shadows. How much had they seen? How much did they know? How many times had I escaped death by someone else's design?

  "Lloyd." Kai placed his hand on his brother's shoulder, but he was shoved off. "You know he's just trying to get to you."

  But how could he have known all that he did? 

  "I'll make you regret everything you've done to hurt my family," Lloyd said with quiet, wrathful promise.

  Axon smiled up at him without kindness. "I'm not the one with everything to lose. Y/n, on the other hand..." His pitiless eyes turned to me. Jay pulled me behind him with a glower. "You might want to start making her funeral arrangements. Make it pretty. Sakura blossoms would suit her corpse, I think."

  Lloyd spun on his foot and snatched my arm on the way past. I stumbled after him with my heart in my throat.

  "I wouldn't bother, Lloyd," Axon called after us. "She's already been condemned. The master always gets what he wants."

  The door began to open. Axon began to laugh, giddy with his victory. I could barely see in front of me. Lloyd's grip on my arm was bruising. Dad watched us exit the interrogation room with confusion.

   Axon's voice rose. "Remember this Green Ninja - everything you know is because I want you to."