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One way or another, they always end up the same way.Lloyd had lost count of how many times he tried to hunt down that sharp-eyed thief and ended up failing. Of course, it wasn't the first time that the team had to deal with a thief; Ronin was a problem they had to deal with for a long time until the ninja managed to make him a friend (or something like that, after everything that happened with their arrest in Kryptarium and their subsequent alliance against the Crystal King), however, with Ryder things were very different. The skilled archer is not interested in establishing alliances with any of them, in fact, on several occasions Lloyd had the impression that he despises them.He is fast and agile. He disappears into the shadows like an expert, making Lloyd suspect that perhaps he could be some elemental master. But he had no proof to prove it and even being so close to him he doesn't get any. Anyway, what good would it do him? Everything had gone wrong since the first kiss and continued to go wrong by looking for him again and again.Ryder's expert hands slide along the edges of his body until they land on his slim waist. Lloyd can barely keep up with the lips that seem intent on devouring him. He feels like Ryder will extract his soul at any moment and he can't help but let out a shaky sigh when one of his sharp fangs grazes his lower lip.Ryder smiles, his hands squeezing his waist as a kind of comfort before joining their foreheads. They both inhale heavily, trying to reestablish the normal rhythm of their breathing."I knew you wouldn't resist."Lloyd gives him a soft blow to the chest that only causes his haughty smile to grow bigger."Shut up and let's go to the garage.""Stop right there, little dragon." Lloyd hates that annoying nickname, but he hates more that it causes his insides to churn and a strange acid to settle in his throat. "Is that some kind of insinuation?"The green ninja looks at him with such offense that Ryder finds it too comical. Any more and he's sure that Lloyd's eyes would pop out of their orbit."As if we've done nothing but kiss already."Lloyd pushes him out of his hold and Ryder doesn't avoid him when he hears a soft growl. Is that happening again?"Everything okay, greenie?""Ryder," he mumbles. The thief raises his hands innocently so he sighs. "I'm tired. I don't want to go back to the monastery, could I stay? Just for tonight."Although he loves his family, having them on top of him after his loss of control during the battle with the Crystal King is too much to handle. It wasn't hard for him to notice that Kai, Cole, and even Nya kept their gazes fixed on him the entire time.He doesn't blame them, how could they not keep an eye on him after he went off the rails like that? The power coursing through his veins, overwhelming him, all the rage exploding and he just... Fell into the darkness.He broke Kai's ribs, for the First Spinjitzu Master! He left Cole with several bruises and nearly punched Jay's head off. Not to mention what he did to the Crystal King. He can't forget the looks of panic on the faces of his friends, his Uncle Wu, his mother, and even Garmadon.They were afraid of him. Lloyd knew it. Even though he regained consciousness later and everything went back to "normal," he could feel the way they tensed at his presence. How Zane seemed alert and Pixal brushed her fingers over her emergency bracelet, ready to activate the Samurai X suit and probably send him to sleep with the help of sedatives.Lloyd doesn't remember anything after falling prey to his Oni side and the events before that are a blur in his memory. No matter how much he asked, the ninja wouldn't tell him about it. He had to look in newspaper reports and news to find out; he and his father were fighting the Crystal King while the ninja took care of the army with the help of their dragon form. Everything seems to be going well until his father ends up injured and then, it happens; the sky turns a tense gold with clouds that glow in violet and in the middle of it all, there is him in his Oni form, finishing off the Crystal King in minutes.However, things don't end there. The ninja seem to sense that something is not right by the way their faces contort in worry. Lloyd doesn't even wonder how the narrations and recordings of the events are so clear because he knows how reckless Gayle Gossip is when it comes to reporting news.A rumble shakes the city as the floating island falls and breaks into millions of little pieces and from it, a creature covered in gold emerges.A creature that terrifies his brothers as soon as a horrifying growl comes out of his snout.A creature that turns out to be him.Whether he is comfortable or not with his request, Ryder does not show it. Lloyd knows that he is always like that; a blank piece of paper that no matter how hard he tries, he cannot read through him.He couldn't read anything through his wall of sarcasm and mocking personality. In the first few months of knowing him, it was annoying, however, over time he got used to that dynamic. Kissing? Sure. Having sex? Of course, talking about their feelings and sharing personal experiences? No way. There was a well-drawn line in whatever their relationship was and Lloyd wouldn't be the first to cross it, not if he wanted to keep some of his trampled pride standing.The boy doesn't answer him. He makes a sign inviting him to follow him and Lloyd obeys. His shoulders slumped and he looked at the ground as if he knew the most precious secrets of all Ninjago. Ryder will never confess it out loud, but it hurts to see him like that. He got used to the cheerful Lloyd from three years ago who insisted on knowing about his past and all his dark secrets, that having him like that, so quiet and subdued was... strange.He hesitates, though the green ninja doesn't notice. He knows that asking about it would be crossing a line, opening themselves up to a different level than –acquaintances who share a bed and sometimes other things,– but hadn't he already done that by letting Lloyd into his hideout?Fuck it."Everything okay?"His voice makes Lloyd jump. His doe eyes watch him with a mix of fear and confusion."Yes."Ryder raises an eyebrow, not very convinced of his answer. He walks a little until he drops down at his feet, where he squeezes his knees without thinking much about it, in fact, it almost seems like pure muscle memory. Lloyd swallows hard, wanting to melt into the mattress he's sitting on as he has flashes of other kinds of situations that have occurred between them in that same position."Sure? You're too quiet and you haven't tried to find out about me even once." The mocking tone in his voice doesn't go unnoticed by him. Something in his chest vibrates, making a raspy sound through his throat."I'm not in the mood."Ryder frowns."Don't growl at me, little dragon," and squeezes his thigh. Lloyd snorts, very tempted to roll his eyes too. He's growling now too? What's next? Will he grow wings?"I regret telling you that."He let slip a lot of personal details thinking that maybe he would slowly break Ryder's shell. Unfortunately, three years passed and he wasn't even able to find out his real name. The guy was a ghost in every sense!Sure, he could turn to his family to help him investigate, Pixal would certainly find something with Borg's technology, but Ryder was specifically strict when he confronted him and told him that if he wanted to find out about his past, he would have to do it alone.Also, if the ninja finds out that Ryder is the thief who has humiliated them on more than one occasion and who apparently is also their –something–, he knows that they will not react in the most cheerful way. He even fears that they will try to capture him so that he can be arrested.Yes, he definitely cannot allow the ninja and Ryder to meet.“Come on, you know that is not true” his hands go up, fiddling with the belt of his gi. “I can listen to you if you need it.”Lloyd sighs, he can barely contain the trembling that shakes his body due to the proximity and also because of the memories of the disaster that do echoes in his mind.“Wouldn't that be crossing a line?”Ryder smiles haughtily at him.“You're going to blabber on sooner or later anyway and I'll have to listen” and sure he's going to do it. Lloyd didn't know where it came from, but Ryder gave him an immense peace and confidence that was very strange, of course, considering that he knew nothing of his private life. Maybe he was being too naive? Considering everything that happened with Harumi, he actually became distrustful and even paranoid with others. The ninja had made comments pointing that out on more than one occasion. “What does it matter if that comes early?”He bit his lip. Ryder's dark eyes remained fixed on his. The thief doesn't plan to ever express it, but he finds the curious shape that his eyes adopted very interesting after the last confrontation the ninja had. The bright green of his irises is still there, although now it is accompanied by slanted pupils and soft flecks of gold and violet among the green.“The battle against the Crystal King, did you see it?”He sees Ryder tilt his head. His piercing dark eyes scan him up and down, as is his habit whenever he analyzes something.“I think the whole city saw it, why?”Lloyd brought his palms to his face and another guttural noise came from his throat. Something like a growl mixed with a tired moan.“I lost control, Ryder. I turned into a monster and hurt my brothers.”The thief’s rough hand searches for his scarred one. He may not be the best with words, but when it comes to physical contact he’s really there. Ryder has this habit of touching him all over all the time that confuses and overwhelms Lloyd.“You also defeated the Overlord by yourself, for the second time.”Lloyd can't erase that wounded puppy expression from his face. In fact, he looks like he's going to burst into tears at any moment, which worries Ryder. Did he say something wrong, perhaps?"I don't remember what happened and the videos cut off after I almost killed Jay," the anguish was clear in his voice. "Did you see what happened?"The thief hesitates. It's the first time Lloyd sees him hesitate and he hates it a little. Is Ryder going to act overprotective now too? Did everyone agree to take care of him like a chick?If he were still a child, it wouldn't have bothered him so much, except that he wasn't anymore. He grew up quickly because of tomorrow's tea and years have passed since then. He wanted that protection when he was little, when everyone called him the chosen one and he had to face his father, not now that he's a young adult who only wants to be left alone.“I... I don't know how good idea it is to tell you.”He wanted to curse him, he really did. Then his eyes met Ryder's dark ones and the fire inside him began to subside. Was it his idea or did Ryder look worried? But it was different than when his brothers were distressed, he didn't really know how to describe it.He sighed.“Please. I'm tired of no one wanting to talk to me about it.”Ryder looked away. He bit his lip and then his hand tightened on Lloyd's knee.“Things got bad after you defeated the Overlord. It was in the air; an overwhelming tension. You fought with your brothers, yes. They tried to stop you but the power difference was quite noticeable,” he said. Lloyd knew that he was telling the truth because he had already seen all of that in the NGTV transmission. “Then it appeared among the clouds; a huge dragon with golden scales.”Lloyd frowned. His hand caught Ryder's wrist."A dragon...? Like the elemental dragons?"He saw the thief shake his head."It was different. It looked a lot like a snake with two large wings. Its scales reflected colored halos and as soon as it emerged, the darkness of the sky cleared.""I... I fought?""A little," he nodded. "The fight was very rough, until the dragon did something, it turned into a spirit? And it got inside you." He touched his chest with his index finger, an act that made him shudder. "After that everything was too bright to look at and, puff! You came back. Although you were unconscious."Lloyd took a while to speak, processing all the events narrated in his mind. As much as he wanted to mock and assure that it was a vile lie, he knew that Ryder is not characterized by being the lying type."It sounds too unreal."Ryder let out a noise of disbelief. Was he really going to talk about unreal things when he was the chosen one?“Come on. You’re the prophesied green ninja, and you can’t believe in the appearance of a mystical dragon?”Lloyd looked away. Ryder’s intense eyes fixed on his were something he couldn’t bear for long without becoming embarrassed.“It’s not that,” he whispered. “It’s just that, I thought we knew all the dragons.”His answer takes a while to come and it’s that moment of doubt that makes Lloyd look back at him.“The world is wide, little dragon. Too wide,” he smiles, ignoring the suspicion in the peculiar green eyes. “But I guess it’ll be a matter of time before your ninja finds out where it came from, right?”“I don’t think so. They’re quite busy with other things,” he says tensely. Ryder’s smile changes to a grimace.“Like what?”“To keep an eye on me. You know, so it doesn't happen again.”He waited for an ironic comment or a practical joke, but Ryder simply affirmed. He stood up and Lloyd could breathe better by not having Ryder's hands touching him, although soon a feeling of emptiness invaded him due to the loss of heat.“I understand. That's why you didn't want to go back to the monastery.”“Yes,” he spoke in a small voice.He regained his mocking attitude. Placing a hand on his waist, he said; “Well, you can stay as long as you want. But you'll have to get food because the fridge is empty. There's a change of clothes in the second drawer under the bed in case you want to take off all that green.” He pointed with disgust at his characteristic gi. He wanted to protest, but the boy silenced him. “And don't try to snoop around, there's nothing that can give away my past here.” His lips bulged in annoyance. Ryder frowned. “Are you serious? A pout?”With that attitude, he forgets that Lloyd is older than him by two years. The green ninja uses those bright eyes that exude innocence, which work even with all the new colors in his irises. Ryder snorts, looking away.“I've known you for three years and I don't even know your name. Can't I know that much at least?”He scratches the back of his neck.“Will you stop insisting on my past if I tell you?”“I promise,” Lloyd smiles, extending his pinky in a clear invitation. The innocence coming from his eyes and bright smile stop Ryder from making a sarcastic comment about how childish that turns out to him.“Okay,” he reluctantly interlaces his fingers. Lloyd seems too happy with his affirmation and shifts on the mattress to cross his legs in anticipation. “Okay, here we go,” the thief thinks before taking a breath. “Archer. My name is Archer.”Lloyd cocks his head, still staring at him intently.“What?” he snaps.“I thought you were going to tell me your last name too.”“You’re greedy,” he gives him a crooked smile. “You’ll have to earn it.”“How?”“I’ll tell you later.”The blatant squeeze on his thigh gives him an idea of what he means. Red to the ears, he is grateful that the boy has turned around to begin rummaging through the only dresser inside that ramshackle garage. Lloyd has wondered on more than one occasion where he lives, as he's made it clear that this place is just one of his various hideouts."Okay," he murmurs. Uncomfortable with the silence, he feels the need to fill in the blank. "Isn't that a little ironic? I mean, considering you use a bow and arrow.""Tell my parents," he muttered. Luckily Lloyd managed to hear him.His words make curiosity prickle on his stomach. Maybe this is the opportunity to get more information about the boy he's been interacting with for the past few years."Do you talk to them a lot?""Not really."There's a certain gloomy tone on his voice that sparks suspicion inside him. However, it fades as soon as he continues speaking."Why?""They died in the line of duty when I was ten. They were police officers."A thief, son of two police officers. Lloyd felt sorry for having suspected, but can you blame him after everything that happened with Harumi? He could doubt the veracity of his words, however, he recognizes the pain in the way he clenches his fists and shies away from his analytical eyes. «It's a wound that hasn't healed yet» he thinks.“Oh, I... I'm sorry,” he doesn't know what else to say. He was never good at comforting others, at least not when it comes to losing someone loved. Even his own wound with his father hasn't healed yet.“It's okay. If you don't mind, I'd rather change the subject,” how can he smile like that with such a big wound? Lloyd wants so much to know what's inside his mind, to know him in depth and be able to understand his train of thought. “You have that look again.”“Which one?”«Of wanting to solve everyone's problems».“Forget it,” he shakes his head. Lloyd is not satisfied with just forgetting the matter although he doesn't show it. “I have to go out. Are you sure you want to stay here?”“Uhm, well…” he looks around, finding only a few cans of paint and spray cans, as well as metal pieces and some nuts and bolts scattered around. He’s not a genius at construction like Pixal, Jay, or Nya, so he’ll probably get bored soon. “Where are you going?”“To destroy private property,” he said so seriously that he couldn’t help but be alarmed, until he noticed the redhead’s mocking smile out of the corner of his eye. He snorted and grabbed one of the pillows to throw at him. To his surprise, Archer reacted quickly despite his back to him and gave it back to him. “I’m going to finish a mural I left pending.”“Do you paint murals?” he asks incredulously.“My friends and I, actually.”“Friends? I thought you didn't have any," he heard him snort, unable to help it, he let out a giggle."Today is your lucky day, Lloyd Garmadon. Only today will you have the opportunity to know more about me." Archer threw him a pile of clothes, and when he checked them, he noticed that they were a paint-splattered work overall and a cap, as well as a shirt and thin pants to replace his gi. "Get changed and follow me," he said. Lloyd looked at the clothes in his hands and then at him. "What?""Turn around."He crossed his arms over his chest."Please, I know every corner of your body and we're both men."The heat quickly rose to his cheeks. In those moments, he hates how easily Archer makes him blush."But this is different. Just turn around and that's it!"Rolling his eyes, he obeyed. He busied himself putting on his own overalls, ignoring the glances the green ninja sent him from time to time.“You’re very strange, little dragon,” he said, pulling the zipper up to his neck. Lloyd clicked his tongue.“Says the ghost that doesn’t appear in any system.”“Well, you already have my name,” he shrugged, unconcerned. “If you dig a little you’ll find everything you’re looking for. But don’t ask for help from your ninja.”“Why do I always get the feeling that you hate us?”“I don’t hate you, I just…” he lost his concentration a little as he turned around and saw him wearing his clothes. It wasn’t Lloyd's size, that much could be seen from a mile away. He was several inches taller than Lloyd, and therefore, sizes. The obvious difference only made how small he is compared to him more noticeable. He cleared his throat. “You're all heroes. You know.”“Not really. I can’t understand it.”“You put your duty before everything else, even over your family.”He felt cornered from one moment to the next. Was he really talking about his family? Or was he saying it because of his experience with his own parents?What had happened to him to think that way?“I don't... I don't think that's true.”The boy reversed his grip. Now it was Archer who held his arm.“Come on, you're not going to tell me you haven't thought about it,” Lloyd lowered his gaze. “If you lose control again, do you really think your ninja won't make it a priority to stop you? By any means.”No matter how much he tries to deny it, he can't cover the sun with a finger, his powers are growing as well as his family's fear. He knows they wouldn't hurt him, but if the situation gets complicated, what would they be capable of doing to stop him?He shakes his head, trying to get rid of all those overwhelming thoughts.“You don't know them like I do.”“And I don't plan to do it,” Archer says seriously. Then he lets go of his arm, causing him to stagger a little and bump into the thief's chest. He didn't even notice when he got so close. “You look good.”“Don't change the subject, Ry... Archer.”The haughty smile doesn't disappear from his lips despite his complaints.“My name sounds really nice when you say it.”“Archer!” He exclaims, his cheeks a little hot. “Why did you let me get close? I know it wasn't by chance. Why me of all my brothers?”“Will you believe me if I tell you I don't know?” He thought he saw a faint reddish tone stand out between his tanned skin. “When I knew you were following me, I didn't know. I felt like I had to let you catch me.”Lloyd narrowed his eyelids.“And then you stole a kiss from me to run away. My first kiss.”“Was I your first kiss? What an honor,” the sarcasm was evident.“Archer,” he growled. The thief raised both hands innocently.“Don't be angry, greenie,” and stole a fleeting kiss that made Lloyd gasp weakly. He couldn't do anything but surrender to his playful attitude. “Come on, we have to get going so we don't arrive late.”“I still can't believe you're an artist,” he spoke in a low voice. Archer slid his palm down his arm and pulled him forward to the exit. Once the metal curtain rose, he handed him a helmet.“I have many talents, more than you can imagine.”“Of course,” he muttered ironically. Archer looked at him offended.“You don't believe me? I'll prove it to you,” he noticed that he had difficulties adjusting the helmet, so he stopped him by putting his index finger on his chin. “Let me help you,” Lloyd let him do it, allowing the warm hands to take care of buckling his helmet. Once he was done, he gave him a radiant smile. “Ready. Hold on tight, okay babe?”“I've ridden motorcycles before,” he said, more out of nervousness than anything else. He didn't want to seem so inexperienced in front of him and he didn't understand the reason.“Forgive me, Mr. Ninja for trying to be polite,” he growled, rolling his eyes. “I'll make sure to speed up on the speed bumps so you fly away.”Lloyd opened his eyelids in panic.“You wouldn't dare!,” hearing the accelerator, he hugged the thief's waist tightly. “Archer!”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Lifting the visor of his helmet, Lloyd is greeted by the pleasant blow of the refreshing night wind. As he clings to Archer's waist to keep from falling, he can't help but observe the surroundings in fascination.Fluorescent lights highlight every corner of the neighborhood instead of the typical white or yellow streetlights, it doesn't look anything like Ninjago City and if his assumptions are correct, they have traveled for at least three and a half hours. Huge signs and buildings stacked on top of each other add an interesting and creative touch to Ark County. He sees children playing carefree on the streets with glowing hoops or flashing balls and groups of friends having fun to the rhythm of the portable radios they carry. They all wear leather and denim clothes mixed with vibrant neon hues painting their faces and Lloyd would have almost felt out of place if he hadn't noticed that the paint on his overalls and the stickers attached to the helmet Archer lent him began to glow as they entered the dark alleys."Where are we?"The boy doesn't answer, he turns off the engine and entertains himself by removing his helmet. When Lloyd is about to protest, he finally speaks."I lived here with my parents and my brothers," the gloomy tone in his voice doesn't go unnoticed by Lloyd."It's a... peculiar place. Like you."Archer raises an eyebrow."Is that a compliment?"Lloyd opened his mouth a couple of times but nothing came out. He hated not knowing how to express what he meant. Noticing his nervousness, Archer gave him a soft smile.“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he squeezed one of the arms still holding onto his waist. “We’ll be walking from here.”He quickly gets off the bike. A part of him feels anxious and excited to hit the streets. Did Archer really grow up in that energetic place? Actually, if he thinks about it a little, there are several clues that give him away, like his immense love for his leather trench coat that Lloyd has seen him wear in more than one of their encounters or the neon colored lines that always paint his eyes. Archer takes something out of the back compartment that he doesn’t see until he shakes the jar of face paint in the air.“I hope they don’t recognize you that much this way.”He lets him do it. The skillful fingers take a little of the substance and cautiously make delicate strokes on his eyelids, the corners of his eyes and in the area of his dark circles. Archer studies his work for a few moments, deciding that a small detail is missing and traces something else now between his eyebrows. Then he does the same with his own face, admiring Lloyd because Archer doesn't even need a mirror.The movement is so natural that it's clear he's done this on more than one occasion. His fingers trace confidently over his freckles and the bridge of his nose, then he tilts his index finger slightly to sharpen the strokes and draws near the corners of his eyes."Is this some kind of habit?"He didn't realize when he raised his hand, cupping the thief's face in his palm. Archer holds his wrist, there's still some green paint between his fingers so they both end up a little splattered.The sharp strokes remind him of warriors of old. He couldn't help but wonder if the makeup on his face is just as amazing."There's a legend that says that the county of Ark was formed by ancient warriors from the first kingdom. They believed in the power of symbols to protect themselves from dark forces and that's why they had the habit of painting their skin with them," he said as he shouldered his suitcase full of sprays and adjusted the mask hanging from his neck. "Each stroke says a lot, it isn't random symbols. On it you represent your family, your essence and your inner power; all of them help you stay strong in the face of adversity.""It 's fascinating."Now he felt much more tempted to observe his own strokes. Almost as if he had read his mind, Archer handed him his cell phone with the front camera open."The eyelid lines are for your father and mother," he pointed to the long curves that ran from his tear duct to the edges of his eyebrows. "The dots under your eyes are each of the ninja. Because they are your brothers.""And the lines in the corners?"Archer imitates his posture, so both have their hands on each other's faces."Your essence."“It looks like wings.”He nodded.“Purity and justice; the protector of the world. That's what it means.”Lloyd looked away. He couldn't help but think of the incident with the Crystal King. Since that battle, the title of protector no longer seemed so comfortable to him. He didn't feel like one.“The star is my inner power, right?” He pointed to the small drawing between his eyebrows. Archer whispered a short “yes.” “I never understood my power. It's weird.”“No?” The thief looked at him in confusion. He took his hand away from his face so Lloyd imitated him. He played a little with his own fingers before speaking.“No,” all of his brothers had cool powers; fire, water, earth, ice, lightning, but him? “I mean, energy? What elemental power is that?”“Life,” Archer answered seriously.“Huh?”“Your power is energy according to elemental masters, however, in other cultures energy is life,” he touched his chest with his index finger, causing a curious tickle. “But inner power doesn’t refer to those weird powers you have. The star symbolizes hope, guidance, and eternity,” he raised both eyebrows in surprise. So that was it. “That’s what you mean to the others, Lloyd.”He swallowed. The embarrassment soon covered his pale cheeks. He prayed to all the ancestors that the neon lights would hide it a little.“What do your strokes mean?”Archer smiled confidently.“That’s a secret, little dragon.”“You said I could learn things about you today,” he protested.“Anything but that.” Lloyd rolled his eyes. He should have expected that sooner or later. Archer's barriers were rising again. “Another day I'll explain it to you. Come on, my friends will want to kill me for being late.”He didn't wait for his answer. He intertwined his hands, surprising him, and dragged him through several dark alleys. He tried to memorize the route, however, he ended up getting lost after a while. He hoped no one would recognize him or he would be in big trouble.“What we're doing is legal, right?”Archer snorted.“Appearances can be deceiving, Lloyd.”Oh, of course he knows. He learned that lesson from the dear Princess of Jade.A light other than neon began to appear at the end of the passages. Archer let go of his hand and Lloyd thanked him deeply. He wasn't ready for any assumptions others might make about his life, much less for another scandal of the same size as the one formed by his supposed crush on Harumi.It took his eyes a little time to adjust to the change from low light to the abundant light emitted by the huge spotlights pointing at the stage. It was located in the center of the entire cross of roads, there were streamers hanging from the poles and cables, as well as dragons made of paper. Archer led him behind the stage whose curtain apparently covered a huge stone wall."We were hired to make the mural of the seven dragons, so everything is legal, greenie." Lloyd frowned."I've never heard of the seven dragons.""I'm not surprised. You said that until recently you didn't know that you were half oni and half dragon, right?""I don't know why I tell you so much about my life," he whispered."Because I'm your only friend, besides your ninja," the green ninja didn't protest. Outside of his friends in other realms, he didn't really have many. Darreth could count as one or Skylor too, but he didn't possess that level of trust to open up and confess his greatest fears or even worse, feelings.He raised an eyebrow. Archer bit his lip in amusement."We're friends now?""Well, we are, aren't we?" He answered nonchalantly, taking out a couple of cans of paint from his bag."I think friends know everything about each other," «and friends don't kiss,» he thinks, "I don't know much about you.""You know more than anyone and if you paid a little more attention you'd realize it."Lloyd thinks deeply. How much did he know about the boy next to him? Okay, maybe he didn't know his family story or what he did in the years before he became a tech thief or was able to fully understand what was going on inside his mind, but he knew his habits and his tastes because he was so expressive. He knew what he liked and what he didn't and the simple thought that he knew more about him than the rest made him feel special."Archie, there you are!" A girl with vibrant red hair runs towards Archer. She pounces on him and he doesn't push her away. Instead, he looks very happy to see her, so much so that he lifts her off the ground in a tight hug. Lloyd steps back, looking away. Did she just call him "Archie"?"Hey, Arkadia, I missed you too.""Idiot, we thought you would leave all the work to us."Archer's laugh doesn't take long to come. An inexplicable acid reaches his throat and he is grateful that the overalls have pockets to hide his hands, because he could feel the sharpness of his Oni claws on his tense fists.“I was a little late,” he smiles, looking for him with his eyes once he finished greeting all his friends. Lloyd bites his lip, there is a certain complicity in Archer's eyes that takes him a few seconds to decipher. “Guys, he is..."“Montgomery,” more than a false name, it is actually his second name. Lloyd feels very lucky that only a few know it. “Call me Monty,” he sees Archer raise both eyebrows and he already has an idea of the many jokes he will make about it soon.“He's a friend of mine.”“We thought you didn't have any more friends,” a boy with blond hair and blue eyes intervenes. He has his arms crossed and looks at Archer with the same mischievous attitude."I'm pretty social, Chris, even though it may not seem like it," he mumbles. He pulls Lloyd in with a jerk and Lloyd lets his back hit Archer's chest. “This fool is Chris,” he points to the blond. “This is Arkadia, my sister, Lavender and Xander,” he then points to a cute redhead with freckles, a girl with bright brown skin and dyed blue hair and a quiet boy who almost equals his height.“N-nice to meet you,” he stutters as Archer's breath in his ear tickles him. Luckily for him, the others don't seem to pay much attention to them and are busy with their own affairs, of course, except for Arkadia who approaches with a frown.“You look familiar, do I know you from somewhere?” She is just as direct as her brother. Seeing her from a short distance, he notices the immense resemblance they both have; the hair, the freckles and even the same dark eyes, however, there is something about Archer that attracts Lloyd's attention.“Everyone tells me that often. I seem to have that kind of face," he smiles nervously under Arkadia's inquisitive gaze. Archer seems to notice it so he intervenes giving Lloyd a few pushes."We're here to work, right? Let's get to work," he gives his sister a sharp look, Arkadia rolls her eyes watching the blond join Chris and Lavender. "Where are Avis and Rhys?" Archer asks when he notices the absence of the two youngest of the group.The lighter tips of her hair seem to shine when Arkadia snorts."Our dear younger brothers are too busy with you-know-who."A deep noise comes from Archer's chest, similar to the growl of a rabid dog. His sister raises an eyebrow."I don't like that boy. He distracts them a lot.""As Monty distracts you," she points to Lloyd, who laughs because of something silly that Chris surely said. Despite the cap, some of his already long blonde hair escapes framing his face. His bright green eyes are visible from a distance or maybe it's just him who has spent too much time appreciating them that he has already memorized every detail. Arkadia doesn't let this little slip of his brother go, Archer looks so vulnerable when he looks at him. "Where do you know Monty from? Don't lie to me, Archie."He sighs. He knows his sister well enough to know that she won't give up until she knows the truth and the last thing he wants is for her to face Lloyd."He's one of the ninja. The green ninja," he confesses. Arkadia looks at him as if he had two heads instead of one."Are you sleeping with the green ninja? Are you crazy?" She exclaims."They're going to hear us, you fool!" He hisses. Luckily Chris is even louder than Arkadia and no one but them heard his scream. "Not always," his sister gives him a look that says “I don’t understand what the hell you mean” so he scratches the back of his neck. "It’s complicated. But don’t tell the others who he is. He doesn’t want them to recognize him.""So, you like him? I thought he was straight."Archer squeezes the can in his hand. He hesitates a few moments before pressing the nozzle and continuing to paint as if it didn’t matter to him."I like him and that’s it. His sexuality is none of my business."Except that he does actually care. When the scandal with Harumi exploded, Archer hesitated. “They look good together” everyone thought, even the ninja seemed to approve of the potential relationship between the green ninja and the Jade princess.He couldn’t handle it and just disappeared. He preferred to leave everything on good terms and be the one to leave, because he couldn’t stand another abandonment like the departure of his parents was for him. If Lloyd chose the Jade princess, he would be fine with that. Eventually he would get over it and rejoice in his happiness as he watched him from a distance.He managed to successfully evade him for three months, until one rainy night Lloyd showed up at his door, soaked from head to toe and with a wounded look that broke his heart and he was no longer able to remain indifferent."What happened to that «I will never go out with curious people» thing?""We're not dating," it's not like they go walking around in public holding hands. Actually, they are quite reserved with whatever their type of relationship is and save any act that could be related to a couple for when they meet in private. Lloyd seems happy with that and Archer doesn't care much, even if on many occasions he has to force himself to take his hands off Lloyd. He won't do anything that makes him feel uncomfortable or pressured and he doesn't want Lloyd to live another scandal like the one that happened with Harumi. "Leave me alone, I have to work."Arkadia seriously thinks his brother lost his mind. Still, she didn't say anything else and walked away mumbling things that Archer didn't bother to hear. He preferred to focus on his work, putting on his mask so he wouldn't end up dizzy from all the paint scent and lost himself in the noises of his hometown; the children running around, the music coming from the teenagers' portable radios and the pleasant chatter of the elderly and couples enjoying a quiet afternoon.Sometimes he missed it; his quiet days in Ark with his family, where he didn't have to worry about surviving or look over his shoulder every minute. But then they showed up and he had to send each of his brothers to different towns and cities and he adopted another identity; Ryder, the only Ninjago City thief that the ninja have never been able to catch.However, once a year they all meet for the festival of the seven dragons in the place where they grew up. It's reassuring when they all meet up and notice that they're safe and sound, since they've limited contact to only emergency occasions. They can't risk being tracked, although it's hard for Archer not to be able to see them grow up. After all, he was in charge of raising them for years and being separated from them is something that still hurts him."Hey, your friend Monty is great. Why didn't you introduce us to him before?" Chris says, his arm placed on Lloyd's shoulders, who has red cheeks and looks ready to explode. Archer frowns when Lavender raises both eyebrows again and again. He hates it when his family insists on testing his limits."He's shy. Don't bother him too much," Lloyd can't help but feel a little disappointed when Archer doesn't even give him a glance. He even seems annoyed, doesn't he like him being there? Maybe he shouldn't have asked to go with him."We're done with our business so we're going to karaoke, are you joining us later?"Lloyd looks at Archer, but he's still immersed in whatever is bothering him. He can see it in the way he squeezes the can and his strokes become more aggressive."Okay," he gives them a small smile."You too, Archie?"He just nods. The group seems satisfied with his affirmation and walks away after collecting their things. When only Archer and him are left, Lloyd sighs."Is everything okay?" He asks after a few minutes. His tense posture doesn't change, Lloyd can appreciate from miles away how rigid his muscles are under his overalls."I'm done," he evades his question, getting up to remove his mask. Lloyd doesn't seem to like that very much from the soft growl that comes out of his lips. He's acting more and more hybrid, setting off all of Archer's alarms. Soon the time will come when he can't hide it anymore."Archer" he calls him seriously. The thief grits his teeth, "what's going on?"Large deer eyes search his own. Archer swallows hard, he was never good at resisting that pair of bright green irises no matter how much he made him believe otherwise. The last time he saw him like that, so pleading and fearful was when Lloyd showed up at his door crying because he had been betrayed by those he loved the most; Harumi, Garmadon... and him.He can't deny it, he hurt Lloyd by walking away after the scandal. He was so wrapped up in his own fears and fear of being hurt that he didn't think that it hurt Lloyd too. He was selfish and didn't notice how much he needed him, how much they both needed each other.That's why, from that day on, he promised himself that he would do everything in his power to protect him. Even if he didn't need protection because he was the all-powerful green ninja, Archer knew the fearful child inside him. It might seem like he didn't pay attention to all his chatter, but Archer listened more than he let on."I'm upset," before Lloyd spoke, he continued, "it's not with you, little dragon. My family is a little annoying when they insist on being so."The fearful green eyes kept analyzing every part of his face, looking for any sign of rejection. Archer took his hands and led them to both sides of his face. Lloyd left a couple of caresses on the cheeks rough from the stubble of his beard."Have you known them for a long time?"He nodded."After my parents died, I met them. They were just kids and my brothers were just babies. Xander, Arkadia and I were the oldest so we had to find a way to survive," he shrugged, as if admitting that becoming independent at ten was something normal. Lloyd couldn't help but feel identified with that since he was expelled from Darkley's Boarding School at nine. "I guess they're my family.""It's a nice family," Archer snorted, muttering an ironic "sure" that made Lloyd smile. There was his sarcastic Archer. "Arkadia is identical to you.""She's my twin. She doesn't have as much style as me, but we do look a little alike," saying little was understating it quite a bit, in reality, they looked like the opposite sex copy of each other. "When they're not getting into trouble, they're all quite nice.""They remind me of someone I know.""Are you implying that I'm problematic, little dragon?" Archer slides his fingers over his waist, squeezing the area a little. Lloyd’s smile only grows wider as the thief brushes the tip of his nose against his own.“You are, Archie.”Archer lets out a noise of disbelief.“Oh, First Spinjitzu Master, are you going to call me like that too?”“Does it bother you?” Worry soon tickles the pit of his stomach. Archer shakes his head."Arkadia loves to tease me with that nickname, but if it comes from you, I could get used to it," blushing is inevitable and unfortunately, this time he can't hide it because they're pressed in each other's arms.Archer reaches out his hand, brushing his thumb over his lower lip. Sharing a glance is enough for him to understand so he closes his eyelids, sighing in relief once their mouths meet.His lips taste like green tea and tobacco, a mix that fits him like a glove. He also smells like cologne and spray paint; the black clothes, the attitude, everything about him screams bad boy and yet Lloyd can't help but feel attracted.«Appearances can be deceiving» Archer had said and Lloyd couldn't agree more.The hands that love to touch him slide over every corner of his body; his waist, his arms, his chest. Archer doesn't seem calm and doesn't stop until he finds a place on his lower back that satisfies him. He pulls him closer to his body and Lloyd slides his hands behind his neck, clinging to his reddish curls so as not to melt in their battle of tongues.Being there in his arms, sharing the warmth of their bodies and kissing as if it were the last thing they would do in life, Lloyd feels like any normal twenty-something. At that moment he is not the green ninja, the image of the savior that the citizens of Ninjago had of him is far away, at that moment, he is just a boy exploring his feelings, discovering what he likes and slowly finding his identity. He feels normal and he likes it.Archer gives his lip a soft bite once they separate to take a breath. Lloyd gasps, his eyelids half-closed and his vision a little clouded by delicate tears. He looks at him with concern, but does not allow him to speak because his hands on his cheeks have already attracted him again. Lloyd kisses him with need, his grip refusing to let go, as if he fears that at any moment he will disappear like that time when he couldn't locate him for several months. Only on a few occasions had he felt so desperate and it was not a pleasant feeling.He reciprocated that desire, but he also left everything he felt in it. Soft caresses, heavy sighs and mischievous bites made every fiber of Lloyd's body vibrate until Archer suddenly separated, breaking his tension-laden bubble with regret.Lloyd looked at him confused. His own breathing was just as accelerated as the thief's."If we continue like this, I won't be able to resist and I'll run away with you," he gives his waist a gentle squeeze. Lloyd lets out an embarrassed laugh. "Actually, I want to, but there's still a lot I want to show you.""Like what?"Lloyd lets himself be dragged by a happy Archer towards the center of the stage. He turned on one of the spotlights behind the curtain and opened his arms with excitement.“What do you think?” He bit his lip a little, a sign of his nervousness.“Archie! This is... It's incredible.”The mural is huge, Lloyd guesses it took them weeks to do it. In the center is the characteristic Ying and Yang that he knows so well, but what impresses him are the five dragons of different colors flying around the circle, each with a primary elemental power surrounding it.“Where are the other two?”Archer points to the Ying and Yang. Looking more closely, he notices the small dragon tails that intertwine in the perfect circle.“The most important dragons of the seven. The dragons of balance,” his voice sounds soft when he explains it, almost sweet, “they cannot exist without each other. They both complement each other and form harmony.”“Why do they have a golden halo surrounding them?”“It’s the golden power,” Lloyd begins to wonder how much he really knows about the world and his own powers. “It’s the combination of the essences of creation and destruction. That’s why they can’t exist without each other, they need each other to be able to create the golden power.”“I thought destruction was bad.”Archer swung his hand from side to side.“Maybe, if you look at the world as just black and white,” he shrugged. “I don’t think it is. Think of all the times that Ninjago City was destroyed and then rose from the ashes.” More times than Lloyd could count. He remembered the words from that distant dream he had: “Endings aren’t endings, just new beginnings.” “Sometimes something needs to be destroyed to allow the new to come through. There is no creation without destruction.”Then he pointed to the thick, dark clouds surrounding the mighty dragons. There were purple rays coming out of them and he couldn't help but shudder as a chill ran down his spine."It's different from the darkness. The darkness doesn't care about creation. It only wants to corrupt and wipe out all life in existence. The Overlord is a great example of that." He didn't realize his nails had sharpened again until Archer left a soft caress on the back of his hand. He tried to hide his hands but the thief stopped him, he smiled and interlaced their fingers and little by little the sharp claws retreated relieving Lloyd."How do you know so much about these legends?""Anyone in Ark County can tell you the same thing." His arms surrounded his waist, Lloyd leaned confidently against the thief's chest, still observing every detail of the dragons. There was something familiar, a feeling that lit a warm fire inside him. "Even Chris," he whispered. Lloyd laughed."Yeah, sure.""Are you implying I'm lying?" he spoke with false offense. Lloyd's smile couldn't be bigger and a part of him wanted to treasure all those moments in a special place."I just think you're too interested in this," Archer snorted. "You seem a bit nerdy.""I think you're the first and only one to label me that way," under all the black clothes, he did have something of a know-it-all but he would never accept it. He smiled, shaking his head. "Maybe you're right. I quite like our history, although you should wait for the festival to start, there will be all kinds of representations of this legend and so many others.""Will you spend all the days of the festival here?"Three relaxing days in his hometown with his family. If he was honest, he felt quite excited."Yes," Lloyd was glad to see him happy, although something inside him hurt at the thought that he would not see him for that period of time. At least now he knew where to find him. Archer put a hand to the back of his neck, caressing the area a little. "I was thinking... Only if it's okay with you, I would really like to bring you to the festival," he blinked, unable to believe that Archer's invitation was real. When the redhead handed him a small luminous bracelet he realized that that had really happened. "Would you allow me to do that?"Lloyd played with his fingers, his palms suddenly itching.“Like a date?”A flash crossed Archer’s eyes or maybe it was an illusion, because it disappeared when he blinked.Archer pressed his lip between his teeth again. Lloyd raised his hand, stopping him from doing so out of concern that he would hurt himself. The thief’s eyes kept going over every detail of his face; his thin lips, the tip of his upturned nose, the bright green irises that kept looking at him with a mix of excitement and fear and each of the scars that remained as proof of old battles.He had promised himself to never become attached to a hero. He didn’t want to go through what he experienced with his parents again; the uncertainty of not knowing if those you love would return home. «Lloyd is a hero,» he told himself on more than one occasion to extinguish the flame that was beginning to burn in his heart. «He is a hero and will always put his duty first.»At his lack of response, the pale hands slowly fall from his face. Lloyd lowers his head, ashamed for believing he has misinterpreted everything. Archer feels himself falling into despair because he does not know what to do. Risk getting hurt or run away once more and protect his heart?But that would hurt Lloyd and Archer was not willing to do it again.He cursed the moment when their paths crossed. He had been doing quite well on his own, without running into the chosen one and only watching him from a distance. Lloyd had no idea of his existence and that made the natural attraction that his soul felt towards the green ninja more manageable.Then, one day during one of their usual robberies at the Borg's tower, the ninja decided to send him to hunt him down. None of the others had been able to track him down, so they trusted in the best ninja of the team to do it. As soon as their eyes met, the spark of a burning fire ignited between the two of them.Archer didn't want to keep running away. He had been running away all his life; after his parents' death, he had to escape to save himself from those who destroyed his family and he continued to do so throughout his life. The false identities, the secret locations and the constant escapes from authority.He forbade himself to have friends, falling in love was not even in his wildest plans, he was just a fleeting experience for others who soon forgot. He knew that everything was temporary because sooner or later he would have to disappear again to avoid being caught by the Dragon Killers, then the cute and beloved green ninja appeared and everything became a little complicated.But he didn't want to run away anymore. Not from Ninjago, nor from Lloyd.He stretched out his hand, his index and middle fingers were in charge of gently lifting Lloyd's fallen face."If you allow me, I would love to have a date with you, Lloyd Montgomery Garmadon."Lloyd opened his eyelids tightly. He looked at him for a few seconds, as if searching for any trace of a joke on his face. Finding nothing but seriousness and a bit of nervousness, he smiled and threw himself at him to hug him."Is that a yes?"He heard the blond laugh."Yes, Archie.""Great," his hands squeezed his waist, it looked so small in the middle of his large palms. Lloyd's inverted triangle-shaped body is something that will always fascinate him. "I'll pick you up at the usual place."After securing the luminous bracelet on his wrist, Lloyd couldn't help but look at it with excitement. He would have a date with Archer!The thief left a chaste kiss on his cheek. They both smiled dazedly, like the excited and in love young men they were.The rest of the night passed quietly between drinks, rounds of karaoke with friends and knowing glances and touches between them.Lloyd for the first time felt normal and he liked that.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Six days later, Lloyd is about to explode of excitement. He can't stop glancing at the watch on his wrist, earning a couple of curious glances from the nindroid by his side.He likes to go out with Zane. He is the calmest of all his brothers and although sometimes the nindroid has a hard time understanding his jokes, he has a good time with him, however, at that moment all he wants is for the minutes to pass faster while they wait in line at the supermarket. He doesn't even know what the festival of the seven dragons is all about, there isn't much on the internet and asking his uncle Wu doesn't seem like an option since he can't find a way to not expose himself away. So he just keeps his excitement to himself, hoping to be surprised by Archer, who also seems excited about their date since he doesn't stop sending him clumsy and cloying messages and emoticons. The last thing he reads is a "I can’t wait to see you" along with a red heart that leaves him smiling for a long time.Lloyd sighs, puts his phone in his pocket and crosses his arms over his chest. He doesn't notice Zane's stare until he speaks."I detect your heart rate increasing repeatedly, is everything okay?""Y-yes," Lloyd feels the blood rush to his cheeks at the memory of Archer's loving messages. Somehow, it felt really good to receive and read them. "I'm just excited," he says without thinking much, Zane looks around and then at him."About shopping?"Nervous, he stammers; "Of course! I love shopping."His nindroid brother stares into space for a few moments, Lloyd imagines he's doing analysis within his intelligent brain."Strange," he says after finishing his scan. "You seem to want to leave.""Yes," he answers again without thinking, realizing what he's said, his heart pounds hard against his chest. “I mean, n-no, Zane!” He exclaims, frightened. He knows he doesn't do it on purpose, his brother is just trying to understand his behavior, but Zane's analytical eyes make his hands tremble. “I mean... I like spending time with you, it's just that…”Call it luck or the intervention of some divine force «thanks, grandpa» Lloyd thinks, at that very moment their intercoms ring and Nya's voice is heard on the other end.“Zane, Lloyd! Are you there?” The water ninja speak.“We heard you, Nya” Zane answers, as brief and cordial as always.He brings his hand to his ear and presses the small earpiece.“We're still stuck in line at the supermarket. Did something happen?”There is a silence from Nya that unsettles him. Since he's met her, he's rarely seen his sister hesitate. Lloyd begins to feel the sweat gathering on his palms.“This is a little complicated to explain but something happened with Cole. I think it will be better if we are all together.”“Is everything okay?” Zane asks and they get into a conversation that Lloyd can't hear no matter how hard he tries.His cellphone vibrated. Looking at the notification on his screen, his blood ran cold and the cellphone almost slipped from his hand. Suddenly, his mouth was dry and a strange feeling of being watched and judged invaded him.“The ninja of the earth has a boyfriend?” said the headline of the most recent NGTV article and in the header you could see a photo, somewhat blurry but because of Cole's characteristic black gi it was impossible to assume that it was not him. Next to him was Geo, Lloyd knew him, he had gone to the monastery a couple of times to help with the reconstruction. Cole had said that he met him during his adventure in the Shintaro mines and since then they became close, however, Lloyd had no idea that it was in that sense.The report was actually quite kind, unfortunately, the hard part was the comments. Lloyd entered that section and immediately wished he had never done it. The words disappointment and disgust drilled into his mind along with unpleasant insults.“It’s a creature from another realm, okay, but did it have to be a boy? What a waste.” Several comments repeated the same thing. Lloyd thought he could throw up his entire breakfast right then and there. Was that the whole problem? Was Geo being a boy and being with Cole, who is another boy, so bad?“Lloyd, your heart rate is racing,” Zane’s voice makes him jump. He has to blink several times to remember what he’s doing and where he is.“Yeah, I’m fine,” he says absentmindedly. He puts his phone back in his pocket and adjusts the cap on his head, desperate to hide his identity.
“Hey! Have you seen this? Looks like ninja Cole is dating someone.”
“Really? With who?”
“With one of those Shintaro creatures. A Munce boy.”
“Oh? Really? I had no idea he was that type.”
Maybe it's his idea because he hears tons of notifications in a row. People start checking their phones and soon everyone is talking about his brother. Of Cole, the strong and kind ninja who has risked his life on more than one occasion for that same city that now attacks him with acid comments. Lloyd clenches his fists, the edge of his Oni claws pressing into the skin of his palms.Is it really that bad? Lloyd can't understand it. They actually look good together and from his brother's relaxed posture, the one he has rarely seen, he can tell that Geo makes him feel comfortable. Happy.He knows Cole well enough to know that this won't affect him, he will act like the solid rock he is or at least he hopes so, because he wouldn't know what to do if he sees him break down. Then he wonders if the rest of his brothers knew about it, he had no idea because as far as he knew, Cole had been in love with Nya a while ago and that's why he fought for several months with Jay. When has that changed?He begins to realize that he is not as good a leader as he thinks.If his brothers had no idea like him, how would they react? Would they support him or make nasty comments too?“Lloyd, where are you going?”He opened his eyelids in panic, looking around. He couldn't shake that feeling of eyes watching him.He needed to get out of there.“I...” his voice came out barely in a whisper. “I need to get some air.”He didn't wait for Zane's response. His feet moved on their own to get him out of the supermarket and once he turned the corner, he started running.The streets were crowded, so he had to push people to make his way. He felt more and more suffocated and he didn't know how to get rid of that feeling. In his pocket his cellphone kept ringing, creating a tormenting melody in his head. He just wanted it to shut up! For everything to stop being so loud for a moment!Would his brothers accept him? Nya didn't even seem to know how to talk about it. She sounded so anxious over the comms, almost scared. Lloyd put his hands to his head, his cap flying off at some point in his escape. What would Kai, Jay or Zane say when they found out?A part of him wants to know, but the other is too afraid. He knows he has to go with them, his brother needs him even if he doesn't show it but he's not ready. If he goes right now he'll burst into uncontrollable tears and he has no idea how to explain that to the ninja without exposing himself. Two gay guys on the famous ninja team might be too much to handle.Come on! Lloyd isn't even sure of his sexuality. He likes Archer, yes, a lot, but he doesn't walk around the streets looking at all the boys, or the girls either. It took him a long time to feel something romantic towards Archer and he has never understood how some of his brothers have been able to fall in love at first sight like Zane, who felt a connection with Pixal as soon as they met or Kai, who fell in love with Skylor when he first met her at the tournament of elements.His feet lead him stumbling to the door of that hideout he knows so well. He tries to remember where Archer told him he left the key in case he needed to hide one day, however, his clouded mind is unable to find coherence in his thoughts and desperately, he pushes the heavy metal door with a superhuman strength that would scare anyone who was not aware of his family history.Of course the place is empty. It does not seem that Archer has been there since their escape together days ago and there is a certain disappointment in his chest for that. Perhaps he had the illusion of finding him there by chance, unfortunately, it did not happen and Lloyd feels even more desperate.He does not know what to do or how to calm down. He's having trouble breathing so he's started to inhale air through his mouth, causing his throat to slowly dry out. His heart is beating fast and he's afraid that at some point something will happen to him, is this how he's going to die? After so many fights, overcoming the odds and facing death on more than one occasion, he's there, feeling vulnerable and pathetic in what seems to be his end.He finds a small corner, it's between the desk he's seen Archer working at and one of the lockers he uses to store scrap metal (Archer's words). The small space gives him some comfort, although he still can't calm his breathing and his thoughts.What will others say if they find out he's dating Archer? No matter how good a person he was, the huge problem is that he's a boy. The famous green ninja likes someone of his same sex and that's not right.
Or is it?
Lloyd never had someone to comfort him, to resolve his doubts. Even now that he has his brothers and Uncle Wu, years of abandonment have taken their toll on him and although he is not alone, he feels lonely. He doesn't know how to open up and he is so afraid of being rejected by the only people that accepted him that he doesn't want to say anything even if it's obvious that he's drowning. He could tell Nya, she's always understood him but Lloyd keeps blaming himself for what happened to her, he couldn't do anything to stop her from merging with the sea and he wasn't much help in bringing her back either. He still can't look her in the eye and feels it would be very inconsiderate of him to come and burden her with his problems, so he has to solve it alone.The back door of the garage opens with a loud bang. Lloyd hears all the noise in the distance, until he manages to make out Archer's worried voice in the middle of it all."Lloyd? Are you here?" The thief searches for him everywhere, finding him hiding. Once he locates him his heart fills with relief. "Lloyd! Oh, First Spinjitzu Master, I was so worried."Lloyd doesn't answer. He shrinks further into his place, hiding his face between his legs and refusing to look at him. Archer approaches cautiously, noticing his erratic breathing and sharp claws scratching at his knees."Little Dragon," he calls him affectionately. The blond tries to lift his head, but regrets it at the last moment. “Lloyd, sunshine. Is everything okay?”It's hard for him to stay calm. Archer feels like his insides are tearing apart because he doesn't know what's happening to him. If someone hurt him, he doesn't think he'll be able to contain himself.He slowly raises his hand, his fingers take a couple of the light hairs and push them behind his ear. Lloyd seems to hold his breath for a few moments so he speaks.“Baby, please look at me,” he begs. Lloyd has a hard time doing so, luckily, he slowly raises his head. Archer meets eyes full of fear so he smiles at him. “Breathe with me.”He inhales deeply and then lets out all the air in a long exhale. Lloyd tries hard to imitate him although his first attempts fail. Archer never stops smiling at him and caressing his hands, managing after several repetitions to calm down the accelerated rhythm of his breathing and his heart to return to its normal pace.“That’s it, you do it very well,” he whispers. Lloyd looks down at their intertwined hands and then at the bright green shirt Archer is wearing along with his trusty black trench coat.“You wear… Green.” Archer bites the inside of his cheek. “You never wear green.”He looks away, the relaxed smile on his lips not going unnoticed by Lloyd.“Enjoy it, because I prefer you to be the only green in my life.” He shrugs.Lloyd lets out a weak laugh, though his head then falls tiredly onto Archer’s chest.“Can I hug you, little dragon?”He makes a small affirmative noise. Archer wastes no time and wraps his arms around his shaking, small body. Lloyd seeks more of his touch, hugging him back with immense need.Being trapped in his embrace feels so comfortable, so protected that he can’t help but wonder how this could be wrong. Archer loves him and even though he hasn't said it, Lloyd can feel it in his actions."Archie," the redhead makes a small noise to let him know he's listening, "how did you know I was here?""I got an alert that someone had forced entry into the garage. Then I saw it was you through the cameras at the entrance." His chest vibrates from the sound of his voice, a detail that relaxes him and Lloyd almost makes a sound similar to the roar of an engine, is it a purr? "I was really worried when you didn't arrive.""I'm sorry," he has to force himself to open his eyelids or else he'll fall asleep. "I think I ruined our first date, didn't I?"Archer searches his eyes, because he thinks it's important that Lloyd is clear that he would never blame him for whatever happened."Lloyd, you don't have to apologize," the blond doesn't agree, however, he chooses not to protest. “Do you want to talk about what happened?”“Maybe later.”“Okay,” he says after a few seconds. Lloyd feels so tired that he gives in to his desires and buries his face in the thief’s chest again.“Can we stay like this for a moment?”Archer sighs. He places a hand on his head and calmly begins to comb his hair between his fingers. Lloyd can’t contain the various purrs that come out of his lips at all the caresses.“Anything you want, little dragon.”“You really never stop using that nickname,” he whispers half asleep.“Does it bother you?”He protests when Archer pulls away, so he gives him a fleeting kiss.“It doesn’t bother me. I just… I can’t help but remember what I am, you know.”“I don’t think I understand it.”“Part dragon and part oni. A hybrid.”He watches him scratch the back of his neck. He seems to think a little about his next words.“Well, that's part of you but I don't think it's who you are,” he looks into the bright green eyes, discovering that there is a larger amount of violet that devours all the new colors of his irises, “Your genetics don't define who you are, it's your heart that does it. What does your heart say about you?”Lloyd rambles.“I don't know.”Archer touches Lloyd’s forehead with his index finger.“Come on, greenie. Don't think about it too much, just shoot.”Of all the titles that have been placed on him, there is one whose weight is so much that it has come to overwhelm him. Sometimes, the temptation to hang up the suit and never touch it again overwhelms him.“That I'm the green ninja.”The redhead raises an eyebrow.“And what does it mean to you to be the green ninja?”The sigh that leaves his lips is full of tiredness. His head is soon filled with thoughts that disturb him, each of the battles he fought invades his memory.“That I have a responsibility to fulfill; to protect people who cannot defend themselves, for some reason I was born with these powers.”If there is something he appreciates about Archer, it is that he always notices when his emotions are about to overwhelm him. He feels the thief's rough hand search for his palm and leave a soft but firm caress on the back of it.“And what about you?”“Huh?” Lloyd's bright eyes look at him with confusion.“Who protects you?”“I…” he looks away, not able to face Archer. “My family, I guess.”They took care of him ever since his uncle Wu brought him to the Destiny’s Bounty after the fight at Darkley’s. Right after Phytor betrayed him, they took him in and took care of him.However, Lloyd still remembers the initial rejection. How his brothers wanted to punish him to give him what he deserved. Honestly, Lloyd doesn’t blame them. He was actually a big annoyance for a long time, then came the rejection and mutual distrust until it was discovered that he was the powerful green ninja.Then everything changed. The ninja went from wanting to strangle him to dedicating themselves to training him, emphasizing how important his existence was and preventing him from getting into fights before his time. At the time he didn't think much about it, but now that he's grown up he looks back and can't help but wonder if everything would have been the same if he wasn't the green ninja, would his brothers love him the same way or hate him for being nothing more than Garmadon's son?"Do you suppose?""I... I don't know," he hesitates. "I don't know."Archer sighs once more. His gaze falls to their joined hands so Lloyd imitates him, interlacing their fingers a few minutes later."You're more than just the green ninja, Lloyd. More than just the chosen one, the savior of Ninjago or the son of Garmadon." There it is again, it's as if Archer can read all the thoughts in his mind. "I hope that one day you realize that you are much more than all the titles that have been placed on you."Lloyd doesn't say anything for the first few minutes. His heart has begun to beat rapidly and red has covered his cheeks. He squeezes Archer's hands in his, not wanting him to move away for any reason."And you? What does your heart say about you?"Archer smiles at him. He sees in his eyes that usual confidence that makes him shy in seconds. He knows that kind of look, it's the one Kai always uses to flirt with Skylor. Is Archer doing the same thing to him?"I am Archer Mashdahk, son of Evanora and Kadeén Mashdahk. Older brother of Arkadia, Avis and Rhys Mashdahk and direct descendant of the guardian of dreams, but I am much more than that." His right hand feels his neck, going up to reach his chin. His index and middle fingers are in charge of lifting his chin. "I am an artist, a skilled athlete who prefers the bow and arrow and in my free time I am also the second vocalist and guitarist of the Four Dragons.""You forgot to add that you are a professional thief."Archer snorts.“That's just one of my many attributes that others keep pointing out.” The vain gesture brings a smile that infects Archer. “I'm talking about the image I have of myself.” Lloyd rolls his eyes. “Come on, don't look at me like that, greenie.”“You told me your last name, why? I thought I'd have to earn it,” he said with some distrust.“Well, I have a couple of ideas on how you could...” The suggestive gesture caused Lloyd to blush enormously. He punched him in the chest, making him laugh. “I'm just kidding.”“Jerk.”“Wow, I didn't think the praised green ninja would be so rude. Are you kissing me with that little dirty mouth?”“And I didn't think my first boyfriend would love to tease me so much.” Archer remains silent, just looking at him with both eyebrows raised. “What?”“You just called me your boyfriend,” he bites the inside of his cheek to suppress the huge smile that threatens to curve his lips. Lloyd opens his eyelids in panic.“Shit, I'm sorry. I know we never talk about titles and you're probably not even looking for a relationship,” he stammers hastily, not daring to listen to what Archer wants to say.“Lloyd…” the blond interrupts him.“I'm so sorry, forget it, okay? I don't even know why I said it.”Before he can escape, Archer grabs his wrists.“Lloyd, I promised not to run away anymore, so I ask you, please don't run away from me, from us,” he pleaded. Lloyd observed him in detail; first his dark eyes that shone under the yellowish lights of the garage and the little moonlight that filtered through the windows and... the huge hole in the wall? What...?"I'm scared," he whispered.“Me too, baby. But a life dominated by fear is not a pleasant life.”Fear of losing him and being left with the same emptiness he felt when he lost his parents, fear that Lloyd might prefer someone better, someone who isn't in so much trouble, someone who isn't a thief.But he's tired of letting fear control his actions.“I'm not even sure what I am,” he admitted regretfully, reversing the position and now being the one holding Archer's wrists. “I like you a lot, but I don't know, I don't see myself with other boys, or girls either.”“Hey, it 's okay. You don't have to figure it out right now,” he reassures him by touching the tip of his nose. Lloyd sketches a weak smile, although it fades after a few seconds.“I feel like I should, but I'm really scared. What will my family say when they find out?”He thought about Cole’s coming out, the media invading his privacy and dragging him out of the closet without caring if he was ready or not. Now everyone won't stop talking about him and he had no idea what his brothers thought about it."I know you care a lot about your family, Lloyd, however, if they can't accept that part of you, they'll have to miss out. You can't change to please others, you'll never be happy like that."Lloyd senses a pained tone in his words. Is he speaking from experience?"I thought you were clumsy with words."The confident smile appears on his lips again."When it comes to you, they come out easy."He raises an eyebrow."Is that your attempt at flirting?""Oh, wow, you finally notice my efforts to flirt with you," he growls ironically, to which Lloyd raises both hands innocently.“Hey, I'm new to this.”“Believe it or not, so am I. You're my "first" in many ways,” Lloyd sees a soft pink tint highlight his freckles and this time he's sure it happened, it wasn't an illusion. “I'm glad it's you.”“Me too,” he smiles happily and the boy imitates him. “Archie, about us…”Before he can speak, Archer says; “Okay, we don't have to use a label yet if that makes you feel pressured.”However, Lloyd denies.“Yes I want to,” he sees in his gestures that he doesn't understand so he explains; “I mean, I'd like to be your boyfriend but, can we continue like this? Just until I'm ready to tell my family.”Maybe it's a little selfish to force Archer to find himself in a relationship on the sly, but he doesn't feel ready to face it yet, all the looks from the citizens of Ninjago and the hurtful comments. If that bothers him, Archer doesn't say anything.“Whatever makes you feel comfortable.”Though Archer’s words are sweet, there is a pang of discomfort in his own chest. Lloyd knows it is not the right thing to do, however, he has already done it and cannot turn back.First Spinjitzu Master, please guide him.
...
The cold night air hits his face, tickling his skin covered in fluorescent paint. Behind him, Archer confidently holds his waist, giving to the area a few small squeezes. Lloyd feels a peace he's never experienced before, as no one looks at him or seems to care if he walks hand in hand down the street with his boyfriend, he's even seen couples just like them walking around freely and without worries. What kind of place was Ark County? He thought its people would be more closed-minded considering how far it is from the city, but instead, he's been welcomed with open arms since he arrived. Old men smile at him on the street and women praise what a good couple he and his boyfriend make."I still don't believe these are your clothes."Archer's breath tickles the back of his neck. He smiles, not taking his eyes off the light show projected up to the sky that all the inhabitants see from their own balconies. The puppets' shadows tell stories that mesmerize Lloyd."Even if it doesn't seem like it, I have style," his voice sounds hoarse as he speaks. Unable to help it, a shiver runs down his spine when Archer leaves a kiss and then a soft bite on his neck.Someone might see them, however, Lloyd soon realizes that no one is interested in what they are doing. So he gives in to his boyfriend's kisses by tilting his head. Archer looks quite satisfied with all the skin that the three open buttons of his shirt have left exposed."I don't mean that, I mean. Violet? It's not a color I would expect to see on Mr. All I wear is black”."It's easier to go unnoticed like that, you guys should know that better than anyone," he stops his attack on Lloyd's sensitive neck, who sighs. "Of course, I'm talking about the ninja team that wears fruit-colored uniforms."“We once wore black uniforms and it was... Quite confusing,” he has a hard time stringing his thoughts together as Archer doesn't give up and continues to take over every corner of his neck.“When you freed Aspheera, right?”“I didn't think you'd remember,” his voice comes out in a thread.“I remember everything you say,” Lloyd's cheeks burn, Archer always knows what words to use to turn him into a bundle of nerves. He can't see him, but from the soft sting on his skin he assumes that Archer has made several marks, he also thinks so from his huge satisfied smile. “In Ark it's a tradition for couples to wear each other's colors on the first date. I was going to tell you, but then you let me choose your outfit so, here we are,” the loud kiss on his cheek throws him off. “I think it's a nice change for Mr. All I wear is green”.He wrinkles his nose, a gesture that softens Archer.“You love to tease me.”“Just a little.”Lloyd smiles. Although it’s a small smile, it’s filled with relief. All of his morning anxiety has vanished and now there’s only calm. Ark County is very different from Ninjago and yet, he feels like he’s lived there all his life.One of the dragon-shaped ornaments hanging above their heads comes loose, so Lloyd reaches out to grab it. It’s a simple dragon made of ochre-colored paper, it has violet eyes and a golden crest, but what draws his attention is its very snake-like shape.As he looks away from the dragon, he meets his boyfriend’s inquisitive gaze. There it was again, that tingle of familiarity in his gut.“Archie, why do you always want to go unnoticed?”Archer’s hands move away from his waist to hold onto the railing. Lloyd is trapped between the metal frame and the archer's arms."It's hard for a thief to make friends, you know? It's easier to make enemies."Lloyd's scarred hands go to his face. He carefully caresses his cheekbones, taking in every detail; the roughness of his cheeks from the stubble of his beard, the scar under his chin that he's so curious about, and the dark eyes that take on a warm glow under the festival's colored lights. He looks once more at the paper dragon in his hands."It sounds like you're in trouble."Archer's hand holds his. Slowly, he guides both to his lips and places a quiet kiss on the back of them."I can handle it, don't worry."Of course Lloyd doesn't agree. Archer has already grown accustomed to his boyfriend's many protests and pouts at every single thing he says."I care about you, obviously I'm going to care."“You're so sweet,” the irony is clear in his voice. Lloyd sighs.“Archer, don't change the subject, please,” he asks.The thief looks down at the ground. His eyes avoid Lloyd's at all costs, who can't help but worry.“I'm just afraid you'll come to hate me”.He frowns.“Why would I do that?”His boyfriend's sigh resonates with exhaustion.“I made a lot of mistakes in the past because I was desperate,” the somber tone in his voice lets him see that it hurts him. Lloyd begins to notice how transparent Archer is, more than he thought, “and those mistakes are about to catch me”.“If you're in trouble, we can help you. You don't have to face it alone…”He interrupts him gently.“I don't want you to get involved, please,” his hands hold his and give them a light squeeze, “promise me you won't.”“I promise”.Archer looks at him suspiciously.“Something tells me you'll do the opposite”.Lloyd smiles innocently.“I wouldn't want my first boyfriend to be killed”.Boyfriend, the word makes the temptation to smile irresistible. He has to turn his face away even though Lloyd has already seen his clumsy smile.“Don't worry, I'm pretty good at escaping death,” he says confidently. “Although not as good as you, greenie”.“Ugh, don't remind me,” he growls.“You went too far last time. I really thought I lost you”.“Did you see it?” Archer raises both eyebrows.“All of Ninjago saw it. The Sons of Garmadon and your father took it upon themselves to eradicate all hope of you being alive”.Lloyd feels an acid rise in his throat at the mention of his father. He hasn't seen him since the battle against the Crystal King, where he thought he had been fatally wounded. After regaining consciousness he learned that he was still alive although he had fled again.A part of him is curious to go find him, however, the annoyance is greater. He tricked him! He pretended to be injured to bring out his damn Oni side!“I believed that too when I fainted, that I would never wake up again,” the memory of his father attacking him mercilessly sends shivers down his spine. Him telling him that he "has no son". “Then I woke up in Mistake's tent. My brothers arrived hours later." He frowns, trying to remember anything, even the slightest thing during his loss of consciousness. He remembers very little, just a very strange feeling of being safe and a voice singing a soothing melody to him. "I still wonder how I got there.""Maybe someone carried you."Lloyd watches him out of the corner of his eye. Although he tries, he can't read anything in Archer beyond concern."We think so. My brothers received a message telling them to look for me there.""A message? From who?""We never knew. The encryption was too advanced. Although Pixal managed to decipher a name.""Which one?"He squeezed the ornament in his hands."Golden dragon," he sees Archer frown, a habit of his when he analyzes something. “It was the only thing it said besides my name and the coordinates of Mistake's tea shop," he continued, hesitating when saying the old woman's name. Another innocent person he failed to save. "Whoever saved me, knew too much.""Maybe they just wanted to help." Lloyd grimaced, not very convinced, all the people who had wanted to help him had always done so for a reason. "You were hurt, they could have killed you but didn't." He searches for his gaze, getting his attention after a few attempts. "Whoever it was, I thank them because thanks to their actions you are here.""You are quite cloying when you put your mind to it.""Just for you, little dragon,” Lloyd pushes him a little to escape from his arms, although he ends up landing next to him and resting his head on his shoulder. Now there are no longer puppets, but figures made of light floating around every corner. Lloyd stretches out his hand, allowing the image of a small white-scaled dragon to land on his palm.“What story is this?”Archer opens his palm and on it lies the same golden-scaled dragon that Lloyd has. Now that he sees it up close, he notices that it is a kind of hologram.“The birth of the seven dragons,” he smiles, there is a lot of calm in his voice as he explains it. “The first were the dragons of balance; Anshul, born from the explosion that created the sun of the First Realm. Known for being the dragon of creation and the only one capable of handling the fifth element; aether,” he points to the dragon in his palm. Lloyd raises his eyebrows when he sees Anshul's bright green eyes. “His counterpart is Nova, who was born from the stars along with his twin Astra. Nova is the dragon of destruction, the creator of dark matter and twin in charge of the world of dreams,” Nova opened his eyelids. His violet irises could be seen even from a distance. “Astra is the dragon of crystal, she also took care of good dreams and was able to use them as portals. Mahina is a lunar dragon, born from the first ray of moonlight and like the satellite, she exercises control over the tide and history said that from her snout came powerful rays of moonlight capable of destroying everything,” he pointed to the dragons flying around the balconies, soon Anshul and Nova took flight and joined the rest of their friends. “Avani was born from the earth and from there came all her powers, she created enormous mountains and manipulated the magma at will. Finally there were Aeon and Dagian. Of Aeon it is no certainty about their emergence, some say that they existed since the first life force sprouted. They were the dragon of time that guarded eternity and Dagian was very similar to them, but Dagian was the dragon of reality.”"What happened to all of them?" He spoke in a whisper, afraid of breaking the calm atmosphere around Archer. There was something special in his gaze as he observed the dragons."Nobody knows," he said quietly. "Rumors say that they disappeared after the wars between the dragons and the Oni, others think that they bequeathed their powers to their descendants and have been passing from generation to generation.""What do you think?"It takes him only three seconds to answer."That they are out there, secretly guarding the world. Nobody knows that they exist and that is the best thing, because when the world finds out about their existence and what they are capable of, everyone will covet their power."Lloyd remembered the mural; the black clouds were surrounding all the dragons and in the middle of it all, there were the dragons of balance surrounded by a golden halo.“The golden power,” Archer nodded. “But the golden power doesn’t exist anymore.”His boyfriend shrugged.“The golden power can’t stop existing, it will always be there. You think you’ve lost it, but it’s still inside you waiting for you to awaken it again.”“It’s a joke, right? I gave it all up to give the ninja their powers back,” the temple of light, the place where he learned the power of the Ultimate Spinjitzu Master, the same place where he also gave it up.“You just lit the spark of a power that already existed within them,” Lloyd felt his heart pound against his chest. If that was true, that meant that he could have ended all the battles with ease all along. “Over time, your ninja have been able to do it on their own, right?”“Sometimes I'm impressed by how much you know about elemental powers and about me,” he narrowed his eyelids. Archer smiled at him carefree.“You said it, I'm a bit of a know-it-all,” Lloyd snorted. “Besides, I already told you that I really like our history and you talk too much, baby”.“Yeah, right,” he crossed his arms. “Anyway, those powers never did me any good. They only brought me trouble,” his father was right, the golden power was a danger because everyone would always covet it.Archer squeezed his hand.“It's led you to this moment”.He looked at their joined hands.“And for what?”“I don't know. Maybe you'll find out soon.”There was no cloying phrase, just a calm smile, a hopeful gesture. Did Archer really believe that? Did he also believe in destiny?Out of the corner of his eye he caught small lights floating until they disappeared into the sky. Curious, he leaned out to get a better look at it, quickly noticing that it was all coming from the balconies.“What's happening now?”“Oh, this is the best part. The lighting of the floating lights,” Archer's excitement is noticeable as he bends down to pick up a wooden box to his right. “I prepared a couple for us in case, you know, you wanted to light them together.”“You're a cheesy guy,” he asked for his hand so Lloyd gave it to him. Archer placed a rough sphere wrapped in a delicate sheet of translucent paper in his palm. “Does it have any meaning?”“Something like that. I don't find much sense to it, but I guess it gives people hope.” He indicated that he should remove the paper so he did. Archer imitated him with his own. “It represents the desires of the heart. You light a sphere and before it floats away, you make a wish to the seven dragons. Before, it was done to ask for prosperity, good harvests and rain. Over time, it became something more banal and people only made wishes for their benefit.”“It's still cute.”“I think so,” he glanced at him, Lloyd wondered if he was referring to tradition or to him. “Can you give me some fire, greenie?” He reacted when he felt his boyfriend's gaze on him, closing his eyelids, concentrating on connecting with the fire inside him just like he did when he was just learning to control his powers. Once he found the spark, he opened his hands and from one of his fingers came a delicate flame that he carefully brought to the sphere. He repeated the same with his own. “Thank you. Now bring it to your chest and make your wish, then let it go.”Curiosity as to what his boyfriend would ask for filled him, though from his raised eyebrow he knew he wouldn't get an answer if he asked so he focused on his own. What did he want besides peace? Asking for retirement seems too selfish even if it's what he wants most; to stop fighting, hang up his suit and just live an ordinary life. He never asked to be Garmadon's son, much less imagined being the chosen one and becoming the green ninja. He gave up his childhood for it and has spent his teenage years and early adulthood jumping from one fight to another. He even died and came back to life once!“I want peace for everyone in Ninjago,” he thought. Then, he looked at his hands bruised by the scars. “I want no evil to appear again for us, so that my brothers and I can live."He let it go just in time. The sphere was consumed by the fire and began to rise, joining the wave of bright yellow lights. He looked at Archer, who was already watching him intently."What's next?" He coughed to hide the blush on his cheeks, of course Archer had already noticed."Families return to their homes and have dinner or perform some special tradition together. That ends the first day of the festival.""You should be with your family. You said you only see them once a year, right?" He remembered that they talked about it through text messages. Lloyd felt bad thinking about it, Archer rarely saw his family and he was there pulling him away from them."I can meet the other days of the festival with my brothers,” his hands went to his waist, pulling him to his body. Lloyd reacted quickly by placing his palms on the thief's chest. “Today I'm all yours.”"I don't have any special traditions," he confessed with some embarrassment. The only tradition he had was lighting a lantern on the Day of the Departed with his mother in honor of his father in the Councilors' Corridor, however, after his father's unexpected return to life courtesy of Harumi, continuing with that tradition felt confusing. He wanted to think that his father, Sensei Garmadon and Emperor Garmadon, were different people."Okay. We can come up with something together," his boyfriend invited him in and he gave in since they were the only ones still on the balcony. Archer closed the curtains after closing the reddish glass doors and turned on a single lantern to light the way and there was something in the atmosphere that felt so intimate that his shoulders relaxed as they rarely did. "How about I order some noodles and we have a movie marathon?"Lloyd smiled. He threw himself onto the couch and wrapped himself in one of the blankets he found next to the cushions.“Only if you order fried chicken too”.“Deal,” Archer went to get his cellphone while Lloyd checked the box of movies on the coffee table. He didn't need to see to know which ones Lloyd would lean towards. “You're going to choose the Fritz Donegan movies, right?”Lloyd tensed. Suddenly, the fear that Archer would think he was too childish invaded him.“Can I?”Archer's calm smile calmed him down. There was no mockery or comments saying that he should get over it because he had to grow up. He even felt tenderness overflowing from his gaze.“I'll make popcorn,” he gave him a fleeting kiss on the lips before heading to the kitchen. Lloyd looked at the pile of DVDs at his disposal, complete Fritz sagas waiting to be seen. “Now that I remember, Avis has a lot of comics that he wants to get rid of. I'll write to him to tell him that you want them”.“Y-you don't have to. I stopped reading comics a long time ago,” he scratched the back of his neck.Archer looked at him. He didn't need to turn around to know that his boyfriend had his arms crossed over his chest."Why?""It was very childish,” saying it out loud embarrassed him."So what?" Lloyd looked at the DVDs in his hands. Even at twenty-two, he still felt the same excitement when he remembered Fritz Donegan's space adventure sagas. "If it was something you liked and made you happy, what does it matter if it's childish? Growing up doesn't mean you have to stop liking what made you happy as a child." He popped a couple of popcorn into his mouth. "I think he even has the latest issue of Starfarer where Fritz fights against the Imperial Sludge."He opens his eyelids tightly. That comic, the one he could never read and never had the courage to look for after he sacrificed his childhood to save his brothers."You're kidding," his palms sweat and his heart beats faster. There is excitement, but also some fear. Thinking about that comic is like being in front of the Grundal again, about to throw out tomorrow's tea and turn that monster back into dust and bones."I'm telling the truth! In fact, I'm going to look for them, he just said you can keep them all, including the limited editions."He doesn't have time to answer, he goes into the hallway and gets lost somewhere in the old house. Archer has no idea what that specific comic means to him, he told him what happened with his accelerated growth, of course he did, but that detail is something he kept to himself. When he rejected the comic given by Mother Doomsday it was like saying goodbye to his childhood forever and now that there is the possibility of having it in his hands he feels that everything comes back suddenly.Archer returns with several boxes and bags full of what he assumes is his brother's collection. Lloyd is not going to lie, he is excited and entertains himself by reviewing each volume in detail until he remembers that Archer is sitting next to him in silence."Are you okay with this?"His boyfriend tilts his head.“I don’t understand what you mean.”He bites his lip a little before daring to say it.“Our first date, is this how you imagined it?”“No,” he answers immediately. Lloyd puts the comics back in the box with some disappointment so Archer continues. “But this one is much better.” He hands him the Starfarer comic which he takes cautiously. His fingers itch and the smile on his lips is impossible to hide even though he still feels it’s somewhat unfair. Archer is having to endure all of his fanboy side on their first date.“You don’t have to be so attentive to me. I’m not a girl.”His boyfriend approaches, when he reaches out his hand, Lloyd instantly drops his cheek into his palm and purrs.“I know you’re not. But that doesn’t mean I should be a jerk to you. Boy, girl or something else, they all deserve attention.“Cheesy boy,” he whispers.“You love it.”He rolls his eyes.“I won’t deny it,” he turns his attention back to the Starfarer comic, jumping as he opens the first few pages. “It’s a signed edition by the author!”Archer smiles. Lloyd’s excitement rubs off on him, and that’s when he realizes how much he cares, how much he wants to keep that beautiful smile on his lips alive forever.“All yours, little dragon.”His sister was right.He lost his mind, and it was all Lloyd Garmadon’s fault.