Chapter Text
After the whole running away and kidnapping incident, Lloyd had struggled to sleep alone and rather struggled to take a single step outside the bounty.
Getting him out onto the deck was hard enough, but when trying to get him off the bounty. Oh, that was a war zone struggle. Lloyd would say no several times to the point of getting picked up, before he screamed and somehow got out of the ninjas grips and leaving them with a small sting of a slap on any part of their face.
Cole has gotten the plessure to say he's been poked in the eye.
Twice, now.
"Come on, Lloyd. Hey, we'll take you to wherever you want too!" Jay said as he dodged a thrown chair.
How a now nine year old Lloyd could throw a chair at that speed was possible? No one knew.
"We just want to celebrate your birthday, that happened like a month ago!" Lloyd had gotten kidnapped three months ago, and turned nine just one month ago. Of course, he still hadn't gotten off the bounty. He hides in his room a lot of the time and prefers to be around at least one of them constantly.
He's been sticking to Nya most of all like glue due to their missions constantly popping up.
Kai sighed and knelt in front of Lloyd, he grabbed the boys left shoulder and gave a soft squeeze.
"You deserve to the chance to be a child," Lloyd blinked before he glanced around and his shoulders sagged.
"Can we go to the comic book store...?" Kai hummed.
Lloyd didn't see the smiles on the ninjas faces. Nya walking away from nearly stepping in and helping the boy.
Their day out was fun. Lloyd was accompanied to the comic store and even Jay had ended up buying a comic series he said he had read but never truly finished years ago. After that they went to the arcade and played several games, competing against each other(even letting Lloyd win a few games to help the boy relax about being out of the Bounty for the first time in months.)
They ended up climbing a really tall building while Cole and Zane carried their food and beverages the way up, Kai carried Lloyd and Jay carried all the stuff they bought or won throughout the day. With working together they reached the top of the building and took seats and began to give out small pillows bought just for this occasion.
With everyone's own pillow seats, they sat in a circle around the two boxes kf pizza and the three big bottles of soda and apple juice.
"Did you have fun Lloyd?" The blond hummed around a piece of melted cheese slipping from his lips. He swallowed and smiled, and for the first time it looked genuine and carefree.
They were helping the boy heal, they understood that things like these weren't meant for anyone, and much less a still developing child of nine years old. They had even let loose and enjoyed the day with Lloyd. It was honestly one of the few breaks they have.
"That's good to hear, hey, maybe we can pass by the library tomorrow or another day to check out some books or comics there. I hear they have computers too, we can play on them!" Jay hummed quickly going off on what games they could play on the monitors. Kai talking along with him while Zane and Cole peacefully ate and butted in whenever.
Lloyd simply watched as he ate.
He forgot how much he liked being around his brothers...
Wait- brothers.
Lloyd blinked, swallowing the piece of pizza before he cleaned his fingers and mouth. Blinking again, he realized that he's felt different ever since the ninja had rescued him. He's felt closer and more bonded to them, he's even called Nya his sister twice and her reactions have never missed to make Lloyd feel welcomed and warm. Feel accepted and loved...
"Guys...?" That got their attention, Lloyd glanced at each of the ninja before looking off to his left and looking up to stare at Kai.
"You know, I... I've felt strange ever since you guys rescued me," He watched as Kai raised a brow, obviously confused but definitely listening to Lloyd's words.
"I've felt closed to you... and, I've even begun to think of you all as brothers rather the just ninja." Lloyd caught the smallest glimpse of Kai's eyes widening. Lloyd looked awayvto glance at everyone else. The same reaction with a mix of brotherly love, it had him feeling that same comforting warmth. Like a soft warm blanket right out from getting dried. So warm and soft.
"I've called Nya my sister twice now." Lloyd blinked, before hisblower lip trembled and he sniffled.
An arm came around his little shoulders and he was pulled into a side hug by Kai. He felt the honest warmth seeping through Kai's hands and onto his arms.
He felt safe. Safer than ever before.
"I wish to call you my brothers... but-" Shuffling and suddenly Lloyd was squished into a group hug pile.
The boy realized Jay was crying and the other three ninja had the equally same nead-crying expressions.
Lloyd let his tears fall.
He was young, and yet he understood so much already.
"Can I call you my brother's?" There was agreements and sobbing yes' from Jay.
"You're our kid Lloyd, our little brother. No matter what," Kai ruffled Lloyd's hair. Zane placed a cold hand on Lloyd's hand, holding on to the small fingers of a nine year old.
"And we'll protect you," Zane smiled and Lloyd sniffled as more tears ran down his face. "We'll save you whenever you need saving," Cole patted Lloyd's knee, his hands were big but so gentle as he gave Lloyd gentle pats. "And you'll always be our little brother!" Jay sobbed out, hugging Lloyd and getting very sentimental.
Lloyd understood the term family at that single moment.
Sometimes it's the one you're born with,
Lloyd felt a sense of warmth and acceptance disperese through his body.
Or sometimes it's the one you make along the winding journey of life.