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"We're almost to Ninjago City, so make sure you have everything and everyone." Kai announced to the sea of people on the river boat, seeing skyscrapers in the distance.
In just a few hours, this nightmare would be over, and they could all get some much needed sleep. Kai knew that it wouldn't come easy for anyone, and the memory of nearly falling over a waterfall with his arm around Lloyd threatened to resurface right then and there.
'Nope, no way, push that down. You can focus on that later.' He told himself, but as he looked at the crowd of people, his stomach dropped.
Kai couldn't see Lloyd, or any sign of his father's gi, and he couldn't stop himself from panicking. They had been through way too much for Lloyd to fall over the side of the ship.
Trying to remain calm, Kai started to search for Lloyd on the deck, gently pushing past people and trying not to scare anyone else. 'He's probably just with someone else, probably his mom or Sensei, he's probably fine.'
But the fact that he could only tell himself probably and not definitely was what was eating at him, and probably giving him grey hair that he was way too young for.
He watched as his team huddled together on the edge of the ship, watching the city come into view, but that only made his stomach drop again, because everyone was there, even Ronin, but no sign of Lloyd.
Kai made his way back to the back of the boat, but this time, he finally saw Lloyd, and his heart started beating normally again even though Lloyd was sitting with his feet hanging above the water, which was just a little too close to falling in.
"You okay?" Kai managed to ask as he made his way closer, trying not to spook Lloyd into the water, but what was worrying was that Lloyd barely reacted and shrugged in response.
Kai swallowed, fear creeping into his throat, but he managed to maneuver so he was sitting on the edge next to Lloyd, offering him a slight smile.
"I'm just ready to be home." Lloyd spoke up, still looking at the sea as it rippled under the paddle of the boat.
"Yeah, me too, kid." Kai nodded, unable to take his eyes off of Lloyd, even if he was refusing to make eye contact with him.
The two both went silent as Kai pried his eyes away from Lloyd and towards the ocean, swallowing back his fear once again. 'It's just the ocean. As long as you don't fall in, you're fine. You're not gonna fall in.'
He was snapped out of his thoughts as Lloyd spoke up again, this time looking directly at Kai. "I'm never going to the museum alone again."
Kai couldn't hold back a grin despite just how roughed up Lloyd looked as he squeezed his shoulder, "bold of you to assume I'm letting you out of my sight ever again."
Instead of protesting, or even just laughing, Kai watched as Lloyd scooted closer to him before leaning against his shoulder. "I'm okay with that."
The two allowed the silence to take over, watching as the tread of the riverboat started to slow, meaning that they were pulling into Ninjago City.
As they approached the pier, the reflection of the lights bounced off of Lloyd's face, revealing prominent tear streaks, which made Kai wonder how long he had been crying before he got there.
"Come on," Kai smiled softly, gently nudging Lloyd's shoulder before standing so he was further away from the edge, but still reached out his hand, "let's get you on the Bounty and in bed. You look like you could sleep for a week."
"I feel like it too, but Zane's gonna make me eat first most likely." Lloyd remarked, taking Kai's hand and standing, his legs visibly shaking.
"Oh, definitely. He wouldn't be the resident mother hen if he didn't." Kai insisted, adjusting slightly so his arm was supporting Lloyd's weight just in case his legs gave out.
"Are you sure that's not you?"
As the two of them walked to the side of the boat, a laugh being shared between both of them, and made their way off, Kai couldn't keep a straight face even if he wanted to.
Because Lloyd was safe. His little brother was home.