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Lloyd woke in a pool of cold sweat. This has to have been one of his worst nightmares so far. He had bolted straight up, leaning forward, heaving in breaths. His bleach blonde hair clung to his forehead for the sweat. He looked down at his hands to see them shaking like crazy. He took a couple deep breaths, slowly falling back into his pillow, looking up at the ceiling. ‘ I’ll try to sleep again.. it’s just a bad dream’ he told himself, shutting his eyes, but all he could see were flashes of his dreams. He sat back up again, pulling his legs to his chest, tight. ‘ don’t think about it. Don’t think about it.’ He told himself over and over. His nails then dug into his legs, trying to get his mind to change the subject. It wasn’t working.
He slumped out of bed, making his way out of his room, thinking some water will help. On the way to the kitchen he stopped in front of Kai’s room. He froze, wondering if it would make him feel better if he told someone about his dream. But it was late, he didn’t want to wake Kai. Still, he opened the door and peeked his head into the room. Kai seemed to be asleep in a lump of blankets but stirred when the light from the hallway bounced into the room. He rubbed his eyes and eventually opened them. “Lloyd? Huh… what are you doing up at this hour?” He asked, still half asleep. Lloyd came all the way into the room, shutting the door behind him. He fumbled with his fingers, “ i uh, I had a bad dream and was on my way to get some water… but I stopped here instead.”
Kai seemed to be fully awake now, sitting up in his bed, “ another nightmare?” He asked. Lloyd nodded his head yes. Kai patted a spot for him on the bed and Lloyd went to sit next to him. “Wanna talk about it?” Kai asked. Lloyd shrugged, “ Nya said that helps so I guess..” he mumbled.
“Basically I dreamed back to when my dad had tried to kill you guys and then when Harumi tried to do it again and I guess it just really freaked me out.” He summarized. Kai put his hand on the blondes shoulder, “hey, it’s ok. Look they failed! There is no way they can get us!” He pointed out. “ I know I know,” Lloyd said, “ it’s just… not fun to re live even in a dream..” he looked down. Kai then brought him into a hug. Lloyd was surprised, but soon melted into the embrace and hugged back, chocking back tears. “Greenie, I think you got separation anxiety.” Lloyd dug his face into Kai’s shoulder as he said that, not wanting him to let go. Kai rubbed his back, and slowly let go. Lloyd broke from him too, “ what makes you say that?”
“What makes me say that?” Kai almost scoffed, “ kid, a lot of people in your life have left, not to mention a lot of us keep dying and miraculously finding a way to come back.” A small smile formed on Lloyd’s face, “ like when you fell in prime empire and I thought I’d never see you again?” Kai rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed, “that was the most confusing moment of my life.” Lloyd gave a breathy laugh in response. They were quiet for a minute, but Kai did not drop the subject. “Does it freak you out to think of us gone, you all on your own?” He asked. Lloyd nodded his head, not proud. “ Kid you have separation anxiety, it’s ok,” Kai slung his arm around him into a side hug, “ I got a little bit of it. It made me nervous as a kid when Nya and I were ever apart. I was scared I was going to lose her too. Sure, I’ve lost her a couple times. But she always finds her way home.”
“How do I get rid of it?” Lloyd asked out of nowhere. Kai pushed his lips together, not sure how to answer for a moment, “well, you can’t exactly make it go away, but you can kinda find a way to cope.” He suggested. Kai then got up, “ I got an idea.” He announced, moving over to his dresser, digging through a box on top. Lloyd watched him, confused. “ aha!” Kai smiled, holding onto something, making his way back to Lloyd. “ here you go.” Kai said, holding out his hand to reveal what we inside. “A ring?” Lloyd asked. “ not just any ring! This is an anxiety ring! It spins! So if you get anxious you can play with it! Also you can think of it as something I gave you! It would be as if I’m there but I’m not.”
Lloyd slid the ring on his finger, and gave it a go with the spin. He smiled, “ Thanks Kai.” Kai ruffled his hair, “ Anytime Greenie. Did you want to bunk with me tonight? Prevent anymore night mares?” Lloyd nodded his head, “ please!” Kai chuckled softly, laying down, making enough room for his younger brother. Lloyd laid down next to him, his leg linking with his. He felt better now.
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“ Kai it’s your day to go shopping.” Nya announced at breakfast. The next morning was like any Sunday morning at the monetary. Zane was making breakfast, Cole was devouring the break fast, Lloyd and Kai were half asleep, and the love birds were going through the days plans. “ my turn? I swear I went last week!” Kai defended. “Nope that was me!” Cole said, half way through his third pancake. “ Ugh. Zane can you go?” Zane shook his head, flipping a pancake,” Pixal and I are helping Cyrus on a project today.” Kai looked at Jay, “ Can you?” He asked. “Sorry, Nya and I have dance class today! Ask Cole.” Cole didn’t give a better answer, “it’s my day for patrol.”
“Looks like you are going shopping,” Nya grinned at her brother, handing him a sheet of paper, “ here is the list.” Kai groaned when he saw how long it was. He then looked over at Lloyd who was staring at his food, wishing he was asleep. “ Hey greenbean, wanna come with me to the store.” Lloyd shrugged, “ sure.” Followed by a yawn. Good, at least he didn’t have to tackle shopping alone.
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“Why does Jay need a new toothbrush?” Kai asked, pushing the cart, reading off the list. Lloyd followed right behind him. He held onto his other brothers jacket, not wanting to get lost. He looked like a lost puppy with a stranger. Kai threw in the first toothbrush he saw, handing the list to Lloyd, “what do we need next?” Lloyd took the paper in his free hand, “ Zane needs a new scrub for dishes.” Kai rolled his eyes, not wanting to do this one bit. He pushed the cart into the next isle, scanning his eyes for the scrubs. “ he wants the scrub 200.” Lloyd added on. “Scrub 200?” Kai mumbled.
“Hey Kai.” Lloyd started. “Yeah hon?” He asked, focused on the scrubs. “Are we going to stop at the comic section?” He asked. “ I wasn’t planning on it,” Kai replied, “ why?” Lloyd kicked at his own feet, “ I was just wanting to see if the new fritz donagan comic is out.” Kai nudged his head, “ you can go check it out for yourself. I’ll stay right here,” he took his hand into Lloyds, “ I won’t go anywhere. I’ll right right here until you get back.” Lloyd smiled unsure, messing with the ring, “ok.” He then left, leaving Kai to find the scrub 200.
“Excuse me sir?” An older lady asked Kai. He turned, “ oh hello mam, can I help you?” He asked. “ I didn’t appreciate that scene I just saw!” She spat, “ that’s a sin young man!” Kai rose an eyebrow, “ I’m sorry I’m confused-,” he was then cut off by a younger woman, “ hey! Leave him alone! Let him the other guy be!” Kai watched her snap at the older lady. “ but it’s not right!” “It’s none of your business how a couple spends their day!” Kai sighed. They seriously thought-
“ uhm, excuse me mams,” he tried but the bicker over them. Annoyed he lit his hand on fire with his power. The both of them shut up. The younger woman gaped, “you’re Kai! The fire ninja!” Kai nodded, “ yup I am,” he shook the fire off, “ and by the way, that was my brother, the green ninja. Thanks for both of your concern but he is just my brother who doesn’t want to get lost. Have a wonderful day mams.” He said, turning to the scrubs, tossing one in. Zane would have to deal with it.
Lloyd then dashed back, “ Kai! Guess what!” He bounced. “What?” He asked. Lloyd revealed a new comic from behind his back, “ they had the new one!” Kai smiled, “ that’s great! I can’t wait to borrow it! You better not give any spoilers.” He chuckled as the two of them carried in with their day.