Work Text:
Kai knew it wasn’t healthy or reasonable to watch over Lloyd for the entire time he was sleeping in the middle of the night, but with what had happened just that morning, he couldn’t help himself.
He had dreaded Lloyd would severely hurt himself one day, but dying was something that was only meant to be nothing but a nightmare. But there he was, lying on the floor, not moving, not breathing.
But Kai still had hope, that Wu would be able to help Lloyd and bring him back to life. It was only when Wu said that there was nothing he could do did the fact that Lloyd was truly gone sink in.
He fell to the floor and looked at the limp body in front of him, unable to process that this was once the tiny boy who was his greatest threat, then became his little brother. The same boy who used to play pranks on him and had childish fights with him and came to him when he had a nightmare and who Kai had so many memories with, taking them for granted–
His gratefulness was immeasurable when he saw Lloyd miraculously wake up. The mix of strong emotions would have made him sick, but he had to make sure Lloyd was okay first and foremost.
And now he stood at his side even when he didn’t ask him to. Kai was not going to let anything happen to Lloyd in his sleep.
He probably looked like a creep, watching each of Lloyd’s miniscule moments with wide eyes, but it wasn’t like there was anyone there to judge him.
Kai felt an itch on his side, and reached his hand out to scratch it. That turned out to be a horrible idea because before he knew it, he had knocked over a glass of water on a nearby table that smashed into pieces, undoubtedly resulting in a very loud noise.
Unfortunately loud enough to cause Lloyd to shoot out of bed with a gasp.
Kai muttered a swear under his breath before quickly reaching over to Lloyd, gently pushing him back down. “Hey, hey, it’s alright, I’m sorry, I just broke a glass. Just… just go back to sleep, okay?”
Lloyd had initially flinched when Kai touched him, staring at him with bewildered eyes, but once he’d fully taken in his surroundings and come to his senses, he relaxed a bit, only enough for Kai to lead him back to the pillow.
“Kai…” he finally spoke. “What… what are you doing here?”
“I…” Kai stammered, quickly thinking of a lie.”I was looking for my phone. I thought maybe it would be here, but it’s not. I’m sorry. I’ll be off now.” He pulled the blanket over his brother, planning on escaping right after, but Lloyd was still having his suspicions.
“Why are you looking for your phone at…” he looked at the clock. “Three a.m.?”
Kai sighed, admitting defeat. “Alright. You busted me. It’s just… something stupid, I was–” he stopped, struggling to find the right words.
Lloyd’s expression softened, and he held Kai’s hand. “It’s okay. You can tell me. I won’t judge you.”
Kai smiled at him for a brief moment, but looked embarrassed again when he was ready to speak. “I’m worried about you after what happened today.”
Those words were all it took for Lloyd to tackle Kai into a tight hug. Kai returned the favour, holding him close, and letting his own tears fall freely down his face.
“I was so worried,” the fire ninja gasped out. “That I would have to carry on forever without you. We thought you’d died, Lloyd, you didn’t have a pulse–”
“What?” Lloyd interrupted abruptly, pulling away from Kai. “Dead? No pulse?”
Kai’s eyes widened in realisation and disbelief. His sleep deprived mind had forgotten that Lloyd didn’t know he was dead. He dried his tears, while he racked his mind for an appropriate response.
Stupid Kai. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
He sat on the edge of the bed and eyed Lloyd. “You died,” he admitted. “You were crushed under the rubble, and when we pulled you out you had no pulse. Sensei said there was nothing we could have done, but just then, you woke up.”
Lloyd only stared back in horror, looking as if he were on the verge of a panic attack. “But you said–”
“That you hit your head hard, I know. I lied. I was still in denial that I’d lost you. I’m so sorry, Lloyd…”
Kai expected Lloyd to lash out in anger, to have an emotional breakdown or throw a tantrum, but all he really did was press his fingers against his wrist, as if to reassure himself that he was still alive, then drew his knees to his chest, sitting upright against the headboard.
“That means I actually met the First Spinjitzu Master–”
Kai didn’t want that to be true, but he kept his composure. “Maybe. What did he tell you?”
“He… asked me to come with him… said I would be happy…”
Kai abruptly put his hand on Lloyd’s shoulder, signalling for him to stop. He knew what Lloyd’s grandfather was trying to do and it angered him.
“I… I refused though. Don’t worry,” Lloyd reassured him, avoiding eye contact. “I just hope it doesn’t happen again.”
“Me too, Lloyd, me too.”
The two boys just sat there for the next couple of minutes, and then a thought came to Kai’s mind.
The First Spinjitzu Master said Lloyd would be happy.
Lloyd did not have a happy life.
His father had been banished when he was just a baby, his mother abandoned him at a school that later kicked him out, leaving him homeless and when he actually had a home he found out he was destined to kill his father. Then he lost his father shortly after he was drained of the evil in his blood, possessed by a ghost, then betrayed by some crazy girl who brought back the worst of Garmadon.
Why would he refuse an offer to make himself happy?
“‘Cause I wouldn’t have been happy without you and the others,” Lloyd replied, and Kai realised he had said his thoughts out loud. “Death can wait.”
“Oh, Lloyd…” Kai said, stroking his hair. “Please don’t leave me ever again…”
Tears welled up in Lloyd’s eyes. “Never again…”
Kai looked at the clock, noticing how late it was, and stood up. “Well, I have to go back to bed now…”
Lloyd grabbed his wrist tightly, before he could get any further. “Can… can you sleep here? I could bring a mattress or something.”
Kai smiled softly at his brother. “I was afraid to ask the same thing.”