Chapter Text
Warnings:
Cursing.
After the events of Crystalized.
Before the Merge.
“So…what am I looking at?”
“You are looking at the downfall of my lastest pain in the ass,” Brad spread his arms wide at the large board covered head to toe in pictures, notes, and writing. “Thomas Charles Damian II!”
Lloyd looked both concerned and confused at the same time. “That sounds like a made-up name.”
“That’s because it is.” Brad plopped down into a rolling chair and rolled across the room, grabbing a large picture and pinning it to the board without a word. He looked back at Lloyd expectantly, similar to a kid after they gave their parent an art project they did in school.
Lloyd glanced between the picture—which seemed to be this “Thomas” person—and his boyfriend. After a few moments of silence, Brad finally pointed at the picture. “His real name is Giovanni Chimera. Interesting name, I know. He stole 1.5 million dollars from the pharmaceutical company he worked at and hasn’t been seen since. Every connection he had has been cut off and, as far as we know, he is off the grid entirely.”
Lloyd observed the board a little more carefully. Printouts of security footage with highlighted dates and times were connected by red string. “How long has this guy evaded you?”
“It’s been two months. But, I think I’ve finally found where he is.” He pointed to a picture of a beat-down apartment complex. Lloyd recognized it from the Ninjago pier area. “We’ve done a few stakeouts and saw someone who fits Giovanni’s description exit the building around seven-fifty in the morning, then re-enter at around nine at night in the last two days.”
“That’s exciting,” Lloyd fondled one of the red strings. “I bet Wessen’s wanting to get this case out of the way.”
“Actually, I’m working on this case with Jess.”
“What? What happened to Wessen?”
Brad adjusted a stack of papers on his desk. “He’s on paid paternity leave. His wife just had another baby.”
“Aww,” Lloyd cooed. “That’s sweet. I honestly didn’t take Wessen for much of a family man.”
“Wessen’s a great dad. He’s just cold to you because, you know—”
“I’m a ninja,” Lloyd rolled his eyes with a small smile. “He’s still salty?”
“Not really honestly. He’s just kinda awkward, and you’re a famous crime fighter. He might be a little intimidated by you.”
“Aw, I’m flattered,” Lloyd grinned, looking over the plans again. “Is Jess excited about the case?”
“I think so. I actually…wanted to ask you something.”
“Oh?” he raised an eyebrow.
“Sooo, I don’t really have the grounds to ask this—mainly because the Captain turned me down—” he mumbled quickly, “—but I was hoping you might be willing to check the scene out with me? You’re a lot better at sneaking around and being stealthy than we are. Not to mention there’s a rumor that Giovanni can tell when the cops are onto him, which is why he’s so good at eluding them. Thoughts?”
Lloyd hummed to himself. “I’d be willing to, but if your Captain turned you down—”
“Not a problem!” Brad stood quickly. “I can convince her. Please?” he cupped his hands together and looked at Lloyd with a smile. Lloyd raised an eyebrow in return.
“I’m on real thin ice after Aspheera’s staff. Do you not remember how I was sentenced to five years in prison?”
“You were pardoned.”
“And your reputation suffered bad for it, remember?”
Lloyd tried not to cringe at the backlash Brad faced after the events of the Crystal Council. In the eyes of the public—and the private—dating a pardoned criminal was very taboo for a cop. For most people, actually. Lloyd and Brad’s relationship was tested for a few months as a result. There was a lot of fear between the two men, a lot of hoping for them to pull through and be okay. Thankfully they were going strong again—in fact, they were coming up on one year in a few days—but it was still hard to think about.
Brad ended up cringing in Lloyd’s place. Lloyd took his hand and held it gently. “I’m sorry sweetheart, I would absolutely love to work this case with you, but unless I’m permitted, I don’t meddle in police business anymore.”
Brad sighed, taking Lloyd’s hands and stroking them with his thumbs. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry.”
Lloyd leaned in and pecked his lips. “You don’t have to apologize, it was a sweet thought.”
Brad smiled and slipped his hands from the blond’s, not breaking eye contact until his hands dropped to his sides. Brad began to rearrange some things on his desk. “What are your plans for the week?”
Lloyd collapsed onto Brad’s couch. “Typical ninja stuff. Training, patrols, and honestly? Taking a break.”
Brad paused and looked back at Lloyd. “First Master, finally! I’ve been telling you to sit down for weeks. You really know how to give a guy gray hairs.”
“I’m sorry, give you gray hairs?” Lloyd looked up at him in exasperation, unable to contain his smile. “You work just as much if not more than me!”
“That’s just flat-out untrue.” Brad pointed at him. “You’ve saved the world, what, eight or nine times now?”
“And you’ve arrested more people than I can count.”
“That’s nothing compared to saving the world.”
“Isn’t it?” Lloyd sat up. “Saving the world from petty criminals?”
“Versus, saving the world from overlords, ghosts, and evil princesses who resurrect evil fathers?”
Lloyd faltered, feeling a pang of—well, he wasn’t exactly sure what it was. Hurt? Guilt? Anger? All of the above? No matter the definition, Brad took notice of Lloyd’s silence immediately.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” He grabbed his wrist, which Lloyd knew by now meant he felt bad.
“No, it’s fine,” Lloyd waved him off, laying on his back again. “It is what it is.”
Brad put his things down and walked over to the couch, sitting on the edge. Lloyd moved his legs over, giving him more room. Brad seemed to hesitate for a moment, before softly asking him, “Any news on your dad’s whereabouts?”
Lloyd sighed heavily. “I don’t even want to talk about it.” He brought his hands up to rub his eyes. “And I don’t consider him my dad.”
Brad nodded slowly. “And Harumi?”
“As far away from me as possible. She kept trying to reconnect with me but I’m just so done with her. Like, wow! Guess what? I have a life that doesn’t revolve around you!”
Brad rubbed his hand on Lloyd’s chest in support. Lloyd dropped his hands and grabbed Brad’s, holding it to his chest. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter. I’m onto other things now.”
“Right,” Brad leaned closer to him. “You have a lot more time for me.”
Lloyd’s frown turned up into a smirk. “Yes, I do.”
Brad moved his hands so they were on both sides of Lloyd’s torso and he leaned down, taking the blond’s lips into a soft kiss. Lloyd moved his hands to Brad’s waist and held him there, allowing himself to live in this moment. Just him and Brad. No villains, no life or death, no missing evil fathers, just the two of them. When they separated, Brad chuckled to himself.
“I bet half of the people in Kryptarium prison are people we put there.”
Lloyd smiled as well. “First Master, you have no idea.” He shook his head. “Try being a prisoner among them. They seriously have it out for me. I never want to land myself there again. I fear I may not make it out.”
Brad rolled his eyes. “Well you aren’t stealing staffs anytime soon, so I think you’re okay.”
Lloyd brushed Brad’s hair from his eyes, stroking his cheek with his thumb.
“Yeah, I’m okay because I have you.”