Work Text:
Lloyd Garmadon was never normal, or treated normal. Despite his best efforts he never got treated the same as everyone else. Through out his life time he got used to the constant bullying and pointing. Just something he learned to adjust to. Being the son of Garmadon the same guy who attacked the city every week tended to give him a bad reputation. He remembered coming home with bruised ribs that he hid from his mom. The scars he carried because his father was a sick and twisted man. After the city was saved, and he revealed he was the green ninja. His whole world he knew was flipped on its axis. Suddenly people who picked on him and threw paper balls at him were now talking to him like they’ve been friends since kindergarten. The girls who would constantly berate Lloyd’s sense of style and what he wore were now all over him. He had been asked out on several different occasions, to all of which he had refused. The teachers that had given him glares now gave him extra marks and more attention than ever before. God he hated it. They were treating him like the green ninja, sure he was but at the same time he wasn’t just that. All people saw was the labels. Lloyd was tired of it.
His friends had also gotten more popular. Yes their identities weren’t openly revealed but people eventually put two and two together. They became the popular group quite fast. Kids asking to sit at their table or get autographs. Kai who had gym class during Lloyd’s art, had told him that he was always picked first for games, or how all the girls who would flirt with the team captains constantly called out to him about how he was ‘an amazing athlete’. Kai told him how he didn’t exactly mind the attention but he definitely hated how often he was being flirted with. Jay durning his tech class was constantly asked questions about what it was like as a ninja and if he could ‘show them some things he learned’ it made Jay more anxious and jumpy then he already was. More often than not Jay would be found having a panic or anxiety attack out behind the school. Nya had music durning fourth period and constantly got told how cool or hot she was but boys in that class. During valentines she got a locker full of flirty notes and paper hearts. Nya if you knew her hated most affection. Lloyd could see the frustration written into her face that day as notes fell to her feet. Zane had been constantly picked on for just being different. He was blunt but In a polite kind way. Still didn’t change the fact that he was clearly different. After the reveal of his identity Zane had when from weird crazy kid to student council leader and debate team captain. Out of all his friends Zane definitely was enjoying this new change the most. He meant that literally. He had met a girl during a debate and quickly fell in love with her. They were both quirky and weird, it was like it was meant to be. Pixal had become one of their friends extremely quickly, she was kind and polite. She didn’t treat them as more or less just people. Lloyd loved that about her, Zane made a good pick on that one for sure. And Cole oh Cole. After realizing he had such a strong impact on other people’s point of view. He realized this after coming out as gay randomly. Chen had been talking about how queerness was destroying society and was only a thing because it made people feel special. Cole had turned to him said ‘I’m gay’ and walked off without another word. Turns out Chen had just joined the queer alliance to learn more about homosexuality. Word quickly spread about Cole being gay and he has been flirted with by guys on multiple occasions. Including Kai? It was weird but Lloyd didn’t really care as long as they were happy. <\p>
It was a big change but nothing they couldn’t handle. They were the ninja after all. Lloyd had to avoid paparazzi, he took the back streets and went into alleyways to avoid being questioned on the spot by fans or news reporters. The ninja had been reached out to but at least three different companies asking if they could model for them. The only reason he even agreed to it was because his mom was behind rent and the job offer was a lot of money. Two months worth of rent. When the ad aired in magazines and posters boards, people went wild. Fan girls sold out the magazine in under an hour. Lloyd had to hide in his room due to the amount of demand for signatures. It got so bad his dad had to get involved, not a pretty sight to be honest. Lots of yelling and the police were called. The police ended up siding with Garmadon and the fans left grumbling complaints.
No where was safe from the noise or people. Their base is now where the enormous cat name Meowthra resides. The place Lloyd would normally run to escape his problems was now home to a big somewhat destructive cat. Some days he wished he let the other kill the thing. He can’t escape or run away anymore. It’s been a year his 17th birthday rounding the corner. He thought that it would have calmed down by now the fans and hoards of people who followed him asking questions. If anything it has gotten worse, the media has become more interested in them the more they do. The ninja stopped an underground drug operation a month back and most recently had helped stop a bank robbery that still made top story. Without the threat of Garmadon always looming over his head Ninjago’s crime was finally being brought to the light. Drug dealers, murders, gangs, the works. Things that were overlooked before now reared its ugly head. The ninja were still needed all over Ninjago. It was the only time he was able to emotionally allow himself to listen to their praise. When the mask comes on and Lloyd’s face was covered did he except compliments and love from the people. The green ninja and Lloyd felt like to different people. Lloyd was quite, artistic, and extremely antisocial. The green ninja was quick and agile, able to handle even the toughest situations with the best he could offer. The green ninja didn’t need constant reassurance from his friends, he was kind and polite. Someone the people looked up to. It wasn’t Lloyd. It was who Lloyd wanted to be but deep down it wasn’t Lloyd.
Lloyd’s alarm blasts in his ear, rattling his bedside table. The thump of his hand Hitting the snooze button and then the shifting of blankets. He fists the sheets of the bed as he tries falling back asleep. It was a good dream. The pillow’s small fibres tickled his face. Lloyd kicked at the blankets suddenly extremely warm, god why was he like this. He got up moving to get off the bed. The sheets tangled in his legs and instead of going feet first to the ground he went head first. He let out a loud ‘oof’ as he hit the ground with a thwack. Not the best way to start the morning. The alarm blares again. Lloyd shifts his position so he was now lying on the floor. He reached one arm up and yanked the cord from the wall. The buzzing stopped. God he really wanted to stay in bed today. Just lay down and forget everything going on. It was Saturday, he could potentially do that. Keeping healthy outweighs his desire for lying in bed. Lloyd stood up and walked to the bathroom closing the door behind him. As he entered he noticed his reflection in the mirror. He turned to stare. More muscle-like build but not so much that he could look totally normal with a loose t-shirt. His PJ’s clung to his skin making his build more visible. Not a six pack or anything just in shape and just above average. Lloyd’s blonde hair was messy and un-combed. Strands hang out at different angles and in front of his face. Two eyes stared back at him in the mirror. His one eye was a nice green, the other a crimson red. Lloyd blinks a couple times trying to get the sleep out of his eyes before turning and starting the shower. As the water warmed up he quickly began stripping away his PJ’s. He stuck his hand into the water to check the temperature before hopping in.
The heat woke him up right away, the small warmth that spread through his skin from where the water touched. Lloyd reached up and changed the showers setting to high pressure. He flinches a bit as the hot water now comes down harder onto him. He flips his head back and lets the water flow through his hair. Showering was one of Lloyd’s favourite moments in the day. It gave him time to reflect on himself, daydream a little maybe. He pumped some shampoo into his hand and started scrubbing his hair.
After his shower he brushed his teeth, the mint making his teeth sting a little bit. When Lloyd got back to his room he pulls on his usual baggy pants and hoodie. The dark green remind him of his cousin who left sometime back. He smiles at the thought and turns to leave. It was gonna be a long day but he’ll be ready. When he reaches the bottom stairs the lights flicker on and confetti flys into the air.
“SURPRISE!!”
The other ninja jumped from behind the couch and table, his uncle and father looked extremely pleased with themselves. Confetti stuck to Lloyd’s hair like sprinkles. He could feel the warmth of excitement and happiness practically radiating of the others. He didn’t feel it. What day was it again?
“Happy birthday Lloyd!!” Kai ran up and hugged Lloyd tight. Ah right his birthday. Hurray. He awkwardly pats Kai on the back.
“Yay” Lloyd forced a smile. If anything having a bunch of people yelling at him wasn’t the best way to start the morning.
“Today we’re taking you somewhere special! And you’ll be having the best time of your life you won’t even notice everyone else.” Kai exclaimed. The hug was released but Lloyd’s shoulders were still tense.
“I know the last few months have been rough for all of us so it’s in our best interest you have a great time with us day, think of it as a break” Kai draped a arm around his shoulder. So Lloyd was now stuck in a social setting he couldn’t get out of. Great.
———
Ok so maybe the day would be as bad as Lloyd originally thought. They settled on an arcade place with original classics like Prime Empire and Lava Zombies 2. The arcade also had small gaming cubes set up so you could play multiplayer on different consoles. They even took the Main Street there. Something Lloyd would have avoided if possible. Kai and Cole stopped most people from asking questions or getting too close for comfort. So Lloyd basically had a protective bubble around himself. Considering Garmadon was also with them it kept most people away regardless.
When the ninja arrived Lloyd had to blink to get used to the dark space. It was lit up with screens of arcade machines and a disco ball hanging from the ceiling. The time there was great too. He had beat Kai in Ninja cart and dominated in a smash bro’s competition. They all ran around playing games together. Jay had surprisingly defeated them all at the basketball ball game. When they were tired of playing they went to sit down in a booth with master Wu and His father. A large nacho bowl was shared between the table. They all laughed and told stories about one another. Lloyd sipped his Coke Zero as his father rambled on about some story about his past. It was almost noon and Lloyd felt better than he had in a while. Yes there was people staring at him pretty much the whole time, yes it annoyed him to no end. It didn’t matter much to him now. All that did was the bowl of chips in front of him and the pop in his hand.
Eventually they went off to play more games. Cole dragged Wu and Garmadon along to teach them to play smash bros. This left Lloyd at the table alone. He rest he head against the table, god it was loud in here. He didn’t mind it at first but now it just hurt his brain. The flashing lights, the blaring music was now starting to get to him.
“Hello there.” A voice called out over top him. A girl around his age, tall with long brunette hair that dipped to her shoulders. A deep sea blue eyes that bore into his skull.
“Uh hi?” He sits up, trying to be polite. It was probably a fan of his. Kai or Cole wasn’t around to help with the barrage of questions.
“You seem awfully lonely.” The girl chuckles and sat next to him. It was too close for comfort. Lloyd shifts away basically pinning himself to the wall.
“Come on I don’t bite.” The girl follows Lloyd’s movements pressing their thighs together. She smelt like pine needles and extremely over priced perfume.
“My name is Evelyn, but you can call me Evi.” So that was her name Evelyn. Pretty name if he was honest. She leans in closer so much that Lloyd could smell the smoke on her breath. Definitely a smoker.
“Are you perhaps single? Or are you taken by someone?” A hand slipped behind Lloyd’s back holding him in place. His skin prickled under his hoodie at the contact. He froze trying not to make eye contact. How did he even get into this situation.
“Come on you can answer me” Their bodies were to close practically becoming one. Her hand slips under his hoodie dragging her fingers along his lower back.
“..stop” Lloyd mutters and for a moment she froze her hand stopping its motion. It then picked up again. Did she just ignore what he said.
“Come on I just wanna chat.” Evelyn said. Her tone suggests it wasn’t a ‘chat’ she wanted. He quickly whips his head around looking for Kai or Nya. Anyone. If his father was here she’d be gone in a flash. His breath becomes shallow. Panic slowly taking over his body. Please. Someone? Something?
“Hey he said stop got it” Cole. Oh thank the heavens. She looked up at the ninja eyes widening slightly. He could tell Evelyn was scared. More than scared.
“Come on we’re just having a conversation-“ she was cut off by a sharp glare from Cole. Lloyd let out a shaky sigh as her hand was removes. He quickly pulls his hoodie down. The girl gets up to leave frustrated and embarrassed.
“you ok Lloyd?” Cole said as he turned to him. His eyes were sad he was clearly guilty for not being there to help defuse tension sooner. Lloyd shrugs.
”I’ll be ok.. do you know where my dad went?” He asked the words slipping from his lips before he could stop himself.
”uh.. yeah he’s over with Wu at smash bros” Cole replied still mildly concerned.
With that Lloyd stood up and walked over to where the two sat bickering like little children fighting over a toy.
“I’m clearly the superior smash player Wu! You should be ashamed you keep falling off the map and- woah” Lloyd plopped himself down next to his dad resting his head on his shoulder. Something was off.
“Luh-Lloyd? Everything alright?” Garmadon asked looking down at the boy who currently seemed to be upset or scared.
“I’m okay. Just need a minute” He mumbles watching as Wu and Garmadon’s characters fought. Garmadon was definitely better. Wu kept falling off the map and Garmadon was grabbing all the power ups, and boosts he could get. At least he’s dad was having fun.
Lloyd felt the way his dad’s chest rose and fell, using it as a base to regulate his own breathing. Thoughts spiraled through his head, things he shouldn’t be thinking of. He never really looked into his sexuality. Was he supposed to play along with the girl then? Should he have? Would it have escalated into something bigger? He wasn’t told these things as a kid. Lloyd’s mom would shield things like this from him. He only learned what sexual assault was during grade nine health class. Even then it was unlikely a boy would be assaulted. His teacher told them that. Told the class it was more common for girls to be assaulted than boys. He really didn’t think it as all that possible. Guess he was wrong. Was it even sexual assault, harassment maybe? But assault? No. It didn’t get more than close contact and touching.
Cole hadn’t taken his eyes off of Lloyd since he went to sit with his father. Cole knew that Lloyd was more closed off about stuff like that. The world’s most socially awkward teenager award would be given to him if it existed. Never really able to say ‘no’ or ‘stop’ without sounding weak or overly shy. Cole watched Lloyd for any change in his expression. Nothing. He sighs and finally takes his eyes off the younger teen. Cole walked over to Kai at the basketball ball game again. He should tell Kai. Kai was like an older brother to Lloyd. If anything he should know. When Lloyd hid his scars Kai was able to get him to see differently on them. ‘Scars are battles we’ve fought and won. Like a trophy of your epic victory’ he had said. He deserved to know. It was Lloyd’s decision it should have been…
“Hey man!” Kai called out finally noticing Cole after zoning out trying to beat Jay’s score from earlier. He had gotten close to. A few points behind.
”Hey.” He sounded too nervous. Kai noticed, he noticed instantly. He shot Cole a look. A Raised eyebrow and a small frown.
“you okay there bud?” Kai asked taking a step toward him.
“Something about Lloyd. A girl was harassing him. Seems a little out of it.” Cole looked over at Kai who now had a look of I’m about to kill somebody plastered all over his face.
“Don’t, even think about it.” He sighs.
“And don’t bring it up to Lloyd either. Give him a minute to breathe.” Kai hunched his shoulders. Clearly upset at the idea of just letting it mellow for now. The red Ninja turns back to his game starting over again. This time less constrained than before.
~another time skip~
Lloyd sat at his kitchen table staring at the dumplings his mother made. His favourite. He wasn’t in the mood. He never was. When dinner rolled around most days he made excuses to skip, too much homework, or he had a long day of training. But tonight his mom insisted for him to sit and eat. His mind was foggy and unfocused. The steam that rose from the dumplings on the table only seemed to strengthen the numbness. Koko sat across from him taking a bite out of her own food before looking up.
“something happen today sweetheart?” She asked. Her voice was soft and gentle. Instead of being straight out and asking if it was about fans or just people being people her question under lined what she meant.
”Just a small thing. Nothing to worry about.” He mumbles and takes a bite of the dumpling. The warm sensation fills his mouth and his senses.
~Another time skip~
Lloyd stayed awake listening to the soft padding of rain on his window. He had his head back against the pillows, and could hear the air conditioner rattling from its place on the windows sill. The glow in the dark stars emitted a soft light from their place on his roof. He sighs. Someday he’ll be free. Free from this world, this pain. The wind rattles his window frame. The smell of his mint pillow spray fills his nose with a pleasant sent. The soft covers were pulled over him and he could feel himself starting to warm up significantly. He closed his eyes as sleep slowly took over his body. Even though tomorrow will come just the same, he couldn’t help feel like he’d be doing a repeat of today. He falls asleep waiting for the dread of next morning.