Chapter Text
His photographer, is once again late.
Brad scribbles down angrily at his notepad, one hand gripping the small pad and pen while he fishes for the phone in his pocket with the other. While Lloyd being late wasn't a particularly unusual occurrence, he wanted to go home, goddammit.
Text to: Lloyd
Where are you? You're not returning the calls and we're 30 minutes behind schedule. Flinn is gonna have your head we don't get this to him in time.
In the distance, Brad hears the sound of missiles going off, a green dragon shimmering in the sunlight as it flies through the sky, making pointed attacks at the large shark mech that was bulldozing the streets. He estimates it's about five blocks down, having camped out the best spot in order to see all the action.
And here his photographer was, still late.
"I'll get you next time, Green Ninja!" Garmadon howls, as the tail of his mech catches on fire. The warlord's hands are glowing a bright purple color, energy swirling around his clenches fists as his cape flutters behind him from the wind.
The green ninja stands atop of his dragon, staring down at the warlord solemnly. "Like hell you will Garmadon!"
Garmadon grumbles, as he makes a retreat back to his base, the Green Ninja staring intently at the back of the warlord, as Brad shakes his head in disappointment.
Can't the Green Ninja get rid of Garmadon for good? What gives?
In a bright burst of green light, the Green Ninja disappears, taking his dragon with him. Brad blinks several times, adjusting to the aftermath of the teleportation.
He pales at the realization that the Green Ninja was now unreachable.
Flinn is definitely going to kill Lloyd. Maybe even him too. Then where would that lead the two of them? He clenches his fists as he begins scribbling furiously in his notepad again, trying to recall all the details of the fight, and pointedly, the lack of cleaning up the Green Ninja had done once again. He's so busy jotting down all the details, he doesn't hear the quiet, uneven footsteps of his partner.
"Hey…" a voice calls out quietly, as Brad nearly crushes the pen in his fist out of frustration, head snapping up at the sound. Lloyd Garmadon stands there, one hand scratching his head as one foot is lifted off the ground slightly, as though he had hurt his leg and was carrying a slightly limp. A camera hangs around his neck, as the other hand not currently scratching his leg is buried deep in his jacket pocket.
"Garmadon," Brad says, as he stands up from his stool, jabbing the pen at Lloyd's chest, as Lloyd attempts to give something of a laugh, a guilty expression written all over his face. "I'm trying to save your ass, but how can I do anything when you show up after all the action's done?"
Completely oblivious to Brad's simmering anger, Lloyd lights up at the mention of work, fumbling for his camera. He leans on Brad's side, Brad noticing that he was simply doing it as a means of supporting his (most likely injured) leg.
"I've got some shots right here," Lloyd says, as he goes through the gallery. Brad feels the knot in his forehead loosening, as he makes Lloyd scroll through the photos, "I think Flinn would like these. At least enough to not make me work overtime, for once."
"You're a genius," Brad exclaims in awe, unaware of the fact that Lloyd's face has gone bright red. He takes the camera in his own hands, staring at the prized photo.
The Green Ninja, towering over Lord Garmadon, with the green elemental dragon breathing down at the tip of Garmadon's shark mech. Lord Garmadon, looking up with a gaze of fury. The framing, the lighting, the angle. It's all perfect. If Brad wasn't in the industry himself, he'd have bought it as soon as it hit the shelves.
"How'd you get this?" Brad asks, turning to look at Lloyd. The blond blinks at him, face still bright red, eyes wide as he begins to stammer.
"There's well, well, a place. Sorry I couldn't be at the agreed meeting location, I thought, well, getting to the action might make a better shot for your article." Lloyd says lamely, as Brad puffs his cheeks out, sighing.
"Keep your secrets, Lloyd." He says, as he wraps the camera strap back around Lloyd's neck, arm looping underneath Lloyd's in order to support the photographer's injured side, "But next time, text, and make sure that you aren't putting yourself in the line of danger. Flinn isn't worth all of that."
Lloyd mumbles something as he nods, the two of them making their way to Brad's car and back to The Daily Ninja.
"So, what's the article going to be about this time?" Lloyd asks, as Brad hands the photographer his drink. The two of them had decided to go on a coffee run while they were on their way back, Brad already having texted Flinn that everything was done and ready for review. Brad peers down into his own americano, a bitter feeling rising into his throat.
"Well, probably something along the usual," Brad says, trying to keep it as professional as possible. While his history with Lloyd goes back to their elementary school days (while there was no one in the city who didn't know who Lloyd Garmadon, son of Lord Garmadon, was, the two of them had been classmates) through college, they were still coworkers at the end of the day. "I was thinking this time we highlight the destruction of property, and how the Green Ninja still hasn't managed to drive Garmadon away for good. I'm sure Flinn and his dad would love that story, maybe even give us the day off tomorrow for it."
Lloyd is unusually silent as he nods, stirring his drink around with his straw.
"And what do you think?" He asks, as Brad gives a small laugh.
"Well, that's for me to know and for you to figure out. If the paper had paid me to write my own opinions, I'd be fighting with Flinn all day, I'll put it that way."
Lloyd gives a small smile at that, as the two exit the coffee shop and back into the car.
"Garmadon!" Flinn barks, as Lloyd flinches, a stack of papers being thrown halfhearted at him, photos of the Green Ninja and the fight against Garmadon flying around everywhere. "What kind of photos are these? Can't you take an embarrassing photo of the Green Ninja like, I don't know, picking his nose or something? We can't show the people the truth behind how destructive their hero is if you're taking action shots like these!"
"Sir, to be fair," Lloyd says, as Flinn takes a seat at his father's chair, putting his feet up at the desk, "I don't think the Green Ninja would be picking his nose where anyone could see him."
"It's a hypothetical!" Flinn retorts, putting his face in his hands, "I don't want to see you today. Out! Out!!!"
Brad has never seen a person leave a room so fast. Lloyd was good at that, ever since childhood. But he supposes that comes from being public enemy number two to the entirety of the city.
"Well, it went better than I expected." Lloyd says, as he gives a sheepish smile. Brad rolls his eyes, as he gives a small smile.
"You stood up for yourself this time," Brad notices, as Lloyd shrugs. "Next thing you know, you'll be taking my office friendly revenge lessons."
"I wouldn't really be too sure about that." Lloyd reponds, as he takes a seat next to Brad in their shared cubicle. The two huddle around the computer, as Brad signs off on his last edit before pressing publish.
When the article goes live, the two fist bump, before packing up. They get ready to leave in silence, the both of them worn out for the day. It had been hours of editing, photoshopping, running around the floor to their editors and superiors. The sun was just about to set now, and the pair had originally come back from their excusion at noon.
"See ya!" Brad calls out, waving, as Lloyd puts in one of his earbuds, the two of them standing outside at the entrance of the building. The blond gives a small wave, as Brad salutes playfully, turning around and heading to the parking lot.
Lloyd hears the apartment before he enters it.
"Are you being serious right now? Dad clearly gave us that for all three of us to eat, how could you be such a fatass and eat all of it yourself?" a voice screeches, as there's a loud thump of someone being hit.
"It's been sitting in the fridge for a week now, what do you mean I'm being serious? I thought neither of you guys wanted it!" another voice shouts back.
Lloyd sighs, punching in the code and opening the door.
"I'm home…" he says, as he throws his wallet and keys on the dresser, Kai and Nya nearly strangling each other in front of the television. There's an opened ice cream carton sitting at the coffee table in front of the couch, even the sides scraped clean.
"Hey Lloyd!" the two call out, as they immediately stand up, still glaring daggers at each other before they turn to Lloyd.
"Did you eat yet?" Nya asks, as Kai immediately moves to the kitchen, already putting rice into a bowl for the blond.
"Not yet, but uh," Lloyd says, as he gives a side glance to his room, "I think I'll eat in a bit. Exciting day and all."
"Oh," Kai says, as he puts down the scoop and the rice bowl, "Everything okay?"
"Yeah! Everything's going great!" Lloyd says, not entirely sure he's convinced the two, as he makes a beeline for his door, trying his best to conceal his limp. If Kai and Nya found out the truth, they'd kill him, and then send him to the countryside to Ray and Maya for sure. "You guys uh… can continue what you were doing earlier."
He shuts the door to his room, locking it before he plops down onto his bed, burying his head in his pillow. His leg should heal within the night, but there was no way he had hidden it from the sharp gazes from his siblings. Knowing them, they were probably texting in the groupchat with their friends, trying to get them to gather to stage another intervention.
If only they knew, Lloyd thinks, as he lets out another sigh.
Having the weight of the world of the shoulders while working a job that hates you in more ways than one sucked.
After a few minutes of wallowing, he allows himself to sit up and check his phone. The coffee with Brad had taken out a good chunk of his checkings, only having around thirty dollars to last until the middle of next week. He then checks his email, groaning as he sees the most recent.
From: Flinn Jameson
there's a race qualifying tmrw, forgot to say lol. as u know we sponsor #7 (whatever her name was), so u and brad need to get on that. 10am sharp. get some good deets or ill have to report 2 my father.
Lloyd throw his phone across the bed, briefly thinking what would happen if he had used his hoodie strings to change the trajectory of the office's life.
What did he do to deserve this?
Brad arrives home, immediately nosediving onto the couch, as his cat, Flora curls up at his feet. He takes out his phone, deciding to browse social media. He makes note of Flinn's email, setting an alarm for the next day.
It was now time for the second part of his life, one that he keeps away from work at all costs.
B. || has seen the green ninja!
@greenninjaluvr0418
Did you guys see that fight with Garmadon today??? You guys think he's okay after Garmadon blasted him off of his dragon that one time in the middle ?????
B.|| has seen the green ninja!
@greenninjaluvr0418
@sjfghsjrw2009 wdym he's useless??? if we didn't have the green ninja garmadon would've taken over the city by now lol, do you even live in the city? don't talk about things that you don't understand yourself. open up that job application for me…
B. || has seen the green ninja!
@greenninjaluvr0418
work is killing me so bad … should i go try out the new green ninja colab @ dareth's donuts tmrw??? i heard it comes with a pc but idk if i have any more room in my binder.
B. || has seen the green ninja!
@greenninjaluvr0418
Green Ninja, fighting!