The sun had set now, and the Akurais joined the Kamiares back inside the Temple of Light once more.
"It's so hard to s-sleep..." Lloyd murmured after a few minutes passed, gazing at the Akurais near the mouth of the cave. They were laughing and just having a good time despite the darkness soon to be.
"I know, Lloyd..." Garmadon replied somberly, placing his chin atop his son's head, wanting nothing more than to avoid that calamity once again. "I know... I never wished to put you and everyone else in danger... My actions, albeit corrupted, were irreversible... I am sorry for the pain I caused you, my child..."
Lloyd nodded softly. "I'm just glad you're here..."
"As am I." Garmadon ran a hand through his son's hair. "But nothing will be the same again. I won't leave again... Not after what happened... I know you need me... I need you just as much... You're too important... It will never be the same without you..." The destruction elemental choked on his words, so overtaken by the pure devotion in his voice. "You have no idea... I have yearned for so long to be with you, and now my dreams are finally reality..." He stifled a sob. "I refuse to let destiny tear us apart... I want nothing more than to be here beside you forevermore... A-And now I can..."
"Dad...I need help...I want to let go... It's so difficult... I just got you back, and I don't want to lose you ever again."
"I don't wish to lose you either, Lloyd Ryuda... I've said before, and I'll say it again, I love you more than words could ever express..."
"I love you too, dad..." Lloyd nuzzled against his father's chest, sighing relievedly. "I don't want you to hurt me...especially after what I thought might've happened so many years ago..."
"You know I would never do anything like that..." Garmadon shut his eyes, placing his chin atop Lloyd's head while he gently rubbed his back. "But I'm here... I can't believe we're together again, my child... After all this time... All these years... I just–" He pulled Lloyd closer as he sobbed quietly into his hair. "Oh, how I've missed you... More than anything..." Continually, the destruction elemental stroked his son's hair in consolation. "Nothing will separate us... I'll help you through this... I promise you."
"Thanks..." Lloyd whispered, his eyelids slowly closing as he yawned.
"Sleep, my child..." whispered the destruction elemental. "I'll be here to protect you...now and forevermore..." Garmadon's voice trembled ever so slightly at the affection in his tone.
"I'm glad we're together... It's been too long... Goodnight, dad..."
"Goodnight, my precious golden dragon..." The former King of Shadows sighed softly, gazing down at his now peacefully sleeping child with soft, loving eyes, stroking his hair, arms not once letting him go. "You're my everything... I won't let anything tear us apart again..."
"He looks so content..." Hikari whispered, placing a hand gently on his eldest son's shoulder.
"He truly is..." Garmadon's voice was barely above a whisper, eyes brimming with unshed tears. He pressed a gentle kiss on Lloyd's forehead while brushing the flyaway hairs back. "I adore you too much, my beloved child, and I always will... Everything will be alright, I promise..."