Lloyd smiled as he opened the door to the Hero Suite, which the Ninjago City Mayor had given his team and family in gratitude for saving the city. Sure, all his stuff was back on the Dark Island, probably burst aflame, but that didn't matter. His family was here. His friends were here. And together, they would let nothing bad happen to them.
However…
He felt a sense of dread and anxiety suddenly fill him up. For he feared that if he was deprived of them, he would never feel this unconditional happiness and comfort ever again.
"Are you okay?" the chosen one heard his father ask.
"I'm fine, Dad." Lloyd replied as he watched the others enter the room. They all seem to fit in perfectly here. "I'm just glad that we're all safe and sound."
"Nothing bad is going to happen now," Kai said as he approached the green ninja with a smile. "We've got this place to stay for as long as we'd like. We've got a place to live. We've got each other. And we've got the citizens of Ninjago City on our side."
"I know. It's great," Lloyd replied with a grin.
"It certainly is," Cole agreed, who was standing next to the green ninja. "We've got it all covered."
"Sounds like they're going to be lazy," Nya said as she stood at the doorway of the training room with Zane. "That's bad for your training."
"Oh, Nya. Give them a break. You've all been through a lot," Garmadon chuckled.
Lloyd sat down on the couch, flopping over onto the soft cushions. He took a deep breath, his emerald eyes shining with joy and relief.
Garmadon sat down beside him, wrapping his arms tight, pulling him close to his chest. "I'm so proud of you, son," he whispered. "I truly am."
"Thanks, dad. What now?"
The destruction elemental let out a soft sigh, smoothing down the flyaways on his son's hair. "We rest for now. You all deserve it."
Lloyd smiled and cuddled into his father's chest. He liked it here. It was peaceful. It was content. He was with his family. He never wanted to leave them.
He frowned and thought about it for a moment. In all of this, he hadn't had the chance to do anything for himself in a long time. And with the inner stress of what had happened to Ninjago and his childhood, all he wanted was to have a moment where he could truly be his fun-loving and sometimes chaotic self. He thought about everything he could do. From researching stuff, projects, to just having fun. But it all seemed too trivial, too meaningless. Why bother? There was no way of knowing what would happen in the future, or if they'd have another chance to be together if tragedy were to strike once more.
It was all so unfair.
"Lloyd," his father gasped, seemingly reading his mind, "You know you can't think like that."
The said green ninja allowed his emerald eyes to meet his father's nebula purple ones. "I know. I know. I'm just scared, that's all."
"It's okay to be scared. It's okay to not be okay. But please, don't let the shadows take control of you. You have a pure heart, Lloyd Ryuda. I just want you to be safe." Garmadon's voice was soft. "I know I haven't been the best father to you. But I can assure you that I did everything for the right reasons. And, even though I might not have been able to tell you what would be the best for you, I know that now, you know what you want, and you know what will make you happy. You don't have to worry about anything now."
"Thanks, Dad."
"Anytime...Let's not focus on the past. Let's just focus on where we're heading."
"I know," Lloyd replied and let out a soft yawn. How tired he was.
"Just rest now…" Garmadon spoke, almost a gentle whisper. "You're safe... It's all over…"
Lloyd let out a soft breath, shifting closer to his father, letting his eyes fall shut. He was tired. The battle he had won had drained him of energy for the time being.
"You can relax, son," his father reassured, "We won't be going anywhere."
It was a peaceful moment, free from any form of stress. Free from worries. Free from troubles. He believed it at that moment; he was the happiest he had been in his entire life.
And nothing was going to take that away from him.
Ever again.