A/N: I am so, so sorry, I never meant to go on such a long hiatus! The really sad part is that I wasn't even writing during it :,(

Anyway, at least I'm back right now, and hopefully for the rest of the summer at least!

Review Replies:

SeriouslyCitrus: *Debates trying to decipher the keyboard smash to find a good reply* Aw, to heck with it: baiugn;oweiuhbnkep dkiffbugwesd.

xxXTryMeXxx: *Cackles* just wait until you find out more of what happened to the poor boy (although, on the bright side, he's safe now.)

NinjagoGeek4EVER: I'm glad you enjoyed them!

Ten minutes.

Garmadon had left Lloyd alone for ten minutes.

How the kid had managed to get himself stuck in the rafters of the volcano's communal cafeteria he'd never understand.

Regardless, he was now terrified to leave Lloyd alone, mostly because now he was worried the kid would manage to topple into the magma.

When Wu texted to check up on him, he almost forgot how angry he was at his brother.

Almost.

Lil' Butt-ther: How is he doing?

Me: y he scared f evry1

Lil' Butt-ther: I am not sure. Do you need any help?

Me: what r u gonna do he dont like u

Lil' Butt-ther: Well, I can talk to him. It was just a misunderstanding that broke the trust I had anyway.

Me: u literally napped him

Lil' Butt-ther: I also had time to bond with him prior to that. One act isn't going to reverse all of that.

Garmadon had to admit, it wasn't the worst reasoning he'd ever heard, (former General Number 248 took that cake.)

Me: fine butt f he dont like u u lev

Lil' Butt-ther: Understood.

'Understood,' Garmadon scoffed. His brother could be so pretentious (or was it 'precocious'?) sometimes.

He glanced up from his phone. His precious little boy had barely touched the chest of toys he'd gotten for him, having only taken a single doll from the top and was almost silently playing with it and Jaws. Lloyd almost instantly noticed Garmadon's gaze, immediately stopping what he was doing and dropping the doll.

"Hey Lloyd, I was wondering, how do you feel about your Uncle Wu?"

Lloyd shrugged, but his shoulders tensed apprehensively, and yet his eyes sparkled a little brighter. Garmadon couldn't agree more.

"Well, the reason I asked is because he's coming over, and I was wondering if you'd be okay with that." When his boy's eyes widened he added, "You don't have to see him if you don't want to."

After a moment's hesitation Lloyd softly asked, "Is- is he gonna take me back?"

"No, no, of course not. Not unless you want him too."

"Then I'm okay with him." Lloyd's voice was decisive, although his hands shook as they clutched Jaws.

*And now, the ponderings of a child*

Lloyd had never expected to meet his father, ever.

He'd heard stories about the guy, how he 'ripped out kids' throats for fun' and attacked the city frequently just to 'cause chaos.' But... that's what they were: stories.

Honestly, this guy was kinda a big softie, (and the nicest guy Lloyd had met, easily stealing the title from Uncle Wu.) and the four arms only seemed to amplify those traits. He'd seemed so nervous around Lloyd, and his entire face lit up when Lloyd had started talking. Most people hated it when he talked, but this guy kept looking at him like he was the one that hung the stars in the sky. He'd been worried the guy was going to drop dead, with how he reacted to Lloyd simply holding his hand.

It was weird.

Not that he was ungrateful, it was just... so much. Part of him kept thinking this had to be a dream, but he'd never had a dream anywhere near this nice. This... welcoming.

There were a lot of people here, but they all left him and Garmadon alone (which was probably because Garmadon would keep glaring at them the second Lloyd spotted them.) He was terrified that the second Garmadon left someone else would show up.

And then he'd turned around to find the man gone. He'd kept an eye on the door, waiting for him to come back. Instead, one of the other people poked their head in.

Lloyd really hadn't been in the mood to be cornered. He'd ran, and someone chased him a bit before he finally managed to scramble up something vaguely tree-like.

When Garmadon had shown back up he'd looked ready to have a heart attack, and had carried him back to 'his' room - it had been nice being cradled like that, he couldn't remember the last time anyone was that gentle while holding him. He almost asked the man - his dad - to pick him back up. Almost.

He'd been deposited back on the bed, and Garmadon had tried to get him interested in a chest full of toys... and even though Lloyd knew the rules here were weird, he still couldn't bring himself to even try to reach for them. The mere thought brought aching phantom pains through his fingers.

Eventually Garmadon gave up on the toys with a "Yeah, I guess you're probably a bit too old for these, huh?" in a shockingly dejected tone. Instead, he eventually settled on showing Lloyd videos on his phone - videos of sharks. Lloyd's favorite ended up being this dorkily-animated one that had this catchy song about a 'baby' shark and their family.

They were interrupted by some lady with bright blue hair peeking into the room.

He hadn't even realized he'd tensed himself to bolt until Garmadon's arms were wrapped around him - not stopping him, but more as a shield.

The lady bowed. "Sorry, sir, but your brother's here."

Garmadon nodded as she left, before turning back to Lloyd. "So...

"You ready to see your uncle?"

I hope you all enjoyed, and I promise to try to upload more!