Requested by: Guest, ninjagofangirlrb, Kindness to Everyone and thing

Request: Garmadon/Kai

Warnings: Yaoi, hero x villain ship

Kai trudged through the dense forest, scrunching up his nose at the feeling of the slimy mud squishing beneath his feet. They'd been on the Dark Island for a few days, and were now looking for the location of Lord Garmadon's camp, if he even had one set up. That morning, Cole suggested that for now they split up their search, and report back to the Bounty on the other side of the island in the afternoon.

While Cole and Jay searched along the beach, and Zane went along the forest paths, Kai chose to search the forest's depths, thinking it would be easier to both navigate and to stay hidden. He only realized now, however, that it was not one of his best decisions, not that he would ever admit it out loud.

He held back a yelp when the mud suddenly became deeper, and he sank up to his mid-thighs in the sticky substance. He gave a frustrated groan, looking around for something he could use to pull himself out. He reached for a low-hanging branch not far from where he was and pulled. He tried not to gag at the sucking noise the mud made as he pulled himself up and onto sturdier ground.

He looked down and scowled at what he saw. "Oh, this is just perfect," he muttered out loud. His pants had been completely stained with mud, and his he legs began to grow cold from the soaked fabric. Stiffening, he continued his search, waddle-walking the entire way.

Kai's legs had grown sore by the time he realized he had just been going in circles the entire time. He sighed, sitting down at the base of a tree and resting his back against the trunk. He looked up to see the sun just barely peeking out from behind the clouds, enough so that he could tell it was about noon.

Everyone should be getting back from their search shortly, he thought. I'd better get going, too. He stood, wincing as he stretched out his sore legs, and started back the way he thought he originally came.

He didn't make it far when a hand took a firm hold on his hood, pulling him backwards. He immediately started to panic, being unable to see exactly who it was. They spun him around, slamming him up against another tree. When his head stopped spinning from the impact, he narrowed his eyes in contempt at who he saw.

"Garmadon," he growled. "You finally decided to stop being such a coward and actually look for us?"

"I should say the same for you, fire ninja," Garmadon hissed back. He looked down at Kai's muddy clothing and snorted. "And it doesn't look like you're faring too well. You were a fool to stray this far from your teammates. Unless you're planning on surrendering, of course."

"Oh yeah, totally," he sneered. "Like you'll ever be able to destroy us! Lloyd will defeat you, just you wait!"

Garmadon shook his head, letting go of Kai's hood only to move his hands down to his shoulders, holding him in an almost crushing grip. "Oh? And what will the rest of you do? Stay on the sidelines while all the glory is given to someone else? Don't think I didn't hear about what happened after I defeated the Great Devourer." He saw Kai's determined expression falter, even if only for a second.

"No, we're going to help him defeat you. It doesn't matter who the hero is, as long as you're defeated!" Before Garmadon could respond, he quickly added, "Anyway, why aren't you destroying me right now if you want to defeat us so badly? Wouldn't that be simpler than gloating in my face?"

Garmadon's eyes narrowed and he leaned closer, so all Kai could see were his glowing red irises. "Let's just say it would be easier to destroy all four of you in the same place rather than one at a time." He smirked. "And besides, you remind me a lot of myself. Ambitious, hotheaded..."

"Where are you going with this?" Kai asked, leaning away and turning his head to the side. It was to no avail as Garmadon grabbed his chin and forced him to face him.

"Perhaps I've developed a bit of a soft side for you," he said, his grin growing wider. Those words were met with disgust in Kai's eyes, and the brunet squirmed beneath his grip, fighting for a way to escape.

"Let me go!" Kai kicked Garmadon in the stomach, sending him skidding backwards a few feet, and making an attempt to run from him. He didn't get too far, slipping again into the muddy terrain. He instinctively reached for one of Garmadon's hands, who pulled him up and against his body.

Even as Kai struggled against his hold, Garmadon ran one hand through his spiky brown hair affectionately. "You better hope you don't cross my path again, Kai. I won't go easy on you again if you do."

Kai nearly scoffed at that, but was beginning to relax in his hold, finding the hand running through his hair to be somewhat comforting. The villain suddenly shoved him away, causing him to stumble and nearly fall down again, had he not recovered his balance in time. He frowned at Garmadon, raising an eyebrow. "So... You're not gonna kill me?"

"Now why would I do that?" he asked in a mocking tone. "Run along to your little ninja friends, and we can pretend this never happened."

He winked at him, Kai feeling disgust run through him again, before he turned and walked away, the fog in the distance swallowing him up. Kai watched after him for a while longer before shaking his head and making his way back to the Bounty.

Everyone had already returned when he got back, no one having found anything. Jay was already joking about how Kai's hair looked more messed up than usual, but the red ninja didn't respond.

Like he said, pretend it never happened, he thought with a shudder. Garmadon has no idea how eager I am to do that...

Good ol' hero x villain ships. They're hard to write for, but they're worth it.

Thanks to those who requested this pairing! Stay tuned!