Requested by: Guest

Request: Zane/Lloyd

Warnings: Yaoi

It had been a few days after the incident with the Tomorrow's Tea, and Lloyd was still struggling to get used to his new body. He was lucky the other Ninja were willing to help him get used to the changes, and didn't laugh at him when his longer limbs caused him trouble during training. At least, they didn't laugh much.

Despite this, it was odd to deal with knowing he was different than before, and he imagined it was hard for the other Ninja to deal with, as well. One minute he was a kid with time to spare before the final battle, who loved comics and cartoons above anything else, and now he was a teenager with what could be as short as a month before the final battle, who was far more focused on training and preparing for the battle than before. The transition from those feelings made Lloyd feel a bit disoriented, and it was difficult to get used to.

Along with this, he felt his emotions toward certain people changed. What was once admiration became something like romantic affection, and he was afraid that if the person he loved found out, things would only become awkward between them.

I have to find someone to talk to about this, he thought. Someone who understands how it feels to know you're different than before. But the only person I can talk to about this is... He sighed. Well, I guess I don't have much of a choice. I'll just make myself seem inconspicuous. He won't suspect a thing.

That afternoon, he went to find Zane, believing he was in the shared bedroom. Peering in, he saw that Zane was the only one in there. Perfect timing, he thought, and went up to stand beside Zane.

"Hello, Lloyd," the nindroid greeted, patting a spot beside him on his bed. "What is it that you need? Did you want to continue training? I am not sure where the others are, but I'm sure they would love to join."

Lloyd sat down. "No. I just wanted to talk to you about something, actually." He took a deep breath, trying to focus on slowing down his rapid heartbeat before speaking. "I don't know how to deal with being so different now. I mean, I know the final battle is closer than ever now, but everything else is just...weird, I don't know."

Zane put a hand on Lloyd's shoulder, which only made Lloyd's heart thud quickly in his chest again. "It is difficult to deal with knowing you are more different than you believed. I felt the same way when I found out I was a nindroid."

"How long did it take for you to cope with it? Knowing that you were a nindroid, I mean."

Zane shrugged. "It took me a while, but the others were always there to make my predicament feel less unusual." He looked at Lloyd sympathetically. "We would do the same for you, too. You know that."

Lloyd nodded, looking away briefly. "I know, but... How about relationships and things like that? Did anything, you know...change? Did you feel any different about anyone?"

Zane raised an eyebrow. "Not that I can remember, no. Why? If you're referring to Nya, it would not be wise to bring that up around Jay. I'm not too familiar with human emotions, but I do not believe he would take it well if he found out you were romantically interested in Nya."

Lloyd shook his head. "No, actually, I..." As Zane looked at him expectantly, he felt even more reluctant to admit who he was in love with. He bit his lip and took another deep breath. "... I'm more interested in one of you guys."

"Oh. I see..." Zane fell quiet, and Lloyd felt so embarrassed, he wished the floor would open up and swallow him whole. He knew coming to talk to Zane was a mistake, especially since it was Zane he was in love with. "Well...do you want to say who it is you are interested in?" Zane finally asked.

"Um...yeah. He's focused, strong, a quick thinker..." He didn't want to say it outright; he hoped Zane would figure it out on his own.

The nindroid smiled. "So it is Cole you are in love with? I believe you two would make a nice couple. I hope you-"

"No, Zane!" Lloyd groaned, giving up on keeping his thoughts a secret. "I mean you! I... I like you." He stood up, bringing his hands up to grab fistfuls of his own hair. "I know it's weird to like you, any of you, and that I only feel this way because I'm not a kid anymore, but..." He slouched. "Look, it's fine if you reject me. I know it's probably weird to date someone who's basically just a kid in an older body, but-"

He stopped talking when he felt a pair of arms wrap gently around his body. He felt Zane's cheek rest against the top of his head, the white ninja pulling him close. Lloyd sighed, closing his eyes and relaxing into Zane's hold. The faint whirring of the nindroid's power source would have lulled him to sleep, had Zane not pulled away to smile warmly at Lloyd.

"I do not mind at all that you are in love with me, Lloyd," Zane said, ruffling his hair. "We have a lot in common, and I believe that if we are a couple, I can help you cope with knowing that you are different."

Lloyd smirked, wrapping his arms around Zane's waist and pressing his face into his chest. "Thanks for understanding, Zane. But can we keep it a secret from the guys for now? I'm not ready for them to find out about us yet."

"Of course, Lloyd," he replied. "I won't tell them that we are dating. I wouldn't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

Lloyd nodded gratefully, his smile still present. He then frowned and looked up at Zane. "What do couples do, anyway? I mean, it's not like we can just ask Jay or Nya what they do, and as far as I know, Cole and Kai aren't in a relationship with anyone."

"We will figure out what couples do eventually. In the meantime, we could train together. You always seem to enjoy doing that."

Lloyd tapped his chin. "It's simple, no one will suspect we're dating... I like it!" He ran to the door. "Last one out on the training deck cleans up after the Ultra Dragon!"

Zane laughed and ran after Lloyd, happy that he was no longer worried about being different. In fact, as far as Zane was concerned, Lloyd didn't seem to change much at all. He may be attempting to act more mature, and he may be a teenager physically now, he thought. But he is still the same on the inside.

Well, the first episode of season 4 has officially aired in North America at last! I'm still not taking requests involving the new characters, but there is one pairing I'm making an exception for. It will, however, be in the last one shot for this series, mostly because I just think it'll be more fun that way, and I want to make a series that combines the plotlines we'll see in both season 4 and 5 :D

Thanks to Guest for requesting this pairing! Stay tuned!