Author's Note: I'm back! It looks like those of you who read the first chapter enjoyed it, so hopefully you like this one as well. This one may flow a bit differently from "Homesick", but I feel like it covers an important moment for Lloyd in terms of feeling welcome on the Bounty. "Broken Teapot" takes place not long after the first oneshot in this series.

Replies to Reviews

ILoveCheetos: First of all, kudos on being my first reviewer upon my return! You get a giant slice of cake for your support (just don't tell Cole)! Yeah, if Lloyd could see his future self, he'd be pretty shocked… I've always felt like Wu reading a bedtime story to Lloyd didn't automatically make him 100% good, so I included some of his thoughts towards the beginning as an effort to provide more depth to his redemption. I'm so glad you thought they were in character! It's always so hard to know for sure. If you go back and read through now, you'll see that I've edited the few minor mistakes you pointed out. Thanks. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.

Determined Artist: I'm so happy you enjoyed this! It's been awhile since I watched "Possession", so the ghost part might be a bit off. Or maybe Nya was just exaggerating to make Lloyd feel better… You decide. I thought about using cake, towards the beginning of brainstorming this story, but then I decided that Nya should really know better than to touch Cole's cake… Seriously though, thank you for taking the time to review. Your input is helpful.

CHEESEPUFF fg: Yay! It makes me happy to know how much you liked this! Lloyd's sugar obsession can be relatable for many things. I have a hard time waiting for updates on stories too! I'll try to update fairly regularly, but as I have no solid plan for this collection, I can't set a super specific schedule.

Bob: Hi Bob! You're welcome! :) thank you for taking the time to review! I hope you keep reading…

JoyOfTheStorm: I'm glad you liked it! Nya and Lloyd are seriously so amazing, and I really think they deserve all the milk and cookies in the world. Don't worry, after this chapter, Lloyd will truly begin to think of the Bounty as his home. Oh my goodness, yes! That is the perfect idea for a chapter. I'm already seeing how it might play out – maybe in between seasons 2/3? We shall see. Thank you so much for your encouragement! You're an amazing writer too!

Now that I've responded to all my lovely reviewers, please enjoy the second installment in of Milk and Cookies.

/

Lloyd stared guiltily at the pile of broken porcelain that lay at his feet. No amount of glue was going to fix the mess he had just made. There were far, far too many pieces for that, and he didn't even know where to find glue in the first place. Lloyd hadn't meant to break his uncle's favorite teapot; it had simply been too close to the edge of the counter. By the time he had noticed the teapot's precarious position as he reached for a clean glass, it was already too late – his arm brushed against it, sending it toppling to the kitchen floor with a crash. This was bad. Really, really bad. After his behavior the past few weeks, no one would believe that it had been an accident – and he couldn't really blame them. It had been pretty awful of Lloyd to release the Serpentine like that. He knew he probably wasn't a very likeable person at the moment.

Though he wasn't completely sure he liked the idea of giving up all of his less than honorable habits, he had really been hoping that the ninja would let him stay with them a bit longer. Nya had actually been super nice to him a few nights ago when he couldn't sleep, even if he didn't plan on ever admitting it, and Zane's cooking was quite possibly the best food he'd ever eaten. But…. When the ninja returned from their outing, they would not be happy with him. And from his experience, when people got angry, it never ended well for him. Numerous encounters with being locked in dark closets or having the living daylights knocked out of him by his more brutish classmates at Darkley's had taught him that angry people were dangerous people. Sooner or later, everyone was going to get tired of dealing with the inconveniences his presence brought. It was only a matter of time before he messed up again - and then… And then, they'd probably make him leave before he could cause any further damage…. Maybe it would be better if he saved himself the heartache and left before that could happen… As much as he hated to consider it, Lloyd didn't think he could handle having to face his uncle. Not when he knew how little everyone thought of him already. He had seen the way they looked at him, the whispered conversations he knew the ninja must have when they thought he couldn't hear them. Mind made up, Lloyd fled the kitchen, praying that he could make his escape before Nya discovered his blunder.

/

Nya stopped fiddling with the control panel of the Bounty and glanced at the clock. It had been a good hour since she had last seen Lloyd. Where was he? Presumably in the kitchen devouring an unhealthy amount of junk food, but she should probably still go check on him. It wasn't smart to leave that kid alone for too long. He had an impressive knack for getting himself into trouble. Sighing, she put down her tools – she'd have to finish her project later. As nice as it would be if the rest of the group made an effort to help keep an eye on Lloyd, she was on her own. When Nya reached the kitchen, Lloyd's usual haunt, she was surprised to find him absent. Not absent, however, were the remains of one of Wu's teapots. As much as she respected the elderly spinjitzu master, he really needed to be more careful with his tea making supplies. This was not the first time someone had broken one of his teapots, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. But, she realized, Lloyd most likely did not possess that knowledge. She should really find him and make sure he realized that it wasn't a big deal – first though, the broken porcelain needed to be picked up. Preferably before her 'brothers' returned. She couldn't very well risk having any of them stepping on it. Grabbing a broom from the corner of the kitchen, Nya swept the pieces into the dustpan and deposited them in the garbage. Now to find Lloyd.

When Nya first reached the door that led to Lloyd's bedroom, she was shocked to hear what sounded like crying emanating from within. Softly, she opened the door. Lloyd was too busy sobbing and stuffing random objects into a backpack he'd found to notice Nya enter the room. What exactly was he doing? Whatever it was, it didn't look like the impending conversation was going to be very enjoyable. She stood in awkward silence for a few minutes, unsure how to handle the situation. Finally, Nya spoke, hoping that Lloyd would be receptive to her efforts to help.

"Lloyd? Uh… What are you doing?" Lloyd dropped the backpack in surprise. Attempting to smear the tears from his face, he slowly turned around. Eyes red and puffy. This was far worse than Nya had originally thought. Lloyd knew she would force the truth out of him eventually, just as she had that night in the kitchen, so he didn't even bother attempting to lie to her.

"I… I'm leaving. There's no reason for me to stay on the Bounty any longer…"

"Leave?" Nya asked, shocked. If this was about the teapot he was definitely overreacting.

"You can't just leave!" Lloyd bit his lip and bent over to pick up the backpack.

"Yes, I can. You guys don't want me here anyway!" Okay, so this definitely wasn't about the teapot. At least, not completely. Nya moved to block the door as Lloyd attempted to make his exit.

"What? That's not true!" she insisted, hoping she was right. She was going to have a long talk with the ninja about making Lloyd feel more welcome later. For now, however, she needed to focus on ensuring that Lloyd didn't actually go through with his attempt to run away.

"How can you be so sure? You have no idea what it feels like to be seen only as an inconvenience. To never be able to trust someone, because the second you do," Lloyd hadn't intended to stay that out loud, but it was too late; the words he had been thinking for so long poured out anyway. His voice cracked as he tried to shove past Nya. She didn't budge.

"They'll only let you down. They'll say they care, but then… but then… they leave you and never come back. Or they kick you out of the only place you'd ever come even close to considering a home because you don't fit in!" No longer able to face Nya, Lloyd turned away, furiously rubbing more tears from his eyes. Oh. Oh, dear. … Why had Nya never stopped to think about the pain growing up as the son of the dark lord must have caused Lloyd? Of course he would have some trust issues. Her heart broke into a million tiny pieces. She knew then and there that regardless of the fact that she might not completely trust him, and regardless of the fact that he probably didn't want her help, she was going to make sure Lloyd was never abandoned again. No matter what it took. No matter how long it took her to gain his trust. Nya put her hand on his shoulder.

"Lloyd, while I have no idea what all you've been through, I do know that no one on this ship would ever even think about dropping you off somewhere and never coming back. Ever." He glanced at her for a second, the pain in his eyes obvious.

"Why? I've never met my dad, my mom didn't want me. Heck, even Darkley's got tired of me eventually. Why would you be any different?"

"Because, Lloyd, not everyone in the world is out to get you. When I look at you, I don't see a nuisance. I don't see the child of lord Garmadon. I see a child who has been forced to endure some pretty terrible things. Someone who has the potential to be a really great kid if someone is actually willing to get them a chance. And I know the others will too, given time. You. Are. Not. Unwanted." The tears seemed to be flowing more freely now.

"If anyone on the Bounty ever tries to make you leave when you don't want to, they'll have to make me leave too. I'm not giving up on you, Lloyd Garmadon…" To Nya's surprise, she suddenly found the small boy hugging her, still sobbing. He seemed so impossibly small, so broken. Knowing how badly he needed to be comforted, she returned the hug.

"Sh… it's gonna be alright. Just let it all out." More sobbing, " Deep breaths, okay?"

They stayed like that for what seemed like hours, but was probably only a few minutes, Nya patting Lloyd's back as he let out all the pain he had been dealing with for who knew how long. Eventually, the sobs began to slow. He lifted his face, face still streaked with tears.

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."

"Lloyd, you have nothing to apologize for. Sensei always says that the past is in the past, and I'm inclined to agree with him on that. And besides, you obviously needed to work through some things…" Nya gave Lloyd and encouraging smile, which he returned.

"Yeah. I guess I did."

"Next time you're struggling like that, please find someone to talk to about it. It's okay to be hurting but bottling up your emotions isn't very healthy. Your judgement skills go out the window, and before you know it, you're doing something you'll regret." Lloyd was quiet for a moment.

"Like running away?"

"Uh huh. Promise you won't do that again?" He nodded and then held out his pinkie. Nya held out hers too – a pinkie promise was good enough for her – and sealed the promise.

"Good. Now let's go get you cleaned up," commented Nya as she guided Lloyd out of his room and towards the bathroom in search of some cleanex.

/

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It was a bit difficult to write and ended up flowing differently from what I originally had planned, so please let me know if you feel like it worked well. Have a nice day!

-GwenBrightly