Misako cracked the door open, sliding through, and then gently shut it. "Garmadon…?"
He tensed, turning his head to look at her. He lay on the bed with the dog, stroking its back.
"Hey…" She walked uncertainly over to him, staying a few feet away. Looking him over, she saw his arm was in a sling, and part of his head was wrapped in gauze. One of his legs was in a cast, and the other was in a simpler looking one. His black outfit he'd had was replaced with a hospital one, his black gi folded in a far corner of the room.
"Um…how are you feeling?" This was only the second time she'd really talked to him, Misako realized. The first had been when she'd decided to help. And when she was helping Wu to get him to eat something…but she hadn't actually talked to him. She…felt a little bad about that…
Garmadon blinked at her, seeming nervous. "Um…fine."
She nodded. "That's good…are you doing alright?"
"Um…yes."
Misako bit her lip.
They stared at each other awkwardly for a few minutes.
Misako found that her mind was blanking again. "Um…" She glanced around, trying to think of something to say. She felt Garmadon's gaze still on her.
There was some more awkward silence.
"Lloyd feels guilty about what happened." It was out of her mouth before she could stop it.
Garmadon immediately winced, looking away.
Misako grimaced. Such an awful subject change… Why did you say that? Now it was even more awkward. "Um…he…just thinks it was his fault."
"I know…Wu told me already."
She winced. "Oh…I'm sorry."
"It's okay."
She took a slow breath, folding her hands behind her. Why were her hands shaking? "Um…I'm not sure how much time I have to talk to you. Wu didn't say…"
He nodded. "Okay…" He scratched Ochre's chin, and the dog happily lifted his head, tail wagging and eyes closing.
Misako watched him. "So…you're doing alright, then…?"
He nodded.
She swallowed. "Okay…um…" She glanced around again. "I'm glad you seem to be doing alright."
Garmadon looked at her, but didn't say anything.
"Is…there anything you wanted to say? Otherwise, I should be leaving…"
He frowned. "Um…" He shrugged, petting Ochre with both hands instead. He looked back at the dog—then froze. "W-where did my glove go—?!"
Misako frowned. "Um…I'm not sure." She glanced over at the folded gi in the corner. "It might be over there…"
Garmadon glanced at the gi, blinking. "Hold on, what am I wearing…?"
"Um…one of those hospital gowns, I think."
"How…how did I not notice this until now…?" He murmured, almost to himself.
"I…think the doctors had you on pain meds. That may be why."
Garmadon frowned, glancing at his arm. "Was that what that was…?"
"What…what, was?"
"That…tube thing…" He frowned.
"You mean an IV?"
"Um…" He shrugged.
"Maybe…I think they were also giving your nutrients through it, because you were 'starved and dehydrated'."
Garmadon grimaced.
Misako frowned.
"Can…I have my glove back?"
She nodded. "I don't see why not…" She walked over to the folded clothing, looking through it. She found his glove a few seconds later.
"Um…and what about my gi?"
"Um…I don't know. You can have it back, I'm sure, but I'm not sure how long you're supposed to stay in that…" She turned—just as Garmadon grimaced.
"I really hate this thing…"
She grimaced as well. "I know…I'm sure you'll be out of it soon." She walked back over, handing the glove to him. She couldn't help but eye his hand, and part of his arm. It was all metal and wires. It was…disconcerting. It was no wonder he wanted the glove.
Garmadon took the glove, a little quickly, and slipped it onto his hand. He buckled the straps, then looked forlornly at his still-exposed arm.
Misako frowned.
"I…are you sure I can't have my gi?"
"I can ask…"
"Please…do." He looked away from his arm, petting Ochre again.
She nodded. "Okay. I'll…talk to Wu about it, alright?"
He nodded.
Misako bit her lip, standing there awkwardly. "Um…I guess I'll be going now, then…"
He nodded again.
She stood there for a few more moments, then turned, walking away. She opened the door, glancing back at him.
He wasn't looking at her, still stroking Ochre.
She sighed quietly, then left, gently shutting the door behind her.
I hope Wu made some progress with Lloyd…
Hopefully, he'd convinced him to see his father.
"But, Lloyd…he wanted to see you…and he's your father. He was just hit by a car. You really don't want to see him…?"
Lloyd looked away, biting his lip. Then he frowned. "He…wanted to see me?"
"Yes."
Because I screwed up. He probably wants to berate me… He blinked, biting his lip again—harder.
"Lloyd…please?"
He stubbornly shook his head again, looking away. "No."
Wu sighed.
But…maybe I could apologize if I did… He frowned. Maybe… No. That's stupid. But… He could apologize, at the very least.
Lloyd bit his lip worriedly. He slowly looked at Master Wu. "Um…okay. I'll see him."
Wu blinked, surprise flashing over his face. "Er…really? But you were just so adamant…"
"I…I know…" He looked away again.
"But you'll see him now?"
"Yes."
Wu breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Lloyd…"
He nodded tensely.
Misako suddenly walked over to them. "I spoke with him a little…" Her gaze went to Lloyd, then to Wu. "Well…?"
Wu smiled a little at her. "He just agreed."
She smiled a little as well. "Good."
Lloyd bit his lip.
Wu looked back at Lloyd. "Do you want us to come up with you?"
He frowned. "No…I'll be fine." He turned, walking away.
"And you can find his room okay?" his mother asked.
Lloyd nodded. "Yup. 313, right?"
"Mhmm…yes."
Lloyd nodded again, walking down the hall. 313… He took a nervous breath, trying to steady himself. It would be okay. I can apologize. It'll be fine.
It was about ten minutes later that he finally found the door. He'd gotten lost a few times, having to turn around, then get directions.
But he was finally here, now.
313…
He stared at the number, blinking.
Was…he actually going to do this…?
Lloyd sucked in a breath, gaze hardening determinedly. Yes. I am.
I can do this.
I can do this…
He took another breath, then opened the door.
Lloyd looked in, blinking—then he slowly walked inside. He shut the door softly behind him. The room was a little dark, but not too overly so. The window let light in.
Then his gaze landed on Garmadon.
Garmadon was staring at him, eye wide in surprise. He had his arm in a sling, and gauze around his head. Both legs were in casts. The dog lay next to him, head now up as he looked at him, ears pricked.
Lloyd paused, chest tightening and throat closing.
Garmadon relaxed a little, looking relieved. But he still seemed tense. "Lloyd—"
"I'm so sorry!" He blurted it out before he could stop himself, then bit his lip.
Garmadon blinked.
"I…I should have watched where I was going, seen that car, leaped out of the way or something—"
"No, Lloyd, it's not your fault." Garmadon abruptly sat up, swinging his legs over the bed, and partially stood—though he still leaned on the bed.
Lloyd blinked, mind suddenly blanking. "I…what?"
"I jumped in front of that car. How is that your fault?"
"I…I…but, I should have been faster—"
"No. I pushed you out of the way, and I took the blow. That is not your fault."
"I…" Lloyd's mouth hung open, words evading him. "Huh…?" This was not what he'd been expecting at all. He'd expected another lecture, Garmadon telling him how stupid or wrong he was, not…this.
Garmadon winced…guiltily?
He…but…he purposely did that…? For me…?
But he didn't care…he doesn't care…
Why would he…?
Huh?
But we've avoided each other since he got here! Why… If he cared, then why…?
Lloyd abruptly shook his head, taking a few steps towards him."No. This is my fault! I should have reacted faster!"
Garmadon blinked, looking…sad? "But, Lloyd, you couldn't have seen it coming. That's why I shoved you."
Lloyd shook his head again. "No…no! I…I should have—"
Garmadon abruptly stood the rest of the way, stumbling over to him, limping. He shook his head, biting his lip with a look of agony on his face. "No…"
Lloyd took a step back in confusion.
Garmadon reached him, wincing.
What—
Garmadon flung his arms around him, pulling him into a hug. "I'm so sorry, Lloyd…I'm so sorry…" He started sobbing.
Lloyd sucked in a breath, stiffening. He blinked. W…what?
"I'm sorry I hurt you, I'm sorry I almost killed you, I'm sorry I was suck a jerk, I'm sorry I tried to kill your friends and Wu and Misako and everyone else and took over the city—" He sucked in a breath—"I'm sorry I disowned you and betrayed you, I'm sorry I went back on my promises and my oaths I am so sorry—"
Lloyd gaped.
"You shouldn't feel guilty about my actions, I pushed you out of the way because otherwise you may have been killed—" He sucked in another breath, still sobbing. His grip on him tightened.
Lloyd's mouth had gone dry with shock. He's…he's…
He couldn't comprehend this. He couldn't.
Garmadon sucked in another breath, shaking. "I'm sorry I adopted Harumi, I'm sorry I cared about her instead of you, I'm sorry for everything else I'm probably forgetting right now, I'm so sorry…I'm sorry I left you as a kid, and that I almost killed you and let the Overlord take over, I'm sorry I had to leave to stop Chen, I'm sorry I died and got resurrected, I'm sorry I left again after the Overlord, I'm sorry for everything else—I know I'm forgetting something, aren't I?" He sucked in another breath, pausing. "And I'm sorry about that plant, and for leaving after the oni thing, and…and…"
Lloyd didn't move, still stiff as a board.
Garmadon took a shuddering breathe, still choking on sobs. He started to let go of him—
NO—
The sheer panic that came over him shocked him.
I need you, don't let go, PLEASE—
Lloyd flung his arms around him, finally choking out an anguished sob.
Garmadon paused—then wrapped his arms around him again, though this time more hesitantly.
Lloyd finally let out the sobs he'd been trying to hold in for years. All of the pain he released, finally unable to stop it. "Please, don't let go…"
His father's grip tightened around him. "I…I won't."
Lloyd squeezed his eyes shut.
He wasn't sure how long they stood there. It was a long while.
Lloyd didn't mind, though. He never wanted this to end…because if it did…he might wake up. Find out it was all a dream.
Garmadon finally loosened his grip, shifting. "Um…Wu might be getting worried…I don't know how long we've stood here…"
Lloyd didn't let go.
Garmadon paused. "Um…Lloyd?"
Lloyd bit his lip, knowing that he was right. He coughed awkwardly. "U-um…right…yeah…sorry…"
"So…"
Lloyd coughed again, finally letting go. "Right…sorry…" He backed away awkwardly, avoiding his gaze.
Garmadon looked away, biting his lip.
"Thank you…" Lloyd swiped a sleeve across his face, suddenly remembering he'd been sobbing his eyes out. He sniffed, then coughed awkwardly again.
"Um…you don't have to thank me…you should go, um…so Wu doesn't worry…or your mother…"
Lloyd nodded. "Right…" He finally looked up, though his vision was still blurry with tears. "Dad…" He bit his lip, trying not to break down again.
Garmadon looked at him, surprise flashing across his face. "U-um…what?"
"I…do…do you think we can actually fix this?"
He frowned. "I…I hope so." He watched him, a longing expression on his face. Hope.
Lloyd felt an almost unfamiliar feeling his his chest. He felt it too—hope.
Maybe…maybe they could fix what had been lost…
Maybe it could be like it was after the Final Battle.
Lloyd bit his lip. Now that he had that hope, it wouldn't leave him.
I don't want to be hurt again.
But…was it worth it to try? To try and repair this?
Yes.
Yes, it was.
It finally felt like that hole was being filled. The hole that'd been empty since…since Chen. Since he'd been a kid.
Lloyd hurriedly wiped at his face, trying to erase the tear tracks. He couldn't go out like this…
"Are…you alright?"
He looked up, at his dad. And for once… He nodded, a little cautiously. "Yeah…I think so…"
Garmadon looked uncertain, but nodded back. "Okay…"
Lloyd hesitated, trying to implant the memory into his mind. Then he turned, walking awkwardly to the door. He opened it, then shut it quietly.
He let out a shaky breath once safely outside, stumbling a bit, and then leaned against the wall in shock.
Did…that just happen…?
He blinked.
Lloyd ran a hand through his hair. Did that seriously just happen…? It felt like he was in a dream…
And rudely about to be woken up.
Lloyd pushed way from the wall, even though his legs felt too shaky to hold him.
"Lloyd?"
He turned, almost in slow motion.
Wu and his mother were walking towards him, both looking worried.
"You've been gone for almost an hour…is everything alright?" His mom looked worried.
Lloyd blinked. "Um…"
"Lloyd? Did…something happen?"
He shook his head. "N-no…um…"
"Did you see him?" Wu held a cup of tea in his hand.
They both stopped by him.
Lloyd nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. "Um…yeah. I did…"
"And…?" Wu rose an eyebrow questioningly.
Lloyd tried to hide his still-shocked look, swallowing. "So, um…how did he get all those injuries, the ones not from the car accident? What happened to his arm? And why did no one tell me any of this? I know you both knew about some of his injuries."
Misako and Wu exchanged an uneasy look.
"Lloyd, um…" his mother looked at him. "It's…we were just trying to protect you."
Lloyd frowned. "How is that protecting me? Why would you keep the fact he's got a metal arm from me?! And…and the doctor said he's got words scarred into his back…? What am I missing?!"
Wu frowned. "I'm sorry, nephew. We didn't tell you because you've already been having a hard time…we didn't want to make anything worse."
Lloyd scowled. "I'm fine."
"But we know you're not…"
He looked away, biting his lip. You still should have told me. He's my FATHER. You have no right to keep something like that from me.
Wu sighed. "Well, I'm going to go see my brother. You two can head back down. Hopefully, the doctor will soon let us all come in."
Lloyd didn't look at him, nodding.
Misako gazed at Lloyd concernedly, then turned, heading back down the hall.
Lloyd followed.
His mind wandered back to what had happened. He frowned, his mind whirling. It was so…unbelievable…
A small smile came onto his face before he quickly frowned again.
Although, maybe…the accident, the car, was a blessing in disguise…
Maybe it was what him and his father needed to begin repairing their relationship.