All The Ways Zoey Says "I Love You."

All the ways Zoey says "I Love You."

"Multiples just means there's more Mike to love!"

Zoey loves Mike, even though ... he isn't always Mike. But that's okay, because she loves the different people who live in his mind just as much.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mike — Touch

I couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment when, because it had crept up on me — Mike had crept up on me — and the love I had for him left me breathless. 

It hit me one day when Mike and I were sitting on the couch watching a movie that I didn’t really know when I fell in love with Mike.

I never forgot that moment on Total Drama, when Mike had held my hand, my heart beating faster than a hummingbird as he looked at me with his beseeching eyes as he told me the truth about him and his alters, about how he really liked me and how he didn’t want to lose me. 

I held his hand, my eyes soft and understanding as he told me somethings he’s never really told anyone before. I think what really shocked him was how I understood. I didn’t look confused or freaked out, I didn’t tell him to back off or slap him. 

I had merely laughed at how silly the situation was, because I really, really liked him and he really, really liked me and I had leaned into him telling him how much I loved oddballs. 

Maybe that’s why I fell for him, because he was so different. 

Mike was one of a kind. 

I love him. 

I’d do anything for Mike; as long as he’s here with me, as long as I can hold his hand and smile back at him, I’d go to the ends of the earth for Mike, and he’d do the same for me. 

I turned to look at Mike, who’s shoulder I’ve been using as a pillow during our movie and he turned to look at me with that cute grin of his. I smiled back, my thoughts slowing as our faces moved closer and closer, until our foreheads were touching. 

It was quick, only a short moment where I leaned over and pressed my lips against his, but it felt like all the love just rushed through my body in a single flash. I sighed against his lips, trying to emulate everything I felt through touch alone.

“I love you.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Chester — Acts of Service

I won’t lie — Chester was hard to talk to. 

Chester only came out when Mike was frustrated, so usually meant the old man would complain about whatever circumstances and groan about today’s youth whenever I would talk to him. 

However, I was determined to get through to the old man and actually get him to enjoy himself.  

“Are you having fun, Chester?” I asked as I struggled to secure a wriggling worm to my fishing pole. 

“Eh, fun is for the youth.” Chester swatted his hand irritably. “Back in my day, it was either work and survive or shrivel up and die. We didn’t have any time for this “fun” nonsense ‘cause we were always working so hard. You lazy youngsters are havin’ fun all the time ‘cause you ain’t workin’ as hard!”

I cringed, not sure how to respond to that, before I decided on optimism. “Well, you never know, you might have fun fishing! This was my grandfather’s favorite hobby when I was a kid.”

“And where’s your grandfather now? You dump him in an old folk’s home?” 

I went quiet, staring at the hook and worm in my hands. “No. He— he died. When I was a kid.”

Chester, fortunately, seemed to somber at that, making no more complaints as he dropped his line into the water and let it sink. 

“Sorry.” I shook myself out of the memories of my lonely childhood. “I didn’t mean to bring down the mood. I just … miss him.” Looking at Chester, I smiled. “You know, I think if he was still alive, you and him would be good friends.” 

“Friends?” A spark seemed to light in old Chester’s eye, before he quickly extinguished it with a grumpy scowl. “Meh, I don’t have any friends. Those silly things are for young whippersnappers just like yourself.” 

“I don’t know, anybody can be friends with anybody. I, for one, would like to be friends with you.” 

Chester stared at me with his one eye, not quite glaring and not quite scowling, before he turned away with a huff. I bit my tongue trying to keep away the hurt. It’s just one day, I reminded myself. It’s only been one day. You’ll get through to him. 

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I saw a tug on the fishing pole. “Chester! You have a bite!” I gasped. 

Chester began reeling in his line, and for a minute I thought I saw something like excitement in his eye.

It went on like this for months. 

I would take Chester out and would try to help him enjoy himself and have fun, even if all he did was complain. I would always help him out, even if he was suspicious of my niceness. 

It took a lot of perseverance and patience on my part to get him to open up to me. Every act of service I would do for him was regarded with suspicion, and every smile was met with a glare. 

But slowly, Chester stopped grumbling and seemed to appreciate what I would do. Granted, he would still grumble and complain, but whenever I would offer him help or a way to have fun, he seemed to make less of an ordeal than before. 

One day Chester came up to me when I was laying on my couch reading a book, hand gripping the wooden cane I bought him and scowled at me.

“Yes, Chester?” I asked primly, closing the book. “Do you need anything?” 

Chester had glared at me, and in his usually wheezy voice, told me that there was a ventriloquist performance in town and he wanted to go, where I would then tell him about myself and my grandfather — but if there were any youngsters and their “rock and roll nonsense” there I could forget about it. He told me that he would absolutely not have fun and that we were definitely not friends. 

I was smiling the whole time, even though the puppet was the ugliest thing I’d ever seen and that it told the most corniest jokes in the most horrible voice I’d ever heard. I was smiling the whole time because Chester was laughing the whole time, having fun. 

It was like a turning point in Chester’s and I’s relationship. The empty gap I felt since my grandfather died was always a bit fuller whenever I was with Chester. 

The old man seemed to appreciate the effort I would put into every act of service I did for him, saying that it was good that “a young whippersnapper such as myself was respecting my elders”.

I leaned down to hug the old man with a smile, feeling myself glow with happiness. “I love you, Chester.”

Chester seemed to stiffen, at the contact or what I said, I didn’t know. “Eh, you ain’t too bad — for a youngster.” Chester grumbled, but couldn’t help the smile from growing on his grumpy face.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Svetlana — Receiving Gifts

Svetlana was — by far — one of the easiest alters to get along with. 

She was so bright and cheery, enthusiastic and fun it was impossible to not like her. The first time Svetlana and I hung out I was surprised how easily we clicked. Apparently, she had always wanted to meet me, seeing how happy I made Mike. 

I grew up as a lonely child, so Svetlana was like a breath of fresh air, the girl friend I always wanted. 

We hung out all the time, watching those sappy romantic movies that make the guys gag, we went shopping — but the thing we did together most was gymnastics. 

I’ll admit that the first time Svetlana saw me climbing the trees in my backyard, I purposefully showed off; doing more flips than nessacary as Svetlana stared in awe. 

“Vhere did you learn something like that?” She’d gasped as I climbed down the tree. I shrugged, trying to keep the blush off my face. 

“Just something I picked up,” I waved nonchalantly. “I was always a bit of a wild child growing up.”

“Oh, you must try gymnastics!” Svetlana gushed, and of course I said yes because I was an absolute people’s pleaser; and if I knew Svetlana, she wouldn’t stop asking until I said yes. 

Besides, how hard could gymnastics be?

“Ah, hah … Svetlana … can we please take a break?”  I panted days later, drenched with sweat. “My legs are about to fall off.” 

“Rest after success!” Svetlana declared cheerfully, looking as perfect and polished as she did before practice started. “Now, complete zhe triple point axle!” 

I groaned, nearly folding into myself as my knees weakened at the thought. Svetlana was a brutal coach, having me perform all kinds of complicated flips even though she insisted they were “beginner”. 

Yeah, right. 

Sighing, I got into position and took a running leap — only to fail miserably as I twisted wrong and promptly faceplanted in front of my coach. 

“Hmmm … perhaps you can use a little break.”

I merely groaned, wallowing in my misery as I heard Svetlana leave, then return a moment later. 

Something cold touched my shoulder, and I turned to see Svetlana holding out a water bottle with a kind smile. “You are not so bad, for an amateur.” She said. “Svetlana is sorry if she has been … overzealous. None of the others has shown an interest in gymnastics.”

I smiled and unscrewed the bottle. “It’s okay. It must be hard to be the only girl in a brain full of five guys.”

Svetlana scoffed. “Oh, you ‘ave no idea.” With that, she launched into a full on rant with me listening patiently, our lesson forgotten. 

Months later, Mike told me Svetlana had a big competition coming up — only the best of the best would be there. And she wanted me to come. 

Svetlana won the whole thing and got a perfect score. As the cheers rang out, Svetlana flounced over to me, practically glowing from her victory as I flung my arms around my friend, clutching the flowers I was going to gift her. 

I laughed, beaming. “I love you, Svetlana!”

The words slipped out before I even realized it, but Svetlana didn’t seem to mind as she seemed to press me tighter into the hug.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Vito — Words of Affirmation

Out of all the personalities in Mike’s head — besides Mal — I got along with Vito the least.

It was just … he was just so …

Vito didn’t get a lot of time out of Mike’s head, so he was sure to make it count.

When Vito came outside, he wanted to do what he wanted. He wanted to live, to meet people, to experience as much as he could before the shirt was pulled on once more and he had to be crammed into one head with multiple personalities.

I’ve tried to talk to Vito, I really have, but most of the time he would treat me like a pest he couldn’t get rid of. Every time I try to talk to him he just ends up hurting my feelings somehow. He’ll tell me I’m not that pretty or that I’m annoying him, and sometimes I would have to storm off to stop myself from punching him in the face. Honestly, the only reason why he didn't have a missing tooth by now was because he had Mike's face.

And for a while I thought that was all we were going to be. A jerk to me, and a nuisance to him. 

Until …

Vito stormed into the room I was in, looking ticked off with a dark look in his eyes. I looked up from the book I was reading on the couch.

“Vito, what’s wrong?” I asked, trying to keep the right amount of concern in my voice. Too much and he would tell me to back off and shove my pity somewhere else. Too little and he would think I didn’t care. 

“Nothin,’' he shrugged. “What could possibly be wrong when you’re this sexy?” As if to prove his point, he started to flex his muscles in a way that was … admittedly distracting, yes, but I refused to be swayed. 

“Vito …” 

“I don’t need ya pity, Red,” He told me casually — and yes, there it is. How can it be that he’s so good at reading me like I’m with him, but we still don’t get along?

“It’s not pity, I’m just worried about you.” I said, closing the book I was reading to give him my full attention. “Can’t I be worried about you?”

Vito glowered at me, looking at me with a mixture of annoyance and mistrust, before turning away. 

Thinking quickly, I said, “You know, we’re not too far from the beach. Do you want to go swimming and work on your tan?” 

That seemed to catch his interest a little. “I could go for some rays. But don’t ya think this makes us all buddy buddy or anything!”

“Of course not,” I stood up and patted his shoulder. “I’m going to go grab the surfboards. Can you start the car?” 

I walked away to hear Vito’s surprised exclamation of knowing I could surf and smirked.

From that day forward, Vito and I became friends … sort of. 

He would still get on my nerves like no other but … I think we reached an understanding, one can say. He made me competitive, wanting to prove myself and him wrong. We went back and forth when we conversed, but not in a bad way, but in a fun way. 

But for some reason, there was still this underlying tension between us, one that would make my stomach knot for no good reason. It confused me, and I could tell Vito could feel it too. 

The way he would flirt and flaunt in front of women when I was right there, the way he was always obsessing over his self-proclaimed “hotness”. For some reason it bugged me to no end, just like it did back on Total Drama when Vito was with Anne Maria. 

But I didn’t want to dig into it. Vito and I were finally getting along, and I didn’t want to complicate things and make us go back to the way things were. 

“So, how come you’re with a dorkus like Mike when ya can be with someone much more attractive, like me?” Vito asked one day as he drove us to the beach. Vito kept insisting that I needed to work on my tan even after I repeatedly told him that “I don’t tan, I burn.”

Vito smirked and did an eyebrow wiggle that made me snort into my hand. “You share the same body, genius.” I roll my eyes and giggle. “Besides, I’m more of a substance-over-style type of girl.”

“A dying breed.” 

“Maybe, but one that does not fail.”

“The Vito can’t be held down by any broad,” he boasted.

“That’s because you haven’t met the right one yet.” I countered.

Vito seemed to pause at that, and I fell quiet. Right. How could Vito ever meet a girl when Vito wasn’t even out? It would be hard to find a girl and settle down if you weren’t even in control of your own body half of the time. Would Vito ever find his girl? Did he even want a girl?

I remembered that first day Vito and I hung out, he had quietly told me how he had gone to see Anne Maria, and that they had gotten into a huge fight because she thought he was choosing me over her. She wouldn’t listen — or couldn’t understand — that he was Vito, not Mike.

I turned to look at him and felt my stomach clench. Vito … 

He would need someone to understand him, to know when he was sad or angry. Someone who could keep up with him, someone who wasn’t afraid to call him out, someone who knew —

I stopped cold. Someone like me.

When I told Vito “I love you,” it was quick and quiet, slipping out between my breath as we slammed the car doors shut. It’s noise should have drowned the words out, but I knew he still heard from the way he stopped.

Vito went quiet and still, and that freaked me out like no other because Vito was never those two things. He was cocky and obnoxious, always instigating conflicts and preening over his looks in his loud Italian accent. 

He was always moving, whether it was to flex for the ladies or to slick his hair back or to mess with his golden necklace and to tap out the beats of music that would thrum through the car.

I instantly slapped a hand over my mouth the moment those words escaped, berating myself for possibly saying the stupidest thing of my life in front of Vito …

… when he did something unexpected.

Slowly, Vito reached over, cupped my face, and kissed me. 

It was thrilling, warm and soft with a hint of spice. Vito was a master at kissing, from his warm lip-only kisses to his more heated tongue-centric kisses. He was good, leading me with such skill that I found myself giving back as much as I received.

Vito pulled back, gauging my reaction with his dark eyes as I stared back, vulnerable and lightheaded from the kiss. An unavoidable blush rose to my cheeks.  

My mouth worked, opening and closing as I tried to find my voice. “... you just kissed me.”

“You just said you loved me.” Vito challenged back. 

Touché, I thought. 

I contemplated what just happened in my still-fuzzy head, weighing my decisions before finally settling on one.

Face still flushed, I asked, “If I said I loved you again, would you kiss me again?”

In response, Vito pulled me closer and my heart flew out of my chest.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Manitoba — Quality Time

One of the things that enraptured me first about Manitoba Smith was his thirst for adventure. He spoke of stories that … normally wouldn’t make sense, given that he was an alter in Mike’s brain, but still spoke of dangerous adventures and freedom and wilderness that I wanted to experience. 

Manitoba offered to take me one. 

“Remind me why I agreed to this again?” I gasped as Manitoba and I hiked up the steep side of the mountain. My legs felt like they were about to collapse with every step I took and my breath had left me miles back. 

“Come on now, Sheila, we’re almost there. You were the one who wanted to go on an adventure with me, remember? Not that I blame you, of course. Manitoba Smith is the best adventurer of this century.”

I looked up to see the said Australian holding out his hand, smiling. Gratefully, I took his hand and he hoisted me up. “There we go.”

“I don’t know how you do this every day,” I huffed. “This is exhausting.”

“Now, now. I have years of experience with exploring, and you’re just a beginner. Only time has bearing on a man’s skill, should he be one or one hundred.”

“Or woman.” I added. 

Manitoba only smirked crookedly and we continued climbing in peace, while I looked back on the memories. 

This wasn’t the first time Manitoba and I had gone on one of his adventures. It had happened a while ago, when I had offhandedly blurted out how I wanted to go on one of his adventures. I was more than suprised when he agreed to take me. 

That was months ago, and since then, Manitoba and I had gone on multiple travels together. He had been kind enough to show me the ropes, even though it was through multiple flirting attempts. 

It was nice though, I mused as we reached the destination point, to spend time with Manitoba. There was a lot more to him than met the eye, and on every trip we made I was uncovering more treasured pieces of him that made up the whole. 

We finished setting up camp and both sat on the edge of mountain, precariously dangling our feet over open air. We were both quiet, just enjoying the moment and the quality time together when suddenly—

“Why do you make it so hard for me to flirt with you?” Manitoba asked. 

“Well, if I made it easy then you wouldn’t flirt with me at all,” I replied without thinking. There was a beat of silence, and it quickly dawned on me what I said. With a flash of horror and embarrassment, I whipped my head towards Manitoba to see his surprised gaze reflecting my own. 

For once, Manitoba Smith was at a loss of words. 

I smacked a hand over my mouth, turning away. “I shouldn’t have said that aloud.” I mumbled, almost to myself. “Sorry, forget I said anything.” 

Before I could fully close off from him, Manitoba grabbed my chin and gently guided it back so I could meet his eyes. 

“Where do you think you’re going, sweetheart?” He chided. “Don’t pull away.” 

I puffed my cheek out, annoyed and embarrassed. Manitoba merely grinned, cocky and bright-eyed as he took in my reaction. 

“So, does this mean you like it when I flirt with you?” 

I refused to answer, knowing he was only asking this because now he knew the answer. As if I would inflate his ego anymore than I had now. 

 Manitoba’s eyes glinted and he leaned closer, until he was right in my face. No doubt it was the color of my hair. “It’s okay to admit it, sweetheart. I rather like flirting with you too.”

I pushed his face away. “Well, you’re certainly a better flirt than Vito. All he does is flex his muscles.”

Manitoba smirked crookedly. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

I rolled my eyes.

A couple hours passed, with Manitoba staring a fire and cooking us dinner before we were both back on the ledge, watching for the sunset. 

Manitoba dangled his feet over the ledge, eyes trained on the dying sun as it cast shades of red and gold. 

I found my eyes slowly being drawn away from the view, turning to look at Manitoba Smith. He was quiet, taking in every moment of the sunset’s beauty. I felt my heart in my throat. 

Oh. 

He looked— he looked — 

I didn’t just like Manitoba, I realized. I loved him. 

It was the accent that caught my attention at first— an Australian one, that held a certain cockiness in the voice

Then it was his bravery, facing whatever challenge came to him head-on. 

Then it was his kindness, his selfless nature, his confidence. It was all of that, all of him, that made me realized how much I loved spending time with him, how much I loved his company, how much I loved him

I wasn’t one to hold back from telling the truth, and he wasn’t one to shy away from what he was feeling. So with that in mind, I plucked up my last strand of bravery, swallowed back my nerves, and said, “I love you.” 

There was a split second of silence, then—

“I was wondering when you would get around to saying that.”

I whipped my head around. “Excuse me?” Was he seriously taking my confession as a joke? Something to boost his own ego? Well, then—

I froze, biting back the verbal lashing I was about to give him when I saw his face. 

There wasn’t the usual confident glint in his eyes or the cocky grin on him. Instead, Manitoba Smith was looking at me tenderly with a gentle smile on his face that looked so different, but at the same time, so right.

I swallowed the heart in my throat. 

Oh. 

“That’s seriously all you have to say to me? ‘What took you so long?’” I rolled my eyes in fake exasperation, trying to hide the amusement in my voice and failing. 

“Well, of course! I happen to be an Australian heartthrob for the ladies. I’m impressed you managed to hold off for so long.” Manitoba winked. 

“You’re a lot of work. You know that, right?”

“Yeah, but I’m worth it.”

I snorted, even though I couldn’t exactly deny his claims. I leaned my head on his shoulder and we sat in silence, both of us just enjoying each other’s presence as the sun sank behind the horizon. 

“So, uh, think you’ll be going on any more adventures with me, Sheila?” Manitoba asked sheepishly. 

I leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. “I just might.” I said, smiling.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mal — ?

Sometimes on cold nights Mal would come out.

He had toned down since Total Drama All Stars, but his reputation had preceded him so at first I was always cautious and kept my distance whenever he would appear.

But Mal was different. Quieter. He didn’t burst into fits of rage or go on a streak of vengence like all of us expected; instead he was more mellow.

Granted, he was still Mal — he would still threaten bodily harm whenever I annoyed him (which was a lot), he still had a cruel sense of humor, and perhaps he did still have a sadistic edge to him – but it wasn't like he was trying to drown me or anything like he did during the finale, so I figured it was okay to try and talk to him.

And ... strangely enough, it was.

Mal was tight-lipped and short whenever I would pry for conversation, and oftentimes would respond with scathing remarks that would hurt my feelings or pride.

But he never physically hurt me. Ever.

Months passed, and slowly ... oh so slowly ... he opened up.

Mal talked to me.

He told he about his past, how he would fill in Mike's memory gaps from his childhood. He told me about juvie, about how he had to stay in control because someone of Mike's caliber would have been chewed up and spit out in a place like that. He told me how the others came to be, why they came to be, through awful, awful stories that made me sick to my stomach because that happened to Mike, and the people I loved didn't know, and Mal had to remember.

I think the thing that shocked Mal most was that I listened. I stayed. I cared, even though at the beginning he thought it was fake. I tried to understand him, I listened to his problems, and tried to help him through them.

The funny thing was, I wasn’t even in love with him at the time I was doing those things.

Sometimes Mal would say he wanted a break, so whenever he was out and at my place I took him to my rooftop to let him breathe.

It worked better than I thought, because on some days when I wasn’t even home he would just break into my house and sneak onto my roof.

On cold nights like tonight, Mal would come out onto my rooftop and draw. I sat down a couple feet from him, since I knew he liked his personal space. The cold tiles bit through my jean bottoms as I wrapped my arms around myself. My misty breath floated in front of my face and into the night sky.

I peered over at what Mal was sketching and had to stop myself from giggling. A menacing tower was etched on the page. Overlooking a volcano. Bats and skulls flew from the paper.

I watched him with a smile on my face. Mal was absorbed with his art, occasionally blowing his hair out of his eye as his pencil worked across the page.

"You're staring," Mal startled me out of my daze with his low tone.

"Sorry." I laughed a bit nervously. "I'm just a bit distracted today. I’m happy."

Mal didn't say anything for a bit, before he said without looking up, "You're always happy."

I chuckled. "Yeah, but today I realized something that made me really happy."

There was a brief silence, and I could feel him prompting.

I took a deep breath. This is it, I thought. Like ripping off a band-aid.

"I just realized that I loved you."

The sounds of sketching stopped, and I determinedly stared up at the star-speckled sky before I looked down and began fiddling with the worn red sleeves of my hoodie.

My stomach started twisting itself in anxious knots as the silence dragged on, and I can feel Mal's eyes set me on fire as I avoid his gaze.

For once, I can't read his silences, and that alone was making me nervous. Before I could get up and excuse myself, something warm and lean pressed up against my side.

"Huh?" I said, because I have genuinely never been so confused in that moment.

Mal ignored me and continued to lean against me as he drew. I was completely baffled as he began whistling his signature tune with a small smile/smirk – the one he always used whenever he was in –

I gasped. My heart skipped a beat and it suddenly felt like a million tons was lifted from my shoulders.

"You –" I stopped, because natually he wasn't going to answer.

I released the breath I didn’t know I was holding as an exhilarated smile split my face. I bit my lip to control my giddy grin as I gently twined my fingers with his, squeezing once as he stiffened, then relaxed.

Mal squeezed back.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ninjago Pokémon 

I have no idea where this came from but let’s just go with it, okay?

Pokemon for the Pokeguys

This is pokemon that I think the guys should have/kept. Also, this is set a couple years in the future, hence the different outfits

Energybound

binding energy definition: in physics and chemistry, binding energy is the smallest amount of energy required to remove a particle from a system of particles or to disassemble a system of particles into individual parts.

In which Lloyd becomes Energy to save the world. As the Green Savior, he was always prophesied to die for it. The scrolls never mentioned anything about his friends.

💚✨🐉 💚✨🐉 💚✨🐉 💚✨

The sun is just peaking over the horizon of the ocean when Lloyd makes his choice.

A restless night had passed, with the city drowning and Kalmaar sweeping through flooding to find the Ninja. With Jay’s condition worsening and Nya not leaving his side. With Benthomaar wracked with guilt over what his adopted brother had done and Kai, Cole, Zane, and P.I.X.A.L anxious to do something. 

Lloyd had eavesdropped on Nya and Bentho talking about the Nyad, how she had merged with the sea and defeated Wojira. He knows what she is about to do. 

He’s just doing it first. 

Lloyd cracks open his eye from where he is pretending to be asleep, and slowly stands up. All of his friends are passed out from the emotional toll of the day— even Nya, who was fitfully sleeping besides Jay. 

He moves quietly to not alert any of his friends and wake them up. Silently, he makes his way to the door, before looking back at his friends one last time. Jay was laying on the couch, gasping and wheezing in raspy intervals. Nya is next to him, shifting uncomfortably. 

Bentho leans up against a filing cabinet next to the couch, arms crossed and head hanging. He was separated from the rest of his friends, and Lloyd wishes to see the day where Bentho is comfortable enough to lay next to them instead of dealing with everything himself. 

Kai, Cole, Zane, P.I.X.A.L, and Master Wu are all passed out on the other side of the room, unconscious to the world and the thoughts swirling around Lloyd’s head. 

Lloyd wishes they had more time. A few spare months of recuperating and relaxation isn’t enough between the life-threatening missions his team frequently goes on. He wants to stay with his friends.

He bites his tongue, the pain distracting him from his thoughts as he opens the door and then closes it, making his way to the roof.

💚✨🐉 💚✨🐉 💚✨🐉 💚✨

Lloyd dangled his feet off the edge of the dock, eyes trained on the gleaming horizon. An unsettled feeling was shifting in his gut, and a single question rolled around in his mind. 

Footsteps sounded towards him, and Lloyd turned to see his mother and uncle walking towards him.

“Lloyd, are you okay?” Misako asked. 

Lloyd stood up, not taking his gaze away from the sinking sun. “I was just thinking… I know Ronin’s monster was a fake, but I guess I was wondering if Wojira is really still out there… somewhere.” 

“If she is, may she sleep for another thousand years.” Wu prayed.

And at the bottom of the sea, the storm slept.

💚✨🐉 💚✨🐉 💚✨🐉 💚✨

Lloyd walks towards the edge of the building, peering down at the dark water. It is black and bottomless, and Lloyd feels a surge of doubt before he shoves it away.

Lloyd may not be the Master of Water, but he is the Master of Energy. And as far as he knew, energy was everywhere. Nyad may have become one with the Sea, but she lost herself to the ocean and disappeared for thousands of years. 

Lloyd couldn’t let that happen to Nya. 

Lloyd was the Green Ninja, the savior of Ninjago. He was always destined to sacrifice himself for it, but nobody mentioned anything about his friends. Everything he had gone through— the Overlord and his father, Morro’s possession and Harumi— it all led up to this moment. 

This is for his friends. Everything he had done was for his friends— every harsh blow from battle and hair ruffle in the morning. They had taken him in when he was a kid and gave him a home and a family. They had raised him, trained him, loved him even when he was being nothing but a bratty child who gave them problems.  

Lloyd turns and stares back at the door where his family was sleeping, unaware. 

Kai’s fiery courage, Nya’s fierce determination, Cole’s easy kindness, Jay’s bright intelligence, Zane’s gentle empathy, P.I.X.A.L’s snarking camaraderie, Benthomaar’s hesitant friendship, Wu’s aging wisdom, Misako’s sense of adventure. 

His family. 

Lloyd turns away, blinking back the sudden tears as green power lights his hands and he starts spinning.

💚✨🐉 💚✨🐉 💚✨🐉 💚✨

“Bentho, how did Nyad defeat Wojira? In the story you told me?”

“… she became one with the sea.”

“But how exactly?”

“She opened herself up to the full power of the ocean. She merged with it.”

“…”

“Do not think of such things! Nyad may have defeated Wojira but she lost herself. What she did cannot be undone. She vanished.”

“…”

💚✨🐉 💚✨🐉 💚✨🐉 💚✨

Lloyd opens his eyes, feeling light shining from the inside out as his green power spreads. Energy floods his body, feeling light and fleeting as Lloyd reaches down to the core of his power— and lets it loose. 

Lloyd thinks of Cole and his Spinjitzu Burst, deep in the depths of Shintaro’s mountains. Unparalleled power had exploded from the earth and wrapped his brother in his element. 

Lloyd can feel it happening too— but it's different. Green power is rushing around him, light blinding his vision, the particles on his skin transforming into pure energy. 

Then— 

BOOM!

A sonic sound wave explodes throughout the sky. The light tapers off.  Lloyd opens his new eyes and looks down at his body. Green energy swirls around in the shape of his old body.

He feels light, powerful, new— Lloyd is filled with boundless energy, free to travel wherever he likes and too fleeting to ever catch. 

Lloyd realizes he’s flying and spins around, laughing. The door to the rooftop suddenly slams open, and his family pours out— Kai and Wu in the lead as they stop and stare at their brother and nephew. 

“Lloyd!” Kai calls. Jay and Nya join them, the former leaning on his girlfriend heavily as he stares at his little brother disbelievingly. 

Lloyd frowns at how weak Jay looks. That can’t do— Jay will need to be at full strength when they beat Wojira. He flys down, ignoring the flinch of surprise from the others and presses a hand to Jay’s chest. 

Green energy lights up, and suddenly Jay is able to breathe easier— like his lungs weren’t even damaged at all. Nya stares at Lloyd, looking pained for some reason.

Lloyd pulls away as Wojira roars her challenge, his power picking up in anticipation. 

“Lloyd, wait!” Wu calls— but it's too late. With another BOOM! Lloyd takes off, flying at the speed of sound to confront Wojira once and for all. 

It is time to finish what his grandfather couldn’t.

💚✨🐉 💚✨🐉 💚✨🐉 💚✨

Nobody notices the crystal spider on the wall, violet eyes recording everything. 

Clink… clink… clink… 

The spider scurries back to its master. 

💚✨🐉 💚✨🐉 💚✨🐉 💚✨ “Spider’s in the house,

Sleep, sleep

Spider bit the mouse, 

Sleep deep

Don’t wake up or else 

You’ll find a spider in your m—”

The song breaks off, and the dark figure turns from the computer to see a crystal spider making its way towards her. 

She kneels down, dark cape fluttering and kabuki mask flipped up as the mechanical spider crawls into her hand. She strokes it gently. “Did you find everything I need?” She asks. 

The spider’s eye flashes, and then a holographic video is playing in the crystalized room. The bright screen contrasts the dark room, the purple and pink hues drowned out by the light images playing. 

The Herald purses her lips, fingers tightening on the spider she is gripping unconsciously as the video finishes. 

“I see,” Harumi says. She turns and stares at the giant crystal protruding in the middle of the Oni Temple. “This changes things.” 

“Time to make some alterations to the previous plan.”

TOTAL DRAMA REUNION 

Ok I know I’ve hopped on this train too late, but I wanted to list all the profiles of the TD characters in Reunion cause I couldn’t find good ones

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Alejandro Burromuerto

10 years after Total Drama, Al has become a successful movie star. However, following an unpleasant break up with his former flame Heather Kasuga, he has not been quite the same. Good thing he’s an actor. Alejandro is just as cunning and charming as he was during his time on Total Drama and he is ready to win it all. On Total Drama Reunion, will Alejandro play the game to his favor … or will he realize that some things may just matter more?

Beth Sweetwater

10 years after Total Drama, Beth is still a sweet and trustworthy woman who is independent and can stand up for herself. She is married and has a son who she raises on her farm. She’s still best friends with Lindsay Hirding and often travels around with her. Now on Total Drama Reunion, will Beth have what it takes to hold her ground? Or will she fall back into old habits like before?

Bridgette Summers

10 years after Total Drama, Bridgette is quite a busy woman as a professional surfer and a part-time animal rescuer. One of the few couples to actually survive the show’s drama, Bridgette and Geoff are happily married with 2 spritely children, Henry and Shelly. Now Total Drama has been renewed for one final season, and Bridgette is swept up in the season with a promise to return to her children.

Courtney Prescott

10 years after Total Drama, Courtney has changed a lot since she was a teenager. She has gained humility after the “unpleasant incident” with her lawyers and accepts her losses and shortcomings maturely instead of throwing fits like a 5 year old. Total Drama brought out the worst in her and she realized that her relationships were more important than the game. Now, she has reconciled with Gwen and has a successful career as a lawyer who represents the cheated and abused by game shows and reality TV networks. Before his release from prison, Courtney served on the prosecution team during Chris McLean’s trial. Now a new season of Total Drama has begun, and the resurfacing of a former flame threatens to stir up trouble and Courtney’s post-drama life. On Total Drama Reunion, Courtney will forge unlikely friendships and meet those who hold grudges. How will Courtney navigate these dangerous waters of her past? And will she return to the way she was before?

Cody Anderson

10 years after Total Drama, Cody now has a stable lifestyle. He is an accountant, has a now-stable Sierra as a girlfriend, and could have everything he ever wants. But … he’s bored. He wants a thrill, an adventure. Will Total Drama Reunion help him prove he has what it takes?

DJ Benson

10 years after Total Drama, DJ is still the sweetheart with 200 pounds of muscle. A father of 3 now, Kerry, Christopher, and Laura, DJ is the best dad he could be. He owns a restaurant called “Mama’s Gravy” and helps animals at the local shelter. Now on Total Drama Reunion, DJ will reunite with old friends. Will he be able to survive this season’s drama, or will his kind heart be his downfall?

Duncan Jones

10 years after Total Drama, and after finally being released from prison after All Stars, Duncan has largely moved on from his delinquent lifestyle. He now lives a simple life in Ontario as the owner of a vehicle repair shop. However, Duncan finds his new life upended when Chris McLean is released and Total Drama is renewed for a final season. Duncan agrees to join the original cast to pay off a few debts, unaware of the last-minute inclusion of his old rival-turned-lover, Courtney Prescott. Although she is less than thrilled to be reunited with her ex, Duncan sees this as an opportunity to make up for his past mistakes and re-stoke the fire of their romance.

Eva Garren

10 years after Total Drama, Eva has come along way since enrolling in anger management classes. After the show was canceled, Eva began to reinvent herself as a world-class heavyweight lifter and a personal trainer. Although she still has an occasional angry outburst, Eva has grown into a more levelheaded person. Now she is drafted back onto Total Drama Reunion. Will Eva return to the rage-filled teenager she once was, or will she finally get the chance to shine?

Ezekiel Miller

10 years after Total Drama, Ezekiel has gone completely feral. Isolated from humanity and left to rot on Boney Island has mutated and damaged Zeke more than could be imagine. With the original cast back on the Island for Total Drama Reunion, will they run into Zeke? Will they recognize him? Will they realize the impact Chris has left upon him? And will they help him reclaim his humanity, or will he be left as a monster?

Geoff Algolen

10 years after Total Drama, Geoff has fully devoted himself to his wife, Bridgette, and their 2 kids, Henry and Shelly. Geoff still has his chill attitude from when he was a teenager, but fatherhood has molded him into a man of many responsibilities. Now Total Drama is on for one final season, and Geoff and Bridgette find themselves embarking on a new adventure and reuniting with old friends.

Gwen Ingrid

10 years after Total Drama, Gwen has followed her dreams and is hosting art galleries all over the country, donating the obtained money to charities around the world. Living a comfortable life in an apartment in New York City, Gwen is living her best life with her friends Courtney, Leshawna, and Bridgette, drama-free. Unfortunately, Gwen is tricked into consenting participation for Total Drama Reunion. Surrounded by old friends and enemies, will Gwen have what it takes to make it out of the season unscathed?

Harold McGrady

10 years after Total Drama, Harold is still the same as ever. Although split up, Harold is still keeps in touch with the members of Drama Brothers even though they lead different careers. Now, Harold along with Leshawna have started their own show called “Dance Zone”. With a new season of Total Drama greenlit, will Harold finally be able to show off his many skills and growth, or will he be brushed off like years ago?

Heather Kasuga

10 years after Total Drama, Heather has come a long way. She has become a well-known figure in the celebrity world as both the girlfriend to rising movie star Alejandro Burromuerto, and as “The Heather” that debuted on Total Drama. Using her reputation, Heather became a TV host to her own show, called “The World According to Heather” — popular because of her ruthlessness for answers and her skills as a master strategist. However, some things just weren’t meant to last as the it couple “Aleheather” broke it off on bad terms and unknown reasons. Heather hasn’t been the same since, and even a broach on the subject can make the “Old Heather” come out. Now, the former villainess returns to the show that started it all, Total Drama. In this new season, Heather will forge unlikely friendships, and meet bitter enemies. She will have to come face-to-face with not only her past self and actions, but also those she has hurt as well. Has Heather truly moved on? Or is the old Heather still lurking under the surface?

Izzy Connelly

10 years after Total Drama, Izzy is still as wild as ever. Always liking to be free, Izzy has traveled across the world and went on crazy adventures before she found her passion in producing. She produces the commercials for Owen’s “Choco-Treats” to help him out of his debts. Although she and Owen have an on-and-off fling, right now they are only friends. Izzy is a single mother of 2 crazy, curly red-haired twin boys, Hunter and Patrick. Now on Total Drama Reunion, will Izzy be able to play the game, or will she usurp it all?

Justin Alika

10 years after Total Drama, Justin is still as gorgeous as ever. He has worked his way up in the modeling industry and yes, while still absorbed with himself, he’s still caring to those in his life. He keeps in touch with his Total Drama Brothers and the fellow contestants he was close with. In Total Drama Reunion, will Justin show he’s more than his looks?

Katie & Sadie

10 Years after Total Drama, Katie and Sadie are still BFFFL’s. It is like no time has passed between the girls as they have started their post-drama lives together. Now the whole new season of Total Drama together, will the BFFFL’s friendship survive the turmoil?

Leshawna Edwards

10 years after Total Drama, Leshawna is better than ever. After making a good amount of money from her show called “Dance Zone”, Leshawna was able to move to New York City and start her own dance studio. Now, Total Drama is coming back with one final season, and Leshawna is once again thrown in the ring with both old friends and enemies to square down with. Will she be able to come out on top and earn her crown?

Lindsay Hirding

10 years after Total Drama, Lindsay is living her best life. Now the wife of her boyfriend, Tyler, she is now the mother of three kids, Kayden, Monica, and Sophie. Finally living her life of luxury, Lindsay is a fashion blogger and social media influencer as she travels the world with her best friend, Beth. Now with Total Drama Reunion, will Lindsay be able to show the world she is more than the blonde stereotype?

Noah Mathai

10 years after Total Drama, Noah is living a life he never would have dreamed would be his. After competing in a number of reality TV shows with his best friend, Owen, Noah has settled down, married his lawyer of a girlfriend Emma Park, and is having his son, Kieran. Now Total Drama Reunion has swept into Noah’s comfortable post-drama life. Will Total Drama take it all away, or will he finally get the chance to prove himself worthy competitor?

Owen Whitman

10 years after Total Drama, Owen is still as happy-go-lucky as ever. After competing in a number of reality TV shows as a professional duo with Noah, Owen has earned enough cash to retire. However, after losing his fortune and being in debt due to his excessive eating habits, Owen agrees to become the face of “Choco-Treats Candy Bars”. Thanks for the help of Izzy, Owen’s starred in a multitude of commercials that slowly helped him get on his feet — until Total Drama Reunion, offering a chance to pull him out of his troubles. Owen agrees and returns to show, where he is to be reunited with a few old friends. How bad could this season possibly be?

Sierra Weber

10 years after Total Drama, Sierra has thankfully said goodbye to her fangirl ways. Now a devoted girlfriend to Cody and a dedicated journalist, Sierra just might be the only person to realize how Chris McLean got unwilling contestants to join the show. Now on the outside, Sierra works her way in to uncovering the truth and taking down her past idol. Can Sierra save the old contestants, or will they fall to the dark secrets Sierra will uncover?

Trent Davis

10 years after Total Drama, Trent has been touring the country as a solo act musician. Although he initially kept in touch with Gwen, the two have drifted apart over time. While on the road, Trent has caught the eye of many women before he decided to get married. Him and his partner split up, and Trent realize that no matter how many women he’d meet, none would compare to the steely elegance of his first love. But first, he is left to deal with his young son, Everest. Trent moved on with his life, shoving Gwen in the back of his mind as he channeled all his focus into his music and son. But now, he’s pulled back into a final season of Total Drama Reunion, and the situation quickly becomes uncomfortable as he is reunited with his first love: Gwen.

Tyler Kennard

10 years after Total Drama, Tyler is now the husband of Lindsey and father of their 3 children. He loves to spoil his wife on their anniversaries with lipgloss, flowers, and accessories, and enjoys showing off his athletic skills to his kids. Now, he is swept up in a season of Total Drama Reunion, and Tyler finally sees his chance to shine and show he has what it takes to win it all.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Chris McLean

Imprisoned once again for his cheating crimes against humanity and the environment, legendary TV host Chris McLean is bailed out by the networking and an army of angry fans in a desperate attempt to revive Total Drama and pass on a new season. Chris agrees, and uproots all the original cast from their post-drama lives. As Chris’s mental state deteriorates, is there any chance of redemption for our favorite TV host?

Lifeguard Kailor AU

All Skylor Chen wanted was to relax at the pool so that she could catch a break from babysitting eleven children and to work on her tan. Unfortunately, the hot lifeguard and the meddling sister can’t give her that, can they?

Tags: Oblivious Skylor, Embarrassed/Flustered/Horny Kai, Sassy & Sadistic Little Sister Nya, Elemental Master kiddies, Sexual Tension, Minor Swearing.

Chapter inspired by Here I Go Again, by HeckinaHandbasket

So maybe this wasn’t exactly where Skylor Chen saw her life at the age of twenty.

Driving a minivan full of children all day, wrangling snacks and sunscreen and a first aid kit whenever the little kids managed to scrape their knees on the playground.

Skylor was supposed to be rich right now. The owner of the most successful restaurant in Ninjago by now. After she turned in her jerk of a father to the police at the age eighteen, she was supposed to take over his business as an heiress to a noodle empire. Which, as it were, a cover up for his criminal empire. 

So that, of course, meant that there was a total amount of zero customers willing to walk into Chen’s Noodlehouse, despite having the most delicious noodles in all of Ninjago. And being sold by his daughter of all things. 

It sucked , because Skylor had found herself broke, almost homeless, and with no one to turn to. It was a shame too, because Skylor thought she was a pretty good cook herself. 

But back then, Skylor was fresh out of options on what to do and was beginning to see the appeal of becoming a criminal just like her pitiful excuse of a father. 

But, before she could do something stupid, she posted a flyer. Skylor Chen’s nanny service was supposed to have been a temporary gig. Something quick and easy to do for cash while she tried to figure out what to do after her dad and the fall of her noodle empire.

She hadn’t expected it to have taken off like this. To turn into a career .

Now, Skylor spent sunup to sundown chasing around eleven eight year olds.

And the worst part was, she actually kind of liked it.

“Alright, brats, time to load up,” Skylor announced as she pulled up to the public pool. She parked the car and immediately the children poured out, Ash, Shade, Chamile, and Tox all shoving each other. They were more rowdy ones amongst the kids, always arguing and wrestling with each other. Gravis, Bolobo and Neuro exited more calmly, thankfully not banging the other cars with the doors. 

Skylor popped open the trunk, and the children each grabbed their respective bags and high-tailed it to the pool, Griffin Turner in the lead. “Look both ways!” She cried helplessly as Griffin did no such thing and raced inside. 

Skylor sighed and grabbed her own pack filled with snacks and sunscreen. She turned to the remaining three kids, Pale, Karloff and Jacob Pevsner. “You guys aren’t going inside?” She asked sweetly. 

“We wanted to wait for you,” Jacob turned his blind eyes upon her, and Skylor’s stupid, soft heart melted. 

“Really?” She asked. “That’s so sweet, thank you.” She slung her bag on her shoulders and took Jacob and Karloff’s hands, walking towards the pool as Pale trotted behind them. 

They joined the rest of the children inside, where they were impatiently waiting as Skylor signed them in.  

She paid for their pool membership out of her nannying fees. She didn’t make a spectacular amount — just enough to scrape by, and a little more for fun — but it was worth it, because...

The gates leading to the sparkling blue pool opened, and with a fierce cry of triumph, Skylor’s kids charged out onto the pool deck like a small army.

Now, they had something to do that wasn’t nagging Skylor, were guaranteed to be tired afterward, and Skylor got to work on her tan. So …

It was worth the money.

So, so worth it. 

Nya, the girl working at the desk today, seemed unusually alert, perking up and dropping her phone the moment Skylor walked in. Now, she leaned on the counter right in front of her, chin propped on her hand, lowering her sunglasses to look her up and down.

Skylor froze, thrown off by the attention. Usually, Nya or Jay would work the counter and made it a point to ignore her when she signed in. They had a good thing going, of pretending the other didn’t exist. It was nice. She liked it.

But lately, the two seemed to actually be looking at her, with the same smug grin whenever she walking in with her usual bikini and sarong. Like they knew something she didn’t. Like a cat dangling a mouse by the tail, slow, savoring, and with entirely evil intentions. 

This was unprecedented and unnerving.

She shifted under her gaze, giving her a cautious glance.

“Yes?”

Nya took this as her cue to jump into conversation like it was something they did every day. She pulled off her sunglasses and began to twirl a lock of black hair thoughtfully, still examining Skylor like a bug under a glass.

“I mean, I get it. With the kids and the face, and all the, you know,” she gestured at Skylor’s entire person dismissively, “You’re pretty. Sweet, funny, motherly. You got the perfect combo going on. It’s not my thing, but I can see why some guys might go gaga over it.”

Skylor stared at her blankly, completely lost. Was Nya trying to compliment, or criticize her? Out loud, for once, since she got the impression that she was always kind of criticizing her and everyone else around her?

She looked back up at her, eyebrows lifted in question. “What?”

It was almost like she wasn’t there, because Nya kept on talking. She would have assumed that she was talking to herself if she hadn’t been studying Skylor like a particularly fascinating slide under a microscope.

“But, I mean, the level of obsession is baffling . I’ve never seen anyone become a goner so quickly. It’s like you cast a freaking spell on him or something. What did you do? Is it just, like, magic or is there a trick to it? Because, let me tell you, if you could bottle and sell what you did to him, you’d be rich as hell.”

Skylor shook her head, trying to edge her way to the gate where the kids were waiting. She had absolutely no idea what Nya was talking about. Skylor would know for a fact if she had enchanted some guy, seeing as she had been seriously lacking in that department ever since it had been revealed that she was the daughter of a criminal.

Skylor wondered if the sun had somehow fried Nya’s brains even though she was indoors. Sure, some smoking hot guy was following her around with his eyes as she was run ragged by a group of little kids and drove them around in her mom van.  

Skylor snorted at the thought and Nya speared her with a direct gaze. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The younger girl slanted a significant look at her.

“Oh, don’t you, though?”

“No? I don’t?”

Nya stared at her for a solid five second, before something like realization dawned on her. She gasped, hand to her chest as a delighted — slightly worrying — smile crept across her lips.

“Oh. Oh, my god. You really don’t know? Oh, that’s hysterical. Oh my god, thank you! Just wait till the guys hear about this! You’ve just made my day. My whole week. This is amazing, thank you. I’m going to use this against him forever.”

Skylor cocked her head at her, shifting uneasily as Nya began cackling.

“Are you okay?”

Nya rounded the counter to guide Skylor into the pool, following her through. She had a freakishly giddy grin on her face, and as Skylor tried to make her way to the kids faster, she shot a shark grin at the person sitting in the lifeguard chair, watching them with no small amount of horror.

“I’m great! Listen, Skylor, right?”

“Yeah … ”

Nya was practically bouncing alongside her, effervescent with delight. “Well, Skylor, I’m leading a calisthenics class here at the pool, just two mornings a week. I really think you should join.”

Oh. Well, that explained it. 

It was a sales pitch.

Skylor sighed, giving a gentle refusal with a shrug. 

“Oh, I can’t, my kids.” She nodded to the children, who had set up camp in the shade right next to the lifeguard chair. Neuro, bless his little soul, was trying to be responsible and spray sunscreen on Ash. Ash said something that was too far for Skylor to hear, but whatever it was made Neuro spray the little boy in the face indignantly. 

Nya gave a dismissive wave of her hand, like Skylor having to do her job was a minor inconvenience.

“That’s okay. Here, come with me.”

Taking her hand like they were best friends, Nya practically skipped to the concession stand and took out a handful of popsicles. She made her way back to the kids, rousing cheers from them. 

She held them aloft like she was trying to keep a litter of puppies from jumping for a treat, which was … not inaccurate .

“Alright, listen up, kids. Sit here and behave for ten minutes, and I’ll get you another round of popsicles, okay? I need to borrow your nanny for a bit. Very important.”

All eleven kids, who Skylor could barely control on a good day, sat down in unison, wide eyes fixed on the popsicles as they agreed. 

It was eerie, actually. Like a hive mind. 

Nya distributed the popsicles, but before she could say anything to Skylor, a shrill whistle pierced the air. The two girls turned to look as a tall, tan male began climbing down the lifeguard chair and made his way to them.

Skylor’s gut clenched hotly. 

Oh. Oh crap. It was Kai Smith. 

He was the one thing at this pool that she both despised and loved, and for some stupid reason, she kept coming back. 

He wasn’t a new lifeguard to the pool, he was the lifeguard supervisor . Because of course he was, that prick. And for some reason, he seemed to have it out for Skylor and her kids. 

She couldn’t deny, her kids were total hellions and ate brattiness and attitude for breakfast, but that was no reason to be singling them out when there was an entire pool filled with brats. Skylor had once watched one kid sprint into the pool to do a dive while Kai had blown his whistle at Pale for some invisible offense. All while never taking his eyes off Skylor’s. 

It was infuriating. 

It was bullying. 

Skylor had bought the pool membership so that she could relax and the kids could have fun . 

But Kai?

Kai murdered fun. 

With. His. Whistle. 

God, what she wouldn’t give to see him choke on it. 

“Oh, hey, bro,” Nya called cheerfully. 

Right. And he was also Nya’s older brother. 

Kai came to a stop in front of them, arms crossed over his tanned chest, muscles bunching. Skylor swallowed. Nya smirked. 

“ What are you doing?” He growled out. “Get back to your station.” 

“Sorry, dude, I’m on break,” Nya responded easily. “I was just catching up with my friend Skylor, here.” Nya patted her on the back with a challenging look at Kai while Skylor jerked. 

Friend? 

“I saw you take the popsicles and give it to the demon squad,” Kai glanced at said demons before fixing his eyes on Skylor. “Are you paying for them?”

Skylor felt her skin heat and flush as Kai ran his shaded eyes down every inch of her body. Oh god. She couldn’t even see his eyes and they were already doing things to her. 

“No, I’m paying for them.” Nya’s voice broke her out of her thoughts, and Kai and Skylor both snapped their eyes away from each other. Nya watched the two, amusement dancing in her eyes. 

Skylor shook her head, recalling what Nya said. “What? You can’t pay for them,” she frowned. “It’s one dollar per popcicle, and I have eleven kids. And you promised you’d give them another round when they’re done. That’s twenty-two dollars.” 

Normally, Skylor would be happy to freeload off another human being, but being in front of Kai made her feel funny. Like she wanted to try and be an actively good person, not brush it off or act indifferent whenever someone brought up how much she was like her father. 

Plus, this was Kai’s sister here. 

Nya waved her off. “It’s okay, I’d be happy to,” she said. Then she stared at Kai and that shark grin made a reappearance. “In fact, I’d be happy to get you one too. How do you feel about red?” 

Kai made a strangled noise in the back of his throat. 

“I like red,” Skylor said. 

“Great,” Nya grinned. “It’s Kai’s favorite color.” 

Skylor felt heat rise to her cheeks. She had noticed. Kai looked good in red. Red bottoms to be exact. Red bottoms without a shirt and water droplets trailing down his abs if she wanted to be really specific. 

Kai’s face was turning red, Skylor absently noted. His face was all flushed, and she might have written it off as the heat if it hadn’t been for the absolutely murderous look he was throwing his sister. 

Nya kept beaming, tossing Kai a wink and a smile. “I would get back to your lifeguard duties, bro. Don’t want any brats drowning on your watch, do you?” 

Kai grumbled something under is breath as he turned and stomped his way back to the chair. Nya shook her head fondly. “God, he’s like a toddler,” she sighed. “I love poking fun at him; especially when it’s with things he cares about.” 

Before Skylor could wrap her head around that particular statement, Nya turned and beamed. “Now, don’t think I forgot about you! We still have our lesson!” 

“Lesson?” Skylor repeated dumbly. When had she ever agreed to a lesson?

“First, sunscreen. Don’t want you getting burned.” Nya grabbed the spray bottle and spun her around, spritzing her with the stuff so she was practically glistening against the sun. 

“Good,” Nya smiled and grabbed her hand, dragging her to the other side of the pool so they were directly across from Kai’s chair. Skylor stole a glance over her shoulder to see Kai’s attention focused on another family. 

Nya tossed a look at her brother as well, a pleased smile on her lips that glinted ominously in the sun. “Yeah, here is perfect.”

She grabbed Skylor unceremoniously by the hips, putting her back to the pool. “Okay, so you stand here.”

Skylor pried her hands off her hips, already regretting going along with whatever this was. 

“Uh, Nya, I don’t think — ”

Nya’s hands moved to snag the hem of her sarong, untying it and tossing it to the side. 

“And you need to lose the skirt for sure.”

Skylor sputtered and Nya grinned, assessing her stance. “Perfect! Now, we need to see how flexible you are.”

Skylor shrugged. She’d never tried calisthenics before, but she used to do yoga back when she had more free time. Those were the days, weren’t they? Before she started hauling around little hellions and did their every bidding.  

“I’m pretty flexible, I guess. I like to do yoga, sometimes.”

Nya beamed, clapping excitedly and bouncing on her feet. “Great idea! That’s perfect. We can use that.”

Use that? 

“What?”

With a snap of her fingers, Nya pointed imperiously to the ground.

“Okay, first, touch your toes.”

Even though she was confused Skylor bent over, folding in half with effortless grace. Nya’s eyes widened with surprise before she grinned. It wasn’t at Skylor, exactly, but only indirectly at her — like she was grinning at someone right over her shoulder.

“Oh, cool, you’re actually flexible. That’s great! Okay, now spread your legs apart and grab your ankles. Really push into the stretch.”

Kai started to blow his whistle as completely and obnoxiously as Kai could, before it abruptly stopped. The shrill, extended whistling died a sudden and complete death as Skylor pushed into the stretch. Just, cut off completely the second her fingers wrapped around her ankles.

Skylor peered out between her legs to see Kai half-standing from his seat, whistle falling from his lips and gazing across the pool at them rather than the running kid.

He looked like someone had just hit him over the head, opened-mouthed and dazed as he gawked over at them.

Weird.

Nya let out an amused snort and began leading Skylor through more exercises, making her stretch her body to the fullest. The sun beating down on her was making her skin gleam with sweat, and Skylor was happy that Nya remembered the sunscreen. For some reason, Nya kept on giggling uncontrollably, letting out snorts and full-on cackles which seemed to coincide with her glancing over Skylor’s shoulder every couple minutes.

Skylor followed Nya’s instructions to the letter, actually enjoying the stretch. She didn’t get a lot of time for yoga anymore. Maybe she should sign up for the class. 

They had barely finished in time before the popsicles ran out, the kids starting to protest loudly. Skylor stopped her stretches, grabbed her sarong and hurried over to them, hoping to shush them before Kai used his cursed whistle. Nya walked away and returned with more popcicles, this time with one for Skylor. 

“So, what do you think? Want to to join the class?”

Skylor eyed Nya while handing out the popcicles to the kids. “You’re really insistent on this, huh?”

Nya smiled sunnily. “Yeah! I think it’s good for you, and you can use it as some down time from the kids. Your’re pretty flexible already, so it would be nice to see what else you can do.” 

“I’ll see if I can fit it into my schedule,” Skylor promised. It wasn’t an exact yes, but it wasn’t a firm no either, so Nya took it as it was and nodded. 

“Awesome, I hope to see you there. Popcicle?” Nya held out the frozen treat, and who was Skylor to deny a free offering? Skylor unwrapped the popcicle to see it was, indeed, cherry red. She ran her tongue along the bottom, placing it in her mouth and sucking delicately, before she heard a choking sound. 

She turned, concerned to see if it was one of her kids, but found they were all looking up at the lifeguard chair. She followed their gazes, watching Nya’s smile turn full-on maniacal, to see Kai. 

His face was flaming , more red than his swim trunks, and he was practically hacking up a lung as he hit his chest. He was holding something in his fist, and looking closer, Skylor could see it was his —

“Oh my God,” Nya sounded impressed and entirely too gleeful. “Did you just choke on your whistle?”  

Kai wheezed, coughing and looking furious at himself as he tried to catch his breath. Nya burst into laughter, and Skylor couldn’t help but feel a little bit amused. She had been fantasizing about Kai choking on his whistle since the day they met.

And other things, too, to be honest — but that was irrelevant. 

Kai cleared his throat, managing to regain his breath while somehow managing to look like a sexy tomato. Skylor was low-key jealous on how he — and the Smith siblings in general — managed to keep this air of unaffected coolness even when they were in this ninety-degree weather and Skylor was sweating bullets. 

The whistle fell between Kai’s perfect pecs, and Kai ran a hand through his stupidly sexy — or was it sexily stupid? — hair. He had taken off his sunglasses, so Skylor got to see his gorgeous eyes meet her own without the interruption of tinted plastic. 

So maybe Skylor had a tiny crush on him. Sue her. Despite him being smoking hot, Kai had literally seen her being run ragged by the kids and her mom van whenever she pulled up to the lot. 

No way Kai would notice her like that when there plenty of other women who came by the pool to ogle at the hot lifeguard. 

Plus, Kai could be a real ass when he wanted to be. And with Skylor and the kids? The annoyance was enough to overwhelm her unfortunate attraction to him. Most days, anyway. 

“Are you okay?” Skylor asked, because unfortunately, around Kai she actually became a concerned human to people who weren’t her kids. 

“Yeah, I’m — I’m fine,” Kai’s voice was a little breathy, a little raspy from inhaling his whistle. He was still blushing red from all the coughing. He shook his head, smouldering eyes wandering over every inch of Skylor until she tingled . 

His eyes focused on the dripping popcicle in her hand and he swallowed. 

“Uh, Nya, I’m gonna have to go — to the bathroom. Right now. Cover for me?”

Nya’s eyes looked innocent, but her smile was anything but. “How long will you be? Break’s almost up, I gotta get back to my station, remember?” 

Kai growled, looking murderous as he met his sister’s cool, amused gaze with his blazing one. They seemed to have an almost telepathic conversation, before Nya nodded with sly smirk. Kai practically jumped off the chair, still holding his red life raft as he stormed to the bathrooms. 

Skylor shifted awkwardly, not knowing what to do with that . The kids seemed to have enough common sense to keep their mouths shut, watching the whole exchange with wide eyes. 

“ … Thanks for the lessons?” Skylor offered hesitantly. 

Nya smirked.  “No, thank you . Just keep doing what you’re doing, Sky, and I promise you that the rewards with be great for all three of us.” She winked, pointed finger guns at her, and paired that with a smirk.

What.

“That was amazing. Good luck with him — you’re gonna need it.”

Then she just climbed up the chair and blew her whistle at a kid on the other side of the pool.

Skylor turned in a full circle and faced the kids, sheer confusion on her face.

What the hell just happened?