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Overwhelmed(Vinny x Garmadon)Part 107

(I suggest you check out parts 1-106 if you haven’t already, also my ao3 and wattpad for the chapters more organised)

(I have been gone for a while so have this big chapter, 8100 words.)

Morning came by much faster than Vinny had anticipated. Eyes fluttered open to movement against his chest, his gaze fell and his expression twisted to one of amusement. The little snake.

“Hey buddy,” the cameraman muttered, carefully pushing himself to sit up and cradle the serpent in his hands. "It's early, why are you up?”

As expected, no answer. Thankfully. Vinny wasn’t sure what he would do if a snake from Rushifa started talking to him. The snake gave a little flick of its tongue.

“Maybe you’re hungry,” The cameraman pondered, shifting his hands to place the serpent back into the fluffy neck scarf, “I’m hungry too, just give me 5 minutes…”

Vinny got up and stretched, body popping as a satisfied sigh escaped his mouth. He made his way to the bathroom and turned on the tap, water splashing his face. Refreshing.

Plans today? Not much. Check up on everyone. Say his goodbyes and go back to Ninjago. He missed Garmadon. A lot. They needed to talk.

Vinny let out a sigh making his way back to the bedroom, shoving his dagger into his pocket and just grabbing anything else. Then he picked up the snake, placing it onto his shoulder.

“Alright let’s go eat before you want to eat me,” the cameraman joked as he exited the room. “Today I’m planning on going back to my friends, you haven’t met them but I’m sure you’ll like them. But I’m planning on staying here a few hours longer, I need to talk to Nyssa and see if she wants to come.”

“Things to do, so many things to do, might check on Rushifa, obviously not go in there this time, my whole body’s sore,” he continued. It was nice having someone he could talk to, other than himself. Sure the snake couldn’t reply, but who cares!?

He hummed as he entered the kitchen, people were working. Wait, should he wait till they serve food at the table? Hm. Ugh. Too much thinking.

“Oh, hello sir,” a lady said to him.

Vinny blinked at her, “hi.”

“Can I get you anything?” She questioned.

“Food, uh please, or I can wait,” he said awkwardly. “Meat?”

“Sure thing,” she said as she went to grab a plate and began filling it with food. “Here you go,” she hummed.

“Thanks,” he muttered. Last time he interacted with someone who works in the palace she ended up leading him to Rushifa. Terrible shit. He walked off with the plate and sat down at a table.

“Here little guy,” he said as he put a piece of meat in front of the snake that was now on the table. He watched as the snake began eating, he ate as well, savouring the food. He didn’t know what it was, but oh well. It was good.

After he finished eating he began wandering around the palace, he wanted to see someone. Maybe talk to Deity. She seemed really stressed yesterday. He also wanted to see how Shanni and Tenshi were doing. Did they do anything yesterday?

Vinny turned a corner and jumped as he bumped into Willow. “Oh, hey!” He said, joy in his voice.

“Morning!” Willow greeted as she hugged him. “Sleep well?”

Vinny nodded, “Really well, how was yesterday with Nyssa?”

“It was good, she doesn’t do well in big crowds though, she was so tense, and reacted to everything! Whatever that pit Rida put her and dad in really messed them up” she frowned. “She’s jumpy, but I don’t blame her.”

“She’ll warm up,” Vinny comforted. “I think she only warmed up to me because I got her out of there, other than that I think she would’ve forgotten me if I died in there.” It was the truth. Cold hard truth.

“So you're leaving today?” Willow questioned.

“Yeah, I think so, I don’t want to spend too much time away from them all and fuck I really need to talk to Garmadon because right before I came here me and him were sorta fighting, well not really, he just kept asking stuff and I answered it a bit rudely,” Vinny confessed a frown forming on his face. He missed Garmadon. He missed him so much.

“Oh! Yeah, I’m sure he misses you,” Willow agreed. “But! We will stay in contact, you can visit us whenever you want! You’re welcome here!”

The cameraman smiled at her, “Thanks…”

“Why’d you go to Rushifa yesterday?” Ah yes, there it was. He could tell it was bothering her.

“I was curious?” He answered awkwardly.

“Curious?” She huffed.

“I’m an idiot, I’ve heard,” Vinny chuckled.

“At least you got this cute snake,” she hummed as she petted the small snake. “It doesn’t seem to be under her control so we’re fine!”

“I hope so,” he huffed. “Have you seen Shanni?”

Willow paused and pondered, “No, not once, maybe he went out for patrol, he wasn’t in his room.”

“Maybe Deity and Tenshi know?” He suggested.

“Let’s check.”

“Yep, then we can check on Nyssa,” Vinny said, receiving a nod from her as they began to walk. “Are you getting along with your dad?”

“I think…” Willow muttered, shrinking in on herself.

He looked surprised, “What’s wrong?”

“He’s distant, not that I blame him! He doesn’t have any emotional connection to me! He doesn’t know anything about me, we’re just blood related, I shouldn’t expect him to attach to me that quickly!” She ranted quickly.

Vinny frowned at her, “He is attached, when I talked to him in the pits he said he wanted to come back to his wife and kids, not just his wife, Willow he’s scared, Shanni and him have the same problem and I’m guessing you do too…”

“I get that he’s scared, but it’s not just him being scared, he’s distant like Shanni, they’re really alike,” She chuckled painfully. “I just don’t think he’ll warm up, I understand how Rida fucked him up, just broke him, but he doesn’t see resemblance in me, like he does Shanni. And it’s not just that! Mum always was closer with Shanni than me! And the same thing’s happening with dad! It’s so- I hate it! Shanni deserves attention, I know that. But why can’t one of them be close with me! Why am I not like them!?”

Vinny studied her, his eyes wide. “For starters, you and him are a lot like each other. You have his eye colour. Your voice sounds a bit the same too. They see you as independent. You’re outgoing. They do love you. Tenshi’s been trapped. He doesn’t know how to love someone who he hasn’t had a connection with. Deity, she sees Tenshi in Shanni. She probably wanted to keep him close.”

“I know I-”

He interrupted, “You have his height too,” he joked.

Willow let out a small laugh, “Fuck you.”

“He sees a lot of himself in you, probably the younger him, bright and fun, like how Deity described him, he’ll come around, I promise,” he comforted as they stopped outside a door. “And you can talk to them, they love you.”

She smiled at him, “Yeah, ok…”

He knocked at the door, waiting for it to open. “Maybe they’re still sleeping.”

“Maybe, but mum doesn’t normally sleep in,” Willow answered.

He shrugged, a minute later the door opened and Deity stood there, hair tied up neatly, still in her nightgown, Tenshi was there too. On the ground though, the two must’ve been talking.

“Good morning,” Deity hummed softly, gently kissing Willow’s forehead.

“Morning,” Willow and Vinny said in unison.

“Morning!” Tenshi greeted them from inside, waving at them.

“Morning dad,” Willow said, testing the phrase on her tongue. Tenshi seemed surprised but smiled at her.

“What brings you two here?” Deity questioned, resting against the door frame.

“We were wondering if you two saw Shanni, Willow said he wasn’t in his room,” Vinny confessed.

“Shanni?” Deity asked in confusion. “Patrol?” She suggested.

“I was thinking that, but I don’t think he would, I’ll ask some of the guards if they saw him,” Willow replied.

Deity and Tenshi frowned, staring at the two. “Do you think-“ Tenshi began, though his words cut off as his voice caught in his throat.

“No.” Deity cut in firmly, her hands clutching at her dress. “It-It couldn’t be that.”

“What?” Vinny asked in confusion, looking at Willow to see if she understood, though her expression was just as confused as he was.

“Just a stupid possibility, Rida.” Deity confessed.

“Oh,” Willow whispered.

“I guess that’s a possibility now,” Vinny mumbled.

Deity let out a shaky breath, “Least likely. Shanni is capable, he would be able to defend himself.”

“Enji wouldn’t let Rida do-“ Willow tried speaking.

“Enough,” Deity interrupted, her voice firm. Vinny blinked in surprise, he can’t remember if he’s ever seen Deity like this.

“Sorry,” Willow whispered, her quiet tone sending guilt through Deity.

“No, no,” Deity sighed. “Don’t apologise, dear. I’m just stressed.”

“Rida wouldn’t go for him,” Tenshi soothed. “Rida doesn’t know-“

“Know what?” Willow asked. Vinny remained quiet trying to process what they were talking about. Was it the fact that Shanni was also someone who could serve as a vessel for the kingdom’s power?

“Nothing,” Deity answered, her voice quick and sharp as she gently hugged Willow, kissing her forehead. “Go check for him, if no one’s seen him, we’ll check around the kingdom.”

“Alright,” Willow muttered, turning away.

“You’re leaving today, right?” Tenshi asked Vinny.

“Yep, can’t stay here too long. I have to get back and talk things out with everyone,” the cameraman answered.

“A shame,” Tenshi sighed.

“Come here whenever you want,” Deity hummed softly.

Vinny smiled, “I will, I need to ask Nyssa if she wants to stay here or not.”

“She’s still sleeping?” Tenshi asked.

“I think, but I’m not gonna interrupt her,” Vinny replied, Tenshi nodded. “We’ll get going,” he said, hands on Willow's shoulder as he began to push her out with him.

Deity and Tenshi waved. Vinny sighed when he shut the door. His expression softened as Willow walked off first, expecting him to follow. Yeah, he could get what she meant when she said she didn’t feel wanted.

“You ok?” He quietly asked, following her.

“Yeah,” she replied quickly. Too quickly.

Vinny sighed, “I don’t think Deity meant to be like that.”

“I know she didn’t.”

“Then why is it upsetting you?”

“I don’t know,” Willow sighed exasperately. “Let’s just find him.”

Vinny stared and nodded, best he didn’t push. The two walked through the palace, finding some guards. “Have you seen Shancai?” Willow asked them, though they shook their heads.

“Should we check his room again?” Vinny asked.

“Sure, either that or we’re going out,” Willow dismissed as they made their way to Shanni’s room.

Willow knocked on the door, waited a minute and let out a sigh of relief as the door opened.

“Morning,” Shanni greeted, voice strained as he looked at them.

“Morning,” Vinny waved.

“Where were you?” Willow asked immediately.

“Out,” he answered.

“Where?”

“I don’t need to tell you.”

“You either tell me or you’ll have to tell ma,” Willow hissed, she was really irritated today.

Shanni sighed and shook his head, “I was out.” He repeated.

“You-!” Willow began before pausing and processing. “Oh my fuck. You’re an idiot.”

“So I’ve heard,” Shanni answered, voice dripping with displeasure.

“What?” Vinny asked.

“Nothing,” Willow told him before shaking her head. “I’ll talk to you later,” she told him before pushing Shanni into the room.

“Ok?” The cameraman said, watching the door shut. He stood there for a minute. Up until he heard Willow yelling. Yeah, no, he was not dealing with this. Whatever Shanni did clearly bothered her.

Vinny turned on his heel, “Looks like it’s just you and me,” he hummed to the snake that had nestled itself into his clothing. “We should check on Nyssa.”

He walked quickly, trying to find her room. He checked a bunch of rooms and let out a sigh when one door finally opened and Nyssa stood there.

“Hey, morning,” Nyssa greeted, her smile wide.

“Morning, how you feeling?” Vinny asked.

“Fine, better than ever actually. Yesterday was fun. Food and clothes. This place is huge!”

Vinny laughed softly, “I know, when’d you wake up?”

“A while ago actually. I ate. Then fell back asleep.”

“Good for you.”

“Where’s everyone else?” Nyssa questioned.

“Shanni’s getting yelled at by Willow for some reason and Deity and Tenshi are together,” Vinny replied.

“Fun, do you wanna go somewhere?” She asked.

“Sure.”

“Come in, lemme get dressed,” she said, moving to the side allowing him in.

“I can wait out here?” He said.

“Relax! I’m getting changed in the bathroom,” She said, pulling him in, grabbing some clothes and going into the bathroom.

Vinny laughed softly and sat on the bed, waiting.

“Why’s Willow yelling at her brother?” Nyssa called from the bathroom.

“Shanni went out somewhere this morning, he won’t tell anyone,” Vinny answered. “I think she knows where he went.” Nyssa let out a hum in response before coming back out. “That was quick.”

“I’m bored, I like going out,” Nyssa said.

“Of course,” Vinny said as they began to leave. “We’re just walking? Or do you wanna go down to the markets again?”

“Nah, just walking. Too many people there.” Nyssa confessed, Vinny nodded in response.

“There’s a training area here, do you wanna go there? Unless you don’t wanna do anything fighting related, cause of the pit,” Vinny said.

“That sounds fun. I don’t mind fighting. It was honestly fun at times. Except killing,” Nyssa replied as she followed him.

“How can you enjoy fighting?” He laughed.

“The adrenaline, it’s nice.”

“I guess it is.” He definitely agreed with her. He enjoyed the adrenaline rush he had when he was being chased by Rushifa.

The two went outside. Vinny recognised the place. He had trained here with Shanni last time. “I’m not fighting you. You’re gonna beat me.”

“No I won’t,” she feigned innocence, reaching to pick up an axe from the weapon rack.

“You really like axes, huh?” Vinny chuckled.

“I like swinging heavy things, it’s nice,” she replied with a smile, raising the axe and swinging it around a few times.

“I think Tenshi’s the same,” he said.

She nodded, “he always used heavy stuff when fighting. When duos would happen I normally teamed with him.”

“Why?”

“No idea. He approached me when I first came there. Probably just helping the newbie,” Nyssa shrugged, testing the axe in her hands, giving it an experimental swing in the air.

“How’d you survive for two years?”

“It’s kill or be killed,” She answered. “It’s easier to kill people when you don’t have any family. You don’t know what it’s like to properly care for someone. I’ve always thought of just giving up in there. Letting someone kill me. It’d hurt of course. But I’d be free. No more blood and fighting. Just numbness.”

Vinny stared, “Why didn’t you?” He didn’t mean to sound degrading, he was just curious, if she was that done with living, then why didn't she give up?

“Tenshi,” she replied. “25 years. I guess him not giving up after that long motivated me. I always thought it was weird how he had stayed there for that long, as if he enjoyed killing. Now it’s obvious though. He just wanted to get out.”

“Yeah,” Vinny muttered.

“You’re not much of a fighter,” Nyssa easily deduced.

Vinny laughed awkwardly, “I mean…I can throw a punch? You’d probably have me down in 10 seconds.”

“I know I would,” she hummed. “What do you prefer? Guns? Knives?”

“No idea, but I’ve used knives recently.”

“Fun.”

“I’m going back to Ninjago today. I was wondering if you wanna come or stay here?” Vinny brought up.

Nyssa looked at him and blinked, expression faltering. “I don’t know. You choose.”

“It’s your choice. I’m not dragging you places you don’t wanna go. If you wanna stay here, you can. You’ll have more things than what’s in Ninjago. Either way I’ll visit,” Vinny sighed.

“I barely know anyone here,” She murmured.

“You know Tenshi.”

“That’s one person, he has more important people to worry about,” Nyssa dismissed.

“He hardly knows Shanni and Willow. Meaning you can get to know them while he does too. Deity too, she likes you.”

Nyssa huffed, “Probably cause we came back with her husband.”

“You can come with me. I want you to decide. I’m not here to control your life. No one’s going to control your life, Nyssa. Not me. Not Tenshi. And not Rida,” Vinny comforted, trying to meet her turned gaze.

“I know that,” she hissed, rubbing her face. “Rida’s never controlled my life. Only fucked it up.”

“Then why won’t you choose?”

“It’s not that easy. Trying to choose a place to live. As a kid I bounced between shitty houses and orphanages. Moment I was 18 I was kicked out. Most of the time I didn’t have anywhere to live. I can’t choose. What if I do something wrong and they don’t want me here anymore?” She asked, her voice quick and panicked.

Vinny stared, his expression soft. “They won’t. They’re not like that. They’re accepting. Unless you do something really fucking shitty. Hell, if Deity could, she’d try to redeem Rida in some way. I don’t know why she wants to try and fix whatever’s wrong with him, but she does. They won’t get rid of you. You don’t have to stay here. You can come back with me.”

“And live with you and your boyfriend?” Nyssa huffed sarcastically.

“Obviously not,” Vinny answered, cheeks flushing slightly. “But I can figure out getting you an apartment in the same building as me.”

“Aren’t they expensive?”

“Yep, but I can manage.”

“God, what if I wanna stay at both places?” She asked

Vinny smiled, “Then you can. I can get you here and back whenever you want. Travellers tea will take you to each place directly.”

Nyssa looked at the ground, her grip on the handle of the axe tightening. “Fuck…” she muttered, her head slumping forward.

“You have a choice. You don’t need someone’s acceptance to make a choice you want,” Vinny spoke, gently taking her hand.

“You’re stupid.”

“I know.”

“I’ll stay here. You need time to yourself when you leave. You probably wanna talk to your boyfriend or something,” Nyssa decided, nodding slightly. Her words were truthful though, he did want to talk to Garmadon. Needed to actually. A good talk between two adults. Get things straight.

“Willow and Shanni have my number. I think they can message me if you wanna talk. I’m not sure how the communication actually works since it’s kinda different dimensions,” Vinny said.

“Yep, yeah. Ok.” She sighed, before looking up at Vinny with a sharp smile. “You gonna tell me more about your boyfriend? He looks friendly.”

Vinny’s cheeks flushed as he averted his gaze, “he is friendly.”

“Really?” She mused.

“He is. He wasn’t at some point. Kind of warlord, blah, blah, nothing important,” he tried dismissing with a wave of his hand and casual tone. “And we date n-“

“Woah, woah, woah!” Nyssa cut off. “You-! A warlord?! Geez, you’re fucked! As in an actual warlord?”

“Yes,” Vinny groaned, very nice conversation. “Killed people. Ruled. Nothing important.”

“Nothing important my ass!” Nyssa laughed boisterously. “God! Vinny, how did you manage?”

“No idea. One time when Ninjago was overrun with a different evil force. He was kinda mutual with the ninja. Morally grey. He was defeated previously and was let out of captive to help defeat the other evil guys, and then on the flying ship I was looking for the bathroom and accidentally went into the room he was in and I was so fucking scared but when I was gonna leave he started talking to me-“

He took a deep breath.

“-he asked for my name, I told him my name and where I worked at, for some reason and he started asking me what’s more important than survival. I told him, family, friends, love, blah, blah and he told me I’m very wise for some reason. That was the first time I met him. Fast forward to when the evil guys were defeated and one day he came to my house, asking for guidance? I shut the door so quickly and was gonna dial the cops but he seemed so genuine…”

“And you let him in?” Nyssa laughed.

“Yes. No regrets. Amazing roommate. Sure at first he broke a few things. Kinda loud at night. He slept on the couch at first, but then I realised that was too small for him and I offered my bed. He didn’t let me sleep on the couch, so we ended up sharing a bed. First few weeks I didn’t sleep. I don’t think he realised how intimate it was, he was kinda emotionally fucked. He snores.”

“God, this sounds like some shitty romance movie,” she teased, punching him softly. “Cute though. Did anyone know he lived with you?”

“A few people from my work found out, then it spread and then I was the gossip. It wasn’t that bad, no one said anything to my face cause I was living with a former warlord,” Vinny confessed.

“Your boss?”

“Yeah, she didn’t really care. Which is weird, Gayle Gossip. Yet she seemed less bothered by it than everyone else. I swear one time I heard her tell someone ‘I called it.”

“Any previous love life?”

“Casual flings, nothing serious. Commitment is hard.”

“Tell me about it,” she agreed.

“What about you? Had any lovers?” He asked.

“Nah, much like you, casual flings with gals. Nothing much. There was this one girl, but we both didn’t wanna commit. She was nice though,” Nyssa answered.

Vinny hummed, “You gonna try finding someone now?”

“Maybe,” she shrugged.

“Do you want someone?”

“I think?” Nyssa awkwardly answered. “Relationships are weird. Like you said, commitment’s hard.”

“I’m sure if you want, you’ll find someone. You’re amazing,” he complimented.

Nyssa smiled, “Thanks. So, what doesn’t your boyfriend know?”

“Pretty much everything. I was too scared to tell him anything. Didn’t want him getting hurt…”

“You were scared that your former warlord boyfriend was gonna get hurt?” She asked, her expression tinged with amusement.

“Yes, yes, I know it’s stupid,” Vinny grumbled.

Nyssa chuckled, “Well, you’re gonna have to tell him everything.”

“I will. When I go back. We’re gonna go back to our apartment and talk. And it better go well.”

“I’m sure it will, he seems understanding,” Nyssa comforted.

Vinny nodded slightly, “He is in a way. I haven't had much time with him lately…”

She nodded in understanding before flinching, “god I forgot you had that snake.”

Vinny laughed, “Forgot I had it too.” He gently held the serpent closer. At least it wasn’t running off. “Y’know, since I’m going back today and you’re gonna stay here…I was wondering…”

“Mm?”

“Do you wanna keep it as company? Someone you could talk to in a way,” he said.

Nyssa stared, “m’ not good with animals…”

“Willow can help. She’s good with animals,” Vinny hummed.

She blinked before gently reaching forward and coaxing the snake into her hands, her thumb gently caressing the harmless serpent. “Sure…” she surrendered, her expression soft as was her voice while she held the snake against her.

“See? You’re a natural,” he teased. “If you change your mind, tell me.”

“Obviously.” She rolled her eyes. “She’s not venomous, right?”

“I don’t think so. It’s a girl?” He asked in confusion.

“Yep.”

“How can you tell?”

“Tail’s thinner at the end. Male ones usually have thicker ends,” Nyssa replied.

“Ah, right,” he nodded. “Sorry for that,” he apologised to the snake, she only flicked her tongue blankly. “Thought you weren’t good with animals?” He added as he looked back up at Nyssa.

“Oh, please, I’ve been bitten by a snake before. Worst time of my life. I’ve read like 10 different books about them,” Nyssa confessed.

“Oh.”

“Yeah, oh,” she laughed. “It’s not a big deal. Wasn’t life-threatening or anything, just was in pain for a week. One of the girls I knew, we weren’t friends but she ended up smuggling medicine from a hospital and helped me with it.”

“Are you sure you want a snake then…?” He asked hesitantly.

Nyssa nodded, “Don’t sweat it, I’ll be fine.”

Vinny sighed, “Alright. If you ever want a break, tell me.”

“I will,” she rolled her eyes half-heartedly. “Do you think I can keep this axe? It’s so nice.”

“I mean, Shanni let me keep some stuff from here,” Vinny shrugged. “Don’t you have that axe from the pits?”

“It’s so bad though. Handle is loose, every time I used it I was terrified the head would fly off,” she said.

“I guess we can ask,” Vinny said as he began to walk, expecting her to follow. “Let’s go see Willow, maybe she’s done yelling.”

“Probably.”

The walk back inside was silent, Nyssa holding the axe to herself as the serpent remained on her shoulder. At least she had company now. As much as Vinny would miss the lil snake, Nyssa needed it more.

“There they are,” Nyssa pointed with the axe down the hall, Willow and Shancai. Willow still looked annoyed. “Morning!” She called out, catching their attention.

The two perked up, turning their heads. Willow’s expression lit up, “Morning!”

“Good morning,” Shancai greeted Nyssa with a soft nod of his head.

“Sleep well?” Willow asked.

“Very,” Nyssa answered with a smile.

“Where’s the axe from?” Shancai questioned.

“Training grounds,” Vinny answered. “Nyssa’s wondering if she can have it.”

“Yep,” Nyssa nodded in agreement.

“Of course,” Shancai answered. “I’m sure you know how to manage it?”

“I do,” she answered in triumph, she got her cool axe. “Anyways, what were you two talking about?”

“Just how wonderful my brother is,” Willow replied, shooting a glare at her brother.

Shancai groaned, “It was once.”

“It was not once!” Willow yelled. “If you’re gonna sneak out, at least tell me! Acting like I wouldn’t cover for you!”

“Yes, yes, I understand how trustworthy you are,” Shancai dismissed.

“So…” Vinny spoke up. “Where did you go?”

“Out.”

“He knows that,” Willow huffed at her brother.

Nyssa perked, “I’m curious too.”

“It’s nothing important,” Shancai said.

Vinny looked at Willow, curious for an answer. “My mouth’s shut,” Willow confessed.

“Aw fuck,” Nyssa whined.

“Anyways,” Shancai tried changing the subject.

“We’re still talking about this later,” Willow cut in.

“Yes, yes,” he dismissed. “You’re leaving today,” he looked at Vinny.

“I am. Nyssa’s staying here by the way,” he confessed.

“Really?” Willow perked up.

Nyssa nodded, “Kinda wanna spend more time here…”

“Alright! Good, good!”

“Soooo…what are we all doing today?” Vinny asked.

“I have things to do, patrol,” Shancai said.

“Can I come?” Vinny asked.

“Very well.”

“You two good hanging out? Or you wanna join?” He asked Nyssa and Willow.

“Nah, I'm good,” Nyssa replied. “Some other time.”

“Same, too tired to go anywhere,” Willow sighed. “Probably just gonna sit and sleep.”

“Have fun then,” Vinny hummed, watching as the two walked off. “Sooo…where did you go?” He asked again.

Shancai groaned, and rubbed his face. “Enji.”

Vinny paused and went silent, staring at him. “Oh. Right. Why?”

“I needed answers.”

“About…your dad?”

“Yes,” he confessed. “He said he doesn’t know anything, I don’t know if he’s telling the truth…”

“I think he was,” Vinny confessed. “I talked to him, he came to me. He didn’t know.” Shancai remained quiet before nodding. “C’mon let’s go,” Vinny hummed.

“Do you remember those kids we saw last time we went down there?” Shancai asked.

Vinny perked up and nodded, a smile forming on his face. “Yeah, are we gonna see them?”

Shancai nodded.

“How often do you visit them?” Vinny asked.

“Once a week I suppose,” he replied. “As I said, they live in the slums, I provide their parents with money, clothes and other things.”

“That’s nice…” Vinny mumbled as they continued walking. Eventually they made it to the run down place. Once again, kids running around and laughing. They seemed so sweet.

“Shanni!” The kids yelled happily as they ran up to him. Cute. So Shancai was basically a brother to them? That’s nice.

“Good morning,” Shancai greeted, gently ruffling each of their hairs. “Inside?” He asked, looking past them.

“Yep!” A girl hummed. “You brought him again,” she added as she waved at Vinny.

“He wanted to come,” Shancai replied. “Keep him company, would you?”

Another girl nodded, Vinny stared as Shancai walked off. He yelped as his hand was grabbed by small little hands and he was dragged to stand in an empty area.

“Let’s play,” a boy said as he put a ball on the ground.

Vinny huffed in amusement before nodding, “Sure.” Probably the most normal thing he’s done in a while. He watched as the kids formed a circle and began kicking the ball. It was fun.

Eventually one kid tried kicking the ball at him, but may have kicked it a bit too hard and it flew past Vinny’s head into the bushes, how cliche. “I’ll get it,” Vinny said as he turned and jogged to the bushes.

Geez. How far did this kid kick it? Vinny walked further into the bushes. “Did you find it!?” Some kid yelled.

“Not yet!” Vinny replied, where did it go…?

He paused as he heard shuffling, probably just a bird or something. He groaned as he couldn’t find it, where did these kids learn how to kick? Maybe he could get them to kick Rida? He huffed at the thought, no, no. No putting kids through seeing Rida’s ugly face.

Vinny perked as he saw it, finally. He walked forward and reached for it, he turned to go back but yelped as his hair was pulled and he was thrown to the ground.

“The fuck-“ he began, looking up before allowing the words to die on his tongue. Oh great.

“Enjoying your freedom?” Rida’s voice came.

Vinny snarled, “Very. What about you? You and your infinite freedom, but I’m guessing you can’t do much with a face like that.”

“Lord, you’ve grown a tongue. Why? Did escaping make you that confident?” Rida asked, leaning down to pinch Vinny’s cheek. “It won’t last. But I guess I’ll let you enjoy it while it lasts.”

“Yeah? Does Enji know? Or are you gonna keep him in the dark? Maybe you should. He’ll realise how fucked you are.”

Rida scoffed, “Don’t tell me you want him to change.”

“Nah, I’d rather him not trying to kill me, like you,” Vinny replied.

Rida stared down at him, “You’re pathetic.” He pulled out a knife.

“Hey-“ Vinny said, staring at the blade.

“Relax,” Rida chuckled. “Wouldn’t want those kids to hear you,” he hummed as he traced the tip of the blade against Vinny’s arm. “Rushifa told me you came to her.”

“Did she?” Vinny muttered, body tense as he tried to shift away from the knife.

“Of course she did.”

“Always telling you stuff, right? You tell her more than Enji. Why’s that? I thought you two hated each other,” Vinny challenged, eyes narrowing.

Rida sighed exasperatedly, "Questions, questions, so many questions. Yet no answer.” He pressed forward with the knife, causing Vinny to inhale sharply and shut his eyes. “You know what I’m trying to do though. Rushifa knows. That hag and her husband know.”

Vinny stayed silent, what? What did he know-? “The kingdom…” he muttered, eyes opening in realisation.

“Ah, so, so smart,” Rida said, his tone low and degrading as he used his free hand to pinch Vinny’s cheek again, turning his face to each side.

He looked at his arm, blood was pricking at the small wound while the knife threatened to go deeper. That was the least of his worries. “You could’ve done it…”

“Hmm?”

“You could’ve destroyed it ages ago. You had Tenshi. Shancai, Willow and Deity are all here. So why didn’t you?” Vinny asked.

Rida looked down at him, expression blank, though Vinny could sense the irritation, especially when Rida’s grip on the knife tightened.

“You had all the pieces. What was stopping you? Maybe you don’t want to do this?”

“You talk too much, I have half the mind to cut your tongue out for all these questions,” Rida snarled, knife driving in deeper.

Vinny winced, eyes shutting again. “Deity wants you to change for some reason,” he forced out. “I don’t get what she sees in you. But she doesn’t want you dead. I do though. Tenshi does. Willow and Shanni probably do. Hell, at some point Enji might want you dead. So is this what you do? Just lie? Ruin-“

Rida suddenly grabbed his face and forced it into the ground, “Stop talking.”

“Or what? You kill me and you think Deity will still want you around? The one person who for some reason fucking wants you alive? She’d hate you.”

“I don’t care if she would.”

“I think you do. She cares for you. So at some point you cared for her,” Vinny continued, yep, this was life risking, he honestly didn’t know where all this confidence came from, but oh well. “When did that change? When did you decide to hate her?”

Rida forced the knife in deeper. “You’re so annoying,” he hissed.

“Then kill me. Then you can surely finish your plan and destroy the kingdom,” Vinny answered, yeah, he was terrified.

Rida sighed and tsked, grabbing Vinny and forcing him up, squeezing his cheeks to open his mouth.

“Hey-“ Vinny tried speaking, but his eyes widened as the knife was pressed against his mouth. Panic ran through him, oh yeah, he was fucked. The knife pressed against his tongue, not cutting, but just warning. “What are you-“

“Quiet,” Rida snarled. “I’m thinking…”

“Thinking of what?” He babbled, the knife in his mouth made it a little hard to speak.

Rida ignored him before pulling away and standing up straight, rubbing his face. “I should just kill you right now. But alas, there’s all those kids there. You’d scream.”

“Yeah…you’ll die before me either way,” Vinny grumbled as he wiped his face.

Rida hummed, “People and their delusions. Run along. Don’t keep those kids waiting, I’m sure they want to continue their game,” Rida drawled, dusting himself off.

“You weren’t looking for me,” Vinny said.

“What?”

“Here. You weren’t looking for me, but you found me and decided to attack me.”

“You’re horrible,” Rida scoffed, turning to walk off.

“And you aren’t? Deity told me people who did magic were killed. You…were part of that, weren’t you? That’s why you two know each other?” Vinny asked.

“Again with the questions,” Rida hissed, rubbing his temples.

“You don’t need to answer. I know enough.”

“I wasn’t planning to,” Rida muttered before walking away. “Have fun with your game while it lasts,” he picked up the ball from the ground and threw it at Vinny, who caught it.

Vinny waited for Rida to fade from his sigh before quietly saying, “I will.”

He pushed himself off the ground and rubbed his arm, it wasn’t bleeding badly. It was tolerable. Vinny took a deep breath and shook his head before making his way back to the kids.

“There you are!” A girl chirped.

“We thought you got hurt!” Another said.

“Sorry, the ball went far, this one knows how to kick,” Vinny chuckled, ruffling the hair of the kid who had kicked the ball there.

“Do you still wanna play?”

“Nah, I’m tired, I’ll watch,” Vinny replied, going to sit down. He sat there for a while, pondering Rida. So Rida and Deity were definitely close at some point. Deity cared for him a lot. Rida must’ve too. It was all weird. He tensed as he saw a hand out in front of him.

“Come, we’re leaving,” Shancai said.

Vinny hummed and took his hands standing up. “Bye,” he waved at the kids who waved back.

“Have fun?” Shancai asked.

“Yep.”

“What happened?” Shancai asked, seemingly knowing something happened.

“Rida,” Vinny gave in.

“Ah?”

“I know. I was getting the ball and he just came out of nowhere. Just threatening. It was nothing important,” Vinny dismissed.

Shancai looked at him in disappointment. “It’s very important. Rida’s clearly more aggressive.”

“I know, I know. We’ll tell Deity later. When we go back,” Vinny sighed.

“Very well…”

If Vinny was to be honest, the rest of the patrol was boring as fuck. Well, maybe it’s because last time he went out with Shanni, they were attacked by Enji. Though this time, he and Shancai talked a bit about Tenshi, Willow and Deity. A little about Nyssa too.

“Apologies if that was boring,” Shancai said as they went back.

“It’s fine,” Vinny replied. “Got to hang out with you at least.”

“When are you leaving?”

“Probably after I tell Deity what happened with Rida,” Vinny replied.

Shancai nodded, “Very well. Do you want me to accompany you to their room?”

“Nah, I’ll be fine, you go relax, I’ll say bye before I leave,” Vinny hummed.

“Very well,” Shancai turned to leave, waving slightly.

Vinny sighed and began making his way to Deity’s room, she was probably with Tenshi. What did Nyssa and Willow do today? Talk? Walk? Sleep? Hang out? Oh well. He’ll find out later.

He stopped at Deity’s door, gently knocking before smiling as it opened quickly. “Good afternoon,” Deity greeted, her voice soft and welcoming.

“Afternoon,” Vinny replied as he entered, waving at Tenshi.

“What did you get up to today?” Tenshi questioned.

“Hanged out with Shanni, patrol and stuff, actually why I’m here too,” Vinny confessed.

“Oh?” Deity looked at him in confusion, leading him to sit on the floor with them.

Vinny took a deep breath, “Rida, saw him today. He kinda meh over me to the floor.”

“Oh dear.”

“You okay?” Tenshi questioned.

Vinny nodded, “Yeah, I’m fine. It just happened quickly. He just poked me with a knife, kinda threatened to cut my tongue.”

“What did he want?” Tenshi asked.

“No idea,” Vinny frowned. “But I annoyed him a bit. Probably why he left me.”

“How so?” Deity perked up.

Vinny awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, “Just talked about how he could’ve destroyed the kingdom earlier if he wanted to.”

“Anything else?”

“Yeah…about you,” he gestured to Deity. “Talked about how you want to change him. He looked annoyed.”

“Of course he was,” Tenshi grumbled.

Deity looked down at her hands in her lap.

“Sorry…I shouldn’t have brought you up,” Vinny apologised.

“No, no, it’s fine,” Deity soothed.

“I don’t think he was there for me. He might’ve just been in the area trying to do something, but then he saw me,” Vinny implied.

“I suppose,” Deity murmured.

“If he wasn’t after you then we have nothing to worry about. We already know he has the key and the chest, we just need to keep wary,” Tenshi said. “As long as he doesn’t get the blood then it’s fine.”

“What if he does…?” Deity whispered. Tenshi’s expression softened, he gently held her hands.

“He won’t.”

“We don’t know that,” Deity retorted, Vinny grimaced silently. “I didn’t know he took you. We don’t know what else might happen. What will happen to the kingdom? To us. To the kids. Rida has a plan. He’s clearly had one for years. One I never knew.”

“No one knew,” Tenshi comforted.

Deity frowned, “I should’ve.”

“It’s not your fault,” Tenshi sighed.

“He’s right,” Vinny spoke up. “Rida’s unpredictable. If you try expecting something he’ll do the complete opposite.”

Deity stared before rubbing her eyes. “Gods above…”

“It’ll be fine…” Vinny said.

Deity took a deep breath and slowly nodded. “Right, yes, yes.”

The three perked up to the sound of knocking. “Ma!” Came Willow’s voice. “Nyssa and Shanni too!”

Deity moved to stand up, but Vinny got to it first, coaxing her to sit back down as he went to the door and opened it.

“Hey!” Willow hummed, hugging him. “Good afternoon,” she greeted her parents.

“Afternoon love,” Deity responded, Tenshi nodding softly. “What brings you three here?”

“Wellll,” Nyssa began. “He’s leaving soon, might as well say our byes.” Vinny noticed the snake still with Nyssa, good…

Tenshi perked up, looking at Nyssa. “You’re staying?"

“Yep, thought it over, I’m better off staying here,” she replied, shrugging it off casually.

“That’s nice,” Deity hummed. “Do you wish to go back now?”

“I guess. I don’t wanna leave too late,” Vinny replied.

Deity nodded, “Then now would be best. I can brew the traveler's tea.”

“Yes please,” Vinny sighed, watching as she got up and went to another part of the room.

“We’re gonna miss you,” Willow said, hugging him.

Vinny smiled, hugging back, “I’ll visit obviously, plus we can talk.”

“We better,” Nyssa huffed.

“We’ll work on getting you a phone,” Willow told Nyssa, who smiled.

“If Rida comes to you, tell us,” Tenshi said.

“Enji too,” Shancai added.

“I will, I will. I can’t handle this by myself,” Vinny sighed.

“About time you realised that,” Shancai said.

“And how about you don’t go back into Rushifa’s forest?” Willow hummed.

Vinny laughed, “I won’t, I promise.”

“He promises,” Nyssa mocked slightly.

Vinny rolled his eyes, “Ok, no more making fun of me.”

“Visit, ok?” Willow asked.

“I will, I will.”

“Otherwise we’ll think you’re dead,” Tenshi joked.

Vinny smiled, “I’ll be fine.

“So you’ve said,” Shancai mused.

“Done,” Deity’s voice came as she came back in. Vinny smiled at her. Ok. A conversation with Garmadon. Soon. Very soon… “Stay safe, please?” Deity sighed as she looked at Vinny, before splashing the tea, forming a little portal.

“I will!” He laughed. “What’s with you all? I can manage.”

“We’re just worried,” Tenshi said.

“I know,” Vinny sighed. “I will visit, and I will be fine.”

“Good,” Nyssa huffed.

“Alright, bye…” he said as he moved to walk through it.

Shancai and Tenshi nodded; Deity waved; Nyssa and Willow openly said their goodbyes.

Vinny stood on the other end of the portal, it shut behind him. He was in the training yard of the monastery. Fuck. He felt sick. He didn’t want to talk. He had to talk. He couldn’t…

“Oh shit! Vinny, hey!” Kai’s voice came.

Vinny turned and smiled, “Hey.”

“You’re back, did what you needed to?” The fire ninja questioned.

“Yep, so I’m kinda ‘free’ for a bit.”

“Oh cool, the others are inside, want me to tell them you’re here?” Kai asked.

Vinny pondered the question, “Uh, nah, I’d rather see them. They probably wanna see me. Nya especially. She’s been worried about me.”

“No kidding,” Kai huffed. “Garmadon too.” Vinny grimaced hearing that. “Him being a former warlord he’s been really quiet, worried about you I guess. You really changed him…”

The cameraman looked at the floor, “Yeah…” Fuck, yep, he felt terrible.

“C’mon,” Kai said, gesturing with his head as he began to walk. Vinny followed behind. “You plan on staying tonight or you gonna go back home.”

“Leave probably,” Vinny replied. “I’ll talk about it with Garm, he probably still needs to teach Lloyd about his oni form.”

“Oh, right,” Kai sighed. “Oni form is the least of our worries now I think, those two guys, Enji? Rita? Can’t remember their names, but they’re doing something. I don’t know how, but I think it’ll affect Ninjago somehow.”

“Same,” Vinny sighed, musing slightly at the mispronunciation of Rida’s name. “It’s Rida,” he corrected.

“Eh, Rida, Rita, same thing,” Kai dismissed. “Hey guys! Vinny’s back!” He yelled throughout the monastery.

Nya and Jay were out first. Then Cole and Lloyd. Then Pixal and Zane. Then Wu and Garmadon. Vinny inhaled sharply when he saw Garmadon, fuck, he wanted to kill himself.

“Hey!” Nya hummed, pulling Vinny into a hug. “Thought you disappeared again.”

“Well you knew where I was going this time,” Vinny answered.

Jay cut in, “We knew where you were back when we were in the kingdom! And then you disappeared! Who knows what could happen?”

“He’s right,” Cole laughed.

“Maybe we should put a tracker on you,” Kai suggested.

“Hey what-?”

“We did it with Lloyd,” Nya confessed.

“It was horrible,” Lloyd said. “Just cause I sneaked out a few times.”

“And came back injured,” Zane added.

“Barely,” the green ninja sighed. “They’re just dramatic.”

“Hardly, you were also in a terrible mood,” Pixal interrupted.

Vinny laughed silently, ok, good, he missed this. “So anything new happen? Bad guys?” Cole asked.

“Eh,” Vinny grimaced. “Today, Rida, the guy that kidnapped me. Nothing much.”

“What exactly happened?” Wu spoke up, Vinny allowed his gaze to snap to him before looking at Garmadon and then back at Wu. No. No eye contact. He felt like he was gonna throw up.

“Came out of nowhere, just threatened me a little and left,” Vinny confessed. Ok maybe there was more to that but it wasn’t like it was a big wound.

“Oh man,” Jay whined.

“It’s not a big deal, he didn’t do anything,” Vinny tried reasoning. “I’d tell you guys if he did something.”

“How do we know that?” Garmadon’s voice came, Vinny died inside. Oh great. Fuck. Hell no. He should just run out the monastery and jump of this big fucking cliff with so many stupid stairs that shouldn’t exist. “You didn’t tell us about what was happening before. You hid it. Lied. For all I know, you could be lying right now.”

“I’m not,” Vinny replied firmly, though his voice shook.

“As I said, we don’t know that.”

“Dad, please, don’t,” Lloyd spoke up.

Garmadon stared but sighed before turning around and walking off. Man, he was so fucked.

“He’s nice to be around,” Jay tried joking.

“Jay, no.” Nya said.

Vinny stared at the floor, “I’d say that went well.”

“Sure,” Kai huffed. “You gonna talk to him? I don’t get what you two have going on, but for roommates, you two sure are close.”

“Definitely,” Cole agreed.

Lloyd stared before scoffing, “right, they don’t know.”

“Should we tell them?” Nya asked Vinny.

“I mean…why not?” Vinny shrugged, rhe others all already knew so fuck it.

“What?” Kai asked.

Jay was the one to say, “They’re dating.”

Kai and Cole looked at each other, then at them and then at Zane and Pixal. “Did you two know?”

“No, but it was fairly obvious. Elevated heart pressure and red cheeks,” Zane answered, Pixal nodded in agreement.

“Holy-“ Cole said. “This whole time-?”

“Yep,” Vinny nodded.

Kai stared, “geez, woah. That explains so much.”

“It does,” Nya said.

“How long have you all known?” Cole asked.

“Me?” Nya asked. “Since they first came to the monastery.”

“Me and Master Wu found out after her,” Lloyd confessed.

“I found out at the palace,” Jay answered.

“And no one told us!?” Kai huffed.

Vinny laughed, “It was meant to be a secret.”

“Worst kept secret,”Nya jabbed.

Cole looked at Vinny, “So…you two are having problems?”

“He’s mad I wasn’t telling him anything. I lied alot,” Vinny confessed. God, this was nice, getting this off his chest.

“Clearly,” Cole said. “So, you gonna talk to him?”

“Yeah,” Vinny sighed. “Put it off way too long. Might be going back home too if he wants.”

“Good luck,” Nya hummed.

“I do not believe in luck but I wish you luck,” Zane spoke up.

“Thanks,” Vinny smiled as he walked off in the direction Garmadon went. He was dreading this. He looked past the rooms, not here, not there, oh, but there. He entered the room, it was their room they had stayed together in at first. “Hey,” he greeted quietly.

Garmadon was sitting on the bed, back facing Vinny. “Hello.”

“We should talk.”

“What’s there to talk about?” Garmadon asked.

Vinny frowned, “I mean it. Not here. We can go back home and talk. You can yell at me, fuck, you can hit me if you want.”

Those words seemed to have gotten Garmadon’s attention, negatively though. “Why would I?”

“I don’t know, I’m just saying shit,” Vinny said. “Don’t hit me,” he laughed awkwardly.

“I won’t. I’d never,” Garmadon replied.

Vinny smiled, “I know. Please. I wanna talk.”

Garmadon sighed but nodded. “I don’t see why not,” he muttered, standing up. Vinny let out a sigh of relief.

“Let’s go home, we can come back here if you want and you can keep training Lloyd,” Vinny said.

“Least of our worries.”

The two eventually said their byes to the ninja and the walk back to the apartment was terribly silent. But they entered the apartment, it was as Vinny left it after he came here with Nyssa and Tenshi.

“Oh by the way, the mirror in the bathroom’s broken,” Vinny awkwardly confessed, remembering how he had punched it.

“Ah?”

“Punched it. Hurt like hell.”

“Wonderful,” Garmadon murmured. The two sat on the couch together.

“Sooo…” Vinny started. “What do you wanna talk about…?”

(I’m gonna disappear for another few months. Ts kinda ahh but alr.)

#survivalshipping

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