Darkness from Within #5: Uneasy Trust (A Ninjago Fanfiction)

Chapter 23

A few specks of snow drifted through the air. Lloyd heaved himself onto a tree branch and turned around to take Ariana's hand. After helping her up, the two carefully walked across the branch and sat down side by side in the middle.

Ariana shivered and inched closer to Lloyd. Lloyd smiled and placed his arm around her, feeling her sink into his warmth. The two sat in a comfortable silence as they watched the snow fall in front of the full moon.

"Beautiful tonight, isn't it?" Ariana sighed.

Lloyd gazed sideways at her. "Yes," he murmured. "Beautiful."

Ariana gave him a hard nudge. "Oh, stop it," she scowled. "You're really cheesy, you know that?"

Lloyd rested his hand on top of hers. "I can't stop," he breathed. "Ariana, you're all I can think about, all I can wonder about."

Ariana gazed at him, smirking. "What do you wonder about me?"

"If you feel the same way I do about you," Lloyd answered.

Ariana's smirk transferred into a smile as she stared into his eyes. "I do," she whispered.

Lloyd mirrored the smile. "If only there was a way for us to be together—forever," he went on. "For us to go further in our relationship and grow closer together—with no one and nothing to separate us." He paused to let Ariana think about his words. "Oh, wait," he breathed with a small smirk. "There is."

Ariana's heart skipped a beat and she drew in a shaky breath. "Lloyd." Her voice shook. "A-are you talking about... marriage?"

Lloyd's eyes glittered emotionally and he gave a weak smile. "I would get down on one knee, but it's kinda hard to do that on a tree branch."

Ariana stared at him in shock, heart beginning to pound.

Lloyd took her hands in his and stared into her eyes. "Ariana, you are the most beautiful and wonderful person I've ever met, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He sighed wistfully. "I love you."

Ariana's throat tightened, heart fluttering inside of her. She couldn't believe her ears. Is this really happening? she thought. To me? "B-but how could we do that?" she wondered. "I-it'll be impossible."

Lloyd gave a soft chuckle. "You always were one to worry ahead of time." Before Ariana could reply, he went serious again. "After I finish this mission, we'll be done," he stated. "Free to go wherever we want." He gazed into the distance as he went on. "We'll go far away from here; build ourselves our own home. Away from the Overlord, away from the ninja, away from anyone else who'll try to control us." He gazed at Ariana again. "We'll start a new life and a new family." He took her hands again. "Just you and me."

Ariana was speechless.

"Well?" Lloyd pressed. "What do you say?"

Ariana shook her head. "Lloyd Montgomery Garmadon, you are the most ridiculous person I have ever met!" she scolded. Then her gaze softened. "And I love you for it."

Lloyd smirked. "Is that a yes?"

Ariana stared at him. "Would you take no for an answer?"

"You know I wouldn't," Lloyd chuckled.

"Then yes!" Ariana threw her arms around him. "Yes!"

Lloyd wrapped her arms around her, his smile broadening greatly. Ariana rested her chin on his shoulder and relaxed in his comfort.

Warmth filled Lloyd—warmth like he'd never felt before. He felt like he could soar above the trees and over the forest—with just him and the girl he loved most in the world.