Reconciled hearts: a season9(Lloyrumi story)

Chapter97: Illusions are torn

Time didn't exist in his mind, as long as she was locked within his sights, he could feel himself stare at the gates of time and space without even knowing. It had gotten to the point though where the lovely guest has found themselves becoming somewhat uncomfortable.

She didn't say anything at first, too nervous to kill off any first impressions. But having a total stranger stare at her for minutes on end, it was not only infuriating, but also mildly terrifying. The girl shuddered a little before distancing herself from the green ninja.

Noticing the distance, Lloyd snapped out of his thoughts—no, more like interested and helpless daze. Did he do something wrong? Was she annoyed by him not saying anything? Lloyd gave an embarrassed whine and turned his head a little to avoid eye contact from the stranger. Looks, he can avoid, but not questions. Therefore the girl asked him:

"Um, you've been staring for quite a while, are you alright?" She questioned, not daring to close the distance back between them after seeing that he is completely harmless. The green ninja sighed, wishing to not respond, were there already opinions being built about him?

Turning back to face the girl, he reached his hand out for her to shake, "My name is Lloyd Garmadon, well...Lloyd Montgomery Garmadon. How about you?" He introduced himself, it was only right, he was being as polite as he could. Not only that, but he felt that it was obligatory.
However, he was taken aback when the girl reluctantly gave him and to his question.

The dark brown haired girl smiled at him briefly, her ponytails shaking a little as she moved her head to face him. Then, with a delicate and soft voice, Lloyd could have believed he was speaking to an angel.
"Mirage, my name is Mirage Leviathan." She surprisedly replied kindly. Now, Lloyd couldn't help but let out another sigh to that, this time, showing sign of how content he was with her name being revealed to him.

Mirage, raising a brow, was certain at some point that Lloyd wasn't really doing too well. Too much silence between them and that look—the one that he keeps giving her. One with so much interest and...admiration, was it? Mirage smiled a little and turned her head back. "What? Did you want to know what my name was the entire time? Were you too shy to ask?" She chuckled a little.

Jumping a little, Lloyd, "No! That's not it! I just...I just realized that I haven't invited you back inside the bounty. It's the boat up there, we can talk! You must be cold out here!" half-panicked. He didn't know what to say exactly and he knew all too well that the pigtail-wearing girl was perfectly fine out here. It wasn't like a rainstorm was coming their way or the clouds were going to cover the sun anytime soon.
An instinct really, he would blurt out any word in order to get out of this terrifying situation.

But it got even more terrifying for him, just a little second. He saw how Mirage turn her back again from him and step away from him, his heart sank a little. He watched her retreating figure as she approached the noodle truck parked in the distance. Mirage brought a hand up to wave at him, not directly turning her head to face him. "You're funny Lloyd but I'll be off for now. Maybe we can talk on your flying boat next time. It is impressive though." She giggled.

Just that little bit of validation, made his heart beat again. Just a second ago, it was sinking in an ocean of mixed feelings, yet it was back up in the surface. Starting to walk off from her, Lloyd smiled to himself, a loving and validated smile. He would see her again, wouldn't he? He was excited, he really was. When will their next meeting be?

Walking away as the truck was being started, Lloyd knew that him returning to the bounty after a long while will be suspicious. He needed to hurry, but he couldn't help but walk slowly, he needed to make sure that Mirage drove away safely.