An Ugly Truth Lloyd x Reader

       For weeks, maybe even months after your last meeting with Lloyd, he or someone he had at his command, had been following you. No matter where you went, or what you were doing, he seemed to know about it. After a while, it became almost normal to have someone sneaking around you at any given time. Maybe this was why you didn't notice it when the stalking suddenly stopped. The fact that he wasn't watching you anymore was curious. He'd plainly said that he didn't plan to leave you alone anytime soon. Had he simply gotten bored with you, or was it that there really wasn't anything special about you after all? You tried for a few days not to dwell on these thoughts, but on the seventh day, your resolve crumbled completely.

Though you had tried to talk yourself out of it, you still found yourself standing directly outside of his lab. Sure, you could turn around right now and go home, but you knew that nagging curiosity would just bring you right back. “I hate myself so much for this.” Despite everything inside of you telling you not to do it, you lifted your hand from your side and gently rapped your knuckles against his door.

Lloyd opened the door less than a second after you'd knocked. It was like he'd been waiting there for you. “I'd like to say that this is a surprise, but it's really not. I knew you'd come here, and I'm sure I know why you've come as well.” He backed away from the door slightly, giving you more than enough room to enter. “Well, are you going to come in?”

“Yeah, I've got some questions for you, and this time, I'd really like it if you answered them.” The instant you stepped foot into the bright room, the smell of medical grade cleaners hit you. The memory those smells brought along weren't pleasant ones, and it made you wonder if coming here really was a mistake.

As if he could sense your thoughts, Lloyd shut, and locked the door after you stepped inside. “I could guess your questions, but I think I'll give you the pleasure of asking them. I still have the right to withhold any information from you that I please though, so don't expect me to enlighten you too much. ” In his usual, cocky, egotistical mood, he took a seat and crossed his legs at the knee. “Whenever you're ready.”

You already knew that Lloyd was going to twist your words no matter what you said, but you still didn't want him to get the wrong idea. Because of this, you tried to word everything, very carefully. “You had people following me around for weeks, maybe longer, I don't know. I expected that to happen though, since you told me it would. I noticed a few days ago that they aren't around anymore.” The look on his face told you that had already changed the meaning of your words in his mind, but you continued. “Why is that?”

“You miss having my attention then?” He smirked up at you impishly. “Just as I thought.”

“No, that's not it at all. I just want to know why they stopped.” Refusing to let your annoyance get the best of you, you took in a deep breath and tried to keep your focus. “You said there was something different, or special about me. I don't know what you meant by that, but if you're not watching me anymore, then that means I don't have what you wanted.” Crossing your arms loosely over your chest, you took a step towards him and asked the question that had been bugging you all along. “What was it you were looking for?”

“Nothing.” He shrugged. “You were simply something I used to amuse myself. I was bored, and watching you struggle to be free of me was entertaining, for a while.”

His words, though you hated to admit it, hurt. Had you really been nothing more than a play thing for him? For some reason, you couldn't bring yourself to believe that. It didn't make any sense. “I-I don't believe you. There has to be more to it than that.”

“You beg me over and over again for answers, and then when I finally give them to you, you refute their truth.” Lloyd leaned back in his seat and smiled even wider than before. “I could give you a pleasant lie if you prefer that to the ugly truth.”

“I don't want your lies, I want you to be honest. If this was all a game to you, then why were you expecting me to be here. Why were you waiting by the door for me?” Lloyd didn't answer, which only raised your suspicious that much more. “The only reason for you not to be answering me right now, would be because you're lying, again.”

Your accusations, and angry tone caused a quiet, wicked sounding laugh to erupt from Lloyd's throat. “There's no reason for you to shout at me. I can hear you just fine.” Lloyd suddenly rose from his seat and stepped uncomfortably close to you. Hovering over you, the corners of his mouth twitched into a gentle, yet deceiving grin. “You know, you really shouldn't be using that tone with me anyway. You could hurt my feelings.”

He was still smiling, but you could tell his words held a silent threat. Even though you knew he could probably do whatever he wanted to you and get away with it, you weren’t' worried or scared in the least. Just as bold as ever, you let out a loud snort. “Oh, right, like you telling me that I've been your personal play thing for the last few months doesn't bother or hurt me at all.” Throwing all caution to the wind, you straightened your back and glared up at him. “I don't know why you picked me to torment like this. I don’t find it amusing.” You narrowed your eyes and roughly pressed your finger to his chest. “It's going to stop though, and it's going to stop now. No matter what I have to do.”

Lloyd's smile changed in the blink of an eye. No longer was it a fake, plastered on smirk, it was honest, and very pleased. “Wonderful, I'm glad you feel that way.” He took a step back and lifted his half empty carton of cigarettes from a shiny, metallic table. “That kind of resolve is exactly what I need.” Without you having to ask, Lloyd began explaining what he meant. “I have plenty of people under me, but I need someone special. Someone that looks and acts innocent, and unassuming, but, is actually, much, much more.” He placed the cigarette in his mouth and stroked his chin in thought. “You see, you'd make an excellent tool to add to my collection.”

“W-what?” You'd heard him loud and clear, but you couldn't believe it. Was this just another lie to throw you off the scent, or could he actually be serious this time? “You were trying to recruit me, this whole time? Why not just ask?”

“I could have done that, but you would have said no.” As he lit the end of his cigarette, he looked at you, daring you to disagree with him. Knowing you wouldn't, he continued. “And, I wouldn't have been able to test you the way I have.”

“But, that doesn't make any sense at all.” Thoroughly annoyed and confused, you pressed your fingertips to your pounding temple and groaned. “This could have been so much easier, and faster if you'd just been straightforward with me from the start, instead of telling me lie after lie. Why would you draw out the process like this?”

“I think it makes perfect sense. Now I know exactly what you're capable of. I know your strengths, your weaknesses, your likes and dislikes. Nothing has been left to chance this way. I know the person you are, inside and out. I can fully utilize you as my tool, in whatever way I might need.” Pleased that all of his plans were finally being realized, he held out a single, gloved hand for you. “So tell me, now that you finally know my plight, will you join me?”

You didn't like the idea of being his tool, or even working for him, but you knew he wasn't going to take no for an answer. You still didn't like being around him, but, since you really had little choice, you were willing to give this odd little arrangement a try. Maybe after a while, you'd get used to his quirks. You were adaptable, so it wasn't that unbelievable. “I really doubt saying no, is going to do me any good. If I decline, you'll just bug me until I give in.”

Already completely positive that he had you right where he wanted you, Lloyd dropped back into his seat, causing several glowing embers to drop to the floor, crossed his legs and nodded. “Possibly.”

“Then I guess I don't have much choice but to take you up on your offer.” You sighed, still aggravated with his deception, but relieved that this was all over. The fact that there were no more lies, and all of the secrets had been exposed made it much easier for you to breathe. “From now on, I expect you to be honest with me. I can't work for, or with someone that keeps me in the dark.”

Lloyd looked at you for a second without saying anything, then, slowly shook. “I'm not making you any promises as you're in no position to be demanding anything, but we'll see. Things may change. I doubt it, but it's possible.”