Chapter 14 - KAI

The airship was a cocoon of warmth and quiet as Kai stepped into the main command room, the door hissing shut behind him. Tomoya had already disappeared, retreating to one of the side rooms, slamming the door with just enough force to make his frustrations clear. Isaac shuffled in behind Kai, looking uncharacteristically subdued. His shoulders hunched under the heavy blanket Kai had draped over him moments before, his gaze wandered to the window, where the distant glow of Antigua's lights shimmered through the night.

Kai moved with practiced ease to a side table, pouring a cup of dark red sorrel punch and pressing it into Isaac's hands. "Here, drink this," he said gently. Isaac took the cup without looking at him, his green eyes far away.

Bayu sat nearby, a sea of papers spread out in front of him. His hair gleamed in the soft lamplight, and the air around him carried a scent of sandalwood and fresh rain, something regal yet comforting. He looked up as Kai approached, a small smile tugging at his lips before Kai leaned in and wrapped him in a quick hug. Bayu stiffened at first, then relaxed, his hands fluttering awkwardly to pat Kai's back.

"You're overworked," Kai teased softly as he pulled away.

Bayu rolled his eyes but didn't protest, though his cheeks flushed faintly. Kai glanced toward Isaac, who was now watching them thoughtfully. Their eyes met, and Isaac quickly turned away, focusing on his cup as though it held the secrets of the universe.

Kai pulled up a chair beside Bayu and sat down, resting his forearms on the table. Bayu instinctively scooted closer, his shoulder brushing Kai's as he sifted through his notes.

"So," Bayu began, voice low but curious. "What's happened?"

Kai sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "There was another monster spotted in Falmouth."

Bayu's head snapped up, his expression sharp. "How? I placed the most powerful wards I've ever created."

"I don't know," Kai admitted, his brows furrowing with worry. "We saw Maleko there too."

"Jabari's son?" Bayu's voice held a note of surprise.

"Yeah." Kai's tone turned reflective. "I don't know what he was doing there, but he killed the monster."

Bayu looked troubled, his lips pressing into a thin line as he returned his attention to his notes. Kai turned to Isaac, who was still cocooned in his blanket, staring into his cup.

"You saw the monster up close, Isaac," Kai prompted. "What was it like?"

Isaac shook his head vehemently. "I don't really want to talk about that," he said, then gestured between Kai and Bayu with a sly smile. "You know what I do want to talk about? When did you two got so close! Bayu, you look like you're about to bite Kai's ear."

Bayu's face turned a deep shade of red as he immediately scooted away, burying his gaze in his notes as though they held the answer to life itself. Kai rolled his eyes, though a fond smile tugged at his lips.

"Did you two bond without me?" Isaac continued, his voice thick with mock betrayal. "Oh, you so did. I don't even know what to do with myself."

"Okay, Isaac, stop talking," Kai said, though the laugh in his voice betrayed his amusement.

Isaac ignored him, leaning forward with an impish grin to address Bayu directly. "You feel it, don't you? The urge to eat Kai."

Bayu choked, his blush deepening as he sputtered for a response, his chestnut eyes darting to Kai for help. Kai, standing now, decided to put an end to it.

"That's enough," he said firmly. "Isaac, please try to tell Bayu what you saw so he can use it for his research. And stop teasing him."

Kai turned to Bayu, his expression softening as he reached out to touch Bayu's cheek. Bayu froze under his touch, his wide, chestnut eyes framed by long lashes. For a moment, Kai felt distracted by how warm Bayu's skin was, how soft his hair felt as his fingers wove into it. He gave a gentle tug, and Bayu's eyes rolled slightly, a quiet groan escaping his lips.

"AHEM."

The tension shattered as Isaac cleared his throat, his green eyes sparkling with mischief. "Don't tell me you want to eat him too, Kai?"

Kai's hand shot back as though burned, and he turned to ruffle Isaac's curls with exaggerated force. "Isaac, has anyone ever told you to shut up?"

Isaac laughed, swatting Kai's hand away. "Plenty, but they never mean it."

Kai shook his head, already heading toward the room Tomoya had locked himself in. "Try not to drive Bayu crazy while I'm gone."

"No promises!" Isaac called after him, earning an exasperated but fond chuckle from Kai.

*****

Kai stood in front of Tomoya's door, fists clenched, his mind racing. He could feel the weight of the moment in his bones. This isn't easy, he thought. Tomoya, the sleek black wolf—there was something about him that unsettled Kai. Something dark, something raw. Kai knew there was more to Tomoya than just the surly attitude and that cool exterior. It was deeper. Something hidden. Something broken inside him.

But he's still part of Squad 14.

The thought rang out like a mantra in Kai's mind. His squad. His responsibility.

Kai had made a promise to himself long ago, when he became the leader of Squad 14, that he would never let any of them down. It didn't matter if they liked him or not. It didn't matter what they said or how they felt. Squad 14 was his squad. They were his responsibility, and no matter how hard or painful it got, he would never abandon them. He would never leave them behind.

He knocked again, this time louder, more forcefully. A little anger creeping in. Why won't you let me help you, Tomoya?

There was no response. Kai's patience wore thin, the pressure building in his chest. He kicked the door lightly with his foot, frustrated. Don't make me force my way in, Tomoya, he thought.

One more knock, quieter this time. "Please, Tomoya," Kai said, voice softening.

The door creaked open just enough for Tomoya's face to appear. His expression was cold, eyes sharp with something unspoken. His hair was wild, his face a little too pale, like he hadn't slept in days. His shirt was discarded on his bed. Kai saw faint scratches and scars on his skin.

Kai pushed his way inside without waiting for an invitation, closing the door behind him with a soft click. The room was bare. Empty. No decorations. No personal touches. It felt colder than the rest of the airship, as if Tomoya had deliberately left it that way.

"Tomoya," Kai said, voice steady.

Tomoya stood still, his bare chest rising and falling with each breath, eyes like storm clouds ready to burst.

"Are you just going to stand there?" Tomoya's voice was gruff, a challenge, almost daring Kai to approach him. There was something in the way his eyes flicked to the floor, the way his body tensed—he didn't want to be vulnerable. He didn't want help.

Kai's mind spun, but he steadied himself. "I don't like the things you said to Isaac tonight," he said, his voice tight.

Tomoya scoffed. "What, even if it's true?"

Kai clenched his jaw, the anger bubbling in his chest. He stepped forward, towering over Tomoya. He was taller, broader, his muscles hardened from years of farm work.

"It doesn't matter whether you think it's true or not," Kai said, his voice growing passionate. "Squad 14 is my squad. We support each other, always. Our missions are dangerous, Tomoya. We don't know if we're going to make it till tomorrow."

The words hit harder than he expected. His bond with Isaac pulsed with that familiar, sharp pang. Isaac almost died tonight.

Kai's hands balled into fists at his sides, his voice rising in frustration, anger burning in his chest. "Because of what you said, Isaac ran off into the forest by himself. He almost got mauled by a monster!"

Tomoya's face twisted slightly. Kai hadn't realized until now just how scared he was, how terrified he had been when Isaac had bolted into that dark, unknown forest. Tomoya's actions, his words -had pushed Isaac to that breaking point.

Kai pointed a finger, pressing it against Tomoya's chest. "We look out for each other, always."

Tomoya's lips curled into a cruel smile, his eyes darkening with something dangerous. The smile was almost... predatory. And in that instant, Kai thought he saw fangs. "Spare me the kumbaya act. This is a dog-eat-dog world, the best thing for Isaac to do, is to crawl back into whatever hole he came from." Tomoya's voice dropped to a low growl. "Just because you've got Bayu and Isaac eating out of your palm doesn't mean I'm going to get on my knees and submit to you, Kai. So kindly—" Tomoya grabbed the finger Kai had pressed to his chest, twisting it sharply, pain lancing through Kai's hand. But Kai didn't flinch. His jaw clenched tighter, his body tense with the pressure building. "Piss off."

Kai's eyebrow twitched. He crouched down, their eyes locked now, face to face. The tension was palpable, like electricity crackling in the air.

"I don't know who you think you're talking to, but I lead this squad," Kai said quietly, voice low, unwavering. "And I want the best for them. I'm not leaving this room until you can promise me that."

Tomoya leaned forward, close enough for Kai to feel his breath, hot and sharp. And then, in a fluid motion, he lunged. His hand shot out to grab Kai's wrist, twisting it to the side. Kai barely managed to dodge, but Tomoya's force sent them both stumbling backward, crashing into the table with a loud bang. Objects scattered everywhere, some smashing to the floor with a sharp crack.

Tomoya didn't let up. His body pressed into Kai's, heat crackling between them. The strength in Tomoya's movements was almost animalistic, raw, untamed. His nails sharpened, turning into claws as he slashed at Kai's face. The pain was sharp, but it only heightened Kai's focus. He dodged, but not fast enough. Tomoya's hand caught his arm, sinking deep into his flesh with a searing bite.

The pain flared, but it wasn't enough to stop him. Kai growled, slamming Tomoya into the wall, feeling the breath knocked out of him by the force. His fingers gripped Tomoya's shoulders, holding him in place. The energy between them was electric, wild. Kai could hear his heart thundering in his chest.

Tomoya's eyes were blazing now, his teeth bared in a cruel smile. "You really want to fight me, Kai?" His voice was a low growl, his breath hot and laboured.

"Yeah," Kai said, his voice thick with intensity, his body pressing even closer to Tomoya's. "I do. You can't keep pushing us away."

And then, in a move so quick it took them both by surprise, Tomoya bit at Kai's neck. His teeth scraped across the skin, and for a moment, it felt like time stood still. But Kai wasn't about to let that happen. With a sudden jerk, he flung Tomoya off, sending him tumbling to the floor.

"Not today," Kai breathed, his chest heaving with adrenaline. He moved in a blur, straddling Tomoya's waist, pinning him down. Tomoya fought back, twisting beneath him, but Kai's grip was unyielding. The struggle was primal, the line between a fight and something else blurring in the heat of the moment.

"I win," Kai whispered, leaning down, his lips hovering near Tomoya's ear. He could feel Tomoya's pulse beneath his fingers, could hear the ragged breaths that escaped from him.

Tomoya bucked violently beneath him, a snarl tearing from his throat. "Get off me," he growled.

But Kai wouldn't relent. Not now. "Tell me you'll support the team," he demanded, voice low.

Tomoya's eyes narrowed. "If you don't get off me, I swear to you, Kai, I will kill you." His voice was deadly serious, and for the first time, Kai believed him. He hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face, before he slowly climbed off Tomoya. He stood over him, looking down at the man beneath him with something unreadable in his eyes.

The tension crackled in the air, sharp and unyielding, as if daring either of them to break it. Kai stared at Tomoya for a moment longer, his jaw tight, then turned on his heel and walked out, slamming the door behind him. His pulse thundered in his ears, he didn't look back.