"Unspoken Feelings"

Kai was silent for a moment, thinking his words over. “Have you ever liked someone, but they aren’t exactly someone you expected to like?” Kai asked, tilting his head. “Like maybe the same gender as you?” he mumbled the last part, swallowing hard as he looked down, avoiding Cole's gaze. The air seemed to thicken, and Cole's expression turned thoughtful. He took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered Kai's question. For a moment, the only sound was the distant hum of the training equipment and the soft creaking of the old wooden beams. Cole's gaze drifted back to Kai, his eyes locking onto his teammate's. "I think that's a bit of a complicated question, Kai," he said slowly, his deep voice measured. "But I think it's safe to say that I've had my fair share of unexpected feelings." Kai's eyes snapped back up, his heart skipping a beat as he met Cole's gaze. He felt a flutter in his chest, and his face grew warm. He hadn't expected Cole to answer so... honestly. Cole took a step closer to Kai, his massive frame looming over him. "But I think it's also important to consider that we're Ninjas, Kai. We're trained to control our emotions, to keep them in check. It's not always easy to navigate feelings that... aren't exactly what we're used to." Kai's eyes widened, his mind racing with the implications of Cole's words. Was Cole... saying what he thought he was? He felt a surge of excitement mixed with nervousness, and his hands grew sweaty. The air between them seemed to vibrate with tension, and Kai could feel the weight of Cole's gaze on him. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. "Cole, can I... can I ask you something else?" Kai's voice was barely above a whisper. Cole nodded, his eyes never leaving Kai's face. "Of course, Kai. What is it?" Kai's heart pounded in his chest as he took a step closer to Cole. "Do you... do you think it's possible for two people of the same gender to... like each other?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly. The room seemed to hold its breath, and Cole's expression turned introspective. For a moment, Kai thought he saw something in Cole's eyes, something that looked almost like... understanding. And then, in a movement that seemed almost imperceptible, Cole nodded. "I think it's more than possible, Kai," he said, his voice low and husky. "I think it's something that can happen to anyone, no matter who they are or what they're used to." Kai's heart soared, and he felt like he was floating on air. He didn't know what this meant for him or Cole, but he knew that everything had just changed. The question was, what would happen next?