**Chapter 3: The Spark of Attraction**

The air was electric with tension as Daken and Johnny trained together in the dimly lit gym. Their movements were fluid, a testament to their years of fighting together as teammates. But tonight, something felt different. The sound of their breathing, the thud of their fists against the pads, and the occasional grunt of exertion seemed to take on a new level of intimacy. As they worked out, Daken couldn't help but steal glances at Johnny, his eyes drinking in the sight of his friend's battered body. The bruises and cuts from their last battle still lingered, a reminder of the fragility of life and the risks they took every day. Daken's gaze lingered on Johnny's face, his eyes locking onto the sharp jawline, the piercing blue eyes, and the messy brown hair that always seemed to be sticking up in every direction. Johnny, sensing Daken's gaze, looked up, their eyes meeting in a flash of mutual awareness. For a fleeting moment, they just stared at each other, the air charged with a spark of attraction that neither of them could ignore. Johnny's heart skipped a beat as he felt a flutter in his chest, a sensation he hadn't experienced in a long time. Daken's eyes widened, his pupils dilating as he quickly looked away, trying to play it cool. But it was too late. The damage was done. Johnny had seen the vulnerability in his eyes, the hint of something more that Daken was trying to keep hidden. As they continued to train, the tension between them grew, a palpable force that seemed to crack the armor of their friendship. They exchanged banter and jokes, but the words felt forced, like they were trying to convince themselves that nothing had changed. But everything had changed. As they took a break, Johnny walked over to Daken, his eyes locked onto his friend's. "Hey, you okay, man?" he asked, his voice low and concerned. Daken nodded, his eyes darting away, trying to avoid the intensity of Johnny's gaze. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just...preoccupied, that's all." Johnny raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing. "Preoccupied? With what?" Daken shrugged, his shoulders barely rising off the mat. "Just thinking about the next mission, I guess. Making sure we're prepared." Johnny nodded, but he didn't believe Daken. He knew his friend too well. There was something more going on, something that Daken wasn't telling him. As they finished their training and headed back to their quarters, the air between them was charged with a newfound awareness. They moved in silence, their footsteps echoing off the walls, their hearts beating in tandem. Daken couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between them, that their friendship had reached a crossroads. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew one thing - he couldn't keep ignoring his feelings for Johnny. As they entered their quarters, Johnny turned to Daken, his eyes locked onto his. "Hey, Daken?" "Yeah?" "Thanks for looking out for me, man. I know I can be a bit of a handful sometimes." Daken's heart skipped a beat as he met Johnny's gaze. "Anytime, Johnny. That's what friends are for." But as he looked at Johnny, he knew that he was lying. His feelings for Johnny went far beyond friendship. And he wasn't sure if he could keep them hidden for much longer.