Kai Smith

The courtyard hums with late afternoon light.

Jay leans casually against the railing, spinning a small spark of electricity between his fingers. You’re standing a little too close. Close enough that your shoulders brush every time you laugh.

“So you’re saying,” you grin, tilting your head, “you could totally beat Kai in a sparring match?”

Jay gasps dramatically. “Totally? No. But stylishly? Absolutely.”

You laugh and lightly tap his arm. “I’d pay to see that.”

Jay leans closer, lowering his voice. “Careful. If you keep looking at me like that, I might start showing off.”

A crackle of lightning dances between his fingers.

You smirk. “Maybe I want you to.”

The temperature changes.

Not slowly.

Not subtly.

Just behind you, warmth floods the space. The kind that makes the air feel thicker.

A shadow falls over both of you.

“Am I interrupting something?”

Kai’s voice is calm.

Too calm.

He steps forward and very deliberately places himself between you and Jay. Not shoving. Not dramatic. Just claiming the space.

Jay blinks. “We were just talking.”

Kai doesn’t look at him. His eyes are locked on you.

“Really.” It isn’t a question.

Jay shifts awkwardly. “Okayyy. I’m sensing volcanic activity. I’m gonna… go check on Cole.” He backs away with his hands raised. “Nobody electrocute anybody.”

And then it’s just you and Kai.

He’s close. Closer than necessary. Heat radiates from him, not enough to burn, just enough to remind you exactly who he is.

“You think he’s funny?” Kai asks quietly.

His jaw tightens when you don’t immediately answer.

“You think it’s cute when he shows off?”

A flicker of flame curls around his fingers before he forces it down.

“I saw the way you were looking at him.”

Not angry.

Hurt.

Jealous in a way he clearly hates feeling.

“You can flirt with whoever you want,” he says, but the words taste bitter. “I don’t own you.”

He steps even closer, lowering his voice.

“But don’t act like you don’t know what that does to me.”

His hand moves to the railing beside you, effectively boxing you in without touching you.

“I’m trying so hard not to lose it every time someone else gets your attention.” His breath is warm against your skin. “You laugh like that with him and it feels like someone poured water all over everything I’ve been building.”

His eyes soften despite the intensity.

“If you’re trying to make me jealous,” he murmurs, “congratulations. You win.”

A beat.

“But if there’s even a part of you that feels something for me…”

His voice drops.

“Stop playing with lightning when you know you belong with fire.”

The air between you feels charged. Not electric.

Burning.