Hold it together

Kai has always been the strong one-the one who keeps moving, keeps fighting, keeps the fire burning no matter what.

So when the mission goes wrong and the ground collapses beneath him, he doesn't panic.

Not at first.

Even when he's trapped under layers of stone, even when the light disappears and the air feels too still, Kai tells himself he's fine. He calls out, waits, tries to stay calm. Because that's what he's supposed to do. That's who he is.

Strong. Steady. Unbreakable.

The silence stretches.

And little by little, something starts to crack.

The darkness feels heavier. The space feels smaller. His voice doesn't sound as confident as it should. Thoughts he doesn't want creep in-what if they didn't hear him? What if they think he didn't make it? What if no one is coming back?

But Kai pushes it down.

Because he's not the one who falls apart. He's not the one who gets scared.

By the time Cole finally finds him, breaking through the rubble and pulling him back into the light, Kai already has it buried.

Gone. Hidden. Locked away where no one can see it.