"From Embers to Secrets"

Everyone always assumed Kai and Cole were just close - training partners, teammates, brothers-in-arms. No one paid attention to the way Kai lingered when Cole laughed, or how Cole always cooked enough dinner for two without thinking. It started slow, the kind of warmth that didn't feel important until it was too late to ignore. Somewhere between bruised knuckles and late-night missions, friendship became something quieter, something careful.

Neither of them said a word.