phoenix must burn
Tala was part of Kai's "most hostile environment" because he could be counted on for certain important things:
Tala would withhold sympathy, empathy—for fun. He'd smirk, cruelly delighted, at Kai-in-need. He'd never tolerate Kai's behavior just because he imagined hidden emotions and sensitivity.
He'd smile when Kai tried to take advantage, and laugh when Kai punched him in frustration, so desperate to take advantage, and Tala would hit back.
Tala could be counted on to kick people when they were down. To put boot-prints all over teary eyes and quivering lips. Tala could be counted on to resent the secrets he couldn't wring out of Kai, and to make his life a living hell, and laugh when it wore him down. The hell.
He'd never be someone that Kai could rely upon or lean on.
Tala could be counted on to act… nothing like them. They, who made Kai weak with their tolerance and the trust he could put in them.
Tala was central to Kai's Most Hostile Environment—the one person who would beat him into shape. The one person who didn't love him.
And it all made perfect sense in Kai's head, and he was grateful underneath.
a/n: Next one is a follow-up on this.