Mythology of Us
Tyson liked to pretend in the meantime that there was another Kai, and soon they'd get to hang out for more than seconds at a time. Soon he'd stumble across this Kai napping in bushes, and this Kai would smile easier, and he'd be there when Tyson woke up and went to bed and all the time in between.
This Kai would be quiet but he would be listening, and he would answer. He would have interested eyes. He would get angry on Tyson's behalf more than because of him. He wouldn't feel the need to disappear. He would stay on the team he was supposed to. He would stay no matter what. He would say what Tyson needed but nicely. He wouldn't get into those fights. He'd watch movies and eat pizza. He'd lead.
Tyson had proof of this Kai, in momentary glances and faint smirks and a body reclining at his side maybe relaxed. Eyes almost gentle in a solar system, on a beach only they knew. He liked to pretend, with this Kai in mind to talk to when the dojo was silent, blue-lit by rain. Pretend in the meantime that it mattered: a hand holding back.