Change is part of growing up, Lee knows that. It was one of the wonderful lessons Gai-sensei taught him. Still, he can't help being confused by the changes in himself, by the way his body reacts to Gai-sensei these days. It's not shameful, Gai-sensei taught him that, too. Sexual attraction and desire are natural; love is the beautiful force that makes life worth living.
Follow your heart, don't hide your feelings!, another piece of wisdom Gai-sensei bestowed on him.
Lee carries those words in his heart, and that evening when they're alone on the deserted training grounds, he knows what he has to do.
He knows he has to confess, but that isn't what happens.
What happens is, Gai-sensei helps him redo the bandages on his right hand.
Lee feels the touch of those strong, capable fingers on his skin, and sensei's face is so incredibly close, close enough for Lee to count the hairs of his beautiful dark eyelashes. Gai-sensei's lips…
Lee can't help himself, he lurches forward on rubber knees and presses his lips to Gai-sensei's.
He follows his heart.
And the first nanosecond, that tiny interval of time, when his lips touch Gai-sensei's and he feels their warmth, knowing that in this instant he and Gai-sensei are closer than they've ever been before – that first moment is heaven.
But then Lee feels Gai-sensei tense, he feels Gai-sensei's hands on his shoulders, he feels himself being pushed away, gently but firmly.
And then Gai-sensei is looking at him, and his eyes are full of anguish and sadness and pity.
"Lee…" he says, his voice pained, cracking on the next small syllable. "No."
"Gai-sensei…" Lee says because there really is nothing else left to say.
Behind them the sun is setting, but Lee, being held at arm's length by his beloved teacher, is too sad, too ashamed, even for tears.
Maybe heartbreak is part of growing up, too.