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"I think we should break up."
Kai sat in stunned silence. When Skylor had called him out to meet at the Noodle House to talk, this is not what he had in mind.
He was actually planning to meet with her soon. He had been going through a lot of self-discovery lately, and wanted to share it with someone. Skylor was someone he could always count on to hear him out. But now...
Kai stayed silent, so Skylor began speaking again.
"Look, Kai, you're a great guy, and you've helped me through a lot, between my dad and helping me start a new life in Ninjago City. I appreciate it, I really do."
Skylor took a deep breath, preparing to explain herself.
"But... I've been thinking and I've realized that... I'm not really into guys."
Kai's eyebrows jumped up at that. Skylor always seemed so into him, with the flirting and nights they shared.
"I've given it a lot of thought, but I... I am lesbian."
Skylor looked away from Kai. She didn't want to see his reaction. He hasn't said a word since she started talking.
And so they sat, the quiet music in the restaurant the only thing disrupting the tense atmosphere.
Until Kai chuckled.
Skylor looked up, caught off guard by his reaction.
"That's uh... wow. That's really great to hear actually. Because I've actually been going through some self-reflection too, and uh..."
Kai looked away, not sure how to phrase the rest of his sentence. Would she think he was lying?
Or playing a sick joke? Kai looked over at Skylor, who was waiting in tense suspense.
He was planning to tell Skylor soon anyway. He took a deep inhale through his nose and exhaled through his mouth.
"I'm actually a woman."
It was Skylor's turn to be stunned into silence. She looked at Kai, and saw him in a new light.
"S-so! That's why I said it was funny that you were a lesbian. Because, I think we're both women now."
Skylor didn't know what to say. "Oh, wow. What a coincidence."
Kai defended himself, "I'm not kidding! Or lying if that's what you think! I am a-- well, at least I think I am." Kai ended by looking away again, shying from Skylor's eyes.
Skylor defended herself right back. "Oh no, I didn't mean- I believe you! It's just- we both came out at the same time and-" Skylor cut herself off, not sure where her sentence was going.
The two sat in that tense atmosphere once more.
Skylor broke the tension by clearing her voice. "So, Kai, have you picked out a new name yet?"
Kai leaned back in his seat, glad he knew the answer to this question. "Actually, I'm gonna stick with Kai. It's iconic y'know? But I do want to change my pronouns to she/her."
Skylor chuckled, of course she would say her name is 'iconic'. Only her.
Kai looked at Skylor once more. "Are you serious about breaking up? Even if I'm a woman?"
Skylor leaned back in her seat, thinking about the question. "Um, yeah. I think it's for the best."
"Would you date me as a woman?"
Kai's earnest question caught Skylor off guard once more. Skylor thought she wanted to break things off because of her sexuality, but would she date Kai, now that's she's a woman? But in her heart, she knew the truth. Skylor thought back to the countless days she waited for a text from Kai, the nights she woke up alone in her bed, the big gestures Kai tried to make up for it all that ultimately fell flat.
"Kai, like I said, you are very sweet. But I think we had more problems between us than just this."
Skylor placed her hand on Kai's hand. Kai's disappointment was written on her face.
"Oh..."
Skylor pulled Kai's hand a little closer to her, wanting Kai's attention. "But we can still be friends. I'll always be here for you, just like you are for me, right?"
Kai looked up from his hand, up to Skylor. She gave a small smile. "Of course Skylor."
Kai sat up a little straighter, "I actually wanted to ask if you could help me with the whole transitioning into a woman thing. I don't really know what to do honestly."
Kai perked up a little bit. "And Nya has been no help what-so-ever!"
Skylor gave a little laugh. "Of course Kai. Whatever you need to be you."