𝐂𝐀𝐍'𝐓 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐃, cobra kai

──𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 (S2)

────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ──────
──EPISODE FIVE

"DEMETRI ISN'T EXACTLY A NATURAL," Élodie bit her lip, but she smiled as she glanced in the direction of the boy leaving, "But I think he's got potential. I hope he has."

Robby grinned, sipping at his water bottle, "I guess we'll see. I wish I'd seen his face when Mr LaRusso handed him that paintbrush. You got any plans for tonight?"

Élodie pondered his question for a moment, but shook her head with a shrug, "I was just going to go visit Grams, probably. Demetri asked about going to the mall for a catch up, so there first though. Why?"

"Could--uh, could I come?"

Robby was looking down at his feet now, and Élodie furrowed her brows in confusion, "To see my Grams?"

"I think Sam is mad at me since the video at the beach or something," he told her honestly, returning his gaze to meet Élodie's, "I don't really want to be in the house and I don't know... Your grandma always sounds so cool, so... but I could at least come to the mall?"

Élodie smiled warmly, feeling a pang of guilt, "Oh... I'm sorry. At least it shows she likes you, I guess? She hasn't spoken to me much either, but I figured she's been busy. But sure, you can come with. I told 'Metri I'd meet him there so I could gather my stuff."

Robby nodded, waiting for Élodie to get ready and then following her like a small puppy towards the bus stop to head to the mall, turning down Mr LaRusso's offer of a ride.

———

"Oh my god. Sweet man bun," Élodie teased as they sat at a table in the food court, holding up Robby's license, "Kinda disappointed you didn't wear your hair like that when we dated."

Robby rolled his eyes with a laugh, "I told you it was a horrible picture. Guess I'm stuck with it for five years, so no biggie, right?"

Élodie was enjoying being this comfortable in Robby's company again, even if she did have a lingering worry about how Sam felt about their closeness. Even more so, she worried about what signals Robby was trying to give her. She cared about him a hell of a lot, but she was still in love with Eli, even if she was trying to avoid him right now.

"Wait, Robert Swayze Keene? You never told me your middle name was Swayze!"

Robby blushed, "My mom was a huge fan of Patrick Swayze. He was an actor in the '80s."

Élodie scoffed, placing his ID down and flashing a smile, "Uh, yeah! And only the sexiest man ever to live. Ghost is one of my favourite films of all time, Robby. I could've sworn we watched--"

"Oh, uh, we didn't watch it because Trey roped me into a scheme that night," Robby pouted, remembering that night vividly. It had been when they first were dating and things weren't even remotely serious, so she'd forgiven his excuse of having 'work' with ease, "I remember how disappointed you were, though, so I'm sorry. We can watch it sometime soon, though?"

Élodie swallowed hard, nodding, as Demetri re-emerged beside them after having been to the toilet, "I'm more partial to his performance in Donnie Darko. Interesting movie."

"Mmm, time travel logic left a lot to be desired," Élodie shrugged, and Demetri smiled. She was really happy that Demetri had fully warmed up to her now. On the other hand, though, it broke her heart that it was only since 'Hawk', because she wished they could have been closer when they were around as a trio.

"Wait. Is today Wednesday?"

Élodie nodded.

"The new issue of Dungeon Lord came out. Um, do you guys want anything from the comic book store?" Demetri asked, jumping back to his feet, and Élodie and Robby both shook their heads with a smile, "No thanks, 'Metri. We'll see you in a bit... I'll keep an eye on your food!"