There For You - Cobra Kai x OC

5.1) Long, Long Way From Home

Third Person's POV:

It's crazy how much things could change in just a couple of days. If three days ago someone had told Gaby that she would be considering quitting karate and would be on speaking terms with Sam, she would've called them crazy.

But things are different now, it's like reality finally caught up with her. For the first time in over a year, she's not thinking about karate or school or dance or work or anything like that. All she's thinking about right now is her dad.

"Hola mija," Krystal greeted as she walked through the door, "Te traje un cafecito. (I brought you a coffee)"

Gaby looked at her and gave her a tired smile, "Gracias, Mami. (Thanks mom)"

Her mom handed her the coffee before sitting down on the chair next to hers. "He's going to be alright."

Gaby sighed and looked back to her dad, who was lying on a hospital bed right in front of them, "The doctors said they don't know if he'll wake up." 

"But they also said that a coma usually lasts a few weeks, so he still has time to wake up before we start to get worried," Krystal said, "We have to think positively, mi vida."

*****

A few hours later, Gaby was woken up by her mom. "It's getting late, sweetheart, you should head home."

"But Mami-"

"Please, mi vida," Krystal pleaded, "Go home and get some rest. I'll stay here with your Papi."

"Okay," Gaby sighed, "I love you Mami," she said, as she got up from her chair.

"I love you too, cariña. Now go, you can take the car," Krystal said, shooing Gaby out of the hospital room.

Once she got home, Gaby unlocked the door and walked straight to her room, already knowing there was nothing waiting for her in the fridge.

Gaby can admit that she probably should've gotten something to eat on the way home, but she just didn't have the energy for that right now. Besides, she can always get something to eat from the mini-mart later.

Just as she was getting comfortable in her bed, Gaby heard someone knock on the front door. She groaned in annoyance before getting out of bed and walking towards the door.

Out of all the people she was expecting to see, Daniel LaRusso was definitely at the bottom of her list.

"Um... Hi," Gaby said awkwardly, not really knowing what to say.

Daniel smiled at her, "Hi Gaby, Sam told me you got discharged from the hospital earlier today, so I wanted to make sure you were okay. I know we haven't spoken in a while, but I want you to know that I still care about you. Even if you never speak to me, even if you hate me, I will always be there for you, no matter what."

"Laz has been my best friend for years now; you're my family, Gaby, and I'm so sorry that I let this whole karate drama get in the way of that," he paused before continuing, "I can't imagine what you must be going through right now, and I just want you to be okay."

Gaby stared at him in shock, her eyes shiny with tears, this was the last thing she'd expected, but it was exactly what she needed to hear. Without thinking, she leaned forward and hugged him. 

Daniel froze for a second before hugging her back. 

"I'm so sorry," she cried.

"Sh, it's alright. It's gonna be okay," Daniel reassured her.

After their hug, Gaby ended up inviting Daniel into the house and the two of them sat down on the couch, having a much needed conversation.

"Y'know," Gaby said, tucking her knees into her chest, "I promised Sam that I wouldn't shut everyone out, that I'd try my best to fix things, but I don't even know where to start."

"I've hurt so many people," she continued, "People who used to be my best friends, and there's nothing I can do or say that will change that. I don't know, I think part of me would rather never try to fix things, than try and fail."

"It's true that you can't change what you did, but it's not too late to make things right. You're not the only one who's hurt the people they care about, you're not the only one who's been changed by Cobra Kai," Daniel said.

"Yeah, but it's not the same. Silver and Kreese, they would always say I was different than everyone else. That I was a true Cobra, that they were proud of me," Gaby said, turning around to face Daniel, her eyes shining with tears, "How am I supposed to fix things, when deep down I'm just as bad as they are?"

Daniel's eyes widened in surprise, "What are you talking about? You are nowhere near as bad as they are."

"How can you know that?"

"Because you're just a kid. You're a kid who was manipulated and groomed by two adults that should have protected you. They were your teachers, you looked up to them and trusted them, and they failed you. Kreese and Silver are horrible people who take pleasure in torturing children, you are nothing like them."

Daniel sighed and continued, "I would know, Silver did the same thing to me."

"Really?" Gaby asked in surprise.

Daniel nodded, "I was being bullied and harassed by this kid, and Mr. Miyagi wouldn't teach me more karate. I was so desperate that when Silver offered to teach me, I accepted. What I didn't know was that the kid who was harassing me, Barnes, was only doing it because Silver told him to. Because that's what Silver does, he manipulates you and makes you feel like he's the only one you can trust, and then he turns you into a ruthless soldier, completely unrecognizable to everyone around you. He taught me his Quicksilver Method, just like he did to you."

"Wait?" Gaby interrupted, "How did you know he taught me that?"

"I heard him talking to you at the All Valley, before your match with Sam. When I heard you reciting his method, it was like it finally clicked just how serious this was getting. Gaby, you don't know how terrifying it was to see that he was doing the exact same thing he did to me, to you. And when you passed out in front of everyone, I just knew it was because of him. I can't even imagine how much training he was putting you through."

"Look, I know that you hate him, but it wasn't just his fault. I chose to do those things. I'm the one that pushed myself too hard. I'm the one hurt Sam and Eli and everyone else. Those things are on me."

"I'm not trying to say that you're not responsible for you're actions, what I'm saying is that you're not beyond redemption. You're not like Silver and Kreese, you're just a kid," Daniel paused before asking, "If Demetri can forgive Eli for breaking his arm, and Sam can forgive you for fighting dirty and hurting her on purpose, then why can't you forgive yourself for those things? Why do you think you're not allowed forgiveness?"

Gaby looks down and hugs her knees to her chest, "I don't know."

Daniel sighed and put his hand on her shoulder, "I know you might not like this, but I want you to please consider seeing a therapist. You've been through so much this past year, it's not safe to keep it bottled up. Amanda and I would be more than happy to pay for one and we think being able to talk to someone will help you out a lot."

He kissed her on the top of her head before standing up and walking to the front door, "If you decide you don't want one then that's ok, I'll support you no matter what you choose, always remember that. I love you, Gaby."

Gaby looked up at him and said, "I love you too, Uncle Danny."

He smiled at her before opening the door and walking out, closing it behind him.

*****

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Have a wonderful week! :)

Published: 07/21/2024

Words: 1,381