Heartstrings | Johnny Lawrence x (y/n) | 1984 |

| 9 | Love

Johnny's POV

Johnny couldn't figure out where he stood with (Y/N), and it was driving him crazy. She'd been a constant in his life for as long as he could remember—a source of comfort, someone who got him better than anyone else. They had a connection, a history, that no one else could touch. But now? He didn't know what they were anymore. There were moments when she'd look at him, and his heart would race, or she'd laugh, and it felt like the world faded away. He'd thought about kissing her more times than he'd like to admit, but a part of him wondered if that would ruin everything.

They had a connection, a history, that no one else could touch.

He hated the idea of losing her if things went wrong, but lately, it felt impossible to keep his feelings bottled up. The tension was thick, undeniable. And as much as he tried to shake it, every time they were together, he felt that pull, the urge to cross a line they hadn't yet crossed.

(Y/N)'s POV

(Y/N) couldn't make sense of her feelings for Johnny. He'd always been there, her partner-in-crime, her confidant. But now, it was more than that—she found herself glancing his way a little too often, feeling a thrill every time his arm brushed hers. She'd never felt this way about him before, not until recently. Her heart would skip a beat when he looked at her, his gaze intense and lingering. She wanted to tell him, but what if that ruined everything? What if he didn't feel the same way? Or worse, what if they were better off as friends?

Despite the risks, the thought of stepping away seemed unbearable. She couldn't deny her feelings any longer, even if they complicated everything.

                                               —

They were at the dojo after practice, hanging around while the rest of the Cobras cleaned up. (Y/N) sat on the edge of the mat, stretching, and Johnny approached, leaning casually against the wall beside her, though his expression was anything but casual.

"You're quiet today," he murmured, his voice lower than usual, like he was letting her in on a secret. His eyes locked onto hers, and she felt a surge of warmth creep up her cheeks.

"Just thinking," she replied softly, trying to keep her tone steady, though her heart was pounding. She bit her lip, glancing up at him through her lashes. "About... things."

"What kind of things?" he asked, stepping closer, his gaze holding hers. He couldn't help but notice how her breath hitched when he moved closer, or how her eyes lingered on his lips for just a second too long.

"Us," she admitted, voice barely above a whisper. She felt vulnerable, like she was opening up a part of herself she usually kept guarded. "What... what we are."

Johnny let out a breath, a mix of relief and tension. "I think about that too," he confessed, reaching out to brush a strand of hair behind her ear. His hand lingered, fingers grazing her cheek. "More than I probably should."

Her breath hitched as his hand stayed there, the space between them almost nonexistent now. Her heart was racing, and she swore he could feel it. She couldn't stop herself from reaching out, her hand resting on his chest, feeling the warmth through his shirt, the steady beat of his heart.

He was just about to say something else, something she could see was weighing on him, when one of the Cobras, Dutch, caught sight of them. "Whoa, what's going on here?" he called, grinning as the others looked over. "Johnny, (Y/N), maybe you two should save it for after practice!"

(Y/N) felt her cheeks flush as the others snickered, but Johnny only rolled his eyes. He didn't move away, didn't break their gaze, and the intensity in his eyes didn't waver. The laughter and whistles from the other Cobras faded into the background as he leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Let them talk," he murmured, his thumb brushing her cheek, his eyes searching hers for any sign that she wanted him to stop. She didn't. Her heart was racing, her breath shallow as she tilted her head slightly, closing the space between them.

Johnny's lips brushed hers, soft and gentle, testing the waters. It wasn't rough or rushed, it was tender, a promise held in that gentle touch. She melted into him, feeling his hand slide to the small of her back, pulling her closer until there was no space between them, leaving only the heat of his touch, the softness of his lips, and the overwhelming realization that this was everything she'd been waiting for.

The Cobras groaned, pretending to gag and laugh, but neither she nor Johnny cared. Finally, he pulled back, just enough to look into her eyes, his expression soft but intense. "I don't know what we are," he whispered, his forehead resting against hers, "but I don't want this to stop."

Her lips curved into a smile as she reached up to trace his jawline, her fingers brushing over the faint stubble. She wanted to tell him she felt the same, that this, whatever it was, was what she wanted too.