Out of Place [Cobra Kai OC x Robby Keene]

143 - Desperado

TW: violence, PTSD, blood

I stand in the locker room alone. I've been standing here for what feels like forever. There's plenty of time before I need to be out with my team. I just can't bring myself to move. I hold the top of my gi with shaking hands. My dragon gi. Mr LaRusso and Mr Lawrence told me I could wear it, that I should wear it, in fact. I didn't even have to ask them.

I can't tear my eyes away from the design on the back. I drew it myself with the intent of getting it tattooed as an act of rebellion against the man who hurt me continuously. When I actually got it tattooed, an act of apology from Eli for everything he had done to hurt me, I thought Abuela would kill me. But she wasn't even upset in the slightest. She embroidered the same design on the back of gi I now hold in my hands.

My abuelo called earlier this morning. Abuelita's condition is improving, or so they say. She's still not awake, but her vitals are on the upward trend, and Abuelo said that when he held her hand, he swears her fingers ever so slightly curled around his. I don't know how much hope I can have. My mamá never got any better. There was never any hope. My brothers were gone before I could process what was going on. But my father defied the odds and woke up from his coma and so did Miguel. Abuelo has beaten a lung condition twice now. Part of me needs to hold out hope. The other part can't allow herself to be vulnerable again.

"As good as you look shirtless, I don't think the uniform is complete without the top part," Robby says from behind me. I lower my arms, hanging my head. He walks closer to me, putting a hand on my shoulder. His hand is warm on my skin. "It's pretty cool that they let you wear the dragon gi."

"Yeah..." I say. I'm glad they did. It's easier to move in. Gives me confidence. My eyes are just glued to the design...

"Matches your tattoo," he points out, looking over my shoulder.

"Abuela did it," I say, voice coming out a little blank, "for the karate All Valley. I didn't ask her to. I'm not even sure how she got it so perfect. Or how she managed to get it done without me noticing."

"Well if there's one thing I've learned about your abuela, it's to never doubt her," he says, "and if there's another thing I've learned, it's that she wouldn't want you to doubt yourself either."

He's right... I know he's right, I'm the one who's told him stories of Abuelita always telling me to believe in myself... I nod a little. Robby shifts to be behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist and his head rested on my shoulder.

"I got this gi after I won my first taekwondo All Valley. I'd never competed before. Now, I'm competing in front of the world. Same gi. Same fighter. But everything else feels so different," I say, running my thumb along the material.

"I think the fighter has changed too. I used to think people couldn't change... but they can, and they do, and I think it's a good thing that they do," Robby says, "when I met you, you were timid and doubtful and anxious about everything. You didn't trust anyone. You kept your guard up around everyone," he moves one of his hands from off my waist, and when he brings it back, he has a picture in hand. The picture we took together at our first All Valley... "This girl couldn't even fathom fighting in the Sekai Taikai, let alone being captain of her team. Now look at her."