HAYDEN WAS NEVER A PATIENT PERSON NOR DID SHE EVER CLAIM TO BE ONE.

"I spent an entire day sanding floors, painting fences, waxing cars, and not once did I throw a single punch," she grumbled, kicking her skateboard up into her hand as they reached her apartment complex. She glanced back at Robby, who had skated her home again.

Robby chuckled, shaking his head as he tucked his skateboard under his arm. "Don't worry. You'll see the process soon enough."

Hayden threw her head back dramatically, groaning. "Can't you just show me now? Please?" She turned to him, batting her eyelashes and flashing a soft, mischievous smile— the one she knew Robby could never resist.

And just as she predicted, Robby sighed, relenting. "Fine," he said, setting his board down. "Come on."

He moved a few steps away and gestured for her to join him. "Show me 'wax on, wax off.'"

Hayden frowned but stepped closer. Before she could ask what he meant, Robby got into a fighting stance and threw a quick jab. Her body reacted instinctively, her hands moving in a circular motion to block the strike— the exact movement she'd used while waxing the cars earlier that day.

Her eyes widened in amazement, and she looked at Robby like he'd just performed magic.

"Now, paint the fence," he instructed, a playful grin tugging at his lips.

He threw another series of jabs, and again, Hayden blocked them. This time, her movements were sharp and precise, matching the up-and-down strokes she'd used while painting.

"What the hell?" she laughed, staring at her hands as if they didn't belong to her.

But Robby wasn't done. He stepped back, raising his hands, and without warning launched into a flurry of punches, jabs, and kicks. Hayden didn't flinch, her body moving fluidly as she blocked each strike. It was like her muscles remembered what her brain didn't, and it left her in awe.

When Robby finally stopped, he stood there grinning at her, his hands raised in surrender. "I told you it'd all come together in the end."

Hayden let out a breathless laugh, her gaze flicking between him and her hands. "That is insane. I can't believe that actually worked."

"It's muscle memory," Robby said simply, lowering his hands. "That's why Mr. LaRusso had you do all that stuff today. It wasn't just chores— it was training."

Hayden shook her head, still in disbelief. "Okay, I'm not gonna lie, when I was scrubbing that deck for hours, I thought you guys were just fucking with me."

Robby laughed at that, his smile softening as he watched her. There was something about the way her excitement lit up her face, like she was seeing herself in a whole new light.

"You're better than you think you are," he said after a moment, his tone quieter.

Hayden's laughter died down, and she glanced at him, her brows pulling together. For a second, the air between them shifted. It wasn't just playful anymore; it was something deeper.

"Thanks," she murmured, her voice almost shy.

Robby cleared his throat, stepping back as if to shake off the moment. "Anyway, you should probably get inside. It's late."

Hayden nodded, picking up her board. "Goodnight, Robby."

"Goodnight, Hayden."

—

How do you tell your sensei that you can't stand his daughter and would rather avoid her at all costs?

The answer: you don't.

Hayden crossed her arms, jaw tight as she side-eyed Sam, who stood on the opposite side of Robby. The three of them watched Daniel draw a large circle on the dojo floor with a bag of white sand.

If Hayden had known Sam would be joining Miyagi-Do last minute, she would've made up an excuse to stay home. A day to mentally prepare herself— or, better yet, a conveniently timed "flu"— would've gone a long way.

"If we're gonna play in the sand, why not just go to the beach?" Sam asked, hands planted firmly on her hips.

Daniel gave her a patient smile. "Not today. It's been a while since this dojo's had more than one student. You'd think having three would triple the defense, right?"

The teens exchanged uncertain glances before offering hesitant nods.

"Wrong," Daniel said firmly. "One of the cornerstones of Miyagi-Do Karate is moving in a circle. With the wheel technique, you'll learn how two people can fight as strong as twenty. Are you ready?"

"Let's do this," Sam said enthusiastically, her smile bright.

"Yes, Mr. LaRusso," Robby added with a nod.

Hayden gave a curt nod, keeping her face neutral.

"Good," Daniel said, stepping back. "Robby, Hayden—get in the circle."

Hayden took a slow breath, stepping to one side of the circle as Robby moved to the other. She could feel Sam's gaze burning into her, but she ignored it, focusing on Daniel's instructions.

"Face me. Bow."

They both turned to Daniel and bowed respectfully.

"Now face each other. Bow."

Hayden pivoted to face Robby, her eyes locking with his. Slowly, she bowed, her gaze never wavering. Robby mirrored her movements, holding her eyes the entire time. For a moment, his lips twitched as if he were suppressing a smirk, but he kept his composure.

They straightened, the silent tension between them thickening as Daniel clapped his hands.

"All right, let's begin," Daniel said, stepping back to observe.

—

Half an hour later, Hayden was still in the circle, rotating between sparring with Sam and Robby, though the pairs shifted often enough that her patience was beginning to wear thin. She was now back with Robby, her least frustrating partner— if only by comparison.

They moved through the routine, their hands rising and separating in unison before throwing simultaneous punches into the air.

"Nice," Mr. LaRusso praised with a slow nod, watching carefully. "Keep it going."

With Robby, things were oddly easy. Hayden found herself picking up on the slight hesitations in his movements— when he slowed down to concentrate on a tricky step or rushed through one out of habit. She adjusted herself instinctively, balancing their pace, and he seemed to do the same for her. It was almost natural.

"Okay," Daniel called out. "Now show me the wheel."

They turned at the same moment, each keeping the other in their peripheral vision, and raised their legs for a synchronized kick. But it didn't go as planned. Overthinking the motion, they lost their balance and stumbled inward. Robby's hand shot out to grip Hayden's waist, and she grabbed his arm to steady herself before they could crash completely.

"Got you," Robby muttered, his voice low. He looked down at her with a faint smile, his hand still resting lightly on her waist.

"Thanks," Hayden replied, her voice catching slightly. She stepped back quickly, ignoring the rush of butterflies that swept through her chest.

Daniel shook his head with a small chuckle. "You two are overthinking it. Don't think— just do. Hayden, stop watching Robby. Robby, stop watching Hayden. You've got to feel each other."

The comment shouldn't have phased her, but Hayden felt her face flush anyway. Feel each other? Her mind wandered for half a second before she snapped herself back to reality.

Daniel continued, oblivious. "You need to be perfectly in sync, or this technique doesn't work."

"'Technique'? It feels more like a dance," Robby quipped.

Hayden blinked. "I'm the worst dancer on the planet."

The corner of Robby's mouth twitched, and even Sam let out a small laugh.

"At what point do we do the hokey pokey and turn ourselves around?" Sam joked, grinning.

Daniel clapped his hands, cutting through the humor. "Okay, okay, focus. Master this, and no one will mess with you. Come on, let's try again. Sam, Hayden—you're up."

"Yay," Hayden muttered sarcastically under her breath, moving to her side of the circle and facing Sam. They both got into position.

"Aits!"

They began the routine, but it was clear from the first move that Sam was just a beat ahead. Hayden scowled, the flow already thrown off.

"Sam, down. Left arm up," Daniel instructed, his voice clipped.

Sam adjusted, but Daniel stopped them again with a sharp gesture. "No, no. Together. You need to move at the same time."

Hayden's frustration was growing with every failed attempt. She wasn't a quitter, but this was getting under her skin.

"How are we supposed to move together when we can't even see each other?" Robby asked, crossing his arms as he glanced between them.

"You have to sense what your partner is doing, even if you can't see them," Daniel explained, his tone firm but patient.

Hayden tilted her head. "Okay, but how are we supposed to do that?"

Before Daniel could answer, his phone buzzed. He sighed, pulling it from his pocket. "I've got to go help Amanda with something. Just... feel it, okay? Keep trying. I'll be back soon." Without waiting for a response, he strode out of the dojo.

Hayden placed a hand on her forehead. She prided herself on being a little bit of perfectionist, never backing down from anything. She wasn't a quitter and she'd get this right if it were the last thing she did. "Feel it. Yeah, okay." She muttered, going to her side of the circle.

"I'll go," Robby quickly offered, stepping into the circle opposite Hayden.

She looked at him skeptically, but didn't protest. They got into position, their stances mirroring one another.

"Okay, start," Sam called out, taking on the role of observer. "I'll let you know when you're off."

—

Hayden was determined to get the routine down. So determined that she showed up an hour early to training. She sanded the floors, waxed the cars, gave the shed a whole new layer of paint. Honing her skills to perfection.

Hayden stood in the circle, trying to retrace the steps of the routine from the other day. She groaned quietly, frustrated as she hesitated mid-turn. Was it clockwise or counterclockwise first? She wasn't sure, and it was driving her crazy.

The sound of footsteps crunching in the sand made her spin around, her frown shifting into a faint smile when she saw Robby approaching. "Oh, good, you're here. Is that first turn clockwise or counterclockwise?"

Robby didn't mean to snap at her. He really didn't. She was the last person he wanted to take his frustration out on. But the irritation had been simmering for hours, and it finally boiled over. His mom hadn't paid the water bill, the PG&E bill, and he couldn't even remember the last time their fridge had anything besides condiments and a half-empty soda bottle.

So, when he spoke, his voice came out sharper than he intended. "I don't remember, okay? And who cares, anyway? What's the point of this stupid dance? It's not gonna save us in a fight." He brushed past her, shaking his head.

Hayden blinked, momentarily taken aback by the sudden burst of irritation. Her brows drew together, her voice steady but firm as she called after him, "Stop."

Robby paused mid-step, glancing over his shoulder. "What?"

She folded her arms, leveling him with a look that was calm but unwavering. "Try again."

He turned fully now, confused and still annoyed. "What are you talking about?"

Hayden tilted her head slightly, her tone carrying just enough bite to get his attention. "I know you're not snapping at me like that. So, try again."

Robby opened his mouth, then closed it, realizing she wasn't going to let this slide. There was something about the way she held her ground that pulled him out of his anger, making him feel just a little ashamed. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry," he muttered. "I didn't mean to take it out on you."

Hayden nodded, her expression softening just a touch. "Better. Now, let's figure this out— clockwise or counterclockwise?"

Robby shook his head but couldn't help the small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Counterclockwise," he said, stepping into the circle with her.

They began the routine, their movements sharp but not entirely in sync. Hayden let out a slow breath, her focus half on the sequence and half on the stormy expression Robby was wearing like a second gi.

"So, what's up?" she asked casually, turning pivoting in a counterclockwise direction.

Robby frowned, not missing a beat as they turned. "What do you mean?"

Hayden gave him a pointed look. "I mean, what's got you stomping in here like someone stole your skateboard and ran over it for good measure?"

"I'm not stomping," Robby said through gritted teeth, throwing a quick jab.

"Could've fooled me," Hayden shot back, smoothly deflecting his punch. "You've got this whole dark-and-brooding thing going on. It's like watching Batman learn karate."

Robby let out a short, humorless laugh. "Maybe I just don't think this whole 'dance in a circle' routine is gonna save me in a fight."

Hayden arched a brow, sidestepping to reset their positions. "Oh, so this is you being a philosophical rebel now? 'What's the point of karate?'" She dropped her voice to mimic him. "'Life is meaningless; we're just dust in the wind.'"

He cracked the faintest smile but quickly hid it. "That's not what I said."

"No, but it's what you meant," Hayden teased, stepping into a perfect block. "Come on, Keene, spill it. What's really bugging you?"

Robby hesitated, his gaze flickering away for a moment. "It's just... stuff at home. Bills piling up. Mom's checked out again. The usual."

"Ah," Hayden said, nodding as if it all made perfect sense. "So you're taking it out on the one person who actually tolerates your grumpy ass. Smart move."

"I—" Robby stopped mid-step, his brow furrowing. "Tolerates me?" he echoed, his tone dipping with mock offense. "You're saying you only tolerate me?"

"About as much as I tolerate the gum stuck to my shoe." She nodded dryly, laughing when she felt Robby push her gently. "I get it, seriously. If you need somewhere to shower and eat, just know my doors always open. My mom's never home anyway." She shrugged, nudging the boy gently.

Robby nodded, the offer meaning more to him than Hayden would ever know. "Thanks,"

Unbeknownst to the two teens, Sam had only been a few feet away. And she had listened in to the entire conversation.

—

"Mr. Miyagi built this a few years before he passed," Daniel began, his voice calm as he waded out of the pond. "He called it a monument to balance. But today, it's not about balancing bonsais."

Hayden arched a brow, her gaze flicking from the pond to Daniel with skepticism.

"It's about teaching you three the wheel technique," he finished with a smirk. "Hop in."

"You actually want us to get in there?" Sam asked, her tone caught between disbelief and dread.

"Yes," Daniel said simply, giving a firm nod.

Robby crossed his arms, his voice dry. "Could've told us to bring swimsuits."

"Come on. A little water never hurt anyone," Daniel coaxed, gesturing for them to move closer.

Hayden crouched down, dipping her fingers into the pond and flinching at the chill. "I guess this is still better than the half-empty apartment pools I've had to deal with," she snorted, straightening to glance at Daniel, whose faint smile of recognition made her pause.

"You're welcome to come swim at our house anytime, Hayden," he said warmly, a chuckle slipping through his words.

Hayden nodded, her lips pressing into a tight line as she slipped off her shoes. She stepped cautiously into the pond, only to suck in a sharp breath as the icy water hit her skin. Her fists clenched reflexively at the shock.

She slowly lowered herself into the pond, "Nice and easy," Daniel spoke from behind her.

She walked over to one side of the circle, her face scrunching in disgust. "I stepped on something slimy," She whined.

"It's nothing, it's nothing. Don't worry about it." Daniel reassured the girl, waving her off.

Robby had followed her in, now on the other side of the circle. He pushed the deck down, Hayden's side rising up. "If we can't do this on the ground, how are we supposed to do it on this?" He asked.

"On the ground, it's hard to sense when your partner is moving. On that deck, trust me, you're gonna feel it right away."

Hayden pushed on her side of the deck, watching the other side lift under the smallest amount of pressure.

"Come on. Get up there." Daniel encouraged the teens. Hayden exchanged glances with Robby before they both nodded and slowly climbed onto the deck.

Hayden gasped when she almost lost balance, slowly getting up to her feet.

"Okay, there you go."

Hayden let out a noise of uncertainty as she stood with wobbly feet, feeling as though she were gonna fall at any given moment.

"Look at Robby, sense each other."

Hayden's gaze darted up reluctantly, her breath hitching when her eyes locked with Robby's. The green in his irises glinted like a challenge under the sunlight, steady and unwavering in a way that only made her feel more off-kilter.

Robby tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing in that quiet, teasing way of his. His lips moved, barely above a whisper, but she caught it.

You got this.

The words wrapped around her, grounding her, and for a second she forgot about the wobbly surface beneath her feet. She let out a slow, deliberate exhale, her hands lowering slightly as she tried to channel his calm.

"Stop looking down," Robby murmured, his voice softer now, meant just for her. The faint rasp in his tone sent a flicker of something through her—annoyance, maybe. Or something warmer. "You're not gonna fall."

She arched a brow, the tension thickening between them. "Easy for you to say. You're not the one one wobbling like an idiot on a glorified toothpick."

His lips quirked at her sarcasm, but his focus didn't waver. "I'm serious, Hayden. Just... stop thinking. Feel it. Feel me."

Her stomach tightened at the phrasing, her pulse betraying her with its uneven rhythm. She blinked, trying to will away the heat climbing up her neck. She shut her eyes for a fleeting moment. 'Focus,' She thought to herself.

"Alright, take your starting positions," Daniel instructed, stepping back as Hayden and Robby climbed onto the wobbling board.

The two teens exchanged a glance, both uneasy, before getting into place. The board creaked under their weight as they shifted back and forth, arms instinctively flailing for balance.

"You've got this. Nice and steady," Daniel encouraged, his voice calm but firm.

It took a moment of swaying and rocking before they managed to raise their hands and start the routine. The first few moves were slow but deliberate, and Daniel nodded approvingly.

"There you go, there you go. You're getting it."

And then they weren't.

Hayden swung her arm just as Robby stepped too far to the left. The board tilted violently, and before they could correct themselves, both of them toppled into the water with a loud splash.

Hayden shot up first, sputtering as she pushed her hair out of her face, water dripping off her chin. "Well, that went great," she deadpanned, glancing over at Robby, who surfaced right after her with an equally annoyed expression.

"Alright, not bad for a first try," Daniel said, clearly amused. "You're just finding your footing."

"I don't feel like we're finding anything," Robby muttered, shaking water out of his hair as it dripped down his face.

"Pretty sure I swallowed a bug," Hayden chimed in, smacking her lips with a grimace.

"Dad," Sam called from the sidelines, her nose wrinkling, "when was the last time this pond was cleaned?"

Daniel waved their complaints off. "Come on, get back up. That was good progress. Let's go."

Hayden gave Robby a look, rolling her eyes, but climbed back onto the board anyway. He followed, muttering something about how this was starting to feel like a lost cause.

"Feel where your partner is," Daniel instructed, watching closely. "Trust each other."

The board wobbled beneath them as Hayden shifted her weight, trying to steady herself. She fought the urge to glance down and instead locked her gaze on Robby, who gave her a firm nod of encouragement.

They raised their hands again, moving cautiously but with better rhythm this time.

"Hai!" Hayden called out, her voice steady.

They moved through the routine, their movements more synchronized than before. But when they reached the kicking part, Hayden hesitated, her brow furrowing.

"You ready?" Robby asked, his voice low but steady.

"Yeah," she replied. "One..."

"Two..."

"Three."

Both kicked at the same time, the board wobbling slightly but holding steady. Hayden half expected to fall again but forced herself not to overthink it.

"Wait, slow down," Robby said suddenly, his tone calm but insistent.

"Yeah, I felt it," Hayden replied, adjusting her stance. She paused, her muscles tight with concentration. "Thanks."

Robby nodded, and they moved forward again, their pace slower but more deliberate. The tension between them seemed to dissolve as they fell into sync, and from the corner of her eye, Hayden caught Daniel mimicking their moves in excitement.

"There you go," he muttered, his voice filled with pride as they neared the end.

Hayden's focus sharpened, her movements precise, and for the first time, she felt herself fully immersed in the routine.

"Almost there... yes, that's it!" Daniel exclaimed, his grin spreading wide as they executed the final move flawlessly.

Both teens froze for a moment, the realization of their success sinking in. Then they turned to each other, grins breaking out across their faces.

"We actually did it," Hayden said, her voice tinged with disbelief and pride.

Robby let out a breathy laugh, holding out his fist to her. "We did."

Hayden bumped her fist against his, her grin widening. "You're not entirely useless, Keene."

Daniel clapped his hands, his excitement palpable. "That's what I'm talking about! Great work, you two. That's how it's done."

Hayden glanced at Robby again, a faint warmth spreading through her chest. For once, it actually felt like she wasn't just learning moves— she was learning how to trust again.

—

"You don't have to take me home every night, you know." Hayden spoke as they arrived to her apartment complex, turning to look at Robby. "I can handle myself."

Robby lifted his shoulders in a shrug, "Just because you can doesn't mean you should have to."

Hayden matched his shrug, "I've been doing it my whole life, it's not gonna stop now."

Robby paused, looking down at the girl. "Yeah, I- I can relate."

"I'm sorry, Robby. Trust me, I know how hard it can be." Hayden looked down at her feet, sudden feels of discomfort rising beneath her skin.

She's never talked so casually about her family issues with anyone before. Robby seemed to bring out this side of her with ease. The idea that he might understand coaxed the truth out of her.

"I guess I should have gotten used to it by this point, right? It just... irritated me today more than usual."

"No one should have to get used to it." Hayden stated, her voice sounding bitter toward the end of her sentence.

Robby stared at her, voice softening. "You shouldn't."

Hayden waved him off, "My mom's still in the picture, so.." She trailed off, "I mean, I've known kids who've had it way worse than I do." She repeated what her mom had constantly said to her, like a mantra, swallowing thickly.

"Nah, don't do that," Robby said softly, his tone firm but kind. "Don't downplay what you've been through just because it's not the same as someone else's."

Hayden sighed, crossing her arms defensively. "But kids have had it worse than me, though," she said, the words feeling like muscle memory now. They were the same ones her mom had thrown at her so many times, they were starting to feel like truth. "Growing up, I watched kids starve, living in conditions no one should ever have to live in. Parents who were addicts... they didn't even have the basics. I'm lucky."

"Hayden, stop," Robby said, his voice a little sharper now, though not unkind. He stepped closer, his eyes locking with hers. "I grew up as one of those kids. I can check off most of those boxes, okay? And I'm telling you, it doesn't make what you went through any less real, or any less hard."

She blinked, caught off guard by the weight in his words. He wasn't teasing now. There was no smirk, no sarcasm. Just honesty.

"You've been through a lot," Robby continued, his voice softening again. "You don't have to act like it's nothing just because someone else's pain looks different. Hurt is hurt. You deserve to feel yours, too."

Hayden swallowed hard, the tightness in her chest making it hard to respond. She nodded slightly, looking away. For once, she didn't have a rebuttal.

And Robby, sensing she needed a moment, let the silence stretch just long enough to let her breathe.

And as the silence settled between them, she felt an unfamiliar calm wash over her—a sense of relief, like someone had finally given her permission to just be.

authors note.
This was kinda refreshing to write. I thought it was cute and fed team Robby. For my team Miguel girlies, I promise content is coming soon. Also, I have a tiktok and I post edits there for this story if you guys would like to go supportttt @/angeiscry.wp !