"I am fucked," Theo panted as he sat on top of the hood of an abandoned car in the scrap place. Miguel and Hawk both nodded, the latter groaning as he massaged his ass after getting bitten in the ass by a dog. Theo was about to talk again when his phone chimed, getting a text of Sam.

Little Sis: Grandma's here and wants to u, think u can suffer Dad?

Theo: Be there in ten :(

Theo groaned in annoyance, saying goodbye to his friends. His grandma knew nothing of Daniel's and Theo's hostility towards each other, and didn't know Theo even moved out.

"Anybody home?" Theo called out when he arrived at the LeRusso residence. In an instant, Sam popped her head around the corner and smiled widely, rushing to hug Theo.

"Oh, thank god," she mumbled. "Grandma's outside with Dad," Theo nodded.

"Hey, Grandma," Theo smiled when he reached the patio, seeing his Dad, Daniel, along with his cousins and grandmother sat around the table.

"Oh, Theo, look at you!" His Grandma gushed as she rushed to hug him. As she pulled back, she slipped a twenty dollar bill in his hands, winking. "You've gotten so tall!"

Theo couldn't help but let out a small chuckle as his grandma showered him with affection and slipped a twenty-dollar bill into his hand. Despite the tension between him and his father, there was always a soft spot in his heart for his grandma.

"Thanks, Grandma," Theo grinned, pocketing the money. "You're looking great too."

As the family gathered around the patio table, Theo exchanged polite greetings with his cousins. He couldn't help but notice the curious glances they shared, they were aware of the strained relationship between him and his father. However, they quickly diverted their attention to the lively conversation happening around the table.

His dad, Daniel, seemed surprisingly relaxed, engaging in light banter with his siblings and mother. It was a side of him that Theo rarely saw, and it momentarily eased the tension in the air. Nevertheless, Theo couldn't forget the hurtful words and actions that had driven a wedge between them.

Theo's grandma, sensing the underlying tension, took it upon herself to break the ice. "So, Theo, how's life treating you these days?" she asked, her eyes filled with genuine curiosity.

Theo hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much he wanted to reveal. But he knew that his grandma was a source of comfort and understanding, so he decided to open up.

"It's been a rollercoaster, Grandma," he admitted, a hint of vulnerability in his voice. "I've had my fair share of challenges, but I'm doing okay."

His grandma nodded, her expression filled with empathy. "Life has a way of throwing us curveballs, my dear," she said, her voice filled with wisdom. "But remember, you have the strength and resilience to overcome anything that comes your way."

Theo's heart swelled with gratitude for his grandma's words of encouragement. It was a reminder that he wasn't alone in his struggles and that he had a support system that extended beyond his immediate family. However, it didn't take long for the conversation to turn to karate.

"You know, it's bad enough that this monster is teaching kids," Daniel spoke, causing Theo to roll his eyes in annoyance. "Now he's somehow convinced the All Valley Board to let Cobra Kai back into the tournament."

"Oh, that's horrible. They can't let them back," Theo's grandmother sided with their father, causing Theo to bite down on his lip to avoid lashing out. "Oh, they're nothing but a bunch of bullies."

"They can't all be bullies, right?" Sam asked, glancing worriedly at Theo who was staring at Amanda.

"Just let him talk," Amanda mouthed.

"Trust me, sweetheart, you don't know the half of it. Those Cobra jerks made my little boy's life miserable. Tell them how they pushed you down that hill," their Grandma pointed at Theo and Sam.

"They've already heard it, Ma," Daniel said.

"I thought it was a cliff," Theo and Anthony said at the same time.

"Pasta salad?" Amanda asked their grandmother, holding out the pot.

"Oh, no, thank you," their grandma replied. "I don't like that prepackaged stuff from the store."

"Oh. Well, I would've made some, but I got home late from the dealership," Amanda replied sarcastically.

"Oh, no. That's okay. I get it. It's tough being a working mom," their grandma agreed, before she felt the need to brag. "But at least you have a partner. Remember how I used to come home from work and then started cooking from scratch?"

"Yeah, Ma," Daniel said awkwardly.

"You know, that son of a bitch has a lot of nerve entering the tournament, especially after everything he's done to you," said Louie as he popped open his beer, sitting next to Daniel. "And you fixed his car for free. Say, whatever happened to that girl in Cobra Kai? What's her name?"

"Elise," Theo spoke coldly before Daniel could reply. "She's dead."

"Well, good riddance I say," Louie said, raising his beer. Theo snapped, he dived across the table, grabbing Louie by the collar of his shirt and dragged him from the chair.

"Say that again," Theo seethed, his voice filled with a raw intensity that sent shivers down everyone's spine.

Louie's face paled, realising the gravity of his words, as he struggled to free himself from Theo's grip. "I... I didn't mean it, man. I was just... just joking," he stammered, his voice trembling.

But the damage was already done. Louie's comment about Theo's mother, Elise, had ignited a fire within Theo that couldn't be easily extinguished. Memories of his mother, her love and warmth, flooded his mind, and he couldn't bear to hear someone speak ill of her.

Theo's grip tightened even more, his knuckles turning white. "You think it's funny to talk about my mom like that?" he growled, his voice dripping with venom.

Daniel quickly sprang into action, attempting to pry Theo away from Louie. "Theo, stop! Let him go!" he pleaded, his voice filled with urgency.

"Tell her!" Theo snapped at his father, pointing at his grandmother. "Tell her how much I remind you of my mom that you bullied me for years, called me god-awful names until I snapped and filed for emancipation!"

"What? Is this true, Daniel?" His grandma responded sharply.

"We're waiting," Theo said sarcastically, noting Daniel's silence.

"Yes," Daniel admitted defeatedly.

The admission hung in the air, heavy with the weight of years of pain and resentment. Theo's grandmother stared at Daniel, her eyes filled with a mix of shock, disappointment, and anger.

"How could you?" she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "How could you treat your own son that way? To bully him, to call him names?"

Daniel's shoulders sagged, and he looked down at the ground, unable to meet his mother's gaze. The truth had finally come to light, exposing the darkness that had plagued their relationship.

"I never wanted him," Daniel admitted bitterly. "He reminds me of everything I hated about Cobra Kai, about Elise, John Kreese, Terry Silver, Johnny Lawrence. I couldn't stand the sight of him, and I took it out on Theo. I thought pushing him away would make him go, make him leave me alone."

Tears welled up in Theo's eyes as he listened to his father's admission. The pain of rejection, the feeling of not being wanted, surged through him. Anger burned within him, fueled by the injustice of it all.

"You're pathetic," Theo spat, his voice laced with anger. "You can't even own up to your mistakes. You're just like all those Cobra Kai bullies you claim to despise."

Daniel's face twisted with anger, his own frustration boiling over. "I don't owe you anything," he retorted, his voice filled with defiance. "You're not my responsibility."

Theo's eyes narrowed, his fists clenched at his sides. "Fine," he said, his voice cold and resolute. "If you won't acknowledge your mistakes, if you won't apologise, then I have no reason to stay here."

—————

"What is this?" Theo asked as he threw his bag down, kicking off his shoes before bowing as he stepped onto the mat.

"Let's face it, kid, you're the best shot Cobra Kai got at winning this thing," Johnny chuckled, as they bowed to each other. "Diaz is good, but you're better."

"I nearly beat you the last time we sparred, old man," Theo chuckled as he got into a fighting position.

"Nearly isn't good enough," said Johnny, also going into a fighting position. "You're going to win."

Theo smirked confidently, his eyes focused on Johnny. He had come a long way since his first day at Cobra Kai. The teachings of Mr. Miyagi had instilled in him a sense of balance and discipline, while Cobra Kai had honed his aggression and determination. As the training session began, Theo unleashed a flurry of strikes, seamlessly blending the defensive techniques of Miyagi-Do with the offensive moves of Cobra Kai.

Johnny, caught off guard by the complexity of Theo's karate, found himself on the defensive. Theo's lightning-fast kicks and punches were executed with precision and power, leaving Johnny struggling to counter them. With each move, Theo displayed a deep understanding of both styles, exploiting the gaps in Johnny's defense that he hadn't taught him.

As the fight progressed, Theo executed a mesmerising combination of a spinning hook kick followed by a swift leg sweep, catching Johnny off balance. Johnny stumbled and fell to the ground, stunned by the unexpected move.

"What the hell was that?" Johnny exclaimed, rubbing his sore backside.

Theo stood tall, a triumphant smile on his face. "Just a little something I picked up from you and Mr. Miyagi," he replied, his voice filled with confidence.

"Hey, you alright?" Johnny asked when they were packing their things away.

"Just something Daniel said," Theo sighed, throwing his bag over his shoulder. "I'm used to it."

"Come on, let's grab a beer," Theo sighed, but nodded, driving them to the local bar.

"It was the summer of '82. Rocky III had just come out. My buddy Dutch was a huge Mr. T fan, so we went to the local theater to check it out. Sitting in front of us was this group of cute chicks, eating popcorn, Dutch started throwing Milk Duds at them," Johnny reminisced, causing them both to chuckle. "Anyway, eventually, the girls got so pissed off, one of them stood up and started yelling at us."

"Aunt Ali," Theo smiled, thinking of his mother's best friend.

"Yep. That's when I saw her for the first time. She dumped popcorn all over Dutch, got butter all over him," Johnny smiled. "Your mother carried a Polaroid camera with her everywhere and got the perfect moment," they both smiled sadly. "I could tell right away, man, this chick was a firecracker."

"So you asked her out," Theo stated, somewhat knowing the story.

"Yeah, I hit on her a few times till she gave me a chance. We went to Golf N' Stuff for our first date. Kissed on the Ferris wheel. We were madly in love," Johnny sighed, taking a gulp of his beer. "Dated for two years. For, uh, Valentine's Day, instead of rings, I gave her this pink jelly bracelet, she gave me this," he pulled out the black bandana he wears in training.

"So this is where my dad comes in?" Theo guessed.

"Summer before my senior year," Johnny began, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness, "we got into a fight. I thought we'd work things out eventually. Then, your old man came to town."

Johnny sighed, memories flooding back. "Next thing I know, I see him hitting on Ali. Right in front of me. The sight of them flirting, it tore me apart."

Theo leaned in. "What did you do?"

A bitter smile played on Johnny's lips. "I tried to be civil, to have a conversation with Ali. But your old man, he kept butting in, trying to provoke me. I told him to get lost, to mind his own business. And then... out of nowhere, he sucker punches me."

Theo's eyes widened in disbelief. "What an asshole!"

Johnny nodded, his eyes reflecting the pain of the past. "I know. I did what any guy would do. I defended myself. I thought that would be the end of it. But LaRusso... he wouldn't let it go. At the Halloween dance, I was just sitting there, minding my own business. And then, he douses me with a water hose. Can you believe it? I hadn't seen the guy in months, and he turns a water hose on my head!"

Theo clenched his fists, anger burning within him. "That's messed up."

Johnny's gaze turned distant, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and resignation. "It gets worse. I couldn't let it slide. I chased him down that night, determined to put an end to it all. But guess what? The guy has a karate master of his own. Mr. Miyagi. Out of nowhere, this old man jumps us, assaults me and my friends. I think my buddy Tommy got brain damage because of that fight."

Theo's jaw dropped, his mind struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the events. "Wow, I had no idea it went that far."

Johnny's eyes softened. "Yeah, life can be pretty messed up sometimes. But eventually, we decided to settle things in the All Valley Tournament. Both LaRusso and I made it to the finals. It was a close match, 2-2... Your dad won, I lost. But what hurt the most, is that I lost Ali."

—————

Theo stood nervously in front of Tory's door, his heart pounding in his chest. In his hand, he held a bouquet of different flowers. He took a deep breath, calming his nerves.

As the door swung open, revealing Tory's smiling face, Theo's nerves melted away. Her eyes lit up at the sight of him, and he couldn't help but smile back. He held the bouquet behind his back, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Hey, Tory," he greeted, his voice laced with affection.

Tory's smile widened, her excitement evident. "Hey, Rockstar! What's the surprise?"

Theo leaned in, gently pressing his lips against hers in a sweet and tender kiss.

Pulling away, Theo couldn't contain it any longer. He revealed the bouquet of flowers, presenting them to Tory with a proud grin. "I thought these would be a fitting gift for the most amazing girl in the world."

Tory's eyes sparkled as she accepted the bouquet, a rosey tint to her cheeks. She breathed in the scent of the flowers, her heart swelling with happiness. "They're beautiful, Theo. Thank you."

Theo's confidence grew as he saw the joy in Tory's eyes. He took a step closer, his voice filled with sincerity. "Tory, I've been thinking a lot about us, about what we mean to each other. And I wanted to ask you something."

Tory's curiosity piqued, her gaze locked onto Theo's. "What is it, Theo?"

He took a deep breath, his eyes filled with determination. "Will you go on a first official date with me?"

Tory's smile transformed into a radiant beam, her heart fluttering with excitement. "I would love to!"

Theo and Tory arrived at Golf N' Stuff.

Theo led Tory to the mini golf course, a mischievous grin on his face. He picked up a putter and handed one to Tory, explaining the rules of the game. "Okay, easy enough to understand, the objective is to get the ball into the hole with as few strokes as possible. It's all about precision and a little bit of luck."

Tory looked at the putter in her hand, a mixture of excitement and nervousness. "I've never played mini golf before."

"You're only doing this to touch me, aren't you?" Tory lightly teased when Theo stood behind her, holding onto her hands to show her the motion. Theo only chuckled, placing a kiss to the back of her head.

With Theo's patient guidance, Tory swung the putter, the ball rolling towards the first hole. It veered slightly off course, but Theo encouraged her with a smile. "Great shot, Tory! You're a natural."

As they made their way through the course, Theo shared tips and tricks, helping Tory improve her technique. With each hole, Tory's confidence grew, and she found herself enjoying the game more and more.

After completing the mini golf course, they headed to the arcade, ready to immerse themselves in a world of fun and friendly competition. Theo handed Tory a handful of tokens, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

They tried their luck at various arcade games, laughing and cheering each other on. With every game they played, they accumulated more tickets, their shared victories filling them with a sense of joy and camaraderie.

Tory's eyes caught sight of a display of prizes, an adorable stuffed panda catching her attention. She turned to Theo, a gleam of excitement in her eyes. "Theo, look at the panda!"

Theo grinned, determined to make Tory's wish come true. They found a game that challenged their hand-eye coordination, shooting hoops to earn tickets. With Theo's encouragement and Tory's focus, they managed to score enough points to claim the coveted panda prize.

Tory's face lit up with delight as she held the fluffy stuffed panda in her arms. "Thank you for this."

Theo wrapped his arm around Tory's waist, pulling her close. "I'm glad you liked it, darling," he smiled, pecking her lips. "So, do I get a second date?"

"Hmm," Tory pretended to think, looking down at the stuffed panda. "Mr. Panda says yes."