YOU GET ME SO HIGH, ROBBY KEENE
Written by Charlie...© conflictcriminal
00 —— The Snakes Coil

˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚ ⁀➷ I love you you're so selfless
I'm sorry I'm so selfish ˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚ ⁀➷

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A snake in the grass is a dangerous thing in any environment. May not seem so in the grand scheme as they wait patiently around, slithering in the tall grasses and resting along branches. However, they are just biding their time. Camouflaging like a pile of leaves, something that poses no threat, but that's all it is. A fog to confuse your original instincts to get rid of the vile reptile. Since all you are to them is prey. Prey that they are willing to wait the long game for.

Ryatt always thought he was an expert in maintaining his garden. He was attentive to what he planted and nurtured them with all everything he could offer. Even keeping a watchful eye over what surrounded and promising protection. Perhaps that is what drew the snake in the first place. The snake saw his garden and wanted beyond the gates, but knew he wouldn't be able to just slither through the bars. Figured out the gardener would just throw him out as soon as he was spotted.

Therefore, the snake decided to camouflage into something he knew the gardener would like. Devised a plan to get into the garden and charm the gardener into letting him stay. Not forever just until the snake decided to take a bite out of the gardener and suck all he was good for. He didn't care for the garden. Always knew he would end up moving along to a new garden. This was just a satisfying meal, cause the gardener was prey.

The plan was successful too. Ryatt didn't even realize he was being hunted by the serpent. Ignored every time the snake got hostile in his garden; chalking it up to the reptile acclimating to all the new things he was being introduced to. Ignored how his plants let out not so nice smells, wilted a little, and didn't appreciate his care as much. Over time to Ryatt, the serpent was the prized possession of his garden. Even when the snake lashed out and damaged one of his flowers Ryatt kept the snake in his garden. Being charmed like Eve was with the forbidden fruit, and would grow to regret taking the bite like her too.

Since little did Ryatt know, the snake was circling him, sizing him up, creating a coil, getting ready to take that bite and swallow him whole.
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If you asked Robby Keene a few months ago where he'd be in his life he definitely wouldn't have answered with Cobra Kai. Yet here he was hanging out with Tory, Kyler, and some others, while they drank beer. Though, he supposed a lot of things change when you get thrown in juvie for a few months. Like how Cobra Kai gets a new Sensei, John Kreese, who apparently was the original Sensei anyway. Or how resident president, Eli Moskowitz, and second best, Ryatt Reist, leave Cobra Kai altogether.

Things change that's nothing new; everything has to evolve into something new eventually. However, he had also changed and he wasn't quite sure it was an evolution. He wasn't the same kid who learned Miyagi-Do to get a sort of balance in his life. No, he changed the minute he pushed Miguel over that balcony. He told himself it was for Sam's honor. Since Miguel had cheated on her with Tory. All due to some alcohol, which was why he wasn't drinking now, but something told him there was more to it. That he had ulterior motives for it all. He was sure he was taking some huge steps backwards.

Which was not something he wanted to delve into. He didn't want to self reflect on why he did what he did or even try to regain balance. All he wanted was to move on and get better at karate. He didn't need to be reminded of his monstrous shift. Which was why he had not returned to the Miyagi-Do dojo. I mean how could he show his face there after what he did? He couldn't. He didn't even want to think of the looks of horror he'd be met with. Hell somehow Miguel and Sam were still together after it all, so obviously he must've been in the wrong. He knew he wouldn't be met with a clean slate by them, so he ran in the opposite direction. Right into the nest of Cobra Kai.

He thought it would smooth everything over. Just be easier to start over with a whole new dojo and relatively it was. He didn't get a stellar welcome, but he was proving himself to them. He at least didn't have to deal with his dad all of a sudden trying to have a relationship with him. But there was one problem in his life that persisted. His boyfriend, Ryatt Reist.

Don't get him wrong, he truly loved Ryatt so much. He was one of the only people to stick by him through everything, even now. Ryatt was one of the only people to visit him, and he even wrote letters when he couldn't come up there in person. Ryatt did everything to show and prove to him that despite what he did he still loved him. He even picked him up from juvie and offered his place to crash. He didn't accept instead crashing at the Cobra Kai dojo, but still Ryatt was just that sweet.

Ryatt was just that type of person. A person that always loved him even when he was the absolute worst. Ryatt loved him even though he was utterly unlovable. He always offered up his love unconditionally and at this point it was a bother. With this shift into his worst self, he could no longer accept Ryatt's love without feeling a guilt for having it. He didn't deserve it.

Ryatt was just too good. Ryatt was good down to his core. He was kind without hesitation, always doing the most for anybody who needed it. He was empathetic and compassionate and just the best person you could possibly meet. Ryatt was just too good for him. Cause now Robby was a whole other level of bad.

A type of bad that he feared if he let Ryatt stick around for much longer he'd get infected by this plague too. Since despite leaving Cobra Kai, he knew that Ryatt would still stick by him for whatever he wanted. He knew he could twist Ryatt into doing his dirty deeds. He knew this new him would take advantage of that. Use Ryatt's own good nature against him. He honestly was scared of how this new him thought of ways to hurt others so easily, all for his own advantage. Ryatt didn't deserve that. Robby didn't deserve him.

So here at a crossroads he felt. He knew what he needed to do, but he also wanted to hold on just a little bit longer. Wasn't quite ready to let go of all that good just yet. I mean who in their right mind gets rid of good? Ryatt was the last good thing he had yet he was thinking of letting him go? Who does that?

"Dude what are you thinking about?" Cut into his ears suddenly and he supposed he had been too quiet for too long. Wasn't even like he could blame it on the beer cause he didn't drink any. "Nothing. Just couldn't stand to hear the dumb shit you guys were talking about." He decided to say, playing off a mean but playful remark. That usually worked out. Kyler and his dude bros probably were talking about something stupid anyway.

"Whatever man. We are gonna go on a mission you in or not?" Kyler asked. Robby paused as he thought about it. He probably should to really save his spot in the group, but this group very well might be going on a very idiotic mission. "Yeah I'm in. Let's go." He said as he stood up and started to follow the group to wherever they were going.

Robby was very confused when they stopped at a chain link fence that had a hole in it. He looked skeptical at it as he watched the group funnel into it. "Don't worry it won't violate your probation. You got out of juvie not sing sing." Tory said after the rest went ahead, noticing his hesitation.

"You always resort to peer pressure?" Robby asked. "Yeah it's kinda my thing." Tory said a small smirk on her face before she headed through the hole as well. Robby followed shortly after her. Yet he was shocked to see that he was led to the Ventura Zoo. He honestly felt like turning back immediately upon seeing it since he knew Ryatt was working today. "The Zoo? Why are we here?" He asked. "You'll see." Tory states before Kyler motions them to hurry up and follow him.

Robby gulps before following the group trying to play it cool. Not like there was a big chance he'd run into Ryatt here anyway. Thankfully that idea was reinforced when he was lead down a hallway he knew lead to the reptiles. "Okay we got five minutes to pull this off before the guard gets back let's go." Tory commanded sending the boys into action. "Five minutes to do what?" Robby questioned. He couldn't piece together what they could possibly want from the reptile room at the zoo. Tory just smirked before stating, "Just getting a gift for Sensei.", and heading off to do her part of the plan he supposed.

By now, he could sense the mission was probably a bad idea, but he'd already gotten this far. Might as well stick it until the end. Tory already said this wouldn't violate his probation. He didn't know why but he trusted her, so he'd take her word for it. So as he walked through the staff reptile room door he relaxed as he caught up with the group. Even if he did get in trouble, at least they'd go down together.

"What do you mean you forgot the snake pole?! You stupid idiot! What are we supposed to do?" Robby heard Tory hushed but furiously yell at Kyler. "I mean I forgot. I got a lot on my plate! If I fail another class my dad is going to shit in my mouth." Kyler responded a small shrug as he tried to look tough, but one could tell he was intimidated by the shorter angry blonde. "Well if you don't want anymore shit you better stick your hand in there and grab it!" Tory snapped back with clenched teeth and a riled glare. Kyler immediately shook his head. "Nuh Uh no way am I sticking my hand in with a snake. I need these for karate y'know." He argued back. "Hey! Who's back herr!" Was soon heard by a gruff voice from a decent distance away. "Shit! Guard run!" Tory said still very upset, but caving in not wanting to be caught. She was followed by most of the boys.

Robby stayed behind however. He saw a chance to prove himself to this group. Really gain their trust. So he grabbed the brown sack brought and walked up to the snake container. He looked in and carefully grabbed the snake right behind its head, quickly putting it in the bag knowing from the hiss the snake was already hostile. He supposed he could thank Ryatt for teaching him how to properly pick up and deal with most animals.

He went to leave the room to catch up with the group, but was stopped when the guard's voice returned. "Short Stack! What're ya doin' back hare?" He asked. Robby turned quickly hiding the sack behind him. Though he rolled his eyes a bit to be met with Travis, also known as Tex. Travis was in his early thirties and was a pretty short stout man only having Robby by an inch, but boy did he have a temper. However, Robby felt comfortable since Travis knew him pretty well and was good friends with Ryatt. He knew all about how Travis got thrown off a bull and broke his nose, which remains crooked, and even that the man had two twin girls named Tracy and Stacie. He knew how to navigate his way through this man's maze and his defense was already in motion.

"Tex! Well I was looking for Ry but couldn't find him with the cats so I thought he might be in here." Robby said lying straight through his teeth. He remained composed, however acting like everything was normal. Travis face scrunches up in confusion, rightfully so since Ryatt was usually always with the big cats. He was known to handle them the best. "Huh. Well that ain't right. I reckon that he should be there. Especially since it's noon so he should be fixin' to feed the babies. You might could just go check again?" The man suggested. Robby leaped to take the opportunity to leave. "Yeah. I'll go check again. It was nice seeing you Tex." Robby said calmly before turning on his heel and heading back out from which he came.

He was surprised to still see the Cobra Kai group just outside the gate they came through when he got back. Though it seemed to be mostly cause Tory was scolding Kyler like a drill sergeant would a private. "Yes this is your fault! If you would've done the one thing I asked you to do we'd have the snake!" She yelled.

"Who said we didn't?" Robby said with a smirk as he decided to make himself known. The group looked surprised and confused, probably since they assumed he got caught and was about to be arrested. They perked up though when Robby unveiled the brown sack and opened it to reveal the hissing snake. "Oh sweet you got it! Nice work dude!" One of the boys said. Tory not being much for praise gave a congratulatory nod instead. "Let's go take it to the dojo then." She said and they all fell in line doing just that.

Kreese gave them mighty praise later that evening. Saying they showed fearlessness and leadership, which were great qualities shown in a champion. Encouraged them to continue to work together, since alliances were so important. Which Robby definitely understood seeing as his relationship with Ryatt is what got him the snake in the first place.

Robby couldn't even bring himself to feel any guilt about utilizing his relationship. He had gained a quick acceptance into this group, Kreese had even said he was what Cobra Kai was looking for. He felt powerful instead of powerless like he had when he was behind bars. He felt like he was on a rise. Such a high in fact that he decided that after they were done here, he'd go to Ryatt's and hang out with said boyfriend. He was the person who made this all possible after all.

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Since it's my birthday I figured y'all would like to see an update on this so here y'all go. I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing this section!

You Get Me So High , © conflictcriminal , July 2023

Started: 5.7.23 Published: 7.20.23