THE WORLD AROUND HAYDEN SOUNDED MUFFLED.

As she stormed out of the dojo, walking straight ahead with her mind racing and heart pounding in her ears. She didn't hear anything going on around her.

She didn't even hear Robby's calls from behind her.

Robby hurried after Hayden as she stormed out of the dojo, her bag slung over her shoulder.

"Hayden, wait," he called, his voice sharp but low.

She didn't stop. The steady sound of her skateboard wheels rolling on the pavement was his only response. Robby quickened his pace, cutting in front of her path and holding his hands up as if trying to calm a wild animal.

"Hey, just stop for a second, okay?" he urged, his tone softer now, but no less firm.

Hayden's jaw tightened as she stopped abruptly, the glare in her eyes cutting through him like a blade. Her voice was steady, cold. "Move, Robby."

He didn't budge. "You don't get to just walk off like this. Not when you're—"

"What?" she snapped, cutting him off. "Not when I'm what? Angry? Hurt? Betrayed? Congratulations, you figured it out." Her voice dripped with sarcasm, her expression unreadable, save for the flicker of fury beneath the surface.

Robby's shoulders tensed. "Yeah, I did figure it out. You think I don't know what this feels like? I've been where you are, Hayden. Hell, I lived there for years. I get it. But running off to—whatever the hell you're planning—isn't going to fix anything."

"You don't know what I'm planning," she replied quietly, her voice like steel.

"And that's what scares me," he shot back, his gaze steady on hers. "I'm angry, too. I want to get back at Diaz, my dad, and Mr. LaRusso more than anything. But whatever it is, it's not worth it."

Her eyes narrowed. "What do you want me to say, Robby? That I'm fine? That I'll sit down and talk about my feelings over tea? That's not me." She shook her head, stepping onto her skateboard again. "I don't need you to save me."

"And what if I want to?" His words hung in the air, heavy and raw. He took a step closer to her. "Us against the world, Hayden. Remember? You don't get to make hasty decisions anymore."

Hayden hesitated, her hand tightening on the strap of her bag, but she didn't look at him. "Don't waste your time." She pushed off, skating away without another word, leaving Robby standing alone in her wake.

—

"What are you even saying right now?" Sam snapped, her arms crossed tightly as her eyes darted toward Miguel.

"I'm just saying, I'm not totally against it," Demetri said with a shrug, his expression neutral.

Sam's jaw dropped. "Not against it? Demetri, she's friends with the people who broke your arm!"

"She didn't break my arm," he countered calmly. "And honestly? Hayden's always been decent to me. Never gave me a swirly or a front wedgie."

"Yeah, back then." Sam shot back, turning her attention to Miguel. "You're seriously suggesting we bring her in? We just joined forces and you're suggesting our first act as a team is to convince Hayden to join us?"

Before Miguel could respond, the room erupted into chaos.

"She's too unpredictable," someone muttered.

"She's a loose cannon," another chimed in.

"She's had it rough guys, c'mon."

"She's better than half of us,"

Chris shrugged. "Better her than being stuck with Penis Breath."

"Or douchebag," Mitch added, deadpan, earning a few chuckles.

"She's dangerous," another voice cut through, more serious. "And not just to us, to herself."

Miguel, standing in the middle of the room, pinched the bridge of his nose. "Guys."

No one listened.

"Guys!" Still nothing.

"Hey!" His voice boomed, and the room fell silent, all eyes turning toward him. He exhaled slowly, letting the quiet linger for a beat.

"Look, I get it," he started, his tone steady. "I know some of you don't trust her. Hell, some of you probably don't like her. But Hayden's not just another fighter, okay? She's smart, she's strong, and yeah, she's unpredictable— but that's exactly why we need her. And more than that..." He hesitated, glancing away for a moment. "I owe her an apology."

Sam raised a brow, unimpressed. "So this is personal."

Miguel nodded. "Yeah, it is. But that doesn't mean it's a bad idea."

"And what if she says no?" Chris asked hesitantly.

Miguel shrugged. "Then I keep bugging until she says yes."

Sam scoffed. "She's not some charity case, Miguel. She's a wild card, and you're betting everything on her?"

"If I have to," he replied firmly, his voice unwavering. "She's important to me, okay? I want her on the team. And if she's not in..." He paused, letting his gaze sweep across the room. "Then I'm out."

A stunned silence followed his words.

One look at Miguel's face and everyone could tell he wasn't kidding, it wasn't an empty threat at all. And no one was willing to lose an All Valley champion.

Sam's expression twisted, torn between frustration and reluctant acceptance. Finally, with a groan, she threw her hands up. "Fine. Do whatever you want. But don't be surprised when it backfires."

Miguel's lips quirked in a small, triumphant smile. "Thanks, Sam."

"Don't thank me yet," she muttered under her breath, crossing her arms as the rest of the group exchanged skeptical glances.

Miguel's mind was already racing ahead. He'd find Hayden tonight. Apologize. Convince her. Because if anyone could get through to her, it was him— or so he hoped.

—

Hayden wasn't sure Cobra Kai would listen to her.

Not after being so devoted to Miyagi Do for a long time.

But here they were. Staring at her, wondering why she dragged them out so late.

She still wasn't convinced she was the sole reason they'd shown up. She could feel the influence of Tory and Hawk behind their obedience, their shared disdain for anyone tied to Sam LaRusso enough to spark interest in whatever plan she had cooked up.

Hayden's fingers flexed at her sides as she looked at the small group before her. There was an electric tension in the air, like a live wire waiting to snap. She fed off it, letting the simmering anger in her chest rise closer to the surface.

"Alright," she began, her voice low but commanding enough to silence the murmurs among the group. "I didn't call you out here to waste your time. I've got a plan."

Tory crossed her arms, stepping forward slightly. "What kind of plan?"

Hayden met her gaze, unflinching. "A wake up call."

Hawk smirked faintly, tilting his head. "Now we're talking. Who's the target?"

Hayden gestured at the LaRusso house behind her, almost certain that all of Miyagi Do and Eagle Fang were in there.

"Sam. The Miyagi Do's or Eagle Fangs. Whatever the fuck they're calling themselves." Hayden said bluntly, her voice cutting through the night like a knife. "I'm done letting her walk all over me like she's untouchable. I want her to know what it feels like to have everything turned upside down."

The group exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued, but there was hesitation too. Even for Cobra Kai, this was bold territory.

"What exactly are you thinking?" Tory asked, a small glint of approval in her eyes.

Hayden's lips curled into a dangerous smirk. "We break in. Wreak havoc. We flip their world upside down and make her realize she can't cross me and get away with it."

Hawk's brows raised slightly, a mix of amusement and disbelief crossing his face. "You're serious? You want to break into her house?"

"Yeah," Hayden replied, her tone sharp. "She's had it coming. And I don't mean some stupid prank. I'm talking real chaos— something she won't forget."

The group shifted uneasily, the weight of her words settling over them. Tory, however, stepped closer, her own smirk beginning to mirror Hayden's.

"I like it," she said simply, her voice laced with mischief. "LaRusso's had it coming for a long time."

Hawk rubbed the back of his neck, his confidence wavering slightly. "You sure about this? This could backfire big time."

"I don't care," Hayden shot back, her voice firm. "This isn't about playing it safe. It's about showing her she can't mess with me and walk away unscathed. Are you in or not?"

Tory nodded without hesitation. "I'm in."

Hawk sighed, his resolve breaking as he glanced between the two girls. "Fine. But if this goes south, I'm blaming you."

"Noted," Hayden replied coldly.

The group began murmuring their agreement, and Hayden felt a surge of adrenaline course through her. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was taking control, turning her anger into action.

"Alright," she said, her voice cutting through the chatter.

—

A Cobra Kai member jogged up quietly, speaking just above a whisper. "Okay, everyone's in position and ready."

Hayden nodded, her smirk growing with anticipation. She shot a glance toward another member, giving a subtle signal for Hawk to go in first. She'd follow right after.

The sound of shattering glass from inside the house sent a jolt of adrenaline coursing through her. She felt her heartbeat quicken as someone gave her the green light. Before stepping forward, she turned to Tory, seeking a final boost of confidence.

Tory met her gaze and nodded, her expression calm but fierce.

Taking a deep breath, Hayden stepped up and kicked the door open with enough force to make it slam against the wall.

Tory was the first to walk in, her smirk wide and dangerous. Two Cobra Kai members flanked her, mirroring her confidence as they strode into the house.

Sam's eyes widened, her shock betraying her attempt to stay calm.

Then Tory stepped aside, revealing Hayden Sanders.

Hayden walked in slowly, her smirk unwavering. The moment her eyes landed on Sam and Miguel standing side by side, however, her expression faltered. It was subtle—a slight twitch at the corner of her mouth—but the crack in her armor was there. She quickly shrugged it off, scoffing under her breath.

Even though she'd known she'd find them together, a small part of her—a part she hated admitting even existed—had hoped she wouldn't. That maybe Miguel wasn't at Sam's side.

She should've known better.

Of course they'd teamed up. Of course they'd stand together.

Miguel's frown deepened as he took in Hayden's expression. There was no mistaking the mischief in her eyes, but it wasn't the Hayden he knew. It wasn't the girl who had stood nervously outside his apartment, clutching a flyer with a small, genuine smile.

This wasn't his Hayden.

"'Just talking'" Hayden repeated Miguel's words to her, dragging her fingers along the wall as she moved further into the room. Her voice was casual, but there was an edge to it, sharp as a blade.

She turned her attention to Sam, who stood frozen but wary. "You really had him fooled, good job." Hayden said, her tone mocking.

Miguel took a cautious step forward. "Hayden, stop. Please. Can we just talk about this?"

"No." Hayden's eyes narrowed. "I'm all talked out. I'm done talking."

"No mercy!" Tory shouted, and the room exploded into chaos.

It was all flashes—black, white, and red—as Hayden moved through the fight with relentless precision. Every punch, every kick was automatic, her body acting on instinct. A right hook, a double fist punch, a downward roundhouse kick. Each opponent she took down brought her closer to her ultimate goal.

She barely registered who she was fighting. Faces blurred together.

Hayden barely had time to register who was coming at her before the first punch was thrown. Her body moved on autopilot—ducking, weaving, striking back with precision. A right hook, a double punch, a spinning kick. She dropped her first opponent with ease.

Her second challenger came at her fast, swinging wildly. She sidestepped the blows, grabbing a nearby glass decoration and smashing it over his head. He crumpled to the floor, and Hayden smirked, only to be pulled backward by someone gripping her sweater.

Elbow. Spin. Kick. Her movements were instinctive, each strike landing with satisfying force.

A sharp punch to her stomach knocked the air from her lungs, and she stumbled briefly. Gritting her teeth, she countered with a swift blow to her opponent's nose, then swept their legs out from under them. The sound of their head hitting the floor was a satisfying thud.

A grin spread across her face as Hayden looked around the room, eyes landing on Hawk who was struggling to keep up with one of the Eagle Fang members.

She ran up to the guy who had Hawk's arm locked behind his back, kicking him so that his grip loosened on Hawk's arm.

Hawk twisted sharply, adjusting to Hayden's style of fighting quickly and he realized their fighting styles were all too similar.

He had roundhouse kicked the guy in the face, knocking him back towards her and she grinned, sending her elbow into his ribcage that made him hiss in pain.

He stumbled forward and back over to Hawk, trying to throw punches as best he could but, really, the poor dude didn't stand a chance.

Hawk moved out of the way, standing back up confidently. "Come right at me, pussy!"

He charged at Hayden with a wild swing, but she ducked effortlessly, spotting a glass decoration on a nearby table. An idea struck.

Wrapping her arm around his neck, she swung herself behind him, snatched the glass piece, and smashed it over his head. He collapsed, limp and unconscious.

Hawk grinned, nodding like a boy on Christmas day. He high-fived her, wrapping an arm around her through an adrenaline rush and shaking her. "Good shit, Sanders! Yeah, eat that shit! Get up!"

She looked down, at the boy on the floor nodding in agreement. "Get up, you fucking pussy!" She yelled, nudging the boy with her foot harshly.

Eventually he did get up, weakly and slowly.

He huffed before swinging at Hayden, but she was ready for it. Anticipated it, really. She swiftly moved to the side, throwing his arm away from her and spinning on her heel, kicking him in the stomach and back into Hawk.

Hawk caught him, sending his knee up into his stomach three times before throwing and sliding him into the ground until he hit a wall.

When he hit the floor and stayed down, Hayden straightened, wiping blood from her mouth. Her eyes scanned the room, searching for the one person she truly wanted.

Hayden's gaze swept the room, and then she saw her. Sam LaRusso.

Her smirk returned, darker and more menacing this time. Hawk noticed where her eyes had landed and gave a low chuckle.

"Go get her, Sanders," he said, stepping aside to clear her path. "Give her hell."

She patted his back, and they did a little handshake before she stalked off.

Hayden didn't need to be told twice. She moved like a predator, zeroing in on her prey. Sam's breath hitched as she took a cautious step back, her eyes darting around for an escape.

Sam stood frozen, her breathing shallow as Hayden's smirk returned, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth.

Hayden took a step forward, and Sam instinctively stepped back. The fear in her eyes was impossible to hide.

Someone tried to grab Hayden from behind, but she shrugged them off with a vicious shove, throwing them into the wall. Her focus remained locked on Sam.

Sam bolted for the backyard, and Hayden was right behind her.

They burst into the cool night air, the familiar sight of the LaRussos' backyard flooding Hayden's mind with memories. Sam made it to the small dojo, and Hayden followed, the echo of her footsteps relentless.

"You think I'm scared of you?" she asked, her voice trembling but defiant.

"Maybe not," Tory said, stepping into the dojo with a smirk. "But you are of her."

She gestured toward Hayden, who stepped into the light.

Sam's confidence wavered as she took a small step back, swallowing hard.

"And to think Miguel actually rooted for you. Wanted you in our team." Sam spat, her voice dripping with disdain. "I knew you were nothing but trouble."

Hayden froze, the words cutting deeper than she'd expected. Her smirk faltered, but only for a moment. She quickly recovered, stepping closer.

"You're a class act, LaRusso. Always playing victim." Hayden said coldly, her voice low and threatening.

Sam stumbled back, tripping over her own feet and landing against the wall. Hayden laughed darkly, crouching down to her level.

Hayden grabbed the nunchucks without a word, her expression sharp and unreadable as she turned to face Sam. She swung with precision, her movements calculated, and Sam barely managed to duck, the impact shattering a lantern nearby.

Hayden paused, her lips curling into a faint smirk as she rolled the nunchucks over her shoulder. "Clumsy," she said, her tone low, almost indifferent.

Sam straightened, her face set in determination, but Hayden moved first—swift, unrelenting. Her next swing missed Sam by inches, but it collided with a frame on the wall.

The glass shattered, and Hayden froze, her gaze locking onto the picture of Mr. Miyagi. A shadow flickered across her face, just for a moment, before she pushed it away.

Her grip tightened on the nunchucks, and she swung again, the chain whistling through the air. Sam dodged and reached for a nearby staff.

They circled each other like predators, Sam's breathing sharp and uneven, Hayden eerily calm. She made her move, striking toward Sam's weapon, but Sam countered, the staff spinning in her hands. Hayden pressed forward, unrelenting, until Sam landed a kick to her stomach that sent her staggering back.

Still, Hayden said nothing, barely acknowledging the pain as she crouched low, sweeping her leg out to knock Sam off her feet. Sam stepped back just in time, her eyes darting to the nunchucks in Hayden's hand.

Hayden smirked faintly, her calm exterior making the fight feel more like a game. Her next swing struck true, hitting Sam in the side with a dull thud.

Sam retaliated, her staff catching Hayden in the back, and for the first time, a faint grunt escaped her lips. She stumbled but quickly regained her footing, her expression hardening as she disarmed Sam with a sharp twist of her wrists.

Hayden dropped the nunchucks and raised her fists, her smirk gone, replaced by a blank, almost deadened look.

"I'm not afraid of you!" Sam spat, her voice shaking slightly despite her defiance.

Hayden's eyes narrowed, a quiet, mocking glint in them. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, princess," she murmured, her voice so cold and detached it sent a chill through the room.

Sam lunged forward, but before Hayden could counter, footsteps thundered from outside. The fight froze as everyone turned toward the sound.

"Guys, stop!" Miguel's voice cut through the tension as he entered, Hawk and Demetri on his heels.

"Hayden," Hawk said firmly, his tone edged with something between frustration and worry. "The fight's over."

Hayden's gaze flicked to Hawk, her stoic mask cracking just slightly. Her grip on her emotions wavered as she stared at him, her former ally now standing with the other side.

"You," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, but it carried the weight of betrayal.

Hawk faltered under her stare. "Hayden, you don't have to do this," he said, his tone softening.

Her eyes darkened, the flicker of vulnerability hardening into something cold. "So much for being on the same team again." she said, the words cutting through the silence like a blade.

Sam met her gaze, her breath quickened but steady. "This isn't over," Hayden muttered, taking a step back.

"You know where to find me," Sam replied, gripping her staff tightly.

A muscle in Hayden's jaw twitched as she turned away, her movements stiff and deliberate. She walked past Miguel, who tried to block her path.

"Hayden," Miguel said, his voice pleading. "You don't have to do this. You don't have to leave with her."

For a moment, her mask faltered. Her eyes softened, a flicker of something raw breaking through—regret, pain, or maybe both. But it was gone just as quickly, her expression hardening like stone.

"I'd rather leave with her than be in the same room with you." She spoke the words into his head, venomously and bitterly.

And Miguel swore he could hear his heart crack a little.

She glanced at him one last time, a ghost of the person he once knew, then turned and walked out with Tory.

—

The adrenaline still rushed in Hayden's veins, her chest rising and falling in slow, measured breaths. She felt it bubbling under her skin, a storm she didn't know how to calm. Her fists clenched and unclenched until, without thinking, she drove her knuckles into the wall beside her.

She stared at the dent she left behind, her face blank. No satisfaction. No relief. Just... nothing.

With a sharp exhale, she decided she needed a punching bag—something she could destroy without consequence. She grabbed her jacket and headed to the dojo.

As soon as she pulled into the parking lot, she recognized two cars immediately. Her jaw tightened, her mind piecing things together with bitter clarity.

Of course.

She made her way inside, her eyes taking a moment to adjust to the darkness. When she did, the scene before her felt both ridiculous and infuriating.

Johnny was on the ground, groaning in pain. Kreese and Mr. LaRusso were locked in a vicious struggle, their movements desperate and chaotic. Hayden rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "And women are the emotional ones."

She scanned the room, her stomach knotting when her gaze fell on someone lying near the lockers.

Robby.

"Shit."

Her feet carried her to him before she could think. She crouched beside him, her sharp eyes quickly assessing the gash on his forehead. Blood matted his hair at his hairline—ironically, almost identical to the wound on her own head. Her fingers brushed his hair aside, her stoic exterior cracking just slightly.

"Robby," she murmured, her voice low but urgent.

She didn't waste time. Sprinting to the office, she yanked open the mini fridge and grabbed an ice pack. Jogging back, she knelt and lifted his head into her lap, pressing the ice pack against his wound.

"Robby," she said again, shaking him lightly. "Come on, wake up."

His face scrunched in discomfort, and she felt her chest unclench just a little when he groaned.

"Ow, that hurts," he rasped, reaching for his head.

A faint smile flickered across her lips, gone almost as quickly as it appeared. "Good. You're awake," she said softly. "Keep this on your head." She guided his hand to hold the ice pack and let out a quiet breath of relief, closing her eyes for a moment to collect herself.

"You're bleeding, too." Robby murmured, his voice hoarse. His eyes trained on her hairline, where there was an open gash.

Hayden's brows furrowed, touching a hand to her head, her usual impassive mask slipping as she looked down at him. "It's— It's fine."

"What'd you do?" he asked, his green eyes meeting hers.

Something in her chest tightened. She reached down, squeezing his hand briefly. "You're training with Kreese." She avoided the question, pointing out the fact that before, Robby hated Cobra Kai and everything to do with it.

And now here he was. Training with someone who he swore was bad news.

Robby eyed her, noticing the switch of subjects. But he didn't comment on it. "Yeah," He said it softly, knowing that, while revenge on his dad and Miguel played a huge part in this, so did Hayden.

She stood, offering her hand to help him up.

As Robby got to his feet, Hayden's gaze shifted to the window. Her expression hardened when she spotted Miguel and Sam stepping into view.

Robby followed her gaze, his jaw clenching. "They don't give up, do they?"

Hayden didn't respond immediately.

She let Robby guide her outside, where Kreese, Daniel, Johnny, Miguel, and Sam all stood.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, her gaze softened when she noticed the bruises and cuts marring Miguel's face. She felt a pang of something—concern, guilt, care—trying to claw its way to the surface.

But she shoved it down. Hard.

Hatred. That's all she needed to feel.

She squeezed Robby's hand, grounding herself in the bitterness.

Miguel's eyes dropped to their intertwined hands, his jaw tightening. Hayden met his gaze, her own sharp and unyielding. She wanted to look away, to break the connection, but she didn't. She wouldn't.

"Get out of here," Robby said coldly, his voice dripping with anger as he looked at Johnny and Mr. LaRusso.

Johnny's face fell, disappointment etched into his features.

Daniel's frown deepened, his gaze heavy with something between sadness and pity as he looked at Hayden and Robby. This is what he tried to shield them from. How Cobra Kai fills you with nothing but hate.

But they were so far gone.

Miguel glanced back at Hayden, his expression conflicted, but before he could say anything, Kreese stepped forward, his hand landing firmly on Hayden and Robby's shoulders.

"Come on," Kreese said smoothly, his voice oozing with authority.

Hayden didn't hesitate. She turned, stepping over the shattered glass without a second thought. Robby followed, their hands still linked as they disappeared into the darkness of the dojo.

For a moment, she let herself glance back at Miguel. But only for a moment. Then she turned away, the flicker of good inside her buried beneath the weight of everything she had become.

—

"Are you sure your mom won't catch us?" Robby asked, his voice low as he followed Hayden up the stairs to her apartment.

Hayden glanced over her shoulder, her lips twitching into a small smirk. "She works nights, and after a twelve-hour shift, she's dead to the world until late afternoon. Trust me, we'll be fine."

Still, Robby hesitated, his gaze flicking toward the dimly lit hallway behind them. Hayden stopped at her door, turning to him. "You worry too much," she teased, reaching out to smooth the crease forming between his brows. "Relax, okay? You're safe here."

Her touch lingered for a moment before she pulled her hand away. Robby softened, his shoulders dropping as a small, grateful smile crept onto his face.

She opened the door, and they slipped inside. The apartment was small but tidy, with faint traces of incense lingering in the air. Hayden flipped on a lamp, casting a warm glow over the living room. "Make yourself at home," she said, tossing her keys onto the counter.

Robby stood awkwardly by the door, his hands stuffed in his pockets. "You didn't have to do this," he said quietly.

Hayden sighed, crossing the room to face him. "Yeah, I did. You needed somewhere to go, and I wasn't about to let you crash on the hard ass Cobra Kai floor. Now sit," she instructed, pushing him gently toward the couch.

She grabbed a first aid kit from under the sink and knelt in front of him, examining the gash on his cheek. Her movements were precise, almost clinical, as she dabbed at the wound with antiseptic. Robby winced.

"Stop flinching," she muttered, but her tone lacked its usual bite. Robby stared at her, giving a small smile.

When she finished, Robby took the kit from her and gestured for her to sit. "Your turn," he said.

Hayden hesitated but eventually sat down. Robby's hands were gentle as he cleaned the cut above her eyebrow, his fingers brushing her skin with a tenderness that made her throat tighten.

Once they were both patched up, Hayden stood and rummaged through her closet, pulling out an old hoodie and some sweats. She tossed them to Robby. "Here. They're not mine, obviously, but they'll fit."

Robby raised a brow, trying to shove down the little pang of jealousy that brewed in his stomach. "Who do they belong to?"

"Ex-boyfriend of my sisters," she said dismissively. "Don't ask."

Robby nodded, disappearing into the bathroom to change. When he returned, he began drop a pillow on the floor, grabbing a blanket. She frowned, gesturing toward her bed. "You're not sleeping on the floor."

"Hayden, I'm not kicking you out of your bed."

"Who said anything about kicking me out? I've got room for two."

Robby hesitated again, but the look on her face told him arguing was pointless. He followed her into the bedroom, sitting stiffly on the edge of the bed. Hayden climbed in first, leaning back against the headboard. After a moment, Robby joined her, lying on his side to face her.

They were quiet for a while, the sound of the city outside filling the space between them. Finally, Hayden broke the silence.

"Look... about earlier," she began, trying to mentally figure out how to go about this. She wasn't used to apologizing and being all sappy. This was all new territory to her. "I'm sorry I snapped at you. I'm just—" She paused, searching for the right words. "I'm not used to this. To... being an 'us.' I've always made my own decisions, done my own thing. It's weird having someone else to think about."

Robby's eyes softened, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face. "It's okay," he said, his voice steady. "I get it. But you don't have to do this alone anymore. We're in this together, Hayden. Whatever happens, I've got you."

Hayden's chest tightened at his words, a warmth spreading through her that she wasn't used to. She nodded, a small, genuine smile breaking through her usual stoicism. "Thanks," she murmured.

Robby smiled back, reaching for her hand and lacing his fingers with hers. They lay there like that, a quiet understanding passing between them.

As the night went on, Hayden found herself relaxing in a way she hadn't in years. Robby played with her hair absentmindedly, and she didn't stop him. The gentle tug of his fingers was soothing, grounding.

Eventually, they both drifted off, their hands still intertwined.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Hayden slept peacefully—no nightmares, no restless tossing and turning.

She slept through the whole night uninterrupted.

authors note.
:)