ROBBY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT STUNG MORE.

The cold metal of the table under his arms, or the realization that he had been wrong about Mr. LaRusso.

He had trusted him, counted on him, and in return, he got a "lighter sentence" as a consolation prize. It wasn't much comfort. He had hoped for something different, something better.

Now, he sat alone in the dimly lit detention center, a well-worn copy of Lord of the Flies open in his hands. The juvenile hall had a small section of books and as soon as he saw the cover, his mind drifted to Hayden.

He could still remember the way her face lit up when she talked about it.

When they were sitting on his couch and she had been animated in a way he rarely saw. Hayden wasn't one to get openly excited about much, but that book was different.

"You know it's not just about some kids going crazy on an island, right?" she had said, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of excitement and intensity. "It's about how we all have this darkness inside us. How, when everything else is stripped away, what's left is who we really are."

Robby had listened quietly, watching the way her fingers waving as she spoke, the way her lips curved upward when she explained her favorite parts. He didn't always understand her, but in that moment, he didn't need to. She was happy, and that was enough.

Now, as he turned the pages, he came across a passage that made him pause:

"The thing is—fear can't hurt you any more than a dream."

He smiled faintly, running his fingers over the words. Hayden had quoted that line once, in the middle of some heated debate with him about how fear wasn't real, how it was all in your head. He had argued back, saying fear could feel real enough to paralyze you. She had rolled her eyes, but he remembered how the corner of her mouth twitched, like she was holding back a grin.

God, he missed her.

It wasn't just that she was one of the few people who understood him. It was that she never tried to fix him. She just... accepted him, flaws and all. And right now, sitting in this cold, empty place, that acceptance felt a million miles away.

He flipped another page and read aloud softly to himself, a line that struck too close to home:

"Maybe there is a beast... maybe it's only us."

For a moment, he let the weight of those words settle over him. He thought about how things had spiraled out of control, how anger and pain had driven them all to do things they couldn't take back. He thought about Miguel lying in that hospital bed, about the look on Hayden's face before everything fell apart.

She had tried so hard to be strong, to protect herself from a world that never seemed to give her a break. And now, because of him, because of one impulsive moment, she was probably fighting that battle alone again.

Robby closed the book, setting it down on the table. He leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling, the faint buzz of the overhead lights filling the silence. He didn't know when, or if, he would see Hayden again, but he knew one thing for certain—he missed her more than he wanted to admit.

He missed the way she made everything feel a little less hopeless, like maybe, just maybe, they could both claw their way out of the mess they were stuck in.

"Hayden," he muttered under his breath, a small, fond smile playing at his lips.

For now, the book was all he had. A small reminder of her— of a time before everything went wrong. And even though it wasn't enough, it was something. It was hope. And that was better than nothing.

—

Hayden didn't do cute things. It wasn't her style.

And standing outside Miguel's hospital room with a small, fluffy teddy bear clutched awkwardly in her hands, she was beginning to think she had made a mistake.

The bear had a little red bow around its neck, and the words Get Well Soon! stitched across its belly. It felt too soft, too sentimental—too much like something a person with her reputation shouldn't be caught holding.

She sighed, rolling her eyes at herself. "This is so stupid," she muttered under her breath. But she didn't turn around. Despite every instinct telling her to leave, she took a deep breath and knocked lightly on the door before stepping inside.

Miguel's eyes lit up the second he saw her. "You came back," he said, his voice a little hoarse but carrying a warmth that made something in Hayden's chest tighten. He was sitting up this time, looking a bit better than before, though the tension in his shoulders was hard to miss.

"Yeah," Hayden said, stepping inside, "didn't have anything better to do."

She hovered near the doorway, suddenly unsure of what to do with herself. She stepped forward and set the teddy bear on the small table beside his bed, avoiding his gaze as she muttered, "Brought you this. Thought it might... I don't know, cheer you up or whatever."

Miguel's smile widened slightly as he eyed the bear. "Cute."

"Shut up." Hayden sat down in the chair beside his bed, crossing her arms. She didn't look at him directly, keeping her gaze on some random spot on the wall.

Miguel eyed her. She wasn't great at small talk, never had been.

Still, she had come back.

Miguel glanced at the bear, then back at her, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You brought me a teddy bear." He pointed out in a teasing tone. Everyone knew Hayden Sanders didn't do sappy. And this teddy bear? The sappiest.

"Don't make it weird," she said quickly, crossing her arms. "It's just... you're stuck in here, figured you might as well have some company."

Miguel chuckled lightly. "I like it. Thanks." He picked up the bear, turning it over in his hands before setting it carefully on his lap.

Hayden nodded, pulling something out of her backpack and setting it on the table by his bed. "The gift that just keeps on giving." she sighed out, dropping the snickers and chips on his table, "Figured hospital food sucks, so..."

Miguel stared at the snacks, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Thanks. You didn't have to, you know."

"Yeah, well, don't get used to it," she said quickly, crossing her arms as she leaned against the wall. There was a hint of a smirk on her lips, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. She still felt... distant, guarded. Like she wasn't sure if she was supposed to be there.

Silence stretched between them for a moment before Miguel broke it. "It's good to see you, Hayden."

She looked away, a flicker of something crossing her face—hesitation, maybe even guilt. "Yeah, well... don't read too much into it. Just checking in."

He studied her for a beat, noting the way she shifted her weight uncomfortably, the way her gaze flicked around the room like she was looking for an escape route. He didn't push her, didn't bring up the past or the fight or anything else that might send her running. Instead, he leaned back against the pillows and said, "You're the only person who doesn't treat me like I'm made of glass."

That caught her attention. Her eyes met his, something unspoken passing between them. She could see the weight he was carrying—the exhaustion, the frustration, the fear. And for a moment, the walls she kept around herself wavered.

"You're not made of glass, Miguel," she said quietly. "You're just... human."

The simplicity of her words settled over him like a blanket, comforting and real. He gave a small nod, his smile softening. "Still, it's nice having you here. Even if you did bring me chips and pretend it's no big deal."

Hayden rolled her eyes but didn't leave. She could feel the tension easing, just a little, like the weight of everything unsaid didn't have to crush them in that moment.

There was a brief pause, the air between them thick with unspoken tension. Miguel was the first to break the silence, his tone light but his eyes searching. "So... are you sticking around, or are you just here to drop off stuffed animals and run?"

Hayden hesitated, caught off guard by the hint of hope in his voice. She knew what he was really asking:

Are you going to let me back in?

It wasn't that simple. Not after everything.

"Figured I could hang out for a bit," she avoided the question, pulling up the chair beside his bed and sitting down. She leaned back, crossing her legs and trying to appear relaxed, though her fingers tightened slightly on the armrests. "Unless you're tired or something."

"No, stay," Miguel said quickly, too quickly, as if he was afraid she might change her mind. He cleared his throat, trying to play it off. "I mean, it's nice having someone to talk to. Beats staring at the ceiling all day."

They lapsed into casual conversation, talking about random things—music, the latest movies, even school drama that neither of them really cared about. But no matter how light their words were, there was an undercurrent of something more.

Miguel couldn't help but steal glances at her when he thought she wasn't looking. She was different—more guarded than before and she had every right to be. But she was still Hayden. Still the girl who never backed down, who always held her ground even when everything seemed against her. And despite everything that had happened, he still... cared about her. Maybe even more than before.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better," he said, adjusting himself. "Still hurts to move too much, but at least I don't feel like I got run over by a truck anymore."

"Progress," Hayden muttered, leaning back in her chair. Silence stretched between them, but it wasn't entirely uncomfortable. Just... cautious.

"I didn't think you'd come back," Miguel said after a beat, his voice softer. "After... everything."

Hayden's eyes flicked toward him briefly before settling on her hands. "Why not?"

Miguel hesitated, as if searching for the right words. "I don't know. Just... you've been kind of hard to read lately."

Hayden gave a short, humorless laugh. "Yeah, well. A lot's happened." She paused, fingers tracing the seam of her jeans. "You don't seem too surprised I showed up the first time."

Miguel shrugged lightly. "I guess... I hoped you would."

Her gaze snapped to his, and for a moment, there was something unspoken in the way he looked at her—like he wasn't just relieved, but something more. She didn't know how to respond to that, so she said nothing.

"You're still mad, aren't you?" he asked quietly.

Hayden tensed slightly, not expecting him to be that direct. "Why would I be mad?"

"You know why," he said, voice careful, as though he was testing the waters. "The fight... Sam... everything that happened at the party."

The mention of Sam made Hayden's jaw tighten. She wasn't ready to have that conversation—not yet, maybe not ever. Her fingers curled slightly into fists, but she forced herself to relax.

"I'm not mad," she lied. "I just... don't get it."

Miguel didn't say anything for a moment, sensing the weight of what she wasn't saying. He didn't want to push her too hard—Hayden didn't react well to being cornered. Instead, he shifted gears.

"It's... nice. Having you here, I mean."

Like a blaring alarm, her body sent sharp waves to her brain letting her know this was hitting too hard for her liking. She shifted in her seat, glancing at the teddy bear she brought. It suddenly felt too childish, too soft for someone like her.

"Hayden."

She looked at him, and for a second, the walls she always kept up felt thinner, more fragile.

"I'm glad you came back," he said, voice quiet but sincere.

For once, Hayden didn't have a sharp retort or a sarcastic comeback. She just gave a small nod, the corners of her mouth twitching slightly before she masked it again.

"Yeah," she muttered. "Me too."

They sat there in silence for a while, and in that quiet, there was something almost peaceful, something that felt like the beginning of fixing what had been broken.

"You seem better," Hayden said after a while, breaking the silence. Her voice was softer now, less defensive. "Stronger."

Miguel shrugged, but there was a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. "Yeah, I'm... better," He said, sitting up a little straighter. His body still ached, but seeing her standing there made him forget the discomfort for a moment. "I mean, I'm not running any marathons, but—"

"El Serpiente!"

The door swung open, and Hawk strolled in like he owned the place. His trademark mohawk was freshly dyed red, and his grin widened when he saw them.

"Looking good, man. And Sanders, long time no see." He smirked over at her, finally acknowledging her.

Hayden shot him a blank look. "Would've liked to keep it that way."

Hawk ignored her tone, walking over to Miguel's bed and clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Good to see you up, bro. We've been missing you at Cobra Kai."

Hayden stiffened slightly at the mention of Cobra Kai, her fingers twitching as if to form fists out of habit. "I should go," she muttered, standing up.

"No, stay," Miguel said quickly, catching her off guard. "Please."

She hesitated, but the look in his eyes made her sit back down. Hawk raised a brow, clearly noticing the exchange but choosing not to comment on it.

"You're stuck with us now," Hawk said, smirking at Hayden before turning back to Miguel. "Man, things aren't the same without you. Cobra Kai's been kicking it up a notch, though. Sensei Kreese has been working us hard."

Miguel rolled his eyes, grinning. "Sounds like it."

The two of them talked for a while, their dynamic effortless. Hayden stayed quiet for the most part, watching them with a strange mixture of detachment and something else she couldn't quite name.

There was a time when this was her world too, but now, everything felt distant, like she was on the outside looking in.

Eventually, Hawk gave Miguel a fist bump and stood up. "Alright, man, we'll let you rest. You better get out of here soon. We've got a dojo to dominate."

Miguel chuckled. "Yeah, I'll see you guys later." His eyes flicked to Hayden before she could follow Hawk out the door. "You'll come back, right?"

She began to wonder why he always felt the need to reiterate his question. But she guessed, under the circumstances, she would do the same if she were in his shoes.

She hesitated for a moment, then gave a small nod. "Yeah."

Miguel smiled, and Hayden couldn't help but feel a twinge of warmth at the sight, even if she didn't entirely trust it.

—

Outside the hospital, Hawk walked beside Hayden, hands shoved into his jacket pockets. For a few moments, neither of them spoke. Then, Hawk broke the silence.

"You hear about the fundraiser Sam's organizing?"

Hayden shrugged, keeping her gaze ahead. "Yeah."

"And?"

"I don't really care. It has nothing to do with me."

Hawk paused briefly, "Has nothing to do with you?" He repeated in disbelief.

"I didn't stutter."

"You're not even a little annoyed that Sam is doing this probably to win Miguel back?"

Hayden shot him a glare. "Why would I be? It's not like me and Miguel are a thing."

Hawk rolled his eyes dramatically, leaning on the counter. "Do I have to spell it out for you? Miguel wasn't even in Miyagi-Do, and if you'd seen the posters they put up, it's like they're recruiting for Miyagi-Do, not just helping him. This whole thing? It's for their benefit, not his."

Hayden furrowed her brows, shaking her head slowly. "No," she said firmly, "they're raising money for his surgery because it costs a ton. It's about him, not Miyagi-Do."

Hawk sighed, clearly frustrated. "Come on, Hayden. You're smarter than that." His voice lowered, taking on a sharper edge.

"It's like this. They've got the media covering it, it's on the news. All the viewers who feel bad for Miguel are gonna see this amazing thing Sam's doing, talking about Miyagi-Do every chance she gets. You know what that means? Everyone will think Miyagi-Do's the best in the valley. That's not just fundraising—that's promotion."

Hayden opened her mouth to argue, but the words didn't come out. A part of her didn't want to believe Hawk. Despite everything, Miyagi-Do had meant something to her once, and he could see that hesitation. So, he shifted his approach.

"Look," Hawk said, stepping around the counter and moving closer. "You really want Sam to get all the credit for raising the money? To be the one everyone sees as Miguel's savior?" He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Maybe Miguel's gonna... run back to her. I mean, why wouldn't he? She's raising a whole lot of money for his surgery, making herself look like the perfect hero. If I were him, hell, I'd probably run back to her too."

Hayden tensed, his words hitting deeper than she wanted to admit. Hawk smirked, seeing the flicker of doubt cross her face. He tilted his head. "Come on, you really think he won't?"

Hayden clenched her jaw, shaking her head. "No. He wouldn't."

"Don't be dumb, Hayden. You know how people are." Hawk's voice was quieter now but no less cutting. "Sam's doing all this to make herself look good. She's not gonna let you just... have him. She's playing the long game, and you're standing on the sidelines, watching her win."

The thought settled uncomfortably in her chest, like a weight she didn't want to acknowledge but couldn't shake off either. She didn't want to care—she shouldn't care. But the idea of Sam swooping in to play the selfless hero, all while Miguel looked at her like she hung the stars, made Hayden's jaw tighten

"Face it, if you don't do something, she's gonna get all the credit. She'll be everyone's favorite again, the perfect girl who 'saved Miguel,' and you'll just...what? Sit back and let it happen? Let her steal the spotlight and Miguel's attention?" He tilted his head mockingly. "Didn't think you were the type to roll over like that."

Hayden's hands balled into fists at her sides. Her mind was at war with itself, half screaming at her to walk away, but the other half—the one filled with frustration, doubt, and jealousy—was louder. Hawk saw it too. The way her resolve was crumbling, and he pressed just a little more.

"Even the playing field a little. Remind her she's not the only one who can make moves. Come on, you're Hayden fucking Sanders. You've got Cobra Kai written all over you. You're not afraid to fight back, you don't take crap from anyone. You'd fit right in."

Hayden swallowed hard, fighting the swirling emotions inside her. She didn't want to care about what Sam was doing or whether Miguel would be impressed by her efforts. But the idea of Sam standing there, basking in praise while Hayden stood off to the side, unnoticed, made her stomach twist in knots.

"What do I need to do?" she asked finally, her voice low but steady, like she was already bracing herself for what came next.

Hawk grinned, the victory clear in his eyes. "Simple. Help me... sabotage the fundraiser."

Hayden glared at him. "Sabotage how?"

"Nothing crazy," Hawk said, waving his hand dismissively. "We just take the cash they raise before they can hand it over. Simple. They can't look like heroes if they don't have anything to show for it."

She hesitated, her mind spinning with possibilities—and consequences.

"And what? Give it to Cobra Kai?" she asked, skeptical.

Hawk shrugged. "Nah. All funds still go to Miguel. Just from Cobra Kai, not Miyagi Do. Point is, you help me with this, and Sam's little perfect act crumbles. No one's calling her a hero if she can't deliver."

Hayden didn't answer right away. Every instinct told her this was a bad idea. But Hawk's words echoed in her mind. The thought of standing by while Sam soaked up all the praise and Miguel's attention gnawed at her.

Finally, she let out a sharp breath, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Fine," she muttered, more to herself than to him. "I'm in."

Hawk's smirk widened. "Knew you'd come around." He clapped her on the shoulder like they were already partners in crime. "This is gonna be fun, Sanders. Trust me."

But Hayden didn't trust him. She didn't trust anyone—not Hawk, not Sam, not even herself anymore. Still, something about his words made sense, even if she hated to admit it. And as much as she wanted to walk away from the whole mess, something kept pulling her in.

She didn't know if it was jealousy, frustration, or just the need to feel like she wasn't being left behind. But whatever it was, she was in now. And there was no turning back.

—

The news played in the background of the juvenile hall, but Robby was too absorbed in his book to pay much attention. Until a name sparked his interest.

"...Hayden Sanders, the sixteen-year-old girl who is rumored to have started the entire fight." The screen flashed to a random girl, typing away on her phone while smacking gum. "Yeah, I heard she got with Miguel, but then something happened and—"

Robby's grip on his book tightened. He wasn't paying attention to the rest of the conversation; the only thing that mattered now was her. Hayden.

"That your girl?" Shawn smirked from across the room, noticing Robby's sudden shift in focus.

Robby's gaze stayed locked on the screen, but Shawn's voice sliced through his thoughts. "What do you think, boys?" He turned to his fellow inmates, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Sounds like vanilla ain't really her flavor, huh?" His words hung in the air as the others chuckled, nodding along.

Robby's jaw clenched. He didn't need this right now.

"She got a taste for that horchata," Shawn continued, smirking as he looked back at Robby. "Man, she's fine as hell, though. You sure you wanna keep her all to yourself?"

Robby's stomach churned, irritation rising like a wave. He could feel his pulse quicken. Hayden wasn't some trophy to be talked about like this, and the fact that these assholes thought they could was driving him up the wall.

Shawn leaned in closer, clearly enjoying the tension he was creating. "Hey, who knows? Maybe she'll be drinking that dark roast next. You think you could hook me up with her? She is fine," he added, making sure to emphasize "fine" like it was a prize on display.

That was it. Robby stood up abruptly, slamming his book onto the table, the sound sharp and jarring. His eyes burned with anger as he narrowed them at Shawn.

"Shut your mouth," he growled, voice low and venomous.

Shawn only smirked wider, clearly unfazed. "What? You gonna fight me over her now, Karate boy?" He stepped forward, challenging Robby with a scoff. "Go ahead. I'll let you have a free shot." He tapped his cheek, as if daring Robby to take it.

Robby didn't move for a second, breathing deeply as he fought the instinct to let loose. Finally, his voice came out steady, cold. "My karate's about self-defense."

Shawn's smirk only deepened. "Oh, is it now? Let's see how that works out for you," he mocked, throwing a punch at Robby's head.

Robby was ready. His body reacted instinctively, blocking Shawn's strike with ease. Shawn threw another punch, aiming for his jaw, but Robby blocked that one too. The guy had no idea what he was up against.

The others watched in silence, the atmosphere shifting as Robby's movements became fluid, controlled, every block and counter a testament to the skill he'd spent years perfecting.

This wasn't about defending himself. Not anymore. It was about Hayden. About making sure nobody could talk about her like that, like she was just some object to be passed around.

Robby wasn't about to let Shawn—or anyone—disrespect her.

The fight escalated, punches and blocks exchanged in a blur, but in Robby's mind, there was only one thing that mattered: making sure they knew Hayden was off-limits.

And he'd fight anyone who tried to make her feel small.

—

"Hey, Nate!" Hayden jogged up, watching the boy tuck a wad of money into his bag. She caught him mid-flinch as he heard her voice.

"Nate!" She called again, this time a bit closer.

He whipped around, fists up, ready to fight. Hayden stifled a grin, keeping her expression neutral.

"Shit—" she groaned, feigning disappointment. "Did I miss it? I wanted to come help with the car wash, but it was a long way from home."

Nate slowly lowered his fists, relaxing a little. "Yeah, you missed it, but we're gonna come up with more ideas to raise money for Miguel's surgery. If you want, I can let you know about our next fundraiser."

Hayden smiled sweetly, her gaze unwavering. "Would you? That'd be amazing. Thanks, Nate."

He blushed, nodding quickly. "Yeah, no problem. We've already made a lot," he said, pointing to his backpack.

Too easy.

"Oh, really?" Hayden folded her arms behind her back, a small, satisfied grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. She gestured subtly to the guys around her. "Grab him," she muttered, her smile dropping into something colder.

"What—?" Nate furrowed his brows, but he didn't have time to finish his sentence before Hawk's arm was around his neck, locking him in a chokehold. "Picked the wrong side," Hawk grinned.

Hayden circled the group, unhurried, rummaging through Nate's backpack with practiced ease, pulling out the fat wad of cash. She chuckled softly to herself, running her fingers through the wad.

Mitch leaned in, watching her count the bills with wide eyes. "We'll make sure Miguel knows it's from Cobra Kai."

"There's gotta be at least two g's in here," Hayden muttered, a note of satisfaction in her voice.

"Think that'll be enough?" Hawk asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Who cares?" Hayden shrugged, slipping the money into an envelope and tucking it into her back pocket. "We'll figure out the rest."

Nate thrashed in Hawk's hold, panic in his voice. "Come on, we all wanna help pay for Miguel's surgery!"

Hayden hesitated for a beat, then glanced at the boy. "I'm on probation," she muttered, her gaze flicking between the group. "I'm not going to juvie for assaulting someone."

Nate scoffed, his voice strained. "But you'll steal from me?"

"It's not stealing if it gets to where it needs to go."

Hawk eyed her. "We'll talk later?"

She dropped her skateboard on the floor, meeting his eye. "Yeah. We'll talk later.

—

Later that evening, Hayden sat on her bed, nervously bouncing her leg. She looked at the envelope in her hands, her mind racing. She counted the money over and over, trying to make sense of it all, but doubt kept creeping in.

The knock at the door startled her. Hayden jumped up and crossed the room, swinging the door open to reveal Hawk standing in the doorway, looking down at the envelope in her hand.

"Sanders," he greeted, voice casual.

"Yeah," Hayden murmured, stuffing the money back into the envelope and holding it out to him. "Here."

Hawk hesitated for a moment, glancing at her and then the money. "I'll make sure Miguel knows it's from you," he said softly.

"I'd prefer if my name wasn't mentioned." she muttered, earning a look of confusion from Hawk. "I don't really want this traced back to me. All that matters is Miguel and his surgery."

"Hey," Hawk said, stepping a little closer, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "I know we haven't been exactly been friends , but... maybe you'd be interested in coming to Cobra Kai?"

Hayden's head snapped up, her eyes widening in surprise. "What?"

"I mean, think about it." Hawk shrugged, taking another step forward. "I saw you out there today. You fit right in with us. You belong with us more than you do with Miyagi-Do."

Hawk stared at her, his eyes intense. "Tell me Miyagi-Do's still the right place for you. You think LaRusso's really gonna have your back after everything that happened?"

Hayden's mouth opened and closed as she struggled to find a response. Finally, she exhaled sharply, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I don't know," she admitted.

Hawk stood in silence for a moment, his eyes never leaving her face. Then, slowly, the corner of his mouth curved into a smirk. "I think you know. You're just scared to admit it to yourself."

Hayden shook her head slightly, biting her lip, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes.

"Look," Hawk continued, stepping closer, "we have practice tomorrow at two. Come check it out if you want. If not," he shrugged, "I won't bother you again."

Hayden stared at him for a moment, her mind racing. After a few seconds, she nodded slowly. "Okay," she said quietly.

Hawk studied her for a moment longer, then let out a low laugh. "See you tomorrow, Sanders."

She called after him as he turned to leave. "Maybe."

But by then, he was already halfway down the stairs, hand waving in the air as he called back. "Later, Hayden."

authors note.
Helloooo idk why season three is hard to write for me omg but to my robby and hayden shippers content for them is coming soon i promise
i have been hating all the chapters i've been putting out ewww but it's fine