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Hawk couldn’t believe it. He’d won. He, Eli Moskowitz, had actually won the All-Valley. He’d beaten Kyler, he’d made it past Miguel, and he’d beaten Robby, fairly this time. Moon had kissed him. Who needed a mohawk? As he held up his trophy, he looked to the side where all of the Eagle Fangs and Miyagi-Dos were cheering, yelling, screaming for him, Demetri at the very front of it all.
Hawk grinned, running over to his team and handing his trophy off to Sensei Larusso. Everyone was already starting to focus on the next big event, Tori versus Sam, the one that would decide it all. Hawk didn’t really care though. Even if he never did karate again, he felt like he’d actually managed to do something. It looked like Demetri didn’t really care either. He just stayed staring at Eli. Hawk walked up to him.
“I told you you could do it, man!” Demetri cheered, clapping Hawk on the back. “Just think, you wanted to quit! You didn’t even want to-”
Hawk cut him off, wrapping his arms around Demetri. Demetri froze for a second, before returning Hawk’s embrace. “Just shut up man,” Hawk laughed, stepping back.
Demetri swallowed, bringing his hand up to rub at the back of his head. “Right. Right yeah sure. Anyways. You know, my parents had to go out of town this weekend.”
Hawk raised his eyebrow. “Yeah? I know? You complained about it for like a week. ‘But it’s the All-Valley’ ‘Can’t believe you guys aren’t coming to the All-Valley’ ‘My own parents!’-”
“Yeah yeah yeah, anyways. Think about it. My parents are out of town . So. You know. I have the house to myself.”
Hawk quickly racked his brain for what the hell Demetri was trying to say, because there was absolutely no way that he was trying to imply what Hawk was starting to think-
“So we’re obviously having a party after this!” Demetri announced, rolling his eyes at Hawk. Right. Demetri had been saying they should have a party. Obviously.
“Shouldn’t we wait to see whether or not we still have a dojo to party with first?” Hawk countered.
Demetri wrapped one arm around Hawk’s shoulders, using the other to bat the air as though he was banishing the very idea. “Meh, doesn’t really matter. You won. And you totally kicked Kyler’s stupid, stupid ass.”
Hawk laughed, bringing up his arm to put around Demetri’s shoulders in turn. “Whatever you say, man. Just remember, it’s apparently my celebration, so there is no way in hell I’m helping you clean up tomorrow.”
Turns out, there really wasn’t a dojo to party with afterward. However, instead of canceling the celebrations like Hawk thought they would, kind of just resulted in all the Miyagi-Dos and Eagle Fangs suddenly wishing to get very, very drunk. Somehow, Demetri had managed to pull off the party of the century, and everyone had plenty of supplies to fulfill their goals.
Even though it was technically Hawk’s celebration, after an hour of being there he’d found himself melting into the couch a bit, nursing the same beer that he had grabbed when they first got back from the tournament. He didn’t really want to get drunk. Yeah, it sucked that they hadn’t won, and he didn’t really know what they were going to do about the whole “keeping the dojo” situation. But Hawk had won earlier. He’d actually had a pretty damn good day. He didn’t want to forget that.
Demetri, however, was not sharing the sentiment. With Hawk hanging back, and Miguel and Sam off who knows where, Demetri had somehow become the life of the party. Hawk couldn’t believe how much he’d changed since all of the karate stuff had started. He was still Demetri, there was no denying that. He believed everything could be fixed with a Star Wars reference, had absolutely no idea of tact in a conversation, and still had the long limbs that kind of seemed to be everywhere all at once. But that didn’t make him as awkward as it once had. Hawk stared, watching Demetri drunkenly climb on top of his parent's dining room table, replica lightsaber in hand, and perfectly demonstrate some of the moves he’d competed with earlier. Somewhere along the way, Demetri had figured out how to wear all the quirks that Hawk had been running away from, and now he had a whole party full of people noticing it.
Hawk felt the couch shift next to him and turned his attention to see Moon settling down with him.
“I can’t believe he’s staying up there,” she greeted, also staring at Demetri.
Hawk laughed, turning to face her. “Maybe he’s actually more balanced when he’s drunk.”
Moon laughed. “Or maybe he’s just actually good at that.”
Hawk tilted his head to the side, glancing back at Demetri. “Nah,” he finally declared. “It’s definitely the drinking.”
Moon rolled her eyes but snuggled down deeper into the couch until her head was resting against Hawk’s arm. “You could just say something nice about him, you know.”
Hawk shifted. “I know I can.”
“I think dating Yasmine’s been really good for him. His energy just seems so much more confident, you know?”
“I don’t think that really had anything to do with Yasmine-”
“You just don’t like her,” Moon countered.
Hawk thought for a second, looking over at Demetri and down at Moon. “...Yeah, sorry, I don’t. But that? Right there? Him up on the table? That’s all Demetri.”
“Did he used to be like that?”
“What?”
“When you were kids. Was he like super confident or something when you were kids?”
Hawk laughed. “He was fearless . I know, it doesn’t really match with the Demetri you know, but he was.”
Moon grinned. “That must’ve been why you two were such good friends. You’d have been unstoppable.”
Hawk shook his head. “No, no we were friends because I was terrified of everything . And even though he was fearless, Demetri was smart. I’ve always been picked on, you know, for the lip. And there was this one day in like kindergarten where this kid was just going at it, had a whole group of other kids laughing, and Demetri walked up and totally told him off. He was listing off all of these facts about cleft lips and how many kids were affected by them and how in every comic ever the kid that gets picked on is always the hero and the bully is always the villain and so I was pretty much bound to be the better person. Sucks that he got that part so wrong.”
“He didn’t get it that wrong, Eli. It just took you a bit to get here.”
Hawk shrugged. “Yeah, maybe. I’m still not a hero or anything though. I’m not even like, a good person.”
“Yes, you are!”
“Moon. I’m trying to be better, I am. But I know what I am, and I’m not over all the shit that I did. I can’t break the arm of the guy that I… always called my best friend and then suddenly call myself a good person.”
“Well, I still think you’re good.”
“Yeah, why’s that?”
“I can feel it! I wouldn’t want to date you if I couldn’t.”
Hawk turned on the couch to where he was fully staring at her. “You want to date me again?”
Moon giggled. “Whoops, didn’t really mean to say that yet.”
Hawk sighed. “And you’re drunk.”
“I’m not that drunk!”
“Moon.”
“Okay, sure, I’m drunk enough to have accidentally said that, but not so drunk that I didn’t mean it, you know?”
“I… don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“What?” Moon sat up, turning until she was fully facing Hawk as well. “I thought since we kissed earlier, and just the way you’ve been and everything…”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’ve just been… figuring stuff out.”
“What stuff?”
Hawk rubbed his neck. “I don’t know. Stuff. Stuff Stuff.”
“Stuff stuff.”
“Yeah.”
“Well, we can figure it out together! Is this still about what you did when you were at Cobra Kai? Because I already told you, I don’t think that’s who you are.”
“It’s not about that.”
“Then what ?”
“...I don’t know how to say it.”
“Oh my God, I was in love with you, Eli. Can you please at least try to tell me why you suddenly don’t want to be with me?”
Hawk sucked in a deep breath, puffing out his cheeks. “Well. You know how you’re, you know, bisexual?”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Moon flinched back. “You won’t date me because I’m bisexual?”
Hawk’s eyes got wide, realizing his mistake. “No! No. No, I’m so sorry, that wasn’t what I was trying to say. I was trying to tell you that. Um. I can’t date you because, because I’m …”
“ Oh .”
“Yeah…”
“You know the whole point is that you like both, right?”
“Yeah, figured that part out, thanks.”
“So, I don’t see the problem still?”
“The problem is that I do.”
“Do what?”
“Like both. Have liked both, in the past.”
“Both…?”
“Both you and… someone else.” Hawk couldn’t help it, he had to look back at Demetri, just to make sure there was no way he could be hearing this. It looked like he was pretty wrapped up in a game of Never Have I Ever though, so Hawk didn’t think it would be a problem.
“Oh!”
“Yeah… But I don’t! Anymore!”
“Like us both?”
Hawk nodded.
“You just like…”
“Demetri.”
“What about me?” Demetri asked, leaning over the couch between them, having somehow silently made his way across the room to them. Hawk froze, his heart jumping up to his throat.
Demetri looked between Moon and Hawk. “Well don’t you two look cozy!” He grimaced. “Gross. Anywhooo. Eli. Buddy buddy bear. I need your help.”
“My help?”
“I need you to tell those… those… those absolute wankers that I have, in fact, kissed a boy.”
Moon coughed. “You’ve kissed a guy?”
Demetri grinned, flipping his head where he laid it on the back of the couch to where he was now staring at her. “Of course! I kissed Eli!”
Hawk scrubbed his hand down his face. “We were like 14.”
Demetri leaned in to where Moon could smell the alcohol on his breath, attempting to whisper and failing at his horribly. “ He was the one who said we needed to practice, but I agreed , you know?”
Moon raised her eyebrows, suddenly suspecting that maybe things were going to be a little easier for Eli than she’d thought. She still kind of had a little problem with it though. “And have you told Yasmine about that?”
“Yasmine?”
“Yasmine? Your girlfriend?”
“Yasmine! My girlfriend! Pretty pretty Yasmine.”
Hawk suddenly found himself wanting to know the answer too. “So, have you told her?”
“Told Yasmine? About that? Alllll that and that? Yeah, no. No no.”
“Why not?” Hawk asked.
Demetri just laughed, flushing even more. “Bad idea. Bad, bad idea. Not gonna go there.”
“Go where?”
“To there . With you ,” Demetri just stared at Hawk, smiling so wide his teeth were showing. Then, suddenly remembering his mission, he stood straight back up, glaring towards where the Never Have I Ever game continued on without him.
“But this is not about that! This is about honor! My honor! My precious, honorable, virtue -”
Hawk blushed. “ Please don’t start telling me about your virtue.”
“It’s in question! They’ve accused me of being a charlatan! A liar! A drunk who’d tell falsehoods just to take an extra lousy shot!”
“They’re accusing him of telling falsehoods, Eli! You have to save him!” Moon laughed.
“You do! You have to save me! Never even heard of lying, Eli, how could I do it? I couldn’t. I’m an honest man. Honest Demetri, that’s what they call me.”
“No one calls you that, Demetri,” Hawk sighed. He turned around, facing the alarming drunk group of teenagers across the room.
“Hey!” Hawk called, getting their attention. “Just so we’re all clear, Demetri has kissed a guy.”
“ And I’d do it again!” Demetri yelled.
“ And he’d do-” Hawk whipped back around to where Demetri was once again leaning over the back of the couch, their faces practically level. “And you’d do it again?”
Demetri bit his lip, grinning. Then, in a stunning bit of drunken acrobatics, he finished his move over the couch and flipped fully over the back, intending to land evenly between Moon and Hawk, but mostly twisting himself to where he sat practically on Hawk’s lap. The other guys were laughing, watching the scene unfold.
“You’re just covering for him, Hawk!” Burt called.
Demetri gasped, outraged at the accusation.
“Damn it,” Hawk groaned.
“Fine!” Demetri announced, throwing his hands up. “Fine fine fine! I’ll show you.”
Before Hawk could react, Demetri had grabbed his head and pressed their lips together, and Hawk knew that he should break away. Knew, as he felt his own hands coming up to hold Demetri in place, that this was so going to bite him in the ass. He wouldn’t even have a beer to blame for it. He just wanted it.
They finally broke apart as Demetri started giggling. “Fucking told 'em,” Demetri breathed against Hawk’s mouth. Reminding Hawk that they were at a party, with all of their friends watching them. All of their friends, who at that point Hawk still didn’t know if he could count as friends yet, who Hawk still didn’t know where he fits with. All he knew that he could count on was Demetri. Demetri, who wasn’t awkward and 14 anymore. Demetri, who had a girlfriend.
“Oh shit,” he heard someone say.
Hawk pulled back, scooting as close as he could to the end of the couch and away from Demetri. He felt like the whole party was staring at him, he knew that Moon was staring at him, and she didn’t even look mad , she just looked so sad for him and Hawk just felt all itchy and warm and tingly and. And Demetri. Demetri just looked so happy.
“Demetri,” Moon said gently, putting her hand on Demetri’s arm. Everyone else, despite the drunken haze they were operating under, was still coherent enough to realize that yeah, it was time to go.
Demetri looked around, frowning. “Where’s everybody going?”
“They’re just tired,” Moon answered.
“Night’s just getting started!”
“It’s like one in the morning, Demetri. Maybe you should go to bed.”
“Don’t wanna go to bed,” Demetri pouted. “I want to stay here. With my Eli. I just got him back, you know.”
Hawk sucked in a breath, locking eyes with Moon. He was pretty sure he might have been crying. He was pretty sure Moon might have been crying for him.
“I’ll stay here with you, Demetri.” He shouldn’t. “I’m not going yet.” He should be.
“Eli-” Moon started.
“It’s okay, Moon. I can handle it. I can.”
Demetri giggled. “Handle me?”
“Yeah,” Eli laughed, watery. “Yeah, you’re a real handful.”
“What about Yasmine?” Moon asked.
“We’re not going to do anything, Moon. I won’t. I won’t do it. I promise.” He could do it. Just sit here with Demetri, even as Demetri threw his legs over the top of Hawk’s and snuggled closer to him. He was so warm, and Hawk could feel all of the muscles he’d gained from karate. But he could do it. Heroes are all supposed to be self-sacrificing, right?
Moon just nodded, following everybody else out and leaving the two of them alone. They just stayed like that for a few minutes after everyone left, Hawk scared to move a muscle, and Demetri humming contentedly next to him.
“We should do that more,” Demetri finally decided.
“Throw parties?”
“Kiss.”
Hawk groaned. “We can’t, Demetri.”
“But I liked it .”
“You have a girlfriend.”
Demetri huffed, laying back on the couch. “I waited for you.”
“What?” Hawk asked.
“When you were off, being Evil Eli and kissing Moon instead of me and doing all that shit. I waited because I kept thinking you would come back to me and you kept not coming back and I wanted you so, so badly.”
Hawk felt like his chest was collapsing. Something into him had broken, a black hole had formed, and his heart was being pulled down.
“It just hurt so bad.” Hawk knew the feeling. “And she made me feel better. She’s so great, she made me feel so much better, about everything. She’s actually great.”
“That’s good. That’s really great, Dem.”
“But you’re back now, and I want you again. You kissed me back.”
Hawk sat forward, hiding his face in his hands. “Please stop. Dem, please stop. I can’t do this.”
“I’ll tell Yasmine. I will. I promise.”
“Demetri, please, this isn’t fair.”
“Why? Why isn’t this fair?”
“Because I’m in love with you,” Hawk admitted, pushing Demetri off of him and walking towards the door. “I’m in love with you, and you aren’t even going to remember this in the morning.”
Demetri scrambled off the couch as Hawk walked towards the door, trying to catch him. “Eli! Hawk! Wait, please, I’m sorry! I won’t talk about it anymore, just please don’t go.”
“I can’t do this, Demetri,” Hawk responded, reaching the door. He pulled it open to find Yasmine standing on the other side.
“Oh. Hi,” she waved to Hawk, before pushing past him to get to a rapidly paling Demetri. “Surprise! I got back early!” Then she was kissing him, and Demetri was all wrapped up in Yasmine again. Forgetting for a second that Hawk was even standing at the door still.
He broke away, fighting to remember what had just been happening. He saw Hawk standing at the door, frantically wiping at his eyes. “Well, there you go, Dem,” Hawk laughed, turning to leave. “Yasmine’s here to make it all better.” Then he was gone.
Demetri’s head was pounding when he woke up in the morning, and as soon as he opened his eyes he remembered all the stupid shit he had just done. He quickly leaned over the side of his bed and vomited in the bucket that Drunk Demetri had been kind enough to leave for him. He couldn't believe he’d done that. Any of that. He was the worst, most horrible person in the world. Because yeah, he may have been drunk, but the truth was that he’d wanted to do it. Every single thing that he’d done. Though, he hadn’t really meant to be such a giant ass about it.
He rolled out of bed and went to throw on some clothes. He had to go talk to Eli. He meant what he said, he kept his promise. He did tell Yasmine last night, as soon as Eli left. She actually ran out the door pretty quickly after him, though she swore at him quite a bit more than Eli had. He had to make this right though. He had to.
He only made one stop on his way over to Eli’s, and that was for coffee. Partially because his head was pounding, and partially because he felt like he just had to bring something. Eli was the one to open the door when Demetri knocked. He looked like shit. His eyes were red and had heavy bags under them, and he was hunched over like he always used to be, making himself smaller. And he was wearing Demetri’s sweatshirt. The one he’d left there a few weeks ago.
“I broke up with Yasmine,” Demetri blurted. Eli stared at him.
“Coffee?” Demetri offered. Eli slowly took the cup from him and then walked away from the door. Demetri followed. Eli led him up to his room and sat down on the edge of his bed. Demetri gently sat down next to him.
“I hadn’t meant to cheat on her. I really, really hadn't.”
“I know,” Eli nodded.
“But I also, kind of, hadn’t meant to date her.”
“What?”
“I mean, we were just suddenly dating! First, she just started kissing me, and I was like ‘Woah, cool, this is new’ and then she started to like me and then we ran into someone she knew one day that was ‘is this your boyfriend?’ and she just said yes. And suddenly I was dating Yasmine. I legitimately don’t even know how that happened.”
“Didn’t you want to date her though?”
“I guess? I thought I’d have time to think about it. I don’t think I would have if I’d stopped to think about it.”
“Why not?”
“Because all I had was a list of really shitty reasons to date her? Because I was just lonely and missed you, and she was hot, and I was pretty sure when the hot girl kissed me I was supposed to kiss her back? I thought that it would just make everything better.”
“It kind of worked. For a while.”
“I guess. Until I, you know, got drunk.”
“Yeah, let’s not do that anymore.”
“And until you told me you love me.”
Eli took a drink of his coffee, staring at the floor. “You remember that?”
“I wasn’t going to forget something I’d wanted to hear for years that quickly.”
Eli whipped his head up to stare at him. “What?”
“I tried not to. For like so many reasons. But I mean, come on, do you really doubt that? I’ve kissed you. Twice now, actually. And very drunkenly rambled about how lost I was without you. Of course I love you. I’ve loved you since we were kids. Since kindergarten, when I went to the library and looked up all the facts I could about cleft palettes on the computer so that I’d have something to say the next time someone started to get on you about it. I was obsessed with you. I’ve always been obsessed with you, even when you thought there was nothing to be obsessed with. But I get it. I fucked up yesterday. I get it if you don’t want this, or if you want me to go-”
Eli surged forward, cutting him off with a kiss. It was so much better sober, Demetri thought. Demetri thought every kiss with Eli was the best ever, but this one definitely was the best. Eli kept his forehead pressed to Demetri’s when they broke apart.
“We’re two to one now,” Demetri whispered.
“Two to one?”
“You’ve kissed me once. I’ve kissed you twice. I’m winning.”
Hawk laughed. “Can’t have that. Haven’t you heard? I’m a champion now.”
And then they were kissing again, and Demetri was wrong. This was the best one.