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Tory gasped and sat up sharply in bed, covered in a cold sweat. Her room was dark, but she could see faintly in the predawn light seeping in. Cautiously, she looked down at her hands. There was no blood, and there were no bruises. Gingerly, she clenched and unclenched her fists. There was no pain. She let out her breath as her realization became clearer. It was just a dream!
Her brief time in Cobra Kai after the All-Valley, with Silver as the sole sensei, had been grueling and demeaning, much like in her nightmare. And knowing what Silver had done at the tournament had made it simply unbearable. In a way it was fortunate that he’d moved the dojo from the Reseda strip mall back to its downtown location from the 1980’s. The pretense of a conflicting work schedule had enabled Tory to save face to some extent when she’d quit.
Tory closed her eyes and pressed her hands together in front of her heart. She began her deep breathing exercise that she’d learned in Miyagi-do Karate, specifically that she’d learned from Samantha LaRusso, the love of her life. Breathing in through her nose, out through her mouth, in sync with the motion of her hands and arms, she soon felt somewhat settled. She opened her eyes and mopped the sweat off her face with the corner of her blanket.
Just then, there was a flash on her phone where it lay on her nightstand. Tory picked it up and her eyes went wide when she saw the text from Sam: Hey, how r u doing? Had Sam somehow known she was awake and troubled?
I’m alright, just had that dream again, she texted back.
OMG r u ok? came the reply, followed by, want to meet @ the dojo? Right now?
Tory’s heart fluttered, and she took another deep breath. There was nothing in the world she could’ve wanted more at this moment. More than anything, she texted back. C u in a few!
She got out of bed and got dressed, grabbed her book bag, and was on her way.
********
It was sunrise when Tory arrived at the Miyagi dojo, and Sam was waiting for her by the koi pond. Seeing Tory, she smiled and held out her arms. Tory rushed to her, and finally began to cry much like she’d done in her nightmare.
Sam caught Tory in her arms and held her close. She kissed her cheek, and rubbed her back and hair. Tory laid her head on Sam’s shoulder and openly wept.
“It’s okay, Tory,” Sam whispered in her girlfriend’s ear. “It’s okay.”
Tory nodded, but she held onto Sam even tighter and cried harder. Sam just held her while she let it all out. Finally, Tory sniffled and straightened up, drying her eyes.
“How did you know?” she asked softly.
Sam grinned and shrugged, keeping her arms snugly around Tory’s waist. “Lover’s instinct, maybe?” She gave Tory another kiss on the cheek. “I don’t know… I was awake early too. I actually got a really good night’s sleep, but somehow I had a gut feeling you needed some company.”
“I love you,” Tory whispered. “And I’m so, so grateful for you, Sam. Especially after everything - ”
Sam gently hushed her. “Don’t go there, Tory,” she whispered. “It’s the past now.”
“I know,” Tory sighed. “I just love you so much, it’s overwhelming sometimes,” she admitted.
“I love you too, more than my heart can handle.” Sam pulled Tory close again, and once again rubbed her back very softly. “Cobra Kai can’t hurt you anymore,” she said then. “You know that, right?”
Tory nodded again. “I do know that,” she whispered. “I guess I just need to be reminded sometimes.”
“I get that,” Sam said. “Believe me, I do. And I’m here for you, always. So are my dad and all the guys. And my mom, too. She really cares about you.”
“I know.” Tory squeezed Sam gently and ran her fingers through the long brunette tresses.
They held each other quietly for another long moment, then finally straightened up for a breath.
“Tell you what,” Sam said, smiling. “How about I treat you to breakfast? We’ve got time, and you look like you could use some coffee. Then we can head over to school from there.”
“I’d like that.” Tory smiled as well, for the first time today. “I’d really like that, actually. Thank you so much, baby.”
“Anytime. Now, c’mere.” Sam pulled Tory toward her again, and this time kissed her softly on the lips.
Tory let out a little sigh in her throat as she returned the kiss eagerly. The lingering pain and dread from her nightmare faded from her thoughts entirely. In Sam’s arms, Tory always knew she was safe. In Sam’s arms, she could break… and then be whole again.