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Chapter Text

Kenny and the rest of the Cobra’s walk out the tournament, hyping up Tory, who’s holding the trophy. They had just won the all valley tournament and couldn’t be happier. Kenny looks around, trying to see where Robby is, but he isn’t with the group. They start to head out, including Kenny, till Tory pulls him aside.

“Do you know where Robby went? I haven’t seen him since my fight with Sam.” Tory asks.

“I haven’t, sorry dude. He probably went home early.” Kenny replies.

Tory nods. “Tell me if you see him.” She heads out.

Kenny heads back in the directions of the locker rooms to grab his bag. He stops in his tracks upon hearing some commotion coming from a room.

“I almost thought you were gonna back out of our deal a few times.” Kenny recognizes that voice. It’s Silver.

Terry continues. “You know what? You played it just right. No one suspects a thing. Money will be in your account tomorrow morning.” The referee alongside him nods and they go their separate ways.

Kenny is in absolutely disbelief. It was all paid off? Tory didn’t win? The entire tournament was rigged? Did anything he did matter if Cobra Kai was guaranteed to win?

Was Cobra Kai really full of shit?

Kenny brushes off the thoughts. He decides to pick up his bag in the morning. He needs to get home right now. Maybe it’s just all a misunderstanding? Maybe Silver was just being a Good Samaritan? Kenny obviously knows it can’t be true, but he can’t help but hope. He walks back to his house, hands in pockets, head down, holding back the tears he feels coming up.

At home, Kenny walks into the living room, seeing his brother, Shawn, sleeping on the couch with the tv still on. Kenny grabs the remote and switches it to Hulu. He browses, looking for a movie to distract himself from the world around him. He moves Shawn’s legs so he can sit.

“K?” Shawn wakes up, rubbing his eyes, slowly sitting up. A few weeks ago, Shawn was released from juvie on parole after they got an exceptional lawyer. The Payne family was overjoyed that their son was back home, especially Kenny. Now that their mom was working a morning shift and night shift after spending most of their income on Shawn’s lawyer, Shawn has become Kenny’s primary caretaker. Kenny absolutely loves his brother and would choose him over anyone else. They hang out almost everyday after school or when Kenny is finished with his karate lessons. He’s tried to persuade Shawn into joining Cobra Kai, adding in the fact that Robby also attended, but he declined the offer. Shawn claims he’s too busy with other stuff. While Kenny doesn’t exactly believe that, but he doesn’t say anything.

“Good morning. We won, by the way. Cobra Kai. Didn’t see you there.” Kenny says. God, if only Shawn knew.

Shawn lights up. “That’s awesome, K! Maybe I judged this dojo too early.” 

“Oh shut up. Now that we’re making it big, you’re considering joining?” Kenny laughs.

Shawn laughs along with him. Kenny continues browsing through Hulu until he comes across a movie called “I Saw The Tv Glow.”

“What about this one?” Kenny asks Shawn. He’s seen this movie pop up on his TikTok a couple times. He knows it’s supposed to be a trans allegory and that it’s life changing to watch the movie. Kenny doesn’t think it’s that serious, but he is curious.

Shawn nods. “Whatever you want, man.”

A pit forms in Kenny’s stomach, but he ignores it and puts on the movie.

-

”What if I really was someone else? Very far away, on the other side of the television screen?”

That line. That fucking line is all Kenny can think about. Could he too, see the tv glow, just like Owen? Or was she stuck? The girl in him was stuck, repressed deep inside and hidden from the rest of the world. She can’t escape. Not if Kenny doesn’t let her out. Isn’t it too late, though? Is it too late for Kenny to realize the real her? Is it too late to see the tv glow, because if that tv couldn’t glow then, how could it possibly glow ever? How could she exist in a world where he is who everyone knows? It doesn’t matter now. The feeling will disappear. Soon.

The credits roll, Shawn yawns. “That movie was so confusing. I swear, I was about to fall asleep like five times. Right?”

“Yeah. Ha. Weird ass movie.” Kenny plays along. The words twist his stomach. Just keep acting. It’ll go away.

Kenny gets up. He says goodnight to Shawn before heading to his room. He collapses into his bed, staring up at the ceiling. The image of Owen in that dress plagues his mind. Why couldn’t it be him? Kenny quickly remembers what his plan is. Stuck it up, and man up. Become a man. Stay a man. Be a man. Life is fine and there’s nothing wrong with him. He’s just a weird dude. Yeah, that’s all.

He soon falls asleep, his mind still racing with thoughts. 

Chapter Text

The next day, Kenny is eating breakfast when he gets a call from a random number.

“Hello? Who is this?” Kenny asks.

“Kenny! Hey! It’s me, Robby. I got a new number.” Robby answers.

Kenny chokes on his food. He sips some water before replying with, “Why’d you get new number? Actually, where the hell have you been? Tory saw you run off after your match at the All Valley and no one’s heard from you.”

“I had something to do. Look, can we meet up? I have to talk to you about Cobra Kai.” Robby says.

Kenny dumps his bowl in the sink and brings his phone to his room. “What about exactly?” Kenny wonders if Robby too knows about what Terry did. Or is this about something else?

“Just meet me at the store across from the dojo, okay?” Robby asks. He hangs up shortly after Kenny agrees.

Kenny changes out of his pajamas. He looks through his closet, finding no more clean hoodies besides a red one that makes him appear flat. He goes into Shawn’s room and steals a grey hoodie. It’s way too big on him, but it’s the best he can do. Kenny looks small like this, which he likes.

Then comes pants. Kenny changes into a new pair of boxer briefs. He makes sure not to look in the mirror while doing this. The dread he feels seeing it. Just ordinary teenage boy insecurities.

After putting on his jeans, he calls out to Shawn. “I’m heading out to meet up with a friend! I’ll be back later!”

“Alright man.” Shawn calls out back.

Upon hearing that word, Kenny stops in his tracks. He can’t shrug off the feeling that something’s not quite right when referring to him. It’s not him. He can feel a lump in his throat, a pain in his heart, like he’s being stabbed and he has to just take it like a man does. That’s what he is.

Kenny snaps out of his little trance and heads out. He keeps his head down as he walks in the neighborhood to the dojo. Kenny puts on his headphones to distract himself from his racing thoughts. Kenny’s too distracted to notice a guy walking in his direction and accidentally hitting him.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry!” Kenny helps the guy up, only to realize it’s Anthony LaRusso, spoiled rich white kid who, of course, is also a bully. Kenny lets go of him.

“It’s no problem.” Anthony says. “Are you okay? Your eyes are really red.”

“It’s none of your business, LaRusso.” Kenny tries to get past him, only for Anthony to get in his way.

“Wait. Can we just talk about what happened in the locker room?” Anthony asks.

“Nothing to it. You don’t know what it was like, dealing with you. I was giving you a taste of your own medicine. How’s it taste, LaRusso? Feel good?” Kenny glares at him.

“I just wanted to apologize again. I hope to not get beat up this time. I need to hear you say that you forgive me. It’s really not that hard.” Anthony says.

Kenny scoffs. “Easy for you to say. You’ve never had to struggle your entire life. Not when daddy provided everything for you.”

“Look! I get it. I get why you keep assuming I’m this privileged encino brat. And I was. But I’m trying to change. I know my behavior towards you was wrong. I want a fresh start. Is that so hard to ask for? Please?” Anthony extends his hand out, a peace offering.

Kenny contemplates. On one hand, what Anthony did to him is unforgivable and he needs more than just an apology to make up for it. On the other hand, Anthony does seem like he’s sorry, and guilty for what he did. Kenny also thinks their rivalry is getting old. Plus, he would’ve never gotten into Cobra Kai if it wasn’t for his bullying.

Kenny gives in, letting out a sigh and shaking his hand. Upon doing so, he gets a weird sensation in his stomach. Seeing Anthony’s sincerity in his big, dark brown eyes makes his heart beat faster than normal. Kenny breaks the handshake.

“Bye, I guess. Uh, I’ll see you at school on Monday?” Anthony asks. He terribly hides the red on his face.

“Yeah. See you later, alligator.” Kenny cringes internally after saying that. His face is bright red.

Anthony chuckles. “After while, crocodile.”

Kenny watches as Anthony walks in his opposite direction. He soon realizes that he’s completely lost track of time. He quickly gets to the store to meet up with Robby.

Chapter Text

Kenny spots Robby outside their spot and walks up to him.

“Hey man. Sorry for being late. I had a run in with someone. What’d you wanna meet up for?” Kenny asks.

Robby puts his phone away. His visible black circles under eyes and look of worry on his face is unsettling to Kenny. Robby feels a weight lift off his shoulders as he reveals, “It’s about Cobra Kai.”

Kenny turns his head in confusion. “Is this why I didn’t see you after the tournament? You know Tory was worried sick.”

“Yeah I know. She already told me off about that. I don’t need you doing the same.” Robby pauses, then continues. “You need to leave Cobra Kai.”

Kenny chuckles at the sound of that, examining for any sign on Robby’s face that indicated he was kidding. His laugh soon died down, seeing his stone cold expression.

Robby continued, “I know you’re in Cobra Kai because of me. Thought it would help you.”

“And it did-“

Robby cuts him off abruptly. “I know that’s what you think, but you have to trust me on this one. Cobra Kai is bad news. I’ve been down this same path and it isn’t pretty. It’ll turn you into someone you don’t wanna be,” Robby’s words hit a nerve with Kenny. Doesn’t help that he’s going through an identity crisis. “I can’t stand by and let that happen. Whatever happened with you and Anthony is because of Cobra Kai.”

Processing all this, Kenny thinks back to the tournament. The paid referee, sure. But also, the way Robby acted that night wasn’t him. After their fight, and encountering Kenny attacking Anthony, he seemed tense, disoriented. Did Kenny affect his performance that badly? Or is this coming from something else entirely?

Whatever it is, Robby’s sudden aversion of Cobra Kai seems fishy to Kenny. “So, you brought me into a dojo to help defend myself, saw me act too aggressive for your liking at the tournament, so you decide it’s best for me to leave.”

Robby keeps his frustration in check. “It’s not just that. You still have some heart in you. I can’t let Cobra Kai taint it and change who you are. Maybe the tournament helped bring me to this conclusion, but it’s not like the feeling’s never been there.”

Kenny’s stubbornness conflicts with his relationship with Robby. He remembers telling him all about the kids who recorded him in his Dr. Scribblebottoms cosplay. Robby immediately asked to see it, and was pleasantly surprised to see the amount of effort Kenny put into making that. He told him he was proud of him. First time anyone was okay, even proud, of Kenny’s weirdness.

Yet, this entire idea that Kenny’s sense of self is gonna be corrupted, when Kenny doesn’t know who he’s supposed to be in the first place, is holding him back.

“Let’s say I take your word, and leave Cobra Kai. Then what?” Kenny asks.

“I don’t know. It’s not like you have to stick yourself to one dojo. We could still do one on one training. Just, without Cobra Kai’s beliefs.” Robby explains.

When Kenny doesn’t say anything, Robby adds on. “We can hang out more often without training.”

That does sound nice, Kenny thinks. He was only in Cobra Kai for Robby. There’s nothing left for him if he’s not there. He’s one of his only friends too, but he’ll never let Robby know that.

“I’ll think about it.” Kenny declares

Robby lights up. “Thanks. And hey, it doesn’t make you any less of a man for leaving.” 

Kenny feels chills run down his spine. What made Robby think Kenny was struggling with that? He might explode if he gets told one more comment related to his identity. He gets that enough from his mother. It’s not like he’s made it too obviously, right?

There’s an awkward silence before Robby suggests to go McDonald’s. Kenny reluctantly accepts

“So, how upset was Tory when you came back from your trip?” Kenny asks.

Robby rambles all about it. If there’s one thing about him, is that Kenny can’t ever get him to shut up about Tory.

Guess this is gonna be the norm with a lack of karate talk, Kenny thinks. For better or worse.

Chapter Text

Kenny’s always thought of himself as an outsider. From the day he was born, he’s been destined to be different. Insane how a simple trait like skin tone can determine how your life will go.

It’s always been known to Kenny that he’s black. His parents were never one to ignore it, and taught him from a young age all about it. He still remembers being seven, and playing outside with water guns during the hot, summer day. When it came crashing down as soon as someone saw him as a threat. After some misunderstandings with the police, and water guns became replaced with the sprinklers or garden hose, it’s clear as day to Kenny that he’s not like everyone else.

Still, despite the hardships, being black, brought him a sense of familiarity and comfort. That was an integral part of him. The joy he gets at cookouts from seeing his family having the time of their lives. The head nod he gives to other black people when they’re in a predominantly white space. That universal bald cut all black boys are given once in their life. The one that has uncles calling him mini Michael Jordan. Getting his hair braided for the first time. He couldn’t imagine anything else being that important.

So, it’s a surprise when he discovered something on par, with that integral part of himself.

Opposite to race, gender was something that he never took the time to think about.

Kenny learned about the difference between male and female, and that’s about it. He was a boy. That was it. He knew of the LGBTQ community. Unfortunately, some of his more ignorant family members associated queerness for whiteness. So he grew up with that same belief instilled in him.

It wasn’t until Kenny saw that two can be true. Seeing black and queer figures such as Martha P Johnson and Ernestine Eckstein changed his entire world. Still, he didn’t question much about his gender as a young kid, until eleven years old.

Puberty hit at around that age, and like everything, it hit hard. Kenny became uncomfortable with the masculine changes in his body. He dreaded taking off his shirt for the swimming unit in PE. Everyone around him told him it was normal for boys to experience that during puberty. That he’ll grow out of it once he’s a man. He believed them.

The same went for sexuality. Kenny’s always liked girls. Strongly. He still does, but now there’s the addition of being somewhat attracted to guys as well. Just not nearly as much.

He could say he bi, or whatever, but it doesn’t matter much to him. Shawn knows and is cool with it.

Now at fourteen, Kenny still wants to believe he’ll grow out of it. He wants to say it’s easier after years of pretending. But it’s only worse than before. Especially after seeing Owen, a black and trans coded character, on the big screen. He knows that he needs to do something about this. Like Robby, he’ll make a drastic change with half-assed explanations as to why.

It’s not like Kenny’s actually like that. Sure, on the surface, anyone would come to the conclusion that he is in fact, trans. At the same time, it doesn’t feel right to call himself that, thinking it’s an insult to actual trans people. Stuck being the weird guy for life.

As he continues to stare at the Transgender Wikipedia page for longer than any cis person would, the front door opens. He closes the tab and lets out a sigh of relief hearing it’s just Shawn.

He switches back to normal browsing and loads up Dungeon Lord.

New friend request from: AntMan

Cute, Kenny thinks. He accepts and starts a conversation.

KennyTheJet: Thought this game was for nerds, Ant.

AntMan: Thought you would have a more unique username than that

Oh he did not.

KennyTheJet: Says the level 23.

AntMan: I took a break, big deal! What’s a big deal is your armor. Nothing is matching

KennyTheJet: I’m so sorry my color scheme isn’t visually appealing to your sensitive eyes.

AntMan: Hurry up and teleport here

KennyTheJet: Yeah hold on.