Chapter Text
He grabbed the package and examined it carefully, pretending that he actually read all the ingredients. He looked up at his dad, with a smirk playing on his lips. "It's sugar free."
"If it was, it would be written on the front side of the package. Big letters and shit," Johnny rolled his eyes, accompanied by a tired sigh. "Robby, I don't wanna be some kind of overreacting nanny, but we have already taken two packs of chocolate cookies, M&Ms, one bottle of some sweet-ass crap, and..."
"I get it," Robby cut him off, putting the package back, making sure that dad saw the heartbroken look on his face. "You don't want me to get fat."
"Okay, that's not it," Johnny denied. "I don't care about that. But everyone knows that kids shouldn't eat much sugar. And since I'm a parent, I'm kind of responsible for that now. So don't make it hard."
Robby shrugged, swallowing some snarky comment about his dad finally realizing that he was actually a dad to someone. It had only taken seventeen years so no big deal, right?
Robby thought about making it easy for dad, just like he used to do with mom, but soon he realized that Johnny didn't deserve it at all. He had to get punished at least a little. Robby liked sweets, but he could survive a long time without them - he had practiced in the streets and in juvie. And it wasn't like Kreese had been feeding him with pudding either. But dad had to know what it was to have a child. A difficult child.
"Do you know what?" He turned to his dad who was ready to leave, masking his grin. "I changed my mind. I don't want chocolate cookies. I'd rather take the Oreos."
Johnny stopped in his tracks. He looked around to make sure no one was watching and then growled like an angry bear after hibernation. "Seriously? That's like on the other side of the store! I asked you if you wanted them!"
Robby gave him another nonchalant shrug, surprised that dad didn't explode yet. Of course that he was controlling himself. They had had a moment after the All Valley tournament, crying, hugging, confessing stuff, but that didn't mean that things were completely settled between them. Not even their little trip to Mexico could fix that. Especially when Mr. Perfect Diaz was around the whole time. Maybe that was the reason Robby had actually started living with dad. To piss off Miguel. Or maybe he was enjoying the time with his dad more than he should. More than he was used to. Perhaps it was just torture to Johnny, Robby had to know. He had to push him and piss him until he gave up. That was Johnny's thing to do. Simple as that. Robby had to make sure that he wouldn't abandon him again. No matter how much it hurt. But Johnny himself promised him that this time it would be different, so probably only time could change that.
That was why they were on their family trip to the grocery store, on Robby's mission to annoy Johnny, test him, make a real dad our of him. He didn't deserve to have it easy.
They left the store, one with a smirk, the other one with a wrinkle between his eyebrows, with a bag of groceries - mostly cookies and candy, but also some celery and broccoli because that was "healthy for children". Robby found it ridiculous. As if dad actually believed that he would eat any of that stuff. Or his weird veggie soups that he couldn't make even with the help of Google. They got into the car quietly, Johnny started the engine, and then they were on their way home. Dad turned on the radio in case that Robby would "need something" again - he also made sure to turn on the volume so he wouldn't hear a single whine. Robby didn't care about that. He would appreciate a proper conversation sometimes, but it wasn't easy with dad. Dad always mumbled about karate, but Robby had no interest in joining any dojo after leaving Cobra Kai. Especially not Miyagi-do, or whatever they called it now. He didn't need Mr. LaRusso, Sam, Hawk, Demetri or anyone from that dojo in his life. He wasn't ready for that, and he was too stubborn to apologize. That meant that they were stuck.
Robby didn't want to talk about karate, none of them was brave enough to say sorry first. To say "I love you" or shit like that. Robby didn't know if he loved dad, but it couldn't hurt to hear his parent say it to him. Only if dad didn't act like a stupid angsty teenager. If he didn't act like...Robby himself. Two stubborn assholes with a ton of issues, living together. Yeah, that wasn't an ideal situation. No surprise that they couldn't talk things out like normal people, they had to tease each other or ignore each other. Robby liked when dad was annoyed, but at the same time he kind of wished that dad wouldn't be so easy to piss off. That he would try more. At least for the sake of his own child. He wasn't quite realizing that Robby wasn't just his roommate, his friend, his...whatever.
The moment dad killed the engine, Robby got out of the car, and made his way towards their apartment. He hid in his room as usual. Then dad would call him for dinner which would be some soup or meatloaf or just some cereal, in case dad set the kitchen on fire while doing the meatloaf. Robby could put his headphones on and listen to music until then. That was the normal routine, he didn't have to be okay with that, but he also didn't do anything to change it. None of them put any effort into their relationship. Today turned out to be different, though.
Dad knocked on his door - at least he accepted his privacy if nothing else - and when Robby told him to come in, he entered with a bittersweet expression on his face.
Robby exhaled in annoyance. "What is it? You don't know how to cut the veggies?"
"No," Johnny said, running a hand over his face. He looked tired. "It's not it. Just...I wanted to tell you, but you wanted to go shopping and...shit. Whatever. Carmen invited me to dinner."
Robby raised his eyebrows. An evening without dad? That didn't sound that bad. He could order pizza, watch a movie. "So like a date?" He asked, helping dad out because he seemed unusually nervous. Like Robby didn't know that he was dating Miguel's mom. But that was not it judging by Johnny's expression.
Johnny wasn't ashamed or anything, just...slightly stressed out about something. Like he was nervous to tell Robby something important. Dad "didn't do" nervous often. "No," Johnny shook his head. "More like a...family dinner."
Robby looked confused, but he took the opportunity to snort. "Oh yeah! I get it. Don't worry, I know that Miguel is part of your new family. Feel free to hang out with them. I'm just... a member of the old one." He gave him a dry smile that didn't reach his eyes. He had to blink twice to get rid of the tears. What the hell?
"Robby, come on," Johnny rolled his eyes. He was about to give him some stupid speech about loving the neighbors, like he ever confessed that he loved someone, except for Miguel fucking Diaz, of course. And his mom, but Johnny mostly hung out with her because she was hot, at least that was what Robby assumed. "You are my..."
"So is Miguel," Robby nodded, sparing him the bullshit that he was about to force out of his mouth. "Your son. Have fun."
"I thought you could come with me." That surprised Robby hella lot, but he didn't let dad know. He furrowed his eyebrows.
"I'm not invited, I presume?"
Dad shifted his weight back and forth which gave the answer away. "Well, maybe it's the right time to talk to Carmen. You know, apologize and..."
"Has Miguel ever apologized?!" Robby snapped at dad before he could finish the load of shit. Dad hesitated, as if he was thinking about yelling at Robby. Or jumping at him to teach him a lesson about respecting Diaz because he was a great fighter or whatever. Like Robby cared about his fucking skills. Diaz had taken everything from him and right under Johnny's nose. But the man was still fucking oblivious about it. Diaz could come up to Robby, smash his phone against a wall, and Johnny would congratulate him for that. Robby knew him fucking well. Ever since they had returned from Mexico, he had been wondering if dad would come after him if he took off to another country. He probably wouldn't even notice.
"Wh-what do you mean?" Johnny frowned, he raised his voice a bit, but he wasn't yelling yet. "Robby, you can't just blame Miguel for everything that happened! That kid suffered the most and you know it best!"
Robby stiffened for a moment before feeling the hot tears of anger in his eyes. He straightened his back, and scoffed. "Why? Because I was the one who made him suffer, right?"
Johnny threw up with his hands, obviously not sure what to say to that. "You're acting like a child, Robby."
"Maybe because I fucking am one."
Johnny drew a deep breath, stopping himself from yelling, scolding or something similar to that because he was realizing that it wouldn't help their situation. Would anything help their situation though? It seemed like an endless circle. They ignore each other, they tease each other, sometimes they are nice, Robby pisses dad off, dad yells. Everything goes to hell in the blink of an eye. Robby was angry at the moment, he was so angry that he would be able to break a wall if he wanted to. But he was also tired. So fucking tired of this.
"Robby," Johnny said, his voice lower and softer than before. "Don't do this shit again. I thought we were good.”
Don't do this again?! So it was his fault, right?
Robby wasn't going to give up that easily. He laughed bitterly. "Oh yeah! Yes! We are good! You and I are fucking good! Until you fucking mention fucking Miguel! Do you even realize..."
...that maybe he wasn't the only one who suffered! Wasn't the only victim! Do you even realize that maybe - only maybe - I had it even worse than him? He was paralyzed, sure. But was he alone? Was he getting beaten up every day by a bunch of violent assholes twice his size? Was he...was he hoping every fucking day that someone - anyone! - would show up at least for a frigging second? At least to say that it was going to be okay. It was going to be better!
He wished he was brave enough to say all that out loud, but he just kept staring at dad with a red face, pointing his shaky finger at him, not being able to continue.
Dad stared back. He had his jaw clenched as well as his fists, maybe if he couldn't control himself better, he would be already taking huge steps towards Robby's bed, grabbing him by his collar, slamming him against the wall, raising his hand... It was better to not think about it.
"Fine," dad spat, almost like a curse. He turned his back to Robby. "Stay here if you want to pout all day. But...know that I respect that. Not the things you say about Miguel, but what you feel towards him is understandable. This is your choice. And I'm...I'm not mad at you."
With those lies, he left.
The silent beep saved him from an eternity of boredom and staring at the ceiling as if all the answers were written on it. He grabbed his cell phone from the nightstand - this room was kind of in the middle of renovation so he had to use one of the empty cardboard boxes as a nightstand table - and looked at the screen.
It was a message from Tory, he felt guilty when he saw it. He should have texted her, but he hadn't done so since he had come back from Mexico. He was a terrible boyfriend, but he had so many things going on...
He could still save it.
Tory <3: Everything alright? U back home?
Me: Sorry I didn't text you. Yeah, I am
Tory <3: Miss you
Me: Miss you too
He would like to tell her that he couldn't wait to see her, that he wanted to go somewhere with her. To buy ice cream or just for a walk...
But he had to figure out his shit with dad, he didn't have time for this now. But maybe Tory's presence would help. Her touch, her lips...
Tory <3: Silver's asking about u
His heart sank. Shit. He forgot that she was still in Cobra Kai. That made their relationship slightly more complicated. He didn't know what to say to that so he just waited until Tory sent another message.
Tory <3: Are u coming back to the dojo?
Well shit. Of course that she didn't know about him quitting, he had never gotten the chance to tell her. Until now. It was easier to tell her the truth, now that the opportunity came out of nowhere. He felt guilty about not telling her earlier. It was super important. She could not accept his decision and end things between them.
Me: No. Sorry
Tory <3: Still hanging out with ur dad?
Robby bit his lip before writing the short message and putting his phone away.
Me : I quit Cobra Kai
He heard another beep a few minutes later, but he overcame the urge to look at the screen. He was curious about her reaction, but he wasn't ready.
He also had to figure out how to return all the things that Silver had given him. Including his phone. It was weird to give it back, but it wasn't his, and he didn't need Silver blackmailing him about it in the future. He could buy another phone. Also some money that Silver had lent him when he had been "spoiling him" as if he could buy his loyalty just like that.
He didn't feel like interacting with Silver, but he had to return those things, better sooner than later. He sighed, and stood up from his bed. He didn't have anything to do at the moment, and staring at the ceiling didn't seem like fun anymore so he could do something useful instead.
He opened his closet and pulled out the sleeping bag that Kreese had lent him when he had come to him for help. He grabbed one of the empty boxes and put it inside, along with all the clothes that Silver had bought for him when he had lacked money, his cell phone, some money that he found in the drawer. Silver had given him exactly one hundred dollars before prom, in case he wanted to invite Tory for dinner. Robby had no idea why Silver was pushing their relationship, but they ended up together so it apparently worked. But now he had to return the hundred dollars, not to mention all the money that Silver had gifted to his mother. Robby had no idea how much it had been, she had surely spent it on something already, and Robby didn't exactly have a job so he didn't know how to pay off the debt.
He found eighty dollars in his drawer. It wasn't much, Silver could definitely cause him touble if he didn't return all the money that he had taken from him, but what could Robby do? Maybe the man would forgive him. Silver was a millionaire, he knew that Robby was ridiculously poor, even now when he lived with dad. Because dad didn't have a job, except for teaching karate, but who knows how much he earned for that? Definitely enough to pay the rent, the bills, the basic needs. But not enough to lend Robby money only for him to give it to Silver.
He closed the full box, and let out a breath. Now it was a good time to sneak out of the house and give it back to Silver, dad wouldn't notice. Because if dad knew that Robby wanted to meet Silver, he would suspect him from siding with the ponytailed man again. Or he just wouldn't let him in order to "protect him". Silver could be creepy sometimes, but he had never really hurt Robby, except for kicks and punches to his face, chest or stomach during their private lessons. But Robby wasn't scared of the man at all.
Besides, he was doing a good thing, returning all the things. How could Silver hurt him for that?
He found dad's car keys, and left the apartment with the box in his hands. He put it inside the trunk of the Dodge Caravan, and got in, starting the vehicle. Dad could probably hear the sound of the engine from inside, but he wouldn't know that it was his car. And it wasn't even exactly his car, Robby had stolen it from the LaRusso auto so he had every right to borrow it whenever he damn wanted.
The ride was quick, Robby headed to the new location of the Cobra Kai dojo - or one of them. But he was sure that Silver would be there, it was like his headquarters. The nest of all the snakes that were training in the dojo. It wasn't that late so he doubted that Silver would be home already. And he could call him in case he couldn't find him.
He pulled over in front of the basic looking building, and got out of the car, with the box in his hands, holding it close to his chest so the content wouldn't fall to the ground. He knocked on the door with his foot and a few moments later, Silver opened, with a frown that turned into a smirk when he recognized Robby.
"Mr. Keene," he said, using his soft manipulative voice that Robby knew very well. "May I help you? I've been actually trying to talk to you about..."
"Yeah, I'm not coming back," Robby interrupted him, handing him the box.
Silver took it, and looked inside, scrunching his nose. "Well, that's a shame. Really. You sure will be missed."
"I hope everything is in there," Robby noted, nodding at the box. "Everything you've given me. Thanks for that."
"Oh Robby," Silver laughed softly. "Please, those things are yours. You know what a gift means, don't you?" Before Robby could answer that, Silver stepped aside. "Please, come in. There is something I need to talk to you."
Robby knew it was a bad idea, but he felt that it wouldn't be bright to say no and just leave. Turning his back to Silver could be dangerous, he knew it. The man acted like honey, all nice words, kind smiles, not a sign of anger. But it was there. Buried deep under the surface, Silver was trying to hide it for some reason. Robby had a feeling that he knew what it was about. It would be better to just freely talk about it than run away like a coward. It was just like ripping the band aid. Silver would find out about him quitting Cobra Kai very quickly anyway. Robby sighed quietly, entering the dojo with a weird feeling in his stomach.
The building looked a little damaged, even old from the outside, but nothing could prepare him for the modern equipment, clean mats, white fancy light, a gym, a bar! Wow. Silver really didn't need Robby's money when he could afford a dojo like this. But despite the fanciness, the beauty, the luxury of this place, Robby felt disgusted. He was about to vomit when he remembered that Tory and Kenny still trained here, under Tery Silver. Using all the new dummies, all the machines, punching bags. This wasn't a dojo for kids that wanted to fulfill their dreams and learn karate. This was a place where Silver trained his army for something big.
"Nice place, right?" Silver grinned proudly, standing right behind Robby. As if...as if he wanted to stop him from leaving.
"Hm, yeah," Robby forced a smile. "Very nice."
"Regretting quitting already?" Silver teased, putting a hand on his shoulder. Robby resisted the urge to pull away and leave just like that. Seriously? Silver thought that luxury would make him return? Like Robby ever needed something like this. He had lived in the streets, in a van for two weeks. He was used to a rough life. This wasn't going to impress him. But guess that the Silver just pointed out the elephant in the room. Bringing up the issues innocently was a good idea.
"Tory told you?"
Silver shrugged, circling Robby like a predator. "Maybe. I had a feeling that you wouldn't come back after the tournament.”
"It has nothing to do with the tournament," Robby replied. It wasn't exactly the truth, the tournament was a factor, but not the most important one. Robby had wanted to do something about Cobra Kai even before. He didn't want to leave Tory and Kenny, especially not Tory since they had started dating, but... He had felt that he had been manipulated by the two senseis. He had been turning into something that he hadn't wanted to be. The match with Kenny at the tournament had only confirmed it. He had been becoming a monster, and he had to stop it. That was why he had gone to dad, that was why he had decided to quit the dojo. "It's just...I don't want to train here anymore. That's it."
"Because you live with daddy now, right?"
Robby furrowed his eyebrows. "Well, maybe yes. But for your information, I'm not joining Miyagi-do either. I'm taking a break from karate."
Silver pressed his lips together. "Alright," he gave him a fake smile. "Well, we will miss your skills, but it's your choice, of course. Are you sure that you want to return all the stuff?" He put the box on the floor, opening it. "Take your phone, at least." He handed him the device, Robby didn't protest.
"Also...the sleeping bag is in there," Robby told him, biting his lip. "It's sensei Kreese's, but he isn't here anymore, so..."
"Ah yes," Silver nodded. "Poor bastard. If he were here, he wouldn't let you leave."
Robby looked at his feet, hesitating before he asked the question. "I know that he is in prison, but...do you know who's the guy he beat up?"
It seemed unreal to Robby. Sensei Kreese was aggressive, he had his methods, his favorite rule was no mercy, but...he had never hurt Robby, and it was almost unbelievable to imagine him just punching someone for fun or whatever the reason was. Also it wouldn't be a strategic move. Kreese had to know that if he sent someone to hospital, the cops would take him. But he had ambitions, why would he throw it away just to beat up some random guy? If it had been his dad or someone that Kreese really hated, but...well, no one had told Robby who it was, but it couldn't be someone that important.
"Of course," Silver gave him a sad nod. Or at least he tried to make it look sad. "It was Stingray. I believe you know him, right?"
"Yes, I met him. He was at the prom...Wait," Robby frowned. "When did it happen?"
Silver hesitated a little, trying to not break his character. For some reason he didn't seem very concerned about his best friend's fate in the prison. "After prom, I presume."
Robby furrowed his brows in confusion. That didn't seem right at all. "But there was the tournament the other day."
"Yes?"
"And I spent the night after prom at sensei's. He invited me to dinner, to talk about the tourn..." Robby suddenly stopped talking, realizing that maybe it wasn't such a bright idea to tell his suspicions to Silver of all people. He shook his head. "Oh well. Nevermind. I should go."
He turned on his heel, heading towards the door, trying to ignore the fact that Silver's eyes were literally burning holes into his back.
"Wait a second." Silver's voice stopped him, he turned back to the man with raised eyebrows. Silver changed his facial expression from squinted eyes and wrinkled forehead to a tiny smile in a split second. "Before you leave, I have something for you. As a goodbye gift, you know."
Robby relaxed his shoulders and offered him a smile as well. "You don't have to do that, Mr. Silver. You've done a lot for me already.”
"Please," Silver said. "I insist. It's in the back. Wait for me here." With those words, he disappeared behind some door that probably led to a backroom office or something.
Robby kept shifting his weight back and forth, not really sure what to expect. It could be a trap. Silver didn't seem like someone who would give you a present after leaving his dojo. Quite the opposite actually. Or maybe by the gift he meant a punch to his face. But why would he go to the office to get it then? Robby thought about leaving, running as fast as he could, praying that he would never see Silver again, but he couldn't do that due to one little detail. Silver could still punish him, even if he never met him again. Because Robby's friends, Robby's girlfriend was still in the dojo, at Silver's mercy.
The man came back with a little cardboard box in his hands. It could be maybe a foot long and five inches wide, and Robby had absolutely no idea what could be inside. It was wrapped in a tape so it wasn't easy to just open it and look right now. He would have to find some sharp scissors at dad's to actually find out what the content was. When Silver handed it to him, Robby felt sudden relief because it was too light to be a bomb. At least he hoped that bombs weren't so light, he never actually held one in his hands.
But if Silver wanted to kill him, he would do that already, right?
Maybe it was a headband - that seemed karate related. Well, there was only one way to find out. He forced another smile - he was getting tired of the fake expressions - and looked up from the box to see Silver's satisfied face.
"Thank you. Also for the phone. I really appreciate everything you've done for me so far, sens- I mean, Mr. Silver."
"It was my pleasure, kid," Silver nodded with a pleased smile. "It's getting late. You should probably go."
Robby got lost in his thoughts everytime he looked at the little box in his hands so it took him some time to come back to his senses and realize that Silver was right. Besides, he would feel safer away from the man and his dojo. "Right."
He turned around and finally reached the door without Silver stopping him. Silver escorted him to his car, though Robby really doubted that he did it to keep him safe from some drunk homeless guys. He even opened the car door for him. When Robby closed it, he waved at him. "Drive safe, Mr. Keene."
Robby faked a smile one last time before he took off. Driving as fast as he could in case Silver would change his mind and try to stop him. Curiosity overwhelmed him as he looked at the box that he put on the passenger seat. Silver may have acted like an angel, but Robby knew that he wasn't a good person deep inside. Which led him to bunch of questions.
Why would Silver give him a gift?
Was it to buy him again?
To make him believe that he cared about him and wanted him to go back to the dojo?
Was there really something dangerous in the box that would punish him for leaving Cobra Kai?
Robby didn't know, but he knew one thing. Dad didn't need to know about this.