Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Her hands were trembling. She’s not sure from what. The cold weather or the anxiety of facing that woman again.

She flexed her hand, eyes following the scar on her knuckles.

“I can do this” She took a deep breath. She wasn't alone this time, Kreese would never let her do something like that again. Well, at least Tory thought he wouldn’t let Kim do that.

Who is she kidding? He would never. She’s his champion, and he cares for her in his own way. He wouldn’t let Kim hurt her.

“Why her?” She asked her sensei as they walked to the dojo.

New Dojo. She reminded herself. New Cobra Kai in a way, but also not exactly Cobra Kai.

“She earned the spot with Silver, it’s the only Cobra Kai we have left”

“She’s a bitch” He just glared at her and half nodded “Sorry”

She told him about what she and Silver had made her do on the plane to here. She could’ve sworn he was angry as she spoke. That’s how she knew he would keep her safe. He assured her she didn’t have to worry about Kim again.

“It’s alright kid” He said understandingly “She will want to test you”

“Figured” She nodded. She wanted that.

She would hate just to be given the spot. She is good enough and she knows that. But unlike her “friends” in Miyagi Do, she's quite against being chosen because she's the Sensei's favorite.

She's better than that.

Kreese squeezed her shoulder. He believed in her. He knew she had the skill for this.

She is his champion after all. She has always been since she joined the Dojo.

Queen Cobra always had a nice ring to it. It fit her like a glove. It’s almost uncanny how she missed that nickname.

They got to what looked like an entrance. Kreese goes in front, leading the way while she’s looking around taking in stuff.

It’s nice, she decided. Better than Silver’s for sure. Rawer.

It looks natural.

She likes that.

She made a mental note to tell Big Red, Edwin, and Brandon about it. They would want to know about everything.

Then she saw a bunch of people. Kim is in front as if waiting for them. She took another breath in, hoping to keep her face emotionless.

“Hello, Nichols” She smirked “How's the hand?”

Kreese's jaw tightened, giving Tory some relief, he was on her side on that.

“Kim” She said in confidence that she didn't feel “Healed… Way faster than you thought”

Some students whispered around. Probably cause she didn’t use “Sensei” for the woman, she couldn’t tell.

“Are you sure about this?” She asked Sensei Kreese

“She’s a champion” He answered.

“What about them?” She tilted her head and Tory realized she was talking about Miyagi Do

“They disappointed her,” Kreese said simply.

“Disappointed is an understatement.” She said to herself,

“She’s more than ready for this. She chose Cobra Kai, didn’t you, Miss Nichols?”

“Yes Sensei” She said looking at him and then back at Kim.

“Let’s see it then,” She said “hakgeup jeontu jinhyeong (Class. Combat formation)”
…

She fights against 4 girls. She wins all one by one.

One of them smiles at her as they get up, she’s not sure she should smile back.

Sure she’s winning, but she can’t help but feel like she looks like she’s the American girl stealing the spot from them cause Sensei Kreese said so.

She fights 4 guys next. She defeats 3 almost as easily, she knows her way around their skills, at least a bit of it.

The last one, Yoon she thinks, was harder and more precise than the others. But she’s good at dodging attacks and she’s faster than him, that helped her a lot.

She does win in the end, and he smiles at her. It's weird for a second, he looks proud. Happy? She can't tell.

She refused to use Miyagi Do. Fuck blocking and circling. Fuck being in defense. Fuck doing kata in the middle of a fight.

Devon told her back in Topanga “I’m seeing if your dojo is worth having me”, and she decided Miyagi Do doesn’t deserve her. Maybe never did.

“Kwon Jae-Sung” Kreese calls and Tory almost wants to ask for a break, but she knows better.

She knows Kim is waiting for that. So she lifts her head and faces her new opponent.

He is almost a head taller than her, but not taller than Yoon. She can see his killer instinct in his eyes, which makes her miss her old one. She desperately needs that back right now.

“So that's the captain,” She thinks.

His eyes are dark. And such darkness feels quite intriguing right now. It’s mysterious in a way, obviously she doesn’t know him, but she kinda wants to. To know why he looks so somber, so spectral.

They stare at each other, waiting for their senseis to say anything. She wanted to know what he was thinking. If he felt the same of her.

She took in a harsh breath. Getting ready to be in her fight stance, she can't help but notice he does the same move.

“Bow to us” Kreese says and they do

“Bow to each other” Kim completes and they do, but don't take their eyes away from each other.

“Ready?” Sensei Kreese asks and they nod “Fight”

He goes for a kick, and almost hits her head but she dodges it. He does it again and she can get out of the way again.

She hasn't seen him fight, but it's obvious he goes for high kicks. She doesn't have enough time to look for a pattern or weakness right now, so she uses this.

She tries to trip him, but he dodges too. Damn it.

She needs to make him fall, that's the goal.

She’s tired already, but she pushed on, she couldn’t mess that up. She needed this. For Brandon and Mom.

That guy was skilled, more than her definitely. But that wouldn’t stop her from getting that damn title.

She was going to be captain. She would win this tournament. No matter what.

She was able to land a kick to his face, and almost at the same time, he landed one on her cheek.

She slid her leg on his calves, trying to trip him again, it would’ve worked if he hadn’t kicked her knee, which also made her fall.

They tripped each other in a way. Both fell to the ground. She could already feel the bruise forming on her cheek and could see how her kick shed blood from his lip.

She's panting while Kwon punches the ground, but not in anger. He looks at her and they have another “staring match”.

His ego is probably hurt, but he doesn’t exactly look angry, he didn’t lose all things considered, they tied. But there's also a really small part of it that looks almost impressed with her.

“geudeureun hamkke sseureojyeotda? (They fell together?)” A student says and she doesn't understand a thing, she looks at her sensei, panic covering her eyes, what if she screwed this up too?

“You tied” Sensei Kim said with a glint of joy.

“Told you I had a good champion” Sensei Kreese said, looking at the woman.

“Kwon Jae-Sung. Tory Nichols” Sensei Kim spoke louder and both got on their feet, side by side. She got the two headbands and gave them to them “You will be our captains”

Before she can properly look at her headband, Sensei Kreese takes it from her hand and ties it to her head. He then does the same with Kwon.

He stepped back and faced both of them. He was smiling. He was proud. She let out a relieved breath.

She made him proud. Her Sensei. Maybe he was right after all, she was his champion, and she would always be.

Sensei Kreese understood her. He came back for her only. And it was worth it.

He believed in her. When everyone was telling her she should stop fighting, he didn't. He knew she could do it. That was all she needed right now.

It’s almost nice, to be the Queen Cobra again.

Kim approached her, holding a gi, she put it in Tory’s hands.

“Go change. Training will begin in thirty”

Sensei Kreese nodded at what she said, and Tory looked back at the woman.

“Yes Sensei” She said holding the fabric of the belt there.

It almost felt good to say that. Just almost.

…

Yoon Do-Jin is the one to give her a tour of the Dojo.

He seemed like a nice guy. He tried to make small talk with her, and she forced herself to be friendly, at least.

“And here is where we train strength I would say, we carry logs and heavy bags”

“Sounds raw” She nodded.

“Yes” He smiled “And that is Master Kim’s hut, we are not exactly allowed to go there”

“Can’t believe he’s still alive like… He trained Kreese, he’s like seventy or more”

“He trains us sometimes” He shrugged and she widened her eyes “But he doesn’t like most of the students”

“Can think of why” She shrugged

“So, got everything?”

“I think so” She nodded “I’ll get used to this”

“I’m sure you will” He smiled “Come on, let’s go back to training’

She meant what she said. She would get used to that.

It was her last chance, and she wouldn’t waste it.

She breathed in discretely and followed him.

She would train. She would endure anything.

She’s winning that damn tournament and getting Brandon’s custody. Whatever it takes.

Or her name isn’t Victoria Nichols.

The Queen Cobra Herself.

Chapter Text

Training at night had always been one of his only constants since he joined the dojo.

He would spend weeks there during summer without ever missing home. Not that there was much to miss.

But at night, at least he didn't have Sensei or Master Kim on his back to correct his form or how he should be going slower.

Fighting a wood dummy was far from a challenge. It didn't have reactions, it wouldn't hit him back. It's a constant, too, just not a good one.

The sound of his hits on it is rhythmical. Like a song, only he knows how to appreciate it. It had always been that way, only he knew how to understand his own style.

Well, Sensei Kreese understood it, too. And maybe because she was Kreese's student, so did the new girl.

That annoyed him at first. He thought Sensei Kreese would be his sensei, after all, Yoon had Sensei Kim all to himself. He thought Sensei Kreese would be like that for him.

But no, the man had another student, a student who was probably his favorite. If he went all the way to get her to the Dojang.

It had been a week and some days the girl was there. And they haven't spared since that first day.

It was impressive that someone he deemed not as skilled as half the people in the Dojo defeated everyone and tied with him.

Tied.

She didn't lose. He didn't lose either. By any means, they are on the same level, except he's a hundred times more skilled, and that girl just has more than enough fire to go all the way.

Them as captains was a deadly combination.

As per Sensei Kreese's request, she had been shadowing him the whole week, as if by watching she would learn his skills. Dumb idea for him, but if the Sensei asked, he would do it.

She was exactly like a shadow. She barely spoke unless she really didn't understand something, as if she was scared of asking something she deemed stupid.

That was good for her, cause he wouldn't answer dumb questions.

He hit the wood again and it made a loud sound, it was loosened up. He looked around, hoping to hide but he had no time. He saw Sensei Kim coming and she had already seen him.

“shibal (Fuck)” He muttered.

“Kwon Jae-Sung,” She said from a distance and he heard shuffling close to him “mwhanen guya? (what are you doing?)”

“It was me” That girl came out of nowhere and he looked at her confused “I asked him to show me some of his strikes… It's my fault”

Sensei Kreese joined shortly. Looking between them confused, Sensei Kim was kinda angry.

“Why this hour?”

“Why not?” The blonde defied

“Can't blame the girl for wanting to learn” Sensei Kreese said “If anything this is proof to you she chose the right side”

Sensei Kim looked back at her, then at him.

“This time I will let it slide” She syllabled “But I better not catch you two here this late again”

They walked away and Tory let out a relieved sigh.

“That was close” She said more to herself than him.

“What the hell are you doing?” He asked, sounding angrier than he intended

She turned to face him with a scowl.

“Hm… I just saved your ass?” She crossed her arms in front of her.

“I don't need to be saved”

“Sorry for trying to help then” She rolled her eyes

“Why would I need your help?” He crossed his arms this time

“I don't know, cause we're captains and should work together?” She said like it was the obvious

“On the tournament, not outside of it”

“Ok, pretend this never happened then” She rolled her eyes again.

“Just stay out of my way, American” He shook his head.

“Gladly” She spat back and walked away.

…

He looked around, usually she met him there and started to follow him around. But she was nowhere near right now.

She also usually wasn't late.

He heard Yoon’s laugh. He turned and saw that she was actually following the guy.

And they were talking.

He couldn't tell what exactly, but he could see they were actually talking to each other.

“mwya? (What the hell?)” He said to himself walking over to them, catching half of the conversation

He’s not about to deal with another constant changing cause of pettiness.

“So she makes you all climb a mountain with bags of water?”

“Yes” Yoon laughed “But we have a day to go like just climbing so we know the best way to go, then the second time is with the water”

“Geez”

“It's not as hard as it sounds”

“It sounds worse actually… When does it happen?”

“Around March”

“Meaning I'll be here?… God, she will murder me”

“She won't, and you won't be alone doing that” He put his hand on her shoulder and she smiled.

That was probably the first time he saw her smile since she got there.

“What are you doing?” He asked and both faced him

“morl wonha? (What do you want?)” Yoon rolled his eyes but Kwon was looking only at Tory

“You're supposed to be my ‘shadow’ ”

“Well I'm doing what you asked, I'm staying out of your way”

“That was not what I meant”

“Hm… Yes, it was?”

“We are captains, not him”

“I asked Sensei Kreese if I could shadow Yoon today, and he said yes”
She shrugged “And when I said that to you you dismissed me”

They got into that staring match again, none willing to be the bigger person. Her eyes were so dark, almost matching the darkness in his.

She didn't back down on her decision, and he wouldn't back down on what he said. Though he kinda was by being mad she chose to train with Yoon.

Tired of that, Yoon interrupted the match, saying something about how he should just go and train by himself like always while telling Tory to follow him, which she did.

Kwon just stood there, fists clenched. How dare she?

“She didn't really ask you to show some moves right?” Sensei Kreese said behind him and he turned to face the man, he shook his head and Sensei Kreese chuckled

“What?”

“She had her fair share of experiences with Sensei Kim, no wonder she thought she could prevent you from the same thing” He just faced the man confused “I'm assuming you two argued after we left”

“Yes”

“She holds grudges” Sensei Kreese said and looked at Tory and Yoon, he was now showing her a strike “Let her shadow him for a couple of days, then I'll talk to her and she will be back following you”

Sensei Kreese patted his back and went to talk with Sensei Kim.

…

He knew she was staying in one of those huts, at least she was alone, as much as he liked Sensei Kreese he couldn't imagine her, a teenager, living with an old man in a one-room kind of thing.

He approached and knocked confidently, she wasn't going to deny him again.

And not that he would admit it, but he liked the feeling of having someone “shadowing” him, it gave him an immense ego boost.

Of course people would learn from him, he is the best one.

“What?” She said as she opened the door, still in her gi, great

“I… I’m about to go train, for a while” He said and she looked at him confused “Wanna join and watch without looking like a stalker this time?”

She blinked surprised. He smirked, realizing he actually liked getting reactions out of her.

“I wasn’t stalking you”

“I said looking like a stalker” He teased “So, you coming or not?”

She looked at him up and down, studying him for a moment.

“Sure” She said finally and he moved to his spot again, maybe looking back once or twice to make sure she was still following him.

It started silently like it usually happened. Until she did ask something.

“Why a dummy?”

“What?”

“I mean… You're not friends with anyone? To have someone you can spar with instead of a dummy?”

“Dummy is actually quite consistent” He almost laughed.

“Of course it is, it doesn't move” She rolled her eyes, but there was something like a smile on her lips “You didn't answer”

“I'm not here for friends”

“Me neither” She sighed “But it would be easier to spar with someone”

He turned to face her, who had this challenging expression, that look in her eyes that he knew meant she wanted this.

She's aching for a fight.

“Is this a challenge?” He clicked his tongue, smirking and adjusting his posture

She smirked back, getting up from her seat.

“I like a challenge” She looked him up and down.

“Well, you got yourself one American” He got into a fight stance and so did she “I won’t make it easy”

“Never asked for it” She rolled her eyes playfully.

He struck first, going for her stomach but she dodged, pushing his foot away. She went for a high kick but he moved away. She tripped him, but he was faster and kicked her calf, making her fall too.

It was too fast of a defeat for both. They looked at each other puzzled. How did that happen?

“Tied again” He shook his head and so did she

“Another round?” She suggested

Before he could answer they heard some footsteps, both jolting to the trees around to hide.

When the person walking around seemed to disappear, both moved out silently, looking around to see who it could be.

“Yeah maybe not” Tory said

“I mean… What's the worst she could do?” He smirked but faltered a bit when he saw Tory's eyes almost panic at the thought of being punished

“You tell me” She said, looking away still “What's the worst she could do?”

“Make us clean Master Kim's toilets” He shook his head and Tory faced him with widened eyes.

“What?”

“Trust me, not a good experience” He rolled his eyes remembering when he had to do that some months ago.

He didn't expect her to laugh. But she did, she was laughing to the point of tears.

“I'm sorry” She said midway, but not stopping “I'm sorry I didn't mean-” She couldn't finish.

He just looked at her confused, but something about her laugh was almost contagious, he didn't realize he was grinning until he let out a chuckle.

“What's so funny American?” He laughed now

“That you think that's the worst she can do” She wiped the laugh tears from her eyes, finally stopping.

“Oh… Then what's the worst?” He chuckled again

“Hit your leg with a bamboo staff for example” She chuckled too.

Sure, when it happened she was pissed and it hurt like hell to skate and perform on a fucked up tight, but now? For some reason, it had been one of the weirdest experiences of her life.

Yeah, the worst Kim could do was make her break her hand. But she barely knows Kwon to talk about something like that. And the bamboo thing was well… Kinda funnier.

“What?” He laughed too “I'm sorry, bamboo staff?”

“She never did that to you?” She laughed again “Who would have thought she saved the worst for the Americans?”

“At least you have the dignity of not washing those toilets”

“Yeah maybe you're right” Tory nodded.

“So it's mental punishment for me and physical for you?” He shook his head

“You would have thought she was a girl's girl” Tory laughed.

“Nah, it's cause you're American” He said certainly “No one likes you Americans”

“Hm… Her kinda crush on Sensei Kreese begs to differ” Tory blurted out and they laughed again.

Meanwhile, Sensei Kreese was watching the scene from afar.

Smiling, he lightly shook his head and lit his cigar. He wouldn't have to convince Tory to shadow Kwon again or talk her out of hating him.

Cobra Kai would be unstoppable in that tournament if those two got along well enough.

Chapter Text

“Tonight” Sensei Kreese spoke up “You will prove yourselves once more”

Tory lightly massaged her shoulder, which had been aching since she had been kicked in that afternoon. Yoon, on her side, looked at her apologetically, and she smiled in response.

“Night practice is something all of you have been familiar with” He followed “And this will be no different”

Sensei Kim gave him a cold look, but no one questioned.

“We will divide you into two teams” He said and Kwon glanced at Tory, who glanced back.

A silent conversation, telling each other they will probably be on opposite teams, being the captains.

Challenging each other. He smirked and so did she.

It was weird, she once thought the only person she could have those kinds of conversations with was Robby, but since their first breakup, she had been noticing that's a talent for her.

Big Red and her talk like that sometimes, she and Devon too, and now she and Kwon.

“You can go first” He said to Sensei Kim.

“Do-Jin” She said and Tory saw how Kwon grimaced, Yoon walked to her side.

“Nichols” Sensei Kreese said and she went to his side.

“Hee”

“Kwon” Kreese said, Kwon got to his spot and looked at Tory again, another conversation.

“We'll destroy them” They smirked at each other once more.

It followed until both teams were complete.

Sensei Kim walked forward this time, while Sensei Kreese gave Tory a bunch of black headbands and Yoon a bunch of red ones.

“Coyote Creek?” She asked the man, who gave her a small smile but didn’t answer

“You will work as a team to retrieve this from the other team” Sensei Kim showed 2 white flags, one with a back mark and the other with a red one “Your headband is your life. If it is taken, you're out”

“Coyote Creek and Capture the Flag then” Tory bit her lip lightly

“guticeun muotipnikka? (What are the rules?)” Chung asked “maritirl gaziogariomion (to take the headbands)”

“gutic abseum (No rules)” Sensei Kim followed and glanced at Sensei Kreese “You can get it by any means necessary”

“Team black, you have that side of the woods, the huts, and the entrance” Sensei Kreese pointed “Team Red, the other side of the woods, the fires, and the whole training fields”

“You get 10 to hide your enemy's flag” She gave them out to Tory and Yoon “When you hear the bells it means it's on”

“If you get the flag” Tory started “You get immunity? Extra life? Anything?”

“No” Sensei Kim smirked at her “It will just make you the important target”

“All ready?” Sensei Kreese asked “Your ten minutes start…” He adjusted the chronometer “Now”

Kwon signaled for them to follow him to the huts. He glanced at her, and she immediately understood his plan: hide the flag in her hut.

When they got there he immediately got the flag from her hands and started to move to the small window there.

“Are we sure?” she asked, moving to tie the end of the flag to the window, trying to make it look like a curtain.

“Yes” Kwon said certain “Trust me, they would think we put it in one of the abandoned ones”

“Ok” She sighed

They heard the loud bells. It was on.

“6 mongi gyesock girladanimher gitbaleul jikigo issspnida (six of you stay walking around and protect the flag)” He said to the others around them “Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be” She took a deep breath “Any tips on how not to get lost in those woods at night?”

“Stay in the trails, and the trees closer to the edges look a little more curved than normal”

“Thanks” She smiled at him, and so did he, well, smirked like always.

And she’s getting so used to it that it’s almost uncanny to her. She was always waiting for that now.

She adjusted her headband. They would win this game no matter what.

“Stay alive American” Kwon said, patting her hair and she just glared at him.

“You too” She nodded at him.

…

He knew his way around there. And knowing Do-Jin he definitely would tell the team to hide that flag somewhere tall.

He was facing up, looking for a lighter spot.

“dangxin (You)” He heard Do-Jin's voice.

“morl wonha? (What do you want?)” He rolled his eyes

“nanen sungangyi doeaya hassda (I was supposed to be the captain)”

“grum dangxineun ilhge malassaya (Then you shouldn't have lost)” He said cockily and Do-Jin shoved him.

“unyi joheun gihoeyeossa (That was a lucky shot)” Do-Jin spat “dangxineun giheurl ser issge anhspnida (You don't stand a chance)” He got into a fighting stance.

“graser dangxineun gruhge nolgo sipa (So you do wanna play like that)” Jae-Sung smirked “grum gaza… gosa awan dongmul (Let's go then… Teacher's pet)” He signaled for him to come closer.
In an instant, Do-Jin launched forward, aiming a precise front kick toward Jae-Sung's hip, he sidestepped effortlessly, his hand shooting out to block Do-Jin's next punch.
Jae-Sung countered with a precise roundhouse kick, but Do-Jin ducked under it, feeling the air as the kick pretty much missed his head by some centimeters. He seized the opportunity, sweeping low with his leg to try and destabilize Jae-Sung, but the boy was quick, jumping just in time to avoid the sweep.

Do-Jin pretended to go for a jab but spun into a backkick aimed at Jae-Sung's chest. This time, his foot actually hit him and he stepped back. Not giving him a moment to recover, Do-Jin followed up with a flurry of punches, each one precise and controlled. Jae-Sung tried to block some of them, but the kick left him out of breath, and Do-jin used that, landing a punch on his ribs. He stepped back again, but now he was enraged.

Jae-Sung lashed out with a kick, aiming for Do-Jin's ribs, but the boy caught the kick just in time, twisting his leg and sending him sprawling. The grass cushioned the fall, he was up in a heartbeat, with a glint of determination and lots of anger in his eyes.

In a burst of speed, he caught Do-Jin’s wrist and pulled him into a throw, sending the boy rolling across the grass. Do-Jin quickly got back on his feet, breathing heavily.

He kicked again, this time hitting Jae-Sung’s face and he felt the blood coming from his lip. He got up again, not waiting to start punching Do-Jin again and again, not giving him time to react.

With each punch he unleashed all of his anger, even if he was the better fighter, Do-Jin still was Sensei’s Kim favorite, and not that he wanted to be the favorite, he had Sensei Kreese, but he wanted to be acknowledged as such.

He was supposed to be the favorite, not Do-Jin.

Do-Jin seemed to get over himself and was able to trip Jae-Sung in while he was lost in his thoughts.

He muttered something that Jae-Sung couldn't make out. But he blocked the punches and shoved Do-Jin away.

He got a bit of distance, kicking Do-Jin in the chest, and he lost his breath. Before either could attack again, a voice came from the woods.

“mwhanen guya? (What are you doing?)” Sensei Kim said almost horrified

“gnen shizak (He started)” Jae-Sung said immediately and Do-jin looked down as if in shame.

“nuga ggerteul shizakhassnenjinen zhongyohazi anhspnida (It doesn't matter who started)” She shook her head “dangxineun tim dongroipnida. sero jukiji malgo serorl bohohaya ha (You're teammates. You're supposed to protect each other not kill each other)”

“urinen darn time issspnida (We're in different teams)” Jae-Sung bit his tongue looking away.

“naga musn tetinji ihaehazi mothanen chekhazi mashipsio (Don't pretend you didn't understand what I mean)” She said and put her hands on their backs, they heard the bells “gaza,suupeun kketnassa. (let's go. Lesson is over)”

…

She was radiant. For the first time in weeks, she was smiling almost brightly. She got the flag.

She ran with it tied to her belt. She could hear the others chasing her, it only made her run faster.

She needed to focus on winning. Was she running away from a fight after stealthily getting the flag? Yes.

And that would probably cause one of two conversations with Kreese, but she didn't care now.

But she learned her lesson in the last Coyote Creek

Silver and Sensei Kreese had decided to remake Coyote Creek a bit before the tournament.

She was leading team red this time, and Robby was leading team black.

The ones remaining were her and Big Red in team red, and team black Robby and surprisingly Kyler.

She had lost that day, for not listening to Red when he said they should backtrack instead of attacking them by surprise like she planned. That they should let them come after them.

She didn't listen and they lost.

She wasn't mad she lost. She was too stubborn not to listen. It didn't help that Robby and Kyler were gloating over their win over them for a week.

She couldn't blame them, she would be doing the same… That's not to say she and Red didn't completely annihilate Kyler during a sparring session and beat Robby in another.

She wasn't going to be stubborn this time. She went with Red's original plan, backtracked on the fight, and this time she had a great excuse, getting the flag was more important.

She speeded up, almost seeing the reflection pool where they started. She needed to get there and show Kreese she did it.

She jumped something like a log and got into the reflection pool area, Kreese saw her first, smiling at her.

“Here,” She said breathlessly, the same as the people chasing her when they got there “Team Black won”

“Indeed” He smiled and rang the bells again “Well done Miss Nichols”

“Thanks, Sensei” She smiled at him “Master Kim” She bowed seeing the man, she didn't know he was around.

“You ran” He said staring at her disapprovingly.

“I wanted to win” She defended herself “I had the best chance if I was faster, and I was”

He didn't answer, just gave her a glance she couldn't make out if it was a good or bad thing, but Kreese put his hand on her shoulder

“Well done, Queen Cobra”

She smiled. She missed that title.

At that moment Kim showed up with the two boys, Tory's eyes widened, while Kreese sighed.

“musn jiteul han guya? (What did you do?)” Chung, who was around after the chase, asked Kwon

“What happened?” Tory said at the same time

“Hee and Tory” Sensei Kim said and threw something like a first aid kit in their direction, and Chung caught it “gdleul dowa (Help them)”

Tory faced the woman confused, she was still picking up on some more specific terms of training.

“Help them” Chung translated and she nodded.

“Thanks”

“You get Jae-Sung”

“Ok” He gave her some stuff and they made their way to the boys.

“Wanna tell me what happened?” She said when she sat down

“He's still mad I'm the best around” She raised an eyebrow.

“I don't know you two so well… But he doesn't seem the type to start useless fights”

“Oh, and I am the type?” He smirked, but he was a bit offended

“I didn't say that” She chuckled and got the small cotton piece, cleaning the small scratch on his forehead he didn't even notice he had “Just that you're more… Quick to anger”

“Not wrong” He nodded “But he's mad I'm the best one… And the captain”

“Can you blame him?” She gave him a small smile and he shook his head

It was weird for a moment, she was being so gentle as if she was scared of hurting him more, he couldn't remember the last time someone was like that with him.

He liked that a lot, he realized. That she was like that with him.

She put the tape in his scratch as delicately as before. She grabbed another cotton piece and started cleaning the cut in his lip. With the same care from before, the same gentleness.

She was so close, and he could feel her light breath in his skin, that was not something he was used to, but he liked it.

“So… Did we win?” He asked looking back at her eyes, who smiled a bit

“I got the flag… Didn't get any lives though”

“Well done… American”

“Thanks” She shrugged “I would put ice if it hurts, it will numb it”

“I will” He nodded and Tory gave him a sympathetic smile, which he reciprocated.

He glanced at Yoon and Chung over her shoulder, he wouldn’t let Yoon take his captaincy away, not in a thousand years. He was the best around, he would always be the best around, no matter how that angered Do-Jin, no matter how the other students saw him… And no matter how Sensei Kim pretended not to see it.

Chapter Text

That weekend was odd for her. She had gotten used to spending so much time training with Sensei Kreese and Sensei Kim during the weekend that, when the senseis told her to rest, she felt a bit out of place.

It didn't help that everyone was going out as well apparently, since even Kwon had gone away for the weekend.

She decided to call Brandon. Taking a deep breath waiting for him to pick it up.

“Tory!” He said excitedly

“Hey Brand” She smiled at him “How's everything?”

“It's nice… Edwin's mom is really nice”

She smiled to herself, she really needed to thank Edwin's mom for doing that for them.

“Dear, I understand you might feel like they want to take him away, but I assure you, we don't”

Amanda had called the social services on them, out of care, she thought, but to her, it was like she had thrown her under the bus. She was within the blink of getting separated from her brother.

“I can't lose him” She said in tears.

“And you won't” The woman smiled at her, putting her hand carefully on her arm, as if not to jolt her “I have a plan ok, hear me out”

“Ok” She sniffed

“What if I get yours and Brandon's custody? Just until you're 18?”

“You can do that?” She asked, confused “I mean you work in social services, isn't it against the rules or something?”

“It just means I can't work directly on your case darling” She clarified “But I can promise you, as soon as you're 18 and want to get his custody, I won't fight you for it”

“You would do that?” She felt like she would tear up again “Like it won't be a burden or-”

“Not at all” She said warmly “You're my son's friend, of course I'll help you out”

“Thank you so much, Mrs. Hicks” She let out a shaky breath “Thank you so so much”

“You don't have to thank me” She smiled “And how many times do I have to ask you not to call me Mrs? I'm not that old Tory” She chuckled and Tory wiped her tears.

“Thanks” She kept repeating while the woman got closer to hug her.

She owed them so much. She would never be able to repay them.

Edwin and Red saved her in that. Like they always do, they are her sworn protectors after all. Otherwise, she's unsure where she and Brandon would be right now.

“That's good, and you're behaving right?”

“Of course” He smiled, sadly, but smiled “How's Korea?”

“It's… Nice, like last time you asked”

“When are you coming back?” Her heart tightened

“I don't know yet, little one.” She knew Sekai Taikai was scheduled for April, but part of her wanted to ask Kreese to go back home for a weekend to see Brandon.

But the other part said it wasn't fair to him either, see each other then leave again.

“But as soon as I get back, I'm hugging you so tight you'll have to ask help to get me off you” She chuckled relieved as he laughed at her joke.

“Edwin and Red keep saying they are like James Bond” Brandon told her and she couldn't help smiling at the thought of her friends shit-talking Cobra Kai, with the most obvious fake faces.

Tory had people cheering for her back home, even if in secret, and that warmed her heart a bit.

“That they are secret spies cause they know about you in there”

“They are in a way” She looked away “They are the dojo now?”

“Yeah, they say they keep death-glaring Robby for hurting you and that they are waiting for a sparring session”

“To murder him for me” She completed in her mind, she would text them thank you later.

“Didn't expect any less”

She hadn't talked to Robby. She didn't have any plans either. She wasn't sure where their relationship stood now, the fact he didn't even try to contact her apart from texting and calling made her blood boil. She knew the tournament was important for all of them, and she didn't fully blame him for focusing on that… But part of her said she was allowed to be selfish about this.

Her mom died. And he didn't even come to see her, because he was busy with training.

Especially because others came, Edwin and Red were there the next day, Devon came some days later, hell even Kenny showed up at her place for a quick visit and to make sure she was alive when he found out her mom died.

The funny thing was that the old cobras came. But the so-called good guys from Miyagi Do couldn't care less. Even the senseis in that regard.

Maybe Kreese was right after all, the Cobras do stick together.

“Tell them I said hi, and good luck with the spy mission”

“I will” He smiled back at her “Mrs. Hicks is calling me to get ready to bed… I wish you could read a story to me”

“I promise I'll tell you all the stories ever when I'm back” She smiled “I love you Brandon, never doubt that” She put her fingers on her lips and then touched the screen “You're everything to me”

“I love you too” He did the same gesture, something Tory invented for them “Kick ass”

“Language young man” She smiled “But I will”

“Bye, Tory” He yawned and waved at the screen.

“Bye, Brandon… I love you” She waved too and turned off the call.

It took seconds for her to start crying. She missed him so much.

She wanted to go back right now, but she knew she was doing that for him, she would win, and they would be together. She needed to do that for both of them.

Sure she felt like crap for leaving him like that, but Brandon had told her it was ok, and that she didn’t need to protect him all the time. She didn’t know how or when he became so grown up, and so nice.

He was definitely more like mom than she was.
…

She walked inside the Sikdang, which she now knew meant the dining hall at night. She was exhausted, even if all she did was cry that day, thinking of Brandon and their mom. Her mind was exhausted. She wanted just to eat and go to sleep.

She was getting used to Korean food, and to her surprise, she liked most of it. But since she had never been picky with food, she didn’t expect anything different. She picked some rice and a small bowl with egg and noodles and some more stuff but didn’t know what it was called.

“You should try mandu too” A voice said from her side and she turned to see Yoo.n

“Hey Yoon” She smiled.

“kwin kobeura (Queen Cobra)” He smiled back “I’m being serious though” He grabbed some, that looked like dumplings she had seen in movies “They are some of the best”

“Fine, you win” She got three of them.

She went to sit, feeling he was following her. As she sat, he sat in front of her. Her plan of a quiet meal was ruined, but at least Yoon was nice.

They ate quietly, but something felt heavy, a little tension maybe. She knew he and Kwon didn’t get along, and she had been spending much time with Kwon. But Yoon didn't seem the type to judge people for their connections.

Yoon was chill. That was the adjective in her mind for him. He was the kind of guy who wouldn’t mess with you if you left him alone, something Kwon never learned apparently.

She thought about the flag game the other day, how they fought, and how Kwon recalled it. She took a discreet breath and looked at him, which got his attention.

“So… Why did you guys fight that night?” She asked

“He didn’t tell you?”

“He did… But you don’t look like someone that would start a fight for nothing”

“And he does?” He grinned

“No” She rolled her eyes playfully, why did everyone think she was saying that? “But he's quick to anger… I would know” She glanced away for a second

“Well… I did start the fight” He sighed “But it wasn't for nothing”

She nodded for him to keep going, while she tried that Mandu and smiled at the taste.

“You know that badge he uses?” She nodded thinking of the gold badge she saw many times with Kwon “That’s the Geum Baeji, it's supposed to be worn by the best student…” He trailed looking away

“And it was yours” She completed, not asking.

“For ages, it was mine… Technically speaking I was supposed to be captain with you”

She tried to think of that scenario, which was nice. Them as captains wouldn't be deadly like her and Kwon, it would be balanced maybe.

“And he took it?”

“Sensei Kreese had come around, inspired him I guess” He shrugged eating his food “He came to me in surprise… And he won, fair and square”

“And you tried to do the same thing? With him” She tilted her head

“Perhaps” He looked away “But we didn’t finish that fight”

“We never had stuff like that” She told him “The badge I mean. Everyone kinda accepts who's the best one”

“That's why you're called Queen Cobra?” He chuckled

“Yes” She did it too “But between us, I have seen four kings, counting Kwon, and one prince… But only one queen” She smirked.

“dangxineun gwa hamkke namu manheun shiganeul bonago issspnida (you're spending too much time with him)” He laughed and she faced him confused “You're sounding just like Jae-Sung”

“Blame the senseis” She laughed too, taking a bite out of what she thought was seaweed, which was in fact spicy, making her immediately go for her water bottle while Yoon chuckled.

“No tolerance to spices, kwin kobeura ?”

“Shut up” She laughed again.

They went back to eating and chatting about food, it felt nice to talk to in there.

She missed her brother, Red, Edwin, and her mom, but it was nice to have someone like Yoon with her, just someone nice and chill.

She didn’t expect that when she arrived, but having a “friend” there was nice.

Chapter Text

“No” She shook her head “No, I will not train with her alone”

“Nichols” Kreese sighed “It’s just for today”

“Why can’t she train Kwon and I stay with you?” She pleaded

“It was a request from Master Kim, Nichols, I can't go against him” He shook his head “But I promise you, she won't hurt you”

He meant that. She knew he did. She remembered how he looked at her when she told him what happened.

He would keep her safe. She knew it.

She took a deep breath and nodded, following him to the secluded area around the stones, the gyeorugi gonggan, or the sparring area as Kreese referred to it.

Sensei Kim and Master Kim were waiting for them, she took another discreet breath as she got closer, trailing behind Kreese.

“Finally” Kim said looking down at her.

“Kim” Sensei Kreese said in a low voice, she could barely hear him “Remember she is my champion… To be treated accordingly”

“Of course John” The woman smirked, and Kreese faced her with a small nod she reciprocated.

He walked away, and she saw how Master Kim followed him with his eyes, disapprovingly.

““hangsang naben haksaeng (bad student as always)” He shook his head “dangxinyi grl johahazi anhgirl barapnida (let's hope you're not like him)” He faced her and while she didn't fully understand what he said, she kept her face emotionless.

Sensei Kim walked till she was uh front of her.

“Nichols… For this practice” She started “I need to know you're up for the challenge”

“Yes, Sensei” She kept no reaction.

“We'll see” Kim smirked again “Fight stance”

She got in position and so did Sensei Kim, that fired an alarm in her mind.

Was she going to spar with Kim?

It started too fast, but Tory had always been great with her reflexes. She dodged the sensei’s first punches.

Part of her wanted to stop that, but she knew what Kim would do if she tried. Humiliate her, and she wasn’t having that.

She got a bit far to get her head in the game, she had seen Kim fighting, she had fought with her, she had to be able to see her weakness.

She tried to think when they fought and Sensei Kim beat her and Devon’s ass, what did she do?

She used her height and that stupid braid. She threw them to the ground using their lack of balance. She used Tory’s distraction to protect Devon.

“Focus” Tory told herself evading another punch.

Balance. Balance. Kim used her balance to mess with her. She needed to keep her balance.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw how Master Kim was looking at their fight, his eyes were almost burning her skin.

She needed a strategy, soon, and she needed a good one.

She wanted to put Tory on defense, where she knew Tory was a bit weak. She started using some of the blocks she had been learning during class. She didn’t want to kick the woman and give her time to grab her leg, so Tory tried to do what she did mostly well: sweeps.

She tried but Kim moved away, almost yanking her hair but Tory was faster, ducking away in the last second.

Watching them spar, beyond Master Kim, some students were analyzing the fight. Not any students, the ones going to Sekai Taikai.

“2500₩ gim sunsangnimi gniorl salha hal gutida.(2500₩ Sensei Kim will murder her)” Seok chuckled

“ynmi,ilbu johngongeul poshi hazi mashipsio (Don’t be mean, show some respect)” Seung hit his arm “nanen 5000₩ eul nagihassda. (I bet 5000₩)”

“ggerteun yeojenhi najda (That’s still low)” He rolled his eyes still laughing.

“gnionen birock yusi (She’s keeping up though)” Hee pointed “nanen nugungaga sunsangnimceae gyesock bon gut gatge anha (Don’t think I’ve seen someone keep up with Sensei)”

“naga grassa (I did that)” Di-Jin hit his head lightly.

“ggerteun dongyilhazi anhspnida (It’s not the same)” He defended himself

“aya (Ouch)” Hee bit his lip as Sensei Kim punched Tory in the cheek, making the girl stumble

“sunsangnimeun hwaxilhi sngli (Sensei is definitely winning)” Do-Jin said certainly.

Tory held her cheek for a mere second before Kim came back with full force after her. She had no idea why Sensei Kim hated her so much, part of her was considering dropping the fight.

“We are fighters now” She heard her mother’s voice.

She won’t give up, not to Kim.

Tory took a discreet breath, her rage for that sensei coming back, she could almost feel the pain in her hand from that damn stone dummy.

She’s not giving Kim the satisfaction of seeing her give up.

Her frustration took the best of her, she gritted her teeth and decided to be in offense this time. She blocked one of Kim’s attacks and started to go for a combo of kicks, none hitting Kim precisely, but enough to confuse her.

It didn’t last long, Kim got over herself and started defending, but Tory wasn’t giving her an opening to attack, keeping Sensei Kim in defense.

“jenjang (damn)” Seung chuckled.

“michinnyeon (crazy girl)” Seok shook his head.

A bit far from them, also watching the fight, were Sensei Kreese and Kwon, having been faking training as per Master Kim’s request.

Kreese bit his lip, Tory was fighting with her anger, no control, and that couldn’t end well. He almost wanted to step in, but Master Kim’s glare in his direction made him stop, it wasn’t his place to interfere right now.

Jae-Sung who had been paying attention to the bets the others were making was making some bets to himself.

He couldn't help but notice how she stopped paying attention to her feet, how she almost looked lost now, only in rage mode and with no technique. He shook his head, the girl was a hothead and if someone knew how to get on her nerves was Sensei Kim.

“ beting,majimak gihoe (your bets, last chance)” Seung said to Do-Jin and Hee.

“ 5000₩ gnionen tagiogle chacklukhajiman yeojenhi ilhnenda.(5000₩ She lands a hit but still loses)” Jae-Sung said and they all glared at him

“an mureobwasseo (I didn’t ask you)” She crossed her arms and he just shrugged.

Kim landed a kick to Tory’s face and her rage got even worse, she could feel the blood on her face, and she got back in a moment, deciding she had enough.

Tory tried to go for a takedown, being able to hit the sensei’s chest, but not enough to destabilize her for the takedown to work, not thinking properly how to do it. Instead, Kim used that opportunity to finally grab her arm, twisting and taking Tory down.

She landed on her back, almost instantly putting her hand on her stomach as the woman walked close. She wouldn’t let Kim anywhere near her hand, not again.

She couldn’t help the flinching ever so slightly when her hand brushed against her gi.

“Great” She thought sitting up, before Sensei Kim said anything her grandfather walked between them, facing her with something Tory didn’t recognize, but it made Sensei Kim almost recoil. That was a weird sight, seeing Kim like that never really set right for her, it made no sense that a woman who was as ruthless as to make her break her hand for a loyalty test would be scared of anything. Absolute nonsense.

The man turned her way, his cane millimeters from her face, while her mind told her to get up and look for Sensei Kreese, the other was frozen as the guy rubbed his beard with his free hand.

“You have potential” He said with that thick accent “But you’re as bad student as your sensei”

She furrowed her brows, Sensei Kreese was a bad student? She was a bad student?

“You lose control” He followed “And that’s why you lose” He said loudly, making sure Sensei Kreese would hear too “You focus on the anger, on the enemy, and not on the prize”

She didn’t dare to look down, scared that damn cane would hit her face if she moved her eyes from him.

“When you can think past your enemy you can truly learn Tang Soo Do” He walked away.

Sensei Kim walked closer, looking at her with something she couldn't make it. She wasn't angry, but she wasn't happy either. She was as confused as Tory was, but she wasn’t sure what it was for.

Cause she kept it up?
Cause her grandfather saw potential in her?
Cause she was able to hit her?

She really couldn’t tell.

She pushed herself up, holding her hand carefully, her hand was all scraped with some drops of blood, probably from the fall, that had also probably made a bruise on her back. Without thinking she touched her cheek where she felt a sharp pain.

“Great” She thought seeing the blood on her fingertips.

“Geumbal-ui (Blondie)” She heard someone say and turned around seeing all of the others.

“Nice made a fool of myself right in front of the team I’m supposed to lead… It just keeps getting better” She sighed.

Jae-Sung, who was the one who called got closer first, followed closely by Do-Jin.

Seung got to her other side, analyzing her cheek, Tory backed away for a small moment, unsure of what to do.

None seemed to exactly how to start the conversation.

“It’s not deep” Seung said pointing at her cheek.

“Thanks” She nodded

“Come on” Kwon said signaling his head for her to follow him “I owe you”

“What?”

“You helped the other day” He said touching his forehead.

“No hm- It's ok I don't need-” She tried to argue, not wanting them to notice how her hand was practically on fire.

“Agreed” Seung smirked at Kwon “I'm much better at that than you, so she comes with me”

The girl grabbed her arm and pulled her before anyone could interfere, taking her to a more secluded area, it was indeed like an inside Dojo.

She wondered how she never found this place, maybe she just assumed they only trained in the wild, but it was a beautiful place, with shining wooden floors and whitish walls.

While she was busy admiring the place, Ryu went to grab whatever she would need to help her out.

When she touched Tory's hand the girl flinched not only in pain, she always had a hard time letting people touch her hand after what happened.

Only her family and for a while Robby could touch her hand without her flinching immediately.

“mianhae (Sorry)” She started “I didn't mean to scare you”

“It's alright” Tory nodded “I'm ok Ryu, I can clean it up just-”

“I know you can” She pointed out “gukjeong ma (don't worry) I promise not to hurt you”

“Ok then” She sighed and gave the girl her hand.

Seung abided by her promise, her touch was incredibly soft, and Tory could barely feel it as she cleaned the dry blood.

She taped two of her fingers together, making Tory question the necessity of wrapping them up at all.

The last time she let someone do this it was nice. It was her mom.

“Go” Her mom ordered Brandon “Get the first aid kit”

“Mom I can-”

“No” The woman stared at her “Let me do this sweetie” She sat up straight in the bed as Brandon came back with the kit.

“Mom-”

“Give me your hand”

Tory sighed and let her do it. Her mom started tapping her fingers as if she was trying to find something, maybe a crack.

It had been some days, so she knew her hand was definitely not fine, it had been swollen and reddish.

There was one specific spot that made Tory flinch, her knuckles. She had a feeling they were completely shattered.

“Maybe we should take you to a hospital” Her mom suggested, already knowing Tory would be against it.

“I was thinking pharmacy” Troy sighed as her mom tapped her metacarpals which also hurt a lot.

“Fine” Her mom sighed, happy at least Tory was thinking of taking care of herself “Promise me you will go tomorrow”

“I promise” She nodded and her mom raised her pinky “For real Mom?” She chuckled

“Do it” The woman did it too.

“Fine” She wrapped her pinky in her mom's “I pinky promise”

She let her mom finish wrapping her hand, the woman had always had such care taking care of them, she wondered what her mom would've been if they had more money.

Maybe she would be a doctor instead of going to so many of them. Maybe she wouldn't have gotten with Tory’s dad, maybe life would’ve been easier for her. For their family.

Weeks later she was forced into a wrist brace by the pharmaceutic who was friends with her mom.

Ryu finished wrapping her hand and gave her a small smile Tory reciprocated. They weren’t super close, but it felt nice to have a girl friend in there.

It felt nice to have friends there, it’s almost unreal. One would've thought she would be an outcast, which to be fair she kinda was, but they defended their own.

Their senseis said she was part of the team, so they welcomed her into their team.

She felt that in old Cobra Kai, with just Sensei Kreese, before SIlver, before the all valley.

Miyagi Do was different, part of her felt like holding back, she couldn’t exactly fight with her style there, she liked her time there, but looking back now? She was never gonna achieve her full potential there, and not in Silver’s Cobra Kai.

Maybe Tang Soo Do was what she needed all along, a style that does mix up defense and offense, but not MIyagi Do's defense, it’s faster, it’s precise, and it’s hard.

It’s how she fights.
Maybe that was what she should've seeked for, and now she has a chance to do it. With her Sensei.

They walked back to where the others were, Sensei Kreese got closer to her, asking her with his eyes before anything if she was hurt, she shook her head slightly.

“I’m alright Sensei” She said before he asked.

“That’s good Nichols” He lightly patted her back, a small reassurance he was there if Kim tried anything, she nodded “We wouldn’t want our captain hurt before the tournament”

The others nodded in agreement, no way any of them could get hurt before it. Not when it was all they had.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Master Kim looking at them, his expression a mystery, she never knew if he was pleased or not, a massive incognita.

She turned her attention to Sensei Kreese, as he was talking about starting some weapons training just in case the tournament had more than just the bo staff fighting.

Her mind kept wandering though, how was she, a mere student, supposed to impress Master Kim, when he wasn't pleased not even by his own granddaughter?

Chapter Text

His attention immediately shifted to her when she and Seung returned, her hand now taped. He couldn’t say anything before Sensei Kreese came close, not even making her face him.

He just glared at Seung instead, who just smirked at him, making him roll his eyes. He couldn’t believe it, he was supposed to do that.

He couldn't hide his amused grin, sure she lost the fight, but she fought toe to toe with a Sensei, and that was something.

Maybe she would be a good captain after all. Just like him.

They would be unstoppable. Their Dojo would be unstoppable.

He didn't take his eyes off her until he heard Sensei Kim speak again, sending them off to have dinner.

And they did just that, mostly avoiding the subject of Tory and the sensei fighting, focusing on other stuff, until Seok without any filter asked something.

“You miss them?” He asked and Tory widened her eyes “Your old dojo”

He saw how she hesitated. He glared at him and the boy just shrugged at him.

“Some” She answered and he turned his attention back to her “My mentee, the other kid I mentored for a short time, my two best friends… But that's about it” She nodded more to herself than them.

“You had a pupil?” Seung asked “You're our age how come you had a pupil”

“I have a pupil” She corrected “And yeah, let's just say she joined the Dojo when sensei's were lacking, so I stepped up”

“We could never” Hee laughed.

“How come?”

“No kids allowed, but I don’t think any of us would be a good sensei”

“Do-jin would be a great Sensei” Seok argued.

“I think Kwon could be a good one too, depending on the student” The blonde joked

“Aish” Do-jin exclaimed “Don’t worsen his ego”

“yeogi issayo (I’m right here)” He rolled his eyes

They debated for a while, his attention flickering between her chuckles at Seok’s and Hee’s antics and how she looked away, lost in her mind.

And for some reason, he wanted to know what was on her mind. Badly.

As they walked outside to go to their huts he noticed her eyes vaguing around, distracted with her thoughts again.

“joheun bam (Good Night)” Seung said and Tory barely acknowledged

“dangsin mame muotipnikka? (What’s on your mind?” he asked watching the others go away, that got her attention as she faced him confused “What are you thinking so much?”

“Nothing” She shook her head and he glared at her “It’s that obvious?”

“Ye (yes)”

“Just overthinking a bit” She shrugged “Nothing important” She faked a smile.

He could see there was something in her eyes, something he couldn’t shake away from his view. Her light and dark eyes hid so much behind them. And he had no idea why he wanted to figure out those secrets so badly, but he did.

“Want to take your mind away from it for a while?” He offered and she smirked, she knew he meant training a bit with the dummy.

“Aren’t you tired?”

“Not at all” He shrugged “So, what do you say, Blondie?”

She nodded and they started walking, distancing themselves from the rest of the group.

She tilted her head during the walk, looking at him with a funny smile

“‘Blondie’? What happened to ‘American’?”

“Both suit you” He chuckled “I'll alternate”

“Fine by me” She chuckled too.

When they got to that area, Kwon started punching, and Tory looked at him, like usual, waiting for him to tell them to switch.

But today was different, he could tell her eyes were on him, but her mind wasn't.

She was thinking about anything except him and his skill. She was just wondering about literally anything while looking at him.

That made him angry. She should want to learn. But then again, he blamed Seok for it. The guy had no business reminding her of the past.

“100₩e daehan dangsin saenggak” He said loud enough to get out of her trance, she faced him confused “100₩ for your thoughts”

She faced him with a funny smile

“Just 100₩?” She shook her head “That’s like cents”

“Fine… 1500₩ but that's my last offer”

“Deal, now it’s a dollar” She shook her head “Just hm… homesick I guess”

“You really miss them?”

“Of course I do” She smiled sadly “I miss Red and Edwin talking shit about my boyfriend and helping me out with Brandon, I miss Devon ranting about debate team, hell I even miss Kenny trying to teach me the lore of the game was playing”

“Boyfriend?” He said mentally “She has a boyfriend?”

That was like a bucket of cold water on him, for some reason. He just couldn't understand why that news felt like such bad news to his brain.

“You hm… Don't miss your boyfriend?” He tried, hoping to mask his feelings with a neutral voice.

“I don't know… Before today I wasn't even really thinking about him, only when I talked to my brother or my friends” She shrugged “It's like if no one mentions him or my life in the U.S I kinda forget about him”

“So… You two are like broken up?”

“I don't know… I mean I left without talking to him” She looked away “But I… I was there for a month, you know? Before coming here I stayed there a month” He saw how some tears were pricking her eyes “And he only texted me… He didn't even try to come after me or anything, I guess he was waiting for me to ask him to come, that I would reach out”

That was enough for him to decide he didn't like the guy.

“But like… I don't think I had to, you know? I don't think I should've been the one asking”

“You're right” He stepped closer “You had every right to shut off after-” He stopped, deciding not to mention more of it.

“Thanks for agreeing with me” She smiled, and discretely wiped her face, tears she had barely noticed probably “Hm enough with depressing stuff… Hm, what are those?”

She pointed to a nearby tall bush, with some mugunghwa flowers, he smiled to himself, at last, that useless knowledge would come in handy.

“mugunghwa, a symbol of Korea for some weird reason”

“It's a hibiscus?” She stepped closer to the bush “It looks like one”

“From the same family, I suppose” He shrugged, “I think in English the name is Rose or something, can't remember… You know about flowers?

“Rose?” She chuckled “Oh don’t look so surprised, I’m surprised you know”

“Let’s agree to disagree” He chuckled too “Now I believe it's your turn” He pointed to the target “Don't keep Mr. Dummy waiting”

“Of course, I wouldn't dream of it” She prepared to punch but stopped, seeing the bandages in her hand.

He stepped closer to her, some had a bit of dried blood

“gnionen baro amugutdo hal su absspnida (She can't do anything right)” He sighed “Let me fix that”

“No, it's hm… It's ok, just guess I prefer training kicks today” She hid her hand kinda.

“asser (Come on)” They were face to face now “If you don't fix it it could get infected”

“Geez, are you a doctor or something?”

“Or something” He shrugged and nodded in huts direction

“Oh yeah cause if Kim sees me walking or out of your hut she won't murder me”

“I deal with her” He rolled his eyes.

She wasn't wrong, Sensei Kim would murder them for sure. But for some reason, he didn't exactly care about that right now.

So he just continued to guide her to his hut.

…

He's not sure what took over his body, he woke up and then he was in front of that bush. His mind is not fully working yet as he grabs one of the flowers.

His legs took him to her hut. That was when his mind half started to work.

He looked to the door and then at the flower in his hand. He decided to pretend nothing was happening.

He left the flowers there, right at her door. His brain divided between hoping she would like the flower and come to him and the other hoping she wouldn't make any deal out of it.

And he still can't understand why the hell that was happening in his mind.

Chapter Text

“Asser (Come on)” He said, grabbing her wrist and pulling her with him

“Please don't kill me Mr. Ghostface” She laughed “I wanna be in the sequel”

“Doesn't she die right after that?”

“You watched?”

“I had to. You talk about it literally all the time”

“Hey leave me alone, I love Scream,” She shoved him playfully. "Watch Friday the 13th next”

“namu joha (So bossy)” He rolled his eyes

“I don’t know what you just said, but I'll assume is a yes”

He just rolled his eyes. Maybe he liked that bossy version of her. He definitely liked it better than the sad one.

“So, where exactly are you taking me?”

“You said that dojo’s main thing is balance”

“And?”

“And we need to adapt to balance”

“Didn't take you for the “adaptive fighter” type”

“nanen nolaumro gadeuk cha issspnida (I'm full of surprises)” He laughed, and she rolled her eyes

“Ok, I need someone to teach me Korean,” She thought

They reached a lake in a river, with stones making a way in it. She faced Kwon, who just grinned.

“Please tell me we’re not doing what I am thinking… Not when it’s what… 3ºC?”

“I’m surprised you know celsius” He laughed

“I’ve been here for a while is the least I could to do”

“Well, that’s why we’re here.” He grinned, “If you fall you get wet”

“And will freeze to death,” She glanced at him

“Well, don't fall then,” He chuckled. “Husik (Relax)... I won't let you fall ok?”

“Likewise” She nodded, still unsure.

It started stiff, both of them. Tory knew she had more experience in balancing, but that didn't mean she wasn't terrified of falling.

They were sparing, in slippery wet rocks. He went for a side kick while she jumped back in time. She tried a punch, but he dodged it. It was almost weird how they were really slow while fighting. She associated Kwon a lot with speed, fast kicks.

But now, both of them are slow, and she doesn’t like it.

Kwon didn’t seem so bothered, though, he was struggling with balancing sure but not exactly angry. Maybe he was more worried about adapting. She tried to follow his rhythm and for a while, everything was fine.

“mwhanen guya? (What are you doing?)” Came from the woods and she almost fell over, but Kwon grabbed her arm and kept her there, stabilizing her.

“morl wonha? (What do you want?)” Kwon humphed

“ aton sunsangnimi dangxinyi yeogi issdanen guteul algo issspnikka? (Does any sensei know you're here?)” Yoon crossed his arms. “ywae gniorl yeogiro derher wassa? (Why did you bring her here?)”

“Shibal (Fuck)” He sighed “amudo sunsangnim awan dongmuleul al fielyoga absspnida (no one needs to know teacher's pet)”

“Ok, can someone translate what's going on or-” She looked between them and told herself she definitely needed to learn more Korean.

The only thing she knew were some commands and sure, “shibal”, that was a curse word. She really liked that curse word.

"This is forbidden," Yoon clarified. "You can't be here."

“No one will know if you don't tell,” Kwon rolled his eyes

“Why forbidden? It's just a river”

“Not the river, the area”

“Well, we're fine,” She shrugged

“What are you even doing?”

“Training balance,” She half smiled, “Ok, we're more like sparing on slippery rocks”

“That's balance” Kwon chuckled

“Why?”

“Adapt”

Yoon just faced them, something in his eyes she couldn't comprehend. She knew Kim liked him. He was the favorite, but right now he was just staring at them.

He sighed and shrugged

“ nanen amu maldohazi anheul gutida (I won't say anything)”

“ gamsahapnida, gosa awan dongmul (Thank you, teacher's pet)”

“dangxinyi narl gype hal su issdorock huyonghanen giongwu (If you let me join)”

“ani (No)”

Tory again looked between them, confused, and Yoon stepped on the edge of the path there. Kwon rolled his eyes and turned to her, nodding to the other end. She understood immediately: get to land.

“Don't need to tell me twice”

She sat down and watched as both were preparing to fight. She wasn't sure what to wait for, but she was curious.

“You're our referee” Yoon glanced at her and she nodded

They started slowly, but she saw how Kwon specifically was getting progressively annoyed at the situation, so much so he hit Yoon in surprise and got the first point.

Yoon rolled his shoulder, and stepped closer, him and Kwon shifting weight between their feet. There was something so drawing about the way they fought, it was like watching a massive spectacle.

She barely blinked. Saw how Yoon approached with a structured punch combination, and how he faked the last one and switched hands, getting his first point, 1-1.

They kept going, Kwon got riskier, attempting kicks, but still not jumpy ones. Yoon played safe, keeping his focus on punches. It helped him, cause he got his second point quite fast.

She saw how Kwon had this murderous look in his eyes. It reminded her of the one she had during the school fight, the little gritting of teeth. It was like looking in a mirror, and while she's ashamed she did that, for a second she almost wished for that back again.

She wished for her old “killer instinct” when she got to Korea, and now, looking at Kwon doing the same stuff she did, the same mannerisms, she didn't feel ashamed.

It felt weird. She knew what she did was wrong, and it ended terribly. But she couldn't say the same about Kwon. She could only think that if it was him in her place, he would have won.

But she also knew that fighting with all of that was also a time bomb, that he would get too angry, and lash out without control, that would make him lose. Just like she lost the fight before.

And it happened, he forgot to protect himself while going for a punch, Yoon landed one in his ribs. 3 points. Yoon won.

Before Yoon said anything celebratory or asking if Kwon was ok, he walked off, going to the spot next to Tory. She got the cue, her turn to fight.

She got back to those rocks and positioned. She saw how Yoon glanced past her, to Kwon, shook his head and got back his focus on her.

Their fight was far from balanced, cause ‌Yoon was great at fighting in that ambience. It didn't even seem like the rocks were slippery to him.

He got the first point, and she got one close after. She could see the difference in how Kwon called the points when Yoon scored he retorted it, but when it was her, it was almost natural.

She got the second point when Yoon got distracted by a misstep. And smiled at herself.

She could feel the wind getting stronger around them, she could see her breath properly again, if she focused enough, and her ears felt completely frozen.

She tried to go for the next point, but Yoon blocked her, pushing her back, which to her demise, made her slip into one rock and fall right at that freezing river.

“Shibal Do-Jin (FUCK DO-JIN)” She sat up in the rock and heard Kwon “ gerlanen nugungaga terludgemion jobeul su issassda (The deal was to catch if someone is falling)”

“amudo malhaejuji anhassa (NO ONE TOLD ME)” Yoon said next, and she assumed he was defending himself.

“ggerteun sangsik (IT'S COMMON SENSE)”

Mid-argument, they both helped her up. Her gi and part of her hair were completely soaked, and the weather had suddenly turned much colder.

“I'm alright,” She said through trembling lips,

“ani,dangxineun anieyo (No, you're not)” Yoon said and pointed to her face “Busted lip”

“Great” She thought, but what scared her was that she didn't even feel it.

“ urinen gniorl dashi adeul shuissda (We have to get her back)” Yoon faced Kwon, and he just nodded. They crossed back, going back to the huts, and the way looked so much longer this time.

She was shivering, trying to rub her arms, but it was a lost cause while she was in her wet gi.

In one moment she stumbled, a misstep perhaps, and Kwon caught her just in time. She gave a weak nod of thanks, but he just faced her worriedly.

“Your lips are purple,” He said and Yoon turned to face her too, "And you look pale”

“It's the cold,” She said through chattering teeth

“nanen igerteul johahazi anhnenda (I don't like this)” Yoon said “Are you wearing anything under your gi?”

“T-shirt” She nodded

“Good, take it off”

“What?”

“Being wet won't help”

“My shirt is wet too” She shook her head

“Still-” And before he finished, Kwon shoved his dry gi in her hands. She faced him.

“Take that off,” He said like it was final and she did, wrapping the dry gi around herself, and he took the wet one from her.

They continued walking until they got to the training areas of the dojo, and another argument started between those two.

“urinen gniorl adeul fielyoga xiawer sisul (We need to get her to a shower)” Kwon said, already moving

“ani,zkgakjeogin yeoleun ggerteul akhwasikill su issspnida (No immediate heat can make it worse)”

“dangxineun muoteulhapnikka? (What do you suggest?” Kwon rolled his eyes. “modn guteul algo (know it all)

“ nado mola,naga saenggakhaza (I don't know, let me think)”

“manyak dangxinyi jmrl giulyeossdamion,urinen irun sanghwange chehazi anhasseul gutipnida (If you paid attention, we wouldn't be in this situation)”

“dangxinyi gerlae daeha naege malhandamion,urinenyi sanghwange issge anheul gutipnida (If you told me about the deal, we wouldn't be in this situation)”

“Can you call a truce just until I'm not freezing to death?” She snapped at them.

“Yes,” Yoon shook his head. “Fighting now won't solve anything”

“I still think we should take her to the showers”

“I said it already. It can make it worse” Yoon rolled his eyes.

“igerte ynminen muotipnikka? (What is the meaning of this?)” A voice said behind them, and none felt the urge to turn.

Not when Sensei Kim was behind them.

“So?” They finally turned, and she was clearly mad, but also analysing them

They looked between each other and Tory saw how Kwon exhaled as if he knew what would happen

“na jalmotiya,sunsangnim (It's my fault sensei)” Yoon said before they could say anything “I suggested we tried to enhance our balance training at the river”

“The river?”

“Yes, and Tory and I were sparing and I couldn't catch her in time”

“Is this true?”

“Yes” Tory nodded

“Are you gonna punish him?” Kwon asked.

“KWON”

“JAE-SUNG”

“What? I just asked,” He defended.

“Nichols, you're hypothermic” Kim said like it was a simple thing “Do-jin, go find Seung and get the warmest clothes you can find in Nichols’ hut”.

Yoon nodded and walked away.

“You” She turned to Kwon “Go find Sensei Kreese, he will want to know what happened”

“He will murder me,” Kwon defended.

“No, he won't,” Tory said, still shivering. “Just say I'm fine and he won't”

He nodded at her and walked away, while Kim gave her a simple look. A simple “follow me”.

She did.

And Kim took her to the showers. While setting up the water, she told Tory to take off only the top part of the gi.

“Get in,” She said “It's just warm, won't hurt”

“Is it safe?” She said with her arms wrapped around herself.

“Yes, you're still on stage one, let's not get to stage two”

She got in and it was immediate relief. Even if she was still with clothes.

“Stay there until your jaw stops chattering”

“Why are you doing this?” She turned to her.

“Nichols, you may think a lot of me,” She shook her head “But I wouldn't let a student of mine die from hypothermia”

Tory nodded, simply. It was a weird moment. To have Kim actually caring about her. She said nothing else, and neither did Kim.

…

He was walking. No, he was sprinting there after dinner.

Kreese hadn't killed him, which was a win, and the man had dinner with Tory in the hit cause Kim said it was better for her to stay inside.

Now he's telling himself he will just check on her. Just that.

He didn't expect the moment he got there, so would get Do-jin.

“yeogiser mwhanen guya?(What are you doing here?)” He almost hissed.

“e hwagin gnher (Checking on her)” He shrugged “bunmionghi dangxincherum (Just like you obviously)”

“glce,terna,nanen ggerteulhagoissda (Well, leave, I'm doing it)” He turned his back on him but before he could knock, Do-jin sighed

“nanen tohan gnioe daeha gukjeonghago issspnida (I am also worried about her)”

“nan sangwanabsa (I don't care)” Jae-Sung

“musn munjeya? (What is your problem?)” Do-jin sighed “dangxineun ima biler meokeul rider jemock (You already got the damn leader title)”

“grigo dangxineun yeojenhi gajang johahanen saramipnida (And you're still the favorite)” He mumbled to himself

“ jinsimiya? i modn dangxinyi johahanen anieyo tamuna? (Seriously? All of this because you're not the favorite?)”

“ija burher (Forget it)” He rolled his eyes “dangxineun gialco ihaehazi mothal gutipnida (You would never understand)”

“bwa… nan nul gajang johahanen saramro mandl su absa, naga mandl su absspnida sunsangnim gim dangxincherum du (Look… I can't make you be the favorite, I can't make Sensei Kim like you more)” He sighed “ hajiman gmbagirl dashi jobeuriogo hazi anhgessdago yaksockha,nul ikkelge hajulge (But I promise you I won't try to get the Geum Baeji again, I will let you lead)”

“Mwer? (What?)” He thought, widening his eyes

“ dangxineun ima hanacherum saenggakhariogo noriokhago issspnida, darn gentu staile jeokeunghanen saenggak, dangxinyi igerte daehan yakgan duneurl gazil su issdanen guteul ynmihapnida (You're already trying to think like one, thinking of adapting to another fighting style, means you might have a bit of brains for this)”

Jae-Sung faced him, with an unreadable expression, and Do-jin gave up

“jeokado uriga gnher juyueissnen dongan (At least while we're around her)” He moved his head to the hut “gnionen uri dul dawa chinguipnida, nanen gnioga ultarie issgo sipa saenggakhazi anhnenda (She is friends with both of us, I don't think she wants to be on the fence)”

He nodded. So they called a truce in a way. He wanted to think it was just because of Tory, but he knew having Do-jin say he would let him lead meant something else. He respected him, and his position as captain.

And as they knocked on her door, after thanking God Sensei Kreese wasn't there anymore, they got inside and it almost felt like they weren't rivals anymore.

Just almost.