╔.𖥸. .════════════════╗

𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬

chapter forty
I love you (ain't that the
worst thing you ever
heard?)

╚════════════════. .❀.╝

"SO, SAM ROPED you into going to see Tory?" Eli asked.

They were walking from the parking lot to Cobra Kai's flagship dojo, the very same one where Alyssa had won just yesterday. She never thought she would see it again, especially not like this.

Alyssa shrugged, swinging her and Eli's interlocked hands back and forth as they walked. "It's like I told Tory. Sam and I are a package deal." She looked up at him. "But if you told me that tonight I would be patching up Tory Nichols' hand, I would've laughed in your face."

"I'm having a hard time believing it, too," Eli admitted, letting out a small laugh.

"So . . . blue." Alyssa's eyes caught on his hair again, and her eyes sparkled. "I really do love it."

"Thanks. Demetri helped."

Alyssa slowed down a bit, her face falling. "Wait." She frowned. "Before I left with Sam . . . you were going to ask me if I wanted to help dye your hair, weren't you?"

"I was," Eli responded. "But don't worry about it. You were doing something more important than dying my hair."

"But you're important to me," Alyssa insisted. "Extremely important to me. I'm sorry."

"Lys, it's fine, really." He used their interlocked hands to pull her closer. "Remember the first time I dyed my hair, which was also blue, and you helped?"

Alyssa nodded, a fond smile on her face. "Yeah. God, that feels like a lifetime ago." She tucked herself in a little closer to his side. "We've been through way too damn much since then."

"If it's the same alarm system he installed at the last place, I should be able to bypass it," Robby announced, swiftly stopping their conversation as they stopped in front of the dojo.

"Spoken like a man that's done this before," Demetri said.

"Yeah, well, karate wasn't my first hobby. I fractured a law or two before we met."

"Or we could just scan my key card," Tory suggested, moving to stand next to Robby and pulling the card from her pocket. "So that those of us on probation keep from, you know, violating it."

Eli nodded to the group of Miyagi-Fang's that had just walked up. "What's happening, folks?"

"What's up, man?" Chris replied. "Sorry we're late." He sent a pointed glare to Mitch. "Someone took forever to get ready."

"It's the middle of the night," Mitch argued. His eyes then set on Tory. "What is she doing here?"

"It's fine, she's with us," Sam reassured him. "For what we're about to do at least."

"So what are we doing? All your text says is that we're gonna take down Cobra Kai. But, like, how exactly?"

"We're gonna show them who their Sensei really is," Miguel answered. "We think we have proof that he's a criminal."

"We're going upstairs to Silver's office," Sam explained. "We need you guys downstairs as lookout."

They all entered the dojo. While the rest stayed downstairs, Tory led Alyssa, Eli, Sam, Miguel, Robby, and Demetri up the stairs. They walked into what Alyssa presumed to be Silver's office, because it had a huge portrait of a fucking snake on the wall.

"Okay, so, pulling this Stingray clip off the server is, like, first day of computer camp shit," Eli voiced, glancing back to Demetri. "Got it?"

"Yeah," Demetri confirmed.

"Then, we just upload the clip to the YouTube channel, and Cobra Kai is out of business for good."

Demetri set up his iPad. Eli let go of Alyssa's hand and bent down, plugging a cord into the server of the main computer in the office and then putting it into the iPad. Demetri sat down in the chair and started to type on the portable keyboard connected to his iPad.

"Okay, Stingray's assault happened the morning after prom," Demetri began.

Tory glanced back at Robby, gesturing to the security camera on the wall. "Any idea how to disconnect one of these?"

Robby looked at it. "Yeah."

He walked forwards and jumped, grabbing the camera and yanking it off the wall. Robby let it fall, and it shattered to pieces on the floor.

Alyssa stared at the broken pieces. "Oh, okay."

"I can't believe it's happening," Tory revealed as they all gathered behind the desk. "We're really gonna take Silver down."

Robby nodded. "Yeah. What could go wrong?"

Demetri typed for a little while longer. "Okay. I got it!"

The video popped up on the screen. It showed Silver and Stingray standing in the old dojo.

"You wanna be Cobra Kai," Silver mocked, his words slurring together. "Oh. So you wanna be Cobra Kai, huh?"

It looked like he went to swing, but then the video completely glitched out.

Demetri typed furiously for a second. "Sh-Shit."

"What happened?" Tory demanded, her panic evident.

"That's all there is. The rest of it's been erased."

"Silver covered his tracks," Robby stated.

Sam sighed. "Of course he did."

"Okay, so — so what now?" Miguel questioned.

"I think there might be some other footage we can use," Tory said.

Eli looked over at her. "You wouldn't happen to know the date and time, would you?"

Tory then leaned forwards and typed the date and time into the software. Eli took over the rest, typing on the larger keyboard.

"Okay, I think I got it," Eli told her. "Is this the clip?"

"Yeah, that's the one," Tory approved.

"Guys!" Anthony's voice then shouted from downstairs.

"What?" Miguel let out. "What was that?"

"W-We'll go check it out," Sam offered. "You guys stay here. We need that footage."

Demetri gave her a thumbs-up as they group went to leave the office. "Uh-huh."

Alyssa went to follow Sam. "Right behind you."

"Lys, you're staying," Eli ordered.

She immediately stopped in her tracks. "And apparently I'm not right behind you. Bye guys, good luck, have fun, don't do anything I wouldn't do."

The waiting was basically killing her. She had told Eli she was tired earlier, which she had been, but now she was hyped up on adrenaline. Her arms were crossed and she paced the office. It only got worse when the sounds of fighting echoed from downstairs. Alyssa paused in her tracks, racing over to the stairs. She glanced down it to see a multitude of Cobra Kai's, but the Miyagi-Fang's seemed to be holding their own.

"Okay, y'all, this is fucking crazy," Alyssa said, rushing back up to the computer, her pink hair practically flying behind her. "Not to rush you, you're doing amazing, but how much longer?"

"I'm almost done," Demetri said. "I just need a few more minutes. I need to log into their YouTube channel and upload the clip."

"It's only a matter of time before someone comes up here, Dem."

"Yo, let's check upstairs," Kyler's voice then came from downstairs.

Eli glanced back towards the direction of it. "Oh, shit. Okay, they're coming. Be ready to go mobile."

"Ugh, okay, screw it," Demetri let out. "We're gonna have to upload and publish via Wi-Fi."

Kyler then appeared with two other Cobra Kai's, and Alyssa rolled her eyes at his laugh. "Yo, man. It's just Yasmine and Lys' bitches."

"Bitches," another Cobra Kai added.

Alyssa narrowed her eyes at him. "Don't call me Lys."

Kyler focused right on Eli. "You heard Kenny when he dropped your ass. Just a Faux-Hawk now, boy."

"You know what?" Eli countered. "That's life. You win some, you lose some, but you gotta move on. You never did. You're still pulling the same old bully act as always. I mean, everyone you bullied has kicked your ass by now."

"I haven't," Demetri protested.

"I haven't either — not physically, at least," Alyssa interrupted. She gave Kyler a sickly-sweet smile. "There's no doubt that my words always render you speechless. Isn't that right, Kyler?"

Eli stepped in front of Alyssa when Kyler moved towards her. "You'll both get your turn. Kyler's too stupid to ever learn his lesson."

Kyler's face hardened, and he threw a punch right at Eli. Eli blocked it and kneeled him in the stomach before pushing him to the side. He kicked another Cobra Kai, sending him to the ground, before kicking the final one twice.

Eli looked back at Alyssa. "Guard Demetri."

Alyssa nodded. "Okay." She moved behind the desk, swiftly removing her hoop earrings and tucking them in her pocket. "Here to guard, I guess."

Kyler was the first one to get up. He backed Eli all the way up against the wall. Eli blocked two of his punches and kicked him back. Eli went to swing, but Kyler blocked it and punched him. His head knocked to the side, and Kyler grabbed him by his head, dragging him across the desk, causing Demetri to lift up the computer. A flash of white-hot anger flared up inside of Alyssa, and she moved out from behind the desk.

"I'm not guarding anymore!" Alyssa yelled. "You're on you're own!"

Alyssa jumped up and kicked the back of Kyler's knee hard. Kyler immediately crumpled to the ground from the force.

She looked up to Eli, who was against the opposite wall. "You okay?"

Eli nodded. "Yeah." His eyes then set on something behind her. "Lys."

Demetri, however, was faster. He came out from behind the desk and spun himself around, kicking a Cobra Kai who had just started to get up right in the face. Meanwhile, Eli hopped over the desk, taking up the operation. Alyssa then reared her arm back, and the fist hit the other one who had just gotten up right in the cheek. Kyler stood back up and charged, but he was no match for the two of them. Demetri punched him right across the face while Alyssa kicked him right in the stomach. Kyler fell against the desk, pushing it a little bit, before falling to the ground.

"Man, that felt good!" Demetri shouted. He pointed at Kyler. "Bitch!"

Alyssa raised her hand for a high-five. "Okay, we killed it."

Demetri slapped his hand against hers. "Hell yeah, we did."

Eli folded up the portable keyboard. "We got it. All right. It's uploading to Cobra Kai's channel." He jumped back over the desk, holding the iPad. "Let's get the hell out of here."

The three — the original trio — nodded to each other. Kyler was down permanently, but the other two Cobra Kai's had gotten up. Their focus was right on Demetri and Eli, leaving Alyssa alone in the middle.

Eli blocked a punch and punched the one who had advanced on him. He then turned to Alyssa. They made eye contact momentarily, and he gave her a small nod. He tossed the iPad into the air. Alyssa's eyes widened and stepped forwards, catching it in her hands as Eli struck the guy, sending him down the stairs. Now that all three Cobra Kai's were down, Eli and Demetri started to move towards the staircase.

"I've got the iPad!" Alyssa exclaimed, jogging after them. "Protect me, I'm important!"

They moved down the staircase. It had gotten even worse from the first time Alyssa saw it. Fighting was absolutely everywhere.

"Miguel, we got it!" Demetri announced.

Miguel nodded, holding his flannel in a defensive way. "Okay. Here we go."

Alyssa suddenly felt a foot collide with her back. She shrieked slightly as she fell forwards, the iPad falling out of her hand and sliding against the floor. Two arms then wrapped around her waist and flipped her around so she wouldn't land on her face, catching her completely. She breathed heavily as she made eye contact with Eli.

"Smooth," Alyssa commented.

Eli helped her stand up properly. "I try."

The iPad landed right by Anthony. Anthony quickly picked it up.

"Get him!" Kenny ordered.

"Protect the egg!" Miguel screamed.

At once, every single one of them formed a defensive ring around Anthony. Alyssa backed up close to him, watching as all of the Cobra Kai's tried to close in on them. All of her training with Sensei Toguchi came back, and she raised her fists. She suddenly wished she had a bo, but that wasn't really an option at the moment.

On Robby's command, they advanced slightly forwards towards the Cobra Kai's, trying to drive them back away from Anthony. Alyssa glanced around nervously, the anticipation bubbling up inside of her.

Kenny then came the command, and the Cobra Kai's attacked. Alyssa focused on the one in front of her, punching and kicking as much as she could. She was getting some good hits in, and she seemed to be doing well, when everything went wrong.

Another Cobra Kai had rushed up to her. Before Alyssa had time to blink, their fist connected with her nose — hard. Alyssa's head got knocked to the side and she let out a small yell of pain. Instantly, her eyes started to water and all of the fighting faded to a dull ringing in her ears. Her nose was throbbing with pain. She reached up and touched the back of her hand to her nose, only to be met with a warm liquid. Alyssa pulled it away only to see her hand had blood on it. It dripped from her hand down to the mat.

"Lys!" Eli shouted. "Holy shit."

While she was distracted by her blood, the guy who punched her took his opportunity and kicked her stomach. Alyssa grunted in pain and stumbled backwards, only for a pair of arms to catch her and push her back into the circle with Anthony.

Anthony looked at her with wide eyes. "Ally."

"Hold on, kid," Alyssa voiced, putting a hand on Anthony's shoulder to stabilize herself. She started to try and blink the many black spots out of her vision. "I'm seeing stars."

"You're seeing stars?"

"I'm seeing stars," Alyssa confirmed. "Hey, I know there's a lot going on, but could you — could you just keep talking to me? I'm — I'm out of it and I — I need something to keep me steady."

"Here," Anthony said. Still holding the iPad, he shrugged off the blue button-up he had on over his t-shirt. "Put this on your nose, it'll help stop the bleeding."

Alyssa took it and pressed it up against her nose, wincing slightly. "God, it hurts."

"Uh." He glanced down at the iPad nervously. "What do you like? So I can keep talking. Um—"

"She likes Taylor Swift!" Eli called, blocking a kick and punching a Cobra Kai. "And me!"

Alyssa nodded. "True. I do."

"Ally, what Taylor Swift songs remind you of Eli?" Anthony inquired, rapidly looking from the bleeding girl in front of him to the iPad that he was holding.

Alyssa squeezed her eyes shut, trying to concentrate. "U-Uh, Tell Me Why. Red — red hair phase."

"Don't focus on anger. Focus on your relationship now."

"Um, Fearless. And — and King Of My Heart."

Anthony nodded. "Good. What else?"

"Call It What You Want," Alyssa continued, some of the fog starting to clear her mind. "It says — it says starry eyes sparking — sparking up my darkest nights." She got dizzy for a second, but she blinked a couple times to regain her composure. "His eyes are really blue, and — and they remind me of comets."

"Ninety percent," Anthony called. "Good. Another?"

"Mine." She was still a little hazy, but she managed to look up and make out more images more clearly. "There's a lot."

"We're not gonna be able to hold 'em much longer!" Robby yelled.

"There's too many of them!" Miguel added.

"Ninety-five," Anthony revealed.

"Let me," Alyssa let out, trying to stumble back to the circle. "Let me help—"

Sam, who had joined the circle after helping Tory, pushed her back. "No. Stay."

The circle closed in impossibly tight, pushing Alyssa in between Anthony and Eli. They had nowhere to go anymore.

"They're trapped," Kenny stated. "Don't let 'em out."

Sensei LaRusso, who came out of nowhere, started to push through. "All right. All right, come on. Knock it off. Knock it off!"

"I need to talk to you," Tory's voice then sounded from the TV.

Everybody dropped their fighting stances at once, and their attention turned to the TV. Eli glanced back and reached out to Alyssa, pulling her towards him gently. He positioned her to stand in front of him and he wrapped his arms around her waist, tucking her into the front of him. Alyssa leaned against him, pushing Anthony's shirt more in her nose when she felt more blood drop. The blurriness had started to clear, and she could see the TV perfectly. It was a video of Tory and Silver standing in the dojo.

"Nichols," Silver said. "What's on your mind? Excited to take things to the next level?"

"What's the point?" Tory countered. "You'll just pay to make me champion again."

"So you know about the ref. Have you told anyone else?"

"Not yet. So you don't deny it?"

"Not at all," Silver confirmed. Alyssa glanced over to see all of the Cobra Kai's looking defeated. "I paid him off to make sure Cobra Kai won. It was an insurance policy. You still won the fight."

"Did I?" Tory argued.

"That's it?" a familiar voice interjected. Alyssa looked over, only to see Silver standing there, looking like utter shit. There was blood all over his face and his hair was unkept. "That was your big plan, LaRusso? Breaking into my dojo to steal some footage that changes nothing?"

At once, they all spread apart. Miyagi-Fang on one side, Cobra Kai on the other. It was just like yesterday, but drastically different. Eli kept Alyssa in the same position, tucked into his chest, and Demetri put his hand on Alyssa's shoulder comfortingly.

Tory stepped forwards. "It wasn't his plan. It was ours."

"And it changes everything," Robby added.

Silver moved closer to them, his gaze lingering on Robby, before turning to his students. "Our enemies . . . they think they can keep attacking us with no repercussions. And what does the enemy deserve?"

Silence. Absolutely nothing.

"You think I'm the only one willing to go to these lengths?" He pointed to the Miyagi-Fang's. "Their Senseis broke into my home tonight. My home! Attacked me, unprovoked. But here I am. The only one left standing."

Alyssa's eyes widened, and she looked over, sharing a panicked look with Miguel. If Silver said he was the only one left standing, what did that mean for Sensei Lawrence and Sensei Toguchi?

"They think they're entitled to victory because their way is right and our way is wrong," Silver continued. "But that's not how it works. There are no morals to the story, no happy endings. Life isn't a fairy tale. It's a competitive sport. Right and wrong, there's no such thing. There are only winners . . . and losers. Cobra Kai builds winners, because we're willing to do whatever it takes to come out on top." He stared right at Sensei LaRusso. "Everything you did to try and stop me amounted to nothing but pain. You got your ass kicked, Danny-boy. Now, you can either accept that . . . or I can kick it again right now."

Mrs. LaRusso walked closer to her husband. "We're all with you, Daniel. Do what you have to do."

Sensei LaRusso stepped further on the mat, and Silver smirked, pulling up his sleeves. Alyssa, still underneath Eli's arms, reached out and extended her free hand to Sam. Sam immediately took it, gripping it tight.

Silver circled around him. "First, I took care of Chozen. Now you. This is where Miyagi-Do ends."

"Miyagi-Do existed before any of us," Sensei LaRusso voiced. "It'll be around long after we're gone. The roots are strong—" he raised his hands "—so the tree will survive."

Silver glanced back with a sinister smile before punching twice. Sensei LaRusso quickly blocked them with precision and ducked underneath Silver's kick. He then struck Silver across the face, making him fall to the ground. Silver got back to his feet and started to circle around Sensei LaRusso again. Sensei LaRusso raised his hands and blocked Silver's punches and his kicks. He then caught Silver's arm and held it above his head, ducking underneath it. Sensei LaRusso kneeled Silver in the stomach and pushed him down to the ground, holding him there.

On the ground, Silver clenched his fist and went to strike, but Sensei LaRusso caught the punch between his elbow and his thigh. He then punched him in the face, backing up a bit. Silver got back up and walked up to him, and both of them raised their hands again. He kicked and punched, but Sensei LaRusso blocked and dodged. Sensei LaRusso blocked all of Silver's advances before punching Silver right in the chest, similar to what Kenny did to Eli yesterday. Silver stumbled back, gasping and coughing for air. He glanced back, grabbing one of the trophies around the glass Cobra Kai symbol, but Sensei LaRusso was faster. He raised his arms and his legs in his infamous crane kick, and before Silver could strike him, Sensei LaRusso kicked him right in the face.

Silver fell back all the way, right into the glass symbol. Millions of shards rained down upon him, and just like that, the fight was over. They had won. It was over.

Alyssa let out a sigh of relief, picking herself up a bit, feeling much better than she had before. She watched as Kenny stepped up to Silver first, pulling off his Cobra Kai shirt and throwing it carelessly on his defeated Sensei. The rest followed suit.

"Hey," Eli began softly, turning Alyssa around so she was facing him now. He gently tugged on Anthony's shirt she was holding. "Can I see?"

Alyssa lowered the button-up from her nose. The spot she had held up to her nose was covered with blood. Eli took her face in his hands and looked at her nose closely.

"The bleeding's stopped," Eli said. He then gently touched his fingers on her nose, and she winced in pain. "Sorry, sorry. It's a little swollen, but I don't think it's broken. How do you feel?"

"Dizzy," Alyssa answered honestly. "Not enough to, like, pass out or anything, but the room's spinning."

"Okay, come on." He held her close to him still. "Let's go get it checked out."

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

THE COPS AND the ambulances had arrived at the dojo, courtesy of Mrs. LaRusso. Everyone was scattered around, either getting interviewed by the police or the news, getting checked out, or just talking. Alyssa had been swept away from Eli — thankfully, her nose was okay.

Now, she was leaning against the hood of the car. Sam was next to her with a blanket around her shoulders, her head resting on Alyssa's shoulder while Alyssa had her arm around her. The two had instantly gravitated towards each other after the fight, much like they had in the hospital after the one at the school. That one felt so miniscule now after this.

"I'm proud of you," Alyssa told Sam. "For going to Tory. And for helping her in the dojo."

"Thanks," Sam responded. "I don't know if we'll be besties, but . . . maybe we'll be in a better place."

"You'd better not be besties. That spot belongs to me."

Sam let out a small laugh. "And it always will be. I promise you that."

Miguel then walked up to the two of them. He glanced at Alyssa for a moment, and even though it was quick, she could tell that his eyes were pleading. Alyssa got a small smile on her face and dropped her arm from around Sam.

"I should go check in with Eli and Demetri," Alyssa stated. "Make sure they're still . . . breathing."

Sam blinked at her. "Why wouldn't they be breathing?"

"Samantha, babe, I'm trying to get out of this situation so you can talk to Miguel, we don't have time for rational questions." She then approached Miguel and pressed up onto her toes, planting a kiss on his cheek. "I'm proud of you too, honey."

Miguel smiled softly at her. "Thanks."

Alyssa moved away from him, her destination in mind. She did, however, glance back to see Miguel and Sam standing very close. Alyssa got a knowing grin on her face, and she turned back around.

She walked up to the back of one of the ambulances, where Eli, Demetri, and Anthony were sitting. Eli had a blanket wrapped around him, and the excess was draped over Anthony and Demetri. Demetri and Eli were also holding cups of coffee that they had gotten from inside the dojo.

"Hey," Alyssa greeted.

"Hey, Lys," Eli replied. "How's the nose?"

"Better," Alyssa answered. "I have confirmation from an actual medical professional that it's not broken, so that's good." She then scrunched her nose, but winced. "Still a little sore, though."

He chuckled at her. "Then don't do that, stupid."

"Don't call me stupid, stupid." She let out a small laugh before turning to the younger boy. "Hey, Anthony, thanks for that in there. You kicked ass, kid."

Anthony shook his head. "I just screen mirrored the video to the TV in the dojo and talked to you about Taylor Swift songs."

"And by doing that, you won us the fight." Alyssa held out her fist to him. "Come on." Her grin widened when he fist-bumped her. "Oh, sorry about the blood on your shirt, by the way. I'll buy you a new one, if you want."

"Don't worry about it." He seemed to notice a slight shift in the air. "I'm gonna go check in with some of the others, so . . ."

He then got up and walked off.

"Hm," Alyssa commented, slotting herself in Anthony's spot between Demetri and Eli. "I love you guys a lot, you know that?"

Eli then cleared his throat. "Demetri, can you give Lys and I a moment alone?"

Alyssa's eyebrows knit in confusion at the suddenness of it all. Demetri got up, but he pressed a kiss to the top of Alyssa's head before walking off. She smiled a little as he walked away to see her boyfriend already looking at her.

"Does anything else hurt?" Eli asked.

She straightened up and winced. "My back kind of hurts from where Kyler kicked me." Alyssa reached up and touched her lower back where it hurt, wincing again as her fingers grazed her skin. "He got me good."

"Well, as long as there's no serious injuries, I think you'll be okay. So, um . . ." Eli let out a breathy laugh. "Comets, huh?"

Alyssa looked down at her lap with a blush as pink as her hair adorning her cheeks, nodding a little as she let out a small laugh. "Yeah. I meant it, too. They do look like comets."

Eli's cheeks splashed pink, too. "I've never heard something be compared to comets before. I'll be regarding it as the highest compliment."

"Oh, you should. Also the fact that I compared you to Mine." She then paused for a second, and Eli had to resist tucking her hair back when it fell in her face. "Thank you, by the way. For pushing me back into the circle. Adding another egg to be protected, if you will." She shook her head. "I was so disoriented that I don't think I could've fought if I tried."

Eli shrugged. "Well, you did say protect me, I'm important." He kept his gaze on his hands. "And I would do anything to protect you, because you are important."

Alyssa's eyes trailed across his figure — she didn't really know what was going on with him, and it kind of bothered her. "Eli . . . if something's on your mind, baby, you can tell me."

"I'm okay," Eli admitted, a bit of nervousness to his voice. "It's just . . . you know, a lot of Taylor Swift songs remind me of you, too."

Alyssa straightened up in curiosity. "Really? Which ones?"

Eli hesitated for a moment, seemingly struggling with himself before he looked up from his cup to her. "Uh . . . You Are In Love."

She froze for a second. Alyssa had dreamed about having a love like You Are In Love ever since she heard the song back in 2014. Yet she hadn't realized what she had been looking for had been there the whole time, not until their tension raised to the fucking roof and caused her to open her eyes. Eli and her had been built to fall apart then fall back together, and when they fell back together, they fell hard.

Of course Alyssa loved Eli. There were really no other words in the English language to describe what else she felt for him. He knew her favorite songs and told her about his dreams, she proudly wore a hawk around her neck — not because he owned her but because he really knew her, and he was the only one who she bought dresses for with the intent of him taking it off. Eli was everything to her.

"Yeah?" Alyssa let out quietly.

Eli nodded. "Yeah. Thought it was obvious."

"You know I'm oblivious."

Eli cracked a small smile for a second. "I . . . I didn't know if I believed in love at first sight. I'm not sure I believed in love at all. But that all changed at the fight at Sam's house when you hugged me for the first time in months, and . . . it was just game over." He finally looked up at her, setting his coffee cup to the side. "I think it's always been there, though. It was always you, Lys. And now . . . you're the best thing that's ever been mine." Eli paused for a second and blinked. "Oh God, I'm even quoting her now. What have you done?"

Alyssa giggled at him. "I've corrupted you, and I'm going to keep corrupting you." She then reached up and took his face in his hands. "Because I love you more."

Eli's blue eyes instantly brightened — just like fucking comets — and the corners of his mouth twitched up. "I don't think that's not possible."

"Better get believing, babe. 'Cause it's true."

She then pulled him closer to her and pressed her lips onto his. Eli scooted closer to her and put his hands on her waist, and just like always, her skin ignited just from his touch. This kiss felt like every other one, but there was something new to it. Something more — like they were starting a new chapter to whatever they called their rollercoaster of a relationship.

After a moment, they pulled away from each other, smiles on both of their faces. Eli then patted his lap. Alyssa's smile grew and she climbed over, sitting on top of his right thigh and resting her legs on his left. Eli took the blanket that he had wrapped around himself and put it over her as well, closing them in what seemed like a world of their own. He put his arms around her waist and held her close, gently running a hand up and down her back. Alyssa sighed in content and rested her head against his shoulder, shutting her eyes at the blissfulness of it all.

They were in love. True love.

•─•°•❀•°•─•

𝙴𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝙵 𝙿𝙰𝚁𝚃 𝚅

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

the taylor swift references in this felt absolutely necessary fight me on it

also, did I make alyssa say the comet thing about eli's eyes because mon-el said it about kara in supergirl and I miss them so much? yes, yes I did

anyways, the end of this part means that this book is completed :( for now, at least until season six comes out. thank you for reading, and I'll see you in season six <3