The diner buzzed with laughter and chatter as Theo settled in next to Tory, his arm comfortably draped around her shoulders, Aisha and Moon sat across the table, their playful banter filling the air.

"Oh, my God. Yasmine has the same bikini as me," Moon exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Aisha rolled her eyes. "Tell her she can stay in France," she shot back, earning a laugh from the group.

Tory, however, couldn't help but notice Miguel sitting a few feet away, staring at his laptop with a furrowed brow. She felt a tug of sympathy for him and, with a mischievous glint in her eye, grabbed an ice cube from Theo's Coke. With a quick flick of her wrist, she sent it sailing across the table.

Miguel looked up, startled. "Hey!" he exclaimed, shaking his head in mock indignation.

"Oops. Must've slipped out of my hand," Tory laughed, her eyes sparkling. "What are you even doing over there?"

"Going all-in," Miguel replied, his voice heavy with frustration.

Theo, sensing a pang of jealousy as he watched Miguel, leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to Tory's cheek before standing up. "I'll be right back," he said, walking towards Hawk, Mitch, and Chris, who were gathered in their own corner of the diner.

As he approached, Theo snatched Chris's last mozzarella stick from his plate, a cheeky grin spreading across his face.

"Hey! That was my last mozzarella stick!" Chris protested, but Theo shrugged nonchalantly.

"Do I look like I give a shit?" Theo shot back, the playful banter making Chris crack a smile.

His attention shifted to Mitch, who was sitting silently, his eyes glued to his phone. "What's the matter with you?" Theo asked, raising an eyebrow.

Mitch looked up, his expression serious. "Something you should see," he said, turning his phone towards Theo and the others.

The screen displayed a scathing Yelp review of Cobra Kai, the words glaring back at them like a neon sign: "Very unprofessional sensei. Does not take into account safety or personal boundaries. Facility in need of a major face-lift."

Hawk's face flushed with anger as he read the review. "Who the hell does this guy think he is?" he exclaimed, his fists clenching at his sides.

Quickly, Hawk clicked on the reviewer's profile and turned the phone to show Demetri, who stood nearby. Theo leaned in, mirroring Hawk's outrage as he read the words.

—————

Theo sat at the table, the lively chatter of the diner fading into the background as he watched Tory animatedly talk with Miguel. A familiar pang of jealousy twisted in his stomach, something he wasn't used to feeling. He had never been one to get possessive, but the truth was undeniable—he loved Tory. Even if he hadn't found the courage to say it yet, the weight of those unspoken words hung heavily in the air.

As he sat there, brooding, an idea sparked in his mind. He pulled out his phone, his fingers flying over the screen as he began to jot down lyrics, the music capturing his emotions in a way his words couldn't.

Just then, Tory approached, her smile brightening the dim light of the diner. She leaned down and kissed his cheek before sliding into the seat opposite him, placing a plate in front of him.

"You want the rest of this brownie sundae? I'm not gonna lie to you, I already ate the brownie and the whipped cream and most of the hot fudge," she said with a playful grin.

Theo raised an eyebrow, a small smirk creeping onto his face. "So, you saved me the melted ice cream?"

"Yeah, the best part," Tory replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

She reached out, placing her hand gently on his knee, her expression shifting to one of concern. "What's wrong? You're brooding, and don't lie—I know when you're lying."

Theo sighed, the moment of vulnerability washing over him. "I got jealous," he mumbled, not meeting her gaze.

Tory's laughter rang out, light and teasing. "Of Miguel? Baby, please, that's so funny."

"Shut up," he retorted, trying to suppress a smile despite his irritation.

"Seriously, Theo," she said, her tone softening. "You don't have to worry about him. You're the one I'm with."

He finally looked up at her, the warmth in her eyes easing his jealousy. "I know, I just... I don't want to lose you," he admitted, the honesty in his voice surprising even himself.

Tory's smile widened, and she squeezed his knee reassuringly. "You won't. I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me, remember?"

Theo felt a wave of relief wash over him, the tension in his shoulders easing as he took a bite of the sundae. "Okay, then. Just don't let him charm you too much," he joked, but the sincerity lingered in his tone.

"Promise," Tory replied, her laughter infectious. "Now, can we enjoy this melted ice cream together?"

Theo's mind drifted back to a conversation he had with Grace, just a few weeks earlier. Grace had assured him that confessing his feelings for Tory didn't need to be a grand gesture; sometimes, the simplest words held the most power.

With that memory fresh in his mind, Theo felt a surge of courage. He took a deep breath, the words bubbling up inside him like a long-hidden secret. "I love you," he said, the statement escaping his lips almost before he could process it.

Tory's wide eyes met his, her surprise evident. Time seemed to freeze as Theo's heart raced, nerves creeping in. Had he moved too fast? Was she going to pull away? The silence between them felt charged, filled with uncertainty.

Tory blinked, processing the moment, and for a second, Theo felt like he was teetering on the edge of a cliff, unsure of what would happen next.

Then, slowly, a smile broke across her face, lighting up her features. "You... you really mean that?" she asked, her voice soft and filled with wonder.

"I do," he replied, his heart pounding louder than ever. "I didn't want to hide it anymore. I've felt this way for a while."

Tory's smile widened, and the tension that had coiled around Theo began to dissipate. "Wow," she said, her eyes shining. "I'm really glad you said that."

Relief washed over him, and he chuckled nervously. "So, you're not scared off?"

"Not even close," she reassured him, her hand still resting on his knee. "I love you too, you know. I just... didn't know when the right time was to say it."

Theo couldn't help but grin, a wave of joy sweeping through him. "Guess we both took a leap, huh?"

"Yeah, but look where it got us," Tory said, her voice teasing yet filled with sincerity. She leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with affection.

As the laughter and chatter of the diner faded into the background, the world around Theo and Tory seemed to blur. Their eyes locked, both feeling the weight of their confessions hanging in the air like a precious secret shared between them.

Theo's heart raced as he leaned in closer, the distance between them shrinking. Tory's breath hitched slightly, anticipation flickering in her gaze. He could see the warmth in her eyes reflecting the same emotions swirling within him—excitement, vulnerability, and an undeniable connection.

In that moment, everything else faded away. The noise of the diner, the laughter of their friends, the remnants of the melted sundae—all of it became irrelevant. All that mattered was the two of them, right here, right now.

With a gentle yet determined motion, Theo reached out, cupping Tory's face in his hands. Her skin felt warm beneath his touch, and he could feel her heartbeat quickening in response. He leaned in, closing his eyes as their lips finally met.

The kiss was soft at first, a tentative exploration that quickly deepened as they found their rhythm together. Theo felt a rush of warmth spread through him, igniting every nerve ending as Tory melted into him, her hands finding their way to the back of his neck.

Time seemed to stand still as they shared that sweet moment, the world around them disappearing entirely. It was a kiss filled with promise and affection, a beautiful affirmation of their feelings that spoke louder than words ever could.

When they finally pulled away, their foreheads resting against each other, both were breathless and smiling. "Wow," Tory whispered, her cheeks flushed.

"Yeah," Theo replied, still lost in the magic of the moment. "That was... incredible."

Tory grinned, her eyes sparkling with joy. "Definitely worth the wait."

They lingered there for a moment longer, wrapped in each other's presence, knowing that this was just the beginning of something beautiful.

—————

The night was alive with energy as Theo and Tory stepped into the bustling bar, the sound of laughter and music filling the air. With Theo's rising fame, gaining access to exclusive places had become a little easier, and tonight was no exception. The bouncer recognised him immediately and waved them through, granting them entry.

As they settled into a booth, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. After a few rounds, Theo's eyes wandered around the bar until they landed on the karaoke machine in the corner, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. He turned to Tory, his excitement bubbling over. "You know what we need to do?"

Tory raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on her lips. "What's that?"

"Let's show them how it's done. I'm going to sing!" he declared, already getting up from the booth.

"Wait, what song?" she asked, laughter dancing in her voice as she followed him.

Theo glanced back at her, a twinkle in his eye. "I'll let you know when I get up there. Just trust me."

As he approached the karaoke machine, the crowd began to notice him, their cheers growing louder. He grabbed the microphone, the energy in the room shifting to one of eager anticipation. "Hello, all you beautiful people!" he called out, his voice booming over the music. "I'm dedicating this next song to someone very special to me— my girlfriend, Tory!"

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, and Theo felt a rush of adrenaline. He glanced over at Tory, who was blushing but beaming with pride, her eyes sparkling with delight.

As the opening notes of "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith filled the air, Theo took a deep breath and began to sing. His voice resonated through the bar, rich and heartfelt, capturing the essence of the song. He poured every ounce of emotion into the lyrics, remembering the moments they had shared—the laughter, the kisses, the confessions of love.

Tory watched, her heart swelling as she listened. The way he sang for her, the sincerity in his performance, made her feel like the only person in the room. She couldn't help but sway to the music, her eyes locked on him, filled with admiration and love.

The crowd joined in, singing along and cheering him on, but in that moment, it felt like it was just the two of them. Theo's gaze never left Tory's, the connection between them palpable as he sang the words, "I just want to stay in this moment forever."

As he reached the climax of the song, the final notes hung in the air, and he ended with a flourish, the crowd breaking into thunderous applause. Theo stepped off the stage, his heart racing, and made his way back to Tory, who was practically glowing.

"That was amazing!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around him. "You're incredible!"

Theo laughed, still caught up in the exhilaration of the moment. "I couldn't help myself. I wanted everyone to know just how much you mean to me."

Tory smiled, her eyes sparkling under the bar's lights. "You definitely succeeded. That was the sweetest thing anyone's ever done for me."

They shared a tender kiss, the noise of the bar fading as they lost themselves in each other.

The night was still young as Theo and Tory settled back into their booth. They were wrapped up in each other, sharing stories and enjoying the afterglow of Theo's karaoke performance.

Just as they were getting comfortable again, Theo's phone buzzed on the table, breaking the moment. He glanced at the screen, and his heart sank slightly when he saw the name flashing: Grandpa.

"Hold on a second," Theo said, picking up his phone. He quickly read the message: *We need to meet at Cobra Kai ASAP. Important.*

"Oh, what's up?" Tory asked, noticing his expression.

"It's my grandpa," he replied, trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice. "He wants to meet up."

Tory frowned, glancing at the phone. "On a date night? Can't he wait?"

Theo hesitated, fingers hovering over the screen. He knew he should reply, but a part of him wanted to ignore it—tonight was special. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that Kreese wouldn't take no for an answer. He decided to send a quick response: *Can it wait? I'm on a date right now.*

Almost immediately, his phone buzzed again. *No, it can't. This is important. You need to be here.*

Theo sighed, frustration creeping into his voice. "He's really pushing this. He says it's important."

Tory raised an eyebrow, a mix of concern and disappointment etched on her face. "Theo, you don't have to go if it's just a meeting. We can have a great time right here."

"I know, I know," he said, running a hand through his hair. "But you know him, he can be relentless. If he says it's important, it usually is. I just... I hate to leave you like this."

Another message came through from Kreese: *I'm counting on you, Theo. Don't make me come find you.*

Theo looked at Tory, her expression softening as she reached out to hold his hand. "You should go if it's that urgent," she encouraged, though her voice held a hint of reluctance. "I get it; it's family. Just make sure you come back."

"Yeah," he said slowly, weighing his options. "I just wish he'd understand that I'm trying to balance everything."

Tory gave him a reassuring smile. "You've got this. Just let him know you'll be there soon. I'll be right here, waiting for you."

Feeling torn, Theo typed out a quick reply: *Fine, I'll be there in a bit.* He looked up at Tory, feeling a mix of guilt and resolve. "I'll make this quick, I promise."

"Okay," she said, squeezing his hand. "But don't keep me waiting too long. I want to hear all about your meeting later."

"Deal," he said, leaning in to give her a quick kiss before reluctantly getting up from the booth. "I'll be back before you know it."

As he made his way to the exit, he glanced back at Tory, who was watching him with a supportive smile.

Theo stormed into Cobra Kai, the door slamming against the wall as he entered. His frustration was palpable, his heart still lingering on the warmth of his date with Tory. But the moment he stepped inside, that warmth evaporated, replaced by the cold, stark reality of Kreese's demands.

"What's this about?" Theo asked angrily, his voice echoing in the empty dojo. He spotted Kreese standing next to a massive concrete slab, a beer in hand, looking unfazed by Theo's entrance.

Kreese took a slow sip from his bottle, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Your friends lost a fight to Miyagi-Do earlier at the mall," he explained, the casualness of his tone only fueling Theo's anger.

"I couldn't give a shit! I just left my girlfriend in a bar!" Theo snapped, frustration boiling over. "This isn't the time or place for whatever twisted game you're playing."

"You should care," Kreese said, his voice hardening. "Because this is where YOUR real training begins." He gestured toward the concrete slab, a challenge gleaming in his eyes. "Hit it."

"No, what the fuck is wrong with you?" Theo shot back, incredulous. "You're fucking insane, gramps! I'm not going to just—"

"Hit it," Kreese repeated, his tone brooking no argument.

Theo clenched his fists, battling between the urge to walk out and the instinct to stand his ground. "You think this is going to teach me something? I'm not your pawn! I'm not going to waste my time smashing concrete while my girlfriend is waiting for me."

Kreese stepped closer, his expression turning steely. "This isn't about you wanting to impress your girlfriend. This is about strength, discipline, and proving that you can handle whatever comes your way. If you want to be a part of this dojo, you have to earn it. Now hit the slab."

Theo felt the weight of Kreese's words pressing down on him. He hated the way the older man manipulated him, but he also felt the pull of loyalty to the dojo. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself against the rush of emotions.

"Fine," he said, his voice low but determined. "But this doesn't change anything between me and Tory. I'm not letting you dictate my life."

With that, he stepped forward, preparing himself to strike the slab. He focused, channeling his anger and frustration into a single, powerful blow. The sound of his fist hitting the concrete echoed through the dojo, a harsh reminder of the power dynamics at play.

"Fuck!" Theo cursed, nursing his already bloodied hand.

Kreese smirked, clearly pleased. "That's more like it. Keep going. You need to understand what it takes to fight not just in the ring, but in life."

Theo gritted his teeth and continued to hit the slab, each strike a release of pent-up frustration. But in the back of his mind, he kept thinking about Tory, about how she was waiting for him, and how he needed to find a way to balance this chaotic world with the one he wanted to build with her. He wouldn't let Kreese take that away from him.

As the echoes of Theo's strikes faded, he stood there, breathing heavily, his fists throbbing from the impact. Kreese observed him with a mixture of satisfaction and something akin to respect. "Your uncle would be proud of you," he said, glancing at the broken concrete slab that now bore the marks of Theo's determination.

Theo scoffed, the bitterness in his voice unmistakable. "Uncle Terry wouldn't make me leave my girlfriend to break my hands on concrete," he replied, his gaze cold as he stared at Kreese. The older man was methodically wrapping Theo's bloodied hands with bandages, an act that felt strangely intimate yet condescending at the same time.

Kreese looked up, meeting Theo's steely gaze. "Your uncle had a different way of teaching. He believed in hard lessons, just like I do. You think this is just about physical strength? It's about mental fortitude, resilience. You need to understand what it takes to survive in this world."

Theo felt a surge of anger rise within him. "Survive? Is that what this is? You think breaking my hands and pushing me to the brink is going to help me survive? All I wanted was to enjoy a night with Tory, and instead, I'm stuck here with you!"

Kreese finished wrapping Theo's hands, his expression unyielding. "You have to learn that life doesn't care about your plans, Theo. It throws curveballs, and if you're not prepared, you'll get knocked out. You're too soft, and that's why I'm here. To toughen you up."

"Maybe I don't want to be tough like you," Theo shot back, his voice rising. "You think that just because you had to fight for everything, everyone else should too? That's not how it works. I want to be better, not just a fighter."

Kreese's eyes narrowed, the underlying intensity of the conversation palpable. "Better? What does that even mean? You think you can just waltz through life with your charm and good looks? There's no room for weakness in this dojo, or in this life. You need to embrace the fight."

Theo took a step back, shaking his head in disbelief. "And what about loyalty? What about love? You can't just throw everything away for the sake of strength. I won't let you dictate that part of my life."

Kreese's expression softened for just a moment, a flicker of understanding crossing his face. "Love is a distraction, Theo. It can make you weak if you're not careful. But if you can channel that feeling into your training, it can also make you stronger. Your girlfriend should be your motivation, not your crutch."

Theo let out a frustrated breath, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders. "I want to be strong, but not like you. I want to protect the people I care about, not push them away."

Kreese regarded him silently, the tension thick in the air. "Then prove it. Show me you can balance both. Show me you can fight for what matters while still holding on to what you love. That's the real test."

Theo nodded, the resolve in his heart reigniting. He didn't have to choose between strength and love; he could forge a path that embraced both. "I will," he said firmly. "But I'm doing it on my terms."

As he turned to leave, Kreese called after him, "Remember, Theo. The fight never stops. Don't let your guard down, even for a moment."

—————

Theo stood next to Tory in the dojo, feeling the familiar mix of tension and excitement in the air as they watched Miguel and Hawk spar. He could feel the dull ache in his hands from the previous day's training, but having Tory by his side provided a sense of comfort. She lightly gripped his wrist, her touch gentle, as if she could sense the pain he was still dealing with.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted as Daniel burst into the dojo, his anger palpable. "The hell do you think you're doing?" Johnny shouted, his voice echoing through the space.

Daniel shot back defiantly, "Like you don't know."

"Take your shoes off the mat. You're disrespecting my dojo," Johnny continued, his tone unyielding.

Daniel's voice rose, fueled by frustration. "You're seriously gonna talk to me about disrespecting dojos after what you just did to mine?"

Theo felt the tension in the room escalate as Johnny denied any wrongdoing. "I don't know what the hell you're talking about. I didn't do anything to your dojo."

"Just like you didn't slug one of my employees, huh?" Daniel countered, his voice sharp. "You know, part of me actually felt bad for you at one point, but you make it so easy to remember who the bad guy is in all of this."

Theo's heart raced as he watched the argument unfold. He noticed the tears building in his father's eyes, a mixture of anger and pain. He may have held a grudge against Daniel for years, but he loved Mr. Miyagi, and the anger bubbling inside him felt overwhelming. He could sense Kreese's influence behind Hawk and the others, pushing them to act against Miyagi-Do.

Daniel continued, his voice unwavering. "Let me tell you something about your sensei. He might teach you how to fight, but he doesn't know a thing about what it takes to truly win at life. If you want to help yourselves before it's too late, the doors of Miyagi-Do? Wide open."

Theo felt Daniel's gaze land on him, and he could see the concern in his father's eyes. The anger he had felt just moments before began to shift into something else—an understanding. Daniel may have once hated him, but now he wanted to free him from Cobra Kai's grasp.

Johnny's voice cut through the tension again. "You come in here and poach my students?"

"And what are you gonna do about it? You know I'm not gonna strike first," Daniel replied, his tone firm.

Johnny grinned, his bravado on full display. "I'm gonna be a bigger man."

"Yeah. We'll see about that," Daniel shot back.

Theo's attention shifted as he noticed a few students picking up their bags, the weight of the conflict weighing heavily on them. The air crackled with uncertainty.

"Where do you think you're going?" Johnny demanded, his voice rising as he noticed the exodus.

Mitch, one of the more recent students, responded, "What the hell, Chris?"

Chris shrugged, his expression a mixture of defiance and uncertainty. "I never liked it here."