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"𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄, hold this ice on your ribs." Stella instructed gently, handing her brother a bag of ice. Janette followed right behind with a glass of orange juice, her soft voice encouraging as she settled on the couch beside him.

"Thanks," August muttered, holding both.

"Augie, why don't you tell us who did this?" Janette asked gently, brushing his hair back from his forehead in that tender, unhurried way only she had. "Your father can call the school. They can protect you."

"It'll only make things worse, Grandma," August muttered.

"Can't be any worse than this," Nathan's voice cut in, low and hard, as he stepped into the living room. Coffee mug in hand, shoulders squared, his presence filled the room like a storm rolling in. His sharp eyes flicked over August's bruises, and the muscle in his jaw ticked.

"Yes it can. If I just had more lessons, then maybe I'll—" August began.

"Don't argue with me, August Lane," Nathan snapped, his tone brooking no room for debate.

"It's not Sensei Lawrence's fault. I just wasn't ready." August argued

Nathan's grip tightened on his mug, knuckles whitening. He spat the name like it was poison. "No. No more karate. That man is a bad influence." The disdain in his voice was sharp, leaving no doubt how he felt about Johnny Lawrence.

"Nathan," Janette said softly, her voice calm but steady. "As much as I'm opposed to him doing karate, he's found something he likes to do."

"Mother, we are not karate athletes. We are ranchers." Nathan's words were edged with Texas grit, as if tradition itself stood behind him. "You know that."

Janette's kind eyes didn't waver. "Son, in case you haven't noticed, you're not in Texas anymore. Don't take this away from him."

Nathan let out a hard breath, eyes narrowing. "Don't give me that, Ma. This man is a bad influence. I've seen his rap sheet—it's as long as my arm." His voice dripped with contempt, the word man practically an insult.

"No, you don't know him. He's a different person!" August fired back, his face flushed with anger.

Nathan's restraint snapped. "What the hell do you see in him, August? He's a loser and a lost cause!"

"Nathan, that's enough!" Janette scolded, her tone sharp but still laced with that motherly softness that could cut deeper than anger.

"No, Mother!" Nathan's voice rose, tight with frustration. "I said what I said. This man is a loser."

"He is not a loser!" August shot back. His eyes darted to his sister. "Stella, are you going to back me up?"

Stella hesitated, then lifted her chin. "Daddy, Grandma's right. August has found something that he loves. Johnny's... well, he's complicated. He has deep-rooted issues. But deep down, I can tell he cares for August and wants to do what's best for him."

Nathan's gaze lingered on her longer than it should have, his eyes narrowing as if he could see right through her words. The flicker of color in her cheeks, the softness in her tone when she said Johnny's name—it didn't escape him. His jaw tightened, something heavier than anger flashing across his face.

His eyes flicked to the photo of Ava on the wall—his late wife's smile frozen in time. The anger in him softened into something heavier, more sorrowful. He turned back to his kids, his voice low but unwavering. "All I know is your mother wouldn't approve of this. No more karate. That's final."

With that, he set his cup on the counter, grabbed his jacket, and walked out the door to run errands in town, leaving the room weighted in silence.

Meanwhile, in Johnny's apartment, he was passed out drunk, as his phone started to ring. Stirring awake, he reached over and answered his phone. "Who is this?"

"Mr. Lawrence, this is Ms. Jenkins, the vice principal at Robby's school. We spoke a couple of months ago." Ms. Jenkins said on the other line

"Right, yeah. Hi. I remember." Johnny said as he sat up on the floor.

"I'm sorry if I'm interrupting the big canoe trip. As much as I appreciate a boy and his father bonding on the mighty Colorado, your note said he'd be gone two weeks, but it's been almost a month." Ms. Jenkins said

"Wait, are you saying Robby's been out of school for a month?" Johnny asked

"I'm sure it's easy to lose track of time on the river. I grew up on the Mississippi Delta, but if your son's not back in school this week, we'll have to discuss holding him back." Ms. Jenkins said.

"Oh, he'll be there, don't worry." Johnny said, then hung up the phone. After taking another swig of his beer, he stepped out of his apartment, where August was waiting for him.

"Hey sensei. My dad said I can't train with you anymore, but I had this idea, that maybe if we went to the dojo before—" August started, but was cut off by Johnny

"You don't get it kid. There is no dojo. I'm closing it up. It's over." Johnny said

"What about me? I... I need you." August said. "My dad is so consumed with grief over my mom, he can't think straight, and my sister, she misses my mom so much that she—"

"Sorry kid. I gotta go." Johnny said, walking towards his car and climbed in.

Back in the Walker apartment, Janette was folding laundry at the kitchen table while Stella sat in the living room, hunched over her homework. Tammy Wynette's Run, Woman, Run played softly from the CD player, but Stella's mind was clearly somewhere else.

Janette watched her for a moment, her hands smoothing out a towel before setting it on the pile. With a sigh, she walked into the living room and settled down beside her granddaughter on the couch.

"Alright, what's the matter, dear?" Janette asked gently.

"Nothing. I just have a lot on my mind, is all," Stella said, tapping her pencil nervously against the page before jotting something down in her notebook.

Janette tilted her head knowingly. "That 'lot' wouldn't happen to be your brother's sensei, would it?"

Stella's head shot up, confusion flickering across her face. "Grandma, there's nothing—"

"Sweetheart," Janette cut her off softly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I saw the way he looked at you last night. You can fib to your brother, your father, even your friends—but not to your dear old grandma. I've been around a lot longer than you have. Now go on, tell me what's rattlin' around in that pretty head of yours." She slipped an arm around Stella's shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze.

Stella set down her pen and highlighter with a sigh. "Okay... I do have feelings for Sensei Lawrence. It's so strange. He's annoying one day, and then it's like—I can't look away from that stupid smirk of his. That annoying, stupid smirk. And then his body. Don't even get me started on his body. He's so... annoying." She shook her head, cheeks warming. "But now he's trying to change."

Janette smiled softly, running her fingers through Stella's hair the way she used to when Stella was little. "Well, my Stella Blue... sounds to me like you just admitted how you felt."

"Yeah, but you heard Dad. I have to forget about him."

Janette's eyes softened, her voice calm but firm. "Don't you worry about your father. I'll handle him. You just have to do what makes you happy. Sometimes, love shows up when we least expect it—with whom we least expect it."

Stella bit her lip. "What do you suggest I do?"

Janette gave a little shrug, her smile tender and knowing. "Well... I think you oughta talk to him. That'd be a step in the right direction." She smoothed Stella's hair one more time, her voice lowering to a drawl. "A heart's a funny thing, darlin'. Best not to ignore it when it starts whisperin'."

･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･

Up in the Northern Hills, Johnny arrived at his son Robby's apartment where he resided with his mother and music was blaring from inside. He continuously knocked loudly on the door, finally getting so agitated that he opened the door.

"Sorry to interrupt your circle jerk." Johnny said, as the boys turned off the music 

"What the hell, man? Don't you knock?" Robby asked

"Been knocking for five minutes. Guess you couldn't hear me over over that trash in your boom box." Johnny said

"What the hell's a boom box?" Cruz asked

"What the hell's that thing on your face?" Johnny retorted, referring to Cruz's mustache

"It's a mustache." Cruz said, and Trey chuckled

"What are you doing here?" Robby asked

"Got a call from your principal. Heard about our trip to Colorado." Johnny said

"Well, I had not idea what a real father-son trip looked like, so I had to use my imagination. If makes you feel any better, next time you can pick where we go." Robby said

"This isn't about us. It's about the fact you should be in school, not wasting your life hanging around with these jackholes." Johnny said, pointing at his son's friends.

"Hey, screw you, man!" Trey said

"Screw you!" Johnny spat back, then turned to his son. "Is your mom around? What am I saying of course she's not. It's three in the afternoon. It's happy hour somewhere."

Robby stood up, and angrily said, "Don't, don't talk about my mom like that.

"Look, I get it. School can be a drag. But you got your whole future ahead of you." Johnny said

"Oooh! Does that mean I can grow up and have my own strip mall karate school?" Robby asked, and the other boys snickered

"I'm not talking about me all right? You could still make something of yourself." Johnny said

"Like your old pal Daniel LaRusso? Must be nice to be a winner." Robby said

"Whatever. Go to school, don't, I don't care." Johnny said

"See, that's the thing. You don't care, or this wouldn't have taken so long." Robby said

"The school just called me this morning." Johnny said

"It took 16 years, and I'm not going to school. I'm done, and mom's okay with it, so we're good. You can go." Robby said

･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･

Stella walked into Sal's Diner, her eyes scanning the room full of families gathered around booths, laughter and clinking silverware filling the air. It was warm, lively, everything she hadn't felt in a long time.

"Johnny?" she called softly when she spotted him at a corner booth.

The blonde looked up at once, relief flashing across his face. He stood quickly, pulling her into a hug before he could stop himself. His arms wrapped tight around her, and for a moment he had to fight back the sting of tears.

"Hey, princess," Johnny murmured against her hair, his voice rough but gentle.

Stella smiled into the embrace, her chest warming at the rare tenderness in him, before she slid into the booth across from him.

"What can I get for you, sweetie?" the waitress asked as she approached with her notepad.

"A burger with fries and a Coke, please," Stella said with a polite smile.

"You got it," the waitress replied before disappearing to the kitchen.

Stella leaned forward, folding her arms on the table. "Talk to me. What's going on?"

Johnny exhaled slowly, his eyes locking on hers. "You told me about your life. Now I want to tell you about mine."

Something in his voice made Stella's heart soften. She nodded gently, encouraging him.

"After high school, I partied through most of my twenties—hell, all of them actually. And my thirties. Next thing I knew, this girl I was dating got pregnant. I didn't know the first thing about being a dad. I wasn't ready. So eventually... I screwed everything up."

Just then, the waitress returned, setting down Stella's plate and drink before slipping away again. Johnny barely glanced at the food, his story pulling heavier.

"Pretty sure I screwed up every meaningful relationship I ever had, actually. Starting with my ex-girlfriend, Ali." His voice faltered, and Stella offered him a sympathetic smile, her eyes softening.

"Johnny, that's all in the past. All you can do is live in the here and now. And I'm sure Ali forgives you," she said warmly.

He shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "Nah, I messed up pretty bad. But I just want you to know—I care about August. He hasn't given up on me. And I'll always have his best interest at heart."

"I know that, Johnny." Stella's voice was firm but kind. "August really looks up to you. After what happened to our mother, I didn't think I'd ever see him smile again. But karate lessons... they made him happy. It gave him some kind of peace."

Johnny's lips curved in a small, genuine smile as he looked at her, really looked at her. The brunette sitting across from him wasn't just beautiful—there was strength in her, a quiet faith he didn't know he needed.

He glanced away when movement caught his eye. Across the diner, a father was sharing a sundae with his little boy, no older than six. Johnny watched them for a moment, something soft in his expression. Stella followed his gaze, and when she turned back, her chest ached at how much longing flickered in his eyes.

Without thinking, she reached across the table and rested her hand gently on his. He startled slightly, then turned his palm over to take her hand properly. It was the first time they'd touched like this, but it felt natural—like her hand was always meant to fit in his.

"I'm all right, princess," Johnny said, voice quiet but steadier now, his thumb brushing against her knuckles.

Stella smiled, her heart swelling at the small but meaningful step he'd taken. "Johnny, I have faith in you. I know Robby will forgive you."

･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･

Johnny knocked on the Walker apartment door, shifting uneasily as he waited. When it swung open, he was met by Nathan, his jaw tightening instantly. Without a word, Nathan was about to close the door in Johnny's face.

"Please—don't close the door," Johnny said quickly, stepping forward. "Look, I know I wasn't there for him when it mattered. I let him down, and I guess I let you and your family down too. I know there's no do-overs. But that kid... he's the only person in the world—next to Stella—who hasn't given up on me. And I don't want to give up on him. I know I messed up big time, but if you let him come back, I won't fail him again. I promise. All right? Please, just... think about it."

When he finished, Johnny lowered his gaze and turned away, walking down the hall. Nathan's hand lingered on the knob before he finally shut the door with a hard click.

"I can see why Stella likes him." Janette said as she crocheted a blanket in the living room.

Nathan furrowed his brows, disgust pulling tight at his expression. "Mother," he warned, his voice clipped, making it clear the subject wasn't up for debate.

The next day, Johnny was in his office, a half-empty beer in his hand. He stared at the cluttered desk, thoughts circling, until the sharp jingle of the shop bell pulled him back.

Stepping out, he froze when he saw August—and Stella—standing just inside the door.

"My dad said I can train again," August announced, his face bright with hope.

Johnny's brows lifted, surprised.

"With a little persuasion from our grandma and me," Stella added, moving gracefully to sit on the bench in the corner. Her eyes lingered on him longer than they should have, steady and certain, and Johnny felt his chest tighten.

"That is, if we still have the dojo," August said cautiously.

Johnny stepped closer, his focus on the boy but his eyes straying to Stella more than once. "We do, for now. But I need to know—are you ready to take things to the next level?"

"Yes, Sensei," August replied firmly.

Johnny nodded, shoulders squaring. "You got your ass kicked because you didn't have any defense. So I'm gonna teach you the best defense you can know. And the best defense..." He lifted his fists, fire flickering back in his eyes. "...is more offense."