warnings: violence and mentions of miscarriage!

___

ZARA malik was fan favourite. She controlled the crowd whilst taking down opponents with precision.

And Miyagi-do didn't have that. And that was down to their Sensei's. They were messy and unorganised. It brought most of them down when attempting to best the next event. Miguel refused to go down just like Cameron couldn't back down from her fight.

"Everyone, listen up. All right, this morning's event was tough, but let's not get discouraged just yet. We have two more events today. Eliminations don't begin till the second one." Daniel announced to his students.

They were in the lobby of the hotel, tired and feeling annoyed with themselves.

Demetri reeled back, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. If that wasn't the elimination round, what is? Getting our heads cut off with swords?"

"It's a world championship," Cameron deadpanned.

She was getting more irritated by his attitude.

Daniel hummed in agreement, "Right, we knew this wasn't gonna be easy. We're going up against the best dojos in the world, but don't forget you guys are one of 'em too."

"Yeah, so start fighting like it." Johnny demanded.

"Johnny come on," Daniel said, tiredly. "The best thing you can do right now is just clear your minds, get some rest, you know, put this behind you. You got this, all right? I believe in you."

But it was clear most of them didn't believe in themselves. On the way back to their hotel room, the girls were in the elevator, readjusting their bags as they thought over the competition so far.

"They're all over the place." Cameron commented, referring to their Sensei's.

She sighed, leaning back against the elevator wall.

Sam argued, "We're all over the place."

"Well, I totally sucked out there." Devon said, with a scoff.

"We all did terribly." Sam murmured, then glance back at their female captain, "Well not all."

Cameron smiled at her.

"Yeah, but I landed flat on my ass." Devon pointed out, "God, I can't believe I'm making such an embarrassment of myself."

"It would help if our Sensei's got on the same page." Sam added, "Johnny needs to start working with my dad better."

The other two disagreed.

Devon spoke up first, "Well, I mean, I don't think it was all Sensei Lawrence's fault."

"It isn't." Cameron agreed much to Sam's confusion. "It's both of them, they aren't communicating and it's not providing confidence with the rest of the team." She continued. "If our foundation is off how are we supposed to win this?"

Before either could respond the doors chimed as they revealed Zara Malik. Arguably their biggest competition.

"What's up, everyone?" She entered the elevator, streaming online. "It's your queen of karate here." She greeted her followers, coming to stand in front of the three Miyagi-do girls. "Just finished our second Sekai Taikai event, where the Dragons absolutely slayed." She grinned, pressing the button to her floor, before the doors closed and they started moving up once again. "Although it was awesome to see other badass girls of karate fighting out there." She peered around, opening her mouth to dish out a compliment yet nothing to come to mind. Cameron had been busy texting Miguel, neglecting her so she faced Zara stream once again, "Anyway, let's see if any of these other dojos there try to dethrone us. And to all my fans, I'm here to win for you. So stay tuned. I'll post again after the next event. Zara out." She blew a kiss then ended the stream.

Cameron pocketed her phone then turned to her confused friends, "Anyways, my room later —"

"Cameron James, right?" Zara's voice cut through their conversation.

Cameron turned to her, brow arched, "Yes."

"Zara Malik." She introduced herself, sporting a fake smile. "Next time I'll do an intro since you win your fights. It's a brand thing."

Cameron declined, "No."

"Excuse me?" Zara squinted her eyes.

Sam and Devon forced themselves not to look amused.

"It's all of us. Or none." Cameron gestured to her team. She wasn't budging. It would unfair. The door dinged when they arrived at another floor. "This is your floor right?" She asked, when the doors opened, "Bye."

Zara plastered on an unbothered smile, that didn't reach her squinting eyes. She faced away and exited the elevator.

The girls couldn't stifle their amusement anymore and laughed.

"Wow. 'It's a brand thing.'" Sam recited. "And hey, thanks for having our backs." She said nudging Cameron.

"No need to thank me. Were the best girls for the job," Cameron replied. "We got here fair and square." Sam smiled, in response. Devon's amusement faltered. "And Devon, you'll get there. It's a shock having to compete against the best of the best. Just remember to have balance. Trust your gut."

Devon mustered out a laugh, "you sure you don't wanna be a sensei?"

"Not when College is calling my name."

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

"HEY what's up?"

Cameon asked her boyfriend, who was stewing on their shared bed, Robby had just got in the shower and Demetri and Eli had fled the room. Miguel had been thinking about all his friends saying that they wanted him to be captain. And he couldn't help but think they're right.

Miguel looked up at her, pulling a face, "What's up is that we're losing."

Cameron's brows pinched together in confusion. She settled down her bag and stepped closer.

"Okay... we're not at the elimination stage yet. We have two more events. I'm gonna go for a run. Wanna come with?"

"Not to be negative, but it's not gonna matter if we advance or not if Robby is gonna continue to fight like this." He said, in a hushed yet annoyed tone.

Cameron blinked at him, "Then encourage him."

"I've tried." He whisper-yelled, earning an eye roll.

"Have you?"

He tilted his head to the side, "What?"

She answered, "First event you pointed out how he left our bedroom during the night. I know it's a problem. He should've slept so he wasn't fatigued —"

"Or distracted. He needs to get over this Tory thing."

Huffing, Cameron grabbed her phone, jabbing it in his direction. "Look, Miguel, I need to go. But remember what I said."

She didn't want to think pessimistically, only strategically. It's what she told herself on the run and up until she walked through the venue, now adorning her gi once again. Her hair was up and high ponytail with a few braids strands holding it together. She wanted the best for her team. She wanted them to come out on top.

But when she stumbled onto the Iron Dragons, more importantly, Axel; their male captain being physically abused by his Sensei, shock lodged in her throat.

She blinked away the sight and paced back to their main venue. She had to focus and put what she saw aside, despite it being so vile and horrid.

She had been late, Johnny made sure to tell her. She didn't apologise, but she was irked by the absence of Daniel. They needed the both of them to coach them through the third event.

The announcer stated, "In this final points round, competitors will try to knock their opponents off their platforms." The teams turned to the platforms, seeing how narrow they were. "Once you have fallen, you are out. Points are determined off of wins, losses, and time. Final rankings after this event will determine placement in tonight's elimination round. We will now call up the first group of fighters."

Johnny gathered them, "All right. Listen up. Looks like I'm taking charge, so we're doing things differently. No more waiting around like scared little bitches, waiting for them to come to you. All right? You go at them. Aggressive. Knock 'em off first."

"Those platforms are pretty narrow. My dad would want balance." Sam expressed.

Johnny argued, "Yeah, well, your dad's not here. All right?"

"Doesn't mean we shouldn't learn what he taught us. It's a narrow platform." Cameron said pointedly. "Being the aggressor doesn't seem smart for this —"

"Well James It's time for us to start scoring some points." He cut her off, earning a look of disbelief.

"Sora Haruto from Hirobukan on platform one." The female announcer stated. "Devon Lee from Miyagi-Do on platform two."

Cameron knew that balance was key for this event. It's a platform for fuck's sake. If her history on a balance beam taught her anything, it was to be balanced and calm.

And she was proven right when Devon got knocked off in 10 seconds. The young girl was frustrated and sore when she returned to her team.

"We need to do better. Let's go." Johnny said, clapping.

Cameron exchanged a look with Sam, one that read, be balanced.

It was unfortunate that with Johnny's coaching, majority of the team had fallen. Even Sam and now Robby.

"Come on CJ!" Eli yelled, only to be hushed by Sam. "What?"

"She needs to focus," she studied her friend who competed against a good opponent. Cameron allowed them to come to her, dodging the a quick punch, and smacking down a kick before attacking her. "See, if she keeps it up, she'll win."

"Attack James, don't sit back!" Johnny's yelling didn't distract Cameron.

Miguel's eyes were narrowed onto his girlfriend, or more specifically her striking feet. He winced when one was caught, but quickly to free herself and hit the girl with a headbut, roughly bruising the girls nose. With Cameon's leg freed she smacked her foot across the face, sending her tumbling off the platform, earning cheers from her team.

"James takes the win in 55 seconds!" Said a male announcer.

Johnny congratulated her, but she moved past him and met with her boyfriend.

"Keep those feet planted," she advised him. "I might've won but my leg got caught. So think quick okay?" She whispered to him, and he rapidly nodded.

Miguel joined the platform and already he was attacked, almost pushed off the platform had it not been from a sharp knee to his opponent's stomach.

"Good," Cameron whispered, noticing his feet were planting with every moment. "Come on Miguel."

"You two are the only ones winning us points," Devon grumbled to her.

"She's not wrong," Sam scrunched up her face when Miguel got caught from behind.

Cameron let out gasp when Miguel escaped the hold. He twisted his opponents hand backwards, dodged a stomp to the foot before kicking him off the platform.

The buzzer blared, "Phan out, time, 40 second."

Cameron marvelled in his success, though her smile faltered when his did. Johnny paid him no attention especially when they moved further down the leaderboard.

The Miyagi-do's stood, realising the event was finished.

Seeing them walk past him, Johnny called out, "Hey! Where the hell you think you're going?"

They turned around, Demetri replied, "Back to the hotel to wash off this disgrace."

Johnny's face twisted up in disgust, "You're not getting off that easy. Locker room. Now."

When they arrived, Cameron's head tossed back against the lockers as she and Sam stood off to the side. The latter's hands were folded. Everyone else was spread out on benches, either looking to the ground or at staring blanking ahead when Johnny started his rant.

"What I saw from you just now, it wasn't karate. It was weakness. You fought like little lambs waiting for slaughter. We keep going like this, we get eliminated tonight. Some of you will put this behind you. But some of you are gonna carry this for the rest of your lives." Some of them looked up at him, "Knowing you had this chance to make something of yourselves. But instead, you crumbled under pressure. And you're gonna go on to live shit lives in shitty apartments with shit jobs." He spoke from experience. "And always have to live with this failure. So if you wanna save some humiliation, why don't we just skip the next round and catch the next flight home? What is wrong with you guys? Where's your fight? Aren't you gonna stand up for yourselves?"

Sam had enough, "You keep blaming us like this isn't on you too. If my Dad had been there, we never would've lost like that."

"Yeah, well, he didn't show up."

"Probably because of you." Sam exclaimed, "You keep disrespecting him, trying to prove your way is better, when it's so clear that we should've been using Miyagi-Do. It's the reason Cameron won us points." She flung out her hand to the female captain. "God, You shouldn't even be wearing that gi."

Devon angrily jumped up, "Hey! Don't talk to my sensei like that."

"Your sensei got you knocked off the board in ten seconds." Sam snarled. "I would sit down if I were you. You're not helping us. I don't even know how you made this team."

Cameron turned to her when Devon huffed and slumped back in her chair. It was obvious the words hit the young girl.

Demetri dared to open his mouth, "Well, I, for one, will be putting all of this behind me when I'm off to MI..."

"Shut the fսck up about MIT." Eli snapped, finally looking up and glaring at his best friend. Everyone turned to him, "Some of us care about winning the tournament. Be nice if you did too."

"He's not wrong, we're not fighting like we should and maybe it's because some of us don't think they should be here." Cameron said callously. She was tired and lost any filter she had. Eli pointed at her in agreement. "Or care enough. So if you don't, you can go home." Her eyes dragged over to Demetri who was stunned by what Eli had to say. "Because with the way you're fighting Demetri, Sam might as well have brought her brother." She cast her friend an apologetic look. "No offence."

Robby interrupted, "Guys, can we cool it? This isn't helping. We need to focus up."

Miguel subtly shook his head and mumbled, "Maybe you should listen to your own advice."

"Got something to say?" Robby stared at him.

Miguel met his expectant gaze, "I already did."

He grabbed his bag and got up.

Johnny's voice faltered his stride, "Hey, I'm not finished."

"No offense, but I'm pretty sure we've heard enough from you." Miguel retorted then left the room.

Eli was the first to follow him out, then Cameron, Sam, Devon and Demetri.

"Guys, come on." Johnny tried, then sighed when his son mirrored their actions. "Robby."

"Sorry, Dad." He apologised and then left.

After showering, Cameron left her room, tired Miguel's muttered complaints.

She couldn't take it right now. Sure she hadn't been the model captain in the locker room. But she was at her wits end.

Miguel scoffed then followed her out of the room.

"So now you won't listen to me?" His voice made her turn on her heel to stare up at him.

"My god Miguel, maybe instead of complaining and putting Robby down you should start by encouraging him." She rushed out.

He stepped closer, in complete disbelief. "So you're taking his side now? Like you didn't rip into Demetri in the locker room."

Cameron scoffed, "for one, Demetri doesn't want to be here. He's said it multiple times, you know it, I know it. The entire team does." She rolled her eyes. "And as for Robby I'm not taking sides. We're a team, he's your captain and he's clearly struggling. Just help him."

"He's making us lose." Miguel's stressed. "Don't you get that he'll be the reason we go home? Or do you even care, you've spent most of the time tearing my head off — and don't deny it." She briefly shut her eyes, stopping herself from interrupting. "If this is about a Tory, I get it. She's your friend, she's our friend and she jumped ship."

"She did more than just that Miguel," she threw up her hands.

He stepped closer again, "I know you're hurt —"

"It's more than hurting. It feels... it feels like when you left." She abruptly admitted, throwing him off.

He shook his heads "What? When I left? Cameron, I thought we moved past that?"

"Not even just then when you broke up with me." She added, allowing her brain to unwind. But it confused him more, as he stood, hands clenched at his side. "and it's why I hated you after that. Because it felt like some sort of betrayal. It was to me."

"You never told me that, why now?" Miguel exclaimed.

"Because after seeing Tory fight for Cobra Kai again, it's a fucking pain. She went from being one of my closest friends to my enemy... I mean, opponent just like you did, briefly." She confessed, averting her eyes from his unwavering gaze.

"What? We were never enemies." Miguel rapidly gesture between them. "You're not making any sense. What does this have to do with us? I apologised for everything I did wrong. And you did the same, and you did a lot wrong."

"But it didn't hurt any less." She pointed out, trying to explain herself. "You left me when I needed you."

"You said you understood," he struggled not to snap.

"I did. I do." Cameron went on, "It's just... both times sucked. I guess how I feel about Tory. Her fighting for Cobra Kai just feels similar."

Miguel stood there, eyes darting between hers, slowly comprehending what she meant. Although he found it absurd --The timing, the place and the situation. He didn't want to dismiss her feelings. Not when it had been bubbling up for some time and Tory was the trigger. His fist unclenched when he spoke again.

"You could've just said," he said, more calmly.

She shifted on her feet, "I'm not good with my feelings."

"No, I meant about us. You could've said before," Miguel reiterated.

"So much happens around us there's never much time to talk."

"Now that's a lie, I'm always here to talk." Miguel sigh caught her attention. She looked up at him tiredly. "We've been living together for a while, you just don't always let me in. Just like Tory with Robby," he noticed her expression morph into brief vexation. "If you wanna talk, tell me more. What else did you feel or still feel?"

Cameron closed the gap between them and rolled her shoulders back.

"I felt lost. Without you." She told him, making his eyes soften. "You weren't there to talk to, you weren't there after I lost All Valley, you weren't even there for christmas and i know i made a mess of things it just felt as if you always want to bail on me."

"No I don't," he said sternly as his hands reached out to rest on her forearms. "I never wanted to bail the first time. I loved you then and I love you even more now." It was his turn to confess. "Look, I know the breakup and me going to Mexico and even what happened at Christmas was all a mess, and I'm sorry. And if I could turn back time I would never have let you join Cobra Kai."

"Then I wouldn't be here with you," Cameron pulled a face.

Miguel challenged, "Well maybe we would just be a normal couple."

"A boring one?" She said, huffing out a scoff.

"Maybe in another life. But in this one, I can't turn back time. I can only move forward with you. And are you gonna be with me for that?"

Cameron was cut off before she could answer. Robby emerged from their room after using the bathroom. The sound of the door slamming behind drew the couple's attention. Miguel's jaw clenched at the sight of him.

"It's time to get ready," Robby announced, holding up his phone revealing the time. He could sense he interrupted something. But he and Miguel already had words, so he didn't care much. "You guys need to change."

Returning to the venue, Cameron tightened the captain headband and stood next to Robby. She nudged him, sending him an encouraging smile. He returned one, though it was strained.

"We have now entered the elimination phase of the Sekai Taikai. The dojos who do not win tonight will be headed home." The female announcer explained. "The previous rounds have determined your current rankings. The number one team will face the number sixteen team." The Miyagi-do captains looked to the board. "The number two team will face the number fifteen team, and so on and so on."

Leaning forward, Devon whispered, "Okay, that means at number twelve, we're facing number five, Dublin Thunder."

"Oh, great. I heard they started a fight with some locals at the beach." Eli added, they all spared a glance to the team. They're always looking for a brawl."

"So what? How many brawls have we collectively been in," Cameron retorted, turning away from their rivals. She shamelessly shrugged. "They'll fight hard. But we've never backed down from a fight."

Sam nodded in agreement, "Cameron's right."

They exchanged a smile, whilst Demetri and Devon remained unsure.

The announcer continued, "Now, for the rules of the event. Fighters will again face off on a platform." A platform wider and larger than the previous lowered but hovered in the air. The fighters stared in wonder. "This platform. But this time, two fighters from each dojo are allowed at one time. If one of your fighters falls...they are out. But another teammate can climb up to take their place. However, the fight never stops. So get up there quick to not leave your teammate alone two-on-one." She paused. "When all the fighters of a dojo have been knocked off, the team is out."

Iron Dragons advanced to the next round, with Axel and Zara who took down the West End Warriors. They were undefeated, unbeatable from what it seemed.

"Was this dude made in a lab?" Eli's face scrunched up at the sight of Axel letting out a battle cry.

Demetri concluded, "He's like a mix between the Winter Soldier and Frankenstein's monster."

"Don't call him a monster. He's a kid just like us." Cameron felt the urge to defend him, drawing odd looks from the pair.

Cobra Kai defeated Polarslaget, the former fought hard but Tory managed to kick a tooth out of a fighter that plummeted onto the mats below. It certainly bought the crowd's attention away from Zara Malik.

"Next on the platform, Dublin Thunder versus Miyagi-Do." The male announcer called, whilst Sam repeatedly searched around for her dad.

Johnny tried his best to assure her before gathering his students around.

"All right. All right, let's bring it in. I got something to say." He breathed out, whilst they stared at him. "It's been a tough day. Probably shouldn't have been such a dіck to all of you, but I want you to know that I believe with every bone in my body that you can do this. You guys know a lot more about balance than me, so remember everything Sensei LaRusso said and use all your Miyagi-Do skills to stay up there."

Miguel uttered, "Yeah, let's go."

"I'm thinking we should start strong with our captains. Cameron. Robby." Johnny suggested, looking between the pair, who confidently nodded, the former just a bit more. Robby tightened his headband, maintaining eye contact with Miguel. "Sam, you'll go next. Devon, Hawk, Demetri. And Miguel's our anchor. Let's do this."

They bowed to him.

And before they knew it Cameron and Robby were on the platform, being support by their team down below.

"We can do this, focus and I'll have you back," Cameron quickly said to Robby.

They exchanged a nod, and soon two fighters rushed to them. Cameron thrust out her leg, colliding it with the male fighter's chest. The fighter was speedy with his attacks, but she quickly analysed him: jumpy, lose and careless. She had to be relentless, with her punches and defence. She slapped away his kicks and dodges his jabs. Her attacks surprised him once again, and he came down off the mat after she swept his legs and kicked his body.

She couldn't celebrate, because she realised that Robby had been kicked off also.

Cameron yelled, when she rolled over, dodging an attack from behind. The female fighter that took down Robby, approached her. Given the girl's size, Cameron had to be more direct and tactful. Sam rushed up onto the platform and began to fight alongside Cameron.

They had backed into each other, deep in their defence. Their shock wavered and soon they ducked, dodging a forward kick and then thrust out their arms, wounding the sides of their opponents. Two more Dublin fighter fighters were out.

And unfortunately one of the new ones had taken out Sam, overwhelming her with a sequence of flips that had her meeting the couchened floor below.

Cameron was hardly thinking, she let her body move on its own battling two people at once. She managed to manavoure out the one, gripping onto one fighter's gi and spinning them into another. One down and with an assist from Devon they remained standing.

"She's taken three of them down." Eli marvelled at his friend.

"Come on James!" Johnny yelled from below. "You can do this Lee!"

The crowd was enjoying the fight Cameron put up. As was her boyfriend, but his eyes were narrow, following her moves.

Cameron got into fighting positions when she faced Cara — the female captain.

"Think you're so tough? Well, I'll show you tough, bitch." Cara growled and jumped into a spin kick.

Cameron slid across the elevated mat, whilst Devon faced another fighter.

Cameron couldn't help but target the girl's weaknesses. Cameron jumped backwards, and deflected a punch, then launched her feet through the air, contorted her legs around the girls torso and punched her nose sending a crack through the venue.

The crowd gasped when Cameron shoved Cara off of the platform, nose oozing with blood.

"The nose breaker," the Miyagi-do students heard someone else shout from behind them.

Johnny shrugged, "Badass."

But his amusement faltered when Cameron and Devon two-teamed a fighter. The former had been so focused she had neglected to see another rival step onto the mat. Luckily for her, Devon had peeped them rushing toward Cameron and launched herself and the fighter off of the platform.

Zara Malik raised a brow when the crowd had shifted in favour of Cameron James.

Eli joined Cameron who was busy battling it out with fighter. He soon took on another male fighter.

All four of them fought hard, and although Cameron was tiring out, she never felt more alive.

"How is she still going?" Demetri breathed out in shock watching the girl who had called him out on her bullshit earlier.

"Because she's Cameron," Sam's mouth gaped out, in excitement.

Cameron was hit to chest, making her collide with the platform. She hastily rolled over, avoiding a stomp to the stomach. She didn't notice Eli getting knocked down. She had yet to stand. She was on her low game.

From the crowd, Tory watched on, hands clapped behind her back. She could hear the whispers about her friend, how persistent she fought. Even when being attacked from above.

Kwon pulled a face, when Cameron twisted her legs around one fighter and jolted them into one of their Irish teammates. He quickly realised the threat she was to his co-captain. He looked glimpsed at his Sensei's, seeing how Kreese already knew. But it was news to Kim.

Demetri came in time, and kicked the already falling fighter off of the mat. The fighter that had been attacking an exhausted Cameron, scoffed and went for an easier target in Demetri, and sent the lanky boy off the platform.

"Shit," Johnny cursed.

"Hey," Miguel whispered to Robby, "Watch how it's done."

Johnny hardly had time to look between the two as he forced himself to stare up at Cameron's who's name was being cheered. She was tired, but she kept going. He smiled when she finally made her way off the ground, with the help of Miguel.

"Ready?" He asked when another fighter joined them. It would be 2 vs 2. An easy feat.

Especially when the Irish fighter's wasted their energy with fruitless flips. 2 Miyagi-dos. 2 Dublin's thunder.

Cameron rasped, voice heavy, "Ready."

"Ais!" They exclaimed and fought hard.

Whenever Cameron stumbled, Miguel swooped in. She had gotten used to fighting low, but wouldn't allow herself to be predictable. She yelled, extending her arm, clipping a fighter's face, whilst Miguel deflected another's attacks.

This round felt longer and more aggressive.

Cameron craned her neck to the side to evade a punch and then ducked to hit them in the chest.

Miguel kicked the other down. He shot a look at Cameron who nodded at him. He held out his hand, and bent his knee earning a look of confusion but when their rivals were a fair distance from each other as well as the edge rose up.

Realisation dawned on Cameron.

She ran to Miguel, letting out a scream when she took his hand, stepped onto his bent knee and jumped up.

The crowd watched in awe when her legs stretched into split, her feet harshly collided with both fighter's faces and sending them off the platform.

"Yeah!" Sam yelled.

Johnny punched the air, "Yes!"

"Incredible performance from Miyagi-Do's Cameron James and Miguel Diaz." The male announcer spoke over the roaring crowd. "With her formidable spirit and his support, their joint triumph sends Miyagi-Do to the next round."

Cameron collapsed into Miguel's chest as he let out a yell of excitement. He kissed her forehead.

"You did it baby," He mumbled into her ear.

"Never again," she playfully pleaded. "My limbs are sore."

His laugh grew louder when their teammates joined them, Eli briefly lifted Cameron up with the help of Miguel. All par Robby were elated by the turn of events.

Their joy didn't fade even when they as well as Robby bowed to their Sensei down below.

Despite Cameron's exhaustion she didn't miss the trouble flashing across Robby's face before they all descended.

"Nose breaker." Eli cheered on after they left the main venue.

Devon exclaimed, "And that split!"

"You were unbelievable," Sam said, shaking her head in disbelief.

Cameron laughed, "I'm glad that was recorded or I wouldn't believe that actually just happened."

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

BLESSING'S didn't last long. Carmen had been rushed to the hospital and Miguel struggled to hold back his tears when Cameron helped him pack.

She placed both Leo and Sharky in his suitcase, and sprayed them with her perfume so she could be there in spirit. Miguel didn't want to let go of Cameron, nor did he want to leave, not on such a rocky note. But he had to. For his mom and his sister.

Cameron already knew the burden of losing a parent, it was more than just some trophy slipping from her grasp. It is like a limb that never stopped aching and a part of the soul which never mended.

She wiped away a tear at the thought of it.

"Are you okay?"

She snapped her gaze toward Robby who had just said goodbye to his dad and Miguel.

"Are you?" She asked Robby. "It's your family too."

Robby didn't have much to say. He silently walked to her bed, and sat next to her. Both stared ahead, until he leaned over and rested his head on her shoulder.

It was gonna be a long night. 

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

a/n:

 i do think the show needed to have miguel apologise to robby. he needed more support and miguel lowkey leads the group based on talent and popularity. he should've encouraged the others to help robby as well. i think the writers tend to not hold him accountable. he was spitting facts when he spoke to robby but the interaction should've been concluded with an apology. 

i wrote some angst for cameron and miguel. call it unresolved tension. and just because cameron is in therapy doesn't mean she's magically fixed. tory leaving and rejoining cobra kai just brought back all those feelings for her. 

and i wanted for miguel to fight beside cameron and at first i didn't know how until I thought it would be best to have her shine by fighting the longest. he had to help her with the last move she did because she burnt out towards the end.