PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:) PLEASE STOP BEING A GHOST READER ITS ANNOYING!

tw: mentions of sa (robby and zara)

The gym in the Barcelona hotel was dimly lit, its atmosphere heavy with the scent of rubber mats and faint traces of cleaning solution. Belle moved through her kata in steady, deliberate motions. Her body flowed with precision, a testament to the countless hours of training she had poured into preparing for the Sekai Taikai. The sound of her bare feet against the mat filled the room, each step punctuated by sharp exhales. Her mind was focused on control and discipline, yet the weight of expectations-both hers and her sensei's-loomed over her.

The door to the gym creaked open, and Belle faltered mid-step. She glanced up, expecting to see a teammate or even a coach, but her heart sank when she saw Miguel step in. His face was pale, his brow furrowed in a mix of worry and frustration. He clutched his phone in one hand, gripping it so tightly his knuckles were white.

"Miguel?" Belle asked, straightening from her stance. She immediately recognized the storm of emotions on his face. "What's wrong?"

For a moment, he didn't respond. His jaw clenched as he looked down, as if trying to find the words. Then he finally met her gaze. "It's my mom," he said, his voice trembling. "She's been having complications with the baby. The doctors... they don't know if she's going to make it."

Belle's breath hitched, and she instinctively stepped closer. "Oh my God, Miguel. I'm so sorry. Is she-what's happening? Is there anything I can do?"

Miguel let out a shaky breath, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for answers that weren't there. "I don't know. I don't know what to do. I need to go back to California. I can't just stay here and do nothing."

Belle reached out to place a comforting hand on his arm. "Of course you should go. You need to be with her. I get that."

Miguel didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned away and began pacing the length of the gym, his emotions bubbling to the surface. "This whole thing... it's too much. The tournament, my mom, the baby-it's like everything's coming at me at once."

Belle tried to keep her voice steady, though her own frustration crept into her tone. "I know it's a lot, Miguel. We're all under pressure. You're not the only one dealing with stress."

He stopped abruptly, his head snapping toward her. "My mom could lose her baby, Belle. This isn't just stress. This is my family's life."

The sharpness in his voice stung, and Belle's expression hardened. "I didn't say it wasn't serious," she said, her voice rising slightly. "But do you think this is easy for me? I've been pushing myself every single day for this tournament, trying to deal with my own pressures-and now this."

Miguel's face twisted in frustration. "You don't get it! You're lucky, Belle. You can just focus on karate, on winning. I can't. I'm stuck between being here and being with my family, and I don't even know if I can do either of them right."

Belle's heart sank, the weight of his words pressing down on her chest. She crossed her arms tightly, trying to keep her voice calm. "I've been trying to be there for you, Miguel. I care about you. But I'm not a mind reader. If you're feeling this way, why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Miguel let out a bitter laugh and shook his head. "Because I don't even know what I'm feeling half the time! And now I'm starting to think-" He stopped himself, but the hesitation only made Belle's anxiety spike.

"Starting to think what?" she pressed, her voice trembling.

He looked at her, his expression softer but no less conflicted. "Maybe I shouldn't have a girlfriend right now," he said, his words heavy with exhaustion. "Maybe I can't handle all of this and still be what you need me to be."

The words hit Belle like a physical blow. She stepped closer, her eyes wide and desperate. "No, Miguel. Please don't say that. We can work through this. I'll do better-I'll be better. Just don't give up on us."

Miguel sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. "Belle, it's not about you. It's me. I can't give you what you deserve. Not right now, not when my head is all over the place. My mom, the baby... I need to be there for them."

Tears welled up in Belle's eyes, and she shook her head, her voice cracking. "We've only been together for three months, Miguel, but I care about you. I care about your family. Don't do this. Don't walk away."

He looked down, unable to meet her gaze. "I'm sorry," he said quietly, his voice breaking. "I just don't know if I can handle this right now."

Belle reached out as if to stop him, but Miguel stepped back, his expression pained. Without another word, he turned and walked toward the door. Belle stood frozen in place, tears streaming down her face as she watched him leave. The sound of the door closing echoed in the empty gym, leaving Belle alone with her shattered heart and the overwhelming silence.

The warm hum of conversation and faint clinking of glasses filled the small bar in Barcelona. Belle sat across from Robby, the two of them tucked into a quiet corner booth. The dim lighting cast soft shadows over their faces, but the tension between them was unmistakable. Belle held her glass of Sprite with both hands, the condensation cooling her palms, while Robby idly stirred his Coke with a straw, his expression distant.

"I hope Carmen's okay," Robby said after a long pause, breaking the silence. His voice was low, hesitant, as if he wasn't sure how to broach the subject. "Did you talk to Miguel before he left?"

Belle exhaled a deep sigh, her shoulders sinking. "Yeah," she said softly, setting her glass down. She hesitated for a moment, then added, "And he broke up with me."

Robby's eyes widened, his posture straightening as the weight of her words sank in. "Wait, what?" he asked, his tone laced with disbelief.

Belle nodded, her expression a mix of sadness and frustration. "He said he feels like he can't have a girlfriend right now... that he's too overwhelmed." Her voice trailed off as she looked down at her hands, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her napkin.

Robby frowned, his brow furrowing with concern. "I'm sorry," he said simply, his tone sincere.

Belle shrugged, trying to mask her emotions with nonchalance, though the hurt was evident in her eyes. "We were so excited about exploring Barcelona together," she said, her voice tinged with regret. "And now... it just feels empty without him." She shook her head and glanced up at Robby. "How are you feeling?"

Robby avoided her gaze, his fingers drumming lightly on the side of his glass. "Not great," he admitted after a moment. "Thinking about adding rum to this Coke." His attempt at humor fell flat, and Belle's frown deepened.

"You don't drink," Belle said, her voice gentle but firm, a reminder more than an accusation.

"Now might be a good time to start," Robby muttered, a bitter edge to his voice. He finally looked at her, and she could see the pain in his eyes. "I've been screwing everything up since Tory put us on a break. And you know what makes it worse? It's not even affecting her. She's fighting better than ever, like she doesn't even care."

Belle leaned forward slightly, her voice soft with understanding. "Tory... she knows how to hide her feelings," she said. "It doesn't mean she's not hurting."

Robby opened his mouth to respond, but his words died on his lips as the door to the bar swung open. Belle turned to see Tory walking in, flanked by several other Cobra Kais. Their presence was commanding, their black and red Cobra Kai jackets standing out starkly against the warm tones of the bar.

Belle glanced back at Robby, who had stiffened in his seat, his eyes locked on Tory. The tension in the air was palpable. Belle reached over and lightly touched his arm, drawing his attention back to her.

"Try to talk to her," Belle said softly, offering him a small, encouraging smile. She could see the conflict in his expression, the mix of longing and frustration. "I'm gonna go for a walk."

Without waiting for a response, Belle slid out of the booth and grabbed her jacket. She cast one last glance at Robby before heading toward the door, her heart heavy as she stepped out into the cool Barcelona night. The sound of the bar faded behind her, replaced by the quiet murmur of the city. As she walked down the cobblestone streets, she couldn't shake the feeling that both she and Robby were navigating battles they weren't sure how to win.

Belle strolled along the beach, her sandals dangling from one hand while the cool sand sifted between her toes. The soft glow of the moon reflected off the waves, casting a serene light over the quiet shore. Despite the peaceful scenery, her mind was anything but calm. The weight of everything-Miguel leaving, their abrupt breakup, and the pressure of the Sekai Taikai-pressed heavily on her chest. She let out a frustrated sigh, hoping the ocean breeze might help untangle the mess in her head.

She froze when she heard the sound of grunts carried by the wind. Her eyes followed the noise, and she spotted a figure moving rhythmically in the distance. The silhouette, illuminated by the moonlight, performed sharp, precise movements-clearly practicing kata. Intrigued, Belle stepped closer, her curiosity piqued.

As she got near, she recognized him instantly-Axel, the boy from the Iron Dragons. His shirt was off, revealing a lean, muscular physique, and his face glistened with sweat from the exertion. His focus was intense, each movement purposeful and deliberate. The sight made her pause. There was something captivating about his discipline, even this late at night.

When Axel finished his sequence, he turned, catching her watching him. His expression shifted, and his entire body stiffened as if he'd been caught doing something wrong.

"Oh... my," Belle started, startled herself by his reaction. She raised her hands in an apologetic gesture. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

Axel didn't reply immediately, his dark eyes darting around nervously.

"I'm Belle, by the way," she continued, trying to ease the tension. "I've been watching you fight, and honestly? You're really good."

Axel's posture softened slightly, and a faint blush crept across his cheeks. He nodded, his voice quiet and shy. "Axel."

Belle smiled warmly, noting how he avoided making eye contact with her. She found it endearing in a way, though his nervousness made her curious. "That's a pretty cool kata. What's it called?"

Axel hesitated, glancing over his shoulder toward the hotel in the distance as if expecting someone to appear. "I-I am not supposed to speak with opponent," he said, his voice thick with an accent and his words rushed.

Belle tilted her head, studying him. "We're not on the mat," she said gently. "Besides, it's pretty late to be training, don't you think?"

Axel straightened, his face settling into a more composed expression. "Always time for training," he replied matter-of-factly.

She chuckled softly at his seriousness. As Axel leaned down to pick up his discarded shirt from the sand, her gaze landed on his back. Her breath caught. Faint red marks crisscrossed his skin, stark against his pale complexion.

"What happened to your back?" Belle asked, her tone casual, masking her concern.

Axel froze mid-motion before slowly pulling his shirt over his head. "Uh... from bo staff competition," he said, his words stiff and unconvincing.

Belle raised an eyebrow but chose not to call him out just yet. "Nobody's been able to land a point on you yet-well, I guess Mig and I did," she said with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Axel didn't respond, his silence heavy.

Belle hesitated, then decided to push forward. "I saw what happened with your sensei," she said softly, breaking the silence.

Axel's eyes snapped to hers, wide with alarm, but he quickly looked away again. "My sensei wants me to be the best," he said, his voice tight, defensive. "It's because of him I never lose."

Belle frowned, crossing her arms. "There are other ways to teach," she said firmly. "Hitting isn't one of them."

Her words seemed to unsettle him. He glanced at her briefly, his expression conflicted, before muttering, "You don't understand."

"Maybe not," Belle admitted, softening her tone. "But your dojo is impressive. And..." She hesitated, her cheeks warming slightly. "So are you."

Axel's head shot up, his dark eyes meeting hers briefly before darting away again. "Thank you," he mumbled. Then, almost as an afterthought, he added, "You're pretty-your dojo's pretty good too."

Belle bit back a smile, her own cheeks heating at his flustered compliment. "Mind if I join?" she asked playfully, trying to ease the awkwardness.

Axel blinked at her, confused. "Join?"

"My dojo, or the walk?" she clarified with a chuckle.

Realization dawned on his face, and a small smile tugged at his lips. "Walk," he said quickly. "Going back to hotel."

Belle nodded. "Sure."

They fell into step together, the sound of their footsteps blending with the soft crash of the waves. Axel stayed quiet, his nervousness still palpable, but Belle could feel a shift in the air between them. Despite the late hour and the heavy thoughts weighing on her, she found herself enjoying his company. Maybe, just maybe, this walk was exactly what she needed.

Belle and Axel strolled along the shoreline, their bare feet sinking into the cool, damp sand. The rhythmic sound of the waves brushing against the beach created a tranquil melody, and the faint salty tang of the ocean breeze lingered in the air. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the water and highlighting the shadows of their figures moving in sync. The serenity of the night was a sharp contrast to the chaos of the earlier evening, but the tension between them lingered, subtle yet undeniable.

"So," Belle said, breaking the silence with a light tone as she glanced over at him, "what do you think of Barcelona?"

Axel's eyes drifted to the horizon, his gaze contemplative as if weighing his answer. The faint breeze tousled his dark hair, and his jaw tightened for a moment before he finally spoke. "It reminds me of Koh Samui," he said, his voice quiet, almost nostalgic.

Belle blinked, caught off guard. "You've been to Thailand?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Axel nodded, a faint, almost shy smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah," he replied casually, his tone betraying a hint of pride. "I've been to Thailand. And Japan, China, Malaysia, India... pretty much every country in Europe."

Belle raised her eyebrows, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "Okay, world traveler," she teased, nudging him gently with her shoulder. "We get it, you've been everywhere."

Her laughter was infectious, and Axel's smile widened, though it remained understated. "It's not like that," he said with a slight shake of his head, glancing at her briefly before looking away.

Belle grinned, her expression playful. "Well, you're putting me to shame. Other than a couple of trips to Disney World, I haven't really been outside of California," she admitted with a shrug. "But Barcelona's not such a bad place to start."

Axel's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary, his expression softening. "It's a good start," he said simply, his voice warm.

Belle felt her cheeks flush under his gaze, and she quickly turned her attention back to the waves, pretending to focus on the way the water sparkled under the moonlight. There was something disarming about Axel-something in the way he carried himself that made her heart flutter in a way she wasn't ready to confront.

The silence between them grew, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was filled with the quiet sounds of the ocean and the faint hum of the city lights in the distance. Belle's thoughts, however, were far from peaceful. Miguel's face flashed in her mind, his smile, his laugh. The ache in her chest grew, and she clenched her jaw, willing the memories to fade.

Axel seemed to notice the change in her demeanor, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he slowed his pace slightly, matching her rhythm as they continued down the shore.

"You've seen a lot," he said after a moment, his voice calm and thoughtful. "Even if it's just California. Sometimes, it's not about how far you go-it's about what you see when you're there."

Belle looked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his words. "That's... surprisingly profound," she said with a small smile.

Axel shrugged, a faint blush creeping up his neck. "I guess," he muttered, his usual stoicism slipping for just a moment.

They walked in silence again, the tension between them ebbing and flowing like the tide. Belle couldn't ignore the flicker of attraction she felt for him-the way his quiet strength seemed to draw her in, the way his presence made her feel oddly safe. But she shoved the feelings aside, reminding herself of how fresh her heartbreak with Miguel still was.

The sound of the waves filled the space between them, and Belle allowed herself to relax, even if just for a moment. She glanced at Axel out of the corner of her eye, catching the way his gaze softened as he looked at her. There was something in his expression-something unspoken-that made her chest tighten.

She quickly looked away, focusing on the horizon instead. "So," she said, her voice light, almost teasing, "what's next on the Axel travel itinerary?"

He smirked, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. "Haven't decided yet," he admitted. "Maybe somewhere quieter. Less competition."

Belle raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eye. "What, you're not a fan of the chaos?"

Axel chuckled softly, the sound low and genuine. "Depends on the chaos," he said, his tone carrying a weight that she couldn't quite decipher.

They walked a little farther, the city lights of Barcelona twinkling behind them. Belle tried to focus on the present-the crisp air, the soft sand beneath her feet, the steady presence of Axel by her side. But no matter how hard she tried, the memories of Miguel lingered, and with them came the questions she wasn't ready to face.

Axel, seemingly unaware of her internal struggle, kept his gaze forward, his posture relaxed yet alert. Belle stole one last glance at him, her heart heavy with unspoken thoughts.

For now, she decided, it was enough to just be here-on this beach, in this moment. The future could wait.

The city was alive with energy, its streets illuminated by a cascade of neon lights reflecting off the wet pavement. The hum of voices, laughter, and the occasional honk of a car horn created a symphony that echoed through the air. Belle walked alongside Axel, her steps hesitant as her thoughts swirled. The hotel loomed a few blocks ahead, but she was in no rush.

"Thanks for walking me back," Belle said softly, her eyes fixed on the ground. The weight of the day was heavy on her, and she felt the need to share it with someone-anyone who would listen. Axel just happened to be there, and for some reason, she felt like she could open up to him.

"No problem," Axel replied, glancing at her with a small smile. "You seemed like you needed the company."

Belle chuckled dryly, though the sound was devoid of humor. "Yeah, well, after the day I've had, you're not wrong."

Axel's brow furrowed, his pace slowing slightly. "What's going on?" he asked, his tone cautious but genuine.

She hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the strap of her bag. "I broke up with my boyfriend," Belle admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Axel stopped walking, turning to face her. "Seriously?"

Belle nodded, forcing a weak smile. "Yeah. It was... complicated. Miguel and I have been on different pages for a while now. He's a great guy, but I guess we just wanted different things."

Axel crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. "That sounds rough. How long were you together?"

"About a few months," Belle said, her voice faltering slightly. "We went through so much, especially with everything involving karate and the tournament. I thought we could handle it all, but..." She trailed off, shaking her head as her gaze wandered to the city lights. "I realized I wasn't happy anymore. And I think, deep down, neither was he."

Axel watched her for a moment, his usual playful demeanor replaced by something softer. "That takes guts," he said simply.

Belle looked at him, surprised. "Guts?"

"Yeah," Axel said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "A lot of people would just stay in a relationship because it's comfortable. But you knew something wasn't right, and you made a tough call. That's brave."

Belle's chest tightened at his words, but before she could respond, Axel shifted the mood.

"So," he said, breaking the tension, "what do you hope to see while you're here in Barcelona?"

Belle blinked at the abrupt change but welcomed it. "Oh, everything," she said, her face lighting up. "Las Ramblas, Cascada Monumental, and especially Park Güell. It's been on my bucket list forever."

Axel chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You're going full tourist mode, huh?"

"Absolutely," Belle said with a laugh, the weight of her confession momentarily lifting.

Axel grinned. "And ending the trip with a fight for the world tournament of karate?" he teased.

"Of course," Belle replied, her laughter ringing through the air.

But before they could continue their lighthearted banter, a sharp voice sliced through the moment.

"How cute," the voice sneered, dripping with sarcasm.

Belle froze, her body tensing as she turned toward the sound. Standing a few feet ahead were Kwon and a handful of Cobra Kai boys, their dark uniforms blending into the shadows.

"Little rival time playtime, huh, Belle Wu?" Kwon taunted, his eyes narrowing as he stepped closer.

Belle's stomach twisted in unease, her mind racing. She glanced at Axel, who immediately stiffened, his gaze locking onto Kwon like a hawk sizing up its prey.

"Can we not do this right now?" Belle said, her voice steady but strained.

Kwon smirked, crossing his arms. "What's the matter? Scared? I thought you were tougher than that."

Belle clenched her fists, her patience wearing thin. "Just let us go," she said firmly, meeting his gaze.

Kwon tilted his head, a mocking grin spreading across his face. "Say the magic words," he drawled, clearly enjoying himself.

"Move aside," Belle snapped, her voice sharp.

"Wrong answer," Kwon replied, his grin widening.

Before Belle could retort, Axel stepped forward, his posture defensive. "Back off," he warned, his tone low and dangerous.

Kwon raised an eyebrow, clearly unfazed. "Or what?" he challenged.

Without warning, one of the Cobra Kai boys lunged at Axel, landing a swift kick to his stomach. Axel stumbled back, the wind knocked out of him, but he quickly recovered, his expression hardening.

"Hey!" Belle shouted, panic surging through her. She tried to intervene, but another boy grabbed her from behind, his grip bruising as he restrained her.

Axel's eyes darted to Belle, a flicker of anger sparking in his gaze. With a burst of strength, he broke free from the Cobra Kai boy attacking him and delivered a powerful kick to the one holding Belle. The boy crumpled to the ground, groaning in pain.

"You okay?" Axel asked, his voice laced with concern as he steadied Belle.

"Yeah," she said, her breath shaky. "Let's get out of here."

Axel nodded, his gaze briefly locking with Kwon's. The tension between them was palpable, but before the fight could escalate further, one of Kwon's friends muttered something in Korean, urgency in his tone.

Kwon scowled, clearly annoyed, but he waved his group off. "We'll finish this later," he muttered, glaring at Axel and Belle as he turned to leave.

Wasting no time, Belle's instincts kicked in. With precision and power, she pivoted on her heel and delivered a roundhouse kick straight to Kwon's chest. The force of the impact sent him stumbling backward, his cocky smirk replaced with a look of shock. She didn't wait to see his reaction-she knew this was her chance.

Grabbing Axel's arm, Belle yelled, "Come on!" Her voice was sharp with urgency as they took off running down the dimly lit street. The sounds of the city-a mix of laughter, car horns, and faint music-began to fade behind them, replaced by the pounding of their footsteps and their labored breaths.

Adrenaline coursed through Belle's veins, each stride pushing her further away from the chaos they'd just escaped. Her lungs burned, and her heart felt like it was about to explode, but she didn't stop. Axel was right by her side, his grip firm as they weaved through the streets, the occasional passerby glancing at them in confusion.

After what felt like an eternity, the cool salty breeze of the beach hit Belle's face, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore greeted them. They slowed to a halt near the edge of the sand, both of them doubling over to catch their breath. The moonlight cast a silvery glow over the beach, making it feel like they had escaped into another world entirely.

"Cobra Kai," Belle finally grumbled, her voice laced with frustration. She straightened up, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Those assholes."

Axel, still catching his breath, let out a low chuckle. His hands rested on his hips as he looked over at her, his lips curling into an amused smile. "Nice round kick, though," he said, his tone light but sincere.

Belle turned to him, her frustration momentarily forgotten as a grin spread across her face. "Well, thank you," she said, her voice playful. With a dramatic flourish, she gave a mock bow, her arms sweeping out in an exaggerated motion.

Axel laughed, the sound warm and genuine, and for a brief moment, the tension from the encounter with Cobra Kai melted away. Then, without warning, he stepped closer to her. Belle barely had time to react before she felt his hands gently cup her face and his lips press against hers.

The kiss was soft and unexpected, yet it sent a wave of warmth through Belle, grounding her in the moment. Her breath hitched as her heart raced, but this time, it wasn't from running. Slowly, she closed her eyes and leaned into the kiss, her fingers lightly brushing against Axel's arm.

When they finally pulled apart, Axel's gaze met hers, his expression a mix of nervousness and something deeper-something unspoken but undeniable.

"Sorry," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I... I've been wanting to do that for a while."

Belle blinked, her mind still reeling from the kiss, but a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Don't be sorry," she murmured, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest.

The two stood there in the moonlit glow, the sound of the ocean filling the comfortable silence between them. For the first time that night, Belle felt like she could breathe again.

Belle's heels clicked against the marble floor of the hotel lobby as she stepped inside, Axel following close behind. Their walk had been quiet for the most part, but it was a comfortable sort of silence-one that allowed her mind to linger on the events of the night. She glanced at Axel, who had his hands shoved into his pockets, his usual air of confidence now tempered by something softer.

"You're unusually quiet," Belle said with a small smile, breaking the silence as they reached the elevator bank.

Axel glanced at her, his lips curving into a faint grin. "Just thinking," he admitted, his voice low but thoughtful.

Belle raised a curious brow, pressing the button to call the elevator. "Oh? About what?"

The elevator dinged, and they stepped inside, the soft hum of the doors closing behind them. Axel turned to her, leaning slightly against the wall.

"About us," he said simply, his eyes meeting hers.

The words caught Belle off guard. She blinked, her heart skipping a beat as she processed what he'd said. "Us?" she repeated, her voice softer now, almost unsure.

Axel shrugged, his smile turning a bit sheepish. "Yeah. What are we?"

Belle let out a small laugh, glancing away for a moment before looking back at him. "I mean... we just met, so..." She tilted her head, a playful glint in her eye. "Talking?"

Axel chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing. "Talking," he repeated, nodding as if testing the word. His grin widened, and for a moment, his usual confidence returned. "I can live with that."

The elevator came to a halt, and the doors slid open with a quiet chime. Belle stepped out, turning back to face Axel.

"Well, goodnight, Axel," she said, her voice warm and tinged with something unspoken.

"Goodnight, Belle," Axel replied, his gaze lingering on her as the elevator doors began to close.

Belle smiled to herself as she made her way down the hallway to her room. Her steps felt lighter, as if the weight of the night's tension had been lifted-at least for now. But her moment of calm vanished the second she saw someone sitting on the floor near her door.

"Robby?" she called out, her brow furrowing as she quickened her pace.

Robby looked up at the sound of her voice, and Belle's heart sank at the sight of him. His usually sharp, steady eyes were glassy, his face pale, and his posture slumped like he was carrying the weight of the world.

"What are you doing out here?" she asked, crouching down in front of him. Her voice was gentle, but her concern was palpable.

Robby shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know..." he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Belle frowned, her worry deepening. "What do you mean you don't know? Robby, what's wrong?"

He hesitated, his jaw tightening as if he was trying to find the right words-or the courage to say them. Finally, he looked away, his voice low and strained.

"I got drunk," he admitted, the words heavy in the air. "And I woke up in Zara's bed."

Belle froze, her heart skipping a beat as her eyes widened in shock. "What?" she breathed, her voice barely audible.

"I don't even remember anything," Robby continued, his tone laced with frustration and guilt. "I just woke up there, and-I think she took advantage of me."

For a moment, Belle couldn't speak. Her shock quickly gave way to anger, and her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "Are you serious?" she demanded, her voice rising with fury. "That manipulative, disgusting-" She cut herself off, pacing back and forth in front of him as the words caught in her throat.

Robby buried his face in his hands, his voice breaking. "I didn't mean for this to happen, Belle. I swear, I didn't-"

"Robby," Belle interrupted, her voice firm but not unkind. She crouched down again, placing a hand on his arm. "This is not your fault. Do you hear me? This is not your fault."

Robby looked at her, his eyes glassy and filled with doubt. "Then why does it feel like it is?" he whispered.

"Because Zara's the kind of person who makes you feel that way," Belle said, her voice shaking with anger. "But she's the one who crossed the line, not you."

Robby let out a shaky breath, his shoulders slumping further. "What do I do?"

Belle's jaw tightened, her resolve hardening. "We're going to figure this out," she said, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside her. "But first, you need to take a breath, okay? You're not alone in this, Robby. I've got you."

Robby nodded slowly, her words seeming to steady him. Belle stood up, offering him her hand. He hesitated for a moment before taking it, and she helped him to his feet.

As they stepped into her room, Belle's mind was already racing. Zara wasn't going to get away with this. Not if she had anything to say about it.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

i will not get over the fact that the cobra kai creators said that robby wasnt taking advantage of... like what???? he doesn't remember any of it and you're saying that he wasnt??? (im so glad im not the one who noticed this bc like wtf)

axel and belle<3

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:) PLEASE STOP BEING A GHOST READER ITS ANNOYING!