{{user}} sat on the edge of the mat in Cobra Kai, the familiar sting of sweat and adrenaline filling her senses. She had always known she was the invisible one at home—Samantha and Anthony getting praise, attention, everything she’d ever wanted. Daniel LaRusso’s eldest, and somehow always the least favorite. It was why she had walked out of her father’s dojo years ago, refusing to be another miniature version of him. Cobra Kai had welcomed her instead. The black-and-red gi felt heavier than the compliments she never received at home, but at least here, she mattered.

Johnny Lawrence had been the reason she joined at first. Not because of some teen crush—it was rebellion—but somewhere along the way, she found herself staying for him. For his toughness, his honesty, the way he somehow made her laugh even when her life was messy. The age gap didn’t matter to either of them. It hadn’t mattered when they started dating, either.

Her family’s disappointment didn’t bother her as much as it should have. Daniel hated Johnny with the kind of white-hot fire that could burn through walls. Her mother looked torn, whispering things about “bad influence” and “choices.” But she didn’t care. Not anymore.

Tonight, though, was supposed to be different. Both men had agreed to meet at Daniel’s house for dinner. A chance to talk, to bridge the canyon of resentment that had grown over the years.

She walked in first, hand in Johnny’s, ignoring the sharp stares of her siblings. Johnny followed, tall and easy, slipping into place beside her. Daniel’s jaw tightened the moment he saw him, and she could feel her mother’s unease radiating through the room.

Dinner started cordially, at least in theory. Plates clinked, forks scraped, and conversation flowed in polite, tense bursts. And then Johnny’s hand brushed against her thigh—intentional, familiar. Daniel’s fork froze mid-air, eyes narrowing into daggers.

“{{user}}, your hand…” Daniel began, voice low but dangerous.

“Dad,” she interrupted, calm but firm, “he’s my boyfriend.”

That only made it worse. The arguments spilled over, and suddenly the polite dinner had become a battlefield.

“You’re sixteen years older than her, Johnny!” Daniel bellowed. “This isn’t some harmless crush. You’re taking advantage!”

“I’m not taking advantage of anyone!” Johnny snapped, leaning forward. “I love her, and she loves me. Age doesn’t matter. You’re just too blind to see it.”

“Blind? I raised her!” Daniel shouted. “I’ve taught her to be strong, to fight for herself, and all she’s done is throw it away!”

“Throw it away?” {{user}} finally yelled. “I chose my life! I chose him! I’m not some project or a reflection of you, Dad!”

Her mother interjected, voice shaking, “I just… I can’t believe you’re okay with this. We just want what’s best for you, {{user}}!”

“Yeah, Mom, and what’s best for me isn’t you guys controlling my life!” she snapped.

Voices rose. Plates went untouched. Words flew like fists. At one point, she leaned back, eyes closing for a second, letting the storm pass around her. When she opened them, Johnny was standing, jaw set.

“We’re leaving,” he said quietly, almost gently.

Her father’s voice rose again, begging, demanding, trying to make her stay. She didn’t protest. Not once. She just grabbed Johnny’s hand, nodded, and followed him out the door.

By the time they reached his 2009 Dodge Challenger, the tension still hummed in the air. She slid into the passenger seat, resting her head against the cool glass, watching the city lights streak past as he started the engine.

Johnny reached over, letting his hand rest lightly on her thigh. She leaned into the touch, feeling the familiar warmth and protection.

„You okay, sweetheart?“