The first thing Hawk saw when he walked into the Miyagi-Do dojo was Sky.

She stood next to the koi pond, talking with Sam, sun on her face, a smile on her lips, and the sight of her knocked the air out of his lungs. He hadn't known she would be here. After the accident the days had passed and Sky had stayed away. Then there had been a short break for Christmas, and well, Hawk hadn't even dared to hope she would show up for this first training session since the holidays.

She was wearing a pair of cute, pink sports leggings, sneakers, and a loose, white tank top that partly revealed the pink sports bra she wore underneath, the skin of her arms, and most of the phoenix tattoo on her left shoulder. Her long, curly hair was on a French braid which left the side of her head visible - the spot where the hair was shaved off around a large, stitched wound. Hawk could see the older scar too - the one from the school fight - under this new one. There were still some fading bruises on her cheek and her neck, and she hadn't tried to hide those either.

Hawk's heart hurt. It killed him to see her wounded. but—

But she was alive and she was here. And there was something incredibly beautiful in the way she carried herself, showing off the stitches and the bruises as if they were scars of war, earned with pride and courage instead of something she should hide in shame.

"Dude, stop staring—" Miguel muttered under his breath, drawing Hawk back into the moment. He realized he had frozen on his feet, and his cheeks heated.

He gripped the strap of his bag and cleared his throat, as he continued walking into the yard with Miguel.

"Did you know she was gonna be back?"

"Well I knew she was gonna come back eventually," Miguel replied, glancing at Hawk with a frown. "Just— try to be chill, okay?"

"Relax. I'm always chill," Hawk muttered, but Miguel arched a brow at his words, and Hawk realized that Miguel knew.

Of course, he does. I bet everyone here knows I still love her.

If only Sky knew it too—

But Hawk didn't want to get his hopes up. The last thing Sky had told him was "Get the fuck away from me!" and he had no reason to believe anything had changed since then.

They walked closer to the girls who were still talking and laughing, Hawk following Miguel with his heart in his throat.

"I love that necklace," Sam was saying to Sky with a bright, friendly smile. "Is it new?"

Sky brought her fingers to touch her necklace lightly, and her cheeks turned rosy. "Yeah. My boyfriend gave it to me."

Boyfriend?

Hawk felt those words like a punch in the gut. So Cody was her boyfriend now? It really shouldn't have surprised him after what he had seen at Kyler's, but still, it hurt so much that the pain almost brought him to his knees.

"So, you're dating now?" Sam asked.

"Well, what can I say? Cody was pretty persistent, and—"

That sentence was interrupted as Sam noticed them approaching and raised her hand in a greeting. Sky turned to look, and the moment she saw Hawk, her smile disappeared.

The death of her smile felt like something died in Hawk's chest too. He clenched his jaw, to hide the pain that caused.

He didn't even hear what Miguel said to the girls, or what they replied. All his senses were suddenly filled with Sky, he felt her closeness as a magnetic force that pulled him towards her, that tugged at something inside of him, making his blood sing in his ears.

The sunlight fell on Sky's hair, turning it into a halo of flames, her small face was pale and freckled, the tank top revealed the shape of her body - so fucking perfect, so familiar to him that it hurt.

She looked away and crossed her arms over her chest. Her posture turned stiff, her eyes cold.

Hawk knew he had to say something, that this was his moment, his chance to apologize—

"Sky—" he cleared his throat before he could lose all courage. "Can we— can we talk?"

She didn't even look at him.

"No."

"Please. Five minutes, I just want to—"

Sky turned and walked away, without saying another word, leaving Hawk standing confused and humiliated next to Sam and Miguel who had witnessed everything.

"Just give her some time—" Miguel said silently, pity in his voice. "She's been through a lot."

Hawk watched how Sky walked to fetch her water bottle from her bag, took a sip, and then started a conversation with Chris and Mitch. He couldn't hear what they were talking about, but it was none of his business anyway. She had walked away from him as if he meant nothing to her, as if she still fucking hated his guts, but what had he even expected?

Demetri's notion that Sky might still be in love with him now felt delusional. Maybe he should just give up—

After all, he had only ever wanted her to be happy. And if that happened so that she was with someone else, should he not just accept that? Should he not respect the fact that she had moved on, that she loved someone else now, that she was happier without him?

No, if it's with that asshole Cody. He's a fucking lunatic. I bet Sky doesn't know he has a gun, or that he almost killed Kyler—

"You okay, man?" Miguel's voice drew Hawk back into the moment, and he forced his eyes off Sky.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, but the truth was that he was anything but fine.

Even if he never got to apologize, even if he never got to tell her that he still loved her he knew he had to find a way to tell her about Cody's gun. She deserved to know the truth about that asshole - though Hawk suspected Sky wouldn't believe him even if he managed to get her to listen.

With a frown, he followed Miguel and Sam, as they started their warm-ups, but his heart was heavy and it didn't grow any lighter during that day.

That training session was pure torture.

The nonstop chaos, the different fighting styles, and the arguing Senseis weren't even the worst part.

It was Sky.

The way her hair escaped the French braid when she tried some simple kicks, the blush on her cheeks as she got out of breath, the rising and falling of her chest under the thin layer of the tank top—

Hawk did his best not to look at her, but yet he saw her as if she was the sun - her light blinded him even when he tried to look away.

He had hoped to be cool and to impress her, but instead, her presence made him so nervous that he failed in even the most simple tasks. He faltered and stumbled in many kicks and routines he had mastered ages ago. He managed to pour Kool-aid on his shirt, and once he almost fell into the koi pond, as he was looking at Sky instead of where he was going.

The look of pity on Demetri's face when that happened, was almost more than Hawk could take, but even worse was the fact that Sky didn't even notice.

All day she acted as if he wasn't even there.

She did everything she could to avoid him. She didn't even look at him. It was like he had fucking died, and was a ghost - invisible to her in everything he did.

Even when Johnny - always so fucking clueless, he must have been the only one who didn't realize what was going on - paired them up for an exercise, Sky simply walked away. She claimed she had to go to the bathroom, but that was obviously a lie since it took her 30 minutes to return and by then that exercise was over.

Hawk had hoped that the tension would ease during the snack break - that maybe even if they couldn't train together, they could eat together and there would be a chance to talk - but no such luck. When it was time for the break, Sky waited to see where Hawk would sit and eat his sandwich - and then found a place for herself, as far as possible from him, to eat with Nate and Bert instead of her closest friends. Sam, Demetri, and Miguel with whom Hawk was sitting next to the koi pond, were giving each other silent, awkward glances.

It made Hawk feel like crap.

He began to hope he hadn't come at all. He didn't want his friends to have to choose between him and Sky, nor did he want Sky to stop hanging out with her friends because of him.

It formed a cold pit in his stomach, one that made him unable to finish his sandwich. He placed it half-eaten back into his lunch box and tossed it aside.

"This isn't gonna work," he said, turning his eyes to his friends. "Sky fucking hates me. Maybe I should just go."

To his surprise, it was Sam who answered. "No, the whole point of this thing is that we all learn to get along again. You can't just leave. It's exactly what Cobra Kai wants."

"I agree," noted Demetri. "Besides, after you turned on Cobra Kai, they're going to want revenge. Want it or not, this is the safest place for you."

He had a point, but it made Hawk feel even worse. He stuffed his lunch box back into his bag, took a sip of water, and leaned his elbows to his knees.

"But I don't want you guys having to choose between Sky and me. It's not fair."

"You're right, it's not. It's stupid. But to be fair, it's not you who is making us choose." Sam said with a frown as she glanced at Sky who was silently drinking her smoothie on the other end of the yard next to Bert and Nate. "I really thought she was ready for this, but… Maybe if I'll talk to her—?"

"No—" Hawk stood up, making a split-second decision. "I'll talk to her."

"Are you sure that's a—-" Miguel started, but Hawk barely heard him. He was halfway on his way to Sky when she noticed him and swiftly got on her feet.

"Sky, wait—" Hawk called after her as she turned to leave. "I need to talk to you."

She didn't reply, just walked faster, heading inside the dojo. Hawk followed.

"Sky, come on—" Hawk walked in after her. The bright sunlight dimmed, the insides of the dojo were cool and shadowed.

"I said no."

She had walked to her bag that was next to the opposite wall and found her water bottle. Hawk couldn't help but notice how her hands were shaking when she picked up the bottle and took a sip.

"You should come and sit with Sam and the rest," Hawk said silently. "You don't even have to talk to me if you don't want to—"

"I'll sit with who the fuck I want," Sky snapped, without turning to look at him. "It's none of your fucking business. You done? Cause I really don't want to talk to you."

Hawk decided not to let her angry tone get at him. This was the first time in months that they were in the same room, talking to each other - and so far Sky wasn't even calling him names or hitting him in the face. That had to count for something.

"Look, there's something else—"

"Oh, come on!" She swirled around, exasperated. "I said I don't want to talk to you! Can't you take a no for an answer?"

He raised his eyes to meet her gaze and took a deep breath. The exhale was shaky and nervous.

"It's important, it's about— about Cody—"

Fire flashed behind Sky's eyes. She gripped her water bottle harder in her hands and tilted up her chin in a stubborn gesture.

"You don't get to talk about him."

Hawk decided to talk about him anyway. It wasn't like he was going to get a better opportunity, was it?

"When I heard what Kyler had done to you, I went to his place. Sky, Cody was there. He was—"

"I hardly need you to tell me the whereabouts of my boyfriend."

"So— you know?" Hawk frowned in disbelief. Sky knew? And she was okay with it? "You know what he did—?"

"Yes, I know. We talk. I trust him. He's not a lying asshole like some people." Her words were like burning brimstone, they smelled of fire and tears. "He had every right to defend me, you know— he is my boyfriend! He takes care of me. He respects me. But you— you need to fucking let go and just leave me alone!"

Her words made something twist and turn painfully in Hawk's chest.

"So he's your boyfriend, huh?" He asked, the jealousy forcing out the words he hadn't meant to say. "Yeah, 'cause I see how much he took care of you and respected you when he sold you drugs."

"You were the one who made me do drugs!" Sky spat the words out, her eyes burning. "He just happened to be there—"

"Right. Sounds like the greatest romance ever. He just happened to be there," Hawk rolled his eyes. "I honestly don't get what you see in him. He's violent and crazy, a fucking lunatic."

"Looks like I have a type," Sky replied, her voice trembling. "Isn't that what you said to me that night? First Matt, then you. Just following the pattern, I guess."

Hawk knew he should stop. This conversation wasn't making things better, it was making them worse, and just like that night, they were both angry and on the verge of saying something horrible, something they would regret—

But he couldn't just walk away, not now, when Sky was here, she was finally seeing him instead of pretending he didn't exist, she was finally hearing what he was saying, and maybe there was still a chance that she would listen, that he could make her see that Cody was bad news, that she wasn't meant to be with him, that she was meant to be with Hawk instead, because fucking Hell— he still loved her so much it took away not only his breath but his reason too.

"Are you even in love with him?" He asked, his voice breaking. "Cause if you are, I need to know."

Sky went pale. She looked like he had slapped her.

"I don't have to explain myself to you, asshole!"

At that moment the sliding door opened and Sensei LaRusso stepped inside, an alarmed look on his face as he glanced from Sky to Hawk and back.

"Hey, hey— What's going on in here? This isn't a place for fighting—"

But Sky had started crying, angry tears were running down her face, and she didn't pay any attention to Sensei LaRusso.

"I don't owe you anything! You destroyed my life!" She yelled at Hawk, her slender frame trembling with emotion. "And now you're trying to act as if everything's okay? As if now that you quit Cobra Kai, we all have to forgive you? Well, I'm not buying your shit! You might be able to fool everyone else here, but you're not fooling me! I know you better than anyone! I know what you're capable of! And I'll never forgive you for what you put me through!"

A short, shocked silence followed her words.

"Sky, I can see you are upset—" Sensei LaRusso said. "Let's try to calm down, why don't you take a deep breath, and—"

"No! I'm not doing anything as long as he's here!" Sky yelled, pointing a finger at Hawk. Sensei LaRusso seemed truly shocked by the tone Sky was using, but that didn't stop her. Tears streamed down her burning cheeks as she went on. "He's never going to change—! I— I thought I'd give this a shot, for Sam, but it was stupid— This— this is never going to work!"

"What's never going to work?" Everyone turned to look as Johnny Lawrence stepped into the room, and Hawk's heart sank even lower as the blond man glanced from Sky to Hawk with a frown. "What's all this shouting? What the fuck did Hawk do to make you this pissed, Ginger?"

Oh no—

Hawk was seriously beginning to regret his decision to try and talk to Sky.

"You wanna tell them or should I?" Sky glared at Hawk with such hate that Hawk wanted to crumble to pieces in front of her. His voice came out throaty, broken.

"Sky, please—"

"He started a rumor that I'm a hooker! People still message me, wanting to know how much I ask for a blow job. Oh, and he also destroyed the science project that I've been building for weeks. And he broke my best friend's arm—"

"I'm actually okay with that—" came Demetri's voice from outside, making Hawk groan in desperation. The fuck—? Was everyone listening?

"Demetri, get lost!"

Fiercely Hawk yanked at the sliding door, closing it on Demetri and Sam's faces, knowing it would make no fucking difference. The thing was made of paper - who the fuck made walls or doors out of paper?! Was it like a sadist thing? Maybe Japanese people got their kicks of no one having any privacy—

"—and when I confronted him about it, he told me I was crazy," Sky continued as if she didn't give a shit that other people heard her. "— He told me that in fact, I was so crazy and stupid that being with me was torture and the only reason anyone would ever want to be with me was to get some—" Sky paused to draw in a shaky breath. That sentence went unfinished. "— and, he told me I didn't even really win the All Valley, but that he fucking let me win."

"What?" Johnny huffed. "That's ridiculous. You were always the better fighter, Ginger. You kicked his ass at the tournament."

Sky didn't reply. She was wiping her cheeks with both hands, but the tears just kept flowing. Her shoulders were shaking with ragged sobs.

"Eli—" Mr. LaRusso turned his sad, disappointed eyes to him. "Are those things true?"

Hawk wanted to die. He expected a hole to appear in the ground and swallow him whole because he was in Hell already. Surely now Mr. LaRusso would kick him out of here, and Johnny— well, he had a special bond with Sky, and Hawk could only imagine what he would put Hawk through for being an asshole towards her. But no hole appeared, no Hellish fire engulfed him, and there was nothing to do but admit the truth and accept the rightful punishments that would no doubt follow.

His place in this new dojo, being back with his friends, the kindness of Sensei LaRusso - It had all been more than he had deserved, anyways.

"I know what I did was horrible," He swallowed hard and turned his eyes to Sky. "But those were all lies. I didn't mean them. I just said them because I was angry and I thought you hated me already. I'm not trying to make excuses - I was an asshole. But I'm so sorry— I wish I could take it all back—"

"Well you can't," Sky's voice was broken, wet with tears. "And you can say what you want. I don't believe any of it."

"Look, Sky—" Mr. LaRusso spoke with a gentle tone, and laid a comforting hand on Sky's trembling shoulder. "I can see you're feeling a lot of hurt, and I understand. What Eli did was far from okay. But I can also see that he is sorry for what he did, and now, in this place—" he glanced around in the room where every detail was designed to bring peace, serenity, harmony. "Miyagi-Do is a place of new beginnings, of forgiveness. We must try to find it in our hearts to move on. To put the past behind us and look forward. The hurt inside of you is only holding you back, Sky. You must try to let go of that anger."

"Or—" noted Johnny. "You could punch Hawk in the face."

Sky let out a snort.

"I already did," she muttered. "After— after he and the Cobras attacked my boyfriend— well, Cody wasn't my boyfriend then, but—- anyways. I already punched him in the face. It didn't help. I still hate him."

"Maybe you didn't punch him hard enough?" Johnny shrugged. "A good kick in the balls—"

"Enough!" Mr. LaRusso groaned. "No one's kicking anyone! Violence only creates more violence. We must try to find a way we can all work together. You have both been through a lot, you both need a new start, and I would hate it if either one of you left because you couldn't find a way to work things out. Sky, what needs to happen so that you can train together with Eli? What do you need from him?"

Sky turned her red-rimmed eyes to Hawk. A moment of tense silence followed. Hawk almost wished that Sky would have agreed to Johnny's proposition about punching him in the face, or even kicking his balls - that thought made him wince, but fuck it, he would let her beat the crap out of him if she wanted to. He knew he deserved it, and at least that would be clear and simple, and maybe after that, they could move on.

But no such luck. The look on Sky's face told that she wouldn't want to touch him with a ten-foot pole, even if it was to break his bones.

"I need him to stay away from me," Sky spoke silently, turning her eyes back to Sensei LaRusso. "I need him to stop trying to talk to me. I need him to respect that I have moved on. If he can give me space, I can try my best not to kick him in the face - or anywhere else."

"Eli, can you do that?" Sensei LaRusso sighed, turning to look at Hawk. "Can you give Sky the space she needs?"

Hawk's heart was breaking. He didn't want to distance himself from Sky - on the contrary. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss away her tears, he wanted to tell her it was all going to be okay, that he was sorry, that he still loved her, but—

I knew it was a long shot. I can apologize, but I can't force her to forgive me.

"Of course," he replied, his head hanging low. "Whatever you need, Sky."

She drew in a shaky breath, then turned on her heels and walked out of the dojo.