Hawk stared at the contents of the fridge with growing desperation.

Milk? No. A half-eaten turkey sandwich from a couple of days back? No. Mom's awful chia pudding leftovers? No. That shit is gross as fuck.

He knew he should eat something - they had trained hard at the dojo, it had been a long day - but his stomach was a tight bundle of anxiety, sending nauseous waves throughout his system. There was absolutely nothing in the fridge he wanted to eat.

He couldn't stop thinking about the look on Sky's face when she had left the dojo, a glimpse he had caught of her just before she stepped into her car, thinking no one was looking - like she would burst into tears any moment. These past couple of days there had been a sadness surrounding her like a dark cloud, and instead of getting better, she'd been even more quiet and distant than before. He just wanted to make her happy, to see her smile, but every smile she'd given him lately had been sad and strained, half-hearted at best.

There had to be something he could do to make her happy. To make her smile again. He had thought that Valentine's Day would do the trick, but—

It was tomorrow. Tomorrow! And he still had no fucking clue of what to do to make it the most special Valentine's Day of Sky's life.

It didn't help that he had spent all day listening to Demetri as he went on and on about his plans, first in the school and then at the dojo. He was going to take Yasmine to have dinner in a super nice restaurant, one of Yas' favorites, then on a romantic walk on the beach where he'd give her a wonderful gift - a pair of heart-shaped earrings Sky had helped him pick for her, and all that would be followed by a romantic evening at Yasmine's place - her parents were out of town - and Demetri had had high hopes of how that evening would go.

It wasn't that Hawk wanted to be a shitty friend. He had provided all the advice he could, but the bigger Demetri's plans grew, the crappier they made him feel. It was fucking killing him that he couldn't offer those same things to Sky.

She deserved a three-course meal in a fine restaurant too, and beautiful jewelry. But the only thing Hawk could afford of what Demetri had planned, was the walk on the beach - and without the dinner or the gift, a walk was barely a date at all, it was just a walk, so fucking lame and boring that it would quickly turn their first date into their last.

If only he had more money—

A fierce hate for his dad filled Hawk's chest, taking his breath away. Wasn't it enough that Dad had broken Mom's heart and ripped apart their family? Did he have to ruin Hawk's love life too? It was depressing as fuck. How was he ever going to get anywhere with Sky now that his monthly allowance was cut to zero, and he still hadn't even found a job?

With a desperate groan, Hawk slammed the door of the fridge. He'd been staring into it for minutes, without being able to decide if he wanted to eat anything. The anxiety was turning his stomach into knots, completely ruining his appetite.

Sky was probably expecting something amazing, something like the things she had helped Demetri plan for Yasmine. What was she gonna say when she realized Hawk could afford nothing? And knowing that Cody was a rich bastard, made things a thousand times worse. Hawk could only imagine what kind of gifts he had gotten for Sky, what kind of dinners he had organized. Real Champagne, probably, just for starters. And here he was, the only thing he could offer Sky was a fucking Gatorade, if he was lucky.

Hawk slumped against the fridge, leaning his back against its door, and hid his face in his hands.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck—" he groaned into his palms. "What the fuck am I gonna do?"

"Eli Moskowitz! Language!" Mom's voice from the hallway cut through the mess of his thoughts, and he slid his hands off his face, swallowing the rest of the curse words.

Shit.

"Sorry, Mom—" he replied, clearing his throat. "Sorry. I forgot that you were home."

He heard Mom's soft, silent footsteps approaching - she was in her slippers, probably - and then she stepped into the kitchen. She was wearing a jumper and sweats, her hair was unbrushed, there were dark circles under her eyes, and now that Hawk thought about it, he realized Mom looked thinner than before.

Suddenly he felt like an idiot.

They had real problems that Mom had to deal with 24/7. Dad had come to get his stuff a couple of days ago, which left half of the house empty - Mom was probably exhausted and worried sick, trying to figure out how they could replace all the stuff Dad had taken. And then there was the divorce lawyer, who would cost fortunes, and the mortgage of the house—

"Eli, what is it?" Mom asked, laying a hand on his arm. "What's wrong?"

Mom looked at him as if she truly cared, as if she had all the time in the world to listen to him, but Hawk swallowed the words that had been on his lips. It was pathetic. The last thing Mom needed was to hear about his stupid issues.

"It's nothing," He shrugged, turning his gaze to his sneakers. "Just— a bad day, that's all."

Mom frowned, her hand lingering on his arm. "Are you still having problems with Cobra Kai? Are they giving you a hard time for quitting?"

Mom's well-meaning question stirred something in Hawk's gut - a formless lump of worry and fear. His former friends at Cobra Kai— Hawk knew they must be planning something, they wouldn't just let him go like this, the traitor. But it had been almost two months since he'd left, and so far— nothing.

The silence made him more worried than any actual threats would have. He was sure Kyler, Tory, and Robby hadn't forgotten, that they were planning something, but there was little he could do about it. And talking to Mom would do no good - that much he knew. Mom would only worry more, and she had enough on her plate as it was.

"Whatever it is, you can tell me," Mom said softly. "I'm here. And I like it when you talk to me, you know. It makes me feel useful."

Hawk turned his eyes to Mom, and let out a sigh.

"I asked Sky on a date tomorrow," He said, deciding to tell the truth instead of starting another circle of lies - stupid or not. "And— she said yes. It's our first date."

Hawk had, of course, told Mom he was talking to Sky again, and after the fight with Cody, he'd confessed to Mom that the fight had happened because he had kissed Sky. Mom hadn't been exactly thrilled. She had said she'd expected him to be smarter than to get involved with someone who was dating another boy, because that always led to trouble, and didn't Hawk have enough trouble already?

But Sky had been at their house a couple of times now, to study math with Hawk at the kitchen table, and Hawk wasn't quite sure why, but that seemed to have melted Mom's heart.

"You're going on a date?" Mom's face broke into a delighted smile. "Oh. Oh, Eli, that's nice. I'm happy for you."

"Yeah, but— it's Valentine's Day, and— I want it to be special. It has to be special, something amazing. But— I don't know what to do. I have no money. I can't— I can't afford to take her to some fancy place, or buy her a gift, and what if— what if she's gonna be disappointed? Her ex was like super rich. I bet he got her all kinds of stuff."

Mom gave him a smile, leaning on the kitchen counter next to him. The look in her dark, blue eyes was kind, understanding.

"It's not about the money, Eli. If Sky only cared about that, she would not have broken up with that boy, would she?"

"I guess," Hawk shrugged, avoiding Mom's gaze. "It's just— he was always taking her out and stuff, buying her things. And his house had a home spa, a jacuzzi and all—"

"Look—" Mom sighed. "I know things are difficult now, and I am sorry about that. I wish you didn't have to give up so much because of… what your father did. But it can't be helped. I'm absolutely certain that Sky doesn't care about money. And no, don't even suggest that—" Mum added, probably realizing where Hawk's thoughts had trailed to. "We are not digging into your college fund unless it's an emergency. Valentine's Day hardly counts as one."

Hawk bit his lip not to say what was on his mind - that if he had to choose between going to college and being with Sky, he would always choose Sky. Mom wouldn't understand or agree. To her, his college fund was like the fucking holy Grail. She would keep it safe and hidden until the day he started college, and that was nonnegotiable.

"I know. I'm not asking you for money," Hawk muttered. "I know we don't have it. And I'm gonna get a job, I promise—"

"Don't worry about the job now," Mom replied, reaching a hand to touch his shoulder. Hawk let her, even if touching often made him uncomfortable - just like too much eye contact always did. Mom knew this, of course, and her touch was warm and firm, but short. "I know you have a lot on your plate now, with school and training for the tournament, and now dating Sky too. You can try to find a summer job if you want to. But about Valentine's Day—"

"Yeah?"

"I know you want to make that day very special for Sky, but special doesn't always mean expensive. How about… you make her a home-cooked meal? What is her favorite food? Knowing your cooking abilities, I can help you prepare it, if you want. And after dinner, you can have a movie night, with some ice cream and brownies, or something like that. You can light some candles and maybe we can afford some roses too, to make the basement look real nice—"

"You— you'd do that?" Hawk's throat suddenly felt tight. "You'd help me with the dinner, and you'd actually let us have a movie night in the basement?"

This couldn't be real, could it? Mom would never let them have a romantic movie night in the basement—

Hawk's mouth suddenly went dry, his heartbeat accelerated. A movie night. Holy Fuck— That would mean sitting on the same couch with Sky, maybe under the same blanket— He could wrap an arm around her, to pull her near, and she would lean her head on his shoulder so that he could kiss the top of her head, breathe in the intoxicating scent of her hair— Her body would be so close to his, oh God, that could easily lead into some kissing, and kissing might lead into something else—

His cheeks heated as he remembered what had happened in that basement when they'd been watching Ant Man after getting back together last fall. Sky had given him a fucking handjob on that very couch—

Stop. Thinking. About. That. Now.

It remained one of the hottest moments between them, one of his favorite moments to replay in his mind as he was jerking off. And now was NOT the time to be thinking about that. In the kitchen with Mom—

Besides, Sky said she wants to take things slow. I need to respect that. Can't be a horny idiot—

"Yes, Eli, of course, I'll help," Mom said, clearly oblivious to Hawk's trail of thoughts, and he forced himself back into the moment. Into the kitchen. With Mom. Talking about his Valentine's Day date that would in no scenario include hot sex in the basement. "It's Valentine's Day. And you deserve to have a wonderful day with Sky. I know— things have been rough lately. And I know you've wanted to have a second chance with her, for a long time. I'm happy that is finally happening for you, Eli."

"I can't mess this up, Mom," Hawk replied, his voice still a bit dry so that he had to clear his throat. "It's not a second chance, is it? It's more like the 100th chance, because— because I messed up every fricking time. And this really is my last chance. I— I can't fail. I need tomorrow to be perfect."

Mom's eyes turned soft, their blue a shade darker. Her smile was kind, but it also had a hint of the look adults often have when they think you know nothing because you're young. At any other moment that would have annoyed Hawk, but now he barely noticed it. The anxiety in his stomach was melting. Tomorrow was going to be okay— Yeah, it wasn't a five-star dinner at a fancy restaurant, but what Mom had suggested he did, actually sounded pretty nice.

He was almost sure Sky would love it.

"It will be," Mom said reassuringly. "I promise. Girls love homemade stuff. She will adore the dinner and the movie night, I know it. Now, what is her favorite food?"

Hawk bit his lip. What was Sky's favorite food? He wasn't sure there was just one… She loved sushi, but that was out of the question. Hawk was pretty sure he wouldn't be able to master the skills of a sushi chef in 24 hours— and she loved Italian food, but Nicholas was an incredible chef, and Hawk knew that was a competition he would not win. Which only left—

"Tacos. She loves tacos. And— and that's kind of our thing. Our first date had something to do with tacos."

"Tacos it is, then," Mom replied with a warm smile. "Easy enough to cook, too, and not too expensive. Good, we should probably do the shopping today, so that tomorrow won't be too rushed—"

The sound of the doorbell interrupted Mom's sentence and she glanced at Hawk with a question in her eyes.

"Are you expecting somebody?"

Hawk shook his head, his brows knitting. "No, but it's probably just Demetri. He's been freaking out about Valentine's Day too."

"Oh," Mom let out a small laugh. "Is he still dating that beautiful girl from your class? How long have they been together?"

"Yeah, Yasmine. I'm not sure. It's been months."

"Such a cute couple," Mom replied, and Hawk answered her smile over his shoulder as he walked out of the kitchen to get the door.

Cute couple, right, Hawk knew that was true, but still - he was a bit annoyed at Demetri as he walked to get the door. It wasn't that he didn't want to help Demetri with his plans for Valentine's, but enough was enough. Hawk needed to start planning his own perfect Valentine's Day about right now, instead of listening to Demetri panicking about the kind of flowers Yasmine would like best.

He yanked the door open—

His jaw dropped, the annoyed sigh died on his lips.

Standing on the front steps, the soft breeze making the hem of her dress dance around her legs, a hesitant smile lighting up her beautiful face, stood Moon.

"Oh—" Hawk stammered, surprised. "Hi, sorry, I thought you were—"

"Were you expecting Sky?" Moon asked, glancing over her shoulder, the sweet smile still lingering on her lips.

"Umm, no. Not right now—" Hawk wet his lips and shifted on his feet, a nervous knot re-forming in his gut. He had no idea what Sky had told her friends about their situation. Yeah, pretty much everyone at the school knew about them sleeping together, and that being the reason for the fight at the parking lot and Sky dumping Cody. But still— they hadn't really talked about what they would tell their friends. Sky had asked him to keep things between them, which Hawk wanted to respect, but so far there really wasn't that much he could 'keep between them', was there?

"Oh, okay. You're seeing her tomorrow, though, right?" Moon asked, bringing a hand to brush her hair behind her shoulder.

"She— told you that?"

Moon's smile widened. "We talk."

"What— what did she say? About the date? About— me?" Hawk felt his cheeks heating, as he realized he was blabbering like an idiot. "Sorry— do you want to come in?"

"No, it's okay," Moon shook her head, making her curls dance around her beautiful face. Her hair was always so pretty, in perfect curls, glossy and shiny. The faint scent of roses and lavender which he already recognized as her scent, filled the air. "I'm on my way to my yoga class, I need to get going soon. There was just one thing I thought I should talk to you about—"

Her smile faltered a bit and her eyes grew serious, which made the knot in Hawk's gut grow tighter. He gripped the doorway to hide the nervous tremor in his hands. "What? What is it? Did something happen with Sky? What did she say?"

"Oh, she didn't say much. She's awfully serious these days, and quiet too. But it's no wonder, is it? Ever since Luke died— and now the breakup with Cody…. It hasn't been easy for her, you know?"

Hawk glanced at his feet, sudden tightness in his throat making him swallow hard. Luke's death— it was barely a couple of weeks ago. Sky was probably still devastated about that, and what had he done to help her? Nothing. He'd been only adding to her burden by making her breakup with Cody such a mess. He should have waited, instead of kissing her back and having sex with her that day in her living room. She had been upset and drinking - he should have been the smarter one.

"I know," he muttered, stuffing his hands into the pants of his loose sweats, guilt sagging his shoulders. "Anyways— what did you wanna talk about?"

"I think it's great that you guys are… talking again," Moon said, and the smile was back in her kind, chocolate-brown eyes. "She missed you, a lot, when you weren't together. I don't think Sky ever got over you. And I was thinking, that maybe it's time—"

"What?"

Moon put her hand into the pocket of her lilac-colored dress and pulled something out. Something golden and shiny—

Hawk's jaw dropped, his chest collapsed. He couldn't take his eyes off the thing that was dangling from Moon's fingers.

"I have something that belongs to you," Moon said, her voice a bit hesitant. "Maybe— maybe you'd like it back now?"

The phoenix pendant.

Hawk reached a trembling hand, the tip of his index finger softly grazing the curve of the bird's tail feathers, the pearl that was embedded in its golden chest. His heart grew heavy with emotion he couldn't name, as he remembered that pendant resting on Sky's skin, in the dent between her collarbones, and then on the floor of the cafeteria, just a piece of shiny metal in the middle of a sea of scattered Lego blocks.

Ruined. Shattered. Destroyed. He had thought he'd never see that pendant again, he had thought he had broken everything between him and Sky so profoundly it could never be fixed, but here was Moon, offering him the one thing that would make a perfect Valentine's Day gift for Sky, offering him the chance to rebuild everything.

He let his fingers circle the small, golden phoenix, gripping it tight in his fist.

"Thank you," his voice came out raspy and thick. "Thanks, Moon, you are the best. Seriously, you saved me."

"You're welcome. I knew I kept it for a reason," Moon's smile lit up not just her face, but the whole fucking world as it always did. "I hope you guys make it this time. You're such a cute couple— and you deserve to be happy. Both of you."

You deserve to be happy—

Both Moon and Mom telling him that in one day. It was just a coincidence, sure, but still— Hawk couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth as he held the phoenix pendant in his fingers. Happiness. Hell yeah, he was ready.

He was ready for good things to start happening for him again.