#and daniel and amanda have a great relationship

[sleepyicon]

damiko shippers where are you guys? i love them

[flying-fangirls]

Watching my little (half) joke post after Part 43 spark some discussion has made me think a lot over this for the past couple days, and I think I've pinpointed my main frustration with the women of Malevolent overall.

Simply put: the women of Malevolent do not get to have a voice.

Yes, literally they aren't voice-acted by Harlan. But I don't really want to get into that side of the topic here. I'm saying figuratively women do not have their own voice in this show.

Who is Bella outside of her relationships to Arthur or Daniel? Did she like music too, was she sarcastic or sincere, what was her biggest goal in life? Who is Faroe outside of how she makes Arthur feel? Who are Anna and Amanda outside of their connections to the King in Yellow? And I don't mean just a quick sentence-long description about them, I mean a genuine in-depth answer to "Who are they?"

Secondary characters that are men/male-aligned (Noel, Oscar, Collins, etc) have a strong sense of individual personality and motivations, enough that you could get a decent amount of discussion/analysis about them if you wanted. You can't get that kind of character discussion for the women if you tried because the show simply does not provide it for you, no matter how integral to the plot their characters (or concept of a character) may be. Heck, Shub set up the plot of this whole show and yet she's so nothing of a character that she's practically just a name to throw around when it sounds cool.

Almost everything we know about the women comes from men's perspectives, either through their side of relationships or through quick mentions of the women without any real substance to who those women really were. Other people have suggested the idea of finding a journal or a few more letters from Amanda to give her character more time/attention-- something similar could be done with any of the other women too, anything that lets their personalities/unique motivations be directly shown instead of vaguely mentioned or hinted at by men.

(I'll admit that I do think Marie is written more along the lines of secondary characters like Oscar, and I'm pretty happy with her character! But the fact that she's the only woman I can think of to break that pattern is... not great)

And yes I know that there are men in this show that also do not get to have their own voice (Roland, Parker, Henry, etc.) That's expected! All stories have characters that act as collateral or tools to move the plot/main characters forward. But when every single female character serves as a plot device with no strong sense of unique self, while only some of the male characters get that same treatment and the rest get plenty of personality and individuality-- that's when it becomes a problem.

The women of Malevolent get names (or, some of them do), they get roles and influence within the plot, and a few of them get small glimpses of what could be a personality if you look for it. But the women of Malevolent do not get a voice. We can see the vague shape of them on the edges of the show, but we never get the chance to hear them. And they never get the chance to speak themselves, to be heard.

I love Malevolent-- really, truly love this show. Which is why it's only so much more frustrating for me when it overall struggles to give its female characters the same respect as its male characters. Again, I'm not talking about the voice-acting, and I completely skipped the expanded cast of female characters (the wraith, the widow, the witch, etc.) and my concerns with what kinds of women are represented in the show and how they're presented. This post is really just me trying to express a genuine frustration that I (and at least a few other people) have with the writing of this show, and try to explain why those frustrations exist.

I promise this is NOT meant to be an attack on anyone and I'm not trying to deny other perspectives on this topic. This is also NOT an attack on Harlan or the podcast as a whole. I'm just trying to share some thoughts here.

[purpleheartskies]

In s1, Robby got the one-on-one Miyagi-Do training from Daniel. One beautiful element of this montage below is that the musical score played here is the score from the movies when Miyagi and Daniel would practice kata together. Robby is the only kid to have gotten this montage with Daniel.

In s2, Robby and Sam learned the balance wheel technique. This was the second special Miyagi-Do move introduced in the series; the first one being the two-legged kick which Robby also got. For this technique, Robby and Sam had to rely on each other and trust that the other would be where they should be. Although the Miguel and Sam are perceived as the "it" couple by many, Robby and Sam got this training and still have relevance as a pairing.

In s3, in the episode titled "Miyagi-Do", Robby struck first. In this episode, the offensive side of Miyagi-Do was introduced, "defense takes on many forms". Although Kreese had advised Robby to strike first, Robby didn't follow through with that until he had no choice. Robby instinctively followed Miyagi-Do and struck first as a form of defense. Sam, the other main Miyagi-Do and legacy kid, also struck first in this episode.

In s4, Robby used the Miyagi-Do that Daniel had taught him, and that Miyagi had taught Daniel, to take down the entire Cobra Kai dojo... and then he taught them all Miyagi-Do.

In s4, the prom fight proved that Robby and Tory are the more in-sync couple than Sam and Miguel. This fight also showed that Robby can fight in-sync with Tory, in addition to being able to fight in-sync with Sam.

In s5, context aside for a bit, it was exciting to see Robby fight alongside Johnny. Out of all the teens, Robby got to fight alongside a sensei. Most importantly, Robby got to the fight alongside Johnny. Finally, despite the context of whole story being "Johnny chooses the Miguel/Diazs over Robby" except for that "one good day together", Robby got something special with Johnny that Miguel hasn't gotten. The fights in the story serve a narrative purpose. It was great to see the team-up moments between Robby and Johnny, like when Robby fought alongside Sam and alongside Tory, as well as the aerial view looking down on the fight, like when Robby did the wheel technique with Sam. If only Johnny didn't chase after random people and had actually tried to build a real relationship with his son. Sigh... Anyway...

In s5, Robby saved Johnny, and Sam saved Amanda. Another subtle element linking Robby and Sam as the legacy kids.

In s5, we also got Robby and Sam doing the balance wheel again. While some assumed that Miguel and Sam would master the balance wheel together in s4, Robby and Sam are still the only two students who can do this technique together. An important thing to note is the wardrobe. Daniel and Sam wear mainly navy blue with some green, while Johnny and Robby wear black and red. As I talked about in my post about color theory for Robby and Tory, Robby rarely wears black and red together, not even when he was in Cobra Kai in s4. In s5, he only wore black and red in the Miyagi-Do scenes, despite having rejoined Miyagi-Do and not Eagle Fang.

Some claim that Miguel is the best fighter and the new Karate Kid, but Robby's fights and training montages have more distinctive symbolism. Not to mention, Robby is given some of the best moves. Robby's importance in the story is pretty obvious, and tops that of all the teens, Sam a close second. Robby is the new Karate Kid. He got the OG one-on-one Miyagi-Do training and training montages. He instinctively follows Miyagi-Do. He can fight in-sync with both the main female teen characters. He was/is also the better boyfriend to each of them. He got the first sensei-student team up fight. Throughout the story, and even in fights/training, the subtle reminder that he is Johnny's son and is the "real" kid of a legacy character is always there. Robby is this generations "Daniel" and Karate Kid.

[billhader]

Homebodies

Another Anoush/Louie one-shot smutfest by meeeee and @cristobalsifuentes

Daniel and Amanda take the whole family on an extravagant Hawaiian getaway to celebrate Sam's high school graduation. Begrudgingly, "the whole family" includes Louie. And Anoush, for some reason. And Louie and Anoush have a big secret, which everyone already knows about.

Rating: Explicit (read tags below)

Word count: 12.8k

Relationships: Louie LaRusso Jr./Anoush Norouzi

Characters: Anoush Norouzi, Louie LaRusso Jr, Amanda LaRusso, Daniel LaRusso, Samantha LaRusso, Anthony LaRusso, Lucille LaRusso

Tags: Porn with Feelings, Porn With (a little) Plot, Post-Finale, Established Situationship, Summer Vacation, Sneaking Around, Family Drama, Family Bonding, Fluff and Smut, Dirty Talk, Semi-Public Sex, Blow Jobs, Hand Jobs, Fingerfucking, Anal Sex, Mild Daddy Kink, Self-Indulgent Smut Extravaganza, Love Confessions, Getting Together

Click here to read on AO3, or continue below the break

Disclaimer: The depiction of the LaRussos travelling to Hawai'i ≠ the authors condoning tourists visiting Hawai'i. Rich people gonna rich people.

My love and I always have fun collaborating! Let us know if you enjoy!!

Anoush would be lying if he claimed to be surprised by Daniel and Amanda’s invitation to join the entire family on their trip to O'ahu. In fact, by the time Amanda broached the subject, he’d cleared his schedule for the two weeks in question and hired a housesitter to water his plants. 

The vacation was in the works for almost a year, at least on Amanda’s end. The second she could tear her husband and daughter away from dojo drama, she told Anoush over brunch, they’d all be getting the hell out of the Valley for a little while to “re-center”. It took longer than anyone anticipated for Daniel to loosen his grip on Miyagi-Do and reluctantly allow Johnny to take care of business in his absence, but he finally relented just in time to celebrate Sam’s high school graduation.

Anoush had nothing to do with the LaRussos’ karate affairs, of course. All he did was bring money in, let Amanda vent to him as much as she needed, and keep each dealership location from completely burning to the ground by sending emails. a ton of emails. Outlook hated to see Anoush log on.

Anoush couldn’t take all the credit. With Daniel gone so frequently, Louie had stepped up at work in a way Anoush didn’t know he was capable of.  He had the best figures of any salesman--even better than Anoush, as he bragged every single hour of every single day--and he put in ridiculous amounts of overtime across multiple locations when they were short-staffed. His pride in being part of the family business was finally coming through in his work, and he'd gone from being Anoush’s greatest headache to his most dependable coworker.

This was great, because Anoush and Louie were fucking. If Louie was still acting up at work, it might’ve put a damper on all the fucking. Nobody wanted that, least of all Louie. If Anoush had known years ago that all it took to get Louie to fall in line was to get him off, it would've made life a lot easier.

They were fucking, not dating. The distinction was important, at least to Anoush. Sure, they were at each other’s apartments more often than not, but man oh man that gosh darned LA traffic, the 134 is hellish this time of day/night/whatever. And yes, Anoush hadn’t responded to a single DM on any of his dating apps since the first time Louie came to his apartment with takeout for dinner and didn’t leave for a solid 36 hours--but all of the apps were still on his phone. The fact that he happened to have all their notifications turned off had nothing to do with Louie. He was…trying to reduce his screen time.

So it was all okay. Everything was fine. It wasn’t like they fucked constantly. It tended to happen when either Anoush or Louie was especially stressed out, and needed a form of catharsis that only the other understood.

Work had been extremely stressful the past few months.

Louie was invited to O'ahu despite Amanda’s reservations. There was no denying that he deserved a reward for all his contributions to the dealership. Not to mention that Lucille was coming too, and she could be relied upon to pitch a fit if Louie was excluded. He immediately went out and bought several garish Hawaiian shirts to add to the collection he already had, then insisted on putting on a fashion show when Anoush called him over to spend the night. Anoush held back the natural insults that sprang to mind, cheering Louie on after each reveal with whoops and catcalls..

The following week, Amanda appeared in Anoush’s office doorway and handed him a thick paper packet.

“I can get to it first thing Wednesday,” Anoush muttered, holding out his hand without glancing at the packet.

“You might want to look it over now,” Amanda said, stretching out each vowel with a bewildered upward inflection. “Maybe take it home.”

It was a beautifully detailed O'ahu itinerary. Anoush felt like a jackass as he read it, but he was a very happy jackass indeed.

“This is mandatory, by the way.” Amanda was beaming. “They're all going to run me ragged. If you're not there, I will probably fake my own death on day two.”

If Louie’s persuasive powers contributed to Anoush's invitation, Amanda’s lips were sealed. Louie gave no hint either way. Anoush knew better than to question it. Nobody knew about his and Louie's situation. At least, no one was supposed to know. No one had a reason to know. They weren't dating, after all.

They land in Hawai’i on a Tuesday. The LaRussos rented out a gigantic house about fifteen minutes from the heart of Honolulu, situated atop a gentle hill all its own with unbeatable ocean and mountain views. It has a pool, an outdoor lounge area, a stunning kitchen, and enough bedrooms for everybody. Almost everybody.

Louie sleeps on the pull-out couch in their room the first night because he can physically see the knots in Anoush’s neck & shoulders. Traveling always stresses Anoush out and he barely got any sleep the night before their flight. After eating dinner as a family on the patio and animatedly rehashing their itineraries for an hour straight, Louie flops onto the sofa bed and passes out within minutes. His joints do not treat him kindly in the morning.

By the second night, Anoush has had enough of Louie grunting and making pathetic pinched-up faces all day long at the beach. He insists that Louie sleep in bed with him. Louie promises he’ll be on his best behavior, but Anoush wakes up with Louie’s chest glued to his back anyway before they separate and get ready for the day. Neither of them acknowledge how they woke up, but Louie knows he didn't imagine a half-sleeping Anoush snuggling in closer to his body just after sunrise.

Louie takes Anthony to the beach for boogie-boarding while Anoush joins Amanda and Lucille at a nearby spa for a deep tissue massage and a facial. The spa treatment is divine and helps melt away any and all tension Anoush had been holding in his body the past few days. When they return to the house, he lounges happily on the bed with a book until Louie and Anthony come back from the beach.

“What do you mean, skip dinner?” Anoush asks once Louie finally gets to the point of his rambling after eyeing Anoush up and down about twelve times.

“I mean we skip dinner. Hang out here. I can whip something up when we get hungry,” Louie shrugs. “I don’t think i can stand another minute in the fuckin’ sun today.” 

“Hm, sounds like you came on the wrong trip, then,” Anoush retorts and goes back to his book, not actually reading, but still wanting to give the impression of vague disinterest. Louie rolls his eyes at Anoush’s sass, then inhales as deeply as he can without it being obvious. Anoush smells warm and lovely and faintly of lavender and Louie knows he won’t be able to sit through dinner in public with this man.

“We have a ton of wine downstairs. C’mon, let’s make a night of it.” Louie flops on the bed and nudges Anoush’s knee with his elbow.

“I guess nothing on the menu really stood out to me,” Anoush muses, eyes wandering from the page again. Louie’s looking up at him like a dog waiting for a tennis ball to be thrown. “I'll think about it.”

“Well, think fast,” Louie says. “We’re s’posed to leave in half an hour. You know I’ll make you somethin’ good to eat. And we got pineapple upside down cake for dessert.” 

Anoush smiles despite his weak attempt to seem aloof. “We’re in paradise and you want to sit inside all night and eat.”

“C’mon, you really wanna sit through dinner tonight when we got the boat tour and the stupid luau tomorrow? I just wanna chill and see the sunset from up here.”

Louie’s making good points as if Anoush doesn’t know exactly what’s on his mind. He’s felt Louie’s eyes on him since he came back from the beach, smelling too much like the surf and not enough like sunscreen, and admittedly he wasn’t reading too closely while Louie stripped and showered and dressed. Anoush flips his book face-down on his lap. 

“I don't think you could be subtle if you had a gun to your head,” he quips.

Louie grins like a fool. “Dunno what you’re talkin’ about.” 

“I didn't come all the way to Hawai’i to shack up with you,” Anoush whispers fervently, as if  anyone else could hear. “I can do that at home.”

“Yeah, you can. Any time,” Louie says with a wink. “But we're here, and we can have the whole place to ourselves…” 

His hand on Anoush’s knee is the kicker.

“Okay, okay. Dinner better be good,” he warns.

Louie immediately rolls off the bed, pumping his fist. “Hell yeah.”

“Go tell Amanda we're staying,” Anoush says, “but act normal.” He can't help but laugh when Louie runs out. His face is hot, like Louie’s deep tan is somehow spreading to him, and Louie's simple touch gave him goosebumps.

Louie’s nearly out of breath when he makes it downstairs, and he huffs a sigh of relief when he sees that the double doors to Amanda & Daniel’s similarly-grandiose, ground-floor bedroom are wide open. He makes a beeline for the room and hears the shower on as he gets closer, then finds Amanda sitting at the vanity near the french doors to the patio and fixing her hair. She's fully dressed and ready to go, opting for a no-makeup night so as not to irritate her skin after the spa day.

“Hey, knock 2 off of the reservation for tonight,” Louie announces the second he enters her periphery.

“Okay,” she says plainly without batting an eye, “Why?” 

“Uhhhhh,” Louie starts. He suddenly thinks too hard about Anoush warning him to be normal and needs a few seconds to shift gears and string a decent sentence together. “We’re not really feelin’ up to goin’ out.” Louie tries a casual shrug. Amanda just turns toward him.

“‘We’ as in…?”

Louie rolls his eyes and drops his shoulders. “What's with the third degree? C’mon. Me and Anoush."

“The third degree,” Amanda scoffs. “You’ve seen me give the third degree. This is not the third degree.”

“Okay, the second degree, then,” Louie reasons. Amanda chuckles sardonically, icily, and goes back to fixing her hair in the mirror. “It’s just- I got too much sun and he’s all relaxed and whatever the fuck from the spa shit. And we have the boat and the luau tomorrow and I need to recover from today, y’know?” Amanda lets Louie’s words linger for far longer than Louie is comfortable with. “Hey, two less meals to pay for, right?”

“Yep, all good,” Amanda agrees with a smile and a nod. “We’ll ‘knock 2 off of the reservation.’” Louie looks around the room, waiting for some sort of snide remark.

“O…kay… That’s it?”

“What else would there be? Go rest up,” Amanda encourages. Louie eyes her carefully, then shrugs again and turns to leave. 

“Louie,” she stops him before he reaches the door. Louie turns around. “Keep it in your bedroom.”

“What do you think-“

“Keep it. In. Your bedroom,” she tells him softly, sternly. 

Louie opens his mouth to protest again, but shuts up at Amanda’s warning glare. He nods and exits the room, but backpedals back into the room after only a few steps. 

“What about the balcony?”

Amanda wrinkles her nose and side eyes him. “Use your best judgment, Louie.”

As Louie scrambles to the kitchen for wine, Daniel pokes his head out of the ensuite bathroom. “Did I hear Louie?”

 “Mhm. He and Anoush are ditching us for dinner,” Amanda reports, giving him a pointed look. “They’re staying in.”

 “Ohhhhh.” Daniel nods slowly, catching her drift. “Well, that’s good, right? Don’t have to worry about Louie behaving himself for one night.”

“If we’re very lucky,” Amanda grumbles.

“And it means your plan’s working,” Daniel points out. “Like you said, Anoush is already family, pretty much. They might as well make it official.”

Amanda cringes - he’s right, she did this to herself.

“The plan might work a little too well,” she says. 

Meanwhile, Louie takes a peek in the fridge to get a feel for what he’ll do for dinner. He texts Anoush, “Sushi bowls or pasta?”

 “You’re prepping dinner already??” Anoush responds.

Louie smirks and shakes his head, grabbing a bottle of white wine he knows Anoush picked himself at the store out of the wine cooler under the counter. Anoush thinks he’s a cool customer, but Louie saw the way Anoush eyed him over the top of his paperback. He saw it when he emerged from the shower, and he saw it when they were talking on the bed. 

“I can start now or come back upstairs” he texts. He's already grabbed two glasses and started walking back upstairs by the time Anoush replies, “Upstairs.”

Anoush knows how he sounds. He just doesn’t really care anymore. He's sitting in the same spot when Louie returns and sets down the bottle and glasses on the nightstand. “Not hungry yet, huh,” he says, more a statement than a question. Anoush shrugs and pats the mattress next to him - Louie’s back in bed in an instant. “That wasn’t the only food, I can make whatever-” 

Anoush is on him so fast his head spins. One second he’s curled up next to Louie, the next he’s straddling him and pushing him down against the pillows, kissing him like he’s angry at him. Louie enthusiastically obliges Anoush until his lungs start to burn with a need for air.

 “They’re still here, you sick fuck,” he teases once he’s managed to catch his breath. His hands find Anoush’s narrow hips, pushing his t-shirt up half an inch and threatening to do something about the waistband of his lounge shorts. Anoush leans back down to kiss him, and Louie’s grip on Anoush tightens instinctively.

“Don’t act like you’ve never put your hand in my pants in your office with Amanda and Daniel on the other side of the door,” Anoush goads, and Louie had forgotten how blunt and bratty Anoush can be whenever they’re able to make any type of noise. Louie chases a kiss and rides his tongue along Anoush’s bottom lip.

“Hey, that was one time,” he protests. He gets a lethal look from Anoush in return. 

“Hey, that was two times.” 

“Can you blame me, though? I mean, look at you.” Louie slides his hand up Anoush’s side, underneath his t-shirt, and he bites his lip at the way Anoush shivers at his touch, goosebumps sprouting once again beneath Louie’s fingertips. “It's hard enough to deal with you back home, but now you went and got all soft and smooth and oily and shit.”

Anoush throws his head back and chuckles, and Louie feels ravenous at the sight of Anoush’s Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. “You’re ridiculous,” Anoush chides, but he fixates on Louie’s lips again, grabbing at Louie’s pecs through his t-shirt with one hand and rocking against him to let Louie feel his growing erection. “You said they’re leaving in a half hour?”

“More like 20 minutes now,” Louie nods. “Maybe less. Depends on how hangry Lucille gets in the next few minutes.”

“Okay,” Anoush sighs against his lips. “That can work.”

Louie pulls Anoush down hard against his lap, making sure Anoush knows they’re both in the same boat. He’s pleasantly light-headed from the rush of blood down south and the cloud of lavender and herbal smells that permeates Anoush’s skin, which is just as soft as Louie knew it’d be. Anoush whines into Louie’s mouth, and Louie squeezes his hip in warning. 

“Someone’ll hear,” he murmurs. “You know we’ll never live it down.”

Anoush goes still in his lap and stops kissing him for a moment, pressing his forehead to Louie’s and running a hand through Louie’s freshly washed, ungelled hair. “Sounds like more of a you problem than a we problem.”

Louie’s not strong enough to keep himself from caressing Anoush’s thighs when they’re right there for him to touch, especially whe he knows it makes Anoush kind of feral. His thumbs rub circles into Anoush’s inner thighs, gliding with the assistance of ghostly massage oil remnants. “Yeah, and what if I want it to be a we problem?” 

Anoush opens his eyes, backing up half an inch.

“Are we talking about it?” he asks, breathless voice foreshadowing his fading composure. “Right now?”

“Whenever,” Louie says with a shrug. Neither of them speaks for a moment, and they can hear Amanda arguing with Anthony downstairs over acceptable attire for going out to dinner.

“Okay,” Anoush sighs, settling back on Louie’s legs. “I’ve just been thinking, if we’re really doing this-”

“We've been really doing this for a minute now,” Louie says with a wolfish grin. Anoush rolls his eyes.

“I mean, if we’re labeling it, or just acknowledging it in the first place…there are things we should talk about. I don't want to get wrapped up in something where we’re not on the same page about what we want, where it’s going, future stuff...all of it.”

Louie breathes a little quicker, heart racing ahead of his brain. Just Anoush saying all of that tells him everything he needs to know. He's known, or hoped, for a while now that he wasn’t just imagining the depth of their feelings, that it wasn’t one-sided.

“Yeah, we can talk about anything you need to talk about,” he assures, sitting up straighter so he can bring Anoush close again. “But whatever you say isn’t gonna change my mind about you. I'm not goin’ nowhere ‘til you kick me to the curb. Or throw me off a building - whatever comes first.”

Anoush laughs, trying to keep it quiet, but Louie kisses his neck and it tickles.

“I made up my mind day one,” he murmurs in Anoush’s ear.

“I know,” Anoush admits. “Me too. We should still talk…” 

Louie pulls off Anoush’s shirt and keeps kissing his neck, unable to stay away for very long. Anoush catches a gasp from escaping when Louie nips the column of his throat.

“Maybe later.”

“Later,” Louie echoes.

Anoush's gaze turns toward the open balcony doors. Maybe if he hadn't opened those, he-

"Ohh," he sighs as quietly as he can when teeth dig into the meat of his neck, Louie having taken advantage of Anoush's head being turned to the side. "I don't plan on wearing a turtleneck on the boat tomorrow, Lou," Anoush reprimands him and pushes away from Louie yet again.

Louie looks smug as he runs his hands up Anoush's torso and through his chest hair. "How are you more annoying when you're wearing less clothes?" he muses aloud. "I can barely stand you half the time when you're in those fuckin' three piece suits."

"You love my suits," Anoush protests, teasing the hem of Louie's shirt between thumb and forefinger.

"I don't love the fifteen minutes it takes to get them offa you," Louie shakes his head.

Anoush grins, something small and a little shy, something Louie's still getting used to seeing on Anoush's face. Anoush dips down and kisses Louie again, pinning Louie to the bed by his biceps so he can't even think about doing anything uncouth without Anoush's express permission. Louie could easily overtake Anoush, but he won't. It usually turns into wrestling and half-hearted insults and it would simply be too much commotion with Lucille's nosy bat ears still on the property. So Louie lets Anoush kiss him slowly, lets Anoush tease him by rolling his hips at an agitating pace, lets Anoush drive him fucking crazy on this beautiful island that Louie would give up every opportunity to explore if it means he gets to look at and feel Anoush like this instead.

"Can you be quiet?" Anoush asks against Louie's jaw. Louie's dick twitches when he feels Anoush's fingertips slide beneath the waistband of his shorts.

"I dunno, depends-"

"I'm just gonna check the bathroom for it one last time and then we can go!" They both hear Daniel shout. Louie's eyes roll so far back in his head that it kind of hurts. This is the third time today that he's overheard Daniel freaking out over his missing puka shell necklace. He's not sure he's encountered a more ferocious bonerkill than the sound of his cousin's voice, but then Anoush's hand is on the base of his cock and Louie can't really think about anything at all.

"Can you be quiet?" Anoush repeats against the shell of Louie's ear, "It's a yes or no question, Louie. Just for a few minutes."

“Yeah.” Louie nods quickly, exhaling as slowly as he can. “Can you?”

 Anoush kisses a line from below Louie’s ear, across his jaw to his chin. “I wouldn't worry about it.”

He helps Louie pull his t-shirt over his head and finds his mouth once more for a sloppy kiss. His fingers drag up the length of Louie’s shaft, not committing to anything besides teasing for the moment. They hear people stomping up, down, back up the stairs.

“Whaddaya mean they're not coming?” Lucille exclaims downstairs, and they both snicker.

“I locked our door,” Louie whispers, his voice cracking a little when Anoush kisses his chest.

Anoush has been thinking a lot about this, about him and Louie unraveling each other slowly and completely. It sustained him for days and days in the stressful whirlwind leading up to the trip. Pulling down Louie’s shorts and boxers at once, he feels more relaxed than he did at the spa. When he kisses low on Louie’s stomach, just above where the head of his cock is resting, he knows it's a risk, knows how sensitive Louie is there. Louie lets out a shuddering sigh, not loud, but his chest is almost heaving now as Anoush mouths over his thighs like he doesn't have anything better to do. At home, Louie would tell him to cut it out, maybe pull his hair, guide him none too gently to where his mouth really belongs, which Anoush was more than happy with…but having Louie totally helpless in this way is even better..

Anoush makes his way down to Louie’s tan line at mid-thigh, then even further to kiss the slight pinkness above Louie’s knee where he forgot to reapply sunscreen earlier.  Anoush looks up at Louie from his spot between his legs, and Louie swallows and tenses his jaw, clearly itching to make a smart comment but dedicated to his agreement with Anoush.

Anoush’s eyes drop to Louie’s cock, where he can see a healthy bead of precum threatening to dribble down Louie’s foreskin. he looks at Louie, whose eyes haven’t left Anoush’s face for who knows how long, and finds himself chasing the clean, salty taste of Louie’s skin as he mouths his way back up Louie’s thigh.

God, what are we?

Anoush takes one of Louie’s balls into his mouth before he can dwell too long on his own internal monologue. Louie’s fingers curl clumsily into the fresh, white comforter as he tries to find an outlet for his urge to grab hold of Anoush’s hair. He knows how that would end - Anoush would immediately moan, then Louie would say something politely filthy and pull his hair harder, and they’d get sent home from the trip early by their boss. Instead, Louie watches helplessly as Anoush licks up his shaft and envelops the tip of his cock in his mouth. The engine of the van kicks on outside, and Louie can’t hide his sigh of relief.

Anoush digs his fingers into the meat of Louie's thigh, silently warning him--not yet. Whether he really thinks someone can still hear them or he just wants to make Louie suffer, Louie plays along for as long as he can. Anoush is both lazy and relentless, teasing his tongue over the thick, swollen head of Louie's cock, backing off and blowing air over the sensitive tip, wetly kissing his way up the underside…and car doors slam, and the hum of the engine fades. At the same time, Anoush takes Louie halfway down his throat.

“Fuuuck,” Louie groans, head snapping back against the pillow - his hips buck slightly from the shock, but Anoush is ready for it, backing off him for a moment. He grasps the base of Louie's cock, steady but not too firm. His other hand holds onto Louie’s thigh, keeping him in place with his leg bent slightly outward as he takes his length in his mouth again. Louie regains his composure enough to look down at Anoush, only to meet his pretty dark eyes through his lashes and see a drop of his spit slide down his exposed shaft.

“You're fuckin’ unreal,” Louie manages to say, and Anoush’s only response is to bob his head lower, take him deeper. He’ll never really get used to the slight ache in his jaw when he sucks Louie’s cock, but he certainly doesn't mind it. Louie's hand lands heavily on the back of Anoush's head, but he doesn't pull his hair. He doesn't try to take any control or set the pace. He's just reaching desperately, trying not to lose himself in the warmth and the drag of his tongue and the relief of finally having Anoush all to himself.

Anoush can't think too hard about the way his entire body tingles with Louie’s hand on him, with Louie panting and gasping out swears and his legs faintly trembling.

Louie momentarily considers stopping Anoush, pushing him off of his cock and teasing his spit-slick lower lip with his thumb so this can last a little longer. But it’s been days since Louie’s last orgasm and he wants Anoush so badly that he figures he can go twice if that’s what Anoush wants, if just for this evening. Louie’s getting older; he finds himself waking up with random pain in his back or legs or neck more often than not. But Anoush and his tight body and stupid curls and the way he sounds when Louie touches him in ways that no one else gets to has Louie’s libido firing on all cylinders as if he’s 20 again.

“Fuck, baby,” Louie groans and gently scratches at Anoush’s scalp, “You better be careful.”

Anoush hums and narrows his eyes at Louie, and Louie throws his head back again when he realizes Anoush has no intention of heeding his warning. Louie cums with a long, loud groan, abs tensing as he curls himself minutely toward Anoush’s head. Anoush takes most of Louie’s release in his mouth, then pulls off of his dick and lets the rest land on Louie’s stomach as he strokes him through his orgasm.

“Jesus fuckin’- fuck!” Louie shudders, happy to take advantage of the now-empty house. Anoush merely grins and kisses all around Louie’s groin and thighs once more. Louie caresses Anoush’s jaw. He doesn’t think he’s ever seen Anoush this relaxed, this serene. Especially given that Anoush is most certainly hard as a rock in his little shorts.

“C’mere.” Louie feels almost drunk as he grabs Anoush and pulls him back on top of him properly. He doesn’t hesitate to kiss Anoush, having gotten over his aversion to tasting himself rather quickly once they started fooling around. Louie grips Anoush’s ass in both hands as if it’s going anywhere and exhales through his nose when Anoush breaks their kiss with a moan against the corner of Louie’s mouth. 

“Come on, you can be louder than that, baby. I know you can.”

“What if they come back right now?” Anoush whispers, voice hoarse and in need of a drink of water (or, preferably, white wine). “What if they forgot something?”

Louie snickers and sighs, adrenaline still coursing through him. “We'd hear ‘em comin’ up the driveway,” Louie reasons. Anoush nods against Louie’s forehead in surrender. Louie’s right. “Or they’d hear you cumming from the driveway. One of the two.”

“I'm not the reason my neighbors complained,” Anoush reminds him, kissing him gently before biting his bottom lip, just shy of hard enough to bleed.

“Still your fault, though,” Louie challenges. He slips both hands under the waist of Anoush’s shorts, grabbing at his bare ass, smirking when Anoush shamelessly arches into his touch and gasps sharply. “After you fuckin’ teased me in that god-awful stadium traffic all the way back to your fuckin’ place…I coulda killed you.”

“You almost did,” Anoush says, laughing and shivering as Louie tugs his shorts down under his ass. “It's kinda tough getting out of bed after that.”

Louie kneads and squeezes, daring to tease a middle finger between his cheeks just to get him squirming a little more. “That’s the first time I knew for sure how fuckin’ dirty you are, baby.”

Anoush whines from the back of his throat, and Louie’s fed up with him and all his restraint and self-denial. He reluctantly pushes Anoush off to the side to yank his shorts completely down his legs; Anoush comes back to him like a boomerang and stuffs a couple of extra pillows behind Louie for him to sit back on. They end up like this a lot, although Anoush loves nothing more than being pinned down by Louie’s mass. This is just the best position for Louie to touch Anoush however he wants to. Anoush kisses his neck when he leans to the side to grab lube from the nightstand drawer.

“How'd that get over here?” he asks, like he doesn’t already know. Louie shrugs.

“It mighta snuck over with me last night.”

“After I said all we were going to do was sleep?” Anoush is smiling against his skin.

“Sometimes you change your mind,” Louie defends. “I didn't try nothin’, did I?” he pops open the lube, and the cap accidentally spurts a copious amount into his hand - too much, really, but that was fine.

“Mhm,” Anoush hums. “Right. So your dick up against my leg when I woke up was an accident.”

“It was at first,” Louie admits, and Anoush’s neck flushes a deeper and more noticeable pink. Reaching behind Anoush, he pulls at the swell of his ass cheek and slips his other hand between, coating his rim with the excess lube.

“Oh shit…” Anoush shudders, wrapping an arm around Louie’s neck, kissing him as he bears back on his probing fingers. Louie’s erection hasn't even fully gone down, and he can already feel it returning. Nothing gets him going like the way Anoush’s body reacts under his hands.

“I think I didn't see what you wore to bed?” Louie says, voice low, almost a growl. “Think I didn't notice when I got your shorts off and you didn't even bother to put on underwear? You're so fuckin’ easy for me.”

“Fuck you,” Anoush manages to gasp as Louie’s finger breaches his hole, working open both tight rings of muscle without much regard for comfort or pain because he knows Anoush likes it all. Between them, Anoush's neglected cock is straining and dripping, smearing on Louie’s stomach. He's breathing loud, moaning with each movement of Louie’s finger inside him, rocking his hips weakly. Louie can tell it won't take much to finish him off. Once he presses another finger inside Anoush and gets the “Oh fuck, Louie” he was waiting for, he whispers fiercely in Anoush’s ear.

“Be good and I'll take you out on the balcony.”

If he were of sounder (or, to Louie, whinier) mind, Anoush would protest. He’d tell Louie it’s too risky, that even though they’re a quarter mile from the main road and none of the neighboring villas have a direct view of their balcony, it’s indecent and dangerous. If he weren’t stuffed full of Louie’s long, sturdy fingers. If he weren’t panting and whimpering at the feeling of Louie’s lips and teeth on his jaw. If he didn’t feel so safe with Louie, so taken care of in a way that would send the version of him who barely knew Louie and trained him at the dealership into shock.

“I will be,” Anoush sighs, then his entire body tenses and he makes an almost pained sound when Louie curls his fingers just right, in the spot that he immediately became intimately familiar with the first time Anoush trusted him enough to do this. 

“I know you will, baby,” Louie coos, fueling Anoush’s further spiral into brainlessness. “Otherwise you won’t get my cock. You want my cock, don’t you, cuore?”

Anoush has heard Louie call him that a few times, but always forgets about it by the time they’re done and never looks it up. It might be endearing, it might be dirty, but either way, Anoush feels like he’s on fire. Anoush nods wordlessly. As much as he enjoys the occasions where he takes control and leaves Louie dumbstruck and near speechless on the mattress, he certainly doesn’t mind being used as Louie’s sunkissed, oiled-up fuck toy right about now. Louie’s the only one who can help him relieve that last, lingering itch, that last little semblance of tension in his body that a massage and facial simply couldn’t take care of. Louie suddenly uses his other hand to wrap his fingers around Anoush’s shiny, leaking cock and Anoush stops writhing.

“Fuck, I’m gonna cum if you do that,” Anoush rushes out. He’s not telling Louie to stop, just warning him. He wants Louie to make the decision for him, wants to cum when Louie decides that it’s okay.

“I know,” Louie growls against Anoush’s throat, “You’re gonna pop for me, huh? Just like that?”

Anoush whines again and nods, beginning to thrust into Louie’s fist and back against his fingers, which now fuck in and out of Anoush with purpose.

“God, you’re so desperate for it. Such a good fuckin’ slut, Anoush.”

He knows what he’s doing. He knows that’s it for Anoush. Anoush’s hips snap forward so harshly that Louie’s fingers slip out and Anoush cums in spurts over Louie’s chest and stomach, head tipped back as he moans wildly, noises tapering off into something that sounds vaguely like Louie’s name. Louie watches Anoush in awe, panting like he just felt his orgasm too.

His heart’s pounding because he doesn't understand how it gets better and hotter and more overwhelming every time they hook up. At first he figured the excitement of fucking Anoush stemmed from it being on the down-low, the weird feeling that they were doing something wrong that they couldn't talk about, but gradually Louie’s realized nobody, not even his mildly toxic and invasive and lapsed-Catholic family, would give a shit if they knew he and Anoush were together (if they really were together…he wanted to circle back to that someday, whenever they can stop making each other cum when they're alone together for more than a few minutes). The guilt doesn't come from anywhere but inside him, a part of him that he understands all too well but does his best not to dwell on.

Everything is bliss when he smooths his hand in circles on Anoush's back, partially supporting his weight on his shoulder. Anoush is still trying to catch his breath when Louie’s free hand finds his spent cock again, rubbing the tip with his thumb.

“Fuck!” Anoush’s legs tremble and his hips stutter without rhythm, and he grabs Louie’s biceps to keep himself somewhat upright as he involuntarily curls inward. Louie likes how his moans start to turn into sobs when he’s overstimulated, and each time he’s done this and asked if he should stop, Anoush refuses, practically demands more.so Louie strokes and teases him until he's boneless against Louie, shaking and crying out “I can't, fuck, I can't…” Only then does Louie give him a break. He rolls them to the other side of the bed, Anoush flat on the mattress and panting. Louie wants him to rest, but has no plan to do the same. He works his way down to Anoush’s stomach, cleaning him up with his tongue until he hears Anoush whine his name again.

“How you doin’, honey?” he murmurs, kissing a quick and light trail back to his mouth. Anoush pulls him down to kiss him harder, hands raking through Louie’s hair. He's a little surprised that Anoush isn't catatonic after everything. they're both tapping into rare wells of stamina, bolstered by the sense that something about this time was different.

“Good,” Anoush breathes. “Need you…”

“Already?”

It isn't that Louie isn't ready to go, or that he thinks Anoush can't handle it. he just doesn't want to rush anything, doesn't really want it to be over. but Anoush kisses him so harshly that an edge re-emerges--the impatient, bratty energy that delights Louie to no end.

“Fuck me.”

Louie laughs, rough and ragged, against Anoush’s throat, which only makes Anoush squirm more. “Remember that one time,” Louie murmurs, “like, the second time I spent the night. You tried to tell me you were 50/50?” 

Anoush props himself up on one elbow and grabs Louie by the back of the neck with the other hand. “What the fuck are you talking about?” Anoush asks. 

Louie’s grin widens. “Giving and receiving,” he clarifies, gaze darting between Anoush’s lips and chest and eyes.

Anoush blushes furiously and reaches for the last vestiges of snark in his brain. “I definitely just gave you something that made you cum,” Anoush reasons, but Louie snorts and shakes his head. He bites his lip and leans in to nip at Anoush’s earlobe.

“You'd let me spread your legs any day of the week, baby, I know you,” he whispers. “Any time, any place.” Anoush starts to feel lightheaded, licks his lips and tilts his head when he feels Louie kiss his neck again. “As long as I look at you the right way, or say something dirty in your ear. Huh?”

“Y-yeah,” Anoush doesn’t mean to stutter, but it happens anyway, and he wraps his legs around Louie’s waist when he feels Louie’s hand slide beneath the small of his back.

“Yeah?” Louie asks against his cheek. 

“Yes, daddy,” Anoush says breathlessly, and Louie has both of them up and off the bed in what feels like the blink of an eye.

“Uh-huh, that’s what I thought,” Louie murmurs as Anoush clings to him for dear life. Louie inhales deeply, taking in the faint smell of Anoush’s sweat still primarily masked by the perfumed scents of the spa. “Did you open these doors earlier just to fuck with me?”

Anoush would laugh at that if he weren’t so overwhelmed by the feeling of his oversensitive cock sandwiched between his and Louie’s stomachs. “I thought the breeze would be nice,” he weakly responds.

“God, it’s fuckin’ beautiful out here,” Louie muses as he steps out onto the balcony. He sets Anoush down but keeps an arm around him for stability that he knows Anoush needs right now. As something of a pillow princess, Anoush isn’t too accustomed to getting fucked standing up, except for the one or two or four times in the shower. Louie’s eyes rake up and down Anoush’s body again. Anoush looks smaller out here somehow. Shyer. Pinker. He keeps one hand cupped over his crotch as if his soft dick is news to Louie. Louie bends his knees and draws Anoush onto his toes to kiss him slowly, wetly.

“Turn around for me, lemme see you.”

Anoush does as he’s told and braces himself with both hands on the balcony railing, leaving his dick fully exposed to the elements. He shivers when he feels Louie’s hand teasing his inner thighs, nudging to spread them a little wider.

The view of Anoush posed like this against the backdrop of their incredible surroundings is utterly surreal for Louie. The setting sun is still warm, catching on the sheen of sweat that’s coated the small of his back, and his curls catch the gentle breeze. Louie drops kisses along the length of Anoush’s spine, ending at the nape of his neck, and notices the wobble in his arms.

“So goddamn gorgeous for me, caro mio,” he says softly. “This how you want me?”

Anoush turns to kiss him. “Any time, any place…like you said.”

Louie grabs him by the hair to kiss him rougher, making him moan, but quickly lets go to get in position again. He doesn't like to keep Anoush waiting once he gets demanding and bossy, and he was very clear about wanting to be fucked.

Louie's covered a lot of ground when it comes to sex, but he finds himself glancing around and below them to be sure they're truly alone--this feels bold and risky, even to him. Unfortunately, rather than this deterring him from railing Anoush out in the open, it makes his dick throb. He's liberal and fast with the lube, dropping the bottle on the ground, and goes right back to being handsy, grabbing Anoush’s ass hard, his cock rutting between his cheeks. 

“Come on,” Anoush whimpers, and Louie instantly gives him what he wants, unable to hold back any longer. Anoush's knees threaten to buckle as Louie drives his cock inside him, letting him have enough of his length at once to overwhelm him completely, holding him in place by his hips because he can, because Anoush is his. He's soft, he's so warm, he's so fucking tight, and he's Louie's, at least for now.

The groan Anoush lets out is involuntary, wordless, fractured and wrecked. Each of Louie's short thrusts prolongs and renews his broken noises. 

“Fuck, Anoush,” he spits through gritted teeth--he's sunk inside Anoush completely already and he can barely remember his own name. Anoush finds his voice long enough to beg like he isn't already stuffed with Louie’s thick cock.

“Please, ohh fuck, move, Louie…fuck me, it's so much, fuck me…”

His babbling dissolves into strained gasps and sobs once more as Louie fucks into him with real force. Louie can barely think, but he reaches around to feel that Anoush’s dick is already starting to stiffen up again.

“Like this?” he taunts, grabbing Anoush’s shoulder to compel him to arch his back, to push back onto Louie's cock himself. He wishes he could kiss Anoush through this, face him when he cums again, but he can't ask for too much when the man bent over for him taking his cock like he was made for it is so beautiful.

Anoush bounces on Louie’s cock just like Louie nonverbally asked him to, and Louie leans back and watches Anoush at work. Louie thinks it might be a little evil making Anoush do this when he just had one of the strongest orgasms Louie’s ever pulled out of him, but then Anoush looks over his shoulder and bats his ridiculously long eyelashes at Louie, mouth slightly agape. Louie shakes his head, bites the inside of his cheek, and delivers a sharp smack to the side of Anoush’s ass.

“Oh, fuck, daddy,” Anoush moans and finds himself unable to look back at Louie any longer, hanging his head between his arms still braced on the railing.

“That’s it, baby, take it,” Louie purrs, “Take as much of daddy’s cock as you want, there you go.” Louie finds himself transfixed as Anoush starts putting on more of a show, canting forward until Louie’s cock threatens to slip out of him, then bearing back to take the entire length in one movement and repeating. “You can’t get enough, can you?”

Anoush just shakes his head in response. Louie starts snapping his hips forward minutely again to meet Anoush every time he bounces back on it. 

Louie knew Anoush was a minx ever since they went to that stupid fucking Dodgers game together, but the rougher stuff is rather new. It happened by accident, really, with Anoush so far gone that Louie’s hand around the back of his neck pulled an unexpected “Please, daddy” out of him. Anoush immediately wanted to die of embarrassment and felt like his dick might actually invert inside of his body, but then Louie came not ten seconds later.

Louie grabs hold of Anoush’s shoulders with both hands and thrusts rhythmically, grinning when Anoush’s pants and whines turn into a long, slack-jawed moan that spikes in octave every time Louie’s pelvis meets Anoush’s ass. Louie lets go of Anoush’s left shoulder and grabs and pulls his hair instead.

“You know how fuckin’ gorgeous you look right now?” Louie asks, as if Anoush is in any state to properly answer.

“Louie, Louie, fuck, Louie,” Anoush whimpers, louder now than he was when Louie first brought him outside. Anoush braces his full weight on the railing and lets Louie pick up the slack again. A faraway part of Anoush’s brain is still scandalized that he let Louie rope him into this, but then Louie adjusts his angle and pulls out enough to grind the head of his cock directly against Anoush’s prostate. “Ahhhh-ah-ah-”

“Can’t cum yet, baby,” Louie whispers against Anoush’s shoulder blade as he folds himself over so his chest is nearly flush with Anoush’s back. He hooks an arm around Anoush’s torso and splays his hand against his lower belly, the other hand still tugging on Anoush’s rich curls. 

“Please,” Anoush begs, “Please, Louie, Louie, god…I’m so close…” he trails off and Louie feels Anoush’s body tense as he focuses on staving off his orgasm. Anoush's legs are barely functional. He thinks the climax that's building with each punching stroke against his prostate might actually kill him, but there are way worse ways to go than via debilitating orgasm with a partial ocean view at sunset. Whenever Louie bends him over like this, he can't believe how full he feels. With his body pressed to Anoush’s, his cock drags deep inside him like he can't bury himself deep enough.

Anoush always knows when Louie’s about to cum because Louie’s instinct is to draw himself in closer to Anoush, to have as much skin against skin as possible. Anoush is obsessed with the smallest details of the way they have sex, the way Louie never seems to be completely finished with touching him. He's always satisfied, but he’ll always take more if Anoush offers. Anoush wants to give Louie everything he has until there's nothing left of him.

He turns his head to try and kiss Louie, but they're both too far gone to do anything but pant into each other's mouths. Louie is still stunned that Anoush even allowed this to happen. He can't believe what a lucky, unworthy bastard he is to have Anoush all to himself.

Anoush presses his ass against Louie and whimpers “Cum inside me, daddy,” and Louie loses it instantly. His hips snap uncontrollably as he comes for the second time, moaning “fuuuuuck” loud enough for half the island to hear. He grabs Anoush tight, his hand presses sharply against Anoush's lower belly--

And Anoush doesn't know what happens next. He can't comprehend it. It must be the combination of the sudden push on his abdomen with the continued pressure on his prostate, and just maybe the warm sensation of Louie's perfect cock filling him with his cum, but he can't hold off his own climax anymore. it doesn't seem to matter to his body that Louie’s hand isn't anywhere near his dick.

As he cums again, his overtaxed release dripping weakly on the concrete, he hears the hoarse and wrecked wail that must be coming from him, but he doesn't recognize the sound. He does recognize Louie’s voice, rasping “No fuckin’ way…there's no fuckin’ way.” Anoush’s grip on the railing slips, his knees give out, but Louie’s still holding onto him so he doesn't go anywhere.

Louie's reeling, utterly exhausted, but Anoush needs taking care of and he always manages to find the energy to do that. He groans as he eases his cock out of Anoush, then turns him to pick him back up and carry him the few steps back inside to the rumpled bed.

“No way you just did that, honey,” he murmurs, setting Anoush down on his back again with great care. Anoush still can't speak; his head lolls back on the mattress, chest heaving. Louie crawls over him and kisses his exposed throat, where marks he sort of tried to avoid leaving earlier are making themselves known. “I can't fuckin’ believe you're real sometimes.”

Louie settles for giving Anoush a modicum of space and lies on his side next to him. Anoush’s stomach tenses when Louie puts his hand on it again, but when Louie goes to retract his hand, Anoush places his own over it and keeps it there. Louie breathes a sigh of relief and grins at Anoush.

“Thought i lost you there for a second,” he jokes, nosing at and kissing Anoush’s shoulder. Anoush takes a few steadying breaths. He trembles slightly under Louie’s touch. “Are you cold?”

“No,” Anoush answers softly, “I mean, a little, but no. Just- you… yeah.”

The puffs of Louie’s gentle laughter on Anoush’s neck and shoulder tickle, but Anoush can’t be bothered to react. “Jeez, I really did break you,” Louie remarks.

“Easy,” Anoush responds in an attempt to curb Louie’s smugness. It's an impossible feat and he knows it.

“Only ‘cause you kinda wanted to be broken, I think,” Louie qualifies.

Anoush doesn’t respond, just closes his eyes and focuses on his breathing. Louie lies with him in silence, but doesn’t take his eyes off of Anoush, his eyelashes, his nose, his pouty lips that are still slightly swollen, his clean-shaven jaw, his throat and collarbone that bear the marks of Louie’s desire. When Anoush’s eyes finally flutter open, he catches Louie staring. Louie laughs it off, but Anoush doesn't. He wishes more than anything that he had the energy to roll onto his side or even on top of Louie to kiss him again.

“You’re cute,” Anoush says simply, eyeing Louie as if he’s regarding him for the very first time in his life.

Louie snorts. “Yeah, I didn't think you let me do all that just ‘cause I'm funny.”

“You’re not that funny,” Anoush deadpans.

Louie sighs and rubs up and down Anoush’s chest and belly with Anoush’s hand still resting limply on top of his own. “Can I go get you a towel to clean up a little?” 

“Mm, no,” Anoush shakes his head. Louie’s fine with that. “Can you draw me a bath, though?”

“Of course, sweetheart,” Louie murmurs against Anoush’s arm, “You want your wine? It’s not as cold now, but-“

“Oh fuck, I forgot about the wine. Yes. Yes, please.”

Louie starts the slow procession of getting up, but leans in to steal a few kisses from a sleepy, glowing Anoush. “And I'll cook you dinner while you soak.”

Anoush hums, content, as his senses slowly return to normal. “And then we can talk?”

Louie gets off the bed, but makes no effort to clothe himself yet. Anoush wishes he didn’t look like that. a lot of things would be a lot easier if Louie didn’t look like that, all broad and shameless and soft but toned in all the right places.

“Yeah, then we can talk,” Louie affirms. He gives Anoush’s body an embarrassingly thorough once-over, bites his lip, then retreats to the bathroom. “Be right back.”

Once he's alone in the bathroom, Louie has to lean on the counter for a minute. He was already tired from boogie boarding before he knew he’d be getting another intense workout, but despite his soreness he feels weirdly alert and clear-headed. He splashes water on his face and absently cleans himself off with a cloth while Anoush’s bath is filling up, and he probably used a little too much bubble bath because the suds start to grow over the ledge, but he doubts Anoush will care in his current state.

If they had more time before the rest of the LaRussos inevitably returned from dinner and shopping and whatever else Daniel and Lucille decided to subject everyone to, Louie would get into the nice deep bath with Anoush, clean him thoroughly and kiss the freckles on his back some more. Next vacation they go on, they'll go alone, and Louie will probably bring along a long list of everything he wants to do with, and to, Anoush.

He returns to Anoush’s side, lifts him one more time to bring him to the warm bath, then doubles back for the wine. He pours a heavy glass, then sets the bottle and glass within Anoush’s reach on the ledge.

“Thanks,” Anoush mutters, eyes closed as he sinks deep under the bubbles.

“Don't fall asleep,” Louie warns, “I dunno CPR.” 

Anoush finds that funnier than he likely would if he were more lucid, more guarded like he normally is around everyone but Louie. “So comforting,” he laughs, “as usual.” 

“You ever decide what you wanna eat?” Louie asks, and Anoush looks at him incredulously.

“When exactly would I have had time to think about that?”

“I dunno, sometime between blowin’ me and cumming all over me,” Louie says with a terrible grin. Anoush looks scandalized, like Louie’s words are news to him and his capacity for vulgarity is still a surprise after all this time, and he splashes him over the ledge.

“Get out. Ugh. I don't care, surprise me.”

Louie laughs and shakes his head. “Want me to come get you when it's ready?”

“Mm-mm. I'll come down.”

Louie leaves Anoush alone with his wine, throws on new shorts and a comfy workout tank top, and makes his way down to the kitchen. he’s half-worried that his family returned without either of them hearing, that they’d all be waiting for him with traumatized stares intervention-style on the giant sectional, but downstairs is still empty and quiet.

Once he gets the kitchen cleaned up a little he settles on making baked ziti and garlic bread--Anoush will take a while in the bath, and whatever's left over the rest of the family can heat up at some point. He makes quick work of the prep and mixes himself a martini to ease his nerves, which only started being a problem the second Anoush said “and then we can talk.”

He knows they need to talk, wants to talk just as badly as Anoush does, but the more he considers what he's meant to say the more his stomach crumples in on itself like a piece of paper that's been folded too many times. the sauce he's making smells great as always, but for once in his life he’s not very hungry because now he’s thinking that somehow he's been wrong about everything for weeks and months and he’s a fucking idiot. He’s rational enough to know that's not the case, not this time, but that doesn't make the nausea go away.

It doesn't help that he knows exactly what he wants to say, if he’s being honest, but being honest hasn't always worked out well for him.

By the time Anoush pads downstairs in his softest, oldest shirt and a pair of sweatpants that haunts Louie’s dreams because of how they hug his ass, the ziti has just gone in the oven and Louie's wiping the counter.

“How the fuck does tomato stain granite?” he muses, not realizing how close Anoush is until he's at his side, inspecting the stain. 

“That was there when we got here,” he replies, setting down his wine glass and slipping his arm around Louie’s waist. “The varnish is stripped in that spot.”

Louie welcomes the closeness like it's second nature, because it is now, and leans down to kiss him. This part, the casual kisses and touches outside of the bedroom, is still rather new for them, and Louie’s pulse picks up every time.

“Good bath?” he asks, and Anoush nods. 

“Perfect. Very needed.”

He smells really, really good again, like orange and mint this time. Louie kisses him, Anoush tugs on his chain to tease him and bring him closer, and somehow he ends up pressed against the clean counter by Louie.

“Hey,” Anoush protests, playfully shoving him off in contrast to his stern, determined expression zeroed in on Louie. “Talking.”

“I know, talking,” Louie nods before stealing one more kiss. “We can talk and do this at the same time.”

Sighing, Anoush slips out of his embrace and picks up both his and Louie's glasses, making his way over to the sectional. “Come on.”

Anoush sets Louie’s half-full martini glass down on the egregiously large coffee table in the middle of the living room, but keeps his wine glass in hand as he takes a seat in the corner spot of the couch. Louie leaves one cushion of space between them when he sits down - he leaves his drink on the table for now. Louie relaxes his arms over the back of the couch and turns his head to face Anoush. 

“What’s up?” Louie asks as if he doesn’t know pretty much exactly what they’re going to talk about. He's never been good at this. He's never been good at this because most people have never cared about him enough to do this with him, regardless of the outcome. People often don’t want to talk with Louie - they want to talk at him. He supposes he’s guilty of that here and there himself, but Anoush’s insistence on talking is as much reassuring as it is daunting.

Anoush looks at him blankly, worrying the corner of his bottom lip between his teeth in slight annoyance. “I told you. before we-“

“Before we fucked like rabbits,” Louie supplies the rest of the sentence with a sinister grin, and Anoush sighs into the rim of his glass before taking a sip.

“Yeah. That,” Anoush acquiesces. “I guess I'm just curious… what do you want?”

“What do you mean, what do I want? I want all of it,” Louie shrugs easily. too easily.

“Okay. And what does ‘all of it’ mean to you?” Anoush asks.

Louie picks up his martini glass, takes a sip, swishes it around in his mouth, then swallows. “You want a five paragraph essay or what?” Louie teases, but straightens up when he sees Anoush’s unwavering expression. “I want all of it. All the typical relationship stuff. The sex, the dating, the PDA, the plus-one shit. I want that with you.” 

Anoush can’t fight off a small smile, even as he tries to maintain a cool front in the face of Louie’s more flippant approach to the conversation. he had figured that was the page Louie was on, but he knows he had a right to be nervous when all (well, most) of their flirting and touching and sweet-talking has been behind closed doors (car doors included).

“And that’s not just Hawai’i talking?”

“No, that’s not just Hawai’i talking,” Louie answers, looking Anoush directly in the eye. Anoush draws in a big breath and matches Louie’s intense, crystalline eye contact. “I told you earlier. From day one. I mean it. The first time I kissed you…”

“Yeah?” Anoush speaks in his smallest, softest voice. 

Louie shakes his head. “There's nobody like you. And I know you wanna play bad cop right now, and I know you want this to be difficult like it is in the movies, but how I feel about you is so fuckin’ easy. Don’t get me wrong: it’s scary. You scare the shit out of me, Anoush.” 

Anoush is kept from tearing up only by the smell of homemade baked ziti, which makes his stomach rumble. 

“You scare me, too,” Anoush admits with a breathless laugh. “I just- it’s easy to say you want a relationship when you’re only picturing the good stuff, you know? It’s…a whole other thing when it gets difficult. and when you have to make big decisions.”

Louie reaches for his hand on the back of the couch and laces their fingers together. He nods in understanding. 

“ ‘Kay. Well. I wanna fight with you. I want to tell you you’re wrong so you can tell me I’m wrong for these 18 different reasons that you’ve printed on an alphabetized list. And then I want to make up with you and tell you I love you.” Anoush’s clammy hand squeezes Louie’s suddenly, instinctively, like Anoush is free falling and Louie is the only thing to hold onto. “And I wanna do that as many times as you’ll let me,” Louie finishes.

The thing is, Anoush has dreamed of this exact moment. Not just with Louie, but for as long as he can remember. He's tried so hard to accept and embrace isolation as a fact of life. He's an only child, so he figured at some point he would just get over the empty feeling that had followed him around for as long as he can remember. But even among a group of people who love him and care for him, he’d still notice the empty pangs.

For years, he'd sought out companionship in increasingly varied and desperate forms, lying to himself every time he sent an intro message to a beautiful woman, and every time he went home with them. At some point, he reasoned, he would find a girl, and they would tolerate each other enough to settle and finally make his parents happy with grandchildren and the whole nine yards. Still, he never could never quite give up the fantasy of the mythical man who would lay it all on the line for him, who would never be embarrassed to make his love known, whose feelings for Anoush ran so deep and fierce that Anoush would never be empty again.

And since spring, when the dealership had been dead quiet all day, when Anoush and Louie had first taken out their boredom and frustration on each other behind a locked office door, the emptiness was just gone.

He wants to tell Louie all of this, but apparently the comprehensive speech and verbal contract he finalized in the bath washed away with the bubbles. What comes out of his mouth instead is “You want to fight me forever?” 

Louie blinks, then starts laughing. “Yeah, basically.” He shuffles closer - a gap between them never lasts for long, Anoush has noticed. “We've had that part down for years, baby.”

Anoush laughs too, and the tear he's been holding back finally falls. Louie's right there to wipe it away. “Why didn't we do the rest years ago?” Anoush asks gently. “Why now?” he stretches out, draping his legs over Louie’s lap. What’s done is done, he's not going to torture himself or Louie over lost opportunities, but he's curious. 

Louie shrugs, running his hand up and down Anoush's leg. “Brain problems,” he says after a pause. “You and me, we both got fuckin’ brain problems.”

Anoush nods. “Clearly.”

“Didn't even know you were into dudes for the first year,” Louie says, and after a withering look from Anoush he adds, “Not officially.”

“Hm. yet you were constantly hitting on me,” Anoush remarks, giggling to himself when Louie blushes.

“if we're gonna start in on the accusations,” he says, “How ‘bout Narek’s retirement party?”

Anoush gasps, smacking Louie’s arm. “You promised we’d never bring it up again!”

Louie returns the slap on Anoush’s leg, and when Anoush retaliates and starts raining down blows, Louie laughs and hauls him fully onto his lap and holds back his onslaught without much effort. They're both laughing now, Anoush exhilarated and breathless. Louie kisses his cheek, his forehead, his jaw, his lips.

“Bottom line,” he says, “I’m just fuckin’ tired of clocking out and goin’ home without you. It don't make any sense.” 

Anoush hums assent and kisses Louie again. He knows exactly what he means. When one of them spends the night--or a couple of nights--they fall into a domestic rhythm so easily. He's glad he doesn't need to be afraid of that anymore.

“I love you too,” Anoush murmurs between kisses, and he can feel Louie's giddy smile against his own. The windows are open, it's breezy in the living room and the sun is gone. It's just the two of them and a couple of frogs in the yard. Louie kisses Anoush slowly, squeezing his thigh.

“Hey,” he whispers. “After we eat, I think we should head back up…”

“You're delusional,” Anoush says, chuckling like the thought hadn't crossed his mind too--maybe they’ve both lost their minds--and as soon as he says it, there's a commotion from the foyer.

“It's not funny, Anthony!!” Sam shouts. “You know I'm allergic!”

“Why the hell would you come to Hawai’i if you're allergic to coconut?”

“Coconut FLAVORING!”

Sam storms into the main room, throwing herself down on the couch right next to Anoush and Louie, who have absolutely no time to change their position. Anoush is frozen on Louie’s lap, and all he can do is be thankful that he isn't straddling Louie and they both have clothes on.

“He's being a complete tool,” Sam gripes, folding her arms and fixing Louie with a stormy glare. “Tell him he's being a tool. He only listens to you.”

Anthony comes in, buried somewhere in his hoodie, and flips her off behind her back. “I smell food,” he says, opening the oven to look inside. “What the fuck? Ziti and no garlic bread?”

Neither teen is remotely fazed by seeing Anoush and Louie so close.

“Hey, get your head outta my fuckin’ oven unless you wanna sleep in there,” Louie calls over to the kitchen. He rubs his thumb back and forth over the small of Anoush’s back. Anoush remains frozen, firmly holding the belief that if he stays still, he’ll turn into a wax figure and not have to exist anymore. 

“Did you just threaten to kill me?” Anthony asks, bemused, as he closes the oven and opens the fridge.

“You could have ACTUALLY killed me!” Sam fumes, and Anoush has a very sobering thought as he hears the remaining two car doors slam outside.

Dating Louie means dating a LaRusso. It means dating Daniel’s cousin, dating the man who’s basically an uncle to Sam and Anthony. Dating someone with a family who already loves Anoush enough to drag him along on a family vacation.

“It was JUST. CHAPSTICK,” Anthony rebuts, still grinning, but Louie can see his bravado faltering just a tad. “I didn't know piña colada had coconut in it.”

Anoush snaps out of his trance. “You didn’t know that piña colada has coconut in it?”

 Louie sees a tiny smile appear on Sam's face for the first time since she walked in.

“Can we stop talking about piña colada?” Amanda whines from the foyer and closes the door behind herself and Daniel. She works on taking off her strappy sandals by the door. “It was the entire car ride, plus the last five minutes at the restaurant. I wanted to finish my seafood risotto, but my kids wanted to— oh. Um.”

She stops in her tracks when she sees Anoush and Louie on the sectional, but tries to stay as composed as possible when she notices that Sam and Anthony are completely unbothered by the display. She sighs and turns towards the kitchen.

“Louie, you still haven’t told him that he’s a tool,” Sam reminds him, flashing him her best set of puppy dog eyes. It worked when she was 8 and it still works at 18.

“Alright, Anthony, stop tormenting your sister. Just ‘cause you’re younger than her don’t mean I can’t call you out for being a dick,” Louie tells his scowling young cousin.

“Woah!” Daniel exclaims as he walks into the main room from the foyer. His eyes widen upon seeing Louie with Anoush in his lap. “Uh- woah at the- the. The dick thing. Not the- this is totally-“

“Yeah, alright,” Louie waves him off, then shamelessly rests that hand on Anoush’s leg in a spot mild enough for a PG movie but risky enough that someone might call HR if they were at work. “It ain't anything he and his friends don’t call each other when they play Fortnite together.” Anthony draws his eyebrows together and drops his jaw, scandalized. “Oh, and Daniel, your son looked me in the eye and asked me why the garlic bread wasn’t in the oven yet when the ziti’s only been in for 20 minutes.”

Daniel’s attention completely shifts focus and he shakes his head at Anthony. “Okay,” Daniel points at Louie, “I’ll let this one slide. Anthony, just apologize to Sam so we can all move on with our lives, please.”

“Are you TRYING to ruin my life?!” Anthony nearly shrieks at Louie.

“At the beach today, you said it’d be funny if I got stung to death by jellyfish,” Louie shrugs one shoulder, currently getting an A+ in taking the piss out of his family members. Anoush gets comfier in his lap, snuggling closer to Louie’s torso, and sips on his wine.

“Oh my god, I didn't say TO DEATH!!” Anthony yells, then devolves into a fit of giggles when he sees Louie’s straight face crack. Louie chuckles too, and even Sam joins in. Anoush smiles as his body shakes with Louie’s laughter.

“Alright, come on, I think we can let these two get back to their dinner we crashed,” Daniel announces. Louie makes a small noise of protest, but it’s Anoush who speaks up. 

“Oh, no, I'm sure there’s plenty for everyone if you guys are still hungry,” he reasons, then looks at Louie to confirm. Louie nods, but Anoush rolls his eyes when he catches the way Louie’s alternating staring quite intensely at his mouth. His one-track mind is something to be admired.

Sam accepts an awkward, mumbled apology from Anthony and lies horizontal on the couch to watch Tiktoks next to Louie and Anoush. Daniel and Lucille drag Anthony into the kitchen to make him prepare the garlic bread. Amanda meanders over as Louie and Anoush approach the end of their drinks.

“Okay, grenache blanc for Anoush,” she says without even having looked at the bottle, “And, Louie- dirty martini?” 

“Yeah, but we’re out of olives,” Louie laments.

Amanda pulls a face. “We've been here three days and you already ate all our olives?” Try as she might, Amanda still doesn’t have the knack for hiding her mild (and mostly playful) contempt for Louie.

“I like olives,” Louie shrugs.

Anoush lets Amanda take his now-empty wine glass. “Okay…” Amanda responds, then looks between the two of them. “And did you use your best judgment?” she directs the question at Louie, but Anoush almost chokes on nothing anyway.

Louie plays dumb. It's a very reliable defense mechanism. “I mean, I felt like shit after I ate half the jar in one sitting.” 

Amanda stares a hole through his forehead. Anoush looks back and forth between them, eyes narrowing.

“C’mon,” Louie says in a low conspiratorial voice, shifting and fidgeting under Anoush. “You think Anoush would do somethin’ that stupid?”

Amanda's mouth presses into a thin line, turning her glare onto Anoush. “He's with you, so I guess I don't know anymore.”

Louie snorts. “Fair enough, Mandy.”

Shaking her head, Amanda points two fingers right at Anoush in an “I’m watching” gesture before walking away. Sam glances up from her phone for a second before losing interest.

“What the fuck was that?” Anoush hisses in Louie’s ear, and Louie dismisses him with a wave of his hand.

“Don't worry ‘bout it. Aunt Lucille, get outta the oven! It needs another twenty at least.”

“You didn't cover the top of the damn dish!” Lucille yells back from the now-bustling kitchen. “You're gonna burn the cheese.”

Louie throws up his hands. “How the fuck is it gonna burn when we keep opening the oven every two minutes?!” 

Anoush exhales deeply and takes a long sip of his wine. This is the LaRusso experience he’s used to, and not even Amanda's wry disapproval can shake his newfound sense of calm in the midst of the chaos.

Daniel and Anthony get the garlic bread in with the ziti so everything is finished together, and despite just coming home from dinner, everyone has at least a few bites so they can grade Louie’s sauce (very good, even though Lucille thinks it needed more time to simmer). Daniel gets the fire pit going outside, and Sam and Amanda bicker over what movie to put on inside. Anoush gets banished to the backyard by Louie when he offers to help clean up, and ends up bonding with Lucille by the fire over their mutual love of true crime novels. Through the open doors, he sees Louie and Sam laughing on the sofa, then Louie getting hit in the face with a throw pillow by Anthony.

“He’s always been so good with them,” Lucille says out of the blue, startling Anoush. He should know by now nothing gets past her.

“He is,” he says with a smile.

“It's not too late, you know.” She eyes him over the rim of her wine glass.

Anoush is lost. “Sorry, too late for what?”

“Babies!” she replies, like it's so obvious and casual. “I mean, it's not like you two have biological clocks to contend with-”

“Heyyyyy, I have cake!!” Daniel, who’s coming back from inside and caught enough of his mom’s words to know he needs to intervene now, saves Anoush from having to reply. Anoush is incredibly grateful--he's been through a lot today, in the best way possible. Going down that road is a bridge too far, simply because if he thinks about it for longer than two seconds he'll probably disintegrate.

He doesn't get to talk to Louie again until after Amanda and Anthony doze off during the movie, and Daniel reminds them all what time they're supposed to leave for the boat. They go back upstairs, and Louie kisses Anoush as soon as the door is closed. Anoush welcomes Louie's big hands on his hips, but a sudden breeze sends a shiver up his spine.

“Oh my god, you forgot to close the doors,” Anoush complains, looking over toward the open balcony doors. 

“You’re the one who opened them,” Louie counters, murmuring against Anoush's temple.

“You’re the one who carried me through them back and forth like a ragdoll,” Anoush protests.

Louie pulls back to admire the pinched expression on Anoush’s face. “Not my fault you couldn’t walk back in by yourself.”

“Uh, no, it quite literally is your fault. Do you hear yourself when you talk or is it, like, elevator music in there?” Anoush asks.

Louie just snickers and bends down to kiss Anoush’s clothed shoulder. “Mm, elevator, that’s a good idea,” Louie whispers.

“What?”

“We should fool around in an elevator,” Louie clarifies and stands up straight. Anoush stares at him incredulously. 

“Just go close the doors, I'm freezing.” he turns toward the bed, away from Louie, but Louie stops Anoush with a hand around his wrist.

“Hey,” Louie says softly, cupping Anoush’s cheek when he faces him once more. “I love you.”

And it works on Anoush because of course it does, because he’s alone with Louie and Louie doesn’t have to choose him but he does anyway, because he knows Louie would move the earth for him if that’s what he wanted. Anoush kisses Louie again, something soft and quick that very nearly warms Anoush up completely, but not quite. 

“I love you,” Anoush echoes, “And I'll love you even more when you close the doors.”

Louie scoffs a laugh, and within a matter of seconds, Anoush is buried underneath the white covers of their king-sized bed. Louie crosses the room, grabs the edges of each door, and pauses to take in the last few moments of the nighttime breeze. He can faintly hear waves crash in the distance. The palm trees on the edge of the property sway gently. The cool breeze hits Louie's face and he can't help but smile.

He pushes the doors closed, turns the lock, and retreats to bed to be with his boyfriend, his lover, his Anoush.

[what-goes-unnoticed]

𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒔 | 𝑫𝒊𝒂𝒛 𝒙 𝑳𝒂𝑹𝒖𝒔𝒔𝒐 𝒙 𝑴𝒐𝒔𝒌𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒛

✩ chapter four out of. . . . (1,428 words in total)

✩ summary - Anthony and Sam are silent in the car on the way there to the restaurant. Grandmama wants to hear what’s new and exciting in their lives. She even expresses happiness about having a family member who plays tennis. The dinner led to a mix of joy and tension before heading home to prepare for the party.

✩ warnings - drunkenness, frenemies to lovers, implied sex, jealously, panic attacks, public display of affections, poly relationship, and tension (emotional and sexual) [applied to all]

✩ tagging - @partiallypearl

(please comment if you want to be tagged; it would help a lot if you liked / reposted so that it can reach more people. if you like the relationships i write for, please consider following my page! happy reading everyone :))

The drive over to the restaurant was silent as neither Anthony or Sam wanted to speak in the car. Amanda had asked if they wanted to speak before they went to see grandmama. The two looked at each other for a moment before looking back at her with their mouths still shut. She took that as a no and went on her phone. When walking in the restaurant to sit with her there were more people sitting there than just her.

“Mom, I thought it was just grandmama not them,” Anthony says, very confused. Amanda pinched him not to be rude to the others. He looked at Sam as to how he could have been rude. She told him that he wasn’t as he nor she was informed that cousins were going to join them. Grandmama wanted to know what was new with them and if anything exciting was happening for them.

Sam gleamed with joy as he told her about his tennis tournament that was coming up. Amanda was surprised that he was still doing tennis after she thought he had quit being a negative nancy. He said he didn’t after Sam had reassured him that if he feels like he’s confident in his ability then he should keep playing. Grandmama said her uncle also played tennis and that she’s glad that someone else in the family is playing. She wanted to know how much had changed throughout the years.

It was nice being the center of the conversation instead of the shadow of it. It especially felt good when Sam was happy for him having her support felt amazing. He didn’t feel like he was existent in her shadow as she was making room for his light to come in. That was so important to him and he didn’t think his parents knew that. Sam kind of had an understanding of what he was feeling; the two had grown a lot closer as time went on. Amanda and Daniel were surprised that they were getting along and not at each other’s throats.

Amanda had shared with a cousin that they were laying in her bed almost like they were snuggling. She knew that Sam was a cuddler not Anthony. Anthony had always refused being snuggled when he was younger so it’s a bit of a shock to see the two do it. The cousin wanted to ask how long they have been doing that: laying in Sam’s bed but Amanda had no clue. This is the first dinner where it actually felt like it was going great for everyone.

Anthony had excused himself for the bathroom a bit to use it so he was going to be back in a couple minutes. The table fell silent as they were eyeing Daniel and Amanda. The two didn’t know what to say with everyone staring at them in the way they were. A cousin asked them how they didn’t know when he joined the sports teams for his school and only Sam did. They just tried spewing out some excuse that they knew but just forgot.

Another added that they always seem to forget details when it comes to Anthony. The two dismissed that immediately as if it wasn’t true. Sam just sipped on some cider as this madness went down. Anthony was confused as hell to see everyone arguing with their mother and father. “Um, what the hell is this mess about?” He asked, whispering to his sister when sitting down. She sighs and just told him simply that this all started when mom and dad didn’t know when he started playing golf and tennis at the middle school.

He curled his lip in a frown as the argument got more heated. Grandmama put a stop to it as they were nagging her brain. Everyone is just in silence again. Anthony popped his lips a little bit as the time continued to tick away. “So, what are we going to do now? Call dinner short and go back home?” He asks, licking his lip some and wiping it away with his napkin. The cousins wanted to call it short after their heated spat with the parents.

Anthony and Sam looked at each other relieved as they didn't have to sit for another two hours here. Daniel and Amanda were not happy how this dinner turned out to be in the end. Grandmama had given everyone a gift when it came time to leave the restaurant. Grandmama was pleased that he got to share something that he was happy about and he was pretty happy about that too. When driving back home it was Daniel and Amanda who were quiet as their children spoke of the good time they had.

“I might have a good night's sleep tonight, heh that’ll be the first time in a while,” he says, nudging his sister some. She smiled some when he said that as she knew that he would. Yawning happily that he gets to sleep early tonight, knowing what’s tomorrow. The two parents didn’t have any plans for Saturday and asked if the two had anything going on. Sam said that they had something for the evening but the morning was free.

Daniel and Amanda were unsure what to even do in the morning, they suggested that they can go on a family walk. Anthony didn’t really want to but agreed anyway. Sam snickered to his agreement. “What’s so funny?” She told him that him agreeing seemed so sudden.

Getting in his pajamas and in the midst of brushing his teeth he walked in her room to stare at her for a bit. She jumped upon seeing him in the mirror and threw one of her pillows at him. “Anthony, don’t lurk that like that! It’s creepy!” He just laughs and takes her pillow into the bathroom with him. She told him that she will need that back but he didn’t give it.

He finished brushing and laid down with the pillow tucked between his knees. She walked in his room flipping his covers to reveal and grab ahold of the pillow. He tucked his knees and brought the pillow closer to his chest. “Give me my pillow, Anthony!” He shook his head, rebelling to give it.

He smiled when she gave up on retrieving her pillow back. “It’s mine now,” he says, very proud of the fact he gets to keep it. She told him he’s lucky that he’s adorable or she would have forced it much harder. He told her he had idea what that meant. She brushes him off and goes back to her own bedroom for the night.

[a little time skip to the morning of the party]

Anthony was the first to awake for the day. He smacks his lips some as they are dry as hell and he can’t even find his lip balm. He walks back in Sam’s room, throwing her pillow at her head. “Anthony, what the fuck?” She groans, as the pillow falls to the ground. He snickers some before crawling into her bed.

“Are you excited for the day?” He asks, creeping in close, blinking his eyelashes frantically. She smiles scoffing as she pushes his face out of hers. He buries himself under her blankets. “Oh, it’s warm in here!” He says, sounding surprised. She laughs at his little comment.

Their family didn’t do much in the morning besides eating breakfast and drinking coffee. (Anthony didn’t have any coffee, he had some orange juice) The walk felt really short; it was short as it was about a twenty minute walk. Sam asked the parents if they had anything for the evening. Daniel had work and Amanda wanted to accompany him by saying she needed to be there for him. The kids understood.

They head off to the sun room messaging their friends. Sam was asking Yasmine if there was anyone in particular she didn't like attending this party. Yasmine said that Kyler could be coming with some kids from Cobra Kai which includes: Kenny, Piper, Robby, Tory, and a couple of others. She groans as she sees that text and Anthony asks what was wrong. She told him that there will be some people they don't like there as well.

They decided to get over it, it was just some party and nothing is going to happen to either of them. Sam felt nervous and a sense of dread all over again she knew something was definitely going to happen. She told Anthony to stay close to her or Eli.

hope you enjoyed this chapter; next one is coming soon...

[sensei-venus]

More poly Daniel and Amanda because they give me brain rot 🥴

They are so amped up to have another baby and just watch Reader grow bigger with their baby. They're just in love with the idea of it and are always around, holding her and being borderline inappropriate about it. They whisper the dirtiest things in her ear about how they can't wait to watch her belly and tits swell up; Amanda especially makes a point to talk about how much shs loves watching Daniel breed their pretty little school teacher. It's always at the most inappropriate times too. When she's cooking dinner, at important sponsorship meetings, fancy nights out. Oof, these two make her burn up.

And when they finally get a positive test back, they're so happy. Celebratory soft sex between the three of them; long kisses, feather light touches and gentle groping, maybe even some music. They tell her how she's gonna look so pretty and sexy pregnant, how she's gonna be a great mama to their baby (or babies). They hold her and cuddle her afterwards, so smitten and happy.

But also having to tell Sam and Anthony they're gonna have a new sibling or siblings-

- gemini sensei

(Unedited) ( @gemini-sensei )

The fact they have to tell Sam and Anthony that they are getting a new sibling-

I would think that both Daniel and Amanda would be pretty open about Reader. I feel like after the first few times they have sex with Reader and start official dating her, they make a point to tell the kids. They don't physical bring Reader until later on.

They end up having a big “family meeting” where they all sit down at dinner and talk. They are very serious about it and tell the two teens they need to sit down because they have something they need to tell them.

Sam almost breaks down because she thinks they are going to say they are getting divorced or something. She thinks the past dojo stuff came up again and now they are actually going to split up.

The two adults quickly shut that kind of thinking down and telling her that's not even close to what they want to talk to them about. Sam calms down and let's her parents speak.

Amanda and Daniel hope hands as they explain that they both meet someone that they really like, together, and that the women makes them both very happy. They fell in love, just like they did years ago. They explain that they want to pursue a relationship with said women but they wanted to tell them first so that it didn’t upset them or scare them. They want her to permit stay with them and become apart of their family.

They think both teens are going to flip out but they don’t.

“That’s great! I’m so happy for you! What is she like? Is she nice? What does she do for a living? When do we get to meet her?”

“It’s kinda weird but it’s kinda normals these days what ever floats your boat.” Anthony says.

After that Reader becomes a permanent person in their lives. It takes a while for the kids to get use to the new face around the house and it takes a while for them to bond. But they eventually do after a while and they live like any other family. The kids are happy that their parents are so happy.

They don't even think about the fact that they could possibly have another sibling.

Well Sam did, because of “accident Anthony” but still.

So when all three adults sit them down almost a year or two later, it's a shock.

They tell them that they are getting a new sibling, this time from Reader instead of Amanda. She's already a few weeks along and they had no idea.

Sam is actually so excited this time around. Now that she's older she really wants a little sister. She wants to baby and dress up a little sister this time around. Dressing up Anthony as a kid was kids boring. Now she can think about having a sister to play with.

Anthony wants a little brother. He wants someone to teach how to play video games with him. He thinks about being a cool big brother. He doesn't say anything of this though and just keeps it to himself. He does say that he's happy for them.

It was also kind of cute to watch their parent baby Reader during the pregnancy.

[merv606]

i kinda see daniel as growing increasingly shy as the thought of intimacy with terry becomes a reality and grows ever nearer. he seems…not exactly uncomfortable with his body/the way he looks, but not super confident, especially compared to terry who he sees as handsome and being in great shape. daniel seems like he can’t see his own appeal, and is not too happy with how he currently looks (not like himself with the longer hair etc.). anyway, that “first time” i can see daniel wanting to either keep as many clothes on as possible or staying under the covers all lights out lol. i doubt terry will comply but i’m sure daniel will try lmao.

Listen here!

You can’t just waltz into my inbox with such violence!

Oblivious Daniel™️ - my beloved.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

He can sense the sudden tenseness in the muscles of the smaller body below him.

Although they have yet to consumate this new side of their relationship in the biblical sense, Terry has been enjoying Daniel allowing more and more intimate touching.

Tonight is no exception, expect he’s getting further than ever, a hand up Daniel’s shirt, his boy whimpering as he thumbs across his nipples.

So very NSFW

His hips had jumped at the touch, his cock, while not as hard as Terry’s yet had ended up grinding into the older man’s thigh.

“Can we …. Never mind.”

“Tell me,” Terry directs. Sometimes Daniel needs things coaxed out of him. Although, right now that means stopping what he was doing, kissing down a tempting neck, he can’t be too upset. It simply means his boy feels safe enough with Terry to do this; that he knows the older man will get it out of him. This is truly a gift that Terry treasures.

Terry had been helping his boy raise his arms to help Daniel get his shirt off, those tempting little nipples of his almost Terry’s to look upon and taste - finally.

“Can we have the lights off?” the smaller man rushes out.

Absolutely not, Terry thinks.

He was not expecting that but something must have prompted this shyness. His boy is modest, which only makes revealing each inch of skin more appealing, but he is modest where he simply need not be.

“Whatever for?”

“Come on Terry. You know why.”

At a loss, because for once, he doesn’t know what his boy means.

“I honestly can’t think of why. I finally have you. I wish to see you.”

“Come on, you,” he gestures to Terry, “really want to see me.”

And This?

This Terry will not stand for.

Not now.

Not ever.

For anyone to imply Daniel is less than absolutely perfect - even if it is the man himself.

Not just that but to imply that Terry’s desire is not something that knows any bounds is not only unacceptable but down right insulting,

“You doubt my desire for you?”

“What no …. “ If there is one thing Daniel has no doubt of it’s that. Everything they endured it because of Terry’s want for him. Even if he didn’t know that, it’s also poking him in the thigh.

“Well then why would you think I’d want to have you any other way but being able to see you - now that I have you in our bed, about to make love to you?”

He huffs looking away, but Terry gently but firmly turns his head.

“Look at me.”

He does, but only because he can feel the grip tighten when he tries to pull away - a shade below painful. Daniel was the only one Terry ever gave warnings too.

“I’ve been very patient with you baby, haven’t I?”

“I know,” he sighs out.

“No, that’s not what I mean. I finally get to see you. Have you. Would you deny me that after everything I’ve done for you? For us?”

A kiss to his hand to gentle the reprimand.

“I am grateful for that, I am. You’ve been more patience than most, but it’s …. It’s only been Amanda for the last twenty years …” he trails off, self deprecating smile in place.

Is his boy actually worried that he could disappoint Terry?!!

“and I’m not even sure ……” he can’t meet Terry’s eye, and he finally is allowed to free his face from Terry’s grasp, looking away instantly.

There lies not quite the heart of the matter, Terry knows that much.

While on his mind it’s not what is bothering him.

He’ll not have Daniel tonight - not in the way he truly wants - but that day will come, and soon, it’s just going to need work.

His boy is a virgin to that type of love and Terry is a lot to take - for anyone.

And take him Daniel will, but only after Terry knows he can handle it. Handle it and find pleasure in it.

And for that to happen, he will have to be well prepared, and he will be, by Terry’s mouth and fingers, maybe even some plugs of various sizes he can wear around to get used to something large inside him, taking up space, to get him to be really open enough. Some discomfort will be expected though, as he adjusts to Terry having him in such a manner, as Terry knows this will be a regular need of his that Daniel will have to fulfil, but he will be taught, like everything else, what he needs to do,

He knows his boy will love it, and if need be, for whatever reason, of not that in time, he will come to love it.

But he doesn’t foresee the latter happening because Terry will see to it that the first time he opens his boy up on his cock, it will be more than enjoyable for them both.

After he takes Daniel in that manner, he needs his boy to willingly spread for the next time, and the time after that, and after that, and that.

Because once Terry has a taste of that which he has been craving, like an addict, he knows that after he will allow nothing to deprive him of what he craves.

His boy already knows this though - that Terry won’t be inside him, not tonight that is. Terry had hoped that assuring Daniel of that would help his nerves.

While he undoubtedly does have apprehension about that, Terry sees now, where the true insecurity tonight lies.

“I want to see you.”

Daniel opens his mooith.

“I will see you. Nothing is forbidden from me, darling. Not where you’re concerned.”

Daniel nods, and then, bless him, he tries to go under the covers.

While he allows his boy to have his way for the small things, on this Terry will not budge. Daniel will bend to fit him. In more way than one.

Terry walks to the bed, and they’re at a perfect height now, between his boy resting on the bed, promoting himself up on his elbows as Terry nears.

“I want you to touch my cock.”

A blush high up on his cheeks, his eyes darting to the obvious bulge in Terrys pants.

He does as told, sitting up on the edge of the bed, feeling him through the thin material.

“Do you feel that? How hard I am for you ….”

Daniel’s hand works the cock through the material.

“Because of you,” Terry says, a hand under his chin so his boy can’t look away - from Terry - from this.

Daniel looks up at the older man.

“Now, take it out.”

He reaches in taking Terry’s cock out as directed, and now that it’s in hand, he hesitates, not quite sure what to do, and the clear inexperience is driving Terry crazy.

“Do you see? How hard you make me?”

Daniel nods, biting his lip, his thumb rubbing across the head of Terry’s cock.

Curious, he draws his thumb into his mouth to taste the clear liquid and before he knows it, he ends up naked from the waist down on their bed, Terry fully clothed with just his cock out.

“Spread your legs now … want to see if that hole is as pretty as the rest of you.”

“Terry,” he whines.

“Put your feet flat to the bed, knees up now and the. let them fall open.”

“That’s good.”

Terry lifts Daniel’s cock gently, with a sort of reverence, which is at odds to the reason why - so his hole is more visible.

“Hold yourself open for me.”

Terry means for his boy to hold his ass open, but Daniel’s hands go to the back of his thighs, drawing his legs back and close to his chest.

“Good boy,” Terry praises, knowing the reaction that will illicit, not surprised when he hears Daniel whine, exactly what he was expecting.

Never disappointing, his boy.

Once day he’ll film this - he probably won’t let his boy know though.

He wants to get Daniel in his lap, get his shirt off to lick and suck at his chest, the nipples always seemingly peaked and visible through whatever he seems to be wearing, driving Terry mad but he know show easily he becomes overwhelmed - in the face of desire like this - desire this pure and all consuming.

He can’t wait for his boy to be bouncing on his cock though, see how those soft little handfuls of his bounce and move with him.

For now though.

“Hands and knees for me.”

“Terry,” he starts, wearily looking to Terry’s cock.

“I won’t put it inside, baby. I know you’re not ready for that,” he says. “Yet,” Terry adds. His boy has to get comfortable with the idea that soon, it will be.

“Roll over for me though.”

Spreading his cheeks, “absolutely gorgeous, Danny - you have no idea sweetheart.”

“Keep them open for me.”

Holding his cock he runs the head up and down his crack, concentrating on the furled muscle of his entrance.

“Can you really feel it now? How fucking hard you make my cock?”

“Yes,” Daniel moans out, griping his cheeks harder, his fingers turning near white and he struggles to keep himself on such open display for the older man.

“Don’t ever hide yourself from me - ever again,” he growls, a hand in brown hair, pulling his back, the column of his throat tight and smooth, Terry watching as he swallows.

“Don’t ever imply that you are not the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”

The wet noises as Terry fists himself faster and faster.

Terry can feel his balls drawing up already.

“Play with your hole for me.”

“I … “

“Just rub your finger over it for me.”

It’s too dry, but then Terry spits, and Daniel is clumsy, clearly not used to anything near his ass, let alone on his cute little hole. He clearly doesn’t know how to touch himself there properly, how to make it feel good, but he’s trying, for Terry.

It may be hotter than if Daniel knew what he was doing - hotter than Daniel being able to be three fingers deep in his own ass - fingering himself for Terry.

These awkward little movements like he’s both embarrassed at being on display, being made to touch his hole for the older man, and like he’s almost afraid to touch himself there.

A warm splash of cum, and a deep groan, like a wounded animal, and then Terry is using his cum to wet his boy’s ass further, his fingers replacing Daniel’s. His fingertips glide over it and fuck, Daniel did not think this would feel good - that his asshole would be this sensitive. Fuck, it feels so much better with Terry doing it.

A large hand grips his cock and before Daniel realizes it, he too is coming, shooting into the bed below.

Rolling him onto his back, he takes in the sight of his boy, limp with pleasure, his cock softening.

How could this not be the most gorgeous thing Terry has ever seen?

Next time he’s going to fuck Daniel in front of a mirror.

Prove it to him.

[the1entirecircus]

Task Force X Suicide Squad Pokemon Teams

Here is my picks for the pokemon the members of the Suicide Squad would choose.

---

Amanda Waller

Malamar- An obvious pick because of her manipulative and malicious nature.

Mandibuzz- A pokemon associated with similar death and malice that Amanda is known for.

---

Rick Flag

Watchog- Rick often overwatches the missions of Task Force X

---

Harley Quinn

Mightyena- Harley owns a Hyena called Bud

Mightyena- Lou is the other Hyena that Harley owns

Gliscor- Since she's a part of the Batfamily now, her gliscor reflects that part of her. Her Gliscor would also have the hidden ability poison heal which reflects her history with Joker.

Roserade- A nod to her relationship with Ivy that also involves part of Harley's color scheme

Tinkaton- Harley's best known weapon is her giant mallet.

Mega Lopunny- This Lopunny has been through everything with Harley, including the Acid bath that bleach Harley's skin. This turned Harley's Lopunny into a meta pokemon that can mega evolve.

---

Captain Boomerang

Marowak- Boomerangs

Manetric- Electric Boomerang

Perrserker- Bladed Boomerang

Excaldrill- Razor Boomerang

Galarian Rapidash- the toy unicorn he has in the movie

---

Killer Croc

Mabosstiff- Killer Croc is a crime lord in Gotham City

Feraligatr- Killer Croc is based on the alligator of the sewer myth.

Krookodile- Crocodile (well, Gharial, but similar enough to a crocodile) thats also a crook.

Druddigon- Croc's skin condition gives him a rough exterior

---

King Shark

Quagsire- Many often see King Shark as dopey thanks to The Suicide Squad movie.

Cetitan- Another creature that once dwelled in the sea but can walk on land.

Mega Sharpedo- Great White Shark (Well, not really, but its shaped similarly)

Tapu Fini- He is a hawaiian demigod.

---

Peacemaker

Braviary- Its Eagly

Seismitoad- Activate Sonic Boom

Chandelure- A nod to how he can see the ghosts of people he's killed.

Scolipied- Scabbies for all (its a stretch i know)

Haxorus- Doesn't he use an ax in the movie?

Incineroar- Peacemaker is sort of a heel in terms of wrestling. He also doesn't care but secretly does like Incineroar.

Peacemaker's team consists of pokemon that come from Unova and Alola given that Peacemaker is a Captain America parody.

---

Deadshot

Intelleon- Deadshot is known for his espionage skills so handing him an Intelleon was an obvious choice.

Luxray- A perfect pokemon for Lawton's job, its x-ray eyes can see through anything

Sandaconda- Another type of gun-related pokemon.

---

Katana

Ceruledge- This is Katana. She's got my back. I would advice not getting killed by her. Her sword traps the souls of its victims.

Mega Lucario- A nod to her spiritual ties

---

Enchantress

Mismagius- She's a witch!

Spiritomb- An ancient artifact containing an evil spirit or just evil spirits.

Cofagrigus- Another archeological pokemon

---

Reverse Flash (Daniel West)

Orthworm- Daniel gained his abilities in a train accident.

Elektross- Daniel's Elektross is a meta pokemon. Its able to manipulate metal due to the accident which gave it a connection to the Speed Force.

---

El Diablo (Chato Santana)

Skeledirge- Spanish in origin

Salandit- A male salandit which ties into his criminal history and partly to how he killed his wife and children. Again, partly.

---

Deathstroke

Intelleon- He's a bounty hunter, so Intelleon was a good choice for him.

Talonflame- A nod to his connections with Robin/Nightwing

Hydrapple- A nod to the film title of Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons as well as his ability to regenerate as his Hydrapple has that ability

Olympian Aegislash- Deathstroke has been known to hold the Godkiller Sword, a weapon that is able to kill gods.

Gardevoir- This is taking a darker turn as this is in reference to Deathstroke's manipulative nature as he manipulated this Gardevoir to be loyal to him.

Kingambit- Deathstroke is not only an assassin like many samurai but he is also a leader.

I wanted to give Slade a very good team, and while I'm not an expert on pokemon teams, I think this is the best I could offer. Like Batman, Slade has other pokemon at his disposal that are also in nod to his other skills.

---

Bloodsport

Kryptonian Minior- A reference to him shooting Superman with a kryptonite bullet.

Klinklang- Bloodsport's armor in the movie The Suicide Squad is made up of nano-technology. To reflect this, his Klinklang is a meta pokemon made by Lex Luthor.

Shiftry- This is a stretch, but this is a reference to his time in Vietnam in the comics, as that was a part of his original origin.

---

A lot of these guys don't have full pokemon teams because A) I don't know enough about them and B) some don't seem like they would have full teams.

---

Up next:

Batman Rogues Gallery

[msfbgraves]

What did you think about the 6 trailer? I was totally and hugely disappointed.

Kreese’s arc is so cringe and stupid, his story was over in the season 3 finale. I especially hate how everyone is apparently buddy-buddy (Sam and Tory pullowfight?? Robby and Miggy beat buds??) and also Daniel and Johnny at odds YET AGAIN. I am so tired of their snippy “friendship”; the writers really have run out of ideas for them.

I’m also just dead sick of alcoholic, deadbeat, never wrong Johnny, he hasn’t been interesting and hasn’t developed since the beginning of season 3. And now he’s got a baby too! What about your biological son???

Also: where is best character Terry??? Chozen should be back in Okinawa wooing Kumiko but he’s in Cali with cutiepie Daniel san. Again! And Mike Barnes…did his wife forgive him? Did he get his life back?? Talk about dragging everyone into the mix. The season looks bad.

I’m so sorry Danny boy, you deserved much better!

I'm going to repeat what I've said before, Nonnie, and that is turn your brain off and enjoy Daniel and Johnny get karate married. I'm glad that Ralph, Billy and Marty did well out of it financially - they've shouldered this legacy for so long, they deserve it. Other than that... I hate the mystification of Miyagi. He was a kind fisherman turned handyman who was also a war hero sergeant and a surrogate father to a lost boy. That is enough. He doesn't need to be more. For the rest of it: the writers have fallen into the first pitfall of fanfic. Ooc ness. You can't treat characters as if prior characterisation doesn't matter. They're not yours. Johnny Lawrence isn't working class because you feel that's more sympathetic. He's the King of the country club! Daniel LaRusso isn't closed minded, I'm sorry if that upsets you. The Karate Kid was remarkably non-sexist for its time. Aly's friends were well enough drawn to stand up to Daniel, let alone Aly herself. Cobra Kai's treatment of its female characters makes no sense. Its refusal to let Johnny take any responsibility towards the son he abandoned... while cheering him having another baby (because HUR HUR, real men impregnate), is atrocious. That man, as written, is an a grade loser. He even abandons his business to Kreese. It doesn't matter that Billy Zabka is a better athlete than Ralph Macchio. All of these men, even Terry and Chozen, act as if they have no responsibilities. It's supposed to be a cool male fantasy but at its core, the way the writers glorify Johnny's immaturity is pathetic. I was promised the story of a man who never took responsibility, screwed up his whole life because of it, and now, late in life, through passion and love really tried to get his life together. The drinking and the random fighting not aspirational, but signs of someone in trouble. Him being enough of a free spirit that he can unstuck Daniel, who has become too set in his ways, and Daniel, through Robby, teaching Johnny what it means to be a father and an adult. By the end of S2 nobody should have been teaching karate in the Valley. I thought that it would have been about that. Whatever does Johnny even do for money? Mooch off of Carmen? Do any of these students pay? It's escapism but it's also ridiculous. I would have loved to cheer Johnny from deadbeat boy to adult man but we didn't get that. He's not grown at all! He still drinks, he still fights, he still neglects his son and he's sabotaged the relationship between Daniel and Robby. When Daniel needed help against Terry, Johnny wouldn't listen to him. It took Daniel nearly getting murdered and their great plan? Breaking and entering and massive vandalism. How is only Terry in jail? It's men playing at being boys and making taking responsibility into something unmanly. Do Carmen and Amanda get to play? No. Women take responsibility, not men. Men should be allowed to stay children forever on account of their somewhat larger genetic ability to cause internal bleeding. OK boomers!

[alwayscobrakai]

Rotating the ck era amanda/daniel/johnny dynamic in my head all the time always

I have pretty specific hcs abt the three of them relationship and sexuality wise and how that works when they're together and I wanna try and write my thoughts out

Amanda I think is a lesbian who met 1 (one) man she could tolerate and married him. She does love and care deeply abt Daniel but he's definitely a miracle exception for her and she is solely into women outside of him. She's had one off's with women during their whole relationship that Daniel is fully aware of and fine with.

Daniel claims to be the same as Amanda in that he is solely into women with One exception (johnny). Despite everyone in his life including his wife and children looking at him and seeing the most bisexual man in existence he vehemently denies this. I think as a teen/younger man he was much more open and willing to go with the flow irt to his sexuality but where he is at in ck era he is not emotionally able to do that anymore <3

Johnny is Mr Bisexual here and has been vaguely aware of this and repressing it for as long as he can remember but once he and Daniel have their Moment he's fully committed. He does however keep explaining it to ppl as "I'm bipolar now" and Miguel keeps having to correct him (robby takes it at face value without blinking and is just like yeah that tracks)

Daniel and Johnny the majority of the time are sweet and smitten and generally try to keep things "light and high school" bc as soon as either of them get emotional they start bickering and sulking and picking fights with each other. They're sooo into each other but their lifestyles and personalities are so incompatible they can't help it (not that they're incompatible. Just where they are at rn is)

Daniel and Amanda are same as canon for the most part, Amanda encourages Daniel to take out his Johnny emotions Productively rather than Karate War-ingly tho she has a short patience when it comes to Johnny himself.

Johnny and Amanda usually get on great and enjoy each other's company but they absolutely cannot share space for too long without setting the other off somehow. To Amanda, Johnny basically embodies everything she Dislikes about men and for Johnny, Amanda makes him feel like he's being judged and held to a standard which makes him act out to oppose that

They've maybe fucked around all together a few times but it's usually saved as a treat for Daniel rather than a regular thing

This is rlly long and rambley but I hope u enjoy reading my thoughts

[zannolin]

For fic ask game: F, M

F: Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

oh HELL yes i've written so much dialogue i love lately. this never happens (i fucking hate writing dialogue).

“Amanda’s mom unfriended me on Facebook, you know,” he tells Johnny one night, as they sit on the back deck with their feet in the grass. He doesn’t know why he says it. Maybe he just wanted someone to know. In the light glowing through the paper paneling of the door behind them, it’s hard to make out Johnny’s expression. Not that Daniel’s looking, or anything. “That blows,” Johnny finally says. He takes a swig of beer. “You should unfriend her back.” Daniel can’t help the laugh that bubbles up at that. He feels oddly light. Better. “That’s not how Facebook works, Johnny.” A huff, rendered softer by the darkness. “It should be.” “Yeah, everything’s a fight with you, isn’t it?” There’s a pause before Johnny says, “Not everything, LaRusso.” They don’t say anything else for a while after that.

this section from objects in motion is one of my favorite exchanges i wrote in the Entire piece. it just has like. the vibes. like (i hope) as a reader it's obvious with the context that johnny has changed, and johnny is talking about daniel here, and daniel hasn't caught on so there's two completely different levels of conversation going on. plus it's got johnny attempting to be supportive (he's so dumb i love him) and daniel trying to lighten things up with a joke that completely misses the mark and they just kind of sit there because well. what do you say after that. what do you do! they don't know! for me it really captured the essence of where they were in their developing relationship at that point in the narrative.

was also very happy with how the sam and daniel "are you getting a divorce" conversation turned out, but even more so how the subsequent kata-with-johnny one went because there's a lot of subtext there about sam starting to figure things out and she's not sure how to feel about it but she's sort of hesitantly giving a kind of blessing, or the hope of one someday, with the "miguel said you were good together"—like she's asking are you happy and daniel's maybe saying i think so and inviting her to be a part of it. if she wants. i could write essays about my own fics man i've thought about this so much. i love them. BUT ANYWAY i'll stop now.

M: Got any premises on the back burner that you’d care to share?

so many. sooooo many. i have one where sam and johnny get yeeted back to 1985 to witness the all valley that year since daniel's an eternal knot of repression; ft lawrusso kinda sorta, sam and johnny bonding, sam being her father's daughter, and mr miyagi my beloved. i have a concept where daniel from canon universe (somewhere in s1-3 i think) gets swapped with daniel from a different universe where mr. miyagi is still alive and lawrusso is canon, which is an absolute fucking disaster but also great because i get to explore more damanda marriage issues and hey here's a daniel who will actually COMMUNICATE with johnny, and here's a johnny who will actually COMMUNICATE with daniel, and it's not even ooc because i make the rules. there's a vague sam and johnny bonding werewolf au knocking around in my head also, and i really really want to write a johnny and ali fic eventually. i have like a million more but i think that's enough for now.

ask game!!

[tomhollandnet]

Tom Holland on how he feels about Danny Sullivan

“I was conflicted. When I read the book and watched the documentary, I didn’t know anything about this problem or what Danny was going through, I did not experience any trauma in my life that pushed me to have a reaction like his, so I wanted to understand and to empathize with someone who had been through something like what he went through, even after seeing what he does in that scene. That first scene is one of the craziest things I've ever done, we literally filmed it here in New York and it was amazing to see my young Spider-Man fans come over to watch us film and quickly realize that it's something very different, but it was also a lot of fun.”

Tom Holland on recreating New York in the 1970s

“It was amazing. The costume department, set design and art department did a great job of bringing the '70s to life. The show lives and dies with that, we had to create an environment that was authentic for our characters to develop, and if we don't do that, the show doesn't work, so I'm really happy that we were able to recreate that ‘70s New York environment. It was dirty, it was dangerous, it was scary, and I think it turned out really well."

Tom Holland on Danny's mental state at the beginning of the series

“Danny is like a caged animal, he's dangerous and he's someone who's trapped and looking for an escape, and he can potentially see an escape in Rya, so he can potentially manipulate the situation or take advantage of her kindness. The truth of his actions we do not know until he himself discovers his own inner truth.”

On his research around the character: “We did a lot of research, we feel very responsible to do this in the most authentic way possible. I read the book by Daniel Keyes, I saw the documentary, I talked to different people about Danny's condition and how it can manifest. I was also able to use Akiva Goldsman and his experience, and this helped us create the twist of the series and do the story justice.”

"And to separate myself from Danny, the first thing I did when I finished the series was cut off all my hair, it was crazy because then I went to the warp party and nobody recognized me."

Tom Holland on the women in Danny's life

"It's amazing to see the relationship between Danny and these 3 women who are very important in his life (Rya, his mother Candy, and his friend Ariana). It's interesting to see how much he trusts them, sometimes for the wrong reasons and sometimes not for the common good, but it is difficult to talk about them, because they can reveal so much.

What I can say is that these 3 actresses gave incredible performances, I think Sasha Lane is the best of the whole series, Emmy Rossum in Episode 9 is heartbreaking and mind-blowing, and I think Amanda, throughout the series, carries a lot of the weight and gravitas of this, she's so interesting as a character and as an actress, so we were lucky to have them."

[macchiatosdumptruck]

im a huge silverusso fan (also love lawrusso and danzen and lakreese lmao) but i 100% love damanda, they’re so good for each other and a hot as fuck couple omg. love that for them! plus we all know they have the best sex life. johnny terry and everyone else probably hate them for it lmao

Daniel and Amanda are bi4bi, bitch4bitch girlboss4manwhore GOALS.

I've mentioned before that I think a lot of their strength comes from an interesting play on what are considered "masculine" and "feminine" strengths and weaknesses.

Daniel is soft. And that's good! He hasn't let all of the hurt shut his heart down! That's so hard. And Amanda has canon anger issues. When was the last time a female character got to be angry and it got to be treated with respect?

(literally,like give me examples. I know they're out there and I love that shit. )

Daniel has a softness that Amanda can borrow from. Learn from. I heavily headcanon that it was Daniel who helped her get through her angry rebellious phase by showing her that there is strength in being soft.

And after everything Daniel had been through? He lost his first true love (Kumiko) and then immediately got into This Thing with Terry. (Whether you ship it or not. Or interpret it was sexual/romantic or not. )

Terry was a huge blow to Daniel's ability to trust. During tkk3 he learned and he felt good. Strong. But he didn't like the aggressive person it made him.

I think that shook him deeply, and has a lot to do with how committed to miyagi's brand of pacifism he is in the show.

The very thing that other characters view him as "stubborn and stuck up" about.

They're playful, and loving and they talk through their differences. They mess up and then make up.

(Daniel also performs acts of service in a way that is typically considered feminine. He cooks. He cleans. He gets dressed up in a cute little outfit twice in canon just to apologize.)

They share workout leggings. They're both the hot moms of the town. The other parents hate them.

And you know they fuck. They're so into each other I bet their kids find it mortifying.

He's just her pretty little soft butch guy, and she's just his tall and hot femme wife. (though Amanda used to be more butch in her younger years.)

Her strap game is so strong. And his head game is so strong.

Switch4switch goals.

She is so patient and understanding with so much of his nonsense as well. Like. It felt out of character for her not to believe him about Terry in s5 (but that gives me big Written By Men vibes.) But she also knows when to put her foot down. And he respects that. They respect each other. They like each other. They work great as a team.

They're just a surprisingly healthy and well written male/female relationship to come from a show like this.

Plus. As we've established. They fuck.

"I've got some more in the tank."

"well, they didn't hear me last night."

Get a room! (Affectionate)

[purpleheartskies]

"Party Time"

I remember after s4 came out most people did not like this episode (s4e8)... probably for some of the same reasons that I love it. 😏

From a storytelling pov, one thing I love about s4e8 and s5e4 is that each episode starts out with a beautiful image of the "happy" "family" and rest of the episode reveals the dysfunction underneath. It's some meta storytelling and more of that irony and juxtaposition that is weaved throughout the series. And interestingly, these episodes in s4 and s5 are the only ones in which Shannon makes her appearance in that season. (I recently posted about the contrast portrayed in these episodes between Shannon and Carmen when it comes to Johnny.)

I've always noticed the overshadowing absence of Robby in Johnny and Miguel scenes throughout the series, as well as in the Johnny, Diazs, and LaRussos "family" scenes in s4. Robby's absence was also ever present in the prom night "family" photo. Robby should have been there. Robby is Johnny's real son, and the LaRussos had taken Robby in for a time. At one point, Daniel had even told Robby, "I'm glad you're part of this family." After the events of the school fight, Johnny, Daniel, and Sam each eventually chose a side, and it wasn't Robby's. Johnny and the LaRussos had thought the worst of, rejected, and eventually replaced Robby. (Of course, Sam can date whoever she wants. However, Robby had been her karate partner and friend before they had started dating after she pursued him, despite him reminding her of his precarious situation. Also, he had been protecting her that day in school when Miguel assaulted him. Robby deserved better treatment from Sam. I go into this more later.)

In an s3 interview, Tanner said that they (the writers) were just tearing Robby down the entire season and were building everyone else back up. His comment and how prom night went in s4 remind me of this saying, "You can't build your happiness on someone else's tears." This saying implies that karma will come due for people who do so. This saying applies to Johnny and the Diazs, in particular, but also to Sam and Miguel when it comes to them building their happiness on Robby's "tears". Daniel and Amanda have their faults in this too, as they support Sam in her decision to date Miguel. Also, Miguel had gotten badly injured by accident, but they ALL act like he had done nothing wrong at all and they ALL vilify and scapegoat Robby for the school fight. Although karma came for a short while on prom night for these characters, karma did come. Robby had a great night, while Johnny, Daniel, Amanda, Sam, and Miguel had crappy nights and couldn't face the hard truths about themselves/their relationships.

"I love you too, Robby"

I love the scene transition after the "happy family" photo. It fades into the scene of Johnny and Carmen coming home and Shannon making her one and only appearance in s4. The hard reminders and truths started hitting as soon as that photo faded out. I also love the scene transition from "I love you too Robby" and Miguel crying to Robby laughing with Tory and the ferris wheel in the background. In s3e9, that same ferris wheel is in the background as Johnny and Ali were ending their date night. This is yet another subtle reminder that Robby is Johnny's "real" son.

In this post, I'm going to focus on Robby & Tory, Sam & her "choice", Daniel & Amanda, and Johnny. I'm not going to focus on Miguel's prom night specifically. I did that in a recent post.

Robby & Tory

I loved Robby and Tory's instant chemistry in the probation office scene in s3e8. That scene established some important similarities between them, which I talked about in more detail in my Tory post. Two similarities I want to highlight here are that they were both at the probation office without an adult and that they don't have stable home lives. Basically, these two kids don't get to be kids like the other kids in the story do. They haven't had childhoods for a while, their whole lives it seems. Though Tory's mom had been healthier earlier on in Tory's life and had been able to provide for her and her brother, Tory's story about why she agrees with the "no mercy" teaching indicates that she'd experienced a lot of trauma during that time as well. Tory's aunt's comments about Tory's dad's temper indicate that she possibly has trauma due to him as well. So, I loved that prom night became Robby's and Tory's night. They got to glam up, be teens, and have fun with kids their age. They also connected more with each other in terms of empathizing with and understanding each other. They each have trust issues because of their childhood traumas, and they each had been betrayed by their most recent exes. Although Robby didn't really open up to Tory about anything, Robby's kindness and empathy allowed Tory to feel safe enough to share things with him.

Earlier in the day, Robby asked Tory if she's going to prom, and she said to let the rich kids have their party. She herself then brought up and dismissed the idea of herself in a ballroom dress. This makes me wonder if she'd actually imagined herself in one. If not recently, then maybe when she was a kid, at that age when little girls dream of being Disney princesses. Class started, and Kreese told them that the lesson is about throwing your opponent off-balance and to pair up. Robby instinctively looked over at Tory, and they paired up. He told her that crashing you-know-who's big night would be a way to get her opponents off balance. She said that him being their would do a better job of that. He reminded her that he got kicked out of school so he can't go. Ugh... don't even get me started on this. Robby not being in school while his attacker gets to keep going irks me to no end. Tory then indirectly asked Robby to prom, and Robby, somewhat surprised, cutely asked her if she was asking him to prom. She played it off and said that it's a "tactical move". Girl, just own it. We don't blame you. 😏 Silver then offered them a stylish night out (though of course they didn't know he had his own ulterior motives).

I loved Robby and Tory's prom walk-in, just after Miguel and Sam had said that the night would be about themselves. Robby's "evil" plan to throw this toxic couple off balance was to do a show-stopping dance. It was simple and brilliant and had Sam and Miguel taking turns staring at them all night. Yes, the school fight had been traumatic for Sam and Miguel, but it had been traumatic for Robby as well. And, this toxic couple acts like Miguel's actions against Robby in the school fight had been okay, just like they act like cheating on your partner is okay. I didn't mind their exes being petty one night and showing them up.

Besides, Robby and Tory are better off without these two. Sam didn't treat Robby right, and Miguel had just been using Tory. In s4e1, when Robby had called Sam out for cheating on him, she simply brushed it off as things being "more complicated" than she had thought. Robby rightly reminded her, "There's nothing complicated about it. It's a choice, and you chose." In s3e6, Tory asked Miguel, "Were you just going out with me to get Sam's attention?" Miguel deflected, "Is that really what you think?" acting like Tory was wrong to think that. Right before this, he had said, "I never cared about Miyagi-Do or Kreese, I cared about us." The latter part is definitely not true. He'd been pursuing Sam all of s2, even while he had been dating Tory. Tory rightfully questioned his answer, before asking if he'd been using her. Miguel was gaslighting her, and I was proud of her for standing her ground. Yes, she had been wrong in the school fight, but he had been too. He is responsible for his own actions: using Tory to make Sam jealous; approaching and kissing Sam while she was drunk; seeking out and attacking Robby and antagonizing him to his limit. All of these actions are Miguel's, and his alone. No one, not even brainwashed, "crazy" Tory, deserves to be gaslit. Neither Sam nor Miguel are willing to take accountability for their faults in their relationships with Robby and Tory, respectively. Sam though at least is capable of guilt and remorse, while Miguel has been shown to not have these qualities.

Anyway, after their show-stopping dance, Tory complimented Robby's dancing. He said that his mom was a dancer, implying that he had learned from her. This is yet another parallel Robby has with the OG Karate Kid: a couples dance followed by him explaining that he learned to dance from his mom. Tory said that she had to teach herself. Robby then complimented Tory's dancing but admit that she'd more likely win a karate competition than a dance one. Tory said that she hopes so, and then confided in Robby that all these Encino kids have their lives cut out for them and she won't ever have that. She said that she's hoping to win the tournament so that she can look at that trophy and know that she was best at something. When she put herself down about it and said it was stupid, he sincerely told her that it wasn't and that he gets it. She looked at him then, like she was realizing that she can safely be herself with him, and then rested her head on his shoulder. She then asked if their exes were still looking, and he said that he didn't care anymore. She looked at him and said that she didn't care either.

At the prom after-party, they were in sync in the fight that Sam started. I'll get into the context of that fight later, but I love that the dance and the fight both highlighted that Robby and Tory are better partners than Sam and Miguel are. (In s5, Robby and Sam can also still do the balance wheel, while Miguel just watched from the sidelines.)

The superior couple, in sync on the dance floor and in a fight.

Later, in Silver's car, I love that Robby complimented Tory's karate moves. He doesn't feel threatened by either girl's karate skills, and in fact, has always recognized and praised them. He also got a good laugh out of Tory wanting to return her dress the next day. He didn't judge her for that.

Throughout the episode, Robby followed all of Tory's cues. She asked him to prom indirectly, and he confirmed that that is what she was asking. He lead her onto the dance floor. When she told him that they were watching, he said let's give them something to look at and started dancing with her. While dancing, she rested her head on his shoulder first, and then he leaned in more. In the car, he kept his distance until she gave him cues that she wanted to do more. He was kind, genuine, humble, sweet, empathetic, and respectful.

Sam & her "choice"

In s3e8, Sam and Miguel started getting back together. Miguel made a grand entrance to the city council meeting and gave a speech that framed himself as the victim and hero of the school fight. He basically gaslit everyone there by leaving out important context of his actions during the school fight, which he used to portray himself as the victim. He talked about being the victim of bullying but left out his own actions as a bully---because of course he doesn't view himself as a bully but as someone who was justified in his assault against his innocent victim. Sam, who since the school fight has acted like Miguel has done no wrong ever, joined in on the speech and together they swayed the city council into allowing the avt to continue. It was a moment of triumph for them, and it rekindled their toxic relationship. Although Sam was truly a victim in the school fight and her intentions for getting the avt reinstated were genuine, Miguel ended his speech by saying that people deserve a chance to be champion. Earlier in the episode, Miguel had told Johnny that Miguel needs to prove that he can be a champion again. Miguel's sole purpose the whole time was to get the avt reinstated for himself, which is why during the avt in s4e10 he left after he realized that he was no longer fighting for himself anymore.

Anyway, after the city council meeting in s3e8, Sam took Miguel to Miyagi-Do---the place where she and Robby had become training partners to friends to boyfriend and girlfriend; the place that Robby had helped her father revive. Robby unfortunately found Sam and Miguel there, after Robby had been in juvie for months because he had accidentally injured his bully/attacker Miguel, aka Miguel "strike first, strike hard, show mercy sometimes" "why didn't you hold back after I had attacked you" Diaz, during the fight in school that Miguel himself had started and escalated between them while Robby had been trying to protect Sam. Here, at Miyagi-Do, Robby saw for himself what Tory had tried to tell him earlier that day---Sam would betray him ("Watch, she'll turn on you.") and would leave him behind ("Then, why are we both here?"). Sam didn't have to keep dating Robby after the school fight, but Sam could have stuck up for him. Instead, she allowed Robby to be vilified and scapegoated completely for the school fight, never speaking up for him that he had been defending her that day when Miguel had attacked him. In fact, Sam took part in vilifying and scapegoating him, which Robby knew about. While in juvie, Robby had seen Sam's tv interview in which she threw him under the bus to portray herself and Miyagi-Do as the "good guys" and expressed that they all "love" Miguel. Like Robby said to them before he left Miyagi-Do that night, "You two deserve each other." They had built back their reputations after the school fight by stepping all over him. Miguel's tragic "back"story is not an excuse for him to deflect accountability from himself to everyone else, but Miguel lacks humility, self-awareness, and the ability to have remorse and take accountability for his actions in the school fight. Sam also lacks the self-awareness to consider how she's hurt Robby through her betrayal.

In s4e1, Sam dismissed cheating on him by saying that her feelings had been more complicated than she thought. After Robby rightfully countered, "There's nothing complicated about. You had a choice, and you chose," she said that he was right. Then, she diverted the conversation by saying that that doesn't mean he has to make the wrong choice and that he is a "good person". She not only assumed that he had joined Cobra Kai but also assumed that he'd done so because of her choice. Not to mention, she also actually believed that she had the right to judge him for it, completely oblivious to the fact that she had teamed up with the two people who have hurt him so much. In fact, earlier in that conversation, she said that she was angry at him for what happened in school. But, she has never been angry at Miguel for what he had done in school. Instead, she'd declared to the world on live tv that Miguel needs their help and "we love you, Miguel", while never doing the same for Robby.

In s4e8, Robby knew exactly how to throw this toxic couple off balance: all he and Tory had to do was show up and steal the show... and that they did! From the moment Robby and Tory entered prom, it was game over for Sam and Miguel. While on the dance floor, they kept taking turns staring at Robby and Tory and getting annoyed with each other.

At the prom after-party, Tory ended up in line behind Sam for a drink. Sam immediately taunted Tory, "Seems like you're always behind me in line. First Miguel, now Robby. I have a half-eaten cupcake if you want some." Sam comparing her exes to her leftover food is just low. Back in s4e4, while Tory was telling the kids at the birthday party the story about the dragon and the prince, Sam said, "Is that the prince that you stole from another princess?" and Tory countered, "The other princess wasn't dating that prince anymore." Girl, Sam, I'm with Tory on this. You had broken up with him... back then, you still had better standards for boyfriends. Sam was now accusing Tory of stealing Miguel from her, which Tory didn't do. In fact, Sam is the one who had kissed Miguel while he was dating Tory.

So, to recap, Sam (1) falsely believes that Tory had stolen Miguel from her, (2) completely disregards that she herself had kissed Tory's boyfriend, (3) dismisses cheating on Robby with Miguel as her feeling being "complicated", and (4) compares her exes to leftover food.

After Sam's cupcake comment, Tory said that she'd kick Sam's ass if she hadn't told Sam's mom that she wouldn't. Sam told Tory to stay away from her family. Tory then said that she doesn't take orders from tiny little bitches. Sam struck first in response.

Miguel arrived after a bit and stopped Sam from hitting Tory again. He asked Sam what she was doing, and she said that she's doing what Johnny said and not taking Tory's shit anymore. Miguel didn't know who had started the fight, though. This was like at the roller rink in s2e8, Miguel got mad at Sam for tripping Tory, without even knowing what had happened. In that case, Tory had tripped Sam first. This time, Sam had attacked Tory first. Regardless, as always, Miguel was quick to blame Sam.

After this, Miguel tried to stop Tory from attacking Sam, and he and Tory fell to floor. Tory started to struggle with Miguel, telling him to let her go. Robby came on the scene then, and after Robby pulled Miguel away from Tory, Robby tried to punch Miguel. Sam stopped him and declared to Robby, right in front of Miguel', "You think I broke your heart? You broke mine too!" Sam's way of saying this was gaslight-y, "You think..." Oh Sam, smh, you did break his heart.

At the end of the fight, Robby knocked Miguel into the girls and the three of them fell into the pool. Tory teasingly pulled Robby in when he lent her hand to help her out. He laughed it all off and didn't care at all. Meanwhile, Miguel got pissed off at Sam.

"Tonight was supposed to be for you and me. You ruined it!"

Earlier, before the "family" photos, Sam said "no karate, no rivalries", after Miguel had said, "Can't believe we finally get a night to ourselves." When Tory showed up at prom, with Robby no less, of course Sam would be upset about Tory being there. However, never once has Miguel shown understanding towards Sam regarding her issues with Tory. He's always upset with or guilting Sam about Tory, trying to put Sam down about it. After the fight, Miguel immediately blamed Sam for ruining the night, although he hadn't been there to see who had started that fight. Sam asked Miguel why he was taking Tory's side and if that was why he's been staring at her. He immediately countered with, "Let's not talk about the moment you had with Robby, huh?" once again diverting blame from himself, as if he himself hadn't shared a moment with Tory during the fight. He then said that he wanted to go home, and Sam said that she did too.

If Sam were happy with her "choice", she wouldn't have been sneaking glances at Robby, wouldn't have been jealous and compared him to her leftover food in an attempt to insult Tory, and wouldn't have declared that he had broken her heart too. Which he hadn't! Not to mention, she had gone behind Miguel's back to talk to Robby in s4e1 to convince him to come back to Miyagi-Do. Clearly, she didn't believe in the power of her and Miguel's "love" to "conquer all" and keep the senseis together. And, what would she have done if Robby had come back? Assumed that Miguel would have been okay with her doing this behind his back, or at all? Also, during the family dinner in s4e3, Sam was totally checked out. In s4e10, Miguel didn't stick around to support Sam and selfishly ran off because it wasn't about himself anymore. Robby, in contrast, stayed to support Tory even though he also had a lot on his mind.

In s5, there's nothing that shows that Sam's fully invested in this shallow, toxic relationship... not even their declarations of love at the end because she found the fugly octopus necklace that he had bought her... right before she found Miguel making out with a random girl. She had broken up with him to work on herself, which was a good decision. Her subconscious even distinguished him from the others in her dream. While the others recognized her as an individual, dream Miguel referred to her as his girlfriend who wasn't supportive of him: "You're my girlfriend, Sam. Why can't you just be supportive?" This is important given that he hadn't supported her during her match with Tory. He'd abandoned her right before the match. On the phone in s5e1, he gaslit her into believing that she should only focus on his issues that he created for himself by running off to Mexico for no urgent reason, while also minimizing her issues with Tory as just "karate". Dream Miguel was possessive of her and was gaslighting her, just like actual Miguel is/does. This is what narcissistic abuse looks like. I know people will dismiss this because Miguel treats Sam this way. But my unsolicited advice is " Learn to recognize this type of behavior. Doing so will help you protect yourself in relationships."

Sam's definitely been having "buyer's remorse" wrt her "choice". "Buyer's remorse" is a form of cognitive dissonance: the discomfort a person feels when their behavior does not align with their values or beliefs. Usually people deal with cognitive dissonance using defense mechanisms such as avoiding the topic, undermining proof of it or undermining the person who points it out, or belittling its importance. Sam does all of these here by saying her feelings were "complicated" and deflecting the conversation and accusing Robby of making a "wrong choice" after he points out her "choice". She also projected onto Robby her own feelings that she'd made the "wrong choice".

Sam: "I thought that that was over, but it was more complicated." Robby: "There's nothing complicated about it. It's a choice, and you chose." Sam: "You're right. But that doesn't mean you have to make the wrong choice."

Girl, you are the one who made the "wrong choice". You know it. You just can't admit it yet.

Daniel & Amanda

Before I continue, I will say, both the notion that Daniel is a worse father than Johnny and the comparison of how Daniel treats Anthony is similar to how Johnny treats Robby are f-ing ridiculous. These claims are used to minimize how atrociously Johnny treats Robby.

Amanda's been called the "voice of reason" by the fandom since s1, but that's because she dismissed Daniel's past trauma from Cobra Kai and his legitimate concerns about Johnny reopening Cobra Kai. Amanda has continued to dismiss Daniel, even in s5. When she eventually decided to fight Silver, she clearly said that she now believes it's the right thing to do. This confirms that she wouldn't have supported him otherwise. That is, she wouldn't have just believed him that Silver was dangerous too, despite everything that had happened with Kreese. She herself had to believe that Silver was a threat, before she would be by Daniel's side.

Amanda was also dismissive of Sam and her trauma and feelings due to Tory and the school fight. Though Amanda was making the right choice from a practical standpoint to help Tory, Amanda did not consider the psychological and emotional toll it took on Sam and just wanted Sam to see things her way.

Amanda is stubborn, self-righteous, doesn't care to understand others, and dismissive of any issue that she herself doesn't view as a concern, even if her loved ones view those things as concerns.

When it came to Anthony and dealing with him being a bully, both Amanda and Daniel failed him. In s4e8, Amanda started the night wanting to keep it quiet that Anthony was grounded for being a bully.

Amanda: "I get nervous having family over while we're dealing with the Anthony crisis." Daniel: "I know. Bullying is the last thing I ever thought we'd be dealing with." Amanda: "Yeah, well, two more weeks in his room with no screen time and he'll get the message." Daniel: "If he doesn't, maybe we take him to a professional." Amanda: "Whatever happens, can we keep your mom out of this? I'm finally on stable ground with her."

Amanda called the situation the "Anthony crisis". Their answer to it was to punish Anthony. If that didn't work, then Daniel suggested that they try therapy for Anthony. So basically, they believe the issue is with Anthony only, and of course not with them. Amanda was also way more concerned about how she looked in front of Daniel's family, especially his mom... to the point that Amanda didn't want Anthony to come downstairs to be part of the family photos! Like, wtf, Amanda? Your failure as a parent should not mean that you leave Anthony out of a family event or family memories!

Later, she condescended Louie's sister, Vanessa, before even hearing her assessment of Anthony based on her studies.

Louie: "She's in her second year of grad school for child psychology." Amanda: "Who is?" Daniel: "Uh, Cousin Vanessa. She wants to help out with Anthony." Amanda laughs... Amanda: "Oh, no offense, but if we were gonna get a pro, we could do better than Marisa Tomei Junior." Louie: "I am offended. I'm gonna make you eat those words."

At least Amanda admitted that she was impressed by Vanessa's knowledge. Amanda and Daniel then told Vanessa that she could have at Anthony. She told them that she wants to talk with them. Later, Amanda became absolutely defensive and unraveled while Vanessa pointed out truths about their parenting of Anthony: the ramifications of giving Anthony his own electronics; Anthony learning life lessons from the internet because they were too busy with work and now the dojo; them not correcting Anthony's behavior after he picked up "things" from the internet; them acting out when they get defensive; and them loving Sam more than Anthony.

Amanda: "Okay, I'm sorry, how many stones do you plan on throwing from your glass house? I'm curious if you've ever taken care of anything bigger than a goldfish. What are you writing?" Vanessa: "See, this reaction is at the root of the problem." Amanda: "Excuse…" Vanessa: "You're acting out." Daniel: "No, no, we're just working through this. We're not acting out." Vanessa: "I can prove it with a simple test… Now, why do you think you love your daughter more than your son?"

Amanda is not so much the "voice of reason" in this scene, just like in many others.

Amanda and Daniel keep themselves in denial about the flaws in their parenting skills. Daniel had suggested earlier that Anthony is the one who needed therapy, but Vanessa rightly pointed out that the problem starts with their behaviors. That's why she had wanted to talk to them and not Anthony.

Daniel took it a step further later on. He went to Anthony's room, seeming to want to smooth things over.

Daniel: "Look, I know this suspension and the no screens thing sucks. But not as much as it sucks to be bullied. So I hope you understand why these consequences are necessary. We're trying to help you to grow into the person we know you are, Anthony. I know it's been crazy around here this last little while, and that part, that's on me. This tournament stuff made me lose focus on the things that are most important."

Anthony then said that he's actually looking forward to the tournament and that he hopes they win, screw Cobra Kai. I wonder if Anthony added that last part in because he knows that's how to win Daniel over. Daniel was appeased by that response and was about to leave, but the device Anthony had been hiding made a sound. Daniel realized that Anthony was defying their punishment of no screens.

Daniel broke and chose Johnny's way instead of taking the Miyagi-Do way. Daniel literally broke Anthony's device, and Anthony shockingly asked if he's insane. Daniel then yelled: "Quiet! You're gonna learn to listen to us and do as you're told, and if you don't, you'd better strap yourself in for a rough ride because I am done playing games with you." He asked if Anthony understood, and he said yes.

Daniel had just basically admit that he has been off-balance because of the tournament stuff, and he sure acted like it after he realized that Anthony had a tablet. Daniel also doesn't seem to know all the details about why Anthony bullied Kenny. Anthony partly bullied Kenny because Anthony himself was being bullied into it. So, Anthony did know what it was like to be bullied. Anthony, understandably, made the wrong choice and became a bully. He was also jealous about Lia liking Kenny and that fueled some of the bullying. Of course, Anthony bullying Kenny was wrong regardless, but there was more context to the situation that Daniel didn't try to understand, or care to even find out. It was a complicated situation for a kid to be in: bully or be bullied (even more). Also, before he had gotten caught as the bully, Anthony had allowed Daniel to believe that he was being bullied by the kid in Cobra Kai who owned the hoodie that Daniel had found in Anthony's room, so Daniel's anger with Anthony was understandable. Regardless, Anthony needed some solid mentoring to learn how to handle and grow from the whole situation, which he never got.

instead of actually trying to understand who Anthony is right now and helping him with whatever led him to bullying some other kid, Daniel and Amanda have their idea of who they want Anthony to be and are trying to help him grow into that... apparently just by punishing him. This is similar to what Robby had taunted Daniel about in s4e6 wrt what he would say to Robby: "Let me guess, your sales pitch is, "I'm here to rescue you." "This isn't who you are, Robby. I can "help" ." Blah blah blah blah blah." Daniel admit to Robby that he had said all of this before. After the school fight, Daniel had called the cops on Robby before even talking to him and hearing his side of the story and understanding him, his situation, and what "help" he really needed. Daniel had made decisions for how to "help" Robby based on Daniel's own view of who Robby is and what had happened. Daniel's idea of "helping" Robby was just punishing him, just like with Anthony and this bullying situation. Daniel's stance on this hasn't changed. Hence, him repeating the same things to Robby in s5e6, "Robby, the things I did, juvie, I was... I was just trying to help you," as well as wanting Robby's validation that he had made the right decisions for Robby, which Daniel hadn't.

So, does Daniel know who Anthony is? Or Robby? Or even Sam? Because many parents do this. They have their own idea of who their child is or who they want their child to be and want them to become that person, instead of actually understanding who their child really is and helping them to grow into the best version of themselves.

Neither Daniel nor Amanda know Sam, either. Same with Robby, especially for Daniel. Ever since finding out in s1e9 that Robby is Johnny's son, Daniel has projected his issues with Johnny onto Robby and has rejected/disowned him whenever he has screwed up and Daniel has had a bad altercation with Johnny (s1e9, s2e10, and s3e2). In s2e10, Daniel and Amanda were quick to blame Robby for Sam not coming home and for getting drunk at Moon's party, without knowing what had happened and that Robby had actually tried to stop Sam from drinking. Before the party, Amanda had told Sam, "Well, look, whatever you do, have fun, make good choices. I know I don't have to worry about you." Amanda clearly overestimates Sam's ability to make good choices. The next morning, they realized that Sam wasn't in her room and hadn't come home the night before. Then, they saw Aisha's message about Sam being drunk and the cops showing up at the party. When Daniel tracked Sam down to Johnny's apartment and Johnny didn't let him in, Daniel understandably fought his way in to make sure that his daughter was okay. He first asked Sam if she was okay and then asked her why she didn't text or call. Robby then cut in, taking the blame on himself that he brought her there. Daniel went from panicky while speaking to Sam to furious while speaking to Robby. Daniel cut Robby off and said, "Wait, now, don't even start. I gave you a second chance. This whole thing was a mistake. You know, you wanna end up like him, that's up to you." Daniel believed that Robby was the reason that Sam had gotten drunk. After all, Johnny is an alcoholic. In s3e2, Daniel repeated something similar to Johnny: maybe Robby has too much of Johnny in him. But, Daniel later claimed to Robby that Daniel had been wrong to say those things. I've always noticed that Daniel hadn't said that he had been wrong about those words, just that he had been wrong to voice them: "What I said to you the last time we saw each other was... terrible." Daniel believes that Robby has too much of Johnny in him, but that Robby can be who Daniel knows he can be. Hence, Daniel's words while rejecting Robby: "If you wanna end up like him, that's up to you." Sadly, despite all the time Daniel had spent with Robby, Daniel doesn't recognize that Robby is already leagues better than Johnny.

In s2e5, Daniel had called Robby "family", but in s2e10 in the car with Sam, Daniel talked about Robby as if he is a lost cause and said that Robby has his own family:

"I thought I could help him. But he's got his own family. I need to focus on mine."

This means that Daniel had stopped thinking of Robby as family, and Daniel's belief of Robby being a lost cause started in s2e10. That's why he didn't care for the details of what had happened in the school fight and had automatically believed that Robby had done it on purpose, "I can't believe Robby would do that." Daniel said this to Sam and Amanda in the hospital just a few hours after Daniel had said those things to Sam in the car about Daniel having tried to help Robby. After the school fight, and moreover due to seeing Johnny almost kill someone in the garage while looking for Robby, Daniel has believed the worst of Robby and that juvie would "help" Robby, although it had really been an accident. Daniel could have at least tried to put up a real fight/self-defense case for him, but Daniel did in fact think the worst of him, that he had done it on purpose in the moment by mistake. Daniel had told Robby that he could learn from his mistakes. In s4e6, Daniel only remembered Robby after Amanda talked about kids with anger issues being thought of as lost causes in need of wake-up calls. Daniel had essentially given up on Robby back in s2 before the school fight, the morning after Moon's party.

In s3e8, after Robby got out of juvie and rejected Daniel's offer of a home at Miyagi-Do, and noticeably Daniel's offer hadn't been for a home again with the LaRussos, Amanda suggested to Daniel that he let Robby figure it out on his own and "let him go", which Daniel did pretty quickly, especially after Sam told Daniel to give Miguel a chance in s3e9. In s4, they moved onto having "family" dinners with the kid who had caused the whole mess with Robby in the first place. Robby had been dropped by the LaRussos, by Daniel in particular, as "family". Interestingly, Robby's place across from Sam and next to Johnny at the table during the "family" dinner in s4e3 was vacant. A silent reminder of Robby's place in the "family".

Amanda's and Daniel's poor judgment in blindly trusting Sam is combined with them not knowing who she is or recognizing her flaws. They've been onboard about her dating Miguel again, also acting like he has never done anything wrong to Robby or Sam before that devastating moment in the school fight. The extreme irony here is also that Daniel and Amanda had worried that Robby had done something to Sam, gotten her drunk and/or worse, the night of Moon's party, but it was Miguel who had taken advantage of Sam, seeking her out and kissing her while she was drunk, at Moon's party. In turn, Robby had tried to stop her from drinking, took care of her, and made sure she was safe.

In s4e10, Sam and Daniel had a touching father-daughter moment in which he finally accepted her for who she wanted to be in terms of how she did karate. Daniel had wanted her to be LaRusso 2.0, a pressure she still feels based on her dream in s5.

Amanda and Daniel don't know their kids or Robby at all, just the ideas they have of them in their own heads: "help you to grow into the person we know you are." As in, Anthony hasn't met this unspoken standard they have set for him. Same for Sam, and same for Robby.

It's also important to note that Daniel and Amanda don't realize that they emotionally neglect both their kids. That is why Sam is also struggling in some ways. For example, Amanda didn't take into account Sam's psychological and emotional needs when it came to helping Tory. Anthony, especially, is emotionally neglected. As Vanessa pointed out, Anthony was essentially raised by screens, mostly learning things from the internet, and is not loved as much as Sam is. They also emotionally neglect Robby, dismissing his issues with Daniel since s3e2 as "he's a teenager" and even overlooking how Johnny treats Robby.

In these significant ways, Daniel and Amanda treat Robby like they treat Anthony and Sam. It shows how integrated Robby is in the LaRusso family, even if they don't realize it.

Daniel does try to bond with his kids, but he doesn't seem to know how to associate with them outside of karate or talking about Mr. Miyagi. Daniel especially doesn't know how to bond with Anthony because he doesn't try to take interest in his hobbies. Because of all this, Anthony feels disconnected from Daniel and the family. Maybe Daniel could combine the two to start: buy a karate video game and play it with Anthony. Daniel's comment to Anthony in s4e7 was also really low:

Daniel: "I can't believe this. Anthony, you can't just pay people to do the hard work. Part of growing up is to learn how to accomplish something on your own." Anthony: "I know." Daniel: "If Mr. Miyagi was here, you know what he would say right now?" Anthony: "I don't care." Daniel: "What?" Anthony: "All you ever do is talk about Mr. Miyagi. Okay, I get it. He was a great man, he taught you karate and he taught Sam her first move, the wax on, wax off, okay. I've heard all the stories, and I'm getting sick of it." Daniel: "Oh, you're sick of it. So you don't wanna learn how to defend yourself. To learn how to use skills that will help you in life." Anthony: "Not if it means cleaning up bird shit." Daniel: "Hey, language. You know, I thought you were mature enough to appreciate all this, but I guess I was wrong. Just go back to your video games."

Oh, Daniel. Maturity is YOU not losing your balance and saying and doing some of the things you do, like this.

Daniel and Anthony had a nice moment of bonding later and Daniel accepted that Anthony didn't have to do anything he didn't want to, but their conversation was all still about karate and Mr. Miyagi. After this, Anthony tried a first time to start over with Kenny, but Kenny was rightfully angry at Anthony. This led to Anthony getting caught with Kenny's trap and exposed as the bully.

After Anthony got caught, neither Amanda nor Daniel gave Anthony any mentorship about how to resolve things with Kenny. They only punished and yelled at Anthony for being a bully and getting suspended, and later for using his tablet while grounded. Well... Daniel was upset at Anthony for being a bully, while Amanda was upset at Anthony for it because it made them, especially her, look bad. Regardless, neither of them gave him the proper tools to make things right and "hash things out" with Kenny. Anthony did try to apologize properly to Kenny at the avt, but it was a "wrong place, wrong time" situation and Anthony fumbled through the apology. But, that's the point. They didn't guide him at all about how to make up for being a bully. Another parenting fail! Good job, adult LaRussos!

What's also ironic is that Daniel claims that Cobra Kais are bullies, but his son isn't Cobra Kai and was in fact bullying a kid in Cobra Kai. Yet, Daniel didn't evolve in his thinking about Cobra Kai and bullies. In s3e9, Sam had convinced Daniel to give Miguel a chance because he wasn't Cobra Kai's number one bully anymore. Anthony is now proof someone who isn't in Cobra Kai can be a bully too. Daniel has completely stuck his head in the sand about Miguel since the school fight. Daniel had also started calling Miguel a "champ" since their first conversation in s3e9, right after Sam had dismissed Daniel's concern about Robby's feelings about her getting back with Miguel and said that Miguel isn't Cobra Kai's number one bully anymore. Daniel acts as if Miguel's win in the s1 avt is suddenly real, now that Miguel's no longer a Cobra Kai bully in Daniel's eyes.

Although Amanda and Daniel unraveled on prom night, it was disappointing that neither learned from their night. Neither heeded what Vanessa had pointed out to them. Daniel also used the Cobra Kai that is in him and just yelled at Anthony for using a tablet. Because Anthony took out the trash the next morning and said he wanted to make some changes, Daniel thinks he had a parenting win, but Daniel didn't give Anthony any meaningful lessons in this situation that he could apply and carry with him in his life. Maybe Daniel didn't have any Miyagi saying to regurgitate at Anthony because Mr. Miyagi didn't have to give Daniel a lesson for something like this. Regardless, even Mr. Miyagi would be shaking his head at Daniel-san if he saw how Daniel had regressed and lost his balance with Anthony. Daniel, maybe you should be asking yourself, "If Mr. Miyagi was here, you know what he would say right now?" Overall, Daniel's and Amanda's behaviors were at the root of the "Anthony crisis".

Johnny

Before I continue, I want to make clear, Johnny is a complicated character, and my feelings towards him are complicated. I feel sympathy for him when it comes to his bio dad, stepfather, and Kreese. I also feel sympathy for him when it comes to what Silver did to him on prom night. However, I think Johnny is heartless, unforgivable pos when it comes to Robby. It is very possible to have those two opposing sets of feelings towards a character or person based on context. Having trauma doesn't give a parent, not even Johnny, the right to give their kid trauma. Johnny got karma on prom night, not because he deserved mind games and a beating from Silver, but because of how he treats his son. Johnny has replaced Robby completely, in addition to mistreating and traumatizing him his whole life. Johnny has also been trying to move on with another family with no consideration for his son or accountability for his past wrongs towards his son. This is true, even in s5, when Robby kept having to literally change himself to keep up with Johnny's sick obsession with the Diazs and making sure that they are happy no matter what, due to his poor mental health. Well, "You can't build happiness on someone else's tears." A parent especially cannot build their happiness on their child's tears. No matter what happens in s6, this is the story so far. And in s4e8, Johnny got a real hard reminder that night that he will always be an unforgivable failure when it comes to Robby. In s5e10, Silver once again reminded Johnny that he has screwed up Robby (and as I've pointed out before that the scene transitions that sandwich that comment are great examples of visual storytelling and subtext in the show). Although many fans claim that Johnny is redeemed, Johnny himself is portrayed as not believing that himself. Narratively, Johnny continues to mention his failures with Robby. Even in s5, the plot device baby was used to highlight Johnny's "need" and "internal struggle" when it comes to having to be a father to and making things right with Robby. S4e8 explored that "need" and "internal struggle".

Soon after the "family" photo faded out, Shannon arrived just as Johnny and Carmen started planning their night alone. Carmen asked who she is, and Johnny introduced them. Carmen possessively said that she's Johnny's girlfriends. Shannon recognized her possessiveness, so made her own place known: Robby's mom. Carmen kindly excused herself, so that Johnny and Shannon could talk. Shannon asked Johnny if he has a phone and he said that he did, but it was inside. This right here is the first reminder of how Johnny chooses to disregard his responsibility as a father. Johnny has a son who is Miguel's age, but he doesn't care if his son or son's mom can reach him if they need to. He doesn't care about what's going on in his son's life. Moreover, he knows that Robby is training with two very dangerous people, and Johnny simply doesn't care. He has proven time and time again that he is the problem between himself, Shannon, and Robby when it comes to being a father to Robby.

Shannon then mentioned that this rich guy Silver came by and gave Robby a car to take to prom so that he and his date could go first class all the way. Johnny immediately focused on Robby going to prom and not on the real threat: Silver had gone to their home and was trying to insert himself more into Robby's life. Shannon then told Johnny that Robby going to prom isn't the point, but that Silver also gave her a wad of cash, which she showed to Johnny. She said that Silver said that he wanted to make sure Robby was taken care of, would find Shannon a new place to live, and even offered her a job. She said that she didn't ask what the job would be because, if there's one kind of person she knows, it's a rich guy who wants something. It's only after this that Johnny tried to show that he cared, "Son of a bitch". She then said that she tried to talk to Robby, but Silver has his hooks in him, and since this is "Cobra Kai or whatever", Johnny needs to handle this. Johnny tried to act determined and said, "I will."

Later, Johnny broke into the CK dojo. Silver called the office phone, and Johnny picked it up. Silver was watching Johnny through the security camera and taunted Johnny that he's breaking and entering. Johnny then told Silver that Johnny doesn't know what Silver's deal is but to keep his cars and cash away from Robby. Sure, Johnny... You wouldn't have even known about this if Shannon hadn't told you. Silver then correctly pointed out that prom is a special night and did Johnny even know that Robby was going. Nope, Johnny didn't know because Johnny doesn't care about Robby or his life. Silver continued that, as long as Robby's with him, Silver's going to take care of him. He also said that Shannon is a special lady and deserves so much better. Johnny called Silver an ancient piece of shit, and told him that he would kick both his and Kreese's asses to the nursing home. Silver then said that he'd love to see Johnny try and told him to meet him at the address of the old dojo.

Right after Johnny got to the old dojo, Silver surprised him with a kick to the head, disorienting him. Silver said that that was for betraying his sensei. Then Kreese and Silver started a back and forth in which Kreese was surprised that Silver had brought Johnny there and Silver said that he was trying to prove his loyalty. At one point, Silver said, "The only way that loser has a shot at winning the tournament is with the Diaz kid, right? How's that kid's confidence gonna be when he sees his sensei beaten to a pulp? It'll totally throw him off balance. Just like your lesson." lol Silver was so off the mark. Johnny wanting to be a father to and loving Robby is what threw Miguel off-balance. Johnny started fighting Silver, and even used Miyagi-Do against him, but Silver got the upperhand again. He was about to do more and asked Kreese if he wanted to see more, but Kreese told him to let Johnny go and that they'll settle it at the tournament. They just left Johnny there after that. No doubt, this whole experience was insane for Johnny.

Later on, Miguel came to Johnny's apartment to talk about Miguel's own rough night. He found Johnny on the ground, drunk with his tv smashed near him. Miguel even said, "not again", which means that Miguel has found Johnny like this before. Miguel then helped Johnny to bed. Johnny admitted at one point that he's wet from pee. Wait. So, Miguel isn't concerned at all that his mom is dating (and in s5 having a baby with) an alcoholic who gets drunk like this?

Miguel told Johnny that he's going to bed and they can talk in the morning. Then Johnny said:

"I wanna be a father to you. I really do. I try to protect you. Try to be there for you. I just suck at it. I really suck at it, but I want to so bad."

Miguel, of course, believing that he has taken Robby's place in Johnny's life and is entitled to it, told Johnny that he's doing just fine and that he loves him. Johnny started crying and said:

"I love you too, Robby"

This was Johnny's final line in this episode. The whole experience with Silver was a grim reminder for Johnny of his failures with Robby. This is also the first time Johnny said that he loves Robby. Of course, Johnny's behavior throughout the series doesn't prove that. In fact, as the series has gone on, Johnny's behavior has gotten worse because his mental health has gotten worse. He tries to suppress all of his negative emotions and trauma with alcohol and with the validation he seeks and gets from the Diazs. Johnny needs to put his son over himself, but Johnny is just focused on himself. Right now, with his mindset, Johnny will never be able to truly love Robby until Johnny truly loves himself. And, Johnny's failures with Robby add to Johnny's self-loathing. His subconscious is always there, even throughout s5, reminding him that he has failed with Robby and has to make things right with Robby. In s5, Silver straight up reminded him that he will screw up another kid now too. However, Johnny has convinced himself that he doesn't know how to fix it. Sadly, Johnny doesn't try on his own, and Robby has even given Johnny chances too. After the s4 avt, Johnny especially could have started to make thing right with Robby, but Johnny chose not to. He chose the Diazs over Robby again, psychologically, emotionally, and physically endangering and harming Robby as Johnny did.

As messed up as this experience with Silver was, Johnny still didn't do anything more to protect Robby from Silver and Kreese. This experience was more proof to Johnny that Robby isn't safe, but Johnny still left Robby with them. Robby had to get himself out of Cobra Kai, which of course Johnny in s5 falsely took credit for to feel better about himself.

As I said, Johnny got karma for how he treats Robby. The cut from Johnny and Miguel crying to Robby laughing especially makes it feel like the universe was on Robby's side that night.

Sadly, Johnny has wasted all of Robby's childhood. Since s1, he has wasted the last few years that he could have given to Robby on Miguel. It's unforgiveable, heartless, cruel, and shameful. No child deserves to be treated by their parent the way Johnny has treated Robby.

Johnny got his due that night. A reminder that he has a kid who anyone can hurt, and who Johnny doesn't even care or try to protect his kid unless someone tells him to. Johnny so easily discards Robby, and in s5, Robby's greatest threat was Johnny himself, not even Silver.

The prom night episode is one of my favorites. This was probably the only episode that Robby won all the way through. He also smiled the most in this episode.

"I think the highlight of my night was still your dance moves."

(Regardless of what will be in s6 or what payoffs we'll get in the story, this is an analysis of what is in canon so far. As always, please don't comment or reblog with dismissive comments about the nuance in the story. The nuance is part of the story, and the story is exploring important topics like trauma, bullying, neglect, and dysfunctional relationships.)

[ocean-anchored]

Continued still.. December 3, 2023

Monday night I went to the Knights & flames game with Shane, he got really great tickets & I got to wear my jersey. It was a nice evening, he was good & I had asked him before not to ask me if Im ok at any point to trigger my emotional mess. Chrystal was gone the week so I was going into okotoks everyday to cover. Tuesday I originally didn't have plans but then Connor asked to hang out after work. Went for Taco tuesday which was nice then back to his place. I ended up staying the night, I felt like he wanted me to stay but idk, I still can't get a read on him. Part of me just thinks we're kind of doing the same thing to each other. I mean I know i'm not really going out of my way to ask him or make plans but his texting just sucks that I can't read if he wants to or not. Like its hard to keep any convo up over text & maybe he's just like that, I understand his work is a lot so keeping that up is tough, but then after we talked about how I might not be doing a roadtrip in January it died off & he didn't reply so whatever. I mean he has asked to hang out so I assume, & he does ask me to stay so maybe? But to what benefit? Idk. I do enjoy his company though. Wednesday I went for dinner with Ed & Mariana a founder of ours from Mexico city. Ill have to write another time on how I had planned to do a road trip down to the states or mexico for a few weeks but I dont think it's going to work out in January so I'll talk about it later for now. Went to Charbar which was really great, nice environment & cool, really great food. Thursday I finally had a night to myself, I was pretty tired from the week & had a lot this weekend so I chilled & gamed for a bit, took it easy. Friday had lunch with Ed, again I might talk about that later but I'm still really blessed to be working with him. Friday night was my ugly christmas sweater games night which I think turned out really well! 9 people including me, jeremiah brought his friend Dan, steven, amanda, shane who came 2 hours late... that was another whole other story of annoyance & triggering for me, Kamber, amber & naythan. It was fun, started around 6/6:30 & everyone stayed till like midnight so it was a lot of fun. Saturday I chilled for day, Marc forgot about our facetime which sucks but whatever. Was supposed to go to anneriekes to decorate the tree but didn't want to be around that environment again which I think I forgot to mention anyways that I went for dinner two weeks ago & it was just a lot to take in & I'm tired of talking about Steve. Anyway I went to amber & naythans instead with nova, nova did so good with Rue, it was honestly so sweet watching nova play again & be so gentle with her, made me so happy. We played catan & had a really great night. Amber also got me the exit game advent calendar that were all in a challenge together, like 4 of us couples minus mine of course & that's super fun so far, proud that I've solved the first two alone with no hints! Anyways, love those people so much. Today, sunday, went to 8:30am service which was so good again. I really love this church I think & want to stay in it. Its so lively & actually makes me want to lean into God when I leave & "sets my heart on fire" again feeling. Went to brunch with Daniel at Diner Deluxe which was great again, he's a good guy. Hes really smart & very... aware. Its a breath of fresh air & its really nice to be able to talk to someone emotionally on the same page especially about relationships & the struggles. Then mom surprised me at being at my house after so we could go for a walk & we had some good conversation. Then went to a movie with steven & amanda which was good so im finally relaxing now winding down for bed. This week will be busy again & the weekend but then it get's quiet which I think Im finally looking forward too.

[moochilatv]

Julia Logan presents: Thrown Down

Great song for your headphones

Julia Logan's new album Faraway Nearby (Extended Version) is out January 24th and includes the new track Thrown Down.

A new version of her album Faraway Nearby will be released on January 24th 2025 as an extended version of the album, now with an additional new track added. The new track is called “Thrown Down”.

The dreamy folk-pop of Julia Logan exudes a voice at once both comforting and piercing. Channeling the likes of Carole King, Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty, and Sharon Van Etten her voice talks her way through the inner life of her own life and the lives of others in the small community that she grew up in.

Accompanied by observant lyrics, bronzed and mellow melodies excellently produced and co- written by Daniel Bengtson (Studio Rymden, First Aid Kit) soar to hit home the deeper point in songs that honor and long for human connection and respect. It might be their quiet revolt against a world increasingly obsessed with transactional relationships, blow-hard aspirations, and digital ’likes’ rather than a simple ’hello’ on the street.

Julia Logan’s debut album, Everly Foreverly, features a duet with Nina Persson (The Cardigans) as well as drummers Kyle Crane (Kurt Vile, Madison Cunningham) and Karl “Hovis” Hovmark (Tove Lo) on separate tracks. Guitarist Peter Morén (Peter Bjorn and John) supports on many of the songs. Keyboardist Sofia Kristensen/Majvi contributes on piano and backup vocals. The album earned positive reviews by Swedish media, was nominated for Singer-Songwriter of the year at the Swedish Manifestgalan Awards, and allowed her to open for the likes of Madison Cunningham, Courtney Marie Andrews, Neko Case, Sarah Klang, and Amanda Bergman.

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Her follow-up album ’Faraway Nearby,’ produced and co-written by Daniel Bengtson, explores themes of personal fears and changes, isolation, loss, getting older, hope, and finding your place in the world.

The album will be released under Magnus Bohman’s label, Dumont Dumont, who helped launch José González career internationally. Released singles ’Mirrors,’ ’Moodswings,’ and ’Top of the World’ have already garnered attention in Stereogum and La Blogothèque, and on the renown LA and Seattle radio stations KCRW and KEXP.

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