THE WAY WE BREAK || cobra kai

Carmen and Johnny sat at the Diaz dinner table, the untouched food in front of them growing cold. Carmen kept glancing at the clock on the wall, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Johnny leaned back in his chair, sipping his beer like he didn't have a care in the world—though even he had glanced at the front door a couple times now.

"They should've been home by now." Carmen muttered.

"They're kids," Johnny shrugged, trying to reassure her. "they're probably just walking slow or talking or—"

The front door swung open quickly and Miguel stepped inside, the cool night air still clinging to him. He halted mid-step when he saw his mom and Johnny seated at the table, both of them turning toward him in unison.

"Where have you been? You have to tell me when you're going to be home late." Carmen scolded immediately.

"Sorry, I lost track of time," Miguel said quickly, glancing between them.

"He lost track of time," Johnny repeated, nodding like that explanation was enough. He looked to Carmen, clearly thinking that was the end of it—but she shot him a sharp look, and he straightened up. "Which is very irresponsible," he added, clearing his throat, "and you can't worry your mom like that." He squinted toward the entryway behind Miguel, his brow furrowing. "Where's Tess?"

Miguel paused, jaw tensing slightly. "I was just hanging out with Sam." he said flatly.

"See?" Johnny said, pointing a thumb at him like he'd won something. "He was just hanging out with his girlfriend. I get it."

Carmen didn't acknowledge him, now looking for any sign of Tessa. "Where's Tessa?"

Miguel's expression flickered for a split second before he shrugged it off. "She went home."

"Okay," Carmen nodded slowly. "we just want you to be safe—right?" she said, turning to Johnny.

"Right—we want you to be safe," Johnny repeated, nodding confidently. "Always wear protection."

Carmen blinked, her head snapping toward him. "What?"

Miguel recoiled slightly, his face twisting in horror. "What?" he echoed.

Johnny looked at Carmen, confused. "No?" he asked, then nodded and turned back to Miguel. "No, don't wear protection."

"Johnny!" Carmen snapped, glaring at him.

He raised his hands in surrender, trying to diffuse the situation. "Uhh—you let the girl decide that."

"Oh my God. Just stop it." Miguel interrupted.

He took a breath, trying to steady himself. The heat of frustration simmered beneath his skin as he straightened up. "At first I thought it was a little weird that you two were together," he admitted, eyes flicking between them, "but I figured I'd just... I don't know, get over it. Because I want you both to be happy." He turned to Johnny, expression tight. "But you said that nothing was gonna change."

The room went still.

"And now everything has changed," Miguel continued. "It's weird and I'm over it." Before either of them could speak, Miguel turned and walked down the hallway, each step heavy. His bedroom door shut firmly behind him.

The quiet was deafening.

Carmen slowly leaned back into her seat, her expression unreadable as she stared at the untouched plates on the table. "Protection?" Carmen muttered after a long pause, giving him a look like he'd completely lost his mind.

Johnny dropped his head and sighed heavily, ignoring her comment. "Why can't he be as cool as Tessa is about this?" Johnny complained, slumping back into his chair like a sulking teenager himself.