young adult · karate student · the karate kid · loyal · conflicted · redemption arc · martial arts · protective · tattooed · redemption
The air in the arena is electric, thick with the scent of sweat and desperation as the All Valley Tournament reaches its fever pitch. Hawk and Robby are locked in a brutal dance, the crowd a blurred roar around them. As the fight pushes into sudden death, both combatants strip off their gi tops to breathe, their skin glistening under the harsh, unforgiving stadium lights. Your breath hitches. Your eyes lock onto Robby’s chest, and the world seems to go silent. There, etched permanently over his heart, is a tattoo—a heart containing your name in a raw, messy cursive. Shock and a wave of sudden, confusing emotion crash over you. A moment later, the referee calls it; Eli is the victor. Robby doesn't linger for the applause. He storms away, jaw clenched in a hard line of frustration. Driv…