ANTI-KARATE 《cobra kai 》

-3.6 tensions and concerns

chapter thirty-six!

IT WASN'T UNTIL MIGUEL came home from the hospital that Alex informed him of her living situation. When he'd arrived home, the first thing he did was ask his mother if Alex could stay the night. Carmen of course agreed. Miguel went on and on to Alex about how worried he'd been about her staying home by herself while he was in the hospital. Before they could even make it into Miguel's apartment, the boy saw a middle-aged woman and two children leave the apartment that he still believed Alex to inhabit.

Miguel closed his eyes, letting out a sigh. He wheeled himself into his apartment without another word, Alex following quickly behind him to explain. Carmen didn't bother to stop the couple, knowing this was a conversation they needed to have. The two went to his bedroom, Miguel quickly lifting himself over to his bed using his arms. He gave Alex a disappointed look, patting the space on the bed next to him. Alex flicked off her sneakers, laying beside him and curling to his side.

"Alex," started Miguel, pulling Alex's face closer to his own and pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. Alex relaxed under his touch. "I'm really worried about you. I was already worried, then I find out you left your apartment. Do you even have anywhere to live right now?"

"Not permanently, but—."

"But what, Alex?" asked Miguel, the exasperation leaking through his voice. "There is no "but's"right now. How is this even possible? Wouldn't Social Services...?"

"Legally, I'm emancipated. I have been since the end of last school year," she explained, feeling comfort in the familiar scent of his clothing. "I have a steady income, and as far as anyone important is concerned, I'm renting a basement apartment from Shelly."

"Shelly? The nurse?" asked Miguel. Alex nodded. "She agreed to say that?"

"She said it was the least she could do, after everything," smiled Alex, sadly. "She wanted me to actually stay, but I cant afford to rent and I'm not going to live there for free."

"Alex, you need a safe place to rest more now than ever before," said Miguel, looking down to meet her eyes. "You're hurt. Physically and mentally, whether you want to admit it or not."

"I'm okay, love."

"No, you're not," denied Miguel, instantly, despite his face flushing a deep crimson at the pet name, his love for the girl beside him making his heart pound happily. "You overwork yourself, and you never let yourself heal from everything else. I know you care about everyone, but we all care about you. I care about you. Alex, I love you. I need you to be safe and healthy."

"I— I'm okay," she said again, giving an unconvincing smile. She pressed a kiss to his cheek, "Let's just worry about you for now, okay?"

"We can worry about each other," he suggested in response, a frown settling on his face at her lack of self-concern.

Alex smiled at his words and gave a nod. She settled her head on his chest, their arms wrapping securing around each other. She let out a long sigh of contentment and closed her eyes. "I missed this."

Miguel looked down at her, hearing the emotion she hadn't even realized was in her voice. She was in pain, and it worried him. It worried the hell out of him. He pressed another gentle kiss to her forehead, tightening his grip on her ever so slightly. "Me too, Alex," he whispered. "Me too."

After a few moments of silence, Miguel tilted his head to get a better look at Alex's face. He let out a quiet laugh upon realizing that she was asleep. His amusement was quickly replaced by concern. She was exhausted.

How had things gotten so bad for her? She had no home, no family, and an endless list of unresolved trauma. Miguel wanted her to be safe, healthy, happy— all the things that he knew she was not. He wished he could have been there for her after everything. His hatred of Robby burned deeper, because by putting him in a coma, he took Miguel away from Alex when he needed her most. The only person Miguel despised more at the moment was Mya. She had hurt Alex in a way that could only be described as psychotic, then weaseled her way back into Alex's life.