#I think everything would be fine if johnny dates daniel and amanda dates carmen just saying lmao

[bisexualmultifandommess]

Johnny Lawrence could spend an entire episode gazing at Daniel, talking about him any chance he gets, agonising over their relationship and giving him the fondest looks and then still turn to someone and say “I hate him so much he’s so annoying anyway want to look up hot babes” and that is my villain origin story

[lupinblacktheone]

Adopted

Notes: Hey, guys. This is my first bullet fic ever (is that the name? If someone knows how people call this thing, please let me know). It's centered on Robby and Johnny. I hope you enjoy it!

P.S: Please note that this contain some bad words and mentions to alcohol. If these themes are emotional triggers for you, please don't read. Your mental health comes first. Always.

A few weeks before Shannon Keene gives birth, her – obviously drunk – boyfriend suggests they give up the child.

They do that and break up not much later.

The baby is adopted by a rich family. They name him Robby.

Life goes on, the LaRussos have two more kids after Robby: Samantha and Anthony.

Robby loves to do Karate with dad and Sam and to play videogames with mom and Anthony – she doesn’t like to play; she just wants to spend quality time with her boys.

When the Science teacher talks about Genetics, Robby asks him: “Why don’t I look like no one in my family?”

“Maybe you are adopted”, the man answers.

During dinner, inquires whether he’s adopted or not and what does that mean.

Amanda and Daniel exchange a look. Sam takes Anthony’s little hand and drags him out of the room.

Daniel talks about the night when they met Robby.

He was living in a foster home with an old lady who was friends with Amanda’s parents. She couldn’t keep him for much longer because she was too ill.

“Who are my biological parents?”, Robby is sort of glad that he can use this new, complicated word correctly.

“We don’t know, because they wanted it to be a closed process”, Amanda says.

Robby cries because he’s confused. He was taught that parents love their children and his first parents didn’t love him. Why they didn’t love him?

Daniel tucks him in and says, while smooching his forehead softly: “I love you, son.”

The boy jumps and reaches for a hug.

“I love you too, dad”, he says, kissing the man’s cheek.

A little later, Sam and Anthony enter Robby’s room and climb into his bed to cuddle him.

Robby cries again, because he realizes how loved he is.

Nowadays, Johnny is dating Carmen Diaz, who has a son, Miguel.

Johnny and the kid get along – he’s even teaching him Karate.

Every once in a while, he wonders what happened to his first child – shit, why did they decide for a closed process?

All he knows is that the baby was a boy and was taken in by an old lady – why didn’t they give him at least a name?

High School begins and Miguel meets a kind boy in English class.

He has green eyes and soft, golden hair.

Miguel soon invites his new friend to have dinner at his home.

The boy says yes.

When Yaya meets Robby, she automatically thinks he has a crush on Miguel and vice-versa.

Johnny almost sees Shannon in the kid’s gaze.

There’s something else in him. Something that reminds Johnny of that Jersey guy from High School.

Robby leaves after the meal. Miguel puts the plates on the dishwasher and goes outside to train with Johnny.

“So, what’s his story?”, Johnny asks while blocking a kick.

Miguel tells him everything he knows about Robby – this is quite a lot by now.

“Then, Robby had to see a therapist, in order to deal with his feelings towards his past.”

“What past?”, Johnny is really interested. Miguel is an excellent storyteller.

“Oh, he is adopted. Bit of a shock when he found out.”

Johnny talks with Carmen, about this later that night.

She already knows her boyfriend has another son, a biological one, but she never imagined there would be a chance of meeting him.

“Do you think Miguel could tug a strand of Robby’s hair so I can have it tested?”

“I’m pretty sure that’s illegal, John. How about we talk to his parents instead?”

“That’s pretty boring, but yeah, let’s do your thing.”

It takes a while, but they finally call the LaRussos and organize a dinner date.

Sam, Robby and Miguel are at Golf n Stuff with some kids from school. Anthony will be playing World of Warcraft in his room all night long.

Johnny immediately feels awkward, because Daniel looks much younger than him – and the man has three kids and also runs the biggest dealership in the Valley.

Carmen does the initial talking – bless her – but Johnny’s in charge of the bomb, obviously.

“I know it’s weird but… my ex was pregnant and I suggested we give up the kid, because we were broke and not parent-material”, and also, I was drunk and stupid “so, if that’s fine by you, maybe we can have a DNA test?”

“We’ll talk with Robby and let you know”, Amanda promises.

The visitors are gone. It’s Daniel’s turn to collapse.

“I remember his face, asking why his biological parents didn’t love him. I always thought they had died or something like that, but no. They. Gave. Up. On. Him.

Despite his bitter, sad memories, Daniel wants to get along with his kid’s possible other father. To achieve this, he’ll have to get over that long-lasting rivalry with Johnny Lawrence.

So he invites the man to grab a drink and chat.

“Thanks for the invite, but I don’t drink alcohol.”

“I see”, he Is surprised. Somehow. “How about some Karate instead?

“Sounds good.”

The “get-in-good-terms” thing turns out well.

Amanda and Daniel take Robby out for a special dinner at his favorite sushi place – and made sure to pay Sam a good cash to babysit Anthony.

“So, huh… a guy contacted us. He thinks he might be your biological father and asked for a DNA test.”

“What did you say to him?”

“That we would talk to you first.”

“And what do you think of this?

“Without the test, there’s no way of knowing if he is your father or not, but we just want what is best for you.”

“If this guy happens to be my biological father, I can still live with you, right?”

“Of course you can. You’re our son and always will be.”

He agrees to do the test after discussing the matter with Miguel.

Daniel and Amanda’s only requirement is that Robby doesn’t get to know “the guy” unless the result is positive.

Waiting for the results almost kills everybody with expectation.

The email arrives, announcing that Johnny and Robby are father and son.

The first thing Amanda does is calling Robby to let him know he can meet his biological father.

The encounter is set up at a restaurant.

Everybody is, once again, anxious to death.

This time, Anthony wants to tag along and give his big brother emotional support.

“Hello, son”, is the first thing that Johnny says when the LaRussos join them at the table.

Robby is simply amazed.

He takes a look around the table. Everyone is just as surprised as him – except Johnny, Daniel and Amanda, of course.

Amanda gives her son a gentle smile and places a hand on his shoulder, encouraging him.

“Hi, dad.”

[aestheticsuwu]

No one else But us

( Okinawa Trip AU part 1 of Moodboards )

....

His plan was take Sam to Okinawa for her to meet Kumiko and Chozen.  Take a small vacation get away from the divorce . Even though Him and Amanda ended on great terms , and he didn't mind her now dating Carmen . And not to add to the mix that him and Johnny kinda have a thing going on .

Except Sam told the other kids ,  once he saw Robby eyes lit up and started rambling about the books he read . He couldn't help himself to invite Robby , and seeing the smile on the kid face made him happy ( you can also add to the fact Robby had given him a hug also . ) .

It wasn't a secret to the kids that both sensei's had their favourites . Even if Daniel tried his best not to show it . Johnny's was Miguel , Daniel was like a mother hen he couldn't help it . His list consisted : Sam , Robby , and Demetri . So in that same day, he  heard Demetri telling Sam he was having problem with his mother ,He thought One more couldn't hurt .

Once he got around to tell Johnny about the change of plans of the trip , it was all fine until he mentioned Kumiko and Chozen.  He wasn't  mad or upset of taking Robby , the blonde just didn't like the idea of Daniel being with his ex Girlfriend/ Rival .

" Johnny nothing is gonna happen , okay . You don't have to be worry . "

" Of course nothing is going to happen , that ass is Mine and if I have to go there myself to keep my eye on you , so be it . "

He didn't think it was hot the way Johnny voice sounded and he totally did not end up on his lap to make out .

.... ....

The next day Johnny had called him saying Miguel was coming along . He knew how much Johnny loved the kid like his own . All the kids were getting along fine , sometimes they would get into an argument . Sam , Robby,  and Miguel had solved their differences  and now we're inseparable with the addition of Demetri .

Aisha had convinced her parents to let her do Karate and that was the only reason Tory was part of their dojo . At first he wasn't sure about her but Johnny had persuade reminding him she deserved a second chance  .

" She's just a kid , she got no one . Everybody deserves a second chance if their willing to change . "

The two girls always stood together . Hawk was the same , he had hurt Demetri and Sam was constantly keeping her eye on him , Until she saw he really changed . He can see Sam , Robby and Chris always kept Demetri Safe like their own little brother .

.....

Amanda surprises him while he was packing telling him she was also coming along .

" What , Don't want me there ? C'mon Daniel , Would you really ditch your best friend ? . "

" Its not that , What about Anthony,  remember he clearly said he did not want to go . "

" He's staying with your mother , oh and Carmen is coming with me  , I think you should might as well invite the other kids "

He knew the last part was a joke but that's how he ended up having a trip to Okinawa with his Boyfriend , Ex wife and her current girlfriend and his class and Kids .

........... .......

Waking up early wasn't ideal to him but if he didn't want to miss his flight he had to wake up.  Including he had to go pick up his students   , might as well start getting ready .

Arriving at the airport , Johnny was surprise people were awake at this hour . Quickly trying to spot Daniel , it would've been easier if he wasn't that short . Telling the kids to keep an eye out . Once he caught the sight of Daniel and the kids like pups trailing behind him , he couldn't but feel warm at the sight .

" Sensei their over there , Oh My mom arrived to "  Miguel told him pointing at the opposite direction , making him  and the other kids run towards them .

Saying hi to everyone he couldn't help but hold Daniel in his arms . God he was so adorable but a hot babe .

" Someone missed me . "

" I always miss you , Bambi . "

receiving a kiss , he makes a mental note to say more cheesy thing like that . He could live off kissing Daniel if the kids had stopped complaining , guess he would settle for coffee .

As if reading his mind

" Do you want coffee , I already promised the kids on the way here to get them junk food on the way over . I swear they act like little kids . "

" That's on you , and don't act like it bothers you . you totally love it . Let's go get some coffee then .

Turning to his students , signalling to them he guess they got the message as they cheered on .  Smiling he waves his hand like a true gentleman he is . Daniel doesn't buys it

" You just want me go in front for you could stare at my ass . "

" I was trying to be polite , not everything is about your ass , LaRusso . "

 He starts walking as he gives him a ' I don't believe a word your saying ' . And for that he totally check out his ass , and starts running when he slaps it and Daniel shouts.

" Johnny ! "

..... .....

Daniel gives him his card as the cashier ringing up the items , as the kids start convincing him to go to different store . After paying , the cashier smiles at him .

" You have a beautiful family "

Wanting to correct her  that  only one of them  were his kids but he liked idea him and Daniel having a family .

" Thanks . "

...

He loved his students but he was glad the adults were separated from the students on the airplane . Not that he would admit it out loud but deep down the kids knew . Him and Daniel spent the time reading a book called The outsiders , he would've preferred anything else like making out but he couldn't say no to the those big Bambi eyes .

Amanda had to wake them both up once the airplane had landed . Being caught up on getting everyone's luggage and making sure no one was missing , he lost LaRusso . He was sure he was right beside him , Neither Amanda or Carmen had seen him . Voices and the noise from the airport was distracting .

" Quiet !  . Now that I got your attention I need to inform you all , we lost LaRusso . It's gonna be hard to find him with him being small and short but the man can stop talking to save his life . Stay by me or Carmen and Amanda , alright get your ass walking unless you want to get left behind  . "

" Yes Sensei ! "

Ignoring the stares they were all receiving and  started following Amanda directions .

....... .......

Daniel honestly thought they were all behind him . He hoped Amanda will know the way to the exit , He spotted Kumiko and Chozen as they waited for him . Huh Chozen was actually smiling , guess he didn't have to worry at all .

" Daniel-san " Kumiko Hugged him while Chozen bowed . He never thought he would say he missed Chozen , Guess he can count him as a friend .

" Chozen offered me a ride to pick you and Sam , We can't wait to meet her . "

" Yeah about that there was a change of plans , I forgot to inform you about this Kumiko I apologize.  It was a last minute thing an- "

" Your daughter is not coming " Chozen asked as he looked confused as Kumiko was .

Right as he was about to answer , He heard a excited  yelling that he knew to well after many classes at the dojo . Looking behind ,  his answer was confirmed . Catching Johnny eye , he guessed he was telling the group he had found him . As they started walking faster until they were all in front of him .

" Dad , where were you ? " " Did you get Lost Mr. LaRusso? " " Mr . L , we worried that they had kidnapped you ." " Daniel I don't know how you disappeared that quick . " " Dad , can we go get something to eat were starving ." " Please " " Please "

 Smiling , he loved how the kids still were full of energy .

" Quiet ! , Couldn't wait to get rid us , Daniel ? "

Turning to her  right , Kumiko says to Chozen .

" This is going to be fun . "

Sidenote: This Part 1 of the moodboards . Hope you guys like it and sorry for my shitty writing . Okinawa AU Trip .

[pinktintedmonocle]

Dedicated Followers of Fashion - A Cobra Kai Lawrusso Fanfic - Chapter 2

“I found that shirt”, Daniel said, feigning casualness.

“What shirt?” asked Johnny, plonking himself down in his own chair.

“The pink one”, Daniel replied.  He stood up slowly, bracing himself against the desk as the room threatened to start spinning.  “The one you said – that you said – ah – from the photo album.”

When a look through an old photo album leads to Daniel unearthing a certain pink shirt, things heat up between him and Johnny when they both get drunk at the dojo.

Trigger warning: some description of one of the characters having issues accepting their sexuality.

May 1985

“So I’ve gotta go into the office this morning, just for an hour or two, but I’ll be back by lunch so we can go to the mall, get you some new clothes.”

Daniel made a noise of protest around his mouthful of eggs.  He swallowed and took a gulp of orange juice.

“But I’ve got plans, Ma! I was gonna go round to Mr Miyagi’s, learn some new moves, feed the fish.  And the clothes I got are fine, honest.”

“Your clothes are not fine, Daniel; all of your pants are about an inch too short in the leg, and look at that shirt!” said Lucille, gesturing to Daniel’s red checked plaid, “Those cuffs are supposed to come down to your wrists, not your elbows!”

Daniel slumped back in his chair, clamped a hand to his heart dramatically and groaned.

“But I don’t wanna go shopping, Ma!”                                          

“Then quit growing”, said Lucille with a grin.  “Come on, it’ll be fun.  I’ll treat you to a burger and a milkshake from that place you like.  Hey, why don’t you invite Ali?  I haven’t seen her around in a while.  Everything OK with you two?”

“Oh yeah, we’re just peachy. But she’s – er – she’s got family stuff on this weekend”, Daniel lied.

“Alright, well it’ll just be the two of us then.  It’ll be nice to have a bit of mother-son bonding time, you can fill me in on everything that’s been going on with you lately.”

“There’s nothing going on with me”, Daniel said shortly, a slight flush on his cheeks.  He pushed back his chair and stood up.  “Look, I better go tell Mr Miyagi I can’t make it this afternoon.  I’ll see you later, Ma.”  He barrelled out of the door, leaving it open.

Lucille shouted after him, exasperated.  “Alright, but we’ll meet back here at 12.  And don’t be late!”

**********************************************************************************

“Alright, so you need some new pants and shirts.  And what about underwear, do you need new underwear?”

“Ma-”

“Well do you?”

Daniel shrugged, looking down at his feet and scuffing the floor with his shoe.  “Yeah, I guess”, he muttered.

Lucille pulled his head up by the chin, looking at him with concern.  “Are you OK, Daniel?  You’ve been in a mood all day, didn’t even finish your milkshake.  Those Cobra Kai boys aren’t giving you a hard time at school again, are they?”

“No, Ma.  They’re not even in Cobra Kai anymore-”

“Then what is it, huh?”

“What it is is that my mother is stood in the middle of a store with people all around tryin’ to talk to talk to me about underwear.”

Lucille dropped his chin and rolled her eyes.  “Alright, smartass, I’ll shut up.  Come on, quicker this is over with quicker we can go home and not worry about shopping again until you hit another growth spurt.”

They walked through the store, picking out a new wardrobe.  (Daniel had tried to fill the basket with nothing but camo pants and plaid shirts, but Lucille had laughed and put most of them back.  “How about we try and get you a few clothes that you can wear together that actually match?” she had suggested.  “Matching, matching, who cares about matching?” Daniel had protested, but had still allowed his mom to pick out a few pairs of jeans and a couple of plain shirts.)

“OK, I think that’s nearly everything we need – oh, look at that!”, exclaimed Lucille, smiling brightly as her eyes caught on something over Daniel’s shoulder.  “That shirt would look so nice on you.”

She walked past Daniel and he turned to see her picking out a rose pink shirt and peering at the label. “And it’s your size too, perfect! Alright, let’s find the cashier’s desk and then get outta here-”

Daniel reached into the basket and plucked out the shirt.  “I’m not wearing that, Ma.  Aren’t there any other colours, like, um, blue or something?”

Lucille looked at him, brow furrowed.  “Well yeah, there might be – but look, what’s wrong with this colour?  It brings out your eyes-”

“But it’s pink ma, and I’m – I’m not – look, I can choose my own clothes, OK!” yelled Daniel, hands curling into fists.

Several people in the store turned to stare.

Lucille took a step back, shock etched onto her features.  “Hey, hey, don’t you talk to me like that, young man!” she shouted back, voice steely.  “I don’t know what’s got into you lately but I don’t like it, you hear me?”

Daniel suddenly deflated, fists uncurling, shoulders dropping, and for a second he looked as if he was about to cry.

“It’s nothing”, he said, swiping at his eyes fiercely with the back of one hand.  “I’m sorry Ma, really I am.”  He put the shirt back in the basket.  “It’s just a shirt, it’s fine, it’ll be fine.  Oh hey, I think the cashier’s desk is this way-”

He lolloped off on his long legs and Lucille had to almost run to catch up with him.

**********************************************************************************

They loaded up the car with their purchases and drove home in silence, Daniel fidgeting with a loose thread on his shirt and staring out of the window.  When they were nearly home, Lucille spoke.

“I wish you’d tell me what’s going on, Daniel”, she said softly.  “You know you can tell me anything.”

I can’t, Daniel thought, I can’t tell you this.  He looked at his mom and smiled tightly.  “Yeah, I know mom, but it’s nothing.  Really.”

“OK”, said Lucille. “OK”.

Daniel could see that she didn’t believe him, but mercifully she didn’t ask him any more questions.

 May 2019

“Oh, you’re so tiny!” laughed Carmen, taking a sip of wine as she giggled.  “And that outfit!  That’s certainly something…”

Amanda grinned. “Yeah, thankfully he outgrew his plaid and camo phase before we met.  Not sure we would’ve got past the first date if he had shown up wearing that.”

“Hey, it was a look!” Daniel protested.  “I’ll have you know I got plenty of dates in that outfit back in Jersey!”

The two women laughed, leaning against each other as they continued to study the photo album, while Johnny smirked.  Daniel rolled his eyes and took another sip of wine.

It was two weeks until the tournament, and Daniel and Amanda had invited Johnny and the students round to their house for a meal to blow off a little steam after months of intense training.  Amanda had also invited Carmen (“I need another person here who isn’t a teenager or a man-child, otherwise the evening will end with me throwing someone through a window, never mind Kreese), and they had all sat outside, enjoying the late evening sun and eating and laughing.

Eventually the kids had sloped off to Daniel’s home dojo to admire Hawk’s new hair colour (purple), and discuss teen drama (Daniel had gathered from the conversation over dinner that Demetri was in a relationship with a blonde girl called Yasmine despite the fact that they apparently hated each other and spent most of their time denying they had anything to do with each other.  He had caught Johnny’s eye while Demetri told his story and Johnny had held his gaze for just a moment before they both quickly looked away).

The adults had then retreated to the kitchen to polish off a bottle of wine or two (or beer, in Johnny’s case), and after a while Daniel’s childhood photo albums had somehow materialised.  After laughing themselves silly over the plaid/camo combo, Amanda and Carmen had continued to make their way through the album, getting to prom (“Look at that suit!” cackled Amanda), and then to Daniel’s trip to Okinawa.

“I thought the village I grew up in in Ecuador was rural, but this is something else”, said Carmen, flicking through the photos.  She paused at a picture of Daniel and Mr Miyagi, standing outside Yukie’s house. “I like your shirt here, Daniel. Definitely an improvement on the plaid”.

“Oh yeah, pink is definitely your colour, LaRusso”, said Johnny, and Carmen nudged him.

“Don’t be mean, Johnny”, she said.

“I wasn’t!” protested Johnny.  “I meant it!”

“Really?” Daniel asked lightly, taking another sip of wine, tone casual even though his heart was hammering in his chest.  “Not like you to compliment me, Johnny.”

Johnny’s face flushed. “No, I just – I just meant it’s not completely awful.  Not like most of the clothes you wore back then.  Or now, to be honest.”

“How about we talk about something that isn’t my fashion sense”, said Daniel, picking up the album and closing it firmly.

“I think you mean ‘lack of fashion sense’”, said Amanda teasingly, leaning in to kiss him on the check. She stretched her neck and grimaced. “Why don’t we go and sit somewhere more comfortable?”

“Good idea!” Daniel said brightly.  “You all go into the living room and I’ll grab some more drinks.”

As soon as the others were out of sight the smile slid off Daniel’s face and he leant heavily against the kitchen counter.

“But it’s pink ma, and I’m – I’m not -”

“Oh yeah, pink is definitely your colour, LaRusso”

It had been over a month since the almost-kiss and he and Johnny hadn’t talked about it.  There had been a few times when Daniel had thought Johnny was on the verge of mentioning it, but he had always just opened and closed his mouth a few times before clearing his throat and starting to talk about something else entirely.  Daniel, for his part, had no idea how to even approach the subject.  Hey Johnny, remember when you put on that ridiculous jacket that made your arms look amazing and then rubbed up against me and spun me round and then freaked out when I leant in to kiss you?  You wanna talk about that?

“Hey babe”, said Amanda, and Daniel started as he looked up to see her in the doorway.  “Just thought I’d come and give you a hand with the drinks.”

He looked at his wife, the woman who had stuck by him through thick and thin for the last twenty years, and felt a surge of guilt.  He pushed it away and clapped his hands together.  “Right, what do you and Carmen want?  Another bottle of the Cabernet Sauvignon?”

“Yes please”, said Amanda, picking up the glasses while Daniel fetched the bottle.  “And grab another Coors from the refrigerator for Johnny.”

Daniel took out the beer and followed Amanda into the living room, plastering on a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

**********************************************************************************

A few days later Daniel told Amanda over breakfast that he wasn’t feeling so good.  Amanda had taken his temperature with the back of her hand and frowned.  

“Well, it doesn’t feel like you’ve got a fever, babe, but maybe you should take a day off from the dealership.

“Thanks”, he said, smiling weakly.  “I’m sure it’s nothing, probably just a twenty-four hour bug or something.”

“OK, well, just take it easy, yeah?”

“I will.  I’ll just go back to bed, try and get some sleep.”

Daniel had lain in bed until he heard Amanda leave for work and the kids leave for school before he jumped up and made his way to the storage room at the back of the house. It was packed full since he had moved everything out of the dojo and into this one room, and he spent a good half hour clambering over old chairs, kids’ toys and pool noodles before he found the two cardboard boxes he was looking for, tucked away in a dusty corner.

Both boxes had ‘1985’ scrawled on the side in black sharpie, and Daniel picked them up in turn before pushing the lighter box back into its corner.  He knew what he’d find there – a white gi with a faded black snake on the back and blood stains on the sleeves – and he wasn’t quite ready to deal with that one yet.  He would have to, one day, but currently there were more pressing demons he had to face.

He opened the heavier box and started to pull out piles of clothes.  He had kept almost every bit of clothing from his first trip to Okinawa, folded up neatly and all stored away together, every piece infused with a memory he never wanted to forget.  He smiled fondly as he took out the jeans, red shirt and black vest that he wore down at the docks with Mr Miyagi when they practised the drum technique, followed by his red silk kimono with the black and yellow embroidered bonsai trees, thinking of the O-ben festival and the fight with Chozen.  Eventually he found the rose pink shirt and held it up, shaking it out.

It was paler than when he’d first worn it, bleached by the sun.  There were a few loose threads but overall it still in fairly good shape. He stared at it as the memories came flooding back.  There were the good ones; mooching through Tomi village with Mr Miyagi and waving to Kumiko as the little girls giggled shrilly, and then there were the bad; the department store, the feeling of panic that had welled up in his chest when his mom had picked it out, the irrational fear that somehow she knew the secret he had tried so hard to conceal.  After a minute Daniel placed it down on the floor, then re-folded all of the other clothes and packed them away until only the pink shirt remained.  He knew the sensible thing to do would’ve been to pack it up as well, push the feelings back down, but instead he left it out and put the box back into its corner without it.  Then he washed, dried and ironed it and placed it in his gym bag.

**********************************************************************************

The week before the tournament Daniel and Johnny stayed late at the dojo, sitting on the deck and sorting out some last minute details while munching on burgers.  (“I get to pick the food tonight”, Johnny had said, “and I don’t want any green stuff.”  “You’ve got a pickle in that burger”, Daniel had pointed out.  Johnny had removed the pickle and thrown it at him).

After eating they did a final assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of their students (Miguel had eventually convinced Johnny to let him fight with the blessing of Carmen, and he and Sam were placed in joint first in their rankings, with Hawk coming in a close second.  “I think Demetri could stand a good chance” Daniel had said and Johnny had rolled his eyes. “A good chance at what, getting his arm broken again?  I think Bert’s got a shot though; he may be small but that kid can kick”.  “Oh yeah?” Daniel had grinned.  “Remind you of anyone?”  “No”, said Johnny), and after an hour of furious scribbling (on Daniel’s part), Johnny had stood up and stretched, his t-shirt riding up a little to expose a strip of taut stomach (Daniel had turned his head, pretending to be very interested in a rock).

“I need a drink”, Johnny declared, walking towards the house.

Daniel thought of the pink shirt in his bag.  “I’ll have one too”, he called after Johnny.

A minute later Johnny emerged with two stubby brown bottles clutched in his hands.  He sat back down on the deck and handed one to Daniel.

“Thought my taste in beer was beneath you, LaRusso”, said Johnny as Daniel twisted off the cap and took a gulp.

Daniel grimaced, nose wrinkling in distaste.  “Yeah well, you’ve worn me down.  It is disgusting though; I don’t know how you drink this stuff.”

Johnny barked a laugh. “It’s an acquired taste.”

“Acquired through what?”

“Through drinking nothing else for thirty years”, Johnny replied with a shrug, uncapping his own bottle and flipping the lid behind him.  It landed in a bush.

Daniel raised an eyebrow. “I hope you’re going to pick that up later, Johnny.”

“What?  No, its fine, I’m sure it’s recyclable or some shit.”

“You mean degradable and no, it’s not.”

Johnny just shrugged and took a long pull at his Banquet.

Daniel side-eyed Johnny as they both drank their beers, watching as Johnny swiped a strand of tousled blond hair out of his too-blue eyes before his gaze tracked lower, noting the way Johnny’s throat bobbed as he swallowed, then lower still to take in the broad shoulders, muscular arms and firm chest visible under a tightly fitted t-shirt.  He looked away, feeling his cheeks redden.  

They spent another hour or so grading students and discussing tactics, during which Daniel managed to drink another three beers (those tiny bottles don’t last long) and it was almost dark in the garden when Johnny drained his own beer and rubbed his eyes.

“I should go”, Johnny said, although he didn’t move.  

“You’re not driving”, Daniel said firmly, lips pursed.

“I’m barely drunk!”, Johnny protested.  “I’ve only had six beers!”  He waggled a finger under Daniel’s nose.  “And don’t talk to me about drunk driving, LaRusso, you’ve gotten into a car with me when I’ve had way more than this.  I don’t know why you suddenly care so much.”

“I care because we’ve got the tournament in a week from now, and if you end up dead and the kids are too grief stricken too fight and Kreese takes over the valley it’ll be all your fault.”

“Whatever”, said Johnny, “you can just say you’d miss me, LaRusso.”

“In your dreams, Johnny”, Daniel answered, rolling his eyes.

I do miss you, I’ve always missed you.  I missed you thirty-five years ago, and I’m missing you now, even though you’re right here.

Daniel felt something brush his hand and he looked down to see Johnny’s own hand resting next to his on the deck, pinky fingers touching.  He glanced up and they stared at each other for a beat before they both pulled back at the same time.

“I’ll call us both a cab”, said Daniel, clearing his throat.  “You can leave your car here and I’ll pick you up tomorrow before training.” He half expected Johnny to protest, but instead the blonde just nodded.  

“Right.  Well, we should go inside”, Daniel continued. “It’s getting cold out here.”

Johnny got up and Daniel followed suit, but he had only taken two steps before his feet seemed to stop working and he nearly fell off the decking.  Johnny caught him, strong arms encircling his waist, chest pressed flush to Daniel’s back, and Daniel was reminded of the night a month ago; the way the denim scratched over his skin, the warmth of Johnny’s body.

“Easy, LaRusso”, Johnny murmured in his ear and Daniel shivered slightly at the sensation of Johnny’s breath on his neck.  “Banquet will do that to you when you’re not used to it.”

“I’m fine”, Daniel insisted, head spinning, suddenly aware of how drunk he was, “You can let go of me.”

“You sure?”, Johnny asked, and Daniel briefly considered feigning another dizzy spell to stay in Johnny’s embrace for a little longer, before firmly shaking his head and pushing Johnny’s hands away.

“I’m good, really”, Daniel said, vaguely aware that his speech was a little slurred.

Johnny moved away and Daniel just about stayed upright, scrubbing a hand over his face.

“Jesus, Johnny, how do you drink that stuff every day and still have a functioning liver?”

“You’ll get used to it, LaRusso”, said Johnny, walking into the house.

“I seriously hope I don’t”, Daniel muttered, following Johnny inside.

Johnny headed for the bathroom while Daniel stumbled over to his desk and sat down heavily.  He fished his phone out of his pocket, squinting against the glare of the screen, and pulled up the number for a taxi company. Then Johnny walked back into the room and Daniel found himself placing the phone face down on the desk without making the call.

“I found that shirt”, he said, feigning casualness.

“What shirt?” asked Johnny, plonking himself down in his own chair.

“The pink one”, Daniel replied.  He stood up slowly, bracing himself against the desk as the room threatened to start spinning.  “The one you said – that you said – ah – from the photo album.”

Johnny frowned.  “The one from the 80’s?”

Daniel licked his lips. “Yeah.”

Johnny scoffed.  “Oh yeah?  You gave me shit for having my old clothes and you’re still hoarding all of yours?”

“For sentimental reasons only, Johnny.  I don’t wear them on a regular basis.”

Johnny pointed a finger at him.  “Hey, my clothes are timeless.  Did it fit?”

“Did what fit?”

“The shirt”, Johnny said, swinging his legs up onto his desk and leaning back, hands behind his head.  “It probably does, you’re still as much of a shrimp as you were back then.”

“I don’t know, I didn’t try it on”, Daniel replied, and he knew he should go, call a cab and get out of there, but the cheap beer was making his tongue loose.  “But I could do.”

Johnny fixed him with ice blue eyes.  “You got it here?”

“Yeah.  Yeah, I do.”

Johnny was silent for a moment as his tongue darted out to wet his lips.  There was an expression on his face that Daniel struggled to read in his hazy state, half fear and half something else, as if he was trying to decide whether to run away from something or towards it.

“Go get it then”, Johnny said eventually, and Daniel just nodded and walked unsteadily into the next room to fetch it, making a detour to the bathroom on the way.  He half expected Johnny to be gone by the time he got back, but the blonde was still there.  Daniel stood awkwardly in the middle of the room and waved the shirt around lamely in one hand.  

“You gonna put it on?” Johnny asked.

“I will if you take your dirty shoes off my desk”, Daniel shot back.

“It’s my desk!”

“Yeah, but I bought it.”

Johnny grumbled but removed his feet, and Daniel unzipped his tracksuit jacket and pulled on the shirt over his workout top.  He stretched out his arms, waggling his fingers and feeling a little smug in spite of himself.  “Still fits!”

“Yeah, but can you button it?” asked Johnny.

“Yeah, I think so.  It might be a little snug with this top on underneath-”

“Then take it off”, Johnny instructed, and his voice was so direct, so commanding, that Daniel obeyed without thinking, tugging off both the shirt and his top.

I wonder if that’s a trick he learned from Kreese, Daniel mused, before he suddenly realised that he was topless in front of Johnny Lawrence who was staring at him, eyes wide.  He quickly pulled the pink shirt back on and hurriedly buttoned it up.  It was loose when he got it and it still mostly fitted, but he was also a beanpole with an almost concave stomach when he was sixteen, and he’s definitely filled out a little since then.

Johnny just looked at him for moment and Daniel fidgeted with the hem of the shirt, not quite able to meet Johnny’s eyes.  He heard the scrape of a chair being pushed back and when he glanced up Johnny was standing, that fight or flight look on his face again.  He moved forwards and Daniel followed suit, closing the gap between them until Johnny was close enough to reach out and touch Daniel’s chest, dragging his fingers down to where the buttons were a little snug around Daniel’s waist.

“It’s nice”, Johnny murmured.  “It’s soft.”                                              

“Yeah”, Daniel whispered, leaning into Johnny’s touch.  He swayed dangerously as he did so and gripped Johnny’s arm to steady himself.

“It’s different, for you”, Johnny breathed.  “Not blue.”

“That”, Daniel said, prodding a finger into Johnny’s chest with his free hand, “is your fault.”

“What is?”

“The blue.”

“How can a colour be my fault, LaRusso?”

But Daniel didn’t answer; he just made a noise in the back of this throat and pressed their foreheads together, feeling Johnny’s hot breath on his face as he moved just a little closer, lips almost touching-

Daniel’s phone rang shrilly, and he and Johnny sprang apart.  Daniel threw himself across the room to his desk and grabbed it, breath hitching as he saw the name on the screen.

“It’s Amanda”, he said hoarsely, and glanced up at Johnny.

Johnny looked nauseous. “You should get it.”

Daniel answered the call.

“Hey babe”, said Amanda, and Daniel tried to respond but his throat was suddenly tight and he couldn’t quite form the words.

“Daniel?” asked Amanda, and there was a hint of panic in her voice.  He cleared his throat and forced the words out.

“Hey.  Everything OK?”

“I was just about to ask you the same thing.  It’s pretty late; I was starting to get worried, thought Kreese might’ve decided to pay you a visit.”

“God, no, I’m fine, really. Just – just had a few beers with Johnny, lost track of time.  I was just about to get us both a cab.”

“OK, well, see you soon. Love you.”

“Yeah”, said Daniel, turning away from Johnny.  “Love you too.”

He hung up and immediately ordered two taxis.  He walked over to the refrigerator, pulled out a bottle of water and took a long drink from it, trying to clear the alcohol induced fuzz from his mind.

Johnny was stood against the wall opposite Daniel, pressing himself into it as if he hoped it would magically open and swallow him up.  Silence hung between them, heavy and oppressive, and Daniel knew that if he didn’t say anything Johnny wouldn’t either.  But he also knew that if they didn’t deal with this soon the next time they were alone with a few drinks in their system would likely end with either him or Johnny just pinning the other to the floor, and not in a way that had anything to do with karate.

“We need to talk about this”, he said softly, and Johnny’s eyes met his.

“The cabs will be here in a minute-”

“Not now”, Daniel replied.  “But soon.  After the tournament.”  He half expected Johnny to deny there was anything to talk about, but instead the blonde just nodded.

“Yeah.  After the tournament.”

Daniel looked down and realised with a jolt that he was still wearing the pink shirt.  He turned away, quickly taking it off and pulling his workout clothes back on.

He had just finished changing when the glare of headlights shone through the doors.  He and Johnny made their way outside and got into the two cars, exchanging a brief lingering glance before they went their separate ways.

Daniel slumped down in his seat as the car wound its way out of the driveway.  He stared out of the window as the city lights flashed by and found himself thinking about that day at the mall with his mom all those years ago and a similarly awkward car ride home, looking out at the same streets and trying and failing to not think about the same thing, of blue eyes and blonde hair and strong arms that would pick him up and pull him in and never let him go.