Chapter Text
It’s a couple days after the All-Valley tournament and Daniel’s taking Robby to the hardware store when of course they run into Johnny Lawrence.
Johnny looks a wreck, but that doesn’t stop Daniel from being angry at him. What kind of sensei teaches his students to take advantage of someone’s injury? It was just like Cobra Kai to be so aggressive.
What he doesn’t expect is that, instead of being an asshole and immediately going on the defensive, Johnny says, “I’m sorry.”
When Daniel looks to his side, Robby looks stunned.
“You’re gonna need to be more specific, Johnny. There’s a fair bit to be sorry for,” Daniel retorts. He’d be nicer, he really would, if he had been able to get the picture of Robby’s devastated face as Johnny turned around and walked away at the tournament, surrounded by his students.
“For Diaz’s aggression. I thought I taught him better than that.” Johnny studies Robby carefully. “How is your arm, kid?” Johnny asks, with more tenderness than Daniel had thought him capable of.
“Better,” Robby mutters.
“Good.” Johnny nods rapidly, wiping a hand over his face. “Listen kid-”
He’s interrupted by a sales assistant, who recognises Daniel. Daniel smiles politely at the man, but Johnny looks like he’s about to commit a murder.
When the assistant goes away, Johnny turns back to Robby and Daniel. “Look, kid, I know I’ve been a shit dad, and I want to make it right.”
Robby scoffs and says something that sounds like “yeah right.”
“No really, I do. I want to be your father, properly, like I should have done all those years ago. I want to make things right with us!” Johnny insists.
Robby looks hesitant. He looks up at Daniel, looking for answers.
“It’s up to you, Robby,” Daniel informs him softly.
Robby sighs, wringing his hands a few times before looking up. “Okay.”
Johnny’s face lights up. “Thank you. Thank you kid-”
“But,” Robby interrupts, “you have to make friends with Mr LaRusso.”
“What?!” Both men exclaim at the same time.
“If you can convince him that you’re here for good, that this isn’t just a cheap shot because you feel bad, then we can do something together, you and me,” Robby says firmly.
Robby can be a very brilliant kid when he wants to be. His karate skills are amazing, and his knowledge of cars is just as good. This idea, however? Daniel doesn’t rate it as one of his best.
“Robby, we can barely be in the same room without fighting,” Daniel whispers urgently. “You’re really gonna put this on me?”
“Exactly. If he can fix things with you, fixing things with me should be a piece of cake.” Robby says it like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
And, Daniel does have to concede, it makes sense.
“I’ll do it,” Johnny says abruptly. He looks like he’s been offered the treasure of a lifetime, and Daniel suddenly despises the thought of taking such a thing from him.
“Me too,” he agrees, wondering what on earth he’s got himself into.
Robby’s face lights up. “Great. You two work something out, I’ll go buy our stuff!” He takes the shelf pieces out of Daniel’s hands and runs off to the counter.
Daniel huffs, a small smile on his face. “There’s certainly no stopping him when he gets ideas.”
Johnny’s still staring in the direction Robby ran. “I wouldn’t know,” he mutters. Daniel has to strain to hear him, and he doubts the comment was meant for him.
The silence is tense, but not the worst they’ve had.
“So…” Daniel begins. “When do you want to meet?”
Johnny shakes his head. “I don’t know LaRusso. It’ll have to be before my classes.”
Daniel thinks for a moment. “How about… Tuesdays at 2? I can duck out of the shop for a while. They won’t miss me for an hour.”
“An hour?!” Johnny exclaims. Daniel cringes internally.
“Look, if we’re gonna learn to get along, we’ll have to spend a decent amount of time together,” Daniel explains.
Johnny sighs, looking at his feet. “Okay.”
“Okay,” Daniel says, feigning a happy tone. “Shall we meet at the park? Sit on a bench? Talk?”
Johnny looks like he’s going to make an asshole comment, but decides against it. “See you then.”
“See you then,” Daniel replies awkwardly.
Robby smiles all the way home.