Chapter Text
The phone jolts the Senesi out of his thoughts. Johnny stopped going over to his fridge. This morning Larusso broke down his door, demanding to know where his daughter was. Johnny groaned, lifting his cellphone to his ear. The moment he knew he wished to never answer the phone. The man’s jaw fell open, despair filled his eyes, his body shook violently in denial. There is no way this happened. This has to be an alcohol induced dream. Imagine the worst thing that ever could happen is what Johnny is experiencing. The Senesi’s eyes filled with unshed tears as he quickly grabbed his keys. All the mistakes in his life came upon the father. Johnny is a mess when he reaches the hospital, yelling demands toward the poor receptionist, looking like a mad-man.
Johnny swallows bitterly as the desk receptionist makes him wait in the waiting room. He’s furious, threatening until the security told him if he didn’t calm down he’d be removed from the premise. The man’s head hit against the chair, sighing in despair. He keeps replaying the phone call in his head. The school called Johnny explaining there had been a fight at the school and Robby had been hurt. Johnny didn’t know much about what went down. All he knows is his son is badly hurt. Oh, god, Robby is hurt?! Johnny ran his hands down his face in a distressed manner. His son better be okay. Johnny doesn’t know what he would do if Robby didn’t make it.
Robby fell over the balcony at school during a fight. What the hell Robby? Why was there a fight? Johnny looks up, sees Larusso enter the waiting area looking as well as Johnny might look right now. Daniel‘s eyes gaze over to Johnny, looking defeated. Robby was Daniel’s student. He had learned about the fight between Robby and Miguel. During the fight Miguel accidentally kicked Robby over the balcony railing. Sam told him that Robby hit his back on another rail before subduing his final hit on the corner of the staircase. Daniel saw the devastation in Johnny Lawrence’s eyes. He didn’t know what Johnny was feeling at the moment.
Johnny hated pity. He had gotten pitiful glances from people when his own mother passed away. He saw the same from Larusso. That’s the last thing Johnny needed right now. The world Johnny knows seems empty. Johnny knows he’s fucked up tremendiously with his son, Robby. There was no getting by it, Johnny knows he failed his son. He had given up trying the day Robby was born, so buildup in grief of losing his mother to see his son. All Johnny wanted right now was his son to be okay. Robby deserves much more than his father and Johnny knows this too well.
Daniel took a seat next to Johnny. “Johnny.” the father looked up to the pitiful eyes, resisting the urge to punch the man. “I’m so sorry about Robby. I just heard. How are you doing?”
Johnny sighed, clenching his fist next to him.”how the fuck do you think i am doing, LaRusso my son is in the fucking hospital?!” Daniel flinches, swallowing hoarsely. He nods.``yeah, I shouldn't have asked.'' It is awkward between him and Johnny, they haven’t spoken since this morning when he stormed over to Johnny’s apartment and broke down his door. “Uh, about this morning, i’m sorry about your door. I'll pay for a new one, I overreacted.” Johnny scoffed bitterly at that.
“Ya think? But fine, I'm not complaining about you paying.”
They sit in silence until Robby’s doctor comes out, telling them the news. It should’ve been a celebration, instead the doctor told him Robby’s surgery went well but they were concerned about brain and spinal cord damage. Johnny’s world collapsed around his surroundings. Robby is in a coma. His baby boy might never wake up or if he does robby could be paralyzed. Daniel is next to Johnny who is nodding his head, taking in the heart-wrenching news about his son.
Johnny eventually is allowed to see his son. He sat down in a chair next to his unresponsive son’s bed. The bruising around Robby’s eyes makes Johnny’s gut knot-up. Robby better wake up or Johnny doesn't finish the thought. Johnny takes a deep breath, reaching out and holds Robby’s hand in his. “Robby, it’s dad, I know you probably never expected me to show up but I'm here. I want you to know that I love you. Robby, please don’t leave me. You’re the last person I have left. I know I’ve fucked up more times than I can count but this time it will be better, I promise. Please wake up, bud.” A tear slid down Johnny’s cheek.
Johnny squeezed his son’s hand tighter. “I love you, Robby.” His head fell onto Robby’s unresponsive chest.
Johnny’s angry at himself. He should’ve never opened Cobra Kai. Miguel wouldn’t have met him and then it wouldn’t have led to him kicking his son over a balcony. The police told him that Miguel helped everybody call 911. Diaz waited until an ambulance arrived before the police took him away in handcuffs for his involvement in the fight. Johnny knew he should be angry with Miguel but he couldn’t.
People make mistakes.
This was a much bigger one.
If Robby didn’t. Johnny shook his head, expelling the thought before it even finished. The first 24 hours were crucial. The doctors told Johnny that it was possible Robby might never wake up. They were worried about the swelling in Robby’s brain and used a lot of medical lingo that Johnny couldn’t even comprehend. Johnny called Shannon who screamed at him that this is his fault. They had gotten into a screaming match about who is at fault.
Johnny knew he was at fault. It was obvious. Larusso came to visit Robby. Johnny hated the fatherly love in Daniel’s eyes. He longed for that relationship with Robby. But he had fucked it up, like he always does. Amanda, Daniel’s hot wife gave him consoling eyes that made Johnny want to beg for a hug like a pussy but his son is dying who would blame him.
Carmen brought baked goodies to make Johnny feel better. The night before they were on an impromptu double date with Daniel and Amanda. Now Johnny knows Carmen feels awkward and angry with him. She told him that Miguel is in police custody. Johnny and Carmen hug which leads to Johnny breaking down.
“I know, Johnny. Let it out.” Johnny heard her angelic voice.
The avalanche came rushing down the mountain, crushing anything in its path.
The next morning Johnny heads to the hospital. Robby’s nurse, Shelly, hot babe, greeted him with a warm smile. Shaking his head, Johnny scolded himself. Now is not the time to be flirting with people, your son is in a coma, Johnny! Shelly took a short glance at the monitor, checking the vitals on the screen. Johnny watched the nurse do her job.
Johnny groaned when the rehab center sent him to their voicemail. He needed to get in touch with his ex. He’s proud of Shannon for getting help, relishing in the fact he’s too stubborn to give into hippy crap like she is. Larusso is paying for her treatment which Johnny is shocked by. Daniel is waiting outside when Johnny leaves the room for the first in hours to get coffee. Larusso’s eyes are red, bags underneath his eyelids.
Daniel yawned, exhausted, taking a sip of his hot coffee. “Hey, Johnny. Any changes?” He received a shake of a head.
Daniel sighs in disappointment. He wanted for anything to change, good changes. Hospitals make him uneasy. After losing his dad and then Mr. Miyagi Daniel didn’t like the feeling of waiting in a room to hear news. Robby shouldn’t be there in the first place. He took a long look at Johnny’s complexion and knew it had been a rough night.
Yesterday Daniel learned about the school fight. He had rushed to see his daughter who told him that Robby was the one who fell. He also learned that Robby and Miguel were fighting over her.
Apparently Sam kissed Miguel who is or was dating Tory. Too much teenage drama for Daniel to understand. West Valley hasn’t changed much since he went to school there in 84. Teenage love can cause chaos. Meaningful glances turn into fighting for survival. Johnny and his crew Cobras made his life a living hell. Over a simple misunderstanding. Daniel has forgiven Johnny, saying they were just crazy kids and it was Sensei Kresse’s fault.
Johnny takes a gulp. His nerves are high with electricity. “No. His nurse thinks that Robby will wake up. I just wish he wasn’t so stubborn.” The harsh reality of his bittered snort of laughter.
“I know Robby, he can be very stubborn. He was so pissed off when I was teaching him Miyagi-do. I have never seen so much fire. He threw the wash cloth so hard. Waxing cars at the dealership.” Daniel said with a thoughtful smile.
Johnny broke into a stream of laughter. “Sounds like the kid I know.”
The silence fell again. For a minute they were in denial. Daniel and Johnny had almost forgotten who was lying in a hospital bed, only for a second of relief. Bobby Brown called him after Johnny had drunk-dialed him about what happened to his son. He said priest shit which Bobby corrected him. Yeah, he's a pastor, whatever, asshole. Bobby finished the conversation by saying a prayer.
Johnny didn’t believe in anything, certainly not God.
But if there was a higher power getting in the way of his son’s life; Johnny will just this once pray. Larusso choked back a watery smile. Johnny hadn’t really noticed how deep their relationship lies between Larusso and Robby. He’s not used to seeing the vulnerability in Daniel’s eyes. The dick had emotions too. Evidently, it was news to Johnny Lawrence.
Johnny wiped his eyes, tearing up. Dammit, don't be a pussy, Lawrence! Daniel must’ve noticed, planting a comforting squeeze on the grieving man’s shoulder. “John, hey.” Johnny looked away in embarrassment.
He shouldn’t be like this. Johnny didn’t deserve the remorseful looks, soft tones. He had given up on Robby during his first day on earth. There were so many things Johnny regrets and that is the biggest of all of his mistakes. The other regret was what went down in 84 with Larusso even if he’s shit-starter. Larusso didn’t deserve almost being beaten to death over Johnny's relentless inability to let things go.
“I fucked it up, Larusso.” Johnny croaked. Another tear rolled down his cheek. “Robby deserves so much more than me being his father.”
Daniel shakes his head in protest. “Don’t say that. Robby loves you. He is scared of getting hurt. We all make mistakes as parents; nobodies perfect, Johnny.”
Johnny wished he believed in Larusso’s kind words but he didn’t. Instead of staying by Robby’s side he had given up years ago. He had been so wrapped in his own grief; ruining everything by drinking. Johnny didn’t need to be reminded he is fucking loser.
And now his son is dying and there’s nothing Johnny can do to prevent what he has damaged.
Daniel ended up with Johnny sobbing in his arms; the dam bursted. “Let it out.” His heart shattered at the broken sight of Johnny. The man clinged onto Daniel like he was afraid to let go. As if the darkness would sweep him away.
He never expected to find comfort in Larusso.
Robby always wanted a pet. Johnny never could afford an animal and Shannon, honestly he didn’t know why she never got him one. Johnny waited by Robby’s hospital bed, praying silently to a god he doesn’t believe in to save his son. He begged them not to take his son.
Bobby talked to Johnny over the phone, Jimmy told him he’d come if he needed some moral support. Johnny doubted Dutch would be able to get calling privileges. So far the Larussos were there every night, Amanda gave the father sad eyes. The youngest daughter would look at Johnny with guilt in her eyes.
“I can’t lose my son. Losing Tommy was the worst. I don’t want to ever feel like that again. Mom, don’t take him yet.” Johnny held tighter onto the unresponsive hand.
Robby remained quiet, eyes shut, machines making his chest rise and fall. A tear rolled down Johnny’s cheeks. He’d kill for a drink right now but drinking wouldn’t bring his son out of coma. The school called telling the kids involved in the school fight that they were suspended and one had been expelled.
Johnny didn’t care. The news didn’t stop his son from - He shook his head at the TV Screen. The news station channel kept replaying the events over again and over again. Some kids actually video the fight; Johnny grimaced as he saw Robby falling and the screen cuts - cries of horror filled the video instead.
“Johnny, you shouldn’t be watching that.” Jimmy said, sighing as Johnny gave him the finger,” I’m just saying it only makes it worse on you, buddy.”
Bobby grabbed the remote and shut off the tv. “Hey!” Yelled Johnny.
“It’s for your own good, Johnny.” Bobby instructed.
The first thing he sees is white, burning his eyes. The young boy went to touch his hair, crying out when his hands met the short length. The kid blinked his eyes, taking in the surroundings around him. That’s when he came to the realization; he’s in a hospital. Robby looked around, his neck constricted. Although from the angle he sees a man sleeping in a chair. “D-Dad?” Robby whispered, confusion written into his eyes.
Johnny’s startled, sitting up and sees Robby staring widely at him. “Oh, Robby. Thank god you are okay.”
“What happened?”
Johnny inhaled, telling him about the school fight. Robby’s eyes widened; he was kicked over the balcony and he’s been in a coma for a month. The sensei’s son froze in shock. He remembered the fight, falling and then it was black. Johnny couldn't keep it together. Blinking his eyes shut, Robby could see the length his father felt.
“Dad.”
Johnny opened his eyes.” Don’t ever scare me like that again.” Robby didn’t even have a second before Johnny’s arms wrapped around him, delicately not to provoke pain to the boy’s injuries. “I-I almost lost you, kiddo.” Johnny croaked, tears sliding down the man’s cheeks unashamed.