There was a jingle as the door opened, Johnny didn't look up from his paperwork as he finished the last swig of his beer.
"Diaz, you forget something?" He called out.
"I'm looking for Sensei Lawrence?"
Startled by the unfamiliar voice he jumped up from his chair, smoothing out his clothing as he moved from the office to the main area of the dojo.
"Sorry, we're closed for the night."
There was silence for a moment as the two men studied each other. Johnny watched as the man about his age gave him the once over.
"Hey buddy, I said we're closed." He repeated, his patience wearing thin.
"Johnny Lawrence… my god you haven't changed a bit!"
He blinked, the tone of voice had a hint of familiarity to it. Something he hadn't heard for years.
"No shit…" a grin spread across his face. "Bobby Brown! Is that really fucking you?"
Without a moment's hesitation they crossed the mat to meet, embracing tightly with a hug. Johnny relaxed into the other, just as he had when they were teens. Even after all these years, Bobby's embrace still had a calming effect on him.
"It's Robert now though. It feels a bit weird for a grown man to be called Bobby. For you I'll make an exception though," he gave a wink which earned him a chuckle from the blonde.
"Good, 'cause I'm not calling you by your prissy ass first name. Want a beer? Come on back to the office and I'll get you a drink."
The blonde led the way to the back of the dojo, motioning for the other to sit in the spare chair in his office. Opening the mini fridge he grabbed a couple of bottles. Removing the cap from one, he gave it a flick, smiling as it sailed across the office. He handed the bottle to his guest, opening the second for himself. He relaxed into his office chair, feet resting on his desk.
"So what brings you back to the valley?"
Bobby shrugged as he sipped at his drink. "My mom's getting old and my dad passed last year. A job opened in the area so I decided to take it. With my sister on the east coast, someone needed to be close to home. It's nice to be back."
"Sorry about your dad… he was a good man." Johnny felt a pang of guilt that he hadn't even heard of the passing of his friend's father.
There was a moment of silent remembrance before the blonde lifted his bottle in a toast. The other reciprocated the gesture before the two men took a drink.
"Wife? Kids?"
Bobby shook his head no.
"You gotta have a girlfriend at least? A little action on the side maybe?"
Bobby chuckled, "Just ended a two year relationship last fall. Things just weren't working out between my boyfriend and I."
At first he wasn't sure if he had heard the other correctly. Johnny's feet dropped to the floor as his mouth gaped open.
"Boyfriend?"
Bobby raised an eyebrow, "We're grown men Johnny, we don't have to play games anymore. It's not the 80's. I don't have to worry about Dutch or Kreese or any of the others anymore."
"But… you're gay?" Johnny sat in stunned silence. Had the truth been right in front of him the whole time and he was just too dense to notice? He was still in shock from how casually and easily the other had stated the fact. He was in awe of the confidence that Bobby now had.
"Always have been," Bobby took another swig. "Had the biggest crush on you in high school. I think Sid knew… that's why he never liked me."
The blonde had finally managed to close his mouth as he began to process the information. He thought back 30 years, cataloguing the highlights of their friendship. With this new information, it started to shed a little light on some instances in their past.
"Had? Like in the past?"
Johnny wasn't trying to be rude or anything, but there was something deep inside of him that needed to know the answer.
Bobby bit his lip, looking uncertain for the first time about this particular topic. "Yes, had. Why do you think I went so far away for college? Took a few years but I got over it."
"Huh…" was all Johnny could manage in reply. He took a long drink.
"No boyfriends for me," he joked, earning himself a laugh, "no girlfriend either. I have an ex and a teenage son."
Bobby's interest seemed piqued at the mention of his child.
"Son? What's his name? Is he the one that won the All Valley for Cobra Kai?"
"You heard about the All Valley?" Johnny's smile saddened. "No, Robby doesn't train with Cobra Kai."
There was a chuckle.
"Robby?" Bobby raised an eyebrow as he shot Johnny a look, "Nice name."
"Shut up." Johnny retaliated.
They drank in silence. It seemed after 30 years it was hard to know what to talk about.
Bobby looked around the room, studying some of the papers and posters.
"You offer yoga at the dojo?" Bobby asked as he studied one in particular.
Johnny snorted, "Not by choice. Subletting helps pay the bills. That jackass LaRusso got my rent doubled so I had to do something."
"Wait… you don't mean Daniel LaRusso. The Daniel LaRusso from high school?" Bobby asked in disbelief. That was a name he would never forget.
"One and only."
"Shit…"
They both took another drink.
"You ever try yoga?"
Johnny scoffed. "That shit? No. I've checked out some of the ladies that come by though. Can't say I'm against the view."
Bobby laughed with a roll of the eyes.
"You should try it. I've been practicing for a few years. It's pretty badass once you give it a try."
Johnny gave him a blank stare.
"We're talking about yoga right? There is nothing badass about yoga."
"I bet you dinner that I can change your mind. Let me take you to one yoga class. If you still think it's lame, dinner's on me."
Johnny smirked. "You're on. Easiest bet I've ever won."
There was a clink, the glass bottles were brought together as they agreed to the bet.