They'd watched the sun go down over the valley together while Terry listened to John air his frustrations about his former students, and that kid and his sensei who had shown up out of nowhere and kicked their asses, making a mockery of his years dedicated to intense training. They shared a few bottles of wine, smoked a couple of cigars. John didn't even complain about drinking wine instead of something more manly, which wasn't like him. He was too focused on this defeat. Terry was just glad to have him here, and would have happily sat there all night, but John wanted to get some sleep before his flight.
But Terry can't sleep. Ideas are already forming in his head. The chance to prove himself, to win against that little twerp who humiliated John, his Johnny.
He slips his robe over his shoulders and stalks down the hall. He stops at the door of the guest room John is staying in and listens, hearing the sounds of him breathing heavily. The door is slightly open, letting in some air.
Terry puts his head around the door. John is sleeping on his back in the king sized bed, silk sheets pulled up to his waist. Terry creeps into the room, trying not to make a sound. He perches on the edge of the bed. John looks calmer now, even though his hands are gripping the sheet. Terry watches the gentle rise and fall of his chest, mesmerised.
He'd do anything for John, if only he asked, if only he told him things. He can fix anything, if only he knows it needs fixing. It wounded him that John had only come to him to tell him he was quitting. Of course he'd heard about Cobra Kai's defeat at the All Valley, but he figured John had it all under control. Maybe Terry ought to have reached out to him, but what would he have said? John doesn't cope well with losing. That's something they have in common.
Even though it took all that for John to come to him, Terry is glad to have him staying under his roof again. They're both free now to share their beds with anyone they like, but for Terry, nothing else compares to those times when John held him tight even if Terry was shaking and crying, even when John had injuries that must have hurt more with Terry taking up half of his bunk. But John never complained, never pushed him away.
This seems like the ideal opportunity to continue where they left off. Terry could just lie down beside him. He doesn't need to wake John, he could just lie there and trace the perfect contours of his muscles with his eyes, appreciate what a true fighting machine looks like up close.
Seeing John look so defeated today really shook Terry to his core. John Kreese, war hero, karate champion, the man he idolises above all others, brought so low by some stupid kid? No, now isn't the time to continue anything. The real opportunity is for Terry to prove his unwavering loyalty and devotion to John, and turn this defeat into a bigger success than either of them could imagine. Only then will John see that Terry is truly worthy of him.
Terry grins to himself and reaches out to touch John's hair, smoothing his fingers over his curls. He's enjoying the luxury of being so close to John and feeling the texture of his hair that he fails to notice John's breathing start to change.
John's eyes snap open.
He gasps. "Christ! Terry! What are you doing here?" he says, sitting up.
Terry pulls his hand back, and his mind grasps for some plausible explanation. Now is not the time for any grand declarations. "I heard you crying out in your sleep, Johnny," he says, putting a note of concern into his voice with practised ease.
"What, from all the way down the hall?"
"I couldn't sleep. I was taking a walk. You were calling out my name, Johnny."
John narrows his eyes and for a moment Terry thinks he might call him a liar. But then he looks away. "Was I? I must've been having one of those dreams again."
"It's okay. I'm here now," Terry says, climbing up to sit next to John and putting an arm around his shoulders. "I've got you." He rubs John's arm and presses the sides of their faces together. John leans against him and reaches up to squeeze the hand on his arm.
Terry wraps his other arm around John and gives him an extra hard hug. "Can't believe you're really here, John. I've missed you."
John laughs. "Yeah, it's been too long," he says, patting Terry's arm in a way that says enough.
Terry moves over a little and puts his hands behind his head, resting back against the headboard of the bed. "Don't you worry about a thing. You go enjoy yourself in Tahiti and once you get back everything will be in place. Trust me, Johnny, when I'm done nobody will ever remember a time when Cobra Kai weren't the champions."
John smiles and gives him a nod. Terry will never get over how much he loves when John smiles at him.
"And when you get back, come stay here with me. You won't have to do it all on your own, we'll do it together, you and me. What do you say?"
John regards him warily. "Well I wouldn't want to put you to any trouble."
"It's no trouble. I've got the room. This room is yours, if you want it. Or any of the others, take a look around! And if you need more space, just say the word."
"What about the business?"
"Dynatox? Who cares! I'll hire some more people, they can call me if they really have to, but that's not my true passion, Cobra Kai is! It'll be you and me, Johnny, against the world!"
John chuckles. "Seems a little unfair, doesn't it? Against us, the world ain't got a chance."
Terry grins and slaps John on the shoulder. "That's it! That's the spirit!"
John flashes him a grin. "So tell me, what's your plan?"
"Still formulating it," Terry says, touching a finger to his temple. He jumps up off the bed, and glances at the empty space beside John. He could just slip under the sheets and snake his arms around John, and they could reminisce about old times until the morning. But he really shouldn't. There'll be a better time for that later. He fixes a smile on his face. "But don't worry, I've got it covered. This time tomorrow, it'll be sun, sea, sand and beautiful ladies who only have eyes for you! How could they not?" He smiles as John beams at him. "You go have fun and relax, you've earned it!"
"Thanks Terry, you're a diamond."
Despite Terry's insistence that John go forget about everything and relax in Tahiti, John calls him nearly every day. Of course Terry can't hide how delighted that makes him and excitedly tells John how his plan is progressing.
John doesn't immediately take up his offer to move in when he comes back home, but he'll come around to the idea, Terry is sure of it.
The day of the tournament rolls around, and all the pieces are in place, just like Terry planned. Mike is ready to crush the competition, and Danny-boy is ready to be crushed.
But that's not what happens. With two years of consecutive losses, their dreams of creating a karate empire crumbles. Mike has failed him, and worse, Terry has failed John. Now Terry will never know how John might react to him pulling him in for a celebratory kiss.
It's over.
Cobra Kai dies that day.
