For the short fic challenge - No.6: A scene fully without context, though I think it fits a couple of the prompts. I’ve seen a lot of gifsets and meta that have been giving me Daniel and Miyagi feelings - so credit to you guys. And also, been having feelings about getting to an age where getting older makes you feel conscious that your parents are getting older too. Happy Father’s Day, I guess!
“Mr Miyagi, you’re moving in with us. I won’t take no for an answer.”
Mr Miyagi carried on puttering around the kitchen, much slower than he used to before, leaving Daniel to talk to his back. Maybe he’d worded that too strongly - the older man might take it as a challenge to out-stubborn him to prove that Daniel might have to take no for an answer.
His sensei’s hands weren’t so steady as he brought a cup down from the cupboard and it rattled a little as he placed it down on the countertop, so Daniel sidled in to take over the job of filling the kettle and making the tea before he could discover how much more unsteady the weight of it would make Mr Miyagi’s hands. He got a frown and a grumbling huff in return, as Mr Miyagi turned toward the table, the newly acquired walking stick in his hand - he didn’t want to use it, didn’t think he needed it. Well, Daniel and the Occupational Therapist at the hospital both disagreed with that.
Not for the first time since The Fall and Mr Miyagi’s subsequent hospital visit (and more so in the car on their way back from the hospital) did he wonder if he could just cart him home and make him stay there. He knew where the suitcases were and everything - he bet he could do a pretty good job of packing for him too.
He changed tack: less demanding, more persuasive.
“Come on, it’ll be like old times. Remember when you built the guest house for me, so I wouldn’t have to move to Fresno? We had a great time, remember? And the new house has plenty of space - we got that room on the first floor, no stairs in the way, I already put a bed in it. And if you want peace and quiet, you won’t even know we’re there, I promise.”
The problem of the table presented itself as soon as he reached it. Bending down to kneel on the zabuton wouldn’t be an easy feat, without even taking into account getting back up again. Mr Miyagi stopped beside it, clearly considering the fact - and Daniel watched the stooped line of his back that marked his age and the line of his shoulders that wasn’t quite so sturdy as before - and then moved to seat himself on the bed instead. It was higher, he wouldn’t have to bend too much to sit. A backhanded victory to his point. Daniel bit his lip and pressed his advantage.
“The kids are gonna love it - you know how they love being with you. Sam’s so excited, she’s already making you art for you to hang up in your room.” The flat stare levelled at him meant he was on the right track - sensing the opening, he struck. “You’d never break her heart, would you, Mr Miyagi?”
A hand came up to cut him off. But that was fine. He’d won. He grinned in the face of the narrow-eyed glare directed at him, and placed the cup of tea within easy reach on the bedside table.
“Hai, hai. Miyagi come. You…you fight dirty.”
Daniel pulled out the suitcase.