Chapter Text
WriterFreak001: This is just another idea I had that I wanted to share with all of you. Please note that there is sensitive material addressed in this fic.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Mentions of Sexual Assault/Harassment. Physical Abuse.
TITLE: Reaching Happiness
RATING: Older Teen
PAIRING: Domon X Rain
DESCRIPTION: Neo-Japan wants to celebrate Domon’s first big win; however, the King of Hearts discovers a disturbing secret that involves his partner, Rain. Will he be able to help her cope in spite of his lack of experience with emotions and women? And will she be able to find the strength it takes to confide in him? Find out!
DESCLAIMER: Sadly, I don’t own G Gundam or any of the beautiful show’s characters. T^T
機動武闘伝Gガンダム
Reaching Happiness
Chapter 1
It was Domon’s very first victory with Burning Gundam, and he couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than to share his hard-earned victory with his incredible partner, Rain. It had only been a few days since she had helped him retrieve Shining Gundam’s data, but they hadn’t had much time alone since… and maybe that was wise with the Gundam Finals underway, but he secretly wished they would have some privacy to discover whether or not there was more to their relationship than friendship.
After winning against Greece, the Neo-Japan fighter had hoped to spend the evening with Rain and only Rain, but the Neo-Japanese government had other plans, unfortunately. Karato and Ulube were overly ecstatic of Domon’s big win and wanted to throw a large party at the Japanese Embassy – one that the Neo-Japan team would be required to join, much to the King of Hearts’ dismay.
If it wasn’t for the fact that his father was held captive at the colony, then he would have gladly refused to attend; however, before the commissioner left to prepare for the celebration, Karato made sure the King of Hearts knew what was at stake if he didn’t attend wearing that uncomfortable, gentlemanly suit that was apparently and specifically designed for him. Inconveniently, Karato had his underlings drop off a fancy box at Han’s boat before Domon could protest. Even though Rain had also received a box as well, there was no threat made to convince her to change her clothing.
Damn that Karato.
Thankfully Ming permitted Rain to change in her little room while Domon left to change in the lowest level – where Han had so generously allowed him to stay. Tempted as he was to run up the steps, toss the wretched box off the boat, and let it sink into the harbor, Domon acquiesced, not wanting to place his father’s freedom in jeopardy.
After dressing into the unpleasant black attire, Domon stared at himself in the mirror and frowned – barely recognizing the young man before him. He turned to the bed and picked up the last piece of material – the complementing red tie. However, no matter how many unsuccessful attempts he had while trying to loop it around his neck, it simply wouldn’t fasten properly.
“Here, let me.”
Domon didn’t even hear Rain coming down the steps as she carefully approached him with a gentle smile coloring her rosy lips. The Neo-Japan fighter almost stumbled backwards, unaccustomed to his partner wearing anything fancier than the usual pink dress and blue jacket. A black, velvet gown with stars of glitter adorned the young woman’s every curve, hugging tightly around her well-endowed chest and flowing gently past her hips like a waterfall. Her bony shoulders and décolletage were bare, and her brunette hair was fastened away from her face with a large, brown clip. Sparkly, teardrop earrings dangled from her earlobes, and a matching necklace hung low, dangling a few inches below her collarbone. She was the midnight sky, personified.
Domon swallowed hard, surprised how one dress, jewelry, and a little makeup could transform his partner from the Rain he had always known into the magnificent creature before him. Her gown had accentuated her curves like nothing he’d ever seen her wear. He coughed a little and tried his damnedest to look somewhere else – anywhere else – than at her more-noticeable cleavage.
Needless to say – Rain’s beauty was unparalleled.
Slowly, the young woman closed the distance between them and carefully took the crimson necktie from the King of Hearts’ hands. She slid the strand of silk around his neck and unfolded his white collar. Her thumbs unintentionally grazed Domon’s skin, and the soft contact sent shivers down his spine. But when her tongue slowly parted her rosy lips and swiped across her bottom one, Domon swallowed thickly, hoping she couldn’t hear the stammering of his heart. He had always been attracted to Rain – even before leaving with Master Asia. But over the last year, his attraction only intensified – especially after the first time he saw her in ten years.
Rain’s fingers moved swiftly and deftly like a surgeon, making the action of tying a necktie look stupidly easy. After she glided the blade of the tie through the final loop, she gently pulled on the tail to tighten the knot towards Domon’s collarbone. Their eyes finally met as she smoothed his collar back down. “There,” she muttered quietly before taking a few steps back to examine her handiwork. “Now where’s the tie clip?”
“The what?”
“The tie clip?” She floated over to the white box that had been carelessly tossed onto the floor and carefully searched through it. “Ah-hah!” She picked something up and hurried over to Domon. “We have to pin this to your tie in order to keep it in place. The last thing we want is for your tie to accidentally let fall into your soup tonight.” She quickly pinned his tie to one of his shirt buttons to complete the look. “There. I think we’re almost done here. Where’s your black coat?”
“Where’s yours?” he smirked casually but if Rain was embarrassed, she didn’t let it show.
“I asked first.” But before the King of Hearts could answer, Rain’s eyes caught something in the back corner so she circled around him and picked up his discarded overcoat. “You don’t have to wear this coat all night – just until the party starts. It’ll please Commissioner Karato if you wear your suit in one piece.” She didn’t give Domon time to move away as she swiftly swung the material around his shoulders like a cape. “Now do I need to pull your arms through, or do you think you can handle that yourself?”
“If I wear it like this,” Domon grinned as he nodded towards the empty sleeves, “then maybe the wind will grant me the favor of carrying it away forever.”
Rain rolled her eyes playfully as the Neo-Japan fighter begrudgingly slipped his arms through the sleeves. The doctor smoothed her tiny hands over his coat to iron out any of the noticeable wrinkles and fastened the single button in front before straightening the entire attire. “Just so you know – the moment I’m back here, I’m ripping these off. The MTS suit is far more comfortable than this getup.”
“Suit yourself, but just don’t destroy them, okay? They weren’t cheap, and I don’t mind helping you dress up every once in a while.” Domon’s eyebrows sprang upward at her comment, and his partner immediately covered her mouth, her cheeks burning bright red. “I mean, I don’t need to help you get dressed; obviously, that’s not what I meant. You dress handsomely without my help.” Her cheeks were as red as cherries now. “Oh shoot. You know what I mean!”
Domon burst out laughing as Rain pinched the bridge of her nose while trying to hide her blushing cheeks. “If you like them so much,” he wiped away a tear from his left eye, “I’ll put these clothes back in the box after tonight and will personally gift them to you. And when it’s time for me to wear them again, you can help me put them back on. How does that sound?”
Rain didn’t answer as she shook her head slowly. In small moments like this, Domon really enjoyed teasing his best friend. “You know I’m kidding, right?”
“Sometimes, I truly wonder.” The King of Hearts smirked, causing Rain to smile a little. And maybe his little comment gave her a boost of courage because what happened next completely caught Domon off guard. Rain leaned inward and slowly brought her lips to his ear, causing the oh-so-mighty Gundam warrior to freeze from her sudden proximity.
He tried to ignore the light pressure of her chest against his shoulder as she boldly whispered, “If you give me yours, I’ll give you mine.” His spine stiffened instantly as goosebumps smattered across skin. Heat burned through his cheeks. He wasn’t even sure if she was implying anything more than the simple exchange of their formal wear as he had joked about earlier, but her sultry tone was enough to make him suddenly nervous in her presence. Just what was that woman thinking?
Her fingernails slid over one shoulder and glided to the other as she swiftly danced around him, and her dress swirled at her ankles as she made a quick but careful getaway up the steps, leaving the poor King of Hearts standing like a frozen fool.
He didn’t even know she had that sort of effect on him, and if she was going to be that playful for the rest of the evening, he wasn’t sure he would be able to survive the night. Hopefully, the Neo-Japanese government would provide enough distraction at the party to keep his mind from wandering anywhere it shouldn’t.
Hopefully.
Eventually, Hoy called for him from above. “Domon! Domon! Rain’s going to leave without you if you don’t hurry!”
Shaking himself back to reality, Domon walked over to his discarded clothes and picked up his red headband. Quickly, he fastened it around his forehead, determined to have some semblance of normalcy this evening. Especially if he’s going to spend an entire evening in uncomfortable clothes at an uncomfortable party with uncomfortable people.
He climbed up the wooden steps and gulped audibly when he saw his partner waiting for him on the dock. A lightweight, silvery shawl covered her shoulders. Thankfully, the young woman wasn’t looking at him. He still wasn’t sure if he had completely recovered from her bold tease a moment ago.
Who knew she could be such a flirt?
Hans, the owner of the boat, clapped a hand on Domon’s shoulder and grinned. “Your partner is certainly a sight for sore eyes. Any chance of the beautiful, young miss staying here as well? We have plenty of room. Won’t mind the additional company one bit.”
Domon crossed his arms in front of him as his partner turned towards him and smiled. “I haven’t had the chance to ask her yet,” was all he said as he moved towards her, completely captivated by her sparkling beauty. The moment their eyes met; the rest of the world faded away. Quietly, he hopped out of the boat and casually offered his arm to her, not wanting the woman to trip on her way towards land. She graciously accepted, wrapping her slender fingers around the crook of his elbow. It was a weird, yet peaceful feeling having Rain so close to him. When she wasn’t trying to tease the living soul out of him, that is.
He relished quietly in her closeness, hoping the silver shawl was enough to keep her warm on this chilly night. As if she could hear his very thoughts, she gently leaned her shoulder against his. A small smile colored his lips, hoping she wouldn’t part too soon. If she was by his side, he could withstand anything – even a stupid party hosted by Neo-Japan’s leaders.
They were halfway down the dock when Rain stopped walking. She turned towards the King of Hearts, and he met her eyes, but he frowned a little when he didn’t see them sparkling as usual. They were dull and so – unlike Rain. He might be a fighter who didn’t always understand how to communicate his own emotions, but Rain was a very emotional person, and after spending the last eleven months with her, he could tell when something was off. “What is it?”
“Listen…,” She chewed on her bottom lip and squeezed his bicep, her eyes almost pleading for him to understand without voicing her concerns. She inhaled softly and opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by the untimely, gawdy arrival of an incredibly long limo, courtesy of Karato, of course. The driver honked on the horn, announcing his arrival. Domon rolled his eyes, tired of the commissioner’s grand shenanigans. Rain closed her eyes and shook her head gently. “It’s nothing.” When she opened her eyes, they returned to their usual brightness, and she masked her previous expression with a smile.
Without another word, she resumed walking, and he followed in step, concerned for his partner. As they neared the limo, he found himself asking, “Did you want to ditch this limo and take the corelander instead?” Except he wouldn’t be taking the corelander to the Embassy, but Rain didn’t need to know that just yet.
Rain let out a little laugh. “I wish, but I don’t even think I can step into the corelander with this godforsaken dress. It’s pretty, don’t get me wrong, but it’s way too long for what I’m used to.” She blushed a little. “Sorry if the limo makes you uncomfortable.”
Domon shook his head. “If the limo makes traveling easier for you, then we’ll take the limo. I just… don’t want you to be uncomfortable. You seemed hesitant a few minutes ago.”
“Oh. You noticed?”
“Yeah.”
She flashed him a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. Tonight is about you and your success in the Gundam fight today.”
“Tonight is about our success,” Domon corrected his partner. “I couldn’t have made it through the past year without you, Rain. Are you sure you’re okay?”
Rain nodded slowly. “It’s okay. I’m okay. It can wait.”
Domon didn’t seem convinced.
“Truly, Domon.” Rain squeezed his arm gently as if to reassure him. “Don’t worry about it.”
He opened his mouth to protest but chose to keep his lingering thoughts to himself. As they reached the limo, the driver stepped out of the vehicle and kindly opened the door for them. Domon helped Rain inside, and once he was certain her dress wouldn’t get caught in the door, he pushed it closed and signaled the driver to return to his seat as he circled around the vehicle to climb in himself. To his surprise, the Neo-Japan Gundam team weren’t going to be alone. The commissioner, himself, was sitting across from them. “Should have known,” Domon muttered under his breath in annoyance.
“With the way you were acting this afternoon, I couldn’t trust that you’d come to the party on your own.” Commissioner Karato crossed one leg over the other and turned his attention to the young doctor sitting next to Domon. “Rain, you look lovely as always. Commander Ulube has great taste in dresses, I see. He personally chose the gown you’re wearing himself, bragging all afternoon about how beautiful it would look on you. I can’t say he was wrong…”
Rain’s cheeks grew rosy in color from the compliment, but Domon didn’t miss the way she hugged her shawl tighter around her shoulders. For some reason, the comment Karato said about Ulube choosing Rain’s dress didn’t sit well with him. Why would Ulube look for a dress for Rain and not Rain’s father?
“Domon,” Karato’s annoying voice cut the King of Hearts off from his thoughts, “I’m glad to see that you can actually clean up well for once. I was worried you’d choose to show up in your fighting clothes.”
“You didn’t actually give me much of a choice,” Domon clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.
“That is true,” Karato noted with a shrug before leaning back against the leather behind him. “Anyhow, when we enter the Embassy, my arrival will be announced first. Then, Commander Ulube will walk in next. Dr. Mikamura, third. Rain, you will accompany Commander Ulube as he walks in, and then Domon will walk in last. The man of the hour must be the last face everyone sees, don’t you think?”
“Why is Rain walking in with Ulube? That doesn’t even make sense.” Domon frowned, not liking that scenario at all. “Rain’s my partner. Without her support, I wouldn’t have won today’s match – or any of my other fights for that matter. Shouldn’t she walk in with me?”
Rain gently placed her right palm on Domon’s left knee to calm him. If the commissioner noticed the subtle interaction, he didn’t let it show, but Domon didn’t really care if he did. His relationship with Rain – whatever it was – was none of the government’s business. Rain moved her palm away and folded her hands into her lap as she said, “He’s not wrong, sir. It would be more appropriate for me to accompany Domon into the Embassy since we’re both partners in the Gundam tournament.”
Domon couldn’t help but wonder if that was the only reason she wanted to accompany him.
“Commander Ulube was the one who requested Rain to walk in with him into the Embassy. If you want to refuse his request, then that’s a conversation between the three of you. I’m staying out of it. If Dr. Mikamura couldn’t convince him, then I doubt either of you could.”
Domon crossed his arms in a huff and angled himself away from Karato, not wanting to hear anything more from him. Thankfully, the commissioner caught onto his hint and kept quiet for the rest of the drive towards the Embassy. Rain didn’t speak either. The King of Hearts would occasionally glance in her direction, but she kept to herself and simply stared at her lap as she picked at her fingernails nervously.
When the vehicle stopped in front of the Embassy, Karato almost tripped over Domon’s long legs as he climbed out of the vehicle first. The King of Hearts had to stifle a laugh as Karato caught himself before eating the concrete. As the commissioner scrambled towards a crowd of important Japanese officials, Domon rolled his eyes, wishing he could order the driver to take them anywhere but here. Unfortunately, his grand escape would be noticed by too many officials, which could place his father’s situation in jeopardy.
Slowly, he turned towards Rain, who was still mindlessly picking at her fingers. Since there were no eyes currently watching him at the moment, he leaned towards her and covered her hands with his large palm, hoping the simple gesture would calm her nerves. Wherever her mind had gone to, his touch seemed to have brought her back, but the small transition didn’t stop him from noticing the way she flinched from his initial interaction. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Rain inhaled a deep breath and released it slowly. “I am. I’m okay.”
“Are you ready to face this torture together?”
A warm smile bloomed across her lips, and she nodded slowly.
“Okay then,” was all he said before he climbed out of the limo and circled around to the other side to help his beautiful partner out of the vehicle. He extended his hand, and she firmly gripped his palm for balance as she carefully stepped onto the sidewalk. The driver was already behind them, closing the door.
“Thank you,” she beamed, and he casually smoothed his thumb over her knuckles, forgetting he was even holding her hand.
“You’re welcome.”
The world started to fade away again as they lost themselves in each other’s eyes, but it came back all too quickly when Dr. Mikamura loudly cleared his throat.
“F-Father!” Rain and Domon separated from each other like oil and water before the woman bent down a little to hug the older man. “I hope we’re not too late.”
The older doctor shook his head and covered his daughters smooth hands in his wrinkly ones. “The celebration hasn’t started yet; everyone was waiting for the two of you.” He turned his attention to Domon. “Rain, dear, please go greet the other officials. I have something I would like to say to Domon in private.”
“Oh. Okay.” Rain nodded and moved away, obeying her father to give the two some space. Domon watched her as she made her way towards the group of officials, including Commissioner Karato and Commander Ulube. The doctor cleared his throat again, breaking the King of Hearts’ concentration.
Before he said anything, Dr. Mikamura was quick to cut to the chase. “I don’t know how you feel towards my daughter, but if it’s anything more than friendship or your partnership in the Gundam fight, then I forbid you from going further.”
“I don’t understand,” Domon frowned, crossing his arms defensively. He cared deeply for Rain and sometimes wondered if their relationship could evolve into something more…, but how are his feelings of any concern to Dr. Mikamura? Was there a reason that the elderly father disapproved of him?
“Rain has a big heart and cares deeply for the people close to her,” Dr. Mikamura finally replied. “I can tell she thinks fondly of you Domon. Perhaps she even has feelings for you. However – I want what’s best for Rain, and I know you’re not it. Your brother is a perfect example of why I don’t want you to have any romantic feelings for my daughter. There’s too much baggage with the Kasshu family. So, if you feel anything more for Rain than friendship, then let her go. I hate to say this, but if it takes breaking her heart in order for the two of you to focus only on the Gundam tournament, then do just that. Do whatever it takes to keep Rain at arm’s length.”
Domon didn’t like the way this conversation was going one bit. “With all due respect, Dr. Mikamura… I don’t exactly understand what you’re talking about, but if you’re asking me to hurt Rain intentionally to distance our relationship, then I’m sorry. I can’t do that. Thinking of hurting Rain in any way is just plain nuts. We’ve been friends for ages, and partners for almost a year. I care a lot for your daughter. Sure, I’m not always the nicest guy to her, but we make things work because we’re a team, and we work our issues out. One way or another.” Domon glanced over towards the officials but didn’t see Rain. Commander Ulube wasn’t there either. “Now, if you’ll excuse me…” He didn’t wait for the doctor to respond as he stormed over to Karato. “Where’s Rain?”
The commissioner shrugged. “She was talking to Commander Ulube a moment ago. Didn’t realize they were gone.” Commissioner Karato frowned deeply. “I hope they didn’t already go inside. I’m supposed to be announced first.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Domon spotted Ulube walking back towards the crowd. His unmasked cheek was vibrant red, and a scowl sported his lips. He clearly wasn’t happy about something. He instantly recognized the silvery shawl the commander was carrying in his left hand. Domon marched over to the commander and snatched it out of Ulube’s grasp. “Where’s Rain?”
Commander Ulube didn’t answer before turning his attention to the commissioner. “Let’s go, Karato. I’ve changed my mind. I think it will make a bolder statement if the two of us walk into the Embassy together. Then the rest of the officials can follow. Everyone else can come in when they please.”
The commissioner cocked an eyebrow. “Didn’t you want Rain Mikamura to accompany you?”
The commander frowned. “It seems that she’s unwell. I don’t think she’ll make it tonight.”
‘Unwell? But she was just fine a few moments ago.’ Domon sprinted away from the crowd towards the direction Ulube had come from and circled around to the back of the building, finding Rain cowering low against the structure and sobbing into her hands. ‘Just what did Ulube do?!’ The King of Hearts crouched beside her and draped the shawl over her bare shoulders, but she flinched from the sudden sensation.
Domon frowned as she instantly pulled the shawl closer around herself. The poor woman was shivering, but he sensed it wasn’t because of the chilly air. They sat in silence for a few minutes before the King of Hearts gently called out her name.
She didn’t move.
He moved to reach for her but lowered his hand, choosing to ignore his desire to pull her shaking form into his arms. Eventually, he spoke. “Do you want to get away from here?” The woman nodded but didn’t move her hands away from her face. “Okay,” Domon stood up, stretched a little, and called for the corelander. The blue vehicle arrived in no time at all, hovering in front of them. “Do you need help getting in?”
Before answering him, Rain kept her face down and immediately dug through her purse until she found a pair of shears. Without warning, she hastily snipped at the material of her sparkling gown, cutting a considerable length off of the dress. When she stood up, the dress only flowed mid-thigh. Domon didn’t ask, and she didn’t explain. He started picking up the scraps, but Rain told him to leave them behind as she easily climbed into the back of the corelander. “Let’s just go,” was all she said.
Domon nodded slowly and took off his black overcoat before dropping it over Rain’s barely covered shoulders. “This should keep you from getting too cold from the wind.” Rain didn’t look at him, but she pulled the coat around her small form completely.
After hopping into the front seat, the blue hovering vehicle roared to life. The commissioner and Dr. Mikamura were the first to respond to the loud sound as they ran around the building towards them. “Domon!” Karato called out, “What are you doing?!”
“Rain’s not feeling well. I’m taking her somewhere she can rest.” The King of Hearts didn’t leave time for Karato or Dr. Mikamura to stop him as he sped off, leaving the pair to inhale the corelander’s dust.
After a while of driving, Domon parked the corelander on a secluded beach so that Rain could have some space to collect her thoughts and maybe tell him what had happened back there. He thought about taking her to Han’s boat, but with the kids there… and the Neo-Japan government knowing where he was staying, he figured it was best to avoid the boat for a few hours.
Neither moved out of the corelander as they quietly listened to the black waves roll onto the silvery sand.
Eventually, Rain broke the silence between them. “That prick!” she spat harshly, causing Domon to jump a little. Surely, she wasn’t speaking about him, was she? “If I had known that he was the one who picked out this stupid dress, then I wouldn’t have worn it.” Rain suddenly tore off her silvery shoes and hurled them into the water. She loosened those sparkly earrings from her ears and tossed them as well. The necklace shortly followed. “Enough is enough.”
Domon wasn’t exactly sure what was going on or whom she was talking about, but his suspicions included one specific commander of the Neo-Japan government. “Did Ulube do something?” Based on her actions alone, the answer was pretty obvious, but Domon wasn’t super great at reading women so if Ulube had done something to Rain, she would need to answer him directly.
She was silent for a moment before answering.
“It started before I left for Colony University… You were still training with Master Asia then… While I was waiting to receive my letter of acceptance from the university, I spent time helping Father design Shining Gundam and make repairs on Rising Gundam. Whenever Commander Ulube dropped by to inspect the progress of repairs or modifications, he’d drop uncomfortable and lewd comments anytime I was working alone. I ignored him as I often ignored most of the cat-calling men at the colony. I know you don’t like hearing your brother’s name, but Kyoji overheard one of his comments one time and called him out on it. Told him to stop being disrespectful. Ulube didn’t come by much after that interaction with your brother.
“On the morning I was leaving for the university, Ulube made sure my father was too busy to see me off at the shuttle. Just as I was walking towards the shuttle bus, he pulled up in his corelander and offered to drive me to the shuttle itself. I politely declined, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He was already out of the corelander and taking my bags. The trunk was closed before I could even blink, and then he was behind me, casually touching me in uncomfortable ways as he tried to get me into his vehicle. Kyoji was just leaving his home and saw everything. He snuck around the other side of the corelander and encouraged me to go ahead and get in. So, I did, and he jumped into the front seat before taking off and shouted an apology to Ulube for borrowing his vehicle.
“Thankfully, while I was at Colony University, Ulube didn’t follow – so I assumed that he moved on from whatever sick fantasies he had… but after I heard about what happened to your family and returned, he picked up right where he left off – but became more handsy.” Rain inhaled a deep breath, but Domon was so still, shocked to his bones.
“W-Why didn’t you mention this before…? I mean, Ulube has always been a jerk – more so than Karato at times – but why put up with him all this time? If I had known about it, I would have clocked him the first chance I had.” Domon clenched his fists tightly, considering turning back towards the Embassy to do just that. But Rain’s response to his question was not the one he expected.
“I endured his lewd comments and harassment because of the very thing Karato threatened you with this afternoon if you didn’t wear that suit… Believe me, time and time again, I would try to push Ulube away, but he would bring up your father – saying he could keep Dr. Kasshu in permanent imprisonment if I tried to resist… so I endured it for just a little longer because I knew we would be leaving for Earth soon enough anyway. Thankfully, he never did anything more than cope a feel every now and then…
“Tonight… it was the first time he tried something since we left for Earth…, yet… what he tried to do… was far worse than anything he has ever done…, and once your father is free from his imprisonment, I’m going to report Ulube for sexual harassment and petition his removal effective immediately.”
Domon shook his head, finally making eye contact with his partner. “Report him now, Rain. Don’t worry about my father. I’ll figure something out. Besides – Karato may be an ass, but he’s no womanizer. So, I’m sure he’ll be understanding if you report Ulube…”
Rain bit her bottom lip and turned her head in shame. Domon, for the first time that night, saw the raw bruise on her cheek. His anger shot up tenfold. “Did that bastard hit you?!”
She didn’t answer, but she didn’t have to.
The corelander roared to life. “I’m not going to let him get away with that. Not on my watch.”
“Domon, don’t!” Rain reached over his shoulder and turned off the vehicle before taking the key away. “It’s my choice to wait, and since he now knows that you suspect something, I doubt he’ll try anything again. Please,” she pleaded, tears spilling from her lashes, “please forget about it for now. I don’t want my father to know. He can’t know. It would destroy him if he knew how his superior was treating his daughter.”
Domon closed his eyes for a moment to collect himself. “You can’t expect me to act kindly towards Ulube, Rain. Not after everything you’ve told me.”
“I’m not asking you to do that – I’m just asking you to look the other way… I’ll be more careful when I’m around him, and I won’t place myself in a situation where I’m alone with him. I promise.” Rain pushed her hair back in frustration and embarrassment. “Especially after what he tried to do tonight.”
Domon knew she wouldn’t say anything unless he asked. “What did he do?” Rain kept silent for a moment, and Domon grew a little impatient. Rain was an incredibly strong-willed woman, but he wondered how much more she had to endure before her breaking point. He realized he was placing her in a difficult situation. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
Another long moment passed before she had the courage to say anything. “After I left my father to speak with you, I did as he asked and greeted the group of officials. We spoke some – mostly about the Gundam matches you’ve fought in so far – but Ulube asked to speak with me in private. But he didn’t give me much of a choice and pulled me away from the crowd towards the back of the building. I took that opportunity to tell him I didn’t want to walk with him into the Embassy… that I planned to accompany you instead… since we’re a team, after all.
“He didn’t like that answer much and chose to change the subject by making some more lewd comments about how the dress fit my figure. How he knew – he just knew – it would accentuate my curves. But he didn’t like that I was wearing that shawl, so he forcefully yanked it off of me and spun me away from him…” She shivered as goosebumps peppered her arms. “He p-pinned me against the wall, just so he could easily place his hands wherever he wanted, wherever he pleased, as he reminded me about your father’s situation if I even tried to scream.” She inhaled a deep breath and waited for a beat as she pulled Domon’s jacket tighter around herself. Tears welled up in her eyes, but they didn’t fall.
“So, I tried to endure it for your father’s sake…,” she glanced downward at her fingernails and began picking at them again. “But… then I felt one of his hands unzipping the side of my dress and beginning to slide underneath. Before I knew it, I managed to spin out of his grasp and found myself smacking him hard on the cheek. He retaliated by striking me back, and I fell down. I thought he would try something else, but he left abruptly. I tried to recompose myself, but I think… the shock of it all… overwhelmed me… so I didn’t move.” Rain wouldn’t meet Domon in the eyes as her shoulders slumped. “The rest is history.”
Domon took a moment to calm his white rage. ‘How DARE he try to hurt Rain that way!’ When he finally spoke, his voice was calm and soft but laced with quiet fury. “Aside from my father’s situation, give me one damn good reason not to beat that bastard to a pulp in front of the entire embassy.”
Rain fidgeted with the ripped and fraying hem of her dress, still refusing to make any eye contact. “No one else knows except for you… And don’t get me wrong…, I am truly touched that you are willing and wanting to do that for me…, but the moment you do… the whole colony… perhaps all of Hong Kong… will find out…, and I don’t think I’m ready for that yet. I don’t want people to treat me any different than they do right now…”
Domon knew that Rain had always been a private woman…, and only shared her thoughts when it mattered…, but she never liked attention – and now he knew why. The King of Hearts – unable to control the anger bubbling up inside of him – jumped out of the corelander and slammed his fist into the nearest tree, cracking its surface. He let out a frustrated scream and struck it again, imagining the tree was that rat bastard, Ulube. He lost count of how many times he landed a punch onto that poor tree, but when it finally snapped at its base, his anger had dissipated to a more manageable level.
Not caring about the bleeding cuts covering his knuckles, he slowly turned back towards the corelander but found Rain with her feet in the water, staring at the black abyss beyond them. He moved towards her but kept a respectable distance, noting the lost look in her eyes. He absolutely hated how she chose to protect his father’s fate by enduring everything Ulube had done to her, but he couldn’t say he wasn’t touched. The strength it took for her to withstand that… for his father…, it was admirable.
But he still didn’t like it.
“If Ulube steps out of line one more time and tries to do anything to you again, don’t worry about my father’s fate. Do anything you have to in order to get away from him. Then leave that bastard to me. I won’t look away a second time.” Domon decided he was going to teach Rain some defensive moves, starting tomorrow, whether she wanted to learn or not. To his surprise, he felt two slender arms gently wrapping around his torso. Rain pressed her unscathed cheek against his chest and closed her eyes as she embraced him. Domon didn’t know what to do with his arms, so he kept them by his side, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable.
“Thank you,” she whispered over his heart.
Even though Rain didn’t want him to clobber Ulube, he wanted to do something to help her feel better. Rain was his best friend, growing up. And now, they work together. He cared deeply for her in more ways than he cared for anyone else and hated seeing her sad or suffering because of anything. “What can I do?” She hugged him tighter, so he repeated himself, wanting her to know that he was willing to help her with anything she might need. Or comfort her in any way that would make her feel safe. “What can I do, Rain?”
“Just hold me,” was all she asked, and he felt tears soaking his white dress shirt. His arms never wrapped around her faster.
機動武闘伝Gガンダム
They didn’t know how late it was before Rain’s teeth began to chatter from the chilly air. Her feet were so cold that he had to pick her up and carry her to the corelander. Thinking only of his partner, he took off his shoes and slid her feet inside of them, hoping they would help with warmth. He reached over the female doctor and opened a small storage unit to pull out the blanket they kept in there while in the Guyana Highlands. He carefully draped it over Rain’s legs, and she smiled with gratitude.
Once he was inside the corelander himself, he closed the overhead cover and turned on the heat, full blast. For part of the ride back, they were both silent. It wasn’t until Rain’s teeth stopped chattering did the woman finally speak. “I don’t want to go back to the hotel.”
Domon didn’t question her decision. “Do you have anything you need to pick up from there?”
“Yes,” she said simply.
“Okay. Then we’ll stop by the hotel and pick up your things.”
“But I don’t know where I’ll stay,” Rain seemed a little distressed. “I don’t think other hotels are accepting any more visitors due to the Gundam tournament.”
“Don’t worry about that. Hans already said you could stay in his boat if you wanted to.”
“Oh, really?” Rain’s eyes lit up. “That’s so nice of him. But… is that okay? Are you okay with it?”
Domon blinked with surprise. “We’ve been sharing a space together for eleven months. Why wouldn’t I be okay?”
Rain didn’t answer the question as a rosy hue bloomed across her cheeks. Instead, she called out his name. “Hey, Domon?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you think we could just go straight to the boat? You don’t have a match tomorrow so we can always go fetch my things in the morning… I’d prefer to go there during the day anyway if that’s okay with you.”
The King of Hearts nodded with a small smile. “Of course…”
“Thank you,” Rain yawned quietly and leaned her head back against the headrest. “I’m getting a little sleepy…, can you wake me up when we get there?”
Domon glimpsed into the rearview mirror to steal a glance at his partner and chuckled softly, not needing to answer her request. She was already asleep. He tried to drive gently, hoping none of the light bumps rocking the corelander would wake her up as he cruised back towards the docks along the edge of the city.
Even though it wasn’t a terribly long drive back to Hans’ boat, the King of Hearts decided not to wake his best friend up just yet. She was sleeping so soundly, and he didn’t want to disrupt her. Eventually, he popped the corelander roof open and climbed out of the vehicle. Not wanting to disturb the woman in the back, he carefully picked Rain up into his arms and carried her onto the boat. The kids were already sleeping, but Hans was still awake, cleaning up the little kitchen inside the upper cabin area.
Hans gave Domon a small smile and whispered, “I prepared another cot in the lower level on the opposite side of yours. Do you need me to string up a curtain for extra privacy?”
“No thanks,” Domon shook his head slowly, “We’ve slept in the same space for almost a year now and were able to work those sorts of things out. But thank you for the offer.”
“Just let me know if you need anything else. Ming made extra food tonight. So, feel free to eat something after you’re settled in. And if the beautiful, young lady is awake by then, she’s more than welcome to eat something too.”
“Thanks,” Domon mumbled quietly before cautiously descending to the lower level of the boat. Luckily, Hans had already lit the lantern at the base of the stairs in anticipation of the Neo Japan team’s arrival. Just as the elderly man described, Domon’s cot was right where he left it, and the new cot for Rain was placed on the opposite side of the room. Domon secretly wished it was a little closer, but he figured the large distance between them during the night would be best. Especially after everything he had learned tonight regarding Ulube.
That name – that person – that piece of filth! If the King of Hearts wasn’t holding Rain in his arms right now, he would storm the Embassy and demand for Ulube to apologize to the beauty in his arms and step step down from his position. No official of the colony should behave so wickedly! But until Rain gives him permission to throw a punch at that rat bastard, he would only hold back at her request.
Domon gently lowered his partner down onto the spare cot and draped a few sheets over her to help her keep warm. But as he laid the last sheet on top of her, the woman’s cerulean blue eyes slowly opened to find him partially hovering over her. He respectfully distanced himself from her as she sat forward during a quiet yawn. He dropped to his knees and watched her as she blinked and took in her surroundings. She finally caught his gaze. “How long have I been asleep?”
“We just arrived,” Domon answered honestly. “Hans had already set up a spare cot down here while we were away.”
“Oh. That was very nice of him. How did he know I decided to stay here instead of the hotel?”
Domon could have sworn he saw her cheeks pinken with color, but he dismissed it. “He guessed; I suppose.” The King of Hearts shrugged with a half-smile and added, “There’s some food left upstairs that Hans offered us to eat. Are you hungry? I can go grab a plate and break one down for you.”
Rain shook her head slowly with a small smile. “I’ll come up with you. I wanted to thank Hans for his hospitality. But first…,” she paused, looking around the low-lit space for something, “I’d like to change out of this dress…, but I left my everyday clothes in Ming’s room.”
Domon spotted Rain’s trademark attire resting on a chair nearby. “It seems like Ming is a step ahead of you,” he smirked as he nodded to her pink dress, blue jacket, and white boots. Her golden globe earrings were resting on top of her folded clothes.
Rain smiled sweetly. “They are really kind people, aren’t they?”
“Yeah. They are.” Domon grinned as he rose to his feet. “I’ll go upstairs and give you some privacy.”
“Don’t you want to change out of your attire too?”
“Nah,” the King of Hearts chuckled.
“But if you’re not careful, you might end up staining your white shirt.” Rain pointed out as she stood up. “I know you might think it would be a blessing, but Commissioner Karato wouldn’t – especially after how much money he spent on having it custom-made for you.”
Domon inwardly cursed. Rain knew him so well. “Come upstairs when you’re done changing, and then I’ll come down here to change after you. We’ll eat afterwards.” He didn’t wait for Rain to reply and went upstairs so that she could have some privacy. He also needed to clear his head. Otherwise, he might find himself hopping on his corelander and breaking his promise to Rain – which was something he didn’t want to do. Especially after the last time he ended up breaking his promise to Rain when she was sick in the Guyana Highlands.
He felt incredibly awful leaving her in the hands of the Russian government while he stayed behind to fight the Dark Gundam, but because her health had been at stake, he didn’t think twice. Making sure that Rain survived was all he cared about at that moment.
He slowly made his way to the stern of the ship that faced the moon-lit sea and watched the small waves roll towards shore. There were stars dusted across the sky, twinkling radiantly like the dress Rain had been wearing before she destroyed it in the best way possible. Because of its origin, he hoped she would toss the dress into the sea like she had her shoes and jewelry earlier.
“Beautiful night, isn’t it?” Hans was standing beside him with a small smile. “If it wasn’t for the city lights, we would be able to see so much more stars than we do now.”
Domon nodded in agreement. “When I was training in the Guyana Highlands, all we could see was a sea of stars at nighttime. Sometimes I wonder why people chose to leave Earth and live on the colony. We may get stars up there, but it never looked like it did at the Guyana Highlands. I’m not sure why but seeing the stars from Earth is a completely different experience.”
“Perhaps it’s because they tend to remind us of how small we truly are. We may see thousands of specks in the sky, but they’re eons away and much larger up close.”
“Maybe,” Domon mumbled as he heard soft footsteps approaching him from behind. Hans was already walking away when two slender arms wrapped securely around his torso. The owner pressed her cheek against his back shoulder, but when he tried to turn around to face his partner, she begged him to continue facing the sea.
“If you look now,” she embraced him tightly, “I won’t have the courage to say what I want to say.”
So, he stayed as still as possible.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized sincerely as tears soaked through the back of his white shirt. “I should have had enough courage to do something about Commander Ulube a long time ago so that it wouldn’t escalate so much. He kept being forward because I wasn’t mentally strong enough to clearly put an end to his advances. I—”
Domon broke free of her embrace and swiftly spun around to take her hands in his, squeezing them tightly. “You have nothing to apologize for,” he was adamant about that fact. “Ulube is an ass. A major one. If anyone has to apologize, it’s him! Not you.”
Rain didn’t meet his eyes, and her next words almost strangled him. “There’s more I didn’t tell you… Coping a feel wasn’t all he had tried to do…, but I felt too ashamed to tell you earlier…” More tears welled up in her eyes. “When he unzipped that dress earlier – what he had tried to do – it wasn’t the first time.”
Domon’s heart sank. What more did that bastard do?
Rain pulled her hands out of his grasp and shivered, rubbing her arms for warmth. “I’d rather not share it out here.”
“Go eat something,” Domon didn’t press her. “I’ll go change now, and if you want to share when we’re downstairs, I’ll listen.”
She nodded slowly and bowed her head in shame to avoid looking into Domon’s eyes. He watched her saunter towards the kitchen room, shoulders slumped. He had never seen Rain so defeated, and he silently prayed that whatever else Ulube had done or tried to do wasn’t as bad as he imagined. Perhaps it was better if he didn’t know… he didn’t think he could stomach whatever more she had or wanted to say. He lost his appetite hours ago, but as he passed by the kitchen towards the basement entrance, he grabbed a bread roll as Rain mindlessly nibbled on a slab of cold ham.
If she had seen him as he walked by her, she didn’t make it known.
So he climbed down the steps towards the lower level and quietly changed. He left his tan jacket, red cape, and gloves off, choosing only to wear his jeans and dark green shirt. He removed the sash off of his forehead and dropped it on top of his jacket that was resting on a small barrel nearby. He chomped on the bread roll, not thinking he would be able to stomach anything else as he heard light footsteps descending the stairs. He made his way over to the wooden table and chairs in the middle of the room and sat down as he waited for his partner. He looked anywhere but at her, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable. She pulled a chair out from underneath the table and took a seat across from him. They were both silent for an unmeasurable amount of time.
Finally, Domon was the first to speak. “You don’t have to share anymore, if you don’t want to. I trust you, Rain. Completely. I know that if there’s something you’re not telling me or not wanting to share, it’s because you have a good reason for it. But… whatever you want to tell me…and whenever you want to share it… I’m here to listen. Always.”
In that moment, Rain broke down in tears. Domon was on his feet instantly and rushed over to her, immediately dropping to his knees as she fell apart before him. Like moth to a flame, she reached for him and wrapped her arms around him before gripping at the back of his shirt tightly. And when she finally spoke through her choking sobs, what she said had shattered his heart completely.
“I didn’t fight him hard enough.”
WriterFreak001: I fully intended for this to be a one-shot, but I don’t think I can cover all I want to cover in one reading, so I definitely will have a second chapter (at least).
I know this is some tough material to read though, but I swear there will be a happy ending.