Chapter Text
Domon made his way slowly up the steps to the loft Chibodee and his girls took over, what had to be almost a decade ago now. His knees creaked with every step. Master Asia never talked about the pains of getting older, after a lifetime of fighting both in and out of a Gundam.
Though, given Master Asia had wanted to hand him to the Devil Gundam, it was likely he hadn't seen much point discussing the matter. The seal on the back of Domon's hand twinges and flashes into full, if faded color.
There was a bang from up above. "Domon? What're you doing here? I didn't hear about any ships coming in from Neo Tokyo."
"Be up in a minute." Domon paced his breathing so that came out smooth. Choked up just from hearing the familiar voice. With a glare down at his hand, the seal flickers back out. Honestly, that had been another thing that Master Asia should really have told him about.
Yes, having a bond between the Shuffle Alliance while they were in close combat made sense, that didn't mean the seals needed to rat out their bearers every emotion any time they ended up in the same city as each other.
Chibodee was waiting for him once he got off the stairs. Hip cocked against the door frame and that annoyingly handsome smirk on his lips. Nearly forty years on, and he was still as charming as ever. He’d gained some weight, losing that starving cut glass jaw he’d had when he spent every free moment training. Had settled into the body of a heavy weight, his arms still muscled enough to leave Domon’s heart fluttering.
The appropriate thing would be to clasp Chibodee's arm, already held out expectantly. But it had been a long flight and a shit couple weeks and the Girls had seen worse by this point. He moved forward, fast. Using Chibodee's out stretched hand to get past his guard and slam him hard against the door frame. Burying one hand in his tangle of gray streaked hair, he pulled Chibodee's head back to deepen the kiss.
After a startled moment, Chibodee responded with equal passion, wrapping Domon in his too strong arms.
A appreciative whistle came from the room beyond them. Domon tried to ignore it, until it was joined by more cheers. He pulled away, giving The Girls his whole attention. Bunny in particular had no shame and gave another sharp whistle. While Shirley stopped cheering in favor of smirking at Domon instead.
Really it was silly to keep calling them the girls. They were all in their forties and fifties now. While still beautiful, they didn't have the supermodel forms they'd used to be underestimated that Gundam Fight when Domon first met them.
Still, old habits died hard.
Speaking of, Chibodee tried to drag him back into another kiss. Domon fended him off, his usual propriety back fully in place now that he knew for sure the Girls were present and watching.
Chibodee sighed, once it became clear Domon wasn't giving in. He let Domon go long enough to swap from having him in a full hug, to having an arm slung over his shoulder. "So which of you knew he was coming in early."
Bunny smiled, full of mischief. No surprise there. The fact the other three were equally unsurprising was less expected. Shirley spoke up, "Rain called ahead. She said they picked a new fighter for you to start training."
"FUCK!" Chibodee said. Gripping Domon tighter, with the arm over his shoulder. "Did you stop by the others, too?"
Domon shook his head. It was true that he'd normally land in Neo Tokyo and head overland through Asia and Europe before coming to the East Coast of the United States. Coming the other-way around, meant he had to circumnavigate all of Earth. But he'd wanted Chibodee's support more than the others.
"Well you can hide out here as long as you like. Though we probably want to let them know people might coming looking for you. Shirley?"
"Rain reached out to Natasha the same time she called us. Said they were off-world, on one of Argo's shipping vehicles. They will change landing port depending where folks are when they finish their run." Shirley ticked off one of the three fingers she held up. "George and Sai Saici are both on Earth. George is on tour with Maria Louise so it will be hard to get a private meeting with him for another month. Sai Saici is at the temple, so Bunny left a message at the usual drop box. Even money if he comes here or waits for Domon to come that way."
"So nobody should have a problem with you staying here for a couple weeks at least. You want us to head to bed early. Colony Lag sucks."
It did, but not bad enough that he needed to be sent to bed at 1PM in the afternoon. No matter how old they were getting. Still it was a chance to save face and get to cuddle with Chibodee without having to be polite to anyone else.
"Yes, some extra rest would be good for both of you." Cath managed to keep a straight face despite the amusement dancing in her eyes.
"I think there was even a message sent out canceling the older kids boxing lessons this afternoon. So you should only have to worry about the littles right after dinner." Janet added.
"Gosh Darn, you lot. I can run my own life."
"Of course you can." Shirley agreed. Their four matching smiles made it clear they didn't think he could.
Domon stifled his snort against Chibodee's jacket.
Still, it was good knowing that he didn't have any responsibilities as he let Chibodee steer him away from the work rooms and down the hall toward the private rooms. "Honestly, I'm almost sixty. I can take care of things like this myself."
"You wouldn't know what to do if they every let you."
Chibodee used the hold on Domon's shoulders to bend him forward to get as his hair. Messing it us with his free hand until Domon elbowed him in the ribs. Both careful to keep their strength in check.
It might be casual and appropriately non intimate for public spaces, but it was still Chibodee's hands in his hair. Easy, physical contact he usually only got from Chibodee and Sai Saici.
"I was up on colony too long."
"I keep telling you, we'd be happy for you to stay here with us. I can always use another teacher."
"And Neo-Tokyo is going to be fine with me teaching Neo-American fighters."
Chibodee shrugged, its not like anybody expects the next fighter to come out of my gym.
"Member of the Shuffle Alliance and winner of the 15th Gundam Fight." Of course they expected the next fighter to come from Chibodee.
Chibodee unlocked the door to his apartment and guided Domon inside. Clicking on the lights to show the main room with it's ratty American sofa and galley kitchen. "Know I said we'd go to bed, but sounds like you need to talk about it more."
Domon didn't want to talk about it. But he also kept waking up from dreams where he was in Master Asia's position. A student with an every changing face being fed to the Devil Gundam. So talking was probably the better idea.
He moved towards the couch when Chibodee let him go, heading towards the kitchen. A few moments later and the familiar scent of green tea bloomed in the space, easing some of the weight off of Domon's shoulders.
Chibodee brought the tea and some American sweets back to the couch with him. Putting them on the low table in front of it, before pulling Domon into his lap, their legs tangled together down the length of the cushions. "I know the girls said they were canceling the older kids, but that isn't because I've got some secret student I haven't told you about. They are old enough to be sure they want to become boxers. And while I love you, you are a shit boxer."
Domon snorted. He couldn't really disagree. Like Chibodee with learning to make Green Tea and some Japanese foods, Domon had tried to learn some of Chibodee's passions. Sadly, they were mostly based around his boxing. And Domon had over a decade as a martial arts fighter before he'd first put on a pair of gloves. When he got stressed that is what he defaulted to.
When they'd been younger, and keeping themselves to Gundam Fighter standards, they'd mostly turned to mixed martial arts for their fights. Domon working to increase his boxing knowledge while Chibodee getting a chance to mirror some of Domon's moves which weren't legal in the boxing ring. Now they mostly just heckled each other about old bouts. Or did a few low level spars.
Domon reached out to grab his cup of tea, and a chocolate chip cookie, that he held up for Chibodee to nibble from. Chibodee's arms were busy holding him after all. They took things slow, eating and drinking as the angle of the light coming through the windows lowered. Finally, the tea pot and tray were empty and Domon was fully relaxed against Chibodee's chest.
A yawn caught him unawares. Luring him towards sleep now that he was feeling safe. He was tempted to give in, put off talking about things. He'd never been a coward, willing to take the easier path, though. "I know you say it won't be one of your students. How do you know they won't expect you to train the next Gundam Pilot with some new student.
"We're almost sixty Domon. Sai Saici is in his fifties, and Argo is in his seventies. Yes, its time for us to give up our Cards." The seal appeared on the back of Chibodee's hand. "But, Neo Japan seems to be the only one who thinks that has anything to do with the next Gundam Fight."
"The last Alliance-"
"They were mech pilots. But nobody but Master Asia was still their Country's Pilot for the 13th. No reason any member of the Alliance needs to be involved in the 22nd. Besides they have had you act as one of the teachers for the other pilots over the year, and if Neo-Tokyo has only one once since the 13th, that's because the smaller countries are starting to win more often."
The King's crest flickered to life on Domon's hand. "That isn't how the Government sees it. They think if I took a student like Master Asia di-."
"Fuck," Chibodee was gentle as he grabbed Domon's chin but still turned him quickly to meet Chibodee's eyes. "Tell me they didn't dare to say that to you."
Domon looked away, would have ducked his head if Chibodee let him. Of course they had. Three Gundam fights without Neo-Tokyo making it into the final five. And another five years from now when it was the 23rd, he'd be too old to do anything more than supervise the teaching.
"Well that's fucked up. No wonder you wanted backup." Chibodee let go of his chin, and twisted so that Domon was laying against him, chest to chest. Letting Domon tuck his head under Chibodee's chin, small and protected. "Did Rain say what she was going to do to them."
"I didn't tell her."
"Sure, but no way she didn't see you how upset you were. So did she say what she was going to do to them."
He hadn't been able to make himself ask. Too overwhelmed by memories he'd thought he'd safely buried decades ago.
"Well we'll find out when she reaches out to the Girls." He ran his fingers through Domon's hair, loosening the tie around Domon's forehead until it fell away easing away even more stress. "Why don't you get some sleep here, baby. Then we will have a good dinner and get to have some fun with the under fives.
Domon didn't want to sleep and risk the old dreams, but he was safe and it was impossible to resist the soothing movement of Chibodee's fingers.