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Boy oh boy, it’s been awhile Chibodee thought to himself. He pushed aside the curtains and looked out from his 9th story loft in New York City. It was a brisk day in March, the sky was clear and deep blue, and he could see many people bustling around in the streets below, with the wind whipping strongly. But there was one particular visitor he was awaiting very eagerly. The girls had all bid him adieu earlier in the afternoon, and was it his imagination or did Shirley wink at him with a look of knowing? Since when did she start doing that? Thinking a few “what-ifs”, he stopped himself. The girls had been with him through thick and thin. And they surely would be for life. He shouldn’t have anything to worry about as he unconsciously put a hand on his chest feeling his racing heart. There was that thing about women’s intuition after all, he shrugged. Shirley had always been the most perceptive one. He had needed to be careful. But if she knew then she knew then she… again, he tried not to think about it and shook his head to rid himself of the thought.
The girls were all very excited to have a mini vacay, they had said. They had a full schedule of something to do with a yacht and girls weekend and bottomless mimosas for brunch. Chibodee was happy for them, geez he needed to give them a vacation more often. They had all told him to have a great “boy’s time” this weekend, Bunny giggling as she accidentally dropped her suitcase. He smiled because from what Domon had told him, Rain called it “boy’s time” as well.
Since the end of the 13th Gundam fight, Chibodee and his comrades had been meeting up regularly. Feeling a bit of a loss for several weeks- perhaps it was a restlessness that only fighters possessed. It was actually the gals that had encouraged Chibodee to seek out his fellow Shuffle Alliance members, namely Domon. So, for a little more than a year now they each meet up to spar. Well, that was always what happened between Chibodee and Domon. For what reason? To learn techniques, to maintain their skills, for fun, to catch up, simply because they’re fighters duh? But also to an unnamed other thing- a mutual burning passion.
Sometimes the other Shuffle Alliance members were busy, for understandably various reasons. It was sometimes hard to pin down Argo who might be off on an interstellar space pirate adventure. Some meetings were very different still- with George, it sometimes just ended up being tea time and talking.
For Chibodee, the visits with Domon were very special. This time, Domon had come all the way to Earth to see him in New York City. This place that held so many memories. Chibodee had done his best to tidy up the place and was very thankful to the gals for helping too. Taking one more glance out the window, he suddenly had the urge to look around one more time and make sure everything looked okay for Domon’s visit.
He laughed out loud to think that it was this time yesterday that he was so worried about Domon. He picked up an errant sock from the floor and put it into his laundry hamper. How long had that been there?
—
“And what would the Neo-American fighter want with the likes of me?” Chibodee sweated slightly, he swore he had called Argo’s phone but somehow Nastasha had answered.
Nastasha had been sitting at her desk reading the latest space pirate tabloid- “Space Pirate Weekly”. As she glanced at the page, she held back from clicking her tongue in disappointment at an article about some amateur band of space pirates that had been detained.
Chibodee took in a deep breath and spoke all at once “I’m just- it’s just-“
Nastasha looked at the monitor with Chibodee’s worried face on it and quirked an eyebrow. It was strange for this man to stumble on his words so badly.
“I think Domon is in danger!” He finally shouted.
“In danger? How so?”
Chibodee paused for several seconds. Hmmm maybe he was hiding something, she suspected.
What Chibodee wanted to say was that Domon had not replied back to any of his messages and it had been several days. Or weeks. Domon was not the kind to be glued to his tech devices all the time, but even this was strange.
“Well?” Nastasha brought Chibodee back to reality.
Maybe Domon didn’t want to see Chibodee after all? Chibodee shook those thoughts out of his head. He needed to focus on what was really important!
“If this isn’t important, then don’t concern me with it”, Nastasha spun on her chair and glanced at the control panel in front of her. Of which does many things. She tapped a finger lightly on a green light-up button. It could be fun playing with a certain other space pirate co-captain by the name of Argo.
“I’m worried, so worried”, Chibodee added rather dramatically. Nastasha looked back at the usually somewhat composed, overconfident man.
“If you want to further elaborate and ask for my, our help it’s going to cost you”.
“Anything!” Chibodee said, slamming his fist on his chest for emphasis.
Nastasha rolled her eyes. Perhaps she and Argo simply didn’t have enough space-pirate things to do these days.
—
What ended up happening was Argo’s crew was able to trace Domon’s email to a new device, one that had a new phone number. That explained why Chibodee wasn’t able to get in touch with Domon! Chibodee was simultaneously relieved and deflated to think that someone out there on Argo’s crew might know a little more about what was going on between him and Domon. If they did suspect anything. He was just so worried because he hadn’t heard from him and he really wanted to meet up with him for a sparring match obviously!
He didn’t know of anything else he could do but woefully hope that Argo and Nastasha would keep his secrets safe.
Argo did ask Chibodee why he didn’t contact Rain first. Chibodee was sure he said something about just keeping it between Shuffle Alliance members and laughing it off, he didn’t want to involve anyone else. But he knew that Argo was right and that Rain had to be the quickest route to Domon as she always was. Argo didn’t bring that up though, he just promised that he’d let Chibodee know when he was back in the solar system and they could have a good spar themselves. Argo also did not mention how lately his Black Joker crest seemed to glow with a strange light from time to time.
—
Chibodee blushed, he couldn’t help that he was worried about Domon! But no need to worry about that, he was safe as were the other Shuffle Alliance members. He straightened up but suddenly winced with a sharp pain. He put a hand on the windowsill to steady himself and thought back to earlier that day.
—
“Gosh Bunny, do you have rocks in here?” He lifted her suitcase for her after she had dropped it. “Just some stuff!” She insisted. Chibodee let out a groan of pain. “Chibodee!” The girls immediately stopped what they were doing and surrounded him.
“What’s wrong?” Cath asked.
“I must have pulled a muscle”, Chibodee winced, rubbing his back.
“That’s what happens when you get old!” Janet quipped. “JANET!” The rest of the girls shouted at once.
“Chibodee, I’m so sorry. We can cancel our trip”, Shirley looked at him intently, trying to figure out how to help.
“Oh no, no no no! No need to do that” Chibodee waved them off as they all at once tried to help him stand up. “This is nooothing. Are you kidding me? Man, maybe I am getting old”, he added. The girls all worried, knowing that each other was thinking the same thought. But DOMON was coming over tonight!
“See? I’m fine”, Chibodee smiled though there was a nagging pain. “You’re gonna have to help me when I get OLD old though”.
“Chibodee!” They exclaimed, Cath punched him on the shoulder very very lightly.
I don’t want them to worry, Chibodee thought to himself.
Shirley kept her gaze on him as if she wanted to say something.
—
The doorbell startled Chibodee.
“Well, it’s about time Neo-Japan!” They embrace, Chibodee throwing an arm around Domon’s shoulders to welcome him in.
Domon is glowing and healthy, flushed in excitement. It makes Chibodee excited too, feeling warm and fluttery. It really has been a long time.
Something about Domon looking a little… shy? As Chibodee shows him around his place, makes something in him feel shy as well. Chibodee and the girls have lived in this loft a long time, there was a lot of history here and a lot that feels very personal to Chibodee. Chibodee points out a few things here and there, cracking a joke about one of the mementos from last year’s Gundam fight. Domon looks at everything in almost reverence.
But they don’t take too long to get down to what they’re really both here for.
Chibodee shows Domon the newly renovated studio- this is where Chibodee trains for fights. But he hasn’t been doing any real fights recently, just for fun and teaching some kids. Chibodee is thankful for the special floor to ceiling windows that let in light but don’t let others see in. The sun was beginning to set, he lingered on the way the lights coming on in the city were reflecting in Domon’s eager eyes. On the opposite side of the studio are floor to ceiling mirrors covering most of the wall.
“Well?” Just as Domon always said to begin a spar. He had thrown off his jacket onto the floor. Chibodee shrugged off his jacket as well.
Chibodee is not sure when else he has experienced something like this, one person focusing completely on him, without any distractions. And him the same, of course. Now this is what he lives for! And he’s sure the feeling is mutual. In this universe there is just him and the man in front of him, Domon. He didn’t know what was beyond that and didn’t care to know. All he could see was the other man’s expressions, his limbs moving and striking in endlessly surprising ways.
They exchange blows, hitting a steady rhythm. The thud of blocking Domon’s attack reverberates through his whole body and every cell and fiber of his being. Shaking him pleasantly, to the same rhythm as laughter. Chibodee responds back with a barrage of punches, each one as if it was a question. And Domon receives and catches each one, with all of his focus and intent. In this world, there is just the two of them. Or maybe they have become one, full of questions and answers and secrets.
Something in him swells, Chibodee is sure the crest on his hand is glowing strong as is Domon’s. And the warm feeling coiling in the core of his being grows stronger, coursing through his limbs.
Chibodee is noticing too Domon’s breath, he tries to catch up, matching his own breath as well. He wants to watch the trail of sweat that has broken out on the other’s neck and see where it leads. But he’s busy catching his hands and blocking his kicks. Since when were Domon’s hands so soft and warm? Though it’s his fists, they’re solid, and also… their sweat is beginning to mingle and some blocks are becoming difficult. Should Chibodee have turned up the A/C some more? It’s becoming unbearably hot.
Something in they way their limbs are colliding wet and hot, and Domon is beaming at him through his face of concentration and bright eyes. The growing sunset pouring in through the window is framing Domon’s strong physique in gold, Chibodee steals a glimpse of the vision as they move as if in a dance.
Chibodee cries out before he senses what’s happening. Domon immediately stops.
“Ow”, Chibodee hunches over, the now familiar sharp pain is back.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Domon is concerned, trying to figure out what just happened. They both know that none of their attacks has landed on the other.
“Yeah, it’s just… I hurt my back”, Chibodee says, pretty much crushed. He’s waited so long for this!
“Pulled a muscle?” Domon asks. Chibodee nods sadly. The sunlight is quickly fading, casting long shadows on the gleaming wooden floor of the studio.
Chibodee sighs. “I’m sorry, man. I-“
“Should I get a doctor? I can call Rain-“ Domon reaches for his jacket on the floor.
“No!” Chibodee is surprised at how loud he shouts. What is he saying? Isn’t Rain a doctor? Didn’t she help them out uncountable times? He slowly looks up.
Domon is looking at him, puzzled. Chibodee wants to take in with his eyes everything about Domon. His features have become somehow softer in the dusk and he looks at Chibodee with concern. Somewhere outside, a green neon light turns on and reflects on the corner of the mirrors on the opposite wall.
“Can I… try?” Domon is reaching toward him. “Uh”, was all that Chibodee said in reply as Domon closes the gap between them.
Domon’s fingers are roaming his back. Ok ok he really should have said NO to this. This feeling of friendship- yup definitely friendship- is overwhelming! He feels like his insides are on fire but not in a bad way. Domons hands and fingers seem to be searching for something. Something in Chibodee wishes they would keep searching forever.
Suddenly, Domon touches a point on his spine that flips a switch. Sweet, overwhelming cooling relief floods Chibodee. Chibodee groans and sees stars, it’s like he and Domon are flying in the sky hands linked. Fast forward and they are also in a place that’s dark and heavy, full of exchanged breathes, sweating as if they had been sparring, their bodies stumbling and moving as one. In an imagine bubble Shirley of all people pops up “Chibodee, you’ve never been in love much, have you?” She winks and is gone.
Chibodee is not sure what just happened but is pretty sure he did something embarrassing. He’s back in his body in the familiar studio, sitting across from Domon. They stare at each other and Chibodee is thankful that it’s grown dark in room.
At the same time that he says “Maybe I should turn on the light?” The other says “I guess we should call it for today?”
Chibodee flicks on the light and tosses Domon’s jacket at him. “You should still take it easy for a while”, Domon says.
“Thank you, Domon. I owe you for next time”.
“Don’t mention it”, Domon looks sheepish. “I learned the technique from…” There’s a long pause, and Chibodee is sure that Domon is referring to Master Asia.
Gosh he didn’t mean to deflate Domon like that, he really needs to switch up the vibe now! He stands up and flexes his arms. “Well it feels great! I feel brand new! But how about we go get pizza?”
Chibodee is elated to see Domon’s smile come back. His heart speeds up.
“Ok, but you lost, so you’re paying”, Domon replies.
“What?!”
Maybe next time, their spar will go farther. They look at each other in heated anticipation.
—
Meanwhile, Nastasha twirls her whip and thinks about if she wants to let Argo win their current chess match or not. As Argo reaches out his hand to move a piece, they both stare at the strange light gleaming from the crest on his hand.
“Huh that’s strange”, Sai Saici says to himself, pausing to stare at his Ace of Clubs crest. It’s been glowing with a light he hasn't seen before. Maybe it was his imagination. Zuizen and Ken are calling him now, shouting something about training.
“So, let me get this straight- you gave Domon a new communication device?” George sets down his tea. He had heard from Argo that Chibodee was very concerned about Domon and even asked his crew for help. Maria Louise shrugs. “Yeah, I don’t know what I’m going to do with all of these” motioning to a huge pink tote overflowing with pink colored phones.
“Do you know how much trouble you caused Chibodee?”
“Uhh what?” Maria Louise smirks to herself, facing away from George. It’s as I thought.
George glances at his Jack of Diamonds crest. It was radiating a curious golden pink glow these days. Maybe something strange was happening. He silently notes to discuss it with the rest of the Shuffle Alliance when he sees them again.