Standard Lines
by Jess Angel

Domon Kasshu sat on a hard wooden stool that groaned with every shift of his weight. The warm air pressed relentlessly over his cloaked form, and the scent of beer tainted the room with its cheap aroma. He could feel his usually sharp senses deaden by the drink. But no matter how many mugs he had, the flashbacks couldn't be drowned out or washed away.


"Domon, I'm leaving."

Confusion and denial lit his dark eyes. "What? Rain."

"It's better for the both of us… for me."

She was talking nonsense, he decided.

"I-I know you care," she choked. "But you simply don't have time for us."

She couldn't be really saying this.

"I'll make time," his voice slightly shook.

"Now isn't right for us, Domon. One day, but not today." She looked at him pleading for understanding. "You know this is right."

"Don't do this, Rain."

She turned her head from side to side in apology.

He would beg if she wanted, if that's what it took. He would push his arrogance and anything else aside for this woman. "…Please." The word was a desperate note that clung to the air.

He would fall to his knees, she only had to ask.

But Rain made sure her voice was clear. Her eyes locked with his. "I love you, Domon." She lightly kissed the side of his mouth. "Goodbye."


Domon downed his second (or third… or was it fourth?) mug, looking for escape in the bitter fluid. He needed to drown the taste of her. What he really wanted, he couldn't have.

A light hand on the shoulder startled the Neo Japan fighter. He sloppily went to face the perpetrator. His hazy eyes widened.

It couldn't be….

"Hello, Domon," Rain Mikamura gave him a small smile.

"Rain… I," he grabbed for the words.

She spoke instead, "It's been a little while."

He nodded.

"Do you want to talk later. Tomorrow, maybe?" she asked.

He knew his immediate response. "Yes. I'd like that."

"Great." She placed a soft hand on his cheek. "I've really missed you, Domon."

He laid his own hand on top, wishing that she'd stay forever.

He had been without Rain, what? A few weeks?

But he was hungry for her. It was pure necessity. He had been trying to flood her taste away but now, he needed to remember it, and he wasn't going to be denied.

Domon pulled her to him, kissing her good and hard.

Her mouth tasted sweeter than he remembered.

Then her flavor was gone.

There was slight smack on his arm. "Hey buddy, we're closing in ten. You better get going."

Domon lifted his pounding head from the wooden counter.

An emptiness shocked his system full force.

And Domon blinked back a rising mist in his eyes.

He was a deluded fool.

"Yeah… just give me a minute."

The man gave him a nod.

Domon grabbed the nearest mug and choked down the rest of its contents. The liquid ran down his throat like sharp acid - and he welcomed it with open arms.

It was an alcoholic stained mirage.

She was really gone.

And Domon could still taste her.

...Fin.


Author's Note: Update 8/16/12. I've removed the lyrics intertwined here because of FFNet's policy about song lyrics and just left a shorter quote of the song below. You can find look them up yourself or check my xanga for them: angelic(underscore)chaos . xanga . com

But your taste still lingers on my lips
Like I just placed them upon yours
And I starve, I starve for you

But this new diet's liquid
And dulling to the senses
And it's crude… but it will do

But it will do

…I hope it will do.

-Dashboard Confessional, "Standard Lines"

G Gundam and its characters © Bandai, Sunrise, and the Sotsu Agency
"Standard Lines" song lyrics were written by Christopher Ender Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional).