The Kobe Dragons: Chapter 21

21
Kobe, Solaris City
Solaris VII, Lyran Commonwealth
16 April 3042

Cera knocked on Garadun’s door, ready for their usual Saturday morning breakfast. The sharp words they’d exchanged the afternoon before were behind her. It wasn’t the first spat they’d ever had and it wouldn’t be the last. And even though she knew Li Song was his roomie for the time being, Cera was still a little surprised when the Capellan opened the door to greet her. Not to mention the fact that all she had on was a dark red, thigh-length sleep tee. Her black hair fell loose about her shoulders and down her back. Cera had never seen her look so carefree.
    “Morning, Cera. Come in,” said Li Song cheerfully.
    Cera was wearing white silk pyjamas with pink pinstriping, so she had no right to comment on Li Song’s extremely casual attire. But as she followed her down the hall she couldn’t help but be curious. Li Song was normally more together by this time in the morning. Being comfy and lazy was Cera’s thing. When they reached the common room, Garadun was at his usual place: in the kitchen cooking breakfast. He wore faded jeans, a white t-shirt with the ComStar logo, and was barefoot.
    “Hey, sweetie,” he said affably. Ancient Terran pop music filled the air and Li Song did a sort of half-dance, half-shuffle into the kitchen area, shaking her shapely rear end in time to the music. As she passed behind him she ran her hand along his back in a very familiar way. He turned and they kissed.
    “Oh my God, you are sleeping together,” Cera blurted out.
    “We are.” Li Song beamed. “Couldn’t be happier.”
    “You lied to me,” said Cera accusingly, pointing at Garadun, but there was humour in her voice that took the sting out of her words. She sat at the counter. “You told me only yesterday that you weren’t having sex, that you’re just friends.”
    “That was true.” He flipped some French toast and smiled. “That is until yesterday afternoon, when Li Song decided to change the playbook on me. Hey, I was as surprised as you are. I have an actual girlfriend. Go figure.”
    Cera slapped the counter in triumph. “I knew it! I knew you two had something. Well, it’s about time! Congratulations.”
    Li Song smiled. “Thank you, Cera. I’m glad you approve.”
    “Approve? Are you serious? I’m thrilled! I’ve been waiting years for a woman to finally see what a wonderful guy he is and make a play for him.”
    “It took me a little time to figure it out as well,” Li Song admitted and poured Cera a cup of coffee. “But I’ve made him mine and we’re very happy.”
    Cera grinned mischievously. “So I assume the sex is good?”
    “Cera!”
    “Oh, it’s good all right,” Li Song replied with a playful, satisfied look. “Very good. He had me twice yesterday and it’s only going to get better.”
    “Well how about that, look who’s the StudMech,” Cera giggled, and Garadun’s face burned with embarrassment. Having the two women he loved in league with each other couldn’t possibly bode well for him.
    Cera raised an amused eyebrow. “Gar?”
    “She’s a goddess,” he muttered. “Enough said.”
    Cera decided not to tease him any further. He’d waited his whole life for a woman to fall in love with him and she wasn’t going to spoil even the tiniest bit of it. That Li Song was beautiful and hot simply made it all the better; to say nothing of the fact that she looked to be as in love with him as he was with her.
    “So are you still going to move out?” Cera asked Li Song. Garadun gave Cera a hard stare as he set a plate of food in front of Li Song.
    “Oh yes, of course,” Li Song replied, to Garadun’s immense relief. She poured syrup on her French toast. “We might be lovers now, Cera, but we both need our freedom and privacy. Although I wouldn’t mind an apartment close by.”
    Garadun set a plate of French toast in front of Cera and finally started cooking his own. She ate her breakfast with typical enthusiasm. When his food was ready, Garadun sat beside Li Song. There was a definite glow about them. Neither of them were innocent, nor were they gushing teenagers. But there was a satisfied contentment to them that said they’d finally found what they’d been looking for, in each other.
    “Just do me a favour?” Cera asked Li Song.
    “Name it.”
    “Let him spoil you,” Cera told her, grinning. “Let him spoil you rotten. Let him take you to dinner and buy you furs and lingerie and everything else. He’s been waiting his whole life to do that for a girl.”
    Li Song leaned over and kissed her man. “I’m his woman now and I have no problem whatsoever in being spoiled.”
    “Good.” Cera looked at Garadun. “I don’t have to tell you to treat her right.”
    Garadun rolled his eyes. “Well, duh.”
    “Training session this afternoon, though,” she reminded him. “We face the Vikings in less than a week and they’re not to be underestimated.”
    “Again, duh.”
    “Are they tough opponents?” Li Song inquired anxiously. Now that her relationship with Garadun had become far more intimate, her worry for him had grown.
    “They’re good,” he acknowledged.
    “But we’re better,” Cera added. “We’ll defeat them, believe me. Although I doubt it’ll be an easy match. Which is why the training.”
    “Can I come with you today?” Li Song inquired.
    Garadun kissed her, caressing her neck. “I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”
    Cera giggled. “You guys are so cute.”
    “Shut up.”