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Author’s Notes:
Okay people, here is something completely different. Toma and Bardock…as a couple! Wow, didn’t see that one coming at all now
did you? In addition, as I continue writing,
I am trying to increase the amount of Japanese language in my fics to give it a
more original feel. I am just making
sure that is understood before anyone went forward with the story and ended up
more confused then satisfied with the story.
This story is a one shot; independent of all other works I may take
up. Kind of like an alternate
universe fic.
I have to give some credit to Miyuki Usuki for the idea. I was talking with her on her community ezboard when the idea came up, and it turned out, we both like it. Also, thanks to zegrimreaper for her encouragement during our e-mail communications for the supporting the idea. This one is for you guys!
Warnings: THIS IS A YAOI FIC, WHICH MEANS THERE IS MALE/MALE RELATIONSHIPS. Lime (no lemon, though), swearing, violence, angst, etc. In other words, those without open minds probably are not going to like this, so do not read it unless you have some positive criticism. You flame, I laugh.
Obligatory Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Bardock Special, including, but not limited to, the following characters: Toma, Bardock, Celipa, Panboukin, and Totepo. Maize is a character of my own creation.
Other then that, enjoy…Oh yeah, \\yadda, yadda\\ signals a character’s thoughts.
“Gather our comrades and show Frieza the true strength and power of the Saiya-jin people…”
Toma fell limp in Bardock’s arms, a smirk adorning his handsome features, even in the throes of death. For a few seconds, Bardock could only cradle Toma’s cranium in his arms, his body unconsciously beginning to rock slightly in a forlorn rhythm. Toma…Kami no…not now, not when they were so close…
He could not believe-no, he refused to believe it. It could not end like this! Not like this, not when they had come so far. So close, so damned close. His eyes burned, and his view of Toma’s blood soaked, raven black hair and sharp, chiseled facial features started to blur.
No! Angrily, Bardock forced the wretched wetness from his eyes; Toma would not want to see him like this, crying pitifully like a lost child. \\Then why can’t I stop rocking?\\ Shaking his head, Bardock glanced over his friend-no, not just a friend, something…more.
Shakily, he placed a hand on Toma’s chest, feeling desperately for something he knew was already long gone. Without considering his actions, his other hand closed tightly around Toma’s still warm hand. Even in death, he retained his optimistic radiance. Moving his hand up to Toma’s face, he gently ran his fingers over the heavily closed eyelids. Damn Frieza, damn them all!
Trying to ease the agony that burned within his soul, Bardock forced himself to turn away from the site of his fallen…what was Toma to him, anyway? Rather, what had he been? So many memories, so many…mistakes. So many moments of denial and disbelief, compromised by moments of passion and comfort.
Dear Kami, so many memories…
*******************
A young Bardock charged through the bushes at full speed, an angry Toma literally on his tail. The latter’s face was plastered with an scarlet-toned look of rage, an expression stemming from an earlier incident involving kitchenware, his mother’s new stove, ki blasts, vegetables, soup broth, and the former’s inability and incomprehension of anything relating to the preparation of food.
Jumping over rocks and other obstacles, climbing through trees, flying through foliage, and splashing through streams, the hotheaded duo overran and demolished everything in their tirade of terror. Including, but not limited to, a pack of wakisuros (a wolf-like creature that is indigenous to Vegetasei alone), an orchard of fruit trees, two unfortunate, fellow teenage Saiya-jin locked in youthful passion, a heavily loaded cart pulled along by a terion (another Vegetasei native creature) and its nonnative owner, a couple flower beds, a bridge, and a few other unmentionables. As they circled back towards Toma’s home, the furious pounding of small, Saiya-jin feet once again tread upon the same, still unfortunate, people, obstacles, and animals.
“I’m going to kill you,” the blue-clothed one screamed, his face now flushed as equally with exertion as fury. He stumbled for a moment, tripping on his torn trousers, before reorienting himself and charging through the underbrush towards Bardock.
Speaking of the other, Bardock–who was beginning to feel the stress of twenty minutes worth of running–gasped for breath as he attempted to hurtle forwards with increased speed.
He had underestimated Toma’s perseverance, and he was about to pay for it.
With renewed energy, Toma sped forward, slamming into Bardock’s unprotected backside, causing the two of them to go skidding through the well-kept lawn until they finally slid to a painful stop in front of a larger Saiya-jin’s black-booted feet. The feet immediately moved, harshly kicking Toma off Bardock’s back and sending the other airborne in the opposite direction.
Cumber’s booming voice issued from above, the tone callous and furious. “Damn you brats, especially you Toma, what have I told you about firing ki blasts off in the house? Bardock, you may have just arrived here a few days ago, and your father may have been one of my closest friends, but I expect for you respect the rules and regulations of my household. As for you Toma, you above all should know better then to allow one of your friends to screw around the house like that! Right now, your mother and I are trying vainly to explain to the higher class Saiya-jin what all the commotion is about, and trust me, they are not so easily convinced.”
Reaching over, Cumber grabbed Toma by the hair, his ponytail to be exact, tugging him upwards until they were nose to nose. His voice grew dangerously low as he continued his lecture, this time blocking Bardock from the discussion. “If you ever pull that shit again, I will personally take care of your behavior myself, and this time I will disregard your mother’s requests not to beat you. You're already walking on thing ice, Toma Reimaynia.” Toma swallowed fearfully at his father’s use of his tail name as Cumber paused for a moment. “I am still not over that little dream stunt you pulled last night. To think, an eight-year-old brat waking in the middle of the night, screaming that his own father is going to die at the hands of a non-Saiya-jin in a few days. Bullshit, brat, you dare to question my abilities, or are you simply trying to rile me? In fact, while the subject is brought to light, you are to never mention that dream again to anyone, is that clear?”
Viciously, Cumber cuffed his son, sending the unfortunate Toma flying to the side to emphasize his point. The Saiya-jin child’s small body went sliding across the slippery grass, stopping only when he slammed glaringly into a nearby tree a few feet away from his companion Bardock. Cumber watched on, a nagging twinge of guilt pulling at his conscience, but he ignored the feeling and continued glaring the two troublesome brats down; feelings were a weakness, and in order for his son to grow strong, he needed a strong father.
“Now listen you two, I’m allowing you two some slack today, but be warned, if you ever cause as much damage as you did today, your asses are mine. Is that understood?”
Dazedly, Toma felt nodded to his father as Bardock hauled him up from the ground. “Yes, Papa, I und-I mean we, understand.”
Snorting, the first class Saiya-jin left to quell his mate, Zuki’s, temper and, perhaps, persuade the elites to leave. Meanwhile, Bardock finished pulling his buried friend out of the dirt.
“Wow, Toma, I had no idea your father would be so angry about that.” Bardock glanced over Toma, unconsciously checking him over for any major injuries. Luckily, Toma had only come out of that confrontation with his father bearing only a few bumps and bruises. However, the same could not be said for his feelings; Bardock fell backwards as his best friend shoved him aside.
“Geez, Toma, it wasn’t that bad. Uh, Toma, hello? Come on man; gimme a sign here, what’s wrong?”
"Fuck you."
Eyes narrowing, Bardock shot a venomous glare in Toma's direction. "Why the hell are you so pissed off?"
Toma only responded by allowing his body to fall into a sitting position against the tree. Grudgingly, Bardock settled next to him, silently waiting for Toma to speak. When he did, his voice was quiet, meek almost, and his words seemed to be directed to nobody in particular.
"Not a damned person believes me around here. Hell, even my own father doesn't believe me."
Bardock could only stare incredulously at his friend as he spoke, becoming increasingly unsure of himself as the dreaded liquid lamentation began gathering in the infrequently used tear ducts in his eyes. Shifting uncomfortably, Bardock simply turned to face Toma, watching as the fellow Saiya-jin trembled slightly and burrowed his solemn face into his arms. Still confused as to why Toma was acting so…un-Tomaish, he did the only thing he knew that he felt would somehow shake Toma out of it: taunt him.
"Come on Toma, you're acting like an infant. Get your ass off the ground and get over it."
Unfortunately, Bardock failed to realize the full extent of Toma’s ailment and only caused him to become more disturbed, to the point where he was nearly wailing. “I hate them! All of them! Why don’t they believe me? I didn’t ask for these cursed visions; they just come to me. Oh Bardock, why don’t they believe me? Why me? Damnit why m-oomph!”
Bardock slammed his hand over Toma’s mouth to quiet him. Although reluctant to admit it, Toma was worrying him with his melancholic behavior. “Shut up, Toma! Do you want others to hear ya crying? For Kami’s sakes, Toma, calm down! It’s okay; I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but I do not think that anything bad is going to happen to your parents. It was just a stupid dream!”
Pushing his hand away, Toma continued, only this time in a hushed voice. “It was not a dream; it was a premonition, a sign. Don’t you understand Bardock, my father’s is going to die!”
Desperate to hush his companion, Bardock lifted a hand. Swinging it around, he slapped Toma, hard, knocking him to the side and, hopefully, some sense into him. “Listen to me you idiot; nobody is going to die, especially your father. For Kami’s sakes Toma, your father is nearly powerful enough to be an elite, so why would you be worried for his safety? Snap out of it; it was just a nightmare. Move on with your life ‘cause nothing’s gonna to happen.”
“Oh really, Bardock, then why did this vision come three days before my father has to leave for Kanatsei. You know, that planet most of the elites won’t even handle? Come on Bardock, tell me!”
Rolling his eyes, Bardock walked over and pulled Toma off the ground. “You’re just scared, stupid. It’s you who’s gonna be hurtin’ if you don’t stop it.” Softening slightly, Bardock threw his arm around Toma’s quivering form. “Trust me, nothin’ will happen.”
Toma looked up at him, “You promise?” “Yeah, whatever, I promise.” For a few moments, they sat tranquilly while Toma calmed, Bardock’s arm still around him. Suddenly Toma looked up at his friend, “Ya know, you're right, Bardock, it was just a dream…but that does not mean I’m going to let you get away for getting me in trouble.” Jumping up, he tackled Bardock to the ground, throwing himself upon the unsuspecting Saiya-jin as a pack of wakisuros would fall upon a crecillias (another Vegetasei creature). For the next ten minutes or so, the front yard became a hazardous wrestling zone as the two young warriors viciously tore into each other. At the end they fell apart, Toma quite satisfied with the way he practically tore Bardock’s tail out and inflicted other various wounds upon his so-called comrade.
“Well that was fun, but on to other things.”
Caught unawares, Toma turned to face his friend, who was lapping at a cut on his hand. “Huh?”
Smirking, Bardock turned to Toma, “Tell me Toma, who the hell is Reimaynia?”
********************
Bardock could not help but smile at the memory. Kami, it was so long ago. Although they had only known each other for about a two months, that event marked the day he and Toma had become true friends, cutting themselves and sharing the blood, performing the childish act known as “blood brothers.” However, he would later regret his words to Toma when Cumber was killed three days later on Kanatsei. At that point, Toma was in too much pain to be comforted, but having nobody else to turn to at the time he had turned to Bardock for help. By doing so, the growing bond between them had first taken root, and from that year on, they were inseparable.
That did not mean Toma ever completely healed. After a dismal spell of about two years, in which Toma tried to commit suicide twice--once involving him slitting his wrists, another when he refused to move away from a possibly deadly blast until Bardock shoved him away--Toma became more reclusive then he had before, almost shy. It had taken Bardock nearly two more years, when Toma was fourteen and he sixteen, until he had somewhat succeeded in pulling Toma out of his shell, but that was only after the appearance of another, older friend of his who would later cast an important role in bringing Toma back to his old self. Even then, he wouldn’t know who or what Reimaynia was until several years later…
********************
“Alright you pathetic third-class worm, get on ya belly like the disgusting slug that you are and give me 1,000, now!”
Sixteen year-old Bardock went rigid, his body stiffening and his back straightening, but not because he felt insulted by the command. Actually, the voice issuing it is what caught his attention. That voice…no, it could not be! He had been transferred to the southern continent years ago for scaring the first classers! Then again, could it be? Whirling around to face the intruder, Bardock’s usual scowl immediately transformed into a wide grin when he caught sight of who it was.
“Panboukin! You're back? You’re back!” Dashing over to reacquaint himself with an old friend, he slammed into him, knocking Panboukin to the ground. They then proceeded to do what Saiya-jin do best, fight. Hurling punches, throwing kicks, putting up defending blocks, the two seemed to be in a furious skirmish of deadly battering and painful attacks. That is, if the onlooker was not Saiya-jin. Any native would simply pass them by. Maybe one or two would stop to shake their heads at the two, but all would realize it was simple game.
Finally tiring of their sport, Bardock jumped off Panboukin, falling to the side. As quickly as it had began, their squabble was over, and now they lay on their backs, gasping for breath. Finally quelling his thirst for oxygen, Bardock permitted a laugh to issue from his throat.
“Heheh, Kami, I’ve forgotten how much I enjoyed sparring with you these past few years! Heheh, so tell me Panboukin, what have you been doing for the best, oh…Hey, how long has it been since we last saw each other?”
Panboukin rested his chin on a fist. “Hmm, good question. I left when you were about ten, you know, right after you met your father's friend's son. I’m eighteen now, so that was about…six years ago.”
“Six years is far too long for friends to be kept apart. Trust me Pan, the academy has not been the same without ya. I only wish I had been in training while you were still here.”
“Well then, Bardock, you'll have your chance. We may not have spent the last few years together, but I am going to spend my last year of military school here.”
Bardock simply stared uncomprehendingly at Panboukin for a few moments before letting out an uncharacteristic whoop and tackling Panboukin once more, again knocking the larger Saiya-jin back to the ground. “That's great, but I gotta know Panboukin: what crap did you pull this time to get yourself thrown out yet another academy?”
Panboukin turned his nose upward indignantly, “For your information, I did nothing that the average Saiya-jin would not do when found in a similar circumstance. I only followed my instincts and did what I thought was justice!”
Raising an eyebrow in question, Bardock simply gazed fixedly back at Panboukin with a look that emanated disbelief. Noticing he was not fooling Bardock in any sense, Panboukin came clean.
“Okay fine, so maybe I kind of motivated a small riot that overthrew the head trainer and took the school for ourselves for a few days, but that’s all, and it's not as if my part was that big.”
“You were the leader, weren’t you?”
Panboukin hanged his head. “Yes.”
No longer able to contain his laughter, Bardock expressed his opinion of Panboukin’s attempt at innocence with a series of loud guffaws that echoed throughout the academy walls. Quite annoyed by this, Panboukin sneered and thwacked Bardock on the back.
“Are you quite done yet?”
With tears in his eyes and his body still quaking with silent laughter, Bardock nodded while Panboukin looked on unbelievingly. “Ya know Bardock, I've heard about some of the crap you have pulled up here, so I would'nt act so smug if I were you.”
Bardock turned serious, “You are right, Panboukin, I'm sorry. I have caused quite a bit of trouble, including, but not limited to, tying up a teacher, blowing up the barracks, beating a trainer, starting innumerable fights with Wakitoshi’s gang, and a whole load of other things…but at least I did not start an uprising.” Once again falling back, convulsing in laughter, Panboukin simply decided he was not going to deal with it now, and, standing up, turned to leave.
He was about to throw back a farewell, but before he could, he mistakenly bumped into another Saiya-jin in front of him. “Watch it ass-oh wait, aren’t you…Toma! Long time no see little buddy.” Grinning, Panboukin grabbed the slightly dazed Saiya-jin’s hand and shook it vigorously.
For a few stunned moments, Toma simply stared at the man in front of him confused. Who was he? \\Must be some friend of Bardock’s.\\ It was the only possibility he could think of, or this man was crazy. There was something familiar about him, though, and Toma renowned for having an excellent memory. That is, except for that one period in his life…Toma shook his head. No, that was the past; this was now. This large, hardy man was now…
“Uhhh, forgive my ignorance, but who exactly are you?” he asked, slightly worried of the possibility the man would be offended.
The larger man simply stared back at him. Toma didn’t remember him? Odd, he could have sworn he had met him at least twice before he had left, and had Bardock not requited Toma to having an excellent memory? \\Well, things change, might as well refresh the kid’s memory.\\
“It’s me, Panboukin, you know Bardock’s friend. I believe I met you once at the Armenian spaceport and one other time when I came over to see Bardock at your place. I think our fathers knew each other…”
Toma’s tensed up at the reference. His father… Panboukin noticed Toma’s reaction, and stopped talking, proceeding to look at him strangely for a few seconds. He opened his mouth to ask Toma what was wrong, but from behind him, he noticed Bardock signaling him to be quiet. Panboukin was not a sensitive man, not in any way was he attuned to the mood of others, but perhaps there was divine intervention because he said nothing more to Toma referring to their past meetings.
“Yeah, whatever. Anyway, Bardock, I’m goin' to meet a friend of mine down at the bar to celebrate my wondrous return in an hour, and I’d like ya to come,” he glanced down at Toma’s far away expression before shaking his head and continuing, “You can come too, Toma.”
The sound of his name snapped him back into reality, and, looking back up at Panboukin, he nodded vaguely. “Yeah, I’ll be there. I’ll just catch a ride with Bardock.”
“Good, now I’ll got to get going, or Totepo’s going to just leave if I’m not there within an hour. See ya, Tomes. As for you Bardock…although I am gravely insulted by your taunting of my school history, I will allow you to go as well,” he smirked, “See ya there, Bard.”
Lazily waving a goodbye, Bardock then turned to Toma with an annoyed look in his eyes.
“How could you have possibly not remembered Panboukin? I mean, I didn't expect ya to remember every detail, but at least his name should have sounded familiar.”
“You know why I didn't remember Bardock; you just do not want to talk about it, and I thank you for that.” For a second, a slight smile brightened Toma’s usually reserved features. “Come one Bardock, let’s get a shower, I don’t want to be late for your friend’s celebration.”
“Panboukin won’t care whether you smell like shit or look top notch. Hell, he’s expecting me to show up late, so don’t worry, let’s go catch up with him.”
Toma did not follow Bardock as he began to run off, which, of course, caused Bardock to turn back and glance at him. “Come one Toma, move it.”
Shaking his head worriedly, Toma responded stubbornly, “No, I’d rather make a good impression. Besides,” he added shyly, “I kind of like Panboukin.”
Bardock shook his head, although surprised that Toma had taken a liking to Panboukin so quickly. Toma was usually extremely hesitant about making new friends, not that he lacked a reason to be that way.
“Fine, Toma, have it your way.”
******************
As nostalgic memories of Panboukin filled him, his heart, what was left of it, once again recognized the sharp, painful loss of a good friend. Turning to look behind him at Panboukin’s still form, anger once again flooded his thoughts. Panboukin had not deserved to die that way. Hell, none of them had. However, Panboukin was the one responsible for completely pulling Toma out of his shy, reserved self over the next few years. To the point where Toma, proclaimed shy boy of them all, once again became the charismatic and open person he had been before his father’s death.
*******************
Panboukin laughed loudly as his drunken friend began motivating what would be the third bar fight that night. He always got a kick out of Bardock’s brash behavior when speaking with authorities, and once again, this trait had once again gotten him into another fight.
“Way to go Bardock, pummel their asses into the ground!”
With surprising agility for an intoxicated Saiya-jin, Bardock dodged the punches and shots to his body nimbly, and soon he began returning a few himself. Unfortunately, the alcohol, that wonderfully mind numbing liquid, was finally taking it’s toll, and missing a block, Bardock soon found himself with a aching jaw and on a one way trip across the poorly tiled floor.
Meanwhile, an apprehensive Toma looked on worriedly as his friend got the living hell out of him for the third time that night. Damn Bardock! Why was he always making him worry like this? \\Because it’s not him; it's you. Stop worrying so much, Toma, its all in good fun.\\ But he could not stop worrying. How long did the gods expect him to sit here and actually allow this to go on? No longer able to contain his emotions, Toma jumped off the bar stool, and in one smooth movement, he took down Bardock’s main attacker and pulled his friend out from underneath the huddle. Muttering an apology about Bardock’s behavior as he backed away from the fight, Toma dragged his comrade back to the bar table, signaling to Panboukin that it was time to take their leave. Panboukin downed the glass of whatever liquid he had ordered before stumbling out after Toma.
And so the sadly intoxicated trio made their way home. Almost as soon as Toma kicked in the door of Bardock’s apartment, Panboukin collapsed onto couch, losing consciousness. Bardock fell into Toma tiredly, almost depending on him entirely for support. Carefully, the tired friend silently carried Bardock to the bedroom. He picked up to leave, but was restrained by Bardock’s grip on his forearm.
“Hold on Toma, you didn’t let me (hiccup) thank you.”
“That’s okay, Bardock, you don’t have to thank me, or apologize for your actions. After all, isn’t that what friends are for," he said, sighing exasperated.
“No, Toma, I have to say thank you.” Reaching up, he grabbed Toma and kissed his cheek, before falling back down laughing hysterically. “Heheh. Fooled you!”
Toma backed off from the drunken Bardock, hoping he would not have to fend off any more attacks. “Yeah, uh, you’re welcome, Bardock. I think I am going to leave now. See ya.”
“Yeah, see ya man.” Laughing Bardock rolled over and fell off the bed. Toma’s only reaction to this was to sigh and depart, leaving his friend to take care of himself. Had Bardock been more aware though, he would have noticed that Toma turned at the last moment and whispered, “Good night, dear friend. Sweet dreams.”
************************
In his own time, Bardock eventually came to recognize the subtle hints of attraction that pass between two individuals that share a connection, but in his younger years, he had been ignorant of anything relating to the art of loving.
Or perhaps he still was. Though he and Toma had spent a lifetime together, he still had to force himself to look back and contemplate before finding a peace with himself.
As a thumb and forefinger gently made their way down to trace the sharp line of Toma's finely sculpted jaw line, an old sparring memory suddenly stood out to him. One where Toma had, perhaps, pinned him a bit too long…
************************
Bardock dodged the left, avoiding the low blow to his legs that Toma had aimed seconds earlier, but by doing so, he missed the left jab the larger man made, an elbow slamming glaringly into his side.
Retrorocketing backwards, Bardock bent over slightly, grabbing his side while he panted for air. Toma's speed had improved enormously. How Toma had found the time between their latest missions was beyond him, but the lightly dressed other had obviously been doing some extra training in his own right. And, damn, was he good.
The aforementioned had his eyes narrowed into small slits that followed Bardock's movements mechanically. Sweat poured down his forehead in rivulets, the thin, grey shirt he had donned soaked a darker shade from their strenuous efforts. The small, black shorts he'd chosen to wear were tight against his thick, muscular thighs, also wet with perspiration.
Such an enormous focus and effort usually did not go into training--
************************
Smiling fondly at the memory, Bardock reached down to stroke the tips of Toma’s hair for a moment. It wasn’t too long after that incident that the dreams began, dreams of blissful lovemaking and passion…
************************
(Authors Warning: It gets pretty hot here, if you dislike yaoi citrus then you may want to skip this scene, however, it’s no lemon, so no need to worry on that aspect. It has only heavily implied citrus that is cut off before anything graphic happens.)
In his secret dream world of confusion and beauty,
Bardock blissfully snuggled closer to his lover. In response, the said lover turned and wrapped both his arms and
his tail around Bardock, the latter curling around his waist. Moaning happily, Bardock buried his face in
other's neck, nuzzling him.
Purring softly, Toma in turn began moving his hands up
and down Bardock’s back. Leaving the
right hand to continue massaging Bardock’s muscular shoulders, the other one,
his left, moved down farther, grasping Bardock’s tail as he started stroking
it. Tensing in reaction, Bardock began
growling softly, both in pleasure and irritation.
Curse Toma and his games! Why must he tease him so?
Eagerly taking the initiate, Bardock grabbed Toma’s face, thrusting his
tongue into the others mouth in hungry passion. After several intense moments, he released Toma from his grip and
then slid his lips past his mouth until he reached the muscular hollow of
Toma’s neck. Snarling, he thrust his
head forward and buried his teeth into Toma’s thick, muscular neck, claiming him. As thick, dark, delicious blood spurt from
the wound, Bardock moved forward to lap up the warm liquid.
Waiting impatiently for Toma to repeat the action he had
just performed, Bardock continued to roughly lap away the oozing life
fluids. After a grueling minute or so,
which felt more like an eternity of longing, Toma finished marking his
mate. Pulling free of the sweaty,
sticky sheets, Bardock rose above Toma, grabbing the other man’s waist with
eager hands and prepared to perform the mating ritual. Toma was not quite ready yet, and snaking
out from underneath Bardock’s grip, causing his mate to lose his balance and
fall with him. Agitated, Bardock struck
out his mate, only to stop himself before he seriously hurt Toma.
Soothingly, Toma’s cool hands circled Bardock’s waist
pulling him close once more. Leaning
over quickly, Toma whispered softly, “Aishiteru, Bardock…” Quietly, he snuggled into Bardock’s arms as they
came to encircle his own back. Gently
nibbling on Toma’s ear, Bardock responded with his own soft whisper,
“Aishiteru, Toma.” (Author’s
Note: Aishiteru=I love you.)
A satisfied smirk appeared on Toma’s face and rolling over he finally allowed Bardock to mount him. Grinning in the wake of his victory, Bardock gently nuzzled Toma’s neck and then once again locked Toma’s waist in his embrace, preparing himself for mating as his other hand went to stroke Toma’s tail-
Bardock awoke with a start, shocked at what his own mind had conjured up in his dream. Kami, how tortuous they were. He had begun having them about three years ago, not long after the bar incident.
The dreams confused him, pleased him, but more so then anything else, they scared him. He was a twenty-year-old male; he should not be having such thoughts about his younger friend. If anyone ever found out about these occurrences, especially Toma…Kami, he did not even want to dwell on consequences, but then again he had too, to remind himself how impossible the dreams really were. First, they would laugh at him for having such feelings, and then some would fear and shun him. He was most painfully acute of what Toma’s reaction would be. Anger, disgust, hatred…No! Toma would never do that; he was far too loyal…was he? However, if he did, there would be reason would there not? After all, who actually feels comfortable knowing there best friend was having sexual fantasies involving him? Answer: nobody, therefore Toma would react as expected.
Leaning back onto his sweat-stained sheets, Bardock assured himself it was only a phase; something that all males go through at some point or another in their lifetime. For Kami’s sakes, everybody goes through some stage in their life where they start to question and experiment in new ways? Closing his eyes, Bardock repositioned himself in a comfortable sleeping position, trying to tell himself that it would all go away soon. However, deep in the hidden rooms of his armored heart, he did not want the dreams to leave.
*******************
Now that Bardock had a chance to look back, he realized how much those dreams really meant to him, and how ignoring them would lead him to the current sorrow he felt in his heart now.
Now came the blissful memories, the graphic ones: Toma and his first night together. Kami, what an emotionally breaking trip that came out to be, swirling consciences intertwined with previously unspoken passions. He could still remember the night to the tiniest of details, although Toma would later admitted to “following the stars” that night and only remembering the feelings and sensations, but not the details…
********************
“Come on Toma, it will be fun. You never know what happens when you are with Panboukin! Besides, you might just get lucky with some girl. I mean, are you not sick of being the only virgin out of out the four of us? Come on Toma, be a man!”
Bardock smirked, knowing he had won Toma over with that last comment. As expected, Toma shot Bardock a venomous glance before grabbing his scouter and standing up. Walking over until he was face to face with Bardock, Toma set his face inches away from Bardock’s forcing himself to look intimidating as he stared his cocky friend down.
“Fine, let’s go, but if anything, anything happens that I may regret tomorrow morning, I will make you pay dearly.”
Kami, he was so close; that mouth of his, so delicious, asking to be kissed. He had to force himself to look away before he did anything stupid. Forcing a fake laugh, he slapped Toma on the back, reassuring him that nothing would happen.
“I promise Toma…nothing will go wrong.”
vvv
(Author’s Note: Big citrus warning, no lemon!)
Leave to Panboukin to get them all high on some form of unknown drug or something. Toma was the last to fall victim to Panboukin’s persuasive talking, but he, like Bardock and Panboukin, soon fell victim to the sway of the joint, and found himself between unconsciousness and distorted reality. Totepo was the only one intelligent enough to think ahead and leave early for Panboukin pulled his crap.
Toma tried unsuccessfully to stand, only to fall back, dizzier then ever. His head was somewhere between seventh circle of Hell and the blissful ignorance of heaven. He turned to Bardock for help, only to find himself only inches apart from the other man. Stumbling back, the only thought that could successfully process through his mind was \\How the Hell did Bardock get there.\\ His mind was swirling with thoughts of every shape and form; he was able to discern that Bardock was looking at him oddly.
Luckily, Toma fell back onto the chair behind him as Bardock advanced. To his surprise, Bardock sat down next to him, a little closer then one with a clear mind would feel comfortable with, but Toma was somewhat enjoying the company.
“Hey Toma…how’s it going?” Bardock moved closer.
Toma’s head shot up, suddenly alert despite the chemicals in his blood. What was wrong with Bardock’s voice? It sounded almost…sexy. Looking up to query Bardock about his behavior, he found himself stunned to find Bardock’s mouth only a few centimeters away from his own, a little too close for comfort.
“Bardock, what is going on-,” he was cut off by Bardock’s mesmerizing voice before he could answer.
“Don’t be afraid, Toma, I won’t hurt you.”
Suddenly there was another tongue in his mouth that was not his own. Breaking the kiss prematurely, Toma pulled back shocked. Bardock’s eyes, although hazy, suddenly averted, and his face grew flushed. What Toma did next was something that neither of them, not even Toma himself, expected. Slipping a hand around Bardock’s neck, he pulled him back for another kiss; this one lasted a good while, and was probably one of the most passionate acts he had ever committed.
For several moments, the two of them remained locked in an ardent embrace. When they pulled apart, each could see the eager lust in each other’s eyes.
Finding his voice, Toma stuttered confused, “Bar-Bardock, what are we doing, this is, isn’t right? Is it? Should we feel this way?”
Not bothering to answer Toma’s question, he grasped Toma’s hand, pulling him off the couch. Hurriedly, he stumbled towards the back bedroom, dragging the sadly befuddled and vexed Toma behind him. Upon entering the room, Bardock immediately caught Toma in another surprisingly smooth kiss. Adrenaline rushed throughout their bodies, exciting and arousing the both of them.
Tumbling onto the bed together, still locked in a fervent embrace, Bardock then slid his arms down Toma’s body, before pulling away from him. Slightly confused as to why Bardock had interrupted their kiss, he immediately realized why when he watched Bardock’s actions. As the older man began to hurriedly remove his armor, Toma began fumbling with his own. He had managed to most of his outer armor off, when Bardock suddenly tackled him from the front, helping him pull of the rest. Obviously, he had been going about it too slowly, and Bardock had grown impatient. Now all that remained of his blue shaded armor were his boxers, which outlined the noticeable bulge in his groin.
Eyes lust filled, Bardock began showering Toma with kisses, working his way down from his mouth until he reached the edge of his boxers. Toma moaned loudly as Bardock ran his fingers along the edge of his pants before tearing them off and throwing them over with the rest of their now forgotten armor.
As sensations he had never before experienced flowed through his burning, desire stricken body, a slight fear began forming in the back of his foggy consciousness, even as the swirling thoughts overcame his sense of direction. What was he afraid of? Is not what was unfolding between them now what he had dreamed about since he had been fifteen?
“Bardock…Bardock, I-I don’t know if I want to do this. You know, I-I have never done this before, right? Remember?”
As Bardock’s own fiery skin touched his own as he crawled on top of Toma, he shivered in ecstasy, not wanting this to end, but at the same time afraid to go on. A roughened, but gentle hand appeared on his cheek calming him, and Bardock’s soft, fierce voice sounded next to his ear.
“Don’t be afraid Toma, there is nothing to fear. There are only the two of us.”
Toma nodded, and relaxed, allowing Bardock’s far more experienced body take control of the situation.
*******************
Bardock abruptly stopped stroking Toma’s hair as the memory of the morning after took over. Now there was no more happiness to be remembered, now there was only the shame and regret caused by his fear and rejection…
*******************
As the Saiya-jin’s aching body finally gave into the sun’s demands, he opened his eyes, groggy and disoriented. It took a few moments before the memory of where he was and what he had done the night sank in and he turned to face the figure still sleeping next to him, Toma.
As the shocking events of last night filled his vision, an unexplainable sense fear and horror filled him as gazed down at his sleeping partner, whose usually cheerful face was cast in a look of happiness with a small smile on his face. Kami, what had they done? He was not disgusted, with Toma, or with himself. Rather he was afraid that he was feeling the exact opposite. He had enjoyed last night immensely, each detail was still fresh in his mind, and from what he gathered, Toma had enjoyed it as well.
It was not right.
It could not be; in Saiya-jin society, engagers of yaoi relationships were almost as rejected and mistreated as half-breeds. Kami, what had he been thinking. When he got his hands on Panboukin… No, it was not Pan’s fault, he was the one who had come onto Toma, had practically taken advantage of him. Bardock tensed realizing that is what had happened, he had taken advantage of Toma, who had been far more intoxicated then he.
Dear Kami, he had to get out of here before Toma woke up. Grabbing his armor from the floor, he hurriedly threw it on, not bothering to straighten it out or deal with his even wilder then usual hair. What he failed to notice, though, was that during this time, Toma had awakened.
Bardock’s breath stilled as he felt two strong arms circle him from behind, and Toma’s head came to rest on his shoulder.
“Hmmm, you always were an early riser Bardock, always up before I was, even after the most grueling of nights.” Toma nestled his head against Bardock’s neck, affectionately nipping at the nape of his neck. Shaken, Bardock reached a hand up to feel his neck, and pulled back shivering as his fingers came to rest upon two bite marks. By Kami, how far had they gone?
Roughly, he suddenly pulled away from Toma’s grasp, leaving his partner slightly offended behind him. He knew what he had to do to protect the both of them, especially Toma, from what others would say.
“Well geeze, Bardock, if you didn’t want to be held just say so,” he grinned devilishly, “Unless of course, you want to engage in some other, more…exciting activities.”
Bardock whirled around to face Toma, his face screwed into an unreadable expression. Toma sat unconcerned on the edge of the bed, naked for the entire world to see.
“No Toma, I do not want to engage in any activities, in fact, I don’t even want to be here.”
Toma’s face fell slightly, but ever optimistic, he offered an excuse to benefit both of their minds with a lazy smile, “What’s wrong, did we forget to meet the others somewhere? Oh shit, we didn’t forget a mission did we?”
Bardock slowly backed away towards the door for a quick route of escape, he really didn’t want to stick around when he finished saying what he felt had to be said in order to save both of them.
“No Toma, I just want to leave. I don’t want to be here do you understand that? I do not know what you think happened last night, but I will tell what my opinion of it was,” he breathed slowly, knowing what he would say next was going to be painful, “It was a one night stand, a mistake, something which should never have happened!”
His anger at his own fear and ignorance caused his voice to rise with his words, “Do you understand Toma, last night meant nothing to me. Now I am sorry if you thought last night was something to remember, but its not. In fact, I would recommend trying to forget everything, I know I am.”
\\Oh Kami, I beg of you, please do not do this to me.\\ The look on Toma’s face was enough to break the barriers of a thousand walls, but Bardock forced himself to remain strong, for Toma he had to do this.
“Nothing? It meant nothing at all, huh? Nothing despite that the fact that it was my first time?” Now Toma’s voice was rising in anger, out of the pain he was trying desperately to block from his face.
Bardock swallowed hard, before answering quietly, “No, nothing at all.”
“Damn you, you son of a bitch, how could you?” Now to the point where he was holding back tears, Toma began grabbing his armor of the ground and throwing it on, not wanting any longer for Bardock to be allowed to see him in his most vulnerable form.
It was now that Bardock took his leave, to protect Toma’s dignity, and keep his own inner barriers from crashing down.
*********************
Swallowing hard at the pain of the memory, Bardock now turned away from Toma’s still warm face. Such rejection, how had such an emotional person like Toma survived the barrage and moved on? In a way, Toma was far stronger then he.
To further complex the situation, no more then three years later, Bardock mated to a female named Maize. Maize, who was back on Vegetasei, now alone on Vegetasei with their third child because of an argument between the two that probably never be reconciled in the time he had left.
\\Kami, how many people’s
lives have I ruined with my foolishness?\\
Toma had moved on though, and they had silently reconciled, although never coming close to what they had shared before…
**********************
As frosty as the midnight eyes of the Saiya-jin who surveyed them, the icy peaks of the Yutsei mountain range stretched for thousands of miles beyond the Saiya-jin’s vision.
Bardock shivered slightly, the air growing ever cooler as the darkness of night took the planet in its frightened clutches and the beautifully ripe full moon rose overhead. Bardock growled as his transformation began, his tail lashing, and the sounds of the rest of his changeling crew echoing behind him.
It was time to take Yutsei for the glory of the Saiya-jin Empire.
Rising up over the peaks, the oozaru warrior made their way towards the inhabited areas of the planet. It was slaughter, plain and simple. What little rebellion the Yutsei-jins gave was quickly proven futile when two or more of the oozarus would group together and attack at once. They continued to fight, but in the end, it only led to a more painful death.
As the dawn of the new day approached, the oozarus quickened their attack finishing the small planet off in the last few hours before the sun rose. What greeted Yutsei’s sun was a broken and beaten planet, with little, if any life to be seen for miles on end.
Bardock greeted the rising sun with a triumphant roar as his body regressed back to humanoid form. Soon, his fellow teammates came to join him. Panboukin, as usual, was first to speak his mind about the planet.
“This planet really wasn’t worth it in my opinion. What lame-brained moron would want to live on a planet whose best asset is the variety of ice cubes available for drinks?”
The response was as expected, four thumbs jerked back to point at Toma, who sighed and answered quickly, “To tell you the truth, I’m not sure why they would want this planet, but I have heard rumors that Kind Cold and Lord Frieza wish to find a new home planet. Something about global warming on their native home planet.”
Bardock grunted, disgusted, “Cold and Frieza are such paranoid freaks, he would jump at the chance to take a new planet if anything even slightly upsetting happened to their own precious planet. When the Great Earthquake of 734 A.D. shattered four tectonic plates on Vegetasei’s surface causing massive magma swells to form on the western hemisphere, did we run like cowards? No, we stuck it out and rebuilt, and now the Western Hemisphere is almost as thickly populated as the rest of the planet.” Bardock snorted again to emphasize his point.
“Oh will you men stop harping about it, and just get to work. We have thirty-two hours to clean up this planet before it’s due, and I don’t feel like explaining to our superiors that the only reason Lord Frieza’s planet isn’t ready is because three hard headed males decided to spend a good six hours complaining about the way they dislike their leader.”
Celipa’s voice of reason rang out among them, causing the three of them to turn back and face her. She continued, now that she had their attention, “Come on guys, move it. I would recommend that we split up and each of us take a sector of hemisphere.”
“It’s my job to issue orders, not your, woman,” Bardock growled, irritated at he temporary usurp of power, “And I will say when we split up. Panboukin, you and Maize take the Arakian sector, while Totepo and Celipa head for the Muinion division. Toma and I will take this sector. Now let’s go.”
Nodding to Toma, they took off and headed for the nearby capital, while the others left for their own coordinates. Arriving among the ruins of the city, Bardock immediately began ki blasting the larger structures away, whereas Toma began piling together smaller chunks of structural ruins for demolition later on.
They had been working for a good hour or so, when suddenly Bardock’s scouter went off, forewarning him of a coming power. Figuring it was either Toma or another one of his teammates he simply ignored it and went back to work. It was not until a strange hissing sound filled the air and Toma’s worried voice came over the scouter that he realized how wrong he actually was.
“Bardock, do you hear that,” Toma’s hushed voice transmitted over the scouter, apprehensive and uneasy.
“Yeah, I heard it.”
Saiya-jin instincts kicking in, Bardock immediately went into what one would call “stealth mode.” Cautiously, Bardock made his way over to Toma. As he walked towards his companion, the hissing increased in frequency and volume, as if the creature the sound was originating from was coming closer.
“Tell me again, Toma, exactly what kind of creatures are native to Yutsei?”
“There were the Yutsei-jins themselves, and a few indigenous ice crawlers, but I can’t remember any creature in the reports that matched the description of what we are hearing.”
The attack came from behind them, the creature striking Bardock in the back, slicing through his armor and sending him flying a good ten or twenty feet. Bleeding profusely, Bardock stumbled to his feet, only to be knocked down once again by an invisible force. It was only after he scooted back for the second time and then jumped up did he catch a glimpse of his elusive attacker.
The creature stood a good ten feet tall, covered with white fur with patches of darker coloring here and there. On its two visible paws, there were doubled sets of ferocious claws, one of which was stained red with Bardock’s blood. The creature hissed again, repeating its eerie cry and signaling another attack.
It rushed towards Bardock, faster then even the Saiya-jin could react, sending
him soaring through the air until he slammed painfully into the nearest
wall. Again, it attacked, not waiting
for him to get up this time, smashing a head-sized, clawed fist into the side
of Bardock’s skull.
Dizzy from blood loss and the slam to the head, his ears ringing and his nose clogged with his own blood, Bardock could hardly stand let alone fight back. Somewhere in the near distance, he could Toma screaming his name and sending for help over the transmitters. He only had seconds to integrate this information before his view of the outside world was blocked a fuzzy whiteness as the monster rose to its full height in front of him. Reacting on instinct, he sent a leg flailing out hoping to knock the wind out of the monster. Unfortunately, all he succeeded in doing was causing himself more injury as the creature grabbed his flailing appendage and cracked it within its grip, snapping the bone in two. Holding back a scream of agony, Bardock tried desperately to reach for something to use for defense. The sentient creature assaulted him before he could find anything though, this time throwing a double punch. The first fist buried itself in his torso, ripping skin and breaking ribs, and the second slammed itself into the side of his head once more, tearing into the soft flesh of his cheek.
Now allowing himself to scream in full agony, Bardock desperately tried to
escape the monster’s grasp as it bent and lapped at the blood and flesh of his
wounds. Kami, where was Toma? Why wasn’t anyone helping him?
Suddenly, the creature pulled back and unsheathed its claws to their full lengths. The sunlight danced off the deadly edges of the sharpened nails, as if taunting him about his oncoming death. No longer able to fight back due to blood loss, Bardock allowed himself to slip into darkness as the creature brought his arm down in an arc. Well, at least he would not feel the last blow. The final blow never came, but by then Bardock was too far-gone into unconsciousness to realize what had happened. He could have sworn, however, that before he blacked out, he saw a flash of blue followed by a war cry.
vvv
Swimming lazily in a field of colors, mostly shades of greens and blues, Bardock resided peacefully in his gentle kingdom of serenity and unconsciousness. The beauty was shattered by the sound of tapping on the glass, and a groggy Bardock opened his eyes to see a more then slightly worried Planthor gazing at him through the glass. Although his eyesight was somewhat foggy and bleary from the healing fluids, he could make out Planthor signaling to Malachar to open the tank, and his worried crew looking out from somewhere behind the two doctors.
Cool air hit his uncovered skin, and as the hatch opened, he shivered again as another blast of cold hit him. Before turning to speak to him, Planthor handed him his armor while he began giving Bardock a run down of the injuries he had accumulated from the mission.
“…And a fractured leg to top it all off. I must say Bardock, if continue to overexert yourself like this you are going to get yourself killed.”
Still somewhat vague as to details of the situation, his first question was, naturally, about how he got there. Planthor’s eyes narrowed somewhat as he looked over Bardock for a moment.
“You don’t remember,” he asked, receiving only a confused look from Bardock. Sighing, he gently turned the half dressed Bardock to face another tank on the other side of the room, “See if you remember now.”
Bardock choked when he caught of glimpse of what was in the tank. Toma, only not what he would expect to see of the man. Long, deep crisscrossed cuts, now scars, marked his once perfect torso, and on his arms and legs, there were more injuries visible.
“How-How did this happen? What happened?” Panicking slightly to see friend in such a horrendous condition, he turned, wild-eyed, to face Planthor.
Planthor looked back at him, with slight surprise, “You still don’t remember?” Seeing only Bardock’s blank expression as a response, he continued, “You were attacked on Yutsei by a unknown creature, obviously not recorded in the logs. It gave you a good beating, and probably would have killed you, had Toma there not have thrown himself at the animal at the last moment.”
Bardock whirled back around to look at Toma once more, somewhat frightened by the man’s vulnerable state. This was not right; it was always he who came back from missions damaged, not Toma. In a way, it was unethical that Toma should be in this state, almost immoral, just plain wrong. That, and it reminded him far too well of the only other time he had ever seen Toma so vulnerable. The dark hearted commander was the one who was supposed to fall, not the cheerful, optimistic sub leader. Turning away from the sight, he looked back towards his crew, summoning them over.
“Tell me you guys, did you kill the creature that did this?”
It was Panboukin who answered, “Well, no. We were too involved in getting Toma and you back home to medical support rather then chasing after the creature. As for Yutsei on a whole, another group is being sent there in about a week to finish clean up.”
“You didn’t kill it though?”
“No, Totepo scared it off, and we just left with you guys.”
Bardock stood for a moment, engrossed in watching Toma’s broken body heal for a few minutes. Then he turned back to his crew, face unreadable.
“Prepare for takeoff, we are going back to Yutsei to finish what we started.”
Maize stepped forward, questioning her mate’s motives, “And why, pray tell, would we want to do that?”
“Because,” Bardock smirked coldly, “I’ve got a score to settle with a certain Yutsei creature…”
*********************
And settle the score he had, as painfully and as brutally as he possibly could. As Bardock sat, still deep in contemplation, the last of the seemingly endless reel of memories. This one was still relatively fresh, happening only weeks before the blasted Kannassasei mission.
The memory was of a blissful nature, one of he and Toma’s last fits of passion, one of the last moments he ever showed he cared, but at the same time, one of yet another sorrow; his emotional draining break up with Maize…
**********************
(Author’s Note:
Yet another citrus warning, but this one does not come until the end of
the scene, and it is simply a very non-graphic description of sex.)
Heavy as the oppressing air surrounding the small home shared by two Saiya-jin, the rain came down in bucketfuls, leaving the planet of Vegeta soaked to the core in its wake. Precipitation pounded down upon the house, while the roaring winds chased the elusive lightening bolts and their thunderous maidens.
Amid the chaos of the downpour, a figure appeared suddenly, outlined in the rain, his dark outlook and apparel blending in with the dominating skies. To any onlooker, it was obvious the man was angry, for though his voice was lost between the crashing of the mighty thunder titans, it was obvious that he was screaming in either frustration or anger. Pounding feet, seen running hurriedly from the scene of the outburst, were also lost in the oppressive noise. One other figure appeared, this one female, her cries of sorrow louder then any storm, and her pain for more palpable then the presence of rain.
Running freely, Bardock allowed his heart take him to where comfort lie waiting. His conscious mind was still unknowing as to where his spirit would take him. Wherever it was taking him though, it was where he belonged. Through the bond he shared with Maize, he could feel her own pain, the pain of his desertion. Yet, another person he had failed to make happy in his life. Worse, he had left her with child. Was it truly possible to hurt so many people you care about in one lifetime? Moreover, how could he have done it?
Perhaps the answer lies in where his now slowing pace came to a stop, Toma’s home. Toma was the answer to this puzzling equation? Jogging up the steps towards the front door, his progress was suddenly halted when a figure came crashing out the front door haphazardly, obviously not looking where he/she was going. It was not until the person crashed into him that he realized who it was.
Celipa…but why was she here? He held here for a moment while she regained her balance. After she did, he still held her, not knowing why, but something told her that she needed to see him right now. Pale limbs grasped his own, and an even paler face looked up at him with pained eyes. As dark Saiya-jin eyes gazed deeply into similar pools of obsidian, inexplicable understanding dawned, perhaps for both of them. Quivering, Celipa continued to hold his gaze, even as her own body began to weaken and her eyes filled with tears.
Her gaze did not flicker, nor did his own, as one pale hand made its way to his face. Pressing her delicately feminine hand against her cheek, Celipa then slid it behind his head, pulling his face forward until they were nose to forehead. It was only then that she spoke, in a hushed whisper, voice dripping with sorrow.
“You make him happy, or else, do you understand? I love him, but I am not the one he wants, therefore I can only do what a lover can: do whatever it takes to give him what he wants. You go to him, I’ll go to Maize, make her understand.”
Finally releasing him, she pulled away, and then ran as fast as her feet could carry her petite body, leaving a stunned Bardock in her wake. Was that why he was here, because Toma is the one that he really wants? It took about ten more minutes of standing in the rain before he was finally admitted to himself that this is what he wanted-no, needed to be whole again.
His emotions catching up with him again, he rushed though the front door (which Celipa had left open), and through the house straight for the bedroom where he knew, he would find Toma. Sure enough, Toma sat on his bed, silent and cheerless, once again not as he should be.
Toma felt Bardock’s presence as soon as he entered the room, and standing up, he slowly brought his head up to face Bardock’s. As cold midnight eyes met sorrowful obsidian ones, the barriers fell, and the water the damn had been folding rushed forward in the form of tears.
Stumbling, Bardock rushed over to Toma, and then collapsed into his lover’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Kami, why had not he realized he had needed him so much before? Why had he forced those feeling he knew so well were true, into the depths of his heart claiming that they were merely ideals of lust?
\\Because you were afraid, and in a way, so was I.\\
Bardock stiffened at the sound of Toma’s voice, not in his ears, but in his mind. Toma was still holding him soothing back his hair with one hand, rubbing his back with the other. Finally finding the strength to look up, he expected to find himself staring into unsympathetic eyes, but instead he found himself engaged in a rough kiss. Pulling away after a few seconds, Toma gazed back at him with understanding eyes, full of love and compassion.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Bardock started fumbling with his own armor as Toma carefully took off his own. Finally tugging free of the last of his apparel, Bardock then grabbed Toma, pulling him down on the bed.
The next few hours flew by like minutes, as forbidden breaths were finally taken after so many years of hidden longing. Twisting and twining with his lover, Bardock found himself unable to stop until finally Toma’s somehow still cool hands halted him, and gently pulled him into a tired embrace.
“No more, my love, you’ll tire yourself too much.” Leaning forward, Toma pressed a cool kiss against Bardock’s forehead, before tugging him closer and then wrapping his tail around him.
Drowsily, Bardock nodded, yawning, before burying his face in Toma’s chest. However, seconds before sleep captured him, he pulled his face up and gently tapped Toma’s shoulder. Immediately, Toma looked down to face Bardock as he looked up at him, curiosity brewing in his pupils.
“Toma,” he whispered tiredly, “You never told me who Reimaynia was. Who is he?”
“Reimaynia is my tail name, love. Aishiteru, Bardock, now good night.”
Bardock could only murmur his reply as his restless mind finally found some peace in the warm expanse of Toma’s chest.
vvv
Bardock awoke, head still pressed against Toma’s torso, the memory of last night not all left forgotten. Snuggling closer, Bardock smiled softly as Toma’s warm embrace tightened around him. Suddenly he pulled away. What was he doing here? Should he be here?
“Go back to sleep Bardock, you are thinking loud enough to wake the dead.”
Startled, Bardock looked down at Toma’s smirking face, and for some uncanny reason, he felt the urge to smile back. As usual, he ignored the instinct to look happy, and instead sat up, stretching his aching muscles. Hands, not his own, appeared on his shoulders and began massaging the worn-out brawn with intense vigor.
“Mmm, thanks Toma, but don’t bother I have to leave.”
The massaging hands immediately pulled away, “Why do you have to leave?”
Noticing Toma’s sudden apprehension, Bardock quickly leaned forward to kiss him reassuringly, “Don’t worry Toma, you can come too, I just have to ask General Rubarb for our next mission.”
Toma smirked, “Already ahead of you buddy, it’s Kannassasei, and its located in the Garne sector of the Kuyui galaxy.”
“Oh really, and I suppose you know why we are going too?”
His lover’s smirk increased to a knowing grin, “Yep, there’s rumored to be some sort of minerals there that gives the natives psychic powers and all that other good fortune teller stuff.”
Bardock looked up from where he was pulling on his pants, “Leave it to you, Toma, to know everything about a planet before you even get there.” He shook his head and started pulling on his outer armor. “Oh and Toma, if you want to go with me, you may want to get dressed.”
Toma shrugged, but then rolled out of bed, letting the sheet fall away to reveal a perfectly muscled body, broken here and there with the occasional scar. Unable to stop himself, Bardock allowed himself to indulge a little by following Toma’s movements as he dressed.
Ever observant, Toma noticed this and snickered, “You know Bardock, unless you control those wandering eyes of yours, we are never going to leave this bedroom.”
Blushing furiously, Bardock turned away while Toma finished throwing on the rest of his armor. After he finished, Bardock then took his leave, starting forward towards the door, only to be stopped by Toma as the man suddenly grabbed him from behind and slammed him against the wall, catching him in another kiss.
He pulled away grinning, “I had fun last night. Aishiteru, Bardock.” Devilishly playful, Toma let his hands wander down to Bardock’s rump and gently squeezed. Somewhat irritated, he pushed Toma away.
“Foolish baka, stop fooling around or we are going to be late.”
Toma only smiled in reply, now realizing Bardock was just trying to hide the fact that he was enjoying every moment of the unfolding events. Again reaching down, he patted the sullen Bardock’s behind once more just for fun, before shoving him out the door.
**********************
Back in the present, Bardock could only touch his fallen lover’s face with an esteemed gentleness never seen while he was alive. Kami, he had so many regrets. \\I never told him I loved him.\\ Even as he tried to dismiss the thought as false, he realized that was impossible, because it was true. Never once after Toma pronounced his love to him did he return the favor with his own words of affection. Only a grunt or a murmur was the only response Toma had ever received, but even then, he had continued to say the words, one day hoping they would be repeated. Now Toma was dead; never again would he have the chance to tell him.
Kami, why had he waited so long to tell him? Reaching over to once again to touch his hair, Bardock noticed the white cloth on Toma’s arm, Toma’s only reminder of his father. It did not deserve to be left here. No, especially since it was their fathers that had brought them together.
Gently removing the cloth from Toma’s arm, he held in his hands for a few seconds, in silence reverence to the past sacrifices made while wearing that cloth, before he reached over and gently wiped Toma’s face with it.
“Blood of my blood, bringer of my sorrow, comforter of pain, and redemption of my soul, I swear on the memory of you and our fathers before us that I will avenge you and the others.” (Author’s Note: No, that is not the correct dialogue from the Bardock Special, I changed it.)
Something was still missing, those words did not say enough. Glancing over at the bodies of his other friends, it struck him as to what needed to be done. Leaning forward, he gently pressed his lips against Toma’s temple and whispered softly, “Aishiteru, Toma Reimaynia.”
Standing up, he looked over the remains of what had once been his only friends and loves. His scouter bleeped, drawing his attention to what had to be the assassins.
Damn them.
“You know Bardock, we had quite some fun with your crew earlier, do you wanna play now?” The cruel taunting of the assassins reached his ears, enraging him further. How dare they!
Ignoring their jeering, he gently wrapped the blood-soaked cloth around his forehead, his symbol of revenge, and turned to face the others.
There would be no mercy.
:pant, pant: Finally finished it! So, did you like it? Yay, nay? Come on I want comments! E-mail me at ChaoticSerenity3@aol.com.