Commitment in a Kiss | By : Kerianya Category: Dragon Ball Z > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 499 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
Disclaimer: I do not own DragonballZ, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story. |
Commitment in a Kiss
By Kerianya
This is an ADULT (as in, not for eyes that are under eighteen!) Yaoi (as in, two boys expressing their deep and real love/lust/both for one another) fanfiction. The pairing is Raditz and Zarbon, not the other way around. This is my very favourite DBZ yaoi pairing without rival.
Dragonball Z is the genius creation of manga legend Akira Toriyama. I write this fic purely to express my love of this very excellent series and for enjoyment, which I hope will be shared by you and the other readers of it. These are the only profits I will be making from the story you are about to read.
"Commitment in a Kiss" is written in a timeline starting prior to the start of Dragonball Z and ending in Zarbon's death in the Frieza/Namek saga as true to the anime and the manga. Some scenes that took place in the series may or will be included in the story line of this fiction. In those cases I will try to keep as true to the original context of dialogues and plot as my own story allows. I will be using the Viz translated versions of the Dragonball Z Manga as a source of original story names, so if the spelling or accuracy is different to your copies then blame Viz, not myself. However I have taken serious liberties with the lineage of Raditz, Vegeta and Goku, and their family with particular respect to their grandparents, as well as Zarbon's family, are products of my imagination alone.
Chapter 1: Innocence regained.
It had been years ago, years before the death of the emperor and his empress, before Frieza struck terror into the heart of every living being, when Zarbon first met Raditz. It was a happier time then, an innocent age. They'd been younger, less cynical, untouched by the hardships of cruelty…
But they would have been, when they were five years old.
If it hadn't been for Frieza, fate may have been kinder…
Zarbon's parents were royalty; Vegeta hadn't been the only prince that had caught Frieza's eye. Back then the empire of the Saiya-jin had been split into two separate but closely inter-linked kingdoms, made all the more closer by King Vegeta's marriage to the emperor's eldest daughter princess Serenity. The recent birth of their first-born son had only served to make the ties between the kingdoms even stronger.
Princess Serenity had been born with a twin brother, who grew up to be the scientist Bardock, father of Raditz and Aulie most beloved by their imperial grandparents. Raditz in particular shared a strong and loving bond with his grandmother, and was seen by her side almost constantly.
It was in the imperial court that Zarbon had first met the young Saiya-jin, but he'd had no idea it would take such a hold on him for the rest of his life…
"Hey monkeys!"
"Yeah that's right, we're talking to you!"
"Except for you Raditz. If we wanted you we'd whistle!"
Zarbon snapped out of his daydream at the sound of the Ginyu Forces' catcalls. Aside from Guldo, who's younger teacher of a mate liked him to be home for his evening meal at a set time, the bizarre members of the Ginyu force would often join him and Dodoria for a drink and a chat. The three Saiya-jin had learned to avoid the place as much as possible, but necessity meant that occasionally they had to brave the jeers and insults in the bar.
He looked up at the three warriors. As always Nappa was restraining Vegeta whilst visibly struggling to maintain his own volatile temper. Raditz was stood a little to the side of them, but for the most part appeared unfazed by the taunting. His indifferent and unusually emotionless expression set Zarbon's heart thumping wildly. His unusually exceptional vision caught a flicker of movement beneath the handsome Saiya-jin's half-closed lashes, and as he realised that Raditz's attentions had focussed on him he could only hope that he wasn't blushing…
Since that first meeting thirty years ago, Zarbon had begun to experience…feelings around Raditz. Feelings that he'd never felt with anyone else throughout his childhood, adolescence or adulthood. Just a glimpse of him or the sound of his voice, or even finding his chi on the scouters would reduce him from the impassive lieutenant everyone knew him as to a jumpy schoolchild within seconds. Right now he was transfixed where he sat, watching the raven-haired Adonis that stood less than ten feet before him.
After what felt like an eternity, but couldn't have been more than a few seconds, Vegeta stormed out, half-dragging Nappa with him. Raditz followed a second later, tearing his own gaze away from Zarbon after keeping the moment alive for as long as he dared. Initially all Zarbon could feel was relief that the ordeal was over, but slowly the relief was replaced by a heavy feeling of regret…
"Zarbon, snap out of whatever you're dreaming about and help me out here!"
Zarbon looked up to see Jeice staring back at him.
"Help you out with what?" He asked. The orange man rolled his emerald eyes.
"How spaced out have you been mate?" He laughed. "I was just saying, have you noticed how hot Raditz is? I mean, Nappa's a troll and Vegeta's not much better, but Raditz…he's incredible to look at and he doesn't mouth off as much as the other two so…what?"
As Jeice turned round to slap a guffawing Recoome, Zarbon looked down at his glass.
"Why do you think that I would be able to help you out with that argument Jeice?" He replied, trying to keep his voice as normal as possible. Dodoria's face appeared to explode as he burst into a fit of spiteful laughter.
"Well, the fact that you spent the whole time gawking at him when he was 'ere helped." He spluttered between laughs. Zarbon's cheeks flushed sapphire.
"I-I wasn't looking at him, Dodoria!" He snapped, staring with gritty determination at the perfectly manicured fingers surrounding his glass. He snarled as he heard Dodoria scoff.
"If that's the case, why are you blushing?" Was the cruel sneer. "You can hide in your hair as much as you want but it doesn't stop people sat opposite you from seeing yer face."
Zarbon turned fully in his seat to glower at Dodoria and the Ginyu.
"Who said I was hiding?" He hissed.
Ginyu shrank back in his chair and lifted his palms up.
"Calm down." He said quietly. "Nobody's going to accuse you of anything Zarbon. Dodoria's just having a joke."
Zarbon snorted, then turned to Jeice.
"In response to your question, yes, I have noticed that Raditz is attractive."
Jeice blinked, and to Zarbon's surprise looked away. He picked up his own glass and ran an orange finger across the rim, visibly nervous.
"So…you like him?" He asked. Beside him, Burter clapped his hand across his eyes.
"What do you mean, like him?" Zarbon raised an eyebrow. "I hardly know him."
"You don't have to know someone well to like them Zarbon." Recoome rumbled.
But I DO know him well, better than any of you could understand, Zarbon thought miserably, and that's why I can't love him.
"Oh gods Zarbon you can't deny you like him when you keep zoning out like that." Jeice scoffed. "Why don't you just admit it?"
Zarbon's cheeks burned so much that he couldn't possibly hope that they couldn't see his blushes. What made it even worse was that he knew Jeice was right.
"I…" he stuttered, staring for the third time at his glass as though it contained some counsel. "Well, I must admit I've often wondered what Raditz would be like as a lover, but…"
Jeice literally leapt out of his seat at Zarbon's admission.
"S-s-so you're after him as well then?" He shouted, pointing a trembling orange finger at the beautiful lieutenant
Zarbon swung his head around, his emerald hair swishing gracefully before setting around his head, as pristine as it had ever been.
"Why are you after Raditz anyway? Last time I heard, you were after Vegeta!"
"Yeah." A rumble from Recoome suggested that the giant was talking. "I thought that too. What happened?"
Jeice appeared uncomfortable as Ginyu whispered in Recoome's ear.
"Jeice introduced Vegeta to Jayana."
"His sister?" Recoome's brow furrowed for a moment, then he appeared to make a decision. "I'm not surprised that Vegeta took to her."
Jayana was Jeice's twin sister. Orange of skin, white of hair and emerald of twinkling eye, she was also bright of smile and large of bosom. Whilst being quite an intelligent and kind-hearted young woman, Jayana had quite an appetite for hot-blooded young men. Unknowingly she had embroiled herself in bitter competition with her brother, and recently had been wondering why their normally strong bond had suddenly shattered.
"Yeah, well she's welcome to him." Jeice grumbled, his bottom lip jutting out like a dinnerplate. "First row they have and she'll go running back home to Mum and Dad."
"So what makes you think Raditz will be any better?" Ginyu said quietly. "How do you know that the other two aren't sharing your sister?"
Nobody saw Jeice move, but suddenly he was towering over his captain, fuming visibly.
"What are you suggesting about my sister?" He screeched
"Well Raditz does seem to be quite a hit with the ladies." Burter said thoughtfully. "They're always finding reasons to go talk to him."
Zarbon looked up at them.
"But that's not because Raditz is flirting with them. They like him because he treats them with respect, not as something to screw. He's not interested in women that way."
All eyes fell on him, and the whole group was silent. Dodoria leaned forward slowly and deliberately.
"Now how would you know that, Zarbon?"
Panicking, Zarbon didn't think when he replied.
"He's never been interested in women, for as long as I've known him."
"…for as long as you've known him?" Dodoria repeated. "Tell me if I'm wrong, but that phrase implies history."
Zarbon cursed himself. Nobody dared to talk about the days of the old empire, and Raditz had been the heir. These days, Raditz was the old empire, although only a few people were aware that he was. To even imply history with him could be suicide if Frieza was to find out, but if he were to say nothing things could well turn out worse for both of them. Rumour was the deadliest non-physical weapon in the universe. He made a decision.
"I…kissed Raditz once." He said carefully, pushing an emerald hair from his eyes. "After that I just knew."
The silence was so thick that it could have been sliced. Zarbon felt the shock radiating from his comrades like heat from a fire. Jeice was the first to break the spell.
"So…you and Raditz…had a fling?"
Zarbon blinked, stunned, before slowly shaking his head.
"No, I only kissed him once, and it was before Vegetasei blew up." He admitted. Jeice gave him an incredulous look.
"You only kissed him, like, forever ago, and you reckon you know what he likes?" He scoffed. "You can't tell nothin' from a kiss."
Zarbon smirked nastily. Normally he and Jeice got on phenomenally, but the youngest Ginyu member had a (justified) reputation for being extremely competitive when it came to getting a man.
Unfortunately for Jeice, Zarbon didn't even consider him to be close to a threat.
"Clearly you've never been with a good kisser." He sneered. "Or you have, but they haven't thought enough of you to make the effort to kiss you properly."
"Oh and you have, I suppose?"
Zarbon nodded, a faint smile on his face as he did so.
"A few times." He murmured, before reaching for his glass and emptying it of its contents. He'd made a second decision.
"Well, as delightful as the prospect is, I think my romantic history is a tale that will have to wait." He chirped, standing up and walking away. "I'm tired."
With that he left, not once looking back at his bewildered comrades.
***
Meanwhile, Raditz had broken away from his prince and marshal and was taking a walk to clear his head.
It had been a long time ago, and at thirty-five years old Raditz should have left childhood crushes in his childhood where they belonged.
Especially when said crush was such a silly one.
He hadn't even been old enough to understand such feelings that he felt now when it happened. He'd been five years old, and so had Zarbon. It had been a simple, innocent kiss, devoid of any feelings of lust or sexual tension. Any feelings had been as innocent as the two children involved, but they had felt genuine, and they had stuck for thirty years.
He'd assumed that Zarbon didn't remember him, or just wasn't interested. But today at the bar, Raditz had seen him staring at him, and when their eyes had met, he could have sworn that those eyes mirrored his own feelings.
But how could he approach the subject with someone like Zarbon? Zarbon was physically a million times more powerful than he would ever be, even with the unique Saiya-jin ability to get stronger after every battle. If he were mistaken, then Raditz wouldn't even be able to measure his life in seconds. He couldn't risk that. He had a duty to his grandparents, everything they had stood for, and the empire they had struggled to keep. Even if he would never be able to reveal his forgotten heritage for fear of death, there were those that missed the days of the empire. The days before Frieza.
It had just been one kiss, twenty-five years ago, between two five year olds who couldn't possibly have even begun to understand the feelings behind it. Although he could remember it so vividly, up until today he'd been sure that Zarbon had forgotten…
Raditz struggled not to run into the audience chamber. His beloved grandmother had just named him as her heir to take over the empire after her, and he wanted to prove to her that he could more than anything. He stopped as his grandmother turned from her guests to smile at him.
"Ah, Raditz dear." She smiled.
"Grandmama." Raditz bowed, unaware of just how adorable his small, five-year-old frame appeared as he did. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, I did." The empress reached out with a long gloved hand, which Raditz quickly took, and guided him to her side.
"I would like to introduce you to King Zarihn, one of our closest allies and neighbours. I would also like you to meet his queen, Syvilda and their son Zarbon."
Raditz looked up at the little family in front of him and instinctively bowed to them as his grandmother had taught him.
King Zarihn was a giant of a man at seven foot tall; Raditz barely came to his knee! His hair was long and tied back into a loose plait that tapered just at his ankles. This was unusual to Raditz. It was generally considered unattractive for a man to tie his hair back within the empire, although long hair was considered very attractive for people of either gender or any sexuality. He also had a moustache. His emerald hair was smooth and no single strand was out of place and his blue-green skin was flawless. To Raditz he appeared very exotically dressed in rich crimson and deep purple robes made of various silks and velvets. His belt and many pieces of jewellery were silver, including a thick silver diadem across his brow, which had several sapphires set into the centre around a large ruby. He was well built; muscles bulged beneath his tight-fitting scarlet shirt. Physically he would have been very intimidating, were his purple eyes not kind. He smiled as he bowed to the young prince in return.
Queen Syvilda was tall, beautiful and as flawless as a perfect diamond. Raditz recognised that she had the poise and look of a courtesan. He'd seen them about when his grandmother held court, but she'd never told him what they did or why they were different from courtiers. Her eyes were a dazzling gold and her lips were full and painted white. She was clothed in a white velvet off the shoulder dress trimmed with a pale yellow silk, and her jewellery was gold and pearls were set in the precious metal. Her pink hair was pristine and tied in elaborate knots and fastened out of sight. She smiled as she curtseyed to him, and held out her hand. The delicate fingers were tipped by long gold nails, which were as perfect as the rest of her was. Raditz took it and gave it a kiss. She smiled; he had done well.
As she rose, Raditz noticed a little figure peeping behind her skirts. He had long green hair, which was loose and fell just past his shoulders. His eyes were large and golden, and were framed by thick lashes. He was clad in simple blue robes that were common to all royal children of the empire.
As Raditz met his golden eyes, Zarbon looked away and tried to shuffle behind his mother's ample supply of skirts. Queen Syvilda however, had other ideas. She gracefully swept her skirts aside and taking her son's hand in hers pulled him in front of her. Raditz smiled at him, and was rewarded with a shy smile in return.
"Now Zarbon." Syvilda said, placing her hands on her son's little shoulders and pushing him forward. "There's no need to be so shy. The Saiya-jin are our friends, you have nothing to fear from prince Raditz."
Zarbon moved his little head to look up at his mother, then looked back at Raditz. He took a few tiny steps forward, before looking over his shoulder at his mother again. With a nod of reassurance from her, he continued walking up to Raditz until they were face to face. Raditz held out his hand, which Zarbon nervously took. As they shook hands their eyes met again, and Raditz spoke.
"Hi." He said, before remembering that he should have used a more polite greeting. Zarbon appeared to blush in response.
"H-hello." He whispered.
King Zarihn and the empress stopped their conversation, which had sounded a lot like trading talks, to look at the two princes, who were still holding hands. They cast a brief look at each other, then met Queen Syvilda's gaze, until the empress finally cleared her throat.
"Raditz?" She called softly. The boys turned to look at her.
"Yes, Grandmama?"
"Why don't you and Zarbon go to the nursery? There's no sense in the pair of you staying here whilst we talk. We're going to be a while and the two of you will only get bored."
Raditz nodded, and led Zarbon out of the audience chamber, stopping only to give a farewell bow to the king and queen before he scampered off.
Zarihn and Syvilda gave the empress a questioning look.
"Is it wise to let you heir run off and play rather than giving him the opportunity to see how diplomacy is achieved?" Syvilda asked, raising a pink eyebrow. The empress shook her head.
"I am a strong believer," she replied, "that it is important for a prince to be a child first, and a monarch second. When he grows up he will become a monarch first and a man second. If he cannot conduct himself as a man, how will he ever conduct himself as a monarch? The only way to do this is to enjoy his childhood as much as he can, before time takes that liberty away from him. Raditz knows that his role within the empire is becoming increasingly significant, and he isn't afraid to take on the responsibilities that I give him. How can I ask more of him? I cannot do so as an empress or a grandmother."
She sat herself down, and beckoned for the others to do the same.
"Let them play, so that they can grow up." She said. "The politics is down to those of us who have enjoyed our childhood."
"Zarbon?" Raditz said. The green-haired prince turned in the saddle of the rocking horse they were playing on.
"Yes?"
"Your mummy's a courtesan right?"
Zarbon nodded. "She used to be. I don't think they let you be a courtesan when you get married."
"Why not?"
"I don't know. Maybe they have to wear gloves or special jewellery that won't fit with a wedding ring, but you're not allowed to take wedding rings off when you get married."
"Maybe. What did your mummy do when she was a courtesan?"
"Mummy won't tell me. She said she'd tell me when I'm a bit older. Do you want me to tell you when she tells me?"
Raditz nodded. "I'd like that."
Zarbon looked around the nursery again. His own was large and full of a variety of toys, but this one dwarfed his. It was painted cream, and the walls were decorated with brightly coloured paintings that Raditz and his sister had done. Raditz's cousin and younger siblings weren't old enough to come into the nursery yet, Raditz had said, and Aulie was studying to become a courtier, so they had the whole place to themselves for another hour at least. His eyes were drawn to a large pile of stuffed animals.
"Are all of those teddies yours?" He asked shyly. Raditz looked over at the teddies and shook his head.
"Most of them are Aulie's." He said. "But some of them are mine. All the bears are hers and the dollies too." He stopped to yawn.
"But why are they on the floor?" Zarbon asked. "Why aren't they in a toy chest with the other toys?"
Raditz climbed off the rocking horse and helped the little green prince to do the same.
"Well, we found out that they're comfy to nap on." He replied. "Our nanny doesn't like the idea much, but she had to let us when Grandmama said it was ok."
Zarbon yawned. "Talking about napping, I'm feeling a little sleepy."
Raditz nodded. As yawns are an addictive magic that is manifested through the subconscious by even the most magically inept, he yawned too.
"Well," he said, "the big tiger's really comfy."
He pointed to the teddy pile. Zarbon followed his gaze, where there indeed was a very large stuffed tiger. At first he was unsure; Raditz made his tummy feel like it was a butterfly house. But as he yawned a second time, he nodded. After all, what trouble could be caused by a nap?
He snuggled himself down into the soft toys, whilst Raditz lay down next to him. The tiger was very comfortable to lay on, and the warmth of his new friend's body as they lay there together. The funny feeling in his tummy was quite nice as he got used to it.
Raditz was experiencing the same phenomenon by his side. Nervously he looked across at Zarbon, who opened his eyes.
"Are you ok?" He whispered. The little green prince smiled and nodded.
"I'm fine." He replied. He felt very pleased that the Saiya-jin heir was voicing such concern for him.
While he was pondering over his reaction, Raditz leant over and softly kissed him on the lips. They felt warm and soft against his own, and he found himself kissing back. It was a nice sensation, and it made the butterflies dance in his tummy even more!
As the kiss ended, Zarbon looked up at Raditz.
"Why did you do that?" He asked. Raditz blushed.
"I don't know." He replied. "It just happened."
Zarbon cuddled closer to Raditz.
"Do you think it will happen again?" He smiled. "I think I like it…"
Raditz sighed. It had never happened again. Shortly after Zarbon's visit Frieza had taken over King Zarihn's kingdom and taken their little prince captive. Raditz never saw him until they were both fully grown.
In the still of the night, he had often wondered about how things might have been between them if they had seen each other again. After what his grandmother had told him before her tragic death, he could only wish that he knew…
"Raditz…?"
He jumped at the voice, and spun around to find Zarbon stood at the opposite side of the corridor, fidgeting nervously. Raditz swallowed, and stepped forward.
"Zarbon-sama…" He began carefully, but was cut short when Zarbon's cheeks turned a brilliant sapphire.
"Don't Raditz." He whispered. "You are the emperor to so many people in your grandmother's stead. I have no right to claim authority over you even if I wanted it."
Raditz stared at him in disbelief.
"You…support the empire?!" He managed.
Zarbon sighed.
"Secretly yes." He replied. "There are others too, but none of us dare speak against Frieza for fear of his mother…"
"I know." Raditz said. "I would not be impressed if you did." He took a step towards Zarbon.
"Is that…the only reason you're here, Zarbon?"
"No." Zarbon shook his head. "There's something…personal I need to discuss with you." He gave a tiny swallow of his own. "Do you remember…thirty years ago?"
"When we first met? I thought you had forgotten."
"I remember it, clearer than anything else in my childhood. It's one of the last happy memories I have." Zarbon hung his head. "What I remember most is the moment you kissed me…"
Raditz gasped. "That was…a long time ago Zarbon. We were just kids. We can leave it in the past, if you want to…"
"I don't want to leave it in the past, Raditz-sama!" Zarbon cried, running up to Raditz until they were only a breath apart. "I want to see it in the future and the present. I've been trying to deny it for thirty years, but I can't change how I feel about you."
With that he closed the tiny gap and brought their lips together in their second kiss. Like it's predecessor thirty years before, this kiss went unnoticed by cruel eyes…
That's it for chapter one, chapter two is soon to follow, where Raditz and Zarbon decide what to do about their blossoming relationship.
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