Pairing: RaditzxZarbon
Rating: G
Warning: Shounen-ai.
Word count: 584
Disclaimer: I own nothing in connection with the characters used in this fanfiction.

Small Gifts

It was one of those very rare moments in Zarbon's life where he wasn't sure what to do, what to say or even what to think. The current situation was simple yet still very unbelievable.

But it was real.

There was Raditz.

Hanging off one of the high steel balconies.

With some sort of dead plant clutched in his fist.

"Well..." the Saiyan was the first one to break the awkward silence. He pulled himself up a little more to comfortably rest his upper body upon the ledge. "It was a lot prettier when I first found it."

Judging from the way his voice sounded strained, that one little phrase had completely sucked Raditz of his pride, even if it was just the two of them present to hear it. For Zarbon, things suddenly started slotting into place.

The Saiyans had been sent to a planet quite a distance away on a clearing mission, he recalled. It seemed that Raditz had come across some sort of quite attractive plant, a type of flower from the look of it, and had, for whatever reason, decided to bring it back.

As for why Raditz had felt the need to do this, Zarbon found himself unable to think of an explanation. He reasoned with himself that he should be grateful that it was a wilted flower instead of a rancid chunk of dead animal.

"Idiot," he shook his head. "Plants die quickly after they've been pulled from their roots. You didn't think about the time it would take to get back, did you?"

The annoyed grunt from Raditz as he turned his head away was enough of an answer.

Raditz shifted from where he dangled once more, ready to leave. He was surprised when he felt the dead flower being pulled out from his hand. His head turned back to watch Zarbon's face closely as he studied the dead plant. The amber eyes held some curiosity, wondering what it may have looked like when it had been alive and in full bloom. He seemed sincere about taking it.

"I wouldn't have thought you'd take it."

There was a brief shine of amusement in Zarbon's eyes as he wondered why, if that was the case, the Saiyan had even bothered.

"Well, it's not every day you bring me back something."

As long as he was giving some surprises of his own, Zarbon kissed Raditz briefly. Long enough for the Saiyan's mind to register what was going on but without allowing him to react how he would have liked to.

"Now get out of here," Zarbon's voice went low. "If someone sees you hanging off a balcony in this sector, you'll be asking for trouble."

Raditz looked reluctant but he knew the risk he had taken just as much as Zarbon did. Without another word, he pushed himself away and left.

Zarbon watched him go, then shook his head and went back inside. He had barely taken a few steps down the hallway when another voice spoke behind him.

"I saw that."

Zarbon turned his head and Dodoria came into his line of vision. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You know, if Frieza asks me I'll have to tell him. And they'll be nothing I can or will do to get your ass out of trouble."

There was a pause as Zarbon twirled the flower stem between two fingers. "I know."

But if Frieza didn't ask, Dodoria wouldn't say a thing either. He knew that as well.

END