Uub sat at the window looking at the stars outside. The party had been a lot of fun. A couple of the girls cooked and there was a ton of dancing and singing. Bra'e had a beautiful voice. He was surprised to find out that she was in the view of the public so often. She was a singer, an actress, and even did some modeling.
He sighed heavily. He wanted so badly to get to know her better, but what could he ever offer her that she couldn't get from any other guy? That little conversation earlier had bothered him a bit. Why did Pan have to go and bring something like that up anyway? He felt guilty. He was doing the very thing that he'd spoken against earlier. He was lying to Bra'e.
Maybe he could fix it. Maybe this trip would be a perfect opportunity to get to know her and even confess his real feelings. She deserved the truth from him and he was eager if nervous to see how she felt about him. Pan had mentioned earlier at the party that Bra'e didn't have a boyfriend recently. And those that she'd had in the past didn't mean much to her. They were just guys that were really fun to hang out with. 'Nothing serious," she'd quoted.
It wasn't long after that, that Bra'e decided to take a shower and head off to bed. She'd told him that he could come in to bed whenever he was ready.
The problem was: he didn't think he'd be ready for a few years. He was a warrior trained by his beloved sensei. He could handle camping in the wild, random sparring ambushes from Piccolo and his sensei, from what everyone said he could have handled all forms of Frieza. But sleeping in the same room with Bra'e, he didn't think he could do it. There was no chance that he'd lay a hand on her, but if he slept, if he dreamed he was doomed.
It was one reason that he'd really avoided having much contact with the fiery young woman. She did things to his mind and heart that just weren't right. The tournament had set something ablaze within him. And he wasn't adjusting well. Even sensei had noticed. He was distracted in his training. He was thinking more and more about not just women, but her! She was so beautiful and soft and sweet. At the same time she was fierce, powerful, and could be absolutely vicious. The mixture was heady.
"You look like you're thinking very hard about something…" came a voice from behind him.
He jumped and turned to look into Bra'e's eyes. Deep, sparkling sapphires drew him in and smiled at him.
"What's on your mind?" she asked.
"Oh, nothing important."
"It sure seems important."
"…I'll tell you about it later. Promise. Why are you still up, can't sleep?" he asked.
"I was wondering that about you. You never came to bed," she said softly, her voice throaty and laced with sleep.
He glanced down to see her wearing a loose white t-shirt and a pair of loose grey pants. The shirt was far too large for her small frame. She noticed him looking and grinned.
"My daddy's. He let me have it when I was little. I had to fly to keep from tripping on it. It helps me sleep because it smells like him."
Uub grinned. That was a sweet thought. He had a little stuffed dog that his elder sister had made for him as an infant. Whenever he was feeling troubled or overwhelmed he'd pull it down and poke at it or just stare at it. He and his sister were very close.
Bra'e hopped up on the windowsill and stared out at the stars with him. She looked so serene. He felt more at ease just by being so near to her. Maybe he could sleep in the same room. As long as he focused on this angelic side of her.
"I know what you want, Uub," she whispered.
He gulped at the sudden announcement.
"Y-you do?" he stammered.
"Uh-huh. And it's not wrong. In fact, I want the same thing. And we're both going to get what we want as soon as this ship docks somewhere secluded."
"What?" he choked.
"Don't worry, I'll get rid of the others and it'll just be you and me. We can really let go and find out just how strong we really are. Promise."
Oh, the sparring. Right. Of course that's what she meant. He sighed heavily.
"That would be great," he said heatedly.
"Hey, Uub?"
"Yes?"
She stared out the window hard as she spoke next.
"You have a girl that you like? Like a girlfriend?"
Wow, that was direct. He couldn't lie to her. He gulped hard.
"Yes. There is a girl that I like. I should tell her sometime. I just keep losing my nerve."
"Oh. You're right, you should tell her. She's lucky to have a good guy like her, but it would be better if she knew," Bra'e said keeping her attention on the stars outside.
"I'm nervous around her. Besides, I'm not sure how she feels about me."
"That doesn't matter."
"Do you know how hard it is to try to talk to someone that you think is so wonderful, knowing that they might shoot you down?" he laughed.
"I just found out."
"…"
"Sorry. That just made things awkward. It's not like we can't still be friends, you know?"
"Bra'e…what?"
"It's okay. I like you Uub, a lot. But if there's a girl that you already like then, I like you enough to want you to be happy. I hope she accepts your feelings."
"Wow, I didn't even realize… You like me?"
"I won't push it, of course. I mean there's a girl that you like."
"But she's you!"
"Huh?"
"Bra'e you're the one I was talking about, I was just so worried that you didn't like me that way and that I'd screw up our friendship that I didn't say anything."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Wow," Bra'e muttered softly.
"Yeah…"
"This is weird…"
"Not too weird."
"No, not too weird."
"Oh for goodness' sake, will you two kiss and make it official already?" Alumerzo huffed as they jumped in surprise.
"How long have you been there?" Bra'e hissed.
"Long enough to know that you should have kissed him by now, or he should have kissed you. Come on, Uub! Lay one on her," she chuckled.
"Alumerzo, you're making this awkward," Bra'e said.
"Nah, I'm breaking the ice. You're nervous because you've never liked a boy the way that you like Uub. Uub is nervous because he's never liked a girl like this before. You're both afraid of pushing the other. Don't you want to kiss her Uub?" she asked while poking Bra'e's cheek.
"Yes."
"I promise to leave the room, if you two share a new relationship smooch when I do."
"I will not be dictated to, Alu-chan."
"I won't ask Bra'e to do anything that she doesn't want to."
"Because you love her. That's one of the reasons that she'll love you until the day she dies," Alumerzo said softly as she turned to walk out the door.
"You sure do know a lot about this not to have a boyfriend," Bra'e called.
"Oh I have one; he just doesn't realize it yet," Alumerzo chuckled as she skipped out of the room.
"She's weird," Bra'e sighed.
"But she's right," Uub said as he cupped her face gently.
"She is…" Bra'e fell silent as he leaned over her.
She'd never noticed just how tall he was, even when they sparred. She had a second to memorize the exact hue of his skin, the scent of him, and then her eyes fluttered shut as he kissed her almost delicately. He put hardly any pressure on her lips, as if he were afraid of hurting her. No, that wasn't it. He was still new to this, but despite being so gentle, it was one of the most intense kisses she'd ever experienced.
"Daddy always said you're looking for that person all your life. When you find them you just know, and it can be scary. I am afraid of how easily this is going. He just fits…" she thought.
One hand still on her face, the other gently caressing her arm Uub softly pulled away from her.
"Don't do that, please."
Bra'e opened her eyes abruptly to find Uub still facing her but not looking at her. Following his gaze she caught Alumerzo with a video camera.
"Alu-chan…" Bra'e hissed angrily as her power level spiked.
"You'll want this memory later!" she yelled as she ran away.
"You're about to become a memory!" Bra'e screamed as she took off after her.
"This is my thanks for giving you a free recording of the beginning of the rest of your lives?" she cried.
