Rose didn't know why she felt so anxious for Dende to arrive. The clock seemed to have stopped, she was checking it so often. It was just Dende, they were just friends. Friends. The thought made her smile. She liked the idea of having new friends. She was glad to be out of her work suit and in her plain shirt and jeans. She finally settled to flop down on the couch to wait for him to show up. She couldn't help the smile on her face as she thought of him and Goku.
Unbidden, her mind drifted to the day she'd gone swimming with them. She could remember both of them, the way they looked in the river. Goku's warm, tanned skin glowing almost golden in the hot afternoon sun over the chiseled muscles of his chest and his washboard abs. The way he'd hissed and arched his back at her touch. And Dende with his emerald green skin, his inviting smile. She could still see the little trails of water as they slid down his body. Those guardian's robes he wore hid a lot. No one would suspect the athletic body he hid beneath them. Maybe not as defined as Goku, but still there was plenty of yumminess to behold. Especially the way the white swimming trunks he'd wore that day didn't quite fit him and hung low on his hips, revealing a deeply cut V of his body.
Goodness, it was suddenly hot in her apartment.
She rubbed at her face. She needed to stop getting so excited about being around them. Normal people didn't get so flustered around friends, did they? Of course, most people didn't get to say that their only two friends in the world were aliens, either. Two incredibly sexy aliens.
She sighed and leaned her head back against the couch, "Rose, there's something wrong with you," she muttered to herself. This was all still so crazy to her. And now adding in that Grandmother - she didn't know what to think anymore.
Dende had a couple full bags of groceries as he arrived at Rose's that evening. He had made sure to swing past that little outdoor market to pick up some fresh vegetables for their lasagna that night. He took extra care to knock on the door with his foot, smiling brightly at her when she answered the door and held it open for him. "Sorry about the delay. I was at that market down the street and they have too many choices for produce," he chuckled as he set out his things in her kitchen before fixing her with a stare, "Want to help me cook?"
Rose blinked widely. "M-Me? Cook? If you don't mind ending up poisoned, I suppose I could try." She stepped nervously over to the counter, looking at the brightly colored vegetables. She gave Dende a nervous smile, "I'm going to have to find a way to repay you." She started washing the vegetables in the sink and setting them back on the counter. "Okay. Now what? This is about as far as I get when it comes to cooking."
He chuckled and got out a cutting board and other supplies, pots and pans, "Here. First we slice up the tomatoes and garlic, onions. We'll make a sauce for our lasagna." He stepped up behind her, taking a knife from the counter and placing it in her hand as he grasped a tomato from one of the bags and put it on the cutting board in front of them. He smiled as he wrapped his hand over hers and guided her movements to cut the tomato into equal parts. His heart skipped at the closeness of their bodies, her slender frame pressed back against his chest and stomach. She smelled like flowers and sunshine. Once the fruit was cut properly, he helped her toss them into the sauce pan. "See? Now you try."
Rose swallowed dryly. Her heart was beating a million miles an hour as he guided her hand to slice the tomato. The way he stood so close to her, his voice soft and patient. Her eyes nearly fluttered closed as his scent hit her nose . Clean water and mint. Oh gods, he wanted her to do this on her own. She held the knife shakily and began to slice the tomato just like he'd shown her. It wasn't nearly as uniform as the one he'd helped her with, but she supposed it would do. She laughed lightly, "Clumsy me with a knife? Be afraid. Be very afraid."
Dende laughed, "Don't worry, if you cut yourself, I'll be happy to heal any damage." He smiled as he went about boiling a cup of water, crushing garlic, and adding enough herbs so that the sauce would be flavorful. His mind was still ablaze as he tried to figure her out.
Rose watched intently as he worked. There was no way she'd ever be able to do that. She was lucky she hadn't lost a thumb just slicing the two tomatoes. "So that was an interesting story that old woman told today," she said, watching as Dende worked. "Have you met her before? What'd you think of what she said?"
Dende smiled as they cooked together, the conversation between them easy, "I have heard of her from Jenny and Lindsey. I must admit, it was quite the surprise to get to hear her tell a story first hand today. She visited the Lookout once. Sadly, I was not there that day. Paige loved the story she told and would not stop repeating it for days after her visit."
"Paige is so cute," Rose smiled, standing on tiptoe to peer over Dende's shoulder to watch as he stirred the pot of sauce. "That smells amazing, Dende," she purred into his ear as she placed her hand on his shoulder to steady herself. She was beginning to wonder how she even managed to walk in her high heels. Perhaps it was only when she was around Dende or Goku that she got exceptionally clumsy.
Dende smiled, chuckling as her thoughts flowed through him without him even meaning to. "Thank you. It's really easy. Just whatever smells good, you throw in a pot, and keep an eye on it. Hope it doesn't burn and then hope it doesn't taste half bad." He looked at her, feeling dizzy from her hand on his shoulder and he leaned into it a little bit, turning his head to softly ask, "Why don't you get a pot of water boiling for the pasta?"
Rose gave a nod, her stomach all in butterflies again at the sound of his soft voice, and grabbed the big pot he'd set out. "Just fill it with water?" she asked, feeling the blush burn on her face. She really should have learned how to do this. She blushed more as he chuckled and nodded at her. She filled it and set it on the stove, staring uncertainly at the knobs and turned one on to high. "Heh. Would it be silly if I said I'm proud of myself for at least knowing how to turn the stove on?" she asked, trying not to laugh.
Dende chuckled, "Not at all." He smiled at her and reached over, getting the container of salt and placing it in front of her, "Now get a good pinch and throw it into the water, it'll flavor the pasta for us after the water dissolves it. Hmmm," he hummed thoughtfully, "And then get a bigger pan out so we can skillet fry the vegetables. And we'll need a big baking dish to put this all together." He laughed, "Sorry, let me know if that's too much all at once, I'll slow it down."
Rose blinked for a second, running over his directions in her head. She dug in the cabinet for the skillet he'd used the last time he'd cooked for her. She set it on the counter. "Ah, baking dish?" she asked uncertainly, looking in the cabinet. She had no idea what a baking dish was. Weren't they all baking dishes? 'Okay, think. Mom always used that rectangular glass pan-thingy,' she thought to herself. She finally found it and pulled it out to set on the counter. "And... salt," she recited and grabbed a container out of the upper cabinet.
Rose opened it and went to pour a bit in her hand, but it came out faster than she intended and she suddenly found herself with a handful of salt. "Oh no!" she half-cried, half-laughed. "Uh, Dende? Help?"
Dende turned to her, setting the sauce to a low simmer and he laughed at the sight. He carefully took the box from her and held it open for her, "Pour that all back in," he chuckled. "Don't worry about the mess, I will clean up for you later." He chuckled as the last of the salt grains fell back inside, "There we go. Here. We just take a few pinches." He pinched at her in the air, "Good heavens I'm going to have my work cut out for me with you! You will have to come by the Lookout for weekly lessons."
She screwed up her face and bowed her head, her face burning with embarrassment, but she was laughing at the same time. "Dende, I told you I'm hopeless in the kitchen. If it involves more than punching a number on the microwave or pouring milk on cereal, I'm lost." She calmed her giggles and tried again, pinching the salt and sprinkling it in the water. "Okay, I'm done now, right?" she laughed. "I'm going to ruin this if I do anything else."
Dende chuckled, "Done already? But we were just getting started!" He laughed and took mercy on her, "Alright, you go and relax on the couch; I'll call you back over when it's time to reassemble this. You can't mess that up. It's only tasty failure after that." He smiled and shooed her away, making sure she stayed away from her casework and had a glass of wine before he left her alone.
Rose settled back on the couch, frowning slightly. She hadn't really meant that she was done cooking. But then again, she was really hungry and she was probably going to screw it up or get in his way. Or maybe she had been too much in his personal space, peering over his shoulder like that. She sipped her wine and tucked her feet up under her on the couch. This was why she didn't have friends. She felt awkward and could never tell what people were thinking or what they meant. Not unless she was interrogating them for her work, that is. She could do that just fine. But put her in a normal situation with normal people and she just seemed to screw it all up. She stared at the glass in her hand, circling the rim of it with her fingertip, losing herself in thought.
Dende looked over at Rose above the island. He smiled, but deep down he wondered if he should have kept her up there with him cooking away like they always did… Huh? No, they just recently became friends and he only cooked with her this one time. He shook his head, "Now stop pouting like I just sent you to detention, you're still going to help me put this thing together." He laughed, "Sorry about that. Lasagna is one of the longer meals to prepare. You might think I'm trying to invade your space."
She whipped her head around to look at him. Was he reading her thoughts again? She blinked and stared at him for a second before she looked back down at her glass and shrugged. "I don't mind if you invade my space. I... I mean..." She rolled her eyes and groaned. Why did she become a babbling idiot around him or Goku? "I just meant I didn't feel uncomfortable around you. You know what I mean," she finished with a huff and leaned her cheek on the heel of her hand, her elbow resting on her knee. "I'm a mess," she muttered to herself.
Dende looked up at her, surprised. He checked everything to make sure it could stand for him to be away for a second before he went over to her and knelt before her, "Relax. I know what you meant, or didn't mean, or whatever it was you were trying to say. I just hope you aren't mad at me. You have your own way of doing things, your own way of expressing yourself and your thoughts. It's endearing and pure. It's what Goku and I are in love with about you. You are a fun and caring person and we wouldn't change you for the world. I thought you might be more comfortable watching for a little bit, instead of me barking orders at you."
Rose blinked her eyes repeatedly at him. She knew he didn't mean 'in love' like THAT, but still, hearing the words from him made her heart turn into a big, gooey puddle of emotion. "I'm not mad at you," she said, meeting his eyes, trying to will away the blush that just constantly seemed to burn her face. "And I didn't think you were barking orders. I need to learn how to talk to people so they can tell when I'm joking or when I'm serious. That was my fault." She leaned just a little bit closer, staring into his impossibly dark eyes, a smile pulling at her lips, "It's probably best that you sent me away. I'd just figure out a way to burn the water or set the vegetables on fire," she giggled.
Dende chuckled, leaning closer to her, "I doubt that," He said softly before he stood and went back to the kitchen, looking over at her while he cooked, "So! Tell me about your day, aside from this afternoon." He asked and listened intently as Rose recounted another day of hardships to him. It was not fair that one person had to go through such horrors alone. Then again, he was one to talk, but he wasn't about to tell Rose about some of the days he had had. Like the day terrorists had flown planes into buildings in America. Hundreds if not thousands of souls cried to him that day and the shock wave created by it had the whole world weeping. And the tsunami that wiped out, he shook his head. No, best Rose didn't know of those.
Rose sipped her wine glass as she finished telling him about her day and the things she'd had to work on after she left Gohan's house. "Oh well," she shrugged. "Just all part of the job. I do have good days sometimes. I swear." She looked over at the wall of pictures, smiling. "Days where children are reunited with parents who do love them. Or they find new families who give them the love they never even knew existed. That's why I do what I do. For those rare moments where I feel like I'm actually doing something good." She got to her feet and walked to the edge of the kitchen, watching him as he cooked. "So what about you? You can share with me, too. I think, well, maybe we understand each other better than others do."
Dende smiled at her and nodded, "I think we do, too." He sighed as he stirred the pot of pasta and flipped the vegetables, "Well, I have to warn you. What I do is hardly considered, well, polite table conversation. It's much like what you do, except instead of abuse, I hear the ones screaming for help who cannot be helped by relocating a child. Natural disasters. Terrorists. It all collects in my mind and I try to send out the energies that I can to make the events less worse than they are supposed to be."
She stepped closer to him, concern across her features. She didn't like the sound of that, the slight sadness she heard in his voice. Whereas she usually only had to deal with a couple children at once, he heard hundreds, maybe thousands of people crying out for help at once? "That must be overwhelming," she said softly. A mirthless laugh escaped her lips. "And I thought dealing with a couple of abused children was hard. But you hear all of them, don't you?" Her mind wandered to all the natural disasters she'd heard of. Earthquakes. Hurricanes. Other such disasters that left thousands of people dead or searching for loved ones, everything they knew and loved gone. She swallowed harshly. "I'm sorry you have to handle that all by yourself, Dende."
Dende shook his head, "Thank you. But even for a human, hearing a couple of abused children is more than enough because those are ones you can save, Rose. Even though I hear them," Tears prickled at his eyes and he lowered his head, "Even though I hear them, it does not mean I can help them."
Rose swallowed harshly, her heart breaking at his words. "Oh Dende," she whispered, taking his face in her hands, bringing his eyes up to meet hers. "You do what you can. I know it. Think of how much worse this world would be without you." She gently swiped her thumbs over his eyes, wiping away the tears. Her hands trembled slightly, her heart racing once more. She loved the warm feel of his handsome face in her hands. She gave him a sympathetic look, her voice still a whisper even though they were the only ones there, "You can talk to me. Really. I can listen just as well as you can. We could be that for each other. I mean, if you want. It'd be nice to know someone understands."
Dende's own heart was pounding, he wanted nothing more to kiss her. But her words, they struck truer than most he had heard in ages. He leaned his head against hers, feeling a calm come over him that soothed him to his very core. He swallowed once, twice, looking up at her, into those beautiful sparkling eyes of hers, "I'd like that. A lot...if you didn't mind."
Rose gave a tiny nod. Dende's face was so close to her own, she had to fight the shaking she felt in her hands. "I don't mind," she answered breathlessly. Gods, why did her heart have to slam against her ribs like that? Her breath caught in her throat. "It's nice to have someone who understands. Someone who I don't feel like I have to censor the things I see and feel." What was she feeling? This draw to him. Oh, she wanted him to kiss her. Just once.
Dende pulled away from her, in a tactical movement. He didn't want to scare away a new friend by suddenly kissing her and kissing her and kissing her some more. He wasn't sure of what would happen, but he didn't want to lose her because he couldn't control himself. No Earthling, aside from Jennifer, had ever shown interest in a Namekian before.
Rose straightened as he suddenly pulled away and she bit her lower lip, looking away from him. That was awkward. The thought of being with him was silly. They were far too different. He probably wouldn't even see her like that; she was human and he was not. He would probably prefer one of his own kind. "So," she said slowly, trying to think of something to cut the tension, "Should we, ah, finish cooking supper? Or are you going to make me sit here and just smell it all night?"
Dende tipped his head back and laughed, rich and pure, "Well, come along then Miss Rose. You are going to learn how to put this dish together before we can eat it. Perhaps we can start a movie while it bakes for forty-five minutes?" He smiled as he lead her over to the stove, checking on everything and making sure it was done. Butterflies erupted in his stomach, he hoped she liked the dish.
"Forty-five minutes?!" she asked, her eyes going wide. "I had no idea it took that long to cook! Good grief." She watched as he layered the sauce and vegetables and pasta into the dish. She swallowed nervously when he told her to give it a try. She followed his directions, trying to keep everything in the right order and amounts. She gave a slight laugh, "I have noooo idea what I'm doing."
Dende smirked as they finally layered the last of the ingredients together and spooned out the last bit of sauce and held the wooden spoon out to her, "Last lick," He said smiling. Paige loved the last lick back at the Lookout, especially when he made chocolate cake. Any boyfriend she dared to bring to the Lookout, he was going to have to arm with that knowledge.
Rose smiled at Dende, her blue eyes dancing as she captured the spoon in her mouth. "Mmmm," she moaned lightly as the flavors burst across her tongue. She pulled back, letting the spoon pop from her lips and she swallowed. "Dende, your cooking tastes amazing." She licked the corner of her mouth and swallowed again. She couldn't wait to eat their dinner.
Dende shuddered. Oh by the gods, it wasn't fair. How would he ever stand it? "Rose..." He started, but then changed his mind and he just smiled at her, "You are great, amazing," He laughed, looking around, smelling the cooked lasagna, "Why don't you set the table, I'll get everything ready. "
Amazing? She didn't quite understand where that compliment had come from, but she smiled and went to set out the plates and silverware. She stepped back and looked at the table. She really needed fancier dinnerware if she was going to start having friends over to eat. She'd had the same mismatched set since college, a hand-me-down from a cousin. She wrinkled her nose at the table but turned to Dende. "So, ah, you said we could start the movie while the food cooks?" she asked. She was confused at the slight purple blush on his cheeks. "You okay?"
Dende nodded, raising a hand to block the blush, "I'm fine, just warm from the cooking." He smiled at her, "Come on then, we can set the table together and then watch the movie. And, I should say thank you for having me over."
"No, thank you for cooking for me. Again. I owe you." She paused and fixed him with a curious stare. "Didn't you say you liked sweets? I know this little bakery downtown. It's amazing. I'll have to take you there sometime." She lead the way over to the couch and popped in the movie and settled back on the couch. "I mean, if you think you'd like to go, that is. Too bad they're closed now. I'd run and get us dessert."
Dende smiled at her, "I'll have to come back so you can get us dessert next time, I promise to get you more of a head up next time I decide to cook dinner for you."
Rose smiled as Dende sat down next to her on the small couch as the movie started. She tried to calm her breathing, to stop the fluttering in her heart. She felt like a high schooler at the movie theaters on a first date or something silly like that. She and Dende were just friends. That's all. Just friends. But that still didn't stop the smile that kept trying to creep across her face. They watched the movie, laughing together until the timer on the stove went off.
"Oh!" Rose cried at the sudden ringing. "That startled me!" she laughed, pressing her hand over her heart. "Can we eat? I'm starving. That sauce was beyond amazing. I can't wait to eat!"
Dende chuckled and leaned over and pressed the pause on the remote before he stood up and went back over to the kitchen to get the lasagna out of the oven. He began to cut slices out of the casserole dish and put generous portions onto plates. Some of the vegetables they didn't use, he put on the plates as side dishes, but as he did, he had the strangest sense of deja vu. As if he had done this a million times before.
Rose smiled as Dende set the plate on the table and sat down in his chair with a plate of his own. "You've always been an amazing cook," she said without thinking. She jumped slightly. She'd only eaten his cooking once before, but suddenly there was that damned sense of familiarity again. "I... I mean..." she stumbled over the words, not sure how to cover up what had just slipped from her mouth. Her eyes went wide and she blinked at the plate in front of her, feeling completely flustered.
Dende laughed, feeling odd. He knew...he knew what she was trying to say, but at the same time, he was confused because there was no way it could be possible, "My cooking does seem to transcend space...its come from three worlds by my count," He smiled and dug into dinner.
Rose sat down on the couch with Dende, smiling widely at him. "Thank you for dinner. It was delicious." She settled back into the couch feeling full and slightly sleepy. "You better watch out or I might make you come fix my supper every night!" She picked up the remote and clicked the movie back on as Dende sat next to her. She smiled again and leaned her head back on the couch, tipping it ever so slightly in Dende's direction and sighed contentedly. She was full and sleepy and there was something just so comforting about Dende's presence.
Dende followed her lead and stretched out on the couch. He couldn't stifle the yawn that worked its way out of his mouth, past his sharp fangs. He couldn't remember the last time he had been this tired. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt so at ease with the world that he could feel this tired. It must have been ages ago, "You'll have to forgive me," Another yawn split his head, "If I fall asleep on you."
Rose smiled sleepily. "It's okay," she said softly, yawning herself. She scooted just a bit closer to him, her side pressed up against his, her head resting on his shoulder. Her eyes felt heavy and the TV sounded very far away. The only thing that existed to her in that moment was Dende's strong, solid warmth at her side and she let her eyes fall closed, feeling herself drifting off to sleep. But the next moment, she felt very much awake and opened her eyes. Dende's hand was on her cheek, his thumb gently stroking her cheekbone as he looked down at her. "Dende?" she asked softly. Gods, his touch sent pleasant chills down her spine.
Rose's heart warmed at the smile on Dende's face. She nuzzled into his palm as his hand cupped her cheek and she tentatively pressed her lips against it. Oh gods, she wanted more. So much more from him than just this simple gesture. She turned slightly on the couch, moving just a bit closer, her eyes locked on his. This just felt right, even though she couldn't explain it. She barely knew him. No. She knew him well. Had known him forever. Hadn't she? She couldn't remember now. Did it matter? The way he stared at her so intently, his warm hand on her face, Rose couldn't stop herself. She slowly leaned forward until their lips were merely a fraction of an inch apart. She gave him a questioning look. "Please. Kiss me."
Dende didn't know what was wrong with him, they had been watching a movie, his eyes growing heavier and heavier, Rose had been leaning against him. The next thing he remembered was that he just had to touch her, the soft skin of her cheek sent thrills down his spine. And now, their breath mingled between them, making everything feel like it was meant to be. Sparks and butterflies going around and around in his stomach as he leaned forward, sealing his lips against hers, his entire body sighing as they met, suddenly feeling as if the world shifted around him, oh by the gods. This, this was heaven. He pulled Rose into his lap, crushing her to his body, moaning out with want as she settled over him. He gasped in surprise as he felt himself waking up, as if he were shaking off chains.
Rose felt she could scream with happiness or excitement or victory or what exactly she felt, she didn't know. The feel of his lips against hers made her heart sing and she wrapped her arms around his neck, tilting her head as she kissed him. His strong arms pulled her against him, making her sigh and she parted her lips, letting the tip of her tongue play against his lips until he opened his mouth, letting their tongues dance together. He tasted like clean water and mint, the way he always had. She didn't even question it this time; she just let herself accept that somewhere, at some point, they had done this before. She moaned lightly against the kiss, pressing herself more and more into his embrace.
Dende nearly sobbed against her, he felt a happiness working its way through him that he didn't understand, how or why, it didn't matter, he had her back, and that was all that mattered. She tasted of flowers and spices, something so familiar to him, he didn't even know he had been missing it until he tasted it upon her. He slipped his tongue inside her mouth, dancing along hers, exploring every inch he could reach, their breath becoming one as they came together. He lifted a hand and slipped it into her hair, gently tugging, pulling, massaging. Gods, he wanted to worship her body, it had been too long. He didn't even have to ask if she was okay with it. He just knew. And maybe the consequences wouldn't be so bad afterwards, but by the gods he had to have her, "Where have you been, my love? I thought I would never see you again."
"Searching for you. Always, longing to find you. I've missed you so," she answered back, nearly breathless. "It's been so long." She kissed at his neck, burying her face into it, clinging to his shoulders as if she broke contact with him he might slip away from her again. Tears of happiness burned her eyes at finally being reunited with him. "I've been so worried about you. I love you more than life itself, my dearest."
He held her closely, wrapping his arms around her securely, "And I you, dear heart. I am sorry for making you wait. I was on a different planet this time around. The gods were so truly worried about us." He turned and buried his face into her hair feeling calm and content, but the deep longing to be joined with her caught him off guard and he tightened his grip in her shirt, "Please," his voice was strained, "It has been far too long, I need you. I need to be with you now. It cannot wait. This is the longest we have gone without being joined."
She jumped at his words, realizing how true they were. How long had it been since they were united as one? She had to have him, to feel nothing between them but the completeness of their bodies joining together. "Yes," she breathed in his ear, nipping lightly at it before she pressed kisses along the underside of his jaw, his throat. She opened her mouth to suck at the smooth, emerald skin, feeling his pulse beneath her lips. She squirmed in his lap, feeling that need growing stronger, pooling low in her belly, making her ache for him. "Please, my love. I want you more than words can express."
He sat her up and moved her off of him before he reached for his robes. He watched her carefully as he removed each article of clothing, afraid she was going to vanish in an instant. He smiled down at her as she took in his new form, but he felt no humiliation, never from her, "I hope you don't mind the green skin, my dearest heart." He said softly as he let his pants drop to the floor and he stepped out of them before going to her and dropping down on one knee as he reached out for her, carefully peeling her shirt off, unbuttoning her pants and sliding them with her underwear off at once.
She smiled at him, cupping his cheek in her hand. "It's beautiful. Breathtakingly beautiful," she answered softly. "I love you no matter what form you may take." She scooted to the edge of the couch, sliding her hands up his arms, studying him. He was perfection. She stole another quick kiss from him, sliding one of her long legs against his thigh, bringing it up to rest on his hip as her hands roamed over his body, wanting to touch every inch of him, to memorize the feel of him, just in case they were ever parted again. She didn't know if she could stand it. "You are perfect," she whispered to him.
He smiled to himself and closed his eyes at the feel of her skin upon his, "As are you, perfection." He smiled warmly at her, gently taking her from the couch and settling her down on the soft rug on the floor. He settled between her legs, feeling an answering ache in his own body. He ran his hands up and down her curves, her skin the color of cream, marveling at the contrast of colors between them, "Amazing..."
Rose smiled at him again, tracing her nails along the lines of his chest, his arms. Never had he looked so amazing to her. She trailed her hand down his stomach, tracing the line of his hip down between his legs, her fingers brushing against his length. She thought she should have felt nervous to touch him like that or to be embarrassed at lying naked before him, but she found she felt none of that. She was safe and loved, she trusted him completely. She carefully wrapped her fingers around his length, stroking him slowly, studying his expression as she touched him.
He moaned softly at her touch, his dark eyes falling into hers, "Rose," he sighed and rocked his hips into her touch, "Oh by the gods how I've missed you." He reached down to her, brushing his hands over her breasts, teasing at her nipples, pinching them lightly and watching as they pebbled under his touch. He let his head drop further past her breasts, down her body, to the soft curls and he sucked in a breath at the heat he felt coming from her, "My love, may I?" His fingers hovered over her slick folds, waiting for permission and he traced a nail along her outer lips, feeling her quiver.
"Yessss," she breathed, arching her hips up against his hand. Oh by the gods, that felt so good already. His feather-light touch sent chills through her entire body and she shivered in anticipation. "You don't have to ask," she said softly. "I love you... I trust you... I need you." She slightly tightened her grip on his hard flesh, ever so lightly flicking her thumb back and forth across the tip, spreading around the slickness that met her touch. She could feel him pulsing in her hand, growing harder by the moment. "Please, Dende, please touch me."
He chuckled and paused a moment, turning around and lowering his face down near her damp curls before he carefully pushed two fingers into her heat, groaning at the sensation of her tight hot flesh around him, her body slick with her desire. She smelled amazing, warm spices, hint of some flower he couldn't name, he lower his mouth to her lips, suckling at her clit.
Rose cried out in pleasure, unable to stop herself. His mouth on her most intimate spot made her wild with desire, wanting more, wanting to give the same to him in return. She grabbed his hip and moved him to straddle her face, admiring his hard length before her. She ran her tongue along the length of it, a smile pulling at her lips as he shivered. "Dende," she breathed, her hips wiggling against his face, his hand that pressed so perfectly into her body. She wrapped her lips around the head of his cock, letting her tongue play over it for a moment before she gave it a long, hard suck.
Dende didn't know what was more intoxicating, tasting her, giving her pleasure, feeling her hips bucking up against his face and fingers. Her juices dripping out of her, onto his nose, his lips. Her hot mouth closed around him, sucking at him as if she were trying to get his very soul to emerge. By the gods, she knew what she was doing. A wave of déjà vu hit him hard, making him dizzy as he leisurely thrust into her mouth, "Rose," he moaned against her, panting, "I won't last much longer if you keep that up," he gasped before lowering himself and latching onto her clit again, the hardened little nub and flicked his tongue over it.
Rose moaned obscenely around his hard length in her mouth as his tongue flicked over her, making her clench around his fingers. She wasn't going to last much longer either. She went after his cock with renewed enthusiasm, bobbing her head over it, her cheeks hollowing as she sucked him, trying to milk him with her tongue. This was incredible. The way he knew exactly how to touch her. Even more surprising was the way SHE knew what she was doing. She'd never, ever done this. Yes she had. She'd done this a thousand times before with him and him alone. She pushed the thoughts from her mind. The only thing that mattered in that moment was his pleasure. She squirmed against him, her orgasm creeping up on her faster than she had expected. Rose screamed in her throat as she went over that edge, her every nerve singing in pure bliss as she tensed over his fingers, writhing beneath his hot mouth as she rode out the waves of her orgasm.
Her orgasm caught him by surprise and suddenly sent him crashing over his own edge as well as he drank deeply from her body, lapping up the essence that flowed freely from her, moaning and gasping out as he came, his world going white as he felt himself swell in her mouth and splash his seed down her throat. He sucked on her clit, moaning as he roared out his orgasm and prolonged hers. Oh by the gods, the way she clamped down on his fingers, he shivered as he thought what that amazing heat and tightness would feel like on his own cock. Finally spent, he rolled over to his side, carefully removing his fingers from her bringing them to his face and licking them clean, sucking her juices from his digits, "Delicious," He sighed happily.
Rose swallowed the amazing hot liquid on her tongue. "Mmmm, yes you are," she purred. She crawled over him, lying her chest against his, smiling down at him. "I'd nearly forgotten how sweet you taste," she whispered, tracing the edge of his ear with her finger. She lightly pressed her lips to his, then pulled back to stare into his eyes. "I'm so happy I found you again. I was starting to lose hope," her voice cracked slightly and she let her head drop to his shoulder, breathing in the comforting scent of his skin. "Dende, I never want to lose you again, my love. It has taken us so long to find one another this time." She swallowed, trying to calm her emotions. It didn't matter how long it had taken, they were together now. "I will love you until the end of time," she whispered in his ear, pressing her body against his. She needed to join with him, for their bodies to be as one once more. "I want to feel you inside me. Please, my love? Even if only for a moment."
Dende sighed against her as he tasted himself on her lips, pining for her to be pressed against him again, no part of them separate, "Yes," He moaned, "Never again love. I grow weary of searching for my heart each cycle that passes." He rested his hands on her hips, one hand on his length holding himself upward for her as he guided her down upon him. Stars flashed in front of his eyes at the feeling of her vice like heat bearing down on him, "My love!" He gasped out, "Is this your first time in this body? I do not want to cause you harm."
"Of course it is," she said softly, "I would be with no one but you. You should know that, my darling." She pressed down upon him, feeling his hard length slipping into her. She expected pain, but there was none, which confused her. She thought on it for only a moment before she fully seated herself on him, a soft cry escaping her lips at how he filled her so perfectly. She couldn't seem to catch her breath and she laid against his chest, panting already. "You would not hurt me. I trust you."
Dende couldn't contain the moan that slipped out of him as she took all of him at once, his hips resting against her thighs, "Oh good gods, you feel amazing love, oh Rose. Finally. We are finally whole again." He bit his lip, she was perfect fit him perfectly and he pulled her down until they were chest to chest, he slowly thrust up into her shuddering at the sheer pleasure of the act, "I feel as if I could stay this way forever with you."
"I feel the same," she answered softly. She rocked her hips over him, sighing in contentment at their bodies finally joining as one again. She slid her arms under his shoulders, hugging herself to his chest as their bodies met over and over. He made her feel amazing. She'd never felt so full, so complete, in all her life. He was hard and thick inside her body, rubbing against all the right spots, making her shiver from head to toe. She kissed him deeply, wanting even more of a connection, tasting herself on his tongue before he hit a particularly sensitive spot deep within her and she threw her head back, hissing through her teeth in pleasure.
Dende gasped out loud as her body clenched tightly around him, tighter than before, "Rose, oh my dearest heart." His hands moved to her hips, pulling her down against him not letting her move as he thrust into her. His lips sought after her neck and he latched his mouth to the junction between her neck and her shoulders, sucking a hickey to life.
Rose moaned out at the feeling of being restrained, Dende thrusting so deeply into her body it made her ache in the most exquisite way. His mouth was hot on her neck, pulling at her flesh and she whimpered against him. "My love... more... please... I cannot get enough of you..." She tried to rock her hips against him, but his strong hands held her firmly in place. "Dende!" she cried, her voice getting higher, a slight desperation in it. "I'm so close... right there, baby, yessss!" Rose gasped and cried out, feeling her climax building, her whole body starting to go rigid and she clenched down on Dende's rock hard shaft as hard as she could.
Dende loved the way his name fell from her lips, the way she squeezed at his cock at tightly at she could with her body, "Rose!" He cried out as fireworks went off before his eyes as his body exploded into hers. He finally allowed her hips to move and he frantically slammed into her body over and over again, filling her up with his burning hot seed, "Come for me my heart, my beloved!"
Rose screamed as she felt his hot liquid flooding her body. The next moment, her vision went white, her every nerve on fire with pleasure. "DENDE!" she screamed out, clutching at him, her body shaking from the waves of ecstasy that slammed into her. She finally collapsed against his chest, sweating and panting, trying to catch her breath. "You... are beyond... amazing..."
Dende turned his head and pressed a kiss to her cheek. He was breathless, his heart still pounding, he loved her. Their bodies were covered with a thin sheen of sweat, making the air smell sweet. He looked down at her, cupping her cheek and brushing a wild strand of hair behind her ear, "Amazing as always, my heart, my soul." He let his hand fall to her back, rubbing it in a soothing way, "Rose, what are we? Gods... I need you... I need to be around you. I feel as if the world would break just from not being this close to you."
Rose sighed in comfort at the feel of his hand on her back, his body still joined intimately with hers. She laid her face against his chest, listening to the sound of his heart. "I don't know what we are," she answered thoughtfully. "I'm so confused, Dende. I know that we've only known each other for a short time, but it feels as if I have known you forever, like I've been missing you, searching for only you. I've always questioned myself. Wondering why I never took an interest in anyone. Ever. And now... now I know. It's because I was waiting for you. I could never love another the way I love you. My dearest love, you are the only one I could ever be with." She swallowed, nuzzling into his chest a bit more. "I need to be with you, too." She moved her head to rest her chin on his chest, staring into his eyes. "I would do anything for you."
"That goes the same for you, dear heart. I am content to just lay here with you in my arms," he sighed, tension leaving his body, his antenna twitching lazily in the air, "I... I would ask to mate with you. To mark you as my own, but I feel as if that might be redundant."
Rose smiled at him, her eyes dancing. "If you wish to rest, we can just lay here together. But, if you wish to mark me, I would be more than proud to carry your mark, my love. I am proud to belong to you." She kissed his lips softly. "Though I do not know how it works. It is because you are a Namek this time?"
He smiled at her and shrugged, kissing her back, his eyes prickled with unshed tears and he looked away from her for a moment, "Thank the gods for you Rose, being Guardian is so lonely. No one else there to understand. No one to fall into bed with, constantly burdened, blessed with hearing the world scream and being helpless to do anything about it. Gods, it's crushing" He thumbed her cheek, "I would be more than honored to wear your mark as well."
"I know it is hard for you," she whispered, hugging him tightly. "But I'm here now, love. I'm here." Rose pressed her hips against his, feeling him harden within her again. "I will always be here for you. I'm not going away again." She reached up and captured his lips with hers as she began to ride him again. She slid a leg behind his knee, hugging his shoulders with her arms, and rolled to move him over her. "Make love to me again," she said softly and gave a long, soft moan as he began to move within her. "I'm sorry, Dende. I can't help myself. I want you so much. I need you, my love."
Dende gasped in delighted surprise and he leaned down, claiming her lips as he pushed back into her, groaning at her tightness and the change of position, "Rose, I am yours. Whatever you demand of me I will do to the best of my ability. We will not be alone any more. Thank the Goddess I found you again" he leaned down and kissed her neck, feeling her pulse pounding beneath his lips.
Rose cupped the back of his head, bucking her hips up to meet his over and over again. Never again. Neither of them would ever again feel the sting of loneliness, the overwhelming silence of endless nights spent utterly alone with nothing but the weight of the world pressing down on them. The very thought was enough to make tears of happiness pour down her cheeks. She met his hips again, his hard cock stretching her body, making her whimper. Gods, she wanted more. She clutched at his back, dragging her nails across it, crying out his name again. She jumped when she felt the light scrape of his fangs against her flesh, as if he was testing her. Deciding where to mark her. She shivered in anticipation again. She didn't care how much it may hurt, she wanted it. She wanted the whole universe to see that she was his. To defy the Gods. To show the Gods that they had found each other again, despite the efforts made to keep them apart. "You're incredible, my love," she gasped as he thrust into her. "Your body is perfection to me."
Dende shuddered at her. Her nails on his back was perfect, the way her body held him, her arms around him. He could feel his orgasm on the brink as well as his longing to sink his teeth into her flesh and drink her soul. His soul, their soul, "Come with me Rose" he thrust into her feeling himself swelling in her, "Please Rose! Bite me as well. Claim me!"
Rose nodded, her body tensing once more. She kissed furiously at the side of his neck, exactly where she intended to mark him. She opened her mouth, her teeth resting on his flesh. He was driving so forcefully into her at a furious pace... She was so close... so close...
Rose gasped and sat up straight, not knowing where she was at first. She looked down at herself, fully clothed. She was on the couch in her living room, not on the floor. Dende wasn't lying over her, pressing his teeth against her neck, their bodies meeting. Rose was shaking, not knowing what to think. A dream? Had it really been just a dream? There was a disappointment settling into her. She didn't understand any of this...
Dende moaned as he felt himself coming, his hard cock pulsing inside... inside... his eyes shot open and he was panting hard as he came inside his pants. Horrified he jerked his gaze over at Rose and sat up quickly, his blush spreading quickly over his cheeks. Stupid stupid stupid! Falling asleep on her couch and having a wet dream about her when she was sitting right next to him! "Oh gods," he buried his face in his hands, "I am so sorry."
Rose jumped at the sound of his voice. She'd nearly forgotten he was still beside her on the couch. She turned to look at him, staring into his eyes, searching them to see if he was okay. "Dende, are you all right?" she asked. She looked him over and her eyes went wide at the way his pants tented. "Oh! OH!" she jumped up and turned away from him, her already blushing face turning an even darker shade of red. Oh gods, had he been having a similar dream?
Dende stood up as soon as he was able, his pants uncomfortably sticky, wet and tight, "My deepest apologies Miss Rose, I did not mean to fall asleep and I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I am so very sorry." He felt horrible and not just because of the wet dream. Something had been ripped away from him and he felt the weight of the world again. The loneliness. The sorrow. Tears gathered in his eyes and he turned away from her, heading towards the door, "It... was a good evening. I'm sorry I ruined it. I will go now. I am sorry."
Rose turned towards him, unsure of what to say. She didn't know if she should tell him that she had just had a similar dream. That would be too weird, wouldn't it? And she certainly couldn't say it was about him. What if his dream had been about someone else? She hated for him to have to fly all the way home like that. "I... you... Do you want to, uh, get cleaned up before you go? I can wash those for you," she offered. She was nervous and disappointed and flustered and strangely still horny in the middle of all this. She didn't want to see him go. "You can use my shower if you need to," she trailed off, wondering if she was making it worse for him. Thank god for being a girl. At least it wasn't apparent to him that she was just as aroused as he was. At least, she hoped he didn't know that.
He stopped, his hand rested on the door knob as he heard the softness in her voice, the disappointment there. His face was still hot, but he turned and looked at her, "You..." He coughed, "You don't mind?" He blushed further, "Ah, If I could, I could put my clothes in your wash and a shower would...help." He ran a hand over his head, "Ah... well... I suppose nothing else I do could have been more embarrassing... so... I suppose it can only go up from here..." He winced, "Sorry, bad joke."
She gave a nervous giggle. "It's okay," she said softly. "Come here." She walked past him, not looking at him for fear of embarrassing him farther, and went to a large closet off of the kitchen. She opened the doors, revealing the washer and dryer with the bottle of laundry detergent perched on a shelf. "There's fresh towels in the bathroom closet," she said, staring hard down at the floor. "I'll just, ah, go hide in my bedroom until you're in the shower."
He chuckled as he felt his embarrassment start to ebb away, "Thank you, Rose...truly." He smiled as he watched her go and didn't do anything until he heard her bedroom door click shut. He shook his head and peeled off his clothes, looking at disgust at the soiled garments before throwing them into the washer and started it up. He quickly walked back to her bathroom and shut the door behind him, leaning against it momentarily, eyeing his semi hard length with disdain, "Really?" He shook his head and went over to the shower, fiddling with a few knobs before he managed to get a cold shower running, and stepped in shivering under the cold water, his erection finally flagging. He let his head thunk against the shower wall.
Rose sat on the edge of her bed, her mind working furiously. She knew it was only a dream, but she couldn't stop thinking about him. The amazing way he touched her. Making passionate love to him right there in the middle of her living room. Rose shivered and hugged her arms around her middle. A dream. It was just a dream. And in that moment, she wished with all of her heart that it hadn't been. She'd felt so safe. So complete. It was a feeling she'd never experienced before. She hadn't realized how utterly alone she felt until just now. She brushed the angry tears from her eyes and tried to hold onto the dream, but the details were starting to slip away. And obviously Dende had had a similar dream. Did that mean something? Both of them having that type of a dream at the same time? She shook her head, not knowing what to think about anything anymore. Still, she couldn't help but wonder if he'd dreamt about her, too.
Rose finally crept out of her bedroom and went to the laundry closet. The washer had stopped and she pulled Dende's clothes out and stuffed them in the dryer with a couple dryer sheets. She sighed, running a shaky hand through her hair. This was incredibly awkward. She hated the sadness in his voice when he'd apologized to her. She wasn't upset with him. Really, who can control what they dream about? Maybe she should say that to him, see if she could ease his mind. Yes, it was embarrassing, but it wasn't his fault. She set about making coffee. She could do THAT at least. Coffee. Water. Press button. She leaned against the counter and waited for the laundry to dry, trying to think of what she should say to Dende when he finally came out of that bathroom.
Dende wrapped a towel around himself, drying off after his shower. At least he was clean and feeling much more in control of himself. He could smell fresh coffee brewing. He wondered what he would say to Rose, at least she didn't kick him out or look totally disgusted with him. He came out of the bathroom, the towel secured around his waist. He certainly didn't need any more embarrassments tonight. He headed over to the closet and spied Rose in the kitchen, busying herself with coffee and he said a small prayer to the gods as he went to the dryer. He pulled out his clothes that smelled like lavender and were warm to the touch. He sighed happily and quickly dropped his towel and tugged on his pants, tying the sash around his waist, redressing himself quickly, "Thank you, Miss Rose. For putting these in the dryer." He called out.
Rose jumped and slammed her hand on the counter. "Good god, you scared me," she gasped, turning to see him pulling his tunic back on. She drew a deep breath, calming her nerves. She'd been so lost in thought that she hadn't even heard him come out of the bathroom. "Would you like some coffee?" she asked, pulling two large cups from the cabinet, still not quite meeting his eyes. Her face burned red again as she remembered the warmth of his chest as she'd laid against it. NO. She shouldn't be thinking about that now. And it hadn't really happened.
Dende smiled at her, blushing, but he walked over nodding, "I would, thank you." He rubbed his head, "So ah...about that. And thank you for letting me use your shower and wash." He chuckled, "See what happens when you make friends? Aren't you glad now?" He laughed, deep and rich.
Rose turned to him, handing him a cup of coffee. "And I thought my jokes were bad." She gave him a shy smile, trying not to laugh, but she couldn't help it. "Well, this was certainly an interesting evening." She took a long drink of coffee, the hot liquid calming her. "Dende, really, you don't have to be sorry. You can't control what you dream about. Besides, everyone has dreams like that!" Oops. She blushed at the admission, hoping he hadn't caught that.
Dende laughed, catching her blush and smirking into his coffee mug, "Speaking from experience are we? I have to say, I have you beat on that one though. Pardon me for being crude, but I would have to think that men's wet dreams are far more, ahem, obvious than woman's." He winked at her, and blushed, "Anyway!"
"YES. Yes, change the subject," she said nervously. He certainly seemed bolder at the moment. Well, after something like that, you couldn't get much more embarrassed than you already were, she supposed. "So, yeah," she rambled, not sure what to say. She glanced at the clock; it was nearly three in the morning. "Wow, I didn't realize it was that late. Thank god I don't have to go to work in the morning." She paused, looking at him, "I guess you have to, though, don't you? You don't really get a day off."
Dende chuckled, "Sadly not..." He looked distant, "The world keeps on turning no matter where I am or what I am doing. The best I can offer it is my ears and my sight from dawn until dusk. I can even hear her in my sleep. Its rare that I get a good night's rest." He looked down into his cup, "To hear the world crying out as a child looking for its mother." He looked up at her, "Sorry, I don't mean to burden you. I imagine it must be like your cases. Working over them all day and when you close your eyes, you still see them even in your dreams."
Rose pressed her lips together and nodded. She looked at him with understanding in her eyes, speaking softly, "I know how that feels. I'm sorry, Dende." She looked down at the coffee in her hands, "I bet you wished you'd stayed on your home planet now, huh? It sounds so much more peaceful there. You wouldn't have to deal with all of this." The thought of him being that far away suddenly made her feel like crying. She didn't, but her heart was aching at the thought of being separated from him like that.
Dende shook his head, "No," he said quickly, "I'm glad I came here." He smiled at her, "I was different than others on my home planet. I wanted to heal, make a difference. On a planet full of healers like me, full of peace. There wasn't much of a chance to help those truly in need. Here, I have friends, family and an entire planet to help. It's hard at some times, but I wouldn't want it any other way." He smiled at her, "I think the same is true of you, am I right?"
She nodded. "True," she answered. "Sometimes it'd be nice to live in a world without evil, though." She gave a laugh, "We should vacation to your home planet sometime." She shook her head, "Oh gods, there I go again. Inviting myself places." She snickered and added, "I should really stop doing that."
Dende chuckled, "I think you would like Planet Namek. We will have to go some time."
She finished off her coffee and set the cup on the counter. "So do you have to go home or would you like to sleep here? It's awfully late. I hate to think of you making that long journey if you're tired."
He looked at the clock and winced, looking sheepish, "If you don't mind, I would love to sleep on the couch. Thank you. Wouldn't do the world any good if the Guardian fell asleep while flying home. Try explaining that one." He chuckled, "Thank you Miss Rose. Tonight, all things considered, was fun. We will have to have dinner and a movie again soon."
"I'd like that," she said softly. "I'll get you a blanket and a pillow." She headed to her room and grabbed one of the pillows from her bed and a couple spare blankets from the closet. Her heart was hammering again - Dende was spending the night. Even though he was sleeping on the couch, the thought excited her for some reason. She returned to the living room and spread the blankets out on the couch. "There we go," she said, standing up straight and putting her hands on her hips. "No crash landings due to the Guardian falling asleep in midair tonight."
Dende laughed. "You've single-handedly saved the world," he cheered. He smiled at her and bowed at the waist, "Thank you, Miss Rose. Have a goodnight."
She giggled and bowed slightly back. "Goodnight, Dende," she said and headed for her bedroom, closing the door behind her.