Mended 8

Dodoria stepped inside Zarbons room- the green man was laying on his bed, one arm above his head and the other holding an ice-pack against his face. Dodoria walked over and sat on the bed, Zarbon didn't bother opening his eyes and just continued to ignore the others arrival. Dodoria frowned as he noticed an empty glass and a wad of money on Zarbons bedside table.

Tense silence engulfed the room again until Dodoria finally found his voice. ''Do you want me to take a look at that mark for you?'' Zarbon continued to ignore him. Closing his eyes and sighing Dodoria tried again. ''I shouldn't have let you leave on your own last night. I should have at least made sure you were back on ship…'' he trailed off.

After some time Zarbon spoke- despite it being less then one day since he'd last heard him talk Dodoria suddenly noticed how low pitched the others voice was, the cultured pronunciation of words, how he still retained most of his accent even after speaking the universal for so long. ''You're not my keeper… it was my responsibility to get back to the ship. You did nothing wrong.''

Dodoria hitched himself round on the bed to face the other properly. ''But I feel it was my responsibility, I knew you were drunk and incapable, yet I still let you leave. Even worse, I was a complete bastard that let you leave crying.''

Zarbon opened his eye which wasn't covered by the ice pack to meet Dodorias gaze. ''What you said was cruel, but it was true. I got over emotional. I had too much to drink- as always. None of this is your fault, all you've tried to do is help me.''

''I didn't help you last night though, did I? I drove you away. Drove you out to the streets with my voice ringing in your ears that you're a whore'' he said gesturing to the pile of notes by the bed to confirm him point.

Zarbon sat up slowly, removing the ice pack as he did so- an ugly, deep blue mark across his face finishing just under his eye, it was lucky Frieza hadn't hit ¼ inch higher or he'd have been blinded. ''I don't know what to say to that, Dodo. But again, they were my actions- not yours.''

The two men lapsed into silence before their eyes met again. Hesitantly Dodoria raised his hand and gently traced a finger nail around the outline of Zarbons mark. ''…I can't believe Frieza struck you'' he murmured quietly. Zarbon just shrugged it off, Dodoria noticed the other man leaning ever so slightly into the touch of his hand. So desperate for contact Dodoria mused to himself. He cleared his throat, embarrassed to mention the next subject which needed to be discussed. ''Zarbon… when you're drunk-or worse- why do you always try to get in my pants? I thought it was just you being out of it- but last night the Ginyu's were there and you weren't all over them, or anyone else who was in the club?'' Zarbons eyes settled downwards, looking down at his own lap in shy silence. ''Are you doing it as a joke, to see if you can get a rise from me, knowing I'm probably the last person on the ship your charms would work on?'' he asked gently.

Zarbons eyes met his, his brow furrowed slightly in… hurt? ''No, Dodo, I'd never joke around about something like that.''

''Then, why? Last night, you asked why I wouldn't admit to liking you- Do you believe that I do like you? Where did you get that impression from?''

''Well… you have fucked me before…'' the pretty man answered quietly looking down at the floor.

''Years ago, when we were both drunk- then we never mentioned it again. You hardly seemed pleased with your choices the mornings after, you'd always just silently slip away then ignore me for the next few days. I always assumed you were disgusted at yourself for bedding me?''

Zarbon brushed some loose hair behind his ear, he seemed almost… shy. ''It wasn't that Dodoria… I… I was scared of how you made me feel. It was so good- and not just the sex; the way your kisses felt, how caring and affectionate you were- always making sure I was ok, holding me… it made me feel things I'd never felt before… things I've never felt since… and it just… freaked me out.''

''…oh'' was all Dodoria could think to say. Several minutes passed before he spoke again. ''So… when you said you could only admit to liking me when you were drunk, is that what you meant?''

''No… I meant I'd never have the balls to tell you I liked you unless I was drunk…'' mumbled Zarbon looking away.

''You're not drunk now'' counteracted Dodoria ''So do you like me now?''

Zarbon made himself look at Dodoria- his large golden eyes gazing into jet black one. ''Yes.'' He whispered

''…'' Dodoria looked away as his cheeks blushed red, at a loss for words. Finally he managed to speak; ''But… why? I always sort of figured I wasn't exactly your type…''

''Well, you're not… typically what I'd go after, I know, but…'' trailed off Zarbon shrugging.

''But… we're so different… our races couldn't be much more further apart- your cold blooded and I'm warm blooded… you're so touchy feely and I'm uncomfortable with any kind of physical situation… I mean, you're a prince for Friezas sake, and I'm just… a nobody.''

Zarbon placed his hands over Dodorias tenderly ''Of course you're not a nobody'' he said sincerely.

Dodoria looked at the perfectly manicured hand on his, then up to Zarbons golden eyes. After a few seconds Zarbon leaned forward and placed his lips on Dodorias, his eyes flickering shut. Dodoria froze and stayed in place until Zarbon pulled away. After a few seconds Zarbon kissed Dodoria again, this time the large pink pulled back slightly, away from him. Zarbon looked at him with wide eyes.

''What is it Dodo?'' he asked concerned.

Dodorias mind was racing so fast be couldn't think, his heart beat thumped in his ears- his heart was telling him to kiss Zarbon back, to admit he'd started having some feeling for him too, but his head was telling him to leave.

Frowning, Zarbon cupped his companions cheek and lifted his head slightly to make him look at him.

''I… I need to go…'' mumbled Dodoria finally, standing up. Zarbon went to grab his hand but Dodoria quickly pulled it out of reach.

''Please, Dodo, stay with me?'' Zarbon asked slightly shakily, wishing there was some way he could make Dodoria return his feelings.

''It's… not a good idea, Zarbon. I can't help you. I'll only make you feel worse.'' Said Dodoria as he started to walk to the door

Tears began to pool in Zarbons eyes as his feeling where dismissed.

''But… please, Dodo…'' he tried again, getting more desperate for the other man to not leave him.

''I'll come by your room in the morning, before shift to check every things ok. I don't think I should stay here over night anymore.'' Dodorias finger was a millimetre off the doors sensor pad when Zarbon couldn't hold it back any longer.

''Wait! Do… Dodoria… I love you…''

Dodoria hesitated before taking a deep breath. ''I'll come by in the morning.'' He repeated, and with that he left. Zarbons tears overflowed and cascaded down his cheeks as he looked at the closed door. Everything seemed too quiet. He was totally alone. He was a fool. Dodoria didn't love him back. He'd just wanted to help out a colleague. He didn't want him.

Distraught, Zarbon slipped to the floor, heartbroken sobs echoing loudly through his quarters. Darkness crept in, filling him and slowly covering him and encasing him like a heavy, suffocating blanket.