Author's note:
Wow... I'm posting my stories faster than usual.
--Quinn
__________________________________________________
Why did I feel like I wanted to stay here anyway? I had so much left behind… or did I? Friends? I had friends here… and I could make more. Family? I had moved out of my parent's house long ago and I was always too immersed in my work to talk to them anyway. Work, ah yes. It was my be-all-end-all in the other world; the only path to success; the only way to significance. Here I did not need to compile useless reports, impress fickle bosses, or kill myself doing things I hated. This universe was simple, so uncomplicated, and yet there were so many possibilities. It all boiled down to one reason that I didn't want to leave this reality, but I wouldn't admit it to myself… I couldn't.
"Hey Quinn, what's the matter?" Bulma walked into the hall, where I was sitting on the couch, staring at the wall.
"Nothing," I mumbled, gazing at the fabric pattern on the sofa.
"Yeah right," she said, sitting down next to me, "You've been wandering around the house in a daze all morning."
"Just thinking," I said, giving her a half-hearted smile.
"Worried about tomorrow?"
"You could say that," I replied, leaning back onto the sofa with a sigh.
"Want some advice?" Bulma pulled her legs up, turning her body to face me.
"I'll take whatever help I can get," I groaned, lifting my hands to my face.
"I know this is a cliché and all," she said, leaning over, "But follow your heart."
I turned my head to her, still resting it on the back of the couch. "Are you sure about that?"
Bulma frowned for a second, as if deep in thought. "Yeah, I am."
"But what if my heart wants to do something which my mind knows is totally irrational and illogical?"
"Well if you didn't follow your heart, it would bug you about what would happen if you had chosen its path, and you'd never get any peace. The mind will follow once you decide."
I looked at her. "If I make the wrong decision, I'm blaming you."
She smirked. "I never told you that my advice was the best thing to listen to."
"Are you telling me that you're deliberately giving me wrong guidance?" I raised an eyebrow at her.
Bulma frowned at me. "Okay, now you're just being a pain."
I grinned. "Sorry. But thanks, really."
Bulma smiled. "No problem. I hope you know what your heart's saying."
I sighed and stared at the ceiling. "Maybe," I murmured. Bulma patted me on the shoulder and left. I sighed again once I was alone.
'Should I really follow my heart? That weak silly thing that is so easily captivated and just as easily broken, that thing?'
I groaned, covering my face with my hands. Tomorrow was the deciding day and I was still no closer to a decision… or at least, not a decision I was willing to acknowledge.
"I'm going for a walk," I mumbled to no one in particular, picking up my staff and heading out the door.
I wandered through the forest for most of the morning, picking fruit and berries and sitting in trees and on rocks staring at the sky. 'Maybe the answer will appear in front of me,' I thought, staring at the branches and leaves that framed the blue sky.
"Hey."
I jumped, looking around me. What was that? My eyes came to rest on a figure walking up to me.
I smiled slightly, my mind still thoughtful. "Hello Vegeta."
"What are you doing?" He stopped in front of me, his arms crossed as usual.
"Thinking," I answered, looking back up at the sky.
He snorted. "Silent contemplation is for the weak."
I sighed. I was not in the mood to argue philosophy. "I haven't got much to do I'm afraid."
"Then I'll continue what we were doing yesterday." He immediately floated up into the air.
"Why not?" I sighed, getting up and picking up my staff. Maybe getting huge balls of energy flung at me would help clear my mind some.
**************************************************
"That was very impressive," said Vegeta.
I stood panting on the rock. "Thank you," I said between gulps of air, "Coming from you that really means a lot."
The setting sun was testament to how long we'd been training. The moon was already beginning to appear in the dusky sky.
"I think that is all you can learn from a teacher." Vegeta slowly landed on the rock next to me.
I turned to him. "What do you mean?"
"Experience is the best teacher. Becoming a great warrior is not taught by another, it is gained by one's own fights in battle."
"Oh." I looked down at the rock. The rush I had while training began to seep away. My mind was beginning to cloud up again with all the thoughts that plagued me that morning. When I trained with him, my mind became clear, unhindered, but now the rush of thoughts were spilling back into my head. Then I thought of something. Looking up at him, I asked "But can we still spar?"
He smirked. "Maybe tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," I murmured, looking up at the moon, now clear in the sky. "I may be gone tomorrow."
"So you are leaving?" he asked gruffly, joining me to look at the moon.
"Maybe," I murmured. There was an ache that was beginning to throb in my chest, as if my heart were crying.
There was a long pause. "Do you want to?" he asked, his voice low and quiet.
My heart's tears found their way to my eyes and I could feel them welling up in my lower lid. I bowed my head sadly, shutting my eyes. "I-I don't know."
I looked up at him. "Why are you asking me this?"
He turned to me sharply. Looks of conflict and confusion passed over his face before a mask of anger finally moulded his features into an angry scowl as he answered harshly, "It doesn't matter why I asked you what. I can do as I please! Who are you to question me??"
I looked at him, too shocked to stop the tears from spilling onto my cheeks. Vegeta's scowl wavered as he saw the tears but he caught himself, turning to leave with a growl. He took a few angry steps across the rock, but stopped at the edge. I watched his back, the moonlight casting a pale glow on the armour. I could clearly see his chest heaving beneath the cold armour. Slowly, he turned his head to look at me, the scowl still visible on his face. The breeze blew against my face, drying up my wet cheeks as more tears spilled out to retrace the paths down my face.
"You, what have you done to me?" he growled, walking over briskly to take my face in his hands. "What are these alien feelings that you create inside me?" he whispered, brushing away the tears with his thumb, his eyes searching my face.
He dropped his arms and turned away, bowing his head and squeezing his eyes shut. "How do you have so much power over me?" he whispered angrily, half-lifting his hands, fists tightly clenched.
"Me?" I whispered, my brows lowering angrily, "Me??" My own fists clenched at my sides as I turned to face him. "What have I done to you??" My voice trembled as I fought to keep control. Vegeta looked at me, the maddening scowl still on his face. I felt the rage taking hold of me, and my mind was soon clouded as the blood pounded in my brain, goading me on.
"Ever since I saw you on Namek I haven't been able to think about anything else, you've infected my brain!" My voice was getting louder and I was yelling by the end of the sentence, tears, now tears of anger, running down my face, but I didn't care, how dare he be angry with me for affecting him???
The air crackled with energy, and I felt the power building up in my veins. "You were the reason I felt enough rage towards Freeza to send him into the next dimension! I killed him because he killed you!!" Vegeta's scowl faltered in shock. The energy began to pulse and a flickering glow began to exude from my slight frame. My mind raged and my body was following.
"When I saw you out on the balcony the first night I couldn't think straight! Kami, it took everything I had to pull myself away! And now I'm willing to give up an entire existence, an entire life, in another reality, the only one I have known all these years, just because of you!!!" I stopped short, my breathing ragged. What did I just say?? The realisation of it hit me, my heart's decision materialised before me eyes and the clarity of it was painful. I let the staff slip from my hand and heard the clatter of the wood on the rock echo in the night air as I buried my face in my hands, letting the tears soak into the soft cloth of the robe sleeve.
The glow dissipated into the evening air and suddenly I felt weary, my body drained of energy as I shed tears onto the fabric of my robe. For a minute, all was silent, except for the wind, the leaves, and my quiet weeping. Then I felt his hand stroke my own hand covering my face. I felt him gently pull my hands off my face, and I made no move to resist, my mind numb and weary from emotion. He tilted my chin up, making me look at him. The look in his dark eyes was unreadable, yet so intense that my knees felt weak. He cupped my face in his hands, his thumb brushing against my lips. Pulling me gently, he pressed the right side of his face to the left side of mine, his hands drifting down to rest on my shoulders. I could hear his shallow breathing in my ear as my own shaky breathing stirred the still night air. I wondered if he could hear my heartbeat, as it was pounding loudly enough in my ear. The familiar feeling washed over me as I stood there, with him. But this time I wasn't afraid, and I didn't fight it. Vulnerable and frail as it may have seemed, my heart had overpowered my mind, and I felt safe, complete.
I reached up and gently brushed my fingers against the skin just below his ear. I heard him take in a sharp breath as my fingers ran down his neck. 'This…this is my reality,' I heard my heart sigh as my hand came to rest on his shoulder. "Vegeta," I breathed, shutting my eyes as I revelled in the feeling of his body warming mine.
He groaned softly, pulling his head back. I opened my eyes to watch as his own eyes searched my face. In the moonlight he looked regal, his skin glowing with the pale light. He took a pained breath, leaning over to touch his forehead to mine. "Why do I feel this way?" he whispered, his voice unsteady.
He slid his head to the side, and I stopped breathing as the sensation of his skin grazing mine shot through my body, making me gasp softly. He stopped when the sides of our faces were pressed together once more. "Why do I need you?" he breathed into my ear, his voice pained, "Why do I want you?" His moist breath sent shivers down my neck, and his words sent a tremor of emotion through my heart.
I gently pushed myself away, looking up at him. I lifted up a hand and touched his cheek, my fingers tingling as they made contact. His eyes fluttered close as I ran my fingers down to his sharp chin, asking myself how one person could have so much power over me.
He lifted his hand and closed it over mine. His eyes still shut, he gently pulled my hand down and held it against his left breast, the armour cool against my warm skin. He opened his eyes, looking at me intently. "Something aches," he whispered, "Just here." He gently pressed my hand closer against the armour.
I glanced down at his gloved hand, closed over my own. "That's your heart, Vegeta," I murmured, tilting my head back up to gaze at him.
"My heart?" His brows furrowed questioningly, his hand still clasping mine to his chest.
I nodded silently my gaze still on our joined hands, my hand warm under his. My own heart was aching; each beat a painful throb.
He lowered his gaze, a faraway look in his eyes. I stood with him unmoving, wishing the rest of my body were like my hand, wrapped within his arms, held against his chest.
He looked back up, gazing at me for a moment before hesitantly reaching out his other hand. He paused for a few moments before pressing the gloved hand against my left chest, just above my breast, his warm palm over my own painfully beating heart.
I smiled sadly at him, lifting my free hand to cover his over my own chest. I could feel my own heartbeat in my fingers; the aching beats sounding themselves in my ear.
He looked up at me, and my heart twinged. "Does your heart… ache too?" he whispered, and my heart cried out to answer.
I let out a trembling breath. "Yes," I whispered, "It does." My heart twinged again, a pang of longing shooting through my chest.
He stepped to me, our two pairs of clasped hands pressed alongside each other between our bodies. His eyes locked with mine and nothing else existed, just him and me. The forest disappeared into a blurry haze and the sounds of the night were drowned out by my heartbeat echoing in my ears.
He pulled his hands gently out from between us and ran them up to my neck, his eyes never leaving mine. His fingers brushed against my skin as he slid them up the sides of my neck, his thumbs coming to rest at my chin and his forefingers on my jaw line. He paused, looking into my eyes. My knees felt weak.
His gaze searched my face before his eyes returned to mine, still searching. He leaned closer, tilting his face slightly, his eyes still on mine. I could feel his warm moist breath on my lips, making them tingle in readiness, sending a throb of yearning through my abdomen. A quiet whimper escaped my lips.
He stopped, gazing at me uncertainly, as if waiting to see if I'd protest or pull back, but I stayed motionless, my breathing shallow. I was waiting… hoping. He lowered his head slowly, his eyes still gazing into mine. As our lips neared each other, he lowered his eyelids, and I closed my own eyes, my mind and heart racing.
I drew in a sharp breath as our lips brushed, the sensation shooting down my body. I felt him stop short, but in a movement compelled by my heart, I leaned towards him, touching our lips fully for the kiss that my lips had longed for since the first moment I saw him. I felt him stiffen at first, but as my lips moved over his, he slowly leaned in to return the kiss, sliding his hands down to my waist as his lips caressed mine with a tenderness that surprised me.
When our lips finally parted, I opened my eyes slowly, my gaze meeting his once again. He hadn't moved his head; his lips still centimetres from mine and his breath grazing my lips as we stared at each other, the emotions from the kiss returning as the kiss embedded itself indelibly in my memory.
He leaned back slightly, studying my features in the moonlight. I watched him as his eyes moved across my face, our shallow breathing stirring the quiet night air. His eyes returned to mine, the look in them questioning. "Does your heart still ache?" he whispered, his breath gently stirring my hair.
"No," I murmured, gazing back into his dark eyes. My heart was quiet; its beating constant and unpained.
He leaned back in, his breath making my skin tingle. Lifting a hand, he gently laid it against my cheek, the glove cool against my flushed skin. He brought his face closer, our noses brushing. "Neither does mine," he breathed, his eyes boring into my soul.
A tremor of elation ran through my body as he tilted his head and leaned in, capturing my lips in his once again. This kiss held more passion, it was more intense with a fiery sense of ardour, sending thrills down my spine as pulled me against him, his other hand moving to bury itself in my hair. I lifted my hands up to his shoulders, wrapping my arms around him as he lowered his head, kissing me deeper, sending my mind spinning.
My heart no longer ached; it no longer throbbed with wanting. He had filled my mind, made my soul tremble with delight as his arms held me against him. Now my heart did not beat in pain, nor was it beating alone. As he kissed me there, in the forest, watched only by the trees and the silent moon, I swear I felt our hearts tune to each other, sounding each beat together as one.
He finally pulled his lips away and rested the side of his head against mine, his breathing hard against my ear. My mind and lips were still reeling from the intensity of the kiss, but my heart was calm, beating steadily in my chest. I felt so safe wrapped within his strong arms, safer than anywhere I'd ever known.
As our breathing slowed, he pulled his head back to look at me. I smiled at him, and a smirk pulled up the corners of his own mouth. He brought both hands to my face, cupping it. Slowly, he stroked my cheek, his head tilted as if trying to read something in my face. I gazed back at him, silent and unquestioning. Suddenly, his hand stopped, his fingers stiffened against my cheek. His expression became serious, his eyes intent on something else, as if he were contemplating something significant. The moonlight was silver in his dark eyes. 'Kami, he's beautiful,' my mind said, and I smiled in agreement. This time there was no running, no hiding from these feelings. 'He is beautiful,' I agreed silently.
When I smiled, Vegeta seemed pulled out of his thoughts, his eyes focusing on my face once more. His look was intense once again, and I could feel his gaze running across my face. His eyes returned to mine and he began to lean towards me. The look in his eyes was intense, passionate. My breath caught in my throat as he neared me, the warmth of his breath once more touching my face. His look faltered for a second and he paused, his eyes questioning. I wasn't sure what the question was, but my heart was screaming 'Yes!' and from what I had learned, the heart wasn't to be ignored. I smiled at him reassuringly, and I saw him look surprised for a second but then he smiled back, his fingers caressing my cheek. His look became intense once more and he leaned closer… and lightly bit the tip of my nose.
__________________________________________________
Ooo.... what'll Quinn do now?
Next chapter: Forever? You sure about that?
Wow... I'm posting my stories faster than usual.
--Quinn
__________________________________________________
Why did I feel like I wanted to stay here anyway? I had so much left behind… or did I? Friends? I had friends here… and I could make more. Family? I had moved out of my parent's house long ago and I was always too immersed in my work to talk to them anyway. Work, ah yes. It was my be-all-end-all in the other world; the only path to success; the only way to significance. Here I did not need to compile useless reports, impress fickle bosses, or kill myself doing things I hated. This universe was simple, so uncomplicated, and yet there were so many possibilities. It all boiled down to one reason that I didn't want to leave this reality, but I wouldn't admit it to myself… I couldn't.
"Hey Quinn, what's the matter?" Bulma walked into the hall, where I was sitting on the couch, staring at the wall.
"Nothing," I mumbled, gazing at the fabric pattern on the sofa.
"Yeah right," she said, sitting down next to me, "You've been wandering around the house in a daze all morning."
"Just thinking," I said, giving her a half-hearted smile.
"Worried about tomorrow?"
"You could say that," I replied, leaning back onto the sofa with a sigh.
"Want some advice?" Bulma pulled her legs up, turning her body to face me.
"I'll take whatever help I can get," I groaned, lifting my hands to my face.
"I know this is a cliché and all," she said, leaning over, "But follow your heart."
I turned my head to her, still resting it on the back of the couch. "Are you sure about that?"
Bulma frowned for a second, as if deep in thought. "Yeah, I am."
"But what if my heart wants to do something which my mind knows is totally irrational and illogical?"
"Well if you didn't follow your heart, it would bug you about what would happen if you had chosen its path, and you'd never get any peace. The mind will follow once you decide."
I looked at her. "If I make the wrong decision, I'm blaming you."
She smirked. "I never told you that my advice was the best thing to listen to."
"Are you telling me that you're deliberately giving me wrong guidance?" I raised an eyebrow at her.
Bulma frowned at me. "Okay, now you're just being a pain."
I grinned. "Sorry. But thanks, really."
Bulma smiled. "No problem. I hope you know what your heart's saying."
I sighed and stared at the ceiling. "Maybe," I murmured. Bulma patted me on the shoulder and left. I sighed again once I was alone.
'Should I really follow my heart? That weak silly thing that is so easily captivated and just as easily broken, that thing?'
I groaned, covering my face with my hands. Tomorrow was the deciding day and I was still no closer to a decision… or at least, not a decision I was willing to acknowledge.
"I'm going for a walk," I mumbled to no one in particular, picking up my staff and heading out the door.
I wandered through the forest for most of the morning, picking fruit and berries and sitting in trees and on rocks staring at the sky. 'Maybe the answer will appear in front of me,' I thought, staring at the branches and leaves that framed the blue sky.
"Hey."
I jumped, looking around me. What was that? My eyes came to rest on a figure walking up to me.
I smiled slightly, my mind still thoughtful. "Hello Vegeta."
"What are you doing?" He stopped in front of me, his arms crossed as usual.
"Thinking," I answered, looking back up at the sky.
He snorted. "Silent contemplation is for the weak."
I sighed. I was not in the mood to argue philosophy. "I haven't got much to do I'm afraid."
"Then I'll continue what we were doing yesterday." He immediately floated up into the air.
"Why not?" I sighed, getting up and picking up my staff. Maybe getting huge balls of energy flung at me would help clear my mind some.
**************************************************
"That was very impressive," said Vegeta.
I stood panting on the rock. "Thank you," I said between gulps of air, "Coming from you that really means a lot."
The setting sun was testament to how long we'd been training. The moon was already beginning to appear in the dusky sky.
"I think that is all you can learn from a teacher." Vegeta slowly landed on the rock next to me.
I turned to him. "What do you mean?"
"Experience is the best teacher. Becoming a great warrior is not taught by another, it is gained by one's own fights in battle."
"Oh." I looked down at the rock. The rush I had while training began to seep away. My mind was beginning to cloud up again with all the thoughts that plagued me that morning. When I trained with him, my mind became clear, unhindered, but now the rush of thoughts were spilling back into my head. Then I thought of something. Looking up at him, I asked "But can we still spar?"
He smirked. "Maybe tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," I murmured, looking up at the moon, now clear in the sky. "I may be gone tomorrow."
"So you are leaving?" he asked gruffly, joining me to look at the moon.
"Maybe," I murmured. There was an ache that was beginning to throb in my chest, as if my heart were crying.
There was a long pause. "Do you want to?" he asked, his voice low and quiet.
My heart's tears found their way to my eyes and I could feel them welling up in my lower lid. I bowed my head sadly, shutting my eyes. "I-I don't know."
I looked up at him. "Why are you asking me this?"
He turned to me sharply. Looks of conflict and confusion passed over his face before a mask of anger finally moulded his features into an angry scowl as he answered harshly, "It doesn't matter why I asked you what. I can do as I please! Who are you to question me??"
I looked at him, too shocked to stop the tears from spilling onto my cheeks. Vegeta's scowl wavered as he saw the tears but he caught himself, turning to leave with a growl. He took a few angry steps across the rock, but stopped at the edge. I watched his back, the moonlight casting a pale glow on the armour. I could clearly see his chest heaving beneath the cold armour. Slowly, he turned his head to look at me, the scowl still visible on his face. The breeze blew against my face, drying up my wet cheeks as more tears spilled out to retrace the paths down my face.
"You, what have you done to me?" he growled, walking over briskly to take my face in his hands. "What are these alien feelings that you create inside me?" he whispered, brushing away the tears with his thumb, his eyes searching my face.
He dropped his arms and turned away, bowing his head and squeezing his eyes shut. "How do you have so much power over me?" he whispered angrily, half-lifting his hands, fists tightly clenched.
"Me?" I whispered, my brows lowering angrily, "Me??" My own fists clenched at my sides as I turned to face him. "What have I done to you??" My voice trembled as I fought to keep control. Vegeta looked at me, the maddening scowl still on his face. I felt the rage taking hold of me, and my mind was soon clouded as the blood pounded in my brain, goading me on.
"Ever since I saw you on Namek I haven't been able to think about anything else, you've infected my brain!" My voice was getting louder and I was yelling by the end of the sentence, tears, now tears of anger, running down my face, but I didn't care, how dare he be angry with me for affecting him???
The air crackled with energy, and I felt the power building up in my veins. "You were the reason I felt enough rage towards Freeza to send him into the next dimension! I killed him because he killed you!!" Vegeta's scowl faltered in shock. The energy began to pulse and a flickering glow began to exude from my slight frame. My mind raged and my body was following.
"When I saw you out on the balcony the first night I couldn't think straight! Kami, it took everything I had to pull myself away! And now I'm willing to give up an entire existence, an entire life, in another reality, the only one I have known all these years, just because of you!!!" I stopped short, my breathing ragged. What did I just say?? The realisation of it hit me, my heart's decision materialised before me eyes and the clarity of it was painful. I let the staff slip from my hand and heard the clatter of the wood on the rock echo in the night air as I buried my face in my hands, letting the tears soak into the soft cloth of the robe sleeve.
The glow dissipated into the evening air and suddenly I felt weary, my body drained of energy as I shed tears onto the fabric of my robe. For a minute, all was silent, except for the wind, the leaves, and my quiet weeping. Then I felt his hand stroke my own hand covering my face. I felt him gently pull my hands off my face, and I made no move to resist, my mind numb and weary from emotion. He tilted my chin up, making me look at him. The look in his dark eyes was unreadable, yet so intense that my knees felt weak. He cupped my face in his hands, his thumb brushing against my lips. Pulling me gently, he pressed the right side of his face to the left side of mine, his hands drifting down to rest on my shoulders. I could hear his shallow breathing in my ear as my own shaky breathing stirred the still night air. I wondered if he could hear my heartbeat, as it was pounding loudly enough in my ear. The familiar feeling washed over me as I stood there, with him. But this time I wasn't afraid, and I didn't fight it. Vulnerable and frail as it may have seemed, my heart had overpowered my mind, and I felt safe, complete.
I reached up and gently brushed my fingers against the skin just below his ear. I heard him take in a sharp breath as my fingers ran down his neck. 'This…this is my reality,' I heard my heart sigh as my hand came to rest on his shoulder. "Vegeta," I breathed, shutting my eyes as I revelled in the feeling of his body warming mine.
He groaned softly, pulling his head back. I opened my eyes to watch as his own eyes searched my face. In the moonlight he looked regal, his skin glowing with the pale light. He took a pained breath, leaning over to touch his forehead to mine. "Why do I feel this way?" he whispered, his voice unsteady.
He slid his head to the side, and I stopped breathing as the sensation of his skin grazing mine shot through my body, making me gasp softly. He stopped when the sides of our faces were pressed together once more. "Why do I need you?" he breathed into my ear, his voice pained, "Why do I want you?" His moist breath sent shivers down my neck, and his words sent a tremor of emotion through my heart.
I gently pushed myself away, looking up at him. I lifted up a hand and touched his cheek, my fingers tingling as they made contact. His eyes fluttered close as I ran my fingers down to his sharp chin, asking myself how one person could have so much power over me.
He lifted his hand and closed it over mine. His eyes still shut, he gently pulled my hand down and held it against his left breast, the armour cool against my warm skin. He opened his eyes, looking at me intently. "Something aches," he whispered, "Just here." He gently pressed my hand closer against the armour.
I glanced down at his gloved hand, closed over my own. "That's your heart, Vegeta," I murmured, tilting my head back up to gaze at him.
"My heart?" His brows furrowed questioningly, his hand still clasping mine to his chest.
I nodded silently my gaze still on our joined hands, my hand warm under his. My own heart was aching; each beat a painful throb.
He lowered his gaze, a faraway look in his eyes. I stood with him unmoving, wishing the rest of my body were like my hand, wrapped within his arms, held against his chest.
He looked back up, gazing at me for a moment before hesitantly reaching out his other hand. He paused for a few moments before pressing the gloved hand against my left chest, just above my breast, his warm palm over my own painfully beating heart.
I smiled sadly at him, lifting my free hand to cover his over my own chest. I could feel my own heartbeat in my fingers; the aching beats sounding themselves in my ear.
He looked up at me, and my heart twinged. "Does your heart… ache too?" he whispered, and my heart cried out to answer.
I let out a trembling breath. "Yes," I whispered, "It does." My heart twinged again, a pang of longing shooting through my chest.
He stepped to me, our two pairs of clasped hands pressed alongside each other between our bodies. His eyes locked with mine and nothing else existed, just him and me. The forest disappeared into a blurry haze and the sounds of the night were drowned out by my heartbeat echoing in my ears.
He pulled his hands gently out from between us and ran them up to my neck, his eyes never leaving mine. His fingers brushed against my skin as he slid them up the sides of my neck, his thumbs coming to rest at my chin and his forefingers on my jaw line. He paused, looking into my eyes. My knees felt weak.
His gaze searched my face before his eyes returned to mine, still searching. He leaned closer, tilting his face slightly, his eyes still on mine. I could feel his warm moist breath on my lips, making them tingle in readiness, sending a throb of yearning through my abdomen. A quiet whimper escaped my lips.
He stopped, gazing at me uncertainly, as if waiting to see if I'd protest or pull back, but I stayed motionless, my breathing shallow. I was waiting… hoping. He lowered his head slowly, his eyes still gazing into mine. As our lips neared each other, he lowered his eyelids, and I closed my own eyes, my mind and heart racing.
I drew in a sharp breath as our lips brushed, the sensation shooting down my body. I felt him stop short, but in a movement compelled by my heart, I leaned towards him, touching our lips fully for the kiss that my lips had longed for since the first moment I saw him. I felt him stiffen at first, but as my lips moved over his, he slowly leaned in to return the kiss, sliding his hands down to my waist as his lips caressed mine with a tenderness that surprised me.
When our lips finally parted, I opened my eyes slowly, my gaze meeting his once again. He hadn't moved his head; his lips still centimetres from mine and his breath grazing my lips as we stared at each other, the emotions from the kiss returning as the kiss embedded itself indelibly in my memory.
He leaned back slightly, studying my features in the moonlight. I watched him as his eyes moved across my face, our shallow breathing stirring the quiet night air. His eyes returned to mine, the look in them questioning. "Does your heart still ache?" he whispered, his breath gently stirring my hair.
"No," I murmured, gazing back into his dark eyes. My heart was quiet; its beating constant and unpained.
He leaned back in, his breath making my skin tingle. Lifting a hand, he gently laid it against my cheek, the glove cool against my flushed skin. He brought his face closer, our noses brushing. "Neither does mine," he breathed, his eyes boring into my soul.
A tremor of elation ran through my body as he tilted his head and leaned in, capturing my lips in his once again. This kiss held more passion, it was more intense with a fiery sense of ardour, sending thrills down my spine as pulled me against him, his other hand moving to bury itself in my hair. I lifted my hands up to his shoulders, wrapping my arms around him as he lowered his head, kissing me deeper, sending my mind spinning.
My heart no longer ached; it no longer throbbed with wanting. He had filled my mind, made my soul tremble with delight as his arms held me against him. Now my heart did not beat in pain, nor was it beating alone. As he kissed me there, in the forest, watched only by the trees and the silent moon, I swear I felt our hearts tune to each other, sounding each beat together as one.
He finally pulled his lips away and rested the side of his head against mine, his breathing hard against my ear. My mind and lips were still reeling from the intensity of the kiss, but my heart was calm, beating steadily in my chest. I felt so safe wrapped within his strong arms, safer than anywhere I'd ever known.
As our breathing slowed, he pulled his head back to look at me. I smiled at him, and a smirk pulled up the corners of his own mouth. He brought both hands to my face, cupping it. Slowly, he stroked my cheek, his head tilted as if trying to read something in my face. I gazed back at him, silent and unquestioning. Suddenly, his hand stopped, his fingers stiffened against my cheek. His expression became serious, his eyes intent on something else, as if he were contemplating something significant. The moonlight was silver in his dark eyes. 'Kami, he's beautiful,' my mind said, and I smiled in agreement. This time there was no running, no hiding from these feelings. 'He is beautiful,' I agreed silently.
When I smiled, Vegeta seemed pulled out of his thoughts, his eyes focusing on my face once more. His look was intense once again, and I could feel his gaze running across my face. His eyes returned to mine and he began to lean towards me. The look in his eyes was intense, passionate. My breath caught in my throat as he neared me, the warmth of his breath once more touching my face. His look faltered for a second and he paused, his eyes questioning. I wasn't sure what the question was, but my heart was screaming 'Yes!' and from what I had learned, the heart wasn't to be ignored. I smiled at him reassuringly, and I saw him look surprised for a second but then he smiled back, his fingers caressing my cheek. His look became intense once more and he leaned closer… and lightly bit the tip of my nose.
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Ooo.... what'll Quinn do now?
Next chapter: Forever? You sure about that?