A/N: This took place during the Ball mentioned in Drabble 3. I've realized that writing about adolescent/teenage boys is fun!

Drabble 4 – Champagne

By Kiarene (9/4/2003)


"Nice moves on the dance floor, Vegeta," Kakarrot snickered as the two boys weaved their way through the well-heeled crowd thronging the buffet tables.

"Oh shut up."

"Was that why you were spending so much time with that blond fairy boy last week?"

"He's not a fairy," Vegeta grunted.

Conversation ground to a halt when the two boys finally procured a large plate each, and for the next few minutes, focused on the all-important task of balancing as much food as their plates could hold.

"What type of juice do you want?" Kakarrot stared at the impressive, colorful array of drinks.

"We're twelve now…" Vegeta eyed the liquors mischievously.

"But we can't!"

"Nobody will know." Grinning, the prince boldly snagged the closest green bottle and the two boys hurried off furtively.

Finding a quiet spot in the gardens outside, they sat down on the grass and tore into their food. "What did you get, Vegeta?"

The prince picked up the bottle. "Uhh… Cham..pagne."

"What is it? How do you open it?"

The two boys stared at the cork.

Many minutes later, the cork was defeated with a combination of sharp eating instruments and innovative use of ki. It lay floating in small fragments in the bottle but the boys didn't care as they excitedly tried their first taste of an adult drink. As the prince, Vegeta took first swig.

"Well?" Kakarrot reached for the bottle impatiently.

Vegeta swirled the bubbly fluid around his mouth thoughtfully, just as he seen his parents doing when they 'appreciated liquor'. "Gassy… and fruity…"

Kakarrot took a large gulp. "Very sweet!"

"Hey, stop hogging that!" Princely manners went out the window as the adolescent male took over. Kakarrot managed to take one more large mouthful before the bottle was snatched back. "Dammit you glutton! Go get your own bottle!"

Many, many minutes and another stolen bottle later, two very giggly and yet melancholy boys lay bemoaning their lot in life, as drunkards were wont to do.

"You donch know how tough it is, K'rot," Vegeta mourned, lying on his stomach.

"But you're the prince, 'Geta." Kakarrot sat cross-legged beside his supine companion and played with the royal tail, curling it around his wrist. "You 'ave a big, big room, and any toys you want…"

"All those forin'gners. I got to bow and be polite, and some stink. BO like you wouldn't believe…" Vegeta whined.

"Does that blond fairy stink?"

"Ci'ran is not a fairy. Is a Sidhe." Vegeta muttered absently, his eyes closing as he purred. "Nice… Keep doing that."

Kakarrot obeyed, stroking his prince. "You like him, 'Geta?"

Vegeta yawned. "Yeah, one of my best friends…"

Kakarrot's face fell in jealousy. "More than you like me?"

"I like you too, K'rot, " Came the sleepy reassurance.

"How much?" A snore was his only reply.

After a while, Kakarrot lay down, the royal butt pillowing his head, rubbing the drooping tail to his face as he too, fell asleep. "I like you too, 'Geta…"

(499 words)