Drabble 7: Transient – Kiss and Run

By Kiarene (5/5/2003)

1 a : passing especially quickly into and out of existence :
TRANSITORY b : passing through or by a place with only a brief stay
or sojourn
2 : affecting something or producing results beyond itself
- tran·sient·ly adverb

Kakarrot hid in the shadows. He couldn't stand to watch, but he couldn't tear his eyes away either.

He had been struggling with himself ever since he realized that Vegeta liked his older brother. He didn't know why exactly, or perhaps he didn't dare know why. Was he jealous? Vegeta was his best friend after all. They studied, trained and played together. And now somebody else was going to waltz in to take his place …

Yet, that wasn't just it, right? Vegeta was his best friend; he should be happy for Vegeta. If Radditz made Vegeta happy, why should he be so selfish? They were growing up; needs changed. No longer were friends enough; the desire for a mate now overwhelms.

And Vegeta desired Radditz.

That much was painfully obvious. Kakarrot almost regretted coming along. Vegeta could only get him a seat some rows behind, and all throughout the performance, his eyes kept straying to the pair in front. They didn't say anything, they didn't do anything; it looked like just any outing between good friends. It was all so proper.

Yet, the little glances Vegeta gave Radditz when he thought the older wasn't looking were telling. The way his tail would twitch and fluff whenever Radditz looked or spoke to him, was wrenching.

Why did he come along?

Because he desired the prince too. Because he wanted something more.

Kakarrot watched the two talking quietly on the balcony. Right after the performance, they went out for a drink and Kakarrot had excused himself, unable to stand the tension at the table. The interested tension between the bodyguard and royal, the jealous tension between the siblings.

He had flown off, thinking of simply giving up. But something drew him back again to follow them as Radditz sent Vegeta back, and that something held him in place in the inky shadows of the royal garden like a dirty voyeur.

Kakarrot watched as Radditz leaned over, kissing the startled prince fully and deeply on the lips. He watched as slim arms came up to wrap around the taller's waist. Jealousy was a bitter, twisted feeling, full of directionless anger and helpless despair.

And yet, was he truly going to give up? Saiyajins were fighters and he was a Saiyajin.

But was this a lost cause? Surely he could find another…

They finally drew apart and he watched Vegeta gazing after Radditz as his brother flew off. But he wanted no other.

Before he realized it, he was landing on the balcony.

Before the startled prince could react, he found his hand coming up to cup the other's jaw as his head dipped. Still moist lips parted in surprise and he growled instinctively, territorially.

And then he lost his nerve and pulled away. He spun around and flew off, his heart pounding wildly at his impudence, not daring to see the other's reaction.

A transient kiss. Fleeting and clumsy. A simple action with significant ramifications.

He hoped he would not regret it.

(500 words)