Night Talk
Night #5
Dodoria laid in bed impatiently, waiting for Zarbon to emerge from the bathroom. After 15 minutes he called out, Zarbon muffled a reply that he'd be out in a minute. 30 minutes later Dodoria had enough and opened the bathroom door, now starting to feel pretty angry at the way he was being ignored. He was surprised to see the bathroom in blackness with the light out, but the light from the now open doorway gently illuminated the small room. Zarbon was sat perched on the edge on the bath, arms crossed around himself, facing away from the door.
''…Zarbon?'' Asked Dodoria anxiously. Not getting a reply or any movement from the other man he walked over to the bath, gently placing his spiky hand on the others shoulder, he was surprised when Zarbon flinched slightly at his touch. ''Come on now, you can't stay in here all night'' he tried to coax, but the handsome green man still didn't react. Dodoria felt a mixture of anger and anxiety rising in him, and he didn't like it one bit. ''Zarbon!'' he snapped, gently but strongly placing his hand on the others chin turning his face towards him. He looked at Zarbon's tear stained face and all the anger left him. ''Come on now, it's ok. I didn't mean to sound angry. Come lay down… if you don't want to talk that's fine, but it's too cold in here for you.'' He saw a few seconds hesitation in those mesmerising amber eyes and saw Zarbon dig his fingernails into his upper arms, but he still didn't move. At a loss of what else to do, Dodoria instead slipped his arms around Zarbons back and under his legs, lifting him up and carrying him bridal style to the bed. Apart from a squeak in surprise at being lifted Zarbon still didn't move. Dodoria laid him down and climbed in next to him, wondering if he needed to summon a doctor, but Zarbon then nervously snuggled into his chest. Dodoria felt a bit more reassured that something serious wasn't wrong, but he was still at a loss over what to do at the others strange behaviour. With no better ideas he wrapped one arm around the green man and stroked his forehead with the other, and started to talk about nothing in particular. He spoke about what work he'd done that day, what he'd eaten, who he'd bossed around… and as he went on he felt the other start to relax against him. He started telling stories of mishaps he'd had on previous missions, and of how he once got himself wedged in a pod door and Frieza ended up sending out a whole crew out to prise his arse free… at this he heard a little muffled chuckle. Dodoria pulled back slightly and used his hand to gently tilt up Zarbon's face so he could see him. Zarbon gave a little sniff and tried to smile.
''….. I'm sorry, Dodo'' he said to his college in a shaky voice, Dodoria smiled at him.
''Hey, there's nothing to be sorry about. You just had me worried.'' Zarbon nodded and looked away.
''…I had an anxiety attack after I got back, I couldn't think of what to do, then I just sort of froze up. I've not had one for years.'' Dodoria nodded thoughtfully, he'd forgotten about Zarbon's past episodes, ones which had nearly cost him his promotion to Friezas right hand man. One in particular came to mind when he froze up during a siege and lost nearly all of his men, Dodoria was worried Frieza would slaughter him on that day, but thankfully Frieza was distracted by something else by the time Zarbon had returned to base.
''Is there anything I can do for you?'' asked Dodoria, Zarbon looked a bit surprised at the question.
''…No, I don't think so. It was nice just listening to you talk, though.'' Dodoria nodded and carefully ran his fingers over the soft emerald hair, thankful that he hadn't called for the doctor now, who knows how Frieza would react if he'd heard about Zarbon's attacks relapsing. ''Did… did you want to talk about yesterday?'' asked Zarbon apprehensively. Dodoria was quiet as he thought.
''Not now, it's not the time. Let's get you settled, we can talk about it another time, if you feel up to it.'' He felt Zarbon nod against him.
''You must think I'm a mess…'' Zarbon said quietly. Dodoria gave him a light squeeze.
''I think you're an amazing warrior, a skilled negotiator and a gifted advisor. That's why we're the best of the best.'' Zarbon squeezed him back and nuzzled into him again.
''Thank you, Dodo.''
