Across Time: Book Two

A/N: Yes, I'm slow. It's one of my major faults. Hmm, I seriously wonder why all my chapters are so short...

Warning: Mild lemon. There isn't a stronger lemon scene until chapter five and it'll take me another month to get around to typing it up. =)

 

Chapter Three

There were few things either of them enjoyed more than early morning cuddling. It was gentle and reassuring, something both of them had rarely experienced.

As much as he hated to admit it, Vegeta loved being completely enfolded in Goku's strong arms. It made him feel safe, protected. And when his mate hummed softly, he was completely caught up in the perfect moment.

"I feel better," he murmured almost inaudibly. "All of my doubts and my worries can be completely washed away by your care." He sighed contentedly, a slight smile on his face. "You make me whole."

Goku squeezed his arm briefly. "Well, you balance me. I think I would do really stupid stuff if you weren't around."

His smile grew wider. "You still do stupid stuff, Carrot." Before the protest had time to emerge, Vegeta planted a lingering kiss on Goku's lips. "Ai shiteru, koi. Forever and ever."

~*~

"I am so ready for this!" Sen said excitedly. He stood in front of the full-length mirror in Kristi's bedroom in his brand new outfit. He couldn't stop looking at himself in the mirror, knowing that he'd never looked so good. "Kristi, you're amazing."

She grinned. "Thanks very much." The white headband she held was tied just at his hairline. "I'm really proud of it."

Sen wore what appeared to be a vest at first glance and a modified tuxedo at another. Actually, it was a little bit of both. The sleeveless shirt was fastened with a row of buttons up the front and split into long tails at the back. Beneath the vest-like top piece he wore a pair of white shorts only a few centimeters shy of being indecent. The outfit was finished off with white slippers and the headband made out of the same comfortable material as his clothing. Senneth was perfectly suited for the color, but couldn't wait to change the virginal part of it. He knew exactly what two males could do together (at least, he thought he did) and couldn't wait to love Kilan's body all over again.

"You're blushing," Kristi commented with a knowing smile. "I bet your honeymoon will be a night to remember."

Color still lit his cheeks crimson, but Sen was able to look her in the eyes. "I sure hope so." Then he bounced from the room excitedly, singing a tune he made up on the fly. "I'm gettin' joined today! Kilan's my mate today! Nothing is neater and there's nothing sweeter than bonding with Kilan today!"

Kristi winced. "Definitely needs work."

He smiled beatifically. "I have a lifetime. Ki's so inspiring."

She led him to the communal hall. It was a vast cavern where they held parties, many different kinds of ceremonies, and classes for the children. The people had decorated the place with paper streamers, artwork, and elaborately folded paper animals. Rugs lay on the floor in a semi-circle with two plush velvet pillows in the center. Another pillow, this one white, was perpendicular to them.

People filed in and settled themselves comfortably on the floor. Children looked around in fascination at the room, wondering how a place where they spent so many torturous hours could look so different. All wore their best clothes -- nice to look at and easy to move in -- and wore no shoes. When dancing at joining ceremonies, it was customary for the body to have direct contact with the earth.

Light flute music began to circulate the room from hidden musicians, signaling the start of the ceremony. Biran took her place on the white pillow, crossing her legs and folding her hands in her lap. Kilan and Sen entered through the far door side-by-side, approaching the people and separating to move around the attendees in different directions. They both kneeled on the twin pillows, faced each other, and clasped hands.

Biran cleared her throat. "These two young men, both from Crenix Capital, have decided to undergo the ancient ceremony of the Xilu tribe. Senneth, have you successfully forged a link from your mind to Kilan's that will forever join you?"

"Yeah," he said, voice choked with tears of joy.

"And you, Kilandreau, have you done the same?"

A wave of deep emotion poured from Sen through their connection that threatened to overwhelm him. Kilan took several slow, steadying breaths before responding. "Yes, I have."

"As their minds are compatible, so are their hearts. Boys, is there anything you would like to say?"

Sen's head bobbed up and down rapidly. "I wrote a poem I call 'Ode to Kilandreau'." He cleared his throat and nervously began.

"This name I hear,
It calls to me,
Tugs on heart strings
And sends a warmth right to my soul.

"This face I see
Delicate, yet strong
Clean as slate
But emotion runs rampant in your eyes.

"This love I feel
Like nothing before.
Soothing balm to raw wounds.
Heaven has come to Saiya for me."

Kilan's eyes leaked and absently he wondered it that was Sen's emotion or his own. Deciding that it really didn't matter, he took his turn at speaking. "What I'm going to say won't be nearly as touching as your poem, but I'm going to say it anyway. Sen, you're my first, last, and only love. I would move mountains for you if I could. Since I can't, I'm going to content myself with being your friend, guardian, lover, partner, and lone follower of your cult." That statement received chuckles, including a few watery ones from Sen. Kilan nodded at Biran. "Alright, I'm finished."

"On this day, before these honored witnesses, Senneth and Kilandreau's Bond has been acknowledged. Let them be gifted with long life or, if merciful, a quick death so that one may never know the horrors of a severed Bond."

A low, murmured agreement rose up from the assembled guests. "Let no pain befall them. Let no others part them."

"You may seal your joining with a kiss."

For moment they simply stared into each other's eyes. Then Sen took initiative, as always, and cupped Kilan's face. He drew him closer, all but tumbling the smaller Saiya-jin into his lap in the process. The people erupted into cheers as their lips made contact, their sounds of celebration turning to good-natured ribbing when it took the newly-joined a full minute to separate for air. Biran rose from her position and announced loudly to all present, "Let the feast begin!" Sen's cheers were the loudest of all.

***

He was like a small cyclone that sucked up all the food in its path. Sen went through the buffet line more than anyone and emerged with several plates each time. Kilan had to forcefully stop him, citing that other people might want seconds.

"But it's my day," he whined. Then he laughed slightly. "Alright, Ki. I'll prove to everyone that I have self-control." But when the largest cake he'd ever seen in his entire life was wheeled before him, Sen completely forgot what he'd just said. Before anyone could even blink, Sen had removed the entire top layer of the seven-layer cake.

"Um, Sen? Aren't you going to share that with me?" Kilan asked mildly as the entire thing neared his beloved's mouth. The teenager looked ashamed and offered him a piece. Kilan took it gracefully then dabbed icing on Sen's nose.

After the night of wining, dining, dancing, and romancing was over, the two young men retired to the new room given to them by Biran. A cheerful fire crackled in the hearth, casting light over the love nest on the floor. Thick matting lay in the center and was covered with pillows and blankets.

Sen and Kilan busied themselves by touring the room and commenting on the décor. When there were no more paintings to analyze, and no other things to occupy themselves with, they turned to each other and wondered. Neither of them really had any experience and two virgins together often made for awkward first times.

"Um, okay..." Sen cocked his head to the side as he pondered their situation. "What are your preferences?"

"Preferences?" Kilan blushed very minutely. "Well, I like guys."

A suppressed a smile. "We wouldn't be here if you didn't, Ki. Think bigger."

He paced, wondering if sex was always so mentally challenging. "Will you do what you did before? That was great."

Sen nodded while grinning fully. "Talking about this is weird, isn't it?"

"Well, yes. Just a little." Kilan: the master of understatement.

Smiling, he slowly began to stalk toward his mate. Kilan didn't know whether to be nervous or excited. His stomach settled on an uncomfortable mixture of both.

It all began with a kiss, one that left them both breathless. Sen's nimble fingers unbuttoned his vest and it was on the floor before either of them knew it. Then the same busy fingers pulled free Kilan's sash and, suddenly, they were half naked.

"Let's get horizontal," Sen gasped out. He led Kilan out to the bed and pushed him firmly down upon it. At a very fast pace, pants were removed and tossed away. By silent, mutual consent the underwear was completely bypassed. That was too big of a step at the moment.

"Sen," Kilan said as kisses (and a few licks) landed on his face, neck, and chest. "Forgive me if I finish too soon." Sen grabbed a puckered nipple between pearly-white teeth and nibbled. His willing victim found it quite difficult to form coherent sentences. "No... disappoint..."

A pink tongue traced a wet path between two nicely developed pecs and leisurely circled his navel. "Never."

"That's good." He let out a low breathy moan and surrendered to release. For a brief moment Sen pouted, then he realized that Kilan's manhood wasn't completely flaccid. He started to remove Kilan's now-damp undershorts when he was stopped by slightly shaking hands.

"Let me do something for you," his mate said. Then he removed them himself. Rolling Sen over, he honed in on the lump in the tiny pair of bikini underwear, kissing him over the cloth. The teenager's eyes flew open wide as he felt the hot moistness and, "Goddamn!" emerged loudly from his mouth. Kilan's hands fell away in startlement until Sen gave him a 'What the hell did you do that for?' look. "Don't stop!" he moaned. "Please, don't stop!"

Kilan experimented; he knew that he had the rest of his life to perfect his technique. One night, a night that seemed to have happened in another lifetime, Sen had done absolutely amazing things to his body that had rocked him all the way to the very core of his being. While he knew that chances were slim that he could ever hope to match the teenager's enthusiasm and adventurism, Kilan wanted to make their sexual experiences enjoyable. Hooking his fingers into Sen's bikinis, he pulled them completely off and cast them away.

He was perfect and was told so in reverent awe.

Sen blushed embarrassedly and tried to ignore his nakedness. The attempt succeeded... until Kilan's mouth descended upon him.

"OH MY GOD!" Sen screamed loud enough to wake the dead. He inhaled sharply and stared down in wonder at Kilan. "You stop and I'll kill you!"

Kilan smirked the best he could with a full mouth and went back to work.

The room soon filled with the sounds of Sen's constant sounds of pleasure and urging. Kilan discovered exactly how he felt about each and every kiss, lick, and playful bite -- and there were few things he didn't thoroughly enjoy.

His staying power was astounding. There actually came a time when Kilan had no idea how long his tired jaw muscles could keep going. Sensing his fatigue, Sen finally allowed himself to tumble over the edge.

Frankly, Kilan was startled by the explosion. It didn't taste all that bad, but then again, he'd swallowed most of Sen's seed reflexively. He made a mental note to get a good taste next time around.

"Oh, wow," Sen said faintly, his eyes half-closed. "That was excellent -- beyond excellent! That was phenomenal!"

Kilan was deeply flattered. "Well, thanks."

He suddenly found himself lying prone, hands captured. Sen grinned with a sudden burst of renewed energy. "Time for round two!"