Poisoned Hearts

14.

Mirai sat at the edge of a frozen lake, bare from the waist up, and covered in sweat and blood. For a week he had done nothing but train until he was too wasted to stand, pass out inside of his capsule house, then bathe in the ice water after he smashed a hole in it. Sighing, he picked his blood-stained sword up, and stood up. His break was over. Mirai started to tread through the knee-high snow. He sighed, shivering slightly. The snow was starting to fall again.

Mirai took a deep breath as he looked his sword over, He’d have to clean it again tonight. Mirai continued to tread through the snow, unable to shake this strange feeling he was being watched. Shaking it off, Mirai started to walk across the frozen lake, careful to stay away from the thinner ice. He found out the hard way that after suppressing his power level for a week while training in this terrain, it took a bit to power up, and trapped in the freezing water, under solid ice, it’s not easy to break out to the surface.

Feeling four power levels raising from the south, he paid them no attention, like always. Feeling them drawing closer, he looked over towards the powers, cursing as he recognized them. He had to hide…if they saw him like this, It would kill Gohan. He’d never forgive himself. If not Vegeta would take him back to face his mother, something else he couldn’t do.

Mirai frowned, they were getting closer. Thinking fast, Mirai ran to the thinner part of the ice, taking a deep breath before he slammed his foot down, smashing a hole in the ice. Dropping into the freezing water, Mirai swam up and coughed, before taking another deep breath. Lowering into the water, he started to swim, heading to an underwater cavern he had discovered a time ago, when trapped in the water. It lead down, then back up, to a lake near his capsule house.

Gohan, Goku, Piccolo, and Vegeta landed near the edge of the lake, looking around. Vegeta was the first to notice an old trail of blood, Piccolo found a newer one. The snow was picking up, making it harder for them to find any trace of a trail. Smelling smoke, Goku shouted for them to fallow it, figuring Mirai was at his ‘Home’, the smart place to be.

Breaking Ice is easy, when your not trapped under it, freezing your ass off. Mirai managed to find the ice near his home, but was having a hell of a time breaking through it. The falling snow wasn’t helping. Running out of air, Mirai panicked slightly, finally managing to slide the blade of his sword through the ice. Gripping the sword in his hands, he cried out under the water, his power level surging as he pushed his power into the sword, shattering a hole in the ice, large enough for him to crawl out of. Laying on the snow covered ice surrounding him home, he coughed, shivering violently, unable to feel his hands and feet after that.

Having felt Mirai’s power surging, Gohan took off, speeding towards his love, trying desperately to find him. He had a feeling he was going to be too late. Finding the hole in the ice was the easy part. Gohan floated above the ice, looking around, trying to find any sight or sign of his love. Each second seemed to last an hour. Catching sight of the glint of metal, Gohan flew down, crying out Mirai’s name.

Mirai groaned, hearing Gohan’s panicked yell. He was caught. Mirai grunted as he forced himself to stand. Lifting his sword, Mirai was knocked down with a yell, Gohan having tackled Mirai to the ground, clinging to him. Kami he was so warm, Mirai could only wrap his arms around Gohan, shivering as he clung slightly to him.

Mirai was freezing! Gohan looked down at him, worry in his eyes. He saw Mirai’s soft smile, and sighed. Standing up, Gohan wrapped an arm around Mirai, helping him walk to the capsule house, Mirai’s sword clasped tightly in his hand. Entering the building, Mirai’s name was shouted by Goku, making both Vegeta and Piccolo, not only flinch but turn and look. They frowned, seeing the state Mirai was in. Gohan sat Mirai in a chair, while Goku went to grab them a large, warm blanket. Vegeta put another log on the fire, frowning, not too pleased with Mirai’s state.

Mirai shifted in the chair, trying to stand, before he was pushed back down, Goku wrapping the blanket tightly around him. Mirai fussed, fighting with the blanket before he managed to stand, yelling at everyone in the room.

“ENOUGH!”

They stopped, watching Mirai stand, before he fell back into the chair, his hair starting to defrost. He glared at them all, panting slightly, having exerted himself just then. He frowned, looking at everyone.

“Why are you all here?”

“Mir…”

“Look at yourself, Brat!”

“You’re hurting yourself Mirai…and Gohan’s been beating himself up every day and night. I made a stupid move…you two deserve no less than each other.”

“ok…Three things; One, STOP CALLING ME BRAT! I was perfectly fine before You three showed up! I nearly got frozen trying to hide because I just want to be alone! Two, Gohan deserves better than me. I’m an emotional wreck, who’s just going to end up killing himself somehow. And three…Piccolo?”

Piccolo frowned. “I led them here.”

“Oh…ok, well nice to see you again, how have you been?”

Piccolo frowned. “Oh no you don’t! Leave me out of this!”

Vegeta went to take a step towards Mirai, but stopped as he watched Gohan kneel in front of Mirai. Gohan spoke softly, tears in his eyes as he gently wrapped the blanket around Mirai. There was pain in Gohan’s voice, but more concern.

“Mir…You’re the best thing that ever happened to me…I feel lost without you…” Gohan looked over his shoulder at the others. “Everyone…We need some time alone.”

Piccolo placed his hand on one of Goku’s shoulder’s, Vegeta doing the same with the other. Goku nodded to Gohan, secretly they were wishing the teen luck as they vanished. Gohan looked back at Mirai, taking one of his hands in his own, blowing softly on it as he gently rubbed his hand between his own hands, trying to bring warmth to his hand.

“Mir…I love you so much…this last week has been hell…and…when I saw your jacket…and your hair…I feared you have done worse…and I was right to fear. You’re more pail than in the HBTC…I don’t know how much longer you’d have lasted…but I hear it wouldn’t have been long…and I wouldn’t have been able to wish you back…Please Mirai…Mir…accept me back into your life…I was a fool to ever let you go…”

Mirai kept his eyes lowered, trying to not let his pain show. Looking up, Mirai’s eyes locked with Gohan’s. They simply stared at each other, eyes conveying so many emotions. Mirai pulled Gohan up, and into a passionate kiss, tears sliding down their cheeks as they held the kiss. Breaking away, Mirai smiled softly, Gohan smiling, sniffling slightly, having been on the brink of crying himself.

Mirai smirked as he got a gasp out of Gohan, having slid one of his freezing hands up Gohan’s shirt. Mirai laughed as Gohan pulled away, frowning as he glared at Mirai. Taking Mirai’s hand in his, Gohan pulled Mirai up, tugging as he led him to the bathroom. Making Mirai sit on a countertop, Gohan kneeled by the bathtub, turning the water on, trying to get it to a temperature that wouldn’t hurt Mirai while it warmed him up.

“Gohan…what are you doing?”

“You’re freezing! I’m drawing you a bath.”

“Without a pencil and paper?”

“Very funny smart ass.”

“You know we will have to do something about your language.”

“Shut up Mir…I’m still upset at you.”

“What did I do?”

Gohan sighed, looking over at Mirai.” You’ve worried me sick! You shouldn’t have left your jacket like you did…and you did a horrible job cutting your hair!”

Mirai frowned as Gohan started to laugh. It was true though, Mirai had just pulled his ponytail back then sliced it off, leaving his hair at different lengths. “Ha ha ha, very funny. I was using a sword, that’s not the easiest thing to do! I’ll fix it after the bath, ok?”

Gohan chuckled, smiling. “Alright, ten dollars say you still look funny!”

Mirai frowned, rolling his eyes as Gohan laughed. Having the bath ready, Gohan stood up, rolling his sleeves up. “Alright, get in.”

Mirai sat there watching Gohan. “Gohan…I Can bathe myself…”

Gohan looked serious. “Just get in…I’ll help you.”

Mirai stood up, frowning. “You can help by getting out…”

Mirai and Gohan stood facing each other, steam rising off of the water.

“Mir…it’s not like we haven’t seen each other naked before!”

Mirai looked down, already shirtless, the scars covering his chest and arms evident enough. “Gohan…I’d rather do this myself…”

“Mir…get in the tub…”

“No.”

“Your acting like Trunks…”

“Uh Gohan…I Am Trunks!”

“Bath! Now!”

“Out! Now!”

Gohan launched himself at Mirai, catching him by surprise. Mirai cried out as he fell back. The two wrestled, soon laughing as they fought with each other. What started as a serious argument, turned into a game as they wrestled. Within minuets, both of them cried out as there was a splash, both falling into the tub. Gohan looked at the drenched Mirai, then cracked up laughing, Mirai’s skin having turned red from being so cold before he fell into the water. Mirai blew air up, blowing some of his bangs out of his eyes, only to frown as they fell back over his eyes.

“It’s not That funny Gohan…”

“But…Your RED!”

“So are you.”

Gohan stopped, and looked at Mirai, blushing slightly. He frowned, splashing Mirai. Mirai smirked, splashing Gohan back. All out war began, the two laughing and shouting at each other as they splashed each other with the water, drenching themselves and the entire bathroom. Just as soon as the war had started, it was over. Gohan had pinned Mirai back in the water, their lips locked passionately as they gently started to make out, Mirai’s hands moving to pull gently on Gohan’s shirt. Gohan broke from their loving kissing, only long enough to help slide his shirt off, both of them tossing it to the side before they continued to kiss, Gohan laying on Mirai’s chest. Their eyes closed as they continued to kiss, savoring their partner’s taste, unwilling to release each other yet.

After an hour, they were still in the bathtub, no longer kissing, just holding each other. Gohan smiled, laying on Mirai’s bare chest his eyes closed as he dozed off, Mirai’s hand gently caressing and stroking his hair as he himself dozed off, holding Gohan to him. Sighing softly, Mirai opened his eyes, looking at Gohan.

“Baby?”

Gohan shifted slightly, sighing softly. “Yes Mir?”

“I think we should get out now…”

“Why? I’m comphy…”

“So am I…but I’m worried…if I stay in the water much longer my butt might start to prune.”

Gohan chuckled as he stood up, chuckling. “I think it’s too late for that with me…I think I’ve already pruned there.”

Mirai groaned as he stood up, stretching as he yawned. “Can I call you ‘Prune Butt’ now?”

Gohan chuckled as he stepped out of the water, starting to take his wet clothes off. “You do and I spill how old you really are in this world. And in case you don’t remember that’s 9.”

“Excuse me…10, And do so and it’ll be Your butt in jail for statutory rape.”

Gohan whimpered, turning his back to Mirai as he started to sob, faking everything. Mirai sighed, walking over to wrap his arms around Gohan’s waist, kissing the back of his neck. “Oh enough! You know I’d never let that happen.”

“Mir…You’re a sap…”

Mirai reached a hand back, bringing his hand down to smack Gohan’s bottom, causing the taller Demi-Saiyan to jump slightly, yelping in surprise. Mirai cracked up laughing as he finished stripping his wet clothes off, before taking a towel and wrapping it around the pouting Gohan’s waist.

“Oh come on baby, you liked it!”

Gohan held the towel around his waist, pouting. “that’s besides the point.” Gohan watched Mirai as he searched for another dry towel. Seeing his chance, Gohan took his towel and spun it, smirking as he watched Mirai moving. With a crack, Mirai jumped, crying out in surprise as Gohan cracked the towel against Mirai’s bare bottom.

Gohan ran out of the bathroom, laughing as Mirai chased him out, the two running around the room, laughing until Gohan was tackled onto a bed. They smiled, sharing a loving kiss before they crawled under the blankets. Yawning softly, Mirai spooned himself around Gohan as much as he could, holding him close as he softly kissed the larger man’s neck. Gohan smiled as he closed his eyes, leaning back against Mirai as he yawned softly. Mirai draped his arm over Gohan’s waist, the other moving under his own head like a pillow. They sighed in unison, snuggling to each other as they drifted to sleep.

“Mir…”

“Yah baby…”

“I love you…”

“I love you too…”

“Mir…”

“What love?”

“Your feet are cold…”

“…Just go to sleep.”