Broken In Pieces [Discontinued]

Broken In Pieces
-------------------

“And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain.”

(2 Samuel 23:4)

Chapter Eight

Bardock shifted in the bed, feeling for a certain warmth. With closed eyes, he searched both sides of the small space for his new lover, but did not find him. Bardock gingerly opened his eyes, allowing his vision to adjust to the blinding light of what he thought was early afternoon.

He pulled himself up and threw his legs over the side of the bed. Bardock looked around the room while he stretched. He noted that the room had been cleaned and that Gratto’s clothes were missing.

His first step away from the bed was shaky. Bardock’s back was sore in a vaguely familiar way. A smile drew across Bardock’s face as he rubbed his sore back. The dull pain was a small reminder of the wonderful morning he had spent with Gratto.

Bardock dressed himself quickly, suddenly becoming worried at his sons’ reaction to his absence. Once fully clothed, Bardock opened the door and made his way back down to the small dinning area from the previous day. He was surprised to find only one of his sons at the table.

“Hey, Dad.” Kakarrot said quietly.

“Good afternoon, Son. How are you doing today?” Bardock smiled as he seated himself across from his youngest.

“I’m alright. You?” Kakarrot pushed some of his food around on his plate with a fork.

“I’m feeling pretty good.” Bardock looked about the room. “Where are Raditz and Gratto?”

Kakarrot replied without looking up. “Gratto went to the ship to make sure it was okay. He took Raditz with him.”

“Oh.” Bardock was slightly disappointed that he had not been able to wake up next to his lover, but he figured that things still needed to get done. He then made himself a plate of food and began eating when Kakarrot spoke again.

“I know what’s going on, Dad.” He said flatly.

Bardock worked to swallow his bite of food before opening his mouth. “What do you mean?” He kept his voice as reserved as possible in spite of his nerves.

“I know that you and Gratto are a couple.”

“Really now?” Bardock smiled at his son. “And, how do you know that?”

“I can just tell. Both of you are acting differently. He was glowing this morning when he left your room. You are beaming now.”

Bardock looked for the right words to say, fighting over whether or not to admit the truth to his son, but Kakarrot’s next statement alleviated his concerns.

“I’m happy for you, Dad.” Kakarrot finally looked up and into his father’s eyes. “After your mate died, I worried about you. I always hoped that you would find another partner, but you always focused on Raditz and me. I’m glad you are finally focusing on yourself. I know my situation with Vegeta,” he paused at the admission of his lost boyfriend’s name before continuing, “has brought about a lot of grief for this family, and I’m relieved that you are able to find joy in the midst of it.”

Bardock was awestruck. He knew Kakarrot’s capacity for love, but he had forgotten Kakarrot’s powerful intuition in regards to himself. “Thank you, Kakarrot. I truly appreciate that.” Bardock forced his mouth to say. He was so proud and thankful for his son that he could hardly find the words to express himself.

Kakarrot nodded before cleaning up his spot and removing himself from the table. Bardock listened as his son made his way back to his room. When the door clicked shut, Bardock’s memory fired. He remembered a similar situation that happened ten years earlier.

|||:

Bardock shifted quietly in the chair. He had been silently sitting in a chair in the corner of his eldest son’s room for a couple of hours. His mate had died just two weeks ago, and the small act of watching his sons sleep comforted him greatly.

He began to settle into the seat and felt himself drifting off when he saw a blur of orange pass by the open door. Initially, he was startled, but his mind quickly drew out of sleepiness and formed an idea. ‘Was that Kakarrot?’

Bardock stretched his legs as he pulled himself out of the chair. He passed his eldest son, who was still in deep sleep. Down the hall, he heard some shuffling before silence. Bardock smiled to himself, finding the action a bit difficult after the two week vacation.

He pushed open Kakarrot’s bedroom door and found his youngest pretending to be asleep. He tried to hold back a laugh. Kakarrot twitched when Bardock walked forward.

Bardock sat on the edge of his son’s bed and placed a hand on Kakarrot’s head. “What were you doing?” Getting no response, he leaned forward and said. “I know you are awake.”

Kakarrot’s eyelids slowly peeled back to reveal his small brown eyes.

“I don’t know.” His young son replied.

“You don’t know what?” Bardock asked slightly confused.

“I don’t know what to do.” Kakarrot said softly.

“You don’t know what to do about what?”

“About you, Daddy.” Kakarrot hid his face under the covers.

“What do you mean?” Bardock asked with a confused tone in his voice.

“You’ve been sad since Mama died. I know you sit in me and Raditz rooms at night. I wish I knew how to make you happy again.” Kakarrot’s voice came out muffled from the blanket covering his mouth.

Bardock could not stop the tears that began to trickle out of his eyes. He had cried so much in the past couple of weeks that he doubted whether or not he could cry anymore, but these tears were different.

Kakarrot poked his head out from under the blanket at the sound of his father sobbing and clung to him.

“I’m sorry, Daddy.” Kakarrot began to cry. “I didn’t mean to upset you. Please don’t cry anymore. Please.” Kakarrot wrapped his arms around Bardock’s neck and buried his damp face against his father’s shoulder.

Bardock rubbed his son’s back lovingly while he held onto him. He could not find the right words to tell Kakarrot that things would be okay. He had to just hold him and hope that he understood. Kakarrot was so much like himself. ‘But better.’ Bardock thought. ‘He is simple, but has such an amazing ability to love and care for everyone.’

Bardock held Kakarrot, rubbing his back reassuringly. He sat there with his ten year old son, who had understood his pain better than others his own age and felt truly comforted for the first time since his mate died.

Within half an hour, Kakarrot’s breathing slowed, signaling sleep. Bardock kissed his son’s forehead when he pulled him softly away from his shoulder. After placing Kakarrot in his bed and tucking him in, Bardock left. He went to his room and lay on his bed; for the first time since his mate died, Bardock fell asleep without crying or worrying.

|||:

Within moments of finishing his meal, Bardock was joined by Gratto and a mad looking Raditz.

“Hey, guys.” Bardock said calmly. He held himself back from running up to Gratto and kissing him.

“Dad, you will not believe what Gratto has done.” Raditz huffed.

“What?” Bardock smiled, figuring it could not be that bad.

“He,” Raditz pointed at Gratto, “promised Kakarrot and me away to the Yardrat Warriors for two weeks.”

“The Yardrat Warriors?” Bardock questioned Gratto.

“The Yardrat Warriors are an elite group of warrior priests on this planet. They were kind enough to invite your sons to train with them and learn some new techniques.” Gratto glared at Raditz.

“I don’t care who they are. I never agreed to train with them or stay on this planet for two weeks. We should be leaving as soon as we can.” Raditz folded his arms across his chest.

“You will train with them. You are being selfish. This is unique opportunity, and you will take it with gratitude.” Bardock spoke sternly.

Raditz looked defiant for a moment, but after surveying his father’s rare serious gaze, he backed down. “Fine.” He growled as he walked towards his room.

“That kid.” Gratto rolled his eyes when the door slammed shut.

“He just hates sitting still. I know he wants to get to Earth so he can help Kakarrot. He means well. His delivery still needs work.” Bardock crossed the room and grabbed Gratto’s chin. “You ran off this morning without giving me a good morning kiss.” He teased.

“I’m sorry.” Gratto leaned up and softly kissed Bardock’s lips. Bardock pressed back harder, hoping to intensify things. “I don’t think we should do this here.” Gratto whispered in between kisses.

“Okay.” Bardock pulled Gratto down the hall, opened the door to their room, and hurried his lover inside. Once the door was locked, Bardock rushed back to Gratto and guided him to the bed.

On the bed, Bardock quickly rid Gratto of his clothes and bent down to claim his lips again. His kisses were hard and hungry. Gratto moaned suddenly when he felt a light pinch at his sensitive chest. “Bardock…” He whimpered.

“Hm?” Bardock mumbled - his mouth busy.

“I don’t think we should be doing this right now.” Gratto broke away. “Your sons could come over any minute.”

Bardock smirked. “Or they couldn’t.” Bardock moved his head to Gratto’s chest and licked the skin that he had just pinched.

Gratto arched into his touch. He was still very new to all this. Every sensation seemed to be magnified ten fold. Rationale flew out the window when Bardock’s mouth began to travel south.

His tongue circled his navel before continuing its intended journey. Gratto covered his mouth to keep from screaming as Bardock’s tongue ran the length of his hardened member.

“Bardock… Oh, Kami.” Gratto moaned. He felt Bardock’s mouth on him. “So good. So warm.” He lifted his back to get more contact and was rewarded with Bardock’s skilled tongue.

Gratto writhed in pure ecstasy for a few moments before his eyes opened suddenly. “Why’d you stop?” He whined.

“Not yet. You can’t finish yet.” Bardock stood. Once his clothes were removed, he returned to his partner. “Suck me. Please.” Bardock lazily stroked himself. “If you suck on me, I’ll be wet enough. Then, I can be inside you.” He added when he noticed Gratto’s hesitation.

Gratto simply nodded. Moving forward, Gratto clumsily tried to repeat Bardock’s actions by running his tongue down Bardock’s length. To his surprise, Bardock moaned in delight. He continued. Gratto placed his lips at the top of Bardock’s length. The taste was different but not bad. He took the head in his mouth. The salty flavor and musky scent were powerful. He craved more of this delicacy.

He carefully took Bardock into his mouth, trying not to gag himself on the considerable mass. He had only been working for a minute when Bardock pulled his head away. “You’d better stop. Otherwise, there won’t be a next part to this.” Gratto smiled, pleased with himself.

“Lay down.” Bardock said.

Gratto did as he was told and spread his legs. Bardock carefully maneuvered in the small bed. When he was secure with hands on either side of Gratto’s arms, he moved forward. He pushed in slowly at first, hoping that the lubrication was enough to ensure a painless entrance. Gratto bucked underneath him at the initial contact.

“Come on, baby.” He moaned. Bardock pushed in further and settled into a slow and steady rhythm. “That’s it.” Gratto clung to sheets. “Faster, Bardock. Right there. Ah!” Gratto stroked himself fiercely. His release flooded onto his belly as he buried his face in a pillow.

Bardock followed him. He hid his face in crook of Gratto’s neck and lightly bit his tender skin as he rode the waves of his climax.

When his breathing returned to normal, Bardock got up. He cleaned Gratto and himself before getting back in bed. “That was nice.” He murmured in Gratto’s ear.

“I’ll say.”

|||:

To Be Continued.