Saiyuki: Reborn

And so it ends! I hope everyone enjoyed this little fic. Sorry about
the somewhat abrupt ending, but I like to think it leaves room for a
sequel. Thanks for all the support and comments!

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Chapter 22


Konzen\'s eyes thinned slightly at the look Goku was sending
him. //I\'m not really Konzen anymore. I\'m not really Sanzo, or Huyen…
or any of the others, either. We\'ll both have to get used to
that.// \"All right.\" He gave Goku a light pat before returning to his
apple.

Still trying to puzzle out the god\'s odd reactions, Goku weboutbout
his cooking. He remained quiet until the meat started to sizzle, just
glancing idly around the kitchen. \"I wonder if we could stock some
more stuff,\" he murmured, almost to himself. \"This place isn\'t
exactly made for real meals, and...I don\'t think the court would want
me eating with them.\" He snorted faintly to himself. //Hell, the
cooks probably won\'t want me anywhere near the kitchen after all the
food I used to steal.//

\"I\'m sure it can be arranged,\" Konzen replied easily. \"If you keep
cooking up here, maybe I\'ll have to sneak out of court meetings.\" He
snorted quietly. \"If they\'ll even have me back. It\'s been so long...I
almost don\'t know what good I\'ll be to them.\"

Goku smiled faintly down at his cooking. \"You\'re you,\" he replied
easily. \"Konzen and Sanzo...they always knew what to do. Bosatsu used
to say--when you weren\'t around--that you were the only sane voice in
there. Things were probably pretty bad here without you.\" He
scratched at the back of his head. //He\'ll be busy, then. Working,
studying.... And I\'ll be stuck here.//

\"I can\'t argue that,\" Konzen replied with a dry smirk. \"It\'ll be more
work than basic algebra, I\'m sure. What...a fine mess, huh?\" He
passed a hand back through his hair, and was distracted suddenly by
its length. \"Damn it\'s long.\"

Goku glanced back, and for a moment his voice was silent, just
watching the sway of golden strands. //Though it used to be
longer.// \"You could always pull it back,\" he suggested, turning back
to his food.

\"Hm? Oh, right.\" Konzen hadn\'t realized that he\'d spoken out loud,
and he frowned thoughtfully as he swept the blonde locks behind him.
They didn\'t stay back as well as he would have liked. In the end he
pulled it over one shoulder, just to keep it all together. //If only…
Tenpou and Kenren could be here with us. Though at least they\'re
together.//

A few more minutes went by, and Goku was able to serve up the mix
he\'d created. It wasn\'t very elegant, and for a moment he was afraid
of Konzen\'s reaction to it, but the god said nothing. They ate in
relative quiet, which was unusual for their meals, but...Goku was
still feeling rather subdued from his past week. When at last they
seemed done, he gathered their plates to be cleaned.

Konzen\'s eyes followed his companion across the kitchen. //This…it
shouldn\'t be this awkward.// He glanced away, wishing he knew what
Goku was thinking. This was nothing like the excited reunion he\'d
expected. \"Thanks for the meal--it was good.\"

\"Sure. I thought there would be some left for tomorrow, but....\" He
glanced into the cooking pot—empty. He sighed heavily. \"Well, guess
it just means I\'ll have to cook in the morning again.\" Goku heard
movement out in the hall, the whisper of servants. //They\'re here to
take care of Konzen.// His eyes darted briefly to the door with a
scowl. //I forgot that he used to have people...help dress him and
everything.//

Konzen followed his gaze, and he pushed quickly to his feet. \"Come
on,\" he said urgently, urging Goku to set the dishes down so they
could slip out the side door. \"Before they spot us.\" //They\'re the
last thing I need right now.//

Startled, Goku stumbled after the god, though he was relieved that
they wouldn\'t have to worry about the maids. //Though there will
still be rumors, if there aren\'t already. I mean, we were lovers on
Earth.// He frowned faintly--he wasn\'t sure what they were now, here
in Heaven. After all, Konzen was a god again, and he...was still a
demon. It made his fingers curl as he followed Konzen down the hall.

Konzen had a feeling that the first maid was probably still tidying
up his room--and he feared the result--so he took them on a sharp
turn, into his personal study room. He breathed a sigh of
relief. \"They won\'t be able to get to us in here,\" he huffed, sinking
into his familiar cushioned bed. Thousands of years later and nothing
had changed....

Goku paused in the door, glancing around. //It really hasn\'t changed,
though...everything seems much lower.// He watched as Konzen settled
on the large window bench--\"their\" bench, really. Tlacelace where
they used to sit together, learning to read and write, taking naps in
the sun…or the rain. After a moment he slowly entered, though his
steps were still hesitant. He could hear the fountain out beyond the
doors, though now it had grown dark enough to hide the water.

Konzen cocked an eye. //This isn\'t like him. I don\'t like it.// He
waved for Goku to join him. \"I think it\'s about time you tell me
what\'s on your mind,\" he said, shifting so there would be room for
them both.

\"Hmm?\" He came closer, finally dropping lightly onto the bench next
to Konzen. He can tell. \"It\'s been a long day,\" he admitted, plucking
idly at his knees. \"I mean, with the hearing and everything. I
guess...I didn\'t really expect to see you again.\" Goku glanced at the
other shyly, though his gaze was still uncertain.

\"You\'re not fooling me,\" Konzen replied simply, leaning his back into
the bench\'s armrest. \"I\'m still a little unsteady myself, but I know
there\'s something bothering you.\" //And I know it\'s me, so we might
as well talk about it.//

Goku squirmed beneath Konzen\'s sharp eyes, and he could almost
imagine that he was young again and about to receive a stern talking
to. \"It\'s just....\" He rubbed at his nose. //There\'s too much. What
are we going to do here? What will I do? How will we be treated?
Will....// His eyes fell. //Will you still...love me the same way?//

Konzen sighed quietly. He hadn\'t had to deal with Goku when he was
this quiet for a long time. He slid closer, lifting a hand to the
base of Goku\'s skull. //It\'s still me.// Though he wasn\'t sure how
much of Huyen\'s intimacy he could offer just yet he tugged Goku
against him, and…it wasn\'t until then that he realized how grateful
he was to have him.

Surprised but grateful at the stopping of questions, Goku leaned
against Konzen\'s side, letting his head rest on a thin shoulder. The
strong hands were too familiar, and he couldn\'t help shivering
faintly. //Konzen.... //All at once he was sinking, sliding until his
head was pillowed against the god\'s thigh. Innocently, though--like
when he was still a child.

Konzen relaxed as well, sinking into the cushions as he moved his
fingers over Goku\'s scalp. It was so familiar, and something inside
him ached when he realized he\'d forgotten until just
recently. //Goku...was I ever strong enough for you?// He pressed his
eyes shut as he took in the quiet of this place and his companion.

Goku\'s eyes closed as well, and he sighed heavily. //Just let me stay
here for a bit. If....// He shivered. //If this is all I can have,
then it\'ll be enough. It\'ll have to be enough.// He curled up like a
pup, knuckles resting against Konzen\'s leg, knees tucked up near his
chest.

It felt wrong somehow. They had never been this still, this solemn,
and it was wearing on Konzen in a way he hadn\'t expected. //Why do I
feel like he\'s no longer next to me?// \"Goku….\" He drew his nails
lightly against his cheek. \"Are you all right?\"

He shivered again. \"I...don\'t know,\" Goku
whispered. \"It\'s...everything\'s so strange, now.\" He curled a little
tighter, his back aching at being so tense for so long. \"This
morning...I thought I was going to die, you know? After all this
time...I was going to die.\" Chin trembling, his shoulders hunched up
around his ears. //I can tell him. Konzen...he\'ll understand, won\'t
he? Or maybe Huyen will....// \"I almost...wanted to...you know?
Because no one would tell me if you were okay. If you remembered
anything or...had gone crazy...and....\"

Konzen\'s hand stilled, a little caught off guard by such grave
sentiments. //It\'s been so long for him,// he reminded himself. //I…
can\'t blame him for thinking that way. Can I?// He resumed the
movements of his fingers, drifting his touch down the back of Goku\'s
neck. \"It\'s all right,\" he assured quietly. \"I...can\'t always expect
you to wait for me.\"

Goku flinched a bit. \"Don\'t go,\" he said automatically, grasping at
Konzen\'s loose pants. \"Just…don\'t go anywhere anymore.\" He turned his
face to hide better against the god\'s leg. //I don\'t want to wait
anymore--I can\'t--so don\'t leave me again.//

\"I won\'t.\" Konzen tightened his fingers around Goku\'s shoulder. \"I\'m
not going anywhere--as far as I\'m concerned, we\'ve both earned
uneventful lives for a while.\" He lowered his other hand to take up
the gentle caress of Goku\'s hair. \"So don\'t think like that anymore.\"

He nodded, allowing himself to relax somewhat. //Konzen....// Goku
finally glanced up into the other\'s face. \"You\'re...being really
nice,\" he murmured. //Not so much like Konzen.... Is…is Huyen still
there? Maybe?// Goku rolled a bit more onto his back to better see
the god.

\"Am I?\" Konzen couldn\'t be sure of much of anything anymore, but he
thought he understood the look Goku was giving him. He pressed a hand
against Goku\'s chest to urge him onto his back so they could see each
other better. \"We\'ve been lovers for a couple hundred years now, you
know.\"

\"On and off,\" he reminded, following Konzen\'s guidance and settling
easily. Something curled in his chest at the word \"lover\"--something
hopeful and warm. //Can we really…still be lovers? Even like
this....// \"It\'s really been...a long time, hasn\'t it?\"

\"Yes, it has been.\" Konzen rubbed absently at Goku\'s chest, a little
captivated by how different everything felt in his new body--
everything was a little sharper, a little more and less real at the
same time. \"Longer for you than me. Are you up for one more round?\"

His eyes widened. //Is he saying that….// Goku licked his lips and
shifted faintly. \"You….\" He paused for a deep breath. \"You
still...want to be lovers?\" he finally asked, somewhat
breathlessly. \"I mean, is that even allowed?\"

If he\'d still been Huyen, he would have laughed--Konzen only managed
an exasperated snort. \"I remember everything now, you know,\" he
reminded him. \"You think I\'d last up here if I couldn\'t get my hands
on you?\" He pinched Goku teasingly to prove his point.

Goku smiled hesitantly, still not sure he could believe all of this
at once. He wiggled a moment to avoid Konzen\'s hand. \"But...you\'re a
god now,\" he pointed out. \"And I\'m...a demon. It\'s not really
allowed, is it? For us to....\"

Konzen fixed him with another look. \"Was it allowed when you were a
demon and I was \'the\' Genjo Sanzo?\" he countered. \"Or an underage
human, for that matter? As if something like that bothers me.\" He
glanced away in slight embarrassment--his time as Huyen had made him
soft. \"And if anyone else cares, screw them.\"

He chuckled softly. \"I\'d rather not.\" Goku finally, slowly, reached
up to brush his knuckles against Konzen\'s chest. \"You might get
jealous.\" //Maybe...things won\'t be so bad here. If we can still be
together....//

Konzen scoffed, but he stretched his shoulders faintly, encouraging
Goku\'s hand. //It\'d be a shame if we went back to me starting
everything,// he thought with a hint of a smirk. He curled his
fingers in the front of Goku\'s shirt, giving him a tug as if to pull
him upright.

Goku obeyed the silent instructions without thinking, though deeply
he knew it was something Sanzo used to do. //I wonder...what it will
be like, being with Konzen. Being with...all three of them....//
Taking the hint, he sat up and leaned close, tilting his head to
offer a kiss.

Konzen kept one hand tight in Goku\'s shirt, the other slipping to his
hip. //It\'s still the same—his mouth never changes—but…I feel it
differently.// He kept Goku a little longer than usual, just getting
used to the sensation of Goku\'s lips against his new skin.

//He tingles....// He thought back a moment to Huyen, and with a
murmur he pressed closer, kissing his lover strongly. The feel of
magic and immortality washed over him, and Goku couldn\'t help an
anxious shiver as he sucked at Konzen\'s lips.

//That\'s more like it.// Konzen\'s fingers curled against Goku\'s hip,
gradually working their way lower. //He\'s always felt good.// He
allowed Goku to control the kiss a moment as he twisted slightly on
the bench, gradually leaning back. //He was so careful with me when I
was Huyen. I like…how we were before.// He lifted his other hand to
the back of Goku\'s neck, urging him into a stronger kiss.

The tender movements helped to put him more at ease, and Goku was
relieved to think that Huyen wasn\'t as gone as he\'d originally
thought. He pushed Konzen down onto his back, urging his body to turn
on the bench. Instinct and memory were beginning to take over as he
ran his hands over the god\'s sides and hips.

Konzen sighed appreciatively as he stretched his spine, already
parting his thighs around Goku\'s hips. He was enjoying this new body--
he wasn\'t so much taller than Goku as he\'d been formerly as Konzen
and Sanzo, allowing him to better appreciate his partner\'s greater
strength. \"Come closer,\" he hissed, twisting his arms around Goku\'s
shoulders as he tugged him down.

//Sounds like Sanzo....// Goku murmured softly in reply, fingers
curling around Konzen\'s hips so he could pull them tightly together.
He was forgetting all his worries quickly, knowing he would pay for
it later, but...that was later. Grinning to himself, Goku urged his
lover\'s lips to part even further, to allow a deeper kiss.

Konzen followed his guidance, holding him tightly as he scraped their
thighs together. A thin groan escaped him as the arching of his back
pressed their hips. //Let them hear us. They\'re not allowed in here
anyway.//

Goku shivered at the rising of the other\'s voice--it still affected
him so strongly. He separated their lips with a gasp. To catch his
breath, he focused his attentions to his hands, encouraging Konzen\'s
thighs up around his waist. His hips gave a quick, testing thrust,
and he felt his face burn eagerly. \"Konzen....\"

Konzen\'s head fell back slightly as his eyelids fluttered. //God, he
feels good. I missed this.... Don\'t hold back, Goku.// He tightened
his arms and thighs, trying to draw Goku into a rocking
motion. //God, that feels good….//

//Fuck them all--he\'s mine. None of them can change that, right,
Konzen?// Goku bent his head, biting playfully at his lover\'s neck.
Feeling bold, he grabbed at Konzen\'s arms, peeling them away from his
neck and forcing them up over the god\'s head. His eyes flashed a
moment. \"You sound good,\" he hissed, licking his lips.

Konzen blinked up at him, a little startled--Goku hadn\'t been that
forceful for a while, and he was grateful. Groaning low in his chest,
he pulled slightly against Goku\'s hands--just to give the impression
that he might be fighting. //Come on.//

Goku offered another kiss, slowly winding his fingers through
Konzen\'s. \"Is this...okay?\" he asked, made uncertain by the other\'s
expression. //Huyen and I...never really did it this boldly before.
Sanzo used to like it, though, so maybe....//

\"Yeah,\" Konzen breathed, licking his lips as he met Goku\'s bright
eyes. He bucked at his lover teasingly, trying to urge him on. \"Come
on. Before someone hears us.\" He moaned thickly, as if inviting
anyone who might try to interrupt them.

He giggled softly. \"Let them--they\'ll be jealous.\" Goku tilted his
head so he could play his lips over Konzen\'s long, slender neck; the
soft skin seemed to make his mouth tingle. His hips moved in slow,
strong pulses, just to prepare them as his hands began to slide down
Konzen\'s arms towards his shoulders. //Keep these up,// he silently
instructed as he started on the god\'s tunic.

Konzen followed along, tightening his fingers in soft fabric as he
let Goku do as he pleased. He would have liked something more
substantial to grip--a bed headboard, even a better armrest. But this
was enough, and he arched his back so Goku would have an easier time
with his clothing.

//He\'s a little quieter than Huyen,// Goku noticed, maybe only a bit
disappointed. He didn\'t let it bother him for too long. //It just
means I\'ll have to work harder.// Grinning, Goku set about removing
the silk robes of his guardian and lover. Once Konzen was bare, his
skin glowing softly with the moonlight coming through the window,
Goku sat back to pull at his own shirt--the same T-shirt and jeans
he\'d been wearing when they\'d gone after Ahn-Shi. He winced slightly
as he tried to shrug out of his shirt, the bullet wound in his
shoulder complaining.

Konzen watched him, and though he kept his hands where they were he
bent his knee so he could rub at Goku\'s chest with his foot. \"Are you
all right?\"

He nodded, reaching up to rub at the spot--Lan\'s bandages were still
in place. \"I never got the chance to get it checked, but it\'s okay.\"
Ignoring the pain as best he could, he pushed himself up so he could
unbutton his jeans and began pushing them off.

\"All right.\" Konzen lowered his leg, trusting that Goku knew his own
limits. He did, however, use his feet to paw Goku\'s pants on their
way off. //I want him to take me now that I\'m really here,// he told
himself, his eyes gleaming. //I\'m finally whole--I can be the lover I
was meant to be for him.//

Goku shivered as he was finally bare, the cool air licking at his
skin in a way it never had on Earth. He quickly crawled over his
lover, wanting to know if his body would feel any differently as
well. \"You\'re gonna have to help me,\" he murmured, suddenly eager,
eyes wide and bright. \"We don\'t have any of our...\'stuff\' here.\"

Konzen snorted. //Oh, right.// He moved his hands at last, taking
Goku by his hips and tugging him forward. \"Then come here,\" he nearly
growled, digging his fingers into firm muscle. \"I\'ll take care of it.\"

Though he\'d been hopeful, Goku was still surprised by Konzen\'s easy
acceptance. //I don\'t remember...if he\'s ever done this for me....//
Feeling both nervous and anxious, Goku quickly crawled higher, but
before Konzen could do anything he paused with an idea. Suddenly
giddy, he turned himself around so he was kneeling over his lover\'s
head but was within easy reach of Konzen\'s own desire. He licked his
lips, brushing testing fingers over the other. \"You won\'t mind if
I...play a bit while you do, huh?\"

Konzen wanted to give him a glare, but they weren\'t exactly in the
best position for it. \"Whatever you want,\" he replied, even as he was
already shifting his thighs a little wider. He drew Goku down
slightly, lifting himself a little off the bench so he could fit his
lips around his partner.

Goku\'s eyelids fluttered at the warm touch, and again he felt the
strange power coming off his lover\'s flesh, making his own quiver. He
needed a few moments to get used to it before attempting to act
himself. //Konzen, you...might be too much for me.// Shaking his head
to call himself back, Goku finally leaned down to take the god
deeply, for a moment sucking hard as if to pay him back for the
shiver in his skin.

Konzen squirmed a little; he hadn\'t really expected Goku to try
something like this, and he had to concentrate to not pull back. He
gathered his wits a moment later to return Goku\'s firm, teasing
treatment with the same. //Two can play that game.//

Goku moaned softly, spreading his knees so he could press faintly
lower. //More, Konzen....// He slowed his own pace, hoping the other
would follow, just to be sure they wouldn\'t finish too soon. //God,
this feels so good....//

Konzen followed his example; he tugged Goku down so he could take
more in, being sure to cover as much of him as he could. It…was
messier than he would have liked, but he assumed he\'d appreciate it
later. //He…can\'t keep that up much longer.//

Goku finally had to pull back, growling as his hips shifted a moment,
though he was quick to stop himself before he hurt his
lover. \"Konzen...stop....\" He pawed at the other\'s thighs, back
arching slightly. //Stop, but...but don\'t stop....//

Konzen leaned back, pushing lightly at Goku\'s hips so he wouldn\'t
still be in his face. \"Come on,\" he groaned, trying to push Goku back
down. By now he was almost desperate. \"Goku….\"

Goku quickly twisted around so they were face to face again, and with
another growl he stole Konzen\'s lips for a kiss. //God, I want you.//
Reaching low, Goku pulled the other\'s legs up, urging them over his
shoulders. \"Are you...ready?\" he asked breathlessly, hands groping
over Konzen\'s hips and rear. \"Konzen....\"

\"Yes.\" Konzen pressed his heels into Goku\'s back, trying to draw him
forward. \"Come on already.\" He pressed his back into the bench, head
already falling back in anticipation.

//He looks...like Sanzo.// Licking his lips, Goku quickly shook the
thought away. //Of course he does--he is Sanzo. He\'s...he\'s mine.//
He bent down, kissing at Konzen\'s exposed neck, and with a small
groan he finally pressed himself closer, entering his lover at last.
A jolt went through him, and Goku couldn\'t help thrusting completely
into Konzen\'s heated body, gasping.

Konzen growled; he\'d hoped that maybe, being a God and all, it
wouldn\'t hurt. That not being the case he took a deep breath and
forced himself to relax. \"I\'m all right,\" he murmured, giving Goku a
tug so he wouldn\'t hold back.

Goku barely heard him, too caught up in the tight heat he was
enveloped in. He held still a moment, just getting used to the feel
of his lover, before he began to move in slow, firm
thrusts. //Konzen....// Moaning, he grasped at the god\'s hips,
holding him tight as his pace quickened.

Konzen tried to draw his knees closer to his chest, forcing himself
to relax so he could accept all of Goku\'s movements. \"Goku….\" His
head lolled to the side as he panted softly through his
teeth. \"More….\"

Leaning forward until Konzen was nearly bent in half, he bit lightly
at his shoulders. He...hadn\'t let himself really go in a long time,
afraid to hurt his casual lovers and, later, Huyen. Now
though.... \"Konzen, I....\" His chest tightened a moment, and he
shuddered, fighting to keep his body held back. //God, I want him--I
really want him....//

\"Go on,\" Konzen hissed, forcing himself to meet Goku gaze for
gaze. //I don\'t care if he hurts me. I want him.// He pawed at Goku\'s
shoulders and chest in encouragement. \"Take me already.\"

Goku mad a d a faint smile before he closed his eyes. //Konzen....//
He started carefully, trying to go slow for his lover\'s sake, but the
heat and the thick, strong pulse within them both...the harsh breath
against his ear, the hum of his limiter.... Whimpering softly, Goku
felt his control slipping, his hips pumping with greater and greater
urgency. After all...he was alive, and with his lover...two things he
hadn\'t expected to be just that morning. Somehow, it made him
desperate....

Konzen\'s breath caught in his throat as his fingers dug bruises into
Goku\'s shoulders. \"F...Fuck….\" It was almost too much, even for him,
and his voice came in ragged murmurs as he accepted the other against
him. But it was still so hot, so thick and pulsing and perfect that
he couldn\'t bring himself to push Goku back.

Goku hissed softly, trying to hold out, but it was becoming too much
for him. //Though, Konzen hasn\'t....// He reached down, slipping a
hand beneath his lover\'s back, trying to adjust their angle enough so
he could hit that spot he knew so well. \"Konzen...Konzen....\" //I
can\'t...much longer....//

\"Ahh--\" Konzen threw his head back with a thick cry; already strained
and desperate he was drawn suddenly to his climax, his body
tightening around Goku\'s. \"Shit...!\"

Relieved, Goku continued his movements, moaning at the rhythmic
clenching around him, finally reaching his own limit. \"Kon--\" His
hips gradually slowed until he was completely spent, and Goku pulled
himself from his lover with a low gasp. //So good....// He sat back
on his heels, wavering, as he tried to regain his senses.

Konzen gasped weakly beneath him, too exhausted at first to realize
how sore his legs were, having been pressed so high against his own
body. Gradually he relaxed, stretching his spine and limbs. \"God….\"
He let his eyes flutter wearily closed.

Goku finally blinked his eyes open, and for a long moment he just
stared down at his lover. //Konzen...we really did it.// Smiling, he
gently massaged the young god\'s hips. //He\'ll probably be really
sore.... I hope I didn\'t hurt him.// \"Konzen?\"

Konzen grunted a reply. //I\'m not going anywhere for a while,// he
thought dryly. He took a moment to catch his breath before blinking
up at his companion. \"Yeah?\"

//He looks really tired. Well, I guess I\'m pretty tired, too.// \"We
should find a new bench,\" he murmured, glancing down. \"Or find a bed,
hmm?\" Goku rubbed lightly at Konzen\'s stomach. \"You look sleepy.\"

\"Hell yes.\" Konzen sighed, though he wasn\'t sure how well he\'d be
able to make it to his bed from here. He closed his eyes once
more. \"You\'ll have to carry me.\"

Goku smiled and crawled off the bench, though he needed a moment to
gain his balance once he was on his feet. He finally leaned over
Konzen, kissing him softly. \"You want me to carry you like a
princess?\" he teased, \"or you wanna ride on my back?\"

Konzen shot him a dubious look. \"I was kidding,\" he muttered, pushing
half-heartedly at Goku\'s shoulder. He swung his legs around, but when
he sat up he couldn\'t help a winch. //Damn, maybe I won\'t be walking
after all.//

\"Silly.\" Goku moved around in front of his lover, offering his
back. \"Just come on--we\'ll go faster this way.\" He caught Konzen\'s
legs and pulled them gently around his waist. \"At least I\'m not
carrying you like I did Huyen, like a sack of rice or something.\"

\"Wait--I\'m not going naked.\" Konzen drew his legs back as he reached
for his pants, at least. If anyone was going to happen upon them in
the middle of the night--Goku dragging him around on his back--he was
going to have at least that much on.

He laughed softly. \"So modest.\" But he followed his lover\'s example,
finding his own pants and pulling them on. Once they were both
covered, he again offered his back to Konzen. \"Ready?\"

Too embarrassed to offer any remarks Konzen wrapped his arms and legs
around his partner, burying a cringe against Goku\'s shoulder. //I\'m
going to sleep like the dead, that\'s for sure.// \"All right.\"

Goku hoisted him easily, stumbled, then quickly regain himself.
Chuckling to himself, he made his way out of the study and down the
hall. Luckily, they didn\'t come across anyone, and soon Goku was
laying Konzen out across his large bed. He sat down at his side and
reached out to touch his hair. //He\'s still...so beautiful.//

Konzen sighed heavily as he suddenly found a mattress beneath him,
and he rolled quickly onto his stomach. \"You can explain to everyone
in the morning why I\'m not getting up,\" he muttered, pressing his
face into his pillow.

\"Sure.\" He watched another moment, then sighed. //I guess...I go to
bed then.// Goku patted his lover lightly on the back before pulling
up the blankets for him. \"G\'night, Konzen.\" Leaning close, he kissed
the back of his golden head.

Konzen reached out to snag Goku\'s arm, keeping him close. \"Mm…touch
me,\" he muttered, turning his head so he could fix Goku with one
violet eye. \"I won\'t sleep if I\'m still this tense.\"

Secretly pleased, Goku resettled himself at Konzen\'s side. He gently
pressed his palms into the small of his lover\'s back, hunting out the
knotted muscles and beginning to work them out. //I\'m glad, though,
that...he let me. That we can still do this. After all, it\'s not like
I\'ve gone back to the Goku I was before, when we were first here.//

Konzen groaned softly as he pressed his face once more into soft
fabric. It hurt, but it also felt good to have Goku\'s strong hands on
him. \"Lower,\" he murmured, stretching his legs. \"That\'s good.\"

Goku did as asked, massaging Konzen\'s hips and backside, and though
he knew he shouldn\'t, his body couldn\'t help but be affected by the
touch he was spreading over his lover. After all...it had been a week
that they were apart, him locked away, alone and uncertain.... //Stop
it--he\'s tired, and there\'s no way he\'d be up for anything else.
Just...help him get to sleep.// Goku refocused his efforts. \"Feeling
better?\"

\"Yeah...\" Konzen began to relax, and gradually he felt himself
growing heavy as well. He really was tired, after all, and it was a
relief to feel his pain leaving him. \"Just stop when you get tired,\"
he murmured. \"I\'ll...probably be asleep...\"

\"Go ahead--I don\'t mind.\" Goku leaned close to softly kiss a patch of
skin between Konzen\'s shoulder blades, and for a moment he just
rested his forehead there. //I\'m...glad to be here. So
glad....// \"Thank you, Konzen,\" he whispered, not even sure the other
could hear him.

\"Hmm...?\" But Konzen was swiftly losing consciousness, and if Goku
replied he didn\'t hear him. //At least…it ended up this way....//
With one last sigh he let the last of his strength leave him, and he
was quickly asleep.

-----------------------------

The End


...possibly just for now. Thanks for reading

--Shuukitty--

PS--Quick shameless promotion! I have an original fic up here as welIt\'It\'s under Drama and is titled Of Truth and Trust. If you enjoyed this fic, I hope you\'ll like that one as well. Please check it out--Thanks!