Cherished

WARNING: OOC of course! This also contains yaoi love scenes between two men, Tien and Chaotszu (if the clown even qualifies as a man!). I don't own 'em, but I should!

Tien felt Chaotszu's body grow tense in his arms. He's having the nightmares again, he thought, as he gently drew the blanket up over his small companion's sleeping form and held him tighter. He whispered incoherent words and brushed the rosy cheeks until he felt the other's muscles relax again. He didn't even realize he was sweating until he noticed a drop fall from the tip of his nose to glisten on his lover's cheek.

Thw worried fear and guilt rushed upon him in an instant, making him cringe and gasp audibly. Chaotszu stirred and murmured in his sleep, but his eyes remained closed. Tien placed soft kisses on the closed eyelids, and brought his arms still tighter around the dormant clown.

"I almost lost you," he whispered aloud. "I did lose you. Nothing has been the same since. You never let me kiss you anymore. Ever since Nappa.." His voice broke and grew strangled and coarse. "I told you not to take him alone! I begged you! Why couldn't you listen to me?! Why can't..." He sobbed loudly. He struggled to catch his breath, and his next words came out a mournful whisper. "Why can't you love me?"

"I do love you." The soft voice rose from the head cradled against Tien's heart. "It's not you fault, Tien. Please don't blame yourself."

"It is my fault!" Tien exploded passionately. " I should have protected you! I should have..."

"You did protect me," Chaotszu interrupted. "You always do. But this was my turn to protect you. You couldn't have stopped me."

" I just...I feel so..."

"Stop." Tiny fingers swept the tears from the larger warriors eyes and cheeks, as a tender mouth gently pressed against his lover's lips.

Tien was startled. All three eyes flew wide open, then slowly closed as he leaned into the loving kiss. He rolled over after he had caught his breath, careful not to crush the smaller being beneath him as he tasted the clown's pale neck. Large hands caressed a delicate, porcelein body, hesitating with each childlike sigh and gasp of pleasure they elicited. When they reached the front of his drawstring pants, playfully teasing the small hardness fighting against the constricting fabric, the cries grew stronger, pleading. They brought an arousal to Tien's own member, which was trapped inside identical clothing. These pants are gonna have to go! he decided. He brought his teeth to the other's drawstring and slowly pulled the pants loose. Eager, small hands rushed to push them comepletely off, then reached for the larger man's groin.

AAAAUUUGGGHHH!!!!! I can't do it! He's a clown! A CLOWN! Mixe collapses on the floor in a seizure. Her arms and legs flail everywhere, trying to hit imaginary, pale-faced clowns. She starts to shriek and cry at the same time, "A clown! A CLOWN!!!"

To be continued? I hope not! PLEASE don't request it. I'm too young for a nervous breakdown!