Big hair, don't care

So unfortunately, my life has been busy, and even with school ending, there is still a lot going on for me right now. This is why I’m putting my rp blogs on temporary hiatus until things slow down a bit. I’m sorry again for not being on, or for not saying anything sooner, but I will still be partially active and keep in touch on my main in case anyone wants to chat there.

Thank you all so much for the understanding and the fun I’ve had so far, and hopefully I can get back into the groove soon.

“Stop calling me that!” Raditz snarled, shoving past Skye and trying to lose her in the oncoming crowd of people on the way to the shoe shop. He didn’t want her to let on that he may have actually, slightly enjoyed that kiss, however sporadic it may have been. He continued on, not hesitating to yell more cheap insults back at her.

“By the way, I wasn’t bothered by your dumb kiss, I was... er... disgusted by it!” Dammit, blushing again. Shake it off.

Raditz stomped into the store, not ending his tirade anytime soon, and startling the man at the desk.

“You think it’s a purse I need? Please, sister, the only thing I need is a set of earplugs so I don’t have to listen to your incessant ranting anymore.”

He flung a pair of shoes at her. “These ones fit. There, now I have my shoes so you can stop worrying your pretty little head over i-”

Shit.

“I’m... sorry, too.” Kami, he hated saying that word. His pride never allowed him to be genuinely sorry for anything, and the word tasted bitter on his tongue. But damn, he did mean it.

“You do realize that I... actually... maybe care a little bit about what you think of me? I don’t know if that was clear or not, but yeah.”

Raditz tore his gaze away, dark eyes concentrating on the floor. “I wouldn’t blame you if you found this to be uncharacteristic of me, but I’m just so tired. I’m tired of trying to pretend that I don’t care. The thing is, I want you to think I’m maybe worth more than trash, okay?”

“I...” Raditz trailed off, catching his breath aggressively in his throat. This was so out of the ordinary, that he had absolutely no clue what to say, or even how to react. “I just don’t understand. I’ve never seen you so much as emote, let alone cry like a sniveling baby.”

He wasn’t so much angry anymore as he was surprised, and as much as he loathed to admit it, seeing Zarbon in this state was tugging at his chest uncomfortably, jostling him, tearing him up. Comforting someone who he used to think hated him was not how Raditz planned for this day to go, and in a weird, almost defeated manner, the Saiyan held out his arms, shrugging, unable to do anything but that. 

“I’m used to being tricked.” His voice came out in barely a whisper, and getting quieter still, praying to Kami that no one else was listening. “And I’m so used to being looked down on by you. By Dodoria, and Frieza. By my own fucking father. And do you possibly know how that feels? No, I’m sure you’re used to being praised because... because you’re so. Damn. Perfect.”

Raditz hadn’t even started to register what was going on until Skye’s hands were on his tie, and his upcoming question was cut off by soft lips closing in on his. They had a peculiar taste, like a mixture of different spices, ginger and cinnamon. He was only dazed for a moment, and only the smallest of humming noises came from his mouth before he sprung back in surprise, face flushed, tail poofed up like a startled cat.

“What in blazes was that for, woman? You wanna give me a damn heart attack by being so... so forward?!” 

Raditz, still a bit shaken, tossed his head from side to side until he saw someone familiar. Was that... Vegeta in the distance? Well, that explained the impromptu kiss, but Raditz sneered at Skye, jutting a thumb in Vegeta’s direction. He wanted to hear her explanation first. 

“Oh, I think I know what this is about.”

... Zarbon crying.

“What the hell?” Raditz said more to himself than to anybody else, looking around the hall to make sure no one was coming, then walking closer to the man.

He stiffly turned to face the triple-sided mirror, trying to get the fabric to give as it stretched over his muscles. After a while of checking himself out, he decided he quite liked this look, even if it didn’t show off much skin. He looked more regal, impressive.

“I look pretty damn good in this, but it’ll have to go. If I flex in this thing it’s going to rip. And I know everyone wants to see that, but if you’re so insistent on leaving then I guess we can’t stay here much longer.” Raditz mocked Skye’s tone of voice, while side-eyeing her. “Oh, and you better hope there’s another pair of shoes around this place that I like because you’re definitely buying me another pair.”

Raditz found a few pairs of underwear that he liked, making sure to take every last pair just to test the “can I break Skye’s bank” theory, then sauntered off towards another store.

“Hey, Beet-head, check this place out.” Raditz pointed to a nearby band merch shop. ”Looks like this is right up your ally. I can’t wait to find a t-shirt of your band and then loudly proclaim how much it sucks in front of everyone” Raditz joked, nudging Skye lightly on the arm. 

Raditz flexed jokingly, winking at the saleswoman for good measure, but mostly just to get a rise out of Skye. It was probably working, judging by that glare she was throwing his way.

“Also, do I need a suit? Somehow, and work with me on this, I don’t think a suit is, er, -suit-able for a world-class fighter, do you get what I’m saying here?” 

Raditz squirmed under the awkward poses as he was being fitted. The show he put on could only stretch so far, and once the woman accidentally grazed his tail with her arm, he jumped, letting out a less-than flattering yelp in retort. 

“What’s your game, Zarbon?” Raditz clenched his teeth, sweat running down his nose, eyes watery. “What do you stand to gain from saying this?” Raditz paused again, turning around cautiously to look upon the man. The voice that came out was no longer laced with humour or bravado. Raditz now sounded genuinely shaken, unable to stop himself from raising his voice.

“Don’t you think I’m a disappointment? You know, like everybody else does?”

Oh, Kami, he really didn’t mean to say that. His face flooded with red, and his eyes squinted with embarrassment at the tears just lining his eyes. In a clumsy mess of frantic movements, Raditz flung the door open and sped off as fast as he could, avoiding looking back. If Zarbon wanted to follow him, that was his choice, but he’d rather die than stand around just waiting to be judged.

“Like hell I’ll let anyone help me.” Although, her fashion sense was pretty daring, not to mention flattering, and Raditz kind of liked it. Her input wouldn’t necessarily be awful or anything. “I’ll let you tag along so you can drool all over me, how’s that sound?”

Raditz strutted into the shop, waving the card around as if he was the owner, stopping just short enough to give Skye a scathing glare at the “bath” comment.

“What this... charming woman means to say is, accentuate my already dashing good looks. Don’t skimp on the variety, either. I want things that don’t leave much to the imagination, stuff to show off my muscles, hey?” He felt proud bossing the worker around, giving Skye a sideways glance as if challenging her to say something about it, then walking off to touch nearly everything in the store.

“You do seem like that. A little. Sorry if that damages your ego or anything. Maybe we’re just from two completely different worlds. Me, a brash, daunting, ruggedly handsome Saiyan warrior. You, a pretty, dainty-looking, second-in-command to the galaxy’s shortest colonizer. Us crossing paths in any casual manner is weird enough, but I guess I never counted on the fact that you would give me the time of day in the first place.”

Shit, there it was. Seemed the only logical thing to do now was to leave before his pride was bruised any farther. The last thing he wanted was to look like an emotional fool in front of anyone, let alone someone he admired. He stood up reluctantly, brushing himself off tediously, as if waiting for Zarbon to stop him. Maybe he was waiting, so what?