Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Dragons and Yaoi ❯ Part 7 ( Chapter 7 )

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ characters. I'm not getting any profit while using them.

Warnings: Yaoi (male x male). Mirai Trunks x Gohan. Bishounen (“pretty boy”). Absolute OOC.

 

Dragons and Yaoi

 

by chayron (lttomb@yahoo.com), beta-read by Redmarshin

 

Part 7

 

They had been at sea for five days now. The weather was benevolent and the ship cut through the water with ease. About fourteen days more of traveling until they reach free Jahuda port.

 

The kitchen was filled with men. They just had their dinner and weren't hurrying to drift apart. There simply wasn't much to do anyway.

 

Farther from everyone Darius was sitting at the table, reading a book. A huge black candle of an unknown origin was burning on the table, its bright light lightening the inscribed pages. From time to time Darius would lift his eyes to observe the kitchen then come back to his black tinted world on the paper.

 

At the huge table in the middle of the room, where usually the meals were being served, the men were playing poker. Sometimes the passions became loud but even then the men restrained disturbing the dark sorcerer. Several of them already had learned that Darius was quick not only with his tongue but also with his heavy hand.

 

Delaros was in his cabin that he shared together with Athara and Darius. The oldest sorcerer told everyone that he was preparing some casts. Nobody was bold enough to ask what they were for.

 

Darius' eyes shortly left the page he had been reading and concentrated on the other table. Tyari was pestering Athara again.

 

“I wonder if you are as hot inside as you look outside…” Tyari purred, expertly fluttering his eyelashes at Athara who flushed bright red. He wondered if Athara even realized that his “innocent” reactions were even worse; half of the ship followed Athara like puppies but the ignorant mage had no idea about that. No, for some reason Athara was only interested in that longhaired bulky mercenary.

 

“Will you finally stop that?” Athara glared. “I'm not interested in you!”

 

Oh, Darius clucked his tongue and shook his head - that was the worst Athara could have said; after such words every self-respecting playboy would follow Athara until he finally gave in or died.

 

Tyari's eyes sparkled and his cock throbbed at the passion with which Athara answered. “Oh sweetheart,” Tyari purred, “you surely don't mean that, do you? I know you are burning for a cock. Mine would be the best you could get.”

 

For several moments Athara was speechless. Then his eyes turned almost white.

 

Darius felt his table starting to shake. “Athara!” he slammed his book at the table, making Athara jump in surprise at the loud slam.

 

Athara panted loudly in rage for several seconds. “Listen, you sick fuck,” he hissed then at Tyari, “I'm not a damn whore! Want one - look somewhere else!”

 

“Swear to Gods,” Tyari dreamily sighed. “I didn't know it might get even better. It seems the kitty has sharp claws… That's exactly how I love my lovers… You will be the end of me, Athara…” Tyari grinned at Athara seductively.

 

“Can be arranged!” Athara spat.

 

Tyari softly laughed. “You are quite a specimen…” he then seriously said, putting his elbow on the table and leaning his head in his palm. “Seemingly so shy but at the same time as sharp as a just sharpened knife. Have never seen anyone as beautiful and act like you… Anyone possessing such a weapon would have been rotten from the inside a long time ago…”

 

Athara watched Tyari, surprised. It was the first time the man spoke seriously, not teasing or trying to embarrass him. “Maybe I am…” he muttered more to himself than to Tyari. Yes, true, he wondered more than once about that.

 

A smile appeared on the blonde's face. “A person who is actually thinking that can't be that…” He shook his head in disbelief, his blond hair dancing around his head. “So self-deprecating…” Tyari shook his head again. “Sweetheart, what would it take to make you mine?” Tyari's eyes locked on Athara's.

 

Athara almost groaned in defeat. Here we go again… He blinked and stiffened, alerted, as Tyari's finger suddenly caught his chin and raised his head.

 

“I'm serious, sweetheart. I don't care about those fucks around here,” Tyari dismissingly motioned with his hand at the current poker-table. “I promise, if you are mine, I won't need any other…”

 

Athara wrenched his chin angrily out of Tyari's grasp. “I'm no idiot, Tyari, don't even think that.”

 

Tyari's eyes narrowed. “I'm being serious, Athara.”

 

“You are being a fool thinking that I'd believe that!” Athara snapped. “You are not the first talking shit to get me into your bed!”

 

“Athara…” Tyari's fingers locked on Athara's wrist. Couldn't Athara see that he was driving him crazy?! He knew that Athara needed only some persuasion. He perfectly knew that Athara was one of those that loved to be forced. Even if they denied that.

 

Athara unsuccessfully tried to wrench his arm out of Tyari's painful grasp.

 

“Are you trying to seduce or intimidate him?” Darius' brow arched at Tyari. He put his book back on the table. Tyari seemed to be infatuated with Athara. Not that it was something new.

 

Tyari came back to his senses and let go of Athara's wrist. “Sorry,” he mumbled.

 

Athara's icy eyes stared at Tyari. “Don't ever touch me again!” he hissed furiously while rubbing his painful wrist that showed Tyari's red fingerprints.

 

Tyari sighed theatrically.

 

Darius took his book back into his hands.

 

Athara proceeded to glare at the table surface before him while Tyari purred dirty words into his ear. He wished he had enough balls to grab Tyari by his neck and slam him into the opposite wall to splash his brains around.

 

But as soon as Gohan entered the kitchen, Tyari became Athara's long lost platonic friend. Gohan first went to this hired men that were playing poker. But Tyari's gaze would darken each time Athara looked at Gohan's side. Two minutes later Tyari just left Athara's side and joined the men to play poker. Athara stood up too and pushed past Gohan, to the door the mercenary had recently entered.

 

“What's with Athara?” Gohan asked while plopping down opposite Darius.

 

Darius lowered his book onto his lap. “Tyari was trying to get him into his bed again.”

 

Gohan sighed. “Whom isn't he trying…?”

 

Darius raised his book again. “Tyari is obsessed with Athara. I suggest you start taking this seriously,” he said before starting reading again. “Deal with this, or it will be either me or Athara who will deal. And I promise you won't like any of that.”

 

“You think it's serious?” Gohan looked at Darius who lowered the book once again.

 

“Would I be talking with you otherwise?”

 

“Did he threaten Athara or anything?” Gohan asked, giving an unfriendly glance over his shoulder at Tyari who was already playing poker.

 

“It's going to reach that point soon. Tyari can't stand being rejected. He's quite… an ignitable enthusiast. Someone will get hurt.”

 

Gohan cursed inwardly. He knew that much. Tyari could seem to be a harmless slut but he was more than that. Sure, lately he noticed the thief's glances lingering longer on Athara - Tyari's gratefulness for his saved life turned into an obsessive desire for the man.

 

“Turn him into a horny toad,” Gohan said before leaving the table.

 

Darius' amused eyes looked at him over the top of the book. Two dark pools watched Gohan while that stood up and went to the men that were playing poker.

 

“Tyari, love,” Gohan leaned to whisper into the other man's ear. “Can I have some of your precious time?”

 

Holding Straight Flush in his hands, Tyari turned to Gohan, uneasy. The mercenary's voice was sweet like honey but it didn't promise any good. Quite the opposite.

 

Tyari smiled back at Gohan. At the same time he gave a glare to Darius who just shrugged and proceeded with calmly reading his book. Tyari took his winnings and left the kitchen with Gohan in tow until they reached the upper deck.

 

Gohan didn't waste time. He pushed Tyari over to the broadside. “Next time I see you near Athara, you are going to regret that. Badly.”

 

Tyari wasn't fazed at all. He pushed Gohan away from him. “You two aren't together. Athara doesn't belong to you, so I don't give a damn.” He then gave one of his best seductive smiles. “But I wouldn't mind at all if you joined us…” he pressed himself to Gohan.

 

Tyari yelped in pain as Gohan's fist struck him. He flew several meters before hitting the deck with his back.

 

“Now, let's make it clear,” Gohan growled softly, looking down at the smaller man. “I'm not interested in you, and neither is Athara.” He approached the other man who quickly stood up, expecting another punch to come. “The mage is mine, and if I see you touching or even talking to him, I'll beat the shit out of you,” he hissed.

 

Tyari didn't answer anything. Gohan was enraged and the man was much bigger and stronger than him; in this case it was wiser to keep his mouth shut.

 

Darius watched the men drift into the opposite sides.

 

Darius wasn't sure if Athara's ego would have appreciated the sight of two men fighting for him, but maybe it was better that Athara didn't know anything. Besides, it was only Gohan who used his strength to make his point clear. Darius was sure that Tyari would resort to something way different. Which might get Tyari into a serious trouble.

 

XXXXX

 

The next several days Athara simply enjoyed peace. As soon as he saw Tyari's “decorated” face, it all became clear to him - Gohan did that, and Tyari didn't risk getting more.

 

He probably should have felt angry with Gohan, but he didn't. He was simply glad that Tyari stopped pestering him. Also the whole ship cooled down. Gohan got his point across and set his claim on him. And it didn't feel as bad as he thought it might feel. It seemed he liked someone being possessive of him.

 

Athara smiled. But his smile then faded being replaced by a bitter expression. He lowered his sapphire eyes off the black candle. Slowly he ran his finger over the rim of his mug.

 

“Will Gohan be very disappointed to learn the truth?” he asked Darius who was sitting next to him, reading a book.

 

Darius thought what to answer to that. “Yes, I think he will be. Like the most of people, he'd think you…” he trailed off in shock when his eyes caught an image in Athara's mug. He had no idea Athara was able to do that.

 

The younger man's lips upturned into a cruel and bitter smile. “Yes, I see…” he muttered. “He will try to kill me… I should get rid of him now, shouldn't I?” he chuckled, his fingertips dimpling the red liquid in the mug, the image dispersing. “You know,” he then leaned on the wall behind him, “the longer I live, the more disappointed I get with this world. And he was so eager to come here…” He sighed then, bringing his mug to his full lips. “I quite like you, you should leave while you can. I can't promise you'll get alive from this…” he looked at a quite startled Darius.

 

Darius grimaced then. Athara was in one of those weird states again and he was also drunk out of his mind. Sometimes Athara said weird things, things that made him uncomfortable. Several times he had even wondered if Athara was in his right mind at all. He didn't actually give much attention to all those `Athara's tattles', but these moods and drinking were becoming more frequent as they neared to Angus. But the picture he had seen in the mug was very disturbing.

 

“I'll stay until the end,” Darius said.

 

Athara smiled at him. “I'd miss you. You have been quite…interesting. Probably the only living thing he and I could ever call a friend,” he gulped from his mug. He chuckled. “Even though, you swore to kill me if I stayed…” he brushed his long lavender hair behind his ear.

 

Darius cursed silently. “So you chose, then?”

 

Athara leaned his head back. “No, not yet. I'm still thinking.” He rolled his head to his right shoulder, the long lavender hair cascading around his shoulders.

 

Darius exhaled the breath he didn't know he was holding. “Maybe that future can be prevented?” he asked, although, he had no idea how. He had known only several sorcerers who were able to glimpse into the future.

 

“Which one of them?” Athara brushed several strands of hair behind his back. He gave that weird smile to Darius once again who was startled again, not being sure what to think.

 

The gaze made Darius feel like backing up into the wall behind him. “What will you do if you decided to leave?” He even didn't want to ask what Athara would do if he decided to stay with Delaros. But now he knew that Athara had seen that other future, too and it was clear that it wasn't going to be nice either.

 

Athara's amused ethereal eyes settled on Darius. “Just leave.”

 

“Many will try to hinder that…”

 

“It will be their own fault, won't it, then?” Athara smiled again. “Though, if I leave, I wish you to join me. As said, I quite like you. I don't like being alone.”

 

Darius sighed inwardly - Athara was being delirious. Delaros would never let go of Athara on his free will, and alone Athara could do nothing. He suspected that the young man had delusion of grandeur or maybe he wanted to be able to deal with his problems simply like that, which made him talk nonsense.

 

Darius took the mug away from Athara before that could have sipped again. Athara pouted, pursing his rosy lips.

 

“Gohan likes you. He would be the best for you. I know you like him…” Darius searched Athara's face. If Athara finally found someone he could trust and be happy with, all of this nonsense would end - he and Gohan would simply flee. Athara just needed a slight push.

 

“I know what you are doing…” Athara grinned at him.

 

“Opposite to everyone else, you tend to get brighter when you drink,” Darius muttered.

 

“No, I just don't talk that much when I'm sober,” Athara chuckled. He leaned his heavy head on the wall behind him. “Did you tell Gohan to beat Tyari?”

 

“Not exactly. I just told him that he should do something about it.” Darius sipped from Athara's mug. “I don't see why you'd be very displeased…”

 

“I'm not,” Athara shrugged. “I quite liked that,” he admitted. “I just want someone…” he trailed off not being sure if he should talk about this with the short-haired sorcerer.

 

“… to like you? Love you?” Darius finished for him. “I can understand that. You strike me as a very dependent person. I don't mean that in a bad way,” he added. “All of us, or at least most, want that, but you need that like you need breathing.”

 

“I wonder if I'm really such a fool like it sounds…” Athara chuckled bitterly. Though, yes Darius was right. Was absolutely right. That's why this entire mess started in first place - he always was dependent and he just wanted to be with someone, simply wanted some affection, some……some…Gods, he just wanted to have someone close to him!

 

“Just stick with Gohan. He doesn't need to know who you are,” Darius said.

 

“To lie further?” Athara laughed. He scowled then. “I'm so tired of this…all this…”

 

“You need to get away from Delaros…” Darius rubbed his forehead. “If anything - you could always find someone later.”

 

Athara gave him a weird smile again. “I can get away from Delaros even now. The question is not about that. The question is if I WANT to get away…”

 

“Athara, you need to get away. Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely...” Darius backed away as Athara hissed, his eyes turning ice.

 

“I didn't kill anyone!” the deep blue ethereal eyes flashed at the short-haired sorcerer.

 

“Not yet…” Darius drawled carefully. “Athara, listen to me. Let's just go.”

 

A soft laugh escaped Athara's lips. “And how about your wife? Children? I suppose you'd want to come back to them instead of trailing along with me…?”

 

Darius startled, his scared look settling on Athara. How did the fuck Athara know?! How?! Nobody knew that!

 

Athara's amused eyes slid over Darius. “It's first time I see you scared of something…” Athara purred. “I think I should take that in consideration… Why do I need someone beside me when that would make me so vulnerable…?”

 

With a shaky hand, Darius grabbed the mug to down the rest of it. Gods, what the hell was going on?! Who the hell told that to Athara?!

 

Athara laughed softly. He brushed several lavender strands off his face. “Don't worry, Delaros doesn't know that. And I won't use your family against you.”

 

Darius exhaled, rubbing over his forehead. “How did you find out?”

 

Athara laughed, amused. “You think me a silly child,” his deep blue eyes smiled at Darius. “You are very wrong… I know much more than that. I exactly know where they are, I know how old your daughters are. I even know what they look like, what they like… Your youngest loves pancakes with strawberries for breakfast…” Athara's ethereal eyes swept over Darius' shocked face.

 

“And I know that Delaros is masturbating right now…” Athara frowned. “I'm not going to touch any of his herbs anymore. Yuck.”

 

Darius brushed the sweat off his forehead. He turned to Athara again, but the younger man suddenly slumped on the table, his head bumping into the wooden surface, the long lavender hair spilling around him. Delaros stared at the sleeping man for some time then cursed. He had the feeling that this wasn't going to end well. For all of them.

 

XXXXX

 

“Oh Gods…” Athara groaned, grabbing his spinning and throbbing head. What the hell did he do yesterday…? And he had no idea what he ate…But whatever it was, it must have tasted like shit.

 

Athara grimaced at the taste in his mouth. He slowly got up, but the next second had to run to the corner of the room, the bucket was there.

 

While heaving up the contents of his stomach, he slowly remembered why he felt like shit. “Damn…” he groaned while bending over the bucket again.

 

He still wasn't used to sea traveling. Getting drunk while on the sea was the stupidest idea ever. He was just glad that Gohan didn't see him in the condition he was yesterday. He might have shocked the man…

 

Leaning his back on the wooden board, Athara brushed cold sweat off of his forehead. He was supposed to show only his good side to Gohan, wasn't he? Hell, somehow, somewhere, through the blur, he could remember that he scared the shit out of Darius yesterday. Gohan would have freaked out…

 

Athara grabbed the empty glass that stood on a shelf, snapped his fingers, filling it with water and, hoping that the sickness was over, started rinsing his mouth.

 

Damn those sorcerers, he cursed mentally. He didn't particularly like any of them. He was the one uniting them, ad he didn't actually like any of them. Such a paradox.

 

Athara rolled his eyes at the wooden ceiling. Though, he quite liked Darius. He admired the man for his commitment, belief and strength. He didn't know how Darius infiltrated into the group, but the man was the one to admire.

 

Athara walked over to his berth, the kerosene lamp flaring to life behind his back. He plopped down on it, throwing his lavender hair out of his face and behind his back.

 

Darius was the one who didn't give a damn how he looked. Darius was here for another reason - to prevent him from going to Angus. As far as he knew, Darius belonged to the Council, to the ones who swore to do everything to prevent “the chosen one” from fulfilling whatever there was to fulfill. They believed that his “crowning” would bring only death and pain. Sure they also believed that he might take over the power they had.

 

Delaros belonged to the opponents of the Council and others that were against him [Athara] taking over. Neither Delaros, nor Darius knew that after that red beast attacked them in the open sea, the war had started. The two opposites now were fighting openly, including the mages. He wasn't going to tell them that. Not until they reached the shore of Jahuda free port. Though, he suspected that they were going to be met by one or another group…whichever won over another in Jahuda.

 

He suspected that Delaros knew who Darius was. He doubted Darius knew that Delaros knew. As soon as at least one of them got to know about the war, the bloodshed would not be avoided. Darius was going to die. The only reason he was still alive was that Delaros knew he [Athara] would be displeased.

 

And he wasn't even sure if he wanted to go through all of this. It had been enough of that power earlier. He was fed up with all this. This was exactly why he left - he wanted to have his own life. And now he was being forced to come back and to do the same thing. He didn't want that, but he was also curious and unsure as to what was better.

 

On the other hand he just wanted to grab Gohan and get the hell out of here. But again - he knew perfectly well how Gohan would react after told who he was. Besides, he was unsure if he was even worth the man. He was such a nuisance… And Gohan needed someone…someone…different than he [Athara] was. Gohan deserved better. Though…he himself…did he know who he was?

 

Athara fell down onto the berth to rest. He sighed heavily. The same thoughts over and over, without a break. He knew he was losing himself. Whoever he was…

 

XXXXX

 

“Athara, love,” Tyari purred at Athara's back, ignoring Gohan's annihilating look. He knew that while in one room with Athara, Gohan wouldn't start jumping. “Let's play cards?” Tyari suggested while skillfully mixing a deck of cards in his hands.

 

Athara turned around, frowning. “Don't call me that.”

 

“But you do like when Gohan calls you that, don't you?” Tyari's green eyes settled on Athara to outwatch his reaction.

 

Athara blushed under his gaze. He didn't, but he wasn't going to tell that to Tyari, or he wouldn't be able to get rid of the man. He just let it slip, and was grateful when Gohan didn't comment on that either.

 

Tyari gave a knowing smile to Athara but, to the younger man's surprise, didn't say anything. “C'mon,” Tyari motioned, “keep a company for us. Let's play cards,” he smiled friendly.

 

Athara observed the table. It was a late evening and most of the men were already sleeping. Besides Gohan and Tyari there were only three others in the kitchen. One of them was called Rufus. He was the same man Gohan had been playing with before and who lost to Gohan and had to keep him company until they traveled to Angus. Another was Corin, the one Darius and Delaros hired, and the third one was from the crew that Athara saw several times before. All five of them were quite drunk, which probably explained why Gohan didn't protest to any of Tyari's words.

 

Athara considered. He wasn't tired and these several days made him bored out of his head and actually he wanted to play cards with other men for quite some time but didn't have enough courage to join them; most of them had been ogling him openly and he was sure there would have been not much point in playing.

 

“Okay,” the lavender-haired man nodded.

 

Tyari immediately shifted to the side, making more place next to him for Athara to join. But Athara went to Gohan's side who then eased up.

 

“Have you ever played poker before?” Gohan asked.

 

“No,” Athara shook his head, watching the cards whirl between Tyari's fingers. He heard one of the men chuckle. It was the same man Gohan hired. After raising his eyes Athara saw Tyari grinning at him.

 

“So what's the bet?” Rufus asked, eyeing Athara.

 

Tyari spread the cards on the dark stained table, scooped them back and proceeded mixing them. “My shirt against Athara's.”

 

Athara's blue eyes went round.

 

“I'm in!” Rufus immediately joined.

 

“Me too!” Corin nodded enthusiastically.

 

“Okay…” the third one shrugged, taking a good swig from his mug.

 

Gohan's dark eyes swept over Athara, it seemed that the man was musing over something. Then finally Gohan nodded. “I'm in.”

 

Athara felt he was in a tight corner. He could refuse and leave. It seemed that Gohan was sure that he would exactly do that. Very likely Tyari had also been only joking.

 

Athara swept his long hair away from his face. “Let's play, I'll add my belt,” he said.

 

After ten sets of surprised eyes concentrated on him, and the cards between Tyari's fingers stopped flying, Athara knew that his presumptions had been right.

 

“My, my, my…” Tyari smiled. But he didn't say anything more not wanting to tempt his luck and scare Athara off. It was going to be fun - Athara had never played poker before, and the rest of them all were better than average players; Athara would be naked in no time. He just hoped that Gohan wouldn't change his mind.

 

“Do you know the rules?” Tyari asked Athara while mixing the cards further.

 

“Yes,” Athara nodded. In these several past weeks several times he had the opportunity to watch Gohan and other men playing poker. He was a quick learner.

 

“Deal already,” Rufus motioned with his head to Tyari.

 

Tyari smiled at his impatience. The cards between his fingers whizzed for the last time then stilled, and he started dealing.

 

Athara looked at the two cards he got. Club ace and club ten.

 

“My belt to addition,” Tyari grinned at Athara. Tyari wasn't worried in case he lost - he had never been the shy type. He was ready to strip on the table if only that would make Athara undress.

 

“Agreed,” Gohan tossed his belt onto the table.

 

Athara nodded.

 

Ten minutes later Athara was looking at his cards and he knew he would not win this time. He raised his eyes to look at Tyari through his lavender bangs. He knew Tyari had better cards than them all. Tyari was a child of luck. Not this evening, though; the luck could be manipulated.

 

Athara raised his head to look at the men who were waiting for him and then silently spread his cards on the table. Tyari's green eyes lowered to the cards then rose to Athara. He smiled. Without a word, Athara started fumbling with his tunic then pulled it over his head and tossed to Tyari who caught it, putting on frills, like it would be an untold trophy. He draped Athara's belt around his neck like it would be the softest fox fur.

 

Athara blushed as all men concentrated on his chest. He had to restrain his hands when felt the urge to cover himself.

 

“C'mon,” Gohan dragged his shirt up and dashed it into Tyari's face. “Everyone.”

 

Tyari tossed the won shirts, tunics and belts in a pile next to him. His eyes and grin went back to Athara whose sapphire eyes locked with his green ones.

 

Athara knew that he had a pale complexion that, for some unknown reason, other people found attractive. While next to other four right now bare-chested men he looked like snow against bare ground. He didn't like that. He never liked to make a spectacle of himself. And he was the lightest of them all: the rest of them had much more muscle than he. Well, sure he wasn't slab-sided - he had enough of muscle exactly in the right places, and nobody ever told that he lacked something, but still…Even Tyari was more massive than him.

 

“My shirt against your breeches,” Tyari said to Athara while Rufus was mixing the cards.

 

“Fine,” Athara said, lifting his head up but fighting the urge to cross his arms against his chest.

 

Rufus openly leered at Athara, then grabbed the cards and started mixing them. “Yep, my breeches against my shirt back,” he motioned with his head to Tyari.

 

The others agreed to the same.

 

Athara looked at the cards he was given. Two clubs. Okay. Now he needed some simple luck. That could be arranged.

 

After ten minutes Tyari smiled, “Your breeches, ladies.” He tossed his cards on the table. King, queen, knave, ten and nine. All spades.

 

“Oh, damn,” Rufus sighed. He pushed away from the table and started fumbling about with his breeches.

 

“Athara?” Tyari looked at the lavender-haired man.

 

Athara gave him a short smile. “Well, if I know the rules well, I win,” he spread the cards on the stained table. Royal Flush. All clubs.

 

Tyari frowned. “First-timer luck,” he chuckled then while taking his shirt off. He knew Athara won't give it back and was a little upset to have lost a cloth of such a good quality.

 

“Sure,” Athara smiled, catching the shirt. “Now,” he said after he had the pile next to his chair, “I want to have my tunic back. So your shirt against my tunic that you have?”

 

“I don't have much else to lose,” Rufus complained.

 

“Well,” Gohan shrugged, “you could bet your loincloth to win back your breeches.”

 

“Okay,” Rufus shrugged. “If Athara agrees to bet them.”

 

“My socks for my breeches,” Gohan grinned at Athara who chuckled, nodding, and tossed two shirts and the bundle of breeches on the table. Gohan grinned wider seeing that Athara was enjoying himself.

 

“Hey!” Rufus suddenly realized that he was too drunk and too easily manipulated.

 

“The bet was already accepted,” Athara smiled at Rufus. “Too late.”

 

The two others betted their socks, too, and the game started again.

 

After fifteen minutes, Tyari was staring at Athara's cards on the table in disbelief. “And again you have Royal Flush? And clubs again…”

 

Athara's celestial blue eyes innocently settled on Tyari. “Oh my. Really?” Athara's thick eyelashes fluttered in surprise. He looked at the cards again. “It seems so…” his rosy lips pursed then.

 

Gohan chuckled. He didn't particularly like when Athara used that on him, but he loved when Athara did that with other men. He knew Athara well enough to know when that put on an act of “I know nothing”.

 

Tyari muttered something under his nose while tossing Athara's tunic on the table. Athara took it and dressed. “I will probably go to sleep,” Athara mused.

 

“Oh no, sweetheart,” Tyari shook his head, his blond hair flying around. “Not until one of us will sit bare-assed here.”

 

“Can be arranged.” Athara's smile, for some reason, didn't warm anyone up.

 

XXXXX

 

“What the…?” Darius blinked his sleepy eyes when he saw a naked man stumbling down the corridor. He blinked his eyes once again after seeing Tyari's naked ass flash past him. He then saw Gohan stumble towards him. “What the…” he repeated after Gohan shortly stopped next to him. The mercenary was also naked.

 

“Have been playing strip poker with Athara,” the man hiccupped, grinning. “Never play strip poker with Athara,” Gohan slurred, shaking his head. But he then grinned, “Though, I know he was eying me!” He then stumbled further, to his cabin. Darius' eyes followed his back until it was gone.

 

“Athara?” Darius' dark brow rose at the lavender-haired man who appeared in the corridor.

 

“Um?” Athara walked over to him. His blue eyes concentrated on Darius.

 

Darius looked at him again. He thought about what he wanted to say and then decided not to bother - Athara wasn't much soberer than the other men he saw. “Heard you won the jackpot. Congratulations,” he sighed then, coming back to his cabin and closing the door behind him.

 

TBC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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