Keeping Up With the Briefs

Forever By Your Side

20 - Forever By Your Side

Goten had never thought much about how he would die. Naively, he had the expectation to live a long life, at least to his mid-eighties, and then pass peacefully in sleep with Bulla by his side. How foolish he was.

The body of the Drug Lord Goten had been pursuing for the last week was just a few feet away. A pool of dark red blood was coating the ground of the parking garage. Goten had gotten him, but he hadn't expected a price to pay for it. Why was he always so naïve?

Trembling, Goten clutched his right side as he leaned against the wall of the parking garage. His hands were wet and sticky. Quickly, he glanced around, but there was no one in sight. His heart was thudding against his chest, making him ache everywhere. He knew his body was in shock, and he wasn't experiencing the true pain of his gunshot wound yet. But it was coming, and the thought made Goten's stomach drop. He clenched his teeth together so tightly that it hurt.

The ground beside Goten was pooling with blood; his bright blood was beginning to mix in with the blood of the Drug Lord's. Goten almost wanted to laugh. He wasn't the type to not wear his bullet-proof vest, but he had caught wind of the Drug Lord being nearby and had taken off without a second thought.

Goten's vision was beginning to blur. It hurt to breathe. Each inhale of air felt like sharp needles in his lungs. He didn't know where he had been shot, but the pain was on his side. It was a raw kind of pain, like someone was slowly ripping his body open more and more.

With his free hand, Goten patted his pockets and pulled out his phone. He needed to call an ambulance, but there was a heaviness in his mind. A little voice letting him know that he wouldn't make it. He was bleeding too damn much. And if he was going to go then there was only one person he wanted to talk to.

Goten fumbled with his lock screen and tried to adjust himself to clutch at the wound better. He screamed and glanced down to see his entire right side soaked with blood. His vision was hazy and his mind foggy. His mind was swimming and seeing double as he typed in Bulla's number. They hadn't talked for an entire week, other than a few texts here and there. He had to hear her voice.

To Goten's surprise, Bulla answered on the first ring. "Goten," her gentle voice was like a buoy in dangerous waters.

"Hey," Goten rasped. His throat tightened and he breathed slowly to keep his voice from shaking. He wouldn't worry her.

"Goten, I was just about to call you," Bulla said. "I'm so sorry," she sniffed. "I've been so emotional these last few weeks."

"Don't be sorry. You were right, Bu. You were so right," he whispered. He regretted not spending all the time he could have with her. "This is my last case, and I just finished it." he managed to smile through his pain at the thought of how happy Bulla would be. He fought back a gag as pain sent a horrible shudder through his body. He pulled his phone away as he wheezed painfully.

Thankfully, Bulla didn't hear him. She was gasping in surprise. "Really, Go?"

"Really," Goten promised. If by some miracle he made it out alive, he was going to quit.

"I'm coming home tonight," Bulla told him suddenly. "We have a lot to talk about, and I have some big news myself," she admitted.

"What is it?" Goten asked, his lungs squeezing shut. He could barely breathe. He needed to hold on just for a little longer!

"It's a surprise," Bulla laughed, and it was the most beautiful thing Goten had ever heard. "A big surprise."

"Tell me now, Bu," he whispered as tears rolled down his cheeks. "Don't make me wait."