A week passed and Goku’s confusion hadn’t ceased. Now he was sitting around the round table with his family, eating a large dinner, but even though he continued to eat, he didn’t feel fulfillment. He ate slowly and calmly, because he felt a lack of something in his life, a lack of purpose, and because he didn’t feel like arguing with Chi-Chi.
Gohan sat across from his father, cautiously watching every move he made. It was so strange. Instead of things passing and getting better, it was only getting worse. When he came home from school he often found his father training brutally in the forest, smashing trees and boulders. It seemed that his father was losing himself, if that made any sense.
"Dad, I was wondering…" Gohan paused when his father slowly looked up at him, his eyes filled with nothing as if he didn’t care anymore, "Dad, I was wondering if you’re okay?"
Goku knew exactly what his son meant. He no longer hid behind his happy mask. He was just so tired of it all. Tired of caring. Instead of answering, he shrugged.
Chi-Chi watched as her son’s question brought no answers. She was beginning to feel the lack of love in their marriage and it worried her. Plus, now Goku was coming home half dead every night bleeding with bruises and concussions.
"Goku-kun, I was speaking with Bulma the other day," Chi-Chi said, trying to keep her voice calm, but breaking up as she went on, "She said that her and Vejita broke up. She said he moved out and that she hasn’t seen him in a while. She said it started off like this… Like the way you’re acting now."
"Momma, why ya cryin’?" Goten asked, worried about his seemingly tender mother.
Goku felt the stab of pain in his heart. He couldn’t tell her the truth. He couldn’t tell her that their happy little family was going to end up the same way. Instead, he thought about what all she’d said. Bulma and Vejita had broken up? What did this mean? Goku pushed those thoughts out of his mind as well. They just brought him back confusion since he still didn’t understand them.
"Goku, damn it, what’s happening?" Chi-Chi yelled, wiping away her tears.
"It’s nothin’. I’ll have it sorted out sooner or later." Goku answered honestly.
With that, Goku rose from his seat and exited the small house. He didn’t feel like dealing with this. That was why he’d been eating out in the woods and coming home only when he knew for certain that everyone was asleep.
Quickly, Goten jumped from his chair and followed his father outside, "Dad, what’s wrong with Mom?" he asked innocently.
"I made her sad and mad and… Everythin’." Goku answered, again, honestly.
How could he lie to his own son? He knew, however, that if the questions got too deep, he’d have to.
Goten grunted and nodded in reply, following his father to a nearby tree, plopping down beside him.
Inside, Gohan helped his mother with the dishes, but soon he too was shooed outside as well. He found his way to his father and brother, finding a seat beside them.
Chi-Chi continued to clean. She refused to think that her family was falling apart, but deep down she already knew it was going to happen. Something was in the air.
"Dad, really, what’s wrong?" Gohan asked, hoping for a straight answer.
"I’m just goin’ through some stuff. It’ll be okay. I don’t want you guys ta worry." Goku answered, plastering on a fake grin.
Then he felt something… No he sensed it. Was it…? No, this power was stronger, but he could smell it. A very distinct scent. He knew his sons couldn’t detect it. Their Ningen senses were too weak. It was strong and spicy. It was Vejita.
"Kakarotto."
Immediately Gohan and Goten were on their feet, watching as Vejita landed before them. His boots tapping the ground as he touched down.
Goku didn’t bother moving. He’d already made a fool of himself in front of the prince before. His prince. It was odd to think about it then, but Vejita was the prince of all Saiyajin, and he was a Saiyajin.
Vejita watched as the younger man kept his gaze on the ground. He’d never seen the man so… Wilted. The kiss must have really had an affect on him after all. The kiss… Vejita hadn’t thought about it in so long. It was like a dream now. A year ago in his dreams he’d kissed his enemy, Kakarotto.
"Kakarotto, answer me damn it!" Vejita yelled in fury of not being noticed, especially with his new found powers that he wasn’t fully displaying, but knew all too well that Kakarotto sensed.
Goku pulled himself to his feet, looking up at the older man. Wait a minute. The man before him had changed.
"Vejita… Somethin’s different about ya…" Goku said honestly, feeling the man out.
He seemed stronger, much stronger than he was letting on. Then Goku remembered Vejita saying that his purpose was strength. Goku smiled to himself. The prince smelled the same and looked the same, but he was rougher, as if he’d endured something tough.
"I’m glad you noticed, baka." Vejita snorted through a smirk.
Goku’s hold on things was breaking apart and his frustration and confusion was seeping through, "Enough. What do you want?"
Vejita smirked, now he was getting somewhere, "It seems something has been bothering you. I mean, look at you. You’re a wreck."
Gohan and Goten stood back. They could feel the tension in the air building and knew it was dangerous to stand between the two warriors.
"Maybe the brats aren’t behaving? Or maybe it’s the wife? Or maybe it’s just you." Vejita continued, throwing all his arrogance into his words, as if the younger man didn’t have enough on his mind.
"Shut the fuck up." Goku growled through clenched teeth.
Gohan was shocked. He’d never heard his father speak that way anywhere other than on the battlefield and even that was rare. He’d always been cool and under control. Something was seriously wrong and Vejita knew what it was.
The cruel prince felt the fire in the man before him growing. It was strength and power and beauty. Beauty… He remembered long ago in a dream when he’d thought of Kakarotto as beautiful. Now that he thought about it again, it was true. Although, now the poor warrior looked tired and frustrated. Things were so hard for the younger man. It didn’t make any sense to Vejita. He’d discovered his unhappiness with Bulma so he’d left her. He’d realized his strength was diminishing so he’d trained. Now he felt a longing… A need for something more. He needed Kakarotto.
Suddenly, Vejita could feel the arousal in the pit of his stomach, building up more than he wanted it to. Then he felt a jolt of something else. Regret. He hadn’t intended on being such a heartless bastard.
"Kakarotto…" Vejita began his apology.
"Vejita, I’m tired of your shit. I can’t get you straight. I just can’t feel you out anymore." Goku said, more calm now.
Goku had no clue as to what he was feeling. It was all so mixed up. He ran a quick list through his mind:
Things he knew:
He no longer loved Chi-Chi.
He was lonely.
Things he didn’t know:
His purpose.
His feelings.
What he was going to do about it.
It was so confusing. One minute Vejita was there comforting him. The next minute he was kissing him. Then, he showed up stronger and prouder, throwing insults at him like they were stones meant for pain. His thoughts were interrupted by the older man’s voice.
"It’s been a while… Longer for me than for you… Since I could hold my head up high, stand on my own two feet again, since the first time I saw you, or even since I could say… I’m sorry." Vejita said calmly, keeping his gaze locked on Kakarotto’s confused eyes.
Gohan was completely lost. All of a sudden Vejita had shown up, begging for a fight. Now he was apologizing?
Vejita stepped forward and placed a hand on Kakarotto’s right shoulder, letting the extra cloth of the orange gi hide the caressing of his index finger.
Goku felt as if his heart were going to burst. The gentle touch of Vejita’s hand on his shoulder was burning like a thousand coals. It was more than he could bear.
"Kakarotto…"
"No." Goku said when he realized what was coming next, just more confusion.
Vejita didn’t have to be told twice. He wasn’t going to beg. He wasn’t going to sink to that depressing level. So, he backed off and slowly rose into the air, blasting off for his new home.
Goku slumped down to the ground. He quickly looked up to see his two boys going into the house. What was he thinking? Vejita had apologized. He didn’t understand any of it. He had to figure things out quick, before he lost his sanity.
Vejita rested comfortably in his bed, wearing absolutely nothing. What Kakarotto was going through was odd, but the prince had to remember that the younger man was raised a Ningen and had Ningen emotions. He didn’t understand a single thing about Saiyajin culture and traditions. Plus, he wasn’t too bright.
Vejita hadn’t been too sure during the kiss. It had been strange and unsure. He hadn’t been sure of his feelings, but while he was in the chamber of spirit and time, he’d realized that his feelings for the low class baka ran deeper than he’d ever imagined they could. He had to give Kakarotto some time to figure things out. Sooner or later he’d come around. He’d seen the longing, the yearning in Kakarotto’s eyes, as he’d said no. As if his words and mind were contradicting his heart and emotions.
Vejita smiled, closing his eyes as he ran a hand over his bare skin. His hairless chest and compact muscles were smooth to the touch and he imagined that the hand that caressed him was not his own but Kakarotto’s. The hand traveled down further, and gently, Vejita ran rough fingers over his stiff member. The need was too much though and he couldn’t hold back as he grabbed himself, jerking quickly. It didn’t take long for him to reach his peak, making a mess of himself and his bed. Sighing, Vejita sat up, he needed a shower.
Goku threw a ki blast from his hands, destroying a few trees. He plopped to the ground in the newly created clearing. The pain in his groin was increasing. He’d been fully aroused ever since Vejita had come and gone earlier that evening. Now it was closer to morning and if anything his erection was stronger. He didn’t understand. He’d never been so aroused, and he had no clue as to why. It was all too much. This confusion, this frustration.
Pulling at the blue slash that held his gi in place, Goku ran his hand into his pants pushing the elastic band of his boxers down. Soon, his large erection was released from the small confines of his underwear and he took hold of his throbbing member. Using the other hand, he pushed his pants and boxers down for better access. Jerking quickly and roughly, Goku was granted release after only several minutes.
The Saiyajin warrior sat on the ground, a shameful mess. If only his friends knew what kind of person he was. If only Chi-Chi knew. He was disgusted with himself.
