Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Peaches & Cream ❯ Chapter 2

Peaches and Cream-Chapter Two

Although the tingling sensation had passed, Goku remained completely motionless, trying to adjust to the world around him. He slowly became aware of firm earth beneath his feet, open sky above him, and a cool autumn breeze. His senses were still dazzled, though, and the air alternately felt too thin to support him and so thick he didn't believe he could move. The ground seemed to oscillate, and he could barely feel it at times. A strong whiff of something sweet tickled his nose, then was gone. The saiyan blinked open his onyx eyes.

At first he was sure it was night. He squinted and could just make out the house before him. Then light faded in, revealed colors washing the land about him. Swaying slightly, Goku fell to the ground, and was occupied for several seconds trying to regain his balance enough to stand. Only when he had done so did he realize that he was completely deaf. He closed his eyes to the shimmering daylight and concentrated. Gradually, the slow thudding in his chest took on form, and he could hear his heartbeat. Then his slow breathing. Finally he could hear the delicate whistle of birdsong and the rushing of the wind past his ears. He opened his eyes once more.

The house before him hadn't changed, but he could now see it clearly. It was of little importance, however. Even the state-of-the-art gravity chamber behind it didn't hold his interest. It was what (or rather, who) was inside the house that mattered.

Vegeta.

It was now eight years since he had seen his prince. Eight long years for him to regret his decision to stay in the afterlife to protect planet earth. He'd never even had a chance to tell Vegeta how he felt about him, although he knew the other man suspected, perhaps even returned his feelings. There'd been a tension between them that was different from the usual animosity, so thick at times that they could hardly stand to be in the same room, yet the two saiyans invariably sought each other out. Usually to fight, of course. But even their fights had changed; their movements harmonized perfectly, until they were dancing more than fighting. It was a heady sensation, to feel complimented by another person, like a matching set. Finally Goku realized what he'd been missing all these years. Finally he realized what love meant.

Goku had remained firm in his decision, however; the helpless people of earth had to come before his loneliness, no matter how much he missed the saiyan prince. And Gohan.

The thought of his brave little boy brought a smile to his lips. His next stop would be to seek out his son.

Still, he would have stayed gone. But he'd learned that he would be needed. The strange young man-he'd never revealed his name-had told him that he was needed on earth, that he had to come back for good. And then the lavender-skinned being had asked him what he regretted most about leaving earth.

Your wife? He'd asked. Your friends?

My prince, Goku had replied. The young man had smiled knowingly. Then he'd told him that he was sending him home, that he would reappear on the very doorstep of the one he sought, and that he was to make himself happy before the battle for the planet must begin again.

How long? Goku asked him.

Oh, some time, I should think, the stranger answered. Just enough time for you to be ready.

And with a wave of one slim, purple hand, Goku had been brought back to life.

The saiyan reached up to the sky, stretching his muscles, trying to get used to being alive. His senses were still a bit muddled, colors running together, sounds sharper than usual and the ki he was able to sense kept fluctuating, but after eight years, another few minutes seemed far too long to wait to adjust. He walked steadily across the lawn to the cream-colored door and knocked.

* * * * *

Gohan woke up that morning feeling as though it was going to be a good day. He yawned and rubbed his eyes with one hand, since the other was currently being laid upon. It was early, he noted, but he was used to waking up early for training. There would be no training this day, however.

He glanced over at his bedmate, noticing with pleasure that Vegeta was still asleep. Gohan enjoyed waking up before his lover, although it was a rare occurrence. He silently admired the older man's features, softened with slumber. Vegeta's sharply slanted brow gave him a contemplative look when relieved of its scowl, and his full, soft lips were parted slightly. Smiling, Gohan planted a tender kiss on the saiyan's cheek. The scowl immediately returned, though in sleep it appeared more of a pout. It made the man look childishly innocent, something Vegeta most assuredly was not. Gohan would never doubt that again after last night. He shivered blissfully at the thought, waking his lover.

The prince growled deep in his throat, a sort of stifled yawn. "S'not morning yet, brat," he muttered in his deliciously deep, rich voice. "Go back to sleep."

"It's morning, all right," Gohan argued playfully. "Feeling your age, old man?" he teased.

Vegeta snorted, still not opening his eyes. "You were the one begging me for rest last night, boy."

Gohan blushed. His bottom was too sore to deny that fact. Vegeta may have been nearly twenty-five years older, but the prince was not yet even middle-aged for a saiyan. And his stamina was...legendary. To say the least.

Still, he felt rested now, and was too hungry to go back to sleep in any case. "I'm going to have a shower and make breakfast," he announced. His lover made a noncommittal sound, so he kissed him, retrieved his arm, and started to climb out of their bed.

"Hey, brat," Vegeta said softly, causing him to turn back. The prince looked up and met his gaze. "Last night was...." He trailed off, but Gohan could feel the flood of unrestrained pleasure coming from his mind.

"Yeah," Gohan replied with a smile. "It was." He rose and headed for the bathroom, hearing the familiar voice in his head send one last word.

//Incredible.//

A quick, refreshing shower later, Gohan threw on some sweatpants and proceeded to the kitchen. Vegeta had left the bedroom, but he knew where he'd find him. Sure enough, his onetime mentor was curled up, nude, on their couch, reading a novel. It was no longer a surprise to the youth how comfortable Vegeta was with his body. Unlike Gohan, the prince could remain perfectly dignified without a shred of clothing. He remembered standing shyly as the older saiyan undressed him that first time, desperately hoping the other would not be disappointed. Five years worth of being lavished with quiet praise had cured his insecurity, but he knew he'd never have the same confident presence as his lover.

"Are you going to stare at me all day, brat, or are you going to make us some food?"

Gohan grinned. "Yes, Your Highness, right away." He gave a mock-bow before obediently turning back to the kitchen and beginning preparations.

As he was tossing about pots and pans, trying to find their largest skillet, a strange pressure began to build in the back of his mind. He puzzled over it for a moment. It seemed to be some sort of ki, growing out of nowhere, oddly familiar to him. Gohan looked down and realized his hands were shaking. He immediately ceased his search and sank into the nearest chair. Reaching out with his mind, he could tell his mate was feeling it, too; the saiyan prince's thoughts were awash in confusion.

Then there was a knock at the door.

Absurdly frightened by this return to normalcy, Gohan remained where he was. Vegeta would answer the door. In the buff, he reminded himself, probably scaring the crap out of whoever it is. This amusing thought reassured him somewhat. Sure enough, he heard his lover rise, cursing. The front door clicked as it was opened, the last thing he noticed before he was assaulted with the full force of Vegeta's shock.

"Kakarott...."

Goku smiled gently. "It's me, all right."

Vegeta gaped at him, a well of emotions he'd thought long since repressed rising up within him. "But...how?"

"It's a long story," the other saiyan replied, trying hard not to gawk at the other's fully revealed, chiseled physique. He'd dreamed of seeing Vegeta like this for years, but now was not the time for those feelings. "Well, I guess it isn't really all that long. Can...I come in?"

Numbly, Vegeta nodded, stepping back to make room and shutting the door behind them.

Goku strode forward slowly, glancing around the well-furnished living room. It seemed more...homey than he would have expected: besides furniture and bookshelves, there were a couple of impressionist paintings on the walls, and trinkets were perched in strategic locations.

"Well, you can sit down, Kakarott," Vegeta said, but there was no force behind the words. The prince followed his own advice, seating himself on the plush leather couch with his arms folded. He came back. He came back! The bastard said he was leaving, I thought he was leaving, I thought he was leaving me. Why, Kakarott? I got over you, I'd almost forgotten you. I've found another, damn it all! The thought of Gohan brought him up with a jolt. What must he be feeling right now? Vegeta rallied his emotions and sent his lover a quick reassurance-all he could manage before Goku sat down beside him, one arm resting on the back of the sofa, uncomfortably close. The same tousled, ebony hair. The same round cheeks and strong jaw. That orange gi he always insisted on wearing. And that musky, earthy scent... Don't say it, Kakarott. Just don't say it. Don't make me feel this way. Gods...it's like you never left!

Goku took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He'd hoped Vegeta would be happier to see him. The saiyan prince seemed edgy. Perhaps he was nervous? Surely he knew why Goku had come to him; he must simply not know what to do. That's right, Goku told himself, Vegeta's always had trouble admitting his feelings. He knows what I'm about to say, but isn't sure how to respond. That's okay. I'm sure he'll know how to respond to a kiss! Feeling more confident, Goku smiled at the other man.

"I've missed you, Vegeta."

Tears threatened to spill down Gohan's cheeks; he fought them back half-heartedly. It was finally happening. What he'd feared since the first time Vegeta had told him he loved him.

Daddy.

Now all the times he'd questioned whom Vegeta would choose, given the chance to pick between father and son, were about to become reality. And he knew, deep inside himself, what the answer was.

It's not fair! You've always been better than me, Dad. Stronger. Braver. I never wanted you to leave, but when you did, I finally had a chance. Why did you have to take it away again? I know I'm not you, but...I made him happy.

But something stopped him from giving up. One small, simple fact.

I was stronger than you. Just once. When I destroyed Cell.

The thought caused his saiyan determination to well up within him. Vegeta did love him. And Gohan wasn't going to lose him without a fight! Well, figuratively. He had no desire to duke it out with Son Goku, no matter who was the stronger now. But he wasn't going to just stand by and give up his happiness.

Wait a minute. His happiness? What about Vegeta? Didn't the prince deserve to be with the one he truly loved? And...who was that, exactly? Gohan sighed and let his head fall to the table. He didn't really know what Vegeta was going to do. Maybe he was worrying for nothing. This was his father he was talking about, after all. The father who had given up his life for his son. He wouldn't do anything knowingly to hurt Gohan.

"What am I going to do?" he whispered aloud.

Vegeta swallowed, throat tightening in determination. He had to forget the past. He had a mate, and nothing would make him hurt his brat. Not even Kakarott. Gohan had to come first.

Besides, this shouldn't be so hard! Didn't Kakarott know about Gohan? The boy's scent was everywhere, and his ki wasn't suppressed. Did he just not care? No, that wasn't the Kakarott he remembered. He obviously didn't know. Which meant that...he was going to have to tell him.

And break his heart.

But there was no other way.

"I've missed you, too, Kakarott," he said softly. The taller saiyan looked pleased, and opened his mouth to speak, but Vegeta held up his hand. "Wait. You said you weren't coming back. What made you change your mind?" Damn you, this isn't fair! Gohan is my mate, I won't do anything to jeopardize that, but...I still...love you.

"Well, of course I wanted to," Goku was saying. "I thought I was doing the right thing to protect the earth. But someone important told me that I was needed here, that there was going to be another battle."

A...another battle? Vegeta almost laughed with relief. That was the real reason Kakarott was here. There wasn't going to be any embarrassing declaration of love, and Kakarott wouldn't have to be jealous of his own son. He could go back to forgetting the feelings he'd had for the younger saiyan, and be happy with his chosen mate. Kakarott just wanted to enlist his help for this new battle. He probably missed having someone his own caliber to train with. It hurt a little, that he'd been wrong, but it was better this way.

"But he said the fight wouldn't begin for a while yet, and that I was to make myself happy," Goku continued, oblivious to the prince's inner turmoil. "And he sent me back. Just like that. Must be why my head is still messed up," he reflected, rubbing it gingerly. "Anyway, I...well, you see...."

Shit, here it comes, Vegeta winced. He did want me. He does want me.

"I really wanted to come back to...to tell you...."

"Goku, don't-"

"Iloveyou," the younger saiyan blurted, looking shyly into Vegeta's obsidian eyes. Eyes which widened slightly before filling with frustrated tears. Goku stared, confused...and concerned. "Hey...you called me Goku," he realized. Vegeta shrugged, rubbing his eyes furiously. The Z fighter paused to consider this, looking as serious as the prince could remember seeing him. "You knew," he remarked quietly.

A sigh. "I knew, Kakarott."

"And...you don't feel the same way?" Goku frowned. "No. Something happened to change how you felt. I may not be the brightest crayon in the box, but I know what I saw in your eyes all those years ago. Tell me, Vegeta...what changed?"

Vegeta felt as though his heart was going to burst. All those poems Gohan had read him talked about love hurting, but he'd never imagined it could feel like this. How could humans bear it? "Dammit, you were gone! How was I to know you were coming back? You and your precious planet...you had to put it first!" The prince clenched his fists and looked down, suddenly very aware of his nudity. He took a deep breath, rallying all the courage he had. "You were gone," he repeated more calmly. "I thought you were never coming back. He was there when you weren't, Kakarott. And he has to come first. I...I'm sorry."

Goku's black eyes got very wide. He blinked a few times. His lips parted, but he didn't know what to say. Of all the things he'd ever considered, this wasn't one of them. And he didn't know what he could do. All those years of waiting...dreaming that someday, maybe...and it was all for nothing. An emptiness began to fill him as Goku forced himself to think it. He's found someone else. But "Who...?" He wasn't even fully aware that he'd spoken out loud.

The elder saiyan closed his eyes. "Gohan."

Though he couldn't hear what was being said, Gohan knew what had just happened. But even though he had `won', he couldn't be happy. So much pain was emanating from the other room that he felt sick to his stomach. His lover was hurting. And his father was hurting. They didn't deserve that, not on account of him. He didn't even think twice before making his decision.

//'Geta...it's okay. I feel awful, I feel like I'm taking what's his. I know you love my dad, and...I want you to be with him. I'll leave; you two can stay here, and I'll--//

The reply was instant and forceful. //Hush, brat. You're mine, and there's no way you're getting out of it! Got that?//

//But Daddy...//

//Is going to have to deal with it. I can't please everyone. He missed his chance, and Gohan?//

The demi-saiyan sniffled slightly. //Yeah?//

//I wouldn't change the past eight years for anything.//

The realization spread through him like fire. The proud, dark prince loved him. Really loved him. He wasn't just a surrogate that had become an obligation. Vegeta loved him. Jealousy he had never acknowledged rose up before him and vanished, lifting a weight from his chest. And suddenly Gohan knew how he could make things right.

//He can stay here, `Geta! With us!//

It took Goku a minute to process this information. Gohan? My son? Did Vegeta just say he was in love with my son? A sad smile, devoid of any bitterness, appeared on his face. Well, who better? Who else would have the heart to please my prince? And at least now...I know Gohan's been taken care of. Goku nodded slowly and rose, pushing aside the pain of disappointment. Who was he to interfere?

Like lightning, Vegeta's hand came up, catching his wrist. "Wait, Kakarott. Sit down a minute." Then the prince's gaze seemed to go right through him. Puzzled and still numb from shock, Goku slowly sat back down on the sofa. Part of him wanted to just get out of there, but he instinctively obeyed Vegeta's command.

//Gohan...what are you saying?// Vegeta asked his mate. //Do you mean what I think you meant?//

He could almost see Gohan's blush.

//Well...yeah. I don't mind, um...sharing. If it would make you happy. And I've missed Dad, too, you know. We could be...a sort of family.//

For the second time that day, the prince felt unfamiliar tears well up in his eyes. That Gohan was willing to do this for him...it just surpassed anything he could understand. The boy was as full of self-sacrifice as his father.

He glanced over at Kakarott. The man looked completely blank. But that was sort of typical. What would he think of this? Did he, also, care enough for Vegeta to `share' him? It could be interesting, their little family.

//Are you sure about this, brat?// He could feel his lover consider it very seriously, searching his soul for the truth of his feelings.

//I'm sure,// came the confident reply. //I don't have any reason to be jealous anymore.//

A slow grin spread across Vegeta's face. //You never had any to begin with.// He turned back to Goku, his confidence restored. Now all he had to do was convince him.

"Kakarott?"

Goku blinked and met his eyes. "Yeah?"

"Are you...jealous of Gohan?"

Looking more confused than ever, Goku replied, "What do you mean?"

Vegeta bit his lip, thinking, then tried again. "I mean, if I'd left the brat, or something had happened to him, would you resent the fact that I'd been with him? That I'd felt love for him, also?"

"Well, no, I suppose not." The puzzled look remained. "But you haven't, and he hasn't, and you still do, so why do you ask?"

"Because," the prince concluded, "he isn't jealous of you, either."

Goku just blinked at him in bewilderment.

Impatiently, Vegeta said, "I mean that it can still happen, Kakarott. You and I. And you get your son back in the bargain; I know you've missed the brat. We all get what we want, understand?"

"But..."

Vegeta kissed him.

And Goku felt himself melt.

It was a soft, chaste kiss, but sweet with promise. Oh, Kami, thought Goku, I've waited so long... He returned the kiss eagerly, forgetting everything that had gone before this moment. The ache in his heart disappeared, replaced with a rush of warmth that was almost painful in its intensity. And he heard a faint voice inside his head.

//I love you, Kakarott.//

Then those soft lips fell away, and he opened his eyes. "And...Gohan? He's really okay with this?"

The prince snorted in amusement. "It was his idea."

Goku leaned back and let out a deep breath. "This is a lot to take in."

He snorted again. "You're telling me. Not exactly how I planned to spend my weekend."

They were silent again, but there was no tension in the air, no heartache. Suddenly Goku turned several interesting shades of crimson and dropped his gaze to the floor.

"What is it?" Vegeta asked.

"Well, um, I was just thinking about, er...how we'd manage the...ph-physical side of the relationship?"

Vegeta considered briefly. "You can pass me back and forth," he decided finally. Gohan began laughing in the other room. //It's not funny!// he snapped. His lover just laughed harder.

"Well, this is kinda weird, but...okay," Goku agreed. He ran his fingers through his spiky hair. "It's going to take some getting used to, thinking of him as a grown-up. But he is, isn't he? Nineteen years old."

"Yes. Yes, he is," Vegeta reflected. He gently took Goku's larger hand in his own. "You'll be proud of him."

Goku smiled at him. "I know. I always have been."

"Daddy?"

Swallowing the sudden lump in his throat, Goku turned towards the voice. His senses were still distorted, but even had it been eighty years instead of eight, he would have recognized his son. The teen was as tall as he, or nearly so. His long legs were covered with loose grey sweatpants. Unruly black hair tumbled halfway down his bare back, bound loosely at the base of his neck. His face was a bit leaner, but his large round eyes were unchanged. Those sweet, innocent eyes. His son. Slowly he got to his feet. "Gohan."

With that one word, the boy flew into his arms. Goku hugged him tightly, feeling himself squeezed like in a vise. The past eight years dissolved, and memories of his child became reality. "You've gotten so strong," he whispered. "I missed you, son."

"I missed you, too, Dad," Gohan replied, unable to stop his eyes from watering. "Don't ever leave again, okay?"

Goku chuckled. "Okay."

Vegeta cleared his throat loudly. The two looked at him questioningly. "I hate to break up the reunion," the nude saiyan declared, looking pointedly at Gohan, "but I'm still waiting for my breakfast."

"Breakfast?" asked Goku eagerly.

Gohan let out a long-suffering sigh. "I guess that's my cue to let you guys catch up. Scrambled eggs, Dad?"

"Gee, anything's fine," Goku grinned, placing a hand behind his head. "I haven't eaten in years!"

"Funny, Kakarott," Vegeta rolled his eyes. "Why don't you help the brat? I'm going to put on some clothes."

"Awww...." Father and son groaned in simultaneous disappointment. The saiyan prince rolled his eyes again as he stalked off.

"What have I gotten myself into?"