Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Persistence ❯ Part 12 ( Chapter 12 )

Hello, NewFan! The king didn't actually accept the fact that Vegeta chose Kakarott. But let's leave that for the last chapter, which will sum up the most things.

 

So the story is coming to an end (this is pre-last chapter). Ah well. Sad.

 

Hello, LadyKATT! Yeah, doubts, guilt… We'll see.

 

 

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ. I'm not making any money off this.

Warnings: Yaoi (male x male). Kakarott x Vegeta

 

Persistence

 

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

 

Part 12

 

Kakarott watched Veliro while that one was making tea. Veliro tried to look casual, but he was able to see Veliro's tail tip twitching in agitation. They hadn't spoken with each other in more than a week. He knew that Veliro must be angry with him. After that surprise attack everything sped out of control. Of course things hadn't been in control earlier either, but now they were a complete mess.

 

“Veliro?” Kakarott squirmed in his armchair. He hadn't a clue as to what he wanted to say. He just wanted to make things better. Though, lately it wasn't working at all. “Veliro?” he called again, as the younger Saiyan completely ignored him. “Please, Veliro, can we simply talk?” he sighed.

 

“I don't have anything to say to you,” Veliro snapped, not even turning back. He went to the door.

 

“Let me go!” Veliro hissed, as Kakarott caught up with him and held him by his arm. “I said, let go of me!” he shouted when Kakarott began to drag him back into the room.

 

“Veliro, please,” Kakarott pleaded, trying to seat Veliro in the armchair where he himself had been sitting several moments earlier. He just sighed as the younger Saiyan tried to push him away.

 

Because Veliro's struggles didn't even budge Kakarott, a scant moment later, Veliro was sitting in the armchair his arms crossed against his chest and glaring at Kakarott.

 

Kakarott watched Veliro's madly twitching tail tip. All right, now he had Veliro in the chair, and Veliro wasn't able to leave before hearing him. The thing was: he still didn't know what to say.

 

They stared at each other. Kakarott was thinking of what to say, and Veliro was glaring. They stared at each other more. Kakarott was getting frustrated. Veliro was getting tired of glaring. They proceeded to stare at each other. Kakarott was on the verge of tears, and Veliro's eyes were beginning to hurt.

 

“For fuck's sake, are you going to say something, or not?!” Veliro growled, irritated.

 

Kakarott scratched his head in desperation. But then he noticed Veliro's tail tip finally settle down around its owner's waist. “I don't know what to say,” he admitted finally. “I'm very sorry,” he looked pleadingly at Veliro.

 

Veliro glared at him for the last time. He loudly sighed giving in and uncrossed his arms. “I knew that it was going to happen sooner or later.” He was silent for some time. “I'm just…” he sighed, thinking, “I don't know, I think I was still hoping…”

 

“I'm really sorry,” Kakarott repeated, taking Veliro's hand in his. “It's…”

 

“It's alright,” Veliro shook his head, “we didn't promise anything to each other.”

 

Kakarott was silent. No, they didn't, but somehow it wasn't making things easier. “I'm sorry,” he suddenly pulled Veliro into his embrace. “If I could do something…” he muttered into Veliro's neck.

 

Veliro sighed, returning the embrace. He put his head on Kakarott's shoulder. “It's alright, calm down. I was just angry that things happened so fast.” He stroked Kakarott's back for some time. “So, now it's finally okay between you two?” Veliro asked, letting go of Kakarott and sitting upright in the armchair.

 

Kakarott nodded. “Yeah, I was just too stubborn.” He leaned on the chair arm.

 

“So now what? What are you planning?” Veliro asked.

 

Kakarott seemed a bit unsure. “I don't know,” he shrugged. “There's not much to plan. I have his permission to leave anytime. I think I'll go to Saidar. Try to settle in. We'll see.”

 

Veliro gazed at Kakarott for some time. “You mean you're just going away? But… are you sure?”

 

Kakarott gave him a slightly confused look. “Well, yes. What am I going to do here? It's not as if I'm going to work in the kitchen,” he teased.

 

Veliro stuck out his tongue at Kakarott. “That's true, you don't even know how to make a decent tea!” he frowned then. “But, Kakarott, I was sure that there was something between you two…”

 

Kakarott looked away. He didn't know how to answer to that. That moment when the Prince kissed him, he was sure too, but, as the days passed, his certainty disappeared. He wasn't sure what he felt and he could see that Vegeta didn't know either. Vegeta simply was glad to get rid of that guilt he'd been wearing all these years, and he himself was glad to sort that `Veliro-thing' out. “I think we both finally reached a moment of clarity,” he finally shrugged. “I think he was in love with an illusion. You know how it happens. There are plenty of stories about that.”

 

Veliro gazed at him for some time. “And you, what about you?” he asked, unconvinced.

 

“I don't know,” Kakarott shook his head. “It was such a long time ago. I don't think that it would ever work. We are from different worlds. He's a Prince, Veliro. There's not much to add to this.”

 

“But…”

 

Kakarott shook his head. “And I'm not going to be one among others. He knows that.” He stood up.

 

Veliro sighed then. “Yes, probably.” There was silence for some time. “And when are you going away?”

 

Kakarott walked over to his bed and sat down. “Soon. I'd go now, but Damaro…” he just shook his head.

 

“Yeah,” Veliro nodded, “heard about that one. Though, I can understand him too.”

 

Kakarott nodded, leaning back on the bed with his elbows. “Yeah, that's why this hurts - I can also completely understand him. I just…I didn't even know what I wanted to say to him then. I just…I wanted to make it better somehow. I know that no apologies can help here; nothing can change what I did. I didn't mean to, but I betrayed him. I just wanted to explain somehow, to make it…ahh, I don't know,” he shook his head, closing his eyes. “And now because of me he's going to die. And I can't do anything, anything at all.”

 

Veliro gave Kakarott a very intent look. “Well, you can, I suppose. But then you'd betray another one, wouldn't you?”

 

Kakarott just groaned. Yes, he'd given some thought to this. No, he'd been thinking about it for two whole days. He was sure that he'd be able to get Damaro safely to the kitchens backdoor, at least. Later they would need to act very quickly to get away from the castle's surroundings. He even gave some thought as to where they would stay for several days until everything quieted down.

 

“Yes, I would betray again, but I would save one life,” Kakarott muttered. Well, should try to save at least. Nobody could guarantee that they both wouldn't be hunted down as soon as they left the dungeon.

 

Veliro sighed. “Damn, your life is hard, Kakarott. But you know, you chose how to lead your life; Damaro chose how to lead his. He got caught. He's going to die for what he's been fighting for - for his beliefs. I don't think that you owe him that much, Kakarott. You owe him a great deal, that's true, but some things can't be chosen or returned.”

 

Kakarott chewed on his lower lip. “You know, he told me that I betrayed not only him, but myself also. I think it's true. I still do believe that Elites need to be held in check. And then what? I don't know what to do now. Damaro shouldn't die for the truth; the truth is too valuable to die for. People should die for lies. All these noble… How many lies have they spread? How much harm have they caused?” he closed his eyes again. “And as for me, I'm just going to go slink off in some corner.”

 

“You could change all that… He could change all that,” Veliro looked at Kakarott. “If you united… The union itself…”

 

Kakarott sighed. “You don't know what you're talking about,” he shook his head.

 

XXXXX

 

Kakarott seemed to be absentminded lately. It seemed as if Kakarott were elsewhere. And there was sadness too. He shouldn't have permitted Kakarott to see Damaro then. Kakarott was torturing himself now.

 

The prince rested upon the pile of pillows behind his back. He felt much better now; his back and tail weren't hurting as badly anymore and he was able to walk on his own. Only a week and a half have passed since that attack, but he's healing nicely. His scorched hair grew back too, and the burnt fur on his tail is being replaced by new fur. His back was still all red and covered in small lesions, but, as told, he was healing fast. Saiyans always healed very fast, but he suspected that part of his quick healing was Kakarott's `fault'. Kakarott made him immensely happy.

 

The prince watched Kakarott as he sat, a little further from the bed, on the couch gazing out the window. Kakarott was completely oblivious to him. His eyes instinctively fixed on Kakarott's tail. He doubted that Kakarott realized that he was reacting to his pheromones. With the healing other things returned: the heat. As he'd been badly wounded, his body simply stopped producing hormones and pheromones that were inducing and announcing the heat, but now, as he was recovering, the cycle continued. It still was very mild, but he already could see Kakarott subconsciously reacting to the pheromones: Kakarott was completely oblivious, but Kakarott's tail tip was high in the air, all puffed out and slowly waving from side to side. It was a signal that was usually shown by a healthy and strong male, meaning that one was ready to use the present opportunity to couple with the Saiyan that was in heat.

 

But Kakarott gave off some other signals that were actually confusing him. For example, instead of becoming more aggressive, Kakarott seemed to be the opposite - Kakarott became calmer and more peaceful. And what confused him the most was the fact that in response to his heat, Kakarott began giving off a scent that indicated that Kakarott was in heat also. But in reality that couldn't be true because Kakarott couldn't have just skipped several days and just simply be in heat. Besides, the scent was very mild, not the usual one that drove everyone crazy. Otherwise he would've been worried because of such contradictory signals, but Kakarott seemed to be completely fine. He was a bit moody and a bit depressed, but, having in mind that accident with Damaro, it was nothing extraordinary.

 

“Kakarott,” the prince called.

 

Kakarott turned around to look at him. “Hmm?”

 

“Come here,” the prince patted the place next to him, on the bed. “What have you been up to today?” he asked, wanting to dispel that silence and bad mood. He saw Kakarott start for some reason.

 

“Not much,” Kakarott shook his head, coming closer to the prince to sit at the edge of the bed. “I went to…”

 

He didn't hear what Kakarott said. At that moment he couldn't hear or think anything. He just felt a growl rising up in his throat and his tail puffing out in anger at that scent. Veliro. Kakarott had been with Veliro. Kakarott's strange heat-scent and Veliro's scent mix ignited something in his head. There weren't any coupling scents, he absolutely could feel that, otherwise he would have lost his mind completely, but there were some scents that were speaking about some affection from Veliro's side.

 

“Could you stop seeing Veliro for at least a week?” Vegeta asked, suddenly somehow finding himself nuzzling at Kakarott's neck. “Until your heat ends?” He tried to be reasonable. He didn't want Kakarott to see Veliro at all, but he didn't want to interfere with Kakarott's life and begin by ordering Kakarott around as to whom he can and cannot see.

 

Kakarott leaned away from him and gave him a puzzled look. “I'm not in… Oh,” Kakarott suddenly climbed out of the bed. He looked lost for a moment. “It's you who's in heat.”

 

The prince looked at him confused. “Well, yes.” He saw Kakarott shake his head for some reason then Kakarott went back to sit in the armchair. He suddenly realized that he didn't understand the situation at all.

 

Kakarott was silent for some time. “I can leave the castle whenever I want?” he then asked.

 

The prince nodded. “Yes, all of the guards know you, they'll let you pass.”

 

“I thought about tomorrow,” Kakarott said, brushing over his spiky hair. “It's late now, and I still would like to see Veliro and tell him goodbye.”

 

The prince rolled his eyes. Veliro didn't interest him much. “Whatever. Where do you want to go?”

 

“I thought about Saidar,” Kakarott scratched his head. “I went there once when my mother was still alive. I liked it there. Though, now everything has probably changed.”

 

The prince thought a moment. “Don't know,” he shrugged. “As far as I know it's a calm city. Nothing ever happens there. Are you sure that you want to go there? It's rather far. It might take several days or more to reach it.”

 

Kakarott waved his hand in the air. “Distance doesn't matter. I just want some peace. Had enough.”

 

The prince looked at him warily. “Be careful, my father isn't sure if all the attackers were caught. If someone escaped, you'd become a very appealing target.”

 

Kakarott nodded. Oh, he perfectly knew that. Nobody liked traitors. “So,” Kakarott rose from the armchair, and went closer to the prince, “I'll probably leave early in the morning. Good luck and I hope you heal fast. And no worries, I don't think that you'll hear about me ever again,” he smiled, reaching out his hand.

 

The prince faltered before taking his hand after the last sentence. “How long do you plan on actually staying?” he found it amusing that Kakarott made such a ceremony of the small picnic.

 

“For good, I hope,” Kakarott smiled again.

 

He just stared at Kakarott. He didn't manage anything more just stared. “F-for good?” he finally stammered at Kakarott's worried face. “You mean…you're not coming back? No…” he suddenly felt completely numb.

 

“Do you feel alright?” Kakarott asked, worried, brushing over the prince's forehead.

 

“No,” he stared at Kakarott's face. “I don't.” He was so full of something, which was tearing him apart that he didn't even know what to say.

 

“Shall I call the doctor?” Kakarott looked at the prince then at the door.

 

He just slowly shook his head. He stared at Kakarott. “But why? Kakarott, why? I thought…” And then a sudden rage engulfed him. “Veliro?! You're going with him, aren't you?!” he grabbed Kakarott by his forearm, almost pulling him into the bed. “I'll fucking kill him! Should've done that a long time ago!”

 

Kakarott tried to pry his forearm away. “No, what the hell are you talking about?! Let me go, for fuck's sake!” he finally pulled his arm free. He glared at the prince. “Leave Veliro in peace finally, will you!” he rubbed his wrist.

 

The prince stared at Kakarott for some time. “I'll kill him,” he calmly said finally.

 

Kakarott bared his canines at him. “What the fuck is wrong with you?! You're all insane here! What did Veliro ever do to you?!”

 

He bared his canines back. He wasn't going to let go of Kakarott so easily. If he weren't going to have Kakarott, he'd be damned if anyone else will either. “I'm the Alpha Male here, if he fucking doesn't know when to step back, it's his problem.” Kakarott stared at him with his brows furrowed. There was confusion in those dark eyes. And then some insight. He himself then realized that Kakarott didn't understand what was happening. He realized that it was only now that he ever gave Kakarott a sign that he wanted Kakarott to be his. He never thought that he needed to say it. After that attack…he assumed that his intentions were absolutely clear. He didn't think that he needed to voice his plans. And he was sure that Kakarott felt the same.

 

They silently stared at each other for some time then Kakarott shook his head. “It would never work. It's…”

 

“Kakarott, sit down,” the prince motioned for Kakarott to sit in the armchair, cutting him off. “I don't care about that bullshit,” he continued after Kakarott sat down. “All I care about is you. And I want you to stay with me. There's only one question - do you want to stay with me?”

 

Kakarott shifted in his chair. He looked away. “As your concubine? No,” he shook his head at the carpet. “I already ridicule myself enough.”

 

“Concubine?” the prince suddenly laughed. But the next second his tail puffed out in anger. “You think I'd suggest this to you?! I'm not talking about some fucking harem here! I'm talking about the union, about mating, you idiot!” Kakarott was looking at him in shock. “For fuck's sake, Kakarott! You still don't get it, do you?” he hissed. “I've been fucking chasing after you all over the damn planet, and you still don't get it?! Do you think I'd have done this for anyone else? Do you think I'd let him live after catching him trying to poison us? Do you think I'd have been shitting in my pants, praying for another to recover from the stupid poison that was put in by your own pals? Or do you think I'd have been calmly watching anyone else fucking with one my servants in one of my rooms? Or maybe you think that I have completely gone bonkers to have saved your damn life?! I'm fucking in love with you, you imbecile! These past nine years I've been praying for a miracle! Now when I have one, you, with your stupid beliefs, want to fuck everything up again! Do you really think I've been overturning this damn planet for nine years only to find you and make you my damn concubine?!”

 

Kakarott stared at Vegeta in disbelief. Vegeta was growling loudly, his canines bared at him, his bandaged tail lashing behind him, thumping on the headboard, but the Prince didn't even feel the pain. “Stop it,” he pointed at Vegeta's tail. “That's going to hurt later.” He watched Vegeta still his tail. He didn't even know what to say. Again. Everything was so...fast, fuzzy, crazy and so easy to accept. So desirable to accept. Even if Vegeta didn't express it clearly, it was easy to understand that it was a mating proposal. “I don't know,” he finally brushed over his spiky hair. He raised his head to look at Vegeta whose anger had been replaced by nervousness. “I need time to think.” He saw relief pass over Vegeta's face.

 

“All right,” Vegeta nodded. “No problem with that.” He stared at silent Kakarott for several moments then carefully climbed out of bed and approached Kakarott's chair. Placing his hands on the soft, fluffy material, on both arms at Kakarott's side, he squatted opposite Kakarott. “But do you really need that time?” he asked then, looking Kakarott in the eye.

 

Kakarott was silent then turned his head away, breaking the eye contact. “No.” No, he didn't need it. He knew what he wanted, but it didn't feel right. It didn't feel right at all! It was causing confusion, bewilderment, anxiety and guilt. Guilt was entrenched so much that it was strangling him, making him choke, his body tremble.

 

The prince watched Kakarott's face, which was flowing with emotions. “Gods, Kakarott. I understand how hard it must be … Hell, I absolutely know it… But, you should try to understand that it wasn't your fault. You did not lure them here. Damaro himself chose to attack the castle.”

 

Kakarott suddenly buried his face into the prince's shoulder crook. “Oh, Gods, Vegeta. I know that. And knowing doesn't make it any better. He's my friend. And I'll get him killed. And to make it worse I'm actually considering accepting the suggestion of the bastard that we all tried to kill. You don't understand, Vegeta, you can't understand. It was me who always talked about `Veliro' to him. It was me who instigated that hate… He was helping me to get over this shit… And now… Oh, Gods…” Kakarott wailed into the prince's neck.

 

The prince crushed Kakarott to his chest. “Shhh…”

 

XXXXX

 

Kakarott was getting worse. Now he'd catch Kakarott staring off into space or at the ground for more than ten minutes. Kakarott would notice his eyes on him, would turn around, give him a short smile and proceed with his staring. It was breaking his heart to see Kakarott like this. He wanted to help Kakarott, to make things better, but he had no idea how to do it. And Kakarott was starting to rave about asking for his father's help. He still was managing to talk Kakarott out of this, but he was afraid that one day Kakarott might go to his father. He was even considering ordering the guards not to let Kakarott into his father's chambers. His father would kill Kakarott. Would kill him and then argue that, because of asking such a thing, Kakarott was a member of the resistance movement.

 

He couldn't wait until at least half of his power returned. No, he didn't think about freeing Damaro. He wanted to kill the bastard. But he was terrified that his father might do something to Kakarott while he himself was powerless to protect Kakarott. The thought was making him nervous. He thought that he'd lost Kakarott once; he didn't even want to think about loosing Kakarott again.

 

TBC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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