Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Playing Home ❯ Part 8 ( Chapter 8 )

Hello, my NewFan! I'm very glad that you liked my stories. Hope you'll stay with me for longer. Though, sure it all depends on my stories ^_~

 

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

 

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

Warnings: Yaoi (male x male). Goku/Vegeta.

 

Part 8

 

It was getting worse.

 

Goku was watching a slumbering Vegeta. They were sitting in the living room. Vegeta was half watching TV and half sleeping. Goku silently approached Vegeta and carefully picked him up. Vegeta didn't protest; he was too tired and too sleepy for that. After Goku carried him up into their bedroom and laid him down on the bed, Vegeta immediately fell asleep.

 

For some time Goku stood next to the bed and stared at Vegeta's back then he decided to visit Bulma.

 

XXXXX

 

“How is he?” Bulma asked while comparing Vegeta and Raaven's blood samples. It was one week into Raaven's pregnancy, and she hoped to see what was wrong with Vegeta's.

 

“Bad.” Goku found a chair and sat up behind Bulma. “He's sleeping all the time.”

 

Bulma sighed. “Some of his hormones came back to normal, but others are still out of sync. Raaven's blood looks pretty normal and he feels well, he isn't even sick. I don't understand why Vegeta is having trouble.” She rubbed her forehead. “Maybe there's something wrong with that claim-mark and the bond between you two?”

 

Goku shook his head. “No, I don't believe it has anything to do with this. I already spoke with Vegeta about that. He said that the bond is still too weak to be able to cause something like that. Besides, he said that I should really hate him, to be able to do that to him through our bond.”

 

“Maybe you bonded incorrectly?”

 

“Impossible. Either you bond or you don't. You can't bond incorrectly. I felt it click during the mating, and I know he felt it too.”

 

Bulma rubbed her tired eyes. “You know, it might be a psychological thing. He might himself be causing this. There already was a similar incident several years ago. After I pointed it out to him, he took care of it.”

 

“He never told me anything…” Goku looked a bit startled.

 

“Not a big surprise…” Bulma yawned. “He might have done something again. What else has he been doing for the past month?”

 

Goku thought a moment. “Well, it all started during his meditation.”

 

“Meditation? Yes, I think that might be the answer,” Bulma nodded.

 

“How is meditation connected with his gastric acid?” Goku blinked.

 

“Better not argue with me,” Bulma glared at him. “So what has he been trying to achieve by meditating?”

 

“I don't know for sure. I think he might have tried to lessen his fears.”

 

“Fears?”

 

Goku just sighed. In a different situation he would have kept his mouth shut, but now he was trying to help Vegeta. “Yes, he wanted to trust me more.”

 

Now it was Bulma who sighed. “And that's why he left you and came to stay here for several days?” She shook her head in disbelief. “You, Saiyans, are crazy.”

 

Goku nodded his head, completely agreeing. “That I know.” Earlier he thought that it was Vegeta who was strange, but after he met Kamala and Raaven… When he went to ask Raaven to donate blood in order to try to help clear up what was wrong with Vegeta… Kamala didn't attack him, Kamala didn't say a word, but he was so jumpy and nervous, Goku was even able to scent his fear. Kamala was at Raaven's side the entire time, and when Bulma finally had her sample, Kamala almost pushed Raaven through the door, out of Goku's sight. And it became clear to Goku that Vegeta had been right: Saiyans were a pack-race. And because now there were only several of them left, they all more or less considered themselves a pack. And Goku was the strongest, the leader. They obeyed Goku. Even Vegeta. Goku knew that Vegeta probably would argue with that one, but it was true, and even Vegeta himself knew that. It was an instinct.

 

Thousands of years Vegeta's House was the strongest and most powerful - they were the Alpha Males all the time. Goku could understand why Vegeta had a hard time accepting him - he literally had stripped Vegeta of that status. He had taken Vegeta's position, his rights and his status. And he even claimed Vegeta for himself. No wonder Vegeta still had doubts and fears. Vegeta wasn't Alpha Male anymore; Vegeta was marked and pregnant.

 

Strength and power mean everything to Saiyans. Vegeta has charisma, is clever, and is talented in tactics and politics, but now, from a fellow Saiyan's view, that doesn't mean much. The prince or not, Vegeta, like everyone else, has to obey the strongest. It was causing confusion, the claim-mark on Vegeta's shoulder - Vegeta still was the prince, but Goku was Alpha Male. The splitting of power didn't do well for the new Saiyans - Goku had noticed several times that Kamala wasn't sure how to address or talk to them. Kamala clearly was showing more respect to Goku, but he complied with his prince too. Goku could see that Kamala wasn't sure whose orders were priority. Kamala wasn't sure that in case he obeyed Goku's orders and at the same time disobeyed his prince's, he wouldn't lose his head. In normal Saiyan society, Goku would simply contest Vegeta, defeat him and that would be it - Goku would be Alpha Male and the Prince/King. Of course Goku wasn't going to do that to Vegeta. He knew that as soon as he touched Vegeta, everything would be over. Vegeta wasn't going to lose the last status he had. Either Vegeta would kill him or kill himself. Knowing Vegeta it would probably be the first option - Vegeta had never reacted to betrayals very well. Vegeta might not be able to kill him straight away, but Vegeta would plan and wait and in the end Vegeta would get what he wanted, because Vegeta always did.

 

But at the same time Goku could see that neither Kamala nor Raaven trusted him. If they needed anything, they asked their prince. If they got into trouble, they asked the prince for help. For some confusing reason they trusted Vegeta more than him. Goku could feel and guess that Kamala was having nightmares about him. Kamala was sure that he was going to take his precious and beloved Raaven. Raaven was afraid of him too; Raaven had never met his eyes the whole time he was on the Earth. The pair relaxed a bit after Raaven got pregnant. Goku suspected that the quick mating and immediate pregnancy was a desperate try to keep him away. Kamala and Raaven were afraid that Goku might separate them.

 

Goku himself thought that this was all bullshit. He didn't give a damn about the other Saiyan pair. As long as they weren't blasting anybody, he didn't care about their existence at all. He didn't care about Raaven, he didn't care about that stupid Alpha Male thing. All he cared about was Vegeta. Vegeta ONLY, and that tiny life Vegeta was carrying. He didn't need anymore lovers and mates! For Gods' sake, he couldn't cope with one! He loved Vegeta, he didn't need any other Saiyan. The very thought of a whimpering being at his feet under compulsion was sickening!

 

“If it's a mental problem, I have no idea how to help him,” Bulma's voice brought Goku out of his musings. “I mean it's not very safe to experiment with such a powerful and destructive being like Vegeta. He can do anything…”

 

“He won't,” Goku shook his head. “He'll do what's best for the baby.”

 

“I wouldn't be so sure…”

 

Goku's eyes narrowed at Bulma. “Bulma, you don't know much about Vegeta, do you?”

 

Bulma glared at Goku. “Listen, we are both tired, don't start anything you would regret. I'll start looking for the phone number. I remember I have a friend who specializes in similar cases; maybe I can get him to see Vegeta. But you have to convince Vegeta.”

 

Goku relaxed and nodded. It was true - he had never felt so tired in his life. He watched Bulma open a drawer in her desk and start rummaging through papers. Suddenly Goku jumped from his seat.

 

“Shit!”

 

Bulma stared at the place Goku had been a second ago.

 

XXXXX

 

“Vegeta?!” Goku's voice shook with concern. He quickly crossed the distance between him and Vegeta to stand at their bed. “What happened?”

 

Vegeta stared at Goku with big frightened eyes. “I don't know. I was sleeping, and suddenly it lessened.”

 

Goku noticed that Vegeta was near panicking. “Shh…it's okay,” he leaned down, quickly but carefully picking Vegeta up and ITed to Capsule Corp.

 

“Gods, I didn't find the phone number yet!” Bulma was ransacking through her drawer.

 

“Forget the number!” Goku impatiently approached her with Vegeta in his arms. “Baby's ki dropped.”

 

“Fuck,” Bulma jumped from her seat and motioned for Goku to follow her to her lab. “How do you feel?” she asked Vegeta on their way.

 

“The same.”

 

Goku felt Vegeta's nails cutting down through his skin. “His ki is stable,” Goku nodded, putting Vegeta down on the observation table. He watched Bulma quickly remove Vegeta's shirt then pour the gel over Vegeta's stomach.

 

“There are no changes,” Bulma shook her head and turned the apparatus off. “I'll take your blood sample again.” She already had one from earlier that morning, when Goku dragged Vegeta down to Capsule Corp.

 

Bulma noticed how Goku's eyes widened into impossible sizes after seeing her draw a needle. “Just go outside,” she sighed. “You can't do much here, anyway.”

 

Goku gave an unsure look to Vegeta. The same instant Vegeta pointed at the door, Goku was gone.

 

“Shit! I can't understand anything!” Bulma almost punched the computer screen. “According to this, everything should be improving!” she rubbed her forehead then again turned to Vegeta, who was still lying on the gurney, afraid even to move. “Is it stable?”

 

“No, it's decreasing. Very slowly, but it is decreasing.”

 

“I don't know what to do,” Bulma admitted. “Can't you or Goku give some ki to the baby?”

 

Then surprise appeared on Vegeta's face. “No, it's impossible. How you can give your ki to another person?”

 

Now Bulma looked surprised. “But I saw how Krillin gave his energy to Yamcha, and Goku created the Genki-dama from all of earth's people…”

 

“It was a blast,” Vegeta shook his head. “I can't make the pattern of the child's ki to give it to the child. It's impossible. One can gather his ki to give to another person to control it but it's impossible to transfer it into other body. It would explode.” Vegeta thought a moment. “Though some mages and healers are able to create any ki pattern they want.”

 

“Mages? Healers?” Bulma sighed. “I thought Trunks was raving about that part. I've never met any mages here, on Earth. Except for Buu, but he hardly counts as a mage…”

 

“What the hell would they do on this mud-ball?” Vegeta rolled his eyes. “Only Dende was stupid enough to come here by his own will…”

 

“Maybe Dende then?” Bulma asked.

 

“No, he can heal, but not transfer ki,” Vegeta shook his head.

 

“So can't we bring mages here?”

 

“Try if you like,” Vegeta snorted. “Can't guarantee you'll get away alive. I only know several, and they all belong to Fire Clan. This time they would kill me for sure. Besides, it would be too late, anyway.”

 

XXXXX

 

Goku silently crept into the bed and curled up next to Vegeta. They stayed at Capsule Corp just in case. Of course, Goku was able to IT them the very second something happened, but somehow they both felt more secure when Bulma was around.

 

Goku noticed that Vegeta wasn't sleeping after all. Vegeta's tail was nervously tumbling under the sheets. Goku stared at Vegeta's back and nape for some time then embraced Vegeta and pulled closer to him.

 

“Oh, Gods, I don't want to lose it!”

 

“Shhh….” Goku pressed himself firmer to Vegeta's back. He kissed Vegeta's nape and found it hard to keep his own tears in check. He needed to support Vegeta, not to join him. “It's going to be alright,” he gently stroked Vegeta's shoulder. Vegeta didn't say anything, and he knew that Vegeta didn't believe it anymore.

 

Goku stroked Vegeta's back until Vegeta cried himself to sleep. Goku waited until Vegeta's breathing evened out then turned to the side, embraced his pillow and wept.

 

Goku woke up four hours later. Vegeta wasn't in bed. Goku quickly checked for Vegeta's ki and found it downstairs together with Trunks'. The baby's ki was lesser than the previous time he felt it.

 

Goku cast a glance at the alarm clock standing on the brownish nightstand. 6PM. He sighed and went downstairs to see how Vegeta was doing.

 

Goku found them in the living room. They were watching the Discovery Channel. There was some program about apes. Goku silently leaned against the wall in the doorway, watching them both. Trunks was sitting next to Vegeta, his lavender tail wrapped around Vegeta's wrist. Vegeta's own tail was stretched out between him and Trunks. Goku felt a spark of jealousy - rarely was Vegeta so relaxed around him. Goku knew that Vegeta had very strong feelings for his son, but he rarely noticed - in public Vegeta avoided such displays. And now it hurt something awful seeing Vegeta more affectionate to Trunks than towards him. Goku knew he was stupidly being jealous and unreasonable (he dreamed that Vegeta would love their son as he loved Trunks) but it didn't help.

 

“The baby will be alright, won't it?” Trunks voice was almost pleading. Goku could see Trunks press his palm to Vegeta's abdomen. And Goku could see that Vegeta was surprised. He saw Vegeta shift a bit.

 

“I doubt it…” Vegeta didn't lie to Trunks.

 

Goku heard Trunks mutter something then saw him bury himself in Vegeta's chest.

 

“Shh…” Vegeta soothingly stroked Trunks' back, his other hand playing with Trunks' hair.

 

And after Trunks raised his tearful eyes to Vegeta in surprise, Goku realized that Vegeta had never done it before. Vegeta had never tried to comfort him like that before. Goku realized that Vegeta was learning that from him.

 

“Hey you two,” Goku greeted, entering the room. Trunks and Vegeta shifted away from each other, and Goku's eye caught Trunks' tail unwrap from Vegeta's wrist. He noticed Vegeta's tail wrap around his waist. Goku felt bad - it was as if he had just invaded something very private.

 

“Hi,” Trunks smiled at him, his eyes still watery and reddish.

 

Vegeta's tail unwrapped from his waist to give a small wave in the air then settled back. Vegeta didn't seem to be very content, and Goku felt like leaving the room.

 

“Come,” Vegeta motioned for Goku to sit next to him. Vegeta had noticed Goku's hesitation before and was trying to make things better.

 

Goku sat next to Vegeta. He noticed Trunks' tail sneak back and tightly wrap around Vegeta's wrist again. Goku felt the urge to wrap his own tail around Vegeta's waist. He mentally cursed himself for stupid `competition'. And then Goku was surprised when Vegeta's tail wrapped around him, and Vegeta leaned on him, bringing Trunks with him. Well, Goku was surprised, but Trunks was shocked. His father had never done such things near someone else. Goku still wasn't very sure how to act most of the time when their family members or friends were near. Mostly he didn't care, but he knew that Vegeta wasn't very comfortable around others. This time Goku only shifted, making himself more comfortable for Vegeta to lie upon. He saw Vegeta's hand wrap around Trunks' waist then Trunks lay on Vegeta's chest.

 

After an hour or so, Bulma's mother called them to the supper. Trunks ran to the kitchen, leaving Goku and Vegeta alone.

 

“Do you want to eat?”

 

Vegeta could almost hear a plea in Goku's voice.

 

“No,” he felt Kakarott's hand wrap around his belly then a quick peck on his cheek followed.

 

“At least have a drink.”

 

“I can't sit at the table together with you - I'm getting sick near the food.”

 

Goku sighed then let go of Vegeta. “I'll fix something for you.” Goku watched Vegeta slowly stand up then go to the window.

 

“It's fucking annoying!” Vegeta clenched his fists then turned around to look at Goku with anger and despair in his eyes. “I…” Suddenly Vegeta staggered, his eyes rolling back in his head.

 

Goku shot forward to catch Vegeta before he hit the ground. He stared at an unconscious Vegeta in his arms, completely horrified.

 

“Bulma!” Goku's voice shook Capsule Corp. Goku found Bulma's ki and quickly ITed to her. “He just fainted. Simply, like that,” he quickly spilled. “One minute he was standing and the next, I had him in my arms,” Goku was shaking while laying Vegeta down on the gurney. He stared at Vegeta, his eyes wide with fear.

 

Bulma cursed. “Did Vegeta's ki start to fail?”

 

“Fuck fail, it's critical!” Goku almost started to shake Bulma by her shoulders, wanting to make her help Vegeta somehow. “Do something!”

 

“Sit down!” Bulma smacked Goku's hands away from her shoulders. She tried to push Goku away. “Sit the fuck down, I said!” she yelled at the hysterical Saiyan. Her shouts seemed to work on Goku better, and Goku sat down. Bulma turned to Vegeta.

 

“Please help. Do something,” Goku was shaking in fear.

 

“Shut the fuck up and go outside! Now!” Bulma hissed, taking the needle, preparing to inject Vegeta with adrenaline.

 

“I…”

 

“Goku, outside! Or I'll fucking inject you with a sedative!” the next thing which she heard was a loud door slam.

 

XXXXX

 

Goku stared at Vegeta's pale face. He stroked Vegeta's hair then collapsed on the bed, choking on his sobs. Bulma watched Goku's outburst then shook her head. “Let him rest. His condition is stable, but you need to give him rest.”

 

“The baby?” Goku turned a tear-stricken face to her.

 

“It's alright. He didn't miscarry. I don't know why he fainted.”

 

“But I can't feel it anymore,” Goku brushed his palm over Vegeta's abdomen. Then he sighed in relief and worry at the same time. “But it's very weak…” he rubbed his forehead. “Listen…I…” he sighed. “Gods, just remove it!” He burst into tears again. “I can't take this anymore!”

 

“Vegeta won't allow that.”

 

“I'll deal with him later. It's the only way…”

 

“He'll kill me,” Bulma shook her head. “Let's wait a bit.”

 

“He wouldn't. I won't let him.”

 

“Goku, no. I can't do this without his agreement.”

 

“Do it!”

 

“After he agrees,” Bulma shook her head again and left the room.

 

Goku brushed over Vegeta's forehead. He was being tortured by so many contradictory feelings and thoughts that he was hardly able to think. He had wanted this baby so much, but now it was killing Vegeta, and he was getting hysterical. He just couldn't help it.

 

XXXXX

 

Vegeta wasn't in bed. Goku jumped from his chair that was standing next to the bed, in the corner. He had fallen asleep while watching over Vegeta. Goku quickly swept his eyes over the room, while simultaneously searching for Vegeta's ki. At breakneck speed Goku rushed downstairs, almost knocking Bulma's father over. Absolutely forgetting about IT, Goku ran to the room where he was able to feel Vegeta's ki. And then Goku stopped dead in his tracks and stared at Vegeta, who was staring back at him, his eyes wide, his sandwich fallen from his fingers on the table.

 

“What the fuck happened to you?” Vegeta finally managed to stammer, overcoming his astonishment. He picked up his sandwich.

 

Goku still was staring at him, forgetting how to speak or move. After he saw all the empty boxes and cans around Vegeta and realized how much Vegeta had eaten, only then, did he approach his mate and reach out his hand for the sandwich. “I think that's enough. You hadn't eaten for a long time, you'll get sick later.”

 

“That's what I was trying to tell him all this time,” Bulma entered the kitchen. She watched in amazement how, without a word of protest, Vegeta put his sandwich into Goku's hand.

 

“Well,” Goku brushed all the boxes and cans away from the table to the ground and sat down at the table, munching Vegeta's sandwich. “So what happened?”

 

Vegeta shrugged his shoulders. “I got hungry?”

 

“He doesn't remember fainting. All he remembers is waking up in bed,” Bulma commented.

 

“I didn't faint!” Vegeta glared at her.

 

“Yes, you did,” Goku turned to Bulma again. “I feel that his ki is perfectly fine, and the baby's ki has begun growing again. What the hell is going on? Not that I'm complaining…”

 

“I have no idea,” Bulma just threw up her arms. “Most of his hormones are back to normal, and his gastric acid is fully restored. Have no idea what it was…”

 

Goku observed Vegeta. “You look much better.”

 

Vegeta rolled his eyes. “Like I'm going to take part in Miss World…” He yawned then. “I'll go to sleep,” he got up from the table.

 

Goku just nodded his head in enthusiastic agreement; Vegeta needed rest.

 

XXXXX

 

Goku stared at the endless black pools. It was over. He hoped that it was over. Goku felt a sea of feelings wash over him. He kissed those shimmering pools then his claim-mark. Went lower and pushed the tank top out of his way, kissed the chest and stomach then put his head on it.

 

Goku felt Vegeta's hand in his spiky hair, stroking it. Goku caught the hand, brought it out his hair, kissed the palm then raise his head to look at Vegeta. There was a strange expression on Vegeta's face.

 

“Do you even realize how much I love you?” Goku asked. He saw Vegeta's eyes shimmer more then a light blush colored Vegeta's nose.

 

“Tell me,” Vegeta smirked at him.

 

Gods, and how Vegeta managed to maintain his conceitedness while blushing?! “No, you already are too cocky,” Goku smiled and again kissed Vegeta's palm. “Better I show you, but not now. Now you need to get some rest.”

 

“I won't let you forget your promise,” Vegeta purred, smirking.

 

“Believe me, I'm not going to forget it,” Goku ran his hands over Vegeta's sides then again contently settled his head on Vegeta's stomach, his fingers enclosed with Vegeta's. He felt Vegeta's other hand entangle in his hair. Goku closed his eyes and enjoyed the massage. He felt a content purr start in his throat. Soon he heard an answering purr from Vegeta. He wrapped his tail around Vegeta's thigh and soon fell asleep.

 

TBC