Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Redemption ❯ Opportunity ( Chapter 8 )

I find myself wanting to stay that way. It's not so bad. He could be beating me for talking to him like that. But he's not. He's kissing me, and rather gently too. I'm not sure if my liking it is good or bad. Just as I start relaxing under him, he pulls away. Opening my eyes slowly, I see him watching me again, waiting for a reaction, something that will tell him whether or not to push this. What? Push what?

I can't look away from him and I can't figure out why. He said he "really really likes me", but why? Why would he like me enough to kiss me?

He picks up on my thought (he's doing this more frequently now) and smiles again, moving his hand to cup my cheek carefully.

The physical contact (more the tenderness of the action) makes me nervous and I can feel myself blushing in embarrassment, but he doesn't move it.

"I like you…" he whispers. "…because you're you right now. Because I just do, Vegeta! I don't really know why exactly, but… I want you to stay close to me."

He pauses, looking confused, and moves his hand away.

"Maybe it's because I'm lonely," he continues. "But then, that wouldn't make sense, `cause I've been alone before and it didn't bother me much… but for some reason… I can't bear the thought of you going away…"

He falls silent, staring at the air for a few moments. I'm having a hard time processing all of this. First I try to kill myself, then recover with Kakarrotto as my nurse, he erases the menacing presence in my mind, practically confesses his love for me, Bulma kicks me out of the house, Kakarrotto accepts me into his, and then I find out he's bonded to me and he kisses me and says, more or less, that he loves me.

I think I'm going to be ill.

There's nothing I can do however. Bonding is permanent, despite how inconvenient it is to be permanently bound to someone. I suppose that very close friends could share a bond as well… but I'm not too sure. Besides that, Kakarrotto has made it clear that, unless he goes around kissing his friends like that all the time, I am not simply a very close friend. It must mean that he wants me as a mate, right? But that still leaves a lot of questions…

"When?" I ask bluntly. He blinks, looking confused.

"When what?"

Of all the stupid times to not read my mind, you moron…

"When did you bond to me?!"

Looking enlightened, he says "Oh! Well when you were… your ki was… I kind of, y'know, went into your mind and sort of… pulled. I guess maybe that was it…"

I have the sudden urge to beat my head against a wall. If it wasn't aching already that is. He chooses now of all times to go back to acting like a moron. Damned idiot and his mood swings and personality shifts.

I sigh. It doesn't really matter now though. He's told me enough. Him entering my mind and grabbing hold of it to pull me back from the brink of death… that would have been enough to establish a bond, I suppose. I'm trying to remember anything Nappa or Raditz ever said about bonding. There wasn't much, but I think I remember that there was something about the one being bonded needing to have accepted it in the first place. I'm probably misremembering it however.

"So…" I say. He turns to stare at me again. "What now?"

"What do you mean?"

My old anger flares up again.

"I mean, what're you going to do with me now?! Keep me as a pet? Dress me up like a child's doll and parade me around to your friends? Drag me off somewhere and fuck me senseless?! Keep me as your whore?!"

Shit. I shut up instantly. But the damage had already been done, and I can't go back and erase it. I shiver involuntarily as I look at his emotionless face. Damn it. I screwed up this time. When do I ever do anything right anyway?

He moves toward me, but I flinch back. I won't admit that I'm afraid… but I don't want to be beat. I'm too used to this gentle world, I can't handle being treated that way anymore… this place has made me soft, Kakarrotto… and you've spoiled me with your gentle touches and words, your comforting smell… please, Kakarrotto, do not confirm my fears…

"'Geta…" he whispers, his face softening into a sad smile, his eyes showing worry. But I'm still unsure, still skittish. He could be using this as a way to get my guard down, get me to let him into the center of my mind and then break me from the inside…

Bristling, I feel his mind brush against mine, but he does not attempt to enter it. He's… trying to get my attention? Looking at him quizzically, I nudge his mind back cautiously.

And find it wide open and trusting.

I quickly withdraw and look up at his eyes. They're closed, and he's completely relaxed. He's allowing me to have my way, and he will give no resistance. Seizing my opportunity, I plunge into his mind.