Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Stealing Time ❯ Camera's and Alters Tell No Lies ( Chapter 22 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Linkin Fantasy 
Goku asks Vegeta for a date! Trunks's plan to spy on his dad blows up in his face. The Saiyan prince can no longer deny the obvious.
Anime/Manga: Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Hentai / Drama | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 07.29.2012 | Pages: 3 | Words: 5.1K | Visits: 682 | Status: Work In Progress
Goku asks Vegeta for a date! Trunks's plan to spy on his dad blows up in his face. The Saiyan prince can no longer deny the obvious.
Anime/Manga: Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Hentai / Drama | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 07.29.2012 | Pages: 3 | Words: 5.1K | Visits: 682 | Status: Work In Progress
A/N: Very sorry for the long wait I hope its still good read for you guys anyway. The plot is finally moving on and hopefully I won't run into anymore brick walls in the next chapters. I'll be spending the next week transferring this story to adultfanfiction.net under the name Pen_Zombie (I love zombie games), I think the story will lose a little something without the color but crossing my fingers it won't, look me up when you can.
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Anger/Hatred Love/Compassion Envy/Self loathing Sadness/Depression Lustful Playful/Crazy
Stealing Time
Chpt 22: Camera's and Alters Tell No Lies
The rest of the day went without issues as far as the small group was concerned. Vegeta was a bit broody but nothing unusual. He wanted nothing more than for the three nuisances to leave so he could hunt down anymore hidden cameras and get rid of them. Trunks and Goten kept conversation open in the group, all the while the lavender haired teen was really trying to gauge his father's mood and behavior. Goku continued to try to get the prince to embrace their newly formed relationship, but Vegeta would casually shove his arm off or move away from the expectant man. It was when Trunks and Goten finally left the two alone, to clean up the mess Vegeta left in Trunks room, that Goku decided now was the best time to make his move.
Clearing his throat he turned in the couch to face his bitter looking lover. "So I was thinking-"
"And now you need medical attention?" Was the prince's snarky reply.
"Haha, atleast you're in some kind of humor." Goku shrugged the comment off.
"Hn."
"I was thinking maybe we could go on a date tomorrow night."
Vegeta turned sharp eyes on the man. "A what?"
"You know a date." Vegeta looked away crossing his arms as Goku continued. "Go out together and do something, get a meal. Like couples do. ChiChi used to harp on it all the time that I never took her out enough. I wasn't even sure what dating was back then until Krillin explained it to me." He laughed at an unshared memory. "All I knew was food usually came with it, so I didn't complain... too much."
"Why are you persuing this Kakarot?" Vegeta spoke but more to himself as he stared forwards.
"Because I like you; and you already agreed to at least try. One date won't hurt. You might even like it."
Vegeta sighed heavily. He didn't want to think about this, dates and relationships. He didn't really want to do anything but find out if his son was truly spying on him. Normally the proud Saiyan would have just called Trunks out on the sneaky misdoing but this time he felt an overwhelming sense of sadness and disappointment. Now that the anger of the situation had subsided he felt betrayed.
Realizing he'd been silently brooding for minutes Vegeta tried to shake it off, feeling stupid for letting the matter affect him so much. He refused to blame the alters in his head, and give them acknowledgement but at the same time he wasn't going to admit to feeling weak on his own.
"Fine Kakarot I'll go with you." He said with more determination to change the subject and distract himself than to appease the younger man.
"Yeah really?" Goku was a little shocked but pleased all the same. "Alright then."
"What are we celebrating?" Goten asked entering the room, Trunks in tow.
"Vegeta and I are going out tomorrow night."
"Like on a date?" Trunks asked with a slight disbelieving chuckle.
"Yeah." Goku responded excitedly.
"Good for you." Goten stood behind the couch and patted both fathers on the shoulder. "Man T' when's the last time we went out on a date?"
"....Search me." Trunks shrugged light heartedly.
Vegeta grumbled something under his breath and turned away from the happy exchange. Not without Goku noticing.
"Well I think its time we headed home Goten."
"Ah really."
"We've intruded long enough today and its getting late."
"You could stay for dinner." Trunks offered.
"No that's alright." Goku stood from his seat on the couch leaning closer to Trunks's ear to whisper. "You should talk to your dad he seems kind of upset about something." The teen nodded while looking at the back of Vegeta's head. "See you guys tomorrow. Don't forget we've got a date." Goku spoke louder making sure to rub Vegeta's shoulder before heading out. Vegeta waved a hand absently both dismissing and acknowledging Goku's words and departure.
Goten gave Trunks a quick peck on the cheek before following after his dad. The house was quiet again and the tension filled the air quickly. Trunks wanted to assume Vegeta was still upset about not finding his medicine but that left the question, what did he do with it that is was missing in the first place.
"I'm gonna start dinner in awhile, you want anything specific?"
"No."
"...Ok then I'm making soba."
"Whatever." Vegeta was wondering if he should try looking around while the boy was in the kitchen or wait until he went to sleep.
Look at him being so casual as if he isn't plotting against you
You're own son and what does he think filming you will prove
Trying not to listen to them Vegeta couldn't deny that what they spoke was the truth. 'What does he plan to prove? Does he think I'll have some freak out and then throw me in the hospital for treatment?'
We can't let that happen again remember the first time
Disrespectful little-
He's trying to get rid of you, and us
The silence was straining and Trunks decided to be upfront about it. "Is something wrong dad?"
Vegeta didn't respond for a minute and slowly turned in his seat to face Trunks, who had remained behind the couch. "Wrong, whatever could be wrong?"
"You just seem so.. distant and upset." Vegeta didn't respond. "Maybe you should take your medication." Trunks tensed after his suggestion knowing how his dad would react to that. He was unpleasantly surprised at the outcome. Vegeta responded quietly and reserved, not ranting and raving about how he doesn't need medication and there's nothing wrong with him.
He simply said, "I would if I had them."
If Trunks didn't know any better he'd say the man sounded sad. "But I left them with you in your room." He walked around to the front of the couch to get a look at his father's face. He was obviously upset over something and refusing to look him in the eye. "What happened to the pills I gave you last night?"
"I don't know, must have misplaced them."
"And is that why you trashed my room, looking for them?"
Vegeta's eyes shot up to meet his son's. There was a flash of anger there before he looked away again using the same defeated tone as before. "Yes that's why. I wasn't thinking at the time."
Assuming that was some kind of apology Trunks tried for damage control knowing he'd upset his father in some way but by Vegeta's behavior he wasn't sure how. "That's ok, nothing's broken. I'll get you some more then, you can take them after dinner."
"Fine."
"Alright I'm gonna start dinner after a shower." Vegeta said nothing. Trunks hesitated to ask but he was still cautious of his father's condition and how he'd been behaving today. He was also aware that his dad didn't want to be babysat; and the cameras couldn't do anything if the man was out of the house. Renewing his conviction he took a breath before spitting out his question. "You won't go anywhere will you?"
Vegeta balled his hands into fist gritting his teeth as if he were about to explode but he released them and spoke calmly but tight lipped. "Why would I do that?"
"I didn't mean you couldn't or anything. I just-"
"Wanted to keep an eye on me?" His father spoke the words Trunks himself was nervous to say. "I know, well don't worry. I'm not going anywhere." He spoke the last line with hidden meaning. If the boy thought he'd be sent to any clinic or hospital to be made a spectacle of again he had another thing coming. The prince would show him the true meaning of "out of his mind".
"Good, thanks. I know it seems wrong to you but I only have your best interest in mind dad, you have to know that."
With indifference Vegeta replied. "Of course." After another moment of silence Trunks finally headed upstairs to take his shower and possibly find the misplaced pills. Vegeta waited a minute or two before getting up and scanning the living room area. If Trunks was really playing detective this would be the second best place for surveillance. He was lucky the camera in his bedroom was found so soon or he really would have problems to deal with later.
He walked over to the bookshelves searching between the knick-knacks and meager books. Nothing. He was slightly relieved for the part of him not wanting to believe his son could so freely spy on his own father. Then he checked around the television having to look over it twice, and there it was. He frowned with disappointment before the heat of anger began to rise. Vegeta was ready to pick up the mini camera and smash it but instead decided to leave his son a clear message. Leaning closer he growled into the lens mouthing the words "I win." before backing away and sending a tiny blast of ki into the machine, enough to stop it from recording but not destroy it completely. When Trunks went over his little footage he'd know that Vegeta knew what he was up to and he wouldn't stand for that kind of treachory in his own home.
Leaving the living room Vegeta began scouting the rest of the house with renewed anger to do much of the same.
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Once they were out of the city area Goku and Goten decided to walk the rest of the way home from Capsule corp and enjoy the evening breeze instead of flying or using the instant transmission.
"So you took my advice and asked Vegeta out huh. I can't believe he said yes." Goten laughed.
"Me neither. He's been determined since he agreed to be with me to end it before it even starts."
"That's weird... I think. The guy's not easy to understand."
"Tell me about it."
Goten couldn't even imagine how it was for his dad having to deal with the moody prince, if things were that hard on Trunks and he was Vegeta's son. "Hey dad, you think Vegeta really is sick? I mean with this brain disease."
"I don't know son. I hope not but so many signs say otherwise. Makes me wonder if trying to start something with him is a bad idea. What if Trunks is right and I'm only making it worse?"
"No, I still don't believe that." Goten patted his father's broad back. "And if all goes well, we'll find out soon enough if Vegeta really needs medical attention and get him some help."
Goku turned a questioning eye to his son. "Oh yeah," Goten made the 'oops' face knowing he accidentally let the cat out of the bag. "What do you mean by "if all goes wells"?"
"Guess it can't do any harm telling you." They both stopped walking so Goku could focus on his son's words. "Me and Trunks set up some cameras in their house. Ya know to catch Vegeta behaving strangely. That way we'd have proof he was sick and could show the doctors since they can't really diagnose Vegeta without a shrink and we know he won't go for that. Plus we can show Vegeta so he can't deny it. What better way to get proof than having it caught on camera."
Goku replayed his sons words and thought it over before they continued moving again. "That is a good plan actually but doesn't Trunks think its wrong spying on Vegeta like that? He might go balistic if he finds out."
"Yeah but we made sure to hide them good; and Trunks is more concerned about getting his dad help than his privacy." Goten paused like he'd just been hit with something. "Ah man that could be bad though when you guys want some private time. If your relationship actually goes somewhere."
"Gee thanks."
"Maybe Trunks will catch what he needs before it comes to that." Goku nodded. "Hey we're almost home, come on." Goten sped up leaving his dad behind to think about what he'd just learned. Part of him knew that filming Vegeta was wrong but he could sympathize with Trunks. The teen was gettign desperate to help a man that stubbornly refused to believe he even needed help.
'But still.. Trunks what are you thinking? This could either work or back fire in the worst way.'
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Trunks worried the entire shower that Vegeta might have taken off. He was surprised to see the man still there when he came downstairs. Unfortunately his father's demeanor hadn't changed. The man still looked miserable or sad. Dinner was quiet and strained and once it was over Vegeta left to his room, with no more word than where he was headed. Not feeling up to trying to stop him, Trunks let the man alone and went to retrieve the tiny disc from the mini camera's. To his shock and horror, he found the digital devices had been tampered with.
"What the hell?" He whispered incase his father had an ear somewhere nearby. Thinking of the misbehaving man he frowned. 'Dad, did you do this?' Trunks pulled the bruised camera from its hiding spot behind the tv and looked it over. "How? He couldn't have known; he shouldn't have been able to find these." Luckily the tiny disc was still in tact and he could atleast watch the footage later. Straightening up he shook his head pocketing the device and went to find the rest, hoping they weren't in the same busted condition.
"Damn it!" The one in the study was smashed. The camera in the kitchen ruined. Every one of them had been destroyed in some way. He knew against all doubt it could have only been his father. "Him... or one of him." Disappointed that his plan had come to an abrupt hault he ran to the C.C. lab just outside a few feet away from thier home. On his way over he took in a deep breath of the crisp night air and released it. A thought dawned on him, if his dad had found out about the camera's that would explain his acting distant and being upset all evening.
"Oh father, I can't imagine what you're thinking about me right now, but this was really for your own good." He spoke to himself as he entered the semi large building where his grandfather and mother left their legacy of scientific equipment and inventions. He took a seat at one of the stations where a large monitor hung above him. He pushed a few buttons to open the slot for his video disc and more buttons to pull up the video on screen. The first few hours he sped through were of an empty house, the rest was normal everyday activity that he and the others did. He put in disc after disc finding much of the same until coming across the living room footage from a few hours ago. He skipped past their gathering, and past Goku and Vegeta alone- even though he was itching to hear their conversation about this date and how his father had reacted to it. He played the video once Goku and Goten were gone and he had gone upstairs leaving Vegeta alone.
"Now what were you up to?" He watched his dad get up from the couch immediately and start looking around the room. "He must have known the cameras were here the whole time." Trunks frowned. "So much for this brilliant idea," He watched with interest as his father sought out the mini cameras. "but how did he find out?"
Trunks leaned forward in his chair trying to get unneccessarily closer when his on screen dad found the camera by the television. He watched the man's expression change from upset to pure anger before he mouthed something and blasted a fingers worth of ki at the machine. The video went to fuzz. Trunks was frozen in place, mouth agape staring at the black and white fuzz. Seconds later he snapped out of it and hit the rewind button to watch his father's mouth again. "I..win.." Trunks spoke the silent words aloud to himself, pausing the screen. Vegeta looked even more menacing enlarged on the T.V. staring back at him than he did in person.
Remaining seated Trunks pushed his wheeled chair away from the desk. A contemplative hand rested on his chin, brows furrowed in concentrated frustration. He was quiet for moments staring back at his dad on screen. He got an eerie feeling like the man were right there actually watching his every move. Shaking his head he stood and crossed the small distance to shut off the video. "No dad, you don't win. Not for this." He continued to stare at the black screen where Vegeta's image used to be. "I will help you even if it means invading your privacy." The lavender haired teen pulled his cellphone out of his pocket and quickly dialed the number for city information, and told the operator what he was looking for before she redirected his call. He waited for a response on the other line.
"Yes, hello I'd like to have a surveillance system installed in my house..... possibly tomorrow evening.... Ok. we'll go over the details then, great thanks. Goodbye."
He hung up with a sigh of relief. 'Sorry dad this is the only way I can get you help; unless you come out and admit that there's something wrong.' Checking the large digital clock on the wall he sighed at how late it had gotten and made his way outside and back to the house and his bed.
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Upstairs Vegeta was lying in bed brooding over the situation. He didn't feel like himself and he knew why. It was them, at least one of them, making him feel this disappointment and sadness towards his son. Vegeta felt like crap this way, like a stranger in his own body. He was wishing he'd have just blacked out through all of it, like he had been doing previously, and return to normal with no recollection of what he'd felt or what had happened. Instead here he was lying around like some wounded hospital patient miserably awaiting the bad news of death.
Death would be a sweet release right now
'Damn it.' He barely spoke the word aloud; turning himself to lay on his right side and stare vacantly at the window. It was too dark to see anything outside and there was no moon for added light. That was exactly how Vegeta felt at the moment, dark and empty. He wanted nothing more than for it all to go away, the feelings the voices.
There's an easy way to stop all of this... end it right now
or just give us control permanently
"No, no. Shut up, shut up." He kept his voice down to a hoarse whisper knowing Trunks would be lurking somewhere nearby.
Or maybe he's not out there maybe he's hoping his little camera's will catch all the action for him
The Saiyan prince was momentarily shocked at having his thoughts responded to so easily, until he remembered it was all in his head. Of course the voices knew what he was thinking. They'd been harassing him for nearly a month now. He responded either way, "No I destroyed them all." not sure if it were to himself or them.
Did you? Who knows what's hiding around here. He's very smart when it comes to technology remember, unlike yourself
Vegeta's eyes narrowed. No, he refused to believe that his son was still or would continue trying to spy on him after the message he left for him. Sitting up abruptly Vegeta heard what he thought were footsteps outside of his room. There were no shadows coming in under the crack of the door from the hall light. So either Trunks had gotten away already or was never out there. Vegeta remained frozen mid-sit, however and waited.
Outside Trunks had walked past quickly standing on the opposite side of the door, craning an ear to try and listen, when he deemed it quiet enough inside he hoped his dad was only asleep and headed to his own bedroom to do the same.
You feel it don't you, the suffocation and invasion of your privacy
Vegeta waited to make sure it was completely quiet outside before speaking in whispers again. The last thing he needed was to be caught talking to himself. "The only invasion I'm feeling right now is from all of you."
Get used to it we'll be here for awhile
Especially with you in denial
"What is it that I'm denying exactly, insanity?" Not waiting for the mental reply he haphazardly got out of bed and rummaged once again on top of the dresser, as if they'd magically reappear, for the missing pills. Ignoring the laughter going on inside of his mind he made his way to the bathroom yanking the medicine cabinet open and finding the sleeping pills he'd been taking when this mess had all began. It wouldn't get rid of the nightmares but he'd atleast be able to shut them up for a few hours and get some sleep, restful or not the prince knew his body needed it.
That won't do you any good
Vegeta downed two pills and cranked the knobs on the faucet to full blast cupping water in his hands to rinse the medicine down. After swallowing he leaned over the sink to splash his face with the cold liquid.
You can sleep all you want, that'll be the perfect time for us to take control
The voice laughed.
While you're weak and vulnerable
Vegeta lifted his head and froze from towelling his face dry, staring into the mirror with horror at what he'd just heard and what he'd already done. The laughter continued and he left the bathroom covering his ears to futiley shut it out.
You'll be sleeping peacefully and we'll be doing 'who' knows what with your body,
The voice spoke with emphasis on the who part making Vegeta worry further about its meaning.
You'll never know until its too late
"No! I won't belive this garbage. You're just trying to get inside my head."
Too late for that
"You want to scare me, you want to make me insane, keep me sleep deprived." He takes a seat in the arm chair clawing at the fabric of the arms. "You're all against me working with them to send me to the looney bin."
We're not trying to hurt you Vegeta
Speak for yourself
"Shut up, shut up!" He stood clawing at his ears to keep himself from listening before he started pacing the room. His first steps were sloppy and sluggish. The sleep aid was working fast and he was already so worn out. The Saiyan prince moved around the room silently trying his hardest not to think hoping it'd cease the noise in his brain, the voices continued on their own regardless. All trying to get their point across; that he was weak, he was a coward, in denial, trying to convince him that they wanted to help him, then that they wanted to get rid of him. It was all a jumbled mess of words with truths and falseness and all confusion.
Staring into the dark as they tormented him, gave him a horrible creeping feeling that he wasn't alone in the room. The voices were so loud and so clear it's as if they were circling around him. 'Calm down Vegeta you're better than this. It's just your own thoughts being projected so strongly it only seems like separate entities.'
Despite his self assuring words Vegeta went over to the wall beside the door to turn the bedroom lights on, his hand hesitated before pushing the button and his breath stopped. Once the room was illuminated he turned around slowly finding himself alone. No sooner had he began to breath again did his body jerk with a start seeing something from the corner of his eye. Someone else was there with him. Gasping and pressing against the wall he focused on the figure sitting at the edge of his king-sized bed. It was a perfect mirror image of himself. Vegeta closed his eyes hard and tight reopening them only to find the copy still there. It smirked wickedly at him. Then more appeared slowly in different parts of the bedroom as if he were being cloned right before his very eyes.
He rubbed furiously at his pupils hoping to clear his vision to erase what he'd been looking at. "What is this? I'm cracking up." A tiny laugh of hysterics escaped him. He shook his head looking from one image to the other.
"Do you get it now, your highness?" The one on the bed spoke using a mocking and spiteful tone.
Vegeta kept himself against the wall not wanting to go near them for fear that he'd touch one of them and find out they were trully real and not just a figment of his tired and medicine induced imagination.
"This isn't a dream and you're not just seeing things. This is us, and we are alternates of you." The one standing by the window spoke with a more calm and almost apologetic tone.
Vegeta sank down slowly to the floor pulling his knees up as his hands fell to the floor beside him. His wide eyes watched them all as realization dawned on him. "It's true... there is something wrong with me." They all looked back, with the same dark irises as himself, same cut of eye, waiting for his next move. Deciding to find out for himself Vegeta stood slowly and walked over to the figure sitting closest to him in his armchair. A shaking hand reached out to touch the imitator, but he felt nothing but air. A hoarse laugh left his mouth.
"How is it possible that I can't touch you but you're real." He turned away from them facing the door. "They look like me, they sound like me but they're not me." He faced them again. "You're just inside of my head and now you're not, it's- it's sorcery." He began pacing again. "No, no its not magic its just my stupid emotions messing with me because I haven't been sleeping well, and I've been taking too many different medications-"
"Or not enough."
"In a manner of speaking we are parts of your emotions, we are parts of who you are but with personalities of our own."
"We're still you as much as you are us."
"And we can control your weakened mind to have access to your body, your thoughts, your speech.... your actions." The figure laughed. "We're just as real as you are now."
Vegeta stared on in horror.
"Frightening isn't it? Try being stuck in here, in you're simple mind."
"Do you understand now?"
Vegeta turned back to the door and dropped his head against it, banging an angry fist against the solid mass. "I understand alright...." He whispered before turning back around and sinking down to the floor. He ran his hands through the mess of unruly hair, gritting his teeth to keep himself form trully losing it. He looked back up at the small group and spoke. "I've lost my mind."
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Thank you for sticking with me and my slow updating ways it'll be worth it in the end and I appreciate it soooo much!
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Anger/Hatred Love/Compassion Envy/Self loathing Sadness/Depression Lustful Playful/Crazy
Stealing Time
Chpt 22: Camera's and Alters Tell No Lies
The rest of the day went without issues as far as the small group was concerned. Vegeta was a bit broody but nothing unusual. He wanted nothing more than for the three nuisances to leave so he could hunt down anymore hidden cameras and get rid of them. Trunks and Goten kept conversation open in the group, all the while the lavender haired teen was really trying to gauge his father's mood and behavior. Goku continued to try to get the prince to embrace their newly formed relationship, but Vegeta would casually shove his arm off or move away from the expectant man. It was when Trunks and Goten finally left the two alone, to clean up the mess Vegeta left in Trunks room, that Goku decided now was the best time to make his move.
Clearing his throat he turned in the couch to face his bitter looking lover. "So I was thinking-"
"And now you need medical attention?" Was the prince's snarky reply.
"Haha, atleast you're in some kind of humor." Goku shrugged the comment off.
"Hn."
"I was thinking maybe we could go on a date tomorrow night."
Vegeta turned sharp eyes on the man. "A what?"
"You know a date." Vegeta looked away crossing his arms as Goku continued. "Go out together and do something, get a meal. Like couples do. ChiChi used to harp on it all the time that I never took her out enough. I wasn't even sure what dating was back then until Krillin explained it to me." He laughed at an unshared memory. "All I knew was food usually came with it, so I didn't complain... too much."
"Why are you persuing this Kakarot?" Vegeta spoke but more to himself as he stared forwards.
"Because I like you; and you already agreed to at least try. One date won't hurt. You might even like it."
Vegeta sighed heavily. He didn't want to think about this, dates and relationships. He didn't really want to do anything but find out if his son was truly spying on him. Normally the proud Saiyan would have just called Trunks out on the sneaky misdoing but this time he felt an overwhelming sense of sadness and disappointment. Now that the anger of the situation had subsided he felt betrayed.
Realizing he'd been silently brooding for minutes Vegeta tried to shake it off, feeling stupid for letting the matter affect him so much. He refused to blame the alters in his head, and give them acknowledgement but at the same time he wasn't going to admit to feeling weak on his own.
"Fine Kakarot I'll go with you." He said with more determination to change the subject and distract himself than to appease the younger man.
"Yeah really?" Goku was a little shocked but pleased all the same. "Alright then."
"What are we celebrating?" Goten asked entering the room, Trunks in tow.
"Vegeta and I are going out tomorrow night."
"Like on a date?" Trunks asked with a slight disbelieving chuckle.
"Yeah." Goku responded excitedly.
"Good for you." Goten stood behind the couch and patted both fathers on the shoulder. "Man T' when's the last time we went out on a date?"
"....Search me." Trunks shrugged light heartedly.
Vegeta grumbled something under his breath and turned away from the happy exchange. Not without Goku noticing.
"Well I think its time we headed home Goten."
"Ah really."
"We've intruded long enough today and its getting late."
"You could stay for dinner." Trunks offered.
"No that's alright." Goku stood from his seat on the couch leaning closer to Trunks's ear to whisper. "You should talk to your dad he seems kind of upset about something." The teen nodded while looking at the back of Vegeta's head. "See you guys tomorrow. Don't forget we've got a date." Goku spoke louder making sure to rub Vegeta's shoulder before heading out. Vegeta waved a hand absently both dismissing and acknowledging Goku's words and departure.
Goten gave Trunks a quick peck on the cheek before following after his dad. The house was quiet again and the tension filled the air quickly. Trunks wanted to assume Vegeta was still upset about not finding his medicine but that left the question, what did he do with it that is was missing in the first place.
"I'm gonna start dinner in awhile, you want anything specific?"
"No."
"...Ok then I'm making soba."
"Whatever." Vegeta was wondering if he should try looking around while the boy was in the kitchen or wait until he went to sleep.
Look at him being so casual as if he isn't plotting against you
You're own son and what does he think filming you will prove
Trying not to listen to them Vegeta couldn't deny that what they spoke was the truth. 'What does he plan to prove? Does he think I'll have some freak out and then throw me in the hospital for treatment?'
We can't let that happen again remember the first time
Disrespectful little-
He's trying to get rid of you, and us
The silence was straining and Trunks decided to be upfront about it. "Is something wrong dad?"
Vegeta didn't respond for a minute and slowly turned in his seat to face Trunks, who had remained behind the couch. "Wrong, whatever could be wrong?"
"You just seem so.. distant and upset." Vegeta didn't respond. "Maybe you should take your medication." Trunks tensed after his suggestion knowing how his dad would react to that. He was unpleasantly surprised at the outcome. Vegeta responded quietly and reserved, not ranting and raving about how he doesn't need medication and there's nothing wrong with him.
He simply said, "I would if I had them."
If Trunks didn't know any better he'd say the man sounded sad. "But I left them with you in your room." He walked around to the front of the couch to get a look at his father's face. He was obviously upset over something and refusing to look him in the eye. "What happened to the pills I gave you last night?"
"I don't know, must have misplaced them."
"And is that why you trashed my room, looking for them?"
Vegeta's eyes shot up to meet his son's. There was a flash of anger there before he looked away again using the same defeated tone as before. "Yes that's why. I wasn't thinking at the time."
Assuming that was some kind of apology Trunks tried for damage control knowing he'd upset his father in some way but by Vegeta's behavior he wasn't sure how. "That's ok, nothing's broken. I'll get you some more then, you can take them after dinner."
"Fine."
"Alright I'm gonna start dinner after a shower." Vegeta said nothing. Trunks hesitated to ask but he was still cautious of his father's condition and how he'd been behaving today. He was also aware that his dad didn't want to be babysat; and the cameras couldn't do anything if the man was out of the house. Renewing his conviction he took a breath before spitting out his question. "You won't go anywhere will you?"
Vegeta balled his hands into fist gritting his teeth as if he were about to explode but he released them and spoke calmly but tight lipped. "Why would I do that?"
"I didn't mean you couldn't or anything. I just-"
"Wanted to keep an eye on me?" His father spoke the words Trunks himself was nervous to say. "I know, well don't worry. I'm not going anywhere." He spoke the last line with hidden meaning. If the boy thought he'd be sent to any clinic or hospital to be made a spectacle of again he had another thing coming. The prince would show him the true meaning of "out of his mind".
"Good, thanks. I know it seems wrong to you but I only have your best interest in mind dad, you have to know that."
With indifference Vegeta replied. "Of course." After another moment of silence Trunks finally headed upstairs to take his shower and possibly find the misplaced pills. Vegeta waited a minute or two before getting up and scanning the living room area. If Trunks was really playing detective this would be the second best place for surveillance. He was lucky the camera in his bedroom was found so soon or he really would have problems to deal with later.
He walked over to the bookshelves searching between the knick-knacks and meager books. Nothing. He was slightly relieved for the part of him not wanting to believe his son could so freely spy on his own father. Then he checked around the television having to look over it twice, and there it was. He frowned with disappointment before the heat of anger began to rise. Vegeta was ready to pick up the mini camera and smash it but instead decided to leave his son a clear message. Leaning closer he growled into the lens mouthing the words "I win." before backing away and sending a tiny blast of ki into the machine, enough to stop it from recording but not destroy it completely. When Trunks went over his little footage he'd know that Vegeta knew what he was up to and he wouldn't stand for that kind of treachory in his own home.
Leaving the living room Vegeta began scouting the rest of the house with renewed anger to do much of the same.
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Once they were out of the city area Goku and Goten decided to walk the rest of the way home from Capsule corp and enjoy the evening breeze instead of flying or using the instant transmission.
"So you took my advice and asked Vegeta out huh. I can't believe he said yes." Goten laughed.
"Me neither. He's been determined since he agreed to be with me to end it before it even starts."
"That's weird... I think. The guy's not easy to understand."
"Tell me about it."
Goten couldn't even imagine how it was for his dad having to deal with the moody prince, if things were that hard on Trunks and he was Vegeta's son. "Hey dad, you think Vegeta really is sick? I mean with this brain disease."
"I don't know son. I hope not but so many signs say otherwise. Makes me wonder if trying to start something with him is a bad idea. What if Trunks is right and I'm only making it worse?"
"No, I still don't believe that." Goten patted his father's broad back. "And if all goes well, we'll find out soon enough if Vegeta really needs medical attention and get him some help."
Goku turned a questioning eye to his son. "Oh yeah," Goten made the 'oops' face knowing he accidentally let the cat out of the bag. "What do you mean by "if all goes wells"?"
"Guess it can't do any harm telling you." They both stopped walking so Goku could focus on his son's words. "Me and Trunks set up some cameras in their house. Ya know to catch Vegeta behaving strangely. That way we'd have proof he was sick and could show the doctors since they can't really diagnose Vegeta without a shrink and we know he won't go for that. Plus we can show Vegeta so he can't deny it. What better way to get proof than having it caught on camera."
Goku replayed his sons words and thought it over before they continued moving again. "That is a good plan actually but doesn't Trunks think its wrong spying on Vegeta like that? He might go balistic if he finds out."
"Yeah but we made sure to hide them good; and Trunks is more concerned about getting his dad help than his privacy." Goten paused like he'd just been hit with something. "Ah man that could be bad though when you guys want some private time. If your relationship actually goes somewhere."
"Gee thanks."
"Maybe Trunks will catch what he needs before it comes to that." Goku nodded. "Hey we're almost home, come on." Goten sped up leaving his dad behind to think about what he'd just learned. Part of him knew that filming Vegeta was wrong but he could sympathize with Trunks. The teen was gettign desperate to help a man that stubbornly refused to believe he even needed help.
'But still.. Trunks what are you thinking? This could either work or back fire in the worst way.'
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Trunks worried the entire shower that Vegeta might have taken off. He was surprised to see the man still there when he came downstairs. Unfortunately his father's demeanor hadn't changed. The man still looked miserable or sad. Dinner was quiet and strained and once it was over Vegeta left to his room, with no more word than where he was headed. Not feeling up to trying to stop him, Trunks let the man alone and went to retrieve the tiny disc from the mini camera's. To his shock and horror, he found the digital devices had been tampered with.
"What the hell?" He whispered incase his father had an ear somewhere nearby. Thinking of the misbehaving man he frowned. 'Dad, did you do this?' Trunks pulled the bruised camera from its hiding spot behind the tv and looked it over. "How? He couldn't have known; he shouldn't have been able to find these." Luckily the tiny disc was still in tact and he could atleast watch the footage later. Straightening up he shook his head pocketing the device and went to find the rest, hoping they weren't in the same busted condition.
"Damn it!" The one in the study was smashed. The camera in the kitchen ruined. Every one of them had been destroyed in some way. He knew against all doubt it could have only been his father. "Him... or one of him." Disappointed that his plan had come to an abrupt hault he ran to the C.C. lab just outside a few feet away from thier home. On his way over he took in a deep breath of the crisp night air and released it. A thought dawned on him, if his dad had found out about the camera's that would explain his acting distant and being upset all evening.
"Oh father, I can't imagine what you're thinking about me right now, but this was really for your own good." He spoke to himself as he entered the semi large building where his grandfather and mother left their legacy of scientific equipment and inventions. He took a seat at one of the stations where a large monitor hung above him. He pushed a few buttons to open the slot for his video disc and more buttons to pull up the video on screen. The first few hours he sped through were of an empty house, the rest was normal everyday activity that he and the others did. He put in disc after disc finding much of the same until coming across the living room footage from a few hours ago. He skipped past their gathering, and past Goku and Vegeta alone- even though he was itching to hear their conversation about this date and how his father had reacted to it. He played the video once Goku and Goten were gone and he had gone upstairs leaving Vegeta alone.
"Now what were you up to?" He watched his dad get up from the couch immediately and start looking around the room. "He must have known the cameras were here the whole time." Trunks frowned. "So much for this brilliant idea," He watched with interest as his father sought out the mini cameras. "but how did he find out?"
Trunks leaned forward in his chair trying to get unneccessarily closer when his on screen dad found the camera by the television. He watched the man's expression change from upset to pure anger before he mouthed something and blasted a fingers worth of ki at the machine. The video went to fuzz. Trunks was frozen in place, mouth agape staring at the black and white fuzz. Seconds later he snapped out of it and hit the rewind button to watch his father's mouth again. "I..win.." Trunks spoke the silent words aloud to himself, pausing the screen. Vegeta looked even more menacing enlarged on the T.V. staring back at him than he did in person.
Remaining seated Trunks pushed his wheeled chair away from the desk. A contemplative hand rested on his chin, brows furrowed in concentrated frustration. He was quiet for moments staring back at his dad on screen. He got an eerie feeling like the man were right there actually watching his every move. Shaking his head he stood and crossed the small distance to shut off the video. "No dad, you don't win. Not for this." He continued to stare at the black screen where Vegeta's image used to be. "I will help you even if it means invading your privacy." The lavender haired teen pulled his cellphone out of his pocket and quickly dialed the number for city information, and told the operator what he was looking for before she redirected his call. He waited for a response on the other line.
"Yes, hello I'd like to have a surveillance system installed in my house..... possibly tomorrow evening.... Ok. we'll go over the details then, great thanks. Goodbye."
He hung up with a sigh of relief. 'Sorry dad this is the only way I can get you help; unless you come out and admit that there's something wrong.' Checking the large digital clock on the wall he sighed at how late it had gotten and made his way outside and back to the house and his bed.
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Upstairs Vegeta was lying in bed brooding over the situation. He didn't feel like himself and he knew why. It was them, at least one of them, making him feel this disappointment and sadness towards his son. Vegeta felt like crap this way, like a stranger in his own body. He was wishing he'd have just blacked out through all of it, like he had been doing previously, and return to normal with no recollection of what he'd felt or what had happened. Instead here he was lying around like some wounded hospital patient miserably awaiting the bad news of death.
Death would be a sweet release right now
'Damn it.' He barely spoke the word aloud; turning himself to lay on his right side and stare vacantly at the window. It was too dark to see anything outside and there was no moon for added light. That was exactly how Vegeta felt at the moment, dark and empty. He wanted nothing more than for it all to go away, the feelings the voices.
There's an easy way to stop all of this... end it right now
or just give us control permanently
"No, no. Shut up, shut up." He kept his voice down to a hoarse whisper knowing Trunks would be lurking somewhere nearby.
Or maybe he's not out there maybe he's hoping his little camera's will catch all the action for him
The Saiyan prince was momentarily shocked at having his thoughts responded to so easily, until he remembered it was all in his head. Of course the voices knew what he was thinking. They'd been harassing him for nearly a month now. He responded either way, "No I destroyed them all." not sure if it were to himself or them.
Did you? Who knows what's hiding around here. He's very smart when it comes to technology remember, unlike yourself
Vegeta's eyes narrowed. No, he refused to believe that his son was still or would continue trying to spy on him after the message he left for him. Sitting up abruptly Vegeta heard what he thought were footsteps outside of his room. There were no shadows coming in under the crack of the door from the hall light. So either Trunks had gotten away already or was never out there. Vegeta remained frozen mid-sit, however and waited.
Outside Trunks had walked past quickly standing on the opposite side of the door, craning an ear to try and listen, when he deemed it quiet enough inside he hoped his dad was only asleep and headed to his own bedroom to do the same.
You feel it don't you, the suffocation and invasion of your privacy
Vegeta waited to make sure it was completely quiet outside before speaking in whispers again. The last thing he needed was to be caught talking to himself. "The only invasion I'm feeling right now is from all of you."
Get used to it we'll be here for awhile
Especially with you in denial
"What is it that I'm denying exactly, insanity?" Not waiting for the mental reply he haphazardly got out of bed and rummaged once again on top of the dresser, as if they'd magically reappear, for the missing pills. Ignoring the laughter going on inside of his mind he made his way to the bathroom yanking the medicine cabinet open and finding the sleeping pills he'd been taking when this mess had all began. It wouldn't get rid of the nightmares but he'd atleast be able to shut them up for a few hours and get some sleep, restful or not the prince knew his body needed it.
That won't do you any good
Vegeta downed two pills and cranked the knobs on the faucet to full blast cupping water in his hands to rinse the medicine down. After swallowing he leaned over the sink to splash his face with the cold liquid.
You can sleep all you want, that'll be the perfect time for us to take control
The voice laughed.
While you're weak and vulnerable
Vegeta lifted his head and froze from towelling his face dry, staring into the mirror with horror at what he'd just heard and what he'd already done. The laughter continued and he left the bathroom covering his ears to futiley shut it out.
You'll be sleeping peacefully and we'll be doing 'who' knows what with your body,
The voice spoke with emphasis on the who part making Vegeta worry further about its meaning.
You'll never know until its too late
"No! I won't belive this garbage. You're just trying to get inside my head."
Too late for that
"You want to scare me, you want to make me insane, keep me sleep deprived." He takes a seat in the arm chair clawing at the fabric of the arms. "You're all against me working with them to send me to the looney bin."
We're not trying to hurt you Vegeta
Speak for yourself
"Shut up, shut up!" He stood clawing at his ears to keep himself from listening before he started pacing the room. His first steps were sloppy and sluggish. The sleep aid was working fast and he was already so worn out. The Saiyan prince moved around the room silently trying his hardest not to think hoping it'd cease the noise in his brain, the voices continued on their own regardless. All trying to get their point across; that he was weak, he was a coward, in denial, trying to convince him that they wanted to help him, then that they wanted to get rid of him. It was all a jumbled mess of words with truths and falseness and all confusion.
Staring into the dark as they tormented him, gave him a horrible creeping feeling that he wasn't alone in the room. The voices were so loud and so clear it's as if they were circling around him. 'Calm down Vegeta you're better than this. It's just your own thoughts being projected so strongly it only seems like separate entities.'
Despite his self assuring words Vegeta went over to the wall beside the door to turn the bedroom lights on, his hand hesitated before pushing the button and his breath stopped. Once the room was illuminated he turned around slowly finding himself alone. No sooner had he began to breath again did his body jerk with a start seeing something from the corner of his eye. Someone else was there with him. Gasping and pressing against the wall he focused on the figure sitting at the edge of his king-sized bed. It was a perfect mirror image of himself. Vegeta closed his eyes hard and tight reopening them only to find the copy still there. It smirked wickedly at him. Then more appeared slowly in different parts of the bedroom as if he were being cloned right before his very eyes.
He rubbed furiously at his pupils hoping to clear his vision to erase what he'd been looking at. "What is this? I'm cracking up." A tiny laugh of hysterics escaped him. He shook his head looking from one image to the other.
"Do you get it now, your highness?" The one on the bed spoke using a mocking and spiteful tone.
Vegeta kept himself against the wall not wanting to go near them for fear that he'd touch one of them and find out they were trully real and not just a figment of his tired and medicine induced imagination.
"This isn't a dream and you're not just seeing things. This is us, and we are alternates of you." The one standing by the window spoke with a more calm and almost apologetic tone.
Vegeta sank down slowly to the floor pulling his knees up as his hands fell to the floor beside him. His wide eyes watched them all as realization dawned on him. "It's true... there is something wrong with me." They all looked back, with the same dark irises as himself, same cut of eye, waiting for his next move. Deciding to find out for himself Vegeta stood slowly and walked over to the figure sitting closest to him in his armchair. A shaking hand reached out to touch the imitator, but he felt nothing but air. A hoarse laugh left his mouth.
"How is it possible that I can't touch you but you're real." He turned away from them facing the door. "They look like me, they sound like me but they're not me." He faced them again. "You're just inside of my head and now you're not, it's- it's sorcery." He began pacing again. "No, no its not magic its just my stupid emotions messing with me because I haven't been sleeping well, and I've been taking too many different medications-"
"Or not enough."
"In a manner of speaking we are parts of your emotions, we are parts of who you are but with personalities of our own."
"We're still you as much as you are us."
"And we can control your weakened mind to have access to your body, your thoughts, your speech.... your actions." The figure laughed. "We're just as real as you are now."
Vegeta stared on in horror.
"Frightening isn't it? Try being stuck in here, in you're simple mind."
"Do you understand now?"
Vegeta turned back to the door and dropped his head against it, banging an angry fist against the solid mass. "I understand alright...." He whispered before turning back around and sinking down to the floor. He ran his hands through the mess of unruly hair, gritting his teeth to keep himself form trully losing it. He looked back up at the small group and spoke. "I've lost my mind."
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Thank you for sticking with me and my slow updating ways it'll be worth it in the end and I appreciate it soooo much!