Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Tasting Bliss ❯ An unexpected factor ( Chapter 12 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama. It is owned by Shonen Jump, Toei Animation Co. Ltd. Shuisha Bird studios and released by Funimation. This fanfiction means no harm to the manga or anime. Only the plot is my idea and is for entertainment only.

 

Mountain of Needles

 

By Starbearer TM.

 

The 'eww' factor and other matters

 

***

Minutes ago they had landed in another place to continue the difficult conversation, which seemed to be getting nowhere quickly. Goten had calmly listened to everything Goku had to say. Still his dark eyes were clouded with doubt. Vegeta's sensitive nostrils twitched with the dulling of Kakkarot's younger son's scent.

 

"Even then I had feelings for your father," Goku leveled his gaze. His voice crackled slightly, evoking a shiver from Goten.

 

"Even then?" Goten mouthed.

 

"So that's how it is?" Trunks murmured. Even with Goku's story, Trunks and Goten seemed uncomfortable in their own ways. Just how they displayed the conflicting emotions varied greatly between the two. Trunks shifted his weight from one foot to the other, choosing to stand up and pace in hesitant orbits around the three other figures seated in a circle.

 

"Did I say the wrong thing?" Goku asked.

 

"No… yes… I mean… dammit," Trunks sighed.

 

"You seem to doubt even now what is a reality of your blood," Vegeta started.

 

"Father, you don't make it easy! On one hand you want me to just accept that whatever 'urges' I feel are just something that's born in me cause I'm a Saiyan. But I'm human too!"

 

"Why does that make a difference?" Goten wondered.

 

"Because Goten, human men… also fall in love! Father's making it sound like we're just animals following an urge!" Trunks blurted out.

 

"Humans have the same tendencies towards same sex relationships too, idiot," Vegeta snickered. "Why should it matter?"

 

"I don't know!" Trunks shouted, throwing up his hands in frustration. Angrily he whirled around, his back muscles twitching spasmodically.

 

"Um, maybe we should just… not push things, Vegeta? I mean he seems pretty upset," Goku leaned over and whispered into Vegeta's ear.

 

"He shouldn't run. If he has something to say to me then he can say it now," Vegeta answered.

 

"I do not know if I am ready to talk, Father," Trunks said quietly. His blue eyes took on a frosty tinge, making Vegeta shiver with discomfort. Not always did he worry about his son's opinion of him, yet now…

 

"It's your choice, Trunks," Vegeta answered in a low tone.

 

"Trunks?" Goten asked. For all Goten's show of casual acceptance, Vegeta's gut instinct told him Goten was holding something back. As much as Goten seemed open, the Saiyan prince knew he grappled with facing Chichi later. Would he be forced to choose sides, and would he have the conviction to stand behind his decision to enter a relationship with Trunks?

 

"I need time… to take this all in. It wasn't supposed to be like this, Father. I was all set… to have you… it's just not… like I expected, dammit," Trunks blurted out.

 

"I hardly wonder if that matters. Nothing is as it's supposed to be Trunks. You should know that by now. As for your doubting my acceptance of your relationship to Kakkarot's brat, you could have had the courage to come to me yourself had you thought it necessary to ask for my 'blessing'. But then again, you are adult Trunks, and since when did my approval one way or the other make a difference. You've made your own decisions. And embraced your nature as it is," Vegeta started.

 

"Father, just don't…" Trunks raised his hands. "I've got too many things running through my mind… I don't want to say something I'll regret."

 

"Then say nothing. It's obvious that you're scared you'd either make an ass of yourself or some sentimental worry like that," Vegeta answered. "I repeat, since when did you care of what the world thought of you? Or are you letting yourself be judged by human standards of what a relationship between males SHOULD be?"

 

"Father, enough, I can't… I can't talk to you right now okay? It's not going to be nice and neat… I just cannot…"

 

"Then don't," Vegeta cut him off with a negating wave of his gloved hand. "Talk isn't something that needs to take priority. Do what you want. Wallow in embarrassment or whine and complain that life isn't what you think it should be… because it doesn't fit your human values. Since when did you think I every CARED about fitting in?"

 

"Since you cared about what Bra might think?" asked Trunks.

 

A low growl erupted from Vegeta's throat. "I see."

 

"Maybe we should just bag the 'talk' for now, Dad?" Goten asked quietly. "I mean Trunks is right… it's a lot to take in."

 

"I need… time, okay?" Trunks threw up his hands.

 

"Do as you want, boy, but the reality does not change. You are Saiyan too," Vegeta answered. Trunks stepped back, his head spinning with dozens of realizations.

 

"I don't know what that means, Father!" Trunks answered icily. His blue eyes widened with fear. Vegeta watched, with arms folded as Trunks violently combed hands through his hair.

 

"Is it because you don't want to talk in front of Kakkarot and his brat?" Vegeta lowered his voice so only Trunks could hear.

 

"I guess," Trunks murmured. "Maybe that would be best, Father."

 

"As you wish," Vegeta grunted. "You know now where to find me."

 

"I'll see you later, Father… and Goku. Goten… you can stay if you want, but I need to…" Trunks answered, halfway between cold and frightened.

 

"I'll be there soon, okay, Trunks? I'll meet you in the usual place," Goten answered. Nodding Trunks turned away then launched himself into the air.

 

"Do you wish to… 'talk' with your boy, Kakkarot?" Vegeta turned to Goku, who had remained on the sidelines. Unsure of what to say or do, Goku had elected to keep out of the dispute between father and son.

 

"Yes," Goku nodded.

 

"Maybe Trunks is right. You two were right in the middle of something. I think it's better if we wait till everything cools off," Goten suggested. "I mean you and I talk, and Trunks talks to you…."

 

"Hmm, good to see some sense has rubbed off on you, boy," Vegeta cocked his head to one side.

 

"Um, look Vegeta… I mean it's great to see you open and all, but Trunks is just worried because he was all set to have you reject us. He assumed that you'd be pissed when we found out we were a couple. So I guess he's just not sure how to take this," Goten admitted sheepishly.

 

"I see," Vegeta answered, though Goku could tell nonverbal that Vegeta really did not get it. Rather Vegeta had to say something or grunt in acknowledgement. Resorting to such a phrase was part of the human lingo he had absorbed on earth where a 'hn' would have sufficed years ago.

 

"Do you?" Goku wondered. "He looked really upset. Almost like someone who lost his best friend."

 

"Because I didn't live up to his expectation of how he THOUGHT I should act? How ridiculous!" Vegeta laughed harshly, shaking his head. "He would have welcomed my disapproval I suppose?"

 

"Maybe that's it," Goten nodded, still slightly confused. "I mean I'm pretty confused too, Dad. You have this whole picture in your head of how things SHOULD go, so when they don't go that way… you don't know what's going to happen next."

 

"So, because I didn't rant and rave Trunks thinks he can whine like a spoiled brat and mope because I failed to meet his expectations of what a 'father' should be? He should know by now that I am not human. In addition, as such…" Vegeta began, but stopped at Goku's hand resting on his arm. This action further surprised the already nervous Goten. Goku noticed how suddenly spooked his younger son appeared, eyes wide and ears almost twitching in anticipation of another reality shattering moment.

 

Seeing one's parents having sex was odd enough for a child. Yet seeing someone's parent in the throws of passion with your best friend's spouse exploded all notions of stability. There were things that children counted on in human society that Vegeta often forgot. Certain constants of the universe, called laws of nature. The sun always rose in the east and set in the west. Things fell down under the pull of gravity when you released them.

 

"Seeing your parents having sex always wierds a kid out," Goku answered.

 

"What was that, Kakkarot?"

 

"You're right dad. That is just it. I mean it IS creepy to see you… and Vegeta… no offense… um… doing it! I mean…" Goten blinked.

 

"Another earthling reaction I see," Vegeta scoffed, his red furry tail waving like a flag behind him.

 

"It's the 'eww gross' factor, Vegeta," Goten nervously laughed, rubbing his neck with one hand. What seemed endearing in Kakkarot now became downright annoying. His right eyelid descended slightly in an irritated tic to show this fact.

 

"Talking is overrated, Kakkarot," Vegeta finally grunted. He turned his gaze to one side, then swung his whole body around to wander off. In his own, way he was granting Goku a private moment with his son. Grateful, Goku seized the chance and gently touched Goten's arm, motioning him to follow.

 

"Dad, it's embarrassing, just like walking in on you and mom. Only ten times worse. I mean… it's not cause it's you and Vegeta… but its because it's you and Vegeta… I mean… damn…"

 

"I get it now," nodded his father, half closing his eyes in realization. Shoulders slumped visibly as Goku glanced down at his feet. Small clouds of dust rose from the scuffing of his boot dragging a small trench in the forest floor.

 

"We need time to take it in. I guess now's NOT the time for a 'father son' talk, Dad. Can you blame us? Trunks idolizes his father… Vegeta… and now all the things he thought were the case aren't. He's shaken up. And I am too."

 

"Are you sure?" Goku wondered. Judging from the way his younger child averted his gaze just then, and the dismal cast of his demeanor, he knew the answer. Reality of what Goten would face if he tried returning home crashed around Son Goku. Images of Chichi's tearstained face haunted him, coupled with the echo of her harsh cries in his thoughts. He had crushed her spirit in a way he had not expected; yet, he knew there was no going back. Damage had been done, and his own destiny had become intertwined with Vegeta's in a far more complicated way.

 

Another realization dawned. This was how Chichi felt whenever he rushed off to train. The inevitable pall of separation loomed like a long chilly shadow in the evening sunlight. Both their shady alter egos vanished into the lengthening pillars of the trees around them. Darkness swallowed the light still flickering through the trees, tinged with shades of orange and blood red. Oddly enough, the crimson shade resembled that of Vegeta's furred coat.

 

"I think it's best, Dad," Goten nodded. Both of them shared an awkward embrace. Sliding back from his father, Goten soon blasted off in the direction Trunks had gone. Shading his eyes with one hand Goku strained to see the fading glimmer of Goten vanishing into the distant purple mountains. Strength drained from his muscles, making the steps that carried him back towards Vegeta difficult to take. He could only stop his legs from giving out by bracing his palm against a tree. Perhaps it was the influx of memories from his encounter with Chichi that again haunted him. Goten would face the same reality because of him.

 

Vegeta swung around, striding up to where Goku propped himself up against the sturdy trunk of a tree. Left behind on the forest floor, Goku and Vegeta regarded one another. Neither realized the duration of time taken up by Goku's tale until they were again alone. All Goku could do after

 

"Did I say the wrong thing, admitting what I did?" Goku asked Vegeta.

 

"The reality remains the same, Kakkarot. If Trunks cannot handle the truth now, he will have to later. Your boy seems rather open minded considering…"

 

"He was bluffing part of the time Vegeta. Putting on a brave face, whatever you want to call it," Goku interrupted flatly. All the life leached from his voice, causing Vegeta to scowl. Reaching out with a purple-gloved hand, his Prince gently but firmly shook Goku.

 

"Now listen here, Kakkarot, you almost sound sorry for this?"

 

Goku's cracked voice uttered, "I'm sorry for Goten. Having to face Mom alone. I mean does she know? What will she say? And should I go with him or let him…"

 

Swinging him by the grip he held on his upper arm, Vegeta caught Goku's other with his free hand. His pressure on Goku's body held the taller Saiyan up from pitching forwards. Goku drew strength from the firmness of Vegeta's hold, seeing the anger gleaming in Vegeta's sapphire gaze. Twin pools of glacial azure beamed brightly into Goku's soul, showing concern behind the veneer of Vegeta's outrage. Bringing his face to a mere inch of Goku's he whispered, "Kakkarot don't you DARE feel shame for your choices. I will not allow it! Your boy can stand on his own two feet. Don't rob him of his Saiyan pride!"

 

"But he's still half human, Vegeta!" Goku retaliated, his voice a long low hiss of breath, hot in Vegeta's face. Protectiveness for his son overrode his guilt now, sparked by Vegeta's own.

 

"Let him fight his own battle as I have allowed Trunks to do, then. They will return when they are ready to face facts. You cannot let Goten shy away from his mother. Who and what he is… he must accept, as you and I have done. You cannot make it easy. You never did, remember, Kakkarot?"

 

"No," he nodded, his mind clearing of all the clutter. If he lost himself in Vegeta's eyes, it all seemed so much easier.

 

"Banish it from your mind. I command it. And I also command you, since you saw fit to reveal what happened facing that bloated bag of mutated crap… what you would have done acting on your impulses, then and there, Kakkarot?" Vegeta suddenly suggested.

 

"What?" Goku blinked.

 

"It's a royal order," Vegeta snickered, a lascivious glint in his eyes. It was for the benefit of misdirecting Goku's attention from feeling sorry for himself. Perhaps it was selfish, but Goku thanked Vegeta for it, and felt no shame in what he was about to admit.