Blankly, Goku stared at the screen and tried to make sense of the enigmatic words.

Post Tramatic Stress Disorder may develop after a person is exposed to one or more traumatic events, such as major stress, sexual assault, terrorism, or other threats on a person's life. In the typical case, the individual with PTSD persistently avoids all thoughts and emotions, and discussion of the stress event and may experience amnesia for it. However, the event is commonly relived by the individual through intrusive, recurrent recollections, flashbacks, and nightmares. PTSD symptoms may result when a traumatic event causes an over-reactive adrenaline response, which creates deep neurological patterns in the brain. These patterns can persist long after the event that triggered the fear (often years and decades after), making an individual hyper-responsive to future fearful situations. Among these symptoms are:
Persistent remembering or "reliving" the event by intrusive flash backs, vivid memories, recurring dreams, or by experiencing distress when exposed to circumstances resembling or associated with the stress event.

Actual or preferred avoidance of circumstances resembling or associated with the stress event.

Difficulty in falling or staying asleep

Irritability or outbursts of anger

Difficulty in concentrating

Hyper-vigilance (being constantly 'on guard')

Exaggerated startle response.

By the time Goku had finished reading the section, his hand had migrated up to resting over his lips in a vain attempt to hide his growing anguish. His mind raced with all the evidence present in his mate's actions...the real underlying reason for the prince's reluctance to allow Goku to claim him...the detachment of emotion at Goku's loss of control on the stairs...falling back into his strenuous training regiment to protect himself...and most of all the horrific nightmares. He even had to wonder if Vegeta's personality trademark of being easily angered and withdrawn from all others was brought on from his adolescent years, or was it just normal for a Saiyan? He cringed at remembering telling Vegeta, "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger"...when in all actuality, for Vegeta it was more closer to, "What doesn't kill you, will change and scar you for life."

For life? A seething pit of dread permeated Goku's being. Had he inadvertently dug up this vicious past that Vegeta had successfully buried? And what now? Can the sovereign have a meaningful relationship with the last remaining Saiyan when all these symptoms are dragging his fears into reality? Frantically, Goku's eyes returned to the computer screen to scan the page for a cure.

Many forms of psychotherapy have been advocated for trauma-related problems such as PTSD. The psychotherapy programs with the strongest demonstrated efficacy include cognitive behavioral programs and variants of exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) seeks to change the way a trauma victim feels and acts by changing the patterns of thinking and/or behavior responsible for the negative emotions. CBT has been proven to be an effective treatment for PTSD. In CBT, individuals learn to identify thoughts that make them feel afraid or upset and replace them with less distressing thoughts. A proven method of CBT is exposure therapy. It involves assisting trauma survivors to re-experience distressing trauma-related memories and reminders in order to facilitate habituation and successful emotional processing of the trauma memory. Most exposure therapy programs include real-life exposure to trauma reminders.

Goku's arms crossed over his chest as he leaned back in the chair, the vastly medical terms whirl-pooling in his head. Exposure therapy? Goku seriously doubted that his mate would be comfortable making an appointment with a human doctor qualified to help him, but it was obvious that something needed to be done. Could the tenderhearted Saiyan subject the other to the horrible events of his past another time? How far would he have to take the level of degradation to release Vegeta of his unfounded fears? Goku inwardly cringed at even thinking of the seemingly dauntless warrior being afraid even after all these years. But that was the real terror behind it all; it wasn't really about the abuse but the lasting effect it held over Vegeta for decades. Even going so far as to mold his very personality.

It was arduously difficult to not let his own anger brew around his heart, for it would do no good...in-fact it could even effect the situation in negative manner. At any rate, Goku's stomach flopped sickly at the idea of "exposure therapy". It only slightly relieved him that this therapy idea was about re-teaching Vegeta's mind to stop seeing others with any degree of control over him as a threat. For the prince to be able to trust another to always have his best interests at heart, with an unconditional love that his very soul could not question. A hopeful smile started to pull at the corners of the third-class's lips as a plan began to develop. Goku knew this wouldn't be a one-time, fix-all triumph; but rather a slow, re-occurring progression happening both in and out of their bedroom. All would be for naught if Vegeta came to trust Goku intimately but not while training. What would happen the next time they needed to share a battlefield to protect their adopted planet?

Training...Goku thought, it will have to be done after training...where he fought hard to get the upper hand over me. He hoped that it would assist in provoking Vegeta to a more 'amorous' frame of mind. Detail after detail slowly knitted together to form a chain of events that, with any luck, would help Vegeta to see life now for what it really is. No more constant fear of being beaten half to death, of being in humiliated front of Vegeta's few remaining subjects, or of the physical atrocities he had forced on him.

A normally frowning brow creased in confusion at the darkness surrounding their bed. Blinking to help himself wake up faster, Vegeta's eyes focused on his mate, smiling and standing next to him, already wearing his training gi. Immediately, the adrenaline surged throughout his body at the foreboding sight.

"What is it Kakkarrot? What's wrong?" The smile still plastered on the third-class's face almost made the prince uneasy. If there's something wrong, why is he smiling? If nothing, was is he up so early in his battle gear? Had he lost control of himself and is about to... Vegeta involuntarily tensed at the thought, preparing to protect himself from the other. Seeing his agitated state state, Goku's hands flew up to counter the unnecessary tension.

"No-no! Nothing's wrong!" he whispered solidly. "I just...well, I thought it would be a great time to go spar." Vegeta sat up onto his elbows as he looked around the pitch dark room then back to the other inhabitant, slightly annoyed.

"Kakkarrot, it's 3 in the morning..." The Earth-Sayian just smiled innocently and undeterred.

"Oh come on! You usually get up so early in the mornings anyway...what's a few hours earlier?" The royal couldn't come up with a sound reason to not go spar with his ally, so he threw back the blanket and placed his feet heavily on the floor.

Quickly dressing his his battle suit, Vegeta slid a suspicious eye over to the patiently waiting. Kakkarrot hasn't shown much interest in sparring lately...why now at 3 am? Was he still working out some of the instinctual quirks perhaps associated with his bond to me? The last thought hurled the elder into an almost panicking and defensive frame of mind. I better be mindful of his actions...I can't let him have control over me again...for my sanity, it can't happen ever again...

"Fuck Kakkarrot! What is in your head that is distracting you from a proper fight?" The explosive accusation thundered across the distance as the battle stopped all motion. Goku winced at the truthfulness in his mate's words...he had been distracted from fighting at his peak, or at least enough to slightly give the royal dominance over the fight. Worst of all, the unforgiving nature of his mate had noticed all too easily. "Fucking hell...it was your idea to come out here and spar...and now you can't even give me your full attention?!"

"To be honest, you're distracting me." Instantly, all of Vegeta's muscles minutely release tension at the unexpected answer. "I've been too busy watching the way you move, how fluid and stealth-fully you throw an attack at me to fight at my best." Goku let his eyes shine with implied want as he brought his hand up to sweep over a freshly split side of his lip with a single finger. Pulling it forward to seemingly examine the blood, he held it down slightly so make sure the prince had a view of it too. Almost as if he were offering it to the other. Then, as if just to be rid of the red smear, Goku pressed his finger between his lips to dispose of it by way of tongue. The action was no different than anyone else attempting to soothe a cut the same way, but the act sent jolts of instinctual want throughout the shorter Saiyan. Shifting his gaze to Vegeta's now distraught and wider eyes, he sucked in his lip at the fissure. Goku could feel the barely contained tension from his mate as the elder raised his hand up to Goku's face, gripping his chin with unsteady fingers while a thumb swept over the raw tear.

"Are you still distracted?" Vegeta's voice had turned to a low, sultry pitch; the words barely louder than a hopeful whisper. Goku smiled as innocently as he could and shook his head, effectively moving away from the other's grasp.

"Not really. I still have quite a bit of fight in me left." Goku's smile twisted enticingly as he prepared his body for battle. He was amazed at how well he hid his trepidation; now that he set his plan into motion, he doubted there would be any room for error.

"So did you enjoy our day-long sparring match?" Goku innocently asked as the two rounded the corner to the room they shared. It had been a long day and his muscles ached with that delicious strain that only a fight with Vegeta could bring. But as much as he truly enjoyed the time with the prince, he was watching for any excuse to turn the conversation in a salacious direction. Several moments, the only response from Vegeta was a positive-sounding grunt, adding to the younger's trepidation.

"That was rather agreeable. Much more productive than training alone it would seem." The prince placed his hand on the door knob to gain entry but paused. "Now I believe I will enjoy getting out of these tattered shreds and into proper clothing for the night." Seeing a way in, Goku took the opportunity presented and whispered with a heady tone from behind the other's ear.

"Perhaps I can help you with...relaxing..." Swiftly dropping to his knees, the third-class smoothed his hands up from the tops of Vegeta's hips up to softly caress his muscled sides, gathering the battle suit up to reveal flesh. The elder immediately tensed at the unforeseen touch and lifted his own hands to remove the other, but paused to rest them over Goku's instead. The one kneeling placed smoldering kisses in the small of Vegeta's back and while it began to ignite a deep want in his blood, it distracted from the sensation as agitation grew over the unseen lover.

I know it's Kakkarrot touching me, but I have to see him...must be certain it's him.

Twisting his head to peer back over his shoulder, his distress only swelled at not being able to view the chaotic black hair. Sensing his lover's mounting anxiety, Goku stood up and guided the slighter Saiyan to turn and face him. Leaning down to kiss him, Goku paused to whisper against parted lips.

"It's only me..." The lips turned to a slighted sneer at the implied ridicule with a small hint of color brushing the tops of Vegeta's, his arms starting to push the other away. Rather than let the timing be wasted, the taller pressed back. "I hope that I'm enough for you, only being me." The confusion that permeated the royal over the misunderstood earlier phrase allowed Goku to follow through with the planned kiss. After only a second of hesitation, the low-born felt his prince deepen the embrace.

Only moments later found the last two Saiyans backing towards the bed. Goku pulled away to smile innocently as his teeth pinched his bottom lip enticingly.

"Wanna know what I've been thinking about all day?" Vegeta rapaciously closed the distance between them, digging a fist into the other's hair to prevent a retreat and kissing along Goku's cheek.

"Besides our battle? Do tell what was so appealing to pull your thoughts from our spar."

"I've wanted to taste you all day..." The younger's eyes flickered downwards to hint at a deeper meaning. "More than just your lips of course." A soft yearning moan was issued from the royal's throat as Goku carried on with his plan. As the elder's heels met with the bedside, his partner leaned close to whisper next to his ear. "Are you gonna let me have what I want?" A captivated soft grunt of craving was all the response Goku had been given, but he still took that as reason enough to continue. He had the damaged prince hungry for physical affection and trusting...now he must break that trust ever so slightly.

"Then get on the bed..." Goku breathed the sensual command without moving from the other's vicinity, but almost immediately Vegeta jerked back from alarm. He tried to hide the swallow of nervous tension in his throat while gauging the perceived threat. The third-class watched with trepidation, the hesitated judgment flickering behind the calculating black eyes. But as lust won out over fear, Goku found it hard to control his elation as the sovereign slowly moved to lay on the bed.

The hopeful architect of Vegeta's healing smoothed his large hands up along the prone thighs, then drifted up over the trim narrow hips to bunch up the battle suit top. Straddling the smaller waist, Goku beckoned him to sit up, pulling the top off. Confusion filtered through Vegeta's mind as the Earth-Saiyan softly coaxed the pristine gloves from his hands, somehow leaving him with a nagging feeling of vulnerability.

Soon the notion was lost on the touch of Goku's lips working humid kisses down his body; successfully aiding the cautious back down onto the sheets. Firm hands once again masterly pressed themselves up the rigid muscles of Vegeta's sides, and adoringly propelled the supine Saiyan's arms up over the flame of mahogany hair. Helping to distract from the submissive posture, the taller trailed kisses to a yielding neck, over to gently bite the fleshy earlobe. The same consenting growl as before steeled Goku up for what was to come. Smoothly releasing the now relaxed forearms, the younger reached over to a pair of unseen items beneath the pillows and swiftly clamped them onto Vegeta's wrists. A soft hum of mechanics was instantly heard, indicating the devices engaging into their sole purpose...Ki restriction.

They had never been used, the two sets of magisterial cuffs that resided at Capsule Corporation's main lab. After Vegeta allowed himself to be possessed by Babadi, everyone that had knowledge of Saiyans agreed it would be a good idea to develop a 'kill switch' for the immense power held by only two beings. Fully understanding that he was the reason behind their invention, the prince spoke up vehemently against creating such things; arguing that if enemies ever learned of their existence, they would be used adversely. Now it seemed to him that his fear of the bracelets purpose was proving all too true.

Before Vegeta had even confirmed what the taller had set into motion, an icy terror began to race through his veins. Testing his fear, the detained commanded his arm muscles to move, but to no avail. Goku pulled back to focus the royal's mind on trying to be calm, but the sheer abhorrence and betrayal evident on his face stole his resolve for a moment.

"...Kakkarrot...what are you...you doing?" It was barely audible, Vegeta's plea for an explanation was spoken between stunned panting breaths. Without anything to say, authoritative curved his neck down to place a comforting kiss on the other's lips, yet it only succeeded in throwing Vegeta into an angry tirade that degenerated into panic with each passing moment. "How dare you do this to me?! Release me at once or mark my words, I will kill you for this! ...You can't do this to me..." Seeing that his scathing words had no visible effect on Goku, the bound royal snapped his head to the side with sharp breaths making his chest rise and fall hectically. Pinching his eyes shut, the utterance from his lips took on a more pleading tone...almost as if he had resigned himself to the horrible fate that he had already imagined. "Please Kakkarrot...don't do this to me...I can't handle this from you..."

While the scene that played out beneath him utterly broke his heart, it steeled up his resolve to move forward. I haven't even made a dominating gesture towards him except for the cuffs and he already thinks the worst...I've got to break this hold over him... Gripping Vegeta's chin firmly, Goku pulls his face to focus on his and with the most genuinely trustworthy voice he could muster, the Earth-Saiyan spoke one word.

"Stop." Even with the fear painted over his features, Vegeta opened his eyes to peer at his partner. Goku let his finger tips spread over the still held jaw as his thumb gingerly brushed over the prince's bottom lip. "I promise I will not hurt you. I promise I will not humiliate you." With the spoken assurance, Vegeta's tension eased slightly but was still not fully in control of his discomposure. Goku faintly grazed his lips over the other set then pulled back to speak again. "But I am going to use your body for my own pleasure."

Piercing black eyes silently watched in caution, just as a rabbit cornered by a wolf would do. Yet this latest statement from his subject instilled no perceived escalation of fear.

"After all," Goku continued, "Isn't that what this started as between us? Using each other to sate the needs brought on from the bond..." The younger sat up to rest back on tensely held hips as he trailed fingertips down the sweltering skin of Vegeta's chest. "But then it changed, didn't it? It switched into an affection...we grew fond of each other, both physically and in companionship." By the end of his speech, Vegeta's panicked breathing had slowed, hopefully indicating the prince's more relaxed state. Goku smiled wistfully as he bent over to kiss the other's cheek. "I suppose first things first."

Sliding off his perch over Vegeta's pelvis, the taller backed away to put him eye level with the royal's waist. As he hooked his fingers under his lover's waistband, a growing electrical sound emanated from the restricting cuffs clasped on to the elder's wrists. Only seconds later, a shin swiftly jutted upwards, connecting cruelly in to the juncture between Goku's thighs. With a strained grunt of shocked pain, the dominating Saiyan slumped over to the side as he fought down his own mounting anger from the unforeseen assault.

"So this is what you've wanted all along...to render me weak and helpless. For doing this to me, I will hate you forever...fuck the bond. I'd rather wither away and die than have you near me, you fucking treasonous miscreant."

Goku wanted to slap himself for his lack of foresight. The ki-restrictors wouldn't keep Vegeta completely immobile, just from gathering and using the extra energy that Sayians had learned to harness. Ordinary humans were proof enough that moving only needed raw muscle power, and the anchored Prince possessed plenty of that. Perhaps he could use this to his advantage and make Vegeta see that he was never defenseless...that he won't need to have a reason to be defensive. Angling back up to more carefully sit astride the other's knees, the younger let the painful irritation become evident over his features as he groaned out a reply.

"You call that helpless?" While an arm held his torso up, the other free hand slid down tenderly grip the aching flesh in an effort to appease the near blinding pain. Silently, the younger thanked any God that was listening that Vegeta didn't have room to gain more momentum and add power to the kick...that would have ended his well-layed plan. His eyes crawled back up to the immobile's still snarling visage. "Vegeta, for the entire time I've known you, I'd never think to describe you as weak or helpless. But I also know that the events of your past has made you unable to be trusting...made you crave to kill me right now simply for having the upper hand." Goku leaned down to place a humid kiss over a ridge of muscle adorning the prone's stomach, staying out of reach of any bites or strikes from his forehead that the Prince may have been strategizing. "I need to bring you back to trusting me again, and not just from all our years together on the battlefield. I need you to unquestioningly trust me as your mate."

Lips that had been curled in a threatening display of hate slowly edged back over the pearly clenched teeth. Vegeta's expression softened in confusion, unseen by the other as kisses moved steadily downward. But the slightly relaxed demeanor vanished the instant his lover's fingertips wedged just beneath his waistband to get a firm grip. Twisting his head to the side to distance himself from the act, the suffering screwed his eyes tightly closed until a hard grasp on his chin pulled Vegeta from his detachment.

"No! Don't you close your eyes...you're closing me out." The sovereign's black gaze focused on the determined face now at his waist. "I don't want you thinking of the others that hurt you...comparing it to what I'm doing now." Peeling down the other half of Vegeta's battle suit, Goku gently ran his tongue over newly exposed skin above the elder's hipbone as a slow, deep breath was drawn from the one beneath in an attempt to steady himself.

"I am NOT them..."