Goku looked at himself in the mirror with a frown on his face.
A couple of servants were bustling around his seated form, helping him get ready for the unveiling of Vegito and the Kalious Festival. The beta was unused to receiving the amount of attention he was getting at the moment, and he fidgeted as a female saiyan locked a golden arm cuff on his upper arm.
"Geta?" He looked in the mirror at his mate. The alpha was bouncing a now one-month-old Vegito in his arms as he watched Goku with half lidded eyes. "Is all of this really necessary? I feel ridiculous!" He protested as a thick gold chain was slipped around his neck.
"That is the absolute last thing you are Kakarot." Vegeta all but purred walking over to his mate. The dark red and gold embroidered silken fabric of his top was draped diagonally across his chest exposing the beta's well-defined chest and arms, which were adorned with gold arm cuffs and wristbands. With the dark pants and boots, the gold of his numerous accessories were further accented. A thin gold circlet with a round cut ruby resting at his hairline only made him more regal in the alpha's opinion. His mate deserved to dress like this every day.
"Geta, I don't need all this." Goku complained. "It's too much and I feel silly."
"You look beautiful." Vegeta said into his mate's neck with a low growl as he kissed him. His mouth was watering at the sight of the submissive, and he had to resist the urge to nibble on that corded neck under his lips. "You'll be able to take some of this off after the presentation ceremony. I'll be more than happy to help with that."
"Geta!" Goku blushed furiously.
"Dad! Look at our outfits!" Trunks called out as he and Goten ran in with Sushi on their heels. Both boys were wearing brown pants and sleeveless tunics pinned at the shoulders with gold broaches, Trunks a royal blue and Goten a dark red, with simple gold embroidery on the necks and hemline. They also had golden arm cuffs as well.
"I match you, Tama! They even got something for Sushi!" Goten chirped as he climbed onto the bed showing off his new clothes. Sure enough the panzaon was sporting a silver collar that had some gold etchings on it as it sat beside the bed.
"That we do, Goten. You both look great!" Goku smiled at the boys as he put some distance between him and his mate, thankful for the distraction. Vegeta smirked, there was always later. Goku was so happy Goten was back to his bubbly self and taking to Vegeta being his dad so well. The black haired boy beamed back before looking over at Vegeta with a confused look.
"Dad? Why haven't you changed yet?"
"This is my outfit for the ceremony, Goten," mumbled Vegeta as he looked down at the black and crimson armor that covered a full black body suit. Charcoal gloves and boots finished the look. He didn't have any jewelry or fancy etchings in his armor, but he did have a red cape clasped to the crimson shoulder guards of his armor.
"He'll have something different for the tournament. This what his father wanted him to wear for now." The beta easily put the subject to rest as he scratched Sushi's head making the lizard purr.
"Is everyone ready?" Bardock walked in at that moment, much to Vegeta's relief.
The older man had on his normal colored armor and suit, but he had silver etchings in the black plates. Silver upper arm cuffs, ear cuffs and a chain were also incorporated into the alpha's attire.
"Just about, Father. We need to finish getting Gito ready. Where's Gohan and Raditz?" Goku took the baby from his mate's arms and quickly changed the boy.
"Raditz has to work with Nappa during the festival, and Tarble is helping Gohan right now. I swear, it's about time those two started to court. They were driving me crazy with the mooning and looks." Bardock scoffed as he crossed his arms.
"Tell me about it." Vegeta snorted. "I was about to lock them in a closet if that went on any longer." The cubs giggled at the idea of locking their brother in a closet with Tarble. Maybe they could still do that?
The beta chuckled as he put the finishing touches on his baby's outfit.
Vegito was in a mini version of his tama's clothing, but instead of red and brown, the baby had blue and black and his tunic had sleeves. A thin, plain gold circlet was placed on the cub's head, and he giggled when Goku ruffled his bangs to get it on. They just hoped the cub would leave it alone long enough to get through the ceremony now that he could better control what he grabbed.
The beta gave his family a critical eye over as he checked them one last time for anything out of place. Seeing that everyone was appropriately dressed, no matter how uncomfortable the amount of extravagance was, Goku ushered them out into the hall.
Bardock lead the way to the throne room where Vegito would be presented for the first time to Vegetasei.
They met up with Gohan and Tarble in the antechamber to the side of the throne room. Gohan was dressed in a royal purple and gold top similar to Goku's except for a cream colored sleeveless tunic underneath it. His pants matched the sleeveless tunic and were belted with a gold sash. He had much less embroidery on his top but it went nicely with the slender gold circlet, arm cuffs, and gold chain that came with his status. What surprised Goku was the single gold hoop earring in his son's ear adorned with an amethyst chip.
Tarble was no less impressive having chosen to have silver adornments, and was wearing a royal blue tunic with delicate silver embroidery, similar in style of the cub's with longer sleeves that were connected only by single silver buttons spaced every few inches. A maroon stole was draped over one shoulder before wrapping around his waist to serve as a belt of sorts for the longer tunic that fell to mid thigh over his black pants. His circlet was twisted silver bearing three small sapphire stones in the center. His arm cuffs peaked from gaps in his tunic's sleeves and the silver chain stood out plainly against the dark hues.
"Wow! You look pretty Uncle Tarble." Goten said running over to the other beta with Trunks. The younger prince felt his cheeks flush at the compliment.
"Hey what about your older brother?" Gohan asked teasingly.
"You look nice I guess." Trunks said flatly. "Uncle Tarble still looks prettier." Goku laughed at the kids.
"You look very handsome, Gohan." The older beta looked over his eldest with pride.
"Dad!" Gohan looked in awe at his father's clothes. He never saw his father so dressed up. "You look amazing."
"I still think its too much." Goku said with a blush. "I could have done without most of the jewelry, but Vegeta and his Father insisted it was necessary for the ceremony."
"Of course it's necessary, Karo." Vegeta huffed as he crossed his arms. It annoyed him a bit that his mate had no desire for extravagant items, but that was something that attracted the alpha to him in the first place. "Its traditional for the Prince Consort to be dressed as you are. Father told me that my tama went through the same thing for my ceremony."
"I got to match Tama, Gohan! And Trunks kinda matches Vegito!" Goten bounced on the balls of his feet as his tail wagged behind him.
"Trunks, are you alright with father making Vegito the heir to the throne?" Tarble looked down to his eldest nephew with a raised brow. "You are Vegeta's first born after all."
"Nah." The lavender haired boy didn't even hesitate to answer. "I really don't want to do something like that. I'd much rather be a scientist like my grandpa back on Earth."
"You all look splendid." King Vegeta voice cut off any further questions as he looked over the group that consisted of his family. He was in full royal armor. White chest and side plates almost glowed in comparison to the dark red of the shoulder guards, abdominal plates, and hip guards. A black cape and bodysuit made the armor, white gloves and boots stand out in the low lighting of the antechamber. He had the royal symbol of his house emblazoned with gold over his heart, his gold medallion had been polished so that it reflected any bit of light, and a gold crown covered in rubies, sapphires, and amethysts finished it off.
Looking over the king made Goku realize that his outfit could have been worse, and he felt a little grateful that he wasn't dressed like his father in law. It suited the K. Vegeta just fine, but the submissive would have felt more like a walking jewelry box than he already did.
With one last look over his family, the monarch headed into the room to get the ceremony started. The crowd was starting to get impatient.
King Vegeta walked into the throne room and addressed the multitude gathered within the palace, but the group in the antechamber couldn't make out what was being said. They did hear when everyone but Goku and Vegeta were called to come in for the ceremony.
Goku looked through the doorway behind the king to see the amount of saiyans scattered throughout the throne room, and he felt a sudden case of nerves. His arms tightened around his cub as instinctively he took a step closer to his mate. He hadn't been out in front of so many people in a long time.
"Geta, I don't think I can do this." The submissive whispered. His tail began to puff up and twist behind him as he took another step closer to Vegeta. He looked like he was about to bolt back to his rooms.
"Karo, everything's going to be fine." The alpha wrapped an arm around Goku's waist as his tail coiled around the other's. "I'll be right beside you every step of the way. Remember? I won't let anything happen to you. Besides, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Everyone loves you."
The beta still looked a bit nervous, but he did give Vegeta a nod. The dominant squeezed his waist as he pressed a kiss to Goku's temple. He felt something warm in his chest when the submissive nuzzled back to the affectionate touch.
When the deep voice of the king called for Kakarot and Vegeta, the beta went rigid again. The alpha coaxed the other to relax as he guided Goku and Vegito to the throne room. The submissive paused at the doorway for a few seconds to gather his courage and take a deep breath before he and his mate walked into the throne room with heads held high, their tails still joined together.
Immediately came mixed reactions from the crowd. Goku got cheers and applause while Vegeta got silent, glaring sneers and jealous looks. The confusing mix was continued until the couple knelt in front of the king and the monarch held up a hand to silence the noise.
"Today we celebrate and honor Lord Kalious, the king of our gods. I feel it is only fitting that today we also recognize the future leaders of the saiyan race." K. Vegeta said full of pride. "As all of you are aware Prince Consort Kakarot gave birth to a fine, strong young cub. It is the wish of all men to see their children and grandchildren succeed them, but alas it is rarely the case. I have no doubt my grandson will someday rule with strength and wisdom granted by our sovereign but I shall not be there to see it I fear, such is the nature of kings."
"It is with that in mind that I must name another as my heir apparent. My heir is one who has sacrificed much for our people, and achieved what was once thought to be a legend but is now a reality. He has repeatedly endured much more than any man should ever encounter and become all the stronger for it. I have no doubt he will lead our race well until my grandson is ready. From this day forward, I name my successor and heir apparent, my son Vegeta."
The entire gathering was shocked at the king's proclamation, although a few understood the decision. Vegeta had worked hard to get his mate to forgive him of his past deeds. The determination and length the alpha went to impresses a multitude of saiyans.
Vegeta was extremely shocked. While he knew this ceremony was for their son, he never thought something like this would happen. The alpha looked over to his mate to see if the beta had any idea his father was planning this, but he got an equally shocked look from Goku.
"Many of you no doubt question my choice in light of events that have transpired. My son is mortal and like us all has made mistakes and learned from them. In some of his failings I fear I must bear the blame. I know well of the whispers many have said about my son's time as Frieza's "pet". Very few of our people understand just what living under that tyrant entailed both for us and my son; how much he sacrificed for the well-being of our planet that was ultimately done in vain. Such slander and belittlement of my son's sacrifices shames our race before our gods. Vegeta knows well the price of poor leadership, and his experiences will only make him a stronger ruler. I have complete faith in both my son Vegeta and his mate Prince Consort Kakarot, the savior of our people, to lead the saiyan race into a new era of prosperity."
The majority of the saiyans that mocked Vegeta adopted looks of guilt and shame, and a few made inner vows to show their new reinstated prince their gratitude and loyalty. The monarch gestured for a small servant off to the side to come up.
He was carrying a purple pillow with a gold circlet that was thicker than Goku's. It had one large round cut ruby with two smaller rubies on either side of the main gem. Once the male was bowing before the king with the headpiece outstretched, K. Vegeta took the circlet and placed it on his eldest son's brow.
"As Crown Prince, it is my honor to ask my son and the Prince Consort to present and name their child and heir who will rule after them!" K. Vegeta lifted both arms at the exclamation, and a loud rush of noise followed the gesture.
Vegeta and Goku got to their feet, and they turned to look over the crowd. Just below the couple was the rest of their family, and Trunks and Goten were cheering for their father with happy faces.
It was slightly overwhelming for the prince as he took it all in. This was something he thought he would never have, and it seemed like a dream.
The alpha of the pair cleared his throat as he took a step forward with a raised hand. Just like with his father, the crowd quieted down to hear what the dominant had to say.
"My people, this is a day I honestly believed would never come." Vegeta said solemnly. "Our race has gone through so much over the years. We have suffered at the hands of the Cold Empire who used us as their cannon fodder in their effort to conquer the Universe! We died for those who only saw us as unintelligent beasts! We were almost driven to the point of extinction by those very bastards! Every bit of freedom was taken from us, and we could do nothing against them!"
"Thanks to the Prince Consort, we are now free to make our own choices. We are free to prove to the Universe that we are more than just mindless, bloodthirsty fighters!" Many of those who died under the Colds cheered at his words. "Prince Consort Kakarot is what we should all strive to be! He has saved the fate of our race, and he has gifted us a new ruler for the future generations of saiyans that will follow in our footsteps."
Vegeta turned to his blushing mate, and he gathered his son out of Goku's arms. The cub looked up at his father with wide eyes as he took in everything around him. The alpha held him up in display to the saiyans gathered in the palace.
"I present to you, my son and heir to the throne, Prince Vegito!"
The baby looked confused for only a moment before scowling out at the now roaring crowd with a tiny glare on his face. His ki sparked around him in a dazzling display of blue lightening as his mahogany tail puffed up behind him at his dislike for the noise.
After a few minutes of the small display, the prince handed the cub back to his tama. The child smiled at Goku and clapped his hands before reaching for the golden circlet on his head. The beta gently intercepted Vegito's tiny fingers before he could touch the metal.
Vegeta smiled at the two before looking back at the saiyans that were amazed with the baby's power for being as young as he was. Excitement spread throughout the throne room at the thought of such a strong heir.
"Let the Kalious Festival begin!"
