Chapter 26: Burning the Midnight Oil

"Thanks for having us over, Mrs. B," Goku said as they walked out of the kitchen.

"Oh, it was my pleasure. And thank you boys for staying to help clean up."

"Of course. We're known to be helpful every now and then," Raditz chuckled. Nappa elbowed him.

"Well, I'm excited to see you boys in the tournament," Dr. Briefs chimed in. "It's good to know that you three are training up well. I'm sure it's going to be quite a spectacle."

"That it will," Nappa agreed, eyeing Vegeta.

After her mother and father had bid farewell to Nappa and the Sons, Bulma and Vegeta made their way up to her old bedroom.

"Well, that didn't go as horribly as I anticipated," Vegeta stated as he entered Bulma's room.

Bulma closed the door behind them. "Why would it have gone bad?"

"If you haven't noticed, Raditz can be rather... obnoxious at times. He reined it in pretty well tonight."

"You forget that the Sons grew up around my parents. They've learned how to behave in their presence."

Vegeta nodded his head. "So are you going to tell me why you're in a mood?" He asked as he began unbuttoning his shirt.

"No."

"Bulma-"

"Just thinking about the past. Worrying about the future. Same old, same old," she huffed. "Can we just go to bed?"

She shimmied out of her dress and threw on a baggy Capsule Corps. t-shirt. She flopped down on her side of the mattress. Vegeta finished stripping and reluctantly got under the covers, laying behind Bulma but not touching her.

"Night."

Bulma tried not to cry. "Goodnight. I love you," she whispered in the darkness.

Vegeta wanted to attempt to get more out of his stubborn girlfriend, but fell asleep quickly, spent from all the social interactions of the evening. Bulma remained wide awake, snuggled in on herself as she listened to her boyfriend's breathing slow.

—

Vegeta stirred awake. A glance to his left told him it was just after midnight. He looked to his right to see that his girlfriend was missing from the bed. He made his way downstairs to find Bulma sitting at the kitchen table. "What're you doing down here?"

Bulma jumped, startled by Vegeta's gravelly voice. "Couldn't sleep. You?"

"Hungry."

"You're hungry? After all the food you had at dinner?"

Vegeta just shrugged.

"There's probably some leftovers in the fridge."

Vegeta meandered over to the big refrigerator. He grabbed the left over tiramisu and dished himself some on a small plate. He took a seat in front of Bulma, eyeing her thoughtfully. He could see something was still plaguing her. "Penny for your thoughts?"

Bulma looked up at him, but then stared back down at the table. She was silent for a long time. Then she asked, "did you know about Raditz and his money issues?"

Vegeta looked up at Bulma. "Yeah." He watched as her eyes became sad.

"What was their mother like?" Bulma's voice was quiet, dreamy and brooding.

Vegeta was surprised by this question. He tried to gauge her expression, find the reasoning behind the random inquiry. Not able to deduce her train of thought, he answered her, staring intently at her face. "She was a great woman. Loved her family. Doted on her children. She would've given anything, done anything for them. She was a frightened woman though. She was surrounded by seedy people. Afraid of what would happen to her boys. She saw the path Raditz had fallen down and made it her life's mission for Goku to avoid the same fate. That's why Goku is so close to Gohan. He spent his summers with him at his place on Mount Paozu. That's where he learned how to fight, not on the streets like Raditz."

Bulma tried to take in this new information. "And their dad?"

"Not really around. He came and went as he pleased. If you think mine and Raditz's past is dark, you wouldn't believe what that man has been involved in. Still involved, I'm sure. He's not a terrible guy though. He loved his wife and cares about his sons." He glared at her questioningly. "Why are you asking about this?"

Again, she was silent before saying, "I feel like I've been a bad friend. Not knowing about Goku's and Raditz's home life. We've known each other for so long and I'm just now learning about what they went through."

"That doesn't make you a bad person, Bulma. If Raditz didn't want you to know something, you wouldn't know." He scoffed. "Do you really think I wanted to tell you about my shitty life? If I was able to hide it from you, I would have."

"Don't you?" she asked toward the table.

"Don't I what?"

"Hide things from me?" Bulma looked up then, her gaze serious.

Vegeta balked. Her bleak tone unnerved him. He wondered how long she'd been turning this all over in her head. About the Sons. Her selfishness. His evasiveness. He knew they'd have to address this sooner or later. "I've been trying not to lately," he finally answered.

Bulma remained silent. Vegeta stood and took the chair next to Bulma. She tracked his every movement. They gazed at each other. Blue eyes to black. "I've told you pretty much everything at this point. If I have been untruthful, I did so unknowingly. I endeavor to be honest with you, Bulma. Keeping secrets," he paused. "Keeping secrets is what they do. I refuse to be like them. I won't lie to you. Or hide things from you anymore." He caressed her face. "Knowing that you were trying to protect me from hurting, was a revelation. I never want you to have to suffer in silence again. I want you to tell me everything, woman. And I'll do the same."

Silent tears streaked down Bulma's cheeks. Vegeta attempted to wipe them away with his thumbs. Suddenly, Bulma catapulted forward, jumping into Vegeta's arms. He caught her as she moved to straddle him on the chair. He laid a gentle hand on the side of her face, their foreheads touching.

"Is this what's been bothering you?"

Bulma took a shaky breath. "My parents and I were looking through an old photo album today. And it just drudged up some negative thoughts."

"Negative thoughts about what?"

"Raditz. Goku. Their lives'. How I feel like I don't even really know them." She looked up at him. "Me and you. If we're going to last. If we'll be happy and together as long as my parents have been." She couldn't say any more around the lump in her throat.

Vegeta kissed her lips softly. "Bulma," he said sternly. "If I have anything to do with it, we'll be together forever. I will make you the happiest woman alive. Whatever it takes." Bulma choked on a sob. "I love you. I refuse to spend a single day of my life without you."

Bulma could see the sheen of tears in Vegeta's eyes. And she knew he meant want he said. She kissed him. Putting all her pent up feelings into the gesture. Her anxiety. Her hopes for their future together. Her adoration for this man before her. Vegeta reciprocated, feeding the kiss as well with his own worries. His love. His passion.

Vegeta pulled back to look into Bulma's eyes. "I love you so much, Bulma."

Bulma wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. "I love you more than anything. Now kiss me." She brought his head back down to hers.

Before long, they were tangled in a heated embrace. Kissing each other senseless. Vegeta grabbed Bulma around her thighs and moved them into the living room, depositing Bulma on the couch. She looked so wanton, laying there with dark desire and love in her eyes. He got between her knees and started kissing down her neck. He moved her too long teeshirt up her body. Bulma pulled the waistband of his boxers down, exposing his dick to the cold air. Vegeta moved her panties to the side as he lined himself up at her entrance. He slowly eased himself into her tight channel, making Bulma throw her head back. He kept his hands on her hips, caressing her bare skin. Once he was in to the hilt, he moved back out, taking his time, trying to feel every inch of her. Bulma reached her hands up to slide up his torso to his shoulders. She brought him down to her chest, wrapping her legs around him to bring him as close to her as possible. She held onto his back, breathing heavily near his ear. Vegeta rested his face in the crook of her neck, enjoying his steady thrusts. They took their time. Making slow, sensual love. It felt different for them this time around. Like they were making a promise to each other. That they would never let the other go. The slow build lasted for almost an hour before their bodies finally exploded, making them give up their orgasms to each other. Bulma wrapped herself around Vegeta as her whole body tensed under her release. Vegeta moaned in her ear. They held on to each other for a long while before Vegeta finally broke the silence.

"I told you I would cross this location off my list," he said teasingly.

Bulma giggled. "That you did," she said, smoothing his hair.

They made their way back up to Bulma's room on wobbly legs, taking the steps one at a time. Holding each other close. As they landed on the second floor, they passed Bulma's parents' room. They could hear the distinct voices of Mr. and Mrs. Briefs.

"Panchy..."

"Hakase!" Panchy giggled. The giggles slowly turned to moaning. "Oh Hakase..."

"Are they-"

"Don't even think about finishing that sentence," Bulma said harshly. Threateningly.

Vegeta had a smug grin on his face. I knew the creepy bastard would spur this kind of reaction out of the crazy scientist.

—

The sun shined through the tall windows in Bulma's bedroom. Rays splaying over the bodies of the man and woman in bed.

Bulma rolled over, blinking her eyes open. She smiled at the sleepy face in front of her.

"Good morning," Vegeta said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Morning."

"Wanna take a bath with me?"

Bulma smiled and nodded. Vegeta picked her up from under the covers and carried her to the bathroom. He set her on her feet next to the tub and started the water. When he turned back to her, he grabbed the hem of her shirt and jerked it upward, leaving her naked but for her panties. Bulma hooked her fingers in the sides of her underwear and they dropped to the floor. Vegeta did the same with his boxers. He held out his hand and she placed hers into his as he guided her into the tub. He followed not far behind. Once seated beneath the water, he hugged her to his front. He squirted some soap onto his hands and began to lather it across her shoulders. Bulma moaned as he worked out the knots along her neck.

"That feels so nice," Bulma said, her head lolling to the side.

Vegeta smirked, but then frowned. "Woman, we need to talk."

Bulma stiffened. "About what?"

"Last night. Your mood throughout dinner. And what we discussed."

"I thought we'd already talked it through."

"I need to know more. You've been having such dark thoughts lately. And you've been avoiding the lab." She looked like she was about to protest but he cut her off. "Don't try to deny it. You haven't been in your lab since construction stopped. What gives?"

Bulma sat in silence, running her hands through the water. Vegeta tugged on her hair. "I don't know," she finally answered. "I feel like there's so much more going on right now that I can't lock myself away in the lab. I keep thinking about graduation coming up, so I've been trying to spend more time studying. And then the tournament feels like it's looming over us..."

Vegeta stiffened this time. "You're still nervous about the tournament?"

Bulma turned around to stare at him. "Why wouldn't I be?" She moved her whole body to face him this time. She grabbed his head in her hands. "You're putting your life on the line. Have you not thought about what it's going to be like for me? Having to watch you get hit over and over again? And I'm worried about Goku and Raditz on top of you."

Vegeta smirked. "You underestimate me, woman."

"Vegeta, I'm serious," Bulma pouted.

He swiped his thumb across her lower lip. "I know. But I'm telling you that you have nothing to worry about. The first couple of fights will be a cakewalk."

"It's the last one I'm most worried about," she said quietly.

He rubbed his thumb against her cheek. "Don't be. I can handle my own against Zarbon."

"You don't even know if you're fighting him yet. What if they have this random dude they've been hiding and he'll just tear you to shreds?" Her voice rose in panic.

"Tear me to shreds, eh?"

"This isn't funny, Vegeta!" she shouted, slapping his chest.

Vegeta scowled, his demeanor serious. "Fine. It isn't. But you're worrying about the wrong things."

"What do you mean?" She raised an eyebrow at him.

"I'm not worried about whether I'll get hurt. Or how badly I'll be injured. It's all about what happens after I win. Because I don't plan on losing, Bulma. When I meet with King Cold, it matters what he says. How he commands his men and if he follows through on our deal."

Bulma blinked at him. That's what Nappa had said. "You think he'll back out of your deal?" she asked quietly.

"I don't know. They're all sneaky. I think I have to worry about Frieza more than anything. He'll be the one advocating to have my head on a spike." Bulma flinched. "Sorry. But that proves my point. No need to worry about the fights anymore. Do you hear me?" he demanded.

"I guess that makes sense," she assented reluctantly. Although, this just gives me something different to worry about, she thought. But she wasn't about to mention that to Vegeta.

"Good. Now you'll get back into that lab and put that big brain of yours to better use, okay. And in return I'll promise you this," Bulma looked up at him, "the weekend before finals, we can have a big study session with your exhausting friends."

"Really?" Bulma asked, excited and surprised.

"Really."

Bulma hugged his neck. "You're the best, you know that?"

"Yes," he chuckled, hugging her back.