Radditz had dismissed Nappa, who was happy enough to have the Prince back alive to oblige, and shortly after reaching the level with the saiyajin's quarters Zharbon had disappeared. Setting Vegeta down tenderly on the bed, Radditz ran a sink full of warm water and soaked a clean rag before returning to Vegeta's aid. The Prince had been trying to remove hie training suit but was struggling against several broken ribs and bruised tissue.
"Allow me, my Prince." Radditz strong hands picked at the fabric, pulling it carefully from the broken flesh and manuevering it slowly for minimal pain. Vegeta grunted once but failed to show any further signs of discomfort. Once the clingy clothing had been removed, Radditz looked at the damage done to one of the most perfect bodies he'd seen. Radditz retrieved the soaked cloth from the sink and wrung out the excess water, he knelt before Vegeta carefully wiping at the contusions and abrassions. The damage was ugly, already deep purple and yellow bruises covered his torso. The skin was split at impact points, light discharge already leaking; and shattered ribs. Radditz looked in awe at the damage, surprised that Vegeta was still concious, he ran one calloused hand lightly across Vegeta's chest and ribcage. Vegeta grasped his hand with his own meaty one, Radditz looked up, visibly shaken from his daze. "My Prince, I..."
"Radditzu, I appreciate what you're doing, but it isn't necessary." Radditz watched Vegeta's face and knew that he was lying; only his pride was speaking for him tonight.
"It would give me great solice to bandage your wounds." Vegeta began a retort but was cut off. "Please, Vegeta." Vegeta clamped his mouth shut and frowned allowing Radditz to finish cleaning and wrapping his damaged body. The silence grew but neither found it uncomfortable allowing Radditz to focus on his work and left Vegeta to organize his thoughts.
"Radditz..." Radditz grunted lightly but did not look up from wrapping Vegeta's ribs. "Radditz, I..." Vegeta stopped and took a slow haggard breath in. He closed his eyes and started again, "Radditz, I'm lonely." Vegeta closed his eyes and frowned. He felt Radditz' hesitation to respond and continued. "You know that I tried to kill myself a while ago...and failed. It was only half-hearted anyway, and foolish to allow myself such weakness as self-pity and lonliness."
Radditz, who had finished the last of his chore sat on the bed beside Vegeta, "Though they may be a weakness...those are things every person deals with Ouji-sama. Even myself." Vegeta opened his eyes and looked up at the weather beaten face. Radditz looked away, almost ashamed to have the Prince learn of his own weaknesses, especially if he was to be the Prince's protector.
"Tell me, how do you deal with them?" Vegeta's voice was pleading, wanting to know of an answer. Radditz looked back at Vegeta, the bottomless eyes had returned to the Ouji's face.
"One day at a time." Raddtiz shrugged. "Some days are harder than others, usually I think of happier times. It helps ease the pain, especially late in the night." Vegeta nodded thoughtfully, pondering what he'd learned to find some validity to use for himself. "Though, Ouji-sama, it is hard for me to imagine you feeling unloved and unwanted."
Vegeta searched his face for some trick but found none. "What do you mean?"
"Well, sire, you have the loyalty of Nappa and myself. We would do anything for your happiness even if it meant our own deaths." Radditz chewed on his bottom lip.
"But that isn't the same thing."
"Isn't it? Sire, when you are hurt it pains me as well, isn't that what happens to one who loves another?" Vegeta furrowed his brows and grunted. _That makes sense...but how can it be the same?_ "Do you not feel the same of Nappa and myself?"
Vegeta looked at Radditz in a semi-shock but thought of this question for a moment. Radditz held his breath thinking he had pushed too far this time when Vegeta gave a small nod. "I suppose I do." Radditz let out his breath slowly and with great relief. Vegeta curled his tail protectively about Raddit'z waist, feeling Raddit'z stomach muscles tighten for a moment in surprise before relaxing. Radditz pulled Vegeta carefully over to him being wary of his wounds and wrapped an arm about the Prince's waist.
"When you were a boy, I promised your father I would protect you no matter the cost. That stands as true now as it did then Vegeta-no-ouji, Prince of all Saiyajins." After waiting several minutes for a response, Radditz looked down at Vegeta. Vegeta had relaxed himself in Radditz' friendly embrase and fallen asleep, leaning heavily into the crook of Radditz' arm. Radditz rumbled deep in his chest as he began to purr lightly, he hummed a diddy he remembered from his childhood that his mother had taught him. When he had finished he found himself in a light slumber leaning against the wall with Vegeta nestled sound asleep. Radditz made to lay Vegeta in his bed but found himself wound tightly in the Prince's tail. Radditz tugged gently at the end and loosened the grip and watched as Vegeta wound it back around his own waist in habit. Smiling slighty, Radditz pulled the blanket tight above Vegeta's shoulder and walked noiselessly to the door. He turned as it clicked open and watched the face fo the sleeping Prince for a moment before turning down the light and leaving for the night.
***
Better than a week had passed since the encounter with Freeza, Vegeta's wounds had all but healed properly after Zharbon helped sneak him into the medical bay a couple nights in a row. Freeza had left shortly after Zharbon's kindness, dragging the blue man with him to a far away outpost where Vegeta could only think of the autrocities that he was being put under. The Saiyajin's themselves had been flung to another dusty planet to clear away any unwanted life, which meant everything that was living.
Vegeta looked across the barren land that was now scarred to the core with remains of ki blasts. Every bit of the life had been drained from the planet and the orders for them were to sit tight until Freeza would arrive. Frowning, Vegeta flew up to look down onto the small dirtball planet, he had no clue why Freeza would want this place in tact, it was one large desert in spherical form. The aliens that were on it had no power levels to speak of, it seemed they were a peaceful nation having not even the most primative of equipment or armies. Blinking from his revarie, Vegeta felt a familliar ki coming his way and settled himself atop his space pod watching the blinking of the tracker light through the small oval window.
Nappa landed lightly on his feet in front of Vegeta and bent to one knee before ambling up the side of the pod and joining the Prince. "Looks like the works done, Vegeta. Now we have a couple days of vacation before Freeza gets here." Nappa grinned showing an enormous amount of teeth. Vegeta scowled at him but said nothing, instead turned himself slightly putting his back to Nappa and looked at the setting of the planet's smaller of two suns. The atmosphere stretched the pink light across the horizon in to a hue of soft greens and pale blues; it was beautiful in its alien way.
"Radditz said he'd be back here before the larger sun sets, he wanted to check the caves at the lower quadrants to make sure we've squashed everyone." Vegeta turned his head slightly to look at Nappa from the corner of his eye. Nappa wasn't even looking at him, so Vegeta wondered whether he had spoken to infrom him or just as a blurted thought. As a matter of fact, Vegeta had known perfectly well where Radditz had gone. Since they had gotten their assignment Radditz hadn't left Vegeta alone much, probably as a precaution if the Prince had another bout of depression. Thankfully, Vegeta hadn't had much time to think about it since he was too busy on a killing spree and enjoying the rush of his energy.
Nappa stood suddenly and put a beefy hand to his brow looking out across the sky. Vegeta stood as well, pushing the button on his scouter but found nothing. "Nappa, what and the hell are you doing?" Nappa didn't move much, just looked out across the sky and turned his head slowly. "Well?!"
"A sand storm is coming..."
Vegeta blinked and looked out across the desert at the area Nappa was looking at...he didn't see anything. "What are you blathering about? The sky is perfectly fine."
Nappa lowered his hand and shook his bald head, "There is a storm coming...a big one. I hope Radditz gets back soon." Vegeta looked up at him increadiously but before he could say anything, Nappa looked down on him, "I'm serious...I may not know much, but I know these things." Vegeta frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. _If Nappa is right, Radditz better hurry his ass up._
"Allow me, my Prince." Radditz strong hands picked at the fabric, pulling it carefully from the broken flesh and manuevering it slowly for minimal pain. Vegeta grunted once but failed to show any further signs of discomfort. Once the clingy clothing had been removed, Radditz looked at the damage done to one of the most perfect bodies he'd seen. Radditz retrieved the soaked cloth from the sink and wrung out the excess water, he knelt before Vegeta carefully wiping at the contusions and abrassions. The damage was ugly, already deep purple and yellow bruises covered his torso. The skin was split at impact points, light discharge already leaking; and shattered ribs. Radditz looked in awe at the damage, surprised that Vegeta was still concious, he ran one calloused hand lightly across Vegeta's chest and ribcage. Vegeta grasped his hand with his own meaty one, Radditz looked up, visibly shaken from his daze. "My Prince, I..."
"Radditzu, I appreciate what you're doing, but it isn't necessary." Radditz watched Vegeta's face and knew that he was lying; only his pride was speaking for him tonight.
"It would give me great solice to bandage your wounds." Vegeta began a retort but was cut off. "Please, Vegeta." Vegeta clamped his mouth shut and frowned allowing Radditz to finish cleaning and wrapping his damaged body. The silence grew but neither found it uncomfortable allowing Radditz to focus on his work and left Vegeta to organize his thoughts.
"Radditz..." Radditz grunted lightly but did not look up from wrapping Vegeta's ribs. "Radditz, I..." Vegeta stopped and took a slow haggard breath in. He closed his eyes and started again, "Radditz, I'm lonely." Vegeta closed his eyes and frowned. He felt Radditz' hesitation to respond and continued. "You know that I tried to kill myself a while ago...and failed. It was only half-hearted anyway, and foolish to allow myself such weakness as self-pity and lonliness."
Radditz, who had finished the last of his chore sat on the bed beside Vegeta, "Though they may be a weakness...those are things every person deals with Ouji-sama. Even myself." Vegeta opened his eyes and looked up at the weather beaten face. Radditz looked away, almost ashamed to have the Prince learn of his own weaknesses, especially if he was to be the Prince's protector.
"Tell me, how do you deal with them?" Vegeta's voice was pleading, wanting to know of an answer. Radditz looked back at Vegeta, the bottomless eyes had returned to the Ouji's face.
"One day at a time." Raddtiz shrugged. "Some days are harder than others, usually I think of happier times. It helps ease the pain, especially late in the night." Vegeta nodded thoughtfully, pondering what he'd learned to find some validity to use for himself. "Though, Ouji-sama, it is hard for me to imagine you feeling unloved and unwanted."
Vegeta searched his face for some trick but found none. "What do you mean?"
"Well, sire, you have the loyalty of Nappa and myself. We would do anything for your happiness even if it meant our own deaths." Radditz chewed on his bottom lip.
"But that isn't the same thing."
"Isn't it? Sire, when you are hurt it pains me as well, isn't that what happens to one who loves another?" Vegeta furrowed his brows and grunted. _That makes sense...but how can it be the same?_ "Do you not feel the same of Nappa and myself?"
Vegeta looked at Radditz in a semi-shock but thought of this question for a moment. Radditz held his breath thinking he had pushed too far this time when Vegeta gave a small nod. "I suppose I do." Radditz let out his breath slowly and with great relief. Vegeta curled his tail protectively about Raddit'z waist, feeling Raddit'z stomach muscles tighten for a moment in surprise before relaxing. Radditz pulled Vegeta carefully over to him being wary of his wounds and wrapped an arm about the Prince's waist.
"When you were a boy, I promised your father I would protect you no matter the cost. That stands as true now as it did then Vegeta-no-ouji, Prince of all Saiyajins." After waiting several minutes for a response, Radditz looked down at Vegeta. Vegeta had relaxed himself in Radditz' friendly embrase and fallen asleep, leaning heavily into the crook of Radditz' arm. Radditz rumbled deep in his chest as he began to purr lightly, he hummed a diddy he remembered from his childhood that his mother had taught him. When he had finished he found himself in a light slumber leaning against the wall with Vegeta nestled sound asleep. Radditz made to lay Vegeta in his bed but found himself wound tightly in the Prince's tail. Radditz tugged gently at the end and loosened the grip and watched as Vegeta wound it back around his own waist in habit. Smiling slighty, Radditz pulled the blanket tight above Vegeta's shoulder and walked noiselessly to the door. He turned as it clicked open and watched the face fo the sleeping Prince for a moment before turning down the light and leaving for the night.
***
Better than a week had passed since the encounter with Freeza, Vegeta's wounds had all but healed properly after Zharbon helped sneak him into the medical bay a couple nights in a row. Freeza had left shortly after Zharbon's kindness, dragging the blue man with him to a far away outpost where Vegeta could only think of the autrocities that he was being put under. The Saiyajin's themselves had been flung to another dusty planet to clear away any unwanted life, which meant everything that was living.
Vegeta looked across the barren land that was now scarred to the core with remains of ki blasts. Every bit of the life had been drained from the planet and the orders for them were to sit tight until Freeza would arrive. Frowning, Vegeta flew up to look down onto the small dirtball planet, he had no clue why Freeza would want this place in tact, it was one large desert in spherical form. The aliens that were on it had no power levels to speak of, it seemed they were a peaceful nation having not even the most primative of equipment or armies. Blinking from his revarie, Vegeta felt a familliar ki coming his way and settled himself atop his space pod watching the blinking of the tracker light through the small oval window.
Nappa landed lightly on his feet in front of Vegeta and bent to one knee before ambling up the side of the pod and joining the Prince. "Looks like the works done, Vegeta. Now we have a couple days of vacation before Freeza gets here." Nappa grinned showing an enormous amount of teeth. Vegeta scowled at him but said nothing, instead turned himself slightly putting his back to Nappa and looked at the setting of the planet's smaller of two suns. The atmosphere stretched the pink light across the horizon in to a hue of soft greens and pale blues; it was beautiful in its alien way.
"Radditz said he'd be back here before the larger sun sets, he wanted to check the caves at the lower quadrants to make sure we've squashed everyone." Vegeta turned his head slightly to look at Nappa from the corner of his eye. Nappa wasn't even looking at him, so Vegeta wondered whether he had spoken to infrom him or just as a blurted thought. As a matter of fact, Vegeta had known perfectly well where Radditz had gone. Since they had gotten their assignment Radditz hadn't left Vegeta alone much, probably as a precaution if the Prince had another bout of depression. Thankfully, Vegeta hadn't had much time to think about it since he was too busy on a killing spree and enjoying the rush of his energy.
Nappa stood suddenly and put a beefy hand to his brow looking out across the sky. Vegeta stood as well, pushing the button on his scouter but found nothing. "Nappa, what and the hell are you doing?" Nappa didn't move much, just looked out across the sky and turned his head slowly. "Well?!"
"A sand storm is coming..."
Vegeta blinked and looked out across the desert at the area Nappa was looking at...he didn't see anything. "What are you blathering about? The sky is perfectly fine."
Nappa lowered his hand and shook his bald head, "There is a storm coming...a big one. I hope Radditz gets back soon." Vegeta looked up at him increadiously but before he could say anything, Nappa looked down on him, "I'm serious...I may not know much, but I know these things." Vegeta frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. _If Nappa is right, Radditz better hurry his ass up._