Goku sat beside the unconscious Vegan; she reminded him of the fairy tale of the princess locked in eternal slumber, waiting for a kiss to wake her.
Her nearly healed black eye made him think about everything that led up to it.
I loved you! She confessed on the day of the tournament. I mean, I truly worshiped you, and I was content; merely being in your life was enough, but you ran off and let Cell kill you. You hurt me, kakarotto. Your death truly wounded me.
It played in his head like a song stuck on repeat; he couldn't let it go.
He didn't tell anyone, especially not Chi Chi, though she always believed Vegan had those feelings.
Vegan avoided him since the tournament; he was genuinely surprised- delighted- when she showed up on his doorstep three months ago.
She was there with him, but they were only sparring partners. She didn't want to talk about the tournament or the night before The Cell Games.
And he told her that they didn't have to speak about it until she was ready. Yet, Goku couldn't suppress it; he needed- no, they needed to talk about it.
Her living with him fills him with images of how it could have been if she'd told him the night before the Cell Games. He just wanted to know if she felt the same, but stubborn Vegan wouldn't talk about it, and a brawl was eschewed.
That was three weeks ago; then, he sensed Olive's ki as she entered the atmosphere. He knew Vegan would be curious about travelers from space.
A part of him was glad that Bloomer said no, then it would have just the two of them. But then he showed up, demanding to know what was going on!
'Where am I?'
'Mount Paozu.' He rushed to Vegan, taking her hand in his; she turned away from him. 'Do you remember what happened?'
Vegan gave him a blank stare, then looked around hysterically, screaming, 'WHERE IS SHE?!'
'She's bathing in the river; calm down-'
'I need to see her!' She hurled the blanket covering her and saw that she was wearing one of Goku's shirts. 'Where's my armor?'
'Your armor was torn and stinking; I thought it would be-'
'You don't EVER-'
'For goodness sake, Vegan! What kind of ogre do you think I am?!'
She turned away from him again and sighed, 'Forgive me, Kakarotto. I haven't been myself since...' She turned back to him, outraged, 'You called Bloomer?!'
'I only wanted a blood test to prove she was yours, but he told me no.'
'Why is he here, now?!'
'I dunno; Chi Chi did call him crying, so maybe guilt-'
'He can take his guilt and shove it.'
'He brought Trunks...'
She whirled away from him. 'He can take his son with him.'
'Vegan, at least talk to Trunks.'
'I want to speak to Olive first, but I want to clean up before.'
'Everyone is in the house-'
'Ugh!'
'Vegan, we have to discuss-'
'I have enough-'
'Yes, I know, but we have to talk about it or-'
A bang on the door made both of them jump, and a voice raged, 'Goku.'
'I don't want to deal with him.' Vegan wailed.