Vegeta's eyes widened as he stepped out of the gravity room, feeling refreshed. He looked around. There were toys everywhere. What in the world had those children been doing while he was training?
"Boys!" Vegeta called. He turned to the right, feeling his son's ki approaching. He was laughing as Goten chased him, wearing a cape. Vegeta slung his arm out and caught Trunks by the back of the shirt. "What is this?!"
Trunks was stunned. "Uh...what are you talking about Dad?"
"Why are these toys all over the house? I want you two to pick all of these up now and take them back where they belong! Do you know what your mother will say if she find the house looking like this?" Vegeta couldn't believe they could demolish it so quickly. Of course, he hadn't noticed the sugar packets in the back of the car either.
A little dejected, the boys did as they were told. Vegeta went back in the living room and turned on the TV. "Oh *crap*! It's past midnight!" He decided to wait until everything had been cleaned up to make the children go to bed.
"Can we get some ice cream Dad?" Trunks walked in the room, followed by Goten.
"No, we already ate. It's time for bed."
"What? But Goten's staying the night. I don't have to go to bed when friends are over," Trunks argued. "We're going to stay up all night."
"Oh no you're not, you're going to bed. Now."
"But Dad...!" Trunks was getting annoyed.
"NOW!" Vegeta pointed.
Trunks narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists. He turned and started stomping toward his room.
"Don't you take that attitude with me, son," Vegeta warned.
Trunks muttered something and slammed an open door off to the side, knocking it right off it's hinges. Now he'd done it!
"That's it!" Vegeta yelled. "Goten sit on that couch and don't move until I tell you," he stepped toward Trunks, who backed away nervously. Vegeta lunged forward and grabbed his son's arm, leading him up to his room.
Goten sat down, confused and dejected. He hadn't done anything. Why did he have to sit on the couch, AGAIN? And all by himself too.
Vegeta shut the door with just enough force that it wouldn't break. He wanted to slam it the way his child had, but that would have knocked the entire wall off. "I've had enough broken things for one night!"
"Dad it was an accident, I'm sorry...," Trunks spat out as a last desperate attempt.
Vegeta sat down and pushed him over his knees, putting one arm over his back so he couldn't wiggle away. "Oh no you don't! Not this time! You're getting what you deserve!" Vegeta began slapping his tender little toosh. He was determined he wouldn't stop until the boy cried. WHAM, WHAM, WHAM. Why wasn't he crying yet?
Trunks bit his lip. This was no joke. This was a serious spanking and it HURT, but he was determined he wouldn't cry. After the third hit he squinted his eyes closed tight. No, he wasn't going to cry in front of his father. He was nine years old. He couldn't let his Dad know it hurt so much. Blow after blow, his poor rear was stinging and burning. Trunks didn't know how much longer he could hold out. He began squirming a bit. Maybe he could wiggle his way out. No, his father was too strong.
Vegeta was surprised. He wasn't giving the boy sympathy, so why was he still not crying? He'd tried to wiggle away. Vegeta thought for sure he'd cry then, but still he didn't. For a moment he thought perhaps he should stop, but no. He wasn't going to be soft this time. He began hitting even harder. Trunks was beginning to shake now, but still no crying. Vegeta was beginning to feel a strange ache in his heart. He knew this was hurting the boy, so why wouldn't he just cry so he could stop?
Trunks was holding his breath now and he felt dizzy. His head ached from clenching his jaw so tightly and he wasn't sure his butt even existed anymore. It must have been raw and bleeding by now. Finally it was more than he could take and he let out a loud wail and began sobbing uncontrolably. Again he was humiliated. He was blubbering like a little baby and he couldn't stop. It hurt so much!
Vegeta sighed in relief. His heart was pounding. He'd almost given in. That boy was holding it back on purpose, he'd figured that out. Now the best thing to do was give him some space. Besides, if he didn't Vegeta was sure he'd loose it. He couldn't stand so see his son sobbing like this. Now he knew he should have stopped sooner. The boy would have cried after he'd left. Why hadn't he just let him keep that little bit of dignity? Gently he stood, holding Trunks by the arms, and placed him on his bed, then left. He stood outside the door for a moment. A shiver ran up his spine. He could still hear him inside the room sobbing so hard that he was coughing. Quickly he walked to the other side of the house where he couldn't hear it any longer.
Trunks felt weak as he laid on his bed, curled in a ball. He was coughing so hard he'd thrown up. He hoped Goten couldn't hear his cries. Twice in one day he'd been horribly humiliated. At least this time Goten wasn't WATCHING. But it wasn't that much better. He hadn't cried last time and this time he couldn't stop. It took forever for
the burning to die down, and then it still stung.
Vegeta came back fifteen minutes later. He listened at the door. Trunks was still crying, but not so hard now. Mostly it was sniffles. Slowly and cautiously, almost as if there was a delecate animal waiting to bound out, Vegeta opened the door and looked inside. Trunks opened one puffy red eye, then quickly closed it again and tried to hide his face. Vegeta didn't know what to do. He felt bad, but his pride kept telling him he was being way too soft and all he'd done was punish the boy like he should have. He felt the urge to comfort him now, but his pride was holding him back. Maybe he'd give him some more time alone. Vegeta shut the door and went back to the living room where Goten was sitting.
"Can I get up now?" Goten timidly asked.
"No," Vegeta sat in the chair and stared at nothing in particular. "Watch some TV."
Goten watched him, cautiously moving to turn on the television. Something was wrong with Vegeta. He knew Trunks must have gotten in a lot of trouble for breaking the door and it felt very strange being caught in the middle. Soon he was wrapped up in what he was watching and no longer thinking about it.
Vegeta couldn't take his mind off it. This night had been very informative for him. Was Trunks always so difficult to handle? No wonder Bulma wanted a break. But he'd been observing him too. When Vegeta played with him, Trunks acted like he was in heaven. When Vegeta was mad, the boy was afraid. When he'd fought Goten, he wanted his Dad to watch him, and he was very set on winning. He hadn't cried because he hadn't wanted his father to see him and be ashamed. Ashamed. Of his own son? Vegeta realised Bulma was right. His son DID look up to him and he WAS trying to make him proud, and he DID want to spend more time with his father doing more than just training. His heart sank a little. For the first time he was actually FEELING the responsibility of having a child. He was also feeling the love, but that he was pushing away and ignoring.
Yes, it was true and it was there, but it couldn't be admited. Not even in his mind.
Again he stood and went to Trunks' room. Goten didn't even notice. He opened the door. Trunks was still curled in a ball with a red puffy face and a few tears still lingering under his eyes. Vegeta didn't know what to do, but he had to do something.
"Trunks...," his voice was softer than normal, but it still held his usual gruff tone.
Trunks refused to look up and instead shifted uncomfortably. His face hurt. He'd cried so much the salt in his tears had began stinging. Vegeta didn't know how to continue. He sat down on the edge of the bed. His instinct was to put a hand on his son's back, but he refused to give in to it.
"It's time for bed. What does your mother usually do?"
Trunks didn't move. He wished his father would just go away and leave him alone.
Vegeta asked again, trying not to sound irritated. "What does your mother do?"
Trunks waited a few seconds. Maybe if he answered Vegeta would go away. "Story," his voice was small, muffled, and weak.
"Story?" Vegeta didn't like the sound of that. "What else?"
Trunks sighed.
Vegeta thought for a few seconds. "Pajamas?" he recalled earthlings wearing strange clothes to sleep in. Bulma probably dressed Trunks in those too. He prefered just his fighting pants. "Get up, son, you look awful. Dry those tears and put your pajamas on," he quickly got up and went to the door. Something stopped him from leaving. He turned to look back, but Trunks hadn't moved. "Get up, boy," he went back over to him and lifted him to his feet. "No more sulking. What's done is done. Time to move on," Vegeta left. He'd had enough of this mushy feeling that was constanly taking over him. Why couldn't he just force it away?
"Time for bed," he clicked the TV off.
Goten looked up at him with wonder for a moment before the words registered in
his head.
"What is it you do before going to sleep?" Vegeta asked, figuring he'd have better luck with this child.
"I have to put on my night clothes, and brush my teeth, and go to the bathroom. Then mom reads me a story and tucks me in. Sometimes I get a drink of water too."
"What is 'tuck you in'?" Vegeta wasn't familiar with that ritual.
"It means...she pulls the covers over me and tells me goodnight and usually gives me a kiss," Goten had never encountered someone that didn't know the general idea.
Vegeta shuddered. Perhaps if Kakarot's boy was not there he would consider it. MAYBE. But certainly not tonight! He followed Goten up to Trunks room. Trunks was standing in the corner, buttoning the top part of his two piece pajamas.
"Ok, brush your teeth and go to the bathroom," Vegeta ordered.
Trunks didn't look up. He waited for Goten to leave then trailed slowly behind him. Goten was back first and quickly changing into the clothes he'd brought to sleep in. He jumped up on the bed, happy as could be and waited. A few minutes later Trunks sauntered in and climbed half-heartedly onto the bed beside him.
"Ok. I guess I'll tell a story now," Vegeta drug a chair into the room and sat it next to the bed. Trunks was surprised, but too depressed to show much reaction. He scooted toward Goten and away from his father.
"Oof," Goten fell off the bed. "Trunks, scoot over."
"I want this side," Trunks muttered, giving his friend a short meaningful glare.
Vegeta drew in a breath. His son didn't want to be anywhere near him. Goten walked around the bed and climbed in on the other side.
"All right. Once there was a guy that was the king of the whole world. The problem was his family. The queen yelled at him about everything he did and his son was always breaking things. And he had this friend that kept trying to take his kingship away by beating him in fights. What was the king to do? He wanted to get rid of this
friend."
"What about his wife? She sounds like my mom," Goten commented.
"No, he loved his wife. She was just irritating, that's all. He didn't like this friend, but he didn't want anyone else to kill him. He wanted to do it himself. Then one day he had his chance. They were in a real fight and it looked like the king would win this time. But then something happened. His world was being threatened by an evil entity that wanted to destory everything and everyone."
"Like Majin Buu?" Goten's eyes were wide.
"Yes, somewhat like that. Now stop interupting. If he didn't stop and kill this evil being, then it would destory the earth. And that meant the queen and his son would be destroyed too. Suddenly he realised that beating his friend didn't matter anymore. What mattered was that his legacy continue living. He couldn't let that evil thing kill the people he loved. So, the king decided to leave the fight with his friend and face the monster instead."
Trunks looked up, but not at his father's eyes. He was a little bit interested now. Vegeta hoped he was listening closely because this was the closest he'd ever come to actually telling his son he cared about him.
"Did he win?" Goten was sitting on his knees now.
"Of course he won! He was the king! It was a hard fight, but in the end the king was victorious and the world was safe. And so was his son and the queen."
"Did his son get in trouble?"
"What?" Vegeta wasn't expecting a question like that.
"For breaking stuff?"
"That's the end of the story. There isn't anymore."
"He didn't get in trouble?" Goten was surprised. "Wow! My mom would have yelled at me real loud!"
"Yes, he got in trouble, all right? Happy? Now that's enough. Time for bed,"
Vegeta took the covers.
Goten slid down into the bed and Vegeta pulled the covers to the necks of the two boys, letting his hand rest on Trunks shoulder for a couple seconds. He looked straight into the blue eyes, his gaze lingering for a few seconds. Trunks caught his father's stare and was held by it. He wanted to look away, but for some reason he couldn't. Vegeta's face was hard, but his eyes weren't. Trunks found that mesmerizing.
"Now go to sleep, and no more talking, got it?!"Vegeta quickly turned and left the room, flipping the lights out. He went into the room behind them so he could listen until he was sure they were asleep.
"Hey Trunks, that was a weird story, huh?" Goten commented.
"Yah," Trunks had little expression in his small voice. He turned to face away from his friend. It hurt laying on his back, considering all his weight was on his sore bottom.
"Do you think my mom is like that queen?"
"I think we shouldn't talk, Goten," Trunks voice was a little louder.
"Oh, ok. Sorry."
Both boys were quiet after that. Soon Vegeta could hear their breathing become rhymatic and their kis at rest. They'd fallen asleep. Satisfied he retreated into his and Bulma's room on the next floor up.
"Boys!" Vegeta called. He turned to the right, feeling his son's ki approaching. He was laughing as Goten chased him, wearing a cape. Vegeta slung his arm out and caught Trunks by the back of the shirt. "What is this?!"
Trunks was stunned. "Uh...what are you talking about Dad?"
"Why are these toys all over the house? I want you two to pick all of these up now and take them back where they belong! Do you know what your mother will say if she find the house looking like this?" Vegeta couldn't believe they could demolish it so quickly. Of course, he hadn't noticed the sugar packets in the back of the car either.
A little dejected, the boys did as they were told. Vegeta went back in the living room and turned on the TV. "Oh *crap*! It's past midnight!" He decided to wait until everything had been cleaned up to make the children go to bed.
"Can we get some ice cream Dad?" Trunks walked in the room, followed by Goten.
"No, we already ate. It's time for bed."
"What? But Goten's staying the night. I don't have to go to bed when friends are over," Trunks argued. "We're going to stay up all night."
"Oh no you're not, you're going to bed. Now."
"But Dad...!" Trunks was getting annoyed.
"NOW!" Vegeta pointed.
Trunks narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists. He turned and started stomping toward his room.
"Don't you take that attitude with me, son," Vegeta warned.
Trunks muttered something and slammed an open door off to the side, knocking it right off it's hinges. Now he'd done it!
"That's it!" Vegeta yelled. "Goten sit on that couch and don't move until I tell you," he stepped toward Trunks, who backed away nervously. Vegeta lunged forward and grabbed his son's arm, leading him up to his room.
Goten sat down, confused and dejected. He hadn't done anything. Why did he have to sit on the couch, AGAIN? And all by himself too.
Vegeta shut the door with just enough force that it wouldn't break. He wanted to slam it the way his child had, but that would have knocked the entire wall off. "I've had enough broken things for one night!"
"Dad it was an accident, I'm sorry...," Trunks spat out as a last desperate attempt.
Vegeta sat down and pushed him over his knees, putting one arm over his back so he couldn't wiggle away. "Oh no you don't! Not this time! You're getting what you deserve!" Vegeta began slapping his tender little toosh. He was determined he wouldn't stop until the boy cried. WHAM, WHAM, WHAM. Why wasn't he crying yet?
Trunks bit his lip. This was no joke. This was a serious spanking and it HURT, but he was determined he wouldn't cry. After the third hit he squinted his eyes closed tight. No, he wasn't going to cry in front of his father. He was nine years old. He couldn't let his Dad know it hurt so much. Blow after blow, his poor rear was stinging and burning. Trunks didn't know how much longer he could hold out. He began squirming a bit. Maybe he could wiggle his way out. No, his father was too strong.
Vegeta was surprised. He wasn't giving the boy sympathy, so why was he still not crying? He'd tried to wiggle away. Vegeta thought for sure he'd cry then, but still he didn't. For a moment he thought perhaps he should stop, but no. He wasn't going to be soft this time. He began hitting even harder. Trunks was beginning to shake now, but still no crying. Vegeta was beginning to feel a strange ache in his heart. He knew this was hurting the boy, so why wouldn't he just cry so he could stop?
Trunks was holding his breath now and he felt dizzy. His head ached from clenching his jaw so tightly and he wasn't sure his butt even existed anymore. It must have been raw and bleeding by now. Finally it was more than he could take and he let out a loud wail and began sobbing uncontrolably. Again he was humiliated. He was blubbering like a little baby and he couldn't stop. It hurt so much!
Vegeta sighed in relief. His heart was pounding. He'd almost given in. That boy was holding it back on purpose, he'd figured that out. Now the best thing to do was give him some space. Besides, if he didn't Vegeta was sure he'd loose it. He couldn't stand so see his son sobbing like this. Now he knew he should have stopped sooner. The boy would have cried after he'd left. Why hadn't he just let him keep that little bit of dignity? Gently he stood, holding Trunks by the arms, and placed him on his bed, then left. He stood outside the door for a moment. A shiver ran up his spine. He could still hear him inside the room sobbing so hard that he was coughing. Quickly he walked to the other side of the house where he couldn't hear it any longer.
Trunks felt weak as he laid on his bed, curled in a ball. He was coughing so hard he'd thrown up. He hoped Goten couldn't hear his cries. Twice in one day he'd been horribly humiliated. At least this time Goten wasn't WATCHING. But it wasn't that much better. He hadn't cried last time and this time he couldn't stop. It took forever for
the burning to die down, and then it still stung.
Vegeta came back fifteen minutes later. He listened at the door. Trunks was still crying, but not so hard now. Mostly it was sniffles. Slowly and cautiously, almost as if there was a delecate animal waiting to bound out, Vegeta opened the door and looked inside. Trunks opened one puffy red eye, then quickly closed it again and tried to hide his face. Vegeta didn't know what to do. He felt bad, but his pride kept telling him he was being way too soft and all he'd done was punish the boy like he should have. He felt the urge to comfort him now, but his pride was holding him back. Maybe he'd give him some more time alone. Vegeta shut the door and went back to the living room where Goten was sitting.
"Can I get up now?" Goten timidly asked.
"No," Vegeta sat in the chair and stared at nothing in particular. "Watch some TV."
Goten watched him, cautiously moving to turn on the television. Something was wrong with Vegeta. He knew Trunks must have gotten in a lot of trouble for breaking the door and it felt very strange being caught in the middle. Soon he was wrapped up in what he was watching and no longer thinking about it.
Vegeta couldn't take his mind off it. This night had been very informative for him. Was Trunks always so difficult to handle? No wonder Bulma wanted a break. But he'd been observing him too. When Vegeta played with him, Trunks acted like he was in heaven. When Vegeta was mad, the boy was afraid. When he'd fought Goten, he wanted his Dad to watch him, and he was very set on winning. He hadn't cried because he hadn't wanted his father to see him and be ashamed. Ashamed. Of his own son? Vegeta realised Bulma was right. His son DID look up to him and he WAS trying to make him proud, and he DID want to spend more time with his father doing more than just training. His heart sank a little. For the first time he was actually FEELING the responsibility of having a child. He was also feeling the love, but that he was pushing away and ignoring.
Yes, it was true and it was there, but it couldn't be admited. Not even in his mind.
Again he stood and went to Trunks' room. Goten didn't even notice. He opened the door. Trunks was still curled in a ball with a red puffy face and a few tears still lingering under his eyes. Vegeta didn't know what to do, but he had to do something.
"Trunks...," his voice was softer than normal, but it still held his usual gruff tone.
Trunks refused to look up and instead shifted uncomfortably. His face hurt. He'd cried so much the salt in his tears had began stinging. Vegeta didn't know how to continue. He sat down on the edge of the bed. His instinct was to put a hand on his son's back, but he refused to give in to it.
"It's time for bed. What does your mother usually do?"
Trunks didn't move. He wished his father would just go away and leave him alone.
Vegeta asked again, trying not to sound irritated. "What does your mother do?"
Trunks waited a few seconds. Maybe if he answered Vegeta would go away. "Story," his voice was small, muffled, and weak.
"Story?" Vegeta didn't like the sound of that. "What else?"
Trunks sighed.
Vegeta thought for a few seconds. "Pajamas?" he recalled earthlings wearing strange clothes to sleep in. Bulma probably dressed Trunks in those too. He prefered just his fighting pants. "Get up, son, you look awful. Dry those tears and put your pajamas on," he quickly got up and went to the door. Something stopped him from leaving. He turned to look back, but Trunks hadn't moved. "Get up, boy," he went back over to him and lifted him to his feet. "No more sulking. What's done is done. Time to move on," Vegeta left. He'd had enough of this mushy feeling that was constanly taking over him. Why couldn't he just force it away?
"Time for bed," he clicked the TV off.
Goten looked up at him with wonder for a moment before the words registered in
his head.
"What is it you do before going to sleep?" Vegeta asked, figuring he'd have better luck with this child.
"I have to put on my night clothes, and brush my teeth, and go to the bathroom. Then mom reads me a story and tucks me in. Sometimes I get a drink of water too."
"What is 'tuck you in'?" Vegeta wasn't familiar with that ritual.
"It means...she pulls the covers over me and tells me goodnight and usually gives me a kiss," Goten had never encountered someone that didn't know the general idea.
Vegeta shuddered. Perhaps if Kakarot's boy was not there he would consider it. MAYBE. But certainly not tonight! He followed Goten up to Trunks room. Trunks was standing in the corner, buttoning the top part of his two piece pajamas.
"Ok, brush your teeth and go to the bathroom," Vegeta ordered.
Trunks didn't look up. He waited for Goten to leave then trailed slowly behind him. Goten was back first and quickly changing into the clothes he'd brought to sleep in. He jumped up on the bed, happy as could be and waited. A few minutes later Trunks sauntered in and climbed half-heartedly onto the bed beside him.
"Ok. I guess I'll tell a story now," Vegeta drug a chair into the room and sat it next to the bed. Trunks was surprised, but too depressed to show much reaction. He scooted toward Goten and away from his father.
"Oof," Goten fell off the bed. "Trunks, scoot over."
"I want this side," Trunks muttered, giving his friend a short meaningful glare.
Vegeta drew in a breath. His son didn't want to be anywhere near him. Goten walked around the bed and climbed in on the other side.
"All right. Once there was a guy that was the king of the whole world. The problem was his family. The queen yelled at him about everything he did and his son was always breaking things. And he had this friend that kept trying to take his kingship away by beating him in fights. What was the king to do? He wanted to get rid of this
friend."
"What about his wife? She sounds like my mom," Goten commented.
"No, he loved his wife. She was just irritating, that's all. He didn't like this friend, but he didn't want anyone else to kill him. He wanted to do it himself. Then one day he had his chance. They were in a real fight and it looked like the king would win this time. But then something happened. His world was being threatened by an evil entity that wanted to destory everything and everyone."
"Like Majin Buu?" Goten's eyes were wide.
"Yes, somewhat like that. Now stop interupting. If he didn't stop and kill this evil being, then it would destory the earth. And that meant the queen and his son would be destroyed too. Suddenly he realised that beating his friend didn't matter anymore. What mattered was that his legacy continue living. He couldn't let that evil thing kill the people he loved. So, the king decided to leave the fight with his friend and face the monster instead."
Trunks looked up, but not at his father's eyes. He was a little bit interested now. Vegeta hoped he was listening closely because this was the closest he'd ever come to actually telling his son he cared about him.
"Did he win?" Goten was sitting on his knees now.
"Of course he won! He was the king! It was a hard fight, but in the end the king was victorious and the world was safe. And so was his son and the queen."
"Did his son get in trouble?"
"What?" Vegeta wasn't expecting a question like that.
"For breaking stuff?"
"That's the end of the story. There isn't anymore."
"He didn't get in trouble?" Goten was surprised. "Wow! My mom would have yelled at me real loud!"
"Yes, he got in trouble, all right? Happy? Now that's enough. Time for bed,"
Vegeta took the covers.
Goten slid down into the bed and Vegeta pulled the covers to the necks of the two boys, letting his hand rest on Trunks shoulder for a couple seconds. He looked straight into the blue eyes, his gaze lingering for a few seconds. Trunks caught his father's stare and was held by it. He wanted to look away, but for some reason he couldn't. Vegeta's face was hard, but his eyes weren't. Trunks found that mesmerizing.
"Now go to sleep, and no more talking, got it?!"Vegeta quickly turned and left the room, flipping the lights out. He went into the room behind them so he could listen until he was sure they were asleep.
"Hey Trunks, that was a weird story, huh?" Goten commented.
"Yah," Trunks had little expression in his small voice. He turned to face away from his friend. It hurt laying on his back, considering all his weight was on his sore bottom.
"Do you think my mom is like that queen?"
"I think we shouldn't talk, Goten," Trunks voice was a little louder.
"Oh, ok. Sorry."
Both boys were quiet after that. Soon Vegeta could hear their breathing become rhymatic and their kis at rest. They'd fallen asleep. Satisfied he retreated into his and Bulma's room on the next floor up.