Chapter 6: Conflict(ed)

Bulma walked into the apartment less than half an hour after Vegeta practically ran away from her parents' house. She was still confused by everything that happened. She wasn't entirely sure what happened honestly. It was all so quick. She brought her fingers to her still slightly swollen lips. Although, I can't say I disliked what happened… Then the image of Vegeta walking away came back to her and she her heart ached a little. Chi Chi and 18 called to Bulma from the kitchen. They were both covered in flour and Bulma could smell cookies baking.

"Hey B, you okay?" Chi Chi asked, noticing the downcast look on her face.

"Yeah. You look weird." 18 said.

"I kissed Vegeta!" Bulma blurted out.

Chi Chi and 18 just stared at Bulma completely shocked. Then a huge grin spread across 18's face. "Finally!" she yelled.

Bulma screwed up her face. "What the hell you mean 'finally'?"

18 sent Chi Chi a look. Chi Chi stepped around the kitchen island to stand directly in front of Bulma. "B, you and Vegeta have always had a certain… chemistry-"

"Ptsh. Chemistry." 18 scoffed, making her own way around to Bulma. "B, you and Vegeta just need to fuck already and put us all out of our misery," she said bluntly.

"What?! I don't want to sleep with Vegeta!" Bulma yelled, her cheeks turning pink.

18 crossed her arms. "Oh yeah?"

"Yes! I can't believe you'd ever think I'd want to have sex with that jackass!"

"Really? You've never checked him out when he's shirtless or in those tight, tight spandex shorts of his?" 18 asked.

Bulma puffed out her cheeks. "Well who hasn't? Just because I've looked doesn't mean I'm gonna share a bed with him!"

"Uh huh." 18 said unconvinced."So you're telling me that when you two get into an argument so heated that you don't think about how hot the hate sex would be? You've never wanted to bump uglies with that sexy piece of man?" Bulma didn't respond. "Ha! I knew it! You totally do, so might as well just do it. He's right next door. All you gotta do is go over ther-"

"Shut up!" Bulma yelled, her face as red as a tomato at 18's words.

"Okay 18 that's enough," Chi Chi said. "Come on Bulma, how 'bout we let you explain what happened," she said, leading her over to the couch and shooting 18 a dirty look over her shoulder. 18 just rolled her eyes and followed them over to the living room. "So… you kissed Vegeta," Chi Chi said.

Bulma sat on the couch feeling uncomfortable and wishing she hadn't just blurted that out. "Yes," she confirmed, wringing out her hands. Chi Chi put a hand on her knee. Then 18 spoke up.

"Hey, B. You know you can tell us anything. We're always here for you even if I'm a bitch sometimes," 18 said with a sincere smile.

Bulma returned the smile. She took a deep breath. "So you know that Vegeta's my self defense coach right?" The girls nodded. "And you know that I'm working on a project and needed an intern to help me?" 18 and Chi Chi's eyes grew big with realization. Bulma's words began to come out faster. "Vegeta's my intern. So now I have to have him helping me out around the lab. And it wasn't so bad today honestly. He's actually really smart and helped me out with a math issue. I mean there was a bit of an argument beforehand where he threatened me, but I took care of that. But then my mom invited him to stay for dinner and things got oddly personal. And there were also some… instances where we almost kissed. And then he wanted to see the gym and practically demanded that we train and then it just kinda happened and it was great." Bulma stopped and dropped her head, "and then he just left."

"What do you mean he just left?" Chi Chi asked.

"We were making out in the sparring ring-"

"Go girl!" 18 approved. Chi Chi smacked her.

Bulma just rolled her eyes. "We were just making out and then he got really handsy and it was nice and then he stops and just goes 'I need to go' and he just left."

The girls sat in silence for a bit. 18 was the first to speak. "What an ass." Chi Chi and Bulma stared at her blankly for a split second before busting out laughing. 18 pursed her lips at her two laughing roommates. "Well he is!" she said with a smile in her voice and before long she was laughing too.

"Thanks guys," Bulma said, pulling her two roommates into a side hug. "I really needed that."

"No problem, B! Like 18 said, we'll always be here for you. No judgement." Chi Chi squeezed Bulma a little tighter.

Bulma smiled up at her, then she released a long sigh, "I better get some sleep. It's been a long day. I think I'll take a mental health day tomorrow." The girls nodded in approval.

"That's probably a good idea. You've been burning yourself out with school and the lab." Chi Chi pulled Bulma up from the couch. When Bulma was walking away, she called, "and there will be cookies in the kitchen whenever you want any!" Bulma just smiled, grateful to have such amazing friends.

As Bulma entered her room, she could hear the punching bag being hit in the apartment next door. Bulma rolled her eyes. Is this guy serious?! She tried to ignore it and walked to her closet to get out of the workout clothes she still wore. She donned on her favorite negligee. It was light pink with a lacy, almost see-though bodice. She checked herself out in her full length mirror. Fuck Vegeta. I'm a catch. She smiled at her reflection and was beginning to feel a lot better. She flopped down on her bed and tried to get comfortable, but she couldn't really drown out the noise coming from next door. She tossed and turned for a bit. "Ugh!" She couldn't take it anymore. She got out of bed and banged on the wall, yelling, "would you stop beating on that thing already, you ass!" The pounding paused for a second, but then resumed, at an even quicker pace this time. Bulma heard him grumble "fucking annoying wench" on the other side of the wall. She was furious. She already had to deal with his conflicting behavior, she wasn't about to not get sleep because he was too busy taking out his feelings on his punching bag. Then an idea came to Bulma. If he can be loud and annoying, so can I. She grabbed the remote to her tv and put on Grey's Anatomy, turning the sound up so that he'd be able to hear it through the wall. The scene played out with lots of medical jargon and drama. After a few minutes the banging next door stopped and it became very quiet. Suddenly Bulma heard banging on the front door of their apartment and 18 yelling, then all of a sudden Vegeta barges into her room and slams the door shut behind him. He stalks over to the tv and aggressively shuts it off.

"Hey!" Bulma screamed. "What the hell do you think you're doing!" She jumped out of bed and got in Vegeta's face. "You don't get to just barge in here and touch my stuff! You have no right, you asshole!"

Vegeta stood before her with his hands fisted down as his sides. He was wearing the same thing he had left her parents' house in. Bulma had to push back the memories of his hands on her and the feel of his weight above her. She looked up at his face and immediately noticed where his eyes were. He was staring at her negligee. Bulma had forgotten what she was wearing and went to try to cover up her chest, but Vegeta reached out and grabbed her arms before she could. Bulma met his eyes again. They stared at each other. And then Vegeta grabbed Bulma's face in his hands and kissed her deeply. He nudged her toward the bed. But before they could fall over the edge, Bulma pulled away this time. She shoved him back and away from her. Vegeta raised his eyebrows at her. His expression completely shocked. At her or himself, she didn't know.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" she screeched, throwing her hands up. "You get all handsy with me earlier and then you leave. Then you barge in here and try to push me on the bed? What the fuck do you want from me, Vegeta?!"

"I DON'T KNOW!" he shouted, throwing his own hands up. "You're maddening, woman! You're loud and annoying. All you do is complain at me. And you're fucking everywhere! I can't go or do anything without you being there. You've wormed your way into every corner of my life! And you come around and you wear crap like that and then I completely lose my mind. All I want to do is fuck you into that mattress right now and it's fucking infuriating!" He had inched his was closer to Bulma the more he yelled. Bulma was taken aback by his words. She stared up at him. His face was hard. His eyebrows were furrowed and his eyes were dark with lust. Bulma felt the butterflies in her belly again. She looked at Vegeta's lips and remembered how amazing they felt against hers. Vegeta looked into her big, blue eyes. They held so much innocence in them, but he knew better. She was a vixen, temping him at every moment. He stared down at what she was wearing again. The pink lace covering her breasts had one small flower barely hiding each of her rosy nipples. God. He wanted to just rip it off of her and descend on her. Suddenly he felt a sharp tingle emanating from his left check. His head was forced to the side and he was staring away from the woman. Then it dawned on him. She just slapped me. He turned back to Bulma and gaped at her. Her face was twisted in anger.

"You fucking bastard!" she yelled, shocking Vegeta even more. "The idea of wanting to fuck me is infuriating for you? Well fuck you, Vegeta. I'd be the best you'd ever have, but you'll never know. Now get the hell out of my room!"

Vegeta just stood there staring at Bulma. He was frozen in place. He didn't mean what he said how she took it. And he felt almost bad about it upsetting her. And then there was a knock on Bulma's door and Chi Chi's face peaked through. "B, you okay?" she asked. 18 could be heard in the background mumbling "… just drag his ass out…"

Bulma just nodded her head, not turning away from Vegeta. "Yeah, I'm fine. Vegeta was just leaving." She stared daggers at Vegeta as she spoke.

Vegeta's face became hard then and he abruptly turned and marched out of the apartment. He stood in the hallway for a bit, taking in what had just transpired. He hit his fist against the wall, pissed at himself and the entire situation. Damn that woman! He made his way to his own apartment and slammed the door. He went to the shower and turned it on to the hottest setting before stepping in. He needed to wash away the woman's touch. Once he scrubbed his body raw, he got into bed. He stared up at his ceiling with the woman still on his mind. He let out a frustrated sigh. He was angry because he finally had to admit to himself that he was attracted to the woman. More so than he ever thought he would or could. Damnit! He rolled over and turned off his bedside lamp. He started practicing some of his fighting moves in his head and before long he fell into a restless sleep, dreaming of the woman next door.

Vegeta woke up in a sweat. He sat up in bed and put his head in his hands. "Damn that woman," he grumbled. He was angry. That woman had invaded his dreams and Vegeta didn't even have to look down to know that a certain appendage was also awake. His clenched his hands into fists. Looking over at his dresser, he saw that it was only 6 in the morning. He didn't have to start his shift at the coffee shop until 8. He closed his eyes and somewhat hated himself for what he was about to do, but he couldn't help it. He laid back down in his bed and pulled down the elastic of his boxers until his dick sprang free. Vegeta moved his hand down and grabbed ahold of himself and began pumping slowly. His imagination took up where his dream ended…

They were in Bulma's bed and Vegeta was hovering over top of her. They were still fully clothed. His tongue was in her mouth, the sensation sending shivers down his spine. The sounds she was making made him grow harder. She pulled at his hair and he could feel her nails scratching at his scalp. He groaned into her mouth and bucked his hips. She whimpered in his ear, "Vegeta… please…" He couldn't take it any longer and moved to take off her shirt. She wasn't wearing a bra underneath and Vegeta immediately descended on her right nipple. Bulma let out a pleasured shout, "Oh God, Vegeta!" The way her lips caressed his name had him almost blowing his load before his pants were even off. As if she read his mind, her small hands made their way down his sides, tugging at the button on his jeans. He released her breast with a satisfying pop. He sat up and pulled his shirt over his head. Bulma leaned forward and undid his zipper, pushing his jeans down his hips and tugging his boxers down along with them. When they made it to his mid thigh she couldn't take it anymore and grabbed ahold of his dick. Her soft hands wrapped around him, Vegeta's hips involuntarily jerked forward. That only made Bulma grin. She leaned forward and stuck out her tongue to lick up the drop of pre-cum from his tip. Vegeta closed his eyes at the feeling of her tongue on him. Before he knew it, Bulma pulled his entire length passed her sensual lips. "Damn, woman," he groaned huskily. He could feel her smile around his cock. She began to bob her head and Vegeta grabbed the back of her head to help move her along his shaft. They both could feel him about to lose himself, but Vegeta pulled Bulma's face away from him before that could happen. He slipped off the bed to finish taking off his pants. He crawled back up and grabbed Bulma by the hips suddenly, making her squeal. They smiled at each other as Vegeta slid her underwear from under her skirt and down her legs. He flipped up her skirt. His mouth practically started watering when he saw the blue tuff of hair covering her nether region. He leant down to have a taste, but she stopped him. He looked at her quizzically. "You can do that another time. Right now, I need you inside me." She spread he legs and Vegeta moved between them, loving how bossy she was. And he wasn't one to keep a woman waiting, so she quickly lined himself up with her entrance. He teased her clit with the head of his cock. "God dammit, Vegeta, stop teasing me and stick it in already- Oh God!" He slammed into her and let out a loud moan. He began a steady rhythm. "God you feel amazing," he said. She smiled up at him. "Faster," she commanded. He obliged and before long Bulma dug her nails into his biceps, screaming her release. A few more thrusts and Vegeta followed right after her.

Vegeta let out a load groan as his release took over him. His seed spilled over his hand and his body relaxed into the mattress. God, that was intense, he thought. He looked down at the cum covering his hand and was a little disgusted with himself. "Damn that woman." He got out of his bed and headed to his shower to wash off the remains of what he had just done. And possibly the shame along with it.

Bulma woke up feeling very groggy and not at all like she just got the longest night's sleep she's had in weeks. She refused to go to any classes or even the lab today. She only had two classes today anyways and it's not like she didn't already know the material. She is a genius after all. She laid in bed for a bit, remembering what happened last night. She made out with Vegeta. Twice. And it could've gone a lot farther if she hadn't pushed him away. But he was such a douchebag. Bulma couldn't stop being angry and hurt by his words. She hadn't felt this way in a long time. Not even with Yamcha really. Oh God, Bulma thought, covering her face with her hands. I'm totally falling for that dick. She threw her fists down to the bed. "Fuck this," she said, hopping out of bed. She needed to get out of the apartment and find a way to get her mind off Vegeta. She was almost considering breaking her word and going to her lab, but he had tainted that place as well, which pissed her off even more. But there was one place she hadn't been in awhile that could still bring her some peace, though. An old coffee shop just outside of town that she used to go to. A little place that not many people even heard of. Looking out her bedroom window she noticed that it was raining. Perfect weather to go sit at a coffee shop and read, she thought. Her mind made up, she stalked to her closet. She pulled out her comfiest pair of fleece leggings and an old Capsule Co. sweatshirt that fell off one shoulder. She pulled on some fuzzy socks and then slipped into her rain boots. She picked up her beat-up copy of The Bear by William Faulkner and her rain jacket, then made her way out the door. Not wanting to take her car, Bulma waited for the trolley to take her to the edge of town.

Vegeta sat at the counter of Senzu Bean. It wasn't a very busy day, not unusual for midmorning on a Tuesday. He didn't mind his job as a barista. The shop never got really busy like the other coffee shops around campus. It was a local business, so not many people made the trek to the outskirts of the city to come here. Right now, the place only contained three of Vegeta's usual customers lounging and sipping on their various drinks. He remained on his stool and flipped through a copy of Ultimate MMA he had behind the counter. The magazine and his anticipation for the upcoming tournament was what was getting him through his shift. And keeping a certain bluenette off his mind, which for that he was thankful.

Outside, Bulma jumped down from the trolley and stepped onto the sidewalk in front of Senzu Bean. She opened the door and stepped inside out of the rain.

Vegeta flipped the page of his magazine before he heard the tiny bell above the door chime. Without looking up he said in his deep timbre, "Welcome to Senzu-" He stopped mid-greeting as he looked up to see the very woman he jerked off to this morning stopping halfway to the counter.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Bulma exclaimed. Some of the patrons in the shop gave her dirty looks. She ignored them and made her way to the counter anyways. "What are you doing here?"

Vegeta's jaw was clenched. "Oh I don't know, I just thought I'd sit behind the counter today and take people's order. What does it look like, woman. I work here."

"Since when?"

"The past four years."

"I don't remember ever seeing you working here before."

"Still doesn't mean I haven't been employed here." Under his breath he added, "looks like my luck finally ran out on me, I guess."

"What's that suppose to mean?" Bulma questioned.

"I've been lucky enough over the years to never have to deal with your presence here before. Now my luck's run out apparently." As the words left his mouth, Vegeta did indeed recall a distinct memory of serving a young blue-haired beauty when he was first hired here, but he wasn't about to mention that now.

"God, you're such a dick, you know that?" He was starting to really piss her off. "Fine. If you work here then you can make me a matcha latte." She went to reach for her wallet so she didn't notice Vegeta taking in the outfit she wore. He forced himself to not get distracted by her clavicle or the lacy strap of her bralette that was visible. He caught sight of the book that she had cradled under her arm. The Bear. One of my favorites… The book looked old and tattered, like it had been read over and over again. He came back to reality when he saw the green bill the woman was waving in front of his face. "Hellllooo," she called out to him. "Earth to dickhead."

He snatched the bill from her hand and rang up her order. "Bitch," he retorted. He handed her back her change, their fingers touching and that electric spark being felt by the both of them once again.

"You know that's not very good customer service, calling people 'bitch' when they're simply trying to order a beverage," she said with a smile and light to her eye.

"I only save that moniker for very special customers," Vegeta told her with a shit-eating grin. "Now go sit down and I'll bring out your latte when it's done."

"You're impossible!" Bulma turned on her heal and walked away from the counter. Vegeta watched her walk away and rather enjoyed the sway of her hips incased in those black leggings of hers. Damn. He shook his head and began making her drink.

Walking away, she was actually surprised at how normal their interaction had been, what with what happened last night. Bulma took a seat in an old-fashioned leather armchair in the little windowed alcove in corner. She got comfortable with one of the cozy blankets the coffee shop offered and opened up her book. TheBear was one of her favorites and she hadn't read it in awhile. She got a few pages in when she felt a shadow come over her. She looked up from her book to notice Vegeta standing before her with a mug and saucer in his hands. He sat it down on the little side table next to her. As he turned to walk away, he stopped. "You're a fan of Faulkner?" he asked her.

She was surprised by his question. "Not really. I just really love TheBear. It's been a favorite of mine since high school."

"Me too." Man this woman was something else…

"Really?" Bulma asked, surprised once again.

He took a seat in the chair across from her. "Yeah. Read it in high school and loved it."

They sat there awkwardly, trying to avoid eye contact but failing. Finally Vegeta got up saying, "I gotta go."

Bulma bristle at the words. "As usual," she mumble under her breath.

That stopped him in his tracks. He turned to her, his face annoyed.

"What the hell does that mean?"

"That's not the first time I've heard those words from you, Vegeta. Do you not remember that? Apparently, you're good at walking away. It's what you do."

"If I remember correctly, you're the one who shoved me away last night and told me to get the hell out of your apartment," he said angrily.

Bulma jumped up from her chair, her book falling out of her lap and onto the floor. "Yeah, because you just barged in, kissed me, then when I asked what we were doing, you said that you hated that you wanted to have sex with me!"

"I didn't say that! I said you were infuriating. Which you are! You're blowing this whole thing out of proportion. God damn, woman, I can't fucking think right when you're around!"

"You know what Vegeta, go fuck yourself!" Bulma shouted in his face, pushing her way around him and out the door, leaving behind her forgotten latte. She ran out of the coffee shop and stomped out onto the wet sidewalk, furious that the giant monkey ruined yet another sacred place for her.

Vegeta watched her mad dash down the sidewalk. He looked down and saw that her copy of TheBear still laid forgotten on the floor. As she rounded the corner and out of his sight, he bent down and picked up the book. With it in hand, he walked back to his stool behind the counter and tossed the tattered book next to his magazine. He leaned his elbows on the counter and rubbed his temples. When he looked back up, the other customers were staring at him. "What are you looking at?" he said grumpily. They all turned their attention away from him, afraid of his tone. His head fell into his hands again. God, what the hell has my life become? he angrily thought to himself.