Chapter 2: At the Christmas Market

There he stood, unable to do anything against this. Had it only been Bulma who had asked him, he could easily refuse. But because Whis was also present, it was more so that he had no choice. Under no circumstances could the Saiyan lose the favor of the blue-skinned alien. Although he did not think that he really would deny his divine training, but just in case. Besides, it was just one crappy afternoon he would be here. A period of time that was thus manageable.

Kakarot seemed to really like that kind of work. In fact, he was actually pretty good at it to roast the sausages like an expert. During the afternoon all sorts of friends had turned up and lined up in front of his booth, some not for the first time. Fervently Vegeta hoped that those guys would disappear and that he'd have his peaceful evening. It was already enough for him that he had to spend time with his wife, his son and their family. That was exactly what was still bearable for him for this short time.

"Four sausages, coming right up!" Goku yelled across the booth, then - as cheerfully as ever - he turned a few fresh sausages, and took down the ones that were already finished. The whole thing was served with sauerkraut and a bun. As Vegeta a peered a little to Kakarot's booth, his stomach began to growl again. He'd do anything get one small bite of these tasteful sausages!

"Hey, didn't you hear me?" Suddenly, the raven-haired fighter was brought out of his thoughts. "Twice mulled wine I said! I hope that they're good." A not so unfamiliar face growled at him. Before the Saiyan prince was none other than the God of Destruction Beerus.

"Beerus-sama... What are you doing here?" Vegeta stammered and was surprised to see this feline humanoid. Apparently Whis had picked up Beerus while he had been away to no withhold the Christmas market. Actually, he reckoned that. There were a lot of offers at the market and the food has always been Beerus' favorite pastime.

"What am I doing here? What everyone else is doing here!" he retorted sarcastically and pushed his hands on his hips. "Do you think Whis would keep this Christmas market from me? This is something I've never seen all across the universe! Such an exciting thing! So, for the last time… Would you give me some mulled wine, or do you want me to...get into a bad mood?" The God looked at him with a penetrating gaze, and Vegeta realized that he should act rapid, preferring to keep him happy.

"Two cups of mulled wine are coming!" he said with a wry smile on his face and turned to the mulled wine machine. At least the work was more trivial than the one of Kakarot. The Saiyan prince had just let the mulled wine running down through the drain cock. From time to time he was forced to refill some alcohol, but the thing itself did the rest. It was equipped with an overheat protection which was activated, so it would shut down in an emergency. Everything looked pretty good. He gently pressed the drain cock down without breaking it. He already had destroyed some, but these things didn't last really long. But this time he had everything under control, and he wouldn't destroy it this time. Not now, while Beerus and Whis were waiting in front of his booth and desiring a cup of mulled wine.

The first cup was already filled and a tensed Vegeta turned a second cup underneath. This filling was also very smooth. After he was done, he put the cup on the stupid Christmas figures that were printed in front of his two guests. "There you go!" he said not very enthusiastic, watching the curious faces of the aliens. Each of them took a cup, and before they dared to take a sip, they smelled a little at the warm liquid.

"Smells...sweet." Beerus noted and closed his eyes to fully recite the flavor in itself. "What's in there?"

Again Vegeta sighed and took his cheat sheet out, deciding to read the note rather than presenting his product joyfully. "Um... Lemons, oranges, a cinnamon stick, cloves, honey and sugar...and mainly dry red wine."

"At any rate you don't look as if you had cooked it." Beerus eyed him skeptically. Of course he did, if not him, who else? Bulma was, considering cooking, rather ungifted, even if it was just about the mixing together of various ingredients. His wife had presented him a book with various recipes and some ingredients. The rest had been up to him. With the help of the pictures in that book it was actually pretty easy. In addition, the preparation really was not a high art that was withheld to experts.

"But I have! After all, I'm selling these shi- tasty drinks. Um." Vegeta truly had to pull himself together so that the wrong words didn't come from his lips.

"I understand." The God of Destruction had heard enough and took a swig of the hot drink. He used the mulled wine as a mouthwash and left it for a while in his mouth before he swallowed it down finally. The prince waited anxious whether such a strong alcoholic beverage would appeal to him at all. Whis hadn't tried a single drop yet, waiting for Beerus' reaction.

"That's..." The cat-like humanoid opened his eyes abruptly. "Delicious! I want more." He quickly downed the entire cup at a stride and put it directly in front of Vegeta again. "Go on. Make it full."

"Yes..." The Saiyan was surprised at how much the God of Destruction liked that kind of drink. As fast as possible, he filled the cup to the brim and put it once more in front of him. The god emptied the second cup just as quickly as the first.

"More!" he demanded again. Whis, who also took a small sip, was watching the scene more than amused.

"Beerus-sama, you know that there is alcohol is inside. Thereafter, you will feel pretty bad if you don't take it in moderation," the blue-skinned alien explained to him like he was a little kid.

"I know what I can take!" his counterpart shouted, already babbled a little. "That's totally sweet, so there cannot be so much wine inside. Vegeta, be so kind and fill that cup again." With that, he turned back to the Saiyan Prince. How could he not refuse the request? Although, it would probably have been better to deny him another cup.

"Beerus-sama... I, uh..." Vegeta quickly tried to fudge an excuse. What could he do that the God of Destruction would vanish from his boot?

"Don't you want to offer me another sip of this delicious drink, Saiyan Prince?" Suddenly Beerus snapped at him with a sly look. Vegeta glanced at Whis, who did not seem like he would interfere any time soon. He was on his own. He had no other choice than-

"Oh what is this stunning fragrance?" Beerus wrinkled his nose and looked to his left. Vegeta followed his gaze and finally stopped at Kakarot's booth. Facilitated, he wheezed when he realized that now the God had something else in mind. Goku had put again some fresh sausages on the grill and the smell of meat wafted over to them. Beerus seemed to have completely forgotten that he wanted another cup of mulled wine. Without dwelling on Vegeta, he walked over to Kakarot and inquired there about his offer. Of course, he pushed all the way forward and Bulma's friends let him have his way without hesitation. Nobody wanted it forfeit with him.

The prince was really glad that this strange encounter was over. "Really delicious." Whis grinned at him. "Beerus-sama really should not drink so much. In moderation, this is really an excellent drink. "

Hours later, the biggest hubbub was finally over. It had already become dark, and soon there would be the Christmas dinner, Vegeta noted hungry. He put his hand on his belly and rubbed it absently. All her friends had tasted everything from stand to stand and their stomachs were full with various foods. The staff of the Capsule Corporation also closed their booths already, and even Kakarot - who had donned a blue apron - cleaned the grill after this long afternoon.

"I'm so hungry!" his rival wailed while scrubbing diligently on the grill bars. "I'm glad that soon there will be something to eat."

"You have no reason to whine! During your working you had time to eat one sausage after another!" Vegeta hissed at the side stand and finally turned off the mulled wine machine. Even if he didn't want to, he still had to clean the counter. Out of a corner, he took the pink apron, which already accompanied him on Beerus' planet over the months and began using a swab to clean the wooden surface in front of him.

"Those were just a few. A maximum of ten pieces! And the things were really small and already partly black!" Goku justified.

"Tch." Vegeta thought that it was just unbelievable at what level his eternal rival was whining. At least he had no problems with Beerus anymore. The God couldn't get a hangover from sausages. Who knew what would go with him if he had an alcohol level corresponding thereto. "I am so glad when this shit is over. Now everything will be quiet and I will have an extensive dinner." He sighed. Yes, at the annual Christmas dinner and the Christmas Goose made by Bulma's mother - he rejoiced that more than usual. The whole day had so dragged on his nerves. While eating dinner he could have his peace at last and forget the stresses and strains of the whole day.

"Yes, it will be yummy. I'm so looking forward to eating the Christmas goose!" Goku agreed.

Suddenly it hit Vegeta. Was Goku talking about his Christmas food? "Does Chichi also prepare a Christmas goose?" he asked after a precaution. Inwardly he hoped that all this was just a bad nightmare. It couldn't be that...

"Oh, you know anything about it at all? Bulma's invited everyone this evening because this year Whis and Beerus are attending. When she was talking about the whole thing, the two insisted on staying on Earth. I mean, who can blame them, yeah?"

Vegeta looked shocked in the cheerful face of Kakarot. He couldn't be serious! Whis, Beerus, and Goku's family? He only wanted to have his peace. Did he really have to celebrate Christmas with these idiots?

"So your family and... the two are also here?" he asked, while his left eyebrow began to twitch. All of that was really too much. Vegeta wanted to destroy anything or scream.

"And Gohan, Videl, Pan, Mister Satan, Son Goten and... Oh, and Piccolo. Kuririn and his family prefer to celebrate privately, for whatever reason," Goku enumerated the guests.

"Whatever..." Vegeta repeated stammering the words of his counterpart. He understood why the bald man would rather be at home. After all, the prince wanted this too. The Saiyan groaned at the thought that they would have a full house today. The only peace that he could still yearn for was the longed-for sleep after Christmas dinner. But the blue-haired woman would... Well that would be nothing bad. But even for that he didn't have the nerves. On such holidays, she drank quite a lot and was sometimes too confiding for his taste. But how it looked like now, he would also have to drink to bear this whole charade. As long as possible he wanted to avoid this at all costs.

"Are you still here? Don't you want to come in?" Bulma suddenly stood in front of them and had a grin on her face, as she admired the two Saiyans with their aprons. "I didn't know that you're such a good househusband."

Now she made herself even fun of him! Him, the- Vegeta gritted his teeth and ignored the silly talk of his wife. Instead, he put the rag aside, folded his arms and gave her a contemptuous look. "Tch."

"Bulma, I'm already so hungry. How long before dinner?" Goku asked the blue-haired, looking and sounding pretty upset.

"That's why I'm here. The Christmas dinner starts in about thirty minutes. Maybe you could take a shower before you sit down at the table. The booths, you can leave them as they are. The staff will take care of it tomorrow or the day after."

Vegeta was relieved that it was not a long time until dinner started. A quick shower and then- Suddenly, he speculated. If the others were already inside, then would he have to sit next to Kakarot? The Saiyan, who was not only his biggest rival, but also the one who always tried to eat his food?

"In any case I don't want to sit next to Kakarot, if you have that in mind!" Vegeta hissed, glancing contemptuously over to the other Saiyan. "He can eat someone else's food."

Bulma's grin grew wider after his reaction. The Saiyan Prince did not quite understand what was so amusing.

"I understand!" she giggled, and then came a few steps toward him. "Probably you prefer sitting next to your beautiful woman." She came with her face close to him, just that she wanted to give him a kiss.

Abruptly Vegeta turned away, took his apron in his hand, and he threw it on the floor. "That's not it! I want to eat in peace!" he yelled, and went out from the wooden hut. Annoyed and without turning around, he trudged toward home through the snow. However, his wife was far from done with this conversation.

"Vegeta! What was that? You've never been thrilled by this holiday. I get that. But I have never seen you that childish. Hey, you listening to me? Turn over while I'm talking to you!" she snapped after him.

The Saiyan stopped in his stride and turned briefly to look at her. He gazed at the annoyed blue-haired woman, who was standing with arms crossed, in her winter coat in front of him. He was pretty mad at her because she was responsible for all this banter. "This Christmas... I don't give a fuck! Gifts are useless because I don't need anything! The only thing I want is my rest, and it looks like you can't even give me that!" he shouted at her. "On the contrary, you take it away from me. My heavenly rest! I just want to enjoy this food, that's the only good thing about this shitty celebration! "

When he was finished with his hate speech, he was breathing pretty hard. Because of the cold even he could even see his cool breath. It was good that he was able to let out, which had dammed him the last hours. Of course, it wasn't fair to take his anger out on her. But at the moment he just needed a scapegoat, and she was there at the wrong moment.

Bulma's eyes were glazed, almost as if she was going to cry. But Vegeta knew that look. She was close to an explosion, and in a few short moments, she did. "You selfish idiot! Do what you want! At any case you won't sit next to me! Actually, I want to see you far away from me now that I think about it!"

Now it was the blue-haired woman who stomped annoyed back to the house. Vegeta sighed and regretted that he had ever come here this day. First the lot of hoopla with Beerus and Whis, and now his wife who was mad at him. Certainly they fought now and then; it was just her temperament. But this sort of verbal confrontation… he did not need that here and now.

"Uh... Shall we go into the house?"

At that moment he realized that they had not been alone in their dispute. Kakarot was still stopped dead in his tracks in his cabin and looked at him in astonishment. Great. Fantastic. That was exactly what he needed: his opponent witnessing his confrontation with Bulma.