Aloha, fellow fanfiction readers and writers!

So I decided that I am not –that proud- of my last chapter. I definitely like it (a few moments in particular), but I feel like it was a bit rushed. Meh, my mistake! Anyway, I worked hard to make this one more detailed and interesting. Hope the results prove it! After this chapter, things are going to start to get...umm... interesting ;) I'm trying hard to make this a unique fic, yet still realistic and true to the characters, and it looks like it's working!

Thanks for your many kind reviews, they make me smile every time I look at them =) I really do appreciate your feedback!

Chapter Five:

Confession

Depending on who you're dealing with, telling someone how you feel can be one of the hardest things you can do in life. Your heart pounds away in your chest like it's about to explode, your body's on fire and you can't seem to catch your breath. For me, a full-blooded Saiyan who could handle physical battles with ease and enjoyment, this inner battle really was the hardest I could recall. I wasn't the type to worry or obsess over anything, but Vegeta... Vegeta was worth obsessing over... Vegeta was worth it all.

I remember well the day I confessed my love to him; partly because it was so difficult for me, and partly because it ultimately changed my life.

I really didn't want to stick around for breakfast, and was about to leave when I heard a knock on my door. I froze, holding my breath. Who..?

"Mornin', Goku! It's Bulma. Are you awake, sweetie?"

"Oh! Hey, yeah.. I'm awake." I walked over to open the door. Bulma smiled up at me and expertly balanced two trays of food over to a wooden table in the corner. My mouth began to water and I wrinkled my nose appreciatively. She winked at me.

"I brought you some water, pancakes, toast, fresh fruits, bacon, hashbrowns and eggs... I figured you could use them! ...I've never seen you that drunk before, I wasn't sure how you'd react in the morning. Actually, I guess I've never seen you drunk at all.." She raised her eyebrows at me and smiled teasingly. "That was interesting..."

I blushed as a certain memory came back to me. "Yeah... Sorry. I guess I was a little out of control... I can't remember very much." Except for dancing with Yamcha and Krillen... and kissing Vegeta after declaring him to be "perfection"...

She put her hands on her hips and smirked. "Yes, well... Yamcha and Krillin seemed to think it was their mission in life to get you drunk! Sheesh... and at Gohan and Videl's party, too! What they were thinking, I don't know. Men, seriously..."

I laughed. "Well, it wasn't their fault! I was more than happy to continue once I started. It was, um, a change.." I faltered, picturing Vegeta's face when I had kissed him. Shit. What was he going to do the next time he saw me...? Fight me? Ignore me? Kiss me?

Yeah, right...

And then I wondered. He and I always had such an intense connection, being the last two saiyans and all. Of course, he'd hated me for many years, but... that was all in the past. We had reached a place of friendship, and it was a solid one at that. Besides, I know I had felt him let down his guard last night, even if just for a moment. I couldn't have been imagining it... And he hadn't been drunk.

Perhaps there was a chance after all..

I felt for his ki, and found it in the gravity room. Of course. His ki kept spiking... He was not happy.

I reminded myself that I needed to explain myself to him. I had kissed him while laying on top of him...and we hadn't exactly been alone. Not that anyone remembered or noticed...at least, I hoped not. Time would tell...

"..Goku?"

I blinked, realizing that Bulma was staring at me with her eyebrows raised.

"Erm.. sorry!" I put a hand behind my head nervously. I wondered what Bulma would think of my speculations regarding her ex-lover.

Mmm, and I wonder how good of a lover he is.. Pretty good, I bet...He just oozes sexuality...My breath hitched for a moment, and I pictured his perfect, smirking, confident face. And then my mind wandered downward... To that beautiful, strong body of his...Get a grip! I had to shake my head to distract myself from where my thoughts were heading.

"Well...I figured you might want to eat here. I wasn't sure how you were feeling!" Bulma looked pointedly at the food, which I hadn't yet sat down to eat. I did so quickly, smiling at her. She nodded in approval.

"Thanks,' I replied warmly. It was thoughtful of her.

I needed to figure out what I was going to say to him. He could be so unpredictable, I had to make certain I didn't do anything to bruise his pride.. I wanted to make him see that I was serious, and real, and respected and treasured him always. And then, maybe...

Well. No point dwelling on the what-ifs yet. It would only eat away at my courage, because he could always reject me.

My heart hammered away. Bulma left to go to a meeting, and I unhappily began to eat, my thoughts whirling through my head. I forced myself to meditate for an hour afterwards, letting confidence and peace sweep through me.

---

I wandered downstairs with the tray, both excited and nervous at the prospect of seeing Vegeta.

I still couldn't believe everything that had happened last night. And my feelings... How had I not understood before? It should have been obvious to me that it wasn't a mere crush, or fancy. It was love; pure, deep, all-consuming love. I had always paid more attention to him than anyone else in my life. Even Chichi had noticed, back when we were together...He had been a constant presence in my life and my mind ever since... Well, I guess ever since we met, although I hadn't actually begun to fall for him until we fused and I felt him. Until we joined up to defeat a seemingly invincible enemy, and together succeeded. Vegeta with his brains and me with the brawn.

The exhilarating memory made me grin. Well, Vegeta was clever... Sly and sneaky, even. I always knew that. While I was stronger physically, and probably always would be, he was stronger mentally. So much stronger...

Oh, my prince. He had been through so much more than anyone I knew... And he still held his head up high, ever the proud, defiant, strong warrior. I knew that underneath the impassive mask he always wore, lay mental scars and hurts that would never go away. I wanted to take them from him, give him peace and happiness. I wanted to be there for him, but would he let me?

My grin faded a little as I stopped in my tracks.

No. This was Vegeta after all, he never let anyone in. It would be a weakness to him to do so. I was closer to him than anyone else, and yet... there was so much I didn't know. So much he didn't share with anyone. Even Bulma had never known too much about his past.

I did know that I wanted to taste him again, and again, and forever.

---

I strolled into the kitchen, leaving the empty tray on a white counter. Well, it was time to talk to Vegeta. I couldn't run away, like I'd been doing subconsciously... Denying myself the opportunity to love and be loved.

I headed for the doors of the Gravity Room, and stared at them a little anxiously. Just beyond them would be Vegeta, training in solitude.

My heart leaped in my chest, and I gasped, feeling sudden terror. I couldn't do this... How could I face him after what I did to him?

"Mmmm... perfection..."

Wide eyes. "...What did you say?"

Our lips brushing together for the briefest of moments; me moaning on top of him and getting the beginnings of a hard on; Vegeta shoving me away..

All of this he would remember.

But he -had- said my name in a quiet, seductive manner... He knew I was desiring him and he let me kiss him. He had left immediately after, getting angry as usual, but... What did it mean? Could he, maybe...? I had to know. There was no point in turning back; it would be weakness, the one thing that my prince despised the most. I needed to be strong, and mature, and deal with this.

I took a deep breath. No more waiting. He was on the other side of the door.

I knocked, and then entered when I didn't hear a response.

Vegeta was in the middle of a series of rapid kicks, and I couldn't help but stare in awe at his powerful leg muscles. The tight spandex certainly showed off his god-like figure... Not as well as if he was naked and writhing underneath me.. Or maybe I would be the one to- Hey! None of those thoughts right now. This will not help...

I blushed, and that was when he stopped his training to gaze at me, his face a tight, calm mask. He folded his arms over his chest, and raised one eyebrow.

"I believe that no answer is NOT an invitation to enter, Kakarrot." Vegeta's voice was calm, deadly, dangerous. He was definitely upset with me.

I dropped my eyes to the floor. "Ummm... Yeah, sorry about that.. I thought you were maybe meditating or something."

"..And what makes you think you have the right to interrupt my training?" Again, the cold tone.

I put a hand over my head, and forced myself to look back into his eyes. "I... Well, I don't, obviously. I'm... sorry. But I wanted to talk to you." My eyes held an unspoken plea, and he stared at me awhile longer before relenting with a tiny nod. Feeling a tiny flutter of hope within my chest, I started to speak. "Um.. Well, first of all.. I was drunk last night... I, I mean you know that, but... Well, I more or less remember..." I paused.

"...Yes?" He suddenly smirked, looking strangely amused. It startled me, and I wished more than ever to know what he was thinking. Unpredictable Vegeta...

"..Kissing you. Well, more or less." I continued quietly, trying my hardest not to let my voice quiver. Ugh, how could Vegeta affect me like this? This was so much different than I'd ever felt with Chichi. I shook my head a little, needing to get ahold of myself. Showing this much weakness would not help me win Vegeta's approval. I took a breath and made myself relax and stand up tall and comfortably in front of him. Much better! I could handle whatever Vegeta dished out, so long as I made myself heard first.

Vegeta took in my new stance and expression with interest, but said nothing,

I smiled at him. "Turns out I have feelings for you, Vegeta. Deep ones. Actually.." I gazed deep into his onyx eyes as he opened them wide in surprise, "I'm in love with you."

Vegeta had not been expecting that, for he made a sudden moment and lost his balance, nearly tumbling to the ground. Recovering himself, he stepped backwards from me and scowled. "What the hell are you babbling about, Kakarrot?"

I watched him, and slightly hesitantly walked towards him until I was right in front of him. He held his ground, staring up at me in silence. I held eye contact with him and began speaking quietly and openly. "I love you, Vegeta... I didn't realize it until last night, although I have noticed.....feelings... in the last several months. I know this must be a shock to you, but... Well, I didn't want to run away from this, from..." I couldn't say 'us'. There wasn't an us.... but there could be. There should be, I realized. We should be together.

What was that expression I had heard Krillin use to describe us? "Two halves of the same coin."

I hadn't realized I'd added that out loud until Vegeta repeated it back to me sarcastically. "Two halves of the same coin? What rubbish..." He rubbed his forehead irritatedly. "Kakarrot, you're hungover. You don't know what you're saying. Don't ruin... what we have... with this." His voice suddenly sounded strained, frustrated.

"You're wrong, Vegeta." At my response, his scowl deepened. I pushed on anyway. "I know what I'm saying. Didn't I just tell you that these feelings have been building up in me for awhile now? I'm not an idiot; I don't just profess love to any random person. I do love you." I gazed at him, wanting to capture his soft lips again. But I would not do so until I knew how he felt. I didn't want to make it worse between us. "Vegeta...I just want to know if you...uh..."

Vegeta's ki rose rapidly as he lost his temper and bared his teeth at me. "Why, Kakarrot? What makes you think you love me, of all people? I am your prince! You are a third-class warrior... You forget your place entirely. How dare you come in here and say this to me...How dare you wonder if I....if I could ever...Why do you not love one of those pathetic earthlings you surround yourself with all of the time? They'd return your love."

His words hurt, and I flinched. "Because I want someone strong, like me. And not just anyone, dammit... You. You're the one I want. The only one. You're....unique..." I replied immediately, upset that he still considered me to be a lowly third-class after all we'd been through together. How had I not proved my worth to him? A tear began it's slow descent down my cheek.

He watched it fall, his ki starting to recede with his anger. Then his eyes met mine. I stared at him nervously, waiting. For what? A sign, a chance...

Long moments passed. Silence was absolute.

Finally, he sighed, and all of a sudden he was smirking at me. "...You always did want the impossible."

I was not phased by his latest mood swing; I knew him too well. Instead, his words and smirk made a strange thrill sweep through me. He was not rejecting me; not yet at least! He almost sounded... Interested. Pleased? I wasn't sure. But all of a sudden I felt confident that I could make him mine.

I smirked back. "..I've always gotten what I wanted."

His smirk deepened, and then he turned away from me to begin a new series of kicks and punches. "Go, Kakarrot. I will speak with you later."

I blinked at him, slowly understanding that he needed some time to think. "Oh...well... sure."

I walked out of the gravity room, my smile still on my face.

Ooh :) What do you guys think? Is it going to be easy to win over Vegeta?

Also, I feel like I've kept Goku in character, but I want to know what you think of him in this chapter. I tried to show both sides of him as he went through his angsty ordeal... (His nieve, confused side, and his strong, confident Saiyan side which helped him through it) I've read it through this plenty of times, and I think it works totally fine. But your opinions will mean a lot! I've been busier this summer than I anticipated, but still... I really will try to have the next chappy out within two weeks! Or in one, if possible.