Saiyan Jabs

Author: Edward Tudor

Rating: K+ to M

Warnings: Yaoi, homosexuality, m-preg, smut, fluff, smuff, etc, etc; you HAVE been warned

Summary: Quick one-shot stories randomly written prompted by one word. Goku/Vegeta only (seme/uke)

Candle

T

Deep obsidian eyes watched as the light flickered and danced. Fire was a truly an amazing thing, he thought. No matter what planet he had been on, whether to visit or plunder, each race had their own symbolism for fire as the giver of life. With the exception of Tanta VII; their plasma may burn like fire and was the giver of their life, but it wasn't fire.

Vegeta blinked again as he stared at the black and gold candle, realising something.

"Kakarot," he called softly.

"Hmm?" he turned to see his companion doing his finger push ups. "What is it, 'Geta?"

"Did you know in the earth religion of Christianity, a single lit candle symbolises that God is watching over you?"

At this, Goku paused and turned his full attention to Vegeta.

"Really?"

"You mean you didn't know?" he asked incredulously. Goku's blank look said it all. "You've been living on Earth all your life and you didn't even know that!"

"Well, religions have never really interested me."

Vegeta frowned, more than a little confused by all this.

"But you've been raised on Earth and often have interactions with a human society," he reasoned, his voice harsh but not meaning to be. "How can you not know such a thing?"

"I guess because I've only ever like fighting and food," he reasoned. Vegeta snorted. Of course he would, he thought. Goku could have been sent to the philosophical planet Haver3 or one of the moons around Krillion in the Tetra Quadrant where science, logic and all forms of higher thinking were standard; and he'd still only care about fighting and food! "How do you know about that, 'Geta?"

"I was going through some books a while ago," he said, shrugging as he turned back to the candle. "The religious aspect of the human society caught my eye and I suppose this one about the candle stuck."

"You like deep things, don't you?" he chuckled. Goku had altogether given up doing his push ups now that his companion had caught his attention.

"I suppose," he said. "I just find it weird that people would find comfort in believing that a deity was watching them through a candle. Not that I think it's stupid or anything, and I can see the comfort when one is all alone and relatively vulnerable," he mumbled. "But it's just…weird to think someone would be watching my every move. It's a little…voyeuristic."

"Huh?" Goku cocked his head to the side and scratched the nape of his neck. "What's that mean?"

"A voyeur is like a peeping tom," he explained, keeping his eyes on the candle. He didn't see Goku frown.

"Then…why did you light the candle?"

Vegeta's cheeks burned with embarrassment.

"I…you…" he floundered before straightening himself and huffing haughtily. "It was just sitting there and in the past six years since I've seen it, it hasn't been touched once! I just wanted to light it before it accumulates so much dust that it'll combust under the florescent lights!"

Goku sniggered, making Vegeta's blush deepen.

"Okay, just asking," he said. "But don't stare into that candle too long, 'Geta." He leaned over and, as gently as he could, lifted Vegeta's chin and tilted him to face him. "If there is a God watching through the candle, I don't want him looking long enough to give him a chance to fall in love with you."

Vegeta huffed and slapped his hands away, even though his cheeks were now a deep red. Lately, he had noticed that Goku had been seeking his attention in a more…intimate manner. From what he had heard from the cue ball and the Namek, Goku had given up his wife and threatened Bulma in his pursuit of him. Krillin had thought he had gone off the deep end, but Piccolo had suggested it may be because he sincerely wanted him. At first, Vegeta hadn't believed he could seriously want him. Maybe for a wild fling, but seriously? Permanently? He was having a time wrapping his mind around that one!

And yet, it was times like this, that Goku proved that he really did like Vegeta and he wanted him as more than a friend and around for a lot longer. It made Vegeta's heart jump to think someone wanted him for him and not just for fun.

"Y-you! Go back and finish your exercises!" he growled. Goku chuckled as he did as he was told. He then paused as he was on his way down.

"Ne, Vegeta?"

"What?"

"If you light more candles; will that make him stop watching you?" Vegeta frowned slightly.

"It's just symbolism, Kakarot. I don't think anyone is really watching," he paused as he thought back. "But, yes, if more candles are lit it takes away the symbol of God watching you."

"Good," he grinned. "There are some more in the bedroom and a couple in the bathroom that have never been touched. Could we use them at dinner?"

Vegeta was certain his face resembled a tomato by now, and he wondered if Goku even knew what he meant.

"W-when…" he cleared his throat. "When there are candles lit at a dinner table, Kakarot, it means romance."

The smile he got made his heart combust and he swore he was melting under the sincere gaze of the younger male.

"I know."