Story: Even The Strongest
Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball.
Graphic descriptions of some things so be very cautious.
Y'all have no idea how insecure I am about posting this, i may just take it down at some point honestly
Future Trigger Warnings for: Past Sexual Assault/rape, self-harm, some possible disordered eating
…
"Damn it, would you stop pulling your punches, already?! I'm not a defenseless child, so hurry up and fight me for real this time!"
All Vegeta knew that day was that something was off. Goku's behavior and movements weren't anything like they usually were. Not only were his reactions sloppy, but, even more worrisome, he had barely said a word the whole time they had been sparring together. It was like the man wasn't even paying attention to his surroundings at all .
At first, Vegeta had chosen to ignore it, but then it quickly began to irritate him. If there was one thing he couldn't stand , it was when an opponent went easy on him. Kakarot was stronger than this and could put up a good fight if he wanted to. And this wasn't it.
When Vegeta shouted at him and demanded he fight for real, Goku's eyes suddenly widened a bit, like he was snapping out of some sort of trance.
"Oh, sorry, Vegeta… I guess I wasn't really paying attention." He looked away, sheepishly scratching the back of his head. He giggled, but it was clearly forced. "Anyway, could we... maybe do this some other time? I'm not really... feeling well right now. I was thinking we could spar again later or something…"
Kakarot , of all people, backing away from the opportunity for a fight? Something is definitely off about him, but I quite can't place my finger on it.
"What do you mean you're not feeling well… ?! It hasn't even been an hour yet! What's gotten into you?! Surely, you aren't giving in that easily! " Vegeta took a step towards Goku, furrowing his eyebrows when their faces were only inches apart. His breath hitched when Goku quickly turned his face away and a sound akin to a whimper escaped his lips.
Vegeta was a bit shocked for a moment but pushed past his better judgment and chose to ignore it.
"Hey. Kakarot-" He started to say, reaching up and placing his hands on the man's shoulders in a desperate attempt to get him to look at him. What happened next, however, was something so unexpected it sent an icy chill running down Vegeta's spine.
Goku flinched .
"Huh?" Goku immediately looked down at the hands on his shoulders, before his eyes started darting around nervously from side to side. While he did meet Vegeta's gaze, briefly , it seemed more like he was trying to process his surroundings, process the owner of the hands on his shoulders, and deduce what Vegeta's intentions were.
On edge.
Cautious.
Afraid .
But why ?
Of what ?
Him…?
No …
Goku began drumming his fingers on his legs in what Vegeta could only assume was an attempt to stimulate his hands.
Vegeta knew fully well about Goku's tics and how he'd fidget with his hands when he was nervous, but he had never seen him get like this before.
It scared him. He had to do something.
Say something.
Let him know that I'm not his enemy.
"Kakarot…" He began again, forcing himself to soften his tone. He kept his hands on Goku's shoulders but loosened his grip somewhat. "Is something… wrong… ?"
"No, it's nothing. You just startled me, is all… I'm fine." Goku said and yet, Vegeta could tell that he was lying. He was way too tense.
In that moment, Vegeta suddenly noticed how dilated Goku's pupils were. That's when he finally began to piece everything together.
His sloppy movements during their sparring match.
His claim that he wasn't feeling well.
His strange behavior.
There's no way.
He wouldn't…!
"Hold on… Have you… taken something ?" Vegeta felt his heart pounding in his chest.
Not hearing a response from Goku, instantaneous concern consumed him.
"Answer me, right now, Kakarot!" He unintentionally tightened his grip on Goku's shoulders again, scaring the man.
"Oh-uh, sorta…?" Goku admitted after a moment, looking anywhere but into Vegeta's eyes. "...I mean… I did… take something this morning, but I don't really know what all it was. I think the effects are starting to wear off, though, so I probably just need to walk it off a bit."
With Vegeta's suspicions confirmed, he felt a hole forming in the pit of his stomach. How does he not even know what he took? Of all the-
"Do not even think about it. You're not going anywhere , right now." Vegeta said sternly, trying his best to stay level-headed. "At least… Not until I know for a fact that you are okay… Now… Come with me, I want you to sit down over here…"
"But I am okay, Vegeta, I already told you that I just need to-" Goku started to protest, but cut himself off, his eyes widening when Vegeta trailed a hand down to his back. He looked down, giving in completely. "...Okay."
Vegeta knew Goku's sudden decision to comply wasn't just because he wanted to.
What's with him? It's like he's become completely subservient or something…
It couldn't just be the drug he took causing this. He wasn't even this bad off when we were sparring earlier .
Then is it just… normal physical contact that bothers him so much? Why?
Once Goku set down against the tree that Vegeta had led him to, Vegeta sat down next to him.
"Alright," He said. "if I get even the slightest suspicion that you're about to throw up or pass out, or anything , I will take you to a hospital. Do I make myself clear… ?"
"Mhm..." Goku meekly nodded, gazing down and beginning to drum his fingers once more.
Vegeta sighed, slowly taking one of the other man's hands into his own, if only to provide some level of comfort. He wasn't even surprised this time when Goku locked up again. "What's with you today…? This isn't like you…"
He wasn't just referring to the drugs with that statement.
"You don't need to worry about me. I told you I'm fine… " Goku repeated the same lie once more as he turned his head away, letting his bangs cover his face. Vegeta knew fully well that he wasn't . None of this was okay.
"Hey, look at me, I…" He reached out and cupped Goku's face with his hand in hopes of getting him to meet his gaze again. Goku's shoulders started to shake and he sniffled, completely stunning Vegeta. "...Are you… crying ? What's wrong?"
Goku ignored him, stifled sobs escaping his lips one after another.
Vegeta could tell he was trying his best to hide them but suffering even more as a result. He panicked, moving closer. "Kakarot, talk to me."
"Vegeta… I…" Goku finally choked out, his voice trembling as he looked back to meet his gaze with tear-filled eyes. "There's something I need to tell you…"
"Of course." Vegeta said, his heart breaking at the sight, if he had ever had one - sometimes, he wasn't so sure. "Just tell me whatever it is on your mind."
Kakarot was strong. Resilient. Always keeping a smile on his face like nothing ever phased him. So for him to be like this, Vegeta couldn't even begin to imagine just how much he must be suffering right now.
Goku's lips trembled in response, his eyes searching Vegeta, wanting to believe him with every single part of his being . Wanting to trust him, but afraid of being judged . For a long time, he said nothing. And then, finally, what he just barely managed to choke out destroyed Vegeta from his very core.
"I think I was raped…"
At first, Vegeta just sat there , stunned by the words that had come out of Goku's mouth, staring at him in pure, utter silence. He wasn't even breathing.
At first, he wanted to deny what he had heard, and tell himself that it was some sick joke, it had to be , but, as he saw the pain in Goku's eyes, Vegeta's shocked expression gradually morphed into one of sympathy.
Tears formed in his eyes at the realization, retracting his hand from Goku's face and holding it to his own. That's when it finally dawned on him as to why Goku had been so afraid of physical contact.
"Kakarot… I am so sorry… I didn't realize…" He trailed off, trying to wrap his head around it.
"I didn't want to say anything…" Goku said, his voice cracking. "I was ashamed… and when you touched me like that, I was afraid… that you might do the same thing he did…"
"No, do not ever think that of me…" Vegeta reached out and gently pulled him into an embrace. "I would never, Kakarot… Never. I care about you… We may train against one another from time to time, but I would never hurt you like that."
Slowly, Goku began to return the embrace, sobs wracking his body as his arms wrapped around Vegeta, hugging against him tightly, so securely .
A hug that only another Saiyan could withstand without getting crushed. Vegeta didn't mind, of course. He loved Kakarot's strength.
After a few minutes, Goku finally had calmed down some. Vegeta pulled back, wiping the tears from Goku's eyes with his thumb, not caring that it was getting the fabric of his glove wet.
"Now.. I want you to tell me everything . No holding back. Deal?" Vegeta met his gaze, hoping that Goku would trust him.
And for a second, Goku seemed to pause, clearly afraid to talk about it, but slowly, he nodded.
He looked down in silence for a moment, probably considering his words.
"So… yesterday, there was this… argument… that me and Chichi got into… She said something… that really… bothered me." Goku began drumming his fingers on the ground, an intense look in his eyes as he stared at the grass in front of him. "It started out peacefully enough. She started saying how proud she was of Gohan, and all the high hopes his teachers have for him… How happy she was for him… Looking back now, I guess I should have just kept my mouth shut, but all I did was I ask if I could train with him and Goten for a while… and everything, it all just fell apart from there, like it always does. You know how she gets over that stuff… She doesn't want me involved with them and she has no problem making that clear to me. She automatically assumed I was just going to get them hurt again and refused to even listen to what I had to say. In the end, I got so tired of being yelled at that I finally snapped at her and said something I shouldn't have. I told her that it should be their choice to make that decision to spend time with me or not, not hers. And that… she was being too controlling . She has no right to dictate their lives and futures like that . That's when she… she said… If I liked training in the otherworld so much… Then I… should have stayed there ."
A sickening silence settled between them as Vegeta allowed Goku to take the time he needed.
He was fully aware that Goku and Chichi hadn't been getting along very well lately and had even recently gotten divorced because the arguments had gotten out of hand for either one of them, especially for Goku who didn't deal well with those kinds of conflicts, But this was new. For the woman to even suggest such a thing was going way too far, even for her. Even if she didn't mean it or was just too upset to realize what she was implying.
Why does he continue to live with somebody who doesn't respect him, who treats him like that…?
Sure, Bulma and himself had also broken off their marriage, but at least it was on good terms. After all, he couldn't say they were always fighting. It just… hadn't worked out in the end. Partly because of himself admittedly.
Actually…. mostly because of him.
Vegeta looked away a bit.
"When I woke up this morning, I was still pretty upset about what she said to me. But when I went out to do some training, I started remembering all the times my very existence put my family and the people I care about in danger, and I… began to wonder if she was right about me, that I should just…" Goku paused a moment, looking downcast.
The mere thought that he might actually be reconsidering it scared Vegeta more than he ever thought possible. Goku had already chosen to stay dead once before, and he refused to allow him to do that again.
"The woman was wrong , Kakarot… Ignore her. Your children need you." He insisted, before meeting his gaze. " I need you..."
"Vegeta…" Goku was speechless for a moment before looking down at Vegeta's hand that was resting on his. A nervous expression appeared on his face, but he seemed to relax a bit after a moment.
"...The man who… hurt you… Is this when he approached you?" Vegeta asked, not wanting to derail the conversation.
Goku nodded. "Yeah… It happened a bit later, though. You see… I kinda got overheated from from the sun, so I needed to lay down for a while. I was feeling sick at the time, like I was gonna throw up. That's when he came over and asked if I was okay… He said he was a nice guy, and told me…" Goku reached up and started rubbing at his arm, clearly trying to fight against his nerves. "that I could come over and rest at his place if I wanted to since he lived right down the road. He seemed nice enough, so I… wanted to trust him… Man, what a foolish mistake that was, huh…?"
His voice trembled with self-hatred, his nails digging harshly into his skin, which was starting to become raw and red at this point, blood starting to trickle out of the wounds.
" No… , this was not a mistake on your part." Vegeta said. "Hey, stop that, you're bleeding. Come here…"
Unable to stomach watching it, he gently pried Goku's hand away from the wound, bringing the injured arm close to himself. He began to dab the liquid away with his fingers, staining the white fabric of his glove.
Goku tensed up when Vegeta did this, but after a moment, he appeared to calm down, presumably wanting to trust Vegeta's hands.
All the while, Vegeta was slowly forming a picture in his head based on the information that Goku had told him so far.
Not only was Kakarot suicidal due to the argument he had had with the woman, but he was also physically ill when that man approached him…
More than that, Goku was known to have a trusting nature about him, one that made him want to give everybody the benefit of the doubt. He didn't always pick up on things that other people would have. Some social cues, even double meaning words. Goku was just completely oblivious to them.
It was true that Vegeta had openly mocked him for being so naive before, but down deep, he could never hate him or look down on him for it. After all, that kindness of his was the only reason he himself, Vegeta, was still alive.
He acknowledged that. But still… there were so many sick, sick individuals who would see that in him and be more than ready to take advantage of that goodness.
Vegeta briefly bit his lip, frowning a bit. Anger towards the person who did this to him started rising to the surface. "Did he mention his name…?"
"Yeah, he called himself Allan… I actually have a paper he gave me with his name and number on it, if you want to see it." Goku said with a moment of hesitation as he pulled out some folded up paper from one of his pockets and handed it to him. Vegeta took it, his hands shaking as he unfolded the paper and skimmed over the sloppy handwriting. He then looked back up at him to urge him to continue.
"Since I didn't really want to go back to Chichi's place, I decided to go with him… I mentioned that I had had an argument with my ex wife and what she said to me. He asked me if I had 'gone and got myself fucked up'? I don't know, I think he thought I was on drugs because he also wanted to know if I did pot… I told him no, I don't mess with those things… It wasn't long after that that we arrived at his place… And he…" Goku seemed to be nervous about continuing.
"It's alright, Kakarot. Take your time." Vegeta encouraged.
"He made me a sandwich and some tea. Since I hadn't eaten in a while, I thought it might be a good idea to get something on my stomach, so I did. That's when… he handed me some pills and told me to take them… seven I think it was. One had a really strange design on it… I asked him what they were, and he said something about one of them being a muscle relaxer? He told me they would help me feel better, so I didn't really think too much of it and decided to take them, even though I had no idea what they really were… About twenty minutes later I started to feel kinda weird." Goku trailed off into silence for a moment as Vegeta began to understand it now.
So that's why Kakarot didn't know what he took earlier. He probably had no idea that's what that man was planning… The bastard drugged him so he would be more suggestible.
Vegeta clenched his jaw, barely able to contain his rage and disgust. He forced him to say nothing, giving Goku the opportunity to continue on his own time.
"He offered me a pipe, pot I think, and he told me to take a puff. I didn't really want to, but he insisted I do it, so I decided to go along with it… I guess I felt like I had nothing else to lose… just to try it, and see what it was like… but I couldn't stand it… It felt like my lungs were on fire… I immediately tried to hand it back to him… but he told me that I was supposed to take a deeper puff. I wondered if he was right, maybe I hadn't done it right. So I tried it again, but that made it even worse, I could hardly even breath. He took the pipe and gave me the drink from earlier that I hadn't finished. He was laughing. I think I may have a bit too, but it was more out of nerves than anything else… That's when… he pulled me into his arms, and I… My memories… they're really fuzzy, but I think that's when he started… taking off my clothes and he…" Goku pulled his hand out of Vegeta's grasp and started clawing at his arm again, shaking.
Vegeta's face morphed into one of sympathy as he understood now. "He... raped you?"
Tears fell from Goku's eyes at the question and choked sobs escaped his lips. His legs had started moving around, rubbing against each other as he tried to stimulate himself, calm himself down.
Vegeta could only imagine how much he was hurting because just seeing him like this hurt.
…It wasn't something that was even a thought in his mind. What kind of monster… would do that to another living being…?
Kakarot was innocent . He didn't read into stuff the same way other people did or pick up on those sorts of things, even when it was right in front of him. Sure, sometimes… he could be completely clueless , but he never harbored ill will towards anybody . He didn't deserve to go through this!
To have such a trusting nature taken advantage of like that, Vegeta could only imagine the amount of confusion and hurt that he must have been feeling right now.
The very idea that someone would dare put their hands on somebody he cared for, violate him like that…
Biting back his own tears, Vegeta leaned in towards Goku, his expression fierce as he wiped the hair and tears away from the man's eyes, caressing his face.
"You're going to tell me everything -, right now , Kakarot… Everything… his location , what the bastard looks like... Because… I am going find him," he growled through a choked up voice, his tone filled with nothing but malice. "and I will destroy him. He won't even think of hurting anyone ever again."
"No, please... don't hurt him, Vegeta... It's my fault this happened…" Goku weakly argued, before looking down.
"Don't you dare even insinuate that this was your fault. How could you even say that…?" Vegeta felt a lump forming in his throat at hearing Goku blame himself over this.
"Because… When it happened, I just froze up…" Goku's voice trembled as he stared painfully into Vegeta's eyes. "I could have fought back, but like an idiot, I didn't . When he first started forcing himself on me..., I didn't even know how to react at first... I tried to tell him I didn't feel comfortable with it, that I didn't think I wanted to do that, but he wouldn't listen , he just kept telling me to relax … I feel so stupid right now… Was telling him I wasn't comfortable with it not good enough...? Was it my fault because I didn't just outright say no...? I just... don't get it... What I did do wrong ...?"
Vegeta's jaw hung open, the sheer weight of what Goku had been through finally hitting him in the face.
As everything started to sink in, disgust towards the man who had done this to him began to rival the anger he was feeling. Forcefully, he pushed it aside to pull him into another embrace.
"You didn't do anything wrong… You shouldn't have to tell a man no. He should have just understood , but clearly he was just thinking with his dick, instead." He spat the expletive with revulsion. "He was a monster - and everything he did to you is his fault, not yours ."
"Still... I..." Goku paused for a moment allowing himself to be hugged, relaxing somewhat. "I let him take advantage of me... I was too trusting... Too nice…"
"Do not think like that," Vegeta growled, running his hands through Goku's hair, as he tightened his hold on him. "I will not allow you to give that bastard any credit - he doesn't deserve it. He... he forced you. He took advantage of your trust. He raped you. You are not even a part of that. This is all his fault, his alone."
"Vegeta… What's wrong with me? Any normal person would have never been that trusting… Or that… that compliant …" Goku emphasized the word with self-hatred.
"There is nothing wrong with you." Vegeta shot back. "Your... being nice is a strength, Kakarot... Some people… are just sick depraved monsters who want to abuse that kindness. But that's not your fault. It's theirs."
"You all were right about me..." Goku muttered in response. "I'm naive ... I let down my guard too easily... I don't look at people the same way you do. As a result, I get hurt because of it. If I weren't... like this , then none of that would have happened…"
A harsh pang of guilt struck Vegeta to his very core as soon as that was said. That's when he was given a harsh reminder of something that not many people really thought about, something that even he himself failed to take into account multiple times. Even if Goku laughed and didn't always say much about it, he did listen to what other people said about him. He heard every word.
But the only reason Vegeta ever said those things was to protect him.
From people like Frieza.
From people like that man .
The one that had hurt Kakarot.
Not once…
Not once did I think badly of him for that. I just… didn't want him to get himself killed…
"You're wrong …" Vegeta swallowed, before moving forward and softly holding a hand on Goku's chest. Goku's heart was pounding a mile a minute. "Many others… have been through the same thing as you have. It does not make them weak... You always try to see the best in people, you believe in the potential of others… That is a gift. One that saves people. It even saved me , in fact… However… in this world, in this universe , there are people like that man… who do horrible , evil things… Your innocence, and your trust, they were betrayed . But that is not your fault… So please… Do not blame yourself for this… He violated you. He did this , not you."
He looked up at Goku, his eyes filled with a deep sadness, desperate to make the pain he was feeling go away. "I swear to you this…, I'm... I am going to find that bastard. And then I'm going to hurt him - the same way he hurt you… I want you to know that."
" Vegeta, no… Don't say that…" Goku pleaded in a weak voice. He looked at him, seeming genuinely hurt. "That's not… the answer…"
"Not the answer?!" Vegeta growled, his voice almost a hiss. "He raped you! What do you want me to do, sit around while he might do the same to another? To you again?"
He was livid at the mere prospect . "That monst -, that waste of oxygen needs to pay for what he did. It's only fair."
"Vegeta, please… I… I don't want to see you become like him… like the person who hurt me." Goku looked into his eyes. "Never tell me you want to do that to somebody, I don't care who they are… You're better than that… I know you are…"
Those words stung Vegeta - it almost physically caused him pain to even hear. To imply, insinuate that what he wanted to do was even remotely the same as that was a sick joke.
" What do you think I want to do to him, Kakarot?! " was all he could say in response.
The thought that he could see him in that way...
Vegeta let go of Goku's arm and covered his face with this hands. He was stunned . Never before had he felt so hurt, so shocked, and so angry .
"...You said you wanted to hurt him, in the same way he hurt me, so I thought you wanted to... I'm sorry... if I misunderstood..." Goku turned his head away, his voice low.
"I do want to hurt him," Vegeta grated, looking back up at him. "I will hurt him. I will make him suffer every bit that you have. Do you know why?"
A pause.
"Because there is not a single inch of what that man made you go through that you would ever want to inflict on another. He is an animal. A monster. And I will find the closest thing to it in this world to punish him for what he did. Is that clear?"
He looked back up again, his fury at an all-time high.
"I told you already… All of this was my fault… " Goku said, repeating the same story he had so many other times, despite Vegeta having told him to stop blaming himself. "I was a coward … If I had just stood up to him and said no , then he wouldn't have been able to do that to me. I'm supposed to be one of the strongest people in the universe, but I… couldn't even stop my own body from reacting . He told me I must have felt something because I… I was erect when it happened... I feel so disgusting right now..."
He looked down, shame on face. He was humiliated. Vegeta could see it and it tore him to pieces.
"Kakarot, you can't… You can't always decide how your body reacts to something like that, it just… happens… So I'm telling you , none of this was your fault ." Vegeta's voice rose, moving forward and all but glaring at Goku. "That bastard took advantage of you when you were at your weakest ... And now you want to do nothing ? Allow him to continue harming others ? That's exactly what he wants ! He wants you to feel too weak to fight back ."
"I was too weak to fight back...! It was me who didn't use proper communication to stand up to him…! It was all me…!" Goku snapped, back in a much harsher tone than he probably intended to. He caved in on himself, covering his mouth with his hand like he was fighting off the urge to throw up. He started crying again. Tears streamed down his cheeks and his voice cracked, becoming lower than ever. "He even… thanked me... for not hitting him... So how is that not my fault...?"
"Damn it, you idiot! When are you going to get it through that thick head of yours that you were taken advantage of…?! He even drugged you!" Vegeta had never felt more useless in his life than he did right now. He wanted more than anything for him to understand this wasn't his fault. "You weren't in a proper state of mind, and he knew that… Do you honestly think he would have tried something like that if you weren't weakened from those pills…?! No, he waited until you were at your most vulnerable before doing it to you. That's what a coward does!"
"...I guess it's true that he took me off guard, but still… I don't know… Maybe I led him on somehow... I mean… I don't always pick up on those things… Chichi often got really upset with me because of it… For not being able to understand when she wanted to have sex and said that I wasn't flirtatious or affectionate enough. And yet… sometimes… I do the opposite and send out the wrong messages to people without realizing it..." Goku said with a downcast look. "When it comes to stuff... like that and romance… I don't understand it like others do. I never have… Does that mean there's something wrong with me...?"
That was the second time Goku had asked if something was wrong with him. Vegeta couldn't stand hearing him talk about himself this way.
"No… Not to me, Kakarot … There is nothing wrong with you." Vegeta stated in a soft voice, as his hands ran through Goku's hair in a gentle, caring motion. "There are things even I don't understand. About relationships. About intimacy . But that doesn't make you unworthy of it - or weak . Only unique. You are one-of-a-kind. Don't ever let anyone tell you any less. Especially you… Besides… Those kinds of things… They are not supposed to be painful… Sex should never be used as a weapon to control or hurt a person. The thing that was done to you… That's what was wrong."
Goku broke down at Vegeta's touch.
"I just… I want these memories to go away… I want them to stop." His voice was full of agony. "I can still feel him inside of me…"
He… What?
A look of pure horror passed over Vegeta's face as he heard those words, almost feeling like his heart had just been ripped straight out of his chest. He stared down at Goku, biting his lip to stop himself from crying. He squeezed his hand to stop him from once again reaching out for the self-inflicted wound he had created - firmly , as if for dear life.
"He's gone , Kakarot…" he said with pain in his voice.
"I know... but this memory..." Goku argued. "It feels so real, as if it's still happening , even though it's not ... It's like I'm still reliving it . I want it to stop ."
Vegeta was... powerless , he realized as much now. That monster not only violated Kakarot's physical being, but also robbed him of his peace of mind. He was beyond furious now - not only did this man deserve the worst torture imaginable, he deserved to have a Gallick Gun blasted right through his head.
And yet...
"It will go away," he said, holding Kakarot to his chest. "He can't take anything else from you. Nothing. Not even your peace of mind. Please, believe me."
"He kept me there for four hours … When I said I needed to leave, he told me no and kept saying he needed to cum . He wanted to make me swallow it and took pictures as he… made me suck his…" Goku wasn't even able to finish his sentence, clearly too ashamed to continue. He had his head bowed, refusing to look him in the eye.
Vegeta's shoulders were trembling. He couldn't believe this - he couldn't fathom how someone could be so cruel. The fact that the man kept him there for so long... it was the perfect recipe for a person to be permanently destroyed on an emotional level. And he had. Nothing was off-limits to that bastard - not even his dignity.
"The bastard... filthy animal …"
"I.. I am so... So sorry..." He was almost at a loss for words. Was there anything he could even say to console him? "I promise ... Kakarot, I promise... I will make him pay. I will... "
Vegeta trailed off into silence, his voice losing its nerve, and out of nowhere, he started to cry - yes, he, Vegeta, Prince of All Saiyans, was crying for Kakarot.
What could he do ? No matter what he did to the man who had hurt him so much , it would never be enough to take away the actual pain and trauma that Goku had endured.
"Looking back now, I could have… I could have just used my instant transmission to get away, but I… I wasn't really thinking about it, I was afraid to… Who could I even go to when all that was happening…? Not only that, but he had all those pictures of me, I didn't want them getting out…" Goku started pulling at his hair, becoming overwhelmed. "I felt like doing what he said just would make everything go by faster… But I... I threw up three times when he shoved that thing down my throat , and when I did, do you know what he said? He laughed at me. He called me a whore, motherfucker, a slut… I… I felt like an animal, like I wasn't even a real person to him… "
Vegeta was livid right now, his anger at a point he could barely describe it in words. His hand was tightly clenching Goku's shoulder. "...What kind of monster... would do something like that..."
He trailed off, once again wanting to kill the man with his bare hands.
"When he penetrated me… He told me… that I was the perfect fit. I was tight. That my body… was made for him…" Goku quivered. "I feel so dirty right now."
Vegeta watched in agony. Was this really the same man, who had fought so bravely in the past? Who had always been ready for a good fight, no matter the odds? The man now before him was broken .
It was not a sight he had expected to see in his life. Not like this .
"You are not dirty," he said firmly. " He is dirty. Not you."
"What can I do ...? What can I do to make these memories go away ...?" Goku plead for an answer, scratching at his scalp.
Vegeta could tell that Goku had to keep his hands occupied or he was sure he was going to snap.
"...I do not know…" Vegeta finally admitted. He didn't know how to make it better - to help . Goku was hurting - Vegeta could see it, feel it. His head hung down, his hand running through his own hair. "And I'm sorry… I do not have any answers. You have suffered an unspeakable crime - more than any normal person could endure... But I do have one... thing that could help…"
He took hold of Goku's hands, tenderly moving them away from his face and down to his legs so he could look him in the eyes. His other hand came up to touch Goku's cheek, his fingers lightly brushing against the skin of his jaw. He touched Goku's forehead to his own. "... I am here with you. You will not go through this... alone."
He had no ulterior motives with this, and Goku seemed to understand.
Vegeta loved Kakarot, he had for a while now, in fact. But right now, what Kakarot needed right now was a friend , and that's what Vegeta was determined to be for him as long as it took to help him through this. Telling him how he felt could wait .
Ever so slowly, Goku slowly reached up and held Vegeta's hand that was on his face with his own. "...Thank you... for everything... For listening to me... It really means a lot…"
Vegeta stared up at Goku, his eyes soft and full of understanding.
"Always, Kakarot… Always ." He spoke, resolve his voice as he provided the smallest of smiles.
"Also… What you said earlier… About the way my body reacted…" Tears fell from Goku's eyes once more. "It was… normal ?"
"It was normal ," Vegeta confirmed, in a soft tone, wiping the liquid away. "But nothing was right, normal, or natural about what he did. He is a monster ... that took advantage of someone in a vulnerable position... and ruined them. He took something from you... a part of yourself you cannot get back. But do not think for a second that you wanted this to happen... this... this was not your fault. "
Goku was silent for a long moment. "...Why do people like him exist… If all they do is hurt people…?"
"I don't know..." Vegeta admitted quietly. For all of his bravado, he didn't have an answer for that - and he didn't think he would ever have an answer for it. "I do not know why these monsters exist... but what I do know... what I can promise you... is that... I will take care of this. I give you my word… As your Prince. I will make him pay for even daring to lay a hand on a Saiyan..."
"...I'm just nervous… About everything… What if... Nobody believes me? If I... report him... They're liable to think I'm lying…" Goku said reluctantly. It was an understandable concern. Many victims went through this same thought process. It's why so many chose not to report in the end.
"He is the one who will be seen as the liar, I will make sure of that." Vegeta said firmly. "I will even testify as a witness if I must."
Sure, he couldn't say that he was there when it happened, but he could testify as the person who Goku came to, how he could tell that he had been drugged, and even as to Kakarot's character as whole. Anything would help, prove that he was a victim .
"But what about my proof? What proof do I even have that he raped me? Or anything , for that matter…? It's my word against his." Goku was starting to panic. Vegeta refused to let him.
"Just be honest . If this really just happened this morning as you say it did, then you will have all the DNA proof you need to prove that he… penetrated you…" It took all the willpower Vegeta had to finish that sentence. "Didn't you also say he took photos of you?"
A pause.
"...Mhm."
"Then tell them, Kakarot. Tell them everything." Vegeta grabbed his shoulders with an intense gaze. "Every single thing that sick bastard said and did to you. Everything he made you do…"
Goku looked into his eyes for a moment as if contemplating what he was saying. He started to look down with an expression of doubt - He was afraid.
Vegeta lovingly caressed his face in his hand to offer reassurance, as much as he needed to. "Do not worry, I will be right there with you…"
"I just… I just want these memories, and the pain, to go away . It scares me. I don't want to see his face again." Goku was becoming desperate. His breathing was becoming uneven, slightly panicked.
"I'm sorry… I can only imagine what you must be going through right now, but…" Vegeta clenched his jaw, struggling to speak. "This is the only way, Kakarot. The only possible way to ensure that that monster faces legal ramifications for his actions..."
Emphasis on legal , of course.
After all, if Vegeta had his way, he would just say to hell with the laws and slaughter the bastard without a second thought.
But that wasn't how Kakarot operated, and Vegeta knew that.
"Do you not wish to give that man… the punishment he deserves… ? Prevent him from doing the same thing to another? Tell me , Kakarot." Vegeta pled for a response.
Because if you don't, then I will…
"I…" After a long moment of silence, Goku finally started to speak again, with a thought-filled look on his face. "I guess I could talk to Krillin about it… He is a cop, after all… But…"
"What is it?" Vegeta asked, getting the feeling Goku wanted to ask him something.
"You will still…" Goku looked down sheepishly, the faintest blush on his cheeks. "come with me, right… ?"
For a moment, Vegeta was completely stunned by the sight, feeling his own face heat up.
Seeing Kakarot so… shy . His blush . It was adorable .
No, now isn't the time…!
Vegeta quickly forced himself to regain his composure, refocusing on the matter at hand almost immediately.
"Of course..." He said with a small smile, as he wrapped an arm around his neck, breifly resting his chin on top of Goku's head. "As long as you need me to be there, I'll be there."
"Thank you so much, Vegeta…" Goku appeared to have a small boost of energy after that, hugging his waist.
"You don't need to thank me, Kakarot..., I'm just glad you told me something." Vegeta said, before he moved back, starting to get up. After asking if the other could stand, be pulled him up by his hand. "Now…, why don't we go talk to the bald one? I'm sure he would have no problem filing a police report for you."
"Yeah." Goku said, but turned his head away.
Vegeta could tell he was still having second thoughts.
"Look at me…" Vegeta cupped his cheek, making him face him. "You can do this. I believe in you. But first you must believe in yourself. Do you understand me?"
Goku sheepishly nodded after a second.
"Good." Vegeta smiled, holding onto his arm. "I want you to use your instant transmission to take us there."
"Alright… I have to admit I'm still nervous about all of this, but I trust you." Goku said offering a small hesitant smile. After a few seconds, he did as asked, appearing before the police station with Vegeta by his side.
…
A/N: So uh, I don't know if I'll be continuing this one, unless people really want me to, I made this solely for vent purposes because I have a trial in a few weeks was upset at the time. I needed an outlet. Although some things are different, something almost completely resembling this scenario happened to me. The only difference being that I'm a woman, and of course not a Saiyan. Also the Chichi was my mom and she told me to go and crawl in the grave with my dead grandmother. I don't hate Chichi or anything, I just needed somebody to play that role.
I wanted to explore Vegeta as a sort of comforter in this. I'm not used to exploring this side of Goku at all or seeing it explored in fanfiction, so I wanted to give it a shot.
If somebody really wants me to continue it, I might but I can't make any promises I will.