Peripheral Reality
Chapter 9
Broly did not return for three days, and in that time Kakarot slowly healed, and Goku watched over him, refusing to leave his side for even a moment. Vegeta or Radditz would drop by now and again, tempting Goku to eat something or bringing news of Broly's whereabouts so they could keep an eye out for him. Radditz was made aware of the full extent of the situation as well; namely that Goku and Kakarot were the same person, and that they were in love. To say he was surprised was an understatement, but he didn't back out on helping his younger brother, and with his and Vegeta's help, Goku gradually formulated a plan for how to deal with Broly.
"How long does it usually take for him to come back?" he asked Kakarot, sitting on the edge of his bed and changing his bandages for him. There were fewer of them now, but his tail, leg, and left arm were still badly injured. And judging from the wince that crossed Kakarot's face whenever he breathed deeply, there were still a few broken ribs left to heal.
"Couple days, usually," Kakarot muttered, gritting his teeth as the dressings were removed gently from his tail, "He waits for me to recover before he returns... but he never helps with the process himself."
Well he wouldn't... Goku thought grimly, considering the damage is of his doing...
"And what does he usually... do with you?" he asked. Surely Broly didn't constantly deal abuse and violation to Kakarot? There must be more to there forced relationship than that.
"Honestly..." Kakarot sighed, a shaky purr emanating from his chest as Goku examined his tail for breaks, threading the furry length delicately through his hand, "He ignores me, mostly. Unless I do something wrong or address him directly... or unless he wants something from me... he leaves me alone."
What kind of mate is he? Goku thought, Disregarding unless provoked, and the only giving attention in the form of violence? ...No wonder Kakarot's so afraid of him.
Goku let the blonde tail go, it was lackluster and bruised still, but other than that it was unharmed.
"Your tail's fine," he said, "As long as you keep it still. Keep your arm in the cast for a few more days, and don't put your weight on that leg or anything..."
"Thank you," Kakarot purred, leaning over to kiss him leisurely.
Goku lightly took his bottom lip into his mouth, running his tongue across it slowly. Before he knew what was happening, Kakarot had wrapped his good arm around his neck and was assaulting his mouth fervently, turning his head alternately opposite of Goku's as he crushed their mouths together.
"Oh gods," the young Saiyan moaned softly, delving into his mouth with his tongue, "I missed you so much, you have no idea..."
Unable and unwilling to resist, Goku complied with him, enclosing his lips with his own and stroking his tongue along Kakarot's, holding him close and careful to avoid touching any of his injuries. The fingers of Kakarot's uninjured hand tangled in Goku's hair, and he tilted his head, pressing against his mouth harder and wrestling with his tongue, moaning pleadingly, the sound dissolving into a deep purr. Goku tried to get closer to him without hurting him, on his knees between the younger male's legs, caressing a hand up and down his back as he kissed him passionately.
Kakarot was panting when he broke away for air, and he looked at Goku with desire heavy in his eyes.
"Goku... Can we make love now?... Please?" he implored, looking hopeful.
Goku stopped and sat back, about a foot or two of space between them. It was answer enough for Kakarot, whose gaze dropped to his lap, where now Goku could see that he had already been growing hard.
"You still haven't healed completely," Goku said carefully, "I don't want to hurt you."
"I'm healed enough." Kakarot protested, "I can take it."
"No. I'm sorry." Goku shook his head. Whether he himself was desiring the other Saiyan as well, he wouldn't do anything to cause Kakarot harm. He'd already been through enough of that.
"By Broly's standards, I would be ready for another round by now -" Kakarot began heatedly, his green eyes sparking resentment.
"I am not Broly!" Goku snapped, regretting his tone when Kakarot's gaze snapped to his with something very like fear.
Kakarot sighed dejectedly, "I know... Sorry, I just... it's been so long..."
Sympathy caused Goku's expression to soften. All Kakarot wanted was to erase the memories of pain and terror that Broly had forced on him... He wanted to be reassured that he was loved, and could still love in return. But Goku would not let himself be a monster like Broly; even if Kakarot was more than willing, it didn't feel right.
"It's not just your injuries I'm worried about," he said slowly, "You need to heal inside too; and I don't mean the way you think. Broly still has a hold over you, and he's left a lot more than physical scars... When we make love I want there to be no trace of doubt or fear, and for that to happen first we need to deal with Broly for good."
"Do you know how you're going to do that?" Kakarot asked quietly, a small amount of uncertainty in his voice.
Goku allowed himself to smile, and kissed his counterpart briefly, "Don't you worry, Vegeta and I have a plan. Just trust me."
X
The door was unlocked. As always. Broly shook his bangs out of his face dismissively; Kakarot knew it would be useless to lock the door, even if he did fear Broly above anything else.
Broly smirked. It was the perfect amount of fear that he'd imprinted into Kakarot; just enough to keep him guessing, to keep him looking over his shoulder and obeying Broly's every command. Not enough to drive him insane, but enough to make him sure he would be unable to escape from Broly, even in Hell. In other words, he wouldn't think to commit suicide in an attempt to free himself.
The hallways were dark; it was night, Kakarot must have gone to sleep. He could tell by scent that Radditz wasn't here, the long-haired idiot had spent nearly all his time with that royal prick Vegeta since Kakarot and Broly had been mated. Lecherous moron. Just because you slept with the prince of all Saiyans didn't mean you were royalty yourself.
Kakarot had been recovering much too quickly whenever Broly decided to teach him a lesson in humility nowadays. He no longer woke up screaming with nightmares, and no longer avoided his own home for weeks after one of Broly's "sessions". It seemed Broly was losing his touch; one main reasons he was here tonight.
He slipped silently through the bedroom door, like a shadow. The lights were off, and there was no moonlight tonight to reveal his presence. His eyes adjusted to the dark, and he glanced at the bed in the corner of the room. Kakarot was curled up, asleep, his blonde hair shadowing his face. One of his arms was heavily bandaged, as was one of his legs... one Broly distinctly remembered snapping like a toothpick. His golden tail was curled protectively around his waist. A sneer crawled across his face. Kakarot needed to be taught a lesson he'd never forget; a lesson that would seal the flawless fear he'd instigated, and Kakarot would be his obedient little pet forever.
"Time to wake, pet," Broly purred darkly, allowing a jab of malice into the words that he knew would spark that lovely fear he'd created.
Green eyes opened slowly and looked at him. Broly was a little surprised to see the glint of terror absent in them. Maybe he needed to try harder.
"Hope you've gotten some rest," he sneered, "You won't be getting any sleep from here on out."
No reply. Gradually, Kakarot sat up, meeting his eye with a startling amount of defiance. What was Broly doing wrong? Kakarot should be shaking in fear right now with the implication he'd made.
Maybe if he was more forward... "Think you know what pain is? You're about to be reeducated, tonight I'm going to break what's left of your spine."
Kakarot glared at him with fiery emerald eyes, and Broly's uncertainty heightened.
"Not if I break yours first, you monster." Kakarot snarled, getting to his feet. Broly took a step back involuntarily, confused. With the broken leg, he shouldn't have been able to stand, let alone so confidently.
"...Kakarot?" he said, unnerved.
Kakarot smirked dangerously, and when Broly looked at his eyes again he was shocked to see them paling, flickering and turning gold as red fur began to sprout over his shoulders and arms; the bandages wrapped around his arm and leg peeling away and falling to the floor..
"So close," Kakarot... or whoever this was... said sleekly, "And yet so far."
X
Kakarot sighed. He was dying to know if Goku's plan was working. Right now, he was stuck in Vegeta's guest room, confined to sitting in bed, bored out of his mind, but also worried half to death. What if Broly didn't fall for it? What if Goku couldn't take him on alone? What if the whole thing failed?
"Comfortable?" Vegeta asked, coming into the room and setting some food on the bedside table.
"Not really," Kakarot muttered.
Vegeta sat on the edge of the bed with a sympathetic glance – well, about as sympathetic as a stuck up prince could be.
"You're worried about him," he said in understanding, his tail flicking.
Kakarot crossed his arms, tapping his fingers against the bandages on the left one.
"I know this is part of this plan you guys made, but what if something goes wrong? He could have at least let me help."
"What would you have done?" Vegeta asked, "You would be more of a hindrance than a help."
"Thanks," Kakarot said sarcastically.
Vegeta looked slightly confused, "I don't understand you, Kakarot. The reason you're as injured as you are is because of Broly, and you want to go back there when he's still on the loose?"
Kakarot sighed, "I want to help Goku."
"He'll be fine." Vegeta said steadily, "He's stronger than both of us, probably stronger than Broly too."
"Probably?" Kakarot asked frantically.
"But," Vegeta cut off his panic with a glance, "He's smarter than Broly could ever hope to be. Don't worry about him, Kakarot."
"What's his plan anyway? He didn't say exactly what it was," Kakarot asked.
Vegeta smirked, "Let's just say Broly is in for a shocker."
X
Goku wanted to laugh aloud at the look of dawning horror flooding across Broly's face. His transformation was completed, his red coat and black hair of his fourth form returning to him with a lust for revenge. His plan was working perfectly; he'd played into his similarity to Kakarot to catch Broly completely off guard.
"Wh-who are you?" Broly demanded, his tail wrapping around his waist defensively, "You're not Kakarot!"
"Am I not?" Goku leered, "It's a riddle alright."
"What the hell are you talking about? Tell me who you are!" Broly's hands clenched into fists, but Goku could see them shaking with uncertainty.
"My name is Goku," Goku said simply, "And I know exactly who you are, and why you came here tonight."
"Where is Kakarot?" Broly snarled, baring his teeth warningly.
"Concerned?" Goku scowled, "Of course you're not. You only came here to force him to submit to you again."
"And why are you here?" Broly snapped, looming over him with his greater height.
Goku felt a snarl lifting his upper lip menacingly. This monster had caused Kakarot more torment than he could ever have deserved in a million years. He couldn't undo that damage, but he could stop it here. And make sure it never happened again. And Goku couldn't deny he would enjoy bringing about the bastard's punishment far more than he should.
"Say your prayers, Broly." he said sharply, "Not that there's anything you could say to avert your descent to Hell... or make it any less painful."
TBC
((Still stuck on this story. I don't think I'll be able to stop until I finish it, even if I finish it way too fast. Thanks for reading and reviewing, and there's still some time to suggest punishments for Broly you know...
-Shinsun))