A/N: This chapter has a greater effect if you listen to "Sound the Bugle" by Bryan Adams while you read. I wrote this chapter with that song on repeat.
o-o-o-o-o
Everyone couldn't help but stare at Piccolo and Vegeta. The once-prideful Saiyan Prince was now sobbing openly into the anti-social Namek's chest. It was quite a sight. Goku didn't know what to do. For either of them. He just stood there, hoping that Vegeta's violence had been quelled for now.
Piccolo had eventually sat down and was just holding the broken Prince, rocking him gently. No one said anything, and soon they were all going about their business, cleaning up the wreck, consoling Trunks and Mirai, things like that. Piccolo and Vegeta were left alone in front of the car.
Vegeta's sobs were becoming less erratic, but no less painful to Piccolo's ears. He had known Vegeta for years now, and never in his life had he ever imagined that he'd be in this situation, meaning being the only person who could calm down and even comfort the Saiyan. He looked down at the broken man in his arms, and squeezed him gently. Vegeta swallowed hard.
"I can't believe this is happening." He choked out, his voice more hoarse than usual from crying. "I never thought…" He shook his head, losing the words. Piccolo's eyes burned but he refused to cry. Vegeta's suffering was killing him.
He hesitantly raised his hand to Vegeta's face and wiped away some of the tears that were cascading down his handsome face. Vegeta stopped shivering at the action, and looked up at Piccolo with confusion.
Piccolo didn't know what to say. He felt his heart speed up as he looked at the Saiyan. They hadn't been this close since last night. A small pained sound caught Piccolo's attention. Vegeta buried his face in the Namek's chest once more, locking his arms around his waist and squeezing tight. Just when Piccolo thought the Prince didn't have any surprises left for him…
"Please… Don't leave me…" A simple plea, but nonetheless, one that shot straight through the green man and embedded itself in his soul. That did it. Small tears leaked from his eyes, and Piccolo did nothing to stop them. He grasped the Prince around his shoulders and put their foreheads together.
"I won't." He stated softly. Vegeta opened his eyes slowly and gazed at the Namek holding him.
"Namek…" He almost whispered. Piccolo leaned back and looked at the broken man. He was looking down, almost as if he couldn't meet Piccolo's eyes.
"Bulma… she knew I loved her, right?…" He asked shakily. "I didn't say it that often but… she knew… didn't she?" Finally he peeked up at the Namek, and froze immediately. Piccolo's eyes held a strange emotion, one he couldn't understand.
"Yes, she knew. When she would visit me, for whatever reason, she'd always say she couldn't stay because she was sure you'd need her back soon. 'He'll never admit it, but he worries about me a lot' she said to me once. Yes, she knew you loved her." Piccolo sighed.
Vegeta wiped an arm across his face, a pointless action, seeing as he was still crying. "Piccolo… I'm sorry…" He mumbled. Piccolo looked at him confused.
"For what?" He questioned. Vegeta looked up at him once more.
"For getting all soft on you… I…" He started to get up, but Piccolo refused to let him go. Vegeta let himself be pulled into a hug. He buried his face in the crook of Piccolo's neck, inhaling his scent. It was earthy but slightly spicy at the same time. Piccolo held Vegeta's head with one hand while his other rubbed Vegeta's back gently.
"It doesn't matter. I'm here for you, whether you feel like you need me or not." He spoke softly. Vegeta sat back and searched Piccolo's face, trying to figure out what emotion he had seen in his eyes moments prior. To his slight disappointment, it was absent. He leaned closer to the Namek, staring.
"I wish I could see what you were thinking…" He stated simply. Piccolo raised an eyeridge.
"Why?"
Vegeta didn't answer him. He just kept staring, unable to find whatever he was searching for. Without thinking, he placed his hands on Piccolo's neck, hesitating momentarily. In one swift movement, he pulled Piccolo to him, kissing him deeply, pouring all of his hurt and pain into the kiss.
Piccolo sat frozen, unable to believe what was happening. Slowly he closed his eyes and moved his mouth with Vegeta's, letting him do as he wished. Vegeta pressed closer to the Namek, leeching off of his security. Piccolo made him feel safe. Finally pulling away for air, Vegeta blushed furiously. Piccolo simply smiled.
"I'm…" Vegeta started, but was quickly silenced by the heart-warming smile Piccolo was giving him. He couldn't help himself, smiling back. "That was… uhm." He tried again. Piccolo shook his head, pulling Vegeta's head onto his shoulder, shushing him.
"It's alright. It's a conversation for another time." He said, both of them knowing that they'd have to discuss this, as well as the previous night.
Goku looked around the side of the ambulance, having missed the kiss and sighed with relief. At least Vegeta was smiling now. He approached the pair on the ground, placing a hand on Vegeta's shoulder.
"Are you feeling better?" He asked softly, bracing himself for any sort of outburst. What he got instead made him raise his eyebrows in shock.
Vegeta turned and actually smiled at him. As sad and weak as it was, it was a genuine smile. It wasn't a smirk, or a sneer full of malice. "For now." He answered.
Goku nodded and let both warriors on the ground get to their feet. "Good. I'm sure your sons want to see you."
Goku turned and walked away, giving Vegeta just enough time to squeeze Piccolo's hand before following Goku.
Trunks and Mirai immediately jumped up and hugged their father when they saw him. "Father!" Trunks exclaimed as he attached himself squarely to his father's leg. Vegeta pulled Mirai to him, holding his head and stroking his hair as he cried on his shoulder. Trunks was crying as well, but no one said anything to the grieving family, fearing they would ruin the moment.
"It's alright, boys, shh. We'll be fine." Vegeta said with false courage, fighting the urge to start crying again, rocking his sons gently. Piccolo and Goku stood a little ways away, watching with heavy hearts.
"What did you say to him to get him to smile like that?" Goku mused, still shocked. Piccolo smirked to himself.
"I told him that we'd all be here for him, whether he wanted us or not." It wasn't a total lie, but just enough to cover up what had occurred.
Vegeta pulled back from his sons and wiped their faces gently. "Come, let's go home and calm down a bit. We've much to do." He said gently. The lavender-haired boys nodded and slowly flew off with their father, hand in hand, as the people below them watched, filled with sadness for the family.
o-o-o-o-o
A/N: Slowly it's getting better yay! For those of you who are reading Chaotic Harmony or How Time Flies, I'm so sorry! I'm so hooked on this story that I can't write anything good for the other ones. But I'll get to it eventually. :) Have faith in me! You know the drill. R&R.