Lunch consisted of ramen with chicken and egg, green tea with sugar, and homemade potato chips. Mirai and Trunks were excited to see Piccolo, seeing him as their father's savior. They were right of course, but they didn't say anything. Vegeta had a small smile on his face, and as far as the boys were concerned, as long as their father wasn't blasting things, or worse, Piccolo was more than welcome.
"Wow, thanks dad! Thanks Piccolo-sama!" Trunks chirped when the men set his plates in front of him. Mirai nodded his thanks as well. Vegeta sat down at the table with his sons and watched them eat in silence. He had come to a painful conclusion whilst he and Piccolo had prepared lunch.
They couldn't stay in this house. Not right now.
He heaved a sigh, catching Piccolo's attention. He offered the Namek a weak smile, but Piccolo lifted an eyeridge, seeing through his façade. Vegeta's smile faded and he inclined his head towards the living room, standing and exiting the kitchen. Piccolo followed him, smiling at Mirai and Trunks, almost as a reassurance.
The demi-Saiyans waited until the kitchen door had shut completely to leap up and press their ears to the door, straining to hear. Mirai put a slender finger to his lips, signaling for Trunks to keep quiet. They could hear Vegeta and Piccolo talking, so they silently tuned in.
"You're not upset about earlier are you?" Piccolo asked, clearly hesitant. Vegeta was seated on the couch with his arms crossed over his chest.
"No, it's not that." He said softly. He smiled another weak smile. "No problem there…" He said under his breath, so low that Piccolo didn't hear him. "No, it's just…" His smile faded once more. Piccolo frowned and seated himself next to the Prince, close enough to touch him, even though he wouldn't dare.
"Just what?" Piccolo questioned, watching Vegeta's face.
Vegeta sat back farther on the couch, releasing a deep breath as he did. "I can't stay in this house, Namek. I can't. If I do, I'd only depress myself further." His gaze swept the room, settling on Piccolo's calm face beside him. "This house reminds me too much of her. I'm going to take the boys and go elsewhere for a while."
Mirai looked down at Trunks, who in turn looked up at his older brother, worry etched on his young face. Not a word passed between them as they put their ears to the wood again.
Piccolo kept the panic from manifesting itself in his voice. "Elsewhere? Like what?"
Only a single day had passed since Goku's party and their intimate encounter at the lake, and already Piccolo couldn't imagine not seeing him. Vegeta, the Prince of the Saiyans, a man; a man who, at one point, was his enemy. A man who had, without even realizing, captured his heart, and melted the ice encasing it in a way Son Gohan never could. Did he dare to go as far as to admit that he may well be in love with the Prince? It seemed a ridiculous notion, but not one Piccolo could possibly dispel. Looks like he'll be doing some more thinking later.
Piccolo snapped out of his thinking when Vegeta sighed again.
"Not exactly sure, really. I could always just find an apartment or something." He shrugged. "I really don't know. What I do know is that I can't stay here." His expression dropped slightly. "I hope the boys will understand."
Mirai looked at Trunks again, who had a look of determination on his face. It seemed to say 'If it makes daddy happier I'll go.' Mirai nodded. Back to listening.
There was a long period of silence, during which Piccolo hesitantly put his arm around Vegeta and massaged his shoulder gently with his thumb. He was baffled when the Prince leaned against him, resting his head on his chest wearily. His eyes slid shut and all the angry lines disappeared from his face, making him look far more peaceful that Piccolo knew he felt. It was then that the Namek had an epiphany.
"Hey…" He said softly, in case the Saiyan on his chest had fallen asleep. A single onyx eye opened and focused on his face. "I know where you can stay." Vegeta sat up and looked at him curiously.
"Really. Where?"
Piccolo blushed a light tint of purple. "You could come stay at the Lookout. There are more than enough rooms for all three of you." He glanced back at Vegeta, regaining his composure. The Saiyan was studying him.
"You'd let us stay there?" He asked slowly. In reality, he would love to stay with Piccolo, but he wasn't about to admit that just yet. He was still confused about the current standing of their relationship, whatever it was.
Piccolo nodded. "I can have Mr. Popo prepare your rooms immediately."
Vegeta couldn't help it as his face broke into a huge smile. "Well then. Let him know I like silk sheets."
Piccolo smiled back. "Of course, anything you desire." That last bit slipped out, but Vegeta smiled wider, so Piccolo guessed it didn't matter.
Trunks smiled up excitedly at Mirai, who smiled back, equally excited. The Lookout sounded way more fun a place to live. They bumped fists and put their ears back to the door.
Vegeta kissed Piccolo chastely on the cheek and smirked. The Namek was stunned for a moment but recovered and smiled, showing teeth. He cupped Vegeta's cheek and delicately pressed his lips to the Prince's, who didn't think twice about kissing him back, wrapping his arms around the green man's neck.
Due to the silence, Mirai and Trunks cracked the door a little. Both of the demi-Saiyans' eyes widened when they saw their father sitting in Piccolo's lap, and promptly making out with him. Mirai pulled Trunks away from the doorway and shut it as inaudibly as he could.
"Trunks, listen, we can't ask father about this. We'll let him tell us, okay?" He said quietly.
Trunks nodded and smiled. "Daddy looks happy with Piccolo-sama."
Mirai cracked a smile. "Yea he does. I hope Piccolo can make father feel better."
Meanwhile, Piccolo was again blessed by the Gods. Vegeta had to remain up on his knees to reach the giant Namek's mouth, so he didn't feel Piccolo's growing erection.
Vegeta licked Piccolo's lips seductively before pulling back and smirking.
"So… what do you suppose we do now?" He asked slyly, letting Piccolo's racing mind decide what he meant. Piccolo chuckled as he looked at the blushing smirking Saiyan in his lap.
"We could tell your sons to gather their things so we can have you guys to the Lookout before dinner."
Vegeta chuckled back and traced a singer lightly over Piccolo's ear, making his breath hitch.
"We could… or we could continue what we were doing…" He purred, his low voice sounding raspier than usual.
The Namek groaned inwardly. He wanted to jump at the idea, but he was more than certain that Mirai and Trunks had probably grown suspicious by now.
"Maybe later." Piccolo smiled. Vegeta quirked an eyebrow and flicked his tongue over the green man's ear, making him then bite his lip.
"Fine. I'll hold you to that, Namek." He playfully threatened. He kissed Piccolo once more before carefully crawling off of his lap and standing in front of him.
Piccolo smirked and stood, making Vegeta frown.
"Why must you be so damned tall?" He asked, irritated to some extent.
"I don't know. Genes I guess." Piccolo shrugged, still smirking.
Vegeta sniffed and walked past him, swinging his hips purposely. Piccolo swallowed the lump in his throat and followed the enticing Prince to the door.
Trunks and Mirai had already reseated themselves and made good progress on their lunch by the time Vegeta and Piccolo entered the kitchen area again. The Prince sat down at the table across from the lavender-haired boys, staying silent for a few seconds before speaking.
"Boys, we're going to be moving out of here temporarily." Mirai looked up and feigned surprise, as did Trunks.
"I'm going to be blunt, kids. If I stay here, I'll either go insane or fall into a critical state of depression. I'm not too keen on either idea at the moment, so we're gonna leave."
Trunks put down his bowl of broth, his cerulean eyes wide. It pained Vegeta to look at them. "Where we gonna stay?" Mirai nodded in agreement.
Vegeta interlaced his fingers together and looked to the Namek standing behind him.
"With me at the Lookout." Piccolo replied.
Trunks' face split into a smile. "Awright!" He exclaimed, high-fiving Mirai. They finished their lunch quickly and ran upstairs to pack.
Vegeta stood up from the table and turned to Piccolo, who had raised an eyeridge when the boys left.
"They were… suspiciously excited." He grunted.
"You worry too much." Vegeta sniffed, and walked out of the room.
Piccolo shrugged, exited the house, and blasted off towards the Lookout to prepare for the arrival of the Saiyans.
o-o-o-o-o
A/N: Whoa, chapter 11 and I'm not even half-way done. O.O Can you believe that? I've got plans for this story all laid out all the way to the end. XD