'Face to Face'
Chapter Three: Realize
'Take time to realise
that I am on your side,
didn't I tell you?'
Colbie Caillat: Realize
A week had passed since the night of the dinner, and Bulma knew that Vegeta was avoiding her. She found it both frustrating and funny, but couldn't quite figure out why he would visibly tense when she was near.
She knocked loudly on the Gravity Chamber door, hooking her other arm tighter around her invention. He didn't answer, as she had expected, so she pressed the door alarm. The door slid open moments later and Vegeta, frowning deeply, started slightly as Bulma beamed up at him.
"What do you think you're doing woman? If you're interrupting my training for…" he started to growl, but with a distracting flick of her hair and a roll of her eyes, Bulma butted in.
"Chill out Vegeta! I came here to help."
Vegeta stared, "Help?" before letting out a derisive snort, "I don't need your help."
Bulma grinned wider, "Well, you might not need it, but after you see my latest invention you're going to want it." She raised her eyebrows smugly and tilted her chin proudly. The teasing glint in her eye caught Vegeta's attention and he smirked back.
"Really?" he drawled, crossing his arms over his bare chest and noting with interest how Bulma's eyes dropped and lingered there for a moment. So, who wants it? He thought smugly.
"Oh yes," she brandished a silver contraption, covered with various coloured buttons and lights, and presented it to him.
He stared at it and then back up at her archly.
"It's a gift." She said, a little shyly, holding it out to him.
His eyebrows shot up. A gift? What is this woman doing? I can't figure her out! One week she's screaming at me, the next she's making me gifts and acting like an obliging concubine! He shook himself at that thought and turned his attention back to the box, reaching out and grabbing it roughly with one hand.
"Careful!" Bulma reached out instinctively and grabbed his hand, holding the box more firmly in his grip. Vegeta stared at her small hand covering his and felt a sudden lurch in his gut. She flushed under his gaze and withdrew her hand slowly, her fingertips lingering over his knuckles.
Heck, Bulma thought, breathless, his skin is so hot to touch! I feel like I'm melting! She repressed a shiver and looked at him uncertainly. He was staring back at her, his face blank, but his eyes- something was glimmering behind the surface of the black orbs- and her breath caught in her throat. She gulped and this time could not contain a shiver as his eyes followed the line of her throat.
"What is it?" Vegeta suddenly growled, tearing his eyes from her creamy collar bone and suppressing the desire to surge forward and crush his lips against hers.
Bulma started, "Oh, erm, uhm," Get a grip Bulma! "it's an energy-reader. Well, actually, it's more than that. I based it on the original you had, but made it more anatomically specific. It will measure your power level but also show you where the most and the least progress is being made on your body…"
Vegeta stared again. The woman actually is a genius. This is perfect! With this, Kakarot will never be able to match me! I will have no weaknesses! He stared at the machine and Bulma put her hands on her hips impatiently, "Well?"
Vegeta glanced up at her and raised an eyebrow coolly, "Well what?" He knew she wanted his opinion and by the nervous chewing on her lip he could see she was worried.
Bulma narrowed her eyes and Vegeta smirked, "It's adequate."
"Adequate?!" Bulma practically shrieked, before lowering her voice dangerously, "Fine, if it's only adequate I'll take it back."
Vegeta chuckled, "That wouldn't be very polite now, would it?"
Bulma scowled, "Fine." She turned away to stomp off but Vegeta's mouth twitched and she realised he was teasing her. She glared at him hotly, and he smirked fully, his eyes glinting with amusement and Bulma felt suddenly delighted. He's actually joking around with me! She couldn't help but chuckle too.
Vegeta's eyebrows shot up again and his smirk widened as he realised she had caught on.
"Very funny," she smiled, "but honestly, it will be more than adequate. You'll be begging me for more of my stuff soon enough." She said, before turning away again, shooting a coy smile over her shoulder. "Have fun." She winked and before he could stop it a blush tinged his cheeks and his lips twitched into a brief smile.
"Damn woman." He murmured softly, watching her leave with a curious sense of affection and desire.
Later on that night, Bulma stood on her balcony, gazing at the flashing lights emitting from the Gravity Chamber. Vegeta hadn't come out of it all day. He hadn't left her mind all day either. She had ended up giving up on her work as a lost cause; she simply couldn't concentrate on anything but the Saiyan Prince.
The Gravity Chamber suddenly shut down and Bulma watched as the door slid open and Vegeta emerged slowly. She watched as he made his way over to her mother's beloved garden and lay down on the grass, and before she could comprehend what she was doing, her feet were walking her out of her room, out of the house and towards him. She paused when she was a metre away and stared silently, her heart hammering in her chest.
"What do you want woman?" he suddenly growled, and Bulma jumped, before approaching him and sinking to the grass beside him softly.
He didn't repeat himself as she stayed silent, but he watched her intently as she lay beside him. She had been haunting his thoughts all day and he couldn't figure out why.
They lay, side by side, silent for a while.
Eventually Bulma looked over at him, "If Shenron appeared right now, and granted you one wish…what would you wish for?"
Vegeta looked at her and found himself pinned with her alluring blue eyes. "Ultimate power. Super-Saiyan ability." His voice was hard and serious and Bulma couldn't help but feel disappointed.
"Is that it?"
Vegeta flinched angrily, "'Is that it?!' Woman, you have no idea about the power of the Super-Saiyan!"
Bulma winced, "That's not what I meant!" she sat up and looked down at him, but he was determinedly looking away. "I only meant that we all know you're going to become Super-Saiyan anyway, so why waste a wish on something that's already going to happen?"
Vegeta's stomach gave that now all-too-familiar lurch he begun to associate with her. She thinks I'm going to do it? He stared at her wordlessly and she felt as if he was searching her very mind and soul. Eventually, he tore his eyes away and looked up at the sky.
"I believe in you. You're going to do it." Bulma whispered gently, suddenly wishing more than anything he would believe her and realise she did truly believe in him. His eyes flicked back to hers and there was something lingering between them, but neither knew exactly what it was.
Vegeta nodded shortly, unable to find any words, and closed his eyes. This woman… What does she want from me? Why is she being so nice? What is she doing to me? He opened his eyes and looked at her, where she was sat up, head tilted to the sky, eyes intent on the stars. As if sensing his eyes on her she turned her head to him and locked her eyes on his once more. Kami, what is it about you Vegeta? Why am I so fascinated with you? What's going on with you, us? She let out a little sigh and slowly, gracefully, stood up.
Vegeta watched her, a pit of longing boiling in his stomach as she suddenly bent down and pressed her lips, so hot and soft, against his cheek. Vegeta froze and his hand lifted off the ground, almost grabbing her and pulling her to him. Desire flooded him as her lips left his and her full breasts hung enticingly, for a moment, in front of his face as she stood up. She moved away slowly, and whispered, "Goodnight Vegeta," before heading back to the house.
He watched her go, his senses completely alert to her, his desire increasing tenfold as he realised her own longing. He pictured himself following her into the house, taking her against a wall, his lips attached to her lips, her neck, her beautiful curves…he shook himself with a growl and pushed off the floor, determined to get her out of his head.
Vegeta woke up the next day, frustrated and unbelievably aroused by a dream about Bulma. Damn woman, now she's haunting my sleep too! Though he could hardly admit that this was the first time the blue-haired beauty had been in his dreams. He threw his covers off angrily and stretched out, pulling on his training gear and marching to the kitchen. He sensed Bulma's presence before he even reached the kitchen and almost decided to miss breakfast when his body responded eagerly to the thought of seeing her. He shook himself furiously, Get a grip on yourself. Don't be so damn pathetic.
He sauntered into the kitchen and saw Bulma, humming happily, wiggling her hips along to a song on the radio, grilling sausages.
"Do you mind? Turn that racket off, it's too early." He growled, sitting down at the table and helping himself to the piles of food already at the table.
Bulma started and beamed when she saw him, "Good morning to you too."
He frowned and kept his eyes on the food load in front of him. Did she cook all this? What has gotten into her?
Bulma noticed his curious gaze and put the sausages next to his plate and sat in the seat next to him, "I thought you might be needing bigger breakfasts from now on….Super-Saiyans probably have even bigger appetites after all!" she explained cheerfully, wanting him to know that she had meant what she said the night before: she really did believe in him.
Vegeta couldn't stop the half-smile quirk at his lips and he looked up, immediately wishing he hadn't. She was a little sweaty from where she had been cooking all morning, her cheeks were flushed, her lips red and parted as she fanned herself delicately. She looked exactly like she had in his dream and his mind reeled back to it: her head was tossed back, his name slipping out huskily from her sensuous lips, her chest heaving against his as he plunged into her again, and again, and again….
"Vegeta?" Bulma said softly, interrupting his thoughts. She was gazing at him questioningly and he glowered back at her in annoyed embarrassment.
"What?" he snapped, and her eyes widened before narrowing in irritation, and she crossed her arms over her chest, inadvertently pushing her breasts up and causing them to strain against her thin, purple top. His eyes dropped to them, and he mentally punched himself for getting distracted again, looking up to catch her in mid-rant.
He rolled his eyes, and blocked out her voice, reaching over and cupping his hand over her mouth, leaning forwards and bringing his face mere inches from hers. His eyes glinted in wicked amusement.
Bulma froze against his touch and her eyes widened. He could sense her desire again and wanted nothing more than to satisfy both of them and take her against the kitchen floor. Her warm breath tickled his palm and sent shivers straight to his already half-erect penis. Her chest heaved and his eyes flickered down again and he leant closer still, able to smell her want, and with a surge of triumph a smirk wormed it's way onto his face as he dropped his hand from her lips and moved away.
"Well, at last you've shut up." He drawled, smirking wickedly.
Bulma blinked and felt disappointment flood her, before it was replaced with indignant anger. "At least I'm capable of normal interaction that isn't just insults or grunts!" she snapped, pushing out of her chair and stalking out of the room, her eyes glittering with disappointment as she shouted, "Enjoy your breakfast you jerk!" before slamming the door shut, leaving Vegeta confused and angry; mostly with himself. What the fuck were you doing? You should have just fucked her or blasted her! Bloody bint, who is she to get annoyed with me- the Saiyan Prince! He bit into the sausage fiercely. 'Capable of normal interaction'- what the hell is she talking about? Would she rather I talk crap like Kakarot or that idiot weakling? Why does she care anyway? He didn't stop to wonder exactly why he cared.
Bulma flung her bedroom door shut with a bang. What an ass! Arrgh I hate him! She grimaced at how easily he had distracted her. Kami, I honestly thought he was going to kiss me! Eugh, Bulma, what were you doing?! She got up off her bed and looked out the balcony doors, watching as the sun shone brightly and reflected off the pool. Oh, stuff working today. It's too nice to slave over an ass like Vegeta. Besides, I haven't been for a swim for ages.
She grinned happily as she rifled through her messy drawers and pulled out her favourite, slinky red bikini. Eat your heart out your Highness, she thought smugly, I'll show you how to properly shut someone up! She changed into the bikini and pulled a white tunic over her head, folding a towel over her arm and heading to the pool, a devilish smile playing on her lips.
Yamcha tightened the belt around his training gear and stretched out, heading to the massive stretch of land the Briefs casually called a garden, before suddenly stopping, in mid-step…Bulma was stretched out, like a cat, on a sun-lounger, clad in nothing more than a tiny, red bikini. He swallowed thickly and stayed frozen to the spot. Woah, I'd forgotten how damn hot Bulma is. His tongue felt like a lump of toffee in his mouth and he swallowed again, unable to tear his eyes off her beautiful, slim curves.
As if sensing someone's eyes on her, Bulma looked up and caught Yamcha stood nearby, gaping at her. She giggled and the noise snapped Yamcha's eyes away from her body guiltily and up to her face- he flushed deeply as she peered back at him coyly over the rim of her sunglasses.
"Alright Yamcha?"
Yamcha gulped and rubbed his neck nervously, "He he. Yeah, yeah, good, how about you?"
Bulma giggled again, "I'm great…just taking the day off, it's far too beautiful to work today!"
Yamcha nodded, his mind totally focused on a strand of hair that had escaped the messy bun on her head to curl alluringly down her neck. She sat up and swung her legs over the side of the lounger, before standing up. Yamcha's eyes followed her eagerly as she stood at the edge of the pool.
"Going for a swim?" he asked croakily, mentally envisioning her nodding and inviting him to join her. His jaw dropped when she actually did just that. "Hell yeah!" he cried in response, pulling his robe off and rushing forward in only his shorts, grabbing her about the waist and toppling them both into the pool.
Bulma shrieked in surprise before they both sunk under the surface, and he kept his arms tight around her as she wriggled, finally bursting her head out of the water and gasping. His head popped up seconds later and he grinned cheekily.
"Thanks for the warning!" she scolded, her voice laced with sarcasm, but she was unable to suppress a laugh as he simply grinned back at her still.
"Well, that was the point!"
Bulma rolled her eyes, and pulled herself free of his grip, turning to swim away, before deliberately kicking hard and splashing him.
"Ha! Is that a challenge?!" Yamcha grinned wider still, before diving at Bulma, and she turned away with a laughing shriek.
A few hours later, after a few water-fights and a half-arsed attempt at one-on-one water volleyball, Bulma and Yamcha got out the pool. Yamcha held his hand out to Bulma and pulled her clean out, relishing in the feel of her soft skin under his hand as he wrapped his arms around her and carried her, laughing, to the sun-lounger.
"Oh, you're such a gentleman!" she giggled, winking as he set her down.
Yamcha grinned, "Anything for you Bulma."
"Well, I think that earns you a drink!" she stood up and Yamcha stared after her as she made her way into the house, his stomach fluttering pleasantly. Man, I've missed her- we have great fun together. Why have I hardly seen her? Why aren't we together?
Bulma returned, carrying a tray of various coloured drinks and Yamcha cheered. Awesome, Bulma makes the best cocktails!
She set the tray down on the table between them and grinned, "Voila!"
"This is ace Bulma…we should do this more often." He said, pouring them both a blue drink, and looking up at her seriously.
Bulma blushed slightly under his intense gaze and stared back at his friendly face, his brown eyes sparkling lightly, and she thought how different he was to Vegeta and how different she felt around them both. She felt so comfortable and relaxed and cheerful around Yamcha, and around Vegeta she was on edge, on a rush, but also strangely…at home. She shook herself and realised Yamcha was waiting for a response of some sort. She smiled lightly, "We should." She tried to ignore the image of Vegeta's face so close to hers from that morning.
Yamcha grinned again and handed her a glass, before raising his own and exclaiming, "Cheers to that!"
Bulma smiled again, and clinked her glass with his. "Cheers."
Vegeta emerged from the Gravity Chamber, knowing he was making progress at last. He grinned triumphantly and his stomach rumbled loudly. He made for the house when he heard the woman shrieking loudly. He scowled, what trouble has that lunatic gotten herself into now? And he made his way in the direction of the noise, rounding the corner and almost exploding in sudden, uncontrollable rage. He saw Yamcha had her in his arms, in mid-air, dangling her teasingly above the pool. The look on his face was so smug and affectionate that Vegeta wanted to blast him on the spot. His eyes drifted to Bulma, who was laughing and shrieking madly, and as his gaze settled on her he realised what she was wearing. What the bloody hell…his eyes bulged. She was in nothing but a red halter-neck bikini, the almost entirety of her creamy-skinned, toned curves on display. Yamcha suddenly spotted Vegeta and started at the fury on his face, lowering himself and Bulma to the ground silently.
"Oh you lunk-head!" Bulma laughed, smacking his arms, before glancing around curiously at the look on his face. She too started when she saw Vegeta and she immediately wriggled out of Yamcha's hold, flushing as Vegeta's eyes locked on hers.
"Well, what do you want?" she snapped, after a moment's uncomfortable silence in which her gut churned.
Vegeta scowled, So she's finally dropped her nice-girl act? "Could you two morons keep it down? Some of us aren't actually wasting our time."
Yamcha rolled his eyes and stepped in before Bulma could even open her mouth to snap back at him, "Whatever Vegeta. We're just having some fun. Not jealous are you?" he taunted.
Vegeta's scowl deepened and he flushed.
Bulma stared, Is he jealous?
"Why exactly would I be jealous?" Vegeta snarled, clenching his fists furiously.
Bulma smirked, "Probably because we know how to have fun."
Vegeta's eyes locked back onto her, and he couldn't help the uncontrollable wave of desire and furious temptation to blast Yamcha away from her.
Bulma's smirk widened as she saw Vegeta eyeing her and a neon-sign of REVENGE! flashed in her mind. "Or maybe it's because you like what you see?"
Vegeta's eyes shot up to hers and he felt like he'd been hit with a well-aimed punch by Kakarot when he saw her triumphant smirk and the mischievous glint in her eyes. Yamcha froze behind her, Is she flirting with him?
Vegeta inwardly applauded her. Such a temptress. But no-one can beat the Saiyan Prince. "You're not fit for a Prince, woman."
Bulma gaped, indignant and hurt, and she scowled, before grabbing her tunic. "You're not fit for me more like. Who would ever want you? Your own bloody planet didn't!" she hissed as she passed him.
Vegeta grabbed her arm and swung her to him, "What's that supposed to mean?" he growled, his voice dangerously low.
"You know what it means, you jerk!" Bulma sneered, mentally wondering why she was so bothered by what he'd said. So what? It's not like you want to be with him anyway, right?
Vegeta's grip tightened on her arm, "You don't what you're talking about woman, so I suggest you keep your mouth shut." He brought his face closer to hers, ignoring his body's response at having her- in such little clothes- so near to him again.
"Oi! Let her go!" Yamcha suddenly shouted, getting into his fighting stance, angry at Vegeta's arm on Bulma's wrist and also feeling as if he was missing something, or intruding on a private moment as they glared at each other, mere inches away from one another.
Vegeta sneered at him, "Stay out of this if you want to live, weakling." But he let go of Bulma's arm nonetheless.
Bulma stared at him and felt her anger dissipate. What are you doing? You're never going to reach him if you keep pushing him away! How do you expect him to believe you're on his side if you don't even act like it?! Much to Vegeta's, and Yamcha's, surprise, she reached out and tentatively touched his arm.
"I'm sorry." She said gently, and Yamcha gaped.
Vegeta stared at her, and once again she felt like he was searching, reading, her soul.
She's sorry?! This woman…arrgh she's so confusing! Vegeta watched her, trying to gauge from her face if she was serious or not.
Under his gaze, she crossed her arms over her chest- feeling even more naked than she was- inadvertently, again, pushing her breasts up. Vegeta's eyes dropped to them and he licked his lips, smirking as she let out a little nervous sigh.
Holy Kami, if he keeps looking at me like that I can't be held responsible for what I'll do! Bulma thought, catching the mysterious glint return to his eyes. To distract herself, and make things more light-hearted, she said, "But you've got to admit I do look damn good."
Vegeta, startled and amused by her audacity, let slip a little chuckle, and Bulma felt a surge of triumph and delight.
Vegeta smirked and raised his eyebrow at her, "You look adequate."
Knowing he was teasing her, Bulma couldn't help but grin as she turned back to the sun-lounger, winking slyly over her shoulder, "Thanks." Then she caught sight of Yamcha's confused and hurt face, and she looked at the floor nervously, shooting one last glance at Vegeta just as he was glancing at her, before he turned and walked away. She stood still and eventually looked up, opening her mouth but Yamcha spoke first.
"What the hell was that?!" he exclaimed.
"Nothing! I'm just trying to get along with him." she replied casually, pulling her tunic over her head and avoiding his eyes.
Yamcha frowned, "Jeez Bulma, why? The guy is an asshole…he's a murderer!"
Bulma frowned and put her hands on her hips, "For Kami's sake Yamcha, just stop it."
"Stop it? Stop what?! Stop telling you the truth about your damn precious Prince?!" Yamcha spat angrily.
"Why do you hate him so much?!" Bulma cried, "He's changing Yamcha! Besides, you know what he's been through! You wouldn't have been able to handle it!"
"What?! You're on his side?!"
"He's on our side!" Bulma cried, throwing her hands in the air in exasperation.
"Our side?! Bulma- Vegeta is a murderer! He only serves himself!"
"You are such an idiot! Don't you remember what Piccolo used to be like?! He was against us too- he tried to kill us all too once, but now he's on our side, he's changed- and I don't hear you complaining about him!" she pointed out angrily.
"That's, that's…that's totally different!" Yamcha spluttered.
"No it's not! It's exactly the same! So whatever problem you have with Vegeta, you need to get over it- just like you managed to with Piccolo!" Bulma stormed off furiously. Honestly, he is such an idiot sometimes. He knows what Vegeta lived like- he knows why he was like he was, like he is, and he damn well knows that Vegeta is and already has changed! Heck, what's his problem?!
Yamcha stared after her, wordlessly, his heart sinking. She's kind of right. But man, I hate him. But why doesn't Bulma? What's going on with them two? He thought back to their argument; how they had stood so close together, eyes locked fiercely, and the air around them seemed to crackle with energy that Yamcha knew was more than just Vegeta's power- Something's going on here, and I'm going to figure out what.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapters: they were much appreciated!
Please review and rate :D thanks
A/N: i got inspired for the Shenron-question bit by another V/B fanfic I read a while ago, but I can't for the life of me remember who it was by, or what it was called or anything! So if anyone knows- or if it was yours- then I thank you profusely for writing a great fanfic, and apologise for borrowing your idea and editing it to my own devices :D