Even The Strongest (Under Reconstruction)

by An Ordinary Riceball

In which Goku has been traumatized in one of the worst ways imaginable and Vegeta is left to pick up the pieces. VENT FIC because I went through basically the same thing and needed an outlet. Trigger Warnings For Rape, Self-harm and Suicidal Ideation. VEGEKAKA. Set in Super. Major OOC in first chapters for trauma and drug side effect reasons. Have fixed some stuff in ch. 1-3

8. Even The Strongest Part 2

[Part 2]

The party was lively.

Bulma had had drinks upon drinks set out. Food items galore to choose from.

Of course, not everybody came. Krillin and 18 had already had their own family vacation planned so they turned the offer down, and Yamcha couldn't make it either because of baseball practice. Similarly, Gohan was too caught up in his studies to even have the chance to focus on anything else.

Piccolo, Chichi, and Goten, however, did come.

But unfortunately, so had others.

Namely, Atticus, for obvious reasons.

Vegeta was sitting more off to the side, watching Goku with a protective eye as he interacted with everybody.

"Goku, it's been so long. How have you been?" Chichi asked upon seeing him.

"I'm alright." Goku scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "You and Goten seem like you're doing well. That's good."

"Oh, we've been getting by." Chichi said, before lowering her voice. "So how was the trial? Bulma told me he was locked away."

"Yeah, he was… For 10 years." Goku said.

"Only ten years ? Ugh, if it was left up to me, that monster would have never seen the light of day again." Chichi growled, drawing a fist. "I'll bet it's because you're a man, isn't it? Those cases never get fair justice… Oh, that reminds me. Goten! Did you say you had a gift for your Father?"

"Oh, I forgot! Hold on." Goten stumbled over, fumbling with something in his pocket. When he held it up, it was some kind of pendant, although there was no string attached to it. "Here, Dad. It's a good luck charm, to help you feel better."

"Oh wow, thanks, Goten. This means a lot to me." Goku smiled. "I'll bet you really saved up your allowance for this one m, didn't you?"

"Mhm." Goten murmured, blushing a bit as Goku ruffled his hair.

"That was thoughtful of you. I'll be sure to keep this with me at all times, okay?" Goku grinned. "That way if anything bad happens, I'll see it and remember that you're looking out for me."

"Okay." Goten moved over awkwardly, before hugging him. "I want you to get better. I don't want you to be sad anymore…"

"I'm doing much better now, but thank you." Goku hugged him back with a fond expression before letting go. "Why don't you go again and play with Trunks again, yeah?"

"Kay." Goten replied, running off again.

"He's a good kid, isn't he…?" Goku's smile softened even further as he turned back to Chichi.

"Well, he is your son , after all." Chichi remarked.

Goku gave a small chuckle.

"So what's this I hear about a trial?" Piccolo's voice caught Goku's attention.

"Piccolo!" Goku jumped, turning to face him. He had forgotten how good of hearing Piccolo had. Of course he would have heard. "That's…"

"Did somebody do something to you?" Piccolo wanted to know.

"Mn. No-I mean yes, but i-it's complicated… I'd… kinda rather not talk about it." Goku lowered his head.

"Well, alright. Just let me know if you need anything, alright?" Piccolo brushed a hand against his shoulder.

"Yeah, thanks, Piccolo. I'll talk to you later, Chichi." Ignoring their responses, Goku made his leave from the conversation as quickly as possible, heading back over to where Vegeta was sitting with his eyes closed.

"What do you want, Kakarot?" Vegeta muttered, feeling Goku's face in his.

"Well, that's no way to talk to your boyfriend." Goku pouted. "I was gonna ask if you wanted to dance with me."

"What? No way." Vegeta snuffed his nose at the very idea of it.

"Oh, come on. It could be fun. Please?" Goku curled up against him.

"I said no and I meant it. Besides, since when do you care about dancing anyways?" Vegeta scoffed. It was so out of character, that honestly it had caught him off guard.

"I don't, but still, I wanna try it." Goku rationalized. He seemed to be hiding something, but what?

"Try it…, Kakarot, are you really saying you've never danced before…? Outside of the fusion dance, I mean." Vegeta stared at him with disbelief.

"No, not with a partner anyways. I'm not really sure how to." Goku lowered his head a bit.

"...Surely, you're joking." Vegeta had never been more shocked.

"Don't mock me. Can't you just show me? You've done it with Bulma before, right…? So I was thinking that you and I could do it too…"

"That's-I-ugh… Fine…" When it was worded like that, it wasn't like Vegeta could refuse. He couldn't just say yes to Bulma then say no to Goku. Getting up, he started to walk off, gesturing for Goku to follow him. "Come with me. We're going to an area where there's not as many people around, but we can still hear the music."

"Uh, alright." Goku's cheeks tinged pink when Vegeta awkwardly took his hand.

A couple minutes later, Vegeta found a decent spot in a more secluded area of the cruise they were on.

"Here. This should work. Now. I want you to stand here and put your arm around my shoulder." He instructed.

"Like this?" Goku did as told.

"Yes." Vegeta held onto Goku's other hand and wrapping his own around Goku's waist. It was a bit strange because of the height difference. But Goku didn't seem to mind. "I'm going to start moving now, and I want you to follow my lead."

As Vegeta began, Goku tried his best to respond, but accidentally fumbled up, stepping on Vegeta's foot.. "Ah-sorry…"

"It's alright. But you're moving too fast. Try to slow down some." Vegeta said, pulling him to the side. "You need to be in sync with me for this to work."

"In sync, got it…" Goku considered his words with uncertainty. He gazed down again at Vegeta's neck, suddenly distracted again by the scratch marks.

I need to ask him… about Atticus… Maybe… if I can loosen him up a little bit, he'll open up about it…

No, what if he gets angry at me again…?

Should I really pry into that…? He told me to stay out of it…

And I trust him… So… surely, he'd have told me… if something was going on, wouldn't he?

But still… he was crying last night…

And he was naked too…

He seemed panicked…

What happened?

I wish he'd tell me…

If it's what I think it is, then…

Goku paused. Then what ?

What could I do to protect him?

Atticus is so much stronger than I am…

He's stronger than both of us…

So… even if I tried to fight him, I'd just make things worse than they already are…

Goku had never felt more helpless than he did in that moment.

Vegeta, I…

"Kakarot…?" Vegeta's voice cut off his thought process.

"Oh, sorry… Maybe we should go a bit faster…?"

"Faster? We could, but I usually prefer slower dances. It's easier to keep up with." Vegeta said, hoping it wouldn't upset him. And it's less embarrassing .

Not that he would admit that out loud.

"Oh, okay." Goku fortunately seemed open to adjusting his movements so they were mirroring Vegeta's.

While Vegeta's focus remained on Goku's face, Goku kept looking down at their feet, afraid of stepping on him again, or tripping.

"I'm no good at this." Goku said.

"You're d-doing fine..." Vegeta reassured, his own face heating up. "Stop worrying."

"That's easy for you to say. You've done this before, so of course you're not as nervous." Goku replied in frustration.

"Hey! I'm just as nervous about this as you are…! And this was your idea in the first place, Kakarot, so don't start getting pouty with me because you can't handle it." Vegeta growled a bit harsher than intended.

Goku puffed his cheeks out. "Okay, now you're just being mean to me..."

"Mn…" Vegeta's response caught in his throat at hearing that. He looked away, a pit forming in his stomach. "I'm sorry… There, I apologized… Are you satisfied now…?"

"No…" Goku muttered. "I want a kiss first…"

"...Tch. So that's what this was about…?" Vegeta feigned irritation. "You wanted to make me feel guilty so I'd kiss you, is that it…?"

"If I said yes, would you be mad at me…?" The corners of Goku's lips tugged upwards playfully.

"...I don't know." Vegeta smirked a bit, causing Goku to let out a small "eep" as he pulled him towards him tightly in his arm. "That depends. if I find the kiss to be to my liking, I might let it slide…"

"Alright… You're on." Goku didn't even hesitate to let Vegeta claim his mouth, more passionate than usual. Blaming this on the alcohol he had drank shortly after arriving at the party, the prince ran a hand down brushing against the tail scar on Goku's backside like he had the day before.

Goku was a bit startled at first, but soon allowed himself to fully embrace Vegeta, melting into the kiss.

That was until they were interrupted by the sound of a camera flashing, a light going off in the corner of his eyes. He froze up, his breath hitching.

"Hey!" Vegeta snapped with a bright blush, looking over to see a man standing there. He appeared to be a staff member who was holding a large camera in his hand. Probably a photographer whose job was to gather pictures to hang up on a wall or something.

But it was still irritating, and he hadn't received permission from them.

Goku's grip on Vegeta tightened up. He was trembling, and facing away.

"Kakarot…?" Vegeta gazed up at him with concern.

"No photos… Please…" Goku said, barely above a whisper. His bangs shadowed his eyes, but Vegeta could tell he was upset.

Still, to be that nervous over having a photo taken of him, what could-

It took all of two seconds for Vegeta to realize it.

It's the videos that man took of him…!

Being recorded like that, it must have traumatized him…

He turned back to the man with the camera, approaching him. "Alright, you're going to delete those photos right now ."

"What? Why?" The man stuttered.

"Nobody gave you the right to start recording us." Vegeta growled.

"But Ms. Bulma said-" the man stepped back, scared.

"I don't care what she said." Vegeta snapped, interrupting him. "I'm telling you to delete them . If you don't, then I'll take your precious camera and smash it in the ground, that way you won't have any photos left."

"Okay, okay, I'll delete them! Just give me a moment." The cameraman panicked, his hands shaking as he fumbled around with the device.

"That's more like it." Vegeta didn't move from his spot however, wanting to see for himself that they were gone.

Goku's head was spinning. He needed to get away. "I'm going to get some water…"

"Hey, just hold on…!" Vegeta started to run after him, right as he started to walk off. When they returned to the main area of the party, he grabbed Goku's wrist. "Kakarot-"

"Don't touch me!" Goku pulled away. "I should have known that coming here was a bad idea."

Atticus was watching them from a distance, and due to everybody's attention being on Goku, it allowed him the chance to slip something into the glass of wine that Vegeta had been drinking from without anybody noticing.

"I get why you're upset, but just listen to me-" Vegeta moved closer, desperate to get him to calm down.

"No! I told you before, don't touch me!" Goku pushed him back. His eyes widened a bit when he realized what he had done, the hurt in Vegeta's eyes. "I…"

He averted his gaze. "I'm sorry… I… need to be alone right now."

As Goku walked off, Vegeta was left standing there in shock at what had just happened.

...Damn it, I was just worried about him… Is that wrong of me…? No, I shouldn't have grabbed him like that. I need to apologize.

Slowly, he returned to his initial seat, picking back up the cup of alcohol he had been drinking from earlier and downing the rest of the cup. He was just about to go after Goku when a hand touched his shoulder, causing him to jump.

"Lover's quarrel?"

"Atticus!" Vegeta exclaimed, startled. "What do you want?"

"You know what I want." Atticus said simply. "I want you."

Vegeta jumped, glaring off to the side. "Not now. We're at a party."

"I don't care. There's private rooms on this ship. They're just as good as anywhere else."

"But what if somebody-" Vegeta winced a bit, as Atticus brushed a hand across his back.

" Now, Vegeta. Don't make me repeat myself. I still haven't forgotten what happened last night. So if you want to rectify that, you'd better come quietly. If you don't, well… I don't think I need to remind you."

Those words destroyed Vegeta. Within seconds, he knew his only option.

Cooperate and endure.

Survive.

Without a single word, he followed behind him.

When they reached the private room, Atticus told him the same thing he often did. "Strip. And turn yourself to me on the bed."

His mind already shutting down, Vegeta wordlessly took off his vest and shirt, but stopped at his pants.

"Can't we do this later…? It's Kakarot, I need to go to him and make sure he's okay." Vegeta said.

"Don't you dare start that with me again . You can see him all you want after we're done here. Now hurry up…" Atticus kicked him down on the bed, towering over him.

Vegeta's eyes widened, his nerves catching up with him. Only then, did he find the strength to fight back just like the night before. Desperate to pull away. And maybe he would have it it weren't for the sudden spell of weakness he experienced. He was light headed and his body felt like it weighed more than ever, rendering him helpless.

Shit… What's going on…? I only had one drink… So why am I feeling this way?

"Now now, Vegeta, I thought we had an agreement. You're not allowed to back out now." In a split second, Atticus grabbed his body, forcing him onto his back and using ki rings to bind his wrists to the bed stand.

My body… Why can't I move? I feel so weak all of a sudden…

"You're probably wondering why you can't move, aren't you, Vegeta…?" Atticus smirked.

Vegeta's breath hitched. His vision was foggy. "Atticus, you bastard… What have you done to me…?"

"Haven't figured it out yet…? Remember the alcohol you were drinking a minute ago…? Well, while you were…" The sound of fabric ribbing could be heard, before a cold hand rested on Vegeta's chest. " Arguing with him , I took the time to slip in a little something extra for you."

"You spiked my drink …?" Vegeta glared at him furiously.

"That's right. I didn't want any chance of you trying to escape from me like last time." Atticus ran a hand down to his thighs, tearing apart the fabric there as well. "Besides… This kind of spruces things up a bit, don't you think? I can't wait to see the faces you'll make this time, when I fuck the shit out of you. It turns me on just thinking about it."

"Damn you…" Vegeta spat, weakly. "You're going to pay for this, I swear it…"

Atticus slapped his cheek. "And what is a little Saiyan like you gonna do about it, huh? I'm stronger than you are." Hands continued to rip the remaining clothing off of Vegeta's body. "I always have been."

"You'd be wise not to underestimate me, Atticus." Vegeta refused to cave. "Us saiyans are stronger than you know… I'm not about to let something like this break me."

"Keep telling yourself that." Atticus smirked, cupping his chin. "It makes the catch all the more interesting."

"Speaking of which…" Slowly, his hand trailed down to his necklace, catching Vegeta's eyes. "I've been wondering about something for a while now. You're not usually the type to wear jewelry. At least I've never seen you wear it before… So tell me… What is this…?"

"Don't touch that." Vegeta growled, his heart skipping a beat.

"Oh my. Someone's getting defensive." Atticus smirked, sensing his attachment to it. "Gift from your boyfriend, I presume…?"

His finger tugged at the necklace as he tilted his head in amused curiosity.

"I said don't touch that…!" Vegeta became desperate, the look in his eyes giving his weakness away. He hated it, because he knew Atticus would have probably left it alone if he hadn't had a reaction to it.

"I'm right , aren't I? How funny…" Atticus chuckled. "Just a moment ago, you said you weren't going to let me break you and now you're begging me not to touch your necklace? What's with the sudden change of heart, huh, prince?"

"It's nothing." Vegeta denied it. "Just go ahead and rape me already. It's what you brought me here for, isn't it? So do it."

Biting back tears, he glared at him, just wanting him to get it over with already. Distract him. It's not like I'm going to have a choice in this anyways. So that's the least I can do. Just keep his focus on me. I can't let him break that.

"Aww, but now you've went and got me all curious." Atticus coed. "Come on, I want to know why this little gem is so important to you. I know it can't be the money. From what I've heard your family here is loaded, so if it was simply a matter of cost, you'd have no issue with replacing it. Just admit it already. It's something personal to you, isn't it? From him …"

Another tug at the pendant, slightly more aggressive than the last.

"Atticus, please, don't." Vegeta repeated, quickly losing his composure.

"Back to saying 'please' already, are we?" Atticus purred. "Now, that's what I like to hear. Is you… begging me."

He was obviously enjoying himself. He had always loved pressing Vegeta's buttons, ever since he was a child. He would exploit any weakness he saw, and use it to his advantage.

A devilish grin formed on his face. He clutched the chain and pendant in his hand, making his plan obvious.

"Atticus, no…! You can do anything you want, just don't-" Vegeta couldn't even finish his sentence before the necklace was jerked off him breaking the chain. His eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat. He couldn't speak.

"Hey, Vegeta, I want you to have this."

"A necklace? There's no way I'm putting that thing on. Wear it yourself."

"Oh, come on, ya gotta try it on. I bought it just for you."

The necklace Goku had gotten him at the festival.

"I hope you know I'm going to take this off later."

One he had so callously blown off, not realizing Goku had spent all the money had on it.

"I just… wanted to get something nice for you, after everything you've done for me…"

A simple piece of jewelry, but one that represented the bond they shared.

"That necklace looks good on you. It matches with your eyes."

An amulet of hope.

Destroyed.

Right in front of him.

Atticus, having the reaction he wanted, tossed it aside. "Oh, Vegeta, you're so predictable. It's so adorable."

"Heh, you really are the worst , you know that…?" Tears. Something inside of Vegeta snapped in that moment. He had never felt more alone in his life.

"I'll take that as a compliment. You want to know why?" Atticus positioned Vegeta's body, which was almost entirely limp. He leaned in, whispering into his ear. "Because it means I won ."

*RAPE SCENE AHEAD*

In an instant, that all too familiar sharp pain shot up Vegeta's spine causing him to let out a shout, which was instantaneously muffled by the larger man's hand.

"Now now, Vegeta, be a good boy for me and keep quiet, or I'll have to gag you." Atticus warned, his eyes narrowing.

Vegeta felt like he was being ripped apart from the inside, and he could tell that it was intentional, probably because had attempted to defy him. He turned his head off to the side, biting his lip in a desperate attempt to stifle the pain. All he could do was sob, silently.

Seeing that Vegeta had submitted to him, Atticus moaned euphorically, thrusting into him. "Ah, yes… That's it. That's the expression I've been waiting for… Please… Cry for me more, Prince... The way you did back then. You know what I'm talking about, don't you? When I first took your virginity on Frieza's ship…"

Vegeta tensed up at the mention, sobbing even harder. The pain was unbearable.

"Ah, so you do …" Atticus's tone was mocking. "Man…, it feels like it was just yesterday. You looked so scared and helpless. Such a crybaby . Which is kind of funny, considering how much time you had spent insulting me before then. But you were so arrogant. I just couldn't help myself."

He opened Vegeta's mouth, sticking a few fingers inside to play around with the saliva.

"When somebody weaker than me decides to get mouthy towards me, there's something… rewarding… about putting them in their place. So seeing a stone cold brat like you… get reduced to this …? It's arousing ."

Irritated by the fingers prodding his mouth Vegeta bit down as hard as he could. A last ditched effort to defend himself.

Bad mistake.

Atticus winced, but the corners of his lips tugged upwards. "Now, see that ?"

Without any warning he slapped him, creating a scratch mark on his cheek.

"That's exactly what I'm talking about!" Another slap. "I love this! Thank you!"

And another.

"...You're disgusting." Vegeta glared off to the side.

"Hmph. I know I am…" Atticus leaned in, forcing him to face him again, so their noses were only apart. "But so are you ..."

Vegeta's eyes widened when Atticus's tongue forced itself into his mouth. He could hardly breathe. In all the time he had known Atticus, Atticus had never once kissed him. This bastard. He's doing this just to mess with me .

Damn him.

Even as a mix of pain and heat continued to envelope his body, his eyes started to close.

He was so tired, on the verge of slipping out of consciousness.

No…

He scolded himself.

I just have to wait a little longer…

This will all be over soon.

It hasto be.

That hope was all he had left.

*END RAPE SCENE*

…

"Hey, Piccolo, have you seen Vegeta?" Goku found himself asking after he had had some time to cool down. "I can't find him. And I can't sense his energy, either. Where could he have gone…?"

Piccolo gazed up at him. "I think I saw him walk off with Atticus about twenty minutes ago. Why?"

"Wait, he's with Atticus ?" Goku's eyebrows furrowed. "But why?"

"I'm not sure. I only saw them from a distance. They didn't really say much, but Vegeta seemed kind of unnerved when he left." Piccolo said.

"No. This is bad." Goku's heart sank upon hearing that. "Answer me, can you tell me which direction they went?"

"As far as I could tell, headed that way, the door over there." Piccolo made a gesture with his finger.

When Goku saw it, he gasped, a pit forming in his stomach. "Over there? It can't be. That's where the private rooms are. Vegeta… He could be in danger right now…! I have to go to him…"

Without even thinking, and ignoring Piccolo's questioning, Goku ran off, his heart pounding in his chest.

Once again, the scratch marks he had seen covering Vegeta's body the night before flashed through his head. His tears. The panic he was in. His fear of Atticus this morning.

I shouldn't have left him.

I should have stayed with him.

This is all my fault.

No, maybe I'm wrong and it's nothing. Hopefully, he's safe. But I need to know for sure.

"Vegeta? Are you in here?" Goku slammed open door after door, breaking each lock in an heart beat to locate his partner. "Darn it, he's not here either…! Where could he be at…?"

He was just about to give up when he realized there was one other hallway he hadn't explored. One that somewhat isolated from the others.

He opened the door and went inside.

From the looks of it there were only a few rooms in here.

He took a step towards one of them, freezing up when he heard voices. The sound of heavy grunting and labored breathing. He recognized it as Atticus and Vegeta almost immediately.

"Say my name... I said SAY IT!"

"I won't…" Vegeta. He was crying.

"Wrong answer!" The sound of a smack. "Try again. Tell me what you want… Who do you belongto, Vegeta…?"

"...Kaka…rot…"

Another slap.

"If I hear you say his name one more time, I'll shove my cock so far down your throat you won't be able to breathe."

Upon hearing those words, Goku's eyes widened, his hands shaking. He almost couldn't process it.

Without even thinking, he busted in the door, rage like never before consuming him.

That's when he saw what was happening, every suspicion he had ever had confirmed and more.

Vegeta, naked on the bed, chained by ki rings, tears on his face. There was blood too.

Atticus was inside of him. Vegeta was being raped .

And from the looks of it, Atticus had already cummed in him at least once. The very sight of it sent him over the edge.

"Atticus, you bastard! Get off of him!" Goku roared, fury consuming him as he lunged at him.

It wasn't enough to hurt him but it did manage to separate Atticus from Vegeta.

Despite his rage, however, his first priority was getting to Vegeta.

"Vegeta! Hey, just hang on. I'm right here. Everything's going to be okay now. I'm getting you out of these." Goku powered up, trying to disrupt the ki rings with energy of his own, but it wasn't enough. They were impenetrable. "Nonono, damn it… It's not budging."

"Kakarot," Vegeta said weakly, tears in his eyes. "You need to get out of here. Please… I don't want him to hurt you too."

"No, I'm not leaving you here with him… I won't…" Goku vehemently shook his head. "You don't deserve this… I-"

"You stay out of this!" A hand grabbed him from behind, tossing him off the bed, before stroking Vegeta. "Vegeta is mine, Kakarot… Can't you tell? I've already claimed him."

"Claimed him…? You rapedhim! You'll pay for that!" Powering up, Goku stood back up, jumping on him.

His fist made contact with Atticus's face, but there was no reaction.

It didn't even phase him!

Goku pulled back with uncertainty.

"Oh, so you want to play rough , do you?" Atticus's eyes narrowed. "Well, normally, I would have just killed you for getting in my way, but I think I have a better idea. Get over here!"

Atticus grabbed his arm, pulling him down onto the bed next to Vegeta.

"What? Hey!" Goku shouted, struggling against his grip.

Unfortunately, Atticus quickly overpowered him easily, towering over him as he pinned him by his wrists. "Since Vegeta doesn't want to play with me anymore, I'll just have to take his boyfriend instead ."

A loud ripping noise could be heard as Atticus tore Goku's shirt in half.

Goku was stunned, his entire body freezing up in response.

Vegeta's eyes widened, his breath hitching. "No, don't touch him. Atticus, please, whatever you want, I'll do anything you ask. I'll even sing for you! Just please, don't hurt him." Vegeta choked out, cursing himself.

"Quiet. I'm playing with Kakarot now. You had your chance." Atticus fondled Goku's pecs in his hands, a lustful expression on his face.

Weakened by the drugs, Vegeta found himself helpless to watch as Atticus's hands began to wander over his lover's body.

This can't be happening…

Kakarot needs me yet, I'm just sitting here…

I have to protect him.

Move, dammit…

Tears of desperation fell down his cheeks. "Atticus, please… Don't do this… He has nothing to do with this."

This was just like before, when he thought Beerus was going to kill Bulma.

All he could do was plea.

"Liar!" Atticus snapped. "He has everything to do with this. After all… He's the reason you keep defying me, isn't he?"

He looked back down at Goku, who was looking up at him in fear.

"That's right. All of this is your fault! Your fault! Your fault! Your fault!" As he spat that, he hit Goku in the face over and over again, seeming content when he finally grunted in pain. "That being said…"

*SEXUAL ASSAULT SCENE AHEAD*

"The more I look at you… I think I can see why he's so obsessed with you. You do have quite the body." He moved his hand back down to Goku's pec, giving it a small squeeze. "In fact, you have larger assets than most women I know."

Leaning down, Atticus licked his nipple, before chomping down on it.

Goku let out a small whimper, trying to breathe as he felt a hand slipping down into his pants, stroking him. Flashback upon flashback flowed through his head, like it was happening all over again. His eyes widened, heat spreading through his groin.

"Vegeta…, I'm scared…" Goku looked over at his lover with desperate tears in his eyes. "What's he gonna do to me?"

Hearing that destroyed Vegeta. He once again tried to move but the effects of the drugs were too much to fight off.

"Atticus, you bastard…! Get your hands off of him…!" He shouted.

"My, someone seems jealous." Atticus teased with a glance. "But I wonder… Could it be that you've never done this stuff with him before…?

"I…" Vegeta had to pause. It caught him so heavily off guard that he wasn't even sure how to react.

"I thought as much." Atticus smirked. "You haven't, have you? Maybe that's why it bothers you so much. The idea of another man ravishing his body when you, his own partner, haven't even been able to yet. It must infuriate you."

"None of that matters to me… Kakarot's body is his own, so if he decides to share that with me one day, then that's his choice. But I will not be seen forcing it on him like you're doing right now, because I'm not some sick twisted pervert like you are…!"

" Pervert ?" Atticus bellowed. "Are you really going to tell me you've never imagined doing this to him yourself ? To have him under you like this, completely at your mercy and ravish his body? To mark him like canvas and claim him as yours? To cover his face in semen and make him swallow it? Or… to force him into submission, and make him beg you like a dog-"

"You're disgusting!" Vegeta shouted, unable to take it any longer. "Kakarot isn't some animal to me. He's a person . And you're just a monster, as you always were…"

Atticus smirked after a moment. "Well, I don't know about you, but there's a certain satisfaction in hearing the cries of agony of those I've taken. Why don't I show you what I mean…?"

Reaching further down into Goku's pants, he shoved several fingers inside of him without warning.

"Ahh…!" Goku cried out in pain.

Vegeta watched in horror as Goku turned his head towards him, closing his eyes, a tear falling down his cheek.

*SEXUAL ASSAULT SCENE END*

"Why… youUUUU…!" He let out an explosive roar, something inside of him snapping, his entire sense of reasoning gone.

Energy flowed around them, startling Atticus as the ki rings suddenly dispelled. The room and everything in it was destroyed in an instant, as well as the walls surrounding them.

Despite the drugs, despite being nearly unconscious, despite everything , Vegeta forced himself up out of sheer will power. "You're going to pay for that!"

Atticus didn't even have time to react before Vegeta's hand made contact with his throat.

Vegeta pushed Goku to the side, to separate them.

"Oh, so the Saiyan prince has some fight left in him after all. Well, let me just remind you… who you're… messing with!" Atticus kneed him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him in the process. Vegeta coughed up blood due to how hard the blow was, but wiped it off of his mouth with a glare, refusing to let himself fall.

He was certain the impact had just broken one of his ribs.

No matter.

He growled, turning straight to blue and lunging at him again.

Atticus caught him by the wrist, sliding a foot underneath him.

As he fell, Vegeta kicked him in the face, dislodging a few of Atticus's teeth, before catching himself with his hands and flipping back in the air. Upon landing, he almost lost his footing due to still being drugged, which gave Atticus enough time to strike back, delivering a devastating blow to his left arm.

Crack.

Vegeta let out a shout of pain, and almost immediately after, he was sent flying, crashing through what little bit was left of the wall. Several women who were passing by to see what had happened screamed when they saw that he was naked.

"Not so strong without your left arm, are you, Vegeta!?" Atticus mocked.

"That's what you think…" Vegeta struggled to get up, clutching his arm. He gritted his teeth, cursing himself for not being on better guard.

He spat out some more blood, before using his right hand to hurl energy blast after energy blast at him.

"Vegeta?!" Bulma's voice caught his attention. "What's going on? And why are you naked?! Put some clothes on!"

"Stay out of this!" Vegeta snapped, ignoring her.

Unfortunately, that little distraction was enough to cost him an opportunity for Atticus to sock him in the face.

Before he could even get back up, Atticus was already above him, slamming his foot into his gut. "You're not going anywhere. I'm not through with you yet."

Another roar of agony could be heard as he grinded his foot into Vegeta's rib cage.

"Aww… I'm sorry, am I hurting you? You know this all could have been avoided if you had just cooperated. But no, you just had to go and make me angry, didn't you?"

" Bite me ." Vegeta spat.

Atticus kicked him in the face. "Care to repeat that?"

"I said bite me." Vegeta glared.

Atticus picked him by his throat. "You have quite the tongue on you, Saiyan, but as always, you have nothing to back it up. Such a disappointment. Then again… There is still your body… now that's another matter."

As he said that, he traced his hand down Vegeta's thigh. "I'd prefer not to have to kill you if I could help it. So what do you say we put this little feud behind us and forget this ever happened, huh?"

"What? So you can just go back to raping me again? I'd rather die than be some pawn in your twisted game, Atticus." Vegeta had reached his limit.

"Raping? You really like tossing around that word a lot, don't you?" Atticus growled. "Yet that's never stopped you from cumming every time I fuck you. I don't know why you keep up this farce. You obviously enjoy it, just like you did back then."

"I was a child back then..." Vegeta strained to talk, reaching up scraping at Atticus's arm.

"A 'child' who committed genocide, just like the rest of us." Atticus mocked. "You're no victim, so stop pretending to be! If anything, you deserve this!"

"Tch, like you're anybody to talk. You've butchered countless innocents, and even bragged about it. You're a hypocrite , Atticus, so stop lecturing me on semantics !" Kicking Atticus in the stomach as hard as he could have, he caused him to break his grip, jumping back.

In the process of landing, Vegeta almost tripped on a damaged plank, but Goku caught him before he could fall.

Piccolo and the others had gathered, but outside of Bulma, nobody had really said much.

"Are you okay?" Goku asked, worried.

"Yeah, I'll be fine…" Vegeta weakly stood back up.

"You sure? You don't look so well." Goku said with concern.

"I said I'm fine. Don't worry about it. I-Get back!" Vegeta slammed into Goku just in time to save him from being hit by one of Atticus's energy blasts.

"Thanks, Vegeta." Goku said, with a smile.

"Don't mention it." Vegeta grunted. "Just get somewhere safe. I'll handle this."

"Got it." Goku ran off a bit.

Vegeta then turned his attention back to Atticus once again. "Aiming for my partner now, Atticus? Really?"

"What can I say? The way you're always pampering him is just too adorable, I couldn't stop myself from wondering… What expression would you make if you had to watch your lover die right in front of you?"

Vegeta's blood boiled with fury. "You really love to piss me off, don't you? Well, screw this. I'm done letting you walk all over me!"

In a matter of a split second, his fist collided with Atticus's face, sending him flying. But he didn't stop there.

With both his hands, in spite of the damage that had been done to his left arm, he began hurting balls of energy his way, one after another.

With each blast he became angrier than the next, as everything he had kept bottled inside for years rose to the surface, finally spilling out.

And not just the suffering that he himself had endured at the hands of this man, but Goku as well and what he had suffered because of people like him.

The nightmares. The starvation. The purging. The cuts.

All of it came back to him in that moment.

The very fact that Atticus even dared to lay a hand on Goku was more than he could handle.

He wanted nothing more than to see this man dead.

Atticus quickly lost his ground when Vegeta began to barrage him with blow after blow. Some he managed to block and others he didn't.

Goku watched him with fascination awestruck as always.

Vegeta… He's gotten stronger… I can feel it. This happened before, back when Bulma got slapped by Lord Beerus… Is it because of me…?

One final blast was enough to knock Atticus on his back.

Vegeta immediately took the opportunity to fly into the air, gathering more energy into his palms. "Final Fla-"

"Vegeta, no! DON'T!" Goku shouted, stopping him in his tracks. "If you blast him now, you'll bring down the whole ship and all the people on it!"

"Damn it…" Vegeta cursed, seeing that Atticus was already getting back up. "Then use your instant transmission and get them out of here! Because I'm not leaving until I've finished him off!"

In that moment, he no longer felt fear of this man, he was filled with nothing but loathing, the desire to kill.

Goku knew he wasn't going to stop, so he decided his only choice was to comply. He turned to the others. "All of you, listen to me! I want you to help me gather everybody on this ship to a specific spot. I'm going to teleport all of them to a safer location."

"On it." Piccolo seemed to have at least some clue as to what was going on, and he could tell it was serious.

It seemed that everybody was in collective agreement on wanting to help especially after seeing the interaction between Atticus and Vegeta.

Bulma especially was horrified, knowing now what had been done to Vegeta, the reason he was naked. She wanted to say something but it was so hard to process and she knew there wasn't any time right now. It frustrated her.

Wiping away her tears she followed after the others, determined to help in whatever way she could.

In the meantime, Vegeta managed to hold Atticus off by exchanging blows with him. He couldn't go all out while there were still people around. As much as he hated to admit it, it would weigh on his conscience.

Everybody made quick work of moving to the otherside of the ship and about 15 minutes later, they were ready to go.

"Is that everybody?" Goku asked.

"Yes, I believe so." Piccolo confirmed.

"Good." Goku then looked up at them, holding his hand. "Listen, I need all of you connected to me somehow. It doesn't matter if you're touching somebody's hand or touching their shoulder, but make sure you're touching somebody .

His explanation was a little strange but everybody understood. The crowd made no haste in doing as told, afterwhich Goku touched his forehead and latched on to the first spirit energy he could think of, which ended up being Krillin's.

Using his instant transmission to teleport, he and the crowd appeared before Krillin who was in a store.

"Goku?!" Krillin jumped.

"Yeah, sorry, Krillin. I needed somebody's energy to latch onto and you were the first person I thought of. You mind taking care of this? I'm sure Bulma can help you out."

"Uh, sure, I guess I can. But what's going on?" Krillin seemed frazzled.

"No time, I'll explain everything later." Goku said. "I've got to go back to Vegeta."

Piccolo grabbed his shoulder. "You're not actually planning to return, are you?"

"Hey, that's not true." Goku lied.

"Please, you can't lie to me." Piccolo smirked a bit. "It's written all over your face."

"...That obvious, huh…?" Goku gave in, his expression saying so much more than words ever could. He wanted to be done with this and go back home. Hold Vegeta in his arms and reassure him that everything would be okay.

"Well, I think most of us have an idea of what happened, so go on. We'll take it from here." Piccolo said.

"I really appreciate it." Goku murmured.

"Wait, before you go, give these to Vegeta, will you?" Bulma held out some clothes. They were casual, khakis, boxers, and a black tank top, but they were better than nothing. "I was going to give them to him before but now's a better time than any I guess.

"Oh, thanks. I'll be sure to do that." Goku said.

"Goku? Take care of yourself, okay?" Krillin smiled softly.

"And keep us updated." Chichi added. Trunks and Goten were talking amongst themselves about what had been going on. They would have got involved, but Bulma and Chichi had been pretty clear about making them help out with the people on the ship.

"Right." With that decided, Goku teleported back to Vegeta.

When he returned, the ship was on fire and it was already in the process of sinking. That split time away had been enough to give Vegeta the advantage.

"Don't do this. Vegeta, please-" Atticus was at Vegeta's feet now, begging for mercy.

"Shut up!" Vegeta spat, holding out his hand and gathering up the energy to finish him off. "How dare you? All those times I begged you to stop and you never once listened to me. And then you turned around and pulled the same thing with him.And now you expect me to show sympathy to you ?"

"Vegeta, please, I'm sorry. I'll never do it again! Please, Don't kill me! I don't want to die!" Atticus begged.

Vegeta glared coldly. "I'll see you in hell, Atticus."

Finishing him off, he dropped to his knees, his shoulders shaking.

It was as if a weight had suddenly been lifted from his shoulders.

And yet… that feeling passed almost as soon as it came.

He just sat there, a stifled sob escaping his lips, as he remembered the sight of Goku being touched, the fear filled expression on his face, his whimper, and then his shout of pain.

I wasn't able to stop it in time.

He got assaulted again.

Just like at the festival.

He had sworn to himself that he would never allow anything like that to happen again.

I failed him .

"Vegeta… Here… Put these on. Bulma asked me to give them to you." Goku's voice interrupted his thoughts, as he placed a pair of clothes in front of him.

Much to Goku's chagrin, Vegeta didn't move.

Vegeta refused to go look at him, self-disgust plaguing him. Goku knew what had happened. He knew everything .

How could he even look at me after everything that's happened? After he saw me like that… I feel so humiliated right now…

"Oh, right, your arm was hurt. Here, let me help you." Goku kneeled down, picking up the shirt and carefully working Vegeta's hands through the arm holes. Slowly, he got the shirt over his head, then wrapped an arm around his waist to lift him. "We need to get your underwear and pants on now. Can you stand up for me…?"

"Just leave me here." Vegeta refused.

"What? Don't be silly. Come on." Goku urged him up. After a moment, Vegeta stood, clinging to Goku's shirt for support.

"Lift your foot up." Goku eased him into the process, slipping his underwear on for him, and then his pants.

The side effects of the drug and his injuries had caught back up with him, causing him to sway. He almost fell, but Goku's hold on him remained secure.

"Now where's your boots at?" Goku asked.

"...They're over there." Vegeta weakly pointed to his right.

The boots were surrounded by flames but seemed intact.

"Here, I'm gonna pick you up, okay? Try to bear with me." Goku pulled him into his arms, carrying him over and grabbing them.

The sudden shift in movement hurt because of his broken ribs, but, outside of small hiss of pain, Vegeta endured it.

"Everything's gonna all right now." Goku assured him gently. "I'm taking you back home and then we're gonna get you a senzu bean. Just stay with me."

"Wait…" That's when Vegeta remembered the necklace.

He looked around, trying to see if he could find it. Water was starting to build up around them. The ship was sinking.

"What is it?" Goku asked.

"I have to find it…" Vegeta choked out, trying to escape his arms.

"Hey, don't anywhere. Find what? What'cha lookin' for?" Goku asked, patiently.

"The necklace…" Vegeta replied, in a strained voice. "The one you gave me…"

That's what he's so worked up about? Goku was a bit surprised at first. "It's okay, I'll get you another one. Come on…"

"No… You spent all of your money on it. I can't leave without it." Vegeta tried to pull away again.

"Vegeta, listen to me. There's water all around us and the ship is sinking. That necklace is probably long gone by now." Goku said. "And you look like you're about to pass out. If you go down there, you're liable to drown."

"Yeah, but-"

"Shh…" Goku soothed. "Just save your energy for me. We'll talk when we get home, okay?"

Securing his hold on Vegeta, He flew into the sky.

Vegeta wanted to protest further, but Goku didn't seem to be having it, so eventually, he rested his face against his chest.

Kakarot's scent. He smells so good…

It was at that moment that he started to black out, the last memory he had being of melting into the other man's warmth.

….

Hours later Vegeta woke up on their bed after ingesting a senzu bean that Goku had just given him.

"Kakarot…" He murmured.

"Hey… Glad to see you're awake again… How are you feeling?" Goku asked.

Vegeta immediately turned away, shame consuming him, knowing Goku had seen him like that. "How can you even look at me right now…? I betrayed you… Aren't you going to leave me…?"

"Of course not… You didn't betray me, Vegeta… You were raped..." Goku spoke gently, but firmly enough to make his stance on this clear.

"I cummed to him… even though I tried so hard not to." Vegeta slurred, cursing himself for his weakness. His shoulders were shaking. "I feel disgusting right now…"

"Hey, that wasn't your fault… Don't talk like that…" Goku caressed his cheek. "Look at me…"

Slowly, Vegeta met his gaze, tears streaming the side of his face.

"You can't always control how your body responds to stuff like that…" Goku said. " You're the one who told me that, remember? Back when I was worried about the same thing… Mine reacted too when he touched me, and I was terrified ."

Vegeta stared at him, shifting over in the bed so he could melt into Goku's touch.

"I'm sorry…" He then reached up and grabbed Goku's hand. "You got assaulted because of me… I never meant for you to get caught up in all of that..."

"Don't apologize." Goku murmured. "It's my fault he lured you off in the first place. I shouldn't have left you there…"

"You didn't know that would happen…" Vegeta replied.

"Maybe not, but still… I just wish I had gotten to you sooner… But I was too late, and he…" Goku's voice became uneven as the image of Atticus inside of Vegeta once again flashed through his head, and then the cum. "I should have been stronger …! So that way I could have protected you. 'Yet instead, you ended up having to save me instead, even though it should have been the other way around…"

"Kakarot..." Vegeta's heart clenched at hearing the crack in Goku's voice. "Please…"

Reaching up weakly, he wiped the tears from Goku's face. "Don't beat yourself up over that. You did everything you could have… and more . Getting the people off of the ship, and bringing them to safety while I focused on nothing but destruction… You're such a good person… I almost killed Bulma in that blast, but you stopped me… For that, I'm nothing but grateful to you. For saving her. And them."

Vegeta's eyes caught sight of the bite mark wound on Goku's chest. He ran a hand over it, with a painful expression. "I'm just glad… That he didn't… go any further with you…. If he had, then… I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself… I still can't… He touched you and for the longest time, all I could do was watch . But… When I heard you shout, and I saw the tears in your eyes, I knew what he had done."

His hand traveled down, stopping with a saddened and helpless expression at his v-line. The touch was intimate. "He fingered you, didn't he…? That's why you were in so much pain…"

Vegeta couldn't have seen it for his pants, but it was pretty easy to assume.

The smallest of nods. Goku looked ashamed. And vulnerable even saying it.

"I'm sorry…" Vegeta murmured. "That must have triggered some bad memories for you… Are you alright…?"

"Well…, it's certainly nothing compared to what you went through, so-" Goku started to say.

"That's not what I'm asking." Vegeta cut him off. "I'm asking about you , not me."

"...Well, I guess… It was a little scary." Goku admitted, with uncertainty. "He stuck three fingers inside of me at once, so it really startled me. But… it's not like he raped me, right…?"

Should I really feel that torn up over it? Vegeta went through way worse.

"Kakarot, it doesn't matter how far he went. What he did to you was wrong." Vegeta took his hand into his own, admiring the soft skin, even as he intertwined their fingers. "That damned bastard. He couldn't stop at just me. He had to go after you as well. I swear I'd kill him again if I could…"

An uncomfortable silence settled between them as Goku considered his words. "Hey, Vegeta? There's… something I need to ask you…. and I understand if you don't want to talk about it, but it's something important to me…"

There was no response, but Goku knew he was listening.

"How many times… has he done that to you?" He forced himself to ask the question. "Raped you, I mean…?"

"...don't know." Vegeta replied, almost evasively.

"Tell me the truth, Vegeta." Goku pressed it again. "I saw the bruises, the ones on your thighs. And the others too, so I can tell. He's done this to you multiple times, hasn't he?"

"...Yes." Vegeta admitted.

"How many…?" Goku urged.

"I told you I don't know…" Vegeta trembled. "It's just… Too many times, ever since I was a child… I couldn't keep up with it. I'm sorry… Please don't be angry at me for that."

A sob escaped his lips as he hid his face against Goku's chest, hugging tightly against his body, desperate for security.

Okay, maybe Goku should have expected that answer, since, granted, even his own question had been a little vague.

"Don't apologize, I'm not mad at you…" Goku ran a few fingers through his hair. His intentions hadn't been to upset him. "Actually, I probably should have worded that a little better. What I meant to ask was… how many times since he first arrived here on earth… Can you tell me that…?"

"..." Several sobs escaped Vegeta's lips. He was still under the influence of drugs but even in this state of mind, he didn't want to tell him that. Goku would leave him for sure.

"Vegeta, look at me…" Goku urged, cupping his cheek.

"No." Vegeta refused. "You'll blame me, just like the rest of them."

"The rest of who…? You're not making any sense." Goku said softly.

"...The Frieza force. They mocked me for it." He wasn't making much sense, and he was extremely emotional right now, but Goku could tell it was the drug that was partially responsible since he also sounded exhausted and kept slurring his speech.

"Well, I'm not going to mock you for it. But I want you to tell me everything you can. How many times… did he rape you while I was around, Vegeta?" Goku refused to back down on this.

"...While… you were in the hospital… or after…?" Vegeta inquired.

"Both… actually…" Goku pressed.

"Before… It was…" A long pause as Vegeta tried to think. "about thirteen or fourteen times, I think… Afterwards… it was… maybe twenty four… or was it… twenty twenty five…"

"Twenty five times… But that's… How ?" Goku tried his best to process it. Bruises had continued to appear on Vegeta's body a lot, always in the same places, which Vegeta kept saying it was from training, but in all that time, Goku had never actually seen Vegeta go off with Atticus. So the only other possibility was…

The image from the night before loomed in his mind as it had so many times before that day, a sick realization passed over him. "Vegeta…, tell me, when did he do these things to you…?"

"..."

"Answer me, please…" Goku demanded, gently, but wanting an explanation more than anything.

"It happened… while you were asleep." The words sent a cold chill down Goku's spine, confirming his conclusion.

He… raped him…. while I was sleeping? No, this can't be… How could something like this happen without me noticing it?

I know I'm not the lightest sleeper, but still…

Could it be the medication…? It knocks me out so I often don't hear things… Maybe that's why I never found out about…

"He'd… often bring me to the gravity chamber and do it to me there. He said I was too noisy, so he wanted to…" Another sob escaped Vegeta's lips as he broke into tears, clutching at the fabric of Goku's pants leg. "shut me down…"

Goku's breath hitched, his heart skipping a bit. "So then… the reason you've been drinking so much lately… Is that… because of him as well? Like the night that I came home… You collapsed on the floor… You seemed afraid of something… You wouldn't even let me touch you at first…"

"...He told me… if I fought back or disobeyed him, then…" Vegeta trailed off for a moment, trying to regulate his emotions. "he'd do the same thing to you. It scared me, and he was stronger than I was, so I did what he asked. I didn't want him to hurt you."

"I know…" All Goku could feel in that moment was guilt.

How could I have let this happen to him?

All those times, he was being raped and abused, and I just stood by, trying to tell myself that maybe it was nothing after all, that maybe I was just being paranoid. A part of me didn't even want to believe it.

If only I had done something… I'm such an idiot!

I'm so sorry…

"He said he'd tell you that I was cheating on you because I cummed, but I wasn't…, I would never do that to you, I swear… I-" Vegeta looked up at him with desperation.

"Shh, it's okay…" He pulled him into a hug, pressing his lips to Vegeta's forehead. "I know You wouldn't… You're loyal…"

Vegeta buried his face against his chest, clawing at his skin. "The only person I want is you , Kakarot, Nobody else... Nobody else makes me feel things the way you do…"

"Well, I'm not going anywhere…" Goku kissed his neck.

"A dick doesn't get hard unless you're aroused. Admit it… You want me."

"I wouldn't cheat on you… I wouldn't…" Vegeta repeated the same thing again, almost as if to convince himself. "I swear… I even tried to stop him, but… I wasn't strong enough and my body… it-"

"Shh… None of that was your fault… We've talked about this… You were hurting. You asked him to stop and he ignored you. Forced you into it anyways. Even threatened you. That's rape, Vegeta… it doesn't matter how your body reacted. It's obvious that you didn't want that… If anything, I'm the one who should feel guilty right now…"

"You…?" Vegeta replied, drowsily amidst his crying. "Why?"

"Because… All that time, you were trying to protect me, even at the cost of giving up your own body. The signs… everything, it was all there… Right in front of me… but I wanted to believe you were okay. So when you said it was from training, I-I just feel so awful right now… I should have been there for you… but I wasn't… I failed you, when you needed me the most… I'm so sorry…"

As his voice cracked and he broke down in tears, he held Vegeta in a protective hug, cursing himself again and again, for not having done more, for lying to himself.

Apologizing over and over again in nonsensical ramblings.

"Kakarot… No, please… Don't blame yourself…" Slightly delirious, Vegeta became panicked by Goku's mood shift, slipping his arms up out of the larger man's grip so he could touch his face and wipe his tears away. "This is all my fault. I pushed you away, and even lied to you, because I didn't want you getting involved… There's no way you could have known."

"...I promise I'll get stronger, I'll even start training again, so that way… That way I'll be able to protect you the next time something like this happens. I swear…" Goku choked out, like he hadn't even heard him.

"Kakarot, that's not necessary." Vegeta held him tightly.

"For me, it is . I tried to fight him, Vegeta, but I was too weak ." Goku said with frustration. "And, when he grabbed me like that, I couldn't even defend myself , let alone another person… I can't forgive myself for that. That's why… I have to… No matter what…"

Vegeta was quiet for a long time before he started playing around with the strands of hair in Goku's bangs. "...Often… When he… raped me… he would make me sing for him…" Vegeta lowered his head, refusing to look at him. It may have seemed like it came out of nowhere, but it was obviously something deeply personal to him. "That's why… when you asked me to sing for you…"

"It scared ya…?" Goku assumed.

"Mn." Barely a response.

"I'm sorry…" Goku ran some fingers through his hair. "I had no idea that that was why… I just thought you were embarrassed about it… I can't believe somebody would do that to you. If… If I've ever made you uncomfortable by asking you to sing, then-"

"It's fine, really. There's nobody I've ever wanted to sing to more than you… Mainly... because you're a Saiyan, just like I am… And the song that I sang to you before… It comes from our homeword… where we were born."

"I was wondering about that… I knew I recognized it somehow, but I couldn't place where it was from… I just knew it was in our language…" Goku reflected on it.

"Sometimes…" There was a down cast, yet fond expression in his eyes as he spoke. "Saiyan parents would sing it to their babies when they were in the incubators. My mother sang it to me, so I'm sure yours did as well at some point."

"What does the song mean?" Goku asked.

"...It's a song about strength." Vegeta answered after a moment. "I can't translate it word for word because of how different the language is… But… It basically says… that even the strongest may rise and fall, but true strength is pressing forward, despite the odds and finding a way to endure no matter what hardship one may face. It's survival, Kakarot… And we've survived."

"Huh…" Goku thought it over, before kissing the top of his head in a protective embrace. "We really have… haven't we…? Especially you…"

"You did as well." Vegeta kissed his neck. "I'm proud of you."

"I'm proud of you too, Vegeta…" Goku pulled him even closer, tighter than he ever had before, his heart clenching when the other man's shoulders started trembling.

Hearing those words, they had meant more to Vegeta than Goku could have ever known.

…

In the end, Vegeta fell asleep again, because he was still exhausted due to the side effects of the drugs.

With a final glance, Goku left the room, heading down the hall to the room where Atticus had been staying.

The first thing he noticed upon entering was the stench.

What is that? It smells like something rotting in here.. .

Looking around for a possible source, that's when he saw it, piles of dried vomit which had never been cleaned up.

Ugh… That's disgusting…

Goku wasn't the most sanitary person, but even he had standards. Opening up the window, he headed to the storage room, grabbing some cleaning supplies.

First, he made sure to clean up all the trash off the floor, sweeping everything else up around it and throwing it into the trash bag. He then picked up the mop and dunked it in the water.

Afterwards, he sloshed it around on the floor. It had hardened onto the linoleum so he had to work with it some, but, bit by bit, he soon had it up.

He headed to the bathroom, picking up one of the towels that he could soak up the water with. Goku made sure everything was clean and dry before wiping sweat off of his brow and returning to the room with some air freshener.

He started to spray it around, coming to a halt when he suddenly felt something fly past him. The sound of a small crashing noise could be heard against the wall behind him. He turned around to see what it was.

His eyes widened with curiosity when he saw a lone bird sitting on the floor.

It's a cockatiel…!

Closing the window, Goku reapproached the bird. Kneeling down in front of it, he started to reach out towards it, a bit nervous when the bird screeched defensively.

"Hey, it's okay, I'm not gonna hurt you." He tried again, slower this time.

The cockatiel screeched again, but it didn't seem to protest too much after Goku picked it up in his hands. Maybe it already had an owner. That would make sense, considering the little leg band.

It was just scared.

Holding it to his chest, he emptied out a cardboard box from one of the other rooms, putting the cockatiel inside of it and closing the top.

I should probably get some food for it. I'll have to go down to the store though.

I'm sure Vegeta won't mind it if I borrow his card for this…

…

Goku flew back to the store that Vegeta had brought him to before, grabbing a small bag of seed and millet.

Once he got back, he set the bird up with a small container of food and another one of water.

"You want some millet?" Goku held out one of the strips for it.

Slowly, the bird approached it, taking a hesitant bite of it. After a few seconds, it became more bold, chomping away at it. "Yeah, that's good, ain't it?"

"What are you doing…?" A voice asked, startling him. Hot breath hit the nape of his neck.

"Eep! Vegeta! Don't startle me like that!" Goku snapped, looking over his shoulder. "It's um… a cockatiel… It flew in earlier, so I went and got some food. Hope you didn't mind me using your card for this…"

"Not as long as you returned it…" Vegeta said casually, before looking at his face. "Don't tell me…"

"Uh… Maybe? Hold on." Goku patted himself down, nervously. "Where could I have put it…?"

"Let me guess, you lost it, didn't you…?" Vegeta folded his arms.

"No…" Goku denied. "Well, I know I had it when I left the store… Maybe I can retrace my steps or something, I did fly here."

"Just forget about it…" Vegeta sighed.

"But-"

"Look, I'll just have Bulma cancel it, so she can have us issued a new one. But in the future. Let me handle the cards. You got that?"

"Okay… But earlier, you were asleep, and I didn't want to wake you up…" Goku lowered his head.

"Well, if it was an emergency like this, I wouldn't have minded." Vegeta said. "In any case, I think it's probably best if we report this. Judging by the leg band, I'm guessing it already has an owner somewhere who's looking for it."

"Okay, but…" Goku said. "Vegeta…? I was… wondering… If nobody claims it… Could we… maybe keep it…?"

"What? Surely, you're joking, right?" Vegeta scoffed.

"Come on, please?" Goku begged. "Just look at him. He's adorable!"

"He's an animal , Kakarot. And animals require a lot of attention." Vegeta pointed out, remaining as stubborn as ever.

"I know that!" Goku argued. "I'll take really good care of him, I promise. Pretty please?"

"Tch… And what are we supposed to do when we have to go to Lord Beerus's world? We can't just leave him here!"

"Then we'll just take him with us!" Goku proposed.

Vegeta gawked at him. But the hopeful expression on Goku's face was more than enough to win him over. "Mn… Ugh… Fine , but for now we wait. We won't know anything for sure until later. But I guess he is… kinda cute…"

His cheeks tinged pink as he said that. He turned his head away.

"Hey, you should try petting him." Goku urged.

"He won't bite me, will he?" Vegeta asked with uncertainty.

"No, I don't think so. He let me hold him earlier." Goku said.

"If… you're sure about it." Nervously, Vegeta reached inside of the box towards him, but immediately jumped back, clinging to Goku when the bird screeched at him.

"You liar! You said he wouldn't bite!" Vegeta growled.

"He won't, I swear! He just… likes to hiss some." Goku fidgeted with his fingers a bit. "But he's not aggressive, I promise."

"Of course you'd say that…" Vegeta didn't trust it one bit.

"You know… He kinda reminds me of you a little." Goku snickered.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Vegeta demanded.

"Nothing~" Goku chirped, closing the box lid again. "I'm gonna go and put this bird seed up in the cabinet."

He gave a small grin when he heard Vegeta grumbling something under his breath before separating from him and saying he was going to make some phone calls.

…

Unsurprisingly, Vegeta ended up being the one who made sure the bird was fed and taken care of, because Goku wasn't trustworthy to follow up on stuff like that, although he did spend time with it.

By the next week, not only had they still not received a response about the bird, but the situation with Atticus still hadn't been discussed any further. Vegeta appeared to be avoiding it, so Goku let him be.

On the other hand, Vegeta had been drinking more, as if it was a means of forgetting for him, which made it impossible to ignore entirely. And yet, even then, Goku didn't say too much about it, not really sure how to broach the subject. He didn't want to be overbearing about it. After all, down deep, he knew that Vegeta needed space right now.

…

"You got me a new necklace?" Vegeta was stunned as he stared at it. The pendant was gorgeous.

"Yeah," Goku confirmed, sheepishly scratching his cheek. "I had to find the material to forge it, and it's not the exact same one as before, but I felt kinda bad about how worked up you got when he broke it and you couldn't find it. I hadn't realized it was that important to you."

"Well, of course it was important, you idiot. You're the one who got it for me." Vegeta held it up to his chest. "But you said you made this one, right?"

"Kinda?" Goku replied. "Bulma helped me a little with figuring out to make a hole for the chain, though. It's probably not as good as the original, but-"

"No. Don't worry. It's perfect. The fact that you worked on it yourself makes this one even more special to me. Thank you." Vegeta hugged him.

"It's no problem, really." Goku blushed a bit, returning it. "Also… I was kinda wondering if I could train with you…"

"What? Right now ?" Vegeta pulled back in shock.

"Yeah." Goku nodded. "Can we?"

Vegeta paused for a moment. "Um… I don't mind, but are you… really sure about this?"

"Uh-huh… I've been thinkin about it for a while now… And I decided I wanna get stronger. So I can help you… In case something like that happens again. I know I'm weaker than I used to be, so I probably won't be much of a challenge right now, but-"

"It's alright…" Vegeta didn't even need him to finish the sentence to know what he was going to say. "You're strong, so I know you'll catch up to me in no time at all. And then we'll continue our little game, as we always do. What do you say? Shall we bet on it?"

Their lips met.

"You're on." Goku smiled into the kiss. "Let's go to the gravity chamber. We can train there."

"Gravity chamber… Right, sure… I'll be out in a moment." Vegeta said shakily as Goku pulled away and headed down stairs to go outside.

Gravity chamber.

Gravity chamber.

Gravity chamber.

His head was spinning into a thousand different directions.

I haven't been back there since…

Clutching at his chest, he scolded himself.

No.

He's gone now.

He can't hurt me.

But what if somebody brings him back?

No. No. No. Don't thinkthat way.

Just breathe.

I'll be fine.

…

"Hey." Goku beamed as Vegeta came outside. He ran over, grabbing his hand. "Come on."

"I'm coming, don't pull me." Unfortunately, despite trying to tell himself he would be fine, Vegeta lost his nerve right before he stepped in the gravity chamber. "Wait."

"What's wrong?" Goku asked.

"I can't… I can't go in there… Let's do this somewhere else." Vegeta pulled back.

"What? Why? Vegeta, what's gotten into you all of a sudden?" Goku asked, confused.

"It's… what he did to me in there… I refuse to relive that." Vegeta muttered, his grip on Goku's hand tightening. His other hand was covering his mouth as if he was trying to keep himself from throwing up.

Goku's breath hitched when he realized what Vegeta was talking about.

"...I'm sorry, I didn't think about that. It's okay. We don't have to go in there if you don't want to. We'll go wherever you want." Goku said, brushing a hand over his shoulder and kissing the top of his head.

…

The two found a remote location about 15 miles down the road. It was the perfect location because there weren't any people or houses around.

"Hey, I wanna kiss before we do this." Goku said.

"We kissed earlier." Vegeta argued.

"I know but still. I want one now ." Goku grumbled.

"You'll get your kiss later." Vegeta blushed, looking away. "But only if you can manage to lay a single blow on me."

"Meanie." Goku pouted, before skeptically adding, "You promise?"

"Yes, I promise ." Vegeta's cheeks turned even redder. "There, are you happy now?"

"Okay, but you'd better not complain later when I steal one from you." Goku replied with mischief.

"Threatening me, are you? I'd like to see you try." Vegeta said, meeting his eyes again, his lips curling upwards.

"Hey, I know I'm weaker now, but I don't want you holding back on me, you got that?" Goku prepared himself.

It's true he was nervous. But he had to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

And, after over a year, he felt he was finally ready to take this challenge head on again, as scary as it may be.

"I wouldn't dream of it." Vegeta said, taking his own stance with a smirk. "Prepare yourself, Kakarot."

"I'm ready whenever you are, Vegeta." Goku taunted.

"Oh, is that so." Vegeta's lips curled upwards even further. "Well then, it would be quite rude of me to keep you waiting!"

With excitement like never before, the two saiyans advanced towards one another, their fists colliding in an explosive impact that caused the ground around them to shake.

Due to a burst of energy radiating from the impact, a crater opened underneath their feet.

It had finally begun.

…

Goku and Vegeta trained until nightfall. Unsurprisingly, Goku had lost, but he had put up much more of a challenge than Vegeta had originally anticipated. They were both heavily injured.

"So…" Goku was out of breath, he was sitting on the ground next to him. "How'd I do?"

"You did fine. I guess…" Vegeta mumbled.

" Hehe… I get to have my kiss now, right?" Goku asked, eagerly.

"Yes…" Vegeta's response was barely above a whisper, before urging Goku towards him.

Goku crawled over, pressing their lips together with a contented smile.

He couldn't help it. Kissing Vegeta was addictive to him for some reason.

…

That evening, Vegeta had finally caved and decided to buy a cage for the cockatiel. It wasn't all that big, but it would suffice.

"There. That should be good, right?" Goku smiled after they had finished setting it up. The bird was now inside, and they had fresh seed and water in the feeding trays. The bird was chomping on some millet that had been placed inside the cage.

"Yeah, at the very least, it's certainly better than having him stuck in a cardboard box all the time. I'm sure he's happier too." Vegeta said simply.

"It sure looks that way, doesn't it?" Goku pondered it. "You think we should get another bird? It seems like it would get lonely being without a partner, don't you think?"

"Probably. But we'll figure it out another day. For right now. I'm going to get a shower. I'm exhausted." Vegeta said as he left the room.

"Kay, I'll go get dinner ready." Goku said, turning off the light and heading downstairs.

…

Twenty minutes later, Goku had finished up, having chosen to make stew again.

When Vegeta returned to the kitchen, the first he did upon entering was head to the fridge and grab a bottle of booze.

Goku noticed it, but didn't comment.

"You made beef stew again? It smells good." Vegeta approached him with a curious expression. He had no shirt on, even if a towel had been wrapped around his neck.

"Oh, yeah." Goku said. "Thanks."

He tensed up a bit when Vegeta's arms wrapped him.

"Hey, when we're done eating… I'd… like to have sex with you." His voice was weaker than ever, but the words were clear.

"Wh-What?" Goku almost choked.

"I want to have sex with you…" Vegeta repeated, turning red in the face.

"Oh, uh…" Goku wasn't immediately sure how to react. It was so sudden, that it was almost nerve wracking.

"Can we…?" Vegeta asked.

"Yeah… okay…" Goku had to take a moment to breathe, his head was spinning.

Was this really the time for such a thing? After everything that had happened, he was asking to have sex? It seemed like a bad idea, but Vegeta himself was the one proposing, so maybe it was fine?

"But, Vegeta…?" Goku started again.

"Hm?" Vegeta was still leaning against his back.

"If… we're going to do that…" Goku considered his words, not wanting to upset him. "I don't… want you drinking beforehand."

"I'm not going to get drunk." Vegeta insisted. "It's just enough to give me a little buzz."

"I know, but still… I'd prefer you to be sober. Like… not under the influence of anything…" Goku said. His rule was clear. He wasn't going to let up until Vegeta gave up on the drink.

"Fine…" Vegeta gave in. "I'll put it back up."

Slipping it back into the fridge, he grabbed a can of coffee instead.

"Thanks…" Goku's response was nearly a whisper.

Vegeta sat down at the table, waiting for him to come over.

Eventually, Goku brought over two plates, which contained beef stew and rice.

He smiled, holding one out for him. "Here."

Vegeta took it, placing it in front of him. He grabbed the spoon that was offered to him, dipping out a spoonful and trying it. His eyes lit up. "It's delicious."

"I'm really glad you like it. I was worried I had used too much salt." Goku blushed a bit at the praise, before taking a bite of his own food.

"No, it's perfect, as usual. I always look forward to your cooking." Vegeta murmured, bashfully.

Goku lowered his head upon hearing that, as he gave a smile, fidgeting with his pants. "Well, good thing I've always liked cooking for you, so…"

"Always is a strong word, you know…" Vegeta scoffed a bit, but not out of disrespect. "When we were in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, I was never the most grateful to you. I'd insult you every other chance I got and treated you like garbage. I don't understand how you tolerated me."

"The same way you tolerated me all that time…" Goku looked away. "I know I can be a lot to deal with, so I can't really blame you."

Vegeta paused. "You and I aren't even comparable . You're kind , Kakarot… and, well, I'm… not. You should hate me after everything I've done to you. The stuff I did when I first came here. It's unforgivable…"

"Maybe, and others certainly might feel that way, but… holding onto grudges like that isn't really my thing. Besides, now you're the strongest ally I have. That's something, ain't it?" Goku grinned at him.

Vegeta stared for a moment, before looking away. "Why are you like that…? Such a fool…"

"Well, if I'm being honest about it, I don't really think you're all that bad," Goku took a bite of his food. "at least not anymore."

"...Tch. Of course you'd say that." Vegeta murmured.

"No, it's true. I see it all the time, like when we were at the festival. You got all defensive of me and said that I was yours…" Goku said, smirked.

"I… that isn't about morals at all, you're just trying to rile me up, aren't you?" Vegeta pointed a finger accusingly.

"Maaaybe~" Goku teased. "So what are you going to do about it?"

"Oh, you'll see. Right after I finish my meal." Gaining an affectionate gaze from Goku, Vegeta made no haste in scarfing down all the contents on the plate, and drinking several more sips of the coffee.

Goku finished almost immediately after, sticking his dishes into the sink, which Vegeta washed off.

"Now, come with me." He grabbed his hand, pulling him to the bedroom.

"Uh, okay." Goku grinned again, allowing himself to be pulled.

When they entered, Vegeta immediately drew him into a kiss, before he pulled back with a gentle gaze, their eyes meeting. "Listen… I've been thinking about something."

As he said that, he pulled Goku's shirt out from being tucked in his pants. "I… know I can't take back what was done to you. That experience will always be a part of you, just as it has been for me. But, together, I want to create a new experience for you, for both of us. If you'll allow me to…"

"Vegeta… I…" Hearing such words from him left him unsure how to respond. Normally, he would have protested after what had just happened, but Vegeta was the one who was asking, so maybe it was okay. Still… "I know I was teasing you about it, but… are you… sure you want to do this now? After everything that's happened… I don't want to take advantage of you…"

"I'll be fine. I'm used to it by now… it's normal for me…" Vegeta looked down, running a hand over Goku's chest.

"Maybe, but still, it shouldn't have to be. It's just…" Goku cupped his cheek, looking up at him with uncertainty. "Aren't you nervous…?"

"Well, of course I'm nervous… Even so…" Vegeta admitted, swallowing. "I refuse to let what happened take control of me. If I do, then I lose. It means I let them win."

"Still, you're… allowed… to let yourself feel those things… You know that, right…?" Goku touched his cheek. "You don't have to be strong all the time…"

"Don't worry, I said I'm fine. Believe me, I wouldn't suggest it if I wasn't ready for this… So…"

He took Goku's hand into his own, planting a kiss on his fingers. His stomach clenched but he pressed past his fear. "If you'd allow me the honors… I'd… like to take our relationship to the next level. But if you're still afraid, I'd understand."

Goku seemed at a loss for words. Even now, he couldn't rid himself of the shame he felt over his body, but the fact that Vegeta wanted him and loved him despite everything, it meant the world to him. "Okay… I know I told ya this before, but the only person in this entire universe that I'd want to touch me is you. Nobody else…"

"When we were talking on the phone, you said that I was special to you… That made me happy…" Vegeta smiled softly, running his fingers over Goku's shirt, teasing at the fabric, before he looked down. "Listen…, before we do this.. There's something I need to ask you… and I want you to be honest with me, okay?"

"What is it?" Goku asked.

"... It's… regarding our positions…" Vegeta considered his words nervously. "Are you… alright with letting me be the top…?"

"The top?" Goku inquired.

"Yeah, like…" Vegeta's face heated up when he realized Goku had no clue what he meant. "You know how… with a male and female… one is… more… dominant?"

"You mean like how the guy sticks his wiener into her-"

"You idiot , you shouldn't say stuff like that so flippantly!" Vegeta scolded. "But… yes, that… "

He looked down, trying to think of the best way to word it, his face has never been brighter. "With… two males… that works a bit different because we both have you know… the same parts. And, well, a lot of people like to take turns switching roles, but I'm… really not comfortable with being penetrated, so…"

"Ohhh… I gotcha…" Goku had to take an awkward moment to realize what he was talking about. But he could understand why, he wouldn't judge Vegeta for that. "Sure, I'm okay with that…"

"Wait, really?" Vegeta looked at him, a bit surprised.

"Sure, I mean, if that's what you're more comfortable with, then I don't mind... Honestly, I'd kinda prefer it if you took control…" Goku laughed nervously. "Is… that alright with you…?"

"Yeah. I'd… like that…" Vegeta confirmed awkwardly. "So… Can we… do this now…?"

As he asked that, he found himself tracing his hands along Goku's frame, desperately wanting to feel his skin, but not wanting to cross over any boundaries without permission.

"I dunno." Goku hesitated, his ears turning red as he fidgeted with the fabric of Vegeta's tanktop. "It won't… hurt me, will it? I'm kinda nervous…"

"You don't need to worry about that... I'll make sure you're prepared first… properly this time…" Vegeta assured him, not wanting him to be afraid, but also understanding from personal experience why he was.

Goku didn't respond. He seemed deep in thought about it.

"And, hey…" Vegeta spoke back up, sensing his uncertainty. He slipped a hand up inside of Goku's shirt in a sensual manner, as if he wanted to gauge his response. "If anything… gets to be too much for you, then I want you to tell me and we'll stop immediately."

He leaned closer, once again pressing their lips together, softly. "Deal?"

"Okay." Goku breathed into the kiss, offering a meek nod in return.

Vegeta gave a small smile at hearing that, tears welling up in his eyes. "...Thank you… for trusting me…"

There was a brief moment of silence as he steeled himself for what was to come before leaning back in and kissing Goku again. Tentatively, his tongue lightly pressed against Goku's lips in an attempt to open them.

After a moment, Goku let him in, responding in kind to Vegeta's advances and allowing the kiss to deepen. At first, it wasn't much different from all the other times they had kissed, but that's when Vegeta pushed him down against the bed, his hands already starting to wander. He freely let his fingers explore Goku's neck and chest, basking in the heat of the other man's skin under his touch.

A tingling warmth surged through Goku's body, his breathing became more rapid by the second as he felt Vegeta fondling his pec from outside the fabric of his gi.

Vegeta's own desires quickly started rising to the surface, and already, he was ready to go even further. He wanted to feel every part of his lover, and not leave a single inch of him untouched.

Vegeta leaned down and pressed his lips against Goku's neck, working his way down to Goku's chest.

He then reached down, teasing at his obi with his hands.

"May I?" He whispered, somewhat out of breath. Despite everything, he knew had to ask for permission. He didn't want to risk doing anything that Goku wasn't fully prepared for yet.

"Alright…" Goku said, a blush forming on his face. It seemed a bit strange since he had been naked around Vegeta before, multiple times, but it suddenly felt like a whole new experience.

Upon receiving permission, Vegeta gently untied it, swallowing the lump in his throat before slipping off Goku's gi and shirt, exposing his muscular torso beneath. Despite the weight that Goku had lost, Vegeta found himself drawn to the sight regardless.

"You're so beautiful… I know I keep saying that, but I can't help it…" He murmured, looking down at the other Saiyan with a gentle expression as he traced a hand over his abs.

Goku clutched at the covers, stifling a small laugh because of the ticklish sensation, but he was more focused on the praise that Vegeta had just given him. Being complimented in such a genuine way by the man who usually only had insults to speak towards people, wasn't something he expected and some part of him couldn't fight off the insecurities he felt over his body, knowing that Vegeta's full attention right now was on him.

Vegeta could tell that he was insecure. He had come to recognize that expression. And he so badly wanted to change it, for Goku to see in himself what he saw.

So the only thing he could do was show him.

His fingers danced lightly over the soft curves of Goku's pecs, it was the first time Vegeta had been able to let his touch roam so freely over Goku's body, the first time Goku had allowed him to.

Goku's eyes were on his hands, observing cautiously as they moved along his skin. And Vegeta could tell. He was anxious. They both were.

Vegeta continued his strokes with one of his hands, cupping his chin with the other and pressed their lips together, once again easing Goku into the rhythm of the kiss. Goku closed his eyes and returned it with enthusiasm, reaching up and running his fingers through Vegeta's hair, lacing them in the fluffy spikes.

Their tongues entwining, Vegeta tried desperately to communicate to him that he was wanted. Not just for his body, but everything about him. That, despite his scars, despite his past, despite everything , Vegeta still loved him just the way he was. That he could never judge him for any of that.

Out of breath, he pulled himself apart from the other Saiyan, but continued to stimulate Goku's pec, wanting to see how he was responding to his touch.

Goku's flushed face and the loving expression in his eyes told Vegeta more than enough, that Goku was just as excited about this as he was. Knowing that was a satisfaction like no other and he wanted to drink in every second of it.

Slowly, he began to leave a trail of kisses and bite marks down Goku's torso, feeling Goku's body heating up even more in response.

"Mm..." Goku murmured, his voice a bit shaky. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to be carried off by the moment, as if he weren't all there any more.

Vegeta's hands then moved down further, stopping at his thighs.

"Can I… take off your pants? Or do you still want to wait a while?" Once again, Vegeta needed full consent and wanted to give Goku the proper time to process what was happening. To process every step of this.

"No, it's fine… I'm alright with it." Goku's reply was barely above a whisper. He was still panting slightly.

"You sure?" Vegeta's ears turned red.

"Mhm." Goku nodded sheepishly.

"Alright." Vegeta's fingers worked their way back up to the waistline of his pants. He tugged at the fabric slightly, careful not to rush anything.

He paused for a moment to glance at Goku's face again, to check for any sign of uncertainty. But there was none. Instead, Goku was blushing, his eyes on Vegeta's hand. He looked vulnerable, more vulnerable than Vegeta had ever seen him before. He trusted him.

But knowing that is what scared Vegeta the most. Goku was Vegeta's responsibility now, to care for and look after. Everybody was counting on him to do just that, but if something went wrong and this hurt Goku despite his reassurance that it wouldn't, Vegeta wouldn't be able to forgive himself.

Self-inflicted scars peaked out from one of Goku's armbands, reminding Vegeta just how much was riding on this; of the trust that Goku had built in him. Trust that was fragile. He didn't want to lose that. He couldn't.

Swallowing, he felt his heart pounding in his chest. His hands were sweating. All of a sudden, he couldn't move.

It wasn't like Vegeta hadn't seen Goku naked before, so why was this so terrifying?

"What's wrong?" Goku asked, a bit insecure.

"It's… nothing… I just…" Vegeta forced the butterflies away from his stomach, and continued to lower Goku's pants, exposing the man's body almost entirely minus his underwear. Vegeta pressed a shaky hand against his inner thigh, accidentally brushing a thumb against his crotch. He gave a small smile when he heard another small giggle escape Goku's lips. "I want this to be perfect for you. But I'm afraid I'm going to mess it up…"

"It'll be fine…" Goku cupped his cheek. "I know you, Vegeta… You're not like him … or them … You wouldn't do what they did…"

Vegeta's cheeks flushed at the gesture despite the embarrassment and anxiety he was feeling. Goku's faith in him was touching.

"Heh, thanks for the vote of confidence..." He pressed his lips against Goku's hand, trying to maintain his composure. Slowly, the tension dissipated.

Unable to hold back the temptation any longer, Vegeta kissed the skin of his pec, His tongue tugging at Goku's nipple as he gave his other pec a small squeeze.

"Ah… Mn…" Goku immediately let out several breathy moans in response, clutching at the fabric of the sheets.

He's so sensitive… Vegeta's heart pounded in his chest, satisfied by the sounds escaping Goku's lips. So precious...

Goku's fingers continued to dig into the sheets as Vegeta stimulated the spot. The Prince's touch was filled with so much affection and tenderness. Vegeta's hands… and his mouth, they feel so nice… I want him to touch me more…

Feeling a rush of excitement upon seeing Goku's body respond to him, Vegeta's hand glided over his abs, coming to a stop at his hip.

His fingertips rested around the edges of Goku's underwear once more, teasing the bare skin underneath.

"Do you mind…?" Vegeta started to say, his voice just above a whisper, his face bright red.

He knew he kept asking for permission, they had had this discussion, but he wanted to be as sure as he could about what the man was comfortable with.

"No, it's fine. Go ahead…" Goku closed his eyes tightly, shaking his head. It was one of those rare occasions that he felt these desires, but his entire body was aching for attention. He needed this.

"Okay… I'm taking them off now…" Vegeta said, his voice awkward yet determined.

He worked off the fabric of Goku's underwear slowly revealing to him his lover in all his glory. His nails roamed over the skin that had once been covered, his touch light and tentative.

Knowing that Vegeta's gaze was fixated solely on him and his body, Goku couldn't help but feel weak in the knees. He looked off to the side, avoiding his gaze due to how embarrassing this was.

Vegeta found the sight adorable, but had to double check that he wasn't making any mistakes.

He leaned down again, his lips brushing against the man's shoulder. Slowly, he lowered his mouth to Goku's neck, placing a kiss just below his ear. His tongue tickled the man's skin gently.

"Hey, what're you looking away for, huh? There's nothing to be shy about, Kakarot… Not with me, there's not…" he purred slightly, in spite of the fact that he too was nervous.

"I can't help it… This is… new for me, with you, so…" Goku couldn't finish the sentence.

"I know." Vegeta's lips curved upwards as his hand slid between Goku's thighs, delicately teasing at a spot that he had never touched before. "But that makes it all the more exciting, don't you think…?"

"Ah…" In that moment, Goku let out another soft moan from the sensitivity, his body trembling under Vegeta's touch.

Vegeta smiled a bit at the sight, his touch growing more confident as he continued.

"So tell me…"

Vegeta's gaze shifted downwards slightly to where his hand was resting, wanting to hear him say it. Wanting to be told what Goku wanted. He needed permission.

"Would you like me to take care of you?" He whispered, his voice low and slow.

"Take care of me…?'" Goku had to pause for a moment to ponder what he was suggesting. "Wait, y-you mean… with your... mouth, or...?"

He didn't finish the question, trying to get an idea of what he was asking. There were many possibilities that could come from such a statement.

Vegeta watched as he tried to muster up the courage to ask him directly. He was so cute to him when he was in this state, trying to process everything.

"Yeah…" He offered a gentle nod. "That is… If it's alright with you…" His hand continued to linger on that special place between Goku's legs, his own body already responding to it.

"Well, of course I'm okay with it, but... you're the one who's… uh... I mean... Shouldn't I do that for you instead?" Goku asked awkwardly.

"No," Vegeta answered instantly, his tone decisive. "I want to make you feel good. Can I…?"

He was the prince of their entire race, the prideful warrior race that was known for its strength and power. And yet, Vegeta felt entirely vulnerable before Goku at this moment.

"O-Okay…" Goku's head was spinning but he wasn't against it.

Vegeta smiled gently at hearing that.

"Now. Just try to relax for me. You're safe here, I'm not going to hurt you." Vegeta whispered softly, his voice tender and full of affection.

He let his words sink in, his eyes still focused on Goku and his face, making sure that he was comfortable.

Goku offered a small nod, deciding to trust him.

Vegeta lightly squeezed at the side of Goku's thigh, encouraging him to open his legs for him fully.

After a moment, Goku did so, shyly spreading out his legs and revealing himself to the other Saiyan.

In that moment, Vegeta felt a rush of pure emotions at the sight. Excitement, affection, the heat of lust grew hotter and hotter by the second. He lowered himself closer, close enough to taste what he had been wanting to for so long.

However, right as he started to, the scars on Goku's thighs caught the line of his vision, making it impossible to focus on anything else. Just knowing what they were from was a torment like none other.

So he kissed them. To say that he admired his strength for pressing forward despite everything. To once again thank him for trusting him enough to have sex with him after everything that had been done to him.

Above all, just to admire him, and tell him how beautiful he was.

just an art piece i drew that was inspired by this scene, pretend goku is naked

Not everybody liked their blemishes being focused on, Vegeta sure as hell didn't, but he knew Goku was the type of person who actually relied on this kind of reassurance to not feel ashamed of his body.

When he saw the blush on Goku's face grow even brighter, he could feel his heart pound in his chest, awestruck by the sight.

Turning his focus back to that beautiful spot between Goku's legs, his lips then opened, finally allowing himself to take in Goku's taste, his tongue tentatively testing out the tip before he took it inside.

And slowly, his lips, hands and tongue began to work together to make this the best experience for Goku. He took his time, wanting the other Saiyan to be able to feel and process everything.

When Goku let out a loud whimper, his back arching in response, Vegeta couldn't help but feel some pride in knowing that he was able to make his partner feel so good.

"You like that, Kakarot…?" His words were soft as he kissed the shaft.

"A-Ah… Yeah… Th-this feels amazing…" Goku's breathing was labored. He didn't know if it was normal to be this sensitive, but he could barely control himself. "You're… really good at this, Vegeta, But still… I feel like I should be doing this for you instead…"

"No, that's not necessary…" Vegeta said instantly, his tone clear and decisive. "I told you… I want this to be for you. You deserve to enjoy yourself…"

This was Vegeta's choice. Nobody was making him do this. He wanted Goku to experience nothing but pleasure; to give him a moment of peace to ease all of the pain he had felt. To take him back from the clutches of that man who had defiled him and tell him that he still had value. That, to Vegeta, he was as beautiful as ever.

"Well… I-If you're… really sure about it…" Goku unintentionally stammered from his nerves. As much as he had wanted to do it for Vegeta, and even offered to, the truth was he was still nervous about it. It had been a source of trauma for him, so, down deep, he was glad that Vegeta wasn't expecting that from him.

Another faint blush spread across Vegeta's face at Goku's confirmation to go ahead, a look of gratitude and affection in his eyes.

He then continued, his tongue and movements even more intense than before. His hands moved around Goku's thighs, kneading his muscles in a slow, rhythmical motion that he knew would feel good.

All of a sudden, Goku moaned again, even louder this time. His fingers dug into his pillow and his other arm covered his face, his muscles tensing.

Vegeta was almost sure the other man was already close to climaxing.

His own body was starting to become excited in response, but he persevered through. He couldn't allow himself to lose himself this early on or else he wouldn't last.

But it was hard not to, however, when Goku was responding this way. He was so sensitive, and his every moan, even the small ones, only served to make Vegeta more eager.

After a minute, Goku's breaths grew heavier, his hand starting to move down towards where Vegeta's face was, as if desperate to hurry this along.

Vegeta, however, took Goku's hand into his, holding it in place to make sure he got to fully experience this with no distractions.

"Ah…" Goku's body trembled in response to the pleasure that was building up inside of him. He looked down at Vegeta, his eyelids becoming heavy as he met his prince's gaze.

Vegeta had him close to climax, and he wasn't going to let up now. His jaw was beginning to ache from the effort but he wasn't about to let that stop him.

"Vegeta, I… I need to…" Goku moaned his name, pulling at his pillow case again and covering his face with it in the process. His shoulders were shaking and saliva had dripped down his cheek, but he was too overwhelmed to think to wipe it away.

"It's alright, Kakarot, you can let it out…" Vegeta purred quietly, as he switched back to using his hand to stroke him with, moving even quicker than before.

At long last, Goku felt himself give in entirely, unable to keep control when he finally reached his climax, releasing after a moment.

Having expected it, Vegeta accepted it into his mouth without hesitation. Goku's taste on his tongue, a warmth entered his chest as he swallowed it. It was so sweet.

Once he was sure the other Saiyan had finished, Vegeta removed his mouth from him. His face was flushed with a pinkish hue.

He then looked up at Goku, to see that he was still hiding his face under his pillow case.

"Are you alright…?" The prince asked quietly, his tone hushed and soft. Slowly, he moved closer, gently teasing at the fabric Goku was covering his face with. "Hey, let me see that… Don't hide your face from me… Kakarot…"

Vegeta wanted so badly to see Goku's face, to make sure that he hadn't messed up.

Despite his pleas, however, Goku's grip on the pillow case remained strong and stubborn.

"Please…" Vegeta urged, his voice gentle and comforting, as he tried again, tugging at the pillow case.

After a small struggle, he finally saw it, the bright flush on Goku's face from how shy he was. But there were also tears streaming down his cheeks.

Vegeta's eyes widened when he saw them, his voice now sounding a bit more concerned.

"...W-what's wrong? Why are you crying?" He asked with genuine concern, as he brushed some fingers across his cheek to wipe away his tears. "Hey, talk to me… Did I do something wrong?"

Vegeta was still somewhat in the haze of passion, but he had to make sure that Goku was okay.

He pulled closer in a panic, desperately waiting for Goku to answer.

"No. That was… great, I just…" Goku trailed off, breaking down. Sobs escaped his lips. "I feel like I don't deserve you… Or this…"

"No..." Vegeta said softly, his tone gentle and soothing. "Don't say that…"

His arms wrapped around Goku, trying to hold him in place. He didn't want to let him go, not yet. Not when he was so emotionally raw like this. He ran his fingers through Goku's hair, wanting to comfort him. "You deserve everything good in this world, you hear me? I'm just happy you enjoyed it… I was worried you hadn't…"

He pulled Goku even closer to him, wanting him to know how much he meant it.

Even though the words made him feel nervous, he knew there was no other way he could have worded it. He truly loved Goku in this way. It was something relatively new to him, sure, but it felt right.

"I… I need you, Vegeta…" Goku placed a hand against Vegeta's shoulder, burying his face in his chest. He couldn't stop crying no matter how much he wanted to.

"I need you too..." Vegeta kept his arms wrapped around Goku, letting the man lean against him as much as he needed to.

He rubbed his fingers against Goku's back, continuing to caress him, trying to give him as much affection as possible in that moment.

"No... I mean inside of me... Please… It has to be you… You're the only one who can stop it. I always wanted my first time with a man to be with you… but he stole that… So please… take me back… Take me away from him… I'm begging you…" Goku's voice cracked. He wasn't sure he was making any sense, and now that the words had left his mouth, he suddenly felt dirty, afraid that Vegeta was going to judge him.

"...Of course..." Vegeta let out a soft murmur when he realized what he was talking about. He hugged him tightly, pressing his lips against his ear and intimately brushing his hand across his chest to stimulate his pec like before, the other rubbing his tail scar to provide him with extra sensations.

Goku felt his own body respond to it, closing his eyes and losing himself to Vegeta's touch.

There was no shame or guilt this time, however; everything felt so right and so good. Knowing just how much Vegeta loved and cared for him.

This was okay.

He felt safe.

Vegeta continued to kiss and tease Goku, his breath growing more and more shallow by the second. It was as if his entire being was about to collapse with need. He could only feel guilty for what he was about to do, but he couldn't stop himself. He needed this. He wanted this.

And so did Goku.

Unable to hold back any longer, Vegeta reached over, pulling a bottle out from the dresser drawer.

"What's that?" Goku asked him, taking a look at it.

"This? It's lubricant… It should help make this easier and reduce any pain you may feel…" Vegeta explained, feeling a bit awkward.

"Oh… O-Ok." Goku said, not entirely seeming to understand, but slightly nervous, watching Vegeta squirt the substance into his hand and warm it up in his fingers.

"Here… I need you to spread out your legs for me. Can you do that?" Vegeta asked, putting the bottle on top of the dresser.

After a moment, Goku complied, doing as told. "Like this?"

"Yeah. That's perfect." Vegeta smiled softly, before becoming slightly hesitant. He needed to let Goku know what he was doing and give him some kind of warning first. "I want you to know this might feel a bit weird at first, but try to bear with me… I'm going to stick my fingers inside of you… And I want you to tell me if it gets to be too much for you."

"O-Okay…" Goku repeated, swallowing.

"Good… Now just try to stay relaxed for me, okay?" Vegeta said again, moving his hand down slightly. After a moment, his fingers reached Goku's entrance, and nervously, he stuck one inside.

Goku winced slightly at the pressure, grabbing Vegeta's shoulder instinctively, but due to Vegeta's skin being slippery from the lubricant, however, it helped a lot with easing him into it.

But Vegeta could still see that it was uncomfortable for Goku.

"Sorry, I'm not hurting you, am I…?" He asked in a low and concerned whisper, his heart pounding in his chest. As his finger slowly started moving in and out, he couldn't help but worry all over again that he was making a mistake.

Goku was silent for a moment, before finally muttering out a response with a quiet blush. "A little bit… It's kind of overwhelming."

"It is…? Do you want me to stop…?" Vegeta halted his moments while he waited for a response.

"...No... I-It's fine… Just keep going..." Goku nervously gave him permission to continue.

"You sure? I don't want to hurt you…" Vegeta said, wanting more than anything to make sure he wasn't crossing over any lines.

"Don't worry about it… I keep telling you… I-ah… trust you." Goku assured him.

"Well, alright… If you're sure about it…" Vegeta continued his slow and gentle movements, working his way deeper inside of Goku bit by bit.

All of a sudden, Goku let out a loud sigh of pleasure signaling to Vegeta that he had found what he was looking for.

"So this is Kakarot's sweet spot… " Vegeta prodded at the area a bit, blushing as he watched Goku respond to his touch. He was careful at first, waiting for any reaction that might tell him to stop or change what he was doing.

"Vegeta…" Goku clawed at Vegeta's back, wrapping his arms around his neck. His breathing was erratic and uneven. "I'm scared…"

Despite his words, Goku seemed to be enjoying himself.

"Shh… It's okay… You're safe with me… but I need you to relax… I can't enter if you're too tense…"

That's when Goku closed his eyes and buried his face against Vegeta's chest.

"Nonono… Don't hide your face from me…" Vegeta said softly, his expression filled with nothing but affection for the other Saiyan. "I need to know that you're okay with this… Hey, can you look at me…? Please…? Just let me see your eyes…"

Goku pulled back, in response, finally meeting his gaze. His heart swooned as Vegeta offered a genuine smile, to let him know that he wasn't judging him, that he had no reason to be so self-conscious; That he was beautiful in Vegeta's eyes.

"That's it… You're doing great…, just keep your eyes on me, okay…?" Vegeta whispered, satisfied when Goku blushed even brighter, choosing to comply, although his gaze eventually traversed down to Vegeta's chest instead.

Vegeta was okay with that, he understood that eye contact was nerve wracking for Goku when he was like this. But as long as he could see his lover's facial expressions, that's all that mattered to him.

Slowly, he kept up his treatment, continuing to stimulate him for just a little while longer, his finger moving at a steady pace, his touch light but firm.

As time passed, Goku's moans became more frequent, his breathing more shallow and quick. All the while Vegeta found himself growing more and more overwhelmed with desire. He couldn't contain himself much longer. He had his fingers, sure, but he wanted so badly to go inside of him for real . To feel him.

"Kakarot..." He whispered again, his voice filled with a mix of anticipation and concern. He wanted to give Goku more, to take it to the next level. "Are you ready?"

"…Yeah, I think so." Goku gave a small nod of confirmation, spreading out his legs even further and clutching at the sheets, tighter than earlier as he looked at Vegeta with a mix of anxiety but also trust. "Just... try to be gentle with me, okay...?"

"I will be..." Vegeta pulled his fingers out, his expression soft and kind. "I swear it…"

At that moment, Vegeta grabbed the bottle of lube again, squirting out some more to use on himself.

Goku awkwardly watched him free himself of his pants and lather himself down with the liquid.

After a minute, the other Saiyan finally seemed satisfied, leaning back in.

"You're so gorgeous… My Kakarot… Mn…" Vegeta's warm lips met Goku's neck again as he started grinding against his entrance, letting out a sensual growl in the process.

"Ngh…" Goku's heart fluttered at the compliment, but his senses were too heightened for him to know how to respond.

Letting out another moan, Vegeta had reached the point where he couldn't hold back anymore. He was finally ready to go all the way.

Goku braced himself for what was to come. He couldn't deny how scared he was. Yet he was excited at the same time.

Goku thought about it. Slowly, he took a breath, doing exactly as Vegeta expected of him.

With a calming and protective aura, Vegeta wiped some hair from his face. "I'm going in now… Just try to relax for me."

"Okay." Goku closed his eyes again, nervous… But then he felt a bit more than expected, like something was slowly filling him. "Ahh…!"

It's so big!

Immediately, he felt himself being stretched, letting out a small whimper in response. It wasn't exactly painful like when that man had done it, but it still felt strange. Tears welled down his cheeks. "Vegeta…"

"Shh… It's alright… You're going to be alright, Kakarot…" Vegeta desperately kissed him all over, and hugged him tightly, gently caressing the back of his head, anything that he thought might help calm him down some. He reassured him again and again, as he had so many other times, his tone calming and sympathetic. "I promise you should start to feel better in a moment, okay…? And if it doesn't, then… You can do me instead…"

"What? But earlier, you said-"

"I know what I said, you idiot…" Vegeta swallowed, fully ready to put himself in a position that he really wasn't comfortable with if it meant for making up for his mistake. His eyebrows furrowed due to the pressure he was feeling. Goku was so tight. "But I don't want you to be in pain…"

"Still, that wouldn't be fair to you…! Just… let me see, okay?" Goku insisted, wrapping his legs around his lover.

"...Are you… really sure?" Vegeta asked with uncertainty, hoping more than anything that Goku wasn't doing this for his sake. "You can say no…"

"No, it's alright… Just do it." For a brief moment, Goku had almost felt ashamed at what they were doing. Terrified even.

But he trusted Vegeta. And he wanted to see this through to the end. He loved him too much to back out now.

"...Well… alright…" Vegeta swallowed, his voice uneven and nervous. "I'm… going to start moving inside of you… and I want you to tell me how it feels… C-Can you do that?"

"Yeah, I think so…" Goku nodded, blushing a bit himself. Vegeta's so cute when he's shy…

Upon receiving a confirmation, Vegeta slowly began to thrust his hips, moving at a gentle pace, just enough to test the waters.

"Mn…!" Goku's back arched, unable to stop himself from digging into the skin of Vegeta's shoulders. He closed his eyes, heat consuming his body. Only moments later did Vegeta make contact with that special spot from before.

"Ahh…!" His body's instincts immediately took over, causing him to surrender to the feeling completely, letting himself be filled by his lover. "Woah, that's…"

Vegeta watched the transformation of the other Saiyan, his eyes full of love. He couldn't resist the urge to caress the side of Goku's face. "Feeling any better?"

"Mhm." Goku's eyes were half-lidded in a state of pleasure and confusion. He continued to squeeze Vegeta's shoulders, his fingernails pressing deeply into his skin in an attempt to ground himself.

"There, see…? I told you, didn't I…?" Vegeta kept his voice gentle.

"Hehe… You're so big, Vegeta. I was almost worried it wouldn't fit..." Goku couldn't quite believe how good it felt, as if it was completely new to him. And it kind of was. The first time wasn't consensual.

"Aw, did I give you a surprise…?" Vegeta smirked a bit. His own eyes fell half-lidded as he slid deeper inside, making it clear he was enjoying himself just as much as the other Saiyan was.

"Yeah, kinda… I… Nng… Ah… This feels incredible..." A soft expression was painted on Goku's face like he was stuck in a daze.

"Well, I'm just glad you're enjoying yourself…" Vegeta didn't want to say anything vulgar, but it was hard to resist the urge to tease Goku a bit since the man was so far gone. Speeding up his pace a bit, he found himself nibbling on Goku's chest again and then his nipple, leaving dozens of little bite marks in his wake. It caused Goku to squeak a few times, but the area was just so soft and plump. He couldn't help himself. "Hnng… Kakarot…"

"Mn… Hey, Vegeta…? Could you maybe go a little harder…? Please…" Goku suddenly begged. He usually didn't get like this except under rare circumstances, but he was desperate right now. He looked up at the other Saiyan, his expression filled with uncharacteristic lust and need.

Vegeta raised an eyebrow, the corners of his lips curling upwards.

"Oh, so you want me to go harder now, do you…? But earlier you told me to be gentle." Vegeta's voice was filled with a playful edge. Seeing Goku so horny was clearly entertaining to him.

"Yeah, but I didn't know it would feel this good." Goku rationalized, weakly. "Please... I can't... take this much longer…"

"Mn... Someone's needy. You said you might not last much longer. So tell me, how much longer can you hold on for?" Vegeta wanted to see just how much more eager the man would become. It wasn't often he got to see him being so horny.

"Vegeta…" Goku whined, not liking to be teased.

"What's wrong, you do want more, don't you?" Vegeta's tone grew more intense as he asked the question. He was completely enjoying having the upper hand in this situation, and seeing Goku in this state.

"Don't tease me about this…" There were tears welling up in Goku's eyes from the heightened sensations consuming his body, a hint of shame on his face.

Vegeta's expression softened after that, knowing fully well that he was playing with fire here. He didn't want to push too far and risk ruining this moment for them. Especially considering that certain words and mannerisms could potentially be triggering for Goku.

Sure, Bulma had been into some heavy kinks, but Goku wasn't like her, he was sensitive to these things, so Vegeta knew he had to be careful with him.

"I'm sorry..." He said, apologetically. "I didn't mean to upset you… If you want me to go harder, then I will… How's this?"

Goku felt a sense of relief as he could feel the other Saiyan's body begin to slide deeper and deeper inside of him, filling him up more and more with each time he went back in, his pace slowly increasing.

"Mn…! Nngh… Mmm…" His body was responding to every touch and every small movement. Every little shift in pressure was sending him closer and closer to the edge. His grip on Vegeta's shoulders tightened, his breathing short and sharp. He felt like he was about to break apart, about to lose himself completely in the feeling. His muscles were tense, and his entire body was trembling, but he wanted this so badly he could barely stand it. "Vegeta... I think I'm about to…"

"So close again already?" Vegeta couldn't resist smiling again, taking some time to flick his tongue across Goku's ear lobe, as his hands returned to the marbled flesh on his chest, squeezing at them. "You're so sensitive…"

"I-ah can't help it… Ya feel so good in me… Mn…!" Goku trembled at the new sensations, ones that were too intense to describe. His eyes squeezed shut, having long since lost control of his mind and body.

Vegeta watched with adoration as Goku writhed in pleasure, letting out a series of shallow breaths.

"Vegeta… I'm…!" The Saiyan cried out, about to reach the edge, holding himself so tightly against Vegeta that his nails were drawing blood. He couldn't hold on for much longer. He was so, so close…

"Mn… I love you, Kakarot..." Vegeta left a sensual kiss on his neck to express his feelings in the only way he knew how. He didn't say those words often, but the sight beneath him was just so precious, he wanted so desperately for Goku to say the words back.

And Goku seemed to understand that.

"I love you too…" He was crying.

As Vegeta continued to thrust into him fiercely, Goku could feel it building up within him, he could feel his body begging for release. He was at his lover's mercy right now, and he was willing to let himself be completely consumed by him.

"Vegeta… Vegeta..." His voice became more high-pitched as he tried desperately to communicate his feelings. His words were nonsensical, nothing like a normal coherent sentence. Even so, Vegeta understood. He knew how Goku felt, what he was trying to say, because he felt the same.

"Ah, ah, hnng, Vegeta!" At long last, Goku finally reached his threshold, unleashing everything he had been building up inside of him at once, making a mess of himself in the process.

He breathed out deeply, feeling lightheaded, his body wracked by pleasure, and all he could do was lie on the bed, his body tense, gasping for air.

"Kakarot..." The very sight of it was enough to send Vegeta over the edge. Unable to hold back any longer, He came into his mate, letting out a satisfied moan at finally being able to unleash his desire.

He knew that Goku was fully his now, This moment was perfect, he couldn't have asked for anything more.

Pulling out, he laid down next to Goku, his body drenched with sweat as he attempted to catch his breath. He was exhausted and his mind was still foggy from his climax.

All he wanted right now was to stay right where he was. He felt Goku's body, he felt his presence, and that was all he needed.

"So…" Vegeta almost couldn't continue, he was too tired and too overwhelmed with emotions. Instead, he lifted his head up and gently kissed Goku's cheek, letting that gesture alone communicate his feelings for him. "Tell me… Did you enjoy yourself…?"

"Hnnng… ahh… Yeah… that was amazing." It was difficult for Goku to speak. He was drained, both physically and emotionally, and his voice was barely a whisper. At this point, what Vegeta was asking him was obvious. His body was still aching, still tense. But the moment had been perfect, and a part of him almost wanted to do this again sometime. But another part of him didn't quite share that sentiment. He just wanted to relax and recover for now.

Goku's lips curled up in a smile with a small hint of embarrassment as it began to dawn on that Vegeta had just seen the most vulnerable side of him.

"Honestly, I didn't think it was possible for me to feel that way…" Goku continued, his tone more calm and level-headed than earlier. "But you... I don't know how you did it."

"Heh, I rather enjoy seeing you get so sensitive to my touch… and hearing you cry out my name. It was cute…" Vegeta's smile grew slightly as he looked over at Goku.. He enjoyed making him embarrassed like this, even if he was still a bit shaken after the experience they just had together. It was such a power trip for Vegeta, and he wanted nothing more than to do it again.

Goku couldn't help but blush a bit at his teasing. He pouted a bit. "Vegeta…"

"What? You know it's true." Vegeta still wore a playful grin, as if this was all some sort of game to him.

"Yeah, but still, I told you not to tease me about it..." Goku puffed out his cheek slightly, a bright blush on his face.

Vegeta's expression turned into one of mock surprise, and he couldn't hide his amusement. "Come on, there's nothing to be embarrassed about…."

"I can't help it… Bein' in that position is weird t'me, y'know….?" Goku shyly covered his face.

"Weird? Weird how?" Vegeta's tone was a mix of amusement, but underlying concern.

No response.

"Babe, look at me… There's nothing wrong with enjoying yourself, or letting yourself be happy… It's normal …" He then moved a bit closer, so that his face was directly in front of Goku's covered one. He wanted to have a moment to admire the other's beauty, to see his face.

But that's when he heard him stifle a sob.

"You're crying again… Is… Is everything okay…?" He knew that Goku was exhausted, and that his emotions were all over the place, but still, he couldn't stand to see this much pain or sadness from someone he loved. He had to comfort him.

"I'm just... worried I wasn't good enough for you or something… You deserve so much better than me…" Goku mumbled insecurely, refusing to meet his gaze.

"What…? How could you think that?" Vegeta's tone turned serious again. He wanted more than anything to communicate to him just how much this had meant to him. "You were fantastic. Everything about this was..."

"...You… really mean it...? I… I really did okay...?" Goku's voice was strained, as he moved his arm down to shyly meet Vegeta's gaze.

" More than that… You did better than okay. The moment we shared together was perfect, and I loved every minute of it, because it was you … Nobody else…" Vegeta's expression was soft and tender. He didn't want Goku to have any doubts. He wanted him to enjoy and treasure this moment, not feel bad about it.

Goku stared at him for a moment, his ears heating up at the genuine sincerity. Yet his expression remained slightly insecure, as if there was something weighing on his mind.

"...Vegeta...?" He started again, with a small shy smile.

"Hm?" Vegeta looked up, raising an eyebrow as Goku spoke. He was curious where this was going, and why Goku was still being so shy. He thought he had already reassured Goku enough times. "What is it…?"

"...Can I... kiss you?" Goku struggled to ask. They had kissed multiple times before now - hell, they had just had sex - so why was it so hard for him to ask for such a favor now ?"

"Of course you can… Come here." Vegeta held Goku close as they kissed, his passion burning hot.

Reaching up and embracing his neck, Goku almost felt as though he was being consumed by him, but he wasn't complaining. It felt nice.

More than that, it felt right . He was safe with Vegeta.

Vegeta felt Goku hugging him, clinging to his body as they kissed. Goku's eyes were half lidded as he met Vegeta's gaze with adoration.

Vegeta looked back at Goku, still feeling his lips on his own. He couldn't help but smile softly as he reached out to caress and stroke Goku's hair. He needed to touch him, he needed to know that this moment was real, that it wasn't just a dream.

After a long moment the two broke the kiss, pulling back.

"Sorry, I should probably clean myself up, huh?" Goku murmured awkwardly.

"It's okay. Why don't you let me handle that…?" Vegeta moved down, licking up the sticky substance off of Goku's stomach and chest.

"Vegeta…! That tickles…! Stop that! Use a paper towel!" Goku burst out laughing, gaining a smirk from Vegeta in response, who always found the sight of Goku laughing to be the most precious thing.

"Why? It'd be such a waste. You taste so good."

"I-I what? Vegeta…" Goku had never been more flustered in his life, but as he watched Vegeta lick it, he paused, the blush on his cheeks remaining. "What's that stuff taste like anyways…?"

"It's sweet… or at least yours is…"

"Then… I'd… like to try yours sometime too… If that's okay with you…" Goku lowered his head sheepishly.

"...Heh, I doubt you'd be interested…" Vegeta grabbed some tissues from the drawer, and began to clean up around Goku's entrance. "Mine's bitter, or so I've been told…"

"That's okay with me… If it's yours…"

"...Tch… Moron…" Vegeta scoffed, wadding up the tissue and tossing it into the trash can. "You're something else, you know that…?"

"...Oh, hey, y'know what…? I just realized something." Goku mused aloud.

"What is it?" Vegeta leaned his cheek on Goku's shoulder, looking up at him.

"So…. you know how you're a prince, right? Well, if the two of us got married, then wouldn't that make me a prince too…?"

Vegeta blushed at the sudden discussion of marriage. Honestly he wasn't sure how to respond at first.

"W-What are you saying? D-Don't be ridiculous…!" Vegeta sputtered, but it was clear that he was just embarrassed. His face was as red as a tomato and he was looking down.

Goku smiled at seeing that. "Well, would you like to? Get married, I mean…"

"...You're… asking me …?" Vegeta swallowed, taken aback.

"Well, duh, who else, silly ?" Goku teased.

"...But… Can we actually do that?" Vegeta stared at him in shock, looking like he had never even heard of such a concept before.

"Yeah, sure, why couldn't we…?" Goku looked at him with confusion.

"Well, we're both men , so…" Vegeta's voice was uneven as he tried to gather his thoughts. "Many places would never allow that…"

"Then we'll just have to go somewhere that it is allowed. See? Problem solved…" Goku caressed his cheek with a smile.

"... When I was a child, I was told by my Father that same sex marriage was wrong… That it went against nature . Yet here you are, another guy, asking to marry me… It's insane… ! Of course I'd say yes, you clown." Vegeta embraced his neck, his shoulders shaking.

"Awesome! Hehehe…" Goku giggled, grinning stupidly as his lover hugged him.

The idea of being married to each other almost didn't feel real, but here they were.

The two Saiyans couldn't be happier.

…

Goku woke up hours later, to discover that Vegeta had fallen asleep beside him.

They were both in bed now, naked just as they had been earlier.

From the looks of the light that was flowing in, it had to have been early into the next morning, but still not dawn yet, although it was close.

The rays that were illuminating off of Vegeta's face and his body made the sight so much more alluring to Goku.

Vegeta's so cute when he sleeps. It's not often I get to see him this relaxed. Usually, he's always scowling.

He blamed it on the fact that he had just woken up and was still half asleep, but he couldn't help himself. Reaching over, he ran a hand through his partner's hair which was soft and silky to the touch.

Tracing his fingers down Vegeta's face, brushing his thumb over his lips, and then down further, admiring the soft lumps of flesh on his chest, with a small smile. His pecs are tiny.

And his skin is so smooth… Is that just a Saiyan thing? Because Chichi once said the same thing about me…

Why can't I stop touching him…?

Vegeta…

Leaning in, he pulled Vegeta's body closer to him, kissing his neck, and then his chest.

"Mn." Vegeta moaned a bit, opening his eyes, dazed, as he placed a hand on Goku's head. "Kakarot…? W-What are you doing…?"

"Oh, uh, sorry…! This isn't what it looks like, I swear. It's just… you were so pretty in the moonlight-oh god. I'm so sorry, please don't be mad at me." Goku covered his face with his hands in embarrassment.

"It's… fine… It felt nice."

"Really? You mean… You're okay with it?" Goku seemed nervous.

"Yes, but… In the future, if you're going to start kissing on me, just wake me up first…" Vegeta sighed.

"I know…" Goku mumbled. He looked like a child who had got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. It was adorable.

Vegeta couldn't possibly stay mad at that face.

Goku leaned in again, continuing where he left off, the small sounds escaping Vegeta's lips as he nibbled on his neck quickly becoming addictive. Goku licked at his earlobe, his hot breath awakening something inside of Vegeta.

Vegeta embraced him, kissing Goku's upper shoulder. Goku let out a small "eep", however, when the other man's teeth dug into his skin.

"What's the matter…?" Vegeta smirked a bit. "Too much for you?"

"N-no. You just startled me is all..." Goku puffed his cheek out a bit, trying to recover from the bite by holding it.

"It's not my fault you let your guard down…" Vegeta refused any responsibility.

"I did not ." Goku denied, bitterly.

"If that's true, then why did my teeth make contact with you, huh? Maybe you wanted me to bite you… Is that it…?"

"I-" Goku cut himself off, his gaze was evasive. "Maaaybe…"

"Ah, so I was right, after all. Then tell me, Kakarot…" In a matter of seconds, Vegeta flipped their positions so he was now on top of Goku. He had a mischievous grin plastered on his face, hands pressed against Goku's chest. "Shall I turn things up a notch…?"

Goku's eyes widened a bit, but he certainly wasn't complaining. He liked it when Vegeta got feisty. "Do your worst. I dare you."

"Believe me. I will ." He said that, but instead of biting him again, he ran several fingers over Goku's stomach, tickling him.

"Wait, this isn't fair, Vegeta! No tickling allowed, that's cheating! Hahaha…!" Goku attempted to push him off, but failed miserably.

"Oh, Kakarot, you know I'll exploit any weakness of yours, even this one…" Vegeta refused to relent.

"You're such a jerk!" Goku couldn't stop laughing. "I wouldn't do this to you ."

Vegeta teased. "You wouldn't ? Now isn't that rich, considering you had no problem making moves on me while I was asleep just a moment ago."

"I said I'm sorry! I swear I won't do it again!" Goku insisted. "Just have mercy on me! I'm begging you…!"

"Giving in already? Very well… " Vegeta gave a satisfied smirk. "Hey, I've got an idea…"

"What?" Goku inquired.

"Why don't you and I…" He twirled his finger around Goku's chest in a flirtatious manner. "go on that date we were talking about before…?"

"Y-You mean today?" Goku asked.

"Yeah, are you up for it?" Vegeta offered.

"Sure, I am kinda hungry. Just lemme get around." Goku said, jumping up and heading to the dresser to grab some clothes.

Vegeta smiled softly as he watched him.

Future husband and rival.

Has a nice ring.

It's almost hard to believe, but this is my life now.

And I wouldn't trade it for anything.

…

A/N:

This was my first time writing an actual sex scene, so I hope somebody enjoyed that.

I don't know my plans for this story yet, but I may eventually have an epilogue for Vegeta's and Goku's wedding.

If not, I imagine them getting married on a planet known as Oubus, and the wedding ritual is so crazy and outlandish but it's fun, there may be fusion involved or they get stuck to each other until midnight. If y'all wanna chip in on this, for fun ideas, I can definitely take advice. ?ￂﾠ

Anywho, I want to thank all of you who have stuck with me though this, because it's been a really long journey, and means so so much to me. ️