Try Again.

Try Again

Author - CrimsonTide

Pairings - Vegeta x Goku

AUTHORS NOTE - I just wanted to thank everyone who has reviewed. I really appreciate the kudos ^.^ I do want to remind everyone, however, that this fic was written over 3 years ago. It's certainly not my best work, and I do know it's full of flaws. If I had the time to re-write and re-vamp it, I'd do it in a second. Unfortunately, I don't and I just hope everyone can enjoy it as it is. Thanks again!


CHAPTER 4

“Mmmmmm…”

Goku’s eyes drifted shut as he slid further into the relaxing depths of his warm bubble bath. The Saiyajin couldn’t help himself when he found the bottle of bubble liquid sitting beside the large tub and didn’t hesitate to help himself to the sweet smelling mixture.

The strange thing was this was Vegeta’s private bathroom, and the prince didn’t seem like someone who’d enjoy bubbles. Goku chuckled as he thought about the reaction the older man would have when he questioned him.

“Probably blame Trunks for leaving them here…He’s a bad liar sometimes.”

Goku smiled through half-lidded eyes as his tail appeared through the surface of the water, covered with bubbly suds. He’d managed to master the art of walking while he was out in the woods and was even used to doing a little shadow fighting with it. How he held up in a spar against another person was a different story. He’d find out soon enough though. Vegeta seemed restless and was probably ready for a good spar.

Goku lazily traced circles through the water with his tail, content by the rumbling sound reminating from deep within his chest. The gentle vibrations caused small ripples to appear on the water’s surface, though it was barely noticeable below of bubbles.

He became so relaxed that he completely failed to notice the bathroom door slide open, then shut again with a small ‘click’. He didn’t even notice as a figure approached him and kneeled behind the large circular tub. He didn’t notice, that is, until he felt two hands come to rest on either side of his neck.

With a startled gasp and a loud splash, Goku ducked completely beneath the sudsy water, casting an eerie calm on the surface.

Vegeta couldn’t help but laugh as the Saiyajin re-emerged with a head full of bubbles, not to mention the tail peaking through the surface of the water was about three times bushier due to the fur standing on end.

The prince’s laughter only intensified as a frowning Goku opened his mouth to say something, only to have a few bubbles pop out as he hiccupped. Shortly after, Vegeta found himself with a face full of suds, and his stunned expression gave the other Saiyajin reason to laugh as well.


All at once, Goku suddenly became aware of the situation and couldn’t help but lower himself back into the bubbly water until he was up to his chin. Vegeta smirked as he finished wiping the last of the suds from his face.

“No need to be shy, Kakarotto. It’s not like I haven’t seen everything.”

The younger Saiyajin’s face suddenly turned five different shades of red. “What?! When??”

“Those clothes didn’t just appear on your body that day, you know.”

Purple now seemed to be the latest fashion, for this was the color of Goku’s face at the moment as he lowered himself even further into the water, blowing bubbles through his nose as he exhaled.

Again, the prince chuckled as he removed his shirt and tossed it to the side. “What’s the problem? I saw nothing to be ashamed of.”

Goku blinked as the other Saiyajin moved on to remove his tight fitting spandex and the blushing Saiyajin immediately spun around to face the other direction.

“Wha… What are you doing?”

“Taking a bath. It’s my bathroom, you know.”

The younger Saiyajin’s tail swished nervously beneath the water’s surface when he heard the other Saiyajin enter the water, emitting a sigh of satisfaction as the steaming water washed over his skin.

Then there was silence for a moment.

“Besides. You’re hogging all my bubbles.”

Goku couldn’t help but crack a smile at the comment. The last thing he expected was for Vegeta to openingly admit to being the owner.

The Saiyajin turned slightly when he heard the prince shift and got an eyeful when he spotted the older man leaning over the side of the tub to retrieve the bottle of bubble liquid from the floor. It took everything he had to keep his eyeballs in their sockets.

Vegeta smirked evilly as he returned to the water with a splash, bottle in hand. He had known exactly what he was doing and was pleased to see that the other Saiyajin was at least looking at him now…even if he did have a bloody nose.

“I think we should add more, don’t you think, Kakarotto?”

“Hn?”

“Bubbles.” Vegeta replied, holding the bottle up to the younger man, who was starting to regain his wits. “Give me your tail.”

Goku grinned as the furry appendage poked out of the water. “I can’t give it to you, Vegeta. It’s kinda attached.” he teased as he flicked the tip back and forth.

“Doesn’t mean I can’t have it.” the prince smirked as he gently took hold of the other’s tail. The appendage noticeably tensed when it stilled in his grasp, but Vegeta was quick to ease the younger man’s tension as he gently worked his fingers through the dark fur, kneading the sensitive flesh beneath. Goku’s eyes became half-lidded as he rested his head against the back of the tub, his body becoming completely relaxed.

He groaned in disappointment when the pleasureful sensation ceased. Vegeta just smirked back at him as he applied the bubble liquid to the Saiyajin’s tail.

“In time, Kakarotto. Just a preview.”

The prince then dropped Goku’s tail back into the water and leaned back against the tub. “Now rotate your tail.”

The younger Saiyajin did so and grinned as fresh bubbles began to churn up, filling the tub to the brim with suds.

Both Saiyajins sighed at the exact same time and closed their eyes, neither even considering moving until the water was too cold to stand.

------------------------------------

An hour later…

“This water is too cold to stand anymore.”

“Agreed.”

Both Saiyajins were quick to grab nearby robes as they hopped out of the now freezing water and securely fastened the sashes around their waists, each shivering with the occasional sneeze.

Vegeta opened the door, and immediately froze in place as a blast of even colder air assaulted his wet skin.

“Good kami! When did we move to the North Pole?!”

The prince turned back into the large bathroom and was surprised to see that the other Saiyajin was gone without a trace.

Well, there was one trace.

Vegeta glanced down at the floor and quickly took note of the wet trail of footprints leading into his bedroom and straight to his bed, where a suspiciously Saiyajin-looking lump took shape under the covers. The lump even sneezed every now and then.

“Kakarotto! Get out of my bed! You’re all wet!”

“But I’m cold!” Goku whined, pulling the thick sheets around him even tighter.

“I don’t care! You’re getting everyth---“

Vegeta paused in mid-sentence as he thought about what he was saying. Kakarotto was in his bed… willingly… and he was trying to make him get out?? Who was the one with the brain damage again?

The prince wasted no more time with arguing as he made his way to his large bed and sat on the edge, contemplating on whether or not he should keep his robe on or off. He usually slept nude, after all, but he didn’t want to make the other Saiyajin run off screaming like a little girl.

A soft snoring noise then drifted from the lump bundled in the cocoon of covers beside him and it became obvious that Goku was already asleep. The prince shrugged and let his only piece of clothing fall to the floor. What he couldn’t see wouldn’t hurt him.

Vegeta tugged slightly at the covers and frowned when they didn’t budge from the other Saiyajin’s grasp.

“Damn it, Kakarotto! First you hog the bubbles and now the covers! There’s no living with you!”

Silence was all that answered the prince, whose arms were folded angrily. But then, a snort, then a chuckle, and then a stifled laugh drifted to his ears.

“Are you laughing at me, baka?” Vegeta snapped.

The comment only made Goku laugh harder and a moment later his head popped out from the jumble of sheets he’d wrapped himself in. “You sound like an old married couple.” he snickered.

“I do not!” the prince growled. Goku buried his head back within the covers before answering again in a small, almost inaudible voice.

“Do so.”

“That’s it!”

Vegeta immediately pounced atop the pile of covers and began digging through them until he’d found his prey, who he immediately pinned to the mattress.

“Take it back or you’ll regret it!” he threatened.

The smile disappeared from Goku's face as his eyes took on a glassy appearence and tremors that had nothing to do with the cold overtook his body. It was obvious his current position was bringing back horrible memories of that night.

The prince quickly took action as his hands suddenly lowered to the other Saiyajin’s sides, where they immediately began their attack. Goku’s eyes widened right before he burst out in uncontrollable laughter. Vegeta’s smirk became more sinister.

“Just as I thought. Ticklish. It’s a terrible weakness, Kakarotto.”

The younger Saiyajin desperately squirmed and made several failed attempts to knock the prince’s hands away as he gasped for air between laughing fits.

“Vegeta--- Ahha!---Stop! I--- hahahahhaa!!---can’t breathe!”

Any further speech was halted by another wave of laughter and soon Goku squirmed himself right off the bed. He landed on the floor with a ‘thud’.

Vegeta grinned down at the fallen Saiyajin, watching as he wiped away some tears caused by all his laughing.

“That was a dirty move..." Goku moaned as he rubbed his aching sides.

“I told you you’d regret it, Kakarotto. I never lie.”

“Yeah, fine.” Goku said as he slowly pulled himself back into the bed. His chest still heaved a bit as he attempted to catch his breath. “I take it back then.”

“Good.” Vegeta said with a satisfied smirk as he laid back down and pulled some covers over himself. Goku did the same and the room was soon quiet and dark.

“Vegeta… Were my eyes playing tricks on me, or are you naked?”

“Your eyes are fine.”

“I see…”

Moments later, Vegeta felt a rush of cold air on his skin as the covers were once again snatched away, followed by a barely audible snicker from the other Saiyajin.

“Kakarotto!”

----------------------------------------------------

The sound of chirping birds and the feel of warm sunshine soon filled the room, and with a disappointed frown, Vegeta came to realize that morning had come all too soon. With his eyes still closed, the prince flipped onto his stomach and brought his arms beneath the pillow that cradled his head, mumbling inaudible words about how every bird should be shot for chirping so early in the day.

Sleep was just about to re-claim the Saiyajin when something tickled his cheek. After rubbing his face against the pillow to soothe the prickly feeling, another swipe to his skin brought back the same sensation, and Vegeta lazily opened his eyes in order to find the source.

His eyes soon focused on the furry black tail that was draped over his neck, lazily tracing light circles on his cheek. The prince smirked when he remembered that Kakarotto had slept in the same bed, and he was pleased that the other Saiyajin decided to stick around.

Vegeta flipped over and was almost surprised to see that the younger man was awake. He was turned on his side and was looking at the prince with a thoughtful and almost disturbed expression, for his eyebrows were slightly furrowed as if he were having conflicting thoughts.

When Goku saw that the prince was awake, his tail immediately withdrew back under the covers.

“Kakarotto?”

The younger Saiyajin was silent for a moment, and his nervously twitching tail could be seen from beneath the sheets. "Do you really have feelings for me... or do you just pity me?” His voice was soft and low.

The prince frowned slightly in confusion as he regarded the other Saiyajin with thoughtful eyes.

When he remained silent, Goku went on. “You’ve hated me since the first day we met, and now you’re suddenly acting… Well… Like this. I don’t understand. And in the woods…” The Saiyajin paused for a moment as his cheekbones took on a reddish hue, and Vegeta couldn’t help but smirk at the cute display.

Yes. Cute.

Goku continued. “You’re not just trying to… Uh… I know you and Bulma haven’t been…” The younger man stopped and suddenly took a great interest in the invisible circle his finger was tracing in the sheets below. Fortunately for him, Vegeta understood all too well what he was trying to say. He growled slightly in irritation.

“No, Kakarotto! I’m not trying to take advantage! That would be sinking down to a human’s level!”

Goku seemed to shrink back a little at the prince’s angered tone, and he kept his eyes downcast to the mattress as his finger continued to nervously trace circles in the sheets. “Ok… But I still don’t understand why you…”

Vegeta couldn’t help but grin as he thought about how his fellow Saiyajin would react to what he was about to say, though he himself couldn’t help but feel a little on edge as to how he’d take it.

“I knew I couldn’t have you.”

Goku’s eyes finally rose to meet those of the prince’s, though the confused and surprised expression expressed within his inky depths urged Vegeta to continue.

“I acted like I did all those years because of that woman of yours. You weren’t available to me, nor was I to you because of Bulma. I wanted to make sure distance was kept. What better way to keep distance than by driving you off? You didn’t make it very easy though, baka. You kept coming back.”

Goku couldn’t help but crack a smile at that.

“But Bulma and I are no longer an item, and from what I’ve gathered, that banshee makes you miserable. And with no obstacles in my way, I can have you all to myself. The only thing keeping me from accomplishing my goal, is whether or not you want to accept me.”

Vegeta fell silent for a moment in order to allow the other Saiyajin time to think. It was all more than a little overwhelming for the younger man, and the expression on his face was proof. Goku appeared to be having a conversation with himself judging from the thoughtful expressions that crossed over his beautiful face. The prince decided to help him with his decision as he leaned over and ran his fingers over the younger man’s cheek.

“I can make you feel whole again, Kakarotto. You won’t have to be alone anymore. A Saiyajin bond is forever. It’s there even after death. And unlike your former mate, I’ll accept you completely for who you are. You won’t have to pretend anymore, Kakarotto.”

Vegeta’s words hit Goku like a ton of bricks. It was everything he wanted. Everything he… needed. He needed someone who he could be sure would never decide that they were tired of him and just leave him behind. He needed someone who could understand him as a Saiyajin, not the human they wanted to believe he was. He needed someone with a passion for excitement, life, and battle as he had.

He needed Vegeta.

Now he just had to be sure Vegeta needed him. With a small amount of hesitation, Goku moved closer to his prince and rested his forehead against Vegeta’s, staring the older man right in the eyes.

“You promise?”

A deep purr of satisfaction answered. “I promise.”

The prince then brushed his lips against Goku’s, and without hesitation, the younger Saiyajin leaned into the kiss. Their tongues met in an intense battle, each fueled by passion and desire. Vegeta swiftly moved to straddle Goku’s hips and broke the kiss, nipping the other’s bottom lip as he did so. The prince smirked as he took the younger Saiyajin’s tail between his fingers delicately, brushing the soft black fur in long stokes. His actions were rewarded with a moan, followed by a purr as Goku’s eyes fell to half-mast.

“Besides, Kakarotto. I’ve always been a sucker for tails.”

Goku smirked as he wiggled his tail from the other Saiyajin’s grip and loosely wrapped it around Vegeta’s neck, pulling him down so that their lips were only inches apart.

“And I’ve always been a sucker for royalty, my prince.”

My prince.

Vegeta had longed to hear those words flow from the other Saiyajin’s lips for years now, and finally hearing how smoothly they slipped over Goku’s tongue was enough to make him want to dance with happiness. But he was a prince, after all. A hard ass one at that. Dancing was not an option… At least, not at this point.

With a growl of possessiveness, Vegeta once again ravaged Goku’s mouth before nipping along his jaw line. The prince slowly moved to nibble the Saiyajin’s earlobe, which was obviously a sensitive area on his responsive subject, for Goku’s entire body shivered with pleasure as he moaned his appreciation.

Vegeta had moved to the younger Saiyajin’s neck when a loud rumbling startled them both. They each looked at each other in confusion.

Another loud rumble.

Goku laughed in embarrassment when he realized it was his stomach demanding food. Vegeta just smirked as he rubbed his fingers over the finely toned abs, which were still covered beneath the thick fabric of the robe.

“Looks like the bottomless pit is back in business.”

The prince then climbed off the other Saiyajin and retrieved his disguarded robe from the floor before slipping it onto his nude form. “Let’s see if we can’t put some weight back on you, Kakarotto. I like my Saiyajins big and squishy.”

Goku blinked as Vegeta left the room in favor of the kitchen. “Squishy? Hey! Are you saying I’m fat?? Vegeta!! Wait up!” The Saiyajin quickly scrambled from the bed and rushed down the hall after the laughing prince.

TBC