A Granted Gift [Goku x Vegeta]

Chapter One

***NOTE***
This chapter contains sensitive content some may not find suitable. Reader discretion advised.

The morning was met with screaming and yelling. Vegeta shielded his little brother from his mother's hits. He gritted his teeth as he felt his back burn. Despite his agony he held on to Tarble who was sobbing.

"You worthless little runt!" The mother yelled, her name was Samantha. She kicked and punched Vegeta with brutal force. "You are nothing but a burden! Quit your crying Tarble! You're fucking lucky your brother is shielding you! Get off him so I can beat him too!" Samantha kicked again this time she managed to kick Vegeta off Tarble. The little boy gasped, "Vegeta-" His cry was cut short as Samantha punched him. "Mom, stop no!" Vegeta tried to get up but his body screamed in agony. "See this, Vegeta? It's because of you! This is all your fault!" The mother grabbed a coffee mug smashing it on Tarble's chest. Vegeta begged his mother to stop and even tried to get her away from Tarble only to get beat down. This lasted for what felt like hours. Whenever Samantha was done her sons were covered in bruises and bloody. "Clean this shit up! When I get back this better be spotless or so help me I'll put you both in the shed! And no dinner tonight!" The mother slammed the door shut locking it behind her. Vegeta managed to get on his knees. His body trembled and his limbs felt like they were on fire. "T-Tarble?" Vegeta reached out to his brother's smaller form. "C-C'mon... b-before she gets back." Tarble began to sniffle but complied. "Why d-did Daddy have to leave?" The little boy whimpered. Vegeta sighed his gaze saddened, "I don't know..."
It took a while before the two brothers cleaned up the mess their mother made. It was only after Vegeta helped treat their wounds. Tarble suffered from deep cuts from the coffee mug, major bruising to the torso, face, and legs, and his little face had begun to swell. As for Vegeta, he suffered lacerations to his legs and back, bruising to his neck and arms, and his face was just as puffy as Tarble's.
"Vegeta, we're gonna go hungry again..."

"I know..."

"I'm scared..."

"Me too..." Vegeta wrapped up the last of their wounds. "We'll just go to bed early maybe she'll leave us alone." Tarble nodded hugging his older brother.

"Where the fuck are you two brats?!"

Samantha's voice startled the brothers. Making them rush to their room. Vegeta got on the bed Tabrle hiding behind him. Their mother slammed open the door. "I told you two worthless piece of shits to clean the fucking living room!" Vegeta tensed up. "B-but we did."

"Is that back talk?" Samantha walked across the room. "N-no I'm just saying we cleaned the room..." Vegeta looked down at the carpet flooring unable to meet his mother's gaze. "You look at me when I'm talking to you!" Samantha gripped Vegeta's chin forcing him to look at her. "Don't you ever back talk me again!" She slapped her eldest hard leaving a red handprint on his cheek. Vegeta yelped his eyes began to water at the stinging. Samantha snatched Tarble's arm and dragged both sons to the back yard. She shoved them both into the shed. "Stay there till Monday morning. You can starve till then!" Silence fell as Samantha left. Vegeta held his now crying brother close. They both shivered as winter brought its cold winds. "W-w-why can't Mommy love us like other mommies?" Tarble whined, "I wish Mommy would hug us and kiss us... I wish Mommy would love us." Those words shattered Vegeta. He too longed for those things. He wanted a mother figure. He remembered his father. A kind man. A good man. Vegeta never understood why he left. When he did was barely 4 and Vegeta 9. From what Vegeta could remember their father was the one to ever really care for them. Their mother was never really around. Always neglectful and it got even worse when the boy's father left. Vegeta and Tarble did indeed went hungry and cold. Alone in that tiny shed. They couldn't wait for Monday morning.

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Monday morning came around and Vegeta and Tarble were finally out of the shed to go to school. Vegeta walked with his little brother to drop him off at his school before going to his own. When he made it to school it was already packed with students. Vegeta did his best to cover up the bruising on his body and went to class. He looked around his classmates faces. They all looked so happy. It made Vegeta envious. He wished he could be that happy. Alas he drowned his sorrows and went on to his day.

Each class was the same shit different day. Some kid got caught selling drugs, a fight broke out, and the failing curriculum in the classes. Vegeta was used to it all. Hell, it sure beat being at home. Home wasn't even home for him. It was a hellish prison. School was his only escape. He always found ways to stay longer with his brother to avoid home. To avoid their terrible mother. Vegeta sighed as he made it to his last class. He nodded as a greeting to his classmates before taking his seat. His grey gaze roamed around the familiar classroom. The group of gossiping girls gathered together in one corner of the classroom, some quiet kids sat in their seats invested in their phones or a book, and the jocks and cheerleaders gathered at the back of the room chattering away about the latest game. Everything was just like the day before until Vegeta saw an unfamiliar boy. He was confused as it was rare for any new students to enroll in this backwater school. The new boy had wild hair, wore a bright orange sweater, torn up jeans, and worn out high tops. Vegeta began to get curious about the newcomer. He wanted to approach him but fear and anxiety took over. Besides the other teens were all over him. Asking question after question. The boy suddenly looked at Vegeta making the boy quickly look the other way. His face growing red in embarrassment. A few moments after the class began.

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All good things come to an end. That's what Vegeta felt every time he goes home. He loitered around the school with his little brother hoping to prolong his short freedom. He sat along side the curve with Tarble who was eating an apple saved from lunch. Both brothers were silent. All the noise was some cars passing by and a neighborhood dog barking at anyone that passes by. Vegeta closed his eyes taking in a deep breath. He had to go home now. He helped Tarble tie his shoes before getting up.

"Hey! It's you!"

Vegeta jumped and turned, instinctively placing his little brother behind him. His eyes fell on the new kid from earlier.

"I didn't get the chance to greet ya earlier, my name is Kakarrot but you can call me Goku." Goku gave Vegeta a goofy grin. He didn't smile back he looked down at his feet. "My name is Vegeta and behind me is my little brother Tarble."

"Nice to meet you two. I got snacks you guys hungry?" Goku pulled out several bags of chips. Two of the bags were spicy barbecue and the others were ranch and sour cream. Vegeta was about to turn the offer down but he saw his little brother look eager. "Okay, I'll take one bag." Vegeta picked out one of the spicy barbecue and handed it to his little brother. "Don't you want one?" Goku asked. "No thank you. We have to go home now." Vegeta held Tarble's hand and began to walk to their home.

"Bye Vegeta! Bye Tarble! I'll see you guys at school tomorrow!"

Vegeta turned and waved goodbye. When they got home it was thanks to lady luck their mother wasn't home. He took the chance to make something to eat but there wasn't much food. Vegeta used the last of the sandwich meat and bread for Tarble and he settled for a piece of bread. Almost immediately after they went to bed. Tarble snuggled up against his brother fast asleep. Vegeta stood up just incase their mother came in. His thoughts drifted off to Goku. He was the first person in a long to ever be nice to him. Vegeta was sadden at the thought. Maybe Goku just felt bad for him. He snapped out of it when he heard his mother come in the apartment and she didn't sound happy. Vegeta tensed as he prepared himself for another beating tomorrow morning.