A Granted Gift [Goku x Vegeta]

Chapter Two

**NOTE**
This chapter contains graphic description some readers may not find suitable. Reader discretion is advised.

Vegeta managed to get Tarble out of the house before their mother began her usual beating. He trembled on the floor as his mother kicked him repeatedly in the gut. "It's your fault that my husband left! It's your fault we live like this!" Samantha screamed kicking her son once more. Vegeta spat out blood and spit. He whimpered, "n-no... no more... please..."

"No! You deserve this! Just wait till your little brother comes home. I'll make you watch!"

Vegeta shut his eyes shaking his head. He felt his mother grip his shirt collar lifting him on his feet. "Go clean your ass up. Now, what do you say when people ask about these bruises?" Samantha placed her face close to her son's. "I-I f-f-fell." Vegeta whimpered as his mother shoved him back down. "Good boy. Get the fuck out of here, brat."

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Vegeta couldn't hide the obvious bruising this time. He was always shrugged people off whenever they asked what happened. Saying exactly what his mother told him to say, "I fell." Some teachers pulled him aside asking questions only to receive the same answer. As predicted no one did a thing about it. But that was expected from the town of Goodneighbor. If it doesn't involve you it doesn't involve you. No one got into anyone's business and no one cared about someone else's problems. You were on your own most of the time.
Vegeta was tempted to run away but where would he and Tarble go? They had no contact with other family members anymore. Not since their father left. He sighed resting his head on his desk. He'll just have to hold out until he can leave this horrid place. Vegeta suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. He yelped in pain and almost panicked. He looked up to see Goku who wore a shocked and worried expression.

"Vegeta, what happened to you? Who did this?"

It took a moment for the smaller teen to calm down. He gulped, "I fell." He muttered. Goku frowned even more, "but... it looks like you got beat up."

"I just fell, okay? So drop it." Vegeta said harshly, "Leave me alone." Goku took a step back. "I'm sorry, I was just worried."

"Don't be. We barely know each other. So, leave me alone." Vegeta saw the hurt in Goku's gaze and almost immediately he felt guilt. Goku walked away silently sparing one last glance to the smaller male. The teacher settled the class down moments after to start the lesson. Instead of paying attention, all Vegeta could think about is the beating his little brother will get when coming home.

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Lunchtime was the only time Vegeta ever ate. At home, it was either their mother starves them or there was no food left in the house.
Vegeta sat outside beneath an oak tree. He silently munched on an apple staring at the other students mingling amongst themselves.

"Vegeta!" A familiar voice called out. Vegeta looked up to see Goku running towards him. "What do you want?" Vegeta said bitterly. The taller male-only smiled, "I wanted to eat with ya. Maybe get to know you a little better."

"Why bother? There's nothing interesting here. Go bother someone else."

"But I want to bother you. When I saw you I knew you were lonely." Goku said tucking his knees to his chest. Vegeta glared at him. "Lonely? What do you know? I-"

"Vegeta, you may be good at wearing that mask but your eyes give you away." Goku smiled again, "I just want to be your friend. To have someone to talk to." Vegeta fell silent. His chest pounded while his body began to tremble. He wasn't sure how to process this feeling. "So, do you want to be my friend?" Goku asked offering Vegeta an apple. At that moment the world stopped for a second. At that moment everyone disappeared, and it was just Goku and Vegeta. Slowly, Vegeta accepted the apple. "Okay. I'll try." Those words put a bright smile on Goku's face. "Really?! I was scared you'd say no! I'm so happy!" The taller male giggled. Vegeta relaxed a bit. "We should hang out after school. To get to know each other." Goku suggested, "you can bring your little brother too." Vegeta was suddenly reminded about his mother's threat. He tensed up panic bubbling in his heart. "I... t-t-that sounds n-nice. Where do we meet?" Goku smiled, "let's meet in front of the school."
"Alright then." Both boys enjoyed the rest of their lunch with either small talk or comfortable silence. Vegeta finally made a real friend. He actually laughed and relaxed. Goku made everything better for him.
Classes were the same too. Goku was in most of Vegeta's classes so he would sit next to the bright boy.

Whenever school ended. Vegeta headed towards the front of the school with his little brother. He was hoping that by the time they would come home their mother would be passed out drunk. The front of the school came in view and Vegeta walked a little faster. A small smile formed on his face at the thought of seeing his new friend. However, that smile vanished as his mother was standing there speaking to Goku. Samantha caught sight of them. "Vegeta! Tarble! Come now!" She called out in a sweet voice. It was an act... Vegeta knew that tone too well. He knew that mask too well. His steps felt like stone. He could hear his brother whimper in the back.
"Sorry about our hang out. Your mom said she wants you guys home. Maybe next time. Anyways I'll see you at school tomorrow!" Goku smiled waving goodbye. Vegeta wanted to stop him. Wanted to scream for help. He felt his mother's grip on his arm.
"I haven't forgotten, Vegeta. On top of that... who said you could have friends?" Her voice made Vegeta's stomach drop. He tried yanking his arm away only to earn a harsh slap.
"Don't try to resist it you worthless shit!"

Once they got home Vegeta and Tarble got beaten by their mother. The abusive parent was worse this time. Making Vegeta watch as his little brother was beaten till the poor boy passed out.
"No! Tarble! Please stop!"

"This is your fault, Vegeta! All of it!"

Vegeta sobbed shaking his head. He yelped as his mother yanked his head back. "I'm not done with you yet." His eyes widen as his mother pulled out a long blade. He began to fight against his mother more and more. "I said stop it!" Samantha forced Vegeta's arms out before cutting them open.

"No! Stop! Please, Mom! No, no more!" Vegeta sobbed. He truly thought his mother was going to kill them. He shut his eyes letting his mother cut him. His cries turned to soft whimpers. "Finally, you shut up. Now clean this shit up." Samantha harshly shoved her son to the floor. "I better not catch you trying to make friends. No one wants to be yours anyways. All you will ever amount to is a burden. You'll just drag everyone down." With that the cruel witch left.
Vegeta didn't move from his spot for a good five minutes. He heard his mother leave their home. It was then Vegeta picked himself up. He first checked on his little brother laying him down on the couch before fixing himself. Vegeta had to use old dirty rags for bandages. He would have to wear long sleeved shirts until the cuts would heal. Even then, the scarring will serve as a painful reminder.

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The next day in school Vegeta was covered head to toe. Even when he was uncomfortably hot, he kept his coverings. He avoided Goku at all costs. It hurt him to do so. After all he was the only kid at school who really cared for him. Teachers began to question Vegeta too. Asking why is he being more quiet than usual, or why is the bruising worse on his face. He avoided the questions and carried on. Vegeta knew better than to try to get help.

"Vegeta! Hey, wait up!" Goku caught on to Vegeta in the hall way, "I've been trying to talk to you but... you've be ignoring me." The shorter boy shrugged while walking faster. Of course Goku didn't let up. "H-hey! Don't walk away! I just wanna talk!"
Vegeta at this point began to run. He knew Goku just stopped chasing after him. He stopped at the end of the hall. His gaze fell on a hurt Goku.

"Did... Did I do something wrong?" Goku's voice cracked almost sounding like he was gonna cry. Vegeta felt even worse. "I just... I just wanted to know if you're okay... everyone's been saying things. I was worried about you."

"What's it to you?" Vegeta hissed. He hated acting cruel but his mother's threats lingered in the back of his mind. "I don't need your pity. So... why don't you just get lost? You're just making things worse!"
Goku stared at Vegeta for a moment before he looked down at his feet. A small sniffle escaped him before he spoke, "I'm sorry... I'll leave." Goku turned around walking off somewhere. Vegeta could hear his soft whimpers down the hall. He swallowed the lump in his throat before walking in the opposite direction.

Upon arriving home Vegeta was met with yet another piece of unfortunate news. His mother was sitting on the couch with another burly man. She looked at him and smirked, "Vegeta, Tarble... I want you to meet Derrick. He'll be your new father from now on." Vegeta felt his little brother grab onto him out of fear. He gulped as the large man approached them. This was the start of a new kind of hell.