Thinking of You

Part 10

Goku entered Vegeta's house with a smile, already feeling the warmth and comfort that the small house brought forth. It looked the same as it had when he had been there a week ago, but the smell was different. It was light and sweet, like lemons. Goku grinned wider and peeled off his jacket, setting it atop a chair pushed up against the table.

Marty tried to make a beeline for the house, but Vegeta slammed the door shut before the slobbery dog could make it inside. To say he wasn't a fan of the dog would be an understatement. Marty was messy, smelly, loud, and not to mention ugly. He couldn't understand how Goku kept him around. But, the larger Saiyan had always loved everything on Earth, so Vegeta couldn't blame him for falling for the ugliest dog the Earth had to offer. Goku didn't see 'ugly.' He only saw perfect. So, in his eyes, Marty was the world's best pet. Vegeta wasn't a pet person. Taking care of an animal seemed like a waste of time. He was aware that humans needed companionship with animals, but it seemed silly. Why waste time talking to something that couldn't talk back?

Goku spun around to face Vegeta, hands on his hips. "This is gonna be fun! Wanna make some food?"

Vegeta glared at him, then sighed. "Kakarot, do you think we're together?"

Goku cocked his head to the side. "Together? We're together right now, aren't we?"

"No, I mean...it seems like you think we're already dating, when we're not."

Goku blinked, then slouched. "Oh."

Vegeta leaned against the wall beside the front door, crossing his arms over his chest. "You're excited over something that hasn't been confirmed. Don't you think you're jumping the gun a little bit?"

"You're letting me stay the night at your house, so I kinda assumed..." Goku said, his voice trailing off. He stared at the ground, pulling on the bottom of his shirt absently.

Vegeta tilted his head. "Assumed what? Kakarot, you said you wanted to talk about us, so let's do that. I'm not heading into a relationship with you just because I let you in my house."

Goku knew Vegeta had a point, but he couldn't help feeling deflated. Of course he had gotten over his head, it was a bad habit of his. Just being around Vegeta was something special, but he had gotten over-excited and probably blew it. Letting out a breath, he sat down at the table beside him, fiddling with his fingers. He deeply loved Vegeta, but of course, if he said something like that, Vegeta would hit him. His feelings were bound to come bubbling to the surface when given even the smallest nudge. He kept replaying Vegeta's voice in his head, picturing his face over and over again. It was intoxicating, in a way.

Vegeta cleared his throat, and Goku jumped. "Kakarot, I asked you a question."

"You did? Uh, sorry, I was...thinking." Goku said, rubbing his bare arms. Come on, Goku. Focus, or Vegeta will kick you out.

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "I asked you why you would choose me out of everybody else on this entire planet. I tried to kill you before, Kakarot, or did you forget that?"

That's easy to answer, Goku thought, a smile forming on his face. "Well, there's a number of reasons. I think you're handsome and strong and confident and best of all, tiny."

Vegeta blinked. "You like me because I'm...short?"

Goku laughed. "Yeah."

"Should I be insulted?"

"No, it's more of a compliment, really."

"Kakarot, you do know the consequences if we actually...became what you want us to be, don't you?" Vegeta asked, and Goku noticed his expression was curious. Vegeta wasn't mad, Goku could tell. He was just asking questions to fully ground the idea of them possibly starting a close relationship. Perhaps the questions were to distract Vegeta from the fact that he, too, liked Goku just as much. The thought made Goku smile.

"I gave it some thought a while back." Goku said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I know we'd probably get distracted while fighting and stuff."

"It would throw us off our game." Vegeta said. "We'd only be focused on protecting each other and not on actually winning the fight."

"Maybe I don't care about winning fights. Maybe I just want to be with you." Goku blurted.

Vegeta stared at him, eyes wide. Kakarot...not wanting to fight? When the hell did that happen? He's always been focusing on getting stronger, stronger than anyone else in the universe. Everything Goku had said sank into Vegeta's head. It became more clear than ever just how genuinely Goku had fallen for him. A strange feeling overcame Vegeta's chest, which he assumed was the realization, the jerking realization, that Goku not just liked him more than a friend.

He loved him more than a friend.

Vegeta had to admit, he had fun around Goku. He knew how to lighten moods and make things relaxing and enjoyable. The Saiyan had been through a lot in life, they both had. But the ability to cast aside fighting just to be with someone...made Vegeta more aware of how determined Goku was to be with him. Relationships were something Vegeta never cared for. His entire focus in life was fighting, killing, and destroying. Goku was the opposite of that. Vegeta couldn't even imagine them sleeping in the same bed, eating breakfast together, or sharing clothes. All the weird things human couples did. It was obvious that Goku wanted to do those things. He was, at this point, a hopeless romantic. Vegeta could see in Goku's eyes the affection and kindness and innocence. Goku was well known to be overly affectionate to the ones he cared about, Vegeta was aware. But this time, it was different. And it made Vegeta nervous.

Goku took in Vegeta's silence and stood, locking his hands atop his head. "Hehe, you got pretty quiet. What'cha thinking about?"

"You know damn well what I'm thinking about." Vegeta snapped. "You can't just stop fighting!"

"Why not?" Goku asked. "Most of my friends retired from fighting."

"Like who?"

"Yamcha, Tien, Master Roshi-"

"Okay, okay, don't give me the whole list." Vegeta huffed, then locked eyes with the taller Saiyan. "So, let me get this straight. You'd be willing to stop fighting, stop training, stop trying to be the strongest...just for me?" It seemed unrealistic, and almost laughable.

Goku chuckled. "Nah, I'll still train. But I'll be a lot more careful during real fights, so you wouldn't worry about me. I just want to spend my whole life with you." He smiled his signature smile, all teeth with pure joy written on his face.

Vegeta scoffed. "Like you could be careful during a fight."

"Hey, I could if I wanted to, you don't know." Goku said. "I've just never tried it before."

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "You're ridiculous, Kakarot."

Goku laughed. "Isn't that part of my everlasting charm?"

"It's a part of something." Vegeta chuckled, shaking his head.

Goku stepped forward, slowly placing his hands on Vegeta's waist. The smaller Saiyan tensed immediately, staring into Goku's eyes with a look of nervousness, unsure if he should say something or remain quiet. Goku didn't move, either. His hands froze on Vegeta's waist, unmoving as the two locked eyes. It was almost as if he was rethinking what he had done, but didn't want to undo it. Vegeta didn't push him away, which Goku took as a good sign. The two stood still, eyes locked and breath nearly frozen in their lungs. Their faces where inches apart, close enough that Vegeta could see his own reflection in Goku's eyes.

It would have been easy to punch Goku in the jaw, but Vegeta remained locked in place. Silence swallowed them like a thick, heavy hug.

Until Marty barked loudly from outside, making both men startle and jump apart like roaches when the light flicks on.

Goku blinked and wiped a hand across his face, chuckling nervously. "S-Sorry about that. I couldn't help it."

"S-Sure...whatever." Vegeta said quickly, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

Goku cleared his throat and looked around the room, hands on his hips. "So...who gets the bed?"

Vegeta stared at him.