Unexpected Happiness (Vegeta x Goku)

Chapter 22

Vegeta anxiously rubbed his neck as he waited with Bardock in the communications bay. He was clean and in actual clothes for the first time since he was captured and it was almost strange. His mind kept going back to Kakarot down in the medbay. They retanked him as soon as they were away from the planet, worried he could have injured himself or the cubs during his fights. Chorri was there with him and was allowed to watch the boys under the supervision of the other crew members. Seba was curious, but he wouldn't let go of either Chorri or Kome.

Kome was outright hostile towards the others, he could see the distrust they had for the cat, and how Fasha and Tora had attacked their tama. No one could blame the cubs, and Vegeta had a feeling Chorri only received the consideration she did because Vegeta had said she was coming with them and the fact the cubs were calmer with her. The older boy had not wanted Raditz anywhere near him, which meant they hadn't gotten the collar off him just yet.

Bardock was glaring at him again. His instincts screamed at him to snarl at the older male for daring to challenge his right to Kakarot, but he knew rationally Bardock was angry and hurt by what Kakarot had been subjected to and not necessarily angry at him for mating with the beta. He spent years looking for his son only to find he was pregnant and mated with two older cubs. Bardock was struggling to come to terms with the fact Kakarot was an adult and in spite of all that had been done to him, perfectly able to be mated.

He couldn't describe the relief he felt knowing Kakarot marked him first. It meant somewhere in the beta's mind, he chose Vegeta as a possible mate and bit him in hopes that Vegeta would see him as a mate as well. Chorri said that Kakarot had killed his partners before, but the prince didn't think that's what happened. There were too many other ways, better ways even, to kill someone than biting that spot. Saiyans only used that place for marking their mate.

A soft beeping from the console alerted them both to an incoming communication. Almost shakily he accepted the incoming transmission and came face to face with his parents.

"Vegeta!" The king and the consort shouted as soon as they saw their son, and the prince had to blink hard to keep tears at bay. "Thank Kalious you're alright!"

"Father, Tatama." His words shake some with the relief he was feeling at that moment. "It's wonderful to see you."

"How are you, Vege? Are you hurt? What's happened?" Yasi stared to question seeing bandages wrapped around under the prince's shirt. The younger alpha fought against the smile that threatened to overtake his face at the sound of the beta's concern. A tear escaped one of his eyes, and he brushed it away before his parents could see it.

"It's nothing. Just a few scratches from before everyone found me. They should be healed soon." He winced when one gave a painful throb.

"I knew Bardock would find you." The king smiled at his friend only to frown at the sight of the general's face. "Bardock, is everything alright? What's your report?"

"If you consider that we found my youngest son while we were looking for your son, then yes. Everything's...just fine." Bardock snarled at the floor. His hands clenched into fists and shook.

The prince winced at the sight of his teacher, and he had to fight against the urge to shift away from the older man. He had suffered through a nasty shock when they found Kakarot and Vegeta, and it was only now that things seemed to be sinking in his mind.