Goku X Vegeta Oneshots

Without Me

*A very short Kakavege tale... but from Bulma's perspective.*

He came out to me first. It took him long enough to figure it out for himself, but I was- I am- so proud of him for sharing it with me. It makes sense, Goku being pansexual. He loves everyone and everything. It makes him even more perfect in my eyes.

And yet... it should have been then that I should have grown suspicious.

I already knew that he was bisexual. He'd never even had sex with a girl when I met him. I really didn't expect him to come out to the rest of our friends, but to our surprise, he did. I don't know why he expected a negative reaction from them; Gohan and Piccolo had already come out as pan and gay, and when Gohan found out, he nearly tackled poor Vegeta to the ground. Goku didn't really know until that night, but when he did, I immediately recognized the look in his eyes. He was in love with my husband.

They've been friends for years now. Vegeta's icy hatred, I think, was just a front. He was lonely, and so, so misunderstood. God, for years I'd wake up every night to him crying as if he'd lost all hope and sanity. He was always so vulnerable, particularly when he first started staying with me. I couldn't even raise my voice to call him or my dad without sending him into a sobbing panic. He was scared to do anything because he thought he'd mess up and be punished in some way. He's not scared of humans... but he's terrified of even the thought of disapproval or punishment from anyone.

Then Goku managed to pry past that shell of his. I don't know how he did it. Vegeta was the wildest animal he's ever tamed, but we've all benefited from his success. None of us had any idea what Vegeta's real personality was like until Goku brought it out. Vegeta is smart, he's so in tune with other people's emotions, and he has the most beautiful laugh. But he'll only laugh when Goku's there with him. He's opened up to the point where we can coax a grin or a shy giggle out of him, but we need Goku if we really want him to laugh.

I guess I've always known. They're the last of their kind, of full blood, anyway. They hardly ever hang out with the gang; if we're lucky, we can catch Goku bringing Vegeta home from a day-long spar. They're always beaten to a pulp, bloody and sweaty, deliriously tired and laughing together. Vegeta, without fail, promises Goku that he'll really get him next time; Goku assures him that he will since their power levels are so close.

I really tried. I did. Vegeta and I were so close, but I knew with an aching heart that, even as we lay in bed together, his thoughts flew through the blazing night skies to the man who really held his heart. He's always been hilariously obsessed with Goku. I can't believe I couldn't see the tinted hues of adoration behind it.

One night, as the summer skies went from a breathtaking orange, to a sleepy blue, to a deep purple, to a pitch black blanket, I saw them kiss. It was such a shy, tentative kiss. I can't deny that they're a beautiful couple, but it still hurt so much to watch the man I'm even today so deeply in love with give his precious worship to my best friend... Their soft voices, drifting softly through the warm night, still ring clearly in my ears.

"Kakarrot, we can't... I- Not to her. I can't do this to her."

"I know... but I need you so much. You have to tell her."

"But I'll hurt her." The pain in his voice was so sincere. "She needs me too, Kaka. I love you, but I can't leave her like this."

I still can't believe Goku's understanding. He'd waited so many years for Vegeta's permission to love him, and it was being denied yet again. "I know, baby. I'm sorry. I don't want to push you."

Vegeta let Goku kiss him one more time. "Go home now," Vegeta said softly. "I'll see you tomorrow, Kakarrot. I love you."

"I love you too, my Prince." I saw Goku bend down to kiss Vegeta's gloved hand and fly away. Vegeta silently took a step after him, then drew back with a longing stare. He turned and came into the house, head low.

I didn't bring it up. I didn't want to upset him or embarrass him. Of course I was trying not to cry, but I didn't become the CEO of Capsule Corps. by losing control of my emotions. So I put on my warmest smile, hugged my estranged husband, and said, "Hey, honey. I'm glad you're home. What do you want for dinner?"

It was six years before he finally came to me in tears, begging for forgiveness. He felt horrible for "betraying" me and my trust. Turns out, he hadn't even laid a hand on Goku with intimate intent, despite his teeming desire to. He seemed to think that even thinking about it was something wrong. My heart broke for us both. I hugged him tightly, telling him that there was no reason to apologize. It wasn't his fault that he'd fallen in love with Goku. I've always known it would come to something like this. I knew I'd lose him. I just wished I knew that it would be to my best friend.

Of course I told him that he could stay with me if he wanted, even bring Goku to live here if they wished. Ever since Chichi had left Goku for someone else, he'd been living somewhere in the woods; Vegeta was the only one who knew where. Vegeta, the darling he is, insisted that he couldn't "intrude" on me more than he already had. He'd take his things and leave, he insisted. I wouldn't have to put up with him anymore.

How could he think that way? Despite the fact that I'd given him both his freedom and my blessing to love Goku, I could clearly see pain and self-loathing in his eyes. He didn't want to abandon me now, not after all these years together. I promised him that he would always, always, be welcome here with open arms, he and Goku both. I think he couldn't understand how I could still be so loving towards him even after he confessed his love for Goku. I told him that he was being silly and that I'd loved him too long to be hateful over something as cute as getting the opportunity to watch him fall in love with his rival.

He looked surprised. How did I know? Everyone knew, in a way. We all saw them run off every day to train and spar and play like the lovestruck idiots they are. We all watched him open up to Goku in the most precious, special ways. We all kind of prayed for the day when one of them would make a move. It was a dramatic love story playing out in front of our very eyes, and we were all rooting them on from day one.

He hugged me tightly, still crying a little. He thanked me for everything and told me that he loved me. And with one last kiss for the road, he left my life to seek out the embrace of the love of his life.

I still cry some nights when I can't feel his solid warmth beside me. The time I spent with him were the best years of my life. But when I see them together...

Happy...

Thriving...

Stronger than ever now that they're together...

I know he's ok. Even without me.