Goku X Vegeta Oneshots

Returned

*Follow up to Free!*

Goku's heart stopped when he saw the flash of light that signaled the death blow to the love of his life. He heard himself shriek piercingly in terror and agony. "No, Vegeta, no!" He shot forward and caught the half convulsing body. He saw that he only had moments until he was going to lose him. He pulsed life-giving ki into Vegeta and Instant Transmitted to the Lookout. Every time he felt Vegeta's ki give out, he sent out sparks to keep it attached and alive. Vegeta was totally still in his arms, and Goku didn't dare look at what damage Vegeta had done to himself. He could feel blood all over his arm and the images his mind was stirring up made him nauseous.

He needed Dende. They were out of senzu. "Dende!" he screamed, and he quickly gave Vegeta more energy. "Vegeta, hang on, please, please, not now! Dende!"

The young Namek came skidding around the corner, although he backpedaled in horror when he saw the two Saiyans. "Gods, what happened!?"

"He tried to kill himself!" Goku wailed. "Hurry, he's gonna die!"

Dende hurried closer and held his hands out. Vegeta's body spasmed weakly, and Goku briefly feared the worst. He broke down, sobbing and clinging to Vegeta. But he heard Dende say, "Goku, it's ok, I think he's gonna make it!" Vegeta had once again stilled, but Goku noticed labored breath which was a definite indicator of life.

He lowered himself to the ground. "Vegeta? Oh gods..." He finally made himself look at Vegeta. His stomach turned and he had to look away again. Even with Dende's healing, Vegeta's face was completely destroyed. He'd lost both eyes, his entire left cheek, and the majority of his nose; that was just the beginnings of what Goku saw in the brief second he'd let himself look. "Dende..."

"There's nothing I can do," Dende said, and Goku looked up to see tears running down his face. "He'll live, but he'll never be the same. I'm so sorry. If we had a senzu, then we could fix this but..."

"At least he's alive," Goku whispered, burying his face in Vegeta's shoulder. A low, confused sound rose weakly from Vegeta's throat. Goku cringed at the obvious note of pain in his voice. "Vegeta? Shh, shh, it's me, it's Goku. I'm here. Gods, I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry. It's Goku, I'm here."

Vegeta did not reply, but Goku sensed that he heard him, or at the very least knew he was there. Dende continued to do what healing he could, but Goku still felt sick when he made himself look at Vegeta. He'd caused this; Vegeta's actions were his fault. He slowly rose when Dende stepped away. "Thank you, Dende," he said. "I'll never forget this."

Dende smiled sadly in return, his eyes flicking briefly to Vegeta's mangled face. "I wish I could have done more."

"He's alive; that's all that matters to me." Vegeta made a quiet sound, again expressing pain despite Dende's efforts. Goku hushed him gently. "Shh, it's ok. I'll take care of you, Vegeta, I swear." He nodded again to Dende and transported to his own empty home. Chichi had moved on, he supposed, and Gohan was old enough to fend for himself. So now it was just him... and Vegeta.

"Eennn?"

"Shh, it's ok," Goku soothed. He set Vegeta down on the somewhat dusty couch and set a hand on his arm to let Vegeta know he was still there. "I'm here. I'm never leaving you again." Goku looked around. It was too dusty here for Vegeta. They would have to return to Capsule, although he had no idea how Bulma would take the situation. "We're gonna move again, ok? Just hang on. I'll let you rest soon." He heard a sound of exhausted affirmation and lifted Vegeta up. "Let's, uh... Let's go home. I know Bulma can help-"

Vegeta whimpered, his hand starting out briefly to smack weakly against Goku's chest. He tossed his head sideways with another sound. He didn't want to go there? Goku did somewhat understand; he'd tried to kill himself there and his wife would go into a panic. He huffed, thinking. "Alright, we won't go to Capsule. I'm... I'll set you outside for now, ok? It's too dirty in here for you. I don't want your injuries to get infected." Goku went out the door. "I'll leave the door open and make sure you're ok while I clean up, alright? Everything's gonna be fine."

Vegeta stayed quiet. Goku gently propped him up against the doorframe, realizing that Vegeta couldn't support himself. "I'm gonna be right here the whole time, ok?" he said. "I'll do this as quick as I can so we can get you back inside." He left Vegeta there as he went back to clean. He got the water running again and wiped almost every surface clean, and he washed some blankets to lay into a nest on the floor while he figured out how he was going to clean out the beds and couches enough for them to sleep on. When he looked out to see if Vegeta was ok, his heart ached when he saw Vegeta cautiously reaching out and around like a newborn kitten. "Is everything ok, Vegeta?"

Vegeta turned his head, looking blankly in Goku's direction. Goku's stomach turned yet again, and he forced himself to breathe. He knelt down by Vegeta. Vegeta moaned softly and began sniffing, as if searching for Goku's scent. Goku heard the very faintest purrs when he fumbled out and found Goku. Goku lifted him again. "Ok. Let's get you out of the sun. Do you want anything to drink?" Vegeta had to stay hydrated at the very least.

Vegeta made a quiet sound that Goku assumed was an affirmation. He set Vegeta down in the blanket nest and touched his arm. "I'll be right back, Vegeta. Ok?" He found and washed out a small cup and filled it with water for Vegeta. "Ok, I'm coming back." He returned, only to find Vegeta hesitantly searching with his hands outside the nest. He had no clue where he was. Goku's heart broke yet again and he sat down, letting Vegeta know he was back.

Getting him to drink was somewhat difficult. With his entire face being in such pain, Goku had to tip Vegeta's head back and gently pry his mouth open to let some water drip into his mouth. Vegeta tried to jerk away and get rid of the water, but Goku made sure he swallowed. "I know it hurts. I'm so sorry. Just a little more, then we'll stop for now, ok?" Vegeta hesitated, then allowed the rest to be given to him. Then Goku, likely surprising Vegeta, pulled him into his lap and held him. "I'm gonna take care of you, Vegeta. I'll figure this out. This is all my fault..." He shook his head and held Vegeta tighter. "I'm so sorry, Vegeta. I'll fix this. I promise."

*I... Part 3?*