A Collection of Short DBZ Stories

Too Little, Too Late

Scenario: Vegeta gives Goten something he feels is missing. Angst.

It took folded shirt after folded shirt before Vegeta finally took his mind off of Ultra Instinct. Kakarot was up there training with Whis, already getting the jump on a new technique, form, power-whatever the case may be, he was doing it and Vegeta was here. It's not that he minded too much. He knew there would always be a gap between them but it was more of a question of who got there first. Despite the delay, the ex-prince knew he could catch up once his child was born.

For the life of him he couldn't understand how that was such a difficult concept to grasp. The dreaded conversation from a half hour ago replayed in his mind. "Can't you tell by looking at Bulma? She's gonna give birth any day now, and I need to stay with her." The obliviousness of Goku's face, of Whis's, all the questioning was enough to make his blood boil.

"Why? You're not the one giving birth." The ever praised hero of Earth said nonchalantly.

Those words. Vegeta thought. So cold, so careless. Almost like a real saiyan father. A wave of nostalgia took hold of him as he recalled the menacing face of his father. Old bastard never smiled, never paid attention. To think, I almost became him. He couldn't deny that the way he treated Trunks in the beginning was cruel but it wasn't entirely his fault, more of the way he was raised. At least that's what Bulma says.

Yet the harshest blow of all was; "Why do you care?! Look at me! I don't even know when Gohan and Goten were born."

"Look at me!" That little phrase really made the patriarch squirm. As if that's something to be proud of! Even he, a bystander to the whole drama of the Son Family, could estimate the time of Goten's birth. It was a blustery cold day in February, just nine months after the defeat of Cell. Bulma came in loud as all hell screaming about the baby, the new Son child. Vegeta had to admit he was curious. A saiyan was a saiyan, regardless if it was a half bred or Kakarot's. Everyone went gaga over the fact that the baby looked like Goku, except for Vegeta of course. It wasn't uncommon for third classes to be popped out identically to their fathers. Such was the way things were.

Then a few years later it was five year old Goten pulling at his leg. "Uncle Vegeta, did my dad leave cause of me?" Tears welled in the boy's eyes.

"Who said that and why are you bothering me about this? Isn't that a question for your mother?"

"B-because," Goten's lips quivered. Vegeta couldn't help but feel pity for the poor brat because he knew what it felt like to be abandoned by a parent. "I think she's lyin' to me-they all are!" His ki shot up a bit as rage began to take over. "They're just saying that to make me feel better. I know you'd be honest, right?"

So the warrior said a few nice words but nothing too over the line otherwise Vegeta would've puked. "He didn't leave because of you, he left for you." The moment he said those words, the hybrid relaxed, his tears reduced to sniffles. The proud fighter incorporated words like sacrifice and devotion into his speech but again, nothing too personal. And even after all that-"Look at me! I don't even know when Gohan and Goten were born." Vegeta's face twitched angrily at the memory.

The laundry was folded long ago and somehow the man wound up outside among the roses. The sun was warm today and just around the corner he heard Goten and Trunks both laughing, teasing and rough housing together.

"Let's start here this time, Goten. You start since you're such a baby!" Vegeta watched from the shadows as Trunks got into his fighting stance. It made the warrior smile to see the resemblance between them.

"Nuh-uh! You start. I did last time." The younger one went into the same position as the noble Goku; that lousy father of his. Vegeta remarked indignantly. It didn't take a moment of battle before the observer interrupted their fight.

"Goten," the call sounded more like a command and the kid looked over at the voice curiously, "when's your birthday?"

The cluelessness in his eyes resembled his father's except it didn't annoy the hell out of Vegeta. At least, not this time. "Uhhhh it's in February. Why?"

Just as I thought. There was a moment of silence as the conversation replayed for the final time. Imagine not seeing your child for seven years? You think a man would want to make up for lost time and get to know the child he left. It was only natural, right? Well, after today Vegeta decided being a father simply wasn't for everyone. Even so, it wasn't fair for Goten to go around feeling so unloved. "Happy birthday." He replied flatly, perfectly disguising the awkwardness of his tone. Inside he hoped the boys wouldn't question him but-who am I kidding? I don't answer to anyone or anybody.

"Uncle Vegeta, you're so funny." Goten chuckled before suddenly realizing his manners. He turned away from his sparring partner and gave a small bow. "Thank you!" Vegeta gave a curt nod before turning on his heel and heading back inside. It had been awhile since he checked up on Bulma. He couldn't help but wonder why she hadn't called him, without a second's notice he would've answered.

Trunks eyed his father suspiciously. "Man, ever since mom's been pregnant, dad's been acting so weird."

"I like your dad. He can be cool when he isn't so grumpy."

"True, but what's with that whole happy birthday thing?" The lavender one teased with a smirk upon his lips but oddly enough, the brunette didn't smile back. In fact he looked rather thoughtful, almost melancholic in his expression. It wasn't the month of his birth, not even close and yet hearing those words made him feel special. Happy even. Dad never remembers my birthday. This emptiness in his chest wasn't something he was used to. He knew his father was unusual due to the head injury he sustained as a baby. But even then-why can he remember every fight he's been in but not my birthday? The thought was cruel and invasive.

"I dunno." He replied quickly. Suddenly regretting thinking at all. "Let's spar, Trunks." And before another comment could be spoke, the youngest Son charged at his best friend with an intensity Trunks hadn't seen all day. Regardless, the older boy embraced the challenge, and all thoughts of birthdays were erased from the minds of the innocent.

11.11.19-11.15.19

Note: DBS Goku is the worst. As seen in the picture above, these are quotes derived from the manga (the actual paperback). I know it's not the cheerful stuff I usually write but I was just so frustrated at-you know what? Don't get me started.