Picking Up the Pieces

Chapter 7: Comfort

Jiren sighed as he walked back to the house after finishing another hour of late night meditation. He didn't want to admit it but it was beginning to get tiring and a bit repetitive for him. Sure it was important to keep his emotions in check in order to control his immense power but he didn't really see a need for it anymore since he could control his energy and his emotions... to an extent.

He shook those thoughts out of his head and soon walked into the bedroom, finding Goku putting on some casual clothes after finishing up some training. The Saiyan noticed Jiren and blushed as he was still somewhat bare, he hadn't even put his shirt on!

"J-Jiren!" Goku blushed, "I didn't expect you b-back so soon... eheheh..."

The Gray chuckled as he closed the door behind him, "It's alright, besides..." he looked at the Saiyan with a sly smirk, "...I like what I'm seeing."

The Saiyan's blush increased ten fold as he looked away, his tail curling up, "T-That's not fair! You're using flair on me!" (teehee, get the reference?)

Jiren's smirk went down into a smile as he watched his mate calm himself down, changing into a black single and sitting on the edge of their bed. He had just started sleeping with Goku, but all his stuff were still in the other room. He made a mental note to bring some of his stuff over to fill the empty bedroom when he got the chance.

It had only been five months since the duo confessed their feelings, and so far things were going well. Goten was pleased to have Jiren as a sort of 'stepdad' in a sense and Goku didn't mind letting him take care of his son. He trusted him enough for him to know that he would do what was right. Jiren did go and tell his Pride Trooper comrades the news and, although they were still sad that he was no longer going to be living in Universe 11, they respected his decision and some even teased him with his relationship with Goku which gave some... spiteful results and taught Dyspo and Vewon a lesson. Despite that, things have been turning out just fine for the two warriors.

Goku decided to stay shirtless and sat on the edge of the bed on Jiren's left. The Gray looked at him with a small, genuine smile that he never gave anyone else for a long time. The Earth-raised Saiyan couldn't help but blush and chuckle embarrassingly at that. Who could say no to something like that? Jiren edged closer to Goku, caressing his cheek with his left hand. This made the Saiyan begin to purr, swaying his tail back and forth in a rhythmic manner.

The Pride Trooper gently pushed Goku down onto the bed, the mattress yielding to their weight, and he tangled his hands into his mate's silver locks. Goku's arms coiled around his waist, pushing him downwards slightly as they both leaned in for a kiss.

It was simple, sweet, and gentle, and they quickly parted, a string of saliva hanging loosely as they did so. Jiren couldn't help but stare at Goku lovingly. He loved every fibre of Goku. He loved his naive and lovable nature, his pacifistic heart, his drive for battle. He wanted to be a part of that life, and to be a part of his life. Goku meant everything to him, and he wanted to make sure that he would have the strength to fight for him, to fight alongside him.

Jiren kept staring at Goku for a while, feeling somewhat mesmerised. He always thought that personality mattered more than looks, but Goku was definitely both. Alongside his good looks and godly stature, he had the spirit of a fighter and a simple-minded nature that allowed everyone to be affected by it, which is what probably drove Jiren's affections towards him.

He wasn't sure about how things would turn out for him in the future, but one thing was for sure and that was that Goku was his and no one would take him away from him. If anyone tried, they would have to face the consequences of their actions.

Jiren laid on top of Goku for a while, nuzzling his face into his neck, barely noticing that Goku pulled the blanket over them.

"Goku... please don't leave me..." Jiren whispered with a slight voice crack, and Goku rubbed his back in a soothing manner, "Don't worry, I won't."

Goku chastely kissed his mate, hoping to make him feel better. He knew how much Jiren had suffered over the years, and he wasn't going to cause him anymore pain and despair.

After a while, the tired Saiyan pulled away and scooted over to the other side of the bed. Jiren carefully brushed some silver hair away from his face and gently kissed his forehead, pulling him close.

Goku soon heard the sound of his mate's heart beating, knowing that he was enjoying every moment with him, and he was too. He never felt protected or loved by Chichi, never felt cared for or cherished. The only good things that came out of that marriage were his sons. But now... now that he had someone who loved him like this, and could make him feel safe and warm... it felt nice. He never cared much about romance, but he knew that Jiren was the one for him, despite his flaws and his past.

He snuggled in closer to his mate, smiling as he felt two arms hold him protectively. They both soon closed their eyes in each other's arms, knowing that their relationship was slowly blossoming into something more.