In Your Dreams

Chapter 26

In Your Dreams: Chapter 26

For the second time that day Goku found himself waking from a state of unconsciousness. This time, however, he woke up in a comfortable bed rather than on the forest floor. The warm blankets that covered him gave him a sense of security, but what really put him at ease was the weight of a hand on his arm. He already knew it was Vegeta based on his scent.

Goku opened his eyes to visually confirm his assumption, and sure enough, the older man was seated beside his bed. He appeared to have fallen asleep, and Goku watched him for a long time before his gaze became unfocused in thought.

He seemed to have recovered from whatever attack he'd suffered earlier that day, but his heart still throbbed from his emotional upset. The other Saiyajin had sent him away; rejected him without even giving him a chance to explain why he'd said what he had. He'd been dismissed so quickly and without remorse it seemed, and the fact he seemed to mean so little to the prince was a hard pill to swallow.

On the other hand, Vegeta had come for him, and he was still here with him now. What for? Goku thought he'd learned to understand the older man and his ways over the years, but now he wasn't so sure. He had no idea what Vegeta wanted anymore, or what he was feeling. He was confused, and he didn't have a clue as to where he stood with the older man... that is, if he had a place with him at all.

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He hadn't realized he'd fallen asleep until he opened his eyes, and Vegeta was both relieved and nervous to find that the other Saiyajin was awake and seemed to be feeling better. Kakarotto was silently staring up at the ceiling, and he appeared to be deep in thought. Based on his expression however, he seemed upset. That wouldn't do.

''Kakarotto.''

The prince waited until the other turned his head to look at him before he continued.

''I'll get to the point. At some point in the lab you formed a one-sided partial bond with me. I doubt you even realized you'd done so. When I sent you away today, you interpreted that as a rejection, which is what caused your attack today.''

The clearly displayed surprise on the younger man's face confirmed that he hadn't known about the bond he'd formed with the prince, and Vegeta took a deep breath in order to prepare himself for what he would say next. This wouldn't be easy on either of them.

''Kakarotto, I think it would be best for both of us if this bond was broken.''

The older man watched as Goku's brow tightened, but his expression was otherwise unreadable.

''A bond should be established only with the consent of both parties involved, and I think it's obvious neither of us were prepared for this.''

Vegeta paused for just a moment in order to give the younger man a chance to speak, but he remained silent.

''There is a way to break a partial bond without harming either person. However, we should wait until you are fully recovered before attempt it.''

Again the prince waited for Goku to say something, but the other Saiyajin only lowered his eyes away from his own. With nothing left to say himself, Vegeta stood and left the other alone.

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Goku remained in that room alone for nearly an hour before he finally sat up and slid out of the bed. He frowned when his weakened legs threatened to give out beneath his weight, but he forced himself to stay on his feet as he treaded across the room to the door. The Saiyajin used his nose to follow the scent of the one he sought, and it wasn't long before he found himself at Vegeta's old bedroom door. Apparently the other Saiyajin no longer wished to stay in the same room as him.