Crossroads

Chapter 30

Tarble was surprised when Goku joined him back in the labs, space pod in tow and all. He tried not to stare as the man set down the pod and then stood tall, a strange intensity evident on his youthful face. He didn't know what to say to him, and it was clear there was a lot on his mind.

He couldn't help but note that Goku looks more handsome than ever as of late, like his father, Bardock, and almost ruggedly so, despite his boyish charms. Especially right now, what with the damage done to his armor and the way his hair is messier than he's ever seen it. Tarble looked away from the man, his mind turning to thoughts of Vegeta and the trouble those two men have caused. He wasn't surprised by the fact that his insanely picky brother was so attracted to him, but he hoped for both of their sakes that there's more to their relationship than that.

He couldn't help but wonder what had happened up there that would cause Goku to stay here.

Goku walked closer to him, unaware of the Prince's thoughts, and he bowed low. As he came back up, he told Tarble, "I've decided to stay. I hope that's not a big deal. I'm happy to help out in any way I can, just let me know what I can do for you."

Tarble stopped what he was doing and looked at him, amazed. Shy was never the right word to describe him, but nervous, maybe? Tarble wondered how he could still maintain such an innocent air of uncertainty after everything that's happened! Is it still possible for a now Legendary "Captain of the Saiyan Army" to feel such a way? Tarble wondered how long he'd been up there alone thinking to himself and what the hell type of conclusion he came to if that was all he had to say! The others left nearly an hour ago so he must have been up there alone for a good bit of it. He was expecting the women to return to him, soon, not him. Honestly, he didn't know what to do with him.

As he looked him over, Tarble concluded that Goku is definitely not like his brother, although he'd been suspecting for some time now that they had more in common than what meets the eye. He was curious about him, all the same, especially now, as he considered how Goku and Vegeta even got along, attraction to one another aside.

He didn't waste much time in those thoughts, however, and he decided to toy with him a little and try to get some information out of him at the same time as he said, "Did you inform Vegeta of that decision before he left?" He stressed the name of his brother without the title, wondering what Goku's reaction might be.

Goku smiled softly, sensing, and even partially expecting Tarble's teasing, he remarked, "He knows."

Tarble smirked at him, eyes narrowing, and he replied, "I'm sure he wasn't happy about it, now, was he?"

"No," Goku said, shaking his head, "But, he understands..." At that Goku sighed and sat down in one of the empty chairs, exhaustion seeming to come over him. He placed his head in his hands for a moment before he lifted his soft but dark and pensive eyes back to Tarble. He asked, "Can I... speak freely?"

"By all means," Tarble answered. He almost couldn't believe that the man was about to open up to him, and without a pinch of goading! He found it refreshing.

Goku stared into the ground for a few moments before he finally told him, "I know this may sound stupid to you, and everybody else, but..." he sighed heavily, "I am still in love with him."

Tarble tried his best not to respond verbally or otherwise although he was incredibly pleased to hear the man say that, despite having already suspected it to still be true. Perhaps they do have a chance to reconcile their relationship, if not the ones with their women.

Goku seems to be contemplating something deeply, and although Tarble wanted to urge him to continue, the last thing he wanted to do was interrupt his train of thought or forbiddingly cause him to close up. He doesn't know Goku as well as he knows Vegeta and he knows Vegeta won't open up to hardly anyone.