Thinking of You

Part 21

Vegeta awoke the next morning to the sun shining on his face, the curtain blowing gently in the light wind coming from the window, which he had cracked open before he had gone to bed. He groaned, rubbing his tired eyes. He had slept peacefully and without any interruptions, which was something he was grateful for. The always refreshing sleep he got was appreciated, as he did enjoy his quiet, personal time.

Marty was conked out on Vegeta's right, laying on his back with his paws curled up against his chest. Vegeta chuckled at the awkward sleeping position and sat up, rubbing his hands over his face in an attempt to help rid the sleep from his system.

Once Goku had left to spend some time with Chi-Chi, Vegeta had been left to entertain himself in his absence. Marty was not at all thrilling to watch, so he had watched TV for some time. Before long, that had gotten terribly boring, so he had decided to make some food, however, Goku hadn't gone shopping in some time, so there was a lack of much needed ingredients. The amount of boredom that had filled him was nearly immeasurable, to the breaking point where Vegeta almost decided to just go home. However, he had opted against it. Now, as he tried to recall why he had stayed, he came up empty. It was possible he didn't want to be alone. Marty wasn't perfect, but he was company enough, with Goku not around. Eventually, he had grown tired of waiting around for Goku to come back, and ended up falling asleep.

Damn that woman, Vegeta thought, looking up at the ceiling. If she's trying to give me competition, she can go right ahead, but I'm no quitter. Kakarot may be a stupid oaf, but I'm more than certain he's made his choice. That covetous woman may be flirty with Kakarot, but I can do the same.

He realized how bitter and jaundiced he sounded, and groaned, resting his head in his hands. Dammit. What has this fool done to me? I'm a Prince, for God's sake. Yet, whenever I feel his damn touch or see his damn smile, I practically melt. Why is that? I know I like him, but why does he have so much control over me, even when he's not around?

In the morning daylight, he got to thinking. In the silence of the bright new day, with only the birds chirping outside and the distant humming engines of the hover cars, he thought of his future. What would it be? Everything was so different that it was difficult for his brain to keep up with. It was like his entire world and everything he had become accustomed to had been flipped on its head. He couldn't remember a time when he had slept alone in his own bed, in his own solitude. It had been everything he needed, until Goku showed him how much he needed and desired affection. His hidden covet for love and closeness was something he had efficiently kept under wraps, but those binds were tearing away every time Goku smiled at him, or kissed him, or told him how much he liked him. Like a hopeless romantic, he was besotted by Goku's advances of love. His younger self was repulsed by affection, but his present day self was drawn to it like a moth is drawn to a light.

Thinking of Kakarot, he raised his head and looked around the room. Only to then realize the presence of the aforementioned Saiyan snoring on his left side, shirtless and laying on his back, his mouth wide open. Vegeta stared at him, taking in his rather attractive frame yet unattractive sleeping manner. He had never seen Goku asleep before. It certainly wasn't pretty, but there was something about it that made it so...so him. Messy and at total ease.

I hate this clown, He thought, chewing on his thumbnail. But I love him at the same time.

He smirked, as an idea popped into his head, and a rather humorous one at that. He leaned towards Goku and placed two fingers on his nose, closing his nostrils with an evil snicker.

Literally two seconds after that, Goku snorted and choked himself awake, startling both himself and Vegeta. Vegeta quickly pulled his hand away, sitting straight like he hadn't done anything wrong. Goku sat up with a wild look in his eyes like he didn't know where he was. His hair stuck out in all angles, and one eye was still closed as he looked around the room with a confused expression.