To Win A Royal Heart

by Kami Kaze

chapter 18

"So…?" Trunks asked Goten, his brow quirked with curiosity. They both sat on the couch in the family room, flipping through the channels on the TV.

"What?" Goten questioned in return, stretching out on the couch, his back against one of the armrests, his legs draped over Trunks’ lap.

"What was he like, baka?" Trunks growled, poking a finger into Goten’s shoulder.

"Ouch! What was who like?!" Goten growled back, rubbing his shoulder, eyebrows drawn into a scowl. Trunks looked at him, surprised.

"Raditz, who else?!"

"Oh…. well…he was really tall and big…and had long spiky hair; to me he looked a bit like your otousan." Goten replied, tossing a handful of popcorn into his mouth.

Trunks made a face. "You slept with someone that looked like ‘tousan? Ugh. So give me details, Goten."

Goten blinked. "You want to know about…"

Trunks grinned and nodded. "Of course…I want all the juicy details!"

Cramming another handful of popcorn into his mouth, Goten paused to think, his eyes growing smaller as a thought came to him. "Why don’t you just scan my memory and watch it for yourself?" His tone dropped, his voice becoming a throaty whisper as he smirked.

"Eh….you’d let me do that, Goten?" Trunks asked, his eyes wide; he couldn’t contain the excitement that flashed through them at the idea.

Goten didn’t answer; he simply sat up, moving the popcorn bowl to the floor, lifted Trunks’ hand to his forehead and closed his eyes, relaxing against his best friend. Trunks hesitated, then closed his own eyes, diving into the other man’s brain as if it were a swimming pool. He mentally swam through the web of thoughts and emotions, staying completely clear of them, focusing on only what he had come there for. Soon he burst through the web and came to a shimmering pool of obsidian; the liquid was not water..it was very thick, and it stirred slowly as his arrival created a small flurry of warm wind. This was the pool of Goten’s memories. It was pretty simple to find the ones he wanted, as much time hadn’t passed since the incident. He began, but Goten’s inner voice told him to go a little bit farther back, to Goten and Raditz’s first encounter; it was from there that he watched as it played out, as if he had been right there.

***

"What in Kami’s name are you talking about, Kakarotto?" Vegeta exclaimed, looking at Goku as if he had lost his mind. Goku simply smiled, staring deeply into his eyes.

"Vegeta…don’t you remember?" Goku asked softly, his smile faltering somewhat.

"Remember what, baka!? There is nothing to remember! You were there, and I was here, playing hell to get you back! Did you hit your head or something??" Vegeta asked, worry beginning to show on his face.

Goku shook his head as if arguing with himself. ‘No…I know it’s there…I know it is. Just a little deeper…’ He thought to himself. "Vegeta, listen. You were with me, you just have to remember."

Vegeta growled, pulling away. "I don’t have to do anything of the sort, Kakarotto! I don’t know what the hell…" A low rumble cut him off. Goku lowered his head, his chin nearly resting on his chest as he glared across the room at Vegeta, growling. In three quick steps he closed in and had Vegeta yanked off the floor by the front of his shirt, his eyes flashing dangerously.

"Shut up, Vegeta." Goku growled, the corners of his lips lifting to bare his teeth as he spoke. Vegeta stared at him, too shocked to even struggle in the man’s grip. "You mean too much to me…I can’t let you forget…" before Vegeta knew what was happening, hot moist lips were pressed firmly against his own.

‘What the fuck is going on…he’s…no, he is NOT kissing me!’ Vegeta shrieked to himself, feeling even more confused as conflicting emotions ran rampant through his mind and body. He felt Goku’s tongue lap at his lips, forcing them open and slipping into his mouth, his fists clenching the material at Goku’s shoulders. The forcefulness behind the kiss suddenly vanished, and Vegeta found himself floating, that soft tongue stroking and caressing his own, Goku’s warm lips moving against his sensually; as if under a spell, Vegeta began kissing back, his own tongue darting out to mate with Goku’s. ‘His scent is…it’s so…strong…and powerful. I never noticed how good he smelled…and tastes…Just like in my dreams…Kami..his taste is divine, like spun sugar…’ His thoughts wandered, and soon he found himself thinking about the first time he had been under the man’s spell…the first time he had tasted this sweet oblivion.

Flashback…

‘What is it about this man that draws me so? Why do I find him so…attractive? It’s like I’m under a spell of some kind.’ Vegeta thought idly as he lowered his face, exhaling shakily as his lips brushed the sleeping man’s ever so softly, the prince’s dark eyes rolling closed at the heat that flared unexpectedly between his legs; a small moan escaped his throat before he could quell it.

Vegeta blinked and froze in Goku’s arms. Goku continued to kiss him until he realized Vegeta had stopped, and opened his eyes in question. Finally, he pulled away. "Vegeta…?"

"That…never…happened…" Vegeta muttered softly, his brows drawn together in confusion.

Flashback…

His eyes were suddenly wide as power exploded around him, a strong hand wrapping itself around his throat. He choked out a small cry as he was lifted off the ground by his throat, his hands clawing at the offending appendage before his struggles stopped all together as awe set in. His bulging eyes were still as he watched the strange metamorphosis before him, as Goku’s hair was suddenly on fire with a golden haze, the power beating against him was deliciously arousing, it’s taste like ambrosia on his tongue. That was his last thought before he passed out, hanging limply from the man’s clenched hand.

Goku looked at Vegeta worriedly, holding him tightly as the man’s eyes seemed to turn to glass. "Vegeta…what’s wrong? What never happened??" As soon as the words left his mouth, he knew. It was beginning.

Flashback…

"What are you staring at, Baka?" Vegeta snorted at him, an amused smile twitching at his lips. "Get dressed. We’re going to spar." He said before pulling the blue shirt over his head.

"Spar?" Goku asked as he reached for his blue bodysuit.

A pause. "Yes, spar. You know, fight?" Vegeta answered wryly. At Goku’s nod, he continued. "It wouldn’t be right for you to continue being my body guard if I don’t even know how good you are. You’re powerful," He began before narrowing his eyes, his hands busy as they pulled white gloves over his digits. "but you will never beat me. So don’t be arrogant about your skills, for your prince will always be above you in every way."

Flashback…

"This man is getting more and more mysterious; I must know more about him, but it’s nearly impossible to pry, as no one knows anything about him." He frowned, his teeth grinding together. "Maybe if I corner that half-breed son of his…" His eyes gleamed, an evil smirk lifting one side of his lip. Vegeta sat back in his seat, crossing his arms. Perhaps that plan would work. Perhaps not. But it was worth a try, after all. When the two of them returned, he would make sure to pay a visit to "Goten".

Flashback…

Vegeta turned his head slightly, moist lips separating as his mouth opened to give way to his panting, his eyes squeezing themselves together tightly as wave after wave of pleasure washed over him, his ass being pounded almost savagely by the beautiful God-like creature behind him. The planet’s silence was disrupted by Goku’s primal roar of pleasure, and Vegeta felt the power surge from the other man’s body into his own, his eyes wide with wonder as the power flickered around them, igniting everything in a golden light.

Vegeta’s mind spun, his cock jerking with sensual pleasure as he embraced the power surging through the other man; his back arched as he slammed himself backwards, his own scream of ecstasy echoing into the night sky as he released his seed into Goku’s hand.

Vegeta whimpered, his body beginning to tremble in Goku’s arms. "N…no…what is this? What the FUCK IS THIS?!" He screamed, terrified eyes lifting to meet Goku’s.

"Shhh…shhh, Vegeta. It’s ok…are…are you remembering now?" Goku asked softly while lowering himself to Vegeta’s bed, sitting on the edge of it with Vegeta still held firmly in his arms. Vegeta scowled, shaking his head.

"This…this isn’t right. These aren’t…they….oh my God…oh my god….no….you…." His eyes widened as he stared at Goku, his fear turning to rage.

Flashback…

"Goku…Kakarotto…." Vegeta whispered, his eyes slightly narrowed. "Tell me something."

"Anything…." Goku replied, lifting his arms to let his large hands travel over Vegeta’s muscular chest.

"Are you in love with him?" Vegeta asked, his voice quiet and void of any emotion. Goku’s hands stopped in their travels, his eyes lifting to meet Vegeta’s questioningly.

"Him…who?" He asked, confused.

Vegeta snorted and rolled his eyes, eyes that had become suspiciously glossy. "Him, baka. Me. The other me. The…the one who calls you Kakarotto."

Goku’s heart became heavy with dread, having not anticipated this question. He would not…could not…lie to Vegeta. He sighed softly, his eyes closing briefly before he opened them again, just in time to see twin tears fall from Vegeta’s eyes and run lazily down his pale cheeks.

"You don’t have to answer verbally. You’ve just answered me with your reaction." He said calmly, his tears seeming to dissipate immediately. Those would be the last tears Goku would see Vegeta shed.

Flashback…

"Don’t say it. Don’t say anything else." Vegeta swallowed. "I’ll wait for you, Gok…Kakarotto. I’ll work so hard…and make you proud of me. I want to be as strong as you when we meet next."

Goku smiled softly, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on the young prince’s mouth, which was returned gently. "I’ve enjoyed serving you, prince Vegeta ; Please, no matter what happens in the future, remember two things. You are my prince, now and forever; you always have been. That is the first thing."

Vegeta winced, swallowing and blinking rapidly to keep his tears in check. He would NOT cry again. "…and the second thing?"

" The second is that…that..I love you." He said softly, stroking his thumb over Vegeta’s trembling lower lip. "I have to go. Take care, my prince."

"NOOOOOOOO!" Vegeta screamed, his hands flying to his face. "No….no…no!" his head wrenched back and forth as he tried to clear the new memories from his mind. Something was overwhelming his blinding rage…pain, sadness and a swelling heat in his chest…an emotion so strong…"Damn you!" Vegeta spit, pushing himself away from Goku so that he fell flat on the floor. He crawled backwards a few feet and sat staring at the man, his eyes blurred with tears, his mouth twisted in pain.

"You…damn you! You left me! You fucking left me there!…and…and…you…how could you do that to me, Kakarotto? You leave here and go back and fuck with my head when…I was just a boy, and then you left me again! What the fuck is wrong with you??" He snarled, turning away before his tears could fall down his cheeks. ‘He won’t see me cry…he will NOT see me cry again!’

Goku sat on the bed, his eyes wide and confused. He didn’t know what to do, or even what to say. He wouldn’t deny what he had done, but for some reason he hadn’t really seen himself as the "bad guy" until now. Now that Vegeta put it the way he had, it sounded much more horrible than he had ever imagined.

"Vegeta…I…please, don’t be angry with me…" He began, pleading, begging. "I didn’t mean to hurt you…you know that! I would never…I just wanted to be with you! "

"Then why couldn’t you leave….that boy…alone! You had to go fucking with the past, I knew you couldn’t go back without fucking something up!" Vegeta yelled, throwing his arms in the air. "Why couldn’t you have just come to me!?"

It was Goku’s turn to get angry. "Fuck you, Vegeta!" He raged as he jumped to his feet. "How the hell was I supposed to do that? Just come right out and say it? Yea right! You would have laughed in my face! Never, Vegeta. Dammit! I’m sorry! I seen my chance, and I took it, alright?"

"Seen your chance to FUCK with me! You can’t just force feelings like this one me, Kakarotto! It’s…it’s not right!" Vegeta hissed, standing to glare at Goku defiantly; he watched as Goku seemed to deflate, and was annoyed by the pain he felt seeing the man’s world come crashing down around him.

"….force the feelings…you mean…you don’t feel…that way…towards me?" Goku asked softly, his stunned eyes filling with tears.

Vegeta turned from him, ready to sling an insult at him, but caught himself. He stood, his mouth open and ready, but he couldn’t say it. Couldn’t deny…. Vegeta hung his head, eyes closing tightly before he turned slowly back around to face Goku. When he did, he cringed visibly at the man’s devastated appearance. A massive wave of feeling hit him as more memories trickled in, making him slump against the wall, his eyes softening.

"Kakarotto….the feelings…they were there. I just…I just didn’t want them there." Vegeta answered with a sigh, his arms crossing snugly over his chest. His mind turned over and over again as he delved into these new memories, shaking his head lightly at how much his younger self really got to know the taller saiyan. Goku’s countenance hadn’t brightened with his admittance of feelings; Vegeta frowned, pursing his lips.

"Dammit, Kakarotto…I have more reason to be upset right now than you do. First of all, I went through hell trying to get you back from the past, then I find out you were…involved with me…now I have this…pain…and emotion that I’m not accustomed to. Part of me…one that I didn’t even know existed until now, is screaming that you left me back there, alone, to deal with Frieza and all that crap, and made me wait all this time for you….so long…dammit…" He broke off, his voice faltering as he stepped closer to Goku. "It was so long, Kakarotto…I was so alone, you don’t even understand…I waited for you, and waited…." Vegeta stopped, his hands flailing as he could not convey what he wanted to with words. It was simply too hard to explain when in all reality, it didn’t make sense.

"I’m so sorry, Vegeta…" Goku whispered, swallowing hard as he reached with his hand towards Vegeta; Vegeta slapped the hand away disdainfully.

Goku paused, dropping his arm. "Vegeta, please don’t be like that. You know I just want to make you happy…I always have!

Vegeta snorted. "You may have convinced HIM of that, but you certainly haven’t convinced me. We may be the same person, but we are different. Thanks to you." He snorted.

"You need convincing then?" Goku asked, his eyes narrowing slightly, his voice soft and low.