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Beauty of the Beast Chapter 3 By chibi_vegeta Goku padded silently up the steps and into the villa, again catching just a glimpse of Vegeta's tail as it rounded a wall into another room. ~Where's he going?~ Without considering if he was welcome to follow, he simply did, rounding the corner and finding himself in a deceptively simple room. There were no real furnishings; rather than chairs or couches there was only a scattering of heavy-fabric pillows, oversized and dense, in muted dark colors. Instead of tables there were low slabs of petrified wood, intricately carved alternating with starkly plain, the grain of the fossil polished to a rich glow. The walls themselves seemed almost carved of stone, a grit and grain sandstone pattern that was somehow a trick of the clever paint. Large, stark kanji were painted here and there, the overall effect being that of standing in the antechamber of someone's mind. The only light came from the flicker of the fireplace, the saiya-jin prince crouching before it, encouraging the flames with a little assistance from his ki. The natural stone of the hearth arched up, the wall above graced with two deadly sharp swords, the steel gleaming dully. As Goku stood in the entryway he could only stare, more and more bemused by this side of Vegeta; he sensed that this was a very private place. "Wow, Vegeta," he nearly whispered, loathe to intrude. "C-can I come in?" Vegeta stretched out across two large cushions, propping himself on his elbows and turning a scowl on the other saiya-jin. ~Why does he ask that way? As if it were so important that I allow him?~ He crossed his ankles and looked back to the fire. "Hai, Kakarrot." He smirked at his own thoughts. "Do come in…" ~said the spider to the fly…~ As he continued to look around, it suddenly occurred to Goku that this was where Vegeta came to meditate. This was inside the ouji's mind; it reflected him so well, natural and seemingly primal textures and colors; but behind it a cleverness and attention to the finest of details that belied stark first impressions. The kanji on the walls spoke volumes about the saiya-jin prince's inner focus. ~Strength, Honor, Spirit, Determination…~ Goku grinned as he read the last, ~Pride…~ He sat gingerly on a cushion opposite Vegeta, drawing his knees up as if afraid he'd disturb the room. It was somehow a comfortable silence, each man wrapped up in his own thoughts as they stared into the flames, wending into long moments. Vegeta chased his mind in circles, doggedly, not quite sure how he wanted this to play out, never really doubting that once he decided on what it was he wanted, he would have it. But how to proceed? He needed to seduce the big oaf; he simply wasn't sure exactly how to do that. He suppressed a sigh, considering. He was known to be blunt, straightforward, always speaking his mind and demons take the hindmost. Not that subtlety wasn't a game to be relished; on the contrary, he quite enjoyed keeping others guessing about him. ~But is Kakarrot such an idiot that he'd miss subtle suggestion?~ ~And why should I even care? I am the Saiya-jin no Ouji…If I want him I take him…Simple…~ His waist-wrapped tail's tip flicked against the base of his spine, the only part of him to reveal the troubled nature of his thoughts. Goku caught the movement out of the corner of his eye, the sharp flick-flick at the end of Vegeta's tail; his own thoughts were as much in turmoil as the prince's. He had watched the dance of flames, wondering at his earlier 'dream'. It had felt so real, a dream definitely come true; but was it only a dream? He watched his ouji from beneath his unruly bangs. ~Why? Why would he do that…for me?…It felt so good…~ His cheeks heated at the thought and he almost hoped it was a dream, almost convinced himself it was so; otherwise he would be forced to admit… Vegeta felt the younger man's eyes on him and drew his knees to his chest. He had to do something, say something; anything to break his increasing agitation. "There is a problem, Kakarrot…" Goku nearly startled as Vegeta spoke, wide eyes blinking back at him. ~Oh no, this is where he tells me to get lost…~ "Problem, Vegeta?" "Hai, Kakarrot…" Vegeta uncoiled himself and stood, stretching long, his tail unwrapping from his waist and fluffing. "Not being much of one for company, you understand, I failed to realize that there is only one bed." He smirked to himself; it was entirely true, the one thing he'd not planned for was sleeping arrangements. "Maybe you'd be comfortable here?" Goku folded his arms and snorted, much in imitation of his companion. "What? In here? All these hard...things?" He grinned at the smaller saiya-jin. "Nah, I think I'll take the bed…" It was Vegeta's turn to blink in confusion. "Nani? You think to take my own bed from me, baka?" What the hell was happening here? He expected the big mongrel to simply go along with whatever was expected of him. "Well you're the host, Vegeta." Goku couldn't stop the sly grin from twisting his lips. "You're supposed to be gracious…" He'd only meant to tease the prince, but suddenly found himself serious; he wanted to sleep in that big plush bed. "Gracious!? Since when do third-class bakas deserve graciousness?" Vegeta scowled at the grin on the younger saiya-jin's face, poking a finger into his massive chest. ~What the hell is he doing?~ He felt his tail lash side to side, and willed it to wrap once again around his waist, folding his arms and glowering. The larger saiya-jin stood and stretched as had Vegeta, briefly wishing he had a tail that he could fluff; it looked so sinuous and silky... "Well," Goku chuckled down at the prince, daring to reach out and tap his nose, "I think it's been since this third-class baka has been able to kick your ass…" "What!?" Vegeta huffed and sneered. He felt his pulse flutter, knew this was one of the things that drew him the most to this warrior, the challenge. He wondered at the days to come, at what other challenges the younger saiya-jin might pose him, feeling a savage thrill run through him at the prospect. "That's still open to debate, Kakarrot." Goku didn't budge an inch, stretching again and scratching a hand through his spikes. "We'll see about that…" He grinned lopsidedly, "I'm pretty tired, Vegeta." He yawned extravagantly, a gleam of mischief in his eyes. "So I guess I'm gonna go to bed…" Vegeta gaped at the other saiya-jin's back as he turned and strode out of the room. "You wouldn't dare!" He found himself jogging after to catch up. "Taiki! Kakarrot!" Goku grinned to himself as he continued down the portico to the bedroom. ~Catch me if you can, Vegeta…~ This time he didn't stop to wonder what was so different about himself, about Vegeta. This time he just enjoyed the buzz of pleasure he got from taunting the saiya-jin prince; comfortable with it, as he somehow knew Vegeta was as well. "Kakarrot!" Vegeta caught up to him just as they reached the bedroom. "You can't turn me out of my own bed!" The ouji wanted to fume, wanted to demand that the other saiya-jin obey, but his eyes fell on the massive object of their debate and he unconsciously licked his lips at the prospect of seeing the well-muscled form sprawled out on it. He had dressed the bed especially for Kakarrot to appeal to the decadent side of his saiya-jin nature, thick black velvet comforter over the deep red, silken sheets. The cream and gold of pillows and bolsters only served to offset the violent contrast of the rest of the bedding. "Hmm." Goku grinned at the still glowering prince as he tugged back one corner of the comforter. "Your colors indeed, Vegeta." He stretched again, deliberately, before reaching to peel off his shirt. He chuckled softly at the expression on the ouji's face. "Alright Vegeta, I'll share…" "Nani!? Share!?" "G'night, Vegeta…" Goku flashed him one last grin before tucking himself in and rolling over, the mop of velvety black spikes the only part of him visible against the creamy pillows. Vegeta stood and scowled, arms crossed; at a complete loss. He had definitely entertained the idea of luring the younger saiya-jin into his bed, but he hadn't considered the possibility of trying to argue him out of it. He blinked. ~Idiot! The end result is the same, why am I arguing??~ It took him a moment, but finally his pride wouldn't let him back down. ~It's my bed!~ Vegeta snorted softly and shrugged out of his shirt, then paused, unable to bring himself to strip entirely. He couldn't quite yet allow himself to be that vulnerable, even around this baka he trusted. He slid under the sheets and turned his back to the other saiya-jin, almost painfully aware of his presence, growling softly to himself before tucking his chin to his chest in desperate pursuit of sleep. ~Baka…damn him…that can't be him who smells so good…~ Goku grinned as he heard the soft snort, felt the thick mattress compress with the weight of the prince. He recognized the sound as one that Vegeta usually employed once he'd argued himself into a corner. He finally closed his eyes, the smile still quirking his mouth. ~Oyasu, Vegeta-sama…~ *** Vegeta blinked his eyes open to a tickling mass of black velvet, scrunching his nose against an impending sneeze. ~Nan des?~ A scent of wild woodland earth struck him; he unconsciously buried his nose into the spikes of hair and breathed in deeply. The raw perfume sent a deep tingle spiraling through his senses; slowly released, the deep breath became a low purr. ~Kakarrot…~ Still half asleep, he snuggled into cozy heat, the purr reverberating softly through his chest. He gazed at the younger saiya-jin through heavy-lidded eyes, reaching without thought to trace a fingertip over Goku's finely arched brows, admiring the strength behind them; his fingertips tingling at the warm silken skin. His other hand drew up to drag fingers slowly through the velvety mop. ~So warm…~ Vegeta's gaze trailed over the slightly parted lips, licking his own reflexively, eyes dilated and vague, still languid with sleep. ~Mmmm…~ He couldn't have stopped himself if he'd thought to, trailing fingers down and cupping the sleeping saiya-jin's jaw. Vegeta tilted his head just so, leaning and brushing his lips across Goku's softly parted mouth, his tongue stealing out to barely taste. ~Kakarrot…~ Goku was caught up in the depths of a dream, one that raveled itself from nebulous and scattered bright threads to weave into a warm and intoxicating silk that wrapped itself around him. ~Vegeta…~ The prince was kissing him, darting his small tongue in to tease him, tasting of exotic spice and smoke. He purred softly, daring to send his own tongue slicking over Vegeta's, sucking at the saiya-jin prince's lower lip. Awareness slapped Vegeta full in the face, his eyes flying open as he realized what he was doing. ~Shimatta! I can't keep my hands off him!~ He growled softly, beginning to pull back, when Goku responded, sucking at his lip. Vegeta froze, the growl wending to a low moan: ~no no NO! I don't want him this way, unaware…I want him to…want me…~ He shuddered and twisted away, scrabbling backward on hands and knees across the bed. ~Kuso…what is wrong with me?~ They'd started out on opposite sides, but sometime during the night they'd gravitated together; Vegeta had awakened wrapped firmly in the larger saiya-jin's embrace. ~So warm…~ He watched Goku's expression change in his sleep, from one of relaxed sensuality to a small frown; the saiya-jin's hand briefly slid among the sheets, seeking. Vegeta felt a low coil of desire wind through him, reaching out a trembling hand toward the tempting velvet spikes. He barely caught himself in time, jerking back as if burned, and he was burned, he _did_ burn. ~Get hold of yourself!~ he snapped internally, whirling and striding purposefully from the room. ~Damn you, Kakarrot…~ Goku frowned as his dream melted away, leaving him standing alone on some vast nightmarish plane. There was something missing, something he was bereft without. A thread of panic drew through him; he had to remember-- A wail sounded in the distance; he snapped around to find the source. It was a wild bestial sound, filled with longing and confusion, almost pained in its intensity. ~What is it?~ Goku lifted from the blackened plain, gathering his ki and bursting into golden light, flying toward the source of the sound… "Wha?" He woke as if thrust from the dream, a low thumping sounding in his ears, blinking as he reoriented himself. ~Oh yeah, Vegeta's…~ Goku grinned, remembered taunting his prince. He buried his nose into the sheets, purring lightly as he caught the faint but definite scent of the ouji, closing his eyes and savoring the subtle play of dark spice and smoke. Any thoughts he had entertained of going back to sleep evaporated as the low thumping continued, curiosity getting the best of him as always. He dragged himself from beneath the warm covers and stretched up on tip-toes, cracking a huge yawn and blinking the sleep from his eyes. The low pounding sound had changed tempo but was no less curious. Not bothering to gather his shirt from the day before, he simply padded out in search of the sound, loose gi pants flapping around his feet. As he left the bedroom he paused to admire the view from the open portico, taking in a deep breath of the high mountain air. His ears nearly twitching, he was drawn back to his pursuit, finally identifying it as music. ~Vegeta's never struck me as being particularly musical…~ He padded silently along the cool tile and stone of the floor, heading for the corner of the portico, noting the steaming of the hot tub. It reminded him of Vegeta in a way, a vague and thin phantom covering true depths: most people might only see mist, but Goku saw past it; had been invited into it. He was dazzled with the rarity of the event, realizing that this was something no one had been offered before. He paused, momentarily dumbstruck by the thought, then peered around the corner cautiously in search of the prince. He blinked at the sight of Vegeta, still wearing only his gi pants, flipping and bouncing through the air in a complex kata routine. Music rumbled through the room, the tempo aggressive, the drumbeats driving relentlessly. It matched perfectly the movements of the prince, or rather he matched them, bouncing from his toes into a perfect handstand and then flipping to throw a volley of punches at the air. Vegeta's body twisted as he sent opposing roundhouse kicks at an unseen enemy, his torso gleaming with sweat. He was engrossed in the ritual, his eyes blank, turned inward; he didn't see Goku as the warrior silently stepped around the corner. Goku watched and listened in amazement, the drumbeats throbbing in his ears, his heart quickening to match it as he watched the supple body before him. A flush of primal excitement washed through him in response to the relentless drive of the drums. There was a swell of guitar and synthesizer, followed by a ghostly echo of voices - drift within this is your body can you flow with fire blood through each tissued corridor throb to the pulse of life "can't throb to the pulse of life" let your heart pump you down long red tunnels "can you let your heart pump you down long red tunnels" you stream into cell chambers "can you let your heart become central pump-house for all human feelings?" "help, help i'm drowning get me out of here" drift to the center drift to center "i'm drowning i need some help" center on this heart of fire of love let your heart be your whole life "radiate swell penatrate to the bumpy" burst "burst bleed out bleed out" bleed to death "bleed to death" life blood "life blood" scarlet The large saiya-jin warrior stood entranced, mesmerized by the play and pull of Vegeta's muscles, the music seeming to throb into his bloodstream. Goku's face shifted into a predatory gaze; his breath labored at the image of the lithe prince, his mind again hazing with pleasure even at the mere sight of him. His body tightened as he watched, coiling and readying to spring. As the song came to a crashing conclusion, he pounced. "Kakarrot!!" Vegeta had whirled at the end of his kata, just in time to see the blur of the larger saiya-jin's attack: instinctively he flipped himself into the supporting rafters above. He paused to catch his breath, short with both the workout and surprise, smirking down at Goku as he growled up at the prince. Vegeta backflipped through the criss-cross of thick wrought-iron supports, horizontal crossbeams bearing up crossed uprights, his laugh taunting. "Catch me if you can, Kakarrot!" Goku didn't hesitate, flipping himself into the rafters as well, and pursuing the feline ouji with zeal. As they closed in on one another fists struck out to test and provoke, both wearing sloppy grins, delighted in the test of strength. Music still thundered around them as they flickered in and out of sight under the shadowed ceiling. Vegeta darted out toward the corner, thinking to get some distance, not wanting to start lobbing ki blasts inside his house. As he dropped to a crouch on the long beam over the corner, Goku suddenly swung into view, dangling upside-down from the crossbars above. "Tag, you're it!" Goku used his momentum to push both hands into Vegeta's chest, knocking him off balance; the prince's arms waved wildly as he sought to catch himself. Still not quite acclimated to the new balance of his tail, he missed his grip and was sent yelping with a splash into the hot tub below. Goku laughed and levered himself down, dropping to the tiles and grinning at the sputtering ouji when he surfaced. The laughter stilled as he saw Vegeta's hair, for once tamed by the weight of the water, flowing down over his shoulders and into his eyes. ~Kami…~ Goku blinked, fascinated and somehow utterly aroused by the sight of his prince. "What the hell are you gawking at, Kakarrot?!" Vegeta scowled, slinging his hair back out of his eyes and kicking back to float, trying to convince his body to let the hot water relax him. Goku grabbed up a towel and stood at the edge of the roiling pool of steaming water, then flipped the towel over his shoulder and bent to roll up his pant legs. "You're so kawaii, Vegeta…" The saiya-jin grinned at his prince. "Nani?? Kawaii? I am not…" He scowled even as he felt the blush darken his cheeks, folding his arms and attempting to look as threatening as possible, despite being half dressed and dripping. "I am the prince of saiya-jins…I am not…cute…!" Goku grinned at him, dropping down to sit at the edge, dangling his legs in the hot water. "Yeah, you keep saying that, but…" He swished his feet through the water and peeked at the ouji from under his bangs. "You're a just a pussycat, Vegeta, and look how many people you've killed!" He simply could not resist teasing the ouji, especially when that blush was spreading. Vegeta gaped, then scowled up at him. "Obviously one too few!" Both knew the prince's harsh words were only a return of the teasing. A shock of desire burst through the slighter saiya-jin as he met those midnight velvet eyes. ~It's like I can see right into him…~ The heat of the water was doing less to relax him than to soothe his defenses; he found his body responding fully to the sight of the half-naked warrior just out of reach. He slid a little closer, still unsure, yet craving so much; he snapped a hand out and grabbed a thick ankle, yanking the younger saiya-jin into the water with him. He laughed outright at Goku's surprised yip, grinning like a madman as he watched him surface and sputter for air. "Ha!" Vegeta crowed, as he levered himself up onto the side of the steaming pool, "Baka!" He offered the other saiya-jin his hand, a playful sparkle in his eyes. ~I wonder if he'll try to dump me in again…~ Goku reached for the offered hand, musing that this was the second time in as many days that the prince had reached out to him, even if only in camaraderie. He could see the gleam in Vegeta's eyes, knew the ouji was expecting him to try something; he was considering it when their hands clasped. Both saiya-jins stilled as something seemed to crackle between them, obsidian pools meeting velvet midnight. The music had stopped, the silence broken only by the occasional drip from one or the other of them. Long moments passed, or seemed to, the warmth between their hands taking on a life of its own. Something passed between them, both faces registering surprise, leaving a warm glow behind. Not surprisingly, Vegeta broke the odd silence first, offering the first distraction that came to mind. "Breakfast, Kakarrot?" In the short pause before he could answer, Goku's stomach did its best impression of a howling pack of wolves. He blinked up at the prince, his cheeks flushing. "That would be great, 'Geta!" And promptly pulled Vegeta back into the hot tub, laughing and dunking him. The horseplay continued for a while, until they were both breathless from laughter and submersion; finally they dragged each other out and staggered off to dry themselves and scrounge for what might be found in the refrigerator. "Hey." Goku smiled at the ouji as he rumpled the towel through his spiked hair. "Let me make breakfast, ok 'Geta?" "Don't call me that, Kakarrot." Vegeta scowled lightly at the other saiya-jin. ~Where the hell did he come up with that anyway?~ He snorted and dropped his soaked gi pants to the bathroom floor, Goku having already peeled out of his unselfconsciously, leaving Vegeta to turn away, his blood heating. He wrapped a towel around his waist and headed to the bedroom. "Are you offering to poison me, Kakarrot?" Goku laughed and followed him, not bothering with a towel. "I'll have you know, Vegeta, that breakfast is my specialty." He grinned, "It had to be, Chi-Chi always slept late." It suddenly occurred to him that he was referring to her in the past tense, as if she were dead. He frowned, feeling slightly ashamed, but then realized that he'd never felt so free; he shrugged. ~I have to live my life…~ But where was that going to lead him? Vegeta pulled two of the sleek black body short-suits from the closet, absently tossing one at Goku, wrapped up in a few thoughts of his own. ~What is this? What am I doing? Maybe I should just forget the whole thing…I never have been good at…emotion…Who said I had to feel for him, anyway?~ The saiya-jin prince scowled and shook his head. ~But he…he's so…~ Vegeta cast a glance back over one shoulder at the younger saiya-jin, who had just tugged the suit into place and looked to his prince with a grin. "Hey these are cool, Vegeta." He smirked and snapped the latex of the shorts against his heavy thighs. "Oooh baby!" Vegeta snorted, folding his arms over his now-clad chest, scowling. He couldn't believe this idiot mask the warrior insisted on wearing around him…Fury boiled slowly to the surface of his tangled thoughts. The prince stalked close, one lip curled in a sneer, his voice low pitched with anger. "Stop it." Goku blinked down at him. "Huh?" "You heard me, Kakarrot." Vegeta's crossed arms brushed against him as the prince leaned close, growling. "Stop the bullshit…" Vegeta could smell him again, that wild woodland scent, it made his skin tighten and tingle. "You can play the baka all you like around the others but I am fucking sick of it…" "You insult me," Vegeta continued, his teeth bared. "Do you think I'm as stupid as them? Do you think I don't know what you are?" The prince's frustration and anxiety built; he felt his tail snapping side-to-side. He reached up and slapped Goku sharply. ~You bastard…I want you so much…~ Goku could feel the heat radiating from the smaller saiya-jin's body, with it a breath of exotic spice; he had to swallow the purr that threatened to ripple through his throat. ~Gods…Vegeta…~ He wanted to reach out and grab his prince, tongue tingling at the anticipation of tasting him. ~Will he taste as good as in the dream?~ He was moving to do just that when Vegeta's open palm cracked across his cheek, the bright sting doing no harm, but triggering a defensive snarl and bringing him to awareness. He had been patronizing Vegeta, his ouji. Vegeta had opened up to him, shown him a glimpse of who he truly was, but Goku had continued with his charade, more or less refusing the ouji the same courtesy. Vegeta saw the change as the blow sank in. Goku tensed, his eyes narrowing slightly, taking on a predatory gleam. The saiya-jin warrior's fists tightened and his lip curled, the open face taking on an almost completely different demeanor, his low snarl making the ouji's heart pound. Vegeta watched, delighted as the saiya-jin in the younger warrior returned, then turned on his heel and marched from the room. "If we're going to train we'd better have that breakfast, ne?" Goku blinked: he'd been coiled, ready to reach out and take what he wanted; now Vegeta was talking about breakfast. His stomach roared again; he couldn't suppress a grin. "I'm with you, Vegeta…" He frowned thoughtfully at Vegeta's back as he followed, struck by a revelation. ~I am with you Vegeta…Always…~ Back to Guest Fiction Main Page / Chapter 2 / Chapter 4 |