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The blast tears through his uniform, searing his skin. Bulma is going to kill him; she’s just designed the new uniforms and he hasn’t even worn this one for a full day before it’s getting incinerated. The pain he can take, the pain he’s used to. It’s part of fighting, part of training even. This isn’t training though; it isn’t even the fighting he’s come to expect living on Earth with Kakarot and the other fools. Somehow the moron seemed to attract every strong fighter in the entire universe – and the other universes too, of course, ever since Kakarot hadn’t been able to keep his mouth shut in front of Zeno. How he’s survived this long is beyond Vegeta’s comprehension.
Vegeta shakes his head to clear his mind. He’s not usually this easily distracted, even if he is injured. It can’t be that bad, it was a mere blast attack. Nowhere near the strength of his own Gallic Gun. Not even as strong as Kakarot’s measly Kamehameha, although he’s not much for admitting it. The Namekian isn’t anywhere near him, so he feels safe enough in his own mind though, for now.
His balance seems off and Vegeta looks down at his side. It’s turning a sickening green faster than he’s seen any Earth plants grow. There’s no way that was a regular ki blast. Vegeta looks at his opponent and bares his teeth. Every breath feels like he’s slowly drowning, and it takes him no more than a few seconds to realize that he’s been poisoned. Damn it.
Buying time. That’s what he was supposed to do. Just buy them some time, time to contact Kakarot, who once again is nowhere to be found when you need him. Vegeta has spent the past two months ignoring the moron’s absence and now he’s been forced to play distraction. He hates it. He doesn’t go with the plan, of course he doesn’t. They know him now, the Earthlings. They know he won’t simply play tag with the enemy until their beloved Goku shows up.
Stupid Kakarot. Not only has he gone on a visit to Heaven, but he’s also left the responsibility of defending Earth to his youngest son and by default Trunks too. Which means that really, the idiot has left Vegeta in charge (as things should be), without even bothering to say a proper goodbye.
“I’m sorry, Geta, you can’t come. Heaven is for pure souls only.” He says it like it’s just a fact, his lopsided smile warm on his face. Vegeta wants to punch it off. He says it like Vegeta doesn’t know he can’t go to Heaven, like he doesn’t realize he’s never going to be able to make up for the evil deeds he’s done. He’s headed for Hell. He knows this. He just wishes Kakarot would think about his own words every now and again.
He doesn’t even bother to tell Vegeta how long he’s going to be away for. He doesn’t say goodbye, he doesn’t… doesn’t do anything. Because he’s Kakarot and he’s probably found someone stronger to fight in Heaven. Once again, leaving Vegeta behind.
Sudden rage fills him and it’s good, it’s safe. It’s what a Saiyan is supposed to feel in the heat of a battle. The alien creature may be strong with its poisonous attacks, but Vegeta isn’t an easy mark. He can fight for hours, days, if need be. He’s not weak. He can take care of himself and keep Earth safe. There’s no need for Kakarot to show up. He can handle it alone.
Trunks and Kakarot’s brat are with him, but he won’t allow them in on the fight. He knows his son; he’s as stubborn as his father, but he will not disobey a direct order. The snotnose won’t either, he follows Trunks around like a lost puppy. He reminds Vegeta a lot of Kakarot. Looks like him too, now that he’s tall enough to see over a tabletop. It’s infuriating to look at the kid, especially since he turns out to take after his father. Just like Gohan if he’d actually stuck to training. Vegeta can never understand how Kakarot can allow his children to choose their own path, when there are so few Saiyans left. They need to fight; they need to be stronger. They need to keep each other safe and make sure their race doesn’t die out.
Another blast hits him in the right shoulder and Vegeta lets out a grunt of pain. He won’t scream. He’s been conditioned not to, he knows this, but he can’t think of Frieza right now. He needs to focus, not let his rage overpower him. Whis has been clear on this and while Vegeta isn’t exactly known for being a good listener, he knows when to pay attention, and Whis has yet to give him advice that isn’t useful. So he breathes slow, gathering ki in his hands as he avoids the alien’s next attack.
It goes on for a while and Vegeta can feel how his limbs grow heavier. He clutches at his side, sweat dripping down his face. This can’t be good. He’s losing blood fast, his hands slippery when he tries to pull his uniform over the wound. He breathes through his nose slowly, letting ki gather around his hands. He has to stop the bleeding and keep fighting. Kakarot isn’t here yet.
Late. He’s always late.
The burning of his flesh isn’t as bad as the attack had been. He can control this.
Vegeta should’ve stuck to the plan. Distract the enemy. Why did he never stick to the plans? Because they were thought out by mere mortal beings, below him in every sense of the word. He knows he’s prideful and that it is seen as a weakness on Earth, but he is a Saiyan. He’s a prince. He will not let his pride fall away, when it is the only thing, he has left of his bloodline. Even Kakarot knows and respects this now.
Vegeta cauterizes the wound with only a grunt escaping his lips. It’s painful, but he can live with a little burnt skin. It’s the poison that worries him. His skin is turning green around the wound, and it seems to be spreading. He doesn’t have a lot of time.
Where the hell is Kakarot?
When the third blast hits his thigh, Vegeta goes down. He can hear Trunks calling for him, but he holds a hand in the air. There’s no reason for the both of them to be poisoned. They need to wait for Kakarot. If anything can get through the energy barrier the alien has set up around itself, it’s Kakarot. He just needs to show up.
“Dad’s on his way!” The brat shouts.
Through his swollen eyes – when did the poison reach his vision? – Vegeta can tell that Kakarot’s youngest is holding Trunks back. Good.
He’s just the distraction. He’s not here to safe the day. Never is, really. Perhaps he’ll be in Hell sooner than he’d anticipated. The thought isn’t nearly as terrifying as he knows it should be. He’s had a good life, for the most part. Not much he can do about it now, either way.
Vegeta spits and even with his blurry vision he can see that it’s more blood than saliva. His ears feel plugged and his head fuzzy, but he can’t give up.
There’s a commotion and Vegeta forces his eyes open. Trunks can’t take the alien on by himself. He can’t let that happen. He doesn’t see Trunks, but he can’t see more than a few inches from his own face and even that short distance isn’t very clear.
A shadow approaches, and a warm hand slides under his back. Vegeta knows no one who would dare treat him this gently. Well, almost no one.
“Kakarot,” he whispers. He can barely see, but he knows that silhouette. That idiotic hair. How has he ever fallen for someone so dumb looking? He feels blood trickle down his chin even as he smiles. It feels like he’s swallowed knives. “You came.”
He knows better than to show weakness like this, but he cannot help the surge of fondness that swells in his chest. Kakarot is here, he’s back by Vegeta’s side. He’s holding him close, although his hands are oddly soft. Maybe he’s been doing some weird training in Heaven, but Vegeta can’t really care too much. He can feel the poison work its way up his throat, and he gasps for air, trying to stay conscious.
“Vegeta,” calls a voice and Vegeta can’t help but frown.
That isn’t Kakarot’s voice, it’s… it’s the brat. The little one. What’s his name again? Oh, what does it matter? Kakarot isn’t here. Again. He’s late and Vegeta is going to die before he gets back and there’s a whole year until they can find the Dragon Balls.
Vegeta wonders if Kakarot remembers their promise. To not waste anymore wishes on each other. He’d been particularly clear headed that day, something Vegeta found out was the case more days than not, if you actually gave Kakarot the time and patience he deserved.
Not that he’s ever told him that, of course. He should have. Kakarot may be a moron and a fool, but he isn’t stupid. Not like his friends and family thinks, at least. Behind that glorious smile hides thousands upon thousands of sleepless nights, filled with worry and anxiety. Of not being good enough, strong enough, fast enough.
Vegeta knows logically that he can’t be the first one to notice this. He can’t be the first one to see through that sunshine of a smile. But he’d like to think he’s the first one Kakarot has let in behind the façade for more than a brief moment. There’s no reason for him to lie to Vegeta (“I’m not lying, Vegeta, I just… don’t always speak up.”), not like there is to Chichi or the kids. Because Vegeta can see straight through him, has been able to from the moment they met. Just like Kakarot has been able to see through him as well.
There’s pressure at his lips but Vegeta can’t get his body to obey his mind. A senzu bean, it has to be, but he thought they were out of those. Is that where Kakarot has been this entire time? Hunting beans? If he’d gotten here sooner, there wouldn’t be any need for the damn beans.
Wait, this isn’t Kakarot holding his head up. It’s the brat. Vegeta’s limps are heavy, too heavy to lift and while he’s not exactly grateful to the kid for holding his head up, he does appreciate not choking on his own saliva because he can’t swallow properly. The poison is paralyzing. Good to know.
Vegeta tries to blink but all it does is send tears down his face. Great. Now his last moments are going to be in the arms of the snotnose and he’s crying. Even if he doesn’t die, he’s still not going to survive the humiliation. At least his breathing is getting harder, so he figures he’ll die before anyone else sees him. He’ll just have to haunt the kid in the afterlife, so he doesn’t blabber about it.
Vegeta knows he’s being ridiculous. Loss of air will do that to a man, even a man as strong and stubborn as Vegeta. He’s trying to let his thoughts run in the opposite direction of the panic he can slowly feel crawl up his throat. He’s going to suffocate before the blood loss kills him and that thought alone is enough to have him try opening his mouth again. He can’t chew the damn bean, much less keep it in his mouth and if he had enough control of his mouth to grunt in frustration, he would. As it were only a strangled gurgling leaves his lips. He can feel the desperation coming off Goten (Goten, right) in thick waves. Then suddenly Vegeta feels a puff of air on his face, a sigh so relieved it almost makes him believe they’re going to be alright. This kid is way too easy to read. He’ll have to say something about that if he survives long enough.
He doesn’t have to hear Goten’s next word; his sigh already enough of a tell, but Vegeta still feels something akin to relief when he whispers: “Dad.”
A violent sound splits the air and makes the ground shake underneath them.
Vegeta must be dreaming. There’s no way the surge in energy is real. He can feel the hairs on his body stand up at the enormous amount of ki gathering near him. Not even Kakarot is this strong, and he’s supposedly the strongest warrior in the universe (for now, just you wait). The ki is familiar though, it has to be… but it can’t. He can’t have gotten so much stronger from just a few months in Heaven. What does Heaven have that Earth doesn’t?
A stronger opponent, his traitorous mind whispers.
There’s a scream, so full of rage that chills burst out over Vegeta’s body. It’s Kakarot, he’s sure of it. No one can imitate that rageful howl. His voice breaks and the ki doubles again, the pressure forcing Vegeta and Goten back several feet. The kid is trying to shield his body with his own, but it’s no use. Nothing can stand in the way of Kakarot’s pure power.
Another ear-splitting sound soars through the air and Vegeta can actually feel when Kakarot flies past them and directly into the force field the alien has set up. The earth shutters underneath them and Goten holds onto him tighter. It hurts but it’s better than being blasted into the nearest mountain, he supposes.
It’s his name, Vegeta realizes belatedly. The sound seems to have travelled slower than Kakarot himself because Vegeta doesn’t hear it before he’s already flown past them. Kakarot was screaming his name.
Heat that has nothing to do with the poison spreads throughout Vegeta’s body. He’s sure if his face wasn’t already red, it would be now. He’s heard Kakarot heartbroken before – has been the cause of that heartbreak more than once. But not like this, never like this. The rage, the blood curling rage. It’s like nothing he’s ever heard before.
No. That’s not right. It’s the same scream his father had emitted when his mother had been killed. It’s the scream of a wounded animal, of a heart breaking, of pure agony. It’s a Saiyan’s scream.
Even in his weakened state Vegeta registers Trunks coming to his side. He knows his son’s movements, his breathing, as well as he knows his own. There’s another attempt at pushing a senzu bean past his lips, but it’s no use. Vegeta doesn’t mind. He’s too busy listening to the fight happening to his left. He wishes he could see him. Could see Kakarot. Have one last look at his fighting figure before he closes his eyes for good.
It's no use though. Sand is flowing everywhere, and Vegeta has to finally give up on trying to watch Kakarot. It’s okay. He made it, after all, there’s no reason for Vegeta to hold on much longer. Earth is once again safe, thanks to Kakarot. He tries not to be bitter about it, but of course Vegeta ends up with the short end of the stick, once more.
His ears must be the last thing to go because he can still hear Kakarot’s roars and the thought of his death affecting him like this has Vegeta’s lips twitch. He can’t control his muscles enough to smile, but he feels warm.
Trunks’ hand is heavy on his jaw as he pries it open, but Vegeta must’ve lost consciousness for a moment because the next thing he knows a pair of dry lips are pressed to his, while a calloused hand massages at his throat. He feels the senzu bean slide to the back of his throat.
“C’mon, Geta.” It’s Kakarot, his hands oh so gentle against Vegeta’s skin.
The soft touch reminds Vegeta of the first time he’d let Kakarot touch his naked skin with no intention of fighting. He’d been gentle then too, even though Vegeta had insisted he could take it. He could take whatever Kakarot gave him. All his heated words did was make Kakarot chuckle and he’d trailed fluttering kisses all over Vegeta’s face and body. He’d grabbed his throat too then, gently, like he’s doing right now, holding Vegeta in place as he slowly drove him insane with the languid movement of his hips. The situations are nothing alike but Vegeta still feels goosebumps spread over his arms.
Kakarot must have done something about the poison because Vegeta is starting to feel his fingertips and toes again. They’re buzzing like that winter they spent outside in the snow. Vegeta had never seen snow before he came to Earth, which in Kakarot’s opinion was an offense to the entire Saiyan race. Or so he’d said. Vegeta wasn’t sure Kakarot even knew what offense meant, but he’d been willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. He’d enjoyed the snow a lot to be fair, when he’d gotten used to the weird texture.
Finally, Vegeta finds the energy to actually swallow the chewed-up bean and– by Kami, he hopes Kakarot was the one to feed that to him. He’s not sure he’ll be able to look his kid in the eye if he was so out of it, Trunks had to feed him with his own mouth. Vegeta pries his heavy eyelids open and is met by the most beautiful sight.
Kakarot is leaned over him, worry lines deep on his face, but the moment Vegeta opens his eyes, relief floods over his face. His eyes are wet and the small smile on his face feel intimate and precious in a way not even a kiss can be.
“Hi,” Kakarot says in that stupid voice of his and Vegeta tries to keep his own smile at bay. He’s still angry that he had to play decoy just because Kakarot is too high and mighty to spend more time on Earth.
“You’re late,” is all he says, but it’s enough to have Kakarot laugh loudly and that’s… well, that’s alright too, he supposes.
