Work Text:
The first time that Juan saw the two of them together was in the halls of the North, Vegetta happily chattering away as the other followed closely beside him, head bowed to listen to the other better. They made for a splendid image, even if Juan didn't have an artistic eye. The daylight was filtering in through the sandstone windows, and it made Foolish's skin seem to glow all the more, though perhaps, Juan thought bitterly, it was also the effect of being under Vegetta's attention. Whatever words had risen in his throat died at the sight of Vegetta's eyes glued to the other's smile, a small curl at the end of his lip that made the moment, or perhaps every moment, seem too intimate for intruders. They always inhabited each other's space like helpless planets caught in each other's orbits, and Juan had never felt more like an astronaut stranded in the vast dark space.
That was perhaps the first time, Juan felt what the classic works described as that primal hunger that led the love-stricken to war, to mindless violence at the foot of a terribly beauty. What confused him was that he could not find of whom he was jealous. For Foolish, who held the king's attentions so effortlessly, who was never far from the violet-eyed man's thoughts... or for Vegetta, who somehow managed to still the ever-moving, ever wandering immortal. While Juan knew logically that the other didn't mind being a pillar for Juan, the Vegetta effect on the other was intoxicating. How demure he was around Vegetta, the careful consideration when their conversations melded languages into their own vocabulary. If the daily chaos of maintaining the house's affairs in order didn't up so much of his time, perhaps Juan might've been able to determine how exactly their dynamic was making a mess of his emotions. What would it be like to be so cared for by Vegetta, careful hands that strayed over the other's shoulders? What would it be like to see Foolish's emerald eyes locked on to him, so open-- so trusting to whatever Juan wished?
Juan let out a slow exhale through his nostrils as he put down his brush, distracted again from the commission that he was supposed to be working on. While opening his art shop had been good for him both in payment and peace, that stillness and time alone couldn't stop his thoughts from wandering to the pair. As if all of the thoughts he usually kept behind the radio static of the daily dealings of the North suddenly kept rushing back, and he found himself flushing red over the memories of what had occurred earlier that day.
It was something about having this space so filled by the sound of Foolish's abashed laughter, seeing Vegetta sitting in the same spot where Juan painted his works, both in his little store like if they were as familiar to the place as Juan. And how intoxicating would that be? He had desperately tried to ignore the warmth that built in him at their presence and had almost successfully distracted himself with talk about Aldo and his duty assignments with Vegetta, but it had taken one small moment for Juan to be rendered mute.
"Foolish, LISTEN to me." Vegetta had barked quickly at the totem who had been making quick work for the door. Like always, so distracted by any passing thing whenever he wasn't being immediately addressed. A laugh had started from Juan but when he caught sight of how obediently Foolish had frozen and turned around, obeying the order even before his mind had caught up, Juan couldn't help but stare. The blush that had overcome Foolish's cheeks made him all the more mesmerizing, a look that Juan wished he could paint again and again. No, beyond that, one he wished to taste, to feel with his fingers the heat under the color, as if he meant to sculpt Foolish through touch alone.
Something in him couldn't help but hunger for Foolish in complete trust, submissive, and equally for the effortless power that Vegetta exuded.
Juan groaned as his face reddened at the memory, covering his face with one hand as he gave up on trying to continue the painting. All of his thoughts were centered on what it would feel like to feel Vegetta's hand possessively curl around his neck like he'd seen him do once to Foolish. What it would feel like to have Foolish's hands around his waist while leaning in to kiss him. And from what he had heard from other islanders, the two hadn't been able to keep their hands off each other since the previous island.
The sound of the bell near the door broke him from his thoughts, and Juan was about to greet whoever came in when he caught sight of the two name tags that had been haunting his thoughts since this morning.
"Hello?" Juan's voice decided then was the best moment to crack as he saw Vegetta and Foolish make their way up the winding stairs.
"Bueno, Juan, it looks like you never stop working, even when you're not at the house." Vegetta teased as he stepped onto the second floor, a smile sported entrancingly on his lips. His dark hair was tousled, casting its usual strand over the other's forehead, but it looked a bit more windswept than usual. Belatedly, Juan remembered hearing the familiar sounds of the plane landing outside his store. He had chalked it up to the usual culprits, his tech savvy neighbors.
"Aha, yeah, I just finished with some of the tasks you asked so I wanted to get this commission done." Juan stood up from his seat, trying to keep his feelings from his face as Foolish walked in behind the other. The other had taken off his costume for Jueves de Lechita, donning instead his Dark Cucurucho merch. Juan choked on air though when he saw how the other's red shorts which already showcased the other's legs wonderfully, were hiked up even more, showing off the muscles prominent on the other's thighs. Likewise, it seemed his shirt was smaller or his sleeves were cut or something because it was leaving so little to imagination and yet Juan found himself hungering to drag the fabric further.
His eyes snapped to Vegetta who didn't seem to catch the other's lingering looks. He had moved towards to Juan's easel where he'd been experimenting with different shades of orange for a sunset background.
"And how does it go, dear Juan?" Vegetta smiled, looking down at the painting before turning towards the artist.
"Oh, I can't seem to finish it for some reason." Juan chuckled nervously.
"Oh?" Vegetta lifted an eyebrow. "Perhaps you need some inspiration?" He tilted his head in a silent command for Juan to return to his seat. The other followed it silently.
"I'd think that netherite ingots would be enough inspiration." Foolish snorted as he threw himself over the couch, lounging there like he owned the place. Juan let the other see the reaction he wanted and flicked him off.
"Oh shut up." Juan laughed, rolling his eyes.
"Biblical greed. This guy," Foolish shook his head at Vegetta who chuckled at the playful fighting between them.
"Oh, you must have pity, Foolish." The King drawled, waving a lazy hand. "There are things that not even money could inspire. Why, I didn't take need any form of payment to make that painting of you earlier, now did I? Some art simply inspires other art." The wink that Vegetta directed to Foolish somehow had both Juan and the totem flushing though the totem let out one of those rare giggles that only Vegetta's flirting seem to bring out. This reaction seemed to bolster the king into the next words. "Perhaps you could pause your commission to practice with Foolish?"
Juan's eyebrows shot up as his mouth went dry. Foolish only seemed interested in what Vegetta was proposing, like if it didn't sound like the most flirtatious invitation.
"What?" Juan blinked.
"No pressure to make something perfect." Vegetta purred as he placed a hand on Juan's shoulder. "But let yourself loosen your artistic energy with a beautiful boy." The heat that was coming from the contact was sending fire down Juan's spine, hyper-aware of the strong grip the other had on him. "It never hurts to have another painting of my querido Foolish."
"Uh, yeah, it doesn't hurt-- to practice, I mean." Juan agreed, turning away before those purple eyes could see just how flustered he was. Only one problem with that... now his eyes were riveted to the new subject of his painting who was looking at them with curious eyes. Foolish smiled brightly as he threw an arm behind his head, not exactly posing the same way he had for Vegetta earlier, but still drawing attention to his strong arms, and god, those shorts that felt scandalizing in this now too small room.
Memories of seeing those arms work on the dragon on hot days suddenly filtered through Juan's mind, remembering how he'd find himself lost in staring from his office window. The few embarrassing times when Foolish would somehow catch him staring were nothing compared to the surreal peace he'd feel at seeing the other from afar. And yet, now that he was allowed to look at Foolish, with this somewhat silly excuse, Juan couldn't help but see how the other's hair peeked out from under the shark hood, how his fingers were tapping against his stomach where the T-shirt was pulled taut, a sliver of skin peeking from the waistband.
Roier's teasing comments to Vegetta earlier came filtering back. Paint him like one of your French girls.
"Juan?" Vegetta's grip tightened in question and Juan fought the startled jump that broke him from his trance.
"Ah, yes, of course." Juan's hand only shook a little when he reached for his brush.
"Ah, Juan es pendejo." Foolish said in a musing tone, sticking out his tongue.
"No, no soy pendejo, asshole." Juan was grateful for the familiarity in their insult exchange. Foolish laughed, settling in further into the couch. That teasing grin on his face gave Juan cuteness aggression like nothing else, wanting to bite those golden cheeks. He focused on creating an outline of the other, deciding to paint the other from the chest up. For once, Foolish was mostly silent, humming little things as Juan honed in on creating a rough outline, letting his eyes slide between the canvas and the subject. Every once in a while, Vegetta would remind them of his presence with murmured compliments over a particular feature or color choice.
Each praise was like a breath of cool air for Juan who found himself getting entranced in this atmosphere. If painting were like this every time, feeling Vegetta's presence next to him and seeing Foolish relaxed on his couch, both looking like they belonged there, Juan imagines he could easily see himself kidnapping both of them so that this moment could never end. An eternity spent with these two, even if he was simply was regaled to painting them again and again.
Even just this was enough for him, but just as he was getting lost in his craft, Juan felt himself get pulled back slightly from where he had been leaning closer to capture the other's jawline better, struggling to find the right angle to emphasize it without making it exaggerated. He made a light noise of frustration, turning his head to find Vegetta had moved closer, basically hovering over his shoulder now. The side profile the artist found himself looking at was devastatingly handsome.
"It seems that nuestro querido Juan needs a closer look. Foolish, ven." Vegetta purred, beckoning the totem closer with his hand. The subject of the painting blinked but after only a moment of hesitation rose to his feet and made his way towards them. Once he was close enough, Vegetta pushed him onto a stool he'd dragged from the corner. The other sat, putting his hands on his knees, which given his tall stature, made Foolish shy if his hunched back was anything to go by. Juan felt his lips go dry, but he made towards the canvas with his brush before the king interrupted again with a small hum.
"Ah, but this wasn't the pose he was in before, no?" Vegetta mused. "Juan, wasn't Foolish positioned more like this?" It seemed that his king whom Juan would lay down his life for, was seeking for his early demise, because Foolish was turned to the side and encouraged to lean back onto Vegetta's chest, where the other one was holding his weight securely. Again, Foolish's head tilted back, with his eyes still trained on Juan.
"Ah, yes, now I can, uh, see his face better." Juan didn't even know what he was saying at this point, captivated by the show the two were putting on. His heart was thundering in his chest, and though a part ached at the knowledge that he would never get to share in their love, it was still dazzling to see so close. To hear their breaths in the small sanctuary that made up his shop. For the first time, Juan felt as though his little place was truly a museum-- somewhere that a beauty could be observed ever so closely and yet never touched. And how his fingers wished to drop the wooden brush, to brave the distance between them, and feel the skin at the juncture between Foolish's neck and shoulder, to encircle Vegetta's wrist where it rested by the totem's ear, feeling the steady heartbeat. "But uh, Foolish could you tilt your head more left?"
"Like this?" The other tilted his head the opposite way he needed, and Juan bit his lip.
"I said left, you didn't even try." Juan snorted.
"Well, no one better to pose him than you, Juan." Vegetta smiled with all the benevolence of royalty. He reached out and grabbed Juan's hand, placing it on Foolish's cheek which instantly had shivers running down his spine. The golden skin under his fingertips were as warm as he'd imagined it would be, with Foolish so often out in the sun building his temple and dragons. His eyes jumped to Vegetta's that were darkened, but not in the anger that he'd assumed would be met with his enamored gaze. Rather, Vegetta had caressed the skin over Juan's hand before melting away.
"Do you think I do not see the way you two act around each other?" Vegetta whispered, crossing his hands loosely over Foolish's collarbones. Both Foolish and Juan's eyes widened, and the despair that coursed through Juan was immediate. However, despite both of their surprise, Vegetta kept Juan's hand from moving from Foolish. Both of their surprise could not stop the blush on their cheeks as they made eye contact. For a brief second, Foolish's eyes even flashed down to his lips. "Are you not tired of always looking? Do you think I am so selfish as to not want two of my closest happy?"
"I-- I just never thought," Juan blinked, but was interrupted by Foolish turning his face up to Vegetta with a confused expression.
"Vegetta, I would never cheat on you." Foolish protested. "I don't know what anyone told you, but Juan and I are just friends!" Though Juan's heart squeezed at the familiar denial, he nodded vehemently in agreement.
"Friends who match outfits. Friends who giggle like schoolgirls around each other. Friends who have shared a heart." Somehow even with the words, Vegetta's face was still patient, almost unreadable if not for the fond smile he was directing at Foolish and then Juan as he looked up. "I do not blame either of you for falling for each other. Love has a funny way of making things so complicated of what could be simple."
He redirected Foolish's gaze towards the artist who found himself at a bit of a loss for words. Even now, there was a strand of hope that was fighting its way past the cloying anxiety clouding Juan's mind. He could feel his heartbeat in the tips of his hands, sure that Foolish could likely feel it.
"Now, I want you to kiss on the face, and if you do not like it, we can move on, never talk of this again." Vegetta said, "But Juan, you are one of the best men I know. Your talent and your loyalty are but a few things that I admire about you. I could imagine no one else I would like to join Foolish and me. Foolish, you are a beautiful boy, and I have told you before that I would never fault you for finding love in another. The very fact that you would let me spend another lifetime with you is more than I could ask for, but I knew that you would likely find another love in your eternal life. I can't say I expected you to find one while we were together, but I can imagine no one better." With that, he simply let his hands run over Foolish's shoulders, waiting for their response.
But what response could Juan give? He had imagined a moment like this, where he could lean over and kiss Foolish for weeks now. Even before Graf had confessed his feelings towards him, and the embarrassing string of dates he couldn't refuse, Juan had known that his heart had been set on one unavailable totem. And this fluttering attraction had only grown the more he had become familiar with Foolish, the easy-going humor, the hidden kindness he always showed, the absolute loyalty he had. It was as though Juan were constantly staggering after a shimmering oasis, entranced by the promise of water while knowing it could not be his.
"Well, I think you misread, Vegetta," Foolish chuckled, eyes darting to the ground. "Juan just doesn't like me." Disbelief made Juan scoff.
"What? You don't like me!" Juan accused with a frown. "Of course I like you, idiot. B-but you are with Vegetta. I didn't think I had a chance." Juan glanced up to said person who only smiled as if to encourage them. "You always say I'm gross."
"And you always say I'm a monster!" Foolish argued back, shoving a finger to Juan's chest. "How was I supposed to know you liked me? I thought you were still in love with Cucurucho!"
"Don't poke me, idiot. Of course I don't love Cucurucho. The Federation sucks!" He swatted at the other's hand, and in that rise of emotion, Juan couldn't hold it back anymore and without thinking too hard about it, he leaned forward, using the leverage of Foolish's hand in his to pull him forward a little. Their lips met a bit awkwardly, with Juan's glasses pushing against Foolish's cheekbones and their noses bumping into each other. But that kiss felt like cool water coursing through Juan's body. They angled their heads almost automatically, letting it linger for a second before Juan was the one to pull back, scared of opening his eyes to see the disgust that was sure to be there.
Instead, he was met with a wonder-struck face before him, feeling giddy at being able to draw out such a reaction from the other. Foolish's hand made an aborted move to touch his lips, but Juan couldn't help the urge to draw him in again, this time pressing his lips more intently over the others. There was a slight moan that melted between them, and Foolish was suddenly grabbing Juan by the nape to draw him closer.
Paintbrush long forgotten, Juan found himself half standing over Foolish now, desperate to convey in this single press of lips all the wild emotions the other ever inspired him. From the amused frustrations to the chaotic concern that always filled him. It was like if they had been building towards this, and it was all too much, Juan feeling a heat under his skin as their lips met again and again. It was only when Foolish suddenly jerked forward that Juan separated only to see Vegetta placing a kiss at the back of Foolish's neck, hands wandering down his chest.
"Isn't he beautiful?" Vegetta smiled towards Juan even as he tilted the totem's head to place a gentle kiss over where the other's lips had already become red because of Juan. Foolish only seemed to melt further, eyes dropping to half lids even as he glanced to Juan who was enraptured by the sight.
"Not bad for a monster." Juan teased which he was delighted to see Foolish flush at the words.
"Ah, ah, no pelean." Vegetta lightly scolded, wagging a finger at Juan playfully. "Here, let me show you what to do instead." He leaned over Foolish and pulled in the artist for a heated kiss, instantly different from the one he'd shared with Foolish. There was a tentative press at first, before Vegetta boldly ran his tongue along the seam of Juan's mouth. You'd think Foolish was a part of it the way he seemed to echo Juan's moan.
"Fuck, that's hot." Foolish sounded drunk, and it seems he remembered he had hands because they were suddenly at Juan's waist, tantalizingly close to where his shirt had come untucked. Now, Juan knew that he wasn't the tallest on the island by any means, but feeling the size of the other's hands, how much area they covered had his knees going weak when paired with the intensity that his king, that Vegetta was kissing him with. Perhaps it hadn't been ranks that he had been desperately working for, just a sliver of the attention that he had seen Foolish get. Vegetta's masterful hands were cupping his face now, thumb brushing against his cheeks as they drew apart to draw breath.
He could feel how he was panting now, and Juan stared in amazement at the two before him who seemed to be as equally entranced by him.
"Not bad for a monster and his husband?" Foolish smirked, shooting him one of those cocky grins. This time Juan just laughed, shaking his head as he pinched the other's nose.
"Fuck you." He said softly, as if he were saying I love you.
"I mean, it's your art shop. Though I have it on good word that Vegetta has a bed enough for three people." Foolish blinked innocently to the king who laughed while nodding.
"A king size bed for my little loves." Vegetta winked.
Perhaps hope was not too terrible a thing to allow, Juan thought as they abandoned the half finished painting of Foolish in favor of going home.