Part 1

“Yeouch!” Goku exclaimed, shaking his hand lightly and peering at it with a small frown. “You didn’t have to kick so hard, Vegeta.”

The small saiyan simply smirked and sat down, wiping a thin layer of sweat from his brow. Their sparring sessions were more frequent the last 6 months, and both saiyans were in the best shape they’d ever been in. Fortunately, they’re strength and skills had not been needed for quite some time. The earth was at peace. What kept bringing them back to that same sparring spot, was simple; Boredom. Neither had anything to do now that there was peace. Both loving a good spar, well, it seemed the only reasonable thing to do.

Loneliness was another factor, though only the taller of the two saiyans would come close to admitting it. A year earlier, Goku had lost Chichi to pneumonia, and Bulma had left Vegeta years before. They both had their children, true, but the last of them had recently came to adulthood and moved away; no doubt they would soon have families of their own, and in the case of Gohan, he already had started a family. There were the other Z warriors; but even they had their own lives to lead, a few of them marrying and starting families. Piccolo was, as always, impossible to find, off somewhere studying the human’s of the earth from afar, or simply meditating for days on end. So this left Goku and Vegeta, old adversaries, fighting allies and, recently, almost friends. Almost.

Goku eyed the smaller Saiyan with interest. Why is he just staring off like that? He’s been doing it off and on for days. And acting so strange! It’s just not like him. Of course, he dared not say anything to Vegeta, as the last two times he mentioned something about his strange behavior, Vegeta nearly decapitated him. With a shrug, Goku took another sip of his water and stared out over the area they had made their sparring arena. The ground was well beaten, with only a few tufts of grass among the smooth dirt floor. The area was about sixty feet wide by forty feet in length, with thick trees surrounding them on three sides, and wild brush on the south side. Through the brush there was a small path that led to the beach.

“Well, you wanna start again, ‘Geta?” Goku asked a bit warily, setting his bottle of water down and standing. Vegeta continued looking out towards the ocean that could be heard, but not seen, because of the thick brush that separated them from it. “Vegeta?” tap tap. Goku tapped lightly on Vegeta’s shoulder.

Vegeta wasn’t sure what was going on in his mind. Was he going mad? Perhaps. He knew that he hadn’t been himself lately… but he didn’t want that baka lower class warrior noticing, which, apparently he had already. Being questioned about his behavior had made Vegeta less than comfortable, on top of being highly uncomfortable around Kakarott lately in the first place. Blasting him a few times had made him feel much better, much to Kakarott’s confusion.

He didn’t want to admit it, not even to himself; but the lower class warrior had been on his mind lately, and that was the whole problem. Any chance his mind got, it seemed to wander to Kakarott, and it was becoming very annoying. Why was this happening to him? He’d rather it be anyone than that idiot. But he was beginning to like Kakarott’s company lately, and it rubbed his nerves raw to no end. In his mind, a visage of the wannabe earthling appeared. Vegeta studied the face intently, the eyes, nose, mouth…..chin. Moving downwards, wide shoulders held strong arms and a well-muscled torso. His eyes moved back to the face…his smiling face. That goofy smile that Vegeta had swore so many times in the past was mocking him. But now, for some reason, it didn’t seem that way. He was seeing it a bit differently now, but why? Mocking…no. And it wasn’t the mouth that told him that he was wrong in his former ideas, it was the eyes. Kakarott’s dark eyes, clear, like a window into the warrior’s soul. For the first time, Vegeta seen through them completely, and marveled at what he saw there. Compassion. Truth. A very strong will power, and a will to protect others. There was no true hatred or grudgery there…not even for Vegeta. Kakarott was not mocking him, and hadn’t been this entire time. The softness he seen in those eyes made him feel warm, a tingling sensation spreading through out his body. Suddenly, many things happened at once. The smell of Kakarott filled his nostrils and overpowered him, the warmth in his body growing stronger. A voice broke through his daydream along with the electrifying touch of fingers on his shoulder. “GAHHHHHHHHH!” Vegeta yelped, jumping up and lashing out at the unseen foe with his fist.

Goku barely had time to blink before Vegeta broke from his reverie with a yell and sent a fist sailing into Goku’s jaw with a sharp crack. Goku stumbled back a bit but caught himself, rubbing his jaw and looking at Vegeta with wide and wondering eyes. “What was THAT for, ‘Geta?” He frowned, moving his jaw around and watching the wild look in Vegeta’s eyes begin to recede.

Vegeta stood staring at Goku, then snorted. “That’s what you get for startling me. Don’t do it again, or I’ll hit you twice as hard. Now, are you ready to finish our little fight?” He asked nonchalantly, walking back onto their spar field. Goku watched him with one eyebrow raised, completely confused. With a shrug, he followed Vegeta. “Yea…sure, Vegeta…”

The two saiyans stood hunched over, panting. Sweat drenched both of them, and they had mutually decided that after four hours of sparring, it was time to stop for the day. Goku  bent and picked up his discarded shirt, not noticing Vegeta’s eyes following his every move. “So Vegeta….” He started and turned towards the smaller warrior, then stopped and blinked, catching Vegeta in mid-stare. Vegeta shook his head and blinked slightly. “What is it now, Kakarott?” he snapped.

Goku tossed the sweat drenched shirt over his shoulder. “I was just wondering if you wanted to take a soak in the tub. I thought I’d at least offer, since I’m heading there now.” He replied with a shrug, knowing Vegeta would decline and go his own way. Much to his surprise, Vegeta appeared to ponder for a second, then, with narrowed eyes, gave a small nod. “Yes, Kakarott, I think I will join you for a soak.”

The two saiyan’s made their way back to Goku’s home without a word, both of them in their own worlds with their own thoughts. This is so strange… Goku thought to himself, glancing sideways at the crabby saiyan prince. He watched Vegeta walk, eyes straight forward, unblinking. The muscles in Vegeta’s chest shifted under the tanktop he wore, and Goku found his eyes wandering up and down his torso and arms, admiring. That is, until Vegeta stopped, his head whipping around towards Goku, mid-snarl. “Kakarott!? Will you STOP staring at me?” Goku jumped slightly, then laughed, scratching the back of his head. “Sorry, ‘Geta, I didn’t mean to stare. Must have been daydreaming or something.” Goku laughed again nervously and continued walking, this time at a faster pace, leaving the saiyan prince behind.

A few minutes later, they arrived at Goku’s home, and Goku immediately went to the task of filling the large bathing tub up with extremely hot water. Vegeta stood back and watched him closely, arms crossed over his chest. Goku gave him a quick glance before walking past him to grab some towels, surprised to find the other saiyan’s eyes glued to his own. He returned with an armful of fluffy towels, and set them down carefully on the bench at the side of the tub. Quickly stripping off his boots, wristbands, sash and pants, Goku sighed happily and jumped into the tub with a hoot of joy.

Vegeta blinked, watching as Goku stripped his clothes off in front of him. Much to his surprise, his cheeks began to  heat as Goku’s pants fell to the ground, and the saiyan was left standing stark naked. His body was more than admirable. Toned and muscled in all the right places, his tall frame seemed perfectly balanced, and was so, as shown by Goku’s exceptional balance, speed and smooth movements during battle. Vegeta felt his face flush more as he realized that he didn’t want to look away from Goku’s sweat-glistened form. Frowning as his thoughts were disturbed when Goku made an idiotic show of jumping into the tub, Vegeta began undressing himself and followed the other saiyan into the tub, but in a much more refined way, without the hoots and splashes.

Goku sighed happily as he surfaced, beaming a smile in Vegeta’s direction. In return, he got a scowl. “C’mon Vegeta! Loosen up a bit.” He said, standing and stretching. When standing, the water swayed around his navel. Vegeta’s eyes fell from Goku’s face, down his neck, chest and stomach to the waterline and gulped. What in hell’s name is wrong with me? He thought miserably, his body beginning to tingle again. Goku paused, hands on his hips, as he watched Vegeta seeming to fight an inner struggle with himself. He watched with wonder as a deep scarlet flush spread across Vegeta’s face. Vegeta’s blushing? This is confusing. Goku thought, absently scratching his head. Suddenly he laughed and splashed Vegeta in the face with some water. “Wake up, Vegeta!” he called out happily. What happened next completely caught the taller saiyan off guard.

Vegeta growled; first of all, he had looked up in time to see Goku staring at him again. But this time, the prince knew Goku had seen him blush, which was not acceptable. Then, amazingly, the idiot splashed water in his face! All the confusion and anger that had been building inside of Vegeta burst. “You IDIOT, Kakarott!” Vegeta growled, jumping at the surprised Goku with the full force of his body, knocking him backwards. Both saiyans fell into the water, Vegeta on top of Goku, punches flying. Goku, even in his surprised state, managed to block all the blows, which had considerably less impact since they were being thrown under water. They bobbed to the surface, Goku giggling and still blocking Vegeta’s punches. Vegeta’s anger worsened as Goku laughed, as did his punches.

Goku’s laughs subsided as he noticed Vegeta’s anger worsening and he was really having to work to keep up the blocks. Finally, Goku grabbed both of Vegeta’s wrists and held them above the prince’s head. “Vegeta, you get way too angry over nothing.” He said, looking down at the other saiyan with a small smile. He had to admit, he was enjoying holding Vegeta this way. What was more gratifying was the look on Vegeta’s face… all traces of anger were gone, replaced by a look of complete surprise, and something else Goku couldn’t put his finger on. Goku chuckled despite himself, letting go of Vegeta’s wrists and pushing him back down into the tub. “I mean, this is time for relaxing, not fighting, right ‘Geta?” Goku asked with a smile as he sat next to Vegeta, leaning his back against the tub.

Vegeta felt warmth spreading across his face again as he looked into Goku's eyes. Goku still  smiled.

"Cheer up, you don't have to be mad at me all the time, you know," he said, throwing his large arm over Vegeta's bare shoulders. Inwardly, Vegeta cringed, but not from dislike..indeed, it was just the opposite that was making him cringe. The warmth that had plagued his face was slowly spreading down his neck.

Goku frowned slightly, watching as Vegeta seemed to turn a peculiar shade of red. "Vegeta, what's up with you today? You're really not acting yourself, you know. Is there something wrong? You can tell me..." Vegeta simply stared at Goku, not sure what to say or do. "Kakarott..." he started, then swallowed hard. Damn him! Vegeta thought to himself, trying to control the burning heat that had moved to his groin.

Goku lifted his eyebrows with questioning while watching Vegeta closely. He was surprised that Vegeta hadn't thrown his arm off by now... "Well, what is it Vegeta?" He leaned forward, tilting his head to the side slightly, growing more concerned. How Strange...Goku thought silently.

Drip....Drip....Drip... Vegeta watched as droplets of water rolled down Goku's chest and hit the bath water. He looked up again in to Goku's concerned face. His mouth moved, but no sound came out, his eyebrows knitting together with frustration. Goku simply watched him, blinking; He was suddenly painfully aware of the specific scent radiating from Vegeta like a signal, but for seconds, couldn't possibly believe....

The change in Goku's features were like a punch in the stomach. He knows! That damn fool knows! Something snapped in Vegeta, and with a growl, he made a move to get up..he had to get away, this was all foolishness anyway...wasn't it? Before he could think another thought, he was yanked back into the water by a strong hand on his shoulder. The force of the tug slammed his back into the wall of the tub, his head bouncing lightly off of the tile. Enraged, Vegeta turned towards Goku, droplets of water flying in all directions. "What the HELL do you think you're doing, Kakarott?!" He questioned though gritted teeth, very much aware of the hand still holding his shoulder tightly. With narrowed eyes he stared at the other Saiyan, then blinked.

Goku squoze Vegeta's shoulder a little harder as he once again studied his face. Many emotions ran though his mind as he leaned closer to Vegeta, his eyes wide and wondering at his own actions. Vegeta's eyes widened also, and for a second, Goku thought he would pull away, and almost wished he would. But Vegeta was frozen, staring up at Goku, his eyes clouded with desire. With one quick move, Goku pulled Vegeta closer, their lips meeting in an awkward kiss. Goku pulled away first, and for what seemed like minutes, they simply stared at eachother, their faces less than two inches apart.

Vegeta swallowed hard as his groin swelled and hardened. Slowly, Goku's face descended again, this time kissing Vegeta firmly, his hand sliding across Vegeta's jaw line softly before cupping the back of his head. Vegeta's mouth opened eagerly, his tongue darting out to meet Goku’s almost shyly. A small noise was heard coming from Goku’s throat as he savored Vegeta’s taste,their kisses growing passionate and fevered; neither of them noticing the bath water that was growing cold.

Goku stood, pulling Vegeta up with him and out of the tub; both stood facing eachother, water dripping from their naked bodies in the soft light of the bathing chamber. Vegeta nearly stumbled backwards with surprise as Goku's ki powered up suddenly. "What the....." he muttered with a scowl, turning to look at the super saiyan who was reaching for him. Goku smiled as he reached out for Vegita, pulling him off of his feet and crushing him against his chest. Vegeta grunted from the impact, his head nearly swimming as he felt the soft wet touch of Goku's lips on his neck and the hardness of Goku’s manhood against his leg. Something inside him rebelled, wanted to pull away and be utterly disgusted...but his desire was winning the battle. He groaned softly and tipped his head back while Goku traced the tip of his tongue down his throat. Goku set Vegeta back on his feet again, the taller super saiyan breathing heavily as he fell to his knees in front of the prince. Before Vegeta could react, Goku had taken his length into his mouth. Vegeta groaned, then the realization hit him. No…this…can’t…be happening! I can’t let this happen, it must stop….NOW!