Welcome to DBZ Love Garden

Food. He smelled food. And lots of it.

Throwing aside the curtains, he followed his nose out of bed and to the table, reaching for a plate before he even sat down. Kakarot had cooked a veritable feast from the ever-full stock, and everything smelled heavenly.

~Food.~

Three plates into his meal, he finally slowed enough to take his eyes off his utensils. His rival sat across the table, eating slowly and apparently mulling. He studied the furrowed brow that wasn't quite a frown and paused, his fork midway between his plate and his mouth.

"Kakarot?"

"Hm?"

"You are stewing."

"Sorry." The slow bites sped up a bit, but the furrow didn't lessen.
"It wasn't a complaint, Kakarot. Why are you stewing?"

Now the furrow became a frown. "You didn't...take advantage."

Since he had no idea how to respond, he remained silent. He'd never been in a situation where keeping his mouth shut wasn't a good idea.

"I crawled into your bed -- your bed -- and you didn't take advantage."

He debated a fraction of a second, then shrugged. "In battle, Kakarot, I take every advantage I can. But this is not battle. I will never take advantage of you like that."

The younger Saiyan ate a few more slow, methodical bites. Vegeta let the quiet wear on, still hungry enough to focus on food instead of talk.

"What if I wanted you to?"

He dropped his fork. He'd never live it down. Worse, in his shock, he looked up and caught the big idiot's eye, and...and Kakarot was serious.

"I don't know what to think now, Vegeta." Giving up all pretense of eating, the younger Saiyan practically threw down his fork and shoved aside his plate. "I was all ready for it. I was ready to stop fighting. I snuck into your bed and...and you didn't...you just...."

The fool huffed a frustrated sigh and slumped back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest.

"You said you didn't just want...that...but...."

Finally recovering his wits, he sighed. "But you didn't believe me."

Picking up his fork, he poked at his steak. "Kakarot, I do want you, but I have my pride. I don't want you to give in."

"Then what the hell do you want?"

The demanding, almost petulant tone of the question struck him wrong. Before he could fully think through the action, he slammed a fist down on the table, jittering the dishes and knocking over his glass.

"I want you to want me back!"

The fool winced and dropped his eyes.

"And dammit, Kakarot, I am willing to wait for it."

Silence as he went back to his meal. Luckily, his stomach still took enough of his attention that the conversation didn't kill his appetite. The food didn't taste quite as good as before, but it still hit the spot, so he finished off his plate and heaped another.

Anything to fill the silence.
* * *
Another battle, but his rival's heart obviously wasn't in it.
Perhaps coming here had been a mistake. Perhaps he should have just stayed outside and let Kakarot stew in here. Things hadn't been this tense between them since he first suggested something more than either rivalry or friendship.

He really hadn't wanted any of this. When he decided to find the absent Saiyan, he had only thought of how much he missed the brainless chatter. He had simply wanted to spend some time with the big idiot, to indulge in his one vice. It had been so long since their last decent, tension-free conversation.

He should have known better, though. He should have known Kakarot wouldn't forget, would put up his guard higher than ever when that human woman of his died. But how could he have guessed the big idiot would just...leave?

His concentration slipped, and a rock-hard fist slammed him to the ground. The fool's heart may not be in the fight, but that didn't mean he wasn't dangerous.

Concentration fully back on the fight at hand, he shoved back into the air and led with his left, landing the hit on sheer surprise because he usually led with his right. The younger Saiyan took the shot square on the jaw, flew back a few feet, then threw himself right back in and glanced off to one side. Vegeta went to follow, only to feel that thick arm curl around his neck and flex.

He squirmed, trying to get an elbow behind him for a jab to the ribs, but Kakarot flexed further, a slab of iron bicep pressing into his throat.

"Kak-kakarot!"

"Hold still."

"Can't...breathe...dammit!"

"Hold still, and I'll loosen up."

Mouth gaping, he quit struggling, his body tense and ready for any opening. The pressure on his throat loosened marginally, and he sucked in a decent breath. The impending headache from too much blood in his head subsided, and he suddenly realized just how punishing that grip had been.

"Better. Tell me one thing, Vegeta. None of your shit, okay?"

He ground his teeth at the tone, but he wasn't exactly in a position to argue so he nodded once.

"What if I did want you? What then?"

His body went still and quiet, even his heart seeming to pause. "Do you?"

But that thick arm tightened down again, cutting off his air. "I said no shit! Answer the damned question!"

He clawed at his rival's elbow for a moment, then forced himself to subside, though every instinct in his waning consciousness told him to fight. The arm obligingly loosened, and the world swam back into focus. Gasping, he tried to answer without mincing words.

"I...would...claim you as my chosen."

A slight tightening, probably accidental. "Why couldn't I claim you?"

Several possible rejoinders flickered through his mind, but Kakarot had specified that he wanted answers only. No shit. So...?

Clenching his teeth, he said the only thing he could. "If...if that's the way you want it...."

And the pressure was gone so quickly he nearly fell from the sky. Luckily, before he dropped two feet, hard hands snatched him, spun him around, and fisted in the front of his training gear.

"You wouldn't! You wouldn't allow it! Don't lie to me, dammit!"

For some reason, a half-smirk quirked his lips, and he didn't struggle against his rival's less restrictive hold. "Try me."

The confusion in those previously furious eyes was priceless. Confusion...and uncertainty?

~Could he perhaps...?~

"Try me, Kakarot, and see what happens."

Fists loosened, and all the fight drained out of Kakarot's body. "No."

All prior disappointments fell before this crushing dismay. It swallowed him whole. He had, for the shortest instant, allowed himself to hope, and a single word had ended it all.

He felt the color and vitality drain from his face, and he closed his eyes. How many more years? How long before Kakarot softened in his resolve?

Would he ever?

"No...it's not supposed to be that way." The fool let go completely. "It's supposed to be you. It should be you."

"Whatever, Kakarot."

He turned away, already packing and leaving in his mind. He couldn't stay now. He shouldn't have come at all. Before he could drop to the floor, though, his rival spoke again.

"But...I thought...."

~For the gods' sake, just leave it alone...just let me go....~

"Spit it out, Kakarot. I don't have time for games. I'm...leaving."

Without turning around, he crossed his arms and stood in mid-air, waiting for...whatever was about to happen.

"I...I thought...."

"Spit it out, dammit!"

The big idiot shifted, and Vegeta could almost see him scratching the back of his head. "You said you just...wanted me to want you."

Silence. No more getting his hopes up.

~No more.~

"But...if you...if you've changed your mind...I understand."

The fool sounded so...disappointed. Did he...?

Just say it, Kakarot. I won't guess this time....

"Just say it, Kakarot. I refuse to try to translate idiot-speak."

"Dammit, Vegeta! Do you have to be such an ass? I just admitted that I want you, and you're being a bastard! Isn't this hard enough?"

Falling to the floor was probably worse than dropping his fork this morning, but he simply couldn't help it. He recovered well, catching himself with his hands and one knee, but being graceful as hell didn't hide the fact that he'd been shocked right out of the air.

"Vegeta?"

He stared at the floor, the featureless white surface almost as blank as his mind had briefly gone, and desperately groped for...something. Something to say, something to do. Nothing came.

"Vegeta, what--?"

And as suddenly as it left, it all came back, and he whirled to his feet, his fists clenched and what he sincerely hoped was his fiercest scowl on his face.

"No games, Kakarot. What the hell are you babbling about?"

The wary concern in those dark eyes bled into anger and frustration again, and Vegeta couldn't help but feel his blood race with anticipation. If nothing else, he so enjoyed seeing that light of battle and stubbornness in his rival's eyes -- especially when he had put it there.

"Fine. I guess I understand why you're making this hard. I guess I deserve it." The fool stood to his full height, still in mid-air, and glared down at him. "But don't even think you can still treat me like an idiot with all of this laying between us." Dark eyes narrowed, stubbornness and stung pride etched into every line of the exquisitely chiseled form. "You want something from me, and I'm willing enough to give it to you, but first I want some fucking courtesy!"

He couldn't help himself, couldn't hold back the grin stretching his mouth. The younger Saiyan had never used that particular profanity in his presence before, and something about his use of it now, when so much hung in the balance, pleased him to no end.

Well...that and the fact that his rival had mentioned giving him what he wanted.

"Don't laugh at me, Vegeta! Don't you dare! I swear I'll...I'll knock you down if you do!"

And then the laughter came, great big guffaws that he didn't even try to restrain. Kakarot roared and attacked, but he couldn't bring himself to block the lunge. He only laughed harder as the fool bowled him over and planted one big, booted foot on his chest to hold him down. Still practically howling with laughter, his eyes watering with the force of it, he peered up the length of the leg crushing him to the floor and simply enjoyed himself, enjoyed the embarrassed, flustered fury on Kakarot's face, enjoyed the moment to its fullest.

This was why he'd come here. This was why he'd risked even his much-vaunted pride for even a taste of this. One moment like this was worth a decade of wondering and hoping.

"Gods, Kakarot...." He paused, gasping for breath between continuing chuckles and against the ever-increasing pressure on his chest. "If you had any idea how very much you please me when you act like this...."

Scowling and crossing his arms, the big dope shifted more weight onto his pinning leg. "I'd quit acting like this."

His chuckles tapered off, though he still grinned fondly -- yes, fondly -- up at the man he had pursued, in one way or another, most of his adult life.

"Say what you wish to say, Kakarot. I won't interrupt."

"Promise?" Wary. So very wary of him.

He smirked, and the expression felt more at home on his face than the grin had, relieving him of the urge to laugh. "I assure you that I am capable of courtesy. Even to you."

Much of the fury eased out of Kakarot's frame, and he shifted his weight, allowing Vegeta to breathe a little easier. Though his rival was obviously still reluctant, some of the stubbornness had bled away with the fury.

Perhaps now, all misunderstandings could be cleared. Perhaps now....

"Promise me you won't laugh at me."

Ah, so Kakarot hadn't forgotten all of his wariness. "Only if you promise not to say anything amusing, clown."

The fool's face clouded a bit, and Vegeta very nearly cursed at his stupid, insulting tongue. Before he could even begin to take them back, though, his rival shook his head and spoke.

"You'll never understand me, Vegeta."

He tried to speak, but Kakarot again spoke before he could begin.

"Don't deny it. You'll never understand me, what I say and do. You'll never understand why I ran from you, why I'm still running. You can't. I know that."

Perhaps he didn't want their misunderstandings cleared, after all. Not if never was involved.

"I...I guess I can be okay with that. I can even try to explain, if you need an explanation. You won't understand, but at least you'd know I'm willing to try. Sometimes I think that's all you really want from me. But maybe I don't know you any better than you know me."

"Kakarot--"

Again, the idiot interrupted. "I ran. I admit it. I ran. You laid out your little scheme, you jumped down my throat with your tongue, and I ran. What was I supposed to do?"

Silence. He definitely didn't want to talk about this part. All those years ago, he hadn't thought of his...advance...as pushing. He hadn't thought at all, actually. He hadn't considered Kakarot's ideals of right and wrong, of loyalty to the choices already made, of the possibility that perhaps the Earth-raised Saiyan might not know what to do when another male pressed in where only a female -- and only one female, at that -- had pressed in before.

His rival's explosion of fury and power at that little experiment had enlightened him. The resulting cold war had driven home the point. For nearly five years, Kakarot hadn't so much as called him on the phone. They had slowly returned to a normal, comfortable rivalry with time, but only by assiduously avoiding what lay unfinished between them.
So he hadn't pushed. The Prince of all Saiyans had never demanded again.

But he really, really didn't want to talk about it.

"But maybe I was wrong to run."

His eyes popped wide, and he jerked his gaze up to Kakarot's face. What--?

"Maybe I should have stayed there and beat the hell out of you for your audacity, but...I shouldn't have run. It was cowardly, and I've regretted it ever since."

The fool shook his head, eyes closed, his face a picture of disgust -- but with himself, not with Vegeta.

"Kakarot...."

He should probably say something comforting, but he was hesitant to speak and possibly shove his foot into his mouth. So, he stayed quiet, though that disgusted expression sat ill on such fine, usually genial features.

"I didn't know what to do after that. In a way, you opened up a whole new door that day, Vegeta. I'd never even suspected...you could...we could...." The resulting blush nearly prompted another laugh, but Kakarot's disgusted expression didn't fade. If anything, it deepened. "But it was wrong. It was wrong."

~But it wasn't...it was just bad timing....~

But he couldn't say a word. His tongue seemed made of an equal volume of lead.

"And it was in every look, every silence, every moment we spent not fighting. You may not think so. You may not think you pushed. But it was there behind everything. I swear I even saw it at ChiChi's funeral. So...I ran again." A helpless shrug. "I ran here."

He closed his eyes, only the pressure of Kakarot's foot on his chest keeping him from sighing. "And I chased you."

A fleeting chuckle that sounded about as happy as a dirge. "That's the part that keeps me up at night. That's...the pushing you think you haven't done."

"I didn't mean it that way, Kakarot."

"I know." A very deliberate pause. "At least, I know now."

His eyes opened of their own accord, and he stared up the line of torn clothing and muscle at the man he had...pursued. He had to admit the truth. He had pursued.

Dammit. Kakarot was right.

But his old rival didn't look victorious. He didn't look smug or even happy to have gotten his point across.

The big idiot looked...resigned.

~That's not what I wanted from you...FOR you, Kakarot....~

The boot on his chest lifted away, and his rival stepped back, crossing his arms over his chest. Vegeta leaned up on his elbows, wondering if he could say anything without disgracing everything Kakarot had said.

"But...you didn't...last night. You didn't push. You didn't do anything I expected you to."

And now the frustration was back, Kakarot's brows drawn together in an almost angry frown. The big idiot never showed anyone this much, never hinted to any of his friends -- or even his enemies -- that he had as much access to the baser emotions as anyone else. That the world's champion wasn't always annoyingly chipper.

~This...this is what I want from you, Kakarot. This is the real you. This is why I wait, why I'm still waiting.~

"I fought you all these years because I...I guess I thought I had to...but when I threw myself at you last night -- hell, just a minute ago -- you just...you...." A frustrated huff. "I don't get it, Vegeta! What else do you want from me?"

~Patience. Patience is working. Don't blow it now.~

But that was hard advice to follow. The object of his obsession admitted to throwing himself at him, admitted he'd snuck into his bed with intent to give him whatever he wanted. His blood raced at the thought, his body tightening with anticipation.

However, that was part of the problem. Had Kakarot's body tightened with anticipation when he'd climbed into Vegeta's bed? Did the naïve fool really understand what had started so long ago, what Vegeta really wanted, needed to do to him? His years of fantasies of that toned, beautiful body swept over him, leaving him more breathless than when the younger Saiyan's big boot had pinned him down.

Did the big idiot really want that, or was he just...giving in?

~Don't blow it, dammit!~

"Kakarot...I don't want anything from you that you aren't willing to give. I just...you don't...."

~Dammit all, why is this so hard?~

"Do you know...what you're getting into, Kakarot? With me?"

Wary again. "What do you mean?"

~Slow and easy. Be patient. Don't scare him off again.~

He stood slowly, cocking his head to one side to study his rival's reactions. Kakarot fidgeted a bit but didn't back away or close himself off. Taking that as a good sign, he stepped closer, within arms' length.

"Will you run if I touch you, Kakarot?"

The big dope blinked, innocence and wariness mixing on that so-expressive face. Feeling an honest and soft grin quirk one corner of his mouth, Vegeta leaned just that much closer.

"Will you run if I kiss you...Kakarot?"

A hard swallow followed by a nervous blink. "Um...no...."

~Careful. So very careful.~

He leaned closer still until his lips smirked a mere inch from his rival's. He smelled sweat and adrenaline, blood and heat, the spice and sweet that was simply Kakarot...and...and the barest hint of something else. Something...interesting. Pausing, he lifted his nose a bit, the tip glancing off of Kakarot's cheek, and breathed deep of this new scent.
Kakarot huffed a desperate little laugh.

"If you're gonna kiss me, Vegeta, just do it already."

Smirking softly, he complied with the barest brush of his mouth. His rival gasped a bit, his lips parting. Tempting, so tempting to take advantage of that chink in the armor, but he refused. He'd learned restraint in the cold decades between this kiss and the last, had learned not to push the few advantages he gained over such a wily, wary foe.

~Hardly my foe at the moment, though....~

Blinking his eyes open -- unaware until now that he'd closed them -- he looked up at the still, wondering expression on his old rival's face and wondered if stealing a more intimate kiss might be considered pushing his luck.

~I don't quite dare--~

The thought cut off as Kakarot leaned down and ended the internal debate. No mere brush of lips, this, but neither was it deep or intrusive. His rival simply kissed him, mouth slightly open to offer a taste of the sweetness within, and raised a hand to rest on Vegeta's bare bicep. Such a gentle, tentative touch for a man more used to dealing death and destruction.
And then it was over. Kakarot pulled away and opened his eyes. He blinked, then abruptly jerked his hand away, blushing across his nose.

"Sorry, Vegeta. I--" Blushing harder, he put a hand to the back of his head and grinned sheepishly. "Sorry."

But Vegeta already felt the familiar -- but softer -- smirk stretching his face. "Never apologize for taking what you want, Kakarot. At least not when it's from a willing victim."

"I'm not sure that's such a great motto to live by." The bemused, crooked grin put lie to the doubtful words.

"I suppose its success depends on who lives by it."

~Enough for today. Don't push your luck.~

Excellent advice, so he took it. Turning on his heel, he walked away, headed for the room's living area.

"I don't know about you, Kakarot, but I'm hungry."

He couldn't resist a peek over his shoulder, and he couldn't resist a wider smirk at the disappointment -- yes, that was definitely disappointment -- hiding under the obvious confusion on his rival's face. Hiding his smug amusement, he forced the smirk down and tried to appear merely curious.

"Well, aren't you?"

The poor fool blinked, blushing again and desperately confused.

"What?"

Abruptly wanting another kiss for no good reason, he turned half around and patiently repeated himself. "Are you hungry, Kakarot?"

"Oh. Yeah."

The worst of the blush faded as Kakarot forced a grin and followed along behind, then abruptly shouldered him aside and ran ahead, laughing back over his shoulder. Growling, Vegeta shoved to his feet and gave chase, cursing as the idiot dodged his half-hearted energy blasts and took to the air for better sport.

Yes, he had missed this. There could be no doubt, not when he couldn't resist leaping into the air to...play...with the fool. Not when his heart -- never his most governable organ, much to his chagrin -- had the disturbing tendency to melt at the inherent goofiness his old rival so often exhibited.

A weakness, that...but one with which he had long since come to terms.