In Your Dreams: Chapter 11

For nearly an hour Goku listened as Vegeta tried to lure him out of the bathroom, but he had parked himself on the edge of the tub and he wasn't going anywhere. The prince didn't seem angry judging by his tone of voice, but he wasn't taking any chances.

When the younger man was confident that Vegeta wouldn't just break down the door he turned his attention back to his tail. The 'leaking' had stopped the moment he'd separated himself from the other Saiyajin, but now he felt dirty.

Goku turned and plugged the tub before flipping on the water and adjusting it to a comfortable temperature. He stood and pulled his shirt off, then began to wiggle out of his pants. The Saiyajin's nose scrunched up when he realized his boxers had gotten wet too... along with other 'hidden' places. How gross.

After kicking the pile of dirty clothes aside Goku stepped into the tub and lowered himself into the water. He reached up and turned off the faucet before grabbing a bottle of shampoo and pouring a good amount into his palm. The Saiyajin reached behind him and lathered the soapy liquid up at the base of his tail. His fingers scrubbed gently at the fur there until all traces of the strange liquid were gone, and he sat back in the water in order to rinse it all out.

Once he was finished Goku quickly washed the rest of his body and stepped out of the tub. After pulling the plug to drain the water he grabbed a towel and dried himself off. The Saiyajin paused in front of the full length mirror that hung on the back of the door, and he hesitated for only a moment before he turned and glanced at his reflection over his shoulder. Goku raised his tail and looked at the underside where the appendage joined his back, but he couldn't see anything there. He ran his fingers over the spot, and sure enough, just below the fur he could feel two tiny lumps.

The Saiyajin quickly pulled his hand away and wrapped the towel around his waist. Dr. Villa had told him what they were, but he hadn't believed a word the man said. He figured he'd just been screwing with his head or something... but now...

Goku frowned and pushed those thoughts away. He didn't want to think about that right now.

The Saiyajin moved forward and pressed his ear against the door. He listened for any noises that might indicate Vegeta was still out there, but there was only silence. Goku cautiously unlocked and opened the door, peeking out to make sure the coast was clear before he completely left the bathroom. The prince was gone.

With a sigh of relief Goku entered his bedroom and immediately locked the door to make sure no one would be walking in on him. He looked at the clock on his way to the closet. It was still fairly early; only 4:30. The Saiyajin thought it over for a moment before he picked out a simple outfit consisting of black jeans, black sneakers, and a red button-up shirt. He quickly dressed and was just finishing rolling up the shirts' sleeves to his elbows when he plopped down on the bed and picked up the discarded pad of paper and pen. Goku tore off the first page with the note he'd written to Vegeta and tossed it aside, then he stared at the blank sheet in front of him for several minutes before he finally began to write.

ChiChi had had a point about him seeing his sons. It wasn't fair that he was hiding from them, and the longer he waited, the angrier they were bound to be when they found out he was back.

It took nearly an hour, but when the Saiyajin was finished he'd written out two letters, one for Gohan and one for Goten. Each one explained why he was back, why he had no ki, and the modified version of why he couldn't speak. He left out the part about the lab, of course. Maybe someday he'd tell everyone, but it wasn't important at the moment.

Goku took a deep breath to calm his suddenly racing nerves and he jotted a quick note down for Bulma before hopping off the bed and leaving his room.

------------------------------

Bulma blinked as her eyes skimmed over the two neatly written letters, then the note that was for her. She looked up at the nervously fidgeting man in front of her.

''Goku, are you sure you want to do this right now? You could wait a little longer...''

The Saiyajin shook his head. He wanted to see them tonight. In his letters to the boys he'd told them where he was staying, so he expected they'd show up before the night was over.

''Alright. I'll go fax these to them right now. .... You're sure?''

The woman received a quick nod and she smiled before disappearing from the room. Goku was left alone, and the sudden silence sent a shiver up his spine. He moved around the couch and sat down. The Saiyajin tossed a couple pillows aside in order to find the remote, but once he had it he turned on the TV and began flipping channels. He didn't really want to watch anything though; he just needed some noise to break the silence.

''It's about time you came out.''

Goku nearly jumped clear off the couch when Vegeta suddenly appeared behind him. The younger man craned his head back and looked at the older man, studying his expression carefully. He didn't seem angry... maybe a little annoyed that he'd hidden for so long, but not angry.

The prince came around the couch and sat down next to the other Saiyajin and Goku looked at him in confusion. Vegeta was sitting close enough to touch, though the younger man had been sure he wouldn't want to be anywhere near him after what had happened earlier.

Vegeta was facing the TV, but his eyes moved to the side to watch the other Saiyajin. ''Are you confused, Kakarotto?''

After receiving a slow and unsure nod the prince finally turned to face the other man. ''Do not be embarrassed about what happened earlier. I should not have been touching your tail in the first place. I'm... not sure what your tail was secreting though... Has that ever happened before?''

Goku blushed and looked down at his feet to avoid the other man's gaze. He hesitated for a moment before holding up two fingers.

''Twice. When you were in the lab?'' A nod. ''What triggered that reaction?''

Vegeta watched as the younger man pressed the backs of two fingers to his arm and made a motion with his thumb. A shot. An injection had caused his tail to secrete that liquid?

The prince thought about it for a moment. Was this something that was natural to Kakarotto's anatomy, or had those scientists altered him somehow? Vegeta wasn't planning on telling the younger man this, but his tail had definitely been producing lubrication, and if not for his clothes, the liquid would have ended up exactly where it would have been needed were he to... mate.

Vegeta's eyes began to wander over the nervously fidgeting form of the other Saiyajin, and he soon became very aware of their close proximity and the inviting scent that enveloped him. His head was spinning with the possibilities of what this most recent discovery could mean. Whether man-made or natural, this ability of Kakarotto's was VERY appealing to him, and he couldn't help but want to try to trigger the reaction again.

He was just about to reach for the younger man when a loud commotion at the front door made him pause. Vegeta growled at the interruption and folded his arms over his chest in annoyance. The timing was horrendous.

''Dad?!''

Goku's eyes widened at the familiar voice. He hadn't been expecting them so soon...

The Saiyajin swallowed the lump forming in his throat before he stood up and turned to head toward his son's voice, but he hadn't made it two steps before a body suddenly barreled into him. The impact forced the air from his lungs and it took Goku a moment to register that he was being squeezed in a bear huge. Though all he could see was a clothed chest, he could tell by the scent that this was Gohan.

''Daddy, you're squishing him!''

Goku managed to turn his head just enough to catch a glimpse of long black hair, and then he was finally released from the hug. Gohan laughed and rubbed the back of his neck in a very Son-like gesture.

''Sorry about that... I'm just happy to see you!''

Goku smiled and took a step back in order to get a better look at his eldest son. He seemed a lot taller than he remembered... but then again he himself was a lot shorter than he used to be. And maybe it was the glasses, but even though Gohan looked good for someone his age, he appeared a little older than Vegeta. He guessed his son's human side was aging him a little faster than the prince.

Goku's eyes moved from the demi-Saiyajin to a young woman standing beside him, and his mouth dropped open when he registered who she was.

Pan.

She'd grown into a near clone of a young ChiChi; though in his eyes, she was much prettier. The most noticeable difference was his grand-daughter's femininity. Pan had ditched the tomboy look and was now wearing not only a skirt, but heels as well. She was wearing make-up as well. It looked like she could give Bura a run for her money now!

Pan's cheeks steadily turned pink as Goku gawked at her, and she finally broke out into a fit of giggles. ''Stop staring! You're embarrassing me!''

The Saiyajin finally tore his eyes off of the young woman and he looked at Gohan. With his mouth still hanging open in shock, he pointed at Pan for an explanation.

The demi-Saiyajin sighed and motioned for everyone to sit down, which they all did, much to Vegeta's distaste.

''Well, after you left with the dragon, Pan not only lost her grandfather, but also her sparring partner. No one really had time to train with her, so she got bored. After a couple of years...well... she discovered something new to occupy her time. Boys.''

Goku raised an eyebrow at Pan, who was still blushing. She seemed to snap out of it when she raised her eyes to his. The hard expression of determination he always remembered her wearing suddenly made another appearance.

''Hey, don't think I can't fight anymore! Just because I don't look like some roughed up rag doll doesn't mean I can't wipe the floor with you!''

Goku laughed and put his hands up in a defensive gesture in an attempt to calm the hot-blooded warrior. She probably COULD wipe the floor with him at this point; very easily. The Saiyajin knew well enough from his years with ChiChi that you don't piss off a strong woman... or any woman for that matter.

------------------------------

Not long after Gohan and Pan had shown up Goten made an appearance too. The initial meeting was very much the same as with his eldest son, and Goku found himself lacking air in his lungs and unable to move within the tight hug he was trapped in.

They'd all talked for hours after that. Well, THEY talked and he listened. He'd missed a lot over the years, but his sons were making sure they caught him up on everything. Vegeta had actually stayed throughout the entire visit, and the prince spoke for him and filled everyone in on some of the things that he had been through since his return; including the meeting with ChiChi. Needless to say, the boys had not reacted well to their mother's behavior.

Eventually Trunks and Bura wandered in too, and they were shocked to learn that Goku had been staying in the same house as them for nearly a week without their knowing about it. The older of the two siblings had moved closer to Goku during the conversation, and he smirked at something before turning to his father.

''So THAT'S who I've been smelling on you! I thought it was familiar.''

Goku's eyes had widened at the snickers the comment drew from the others and Vegeta only cursed at his son and attempted to hit him with a lamp. Trunks easily caught the flying projectile and set it down on another table.

''Geez, touchy. You act like you're hiding something.''

''BOY!''

At that point the purple haired man threw his hands up in surrender and slowly back out of the room. He knew what THAT tone meant, and if he wanted to keep all his limbs it was wise to make himself scarce.

By then the others had decided that it was time to go as well. Bura and Pan were the next two to leave. Goku's grand-daughter took a moment to hug him before she smiled and disappeared up the stairs with the other woman. Apparently they were off to do whatever it was two girls did with their free time.

Shortly after that Gohan and Goten left as well. They said their goodbyes and promised to be back again soon before they departed, once again leaving Vegeta and Goku sitting alone.

Several moments passed by in silence before the prince spoke. ''Well, that was mind-numbingly boring.''

Goku looked over at the older man with an even stare, as if to say 'you could have left at any time.'

Vegeta could read him easily enough and he huffed and folded his arms over his chest. ''I was comfortable! And this is MY house. I won't let a pack of Sons chase me out of here.''

The younger man thought about that for a moment, and though he didn't think the prince meant anything by it, he figured the usually anti-social man had reached the limit to his patience when it came to having his space invaded for the day. If that was the case, it would probably be wise to make himself scarce. Besides, he still felt awkward around the older Saiyajin after what had occurred between them earlier that day.

With his mind made up, Goku cast Vegeta a nervous smile before he hopped up off the couch and quickly made his way out of the room. It was getting late now anyway and he was exhausted.

The prince, who had been caught off guard by the other Saiyajin's sudden and swift departure, could only watch as he disappeared through the doorway.

Had it been something he said?

---------------------------------------------

Goku sighed as he flipped over onto his opposite side for what HAD to have been the hundredth time in the past two hours. Despite his body's physical exhaustion, he simply could not fall asleep. His mind was racing with thoughts of his meeting with his sons and Pan. It had gone well, but he could still sense the awkwardness that had been present between them all. It was an odd situation, after all.

Pan had actually decided to spend the night at Capsule Corp. She claimed it was because she wanted to spend time with Bura, but it was obvious the demi-Saiyajin had wanted to talk with him on a one on one basis. The young woman had shown up at his door not long after he'd returned to his bedroom, and they had 'talked' for nearly an hour. She'd been patient with the fact he had to write everything out; and that surprised him. The Pan he remembered was not patient. She had changed a lot.

His grand-daughter had also tried to pursued him to see Dende about fixing his voice when the subject had come up again, but he was not ready for another disappointment if the Namekian failed. He wanted to get a few other things straightened out first. Besides, people tended to ask more questions when they could get answers, and there were some questions he did not want asked.

After nearly an hour Pan had finally left; it was obvious he was tired. Since then Goku had been tossing and turning, and being unable to fall asleep was beginning to get on his last nerve.

The Saiyajin doubted his racing thoughts were what were keeping him awake. Perhaps though, it was the foreign scent that still lingered on his sheets; Vegeta's scent. The tip of his tail had been twitching back and forth beneath the covers ever since he'd detected it a couple hours before, and he constantly found his hand reaching out and searching for a body that wasn't there.

Goku huffed in frustration and threw the covers back as he sat up. It'd been a long time since he'd slept in a bed with the warmth of another body. Maybe that's why he'd reaction so strongly to the contact with Vegeta earlier that day. It had been ages since he'd been touched in a non-threatening way, and apparently he had missed it more than he thought.

After a moment of hesitancy Goku slid from his bed and crept across his dark room. He slowly opened his door and looked both ways to make sure the coast was clear before he tip-toed down the hallway.

Vegeta HAD said that if he needed anything he could come to him... he just hadn't been specific as to what the limits of that 'anything' were. Well, he was going to test the limits. What was the worst the older man could do? Glare at him and call him a baka?

The sneaky Saiyajin sucked in a silent breath and slowly opened Vegeta's door when he finally reached it and peeked inside. The room was dark, but the moonlight that flooded in through the window illuminated the bed enough for him to see that the prince was there and seemed to be asleep.

After waiting a few moments for any indication Vegeta might still be awake Goku took the first bold step into the room. His tail fluffed out behind him as a chill went up his spine. It wasn't a bad chill though; more like the thrill of anticipation. The younger Saiyajin silently closed the door behind himself and he crept across the carpeted floor.

He could literally feel his muscles relaxing the closer he got to the bed. The older man's scent was getting stronger, and it seemed to be a natural calming agent to him.

Slowly, as to not make the mattress move too much, Goku put a knee up on the bed and climbed in. He quickly settled down a little ways away from the other man and stilled beneath the covers. He couldn't stop the devious little smile that crept onto his lips at having successfully invaded Vegeta's bed without waking him up.

Almost immediately Goku felt his eyes becoming heavy with sleep, but there was still one thing he craved. Heat. He couldn't feel the other man's body heat from his current position. The Saiyajin watched the dark outline that was clearly visible against the moon's light. The prince was on his side facing away from him and still hadn't moved since his arrival.

....Well... He'd come this far....

Goku began to slowly scoot closer to Vegeta. His movement was set at a snail's pace, and after what seemed like an eternity, he was finally close enough. The younger man carefully flipped onto his side and wiggled around until his back was pressed against the prince's. NOW he could sleep.

Tired eyes managed to spot one of the soft pillows he'd bought at the mall, and he pulled it to his chest and curled around it. A soft purr rumbled in his chest after that, and a few seconds later, Goku was fast sleep.

In fact, he'd fallen asleep so quickly he didn't even hear the low rumble from Vegeta.

''About time, baka...''

To be continue...