Please Stay Chapter: 3

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His eyes darted across the room, waiting for someone to reveal themselves and attack him. Every muscle in his body was in a permanent state of tenseness, and he barely ever slept. Sleeping would only leave him more vulnerable, and he refused to give any of those cowards that satisfaction. Three months in this hell hole can turn any sane person into a paranoid one who twitched at the sight of their own shadow, and it disgusted Vegeta that he became one of them.

Frieza had been looking for something across the galaxy, what it was exactly, Vegeta still had no idea. He didn’t care enough to ask. The sooner he did his job, the sooner he would be able to go home. At the end of the day, that was his only objective.

His job was to purge whatever planet he was on, find their ruler, and bring them in for questioning. If they failed to give the answer Frieza was looking for, they were killed on the spot. So far, out of the five planets he visited, those five rulers were slaughtered. Vegeta was never there to witness it happen, or the questioning for that matter, because he had no “authorization”, as Zarbon put it. At first it didn’t matter at all to, Vegeta. He figured the more he knew about the operative, the deeper in he would be, which meant the harder it would be for him to return to his planet. Besides, the less he dealt with Frieza, the better. Apparently his plan for avoidance didn’t make a difference.

Frieza personally came into his living quarters during the night, unannounced, and ruthlessly beat him. At first, Vegeta fought back. He fought as hard as he could, but to no avail. The more he fought back, the more Frieza would mock him while he finished him off. The man did not stop until Vegeta passed out. He woke up a few days later in the rejuvenation tank. Once he was all healed, Frieza had another mission lined up and waiting for him.

This pattern continued after every mission. Vegeta would bring him their ruler, they ended up being useless, and so he paid the price. It wasn’t fair. He was being punished and he didn’t understand why. He did as he was told without question, so why wasn’t that good enough? It wasn’t Vegeta’s fault that they never had what he was searching for, but that didn’t seem to matter to the bastard of a lizard.  Vegeta was beginning to wonder if whatever it was that he was desperate to find even existed.

The only good thing about the situation, if you could call it that, was that it made him stronger. Saiyans grow in strength after recovering from critical damages that they suffer in battle. It made him that much closer to becoming stronger than Frieza, and when that day finally came, he would kill the man for humiliating him. He vowed to make him suffer the way he had.

It was almost like it was becoming a game to Frieza. It was seemed like now he was just playing to see how far he could go before breaking him. Vegeta was so close to proving to that monster that he never could, and never would, until he eventually slipped. It was a few days ago, and today he was finally returning home. He was so close, and he couldn’t even hold out for a little while longer. Pathetic.

Like clockwork, Frieza made his way to his room, disappointed with the turn out of his recent mission. And like always, he attacked the innocent young prince, enjoying his bled shed and screams that he evoked. Every time Vegeta found himself in this position, he would think of Bulma and repeat her name in his head like a song. It was the only thing that kept him going some nights.

For a moment, Frieza paused. Vegeta hesitated to open his eyes. He assumed the sadistic man just wanted Vegeta to witness what he was doing to him, until eventually, he spoke. “What did you say?”

Panic caused his chest to tighten into a knot. What if he said something vulgar to him again without realizing it? His tail twitched in anticipation for the beating to quickly become worst tenfold as it had in the past for his childish mistakes. Frieza grabbed his shirt, and lifted him up by the collar so he could look him in the eye. “I asked you a question you filthy monkey!” Vegeta’s back slammed into the wall as he was thrown across the room.

It took all his strength to stand up, panting for air as he did. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” His lungs regretted the sudden growl. They felt like they were being stabbed over, and over, and over again.

“Oh dear boy,” Frieza chuckled, “you really don’t have a clue do you? You called out some name while I was giving you… another lesson. Bulma, I think it was?”

Vegeta’s eyes shot wide open with horror, starring at the man before him. How could he be so foolish? How could he do that to Bulma? The only thing he had left that was still pure, and now he tainted it by allowing her name to spill from his lips. He swore to himself he would never let Frieza know of her because he would only use her as leverage against the prince, or worst. She was young and beautiful after all. He shuddered at just the thought, pushing the sudden images away from his mind.

Vegeta focused his attention on the floor, glaring so intensely he was surprised he didn’t burn a hole through the ground. He had failed her. He had no right thinking about her in a place like this. Even the idea of her on this damn ship was enough to ruin her, but he was selfish and weak. He only thought of himself, never her, and now? Well, now he lost the one thing he treasured most.

“I must say, I’m upset that you were thinking of another while with me. I suppose I wasn’t more forceful with you.” Frieza slithered closer to him. “Who is she?”

“She’s no one!”

“You’re lying because you wouldn’t have been calling out that name right now if that were true.”

“You can’t prove that.” Maybe he could bluff his way out of this. Or if worst came to worst, he could just provoke the man about something else and make him forget her name completely, even if it meant continuing his punishment. Vegeta was desperate at this point and didn’t care what it cost to fix his mistake.

Frieza took his time assessing the prince. If he wanted to, he could easily disprove his claim. Frieza knew that Vegeta knew that, so he decided to keep this new information under his belt for another time. He ordered the prince to heal his wounds in the rejuvenation tank as he walked out, and Vegeta hasn’t seen him since.

Now he was boarding off the ship, with nothing but the clothes on his back. Tarble, Kakarot, and Bulma were all waiting outside for him, and he expected as much. The trio was jumping up and down, yelling for him to hurry up and come out faster. Instead of greetings and “I missed you”, the second Vegeta landed he flew off towards the palace without saying a word, leaving them all stunned as they watched him fly right by.

Weeks had passed and things didn’t change very much with Vegeta. He barely spoke, if he did at all, and isolated himself from everyone. The only time he granted anyone with his presence was when he had to attend his father’s meetings, or to eat, but even then he just brought the food to his room and ate alone. His parents were the only ones who understood their eldest son’s pain. They were forced to work for Frieza too once before, so they wouldn’t ask more of him until he was ready to give it. Vegeta was grateful for that.

At first, Kakarot and Tarble tried to distract him, but nothing worked. Vegeta barely had it in him to train by himself, let alone with either of them. Eventually, the two gave up and gave him his space, noticing that that was what his parents had done. They knew that if they continued to try and push him into anything, he would grow to resent them, and they didn’t want to take the chance.

Bulma was hit the hardest. The night he returned, she corned and yelled at him. She spent months counting down the days she would see him again, and every day she prayed for him to come home safe. There were some nights she cried herself to sleep because the bed felt so empty and cold. She wasn’t used to being away from him for so long. So yeah, she was pissed that he didn’t even have the curtesy to say hi to her, and she let him know that. When she was finished, all he did was turn his back on her, and told her to leave and not come back.

She thought she heard him wrong at the time, so he repeated it again to make sure he was clear. He could never forget the tears that welled up in her eyes as she stormed out the room. That was the last time her saw her.

It was for her own good, and his. He made a promise to himself back on the ship that he would fix his mess, and this was the only way he saw fit. He had to distance himself, even if it meant having to hurt her in the process.

At least she would be safe.

The doors were left opened as he stood outside of bedroom onto his balcony. Watching the sunset didn’t have the same effect on him as it used to, which was a shame. He could feel himself closing off from the world more each day, and he couldn’t stop it. Somehow he convinced himself it was for the better. Thinking there truly wasn’t evil in the world, and thinking he could stop it if he ever found it, was just naïve and foolish. He knew better now. There was also no running from what’s inside you. It was better to face that head on then to allow yourself to delve into some sort illusion that wasn’t real.

His muscles suddenly twitched when he felt the presence of an unwelcomed guest. “I already said I have no interest in sparring with you today, Tarble.”

“It’s a good thing I’m not here for one then.” It wasn’t Tarble, but instead, Bulma. He screwed his eyes shut when he heard her voice. He should have known she would confront him again sooner or later. The latter of the two was preferred though, or not at all. It seems like he would just have to try harder. She would get it eventually.

“Regardless of what you came here for, I want you to leave. This time don’t come back. I thought I was clear about that the first time.”

“You don’t mean that.” She spoke defiantly, although he could still hear the small tremble in her voice.

“I never took you as the groveling pathetic type. Do yourself a favor, and don’t start to be one now. Save whatever small amount of dignity you have left and get out. You’re not wanted here anymore. What is so hard to understand about that?” His fist clenched against the railing so hard that he managed to dent the metal. He didn’t have to look at her to know she was choking back some tears. Why couldn’t she save them both the trouble and just go? Why did she just stand there and let him make her cry? Where was her pride? Did she like pain, because he sure as hell didn’t, especially not when it came to her. Maybe she really was pathetic because anyone else would have known when to call it quits and leave already, but not her.

“Talk to me, Vegeta!” She begged him. “I know this isn’t really you right now. Your word is safe with me. You know that. Whatever happened, I would never think less of you, so-“

“Safe? Safe.” He stormed past her, making his way back into his room, slamming the balcony doors shut. “You don’t know what I did! You don’t know a damn thing! How could you stand there and preach to me about being safe when you don’t know what it is you’re promising to protect? Don’t be so stupid and childish. You’re better than that, or at least I once thought you were.”

Bulma stalked towards him, only stopping inches in front of the prince. “Then tell me so I can figure that out for myself!” She shouted as she threw her hands into the air. “I can’t help you if you won’t let me!”

“I didn’t ask for your damn help!”

“You didn’t need to!” She shoved two fingers to his chest and he slapped it away. Bulma’s cold blue eyes starred into his, challenging him. His black orbs returned the challenge with fire of his own. Bulma saw more than just fire though, she saw emptiness. She saw a broken fragment of the prince she grew to love. She could see he was damaged, and she didn’t know how far from repair. What did Frieza do to him? What kind of pain was he forced to go through? All the questions kept rattling through her head until she couldn’t stand it anymore, and fresh tears formed at the corner of her eyes. Vegeta’s face slightly softened when he saw her inner turmoil. She lunged herself at him and cried into his chest. “I’m sorry, Vegeta. I had no right to demand such a thing from you. You don’t have to tell me a word, but please, please, don’t push me away. Don’t punish me so you can punish you. Don’t do that to yourself.”

Even after all he has done and said to her, she’s still worried about him. She didn’t care about the pain he caused her, or why. Why couldn’t she just hate him? It would have made this whole thing easier. He clenched his eyes shut as she continued to sob into his chest. “I told him about you” he finally said in a low voice. “I didn’t mean to, but I did. I am just trying to protect you now from my mistake.”

Bulma lifted her head to look up at him, and blinked a few strand of tears away in confusion. “What are you talking about?” She asked in between sniffles.

He gestured to the bed and guided them both so they could sit down. Vegeta explained everything to her, and how weak he was that night. The entire time he spoke, he focused his attention on her hands, and how her nails would dig into her skin from time to time. He wondered what she was thinking as he spoke. “That’s why I can’t be in your life anymore. The more you’re around me the more you’ll be in danger. You don’t know Frieza like I do.”

Things were quiet for a long time. Vegeta was waiting for her to accuse him of being some monster for the innocent people he killed, and he was expecting her to hate him for putting her life on the line the way he had. It was easier to have her hate him for the rest of her life then spend the rest of it hurt by him. All he needed was for her to say those words.

“I don’t care. He forced you into all of that, Vegeta. It wasn’t your fault. I also don’t give a crap if he knows my name. There is nothing that he could do, or you could do, that would ever make me leave you. I’m not going anywhere, ever. I’m staying right here as long as you let me.”

“Then you really are a fool.”

“Call it what you want. It doesn’t change my answer.”

Bulma laid down on her side, and patted her hip so he could hold her. He hesitated at first. It’s been so long since they’ve done this. She could see his inner conflict, so she dragged his arm over her waist and held it there. She intertwined their fingers together, and his tail snaked its way up to wrap around her wrist. He finally let himself succumb to his desire and pulled her close. His face nuzzled into the crook of her neck, and he inhaled deeply. He loved the way she smelt of vanilla with a hint of cinnamon. It was his favorite scent in the world, and it was all hers. He missed having his room smell of her.

Bulma began to sing quietly to herself, but he couldn’t make out the words. “Louder” he whispered in her ear. His hot breath on her skin sent shivers through her body.

“I remember tears streaming down your face
When I said, "I'll never let you go"
When all those shadows almost killed your light
I remember you said, "Don't leave me here alone"
But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight

Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound

Don't you dare look out your window, darling,
Everything's on fire
The war outside our door keeps raging on
Hold on to this lullaby
Even when music's gone
Gone

Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound”

Vegeta held her closer with each word. She’s never sung for him before, and now he couldn’t help but wonder why. Her voice was as smooth as velvet and brought him comfort, something he hasn’t felt since the day he left.

“Sing it again.” Bulma smiled to herself when he asked. He sounded like the young boy she met for the first time all those years ago. She sang her song for the whole night until he fell asleep. Her prince wasn’t beyond repairing. He was still here, and he was still hers. Right now, that was the only thing that mattered.