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Survival of the Fittest	By : 2dragonkat Category: Dragon Ball Z > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 11967 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ and its characters, they belong to Akira Toriyama. The only parts that do belong to me are the plot and the twins. I also do not make any profit/money from this either.

Chapter List
- 17
- 18
- 19
Chapter 18 - "Hello, Hello"

WC: 2,715

"I'm going to ground your ass so hard into the ground there will be nothing for Goten to kick into next week!"

"Dad, seriously, you need to-"

"Then I'm going to beat your stupidly handsome face, which you thankfully got from me, until no one will be able to tell we're related."

"Dad, I'm sorry, really, but-"

Squarsh glanced at the door to the watch tower. He wondered if he would be reprimanded for leaving his post. He was getting a bit uncomfortable. Prince Vegeta had come up here furious that he had been interrupted during, as he put it, "being fucked cross-eyed by my mate," for someone claiming to be his son. Apparently when he realized it really was one of his sons, he turned livid for an entirely different reason.

Squarsh was starting to worry about his own livelihood even though Prince Vegeta wasn't threatening him directly. Just being in the same room as the prince as he ranted and raved made Squarsh want to guard the family jewels and hightail it out of there. Getting on the bad-side of the King or the Prince for leaving his post, though, would put his family jewels in real danger.

So, staying put it was. If his hands clasped in front of his crotch, it was just because it was a comfortable position.

"Then I'm going to take a shovel and-"

"DAD!"

"WHAT?! I'm busy ripping you a new one!"

"And I'm trying to tell you everyone is in serious trouble!"

Squarsh perked up at that news. As subtly and quietly as possible he crept to the console where Prince Vegeta was having a screaming match with his son. He peeked at some screens, turning a few dials and pressing some buttons. He saw the ship the prince's son was on. On the long range sensors, though, was another ship. As Squarsh watched another ship came into view. Then another. And another.

"Umm… sir," Squarsh said hesitantly.

"WHAT?!" Prince Vegeta growled, turning the full intensity of his fiery glare on Squarsh.

He shrunk back, gapping for a bit. Squarsh really, really needed to get laid, and soon. If a glare could turn him on, he was in trouble. If he was letting himself get turned on by the mated crown prince, Squarsh was dead.

He caught sight of the screen out of the corner of his eyes and refocused, stamping down his lust and gut wrenching fear. Squarsh pointed at the screen. "Sir, I believe there's a fleet of vessels approaching our position," he said shakily.

Thankfully, Prince Vegeta's gaze turned to the screen Squarsh was pointing at. He watched with baited breath as Prince Vegeta's face morphed from rage to disbelief and finally worry. The prince turned back to the screen his son's face was on.

"What do you mean by 'trouble?'" Prince Vegeta said calmly.

Squarsh let out a harsh breath and scrabbled back to the other side of the room.

"Well to put it historically, think about Frieza taking over the Saiyans, and make it about ten times worse."

"What the hell do you mean?"

"I mean… shit, they're right behind us. Damn it they've locked weapons. Dad, we're too far. Dad."

Squarsh heard the blaring of a warning indicator over the intercom indicating a locked on missle. The prince's son had gone pale and was looking at his father with scared eyes.

"Dad."

The sound of the ships computer warning about incoming missiles got louder. Squarsh started shaking, not wanting to watching what was about to happen. The crown prince was going to watch one of his sons die.

Prince Vegeta pressed two fingers to his forehead and closed his eyes. Squarsh wondered if the movement was a form of prayer. Squarsh blinked and the prince vanished.

Squarsh squawked and flailed where he stood. What the hell just happened? Squarsh looked around. The sound of an explosion had Squarsh gaping at the console as the connection with the ship the prince's son was on got cut off.

He closed his eyes and leaned back against the wall, swallowing thickly. How the hell was he supposed to explain this? One of the king's grandsons was dead and the crown prince was gone.

Squarsh opened his eyes.

Prince Vegeta was standing in front of him, holding on to his son and another Saiyan, two fingers still pressed to his forehead.

Squarsh will later deny fainting. He had just needed some sleep after a long shift in the watch tower. No one will believe him. Not even the nurse he had an eye for believed his lie.

The nurse did, though, agree to go on a date with Squarsh.

Vegeta clutched Trunks' shoulders, torn between wanting to throttle his son's neck or to pull him close and never let go. He settled on the latter. He could throttle his son later when the adrenaline from saving Trunks' life wore off.

Vegeta pressed his face against Trunks' neck, breathing in his scent and warmth. His son was alive and he was here, in his arms. Trunks was home.

He could sense in the distance the rest of their family drawing closer, no doubt feeling Vegeta's instant transmission and Trunks' chi. Vegeta savored the few moments they still had alone together. With Trunks in his arms Vegeta felt the guilt and worry over his sons' departure two months ago wash over him.

Vegeta felt like he had failed as a parent, not seeing when his son was in trouble. Vegeta had been there for Gohan during his miscarriage. He had been there for Keigo when he suffered from his visions. He had been there for his mate's brother as he adjusted to his new family. Vegeta had not been there for Trunks and Goten. It wasn't because they hid their problems, it was because he never believed they could have problems. They could though. Like any normal couple, they had problems.

Vegeta may have even noticed it, if he hadn't been mothering his twins or training Uub or watching out for Radditz or supporting Gohan. He hadn't noticed it, or he ignored the signs. Honestly, Vegeta couldn't tell now. All he knew was that he had failed his son. His first son.

Vegeta wished he could go back and fix it.

"Dad…I'm having trouble breathing," Trunks gasped.

Vegeta shook his head and didn't let up. He was not letting go of his son until absolutely necessary. He would pay attention now, equally, to all of his children and family. He would make sure that nothing like this ever tore their family apart again.

Goten watched as Trunks undressed, sitting against the headboard of his bed. Goten had honestly believed Trunks was dead. No one's reassurance that Trunks wasn't dead had dissuaded Goten's belief.

He finally believed them when he found Trunks wrapped up in their papa's arms. He believed it when Trunks hugged Goten so tightly that not even air could pass between them. He believed it when his heart finally unclenched from its tight vice in his chest as Trunks kissed him.

Goten believed Trunks was alive. But he had no idea what to do about it.

Trunks laid down beside Goten, letting out a deep sigh as he sunk into the mattress. "It's been way too long since I've slept in a real bed."

'It's been way to long since I've slept,' Goten replied in his head.

It had taken hours before they could be alone. Hours of Trunks explaining what was going on and who his traveling companion was. Goten got the gist. Bad aliens called the Bakulans wanted to enslave the Saiyans or something along those lines. Their papa has a long lost brother named Tarble.

Goten watched as Trunks' face relaxed. His hair was longer, almost to his chin. He looked like he had lost some weight too. Goten turned his eyes away. He didn't feel as happy about this reunion as he thought he would. Maybe it was because they were no longer bonded. Trunks had explained that too.

It had sounded like an excuse. Trunks had wanted out of their bond for a long time, though Goten had never felt that strongly about the loss of passion in their relationship. Goten couldn't tell whether the chemical that Trunks had ingested to kill their bond had truly been unintentional. Goten wasn't sure if Trunks had been offered the chemical freely by the Bakulans, if he would have turned it down. Goten wasn't sure what to believe about how Trunks viewed their relationship.

He had left. Goten understood, but it didn't take away the ache in his heart that had kept him up long into the night until exhaustion took him.

The bed shifted and Goten was gently maneuvered onto his back until Trunks could hover over him, a soft smile on his face. "I was scared I'd never see you again. I missed you so much," Trunks whispered, leaning down to press his face into Goten's neck.

He already knew Trunks wouldn't find the mark he had left all of those years ago.

Goten wiggled and shifted until he could roll onto his side, turning his back to Trunks. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He needed to be strong. Goten wasn't going to just fall back into Trunks arms. They were still soul mates. The loss of their bond didn't change that.

But their relationship was just as broken as their bond. The bond could be mended simply by mating again. Their relationship was a different matter. Goten wasn't even sure if he still loved Trunks. He wasn't sure if he wanted a relationship with Trunks again.

"Goten… what's wrong?"

"Go to sleep Trunks, we have a big day tomorrow."

Goten settled into bed, clenching his eyes shut to will back tears. It hurt to not be with Trunks. It hurt to be with Trunks, too. It just hurt, and Goten wanted to not feel anything for a while. He wanted to sleep, and be oblivious and away from reality.

Most of all, Goten wanted to not feel like there was a black hole where his heart used to be.

Tarble had never believed in luck or fate. If he did, it would mean he was the unluckiest creature in the galaxy and fate liked to screw him over. He had been sent away as a baby, never to know his family or species. The man he had grown up with and had considered a father had been murdered protecting his virtue that was still stolen. He had been forced into a loveless bond, raped and ridiculed by a man who believed all Saiyans were beneath him.

So, no, Tarble did not believe in luck or fate. He had been hurt far too much in the past few years to be that naive.

But now… Tarble was starting to wonder if karma might be in existence.

For all of the bad Tarble had gone through, something had finally gone right.

Tarble leaned down and kissed his father's cheek goodnight. King Vegeta looked older than the few photos Turles had shown him of his father. He was also in a wheelchair. Tarble didn't mind, though, because his father was alive and they had been reunited. Tarble didn't have any memories of his father, but the small bond they had forged as father and son when he had been a baby flared to life in the man's presence.

Tarble pulled back and smiled down at his father, watching him be wheeled away by his advisor, Bardock. Tarble looked over his shoulder, his smile growing as he took in the sight of his rather large family. His brother, who had miraculously saved Trunks and himself from imminent destruction, had built quite the life. He had five sons, one who was pregnant and he had a set of twins. A rare gift. He had a mate and an extended family that filled up the room.

When Tarble had dreamed of this moment, or allowed himself to dream when not in Decebal's bed, he had seen a small reunion. Just his father and possibly his brother. Tarble had never hoped to be welcomed into such a large and loving family.

They were all ecstatic to meet him. Their excitement had been dimmed a bit when Trunks and Tarble had explained the approaching threat of Decebal and his army, who would arrive at the planet by morning. Even with the bad news, there had still been an impromptu feast in the middle of the night celebrating his and Trunks' arrival on the new home world for the Saiyans.

Tarble watched as everyone started to leave, bidding him goodnight with smiles and promises to get to know one another once the Bakulans have been dealt with.

His older brother left last, with his mate. Tarble felt his smile get a bit wobbly as Vegeta hugged him. They hadn't had the time yet, but Tarble knew that out of everyone, Vegeta would understand what he had gone through with Decebal. He didn't know much, but he had heard horror stories of Freiza's ruthlessness and tyranny long before he had met Decebal. When this was all over, he wanted to have a heart to heart with Vegeta.

Tarble held his brother tight, pressing close and feeling the security and comfort of having his older brother near. He couldn't wait to get to know Vegeta.

He whispered goodnight to his brother and watched him leave with his mate.

Tarble closed his eyes, breathing deep as he turned to face the last person in the room besides himself. He swallowed thickly, hands trembling as he took in the sight of the man he knew better than he knew anyone else who had been in the room. The man who had haunted his dreams since he was a child.

His name was Brolli, royal guard for King Vegeta.

They hadn't had time to talk, to acknowledge the familiarity they both recognized when they had met not two hours ago. Tarble had been swept up in meeting his new family and being reunited with his old one. Only now, once everyone had gone off to bed to rest up for the inevitable confrontation on the morrow, did Tarble find himself alone with his soul mate.

"Hello," he whispered, voice catching on the last syllable.

"Hello," Brolli murmured back.

The guard's eyes had not left Tarble the entire time they had been in the room together. No one had realized why. Most would probably believe it was because Brolli was being protective and suspicious. Tarble knew it was because Brolli was in disbelief he was really here, that he was actually meeting his true mate. Tarble felt the same, but he covered the longing as best as he could. They would tell everyone about finding each other later. Tarble was going to take great pleasure in rubbing it in Decebal's face. For now, though, he wanted this to just be between them.

Tarble wanted to savor his life taking a turn for the better.

Brolli walked forward and reached out, taking Tarble's hand. They both shuddered at the feeling of their skin finally making contact. It was electric. Tarble could only imagine what it would be like when they mated.

Brolli brought them closer together and Tarble fell against the taller man's chest, curling as close as he could. They held one another, breathing in each other's scents and letting their heartbeats find a rhythm in tandem.

"I'm damaged," Tarble whispered. Brolli needed to know he wasn't ready to mate fully yet. The thought of being with his soul mate, being vulnerable and exposed, was both thrilling and terrifying. At the moment, terror was winning out. Decebal was still too fresh in his mind for Tarble to fully enjoy what being with Brolli would mean. Tarble didn't want anything to be in the way of giving himself to Brolli.

"I am too," his intended whispered back, holding Tarble tighter.

Tarble smiled sadly and pressed fully against Brolli's body. "Then we'll take it slow."

"Alright."

They stayed like that for a long while, so long in fact, that the sun was starting to rise when they finally made their way to Brolli's bedroom. Tarble curled up on the bed, clothes still on and let the smell of his soul mate encase him. Brolli spooned him from behind and they got what little sleep they could.

In the morning, the Bakulans will arrive.

AN: Soooo, this chapter didn't turn out at all like I planned. I've been outlining the rest of the story, writing some scene descriptions to help me stay focused. I had four scenes planned for this chapter... and only one of the scenes I've planned made it in. The rest got pushed to next chapter (or maybe even the chapter after that, I'm not sure yet). Squarsh's scene was the one that stayed as planned and the rest were written on the fly when I realized I would be skipping over some important plot points.

With Tarble in the picture I'm juggling a bunch of characters and storylines. Whew. I'm gonna need a vacation after this whooper of a story. We still have a ways to go, sit back and hold on tight.

Next time (as long as I can stay within my scene outline): Expect some time with Gohan, Vegeta and Takeo and what's going on with them. Also we should see some painfully polite smackdown between King Vegeta and Decebal. And where the hell is Goku? Goku, get your ass back here and do a scene... Just do what the author does and improv. Sheesh.

Till next time.

Oh and thank you, thank you to everyone who is reviewing and/or reading. I'm really, really glad you guys are enjoying this story.

P.S. for everyone here on AFF, I realize there's no alert function for knowing when chapters are updated like on FF.net. If you'd like, I'm doing this with one of my original stories, I can send emails with info on story updates and links to the new chapter. Just email me or make a note in your review that you would like to be notified when I update here. I promise I will only use your email for notifications about this story.
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Survival of the Fittest