We Read Our Own Porn

Eager to get out of Capsule Corp, Vegeta and Goten left half their snacks for present company, and decided to go for a walk. Somewhere quiet and away from civilization was Vegeta’s only concern. When he deemed them far enough away, Goten asked, “I guess you still hate the Androids?” “We aren’t at war anymore, but I don’t trust them.” Vegeta scowled. “Tell me the truth. Did you know about him and Trunks?” “Not at all,” Goten replied honestly, “I’ve met him like, twice. He’s uncomfortable around many people, but seemed okay. People change,” he pointed out lightly. “That’s obviously how Trunks sees it,” Vegeta muttered, but refrained from commenting on the twins’ past intention. “Think of it this way,” Goten plotted with a sly smile, “He looked like he just got up. As we speak, he has to listen to Trunks whine about us.” Vegeta paused, in his way of staring at nothing in particular before bursting out laughing, finding that mental image hilarious. It was contagious, and both were laughing hard, leaned against a tree. Vegeta’s hand clutched his rib. “Ouch,” he exclaimed when they’d calmed. “I wonder how far Trunks read in your ‘memoirs’ before he stopped reading, and dropped it like a hot potato?” Goten added, starting them laughing again. “Cut it out!” Vegeta clutched both sides now, and they gave up and sat on the ground, waiting for ease of breathing to return. “It really wasn’t that funny, was it?” Goten commented. Vegeta clamped his hand over Goten’s mouth. “Stop speaking. Just stop.” Goten smiled, inspired otherwise, though it would have to wait. “We’re tired,” he clarified, “We’ve been up for a long time, we’re exhausted, and we need to sleep. For real, I mean.” “Yes, and this place is perfect,” Vegeta observed, smoothing the plush, green grass. He layed down under the large Maple tree that gave them plenty of shade, and closed his eyes. “You’re right.” Goten set his phone alarm, and curled up next to Vegeta. Within a few short minutes, both were sound asleep. * Goten’s phone alarm went off near early evening, finding them clear and rested. Checking the time, they leisurely stretched before flying off to the general area of the Sons’ home. They stopped first at a Chinese takeout, leaving with enough food for a large family. “I didn’t know you could afford that much,” Goten commented, having seen the receipt. It was quite an expensive restaurant. “Because you don’t know what percentage of Capsule Corp is mine,” Vegeta replied lightly. Goten chewed his lip nervously. “If you’re really serious about me, I don’t think telling Bulma will be as funny.” Vegeta was quiet for a moment. “I told her yesterday,” he admitted, “Actually, she and Trunks guessed a long time ago, it seems. And of course I’m serious, baka.” Goten watched him grimly. “So, I guess she hates me now?” “No, she doesn’t hate either of us. You could probably tell, things haven’t been the same for a long time.” “I guess so,” Goten agreed, somewhat relieved, but not wishing to delve into his past personal business. “My dad will probably be cool about it. Only my mother to worry about for now, then.” “I think the best is to just tell her,” Vegeta reasoned, “Sneaking around will get old fast.” “Definitely,” Goten agreed with a heavy sigh, spotting his house from their distance, “Soon, then. Speaking of which, take this through… gah, you know the drill… while I pretend to get back.” He handed Vegeta the larger sack. “Yeah, I know,” he confirmed with a dry smile, “Hurry back.” “I will,” Goten promised, and they separated. Making sure Goten’s room was empty, Vegeta let himself in through the window, setting his duffel bag on the floor, and their food on the desk. He sat in an armchair and looked around at the room. Various posters of rock bands, anime, and luxury cars adorned the walls of a modest room, but it was comfortable, and decoration didn’t matter to him. He spaced out in boredom, hoping Goten would hurry. * “I’m home, Mom,” Goten called as he let himself in. He found ChiChi in the kitchen, reading a novel. She looked up at his presence. “Ah, there you are. Is that food in the bag?” she asked curiously. “Yeah, we ate Chinese takeout for dinner, so I brought you some,” Goten replied cheerfully, “You won’t have to cook.” “That’s thoughtful of you,” ChiChi commented, “Sit down, then.” “Oh, it’s just for you,” Goten said quickly, “My new manga’s out, and I waited all day to read it.” “Okay, I see now,” ChiChi replied in dry humor, “Hurry and go read it, then.” “Cool.” Goten grinned and hurried upstairs, startling Vegeta from his reverie. “Finally,” Vegeta declared, “I’m starved.” Goten pulled up a chair. “So am I.” They dug in silently, and the food disappeared at a speed that would make Goku proud. Goten opened his fortune cookie to read his fortune, and suddenly cracked up laughing. At Vegeta’s questioning look, he simply passed him the message. It read: “Life is limited, while knowledge is unlimited.” Vegeta began laughing as hard, wondering when the last time was that he’d laughed as much. The demi Saiyan had many strange effects on him, he found. “How about yours?” Goten asked when they’d calmed, wiping tears from laughter. “Let’s see…” Vegeta pulled out his own fortune and read it. “Nothing special,” he commented, then changed his mind. “Look - the numbers, I mean!” Indeed, the message read: “The wise man remains true to himself.” Lucky numbers: 5, 10, 25 “Whoa!” Goten exclaimed, “And we are the twenty-fifth.” “Yeah, and I told you 510 were also my lucky numbers,” Vegeta reminded him, “I legitimately stole them.” Goten smiled, and they left to clean up. Luckily, the bathroom was right next to his bedroom, so there was no risk of bad surprises. Back in his room, Vegeta asked, “Does your mother leave you alone when you’ve retired for the night?” “Yeah,” Goten assured him, “She wakes me up if I oversleep, but not on Sunday morning. All’s clear,” he assured him confidently. “Good,” Vegeta commented, “Temporarily sneaking beats… I don’t even want to think about it.” “They probably don’t, either, about us,” Goten reasoned, “Trunks seems happy, so I think it’s okay. But I can talk to him to make sure.” Vegeta nodded, but seeing his look, Goten added lightly, “Krillin’s wife told us drawing’s his hobby. But it was you he was looking at.” “That was just so he knows who he’s dealing with, now,” Vegeta concluded, his voice suggesting the subject closed.  “Well, I am good at making you think of nicer topics,” Goten commented in his less than subtle manner. “That’s true,” Vegeta acknowledged, pulling him close now that they were alone and no longer tired. A few hours later, they were tired again in time for a very late sleep. Outside logical noise reduction, this time differed vastly from their traded fantasies by simpler lovemaking. Vegeta sensed that it was what Goten needed more at that moment. They were synchronized in just about everything, Vegeta marveled, watching Goten drift off to sleep. His hand playing with his hair made that easy, both of them sated and purring softly. A first late night, to be followed by a luxuriously late sleep-in. It made Vegeta wish they still had tails, rendered but a fleeting thought. Goten played with Vegeta’s hair in the same way, smiling drowsily at putting him in the same drowsy state. He could easily get used to this, was the thought of each before they contentedly fell into the arms of Morpheus.        * The next morning proved to be late, as they wished, but luxurious was not quite the word. “… Goten?!… Vegeta?!… … Please tell me this isn’t what it looks like!” ChiChi had paled, and dropped Goten’s clean laundry that she’d put off doing the day before, unable to process what she beheld. Both shirtless with each one bare foot and a partial leg outside the sheet, Goten’s head was peacefully on Vegeta’s shoulder, the latter’s arm draped loosely around his back. Both were abruptly jolted from their hazy sleep. “Huh?” Goten’s eyes opened slowly, like Vegeta’s. “I thought you locked the door,” Vegeta mumbled under his breath to Goten. “I thought I did,” Goten mumbled back. In annoyance, he said to ChiChi, “Yes, we were asleep. Not anymore. Don’t you know how to knock?” “Well, excuse me, I didn’t know you had company,” ChiChi retorted sarcastically, “I can see you were asleep! Would you care to come downstairs, decently clothed, and fill me in?” “Not really,” Goten replied in a calm voice that was slowly bottling an internal Molotov cocktail. “Remember I’m an adult now?” Vegeta firmly but subtly squeezed his arm in a gesture to be calm, but said levelly, “That is true, ChiChi.” “So, he’s eighteen and fair game,“ ChiChi turned on Vegeta, “Which gives you every right to seduce my youngest, huh?” “Well, according to local Earth laws–” Vegeta began, but a warning look from Goten told him not to appeal to her with logic, just yet.       “Just know that if you throw him out, you throw me out, too,” Goten challenged, his voice more calm than he actually was. ChiChi looked horrified. “Who said anything about that? I… I just don’t know what to think right now.” Flustered, she placed Goten’s folded clothes on his dresser as always, and picked up her laundry basket. “Okay, you’re adults. So, as soon as you’re… prepared… come down and talk like ones.” “Coffee ready?” Goten asked hopefully. “Is there ever not?” ChiChi left the room quietly, having spoken the truth. She had no idea of what to think. When she’d left, Vegeta asked, “Was she questioning my adulthood as well?” * A half hour later, having showered and dressed, Goten and Vegeta joined ChiChi in the kitchen. She was unexpectedly quiet, automatically setting the coffee pot, mugs, with sugar and milk on the table. The three of them wordlessly served themselves, all appearing as an otherwise ordinary day. The duo had expected anger, but ChiChi seemed more confounded than anything else. Finally she spoke up. “There’s no reason to point out the obvious, but when were you planning on telling me? Or not at all, if it’s just a little fling?” Vegeta saw it for himself to respond. “It’s not just a fling, and soon. A bit like this, without the element of surprise,” he replied dryly.  ChiChi nodded. “At least. Since when has it gone on? I guess you weren’t just kindly taking care of him last weekend,” she commented coldly to Goten. “Officially, since yesterday.” Goten blinked, as time had been relative to him lately. “I see.” ChiChi’s expression changed. Clearly she’d been prepared to yell at them, and now only looked more confused. “If it’s any consolation, I know how you feel,” Vegeta added, “Trunks is also seeing someone I don’t approve of.” ChiChi opened her mouth to inquire, but closed it, having what she saw as her share of drama. Though she looked at him curiously. “It’s not that I don’t ‘approve’ of you, Vegeta. Even if the thought of Goten seeing another guy is wierd to me. But I think you can understand my first question of your intentions toward him.” “Like any normal relationship,” Vegeta explained simply, though uncomfortably. “Mom,” Goten cut in with a pointed look. “It’s true that lodging seems awkward,” Vegeta acknowledged, “But I have my own capsule house, and I know a good place.” ChiChi glanced at Goten, suddenly chagrined at the thought of him leaving home. “Where?” “The edge of Kasumi Forest,” Goten replied, “It’s quiet, with a nice view.” “Kasumi-Mori with the waterfall?” she asked. Both nodded. “True, it’s not far from here,” she mused, looking slightly relieved. Their interrogation didn’t last as long as they’d dreaded. Yes, Bulma and Trunks knew, no conflicts were involved, some elusive whys and wherefores, no, Goten was not clinically depressed, etcetera, etcetera. “Well,” ChiChi concluded, “You have what’s important. It’s strange having a son-in-law who’s older than me, but you don’t look or act like it,“ she told Vegeta.  “Most Earthlings would take that as a compliment,” Goten prompted amusedly at Vegeta’s expression. With her back turned to them, ChiChi stifled a snicker despite herself. A table full of fresh pancakes would keep them still for awhile, she knew. “You’re welcome to stay here and take your time,” she invited them after a long silence, “Got any plans today?” “Not really,” Goten replied, “I just wanted to talk to Trunks.“  “Well, I have nothing to say to the other,” Vegeta affirmed stubbornly, “Just let me know if anything’s wrong.“  ChiChi brought the Maple syrup and sat down with them. “Sometimes people deserve a second chance,” she added pointedly to Vegeta, “Circumstances turn them into someone they aren’t, and when it’s gone, the false layers peel away like onion skins. Not always, but sometimes.” Vegeta found a mouthful of food to be a good excuse to say nothing, and Goten dug in as well.  They must burn off their calories while they swallow them, ChiChi figured, though she discretely considered Vegeta. The vision of his arm closed protectively around Goten as they slept did not match her first impressions of him, at all. But he was thinking, she noted with satisfaction. Yet another Son decidedly liked Vegeta, though she hadn’t meant to. * The duo waited until after lunch to leave for Capsule Corp. The Sons’ home was small, but it was quiet, Vegeta approved. En route, Vegeta flatly told Goten, “I said I’m not talking to the Android, and I’m not. Trunks knows you’re unbiased.” “I’m not so sure,” Goten confided, “He probably assumes I’ll repeat everything to you.” “If he asks you not to, then don’t,” Vegeta replied simply, “My only concern is his safety, in more ways than one.” “Got it.” Before landing, Goten paused. “It’s wierd that Bulma and Trunks weren’t angry.” “Apparently, they knew a long time ago. It was just me who didn’t know what to do.” Vegeta was still embarrassed that anyone would notice. “I told you, it was perfect.” Goten enlaced him tightly, very much wanting his fix, though he blushed as well. “And I’m still sure you wanted me to catch you. We haven’t done yet what you promised.” Goten’s heated kiss was not making it easy to think clearly. “It’s been a day,” Vegeta stated, “Don’t work me up now.” He would rather get another near concussion than the demi’s reproachful look, but promised, “After, okay?“ The demi Saiyan nodded, but left Vegeta to wonder how he managed to wrap him around his little finger so easily. When they landed, they knocked to avoid any unfortunate surprises, relieved when Trunks opened the door in normal clothing.  “Hey, c'mon in,” he bade them cheerfully, leading them to the kitchen. He handed them each a fresh can of mango juice, but Vegeta did an abrupt about-face at a certain fourth presence.  “Sheesh,” 17 commented to Goten, “He seemed to be in a good mood before you landed.” “Well, yeah,” Goten feigned ignorance, taking a sip of juice. The three of them spoke casually for a few minutes, before Goten asked to talk to Trunks. “I didn’t have time all week,” he told 17, who assured him it was cool. When the demi Saiyans disappeared into the office, 17 smiled. Nothing said to him ‘follow me’ louder than one who purposely avoided him. * “Okay,” Goten began, “All Vegeta wants to know is if 17 treats you well and is good to you. I think he is, so bear with me so I can reassure him. He didn’t ask me to talk to you, he knows I never repeat what I’m told in confidence, this is no exception, and he truly doesn’t want to know anything personal. Are we cool?” “Wow.” Trunks was staring at him, knowing that definitely wasn’t BS. “Yeah, we’re cool. What’s on your mind?” “Nothing personal, either,” Goten explained, “Just normal stuff I wonder why you didn’t tell me before. How long have you been seeing 17, how’d you meet…?” Trunks grinned. “Almost a year.” “What? A year, and you said nothing to your best friend?” Goten demanded indignantly. “It wasn’t like that,” Trunks protested, “Keeping it secret made it… well, special.” Much like his father, his cheeks blushed to say so aloud. “I met him at Kame House, then kept running into him everywhere. Once, I went fishing, not knowing he lived nearby, and he invited me in. He never does that. We became buddies, but I was head over heels, and started purposely running into him. One day, it happened - the look, the kiss, and voilà.” Goten smiled. “That’s a nice story.” Trunks grinned. “If I didn’t have to know who you are, I’d think the same.” Goten shook his head. “Asshat.” “I guess. Mom and Grandma took Bulla to an amusement park, so the house is ours this weekend,” Trunks explained, “Have you guys told your mom yet?” Goten cringed. “Not exactly, she found out. Luckily we were only asleep.” “No way!” Trunks’ jaw dropped. “Man, it sucks to be you.” “Not really,” Goten recounted, “She took it pretty well, even offered to let us stay there. We’ll set up our own place, though.” He paused. “With you in college and all, how do you guys handle being so far? I couldn’t.“  “We don’t,” Trunks confided with a mysterious smile, “We just change places a lot.” Goten wasn’t worried, and would see that Vegeta wasn’t, either. *    17 found Vegeta in the living room, facing the window. His arms were crossed, but he didn’t look angry. “So, you still hate me, you don’t like me seeing your son, or both?” he asked.  “It’s nothing personal, Android,” Vegeta replied crisply, “I just have no reason to trust you.” 17 rolled his eyes. “Well. If you’re gonna dig up history, I could think the same thing. I can tell you’re a different person now, but if you can’t see the same in me…” His voice trailed off, and his face looked rather bitter. “What do you even care what I think?” Vegeta asked, though without his typical sarcasm, “Trunks can do what he wants.” Now 17 turned his back. “Goten’s really cool, but I think he doesn’t talk to me much to not offend you. As Trunks’ best friend, that’s an awkward position to be in.” “I don’t tell him who he can or can’t talk to,” Vegeta declared. “No, but he adores you. Like I have to say any more.” He remained staring out the same window. “So, entertain me,” Vegeta invited sarcastically, “What part of my ‘memoirs’ did you think were the funniest?” “I didn’t see them,” 17 replied, surprised at the question, “Trunks said he found a first page in some gadget that wasn’t deleted. He thought it might be important, but when he saw who it concerned and where it was going, he quit reading and deleted it. It told him nothing new, but no one except Goten wanted to read it.” Vegeta looked up in equal surprise. “I wasn’t snooping, either.” It was all he could think of to say, but still watched the Android curiously. “I know,” 17 replied, “Actually, I think your system’s cool. You guys kind of inspired us to do the same.” “Really?” Vegeta was intrigued, then remembered who he was talking to. “Yeah, and since you guys are the closest to a family I’ll ever get, I thought maybe we could do something crazy and, maybe talk normally? I’m not asking you to trust me.” Vegeta turned away again. “If I were missing a leg, I couldn’t walk without some artificial support. Same deal.” “I know.” 17’s subdued tone made him look up. “And I can accept you. Can you do the same, nothing expected or asked?” What ChiChi had said about some people changing, and her analogy returned to mind - she who’d given himself a chance - Goten’s innocent eyes that saw only a new friend, and Trunks’ drawing. It had been a normal, everyday look, except his expression. Especially his eyes, which he himself had found to be as indifferent as cameras. Not now. They held personality and depth, and shone brilliantly aquamarine. He nodded slowly. “Sure, A– 17.” With a tentative smile, 17 extended his hand. Vegeta clasped it, feeling oddly lighter in their declared peace. Having watched from the hallway, Goten and Trunks looked relieved. Seeing them, Vegeta motioned them over. Grinning, they joined both their future mates. The demi Saiyans had good reasons to be happy, as well as knowing they hadn’t only made peace for them, but for themselves as well. * TBC in Chapter 5…