The time for words was finished. Goku's human side pleaded with him, begged him not to indulge in his desires. He banished the annoying voice to the boundaries of his subconscious. Nothing would keep him from his rightful win. He had lost sight of his goal and almost allowed the small prince to sweet talk his way out of his beautifully compromised position.

Not again, little prince.

Goku knew that the other Saiyan would not submit without a struggle and his blood sang with the knowledge.

He was counting on it.

Vegeta watched with a wary eye as the other man's normal carefree, apologetic expression transformed into a purely Saiyan look of desire. His black eyes widened and he stood abruptly, knocking the chair over in his haste, cursing Kami for his poor choice of words. The tall Saiyan slid his leg away from his body with a grace the larger man was not known to possess and slowly got to his feet. His cocky smile broadened and Vegeta snarled, crouching down in a defensive posture, ignoring the alien feeling of arousal Kakarott's aggressive behavior was causing him to experience. Instead, he latched on to his rage, milking it with a frenzy born of desperation.

If he was going down, he was damn well going down fighting.

You are already mine. Goku chuckled at the startled expression that flashed across the prince's unsuspecting features. His dark eyes narrowed and he growled low in his throat, a raw, guttural sound that sent shivers down Goku's spine and struck a spark in his loins.

Not a chance in hell, you overgrown bastard.

This is not happening... But the image of Kakarott circling him around to his left did not leave his sight with his wishful declaration. He had been surprised by the Saiyan's ready adaptation to their bond, his ability to tap into it, enter into his thoughts. This discovery further enraged the shorter Saiyan and with a scream of passionate denial, the prince attacked.

Goku saw the blow form in his obsidian depths before his fist ever even curled. But the tall Saiyan was not about to make a fatal mistake. Goku wanted the prince; wanted him healthy enough to enjoy and he knew in his current state, Vegeta could easily exhaust himself, use all of the strength he possessed to fight the inevitable.

Goku dodged the punch with incredible speed, catching the wrist as it sped past him. With all his weight, the Saiyan pulled, using the prince's own momentum to send him crashing into the wall.

Stars. He couldn't remember there being so many stars on the ceiling. It was difficult to draw a breath, the air in his lungs expelled by the force of the impact. As much as he was loathed to admit it, he could've really used one of those damn senzu beans. His chest ached with each attempt to gain oxygen and was a painful reminder of the tender condition his body was in.

I need to heal... The room was suddenly darker as a large shadow descended on his slumped form.

It took a moment for him to recognize the scream as his own as he was pulled up mercilessly by his hair.

The painful cry was thrilling music to his ears and the twisting figure he held in his grasp only fueled his desire. Vegeta lashed out with one foot, catching the hard muscle of his thigh. The Saiyan's eyes blazed with the momentary pain of the frantic kick. He licked his lips, and reached out with a speed the small Saiyan could not hope to avoid.

Vegeta found himself in the iron grip of the crazed Saiyan, one arm twisted excruciatingly behind his back, the other pinned to his side by the bulging arm muscles attached to the hand that still had a steady grip in his hair.

The hand in his hair pulled, forcing his back to arch painfully. His breath caught, biting down a cry; he could feel the hard, solid body of the man press against him as he was bent suddenly backward.

The prince tried desperately not to feel, but it was a fight he could never hope to win. Kakarott's touch sent jolts of electricity over his skin, another testament to the bond they shared. It hadn't been like this with the earth woman--this exceeded pleasure, bordered on pain and filled his senses with every aspect of the Saiyan male.

Vegeta could smell the thick scent of desire rising off his mate and he thrashed against his powerful grip. It was driving him mad. There was no more thought, no more anger or hate, only need. And the prince needed it now.

Goku saw the look in his eye change from desperation into lust and he grinned, lowering his face to the exposed neck of his captured prince. Taking a deep breath, the Saiyan purred against his throat, reveling in the distinctly masculine fragrance of sweat and physical yearning. Tentatively, his tongue moved to taste his skin, to lick the trail of sweat that coated the back of his neck. Vegeta jerked his head away from his lips, snapping at the taller Saiyan's ear. Goku laughed softly against his neck at the pathetic struggle the other man was maintaining. Such was his desire that he almost didn't hear the words that were screamed inside his head:

No! You can't bite me! Dammit, I won't let you have me like this! I will not be conquered by you--

Vegeta squirmed in despair. The prince was torn. He wanted the man who held him to take him, mark him, make him his completely. Pride and reason waged war within his tortured mind. The breath on his neck was causing a painful strain on his aroused state, the red fabric restraining him in an agonizing manner while the purr that resonated from within the larger man's chest was awakening his primordial Saiyan instinct.

The salty taste of the prince's skin drove the Saiyan into new heights of desire.

You are mine, little prince, Goku thought through the link, surrendering his human restrictions to the pure animal instincts of the Saiyan.

The world stood absolutely still.

He didn't think and Vegeta didn't breathe for the split second before Goku's teeth broke through the tough Saiyan skin of his prince's neck.

Oh, Kami...I never thought it could be like THIS...

Hot and coppery, the prince's blood filled his mouth. Goku was forced to swallow, purring as the thick Saiyan essence flowed down his throat and seduced his senses. It was like nothing he had tasted. It was passion, desire, longing and need. It was the thrill of the fight, the battle lust, the adrenaline pumping through his veins. It was bonding with the man, the Saiyan, the prince of his people. He was soaring above the world on clouds of white perfection, and he was in the deepest pits of hell dancing with the devil's demons.

Vegeta could not hold back the cry that was ripped from his throat as Kakarott's teeth penetrated the tender flesh at his neck. There was a sharp pain...and then unconceivable pleasure. All the tension drained from his body as he gave himself up to the overwhelming sensation of his warm suckling lips. He felt the gentle pressure of Kakarott's mind seeking entrance too late.

He had only a moment to scream before all his carefully guarded walls came crashing to the ground.

He wanted more.

The prince had gone slack in his arms and Goku supported him with ease. The blood was beautiful and he lapped it up in slow, long licks that made the man in his arms whimper and shudder deliciously.

But he wanted more.

Goku could feel Vegeta's mind on the edge of his consciousness, and he approached it with a curiosity that grew to a distinct feeling of need as he progressed. This was what he sought and craved--a way into the prince's mind. The walls were high and thick, but the guard at the gate was preoccupied as Goku stepped onto the sacred ground of Vegeta's psyche.

He was at once bombarded with images of the Saiyan prince. It was like someone had thrown an armload of snap shots at him--they held no definition of time or sequence; they were random moments in the Saiyan no Ouji's life, taken out of context and placed before his wondering eyes.

There was Vegeta as a child standing next to his father, mimicking the adult's posture and expression, determined to make the man proud.

Vegeta coming to earth with Nappa, hell bent on destruction and power.

A picture of himself...Goku sifted a little further. There were thousands of images of Goku, shamelessly displayed, mostly of him fighting as though Vegeta were analyzing his style step by step.

Another image, this one of Bulma. Goku looked at the picture and understood the full meaning behind it, Vegeta's mind filling in the gaps with feelings and fragments of dialogue involved with each scene.

...give you a child, give me an heir...

There was one of Mirai Trunks marked with a question mark and rose tinted with a grain of hope.

If he is part Saiyan, maybe some of my people were able to escape...

Goku was saddened by that thought and he held the image a moment longer. Trunks had his father's eyes...

Vegeta opened heavy onyx eyes at the unexpected knowledge he gained from Kakarott. He was aware of the Saiyan sifting through his thoughts and his struggle began anew when he felt the man step into the darkest section of his mind.

"No," he whispered hoarsely. "Kami, please..."

The scenes had been straightforward and generic, though he gained remarkable insight into the prince's motivation, his hatred of the other Saiyan, his respect, his...

Oh, my...

Well, there had been a few interesting images of the prince and himself. Apparently even the Saiyan no Ouji had entertained the thought at some point.

Well, he did say the bond had to be accepted by both...

Goku marveled at all that he saw. He had never thought the Saiyan prince to be so...emotionally complex. He kept it all carefully hidden under a clever mask of hate and pride which he gathered around himself like a shroud.

But why, Vegeta? What made you so cruel? What made you have to hide?

The area around the Saiyan grew dark, images flashing into nothingness until only one remained.

Goku felt the growl form in his throat at the sudden sight of Frieza, standing tall in all his despicable glory. Goku wanted to protect the chibi Saiyan that stepped onto the scene behind Frieza, his manner proud and royal like his father. Vegeta's black eyes were cold, but not yet heartless, questioning...

Why has father sent me here?

"Your father has sent you to me to learn from me, my monkey prince." Vegeta's child face twisted into one of indignant fury at the blatant offense. No one insulted the royal family and lived.

"How dare you!" His little gloved hands were in tight fists at his sides, his teeth bared toward the alien.

Frieza turned slowly toward the little prince, his purple lips curling into a mockery of a smile. "You are mine now, little monkey. I don't think that attitude is appropriate when speaking to your betters. I think you need a lesson in respect."

Vegeta's eyes narrowed and Goku had to give him credit for standing his ground as the vicious tyrant closed the distance between them. It only took a flick of Frieza's tail to send the prince sprawling forward on his hands and knees. He pushed himself to stand, face red with rage and humiliation when he felt a rough hand on the back of his neck thrust him into the hard metal floor. The prince screamed as Frieza's nails bit into his skin, reducing his royal attire to unrecognizable shreds. The pain was incredible, but nothing to match the agony caused when the alien mounted the small Ouji.

Bile seared the back of his throat as he watched in horrid fascination. That was the first, but hardly the last time Frieza would teach the prince a "lesson".

"Oh, Kami...Vegeta..." Goku was stunned into silence as he watched the images play out--variations on the same sick theme. As the years progressed, Vegeta no longer cried, refusing to give the bastard that satisfaction. His features hardened, and as Goku watched, Vegeta's manners became more cold, calculating, and manipulative, an escape from the pain that was steadily eating him from the inside out.

You have more right than any of us to be angry and bitter, but we judged you anyway...Gomen, Vegeta. Gomen-nasai.

There was no more blood, no sound, and no movement from the Saiyan prince. Goku opened his eyes half expecting to see Frieza walk through the far door, but was greeted with silence and the room as they had left it, the fire still casting thick shadows on the floor, only to chase them away a moment later with its eerie glow. Breathing heavily, he slowly pulled back from Vegeta's neck, still holding him in his arms, though his embrace had become one of comfort and not of restraint. The prince was deathly quiet in his grip and the tall Saiyan looked down anxiously. The Saiyan no Ouji's eyes were mere slits and conveying enough pure wrath that if looks could kill, Goku would certainly be one dead Saiyan.

"Release me, Kakarott," The Saiyan prince held no emotion in his commanding tone, received no joy at the flinch he caused the other Saiyan with his words as he was set back on his feet.

He was drained. Vegeta closed his eyes against the images that replayed in his head. The prince had not thought to feel such betrayal from this man. The man who newly owned his heart had ripped it out of his chest and forced him to relive his tortured past.

I can't do this. I will not be pitied!

"I don't pity you, Vegeta." The prince's head snapped up, his eyes trained on Kakarott's. Damn this bond.

"I admire you," The large Saiyan's voice was soft, sincere, the thumb of his left hand tracing small circles on Vegeta's shoulder. "I have always admired your strength, your conviction. Search my feelings, Vegeta. You know I don't lie." The Saiyan no Ouji's eyes widened as he felt for the pity he knew must be there.

But it wasn't.

Vegeta swallowed. Kakarott admired him?! For the first time in his life he didn't know what to do, how to proceed. He had watched his control slip steadily through his fingers the instant Kakarott had bitten him.

Now we are truly bonded. I never told him the significance of the bite--I don't know how the hell he would have known that and yet could be so fucking naïve about the rest.

Confusion was not an emotion the prince dealt with well, but he had spent his rage, his hate. He felt empty inside, but still painfully aware of the other Saiyan's presence. His gaze trailed up from the floor, following the orange material that was cinched around Goku's tapered waist with a blue sash. The man hadn't bothered with the rest of his outfit, leaving his chiseled chest blessedly free of all impediments. Vegeta's dark eyes traced the well-defined physique of the man that had been his obsession for over a year.

But his obsession was about to take a new direction.