Summary: Vegeta finds himself in a strange place, and he’s pretty sure he knows the culprit.
A fic for @lovelykotori to go with the awesome art they made! Check them out at @lovelykotori-fa
He coughed and waved his hand to banish his eyes' pink and blue smoke. No matter how often it happened, which seemed to be every week at this rate, he'd never get used to the fruity scent that always seemed to linger. Cursing under his breath as he imagined the dry cleaning bill he'd have to pay, he looked around to find the causation of all his recent vexation.
However, gone were the modern trappings of his bachelor's apartment. In place of an uptown view, with its sleek buildings made of steel and glass, was what looked to be a desert city, complete with a palace that towered over the parochial village. Gone were the flat-screen TV and the temperature-controlled air; in their place were soft pillows and the humid breeze on the arid air. Sweat began to bead on his brow as mild panic, mixed with anger, began to rise from his gut.
With a quick pop and a flash, the bubbly female appeared.
Bulma's eyes widened with surprise at his tone but looked unaffected as she regarded him with a kind smile and straightened his mussed hair, much to his chagrin. "Why, Master. Do you not remember? You said you wished you could get away from it all…"
The woman continued to speak, but the words became muffled as if he were underwater. The vein above his temple began to throb and pulse. Vegeta had fought in wars, flown in combat, was shot down by enemy fire, and was the first to test the Saiyan Space Program prototypes, yet he had kept his cool during all of those moments. But this female had an unending ability to drive him to madness!
"…and you have looked so stressed. The line on your forehead has been ever so pronounced. Just like it is right now!" She exclaimed and moved to grab a scroll. "So, I decided to take you to the most relaxing place I could think of. The heated baths are to die for, and look! They have beds of nails…trust me, they are more relaxing than they look. And I kno-"
"Bulma," he ground out through gritted teeth, "I meant it just as a figure of speech. I didn't want you to take me…wherever this is! Take us back right now!"
The echo of his shout seemed to shake the room they were in; however, she did not seem bothered. Bulma merely laughed and tossed the scroll behind her before sidling up beside him. Unwilling to fall for her feminine wiles, he crossed his arms and looked away. "I also hoped we would be able to spend more time together. It gets lonely in your apartment and reminds me of being trapped in my bottle again."
While he could not see her, he could not be anything but hyper-aware of her presence. That strange fruity scent enveloped him again. The soft press of her body against his felt like both a sanctuary and a sin. The flesh on his neck pebbled, and a slight shiver ran through his body when he felt the weight of one of her fingers and its teasing walk across his shoulders."
"Do you not wish to spend time with me, Vegeta?"
The Saiyan Captain exhaled through his nose and glanced back at the woman at his side. Her expression was innocent, and a slight pink to her pouty lips drew his gaze downwards. Unconsciously, he moistened his lips as the temptation to kiss away her concern began to build. Before he could give in, he took a step back to put a modicum of distance between them.
"Bulma..." he said with a sigh.
"Yes, Master?" The sparkling blue of her eyes and her effervescent smile gave him a moment's pause. In his mind's deep, private depths, he could admit that he and the ancient being shared an uncommon attraction. And it was not due to her exquisite looks. Despite the upheaval she caused and her non-stop pursuit of his affection, she filled a part of his life he had not realized was missing.
"Maybe, we can stay for a little whi-"
Before he could finish his sentence, his ears were assaulted with a high-pitched squeal that seemed to rival the efficiency of most sonic weapons. Bulma bounced on the balls of her feet in delight and stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. The sensation was akin to a caress, traveling from his head to his toes. A blush bloomed on his cheeks and spread to the back of his neck and his ears.
When faced with the overwhelming and enticing creature before him, all he could do was click his teeth.
