Snapshots of Vegeta's life
King Vegeta's solemn face, touching his forehead to Vegeta's little one together in a gesture rarely given and received, one final time before Frieza came calling.
Fighting for survival, not for its own sake. A Prince destined to and for slaughter.
Looking down from his high spire upon Kakarot. Spiky bangs framing a determined gaze. Vegeta had not been prepared for what he had seen in those eyes that day - apprehension, yes, light anger, yes, but also- excitement.
Watching Kakarot slaughter the Ginyu force easy, without actual slaughter. Vegeta's fury had been tainted with awe. How had this third class become so much stronger so fast?
Kakarot arriving, solemn and powerful like the light of the full moon. Moments before Vegeta was shot clean through the heart, physically manifesting what had been an already dying spirit over the years.
Desperation as he lay dying at Kakarot's feet, begging to give some meaning to all the senseless tragedy both caused and received.
The first moment Vegeta laid eyes on that brilliant, golden fury of super saiyan: Kakarot's softness giving way to something darker... but strangely without malevolence.
Watching his son from the future meet a terribly similar fate to his own first death, shot clean through the abdomen this time. Realising for once, rage could live in more than vengeance. Could arise out of unexpected atachments.
Kakarot's peaceful smile, gentle green eyes right before he morphed away to die, right before the world completely lost all meaning.
Finding that meaning slowly over 7 years, in blue eyes sharp with intelligence, unsaiyan purple tufts of hair framing a piercing young gaze that is so very saiyan.
Submission to Majin. One moment of selfishness; desperation to be seen and acknowledged, leading to the whole world's destruction. But that wasn't new for Prince Vegeta right? Destined for destruction.
Except, at the last moment, he wasn't. From the enemy to the wildcard to the ace. Prince Vegeta and Kakarot -Son Goku- had made the final stand not as reluctant allies, but as friends. Maybe more than that.
The arrogant and the protective; the fatalistic and the spirited. What neither of them ever lacked was courage.
Leaving out of self hatred, only to return out of care of something bigger than himself.
- a snippet of chapter 9 of my KakaVege fic, Agent Oblivion
Just recording here because I am feeling melancholy from the last chapter of DBS and reflecting on Vegeta’s life trajectory.
Had planned a sequel for @kakavegeweek prompt “secret agents” but it may not come out in time...
Image from Runta Heruman. A Goku version does not exist; I may attempt one to mirror it