deadlymaze - Tumblr blog

deadlymaze · 5 years

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Well guys, here it is! My second commission from the incredible @rutbisbe! She’s just the most amazing artist, and I feel so blessed and honored that she would lend her gifts to my story at all. This is a scene from one of the flashbacks, when Vegeta, Raditz and Nappa are on another planet, sent there on a purge missions. The scene is of Raditz and Vegeta sitting by themselves near a lake, talking. Vegeta’s maybe 12 in the scene, and Raditz is about 17. I’ve posted the scene below to read, if anyone is interested! Thank you so much again @rutbisbe! I’m so beyond happy with it!

“Hey squirt.” Raditz lowers himself at his side, leaning his elbows against his raised knees and looking out over the lake before them.

“… Hey.” Vegeta answers.

It’s quiet here now. Vegeta likes it. Likes how he can hear all the buzzing insects and animals hiding in the surrounding woods. Likes how he can look up at the sky and see so many stars. Likes the smell of the water.

“You hungry still? I can get you some leftovers.” Raditz says after a while.

Vegeta shakes his head.

“I’m alright.” He answers, and he can see Raditz nod from his periphery.

They sit for a long time, not saying anything. Nappa was out on the other side of this planet, cleaning up the few last pockets of resistance.

“… I wish we didn’t have to go back.” Vegeta says, looking out at the water. He can feel his chest constrict with just the thought of it. With having to see Frieza again, and Zarbon and Dodoria and the Ginyu gang.

He wishes… wishes they could just stay here. Just him and Raditz and Nappa. They’d do alright on their own, he thinks. They could… they could build a home out of the trees in the woods. Could get their food through hunting and gathering. Wouldn’t have to answer to anybody. Wouldn’t have to go scouting, or complete purges for minimal wages. Wouldn’t have to worry all the time about not getting paid cause they’d fucked up somehow. Wouldn’t have to… to worry about doing something wrong and being… punished.

Raditz doesn’t say anything, and Vegeta looks away, feeling stupid.

Silence falls between them again, and after a while, Vegeta feels Raditz’ arm come around his shoulders, pulling him to his side, and Vegeta doesn’t even have the energy to pretend like he’s embarrassed, instead just leans against the older boy, their tails hooking together.

It’s quiet for a long time more, and Vegeta can feel himself getting sleepy.

“You want me to teach you how to swim?” Raditz’ voice breaks through the fog settling over his mind, and Vegeta’s eyes come open, noticing that the night has grown deeper, this world’s moon reflecting brightly along the surface of the water.

He blinks, mind struggling a moment to clear.

“Swim?” He asks finally.

“Yeah!” Raditz grins, looking down at him. “I don’t think you ever learned, right?”

Vegeta swallows, uncertain.

He hadn’t ever learned to swim. He remembers Papa had been planning on teaching him, before… before…

“What do ya say?” Raditz gives his shoulder a squeeze, and Vegeta feels his throat tight with apprehension.

“… I don’t know.” He starts to say, sick, awful fear gripping his stomach suddenly, twisting it as he remembers how Frieza had nearly drowned him just a few months before. He’d never been more terrified in his life. Can still remember what it felt like, not being able to breathe. The horrible feeling of gasping for breath and instead feeling his lung fill with freezing cold water. How hard he’d struggled to break free of the iron grip along the back of his neck, holding him under, and not being able to. Not being able to get away.

“Hey, it’s alright.” Raditz says quietly, and he can probably see what a coward Vegeta is. Can probably smell the fear coming off him. “Nothing bad’ll happen, I promise.”

He stands suddenly, holding out a hand for Vegeta to take.

Vegeta hesitates a moment more, but shame wins out over his fear and he takes Raditz’ hand, the older boy hauling him easily up.

“This’ll be fun man! You’ll see!” He promises, and Vegeta looks down, crossing his arms over his chest.

He shouldn’t be afraid of the water. It was stupid. Freiza wasn’t here to do anything, and Raditz wouldn’t let him drown.

“Here, I’ll get in first and then you follow. I’ll hold on to you the whole time, don’t worry.”

Raditz begins to strip his armor off, until he’s down to nothing, and Vegeta watches him wade into the water, his tail swishing back and forth, splashing water onto the shore.

He turns, white teeth visible as he grins broadly at the younger Saiyan.

“You comin’?” He asks.

Vegeta still feels uncertain as he too begins to remove his armor and clothes, until he’s standing naked, arms coming back up over his chest.

He feels stupidly self-conscious, for some reason.

“Come on Vegeta! I can feel myself pruning over here!” Raditz laughs, and Vegeta mumbles under his breath that he’s an asshole before finally moving forward.

Raditz holds his hands out as Vegeta reaches the edge of the water and stops, heart kicking harder in his chest.

“I won’t let you go.” The older boy again promises. “Give me your hands.”

Once more embarrassment at his own fear wins out and Vegeta gives in, stepping slowly into the water, feeling the ground under his bare feet begin to slowly dissolve.

A surge of panic explodes in his chest when his footing disappears entirely and he stumbles headlong into the lake.

Raditz catches him in his arms, pulling him to his chest and laughing as Vegeta thrashes, grasping hold of the older boy as if for dear life.

“Hey, hey, take it easy. It’s alright man! I’ve got you!”

Vegeta’s eyes are wide, his heart thudding inside his ears as he looks around, seeing the shore just a few feet away.

“Hey, Vegeta, you think you can loosen your grip a little? Nappa’s gonna wonder where I got the bruises from.”

He blinks, turning his eyes back to Raditz, and realizes a moment later he’s got his arms wrapped round the other boy’s neck, clinging to him.

He feels his face burn with shame, immediately letting go, and again Raditz laughs, his hold round Vegeta’s waist firm.

“Shut up.” Vegeta mutters, looking away, feeling like an idiot.

“You’re doin’ it to yourself squirt.” Raditz smiles.

“You want me to beat your ass?” Vegeta asks, reaching up and cuffing Raditz against the ear.

“OW!” Raditz yelps, and it’s Vegeta’s turn to grin now, sticking his tongue out at the older boy.

“Alright, alright. You wanna learn to swim or not?” Raditz grimaces, his ear already turning a bright shade of pink.

“I’m in here with you, aren’t I?” Vegeta sneers, his momentary playfulness draining away as quickly as it had come.

“Alright.” Raditz says. “Come on, we’ll swim out farther to the center of the lake and then I’ll show you some stuff.”

He adjusts his grip, wrapping his arm entirely around Vegeta’s waist and beginning to swim with him farther out.

“Don’t let me go!” Vegeta gasps, panic again choking him.

“I’m not going to.” Raditz promises. “Alright?”

Vegeta can’t help gripping onto Raditz’ forearm as he pulls him out deeper into the water, an irrational fear clouding his mind.

“It’s alright.” Raditz tells him, at last coming to a stop in the middle of the lake.

Vegeta doesn’t let go of his arm, and Raditz doesn’t complain about it.

“Alright, so, first thing we gotta do is learn how to paddle.” He says. “So what I’m gonna do is hold you up, and you’re gonna kick your legs up and down in the water. Got it?”

“You aren’t going to let go of me, right?” Vegeta asks, still not entirely trusting Raditz not to pull some horrible prank on him.

“Vegeta, I’m not gonna let you go. You have my word of honor. Alright? I wouldn’t do that to you.”

Vegeta glances up at the older boy, seeing his face serious, and he feels embarrassed again at his own paranoia.

“… Alright.” He answers quietly, looking away.

A moment longer and Raditz again carefully adjusts his grip, sliding his arms beneath Vegeta’s chest and thighs and lifting him horizontally in the water, holding him submerged only part way.

Still Vegeta doesn’t want to let go of Raditz’ arm, his tail thrashing the air in agitation.

“So now just kick your legs up and down in the water, like I said.” Raditz instructs. “Just to get a feel for it.”

Vegeta tries, feeling dumb as he kicks his legs, hearing the splashing noise the motion makes.

It seems to go on forever, until he starts to grow bored and annoyed.

“Now what?!” He snaps after a while, looking up at Raditz, only to see the older boy grinning down at him again.

“Fuck you Raditz!” He growls, trying unthinkingly to squirm free, forgetting in the moment where they are.

“Hey, hey, calm down man! We’re still in the water, remember?” Raditz reminds him and quickly Vegeta falls still, sick fear grasping hold of him again.

“S-stop fucking with me Raditz.” Vegeta warns, hating the way his voice shakes.

“Alright, I’m sorry. Look, you’re doing good. I’m not gonna let go, but now I want you to try stroking your arms through the water while kicking your legs. That’ll get the initial swimming motion down for you.”

Vegeta feels himself stiffen slightly, realizing what Raditz is asking. For an instant, his grip on the other boy’s arm tightens rather than letting go, and he feels his face burn.

“It’s alright.” Raditz says again.

“I know! Stop telling me it’s alright!” Vegeta snaps, angry and scared. “Just… g-give me a second.”

“Alright.” Raditz says and Vegeta huffs, feeling dumber still.

Slowly, he loosens his fingers around Raditz’ forearm, feeling a little bad about the bruises he’ll no doubt leave from gripping too hard. Raditz never complained whenever Vegeta accidentally, or intentionally, hurt him. Sometimes that just made Vegeta feel worse about it when it happened.

It takes an embarrassingly long time for Vegeta to let go completely, but eventually he does, trying to stroke with his arms like Raditz told him to.

“Don’t forget your legs.” Raditz reminds him, and Vegeta starts kicking too.

It takes a while before he gets into a rhythm, his motion growing smoother and easier, and Vegeta can’t help feeling a small swell of pride at how good he thinks he’s doing. He can feel his lips tugging up at their corners, and he looks up at Raditz, smiling when he sees the other boy grinning back, expression pleased.

“That’s great Vegeta! You’re doing great!” Raditz tells him.

“Really?!” Vegeta asks, pride growing bigger.

“Yeah man. I think you’re ready to try it on your own.”

Vegeta’s eyes go wide, the word no getting stuck in his throat even as he struggles to say it. He can’t talk though. Can’t get it out.

The shock is like getting punched in the face by Zarbon, a flash of terrifying white blinding his eyes in sheer panic as he feels Raditz lets him go and immediately his head sinks beneath the surface of the water. He inhales too late, and instead of air he swallows a mouthful of water, beginning to thrash in desperate horror. Everything Raditz had just taught him flies out of his head and he can’t remember any of it. Can’t remember… He’s gonna drown! He’s gonna drown and die and…

Suddenly his head breaks the surface, cool night air hitting his face, and he gasps frantically for breath, feels Raditz hands holding him again around the waist.

“Fuck, Vegeta, are you alright? I thought you were…”

“Y-you LET ME GO!” Vegeta cries, terror and rage churning violently in him. “YOU S-SAID … SAID YOU WOULDN’T LET ME GO! YOU P-PROMISED!”

He struggles in Raditz’ grip, thrashing violently, trying to tear free, pounding his fists against Raditz’ chest and Raditz struggles to hold him, his grip tightening, face going white with his own fear.

“Vegeta, Vegeta, calm down man! I’m sorry! Hey, I’m sorry! I thought you wanted me to! You were doing so good, and I thought…”

“YOU PROMISED RADITZ!” Vegeta screams, and he doesn’t even notice that he’s crying until his vision blurs with thick tears. Doesn’t care anyway. Doesn’t care. Doesn’t matter. Promised. He fucking promised…

“Vegeta, I’m sorry! Gods, I’m so sorry. Hey, hey, come on man… come on…”

Feels Raditz pull him closer, thick, muscular arms wrapping round him. Feels himself crushed against Raditz’ chest. And can’t help it then. Can’t help it. Starts crying. Starts really crying. Stupid, gasping sobs choke his throat, and can’t control it. Can’t make it stop. No more anger. Just scared. Just scared and he pushes his face against Raditz’ chest, hands coming up, tearing at his hair, loud sobs and can’t make it stop.

“Fuck…” Hears Raditz mumble.

Doesn’t know when it is they’re back on land. Didn’t feel them swimming back. Must of flown. Raditz must of flown them…

Keeps tearing at his hair, can’t stop crying.

“Hey, hey, hey… don’t do that Vegeta. You’re gonna… you’re gonna hurt yourself…”

Feels strong hands grasping round his wrists, pulling his arms down. Feels hands on his arms, rubbing up and down, and feels like he can’t breathe right. Throat tight and stupid, pathetic sounds coming out.

“Vegeta, hey, hey little man, look at me. Look at me please. Tell me you’re alright. I gotta… gotta see that you’re alright.”

Doesn’t want to look at Raditz. Doesn’t want to look. Stupid. Feels stupid now. Stupid, weak, useless fucking…

“Vegeta, please…”

“Why’d you let me go?” Asks. Doesn’t mean to. Just comes out, voice high and thin and hates it. Hates it when he sounds as young as he is. “Y-you promised you wouldn’t Raditz. You promised…”

“Shit, I know. Vegeta, I know. I’m sorry, I thought… I thought you wanted me to. You looked like were alright. I shoulda’… fuck, I shoulda’ asked first.”

Keeps his eyes fixed to the ground, shame and fear heavy in his stomach now. Wipes at his eyes. Gotta stop crying. Gotta stop before Nappa comes back and sees. Doesn’t want Nappa to see.

“Vegeta, will you look at me man? I gotta make sure you’re alright.” Raditz sounds scared. Feels Raditz’ hand against the back of his neck. “Will you let me make sure?”

Doesn’t want Nappa to see. Gotta calm down now. Gotta… Raditz didn’t mean, he guesses. Didn’t mean it.

Glances up at him, thinks he must look so stupid. Stupid, fucking sissy. Wasn’t supposed to be like this. Supposed to be an elite warrior of the Saiyan race. Supposed to be the best. Wasn’t supposed to cry and get scared like this. Stupid, stupid… Doesn’t know what’s wrong with him. Wishes he wasn’t like this. Wishes he was different.

Raditz looks at him, lips turned down. Lines creasing his face. Looks worried. Looks sad.

“Fuck.” He says again, and he reaches up, wiping tears off Vegeta’s cheeks. “Fuck, I’m an asshole. I’m sorry Vegeta.”

Pulls back, shakes his head.

“’m fine.” Mutters. Doesn’t feel fine. Feels sick still with fear. Can taste the water on his tongue still. Heart still pounding.

“Here, lemme’… lemme’ dry you off, huh?” Raditz says.

Vegeta turns, watches him get up and go over to their discarded pile of clothes. Watches Raditz pick out his own undershirt and bring it over, starts drying him off with it.

“Are ya mad at me still?” He asks after a while.

Shakes his head.

He’s not mad anymore. Not really. Just… doesn’t want to think about it now.

“Alright.”

Feels tired all of a sudden. Worn out. Wants to sleep now.

Raditz sits down beside him, and they’re quiet for a little bit.

“Hey, you did good out there.” Raditz says finally.

“Hey, you did good out there.” Raditz says after a while.

“… No I didn’t.” Vegeta answers. Keeps his back turned, pulls his knees to his chest.

Didn’t do good. Almost drowned. Forgot everything Raditz showed him because he panicked.

“Hey man, compared to the first time I learned to swim, you did fuckin’ great.” Raditz goes on, coming to sit beside him. Puts his arm around Vegeta again, and Vegeta lets him. Heart slowing down again. Doesn’t feel so bad. “You shoulda’ seen me. You’d have laughed your ass off!”

Vegeta blinks, stares out at the dirt spreading out across the space.

Wonders, then, when Raditz had learned to swim. Never asked him before. Thinks there’s a lot about Raditz he doesn’t know.

“My father taught me.” Raditz says, like he knew what Vegeta was thinking. Sounds sad when he says it, and Vegeta glances up at him, sees him staring absently ahead, like him.

Guesses Raditz had had a papa too. Never thought much about it. Guesses Nappa must have also, though that was harder to imagine.

“… Do… do you miss your papa?” He asks.

Raditz doesn’t say anything for a long while, then he shrugs.

“Yeah. I guess so.” He answers. “Guess he must have died with the rest of the Saiyans, when the meteor hit Vegetasie…” Voice trails off and Vegeta looks away.

That wasn’t true. They both knew that. Wasn’t any meteor that destroyed their world…

Just like his Papa didn’t die off on some mission from Frieza…

“Ya know I had a little brother too.” Raditz goes on, and Vegeta turns, looking up at him in surprise. Didn’t know that either. Never heard Raditz talk about anything like that.

“… Did he… die too?” Vegeta asks, wishing a moment later he hadn’t.

Raditz shrugs, looking down at the ground, squeezing some dirt between his fingers.

“My father thought he was a disgrace, ‘cause he was born with such a low battle rating. I think it was something like two.”

“Two?!” Vegeta exclaims, disbelieving. He’d never heard of any Saiyan born with such a small power. Not even his own brother had been born so weak.

Raditz smiles.

“I know, right? Pretty pathetic. Well, ‘cause of that my father had him sent away when he was just a few days old. Kinda like what happened to your brother. I only saw him once and then he was sent off to some mud ball a few galaxies away. Kinda funny, that because of that my father might have saved his life.”

Vegeta swallows, a kind of weak fluttering in his stomach. There might be another Saiyan out there, alive like them?

“Do… do you think he’s s-still alive?” He asks after a long moment.

Again Raditz shrugs.

“Who knows. Maybe. If he is, he isn’t any use to anyone. Not being that weak. He’d be maybe four, five years old now. Younger than you even. So he’s probably dead.”

Vegeta doesn’t understand the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach at Raditz’ words.

What the hell difference did it make if there was another Saiyan out there? And especially one that wimpy. Wouldn’t do them any good.

Still… it would be alright, he guesses… knowing another Saiyan.

“… Do you remember his name?” He asks, unable to help his curiosity.

“Yeah. His name was Kakarott. That’s about all I do remember about him though. Like I said, I only saw him once before he was sent away.”

They fall quiet again, Vegeta’s heart finally slowing in his chest, stupid tears finally drying up. Feels so dumb. Doesn’t know why he has to be like this. Thinks about his father. Thinks about how disappointed he would be. Papa never was scared of anything, probably…

“… Why… why can’t we just stay here?” He asks. Doesn’t really mean to. Just comes out. Face heats immediately and he looks down, feeling foolish again.

Hears Raditz sigh.

“… You know we can’t Vegeta.” He says quietly.

Does know that. Knows why well as anything too.

Doesn’t say anything. Doesn’t want to think about it.

“Frieza would find us. You know that. He would…”

“I know!” Vegeta cuts him off, angry and frustrated. Eyes sting again and he rubs his knuckles against them. Doesn’t want to cry anymore. “… I just… thought’d be nice… It’s nice here. We… we could build a house and hunt our own food and…”

His voice trails off when he sees Raditz looking down at him, face tight, frowning.

“Vegeta, we shouldn’t… we shouldn’t think about things like that. You know? It just makes it…”

“You don’t have to say it.” Vegeta says as Raditz’ voice fades.

“I’m sorry.” Raditz starts and Vegeta pulls away from him. Feels hurt, for some stupid reason. Shouldn’t. Knew as well as any of them they couldn’t get away. Not yet. Not until… until he became strong enough to beat Frieza. Knew they were all relying on him for that. Knew he was their only chance to ever get away.

They don’t talk anymore after that, him and Raditz.

It isn’t long before Nappa comes back anyway.

“Fuck Raditz, where’d you get all them bruises?” He asks.

Vegeta pretends to be asleep, and he hears Raditz lie for him. Tells Nappa they got into a sparring session.

“Little squirt beat the shit outta me, as usual.” He says.

Hears Nappa laugh, and tries not to think of tomorrow.

#not gonna lie i fucking loved this #the art is BEAUTIFUL #the story is just AHHHHH #dbz #art vibes

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