Now on their way back to Capsule Corp., flying instead of using Instant Transmission as a certain saiyan prince wanted to be out of the house for longer than just an hour or so. There was some part of him that was dreading going back to that place, and it was obvious as to why: Bulma. At this time she had to be up by now, as it was now the middle of the afternoon, so he would take any opportunity to stay out longer if it meant he didn't have to deal with her.
          They flew in silence, but the occasional glance at the other was enough. Goku would smile each time their eyes met, and Vegeta would sometimes return that smile and there were other times where he would blush and look away. For reasons unknown to him, every time Goku even glanced in his direction that warm feeling would come back - and his heart would skip almost every time they locked eyes.
          He didn't understand why this was happening, or what it even was really. He was fine talking to the taller male only a few hours ago when they were laughing and joking around, but now he couldn't even hold eye contact without turning red and getting all awkward. He had only felt something resembling this strange feeling one other time in his life and that was when he and Bulma had first become an item, but there was no possible way that this was the same - it just couldn't be. He knew it wasn't.
          The prince furrowed his brows as he thought: just what was this strange feeling? It was only there for a moment, and most other times it was replaced with sorrow, but when it was there it clouded his mind - his choices and the way he thought would change drastically whenever this feeling was present. But he didn't feel it towards many things, if anything at all. He certainly didn't feel it towards Bulma, especially not anymore. But he felt this new emotion towards one other. Goku.
          But that couldn't be right, could it? There was a part of him that saw this feeling as something once familiar but long forgotten, like he had once felt this emotion but as time went on it faded until eventually it disappeared all together. Leaving him with this empty hole that this feeling once resided in, one that had been growing each second he was still alive and breathing, no matter how unhappy he was that open wound still grew with each breath he took that moved him on another minute in this desolate cage of life. At least, that was how he saw it - or, was forced to see it, really...

          They both continued to make their way back to Capsule Corp. in a peaceful yet awkward silence. Goku simply observing each memorable part of the planet he called home below, each one he considered a personal land-mark that he had remembered for years - each one somehow special in it's own way, just like the people that resided on this lovely planet - whilst Vegeta was once again consumed in his thoughts.

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          As the neared the city, and soon got closer to the capsule home, Vegeta felt a chill run down his spine. It was about mid afternoon now, and that meant a few things: Bulma was most certainly awake by now, and around this time it was often she would have that Earthling, Yamcha, over for her own personal reasons - reasons that the prince would rather not think about.
          "Hey, Kakarot..?" The prince spoke up, coming to a stop and waiting for the male to do the same before he continued, "Is there a possibility that we can walk the rest of the way..?"
          Goku was quiet for as he looked over the clearly hesitant saiyan, a curious expression etched on his face. It was a moment more before the pieces clicked and his eyes widened, nodding quickly as his expression shifted to a more comforting one. "Course we can! If you wanna walk the rest of the way, then that's what we'll do."
          Vegeta let out a small sigh and smiled, glad to hear the bubbly man agree. He gave a slight nod of his own before he hovered lower to the ground, his feet soon touching the ground as he waited for Goku now. He hadn't even realized, but the slight nervous feeling he had when he first spoke up had dissapeared once he saw that small smile from the taller saiyan - he hadn't even known that the feeling was there until he felt it dissolved into nothingness. But once it was hone it surprisingly didn't reappear, but instead was replaced. Replaced with a soft feeling of calm safety.

          The streets were rather busy, and so noisy it actually began to give the short saiyan a head ache - though that could have also been from not being outside in town in about a month or so - but he didn't mind. For some reason, he actually enjoyed being out of the house: the sun shining brightly overhead, the bustling city with children running about and playing while their parents watched and chatted with each other, the animals that there were chittering away or chirping happily, the wind ever so slightly blowing as it rustled leaves on the few trees. It was rather pleasant, and he did miss it in a way; but that didn't mean he preferred it to the field. It just made him feel a bit... remorseful, as there was some part of him that saw this lively city and decided to replay old - happy - memories of when Trunks was younger and they lived as a strange yet complete family.
          The times when he and Bulma would watch Trunks playing in the yard, or the times when he would be training his son to fight like a true saiyan warrior- or even the times he actually participated in one of Bulma's odd house parties that he swore he never enjoyed, even if they weren't as horrible as he made them out to be. Those memories seemed so long ago, just out of his reach as his world darkened with each minute that ticked by. It was often he thought about those past times, remembered them in their entirety - in their bright glory that he missed oh so much. He missed being able to stand the sunlight, being able to see his son laugh and smile, being able to look at his wife with anything other than detest and sorrow. He actually missed it.

          They continued to follow the sidewalk towards Capsule Corp., both rather quiet. Goku had his usual cheerful expression etched on his face, only glancing to his side at Vegeta who seemed to be lost in his own mind once again. He couldn't put his finger on it but something about seeing a slight smile form on the prince's features as they walked along put him at ease - and, on top of that, the fact the smaller male kept the flower crown he had made for him on gave him a sense of pride and joy.
          It wasn't much longer until they came to a stop in front of the large capsule home, standing still for a moment as Vegeta seemed to hesitate. Goku's expression fell slightly, "You know, we really don't have to go back if you don't want to." He offered once more, staring over at the shorter saiyan.
          "No, no I'll be fine." Vegeta reassured, waving his hand dismissively at the offer as he took a few steps forward. "You really shouldn't worry so much about me, Kakarot." He stated with a soft smile, glancing over his shoulder at said saiyan following behind him. The prince quickly looked away as Goku gave a shocked expression, not really expecting more to be said on the subject; though that wasn't the case.
          "Well, I'll never stop worrying about you, Vegeta. You're one of the most important people to me!"
         As those words were uttered, the shorter man felt heat rush to his cheeks as he blushed and couldn't fight back a smile at the statements. That wasn't something he expected to hear, ever - and especially not from Goku - but once that was said that odd warm, fluffy feeling returned tenfold.
          The prince shook his head, trying to shake that surprisingly joyful feeling. Though, he found that rather difficult; there was just something about hearing Goku say he cared and that Vegeta was important to him that made the shorter saiyan's heart falter and skip a beat - it made him feel just that: important.
 
          They followed the short path up to the entrance of Capsule Corp., soon halting at the door to say their goodbyes. It was Vegeta who spoke up first, "Well, I guess this is where we go our separate ways?" His tone was soft, friendly even.
          "I suppose, yeah." Goku let out a soft laugh, his usual bright goofy grin taking it's rightful place on his features. His face lit up as he continued on, "Hey, we should spend more time together! Just to, ya know, hang out like we have been."
          The prince nodded quickly in agreement, letting out a soft chuckle. "Sure, I don't see why not. I do enjoy being in that field, and I won't say this ever again but I do enjoy spending time with you." He paused to look up at the taller male, a genuine smile taking place on his face as they locked eyes. "You're a good friend, Kakarot."
          Goku's eyes seemed to soften at the words, his general mood shifting more to one of comfort than just excitement. "You're a good friend too, Vegeta. I'd even go so far as to say a great friend." He stated with certainty, and a surprising amount of confidence - which seemed to brighten the shorter male's mood significantly.
          With that and one last wave goodbye Goku turned to make his way back home, leaving the prince on his own. He waited for the Earth-raised saiyan to disappear from view before he took the first step into his home, that soft smile still in place. It was strange: normally by this time he would be up in his room counting the seconds as they passed - or something  far more destructive - as he had nothing better to do, but seeing the taller man just put him in a good mood. He didn't feel those subconscious desires of pain when he was with Goku, it was like being near the kind-hearted saiyan distracted him from self-harming thoughts. There was just something about Goku that made him feel, for lack of better word, good.
          As he slowly walked through the large home - unknowingly making his way to the bedroom he resided in - he took a detour to pass the living room, stopping as he heard a familiar voice that he dreaded: Bulma. He stood quietly as he listened in on her seemingly one-sided conversation, from the way it sounded it didn't seem like there was another person there in the room with her; which was odd as normally she'd have Yamcha over. But if that Earthling wasn't here, and neither was anyone else, then who was the woman talking to?
          Vegeta was quickly snapped from his thoughts as he heard one word that made panic settle in: party. A party. In a day or two a house party would be thrown at Capsule Corp. - and, apparently, everyone was going to be there. Just from that information, it was clear she was already inviting people to said party and that explained way there it sounded like there wasn't another person there: there wasn't, she was on the phone.
          But she hadn't thrown a party in months, and from the prince's knowledge the blue-haired woman didn't plan on it anytime soon -  especially not after the fight that they had gotten into. She did have a reputation to plan these types of things, but there was usually a reason behind or purpose for such event. And she wouldn't just decide to invite everyone if it didn't benefit her in some way. So what was the real reason for this party?

          What was she planning..?

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Hello! Sorry this took so long, I am running on a bit of a tight schedule. And Bulma throwing a party- so original, I know.
Anyway, stay tuned for the next chapter because I bet what's going to happen will surprise you!