Art Jam - First Kiss

“What do you want woman?!” a voice snapped, the hint of annoyance not even trying to be subtle.

There was a slight clink as a china plate was set down on the bedside table next to the double bed which the prince was sat on, his back to the door of the room.

“I couldn’t sleep so I made some toast,” Bulma replied, “I thought you might like some. I saw the light was on under your door and figured you can’t sleep either.”

Vegeta gave a little snort in response but still didn’t turn to look at her. He sat with his head supported on his gloved hand, leaning forwards slightly with his elbow using his muscular thigh as something to rest on. He was staring out the window, up into the deep night sky that was scattered with bright pinpricks of stars.

“What’s bothering you Vegeta?” Bulma asked, folding her arms in a relaxing style. She stepped closer to the bed, on the opposite side to where the prince was sat.

“Nothing,” he said. His brow creased and his eyebrows knitted together as he scowled out the window, trying to resume his musings. Bulma sighed gently, knowing that he wouldn’t tell her if she pressed the issue. She scuffed the toes of her slippers softly along the floor, wondering what to say next in the awkward moment.

After a minute of silence, she spoke.

“Can I sit with you for a bit?”

Vegeta broke his pose, sitting up straight and twisting round to look at Bulma. She was wearing a light dressing gown, with a vest top and shorts underneath. Her eyes had a tired look to them, but at the same time they were awake and her hair looked like she’d been tossing and turning in her bed, trying to fall asleep but failing. He took in her stance; fatigued, lonely and slightly emotional. He could tell she wasn’t feeling her normal self. As he turned round to face the window again he made his decision.

“If you want.”

He knew there was no point arguing with her in that state. It would be no fun. And seeing as they were both awake they might as well enjoy the beautiful night sky. Vegeta’s room got the best views; a balcony overlooked the city which was silent as the inhabitants slept. The door to it was open, a light cool breeze sweeping in gently, bringing in the smell of the night. Crisp and fresh, it tingled in Vegeta’s nose pleasantly.

Bulma cautiously stepped round to the side of the bed Vegeta was sat on, and sat down next to him softly, trying not to disturb him. She put her arms by her sides with her palms face down on the bed, helping her to balance, and stretched her legs out, her toes pointing up at the window Vegeta was staring out of once more.
Her ankle clicked as she flexed her feet and Vegeta’s ear twitched. He pulled up out of his thinking pose.

“What’s bothering you Bulma?”

Bulma’s head jerked up to look at him, a mixture of shock and amazement on her face. Had she heard correctly? Did he just call her Bulma? And more importantly, did he just ask about her welfare?

“I.. I’m ok...” she stuttered. Vegeta could tell she was hiding something, he had felt her heart rate increase.

“No, you’re not. I can tell.”

Bulma’s eyes widened. Why was Vegeta acting this way? Suddenly his personality had shifted from arrogant to caring. He had never cared before, never said sorry when he had made her cry with his insults.
Vegeta cocked his head to look at Bulma and leaned back slightly, his arms out behind him propping him up.

“Well?” He persisted.

Bulma didn’t know what to say. The truth dared to break free from her but she kept it back. He would only laugh at her or insult her, and she didn’t feel like she could take it.

“I just felt like you might need some company,” she said. Vegeta raised an eyebrow. “And I also wanted some company. I couldn’t sleep.”

“Hmm...” Vegeta knew what was up with her now.

“What?” Bulma said, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Well, normally when you can’t sleep you go and sit in front of the television with a tub of ice cream and a blanket wrapped round you.”

How did he know that?! Had he been spying on her?

“How...?” Bulma began but Vegeta butted in.

“You’ve broken up with that idiot human haven’t you.”

It wasn’t a question. It was a statement. And he was right.

“I... Yes... How...?” Bulma couldn’t find what she wanted to say. How did Vegeta know this?

“I heard you on the phone with him after dinner.” Vegeta said, simply. “You’ve spent the evening in your room instead of in the lab fixing bots and my GR. Also I can smell the tears on you.”

Bulma wiped self-consciously at her face, trying to remove the invisible trace of her earlier tears. Vegeta lay back on the bed, his arms behind his head.

“I couldn’t understand what he saw in you anyway,” he said, beginning to turn back to his normal self, “I mean look at you. You’re hideous and fat with ridiculous blue hair. Why would anyone want you?”

Bulma glared at him, hate, anger and hurt filling her eyes. Vegeta smirked. That pushed her over the edge.

“Well at least I HAD someone!” she exploded, slapping her hands down on the mattress. “Unlike you, who acts like he is too good for anyone, like the people on this planet are nothing but dog muck on his boot! I bet you couldn’t get someone even if you paid them! I bet you haven’t even ever had a girlfriend!”

Vegeta blurred as he sat up so quick, suddenly stopping with his face inches from Bulma’s.

“Oh really?” he said, “What makes you think that?”

“Hmm, let’s see...” Bulma said, sarcasm in her voice, “Well, you are so charming with words. Insults just flow from your mouth like honey and let’s not forget your wonderful personality! Huge mood swings to go along with arrogance and a massive ego!”

Vegeta snorted, his breath catching her face.

“Is that all?”

Bulma didn’t know what to say. Feeling his breath on her face had made her feel woozy. She shook her head trying to clear it so she could think straight. Vegeta laughed softly to himself and lay back down on the bed.

“You don’t know anything about my past.”

Bulma looked down at him. His face was hard, his jet black eyes fixed on the ceiling. There was a peculiar look in his eyes, like pain and anger... different to the normal look of annoyance and superiority.

“What happened?” Bulma asked, shifting herself so she was sat cross-legged on the bed facing Vegeta. He looked up at her, curious.

“Why are you here?” He asked, rolling onto his side and holding his head up on a clenched fist, with his arm flexed. His question took Bulma by surprise but she quickly answered him the same as before.

“I told you, I brought you some toast and wanted some company.”

“But why MY company?” Vegeta continued to question. “We don’t get on so why come to me?”

“I...” Bulma was stuck for an answer. She couldn’t tell him why.

“What was the reason for you breaking up with idiot boy?” he changed the question. This she could answer easily.

“It wasn’t working out,” she replied.

Vegeta looked at her. She was telling the truth but it felt like something was missing...

“You ended it?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“It wasn’t working out. I said...”

“You’re lying.” Vegeta said, sitting up properly, cross-legged as she was. “There must be a reason.”

“And that reason being... it wasn’t working out!” Bulma said, getting frustrated. Why was his pressing on with this issue so?

Vegeta leaned forward, his nose almost touching Bulma’s, his breath tickling her face and his eyes staring right into hers. Bulma’s heart rate increased in alarm with his proximity. She felt different emotions flying round her: fear, panic... and pleasure?

“What was the reason?” Vegeta asked, not breaking his gaze from hers. Bulma felt like she could hide it no longer. Him being this close to her was driving her crazy, the smell of his breath, the feel of it on her face, the beautiful onyx eyes staring right into her sapphire blue. She had to tell him, it felt right.

“I...” she began. Vegeta’s gaze still didn’t move. “I... I like you Vegeta... I really LIKE you...”

She had said it. Now she waited for his reaction.
His gaze was still fixed to hers, but there was a look of wonder in his eyes. He had not been expecting that...

“You asked, I said it. Laugh at me or insult me. I don’t care. I can’t help it that I find you incredibly attractive.”

Vegeta still said nothing, but he leaned back, still not breaking eye contact. Bulma looked at him pleadingly, willing him to speak.
After a long pause, Vegeta moved and sat back in the position Bulma had first found him in. His head resting on his hand as he looked out the window into the night sky.

“Vegeta, say something.”

He did not, and got up. He walked to the open door leading to the balcony.

“Please.” Bulma pleaded. Vegeta stopped in the doorway.

“Come outside.” He said, walking out onto the balcony. Bulma immediately got up and followed him.

As she stepped out onto the cold stoned balcony, she night air hit her. It felt fresh and clean and gently blew her hair so it tickled her face. She tucked it back behind her ears. She noticed how silent the city was. Not even birdsong was present. She looked at Vegeta who was leaning against the wall with his arms folded. It looked like he was thinking deeply. She slowly walked over to him.
When she reached him, she could see he had his eyes shut.

“Vegeta?” she whispered. His eyes remained closed, trying to block her out so he could think.

“Vegeta?” she asked again.

“Quiet,” he said, “I’m thinking.”

“O..ok...” Bulma said. She stepped backwards a bit and sat down on the plastic garden chair that was next to the door.

What seemed like forever passed. Vegeta didn’t move. He didn’t even seem to be breathing. Bulma scooped her legs up onto the chair, wrapping her arms round them and holding them to her chest. She waited. When he was ready, he would talk. Then she heard Vegeta sigh. She looked over to see him relax out of the leaning stance and walk over to her.

“Go inside.” He said. Bulma got up and walked back into his room obediently. For him to tell her what he had just been thinking about she would have to cooperate. And she was willing to do that.

She stood in the middle of his room, unsure of whether to sit or not. Vegeta walked in and closed the door behind him. He went over to the bed and sat down where he had before. Bulma went and sat down tentatively next to him.

“I needed the cool peaceful air to think clearly.” He said. This was a side of Vegeta Bulma had never seen before. One she was pretty sure had not surfaced for many years. One that he had worked hard to keep hidden, deep within him. And now he was bringing down the walls he had so carefully built over time to protect himself. Just for her.

“Vegeta, I...” Vegeta held up a hand and Bulma shushed.

“What is it that you want from me exactly?” He asked. Bulma was puzzled.

“I... um I don’t know exactly... I just have these strong feelings for you... I love our arguments even though you can make me cry... we seem to connect somehow otherwise we both know that you would’ve destroyed this place by now. And I don’t want that connection to go...”

Bulma fell silent and Vegeta looked thoughtful. There were still many barriers he had up between them. Bulma could tell as he seemed uneasy as she scooted up closer to him.

“Vegeta?” He turned his head to look at her.

“Close your eyes.” Bulma commanded. The prince looked suspicious of her, but, to Bulma’s surprise, did as he was told. Bulma’s heart started skipping and butterflies bounced round her stomach. She leaned forwards, her face now close to Vegeta’s. She breathed out slowly and saw him flinch slightly as her warm sweet breath wafted across his face. Bulma swallowed and breathed in. She leant forward, closing her eyes, and pressed her lips against Vegeta’s. She felt him freeze as she gently kissed his lips. Her lips parted and came together again, catching his lower lip between hers. She let go and pulled back, opening her eyes. She saw Vegeta’s expression. It was soft, his eyes still shut. He breathed out slowly in a sigh. Bulma was unsure whether he looked like he enjoyed it or was terrified by it. Then he opened his eyes and stared straight into hers. Bulma had never seen that look in them before. She couldn’t explain it, but knew he liked it, knew he was new to it, but wanted to learn. She smiled and Vegeta blushed slightly, which Bulma found cute. She reached out with her hand and touched his face. His gaze remained fixed on hers, and he leaned towards her. Bulma wrapped her arms around his neck as their lips met once again. Bulma parted her lips and teasingly ran her tongue across Vegeta’s lips, trying to get him to let her in. She could feel that he was unsure what to do. His lips remained pressed together but Bulma didn’t give up, still gently teasing and poking, trying to find a way into his mouth. A few seconds later, Vegeta’s lips parted. Their hot breath exchanged and Bulma ran her tongue round the inside of his mouth, running along his teeth and tenderly across his tongue. Vegeta became curious and adventurous. His hands caressed Bulma’s waist and his tongue ventured into her mouth.  Slowly and sensuously they kissed, exploring each other’s mouths, feeling the warmth of each other’s bodies as they pressed together.
A while later, their mouths parted and they both sighed and gasped for air. Bulma smiled sweetly at the prince, pleased and happy. He did not smile back, but he did not have the usual scowl on his face. His eyes had a spark to them that Bulma had not seen before.

“Think you can get some sleep now?” he asked, gently. Bulma nodded and smiled again.

“Yes, I think so.” She got up off the bed and slowly walked to the door to the hallway. Vegeta watched her as she walked, still feeling the sensation of her lips on his, the taste of her tongue in his mouth.
Bulma paused in the doorway.

“Thank you.” She said. And then she left, her footsteps fading as she walked down the hall to her room. Vegeta heard her door shut and then lay down on the bed, staring up on the ceiling.

For a long time he had never felt like this. Did he feel content? Happy? Whatever this feeling was, it had not been felt for a long time.

He sighed and closed his eyes, his arms folding under his head. He felt like he could sleep peacefully. He gave a little smirk as he drifted off, thinking of that moment he had just shared with Bulma.

His first kiss.