Royal Pains

[fixes_things]

Bulma had long since lost track of just how many times she had been called away from her work and research just to come in and fix the new gravity chamber she had just invented. If the prince of all saiyans would start treating her equipment with a little respect, she might not be so irked. He didn't like being forced to put his training on pause because of a malfunction (in the form of a hole blown into the chamber wall) any more than she enjoyed being yanked from her station to come and fix it. Unlike everyone else, she didn't bow or kiss ass when she was around Vegeta. She definitely wasn't afraid to get in his face and yell just as loud, if not louder, than him.

"You really did a number on it this time. It's not a simple fix. I'm going to need a couple of days to repair the damage and sort out the gravity settings." She remarked with a sharp, annoyed tone to her voice. Leaning over the edge of the panel, the blue haired saiyan looked utterly disgusted at the exposed wires and broken bits of paneling. Bulma had been born with a power level high enough to put her in the elite saiyan status, but instead of becoming a warrior, she chose to devote her time to more scientific matters. It was a real scandal back in the day, but since then she had produced some very useful technology such as the gravity chamber Vegeta seemed so fond of using. Since she created it, she was the only one who could fix it.

"This chamber wasn't designed for your extreme rise in power level over the last couple of months, but we'll have to keep patching it up until I have the time and resources to build another one."

Comments

[fixes_things]

[Her hands are on her hips, her stance betraying a strange combination of confusion and anger. Bulma was probably the only female saiyan in existence who would argue with the prince of all saiyans about becoming his mate. She knew it was an opportunity thousands would never question, but she wasn't like everyone else]

Then give me a reason. Why me? You were the one forbidding me to accept any offers yesterday. I think I deserve to know why, out of all the women on this planet and many others, you want me. I'm not even a warrior.

[keepshispride]

I forbade you from accepting offers from anyone else. [No, Vegeta, you didn't specify.

He glares at Bulma before looking away, ears starting to go slightly red.]

I'm a warrior, I don't need one as my mate. I told you that I planned to choose a mate based on my own criteria. You just... happen to match it.

[fixes_things]

No, you said you forbid me from accepting any offers. I've got a pretty good memory, Vegeta.

[Alright, so he was being tight lipped as usual. She didn't fail to notice how red his ears were becoming though, that would be impossible to miss. Wait. Did he actually...like her? He was so distant and hard to read it was almost impossible to tell the answer to that question. Certainly he found value in her technology, but beyond that?]

That's not really an answer. I want a reason, Vegeta. A real reason.

[She was nuts for asking any of this, she knew. She could name plenty of women who would kill her in cold blood for a chance like this]

You're my prince and I have to obey you, but if you think you can force me into this without my consent, it's going to be long and hellish time together for the both of us. That's not what I want. Is it what you want?

[keepshispride]

If you don't want to, just say that! There's no need for all this questioning!

[Yeah, he's blushing. Come on, Bulma, you either want to do this or you don't, who cares about the reasons!]

I'm not... going to force you if you're going to make a fuss about it, don't worry.

[fixes_things]

Now hold on, I didn't say I didn't want to.

[She just really didn't like how he went and made this decision without her input. Tip for their future together: Don't do that shit again]

After all, you do have some redeeming qualities. Strength, intelligence, easy on the eyes.

[Pretty much ticking off every priority on her list right then and there]

The fact that you just assumed I'd go along with this is what throws me off. You didn't even bother to ask. Afraid you'd get turned down?

[keepshispride]

[Shoulders tense. Maybe, deep down, he'd worried that Bulma was crazy enough to turn down the chance to be the future Queen. She was crazy enough to do a lot of other things, after all!]

Tch. Even you're not that stupid. I shouldn't have to ask you a damn thing.

[fixes_things]

[Oh, she was crazy enough to turn him down, but only if she truly hated him and wanted absolutely nothing to do with him on a romantic, emotional, sexual level]

So what's the harm in asking now? It's not exactly a fun story to tell my friends if the prince of all saiyans just basically told me I'm going to be his mate.

[Come on Vegeta, you can do it]

[keepshispride]

Yes, I'm sure it'd be a much better story if you could say I begged you on my knees instead.

[GLARING. AT. HER.]

Fine! Do you want to be my mate?

[fixes_things]

It would, but I won't bother holding my breath.

[Glare all you want. This is her moment. It's...wow, she didn't think he'd actually do it]

I dunno, this is all just so sudden.

[She said with a teasing grin, enjoying herself far too much. Before Vegeta could become too disgruntled, she placed a hand on his shoulder]

Yeah, definitely the best offer I've ever had. You're the first guy I haven't punched in the face for those very same words.

[Congrats]

[keepshispride]

[HE'S GOING TO KILL RADITZ

oh wait, she said yes. She's touching him. What does he do now he's not sure this is why he wanted to just run for it]

I thought you got that out of the way yesterday. [Punching him, that is.] ... Of course that's the best offer you've had. It's the best offer you could get.

[He's the best! And a little pleased now, finally.]

[fixes_things]

[Just randomly knock him through a wall the next time you see him and don't say a word]

You were punched in the face because you got cocky. Not because you grabbed my ass or palmed my breast and asked if I wanted to mate with you.

[Saiyans really weren't big on romance, but still that was not the way to get Bulma to agree to that sort of thing]

I'm not even going to argue with you on that.

[It's a start. It really is. But now Bulma is going to get back to fixing up the gravity chamber. Only with a bit more pep to her step and a slight sway to her tail]

[keepshispride]

[Vegeta stares at her in silence for a moment and then turns to leave the room again. He'll be back later. But after hearing that, he really does have things to do.

Like killing Raditz.]

[fixes_things]

[Good thing she didn't mention any other names. To be fair, Raditz deserved what was coming his way. Bulma honestly didn't care enough to bother to try and stop a man as stubborn as Vegeta. He wanted the gravity chamber ready by nightfall, so she worked hard to get it fixed. It took a lot of recalibration, more than she had anticipated, but it was ready by the time he returned.

She was standing outside the gravity chamber, leaning against the doorway. Usually she'd be gone by now, but she felt like maybe they should say goodnight? Talk about things more?

If he didn't have anything to say to her she'd definitely bolt to the nearest cafeteria]

Everything is up and running in perfect order, but I need you to be a little bit more gentle with her until I can make the next one. Or else we'll go through this song and dance again and it'll delay the other gravity chamber from being ready.

[keepshispride]

[Kakarrot ended up interfering before Vegeta could finish beating his brother to death, which launched a much more even sided fight between the two of them. Which ended up being almost as fun as pummeling a defenseless Raditz, even if it meant no one died, so when Vegeta makes it back to the gravity room he's a little bloody, a little bruised and in a halfway decent mood.

If that mood is affected in any way by seeing Bulma standing there waiting for him, he refuses to comment.]

I don't do gentle. [Glances inside to make sure everything looks like it's in order before turning back to her.] ... But I'll try not to damage your delicate craftsmanship. Anything else?

[He doesn't have anything else in particular to say, but he's an idiot, Bulma. You may have to take control here.]

[fixes_things]

[For now, Bulma was completely ignorant of what Vegeta had just gotten himself into. Although the clues of a fight were all present and accounted for. Raditz certainly couldn't inflict that kind of damage. She almost wanted to ask. Thankfully she knew better]

Looks like you had a good time. Also, you should be fine so long as you don't blow any more holes in the chamber.

[Anything else? Really, Vegeta?]

You don't want to discuss anything else? Upcoming ceremonies? King Vegeta quite possibly killing my in my sleep? Stuff I should know?

[keepshispride]

[Vegeta's a little annoyed at all this talking- he wants to train! But the mention of his father does get his attention.]

He wouldn't kill you in your sleep. [That's not the saiyan way, after all!] For now he doesn't even know, so you don't have to worry about it. [Vegeta, talk to your father.]

And if he does try anything just tell him to take it up with me. He's no match for me and he knows it.

[fixes_things]

[She crossed her arms over her chest]

He can have me sent off planet for a million reasons, the least of which being his own personal whim.

[But fine, if Vegeta thought he could handle this she would trust him]

He's still the king, Vegeta.

[keepshispride]

I don't care, he can deal with it.

[He cares a lot but whatever King Vegeta will probably just grumble and cope because what the hell can he do.]

[fixes_things]

Okay, well it'll probably go down a bit easier if I'm already carrying your heir.

[She couldn't believe these words were coming out of her mouth, let alone this idea]

So, whenever you want to provide a sample, I can take over the process from there.

[Right, because actually having sexual intercourse to procreate could take months. This was the fastest, easiest route to take.

So sexy, right?]

[keepshispride]

[What

Is this flirting

she's not serious]

... "Provide a sample"?

[fixes_things]

[Oh, she's serious alright. The look on Vegeta's face made some of her discomfort go away, replaced by amusement]

Sperm sample? You know, I told you yesterday I have a frozen sample of my eggs. It doesn't have to be right away.

[Hey, he's the one who decided to just claim her as his mate. How is she the strange one for suggesting a perfectly routine procedure?]

[keepshispride]

[How does he tell her that he'd rather have sex than do that without being incredibly awkward? God damn it, Bulma, help him]

... You wouldn't rather do it the normal way first?

[fixes_things]

Sex?

[Bulma paused for a moment. It wasn't that the thought hadn't occurred to her before. Believe it or not, the prince of all saiyans had had a starring role in some of her more vivid and feverish dreams lately]

Hm, come closer.

[Of course she refused to answer his question right away. There was a little test she wanted to perform first]

[keepshispride]

No, we'd call up the space stork of course I mean sex!

[Bulma, you're killing him. Vegeta glares at her. How dare she give him orders... But fine. Feeling contrary, he takes a step forward to get right up in Bulma's personal space, maintaining intense eye contact all the while.]

Well?

[fixes_things]

[Bulma decided not to comment on his first retort. After all, a good relationship was about picking your battles. And yeah it was still weird to think of them being in a relationship. Saiyan couples rarely became attached, it was a sign of weakness, but sexual chemistry was certainly a paramount reason to mate. Offspring being a secondary reason and/or consequence]

Do yourself a favor and shut up for once.

[She leaned in just far enough to inhale softly against his neck, taking in the rich musk of his scent mixed with the intoxicating blend of sweat from his earlier fight. It was the perfect aphrodisiac for a female saiyan.

She wrapped her arms around his neck just as her lips brushed his. Tentative and uncertain at first, but swiftly losing all form of decorum as she pressed her whole body against his and deepened the kiss]