Chapter Text
It was early in the morning, and Vegeta was already en route to Goku's café. He had just enough time to have a quick meal before heading off to work. It helped that the café was also located so close to the subway.
Vegeta toggled between looking at the navigation on his phone, and watching the streets. It was only then that he realised this was the first time he really looked at the café's exterior, and the environment around it. Turns out being dead drunk didn't help with memory.
The street was unfamiliar, with more artsy-type buildings compared to the towering offices that Vegeta was used to. Traffic was low, but it was early.
Thankfully, Goku's café was pretty recognisable. Wedged between two taller, dark grey buildings, Café Four Star was a short, brick red building with black window frames. Plants hung out of the top floor window sill, with vines clinging to the walls down to the cracks of the concrete pavement.
Vegeta pocketed his phone and headed straight for it. He was just going to try their breakfast, then leave for work. There wasn't any deeper motives or meaning. It was just. Breakfast.
But with every step Vegeta took closer to the establishment, his chest started to feel tighter. He his growing heartbeat travelled to his fingertips.
When he stood right before the door, Vegeta grasped his chest and had to remind himself to breathe.
Why the fuck was he so nervous?!
Gods, was it too soon to come back again? He puked his guts out here just the other day. What if that made things too awkward? How was he going to face Goku? Fuck, if Goku started to talk to him about yesterday's incident, Vegeta might die on the-
"Ahem?"
Someone cleared their throat behind him, and Vegeta jolted out of his spiralling. He spun around, and met eyes with another gentleman.
The stranger quirked a brow at him. "Are you...going in?"
Vegeta's words were caught in his throat, so he could only stand to one side, letting the other man through.
The man gave him a curt nod, then pushed open the door. When he did, Vegeta caught a brief glimpse of Goku sweeping near the entrance.
It was just a short flash, but Vegeta's heart skipped. Instantly, his brain screamed at him to just run and get his breakfast somewhere else, but unfortunately Goku had also caught sight of Vegeta.
Goku's expression was a mix of pleasant surprise and pure happiness, which was a feat considering how early it was. He gave a small wave at Vegeta before greeting the customer that had walked in.
As the door swung shut, Vegeta collapsed against the nearest wall, face buried in both his hands. Goku saw him. He saw Vegeta standing outside the shop like some moron! Why couldn't he have just entered like a normal person?!
Vegeta seriously contemplated escaping from here, but the door opened again, with Goku popping his head out the door.
"Hello again! You're pretty early!" Goku chirped energetically. He was bouncing lightly on the spot, like the unending joy inside him was raring to burst out of his skin. "I'm so happy to see you!"
Vegeta was momentarily stunned by his enthusiasm. "Uh, yeah," wow, what a witty response. He could almost run straight into traffic.
"Well, c'mon in!" Goku opened the door wider, and ushered Vegeta in with a hand. "The day just started, so everything's extra fresh and the food will be piping hot,"
Vegeta's rampant overthinking was quickly squashed by how casual Goku was. He let out an exhale of relief, allowing himself to be swept up to Goku's pace.
He made his way in, not used to seeing the café so empty. Still, the lack of liveliness didn't take away the homey feeling of the store. This time, there was a more gentler vibe, with soft sunlight streaming in and bathing the interior in a soft glow.
Vegeta chose a seat in a corner, and Goku trailed behind him, handing over a menu before holding up a chalkboard. "So for today, the special is pumpkin soup, and I recommend the English breakfast,"
Vegeta scanned the menu. It was just one sheet of laminated paper, with food on one side and beverages on the other. As much as he wanted to try the special, he needed to fulfill his craving for that grilled cheese he ate. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about it, and his appetite was actively rejecting any other foods.
However, there wasn't a single mention of that dish anywhere on the menu. Vegeta even checked the drinks section.
Goku noticed Vegeta's fervent searching, and quickly interjected. "Are you trying to find something?"
"It's...not here," Vegeta set the menu down. He narrowed his eyes at Goku. "The grilled cheese you made me yesterday,"
"Oh," Goku's eyes widened. "Oooh," a light pink dusted his cheeks, and he lifted a hand to rub his neck nervously. "That's just something I whipped up myself. Besides, Chi Chi is usually the one that does the cooking,"
Vegeta widened his eyes. "You're not the chef?"
Goku chuckled, feeling a little haughty from the indirect praise. "Nope, I don't think I'm that good either. Chi Chi's the real pro. She taught me everything I know,"
Chi Chi? Ah, he must be referring to the loud woman yesterday, wearing the chef's uniform. If Goku thought that this 'Chi Chi' cooked even better meals than him, Vegeta felt his expectations skyrocket for the food here.
Even then, Vegeta still found himself craving a good grilled cheese. He tried to let go of the disheartened feeling that bubbled in his gut. "Ah, I see,"
Goku was either really perceptive, or Vegeta's poker face needed some retraining, because the former immediately spoke up. "I can make some for you again? The grilled cheese,"
Vegeta blinked. "You can?"
"Sure!" Goku grinned. "Just..." His voice dropped to a hushed whisper. "Make sure you keep this secret menu item between us," he winked.
Vegeta pursed his lips, feeling his chest start to pound again. Fuck, was he going into cardiac arrest? "Hn, if you don't mind..."
Goku tucked the chalkboard back under his arm and gave Vegeta a thumbs up. "Okay, I'm on it! I'll be right back," with that, he scurried off to the kitchen.
Vegeta set the menu down and started doing breathing exercises to clam his nerves down again.
~
A few minutes later, Goku was walking out of the kitchen. However, he had not just one, but two grilled cheese in one hand, alongside a stack of Tupperware on the other. He was almost skipping his way over to Vegeta.
"Alrighty, thanks for waiting," Goku's started to set all the food on the table, and it looked more like a feast than a simple breakfast. "I hope you don't mind, but I figured we could have some leftovers from yesterday as sides,"
Vegeta was almost too overwhelmed by the spread of food to catch what Goku had said. "We?"
Goku went ahead and took a seat across Vegeta, and grinned. "Yeah! I'm having my breakfast too,"
The sudden change of events felt like whiplash. What started as a simple breakfast turned into some impromptu food date. The anxiety from everything would've killed his appetite if not for the overpowering smell of delicious food that brought it back.
Vegeta's mouth was involuntarily watering at just the scent. "What is all of this?"
Goku rubbed his hands together excitedly. "Okay, so we got baked beans and eggs," he started to point at and introduce each side dish. "Some stir fried vegetables, honey roasted chicken, mushrooms, and finally, tiramisu for dessert,"
"And you can eat all of this?"
"Yup!" Goku was already getting the utensils. "I love eating, and I can eat a lot. Chi Chi says that I would've eaten all the café food if I was in charge of the kitchen,"
He passed Vegeta a set of utensils. "Besides, I'm not the only one digging in. Feel free to eat whatever you want!"
Vegeta took the utensils, muttering a soft thanks. He knew he had a big appetite himself, but Goku might give him a run for his money.
Cheerfully, Goku started to dig in, humming a cheerful tune and doing short, happy dances after every bite. It was almost...endearing.
Vegeta took his first bite of the chicken, and despite being microwaved, it was still comparable to some restaurant food. Vegeta's eyes went wide in surprise, one hand covering his mouth as he revelled in the taste.
"Tastes so good right?" Goku licked his lips. "That's Chi Chi's cooking for ya, the quality still lingers after a day. Now just imagine how great it is freshly made,"
Vegeta swallowed, already thinking of trying the dinner here. "It's amazing,"
"Right??" Goku spoke proudly. "My grilled cheese might as well be the side, haha,"
"I don't think so," Vegeta suddenly blurted out. "Your cooking is just as good,"
When Vegeta didn't get a response for a hot second, the reality of his words struck him. He was doing too much. Goku was praising Chi Chi's cooking, so she probably meant a lot to him. Fuck, why did he have to take Goku's joke so literally?!
Vegeta waved a hand dismissively, quickly taking his words back. "I don't mean that her cooking is bad, it's just..."
Vegeta started to trail off when he caught Goku's expression turn cheeky. The waiter was resting his elbows on the table, chin perched on his hands. "Yeah? So you like my cooking?"
Vegeta blushed, stabbing the vegetables with more force than he needed to. "You're not going to fish any more compliments from me,"
Goku pouted. "Aww! C'mon! I want you to praise me more!"
"Forget it, not going to happen again,"
"Oh please? I took the time to cook for you and everything!" Goku whined .
Vegeta grumbled, contemplating his life choices. "Grhh, fine. Your cooking is good. There. Are you happy?"
"Yay!" Goku cheered, hands shooting up in celebration. "I've got myself my first fan,"
Vegeta narrowed his eyes at Goku, pointing at him threateningly with a fork. "Fan is pushing it,"
The rest of the meal was eaten in companiable silence. Vegeta was truly enjoying his food, when he recalled something that irked him the other day.
Kakarot. That name. This was probably the best time to ask him about it. It was probably none of Vegeta's business, but that mystery was going to bother him for as long as he remembered it.
Vegeta awkwardly cleared his throat, catching Goku's attention. "Is...you can ignore this if it's too personal, but is 'Goku' your real name?"
Goku looked a little surprised at the question. "Oh, no it's not. How'd you know?"
Vegeta realised that he had indirectly confessed to snooping around. He winced, averting his eyes from Goku. "I just so happened to see something when I was in your room. Unintentionally,"
Goku hummed. "I see...but yeah, 'Goku' is just a nickname my grandad gave me. It just kinda stuck and now everyone calls me that, not that I mind," he took a bite of his grilled cheese. "It's easier to say and spell,"
"Hn, that's their problem," Vegeta scoffed. "You should have more pride in the name your parents gave you,"
Vegeta had his fair share of people trying to shorten his name, or give him nicknames just to avoid properly saying his name or spelling it incorrectly. It felt degrading, like his name wasn't worth the effort to learn.
Goku shrugged. "I dunno, I'm not so attached to it, and I like this name,"
Vegeta already knew the answer, but he asked anyway. "What's your birth name?"
"Kakarot," Goku giggled. "Wow, you're making this feel like a date with all these personal questions,"
Vegeta sputtered. "It's just a matter of curiosity!"
Goku wiggled his brows at Vegeta. "So all it takes is some good grilled cheese?"
"Shut. Up," Vegeta hissed, feeling his face grow hot.
Goku laughed, letting out a light exhale as he smiled. "Anyways, barely anyone calls me that. Other than my family,"
Vegeta reeled his composure back. "How do you spell it? Your real name?"
"K-A-K-A-R-O-T," Goku answered. "Like carrot, but a middle schooler spelled it and wanted to make it cool,"
"Kakarot," Vegeta echoed. "I'll call you that from now on,"
Goku shrugged. "Sure," he started to grin mischievously. "Now that you asked me a personal question, now I get to return the favour!"
Vegeta was still in the middle of eating, but gestured to Goku to continue. It was only fair, and Vegeta didn't think he had much to hide.
"Okay, here goes," Goku leaned on the table, his brows furrowed seriously.
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
Vegeta choked. He hit his chest, trying to gather himself. Of all things, he didn't expect Goku to be so straightforward, but he really should've guessed.
"Wh-what?" Vegeta managed to speak between coughs.
"Like, are you dating anyone?" Goku repeated nonchalantly. "You look really mature, so you must have a lot of experience,"
Vegeta had zero experience. None. He was a lonely gay man with a sour attitude no one wanted to deal with. "I'm n-not dating anyone,"
Goku looked genuinely surprised. "Really? Wait, how old are you?"
It was one brutal curve ball after another. Vegeta felt like he was at his relatives reunion dinner again. "I'm in my 30s,"
"Ohh," Goku processed the information. "I'm 25, by the way,"
Holy shit, Goku was only 25, and he already owned his own restaurant. Sure, the place was small and there were only two staff members-as far as Vegeta could tell-but at least he was in charge of his own life. Vegeta had been working under someone all this time.
That fact was both daunting and a little enviable.
Vegeta growled. "Romance doesn't follow a timer. Hell, it doesn't even need to happen at all,"
"Hmm, I guess so," Goku hummed. "But I guess that makes the both of us. I don't have a girlfriend either,"
Goku didn't have a girlfriend? From how often he was talking about that female chef, and how protective she was of Goku, Vegeta had assumed the opposite.
Vegeta frowned. "Chi Chi isn't your girlfriend?"
Goku was stunned for a second, before he burst into laughter. "Hahaha! No way, she's like a sister to me,"
Goku didn't have a girlfriend.
He was single.
Single.
That meant Vegeta has a-
"Vegeta? You okay? You're looking a little lost there," Goku spoke worriedly.
Vegeta jolted back into reality. What was he thinking?! Just because Goku was single didn't mean he was into men. Or was even interested in Vegeta. His first impression wasn't exactly charming.
"No, it's nothing," Vegeta murmured. "Do you always get this personal with your customers?"
Goku shrugged. "You started it,"
Vegeta huffed, finishing his food. He checked his watch, and realised it was already half an hour past the time he had allocated for breakfast.
He stood up abruptly, face paled in shock. Goku startled at Vegeta's suddenly movement.
"I'm late for work," Vegeta hurriedly packed his bag, then gestured at the cash register. "Quickly, let me pay for the food and I'll be off,"
Goku waved a hand dismissively. "Oh this is all on me! You should go quickly before your boss gets mad!"
"What?" Owing someone a debt had to be Vegeta's top ten least favourite things. "Just ring up the register and let me pay!"
Goku finally got onto his feet, but instead of heading over to the cash register, he pushed Vegeta towards the door. "It's okay! Just get going already!"
Vegeta dragged his feet all the way to the exit. He was absolutely baffled. "Why won't you let me pay?!"
"It's my treat!" Goku retorted. "You can pay the next time you eat here!"
Next time he eats here.
Goku was assuming Vegeta was going to come over again. Vegeta scoffed.
"Fine! But you better not pull this shit again!" Vegeta held his bag tightly before rushing to the nearest subway.
"Good luck at work!" Goku waved enthusiastically behind him.
~
As expected, Vegeta ended up late for work.
Thankfully, his excellent work record allowed him a pass this time. Plus, having your best friend -his only friend- as your boss had it's privileges.
The day passed more or less the same, until lunch came around. The sounds of people leaving their desks to meet up with their colleagues to eat, whether it be at the cafeteria downstairs or outside of work filled the once quiet office with life.
Vegeta usually ate a convenience store meal alone at his desk. Just as he fished out his wallet from his briefcase, an unexpected guest peered over his divider.
"Hey hey hey, if it isn't my favourite employee," Bulma chirped, a steaming cup of coffee in hand. The caffeine was so strong that Vegeta could taste it wafting in the air. "C'mon, I need updates! What happened to you yesterday?"
Vegeta stood up and started to make his way to the lobby. Unfortunately, Bulma started trailing behind him.
"Don't you have CEO things to do," Vegeta clicked the lift button to go down.
"Yeah, but this is far more interesting," Bulma took a sip of her drink without a single wince from the bitterness. Sometimes, Vegeta wondered if the daughter of the world's biggest tech company was an android herself. "That Goku fellow is quite the looker too,"
Vegeta growled under his breath. "There's nothing-" then, he noticed something strange.
Vegeta slowly turned to Bulma, brows furrowed. "Goku? How do you know about him?"
Bulma grinned behind her cup, which was unnerving. "I have my ways,"
Vegeta grimaced. "Are you stalking me?"
"So, Goku's your type?" Bulma deflected. She hummed, closing her eyes in thought. "Honestly, I thought you'd go for someone more...blehh,"
Vegeta turned to the lift, trying to ignore her.
"You also like 'em young, huh?"
The lift couldn't come any slower.
"He only helped me recover that night, and nothing more," Vegeta spoke curtly. "You're reading into something that isn't there,"
"Hmm...if you say so," Bulma didn't sound convinced.
After what felt like an eternity, the elevator dinged, and the doors opened to an empty lift. Vegeta entered it, and to his despair, Bulma followed behind him.
Instead of following him tot the first floor, Bulma pressed the button for the fourth floor. Thankfully, Bulma actually had 'CEO things to do'.
As the lift descended, Bulma continued her pestering. "I think it's good, y'know? That you're talking to someone other than me or Yamcha,"
Vegeta scoffed. "Your boytoy only talks to me because you force him to,"
"Hey, this time it's serious," Bulma huffed. "Still, Goku seems like a good person. Try not to put him off too much with your terrible attitude,"
Vegeta crossed his arms defensively over his chest. "There's nothing between us,"
The elevator dinged on Bulma's selected floor. She walked out the metal box and gave Vegeta a little wave. "Have a good lunch Vegeta, let me know if anything happens!"
"Don't hold your breath," Vegeta replied, just as the doors closed again.
~
Vegeta bought his usual bento from the convenience store, alongside a cold can of coffee. He then returned back upstairs, settling in his seat as he opened his meal.
As Vegeta took his first bite, its peculiar taste hits him. Vegeta frowned. There was a distinct drop in its quality.
Vegeta picked up the lid of the bento, checking if he had bought the correct food, alongside the expiry date. Everything looked as per normal.
The bento tasted bland. Much more bland than before. Vegeta had this same meal the other day. There was no way there could be such a drastic change in taste overnight.
It tasted so much worse than Goku's food.
Realisation hits him like a train. Vegeta covered his mouth with a hand.
"Fuck...there's no way," Vegeta pursed his lips.
Goku's cooking had ruined his sense of taste. His stomach was now constantly craving his food.
"You can pay the next time you eat here!"
Vegeta grit his teeth.
He hated that Goku was right.