AN- Where did all this fluff come from? Anyway, enjoy!

Bulma appeared unsurprised to find herself back at his house. Three months hadn't changed much of the outward appearance yet that didn't stop Vegeta from getting nervous as she walked through the threshold after so much time had passed. He swallowed thickly at the thought of what he had to offer, unsure of how she would respond. She momentarily paused, as he brusquely sucked in air, taking her hand in the process to quell the rough tides of anxiety in his stomach. The tension that was building in his chest dissipated somewhat as he felt her moderately squeeze back. He hoped it was in reassurance. He needed it.

He steadily made his way to the forbidden part of the house and her blue eyebrows raised. "Your studio? You're finally gonna let me in your studio?" She asked, hintings of anticipation laced in her tone.

His hand gripping the doorknob, he nodded as the muscles in his cheek twitched. He'd never willingly let anyone in. Not anyone he cared about, anyway. Krillin meandered through his private space occasionally but never appeared interested or aware enough for Vegeta to feel any sort of discomfort. The agent's opinion meant very little to him. She was different. It was difficult with those he trusted. Like baring his bleeding soul within the four inconspicuous walls.

As the door opened, he watched her face go from curious intrigue to disenchantment as she looked around at what was just an art studio. She glanced slowly over the wall of tubed oils arranged by shade, a thick oak workstation covered in dry but worn out brushes spilling along its surface, some resting on the paint-stained floor below. Her nose crinkled at the stale air of lingering turpentine, unventilated.

"Why wasn't I allowed in here again?" she queried unamused and noticeably let down.

He tensed where he stood. Her crestfallen inspection of his workspace was the last thing on his mind.

"I like to keep some things private. Stand here." He responded flatly as he maneuvered her to the center of the room. Her prying gaze traveled along the small space, over every item, searching for some hidden treasure amongst the empty canvases and glossy paints to only come up empty-handed and thoroughly disappointed.

It wasn't until he strode stiffly over to one corner, the sun brightening the wall with its midday glow that she finally settled her surveying eyes on a white sheet covering an inconspicuous rectangular shape.

She wrinkled her brows together as he exhaled, gripped the sheet and in one swift movement, revealed its secrets.

Vegeta turned his head and stared at the wall to his immediate left, so as to not see her reaction. He felt his face turn beet red with embarrassment for showing something so personal to the one person who he swore he would never show. He admitted to being less than adept at saying how he felt. Painting was his outlet of expression.

She's gonna hate it. He cringed. It's fucking stupid. I'm such an idiot for bringing her here. Idiot! It's awful. It's-

"Beautiful." He heard her breath hitch.

"No it's not." he denied adamantly, folding his arms tightly across his chest with a downcast scowl.

"Yes, it is." she insisted.

It was then he turned to see the awe on her face, the glitter in her eyes that never left his mind, the smile he'd seen a hundred times, her mouth slightly parted. He finally looked up at the piece and saw what she saw.

Stretches of midnight blue sky dotted with glowing nebulous, lavender clouds that drifted along the taut linen, the birth of newborn stars occupying the void with blazing tailed comets. They propelling fiercely through inky black skies yet paled in comparison to the focal point taking up nearly 3/4th of the center of the canvas. A portrait gazed back, shaped in delicate watercolor, oil paint, and other media, eclipsing the bordering cosmos. His most famous work made inconsequential to the glacial blue outlined cheeks and pouty lips he had kissed, ocean green and aqua tresses cascading in a waterfall of waves he relished running his calloused fingers through, partially closed teal eyes gazing off-canvas beneath long lashes that haunted his dreams and his wakefulness, carrying the universe within them. Those clear blue irises were the one part he was truly proud of. He at least got her eyes right.

"It's amazing." She whispered through her hands that had found their way to cover her mouth. He watched her vision drag listlessly over every detail he had made. She saw something worthwhile. He couldn't help noticing the flaws.

"It's yours." He said bluntly, leaning up against the far wall, arms still tight across his chest.

She looked at him bewildered. With a thankful smile, she peered back at the painting in wonderment.

"Is that me?" She asked.

He grunted in conformation, scratching the toe of his boot on the blemished floor.

She scoffed, disbelieving. "I am not that pretty."

"It doesn't do you justice," he mumbled under his breath.

"It's perfect."

He raised an eyebrow in dismissal. "Hardly."

"You're so hard on yourself." She placed two fingertips gently to the raised textures of his work then pulled back with a sympathetic smile.

He rubbed the heels of his hands into his eye sockets with a groan. "I've never been very good at saying how I… feel. I never know what to say to you." He disclosed, averting his stare.

Bulma chuckled in understanding and slowly closed the distance between them. "So this was to show me?" She asked. He felt absolutely exposed under her gaze.

"More or less." He croaked out, meeting her eyes with his own furtive one.

"What does it mean?" She inquired, placing specific emphasis on the last word.

"It's for your own interpretation." He responded, avoiding the hidden truth behind it.

"No, I think I'm gonna need you to explain it to me." She pressed. He wilted in reluctance.

"This is punishment, isn't it?"

"You're damn right, it is." She grinned, her hands on her hips. He couldn't help the smile tugging at his face seeing her playful nature come through after so long.

He cleared his throat loudly and thrust out his hand near the piece as he stared at the floor awkwardly. "There are galaxies…"

"Yeah."

"And stars and comets surrounding…" the words sticking to his tongue like glue as the redness from before was coming back in full force to his cheeks and ears.

"My face." She concluded for him with a light giggle.

"Yes."

"So why put me up there in this universe?"

You keep me grounded. "I like you. I still like you." He mumbled with difficulty.

She cocked her head coquettishly. "Are you saying I'm the center of your universe?"

His mouth hung agape with humiliation. "I'm going to burn it." He said with dark finality.

Bulma outstretched her arms in defense with a gasp. "No, you won't. It's too beautiful and you know it. Besides, it's mine."

He tsked trying to hide the small smile that didn't seem to want to leave. She pursed her lips and wagged a finger at him in half-hearted admonishment.

"Don't think I'll let you off that easy. I'm still pissed."

He smirked. "I assumed. So what do you have as further punishment?"

"Well," She said in consideration. She puffed out her chest with a Cheshire grin. "We're gonna be a thing." She replied haughtily.

"A thing? Like dating?" He raised a dark eyebrow incredulously.

"Yeah. Like dating. I'd like to call you my boyfriend."

"What are we? Teenagers?"

She ignored his jab. "And you're gonna let me tell whoever I want."

He shrugged dismissively. "If you feel the need to have immature labels."

"Do you want us to be dating?" She asked directly, her hands on her hips again.

Her steady glare reduced all the ambiguity he had left. He bit the inside of his cheek. "Yes."

"Are you gonna keep being all moody when I suggest we do something fun?"

"Are you going to keep putting me uncomfortable situations and be an insufferable tease all the time?"

"I will curb my teasing and talk to you first before we do anything embarrassing if you at least meet me halfway."

He nodded to her terms. "Fair enough."

She unfurled his arms from across his chest, her fingertips trailing familiar fire along his gooseflesh skin. "Are you gonna do karaoke with me?" She eyed him coyly.

He scoffed. "Never. Not with your singing." He answered without thinking then backtracked when the fire left her fingers and presented itself in her eyes. "That should only be reserved for me to endure." He quickly corrected.

Her palms grasped at his wrists and wound them around her waist as the sly grin returned, the embers dying to soft warmth.

"Smooth. I hate to admit it but I missed your stupid face."

He chuckled into her hair as she brought her face to his neck, rubbing her cheek into his shoulder. He breathed in, lavender and vanilla scent ticking his nose with tendrils of longing. He genuinely smiled into the blue locks.

"I missed all of you."

Epilogue

Languid blinks of his dark eyes scoured her curves as she lay entwined in his white sheets, sleeping soundly with his tan arm around her pale middle. A travesty, he deliberated, that such a lovely creature could find solace and lay curled in her restful fetal pose on his bed used only by one in the past. The sun peeked in through half-closed blinds giving her an ethereal radiance.

Vegeta gripped her lean waist to him with gentle possession, wishing to not wake her but hold her close as he lay back down, placing his nose in the crook of her neck. His hands said all the things his reticent nature couldn't voice. He wasn't bothered by the tickle of her hair on his face or the fact that his leg had fallen asleep under one of her own. He felt only contentment.

He frowned suddenly as a melodic chirping disturbed her light slumber, her eyes fluttering open. She smiled and reached for her phone where the noise was emitting from. Vegeta growled to himself and pulled her more to him then found his irritation dissolving at her ticklish giggling.

"I have to get this." She said playfully sulking.

"No. Stay." He commanded gruffly into her naked shoulder blades.

"You're so needy. It's not like I'm going to leave. I just have to answer this call." She chuckled, pushing him back. "It's been six months. I'm not going anywhere."

She gave him a chaste kiss as she escaped his grasp, and searching for her discarded clothing. He rubbed his eyes and checked the time, smirking to himself realizing it was near noon yet he wasn't stressed over completing his latest piece.

Whis had held his end of the bargain by making him a worthy investment to the gallery, and with Bulma's consistent, calming presence, Vegeta had found his temper subdued and was able to focus more with deadlines. He mentally kicked himself for pushing her away but through her forgiveness and encouraging nature, his work became fluid, more precise and experienced. He had become a recognized painter, able to meet deadlines while still maintaining the first healthy relationship he'd ever had.

He was about to lie back down when Bulma reentered the room, a girlish look on her face as she buttoned the last clasp on her jeans.

"Get up. Get dressed." She instructed going into the bathroom, running a brush through her hair and dabbing toothpaste on her toothbrush in hurried excitement.

"Why?" He inquired through narrowed eyes suspiciously. She smiled with glee, threading her fingers through her hair. He watched with mild annoyance as she let the strands that sloughed off fall onto the floor absentmindedly. Apparently, bad habits died hard, even if she practically lived there, he thought ruefully.

"Just do it. I have something for you." She said after spitting the paste into the sink and turning off the running water.

He sighed heavily while lifting himself from the bed, donned pants and a black shirt, careful to not trip over Bulma's other discarded items left carelessly on the floor.

He followed the sound of pattering footfalls in the kitchen to see her bouncing on her heels, her arms conspicuously behind her back.

"So, as a token of you being an adequate boyfriend, I have a gift for you."

Vegeta scrunched his face doubtfully. "What?" He asked leaning up against the counter.

"Not yet. In a minute." She replied, her tongue between her teeth. "I need you to do something for me."

Before he could question further, a distinct knock came to the front door and he turned his head to the noise then shot his gaze back to her in accusation.

"Who is that? What did you do?"

Her blue eyes twinkled as she indicated with her head to the portal. Striding over, he unlatched the door and cringed as his rival stood brightly on the doorstep.

"Hiya Vegeta! Are you ready?" The orange-clad simpleton greeted with a cheery grin.

"What is the meaning of this?" Vegeta turned his horrified look to his blue-haired nymph who showed up beside him.

"You're gonna teach him how to paint." She said playfully, brandishing a new set of professional brushes and her heartwarming smile.

"Woman, I will not." he harshly whispered his objection as she thrust the brushes into his hands.

She kissed his cheek, melting the bristling apprehension as she gazed at him with her disarming aqua orbs. She didn't have to say anything as he groaned out his surrender.

"Alright, fine. But you better listen to every fucking word I say and don't say anything stupid." He directed pointedly to the taller man in warning.

As Goku chuckled sheepishly while entering for the first time, he passed the two still standing at the doorway.

Bulma threaded her hand with Vegeta's as she let out a light laugh. "Thank you."

He sneered and rubbed his cheek where she had romantically assaulted him with the back of his hand. "We are even now. I figure I've done enough to get out of the doghouse and back into your good graces."

"Consider the slate wiped clean."

"You are such a nuisance." He remarked, giving her hand a squeeze.

"You love it." She replied as she squeezed back.

He watched her saunter away triumphantly to greet her friend as he closed the front door.

She was his friend.

His muse.

His Bulma.

Fin~

Post story AN:

This was my first one-shot. I envisioned it to be 10,000 words, no more than 5 chapters and take a week to complete. It's over 25,000 words, 15 chapters and took 2 months. Needless to say, it has turned out exactly as I wanted and I am so very grateful for all the kind and thoughtful responses to it. Your support is invaluable and I would like to say thank you for taking the time from your day to read. Looking forward to the next story! See you then!

~Blackswans22