Background:
I am writing a longer fiction about a love triangle between Goten, Trunks, and Paresu. This one-shot takes place sometime in the middle of that story.
Story:
I should be at a movie with the girls or out to dinner, Paresu thought, coughing into the tissue again. Instead, she was buried under a pile of blankets, with the heat blasting in her apartment although it was mid-July. Keeping her company was a half-empty box of tissues, some painkillers, and a rom-com movie. She was alone for the night, although her… fling… was trying to get her to go out.
She reread his recent text,"Want to get together later?" it read, followed by the eggplant and peach emojis. She and Trunks weren't in a relationship, she had insisted on keeping things casual. After all, it was only a few months ago that she was engaged to marry his best friend.
Normally, she would let him come over, but she was running a fever. The last thing she wanted was sex. "Another time, I'm not feeling well," she wrote, punctuating her text with a sad emoji.
She was about to put her phone down when it buzzed again. "Can I get anything for you?"
"I don't want you to get sick. Going to order soup in a bit," she replied, then put her phone into mute. The brunette pulled a blanket up close to her next and laid down on the couch, turning her attention back to the movie on the tv. Not even twenty minutes later, she heard a soft knock at the door.
That's strange, I didn't order the soup yet, she thought. Maybe it was one of her neighbors, but she could pretend she wasn't home. She ignored the knock, closing her eyes until they knocked again. The knocking became louder until she finally sighed and yelled, "Alright, I'm coming."
She made her way to the door and looked out the peephole to see Trunks.
What is he doing here? she thought.
She opened the door, and Trunks at her smiled, "Hey Paresu." He looked great, dressed in a dark blue Capsule Corporation jacket and jeans. He eyed her up and down, taking in her baggy t-shirt and grey sweats, "How are you feeling?"
She looked at him, and rolled her eyes, "Trunks, I told you I'm not in the mood." She got ready to close the door when he stopped her.
He leaned in and stared into her eyes, "That's not why I'm here, 'Su. I brought you soup" and held up a brown paper bag. She just stood, open-mouthed, with her eyes darting between him and the brown bag.
"You were going to order it anyway, so I thought I'd surprise you. I got you chicken pho - don't worry, it's gluten-free," he smiled. Still not sure what to say, she took the soup from his hands. "This is where you say your welcome," he teased.
"That was nice of you, Trunks." she said softly, and then narrowed her eyes, "Now please go home, I'll text you when I'm better. "
"Hey, wait," he grabbed her shoulder, "Do you want some company?"
She looked aghast at him, "Trunks...We're NOT having a quickie."
"That's not what I meant," he insisted, waving his hands."You live alone, let me take care of you. I can heat the soup, take the trash out… let me lend a hand"
He gave her a small, hopeful smile. "Okay fine," she relented, "But don't try anything, Trunks." Paresu opened the door wider, allowing Trunks inside. He smiled and walked in, closing the door behind them. "Paresu, this place is an oven" he took his jacket off and threw it over a chair.
"I'm freezing," she moaned, wrapping her arms around herself.
Trunks moved closer to her, rubbing her shoulders and arms up and down, "Please go rest, I'll heat the soup."
Paresu nodded and walked back to the couch to collapse in the pile of blankets. Trunks walked into her kitchen and pulled a bowl from the cabinets, then opened the container with the soup and placed it in the microwave.
"I'm surprised you know how to use a microwave" she called from the living room.
"Hey! I actually know how to cook," he called back as he set the timer.
"Uh huh," she mumbled, pulling one of the blankets tighter around her shoulders. She sneezed again, grabbing the last of her tissues. "Damn it," it was her last tissue. She felt a warm hand on her shoulder and turned to see Trunks holding a fresh box.
"I also stopped at the drugstore. I thought you could use a few things" he offered. She mouthed a quick thank you, which he acknowledged with a nod. She snuggled deeper into the couch as he returned to the kitchen to retrieve her soup. Trunks joined her on the couch a moment later, bringing the bowl of soup and a glass of orange juice with him.
"What are we watching?" he asked, handing her the soup.
"Some romcom… look Trunks, I don't want to get you sick. I really appreciate what you're doing, but you don't have to stay," she said, turning her head to look out the window.
"I'm not going to get sick. I'm half alien, remember?" he teased and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She turned back to him, looking at him carefully, before he offered, "Don't worry, I'm not trying anything funny. I just want to take care of you."
"Fine," she relented and started to eat her soup. She hadn't eaten most of the day, due to a diminished appetite, but the soup was good and she finished it along with the juice. He insisted on cleaning up, bringing her a cup of chai tea after. Once she finished it, she leaned into him and he wrapped his arms around her, cuddling her. As promised, he didn't try to kiss her or make any moves.
She began dozing off, feeling sleepy from the medicine and soup. The last thing she remembered was Trunks lips on her forehead.
The sunlight streamed in through the shades, waking Paresu up. As she adjusted, the woman sat up, noticing she was still dressed in her t-shirt and sweatpants from yesterday. On the nightstand were a glass of water and some tissues.
How did I get here? she thought. As she was about to get out of bed, Trunks walked in with a tray and a smile, "Hey beautiful, feeling better?"
"I'm getting there. How did I get in bed Trunks?" she asked
"You were falling asleep, so I tucked you in," handing the tray to her, "Don't worry, no funny business. I made you breakfast though."
"So you can cook," she chuckled, "That's sweet of you."
"I didn't have much to work with. You really need to go grocery shopping more often" he teased.
"I'll keep that in mind, mom" she teased back and began buttering the toast.
He sat down next to her as she started eating. Putting a hand on her forehead, "Your fever broke" he sighed.
"I feel better. Did you stay over?" she asked.
"I slept on your couch. Checked on you a few times during the night" looking at her, with a shy smile, "I know we have a no sleepover rule, but I wanted to make sure you were okay."
She stared into his blue eyes, noticing the hopeful look he held.
How could I be so blind? She thought before she smiled and leaned over to kiss his cheek. Trunks wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. The couple stayed like that, both enjoying each other's company before she whispered, "I'm sorry I was being a jerk."
He held her tight, he murmured, "You've been sick, and you weren't a jerk"
"Yes I was, and not just with being sick." looking at him. She was going to say more, but he held a finger to her lips.
"Let's just enjoy breakfast, we can talk later," he smiled and kissed her forehead.
"Okay," she nodded and began eating.
Maybe there's something here, after all, she thought with an inner smile.