Rated M for mature subjects, language, and sexual situations.
1. Day 1: I Need a Break
You want a what?A break. He said it so calmly she wanted to scream and beat him until he begged for mercy. Unfortunately, she was too shocked to do anything but gape at him.
A break? Trunks, this is a fucking marriage, not a six month relationship. You can't just take a break.That's what I want, Pan, he said firmly, crossing his arms and staring down at her. Though Trunks easily towered over his wife, her icy glare was enough to make him feel like a bug. You and I both know this isn't working. I don't want a divorce, Pan. I love you, you know that. But we both need some time to straighten things out. All we do is work, and when we're not working, we're fighting. Do you remember when all we used to do was work and have sex?
Oh, she remembered. But right now she was ready for another argument. So what, they argued. Big deal. Every married couple argued.
Yes, Trunks, my memory's fine. But what has our sex life got to do with anything? So what, we argue a bit and don't have sex as much as--
He gave a snort of laughter that cut her off. As much? Christ, Pan, we don't have any sex! We put all of our energy into fighting with each other. And sex has got everything to do with it, so stop acting like it doesn't. This marriage is going to fall apart if we don't settle things. It's necessary, Pan, you know it.No, I don't know it. Why can't we settle things now, right here?
Trunks arched an eyebrow. This is our bedroom, Pan. This is the last place we should be arguing.Well, you're the one who wanted to talk here!For God's sake, Pan, stop acting like a child! He yelled, rolling his eyes and throwing his arms up in exasperation. I'm not asking for a divorce, I'm just asking for a bit of time. A month, two at the most, and then we'll get back together and see what happens.
Yeah, and then you'll ask for a divorce, Pan thought as she pouted up at him. She took a deep breath, preparing herself for the next round.
We don't need a break, Trunks. I--Stop being so stubborn, Pan! You know we need some time apart, so will you just swallow you're pride. He was yelling again, staring at her like she was a child who had done something immature.
Pan hated it when he looked at her like that. She wasn't a child, for God's sake, she was his wife of four years.
She exploded, throwing her arms up in defeat. Fine, we'll take a fucking break, if that's what you want. She whirled away from him and nausea bubbled in her throat. But she bared down and swallowed hard as she turned to face him again. And what exactly do you plan to do for the next two months?
Trunks was looking calmer now, she noted, satisfied that he had swayed the opposing party and closed another deal. It made her sick. I don't plan to do anything, that's the point. We're both just going to relax and stay out of each other's way.No dating?
Trunks sighed. Like I told you, Pan, this isn't a divorce. No dating, sex, flirting, or anything else intimate you can think of. It's just some time away, like a vacation.
A vacation. Well, it was easier to look at it like that. Sort of.
It's not really a vacation if we don't go anywhere. We both have work. Who stay's in the house? she asked, forcing herself to be calm and rational. It was hard to be both at the same time. Pan tended to lean toward irrational and hectic.
You stay, he said immediately, as though he had been planning this whole conversation. He probably had, she thought. That would be so like him.
I'm going back to Mom and Dad's place. They've got plenty of room for me. They already know I'm coming, so I'll just pack up a few--They what? You told them about this? It was the closest Pan could come to a screech. Even Trunks raised his eyebrows in surprise.
No, Pan, Jesus. I just told them you were taking a vacation and I was having some work done on the house, Trunks told her calmly.
Work on the house? And they believed you! Trunks, this house is less than five years old and it's got everything you could possibly think of. What the hell is left to do to it? Pan couldn't believe it, there was no way Bulma was that naive.
But Trunks simply shrugged it off. Mom didn't question it. It's fine, Pan, they won't know we've hit a rut in our marriage and in month or so I'll come back and we'll see what happens. He gave a dismissive shrug and turned away from her.
Pan watched as he stepped into the bedroom-sized space that served as their closet. Pan knew there were outfits in there that Trunks had bought her and she had refused to wear. Like that one black dress that could barely be considered a dress. Christ, he had bought her some lingerie that had more material than that dress had (though the lingerie wasn't as opaque as the dress).
Despite her mood, Pan smiled. Trunks was always buying her things she didn't need, for no reason at all.
What're you smiling at? he asked.
The smile fell from her lips as she focused on her husband, who was standing in the doorway of their closet, a navy blazer in his hand.
God, she loved him.
Pan replied sharply, and left the room.
. . .to be continued.
Calm down, people. It's only going to be 4 chapters, I'm bound to finish it. Unless. . .No, I'm kidding. I'll finish it. Seriously.
