Pairing: BulmaxZarbon
Rating: G
Warning: AU.
Word count: 383
Disclaimer: I own nothing in connection with the characters used in this fanfiction.

For Toujin50, who gave me the prompt 'thunderstorm'.

Thunderstorm

Zarbon was scared of thunderstorms.

When the power had gone out, Bulma had been on her way to start the emergency generator, which had been collecting dust in the basement for many years, when she happened to glance into the living room to see him curled up on the couch. He appeared to be sleeping, but she quickly decided that he was faking it.

No one was that tense when they were sleeping.

"I didn't know you were afraid of storms," she said, entering the room and perching on the arm on the couch.

"I'm not," came a slightly muffled voice. "Vegeta just said something that pissed me off."

"Vegeta has been gone since the early hours this morning. I know, I saw him go. I was up early because I have deadlines to meet."

There was a short pause.

"I thought it was too quiet around here today."

"You're allowed to admit that you're scared now, you know," said Bulma. "Why do you people have to act so brave all the time?"

Zarbon appeared to be considering his answer. Finally he said," because there isn't any other choice."

Bulma sighed, somewhat frustrated. "You're not in that position anymore. What's stopping you?"

"At the risk of sounding too much like a Saiyan, I still have my pride."

Despite Zarbon's miserable tone, Bulma chuckled. She should have known that a guy like him wasn't going to open up just like that. Reaching into the inner pocket of the jacket she wore, she drew out a cigarette from its pack and a lighter. She flicked the lighter.

The flame sparked to life for half a second, then died.

She tried again. And again. But she just couldn't seem to get a decent flame going. Just as she was about to give up and fling it across the room in frustration, a finger with the smallest of ki balls hovering above it appeared at the end of the cigarette. When it was lit, Bulma smiled and handed it to Zarbon, who accepted it.

Bulma watched as the ash at the tip glowed when he inhaled, lighting up his features ever so slightly. Zarbon appeared to be more relaxed.

He was going to be a hard nut to crack. But, dammit, she would and was getting there.

END