It was late, he was sore, and he wasn't sure why he was considering this. Vegeta let out a heavy sigh as he glanced back at his phone. A text flashed bright on the screen.
"Movie at my place tonight? 6:30 sharp. Don't be late!"
He frowned back at it.
He wasn't sure why exactly Bulma had taken such a fascination with him, but the thought disturbed him. She wanted to get closer. She wanted to be friends. Maybe, if she was really naive, she might even want something more.
Wait, what was he thinking?
He shook the thought from his mind, getting up from the couch to grab a beer. Who did she think she was, assuming that he'd show up? 6:30 sharp? What was he, some mutt, waiting at her beck and call?
He opened the beer with a satisfying crack, taking a sip as he slumped back onto his torn up couch. Vegeta stared forward, his expression almost as blank as the wall in front of him. What had Bulma said his place was? Tidy?
Not full of useless garbage, he thought, taking another swig. Garbage like a tv, a couch that you couldn't feel the springs in, and more than just cheap discount beer in the fridge. He scattered his thoughts with a snort, his frown deepening. Whatever.
A sudden knock jolted him before he could bring the can to his lips again. Silently he squirmed his free hand between the cushions of the couch, his fingers wrapping around the reassuring cold metal of the glock he'd stored there just as he heard her voice beyond the door.
"Hey, Vegeta! Open up, it's me!"
He released the tension in his muscles with a sigh, and at the same time he released the gun, quickly heading to the door before she made any more noise. Why he was putting up with her nonsense, he had no idea. He should have nipped this in the bud weeks ago, back when she'd first started accosting him on his way to or from his apartment. Was it just weeks? Or had it been months by now?
Bulma had just drawn in another breath when the door swung open, and Vegeta frowned back at her, holding some shitty beer she hadn't drank since college. Immediately, a grin split across her face. "You're home! I figured you were just ignoring me."
"What, and have everyone in a ten mile radius knowing I lived here?" He arched an eyebrow at her, and her grin subdued to a mischievous smile. "What do you want?"
"You didn't read my text? We're watching a movie tonight. My place. So grab your keys and let's go!"
"What makes you think I want to watch a movie at your apartment?" he scoffed, taking a long, obnoxious sip.
Her smile gave way a pursed look he was beginning to recognize. "Last time I was over I didn't notice a tv here, smart guy. Or a comfortable couch." Her expression relaxed a bit, the corner of her mouth turning upwards in a half-smile. "Come on! It'll be fun. I'll order us a couple of pizzas or something. And I have way better beer than that," she added, pointing.
Vegeta looked down at the can. "What's wrong with my beer?"
Her smile widened, and Vegeta felt himself tense. "Nothing, if you don't have any tastebuds. Besides, is spending an evening sitting around doing nothing really more fun than spending some time with me?"
"Well, I would get to drink my beer in silence…"
"Oh, come on! Don't be such a drag!" Bulma grinned, looping her arm through his, and tugged him further into the hallway. "Come on, tough guy! What do you have to lose?"
"Okay, okay!" Vegeta sighed, shutting the door behind him. He locked the door and slipped his keys back in his pocket, and within a few steps they stopped in front of her doorway.
What did he have to lose? Nothing, he rationalized. So long as he didn't gain anything.