Hope y'all enjoy the next chapter, lemme know if it's any good.
"What is there to talk about, exactly? And how did you even find me?"
Yamcha gulped and rubbed the back of his neck, afraid of what exactly Eighteen's reaction would be, "Well.. it was by luck. I always come to this bar y-you know? B-but we need to talk anyways. About Krillin."
"I've nothing to say about the shrimp and even so, how is this any of your business? Now beat it before I beat you," Eighteen stared at her glass whilst speaking, taking the occasional sip from the Jim Bean whiskey.
"I-I'm not going anywhere...please don't hurt me. Look! I'm here for my friend, he feels bad about whatever went down between you two and wants to make things right, so hear him out."
Eighteen picked up her glass, finished it in one drink and walked over to Yamcha, squaring up to him. She practically purred out her words to him, how is it that a woman sounded seductive yet demonic at the same time?
"Yamcha, right? Yeah, look sweetheart.. let's not talk about Krillin, okay? You should be taking advantage of me, that's the kind of guy you are right? Prey on drunken women at bars, that's probably why you're here. But I'm no ordinary woman, am I?" Her lips moved right to his ear and her hand traveled down his body, grasping between his thighs way too tightly.
"Because you know if you tried that on with me, this right here in my hand would be ripped from your fucking body. Do you get the message? I'm not in a talkative mood, so fuck off."
Yamcha yelped in pain and nodded over and over subconsciously, "Okay! I'm sorry just please let go! Argh!" Eighteen smiled in victory and released him, wiping the palm of her hand on his sleeve as he keeled over in pain.
"Now, I have to go disinfect this hand because God knows what has been down there. Do not bug me again, got it? Prying into others business isn't such a good idea."
"I'm just helping out my friend! I don't know what went down between the two of you but he cares about you and it hurts to see him so beat down...especially after he just tried to kill himself. He needs all the help he can get right now, you should know that."
"I don't care about how he feels anymore, he made his point loud and clear," And with that Eighteen made her way to the door, turning back to Yamcha before she made her exit, "But if it'll stop him sending out his boyband members to bug me, then perhaps there's a slim chance I shall speak to him. When my schedule isn't so hectic ofcourse," She let out a sadistic laugh and left the bar. Yamcha was still bent over holding his package in pain, all he could do was raise an eyebrow and shrug. I tried Krillin, she's all yours now.
Krillin lay on the couch, flicking through the channels. It must have been way past midnight, way past his usual bedtime. But he couldn't sleep, his mind kept him awake. The same, repetitive thoughts trailing over-and-over: Eighteen. Their encounter, to be precise. If he was honest he did still care about her, practically loved her. But he wasn't sure if it was as genuine anymore. The feelings certainly weren't as intense as they used to be, especially after the comments she made. Even if she was angry, it was out of line. He was out of line too but atleast he'd admit to that. Would she? Probably not, probably doesn't even remember nor care. I don't care, I still have to make things right. It's just the kind of guy I am, gotta clear my conscience.
A knock on the door snapped Krillin out of his intense daydream. He turned off the TV, got up and went to the door.
"Who the hell knocks at this time? You better have a good expl-"
"You call this early? Jeez, no wonder you don't have a girlfriend."
"Oh...wow. Eighteen, what are you- I mean- how did you-"
"Are you going to stutter or are you going to invite me in? Do you think because I'm an android I don't get cold?"
"Yeah, uh.. come on in?"
Krillin stepped aside and let Eighteen wander into the house. She took a look around as if questioning the decency of the house to herself, then nodded in agreement. Not bad, quite cosy. What was she doing here? Had she finally come to finish him off for the argument the other day? He wouldn't blame her, but would atleast expect an apology of her own before she diminished him. Both of them exchanged harsh words and it seemed right that both of them should apologize. Didn't seem so easy when Eighteen was one of the people though.
"What are you doing here?"
"I've just come by to get you to stop getting your boyfriend to track me down and beg me to speak to you."
"Boy- I'm not gay! Wait, what are you even talking about?"
Eighteen picked up a frame from the windowsill, a picture of Krillin, Goku, Roshi, Launch, Yamcha and Bulma. From old times.
"Him, in the photo. He found me and said you were practically crying over me, that you needed to speak to me to clear your conscience or some bullshit like that," She put the photo back and continued snooping around Krillin's house.
"Yamcha? I'm gonna kill him...but no, I mean.. I did wanna talk to you and apologize, but don't make it seem as if I'm desperate. You're in the wrong too."
Eighteen didn't seem to be listening, she was totally zoned out staring at all the photos of Krillin's past in awe. It was as if she was...jealous? She didn't remember her past, not one bit of yet. Yet despite Krillin's rough up-bringing in a monastery, that was made up for when he met Roshi and co. All the adventures along the way he had, something she'd never remembered. Atleast he had the memories of those he loved, what did she have? Seventeen, she was grateful for but what about her parents? Any other siblings? Her hometown, her favorite food, past flames and so forth. Krillin remained silent for a moment solemnly, as if realizing that however bad he's had it - Eighteen has had it worse. He'd always remember Goku and Roshi, she'd never remember anyone.
"Just forget what I said Eighteen, I'm really sorry. I was in a bad place and you were just trying to help which I appreciate."
Eighteen picked up a photo, "Who's she?"
Krillin stepped forward and looked at the photograph. It was him and a blue-haired female, embracing on the beach outside at sunset.
"That's my ex-girlfriend, Marron. We broke up years ago."
"Why do you still have a photo of her then?"
Krillin itched his cheek, laughing. True, it seemed silly and stalker-ish to have a photo of himself and his ex-girlfriend but there was a meaning to it.
"It's nothing like that, she was actually a really bad girlfriend but I was blinded by love. It was the first girl I ever truly cared about and however much she played away, now-and-then she'd make me feel good about myself. Even told me she loved me which I didn't think possible, it probably wasn't the truth but it still meant alot and made me feel...whole. Besides, I look good in that photo."
Eighteen watched Krillin then turned her head back to the photo, nodding to herself as if answering her own questioning, "You're right, you do look good in that photo. And she looks too good for you, what did you do? Lure her to an early bird dinner?"
"Haha...so funny...not. But no, I think she just liked me for my muscles and body. Some women would say that makes up for the shortness and lack of nose."
"You forgot baldness."
"Well...I'm growing my hair out, there's little bits there already! So that isn't an option anymore."
She sat down and made herself comfortable, staring at Krillin as if wanting something, "Oh crap, I'm sorry. D'ya want some tea? I just boiled up the kettle so it'll be ready in no time."
Eighteen nodded and switched on the TV, flicking through the channels rudely. Krillin watched her and a slight twinge of his bitter self popped up, asking him to kick Eighteen out his house for impoliteness or atleast tell her off. No! This is her way of making an effort and hopefully we'll end up talking, there's so much unresolved. Krillin made Eighteen some green tea then brought it in to her, setting it down on the newly bought table with a coaster.
"What the hell is this? I thought you said tea not some green slime, is this your version of revenge?"
"No, it's good for you. Trust me, I've been drinking it a lot more recently and it helps. Try it," Krillin urged her on and eventually she sighed in defeat, taking a small drink from the tea. She'd never admit it to him but it really was good, so instead being her usual stubborn self she chose to just shrug and scoff every now-and-then.
"So.. why are you here? Really?"
"I thought that answer was pretty obvious. I told you before, did I not?"
"There's more to it than that, I know it. What - you really traveled all this way just to tell me to warn off my friend?"
"Are you trying to imply that I came here for something else? Do you think I long for you, Krillin? Is that it?"
"Long for me? No, look you don't get it. Months ago I would've jumped at the opportunity to have you here and admit all my feelings. But times have changed, and so have I. Sure, I'm not depressed and manic anymore...for now, I think. But other circumstances have changed. I do like you Eighteen, probably love you. But I'm not sure in what way anymore."
Eighteen froze. Did he really not feel for her anymore? She liked his attention but to know he wasn't in that position anymore was...strange. On the outside she looked uncaring, taking casual drinks from her green tea whilst staring at the TV pretending not to listen to Krillin, but on the inside all these questions kept bundling up and she didn't know how to face them head on. She put up a wall for a reason, to prevent people from hurting her. And without realizing it somewhere along the way this small man had withered the walls and had glimpses of her kind side without realizing it. Like when she had found him overdosed and took him to the hospital, at the bar when she truly wanted him but just played it down to meaningless sex. To know that she would have to revert back to her old ways when it came to this man was frightening.
"I...you don't want me? But look at you and look at me. How can you reject this?"
Krillin frowned, "It's not all about beauty on the outside you know, before this sure I knew you were rude, manipulative, possessive. But shallow? That doesn't seem like you Eighteen. I've got to say I'm quite disappointed."
That was it. Disappointed. The word that would forever be her downfall, if he had said he hated her fine, she could live with that because a part of her knew he couldn't hate her. Depression or not, that wasn't Krillin. No matter how many times he said he hated someone he never meant it, and 9 times out of 10 he'd apologize 5 minutes later. But disappointed? That seemed irreversible. Eighteen regained her composure, ignoring her hazy alcohol consumed thoughts.
"I think I've had too much to drink, I must be daydreaming..." She muttered to herself.
"Did you say something?"
"No, I...I didn't say anything, shrimp. Mind your own damn business."
"You're talking to me like this in my own house?"
"I'm rude? Did you forget our little encounter at the hospital? Did you forget the fact you blamed me for the death of your friends?"
"I don't know how many more times I can apologize for that, I am truly sorry if I upset you Eighteen but don't play the saint. You said some pretty messed-up things too, yeah? Wishing you never found me and all that."
"And do you know what it was like to find you?! What it was like to see you there, vulnerable and helpless? Knowing if I didn't help you, you'd die? Do you know how that felt, Krillin?"
"Probably didn't make a difference either way to you, maybes you saved me just so I'd owe a favor. I'm not too sure."
"God! You're such a fucking ass! If they hadn't pumped your damn stomach I'd sure as hell rip it out of you right now! You have no idea of how I feel Krillin which is strange, because some months ago I thought you knew the most. Where's the same man from back then? I'd really like to speak to him right now!"
"It is ME, I'm getting back to him but with some changes. I can't go back to how low I was, Eighteen. I tried to kill myself for God's sake! I'm left alone here but I'm ready to accept that. Besides, my friends still have my back which is nice to know."
"Oh wow, lucky you Krillin huh? See, that's the difference between you and I. You lost those close to you but you still have their memories replaying in your mind, photos of them spread across the house so you won't forget their faces. What do I have? NOTHING. My mind was wiped like a computer chip, I don't remember my family bar Seventeen, my house, my life!"
Krillin was gobsmacked, he just sat there, rubbing his chin. I should have realized before I spoke...I remember Goku and Roshi but Eighteen doesn't remember her family. Well, if you weren't an ass before you certainly are now Krillin! Mission one on getting life back together: Think before you speak!
"I'm sorry, Eighteen. I should have thought...I've been so consumed with my own problems I forgot you had it worse."
"Forget it, I didn't ask for a sympathy vote. I got over my turmoils a while ago, I'm just bringing it up so you can get over yours too. You have their memories Krillin, be grateful," Eighteen slumped back in the chair, staring at the TV screen but seemed as if she was in too deep a thought to actually be watching it. Krillin took a risk and hoped to God he wouldn't get vaporized for this. He moved to the seat next to Eighteen and stared at her, trying to get her to open up.
"What? What are you looking at? Get away from me."
"Why did you help me all those times? Why do you keep coming back here? Why'd you get so upset when I said I may not be in love with you anymore?"
Eighteen wasn't quite sure how to tackle each of these very sensitive questions. She hated the soppy part of romance, she was pretty sure even the old her in her old life would hate it too. It was too tacky and embarrassing and to be honest, she wasn't quite sure why she did all those things. A part of her cared for the small man, sure. She wanted to save him like he had saved her, that's why she had taken him to the hospital. But to keep coming back here? Maybes she enjoyed his company a little too much. Too much for her liking anyways. The alcohol/emotion mix was a deadly one and her only answer to his question was to look at him and edge closer, maintaining eye contact.
"Eighteen? W-what are you doing?"
She gently placed a hand to his cheek and caressed him, pressing her forehead to his.
"I'm answering your questions..."
She edged her head forward that extra inch to meet his lips in an electrifying, passionate kiss. Very different from the one on the highway, for one - this was on the lips. Second, this one hand true feelings in it, not the mockery she had intended in the last one. It seemed the only way she could express herself was when she'd had a few drinks.
Krillin was confused, he and Eighteen lately seemed like a yo-yo, they'd argue, sort-of make-up, argue again, get all sentimental - then she'd kiss him! This wasn't at all what he had in mind tonight but he'd be lying if he said it wasn't good. He threw caution to the wind and wrapped his arms around Eighteen, pulling her onto his lap to deepen the kiss. She obliged and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Tongues were used, playful groans elicited the room but once Krillin truly tasted her, he'd scoffed and withdrew from the kiss, backing up.
"Have you been drinking? Is that why you're here, to use me as your toy again? I'm not playing this game Eighteen!"
"No, Krillin I can explain.. I've had a few drinks but..."
"No, get out. GET OUT. I don't have the energy for your twisted mind games anymore. I can't do it, Eighteen. You won't acknowledge me when you're sober but it's all fine and dandy when you're drunk - fine enough for when you pass out and forget it the next morning, right?!"
"Krillin, it's not like that. Don't be such a baby, this is how I feel - I'm showing you."
"Enough is enough, I can't believe you'd hurt me like this. Well, I can believe it actually - you don't care about anyone but you and your brother. Now please, go Eighteen."
Eighteen wiped her hand over her moist lips and nodded slowly, standing up and heading for the door. She took one last look back at Krillin before leaving.
"If you truly believe I'm that malicious, then maybe I was right. You don't know me at all."
And with that she was out the door and soon flying off the island. Krillin watched her go and massaged his temples to relieve some of the stress.
Kami, what's going on...
Well I hope you enjoyed that chapter! Seems Krillin is starting to like rejecting Eighteen huh? Drunk or not! Adios for now.
