The Best of Both
Chapter 8
Merilee opened her eyes hearing a familiar soft snoring sound. She blinked a few times letting her eyes adjust to the contacts. They were the kind that you leave in for a few days at a time without having to take them out. Merilee was lying on her back and she tried to sit up but was stopped by a weight. All of her senses came full circle as she realized something, Gotenks was sprawled out on the bed on his stomach and his head was lying on her abdomen. She felt her face flush slightly looking down at him. He was sleeping peacefully cheek resting on her stomach one muscular arm thrown over her pinning her arm down his other arm was straight by his side. She tried squirming but it was no use she was stuck! She huffed a little irritated that he was taking up so much of the bed! What she didn't notice was one obsidian eye crack open and a mischievous smirk graces his lips.
"Gotenks." She said using her free arm to push his shoulder he barely budged.
She bit her lip trying to think of a way to get him off of her. He was practically dead weight lying on top of her. She guessed she had to wait until he woke up there was nothing else she could do. Merilee let her eyes wander down to him again his face was turned away from her his thick, spiky, dual colored hair facing her. Curiously she moved her free arm and let her fingers delve into the thick mass. She smiled remembering how soft it actually was despite its gravity defying look. She froze as he suddenly shifted and moved in his sleep he only turned his head to where his face was now present to her. She sighed disappointed hoping he was waking but at least she could explore a little bit more. She delicately traced his widow's peak lightly to the point than brought her fingers down to his thick ebony eyebrows. Merilee's next touch trailed down his nose and onto his cheeks. Again she wondered how anyone could be so handsome. As her hand cupped his cheek gently touching his lips two dark eyes were suddenly looking at her and a smile stretched under her fingertips.
Merilee felt like a kid with her hand caught in the cookie jar as he looked at her. She bit her lip quickly pulling her hand back as he pushed himself up on his palms and knees leaning over her with that smirk. She swallowed clutching the bed sheets with both hands and looked at him with wide green eyes.
"Hi." She said rather pathetically
"Hi." He said still looking at her intensely
"W-were you awake the whole time?" She asked embarrassed
"Yep." He said loving her flushed expression
"Um…can you get off me so I can get up." She pleaded
"Why? I was pretty comfortable and you seemed to be having fun." He said grinning teasing her
"That was wrong and I shouldn't have done that." She said guilty
"Why not? You can touch me all you want to. Just so as long as I get to touch you all I want." He whispered huskily that familiar rumbling growl echoing in his throat. Merilee froze as his hand snaked under her shirt she let out a breath grasp as his warm hand splayed across her abdomen.
"W-wait." She said
"Why?" he breathed leaning in close to her face lips a mere hair's width away
"Gotenks.." she breathed softly
Suddenly he yanked her shirt up and blew a raspberry on her stomach. She let out a high pitched scream at the action convulsing as if someone was shocking her all of her limbs flailing simultaneously. He sat back laughing hysterically at her as she scrambled in the bed sheets trying to get up. Merilee angry flushed face glared at him as he lay literally holding his stomach laughing.
"Y-you should have seen your face!" he snickered
"You…you…you!" She stuttered rocking back on her heels and clenching her fists shaking with anger
"It was priceless!" he snorted grinning stupidly at her
"Argh! You jerk!" she cried and launched herself at him
He gave a started cry as she landed on him. Of course the girl wasn't going to hurt him but it was no less shocking to see an angry Merilee pounce on you. He curled in a ball laughing as she beat her tiny fists on his back in anger.
"Of all the nasty…..dirty….how could…OH!" she huffed in between blows
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" he laughed holding his hands over his head halfheartedly trying to block her blows
"Every time you do something so juvenile like tickle me or that! How do you like it." She said and without a second thought dug her fingers into his ribs wiggling them.
He flailed on his back laughing helpless at the sensation. He couldn't fight back he was afraid he would accidentally hurt her so he had to lay and take his punishment as her nimble little fingers inflicted their torture and it really was torture! Goten had always been horrifically ticklish so apparently was he.
"Okay! I give up!" He chuckled
"Hm. I don't know." She said grinning and giggling liking having him at her mercy.
"Please! Merilee!" he huffed desperate
"Oh all right. You big baby." Merilee said letting him go she laughed seeing his watery eyes and panting form.
"That really is torture!" he gasped in surprise
"I told you! Yet you think it's funny to do it to me all the time." She said poking him for emphasis jabbing him in the stomach with her finger. He yelped curling up in a ball pouting.
"Stop it!" he whined
"Just think how awful it would be if all your enemies knew the great Gotenks one of the strongest Saiyan warriors in the universe was ticklish? Or better yet Vegeta. I wonder how much he'd tease you." she mused putting a finger to her cheek thoughtfully.
"Don't you dare!" he snapped sitting up glaring at her it had been all fun and games until she threatened him with that
"Oh yeah?" She said glaring back at him trying to face him with her own smirk putting her hands on her hips. She was about as threatening to him as butterfly.
He blinked at her in surprise before laughing "You're a diabolical genius woman."
"Don't worry I won't tell. Just like I won't tell you like romance novels." She said softly kissing his cheek. "Good morning goofball."
He caught her wrist as she tried to pull away and tugged her back into his lap. She stiffened a moment blushing looking up at him as he smiled "Good morning cutie." He whispered
Merilee smiled as he leaned down and kissed her she wrapped her arms around his neck. She hoped she could wake up like this every morning. Maybe without the tickling but definitely with the kissing.
Not a second later as they sat kissing each other Bra burst through the door not expecting to have Gotenks in bed with Merilee.
"Good morning! I was just wondering if…AH!" Bra cried
Gotenks gave a cry of surprise and practically shoved Merilee off of him. She yelped in surprise being launched back onto the bed flying into the pillows. Gotenks had actually crab walked himself off the bed and crashed in a heap on the floor taking the sheets and comforter with him. Bra stood there a minute in shock before sighing rolling her eyes.
"Geez! Hang a sock on the door or something Merilee!" she snapped and slammed the door shut.
Merilee lay mortified on the bed a minute before crawling across it and looking at the equally terrified Saiyan man on the floor of her room. He was tangled in the sheets face a bright color of crimson. She couldn't help but laugh at him.
"Are you okay?"
"I think so." He said sitting up rubbing his head uncomfortable
"I should have locked my door. Not that would stop a Saiyan, even Bra, but I forgot." She said guilty
"Its fine but I better go." He said standing untangling himself from the bedding and heading towards her balcony.
"Wait a minute you can't…" She was cut off as suddenly warm lips pressed to hers they were gone as quickly as they came. She looked back at the balcony mouth open in surprise seeing him smirk at her before jumping into the air. Merilee gave a sigh letting a goofy smile cross her face before falling back into the bed giggling like a school girl.
She got dressed in the same Bermuda shorts yesterday but with a simple red tank top this time and some sneakers. Merilee opened her door to see Bra standing there arms crossed and smirking. Merilee sighed looking at her with contempt.
"So." Bra said quirking an eyebrow
"So?" Merilee said glaring at her
"How as he?" Bra asked
"What! Bra we didn't…."
"Are you serious! You had two hundred something pounds of gorgeous Saiyan man in your bed and you didn't nail him!"
"BRA!" Merilee cried in shock looking around hoping no one was in the hallway
"Oh calm down. Trunks is at the office, dad is in the gravity room, and mom is in her lab. It's just us." Bra said waving off her desperate expression.
Merilee sighed in relief but still glared at the teenager. "This isn't a joke. I'm in a real mess here."
"Oh you mean with Trunks?" Bra asked
"Yes. I feel awful but I have stronger feelings for Gotenks." Merilee said with a note of finality
"Well he is hot I can't blame you on that one but you better talk to Trunks that whole possessiveness thing goes both ways you know."
"I'm not a possession! He doesn't own me. Just because he flirted with me and kissed me once doesn't mean I'm going to throw myself at his feet." Merilee snapped angry.
Yes! All Saiyan men were apparently gorgeous and perfect in every way. They were also egotistical and thought that every woman they took interest in apparently belonged to them somehow. Well Merilee was tired of it. It was the reason why Gotenks had fought with them in the first place. At least at the moment he had taken responsibility for his actions. She hadn't talked to Trunks yet but she hoped he would too and leave her alone. The last thing she wanted was an all-out brawl again.
"Easy. I'm not the one you have to tell that too. I'm just stating a fact." Bra said and she suddenly felt sorry for Merilee.
Bra had grown up her whole life around Saiyan men full blooded and hybrid. She was used to all of their attitudes, lust for fighting, and just all around chaotic personalities. Merilee was just a human girl who had the unfortunate fate of ending up tangled up in all of this. Although she was going to be responsible ultimately for handling the situation no one could really help her.
"I'm sorry. I'm just tired of these men thinking I'm some kind of toy they can just do whatever with."
"They don't think that Merilee. I promise they are just not used to being told 'NO' especially my brother." Bra said with a snort "In fact neither am I."
Merilee rolled her eyes "Must be awful for you."
"Don't be snarky with me. Save all that for my brother you're going to have your hands full." Bra snapped back
"Oh believe me I know. In fact I'm going to text him and tell him we need to talk right now." She said and headed back into her room.
Trunks was surprised that Merilee had texted him so soon with a 'We need to talk'. He smirked slightly hoping the girl had come to her senses. He waited for her in the kitchen just as she asked him too. She came down the stairs seeing him her cheeks flushing immediately. He was leaning against the counter and he gave her his best 'come hither' look.
"Hey there."
"Hi." Merilee said frowning rubbing her arm
She didn't think it was going to be easy but didn't realize it was going to be this hard either. "You said you wanted to talk?"
"Yes I do."
"So did you make a decision?" he asked smiling coming up to her Merilee wanted to run away but she had to do this. She had gotten herself into this mess she had to handle it.
"I did."
"And?" he asked his voice taking a husky timbre
She sighed "Stop it. Just stop."
"What? What's wrong?" He asked suddenly concerned
"The flirting, the smirking, the overall egotistical male persona! It's not fair. I never once did anything to make you think that I wanted to be with you. Than you have the audacity to just act like that I want you and I have no say in the matter and you're just going to seduce me into getting what you want." She snapped angry
"Merilee…" Trunks said in shock
"I like you Trunks I do and I'm probably insane for turning you down but I am."
"Okay." He said scowling
"And…I'm with Gotenks." She said
The silence that followed felt like it was suffocating her. She looked up at his eyes and she swallowed seeing the two blue orbs harden into stone. A muscle in his jaw twitched and the tendons in his neck tightened.
"I'm sorry. This isn't easy for me. I don't know what's going to happen or how far any of this is going to go but for right now I need to be with him." She said
Trunks had to let out a deep breath to calm down. He was angry, in fact he was furious! However he knew that his anger was not warranted. A sort of guilt gnawed at his stomach as he realized some of what she was saying was true. He had sort of pressured her and in all honesty that wasn't fair. He wanted to shout and yell at her but he knew it would do no good. He hadn't known her for long but one thing he did know about her was she was honest and wore her heart on her sleeve. In fact she was practically almost crying now.
He touched her cheek gently and she looked up at him with sad green eyes. "It's okay. I told you that from the beginning. You're right I shouldn't have kissed you."
"But…I meant everything I said. I do like you and I wish you would give me a chance. I don't think he's good for you." He said honestly with a practiced control
"I know and everyone is probably going to say that, I've even thought that, I could wake up tomorrow and he could be gone but I'm willing to take that chance." She said softly
"And that is what I like about you Merilee." He said softly and leaned down he gently kissed her forehead
"Trunks…" she breathed softly
"I just need you to stay away from me for a little while. A man only has so much control and I told you why. He better take care of you and if hurts you again I promise you I will kill him." He said blue eyes flashing dangerously and he turned away from her and walked away.
Merilee felt like someone had sucked out all of her energy. Shaking she put her hand to her face and let her silent tears fall. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him but she had made her choice and had to deal with the consequences whatever they may be.
Vegeta didn't know exactly what had gotten into his son but he figured it had something to do with that mousy, green-eyed, petite female. Trunks had come into the Gravity room without a word and powered up into Super Saiyan. Vegeta had smirked nodding and squared off against him. A fury like he hadn't seen in his son in a while exploded out of him. Vegeta was proud in this moment even though he knew Trunks' pride was hurt. He was glad that anger motivated him to give into his Saiyan instincts something the boy rarely did.
He had become softened and controlled by the corporate life that was expected of him being the Brief's only heir. There was a pride that his son was the head of the company and successful but there was also the anger that it had cooled the fire in his Saiyan blood. Trunks had lost his passion for fighting years ago unless it was absolutely necessary. This woman had caused him to find that fire again. These were the results that we wanted regardless of what the future held he was grateful, although he would never admit out loud to anyone, that this strange occurrence with his other 'son' had brought the life back to his eyes.
Bulma sighed disappointed looking at the young girl who was desperately distraught. She had hoped it would work out but if it wasn't meant to be than it wasn't meant to be. Merilee was under a tremendous amount of pressure at the moment and she did what she felt was right she followed her heart. For that Bulma couldn't blame her even if it was at the expense of her son's feelings.
"It's okay sweetie but I don't think you and Gotenks should stay here anymore." Bulma said
"What?" Merilee asked in shock. She had come into the lab to tell Bulma what had happened she hadn't expected her to ask her to leave.
"I'm not saying that because I'm angry at you I'm just thinking of what's best for everyone." Bulma said tapping her chin thinking
Merilee felt her shoulders droop she hadn't mean to cause so much trouble. Her guilt was gnawing at her even harder than before.
"Maybe you could stay with Goku for a while." Bulma suggested
"Why? We can't just go back to my apartment?" Merilee asked hopeful
"I don't think that's a good idea. Gotenks has learned to control his power and his instincts working with Vegeta but I want him close by to someone equally as powerful just in case. Merilee there is too much at stake here. I would say you could probably go home but I don't know what Gotenks would do if you left." Bulma said
Merilee frowned but knew what Bulma was saying was the truth. "Whatever you think is best."
"I'm sorry Merilee I know this is hard." Bulma said picking up her phone and placing a call to Goku
Not two seconds later he literally appeared right next to Merilee. Merilee gave a shriek nearly falling out of her chair as the man simply appeared out of thin air right next to her. Bulma had jumped as well before slamming down the phone and standing glaring at him.
"Goku! How many times have I told you not to use your instant transmission to just pop in?"
Goku laughed "Sorry Bulma. Oh hey sorry Merilee."
Merilee tried to force a smile but her poor nerves were about spent. Bulma saw her down trodden look.
"Merilee you can leave if you want too and I'll let Goku know what's going on." Bulma said
Goku looked at her curiously but Merilee nodded and quickly exited out of the lab. She just wanted to get outside and away just from everything. She climbed the stairs and went outside taking several deep breaths trying to let the stress seep out of her. She glanced over at the pool and saw Gotenks him sitting the pool with a pile of books beside him. All of her doubts still haunted her but her stress ebbed slightly seeing him. Without a second thought she walked the distance to him. He was wearing a long sleeved black shirt and jeans with some sneakers. She had never seen him look so civilized.
"Hey." She said
He looked up at her curious "Hey. What's wrong?" he asked worriedly
"I talked to Trunks." Merilee said with a sad tone
His eyebrows knitted together and he closed his book looking up at her intently. "And?"
"He took it pretty well considering." She said trying to blink away the tears
He didn't say anything and neither did she as she sat beside him and laid her forehead on his shoulder. Gotenks sighed looking at her softly all the power he had and he couldn't come up with an answer for any of them to why he was here or stop Merilee from feeling miserable. He didn't even know if everything was going to be all right.
"Hey look." He said suddenly picking up the book
Merilee looked up really uninterested but saw he had a book, on Jellyfish. She looked at the pages and saw the pictures. "These little blobby fellas are actually pretty kickass."
Just like that he made her feel better she giggled and he smiled seeing her smile. "Why are they called fish? They're not fish." He said confused
"Well let's find out." Merilee said taking the book from him and scooting in between his arms again just like last night. At least here she felt safe as his arms encircled her.
Goku walked out of the lab with Bulma following the way Merilee had gone. They both turned looking towards the pool and saw the scene. Bulma stared in surprise while Goku smiled.
"Awe! They're so cute together." He chuckled grinning in his usual 'Goku' like way
"Yeah they actually are." Bulma said smiling
Even though so much chaos had been caused by Gotenks arrival at least one thing was right in the world. Bulma saw now those two were meant for each other just like the first time she saw Vegeta she just knew there was something about him.
Whis glanced at the floating images curious gripping his staff. Beerus was still napping peacefully undisturbed in his bed high above unaware of the disturbance in the cosmic forces. The images showed the warrior Gotenks. The deity's gaze turned serious as he switched the screens tapping his staff on the ground.
Before him was a large spectrum of colors twelve in all totals before him. He tapped his staff once more and the screen zoomed in on the darkest red. This strand was the life and cosmic energy of the universe that the Saiyan's they had encountered lived in. Usually they strand was supposed to be one unending stream flowing in one direction. However this one was haphazard and splitting off into a few different directions.
"This does not bode well." Whis sighed before glancing up at the ledge Beerus' bed was on. He could already feel the god stirring. When he found out about the cosmic disturbance he would not be happy.
