A/N: Chapter 14!

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Chapter 14: Rebuilding

The owner of the rec center seemed more than pleased to allow Capsule Corps to hold a ball at their facility. To top it all off, apparently the check wasn't just to allow use: but to also completely remodel the recreational center just for this event. This particularly surprised Trunks. He knew, thanks to having traveled to the past, that Capsule Corps use to be a very big deal. They were responsible for nearly every technological advance ever made in the world, and also the improvement of quality of life for everyone. He didn't think they had so much money to remodel buildings at their whim, or that much pull that someone would gladly let them do it. And he was supposed to be the heir to this? Hell, he grew up fighting alongside Gohan. Sure, he had his other memories to fall back on, but he wasn't sure he was as personable as his mother. 18 didn't seem fazed at the notion and merely nodded that the man complied. Seriously, was he the only one shocked by this?

The next stop was the mayor's office. At first the receptionist refused to allow them entry, though when 18 insisted—and named Trunks as not only Bulma Brief's son, but also the man who defeated Cell and 17 when he went berserk, she immediately complied. This unsettled Trunks. He didn't want anymore publicity than he was going to get for running Capsule Corps some day. Furthermore, if they pried into his parentage they could possibly find out that he was half alien. Still, that would be hard to prove, he'd admit. The mayor himself insisted on getting an interview with Trunks, or at least giving him some sort of medal. Trunks declined both and merely said as a thanks he'd like to see the mayor at the fund raiser to help them. The older man readily complied.

As the duo exited the mayor's office, Trunks noticed 18 had a bounce to her step. "You're pretty excited. Is shopping really that big of a deal?"

18 looked to him, a grin on her face. "Um, yes? I've spent the last few years living in caves unable to go outside. And now I get to see all of the cute dresses and outfits that I can pick from. I get to pick a gown to wear at a ball, Trunks. That's every girl's dream as a little girl."

"But...it's just a dress."

18 stopped and looked at him before she shook her head. "God, you are such a boy."

Arriving at the mall on the other side of town, 18 nearly got out of the car before it came to a stop. Trunks rolled his eyes. He wasn't too excited to be shopping for a suit. He'd never worn one, but he had a sneaking suspicion he wouldn't like it. Exiting the car he pushed a button on the side and picked up the capsule it transformed back in to. Placing it back in it's case, he had to jog to catch back up with 18. Entering the mall, Trunks received a cultural shock. So many people in a single place, where he came from, would spell disaster. The androids would descend and begin their blood sport of killing anyone they could. Now, though, without a threat like that people gathered safely. It was a good change, if not odd for Trunks to see. 18 noticed Trunks's apprehension and she bumped him with her shoulder. "It's because of you people can do this now, you know. Cell use to not allow for very many large gatherings."

Trunks nodded slightly. "It's just odd for me to see something like this. Odd...but I guess a bit good."

"Why didn't you take that interview? People should know who to thank for Cell's defeat."

Trunks shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck slightly. "I don't want people to look at me as some savior, I just want the world to be at peace. If I can do that, and the people here are happy and content, that's enough." He watched as a woman pushed a stroller by them. "The fact that kids like that are going to be able to grow up in a world where they aren't cowering in fear of their lives every second of every day is enough for me."

18 smiled softly, though it quickly turned into a smirk. "Wow, smooth talker, careful."

Trunks rolled his eyes.

They found the dress store and 18 nearly skipped in causing Trunks to sigh and ram his hands into the pockets of his black pants. He followed behind her and watched as she began rifling through racks of dresses. An attendant came to her aide and Trunks was just in ear shot.

"Hello, may I help you?" The attendant smiled at 18 and the android nodded.

"I'm looking for a gown for a ball? Something formal, but not too formal. And tasteful, of course."

"Of course! Did you bring your boyfriend to get a good opinion?" The attendant pointed to him and Trunks stood like a wide eyed deer. Of course it made sense people would assume they were a couple, but still.

18 grinned and looked to Trunks. "I don't know, Trunks. Are you here as my boyfriend to give an opinion?"

Trunks scowled at her in silence and she giggled alongside the attendant. Both 18 and attendant moved further into the store and Trunks begrudgingly followed. Finally, 18 turned to Trunks after the attendant moved to the back to check the rest of their dresses.

"Be honest, do you think I have enough to pull off a strapless dress?"

Trunks blinked at her. "Enough...of...?"

It was 18's turn to blink at him. Finally she took in a breath and sighed, turning back to the rack. "Yep. Still as naïve as always."

Trunks blinked and rubbed his neck. Finally he put two and two together and he felt his face redden. "Wait, why ask me that!?"

18, who had moved around the rack, peeked over it at him. He could only see her eyes, but he could tell their was a mischievous smirk hidden behind those dresses. "Oh, I just figured you'd give me an honest opinion. So...?"

"I...I don't know! I don't know how dresses even work!" Trunks turned and proceeded to a chair along the wall, folding his arms as he sat. 18 grinned. Getting to him was simply too easy. Still, she knew Trunks well. All she had to do to get him to chase her was place ideas, or thoughts. Asking something so forthright meant he would certainly be thinking about certain aspects of her. So easy.

18 tried on several dresses, but decided she would come back with Bulma—as likely she needed a dress too. Trunks really had no clue about dresses or shopping. Instead they proceeded to finding Trunks a suit, or tuxedo. There was a tailor within the mall, and upon entering, 18 immediately went over to judge the man's work. Trunks gave her a lopsided smirk as she rushed over before he turning to the man at the desk.

"Yes. I need to get fitted for a suit?" It was more of a question, because honestly Trunks wasn't even sure how this worked. The man hopped up, nodding enthusiastically.

"Of course, of course. When would you need the suit by?"

"Two weeks or so. If there's a rush order I can pay that."

"Rush order is only a week, so no. Here, stand here. Let me measure."

Trunks moved to where the man instructed, standing rigid. 18 smirked at him. The tailor did good work, she'd admit. She watched as the man measured Trunks, who stood like a mannequin. Finally, she spoke. "Trunks, you can blink."

Trunks shot her a glare and she merely smirked. "I've never done this before..."

"Your first suit is like your first girlfriend, sir! You'll always remember it fondly!"

"Yeah, Trunks. You do still remember me fondly, right?"

Trunks gave her a wide eyed looked and the girl gave a giggle before slinking behind one of the suit racks.

"Your girlfriend is quite beautiful, sir."

Trunks grumbled, but the man didn't catch the words. After what seemed like ages, the tailor finished his measurements and allowed Trunks to step down from the stool. "Now sir, what kind of suit would you like?"

"Um...a formal one?"

The old man looked at him with a blank stare before 18 rolled her eyes and stepped in. She had read enough of Bulma's old magazines to know a little something about suits. Furthermore with the infrastructure coming back up she had been able to browse fashion at her leisure. "Allow me. Trunks, you just go and do something manly."

The swordsman growled at the android but took a step back. It wasn't his fault. Things like this was just the least of his concerns up until very recently. He had no idea about this kind of thing, and felt as lost as a newborn tossed into an alternate dimension. Ironically, that wasn't far off. Finally, 18 turned to him. "Alright, we're done. You'll be able to pick it up in a few days." Trunks frowned.

"There's no need for a rush order."

"And you're not paying for it. He was happy to do it once he found out you were the son of Capsule Corps President." She gave him a small smile and Trunks pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Really, 18? There was no need to even bring that up."

18 narrowed her eyes. "Don't you pinch your nose at me. Trunks you are the heir to your mother's legacy, just as much as you like to fly around and fight like your father. Both of those lives are lives you have to live...so why not enjoy the perks of being the son of a multi-billionare genius?"

"If that's the case I don't need favors, because I can pay for it."

18 sighed and stopped, facing him. "People want to help you, because your mother is busting her ass trying to fix everything. Watch the news sometime and you'll see that Capsule Corps isn't just leading in donations for rebuilding cities, but they are also sending all of their engineers to do all the work. Your mother is sacrificing a lot of her own assets and rebuilding her own company just to help people."

Trunks stopped and faced her too. "Yeah, but flaunting that I'm her son just to get favors is just wrong! I'm not entitled to anything regardless of who my parentage is. I'd much rather be a face in the crowd than some celebrity."

The two glared at one another for a moment before 18 shrugged. "Good."

Trunks blinked. "Good?"

"Yes. Good. I wasn't sure what your views were on it all compared to the Trunks I knew. Surprisingly they are just the same. I lied anyway, it'll be about a week before he's done."

Trunks sighed. "You were just testing me? The hell?"

"No offense, but you can be a bit arrogant at time—sans you mocking having destroyed 17. I was I worried that it extended to other things. I don't want some entitled brat chasing me. It'd be bothersome."

Trunks growled as 18 shot him a smirk.

"That's actually really good news, 18." Bulma and 18 were in the kitchen. She and Trunks had returned, though Trunks had immediately left right after to go see Dende. This left 18 and Bulma some girl time, and 18 saw fit to confide in her about the talk she and Trunks had in the car. She really was like a mother to her, or rather, a mother-in-law. After Trunks had died it had just been the two of them, allowing them to grow close. Bulma saw 18 like the daughter she never had. They shared temperaments to an extent, though 18 was capable of far more destruction than Bulma was.

"You think so?" 18 looked at her as Bulma sat at the table with a plate of food. 18 had no need to eat, but she usually did anyway. She still had most of her organs so she could digest food as any normal person. Tonight, though, she chose to forgo food. The banter with Trunks had made her stomach feel full of butterflies so she wasn't desiring any type of food.

"Of course. You know I'm all for you and my son being a thing. You'd make such pretty children!" Bulma chuckled slightly as 18 tucked her chin, flushing slightly.

"Bulma, we don't even know if I can have children. But I'm more worried about me and him not being compatible. He's...he's different than the Trunks we knew. They share some similarities, but that's about it. I have to get to know him all over again, and I might not be endeared by what I find."

Bulma chewed her food in thought before she shrugged. "I still think he's the same boy. He just had a rougher life. Deep down, though, my motherly instinct tells me he's still the sweet boy I raised. I don't see myself raising him any other way." She nodded matter-of-factly at this. "Still. I am concerned he will be too much like his father, after having spent a year with him. He won't really chase you if that's the case: he won't know how. And let's not forget his different circumstances as a kid. If he was training to defeat his version of the androids ever since he was a kid than he never had time for girls. In that case, you're going to have to give him subtle pushes. Or maybe not so subtle. Make him want to want you."

18 blinked. "Are...are you telling me to seduce your son?"

Bulma grinned and leaned over her plate. "Here's what you do."

Trunks arrived home at Capsule Corps well after the sun had set. He had spent the evening in Dende's company. The Namekian had been surprised at Trunks's strength when he fought 17, and he revealed he felt useless being unable to help. A guardian meant nothing if he couldn't protect the planet. Trunks made light of the situation by informing him to allow him to do any fighting that needed to be done, his roll was to make sure everything else was going smoothly. They had to get through Trunks to get to Dende, and that was simply that.

Entering his room, Trunks yawned and stretched. It had been quite a day. He was ready for a good night's rest and tomorrow he figured he'd do some training and then go see if he could help people rebuild things. After all, he could carry steal beams on his shoulder all by himself. Collapsing onto his bed her folded an arm behind his head and reached for his remote. Turning the TV on, he flipped through some channels. Finding a news broadcast he stayed there and began dozing off. A knock at the door caused him to come back to fully awake. He stood and opened it, nearly falling back as he did so. His face grew red.

18 stood at the door, clad in only a towel with her hair dripping wet. Holding the towel she merely looked at him. "Did I leave my conditioner in your bathroom?"

Trunks blinked, trying to find words. His mouth moved but no sound came out. How could she act so non-chalant about this!? Finally he found his voice.

"18! The hell!"

18 looked down at herself and then up at him, blinking. "What?"

"You're..under the towel?"

"I just got out of the shower, yes. I couldn't find my conditioner, I figured I left it here. I need it." She brushed past him, Trunks shuddering as her smooth shoulder brushed his bicep. She moved to the bathroom and bent in to take a look. The towel raised dangerously high and Trunks had to grab the headboard of his bed. Finally, he growled.

"18 you took all your stuff!"

18 stood straight and blinked at him. "Huh. Guess I did. Alright then." She turned and walked back past him, upon reaching the hallway she turned back to Trunks. "Good night, Trunks!" She said this cheerfully and left back towards her own room. Trunks sighed and fell back on his bed. His memories had never seen 18 nude. Of course he didn't ever try and see if he could remember such a thing, but given the circumstances he couldn't help but wonder. The farthest they had ever gotten was removing her shirt before she had stopped him, unsure if they should have some sore of physical relationship. He remembered he had been fine with that. But now she was parading around in naught but a towel? Why? He was a young man now. While she could wear whatever she wanted and he respected that, it still threw him off kilter when a beautiful girl entered his room wearing nothing but a towel.

He fell back onto his bed and let out an aggravated sigh. He could nearly picture her beneath the towel. A growl escaped his lips as he narrowed his eyes. She was playing with him. She was trying to seduce him, get him to try and make a move on her. No doubt so she could shut him down and play coy. Well, two could play that game.

A/N: I hope ya'll enjoyed this Chapter! It seems like 18 is taking Bulma's advice, and Trunks knows her game plan! But how will he try and fight back?