Chapter 28
Stay Gold
Eighteen sat on the beach, the endless horizon before her. Some time had passed since she'd agreed to meet Krillin's friends at Bulma's. She couldn't remember a time in her young life where she had felt content with all that had transpired. To think her one-time enemies would become her friends, let alone one of them to become a significant other. A kind of fuzziness developed in her chest as she thought about Krillin and his friends.
The sky painted itself in red, orange, and yellow as the sun bid adieu. Every single day she was treated to a beach sunset on the tiny island, and every single time she was fascinated by the sight before her. Then the stars would linger above her head, flickering like a candle in the wind, thousands of them keeping her company as she sat on the cushioned sand.
She released a sigh and tried to capture this moment in her mind, her pupils like the lens of a camera, memorizing the waves, the mixing colors of the sky, the tiny pebbles scattered throughout the sand.
Her hand placed itself to the side of her as she wished Krillin were next to her, soaking in the spectacle with her. He'd be gone all day, explaining Gohan and Chi-Chi needed help with arranging their home for the arrival of another child. She smiled to herself; when was he never willing to help someone?
Right on cue, a speck sped towards her as it hung in the light-fading sky. Eighteen could sense it was Krillin's energy. She leaned back. Sand pushed itself between the spaces of her fingers. A few minutes later, Krillin landed on the sand before her, a few bags in hand. He smiled at her.
"I hope you didn't miss me too much, Eighteen," he said. Eighteen shook her head.
"I don't think I missed you at all." Krillin feigned like he was hurt, a hand going straight to his chest.
"That hurts. That hurts a lot."
Eighteen smirked in reply.
"Let me drop these off in the house, and I'll join you." He made his way up to the house and out of Eighteen's sight. Eighteen bit the inside of her cheek, contemplating her conversation with her brother from earlier in the day.
Knocking on the wooden door, Eighteen waited patiently for her brother to answer. Her foot tapped on the grassy moss beneath her, hands at her hips. She needed advice and had no one else to go to. Her hand knocked on the door again, and she faintly heard shuffling behind it.
"Hold on, hold on."
The door opened to reveal her twin brother in a plain white t-shirt and a pair of jeans. His hair was disheveled, but as if he was one to care about looks. Eighteen's eyebrow lifted.
"Did you just wake up or something," she asked, walking past her brother into his home. Seventeen yawned behind his hand.
"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't. What's it to you?"
Eighteen shrugged. "Oh, nothing. I just was wondering was all." She walked over to the living room and sat down on the couch. "I need some advice."
Seventeen briskly walked over to where she was and sat next to her, placing his arm behind her shoulders on the cushion of the couch. "I think you came to the right person then, sis. What can I do for you?"
Eighteen had to keep from rolling her eyes. "Well…" She drifted off, unsure of how to start. "I think...No, I know. But, I'm not good at expressing myself."
"Yeah, I can see that."
She shot him a look. "Anyway...I think I might…."
"Be in love with Krillin," Seventeen said, finishing her sentence.
"Wha-How did you know?" Eighteen looked at her brother puzzlingly.
Seventeen shrugged his shoulders. "I mean, you guys have been dating a while, and usually people tend to fall for each other after some time. Only makes sense, you know?" He yawned again. "What advice do you need? You seem pretty sure of yourself."
"How do I tell him?"
"Say 'I love you,' of course."
"But…"
"'But' what? That's all there is to it."
"Do we get married?"
"How should I know? I'm assuming so." Seventeen narrowed his eyes. "I thought we talked about this before?"
Eighteen shook her head. "You made a dumb joke about it because you're a jerk." Her brother nodded.
"Yeah, that sounds about right. Did you ever answer that question he asked you? What was it, How you want to be remembered?"
"I wrote a poem about it. I think it's a poem? I just wrote something about it."
"...You write?"
"...What's wrong with writing?"
"Nothing, I just didn't know you were the artistic kind."
"I don't think I am. What does this have to do with anything?" Eighteen crossed her arms.
"Well, did you ever give it to him or do something with it?"
"It's still in my room, so no...I guess I didn't answer his question then…"
"How about you just propose to him." Eighteen's eyes widened.
"What? Why?"
"Hey, you came to me looking for advice, I'm just trying to help you out," Seventeen said. "Besides, it won't hurt you any. Some women do it."
The blonde cyborg fell silent as she pondered over her brother's words. A proposal? How would Krillin feel if she did such a thing? Would she have to get down on one knee or would she just have to ask him? She felt hands on the back of her neck as they began to massage her muscles.
"Hey, sis, don't think too hard about it. We all know Krillin has got the hots for you, and obviously, you got the hots for him, too." Eighteen gave him a look again but said nothing. "Why not just do it? You have my full support, which is the only support you'll ever need if we're honest here."
"Thanks, Seventeen." He smiled at her.
"You're welcome." His arm draped across her shoulders as he brought her close to him for a side-hug. "Just ask him if he wants to get married and maybe give him that poem you wrote or whatever. I can just see him bursting into tears."
"He is the emotional one out of the two of us," she replied. "But...How do I say I love him?"
"Just say the words. They'll get easier to say over time. Look." He leaned his head against hers. "Hey, sis, I love you." Eighteen's eyes darted to him.
"Thanks?" Seventeen huffed.
"No, not 'thanks' you moron."
"Oh."
"Say it back." Eighteen bit her lip. "Eighteen, come on, I know you love me, but just try saying it for once."
"I love you?"
"Good, but say it as a statement, not as a question."
"I love you."
"There. Was that so hard?" She playfully pushed him away.
"You're my brother, of course, I love you."
"Well, now say that to Krillin, but don't say it as if you're saying it to me because that'd be just weird." Eighteen nodded her head. "Oh, by the way." Standing up, Seventeen made his way to his bedroom before reappearing again. He grabbed Eighteen's hand and placed a small object in it. "Give this to him as a symbol of your love."
A gold ring glimmered in her palm. She furrowed her brows. "A ring? Where did you get this?"
"That doesn't matter. Just give it to him."
"Seventeen, you better had not stolen this."
"Oh, shush, I won it in a fight." He grabbed her arm and drug her over to the door. "Now, go profess your love to your charming prince and let me know how it goes," he said as he shoved her out the door. "Bye, sis."
Eighteen heard the door close behind her as she looked at the ring again. She'd asked Krillin out before, what difference would it be if she asked him to marry her? She placed the ring in the front pocket of her jeans before taking to the sky.
Entranced in her thoughts, Eighteen hadn't noticed Krillin when he sat next to her on the sand. He focused his eyes on her, noticing how stern her face appeared. Moving his hand, he placed it on top of hers in hopes of the touch bringing her back to reality. A few moments passed before Eighteen realized he was there. She blinked her eyes a few times.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were there," she said quietly, a red tint coming to cover her cheeks. Krillin smiled.
"That's okay. I just wanted to make sure you were alright." He squeezed her hand. "I also thought you'd maybe like these." His other arm had been behind his back, keeping whatever he held away from Eighteen's sight. Before him, his hand held a few yellow roses. Eighteen felt her mouth open slightly in surprise before she closed it again. Taking them from Krillin, she allowed her fingers to stroke some of the petals. In the fading sunlight, they showed like a thick and dull gold.
"They're beautiful, Krillin. Thank you." Krillin let out a breath.
"I'm so glad you like them. They reminded me of you, with all of them being yellow and what not." Eighteen's eyes darted towards him. Leaning in, she placed a light kiss on his cheek, letting her lips linger there before pulling away.
"I think this is the first time anyone's ever gotten me flowers."
"Oh, yeah? Well, I can only hope they've made you happy."
"They make me more than happy." The pedals of the flower tickled her nose as she sniffed them. A sweet aroma filled her nostrils. "And they smell wonderful."
"I'm glad," Krillin said. He turned his head to the ocean. "So your day was okay? I'm sorry for being gone so long. I didn't think it would take so long."
Eighteen placed the flowers next to her. "Yes, I was fine. It was nice just to relax. Are Gohan and Chi-Chi doing well?
"Yes, they're doing great! It was nice to see them again. Chi-Chi is coming along with her pregnancy. I think she'll be due next month?" He rubbed his chin. "I only wish Goku were here…"
"I understand…," Eighteen quietly said.
Silence fell between them. Krillin kept his focus ahead of him as Eighteen played with the pedals of the flowers next to her. They were delicate and soft, leaning into her touch. As the night descended, their brightness disappeared, but still, they remained beautiful.
'I suppose some gold can stay,' she thought to herself. Looking back at Krillin, she felt her heart race. Still, he remained silent and stoic, probably longing to see his best friend again. She placed a hand in the front pocket of her jeans as she felt the ring between her fingers. Inhaling, she brought it out and held it in a fist. 'God, do I do it now? Should I even do it? Will he be embarrassed, ashamed?' The palms of her hands began to grow sweaty as she wrestled with herself.
"Goddammit, what have I got myself into?"
Krillin looked at her. "Did you say something?"
Eighteen just stared at him. "What...Did I say something?"
"Yeah, I thought I just heard you mumble something."
"Oh...Uh, maybe I did? Funny me." She let out an awkward laugh hoping he'd just drop the subject. Watching him, she noticed his eyes dart to her hand that held the ring.
"Are you okay? Are you angry or something?"
Eighteen gulped. "What? No? Ha, why would you say that?"
"Well, your one hand is in a fist…"
Eighteen said nothing.
"Eighteen, you okay? You can tell me anything, you know?"
No reply came.
"...I'm not going to judge you." Krillin moved closer to her. Eighteen leaned away from him.
"I-I'm okay, I promise. I just have been thinking, that's all."
Krillin didn't buy it, but he played along. "Alright, well, what are you thinking? Did something bad happen while I was gone?"
Eighteen shook her head quickly.
"Alright...Well, I'm always here if you want to talk." He fiddled with his hands in his lap. "I love you, Eighteen. I think you know that, but sometimes it bears repeating." He flashed a quick smile. Eighteen gave him a smile in return.
"I know you do, Krillin." Krillin looked down at his hands. "And...I love you, too."
He nodded his head before he became still, processing what she had just said. Glancing up at her shyly, he tried to say something, but nothing came out. Eighteen watched as his face went through various stages of emotions.
'Well, cat's out of the bag now,' she thought.
She reached over into his lap to grab his hand. Her thumb stroked the skin on the back of his hand. It was now or never.
"Krillin, I know I'm not good at words…I'm terrible at expressing myself if I'm honest." She tightened her hold on the ring in her other hand. "You've done so much for me, more than I could imagine and I sometimes wonder how you could ever bring yourself to love someone like me. Someone who was manipulated to try and kill your best friend. And still, you've continued to see me as someone who is more than their past."
Taking a quick breath, she brought his hand to her cheek, letting herself fall into the moment before continuing again.
"I wish I could give you everything you ever needed. I know I'm willing to try if you're patient with me. And I know you'd do anything for me. I would never question your loyalty, your devotion, your love. I have so much to learn, but if you're with me, I know you'd help me get to where I need to be."
Bringing his hand to her lap, she silently slid the ring onto his ring finger. Krillin remained still, afraid of ruining the moment. It went on smoothly, as if it were meant for him. Although the sun was long gone after having said its goodbye, the ring sparkled faintly under the flickering of the stars above them. The single gold band was plain, but Krillin was marveled by it nonetheless. Eighteen's thumb rubbed it as she thought of what to say next.
"I'm sure there will times in my life where I will be afraid, where I will be unsure, where I can only hope the gold of the world will stay with me, but if you're by my side, I'm prepared to deal with it all." Her blue eyes locked with his. "Krillin...Will you…"
"Yes!"
"What?"
"Hell yeah!"
"But I didn't get to-" Eighteen's sentence cut off as Krillin grabbed her face and kissed her. As he pulled away, she gave him a strange look.
"You're not taken aback by me asking you to marry me?"
"Ha! Of course not! But it's funny you would ask me because I was going to ask you!" He dug into one of his pockets to pull out a diamond ring. "I know it's nothing fancy, but I thought it'd look nice on you." He took her hand and repeated her previous actions. "I hope it always serves as a reminder that I'll dedicate my life to you, Eighteen. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."
Eighteen studied the new diamond ring on her hand. It was not too big and not too small, fitting just perfectly. She smiled and embraced Krillin.
"Thank you." They stood up together and made their way to the house. Left behind were the flowers Krillin had bought with a single piece of paper beneath them holding Eighteen's thoughts, having not to be needed anymore.
THE END
Thank y'all for reading, for being so patient, and for just showing interest in general. I hope to write some more, and I'm sorry if this story was all over the place. I just needed to practice somehow, and I hope I showed some improvement. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
- AMM
