Updated 05/12/18

After his surgery Trunks didn't have much desire to do anything at all. It wasn't that he couldn't, but he just didn't see the point. His head felt heavy when he thought about crawling, and the idea of moving too much seemed more trouble than it was worth. Bulma had tried to motivate him, but Trunks was more than content to spend his time laying on his back. How strange the baby felt, knowing that something about him was different. It wasn't that he was in pain, but something was missing…

Yet his head was still foggy from the anesthesia, and he couldn't put his finger on what exactly it was. It seemed that he wanted to devote all of his time to understanding the new sensation he had with his body, and he didn't want to be interrupted. It was the second day after the surgery, and Trunks had just woken up. He lay on his back and gazed out the window that was above his crib. Staring at the clouds in the sky was the only thing that seemed to make him forget about how strange he was feeling... Watching those clouds reminded him of the image of Vegeta disappearing behind them as he soared away after his last fight with Bulma.

Trunks wasn't too sure of how he felt about Vegeta. What confused him was that he was always coming and going. Why did that man spend several days at the Briefs residence, and then disappear for an even longer period of time? It was hard for a baby to get to know someone when they just wouldn't stay put. And it wasn't only Vegeta's sporadic visits that puzzled the baby, but it was also his temperament. Trunks didn't mind it when he was in the same room as Vegeta, who would silently glare into space as if he wasn't aware of Mrs. Briefs' pampering. Trunks didn't mind it when Vegeta locked himself away in the ship for hours on end, either. In fact, Vegeta's reclusive behavior seemed to only intrigue the baby more. What was he doing by himself for so long? Maybe some day Trunks would be able to join him, and figure it all out!

No, what Trunks found the most strange was Vegeta's outbursts. The baby had noticed that it was a habit of his father's. How could such a silent and collected man be so prone to suddenly exploding with an overwhelming fit of emotion? It almost reminded Trunks of himself. The baby was used to opening his mouth and sobbing relentlessly until one of the adults came to assist him with one of his needs. But Trunks had learned early in his life that none of the other adults he encountered partook in this behavior. Vegeta, however, was the exception. The man seemed to be rather in favor of it! No, the saiyan prince wouldn't physically sob when he didn't get his way, but Trunks pondered that Vegeta's fits of rage were just about the same thing. The only difference was that Vegeta seemed to erupt when he wanted solitude, and Trunks' outcries were fueled by a need for companionship. This - this was the only adult man Trunks had ever encountered who seemed to understand how satisfying it felt to throw a really big tantrum.

And, oh, the awe that the baby inexplicably felt when he watched his father's bursts. He hated it when the man directed his outburts at mommy, and that seemed to be the case the majority of the time. But still, there was something about the energy that discharged from the saiyan prince's skin when he let out a yell. Especially the last time it'd happened. It was scary and made Trunks want to hide, but it also captivated him. There was something that felt so important about the way Vegeta balled his hands into fists as lights of energy shot out from the ki around him, and it was an image that couldn't leave the baby's mind. In fact, Trunks found himself thinking 'I want to do that, too.'

It was just so powerful…

He still wasn't sure what he thought about the tantrums that Vegeta threw. And he wasn't exactly trustful of Vegeta after watching how he interacted with Bulma, but the power he exerted – the strength of his actions! Little Trunks felt that his father must have been the most physically capable adult he'd ever seen, and as a baby who couldn't even walk yet he found it nothing short of inspiring!

So, as baby Trunks lay in his bed and watched he clouds outside his window, he smiled to himself. The loud cracking sound of air breaking, the image of Vegeta disappearing into the sky with the wind blowing his hair out behind him... Trunks wanted to have just as much power as he'd seen in Vegeta. He wanted to fly, too.

"You're awake?" Bulma's voice rang. The baby didn't break his gaze from the clouds. He couldn't understand what his mother was saying to him, and he was just too busy daydreaming to care.

It was unusually late for Trunks to be sleeping, and Bulma felt an unusual mixture of both relief and worry to see him so calmly laying awake. It was typical for Trunks to be screaming hysterically as soon as he woke up, and this change of pace, although peaceful, was too unordinary for her comfort. She'd expected him to be apathetic after the procedure he'd had, but she was surprised at just how much the baby had changed in the few days that had passed.

"Are you feeling okay, little guy?" She asked, reaching into the crib and brushing a finger across his cheek. Trunks didn't acknowledge her presence at all. He continued to stare out this window, his eyes seemingly glued to one object. Bulma tried to follow his gaze, but she didn't see anything unusual.

Hours later Trunks was still laying on his back, but this time he was on the living room floor. Bulma sat over him, waving a toy in his face. "Come on, sweetie. I know you're tired, but you've got to start moving a little. The exercise will be good for you!"

His head was still feeling heavy, and the ringing of the toy did nothing but irritate the baby. He didn't know what his mother was wanting him to do, but he had no desire to humor her at all. Without making a sound, the baby locked eyes on the toy. He glowered at it, and a second later he reached up and grabbed it from Bulma's hand. The fire in the Trunks' eyes resembled Vegeta's so much that Bulma let out a gasp and leaned back, watching in awe. As if trying to make a point, Trunks shook the toy vigorously at her before tossing it over his head, where it landed a few meters away with a thud.

It'd been weeks since she'd seen that flame in Vegeta's eyes, and Bulma was suddenly hit with an overwhelming wave of ache. Trunks' operation had succeeded in completely distracting her from the pain of having such a terrible and unresolved fight with somebody that she cared about so deeply. She hated how warm her heart felt when she thought of Vegeta's face. She hated how low her stomach sank when she remembered how coldly he'd treated her the last time they'd seen each other. She hated that she hadn't gotten to say anything back before he'd flown away. And what more, she couldn't help but feel ashamed - because even as she thought of how angry she was at him for his behavior, she still wanted to see him. If only they could sit down and have a real talk, their issues would be resolved. That was all they needed! They just needed to be able to communicate.

Vegeta just didn't seem to understand that, and it was a shame. Perhaps her feelings towards the him, despite how awful Vegeta had behaved, was proof enough that Bulma really did love the man - and she hated it. It was because of the pain she was struggling with that Bulma scooped Trunks into her arms and carried him outside. Perhaps the two could do with getting some fresh air.

Couldn't his mother see that he was tired and just wanted to be alone?! It irritated the baby to be carried off. He would have struggled if he'd been feeling more like himself. He just didn't have the energy or motivation. So, as much as he disapproved, he limply allowed his mother to carry him into the yard. However, when Bulma finally set him down in the grass his mood drastically changed. He was outside! He looked around, delighted by the nature surrounding him. Bulma had walked off a little and was whispering something to herself. Trunks couldn't understand what she was saying, anyway. He just smiled, nuzzling his head into the grass...

… And then he looked up.

Up. Up at the clouds he'd been watching earlier that day. Every time he looked at them he saw the image of his father flying away replayed in his mind. Oh, if only Trunks could fly! He would have gone after Vegeta that day to see where he was going. It was with that thought that the baby began to imagine how it would feel to soar through the sky, with the entire world down below him as his ki waved around his body. He'd be powerful, able to do anything and everything...

…He'd be just like Vegeta...

Suddenly Trunks was feeling inspired. He was going to fly some day. And he couldn't fly if he didn't start to move around like the other adults around him! He needed to stop being so lethargic! He decided that first he needed to learn how to walk. Then, someday, he'd show Vegeta just how capable he was! With that thought the baby rolled over onto his stomach and used his arms to prop himself up on his knees.

"Good job, Trunks!" Bulma squealed. "Go on, son!"

The baby ignored his mother's cheers. He was working, after all! He began to scan the yard for something that he could crawl to. He had a lot of practicing to do!

A week later Bulma was rocking baby Trunks to sleep in his room. The sun was setting in the sky outside, and the Bluehead sang softly to the baby as she cradled him in her arms. He'd recovered so well after the surgery. Sure, he'd been lethargic for a few days in the beginning, but ever since that moment in their backyard the baby was doing better than ever. The young mother wasn't sure what it was, but something had sparked a change in Trunks. Perhaps he was trying to get back at her for putting him through the procedure, but he'd been more of a handful than ever. He was crawling more than ever, getting into things, and creating quite a mess of baby chaos at every corner of the Briefs household.

It was when Trunks was finally closing his eyes that Bulma could have sworn she could hear a familiar noise outside. It was distant, but it was certainly there. She carried Trunks to his crib and gently set him down, pulling the covers over the baby as the sound outside grew louder. It was a very distinct noise, and there was only one thing it could possibly be.

"Vegeta..." Bulma breathed. She shot a look out the window to see his figure approaching in the sky. Despite the anguish he'd caused her, despite how bitter she was, it was hard not to feel relived as she watched him land in the grass below the window.

He'd come back.

After their last encounter she hadn't known when the next time she'd see him would be - or if she would ever see him again at all. Her heart suddenly racing, Bulma turned and ran for the stairs. In an instant she was at the front door, throwing the lock back and running outside.

The saiyan was slowly making his way for the house, and he didn't react when the door opened and the Bluehead came bustling into the yard. He wasn't surprised in the slightest. He'd sensed her ki as she'd made her way through the house, after all. And besides that, she always seemed to be throwing herself at him. He'd have been more surprised if she hadn't gone out to greet him.

When Bulma was within earshot Vegeta calmly spoke. "You've made it convenient for me in coming outside, Woman."

She gave him a questioning look, and she slowed her pace, but she didn't cease to make her way towards him. That sentence alone was enough to raise her defenses. She needed to act carefully, or else he might take off yet again.

"I'm going to be leaving again as soon as I share a few words with you." He continued, confirming her suspicions. The look on his face gave her no doubt that he was being serious, but Bulma wasn't didn't want him to go away so soon. She was will so angry that she wanted to slap him for how he'd treated her. She wanted to lecture him and demand that he apologize. But she also knew that he'd use it as an excuse to storm off once more, and she wasn't ready for that yet. She had a lot to talk to him about.

She needed him to stay.

It was then that instinct seemed to take over, guiding Bulma into doing to only thing that she felt might not turn him away. Without even thinking she stepped closer. "No." She breathed. "Stay." Her voice was soft and assuring, but it was definitely a firm order. She was close enough to him now to wrap her fingers around his wrist, beckoning him towards the house. The soft of her touch and the certainty in her voice had blindsided the saiyan, and feeling her skin instantly put him in a trance. He found himself unable to decline her offer. 'Perhaps I could stay for a meal.' He thought, allowing himself to be pulled into the house. She wasn't acting warm towards him, but she also wasn't being cold. The confidence in the way she held herself intrigued the saiyan, and before they'd even made it to the kitchen Vegeta decided that it wouldn't hurt to even stay the entire night.

Bulma could sense this. She'd refrained herself from yelling at him, and in doing so she'd manage to prevent him from instantly charging away just as soon as he'd come. She smiled to herself, the saiyan unable to see her face as he followed her from behind.

She would finally get to have her talk with him.

She just hoped he would listen.