Raindrops

Chapter 3: A Little Bit

A/N: Take my computer away. Also, I should probably say this still is pre-GT. Sorry it's not that long, the first couple of chapters will consistently have a lot of build-up.

Marron landed minutes after Trunks, her arms encircled around her loose shirt to avoid it from floating too high. The blonde glanced at her surroundings, perplexed at her friend's reasoning to bringing her to an old pier. "Trunks what is-" Marron began, before glancing upward, her eyes catching sight of the warm glow of the sunset. Her heart tugged as she watched the sorbet colored sky, reminding her all too much of her old home. Sure, it was only a few weeks since she left the confines of her cozy island to chase her dreams in West City, but Marron would never forget the distinct feeling of digging her toes into the sugar-white sand of the island, feeling as the crystalline blue water crashed against her feet.

As she glanced outward she could feel the oceanic air dance among the strands of her hair, listening intently to the sound of seagulls squawking in the distance. Only the slightest sting, appeared to be Marron's response to the hybrid's choice location, which was silence. Trunks, who hasn't looked back at her, sighed as he walked a few steps, sitting down at the pier. His legs dangling as he swung them to-and-fro. "Thought you might like this place," the hybrid stated. His eyes darting back to the blonde who basked in the brilliant glow of the sunset. Suddenly, he felt his heartbeat quicken before whipping his head back to the view of the ocean crashing gently against the wall. "I like coming here when I need to relax."

Marron took small steps towards the pier, sitting beside Trunks. "From?" The blonde questioned quizzically, her icy blue eyes penetrating into his tan skin. "That's a stupid question," Marron muttered.

"No," Trunks smiled. "It's not stupid," he continued. He looked upward allowing a sigh to emit past his lips, in truth, there were a lot of things that he needed to run from. Not even his own home, no matter how vast it may seem had enough space to pour his problems into. "Capsule Corp is the main source of it, really," Trunks mused, "but I'm assuming you already knew that." He tapped his fingers against the cement, feeling himself get lost in the rhythmic beat of the ocean.

Marron, hesitant to speak as she watched the serenity in the hybrid's face simply said, "so then why did you bring me here?"

Trunks opened his eyes, looking over to Marron. "You may want to come here too someday," Trunks began, "the city is great, but it's crowded and stressing." Trunks stayed silent, looking over to her. He doubts she understood at that moment, but something about this place seemed to move her. Despite all of Trunks' efforts, he couldn't seem to put his finger on it, unsure on whether it was the beauty of the distant horizon or homesickness. But her reddened nose made it clear she seemed a bit too sensitive.

The blonde chuckled, wiping the tears cascading down her eyes. "Sorry, I-I don't know what came over me," she muttered before taking a deep breath, "it's a beautiful place, Trunks, thank you."

Trunks snapped out of his pensive state, jumping to his feet with a hand outstretched, "come on you sap, I got something else to show you."

Trunks' idea of something interesting was vastly different from her idea of something interesting. Though she tried to keep the most interest in what he had to show her, she was attempting to piece together why exactly a corner store was the hybrid's idea of fun, she imagined some sort of club...or a museum. But his choice of a corner store truly was beyond her. "So, you dragged me out to a-"

Trunks shot a deadly glare at the blonde, before opening the cooler, pulling out a hetap. In a swift motion, he handed one to Marron before he lurked into the back of the store. Her eyes followed the tall lavender-haired man as he pulled from the shelf what seemed to be instant noodles. Marron tilted her head and walked towards the hybrid, her brow quizzically arched. "That's super unhealthy," Marron began, pointing at the red plastic wrapped noodles. "Do you know how high that is in sodium."

Trunks clicked his tongue, and walked up to the cashier, placing the hetap and instant noodles on the counter. "I'll be fine, Marron." Trunks opened his wallet placing down cash on the counter. As he turned his head he caught sight of the blonde glaring up at him. He knew Marron had a solid point, but admittedly, Trunks was far too busy to eat a decent dinner every day. The hybrid gave a defeated sigh as the cashier packed the food.

"You know," Marron started. "For the amount of money you make, shouldn't you be going out to eat or something," she stated, her voice laced with concern as she clasped her hands on the plastic bag. She noticed a hesitant look in his eyes, "I- I can't let you just eat that...seriously do you have anything at home?"

Trunks shook his head, his hand outstretched for the bag. Though her concern for him was well-intended he did not intend to be mothered this evening, especially by Marron of all people. "Look Mar," Trunks began before being interrupted by the grumbling noise of his stomach, "I appreciate the concern but this isn't the first time I've done this." Marron paused in her tracks, already outside the corner store. Trunks had followed suit until they were both standing outside. "My bag, please."

Though Marron seemed, more-so at a loss for words rather than upset with the half-Saiyan, her blue eyes met with his and Trunks suddenly felt his voice caught in his throat as Marron stepped forward. His cheeks daring to show the slightest tint of pink making him feel unsure whether it was due to the cool breeze of the fall air or the fact there was a woman in close proximity to him. What was wrong with him? He couldn't even handle Marron being mere inches from his own face, he could feel his eyes straining to readjust as he settled his vision into her icy blue eyes.

"Trunks," she began, with a slight edge in her voice, "I am sorry, I can't let you just- I can't allow you to starve like this."

The lavender-haired hybrid quirked a brow, "what are you going on about Mar-" Trunks asked before being interrupted by a grumbling stomach. He huffed and took the bag, which hung loosely from her hand and slung it over his back. "Look, Mar, it's fine?"

Marron trailed behind him, her eyes glaring up to him worriedly. "Oh my gosh," she began, "do you have food stocked at home?"

Trunks simply scoffed and began making his way back to the building, which was fortunately close by. Quite frankly, he was insulted that the blonde believed he was so incapable that he didn't have groceries done...though if he were being even the slightest bit honest with himself, he wasn't quite sure when the last time he went was. "Marron don't be ridiculous, you sound like my mom." Trunks responded before Marron stepped in front of him with her arms spread out. "Oh ha, ha," Trunks began, "you know I am about ten times faster than you."

That was an understatement.

"Look," Marron huffed, avoiding looking at the impish grin forming on the Saiyan's face, "I'm not saying that I'm going to do this all the time..." Marron said biting her lip before looking up at the CEO. What was she thinking? They've known each other their entire lives and yet...Marron felt so nervous. "Let me make you something, just this once, yeah?"

Before Trunks could even answer, he caught the gleam in the blonde's eyes and akin to his father he answered sternly with his arms crossed over his chest, "fine, just don't poison me, Blondie."

Marron watched as Trunks unlocked the door to his penthouse and as the blonde idly strolled inside, she took note of the mess the apartment was in. Piles of loose change scattered across the table at the entrance, papers scattered across the dining table with an open Capsule Corp laptop connected to a charger, barely even reaching the outlet. Her eyes tracked the tired half-Saiyan prince who unceremoniously dumped himself onto the couch, Marron took notice of the ashtray piling with cigarette butts and a frown fell upon her face.

It was a nasty habit he picked up from his mother. Bulma was a great mother, however, she recalled how often her mother and Chi-Chi chastised the scientist for smoking around her children.

Marron turned into the ample sized kitchen, somewhat jealous of not having the same black stonework on her counters. Marron opened pantries, finding next to nothing. Hardly any cooking utensils were anywhere in sight, but opening the freezer she saw what seemed to be an endless pile of steak. "I see you have your priorities straight, Trunks." Marron teased, taking out the steak.

It was an empty apartment, almost as though he had just moved into it with the bare essentials. The minimal look was something Marron was always a fan of but this, it felt...sad.

"It'll take a while?" Trunks asked from the living room, his hands draped over his eyes.

Marron glanced over to the hybrid, looking at the almost writhing man. "Headache?" Trunks simply nodded silently, as Marron turned back to her task at hand. "Probably from hunger, this'll fix you right up," Marron stated, a triumphant grin plastered across her face.

The blonde stumbled back into her apartment, her tired eyes glancing at the analog clock hung on the wall. It was late...and she had work in the morning. Marron slumped down on her couch, her hands falling into her face with a stifled groan. She had done it, she absolutely messed up. Though Trunks seemed more than satiated from the food she had prepared she couldn't help but feel her kind heart beat any harder for this overworked man. It took time but she noticed the deep dark circles under his eyes when he took his glasses off, and the lingering stench of cigarettes on his skin.

"The poor guy probably has no outlet for all of this," Marron sighed.

Her entire perception of their encounter on the elevator changed too, he looked exhausted. But she couldn't tell through the lovelorn lenses of her fifteen-year-old heart. Yet, despite what seemed to be a stressed Trunks with no clear order... Marron could still feel the lingering feelings from eons ago seep into her heart, begging to leap out at any given chance.

Because despite his tired eyes, he still donned the looks of an Adonis. "Seriously, can he ever be unattractive?" The blonde asked aloud, immediately catching herself blushing profusely. Getting up from the couch, she shook her head. "What am I going on about? I should go to sleep."

Trunks laid in bed, royal blue eyes glaring at the popcorn ceiling, his eyes tracing the edges of each outline. It was the first time in weeks that he ate a real meal, but Trunks would never admit that to anyone. He appreciated the kind gesture Marron made for him, but as she left Trunks felt something he hasn't for a while.

Embarrassment.

The CEO of Capsule Corporation lives like a man barely scraping by, his penthouse an utterly filthy space. Trunks knew he could never allow his mother to see the state of his living situation, she'd simply coddle him and never escape her loving grasp. At times, he wishes he could go back home and apologize to his mother with the utmost sincerity. But Trunks was Vegeta and Bulma's child, and was the culmination of the two most stubborn beings in the universe...it will take time to ease his pride.

A/N: Hi! Hope you guys liked this chapter. Drop a review telling me what you thought! Thanks so much for reading! :D