Raindrops Chapter 21

happiness at a price

AN: This update is shorter than I had intended but it's finally here ;A; shout out to THRILLHO for reading this over for me I'm going to be bopping updates between this fic and cherry contact (btw,,, I got some smutty art on my AO3 as well as some really cute art made for both raindrops and cherry contact if you haven't seen it ;) )

Marron's eyes fluttered awake, glancing over to the laptop she settled down on the floor. Her mind was still a bit scattered as she struggled to recall the details of the evening prior. She felt the sorbet sunlight burst through the white curtains of the hospital room.

As she turned her body over gently, she was met face-to-face with Trunks sleeping soundly. Marron, in complete shock, sat up as she let the memories fall into place. So it wasn't a dream?

Marron glanced down at him, his body squished against the handle of the hospital bed and beside her. He was peaceful, like a little puppy fast asleep. No serious scowl, just a content expression, she could watch him forever. His hair was disheveled and full of frizz, likely from the low-quality fabric of the pillowcase. He was so...cute?

This is definitely not the ideal angle for someone to catch their-

Well, what were they? Dating? Talking?

Maron shook off the thought and decided it was best to wake the sleeping hybrid. Despite her wishes, Marron shook his shoulder gently. "Trunks…" she said softly, to avoid startling him.

Trunks opened his eyes feeling a serious crick in his neck as he moved his head. He stirred in his sleep until his eyes opened looking upward to a gentle voice calling his name, and a hazy, sleepy-grin laced across his lips. The sun's rays that peeked through the curtains cascaded off of her skin, her golden hair cascading down to her waist. He hadn't responded, still internalizing the ethereal sight before him.

"Morning," he yawned, stretching his neck left and right. "What time is it?" Trunks asked, his eyes squinted looking for a clock.

"8:45 AM" Marron replied, her phone in hand. For a couple of seconds, the blonde was quiet scrolling through her notifications before receiving a text from her mother.

"Be there soon."

Marron's eyes flew open, the calm she had from waking up in Trunks' embrace quickly turned into a pure panic. "Shit, shit…"

Trunks perked up, looking over to her phone. "What's up?"

She looked over to the hybrid who was still processing waking up. "My parents are on their way...like right now…"

Trunks stared blankly at her before the realization washed over him. "Oh they're coming…"

Marron nodded. "Yes, so like...change."

Trunks got up grabbing the clothes from the evening prior and heading straight for the bathroom. As he closed the door behind him, he pressed his back against the door, sliding downward to the cold tile floor. He held his breath.

They both felt the same way, right? Why was he so nervous? Maybe it was his drained energy? Given he had the entire night beside her, he ensured she had bountiful amounts.

He'd recuperate. He wasn't concerned.

However last night, he almost slipped up...unbeknownst to him, his body craved her touch more than ever. Had it been different circumstances...maybe things would have ended differently.

However, this was so much more than craving sex. He'd had primal urges like this in the past that were easily purged. He'd never slept beside a woman without ulterior motives, not in a long time anyway.

He felt as though he was walking on thin ice, especially when it came to both of their parents.

"Oh honey, you look so good!" A muffled voice said through the door. It sounded like Krillin speaking.

Trunks panicked, quickly slipping on his dress pants, buckling his belt.

"Oh Marron!" A female voice squealed, Trunks could hardly make out who it was. However, with a quick energy read he detected three signatures in the room besides Marron and him.

Valese?

"I was so scared I thought you were dead!" She wailed, "I need to tell you, I've been working with the police...I think we know who did this to you."

Trunks quickly pressed his ear against the door, his belt hanging undone off his pants. But the possibility of finding out who did this to Marron was absolutely a top priority for him at this point in time, he figured whoever this was...was likely not a threat to himself but a threat to Marron.

Even that...was doubtful. Marron was a lot tougher than she makes herself out to be.

"We still can't confirm anything unfortunately but we still need to speak with Goten further."

Goten, of course! He didn't think to ask him who he thought it was. Granted, he probably didn't catch his energy signature. But he was there, he must have seen the traces of this individual.

"Ooh, must be tough working with Goten...huh Val," Marron commented.

He definitely did forget that one detail. Valese and Goten...their relationship was...interesting, to say the least. The two were cut from the same cloth, based on what Marron has told him.

Valese had a pause. "We'll talk later, I've...had an...interesting week."

Meanwhile, Trunks buckled his belt and slipped his dress shoes on, hiding the pajamas in the corner of the bathroom. He prayed no one would walk in and find out. He stepped out of the bathroom and quickly had four pairs of eyes staring directly at him. "Eheh, hey guys…"

"Marron," 18 turned back to her daughter, her brow quirked in curiosity. "Mind explaining why Trunks is here so early in the morning?"

"Well...he…" Marron began as she looked to Trunks, her eyebrows raised, practically begging for him to help her out.

Trunks took a quick glance at her and nervously shifted his attention over to 18, "I just...thought I'd stop by before work."

While 18 and Krillin were busy looking Trunks down, Valese slapped Marron's arm. "Get it girl!" she mouthed followed with a wink.

Marron threw her head into her palms. "Guys, can we please not make him uncomfortable," she pleaded, "He was just being a good friend is all, besides he needs to GO. TO. WORK."

Trunks took her gritted teeth as a sign, as he nodded slowly. "Y-Yes! Work!" he exclaimed - very obviously not just following Marron's lead - "I will see you guys later then…" he announced awkwardly as he walked out the door.

As soon as he was out of sight, Krillin turned to 18 tilting his head. "What's his deal…"

"Trunks you moron…" Marron whispered under her breath as she turned to her parents with a panicked smile on her face. "Not sure, you know him he's always a mess," Marron joked as she sat up looking at her three visitors. "So what do we know?"

"Well, we've got a feeling we know just who it may be...but we're still building up the case," Krillin stated, his fist getting tighter. "We have the suspect behind bars at the moment...but we can't confirm if it was him or not."

"What?" Marron replied incredulously, "why not?"

"Like I said, we're still building up the case against him, but Mare...I don't think it's time for you to kno-"

"Bullshit," Marron snapped. "This person tried to kill me...if it hadn't been for the fact I know how to manipulate ki I would be dead."

Krillin fell silent for a moment, holding his hat in his hands. A pained expression was strewn across his face as he looked over to 18. "We think it was Cash," 18 responded. Marron's expression quickly blanched. "The police caught him speeding 5 miles away from the crime scene, the vehicle's description Goten gave matched perfectly with his."

It was now Marron's turn to stay speechless, she knew Cash had a vendetta against her. He was blacklisted from working at any high school due to his lack of regard for the well-being of minors. But to go as far as to attempt to murder her? Over a new boyfriend? It wasn't entirely over a new boyfriend...there was definitely a vendetta against her. After her parents divulged into her school life and found what Cash was doing...they essentially ensured his life would be ruined.

She wouldn't be surprised if this was a ploy to get rid of her, as revenge. There was disappointment that lingered in her chest for a moment. She truly believed he had grown past this...deep down...despite all the shit he had put her through...she always hoped he'd grow and become better.

But it seems that time has not looked upon him kindly, and rather than grow he's festered in his lust turned to hatred.

Marron was in a catatonic state for a moment, listening to her father list off details that went from one ear and out the other. "Marron," Krillin began, catching his daughter's attention.

"We were afraid if we told you, Trunks or Goten the specifics...one of them would attempt to retaliate," Krillin responded, "it's to protect you guys...under the eyes of the law if we try to handle this privately things would not bode well."

"So then...what now?" Marron asked, looking over to Valese who's eyes she noticed shifted away from hers.

"We take this into the hands of the law, the suspect is not running around, so as of right now...you're safe," 18 responded, placing a gentle hand on Marron's shoulder. "Everything will be okay...your father will make sure of it."

Marron eyed her mother wearily, that was the same thing she said when he got fired from her high school, and look where that ended up. "But you shouldn't have to worry about him ever creeping your way for a while," Krillin emphasized, "We are sure he'll be behind bars soon enough."

Marron looked over to Krillin, watching the wrinkles around his eyes scrunch up as he smiled gently at her. Her parents loved her and she knew they would do anything to protect her. "I trust you…"

"Trust me!" Trunks emphasized to his associate over the phone, "the capsule coupe will be the biggest investment you will make in the next decade."

There was something buzzing in Trunks' chest, he wasn't sure if he was going through an emotional high but he felt renewed. Something about knowing Marron felt the same way lifted relief off his chest, he wanted nothing more than to run off back to her and stay resting between her gentle arms.

However...there was the simple fact that they may just have an idea of who did this to Marron...and despite the relief of knowing his feelings were reciprocated the same looming thought hung over his head. Someone wanted to hurt her, and this definitely wasn't the first time…

He had some suspicions it may have been that one person she kept referring back to, Cash…? He couldn't quite put a face to the name, but he has heard of him. Obviously, it was too soon to make a calculated decision...and knowing the way Krillin works...he was going to be tight-lipped on who the person was until he's in custody.

He'll have to find another way to make this person pay...without ruining his reputation in the media, of course.

These new revelations brought about new concerns he wouldn't have even thought of beforehand. They had no official title, no announcement they were even dating...they have always been around each other as strictly friends. Marron, his childhood friend...the girl who was meek and quiet...

He was so blind to not see, she had been enamored with him for years. It was only now...only after everything that's happened he could bring himself to see her in this new light. He was so careful as to not be callous with her emotions, dodging his adoration in the process.

"Mr. Briefs?" The voice from the other line echoed.

"Ah, sorry, yes…" Trunks cleared his throat. "I can go ahead and have my assistant forward that information over to you this instant."

"Fantastic, I cannot wait to see what you've got for me, Briefs."

Trunks looked over to the clock on his computer screen, a smile splayed across his lips. Six O'Clock. He loosened his tie, unlocking one of the windows in his office as he allowed the pressure from the window to scatter the neatly folded papers on his desk as he blasted out, overjoyed.

He could feel himself swirl between the thick clouds, but before he could move he was stopped by a faster figure. He looked up to find his father, his head tilted slightly staring at his son. "Alright boy," Vegeta began, grabbing behind his collar. "We need to talk, immediately."

Trunks stood clad in his regular training clothes, deep blue spandex, and the classic white gloves his mother crafted within the Gravity Room. Trunks held his arms up defensively, blocking his father's barrage of punches.

"The toaster's spawn?" Vegeta screamed as Trunks' ducked his roundhouse kick. "Of all the mates, you could have chosen?"

Trunks looked up bewildered, catching a punch straight in the face. He stumbled back, scrunching his brows while staring at the shorter Saiyan. "Mate?"

Vegeta backflipped back to the other side of the gravity room. "Don't be dense boy," Vegeta spat, "you could have gone with Kakarot's spawn for all I care."

Trunks' eyes nearly bulged out at his father's statement. "Woah, woah," Trunks held his hands up defensively, "w-who said anything about mating?"

"Your mother said you loved her," Vegeta stated blankly.

"I said the same about Mai!" Trunks exclaimed, "That doesn't mean she's my mate….humans don't work that way dad!"

"You rushed to protect her," Vegeta said, disgust laced in his voice. "You gave her your energy for fucksakes."

Trunks' cheeks blushed violently. "I would do that for anyone I cared about."

"Would you do that for any other human?" Vegeta questioned, now floating close to him. "You better be wiser about your choices...before you chose someone so weak that a human contraption would cause that much damage," Vegeta replied.

"Mom can't survive a car accident like that," Trunks remarked.

"Your mother's strength is her mind, what does the brat have?" Vegeta snapped back, "A soft heart with no strength to back it up?"

Trunks gawked at his words. "You don't know her...so long as she adds value to my life I don't need any approval from you...besides, we are not even dating…"

"Perfect, then I need you to truly think about this further," Vegeta finished. "This spar is over...go home."

AN: time to add some family drama *MWAHAHAHHA* anyways, leave a review/comment on your thoughts! Love yall :)