Adventures of the Chestnut Clan
Chapter 2: Bubbly Memories
The bathtub was filled beyond the brim with bubbles that almost camouflaged the body of a certain female whose only unsubmerged body was her head resting leisurely against one end of the tub. With a gentle blow of wind from her mouth, she sent foams of different sizes flying everywhere, some of which flew up to the ceiling while others left the tiny confines of the tub and onto the tiled floor. No matter which way these floaty orbs went though, none of them failed to reflect off the silky golden strands that were her hair and her blue eyes.
Reclining her head into an even more comfortable position, the sapphire-eyed female closed her eyelids and let herself completely sank into the bubbly world, her mind quickly drifting elsewhere as the sensation of the fluffy substances against her skin while basked in the smell of flower overwhelmed her consciousness.
Hopefully it will work this time! Common Eighteen! It has to work...
"Hey sis, you sure we are doing this right?" the fuzzy image of a boy no older than five or six appeared before her, his usually calm blue eyes sporting a puzzled look.
Seventeen is that you? And how come you looked so little and blurred? Wait, why am I his height?
"Of course brother! What? Are you doubting your elder twin?" these haughty words came blurting out of her mouth without her control.
No way, I don't believe it actually worked...
A quick glance at a nearby mirror answered her question as she was met with a girl of similar age in blue sundress, her shoulder-lengthened hair slightly longer as they extended down till her waist but her cat-like eyes stayed the same.
"No I'm not doubting you sis, it's just that are these supposed to flow out of the tub?"
His concerned voice directed her attention to a more immediate problem, and that being the seemingly endless amount of bubbles leaking onto the floor like a foamy volcano eruption.
"I-I'm sure it's fine brother," her tone was evidently lacking the confidence and dare she says, shaking a bit.
"Perhaps you shouldn't have poured the entire package at once sis?"
Following the pointed direction of his chubby fingers, the sister looked down to find her carrying an empty container that's almost as large as her midsection.
"Oh...ah...," the little girl hesitated a bit, "but why not bro? Don't you think it's more fun this way?"
"I...I'm still not sure..."
"Common scaredy-cat, here, let me show you!"
As if to prove her point, the sister stomped her way to the tub and gathered a handful of bubbles onto her hands confidently. Inhaling as much air as her tiny lungs could muster; she blew the foamy substances toward her brother and began giggling as the rainbow-colored orbs collided against her twin's form. She could tell from how his lips changed from a slight frown to a grin he was beginning to have a change of heart regarding their little escapade.
"See little bro! This is how it's done!"
"Wow! Let me try this too!"
Following her example, the male twin also walked up to the tub and, with a more timid gesture, scooped up a handful of bouncy white foams. The blonde twin almost giggled again seeing her raven-haired counterpart trying to balance the bubbles in his hands but ended up failing miserably as they escaped his palms.
"You are such a wimp!" she teased, earning a dirty glare from her brother whose expression changed from that of doubt to contempt.
"So I'm a wimp heh sis? Well let me show you what this wimp can do!"
This time there was no hesitation as the raven-haired boy gathered an entire armful of bubbles before flinging the foams right into her vision. The little girl let out a small shriek feeling the bubbles bursting against her body with some of them getting into her eyes.
"So who's the wimp now sis?"
"Watch it bro! You are such a jerk!"
The two began flinging bubbles at each other all the while wearing a smile on their faces. When that proved to be too slow, the two leapt into the tub and began splashing at each other, their laughter resonating throughout the now completely drenched bathroom with water dripping down from the ceiling.
Is this how I used to play with Seventeen when we were both still kids?
The now grown-up blonde watched through her lenses of her younger self as the two kids took a moment to gather their breath. Staring at her brother, the sister could tell he was having a blast despite of covering with bubbles and she could tell from how wet her sundress was she's no less disheveled as he was. Their identical eyes met and both pairs narrowed as they grasped what was left inside the now empty tub, preparing for one final assault only to be interrupted when loud knockings took them right out of their games.
"What are you two doing inside kids? It's almost time for dinner!" a female's stern voice penetrated the enclosed door, garnering loud gasps from the two.
"Sorry mommy! We are just about done here!" the words blurted out from the girl's mouth in such a sheepish manner her mature self almost chuckled aloud.
"Yeah mama, we'll be out in no time!" her sibling said before covering his mouth as he realized just how dirty the room was.
"Okay kiddies, papa and I will be waiting by the dining table. Make sure you don't make us wait too long okay?"
"And make sure you two clean the bathroom for papa okay children?" a male's voice added.
"Okay!" the twins chirped in unison, only to share bewildered looks as they surveyed the mess they've created.
"Eighteen! Eighteen sweetie is that you in there?"
Her eyes snapped opened hearing a familiar voice. Looking at her surroundings, she found herself back at the tub overflowing with bubbles.
"Sweetie! You've been inside for almost an hour, is everything alright?" this time the concern was even more apparent in his tone.
"Yes Krillin, I'm...I'm just taking a bath that's all. Cause I want to...you know...relax a bit," Eighteen almost cringed at how sheepish she sounded.
I guess somethings never changed huh...
"Okay Eighteen! Just checking! Also your dinner's right by the dining table if you are hungry!"
"Thanks Kril!"
"No problem sweetie!"
The all grown-up woman let her body soaked in the mountains of bubble floating atop the water just a bit longer, enjoying the soothing sensation of the foams against her smooth skin. As she laid there with her legs dangling leisurely on the edge of the tub somewhat glad of her new discovery, she couldn't help but frown at her intuition that something was still amiss. Taking a finger to a particularly large bubble, she gave it a playful poke and watched as a reflection of her now adult face burst into nothing.
No, I haven't succeeded in my mission yet, there's much more to what you've witnessed today...
With a sigh, she got up from the bath and began washing off the white foams clinging onto her figure, making sure not a single trace of the substance was left on her body nor the bathroom and then headed out with a half-empty bottle in hand.
Later that night as Eighteen was lying in bed with Krillin's muscular arms circling around her waist from behind and gently playing with the ring on her finger that matched her golden hair, she heard him popping the same question once again.
"Eighteen, I know this might annoy you, but..."
"Well Krillin, if you know whatever this is might annoy me, why bother asking the first place?" her voice was all cheeky and without bite and knew the learned warrior must've noticed it too as he chuckled against her neck.
"You know what I'm saying babe,"
"Yes I know Kril, it's about the long baths isn't it?" Eighteen felt him taking a steep inhale followed by a halt in his breathing against her. "Krillin I..."
"Is it because of me sweetie? Did I do something that annoyed you? Is that why you have to stay inside for hours?"
Hearing those words ignited a flame inside the cyborg woman as she turned abruptly in his arms and faced him with a deadpan frown, the frosty blue glow of her eyes shining dangerously in the dark.
"Why Krillin? Why do you love to think of yourself as the one causing me discomfort when the opposite is true?" she spat out those words vehemently before adopting a much gentler expression. "It's not about you Kril so stop thinking about it okay? I'll let you know once the time is right so why don't we enjoy ourselves now?"
What was supposed to be a reassuring peck on his lips turned into a full-blown kiss as the former monk reciprocated her affection by pouring all of his emotion in it.
"Wow, now where'd that came from?" she asked in-between heavy breathings once their lips parted.
"That's how much you've got me worried sweetie! And just to let you know I'll be waiting for your answer once you are ready kay?" his emotion rich hazel eyes met her own sparkling blue ones and the two chuckled slightly at how they've both unwittingly made each other worry.
"Kay Kril, now why don't we get some sleep!" she muttered and buried her head against his neck.
"Will do babe, sweat dreams!"
"So Seventeen, mind me ask you something about your sister?"
Krillin's question earned him a raised eyebrow from the raven-haired cyborg who looked at him all puzzled.
"Sure thing brother, but if sister dear wouldn't tell you it's probably not my place to divulge it don't' you agree?" Seventeen asked nonchalantly without any accusatory tone and yet, the human fighter still felt his face lit up out of embarrassment.
"Look bro, I know it's not polite inquiring about Eighteen behind her back, but she's been locking herself inside the bathroom, sometimes for hours for the past several weeks and no matter how I asked her, she wouldn't give me an answer!"
"Oh?" Krillin's outburst seemed to have attracted the cyborg's curiosity who looked at the sky thoughtfully before a knowing smirk formed on his youthful face. "Did you notice something off inside the bathroom afterwards, like for example weird fragrance or anything?"
The former monk's eyes widened before narrowing, trying to recollect his memory. "Hah! Now that you've mentioned it, I think I smell something akin to a flower after she's done. Why, what does this have to do with Eighteen's troubles!"
The smirk only grew wider as the younger brother listened to his words. "So you smell flower after she's done. Can you elaborate on what kind of flower it is?"
"Why I think it's many flowers, sometimes it's rose I think while other times probably jasmine. Why do you ask?"
The mischievous smirk from Seventeen was now an ear-to-ear grin, which unnerved the z-fighter as he watched the artificial human walking giddily back toward the log cabin the twins shared prior to Eighteen moving into Kame house. Before he could ask another question though, the younger brother had already handed him a bottle filled with purple liquid.
"Are you...are you sure Seventeen?" Krillin had blink several times to make sure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him.
Very hilarious Seventeen, either my vision's gone bad or my in-law's pranking me and it's not even April yet...
"Hey, when have I ever lied to you Krillin? Just trying to help out my sister dearest and her hubby that's all!" the male twin stated confidently with his arms crossed in front of his chest. "Took me several tries too but eventually I found the right fragrance. Now why don't you head home to Eighteen and I guarantee you she's going to really appreciate your effort!"
"Oh okay...if you say so," the former monk was understandably still not at all confident when he left with the odd souvenir.
The entire Kame House was pitch black save for the lights coming out of the bathroom window by the time Krillin got back. Gingerly, he walked quietly toward the closed door, only to be alarmed by a rather unlady-like groan coming from inside followed by sound of hands clasping loudly against hard surface. Mustering up his courage, he gave the door a gentle tap and felt his muscle tense as the noises abruptly stopped.
"Eighteen, is that you inside?"
There wasn't any sound coming from the other side but Krillin felt too worked up to stop now. "Honey, can I come inside? Whatever your problem is I'm sure we can work this out together!"
He need not repeat his question again as the door gently creaked opened, revealing a distraught looking Eighteen with a towel covering her body.
"Thanks Kril, but I doubt you can solve my problem. It's really beyond your ability this time," her tone was dead serious and for a slit second Krillin wondered whether it's a good idea to hand his wife the questionable gift.
Common Krillin, what have you have to lose? Anything's better her current situation...
Reaching inside his bag, Krillin hesitantly pulled out the bottle from Seventeen and to his surprise, the his spouse's pale blue eyes brightened up almost immediately.
"Lilac bubble bath! Where'd you get this?"
"You like it?" there was still a sense of disbelief in his voice.
"I...this might just be what I'm looking for but I'm not sure," Eighteen's tone was just as doubtful as his even if there was a sliver of hope in it.
The cyborg woman quickly poured herself another tubful of water and then applied a bit of the purple liquid into the water with shaky hands. Gradually, purplish foams began raising up from the transparent water while smells of lilac permeated the room. Without slipping into the bath, she felt her senses leaving her body as her memory began steering inside of her.
"Should I help you hold onto the towel?"
Eighteen heard her companion's voice from behind and let out a radiant smile. "Yes please!"
No sooner had she dipped her toes into the water did Eighteen heard the voice of the little boy again, only this time, she heard him calling her by the distinct "Lazuli!"
"Lapis! You little jerk!" the cyborg woman muttered to herself and then her vision switched from that of the Kame House bathroom to one she and her brother shared many years ago. In her dream, the faces were no longer blurred but crystal clear and so were their names, with "Lapis" and "Lazuli" resonating through her vivid childhood memory.
Krillin felt like he was in heavens looking at his wife's tranquil expression and noted how at peace she was with her lips curved upwards in an easy smile that was reflected off the many bubbles surrounding her. Deciding to leave his soul mate to her dreams, he gently closed the door behind him, leaving the dreamy cyborg to her memories.
Meanwhile inside the bathroom of the wooden hut sat the raven-haired twin also basking in a familiar bubble bath wearing a content look and dreaming of the same dream.
A/N: And this is my prompt for week 2 of Chestnutfest 2021 and the theme is bubble. I tried to include a bit of surprise from this otherwise pretty straightforward theme and hope you all enjoyed this.