Hello, all! I apologize deeply for the delay. My computer has been very fussy lately. Thank all very much for the reviews! If there is one thing a writer loves, it is people who enjoy his/her work. Here's the next chapter!
Lavina sat on the soft, down bed in Capsule Corp's newly dubbed "newly wed suite." Her fingers fiddled nervous in the folds of white fabric at her lap. She could here Gohan sit on the bed beside her and a faint blush crept up her cheeks. Yes, she'd agreed to marriage, but she wasn't ready for this!
Gohan was having quite the same thoughts. A gorgeous woman he'd met several hours ago was perched on the edge of the bed, facing away from him. What was she expecting? She hadn't said a word to him since the marriage vows, and quite frankly, he was at a loss for what to do. He sat down on the bed behind her and watched her. She was very beautiful.
Lavina turned her head to find her husband watching her intently. The red of her blush deepened and she frantically searched for words. Why was he looking at her like that? Did he think her ugly?
Gohan gazed at his wife as she slowly moved to face him. Her cheeks colored and he realized she had even less of an idea of what to do now then he did. A desire to comfort her rose within him. He saw her struggle for words, and quickly decided to help her out.
"Um, would you mind if I…if we…" He licked his lips, unsure of how to continue.
"What I meant was, maybe we should sleep separately." Some of her tension visibly seeped away. She was obviously relieved he hadn't suggested something else.
"Yes, of course." She replied in that soft, sing-song voice of hers.
A smile rose unbidden to his lips. She seemed so relieved. The reality was, so was he.
"I'll get some blankets and pillows." He suggested, rising quietly to his feet and to the massive closet in the adjoined dressing room.
As he did so, something tickled at the back of his mind. He allowed it to enter, and a soft voice broke through his mind, tentatively.
/Gohan-san/ It was Lavina. Marriage allowed two saiyans to speak together through a mental link. Obviously it had worked.
/Yes/ He replied.
/I…just wanted to know if it had worked. / She answered. Gohan smiled as he found some bedding.
/Alright. I'll be back in a minute. / He felt her approval through the link and the connection fell silent.
"Are you okay?" He asked, earnestly caring for her well-being.
"Yes, I am fine." She replied. He nodded, glad. An awkward silence fell, finding both young people staring mutely at anything but each other. Feeling it was his duty as the husband to take the initiative, Gohan spoke.
"You can have the bed tonight. I'll sleep on the floor." The relief he say flood Lavina's face as she turned to face him was enough to make up for any discomfort he'd experience sleeping on the floor. For the first time, a joy filled her eyes.
"Thank you, Gohan-san." She said, obviously meaning every word.
Gohan stood up once more and began to prepare his bed. He allowed his wife to use the bathroom first. By the time she had finished, he was done with his bed and ready to use the bathroom.
When he came out in his pajamas, he saw the slender form of his wife nestled safely under the bed covers. He watched her breath in and out, her delicate features serene in sleep. A smile played at the edges of his lips. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.