Doubt

Vegeta had noticed that something was off with his son. It all started when Trunks' Saiyan appetite disappeared, in some cases he would skip meals. He has been cooped up in his room, working more and training harder than he used to.

Normally, Bulma would have caught on to his son's strange behaviour and tend to it. She always manages to fix any problem, whether it's work or family. This time, even she can't get into her son's head.

Vegeta made his way to Trunks' room, only to find it empty with the windows open. He knew where his son was, his secret hiding place. Vegeta climbed out the window and flew up to the Capsule Corp rooftop. It used to be his own hiding place, where he would clear his mind off whatever was bothering him. And when Trunks was younger, he would bring him up there just to look at the sunrise and sunset. Trunks would tell him anything when they were both there, it was his safe haven. It was how Vegeta got to know his son even more, and he cherished all those small moments.

"Trunks?"

Trunks turned to his father. "Hey, dad. What are you doing here?" his face was pale and his eyes were red, as if he had been crying a while ago. Vegeta noticed this.

"What's bothering you?" he asked as he sat next to Trunks, handing him a cold can of beer that he had brought with him.

Trunks hesitated at the question, tracing his thumb on the rim of the cold can, trying to distract himself. He really didn't want to answer his father, he didn't know how to.

"Well, I got promoted at work today. You're looking at the new President of Capsule Corp."

"That's good news. But that's not it, is it?"

Trunks knew his father could see through him. There was no use hiding from him anymore.

"The truth son."

Might as well, Trunks thought. Even if it risks making him look stupid, or worse, useless.

"Honestly dad, I don't know if I can live up to everybody's expectation. It's been driving me crazy. I'm sorry dad."

"What expectation are you talking about?"

"The future me. I've tried to be like my future counterpart. But I've obviously failed miserably." sighed Trunks.

Ah, Future Trunks. Yes he was stronger than Present Trunks. He was more focused, hardworking, dedicated, everything that you would want in a fighter. Although Future Trunks had all the qualities of a true Saiyan Prince, Vegeta never wished his present son to be the same.

Having seen your future, you would expect to be that person, may be even better. It was good to have a goal to reach, someone to look up to. But nobody tells you about the hard work that goes into it, mentally. It changes you as a person, knowing that no matter how hard you try, you will always be second best. Someone once told him, the biggest obstacle you'll ever overcome is your mind. Imagine seeing that obstacle in the flesh.

"I've failed you dad. I've failed mum, Bulla and the rest of our friends. I don't know if I'm strong enough to protect everyone when the next threat comes around."

"You might not be strong alone but you have everybody else to fight with you. You.."

"I broke up with Mai too."

"Oh."

Vegeta waited for him to continue. He didn't know what to say, in fact he wasn't very good with advice regarding the heart. They stayed silent for a few minutes before Trunks finally broke the ice.

"I know we were destined to be together in the future. I mean, the future me and future Mai are together. It'll only make sense if we got married and live our lives just like 'him'. But why is it so hard for me to feel the same way? "

It went silent again.

"Do I say sorry for…?"

"It's fine dad. It was months ago. We both talked about it and we've moved on. It wasn't fair to string her along."

Vegeta sighed. Relieved that this whole thing wasn't about his son's love life.

"I guess all the choices I've made so far are really the opposite of my future self. I know it's selfish of me to think of my wants and it's affecting everybody else. I can't help thinking that my choices now will change my future counterpart's life. I've failed everyone including myself," Trunks exclaimed, laughing sarcastically in between.

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself!" Vegeta had raised his voice and it startled Trunks for a moment, prompting him to look straight at his father.

"You and Future Trunks are two separate people. Whatever choices you both have made has nothing to do with both your lives. The only similarity you both share is that both of you are my son, but YOU are my real son. As far as I'm concerned, you have made me proud and you still are."

Trunks finally smiled, a sign of relief. He finally got his validation. He had always known that he didn't have to be just like his future counterpart, he wanted to be his own self. It felt good to get that validation from his father.

"Thanks dad." Trunks said as he finally cracked his can of beer.

Vegeta smiled to himself, feeling a sense of pride, thinking of how he handled the situation. "I guess that settles it then."

"Well…" Trunks trailed off. "There's this girl that I've been…"

"No. I'm done."

END