Chapter
"Fear of Ma"
Once Videl had taken her leave, Junior and Gohan hopped onto the motorcycle. The day before, they'd stopped to get Gohan his very own puppy-themed helmet, which he now wore proudly. Junior rolled his eyes at the ridiculous sight of the boy, but decided it wasn't really worth the fight.
"Hang on tight," Junior said, though his warning was unnecessary as Gohan was already latched on tight. His tiny fists wound into Junior's shirt at his ribcage, and Junior could feel the boy's knobby knees digging into his thigh. He revved the engine, and shot off down the road. His laughter soon joined Gohan's joyous whoop as they sped down the road. It was hot out, with summer winding to a close, but with the motorcycle's velocity they were able to garner up a nice breeze. Both of their jackets flapped back, and Junior could feel genuine happiness bubbling up in his chest.
He could hear Gohan's attempts at talking to him, but unfortunately wasn't able to discern actual words. Online, he'd seen blue-tooth pieces that he could install in the helmets, which would allow the two of them to talk, and he intended to buy them. If he still saw Gohan, that was… Junior tried not to let his mood plummet too much. After all, Gohan would certainly sense it, and the boy wasn't to know about Goku's reappearance.
They arrived just outside Porunga's, where Junior parked the bike. He slammed down the kickstand, and scooped Gohan off the rather large bike. The little boy trilled happily—Junior could see his face through his windshield. He knelt down, fiddling with the buckles of Gohan's helmet. With a rather forceful tug—and only slight pressure to the boy's cranium—the helmet popped free. Junior deposited the helmets in the saddlebag, and smashed a hand onto the boy's hair, attempting to reign it in.
"Damn hair's getting long, kid," Junior grumbled. Gohan's hair—which had once been in a neat little bowl cut—had started growing out in jagged edges, tumbling down to his shoulder blades. The boy gave a bashful smile.
"Yeah… Videl said it made me look like a rockstar," he admitted, peering up at Junior through his bangs. "I've been distracting mom every time she talks about cutting it." He giggled, just a bit, and Junior arched his brow.
"Long hair, motorcycles, and now you're lying to your mom." Junior patted the boy's shoulder, a wistful look over-taking his face. "You remind me of myself when I was your age."
Gohan snickered. "Mr. Junior… you don't have hair… or a mom."
"Rude," Junior snorted, but stood, a half-smile on his face. "But not inaccurate. C'mon, let's get you inside to Milk. I'm sure she'll want to see you." They headed into the restaurant, which already had its little bustle of customers. Bulma didn't say a word—she merely pointed them towards the family and friends' booth, where Vegeta was already taking up occupancy.
The small man gave them a pointed glare.
"So that's why the house was so quiet this morning," Junior rumbled, letting Gohan scoot in the booth before he sat down himself.
"Har, har, Namek," Vegeta sneered. He tapped his pencil against papers that he had sprawled out in front of him, covered in red ink. Junior spotted the word caterer up at the top, and assumed it was more wedding swill. "Now you two shut up. I'm trying to focus."
Gohan gave Junior a pointed look, before immediately shooting into a long-winded explanation of his current favorite novel. Junior grinned—proud of the boy for his obvious attempts to annoy Vegeta. Perhaps he was a bad influence on the kid…?
Junior was distracted, though, as a mint smoothie was plopped down in front of him, and a plate of waffles shot directly over, clinking against the table. He glanced up, Chi Chi's sweaty face looking at him. He stared at the sticky bangs that clung to her, trying not to see that her eyes weren't exactly focused on him.
"Hi." She said, a simple word. Her hands were tucked into the pockets of her apron now, and he saw her hips sway as her feet shifted.
"Hi." Junior's voice sounded weird and alien to his own ears.
"Since when the hell do you serve waffles?" Vegeta demanded, his expression indignant as he pointed to Gohan—who was wolfing down said waffles at a nauseating rate.
"I don't," Chi Chi replied dryly. Now that her attention wasn't on Junior, she seemed to return too normal. Her eyebrows immediately drew down, and her mouth settled into a harsh line as she glared at Vegeta. "But I make an exception for my hungry baby." Her face became warm and loving as she beamed at Gohan, who in turn basked in her praise.
Vegeta scoffed. "How ludicrous. This is nepotism."
"Shouldn't a prince know all about that?" Bulma said, approaching the booth. She placed a soft hand on Chi Chi's shoulder, and the two women shared a look. Junior and Vegeta turned to each other in confusion. "Anyways, if you want waffles so bad, get my mom to make them. She's always so eager to please you." The heiress rolled her eyes. "You'd think she was marrying you!"
Vegeta gave a thoughtful hum. "Well, it's not entirely undesirable," he said, tapping his chin. Bulma's face became quite red, rather fast. "You and your mother share similar physiques, you both would be able to grant me citizenship… Though, she cooks…" He narrowed his eyes, and Junior watched nervously as Bulma reached into her pocket, drawing a fork out of it. "However, I do find our conversations to be much more lucrative. I'll maintain my contract with you. It's more favorable." He said all that with a decisive nod, and a shitty grin on his face.
Bulma stared at him, blinked, and slowly returned the fork to her pocket. She sighed, and cast an exasperated glance at Chi Chi.
"Them's the bricks, I guess," she grumbled. She then leaned forward, her hand splaying across the table as she pressed a light kiss to Vegeta's forehead. "I'll give you points for not being a complete ass, though." Bulma chucked him under the chin, then took her leave. Vegeta sat, apparently dumbfounded.
"Now that he's broken…" Chi Chi turned to Junior. He felt his throat constrict. "Tonight… when the restaurant closes… could Dende watch Gohan for about an hour or so? I'd like to talk to you."
"I'm sure he won't mind," Junior said. It hurt like hell to keep his voice even. To not admit that he knew what this conversation was going to be. She was going to tell him that she was back with Goku—that this was the end. He didn't need to be a genius, or an expert at love to know that. As socially inept as he was, even Junior could pick up on small cues (like making out behind closed doors).
"Okay. Later, then." Chi Chi's voice was awkward and stilted. Junior stood, told the stupefied Vegeta not to let Gohan get kidnapped, and walked outside. On his bike, the weather had been beautiful. Now it merely felt oppressive, seeping into his jacket. He clenched his eyes shut tight, and made his way over to Porunga's to talk to Dende.
Lazuli was sprawled out on his hotel bed as she painted her nails. Krillin sat on the bed beside her, as Goku sat on the desk. He'd just finished telling them all about his plan to return to Chi Chi's side—or, he'd been telling Krillin, and Lazuli hadn't been bothered to move from where she was comfortably sprawled.
"Well, it'll be a shame to see you go," Krillin said, his mouth tipped down in a frown. He rubbed at the edge of his gauze, tugging his knee up to his chest. "Are you sure about this? You love fighting…" And that was true. Goku lived for the stuff. While he wasn't particularly violent or malicious, Goku enjoyed the thrill. They were very different in that way.
"I do," Goku admitted, his lips pursed. His feet dangled down, toes barely touching the carpet as he met Krillin's gaze. "But I have to put my family first, y'know!"
"I may be new to this little rag-tag group," Lazuli spoke up, her pale blue eyes flicking between the men, "but it seems like you've been rather absent for quite some time. Why the concern now?" Her voice was harsh and cold, but Krillin knew it was just her cadence.
Goku sighed. "Because Ma."
"Ma Junior…?" Lazuli tilted her head, blonde hair brushing against the comforter. She started to screw on the cap to her nails—obviously deeming them finished as she sat up and began to blow on them. "What about him?"
"There was a newspaper article," Krillin answered. "Ma Junior was with Chi Chi at some event that Hercule Satan held."
"It kinda spooked me," Goku admitted, sounding almost sheepish as he rubbed at the back of his head. "If anything were to happen to Chi Chi and Gohan…" His brow creased, and he swiped at his nose. "I couldn't forgive myself. And if anyone were to hurt them—,"
"It would definitely be Ma Junior…" Krillin could feel the cavity where his nose used to sit practically pulse from the memory of what Ma had done to him. Chi Chi was insanely strong—but if Ma were to get a hold of her... he shuddered at the thought. Beside him, Lazuli moved imperceptibly closer. She didn't touch him, but her presence calmed him.
"Hasn't it been ages since you and Ma had an issue?" Lazuli asked.
Goku nodded. "Well, yeah… but, trust me. You've never fought Ma." His knuckles whitened as he gripped the edge of the table. "I believe in fairness, and second chances but… Ma Junior is his father exactly. The two of them hate me—and if Ma had a chance to get back at me through Chi Chi…" His face darkened.
"That's such a roundabout way," Lazuli said. Her face was bland, and she began tapping her nails experimentally.
"What d'ya mean?"
"Well, the Daimao's sound like brutes," she replied, half-lidded eyes resting on Goku. "Messing with people, getting at them through their spouses—sounds more like a Cold Family thing, or something that me and my brother would do." A coy smile furled across her lips, and Krillin gulped. Lazuli had left town in their van, ignoring the angry calls she'd gotten from her brother, and only responding in short, curt messages. She'd simply told him that to prepare for the next fight, she'd ride with Krillin and Goku, where she'd be closer to the arena.
"I still don't understand…" Goku's brow collapsed in on itself.
"I'm saying—the Daimao's don't sound sneaky." She shrugged. "Maybe in an actual fight they have tactics, or whatever, but we're talking about something entirely different. Messing with someone outside of the ring."
Krillin crossed his arms, and tried not to read too much into her words. He could feel her gaze on him, though, and he was once again reminded of the predatory way in which she conducted herself.
"Hm…" Goku sighed, and shrugged his shoulders. "I guess you're right, 18. But I still don't feel safe about it all. And… I can't go worrying forever. I do wish I knew how exactly Ma Junior even met up with Chi Chi…"
"Yes, that is interesting, isn't it," Lazuli said. "They were at a party yes?"
"In matching costumes, walking together," Krillin supplied helpfully. There was a moment of silence, before Lazuli blinked. Goku didn't notice her change—and Krillin didn't quite know why he did, but something about her seemed to scream that she had an answer.
"Goku," Lazuli said suddenly, rising off the bed, "why don't you go check on Yamcha and Tien?"
"Well… sure, but… why?"
"Girl stuff," she said, shaking a hand. "Real messy—you don't want to be here."
"Okay," Goku grimaced, and hopped off the desk. "I'll take Krillin with me!"
"No," Lazuli interjected. "I need Krillin to stay."
Goku blinked once. Twice. Three times. Then his mouth dropped open slightly, and he gave a quick nod. Krillin blanched at the fact that Goku was actually looking a little flushed.
"I gotcha 18," he stage-whispered, before waddling up to Krillin. "Be careful best-buddy… it can be a bit scary." Then he hurriedly left.
"You went and gave him the wrong idea!" Krillin protested, just as Lazuli dipped one knee into the bed, catching him off-guard as she pressed a kiss on him. He practically melted, and his shoulders slid downwards, hands useless lumps at his side. It wasn't their first kiss—and he hoped it wasn't their last. Lazuli never said anything definitively, but one day the kissing had started, but she said nothing in regards to their relationship. She still acted as if they were friends—friends that were going to fight and beat the snot out of each other, but friends. Part of him felt like he should protest, and argue that he shouldn't be kissing a girl that no commitment had been laid out for, and yet…
"Do you know where Son Chi Chi works?" Lazuli asked. She'd pulled back slightly, though her lips were still touching his. He found it very hard to concentrate when she was that close. It was very unfair of her, but Krillin was certain she knew that.
"Yes—Goku wrote down the address… why?" He furrowed his brow, and Lazuli stood up, her fists on her hip.
"Because, I'm pretty certain Chi Chi is probably friends with Ma Junior, and Goku's just an idiot."
"Wha…? But Chi Chi would recognize Ma!" He could feel panic welling up inside of him. The thought of Ma was enough to send him spiraling. His lungs felt as if they were being crushed. "There's no way she's friends with that!"
Lazuli reached out, her cold fingers pressing against his cheek. He felt himself calming down at her touch, but he could still feel the panic bubbling there.
"I don't know how or why," Lazuli said, "but you don't accidentally show up to a party in matching outfits, walking together. You said it yourself—didn't you? How many parties have you gone to with people you don't know?"
Krillin thought, briefly, of telling her that he didn't go to parties at all, thank-you very much, but she'd already risen.
"Get your shoes on," she said, and grabbed her own boots from where they'd been discarded over by the door. They soon headed down the hallway, where Lazuli called a cab to come get them.
"You didn't have to give Goku the wrong idea, y'know," Krillin spoke up, mumbling so as to not alert the cab driver. "Now people are going to think…" he trailed off, too flustered to finish.
Lazuli rolled her eyes. "You really think Goku's going to tell anyone?" She gave him a rather carnivorous smirk. "And anyways, baldy, is it such a bad thing if people think we are?"
He gulped. The cab suddenly felt very hot, and very tiny. "We're not dating," he said quietly, his fingers knotting together in his lap. "It would be inappropriate. I don't want them thinking you're…"
"Of loose morals?" Lazuli finished his sentence with a snort. "Listen," she flicked him lightly on the head, "get out of your own head, and relax."
That, Krillin noticed, did not actually answer any of the issues that he'd had.
But, at that point they had pulled up to Chi Chi's restaurant. Lazuli paid the cab driver, and the two quickly exited the car. The restaurant was closed, but the lights were still on, and they could see Chi Chi nervously pacing the floor. They moved closer, sitting on a bench by the door.
"What's the plan exac—,"
"Sh," Lazuli shushed him, pointing to the restaurant door, where Krillin could see Gohan. It had been a long time since he'd had any contact with the little boy, and he attempted to slump behind Lazuli's shoulder so as to not be recognized.
Chi Chi soon joined Gohan at the door, her hand nervously resting on the boy's shoulder. He tilted his head back, pointing eagerly to the store next door, where a large man was appearing from. Krillin sucked in a deep breath—all of a sudden he couldn't breathe again. Fear pulsed through his entire body, and he could feel the deep bound urge to run, to get away.
Because underneath the dim streetlights stood Ma Junior, his hulking form standing over top Chi Chi and Gohan. He looked monstrous—harsh lights throwing his already pointed features into weird reliefs. His wicked claws stretched towards Gohan, and Krillin gasped, lurching up from his seat. As scared as he was, he couldn't let anything happen to Gohan and Chi Chi!
Lazuli's hand was tight around his bicep, though, keeping him anchored. He was startled at the strength she held, and allowed himself to be lowered back into his seat. His little episode hadn't attracted the attention of the group. He supposed they just looked like a normal couple, and with the dim lighting, their features were presumably unrecognizable.
"Hey, brat," Krillin heard Ma's voice rumble out, as the demon squatted down and ruffled Gohan's hair. He froze, unsure of what he was witnessing. "Dende's ready to have you over. I'll come get you in a little bit, once me and your mom are done talking."
"Okay, Mr. Junior!" Gohan cried happily. The boy beamed, and wrapped his arms around Ma's neck, practically dangling from the beast. Krillin wanted to cry. Mr. Junior?! he thought hysterically.
"Make sure you behave, Gohan," Chi Chi warned, and Krillin wanted to know why she didn't jerk her little boy away from Ma! Why didn't she kick the ever-loving hell out of that monster? Didn't she know what Ma had done to him? What he'd done to Goku? To everyone of their fellow fighters?
Gohan grasped Ma's hand, and he walked the little boy to the shop next door. Once Gohan was safely inside, Ma stuffed his hands into his pockets, and shuffled back over to Chi Chi. Krillin couldn't see Chi Chi's expression, but he watched her shoulders drop, and her whole countenance droop.
"You want to come in…?" Chi Chi sounded so unsure of herself. Krillin didn't know how to respond to that. The Chi Chi he knew was fire and lightning—there was no such thing as an Unsure Chi Chi in his world. Certainly not one that softly reached out and touched green forearms as if she would break them.
Ma gave her a pointed look. "Listen, Milk… I know why you wanted to talk."
Milk? A nickname? Krillin didn't know how to process this. Why wasn't Chi Chi knocking Ma's fangs down his throat?
"It's not a surprise," Chi Chi's voice was flat, and she tucked some hair behind her ears, "is it?"
"No." Ma shrugged his shoulders, jaw set tight.
"Surprise or no, I'd still like to talk inside. I'll make you a mint smoothie." Chi Chi had shifted then, and Krillin could see her face. There was a wobbly sort of smile hanging there. It looked so thin—as if it might break. He was startled as Ma seemed to relax, deflating in on himself as he gave a short, curt nod.
"I'm going to get fat," Ma grumbled, "all you do is pump me full of smoothies."
"It's what mothers do," Chi Chi grinned—a real one, this time. "I know your species may not understand that, but I intend to do my humanly duty."
"How quaint," Ma chuckled, and his eyes trailed downwards. "You have a noodle." His hand went out towards Chi Chi's hip, plucking it as he tossed it quickly onto the ground.
"Thanks," Chi Chi sniffed—and the two were rather close. One time Krillin had violated Chi Chi's two-foot rule and had been promptly slammed through a table. Why the hell was she letting Ma get so close? "What a way to make a woman not feel gross."
"If it's any consolation," Ma grinned, "it's not about your womanhood, it's about your inability to be clean."
"Asshole," she snorted, but held the door open for him. "Come on in… we've got ground to cover."
When the door slammed shut, Krillin didn't quite know what to say.
"They were flirting," Lazuli said—which was Krillin had known, but hadn't wanted to admit. "Interesting… maybe she doesn't know he's Ma?"
"That's impossible," Krillin said. "Even if she hadn't before the party, Goku specifically told her who he was when he went to visit her." He shook his head slowly. "I don't understand…"
Lazuli made a thoughtful noise. "I think it's fairly obvious. It doesn't look as if the two are doing anything…" She squinted at the window, where Krillin could see a melancholic Ma sitting at a booth. "Hm… they mentioned needing to talk… perhaps it's because Goku returned?" She grinned.
Krillin shook his head emphatically. "You don't understand. Chi Chi's the most loyal woman I've ever met in my life. Men weren't even allowed in her bubble."
"Is he a man if he's technically an alien?" Lazuli offered drolly, ignoring Krillin's baleful look.
"Goku's an alien, if you recall."
Lazuli shrugged. "I'll be honest with you; I did this out of curiosity. I don't really care much about Son Goku." She tilted her head. "I put up with him because he's friends with you."
Krillin shuffled on the bench. "Hey… Lazuli… you always say stuff… a-and you kiss me but… are we—," his voice cut off in to a high pitched squeak as Lazuli placed a hand on his thigh. She was always so cold, but he didn't protest.
"All you have to do is say the words, baldy," she practically purred, and Krillin gulped. She always managed to make him feel like prey, trapped underneath her. He worried away at his lip, as he glanced nervously into those pale eyes.
"L-Lazuli," he mumbled, maintaining eye contact, no matter how much it killed him, "would you uh—do you wanna uh—da-date me?"
Lazuli sighed, and fixated him with a rather dry look. "Of course, stupid," she said, placing a kiss on his cheek. "It only took you… how long?"
"Uh—," he gaped, like a fish.
"Beautiful. Very romantic." Lazuli's mouth twitched upwards at the corner. "All right. Let's get back to the hotel— 'lady stuff' didn't buy us much time, I'm certain." She glanced at the window, where she could see Chi Chi and Ma looking extremely distraught. Krillin grimaced.
"Should we say anything…?"
"I wouldn't," Lazuli advised. "Maybe if we'd caught Chi Chi doing something but…" she tilted her head. "Maybe green man's denser then you are."
Krillin flushed. He didn't particularly like being compared to Ma… but… He stared at Ma's hunched shoulders, and pinched up eyes. He didn't look very threatening in that moment—nor very monstrous. In fact, if Krillin didn't know any better, he'd think that Ma was almost in tears. But, that was ridiculous, he reminded himself. All that mattered, really, was that Krillin wasn't all that scared of him in that moment.
"So… have you really been waiting for me to ask you out?"
Lazuli glanced up from her phone, where she'd been arranging another cab. "Hm? Oh, yes." She replied evenly, with a shrug of her shoulders. "From the beginning."
"Why—why didn't you say anything?" Krillin spluttered.
She stared. "I figured kissing you, taking you out on dates, and staying in your hotel room was enough. I was clearly wrong."
Krillin flushed, and glared at the ground. He supposed, really, that he was a bit dense for all of that.
Chapter
"Right Choice?"
"Here…" Chi Chi set down the mint smoothie she'd made for Junior as he stared idly at the table. His claws were doing a nervous tip-tapping across the surface, and she tried very hard not to focus too much on that. She sat down across from him and pressed her fingers together.
"So, Goku?" Junior said it in a flat voice. He pulled his drink closer and took an idle sip at it. Chi Chi tried not to visibly tense. She could feel something as it gnawed away at her belly.
She swallowed. "Yeah. He uh… he's—well, he's thinking about staying full time." Inside she could feel her entire being crumbling. She maintained her outward appearance of supreme confidence. Across the table, she could see Junior was projecting the very same mask of calm. He simply released his straw, and nodded.
"I'm not surprised."
"Really, 'cuz I sure was," Chi Chi grumbled. For just a moment, she allowed bitterness to seep in, and her mouth twisted into a sardonic grin. Junior smiled as well—just a bit.
"He is your husband." Junior said that with unflappable calm. His claws made no more pitter-patter, and came to a rest. His fingers sat limp. Chi Chi stared at them instead of his eyes.
"Yes. Yes, he is." She sucked in a deep breath. "I just—felt like you should know."
Junior said nothing for a long moment, before he shifted uncomfortably. "You don't owe me any explanations, Chi Chi."
That cut her to the bone. She wanted to cry. Who the hell was he to use her name? Hadn't they known each other for a year—possibly two? She couldn't seem to recall when exactly they'd grown as close as they had. She couldn't remember when grown-up movie nights had started, or when, exactly it became okay to huddle up in a strange bedroom, trading secrets.
Her lips pressed into a thin line. "It's not about what I owe you," she said, instead—because nothing else she could think of sounded okay. "It's about being friends." Because they were. Or, she thought they were. If he was going to start calling her Chi Chi she didn't think she could stand it. Hadn't Milk been the bane of her existence? The epitome of Namekian blandness?
Now it was something inherently Junior.
He inclined his head.
"I also…" she hesitated. "I—at first, I wasn't so certain I wanted him back in my life," Chi Chi admitted.
"But Gohan needs a father figure in his life," Junior supplied. Chi Chi nodded swiftly, and pretended she didn't see the crease that appeared on Junior's brow. "It's fine, Chi Chi. I know you'll do what's best for Gohan. He deserves to have a family." His eyes weren't quite focused, but Chi Chi didn't know what she could say to right that wrong. And he was still calling her by her name.
"I'm glad you understand." Her shoulders slumped forward, and she tucked a piece of hair back behind her ear. Junior shifted in his seat, and glanced at the door.
"Of course I do." Junior slid slowly out of the booth, and rose to his full height. Chi Chi remained in the booth. She craned her neck to look at him. She wondered if he was angry—if he'd shout, if he'd cry, if he'd do much of anything. "I may not know personally about mothers, but I know you're doing everything that they're supposed to do. You won't let anything hurt your kid." He nodded, and an odd smile lurched across his lips. "Regardless, I'll always be here for Gohan."
She nodded. "Of course. You're a big part of his life." She didn't say that he was a big part of hers as well—because at this point, why bother? There was an ocean of things unsaid that lay between them, why not add one more thing to the pile? Thoughts and words bubbled around; things never explored or truly developed.
"If the brat's still interested, you know where I'll be."
Not here.
Junior stuffed his hands into his pockets, and Chi Chi squinted her eyes up as he proceeded out of the restaurant. She muttered a good night, but whether or not he heard her she couldn't be certain. Surely the big ears weren't for show?
She stood and locked up after him. She still had to tell Gohan…
Junior sat in Dende's shop, secluded behind a couple of elephant ear plants so that way he couldn't easily be seen. Despite his green color, the camouflage wasn't exactly the best ever conceived, and his size certainly didn't help in the hiding matter. There was, however, a general consensus of all who entered that—camouflaged or not—a large man with pointy teeth prowling through foliage was not to be messed with.
He'd taken up occupancy in the shop due to Nail kicking him out of the apartment (consequently the roof) for being a— "insufferable nuisance to his free-time". Junior had almost punched him for using such a ridiculous way of calling him annoying, but he'd thought better of it. Normally, if he were left to his own devices, Junior would head over to Chi Chi's to bother her, or at the very least laugh at Vegeta's pathetic interactions with Bulma. But—
He glared at the scratched up table, where several flowers he didn't recognize tumbled from their pots, and spread their blossoms all across the table. It was disgusting how pretty they looked. He bared his fangs at the flowers. He was rather tired of pretty things. At least these didn't sweat, or tell him all about their husbands.
Junior drummed his nails sharply against the wood. If he hadn't made that stupid promise to Gohan, he could at least look forward to the fight that was upcoming. What good did it do him to face Son Goku in the ring if he couldn't get a therapeutic bashing out of it? The stupid ape's face would look particularly good smeared across a ring. But—
Then she'd probably cry.
He sneered at the thought.
The door banged open, and Junior set his spine in a rigid formation. He didn't glance up, preferring for the customers to stumble upon him. It was much more satisfying that way. It didn't take long, though, until the leaves were peeled back, and instead of a startled customer, he saw a rather red-faced Gohan.
"Oh." Junior relaxed his snarl, and relaxed slightly. "It's you."
"Lemme back there," Gohan grumbled. He muscled forward, his little fingers slipping against the waxy leaves. Junior gripped him by the shoulders and helped pull him back behind the potted plants. It was a little cramped—with Junior, the table, and the disgusting, sweat-free flora, but Gohan managed to clamber up on the table without crushing anything.
"So what brings you here, kid?" Junior glanced at the boy. He repressed the tide of emotions that ran through him. He was rather upset with himself—that he would ever consider something so plebian as feelings. Regardless, he couldn't help that the sight of Gohan reminded him what he faced losing.
"Mom told me that dad's coming back," Gohan said. He looked like he was over-exerting himself, and Junior crossed his arms over his chest. Of course. Even in his fortitude he couldn't escape that single chromosomed fuck.
"That's good, isn't it?" Junior wondered if his voice was as bitter as he felt. He was really trying to be the bigger person—pun would be intended, if his species weren't what it was—but he was finding it incredibly trying.
"No!" Gohan interjected. He glared at Junior as if it was somehow his fault. Which, it might have been… Junior mused over what exactly the child was angry at. It was hard to tell with Gohan's increasingly bad temper. "It's not good! If he comes back, then what about you?"
"I hardly think I'm important in this matter." Junior decided to leave out the fact that he'd been seriously asking himself that very same question for quite some time. Hell, it was the reason for his fortress.
"Of course you are!" Gohan balled his little hands into fists, and jutted his lip out at Junior. "I don't want my dad back if I lose you!"
If Junior were someone else, he would have cried.
As it was, he merely felt his throat constrict, and he rigidly gave the boy an odd pat.
"You won't… lose me," Junior muttered. He wasn't good at this comforting deal, but something about the Son family made him want to at least try. "Your father and I aren't some weird trade. I'm still your friend."
"You were supposed to date mom." Gohan pulled his knees up to his chest, his little brow furrowed. He looked far too angry for someone his age—and it had the contrasting effect of making him look more adorable than angry.
"You and Bulma decided that," Junior replied, arching his brow. "Your mother and I didn't actually have any say in that." Not that the thought had been entirely repulsive… he vividly recalled Chi Chi demolishing his brother's face, and tried not to let the warm glow he felt completely consume him.
"Don't be a jerk…" Gohan huffed, and kicked his legs as he dangled them from the table. "I'm serious. I-it's not that I don't want dad back…" His lower lip wobbled dangerously. "It's that—it's that I don't want things to change. Not really…"
"Don't cry," Junior quickly interjected, attempting to rise gracefully to his feet. He ended up in an awkward stumble, just barely catching himself on the edge of the table. "It's fine. You're overreacting. I'm still here."
"Why are you secreted behind plants with a child?" Nail's voice interrupted Junior, and he quickly jerked around. The elephant ears couldn't hide him properly if he was standing at his full height. He glared at his cousin, who was standing there, an arched brow telling Junior all he needed to know.
"I'm reassuring him," Junior sneered.
"Certainly." His eyes flickered to Gohan's pitiful face. "Please vacate the plants, before you bend them with your gargantuan frame. These aren't exactly built for giant oafs to roam around them."
"You're not exactly tiny yourself."
"I'm not hiding behind leaves." Nail pointed to where the stalks were bent already from Junior's frame. "Now. Don't cause Dende any troubles. The apartment is free for you to mope in again." He took his leave then, and Junior snarled at his back. He was distracted, however, by Gohan's small hand lacing itself around one of Junior's fingers.
"We can go up to the roof," Gohan offered, voice hopeful as he used his free hand to rub at his reddened eyes.
"All right, kid," Junior relented, and lifted Gohan up they headed upstairs. He held the boy tight the whole way.
Chi Chi was ready to close up for the night. Just as she went to lock the doors, however, Nail halted her. He pushed his foot into the door, and gave her a rather blank look through the glass. She frowned, and jutted out her jaw.
"Can I help you?" she demanded. She wanted the night to be over already. Bulma had left an hour earlier to work on wedding preparations. It was almost time to go get Gohan from Porunga's, and while she loved her darling… their conversation about Goku's return hadn't gone quite as well as she'd wanted it to.
"You could let me in." Nail lifted a claw and tapped pointedly at the posted hours. "So far as I can see, I'm here a whole minute before close." He regarded her calmly. "Unless you'd like to practice bad business on me."
She bit the inside of her cheek so hard she thought it almost bled.
"Fine," Chi Chi bit out, and stood back just enough to allow Nail entrance. She quickly shut the door afterwards, and clicked the lock closed. "What is it—bananas, right?"
"Apple cinnamon, actually," Nail corrected, meandering his way over to a booth. "Bring me a water as well—in case the drink you bring is unsatisfactory." He sat, while Chi Chi stomped into the kitchen, suppressing a scream of rage.
What were the odds of Junior forgiving her for maiming two of his family members?
She made the smoothie and the water, shuffling it out to Nail. She didn't know why he was here, but she desperately wanted him to leave. She plonked both glasses down on the table, and eyed him warily.
"Is there a reason you're in my restaurant that you have—very verbally—told me that you hate?" Chi Chi propped a hip against the table, and folded her arms as she glared down at the Namekian. Or—glared at about eye-level.
"Simple. My cousin won't talk, and I'd like to know why he's cluttering up the apartment with his pouting." Nail sipped idly at his smoothie, while Chi Chi fought back guilt. "I found him huddled up behind some plants with your son. Quite pathetic, really."
Chi Chi grimaced. "I don't know why he's upset," she said. Nail arched a brow, clearly disbelieving. "All that's happened is that my husband's back in town…"
"Mhm." Nail sighed, and shook his head. "Is that all, then? I wasted my precious time for this?"
"Apparently," Chi Chi grumbled. "I don't know what you want me to say, anyways…"
"Nothing." Nail slurped the last of his drink. "I was merely curious."
Chi Chi stared at him. She didn't know what he'd hoped to accomplish—but he'd clearly come here for a reason. She suspected that he cared more for Junior than he was willing to admit. Whatever reasons he had for suppressing his emotions, Chi Chi couldn't find it in her to care. There were somethings that existed as enigmas.
He plopped his drink down, and went to stand up. Chi Chi leaned over, and grabbed the cups. "Hey… Nail. For what it's worth… I'm sorry for what happened to your old shop."
"It's not worth much," Nail replied, and Chi Chi's neck burned hot. "In the end it's all ashes, regardless of your sympathies."
"Fine. Fuck you. I'm glad it went up then," Chi Chi snapped, just as Nail reached the door. He paused for a moment, and actually cracked a smile.
"You have a terrible temper, woman… really—wishing them ill-will just because they're a little rude." He clucked his tongue and shook his head her way. He leveled his gaze at her, his expression sobering for just a moment. "I won't ask you to date my cousin—he's quite ugly, has terrible manners, and is quite annoying—but I would ask for your help in pulling him out of his funk."
Chi Chi shuffled. "I don't think there's anything I can do," she said. "He's probably upset with me, and Gohan stormed over to Porunga's practically in tears. I thought inviting my husband back would be the right thing to do…"
Nail held up a hand, a look of extreme distaste on his features. "Please. Spare me the background knowledge. I'm only here for Dende. He's terribly worried."
"Really—just Dende? Awfully loyal, aren't you?"
"So long as you understand." Nail turned away once more, and unlocked the door. "Mind you close up when I leave. I'm sure your feeble brain would forget if I didn't warn you."
"Security is important for business."
"Please." Nail crinkled up his nose. "We didn't bond. Please remove that idea from your mind right now. I will have no more private insinuations about it." Chi Chi showed him a rather expressive finger, to which he waved airily, and took his leave.
"Fucking Namekians…" Chi Chi grumbled to herself. Just as Nail exited, Junior appeared with Gohan. The little boy was clinging tight to him, their cheeks pressed together. It looked entirely uncomfortable for Junior, while Gohan looked rather stalwartly in dealing with it.
"He won't let go of me," Junior complained as he stepped into the restaurant. Almost as if out of habit, he leaned back and locked the door behind him.
"It's out of love," Gohan said, and tightened his grip around Junior.
"Gohan, baby, please let Junior go," Chi Chi stepped closer, but Gohan made noises of protestation. Junior arched his brow at Chi Chi—and just for a moment, it felt as if things were back to normal once more.
"Chi Chi," Junior said, and the ice was lodged firmly in her belly again, "get your brat."
"I'm not a brat and you know it!"
"I call it like I see it."
Gohan huffed, and released one hand to clap it firmly over Junior's eyes. "Then you can't see anything!" he cried triumphantly. Junior snarled and attempted to wrench his head in the opposing direction, but Gohan held him in place. "Guess you'll have to stay the night with me, since you can't get safely home!"
"Gohan," Chi Chi chastised, reaching for her son.
"Mom, please, Junior doesn't mind!" Gohan huffed.
Junior flushed. "I don't think Chi Chi would want that," he argued.
"It wouldn't be the first time you've stayed the night," Chi Chi said slowly, and shrugged.
Junior mumbled something, but didn't fully commit to it.
"You can share my bed!" Gohan enthused, and finally relinquished his hold on Junior. He slithered down to the floor, and eagerly bounded upstairs. "I'll get a blanket ready for you!"
Left alone in the restaurant, Chi Chi and Junior stared at one another.
"Things don't have to change," she said, fighting to keep her voice calm. "Remember—we're still friends, and you're still important to Gohan?" She tilted her head to the side. "And I'm still your annoying neighbor." Called Milk, she added silently.
Junior stiffened.
Junior nodded slowly.
"Yeah." He didn't say anything else—because wasn't that the problem? That nothing had ever been said? It was all thoughts and possibilities during late nights. "I'll head up… the brat's probably pulled every blanket in your damn house out."
"You're not wrong," Chi Chi sighed. They headed towards the stairs, but she paused at the bottom one, placing a hesitant hand on Junior's forearm. He froze underneath her touch. "He's… so upset… do you think I made the wrong choice?"
"No," Junior replied. "Everything you've chosen makes sense from a logical standpoint." He shrugged. "Why are you second-guessing yourself so much?"
Chi Chi flushed. "Well, it's not like any of these are easy decisions!"
"I guess," Junior agreed, and looked up above her head. "But they're your decisions regardless. Do what you think is right for you and Gohan." His hands were stuffed in his pockets again, and Chi Chi released her grip on his arm.
She sighed, and they headed up the stairs. Nothing assuaged her agitated frame until they got into the apartment, and saw that, indeed, Gohan had dug out an entire closet full of blankets, carefully examining each one.
"The Tweety bird one doesn't have holes or stains," Chi Chi said, pointing to the pink blanket, with Tweety bird patterns sprawled across its surface. Gohan thanked his mother, and dragged it out behind him.
"All right, c'mon, Mr. Junior! You don't have any jammies but… well, you kind of live in them," he snickered, and Junior shot him a dirty look.
"Good night, boys," Chi Chi said, pressing a quick kiss to Gohan's forehead.
"Good night, Chi Chi…" Junior turned and followed Gohan to the bedroom. Chi Chi frowned and glanced down at her phone. There was only one message—it was from Bulma, telling Chi Chi she'd found a dress. The thread from Goku had already been deleted, and had no new message to refresh it.
Thank-you all for your continuing support, and as always - reviews are loved