Always

Once the Earthling and the Saiyan had married, the couple continually sought adventure together. Led by the spirited energy of Son Goku, the newly appointed wife, Son Chi-Chi, followed him in this partnership. At every opportunity to choose otherwise, he had chosen her and chosen their life together.

In their early years together, they discovered the many details of one another's personalities, interests, and bodies. The couple found themselves uncovering the traditions of society and their heritage.

One such tradition was proving more difficult to achieve than others.

Chi-Chi had been bestowed with her late mother's wedding ring as a loving gift from her father, the Ox-King, while Goku had been honoured with a matching ring that was specially designed to fit him perfectly. For Chi-Chi, it had been such a thoughtful gift that had meant a great deal to her. Although unsure of it himself, for Goku, seeing his new wife content with the metal accessories more than made up for his uncertainty.

It had been a few months since they had been wearing their wedding rings, and from what Goku understood, they were important to their marriage and important to Chi-Chi. But he couldn't help being frustrated with them at times.

One particular day, after his morning katas, Goku sought an obstacle to challenge one of his concerns. Tree trunks broke too easily, so colliding his fist with a giant boulder seemed to be the better idea. Drawing his fist back, Goku threw a solid strike at the rock face. On impact, the enormous solid stone cracked only briefly, seemingly undamaged, but soon, the fracture lines that were now chasing through the entirety of the boulder that towered above him had caused it to shatter and fall to the ground in a cloud of dust and debris.

When making contact with the boulder, Goku felt the sharp pinch of the impact on the finger nominated to house his wedding band. Letting out a small shriek at the sensation, Goku jumped backwards to avoid the collapsing stone. His relief at dodging the downpour was short-lived, as the nervous smirk was followed by a scowl as he looked down at the hand. I was worried this might happen. The uncertain thoughts of what he could do or say that wouldn't disappoint his new wife plagued his mind as he decided to make the slow walk home for lunch.

Reaching the swell of the land leading to his home, Goku felt a tightness across his stomach. He knew how important this ring was to Chi-Chi, but could he really risk damaging himself? Pushing that thought aside, he reassured himself. Goku knew that he would put up with anything just to see her smile.

Goku lifted his hand to wave at his wife, having seen her hang up the laundry outside their home. Approaching Chi-Chi as she hung another sheet on the washing line, Goku threw his arms around her waist, encircling her.

Letting out a giggle at his sudden display of affection, Chi-Chi blushed. He was normally only this handsy on a full moon or when something reminded him of his late Grandpa Gohan. Chi-Chi had gradually come to recognise it as a version of his emotions in their relatively short time of marriage. This was usually a sign that he needed her. Others may have seen it as weakness - that he, Son Goku, the strongest man in the world, would need the support of weaker fighters. And yet, it was the support of his wife and his friends that pulled strength from within him. They lifted him.

Feeling the warmth of his embrace and the closeness of his hot breath on the soft skin in the crook of her neck as he leant his chin on her shoulder, Chi-Chi smiled contentedly and allowed herself to fall back into his embrace. "Oh Goku, what's brought this on?"

Inhaling a deep breath of her scent, he said desperately, "You know that there ain't an enemy or a single thing in this world that would keep me from lovin' you, right?"

Surprised at his tone; it sounded almost… worried. Dropping her arms and the clean sheet to the ground, Chi-Chi turned in his hold to face him. Etched over Goku's face was a look that she didn't recognise. They were still figuring things out together about each other, but this was new.

Now, with a worried look of her own, she spoke in an urgent tone, "Of course I know that Goku! What's going on? Are you okay?"

Looking downwards, barely able to meet her gaze, Goku spoke hesitantly, "It's just… I know how much tradition means to you and what you said about showin' each other we're together an' that. I didn't wanna be a bad husband to you by not doin' that." He lifted his hand up to show Chi-Chi, unable to find the words himself.

His ring finger was all bruised and cut up, with a mangled precious metal mess partially embedded in his skin. It had stung in the moment of impact, which was unusual for such a basic manoeuvre for him, but now he barely felt anything from it.

Taking his damaged hand and inspecting it with her own. "Oh Go-, is this what you were worried about?" Seeing her husband nod his head solemnly, "Why didn't you take it off beforehand?!"

"I didn't wanna disappoint you, and I was kinda worried about losin' it too. You said it was important to our marriage."

Sighing at his innocent attempt to honour his marriage, she reassured him, "You could never be a bad husband to me; we'll sort this out." Lifting her hand and caressing his cheek, Chi-Chi spoke earnestly, "We understand each other in ways no-one else could. So you can always tell me anything. It might take me a minute to come around to things sometimes, but I trust you and your reasons." Capturing his gaze, Chi-Chi whispered, "And I always will."

Allowing a small smile to tug at his face in agreement, Goku held his wife tightly once more, having pulled her body back in for a close embrace. Leaning on her shoulder, he whispered, "Always?"

"Always."

The following day - having tended to the small wound and enjoyed an impromptu session of marital fun the day before - Chi-Chi decided to put into action the idea that had come to her early in the morning. After happily waving her husband off for his morning training sessions, the raven-haired woman set about making her own unique item.

Finishing her secret task earlier than expected, Chi-Chi started on making today's lunch; it was going to be a big one. Her husband deserved every bit of it, that she was sure of.

Having left the house early, under the guise of training, Goku had taken his trusty nimbus cloud all the way to West City to see his childhood friend, Bulma.

On reaching her home at Capsule Corp, Goku was relieved that the blue-haired scientist was around and working in the compound onsite today. He had wanted to approach Bulma with a unique question, and she was the only person he felt he could ask.

Later on in the day, and after arriving at his home beyond his usual time, Chi-Chi ran to her husband when he walked through the door. She hugged him tightly, relieved to know that he was okay, but it was shortly followed by a sharp slap across his chest as she pushed herself off his body. "Where were you?!"

"I-I had an errand to run; I kinda got caught up, but I'm home now."

"Errand? What-"

Immediately distracting her from her questioning, Goku ran to the kitchen, sniffing his nose high in the air. "Is that what I think it is?" He was already salivating at the thought of this delicious meal. He had learned very quickly that Chi-Chi was an amazing cook, and it endeared him more to her, especially as she had started to develop a knack for cooking in volume to keep up with his insatiable appetite.

Chuckling as she walked in behind him, "Yes, it is. I made it for our lunch, but it's probably a bit cold now." Watching her husband sit down at the kitchen table, Chi-Chi pulled out a couple of items from a drawer. "Here", she placed them down in front of him, "I made these for you. You don't need to wear the ring all the time, and especially not when fighting. Maybe just when we go out together?"

Looking at the items curiously, to Goku, they looked just like his normal wristbands. Until Chi-Chi leant over and opened them up for him. There, he could now see on the inside of each of his wristbands that his wife had lovingly and elegantly hand-stitched the word 'always'.

Completely dumbfounded by her gesture, Goku already knew that Chi-Chi was a good wife. Not only had people told him this, but he felt it from her too - not just from her actions but from her very being. Today, however, she topped it again. Showing her understanding of him and his needs, while still being able to express their love for each other. Goku exchanged the personalised wristbands for his current plain ones and immediately felt a shower of warmth from her smile. If Chi-Chi was this happy from this, so was he.

Despite seeking this item for a different occasion, Goku couldn't help but think that now would be the best time to share it. Taking out a small red velvet bag from his Gi, the new husband presented this gift to his wife.

"I thought…just open it, you'll see!" He urged.

Taking the bag and carefully opening it, Chi-Chi pulled out a beautiful gold bangle. It really was quite something, and she instantly moved to thank Goku for such a stunning and thoughtful gift. However, a small, subtle detail caught her eye. On the inside of the jewellery was an inscription with the word 'always'. Immediately, tears had started to stream over the swell of her cheeks; yet to his eyes, this display was in complete conflict with her beaming smile. Goku was still learning about living with Chi-Chi and what being married meant. But this - which he had quickly worked out - was a positive thing, despite the tears. Now sat on his lap with her arms draped around his neck, he pulled her in for a kiss. The kind that he enjoyed in the privacy of their home, away from prying eyes that may discoverfind his true vulnerability - her.

Six Years Later On Planet Namek

I must win, for the Saiyans, for the countless lives he stole, to protect the people of earth, my family and friends, and her.

With destruction all around him, the whole planet was falling apart, but being reassured in the knowledge that his son, his friends, and the people of Namek and beyond would be safe meant it was worth it.

Frieza stood trembling in fear at his foe's immense power, which surpassed even his own. He could barely fathom this Super Saiyan transformation of his childhood nightmares that stood before him, watching the transformation that had been triggered in rage by the Arcosian's own act of cruelty.

Still barely able to contain the simmering pot of newfound power, Goku paused, having caught sight of his wristband. The ones so lovingly sewn by his wife. This sight caused his breath to hitch in his throat, as his mind only focused on this. Almost destroyed, Goku clenched his fist tightly at the thought of losing it. The Saiyan had already lost so much today; he thought that he had lost Gohan, his competitor died an undignified death, his best friend exploded and was brutally murdered right in front of him, and there was this tyrant lizard who would take over the Earth if he did not defeat him now. If that happened, he would lose Chi-Chi too, and that was not an option. He could always come back to her; she had to be there. Lifting the fraying material that was streaked with mud, dust, and blood, he instantly recognised the comforting word that she had inscribed them with: 'Always'. These wristbands, the ones that replaced his broken ring, represented their commitment and served as a reminder of each other and their partnership, of their love and marriage. Goku finally understood what the rings were for and why people wore them.

During the fight, Goku had found himself wanting to win for everyone, but mostly for a growing desire within himself, even if it cost him his life. He would have done so gladly, but the Saiyan decided that he wasn't going to throw it away anymore. Ridding himself of the rage that had threatened to consume him, Goku vowed to himself that he would return - return for her smile and warm, soft hands; for her love, her feistiness, and her cooking. No, he was not going to die like this. Goku had already won; a Saiyan of all people had beaten Frieza. So now, no more beings need to die by the monster's cruel hand.

With that profound realisation, Goku breathed out calmly, slumping his shoulders down and letting his transformation of legend drop to his base form. With the decision made, as far as Goku was concerned, this battle was over.

"I'm tired of fighting; I'm going home."

A Year Later

Despite being confronted with so much when he had finally returned to Earth, he had witnessed another Super Saiyan - especially so soon after his own transformation and in such close proximity to the incredible power - the demise of the reconstituted Frieza and his father, King Cold; the missed growth of his son; the news of the future, including his own death and the androids; and, of course, the future partnership of his rival and his oldest friend. But explaining himself to Chi-Chi had been the hardest thing of them all.

His wife equally doled out her disappointment, frustration, and worry. At this point, having only been home for a couple of hours and still wearing the Yardratian clothing, Goku worried that he might never get the chance to share his reasons with her. After another tirade of upset from Chi-Chi, the emotionally wrought woman stormed out, leaving the kitchen. Still seated, Goku simply placed his elbows on the table, running his hands down his face in frustration, and letting out a sigh. This might take a while this time, but I know she'll eventually understand.

Promptly returning, Chi-Chi marched up next to where Goku was sitting - on the chair that had been empty for more than two years - and leant down, placing on the table beside him, a fresh new Gi in his favoured style.

He lowered his hands from his face, blinking a few times at the new sight in front of him. His heart skipped a beat; it had been so long since he had seen it, especially intact. Lifting his hand, Goku took one of hers in his and brought it up to his lips, kissing it gently and sincerely.

With a loving smile and a small giggle, Chi-Chi threw her other arm around his back and kissed her husband on the cheek. As frustrated by the whole thing as she had been, she was just grateful to finally have her love home, safe and sound.

Still staring ahead, Goku placed his free hand on the neatly folded stack of clothes. Only focusing on one item. Lifting the wristband up and open, his eyes glistened with the word that he had been dreaming of hearing again for a year.

As he held on to it tightly, with a swell of warmth within him, Chi-Chi whispered in his ear, "Always."