The plump child was kneeling across from her, the two separated only by a stack of kiddy blocks and a tiny toy train. Propping himself up on his hands, Trunks struggled to push himself up on to his feet, his little legs shaking with the effort. "Come to mommy, Trunks-chan," Bulma cooed, her hands outstretched toward the toddler.
They had been practicing for a good couple days now. Trunks was quickly getting the hang of standing and walking without anything to hold him up. It delighted Bulma to see that familiar determined scowl on his chubby face, to watch his little fingers balling up as he stretched his arms outward for balance.
"That's a good boy…. Come on, sweetie…" she continued her encouragement as her fingers wiggled enticingly and invitingly. The toddler made a grunting sort of yelp as he righted himself, and Bulma hooted in congratulations for his feat.
From beyond the arch of the playroom, Vegeta stood and observed the unfolding events, as curiosity and disdain battled for rule of his mind. Every now and again, he would find himself unfortunately stumbling upon a similar scene: Bulma or her mother, coddling and cheering on the brat, looking like even bigger idiots than was typical, and the toddler making Vegeta, himself, feel unbelievable waves of embarrassment at his own son's ineptness.
How was it that Kakarotto and his mate's offspring was so exceptional, and yet his was… Vegeta rumbled to himself, his hands rolling into tight, trembling fists.
Another hurrah from the woman had his attention soaring into the playroom again as he witnessed the pudgy boy waddle proudly into his mother's waiting arms. As soon as he was within reach, Bulma scooped the child up and fell backward with a loud, gleeful laugh. Her arms stretched upward, lifting the child high into the air as she lay on the floor and gaped up at him. "You'll be able to fly one day, just like this, Trunks-chan," Bulma oh-so-certainly informed her son as he giggled and flapped his arms above her. "Vegeta will show you, and you'll learn how to fight and be so big and strong—"
"Laughable," Vegeta muttered to himself with a roll of his eyes.
"—just like Vegeta," Bulma finished on a sigh as her arms lowered and settled the child atop her belly. The child smacked her stomach with flat palms, causing Bulma to cough sharply in surprise at the force, consequently drawing a smirk to the Saiyan's mouth. "Yeah, definitely like Vegeta," she cleared her throat with a grimace, her fingers taking up the child's tiny hands.
Vegeta snorted to himself. In no way, shape, or form was the child reminiscent to him. It was during moments such as these where he found himself nostalgic for the alternate, older version of his offspring. It was somewhat depressing for him to even consider, but at least that one was capable and, to some extent, a respectable heir to the Saiyajin throne.
The woman yawned greatly, bringing a scornful sneer to Vegeta's features, as the child climbed from atop her. Her fluttering lashes heralded sleep, and Bulma stretched indolently across the floor. With an interested tilt of his head, Vegeta allowed his dark eyes to rove over her recumbent figure. As that certain admiration began to sink in, his gaze raked lower still, finally settling upon the child who was merrily clapping the toy train and a wooden block together, apparently relishing in the noise.
It was a painful reminder of what could transpire when succumbing to the fruits of temptation.
Vegeta moved hurriedly away from the wall with a snarl, heading for the staircase to his right. An abrupt babbling startled him, and he looked across to find Trunks staring inquisitively up at him. It brought him to a halt as his hands hesitated over the stairway railing.
"…What the hell do you want?" He hissed as his his gaze darkened and narrowed upon the child.
Soundlessly, Trunks blinked once, before returning to avidly clacking his toys together at his dozing mother's feet.
Author's Note: So now we begin the time between the end of the Cell Saga and the beginning of the Great Saiyaman arc.
I said I'd write a Vegeta focused chapter, so here's one. ;) Obviously, my Vegeta is not a happy family-man. I don't imagine he even really liked Trunks until he was a little bit older - if even then! I like the whole dynamic of this ridiculously dysfunctional family, so you might see more chapters involving the three of them later.
Also, if anyone's noticed or wondered, my chapter titles are named after songs by Ayumi Hamasaki. Just thought I'd throw that out there - if you've never heard her music and you like J-Pop, definitely check her out. She's beyond worth it.