(Bulma's POV)
Slowly my dreams of rough hands and a deep voice fade away to the sun glimmering through the window and I allow myself to wake up. After stretching my arms I rub my eyes, I instinctively looked over to the hospital bed to see it empty. Seeing the emptiness my mood quickly soured "That stubborn prince is going to get himself killed for kami sake!" My voice felt a little rough. I went to look at the window to see if he was training on the lawn but the sight I saw when I drew up the blinds made me even angrier.
The backup gravity room was up in the same exact place as the old one had been. I quickly turned around, marching out of the room. Rage flowed through her veins, she felt hotter than molten lava. She stormed her way out of the hospital wing mumbling obscene words to herself. My next destination was the lab to have a word with my father. Knowing Vegeta he probably went there to acquire another gravity room. I pick up my pace and hastily move down the hallway to the lab. I threw open the door instantly seeing my father working on some random experiment with his back huddled over the drawing table. Scratch rested on his shoulder like always.
"Dad, did you give Vegeta the capsule to the backup gravity room?" My voice was calm but inside I was battling the vortex of rage swirling inside.
He slowly looked up from his work. I could see the fear in his eyes as his eyebrows knitted together. He knew exactly why I was pissed. "Ummmm y..y..yes, I did sweety." His voice cracked under the pressure just like I expected.
"Of course you did, I swear I'm the only person in this house that was born with common fucking sense!" Growling in frustration I stomp past him to get to the main computer that had a direct link to the said gravity room. "Dad, get out." I didn't even have to look back, I heard the door close behind him.
Connecting to the gravity room wasn't hard at all, as soon as I saw Vegeta floating I burst with anger, "Stop it Vegeta, you are in no condition to be doing this right now!" He just grunts at me as he continues to float around in a circle, probably working his balance. I meet his hard onyx gaze with my own electric stare.
"I know you don't want to believe it but you are made of flesh and blood!"
He grunted again, "Stop pestering me Woman, leave me alone!" His voice was stern, his face set until he grunted in pain and fell to the floor.
I gasped in concern and my hands quickly flew to my mouth as I watched him slowly lift his head up. He made a less-than-audible grunt and he gave me his signature annoyed stare. I instantly forget about the concern and uncover my mouth. "You know I'm right so why don't you just keep quiet and do as I say." I could hear the small hint of concern in my voice but I tried so hard not to show it.
He said nothing, he just held himself up with his forearms obviously trying to ignore me. I cross my arms over my chest. "Nothing to say," I paused just a little in case he wanted to say something. "Good now go back to bed and get some rest." I let a smug smile spread across my face and I turn sideways and arch my back just a little bit to add confidence to my statement. Plus a girl still has to make herself look good while having the upper hand in any conversation.
Vegeta lifted his head a little bit more, jutting out his chin in the tiniest way, "Not yet I do have something to say." I turn my face back toward him, "Huh," I noticed the way his body quivered under the intense gravity and I let my concerned tone take over, "Wait is something wrong," then I smirked "Or maybe you're finally going to apologize to me if that's the case then let's hear it" I didn't have to wait long before he pushed himself up more and glared, "LEAVE ME ALONE!"
It hurt, I felt a familiar ache in my chest that I honestly didn't expect. Yet I don't know why it hurt as much as it does. I had to hold my composer, I couldn't cry in front of him I just couldn't. Why can't I be cold-hearted like him, "Why won't you just let me help you." My voice quivered and crackled with repressed emotion before I fumbled to switch off the cam. Why do I care so much? I asked myself again as I finally felt the tears start to fall. I tried harder to repress them, I wiped away the stream of emotions and walked out of the lab, I nodded to my father who was standing right outside the door. The anger inside me collides with my apprehensive concern.
(Vegeta's POV)
Why must she pester me, and why had she sounded hurt, she was just clearly so confident in herself. There's no reason for it, she doesn't care about me, only I care for myself. Why should I care about anybody else? She clearly just wants to pester me. Fuck why do I feel guilty about yelling at her? I slammed my fist into the floor, she was yelling at me first. She deserved what she received. I am royalty and I will not be told what to do by a woman of lesser status.
Holding myself up I start doing push-ups feeling no need to count yet thanks to a slight jab in my chest every time I went down. I felt every muscle tense in my body with discomfort. Maybe she was right about resting, I try to toss the thought aside. Why am I thinking along these lines, I can't be agreeing with her. I grumbled in frustration. I don't understand why it's bothering me so bad it's only five fractured ribs. I felt another throb of pain underneath the soiled bandages on my chest, maybe six from that fall but I can push through this. I've pushed through worse injuries before, this is how I get stronger and I need to get stronger. No matter what, I'm going to become a Super Saiyan even if it kills me.
Frustrated, I force myself into doing one-armed push-ups. The gravity somewhat restrained me and I felt the pain slowly getting worse, but that's not what matters. I forced myself to push through the aches and pains. Giving up hurts more, it's the worst type of failure, is my philosophy and I plan to stick to it. Concentration is key and that's what I must do but how can I concentrate when Bulma lost her composer like that? Why had such a simple statement of my own made the earth woman cry so easily? We have had worse arguments over duller things, resentment clouded his thoughts.
Maybe if I just go and see if she's alright, wait what am I thinking? I growled in frustration switching my arms and continuing my brutal onslaught of training. This isn't right, I need to get her out of my system. I can't have such a distraction like this when the woman isn't even anywhere to be seen. I could tell that she was definitely in her room. I ignored the fact that I could focus on her ki faster than any other person on this god-forsaken planet. I don't care for her or her sea-foam blue eyes that always seem to look through my every being. I kept trying to convince myself that I don't notice her delicate skin or the outfits she chose to prance around in. It was as if she was practically begging for my attention.
The attention of a prince. Lost in thought I felt my body crash to the floor, angry at myself I yell in frustration, "Stupid earth woman!" I force myself off the floor my chest aching.
I couldn't take this any longer, whatever is causing this method of distraction needs to stop. I punch the floor making a hefty dent. Grinding my teeth through the pain I forced myself up into a standing position and with quite a lot of effort, I started walking over to the control panel. Finally facing the gravity control I notice the gauge displaying the gravity intensity, I tsk and say aloud "Pathetic only 260 when I was just at 370, I'm not going to get any stronger like this."
As soon as the gravity is shut off I can feel the pain subsiding, and my muscles relaxing. I shouldn't be doing this, I start walking towards the door to leave the gravity room, 'What am I even doing?' I questioned myself as I stepped down the stairs and into the grass. I quickly sensed Bulma and I knew exactly where she was inside the huge complex which is known as Capsule Corps, she was still in her room. I also noticed that her mother was in the kitchen as per usual, and her father was in the lab. I could go bother the older woman for some food but after taking a deep breath I slowly walked across the lawn towards Bulma's balcony. I could still sense her distress, I wanted to go see her. My body moved while tried to gather my thoughts, I didn't know what I was going to say to her. I stopped in my tracks and looked back towards the gravity room while gripping my side, I should be training but the aching in my body was distracting me more than anything, or at least I tried to convince myself of that.
I ignored my thoughts continuing to walk all the way until I was underneath her balcony, still debating why I was even here. Flying up I land on the rail quietly, her door is open but her curtain is shut. I can hear sniffling.
"Why is he such a jerk." wait does she see me, I was just about to say something but she just continued.
"I try to help him, I try to be nice but he just pushes me away." Who is she talking to, I don't sense anybody. I stepped off the railing and quietly listened more intently to what she was saying.
"Chi I just don't understand, I know that he's gone through a shit load but why can't he let me in. I don't even know why I want him to let me but I just need him to." another sob left her.
I felt a little twinge of guilt again and I knew she was talking to Kakarot's wife, but it only caused me more confusion, why would she possibly want to be talking about me? I mean what does she mean by me letting her in, she just barges into the gravity room whenever she wants, I let her yell at me all the time, she has to be talking about somebody else.
"I know that Chi but it's different for you, Goku cares for others and I know Vegeta doesn't but that's no reason why nobody should love him!'
'Chi, I don't know why but I just do, I want him to care even just a little bit... I don't know what else to say, I've fallen in love with him for nothing!
I didn't mean to catch feelings for him Chi it just happened...can you stop being so negative I didn't call you to get criticized"
Her voice quickly shifted from sobbing to her natural arguing tone. "It doesn't matter that he slaughtered people, almost all the members besides Goku and Krillin have done regrettable things in the past. You know what, I can't take this thanks for the help!"
Suddenly a device came hurtling toward me. I was quick to catch the small handheld contraption. I felt as if I had been punched in the gut my mind racing replaying the conversation. I couldn't believe what Bulma had been talking about.
I didn't need to hear any of that, mentally I was angry that I hadn't stayed in the Gravity room, where I wouldn't have been able to hear any of this. I fucking hate this, why does she care, dare I say love me. What the hell even is love, a stupid emotion that pertains to these weak earthlings? I try my hardest to be rude to her, we argue non-stop and I always annoy her because I can't manage to help myself.
I hear faint footsteps but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get myself to budge, I was too engaged in my own thought process. The device was still in my hand. I wanted to crush it to see if maybe I could just make her angry and leave her. My body stayed still as I counted her steps toward the curtain. I even questioned myself about staying here on her balcony because in doing so I'm going to get caught. It felt like my mind was blank when the curtain slowly slid open and I was stuck. I made sure my face was stone and showed no emotion.
(Bulma's POV)
Why does Chi-Chi have to be such a bitch, I mean yeah Vegeta fought Goku but so did half of the Z fighter gang, nobody understands. Sighing I wipe a few stray tears off my cheek and walk over to my dresser. Looking at myself in the mirror I felt relieved that I didn't wear makeup today. I know it would have left messy streaks down my already red-streaked cheeks. I had cried more than I had wanted to, the release of so much emotion left me feeling exhausted and raw. I just couldn't hold it in, the whole getting yelled at by Vegeta. I decided to just come to my room to weep and I ended up sobbing instead. I had called Chi to see if I could get this stuff off my chest but it had been the wrong decision. I decided to change into something more comfortable, a giant t-shirt with a pair of baggy basketball shorts that had once been worn by Vegeta. I peeled off my dress and threw it to a random corner. I remember taking these after I finished making the training shorts he wanted. It's a little weird but I rather like his clothes, Yamcha's old clothes had fit my waist way too snugly, and I enjoyed the way these hung off my hips. I glance back at my reflection and release a sigh I didn't realize I was holding back. I relaxed, looking into my eyes I straightened my back, 'I don't need anybody judging me for my own decisions, I'm the smartest scientist on this planet and I won't let anyone tell me otherwise.'
Looking away from the mirror I pull my pack of cigarettes from the drawer to my right, precisely pulling one out and putting it to my lips. I quickly lit it with the lighter that was stashed inside the pack closing my eyes I take the first drag, slowly feeling the nicotine start to relax my mind. I placed the pack and lighter on top of the dresser I gaze back in the mirror. I wish Vegeta would appreciate what I do for him. I looked over to my balcony, the curtains still blocking the view. Walking over to the balcony I decided to pull the curtain back not even bothering to look outside but when I did I jumped back a little.
Right in front of me was the exact man who caused all this. I step outside, analyzing his person I notice my phone in his hand. Pulling the cigarette from my mouth I blow the smoke right into his face. He just twitched his nose, "How may I help you, or have you just come to yell at me some more?" My voice was calm but it felt a little scratchy.
Our eyes were locked, I waited for his response but none had come, so I brushed past him and leaned against the railing. Vegeta just decided to lean against it as well, he was right next to me his elbow was practically touching my arm. His presence was nice but I still couldn't help but tense up a bit. I was focused on thinking about the reasons why he was here, I let these thoughts wander. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him move, I look over and see him offering me the phone. I take it out of his grasp and toss him a light thank you, I placed the device in the baggy pockets of the shorts. After I finished my cigarette I put it out on the railing tossing it to the ground below us. The night air was cool and I deeply inhaled.
Turning around I lean against the rail copying Vegeta's stance, I was getting tired of the silence, "So are you just going to stand there or do you have something to say?'' Still, no response. Sighing, I looked over and met his eyes, he must have been staring at me. "Is the gravity room broken again?" Still, nothing, I sigh again and close my eyes. I lean back more against the railing, I feel light, and I relax a little too much allowing my head to hang over when suddenly I feel myself falling over yet I feel a pair of rough hands grab me and pull me back.
My heart was pounding, "You're so clumsy, Woman.'' His voice was music to my ears but his words irritated me. Naturally, I snapped back at him, "Bulma my name is Bulma you douchebag, and so what I'm clumsy! Besides you're a jerk who doesn't care about anything but himself, I can't stand you anymore.." His hand covered my mouth yet I still tried to talk through it. He leaned in closer and whispered in my ear, "Calm down Bulma."
Wait did he just call me by my name, I tried to rip his hand off my mouth but to no avail. I felt his shaky breath on my ear and the vibrations of his rough voice "I came to say I... I need you to upgrade the gravity room so it can withstand 400 times Earth's gravity!" My scream was muffled under his strong grip, why is he such a dick I mean seriously what did I do to get treated like this, "And to say I may have fractured another rib, while I am resting I expect you to work faster, I won't be pestering you."
My mind repeated his statement a second time, did he just say what I think he said? Finally, he removed his hand from my mouth and I was speechless. I looked at him, his face looked calm for once. A smile crept its way onto my face as I giggled. I could swear he started to blush just a little bit.
"Thank you for finally taking my advice and just for that Prince Vegeta I will make sure the gravity room can go to 500 times Earth's gravity." His face was still emotionless when he nodded at me and the next moment I knew I was up against the railing with Vegeta crowding me into it, his hand holding onto my chin, while the other gripped my waist. He didn't move he just stayed there and was staring at me, his face drew in closer I could already feel my face getting flushed as I imagined his lips crashing into mine and I couldn't help but release a small moan. The next thing I know he's gone. I looked around trying to see where he had gone, I quickly started thinking about why he had done that, yet the ghost of his body against mine sends chills down my back. Just what is going on?
