Chapter 15: Fragile Control

The night was quiet in Capsule Corp, but the tension from the earlier confrontation lingered heavily in the air. Android 18, now without her disguise, sat alone in the guest room, her hand resting lightly on her growing belly. She stared at the wall, her sharp blue eyes unfocused. The events of the day before played over and over in her mind, and for the first time in years, she felt… unsettled.

It wasn't like her to dwell on emotions. Normally, she buried them, ignored them, focused on survival. But the pregnancy had changed something. It was like her body refused to cooperate with her usual stoic resolve. Every little thing irritated her, every thought lingered longer than it should. And worst of all, she felt… exposed. Vulnerable.

She hated it.

The Pregnancy's Effect

18 clenched her fists, trying to suppress the storm of emotions swirling inside her. The baby moved, a subtle but undeniable reminder of the life growing within her. It wasn't just her body that felt out of her control—it was her mind. She'd always prided herself on being unshakable, but now? Now, even the smallest things set her off.

Her anger at Bulma for calling her out, her irritation with Trunks for his awkward attempts to mediate, even her own frustration with herself for staying here—they all gnawed at her. She stood abruptly, pacing the room in an attempt to burn off the restless energy. But no matter how much she moved, the emotions remained, simmering just below the surface.

"Damn it," she muttered under her breath, her voice trembling with anger. "What the hell is wrong with me?"

Her hand went to her stomach again, her touch instinctive and protective. She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "You're not even born yet, and you're already ruining me."

Seeking Trunks

Despite her best efforts, the loneliness crept in, growing louder and more unbearable with each passing minute. She hated feeling like this—weak, dependent. But the weight of it all was too much. Against her better judgment, she left the room and made her way to Trunks' door.

She hesitated for a moment, her pride warring with her need for… something. Comfort? Reassurance? She didn't know. All she knew was that she couldn't be alone right now. Not tonight.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door without knocking.

Confronting Trunks

Trunks was sitting on the edge of his bed, his head in his hands. He looked up, startled, as 18 stepped inside. "18?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion. "What are you doing here?"

She crossed her arms, her posture defensive. "Relax. I'm not here to fight with you."

Trunks blinked, his confusion deepening. "Then… what do you want?"

18 let out a sigh, her usual confidence faltering. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice quieter than usual. "I just… I didn't want to be alone."

Trunks frowned, concern flickering in his eyes. "Are you okay?"

She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "Do I look okay to you? This pregnancy is driving me insane. I feel like I'm losing my mind."

Trunks didn't know how to respond. He'd never seen her like this before—so raw, so unguarded. It was unsettling, but also strangely humanizing.

"I can leave if you want," she said, her tone sharper now, as though she regretted showing weakness. "I don't need your pity."

"No," Trunks said quickly, standing up. "You don't have to go. I mean… you can stay if you want."

A Moment of Vulnerability

18 stared at him for a long moment, her sharp gaze softening slightly. "You're so awkward," she muttered, shaking her head. "I don't know how you've survived this long."

Trunks scratched the back of his head, a faint blush creeping up his neck. "I get that a lot."

She rolled her eyes but moved closer, sitting down on the edge of his bed. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence heavy but not unbearable.

"This is all so messed up," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be here, to be pregnant, to deal with… everything. But now I'm stuck. And I don't know how to deal with it."

Trunks looked at her, his expression softening. "You're not alone, 18. I know it doesn't feel like it right now, but… you're not."

She let out a bitter laugh. "That's easy for you to say. You're not the one carrying a kid you didn't plan for. You're not the one who's been torn apart by everyone in this house."

"I get it," Trunks said, his voice calm. "I know you've been through a lot. But I meant what I said. I'm here. For you and the baby."

18 turned to look at him, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Why? After everything I've done, why are you still trying to help me?"

Trunks hesitated, then shrugged. "Because it's the right thing to do. And because… I think you deserve a second chance."

Her lips twitched into a faint smirk. "You're an idiot, you know that?"

"Probably," Trunks admitted, his smile faint. "But I'm okay with that."

The Aftermath

For the first time in what felt like forever, 18 let herself relax. She leaned back slightly, her hand resting on her stomach again. "Don't think this makes us friends," she said, her tone lighter but still guarded.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Trunks replied, a small smile tugging at his lips.

They sat in silence for a while, the tension between them easing just a little. For now, the storm had passed, leaving behind a fragile sense of calm. But they both knew it wouldn't last. The road ahead was still long, and the past still loomed large over them.

For tonight, though, they let themselves breathe.