misterbrief | 8.5th...Taunt

8.5th...Taunt | Fourth Wall!

[Waking up as normal on the weekend as he always does, getting ready in the morning and heading out for another grueling day of training brought a surprise.

One that now, for some reason, he remembered from last year. A whole bunch of people he doesn't want to talk to but oh guess what, they're going to bug him anyway. But this year it's a little different for him. There might be quite a few irritants running amok, but he's got his eyes out this year. For more people from home. Curiosity killed the cat, so instead of training for eight to twelve hours today, he decides to cut it a little short at six and then make himself available in the village.

As always, he can be found at the Battle Dome, doing a usual training routine, and then doing more work with his sword that he's taken up to learning to fight with recently. He can be interrupted in between breaks, or during his training with his sword- but be wary, there are explosions that are rocking the entire building!

Afterwards he makes his way to Seventh Heaven to get a meal. It's far easier to spot people at a place like that, and holy cosmos does he have a ton of food in front of him. Piles and piles of it. And needless to say Vegeta is tearing through it, plates being emptied faster than you can blink. But yet, still managing to eat it somewhat gracefully. Somewhat being a relative term here.

Or, he can be found anywhere in the square in the main part of Luceti, around the Item Shop, Grocery Store, Blacksmith and Clothing Shop, among others, leaning up against a building and watching some of the crazy go down. Making notes of people he'd like to stay the heck away from just in case they pop up here later. Run in to him here, figuratively or literally, to bug him if you want.

Later in the evening, to relax he heads to the Hot Springs. Because hopefully here he can get away from the masses, because let's face it, it's given him a giant headache.

Or, create your own adventure.]

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[Well, he's not yelling nor is he acting like he's about to attack so. Stowes the energy away again and stands to his feet, but lets Vegeta keep hold of his arm. For now.]

Thought you knew from the start. How long?

[He lets go of his arm, now that he's dismissed his energy.]

I couldn't be sure. Because it's been over twenty years, at least. That baby you met, he's here too. Only now, as a grown man. The two of you are identical, and rightfully so.

...

It's good to see you again, son.

[And with that, he shifts back to his normal level, left staring at him. It's too complicated for him, still reeling and angry over finding out what kind of person his father really was but still wanting to protect him and keep him alive. And here he is, older and. A decent enough person.

But his other self...]

From the way you were talking to me thinking I was him, it sounds like everything's mostly all right.

We managed. From what it sounds like, everything isn't quite resolved yet where you're from, now is it. [He too, powers down. There's no need for the form now.]

...

No. It's not.

[Sorry, not-dad, he's not all that jovial. As far as he's concerned, you did just let his mother and baby-him almost die in a crash in favor of shouting at an android to fight you.]

[He wouldn't of been up to telling him anything about his future, but after that conversation he had with Ino, it doesn't seem like such an awful thing anymore.]

Rest assured it will be. All that effort was not in vain. Which I suppose would be clear seeing as I've mentioned how much farther I am from that time.

The very last time I saw you, you'd came back to tell us that you freed your time from the terrors that plagued the planet. I didn't show it then, but I was pleased to hear it. As if it were even a question that you'd gained enough strength to destroy those sorry ingrates.

[And it's his turn to be dumbfounded. That was... the Vegeta-equivalent of saying he was proud of Trunks. But then he remembers yeah, it's Vegeta and he's got himself mentally on guard again]

I-- that's good to hear. That everyone's okay.

... Did I happen to say how long it took me?

To obliterate them? I don't remember, but it couldn't of lasted any longer than ten minutes. Unless you're referring to how long it took you to gain that kind of power. That took much, much longer.

[QUALITY TIME IN THE HYPERBOLIC TIME CHAMBER ARE YOU PUMPED TRUNKS BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO SUCK]

Of course it did.

[Actually he sounds pretty defeated by that notion. Of course it takes him forever to get the power he'd need.]

I guess I'll find out when I catch up to the timeline...

You didn't have any trouble after that, did you?

[He stays silent for a moment. He's alright with letting Trunks know about their victory against the androids and Cell, but he is not okay with telling him about Buu, or anything after that.]

Nothing you need concern yourself with. I've lived this long, so I think that's proof enough that everything turned out just fine.

[Well. Even if it takes him a long time to do it, it's good to know the androids will be gone for good in both timelines. That alone is enough to make him smile a little.

He gives Vegeta some thought, watching him and taking everything so far into account.]

You're different.

[Wait no that came out wrong duh of course he's different, he's further in the future than Trunks was]

I mean-- Before, there's. No way you would've felt like telling me any of this.

Let's just say a lot of things have happened between your time and my own. I've had quite a bit of time to figure a few things out. Some were harder than others.

[He pauses, choosing his words carefully.]

Trunks. What exactly has happened in your time? What was the last thing you remember before waking up here?

[That gets a glare from Trunks, the same one he had during the one-hit-sparring-match. But he tries to tone it down. Just a little. Itty bitty glare.]

Dr. Gero crashed the ship mom was driving with-- your son. And you just stood there, yelling for the android to come back.

[Hi his name is Trunks and he is a bitter pissbaby does his anger make more sense now dad.]

[Yeah, he sort of stares right back, sort of understanding a little better why Trunks would be so upset with him. He knows he did that, and why he did that, and he's not going to apologize for it- but he's not completely proud of it anymore.

He doesn't really have an answer for that either. He stands silently, not knowing what to tell him. He's almost sorry he asked now. He knew someone would save Bulma and his son. But even if there hadn't been he still wouldn't of bothered. Not back then.

Sorry Trunks, your dad can't answer you because he's got nothing to say that's going to make this any better. He doesn't have an excuse and he knows it.]

[Yeah, someone saved them all right. Just. Your son saving himself.

He keeps his eyes glued to his father, not daring to look away, not wanting to give him any moment he could even think to come up with an excuse or brush it off. When he realizes there is no answer coming, he sighs, looks down at his feet]

Yeah.

[He feels like he needs to leave. Just walk out and fly out to the mountains and brood for a little while. But he can't do that, can he? He'd just be proving to Trunks that he really doesn't give a single care in the world for him or Bulma, and that is so far from the truth now.

He doesn't want to be a coward in front of his son like this. And hell, if he can hug Bulla as much as he does now, he can at least tell Trunks he cares. In the most Vegeta way possible.]

I've no excuses for that. Things are different, now. I know you've no reason to believe that but it's the truth.

[He could be an absolute child about this. Really, seriously wants to, just rub Vegeta's face in it, remind him what he was like. He is just 18 after all.

But then again that's not what his mother would want, is it? And it's not what Trunks wants in the end, either. The fact of the matter is he could tell things had changed, however long it took between the Vegeta he was just with and the one standing in front of him.]

I can tell. You're still standing here, so that's counting for something.

[You also aren't yelling or calling him a liar or stupid, so hey. Lots of positives all around, really.]

[Just don't give him a reason to yell or call you names, because he is not above that.]

Because beforehand I'd of just left without a word more, isn't that right? I almost did. But I don't think I'd be a very good father if I just walked out on my son like that.

[what.

what.

He stares at Vegeta, wide-eyed in disbelief. He just called Trunks his 'son'. Not the prime timeline Trunks he raised, the one Vegeta thought before he was.

Him.

The Trunks Vegeta was talking to right now. Knowing full-well who he is and where he came from and how Vegeta knows Trunks remembers him.

Deep breath.

It's only what he's wanted to hear for. ... Well, ever. And now that he's said it, Trunks is having the worst time believing it. Maybe best not to bring attention to it. Too easy a thing to lose, considering who it's coming from. He takes another breath and nods.]

I could tell you wanted to.

[Breathe.]

For what it's worth... Thank you... for not. Leaving.

Edited 2014-01-28 21:51 (UTC)

[He takes a moment, looking back at Trunks, before he takes a look around. Making sure no one, absolutely no one was around to see the two of them. Trunks worked so hard for him back then, and there were so many reasons why he swore to himself that he would not turn his back on him again like he had so many other times. Why he'd gone home to take care of his infant son.

Not to mention how pleasant it really was to have a family and actually be genuinely loved in return. He can look back now, and see how this boy helped to change who he was for the rest of his life. And really, even though he rarely shows it, he cared more for his family and friends now than words could express. So much that he sacrificed himself once, and almost died a second time trying to fight off a dragon so they could flee the planet.

But now that he's made sure they were in solitude, he approaches his son, to do the one thing that he will more than likely never repeat again. And heaven help Trunks if he is made fun of for this, because he does not do things like this often in this context.

His right arm goes out and wraps around his son, silently bringing him into a one-armed hug. Not a single sound comes from him, except his calm breathing.]

Wha--

[Vegeta's reaching for him and Trunks steels himself for the worst, mentally prepared for whatever Vegeta can dish out and.

That was not it.

That is not what he was prepared for at all. The most touch he's had was either a hug from his mother, or fighting. Mostly fighting and getting the tar kicked out of him by androids. His instinctive reaction is to abort mission, get away, get distance and fight before it hits him what exactly is happening.]

Fa...[recognition of the situation]ther.

[Logic tells him this is a hug. He should hug back. But... Then again, this is Vegeta and that might backfire. But he'll regret it if he doesn't hug back. But he doesn't want to risk pissing Vegeta off and ruining this once-in-a-lifetime moment. Damn it. Damn it, what should he do.

Wait, it's a hug. Why is he --ugh just.

Why is this family so complicated, multiple timelines notwithstanding.

He's gonna do it. He's gonna risk the moment and. Try to do the one-armed hug back. He's trembling, he's so nervous, but carefully puts his left arm around his father, focusing on breathing now.]

It's fine.

[Don't think he can't feel you trembling, Trunks, because he can.]

It must be a shock to see me like this, in comparison to the incarnation of me that you know in your time. [He speaks while still holding onto him.] Things do get better, I promise you that. And quite honestly, I'm not sure where I'd be right now if it hadn't been for you. Probably dead.

[If Trunks were the type to keep a journal (and let's be honest, he wouldn't, it'd be gone in a flash with the way his world is being destroyed), there'd be a list of things he always dreamed of happening.

And Vegeta just single-handledly made about half of them reality. 'Shock' was one way to put how he was feeling. He swallows the lump in his throat, tells himself now is not the time to get emotional, never ever in front of Vegeta.]

I'm. I'm glad you aren't.

Dead, I mean.

I'm glad I'm not either. [Anymore. But he leaves that out. Letting go, he takes a step back. All that touchy-feely stuff was starting to make him uncomfortable anyhow, so that's enough of that. He's sure he's gotten the point across and there's no need for that anymore.]

Come on. Let's blow this popsicle stand. You've only got a few days to spend here, so you're coming home with me.

I--

A few days?

[Okay, he'll ignore the 'popsicle stand' thing as the corniest thing he's ever heard and that it came out of his father's mouth, but home with him? This is WAY too much happening at once whoa dad gotta breathe for a minute he's still coming down from the high of hugging you]

So I'll end up going right back.

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