Small Worries
Here we go, my K18 Day 2023 Entry! Had to power through a stomach bug that seemed to go away and then had a resurgence (and may have lost sleep and caught a cold trying to get this written down) but we did it! So, without further ado, enjoy this entry.
“Look, Babe, I appreciate the concern and all, but I'm OK, honest.” A short, disheveled man, sat in a chair facing the living room couch, bald head splotched with small burns and sweat-streaked dirt.
“Hush. Let me work.” A beautiful blonde woman shook her head and shifted slightly on the couch as she swabbed at a small burn on her patient's cheek
Krillin sat slumped in his chair, frowning. He'd come home from his training session with Goku just a bit disheveled, and 18 was acting as if he'd just come back from the middle of a war zone. She was totally overreacting... though he dare not tell her that. When 18 got like this, he found it best not to protest.
She dipped a fresh swab into some rubbing alcohol and touched it to one of the burn marks on his head, causing him to wince and pull back in discomfort. “Gah!”
“Stop whining, you've been through worse. Though not usually from training with friends.” Her expression was unreadable to most, but Krillin knew what was on her mind.
“18, I know it looks bad, but this happens sometimes. You don't need to worry about me, alright?”
She halted for a moment, fixing her icy blue eyes on his, expression still unchanging. “I don't, huh? I seem to recall you saying that the first time you came home from spending the day with Goku with your gi shredded like this, bruises all ove-” she jabbed the cotton swab at him. “Don't bother with the joke, I saw the other guy and he was fine.” She frowned. “I... worry sometimes. Can't help it.”
Krillin turned his head downward to stare at the floor. “I'm sorry. I didn't realize this was worrying you so much. It just feels... so good to be back in action again, I guess. Spend more time with Goku again.”
18 rubbed his cheek softly. “I know that, honey. I really do.” She gently cupped his chin and lifted his gaze to meet hers. “Hey... I'm not telling you this has to stop. OK? Just... I really need you to try to take a little more care of yourself. Marron and I both worry about you. You're not some weird alien who bounces back stronger from this sort of thing.”
Krllin broke eye contact, trying to look anywhere else than at her. “...yeah. I know...”
18 frowned again, softer and less stern. “Sweetheart, look at me.” She cupped his cheeks and turned him to face her once again. “You're still strong. You still have more strength in you than anyone else I know. You have such a strong moral compass. You have the strength to be willing to put others above yourself and your desires, which is not as common as people think. She smiled. “You have the strength to show compassion to people that even your own friends thought didn't deserve it, and for that I'm forever grateful.” She gestured toward the window with a tilt of her head. “And so's 17, not that the tsundere bastard will ever admit that to your face...” she saw him try to suppress a smile. “There's more to being strong than just muscles, dear.” She allowed a hand to drift down and gently rub his shoulder. “Though I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy these too. Just know I'd still love you even without them, OK?”
He blushed and allowed a small smile to slip through. “Yeah. OK.” He reached over and placed a hand on top of hers resting on his shoulder. “I really don't like to make you guys worry. It's part of why I've been a lot more careful lately, honest. And so has Goku.”
18 raised an eyebrow. “If he's been so careful, how exactly did you wind up coming back looking like you'd just survived planetary destruction?”
Krillin removed his hand quickly and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “Well-ah... y'see... it wasn't actually Goku who did this. See, he and I were training together and our session was going on for a while. Then Vegeta showed up all upset about it-”
“Vegeta?!” 18 froze, bottle and swab she'd been preparing still in hand. “What did that prick have to do with you?”
“So, ah, funny story... it turns out that he said Goku told him he'd come train with him for a while over on Bulma's private island, and he said what we were doing was cutting into his time...” Krillin tapped his index fingers together. “And well, he kinda, sorta... stepped in to hurry things along. Heh...”
Krillin gulped as he saw 18's eyes narrow. “S-sorry, babe. I can always stop for a while, it's fine.”
18 closed her eyes and shook her head. “No. Krillin, why do you think I'm mad at you?” She leaned forward and gently swabbed a scrape on top of his head. “You did nothing wrong, Goku didn't do anything wrong here really...” she frowned and looked out the window. “That pig-headed 'Prince', on the other hand...”
She sighed. “Krillin, I know how much you sacrifice for Marron and I, and I know how much this makes you happy. Seeing you so enthusiastic and full of energy again... it makes us happy too.” She caressed his cheek again. “I need you to stop worrying that you need to apologize for enjoying yourself here. Do I worry? Absolutely. You're kind of a big deal to me, y'know?” He chuckled and looked down, blushing. “I'm serious. You're my best friend. My home. My everything. So of course I'm going to worry a bit. But if a little bit of temporary worry is what I need to endure for you to have your happy place, then so be it. Besides,” she winked. “You always know how to help me get over it.”
Krillin felt himself turn beet red and shifted a bit in his chair. “Heheheh... I suppose so.”
She poked him lightly in the chest. “So let's stop with the moping, huh? Next time that royal pain in the rear shows up and lets himself get carried away though, you tell me. I'll deal with him.”
Krillin's eyes went wide. “Uh... 18, don't get me wrong, you're strong, amazing, wonderful, tough as nails, and I love you so please don't kill me here, but Vegeta is kind of leagues stronger than you and me put together now. I'm not sure that's a great idea.”
18 chuckled and lifted her phone. “You'd be surprised what a simple phone call to Bulma can do. She scares him more than his own fears of irrelevancy. She'd have him here apologizing within an hour.”
Krillin laughed and leaned forward to peck 18's lips. “You're amazing, you know that?”
“I do. You're not so bad yourself, Mister.” She leaned in and kissed him again, lingering just a little longer, relishing the feeling of butterflies he still managed to give her.
“Now,” she said, pulling out a bandage and more antiseptic, “time to let me finish patching you up.” Krillin reluctantly agreed, mumbling minor complaints as she did so. But even so, 18 found herself smiling. Sometimes, she had to admit, it was nice to have an excuse to fuss over her husband. When she finished, she draped her arms around his neck and leaned down, planting a gentle kiss on top of his bandaged head. “There. All done, big baby.”
Krillin smiled and craned his neck to look up at her. “Thanks, babe. Best nurse a guy could ask for.”
She returned his smile and tapped the spot where his nose would be. “And you better not forget it. Now, would you like to help me make dinner before Marron gets home?”
Krillin hopped up from his chair and stretched. “Sure thing. What are we having?”
“Taco night, “ she called over her shoulder on the way into the kitchen.
Krillin grinned. Tonight was going to be sweet indeed!
