Flufftober 2024: Day 14
Android 16 x Reader; "Aren't you tired of..." "No..."
This was getting ridiculous, how many times were you going to end up on your back? You were supposed to be learning how to defend yourself, but all you were doing was falling repeatedly with no means of catching yourself. It was embarrassing to be the only Z Fighter who needed a body guard. You used to win martial arts tournaments, before that clown took over. And now you could barely spar with Goku and Vegeta's children.
While your darling teddy bear of a lover did his best to comfort you. If only he knew how it really affected you to be told you were doing just fine by someone who was literally made of metal. It was easy to downplay someone's short comings when you were impervious to most forms of combat.
Making matters worse was how protective he could be, how often he ran to your rescue simply because you couldn't handle a situation by yourself. But you couldn't very well tell him about this, not without blowing up at him for something that was entirely your own fault. But you couldn't avoid him forever. Especially as you walked into the bathroom for the first aid kit. 16 tailing you with the same concerned look he always gave after your training sessions.
"You shouldn't be pushing yourself so hard." He gently took the roll of bandages from you, "It isn't good for your health."
"Neither is being smacked aside with one punch in every fight and sparring match I've been in for the last few years but here we are." You sighed, holding out your arm for 16, "Besides, I just haven't been able to improve to save my life."
His soft gaze was too much to look at, intently focused on your injuries and tending them.
"Perhaps you should consider the possibility to not join every altercation then." He rubbed the newly wrapped area, "If only to avoid injuries and pain."
"That's easy for you to say." You muttered under your breath.
"What's that dearest?"
"Nothing." You paused for a beat, "Its just... Aren't you tired of me running to you with all my problems like a scared little brat?"
"Put simply; no." 16 frowned at such a notion, "I'm honored you trust me so much that I'm the person you turn to for comfort and support. I wouldn't have it any other way [Name]."
You couldn't help but wilt under his unwavering wholesomeness, just feeling guilty as he kept checking you over for injuries. Trying as hard as you could to keep from crying, the pain was nothing compared to the humiliation you felt. But for as clueless as 16 could be when it came to emotions, he was getting better at it.
Tilting your chin to face him as gently as possible, "[Name], you know I don't think less of you for not being able to continue fighting. Don't you?"
"Y-yeah." You tried to keep the sound of sniveling out of your voice, "I just, fighting was all I was good at. The only reason I was able to make this far, to meet you in the first place; was because I could fight."
"And that's all well and good." 16 nodded, "But I would rather you remain in one piece from now on. I hate seeing you injured and upset."
You sat there, pouting because you didn't have a good response. All you could do was let 16 do what he was doing and sit there.
"[Name], I worry about you. I don't want to think about losing you before your time." He sighed, "It will be difficult enough to face that when time comes. And I'd rather delay it as much as possible."
"I know." You whined, "But-"
"Your skills shouldn't define you." He asserted, "You have built a life of kindness, empathy, and standing for what you believe is right. And I will do everything in my power to see that through. But I can't do so if I lose you. I love you [Name]."
Looking up at him with the biggest, intentional puppy eyes nearly broke the poor android. He might have 'won' the conversation, but you were far too adorable for him to be able to say no to you. Though it would be easier to monitor your future training... something he should have thought of long before now.
