Raine Meets Android 16
Continuing the trend of figuring out Raine's canon, here's what I managed to do of her meeting Android 16 and bonding with him over the course of the Cell Saga! Word Count of almost 6k, so... have fun with that :P
Sometimes, Raine wonders why she let herself get pulled into this group.
Normally, this thought strikes her in more mundane moments. Helping to cook for a get together and realizing it’s like trying to feed five armies, or watching two of the fighters banter and bracing herself for it to turn into an all out brawl until someone far stronger than her intervenes, or the aftermath of some training and assessing the damages, that sort of thing.
This moment had her questioning all of her life decisions that led to this point.
Gripping her arms tightly in an attempt to maintain her composure, she stayed silent as she looked over the cliff at the fighting.
Vegeta, in all his assholish glory, had taunted one of the Androids. 18, if she remembered correctly.
Now he was down there, one arm completely broken and the other about to follow suit, still hurling threats and insults that even she knows he can’t follow through with.
The other fighters were standing helplessly aside as well, kept at bay by Android 17 ensuring that his sister and Vegeta had a proper one on one fight.
Raine shouldn't be here.
Taking a half step back, she glanced towards Krillin, who stood protectively between her and the last of the androids, Android 16. A giant of a man, and even though he didn't have an energy signal for her to compare against, she could just tell that he was strong. Stronger than her and Krillin combined.
Despite his size and clear strength, he didn't seem aggressive. He wasn't relishing the violence, even completely ignoring it in favor of looking towards some nearby trees.
As Raine shuffled closer to Krillin, trying to debate her odds of either helping or running away, 16 looked towards them. More specifically, her.
“You do not appear to be a combatant.” He stated simply, leaving no room for argument.
Krillin kept his stance as he looked to 16, but did spare a glance back at Raine to check on her. He’s right, and she shouldn't be here for this, but he isn't sure if he can give her a safe enough window to escape…
Raine swallowed anxiously at being singled out before nodding. “I'm not… I'm just a friend. I wanted to help them while I could, but I didn't realize it would lead to… this.” She admitted, trying to act calmer than she felt. “If anything, I'm just support. An extra set of eyes.”
16 hummed thoughtfully before turning his attention to the fight going on below them again. “Leave, before they are done. They may attempt to drag you into the conflict.”
Neither of the humans had expected that response, Krillin’s stance loosening somewhat.
“Really?” Raine asked, even perking up a little. “Are you sure? They won't be mad at you for ‘letting me get away’ or anything?”
“Raine!” Krillin hissed, shooting her a look. Why was she questioning the offer instead of taking it and running??
Even with Krillin’s scolding, Raine didn't budge.
“Affirmative,” 16 insisted. “They are not likely to argue, especially seeing as you are neither a fighter nor our target. Leave, now.”
Finally accepting that it was a genuine offer, she nodded and looked at Krillin. “Be safe. I'm going to go check on the kids.” So that he’d know where she's likely to be, if anything happens.
When Krillin nodded his acknowledgement, she hovered a few inches off of the ground to prepare to take off, then hesitated and looked towards 16 one more time. “Thank you.”
With that she took off, staying low to the ground for now to not draw attention away from the fight and towards herself.
Perhaps the Androids weren't as bad as they seemed…
~~~~~
It's almost surreal, that with everything going on amongst their friend group, where they're having to take things day by day, Raine is… shopping.
Given, it was getting some more non-perishable snacks for the gang as well as spare training clothes for herself so she can be a little more prepared. A little more helpful. More useful. But it still felt strange to be doing something so mundane, while her friends have their lives on the line.
Humming as she turned to look in the window of one of the clothing shops, she noticed someone very tall down the road that caught her attention. A vibrant orange mohawk and bright green armor… the Androids.
Swallowing down her anxiety, she couldn't help but wonder what they were doing here. They'd been causing chaos and destruction in other cities, is that what they wanted to do here?
16 seemed to see her staring, making her kind of anxious. Though, before she could even decide how to acknowledge them, if at all, she could faintly hear 18.
“What is with all of these stores not having anything good?” She was fussing, clearly displeased.
“Maybe if you weren't being so picky, we could actually figure out something fun to do.” 17 countered.
Okay, maybe Raine should run before they see her, so she doesn't get caught up in any tantrums-
“Hey, isn't that the girl that was with those fighters? Vegeta and them, right?”
Shit.
Raine turned to the Androids, putting on a polite smile. She doesn't want to risk irritating them any further if she can help them, after all.
“Anything I can help you with?” she asked, tilting her head slightly as she adjusted the shopping bags on her arms.
18 regarded her thoughtfully before shrugging. “Do you know if there's any good clothing stores in the area? None of that cheap crap either.”
Raine hummed, cupping her chin. “There's a lot of options, honestly. Do you have a preferred style? Colors, textures, fabric, that sort of thing?” she asked, finding herself slipping into some degree of Customer Service mode despite the stakes.
Fortunately, it seemed like the care and attention was working in her favor as 18 nodded approvingly, crossing her arms. “I want it to look good, but not too gaudy. Practical and durable.”
Raine nodded, perking up slightly. “Then I think I know a good store, and I was actually heading that way myself. If you'd like, I can show you?”
17 groaned before his sister could even try to respond. “Ugh, why don't you girls go shopping or whatever it is that girls do, and 16 and I can go find something cool to do.” He pointedly ignored the annoyed look 18 shot him.
16 shook his head slightly. “Negative. I will go with them.”
“What, are you into shopping too, big guy?” 17 asked, quirking a brow as he looked up at 16. When he didn't get a response, he sighed dramatically and crossed his arms as he followed them, totally not pouting.
With that, Raine motioned for the Androids to follow her, leading the way to the store she'd been heading towards. She could feel her hands shaking slightly, but reminded herself that she should be okay. 16 seemed kind enough and knew that she wasn't a fighter. Hopefully, so long as she cooperated with the Androids, they wouldn't be likely to turn on her. She just had to stay useful and entertaining…
“So, what are you doing with those guys anyways?” 17 asked, figuring he may as well at least attempt to entertain himself with conversation. “You don't look like you're with them, but I do remember you.”
Raine looked over her shoulder at him before laughing a little. “Yeah, I don't really blend in.” She agreed, shrugging casually. “But I managed to befriend them a couple of years back, and they're fun to hang out with. A lot, but it's fun.”
“You don't seem like a fighter, so… what do you do?” He tried.
“If you mean for the group, nothing too helpful. Give them a ‘normal person’s’ perspective, mostly.” She answered with a sheepish laugh. She figured it was best to not give away the fact that she's figured out any semblance of healing. That'll stay her little secret. “If you mean in general, I'm a tattoo artist.”
While all of the Androids were visibly surprised by the answer, 18 was the one to comment on it first. “Really? You don't look the type to be anywhere near tattoos…”
That earned a proper, full laugh from Raine as she flashed them a playful grin. “I get that a lot~!”
As they finally reached the store, she held the door open for them. “And watch your head, 16.” She warned, gently reminding him to duck so he doesn't hurt his head, or the doorframe.
Fortunately, the store has a wide selection, and everything was good quality. A bit more expensive, but worth it for being able to last for more than one training session. “Think this might have something you'll like?” she asked, turning her attention to 18.
18 hummed contemplatively as she went to the nearest rack, shuffling through the options. “It's promising, at least…”
Considering even that response a win, Raine took to exploring the store as well. She already knew where her favorite section was, but she didn’t want to risk the Androids thinking that she had abandoned them. So she stayed relatively close by, still able to keep an eye on them. She’d find the two men looking towards her occasionally, but neither of them said anything, and 18 seemed rather satisfied by the variety.
Raine managed to find a promising navy blue jacket that was plenty of sizes too big for her, so she decided to try it on. Taking off her signature light blue jacket and setting it on a nearby bench, she caught the surprise on 17’s face when seeing the full sleeve she had on her right arm, and the few other tattoos she had on her left arm.
“Told you, I’m a tattoo artist. Of course I’d have some of my own.” She teased with a grin, finally working on putting on the navy jacket. It wasn’t quite as big as her favorite one, but it was still big enough that it was comfortable, and she had to pull the sleeves up to expose her hands. “Hmm… maybe.” She mused to herself, fussing with the sleeves and how the jacket itself hung.
18 peeked around a display to look at her, quirking a brow. “Suit yourself.” She commented, disappearing again to continue looking through the racks. Though, Raine noticed that she did have a few things draped over her arm. Similar enough to what she’s currently wearing, which tells Raine a lot about her style. Classy, but still practical.
Satisfied with the new jacket she’d found, Raine swapped back to her usual jacket and went to keep exploring the store some. She meandered to the shoe section, and found a few promising options for both herself and 18.
Not wanting to call out to her halfway across the store, Raine went up to 18, making sure she saw her before lightly tapping her shoulder to get her attention. “What size shoe do you wear? I saw some boots that I think might work with what you’ve grabbed.”
18 blinked in surprise at the offer before telling her, watching Raine trot off again to go back to the shoe section to get down the correct box.
It took some searching, but Raine finally saw the correct box... At the top of the stack.
Out of reach.
Great.
While Raine could fly up to get it, she tries to avoid doing it in public to not draw attention to herself. Debating whether she wants to see if she can climb up enough to get the box down or if she wants to find an employee and ask them to help, she crossed her arms and pouted to herself.
Just as she was about to turn and go find an employee, she bumped right into someone who completely blocked her field of view. Letting out a startled squeak, she managed to at least catch her balance quickly before she risked falling on her butt and making a fool of herself.
Though, it absolutely helped when a large hand settled itself on her back to keep her upright.
“Are you alright?” 16 asked, looking down at her.
Raine’s face all but burned with embarrassment as she looked up at him, nodding sheepishly. “Yes, thank you. Sorry, I didn’t realize you were there.” Who would have thought that such a massive Android could move so quietly?
16 seemed satisfied with the response, finally moving his hand off of her as he looked up towards where she had been reaching. “Do you require assistance?”
Raine nodded, huffing as she pointed up towards the box she wanted. “I can’t reach it, and I don’t want to fly around civilians…” She admitted, back to pouting.
Following her pointing, 16 reached out to tap at one of the boxes, then looked down at her for confirmation.
“Up one and to the right.” Raine corrected gently. Once he was touching the correct box and got the nod of approval, he carefully pulled the box down to offer it to her. She accepted it eagerly, beaming up at him. “Thank you!”
16 nodded in response, turning his attention towards the other Androids. 18 was still perusing the store while 17 tried to take a nap. “By my calculations, this is the longest they have gone in any city without destroying it since we have been woken up.”
Raine sighed in relief, shutting her eyes for a moment. “Hopefully that means I’m doing a good enough job at being entertaining, for now at least…”
“Affirmative.” 16… attempted to reassure. “However, I am uncertain how long they will stay entertained.”
Not what she wanted to hear, but… it’s realistic, and honest. “Well…,” she sighed, “I’ll just have to do my best.”
Dismissing the anxiety, Raine put on a smile and went over to 18, offering the box of shoes to her. “Here we go! 16 helped me get it down for you.”
18 took the box and opened it to take a look at it, nodding approvingly. “I’m going to go try these on.”
“Alright!” Raine beamed, letting her go off towards the changing rooms. She did turn her attention to 17, debating if she wanted to risk disturbing him to offer to try and help him find something as well. He seemed... relatively content for the moment, and he hadn’t seemed too into shopping earlier, so she figured it was best to just leave him be.
Grabbing a fortunately more accessible pair of boots for herself and some more training shorts, Raine noticed that 16 seemed to be following her around the store. Even if he wasn’t right beside her or anything, he was always in roughly the same part of the store, and either looking out the window at the passerby or at her. It was strange, but Raine found it more flattering than unnerving. Though, that is a thought for her to think about when she’s not desperately trying to keep her cool while severely out classed outside of training.
18 came back out after a bit, humming approvingly at her new outfit. Raine went up to her, beaming happily. “That looks great on you!” She complimented, still carrying her own armload of clothes.
“I’ve gotta admit, this was a decent suggestion.” 18 admitted, smoothing out her blouse some. “But I think I’ve done enough shopping, so I’m done here.”
Raine’s anxiety spiked, because that means that she’s bored, and Raine doesn’t know how else to entertain her, or at least spare the city.
She could at least try to put off their irritation at least a little bit more when she saw the three Androids get up and ready to go. Raine went up towards check out, gesturing to the cashier to not say a word about 18 leaving without paying for any of her new clothes. Despite the frantic gesturing, she managed to keep her tone cheery as she called after them. “Stay safe you three!”
Once the Androids were out of sight, Raine couldn’t help but sigh in relief and blob against the checkout counter for a minute. She got out her card to offer to the poor confused cashier. “I’ll pay for the blonde woman who just left’s stuff too, so you don’t get in trouble.” She told him. “Just... don’t call the cops or anyone about that.”
Bless his heart he was so confused by those instructions, but just seemed to accept it and rang her up, charging her for 18’s outfit as well.
Raine took her bags once she’d paid and hurried out of the store. After glancing around to make sure that she couldn’t see the Androids anymore, she ducked into an alley to start flying back home, far too shaky to continue her little shopping spree.
This is so not how she expected today to go...
~~~~~
Raine isn’t sure whether or not she should be concerned by the fact that this one incident is managing to finally get her accustomed to the craziness of her friend group. She didn’t even bat an eye when Bulma had called her, asking her if she could borrow Andi and have them help her while Raine babysits Trunks.
Which is how she found herself here, humming quietly as she wandered around the outskirts of the Brief’s lab while Bulma and Andi were working on repairing Android 16’s head after Krillin brought him in. She’d long since given up trying to listen to Bulma’s instructions for Andi, all of the scientific jargon going over her head. So instead, she’ll focus on keeping Trunks calm while his mom is busy and try not to get too lost in her own head thinking about just how little she can do to help prepare for the Cell Games.
She isn’t even remotely able to compare when it comes to fighting skill, so she can’t help when it comes to training. She isn’t strategic enough to come up with any sort of plan beyond ‘try not to die’. The best she can offer is to try and use her ki to help heal the others, but even that is a serious work in progress that can’t work fast enough, and they have sensu beans, making that ability pointless.
“Hey, Aunt Raine.”
Andi’s voice startles Raine out of her thoughts, making her turn her head towards them. “What’s up?”
Andi was wiping their hands off on a rag, gesturing back towards Bulma with their head. “You oughta go help her. You’re better at fine details, and your hands are steadier than mine,” they said, not leaving too much room for argument as they offered their arms to take Trunks. “I can watch over him.”
Raine blinked in surprise but handed Trunks over easily, helping them ensure they had a good hold on him. “Are you sure? I’m not near as tech-savvy as you two.”
Andi shook their head dismissively, watching Trunks as he settled against them. “It’ll be fine, Miss Bulma is really good at giving instructions.”
Figuring that there really wasn’t any point in arguing, Raine nodded and at least gently nudged them towards one of the comfy chairs in the room so they could sit down with Trunks before taking her jacket off and tying it around her waist.
“Looks like I’ve been tagged in.” She teased as she looked over to Bulma.
Bulma simply grinned and put her hands on her hips. “I might be able to make a scientist out of you yet.”
Rolling her eyes, Raine accepted the tools that Bulma passed to her, paying very close attention as Bulma started to give her the instructions. Andi was right that Bulma was good at giving instructions, and didn’t mind dumbing it down so that Raine could understand.
As she was working, Raine couldn’t help the passing thought that at least she’d understand even this much to be able to help 16 should he need it later down the line.
The thought made her pause what she was doing, even tilting her head slightly as she considered where the thought came from, and why now.
“What’s wrong?” Bulma asked, glancing over from the computer that she was working on when she noticed the silence.
Raine debated how to answer the question, hesitating long enough that Bulma turned in her seat to face her fully.
“Just... a strange thought hit me, that’s all.” Raine admitted, glancing towards Andi. They were already sound asleep in the chair with Trunks settled securely on their chest, even using their jacket as a blanket.
Good, they both desperately need the rest.
Bulma quirked a brow, leaning back in her chair slightly. “A strange thought, you say~?” She encouraged.
Raine stuck her tongue out at Bulma before focusing on Android 16 again, her eyebrows furrowing once more. “It’s kind of hard to explain...” She started, slowly going back to the task Bulma had given her. “I suppose I thought that it was nice that I got this opportunity to help, so I’d understand how the Androids work even a little bit more. So I can help them if something happens in the future.”
“You really think that he’ll stick around that long?” Bulma asked, not even sure what to make of the other two Android’s fates, having been absorbed by Cell and all.
Raine tilted her head slightly, but still didn’t take her eyes off of her work. “That’s the strange thing. I don’t know.” It felt wrong to say, especially with all of the effort that she and Bulma are putting into repairing 16, but well… “We don’t even know for certain if we’ll all survive this whole mess, and while Goku may not seem concerned... that’s Goku, sometimes I’m not even sure he fully understands the stakes when it comes to these sorts of fights.” She continued, her eyebrows furrowing as she worked. “And even if all goes well, Cell is defeated, and so on... who’s to say what 16 will do? He may decide to wander off and become a hermit or something. Even beyond that, what you’re having me do right now pales in comparison to what you could do if he needs to be repaired again.”
Raine hadn’t even realized she was rambling until she had stopped, her face flushing slightly in embarrassment.
Bulma hummed thoughtfully as she watched Raine set the tools aside for a moment to shake out some of the energy. “It sounds like you want him to stick around, huh?” she asked, her tone not the slightest bit judgmental, or pitying for that matter. Gently intrigued, if anything.
Raine considered the question, surprised by how quickly she had an answer. “Yeah, I guess I do...” She admitted, glancing over to the massive android on the table in front of her. “Honestly... I think he’d do well here, when there’s no conflict he’s being dragged into. He’s impressively gentle, and kind.”
Getting such a sincere response from her typically playful friend, Bulma’s expression softened. She almost didn’t even want to tease her.
Almost.
Standing from her chair and stretching out with a small groan, Bulma went over and put her arm around Raine’s shoulders with a playful grin.
“It almost sounds like you like him~!” Bulma commented, watching Raine’s expression closely.
At first, she just looked confused. “I mean I certainly don’t dislike him, so far he’s been nothing but kind and civil with me. Sure, he wants to kill Goku, but it seems like everyone does at some point.”
Bulma waited patiently, staring at Raine as she waited for the dots to connect, her playful grin never faltering.
3...2....1...
Raine’s face flushed bright red once she finally understood what Bulma was trying to imply.
“Are you trying to say-,” too flustered to even finish her accusation, Raine set the tools back down to instead cup her cheeks in hopes of calming herself down and hiding her embarrassment.
Bulma’s ensuing laughter just led to her ears turning pink in turn, so Raine instead moved to cover Bulma’s mouth, first glancing to 16, who was fortunately still powered down, then to Andi and Trunks. Andi stirred a tiny bit, but didn’t seem to wake up, so Raine considered that a win.
“You aren’t denying it~!” Bulma teased playfully, even with her voice muffled by Raine’s hand.
Raine huffed, her eyebrows furrowing. “I don’t... think... that I do? He’s just a nice guy, that’s all,” she attempted to defend, but it didn’t sound very convincing, even to herself.
Bulma rolled her eyes, gently moving Raine’s hand off of her mouth. “You’ve only seen him, what, twice before now? Three times max?” She asked, continuing when Raine nodded sheepishly. “You’ve only seen him a few times, and you still get so flustered at an unspoken implication that you’ve gone and caught feelings. I think that’s telling enough.” While her tone was somewhat playful, she also genuinely meant it.
Finally releasing Raine to give her the chance to decompress more properly, Bulma plopped back down in her seat. “As strange as it is to me that you’d end up falling for an android of all things, I can’t really be upset either. It could be worse.”
Raine snorted, still squishing her own cheeks slightly as she turned her attention to Bulma again. “I could fall for someone who made active attempts to kill our friends and take over our planet?” She teased, as if she hadn’t managed to befriend the very person she was teasing Bulma about.
Seeing Bulma’s own blush, as faint as it is, managed to give Raine some sense of accomplishment.
“Hey, don’t go turning this around on me, we’re talking about you here,” Bulma fussed with a pout, even crossing her arms for emphasis.
Once Raine’s snickers died down, Bulma gave her a soft smile. “I’m sure everything will turn out fine, though. It always does. And he’d have to be a fool to ignore how much you’ve done for him, even without taking this into account.”
Raine hummed a bit, turning her attention back to 16. “I just hope that he gets the chance to enjoy existing.”
Considering that to be that for the conversation, both women turned back to their work. Raine figures she’d worry more about her thoughts and feelings regarding 16 after the Cell Games, when they don’t have to worry about the fate of the world for at least a little while.
~~~~
( Bonding time prior to Cell Games? - Focused on 16’s perspective? - watching for news of the Cell Games, so 2 weeks prior)
Nothing in 16’s programming could have prepared him for any of the events that have transpired since he was woken up by Androids 17 and 18.
Killing Son Goku? Absolutely within his expected course of action, not even remotely surprising. Even if he doesn’t want to, really.
Dealing with another Android who is determined to absorb 17 and 18 to make himself stronger? Being cared for by small humans who are so much weaker than him, but who helped put him back together, quite literally? Having the entire world at risk of destruction based on some knock-off martial arts tournament, with Son Goku as their last remaining hope?
That is something that no amount of calculation could prepare him for.
Yet here he sits, in one of the large common areas of the Briefs compound, with quite a few of the human fighters sitting in the room and snacking together while discussing the Cell Games and what they’ve done to prepare.
16 hadn’t really spoken much for the conversation, simply listening to them and observing. The fact that they have shown such kindness to him, even Goku’s son, with full knowledge of his mission to kill Goku... it didn’t make sense to him.
That despite what he’s capable of, they still made the effort to repair him so he could function at full capacity, to their own detriment as well, based on the state of those who had worked on him.
Bulma was sitting at the table with the fighters with a cup of coffee in one hand and the other arm holding baby Trunks, Andi sitting nearby with their own cup of coffee and half laying on the table, and Raine... Raine was passed out on the couch, swallowed up by her jacket. At least now he understood why she seemed to prefer jackets so large that they all but swallowed her whole.
“16?”
Distracted from his thoughts, 16 turned his attention to Krillin, who had been trying to get his attention. “Yes?”
“You okay there, bud?” Krillin asked, his voice a little hesitant. “You seemed really spaced out there.”
16 quietly considered his response carefully, trying to decide how best to phrase it. “Despite the fact that you are aware of my purpose to kill Son Goku, you still brought me here and repaired me. You trust me enough to relax and joke in the same room as me. I do not understand.”
Perhaps even more confusingly for poor 16, everyone who was relatively awake and functioning started to laugh.
“I don’t think there’s a single person at this table who hasn’t wanted to or tried to kill him at some point in time, save for his own son.” Bulma explained once seeing his confusion. “Hell, when I first met him, I tried to shoot him.”
Andi sleepily raised their hand, still not sitting up however. “I don’t want to kill Mr. Goku.”
Bulma gestured towards them dismissively with her mug. “You’re too young to think about murder, give it some time.”
16 knows that he shouldn’t be surprised, some part of him knew that his former enemies kept ending up his allies... that still didn’t stop it from feeling strange that so many of his friends despised him at one point or another.
Sparing a glance towards the couch at Raine still sound asleep, 16 tilted his head. “Does that mean that she has wanted to kill Goku in the past as well?”
Bulma followed his gaze before shrugging. “I dunno, but I don’t think so? At this point most people are used to him being the way he is, and she makes joking threats to all of us,” she answered honestly.
“If she did not want to kill him, how did she end up here, then?” he asked, “She admitted that she is not a fighter, and stated that she does not contribute much beyond a ‘normal person’s perspective’.”
This time it was Krillin who spoke up, laughing a little. “She may not be a fighter, but honestly I don’t think we really need more fighters in this group. It’s kind of refreshing to have someone who’s just used to the messes we get into that they don’t panic, but still ‘normal’ enough to remind us that things are crazy,” he admitted.
Bulma huffed, puffing her cheeks out for just a moment. “I would get upset that you don’t think I’d fit that bill, but... I’m way more desensitized to all of this sort of stuff since I’ve been through so many years of it with all of you. I’ve been here from the start, after all.”
Krillin was quick to wave his hands defensively. “No no no, I wasn’t trying to say you’re crazy or anything! But you’re right that you’re way more used to it. Hell you went to an alien planet with us, Bulma.”
“Aunt Raine said she has fun confusing people by having her aesthetic contradict her profession and interests...” Andi spoke up again, though it looked like they were barely fending off sleep any better than Raine herself.
Bulma nodded slowly in understanding. “That explains a lot, honestly...” She hummed, glancing towards 16 and snorting.
Krillin followed Bulma’s glance curiously, then turned his attention back to her, his head tilting slightly in silent questioning.
16 found himself silently watching the interaction, aware that he was missing something, but he isn’t sure what. All that he can figure is that he and Raine are at the center of it, and Krillin is very surprised by whatever the unspoken conclusion was.
“Not like you’re in a position to judge, Krillin,” Bulma pointed out with a smirk, snickering proudly into her mug when Krillin got so flustered.
Krillin couldn’t seem to think of a retort, just grumbling incoherently for a moment before focusing on 16 again and offering the Android a sheepish smile. “Don’t worry about it big guy, just means you’re in good company,” he reassured, recognizing the confusion.
16 nodded slowly, turning his attention to Raine once more. “She should rest somewhere more comfortable, and quiet, correct?” He asked, glancing around the room for confirmation.
Bulma offered a shrug in response. “She seems pretty comfy there, but you can move her if you think she needs it. She has a spare room here. Vegeta, if you wouldn’t mind-”
Vegeta cut her off with a scoff, his arms crossed as he looked away stubbornly. “I am not going to be showing that Android around.”
“Fine,” she huffed, getting ready to stand, only for Vegeta to storm over to 16 and glare up at him.
“Don’t pull any tricks. I will not hesitate to break you into so many pieces that no one could put you back together again,” he warned.
Bulma rolled her eyes at the sudden shift in Vegeta’s attitude, biting down a grin at his failed attempt at being subtle about his protectiveness. “Don’t go wasting my hard work, Vegeta,” she called, only half joking.
16 ignored the banter to instead turn his attention to Raine, moving to the couch while deciding how best to pick her up. Not bothering to over-think it, he simply slid his arms underneath her legs and shoulders and carefully scooped her up. While she shifted slightly in his hold and her eyebrows scrunched up slightly, she didn’t wake up properly.
“Poor thing must be worn out...” Bulma hummed sympathetically from the table, watching the little show.
“Affirmative,” 16 agreed, “she exhibits clear signs of exhaustion.”
“All the better that you’re taking her to get some proper sleep, then.”
Sick of the teasing, Vegeta started down the hallway towards the guest room that Raine had claimed for when she’d come to visit, not really caring if 16 followed or not. If he didn’t, then this was a prime opportunity for Vegeta to sneak off for more training instead of having to sit there and listen to this planets’ pathetic excuses for fighters pretend that there isn’t anything wrong and that everything is sunshine and rainbows.
Unfortunately for him, 16 still followed, his long legs making it easy for him to catch up. The two men didn’t say a word to each other, walking down the long hallway in complete silence. When they reached Raine’s room, Vegeta opened the door for 16, watching as he ducked down, careful to avoid bumping Raine into anything as he took her inside. He shifted to hold her with one arm, pulling back the covers before carefully laying her down and covering her once more.
Vegeta stayed in the doorway with his arms crossed, not bothering to hide his displeasure with 16’s presence, or his blatant distrust.
16 didn’t seem bothered though, and after ensuring that Raine was properly settled, he left the room to return to the main group. He is sure that there are many updates he has missed regarding Cell, after all.
