by Neko-chan
A young boy with gentle blue eyes gazes up at his father in sadness. Why don't you love me, Papa?, he asks silently.
The cold, emotionless father glances up from his work and sees the unspoken question in his son's eyes. He looks away, not wanting to face the plea.
But the truth was, he did love his son. Even if he never said the words aloud. His own experience with his father taught him how fragile a father's love can be.
A young Saiyan prince, no more than five or six years old, gazed adoringly up at his papa. There had been rumors that Freeza would try and kidnap him, but he wasn't worried. After all, his papa would protect him.
The old king finally noticed his son's gaze. He gave his son a tight smile and said, "Don't worry son. I won't let that monster, Freeza, take you. Why don't you run along and play with Nappa?"
The little Saiyan prince made a face but obeyed.
Bardock, the King's most trusted counselor, watched the small boy run off; his tail twitching behind him. The King shouldn't be telling his son lies, he thought, frowinging.
The King sighed, watching his son leave. "Even though I don't want to, I must obey Freeza....for now," he said. "I have to give Prince Vegeta to him or he will destroy our planet. I don't like lying to the boy, but I have no choice. Besides, we'll be rescuing him in a few days, after Freeza takes him from us."
Bardock just shook his head, a feeling of foreboding washing over him. Ahhh...But Sire, it won't be so easy as you think, rescuing the little Prince, he thought.
*
Freeza captured the young Prince the next day. He sat in his cell, waiting for him Papa to come and rescue him.
But his Papa never came. The King of the Saiyans, Vegeta, lost his life trying to rescue his son.
Yet, some how, the little Prince sensed his Papa's death while imprisoned in the dark, cold cell. A feeling of pain...of anguish...of loss. Yet, also, a feeling of love.
A father's love.
Vegeta's eyes widened when he remembered this. He looked down at his only son.
Softly, Vegeta said," I love you, Trunks. More than you'll ever know. I'm so very proud of you."
Trunks's blue eyes widened. Smiling up at his Papa, he said, "I love you too, Papa."
And with that, Trunks climbed up into Vegeta's lap. And, for once, Vegeta wasn't cold or aloof towards his son. He hugged him, cradling his son's chubby body to his chest.
They sat like that for several hours; not saying a word, just hugging each other.