Dragon Ball R/Z | Raditz x reader

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐱.

The spaceship descended gently onto the surface of Nersus, its landing thrusters kicking up swirls of bright turquoise dust. Y/n peered out of the viewport, taking in the serene landscape dotted with crystalline lakes and strange, luminescent flora. Beside her, Raditz was checking the ship's systems, ensuring everything was in order before they disembarked.

"We'll stay here for a bit," Raditz said, his voice a deep rumble. "The ship needs some repairs, and it looks like a safe enough place to train."

Y/n nodded, excitement bubbling beneath her calm exterior. She had been looking forward to this break. The quest for the Dragon Balls had been relentless, and though they had only managed to find one so far, it felt like they had been at it for ages.

As the door lowered itself, they were greeted by a group of Nerans, short frog-like humanoids with vibrant blue skin and wide, friendly eyes. One of them, who seemed to be the leader, stepped forward and croaked out a welcome.

"Travelers! We are pleased to have you here on Nersus! I am Krelk. Please, oh please, follow us to our village! You are welcome to rest and recover here."

Y/n smiled warmly at the small creature. "Thank you, Krelk. We appreciate your hospitality."

The village was a picturesque collection of domed huts, each one glowing faintly with bioluminescent patterns that shifted and changed with the time of day. The Nerans moved with a kind of gentle grace, their voices a constant murmur of croaks and chirps.

As they settled in, Raditz and Y/n found themselves falling into an easy routine. During the day, they would train in a clearing near the village, surrounded by towering fungi that glowed softly, casting a dreamlike light over their sparring sessions.

Raditz was a demanding teacher, his Saiyan pride not allowing him to go easy on Y/n. Yet, there was a certain gentleness in his rough manner, a careful consideration in the way he corrected her stance or guided her movements. He showed her how to harness her ki more efficiently, focusing it into her strikes and enhancing her agility.

"You're getting better," Raditz admitted one afternoon, as they paused for a break. Y/n wiped sweat from her brow, her chest heaving with exertion. "Your slice gloves are becoming more precise."

Y/n smiled, forming the familiar blades of ki around her hands. The purple-red energy shimmered in the air, deadly and beautiful. "Thanks to your training," she said. "I couldn't have done it without you."

Raditz turned away slightly, a faint flush on his cheeks. "Just don't get cocky," he grumbled. "There's still a lot you need to learn."

Despite his attempts to remain stoic, Raditz found himself increasingly drawn to Y/n. Her determination, her strength, and the way she never gave up no matter how hard he pushed her-everything about her intrigued him. He watched her with a new kind of awareness, noticing the way her eyes sparkled when she mastered a new technique, the way her laughter rang out like music when they joked around.

But if Y/n noticed his growing affection, she gave no sign. To her, Raditz was still the gruff Saiyan warrior who pushed her to be better, her companion on this arduous journey. The thought of romance seemed far from her mind, focused as she was on their mission.

One evening, after a particularly grueling training session, they sat by one of the crystalline lakes, the water reflecting the twin moons of Nersus. The Nerans had prepared a simple meal for them, a stew made from local plants and herbs that was surprisingly delicious.

As they ate, Y/n glanced over at Raditz, noting the way the moonlight played across his features. "You know," she said thoughtfully, "for all your tough talk, you really are a good teacher."

Raditz snorted, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips. "Don't let it go to your head," he said. "I'm just making sure you don't slow me down."

Y/n laughed, a bright, clear sound that made Raditz's heart skip a beat. "Whatever you say, Raditz."

They fell into a comfortable silence, the peaceful night enveloping them. Y/n leaned back on her elbows, gazing up at the stars. "It's so nice here," she murmured. "Almost makes me forget we're on a mission, haha~"

Raditz nodded, though his eyes were on her rather than the sky. "Yeah," he agreed softly. "It is."

The days passed in a blur of training and quiet moments of camaraderie. Raditz continued to show Y/n new techniques, pushing her to new limits. She grew faster, stronger, her control over her slice gloves becoming more refined.

One afternoon, as they sparred, Y/n managed to land a glancing blow on Raditz, her ki blade slicing through the fabric of his armor. She froze, eyes wide, but Raditz only grinned, a fierce light in his eyes.

"That's more like it," he said, his voice filled with approval. "Now you're starting to get it."

Y/n beamed, pride and relief washing over her. "I couldn't have done it without you," she repeated, and this time, Raditz couldn't help but reach out, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"You've got the talent," he said quietly. "I'm just helping you bring it out."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, something hung in the air between them, something fragile and unspoken. But then Y/n looked away, breaking the spell.

"Let's keep going," she said, her voice a bit too bright. "I want to get this move down perfectly."

Raditz watched her for a moment longer, a mix of frustration and longing in his gaze. Then he nodded, stepping back into his fighting stance. "Alright. Show me what you've got."

As they continued their training, the slow burn of their unacknowledged feelings simmered beneath the surface, an undercurrent that neither of them fully understood yet. On Nersus, amidst the tranquil beauty of the planet, their bond grew stronger, their partnership deepening with each passing day.

And though Y/n remained oblivious to Raditz's feelings, there were moments-fleeting, almost imperceptible-when she felt something stir within her, a warmth that had nothing to do with their training. It was a seed of something new, something that might one day blossom into a love neither of them had ever expected.

But for now, they had their mission, their training, and the peaceful respite that Nersus provided. And in the quiet moments, when the stars shone brightly overhead and the air was filled with the gentle sounds of the Neran night, they both found a sense of contentment, a rare and precious thing in their turbulent lives.

And so, they stayed on Nersus, honing their skills, growing closer in ways they had yet to fully realize, preparing for the challenges that awaited them in their quest for the Dragon Balls scattered across the universe.

'Tomorrow is another day. '

- words; 1180
rewrite; /
posted on; 17. 5. 2024.