Krillin and 18: One Stupid Kiss

Part 3: Gotcha

The milk carton slipped from Krillin's flimsy grip and dispersed all over the floor. He groaned as he snatched a paper towel and began wiping. He was still shaken from his surprise encounter in the supermarket the other day. How ironic that he would run into the prickly cyborg of all people, after all this time? And he stood there staring at her like a fool, until he could think of only one thing that a man of his stature would probably do in his situation: run with his tail between his legs.

Still, it was likely that was the least awkward scenario that would have played out. Krillin had no idea what he would have said to 18 if he had not made a hasty retreat. Perhaps he could have invited her to his apartment. His wish didn't impress her years ago but maybe his crib would've. When he first fled Kame house, he spent quite awhile sleeping outside on various islands, surviving by catching fish and other forms of hunting.

Then the stocky male managed to score a couple odd jobs. Some of them he found interesting, like brief construction work and inspecting forest fires. Others he felt rather embarrassed about, such as driving a garbage truck. Then one fateful day, he snuck into to a nightclub, intending to drown his sorrows in alcohol. He watched as partygoers and couples ate together and danced the night away happily, until a group of armed thugs burst in.

They commanded everybody to freeze and remain where they were, and one of the goons proceeded to the main desk where the cash was kept. Unfortunately, said goon made the grave mistake of getting too close to the table where the skilled martial artist was sitting. He sprang from his chair, kneed the hoodlum in the gut, and yeeted him toward his fellow ruffians faster than any of them could register what was happening. Three were knocked out by the collision and the other  two immediately pulled out 45 caliber semiautomatics, promptly firing away. Their eyes bulged out of their heads as they watched Krillin catch every single one of their bullets.

After a series punches, kicks, and shattered bones, all five thieves were wrapped up like Christmas gifts ready for the police. Krillin was held as a hero for the night and offered a job at the nightclub immediately, which just so happened to be owned by martial arts world champion Hercule.

Remembering his surprise successes admittedly made it easier for the former warrior to deal with his past blunders. He could reminisce about it more during his shift tonight.

***
The club goers were quite lively, as per the weekend usual, and the vibe was heightened by the buzz of alcohol. The bartender was in an unusually good mood himself, smiling bashfully to himself as he scrubbed wine glasses. Strangely, his mood did not seem to be the result of the contagious energy of the crowd. Perhaps, despite his slight embarrassment where a certain meeting was concerned, he was low key happy that he was able to see the feisty android again.

"I'll have an umeshu, please," a woman's voice snapped him out of his reverie.

"Coming right u-" Krillin froze with his mouth half open, accidentally shattered the glass in his hand, and felt the blood rush to his head. He came face to face with the woman he ran from in the market, only this time, she was wearing a deep v-neck dress that hugged her in all the right places. The flustered man couldn't quite read her expression, but in their current light, it almost looked like she was smirking at him.

"C-coming right up," he cleared his throat and fumbled with all his drink mixing tools before he finally poured 18 a drink.

"There you go," it was miracle that he didn't spill it when he handed it to her

"Thanks," she replied impassively. He nodded while blushing profusely, hiding it by turning away to and continuing to clean. He hoped that she would now leave him to his awkwardness, but of course, 18 took a seat at the bar instead.

"You know," she began, "I didn't think I'd run into you here."

"Y-yeah?" Krillin stammered while rather frantically scrubbing more dishes. He dreaded where the conversation was headed.

"Yeah," the cyborg continued nonchalantly. "In fact, I believe the last time we saw each other you ran."

Krillin winced and cleared his throat.

"I, uh, don't remember that." Then he managed to break another glass by using too much scrubbing force.

"Look at me," her commanding tone juxtaposed her calm voice. Krillin swallowed and turned to face her slowly, unable to look her in her icy blue eyes. Needless to say, the android no longer appeared to be suppressing a smile.

"Why'd you run away from me?"

"I don't know," Krillin faltered as he scratched the back of his head. "I guess I-I was just caught off guard." 18 bored into the defenseless man with her gaze, then shrugged.

"Fair enough. So what're you doing here anyway?" Krillin then briefly recounted how he received his position and was pleased to see the cyborg impressed afterward. Though she hoped he would explain his sudden leave from Kame House, they unexpectedly ended up catching up with each other as if they were old friends. He pitied her when she groaned about 17's critter escapades, and she almost cried with laughter when he admitted that one of his job affairs included being misled into almost performing at a ladies' club.

"Wouldn't it have made more sense to make security here?" 18 asked when she calmed down.

"I thought so to but Hercule explained he wanted to make sure I had some sort of position inside in case some goons managed to get in again." 18 nodded in confirmation. Neither of them said anything for a moment; she just sat there smiling at him. It was the same look she gave him right after she kissed him long ago. He sheepishly scratched the back of his head, but grinned back at her, hoping he didn't look like a tomato for the third time that night.

Suddenly the bartender stiffened, yelped, and ducked under the counter.  Befuddled, 18 frowned and leaned over slightly. Then a hand clamped down on her shoulder, startling her.

"Is this where you've been all night," her twin brother mockingly asked.

"No, I also went to Otherworld," she replied sarcastically.

"No judgement here. Anyway, we're gonna head back to the cabin," 17 eagerly gestured to the brunette with more curve than a bottle of coke, whom he had an arm wrapped around. She presented 18 with a blinding smile and waved.

"Okay. I'll catch up with you later," she successfully masked her unease. She was sure she didn't want to be present for whatever plans her brother had for his new friend.

"He's gone now," 18 called over her shoulder before turning to face the bar again. Krillin poked half his head up and scoured the interior, then rose and brushed himself off.

"Do you always dodge people you used to know?" the android inquired.

"Only the ones that beat the tar out of my friends," the stocky former fighter joked.

"Touché," 18 then sighed. "I should probably get back too. Though, something tells me I probably don't wanna be there at the same time 17's new friend is."

Don't do it, Krillin thought.

"Well, if you want you could bunk at my place for the night," he offered. He caught the cyborg by surprise.

What're you doing?! Inner Krillin cried.

"Really?"

Now's your last chance to back out, you moron.

"I mean you'll have to wait til my shift is over." 18 stared at him, calculative. Krillin, positive his nervous sweat was visible, hoped she'd politely decline.

"Fine by me," she finally agreed. And though he veiled it well, the cumbersome bartender spent the rest of his shift wondering what he'd just done.

***

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