Tempered Hope

Jasmine knew when Trunks was having nightmares.

He was like her. She had no word for it, but he was the same. When the dreams would start, he would become irritable, something that made some of the other Time Patrollers wary–“an angry guy with Saiyan blood in his veins, you know…” His shoulders would hunch, and he avoided conversations or gatherings with more fervor than usual.

Suffice to say, he was horrible at hiding it. The bags under his eyes gave him away.

But this time, it was more than one or two nights. It was going on a week and there was no positive change within him, no bouncing back like usual. And Jasmine was beginning to worry.

What could it be about this time? She thought, watching him attempt a nap under a shady tree to partially block the sun from his eyes. His posture was awkward, back propped against the trunk with his arms folded over his lap and his trusty sword resting carefully at his side, and he didn’t look very comfortable. She observed him cautiously from a distance away, lest he pick up her ki. He yawned once, then twice, and shut his eyes.

She knew what he’d say. It was always the same.

“Jasmine, I’m really fine.” That self-assured smile, always thinking about how to put others at ease, appeared in her mind and made her heart seize up, “I’ve always had a hard time sleeping, but it’ll pass.” He had the kindest eyes. They always looked at her in a way that asked to shoulder her burden.

“NO!”

She was snapped out of her thoughts by the sound of Trunks’ shout. I zoned out at a time like this?! It took her less than a second to appear at his side, and the sight she found broke her heart. He was still sleeping, thrashing about, and the hybrid’s first instinct was to kick his sword away lest he grab it and start swinging at whatever was tormenting him. Once that was done, she reached for him with gentle hands, trying to keep him still. Though he relaxed his arms, his body still felt rigid with sleep, meaning she hadn’t gotten him out of the woods yet.

“Trunks! Trunks, wake up! Hey, it’s me!”

“No, no – ”

“It’s Jasmine!”

Trunks’ eyes flew open at the sound of her name.

“Jasmine…?” His face was drenched in sweat, eyes blinking rapidly as he came to. He brought a hand to his head and she didn’t miss the reddening of his face, spreading like wildfire all the way to his ears, “I was dreaming…” He sounded relieved.

“Yeah, and I want to know just WHAT you were dreaming about!” Red and blue eyes met. Trunks diverted his gaze.

“Jasmine, I’m reall– ”

“Oh, come off it!” It was one of the few times she could recall ever being so frustrated with him, and it came out in her snapping. He visibly jumped,

“You’re not fine! You haven’t slept in nearly a week, and you just had a nightmare about something that made you scream in your sleep!” A hand flew to her chest, gripping the fabric there. Jasmine’s eyes brimmed with unshed tears. “We’re supposed to be a team, aren’t we? If you would just open up to me– ”

It was the first time that Trunks had held her.

Moving so fast she had no time to react, he had pulled her small body flush to his chest, arms tightly wrapped around her – as though she’d just suddenly disappear. It took a few seconds for her to realize what was going on, and when she did, it momentarily sent her into overdrive. Her face was all red, but she was compelled to slowly, hesitantly wrap her arms back around him, digging into the back of his coat. She wished it was under a different circumstance, but she liked how it felt.

“You were killed by Frieza. I was watching it happen, but I couldn’t move. I wanted to save you but I…!” His nightmare was a memory of that time, she realized, as he spoke in a wavering voice. “If I couldn’t save you – after Gohan, and my mother…I…I don’t know what I would do.”

By now, he had buried his face in her dark, unruly hair. He’s crying. And he feels… The same way as me.

“…That was just a dream…I’m right here.” Saiyans weren’t renowned for her tenderness, but she wasn’t all Saiyan. And neither was he. It was okay for them to have this moment. Jasmine closed her eyes, pulling one hand from his back to rest in his lilac hair. It may have been a childish gesture, but she remembered there being nothing more comforting than to be patted on the head by someone you loved. Now, more than ever, she thought that he needed that. His body relaxed against hers.

When was the last time I was held like this?

With Trunks pulling back to bashfully meet her gaze with tear-stained eyes, Jasmine continued with an affectionate smile. Neither one had stopped the embrace. Maybe they hadn’t even realized that.

“You know, I…I dream about similar things. You’re all I’ve got.”

“You, too.”

They fell into a comfortable silence, still holding each other under the tree. Just the knowledge that someone UNDERSTOOD was enough. Trunks adjusted his position so that she could rest more comfortably, Jasmine’s knees tucked under herself, supported against his chest. It was a little awkward, unpracticed, but the thought of parting was unbearable to both. When she looked up at him from under her eyelashes, she curled her lips up. He was fighting sleep, his eyes fluttering open and closed.

“Forgive me, Trunks!”

“What for– oh…”

Her hand once more came to rest atop his head, this time running her fingers through his hair. She massaged and scratched his scalp and Trunks’ eyes closed fully in almost an instant. It had really been ages since he had been touched gently like this. Like his mother used to do when he couldn’t, or rather, wouldn’t close his eyes to sleep. The feeling of him fully relaxed against her made her so happy. A nap DOES sound good, too, but I think I’ll watch over his sleep…just a little longer.

The nightmares stopped.