Chapter Text
Project Ajax chapter 20
Trunks and Gohan stood side by side along with many other soldiers who were being awarded the kings commendation for bravery, it was a proud moment for both of them, but especially for Gohan. There had been a lot of questions raised about Gohan’s eligibility for such an award. Is it fair to call him brave when his fear had been surgically removed? Was it fair on the real soldiers to award an enhanced soldier the same honour as them? Vegeta had answered these questions. He had personally seen Gohan exhibit fear, just not for himself, thus making him brave. His decision to give Gohan the medal had improved his relationship with Trunks somewhat, they were still not close, but at least Trunks would speak to him.
Vegeta moved slowly down the line, taking his time to speak to all the amazing men in front of him. their stories were heart wrenching, it was clear to see that every one of these soldiers fully deserved the medal they were about to receive.
He had Kakarot at his side, and Nappa close behind him. A medal awarding ceremony was no place for a spy, but no one questioned Kakarot’s presence, he and the king had been basically inseparable since the end of the war. Vegeta was reluctant to let Kakarot out of his sight even for a second after coming so close to losing him. News of Lord Freiza’s death spread quickly through the kingdom, Vegeta was viewed as a hero, his people proud and his army even more determined. Zarbon had took over the Freiza force and he was a bad ruler. He made the mistake of hijacking a few Namekian supply ships thus cementing the alliance between the nameks and the Saiyan’s. Once their armies had joined forces there was no hope for the now basically leaderless Freiza Force.
Trunks and Gohan had been there to see the finish of the tunnels at Allemere, once they managed to get behind enemy lines it was a massacre, the few surviving members of the Freiza Force had no choice but to retreat. A mere three days after Lord Freiza’s death, the Freiza force surrendered and the Saiyan’s won the war.
People were joyous but still very aware of the huge toll this war had taken on the people of Vegeta, whole cities had been reduced to rubble and would need rebuilding. Families had been torn apart, children left without parents and spouses left without partners. It would take Vegeta a long time to recover from this. But they would do it, they would join together as the amazing nation that they were and rebuild.
Vegeta finally reached Trunks in the line
“I’m proud of you son,” He said as he pinned the medal to his pocket
“Thanks dad,” Trunks answered. There was an awkward silence as neither man knew what to say to the other. Words had never been Vegeta’s strong point, I mean, he could give a speech and strike up momentum and enthusiasm in 10000 people, he could give condolence to a nation that has lost one million men and sound as sincere as anything. But speaking to his own son was different, it was hard.
The silence stretched on
“Oh for gods sake Veg, just tell the guy you love him already, jeez” Kakarot finally helped out rolling his eyes, he could speak about feelings with ease, it had never ben a problem for Kakarot. He was never embarrassed to admit that he loved someone. Vegeta chuckled a little at his lovers exasperated tone
“I love you Trunks, I know I never wanted you to be a soldier but honestly, I don’t think there is anything now that would make me prouder. You are an outstanding officer and it is in part because of you that we are standing here today as the victors. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you” He puts his arms around his son and pulls him close. He has not hugged his son since he was a child. It feels nice, especially when he feels Trunks hug him back
“See that wasn’t so bad now was it, baby,” Kakarot chuckles from behind him
“Thanks dad,” He croaks through tears. It has been a long time since he felt his dad was proud of him, he tried hard to keep his emotions in check, but a tear escaped from his eye. The hug lasted only a few seconds but the feeling behind it will stay with Trunks for quite a while. Acceptance was a great feeling
Gohan watched Trunks cry as his father hugged him. he tried to put a name to the emotion he could see. was it sadness? He was crying after all. Or was it happiness? He should be feeling happy right? The confusion was apparent on his face when he reached a comforting hand out to take hold of Trunks’
“I’m ok” Trunks assured him when he saw the baffled expression “sometimes people cry when they are happy too” He explains
“Just when I thought I understood,” Gohan says shaking his head. He knows he will never fully understand the emotions that Trunks experiences, them feelings have been, as Trunks puts it “stolen from him” but he will always try his best to understand, to comfort when it is needed and to celebrate when they could. He felt happy when he looked at Trunks, something that should be impossible to him, happiness should not be something he can achieve, but here he is. Trunks has unlocked all manor of feelings inside of him, some he understands, some he does not but he will try, he will play human until it becomes second nature to him. He will strive to be everything that Trunks needs
Vegeta moves along to give Gohan his medal, his name has now officially been changed to Gohan, he was also offered the chance to see what small information there was on the man he was before but he had declined. There was no reason to know who he was before, he was Gohan now, a name which the man he loved had chosen for him and one he could wear with pride. He saw little need to dwell on his first life
“Thank you Gohan for all you have done to help win this war, thank you for forgiving me and most of all thank you for keeping Trunks safe,” Vegeta said fervently, he had grown to like Gohan, his amazing strength and intellect, his caring side when it came to Trunks and his brutal honesty were all very endearing to Vegeta. He knew one day soon he would be calling this man his son in law, and he was pleased about that, he couldn’t have chosen a better partner for his son. Knowing that one day the two of them would rule over Vegeta side by side made him feel safe, this nation would thrive under their rule
“It has been my pleasure your majesty, thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet such an amazing man” he said and saluted. The medal was pinned neatly onto his uniform, the first he had ever received, it made him feel as though his chest was swelling and a smile pulled at his mouth,
“How do I feel right now?” he asked Trunks, a question he found himself asking more and more these days
“My chest feels strange and I am smiling” He explains the feeling to help Trunks pinpoint what one it is
“Proud, you feel proud,” Trunks answered
“And rightly so, you are a fine soldier and I can see great things headed your way” Vegeta added. Gohan found he likes the feeling of pride.