#*del

Broly was far from his most comfortable self at the moment. The dark-washed fabric wrapped around his legs felt stiff to walk in, but you at least let him keep his black, fitted top. Ba’s ear was a comfort against the cold, as was the wool hat pulled down over his ears and the matching scarf he loosened around his neck. He has to endure the layers of earth clothing you convinced him to wear while the air is colder and the frozen, salted snow crunches under his feet as he walks.

After arriving at the grocery store, Broly rejoins you back at the entrance after retrieving a cart for you, and when you look back up at him he's met with a surprised stare. You quickly glance around and make a down gesture with your hand giving him a small smile.

“You don’t have to carry it that way.” You gently corrected, Broly tilting his head further as he looked at the cart sitting on his large shoulder before lowering it off.

It was funny to see something you knew had to be possible yet never gave a thought about, witnessing a metal shopping cart carried like an empty cardboard box by a saiyan. Odd to onlookers who noticed, but endearing to you. It’s a wonder that in all the time you and Broly spent at each other’s side, you never actually went grocery shopping together before. You wished it was better timed than a last-minute venture on a snowy day, but feeding a saiyan required a lot more ingredients than what you currently had in stock at home. As it turns out, you weren’t just looking for a way to get out of that conversation topic. The refrigerator was due for a refill that you regrettably overlooked between Broly being away training two days before yesterday and how you "busied yourself" trying to impress him after he returned.

Nevertheless, some fresh air was needed, as well as a distraction to move forward from the previous day's accident.

When the automatic doors opened allowing a shopper out behind you both, Broly’s sensitive nose was drawn to the smells of different foods, and the intrigue of what lies ahead fully set in. He was allowed a particularly appetizing smell from inside before the sliding doors slowly closed again, and then he looked at you with anticipating eyes as you moved around to get behind the cart to push. He simply cannot wait. Your smile grew watching him move for the automated doors ahead of you, guided by his curiosity to find where that one smell came from.

You were relieved to get out of the cold once you pushed the shopping cart inside but stopped behind Broly who seemed awestruck at the sight of the grocery store. He'd seen a sizable spread of food before, but not like this—Never like this! This didn't compare to the rations stock room from Frieza’s ship or Vegeta’s wife's meals. Just wall-to-wall food like he’s never imagined.

“You okay?” You asked, coming around to his side and tilting your head up at him, snapping Broly out of his enchantment at the wondrous sights.

He nods, almost breathless as a small grin rose in his features. “Yes. It’s so much. You just collect it all here?”

“Yeah, pretty much. I know how you feel, sometimes I just come here out of habit and just wander the aisles with the cart just in case I need something.” You explained, starting to guide the cart to the outermost aisle. You took your phone out of your pocket and opened up your grocery list to help avoid that certain situation. “If we’re not careful, we’ll end up getting more than we should and spend too much. Hopefully, we’re still early enough to get what we need.”

Sooner or later the crowd of shoppers would come through to do the same as you due to the storm and you’d like to not get caught up in the fuss. Broly in tow of you and the cart leans over your shoulder to look at the list you created and watched as you started to gather items, placing them into the cart. His attention then went back around the brightly lit store when newer smells seemed to find him the further you made your way in. One scent from earlier came in stronger once again, aiming his fascination in its direction and slowing his steps behind you before he found himself following it instead.

It was only when you turned around to place another item in your cart that you noticed he moved away, his large silhouette rounding into another aisle before you could call out for him. Quickly, you spun the cart around to follow after him.

A small stand at the end of the new aisle hastened the saiyan’s steps with the sound of your cart trying to catch up behind him. The warm smell enveloping the entire walkway brings his stomach to a rumble. It’s here!

The unsuspected worker behind the stand was ladling a steaming mixture into small serving cups, all lined in front of the stand when Broly’s taller form hovered over their shoulder and startled them enough to spill the remaining bits in the ladle. His eyes were wide and locked on the bubbling crockpot, a desirous breath shaking off his lips.

“What is this?” He voiced in awe, his eyes never leaving the quietly simmering contents of the crockpot.

“I-It’s chili!” The worker shakily answered, visibly uncomfortable and trying to shrink away from the larger man. “Uh, you wanna try a sample?” They flinch at the sharp turn of his head toward them, an excited twinkle in his eyes. “T-The brand’s on sale!”

You quickly abandon the cart and move into the small space between the worker and the saiyan’s side, grunting at your failed attempt to move him from behind the stand. “—Broly! Other side!” Your back now against him, your hands and feet still trying to budge him and open up the space between the three of you as you faced the sample stand employee. You smile sheepishly at them hoping they’d laugh with you. “Sorry, he’d love to try some!” Your arm stretched towards the front of the stand, directing him to one of the serving cups in an insisting manner. Broly moves, lifting the little plastic cup between his fingers and not wasting a second longer to eat. He pulls the tiny spork out and completely dumps the sample serving onto his tongue.

Ignoring the heat to get it all as quickly as he could.

His eyes widened once again at the subtle spice that rose through the stewy, savory flavor as he swallowed, giving it a final kick. Gone all too quickly to really appreciate it, leaving him wanting more. He looked down into his empty plastic container, amazed at what he just experienced. “It’s delicious…” He quietly awed. You sighed softly with a rich smile on your face, relieved and unsurprised that he would enjoy it.

Broly lurched over the small stand toward the worker suddenly, once again startling them. “Thank you very much!” He exclaimed in a burst of rapture and it made you giggle to see him so excited about something new but you were certain they were a bit overwhelmed by a mountain of muscles invading their space again.

“We missed breakfast.” You admitted to the perturbed employee, a hand on Broly’s bicep gently tugging his towering form back as you moved another chili sample into his hand. “Sorry again.”

You took another for yourself this time, the warm smell in your nose tempting your taste buds. Due to eating a senzu bean, you weren't exactly hungry but you wanted to know what all the fuss was about. Broly had already downed his in a single shot and his tongue was cleaning the inside of the small container with no regard for his impression. You tasted yours and it just tastes like any basic chili recipe to you. Good, because it was hot and fresh. Spicy, bits of ground peppers and seasoning soaked into the broth to give the protein the savory flavor you expected. 

It's just a passable store-bought chili. Plain and simple. But you lift your eyes and there is this gaze of wonder looking down on you. ‘Isn’t it great?’—they ask without words— smiling at you. You smile big and finish your serving with big scoops. You can really appreciate the way he finds pleasure in all the little instances of being an earthling.

You're in this cozy moment with him, but as you watch him taking to things like he was meant to be here all along, you are reminded of what you spoke about in bed last night. Your mind fills with possibilities of what more you could do to help him see how well he was fitting in on Earth, and how far his progress has brought him. His sincere joy in being here in the grocery store and setting aside his usually cautious approach to new places and food to gobble down free samples of chili and admiring the light snowfall on the way was infectious. No hesitation to inspect the unknown in his own way, he simply takes it all in and he enjoys himself. You could argue he was motivated by the lack of breakfast this time but to you, it felt like an act of confidence, a faith established from the wonders of Earth. A step towards a more permanent place here, you hoped. 

You truly hoped for that more than anything for him.

But above all else, his main priority is his training with Goku. Mastering his great power and himself. Wherever that may take him.

‘Safe from me’, he said. Looking back, you assume he said that as a reassurance to you, but he spoke so sure of himself that even if he likes being on Earth and wishes to make it his new home, he can’t right now. It's still hard to believe such a virtuous soul came out of a harsh environment, polluted by the consequences of selfishness, but still able to smile and act courteously the way Broly does. His eyes always opened to the next wonder of the universe, big and small. It's not fair to him to be so burdened with something he never asked for, but he was making the best of his circumstances and doing so with praiseworthy resolve.

You would have to accept him leaving for…well, who could say how long? That's what frightens you. But if it's for the best and it is what Broly wants, you can swallow the lump and smile to convince your heart the same. He's going to grow, away from you. Or he doesn't, and there's nothing you can do about it but watch him continue to despise that about himself. Something that is supposed to be good for him shouldn't feel so depriving to you, but the anxiety of it is sitting in your chest. 

It could be weeks, months, or even years before you can see him again. The saiyans do this all the time because of the circumstances laid before them. You've gone years without seeing Goku, which doesn't include the period he was dead. Every time you do he's different, a little more mature in some subtle way that just leaves him feeling more distant each time. A stranger with a familiar face that knows your name, popping in and out of places and fighting gods now of all things. You don’t want that for you and Broly. No distance between you at all.

Your thoughts suddenly became overwhelming running all at once, filling your worries with too many things out of your control. Whatever happens will be for the best and you need to believe it. So, you will. 

After placing the discounted chili packages in your cart, you raise your phone to pick up where you left off with your shopping list. Snagging a few items off the shelves, you push the cart back towards the end of the aisle where Broly eagerly awaited his next sample refill at the stand. You’re able to persuade him away with the possibility of other kinds of free sample stands around the store, and hopefully to spare the poor chili employee from a saiyan’s appetite.

A few more things are crossed from your list before another sample stand appears around the corner of the next aisle. Nothing hot and fresh here, but Broly didn’t hesitate to lead you towards it. Or rather, pull you along with him in excited wonder. Under the impression that your appetite must have been about the same as his by now, he wanted you to try the food with him rather than keep packing it away in the cart to take home. Even a loose grip on the front of the cart was strong enough to make you keep up with him, his eagerness contagious and keeping a smile on both of your faces. 

Despite your efforts, you have strayed away from the grocery list in Broly’s pursuit of all the sample stands, but it’s been a rewarding experience up until it came to an unforeseen halt.

You glanced his way and noticed the slow fall of his smile as he ate a holiday cake sample, something stirring in his thoughts and draining his joy from the moment. 

“You don’t like this one?” You initially thought, your hand automatically lifting to him to take it back. Broly’s eyes lifted at the motion of your hand, settling on you.

“Hm? Oh, yes.” Your voice brought him back from his thoughts and the second one he picked up disappeared without hesitation. A more careful eye watches him now with an arched brow, curious eyes looking back at you with a tilt of his head and his brow arched. Broly proceeds to wipe his mouth with the back of his fist and his sights are then innocently turned elsewhere, searching for the trail of another new smell to hunt down. Before he could, your touch on his arm steals back his attention. Enough time has passed since you've been here and you figured it was better to wrap the trip up now. 

“Let's not waste any more time and head back home. So you can eat a real meal.” Despite his briefly disappointed look at the idea of leaving, Broly allows you to guide him toward the checkout area.

While waiting, you checked over your grocery list to be sure the contents of the cart still matched what you came here for somewhat. He stood at your side as you did, Broly’s eyes wandering to passing carts. Still curious about the smells he wasn't able to find. So easily distracted by the delicious unknown coming and going, he didn’t hear you talking to him again. You tapped his shoulder a few times getting his attention and quickly informed him to wait by the cart so you could run and grab one item missing from your list. He nods and places a hand on the cart as you hurry away, then takes a quiet look back at the carts starting to pile behind him by other shoppers. He looked forward as the next one up for the cashier started to load the conveyor belt, which would make you and him the next ones to do so once they were done.

But your words were to wait. So he obediently does, the unspoken rule of “cart courtesy” innocently and completely ignored and the line not moving an inch. Broly looked back in the direction you went again and happened to notice an older pair. Shrunken and delicate from their age, but working together to try and reach something on a top shelf— the woman with her hands on the man’s back and side as he reached up on his toes for their prize yet falling short, not quite able to stretch out to grab it. They need help.

His eyes softened. Somber. They could ask for help from someone able to get what they needed, but instead, they try on their own. It’s just like the small things his father needed him for, but would sooner get ornery over than ask for help. Things that, out of habit, Broly learned to do before his father could fix himself to try and inevitably become annoyed at his own lack of luster to do. Once the old man’s hair started to grey, Broly really did take care of both of them on Vampa for a long time.

“Sir, are you ready to check out?” The cashier calls out to Broly.

“I’m waiting…” He answered without looking back, not budging the cart. His brow then furrows with a resolute look in his eye.

The elderly couple didn’t leave his sight, the old man trying to grab the top shelf item. Broly’s hand suddenly reaches past his, grabbing a can and holding it out to the man at a less straining level. They're surprised by the assist, but then breathe a sigh of relief. The old man’s shaky hand took it from him with a thankful smile, and to Broly’s surprise, he held his wrist so he could hand the can to the woman, freeing his hand up to shake his larger hand.

“Thank you, sweetheart.” The older woman kindly speaks as she moves back behind their cart, placing the can inside. The combination of the gesture and praise surprised him. The couple smiled up at him as the old man pulled back after patting his arm and joined the woman’s side.

 “You’re a good kid.” He says to Broly as they slowly start to make their way up the aisle. 

Broly blinks, watching them walk together for a bit longer. His eyes softened again. This time, he was smiling. The lingering of their praise brought the faintest shade of pink to his cheeks before he started to head back to the cart.

You nearly collided with him while rounding the corner when he stepped out of the end of the aisle. Your wide eyes shift from him and back to your lonely cart, then narrow in displeasure. “Shit…” You mutter to yourself, watching your place in line set back by three carts now. You weren’t even gone for 10 minutes! 

As you’re finally leaving the Grocery Store, the cold air blown in by the automatic doors gives you and Broly a chilling reminder of your trip back home. The clouds have thickened and darkened even at this time of day. You push the cart past the threshold into the cold, stopping when Broly suddenly speaks up.

“I was…thinking about my father.” That was unexpected. You stopped the cart, keeping a hand on it as you turned to look up at him. He was looking to the sky, taking note of the crisp atmosphere and gathering of clouds. Building up like the thoughts in his head. He elaborated, “...If he would enjoy the food on Earth, too.”

You let out a soft huff against the cold, an understanding grin on your lips. A dreary sky does seem to bring an openness to Broly. “I haven’t met a saiyan yet that doesn’t. I’m sure he would have.” Or will. You try to shift the tone.  “What do you think would have been his favorite?”

Broly looks down at you now, then tilts his head in thought. “Hmm…The melons.” 

Because they taste like the complete opposite of Vampa beetles. Juicy and sweet.

“Melons? That’s it?” You laugh softly. “Not the chili?” Broly’s eyes light up as it comes back to him.

“Yes, that too!” He smiled.

“Or the omelets you love so much?”

He nods, eyes further embellished with joy at the mention of those tasty flavors again. And then, suddenly, a look of discouragement. You take his hand and hold it in your own.

“It is just a while longer before the dragon balls are active again, remember? If that’s something you still want.” You give him a reassuring smile before turning back to the cart to push it with both your hands “Don’t worry.”