#dbz 16

This was getting ridiculous, how many times were you going to end up on your back? You were supposed to be learning how to defend yourself, but all you were doing was falling repeatedly with no means of catching yourself. It was embarrassing to be the only Z Fighter who needed a body guard. You used to win martial arts tournaments, before that clown took over. And now you could barely spar with Goku and Vegeta's children.

While your darling teddy bear of a lover did his best to comfort you. If only he knew how it really affected you to be told you were doing just fine by someone who was literally made of metal. It was easy to downplay someone's short comings when you were impervious to most forms of combat.

Making matters worse was how protective he could be, how often he ran to your rescue simply because you couldn't handle a situation by yourself. But you couldn't very well tell him about this, not without blowing up at him for something that was entirely your own fault. But you couldn't avoid him forever. Especially as you walked into the bathroom for the first aid kit. 16 tailing you with the same concerned look he always gave after your training sessions.

"You shouldn't be pushing yourself so hard." He gently took the roll of bandages from you, "It isn't good for your health."

"Neither is being smacked aside with one punch in every fight and sparring match I've been in for the last few years but here we are." You sighed, holding out your arm for 16, "Besides, I just haven't been able to improve to save my life."

His soft gaze was too much to look at, intently focused on your injuries and tending them.

"Perhaps you should consider the possibility to not join every altercation then." He rubbed the newly wrapped area, "If only to avoid injuries and pain."

"That's easy for you to say." You muttered under your breath.

"What's that dearest?"

"Nothing." You paused for a beat, "Its just... Aren't you tired of me running to you with all my problems like a scared little brat?"

"Put simply; no." 16 frowned at such a notion, "I'm honored you trust me so much that I'm the person you turn to for comfort and support. I wouldn't have it any other way [Name]."

You couldn't help but wilt under his unwavering wholesomeness, just feeling guilty as he kept checking you over for injuries. Trying as hard as you could to keep from crying, the pain was nothing compared to the humiliation you felt. But for as clueless as 16 could be when it came to emotions, he was getting better at it.

Tilting your chin to face him as gently as possible, "[Name], you know I don't think less of you for not being able to continue fighting. Don't you?"

"Y-yeah." You tried to keep the sound of sniveling out of your voice, "I just, fighting was all I was good at. The only reason I was able to make this far, to meet you in the first place; was because I could fight."

"And that's all well and good." 16 nodded, "But I would rather you remain in one piece from now on. I hate seeing you injured and upset."

You sat there, pouting because you didn't have a good response. All you could do was let 16 do what he was doing and sit there.

"[Name], I worry about you. I don't want to think about losing you before your time." He sighed, "It will be difficult enough to face that when time comes. And I'd rather delay it as much as possible."

"I know." You whined, "But-"

"Your skills shouldn't define you." He asserted, "You have built a life of kindness, empathy, and standing for what you believe is right. And I will do everything in my power to see that through. But I can't do so if I lose you. I love you [Name]."

"Alright, you wanna go?" You stepped forward, challenging the alien that was looking for a fight, "I'll make sure to take you down a few pegs."

16 had hoped you'd be okay, he wanted to jump in and help you. He really should have...

There was no telling what kind of ki attack you'd been hit with, but it left you in a coma. Something not even Bulma had a quick fix for. All anyone could do was check up on you, it was all 16 ever did. Stay by your bedside and whisper for you to return.

Today was no different as 16 opened the curtains in your hospital room. A little sunlight streamed in, striking your hair in just the right way to form a gentle halo. As beautiful as it looked, 16 couldn't help but worry it might be an omen.

But he was likely overthinking things...

"[Name], I know you might not be able to hear me," He resumed his seat by your bed, "But I want you to know how much I love you. You're the only thing that makes me feel human. I can't quite articulate everything about you, nor all the things I love about you. It seems like trying to tear something apart rather than just enjoying the fact it exists."

16 sighed, tucking a lock of hair back into place. There was little he could do to help you. Not even talking to you seemed to be helping as you laid there. 16 moved slowly, gently nuzzling his forehead against yours.

"Please, [Name], open your eyes." He whispered, "Come back to me, please..."

It had been a long night, you were already fast asleep when 16 entered the house. He was grateful that you wanted him around, it made him feel a tad more human in a weird way.

Though he still didn't feel all that comfortable waking you up, or laying on the bed in general. But he didn't get a choice tonight as you rolled over, blinking up at him.

"Ah, [Name]." He tried staring anywhere else, but his eyes kept going right back... it was fast movements, "I didn't mean to wake you..."

Reassuring him as you sat up, "You didn't, I was trying to wait up for you. Guess I failed a little..."

"Of course you didn't!" 16 shifted, uncertain about how to convince you, "Please don't worry about staying awake for my sake."

"But I want to. I worry about you, no matter what you are."

16 stood perfectly still, blinking at you. No one really treated him this way, he wasn't sure about how to go forward. Until you tugged his arm, pulling him back to reality. He followed your lead without resistance, settling onto the bed, trying to not hurt you.

"16? What will it take for you to relax?"

The slight jolt made the bed squeak, "I... Just... Just hold me please."

It wasn't exactly a pulse pounding event going on, like your lover was typically use to. And yet, he was still treating the occasion as if the garland was going to spring to life and attack at any second.

"[Name], are you certain all this is necessary?" 16 asked, "Won't this all come down in a few days regardless?"

"Well, yeah." You looked from where you were standing, "But that's no reason to not make things look festive while we can."

There was a soft hum from the slightly confused android. Things like holidays were still foreign to him, even if he was half human. Though, when you tried to climb the nearby tree to hang some bauble lanterns, 16 was having none of that.

"Stay on the ground and tell me where." He insisted, "I don't want you getting injured over this."