You were unsure why you were the one who was chosen to marry the youngest son of the Arcosian royal family. He- Frieza- always had something to say about you, as if this were forced upon him as well. But you knew better, you knew he had been the one to choose you from a long line-up of potential nobles. This was practically a nightmare. The only reprieve you had was in private- the only time he let up on the constant nitpicking.

If you had to hear one more comment about your weight, your skin, your posture; you would lose it. And yet, something was deeply wrong- though you had no possible way to know for sure. This feeling- this anger- it was overwhelming, making you sick to your stomach. Thankfully your tormentative husband was nowhere to be found as you slowly passed through the hallway, going toward the infirmary to see if there was anything that could be done for this.

"Is everything alright My Lady?" The head physician turned as you entered the door, "What brings you in today?"

"I have been experiencing vicious cycles of anger that lead to a nauseous feeling." You held your stomach tenderly in one hand as you held onto the frame, "And I was hoping to find a solution of sorts."

"Of course!" They rushed forward, offering you their arm to guide you onto the lowest table, "Are there any other symptoms that might assist in the diagnosis?"

"I find it difficult to balance, blurry vision- usually after a particularly bad bout of anger, and occasionally sore muscles."

"I see, I see." They pressed a cold stethoscope to your back, a pair of nurses circling the table- all three taking note of your vital signs while you sat quietly.

"Hm..." The doctor glanced over the page, "Nothing conclusive, though there is one possibility. If you would lay back for a moment."

"What for?" You really didn't want to spend too much time in any one place if you could help it, more chances for Frieza to find you and start dressing you down.

The doctor frowned slightly, "All the symptoms are quite common in early signs of pregnancy, My Lady. It would be a good idea to run a non-invasive test before prescribing medication."

"Very well." You huffed, mind racing with what this would mean, "Just get it over with then."

You didn't bother watching as the doctor and two nurses moved equipment around you. the noise was drowned out with your thoughts. Frantic. Worried. What would become of you during your pregnancy? Frieza was already extremely harsh toward you over the smallest of things, would he be chastising you for eating too much? Too little? Gaining too much weight? Not enough? Would he hold you accountable if it didn't go smoothly? What would happen then? You would be in a high-stress situation no matter what. Would that make the pregnancy better? Or worse? How were you supposed to handle this situation? What would happen to you? To the child? Would Frieza be decent to the child? Or would you be constantly fighting him on this as well? That wouldn't be-

"Congratulations, My Lady!" The doctor exclaimed, "You are indeed pregnant with the first of, hopefully many, children."

Your vision blurred from anger, from tears, the overabundance of emotion flowing through your body at the moment had you stunned into silence. You weren't able to sit up right away- hiding your eyes, smearing your tears across your face, with your palms. This was the last thing you wanted to hear- ever. The doctor left you to your emotional state, completely misreading it as a happy display, as he quietly informed Frieza of the joyous occasion.

Just as you sat up, the other worse thing to happen- did- as Frieza himself floated in within his pod. Looking pissed as hell- your panic, and blood pressure, rose drastically as he floated closer. Though his anger seemed directed at the doctor rather than you.

"Now tell me why you couldn't have just told what was going on with [Name] over the phone?" He snapped, the first time you'd ever known him to demand answers from someone else, "What could possibly demand my presence?"

"Would you prefer to say My Lady?" The doctor gently nodded, "Or should I?"

"Will someone tell me?" Frieza snapped, tail flicking irritably.

"I'm pregnant." You murmured.

His head snapped in your direction, "What was that?"

"I'M PREGNANT!" You snapped, yelling at full volume with the same deep furry that kept you still at night.

You expected him to yell back, to slap you, to punish you in some way. The seconds felt like years as you waited with bated breath, though your chest was heaving as you shook. Adrenaline crashing through your veins, swilling in your body- you almost felt too full.

But Frieza's shock turned into something you thought quite impossible- utter joy. You backed up sharply when he popped out of pod, mouth pulling a wicked grin. It looked alien on him, you were so used to him scowling, sneering, or scoffing that you genuinely thought he physically couldn't smile- at least not like this.

"My, my." He touched you gently, tugging you forward against your will, "That is good news. And very much worth pulling me from my work. Were you hiding this from me, my dear [Name]? Or were you just now finding out yourself?"

You fought to swallow the lump in your throat, the fear and disgust clear across your face even as he hugged you tenderly. Not even in private- he had never touched you like that- even in private.

"I'm certain My Lady is too overwhelmed, My Lord." The doctor piped up, "If I may?"

"Hurry up then." Frieza snapped without breaking that creepy smile, "Before I lose my patience."

"My Lady did only just find out today." They gulped, "That's why I insisted it was urgent. My Lady cried tears of happiness upon hearing the news, so she may not be capable of gathering her thoughts into words just yet, My Lord."

"If you say so." Frieza stated coldly before turning you, putting every ounce of warmth he could muster into his voice, "As for you my dear, have you eaten anything yet? What would you like? You shouldn't be on your feet. I'll have a custom pod crafted for you. And one for the baby when they come along."

You didn't have words for this situation. Everything about Frieza's demeanor had you on edge. Especially when he lifted you off the table, sliding you gently into his pod. You were refusing to touch anything about this machine, thoughts racing as you contemplated demanding answers. But that could end in any number of ways- only 2 or 3 of which were positive.

The next several months were a complete 180 from what you had become accustomed to. Frieza was going out of his way to cater to you. Every. Tiny. Thing. You wanted a rare dish? His men were sent to obtain whatever was needed. You needed a back rub? Frieza was gently kneading you himself with the instruction of a professional- he couldn't let anyone else touch you after all. You had everything handed to you, being waited on hand and foot, all while Frieza yelled at anyone who dared to criticize you for anything.

It had you on edge for when the baby would be born. Would Frieza return to his nagging? Would he remain doting like this? What would he be like with your child? You had been informed the child would a boy. Maybe that would soften the blow? Maybe Frieza would be kinder for that reason alone... Or maybe he'd be worse. Your skin crawled just thinking about it. You would absolutely go to war for your son, even if it meant going against your far more powerful husband who could easily have you removed- or killed.

Even during labor, Frieza was as supportive and doting as he could be. Giving you his hand to hold while he murmured in your ear the whole time. What he was saying was perfectly fine, but you hated hearing this from him. You merely endured the whole thing, holding out for your son- Kuriza- the one good thing that would come of this cursed marriage.

You stayed on edge, waiting for Frieza to do something, anything, like he used to. But it never came. Every single time he addressed you, it was "my dearest" or "my darling". He never spoke ill of you, not even when you didn't look your absolute best. You kept one eye on him constantly, knowing that it was a horrid way to raise Kuriza. You could barely bury the hatchet for his sake, after everything Frieza did to you...

Once again awoken by Kuriza needing attention, you were the first to get up- tending to your son was the one piece of respite from your husband. Who sadly followed you to watch. You tensed up as his arms slipped around your waist, Frieza was being ever so gentle as he kissed along your neck. Humming softly, as if he were always a loving, doting husband.

"Back up." You half growled, "I don't want to risk dropping Kuriza because you're being clingy."

"Very well my darling." Frieza kissed your cheek tenderly, retreating a short distance to continue watching you. It creeped you out, but he clearly enjoyed you being motherly.

As soon as Kuriza was fast asleep in his crib, Frieza was glued to your side once more. Clearly he couldn't feel that you were tense, yelping when he lifted you off your feet. You hated this, where was this Frieza before? Why was he treating you like this now?

"Are you comfortable, my dearest?" He cooed at you as he tucked you closer to him under the covers.

You bit your tongue, rolling over to avoid him.

"Is something wrong my darling?"

"No."

"You've been tense for so long." He snuggled closer to you, "Have you been cold lately? Or are you just angered from your hormones?"

It took every ounce of your willpower to not snap at him, to keep your breathing normal, to just fall back asleep without making this a problem.

"[Name]?" He whispered softly in your ear, "You can tell me anything. Anything that bothers you."

"You."

"Hm?"

"You bother me." You struggled, trying to push him off you, "You've been bothering me for months now- our whole marriage in fact."

He sat up as you stood, pacing the room in anger, "And what have I done to warrant such?"

"You spent the beginning of our marriage tearing me down." You hissed as quietly as you could- just keep from waking Kuriza, "Every little thing I did was wrong. Everything I am, just so happened to be wrong. Endless comments of what I needed to do, how I needed to be. Not an ounce of grace or compassion as I adjust to life away from my family- adjust to being stuck here with you."

"Stuck here with me?" He gasped, "I picked you because you were perfect. You had to be mine."

"If I was so perfect, then why did you always tell me how bad and wrong I was?" You stepped toward him, getting in his face so you wouldn't get too loud, "You never- never- made me feel even remotely good enough to be here. Not once were you supporting or comforting or even remotely positive toward me until my pregnancy with Kuriza."

"I have been plenty loving and doting toward you before our pregnancy." He gently pushed you back with his head as he stood, not wanting to knock you over, but certainly not taking this sitting down, "There has never been a moment when I didn't love you."

"You never made it known to me." You hissed, not backing down this time, "Unless we were in private, you were coarse, harsh, and downright cruel towards me. I only accepted your advances because I was forced to, I'm only here because your father willed it- because you willed it. I have been on pins and needles ever since you switched to this- this- foreign concept masquerading as the person I was forced to marry."

"Am I not allowed to be flawed?" He hissed, "Must I be perfect to?"

"Must I!?" Your voice finally rose above the hissed whisper, "Why are you allowed grace but I'm not?"

"I never said-"

"But you do." You tried to push him backward, "Even if you don't notice it, I do. I always notice how small and unimportant you think I am."

"I HAVE NEVER SAID THAT!" Frieza's voice rang in your ears, waking Kuriza in the next room.

Both of you froze in place, Frieza's shoulders slumped slightly- not even capable of moving or reacting to your glare as you rushed off to calm Kuriza. You couldn't take this anymore. Taking the opportunity to snatch Kuriza's diaper bag and dashing off toward the hangers. Frieza just barely catching on as you bolted, for all his power- he couldn't catch you.

And it truly bothered him.

Squeezing into a capsule pod with Kuriza, you prepped for taking off. Ignoring Frieza as he ran toward you, lifting off just after he slammed a fist against the outside of the pod. His yelling was stifled, especially as you steered the ship out of his mobile base. This was survival- this was for Kuriza- this was for the years you would never get back.

Thankfully, cruising speed was easy to reach- as was auto pilot programming. You didn't even know where you were headed, just that it was far away from Frieza. Kuriza had fallen asleep in your arms, despite your panic and rushing- you didn't know what to do now. Frieza would undoubtedly have a tracker on this pod. He could easily send hundreds of men to reclaim you. But you were determined to stay away from him, for your son's sake- for your sanity.

The adrenaline was finally ebbing away, your breathing slowing as your mind finally gave up the consistent stream of what-ifs. It was clear that you would fall asleep soon- and needed to act quickly to make sure you wouldn't drop Kuriza. Being able to string the baby sling across yourself, securing Kuriza so you could lean back. The hum of the pod lulled you to sleep- finally granting you peace.

KREEAACC-TCH!!

Your arms reflexively curled around Kuriza as your pod was hit. You had no clue by what, just that it knocked you into the nearest gravitational pull. Sending you into a wild, unstoppable plummet- it was all you could do to hold onto Kuriza and hope you survive the crash. Curling inward on yourself, intending to shield Kuriza as much as possible as he screamed his little lungs out.

BOORAAASHHH!!!

Kuriza's screaming still rang in your ears as you straightened up. Double checking him, gently pressing and prodding to ensure he wasn't injured and only finding a tiny scratch on his horn. You relaxed slightly, knowing you were undoubtedly bruised to hell and had a broken bone somewhere- but you had to get out of here, quickly.

Kicking the door open jarred your whole body, waves of pain making it difficult to think. But you were able to get out, to stand or more accurately stumble a few steps away from the heavily damaged pod. Gathering your nerves, you bounced Kuriza softly, singing and humming to get him to settle.

You looked around the planet you found yourself on. A wide-open field with soft lilac grass, a line of thin, white bark trees with dark blue, broad, rounded leaves was close but still a good walk away. You spun in place, surveying your surroundings, but to no avail. It seemed like you were in an open field with a wide spaced forest. Nothing was closer in any one direction or other from what you could see.

Though Kuriza did settle, eventually. But you had little to no strength to move away from the space pod, and given the circumstances, you would need it for possible shelter. You sat next to the pod, leaning against the cold metal- despite the crash, it was stable to be around. Yet before you could even think to close your eyes, the whoosh of spaceships coming down overhead shot another rush of adrenaline through your body.

Leaping to your feet, you bolted for the tree line. Ignoring the pain in your legs, anything to escape Frieza. You straight-armed your way past the trees. Racing between the trees easily thanks to the odd spacing. All you could do was move forward. Every breath crashed in your ears. Every footfall shot through your nerves. Kuriza woke, crying his little head off from your panic, the jostling not doing him any favors.

You couldn't tell if the crashing noises were external or internal at this point. All you knew was run, and fast.

Skidding to a halt, you narrowly avoided a tree falling in front of you. The shadow of a massive creature jumping your peripheral before you turned, continuing to bolt. Your legs were going to give out soon if you didn't find shelter. The air was tearing through your trachea and lungs; you were in danger of hyperventilating.

This wasn't good. This wasn't good. This wasn't-

And it just got worse as Frieza appeared in front of you. Nothing about this situation was good, running for your life from everything- and all of it showing up at once. But here you were, being yanked behind Frieza as he blasted the beast that had been following you.

You had no ability to escape from his grasp this time. He scooped you up, ignoring your protests and kicking. His face was completely unreadable as he flew with you and Kuriza in his arms. You focused on settling Kuriza to the best of your ability, knowing what would be coming. A long rant while you were stuck in recovery- no doubt.

Frieza held you until you reached the infirmary, and even then, he kept his tail curled around your wrist as he lifted Kuriza from your arms.

"St-"

"Stay still." He cut you off with a soft, low tone, "You need to rest and recover. I'll care for Kuriza, but first he needs a checkup."

It took every ounce of self-control to hold your tongue. You knew he was right. And it tore you up inside. You just wanted to be free or at least feel like you were loved within your marriage. The way Frieza had treated you was all over the place, and here you were suffering from all of his- and your- actions.

You laid still as the doctor checked you over, prodding your body slowly while you winced every few minutes. Frieza hovered over you the entire time, Kuriza laying calmly in a crib pod by his side. The way he was stroking your cheek and shoulder was so tender, unnervingly so. It embarrassed you to no end as your eyes watered, tears falling down the sides of your head. You couldn't tell if Frieza cared or if he was being possessive over you.

When the doctor finally moved away, Frieza moved to the side of your bed. His eyes were weirdly gentle, but you knew what was coming... any second now you were going to be chastised like a child and insulted for more things than you even knew was wrong with you.

"What was going through your head?" Frieza was speaking softly, wiping at your tears, "Why would you take Kuriza and run off like that?"

You jerked your head away, unable to even explain yourself, nothing you thought sounded even half-decent.

"[Name]..."

"I just wanted freedom." You whimpered, "To feel loved and wanted as something other than an incubator or trophy."

He leaned in, gently pecking your cheek, "That was my fault. I'm sorry. This was never supposed to happen."

"So why?" You turned to look him in the eyes, "Why wouldn't you stop when I was miserable? When I was avoiding you constantly?"

"I never noticed." He admitted, "I was focused on the fact that I had you, with no idea how to keep you. Nor to make you happy."

You turned away again. Wanting to believe him, but unable to move past the 2 years of torment. Even so, you leaned into Frieza's hand. You wanted to believe him- you really wanted to.

"Why did you take Kuriza with you?" Frieza asked, "He could have been injured or worse killed."

"I know." You could hear the pathetic quivering in your voice, "But he is the only good thing that came from this marriage. I couldn't just leave him behind and risk him being torn down the same way I was."

Frieza sank a little, "I- I would never. And I know you have no reason to believe me, but I didn't mean a word of it. I've always had to be perfect myself within my family. To me- such high standards are considered a form of love."

"So you were going to tear him down at some point in the future?" You whimpered, "When standards are that high- people won't want to be near you willingly."

"I can see that now." He stared at the hurt look in your eyes, "I do apologize [Name], from the bottom of my heart. I want you to stay here with me. You and Kuriza both. I don't know what I'd do without you two."

"I..." You stared up at Frieza, hearing Kuriza's little snores from just behind him, "I'll-"

"Please just stay." Frieza pleaded, "You don't have to love me back, just stay. I will try to do better- to earn your hand in this marriage. Because I do love you [Name]. You're my most precious treasure, you and Kuriza both.