#grsl-xo

[saiyanmazen]

The Science of Ki

This ficlet is inspired by this illustration by the amazing @grsl-xo and is named after it as well. I encourage you to check it out and reblog. It deserves to be shared with everyone. I hope the ficlet can convey a tiny bit of the illustration's beauty.

Rated G. Can also be read here on AO3.

-------------

It wasn't often that she was rendered speechless. Therefore, Vegeta felt especially smug as Bulma stared transfixed on the glowing orb of ki between her hands, no words leaving her usually loquacious mouth.

He was surprised when she'd revealed to him that she'd never been given the chance to come close to a concentrated mass of life force, despite her close relationships with several who could wield its power. She revealed that her friends had deemed it too dangerous for her to examine and experiment with, let alone try to hold, as though they wouldn't be able to control their ki if she came close to it.

It made no sense to Vegeta. The condensed ki was only dangerous if treated as a weapon. But just as it could be used for flight, so could it be useful for other mundane things. He used it to dry his hair, warm his food and - as Bulma had recently experienced firsthand - even more pleasurable matters.

Apparently, Earth’s defenders hadn't thought to utilize their ki in such ways. Perhaps they couldn't control theirs fully; it wouldn't be much of a surprise if that was the case. Fortunately for Vegeta, it meant that he got to be the one to show Bulma. And, although he would never reveal it to another soul, he was thankful for the chance.

He stood behind her and held the harmless ball of swirling ki in front of her. There was just enough force in the orb that it felt slightly hot and he saw her cheeks redden a little with the warmth of it as it shone like a small contained sun before her eyes.

Her hands molted themselves around it, but not touching. Were she to touch, she might get a second degree burn at most, but only if he failed to make the ki dissipate before she came too close. He would never make such a novice mistake.

He felt the soft, miniscule flicker of her ki naturally trying to respond to the orb in front of her. She was weak, but still held enough life force that he would feel. When she became angry, her ki would blaze like a flame and shimmer like a bright miniature star within her. The beauty of it always stunned him.

Her unpracticed ki wanted to manipulate the glowing orb between her hands. He knew it was her inquisitive nature compelling her own ki to try to control the energy, but she wouldn't be able to. Not yet at least. As he stood there with her and felt her life force flow fiercely through her, he began to think that she might even be able to hold the ball for short periods at a time if he taught her how.

He had no reason to do so. There would be nothing to gain for him, besides her favor which he could attain in other ways.

But as he looked at her amazed eyes, so blue and wondrous, he felt that it might be worth it anyway.