For reference, the ages: Trunks is 29, Goten and Valese are 28, Marron is 24, Uub is 21, Bra is 19, and Pan is 17. I'm not certain what Raditz's age was canonically (almost sure that was never confirmed) but let's go with 30, mmkay?
"Thank you all so much for being here!" Goten's crisp voice filled up the Capsule Corp. reception hall, tipping his glass of champagne towards the crowd in front of him, "Really, it means the world to both Valese and I that so many of our friends could attend our wedding!"
"Hey, you can't toast at your own wedding!" Trunks snickered next to him, snatching the glass from Goten's hands as he stood up, "You need to leave that to the best man and the maid of honor."
"Oh! Right," Goten tried to chuckle it off, but everyone in the audience soon noticed the pink hue rising from underneath his cheeks, "Got a little carried away."
"It's okay, babe," Valese consoled him as he sat down, rubbing his shoulders out, "I thought it was great!"
And as Trunks went on to deliver his speech, a young woman two seats down from the newlyweds clawed her nails into her biceps, grinding her teeth as Valese continued to coo over Goten, adorning his face with soft butterfly kisses, Ugh. Gag me.
"Bra, you know it's rude to stare," another young woman swatted at her, furrowing her brows in disapproval, "I know you're not into the super mushy stuff, but could you control that Saiyan temper of yours for more than two minutes?"
"I'm not staring, Marron" Bra hissed back, "They're just being so obvious about it."
"What do you expect?" Marron asked, "They just got married! How else do you want them to act?"
Bra didn't reply, choosing to bite back the venomous words itching at her throat. Really, Marron was going to ask her that? She was the one who knew best.
When Valese's maid of honor finished her speech, Goten and Valese took to the floor, dancing to an old melody from Bra's grandfather's time. Of course, they both looked riveting; Goten in a proper black tux, hair trimmed and eyes bright; Valese in an ivory vintage gown patterned with lace roses, her face as gorgeous as the day Bra had properly met her. It ate her up how perfect it all was, how easily the two fit. It didn't matter that Valese wasn't of Saiyan blood or she had almost no interest in the martial arts. She was fun and loving and oh-so-sweet, traits that fit Goten's optimism and carefree attitude like a glove. What could Bra possibly offer, besides a pretty face and the world on a platter?
"You're staring again," Marron whispered, her voice much softer than it was before.
"We're supposed to be staring," Bra replied, tearing at the fine seams of her yellow bridesmaid gown, "That's what the dance is for."
"You don't have to put up with it, Bra," her friend reassured her, "You want to go up on the balcony with Pan and Uub? You can't see them from there."
"Like I need to see another couple going all goo-goo ga-ga," she sighed, a faint smile making its way onto her face. She didn't mind Pan and Uub's fledgling relationship; they were kind of cute, actually. Still, it was just another painful reminder of something she didn't have. Something she had wanted for a long, long time.
Marron laughed a little, happy to see some of the lights in Bra's eyes return, "Oh, please. They're probably sparring more than anything. Pan doesn't have the whole 'date' thing down just yet."
"But I'm sure you do, blondie," both women looked up to see Trunks hovering over Marron, his hand extended towards her, "And it would be in bad taste if the best man didn't show his girlfriend a good time on the dance floor, right?"
"Ugh, could you be any more of corndog?" Bra rolled her eyes good-naturedly, unsurprised how Marron drank it all in, a dark flush washing over her face.
"Well…" Marron hesitated, shooting a concerned look over to Bra. She was still unsure if she needed to vent, if she would be okay, "Bra is -"
"Going to see if I can convince Chi-Chi to bring out the cake early," Bra said, standing up and winking at the couple, "I'm really in the mood for some chocolate."
"Oh…um, okay," Marron nodded, taking Trunks' hands as he led them towards the floor, "Be careful, okay?"
"Sure, sure!" Bra replied, "Just go have some fun for me!"
She watched as the pair disappeared into the dancing crowd, no doubt making their way towards Valese and Goten. Despite Bra's disapproval of their relationship, Marron and Valese had become close friends over the last two years, shopping and taking monthly outings to the beach while Bra was still in school, studying new ways Capsule Corp could continue to be on top of everything technological. It had hurt then and still hurt a little now. There was nothing wrong with their friendship, just as there was nothing wrong with the love Goten and Valese shared. Hell, there was absolutely nothing wrong with Valese herself – she was charming, funny, and kind.
And older; couldn't forget that. Just the thought sent her back to one of her first memories of Goten. Even then she had been absolutely infatuated, finding him all kinds of adorable, a level no human boy could ever soar above.
And even then, when she had announced at the dinner table they were destined to marry, he and her brother had laughed, insisting she was much too young for those kinds of dreams.
Too young then and too late for a second glance now, Bra thought, taking one more look towards the party before exiting out of the hall. It just wasn't fair, really. Marron had been able to obtain the affection of her childhood crush and Pan, a girl with almost all of her time invested in sparring and silly video games, was able to score someone as wonderful (and freaking hot) like Uub. Sure, Bra had her fair share of spring flings and summer love, but it all paled in comparison to what she could have had. Wasn't she a princess? Shouldn't someone like Goten just fall into her lap, no questions asked?
If only Planet Vegeta was still around, Bra sighed, her feet leading her out to the botanic gardens, Maybe then I could find someone worth my time.
Another sigh, a step later, and then…
"That's it!" Bra exclaimed, clapping her hands together as the genius idea crossed her mind. How had she never thought of it before? It was almost all too easy! Someone like Goten had to have lived on Planet Vegeta at one point or another – he was part Saiyan after all. No doubt just as handsome, perhaps a little more suave and attentive…
Bra squealed at the very thought, jumping high into the air and staying afloat as a surge of adrenaline coursed through her veins. She could have a Saiyan, a real Saiyan! And if she couldn't have Goten, didn't she deserve the absolute best instead?
After she had finished with her giggling fit above the garden, Bra descended back onto the fresh grass and quickly made up a plan. Considering everyone, including her mother and father were still inside the reception hall, she could no doubt make an easy getaway within the next hour. The dragonball radar could always be found at her mother's bedside table, along with a capsule for both a well-applianced "tent" and a jet (not that she really needed the jet, but it would make her life easier if she was too tired to fly). Clothes would be a bit of issue – all of her winter apparel was stowed away in the closet on the third floor, and she assumed one or two of the balls would be somewhere in the north. But, as long as she kept quiet and kept her Ki at an all-time low, her father wouldn't pick up on her snooping around.
All of the preparation went smoothly, the last of her tasks involving a letter to her parents and Trunks, insisting that she was totally okay and in no need of any juvenile rescue.
I have about two weeks until school starts up again, Bra scribbled onto the dark red stationary, making sure it didn't look as rushed as she felt, I would like to spend that time traveling alone, taking in the world like mom did when she was younger. I'm sure I'll be fine – I have all the food and clothes I need, plus dad's training! If I come into any trouble, I'll be sure to call. Tell Goten and Valese congrats! Love, Bra.
As she folded up the letter and sat it onto her parents' bed, Bra faintly wondered if this wish could indeed give her what she wanted. She had her mother and father and brother's love. She had her friends' respect and admiration.
But more than anything, Bra wanted to be adored, both in body and soul. And more than ever before, she firmly believed only a Saiyan could give her that one desire.
-Obviously, no Raditz yet. Expect him in the next part.-