Well, fuck. I just learned that there is already another fic in the DB fandom with the same title and it's written by none other than legendary author Lady Lan. She's literally on my favourites list, so how I missed this I have no idea. No joke, I even did my homework (obv. not very well) but here we are. Anyway, I've left the title as it is, for now, to give you guys a heads up that I might end up changing it. I haven't quite decided what the right thing to do is yet, but keep an eye out for that. (How you'd go about doing this, idk sorry.) Apologies for any inconvenience, and apologies to Lady Lan. FWIW the title came from the song Collide by GIVERS. It's been my morning jam for months :')
Now to think up a new name, Fuuuuu
"Pan, stop!" Bulla groaned. An iconic shade of aquamarine caught her eyes and caused her to pause at a flimsy newspaper stand while she wandered through the streets of central West City. "You're driving me nuts. I said you could bring it up once per day and you're already way past your quota. If you keep this up I'm going to say no just to spite you."
"Okay fine!" Pan conceded, showing her palms, deep brown orbs landing on the same magazine that caught the heiress' attention. "Hey, that's you… and?" She reared as she processed the image. "My uncle?"
"Ugh. These people," the heiress grumbled, taking in the headline. Bulla Briefs Spotted Cozying Up With West City Stuntman. "'Cozying Up'? We walked out of my parents' house together to pick up some goddamn food. When are they going to leave me and my love life the hell alone?"
Pan started to giggle. "Look at you two. What a power couple. I have to admit, Bulla, they seem pretty hell-bent on painting you as some loose bimbo."
"I know, right!" Bulla proceeded to flick through the magazine to find the relevant article. "I've been faithful in every relationship I've ever had since I was like fourteen, but they're convinced I can't keep my hands to myself. Meanwhile, Pan Son is eating up every man over the age of twenty and no one bats an eye!"
"Hey!" the quarterling interjected, attempting to look offended. "What are you trying to say? That I'm some kind of cheater?"
"Obviously not." Bulla rolled her eyes, finally finding the page she was looking for. "You'd actually need to get serious with someone in order to cheat on them."
The older girl started laughing out loud. "Well, at least you aren't constantly held to the same moral standard as your grandparents. I swear to Kami, if I even sneeze without covering my mouth people get up in arms." Her expression fell. "Do you know how hard it is to land a fucking job when everyone's seen your mugshot? I'd rather be seen as a 'serial dater' than a 'bad girl'."
Bulla dropped her arms, frowning sympathetically at her best friend. When it came to 'who gets it worse in the eyes of the media' there were no winners.
"Hold up." Pan yanked the magazine out of Bulla's fingers and squinted at the photos in front of her. "Is his hand on your…?" She folded the book in half and held a finger to the image in question. Bulla leaned in, narrowing her eyes.
"Ah!" the heiress shrieked. "What the hell?! It must have been manipulated. His hands were nowhere near my ass!"
"I dunno," Pan brought the page back into her own view. "It looks pretty convincing to me. Look, there's a little interview." The two girls huddled around the write-up.
"Those dirty rats!" Bulla exclaimed. "They totally hounded that delivery kid after he left my house." Her eyes continued to scan the passage, fury growing with each sentence.
"'He seemed possessive?' 'Wouldn't let us anywhere near her?' Ugh." The heiress continued to read the rest out loud. 'Goten Son has long been associated with the Briefs family, often seen out partying with Bulla's older brother and Capsule Corp. CEO, Trunks Briefs, during their younger days. It seems now that the heiress has blossomed into a fine beauty herself, he's decided to make his move'? Oh my God, it gets worse." Her ki was beginning to climb. 'They arrived just minutes apart and were seen leaving roughly the same time the next morning. It's anyone's guess what happened behind those closed doors'." Bulla stepped away from the trash-filled pages. "I'm going to throw up."
"This is why we shouldn't waste our time on these stupid gossip columns, Bulla," Pan chastised, placing the magazine back on the rack and hooking her arm into the elbow of the silently fuming halfling. "You know nothing good ever comes of it."
"I know." Bulla closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. "But I couldn't help myself when I saw that ridiculous front page photo. I mean, seriously, Goten? He's practically family. Not to mention, an idiot."
"You are so Vegeta's daughter," Pan chuckled, pulling the heiress away from the vendor before she made a scene. "Nothing sells like 'Bulla the socialite', I guess. Except maybe 'Bulla the style icon'. Can you imagine what would happen if they found out the real you?"
The heiress shuddered at the thought. Something tells me 'Bulla the kickass, inhumanely strong, half-alien martial artist' wouldn't work too well in my favour.
"Just think." Pan tightened her hold on the younger girl's arm. "No stupid rumours while we're in space. No false reputation. You'll just be Bulla the Earthling. And instead of Pan the Drop Out, Pan the Disappointment, Pan the Loose Canon, I'd just be Pan Son: Granddaughter of who-the-hell-cares."
"I won't have my bed in space," Bulla countered. "Or my shower. Or the rest of my damn apartment."
"Is that really all that's stopping you?" Pan pulled back to regard the spoiled princess. "This has nothing do with having a boyfriend?"
"What?" Bulla scrunched her face. "You really think I'd put off doing something I truly wanted to do for Reco? Please. And here I thought you actually knew me."
"Well then let's just freakin' do it! Encapsulate your bed, tell Bulma to fit the world's best shower head and let's gooo!"
The heiress frowned.
"Bulla." Pan held her palms to the younger girl's shoulders and dropped her head in exasperation. "You know you want to do this! You just need to push yourself out of your comfort zone and imagine all the amazing experiences we could have. When we come back, we can do the boring adult thing."
She was beginning to consider Pan's words when she caught a white flash in the corner of her eye. Instinctively, both girls began walking back the way they came at a hurried pace until they found a narrow alleyway and ducked in. Seeing that the coast was clear, they took to the sky and waited on top of the multi-storey brick building while they watched the confused paparazzo spin around, scratching his head.
"Okay, I'll do it," Bulla sighed, head hanging over the edge of the roof while she continued to stare down into the alleyway below. "Why the hell not. It could be like the days when my mom used to go out adventuring with your Grandpa. We'll have our own stories to bore our kids to death with." She offered a grin to the girl next to her.
"Yes!" Pan leapt into the air in celebration. "I knew I'd wear you down eventually."
"So get this," Bulla said with a mouth full of popcorn, curled up on the sofa while Pan scratched through the kitchen cupboards nearby. "I spoke with my mom while you were out running earlier, and she said everything will be ready in less than a week. Plus, there'll be another member in our party."
"What?" Pan pulled her head out and stared at the heiress. "Who? Please don't tell me it's your dad. He's such a killjoy."
"Not my dad." Bulla shook her head. "Although I would probably prefer him over your uncle."
"What?!"
"I know," Bulla sighed, plucking another piece of popcorn from her bowl and throwing it into her mouth. "Apparently my brother asked him to join so that he wouldn't have to put up with us on his own. I would've made more of a fuss, but I figured Trunks could probably do with some quality time with his BFF."
"Hold on," a male voice cut in between the two girls. "You told me this was going to be a family thing? Plus Pan."
"That's what I thought it was too," Bulla shrugged before running her fingers through his golden brown, shoulder-length hair. "But Trunks went and changed the game a little."
"To be fair, Reco," Pan added, finally returning to the living room to join the two in front of the TV. "Goten is practically a Briefs too."
"I don't like him." He folded his arms.
"Well, the feeling's mutual," Bulla mumbled to herself.
"What?" He turned his head to face the heiress.
"Nothing," she smiled. "Pan's right. I can see why my mom would be happy to have him involved. Who knows if the extra muscle could come in handy." She took in his clearly frustrated expression, noting how the space between his eyebrows was beginning to crease. "What are you thinking right now?"
"It doesn't sit right with me," he finally admitted, soft blue eyes meeting her own bright aquamarines.
"Why not?" she frowned, readjusting to face him more easily. "You said you were fine with the idea."
"Well, yeah. That was when you told me it was a trip with Pan and your brother. This is different."
"How is this different? Now it's Pan, my brother and another guy that's basically my brother."
Pan was looking between the two socialites, slowly lifting herself off the ground, apparently anticipating a discussion that she had no business being around for. Without a word, she padded over to her room and closed the door behind her.
"Except he's not."
"He's not what?" Bulla's voice held a hint of warning.
"Your brother."
The heiress narrowed her eyes. "Stop dancing around the subject and come out and say what's on your mind, Reco."
"Forget it," he exhaled. "You're going to do whatever you want to anyway, and all that's going to happen if I keep talking is another pointless argument. Go travel the galaxy with that fucking asshole, I don't care."
Bulla gasped. "Take that back, you jerk." She pulled away and puffed out her cheeks. "Goten Son is plenty of things, but he is no asshole. I would know, because I have a long list of insults specially curated just for him."
He glanced at her dully, arms still folded.
"Name one time he was an ass towards you," she demanded.
"I'd rather not," Reco grumbled, shifting his gaze towards the TV.
"What are you not telling me?" she pressed. "Have you two had some run in while I wasn't around or something? Because you sure as hell don't talk on the rare occasions you're both at my parents' house."
He stared back at her, seemingly contemplating his next words when Pan suddenly came racing out of her bedroom in a flurry of screams.
"Ohmygod ohmygod!" The quarterling hopped on the spot in front of the heiress, palms covering her mouth. Bulla exchanged a baffled glance with the man next to her.
"Yes, you weirdo?" Bulla couldn't help the smile that crept onto her face at the sight of her best friend showing such childlike enthusiasm. "Wait." Her eyes began to widen as she slowly realised the only thing that could give Pan such a high. "Is this…?"
Pan nodded while letting out a squeak. Bulla jumped up too, joining her fellow hybrid as they danced around on the living room carpet, clutching each other's elbows while they spun in a circle. "You did it!" Bulla squealed.
"I did it!" Pan rasped back.
"But... when?" The heiress stopped bouncing, her expression beginning to fall as she realised what this could mean.
"Training starts two weeks from now," Pan answered softly, also coming to a stop.
"So..." Bulla frowned at the older girl.
"I'm sorry, Bulla," Pan began. "I can't turn this down. I've applied every year for the past four years. If I say no now, I can kiss the whole thing goodbye."
"No, of course." Bulla pressed a palm to her forehead. "You have to take it, but that just means..."
Both girls turned to face the befuddled man on the sofa.
Despite not knowing the details, he seemed to at least pick up the part that was most relevant to his own concerns.
"I have to go to space without you," Bulla whispered remorsefully.
"Hi, Goku!" Bulla greeted amiably, offering the veteran warrior a hug. Despite his long-standing rivalry with her father, she couldn't bring herself to think anything but positively about the man. Maybe it was her mother's influence over the years, but something about the old Saiyan just warmed her heart, even if he was a bit of an embarrassment from time to time. "Chi-Chi." She embraced the slight form of the ageing housewife. "I wasn't expecting to see you guys out here today."
It was a pleasant, sunny September afternoon in West City and the Briefs were gathered in one of her mother's colossal hangars. The multi-storey, corrugated doors were open wide and the ceiling was partially retracted, allowing plenty of light into the otherwise sparse and chilly building.
"It's not everyday my baby goes off to space," Chi-Chi responded clutching her hands in front of her. "Oh, Goten please be safe. I haven't met your grandchildren yet, and you owe me that much before you go getting yourself killed."
"Nice, mom," he mumbled, rubbing the back of his head while he walked over to join the three martial artists. "Way to show your priorities."
"Don't worry, Chi-Chi." Bulla wrapped her arm around Goten's waist and gave a squeeze. "Trunks and I will keep your precious boy safe so he can fulfil his life's quest and give you plenty of grandbabies." She grinned up at the man beside her. His deepening frown only caused her to let out a chuckle.
"Goten." Bulla, along with the three Sons, turned to face the voice behind them, barely veiling its annoyance. On seeing the petite redhead, the heiress quickly dropped her arm and allowed for some space between her and her fellow halfling.
"Hey Clare," Bulla greeted politely, offering a winning smile. "Long time no see."
Goten visibly winced, much to the heiress' confusion. I thought I was being nice?
"Clara," was all the older girl said before closing her eyes and lifting her nose.
Shit.
"Yeah, that's what I said," Bulla smiled, not skipping a beat. "I'll leave you guys to say your goodbyes while I catch up with the others." And casually sauntered away.
"So, daddy," Bulla beamed, bouncing over to her father with her hands held together. "You going to miss me?" He didn't answer, to no one's surprise. "Of course you will!" She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. "Your favourite child is about to go out into the scary, deep dark corners of the galaxy. I'm sure you won't be able to sleep a wink while I'm gone." She prodded him in the chest. His arms remained folded, expression unflinching. "Look at you, trying to hide how much you love me," she teased.
"Remember your training," he stated abruptly. "And don't underestimate anyone. The rest of the galaxy isn't filled with creatures as meek and complacent as those found on this planet"
"Of course," she placated. "I learned from the best, after all. No one will be able to get within five feet of me without my okay."
Staying with her father, Bulla surveyed the rest of the room. Gohan and Videl were standing near the railing that circled the ship, caught up in conversation with Goten and his girlfriend - Clara! - Bulla reminded herself, Probably best I keep my distance for now. A pair of bare arms encircled her waist, followed by a stubbled kiss to the back of her neck.
Bulla pivoted on her heel. "Look who finally showed up," she smiled. "You almost missed the launch, you bum."
"Yeah, sorry. Went out with the guys after I left your place last night," Reco rasped groggily, wiping his hands over his eyes. "Hey, Vegeta." He nodded at her father, only to be met with a look of complete disgust before the prince wandered off, undoubtedly seeking out his one-time nemesis. "I think I'm beginning to wear him down," he added optimistically.
"I think you're wrong," she giggled, arms hanging loosely either side of his neck while he rested his hands on her hips. "But whatever. He doesn't think anyone's good enough for me, so it's nothing personal." Bulla stretched up to kiss him, silently musing that there was no telling how long she'd be going without another man's lips on her own.
"Mmm," he groaned into her mouth. "How am I going to last all that time without that tight little body keeping me warm at night."
Bulla glanced around the room, noting that Goten and Clara were currently in the middle of their own goodbyes. "We can still call each other when I'm free," she shrugged. "I have no idea how busy I'll be, but I bet there'll be plenty of hours just cooped up on the ship doing nothing with the two meatheads." She threw her thumb behind her in the direction of the older halflings. Mentioning Goten probably wasn't the best idea, she realised too late, as it seemed to cause Reco to look up and quietly assess the dark-haired fighter. His grip on Bulla's waist tightened momentarily while his eyes narrowed. "Reco." She gripped his cheeks with her right hand and forced his face back to meet her own. "Get whatever you're thinking out of your head."
"I don't know what you're talking about," he mumbled, words slurred due to her fingers still squeezing either side of his face. "If he tries anything with you though," he warned. "My boys and I will kick his fucking ass. I don't care how experienced he is at fighting."
"Did you have to go and ruin this nice moment?" she grumbled, letting her arm drop from his shoulder. Once again she looked over to her brother's oldest friend. He was frowning down at Clara when he seemed to catch Bulla's gaze. He looked up at the heiress, a face of exasperation. Something told her he was currently going through the same pointless conversation as she was. He transferred his attention to Reco and for a split second Bulla felt a jolt in his ki. If she hadn't been watching him, she would never have given it a second thought, but it coincided too closely with the scowl that appeared on his usually jovial face when he locked eyes with her boyfriend. Guys are such neanderthals, she rolled her eyes.
"Love you, Bulla," Reco called out as she strode towards the ship. She simply threw up a peace sign, smirking to herself as she caught the tail end of Clara's words to Goten. That girl is a dictator for sure. He must really love her if he can put up with that shit all day.
She spotted Pan with Bulma and Trunks on the opposite side of the vessel and hopped on to her brother's back. He gripped the underside of her legs without a second thought, continuing his conversation with the two ladies as if he hadn't suddenly gained an entire extra person.
"Would you like me to give you a rundown of the ship's controls, Bulla?" Bulma offered. "It's worth knowing about the fail-safes and various backup measures if things go south."
"Nope. That's what we've got Trunks for, right?" Bulla grinned, ruffling her brother's hair, but her mother didn't seem to appreciate her flippancy. "I'm just kidding. Trunks can show both of us once we're settled. I'm sure we'll run out of things to talk about reeeally fast. Any chance you've changed your mind at the last minute, Pan? Now that the ship is right there." She bopped her head to the right.
"You have no idea how badly I wish I could join you," the quarterling pouted, shoulders slumping. "If things don't work out with the rangers, Bulma's already promised I can take one of the smaller pods and meet up with you. It's a zippier model, so I'll catch up in a fraction of the time." Bulla threw an arm out to the older girl while the other clung to her brother's neck. Pan extended her own arms, wrapping one around Bulla and the other around Trunks, pulling both in for a tight hug. "Be safe, you guys," she mumbled into Trunks' shirt, before giving each a chaste kiss. "Trunks, keep this girl in one piece. I'm not ready to face the adult world without her."
"Yeah, yeah," he nodded, tossing his cigarette butt. "If I were you, I'd be more worried about the aliens. The galaxy hasn't seen the likes of us Saiyans in decades."
"Damn right!" Bulla extended her fist to the ceiling. "Beware everyone. Saiyan royalty is rearing its ugly head once more! Stand back and bow down before us! Right daddy?" She swivelled her head to face her father, a smug grin plastered on her face. Goku was chuckling while her father smirked at her childishness. Gohan was rubbing the back of his neck as Goten dragged his palm over his face. "That includes you, Goten," she faux-threatened, pointing at him sternly. "Disrespect my royal blood at your own peril." She heard Clara scoff while she said something under her breath. "What was that Chloe? I didn't catch that."
"Babe." Goten rested his palms on his girlfriend's shoulders and gently pulled her back. "She's kind of telling the truth," he uttered loud enough for Bulla to hear.
"Very good, Goten," Bulla praised. "I may consider promoting you to court jester if you continue to appease me."
"The only one acting like a clown right now is you," her brother ribbed from beneath her.
"Shush you," she pushed his head. "Steeds don't talk. C'mon, let's get off this mudball. Goten, can you grab my bag?" She pointed to the leather duffel at her boyfriend's feet.
"Yes, your majesty," he exhaled, reaching for the black handles. While he was bent over, Reco pressed his fingertips into the halfling's chest and muttered something that Bulla couldn't quite hear. What she did note, however, was the smirk that cracked on Goten's face along with the very obvious, Fuck you that formed on his lips, before confidently making his way to the two Briefs siblings.
"Alright, boys." Bulla threw her arm in the direction of the remarkably compact CC spaceship. "Let's go shopping!"
And with that, the three half-Saiyans soldiered up the ramp, Bulla still hitching a ride on her brother's back while Goten Son trailed directly behind, no doubt relishing his final moments of sanity.
Post-chapter notes:
And so our adventure begins!
~Guest: Despite how this chapter's closed, your review has not fallen on deaf ears (so to speak). It's super useful to hear what readers are thinking and occasionally it can shift where I take things. Pan is a character whose fate I am very much on the fence about, so depending on what responses are like, she may well end up having more (or less) of a role. Thank you for saying something!
To those of you who have read my previous fic, you may (or may not?) know what a big impact reviews had. So many scenes, and entire chapters in some instances, would never have made it in if it weren't for a few vocal readers. So if you have thoughts, feel free to share them.
~KK: Hello! Welcome back :) And thank you so much for the encouraging words. This is indeed a different universe to Baby Bloomer. I'm so glad to see that you're on board so far ^_^
I hope you've all enjoyed the second chapter, and thank you for the interest thus far! I wasn't expecting such a response so early into the new fic :) You're all wonderful. Happy Halloween to those of you in NA/whoever celebrates it.