Chapter 14: That's What Best Friends are For
A cold wind blew throughout Satan City, followed by a fierce rain that pounded on the roof of Bulma's black escalade. After the girls' left Tokyo from dress shopping, they returned to the Briefs mansion for dinner. "Thank you so much Bulma!" Marron chanted, drowning the senior blue haired woman in a hug as the four of them ran for cover under the mansion's porch.
"No problem! Now get inside before you all catch a cold! No need for these dresses to go to waste."
Marron and Pan hung their covered dresses in the coat closet nearest the front door while Bra and Bulma jogged upstairs to put theirs away.
While waiting in the living room, Pan let down her pony tail and shook her head like a dog to get the rain drops off. She suddenly stopped and turned around when she heard a disgruntled grunt from behind her. "Oh!" She covered her mouth in surprise. "I'm sorry Vegeta, I didn't know you were there.."
Vegeta brought his hand to his face and slowly wiped away the drops of water while scowling at her, then released another grunt. "Where have you been, brat? You're going to get rusty if you don't keep up on your training. It seems your ability to sense the presence of others has diminished."
Growing up, Pan would always train with Vegeta and the boys. Bra would join them occasionally, but Pan had more passion in fighting than she. "Yeah I guess it has." She responded with that goofy son grin while scratching the back of her head nervously. "I've been wanting to train with you again, it's just that my parents are so strict with school. It was hard to convince them to let me do sports because of my grades-"
"Yeah yeah, I didn't ask for your life story."
"Don't worry, Pan." The two looked up the stairs as Bulma and her daughter made their way down. "'I didn't ask for your life story' is Vegeta for 'I understand.'" She pecked her husband on the lips and tugged on his shirt to make him follow her. "Dinner's ready girls. Let's go eat."
As usual, Vegeta sat at the head of the table while Bulma sat to his left. Bra sat next to her mom opposite Pan, and Marron sat next to Bra. Everyone knew that Trunks' seat was always to the right of his father. Vegeta made it custom that the 'prince' sat near the 'king'.
Luckily, Pan didn't have to worry about Trunks being there tonight. In the midst of conversation, the group heard the front door shut, followed by a rummage of noise and voices.
"Ah, the boys must be here." Bulma smiled.
"B-boys?" Pan nearly choked on her rice. The others were baffled by her intense look of confusion.
"Why yes, Pan," Bulma answered sarcastically. "You do remember that I have a son and you have an uncle, right?"
"Mmm something smells good." Goten entered the dining room and scouted out everyone's plates.
"Grab yourself a plate, dear." Bulma greeted him in that endearing tone of hers. "Where's Trunks?"
"He put his stuff in his room." He left the room shortly and returned with a full plate and plopped himself next to Pan, opposite Marron, "Pan! I feel like I haven't seen you in forever!" The room grew in laughter as he took his niece into a headlock and gave her a partial hug.
"Ga, Kami Goten!" She combed her fingers through her hair after being released from his 'embrace' and returned her hair to a ponytail.
"There's my boy!" Bulma greeted Trunks as he entered the room through the kitchen with his food and took his usual seat next to his father, which was also next to Pan. "Did you both get your tuxes?"
"Yup."
"Bulma, wait til you see his date. This girl, Jezelyn, she's a fox! You'll be so proud of your son, I know I am." Goten reached behind Pan to pat his suddenly shy friend on the back."
"Oh really? Trunks, why havn't you told me about her? Have you known her long?"
Trunks took another bite of his meal and simply shook his head no.
"For a 'hunky big shot' you sure are being bashful, Trunks." Bra chimed in. She could clearly tell her brother was not in a chatty mood for some unknown reason, but being a younger sister it was a vital instinct to egg on the misery.
Bulma agreed. "Yeah. What're you hiding mister?"
"Nothing! What do you want to know? Her name's Jezelyn, she's an exchange student from the Phillipine's, she's been here for three months-" He tried to laugh it off but everyone could sense the hint of defense in his tone.
"And," Goten interrupted. "She's got quite the reputation."
"Three months and she has a reputation?" Marron asked. She, Bulma, and Bra returned their stare to Trunks for an explanation.
Trunks glared at Goten over Pan's bowed head which was resting on her fist. Goten knew he had said too much. "Well by reputation I mean that she's known as one of the bombest girls on campus and everybody wants to... be her friend."
Pan slapped her hand against he mouth, failing miserably to stifle her laughter. She picked her head back up and patted her uncle on the shoulder. "Nice try."
"Watch yourself Trunks." Vegeta suddenly took interest in the conversation. "Last thing I need is for you to catch some STD, those things are incurable just so you know."
Trunks rested his elbow on the table and combed his hand through his hair in embarrassment as the room boomed with laughter once again. "Yeah, thanks dad."
"Ok, let's not pick on Trunks anymore." Bulma insisted, still chuckling. While she ventured off into a story about her job, Vegeta glanced up at the unusually quiet teens and noticed a few things. Bra would glance up at Goten every now and then but would look away as soon as he'd try to steal a glance of her. Goten was also looking to his side towards Pan more commonly than usual, but would try doing things to make her smile or to make her talk. And lastly, he spotted his son glance to his right once or more to Pan who's body was shifted away from his with her left fist on the table, enabling her to rest her cheek on it with her head facing the opposite direction. Marron on the other hand was trying to make conversation with everybody. She too probably realized the unusual atmosphere. "Uh Vegeta, honey where are you going?"
"Bathroom."
Bulma watched her husband leave the room, then looked around at the teens at the table. "My my, did somebody die? You're all awfully quiet. Is the dinner that good?"
"Yeah it's great, thanks Bulma." Pan socked her uncle in the arm.
"Quit sucking up Goten. You sure know how to pick a good chef Bulma." She replied with an even cheesier grin.
Goten socked her back. "What do you call that?!"
The lights in the room began to flicker, causing everyone to look up. Suddenly, everything went dark with a Woooooooommmmmmm sound.
Trunks felt a grip on the sleeve of his sweater and instantly knew who it was. Pan grew up with a slight fear of the dark, probably because of the torture he and Goten put her through while growing up.
"Pan, don't tell me you're still scared of the dark." Goten teased. She had also gripped his sleeve.
"No! It's just a habit..." She quickly released her grip and set her hands in her lap.
"Oh no... It must be this awful storm. Everyone stay together, it should kick back on in a couple minutes."
Silence filled the room as they waited for something to turn back on. All they could hear was the rain pounding on the windows, followed by the occasional clash of thunder.
"I'm back." The entire room gasped at the sudden low voice.
"Vegeta don't do that!" Bulma shrieked, holding her hand over her heart. "What happened?"
"Do I look like an electrician? Power's out all over town. Which means no heat tonight. Brats, find some blankets and bunk up in one room."
"Why one room?" Bra complained.
"More people means more heat. Duh, Bra." Marron answered.
"Fine. My room."
"No way, I am not sleeping in your filth." Trunks retorted.
"Oh you two knock it off. Go fetch some blankets and pillows and sleep in the living room. No ifs, ands, or buts."
"I'm guessing you two are taking the couches then?" Bra asked her parents as she felt her way around the dining room with Marron clutching the back of her sweater.
"Nope. We can produce our own heat."
"Ew come on dad, a simple no would have answered the question! Still, it's not like we have to be in a room together..."
Goten stood from his chair followed by Pan who followed closely behind him. "Pan you're such a dork." He pulled her beside him and playfully pushed her into Trunks who was just behind them. By instinct, Trunks caught the shadowed figure as it stumbled back towards him. "Trunks, Pan's still scared of the dark, hang on to her." He teased.
Trunks instantly removed his hands from her shoulder and her side once she regained her balance and made his way past her and behind Goten.
"It's okay Pan, you can stay with us." Marron reached out for her and ended up gripping her shoulder and pulling it towards her and Bra.
'Ugh I hate awkward tension!' Pan screamed in her head. She wanted to act normal again with Trunks during dinner, but it was too hard, especially since they insisted on discussing his newest girl.
After several minutes, the five reunited in the living room with blankets and pillows from the guest rooms and bedrooms. The girls arrived last and threw their bundles to the ground. A single flickering candle dimly lit the room, showing the two males on the two couches.
Pan hopped onto the couch just as Goten added his final touches and snuggled her head into the pillow. "Ah, thanks for making my bed Goten."
"Yeah right! Go sleep with Trunks, this is my bed." Goten struggled to peel her off the couch as she resisted and almost succeeded in dropping her onto Trunks', instead she took one swift kick off the couch which ended up in her and Goten falling to the ground backwards.
"Ow Goten you landed on my leg." Bra pouted slightly in pain.
"Oh sorry!" He instantly sat up and massaged her leg. "Better?"
"Nope!" Before he knew it, he had three girls tackling him to the ground. Every man's fantasy right? Not when one is your niece...
Trunks could hear Goten calling for his help, but instead he ignored his friend's request and disappeared from the room.
After struggling out of the girls' headlock, he sat up and fixed his shirt. "Pan, can you go see where Trunks went?"
'What?!' "Go find him yourself." She taunted.
'Damn it! Come on, Pan. Even I can tell you're avoiding him...'
"I'll get him!" Marron jumped to her feet and safely made her way out of the room.
"Bra, can you walk me to the bathroom?"
"Yeah, come on." Bra grabbed onto her friend as they sat up with Goten following behind.
Pan led them to the nearest bathroom on the bottom floor and left Bra and her uncle outside the door.
After a few seconds passed, Goten glanced up at her. 'I think things are cool between us again... She was wrestling with us on the ground...' She gazed back at him with sheer confusion planted on her face. Without thinking, he grabbed her shoulder and pulled her into him. "Are we cool again?"
She was surprised by his bluntness but returned the hug and slowly brought her arm around his back. "... Yeah." For once, she was at a loss for words.
"Good. I can't live without my Bra." She looked up at him and met his eyes, causing them both to laugh at what he just said.
"Goten, you are an even bigger dork than Pan."
Meanwhile, Marron slowly made her way out of the living room, through the game room and into the kitchen. "Aha. I thought you might be in here."
Trunks whirled around to see the figure making her way towards him. "Hi Marron. What're you doing?"
She saw him take a quick drink of something and shove it back onto the counter. "Just came to check on you... What is that?"
"I just needed a quick drink. Is everyone done horsing around yet?" He leaned against the counter next to her.
"Horsing around? Not too long ago you'd actually 'horse around' with us. What's up? You seem very distant tonight..." She felt him shift his stance.
"Long day. School finals are coming up plus mom's ball and... other stuff. Gets stressful sometimes."
Marron put a comforting hand on his back. "Trunks, if you need someone to talk to you know we all love you."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." He sighed.
"What do you mean?"
He shook his head. "Nothing. Let's go back." He grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the kitchen.
Goten, Bra, and Pan were sitting in a circle, well triangle, on the blanketed floor. "There he is!" Goten scooted over and patted the space next to him. Trunks ignored his request and laid on his couch, which Pan's back was facing. She was leaning against the couch, but scooted forward once he entered the room. Marron plopped herself in between Bra and Pan.
The four began to reminisce on previous events in their years, while Trunks turned to his back and stared at the ceiling while snickering every now and then at Goten's dumb stories.
"Holy shit, the first year Pan wore a dress, now that was quite an event. Your mom was so happy to see you finally be a girl."
"Yeah, except my dad was rather pissy about it. He thought it was too revealing."
"Oh whatever! That dress was gorgeous. He was just shocked to see you had boobs." Bra giggled.
"Who picked out that dress anyways?" Goten asked. 'This has to work... Come on Pan, just say it!'
She stared at the ground for a moment then back up to the three staring at her. "Trunks did."
'Yes! Thank you Pan!' Goten cheered. "Really Trunks?" 'Come on Trunks....'
He watched as his friend folded his hands behind his head. "Yeah I guess I did."
'2 points!'
"Way to go Trunks, now all she gets is green dresses." Marron added.
"Hey! I like green! It's... natural and... sexy." She added the last part with a raise in the eyebrow, causing another round of laughter.
"Trunks, I'm thirsty." Goten whined. "Can you get me something?"
"Goten you're here almost as much as I am, why are you so shy now?"
"Trunks that's no way to treat a guest!" Bra played along, stroking Goten's head that laid on her shoulder in a motherly fashion.
Trunks shook his head and released a small laugh. "Fine. What do you want?"
"Pepsi! Thanks bro." He smiled, not lifting his head even though Bra was pushing him off. After a small battle, he claimed victory by laying in her lap. "Aw, Pan will you tell him to get me Dr. Pepper instead."
"Goten! I'm not your slave." She slapped him on the leg.
"Pan," Bra played along once again, this time adding a pout. "Your uncle Goten asked nicely." She couldn't say it with a straight face.
"Ugh, you two are ridiculous..." She stood up and slowly made her way to the kitchen. 'We're kind of talking again... At least he can stand to be in the same room as me... Oh crap... The dark...' Not wanting to get teased anymore, she decided to tough it out. He's just in the kitchen. She used the wall as her guide and bumped into a table every now and then, but finally she rounded the corner into the kitchen. "... Trunks?" She heard a glass being placed on the counter.
"Yeah..."
"Where are you, I can't see." She laughed, using the counters to guide her through the dark room. Someone gripped her wrist and led her across.
"Thirsty?" He released her wrist while he poured something.
"Sort of. Goten changed his mind, he wants Dr. Pepper."
"Ugh, I figured he would."
"I'll take the pepsi if you already poured it." She felt him gently lift her hand and place the cup into it. Just that small amount of contact sent shivers through her body. 'No Pan! These feelings are what got you in this awkward situation in the first place!'
"Ready?" He asked after putting the soda back into the powerless refrigerator.
"Yeah." She slowly led the way, trying not to bump into anything. She could hear him walking behind her, which helped her not to be scared.
"BOO!!!"
"AH!" She shrieked, throwing both hands over her mouth to muffle her scream and jumping backwards into Trunks.
"Pan! You got soda all over us!" Goten, Bra, and Marron cried in disgust and laughter.
Pan on the other hand was still in the same position, both hands cupped tightly over her mouth and nose.
Trunks laid his hand on her shoulder, trying not to laugh himself. "Are you alright?"
She stood there frozen in her stance, then pushed past everybody. "You guys are assholes. Trunks I'm sorry I got soda everywhere." She plopped herself onto Goten's couch and hid her face in the pillow.
"Don't worry about it, someone will clean it up later." He finished laughing with the others and made his way back to his couch.
Marron and Bra decided to go change out of their now soaked and sticky clothing. "Come on Goten I'm sure I have something for you to wear too." Trunks and Pan listened as the three of them ran and giggled upstairs.
Trunks rolled onto his stomach and looked caddy corner to Pan who was still buried into Goten's pillow. "Are you sure you're okay? It was just your dumb uncle and your two dimwitted friends."
"I'm fine." She mumbled and laughed into the pillow. "Hey Trunks..." She lifted her head up and rested her chin on the pillow, as did he. "I... It's..." 'Come on Pan! Out with it!' She took a moment to compose herself, then returned her focus to him. "It's weird not talking to you... You're one of my best friends. I don't... I don't want that to change." Through the dimly lit room she could see a faint smile grace his lips.
"Yeah. You're like Goten except I can say you're hot and not get beat up for it." They both laughed.
She stood up from the couch and kneeled in front of his. "Friends?" She held out her hand.
He propped himself up on an elbow and met her hand. "Friends." Instead of letting go, he pulled her up and onto the couch with him.
"Your dad was right about this whole heat thing." She commented as she snuggled in closer to him, the only things seperating them were her arms in between their chests. The whole situation would look sexual to anyone else, but they did this even before they had ever been involved. However, she could only help but wonder if it was normal for a 'friend' to feel everything she felt with him. Even now she wanted nothing more than him, but that would change everything.
She closed her eyes and listened to his calm breathing pattern as he casually put his arm over her and extended it up her back. "Thank you for returning my thumb drive." She pulled herself up a tad so that her head was on the pillow with his and their faces were at an equal level.
"Oh yeah, no problem."
"Were you drinking today?" She could smell the small amount of alcohol on his breath.
Trunks thought for a moment. "I just had a small glass tonight."
She pulled her head back a couple inches to avoid getting sucked into his aroma. "Why? People only drink if they're stressed or if they're with other people, but you weren't drinking with us which means you're stressed. What's wrong?"
Trunks smiled once again and looked away from her dark eyes as he gathered up what to say. "Just school finals and my mom's ball. Plus having you here was kind of... depressing cuz you weren't talking to me." He smiled even bigger when she pouted out her bottom lip and moved her head in close again.
"Aw I don't want to be the reason that you go on an alcohol binge. I'm sorry." She finished with a smile that only dug his eyes deeper into hers.
"What're you smiling at?" Trunks asked after she tried to stop smiling but couldn't.
"You. Your eyes. They're those same eyes I always loved to see. They seem to make me feel whole again." She slowly smoothed her top hand up his chest and behind his neck, pulling his head towards hers. They laid there, forehead to forehead, nose to nose, and then went in for the kill. Once their lips were mere millimeters away from contact, a stampede of feet came rushing down the stairs.
"Pan? Trunks?"
'Damn you, Marron!' They both cursed in their heads. Since the back of the couch was facing the stairway, they couldn't be seen. Pan raised her hand that was on Trunks' neck and grabbed their attention. "Look at Goten!" Pan and Marron ran to the front of the couch and pointed to the stairway.
Pan sat up with Trunks and they both focused their attention to the stairway.
"Oh my gawd Goten, what are you wearing?"
Goten strutted across the living room in a tight "Real Women Wear Lipstick" t-shirt and pink pajama pants that were much too short for him.
The room erupted in laughter.
Goten was smiling also, not only because of whatever he was wearing, but he was thrilled to see Pan and Trunks were talking again. Now when they played their circle games or told tales, Pan dragged him down to the carpet and he participated.
'Hey Trunks, if that's what was bothering you these past few weeks, why didn't you tell me? Is Pan that much of an impact in your life? Thank me later. That's what best friends are for.'
I wrote a nice long one for ya :-) Awww Pan and Trunks Yaaaaay! I may go back and do a lil editing to the previous chapters. If you've seen the anime NANA then you'd know how at the beginning and end Nana would always say something and I thought it was so neat and touching so that's what I did with Goten at the end of this chapter. But that won't come til a later time.
Please review and thank you so much for still reading.