What a relief to hear that the sudden return is well met (at least by those of you sharing your thoughts. Some of you are probably shaking your fist at me, but keeping your frustrations to yourself. Or you've realised that I'm a head case and have already stopped reading).

~KK: Yay! I'm glad that this is actually up your alley :) Seriously, that's such reassurance. Thank you for the encouragement!

~Dbzfan: It never ceases to warm my heart to read that you guys look forward to hearing more from this tale. Thank you so much for saying that :) The skirt chasing is definitely a significant part of their history, but you're right, they had a super special bond even outside of that :( Spot on about Trunks' view of Goten with women vs how Goten claims to feel about his precious sister, as you say. Why should he believe his words when years of actions tell him something else?

~Guest #1: All I can say is, you might end up enjoying this chapter :) haha

~Guest #2: That is so super reassuring that you don't care whether this is about Bulla, lol! If you like details, then details you shall receive! This chapter's longer than usual, so hopefully there's plenty for you to sink your teeth into :)

Trunks sensed the familiar kis of his oldest friend and baby sister slowly approaching the private island and made his way outside the quaint wooden dwelling to greet them. He'd be lying if he said his heart didn't swell at the sight of her, safe and sound in the arms of the one he trusted most.

Not even a scratch on her. You did good Goten.

He watched as she tossed aside her bag and raced towards him, flinging her arms around his neck.

Ouch, watch the shoulder.

He brushed off her worry-filled questions and flurried fingers tracing his barely-worth-mentioning scrapes and bruises, simply taking the moment to breathe her in and relish the fact that she was here with him instead of one of those sick invaders.

Still smells like Bulla, he closed his eyes in genuine relief. Maybe with a hint of Goten. He lifted his gaze to his old friend warmly, offering a nod.

After the three halflings exchanged greetings, he pulled the younger fighter in for a hug. "Thanks for looking out for my sister, man," he voiced on an exhale, gradually feeling the muscles in his shoulders relax. "I owe you one."

"Don't mention it," Goten muttered.

Trunks observed his sister bouncing over to the rest of the Kame House residents. Once she was out of earshot, he returned his attention to his fellow hybrid, noting that he too was watching the heiress. "I mean it. You really came through for me." After waiting for a response that never came, the CC heir continued. "I don't think you realise what kind of fate you saved her from."

At this the dark-haired demi-Saiyan finally met his gaze, deep brown brows drawing together.

"I think you've just become my mother's favourite son," Trunks joked, cigarette flapping between his lips while he held the tip of his index finger to the end to light it. After taking a puff, he pinched it between his two digits and let out a breath. "Prepare to have your praises sung for years to come."

The remaining Briefs and Sons had just touched down from their space voyage an hour prior and the initial excitement and commotion had quietened down considerably. Almost everyone had gone inside, leaving the Trunks and Goten to catch up in the backyard.

The lavender-haired halfling had been run off his feet trying to drive and organise the reconstruction of his family home while keeping things ticking over at Capsule Corp. He didn't particularly mind living out of hotel rooms - he spent enough time in them as it was, but he was determined to get his sister back to normal life as quickly as possible. They hadn't spoken much about the disruptive weekend of ill-intentioned aliens, but she seemed to be having a harder time getting passed it than he initially expected. Physically she really did appear to be fine, but she was quieter than usual and a touch jumpy. She appeared to perk up when he mentioned that she'd get to redecorate her room, however. He supposed the little project provided a nice distraction.

The younger fighter's face contorted while he rubbed the back of his neck. "I hope you're wrong," he frowned. "I don't think I could handle it."

"Just let it roll off you," lavender-haired halfling shrugged. "And be grateful you're on the right side of her."

"Yeah..."

"Do you want to join me in the pool house? I've been meaning to ask what happened with my sister while she stayed with you."

Goten immediately stiffened, his colour visibly draining. "What has she told you?"

"Nothing." Trunks glanced at his phone, spying a text from a one-time hookup. He dropped it back in his pocket, making a mental note to get back to her later. "That's why I thought I'd ask you. Plus, I figure you've got a better idea of what really went down than she does."

"I basically told the full story at Kame House," the dark-haired demi-Saiyan put forward, beginning to fidget. "Not much else to add."

"I don't really care about the action," Trunks squinted, waving away the smoke that was beginning to build around him. "I want to know about Bulla. She's not exactly the most resilient person on the planet." He began walking towards his humble dwellings, prompting his fellow hybrid to follow. Drawing in the last of his cigarette, he flicked the butt into a pot near his door and stepped inside. Heading straight for the fridge, he pulled out two ciders and threw one to his friend. It was still daytime, and sunlight was pouring in through each of the generous windows - a reminder to their heir that spring was right around the corner. He set himself up on one of the available two-seaters while Goten occupied the other.

"What do you want to hear?" Goten asked cautiously. He was gripping his bottle and staring at the floor.

"Fuck man, do you need a map?" Trunks kicked off his shoes and rested his feet on the coffee table. "Just start from the beginning. Tell me what happened the first night or something. I imagine that would've been the most traumatising part for her. She's never seen any high stakes fighting before."

Goten's expression suddenly hardened while he tightened the hold on his drink and appeared to consider his words. "I'd say she was pretty traumatised, yeah," he finally answered, taking a sip. "But I got her out of there as soon as I could."

"Did she say anything once you got to your apartment?" Trunks held up his remote, turning on the stereo, but kept the volume low.

"She did actually," the younger hybrid affirmed.

"Well, let's hear it."

"Looking back, she didn't end up bringing up what I would've expected." Goten furrowed his brows in thought. "Some nasty shit went down, but she seemed more upset about you and Vegeta."

"What?" Trunks removed his feet from the surface in front of him and straightened, full attention on the younger warrior.

"Maybe it was just a combination of everything that happened, but she ended up going off at me about some dumb comment I made about her being a child," he answered, scratching the back of his head. "It was so out of character, it kind of threw me for a loop." He lifted his gaze to meet a pair of sober teal orbs before continuing. "She was really frustrated about how restricted her life is, due to you and your dad. Maybe you should ease up on the over-protective kick. It's causing some risky side-effects and I think it's gonna send her down the totally wrong path."

"What do you mean?" Trunks narrowed his eyes, watching Goten carefully.

"You've been so good at keeping boys away from her that it's causing her to seek them out herself," he explained. "She has it in her head that guys aren't into her and it's making her consider some reckless stuff to change that."

"Like what?"

Goten didn't answer but gave him a knowing look that caused his blood to bubble.

"What exactly are you saying, Goten?" Trunks voice held a hint of warning.

"I'm saying," Goten glanced up nervously. "Consider loosening the leash a little. Let her have some normal teenage experiences. She's not like you and I were, man. She's a sensible girl. I know you and Vegeta have your reasons, and I agree with them for the most part, but I kind of got a glimpse of the other side of the coin." He took a breath as he chewed on his next thought. "I'm worried she's going to end up doing something stupid if you don't let her be a regular teenage girl. She's in a real hurry to become an adult and I think she'll be better off if you let her make a bunch of little mistakes instead of some really big ones."

The CC heir watched the usually relaxed demi-Saiyan fidgeting before him, flustered and squirming as if he were being interrogated himself.

"She's convinced no one could ever like her." Goten shook his head, as if the notion was entirely ridiculous. "And it brought her to tears."

"She cried over this?" Trunks clarified, unbelievingly.

"Like I said, man. There's fallout from keeping her wrapped up like this. She's so naive, it's almost dangerous."

"How is it a bad thing if she's naive for a little while longer?" The older fighter questioned.

"Well for one," the younger warrior responded. "She doesn't realise what guys really think of her. Or how they do things. She almost walked head first into some asshole's arms, just because he told her she was pretty."

The lavender-haired hybrid folded his arms and sunk into the back of his couch. "Fuck."

"Look at you, Blondie," Trunks hugged his childhood friend. "Are you getting hotter with age?" He asked, kissing her on the cheek, happy to have someone from his generation at the long overdue reunion. The lights were low, booze was flowing and everyone was in high spirits, except Vegeta of course, but what was new?

"Yes," Marron answered with a chuckle, prodding him in the chest. "And you're still not getting a piece. Where's your better half? I'm not used to seeing you by yourself."

"He's too busy for me these days," the hybrid pouted. "I've barely heard from him the last few months."

"Maybe he got himself a girlfriend?" The blonde suggested, seemingly sympathetic at the heir's plight.

"Trust me," Trunks countered, running his hand through his hair. "If he did, I'd be the first to hear about it. What about you?" He raised an eyebrow. "Seeing anyone these days?"

Marron simply offered a coy smile. "You know I'm never one to kiss and tell," she teased, bringing her dainty crystal glass to her lips. "Besides, I love you too much to go breaking your heart like that."

The CC heir grinned, eyes dancing at the cheeky daughter of Krillin and Eighteen. She really had turned out to be just as beautiful as her mother, despite her father's contribution to her genetic makeup. I've always had a thing for blondes, he silently considered, discreetly taking her in. But also brunettes, redheads... A familiar tingle at the back of his neck distracted him from his quiet assessment and he shifted his attention to the room's entrance.

"Mother fucker actually made it," he uttered before making his way to the younger halfling. "So this is how it is, huh?" Trunks jested, downing the last of his drink. "You'll make time for my sister's birthday, but won't even drop me a line to let me know you're still alive?"

Goten simply offered an apologetic shrug before waving to Marron while she stood behind the lavender-haired demi-Saiyan. "Looking good, Mare," he smiled, reaching out to hug her. "Are you all dressed up for me?"

"Hardly," she snorted. "If I was dressing for you, I wouldn't be wearing anything at all."

All three laughed at the blonde's little quip, continuing the age-old tradition of maintaining Goku's youngest as the butt of any and all jokes. After sliding a hand into his inside jacket pocket, Goten raised a small, neatly wrapped box to the oldest of the trio. "Do you think you could give this to your sister for me?"

Trunks eyed the present sceptically. "Give it to her yourself, man. I was about to check in on those tweens anyway. C'mon."

The two halflings made their way to the exit. There was a stark shift in the ambient sound that hit his ears once he entered the second room: high-pitched squeals and giggles, along with vastly different music choices. He could almost smell the desperation dripping off each of their hormone-riddled bodies. Finding his sister in the sea of teenagers was easy, all he needed to do was follow the impressively powerful ki of his best friend's niece.

She certainly cleans up well, he noted, surprised to see her in such a feminine and, dare he look, tight ensemble. Throwing his arm over the older girl's shoulder, he announced the arrival of his increasingly absent friend and had to suppress a snort at the red tinge that hit his sister's face when Goten kissed her cheek.

After shaking off the confusion at his friend's bizarre idea of an appropriate present, he took in the general behaviour of the remainder of the room. Apart from the occasional macking, most seemed to be keeping things clean. He was pleased to see that his words to Bulla's more testosterone-fueled schoolmates still appeared to be in full effect. None seemed to be bold enough to get within a five-metre radius of her. He caught the gaze of a group of boys on the other side of the hall and brought his index and middle finger to his teal orbs, warning them that he was watching their every move. All hastily turned away.

That's right you fuckers. I know exactly what's going on in those heads of yours.

He'd heeded Goten's words from a few weeks before, but, well... Old habits were hard to break. And none of these mouth-breathers were worth her time anyway.

The two older demi-Saiyans once again made their way towards the exit to return to their own festivities. On spotting Marron, the older hybrid slipped his own hand into his internal pocket, almost forgetting what was sitting innocuously in the neatly stitched fabric.

"Shall we sneak off to my car while the adults aren't looking, like the old days?" He suggested, discreetly displaying the small metal tin and popping the lid open. The corners of blonde's eyes lifted and a broad grin grew on her face. "Good to see you haven't changed," she laughed.

Lifting his attention to his fellow hybrid, Trunks was surprised to see that Goten's focus was elsewhere. Tracing the direction of the younger fighter's gaze, the heir noticed that his best friend was currently locking eyes with the older prince. The fuck?

Neither seemed especially hostile, but both were watching the other carefully. Hooking his elbow around Goten's neck, Trunks yanked him towards the door. A single pair of heels clicked behind them as they made their way to the parking lot.

Three sets of laughter filled the CC heir's car, joining the thick pungent smoke currently hanging between them.

"Or what about the time you kept walking into my sister's room instead of mine on your way back from the kitchen?" Trunks roared, bringing his fist to his mouth. "I had to come up with something really quick for that one."

"Ah fuck," Goten laughed from the back seat, running his fingers through his thick mane. "I swear I've never been that out of it in my life. All the doors looked the same, I couldn't figure out what the fuck was going on. Your parents must've thought I completely lost the plot."

Marron had tears in her eyes, struggling to catch her breath as the giggles kept coming. "And that was the day your father nearly killed the love of your life?"

"One of many," Trunks chortled.

"You're not being entirely honest here, Trunks," the younger hybrid teased, leaning his palms into the tops of his thighs and pushing himself up to a straighter posture. "It's about time someone else learns the truth."

From her spot on the passenger side, Marron brought her fingers to her mouth, blue eyes darting between the two troublemakers. "Oh! I love dirty little secrets."

"It's not dirty," Goten elaborated with a knowing grin. "But Trunks certainly doesn't want anyone to know."

The aforementioned heir spun around in his seat to berate his old friend. "What the fuck are you on about, Son?"

The younger halfling chuckled, cupping his hand to his mouth and barely lowering his voice to let Marron in on the tasty tidbit. "Everyone thinks I'm Trunks' favourite," he began. "But that's just a cover-up."

"Ooo!" The blonde squealed, squirming in her seat. "If you're not his biggest love, then who is?"

Goten transferred his gaze to the increasingly exasperated warrior.

"Fuck you, Goten," Trunks muttered.

"His sister."

Goten ducked as the heir launched himself toward the back of the car. With nowhere to go, he was simply forced to take the beating he undoubtedly knew he had coming, uncontrolled laughter booming from his belly.

"It's true!" Goten insisted. "If you don't believe me, check out the background on his phone. Ah!" He wailed as he took a hit right to the gut.

"Aww!" Marron cooed, pressing her palms to either side of her face. "Trunks, that's so cute. Who knew you were such a softy under that cold, jerk-ass exterior?"

She watched as Trunks continued to lay into the dark-haired demi-Saiyan, punching at his abdomen while the younger fighter grabbed at his hands between chuckles.

"Trunks Briefs has two loves," she exhaled with a smile. "His best friend and his sister."

"Hey man, you alright?" Trunks asked as he threw on a cotton t-shirt, skin still a touch damp from his post-swim shower. "You're looking a bit pale." His oldest friend had just entered through the doors of his private residence holding a mug of hot chocolate. The heir noted that, uncharacteristically, the younger hybrid's attention seemed far from the tasty drink in his hands. Instead, he appeared to be deep in thought, dark brows drawing together. On hearing the question, Goten apparently snapped himself out of whatever trail his mind was currently travelling on.

"Yeah," he answered, shaking his head. "I think I need a smoke though."

Trunks raised an eyebrow. It wasn't like the dark-haired hybrid to initiate the dirty habit. The heir himself had been a firm addict since teenage-hood, but somehow it never seemed to ingrain itself in his old friend as anything more than a social act.

The duo made their way to Trunks' deck and set themselves up, each reclining into a comfy outdoor lounge chair. After a few minutes of silence, the lavender-haired halfling finally spoke up.

"So what do you think of him?"

"What?" Goten blurted distractedly. "Who, Vegeta?"

"What?" Trunks chuckled. "No, you idiot. Bulla's boyfriend."

"Oh." He heard Goten let out a breath, followed by a shrug. "She seems happy."

Trunks narrowed his teal orbs at Goten's roundabout way of answering the, surely, simple question. "Maybe." He drew in a tobacco-filled breath. "But my sister doesn't always know what's best for her."

He could feel the younger hybrid's eyes on him. "He's certainly keen on her," Goten eventually added.

"To put it mildly," Trunks snorted before twisting his head to face his fellow halfling. "I think I like him."

"Yeah?" Goten rolled his head along the back of his lounger, meeting Trunks' gaze.

"You were right about him," the lavender-haired demi-Saiyan elaborated. "He's a decent kid. Good head on his shoulders. Ambitious. After just a few months, I can see he's already totally smitten." The younger warrior returned his attention to the sky while the prince continued. "Bulla deserves someone like him. Someone who really cherishes what they have and stays on the straight and narrow."

"You sound like you don't think we fall into that category," Goten voiced, flicking his cigarette butt into a nearby potted plant.

"Fuck no," Trunks answered a bit too quickly. "Bulla ending up with someone like me is probably my worst nightmare."

"Incoming." Goten was leaning his forearms against the dark wooden bench of their regular haunt, eyes trailing something behind the lavender-haired prince. Trunks pivoted, curious to see who had caught his younger counterpart's attention.

"Well well," the heir grinned. "Have you come all this way just to pass on a message? You really do go the extra mile, don't you?"

"Good evening Mr Briefs," the sweet-faced brunette greeted, clutching her purse in front of her. She smiled to Goten, which he returned with a nod.

"Please." Trunks put up his palm. "The tie is off. No need for formalities." She inclined her head, eyes falling to the dark-haired fighter once more. It probably didn't help that he was barely concealing is own interest in the new arrival.

"Goten." He extended his hand and offered his signature Son smile.

"Camille." She returned his smile with her own.

"Camille's a recent higher at the office," Trunks explained, digging through his inside pocket. "She puts up with my lazy ass all day and keeps my head from exploding by screening all the trivial emails that sneak their way into my inbox." After popping the evasive cigarette between his lips, he continued. "I've gotta say, it's made things a lot more bearable only needing to look at like twenty percent of my messages now. Don't tell the big boss." He gave her a wink.

"I see," Goten nodded slowly, dark orbs discreetly tracing over her.

"How do you two know each other?" She asked, looking between the two men.

"We're brothers," the dark-haired halfling answered easily, giving her pause.

"You're Bulma Briefs' son?" She enquired sceptically, narrowing her eyes.

"The one and only," he nodded once more. "She had an affair with my father soon after Trunks was born since his dad is an ass and mine is... Well, not."

Trunks snorted as he lit the white stick, rolling his eyes at his jester of a best friend. Here we go.

"I was sent to live in the mountains to hide the shame," he continued with an exaggerated sigh. "Prince Trunks lived in luxury in that mansion in the heart of the city with maids, tutors, groundskeepers, the works - while I had to survive off the earth with my broke father and saint of an adoptive mother." He pressed his fist to his heart. "She raised me like I was her own son."

She was speechless, seemingly overwhelmed by the intense life story so openly shared when Trunks finally burst into laughter. "You're a fucking moron, Goten. The ridiculous thing is a good chunk of that is actually true"

Camille began to giggle too, face turning red. "Oh thank God, I was really starting to think there was some scandalous secret buried deep within Briefs' halls." The two halflings exchanged a knowing glance, each beginning to laugh even harder.

"Oh, just give me a second. I'm meant to be meeting some girlfriends." She put up a finger and swivelled on her heel, trotting to a group of ladies on the other side of the room.

"She's cute," Goten voiced, watching as she departed.

"Indeed."

The younger hybrid raised an eyebrow. "Have you?"

Trunks squinted in disapproval. "You know I don't shit in my nest... Anymore. Those kind of shenanigans stop being kosher when you're their boss. Knock yourself out though, you're starting to get rusty. I want to see if you've still got it."

"I'm trying to be a good boy these days," he responded, still observing her.

"Yeah, I've noticed." The heir snorted once more. "Bring out the old Goten for change. We haven't let loose in a while."

He seemed to be considering the idea while he watched brunette return.

"Excuse me, sir." The bartender spoke up behind them, causing both to turn their heads. "I'm afraid smoking isn't permitted within the building," he explained diplomatically. "I'll have to ask that you step outside if you're going to continue."

Trunks pressed into the bar, pushing himself up, and gave his friend a thumbs up. He offered Camille a nod before strolling towards the exit.

Since I'm out here already, may as well have another.

After checking his emails and making a few calls, he finished his smoke and headed back inside, only mildly surprised to see that neither his friend nor his employee was in sight. He tracked the younger man's ki to the supply closet near the toilets, a dry smirk appearing on his sharp features. This mother fucker.

After a few minutes, his underling slipped out, pulling at her skirt. He turned away to save her the inevitable embarrassment of knowing her boss had just seen her hook-up with his friend in a stuffy storage room. Goten appeared next to him a while later, reeking of sin.

"How'd she taste?" Trunks wiped the side of his fellow halfling's mouth with his thumb, eliciting a smug grin.

"Very nice. One of the nicest I've had in a while, in fact."

"Is that so?" Trunks cocked a lavender brow, silently wondering if he should bend the rules just this once. "That reminds me, I don't think I've ever asked who your favourite was? I know you're a fucking fiend when it comes to this sort of thing."

He heard a sudden intake of breath, causing him to glance at the hybrid curiously. A faint redness appeared on Goten's cheeks. "You don't know her."

"Just follow Goten," Trunks instructed, encapsulating his car. "He knows the way." The heir and his fellow hybrid had just returned from a long-anticipated night out, chasing their youth. Trunks had been itching for an evening of mayhem for a while and had a hard time twisting his friend's arm to revisit their glory days. He seemed to be coming around a bit more easily lately, much to the prince's satisfaction.

The four of them made their way around the back of the house towards the footpath for his own residence. He saw the younger hybrid spot his sister, head twisting as he passed the living room. Thankfully, she didn't seem to notice the four of them, too distracted, no doubt, by her own boyfriend.

"Make yourselves comfortable," Trunks spoke once they entered through his front door. "I just need to grab a few things. Goten, give me a hand, won't you?" He requested, heading straight for the kitchen. Reaching for his overhead cupboards, he scratched through each one fruitlessly. Bottom ones then? He squatted down for some more searching. Nope.

"What are you looking for?" Goten queried.

"I haven't gotten around to buying any glasses for this place yet. I thought I might have at least four, but all I have is that." He pointed to a single tumbler near his sink.

"Hah!"Goten chortled. "What do you expect when all your hydration comes from a beer bottle?"

"I might grab some from the main house," Trunks decided, already walking through the archway.

"I'll join you," the younger hybrid offered, coming up behind him. "I swear you never have enough to snack on in your place. We're still growing boys, you know."

"Oh if I know you, I'm sure you'll be eating plenty later tonight," the heir jested, closing the door behind them as they wandered over to the larger dwelling.

"Quick, put your clothes back on!" Goten exclaimed, throwing his palm over his eyes once they stepped in through the living room sliding door, eliciting laughter from the two occupants. "Trunks is too young for nudity."

"You can open your eyes, Goten," Bulla giggled, pulling his arm down. "Everything is totally G-rated."

Trunks headed straight for the kitchen, uninterested in wasting any more time than he had to. "Hey, man." He greeted the raven-haired boyfriend of his sister currently at the sink helping himself to a glass of water while the heir shuffled through the cupboards.

"Evening, Trunks," Jett returned, leaning against the granite bench top. "How are things going at Capsule Corp.? Any updates on that new engine you were telling me about?"

"Actually yes." The lavender-haired halfling put down the four glasses, giving the aspiring engineer his full attention. "Gohan mentioned it's nearly ready for the first stages of trialling. If all goes well, you can expect to see the first batch being included in some luxury CC aircars as soon as next year. Limited supply, of course."

"Sweet," the student nodded. "Who's Gohan? Someone high up, I take it?"

"Oh," Trunks paused. "Bulla's never mentioned him? He's head of R&D. We should introduce you two sometime. He's a pretty close friend of the family. Goten's older brother, in fact." He pointed to the aforementioned demi-Saiyan, causing both men to transfer their gaze to the two halflings in the living area.

Bulla was currently doubled-over in laughter while Goten grinned down at her, arms outstretched. "Stop moving," he chuckled. "I didn't even get it."

"Okay fine." She wiped a tear. "Try not to assault me this time." She straightened her back and tilted her face up while he stepped into her bubble and angled his own head downward, bringing it right to hers while he cradled her jaw with his left hand and squinted.

What are those two clowns up to?

In his peripheral vision, Trunks could see the youngest of the three men furrowing his brow and rubbing the back of his neck at the strange interaction.

"Okay, I found it," Goten muttered. "Keep still." He brought his free hand up to her cheek before carefully lowering his thumb and index finger.

"Ah!" She whined when he seemingly jabbed her in the eye.

"Got it." He brought his forefinger up to inspect the tip before returning it to the heiress. "Make a wish."

She blew the rogue eyelash away before both hybrids turned the face the audience they'd unknowingly gathered.

"That guy's brother is head of research and development at the Capsule Corporation?" Jett uttered, barely veiling his disbelief.

"Yep." Trunks rocked onto the balls of his feet and lowered back down to his heel. "I'd say he takes after his father, mostly."

"Now it's your guys' turn." The blonde, Ruby, inclined her wine glass at the two men on the three-seater.

"You can't be serious," Trunks replied, a small frown beginning to form.

"It's only fair," her darker-haired friend, Pippa, agreed, leaning into the back of the loveseat the two ladies had claimed at the start of the evening. Both were wearing nothing more than their delicates while the two men remained fully-clothed. "You just watched us make out for a full minute."

"And what a show that was," Goten grinned from the heir's left.

"It's not our fault we're better at this game than you are," Trunks countered, causing both girls to gasp in faux-offence. "I'm not doing this."

"They've been good sports all night." Goten elbowed him lightly, clutching his beer. "We should return the favour."

"Then we can return the favour some other way." Trunks folded his arms. "I refuse to kiss you."

The dark-haired demi-Saiyan turned to face him. "It's not that big of a deal, man. We've done way worse together."

"Not with each other!" He blurted, throwing out his hands. Goten shuffled closer to him along the sofa. "No. Don't look at me like that." He leaned away, merely eliciting a curled lip from the younger fighter and two sets of giggles from the other side of his living area.

Goten placed his drink on the coffee table and gripped the back of the couch with his right hand, kneeling into the cushion as he edged closer to the prince.

"Fuck off." Trunks warned, bringing his hands up between them.

Over the years, Trunks had learned that there were many things he was better at than his younger counterpart. Playing gay chicken was not one of them.

"What's the matter?" Goten teased, words mildly slurred. "Worried you're gonna like it?" This only caused the two women to laugh harder. Goten was now almost fully on top of the CC heir, while Trunks extended his neck as far away from his friend as he could.

"I swear if I feel your mouth anywhere near me, I will go super and beat the ever living shit out of you. AHH!" He frantically rolled off the sofa, sending both warriors tumbling to the floor. "Was that your fucking dick I just felt on my leg?!"

The dark-haired halfling finally broke, roaring with laughter as he pushed himself off the petrified heir and joined the two cackling women on the loveseat. "Relax, bro." He plunged his hand into his pants pocket and pulled out his cell, tossing it onto the carpet near Trunks' head. "It was just my phone."

Trunks closed his eyes, heart still thumping against his rib cage when he felt someone above him. Cautiously opening a single teal orb, a smirk cracked on his face when he found a gorgeous, half-naked blonde straddling his hips. Instinctively, his hands floated to her waist and glided up to her bra-covered breasts. He pushed himself up, bringing one to his mouth as he pulled at the lace fabric. She gasped in surprise when he suddenly squeezed at her middle and stood himself up, crushing his lips to her own, while he carried her towards the stairs.

Casting a single glance to the loveseat, Trunks confirmed that his fellow hybrid was currently shedding his own clothes while he partook in the brunette. She would have been my first choice, he considered for a fleeting second. Doesn't really matter though. We'll probably swap later anyway.

"So how is she?" Trunks asked, loosening his cuffs as he sat down with a chilled bottle in his living room. He had just returned from an unexpectedly late night at the office and was only too happy to have company on a miserable winter's evening like tonight. He was relieved to sense his best friend's ki in the main house when he finally made it home, no doubt keeping his sister's mind off her recent break-up. Turning on the TV for background noise, Trunks observed his fellow halfling, waiting for a response.

"She's hurting," Goten answered, wiping his palm over his stubbled cheek in consideration. "But I think she'll be okay."

"Good," the older of the two men responded before taking a swig.

"Why don't you talk to her yourself?" The dark-haired demi-Saiyan voiced, leaning his elbows to his knees while he sat on the adjacent loveseat. "I think she'd appreciate it."

"Nah, man," Trunks sighed. "I can't talk to her about this sort of thing. It's too weird."

"How is it weird?"

"You know how hard I find it being open with her. Plus, I just don't want to go opening that can of worms, you know?" The lavender-haired halfling frowned. "It's inevitably going to end up down some road where she starts asking about my own experiences, and I never want her to even get so much as a whisper about that shit."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," the younger of the two mumbled.

Both hybrids went quiet as each, presumably, recalled a few particularly shameful memories.

"She's a sweet girl." Goten was the first to finally break the silence. "It's hard seeing her like that."

"She is sweet," Trunks agreed before letting out a heavy breath. "Only you can understand why I spend so much time worrying about someone taking advantage of that." He brought his feet up and rested his back against the arm of the sofa.

"I'm glad you could be there for her tonight," the heir added. "And do for her what I can't."

Post-chapter notes:

That was certainly one of my bigger updates.

Favourite parts, if any? Mine was picturing Goten accidentally stabbing Bulla in the eye just before Trunks happens to look over at them in the lounge, hahaha. The grace of a swan, I tell you.

As always, I'm ever eager to hear your thoughts. Any revelations? Or just new observations? Regardless, consider letting me in on them :) You'd be surprised how useful it is!