AN: Final chapter and it's over. I'll be finishing quite a few of my fics. Everyone's upset because I take so long. I'm sorry. I'm doing my best really but now that I'm done with this one, it's okay! Please enjoy this fic and try out my other ones. They're older and probably not very good, but they get better as you read. My best and proudest fic is What Training Can Lead To. It's long and not great in the beginning but I think you guys might like it. Oh well. On with the fic!

Disclaimer: All rights reserved.

Your Sad Smile (Three)

It was Friday afternoon and I couldn't help but feel elated. I was working with Trunks in the bakery and it was pretty slow, thankfully. The few customers that I had tended to were stragglers, looking for something to quench their sweet tooth. None of the regulars had arrived but I didn't worry since most had visited only a few days ago. Instead, I was in the shop, Trunks by my side, as we talked about trivial things.

"She's really nice," I said as I prepared him for his meeting with Bra, "and I think you'll like her. She's a bit ditzy and kind of- actually really- into shopping but she's sweet. I know you'll get along."

"Really?" he asked. He raised a brow at me in a dramatic way, as if I was trying to embelish something so he would buy it, while an amused smirk graced his face. That gesture of a grin reminded me of his smile that had begun to morph while I was here. Instead of the sadness that usually touched it, I saw a slight tinge of sorrow and a glow of appreciation. Luckily, I was the only one who could notice it and it stole my breath away every time I did. I think I'm starting to sound like Marron when she talks about Uncle Goten, but I didn't even need that comparison right now.

But my mind was taken off the subject when I saw, distantly, a figure with cerulean hair, approaching the shop. I didn't even attempt to hide my wide smile, as I jumped over the counter and to the door. Trunks watched with that amused look again, but I ignored it and opted to open the door instead. Before Bra knew what hit her, I hugged her and she almost lost her balance from shock. She did, however, recover easily and hugged me back with her regular smile.

"I'm glad you made it!" I said, never able to wipe the smile off my face, as I stood before Bra. "I want you to meet my manager. His name is..."

I trailed off, noticing the stricken look that Bra had on her features. Her bag cluttered to the floor and I turned to Trunks. But, he was holding that same shocked expression, which had me looking between the two with a confused frown. What happened? Did I just miss something here?

"Onii-san..." Bra murmured and my eyes widened. I looked over to Trunks, who had looked away, head bowed in what could be anger or shame. I couldn't tell, since he refused to meet either of our gazes. Before I knew it, Bra had taken a few shaky steps to Trunks and was now facing him from across the counter.

From my position, I could see a small smile on Bra's lips, tears starting to curve around her eyes. I watched as she attempted to blink them away, but a few were able to get passed her defenses and slid down her cheeks. She lifted her hands to Trunks' neck and hugged him, or tried to, at least. His hands, which were resting on the table, cautiously went around Bra's smaller frame, and he returned it hesitantly. I watched as they stayed like that, feeling a little helpless.

In that moment, I never missed the small cries that escaped both of their lips.


"You're family and neither of you bothered to mention it to me," I whined, finally getting what happened, even though I had figured it out prior to their explanation. Still, that didn't help the fact that I was pissed. They were both hiding it and neither had the decency to tell me who exactly both of them were trying to hide from. It just didn't help anyone or anything. Take me and my sanity for instance.

"I told you that I couldn't tell anyone about Trunks. Our parents aren't, well..." Bra sighed and gave me that apologetic stare. She knew it wasn't working and added in the puppy-dog eyes to ease my irritation. I hated it! I could never win when these two were concerned. It was like someone was out to get me...

"And you know I don't really like talking about my family. Plesae try to understand, Pan. Neither of us planned to meet, especially like this," Trunks replied, and I knewI wouldn't win then. I hate the Briefs family. I couldn't say no to them, and, if I ever tried to, I'd end up losing more than my nerve. That kind of power should be banned from the world! I'm already wrapped around their fingers.

"Whatever," I said, taking in their apologies without much more fuss.

"Thank you, Panny!" Bra said, grabbing me and attempting to choke me to death. Great combination, you know. Let's just add insult to injury. But, to help make things worse, Trunks followed and caught us both in a hug. I was in the middle, the two siblings at my sides. I let out a laugh, though it was a bit strangled, but smiled anyway. I was glad to have them both with me, despite the misunderstanding.


Now, I'm sure you're expecting some kind of secret relationship, right? You know, the kind where I'm the messenger to help these two communicate. And, yeah, for a while, I was. We talked to each other and both inquired about the other through me. It's not that I minded much, but when it was starting to dominate the conversation, it was annoying. I don't mean to be selfish, but I really wanted to talk to both of them, not about them.

This did stop, of course, when Bra had decided to talk face-to-face with Trunks. Since he had been gone so long, she was trying to get him to come back to the family. I wouldn't be surprised if their family was already missing him, even if they denied it. They had so much pride, which was easily noticable through their children. So stubborn, refusing help even if it kills them. But that's how it is when a warrior and a scientist produce offspring.

Then, Trunks came to me about it.

My opinion shouldn't mean much. I mean, I'm just a family friend, you know? But he asked me if he should keep living his solitary life or return to his family. I knew it was pride that kept him there, in the bakery that we had gotten to know each other in. I think he wanted me to tell him to stay, so he wouldn't have to go back and face his mistake. However, I wasn't going to let him be here, unhappy and alone, just so he could relive memories that needed to remain in the past.

"Do you love them?" I asked, and he nodded, though somewhat hesitantly. I stood behind the counter, hands on my hips as if I was trying to punish him. Really, I was just trying to get through that abnormally thick skull of his.

"Then which means more? Your pride or your family?"

"My family," he answered, as if he was angered at the very idea of comparing the two, but if he wasn't so proud, we wouldn't be having this conversation. I sighed at his obvious display of irritation and patted his head as if he were a dog, making him swat my hand away. I smiled. I would miss that reaction when he left because he and I both knew what had to be done. He deserved to feel the love he left behind and find a new one to ease healing heart. I deserved a proper goodbye because,I knew, when he left, it would be for good.

I mean, what kind of CEO hangs out with a highschooler?

"Then you know what needs to be done," I said, cursing myself mentally. Playing the hero sucked, didn't it? Trying to be something you're not when, in reality, all you want to do is be selfish and tell him to stay because it means something to you. It wouldn't be fair to hold him back from his family, who deserted him as he did them. But the chance to repair that kind of feud was well-worth giving up our friendship, right?

He nodded as he smiled at me, the decision made and damage done. There was no turning back, and I accepted that. This self-pity could only last so long. I mean, I hardly know the guy, right? A few months of bonding can't possibly make me this sentimental, can it? But, as Trunks went to tend to another customer, I knew I was wrong. Time didn't matter, as long as what we said had meaning and good intentions. When did I get so weak because it was really annoying!

You know what else I learned that day?

From selfless love comes jealousy.


Within a few months, Trunks sold the bakery. The old couple who bought it were sweet and were also fond of the sweets found at the shop, since I knew they came in occasionally. They allowed me to keep my job, and I agreed, but I worked less, due to finals coming up. I'd be back for summer vacation and other holidays, as well as my part-time regimen. I wasn't about to let this shop crumble, not when Trunks left it to me.

He had packed up everything and left, giving me only a pat on the head and a 'Good luck.' What it was for, I wasn't sure. He just looked at me with that same smile, the one that had easily blind-sided me before, reflecting at me one last time. It was innocent, a small grin, but it struck me as different. The tinges of sadness that usually graced his tired eyes were... gone. The shine of the past had left and he looked relieved somehow, like he was finally at peace.

And, even though that was all that happened, I still remember that smile. I always will. I'm only sixteen; I have a life to live and I hope that, once I'm older, I'll find him again. Bra would always be there, to keep us in contact, but it wasn't the same. The playfulness of his eyes, the easygoing presence he exerted, people couldn't give me that. It was something that was meant for firsthand contact. Maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll run into him. Maybe not in that cheesy-romance-movie kind of way, but something realistic to give me hope.

In the end, I'll never forget the man with the smile that changed my world.

Owari?


AN: Not done! I have a small epilogue. It's almost all dialogue. If you want to read, then go for it. I hope this wasn't too rushed because I really haven't been writing Trunks/Pan much lately. I think I'm getting old... ((cries))


"Welcome to Sweet Smile! May I help you?"

"I see you're still faking your own smile, ne Pan?"

"And what exactly is... that... supposed to... mean...?"

"Aww... Is little Pan-chan too stunned to give me a hug?"

"You! You're...! You're..."

"What? Smart? Handsome? Great-"

"Trunks!"

"Yes, that it my name. I would have hoped you wouldn't forget."

"Baka! It's been forever! How are you? And what are you doing... here?"

"Can't I be here? I mean, this was my shop, you know."

"That's not what I meant and you know it!"

"I know... It's been a while. I think I missed you, Pan..."

"You think you did?"

"Hey! I'm trying to be honest here!"

"You're doing a horrible job, Trunks!"

"Pan, can I ask you something?"

"You just did."

"Pan!"

"Trunks!"

"Enough... Just do me a favor, okay?"

"... What is it?"

"Grow up..."

"What?"

"And become strong, so my parents won't have any reason to doubt you."

"... I-I don't-"

"You do understand, Pan. So, please."

"If you want me too, then fine. But don't think you're going to get out of meeting my family!"

A chuckle. "Fine then, Panny. I'll meet them when they're ready to meet me."

"... Okay."

He lowered his face to hers and placed a chaste kiss against her lips, her eyes wide. The blush didn't subside even when he pulled away, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. He grinned again and wrapped his arms around her, while Pan stood there in a confused, but content, daze.

"Remember. You promised."


AN: Done! Yay! I'm finishing a whole bunch of fics as of late. I think I'm on a writing spree. I just finished three fics! Go me! ((dances)). Well, I hope everyone enjoyed this fic and please reivew. No sequel because, unfortunately, I am not much of a T/P writer anymore. This was just for fun.

Well, till next time!

Much love,

Adobo-chan