I hope none is too oc, I actually had a hard yet fun time writing this chapter. I had to cut the chapter in half cuz it was getting to long. Anyway thanks for the reviews, follows and favorites! P.s should move this story into the Justice League section?
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
"Look how handsome you grown! You're going to be a ladies killer just like your Father."
Dick felt his cheeks heat as Panchy Briefs pinched his cheeks and cooed at him like a baby. Bruce was on the sidelines, smirking at him. 'Bastard.'
"Mother, let him go." Bulma said exasperated.
"But I haven't seen him in long." Mrs. Briefs whined, but thankfully let him go.
Dick hurried and got out of the blond's reach.
The Gotham duo just arrived at Capsule Corp on the Wayne's private jet. It took some last minute calls to rearrange his schedule so he'll be free for the next day or so. Black Canary was watching Gotham for them ( that actually took a lot of begging on Dick part), for once the boy wonder wanted to enjoy a party without it getting cut short to go save the world.
"I'm sure you boys must be hungry. Why don't you go freshen up and I'll put some sandwiches." The blond said before trotting off into the kitchen.
"You got a little something on your face." Bulma said with a grin.
Both Mentor and Student wiped off the pink lipstick on their cheek with an annoyed, embarrassed expression. Panchy got to Bruce earlier.
"Where's Trunks?" Dick asked.
"He's getting ready. You should too. The party's starting soon." Bulma said. "I trust you know where your room is?"
The kid gave her a mock salute before running up the stairs.
There has been times where the duo has stayed over in the past so they know their way around.
The heiress grabbed the playboy before he could follow his son. "Listen Bruce, I want you to have fun. Be yourself. None of that stupid persona you put out to the public." She said seriously, looking deep into his eyes.
The word fun was an alien context to him. He hasn't had real fun since he was a kid. If it was anyone else, he'll brush them off with an inane smile or a scowl. But this was Bulma. She doesn't take no for an answer, and she's one of the people that knew him before his… tragedy.
It was annoying.
"I'll try." He grunted at her.
She smiled. "Good." She patted his arm and letting him go, she headed up the stairs.
Of course she's happy. She's not the one at an unwanted party. Snorting, he followed her up the stairs to his room.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
After a while, with no sign of Dick (he's probably up to no good or stuffing himself), Bruce made his way down the stairs. He was dressed casually instead of wearing one of his suits.
He did say he'll try.
He followed the sound of voices towards the kitchen, stomach growling. He hasn't eaten anything since yesterday, so he'll be taking Mrs. Briefs offer of sandwiches. The billionaire stopped at the threshold of the kitchen, staring.
There, sitting at that table was Clark Kent. He was eating a sandwich as he talked casually with the older blond and Bulma. This was unexpected but not surprising. It was the heiress birthday and news companies around the world wanted an interview. Of course it had to be Clark.
His stomach growled again, alerting everyone to his presence … Well Clark probably already knew he was there.
"Well someone's hungry." Bulma said with a teasing smile.
"Sit, my little Bruce while I get you a sandwich. Hopefully it'll last you until the catering service are done setting up." Panchy said as she grabbed him and forcedly sat him at the table across from Clark.
The reporter face was impassive, but his eyes were smirking at the playboy. 'My little Bruce?' those eyes seemed to say.
Bruce glared at him.
"I'm sure you guys already met, but this is Clark Kent. He was interviewing me before Mother invited him to the party." The blue haired woman had an annoyed look for her mother as the blond came back to the table, carrying a platter of sandwiches that could feed an entire army.
"The poor dear traveled all this way to see you dear. The least we could do is invite him."
Both Bruce and Bulma rolled their eyes.
Clark looked between them, curiosity in his eyes. Bulma didn't notice the look, but Bruce did and he ignore it. It was none of his damn business.
They heard pounding footsteps before Trunks, Dick and another boy that looked just like Goku (must be his second son Goten. Bulma showed him a picture years ago) came running in.
"I smelt food!" Trunks declared as he snatched a sandwich from the tray and stuffed it into his mouth. Dick was going to do the same, but with a look from his Father, he ate the sandwich more normal.
"Happy Birthday Bulma." Goten greeted with a big innocent smile that reminded her of his Father that she felt a pang of nostalgia. She mussed his hair. "Thanks kiddo. Where's your Mother?"
"She's in the back. She couldn't resist making food, so she made one of your favorite dishes." He responded.
Bulma rolled her eyes in exasperated. "Of course she did. After I told her I had it covered." She muttered leaving the kitchen, her mother following her.
That left the kids with the other two adults. Goten zero in on the food; Bruce, Dick and Clark watched in mild horror as the kid ate three sandwiches in one go.
Trunks wasn't fazed in the least, instead he was staring at Clark with curiosity. "Hey, are you a martial artist?"
The reporter arched an eyebrow at the question, surprised. That wasn't really a question most people asked him, mostly they'll ask if he works out (can't hide the muscles no matter how much he tries). Martial arts is mostly Bruce forte. He does know Kryptonian Martial Arts, but the kid doesn't need to know that. "No, I'm just a reporter."
Trunks looked skeptical. "Suure. With a power level like that." He muttered, distastefully.
Clark got the grammar, but he didn't get the content of the sentence. Power level?
The Gotham duo eyes widened for a quick second before it was cover with impassive face expressions. Bruce has heard rumors of martial artists that can sense ki, the living force, around them but he never achieved it, nor has he met anyone who has.
Until now.
He should've known. Bulma is a genius and her husband is a martial artist so of course her son would achieved ki sensing.
"Trust me Trunks, Mr. Kent is not that strong. He trips over everything and gets mugged every other week." Dick said with a practice eye roll.
"Laaame." The purple haired boy commented, losing interest.
Clark felt kinda offended with the picture Dick was painting of him, but it was true and it got Trunks to stop asking questions.
"Come on guys, I'll show you something really cool." The kids ran out, finishing the last of the sandwiches.
Bruce was glad that the Dick was getting along with the other kids. Trunks and Dick was always close; the purple haired boy looked up to him like an older brother. Goten and Dick just met but it seemed they were friends for years.
"Well that was interesting." Clark commented.
"Be careful around him. He could discover your secret." The billionaire warned.
"I'm sure it's not so serious." The reporter laughed the warning off.
Bruce gave him a look. This is why he gets broken ribs following after this super idiot. Clark is to over confident, sometimes he should fly on the ground to see how the normal people live.
"Come along dears, everyone has arrived." Panchy said coming back to the kitchen.
Odd, they didn't hear any cars.
She held out a hand to Clark and being the Boy Scout he was, he took the elder briefs hand and escorted her to the back yard, Bruce trailing behind them.
"You're way more handsome in real life than tv, Mr. Kent." She said feeling his muscles on his arms.
He flushed.
Bruce scoffed inwardly. You can take the man out of Kansas, but you can't take Kansas out of the man.
The party was in full swing when they stepped outside. Food stations and buffets were set up everywhere with waiters on hand. Bulma was sitting like a queen under a gazebo, surrounded by her friends- was that a green person next to her?!
The two superheroes was staring at that the alien in purple in surprise, tensing.
"What's the matter dear? Are you sick?" Mrs. Brief's voice snapped the two out of their thoughts. She looked to where they were staring at Piccolo and patted Clark's arm. "Don't worry, that's just Piccolo. He's really sweet." The blond said blithely.
The two men shared a look at the tone. It spoke of fondness.
"I see." Clark said good naturally while his thoughts were processing as he continue to escort her to her husband.
Bruce went over to the group surrounding Bulma, grabbing a glass from a passing waiter's tray. He wasn't going to drink, but he had to blend in.
"Bulma, everyone would like to wish you a happy birthday!" Gohan said, rising his glass, everyone doing the same as they echoed the young man.
Bulma preened like a queen.
While everyone was distracted with the heiress, Bruce observed the Piccolo. The people around him wasn't afraid, they were just casually talking to him. The female genius always use to tell him stories about befriending an alien and marrying one, but he always tuned her out. He always thought she was pulling his leg or making fun of the aliens running around being superheroes. Maybe he should listen to her more…
"WHAT?!"
The playboy winched at the loud screeched.
"What do you mean he's not coming?!" the birthday girl yelled.
"He's training with King Kai." Gohan said refilling her champagne glass.
She growled. "I sent the guy a save the date six months ago. Urgh! Even Bruce came and he's such a workaholic." Her eyes connected to his when he came to stand in front of her.
Gohan widened his eyes in surprise. He hasn't seen this man since he was a child.
Piccolo gave the billionaire a cursory glance and looked away, losing interest.
"You didn't give me a choice." He said deadpanned.
She struck her tongue out at him. Sometimes she still act like a child around him.
"It's good to see you again Mr. Wayne." The scholar said, the manners his mother taught him shining through.
"Likewise." The playboy said with a genuine smile. The kid was always polite when he met him. An arm wrapped around his shoulder.
"Hey Bruce! I haven't seen you in a while. "
Though he tensed at the contact, he gave a polite smile. "Yes it has Yamcha. How are things?" The baseball player didn't know how close he was to getting punched in the face. Some things are knee jerk reactions. Yamcha didn't seem to notice. Unlike with Bulma, he does see the martial artist from time to time. The baseball player is a humanitarian, funding the construction after a Justice League battle. Plus the guy is a big flirt and some of the parties Bruce is invited to, he's there as well.
"Same old, same old. I'm surprised you didn't bring a date." The scar man said, wiggling his eyebrows.
"I told him he could, but I guess he's afraid I'll scare them off." Bulma said, twirling her wine glass. It would seem she switch the champagne for wine.
Both Yamcha and Bruce gave the birthday girl a look.
"That was one time!" she said with a flush.
"Yeah and the poor girl probably still have nightmares to this day." Yamcha deadpanned.
The blue haired woman rolled her eyes and walked away towards two women.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Piccolo felt eyes on him. He looked from where he was observing the party (and Gohan) to the source. He connected with blue eyes behind the glasses. It was that Kryptonian, who tries to pass off as human. He was focusing intensely on the namekian.
Piccolo was use to people staring so it didn't bother him. What was interesting was the fact that the Kryptonian came up to him and held out a hand. "Clark Kent, reporter from the Daily Planet."
The green skinned alien ignored the hand. "Is there something I can help you with?" he asked straight to the point.
Clark retracted the hand with a small frown, but Piccolo attitude didn't deter him. "How long have you know Bulma Briefs?"
"Long enough."
"Where did you meet?"
"Tournament."
"Can I quote you on that Mr. Piccolo?"
Piccolo stayed silent, not interested in the conversation.
"Okay than, thank you for your time." Clark said politely. He started to walk away.
"Why do you hide among humans?"
The question froze Clark for a quick second, caught off guard. But only for a split second. He turned back to the green skinned alien with a blank expression. "I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean. Shouldn't that be a question you should be asking yourself?"
Piccolo frowned for a moment. "I don't hide what I am. Unlike you." He said it with such disgust.
Clark glowered at him, the remark irritating him for some reason. There was no way this man could know he was Superman. That sometimes he feels lonely, even with family and friends, for being the strongest man on Earth.
"Hey Clark! Come over here and take a picture of us." Bulma called out, a slur to her words.
He snapped out of the staring contest he was having and went over towards Bulma and her lady friends. As he took pictures, he felt eyes on the back of his head, observing and judging him.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Bruce could tell instantly that something was bothering Clark from far away. Outward appearance, he seemed like he was enjoying himself, but he saw the pinched eyebrows and the too tight grip on his camera. The playboy wondered what the green skinned alien said to make the Boy Scout upset; he'll find out later.
Right now he was listening to Yamcha, Krillin and Tien yammering on. It would be suspicious if he left the conversation to go talk to a reporter he 'barely' knows.
"Oh Vegeta, you finally showed up."
The name made Bruce flinched.
Wonderful.
He was wondering when her surly husband was going to show up. The playboy spotted the spiky haired man sitting on a rock formation, looking annoyed to be here. He didn't even try to hide his feelings. Bulma was nagging at him in a way that gets under your skin. Bruce's been on the receiving end to many times to count.
"SHUT UP!"
The party went dead for a moment before everyone turned away from the couple arguing.
Bulma glared at him. "What crawled up your butt? Jerk!" She took a sip of her wine, stomping away. She didn't notice the anxious, panicky expression on his face.
Now that struck Bruce as odd. He only met Vegeta once and that was enough for him for a life time, but from what he remembers about him is the man is always overconfident. It was like nothing scared him. So to see that expression on the Spiky haired man's face was odd.
He had a really bad feeling about this.
Suddenly, Vegeta hopped up and looked around. His eyes looked freaked.
At the corner of Bruce's eyes he saw Clark zero in on something. The reporter politely excused himself from a conversation with Gohan's wife and disappeared. While that was happening, Vegeta hopped around, looking under tables, plates, in the brushes. It was really weird. The bad feeling he had, mounted.
Then the playboy billionaire got the shock of his life when Vegeta started hovering in the air. What? He really needed to start paying attention to what Bulma said from now on.
"I always knew he'll go nuts eventually." Krillin said from besides him, his daughter shouting in joy.
Vegeta focus on something behind all the palm trees and the expression he made instantly made Bruce go on alert.
Something was about to happen….
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Plz review!