A/N:
Sorry for the wait everybody, life had me by the horns! TP4Life thanks for the nudge! This story will have an ending, and I have learned to manage my time better so, without further ado, here you go.
:*: A Simmering Romance? :*:
The moon hid behind the dark, heavy clouds as Christmas Eve commenced into the early night. Bra was cold, shivering in her thick white coat as Goten lead the way through the acres of trees in his parent's backyard. They had spent the day drinking coco and sharing old stories with his parents, reminiscing on the past and catching them up on their current school life. Goten and his father soon disappeared to cut lumber for the fireplace, leaving Bra to help Chichi in the kitchen for lunch and dinner.
Bra didn't realize how poor of a chef she was until that day, but Chichi was very patient and informative. She understood that Bra didn't have the same responsibilities and opportunites to learn from her own parents like her own kids did. She enjoyed teaching the girl and feeling needed again.
After dinner, Goten told Bra to dress warm and led her out of the house and around the back to their open hillside filled with trees. Just through the thick was a small, open space where Goten knelt down to light a flame that soon ignited a warm firepit.
"Rain hasn't hit yet so I figured we ought to take advantage of the night while we can." He perched himself onto a log that he and his father had chopped down earlier.
"You just made this area today?" Bra asked, holding her hands up to the fire to defrost them. There were two logs on both sides of the fire. She wasn't sure which one she was supposed to sit on; next to Goten or across from him? What was his intention by putting two logs? She quietly groaned in her throat. She hated that women always analyzed things like this and couldn't just go with the flow.
"Here, have a seat." He inched over, not much since he had already made space for her next to him.
Bra did so, grateful that he had made the decision for her.
"Yeah, my dad and I recently started coming out to sit when I come home from school but the weather ruined the lumber we had here so we chopped some fresh ones down today. I figured you might be going crazy after hanging out with my mom all day, sorry about that."
"No! Don't be sorry, I had a great time with her. She taught me a lot. Actually, I kind of have a confession to make..."
Goten rested his forearms onto his knees, gazing at her while she hesitated.
"I... I'm not the best cook... We never really had to worry about fending for ourselves growing up, there was somebody there to cook for us... I know it's embarrassing, women should know how to do these things-" Bra was cut off by a cackle of laughter next to her.
She was genuinely embarrassed, this Goten just had to laugh at. "You're embarrassed of that? Cooking isn't a woman's job anymore, it's the 21st century Bra, come on now. I can cook, but that's because we come from two different backgrounds. We had to feed ourselves, and someone served you. Don't be ashamed of it. You excell in places where others lack. We all have pull in some areas, can't be great at everything."
Their eyes rested on the fire for a brief silent moment. "That's one thing I love about you." Bra spoke barely above a whisper, a small, shy smile on her lips. She knew his eyes were on her again, but she was too bashful to gaze back. "You're so... so real. You're honest, you come from a great family, have a strong backbone, you don't depend on others... And you're one of the sweetest people I know..." She fumbled with her fingers now, staring downward as she felt the heat rushing to her cheeks.
"I'm one of the sweeetest people you know?" He scoffed. "I've been an ass to you these past six months. We were both going through a tough time and I made things even worse for you by taking it out on you."
"That's all in the past now. Friends fight. It happens. Just look at us now. Sitting at a campfire getting all sappy with each other." She laughed while a grin spread onto his face.
"You're an amazing girl, Bra. And your brother's a great guy. He's standing by Pan no matter what. Your fight's not over yet. If you ever need someone, my door's always open."
His dark eyes fixed on hers, his face relaxed, consoling. She averted her face downwards once again, she could defnitely feel her hot cheeks now. The moment was so perfect. Her heart was racing... She didn't know if she was being paranoid or if his face was actually moving closer to hers. Bra, you're being so damn awkward! At least look at him!
Goten rested a hand behind him, turning his upper body towards her. She was nervous. He was actually making her nervous. He felt like a dick, but he found amusement in this. Someone that had made him feel so insecure and unsure of himself these past few months, years, was actually crumbling just being in his presence.
"Bra Briefs," He said with a chuckle in his throat, combing her hair behind her ear with his free hand until she finally raised her face to meet his.
"Am I interrupting something?"
Jerked out of the moment, both of them turned behind them toward the gruff voice.
"Dad!" Bra jumped to her feet, throwing her arms around the man standing in the clearing of the trees.
"Told you they'd be out here." Goku appeared beside him, Goten soon joining the small group.
"What're you doing here? Is everything okay?" Bra's voice immediately fled with worry.
"Everything's fine. Just thought I'd come by and drop some things off for you. Had to check in since you weren't answering my calls."
Bra checked her pockets. "Sorry, must've left it inside."
"Don't be sorry. I trust that you'll be having a safe Christmas here." He peered behind her, narrowing his eyes at Goten as he put emphasis on the word safe.
Goten blushed as Goku nudged him with an outburst of laughter.
"Dad, I'll be okay."
Vegeta frowned at her waivering emotion on the word 'okay'. He wasn't one for emotions, and he wasn't about to have a Full House moment explaining to her that everything will get better. "It's not our traditional Christmas, but we'll make the most of it." He cleared his throat. "Brat, take good care of her." His attention turned to Goten.
"Dont worry, I will."
Vegeta was slightly regretful that he had interrupted at the time he did. Regardless of what his wife thought, he thought the Son boy would make a great mate for his daughter. He was ambitious, and finally had his head on straight after the years of junior high and high school shenanigans he and Trunks had endured.
"You're leaving already?" Bra asked solemnly.
"I have one more stop to make." Bra knew he was referring to Trunks at Gohan's house.
"Don't worry, Bra. I'll make sure he comes by tomorrow, at least for dinner." Goku chimed in.
"Goodnight, Dad. Love you." She gave him one final squeeze.
In that one squeeze, Goten could see the pain in her father's eyes as he cringed them shut, saying goodbye to his daughter on Christmas Eve, without even one message to give to his daughter from her mother. Nothing was 'fine' like Vegeta had told her earlier, this Goten could see from just a father's grave hug to his daughter.
The two young adults stood and watched as Goku and Vegeta made their departure.
Great timing, Vegeta... Goten rolled his eyes as he scratched the back of his head. Was I actually going to kiss her? He didn't notice he was staring until she folded her arms and turned away from him, facing the trees around them.
"May I ask why you're staring at me?" She still couldn't face him.
"Oh, sorry. I think too much sometimes. Did you want to go inside? You look a little flustered..."
Bra huffed, and without answering began stomping the way towards the house.
xXxXxXx
"Jenga!" Videl joyfully called out as the wooden block tower collapsed to the coffee table.
Pan groaned in defeat for the third time that evening. "Dad you're leaning in too close! Your breath is making it fall over whenever it's my turn!"
Gohan and Trunks stifled their laughter. "In my defense, your stomach does bump the table from time to time." Gohan pointed out.
Pan's eyes immediately dropped to her growing bump, her hands measuring it's extension to determine just how much it was interfering.
"Pan don't listen to him. He's just afraid to lose to his unborn grandson." Videl elbowed Gohan teasingly. Amidst the friendly debate, the voices ceased when three knocks sounded from the door.
"Hm, it's almost 9:30, who would be visiting this late?" Gohan peered at his watch as he made his way to the foyer. The three sitting around the table sat and waited with curiosity, listening in on the muffled voices making their way back to them.
"And to what do we owe this pleasure?" Videl greeted Trunks' father with a warm smile.
Trunks rose to his feet, surprised by his father's arrival, then worry settled in. Something must have happened. "Dad, is everything okay?"
Vegeta peered around the room, briefly glancing at the large green christmas tree adorned in ornaments and bows, presents surrounding its base, then returned his eyes to his son. "It's Christmas eve for crying out loud, is it wrong for a father to visit his children?"
Videl rose frrom her seat. "Vegeta, have a seat, I just warmed up some tea."
"No thanks, I won't be staying long."
"How about some saki?" Gohan inquired with a half smirk, knowing damn well Vegeta enjoyed some good saki.
"Well, maybe a few minutes won't kill me." Vegeta took a seat at the short end of the coffee table adjacent to Pan and Videl.
Videl soon re-emerged with four cups of saki for everyone, except for Pan of course.
Before he knew it, Vegeta was in the middle of a Jenga match conversing with the group about his visit to Goku's house and work.
"How's mom?" Trunks asked, noting his father hadn't brought up life at home.
Vegeta slowly pulled out the wooden block, trying ever so carefully not to collapse the tower. He grunted as he successfully completed his turn. "Do you think your mother is weak? Do you think she has never bounced back from failure? " Vegeta took a sip of his saki, avoiding eye contact with the others. "She's fine. She misses you and your sister, I know she does. Just give her time."
Underneath the table, Pan placed a reassuring hand on Trunks' knee as the atmosphere thickened. She and the others could tell that he was not convinced by his father's words.
Conversation soon eased up as Videl spoke about the local news, a topic for the more mature adults.
Pan rested her head against Trunks' shoulder, wanting to ease his worries but knew that she couldn't.
"Are you tired?" He kissed the top of her head, nuzzling his nose into her hair. He felt her nod her head.
The adult's conversation eased as they saw Trunks help Pan to her feet.
"Sorry to cut the night short, we're going to get some rest now. Great to see you, dad."
Vegeta stood and simply nodded. "Get some rest, brats. Merry Christmas."
"Goodnight, Vegeta." Pan grinned, after all these years, he still referred to them as brats.
After performing their pre-bed hygiene rituals, Trunks held Pan's body close to his in the warmth of her sheets and comforter. They both laid there in silence, her fingers gliding against the skin of his hand, both of them listening to the muffled voices still downstairs as Vegeta stayed just a while longer to visit the Sons.
Pan lazily reached for her phone as her text notification sounded.
"Who's that from?" Trunks asked, wondering who would still be up this late.
Pan opened the message. It was a picture of Goten and Bra with goofy facial expressions with a 'Merry Christmas!' caption.
"Bra's with Goten tonight?" Trunks asked. She had told him she was going to Marron's.
"Yeah, I guess so. That's Goten's bedroom in the background."
Pan sent back "Merry Christmas! Is Marron with you?"
Bra: "No, I'll explain later. And don't tell my brother, it's not what you think!
Trunks and Pan chuckled. "Yeah Trunks, it's not what we think... What do we think about Goten and Bra together on Christmas Eve?"
Trunks thought for a moment. "We think that Goten is a hell of a lot more caring than he lets on."
Pan smiled. While Trunks thought of this as an act of friendship, Pan thought there was a lot more romance simmering in the pot. She made a mental note to bug them about it tomorrow.
xXxXxXx
Bra tossed her phone to the foot of the bed, assuming Pan had fallen asleep since she hadn't received a text message back. She returned to sneaking a glance at Goten who sat against his headboard, continuing his sketch on Bra's make-believe restaurant he had only found out about since he went through her notebook earlier that day in Nagoya.
"Keep scowling at me, and I'll give you the most inaccessible kitchen a restaurant could have."
Bra laughed. "I'm not scowling at you. Just watching."
His hand glided so gracefully across the sketchpad, the only sound in the room being the pencil scratching against the surface. "Not a final draft, but I think it gives you a general idea." He flipped the pad over to her possession.
She gazed over the result in awe. "Goten, this is amazing... You really are talented at this, no wonder Valese's dad sees you as an asset."
Goten cringed at the mention of his most recent ex. Her father was the district head of the architectural department, the main reason why he had such a hard time breaking up with her.
"Seeing as how it's past midnight, here."
Before she could look up, a wrapped box bounced off her chest and to the pad. "Good aim, perve."
He laughed. "Honest mistake." He rubbed his hands nervously as she eyed the gift, not yet opening it. "Is something wrong?"
"I didn't get you anything..." Every year the Z teens shopped for each other, but due to her lack of funds and time, she hadn't had the resources to do her Christmas shopping.
"Are you kidding me? You kept me company on Christmas Eve. What guy could want more than that?"
She chuckled at his exaggerated tone as she slowly tore the paper from the small, long box and removed the lid. Her eyes lit up at the elegant silver necklace inside, an archery bow and arrow at its center. "Goten, it's absolutely beautiful."
He watched as she wrapped her hands around her neck to clasp it closed. "Yeah, it really is..." He said barely above a whisper, his focus on her rather than the necklace.
Their late-night ended as they proceeded to watch the Christmas specials on the television, eventually falling asleep atop the covers on separate sides of his bed. She didn't know what the necklace meant, if it even meant anything for that matter, but that didn't stop her heart from fluttering that night as her senses swam in his scent, his gift dangling above her heart.