When Spring Came

Chapter 1: Bang it Up (Inside)

AN: This came to me out of the blue, I had an itch to write it out.

Tonight, Marron Chestnut has decided against all odds that she was going to do it. She will finally confess her feelings to her childhood crush. After deliberating for weeks on the pros and cons, one thing had become abundantly clear…she would get absolutely nowhere at the rate at which things were going. Part of her wishes she had come to her decision sooner, however, there was always a small part of her that hoped these feelings would fade away into the sands of time…or that someone else would take hold of her heart.

Unfortunately for Marron, this has not been the case. The object of her affection has only grown more handsome, kinder, and even stronger than before; twenty years later and the 26-year-old was still as in love as the day the lightning bolt of love struck her.

It has been decided (by herself, mainly) that she would confess her feelings to him. Granted, she was not choosing the best occasion…his best friend was coming back after a 3 year trip out in space and she decided to utilize the event welcoming his return to confess her feelings. Yes, it was selfish. But isn't love selfish? The blonde's romantic heart has always guided her decisions in these scenarios.

Her close friends teased her for the grandiose plans that she concocted as if they came straight out of a cheesy romance novel. But to her, this was something far greater than cheesy romance…she wanted him to be struck, just like her. Become so infatuated and in love that she will not be pushed aside any longer. Was that too high of a demand for a girl so in love?

After all, what is more, romantic than a lofty declaration of love by a beautiful woman during the after-hours of a gala event? Yes, a Gala event. The Briefs, a multi-billionaire family that were close family friends, always hosted giant parties and events for any occasion. It just so coincided that he would be here too.

But there was fear rooted in her faulty logic and poorly planned actions, every failed attempt at confessing has ended in some disaster, and frankly, she wasn't sure if she was up for another mistake. Would he see her as a woman, or would he still look at her and see her as just a friend?

Her hair, which was usually pulled into two twin tails, was pulled back into a bun, her side bangs framing her face, her pearlescent dress snug on her body matched with an equally white satiny finished heels. She kept herself understated, as she always has, sporting minimal but glossy make-up.

She sat in the ballroom at the table labeled for her family, watching as familiar and unfamiliar faces flitted by her. Some were family friends, people who have known the Briefs for years – others were business partners with the company. But she didn't care for much of that…nor did she care for the formalities of rubbing elbows with the rich.

"You okay, sweetie?" A warm voice asked whilst a hand placed itself over hers. Marron looked over to her father a fake smile laced on her lips. "You've been on edge since 'ya got here…are the crowds a bit much–"

"Oh, no it's okay dad," Marron replied quickly, looking around. " Man, mom sure is taking a while with those drinks…" She clicked her tongue as she caught the tall and slender woman chatting with a certain blue-haired heiress. She really needed something to take the edge off…

"Marron!" The blonde looked up to two teenagers eyes bright. Bulla Briefs graced her presence with a chic and sparkly red dress that dragged ever so slightly on the floor. Her hair curled to perfection, she was nothing short of the envy of any girl her age. By her side, Pan Son, sporting a fitted women's tuxedo. Her jet-black hair stylishly split down the middle

"Hey, guys!" Marron exclaimed, "how are you guys?" It's been a couple of months since she last saw Bulla, she and her brother were as elusive as it came with public appearances. Pan, on the other hand, she saw more often than she'd admit.

"Doing okay, just bored…Pan and I are making the rounds since mom is being anal about making sure we say hi to everyone ."

"Right…seems like our moms have found each other," Marron's eyes slid over to the bar where the older women were chatting away. Even more so with Marron's prosecco in her mother's hand that she'd been waiting for.

"Don't even try to interrupt them," Bulla said brushing her silky hair behind her shoulder, "Dad and I have been trying to get her attention for the past couple of hours, I dunno why we are even throwing this ridiculous party for Trunks…"

"Bulla…he's been gone for three years…" Pan interjected, nudging the girl in the arm.

"So what, he was collecting space rocks and whatever, why should I care?" Bulla retorted, crossing her arms. "He grew out his hair too, who does he think he is…"

"Oh man, Trunks with long hair?" Marron chuckled, "Guessing Bulma made him cut it before his appearance today."

"Yep…" Pan began, "honestly, it wasn't half bad…honestly, I didn't think Trunks would do another trip to space after the stress Grandpa and I put him through when we were trying to collect the dragon balls."

Marron recalled the events from almost eight years ago, since then so much has changed without Goku present in everyone's life. A vacancy and a sense of unease hung over the ones who knew of the universe's strongest warrior's absence. Vegeta and Gohan, and to an extent – Trunks and Goten…have been filling that vacancy.

"Bah, you know he probably just needed time to mature–" Marron began before being interrupted,

"He left mom to deal with Capsule Corp for three years," Bulla interjected, "he's lucky I've matured and will forgive him…"

"Well, to be fair–" Marron began looking to Bulla hoping she wouldn't cut her off. "He was always running out and skipping out of work, wasn't he…maybe he's more disciplined now."

"You'd hope, all he's been is holed up in the lab with all the random crap in the lab, I'll be surprised he will come out today," Bulla said flourishing her hand as she placed a hand on her hip.

Marron stood up, "I'm gonna see if I can get that glass from my mom," Marron chuckled, before embracing the two girls, "I missed you two," she said squeezing her hug.

"Aw, Marron!" The two said in unison.

"Y'know you look really pretty!" Bulla pointed out, "dressing to impress someone?"

Marron's cheeks quickly became red, "Wha- No…" she began attempting to laugh it off, "you are crazy…I'll be right back," she said before walking off leaving the younger pair near the table.

"I love Marron," Pan stated, "she's like a big sister, a clueless big sister."

Bulla looked over to Pan, her arms folded, "Uhm…more like my big sister, don't go trying to steal her from me."

"I said a big sister, not my big sister," Pan grumbled, "still, wouldn't it be cool if Marron got with Uncle Goten?"

The color seemingly drained from the heiress' face, she never wanted to hear that again. What she said next, was not something she ever planned on suggesting, but the mere thought of someone stealing her admittedly juvenile crush from her was not going to fly. "N-No way, ew, she should get with Trunks."

"Trunks?!" Pan screeched, "They are always at each other's throat whenever they even speak…what on earth makes you think that would ever work."

"It's been three years Pan, distance makes the heart grow fonder," Bulla stated matter of factly.

"Maybe…you should let Marron decide," Krillin chimed in causing the two teens' heads to swivel over to the short ex-monk, raucous laughter ensures as he stroked the bushy grey mustache covering his top lip. "After all, she is an adult."

In the meantime, Marron had been standing around the group of women, holding cocktails and chatting away. The blonde placed her hands on her mother's shoulders, getting on her tippy toes and planting a kiss on her cheek, catching the regularly cool woman by surprise.

"Oh Marron," she chimed, "you caught me by surprise."

"That's funny, cause I know I didn't," Marron responded teasingly as she grabbed the drink out of her mother's hand, a cheeky smile on her face before turning to the other three women. "It's been forever, how are you guys?"

"Good, I see Pan made her rounds to you already," Videl chuckled watching as her daughter walked side-by-side with the Saiyan princess, "have you seen Goten yet?"

"O-Oh," Marron's cheeks quickly blushed. "No, I haven't yet, why?"

"I swear that Goten," Chi-Chi grumbled, "he's always running late or running behind…"

"Didn't he move out, I swear Chi-Chi, that boy needs someone to ground him," Bulma chimed in.

"Like you're one to talk, didn't you send Trunks out to space for the same reason," Chi-Chi replied casually as she sipped on her drink.

"That was actually Vegeta's idea, I'd prefer other methods," Bulma responded plainly, "y'know, I didn't really grow into being mature until I hit my thirties."

The blonde's eyes were ping-ponging between the two women, as they descended into a slight squabble over their sons. Not that Marron was listening too hard as she sipped her drink. She savored the prosecco, partly wishing she was closer to the charcuterie boards. "Marron, what about you?" Bulma chimed, catching the blonde's attention.

"W-What?" Marron did a double-take, slightly lost as she had tuned out the two.

"You don't have a boyfriend right?" Chi-Chi pointed out. "When are you planning on giving 18 some grandbabies, huh?" She questioned, her arms crossed as her wine glass swirled in her hand.

Marron's drink nearly sputtered out of her nose, babies? She hasn't even had a serious relationship and she's already bringing up the b-word… "Marron's just waiting for the right man," 18 smiled gently, "I won't rush her, besides, I never thought I'd be a mother until I met Krillin," the taller blonde stated.

Marron sang a silent prayer, her mother truly knew how to read her mind. The younger blonde looked over to her mother, her big blue eyes expressing a thank you. "Oh speak of the devil," Videl chimed in looking behind the blonde, "Goten!"

Marron's body froze. Goten? He was here…she wasn't ready to see him…what if her lipstick is smudged? Was her hair okay? The blonde's heart rattled in her chest as she sensed him approaching. As much as she was excited to declare her love, she wanted to have time to prepare. What if she became a fumbling mess again?

"Goten!" Chi-Chi exclaimed, "come over here say hi to Marron!"

Marron could have killed Chi-Chi…her breath was staggered as she turned and nearly had whiplash as she looked up to Goten, in all his adorable glory. His side-swept hair was perfectly wild and his warm onyx eyes were lit up in their usual joyish son-like glow. His suit was crisp, a classic black suit that Marron wasn't accustomed to seeing. He cleans up well, it was as if anything and everything fit him perfectly.

However, she glanced at his arm and saw a woman linked to it. She was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Goten, who is this?" Chi-Chi asked. However, the noise of the Chi-Chi's voice was muddled in the background.

It was three words; three words she never wanted to be on the receiving end of, words she never dreamed for him to utter. "Meet my girlfriend," a toothy grin she struggled to strip from her mind, a hand which she dreamed of holding her, snug around another woman's petite frame instead.

The loud chatter and live band were deafening, rattling the insides of her mind. The blonde looked up to the taller raven-haired man, he was as handsome as ever and she could feel her heartstrings snagged on as she glanced over to the woman in his arms. She was tall and slender, with vibrant green eyes and bouncy curls that tumbled down to her waist. "Valese," her manicured hands gingerly outstretched to extend a greeting, "it's a pleasure to meet one of Goten's best friends!"

Marron Chestnut, assigned to the role of a childhood best friend, every time without fail…How many more times will he introduce her as such, and not see her as what she is? A woman in love, madly, stupidly, and blindly in love with him. "Ah, the name is Marron," Marron chuckled gently shaking the woman's hand. "Actually, I'd say that the best friend title would go to Trunks, actually…"

"Aw c'mon Mar," Goten began excitedly, placing a hand on the shorter blonde's shoulder, "you are definitely my best friend too!"

Is that all you see me as?

She laughed nervously. "That's sweet 'Ten."

Her heart was in utter shambles. What did she expect? For him to be single forever?

"Anyway, I gotta find Trunks, I'll see you later," Goten smiled, tugging along the bombshell. The brunette turned her head as the raven-haired man pulled her along, waving at the trio.

"Oh wow, she was really pretty…" Videl whispered over to Bulma, loud enough that Marron could hear. "Guess he has a type, hm?"

Marron lost her balance for just a moment, "I-"

"Are you okay Marron?" Her mother turned over to the blonde whose face was pale from the shock.

"Yeah, just– need to step outside for a sec," Marron exhaled, "just call me when the event starts, yeah?"

18 blinked watching her daughter in concern, her vision flickering between her and Goten. "Okay, don't stray too far, I know you can't hold your liquor."

Marron nodded silently as she disappeared into the crowd, and out of the sight of the crowd, feeling the sting from tears wrapped around her eyes and throat. Constricting her speech as she searched for an exit, her drink still in hand. She dared not shed a tear, she continued to look upward as she walked towards a balcony on the wing she was in. Her heels clicked loudly down the hallway as she burst through the corridor doors and seeped in the smell of the outdoors. The distinct smell of cigarettes permeating in the air.

Marron turned her head to find the man of the hour leaning against the wall, puffing out smoke as he stared out towards the sky. "You sure make a commotion," Trunks stated idly.

He sported a black tux, his hair back to its usual cut. A shame she couldn't tease him for his long hair. Anyone who was intelligent knew Trunks was a pretty boy — inhumanely gorgeous, but Marron knew him, and his charms would never work on her. However, as a lover of fashion and beauty she always noted that aspect of him, his pale lavender hair contrasted beautifully against his warm tan skin. His sapphire blue eyes looked over towards her sending a not-so-good kind of shiver down her spine.

He was still Trunks: sarcastic, mean and a bully – all he knew was how to play pranks and hurt her feelings. Sure, it's been years since the last time he did something like that but it's not her fault she forgives but won't forget. Marron has always been a bit superstitious, looking to Zodiac and horoscope readings for her future. It was something that comes with being raised seeing people like Fortune Teller Baba drop by her home much through her childhood.

But she's convinced Trunks was at the center of her unusual bad luck with love confessions. Besides, it was he who ruined her first attempt with Goten when she was just thirteen. She huffed, walking towards the balcony setting her glass down and rummaging through her bag and pulling out a pack of cigarettes.

"Woah, prissy Marron smokes?" Trunks quirked his brow.

Marron shot a glare over at him. "Woah, pissy Trunks doesn't mind his business?"

"Jeez, okay…" Trunks scoffed as he turned his head away momentarily, still side-eyeing the silhouette of the blonde. Her back was exposed, with a pearl chain linking the neckline and bunched-up fabric at the small of her back. He watched as the blonde rummaged through the bag and grunted. He walked beside the blonde, looking down at her. "Need a light?"

Marron groaned as Trunks' hand offered a lighter. She obliged, holding the cigarette between her lips, inhaling as he lit it "You must be in a shit mood if you won't even speak to the party boy," Trunks chuckled as he leaned his elbows on the railing of the balcony, facing in the opposite direction, watching the blonde's glazed-over eyes. The wind blew against her, strands of hair free-flowing past her. "What's go you in such a piss poor mood?"

"Nunya…" Marron grumbled to herself.

"Hm?" Trunks leaned closer.

"None 'ya business," Marron grit her teeth.

A nerve has been struck. That has been made clearly evident, though Trunks has been making an effort to repair his relationship with the blonde it was clearly evident she couldn't care less. "Y'know, it's a shame you're so pissy," Trunks began, "you actually look decent for once."

"Piss off Briefs," Marron snapped. "You haven't seen me for three years."

"Dang Chestnut, I could say the same about you," he responded causing the blonde's eyes to widen.

A sigh emitted past her lips as she looked at him head-on. "I'm sorry," Marron's apology definitely took him by surprise. "I've had a rough night," Marron held her tongue to not draw suspicion as to why, as much as she wanted to scream, yell and kick the air…she was an adult, and acting like a brat wasn't going to change the outcome of the situation.

"All good, figured by the way you were stampeding through the halls," Trunks commented causing the blonde to do a double-take. "I know we aren't on the friendliest of terms…but–"

"Before you ask…no, I'm not going to tell you what happen," Marron smiled sadly, tears slightly welling in the corners of her eyes. "So um– if you want, you can go back to the party, I'll be fine."

Trunks glanced at her a moment too long. Her face said it all, a sadness he didn't recognize strewn across her face. The tip of her small nose was bright red as she held her tears in place. Maybe it wasn't his place, but she was clear on her desires, and he wasn't going to push. He sighed and put out his cigarette. Looking once more at the small figure of his childhood friend, searching for some semblance of warning to stay…he found none and retired back into the party, a slight pang of worry holding him hostage for the rest of the evening as he mingled with old friends.

That was until the later hours of the party, where the clock was striking closer to midnight when he found her walking idly into the lounge on her own, and not coming out.

Between goodbyes, Trunks weaved through people into the lounge. What he found was just...sad. He stared for longer than anticipated at the pathetic scene watching the petite woman lay on her arm. Her glassy blue eyes watched the condensation from her drink dribble down the side of the martini glass. She hadn't even taken notice of his presence, as if she were trapped in her own world.

Trunks' gaze shifted, he was likely the last person she wanted to see right now. The hybrid cleared his throat walking over to where the blonde with flushed cheeks was. Her plump, cherry-colored lips pouting as tears welled in the corners of her eyes.

He sat on the stool beside her, sliding the drink away from her. "You don't need any more of these."

"Wha–" Marron's face was bewildered at the man. "Y-You ain't even uh—"

Before she could finish her slurred sentence, he drank the cocktail in one swig. "Ah…" He placed the glass down and glanced over at the bartender. "Don't give this girl any more drinks."

Marron pouted, swinging her legs against the chair, almost as if she was trying to stamp her feet in protest. However, much to her dismay, her short legs couldn't reach the bottom. "You are more than drunk, Mar."

"So what–" she began, a slight hiccup, "since when d'you care 'bout me?" she bit out. Her eyes barely looked past her lush eyelashes. "All 'ya know is how to hurt me…" she mumbled.

He chuckled. "Oh yeah, I'm so bad ."

"Yes, you are!" Marron whined out, now leaning closer to him. The smell of her drink was still on her breath. Trunks took note of the satiny dress, barely clinging to her chest. His gaze shifted again, this time as he passed her his suit jacket throwing it over her shoulders. "See you're 'doin it 'gain…" she muttered.

"What?" Trunks asked, watching the blonde tighten the grip on the suit jacket covering herself up.

Marron looked up at him, her face still red from the alcohol. "Don't make me say it…" She whined as she dove her face against his chest, her manicured hands balled into fists. "She's much prettier," the blonde hiccuped, "it's no wonder y'love her and not me…"

Suddenly, heat spread across the man's face. What did she mean? Did Marron develop feelings for him over the course of his time in space? There was no way…she was being rather petty earlier in the night, what's with the change of pace?

"I've been in love with 'ya since I was six…" Marron sniffled, her face between his chest. "But I've been waiting for the right day…"

Trunks' eyes widened, staring down at the delicate blonde, he placed his hands gently on the back of her head. "You…have?" In total honesty, he was bewildered by the statement. This didn't add up. What girl was she talking about? He didn't bring any plus one…

"Yes!" She exclaimed, her hands balled up into fists. "Damn it…" her words began to slur again as she looked up at him. Trunks' face was covered in a violent blush, as he stumbled back in his seat.

His heart was rattling in his chest. Wait, why was his heart racing? Her face was adorably pouting, and the scent of her perfume and his cologne filled the air between them. She leaned dangerously close to his face, the tip of her button nose brushing against his…her icy blue eyes unfocused but still glistening and her plump lips slightly agape. Has she always been so pretty? Part of him was thrown off by the predicament, whatever she is doing has truly rattled him to his core. Another part of him feels like this has awakened something he had no idea he had inside.

"Why do you do this to me 'Ten…" Marron cried, the tears flowing from her eyes.

'Ten?

Trunks froze as he processed their interaction. It made sense…Goten has a new girlfriend, he wouldn't say she was all that but he did know Marron was never good at hiding her feelings, particularly her disdain for Trunks. In her drunken confession, she must have confused him for Goten…

There was a wave of relief that overcame him, on the one hand, he was happy he didn't have to deal with the complicated emotions of rejecting someone, but on the other, he now knew something he probably wasn't supposed to know. He looked down to find her rather quiet, only realize she fell asleep against him. "Shit…" Trunks let out an exasperated sigh. He knows Krillin and 18 stepped out of the party hours ago, but just his luck…he was stuck with a drunk and sleepy Marron.

An adorably sleepy Marron. Trunks couldn't leave her here, and there was still much commotion going on the outside groaned taking the woman into his arms as he panicked and looked around for an exit. "What a pain in my ass…"

AN: Ah! Let me know what you guys think! I had a lot of fun writing this, I know it's much longer than my usual fics LOL.