When Spring Came

Chapter 20: Make Me Fall

AN: So many songs inspired this chapter guys good lord. ALSO, the support in this last chapter was so overwhelming in a good way you guys are amazing I just about nearly cried 3 Thank you for the continued support in exploring my blorbos love for eachother SHOUT OUT TO SON CHAN bc without her i would have exploded trying to write this chapter

This isn't right.

As his lips separated from hers, Marron could feel a hollowness emanate off of him. "I choose you," his voice was faltering, he couldn't even look Marron directly in the eye. As she stood on her tip-toes, she looked around to see if Valese was about to turn the corner.

She wasn't.

It was only Goten and her standing in this doorway, and while she should feel some ecstatic glee–deep within her…Marron felt a sense of disgust. "Goten, what are you doing?" she asked, as her hand pressed against his chest–helping create some distance.

"I'm giving you the answer you asked me," his eyes searching in Marron's for some kind of reciprocated excitement. But all he saw was hurt– Hurt that he caused her. How could he be so callous as to barge in and kiss her with no reservation?

"And what about Valese?" Marron's soft voice pierced through the silence, garnering Goten's attention immediately.

The question didn't sit right with him. His gaze burned into Marron, clenching his jaw tightly. "What about Trunks?" His voice was clear, and cut through her like a knife.

Marron could feel her heart ache, and as she met with Goten's gaze she found her resolve faltering. His fingers gently grazed against Marron's cheek, as he tipped her face up to meet him in the eye. "Did you not mean what you said earlier?"

"I–" Marron paused, feeling as her disingenuous nature took hold of her. She wanted to tell Goten how in love she'd been with him–for so many years she pined after the very thing she had currently handing itself on a silver platter. And yet, this foreign emotion was ever-present. "I did."

"Honestly Marron—" Goten pressed his hands against his face, rubbing the skin on his face, his voice clearly distraught as he was caught in the throes of his own mistake.

"No, no– don't say it."

"I'm going to say it—" Goten cut in.

Marron's panic grew more desperate at his words. "Goten I don't want to hear that—"

"I think I…was caught up in the moment, I don't look at you that way–I thought I did but…"

"You thought you did?" Marron's head craned around, an incredulous look in her once baby blue eyes that turned to stone. Goten the ever confusing enigma he was, dared to strut into her room … kiss her and then take it back?!

"Yes, I saw you so happy with Trunks…and I was mad because I wasn't that happy–but now that I have it in my hands I–"

This couldn't be real.

It simply couldn't.

"I thought I wanted what he had—that I wanted you," Goten paused as the throes of his regret grabbed hold of him. What had he done? He fell into the same cycles that he swore he wouldn't again…searching for solutions in all of the wrong places. "I think I'm just confused…"

"Just because you're confused, doesn't mean you should come here and try to confuse me," her voice faltered at the precipice of her own emotions, watching as crack in the foundation of her supposed love opened up.

"Is that Marron?" Goten pressed, his eyes boring into hers. "Or are you confused that we aren't the image you were hoping for in your head?"

And just like that…the illusion shattered. Marron watched as the cracks of her infatuation became so profound, and so deep that the distance between Goten and her became nearly unreachable. Marron's breath hitched. He wanted to prove a point, and he sure wasn't holding back. Marron had built an image of him, nearly idolized him, and found herself with a lingering bitter taste forming in her mouth.

Marron glanced at him, and then back to the ground at herself. There was an overwhelming feeling of disgust that bubbled up within her. "So you did all of this, called me out here just to tell me this?" Marron could feel as her voice failed her.

"I'm sorry, Marron," Goten grimaced as he slinked closer to the door.

"I have always loved you, I was always there for you…" Marron's tongue filled with the bitterness that her heart was suddenly wrapping itself in. Her voice crescendoed from the anger that sat nestled in her heart. She stepped closer, her blue eyes watching his onyx ones and finding nothing more.

The awe she had felt had withered away with only an angered and distasteful feeling left on her tongue. "Do you not realize how long I was waiting for you?" Her voice reached a lower octave, tears that dared to fall suddenly came into fruition.

Goten was silent. His gaze flickering back over the balcony where he watched the blip of energy tailing in their direction. "To go so far as to make me jealous with Trunks ?"

"What did you want me to do?" Her voice tore at her, her fury burned brightly and Goten could feel as her Ki spiked, with every word that slipped past her lips. "You wouldn't pay attention to me any other way!"

"Trunks doesn't deserve this," Goten rubbed his face.

"You came here and kissed me," Marron folded her arms, her eyes burning with a blue flame.

An accusatory finger was then pointed. "You tempted me!"

Marron's face contorted into an expression that Goten surely hasn't seen on her angelic features. Her brows knitted, her nostrils flared. "I did no such thing!"

"You tell me all this but look at you," Goten squinted down to the blonde. How could she play the victim, when she wasn't being genuine on her part?! "You are still sitting here and lying to me!"

"Lying?" Marron pulled her head around, she wanted to wipe her lips and rid them of any trace of her once beloved.

Goten now stepped in, this was the fiery Marron that Trunks kept talking about. She'd found herself a muted flame around him. "You are in love with Trunks."

"I…" She didn't have it in her to deny it. Her emotions had taken control of her rationality hours ago.

Goten shook his head, "And I don't hold it against you," he turned his head from her. "Marron you deserve someone who will actually love you…and that's definitely not me."

"So what was this, what was all of this even for? "

" I just broke up with Valese," Goten blurted out.

Marron stilled herself, an eerie silence grabbing hold of her as her hands gripping the door as she shook in her own anger. This was the reality of Goten and her. She was never going to be his first choice, maybe not even his second choice. "So what, this is to prove a fucking point?"

Goten glanced at Marron one more time, the regret that strummed through him insurmountable, his brows knitted with a distinct sadness weaved in the fibers of his dark eyes. "I don't know why I came here," Goten whispered, "I'm sorry Marron," his hand pulled the door closed leaving the blonde standing alone in the room once more.

Trunks wasn't sure how far he'd fly out, but he knew he wanted to be as far away from Marron as he could possibly muster. Though he betrayed his own logic by leaving her in the state they were both in. He didn't know if he could forgive himself had he taken advantage of such a situation.

Even with the enthusiastic consent, and her eager willingness…he knew the truth behind her actions. She simply wanted to forget what happened between Goten and her, seeking comfort that he'd love to provide…had his true emotions not meddled in the way. He cared too much about Marron.

He knew that now, seeing as every moment they spent in each other's presence it was an insurmountable surge of emotions that he simply couldn't hold back. And even if he tried to ignore it, the feeling lingered.

He found himself on a small remote island. His feet planted on the sand as he stared up into the starry night sky. The sway of the palms lulled him into a sense of calm, but his heart heaved ever-so heavily. How did he lose track of the plot this badly?

How did he so quickly feel his emotions enrapture him into a fantasy he desperately wanted. How she infiltrated his daydreams, an unwelcome visitor who had found itself host of his every thought.

Marron.

Marron.

Marron.

Everything reminded him of her– the sun, the moon, the stars. Their impossibly bright nature…they all reminded him of her. His mind flitted back to Yahhoy, her sun kissed skin against the golden hues of the coastal sun–how had he not seen it then, just how dazzling Marron Chestnut was?

A blip of pink flashed in his mind, as he turned back in the direction of the hotel. That pink , that obnoxious color, it was Marron. Trunks quickly picked himself back up, blasting in her direction his mind fluttering with the possibilities and hypotheticals from the spike in her ki.

She was never quite good at hiding the realities behind her own emotions.

Trunks pulled into the room, and the moment he did, he watched the crumpled figure of the blonde, her knees pressed against the floor. He found himself at a crossroads watching from the entryway of the balcony. His voice failed him as he tried to call for Marron's attention.

What could he do, but simply watch. The ailing feeling ripped through him, he made her feel this way…didn't he? The way he abruptly abandoned her, when all she wanted…

All he wanted…

All they wanted… was each other.

Trunks stood back, his eyes fixed on her. He didn't deserve to come back and comfort her, what–with the way he just up and left? How could he possibly dare to do such a thing?

He turned his back once more, his eyes scanning the sky as the guilt wracked through him. Should he leave her like this again? His eyes glanced to the side as he felt himself float slowly. Yes… it would be better this way, he had convinced himself of it. Refraining for creating more of an upset…to leave her with her own emotions…

That was best.

The following day Marron found herself back in West City, Marron spent the aftermath of her trip to Papaya Island closed off in her room. Withholding herself from anything except her own self pity. Her goals, and everything that had surmounted to this very moment had all been for nothing. Goten didn't want her–she was as good as discarded goods.

And what of Trunks? His abrupt disappearance was as in character as she expected. She deserved what was coming to her, and that was the logic Marron Chestnut carried herself with. Even if it wasn't warranted.

So, she put on a brave face, she found herself with a newly single Valese, who was desperate to numb the pain that only Marron knew she caused.

In the back of a nightclub, Marron lounged on a chaise, watching as the bodies clashed on the dance floor. The numbing thud of a kick drum pounded in her head. The alcohol glazed over her eyes, a hand holding the stem of a champagne glass. Her black mini dress hung to her every curve, creating a perky appearance to her breasts. Her blonde hair was tousled into voluminous waves.

She was like a doll, but the glassy look in her eyes displayed a spirit broken beyond repair. She thought she did everything right, she played the part Trunks set for her, but in the end it still wasn't enough. But somehow, when Marron finally set out for her chance to make Goten see her for what she was, he rejected her.

Plainly and simply, a no. What was she supposed to do with that information now? Return to her sad life, knowing her love would never be returned. Should Marron accept she was a horrible person to her new best friend for even trying to kiss her ex boyfriend? She even came up with an elaborate lie about her relationship with Trunks to drag Valese out with her.

"Fuck him!" Valese exclaimed as she poured the champagne into the glass. "Make him realize what he's missing out on," Valese managed to pull the blonde from the chaise, her legs stumbling as she held onto Valese for stability.

The two women ran off their roped off section and threw themselves into the mix. It was all a blur to Marron - the flashing lights and bottle girls with flashy lights, the men hounding her and Valese from all angles. It all amalgamated into a familiar yet distinct emotion. But inside, there was an emptiness no amount of hungry and sexually charged men and women could fill.

At least one thing was certain, Marron would never have to have Goten come between the two of them. Never again will she pine for someone so out of reach. She did it all for his love, and in return - she received a broken heart. At least, she had Valese.

She fastened her resolve as she followed the brunette. "Shots, now!" She said as she ordered at the bar, noticing her stumbling onto Marron. One after another, the two women devolved into a giggling, inebriated mess. It ran through their system faster than they could process, but to Marron...she wanted the hurt to stop.

Find something, anything to distract from her shattered heart.

But as the night kept going, the women got more inebriated, and with it more careless with their words. "I'm a fucking horrible friend," Marron hiccuped, garnering the attention of Valese who tilted her head curiously

"What why?" She asked incredulously. How could she say such a thing about herself?!

"Because–Goten went to my room and kissed me last night–and I let him," Marron cried as she pressed her head against the arm of the chair. "I'm a piece of shit."

Valese's smile dropped, an empty glaze suddenly came over her usual cheerful eyes. "... Oh…"

Marron's hands raked through the flaxen blonde hair, desperation becoming more apparent in her pitiful expression. " I don't—know…why you even like me Valese, I'm literally…" the blonde was slurring, but Valese could hear the words clear as day.

"Are you fucking with me right now?"

"No," Marron paused, her eyes not daring to meet Valese's. "I'm serious."

Marron looked at her presumably now ex -friend, feeling the burn in her eyes. Vitriolic daggers currently cutting the blonde down, limb-by-limb. But Valese wasn't quite sure what hurt more, the betrayal of losing her friend, or the fact their entire relationship was based on a lie.

Valese liked Marron, she found a sense of camaraderie in another woman who understood her. All to find out…none of it was ever true. The brunette certainly didn't expect her evening to go this awry, her lips pursed as she breathed in deeply, her eyes looking up towards the ceiling as the tears of betrayal threatened to sting her eyes.

"Fuck you, Marron," she whispered, her voice harsh as she pushed herself up. Her lips pressed together as the strain wrapped around her throat as she stormed away and into the crowd.

Marron, too inebriated to chase behind her, slumped herself out of her seat, her eyes weary as she felt the numbness of her own pain smack her straight across the face. She fucked up. She ruined her friendship with Valese.

And, to add insult to injury, it was all for nothing.

She was alone.

There was a distinct feeling as he got back to West City, a forlorn emotion of regret ripping through him, his mind kept going back to the sobbing woman, what he could have done, what he should have done. And more importantly…what he failed to do. He flew directly home after seeing Marron in the state she was in, without the single ounce of bravery to face her head on.

Tell her he was wrong.

But none of it mattered anymore, did it? The damage had been done. Trunks wanted to simply wipe his hands clean, and hope that Marron may find it within herself to forgive him, though did he deserve such a thing? After what he pulled?

But he couldn't simply leave the thought of her alone. He continued to check down on his phone, waiting for her name to pop up on the screen. The silence was more unnerving than the usual angry reaction he had come to expect from her.

So, when Trunks found his best friend with his arms folded at the doorway of the Capsule Corp compound, there were few things that ran through his mind. And all of them had to do with her, and the fatal mistakes he committed.

Goten's gaze was dejected, as he approached his best friend, in sluggish motion.

"I kissed Marron," Goten said as he slumped down beside Trunks on the couch.

The silence that followed was uncomfortable. The statement certainly shook something within him, and it was a true testament to the level of patience Trunks could possess. Because despite the fact that Marron had expressed numerous times her affinity towards Goten–his possessiveness had become more apparent.

The thought of someone else touching her boiled the blood that coursed through him, but Trunks managed anyway, keeping his already fluctuating emotions in check. He wasn't going to explode on Goten…it wasn't worth it, he knew better. And for Marron's sake, it'd be best if he remained relaxed.

"We...aren't on good terms, honestly," Trunks muttered, his eyes not wanting to meet Goten's. In reality, Trunks has found far too many close calls with Marron, hints of emotions that stir up any moment things begin to feel too real.

They've kissed, sure...what couple doesn't kiss? Real or fake, all of them have to. They have practiced and practiced to perfection to get it right. Authenticity is key. But, there were times when he didn't think it was an act. There were times when he indulged in the feeling of Marron's lips, her soothing touch as the world around them faded away.

"But if you want her, I can't stop you," Trunks responded, the anger biting back on his taste buds. He noticed his own jealousy peek through when Marron would fantasize about Goten, about when everything would "inevitably end" between them. Suddenly, the girl he loved to detest became the woman he couldn't let go of, the one he craved to have in his arms.

Was he in love with her?

"Dude," Goten paused, looking at him bewildered, "are you fucking joking?" The fellow hybrid couldn't believe what his best friend said. How could Trunks so quickly concede? Was he not even going to fight for the supposed woman he loved? "I don't want Marron."

Trunks looked up to Goten, his eyes trying to scan for any indication of a lie. His body getting hot as he marched up to Goten, his hands in a tight fist. "Oh, really?" Trunks asked, his tone unnerving. "I'm fucking sick of it," Trunks volume began to increase in a quiet fury. His chest scorching with the withheld envy he held. "I'm fucking sick that you can't see her–no that you don't see her," Trunks' hands somehow found themselves gripping Goten's shirt, fists crumpling the white cotton the snarling half-breed bared his teeth.

"Marron is the whole damn package and then some ," he was certainly working himself up. He could feel as the acrimonious tone took hold of him, "if you had any sense you would be able to see the woman that's right in front of you."

"I'm sick that I'm so in lo– " Trunks stopped, his words were just spilling out of his mouth at the furious rage that kept tacking on the longer he stared at his best friend. "I–"

Goten's hand landed firmly upon his comrade, his fingers digging into shoulders as if to regain control of the conversation. "Trunks, I'm not in love with her," Goten rubbed his eyes as he flopped his head back, "even if Marron were single, I still couldn't..."

Trunks watched him in disbelief, in truth he couldn't believe he was wrong for once. Goten didn't want Marron, as much as she was Trunks' in the eyes of the public, Goten didn't care. Maybe, he's been the one who wanted what Goten had. Maybe deep down, Trunks has always loved Marron...for her continued bold attempts at loud and obnoxious declarations of love, and her perseverance.

Maybe it's all that effort poured into someone who wouldn't bother looking her way, that made him drawn to her.

"It's the first time, in a long time," Goten continued, "that I've seen you so in love with someone." Trunks paused as he looked back up to Goten, meeting his watchful gaze. "I could never take that from you, Trunks."

The realization settled, he was in love with Marron Chestnut.

Marron had found her way out of the club hours after Valese left her. One thing she knew was that when the music died, it was just her, tipsy and alone in the quiet of the night. And she knew what she did. There was no redeeming herself, her own selfish actions lead her down this path.

So what now?

She lost Goten.

She lost Valese.

She wanted to curl up in a ball and sob. So she sat in the park, hours past when any normal human would be out and let the emotions settle. With balled up fists, she held the hem of her dress, holding back the pathetic hitches that preceded her tears flowing. She refused to give in to the overwhelming sense of sadness and despair that threatened to consume her. But, then she remembered.

That above all else she lost…

"I'm here."

And before she could let out the first cry, there Trunks was, as he always was. As he'd always been . His arms wrapped around her, enveloping her in the distinct and comforting sensation of home. Marron's heart ached, the repressed sobered emotions leaking out from her and as badly as she wanted to release herself from the mental boundaries she'd set up.

She couldn't…there was something still holding her back.

"I'm not leaving you," Trunks' voice did not waver. The lonesome feeling of heartbreak was ever-present. They were both horribly messed up, weren't they? So ambitious to get their own way, so stubborn to accept defeat.

That when victory finally came, the satisfaction did not satiate either of them.

She buried her face in the crook of his neck and let the sobs wracked her body. With each ragged breath, the cries became harder and harder for him to bear. The mixture of alcohol on her breath and incomprehensible sobs made it harder for Trunks to understand what she was saying, but he held her tight.

"I-I gave it my all," her words began to have clarity, "and I'm still not enough..." she slurred as her nails gripped the back of Trunks' button up. "He doesn't care," she said as she pulled away, her icy blue eyes staring back at his deep blue eyes.

Her nose and cheeks were red and blotchy from the fresh tears streaming down her face. "I see you, Trunks."

Her eyes focused on him as her hand grazed the side of his face. If it weren't for the lack of lighting, she would see the crimson creeping on his cheeks. Marron was always able to get a rise out of him, he was no longer able to deny it. His heart raced as he watched her lean toward him, her forehead leaning against his, before she planted a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"You're always here," she continued. It was true, he was always there whenever something unfortunate happened. Be it the very first confession Marron made to Goten, to this very moment, he always was around to pick up the pieces…begrudgingly, of course.

Except right now.

Right now, Trunks stood in front of her with no reservations. No complaints, he didn't judge her for her poor all, they were his choices too. They dug this hole together–and they may as well lay in it.

Had he always been around, with the feelings for Goten clouding her judgment? How long had Trunks been standing in the shadows? "Why?" Marron asked, her eyes stricken with a flash of sadness that she only let him see.

"Because," Trunks began, his eyes watching hers with careful precision. "I care about you," he answered as he wiped the tears from her cheeks. "And If he doesn't see that, then he's an idiot," he said as he tucked the blonde hair behind her ear.

"You're a good friend to me," Marron said as she leaned her head against his shoulder, "I don't understand why."

Trunks held her frigid hands in his, "because you are a good friend to me ." She put up with him through this moronic plan, finding more reason to be close to her in some sad way. They actually bonded over a mutual goal, to him, they were already together. Marron knew things that he wouldn't dare tell another person.

Being with Marron was easy. He was able to be as candid as possible without fear of retribution. Marron, in the same vein, was also open with him. But, she wasn't in love with him. She was in love with Goten. "Do you mind, if I come over?" Marron asked, "I don't want to be alone tonight."

Trunks threw his head between his arms, it pained him to hear such a thing. "I don't mind."

As he popped a capsule, he guided the blonde towards the passenger seat, not forgetting to hold the door for her as he'd done so many times before. Her tired baby blue eyes watching him as he slipped into the drivers seat. "Thank you, Trunks," she whispered.

Trunks peeked back over to her, watching as her eyes gently fluttered. "You always come to my rescue," she replied to herself, her fingers grazing with the skin of his hands. "I…was wrong…about you…" the blonde woman gently replied as the quiet hum of the car's AC brushed against her warm skin.

Trunks, wordlessly grabbed his jacket from the back seat, placing it gently over her, feeling as his cheeks burned from the quiet admission. He didn't expect a thank you, hell, he didn't even expect anything. But what she gave him was the confirmation he knew was always stirring within him.

Marron Chestnut, the infuriating enigma of a woman that he'd come to understand. That he'd come to fall for…slowly at first, before it became all consuming. He watched as her head laid gently against the window, the city lights illuminating her features.

She'd always been this way, hasn't she? Lingering in the crevices of his mind, but too proud to see. Marron was the sun. His sun. Warm, sometimes overbearing and unrelenting.

As he arrived, his hands carefully tried to avoid any bare skin, watching as the heavy lidded eyes fluttered with the sudden movement. Trunks was careful to not catch the attention of any on-lookers, gently closing the door behind him with his foot and gently breathing. He held his whole world in his hands, the flickering flame that reignited a candle he'd long forgotten.

Trunks laid her in his bed, shutting the door behind him. His chest swelled with a newly realized emotion as he watched her sleep, the mascara on her lashes, now damp and streaking her cheeks, her lips gently parted as she rested comfortably.

"I love you," he whispered knowing full well Marron was deep in slumber. It felt good to say it out loud, even if no one was listening. "I'm so in love, I don't know what to do with myself," Trunks inwardly chuckled as he laid beside her, glancing at her peaceful sleeping face. He wondered if this is what it felt like to be her? Watching the person you pine over not return your feelings?

What a painful way to live, for so many years…his hand brushed the blonde hair out of the way and the feeling of his infatuation wreaked havoc within him. Even asleep, she could still manage to outshine the sun. "I'll make you fall in love with me," he silently replied, "until any memory of Goten is just a memory and nothing more."

"You were always mine, anyway."

AN: EUGH ok this chapter was HARD. I had like THE hardest time writing some of this so I'm not feeling 100% on it, BUT i still want to know your thoughts ;A;