Due to 787-Trunks (Future Future Trunks lol) being out of the picture (for now?.. maybe), the narration will now return to "Trunks" when talking about 784-Trunks! As such, "Tora" (+he/him) will only be used in Gohan's point of view, as he still thinks of our precious girl as Tora-san. Thank you!
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'Trunks is back,' Vegeta found himself less anxious as he fully realized it all. Nine days had been long to ruminate over everything that had happened since the Cell Games.
Bulma decapsulized the Gravity Room to check everything was in place and in working condition, and while it was out of fuel, Vegeta could use it as training facilities, so she gave him her ok.
With that in mind, surprisingly, Vegeta didn't jump in that same instant, instead he plain went back to stalking his heir. When Trunks claimed back the bedroom, went to discuss something with the doc in the lab, worked with him and the woman on what they dubbed 'spare hardware', went out with Kakarot's brat.
Even if Trunks was ignoring him, Vegeta made sure the brats knew he was there.
Gohan noticed Vegeta's presence whenever he was with Tora, right off the bat, and he tugged on the sleeve to tell him when they were tasked to get a proper amount of meat from the butcher for dinner on that June 11th early afternoon, just after Trunks had gone home.
"Tora-san, Vegeta-san.."
"I know. I will fight him when I'm done with Sixteen. I am just letting him marinate a little longer."
Tora could be a little spiteful too, Gohan knew they had fought many times, after all it was how they communicated, but he felt no hostility anymore in his friend. Nor in Vegeta, for what it was worth. Not even when Trunks attacked him earlier that day.
It was strange seeing Tora with his hair covered again, as he had worn that beanie when they were out to get Gohan fitted for his suit… But the occasional replay of the Cell Games on some TVs they could all see from the commercial streets of West City reminded them the Cell Games had been less than two weeks prior even if it had been over three months for them, and Tora had a peculiar hair color that made him even more recognizable. He was safe, since he was always super Saiyan when he was filmed, so people didn't recognize him.
Vegeta was walking a good distance behind them, at least a couple of blocks, but Gohan could almost feel his breath down his neck. Despite being more powerful than him, Vegeta still intimidated Gohan. Holding Tora's hand gave him reassurance and peace. He felt safe with the time traveler.
Once the outrageous amount of meat was ordered and planned to be delivered, Tora offered to go check the bakery where they ordered Trunks' birthday cake before going back. Gohan easily accepted, the promise of more time together and sweets were each enough to convince him.
When it came to food, Tora's philosophy for Capsule Corp was to take a little bit of everything, be it for the meat or for desserts. But when it came to ordering for himself, Gohan noted he went for the simplest and most common things. When asked what he wanted, Gohan decided to try something similar to Tora's, but more sweet. Tora added a third pastry to their take-out order, and they were out to the park where they had spent some time before their departure, while waiting for Trunks' birthday cake to be ready.
Tora entrusted Gohan with both their pastries, and kept the third one in hand, and asked for him to find them a good picnic spot. The request was strange, but the hint of Vegeta's hair peeking from further away gave Gohan a glimpse into Tora's plans. Gohan understood the message, wished his friend good luck, and went on his way.
Trunks walked back the trail that led them into the little city park, ready to corner Vegeta. To his credit, Vegeta didn't back away, he stared her down, unflinching. She held up the little pastry box containing the one she took for him, with a raised eyebrow. An invitation.
"It's coffee flavored."
With a humpf, Vegeta agreed to follow her and sit down with her and Gohan. Albeit not too near, but at least within talking distance. The tiramisu worked its wonders on the older man, while Gohan enjoyed his cream pie and Trunks her strawberry and raspberry one.
Silence was comfortable for Vegeta as he watched the younger pair eat and comment on the good taste of the sugary abominations. When Kakarot's brat offered his heir to taste his white and yellow wonder, Vegeta paid attention. Trunks took a bite, complimented 'Gohan's choice', and offered a taste of the red and pink desert in return. Vegeta frowned when Kakarot's brat got all red and gushed over 'Tora-san's great pick'. Those two snacks smelled ungodly sugary, but not as much as those two idiots acting like whatever 'romance-story' Bulma often read or watched. Vegeta loathed what he was seeing.
Trunks told him the one for him was 'coffee' flavored, which made little sense considering coffee was the name of that dark and bitter drink he sometimes enjoyed. He opened the little box to be met by a smell that reminded him of Bulma. She and the doc often drank the bitter drink, and Vegeta and Trunks had drunk it on a couple of occasions when crossing paths in their nightly wanderings. He finally took the brown minuscule snack in his hand and observed it with suspicion, including the little beans and the different layers of soft and crunchy, and the powder Vegeta immediately identified as cocoa.
Then he tasted it. And suddenly it was gone.
"What the fuck was that?" he demanded, standing up and tense. The whole thing had disappeared in two large bites. It was like nothing he ever tasted before and he couldn't comprehend exactly what happened.
Trunks glanced over, seeing Vegeta's glove licked clean and not a single trace of the pastry left, and smiled at the victory. She just finished hers too.
"Tiramisu. Did you like it?"
Vegeta got flustered enough for the red to reach his ears.
"Vegeta-san, you're blushing!" Gohan grinned, he had never seen that look on the Saiyan Prince.
"Why was it so tiny?! Where's the rest?"
Trunks couldn't help a quiet laugh, she then put a hand on the ground and used it to lift herself up.
"Let's get you some more, then, come with me."
A silent 'are you coming or staying here?' question to Gohan was given, and Gohan shook his head to indicate he'd keep the nice spot under the tree for them and read in the meantime.
The prospect of 'more of that' had Vegeta follow Trunks to the bakery without a hitch. Trunks even forced him to come inside and stand closeby; the appeal of delicious food being far stronger than the willpower he could display for the sake of his distant demeanor.
'Saiyans have two loves: fights and food.' Her mother had told Trunks many stories about Goku, Gohan and the occasional one about Vegeta, who might have stayed at Capsule Corp because of the tech and the good food.
The moment they entered the bakery, Vegeta's eyes narrowed on a large version of the so-called Tiramisu behind the glass, and demanded it from the sales people. Trunks had to put a hand on his arm and get him to show restraint as he was scaring people, as he clearly intended to break the glass and take the precious dessert directly.
"We'll take the twelve-portion tiramisu, thank you. With a fork, please. As take-out," she rephrased the demand a little more politely, then took Vegeta to the end of the counter while other sparse clients were served.
Once the box with the little ribbon was put to be paid, Trunks glanced at Vegeta; she thought he'd take it and run, but to his credit, he didn't, he stayed still, arms crossed over that pink shirt she had first seen him in. At least he knew the basics of how a store worked, and considering he had been on Earth for at least four years…
"Excuse-me, Mister?" The clerk tried to get her attention.
"Ah. My apologies." Trunks had been distracted, lost in thought.
She took out her wallet to pay for her purchase. She had used the card Bulma had given her for the meat and the pastries for Capsule Corp, but for this purchase as well as for the three snacks she bought just earlier, she used the pre-charged card her mother had given her. Once everything was settled, she took the box and turned to leave, followed by Vegeta.
"Why?" he asked, once outside.
"Why what?"
"You hate my guts, brat, why are you getting me food? You should be trying to kill me."
"Well, I could eat it in front of you, that could be worse than death," Trunks smiled, the idle cruel threat being washed away when she gave Vegeta the box containing said gift.
He took the box, ignoring the fact his heir had hinted at possible food torture, and carried it by the ribbon as Trunks had been carrying it.
"You're not answering."
"There are other ways to deal with disagreements than 'killing the offending trash', Vegeta-san. Most importantly, you're mistaken. I don't hate you. I can't hate you," she sighed, putting her hands in her pockets.
"The other brat in heat wanted to." Vegeta humphed.
"Our reaction to seeing loved ones hurt is to lash out. Trunks felt the need to defend me, to avenge me. After all, we are the same person."
"No you're not. Didn't you tell me so about the baby multiple times?" Vegeta retorted with a frustrated grunt. Trunks didn't want to argue further and risk spilling the beans, she gave an easy 'agree to disagree' shrug.
"Speaking of Trunks- older-me. Seems half-breed 'heat' cycles are closer in time than full-breeds, because he's twenty-" Twenty and a half. Two hundred and sixty-six lunar months. Divide by twenty. "Thirteen Saiyan years old while going through his second heat. I didn't smell anything particular, but we did notice his higher temperature." 'And Gohan-san didn't get particularly close to him, at least not as close to me…'
"Did you bed him?" Vegeta was the blunt kind, and yet it still came as a surprise. Trunks almost choked when she heard him.
"Bed?" She hoped she heard him wrong.
"Sex, brat. Did you fuck him?"
"Are you seriously asking me if I had sex with myself? "
Vegeta's answer was to raise an eyebrow her way. 'Well, did you?' He was serious and she dismissed the subject altogether instead of trying to come up with some sort of answer.
"I am not discussing my intimate life or lack thereof with you," she gritted.
When Gohan saw the two older fighters coming back, he felt some tension, but it eased little by little. Vegeta squinted his eyes in his direction, and went elsewhere with his box, obviously going to eat its content on his own.
Gohan welcomed back Tora when he sat down with him. The child noticed Tora wanted to talk about something in particular, something Gohan could imagine was a little sensitive, but Tora eventually decided not to ask anything and just enjoyed idling for a little while longer before they had to go back to Capsule Corp. After all, Gohan had some studying to do, and Tora had to transfer Sixteen's data back into his body.
Dr Brief and Bulma had worked fast on Sixteen: there wasn't much to do, apart from removing the bomb and check all hardware was functional, it was already done by the time Gohan and Trunks came back from their little trip to the butcher and bakery. They had backed this Sixteen's software, just in case, and Trunks, after getting the ok by the two engineers, overwrote everything and replaced it with her saved version of Sixteen. The data, the programs, the experiences, the memories, everything that made the Sixteen they knew.
And then they turned Sixteen on, carefully, cautiously. They asked him a couple of questions and to run a self diagnosis, which turned out to have no errors and reassured the engineers that for once, it had been easy and without any unexpected issues.
Trunks took Sixteen to the Gardens, to walk and talk, to verify it was indeed the same person, with the same knowledge and demeanor. Tama was soon over to claim back his servant, climbing with all of his little claws all the way to Sixteen's shoulder and nuzzle and lick his ear.
"Tama missed you, it seems," Trunks noted with a warm smile. She knew the cat hadn't been the only one.
After asking a few questions about herself, about what Sixteen knew and remembered, and after he questioned the two week gap in his internal clock, Trunks proceeded to fill him in. She started with the day she made the original backup, after confirming what Sixteen's radar had said about her strength, before going into the Room of Spirit and Time with Piccolo and Tenshinhan. She thanked him, as without his words, without his data and without his analysis, she couldn't have improved as much. It was thanks to that accidental "back up" that after his destruction by Cell, the Briefs managed to restore him.
Trunks quickly reassured Sixteen that Cell was indeed dead. It was killed by Son Gohan, thanks to his intervention during the fight, but Gohan would be able to give him a better rundown of things later. Then she gave more good news: Seventeen and Eighteen were alive and well, and she would take him to them after dinner. Son Goku being dead was the information Trunks dreaded sharing, but Sixteen only expressed mild annoyance due to his priority systems. Earth was safe, so he could now focus on protecting nature, feeding animals, taking care of the menagerie and of Tama if he wanted and if the Briefs agreed (Trunks doubted they would refuse).
Sixteen expressed satisfaction at the state of the world and eagerly agreed to meet again with his siblings. It was only fair to set him free and let the three of them decide whether they wanted to stay together or part ways; according to Dr Brief, Sixteen was welcome anytime, and even if it was a risk her old self wouldn't take, she trusted Vegeta and Gohan to deal with the three of them, should they start causing problems. Sixteen had proved himself to be a valuable ally, after all.
Reassured Sixteen was indeed the Sixteen they all knew, Trunks excused herself to go make a phone call, and Bulma took over to find him better clothes than that horrible green armor. Krillin happily tagged along, he was overjoyed by seeing the Android he saved from Trunks' wrath alive and well, as much as an Android could be, and Sixteen conveyed his gratitude to him as well, and then to Gohan whom he was happy to see again as well. Sixteen knew the boy had the strength and potential to be stronger than Cell, which was why he wasn't surprised that he was the one who defeated Cell in the end.
Trunks didn't come clean that she basically 'stole' Sixteen's new body from the 787-version of Gero's lab, but thankfully nobody questioned and they all probably guessed, if they thought about it. 787 wouldn't miss him.
Trunks' phone call to Mika was to ask whether he could pass a message over to the Cyborgs, about meeting one last time before she went back home. Trunks stayed on the line while Mika put her on hold to call the siblings and ask them, and then put Eighteen directly in contact with Trunks.
"Eighteen. I would like to meet you both after dinner time."
"Just ask for my brother, Trunks, I have no desire to hold the candle."
Trunks stayed silent, then quietly hit her forehead on the wall when Eighteen laughed on the phone.
"I'm fucking with you, geez you're far too serious sometimes. Where?"
"Anywhere you prefer."
"Mhh.. Lemme ask. Hey, Seventeen!"
Trunks heard Eighteen talk to her brother, telling him they had a date and needed to pick a place for that same evening, after dinner. They went back and forth about random places, from high-end restaurants to a bar to the beach to some arcade place, until Eighteen went back to the phone.
"Trunks, you still there?"
"Yes."
"There's a cute park with slopes and monkey bars, here in Central City, behind where Mika and Syo-chan live. Couple of blocks. It's called West Park for some stupid-ass reason even if it's on the east of the city. It closes early, but I'm sure we can sneak in. Sounds good?"
"I'll be there at around ten, then," Trunks confirmed.
The barbecue in the gardens was pleasant for everyone, including Vegeta who snuck on to Panchy to ask her to get more of this 'Taramusi' wonder he had inhaled that afternoon. Trunks couldn't help but smile at having found a weakness of Vegeta's. She had enjoyed a peaceful, binder-free nap after her phone call, and after changing into something more city-like, she happily mingled with the families and guests.
Trunks, the baby, had for once chosen Gohan as his assigned sitter, and Chichi watched over them with kind eyes. She and her unborn child were in good hands, Gohan would make a wonderful big brother, and something about the boy having making peace with Goku's death had reassured Chichi.
Eventually, Trunks managed to catch Krillin, after thinking through what she was going to tell him.
"Krillin-san, do you have something planned after dinner?"
"No, not really, an early night perhaps, why?"
"I.. intend on returning Sixteen to Seventeen and Eighteen. It would only be fair if you witnessed what your kindness has allowed, and I know Eighteen wants to see you again. Will you come with me?"
Krillin gasped, all red at the prospect of meeting the woman he fell in love with, and nodded enthusiastically, agreeing to come, then panicking about his lack of flowers and his need to change into a proper suit. He went to ask for Bulma's help, without even fully wording his agreement to come along, and Trunks smiled in her drink.
Trunks spent the rest of dinner observant, mindlessly playing with the tags around her neck. One was hers, the other was the one her older self gave her. She was almost done with everything she needed to do in this world, and was eager to go back home and do what was needed.
Panchy came around to compliment her on her button shirt and her sense of style, which Trunks didn't expect considering it was her own mother who more or less put her wardrobe together with whatever they found, and mentioned how happy she was that 'Tora-chan and Vegeta-kun made up'.
"And thank you for picking such wonderful meat and little desserts for everyone! They are perfect."
"I didn't do anything but spend your money, Panchy-san," Trunks couldn't take any credit, the housewife was unwilling to hear about her paying for anything for the compound. Picking food wasn't a praise worthy skill in her mind. Panchy dismissed the humility and went on her way.
Practicing being a big brother with baby-Trunks, arguably a fussy demanding little rascal, was truly a sight to behold, and Gohan was doing a damn good job at feeding him, keeping his attention and engaging him, making him walk and encouraging his speech. Gohan on baby-duty was the most precious thing Trunks had seen that day, next to Vegeta's ecstatic expression when tasting the tiramisu she bought for him. There was a sense of deep satisfaction about another little victory.
Speaking of Vegeta, he got closer to her and stared right through her the moment Panchy left to entertain others. It was then that Trunks fully understood. Vegeta had been stalking her ever since their fight got interrupted by the Gravity Room's failure, because he wanted her to continue that fight. They had fought afterwards, when Vegeta got pissed because he felt Goku and Gohan train, but it wasn't the same. It wasn't the 'Saiyan apology' he had started in the Gravity Room.
'You said there's an Earthling way to apologize. Tell me how,' he had demanded of her.
He wasn't talking about apologizing to Bulma.
He was asking about apologizing to her.
As she recalled all the events that led to their fight in the Gravity Room, Trunks realized Vegeta had been trying to communicate something since he left the Room of Spirit and Time. She had already known he changed with his year alone, but it was more than that. He had been trying to apologize ever since, and Trunks had shunned him and left it to marinate. She had been denying him the chance to do right by her, and he had no other tools. She had been cruel.
"Tomorrow, at sunrise," she told him and had a brief hand gesture to indicate the Gravity Room further away on the premises.
Vegeta glanced at the ship, then locked eyes with Trunks, gave a vague approval, then left. Too many people.
By nine, Trunks prepared to leave, telling the Briefs she didn't know when she would be back precisely, and to not wait for her. Sixteen could return earlier on his own perhaps, which was why Dr Brief added him to the authorized personnel to enter the compound, even if he couldn't go everywhere, the menagerie and gardens were open for him to enjoy and stay at.
Krillin bid his farewells, intending to go home just after meeting the Cyborgs, after Bulma had helped him pick some flowers from the garden for a cute bouquet for 'that mysterious date' and reassuring his dinner outfit was perfectly fine.
To avoid suspicion and questions about where they were going, Krillin left first, flying, while Trunks and Sixteen were getting ready to go with her car. The Briefs and Bulma repeated to Sixteen he was free to do whatever he wanted now, but he if needed a place to stay, their menagerie, their gardens and their house was always open. And if there was any problem, they would do the maintenance. Sixteen promised to come back.
"Enjoy your night out, don't be reckless!" Bulma told them as Trunks' car lifted off. She gave her alternate mother a sincere smile and a nod, then waved before going to their meeting place.
Over the past week or so, Mika, Syowa and the Cyborgs worked their best to find the latter pair a proper setup for their new life. The capsule house Trunks had left them was big enough for the two of them, with two similar bedrooms and basic necessities covered, and considering their mode of transportation, they could pop it anywhere. There were capsule-house places to use in many cities though, so Mika arranged for one of those places to be used once the twins gave their approval for a sort-of semi-permanent place to set their house at.
Syowa took them shopping for everything else that they might need, and they bought a mobile phone to keep in touch. They had enough money for their own needs for the time being, considering they had little expenses, and Mika wanted them to focus on regaining their sense of self before worrying about 'work' or any of that. As long as they didn't fall back on delinquency…
Trunks' phone call was a surprise, but not an unwelcome one, so he eagerly put her in contact with the Cyborgs directly.
By the time the last desserts were brought in, Bulma took a few and excused herself, entrusting the rest of dinner to her mother who gladly accepted it and kissed her good night. She went to find Vegeta in their bedroom, sitting in their bed even. He looked more relaxed, somehow, even if he still had this darkness around him. She kicked off her shoes, got closer to the bed and sat the little tray full of pastries on his lap while she got out of her dress.
The moment she turned back to her companion, all of the pastries but one were gone.
"Damn it all, Vegeta! I wanted some!"
"This one is coffee flavored," he took the tiny tiramisu he saved in his hand and then presented it to her.
She sat by him, took the last remaining piece, sighed about having left food in front of a Saiyan, and smiled at the little piece of wonder.
"You don't like tiramisu?"
"I do, the brat made me taste it. So I kept it for you, my mate."
"That's.. oddly romantic, I guess." She ate the pastry in two slow bites and let out a satisfied sound. "Ok, I forgive you, it's not strawberry but tiramisu is still very nice."
"Yes." He confirmed, pushed the tray off of him and grabbed Bulma's arms to bring her close to him. "I want to taste it, now."
Bulma couldn't really refuse the strange demand, and gave him the kiss he requested, even if Vegeta had cryptic ways of showing affection.
"Once more, please, Bulma," he whispered on her lips, seeking permission, seeking her initiative.
West Park was indeed a children's park, closed late afternoon, but breaking in when one could fly was not much of a challenge. Krillin had waited near Central City until he could pick up Trunks' ki, and when he did, he followed the green car.
Trunks flew over the city until he found the park, which she found easily thanks to her knowledge of Mika's building and where the east was. She parked on top of a building, capsulized the car, and with Sixteen and Krillin, quietly fell down towards the date location.
They were a little early, but the Cyborgs had arrived earlier.
"Oh fuck me!"
Seventeen was the first to notice the ginger giant landing in the park, near the slopes, as he and Eighteen were sitting on either side of a seesaw. Seventeen jumped off, making Eighteen touch ground with a painful thud and a curse, and ran towards Sixteen, screaming his name.
"Affirmative, I am Android Sixteen," the Android answered with an expressive smile.
Eighteen turned around to see where Seventeen was running towards, when she heard Sixteen's voice, saw him, all dressed nicely in black slacks and a white button shirt, and suddenly forgot about the thousand beatings she planned to give to Seventeen for having dropped the seesaw without warning. Her face turned bright and she too ran to their missing sibling.
"Oh my god Sixteen, it's you!"
"Affirmative," he repeated.
Without a hint of hesitation, the two of them jumped into Sixteen's arms, overjoyed of seeing once more the friend they thought they had lost for good.
It was a strange coincidence that the twins had also somewhat dressed nicely; Seventeen believing it was a date with Trunks had also put a white linen button-up shirt, albeit with short sleeves and clean black straight jeans, while Eighteen a red blouse tucked into form-fitting blue jeans. Mindful of what Trunks had told him the last time they saw each other, he also brought his hair together to tie it into a ponytail, even if not all of the silky black locks made it in.
The twins started to explain how they thought they'd lost him for good. Trunks and Krillin touched ground close to a swingset, giving them their moment and not letting their presence known just yet, but Sixteen was quick to point out them to the twins, who promptly calmed down their enthusiasm.
Seventeen noticed how Krillin had dressed all nice and carried flowers, then glanced at his sister, and shared a glance to Trunks. With a brief gesture, they agreed to leave the two alone.
"Come on big bro, there's ducks over there, let's check them out."
Trunks encouraged Krillin by putting a hand on his shoulder, giving a gentle and approving pat, then went off to follow the other two.
"Hi- uh. Eighteen. Miss Eighteen." Krillin was nervous. He was looking down, holding the bouquet close, rubbing his foot on the dirt.
Eighteen was no better, she couldn't even speak, but her unflinching ice stare would be best if not met. The quiet awkward moment had to be interrupted at some point, Eighteen coming back to her senses.
"Are those.. for me?"
"YES! y-yes.." Krillin curried closer and extended the bouquet, trembling. "They're primroses," he fumbled a little while Eighteen took the little red, orange and white bouquet and brought it to her face to smell it. Krillin tried his best to remember what Bulma had told him about the colors, about the flowers, their representation of earnest tenderness and sincerity, a bright new start, but nothing came.
"Thank you, Krillin," she whispered. "For these, but also for everything else."
She wasn't about to list it all, but the depth of her voice went straight to Krillin's heart. He had tried defending her against Cell, he thought of her happiness and safety first by wishing the bombs away, even if he thought she and Seventeen were a couple. He destroyed the remote and asked her to flee, potentially dooming the planet. And he saw her.
She held the bouquet close to her, closed the distance with a step, leaned in to give him a gentle and chaste kiss, one far softer than the playful one she had first given him after destroying Vegeta.
Trunks stood with crossed arms, hands on her elbows, a smirk on her face, as Sixteen was focused on the little lake's sleeping ducks, watching silently and not that interested in anything else.
Seventeen watched the scene between the two love birds from behind a tree with a slightly suspicious look, but he walked away when she went in for the kiss; he didn't need to see that, ew. His sister could defend herself and that man seemed like a perfectly safe guy for her to love, he didn't need to watch over them anymore.
"I didn't bring you flowers," Seventeen admitted, giving back his 'date' his attention as they walked away, putting distance between themselves and Krillin and Eighteen, and letting Sixteen focus on the lake's inhabitants.
"I don't care for flowers," she brought her hand to the dog tags underneath her shirt. "I just came to bring you Sixteen, and to say goodbye. I am going back to my own world tomorrow."
"That's too soon," Seventeen's protest came out a little too fast to be anything but genuine, and he moved closer to her side.
Trunks couldn't help but tense seeing the Cyborg move towards her like that, her fingers gripping on her own sleeves and her eyes locked on a potential target. Seventeen noticed and opened up his body language to show himself as non-threatening, walking a little ahead in a sign of trust. Not like he could do much about it, should Trunks decide to off him.
"I have been away from my world for too long already," she sighed.
"Then what's an extra day?"
"Seventeen, my goal was always to destroy you and Eighteen," she had to be stern and cold. 'The more time I spend here with you, the more I might hesitate when I will have to face the versions of you that have tortured me and my world all my life...'
"Your goal is to kill them, not us," he insisted, turning around and stopping in front of her. Trunks stopped walking too, and Seventeen approached close enough to touch if he extended his arm. He put both hands on his hips, expectant of her answer.
Truth was her goal had been to ensure this universe would be safe, which was a success, and find a solution for her world, which she did by growing that much stronger. Then she added to her problem-solving skills saving another universe: 787. Three worlds at peace was not something to scoff at. She could be proud, her victory was almost complete, it was just a matter of execution.
".. Right," Trunks had to admit the mistake. "My apologies. But I can't let it happen. I do not want you to chase the baby in twenty years, and I do not want to entertain the possibility of this going anywhere."
What Seventeen heard was that Trunks was afraid of catching feelings, even if she phrased it the other way around. He laughed quietly, and Trunks frowned and moved back with a quiet hiss, the laugh reminding her of painful events.
"Hey it's ok. I promise I won't chase after the baby, and it doesn't need to go anywhere. I might have grown obsessed with you as a coping mechanism, but I'll work through it. In the meantime, the only thing I want is to have a good time with you. Because you're gorgeous, strong and kind," he punctuated by pointing at her directly. "Live in the present. Or in the past, from your point of view, I guess."
"Seventeen-"
"And," he got closer, his index finger giving a gentle poke to her shoulder. "I want you to call me Lapis, so you don't see me as whatever monster 'another me' became in your world."
Trunks grabbed the hand that touched her the moment he finished speaking. She pushed his hand away, and he didn't resist, only grinning with a certain pride. She stared right into the same pale iris she looked at with resolution and hate when she was younger, but his light and sincerity made them different. No, they weren't the same eyes, she realized. This Cyborg had emotions, he cared for others, unlike the Seventeen she knew and she wouldn't hesitate destroying. She knew they weren't the same.
And Trunks remembered her older self's words, encouraging her to have fun, to date him. To 'not think'.
"You're not Seventeen," she convinced herself, then got closer and put her hands on him; one on his shoulder, the other behind his head, the fingers sliding under the elastic holding his hair. She appreciated the effort he put in to not look like Seventeen, and barely tensed when he put his hands on her hips. A gentle touch, even. She closed the distance to put her lips on his.