When Spring Came

Chapter 6: Under Your Skin

AN: I'm forcing myself to write during this venus in Leo 3 sorry it may not be amazing but this story has been in the back of my head allllll week

Marron arrived at her apartment, dejectedly walking past her kitchen and living room flopping backward into her plush bed. Her heart beat uneasily as she held her fingers to her lips, gently grazing the digits against her fleshy mound. The ghost of Trunks' hands, the foreign expression in his face...they almost…kissed…she frowned as she glanced at the darkness in her room. Her hand now laying at her side. This must have been some weird fluke, Trunks hates her! Marron 'hates' him too.

So why did her lips get so close to his? How did she allow such a thing to happen? It was late, you had a few drinks…Marron chastised herself. She kept getting herself into trouble when she drank, hell… that's how she ended up in this situation in the first place. Marron wanted to scream into a pillow, into the void…anywhere! "Idiot!" She screamed grabbing fisfuls of her own hair. He was so stupidly handsome, it seemed to supercede the thoughts of rationality. Marron sunk deeper into the bed, from her point of view it was like a fever dream. His hair was billowing in the salty ocean air with magnetic charm...is this how he has droves of women behind him? The thought grossed the blonde out enough to snap back to her senses. She should have been thinking about how to win over Goten! Not wondering why almost kissed Trunks.

Would it have really been that bad? One part of her asked. What would have happened if they didn't hear the explosion nearby? He would have actually kissed her and then what…never hear the end of it? Hear a cheap joke about how true her devotion was to Goten…Why was she even thinking about these things in the first place. Marron had been so solid in her footing just a week ago.

Marron groaned as she grabbed her scalp. "Damn it, Marron, how did you get yourself into this mess…" She rubbed her face, as she glanced up to the ceiling. She believed she had put any question to bed and that it was a fluke not answering. She simply has to double down on her passion and desire for Goten.

Goten…She held her hands to her lips, pale blue eyes closing gently as her fingers stayed pressed to her bottom lip. Her love for him was pure and unadulterated…she didn't need someone like Trunks to come and muddle things up for her. No matter how smoldering that idiot is, she wouldn't let that come between her true goal.

She was sure he was relieved it didn't happen...just as she was relieved that the Gods above allowed that explosion bring them both to their senses.

Meanwhile, in the confines of the residential wing of Capsule Corp, a certain lavender-haired man was dejectedly staring at the floor of his bathroom. "Never do that again," the hybrid said splashing cold water onto his face, his eyes dark as he glanced into his own reflection in the mirror. His heart was starting to play a very dangerous game…and this is one he definitely did not want to play. Trunks scratched the memory out of his head. If Marron wasn't going to talk about it, he wasn't going to talk about it either.

He stripped out of his clothes, and into sweatpants, throwing his body into the bed. Not caring where the clothes fell as he laid his hands flat against the bed. In a state of contemplation, the hybrid felt the waves of question roll in. Why didn't she move? That was the part that Trunks kept replaying in his head for whatever ungodly reason. She was like a deer in headlights, what if that were Goten that she was about to randomly kiss, would she be so out of it then too? Trunks rolled his eyes as he turned on his side glaring at the pieces of ribbon from earlier when he untied Giru.

"It's a fluke," Trunks kept telling himself that more and more lately. His favorite little blonde has had him second-guessing his every move. He covered his face with his hands, groaning into them as he pulled down the skin on his face. Why did Marron always have to complicate things?

First, she drunkenly tries to confess her love to him, then continuously goes out of her way to make his every waking moment a living hell. He hadn't been on Earth for even a week and he was left to deal with the shenanigans of a woman in love. A part of him is hoping his plan works sooner rather than later…and the faster he can marry off Marron and Goten, the faster he can focus solely on Capsule Corp.

He guessed that statistically speaking, nothing was ever going to go according to plan. Marron was his wrench in his plans, and also a solution… but he was nervous, the plan he made in his head goes completely astray…what would he do if Goten marries Valese? Then fake dating Marron would have been for essentially nothing but his benefit.

He sometimes wished this all could have been easier. That Marron was a sweet girl that was easy to fall for, instead of the loud-mouth spitfire she actually was; cute, sassy, and extremely obnoxious. But, his love life was never going to be a walk in the park. The sooner he accepted that the sooner he can get on with the rest of his life. As he attempted to fight off any further thoughts of her, the hybrid drifted off into a disturbed and unpeaceful slumber.

"We will now turn to page 830, where we will discuss the earth's mightiest hero, Mr. Satan, and the effects of Cell on the local population of Ginger Town," the bespectacled woman read aloud as she held the book up to her face.

Bulla stared off dejectedly towards the window. What an absolute joke of a chapter…she was very much convinced that a chapter such as this was absolutely pointless to bring up again but she held her tongue. It was a mandatory read and the last thing she needs is disciplinary action. She just needed to keep her nose down and finish her schoolwork.

She glanced at her nails, taking a look at her cuticles while the teacher droned on in the background about the multiple murders Cell committed. Truly, why were all of those details necessary for an economics class? The blue-haired teen shuffled through her bag, searching for her phone as she whipped it out, looking down to notifications from Pan.

Bulla sighed as she opened her phone, her eyes averting back up to the teacher to check if she was looking.

Bulla!

What's up?

Ur brother hasn't set a date for the date yet :)

Bulla looked at her phone, annoyance struck her features as she tapped her foot on the floor. What were they waiting for? It's been almost three days and Trunks and Marron still hasn't set a date…her bet was on the line! She kept a hand on her chin as she looked up at the teacher, idly texting without looking down at her phone.

What? Wtf

I'll take my money thru zenniapp btw :p Ƶpannypan

Bulla grit her teeth, leaving Pan on reading as she swapped over to open a conversation with her lovely brother, her long nails were clicking loudly at the point catching the attention of a couple of people around her. The bluenette slowed her pace, taking a glance up at her classmates and casting a death glare that could cut through them.

Hiii beloved big bro who I love more than anything in this universe

What do you want?

Do you mind explaining why u haven't set the double date up yet…:) ?

I'm at work right now.

Bulla scoffed, rolling her eyes as she threw her phone back into her bag, pressing her hand against her cheek as she gnawed on her thumb. Something wasn't right, and Bulla intended to get to the bottom of it as soon as possible. Trunks was a dead end, so maybe…she'd have to pay Marron a visit.

She flicked her eyes back at the bag, her hand itching to grab the device before she caught the teacher's attention. "Bulla," the woman called, her eyes drilling into the teen. "How would you correlate the rise in inflation during times of peace in the Western Capital?"

Bulla cursed silently. That bitch…she knew that Bulla wasn't paying attention to anything she was droning on about. "Becauuuuse….." Bulla began swaying herself back into her seat, "lack of workers lead to higher wages so when the earth populace increased it called for more government spending?" Bulla took a stab at the question, a cheeky smile as she flipped a few pages forward in her notebook.

"Good enough," the teacher said as she went back to reading aloud.

Bulla let out a sigh of relief, her eyes skimming the next page as she thought of what her plan was. A devious smirk pulling on her glossy lips, she had a plan and it included possibly extorting info from a certain little droid. As she grabbed her phone again and opened the conversation with Pan one more time.

dw…just wait until tonight

Marron sighed as she placed her bag on the hook on the wall. She was so tired and she had hardly done anything all day. But having to even think about Trunks, even for a moment, was an entire event and mentally exhausting. The blonde dragged her feet as she flopped down into her couch once more, her hands laying on her chest.

She walked about for a bit after getting off the subway, taking a longer route than usual home as she took two earlier stops and walked around the Leo district for a bit. Anyone in the fashion world knew this was the place to be to catch the latest trends. Never mind fashion magazines and beauty vloggers – this was where to get the latest.

Marron was never such a fashion-forward girl, she wasn't daring but was an admirer of different subcultures. In fact, the dress she wore for the welcome back party was the most daring thing she'd worn in a while. Her style had gone from very preppy and conservative to a more relaxed, laid-back one. Perhaps it was laced with her insecurities, maybe she wanted to be safe and not be noticed.

She only wanted to be perceived when she chose and consented to it. The blonde's legs hung off the side of the couch as she blew air past her lips. The panoramic view of West City under a purple and pink sunset glowed into her home, leaving the orange hues of the sleeping sun to illuminate her living room.

She outstretched her hands under the rays of illumination, her hands casting a long shadow, all for it to be obstructed by the view of a slender figure. Marron jumped, catching the flash of blue knocking on her window, a cheeky smile on her face, and a robot clinging to her shoulders for dear life.

Marron's eyes nearly bulged out of her skull, as she sat up making a double-take as she got closer to the window. Given her plaid skirt and buttoned blazer, she imagined the girl got out of class not too long ago, "Bulla?!" She nearly screamed and her eyes drifted towards the robot wrapped up in ribbons. "What are you–"

"Let me in!" The teenager yelled pointing at the window of Marron's bedroom. The blonde watched in disbelief as the bluenette twirled in the air towards the room. Marron followed suit, cracking open the window as the girl slipped in. Her silky blue hair was still perfect as ever despite the wind whacking against it. "Hey hey future sis-in-law," Bulla squealed throwing her arms over her and squeezing her into a tight bear hug.

Marron felt light-headed from the sheer force Bulla came at her with and nearly knocked the wind out of her. She wasn't entirely sure if that came from the fact she called her sis-in-law, or from the fact, that Marron is just physically inferior to the Saiyan girl. "How ya' doin?" Bulla began, "Good I hope!"

Marron chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck as her eyes flicked between Bulla and the little robot who it seems was taken hostage by the teenager. "I-I'm doing good…" Marron nervously responded. She wasn't sure what the exact intentions of the girl were, but clearly, the blonde was woefully unprepared. "What are you doing here, Bulla?" Marron asked trying to read her.

Bulla sighed sitting at the foot of the blonde's bed. Her red manicured hands feel the fabric of the comforter. "Well," Bulla began, a pout on her lips, "I had a thought, that concerned me quite a bit–" the teen continued, casting a somewhat accusatory glance at Marron. Bulla was convinced after her interaction with Trunks and Giru in regards to a girlfriend that there was something she wasn't aware of, and given how easy Marron has always been to read…it shouldn't be hard to sniff it out.

Marron's forehead was beaded with sweat, and Bulla's word choice was concerning. Had she found her out? Marron leaned herself against the dresser observing the younger girl. She had her blue daggers drilling into her, it was like she was in a room with a damn shark. She looked at the little robot in her arms, she could have sworn that was Trunks' robot companion.

"There is something you have been keeping from me," Bulla's words sliced through Marron's defenses, she was good. "Tell me," the teen sauntered over to the nervous blonde, "why haven't you set a date up yet…is it that you and Trunks aren't–?"

Marron almost stumbled over her words, an empty squeak was all she could let out before Giru thrashed in his death trap of ribbons. "Negative!" The droid panicked remembering what Trunks said about keeping things secret.

The blonde turned her head to Giru, her brow quirked as she walked over and picked him up. "Is he like…actually sentient?" Marron asked eyeing him curiously as she untied the ribbons from him.

"Yes," Bulla began before violently shaking her head. She was getting off track! She needed to question Marron, not answer questions about Giru's sentience. Bulla quickly ran to attempt to grab the robot but Marron barely dodged her. "Ugh, that's not the point!" Bulla snapped.

Bulla pointed an accusatory finger toward Marron, "you guys haven't set up the date, tell me why now."

Marron quirked a brow at Bulla, that was unexpected. She had become quite pushy. "Why are you so invested in my relationship with your brother?" Marron said as she set Giru down on the dresser. "You can't hurry love you know?" She almost wanted to barf at the sentence, she could hardly call what she had with Trunks as a like let alone love.

"Because," Bulla whined, casting a glance off to the side, "Pan doesn't believe you guys are together and we had a bet–"

"Oh," Marron cut her off, crossing her arms. In moments like these, she channeled her mother down to the expression as she tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "So, you came here because of your own self-interest–"

Bulla piped down, glancing up to Marron, almost like a puppy that got scolded. "Well…when you put it like that…" Bulla began, kicking the tip of her shoe against the floor. "Yeah…"

Marron laughed, watching the girl nervously press her fingers together. "Well, at least you are being honest," she said. Marron was relieved she could take control of the conversation before Bulla could come up with any assumptions as to what was going on. Especially given that this little robot might know more than it led on.

"Well, why haven't you?" Bulla asked now sitting down on the bed crossing her legs. "I tried asking Trunks and he would not answer, he was telling me he was busy," she said that last part with air quotes and rolled her eyes quite dramatically.

"We…just haven't found the time to talk about it," Marron bit her lip. It wasn't that Trunks and her didn't have the time it's that they could hardly get anything done when they are beside eachother. It was constant spats or spaces that felt oddly intimate. Marron sighed as she walked over to Bulla sitting down beside her on the bed. "But, we will, heck I'll text him tonight."

"How is it dating him…?" Bulla asked. Marron was taken aback by the question, why was she wondering? "I don't…want to know the specifics, but Trunks was a mess when Mai left," Bulla continued her hands splayed against the comforter. "So, I was so surprised to hear he was dating someone."

Mai…the name was vaguely familiar, but Marron recalled a young girl who Trunks was very fond of in his youth. To be quite frank, she had her eyes and heart set on Goten…so she never bothered to pay attention to a lot aside from him…as bad as it sounds she tried to ignore Trunks for the majority of her teen and preteen years. "He's…" Marron paused glancing out to the window. Finding herself lost in the thoughts of Trunks…what is it like to date Trunks Briefs, really? They weren't dating…how could she answer? She needed to answer in a believable fashion.

Trunks didn't feel any sort of romantic inclinations towards Marron, and it was mutual. He was a scoundrel in her eyes, inconsistent, mean, and with a sharp tongue. But she thought back to the night before – the magnetic pull he had, how utterly still she remained. "...passionate." Marron swallowed hard, as she looked back at the teenager.

"Huh…" Bulla hummed as she swung her feet off the side of the bed. "Well, I can see that," Bulla responded, "he's an all-or-nothing kind of guy, I think…"

Marron nodded, turning towards the robot on her dresser who was sitting watching the two women. "I don't want you to worry Bulla, about the double date–" Marron hummed out, "I've just been so busy with work…" That was a lie. Work hasn't been so time-consuming that she was unable to make plans...she's gone out with Trunks at least twice though it's under the guise of a "date."

She felt sick from the thought of holding Trunks' hand in front of Goten, making it seem like she wasn't totally and utterly consumed by love for Goten. "Y'know Marron," Bulla said as she flopped her back against the bed. "I really did think you had a thing for Goten–" she continued. "You used to stumble over your words whenever he was around," Bulla sighed, a giggle laced in her voice.

"I was jealous," the teen grinned, "I hav- I mean– had…such a big crush on him when I was little." Marron blinked, looking at the girl's flushed cheeks, a small smile laced on Bulla's glossy lips. She was so obvious, it must have been the bliss of being a teen in love. "I always secretly wished…my brother would sweep you off your feet–I didn't want to compete with someone I cared so much about."

Marron's eyes widened, as her eyes averted. Trunks sweep her off her feet? Yeah right. The most he'd do is a sweep kick to the legs. But honestly, Marron couldn't blame the young teen for her crush, Goten truly was an exemplary, kind soul. It's easy for any girl to fall head over heels with him, never mind just his looks. Warm gentle eyes, with wild side swept hair and a brilliant smile. That was Goten. He was careful, caring, and kind.

"I do–I did like him at one point in time," Marron held her tongue, careful to not allow a slip of tongue to give her away.

"I knew it!" Bulla sat up with a wild grin on her face, "I'm glad my wish came true!" The blonde froze as Bulla went in for a tight squeeze, "I'm so happy I have a big sister like you now."

Marron looked down, a brow quirked as she chuckled. "You know I have always been here for advice," she stated matter-of-factly as she patted the silky locks of blue. "Me dating your brother never changed that."

"Yeah but when you get married I'll be able to call you my real family," Bulla squealed. The color on Marron's face drained, almost comically. She needed to keep the illusion of something akin to a real relationship with Trunks– so Marron stayed quiet as she patted Bulla on the head.

"You sure come up with some crazy stuff in that head of yours, Bulla," Marron chuckled nervously as she cleared her throat. "I'm here regardless."

"You better be," Bulla looked up at Marron, her blue eyes drilling into the blonde's eyes. "If Trunks even tries to hurt you…he will be receiving the biggest beat down of the century," Bulla's tone sent shivers down Marron's spine…you could tell she was not playing. The blue-haired girl released Marron as she stretched her arms and neck.

"Anyways," Bulla yawned, as she grabbed her phone and typed something in, the clack of her long nails against the screen. "Trunks should be here any second to get his little toy," Bulla glanced over to Giru who sat quietly on Marron's dresser.

"What?!" Marron exclaimed, panicking as she grabbed the little robot in her arms.

Bulla snickered, "he has a tracker on the little guy, he's so paranoid of it getting into trouble…so I played around with his tracker and sent Trunks a red alert that he was in–"

"DANGER DANGER!" Giru blared.

Marron glared over to Bulla who smiled satisfactorily at the chaos she created, as she quickly high-tailed out the window. "Remember to set up that double date Marron!" She screamed out as she bolted out the open window. And just like she said, one Briefs family member was replaced with another. Instead of a teenage girl in her school uniform, she found Trunks, donning another tan fitted suit as he glared into her bedroom from the outdoor window, Marron sent daggers in his way as she held the small droid in her arms.

His lavender hair danced in the gust of air that followed with his ki with his suit jacket being moved in the wind. His black and gold glasses shielded the pure rage in his eyes. If he wasn't such an annoying bastard, she would even say…he looked handsome when he had that stupid serious expression. But she'd never seen him radiate such an aura of annoyance. "You better have a damn good explanation Chestnut."

"Your sister," Marron groaned as she walked toward the window, the ki surrounding Trunks blowing harsh air around the blonde as her hair danced in the wind he created, as she handed the robot towards him. "Take him," Marron urged, "and maybe upgrade him to have some scissors or laser vision or something, the poor dude was wrapped in ribbons."

Trunks sighed, his hand dragging across his face as he made his way into the bedroom from the window. Marron stepped back cautiously watching as he picked Giru up gently, as Trunks inspecting any injury. It was quite amusing to see the care he had for the little robot, in most cases, she always saw him as a muscleheaded brute with a pretty face. "She triggered the alarm on him on her phone," Marron explained as she peered over his shoulder, "I swear I didn't know why she even came here with him."

"She was probably being nosy again," Trunks groaned as the small robot clutched onto Trunks' arm. Trunks could take a couple of guesses as to what the bluenette was up to, her desire to dig around in things that weren't her business was particularly annoying. He wished she didn't meddle in things that didn't pertain to her. "I'm guessing she was questioning you about the double date?" he asked as he turned to the blonde, who was watching him with a doe-eyed stare.

"Yeah," Marron sighed as she closed the window. She turned to look at Trunks the warm pink light from the sun, her breath caught in her throat. The lighting was quite perfect- it blended with his warm tan skin and pale lavender hair beautifully...the artist in Marron itched to grab her tablet, but she stayed still...lips agape with no words coming out. Why was she so afraid of him bringing up what happened? Would he bring it up? "She…is very insistent."

Trunks rolled his eyes, as he glanced over to Marron. "Maybe you should quit stalling the inevitable," he said, "if you can't get on board with this plan, we won't be able to make any progress on getting you with Goten." He was right...Marron was stalling, as if some invisible force was stopping her form pushing through and getting over this hump. What was stopping her?

Marron huffed as she sat down on the edge of her bed. "You're right," Marron chewed on her nail, " you know...my parents don't even know about our fake relationship yet."

"Shit, mine don't either" Trunks gritted his teeth - a half lie, Bulma knew...but wasn't convinced but he didn't want to worry her about that just yet. "we need to get this train chugging along." He sat down beside her, causing Marron to flinch. Trunks cast a strange glance her way, she was very on edge...was it because of what happened near Monster Island? She couldn't even sit near him without being hyper conscious of his existence."Jeez, you'll make someone think I beat you with a reaction like that," Trunks snickered as he pulled his phone out. "We need to up your acting skills," Trunks continued as he scrolled through the device. "We're calling Goten to set up this date, understand?"

Marron frowned, she didn't want to do it right now but if not now...when? And also...who the hell did he think he was talking to? What need was there to question her like a child. "I understand quite well, I don't understand why you asked me like I'm a child."

"With the way you behave, I can't tell the difference," Trunks rolled his eyes his voice laced in sarcasm as he dialed the hybrids number. "You should know how to sit and keep that pretty mouth shut but you always need to be the one with the last word," Trunks snipped back, as he listened for each ring.

"What the fuck—" Marron was interrupted by Trunks' hand clasped over Marron's lips causing her to glare up at him with enraged eyes.

"Goten!" Trunks exclaimed as he put the phone on speaker for Marron to hear, watching as her eyes lit up in excitement.

Marron licked Trunks' palm causing him to snatch his hand away wiping his hand on his pants in disgust. He mouthed a silent "ew" at Marron while she rolled her eyes she should be the one in disgust feeling his grubby hands on her face. "Trunks, what's up!" Goten replied with excitement.

"Hi, Goten!" Marron piped in, her voice laced in sweetness causing Trunks to silently groan. She was always so eager to talk to Goten but was a raging bitch to him. She glared back at Trunks with daggers digging into his face, her eyes screaming 'do we have a problem?' as she continued to smile through her voice.

"Marron?" Goten asked, "didn't know you were there too, what's going on guys?"

"We just wanted to set a date for this double date," Trunks chimed in. Marron's mouth ran dry, she forgot just how sad the circumstances she was in was. Goten wasn't excited to talk to her...she needs to put these delusions of grandeur to bed. "Does Friday work for you and Val?" Marron craned her head at Trunks. Friday?! That's two days from then. She had to mentally prepare herself for a date with the love of her life and her sworn frenemy in two days. Marron could almost feel the bile bubbling back up in her throat feeling as the rest of the conversation drifted into muffled noises.

She was not okay. Not only that– Trunks has her questioning her own sanity. The rage this idiot brought upon her was incomprehensible. Marron was scared, nervous, and most of all angry. She was angry at him for being the way he was, so mean and stupidly pretty while also manipulating all situations in his favor. He was born with so much luck, in love, and in life. It wasn't fair! Nothing about Trunks was fair, even when it came to her love confession...her words were wasted on the wrong person. Trunks was such and infuriatingly obnoxious man, why did she have to end up in this situation with someone as cocky as him?

Why couldn't it have been Goten who took her home and cared for her drunk self? Why was the universe pushing him her way at every given chance...even in their youth Marron was always bound to have her plans foiled by Trunks intentionally or unintentionally.

As Trunks hung up the call he glanced over to Marron, "Did you catch everything?" He asked in his typical snarky fashion however– he didn't expect the angry Blonde to pin him against the bed as she straddled atop of his stomach locking him in place with her thighs with an angry fist in hand that Trunks quickly caught. "Woah Woah, what the fuck Mar–"

Marron snapped out of it, glancing down at the hybrid, his lavender locks disheveled from the sudden movement against her white comforter, his eyes glazed over in confusion with cheeks slightly pink from the compromising position. She was now sitting atop of him, if someone were to walk in in that moment, they'd think they had just walked in on something intimate. Marron's face grew red out of embarrassment, she acted without thinking…she was so mad that she truly attempted to pin down a Saiyan.

Trunks, however was far more impressed than angry. When she was blind with rage, she was unexpectedly strong, at first glance you would think Marron is like any other average human. But she was lean muscle, and that's all thanks to her martial arts training. Her blonde hair cascaded down around him. A small smirk pulled on the corner of his lips. "You look kinda cute just now," Trunks joked as he gingerly got the blonde off him. "I'm sure if you pull that on Goten he'll love it."

He waited for Marron's reaction watching as his face and ears grew into a deep shade of red. "Th-That's–" Marron hopped off of him, scooting into the corner of the bed. "Don't ever say that again.."

Trunks sat back up, his elbows leaning against his thighs as he looked over to Marron who was avoiding looking him in the eye. "You can't get shy now," Trunks snickered, "you were just straddling me." How is it she can explode one moment and then act so bashful the next? What a contradiction of a woman she was…

Marron held her tongue, she was holding back from snapping as she stuffed her hands between her legs. "You ever know when to shut that mouth?" Marron asked, there she went again…talking before thinking, Trunks knew how to get under her skin and provoke her in ways no other being could. He turned towards her, close enough he could hear her heartbeat if he really wanted to. Marron's dug herself lower, her blush spread across her skin unsure if it was from the embarrassment or from something else.

"Yeah, I just choose not to," Trunks replied in his usual snarky manner, as he straightened out his suit and grabbed a hold of Giru. He glanced over to Marron who was suspiciously quiet, her gaze was downcast. It was akin to that day he had met with her at his welcome home party…the same sad eyes. The same sad eyes that pulled him into this mess...It took Trunks a lot to willingly choose to turn back around, bending down so he could meet Marron eye-to-eye. "What's up?" Trunks asked, being able to read the expression on the blonde's face clearer than day. "You look like shit right now…let me guess, you feel it too?"

Marron turned her head defiantly, her eyes glancing up towards the window to avoid meeting his. "You have a horrible way of dealing with people's emotions, Trunks," Marron sighed out, breaking out into a sad chuckle, "it can't be helped though."

He was empathetic, that much Marron could tell. However, he was horrendous at comforting people. However, he read her like a book, and unfortunately, he was right in his dissection of the words written on her face. She was scared, sad, and more than anything nervous. Nervous that their plan would backfire – that Goten would not see her for her, but as someone in Trunks' life. What if…Valese truly is his entire world? Where would the space she had carved in her heart for Goten go? She clutched the ends of her shirt, feeling as the tense nature of her volatile emotions overtook the air around them. Trunks shook his head, watching Marron's uneasiness. "Can you quit worrying about Goten," Trunks stated, "you need to believe in yourself."

Marron blinked as she stared at the hybrid who now stood up, "do you think you don't deserve this?" Trunks asked stuffing one hand into his pocket, his head tilting out of curiosity. The question threw Marron off, what was he implying? That she did deserve to be with Goten? That she didn't?

Does one deserve another person? What makes someone worthy of another? "I do…think so…" Marron muttered. She wasn't sure herself, Marron only knew the way her heartbeat around him was intense, and that she felt like she'd be happier by Goten's side. That she knew him better than any of the girls who tried to be a part of his life.

"Then," Trunks paused as he cast his gaze back over to her. "Stop willing yourself into believing you don't."

Marron was rendered speechless, who was he to say she was doing such a thing? Since when was Trunks the person who would be giving her dating advice? "You–" Marron began, about to throw out an accusatory statement before Trunks responded back.

"No, you truly need to believe it," Trunks stated, "for someone who lacks in confidence you sure seem to have a big pair of balls when it comes to dealing with me."

"I don't lack confidence," Marron shot back, folding her arms her jaw slack in disbelief. "I'm pretty and I know it," the blonde stuck her nose up at the hybrid. It was a half-truth Marron would tell herself when she woke up in the morning. She knew she was a cute and pretty girl…But was she pretty enough? Was she sexy? This was something she never was clear on.

"Yeah, so…" Trunks scratched his cheek, a small smirk tugging on the corner of his lip. "Where's this confidence with Goten?" Trunks crossed his arms, cocking his head to the side as he watched the blonde's face scrunch up in displeasure.

"It's different with Goten," Marron huffed.

"Is it?" Trunks asked, the light from outside had since dissipated allowing only the moonlight and city lights to leave the bedroom aglow. His fiery blue eyes pierced into hers, as the question lingered in the air for a moment too long.

"Yes," Marron hesitated..why did Marron hesitate...

It felt to her, that he could still be looking for an answer about what happened the night before. What answer could she give? He was the one who leaned in, and she…was practically under hypnosis. Under no regular circumstance would they ever do such a thing, but— why did Trunks care? He should be relieved and carry on with his day.

"I don't…understand, what you may be implying Trunks," Marron began as she held her gaze, "but there is nothing more to it than that."

"Good, I didn't think so." Trunks wanted to pry further, he knew what she was implying in the vagueness of her word choice, but kept to the choice of keeping things to the vague void of drunken mistakes. Even though they were both more than sober…it felt better to blame the alcohol than to reflect inwardly.

Trunks turned towards the window, pausing as he held the frame, his back to her. "Promise me something?"

Marron bit the inside of her cheek, what could he possibly want to ask for a promise? "Depends on what it is."

Trunks looked over his shoulder a smirk on his lips, "don't fall for me."

That definitely took Marron back for a second, her face shocked by the implication. How cocky was this asshole?! To assume or even imply such a thing was absolutely maddening to her. Marron grit her teeth, "don't plan on it." That definitely pissed her off, he sees her in an out-of-character moment once and has the audacity to say such a thing to her of all people.

"Oh and…" Trunks said as he unlocked the window, "promise you'll stop thinking you don't deserve good things, yeah?" He said as he pressed the sides of his fingers against his forehead as he floated out the window. "Catch you later, short stack."

Marron huffed, watching as he flew off into the night with the traces of his ki behind him. Marron locked the window, watching as she slid back into her bed, clutching her chest. She deserves good things…did he think she didn't know that? Did she act like she didn't? Why even give her advice…it came off like she was helpless with her own worth.

But, despite Trunks' pompous disposition…Marron was firm in her belief that she did deserve all the best things in life…that she will have her cake and eat it too…

Marron Chestnut knew her worth.

AN: A development! Trunks being a cocky little bastard per usual, I am lightening up their arguing just a smidge, but god...Trunks can be insufferable at times. I think he means well though! Let me know your thoughts!