Tangled Up in Blue
Disclaimers: I do not own DBZ/GT; credit to Majin_Angel_Chan for the concept of Planet Souljin and some future characters. Reminder, I'll be going based off ages from the guidebooks before DBS retconned a few things—I'm too used to Bulla being born in 778 and can't adapt LOL
Author's Note: WOW! Thank you everyone for the kind support so far! I am so humbled and honored to be on the receiving end of such encouragement. Thanks for pushing me forward. I cannot wait to share more of this story and hope it brings as much joy to you as it is bringing to me.
Chapter 1: The Man and The Moon
5 years later
"Bulla! Mom says if you're not out in five minutes, birthday or NO birthday, she's cancelling the whole thing!"
"In a minute, Trunks!"
Bulla was putting the finishing touches on her birthday ensemble as her brother bellowed outside of the room. While he was likely working as an agent on behalf of her mother, per his claim, Bulla knew Trunks never missed an opportunity to get her frazzled. However, there was little he could do to deter her mood tonight.
In the mirror, Bulla smoothed out the little black dress she bought with her mother a few weeks prior. Form-fitting and short, the birthday outfit hugged her curves in all the right places, her decolletage revealed just enough to showcase her assets. The shoes she selected matched her dress, albeit with a dash of sparkle to stand out. If there had been any disbelief that Bulla Briefs was now an adult, this dress would put those doubts to bed.
Her nerves revealed themselves through the shakiness of her hands as she clasped the last of her jewelry, a gift of earrings from her father (in actuality, mother) and observed herself in the mirror. Bulla dressed first and foremost for herself, but tonight she was hoping to capture the attention of a certain Saiyan hybrid.
Especially, given what tonight meant to her.
She exhaled slowly, analyzing her frame. Her steadied breathing calmed her nerves a bit, but she still couldn't help but feel a bit giddy in anticipation.
"As good as I'm gonna get—" Bulla mused, "I just hope it's enough."
The Saiyan Princess opened the door to see Trunks leaning up against the wall, smirking. "Glad you could join us this evening, your highness," he stated with a mock bow.
"Please, I was almost done when you felt the need to come screeching for me."
"Don't blame me," he said with a gesture of the hand, "I'm just the messenger."
Bulla rolled her eyes at her 30-year-old brother who, despite growing up quite a bit since their younger years, was still just a punky kid at heart. He was dressed in a suit, no tie, looking dapper than ever. The heiress knew that any of her mortal friends would be drooling over her sibling at the party, a fact that made her face grimace at the thought. His effect on others even extended to her closest friends, both Marron and Pan included. While the latter had long ended her juvenile crush on the heir, Bulla suspected Marron, who pulled double duty as a close friend to Trunks, always carried a torch for him.
Still, credit where credit is due, the Vegeta Briefs clan were an attractive bunch. Her mother's age was more apparent, but she nevertheless had the appearance of someone decades younger. Not only that, but her father was a genetic marvel with his pure Saiyan genes. Bulla was grateful she had such a strong bloodline, even when it made her recoil thinking about how Trunks also benefited from this.
Trunks' eyebrows raised when he saw Bulla's dress. Not that she hadn't had some questionable clothing choices in the past, a certain red ensemble coming to mind, but the big brother in him couldn't help but notice her awfully short hemline.
"Geeze Bulla," he began, "leave something to the imagination."
"Don't be gross, Trunks," she retorted with a hair flip, "I got this dress shopping with Mom."
"Did she see you in it?!"
"Are you telling me, dear brother, on my birthday of all days that I don't look nice?" she batted her eyelashes, almost looking as if she could cry. If he didn't know her better, he'd think that she was.
He sighed. "No, you look—definitely not like a kid anymore," Trunks remarked.
Bulla did a little spin. "That's the idea," she said with a wink, confirming his earlier suspicions.
Trunks folded his arms, in perfect mimicry of their father. "Dad's going to flip out, even if Mom gave the okay," he warned.
"Mom assured me that our dear father will be on his best behavior tonight, lest he spend the next month sleeping in the gravity room."
"Just who are you trying to impress, anyways? You don't really date and it's not like there's going to be anyone there you don't already know."
"Who says I'm trying to impress anyone?" Bulla lied through her teeth. If Trunks knew the depth of her feelings for Goten went well beyond just a silly crush, he would be besides himself.
The comment was enough to give him some consideration to her words.
Trunks remembered his sister going through a massive shift as she became an older teen. While her youth still shone through in ways related to shopping and hanging out with friends at the mall, the once boy-crazy Bulla was subdued. Though she naturally got attention just for winning the genetic lottery, her motivation dwindled, and Trunks always was curious what happened. It could have been she was just growing up, but knowing Bulla like he did, there was part of him that suspected ulterior motives.
"Suit yourself," he relented. Trunks put his hand on Bulla's shoulder and smiled. "You do look very pretty though, Bulla," her brother confessed, "can't believe you're eighteen."
Bulla pulled her brother into a hug—a sign they had long outgrown their childish antagonizing, even if the two still would tease each other occasionally. "Thanks Trunks," she murmured back.
He pulled back to kiss her cheek. "C'mon now," Trunks commented guiding her towards their party room, "before Mom actually does cancel this thing."
"Oh Trunks, you and I know she'd still have it, I would just not be able to attend."
Trunks chuckled to himself. His sister had a point.
Bulma Briefs could do a lot of things, and throwing a lavish soiree was certainly one of them. She spared no expense for her daughter's milestone birthday.
A black and white theme set the tone with ample balloons and lighting. The hired crew matched perfectly along with a plentiful buffet and drinks table. Music played in the background as her beloved husband sulked in the corner. Bulma was conducting the bevy of activity when her two children made their way into the room.
"About time you two," Bulma chided, "Bulla, I was this close to cancelling—"
"I know, I know," Bulla began hugging her mother. "Thanks Mom, it all looks wonderful."
Bulma stroked the back of her daughter's head and kissed it. "Of course. Happy birthday sweetie," she whispered.
"I think this is my cue to start pouring myself a drink…" Trunks trailed off heading towards the bar before his mother grabbed his collar.
"Oh no you don't," she snapped, "put up these streamers first on the ceiling, the ladder wasn't tall enough to reach."
"Mom—" Trunks whined.
"Just do it boy," Vegeta barked at his son, appearing out from the corner in which he was sulking.
"You couldn't have helped?" Trunks questioned his father.
"Please," Bulma shook her head, "your father even gracing us with his presence is a sheer miracle—in spite of my threats, he nearly stayed inside the gravity room!"
"Woman, you know how I hate these ridiculous affairs…"
"WOMAN?! I AM YOUR WIFE. DO NOT MAKE ME UPSET TONIGHT, VEGETA. THIS NIGHT IS FOR YOUR DAUGHTER."
"Okay, okay…" Bulla slinked in between her feuding parents. "Enough of that," she said, turning towards Vegeta. "Daddy, thank you for the earrings, they're beautiful," Bulla murmured hugging her father, changing the subject for the sake of them all.
Vegeta shot his daughter a strange look, turning to Bulma who made a knowing gesture for him to realize the gift she gave on his behalf. He returned the hug and glanced at his "gift" shining brightly on Bulla's earlobes.
"They suit you," the Saiyan Prince said softly. Bulla pulled him into a tighter hug.
"Well thank you again," she began, stepping back. Vegeta's eyes bugged out when he finally saw his daughter's short dress, looking once more at Bulma, whose death stare this time was deadlier than before. Vegeta clenched his fist, knowing he couldn't make a scene.
"Bulla," he started carefully, "careful you don't catch a cold in that."
"It's the end of July, Dad; I'll be fine."
"That's not what I mea—"
Bulma's vein nearly popped out to smack Vegeta but he refrained from finishing his original sentence. "You look very—grown, Bulla," the elder Saiyan said instead.
Trunks groaned. He missed the unspoken conversation between his parents and assumed that Bulla's Saiyan Princess juju was at work again, like it always was. "Fine, I'll go put these up," he stated mid-flight.
The heiress smiled, a small victory for the evening.
Bulla graciously greeted her guests as they came; a few from her high school days yet most of them part of Z Fighters. Mixed parties like these were always interesting to see how everyone would react. She placated her human friends with her a hello here, and a compliment there, but her interest was more so on the group that was like a second family to her.
From the Z Fighters, she already had worked her way welcoming a good portion of them. Tien and Chiaotzu arrived promptly, as did the Kame Island household. Yamcha commented on Bulla's appearance and to her horror, she realized her dress was doing its job a little too well. Piccolo and Dende were chatting in the corner with Bulma, soon joined by Oolong and Puar. Android 18 was quiet against the wall, eerily similar to Vegeta, while Krillin was making the rounds.
Marron broke off from her parents to hang out with Bulla, which the younger girl was very thankful for. Her best friend looked stunning in a flowy, white dress that seemed to catch the attention of Trunks, who was eyeing her from the bar. As the two made eye contact, the blonde couldn't help but grin. The watchful Bulla caught Marron smiling in his direction and saw her brother eyeballing their mutual friend.
"Your dress seems to be of interest to my brother," Bulla teased her friend, who blushed.
"Oh, Bulla come on," Marron waved, "it is not."
"Marron, it totally does! Look, he's coming over here."
"He's what—?!"
"Well, well," Trunks appeared with a scotch in hand, and a gin and tonic for Marron, her go to drink of choice. She appeared pleased that he remembered. "Take note everyone," he said with a sip, "we've got the Virgin Marron in the house."
Marron's blushing grew more intense, contrasting with her white ensemble. "Don't call me that," she said puffing out her chest, which seemed to amuse Trunks all the more so. She was very cute when she was angry.
"What? You look like something out of Cherubs-R-Us."
"Trunks, a compliment wouldn't kill you once in a while," Bulla said crossing her arms, "Marron looks absolutely alluring in that color, doesn't she?"
Her brother attempted to fake disinterest. "I guess I'm just used to you in pigtails and pink," he commented. Marron stirred her drink, unamused.
"I'm allowed to change my look, aren't I?" she said in a tone like her mother's. Though typically sweet, Marron could go toe-to-toe with the young prince any day, friend or not.
"You're allowed to do whatever you please, Marron," Trunks replied, "even scare off men with your outfit."
That infuriated her.
"I'll have you know," Marron began turning to face him, "Yamcha thought I looked very beautiful tonight."
"Marron!" he screamed aghast with shock, "come on, that's the last guy that you should be looking to impress," Trunks cringed in horror at the thought of a May/December romance between the two.
"I'm not trying to impress him, jerk," Marron retorted, "I'm saying I did impress him. Clearly, I caught your eye too otherwise you'd still be at the bar."
His gob smacked look was all she needed to confirm that she won this round of banter.
Bulla's eyes shifted back and forth at their repartee, loving her brother receiving some comeuppance for once. Marron used to be a lot quieter when they were younger, which made her an easy target for Trunks and Goten's shenanigans. As she aged, she took on some of her mother's personality that came out in small moments…those moments usually provoked by Trunks himself. The heiress chuckled at how their dynamic almost reminded her of her parents.
"Bulla!"
The birthday girl turned to see her other best friend Pan arriving with her family and Uub, stepping away from her brother and Marron momentarily. Both Pan and Uub appeared harmonized with similar black and white clothing. Though the invitation her mother sent called for themed attire, Bulla couldn't help to think the two had matched on purpose. The student of Goku sure had been spending more time with the Sons outside of training, and Bulla was keen to tease Pan her thoughts on the reasoning for it.
"Pan!" she exclaimed embracing her. Bulla turned to Uub and gave him a quick hug as well.
"Happy birthday, Bulla!" Uub exclaimed.
"Thanks for coming you guys," she started to say, eyeing the two. "You both look very…coordinated."
Uub blushed slightly while the younger Saiyan hybrid rolled her eyes. "Not like we had a choice," she started to say, "your mom was adamant about the dress code this time."
Bulla gleamed. "True, true, anyways you guys look great!" she complimented, taking note of Pan in a skirt for once, "like a proper lady."
"Alright, don't push it princess," Pan said, mock jabbing her.
"Bulla dear!" Chi-Chi had made her way over with the rest of the Son clan to embrace the young woman. A bit overwhelmed by the amount of people circling her at once, Bulla attempted to just enjoy the moment with the mother of the boy she liked so much. "Happy birthday, sweetheart."
"Thank you so much, Chi-Chi!" she replied beaming.
"My oh my you look beautiful," the Son matriarch commented twirling her.
Goku cut in with a pat on her back. "Hey Bulla!" Goku exclaimed, "Wow! You really look just like your mom did at your age."
A faint flush appeared on Bulla's cheeks. She cleared her throat, "Mom will be excited to see all of you!"
She embraced the rest of the clan and said her greetings to them all—Goku, Gohan, Videl—save for one missing person.
"Oh, is Goten here?" Bulla tried to ask casually, without hinting to the purpose of her questioning.
"He's still tied up at work," Gohan explained.
"It's my dad's fault," Videl interjected, "the dojo was insanely busy for a Saturday and Dad double booked Goten. He hopes to be here as soon as possible!"
Bulla remained unfazed on the surface, but her heart quickened. The thought of Goten possibly not coming was certainly not on her radar. Still, she refrained from showing any hint of disappointment. "Well, I'm glad all of you could make it!" she bowed politely before joining Pan and Uub in front of the drinks.
Nearby, Trunks and Marron were chatting and tiptoed on over to the younger crew. "Hi Pan, hi Uub!" Marron cheerily said. She embraced them both as Trunks gave a fist bump to the Uub and patted Pan's shoulder.
"Marron, your white dress is so cute!" Pan commented. Everyone shot her a strange look. "What? I can't appreciate fashion because I fight?" she wondered.
"No, it's not that," Trunks started off, "we just figured you didn't appreciate it because you're, well—YOU."
Marron smacked the back of Trunks' head. "Be nice!" she insisted. He rubbed the small bump that was forming, reminded that despite a fragile appearance, Marron was no delicate flower.
"Geeze that's the second time tonight, Mare," he reproached.
The blonde shrugged. "Not my fault you wouldn't stop calling me the Virgin Marron in this thing," she chided. Uub began to chuckle a bit until Pan shot him a look.
"I see someone is a glutton for punishment," Uub declared.
"Not a glutton, just a lush," Trunks corrected, grabbing a new scotch from the bar.
"Whatever you are tonight, Mr. President, you're on my last nerves," Marron turned her head, arms crossed.
"Marron, you wound me," Trunks feigned offense, "you know I tease because I've got a thing for blondes."
"A word of advice, your highness," Marron mocked bowed, "women would prefer to be wooed than teased."
"And men prefer being satisfied than left wanting," Trunks sipped his drink once more, turning to Uub for confirmation but none was to be had.
"You're such a boy," Pan shook her head at the eldest hybrid, "even Uncle Goten is more mature than you."
Marron's eyes lit up at the name. "Oh Goten!" she exclaimed totally forgetting Trunks' crude comments. "Where is your uncle anyways?" Marron asked the younger woman.
Bulla loosened at the mention of Goten's name again, hoping no one saw her nerves.
"Yeah," Trunks added, "I texted him hours ago, no response yet."
"Stuck at Grandpa Hercule's dojo—he should be here soon," Pan returned. The oldest members of the group shrugged. Their dynamic in twosomes never was quite the same without the third, especially in the case of Trunks and Marron. Goten was their balance.
"Sensei Goku is making good work of the buffet," Uub chimed noticing his teacher getting yelled at by Vegeta for the mess he was making. "If we want to eat, we'd better grab something soon!"
The group nodded, but Bulla lingered back. "Enjoy the food guys, I have to continue making the rounds for a bit," she explained.
Marron nodded. "I'll make you a plate!" she offered sweetly, returning to the more Krillin side of her personality.
Bulla beamed as her brother and friends turned. She let out a huge exhale. The commotion around her was getting to be intense and she needed some fresh air.
Amidst the booming music and dozens of conversations being had at once, Bulla snuck out of her party to find solace in the empty terrace overlooking the city. She leaned over the railing and sighed in relief. While she very much enjoyed being the center of attention that evening, playing the guest of honor was exhausting.
Especially when she had so much on her mind…
Bulla reveled in the sounds of the city, various alarms and horns going off, the night creatures cooing and making their presence known. She looked up at the pale moonlight, and noticed its rare, bluish tint. Part of her had to laugh at the amusing coincidence. The heavily blue-featured princess would have a blue moon on her birthday of all days—it was only fitting.
Still, as lovely as a night as it was, she couldn't help but feel as though something was missing. A stupidly handsome Saiyan-hybrid that captured her heart long ago.
Her childish crush on Goten never waned; it only grew deeper. The older she became, the more that Son Goten seemed to find his way under her skin. It didn't help that he was around often, like a second brother. Neither did the fact that he flourished as he aged, more attractive of a specimen than he was before. Not once leaving her dreams nor her physical vicinity, he was always there reminding her of something beautiful she couldn't have.
Goten was her brother's best friend—already claimed years before she was even born. Bulla never stood a chance there. Trunks and Goten were an inseparable duo that made her potential partnership with the Son man all the more complicated. And then fate was cruel enough to decide her birth would follow nearly eleven years after his. For them to be together and not have it considered a crime was just finally allowable today of all days, her eighteenth year. Though Bulla had finished high school early and already had two college degrees, her mind's advanced age did little to help change the numbers on the calendar.
On top of that, Goten had the misfortune of being one of "Kakarot's spawn" as her father so lovingly referred to him as. While she knew Vegeta's relationship with Goku was closer to friends than rivals, he wouldn't dare admit it to anyone.
The only solace Bulla took was knowing that Goten had been single again for some time now. He and Valese were constantly on again, off again – emphasis currently on the off part. Though Goten dated around, Valese was probably his longest relationship even with their time apart. Bulla couldn't help but feel pangs of jealousy towards a woman who had never done anything to her except be with the man she desired most.
Even without her strong feelings for Goten however, Bulla felt the pair was always mismatched. Valese, though lovely, could be a bit ditzy and while Goten was no scholar like his brother, Bulla had a hard time believing the two were on the same level intellectually.
Who was she kidding though? A single Goten didn't make him any more available to her than a taken one. Bulla had been far more brazen as a young teen with her affection for him. Goten, level-headed and sweet as ever, knew how to spurn her advances in the gentlest of ways. Though it had been a long time since Bulla attempted to charm him, she couldn't help but feel that he'd always see her as just a kid.
A silly, lovestruck kid.
Yet, her heartstrings strummed with the faintest of hope. The promise Goten made her five years ago was likely just a polite way to pacify an infatuated teenager. Still, she recalled that moment in her home where they locked eyes after he assured her brother about keeping promises. While he was speaking to Trunks at the time, when their gaze met, Bulla knew in her heart he was speaking to her too.
It sounded preposterous; she knew that. Part of why she refrained from mentioning the promise to anyone else was to ensure its sacredness. Though it was hard to not say anything to her best friend Marron (easier to not say anything to her other best friend Pan, as Goten's niece) or even her mother, Bulla wanted that vow to be kept between Goten and herself.
All the same, she couldn't help but wonder if he even remembered the promise. To his credit, it's not like the day was as impactful to Goten as it had been for Bulla. In some ways, he helped changed the trajectory of her life. Never again did she find herself weeping over some stupid human boy that she could crush with her pinky finger. Long before she began training with her father, her natural genetic code made her far stronger than any earthling man could ever presume to be. She was done with immature boys who cared little for who she was as a person. Goten helped her realize that day it was worth it to hold out for someone good.
Granted, she knew he meant someone other than him, but Bulla was already so taken with the half-Saiyan from childhood, it was easy for her to dream.
The brilliant inventor dove into her studies and work at Capsule Corporation (interning as young as 15) and focused on herself. Though as she aged, the offers were plentiful from men both her age and older. Her nose squinted at some less than genteel comments she'd get by just simply walking down the street. To her credit, Bulla always looked a bit older than she was but even still, the uncouth nature of some mortal men made her skin crawl.
It only solidified her affection for Goten, who for all his unmindful nature when it came to Bulla's feelings, never said a crass or inappropriate word to her. The way he spoke to Bulla, even when she was younger, was always in a mature manner – he never babied her.
Bulla was innocent but not naïve; she knew the likelihood of the tables turning were as rare as the blue moon overhead. However, as rare as they were, blue moons still happened. Was it so naïve to think the same could happen for her?
Her heart thumped in anticipation, wondering if the man who captured her attention all those years ago actually would show.
"Hey B-Chan!"
Bulla shifted from the rail, startled as a familiar voice broke her concentration. Even in the dim moonlight, she could make out that figure anywhere. "Goten!" she exclaimed, surprised that she seemingly conjured him out of nowhere.
Goten appeared to her smiling wide and looking handsome as ever. The normally informal demi-Saiyan was sporting a sharp blazer and dress shirt, not missing a beat about Bulma's dress code request. He rubbed the back of his head.
"Whoops, didn't mean to startle you!" Goten sheepishly lamented.
Bulla beamed, trying to not let her reddening face distract her in any way. "You're fine," she began, "although, I was beginning to worry you forgot about me!"
The thought prompted Goten to chuckle. "As if I could forget about the birthday girl herself," he said embracing her in a solid hug. Bulla radiated heat from the inside out, feeling like the sun was erupting next to her. Goten slowly drew back and analyzed her form. She could tell he was eyeing her up and down, likely inspecting her birthday outfit, much to her delight. His mouth grew agape. "You look…"
Bulla caught her breath as he hesitated.
"…you look beautiful, B-Chan."
The way he said those words seemed far different from the other compliments she had received from him in the past. Goten would call her pretty or cute, usually at her behest or when feeling insecure, but beautiful was new. She blushed tucking loose strands behind her ear.
"You're sweet," she uttered gently, "no need to butter me up though. I forgive you for being late."
Her smile was met with a foreign look from Goten. His visage remained the same as it had been, still taking note of her figure. Bulla cocked her head to the side. "Goten?" she asked.
A few blinks later, Goten broke his gaze. "Sorry," he muttered, "I um, just wasn't expecting you to be out here by yourself. I figured I could have snuck in quietly. Are you not having fun at the party?"
"Oh, a lot of fun," Bulla insisted with a wave of her hand, "as usual, Mom has outdone herself. It's just overwhelming being the guest of honor."
Goten sprouted his famous grin. "You? Not liking being the center of attention? Hmm, maybe you have grown up," he teased. Bulla punched him in the arm.
"Cut it out—still my birthday after all," she joked.
Her companion feigned injury. "Dang, Bulla—that was a pretty strong hit," he said impressed, "what are you, training with Vegeta now?"
"I am," she admitted proudly. Goten blinked.
"Wait really?!" he could scarcely believe the princess, who avoided training like the plague in her younger years, was suddenly practicing with her father. "Since when?" Goten wondered.
"Last year. I told him I wanted to learn a couple moves, you know, just for self-defense," she started, "but little did I know he heard that as request for an entire teaching regiment."
Bulla chuckled reminiscing how quickly Vegeta sprang into action to educate his daughter in the way of the Saiyans. Though she never thought she would, Bulla enjoyed her sparring lessons with her father. It was good quality bonding time and on top of that, she had one more thing in common with her brother and their friends. One more thing in common with him.
Goten could hardly imagine her tale, but it pleased him all the same. "Keeping secrets from me I see," he said admiringly.
"More than you realize, Son Goten," Bulla thought. She shook her head to change the subject.
"Enough about me," the lovely hybrid continued. "While I can forgive tardiness, I am curious what took you so long, Goten. Not polite to keep a princess waiting," she teased.
The older halfling reached for a box that he had kept expertly hidden behind him. "No excuse, but work unfortunately kept me over today, and needed some time to make sure I got you the perfect gift," Goten admitted.
The Saiyan Princess, never one to refuse a present, eagerly took the box. "Goten, you didn't have to get me a gift…" she insisted to be well-mannered.
"Says the woman who shops like her life depends on it."
Bulla rolled her eyes as she loosened the ribbon in her hands. With gentle care, she opened the lid of the box to reveal a bevy of chocolate kisses. A smile spread across her face and ultimately turned into uproarious laughter.
"Goten!"
He chuckled to himself. "Promised you your first birthday kiss-es," the dark-haired Saiyan joked with her, revealing his memory about the promise was intact.
Bulla couldn't help but laugh harder. She knew that, while her heart hoped for a different type of kiss, the fact that Goten was so sickeningly charming to give her the chocolates delighted her to no end.
"I can't believe you remembered," she whispered looking up at him.
The hairs she previously adjusted became loose again and Goten took a moment to brush them out of her face. "Well, you know me," he said quietly, "always have to keep my promises."
His hand lingered on her face and Bulla's heart nearly stopped. Onyx eyes met her blue orbs, staring at her as intently as he had earlier in the night. The bluette opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
Goten broke the silence for the both of them, however. "I wanted to have a backup since—well, since I figured the original promise was invalid."
"Why do you say that?"
"B-Chan—"
He looked at her incredulously. "I-I just assumed you've already been kissed," Goten stammered, hand still pressed to her cheek.
Bulla swallowed hard. "Why?" she murmured, quieter than before.
"Because you're…" Goten couldn't bring himself to say anything further. Could've been the moonlight playing tricks on her, but Bulla thought he appeared closer to her face than she recalled previously. The older man looked positively radiant in front of her. She knew one thing for certain though—
He had never looked at her quite in that way.
Before she could ask another question, the distance between them lessened further. In one fell swoop, the birthday girl felt Goten's lips upon her own, the sensation unlike anything she had experienced before.
As they kissed, he delicately cupped her face, with his other hand joining its partner. His grip was firm, but gentle. Bulla tried to process everything while savoring the moment.
The older man tasted like toffee and spice, his musky fragrance permeating her nostrils. Bulla froze, not sure what to do, but soon her instincts kicked in to return the kiss. Her free arm wrapped around his neck as she held on to his present in the other. Eventually, she let go of the box and hoped her gift would be in once piece.
Bulla assumed it would be over by now and started to slink away, but Goten held the back of her head and brought her in close again, lengthening their time together. That move alone was enough to drive her mad in the best way possible. She pressed her palm on his chest, relishing every second of her fantasy.
Soon enough, the two drifted for real this time and remained inches away from each other.
She was in a haze, scarcely believing the moment she had dreamed about hundreds of times in her head not only came true, but was far better than she could have imagined. He tasted so good – Goten's lips were soft yet strong, his flavoring both enticing and inviting. When he had pulled her in to deepen the kiss, Bulla couldn't tell if she felt a flick of his tongue or not, but whatever that man did worked to leave her completely satisfied with her first kiss.
Goten inhaled deeply before opening his eyes again, as if he was attempting to breathe in her scent. "Happy birthday, B-Chan—" he whispered slowly.
Bulla could barely move, let alone reply. She could only manage to breathe out a quick utterance of his name before he continued.
"—I guess that should set the bar pretty high for you then," the older demi-Saiyan said with a wink. His attempt to break up the seriousness of the moment was evident, though Bulla appreciated the levity. She shook her head.
"So full of yourself, Son Goten," the princess murmured, a pleased smirk across her face. She didn't want to have the moment seem so heavy either, but for her, it was life changing.
He bent over to grab her box of chocolates, stealing one before handing it back to her.
"Hey!" she smacked his arm again and this time he whined in pain.
"Ow—okay, okay. Now that you're training, I'm going to have to remember to stay on your good side," Goten teased.
She tossed her hair, feeling emboldened from the earlier connection. "Every side is my good side," Bulla claimed, "in case you haven't noticed."
Bulla could have sworn she saw Goten bite his lip for a second, but quickly convinced it was the darkness playing tricks on her again. She could tell he almost wanted to say something but didn't, though either way, he was clearly amused.
"We should get you inside, princess," Goten returned softly.
The heiress still needed a minute to catch her breath. "I'll meet you there," she promised, "wanted to get one last bout of fresh air before heading back in."
Goten hesitated for a moment, but then gave her another quick hug. "Don't take too long, birthday girl," he whispered, "someone in there is bound to miss you."
She breathed him deeply, trying to memorize every fragrant note.
"Goten," Bulla tightened her grip on him, "thanks…again for my present."
His arms strengthened around her, planting a chaste kiss to her head like he'd done many times in the past. This time, she noticed, he did linger a bit longer than usual.
As they pulled away, Goten's smile widened, shooting her a peace sign goodbye. Bulla couldn't help but watch his fading form, hoping that he may turn around to look to her once more.
Her breath caught in her throat when she realized he did just that. The moonlight illuminated his beautiful face and Bulla could tell that something, somehow, had changed.
She just didn't know what, exactly.
"There you are!"
Bulla turned around from the railing to see Marron and Pan walking towards her, still legless from her earlier encounter minutes before. "We were wondering where you went to," Marron continued.
Pan nodded. "You're not getting out of your own party, Blue!" she kidded.
Bulla smiled at them. "Never," she vowed, "I just needed to step outside for some fresh air."
"I don't know how fresh it's going to be from the city," Pan said with a sniff of the polluted atmosphere, a country girl at heart, "but you've been out here long enough."
"Yeah, your mom wants to do a toast for you!" Marron chimed in. She looped her arm around Bulla's and Pan looped hers on the other side. Pan saw the chocolates in Bulla's hand and was intrigued.
"Ooh, do you have a secret admirer, Bulla?" Pan wondered as the birthday girl blushed.
"No, nothing like that," she insisted, "just a birthday gift."
"From who?"
"Pan, c'mon we can ask her later—they're all in there waiting for cake!"
Bulla thanked Kami for little miracles.
With Marron and Pan on either arm, Bulla returned indoors to see that Bulma was getting ready to put the dessert out. As it rolled by, the massive seven-layer tiered cake matched the decorations perfectly with sparkler candles. The girls were given glasses of champagne for the toast as they stood around the other guests, flutes in hand, eagerly waiting on dessert. Bulla spied Goten and Trunks laughing it up with Uub and she smiled. Her mother's eyes spotted her return and grabbed the microphone to speak.
"Everyone!" Bulma announced with a clink of the glass, drawing Bulla's attention as well as the rest of the party. "I want to raise a toast to my beloved daughter Bulla, who makes me proud every day of the woman she's become!"
The others followed suit as Bulma raised her glass, leaving Bulla to feel a surge of joy. "Bulla, may this year be your best one yet!" Bulma ended taking a sip.
As she was toasted by her friends and family, Bulla felt immensely loved. Her blue eyes sought out one pair in particular, a pair that was situated right by her brother.
His gentle, obsidian orbs met hers finally and Bulla couldn't help but blush. She didn't break her gaze but examined him all the more intently.
Goten smiled back at her, returning a knowing look to the princess as he sipped his champagne in her honor.
Along the wall, as everyone cheered, Vegeta smirked; silently swelling with pride at his daughter becoming a woman. She looked beautiful and delighted—something that made the Saiyan Prince content and, dare he say, even happy.
His eyes attempted to catch hers, but Bulla was only focused on one thing during the toast.
One person, rather.
Vegeta took notice of his daughter's expression towards the younger of Kakarot's sons, and it was apparent that Goten was returning the same look at her. The brat had been around his daughter numerous times in the past and never had that expression before. Though his ki spiked briefly, Vegeta remained unclenched against the wall, not moving a muscle. He just made a mental note to observe future interactions between the two.
And he would be observing, closely.
Let's gooooooo! Chapter 1 and done. Nothing will be the same after this. What's next?
Chapter 2: Goten reflects upon the evening of Bulla's birthday, recalling events from his perspective, and can't seem to get her quite out of his head.
Thank you again for all the feedback so far, everyone. Your reviews help encourage me so much!
-SonChan