~Dbzfan: That is some serious praise, wow! Thank you so much. And that's also super feedback about reactions being your favourite part, I wouldn't have expected that so ty for sharing! I'm more than happy to hear what people are interested in reading next, so suggestions are not falling on deaf ears by any means. I've cherished your support and encouragement throughout the course of this fic, you've been an absolute gem. Thank you Dbzfan!

We've already said our goodbyes a good few chapters ago, so I won't drag this out, but - head's up - this is the last planned update. I realise those words mean nothing at this point, and you're all essentially immune to me saying "It's over, guys" :P but figured I should let you know anyway. I would like to thank you all again though, because I can't overstate my appreciation. It really has been an unbelievably rewarding experience.

Picture this upcoming window into their lives as just one of many directions things could have gone in. "There are other worlds than these" afterall. (DT, anyone?)

I always love to hear your thoughts, so consider dropping me a line (or fifty if you feel so inclined) now that we've reached the end. Enjoy :)

Update: I've posted a one-shot that takes place within this universe from Goten's POV called Heart in a Vice. Check it out if you curious about his thoughts. Set earlier in the story.

Baby Bloomer: Epilogue Pt. II

"Pan, can you please pass the butter?" Bulla requested, extending her hand.

"Yup," the quarterling responded, grabbing the small white bowl and handing it to her teal-haired friend.

"Oh I just remembered," Trunks spoke suddenly, stuffing his hand into his pocket and wrinkling his brow as he shuffled around under the table. After a few seconds he pulled out a small capsule and tossed it to the raven-haired girl. "You left this behind forever ago and I keep forgetting to give it back to you."

"Oh my god!" Pan exclaimed, dropping her cutlery to the table as she caught it. "I thought I lost this. Thank you!" Bulla cocked her head at her friend, perplexed by the exchange. "It must have fallen out of my pocket during one of our spars," she explained plainly, reaching for her fork.

"You two spar? Like, outside of get togethers?" The heiress asked sceptically. "Since when?"

"Occasionally," Pan shrugged, tilting her head to the ceiling in consideration of Bulla's second question. "I guess it started back when Trunks and Goten weren't talking to each other," she answered nonchalantly.

"I needed to let off steam occasionally and Pan was always game," her brother added, cutting into his meat.

"Oh, I'll never stop being grateful that you two made up." Bulma clasped her hands together with a loving smile. "Our home feels whole again since he's started coming back. Don't you agree Vegeta?" She nudged her husband with her elbow.

He merely raised his eyebrow at her before piling more roasted potatoes onto his plate.

The front door swung open suddenly, followed by a dark blur. "Sorry I'm late!" Goten announced, pressing his palms to the top of Bulla's head and planting a kiss. "Is there still any food left?" He slipped off his jacket and hung it on the coat rack. "Hey everyone." He grinned at the remainder of the table, offering a nod to the oldest member of the group. Vegeta returned the gesture as he bit into his drumstick.

"I saved you a few pieces of ham," the youngest Briefs answered, lifting a foil covered plate in demonstration while she sucked at her fingertips. "Pan ate all the dumplings though, sorry."

"Of course she did," he jested, pinching the back of his niece's neck as he made his way past her chair. "Hey man," the halfling greeted his oldest friend, pulling out an empty seat next to him.

"'Sup bro," Trunks responded genially, mouth full of mashed peas. "Want a drink?"

"Please," Goten responded, rolling up his sleeves in preparation for the upcoming feast.

"Dad?" Trunks queried, clapping his hand to his father's shoulder as he made his way to the fridge. He was met with an affirming grunt and returned to the table with three chilled bottles.

"Here, let me," Goten offered, reaching out to grab them. "My hands are still clean." He popped off the three caps, passing one to the patriarch and another to his fellow halfling. "No Marron?"

"Nope. Something came up." Trunks raised his beverage while he wiped his palm along his jeans. "Cheers." A clink hit everyone's ears as two more bottles tapped his own.

Bulla suddenly felt the instantly recognisable power of the earth's most loyal defender in her parent's kitchen. Almost everyone at the table was as experienced at reading ki as she was so no one batted an eye, except for her mother who almost tipped backwards in her seat before Vegeta reached out and caught the back of her chair.

Goku was standing near the granite-topped island with his index and middle to his finger to his forehead, holding a tall stack of opaque plastic containers in his free hand while Chi-Chi hooked her arm around his torso.

"Yo," the impossibly optimistic Saiyan beamed, offering a wave to the bland-faced members of the table.

"Kakarot." Vegeta's voice held a healthy dose of annoyance. "What have I said to you about teleporting here unannounced?"

Chi-Chi grabbed the tupperware from her husband's hand and placed it on the kitchen bench behind them, mildly ensuring the safety of her carefully baked goods.

"Aw, don't be like that Vegeta," Goku frowned. "I could feel all of your energies clustered together. I thought we were having a family get together?"

"You and I are not family." The eldest Saiyan turn his head away in repulsion. "Get out of my house."

Pan snickered from Bulla's right, causing the ends of heiress' mouth to curl involuntarily.

Bulma pushed her dining chair back and stood up to greet the two new arrivals. "So good to see you, Chi," she smiled, hugging the younger woman warmly. "I see you've been at it in the kitchen again. Vegeta." She pivoted to face her husband. "They're not unannounced. I invited them."

Chi-Chi held the back of her hand to her forehead. "I should've known better than to rely on Goku to get us here on time." She gave him an accusing look. "Hello to all our beautiful children. And grandchildren." The raven-haired housewife wandered over to Pan, hugging her from behind while the quarterling turned her head and sloppily kissed her grandmother's cheek.

"Hi, mom." Goten's cheeks were bulging from the sheer volume of food he was currently stuffing into his face.

"Goten!" She scolded, the space her between her brows creasing as she pressed her fists into her hips. "I know I raised you better than to talk with your mouth full!" She smacked the back of his head, immediately causing Trunks to choke at his suddenly infantilised friend.

The heir brought his fist to his mouth, face turning red while he coughed and laughed simultaneously.

"Hello Chi-Chi," Bulla greeted sweetly, ensuring she presented herself as inoffensively as possible in the eyes of the Son matriarch. She pushed herself up and stepped over to the tiny-yet-terrifying woman who was still standing behind her youngest son.

"Good evening dear," Chi-Chi smiled, wrapping the teal-haired hybrid in her arms and giving a squeeze. "How are you?"

"Hi, Bulla!" Goku interrupted, wandering over to the heiress. "When are you coming around for that rematch?"

"You didn't have enough fun getting beaten up by her the last time, dad?" Goten jested, twisting in his seat to face his father.

"No way!" Goku draped his arm around Bulla's neck and rested his free hand on her shoulder so that they both faced his one-time look-alike. "Bulla fights like no one and everyone at this table all at the same time - I never know what to expect once we get started."

"Goku." Bulma wandered over to the collection of Saiyans and grabbed her old friend by the bicep, pulling him away from the younger diners. "Can we please have a nice evening together without going straight into battle talk? Why don't you grab a seat? There's one over here." She led him to the spot opposite his son. "Chi-Chi, can I get you anything to drink?"

"Please, don't worry about us." She waved both hands at her old friend. "We've been rude enough showing up in the middle of this lovely occasion. We can see to ourselves. Sit back down and fill me in on all that's happened since we last saw each other." Chi-Chi pulled up a chair next to her husband while he busied himself by piling mountains of food onto his plate with unbreakable concentration.

"Don't you dare," Vegeta warned, staring daggers as the younger Saiyan hesitated over the last pork bun.

"Pleeease," Goku begged, fork still hovering over the tempting morsel. "I'm so hungry. Chi-Chi wouldn't let me eat since she knew we were joining you guys tonight." Slowly he inched his cutlery closer. "If you let me have this one, I'll stop making jokes about us being grandfathers together."

"No you won't," the pure-blooded prince huffed, tightening his arms.

"Okay you're right, but I swear I'll consider it!" Goku's eyes were down-turned, dialling up his pathetic puppy pout.

Amongst the commotion, no one seemed to notice Goten snaking his own fork between the two Saiyans, carefully edging it towards the lone bun. With a quick dagger-like motion, he stabbed the prongs of his fork into the steamed dough and plunged the ball between his lips.

"Ahhh!" Both Saiyan Gods cried out in shock, mouths open wide as they glared at the dark-haired halfling. In an instant, they launched themselves across the table towards him while he threw his chair back and dashed for the living room sliding door with the two world saviours hot on his heels.

With the sun fully set, the four Saiyan hybrids opted to head outside after their lavish dinner, spreading themselves out across the outdoor furniture to take advantage of the pleasant summer's evening.

"You know," Trunks began, taking a puff of his cigarette. He was the only one standing while he faced his fellow fighters. "Not to get all sappy or anything, but I think it's actually a good thing that you fell for my sister."

Bulla raised her eyebrows, exchanging a glance with her raven-haired best friend who was currently seated next to her.

"Please," Goten smiled lazily, taking a sip from his fresh bottle. "Go on."

"Well," he folded his arms, tilting his head in thought. "I have to admit that you work pretty well together." He passed his smoke to the dark-haired demi-Saiyan. "You get Bulla out of her head, and she keeps your feet on the ground. But even outside of that," he added, waving away the haze. "I don't think I could trust anyone to care for her like I know you will."

"Trunks, how much have you had to drink?" Bulla laughed, entirely surprised at her brother's uncharacteristic candour.

"It's true," he shrugged. "Dad feels the same."

"I know," Goten responded, eyebrows converging as he sucked on the white stick. All three hybrids turned to face him suddenly. "He told me himself."

"What?!" The heiress exclaimed, glaring at him in surprise. "When?"

"A while back," he stated casually, blowing out a pool of thick smoke. "After giving me another bloody nose."

Pan chuckled at her uncle, downing the last of her beer. "All worth it, I'm guessing?"

"Without a doubt." He twisted in his seat to face the youngest member of the group and gave her a wink.

"Now," Trunks voiced, lightly rubbing his palms past each other. "What do you three say to a little tournament? Winner gets the last of that fucking heavenly cake Chi-Chi made."

Bulla pushed herself up and pulled her sleeves to her elbows. "Oh this will be too easy," she voiced with a smug smile.

"When you win, can I get a piece?" Goten pleaded, pouting at the teal-haired fighter as he pushed himself up and returned what was left of Trunks' cigarette.

"Excuse me!" Pan interjected, turning to her uncle. "What do you mean when? I can slaughter all three of you with my hands tied."

Trunks regarded the raven-haired quarterling with folded arms. "Alright, you and me first. Let's go."

"You sure, buddy?" She cocked an eyebrow. "We both know what happened last time."

"Fuck you," he grinned, ash falling to the paved ground beneath him as he pointed to the older girl. "I already told you that's never happened before. It was a fluke. This is a redemption match."

Pan stood up, throwing off her top and revealing the black sports bra underneath. "Fine, you're on."

In an instant, both Saiyan hybrids blasted out of the CC backyard, smashing into each other high in the sky like angry boulders.

Bulla made her way over to Goten's chair, sitting herself down in his lap. "Finally, I get a hint at what you and my dad talk about during your private little chats," she teased, hooking her arms leisurely around his neck.

"Uh-huh." He lifted his hands to hold her in place while his eyes fell to her mouth.

"What else comes up?" She asked, sliding her thumb along his bottom lip.

"The same things I tell my own dad," he smirked, leaning his face into her neck. "There's nothing like having a Briefs in your bed."

"You are terrible!" Bulla burst out laughing, slapping her palm to his chest. "How can you even joke about something like that?" She felt him smile against her skin.

"Once he accepted how I felt about you, and eventually, you about me," Goten finally answered, lightly brushing his mouth along her collar bone. "The Great Saiyan Prince started inviting me into his sanctuary." He pulled his head back to gaze at her through heavy lids. "We talk about everything. Fighting, your family, my family, you, me, him, the future. He's even helped me understand a few things about our Saiyan heritage." He brought his face to her ear, dragging the tip of his nose downward.

"Like what?" She asked with a giggle, finding the sensation vaguely ticklish.

"Like how I was fighting a losing battle," he uttered, meeting her bright eyes with his own deep brown ones before kissing her on the lips. "Ever thinking I could resist you."

"Doesn't this remind of when we were kids?" Pan remarked, legs folded while she pressed her fork into the moist chocolate flavoured sponge. Trunks and Goten had just moved the oldest halfling's coffee table, and dropped a spare queen mattress in its place.

"Mhm," Bulla nodded from the couch, licking rich brown icing from her lips. "Except this time Trunks is the one suggesting it instead of trying to find an excuse to get out of it." She smiled at her brother who merely rolled his eyes in response.

"Well, you two have become way less annoying since you left child and teenage-hood," he countered, throwing a pillow to the quarterling as she made herself comfortable on the temporary bed. She was already in her pyjamas, hair was still wet from her shower.

Goten sat down on the floor in front of the heiress, shifting himself between her legs while she mindlessly ran her fingers through his hair and passed him the remainder of her cake.

"Just face it, Trunks," Bulla teased. "You get lonely in this big 'ole house. You like having the company."

"Please," he scoffed, stretching himself out on his couch. "If I want company, I can get company."

"Okay fine," she conceded. "You want company that won't just leave first thing in the morning."

Pan burst into laughter, earning herself a look from the lavender-haired halfling. She threw her pillow back at the sulking heir, unaffected by his warning glance, causing him to fling himself at her from the sofa.

Bulla felt Goten tap her on the leg and glanced down. He nodded his head towards the doorway causing both halflings to stand up quietly and exit the room.

They only got as far as the hallway when she felt herself being pulled back and pressed lightly against the wall.

"How am I supposed to pay attention to some dumb movie when you're wearing something like this?" He smirked, tugging at her pink cotton sleep shirt.

"What are you talking about?" She chuckled. "There is nothing remotely revealing about this."

"Yeah, but I know what's underneath." He slipped his hands under the hem, gliding his palms up her taut stomach.

"I can't help it if you've got an overactive imagination," she responded coyly.

"I've got an overactive something else too," he rasped, planting a kiss on her neck.

Bulla cocked her head, listening carefully to the adjacent room. She could still hear Trunks and Pan brawling on the mattress, so returned her attention to the demi-Saiyan in front of her. "We've probably got some time," she smirked in return.

Without a moment's hesitation, he lifted her off the ground and carried her up the stairs towards her brother's bedrooms. Slipping into one of the spares, Goten pushed the door closed with his foot and lowered the heiress down onto the mattress, wasting no time in returning his mouth to hers. He unbuttoned his shirt and threw it to the ground carelessly. Bulla did the same, arching her back while she slid the garment out from under her.

"I don't think I'll ever get tired of looking at your body," he exhaled, breaking their kiss and dragging his eyes over her hungrily. Hastily he loosened his belt buckle, unzipped and kicked off his pants. Pressing his palms into the duvet either side of her face, he leaned over her.

She lifted her head and pressed her mouth to his, before flipping him onto his back and straddling him, knees either side of his waist. "Victors get to be on top," she beamed.

"Fine by me," he muttered, reaching his hands up her smooth thighs and grabbing handfuls of her cheeks. "Even if you are a dirty cheater."

The heiress laughed and brought her face down to hover over his, aquamarine locks kissing the mattress either side of his head while he squeezed his fingertips into her waist.

"Marry me," he breathed.

"What?" The heiress giggled, wrinkling her nose.

"Marry me."

Bulla pushed herself back up, pressing her palms into his chest.

Following suit, Goten leaned into his elbows, keeping his eyes trained on the young woman above him. "It doesn't have to be now, or next month, or even five years from now. Just promise me that one day you'll be mine."

Teal brows drew together when she suddenly heard footsteps.

"Can you guys save it for later?" Pan interrupted from the other side of the door. "If I have to spend one more second alone with Trunks, I swear you're going to have to build him a whole new house."

"We'll be out in a minute," Bulla grinned, teal orbs dancing as she maintained eye contact with her fellow halfling.

She stood up tall and hopped off the bed, reaching for her shirt.

"Are you just going to leave me like this?" He scoffed, watching as she buttoned her pyjama top.

"Yup," she smiled before closing the door behind her and heading downstairs.

"Dude, what took you so long?" The oldest hybrid whined once Goten finally joined the other three in the living room. The dark-haired halfling threw a glance to Bulla, who was sitting by herself on the two-seater, while Pan and Trunks relaxed comfortably on the mattress near the television.

"Uh, needed a moment," he answered sheepishly, flopping himself down next to the heiress, a wry smirk firmly planted on her face. "You're cruel," he muttered to her under his breath, only causing her smile to broaden.

"What are you laughing at?" Pan flipped around to face her friend.

"Nothing," Bulla responded, keeping her hand over her mouth while she sniggered at the sulking demi-Saiyan next to her.

"Wait. Is this, like, some sex thing?" The raven-haired quarterling scrunched her face. "Can you two please not do that when we're around?"

"Fuck, Pan, do you have to bring it up?" Trunks whacked his pillow across her head. "I'd rather not be forced to think about it."

"No!" Bulla quickly interjected, still giggling. "We just talked. Your spare room remains unchristened... tonight."

"Jeez, then why did you have to go upstairs? Just talk here." Pan griped, smoothing out her hair. "We could have started the movie by now."

"It wasn't something you just bring up casually," Goten finally grumbled, a hint of annoyance still present.

Trunks turned too at hearing his friend's words, eyes flicking between the two demi-Saiyans a few times before a grin slowly appeared on his face. "You fucking did it, didn't you."

Bulla's eyes widened, immediately falling on the man's next to her. "He knew you were going to ask me that?"

"Do you seriously think I'd ask you something like that and not let him in on it?"

"What's going on?" Pan straightened, watching the three halflings in bewilderment.

"Your whole family knows." Goten folded his arms as he glanced at the TV. "I brought it up with Vegeta ages ago."

Her hands flew to her face, laughter beginning to bubble up once more. "I thought you were kidding!"

"What?!" He frowned. "Why would I joke about something like that?"

She was laughing uncontrollably now, face turning red. "Because you're you! You've been cracking dumb jokes all night. I figured it was just, like, something you said in the moment. Oh my god," she breathed, slowly beginning to calm herself down. "You actually meant it?"

"Yes, I meant it!" He exclaimed, throwing out his arms.

Trunks started chuckling too, watching in great delight as his best friend fought to rein in his sister. "Try again next time man, we'll put this one down as a practice run."

The Briefs siblings both roared, tears streaming down the heiress' face. "I'm sorry," she uttered eventually. "I just." She wiped her cheeks. "Sorry, I'm being mean."

"Yeah, you are," he pouted.

"Goten, why are they laughing at you?" Pan cut in. "What have you done this time?"

Bulla shuffled onto her knees, threw her arms around his neck and teasingly smothered him in kisses, hoping to ease some of the hurt feelings.

"Too late," he turned his head with a signature curl of his lips as she smooched him on the cheek. "I take it back."

Bulla opened her eyes drowsily, spying the sleeping forms of her brother and best friend on the queen mattress in front of her, flickering lights from the TV skating over their faces. She could feel Goten leisurely dragging his fingers through her hair and found her mind somersaulting right back to the first time she had ever had a moment like this with him so many years before.

It felt like a lifetime ago that she'd found herself temporarily homeless with no reachable family, in the middle West City and sharing a dingy apartment with the infuriating but impossibly charming half-Saiyan above her. Kami, I lived on that dumpy old leather sofa.

She shuffled onto her back to face him, taking in his handsome features. He glanced down at her, smirking lazily. "What are you smiling about?" He teased.

"I'm thinking about the first time I ever stayed over at your old place," she grinned. "When I was sixteen, and you lectured me about staying away from guys like you."

He let out a snort. "Hey now, I like to think I'm nothing like the guys I warned you about," he countered, fingers drifting to her waist and squeezing at her middle.

"You're right," she jested. "You're much worse. Ah!" She shrieked when he began to grab at her more fiercely and threw her hand over her mouth to keep from waking the other two, muffling her giggles at the same time.

Suddenly, she felt him slip his arm under her knees while the other scooped behind her back. "I think it's time for bed, princess," he spoke, keeping his voice low while he rose to his feet with her in his arms. "We need to finish what we started earlier."

"You carried me to bed once back then too, remember?" She tilted her head. "That was the first time I ever got that drunk."

"Fuck, don't remind me," he cringed, glancing away bashfully. "Letting you do that was definitely not one of my best decisions." He transported her through Trunks living room archway and floated up the stairs with the heiress in his arms, returning to the room they briefly occupied a few hours prior.

She laughed once more, enjoying watching him squirm at the recollection. "It's one of my favourite memories." She beamed up at him, hooking her hands behind his neck. "I can still see myself spinning around your old living room, and you acting a fool in those black sunglasses."

He let out a chuckle and looked into her teal orbs as he placed her on the bed. "It wasn't an act, I was a fool." Leaning over her, he pressed his fists into the mattress either side of her. "Back then I had no idea what wild ride was about to get kick started just a few hours down the line."

The two half-Saiyans held each other's gaze warmly, soft smiles on both of their faces.

"Sometimes I still can't believe that you're the one I fell for," Bulla whispered, sliding her fingers through his dark mane. "When I was growing up, I spent so many nights wondering what sort of person I'd eventually end up with."

Lightly, he traced his fingertips over her forehead, clearing a few rogue strands before sliding them down the side of her face and cradling her cheek. "I think part of me always knew it was you."