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Trunks touched the familiar time machine down on the lawn of Capsule Corporation late in the night. He opened the hatch to see the stars twinkling above him and most of the lights inside the massive building dark.
He hadn’t planned to arrive this late at night, but he decided to go ahead and hop down from his ship and start walking towards the building he used to call home in his timeline.
There was no specific purpose for his visit this time, there was nothing horrifying happening in his timeline, he simply just felt a pull to visit again.
His face contorted as he walked, he had a fleeting thought about possible consequences for being here again. He hoped Lord Beerus and Whis wouldn’t find out about this trip.
He entered the building with no issues and followed the hallways he was used to; he came across a cozy area near the bedrooms. Sitting on a plush couch in front of a warm, crackling fire was his mother holding something and standing a little to her right side was his father, both were still, quiet, but seemingly content.
A small smile spread over Trunks’s face. He approached slowly, trying to keep his footsteps quiet, and his father noticed him first–no doubt sensing his familiar energy. He saw his father glance towards his mother and nod his head so she would look at him too.
His mother turned in his direction and gave him a big grin that reached her blue eyes that matched his own. “Trunks! What a wonderful surprise, you came on the perfect day.”
Before Trunks could ask why it was a perfect day, he stepped closer and noticed that it was a tiny bundle who rested in his mother’s arms. His jaw dropped, a tiny gasp escaped his lips.
Bulma simply smiled brighter at his reaction and shifted the blanketed bundle so he could see it better. “Trunks, this is your sis—”
She stopped suddenly, her smile turning sad for his sake, he knew, but he smiled back at her and finished the sentence. “My sister?”
Bulma’s eyes shined with unshed tears at his response, she snuggled the baby as she answered, “Yes, your sister. She was born earlier today.”
Trunks’s eyes bulged for a moment, he panicked at her words. “What? Today? I’m so sorry for intruding then!” His hands flew up in apology.
Bulma just waved a hand in dismissal at him. “No, no! There is no need for you to apologize young man, you are not intruding at all. I cannot imagine a more perfect night for you to be here.”
Trunks relaxed at his mother’s words, but the next thing she asked surprised him.
“Trunks, would you like to hold her?”
He tensed again. “I’ve never really…” He thought of little Pan and how he held her for a very short amount of time before she began to, well, attack him the last time he had been here...
But as he looked at his newborn baby sister and at his mother’s soft expression he melted a bit. What else could his answer be except for, “Yes, I would like to.”
She beamed again. “Sit down then,” she advised and he did so on a plush chair. Trunks watched as his father stepped forward for the first time since he had arrived and held out his strong arms so his mother could place the baby in them.
His father transferred his daughter to his son from the future without a word.
Almost reverently, Trunks noticed.
Once Trunks had a secure grip, his father ran a finger over his sister’s head before stepping back to watch their first interaction.
Trunks looked at the bundle in his arms, tilted his head so she could look directly at her. Her eyes were closed but she sighed in contentment and a smile spread across his face. She was very cute. He heard his mother giggle lightly beside him at the sight.
“We have the same hair color,” Trunks stated with awe in his voice.
“Your mother’s, of course,” Vegeta stated quietly but not gruffly. There was even a hint of audible pride in his voice. The tiniest upturn of lips visible on his face for a moment.
“She looks just like you did when you were born,” His mother said, her voice thick with emotion. “You were such a precious baby, Trunks.”
Vegeta grunted and then actually nodded in agreement.
“She’s beautiful,” Trunks admitted, hoping he didn’t sound conceited after his parents’ comparisons. “What’s her name, Mom?”
“Bulla,” she told him happily.
“Eschalot,” his father added a second after.
“That’s her middle name,” his mother said warmly while looking at his father. She glanced back at him. “It fits a Saiyan princess.”
His father nodded again.
“It really does,” Trunks agreed. “How are you feeling Mom? If she was just born today, shouldn’t you be resting?”
“I’m fine, Trunks. It was the easiest birth ever. Whis helped me—no pain, nothing. I feel wonderful. Your Dad was with me the whole time too, he never left my side.”
“I said I wouldn’t leave. I gave you my word,” His father said, looking softer than Trunks could have ever imagined.
“And I appreciate it very much, Vegeta,” Bulma cooed at him, reaching out to take his hand for a moment. She squeezed his hand in a rare public display of affection. Her love for him, for all of them, practically radiated from her.
“Does little me like her?” Trunks asked with a little chuckle.
“I’m sorry he’s asleep right now,” She said before answering, “I think he does. He wanted a little brother to train at first, but I think he’ll enjoy training her too.” She smiled.
“That’s good.” Trunks grinned back. “I’m glad they’ll have each other.”
His mother teared up again, reaching out to pat his hand that rested on top of Bulla. “So how have you been, Trunks? How is your timeline, everyone doing well? How’s Mai?”
Trunks couldn’t help it, he blushed lightly at Mais’s name. “Yes, everyone is fine. It’s been strange avoiding the other versions of ourselves, but it’s not hard to do.”
“Good,” His mother said.
The family fell into a comfortable silence after that, nothing but crackling flames and soft baby noises filled the warm space.
Trunks suddenly found his eyes welling up with tears.
When he met Pan at Gohan’s he had wanted nothing more than domestic moments like this with his family back in his timeline...
He felt his cheeks heat up again. Well… maybe not the baby part just yet but at least the peaceful cozy evenings part. He had that now.
He’s very thankful that his family in this timeline are together and happy too.
His mother quietly asked him, “Did you happen to know about our little Bulla, Trunks?”
“Not at all,” Trunks told her honestly. “I just decided to visit because I wanted to see you all again. I’m very happy I picked tonight though.”
“Well, we’re happy to see you tonight too. I wish our Trunks had been awake for this sweet moment together.”
“I can get him if you wish,” His father offered immediately.
“No, that’s all right, Vegeta, thank you. He needs his sleep. He can see him in the morning.” She turned to him. “You sleep here tonight, Trunks. We’ll spend all day tomorrow together.”
“I’d love that. My timing may have been completely coincidental but I am really, really grateful that I got to meet my…” Trunks trailed off and swallowed thickly. “My sister.” A lone tear escaped his eye and ran down his tan cheek.
His mother carefully wiped that tear away. “We are too, Trunks,” She beamed at him and his father came around and actually clapped him on the shoulder. He squeezed it affectionately with a small, surprising grin of his own.
“We are, son,” his father’s raspy voice agreed.
Trunks smiled at both of his parents before he turned his teary gaze back onto his now sleeping baby sister. He sniffled and snuggled her closer to his chest with closed eyes, a watery smile, and a happy, peaceful sigh.