Caramel and Crunchy Stuff

A Dragonball Z/Super Marron fanfiction

by Koinekid

***

It started with a dab of caramel on the rim of a bowl.

Dishes had been Marron’s responsibility since she turned seven and discovered the concept of an allowance. Instead of leaving the chore to the end of the day, she developed a habit of regularly checking the sink for dirty dishes, rinsing them, and loading them into the dishwasher for later. Today was no different. After returning from school and tossing her backpack onto the couch, she made a beeline for the kitchen, dreading the horrors that awaited her if uncle Goku had made the surprise visit Goten teased her about. But all she found were a pair of bowls and spoons, nearly spotless save for the telltale drop of golden goodness.

I posted a link to this story a couple of weeks ago on @koinekid. Now, here’s the old fashioned preview version for those who prefer reading directly on Tumblr.

Of you can read on FFN.

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Rights to Dragonball and related properties are held by their respective owners. No infringement is implied or intended.

How the Ex-Monk Gained a Brother

A Sequel to By Any Other

By Koinekid

Part Five

Lapis awoke to the aroma of brewing coffee and a weight pressing into his shoulder and pinning him to the couch. The weight soon roused herself and ran a hand through her messy blonde hair. "Krill?" she murmured sleepily.

"No such luck."

Lazuli straightened, and a blush colored her cheeks. "Oh, Lapis. What happened?"

"I guess we fell asleep in front of the TV." He nodded toward the set, where a show featuring children in brightly colored costumes had replaced whatever they were watching last night.

"Like old times?" she said.

He recalled the events of the previous night with a grin. He hadn't watched television in ages, but when his sister appeared at the living room door in her robe and PJs, pressing the power button on the remote seemed the most natural thing in the world.

When she flopped onto the couch beside him, he asked, "Do you think we did this as kids—vegging out in front of the TV?"

"Watching anime and game show? Probably."

"I feel like there should be snacks."

Her expression darkened. "Was dinner not good enough for you?"

He held his tongue, supposing he deserved the jab. Besides, he'd get her back later. "I'm not begging for food. I meant we probably snacked in front of the TV as kids."

"As if Papa would allow that. 'Lazuli, no snacks before dinner.'" She grinned evilly. "'Lazuli let your brother out of that headlock. He's crying.'"

He flicked her on the arm, and she flipped him off.

They stayed silent for a while as the TV droned on. Eventually, they would address the real reason for his visit, but for now, inane chatter was more comfortable—so comfortable that he panicked when she started to change the subject.

"So, Krillin and I—"

"Does the little hubby know you're dressing like a housewife already?"

"Is that supposed to be an insult?"

"I intended it as one, yes."

She huffed. "Jerk. The robe and pajamas were a gift. From my boyfriend. Besides, I refuse to wander around a house full of guys in my regular sleep clothes."

"Why, what do you normally—? Hold on, forget I asked."

She leaned in close. "Slinky. Black. Lace."

"Shut up!"

"From Victoria's Secret."

"Laz!" Inspiration struck. "If you say one more word, you don't get your gift."

That stopped her. "A gift?"

He nodded. "I read in one of your magazines that a houseguest is supposed to bring a gift."

"You read my magazines?"

He couldn't tell what pleased her more—the prospect of a gift or her brother admitting he had read CanCam. "An article or two might have caught my eye while I was ripping out pages for kindling."

She chuckled. "Of course."

"Careful. I can still return the gift."

She smiled sweetly. "Not if you want to leave this house alive."

"I give, I give." He reached into his pocket. "Hold out your arm."

Fastening the gold chain to her wrist brought back more memories. On almost every job they pulled, Lapis would pocket an extra bracelet when Lazuli wasn't looking. He started with cheap bangles before progressing to silver and gold adornments encrusted with diamonds. After the job, while their hearts still pounded and they were giddy with endorphins, he would cover her wrist with one hand, affix the bracelet with the other, and then came the big reveal.

No diamonds decorated this newest bracelet, but the delight in her eyes when he drew back his hand was the same. Knowing he could still elicit that expression made the whole trip worthwhile.

Lazuli's mouth twitched as she fought a grin. Once she regained control, she gave a queenly nod of approval. It was as close as the two of them ever got to a thank you.

The next morning, tugging gently on the bracelet as it hung on her wrist, he admired his good taste. "Not bad, eh?"

He hoped for a trace of the approval from the night before—an early morning hit to go with the coffee percolating in the kitchen. But Lazuli was frowning. Had the gold lost its luster in daylight?

"Lapis?"

"Yeah, sis?"

"The bracelet's great, but..." She let the word hang.

"But?"

"Is it stolen?"

Ah. "What if I said yes?"

"Then you have to return it." She fiddled with the clasp. "I appreciate the gesture, but I'm not—"

He covered her hand with his. "Relax, Laz. I know you're on the straight and narrow now, and—believe it or not—I respect that." They shared a smile before Lapis added, "At least enough not to make you an accessory."

Lazuli rolled her eyes. "Gee, thanks."

"Hey, you actually thanked me for something!"

"That was sarcasm."

"Not just now. Before, when you said you appreciated the gesture."

She shrugged. "A figure of speech, nothing more."

"You can't fool me, sis. The shrimp managed to drill some manners into your thick skull. Remind me to congratulate him."

"Screw you."

Lapis barked a laugh. "Guess you need a few more lessons, huh?"

She was still fuming on the couch, trying to devise a comeback, when they heard a knock on the door. "Come in," she snapped.

The door eased open, and the monk entered, carrying a serving tray. "Breakfast is nearly ready, and I thought you two might like some coffee while you wait."

Lazuli's irritated brow smoothed, and she rose to meet him. "Who's cooking?"

"Oolong. He tasted your leftover casserole and vowed to one-up you."

"He's welcome to try." She took the tray and set it on the coffee table. Then she held out her arm. "Do you like my bracelet? My brother bought it for me."

The monk examined the chain. "It's great. You have an eye for jewelry, Seventeen."

Lapis smirked. "Wonder where I could've picked that up."

The monk rubbed the back of his head and chuckled nervously. "Oh, yeah."

Lazuli glared at her brother before turning back to her boyfriend. "Where's your cup?" There were only two on the tray, alongside the coffee decanter and cream and sugar bowls. "Aren't you joining us?"

"I didn't want to interrupt your talk."

"We're finished. Grab your cup and come back."

"If you're sure." He glanced at Lapis, who answered with a shrug.

The monk departed, and Lazuli returned to the couch and motioned for her brother to slide over. Sitting in his place, she prepared coffees for both of them, then took the monk's cup and did the same—despite his protests—when he returned to sit beside her.

A sip of coffee, and she sighed in satisfaction. "There, now wait until you see what I have planned for us today."

Her eye gleamed, and on either side of her, Lapis and the monk shared uneasy glances.

To be continued

Krillin, most definitely. I mean I think he’s the first to crack and just can’t hold back anymore, he does wear his heart on his sleeves at times, you know!

As for naming Marron. I actually planned on writing a chapter on that for Nursery Rhymes but since I never finished that story, here is the gist. 

I used Campfire Pro to write the synopsis. Sometimes, it's good to try a new software without a steep learning curve to approach a project from a different angle. If you try it, make sure to save the project before you type too much into it. The software allows you to add title, author info, a synopsis, and notes before saving. I had a mishap during the save process (my own fault) and thought I lost an hour's work. I didn't, but any writer will tell you how frightening a prospect that is.

Note: I freely admit this is an unusual one.

For the Chestnut Fest 2019 Birthday Prompt. Thanks to @chestnutisland​ on for organizing the event once again.

View the story on FFN or AO3 or read below.

Rights to Dragonball and related properties are held by their respective owners. No infringement is implied or intended.

I Wanna Touch It

By Koinekid

Eighteen widened her eyes. “You want to touch what?” When she told Krillin she would grant him one birthday wish, she meant treating him to dinner or a movie. She could see where he might get the impression she was offering more. They were sitting on her bed, after all, but where else were they supposed to spend time together in this small crowded house?

Krillin’s eyes did some widening of their own. “I didn’t mean that!”

In this story created for the Chestnut Fest 2019 Confession Prompt, a frustrated Eighteen finds something interesting while searching Krillin’s room while he’s gone.

Read on FFN or AO3.