This chapter has been beta readt by The Dagger Dripping in Ink without whom it would only be a messy crap.
Chapter 2
Goten was surprised to find out that Gohan's home was plunged into darkness. While battling with the lock, he tried to remember if his brother had told him that the family was out that night. But he'd already had a drink or two with a friend he'd met by sheer luck downtown, and his memory couldn't focus on the question.
The door finally opened and he went in search for the switch. He didn't have time to reach it.
- Surprise! chanted a chorus of voices while the room was lit miraculously.
Goten's stomach knotted. Pity, not that! However, he did his best to beam. His whole family was reunited in the hallway and confetti began to rain from somewhere above his head.
- Happy birthday! they sang all together.
Goten rubbed sheepishly the back of the head, muttering embarrassed thanks, while his mother jumped to his neck.
- You look beautiful with that outfit, she noticed lovingly.
Everyone was around him in an instant. He took off his jacket and they pushed him in the living room. Only then, he noticed that, in addition to his family, Bulma and her children, and Krillin and 18 were also there. He hadn't seen them for months and the presence of so many people coming specifically in his honor made him uncomfortable.
- Now let's stop moping and have fun, Videl whispered while leading him to a seat in front of a huge meal.
Gohan popped a champagne cork and very quickly, glasses began to circulate.
- To Goten! Gohan shouted enthusiastically, raising his cup.
Goten blushed slightly from so much attention. He obviously understood that all this had been organizined to divert him from his troubles, which also meant that everyone had been informed about his problems. He swallowed greedily his first glass and went right away in search for a second one. Only after the third one, he started to relax, internally heated by the good mood of the guests. On his plate, colorful gift packages had been piled up.
- Twenty-two! Chichi whispered, my God, where was I twenty-two years ago ?
- You don't want to know, Bulma replied with amusement.
Before eating, Goten undid the packages one by one and warmly thanked each guest. Most of them were simple gifts such as clothes or a wallet, but they reminded him that everyone still thought of him and he gradually forgot his lousy situation to let the ambient joy entertain him.
He had been looking for a new job for six weeks now, but he couldn't find any. He was going from refusal through refusal, and even interviews were becoming increasingly rare. He began to consider seriously leaving for another country, or retraining. Neither option would actually please him, but he became aware that it was the price to pay for failing to keep a cool head with Valese. However, by the end of the meal, all those troubles didn't seem so serious anymore and he was finally grateful to Videl, who he knew was the instigator of the party.
Later in the evening, with a full stomach and slightly intoxicated by alcohol, Goten went out on the terrace to smoke a cigarette discreetly. He glanced warily at his mother, fearing her reactions if she caught him. He spotted her sitting and the couch with Videl and Bulma. They were watching with great amusement old photos that seemed to captivate them. Goten thought that there was little chance Chichi would notice his brief disappearance.
He sank into the damp darkness outside and lit his cigarette. He realized that he still had the chance to be surrounded by family and friends in this plight. Optimism had reasserted itself in his mind.
He jumped in panic as the glass door slid open behind him but he was relieved to find out that it was only Trunks. Amidst the crowd of the party, they had barely exchanged a few words throughout the evening. When growing up, Trunks had become quite reserved. He walked up to Goten with a smile and looked down at the cigarette.
- You smoke? he asked, a little surprised.
- From time to time, Goten replied nervously. It's not really official ...
Trunks nodded, getting the reference to Chichi.
- You offer me one? he continued.
Goten was surprised but didn't say anything and just held out awkwardly the box. Trunks pulled out a cigarette and stared at it for a moment before lighting it up. Goten watched him. Without knowing why, he felt uncomfortable.
- Why didn't you call me? Trunks asked exhaling the smoke.
Goten started. This question pointed exactly to the reason for his discomfort. He'd had no real regular contact with Trunks in the past two years. They remained friends but life had weakened their proximity. Their bond today was no comparison with the friendship of their childhood. Oddly, Goten felt guilty for that distance, though Trunks didn't really try to keep in touch either.
- After your separation, I mean, Trunks clarified, as if he had deciphered the thoughts of his friend about the two last years.
- Uh ... You know, I don't need to complain, I'm fine, Goten mumbled.
Trunks planted his eyes in Goten's. His face was calm and impassive, but Goten felt he did not believe him.
- You sure? insisted Trunks.
Goten nodded with a grunt of confirmation. Trunk's piercing eyes froze him, they made him feel like his friend was reading his mind. Goten knew he was not so fine; he had real worries about his uncertain future, but in a sense, the end of his relationship with Valese was a necessary evil and he knew it. Goten could be a withdrawn personality and he didn't like his family and friends to interfere in his life. And, as always, saying he was okay was the best way to cut short their questions. Trunks smiled again and his features finally became milder.
- I also have a birthday present for you, he announced.
- Really? Why didn't you put it on the table like the others? I hope this is not a pin-up at least? Goten joked, chuckling.
He always liked to tease Trunks about his success with women. He knew that his friend enjoyed the aura of a seducer and Goten couldn't help to imagine Trunks was having a turbulent sexual life. Trunks chuckled, shaking his head.
- Nah ... It's a job.
- A job? Goten repeated incredulously.
Trunks cocked his head and stared at him with a look of despair.
- Goten ... I don't even understand why you didn't think of me since you would really do the trick at Capsule!
- Uh ... Yeah ... Well, you know the string-pulling jobs ... See what happened in the end ...
- Goten, Trunks interrupted severely, tell me, who will hire you now?
- Hmm ... no one yet, ruefully confessed Goten.
- That surprises you? Valese's father is influential. Influential and furious. For now, no firm will take the risk of displeasing him.
What Trunks was saying was true and Goten knew it. He had to face this reality. He bowed his head in resignation. Trunks put his hand on his shoulder.
- I don't care for Valese's father…, he added softly, trying to make visual contact with his friend.
Goten looked up.
- … While you ... you are my friend, Goten, Trunks resumed, and you're good in your field, I know it. Come to work at Capsule Corps.
He was speaking in a tone of confidence, and Goten suddenly felt the weight of Trunk's hand on his shoulder. Goten opened his mouth to answer but was caught by a second thought, and felt his mind strangely fuzzy, perhaps because of the alcohol.
- I would really be glad if you accepted,Trunks whispered to convince him.
Having the strange feeling that Trunks had leaned too close, Goten instinctively stepped back, without even realizing it.
- Hm. OK, then, he muttered.
Trunks let Goten's shoulder go and pulled the last drag on his cigarette. He smiled.
- Come on Monday to the head office. You'll be a great asset to us, he concluded
Goten was invaded by an extreme relief. Trunks had just solved one of his biggest concerns at this time. Goten didn't even ask what job or how much it would pay. With Trunks, trust was absolute.
Trunks looked with disgust at the still smoking cigarette between his fingers.
- This is really gross, I don't understand why you started this, muttered Trunks .
- I don't really remember, Goten sighed, I'll quit.
Trunks gave him a skeptical look before crushing the cigarette.
- And next time you're in trouble, call me, he said quietly before walking away to go back indoor.
Goten watched him until he disappeared from sight. Goten realized that Trunks had not changed at all. Things always seemed strangely easy with him. As soon as he appeared, troubles were evaporating in an instant, taking with them the bad mood and depression.
Goten felt both relieved and uncomfortable.
He was relieved to be able to resume a normal life free from Valese. He was already planning to move and have finally, for the first time, a home. A place that would be his alone. Not Mount Paozu, not Valese's apartment, nor Gohan's house, just a place for him with no one to question him about his concerns, nor to worry about his going out and times of his returning. It seemed to him that his life would really begin. Freedom.
But he was also uncomfortable because he owed this freedom to Trunks. He couldn't remember exactly how their relationship had strained over time. He had certainly had his part of responsibility for this distance, but Trunks had remained behind. Trunks had not really tried to call him or see him very often. As if he didn't need the physcial or emotional contact in order to know they were still friends. Indeed Trunks had just proved that he was still his best friend.
Goten, on his side, acknowledged ruefully that he had not thought much of his friend in the latter months. He'd heard news from him and it was enough for him to know that Trunk's life was going on. The bond they shared now was far from that unshakeable friendship he had sworn to Trunks as a child. And even if they were no longer children, Goten had the feeling of having betrayed his pledge in some way. That's why he had not dared to call Trunks earlier.
Goten knew that this embarrassment would dissipate quickly. Trunks had that gift to reassure anyone at will, and he didn't seem to blame him. He had always been Goten's role model. When they were younger, their difference in age made Trunks very naturally, the stronger of both. But over time, this year's gap was no longer expected to really make a distinction. Yet Goten could not help but continue to admire him.
Trunks was strong, he was self-assured, he always gave the feeling of having everything under control. Trunks thought. Trunks acted. He wouldn't hesitate. He wouldn't whine. Goten wished he'd be like him a little more, he would never have let himself entangled in this dead-end story with Valese.
This kind of reconciliation with Trunks brightened his mood unexpectedly. The party was really a good idea, it had reminded Goten that he wasn't alone in his torment and most importantly, it had reminded him that Trunks was always there for him faithfully.
As expected, the work at Capsule was worthy of his wildest dreams. He knew more than one of his former co-workers who would have left everything behind for the position Trunks had offered him so wholeheartedly. Goten spent the first days getting to know his team and learning how the department worked. And, at the end of the week, he realized fully the great favour Trunks had granted by having him hired here. Goten was aware that it had not been difficult for his friend to get him the job. Nevertheless, he decided he needed to find a way to thank him.
oooo0ooooo0oooo