Ch 3

Trunks was standing on his snowboard on the slopes and looked at all the white that surrounded him. He thought about yesterday and how his family and Goten's had enjoyed each other's company. He found himself every now and then looking at his best friend, making sure he wasn't caught. 'What the hell is wrong with me? Ever since he got here, I've been feeling weird.'

"Hey Trunks, everything ok?" Trunks came out of his head to see Gohan pull up right beside him on skis.

"Yeah, just thinking."

"About what?"

'Your brother,' he thought as he shook his head. "How nice it is to be here."

"It is pretty nice here. Thanks for inviting us."

"No problem Gohan."

"So, you want to race?" asked Gohan.

"You're on!" exclaimed Trunks.

Snowboarding down the hill, Trunks could feel the rush and it made him feel good as he did a few moves in mid air before catching up to Gohan.

"You're not going to win Briefs."

"Oh yes I am," said Trunks as he picked up more speed and passed him.

The end was coming soon, and Trunks could see it as he smiled in excitement. Suddenly he felt nervous and hot at the same time and it concerned him. 'What is happening to me? What is this feeling?' he thought as he looked around to see Goten had got some major air and passed both him and Gohan.

Goten smiled triumphantly at the bottom of the hill. "I win."

Trunks saw Goten's smile and knew something was changing inside him. Trunks couldn't help but smile at his best friend. 'Ok something is seriously wrong with me. Why am I not pissed that he cheated?' he thought as he stood at the bottom of the hill with an annoyed Gohan. He then said something that even surprised him. "You're right Goten, you won."

Goten and Gohan looked at Trunks weird. "Are you sure you're ok Trunks?" asked Goten.

"I don't know," said Trunks before he took off on another trail.

"What do you think is going on with him?" asked Gohan.

"I don't know Gohan, but I'm concerned about him. Ever since we got here, I can see something is off with him. I'm going to go find him," said Goten.

"Good luck."

Goten was looking for Trunks when a bunch of guys spotted him and decided to mess with him. Walking up to him, Goten became curious of their behavior. He stopped walking to face them.

"Um, is there any reason you're following me?" asked Goten.

"We were wondering who you were looking for?" asked one of the guys.

"I don't think it's any of your business, and I have to be going," said Goten as he tried to walk away.

"Oh I don't think you're going anywhere, talking to us so disrespectfully. It's clear you're not from around here. Only someone with low class would give such attitude," said another guy.

"You don't know a thing about me, so I suggest you stop messing with me or else I—

"You'll what?" one of the guys laughed. "You look pretty harmless to me," he said as he directs a fist towards Goten's face. Before he could land a punch, he screamed and looked to see a lavender-haired man crushing his fist.

"Trunks?" said Goten in surprise.

"I believe you owe my best friend an apology," said Trunks as he smirked, "or I could just break your hand."

"I—I'm sorry," the guy said to Goten before he and his friends leave quickly.

Trunks looked to his best friend. "Are you all right?"

"Well," Goten blushed, "yeah but you do know I could have handled them myself right?"

"Yeah," Trunks smirked, "it's just you were taking too long. I couldn't resist."

"Sure," Goten said. "Anyway I was looking for you. I feel like there's something going on with you that you're not telling me. It doesn't just have to do with working too hard at Capsule. There's something else, isn't there?"

"No, there's nothing else."

"It's funny that you think you can lie to me Trunks. We've known each other since we're kids. I know you like I know the back of my hand."

Trunks smiled and shook his head. "True but a year's a long time I couldn't have changed by then."

"I don't think so Trunks. You can fool the world with your words, looks, and your smile, but there's more to you then that," Goten said as he stood in front of his long time friend. "You can tell me anything, and I will keep it to myself. I promise," he said as his hand lied on Trunks' shoulder.

Trunks sighed as he looked at his friend. He was an honest and good hearted person, and he admired that about Goten. He still felt he had to keep his distance because of his weird feelings towards him, but he knew he had to tell him something. He would be partially honest with him. "Well I've been having nightmares and they've kept me up at night."

"Is it anything like the nightmares you had as a kid?"

"You remember that?"

"Yeah I think it was some time after our battle with Buu. Every time I'd ask about them, you would get all defensive and angry. I wanted to help, but I could see in your eyes that you were scared. I remember I decided to tell your mom, and you were angry with me. I think it helped talking to your mom."

"It did, and the nightmares went away. They came back after the defeat of the shadow dragons."

"I guess I kind of understand why you had nightmares after everything that happened in the battle with Buu. I mean even I had a few bad dreams about it but why now?"

"Honestly, I don't know Goten," said Trunks.

"Well what are your nightmares about this time around?"

Trunks looked away from his friend. "I—I can't talk about it with you Goten," he sighed. "I think it's just best to try and relax while I can. I'm sure everything will sort itself out."

"That is the stupidest solution ever Trunks. You know that won't work, and I know you're smarter than this. Your lack of sleep must be clouding your judgement or something."

Trunks turned back to face his friend and walked up to him. "You think life is just black and white? Well it's not that simple. You will never completely understand the life I live and what I have to be to please people. You'll never know what feels like to be surrounded by people and wonder if they love you because of your money or because they accept who you really are."

"How am I suppose to know how you feel anymore? You don't even talk to me and when I try to reach out, you shut me out. I was or am your best friend. I don't know anymore with you Trunks. If I didn't care about you, I wouldn't be here, trying to help out the man who was always there for me throughout my childhood. Trunks believe me I only want your happiness."

"I'm sorry, and I appreciate what you're saying. I know you want the best for me, but I—

"No buts Trunks," Goten smiled. "So, what can I do to make things better?"

"I need to get some sleep."

"Um, ok. We should head back to the cabin then, and we can talk about this more tomorrow."

"Good but I can't get to sleep on my own," Trunks sighed, "and well I didn't tell you this because it seemed silly at the time."

"What?"

"The reason I didn't have nightmares every single night was because you were sleeping beside me. I noticed it every single time you came over to spend the night, and I always wondered why that was. I never came up with an answer, so I'm asking you now if you'll sleep with me every night until the trip is over. Believe me this isn't the easiest thing tor me to ask."

Goten smiled. "I know it isn't, but I'm glad to help you out Trunks."

Dinner had been over hours ago, and it was late as everyone made their way to their rooms to sleep. Goten had gone to his bedroom to change into his pajamas and brush his teeth before making his way to his best friend's room. He made sure there was no one in the halls before he knocked softly.

"Trunks?"

"Come in Goten."

Goten opened the door to see the room all ready in darkness. Quietly shutting the door behind him, he made his way over to the bed to see Trunks all ready lying down on one side of the bed. As Goten got in the other side, he pulled the covers over his body.

Trunks smiled. "Thank you Goten," he said as he stared at the back of his friend's head.

"No problem," smiled Goten as he rolled over to face his friend. He realized Trunks' face wasn't that far from his own, and he blushed.

"You have to admit this is kind of weird," said Trunks.

"Yeah, but it didn't use to be when we were kids."

"I know, and I'm not sure it really has to be weird at all. I mean we're just sleeping in the same bed. It's innocent."

"True," said Goten. "I really hope this helps you Trunks. I don't really like when you have nightmares."

Trunks laughed. "That makes both of us, and I hope you know that if you ever need something from me, I'll be there."

"I've always known that Trunks, ever since we were kids."

"Dendei I miss those days sometimes," Trunks sighed.

"Me too, it was more simple. Well if you don't count saving the world."

"It seemed it was easier to save the world than to deal with everyday life."

"I'm with you there."

"I think I could talk all night with you."

"I could too, but you should really be getting some sleep right now."

"I know," said Trunks as he shifted his body away from his friend's. "Goodnight Goten," he said as he closed his eyes. He smiled, hopeful that he could sleep through the night with his best friend by his side.

"Goodnight Trunks," Goten smiled before closing his eyes and getting himself more comfortable under the blanket.

The room fell into silence, and it felt wrong to both of them. They wouldn't tell each other that. There felt like there was so much more to say but not enough time to say it.