Best of Both Worlds

by GotenXTrunks

A prince wishes for freedom, and finds friendship and love in a very unexpected place. By: Chocolate-chan

4. Chapter 4

The Best of Both Worlds, part 4
By: Chocolate-chan

Trunks sank the fingers of his left hand into the soft mud as his entire arm numbed quickly. The mud provided a poor conduit for his pain, squooshing between his fingers. Trunks raised his sword, warding off a blow intended for his neck. He brought his feet up under him and vaulted upward with a shout of pain hidden as anger when the skin stretched and annoyed him with its sting. Trunks swung his sword in a slashing motion.
He knew that Goten totally couldn't read him, since his face was growing more confused by the moment, his brows meeting thickly above his eyes... stay focused! Trunks laid into his opponent with a barrage of blows, one blow crossing the minor scratch across his ribs, the other bringing a gout of blood that splashed across Trunks' face from his shoulder.
The man retaliated with a shout and ran toward him, furious that he was being hit. He struck low and slashed Trunks' pant leg open, drawing a gout of blood that quickly soaked the pant leg as Trunks struggled to remain on his feet.
He has all the experience over me, alright, Trunks told himself. I'm not playing in the courtyard anymore. He was frustrated that the guy would be able to best him in such a match of skills, with Goten and the world watching. He was probably almost twice his own age, and bigger and more muscular to boot. Still, Trunks told himself, no excuses!
He moved forward as he struck the next blow, his blade scraping upwards along the good quality plundered sword as he moved forward with a thrust of his good leg. The other was feeling numb.
He registered surprise on the other's face, and he threw himself onto the guy, half slipping and half intentional, bringing them both to the ground even though he knew that he could already have been dead by this point. The hilt of the other's sword rapped him so hard on the head that he saw stars, whether intentionally or no he wasn't sure. When Trunks pulled himself from the twitching body under him, he left his sword buried in the man's chest.
There was a gasp as it was realized, and Trunks, unable to stand, fell to his rear on the ground once more, then back to his back, his head falling aside. In his frame of vision there was a pack of rearing steeds with yelling riders, and several men of the camp grabbed up swords. Gohan moved and checked Trunks' former opponent for signs of life. Goten didn't seem to care about the outcome, but reached over and grabbed the sword and yanked it upward, tearing it free of flesh and clothing. The body convulsed once and was still.
"Get out of here!" Goten yelled to the pack of men who looked murderous enough to set fire to everything in sight. "Keep your word and we won't kill you! Leave now as you agreed!" He brandished the bloodied sword for effect.
Muttering and swearing, the horses turned and went from the camp, and Trunks blinked once gratefully, glad that there would be no trouble. As his eyes began to close, he saw a flash of red light; the bloody sword reflecting the light as it was dropped and thudded into the ground. Goten hit his knees beside Trunks and picked up the fallen young man's head in his hands.
"Hold on, Trunks... it's okay.." Goten said, looking concerned as those around also appeared far out of Trunks' sight range, above Goten looking down. "You did good."
"Thanks," Trunks chuckled. He felt light-headed suddenly, and could just feel Goten scooping him up as he passed out.

Trunks felt a pain throbbing as he came to again, but far less than before. He wasn't in the mud, he was in a tent, comfortable and too cold, but everything was cold. Trunks turned his head to see Goten sitting across the tent, the flap pulled back slightly to let in a triangle of sunlight. His hair shone brightly as he studied something in his hands. Trunks turned his head slightly, realizing that Goten was studying a piece of paper. As Trunks moved, however, Goten folded it and stowed it somewhere.
"Are you up?" Goten asked softly, crawling over toward him.
"Awake, yes, up.. working on it," Trunks managed to say.
"Everyone tried to come by and thank you for what you did."
"Get myself nearly killed? I am killed; I'm just here as an example of what not to do." Goten smiled at him slightly, so Trunks considered it a minor victory.
"So..." Goten said slowly, sitting up near him. "Are you who they said you are?"
"You would believe people like that?" Trunks asked.
Goten looked off toward the door, refusing to meet his gaze. "I would believe you, but you've been lying to me this whole time, and there isn't anyone who doesn't know it. Are you the prince?" At this last, Goten hesitated, but looked into his eyes as he asked.
"What does it matter?" Trunks asked. He took stock of himself quickly. His leg hurt, the right knee. The left upper arm was bandaged but didn't do more than throb when he moved it. He reached over with no warning, pulling Goten to him. Goten was fairly light but his size made it difficult. If he had resisted the touch he wouldn't have been moved. But he was, and Trunks pulled the slightly smaller young man down against him. Goten looked as though he were holding back what he would say.
"As far as I'm concerned, I don't ever want to think about that..." He searched Goten's gaze carefully. "...Ever again."
Goten looked as though he were at a loss for words, now. Trunks waited, head tilted slightly, but no words came.
After a moment, Goten shivered slightly, and then leaned his head down, kissing Trunks quickly, not leaving time for response before he pulled his face back away. "I don't care about it... as long as you stay here..." Goten said in a voice near a whisper.
Trunks regarded him with great surprise. This was the reason Goten had never resisted him? But if he stayed here, not only would he be near Goten, he would have no responsibilities as a prince any longer.
But as Trunks thought about it, he considered his mother and his sister; he loved them both very much. And he knew his mother had not given up with the "disappearance" of her guards. She would come after him and try to talk "sense" into him. And the way things stood now, Goten and his family and friends would probably get hurt in the process.
"Goten, if I stay here, how can I change things?" Besides, Kaa-san won't give up on her "little baby."
"First you say you want to forget it, then you talk about going straight back to your life as if..." Goten seemed distressed, and tried to throw himself away from Trunks, who used every ounce of strength he possessed to hang onto him.
"As if I were forgetting you? I'd never do that... even if I wanted to." Trunks tone stopped Goten, who looked down at him with his dark eyes filled with hurt. "I don't ever want to leave, but there's no way I can stay."
"Trunks..."
"You don't know. My mother won't give me up for lost; I'm her little wayward charge. I've always been. She'll get me back and cry over my 'brainwashing' by the 'heathens'... besides, I have a little sister to think of, and even if that weren't the case..." Trunks sighed. "I've seen this now. No one should be forced to live like you have been. I want to make it so that none of these people have to suffer like this. You say they had land and homes in the city? I'll find them, and when I do I'll give them back."
"This is my life," Goten exclaimed. "What do I care if I have a home in the city? What do I care if you go and do whatever it is you'd do to fix things? I finally found something to care about, someone..." he broke off.
"What about Gohan and Videl? They're going to have a family. Can you stand to look at your brother's face day after day and see the pain he must feel? Not only was his little brother raised out in the middle of nowhere, even his own children won't even have a proper home." Goten looked extremely guilty as Trunks said all this.
"Trunks..." He closed his eyes, and Trunks pulled him down, meeting his mouth softly, good arm wrapping around his waist and pulling Goten against him tightly as they kissed. Goten's hand moved to touch his face, a small sound being swallowed by the other's mouth. As it drew out, the two of them engaging in the sweetest kind of duel, Trunks could feel Goten, and himself for that matter, becoming aroused. Trunks' breath caught as Goten's grip on his arm became painful, but Goten moved his hand quickly, the sudden rush of pain only leaving the Prince more heady than with just Goten's presence.
After a moment his eyes opened slightly, seeing Goten's face above him, and as Goten pulled the barest distance away, Trunks could see the same need there as he himself felt. Goten kissed him again, and Trunks used his grip on Goten to drag the dark-haired one against him, feeling Goten shudder slightly and press closer to him, mouths going deeper. Trunks arched his hips into Goten, who made a sound and returned the movement, the two of them clinging tightly together as their hips moved against each other's, grinding in, until Goten made a small sound, pushing harder against him.
Trunks' hand crept into his shirt, up along his spine, and down again as they moved against each other. Goten made a sound almost like a whimper, but as Trunks' fingers slowly descended the ladder of his backbone, the sound turned into something resembling a purr, and past midway it grew deeper, more erotic, something between a growl and a moan. Trunks moved his hand back up just as slowly to repeat the motion as Goten lost his breath and panted softly.
"Goten!"
The two of them stopped in their tracks, so to speak, at the sound of a girl screaming Goten's name from somewhere in the camp accompanied by other sounds of shock made by people. There were running footsteps as Goten pulled himself from Trunks, face flushed, and moved toward the tent flap he had earlier closed. As he opened it, Marron came running into him and collided with his chest.
"Goten, the bandits!" she cried. Trunks distinctly caught the acrid odor of smoke on her.
"Where?"
"The cabin." There was a small abandoned cabin that was used by some of the people when they used this camp. This time, as no one was wounded, everyone had agreed that Videl should be taken there since she was so far along. Goten obviously remembered this in a flash and was out of the tent, leaving Marron panting.
"What happened?" Trunks asked, sitting up with some difficulty.
"The bandits set fire to the cabin. I saw them riding away!" Marron insisted.
"They would take their revenge so soon?"
"You slept four days!" Marron said, and Trunks told her to throw him his shirt. As he tugged it on he moved to stand, limping painfully toward the column of smoke that was frighteningly close to the tents. Marron raced ahead of him as orange flames licked the freezing gray sky.
As Trunks arrived, there was movement in the doorway. Goten came out, staggering under Videl's weight. He brought her away and handed her off to the hands of someone standing nearby. Trunks looked at the cabin and considered. The timbers were thin and dry, and rotting already. The flames were taking over at an alarming rate. Goten had to have known that, coughing as he was. Trunks moved down to help Videl, and she coughed weakly as they eased her to the ground.
"Who else is in there?" Someone asked.
"Gohan!" Goten said, to the dismay of those around. "He was trapped under a fallen timber, unconscious!" Goten prepared to turn and go back with no other words, but there was a deafening crack! as the roof caved suddenly, taking good sections of the wall down as well.
"You can't go back in there, Goten!" Trunks called, but Goten was not listening. Some of the other men knew it was over when the roof caved, and they held Goten back as he struggled, calling Gohan's name.
Trunks pulled himself up again and came to Goten, falling on him with arms wrapped around him, holding him back. "It's too late, Goten! I don't want us to lose you too!"
Goten didn't entirely stop struggling, but it was weak, as he watched the cabin being quickly consumed by flame. It felt as though it had taken only two seconds to Trunks, who knew it was just perspective. Goten stood with Trunks hanging around his neck, watching the cabin as the other men eased off. Trunks rasped something to him over and over again, even he himself was unsure what.
"Gohan..." Goten mumbled, tears overcoming his eyes, and though his face was turned toward the flames, it was doubtful that he saw it.

There was a period of silence in the camp, wherein the fire was doused as it burned itself out, and Goten couldn't bring himself to go closer or farther from it, remaining where he was, slumping down to the ground and taking Trunks with him as he sat in agony. The men went in and took Gohan's body out as it cooled, and Goten was never allowed to see it.
Trunks held onto Goten for a long time, telling him anything that he could think of that might make him feel the tiniest bit better, to know that he wasn't alone, but it all hit Goten so fast, as fast or faster than the event had occurred in Trunks' mind, and he didn't make replies to what Trunks said.
At last, half a day later, at nightfall, one came to Goten as to say, "And there is your sister, who is going into labor from all that's happened."
"It would happen now?" Goten asked in a soft broken voice, at last turning his tear-stained face toward someone.
"Such things take time to begin. As none have eaten so much as a morsel these past five days now, and everything before that was tiniest scraps to make us feel as though we were fed, I wouldn't hold out much hope for Lady Videl."
Goten looked truly frightened, and Trunks watched his face, knowing that the labor pains would kill Videl. Goten had never looked so young, knowing that if something were to be done then he was to do it, but he had no clue.
"I wouldn't entirely give up hope," the woman said, sympathetic yet practical. "The baby was fed well throughout the pregnancy, and will survive if any of us survive, and no one will simply allow Videl to die. But the chances are grim, as there is none around who has food they would spare, and none here has any at all. The baby, however, will be fine."
Goten paused and licked salty tears from his lips. "Are you sure?"
"Unless Videl dies first, and then what must be done will be done." The woman was giving facts that were simply that to her: facts. To Goten, they were shattering blows. For Trunks, the women's role in this tiny community brought home the sheer "wrongness" of their situation even more than ever. Goten sat as the woman walked turned to go.
But she paused. "Your sister-in-law... says that you should be in charge now." With that she left. It wasn't a vote of confidence, or any type of betrayal. But Trunks wondered, as Goten closed his eyes and allowed his head to fall forward.
"..Goten...?"
"They're all dying," Goten whispered. "It's my fault."
"It's not, Goten, you know better than that..."
"Leave me be," Goten insisted weakly, turning his face away and scrubbing at it with the back of one hand.
Trunks sensed that what he said would not be heeded. Instead he rose shakily to his feet and moved back to the tent.
Goten remained in his spot and stared at the remains of the burnt cabin. Videl would need him, and he would go, but first...
Gohan... it's so unfair... Goten dried his eyes and recalled his brother, who had always been so responsible. How could I ever be you? Trunks came past him again, but didn't stop in his limping pace. Goten watched him walk slowly across the camp. He was headed for the biggest tent, for that was where Videl was.
...? What's he-?
After a few minutes, Goten rose and fixed his resolve on, heading to the tent as well. As he opened the tent flap, the smell of sweat and fire hit him. The smoke was from the cabin fire, but there was a well-made fire in the tent, with water boiling over it. Goten saw Videl's bed, where she lay, panting slightly. By the fire was Juuhachigou, since Videl was between times, and Trunks spoke to her in tones too soft to hear. After a moment, her face showed surprise, and Trunks proffered something that he pulled from somewhere on him. Juuhachigou opened up the cloth and stared for a moment at the pieces of meat that lay inside, and Goten recalled in a flash at every meal when Trunks had set some aside. Juuhachigou dropped the pieces into the boiling water quickly, to make them soft and easy to chew.
As Goten took an uncertain step toward them, he heard the blond woman say, "You have saved her life."
"Trunks?" Goten asked, and Trunks turned and flashed him a smile.
"I think your sister wants to see you." He pointed, and Goten headed over to kneel beside Videl with no further word.
"Videl? Videl-san?" Goten took her hand. After a moment, her clouded blue eyes opened and blinked at him. Sweat poured down her deathly pale face, and though Goten's mind told him, It is an ill thing for a man to attend a mother... he grabbed the bowl of water and wrung the cloth, wiping her face gently. I don't believe there could be more bad fortune than there has already been today, he told himself. Videl looked somewhat comforted that he was alright.
"You weren't... hurt?" Videl gasped slightly, grabbing his forearm.
"No. I suppose you've been told that my brother-" Goten choked slightly and fought a fresh wave of grief.
"Yes," Videl said softly. Goten mentally cursed himself for being insensitive. How could he grieve so badly when there was this one lying here, who was his wife, and was still full with his child? There was sorrow deeply ingrained into her voice, but Goten only nodded and sponged her forehead again.
"That's why you're in charge."
"I don't think so. You yourself said I was too much of an idiot to be anything of the sort," Goten insisted.
"I didn't mean that. I think everyone always told you that because you are hotheaded, and we all know that, besides that, you have what it takes, and Gohan never did. We never wanted you to fight with your brother." Videl sounded more sad as she continued, but Goten shook his head, saying "I couldn't- I couldn't-"
"Then if you feel you can't, do so anyway, and take it as a request from me, and you owe me no more in this life."
"You're not going to die," Goten said.
"Maybe not, maybe so; it's irrelevant. You are the last child of Goku, and that's what is important. You'll be able to do what Gohan never could, the one thing he wanted more than anything else in his life."
"And... what's that?" Goten whispered, hesitant.
"A home. He wanted a home, for all of us. He wanted what was rightfully ours. The reasons behind King Vegeta's actions will be forever shrouded in mystery, but they'll be irrelevant, because you have the strength of will to set it aside. This is your time, and you need to move now."
"Sister-in-law, you are insane," Goten pleaded, but Videl shook her head and smiled at him.
"I'm not insane. I speak truth." She paused for a long moment, and relaxed, and Goten could tell that this set of her pains had gone aside. "It's excruciating," she said in response to his unasked question.
"Try this," Juuhachigou said, bringing a bowl. Videl sipped some of the broth, then reached for it in hunger. Goten took it then, and held it steady. "Slowly! Chew," The blond woman instructed her, and Videl made an effort to slow down. "If you make yourself sick then none will benefit."
Goten held onto the bowl until she had drained it, and Juuhachigou took it away. Trunks came into the tent then with more fresh water, and it was put on to boil.
"Men attending is bad luck, Goten," she said then.
"I will be outside if you need me," Goten replied.
Trunks was sitting near the entrance to the tent when Goten went outside. Inside the tent was nearly hot, but outside the mildly cold day and the harsh wind reasserted itself. Goten sat down beside Trunks, and looked at the ground.
"You're shaking," Trunks said softly, and the kind tone in his voice made Goten shake worse.
"I just feel... really helpless," Goten admitted. "What do they expect of me? I'll never be able to take the place of Gohan, much less my father. Is that what they really want from me? My father?"
Trunks reached an arm around him and held him to ease his shaking. Goten breathed hard and struggled not to weep.

In the small hours of the morning there erupted a shrill cry from the tent, and Trunks opened his eyes to the sound, raising his chin from where it rested on Goten's head. Trunks blinked and glanced around in the darkness, straining to see in the light of the waning moon. There were men and women still at the communal fire, even, and though they had no food they filled themselves with hot water as they proposed a toast.
Trunks sat up straight, his stirring bringing Goten around. Goten's head rose from his shoulder. "Trunks?"
"Shh," Trunks told him, and after a moment Goten also heard the cry and found himself touched with the first smile since the cabin had gone up.
"I'm an uncle..."
The tent flap was pulled aside, and a feminine voice from within said, "The child is a girl and both are fine."
Goten turned to Trunks as the flap dropped again, and said softly. "That food, that you were saving, it was for her?"
Trunks nodded slightly, unwilling, and then said, "Once in such a year there was no food even in the city; no food for beggars to beg and no food for nobles to dine. It was in such a year that my mother gave birth to a small girl and nearly lost her life. I still call it a miracle that both survived."
"And it was in such a year that I was born," Goten said, with a nod as if it were a full circle. "Only my mother was hardly so fortunate. And there were far more cases where the child died, here."
"It is the same everywhere," Trunks agreed, then urged Goten to go tell those at the fire.
"You saved my sister's life," Goten said. "I won't forget that." With that he rose and there came another cheer from the people, and Goten came back to sit by his sister's tent. After a moment there was once more movement, and Juuhachigou came out with a bundle and knealt beside Goten.
"Lady Videl rests, but I thought you should meet the next addition to your family." With that the bundle was placed in his arms, and Goten froze when it squirmed slightly. Trunks reached over and pulled aside a part of the blanket.
The face inside was a face that none could mistake for any other than a Son. The eyes were large and blinked up at Goten, dark meeting dark, and the fuzzy head was as dark as his.
Goten was struck dumb.
"And what is your name?" Trunks asked the child, as if indeed she understood.
"Her mother has called her 'Pan'," was Juuhachigou's interjection.
Goten was silent, meeting her gaze. For some reason, he could tell that this one was going to be a corker. Perhaps it was that one foot had kicked free from the constraining blanket, and had kicked him hard in the chest.
After a while, Juuhachigou said that she must go back inside in the warmth, and Goten surrendered her reluctantly. Trunks looked at him critically when he was without the child, and Goten seemed.. smaller, sat dejected almost.
"If her father could see her..." and Goten went to his tent without another word. Trunks looked up at the sky and said a small prayer, feeling a sense of calmness come to him now. After a time he rose and followed Goten. When he arrived in the tent Goten didn't respond to any words, his back turned toward the doorway. Trunks curled up against his back and was asleep once more.

But when morning arrived Goten was still there sleeping at Trunks' side, whereas he was usually up, and Trunks would have thought he would want to be up to see his niece. But when Trunks shook him gently, Goten only responded in a rough voice that he should be left alone. Trunks tarried in indecision, then finally rose and went to Videl.
"Is Goten alright?" Videl asked, as Trunks tried to pry the baby's hand from his index finger.
"That's what I wanted to say..." Trunks began. When he was finished Videl only nodded.
"I'm sorry to trouble you," he said apologetically.
"It is nothing. I will be up soon." Videl held her baby and looked into her face. Evidently she saw Gohan, because her eyes glistened slightly. "Make Goten eat whatever there is that might be eaten. Only let him sleep for a while. And he may need someone." Trunks nodded and left, finding their excuse for breakfast. When he brought some to Goten, the other commanded he set it aside. Trunks figured that only hunger would bring him to eat, and he did so. After a moment, he found himself sitting on the coverings and looking at the back of Goten's head.
"Will you never leave me in peace?" Goten demanded suddenly.
"Probably not," Trunks granted. "Goten, I was thinking..."
"Well, and what do you trouble me with now?" Goten sounded irritated.
Trunks opened his mouth, and then decided to keep to himself what he would have said. "Nothing."
"Well, you bothered me enough to come and say it. What was it?" Goten turned his head enough to glare at him.
"Just..." Trunks thought and substituted something. "It grows colder every day. Do you mind if I sleep with you at night?"
Goten narrowed his eyes, and seemed to find it devoid of evil intent. He sounded almost like himself when he said, "As you will."
"You should go see the child, by daylight. She needs to know you."
"She will know me. And I have seen her. She looks like Gohan." But when speaking of Pan, Goten couldn't manage the rough tone he had taken with Trunks. "Leave me alone," Goten said, as though he knew his weaknesses were showing.
Trunks went out and came back with the baby, and Goten was sitting up eating what Trunks had brought when he returned. As soon as Goten's eyes fell onto the bundle of blankets and baby, his eyes grew a little brighter. Trunks sat next to him, offering the child. Goten took her, as carefully as he would his own. She was calm in his arms, where she had fidgeted in Trunks' hold. Goten's foul disposition seemed to melt away until Trunks was required to return her. When he came back once more, Goten was as he had been, lying under his covers. But he wasn't angry now, he was mostly just unresponsive.
Trunks sighed, rubbing absently at the bandage over his leg, where the wound was throbbing. It had been more superficial than it looked, but stretching the wounded skin still hurt. He instead climbed into bed with Goten, and since there was nothing to eat there was no reason for them to leave, even when Goten's friends came to talk to him. Trunks played "sleeping" and Goten told them to go away as well, in no uncertain terms.
As the tent flap fell once more, Trunks opened his eyes and realized that the last hours of sunlight were fading. Goten hadn't spoken to him in hours. Trunks at last said, "You were going to bathe today."
"Well, and I shall not," Goten said at last, seeming to be willfully contrary. It was dejection, not depression as of yet.
"I know you're upset over Gohan," Trunks began, but couldn't think of a way to finish.
"I'm totally useless," Goten said after a time. "If I couldn't even save him, then what good am I? I won't be able to fulfill Videl's wishes or Gohan's goals or my father's objectives; I don't understand why it's so important to us to go live in the city again. This is all I've ever known. They used to say to me that I wouldn't be able to understand, I was part of the first generation who knew only this forest."
"If you set yourself to it, Goten, I know you could do whatever the people wished."
"Leave me alone. I don't need your sympathy."
"I refuse to let you sit in here. You do realize, do you not, that there probably will not be a day as warm as this for several months? You will freeze your fingers and toes off, and if you bathe now it will be longer before you have to do so." Trunks sat up, rolling Goten onto his side. Goten didn't really look at him. He looked sleepy and a little sick. Trunks wasn't thinking that it was biological illness.
Trunks hauled him to his feet, since he was fully dressed anyway, and pulled him by the arm down to the river. Trunks looked out over it as he released Goten's arm. he heard a sof whump! that was Goten falling onto the ground. He sat there and would have forever if allowed.
Trunks looked around, and finally sighed. He reached down with one hand, touching Goten's chin. Goten looked up at him with inarticulately sad eyes. Trunks could see that if left alone he would most likely enter a state of depression that would do no one any good. When he was sure that there was no one around, he stripped to nearly nothing and did the same to Goten, receiving no help or hinderance. He pulled the dark-haired young man into the water with him, glad that at least he didn't put up a fight. Goten sank to a sitting position, mud or no, and his head bent toward the water. Trunks pulled him a little deeper, once again receiving no help dragging him, and then proceeded to wash Goten himself. Goten seemed a little lifeless, and sank against Trunks, face buried into his neck.
Trunks' leg was hurting in the very cold water, and Goten shivered ceaselessly beside him, but he was careful. As his hands moved over Goten's back, the other looked up at him.
"Why won't you leave me alone?"
Trunks looked down into Goten's face, seeing a resigned expression, as though he knew he would have to function normally whether he would or no. Trunks held him close in the water, leaning down to kiss him gently on the lips. Goten was still at first as though unsure whether or not he would, even could allow himself to be touched. After a moment he tilted his head up slightly, his arms going around Trunks as if to save his life. The Prince could feel the weight of his sadness, and wanted to cause him, just for a moment, to forget everything else.
He pulled Goten up onto the bank to dry off, the sunlight's warmth counteracting the chill air, so they were about as cold as in the river. When Trunks wouldn't let Goten pull away, Goten at last took him by the hand and led him to a spot where there was grass, all touched by the sun and away from sight. They lay there together, Goten pressing his face against Trunks' chest.
"I'm sorry..." Goten began. "I don't mean to push you away.." His voice never raised above a whisper as he said it.
"I'd forgive you anything, even if you did, Goten... I love you..." Trunks wasn't quite sure at first that he had said it aloud, but when Goten's large eyes turned up to him he realized it.
"You do?" His voice was nearly incredulous, and it hurt Trunks a little that he found it so hard to believe.
He only nodded, and watched as Goten's eyes closed, and he shook a little more than from just the cold. Even though they lay together, Goten seemed to reach out to him only now, when his arms went around Trunks, holding onto him.
"Would you do something for me?" Goten asked after a time, his eyes remaining closed, until Trunks withheld his reply. When his eyes opened, Trunks nodded. "I want... would you... touch me? The way you did before?" Goten's voice was small, but his eyes pleaded into Trunks' blue ones, and the Prince could do nothing but nod.
Goten tilted his face upward, meeting Trunks' mouth, and as hands moved over him, all Goten did was shiver and cling tighter. Trunks' breath caught in his throat at the speed with which Goten responded to his movements, quickly hardening, if he hadn't from the cold. What little that remained of their clothing was tossed aside as quickly as shaking hands could manage. This passion was more tender than what might have passed before then, and it had a kind of finality.
Goten pressed himself tightly to Trunks, allowing himself to be moved over, pressed against the soft grass. The heat from Trunks' body warmed him, left him sweating. As they moved against each other, breathing and heartbeats sped up to match the hunger of their touch. Their bodies ground together with their need, escalating it, every motion pure pleasure.
Trunks' hand moved down along Goten's torso, feeling the muscles in his stomach tense at the touch, his hand brushing back upward over the other's side. Goten's mouth still had that incredible flavor, making it so that one kiss was never enough, he could barely stand to not have his mouth on him. Trunks' mouth moved down along his jaw, his throat, tasting and leaving light bite marks on his skin, and Goten's whole body seemed to embrace him as he moved, kissing his chest lightly, mouth closing over a hardened nipple. Goten was silent, only his breathing giving him away.
Goten's entire body was a little darker than Trunks' and tasted like salt and river water. Trunks' eyes flicked up toward his, and as he moved down, he took the other's erection into his mouth, seeing his love's head drop back as he fought to breathe without crying out. The Prince prayed that he would be able to please him, not exactly having done this before, or ever heard of it, or... he took Goten deep into his mouth, nearly deep throating him as his tongue moved over and around him, hearing him gasp for air.
A soft groan hit open air, as Goten struggled to remain still. Trunks swallowed several times, his throat tightening around Goten's length as he did. He set his face, concentrating on nothing but Goten, and reaching up, sliding two fingers into him. Goten gasped as it happened, not responding to the pain, as it was masked by pleasure. Trunks found a spot within him that made him cry out, a gasp that melted into a moan. Goten's hips arched off of the ground, nearly gagging Trunks, who held him still and then deep-throated him until he cried out, still stretching him and stroking that sensitive place on his inner walls.
Trunks' name passed the other's lips, and as he came he repeated it, his entire body snapping tense and then uncoiling as the waves of pleasure passed over him and rocked him. Trunks swallowed hard again, his fingers continuing to fondle that one spot in him, gathering an exquisite feeling at the base of his spine.
Goten panted, and Trunks moved up to kiss him again, delving deeply into his velveteen mouth. Goten's brow furrowed as he returned the kiss, his tongue rimming Trunks' mouth and tasting the bittersweet salt taste that accompanied his mouth now. Trunks shifted against him, and Goten could feel that he was still very aroused; the hardness pressed into the sensitive part of his thigh and moved against him almost pleadingly. Goten opened his eyes, seeing Trunks' baby-blue gaze fastened to him.
Oh, Trunks... After such an incredible experience, Goten wanted to return the sensations, and make the purple-haired one feel as he had. He shifted his hips against Trunks, legs wrapping around him as Trunks moaned softly. It was taken as it had been intended, and Trunks' arms around him tightened as he entered him, one smooth thrust bringing a sound from Goten's throat. It was mixed agony and need, but as Trunks thrust into him again, he found that spot and the next sound was of pure bliss as Goten's hips met his again, tightening around him the longer they moved together. Trunks groaned softly and pushed into him as he pressed him into the grass, holding Goten there until he came, his body melting into the one beneath him.
Goten was so silent, too silent. But after he had caught his breath he kissed Trunks gently.
Trunks opened his eyes to look into Goten's dark gaze, which was muted with some strange confusion of emotion; quite different than the look of despair he had worn before. Trunks waited for Goten to say something, but he didn't, remaining quiet there with him for longer than his mind could later recall.

There arrived a messenger to the camp one day; he wore the Royal insignia, and his steed was the very white horse that Trunks had prized when he went on trips before the whole business had started. He looked very important despite his surroundings.
There was curious talk as he stood at the edge of the camp, silent. After a while, Goten heard it and came out, holding the baby. Videl was able to rise on her own now, and followed him. At the edge of the crowd Goten handed Pan back to her mother and approached the messenger. "Good day to you," he said at last.
The man blinked at him as though unwilling to take him for the leader, but since none would speak to him before that, he at last said, "I come bearing a message."
"Who for?"
"Prince Trunks."
There were various murmurs of "I told you so," among the crowd, and Goten made a gesture behind his back for someone to go find him. Trunks came bearing two large logs, one on either shoulder. He saw the crowd and dropped one by the fire, and since he had been sent to refuel the fire in the first place he tossed the second onto the fire, sending up a shower of sparks, grabbing a cloth someone handed him to wipe the sweat from his face.
"What is this?" Trunks asked, eyeing the messenger.
The man on the horse got down and dropped to one knee, arm across his chest in a gesture of homage.
"Get up," Trunks said in irritation, but the man hesitated, and did not obey. He handed up a paper.
"Ouji-sama, a letter from your mother, the Queen Mother."
"Whassa Queen Mother?" Goten muttered.
"There is no King, so she is not Queen," Trunks explained distractedly as he opened the letter. As he finished and looked down again, the man handed up a parchment, something that looked like a flyer.
Trunks opened it, and cursed once he'd read it. "And tell me, is there word from my sister?"
"No sir," the man replied. Trunks said something under his breath and crumpled up the second paper to throw on the ground at his feet.
"Well, and you tell the Queen Mother that I will not go back!"
"Sir... your mother instructed me to inform you that if you do not return home the event will come to pass on the third day of the month." He never looked up.
"Damnation! And I suppose she knew I'd given my word, as well?!"
The man appeared cowed at Trunks' directionless anger, only bowing his head lower and saying "...Sir...?"
Goten stared at Trunks as the slightly older teen flushed with anger.
"You may go!"
"And what say you to the Queen Mother?"
"You may go!"
"Sir, I was instructed to leave the horse for you!" The messenger replied with another nearly grovelling bow before taking off on foot, running into the forest. Trunks paid the man no heed, or else wouldn't have allowed him to take off into the forest where he could get totally lost.
Goten asked with a blink, "Trunks? What.." Something about the anger in his lover's expression kept him from finishing the question. The baby started to cry into the quiet, and when she did the people mulled about in conversation as they headed for wherever they'd been before.
Videl rocked the baby against her as she watched the two young men. Trunks stalked to the fire and threw the letter into the blaze, still looking furious. Goten looked totally lost, his face knit into concern and a little fear. He moved over and picked up the paper. It bore writing done in fancy inks, and Goten could make neither heads nor tails of it, wishing once again as he had since the day before the baby was born that Gohan was there to ask.
"Trunks, what is this?" Goten asked, bringing the paper to him, having smoothed out the wrinkles. Trunks cast a look at it and then ripped it up into little shreds and let them flutter to the ground. He glared at Goten as though expecting to be challenged, but at last was able to bring himself together long enough to say, "It is a wedding announcement," he growled. "My sister is to be wed to some fat pig from another country unless I show up at the castle before the month's end!"
Goten was struck. "And..."
"And I as well as gave her my word that I wouldn't let this happen to her! Even if I hadn't, I couldn't allow it to happen; this is used as leverage against me!" Trunks' voice was raised to the level that everyone in the camp now knew what had transpired. "There are days when I swear to god my mother is more cold-blooded than my father ever was, the devil take him both!"
Goten blinked as Trunks clapped a hand over his own mouth, not understanding that direct invocation of god was a "very bad thing." Trunks turned in disgust and stalked into the tent he shared with Goten, searching through the few belongings he'd aquired during his stay.
Videl touched Goten on the shoulder, and when he looked at her, her gaze showed sympathy, and maybe...
"How much do you know, sister?"
"There are those who say that that which a woman knows should never be revealed... for once reason or another." Goten dropped onto a log, looking up at Videl holding the baby. She presented quite a picture; she was back to nearly her normal size and looked too young to be a mother. She handed the baby down to Goten and went quietly back to her tent.
Pan recognized Goten. She reached out and touched her face with chubby little hands and laughed her meaningless laugh, and Goten was comforted that no matter what this child would grow and be happy and healthy. Being an uncle helped him greatly with the loss of Gohan. Maybe his sister knew that.
People came around; one of the animals, a cow or some such had died of old age, and was being cooked for dinner. People came to sit around the fire and tell stories as they would on hot summer nights, toasting each other with hot water to avoid the cold. Goten handed Pan off to Marron, who had experience with such things, and the baby was given a little broth to drink before taken to someone else, as all had turns babysitting when there was a baby in the camp.
Goten got up and fed the horses, stopping to consider Trunks' white mount as it snuffled and ate its share. A beast of its quality he had never before seen, and he stopped to pat its head, seeing its dark eyes blink at him. Somehow it just made him sad to see it standing there, and he turned and left the horses to their meal.
Goten wandered, for a long time, until it became so late night that those who were still up chastised Goten for being up when he needed to be clear-headed in the daytime. After fighting off a yawn, Goten sheepishly acknowledged and went into his tent. He was thinking how everyone still seemed happy and as healthy as they ever got, even though Gohan was gone. They even respected him, to a degree.
As he stood upright, he paused and took in the sight of Trunks, asleep on the pile of furs and blankets they shared, Pan just as asleep in the crook of one arm. Goten couldn't help but smile to himself, and sat down, building up the fire a bit more and taking a drink of water for himself.
"Goten?" Trunks sounded sleepy.
"I'm here."
"I wondered when you would be." Trunks smiled slightly at him, and raised himself slowly while rocking the baby to keep her asleep. Pan stretched and yawned, and then curled back within the blanket her mother had made for her and was still again.
There was silence between them for a long time, both of them watching the dark-haired girl. After a few minutes, Goten raised his head to find Trunks already watching him again.
"I'm sorry," Trunks said.
"Yeah, well..." Goten said, taking another drink of water as a distraction, staring into the blue licks of flame at the bottom of his fire. After a minute he shrugged, even though he didn't feel so nonchalant.
"I leave tomorrow," Trunks told him after another moment of attempting to gauge his reaction.
"It's not fair, dammit!" Goten said, and Trunks motioned for him to lower his voice.
"I know... I know it's not." Trunks swallowed hard, and looked down as well. "But I will see you again."
"Do you promise?" Goten asked, head raising slightly although he didn't look at his lover.
"We will," Trunks responded.
"I said, 'do you promise'?" Goten said, head moving up now and his gaze holding Trunks'. Trunks moved to lay the baby onto the blanket that he sat on, and moved over to take Goten by the shoulders.
"I do promise; we will see each other again."
"What aren't you telling me?"
"Just..." Trunks sighed and took another breath to try again. "Things will never be the same for us. I'm sorry, but I don't see how they could be. Knowing my mother, she'll hold the coronation ceremony as soon as I return, and when I'm King, it's all over, everything." Trunks sounded dejected, and Goten took a breath to protest.
"No, it doesn't have to be! Please, Trunks... after everything else, I don't want to be without you. Tell me there's some way we can be together!" He tried to keep his voice even and calm, but he was rapidly losing his cool, as wetness came into his eyes.
Trunks' response was a kiss, and after a heartbeat Goten was relaxed against him, and Trunks stroked his dark head and was silent. Goten's hand fisted in his clothing, and he felt as though he were being rocked gently. It might have been the case.
"Run away, Trunks... come back here."
"These places are known," was the practical reply.
"But we don't have to stay here."
"It would be for the best if we could forget..."
"No!" Goten insisted, pushing him off and leaping to his feet. "I'll never forget, I don't want to forget!"
"Hush!" Trunks told him as the baby woke and began to whimper. He picked her up and rocked her as he had Goten a moment before. "I would not forget you if I wanted to, and you know it very well. I said, 'it would be best'..."
"I didn't think I would hear that from you." Goten said, lowering his gaze. "I still don't understand something, Trunks. If you are who you are, then why... me?" His voice was a whisper.
"How do you propose to explain who you are to fall in love with?" Trunks asked faintly, rocking the baby slowly as he stared into the fire. Goten watched him with a strange feeling in his chest; even if this were the last time he were to see Trunks, their relationship still had a sense of completion. They loved each other and had had an endless vacation together. The only bad part of the story was the apparent end.
After the fire began to burn low, Trunks and Goten held the baby between them and remained close that night.