He woke up, looking at the clock. It was three in the morning on Thursday. He sat up on his bed, wiping the tears on his cheeks. He noticed Trunks was passed out asleep on his couch. 'He—he stayed with me.' He sighed. 'I've been such a jerk to him.' He got up, gathered Trunks in his arms, carried him to his bed, setting him down, and covered him with a blanket.

The warm water cascaded down his body, relaxing his muscles. He didn't have classes until later in the day, but he knew he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep no matter how early it was. He suddenly felt dizzy again but managed to lean on the tiled wall. He realized he was losing his footing and fell down to lying down in the tub. He was still awake, but he had never felt so weak in body.

He slid the shower curtain over, was able to grab a towel, reached to turn off the water, and crawled his way out of the tub, wrapping his towel around his waist, breathing heavily on the tiled floor on his back. He heard footsteps open the door, and he looked into the eyes of his startled friend who kneeled before him.

"What happened?"

"I don't know Trunks. I've been dizzy, and I've been fainting. I just feel so weak. I—I don't know what's happening." He closed his eyes and all he wanted to do is curl up into a ball and cry until he couldn't anymore.

Warmth enveloped him, and he watched as Trunks took him in his arms. He suddenly felt alive and strong, like he could do anything. He clung to that feeling. He clung to Trunks for dear life. Deep down he was afraid that he was going to lose Trunks.

Hearing his strong heart beat, he felt it racing so fast he swore it would leap out of his friend's chest. He unconsciously buried his head in Trunks's chest, trying to get even closer to him if that was possible. He felt Trunks's hold get tighter, and he smiled before he slipped into unconsciousness again.

Goten felt himself being shaken, so he opened his eyes to see a pair of worried eyes. Trunks's hand was on his back as he helped him sit up. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," he looked at his clock, "I have classes to go to." He swung his legs over the edge of the bed.

"Are you feeling that well enough?"

Yeah." He stood up and walked into is dark closet to change into fresh clothes. When he came out, he thought of something as he stood before his best friend. "Hey Trunks."

"Yes Goten."

"I don't want to lose you. Can you promise I won't?"

Trunks smiled. "You'll never lose me even if you want to sometimes. I'm just too stubborn for my own good."

Goten laughed. "Yeah that sounds like you." He brought his backpack over his shoulder. "So I'll see you later?"

"Sure. Why don't you come over tonight, and we'll have dinner?"

"Sounds great Trunks."

"Are you sure you're going to be all right?"

"Are you sure you're not my mother."

"Hey." He punched him playfully in the arm as they walked out the door.

"You know I'm kidding Trunks."

They went their separate ways, knowing they would meet up later.

Finishing up his assignments at the library he made his way back to the dorms to see his big brother waiting outside his door. "Gohan."

"Hey Goten." He let Gohan in and closed the door behind him. "So what's going on?"

"Mom's worried about you. What happened to the phone she gave you?"

"I smashed it to pieces the last time she called."

"You two are still arguing?"

"She's trying to control my life Gohan. I've had enough."

"Are you feeling ok Goten? You look kind of pale."

"I'm doing better. I think might have caught something that's going around on campus."

"You heard about dad coming home from Bulma."

"Yeah I really didn't take it too well when she told me." He noticed Gohan smiling. "What?"

"I hope you're up for some company. Come on let's get out of the dorms and into fresh air."

"Where are we going?"

They made their way to the park to see Gohan's wife Videl and his niece Pan at the park. When he saw his niece smile, Goten melted and ran up to her as Pan did the same. Holding her in his arms a smile came to his face. Gohan and Videl just watched the scene with smiles.

"It was all my idea uncle Goten." She smiled proudly. "I missed you."

"I missed you to Pan, and I'm glad you're here to." He took her hand. "So, you want to play?"

"Lets do it uncle Goten." She smiled back at him.

Gohan and Videl sat down, holding hands and watched their daughter have the time of her life with her uncle. "I'm glad we let Pan talk us into coming here. I know she misses Goten when he's gone," said Videl.

"Yeah."

"What's wrong Gohan?"

"Am I that transparent?"

"I'm worried about Goten. With dad coming back and him and mom butting heads, I think it's really getting to him."

"Did you ask him if he's coming to see Goku this weekend?"

"Not yet."

"There's something more isn't there?"

"Yeah and the thing is I don't know what."

She brought her arm around his shoulders and felt him lean into her with a smile. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

"No but tell me more." She smiled at him as they leaned for a kiss. It was soft, not long but a sweet kiss.

Goten had looked in their direction to see the display of affection as he smiled. He was happy for them, but he felt great sadness for himself and then he thought about what Trunks told him the day before yesterday. "No one will love you as much as I do." He looked up to Trunks's window and saw him starring back at him. His heart started to race as he looked away.

Trunks had been watching Goten play with Pan from his window. At that moment he thought his raven-haired friend had looked so happy and beautiful, letting out his childish spirit. That's the Goten he had grown up with and the one who had lifted him up during his dark times. 'I just want him to be happy again.' He sighed. 'But now that seems so far away.'

A pair of dark, black eyes starred into his. He didn't want to look away. He knew if Goten gave him a chance he would stare at him for hours. He smiled at him. He would always be his best friend. That was true but deep down inside his heart would be suffering and just getting through a day would be torture, but he'd make it because Goten needed him to. And that would have to be enough. He closed the curtain, sinking into a comfortable chair and falling asleep next to a warm fire that did little to warm his heart.

An hour later Trunks was up preparing a dinner fit for two demi-saiyans. He was shaking so bad at the thought of him and Goten being alone. 'Get a hold of yourself Trunks it's not a date. It's just a dinner between two very good friends.' He started plating and putting the food on the table and when he finished, he got cleaned up. Coming out from his room, there came a knock to the door.

"Hey Goten, come on in." He closed the door and watched as his best friend's eyes light up at the delicious meal before his eyes. He smiled.

"Since when can you cook Trunks? The last time we attempted to, we almost blew up the kitchen."

"Yeah and my mom yelled at us to never cook again."

"So what gives?"

"My mother decided when I was older that it would be a good idea to take cooking classes so that when I went off on my own, I could take care of myself."

"And let me guess," he smiled, "you graduated at the top of your class."

"You would guess right. Now lets sit down and chow down like saiyans should."

After dinner they sat back in their chairs, holding their stomachs as they smiled at each other. "We completely decimated our plates Goten. Aw I'm so full."

"Ohhhh man that was so good Trunks. You really know how to get to my stomach's heart."

Trunks blushed at his first comment. Thinking about something inappropriate things he wanted to do to his best friend by that comment alone. 'He just makes me feel things I've never felt before.' He smiled. "I knew you would like it Goten. Now you can never leave."

"Do you think you can entrap me with food?"

"Yeah I think so."

"Well you're very convincing Trunks and I'd almost take you up on that offer."

"Almost? Hmm?" He smirked. "How can I convince you to stay?"

'I can't give in to his charm. Things are difficult as it is. How would I explain the funny feelings I'm having for my best friend to my family. My mom would disown me for sure.'

"It's all right Goten I was just kidding."

Goten came from his thoughts, giving Trunks a serious look. "We both know you weren't kidding Trunks. You can't fool me I know you're lonely."

"Then you know it wouldn't be just because I'm lonely." He tried to not let his eyes betray him. "I know how I feel Goten. You just need to figure out how you feel."