The morning shows itself through the bathroom window where Goten was showering. While the warm water washed away the soap from his body, he couldn't help but wonder about his family. Leaning his head into the shower nozzle, he sighed. 'They think I'm here to help Baba out with her shop but if they knew the real reason—He shook his head. 'They'd be so disappointed in me. I'm not even sure they would understand.'
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. "Yes," he said as he sensed a familiar presence come in. He knew it was Trunks, and his heart was pounding.
"I have to go into Capsule today, but I'll be back tonight."
"I'll be ok Trunks. You worry too much," he said as he shut off the water and grabbed the towel hanging from the shower curtain, wrapped it around his waist, and came out of the shower.
Trunks smiled. "Still shy I see." He crossed his arms.
Goten blushed. "Yeah whatever at least I don't look like Vegeta. How is your family anyway?"
"Well my sister is dating Uub and my parents are too hot and heavy for each other. I've been thinking about moving out for a while now and now I have a reason to." Trunks smiled.
"Where does your family think you are?"
"They think I'm doing some business in Hong Kong."
"I don't like lying to my family, but—
"When you're ready to tell friends and family about what's going on with you, my family and those who love you will understand."
"I hope so. Oh you should probably get going." He felt Trunks' warm hand on his bare shoulder.
Trunks frowned and then smiled as he softly pressed his lips against his. He pulled back and then went in again with a rough kiss to Goten's lips, which the younger man eagerly responded to with his arms now around Trunks' neck. Goten felt Trunks' arms around his waist, pressing their bodies together.
They both pulled away for air, smiling at each other. Trunks sighed. "Now I really have to go." He let go of his boyfriend. "I'll see you later chibi."
"See you later Trunks."
Dressed and ready to work, Goten made his way downstairs to see Baba chatting with a customer. Making his way to front desk, he looked outside to see the hustle and bustle of the city. He didn't even understand how Trunks could live in the city. It felt so congested to him.
Suddenly he spotted a couple walking by that looked familiar to him. His eyes widened, realizing it was his brother and Videl. He quickly ducked behind the counter, so he couldn't be spotted. When he was sure they hadn't seen him and were gone, he sighed as he popped his head out from under the counter to come face to face with his brother and Videl.
"Hey Goten! Long time no see," said Videl.
"Yeah little bro. How have you been? You know how mom worries."
He frowned. "Did she tell you about the fight we had before I left for Hong Kong?"
"Every time I bring it up, she doesn't want to talk about it. I was hoping you could tell me what you two were fighting about."
"Hey mom," said Trunks," sorry I'm late. I—
"You're in love," said Bulma.
"Wait, I walk through the door, late for my duties as President of Capsule Corporation, and you're interested in my love life?"
"There's more to life than work son. You should know that, so who is the lucky person?"
"Mom, there's no one and I have to get to work now. I'll talk to you later," he said as he walked down the hall to his office.
When Trunks took his break in the middle of the day, he spotted his mother waiting for him at the exit. They walked in silence in the busy city until his mother decided to say something. "Why won't you tell me who this person is you're so crazy about?"
"How do you even know I'm seeing somebody?"
"You look happier than I've seen you in a while and more relaxed. It can only be one thing."
"Fine mom, what if I am? It's just we're not ready to tell anyone yet, so you can't say anything to anyone mom. I mean it."
"It sounds serious between the two of you," she smiled. "Well I'm happy for you and I promise not to say anything."
"Thanks mom," he smiled.
Trunks made the tiring flight back to Hong Kong after work. All the while he was thinking about everything that had happened in a short while. 'I can't believe it. I feel like I should be waking any moment from a dream,' he smiled, 'but no it's real.' He couldn't help but sense a difficult road ahead for Goten. He couldn't imagine telling his family something so painful.
Landing behind a deserted alley next to Baba's shop, he walked around to the front and walked into the shop. The shop was empty downstairs and the closed sigh was up. 'Weird, I didn't even notice how late it was,' he said as he made his way upstairs. Opening the door, the first thing he saw was Goten asleep on the couch while the TV was still on.
Smiling at the sight, he came over to the sleeping half-saiyan, kissed him tenderly on the forehead, and picked him up in his arms, taking him to the bedroom. Lying him down carefully, he covered him, made his way back into the living room, turned off the TV, and was about to head off to the room to sleep beside his boyfriend, when he sensed a familiar presence watching him.
'Who would care or know that I'm here?' Before he could get a lock on the ki, his cell phone rang. Looking down at the number, he was hesitant to pick, but he was curious about what they wanted. "Hello Chichi."
"Trunks, Goten won't answer my calls. I need you to find him, talk to him, and tell him to come home."
"You know where he is Chichi. You can talk to him. He's not ready to come home yet."
"His family misses him Trunks. I know I can't take back what I said to him, which caused him to take the first opportunity to get away from me, but he needs to come home."
"I'll talk to him tomorrow Chichi. Bye." He turned to the window. "Father."
Nightmares plagued Goten through the night, and he found it hard to sleep. Just as he opened the door, he heard two familiar voices talking in the living room. Curious, he closed the door some but left a crack in the door to listen.
"Is there anything you want to tell me Trunks?" asked Vegeta.
"I love you," Trunks smiled.
"Very funny son. You know what I'm talking about."
"Father," he swallowed the lump in his throat as he stared at him, "I love him."
Goten's eyes widened from behind the door. 'Oh no Vegeta's going to kill Trunks.' He found he couldn't move, waiting for Vegeta to respond.
"I know Trunks."
"Wait a minute, you knew? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I wanted you to tell me Trunks. Your mother and I have—
"Wait, mom knows to?"
"We're your parents Trunks. We're not stupid."
"Does anyone else know?"
"Your sister and that—
"Her boyfriend dad. Uub's her boyfriend. So, why are you here in the first place dad? I know it can't be just to hear me say I'm in love with my best friend."
"You don't need to worry son. I'm not here to break you to up or say it's wrong for you two to be together. Your mother, sister, and I approve."
Goten was happy for Trunks, but he knew if he told his family, full acceptance wasn't what he was going to get.
"Then what did you want to talk to me about?"
"You're aware your companion tried to kill himself."
"I know."
"On planet Vegeta any saiyan who ended his or her own life was considered a coward. Their family was shamed."
"Well dad we're not on your planet. We're on earth and while some may consider suicide a cowardice way to go, he was in pain, he didn't see any way out but the point is he's still here. He wants to be here, and I'm ready to stand by him through anything."
"I understand son, and I'm sure he knows how lucky he is to have you."
Trunks and Goten were surprised by what he said, but they both smiled. "Thanks dad and since when have you gotten all sentimental on me?"
"I don't know son. Time I guess changes who we become."
"Any regrets?"
"No," he said as he made his way to the door. "Come and visit more often. Your mother misses you."
"Sure thing dad," he smiled and ten closed the door behind him. Turning towards the bedroom, he smirked. "You here all that Goten?" he said as Goten came out of the room.
"How did you know I was—?"
"Just a feeling I guess," he said as he walked over to him, took him by the waist, and kissed him on the cheek. He then noticed the state he was in. "Nightmares." Goten nodded.
"I was just about to go to the kitchen to get a snack when you and your dad were talking, and it sounds like something good came out of this. I'm happy for you Trunks."