13- Burnin' Love

Eijiro had always loved baking. His grandmother, who had raised him after his parents died, taught him everything he knew. His fondest childhood memories were of his grandmother and him baking.

Food was the true way to someone's heart; that's what his grandmother had always said. He believed it, too. Watching people smile as they enjoyed his treats made him feel grateful and warm. He had a ton of regular customers that he appreciated, but there was one who touched his heart the most.

Eijiro never knew of anyone who truly loved food or ate as much of it as much as Goten did. He wondered where all the food went because no matter how much Goten ate, he remained muscular and fit.

"You know, you don't have to come here every afternoon while I clean up," Eijiro said as he sat a plate of cookies in front of Goten.

Goten looked up at him, his dark eyes were a beautiful chocolate color, and he smiled at Eijiro. "Of course I do. You've heard about the robberies that have been happening around here. I don't want to risk you being alone."

For the last two weeks, three shops had been robbed and then set on fire by an unknown arsonist. Eijiro wasn't going to lie; he was worried about being targeted, especially since the police hadn't found the man yet.

Eijiro felt his cheeks grow warm at the comment. He had never had someone care about him like that. "And what about Pan?" He raised an eyebrow. "You shouldn't leave her alone."

"Pan has Bulla with her, and trust me when I say that you don't want to piss her off," he snorted with a knowing look.

Eijiro chuckled and shook his head. Over the last few months he had known Goten and the others, he had quickly found out that they were all experts at martial arts. Then Eijiro remembered that he had seen them before on TV when they participated in the World Tournaments. Their skills and power had been amazing and otherworldly.

"I might not know how to fight like you guys, but I can hold my own," Eijiro said with a confident smile. Right after High School, he had started going to the gym regularly to relieve stress.

"Oh, yeah?" Goten raised an eyebrow as he smirked. Eijiro felt his chest squeeze at the look and forced himself to remain calm. "You'll have to spar with me some time and show me what you got."

Was Goten flirting with him? Eijiro could swear he was, but he didn't want to hope for so much. He just grinned at Goten before he turned around to finish up cleaning.

Goten was becoming a regular customer, and a regular presence in Eijiro's life had been surprising. He thought Goten hadn't liked him at first, but he was proven wrong when a week later, after their first meeting, Goten started showing up every day, several times a day.

Over the last several months, they had gotten to really know each other. Goten was the middle child of three. He worked with Pan, his little sister, and his best friend was Trunks Brief! Goten was very down-to-earth, though, and they had many things in common. They played the same video games, liked the same comics, and enjoyed the same kind of movies.

Before Eijiro knew it, he was crushing on Goten, but it had impossible not to. Goten was funny, and his positive attitude was contagious. Whenever Eijiro was having a bad day, Goten's smile and laughter brightened it up.

Eijiro wanted to confess, but he was nervous. He could swear Goten flirted with him, but low confidence made him doubt that it was flirting. Maybe Goten was just an overly friendly guy? Then again, he didn't look at other people the way he did at Eijiro.

The shop's door chimed, announcing that a customer had entered, and Eijiro's eyes widened. Hadn't he locked that door?

"I'm sorry," Eijiro called as he walked out of the back where he was cleaning and where Goten was sitting. "We're closed," he said as he walked out front, and suddenly, he froze.

The shop's front lights were off, and since the sun was setting, the room was growing dark. Despite that, Eijiro could see an outline of a man wearing dark clothes, and he swallowed hard. He wouldn't yell. He wouldn't scream.

"I'm sorry," he said as calmly as possible. "We're closed. You can come back tomorrow at-"

The man raised his right arm, and Eijiro let out a shaky breath. The cool metal of the gun he held shined in the low light.

A thousand thoughts rushed through Eijiro's mind in seconds. For one thing, life was too short. He hadn't accomplished everything he had wanted to do. He had wanted to have a successful bakery. He had wanted to fall in love and get married. If he died now, he wouldn't get to do that. He would never get to tell Goten how he felt.

But maybe- maybe if he just gave the man all the money he had, he would take it and go. Eijiro would be free to live another day.

"I'll give-"

Something passed by Eijiro quickly. It happened so fast, it was nothing but a blur, and it wasn't until the man with the gun was screaming in pain that Eijiro realized that it had been Goten! He had moved so fast!

Eijiro watched with wide eyes as Goten grabbed the gun and crushed it in his hands as if it were nothing but a piece of paper! He grabbed the man and threw him on the ground with such force that there was a loud crack as the man screamed.

The police. Eijiro needed to call the police- he knew that, but he was frozen in his spot as he looked at Goten. His usual easygoing smile was replaced with a snarl. His curious eyes were set in a glare. He looked madder than Eijiro had ever seen him before.

Goten stalked over to Eijiro, his gaze softening as he reached him and grabbed his shoulders. "Are you hurt? Are you okay?"

"I'm okay," Eijiro's voice shook from the anxiety and relief he felt. He knew he could have died, but it wasn't fully hitting him yet. He was in shock, he realized. "Goten, you-"

There was a sinister click, and whoosh filled the store. Goten screamed out a curse as he grabbed him, but Eijiro barely had time to react to what was happening as flames and smoke filled his shop.

"Will you stop?" Goten let out a sigh as his mother hovered over him worriedly. "It's just a few burns. I'm a Saiyan, you know I'll be okay."

Chi-Chi let out a sigh and leaned back with a frown. "I know you will, but I still worry." She turned to the hospital bed beside Goten's, where Eijiro laid sleeping. "How is he?"

Goten's chest throbbed as he looked at the sleeping man. He could still picture that man holding a gun up towards Eijiro and the anger that had washed over Goten at the sight. He could have lost him, and the thought nearly shattered him.

"He's okay," Goten said softly. "When that maniac set off the torch, he got a few burns on his arms, but they're not bad since I was able to get us out of the store. The doctor said he's in shock."

Chi-Chi nodded slowly, "I can imagine. At least that man is in custody now."

Goten thought it was a shame that the man hadn't burned himself to a crisp.

"You two rest up and take it easy," Chi-Chi leaned over and kissed Goten's forehead. "I'll be back tomorrow with some dumplings for you both."

Goten smiled at her warmly. Eijiro didn't have any family, his grandmother having passed several years ago. It felt nice knowing that his Mom would make sure he was being taken care of as well.

"Thanks, Mom," Goten said softly.

Chi-Chi smiled and nodded. "Goodnight," she said before she shut the door behind her quietly.

Goten let out a small sigh and leaned back against the hospital bed he was in. He wasn't fond of hospitals, but at least he wasn't terrified of them like his father was. He glanced over to Eijiro, who was sleeping in the other bed. Goten was thankful they had been able to share a room.

The fire had nearly destroyed Eijiro's shop, but Goten knew that Trunks and Pan were handling matters and ensuring that insurance covered all damaged and paid for the rebuild. The most important thing was that Eijiro was safe.

"Goten?"

Goten's eyes widened at the sudden sound of Eijiro's voice. Wasn't he asleep?

"What's a Saiyan?"

Goten stiffened as he mentally cursed himself. He wondered if he could play it off as a joke, that Saiyan didn't mean anything. Or maybe he could pretend to be asleep, and perhaps by tomorrow, Eijiro would forget and think it was a fever dream.

"You know, when I was little, I watched you guys at the Martial Arts World Tournament," Eijiro continued, his voice soft. "I was amazed by everything you could do. I thought it was so cool. The way you could fly and shoot those things out of your palms. Years ago, when I was a teenager, I saw you guys again. You were still just as awesome." He let out a small sigh, "I've known there was something about you guys, something not exactly human, but it's never bothered me. Earlier, in the bakery, you moved so fast that I barely had time to see you. Then, when that torch had blown up, it barely injured us because you got us out of there. Just what are you, Goten?" Eijiro asked softly. "You can tell me, you know."

Goten let out a deep breath and closed his eyes. He felt torn. He wanted to tell Eijiro the truth. He wanted him to know because if there was ever going to be a relationship between them, then Eijiro would need to know eventually. Still, Goten felt nervous. What if he told Eijiro, and it freaked him out? What he never wanted to talk to Goten again? There was only one way to find out.

"My father, Goku, and Trunks' father, Vegeta, are apart of an alien race called Saiyans. They came from a planet called Vegeta-Sei, which was destroyed years ago when my father was just a baby. Saiyans have heightened senses, and we can wield our ki into blasts or even making us fly. We also have a high metabolism and big stomachs-"

"That explains a lot," Eijiro's laugh was nearby.

Goten opened his eyes and was surprised to see Eijiro standing near his bed. He sat up quickly, "it does?"

"Yeah, you guys eat a lot but never gain any weight," Eijiro chuckled.

"You're not freaked out?" Goten asked quietly.

Eijiro tilted his head to the side and smiled softly. "My grandma used to tell me that her best friend was a witch. I grew up believing in fairytales and magic. I still believe in things that aren't there. How could I not believe that we're not alone in the universe, either?"

Goten felt a rush of relief fall over him. "You're amazing," he said.

"So are you," Eijiro said. "Not only are you half-alien, which is pretty cool, mind you, you're also one of the nicest people I know. That's why I like you."

Goten's eyes widened. His face, which was already warm, grew hotter. He could feel his heart pounding against his chest, and his throat felt dry. Eijiro liked him?

Eijiro's eyes widened as well, and he looked at Goten, a look of panic spreading across his face. "I'm sorry if it's weird. I just wanted you to know. When that guy had a gun pointed at me I thought i would never get to confess to you, and now I don't want to miss the chance."

Eijiro wasn't that far from Goten, so it didn't have to reach far to grab the hospital shirt he was wearing and pull him forward. Goten had kissed before, but nothing had felt like this. It was electric, and tingles ran down Goten's body. His heart went wild, so quick and so fast that Goten was sure that it was about to burst from his chest.

For several seconds, their lips molded against each other before Goten slowly pulled away. "I like you too," he confessed to Eijiro, who was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Really?" He asked softly.

"Mhm," Goten nodded with a small smile. "Why else did you think I ran over to your bakery every chance I got?"

"I thought maybe you liked my cooking," Eijiro teased.

"It's a bonus," he grinned as Eijiro leaned down to kiss him again.

Pan shuddered as she walked along the path. It used to vibrant and full of life. The trees had been in full bloom, with sprouting buds and flowers. The grass of the trail had been soft and green. Now it was crisp, brown, and dead. Trees were wilting, their limbs sagging.

An overwhelming sense of dread crept up Pan's back as chills ran down her. Someone was coming, and they were coming fast.

Pan took off in a run, nearly tripping over her feet at first. She could feel the fear in her rising as the air grew colder and thicker. She couldn't see who was chasing her; she just knew that everything inside of her body was screaming to get away from them.

"PAN!" A dark voice roared. "COME BACK TO ME!"

Pan nearly yelped as she kicked her legs harder. She turned suddenly and sucked in her scream as she came to a sudden dead end. She was trapped! Her heart felt like it was going to come up her throat as her body shook.

"Pan-" the dark voice from earlier chuckled as they neared.

Pan let out a breath. Cold sweat rolled down her back. Her chest was tight as she squeezed her eyes shut painfully. She needed to get away. She needed to get out!

"I told you that you could never run from me. You belong to me!"

A hand jerked her shoulder, and Pan screamed-

Pan gasped as her eyes flew open. She was panting and covered with a thin layer of sweat. As always, it took her a few seconds to calm down from her nightmare.

Slowly, she sat up and glanced around Bulla's bedroom. Her family was staying over at Brief Manor for the winter holidays, and she and Bulla had passed out on the floor while watching TV. Bulla was still nestled in her cocoon of blankets, sleeping soundly.

Pan got up and headed to Bulla's bathroom quietly. Her reflection was pale and clammy. Pan let out a sigh and turned on the cold water before washing her face and cooling herself down.

"You belong to me!"

Pan shuddered and clenched her teeth. In all the years that she had had her nightmares, it was the first time she had ever heard the one chasing her speak. It sounded masculine, deep, and harsh. Pan didn't recognize it, but it still made her shiver.

Bulla was still sleeping as Pan walked out of the bathroom, and she gave her friend a small smile before she snuck out of the room. Brief Manor was quiet as she walked down the hallways. She reached Trunks' old room and slowly opened the door. He was over for the holiday as well and in his bed, sound asleep.

Pan smiled and stepped inside the room before closing the door behind her. She walked over to the bed carefully and grinned as she watched Trunks sleep. He looked peaceful as he laid on his back, his chest rising and falling as his lavender hair spread across the pillows.

His dark blankets were soft and warm as Pan lifted them and crawled in beside him. He stirred almost instantly, his eyes peeking open.

"Panna?" His hoarse voice sent a shiver down her spine.

"Yeah," Pan answered softly as she scooted closer to him and wrapped an arm around his waist. "I had a nightmare."

Trunks' arm scooted out and cushioned her head as his other hand rested on her arm. She felt his lips brush against her forehead. "Better?" He asked softly.

"Better," Pan confirmed with a sigh. She was back to sleep in no time.