Hold Me Now
I used part of a song in this chapter – "That's the Beat of A Heart", by the Warren Brothers (it was in the movie "Where the Heart is" ^-^).
Two
You say I'm a dreamer, we're two of a kind
Both of us searching for some perfect world
We know we'll never find
So perhaps I should leave here, yeah, and go far away
But you know that there's nowhere than I'd rather be
Than with you here today
Several years previously…
"Steaks are ready!" called Trunks, flipping the last chunk of beef off the barbecue and onto an awaiting plate.
Goten, as usual, was the first to grab the food. His plate was also piled with the most food. Uub and Pan wandered over, hand-in-hand, and took their plates. Marron and Bra finished setting up the CD player, and came to collect their meal. Once everyone had their food, Trunks took his own plate, and joined his friends on the beach.
The six of them had gone away for the weekend, staying in a luxurious cabin on the coast. Tonight was their last night of leisure away from the city, so they had decided to have a beach barbecue.
It was a warm night, so they were all still wearing their swimsuits. The guys all wore board shorts, and Trunks donned a tank-top while he had been cooking. Marron wore a pink one-piece. She had been wearing a floppy hat earlier, but had taken it off once the sun had started to set. Pan still had her hat on; a baseball cap worn backwards in her typical tom-boy style. Her swimsuit was looser than Marron's, but she still looked gorgeous to Uub. He smiled at her, and she smiled back. The bright yellow zinc he had on his nose really stood out against his dark skin. Bra's long model legs were folded beneath her in an almost painful looking position, but it did not seem to faze her. Every so often, Goten would look up from his meal, and run his hand along one of her thighs. In her red bikini, Bra was wearing the least clothes.
First to start and first to finish, Goten grabbed his second favourite possession – his guitar. He strummed a few chords, then sang in a great voice, "Look inside and find the part that's lea-ding you…cos that's the beat of the heart!"
"Goten, do you know any more words from that song?" Trunks asked.
"No…" Goten admitted.
"Then stop singing it! That's why we have the CD player here!"
Goten picked up the case of the CD that was playing. "'You Rock My World', 'Blow My Whistle', 'Get the Party Started', 'Starlight'…What's the point of playing dance-club music at a beach?"
"You can still dance!" said Uub, standing up, pulling Pan with him. He started dancing, and singing along in a voice that left something to be desired – he had always been a better dancer than singer. "Starlight, can you give me my fame?…"
The others all laughed. Goten rolled his eyes. "Okay, Uub. Point taken."
Bra uncrossed her legs and stretched them out. "How long are you supposed to wait before going swimming after you've eaten?"
"Half an hour," Marron answered.
"Anyone got any suggestions for something I can do for half an hour?"
Goten grinned and ran his hand up Bra's thigh to her hip. "I've got an idea." He placed a soft kiss on her lips.
"Oh, really? Maybe I won't go swimming after all." Seeing the almost disappointed look on Goten's face, Bra added. "I think I'm gonna like your idea better." She kissed him back.
"Geez, guys! Get a room!" cried Marron. "There are other people here!"
"Alright then." Goten and Bra stood up, and walked back towards the beach house, hand-in-hand. There was no doubt about what they were going to do.
"Ew!" Trunks stated. "Best friend, little sister."
"Best friend, uncle," Pan called out.
Uub laughed. "I think Pan wins in the ew-factor there."
"Definitely," replied Marron. She ran one hand up Trunks' back. "But, you must admit – it's not such a bad idea."
Trunks grinned, stood, and helped Marron to her feet. They started back towards the beach house, but stopped, seeing Uub and Pan had stayed behind. "You losers coming?"
"Uh…no. We're gonna stay here a little longer," answered Uub.
"Niiice," laughed Trunks. "Well, see you later." He slipped one arm around Marron's waist, and chuckled, "Sex on the beach…"
* * * * * *
Back to the present…
Goten rapped on the door in front of him for a third time. Finally, he heard a tired female voice mumbling from within.
"Just a moment," the voice called. "Who could be visiting at this time of night?"
Goten rolled his eyes. This time of night? It's 8 o'clock. He smoothed his hair with his hand, and smiled as the door was opened. The face of a woman stared out of the doorway at him. She looked older and more tired than the last time he had seen her, and considering that was two years ago, she probably was.
"Goten?" she whispered.
"Evening, okaasan," he greeted back. "Mind if I come inside?"
"Oh, of course." ChiChi moved to one side. The minute Goten was inside, and the door was shut, ChiChi pulled her youngest son into a deep embrace. "Oh, my baby."
"Sorry I've been away so long," Goten apologised.
"That's okay. Would you like some tea?"
"Uh, yeah."
ChiChi nodded, and ran towards the kitchen. Goten smiled a little, and looked around the room he was in. Hasn't changed a bit. He picked up a family portrait that was sitting on a coffee table.
"I can't believe you still live here all by yourself, kaasan," Goten called out. "It's too big!"
ChiChi returned with two cups of tea, and handed one to Goten. "I manage. And, well, I couldn't exactly just leave. Memories and all."
"Yeah…I guess."
ChiChi sat down on the couch, and patted the space next to her. "So, what brings you home? Band having a break from touring?"
Goten sat down. "Um…yeah…well…actually…" He ran his hand through his hair. "It's sort of a permanent break. I guess I'm over the whole singing thing…"
ChiChi raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I see. So…what have you got planned now?"
"Well…I…uh…thought I might move home. Try to start my life again from where I left off."
"Bra should be pleased to hear that."
Goten's entire body tensed up. "B-chan? I-is she still living at home?"
"No, she moved away for college. I thought you knew that."
Goten laughed a little. "Of course I knew. Stupid me – I just forgot." He drained his cup of tea.
ChiChi noticed that her son was uncomfortable. She cleared her throat. "You must be tired. Your room's the same as you left it."
Goten knew what his mother was doing. And he appreciated it. He smiled his thanks. "Yeah, okay. I was flying all night. See you in the morning. Love you."
He kissed his mother on the cheek, and dragged his tired body to his room. ChiChi hadn't been lying. His room was the exactly the same as he had left it. She had obviously tidied it up several times, but nothing had been disturbed from its place. Even the photo frame on his bedside table. Goten walked towards it. He stopped as his mother knocked on the door.
"Goten!" ChiChi called from his door. "I forgot to tell you. Bulma's having a get-together on the weekend. I think she emailed you about it. Do you want to go? Because I'm about to call her."
"Sure thing! I'd love to see Trunks."
"Okay, Goten. Sweet dreams."
"You too, Okaasan."
Goten looked at the photo frame again. He sat on his bed and picked it up. It hadn't been moved since he had pushed it over in a fit of anger. There was a darker mark where the wood around the frame had faded in the sunlight. He stared at the picture in the frame. A younger, more foolish version of himself stared back at him, holding in his arms the most precious possession he had ever owned. Her blue eyes were twinkling, and she looked so happy. He couldn't remember the last time he had actually seen her happy. He could only remember her being sad, not knowing what was going to happen between them. Or angry, when she knew what was.
With a sigh, Goten placed the frame back down, but upright this time. He took off his shirt, and climbed under his bed covers. He sighed deeply. What he wouldn't give for another chance with Bra. What he wouldn't give just to hold her again.
He knew she wouldn't be at Capsule Corps. – no doubt she moved away for college for this exact reason. He didn't even know what college she was at. He couldn't call her. He couldn't tell her how sorry he was. He couldn't tell her she had been right.
He fell asleep, and dreamed about her instead.
* * * * * *
"Thanks, ChiChi," said Bulma. "See you on the weekend." Bulma hung up the phone and put a tick next to Goten's name. He had been her only uncertainty, but know she had heard from everyone.
Uub had rung the previous day saying that he should be able to make it, even if it was just for a little while. Bulma assumed that "a little while" meant until Pan showed up. Still, she was glad that he was going to make an effort. That meant that everyone she had invited was going to come.
Bulma yawned, and turned the light off. She wandered upstairs to her bedroom, and climbed into bed with her husband. This party should be great.
* * * * * *
A/N: Sorry, this chapter was a little short. . I promise the next one will be longer!
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Bra/Goten