Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball Z, nor do I own the song "Breathing" by Lifehouse

AN: Thank you to everyone who reviewed, your comments were very much appreciated and I'll try to take everything you said into consideration. I forgot to mention this is slightly AU as this takes place around the end of DBZ when Goku leaves to train with Uub, but I'm having Goku in my story. Instead of everyone meeting at the World Martial Arts Tournament, they're having a party. Not much of an AU, but I'm picky.

I'm finding my way back to sanity again

Though I don't really know what I'm gonna do when I get there

I stumbled none to gracefully back into my house the next day at around noon. No one was there to greet me. Unsurprising as everyone usually had things to do. Grandpa was probably tinkering away at something and Grandma would be in feeding her "pets" right about now. Father's probably in the gravity room, Bra should be at Pan's, she's supposed to be staying there for a few days and of course mother has a business to run and more things to do than most of us, so I probably won't see her until tomorrow at the party.

Right, the reunion party's tomorrow. I'm surprised I didn't notice when I walked in. Mother had already started putting up decorations.

Of course the bright colours don't help my headache one jot. I wince as I walk to the kitchen to get a drink and some aspirin. I think she over did it this time round. Everything's so bright I can barely keep my eyes open. And the combinations. Does she even know what the words 'colour coordination' mean? Orange and brown? And fluro pink and aqua-green? Not to mention the way the streamers waver and swirl in the wind is starting to make me woozy.

Wait, there are no windows open in here.

I decide to bypass the fridge and head straight to the sink and empty my sensitive and very queasy stomach.

Take a breath and hold on tight,

Spin round one more time

And gracefully fall back in the arms of grace.

I wash down the sink and wipe my mouth dry then lean my elbows on the counter and prop my head in my hands. Groaning slightly at the uncomfortable feeling in my abdomen, I decided that I'll stay there for while as I try to calm my upset insides.

Trying to move as little as possible, I eventually reach out to a cabinet just within arms reach and take out a box of headache tablets. I swallow two without water and wait for the effect to kick in and my stomach to settle. Once that happened, I moved slowly toward the lounge room and lowered myself onto the couch, leaning back enough that I could rest quite comfortably without actually lying down, which would not help the pounding in my head at all.

It makes me wonder how often I get like this for such a precise routine can be worked out for a hangover. I lost count of the times a while ago.

I decide to close my eyes — staring intently at the decorations for a while started to make me sick again — and rest a bit. Not too long though, Goten was going to call over and help set things up with me this afternoon.

My breath hitches with the thought.

Goten.

I am hanging on every word you say

And even if you don't want to speak tonight

That's alright, alright with me

I must have fallen asleep, it's the only way to explain why I feel like I'm being carried in Goten's strong arms up the stairs to my room. Why I was pushed up against his chest so tightly that I could feel those solid muscles outlined against the fabric of his shirt. Why I had only to inhale slightly to breathe in that delicious and desirable scent that is my Goten.

My senses, heightened by the apparent closeness of the object of my desire, were what eventually dragged me into a slightly more conscious state of mind. I felt my heavy eyelids flicker as I tried to look around and see the expected scenery of my living room.

Instead my eyes open to see the top part of a very familiar and very finely chiseled chest. I feel the heat from his body on my cheek that is pressed up tight against that sculpted flesh. My eyes widen and my breath hitches slightly. I'm sure he can feel and hear my heart beating faster. I stiffen slightly and he looks down, a bit surprised.

"Trunks? Are you awake now?" He smiles that dazzling innocent smile of his, so much like his father's but so vastly different at the same time. With that one facial gesture I know everything he's feeling. Relief, concern, delight, excitement and a hint of something deeper, something subtle, something only I recognise and cannot describe. It is the very essence of Goten, what makes him … him. I gaze deeply into those obsidian orbs and try once again, futilely to see that essence again and understand it, but it's only there for that split second, as if he sees me seeking it and hides it.

Every time I see him draw back like that the hurt at the withdrawal pierces right through my heart and inches him slowly away from me again when I finally believe that he's closer to me than ever.

Not that I can really blame him, after all, I have my secret too.

And he can never know.

I value his friendship too much to destroy it like that. Even if he accepted it, there would always be that hesitation between us, a slight awkwardness that was never seen or heard, but instinctively felt.

I was satisfied with his friendship. It was more than I could ever ask for and he gave it freely. There was no need for him to know. He loves me too, he just doesn't have carnal urges he wants to fulfil with me.

… Okay, back up now. This is not the time to be thinking about that.

I blink and once again I am a half-conscious hung-over eighteen-year-old being carried to his room in his best friend's arms.

"Yeah, I 'spose," I reply with a slur and a fuddled gaze.

He grins. "Good, then you can walk." Without warning he drops me on the hard floor outside my room.

"Ow! Goten, what'd you do that for?" I wince and rub my stinging backside. Great, another body-part that's rebelling. I try to get up, but stumble and nearly fall over when I try to raise myself up onto my knees. The world starts to spin and the colours do that swirly thing again. I just know I'm going to black out once more.

"Oh gods, Trunks!" Goten quickly falls to his knees and catches me before my face hits the floor. He looks at me with those wide sorrowful eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't think."

"When's that any different than other times?" I ask, conscious enough to be a little playful.

He glowers at me adorably then smirks. "All right, if you'd rather get into your room on your own."

"No, you go ahead, I don't mind." He laughs and picks me up again after opening the door. He walks quickly to my bed and dumps me on it. Luckily, beds are a lot softer than floors and I didn't hurt my lower regions as much as before.

That probably wasn't the best way to phrase that considering the incarnation of my lustful urges is starting to unlace my boots as I lie comfortably on my bed.

'Cause I want nothing more than to sit

Outside Heaven's door and listen to you breathing

Is where I want to be

"Trunks?"

"Hm?" I had started to drift off again but his gentle voice brought me back. I sat back up, propped up by my elbows.

"Next time you go to one of those parties, do you think I could tag along?" He looked at me with that innocent and desirable face, such a sad, yet hopeful expression covering it. My heart went out to him in that instant and I swear I felt tears pricking my eyes. He looked like one of those tiny little puppy dogs with the big eyes that you can't help but exclaim over and pick up.

And yet, my blood ran cold when he asked. What would happen if he did go? Would he find out? What about the others? How would they react to him, how would they treat him? Goten was so strong and intelligent, despite what others may think, yet there was a naïveté to him that could be used against him.

They could hurt him.

Like they did me.

I looked at him closely.

I couldn't let that happen, not to my Goten. I would protect him from the deceptions and depravity of what I put up with everyday and he would never have to know the pain of the hurt I live with.

Yet, he was hurting right now. I had excluded him from a part of my life, unknowingly causing him pain even as I thought I protected him from it. He had included me in every aspect of his, but I had not returned such trust. I lowered my head in shame as I realised this.

I could feel his disappointment and hurt as he misinterpreted my gesture. He thought I didn't want him to go. Gods, I would love him to come with me. Those parties were hell for me without any one to talk to, to laugh with, to have fun with. So I made up my mind before he could speak.

"I didn't think you would want to go to one. They're pretty boring. Nothing to do but get drunk."

Goten smiled wryly. "So I noticed." Then he sighed. "Look Trunks, if you think I would embarrass—"

I cut him off, absolutely shocked that he would thin such a thing. "Embarrass me? Goten, you're my best friend, I could never be embarrassed of you. I can't believe I made you think that." I sat up properly and brought my face closer to his. "The reason I never asked is because I never like going to these things, I hate those people. I didn't want you to suffer through that too. Truth be told, I would rather have spent the time with you instead, given the choice. I would love for you to come with me next time, it would help alleviate the boredom."

Goten smiled brightly. "Really? I thought that you said all those things before just to cheer me up and make me feel like I wasn't left out."

I gave him my half-smile, which he hadn't seen since we were kids. "When have I ever lied to you Chibi?" I laid back down and closed my eyes, smiling slightly. I could feel his frown.

"You know last time you called me that I told you I'd get you back if you called me it again."

"You haven't yet, and that was eight years ago."

"I'm just taking pity on your somewhat weakened state. Don't worry, I'll get you back." He resumed taking my boots off and I started to drift off again.

"Chibi?" I ask curiously through a hazy fog of half-sleep. He was starting to remove my clothes.

"Just try to sleep Trunks," he told me as he removed my jacket and started unbuttoning my shirt. "It would be uncomfortable if you slept in this.

I just nod and let him take care of me, his gentle hands gliding softly over my body, relaxing me with their reassuring touch. I was barely conscious when I felt soft lips ghosting over my forehead. "Sleep well, Trunks," he whispered to me and left, letting me slip into a rose tinted unconsciousness filled with dreams of my Goten.

I am looking past the shadows

Of my mind into the truth and

I'm trying to identify

The voices in my head

God, which one's you?

I regain consciousness feeling very well rested and with no lingering aches and pains anywhere.

Yawning, I head into my en suite to take a shower, noting as I wash my hair, that I need more shampoo. I take a bit of time to make sure my hair is straight and every single strand is in its proper place before wrapping a towel around my lower body and stepping back into my room to grab a change of clothes.

Of course I was not expecting someone to grab at the loose wrapping and rip it away, nor was I ever aware that someone was waiting in my room for that exact instant to take a photograph. The white light blinded me for a second with the intensity of a Solar Flare Attack then I growled ferally, knowing exactly who was behind the prank.

"Goten," I hissed menacingly and took after the cheekily grinning seventeen year old, not caring that I had crossed the threshold of my room and was now running down the hallway in my birthday suit.

It wasn't until I almost ran down my mother that I realised what was happening. "Trunks!" She shrieked indignantly in a way that would turn most men's blood cold with fear. I halted mid-step and turned, pale faced, to look at her dark glowering expression. I didn't need the veins throbbing menacingly on her forehead to tell me she was furious, a son always knows instinctively when he's in for a scolding from his mother. "Get up to your room and put some clothes on now!"

I merely nod. There's no need to get my mother angrier than need be. Of course, before I did trudge back up the stairs I shot a very dark glare towards Goten, who was standing at the other end of the hallway, behind my glowering mother, rolling around on the floor in laughter, my fluffy white towel still in his grasp.

As I change into a set of clothes I smile at the remembered sight of Goten laughing. Gods, how long has it been since I saw him laugh? Too long if I have to ask that question. It's strange how something as simple as seeing your best friend laugh and be happy can brighten your whole day and make everything seem better than it was before. Goten's always done that for me, even without meaning to, his mere presence can calm me like nothing else. Tugging on a pair of boots I think about how long it's been since I've seen him and I halt in my labour.

Two years.

Gods, no wonder why I'm so tense. In the past two years I've barely spoken to, much less seen my best friend. That's a bit scary. I suppose that's why I've been a bit — okay a lot — more depressed than usual.

Descending to the living room, I heard the sound of Goten's cheerful voice travelling up the stairs to echo melodiously in my ears. And I smile. This must be what Heaven sounds like. So I go down to sit and listen to my angel laugh and make everything better.

Let me feel one more time

What it feels like to feel

And break the calluses off me

One more time

Of course, everything would be all fine and dandy if Goten wasn't laughing at my expense.

With my mother.

And my grandfather.

And my grandmother.

And that little white square of instantly developed photographic paper that emerged out of the bottom of Goten's camera after he took that photo of me just before.

Seeing my approach, they all turn and cannot help but snicker in a way that soon leads to a huge round of laughter. I fold my arms grumpily, slightly annoyed that they're laughing at me. I give my best friend a withering look and fall down onto the couch beside him, trying my hardest to ignore the way he was laughing at me with that gorgeous voice of his that sent delightful shivers of pleasure down my spine. I tried to ignore the way his cheeks flushed ever so slightly as he laughed, making his face glow in happiness. I tried to ignore the way his eyes sparkled with mirth and he held those gentle hands of his up against his soft smiling lips, trying to hold in his giggling, but didn't quite stop the delightful noses coming through.

Eventually though, he turned to me, his mirth subsiding and as I looked him in the eyes I swear I saw a spark of something flicker for a moment in those deep dark eyes before an expression of confusion crossed his features.

"You're wearing that today?"

Now I was the one to look confused. I looked down at my attire. A black pair of tight fitted jeans low on my hips, everyday black boots and an open short sleeved grey shirt. I look up at him again. "Yeah, why?" I ask dismissively and stretch, looking at my watch as it catches my eye. My eyes widen. I only slept for that long? It was four in the afternoon. Goten came around at about two, so that means I only slept for two hours?

I frown. That doesn't seem right. I look up at Goten again and he's staring at me in concern. "Are you all right Trunks?"

"How long did I sleep?" My watch must be wrong. I look at the clock on the mantlepiece. It says four also. I look out the window. It's still day and slowly moving on to sunset. I look at Goten again. He seems really worried by my disorientation.

"Trunks, it's Sunday. You slept for a whole day."

I look at him in astonishment as the doorbell rings. Mother went to answer it as I continue to stare at Goten in amazement. My grandparents get up to greet their guests. And still I stare. The Z fighters start to arrive yet I haven't moved. Goten starts to grow uncomfortable. Now nearly everyone was there and still I couldn't move.

"Trunks, if you don't stop staring at me I'll show everyone my new picture." That snapped me out of it.

"No!" I jump up and land on top of him as I overbalance in my haste. There was another round of laughter at my actions, and to my great dismay, the photograph launched itself out of Goten's hands and landed face-up on the coffee table.

I don't want a thing from you

Bet you're tired of me waiting

For the scraps to fall

Off your table to the ground.

Everyone had a good laugh at my expense.

I glowered darkly once more at my best friend. He just grinned at my expression and whispered, "Payback."

I glared. Right, so he finally found a way to get back at me. This won't last though, he knows that. A nickname is a legacy that lives on for a long time, which means Goten has something else up his sleeve. My friend is a devious one, I'm proud to admit, I was the one who taught him.

Right now I'm regretting that I ever did. Now I'll have to be on guard all night.

I think he's learned how to read thoughts too, because he looks at me with such an evil expression on his face that I wonder if he has been possessed by a demon or something. I shudder slightly. Trust me, you never want a Son to look at you with that expression, it's so creepy. If Goku gave me that look I would be pissing my pants. But this was Goten, my best friend.

That made it a thousand times worse.

Everyone's attention was drawn to the stairs as my father entered the room, finished his training and fresh out of the shower. With clothes, unlike me earlier this afternoon. As Goku goes to greet him warmly, making a small, barely discernable, smile emerge on my father's face, I make a note to ask him later what he'd done to me. I watch him closely for a split second, strangely wary of him and furious at him both.

And for that split second, I let my guard down, giving Goten an opportunity to further his revenge upon me.

"Trunksie!" He squeals right in my ear, scaring the shit out of me, and jumps on my lap, hugging me tightly. "Now that you're not so mad, my bishonen, you won't mind me sitting here the rest of the night, will you bishie?" He grinned that innocent smile, but the glint of mischief in his eyes warped that expression into something I didn't particularly like.

I taught my Chibi well it seems. Too well.

I glare at him, not affecting him in the least, and put my free hand to my head, the other being trapped behind Goten, lying very close to … okay, I really have to learn how to control my hormones. Hearing the laughs again I return my attention to my embarrassing predicament and sigh, resigned now to the torture. "Is this 'Pick on Trunks day'?"

Goten grinned. "Nope, this is 'Goten's Revenge Game'."

"Great." I am so in for it. I look pleadingly at my mother as she passes by, but she merely winks and goes to refill Videl's glass. My father glances at my situation with amusement then returns to his talk with Goku — well, they were more standing together than talking, as father isn't much of a talker and Goku was also busy eating at the same time.

Things return to normal and everything dies down after a while. Goten didn't get off my lap all night, but he didn't try anything else either. I'm not sure whether I was pleased or disappointed with that. Eventually, events dwindled to a close, as events usually do and people started to leave. Soon, Goten was the only guest left, but he was staying over. We had organised it before.

I was starting to drift off where I sat on the couch, Goten still clasped tightly to me, but we had shifted around so that we were both comfortable, half lying down. Goten looked to be asleep and I smiled at the adorable image he made as he dozed on my lap.

"Ah, Chibi," I sighed softly.

"Yes, my bishonen?" He inquired with a heavy, yet amused voice. He opened his eyes and looked at me. I smiled, shaking my head at the nickname.

"Nothing."

"Do you mind?"

"What?"

"Me staying here like this? I'm too comfortable to move."

"I don't mind," I answered honestly. Really, I didn't mind. Quiet the opposite in fact. "You're not that heavy, which is amazing considering how much food you inhale everyday."

"Hey." He poked me in the stomach, making me squirm as he hit a sensitive spot. "You're not much better."

I shrug, my eyes slowly drifting closed. "Just don't do that to wake me."

"Sure." There was a pause as we both started to fade further. "Hey Trunks, you know I'd rather be here with you than anywhere else right now."

"Ditto." There was nowhere I wanted to be more than this. This was perfect.

I just want to be here now.