Hey guys. In case you were wondering about the wait, this chapter took a little longer than I had intended to get out. I'll try to update at least once a week, so the next chapter shouldn't take quite as long to get out.
To my reviewers, thank you for taking the time to give me your opinion of my work. Obviously the point of posting is to show pride in your work, but it's also nice to know that someone out there is actually reading it. So if you read this, do me a favor and let me know what you think. All feedback is most appreciated, even flames. (It means that I at least got some reaction out of people.)
To rite4ever, thanks for the compliment on the story and plot. I admit that it is a little unusual for the girl to be older than the guy is, but sometimes I just get tired of reading about older men with younger women, you know? And as for Trunks being a bit immature for eighteen, anyone who has seen DBGT could tell you that our dear Trunks-kun was a bit of a dweeb. While I hope I did the cutest VP in the world a bit more credit than that, I did feel that I had to take his friendship with Goten into account. There's no way they could be that close and not have certain more faulty traits rub off sooner or later.
To Icsis, I'm glad you like my story. Constructive criticism is of course, the point of reviews, but it's always nice to hear nothing but a compliment too. :) I hope you like this chapter as much as you did the first.
Disclaimer: Sara is mine, DBZ/GT is not. Sad but true ne?
Chapter Two: Midnight Revelations
I sighed softly as I looked out the window of my borrowed bedroom. The party had ended hours ago, and I knew I should be trying to get some sleep, but I just needed some time to think. Everything had happened so quickly today. First my arrival, then freeing everyone from Babi's influence, then the party…it was staggering to realize that I was officially in a relationship now--and I didn't have a clue what the hell I was doing.
And what amazed me the most was the fact that someone so devilishly handsome wanted to date me. I was willing to bet that he had no shortage of girls after him. So why pick the plainest and least experienced?
"Sara…"
The whisper had been so very soft that it was a miracle I had caught it, and I turned around to see the man in question standing in my doorway, looking at me with such a lost expression that I felt my heart constrict painfully. I rose from the windowseat and went over to him, looking up into his eyes in concern.
"Trunks, what's wrong?" I whispered.
Fear flashed in his eyes as I came closer and I stopped short, blinking in surprise. "We were back on Tuffles. I was…" his voice cracked and he put his hands to his neck in explanation. "I was halfway through kissing you before I realized that I hadn't let go. But it was too late…you were…and I was the one who…"
I gasped softly and reached for him, not letting him back away from me as I wrapped my arms around him and drew him in a comforting hug.
"It was only a dream Trunks. Only a dream." I whispered into his ear.
"It was so real." He whispered back.
"Nightmares are manifestations of our deepest fears Trunks. The only way to get over it is to face it."
"You shouldn't have to deal with a boyfriend who can't even touch you."
I smiled slightly. "So I'll be the touchy-feely one in this relationship. I know you're nervous about holding me, or kissing me, and I understand that. I promise you, I do. But I'm not going to let that stop me from showing you that I care. If that's the only way I can help, to be the initiator, I'll do it. Because having one who can touch me isn't worth much if he isn't the one I want, now is it?"
"I don't deserve you." Trunks said softly, almost tenderly.
"Yeah I know, but I like you anyway." I quipped.
We stood there awhile in silence, just wrapped in each other's arms. I sighed a little in content and rested my head against his shoulder, closing my eyes. It was nice being held.
"Sara?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you scared? Emotional-wise I mean?"
I smiled slightly. "I'm feeling things I've never felt before. That's a scary thing. But whatever it is that's going on between us, I like it. It feels…right."
"I'm glad I'm not the only one."
"This isn't going to come out right I know, but I'm kind of glad you aren't used to the emotional side. It makes this very special. Because I'm willing to bet the odds of my first relationship being with someone who is learning the ropes too are pretty staggering."
"Hell, the odds of us meeting in the first place were damn near non-existent. You were sent to us for a reason. You're a part of my destiny in some way, whether it be just as a friend or something more."
"Destiny." I repeated softly. "There's a touch of the hopeless romantic in you."
"Yeah well…"
I chuckled. "I like it."
"Well as much as I hate to say it, you should get some sleep. If I know Mom, she's going to drag you to the mall tomorrow."
I groaned. "Great, four hours of walking just to get a few changes of clothes."
Trunks chuckled. "If Mom's buying, you're going to end up with more than a few."
I looked up at him hopefully. "You aren't going to leave me to suffer alone are you?"
"Go on a Mom sponsored shopping trip? I'm not insane."
"I'll let you pick out one of my outfits." I tempted.
"Really?"
"As long as it wouldn't get me arrested for indecent exposure, yeah."
"As tempting as that is, Goten and I have been banned from shopping trips after the time we accidentally blew up the mall fountain."
I laughed. "You didn't."
"We were bored!"
"So you thought you'd destroy an innocent fountain?"
"We were sparring, and one of us forgot that we couldn't use ki."
I quirked an eyebrow. "One of you meaning you?"
"It was Goten, I swear."
I chuckled. "Like it was Goten who broke Piccolo when you were kids?"
"You know about that?"
I smirked. "The look on your face when you realized that it had been the real Piccolo was priceless."
I couldn't help but laugh as I watched his cheeks flush. "What?"
"You're so cute when you blush."
"What, I'm not cute all the time?"
"Nope." I said seriously.
"I'm not?"
"Nope…you're adorable." I smirked, ducking under his arms and out of his reach.
"That's not funny."
"Yes it is." I snickered, backing away.
Trunks scowled, and then a slow smirk came over his face. "Well if you're going to laugh, I might as well give you something to laugh about."
"You have to catch me first." I smirked, spinning around and dashing for the door.
I wasn't particularly surprised when his arms came around me before I could open it, pinning me against him. "You were saying?"
I sighed dramatically. "All right, you have me. Do with me as you wish."
"As I wish huh?" Trunks whispered into my ear.
I shivered at his tone. "I am at your mercy." I replied breathlessly.
"That has possibilities."
"Yes, it does."
"But for now, I'm going to give you a good reason to laugh at me."
I yelped as his hands slid up to my ribs and his fingers began dancing up and down, making me laugh in spite of myself. Trunks tickled me mercilessly, until I couldn't even breathe anymore, I was laughing so hard. Then thankfully he stopped, and I sagged against him in exhaustion, trying to catch my breath.
"Has anyone ever told you that you are absolutely beautiful when you laugh?" I heard him whisper in my ear.
I shook my head, trying to fight a yawn. "No."
"Well you are. I mean, you're always beautiful, but when you're that relaxed and happy, you're absolutely gorgeous."
I blushed a little. "You don't have to flatter me Trunks. I already like you." I laughed.
"You're a beautiful woman Sara. And if no one has ever told you that before, then they are fools who don't know what they've passed up. I don't intend on being a fool."
I don't think I had ever been so touched by so simple words before. He was so sweet…how did I ever get so lucky to find him? I was frustrated. The only words I could think of that were appropriate were words I couldn't bring myself to say. It was too soon. Way too soon.
"Trunks?" I ventured softly.
"Yes?"
I bit my lip, then went with my second choice. I twisted around to face him and leaned up to kiss him lightly on the lips. Then I pulled back, feeling unsettled by having to resort to an action that didn't even come close to letting him know how I felt. But as I looked up at him, I saw a gentle smile cross his face and understanding in his blue eyes.
"Me too." He said softly, brushing a gentle hand through my hair.
I smiled a little in relief. He understood exactly what I wanted to say and had even said it back, if I interpreted that right. I turned my body around to face him and hesitantly moved closer, snuggling into his side. Trunks smiled and put his arm around me, leaning his head against mine.
"I wish we could stay like this forever."
I smiled. "So do I. However, we're going to have to settle for picking up where we left off tomorrow."
"I know." He sighed. "I guess this is good-night then?"
I glanced at the clock and chuckled. "More like good-morning. Pleasant dreams Trunks. No more nightmares."
"I'll try. Can I dream about you instead?"
I smiled. "You're such a suck-up."
"Are you complaining?"
I thought about that a moment. "No."
Trunks smiled. "Sleep well Sara. I'll see you in the morning, provided my mother doesn't drag you out of bed at first light."
I laughed. "Don't jinx me."
"Right."
But he didn't move. I looked up at him curiously and he swallowed hard. I was about to ask him what was wrong when he leaned down and kissed me quickly on the lips. I smiled and reached up to put my arms around his neck, leaning up into the kiss, doing my best to show him that I returned the sentiment whole-heartedly.
"At this rate, I'm never going to leave." Trunks said breathlessly as we parted.
I grinned impishly. "Are you complaining?"
"Hell no."
I laughed. "This is beginning to get ridiculous. Why don't you just stay here? We both know nothing is going to happen. And we might actually get some sleep."
"Are you sure?"
"If Goku wasn't exaggerating, I'm going to have to learn how to cuddle if I'm ever going to last through the winter. Why not start now?"
He chuckled. "What, you only love me for my body heat?"
I tried to keep my face and voice serious. "Well what else is there?"
But I got the feeling that it didn't quite work from the light dancing in his eyes. "Well I've been told a time or two that I'm not bad looking."
I pretended to think that over. "I'll concede that point."
"Oh?"
"I can admit to finding someone attractive. But that's not what makes you different from the rest of the pack to me."
"So what is it then?"
"Even with all your experience with the opposite sex, I can still make you nervous. It makes me feel like I'm not alone. I don't feel bad that I don't know how to tell you how I feel, because I know you don't either."
"You aren't afraid I'll take things too far?"
I could tell by his tone that the fear of hurting me physically wasn't the only reason he didn't trust himself. He was worried about pushing me further than I was ready to go.
"Trunks, I know my limits. Do you really think I wouldn't tell you in no uncertain terms if you pushed them?"
"Sometimes, when I feel something strong enough, I tend to get carried away. I'm not saying that you're weak, but I am part Saiyan…"
I tried not to smile. He was so cute, worrying like this. "Trunks, I think I proved earlier that I have no qualms about kicking you in the conjones."
"It didn't work." He pointed out.
"You were also expecting it. You're worried about getting carried away in the moment and not realizing anything other than your goal right? If that were really to happen, don't you think that pain would be the only thing to sink in?"
Trunks was quiet a moment. "You're right. If I were really that focused, and I swear, that would be the only time I would ever go further than you'd feel comfortable with…"
I chuckled. "You still don't quite believe that I trust you, do you?"
"I just don't understand why. I tried to kill you. I've admitted that I'm no stranger to the intimacy stage of a relationship…"
"You tried to kill me while being possessed by pure evil. And did you honestly think I would expect to find a guy who hadn't been all the way? I'm sure you're surprised that I'm still pure at twenty-one."
"I respect your desire to wait for the right time and person. What surprises me is that no one has ever tried to change your mind. Not that I'm not glad you've never been hurt by someone only after that. But a guy would have to be blind, deaf, and dumb to not be attracted to you."
I looked away and wrapped my arms around myself, looking out the window but not really seeing the view.
"I've never been qualified to be a model Trunks." I said quietly. "Besides that, I've never found it easy to let anyone get close to me. Being here with you like this…the romantic part isn't the only part that's new to me. It's an ongoing battle to keep from falling back into old patterns and pushing you away. But I am trying." I offered.
I felt his warmth move to be at my back and felt a gentle warmth when his arms slid around my waist gently. "And that means the world to me." Trunks murmured near my ear, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple.
I swallowed hard at the warmth in my heart. "Don't ever think that you aren't good at the emotional part of this Trunks, because you've been simply wonderful so far."
"That makes two of us then. Do you still want me to stay with you tonight?"
"If you wouldn't mind."
"Mind spending time with you? Never."
I smiled as he led me over to the bed and helped me onto it before stretching out beside me and tugging me closer gently. For my part, I snuggled into his side and laid my head on his shoulder, closing my eyes and smiling sleepily as his arm draped over my waist protectively.
