Disclaimer: magic eight ball of life 'STOP ASKING ME IF YOU OWN DBZ' … pouts magic eight ball of life 'You'll never own it, you'll never own it, you'll never own it!' chants mincingly.

Part Six:

Affection In The Dark

Trunks wished things were different between him and Gohan, as they slept on opposite sided of the adjoining wall. He could sense Gohan was still awake, probably reading as he laid wide awake staring at the ceiling thinking of how they had spent their time together. Trunks couldn't help but think about the man who was only mere inched away, but too distant to touch. He sighed in defeat as he rolled over to lay on his stomach trying to find the slumber that he wanted to get his mind off of the heart wrenching feeling. He knew what he wanted, and no means of having it. He closed his eyes as his mind wandered in the darkness of the late night.

Gohan glanced at the clock that read 12:52 a.m… He could sense every move Trunks made as he tossed and turned on the bed in the room beside him. It was driving Gohan nuts, the longing was bad enough, but Trunks being all that more restless heightened the drive that was already enhanced by Saiyan instincts. He tossed the book he had been haphazardly trying to read aside. Gohan finally sighed in frustration deciding that his stomach was the source of his discontent. He knew intuitively knew it wasn't his stomach, it was his heart, but there would be no resolution of that feeling. He stumbled over debris of the ragtag building as he made his way to the kitchen. He was shocked to see Bulma sitting up sipping a cup of tea.

She blushed and wrapped her robe tighter around her nightgown. "Um, Gohan… I didn't figure you'd be up this late."

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep," he replied dejectedly.

"What's wrong Gohan?" She asked in a mothering tone. He just shook his head and refused to answer. He blushed as his stomach slightly rumbled and Bulma laughed quietly. "JUST like Goku." He smiled at the comparison to his deceased father. "I believe there are leftovers in the refrigerator. Help yourself. I'm sure Trunks will be up for a late night snack sooner or later too. You saiyans are all the same." He smiled, but it was lace with sorrow. "Ok Gohan, this isn't just about food. You better tell me what's wrong," she said seriously.

Gohan grimaced as he looked her in the eye, sitting down across from her at the table. "I wanted to tell him Bulma, I really did, but I think I started to scare him. They way he pulled away from me today…" Gohan's gaze became downward as he fought tears. Trunks walked into earshot, as he overheard Gohan say, "I waned to say something about it, but I couldn't risk our friendship."

"Oh, Gohan. I'm sure it'll all work out." Bulma looked up to see Trunks lurking in the doorway. He looked confused as Gohan gasped when he noticed him. "Why don't I leave you boys alone?"

Trunks sat in the seat that had preciously been occupied by Bulma. "Um, do you want something to eat? I could get you something…" Trunks smiled, but it seemed wounded. Gohan didn't even want to look at him. Trunks thought it was his fault and became defensive, "We should just go back to bed." He wished to the non-existent Kami that he could be brave enough to tell Gohan how it felt. He thought he was hurting his friend, their relationship was at stake, and he wouldn't be able to live with himself he did something that made Gohan hate him. Tears glistened in his eyes, "Gohan, I'm so sorry… I'm sorry… I…"

Gohan left the table to walk over in front of the younger man. "Trunks, haven't done ANYTHING wrong, why would you even THINK I was upset with you?" Gohan's voice was soft and compassionate. Trunks was shaking, he didn't know if it was out of fear or grief, Gohan guessed he was just feeling overwhelmed. He reached out to brush back the long lavender hair behind Trunks' ears so that Gohan could look into the deep blue eyes that he longed to behold. Those eyes that had seen so much pain were still too beautiful to describe with words. Gohan felt as if he were falling into those pools of blue, into the back depths of his pupils and seeing Trunks' soul. He was pulled back into reality when he heard Trunks' longing voice.

"I heard you say you wanted to mention something to me, but didn't want to risk our friendship. Gohan, I couldn't live with myself if I EVER did anything to make you hate me. Please, whatever it was will you forgive me?" Gohan realized how hurt Trunks was, how fragile his emotions had become over so many years of fighting a desperate war alone. At that moment, Gohan wished more that ever he could amend his friend's heart. "Gohan?" Trunks inquired as Gohan stared into his eyes. Trunks could see the depth of emotion in his sensei's dark eyes. They were like dark windows to a tattered and ragged soul, Trunks wanted to soothe the hurt in that darkness away, but what could he do?

Gohan sighed as he gazed at his feet. "It's really NOT you, Trunks. It's ME." Those were the words that every couple dreaded to hear, Trunks thought his heart was going to be shattered. "I didn't think you wanted to hear it. You seem so distant, and the way you pulled away from me… You've matured so much since I last saw you, it's made me think that you don't need me around anymore. I can't protect you, you're the stronger one now. I'm the one that should be apologizing. I can't stand to see how much you BLAME yourself. I wish I could have been there for you, but I just hope you can forgive me." I wouldn't blame you if you didn't but, I want to at least stay friends.

Why? Why would he even THINK it's his fault? Did I make him feel that way?

The two remained so silent, it was deafening.