It's not fair!

Goten sobbed. Curled up on his side. He was effectively cut off from Trunks. Neither one of them could go find the other without being discovered by his dad. Goten gripped his arms tight. He really needed to see him. Trunks always provided comfort whenever his parents were against him. Maybe it was his ability to keep calm even when the world was against him. Maybe it's that damn smile of his. Goten blushed as he remembered the smile that Trunks flashed whenever he was sorry. It had the same charm that would get them in trouble in the first place. Goten sighed with a smile. He never could say no to Trunks.

His eyes widened as he remembered just who Trunks' dad was. Would Trunks be okay? What if Vegeta beat him? No, Bulma would never let him. Goten let out a sigh of relief. At least Trunks was safe. He bit down on his thumb. If Bulma was accepting, would she make Vegeta accept him? Would Vegeta even be able to?

I wish dad would've accepted me.

Fresh tears started to fall from his eyes. He could have handled rejection from the whole world, but never from his dad. He may have missed a couple of years with his dad, but he heard the stories of Earth's greatest defender. The warrior that had paved the way for the super saiyan form. The man who would exhaust his body before giving up. The man who kept all his promises and protected those he loved with a smile. Goten had always looked up to the myth behind his father, and his admiration only grew when they finally got to meet. Goku was a hero in Goten's eyes. A hero that now hated him. That last thought forced out another broken sob. Goten had never expected his dad to look so angry at him.

He heard footsteps outside his door and flipped to his other side. Facing away as he was unwilling to face his parents again.

Just go away!

"Goten?"

He sat up. Recognizing the voice immediately and practically threw the door open. "Gohan!" He cried. Clinging to the only support he had left.

Gohan smiled and returned the hug. "Hey. Mind if we talk?"

"Mom called you?" Goten tensed.

"Yeah."

"Then, no. Go home."

"Goten." Gohan pleaded. Shoving his way into his brother's room. "You know what you did is wrong, right?"

"What?" He turned. Eyes enraged as they landed on his brother. "You too?"

"Goten, it isn't right. You'd punch me if I ever did that to Videl."

What?

"You like someone else?" Goten asked. Still cautious as he remembered Trunks admitting that his future-self had a thing for Gohan. There was no way his brother was into Trunks as well, right?

"No." Gohan huffed. "That's not what I meant, but let's say I did. I know you'd hate me if I ever cheated on Videl with that person."

"Well, sure. Cheating is bad." Goten said matter-of-factly. "But you can still divorce her to be with that other person."

"So, why did you?"

"Why did I what?"

"Cheat."

"Cheat? On who?"

"Valese!"

"What?"

Goten stared at his brother. "What are you talking about?"

"Goten, we don't care if you like Trunks, but did you really have to cheat on Valese?"

A pause. Then, Goten burst out laughing. Relief flooding his systems. "That's why mom and dad are so pissed?"

"It isn't funny, Goten! This is serious! I'm angry, too!"

"Right, right." Goten calmed himself down and grinned up at his brother. "Gohan, I never cheated on anyone."

"Don't lie. Mom caught you and—"

"Y-Yeah. Don't remind me." Goten blushed and looked at the ground. "That was pretty embarrassing." He then smiled again. "I swear I never cheated on anyone. Actually, Valese broke up with me. Before."

"Wait, what?"

The two moved over to Goten's bed and talked. Goten explained everything to Gohan. The off-handed comparisons that had Goten wondering who he really wanted. The fact that Mai found out Trunks had really wanted Goten and left him. The fact that Valese had sensed Goten felt the same way and got tired of coming in second after Trunks. The confession that led to the kiss.

Gohan had kept quiet, though his smile seemed to widen more and more as Goten went on. When it was finally his turn to talk, he grinned. "Wow, didn't know you were a romantic."

"S-Shut up!" Goten gently elbowed him and the two started to laugh. It was such a relief to know that all this was just a misunderstanding. Then, the tears returned to Goten's face and his voice broke. "It really hurt, Gohan. I thought dad hated me. C-Cause I was…" He stopped himself from finishing the sentence.

Gohan frowned and pulled his brother in for a hug. "Hey, why would he hate you for something like that?"

Goten only shook his head and clung to his brother. Trying his best to calm down again.

Gohan sighed and looked at the wall behind Goten. "I can imagine how scary that was. Don't think I'd be happy if dad hated me, for any reason." He shrugged then with a bitter chuckle. "Sometimes, I think he's disappointed I stopped fighting."

"Of course not!" Goten pulled away to look at his brother. "Dad's really proud of what you've done! And it's not like you can't fight."

"I'm not so sure about that." Gohan smiled, "thanks, though. Same goes for you. I don't think dad can really hate anyone. He's even forgiven Frieza just cause he helped at the Tournament of Power."

"Oh right. Vegeta's pretty pissed about that, still."

They laughed again. Remembering all the times Vegeta screamed about how big of an idiot their dad was for that entire ordeal. Not that he was alone in that.

"S-So, you're sure they're only mad cause they think I cheated? They're not, you know, disgusted with me?"

"Of course not. Mom might get cranky that you won't give her any grandchildren, but they won't mind."

"Okay." He sighed. "Guess I should go down and apologize for screaming at them."

"Want me to go with?"

"P-Please."

Gohan smiled. "Sure thing."

"Hold on," Trunks glanced between his parents. "You think I cheated on Mai?"

"Think? Chi-Chi called about you leaving a hickey on Goten." A surge of pride went through Trunks and he smiled despite himself. Bulma rolled her eyes at her son. "Don't get smug!"

"Sorry, mom, but I swear I didn't cheat."

It was then that his father decided to speak up. "Explain."

"Well, I guess it started when I first said Mai was my girlfriend."

Trunks explained the incredibly embarrassing details he had hid. The fact he really had only just met Mai when he claimed she was his girlfriend, and that it was a foreign thought he had while trying to look cool in front of Goten. He talked about the possessive nature that came out any time someone got too close to Goten. Including when Valese first approached them. He mentioned the fact he messed up in comparing himself to Goten's girlfriend, but that it was what eventually made them both single. It had also helped them reconcile and then led to something else between them. What started as a small test for a reaction ended with a clear mark of possession on Goten.

Bulma stared at her son calmly. Unlike Vegeta, who was having a hard time hiding how embarrassed and uncomfortable he felt hearing about his son's romantic life. When Trunks finally ended with "and, well, here we are," Bulma reached out to grab his hand. "Thank you, honey, for telling us this." She then pulled away and a thought popped into her head. "When you wanted to talk to Trunks, was it because you were struggling with how you felt about Goten?"

The bright blush that took on Trunks' face was telling. How his mother was so damn observant escaped him, but he reasoned she would have been unable to run such a large conglomerate on her own otherwise. "I, well, yeah." He sighed and hung his head. "I figured, if I was going through this, then maybe he already did and could help kinda guide me."

"I guess, but Goten doesn't exist in his world."

Trunks grumbled. "Yeah, I know."

Bulma decided to leave it at that. "Well, I guess you didn't technically cheat, but what you guys did to those girls is still bad."

"I-I know." Trunks looked down. "I didn't mean to. I really did like her. I just—"

"Like Goten more." Bulma smiled at her son. "Well, I'm glad you boys got that resolved."

"Uh, well, I did. Goten isn't sure, yet."

His parents gaped at him.

"Hold on," Bulma grabbed at her head. Dizzy from the overload of information. "You two are trying to date without being sure of your feelings?"

"He is, yes."

Vegeta snorted. "Unacceptable."

"Oh, zip it." Bulma punched her husband's arm. "You almost let Trunks and me die because you still didn't know if you liked me."

Vegeta tensed. Red as the memory embarrassed him. "You shouldn't have been there in the first place! Besides, everyone was there. I knew they would protect you. I had to focus on the danger!"

"Oh, sure." Bulma rolled her eyes. Not for the first time, Vegeta was trying to blame her for that near-death experience during their battle against the androids. She turned back to her son. "While I'm glad you got your feelings sorted, I don't think it's a good idea to start anything if Goten's still not sure. I don't want you to get hurt if he decides he's not into you later on."

"I won't get hurt." Trunks smiled. "Ten's my best friend. He's always been there. He's, well, everything."

His mom sighed. "I get it. Just, be careful. Okay?"

"Will do mom. Thanks."

When he got up and headed to his room, Bulma cringed. "Oh, right. Chi-Chi is still angry. I hope the two can see each other soon."

"She should be honored a Saiyan elite wants her low-class child." Vegeta huffed. Offended distantly at the nerve of the human woman.

"Alright, tough guy." Bulma moved to straddle him. Draping her arms around his neck. "How about this saiyan elite takes his lovely wife upstairs for some bonding?"

Vegeta smirked and carried her effortlessly. A fact that still left Bulma breathless. While she certainly enjoyed the times he was gentle with her. Devoted entirely in making sure she felt loved and secure, she loved all of him, and that included the rougher side that had her begging under him. Quite literally pounding her into oblivion as she more often than not would pass out before he was done.

They both grinned at each other. Vegeta was the only one who could satiate her in every way, and Bulma was the only one who could take him however he came.

"Of course, my queen."

"Hey, mom. Dad." Goten peeked into the kitchen. Relieved to find that Goku was never one to stay angry. Though, his mom certainly could use some of that relaxed mentality.

"Well?" She placed her hands on her hips. Turning away from the dishes she had been washing. "Are you here to apologize?"

"Uh, yeah." Goten bit his lip. "I'm sorry I yelled. I was just a little angry because you weren't listening to me."

"I don't want you to think making excuses is right."

"I'm not!" Goten finally looked up to lock eyes with his mom. "No excuses, I promise. I need to tell you what happened, and if," he felt the tears threaten to come back, "if you still hate me after, then maybe it's time we talk about me leaving."

Chi-Chi tensed. While she was always severely strict with her sons, she had always been sure to remind them that it was all for the best. That she was only that strict because she knew they could handle it. She loved her sons. Even if Goten decided that a scholarly career was not for him, and had instead decided to skip college, Chi Chi would support him. Yes, she had been incredibly bewildered to find that her son had cheated on his long-term girlfriend with his best friend. Vegeta's kid, no less. Still, she had never once considered kicking Goten out. Maybe he got scared when she threatened to have Goku keep Trunks away?

She nodded and sat down at the table. "Alright. We're listening."

Gohan came out from behind his brother. Placing a hand on Goten's shoulder and smiling at him. Encouraging him to continue.

Goten smiled back and let out a breath. Guess this is it.

Both Goku and Chi-Chi sat there in silence.

It was obvious that guilt was now eating at Goku. Having only listened to Chi-Chi, he had failed his son and had refused him the right to speak up and defend himself. His grandfather would have been so disappointed in him for that. Goku had never been good at naming the emotions that his loved ones expressed, but he could still tell when things were wrong, and something was terrifyingly wrong the moment Goten looked like he was falling apart. He should have listened to his instincts instead of letting his wife handle it. They had almost lost their son due to that blindness.

Chi-Chi also had a tinge of guilt on her face, but it was mostly covered by confusion. "How long ago did you notice you liked Trunks?"

"Um, probably like, yesterday?" Goten shrugged. "I was completely aware of it then, but I probably liked him long before."

"Before Valese?"

Goten tensed. Nodding slowly. As though the answer could be wrong. "Yeah. Probably before her."

His mother sighed and brushed back her hair. "Well, I certainly don't like how soon this happened and how messy it was, but I guess it's already been done." She crossed her arms. "Although Trunks is definitely not someone I approve of." Her eyes hardened then, and she glared over at her youngest son. "You're sure they broke up, right? I don't want my son to be a homewrecker."

"Yes mom." Goten laughed. "We were both single when we," he stopped. Face red as he was too embarrassed to finish the thought.

Chi-Chi nodded. "Very well. I guess I can't really stop you."

It was then that Goten felt a large hand on his shoulder. He looked over to see his dad. Expression still guilty, but now with a soft smile. "Hey, Goten. I'm really sorry about earlier. We should've listened to you." The man shrugged. "I think I was just a little angry at myself. My grandpa wouldn't approve of cheating, and it felt like I failed to teach you that." Failed you as a father.

Goten smiled with a fresh wave of tears poured out of him as relief came crashing in. He made no real effort in hiding how obvious he was being on the impact his father's words had on him. He was just happy Goku still loved him. "It's fine. You're the best dad anyone could ever ask for." He chuckled and hugged his dad. "You didn't fail me."

Goku also felt something change within him. Something that had him pull his youngest in tighter. Embracing the son he had missed for seven years. A fact that had Goku constantly looking down at himself. Disappointed in himself for having abandoned the child before he even knew of his existence.

Sure, Goku had only wanted to protect his friends and family. He was so sure that all these evils kept showing up because of him. That Earth would truly be better off if he just stayed dead, and so he did. He had been proven right for seven years, as nothing out of the ordinary ever came up during that time, but that peace came at the cost of his time with his youngest.

When he was still a kid, Goten had overheard his parents talking in the kitchen. Goku had expressed his insecurities on fatherhood. Still worried that he was failing since even Gohan had to be raised and trained by others due to his absence. That fear only grew when he realized he had left Goten alone for years without even knowing of his existence. Though, that was because both Chi-Chi and Gohan had agreed to keep Goten a secret. Knowing that his existence would fill Goku with guilt.

Still, Goten had inherited his father's inability to articulate his thoughts or emotions, and despite how hard he tried to ensure that Goku knew he never held him accountable for that absence, Goten knew he was unsuccessful.

Goku sighed finally and placed a hand on Goten's head. "Thanks, Goten."

Their night continued like that. Everyone finally sharing what was on their minds. Finding some of the closure they desperately needed. Relief filling them all.

"Thanks." Goten called out before his brother could fly off.

Gohan smiled and moved to ruffle his brother's hair. "You're not alone, Goten. Even if mom and dad are too far away to hear you, you still have me. Always."

"Yeah." He gave Gohan one last hug before waving his brother goodbye. When he walked back into the house, he was shocked to see Chi-Chi look angry again. "M-Mom?"

She flinched. Having forgotten that her son was still awake. She quickly smiled but dropped it almost immediately. "I guess now you'll be going to him, huh?"

"W-Well, it's pretty late." Goten looked away. Still bad at expressing himself. Especially with his mom. "I was thinking of inviting him over tomorrow."

"What? Why not just go meet him?"

"Because you still need to apologize to him." Goten crossed his arms. "You were really mean and threatened him with dad. He'll never think he's safe here until he hears it directly from you."

"I," she paused with a sigh, "yes. You're right. I'll be sure to make something he likes, then. For lunch."

"Thanks mom." Goten hugged his mom in her chair. Giving her a light squeeze before bouncing back to his room.

Chi-Chi smiled. "I'm glad you came out like your dad."