Disclaimer: I am far too lazy to come up with quite a complex series such as Dragon ball Z. I don't own it, nor do I wish I owned it, because that sounds like a lot of work...

Summary: 31 drabbles about Goten and Trunks' winter as a couple.

Word count: 1277

Rated M for language, sexual scenes, etc.

Our First December

Drabble #18- Holiday Shopping (Revised)

Now, Goten knew that he wasn't what someone would classify as "bright" or "intelligent", but he didn't think it took a rocket scientist to realize that Trunks was annoyed with him.

It was rather obvious really.

How could he not find it weird that as they walked down this semi-crowded mall hallway, their fingers were not entwined? How could he miss the fact Trunks' eyes barely looked his way as if the love of his life wasn't with him? Seriously, no one thought it was weird that Goten was walking a few paces behind Trunks, like an inmate on the way to the gallows instead of a boyfriend? Hell, they barely spoke. Simple phrases they said ('let's go in this store.' 'Do you think my sister will like this?'), but it wasn't conversation, and it made Goten a bit anxious.

What had he done? Was it because of that evening in the kitchen? Did his inquiries upset Trunks that much? He hoped not but... he just didn't understand why he was wrong in this situation—if one could even call it that. They had been dating for nearly a year (sort of) and it was quite clear that he loved Trunks to death. Wasn't he allowed to be worried if there was obviously something bothering his boyfriend, A.K.A, best friend?

Goten would be lying if he said he wasn't a bit annoyed with Trunks as well.

They weren't fighting though. So, deciding not to give them any reason to, Goten wraps his coat-clad arms around his chest, looks at the pretty mall decorations, and keeps his mouth shut.

Goten thinks if the Cold War had an emotion, this would be it.

"Goten, you're not helping me," he hears Trunks complain.

He snaps back to attention embarrassingly like a soldier. "Huh?"

Trunks shot him a quick glare. "I need help with something to get my mother."

"Well, what did you get her last year?" Goten had already gotten his mother's gift: a new dress, handmade in Ox Village. His brother: some book written by the president (Trunks' recommendation). His niece: An orange bandana and a 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' game set. For his father and Videl, well, that's why he was here. Trunks and him (before their little quarrel) had already decided they were going to do their Christmas shopping together, and despite the tense atmosphere, Goten thought it would've made the "situation" even worse if he had pointedly gone by himself.

Trunks crossed his arms and furrowed his brow, which Goten had dubbed as phase one of the 'thinking stance'. "I got her a pearl bracelet that I noticed she didn't have already. That doesn't help with this year."

Goten bites back a smile and tugs his hat down further over his red-tipped ears. "And where did she wear the bracelet too?"

Trunks arches his brow at him, like he's the idiot. "To her business parties, obviously. You know my mom; where else would she have worn it?"

Goten inspects his nails and waits for his boyfriend's mind to click, in the way that it always does.

Trunks' eyes fell to the tiles as he resumed their walking, his chin cradled in his hand. Phase two of the 'Thinking Stance'. "She likes to wear jewelry to her business parties, and she has business parties all the fucking time, and she doesn't have a ruby necklace that I know of, which would look really good with her hair and eyes, and she can even pair it up with that black dress she bought a few months ago—or any dark dress she's got—to add a bit of color to her outfit without it seeming like she's trying too hard. You have no idea how often that happens. The last party I went to there was this woman wearing vibrant red heels with a dress that looked like she was going to someone's funeral. Clearly her friends did not love her. Seriously, who the fuck told her that was—oh."

Trunks stops in his path, because it seems as though he'd brought them right outside of the jewelry store.

Goten grins at the annoyed look Trunks is giving him. "You're welcome."

Trunks huffs. "Don't try to make fun of me because I have a sense of fashion, unlike you."

Goten smiles, and with a leap of faith, curls his fingers around Trunks'. "Can I make fun of the fact that you can ramble about fashion? 'Cause that's like, really gay."

Goten can see small hints of the smile that Trunks is trying to hide. The tan fingers that are curled with his tighten their grip, and Goten can feel bits of relief breaking through. He just might have successfully fixed whatever tension they were experiencing. Goten is glad; he can't stand when Trunks is upset with him.

Trunks rolls his eyes, but Goten sees his smile growing as their hands slip together fully. "Whatever, let's just get the damn neckla—"

"Oi, Brief!" Goten hears a voice he doesn't recognize. He almost turns around, but he finds it weird that they weren't being addressed together—it was always 'Goten and Trunks!', or 'Brief and Son!', or similar—because, well, they were always together, it was just their thing. He then remembers that he is still wearing his hat and heavy coat, so maybe they don't notice it's him yet.

It's then that Goten notices Trunks' body. The entire length of him is frozen stiff and his eyes dart skittishly past Goten to watch whoever had called his name. His brows were narrowed and his mouth was twitching in agitation.

"I'm looking to grab!" Goten hears the voice call. He's confused on just what exactly that's supposed to mean, and even more confused when loud, obnoxious, teen boy follows right after.

He's definitely confused though, shocked even, by the way Trunks bares his teeth and replies with pure venom in his voice: "Fuck yourself, Nonebi."

Nonebi? Kado Nonebi? Goten supposed he recognized him. He didn't know much about the other guy and could really only recognize his name because they went to the same school for years. Trunks would've mentioned if they were not on good terms, so Goten is confused on where this sudden animosity is coming from. Also... What the hell was he talking about?

Whatever it was, it had pissed Trunks off, and terribly so.

Goten doesn't get to voice his observations, because the hand over his is tight to the point of discomfort and tugging him along. "Come on, Goten."

Goten allows himself to be dragged along, disappointed, feeling like they were right back where they started. He picks up his pace so that they are walking—almost jogging, really—side by side. He glances over at Trunks while he tries to loosen the death grip on his hand. The older boy's hair flops wildly as he storms off, before he uses his free hand to pull his hood up. His bright eyes are set on the sliding exit doors, his lavender brows narrowed, and his cheeks burning an angry red.

So beautiful,' Goten thinks, 'yet so hurt, too.'

So what now? Was Goten supposed to just... not notice?

Goten directs his gaze elsewhere. He might as well try, he supposed. "Am I allowed to ask about that?"

Trunks closes his eyes and shakes his head. Goten stays quiet. What point was there in pushing it?

They leave the mall together. Both without any of the gifts they came for, and Trunks fuming so badly the concrete nearly crumbled under his feet.

As for Goten? Well, he only wondered if 'trust' always felt this hollow.

End

In response to pukeko10: Yeah it would, because I certainly love my Vegeta :D

In response to Guest: My lips are sealed :)

In response to LVR4Trunks-n-Vegeta: I can't tell you, yet! xD And nope, that gift won't be revealed until the 31st!

In response to trunksxgoten4evr: I actually have considere mpreg story! I actually got their kids perfectly designed in my mind; I've just never had the time for a fanfiction about it. When I do write about it, it won't be for a while, because it requires a lot of planning and what not.

(The above responses were written in 2014).