"Stop squirming, Tien! You're making all the heat escape!" Goku cried as he pulled the covers over their heads, wrapping himself around the taller man, trying to restrain his arms and legs to keep him from getting up out of the bed. "Besides, if you didn't want to be back in bed, you wouldn't have been digging around in the wardrobe." He didn't like the cold weather at all and being this far up north was the only thing he didn't like about the location of Tien's cabin. What he wouldn't give for summer-like weather all the time. He knew that if he let Tien up, he would probably be sent outside to chop wood or some other cold chore. He pouted and pressed his lips to the back of Tien's neck, "Come on! I can't cuddle if you keep fighting."

"Goku, seriously, we have to get up!" Tien argued, trying to disentangle himself from his mate. He growled in frustration. He may have been bigger than Goku, but he was suddenly painfully reminded that Goku was much stronger than he was. He struggled in his husband's arms, trying to pry Goku's hands from around his waist, but the next second the Saiyan redoubled his efforts and wrapped his legs around Tien's as well. Tien went limp for a moment, his head flopping onto the pillow, before he drew a deep breath and struggled even harder. "Come on, this is ridiculous! Goten will be here soon and we need to get our chores done! The cabin's gonna get REALLY cold if we don't bring in more wood!"

Sabriena snickered to herself from her chair. She sat calmly with one leg crossed over the other, enjoying her morning cup of coffee. "I warned you not to go near that bed. You knew he was going to ambush you," she called out. Goku had done the same thing to her the morning before. Laughter escaped her throat as she watched the big lump under the covers moving around even more as the two men fought for dominance. "Tiennnnn," she drawled, "you're loooooooosing."

"Hush, Sabriena!" Tien scolded from under the blankets. "Ow! Dammit, Goku! When I get out of here, I'm chucking you out face-first in the snow! NAKED!"

Sabriena threw her head back and laughed again as she heard a knock on the door. She set her cup down and opened the door, grinning brightly at Goten and Gohan. "Come in! It's cold out there!" she cried, ushering them into the cabin before she shut the door against the cold December air. She caught Goten's wide-eyed look at the bed and snickered. "Your dads are having a bit of a disagreement," she explained before she turned to Gohan, who looked rather pale. "Oh my god, they're not doing THAT. Your dad is just forcing Tien to cuddle because he's cold."

Gohan felt some color going back into his cheeks as he looked back over at the bed. The lump and protests moved around as if they hadn't even noticed that they had company. He ran a hand through his hair and pushed his glasses back up on his nose. "Well, I can't say I blame my dad for that. I do the same thing with Lindsey around this time, but I have to say it's more consensual." He chuckled, "I think I'll go back and cuddle with her any way, its freezing up here." He gave a wink to Sabriena, "And she's like a little furnace."

The covers wiggled more before Goku's head popped up, looking towards his sons, "Lindsey's a furnace?" There was a gleam in his eyes. If he could go get Lindsey and then if he built a nest in the bed, he could be warm all winter long. His eyes widened as Tien tried to get away again, "Stop it!"

"Daddy's gonna try to steal Lindsey now, isn't he?" Goten asked, blinking up at Gohan.

"Probably," Gohan answered, staring over at his father and shaking his head.

"Dads sure are funny in the cold!" Goten laughed and tugged off his boots before he went to Sabriena, jumping up in her arms. "I filled up more of my cookbook! Can we try a few more recipes today? Pleaaaase?"

Sabriena held Goten tightly, rubbing her nose against his little cold one. "Of course we can! You and I are going to spend the entire day in the kitchen. Christmas is only a couple days away and I haven't baked any Christmas cookies yet! We're gonna cook until we pass out," she giggled.

"Goku, come on, your kids are here," Tien protested in a strained voice. He fought even harder to get away, attempting to roll out of Goku's grasp, but the Saiyan held on tightly and all Tien managed to do was to wrap the blankets more securely around them. "AAARRRGGGHHH!" he roared.

Sabriena laughed again and looked at Gohan as she jerked a thumb over her shoulder. "Struggle Snuggle," she snickered. She shifted Goten in her arms so that he sat more on her hip and let him lay his head on her shoulder. "So I guess we'll see you on Christmas day. Around noon-ish, right?" she asked Gohan. While Bulma always threw a huge Christmas party for everyone a few days before Christmas, the actual holiday was spent with more immediate family. "I'm making plenty of food, so tell Lindsey not to overdo it this year. I know she's tired what with the new babies and all. I can handle it this year."

Another shout from Tien drew their attention and Sabriena smirked. "No one is safe from Goku cuddles when he's cold. Seriously, I think he would pull the whole family in bed with him if he could. Better not get too close to that bed, Gohan, or you'll be next," she teased.

Gohan laughed as Goku finally relented and let go of Tien. "Yeah, I don't doubt it. Hey Dad, try not to ruffle your spouses that much, you won't get any presents from Santa."

Goku pouted. "All I want for Christmas is to be warm." He stuck his tongue out at Tien before he looked to Gohan, "Come on, you need to warm up before you go back out there." He looked at his younger son and Sabriena, "Come on, just a little while longer."

Tien practically leapt across the cabin once he was free of Goku's grasp. "Saiyans," he grumbled under his breath as he grabbed up the new cloak he'd made for himself and slung it over his shoulders. "If anyone needs me, I'll be outside chopping wood. You know, being PRODUCTIVE," he said, shooting Goku a pointed look before he headed outside.

Sabriena laughed and looked at Goten. "What do you think? Your daddy looks cold over there. I suppose we should go keep him warm for a minute," she chuckled and walked over to the bed, tossing Goten onto the soft mattress as he giggled. "I want cuddles, too!" she cried as she flung her arms wide and jumped into the bed with them.

Goku laughed and caught her and drew the covers over their heads, cuddling with them. "Gosh, Goten, you are freezing!" He buried his nose into his son's hair.

Gohan just laughed and waved at the lump, "Bye, Dad. Bye, Sabriena. Have fun, Goten!" He just shook his head and went back outside, wrapping his scarf tighter around his nose and looked at Tien chopping wood. "Seems like you are missing the bed party in there." He paused and shook his head, "As bad as that sounds. Do you need any help with that?"

Tien chuckled and rested the axe on his shoulder as he turned towards Gohan. "Nah, that's okay. Thanks for offering, but I got it. Besides, I have to leave some for your dad to chop later. That's what he gets for ambushing me like that," he joked. "You go on home. It's freezing out here. I won't be long. We'll see you in a couple days."

Back inside, Sabriena had sandwiched Goten between her and Goku under the covers and giggled, "Tien's gonna get onto all of us for being lazy." She wrinkled her nose and snickered. "What do you think, Goten? Should we hide under here with your dad all day or should we make him get up with us and go play in the kitchen?"

Goten's eyes lit up at the mention of cooking and he rolled over to look at his dad. "Yeah! Come on! It's gonna be warm in the kitchen when Sabriena and me start cooking! We can make hot chocolate and all the cookies! And have a really big fire!"

Goku chuckled, winking at Sabriena. "Oh, I don't know. You'd better make me some really hot chocolate. I'm going to be freezing after I come back inside after I chop wood. Maybe I won't freeze as badly if I steal Tien's cloak too." He smiled at the thought of being warm out in the bitter cold. "Ugh, why can't it just stay one temperature all year long?"

Sabriena ruffled Goku's hair. "I know, baby. I know," she said. She rolled onto her back with a groan and kicked the covers off of all of them, trying not to laugh when Goku whined and curled in on himself. "C'mon, Goten," she grinned as she got up. "Let's go make some cookies! We gotta have plenty for Santa!"

Goku watched as Goten scrambled out after her and he shook his head before he finally pushed back the covers and quickly made the bed before he went to the closet and pulled on his cloak. He was going to sit by the fire and soak up all the heat he could until Tien came in and then he would steal the other cloak.

"OOF!" Tien cried as he was suddenly awoken by the tiny Saiyan who had jumped into the bed with cries of, "It's Christmas! Wake up, wake up!" Tien groaned but smiled as he laid back against the pillows, chuckling to himself as Goten woke Sabriena and then proceeded to climb all over Goku to wake him, too.

Sabriena whined and tried to pull the blanket over her head, but Tien stopped her. "He's your son now," she muttered. "You all deal with him. It's too early to get up." The sun still hadn't risen, but that didn't matter to any child on Christmas morning. "Gotennnnnnnn," she grumbled, "Why are you so mean to Mommy first thing in the morning?" She peeked over her shoulder at him and gave him an affectionate little smile. "You're lucky you're cute."

Goku chuckled and grabbed up the squirming little boy and dragged him under the covers, laughing as the mass of excitement tried to get free. "Merry Christmas, kiddo!" He ruffled his son's hair, remembering back to the Christmas where it hadn't been so great. Chichi hadn't much cared to be woken up before the sun so he'd never had his kid jumping up and down on him like that. He gently flicked Goten's nose, "You should ask your mommy to light the Christmas tree."

Goten's eyes widened and he looked over at the blond and moved to climb on top of her, sitting on her chest, "You can light the Christmas tree? But, I thought we didn't have any power out here. Oh! Did you buy a generator or something?" He made a face, "But those are really loud and smell terrible."

Sabriena laughed at him and shook her head. "No. Get off me and I'll show you a trick," she said, gently pushing him back so she could get out of the bed. She took his hand and led him over by the tree before she concentrated for a second, transforming, her hair throwing the cabin into sharp relief from the bright light that issued from her. She concentrated for a moment again, conjuring up little lights that swirled around the tree before they settled on the branches, glowing like strands of Christmas lights. She placed her hands on her hips as she powered down and grinned down at Goten. "What d'ya think of that?"

Goten sat down in front of the tree, his eyes wide with wonder at the golden light that cascaded around the room and finally landed on the tree. "Oh wow," he breathed, completely in awe of the power she could work and reached out, giggling as he touched one of the little orbs on the tree. "It looks just like the one Gohan has set up in his house, but this is so much better!" He cupped the light and smiled into it. "Warm."

Goku peered up out of bed, moving to sit up and draped his legs over Tien's chest as he looked out into the cold room. "Let's get a fire going, some hot chocolate and then we can see if Santa stopped by to see us."

"You and hot chocolate," Sabriena grumbled, but shot him a wink. "You're gonna turn into hot chocolate if you don't slow down." She disappeared into her kitchen and started banging around to fix coffee and the hot chocolate Goku had requested.

Tien smiled sleepily over at Goku. "Merry Christmas," he rumbled before he pulled Goku down and planted a soft kiss on his husband's lips. He knew he needed to get up, but even he was feeling sluggish this early in the morning. He threw an arm over Goku and sighed, closing his eyes for just a moment, but jumped when he almost fell asleep again. "I gotta get up. Come on before we get attacked again."

Sabriena came back with mugs of hot chocolate for Goku and Goten and coffee for herself and Tien as they all settled themselves in front of the Christmas tree. She smiled at it and the mountain of presents underneath it. She'd hidden the presents away until last night, then brought them out after Goten was asleep. Tien had shaken his head disapprovingly, wondering why on earth she had bought Goten THAT many presents.

She scooted a little closer to Goten. "Well, go on. Open 'em up."

Goku scooted closer to Tien, their legs pressing together as he sipped at his hot mug. It was pure bliss in a cup. He really couldn't ask for anything that Christmas. He had everything he wanted every day of his life now. He couldn't stop the soft smile on his lips as he watched Sabriena help Goten drag out the presents under the tree. She was beautiful to him in a way he couldn't describe, the motherly side of her he had known was in there. Well, okay, so he had one wish, but it couldn't be granted, not in the sense he wanted it, but he was okay with that. She had given him something better. He leaned closer to Tien as Goten started digging into the pile of presents, exclaiming at all of the cooking utensils and objects that were inside. "Where is he going to keep all of those?" He wondered, "And Sabriena, I think you are trying to turn him into a chef." He winked at her to show he was teasing.

She gave him an innocent, doe-eyed look as she batted her eyes. "I have no idea what you're talking about," she answered. She bit her lips together to keep herself from smiling as she watched Goten eagerly open the next present and the next. "He can keep some of it here. And other things he can take home with him to Gohan's. Like that one, for example," she said as Goten opened the next present to reveal his very own pasta machine.

Goten about exploded with joy when he pulled out his own pasta machine. "OH Wow! Look! I finally have one of my own! Hehehe, Lindsey says I can stop trying to fatten her up now because she's had the twins, but now I have to make twice as much for the babies… you know. Once they stop drinking milk." He giggled, "I'll put their portions in the freezer." He looked at the marvelous machine and turned the handle. He remembered the first time Sabriena let him help her make pasta, turning the little crank for her. Tears gathered in his eyes. "This is the best gift ever. I love it! I love all my presents! Someone must want me to keep on cooking" He laughed and looked at it all.

Goku reached out and picked up an odd looking knife. "What in the world is this thing? I've never seen anything like it." He turned the package over, "Oyster knife?" He looked over at Goten, "Are you sure you know how to use one of these things?"

"He might not know how to use everything here yet. But that's the idea! I'll teach him," Sabriena said affectionately as she ran her fingers through Goten's hair. "He's a good boy. He's responsible enough to learn how to use them." She leaned over and pressed a kiss to Goten's forehead. "Do you like your gifts? There's all sorts of cool gadgets we can play with now. We can make sushi or ravioli, dumplings, anything you want!" she said as she pointed at the different items piled in front of him.

Goten couldn't stop the purr that escaped his throat and he jumped into Sabriena's lap, hugging her tightly. "I really love them all! I can't wait to start cooking! Santa must have really liked the cookies we left him last night! He brought so much!" He looked back at the pile, his eyes wide. "Mommy, you are really going to teach me how to use all of this?" he asked excitedly.

"Of course I am!" she grinned. "And hold on just a minute. Not ALL of that was from Santa. Some of it was from me and your dads, too. That fat man doesn't get to take all the credit." She snickered and hid her face in Goten's hair at the look Tien gave her.

"Well, I don't know if this is as fancy as the gifts Santa and your mom got ya, but I have a couple things here for you too, Goten," Tien said, reaching in behind the tree where two packages had gone relatively unnoticed. He handed the smaller one to Goten first. "I'm trusting you with that. Take care of it and be careful."

Goten carefully took the package and unwrapped it with more care than he had with the other ones. His eyes widened as he opened up the box to see a beautiful hunting knife laying in the middle. It had a wicked blade that gleamed in the soft light of Sabriena's magic. "Oh wow." He looked back up at his dad, his heart swelling. "You can count on me. I will be extra careful with this. You... you're going to teach me right? We can go hunting soon?"

"I told ya I would, kiddo. I promised you I'd get you that knife, didn't I?" Tien smiled. "Of course I'll show you how to use it. Always keep it on you. You never know when you might need it. Well, except for school. Your brother might not appreciate that phone call," he chuckled as he handed over the second, much larger package. "You won't get much use outta this one until the Spring, but I wanted to give it to you now. There might be a few things in there we can get into later." A smile pulled at his lips; he was rather proud of this gift.

Goten moved off of Sabriena's lap and set the package on the floor in front of Tien as he opened it up, revealing a large backpacking pack. It was made of the softest leather Goten had ever felt. It was packed full of different items, one he recognized as the first aid symbol. "Wow, Dad. Did you make this for me? What all is in here?" He smiled at the rolled up sleeping bag on bottom. "Oh! Can we go camping with this?"

"Yup," Tien nodded. "That's the idea. Everything you need to survive out in those woods is in that bag. And I'll teach you how to use all of it. Some of those things aren't completely necessary, but I thought you might like to have them anyway. I thought maybe this Spring we could hike up the mountain and go camping. Just me, you, and your dad? Maybe your brother if he wants to go. You think that sounds like something you'd like to do?" he asked.

Goten set the pack down and proceeded to launch himself into Tien's lap, wrapping his arms around his neck and knocked him over. "YES! Please! Let's go camping! I love camping! You can show me all your tricks and hunting things. Wow! It's going to be awesome! When can we go? Can we wait until it's warmer outside?" He kissed his dad's cheek and looked at him happily, a wide smile splitting his face,

"No, we're gonna go right now while it's freezing!" Tien teased and tickled Goten's ribs. He laughed and wrapped his arms around his son, giving him a big hug. "The first warm weather we get this spring, we'll go. I promise." He smirked over at Goku and said to Goten, "Besides, I don't think we could get your dad to go with us if his life depended on it right now."

Goku shook his head in agreement before he stuck his tongue out at the cold. "Nope. If anything, you'll be lucky if I let you all leave the warmth of the bed until I see green grass outside," he said and set his empty cup to the side, leaning on his side so he could set his head in Sabriena's lap, smiling goofily up at her before he reached under the tree and pulled out a simply wrapped, brown paper gift, tied with twine and passed it to Goten. "Last one buddy! I hope you like it. That's from your mom and me too. You know. After she showed me how to sew without sticking my fingers. I faced my greatest fear to make you that." He thought for a moment. "Actually, that's from all of us. Even you, kiddo."

Goten giggled and took it, pulling at the string until it fell away and the package opened up. He smiled widely at the softness he brushed his hands over, feeling the warmth radiating from it. "Oh wow! These are the furs Tien and I gathered! You made them into a fur quilt just like yours!? THANK YOU!" He stood up, letting it uncurl and he marveled at it. "This is amazing! I'm going to put it on my bed right now! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" he cried and tackled his father, making him ooph before he floated up with the blanket in tow, disappearing into his loft.

"I think we made him happy," Tien said softly as he watched Goten fly up to the loft. "I love that he likes these types of gifts instead of a bunch of plastic junk toys. He's the coolest kid ever." He leaned back on his hands and smiled at Goku. "Thanks for letting us be part of your family," he rumbled before he leaned over and kissed him.

Sabriena smiled and scooted closer to Goku's other side. "Yeah, I guess this mom-thing isn't so bad," she sighed, then giggled at the look he gave her. She snuggled against him, a contented smile pulling at her lips. "You guys are the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm really, really happy."

It was a long day and Tien was glad to return home that evening. They'd spent most of the afternoon at Gohan's house, eating more food than any of them had ever thought possible, opening even more presents, and then Lindsey and Sabriena brought out even more food and desserts to eat. Not to mention they had to practically pry the grandbabies out of Goku's arms when it was time to go home. He was still looking a bit pouty about it as he laid chest-first on the pelts in front of the fire as Sabriena sat next to him and gently scratched her nails over his back.

Goten was sitting by the Christmas tree, intently looking over each of the gifts Sabriena had given him and comparing them to an open cookbook he had on one side before he made notes in the journal Sabriena had given him. Tien smiled as he watched him. But he also noticed as Goten kept shooting glances every now and then over at the big hiking pack Tien had given him, too.

A smile pulled at Tien's lips. "Hey, kiddo. You wanna go through that pack with me? Check out what all is in there?" he asked as he moved to sit cross-legged on the floor. "Bring it over here. We can make sure you like everything I've got packed in it and make changes if you want."

Goten looked up from his books and smiled widely at Tien before he scrambled over to the pack and carried it over to him. After only a second's hesitation, he moved to sit in Tien's lap and pulled the bag in front of them. "I really, really like it, Dad," he said as he ran his hand over the pockets, loving the feel of the leather. The smell of it like pine and some kind of oil. He opened up one of the first big pockets on it and peered inside. "Wow! How much stuff did you manage to get in here?" he asked as he pulled out a container that held a plastic bag, seeming to funnel down into the container, passing through a fine mesh filter, "You said everything I need to survive in the woods is in here. What's this?"

"That's to collect rain water," Tien answered. "Water is one of the most important parts of survival. And this," he said, pulling out another item, "is a filter. So if you find water but you're not sure it's safe to drink, all you have to do is fill this pouch and screw the filter on and you can drink it." He pulled out more items from the pack, explaining each as he went. It amused him how impressed Goten was with everything, like the little steel cable that was actually a pocket saw or the paracord that could be used for everything from creating snares to catch game to rope for building a shelter. "Now, see, not all of it's necessary, but some of these make things a little easier. Like a compass. You don't NEED that to figure out which way you're going and I'll show you how to figure out your directions without one, but it saves time if you're in a hurry. The pack is a little big for you and heavier than most people can carry, but I think you can handle it, can't ya?"

Goten grinned. "Yeah, I can handle it!" he said, amazed by all of the items in the pack, "I really can't wait to go and try all this stuff out." He reached for the compass and looked at it, laughing at the needle. "I thought we were so far north, it would just spin around in circles." He tilted his head back to look up at his dad with a smile on his face.

Tien chuckled. "Not quite," he answered as he pulled more items out to show Goten.

"Look at those two," Sabriena said quietly to Goku as she continued to lightly draw her nails over his back. "Goten's gonna be running around in the woods cooking gourmet meals in no time. Mark my words." She couldn't stop the smile on her face as she watched her husband and their son as they dug through the pack, both of them looking as though they were thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Goku tried to stop purring as he lifted his head and looked over at his husband and son going through the items. He laid his head back down on his arms, a smile on his face. "Tien worked forever on that, I'm glad Goten likes it," he said before he sighed contentedly, "You really think he's going to go into cooking? I mean, I think that's great. You and him could give any world class chefs a run for their money." He reached out and took her hand that wasn't scratching his back and ran his thumb over her knuckles. "I suppose I'll just have to teach the twins to be world class fighters." He chuckled, "A twin duo."

Sabriena laughed softly. "And they'll be the best little fighters ever," she said before she looked over at Goten and Tien again. "I don't know what he's going to be. He's interested in cooking right now, so that's why I got him all of that stuff. If he changes his mind when he's older or loses interest, I'm okay with that. I want him to choose his path in life. I don't want to be like Chichi and plan his life for him or force him to do something he doesn't want to do." She looked at Goku again, "I don't want to be like her. I want to encourage him to explore and figure it out for himself. And I'll support anything he wants to do."

Goku rolled over and tugged her to lay down with him and he kissed her cheek as he tucked her against his side. He looked into the fire and draped one arm over her. "You are amazing, and right. I shouldn't worry about what he's going to grow up to be. As long as he's happy, that's all I want." He looked down at her, smiling into her honeyed eyes. "You are leagues above her, you know?" He leaned down and nuzzled the mark on her neck, sighing happily as he laid his head down on his ar., "It's my Christmas wish that you and Tien are as much Goten's parents as I am. He finally has a mother who will listen to what he wants and lets him cook even though he's been told the kitchen is no place for him. Thank you."

"Thank you for letting us," she said softly and kissed him before she snuggled into his shoulder. She yawned and let her eyes close for a moment. "I'm getting sleepy," she murmured. "You're too comfortable to lay on." She listened to Tien as he carried on about the gift he'd given Goten, and Goten's excited, eager questions as they examined everything together.

"I think they're falling asleep on us, Goten," Tien chuckled quietly as he looked over at his husband and wife. He looked down at the little boy in his lap and smiled. "You look tired, too. You ready for bed? I'll tuck you in and I can pack all this stuff back up for you."

Goten tried to stifle the yawn that escaped his mouth, but gave up and nodded. "Thanks for an awesome Christmas," he said, looking back at all his gifts. "I can't wait to try them all out. I really want to go camping now. How long do you think we can go on a trip with this? A week you said?" He yawned again and reluctantly crawled out of Tien's lap.

"Oh, you could go on a much longer trip than that with this stuff, but I think your mom might not be too impressed with us if we leave her here by herself for more than a week," he laughed as he got to his feet and stretched. "C'mon, kiddo," he said and picked Goten up to sling him over his back. He carried him up the ladder to the loft and set him down. "Here, I'll get your pajamas out for you," he offered and went to the dresser to pull out a set.

Poor little Goten was so tired as he pulled off his shirt to change into the pajamas Tien held for him. Tien almost laughed at the sleepy look on his face and the way he wavered on his feet, but the next second, the firelight from downstairs shone on Goten's back and all the amusement just seemed to drain from Tien. Always before, Goten had been facing him if he changed his clothes or he would insist on being left alone to change. Now Tien could see why. Goten's back was covered in long, thin scars that criss-crossed, marring his skin horribly. "Goten," Tien breathed in horror, not knowing what to think. "Has your dad seen those?"

Goten's exhaustion seemed to vanish as a wave of horror washed through him and he turned around quickly, trying to take the shirt from Tien, but stopped when it was pulled from his reach. He felt tears gathering in his eyes as he looked down over the loft at his sleeping dad and mom. He nodded and looked down at his feet, "Once. He looked so sad when he saw them. They upset him. I hate them." He said bitterly, reaching behind his back and wincing as he felt the marred flesh, "I wish they were gone. They are ugly."

"Oh buddy," Tien said sympathetically as he knelt down in front of Goten. "I'm sorry, little man. I didn't know. I didn't see them before." And anger and hatred welled up in him at Chichi all over again. How she had inflicted so much pain on someone as pure-hearted as Goten, he would never know. She was a special kind of evil, that was all there was to it. Tien reached out and gently squeezed Goten's shoulder. "I wish I could take them for you," he said softly. "You are really amazing that you survived that, Goten. I know you're still angry and hurt because of what she did to you. But don't let it ruin you. You're such an amazing kid and we love you."

Goten sniffled and looked up at Tien. "I love you too, Daddy," he said as he flung his arms around Tien's neck, hugging him tightly for a moment before he pulled back. "I still want to keep them covered up. I can feel people staring at them and I don't like it. They'll think something is wrong with me."

"Okay," Tien said and quickly pulled the soft, warm pajama shirt over Goten's head and smoothed it down, covering the scars on his back before he handed the pants to Goten as well. "There's nothing wrong with you, Goten. There's something wrong with her. And it's not your fault. If you don't want people to see them, that's okay. I don't blame you, little man. But just remember, you're better than she is. You're stronger. Good people don't leave scars like that on other people. And don't feel like you're alone. Someone left a nasty scar on me, too. You just have to move past it and what it represents. And know that she can't hurt you ever again."

Goten nodded and wiped at his eyes, looking up at Tien. "Someone left a scar on you?" He blinked and remembered the long scar on his chest. "I barely even see it. I mean, I know I see it, but I don't notice it and think bad things." He didn't want to think about his scars. He became upset when he asked Gohan if they would ever go away. They were going to be part of him forever.

"I don't think about my scar very often, either," Tien said. "And one day, you'll be the same. You won't think about the scars on your back. And then they won't matter anymore. You'll see." He pulled Goten in for a tight hug once more before he stood up, still holding Goten in his arms, and turned to lay the little boy down on the bed. He pulled the covers up over him, then smoothed the new quilt over the bed. "That'll keep you good and warm up here," he smiled and ran his fingers through his son's hair. "Anything you need before I go to bed?"

Goten turned his face into Tien's hand, sighing happily but reached out for another hug. "No, I'm good thank you." He smiled sleepily at Tien, feeling the warmth of the bed pulling him further into sleep, "Thanks for the best Christmas ever, Dad."