His warm lips on his were all Goten could think about as he sat around with his mother's friends in a circle in chairs in the beautiful spring morning. He closed his eyes as the wind passed by, making him smile. When he opened his eyes, all his mother's friends were staring at him.

"Well someone seems to be enjoying this lovely spring," said one of Chichi's friends named Susan.

"Yeah, it's good weather to spend with that special someone," said Chichi's other friend named Jane. "Do you have someone special in your life Goten?"

"Uh no I don't." An image of Trunks came to mind but he shook it off.

"He just came out of a relationship. The little tramp cheated on him," said Chichi.

"Mother!" Goten. "It's none of their business."

"On the contrary young man," said another of Chichi's friend named Dian. "This is a very good opportunity to set you up with a woman.

"I agree Dian," said another one of Chichi's friend named Lois. "A good looking boy like you deserves to be happy with a woman.

"What does looks have anything to do with it?" asked Goten.

"Goten hush," said Chichi.

"Just be glad your son isn't one of those sick, perverted people who loves men," said Susan.

Chichi smiled. "I thank kami everyday. I just can't wait till he finds a nice woman, settles down, and has children. There's nothing more thrilling then being a grandma."

"I know," said Dian. "My grandchildren are so full of life, and I feel like I'm young again."

"It is sure an adventure when they are small," said Jane as Lois nodded.

Goten had never felt so trapped in all his life. He was breathing on the outside, but he was drowning on the inside. He thought about the soft kiss Trunks gave him. It was so sweet, warm, passionate, and he felt safe. A part of him wanted to find out what other things the kiss could lead to with Trunks and the other part of him feared losing his family over his first thought.

But somehow he knew deep down he couldn't give his mother what she desired from him. He knew someday he would have to tell her but for now he would see where his life took him.

"So when's Bulma's boy going to settle down? Have you talked to her Chichi?" asked Lois.

"I've asked her that, and she told me she would never force him to settle down. She believes in letting him find his own person to spend his life with."

"Now that's ridiculous and anyway he's not settling down material," said Jane as this peaked Goten's interest. "I mean with all the women he's slept with I'm doubtful anyone is going to want to be with that womanizer."

"You don't even know him," said Goten. "How can you judge so harshly?" He looked at the woman seeing how uncomfortable they got all of a sudden. He got up and turned around to see Trunks standing before him. "Trunks."

Trunks turned away from his best friend and walked away until Goten stopped him. "Can we go talk somewhere Trunks?" He nodded as he followed him inside Goten's parent's house.

Trunks leaned against the kitchen counter as he watched Goten try to think of how to form the words in his mind. Trunks had to admit that his friend looked cute when he was thinking. It was the same look he had as a child, so innocent and amusing.

"I'm so sorry about what the ladies said about you Trunks. I—

"Don't worry about it. I'm used to people talking shit about me. It comes with being in the spotlight."

"You mean none of it hurt you?"

"No because I know what's true about myself and you do to."

"Yeah. So, how much did you here?"

"All of the ladies discussion." Trunks looked closer at his friend. There was worry in his eyes. "Goten's what's wrong?" He came closer to Goten who became nervous.

"I don't want what my mother wants for me Trunks. I'm scared I'll lose her if I want something different for my life."

"Like loving and spending the rest of your life with another man?"

"I didn't say that Trunks."

"You know I meant to kiss you Goten." He took Goten's hand in his, rubbing the skin.

Goten looked down at Trunks's hold on his hand, and he blushed. "Wh—why are you doing this to me Trunks?" He felt his other hand on his shoulder and smiled.

"I thought you'd know by now chibi."

"Chibi?" He said as he heard footsteps heading their way, and he pulled his hand out of Trunks's as the ladies came into the house. He saw his best friend's reaction full of hurt and rejection.

"Goten, are you staying for lunch?" asked Chichi.

"Uh no I don't think so. Trunks and I are going to hang out today."

"Are you sure that's smart Chichi? Letting your son hang out with that troublesome Briefs," said Dian.

Goten turned towards the ladies. "Now just wait an f**cking minute," Trunks was surprised once again by his best friend. He never in his life swore, "None of you including my mother get to tell me whom I get to hang out with. I'm 22 years old for kami's sake. Trunks is my best friend, and the greatest guy I know. You ladies have nothing to do with my life and if I choose to love a man, then so be it." Goten walked out the door followed by Trunks.

Trunks had never been more turned on by Goten standing up to Chichi's friends. When he focused his attention on his friend, Trunks noticed he was shaking. He came to his side. "Goten, what's wrong?"

"My mom's going to hate me now." He felt Trunks rub his back, trying to comfort his worried friend.

"You don't know that Goten and besides a mother should be happy with whatever decision her child makes when it comes to love because they love them to."

"That makes sense logically, but I don't think my mother is as open minded as yours is Trunks."

"True but don't worry. I'll support you no matter what happens."

Gotten smiled. "So, what do you want to do?"

"How about we hang out at my place. You haven't seen it yet."

"Sure sounds like a good idea."

"This place is unbelievable," said Goten. "You have more room then you need."

"Yeah well I call it home and besides you never know when people want to visit."

"And it's far away from Capsule." The raven-haired man smiled.

"Exactly," Trunks smirked. "So with all the drama that's been happening I forgot to ask you how you managed to get your apartment?"

"Well after I graduated, I got a job at a vet office. I take care of animals now."

Trunks smiled. "A veterinarian, huh? Well it makes sense when I think about it."

"Why do you say that Trunks?"

"You've always loved animals and the outdoors. Plus you're very patient, carrying, kind and giving. Animals have always loved you to and not to mention your selfless character."

"You spend way too much of your time observing human behavior."

"Blame the scientist in me."

"I do." Goten laughed.

"Just out of curiosity how long has your mother forced you to spend time with her friends?" Trunks sat down on his couch as his friend joined him.

"She thought I needed more female influence in my life. Whatever that means."

"Are they always so mean?"

"Yeah and it hard to hold my tongue but I guess now I know where my mom get her tearing down people behavior."

"Thank you for standing up for me by the way."

"You know I always have your back Trunks, and I know those comments about you don't bother you, but they bother me. They can't just talk down people. It's wrong."

Trunks smiled. "Always the noble one." Leaning his back Trunks found himself laughing.

"Hey! What's so funny?"

"I never thought I'd see the day where Son Goten stood up to a bunch of women."

"I can only take so much from them Trunks. I mean it's weird because when I'm around them, I feel like I'm drowning." His face became serious. "Too be honest my relationship with my mother has been strained lately. I've been pulling away from her control on me. I think she gets scared that I might turn into something I can't come back from."

Trunks moves over on the couch, closer to his best friend. Goten felt a sudden heat being created by how close they were too each other. Trunks's hand went to his shoulder with a serious look on his face. "You can't let Chichi take away your free spirit Goten. No matter what you should always be who you are. You'll find you'll be a lot happier in life."

Their lips were so close to touching, and Trunks wanted so much to kiss his friend again. He risked looking into Goten's eyes. They were scared about what could happen right now, but there was something else he couldn't quiet decipher.

Instead of giving into his saiyan urges Trunks took Goten's soft hand in his, bringing his lips to the skin of the back of his hand. Pressing his lips to the skin Trunks noticed Goten was watching in surprise of how tender he was. When Trunks pulled away from his hand, he felt a sense of loss, a loss of heat that Trunks's lips had provided.

"Trunks," was the only thing he could get out of his mouth.

"This time I'm not sorry." He heard the footsteps of his friend leave.

Trunks walked around the city deep in thought with his head down. 'Why can't I control myself around him? Every time we're close I just can't imagine being so far from him. I—it just hurts so much.' He brought his fingers through his hair like it would somehow bring him comfort, but it didn't as he sighed. 'I can't very well force him to be with me if that isn't what he wants, but—

"Trunks!"

Trunks came out of his thoughts to see Marron with her friends and Valese. He could feel the rage build up as he saw his best friend's ex-girlfriend. 'Since when is Marron friends with Valese?' He pushed down his anger and out up his walls. "Hey Marron, how's it going?" He noticed the girls behind her giggle. 'To think a year ago I went out with these type of women.'

"We're on our way to the mall. You want to come with us?" Her friends were so hopeful he'd say yes.

"I don't think so." Their faces dropped. "It was nice seeing you Marron."

"Well wait a minute you look like something's bothering you," said Marron.

"I'm fine. I just want to be alone."

"Are you sure?" One of the girls said as she put her hand on his back. "You know I can make you feel better."

Trunks was surprised how much he wasn't interested in having sex with the girl. 'Wow! Things are really changing for me. I remember a time where I would have taken her up on her offer. Kami what an idiot I've been.'

"I doubt you can." Trunks walked away.

Trunks made his way to the beach. He sat on the sand and watched the waves move back and forth, which made him think of his best friend below him on his bed, making love. He imagined the spark in his friend's eyes as he stared at only him, the sweat glistening on his face as they came together. He let out the breath he had been holding in.

'Kami this is definitely not healthy.' Trunks looked down to see he had become aroused, so he got up, quickly ran to the water, and dove right in with his clothes on. As soon as the water hit him, a rush of liveliness came over his body. He swam further and further down into the darkness of the water. 'I don't know why the dark comforts me so much. I just want to forget.' He closed his eyes and took a breath in and then out. When he needed air, Trunks made his way to the surface.

Poking his head out of the water, Trunks swam towards the shore and as he stood, walking onto the sand, he saw his father, cross-armed and waiting for him. "Hello father." He walked passed him as they walked together.

"I'm not sure I want to know why you went swimming with your clothes on."

"I was too lazy I guess." He brought some of the strands out of his eyes. "So, what brings you here?"

"Do you intend to tell Kakarott's brat about your feelings?"

"I don't want to scare him away, although I think I all ready did that today."

"What happened?"

"I kissed his hand."

Vegeta laughed. "A real romantic like your mother."

"Well I wanted to kiss him on the lips because well I all ready kissed him on the lips. Anyway you think I could come over for dinner?"