Disclaimer: I do not own DragonBall Z or any of its characters.

"Crush"

By: Nova Starlight

4th Period: I'm Hopelessly Hopeful, That You're Just Hopeless Enough

When the bell rang signaling the end of the lunch period, Goten had been very tempted to skip the rest of his classes for the day, but he resisted the temptation. Skipping his classes was not going to solve his problems, only compound them. He would have to deal with Trunks soon enough and its not like there would be much opportunity for talking anyway. Ryoki had smiled as they had parted and Goten had to admit that he had felt himself blushing in response. What was happening to him? He was in love with Trunks, so why did Ryoki make him feel this way. Maybe it was just the excitement of knowing that someone noticed him. He had to admit that he had always felt invisible next to Trunks; who was so intelligent, handsome, and charming, that he drew all the eyes in the room. Though he had felt this way, he had never really begrudged him all that attention until now. What did it all mean?

In the classroom, Trunks was sitting at the desk beside his own and had a indescribable look on his face. Trunks's assigned seat in their class was one row over from where he was currently sitting, but it seemed the teacher was not paying any special notice that he had switched seats. Damn, it looked like there really would be no escaping this. He took a seat with a sigh and was promptly passed a note. He opened it and read,

Where were you at lunch?

There was no reason not to tell him the truth, so he took his pen and scribbled his reply.

I had lunch in the gym with Ryoki.

Trunks had seemed to relax as Goten had been writing his response, but as he opened the note and read, his expression returned to one that Goten had never really seen before. If he had not known better, he would have said that Trunks seemed angry that he had eaten lunch with Ryoki.

He wrote his response and passed it back

Why? I waited at our table for you. I sat there by myself.

Goten was surprised. Why had Trunks sat there alone, Goten was sure that he would have invited Miki to sit there like he had the day before. Now that he thought about Trunks sitting there alone, he began to feel guilty about running off. Maybe this getting distance was a bad idea. Was it possible that Trunks needed him as much as he needed Trunks? He was not sure what to say, sitting there with the pen held above the paper.

I'm sorry.

When Trunks took back the note, the hard lines of his face seemed to soften and the anger faded from his expression. Goten watched him write and then refold the paper and pass it back.

It's ok, I just don't understand what's going on with you. Come over after school, we can hang out like old times.

Goten was not sure what to say. His gut reaction was to accept. To spend the evening with Trunks, laughing, joking, and being best friends again. His plan to put some distance between them was already blowing up in his face. Should he just abandon ship and go back to the way things were? An image of Ryoki's face flashed in his mind and he realized that would be impossible for him. He felt guilty for using Ryoki and the soccer team as a way of separating himself from Trunks. He knew that things would still be awkward due to Ryoki's feelings, but he would not just cut and run from this. He was already running away from Trunks. He sighed and picked up his pen.

I told Ryoki that I would go to soccer practice, but you could come watch me. Then afterwards, I could spend the night and we could hang out.

He looked back at the couple of sentences he had written and considered scribbling through the part about staying the night. He had only spent the night with Trunks once since he had realized his feelings. It had been tense and awkward and he had practically run out the door the following morning. Now, he felt that he needed to extend the offer. He did not really understand Trunks's reaction to Ryoki, but at the moment he wanted both of them to be a part of his life. The issue would be working out how that could even be possible. He observed Trunks's reaction as he read the note and was happy to see that he did not seem upset at the idea.

Sure, want to get some pizzas afterwards?

That was all Trunks had to say? He looked over at Trunks and smiled. Maybe this was going to be easier than he thought.

…

When Goten walked out on to the field later, he was surprised to see how the members of the team all enthusiastically waved at him and called his name. At the sound of his name, he saw Ryoki's face snap up from the clipboard he had been looking over and his face lit up with a smile. He had to admit, Ryoki was attractive. Obviously, he found Trunks to be much more attractive, but Ryoki's looks had never stood out to him before. Now, he found himself studying the short dark hair that framed his chiseled face. His piercing green eyes seemed to become aware of his observation and Goten quickly looked away. He had a strange feeling of being watched, and spared a quick glance at the small set of bleachers beside the field. Trunks's gaze met his own and he waved.

Practice went smoothly for a while, he was able to control his power and pass the ball off to his teammates occasionally. Goten never would have guessed that there were two pairs of eyes watching him closely throughout practice. Whenever he made a goal, he could hear Trunks cheering him on. The happiness that filled him, left him feeling lighter than air. He knew how Trunks felt about sports and other competition with normal people, but despite it all, here he was encouraging him from the stands. He kicked the ball into the net effortlessly, and looked back to Trunks. Instead of cheering for him, he was wrapped up in his conversation with Miki. Goten saw red for a moment and as the ball was kicked back to him, he unleashed some of his anger and sent the ball flying. The teammates and everyone watching stopped and seemed to be stunned and speechless. "Guess, I don't know my own strength," he laughed to himself as he ran his fingers through his hair. "I'll get it."

He did not dare to look back at Trunks again, for fear of what his response would be. Suddenly, he sensed someone walking behind him and when he turned he was surprised that Ryoki was the one following him. "I don't think it requires two people to get a soccer ball," he snapped back.

Ryoki seemed a little hurt by Goten's response but was quick to defend himself, "Thought it might take two people to find the damn thing, with the force you kicked it." Goten did not say anything and turned away from him. He kept walking towards where he had seen the ball land and tried his best to ignore Ryoki. "You that jealous of Briefs talking to girls?" Ryoki asked finally.

Goten sucked in a deep breath and exhaled trying to calm himself. He had to say that when it came to Ryoki, he never seemed to know what to expect. After his little calm and collected love confession that morning, he had not expected him to be so confrontational now. His frustration was apparent as he asked, "What is with your attitude?"

"What? You think you are the only one who gets jealous when they see the object of their affection looking at someone else?" he demanded. Goten could feel himself blushing and turned away hoping Ryoki would not see. At that moment, he spied the soccer ball and went running over to grab it. He did not respond to Ryoki's question and instead rushed back to the field; leaving Ryoki behind.

It would have been impossible for anyone else in the stands to have seen the exchange between Ryoki and Goten, but Trunks was able to see everything. He could not make out what they had been saying, but he could see how angry and frustrated Goten and Ryoki both seemed to be as they spoke. What had happened? He had been briefly speaking with Miki, who it seemed had followed him out to the field, and when he looked up Goten had kicked the ball off into the distance. He had simply shook his head at the sight. If he was not careful, Goten was going to be discovered.

He watched as Goten came back on to the field and practice seemed to resume without a hitch. The only thing missing was Ryoki, who was slowly walking back. Trunks had to admit, that he did not really understand the sad, lonely, look that was now plastered all over his face. What had Goten said to him? What had he said to Goten? Trunks was still very curious about Goten's motivations for joining the soccer team, and intended to get the truth from him tonight. He was pulled from his thoughts as he realized that Miki had taken a seat next to him and was talking about something or other. For the most part when he had been talking to a girl, he was usually very attentive. But with Miki, he found himself pretending to pay attention and losing interest quickly.

He was relieved when the practice finally ended and found himself quickly telling Miki goodbye as he bounded down the bleachers to the field. Though he had rushed off, he found himself standing outside of the locker room and waiting nearly fifteen minutes for Goten to come back out. As the players exited, he realized that Goten was the last to leave with Ryoki right on his heels.

"Hey Goten!" he called out. "You ready to go?" Goten gave him a beaming smile, and Trunks felt a little jolt run through him. His brain was questioning his response, but his body was too busy reacting. He grabbed Goten's hand and began pulling him towards his car. "Come on, lets get back to my house and order pizza." Goten was still all smiles as he pulled him along. He was not sure what motivated him, but as Goten got into the passenger seat of his car, he glanced back at Ryoki. His eyes seemed to burn with a fire and his mouth was set in a firm frown. What was his problem? Suddenly, his face lit up with a smile and Trunks looked to Goten to see that he was waving at him. He was still so confused, he did not understand this at all.

Goten had seen the way that Ryoki watched the two of them, with anger in his eyes. He was not sure who Ryoki was more upset with him or Trunks. When he had waved, he had been happy to see his face becoming lit up with a smile. He knew his own smile had to be beaming. There might be some who would have considered him pathetic, but he enjoyed every moment he had alone with Trunks. As they drove along, he allowed his head to fall back against the seat and his eyes drifted close. "Don't fall asleep on me," Trunks admonished him. "I know you are not exhausted from practice."

"Ha Ha," he retorted. "I'm just relaxing during the car ride."

As Goten rested, Trunks found that he had trouble concentrating on driving. Just as the day before, when he had found himself staring at Goten's lips in class, his eyes were fixed on him. At every red light, stop sign, and every time they were stopped in traffic, his gaze returned to Goten's relaxed face. He was struck by just how good looking Goten really was. Though they were closed at the moment, he knew that behind those closed lids, were dark, mysterious, eyes. His lips looked soft and were open slightly as his head laid back. Trunks was glad to finally see his house up ahead and tried to get himself under control.

…

Goten had gone up to Trunks's room alone, while he was downstairs ordering pizzas. It sounded strange, but as he looked around he was seeing the room with new eyes. Trunks had been in this room since he was a baby, but it had definitely changed in recent years. He could almost see the poster of Hercule, they had used as a dartboard when they were kids. Now in that space was a photo of some sexy model in a bikini, looking over her shoulder seductively. He blushed as he looked at it, his mother would have hit him over the head with something heavy if he had ever considered putting up a picture like that on the wall. From the plain bed sheets to the well organized books that ordained the walls, it was easy to see that Trunks room looked more like the room of an adult than his did.

He sighed and fell back onto his bed. Immediately, he regretted his decision as he caught the faint traces of Trunks scent on those sheets and longed to bury his face into them. He asked himself why he was doing this. It was obvious from the poster on the wall, and the rumors floating around their school, that Trunks had a perfectly normal teenager's libido and plenty of girls willing to accommodate him. With a inward groan, he rolled over onto his stomach and found his face buried in those soft sheets. At times like these, he considered that fate could be one hell of a bitch. Making the love of his life his best friend, his confidante, and totally out of his reach. All of a sudden, he felt more than heard Trunks enter the room.

"Okay, if you don't get out of bed, I'm going to be worried about you," Trunks called out and then jumped onto the bed next to him.

Goten sprang up and off of the bed, as quickly as he could. "I guess you're right. I should probably go ahead and grab one of the spare futons for me to sleep on tonight," he countered.

Trunks gave him a strange, questioning, look. "Why do you need a futon?" he asked. With a sweep of his arms he continued, "Look at this monstrosity my parents call a bed. There is plenty of room for the two of us."

Goten could only hope the panic he felt at that second was not showing on his face. "Are you sure?" he asked with a slightly nervous laugh. "I mean aren't we a little old to be sleeping in the same bed?"

"Says who?" Trunks challenged. "Come on Chibi, it'll be like when we were kids."

Damn, Goten could feel his heart start pounding as Trunks used his pet name for him. He knew he should be insistent and go get a futon from Bulma, but what could it really hurt? he tried to reassure himself. He sat back down on the edge of the bed, while Trunks remained lying there. His heart was still pounding out of control and he could feel himself becoming flushed. Sometimes, he wished he could take back his knowledge of his feelings for Trunks and return to blissful ignorance. Did Trunks feel like this around girls? One glance at his relaxed form and the way he was smiling so beautifully and he doubted it. Trunks was always so effortlessly charismatic with women. It was quiet between them for a few moments before Trunks spoke again. "So you going to tell me why you are suddenly interested in school sports, or am I supposed to guess?"

"What's it matter?" Goten asked in response.

Trunks did not want to argue and he could sense the anger in Goten's response. It just made less and less sense the more he thought about it. He did not get why Goten was being so defensive about it. He wanted to push him, to make him tell him the truth, but he held himself back. He hated that Goten was keeping secrets from him but there was nothing he could do. Everything was quiet once again and then he heard Goten sigh and he fell back on to the bed beside him. He could feel the warmth radiating from his body and felt a familiar little jolt run through him. It was the same feeling as when he had held his hand earlier. As he thought back on that moment, his fingers inched slowly towards him. When his fingers gently brushed against Goten's he seemed to realize just what he had been doing and pulled them back quickly.

"Trunks…" Goten began, "I want to ask you something."

He could feel a lump in his throat, his nerves were starting to feel on edge. Trunks was experienced with girls, so he knew what this feeling taking over his body was. What he did not understand, was why being close to Goten was suddenly affecting him this way. "Yeah?" he managed to get out in a low, calm, voice.

"What's it like when you are with girls?" he asked.

Trunks eyes searched out Goten's face and observed his face was crimson with embarrassment.

"What do you mean? You mean sex?" he asked incredulously.

Goten sat up quickly and looked away. "Never mind, this is too embarrassing," he snapped.

Trunks sat up and turned Goten's face towards him. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about," he assured him. "We're friends right?" Goten just nodded but he still seemed unable to meet Trunks's eyes. Though in truth as he cleared his throat to continue speaking, he found his own gaze drifting down to the floor. "What do you want to know?"

"How many girls have you had sex with?" Goten asked bluntly.

"Four," He responded quickly.

"Only four?" Goten exclaimed. When Trunks looked at him in surprise, he blushed even brighter.

Trunks could not stop himself from laughing. "Man, those rumors about me at school really get out of hand, don't they? How many girls did you think I had slept with?"

"Let's just say it was more than four," he mumbled.

"Anything else you want to know?" he asked, unaware of the hint of eagerness that slipped into his voice.

"Are you planning to…with Miki?" Goten asked against his better judgment.

"Why? You like her?" Trunks questioned. "You know if you like her, I won't go near her."

"No!" Goten insisted. "I'm just curious."

"Well…" Trunks started as if he were still thinking it over. "We'll see how it goes. I am thinking about asking her out. Maybe I'll get lucky." He had smiled at him as he said this, but when he looked at Goten, he looked almost disappointed. Maybe he really did have a thing for Miki. It flashed in his brain and suddenly it all made sense. He had invited Miki to sit with them, she had been openly flirting with him, and then Goten had left the room. Then he had not shown up for lunch the next day. He had seemed surprised that Trunks had eaten lunch alone; had he expected that Miki had been there to keep him company? Damn, Goten must have the hots for her. "Hey, let's go downstairs and see if the pizzas arrived," he suggested to change the subject.

Throughout the rest of the evening, he tried to keep the topic of conversation away from girls and relationships, hoping to spare Goten's feelings. He felt a little dense looking back on it all now. Of course, Goten would be interested in Miki, she was probably one of the most beautiful girls in school. Despite that, she still just did not seem like the type of girl that Goten would go for. With that thought, he honestly could not really visualize what type of girl would interest Goten. It was an idea that he could not get out of his head, and was driving him crazy. What did Goten find attractive? It was still on his mind, when they settled down to sleep that night.

It was harder for him to fall asleep with Goten's warmth beside him in bed. He was overly sensitive to every toss and turn as Goten restlessly tried to get comfortable. He laid on his side, turned away from Goten and tried to count sheep in his head. What seemed like hours after he finally heard the gentle snoring from behind him in bed, he finally succumbed to sleep.

To Be Continued…

Author's Notes: Wanted to extend my continued thanks and appreciation to all the readers of this story. Please Review, the positive feedback keeps me motivated.