Disclaimer: I Do Not Own DragonBall Z or Any of Its Characters

Crush

By: Nova Starlight

6th Period: Love Never Wanted Me, But I Took It Anyway

Trunks felt as if he had been waiting outside of the locker room for hours, as he watched the players exit. He scanned every face, searching for Goten. The minutes dragged on and it seemed that every one of the players had already gone, except for Goten and Ryoki. "Of course, those two would be together," he grumbled to himself. He could feel his frustration beginning to build again. He had hoped to catch Goten alone and ask him to spend the evening with him, but he guessed this was just how it was anymore. He was just about to go in and see what was taking the two of them so long, when they finally emerged.

As they exited, he watched the way they walked close to each other. It looked like they were whispering to each other and the scene was causing his anger to boil over. Without thinking, he approached the pair quickly, calling Goten's name. He watched as Goten looked at him with shock on his face. His pace seemed to slow and Trunks found himself rushing towards him. He could feel the smile on his face diminish as Goten's expression continued to be one of surprise; with no hint of happiness in sight. As he opened up his mouth to speak he was immediately cut off.

"Trunks! What are you doing here?" Goten demanded.

He tried to tamp down the anger that was returning in a flash at Goten's brisk question. "I did not have any plans, so I thought I would see if you wanted to catch a movie…maybe grab a bite to eat." Goten did not immediately respond, but his eyes darted over to Ryoki and back to Trunks. It was so quick that any normal person would have missed it, but he had seen it. He should take back his offer, make light of it, and let Goten off the hook, but he had no intention of being so gracious. He was tired of being left in the dark about what was happening and if he could not get all the answers he wanted, he would at least make Goten answer this simple question.

"Trunks, I thought I told you to go home," he said abruptly. Then thinking better of it continued, "I mean, I…uh…I already have plans with Ryoki."

His head was telling him to let it go, make his excuses and go home, but he ignored it. "Oh, well what are you two getting into?" he asked casually. "Maybe I could come along?"

Now, Goten's expression was not just shocked, but panicked.

"Sorry Briefs," Ryoki apologized, finally inserting himself into this awkward exchange. "Its just me and Goten tonight." He was smiling with condescension, but at the same time his eyes were watching Goten carefully.

"What the Hell is going on with you two?" he demanded, no longer able to hold back.

Goten looked like a deer caught in headlights. As Trunks observed him, he wanted to reach out for him. He wanted to wrap him in his arms and tell him that he would take care of everything if he would just tell him what was going on. What was this strange friendship between the pair, or was it even that at all? His head was still muddling through all the possibilities, each seeming more ludicrous than the last, while he waited for an answer. He watched as Goten finally hung his head and mumbled something so quiet he could barely make it out. The only word he had heard was 'date.' He took a deep breath, still attempting to calm himself, and asked, "What did you just say?"

Ryoki interjected again,, the smug look of confidence slipping just a little from his face, "He said, I set us up on a double date with some girls." Trunks and Goten both turned to stare, but Goten quickly recovered.

"Yeah," he asserted. "Ryoki has this girl he wants to go out with but he had to find someone for her friend." He gave Ryoki a quick appreciative glance. What would he do without him at times like this? He could only hope that his embellishment was believable. When he turned back to Trunks he could not peg the expression on his face; he seemed both angry and hurt. It did not make any sense to him. Why was Trunks even here? He should be off with Miki charming the panties off of her. So, why was he standing here looking offended by Goten going on a date. He could just imagine Trunks' reaction if he knew the truth about his date. It was this thought that spurred him into action. He reached for Ryoki and began pulling him along while he said, "Well, we better get going or we are going to be late. See you later Trunks."

Goten did not look back until they had reached Ryoki's car. The look on Trunks' face was like a punch to his gut. He knew that he did not owe Trunks any explanations, but he felt like he was cheating. He forced himself to look away and try to concentrate on what Ryoki had said. Trunks had been on countless dates, had dated nearly every attractive girl at their school, why should he feel guilty? He became so lost in his thoughts that he barely registered that the car had come to a stop in a parking lot. He glanced over at Ryoki and saw that he had a sad, half-hearted, smile on his face. "I can't believe I'm about to say this…" he began, running his fingers through his hair. "But, if you don't want to do this…I can just take you home."

It was an easy out for him. He could tell Ryoki to take him home and give in to this guilt he was feeling, but he shook his head. "No, I want to be here with you," he insisted.

He saw the way that Ryoki's face lit up at his words and it reminded him that he also had the power to hurt someone who cared for him. He smiled back and swore to himself that he would relax and put Trunks out of his mind.

…

Hours later, Goten had no regrets about his decision. He had worried that the entire evening would be awkward, but it was surprisingly comfortable. It seemed that with all their cards on the table, there was nothing to worry over. They had grabbed some fast food and then gone to see a movie, and now they sat in Ryoki's car just talking. He laughed as he thought back on the evening, which caught Ryoki's attention.

"What's so funny?" he asked with a smile.

"I was just thinking, this is supposed to be a date, but it doesn't really feel like one," he replied, still smiling.

"Oh, is that so," Ryoki reflected. "Why do you say that?"

Goten laid back in the seat and put his hands behind his head. "Well…I mean you have not tried to hold my hand…or flirt with me."

Now it was Ryoki's turn to laugh. "I have been trying to flirt with you all evening, but it seems you are oblivious." He moved closer and his voice got lower, huskier, as he continued. "The same way you seem oblivious to just how beautiful and…sexy… you are right now." His eyes flew open in surprise just as Ryoki's lips descended on his own. At the touch of their lips he expected to feel repulsed by someone other than Trunks kissing him, but he felt warm desire spreading through him. Unbidden, a moan rumbled in his throat as Ryoki became more aggressive, slipping his tongue through his lips. Goten had never been kissed before, he had not been prepared for how quickly he was swept away. He could easily push Ryoki away, but his hands seemed to have a mind of their own as they simply rested on his shoulders while their tongues began to duel with one another.

Ryoki pulled back for air and Goten heard another needful little moan escape from his lips. "Well your response is reassuring," Ryoki noted with certainty.

He felt control being returned to him and he quickly moved away. "You kissed me," he observed lamely.

"You were there," Ryoki continued with a laugh. Suddenly, sensing Goten's oncoming panic, his face became serious. "It was just a kiss, and it felt good, right?"

"That's beside the point!" Goten exclaimed.

"And, why exactly is that beside the point?" Ryoki asked. "If you like me, and you like kissing me, then why don't I get a chance to be with you?"

"I'm in love with Trunks! You know that!" He continued, putting more distance between them, till he was pressed right up against the car door. Ryoki was not having any of that. He scooted his body closer to make up the distance and then some.

"Look, I know that you are in love with Trunks," he began with a sigh. "That does not change that I am in love with you." He leaned back and ran his fingers through his hair. He was not able to meet Goten's eyes. "Does it really need to be so hopeless for us? Do you really intend to never care for anyone but him? Even if he never returns those feelings? I'm not asking you to love me, or to be first in your heart, but I am asking if maybe we could be a comfort to each other."

Goten found himself looking away now. Ryoki had a point, as much as he might not want to admit it. When he had considered putting some distance between himself and Trunks, had it not been an attempt to lessen his pain at seeing Trunks with someone else. However, he had never once considered finding someone for himself. Ryoki was attractive, could be charming when he wanted to be, and he was willing to take whatever Goten could offer. Would he ever find anything better? Was this more than he should expect?

He could also not deny that Ryoki's kiss had affected him. He could still feel the hum of electricity that had been coursing through him, and if Ryoki's hands had wondered lower they would have felt the stirrings below his waist. He had never been kissed before, but if that was what kissing felt like with Ryoki he knew that he would not be adverse to more. He glanced back and saw Ryoki's gaze fixed on him waiting for an answer.

…

Trunks was pacing his room like a man in a cage. He had homework he could be working on, tons of books to read, or hundreds of channels on TV he could be watching, but he paced in silence. He could not stop thinking about Goten; where was he? What was he doing right now? Was he hitting it off with that bimbo Ryoki sat him up with? He stopped in his tracks, as he realized he just called some chick he did not even know a bimbo. This was absurd, his reaction to a date. He wondered if Goten had ever felt like this when he had been out on a date or had a girlfriend. "Of course not," he thought to himself. He was acting like a spoiled baby, demanding all of Goten's attention; or maybe jealous ex-girlfriend was a better description. He made his way over to his bed and collapsed onto the mattress. He and Goten were just growing up, and growing apart. He was surprised that he could feel tears coming to his eyes at the thought. He brushed them away and buried his face into his pillow. Monday, would be different. He promised himself that he would control this reaction he was having, to not demand so much of Goten, and only hope that they could stay close.

To Be Continued…

Author's Notes: I apologize for the amount of time it has taken me to post this and the length of the chapter. I blame my work schedule and Animal Crossing Wild World for the DS for my distraction. Thanks for everyone who continues to review and favorite this story for my motivation to keep writing. I have already started typing the next installment and hope to post it by Wednesday.