Ch 50

Cooking dinner at Gohan's house, he looked at his watch. It was 6:30pm, and Goten was almost done with dinner. Setting the table, he was satisfied as he set the plates on the tables along with the drinks and soda for him Pan. "Perfect!" he exclaimed before washing the pots and pans, putting them back in their proper place.

Checking on the cake he made in the fridge, it looked like it held together. He was worried the whole drive over to the house, but he was worried for nothing. Looking at his watch once more, it read 6:45PM. 'Great I have a few minutes to shower and change,' he thought as he raced to the bathroom, bringing his formal clothes with him.

Getting out of the shower, he wrapped a towel around his waist. Looking in the mirror, he saw the fresh bruises and scars that were made last night. Luckily there was no damage to his face so he didn't have to explain anything to his family. They still bothered him, but today was Videl's day. He didn't want to drag his family into his and Trunks' issues.

Fresh and dressed he made his way down the stairs to hear then door opening. Seeing Videl, Gohan, and Pan at the other end, he smiled. "Surprise!" he said along with his brother and niece.

"Oh my God," said Videl as she entered the dining room to see dinner made. "What is all this?"

"Well we thought you deserved a celebration because of your new job," said Gohan. "I know this is something mom would do if she were still with us. Congratulations Videl."

Videl kissed her husband. "Thanks honey," she said as she smiled at her daughter. "This is wonderful."

Dinner was fun as lively conversation went around the table. Goten felt relaxed and happy to spend time with his family. It wasn't the same without his dad, mom, and grandpa, but Goten didn't want to say anything. This was a celebration after all.

"So, how are you and Trunks doing?" asked Videl.

"We're working through our problems."

"I didn't even know you two were having problems," said Gohan.

"It's nothing to worry about. Every relationship has their ups and downs."

"So, what was the problem anyway?" asked Gohan.

"Gohan, it's none of our business," said Videl. "Well I'm glad you two are working things out."

"Me to."

"So, is Trunks coming? I really have to thank him in person for suggesting I run the bakery," said Videl.

"I'm not sure. He said he would, but he gets pretty busy running Capsule."

The doorbell rang. "I'll get it," said Gohan as he got up to answer the door. "Hey Trunks, good to see you."

"Yeah you to Gohan," Trunks said as he closed the door behind him.

"Goten told us it was your idea for Videl to run the bakery."

"It was nothing really. Goten hired her, so you should probably be thanking him."

"Hey you two," said Pan. "Dinner's getting cold so get over here."

"We shouldn't keep them waiting," said Gohan as they came into the dinning room and sat down.

"I wanted to thank you Trunks," said Videl. "It's been a blast working at the bakery, and it's partly because of you."

"Hey I only suggested it to Goten. He did the rest."

"Anyway I'm just glad we could all be here together," said Videl.

"Me to mom," said Pan.

Videl insisted on doing the dishes and would not take no for an answer. She accepted Pan's help when she asked as Gohan, Goten, and Trunks moved to the living room to relax. Gohan noticed the tension between his brother and Trunks. They sat further away from each other on the couch.

"All right, what's going on between you two?" asked Gohan. "Something feels off."

"It's nothing to concern yourself with," said Goten. "It's typical relationship stuff."

"Goten, you're not a very good liar," said Gohan.

"We're grown men. We don't have to tell you everything that goes on between us," said Trunks. "I think you should drop it."

"You may be grown men, but you're both acting like defensive brats. I'm not here to judge you. I just want to help if I can. We're family. We've been through a lot together."

"What are you, a therapist?" said Trunks. "If we want to talk about what's going on between us, it's our decision not yours Gohan." Trunks got up along with Goten,

"You two aren't going anywhere," said Videl, who came into the room. "There's a really bad storm raging outside, and you're both staying here. No arguments," she said and they nodded. "I set up the guest room for you tonight," she said and then she looked to her husband who she could tell was in deep thought about something. She'd ask him about it later.

It was late as Trunks and Goten entered the guest room and got ready for bed, using some spare clothes that Videl offered the boys to sleep in. Lying in the bed together, they couldn't be farther apart. Silence filled the dark room as Trunks found himself lying on his back, looking over to his mate whose back was to him.

"This isn't working Goten. I don't want to fight with you. I don't want to hurt you, and I don't know what to do," he said as he felt some movement on the bed.

Goten turned his body to face his mate. "Doesn't it hurt you to Trunks?"

"You want the truth."

"Yes."

"You're not going like it," he said as he looked into the eyes of his mate and then looked away. He sighed. "I'm half-saiyan so a part of me likes the violent sex we have together. I don't like hitting you, but I like when you hit me. I was kind of shocked when I found this out about myself, and it's not something I'm proud of, but it's true."

"I know that couldn't have been easy to tell me Trunks, but I don't understand why I don't like the violent sex. i don't like when you hit me, and I'm half-saiyan to."

"We're different people chibi. What seems logical to me is that I was brought up with my father around. He's had influence on my raising. Your father didn't come into the picture until you were seven. Even though your brother is also saiyan, my father is a full blooded saiyan. My father was born into violence. I'm his blood."

"I think it's more likely that we're different people, and you do make a good point. We were raised differently and that influences who we are today. "I just—Goten sat up in bed, "I don't know what to do about this either. We're bonded for life. There's nothing we can do about it," said Goten as he lied back down, facing away from his mate.

"The only way to break the bond is to kill ourselves, and we can't do that. We're not far gone enough. Plus it would bring a lot of pain to our families. We have to live with this Goten," Trunks said, looking at his mate's back. "I've said sorry so many times it can't mean anything anymore. I love you chibi. Goodnight," he said as he lied down and faced away from his mate.

Some time during the night, Trunks felt a warmth on his back that vibrated his body. He knew it was Goten, and he knew he was crying into his back with his arms around his waist. "I love you to," he heard Goten whisper.

Trunks felt his mate's pain, and he turned around to face his mate. Caressing his tear streaked face, he smiled sadly. "Maybe we can just hold each other in the night with no expectations of sex."

"O—ok," Goten hiccuped as he hurried his face in Trunks' clothed chest while his strong arms wrapped around his trembling body. He felt himself calm down, and he felt the tears dry on his face. He felt Trunks' words whisper in his ear, lulling him into sleep. He remembered Trunks' warm breath in his ear before sleep took him.