Ch 7

The next day had been a busy day for Trunks. He had meeting after meeting and by the end of the day, he just wanted to get home and pass out on his bed. Before he could open the door to his house, his cell phone began to ring. 'I guess it's too much to ask to be left alone,' he sighed as he answered the call. "Hello, this is Trunks Briefs."

"You heathen!" exclaimed a female voice.

"Chichi."

"You bring my son home this instant. I knew you had something to do with this."

"I'm not convincing him to return to what is clearly a toxic environment. I know what you did to him Chichi, and I won't let you hurt him anymore."

"He's getting married and settling in Mt. Paouz."

"Sounds like you want to control him. You've tricked him into thinking he wants to get married and start a family."

"How dear you accuse me—

"Of the truth. You've damaged your son!"

"And what do you think it will do to my son if he knows your true feelings for him?"

"I don't know what you're—

"Now, who's lying? I know what you feel for my son is wrong. You're a disgusting human being. He belongs home with his family Trunks. Send him home to live his life."

"You can say anything you want about me. There is no way I'm sending Goten away. I can't and won't force him to go back. He makes his own decisions, and he has family here to."

"Please, your mother barely raised you. She gave you anything you wanted and spoiled you rotten."

"You don't know anything about how my mother raised me."

"And your father, don't get me started on him. He was absent for most of your life. How can two troubled people possibly be like family to Goten?"

"Don't talk about my father like that! You don't understand."

"And I don't want to. What I do understand is that you need to move on and let my son have his own life. He'll never feel the way you do about him."

"He's still my best friend Chichi. I won't erase the years I've spent with him, and I will continue to be in his life whether you like it or not. You have nothing to worry about. I will not interfere in any way with Goten's relationship with Valese."

"Fine."

"Goodbye Chichi," Trunks said as he hung up and looked from his phone to see a shocked Gohan and Videl standing not too far from him. "How much did you here?"

"You're in love with my brother?" asked Gohan. "How long?"

"Um, since he was born."

"Awe," said Videl as Trunks blushed. "That is so adorable and unusual. I mean not that you're both guys, but that you fell in love with him at the beginning of his life."

"You're telling me. I was freaked out. I mean I was just a baby myself."

"You haven't said anything Gohan," said Videl.

"Does Goten know?" asked Gohan.

"No, and it has to stay that way. He's marrying Valese. There's no way I want to come between them."

"That's a noble thing to do Trunks," said Gohan.

"Yeah, but I hate that girl," said Videl. "She's so snobby and fake."

"Videl!" said Gohan.

"What? It's true and she's no good for your brother, and you know it," said Videl.

"Hey Gohan, have you ever talked to Goten about Valese?" asked Trunks.

"He seemed happy about the marriage, but I could sense nervousness in him. When I asked him why he was marrying Valese, he said it was because he loves her."

"Gohan, I think your mother has some kind of control over your brother. Did you know she was abusing him?"

"How could you say such a think Trunks? My mother would never—

"Goten told me Gohan. He's been letting your mother use him as a punching bag to take her frustrations of your father out on him."

"Is he insane? Why wouldn't he tell me?"

"He's embarrassed, but I think your mom needs to be in control of his life because her life feels so out of control because of Goku's absence."

"That does sound like your mother Gohan. She always use to mention how similar Goten was to Goku. Your brother is your father's replacement in a way. I think she's also been steering him into the direction of getting married and having a family."

"How did I not see this coming?" asked Gohan.

"Goten's good at hiding when he wants to. He's always been happy, smiley Goten," said Trunks. "I should have seen this coming to."

"It isn't going to do you two any good in blaming yourselves. We need to do something about this. We can't let Goten marry Valese and settle down nearby to Chichi."

"So you don't think Goten and Valese love each other?" asked Trunks.

"No, I think their both doing this to get their parents off their backs. I mean I know Goten likes Valese a lot, but I don't think he'll ever fall in love with her," said Videl.

"We have to talk to Goten," said Trunks as Gohan took out his cell phone.

Gohan dialed his brother's number and waited. "Hello, hey little brother where are you?"

"I'm at the Rex mansion with Valese. What's going on?"

"I need to see you now. I'm at Trunks' and it's important."

"Ok, I'll be there as soon as I can," said Goten as he hung up, disappeared from the mansion, and reappeared in the Briefs living room. "Hey guys, what's going on?"

"Goten, you don't have to marry Valese. You don't love her. You're just letting mom control your life."

"You told them!" yelled Goten to Trunks.

"Chichi called me Goten. They overheard my conversation with her."

"Why would my mom call you?"

"She wanted me to convince you to come home and insulted me and my family in the process. There was no way I was sending you back to your monster of a mother. You know she'll never stop wanting to control you. That's why she wants you to live nearby her house, so she can keep an eye on you, to keep you in line to be good just like Gohan."

"Hey!" exclaimed Gohan.

"No offense," said Trunks.

"I'm not doing what my mother wants and while she is controlling, she can't choose who I marry. That's my decision alone Trunks."

"Ok Goten, but I think you shouldn't settle down near mom's house," said Gohan.

"Believe me I wasn't planning to and I'm grateful for all of your concern, I really am but I'm choosing my own path in life."

"I can respect that Goten," said Gohan. "I just wanted to make sure you were ok."

"You know I'm 25 years old, right?"

"Sometimes it's hard to let go," said Gohan.

Trunks knew the feeling. He was losing the one person he cared about in this world to a woman who didn't even know Goten and probably would never really now the real him. He felt a pain in his chest, and it hurt so much that it ached. He calmed his heart as he faced his best friend. "You know sometimes I forget that you're not seven years old anymore. You're a man. Wow, that's weird to say but you are. I hope you have a happy marriage with Valese."

"Thanks Trunks," he smiled. "It means a lot that you support me."

"Always."

"Uh well we have to get going," said Gohan as he and his wife headed to the door. "Take care you two."

"If you ever need us, you know where we'll be," said Videl.

"Thanks," said Trunks as he closed the door behind the married couple.

"Hey Trunks."

"Yeah Goten," he said as he stretched out on the couch.

"Are you ok?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Your eyes looked sad."

"I think you're confused Goten. I'm happy for you, and I just wanted to make sure you were thinking clearly before you made a big commitment to marry." Trunks watched as Goten kneeled before him.

"You know you're not going to lose me Trunks. I'm getting married, not leaving the country. I'll always be a part of your life."

I know," Trunks laughed. "I just figured we'd grow old together as two single friends."

"Yeah, me to. I never thought I'd ever like girls."

"You ever wish it could have stayed like that?"

"Maybe when I was seven Trunks but it's time to grow up."

"You sound like your mother, Goten."

"Growing up isn't all that bad."

Trunks scoffed. "Maybe not for you but with the life I've lived, it's not all it's cracked up to be. Sometimes I think about just taking a space ship and flying away, taking a break from business."

"That's a good idea Trunks. You deserve a break. I mean from what I hear from your mom, you've worked yourself quite hard."

"I have and after your wedding, I'll take off and explore."

"Wish I could go with you but I know this is something you have to do for you."