Ch 14

"We've been to a lot of locations for the restaurant Trunks. They're all great."

"Yeah, I know but I think there's one last location I want to show you. I think you're really going to like it Goten," said Trunks.

"All right but I'm getting hungry soon."

"Don't worry Goten, if you pass out from hunger, I'll carry you to the nearest food establishment," Trunks laughed.

"Ha, ha, you're hilarious. So, where's this location you were talking about?"

"Why hello boys!"

"Hello Mr. Satan," said Trunks.

"Now Trunks, I think we've known each other long enough for you to call me Hercule."

Ok, what's going on?" asked a suspicious Goten.

"Why Goten, didn't Trunks tell you?" asked Hercule.

"Tell me about wh—

"Just wait and see," said Trunks as Hercule and Goten followed him.

"Wow!" said Goten. "So, this is what you wanted to show me. This has got to be the best location for my restaurant. I'll take it," he said as he turned to face Trunks and Hercule. "Thank you both."

"I'm just glad I can help," said Hercule. "I know you're a good kid Goten, and that Rex family can't take that away from you by spreading lies."

"He's right you know," Trunks smirked.

"So, for the plot I was thinking—He felt Hercule's hand on his shoulder.

"Keep what money you have left Son Goten I won't take a penny from you just make this restaurant a success. Besides, you need the money to build the place."

"Oh right, thanks champ," said Goten as he smiled at him. "You don't know what this means to me."

"I would say everything," Trunks smiled. "You deserve it Goten."

Hercule couldn't help but take a look at Trunks. He was relaxed, happy, and had a look in his eyes that he had never seen before. Hanging out with Goten seemed to change Trunks for the better. "Uh boys, if you don't mind me asking. Are you two together?"

"No, why would you say that?" asked Goten as he blushed.

"Well Trunks seems to be happy. When you were living with your mother in the mountains, Trunks seemed cold and detached. I just think you're good for him that's all but being friends is just as good I guess."

Goten looked over at Trunks, who was giving him and Hercule a quizzical look. "What?" said Trunks.

"Are you in love with Goten?" asked Hercule.

"Yes, now can we eat? I'm starving," said Trunks as he walked passed Goten and Hercule.

"So it is true? You've been cheating on my sister with this no good sinner," said Devin.

"No he hasn't, but you and your sister are one to talk about being sinners," said Trunks. "You sleep with anyone that moves, and your sister sleeps with any man that will.

"Oh, you do not want to go there Briefs."

"No, I think I do since you've been spreading hideous lies about my best friend. You're family has been trying to ruin his life, and I'm not about to let it continue."

"Ah, you're a real prince Briefs, standing up for your princess."

"Hey, I am not a—Goten said as he was interrupted.

"Believe me he doesn't need me to stand up for him. He could kick your ass from here to the moon."

Devin laughed. "Are you kidding me? He's a complete weakling. I use to beat the shit out of him in high school. Poor guy wouldn't even out up a fight and lets face it, that's how I like it."

"That's not true."

"Oh really, why don't you ask him yourself Briefs?" Before Trunks could ask Goten about anything, the rest of the Rex family showed up. "Great, this day just keeps getting better," he said as Goten walked up to the Rex family.

"Why?" was all Goten managed to ask.

"No one dumps my daughter and gets away with it," said Henry Rex.

He looked to Henry to Valese. "So, you didn't care about me at all, did you?"

"You're a nice guy Goten. I was really trying with you for my parents' sake. They wanted me to marry a nice guy, but I'm not ready for marriage. Plus, I like masculine men."

"So, this is all about keeping up family appearances? It's about your pride and knocking down anybody who threatens it," said Goten.

"Smart boy, you know I wouldn't have minded having you as a part of my family," said Henry.

"Especially if it means seeing more of you Mr. Briefs," said Ginger.

"You have absolutely no respect for yourself or your family do you, Mrs. Rex?"

"Oh, look whose talking Trunks," said Devin.

"I own up to my mistakes. You and your family sweep yours under the rug."

"I think it's time to go Trunks," said Goten as Trunks nodded as he walked away but stopped in his tracks as he turned to the Rex family.

"Oh, one last thing. If you disrespect Goten or my family again in any way, you'll regret it."

Trunks caught up to Goten and Hercule, who were waiting at a little café. He joined them at a table outside.

"Well that was intense," said Hercule. "You boys handled yourselves well."

"If I learned anything from my mother, it's when to keep my cool. Although she's had her moments," he laughed.

"I'm just naturally level headed," said Goten.

"Are you all right?" asked Trunks.

"I'm hungry. We should eat," said Goten as he called a waiter over.

Hercule left the boys after the meal, saying he had some things to do. The silence between them started to exist until Trunks broke through it.

"Goten, it's more serious than you've been letting on, isn't it?"

"I had to put on a happy face. I didn't want to be sad and miserable all the time. I didn't want anyone to know that I feel like my life is nothing but a waste. My mother only loves me when it serves her needs and grandpa Ox King supports her."

"Why did you let Devin beat you Goten? You're a saiyan."

"I know it's shameful, but I didn't care. In those moments I let my mind go blank. It was easy to think about nothing. I didn't care about what happened to me. Sometimes, I would wish that he had just finished me off. It was a really bad time."

"Why didn't you tell me? You know I would have had your back."

"I can't let you fight my battles for me Trunks. It was my misery, and I wanted to live in it. I managed to put this all behind me when I graduated high school. I decided I was going to be happy for me but as you can imagine, it didn't last very long."

"I don't want to fight your battles for you. I want to be there to fight them right beside you like it's always been. Trunks and Goten."

Goten smiled. "You know my happiest moments were whenever I was with you. Why do you think I was so excited every time I came to your house when we were little?"

"I just thought you were unnatural bubbly," Trunks smiled, "but it's funny because all this time I thought you were this light that came to me to take away the darkness inside me. I was taking away the darkness inside you for a few hours before you had to go home. Kami, I wish I would have known."

"What could you have done? You were eight."

"I would have told my mother for one thing Goten. This didn't have to go on as long as it did!"

"You're angry."

"You were hurting all this time. You're still hurting."

"I'll be all right Trunks. I always get by."

"That's not good enough Goten. Take it from someone who knows. Clubbing hard and sleeping with women was how I got by. It led me to nothing but unhappiness, guilt, and regret."

"Why did you do those things?"

"I thought it could feel this whole inside me. None of those girls could love me and I couldn't love them but they tried. I don't want you to live the rest of your life getting by Goten. You deserve to be happy and the only way to do that is to confront your demons, deal with them, and move on."

"I know you're right Trunks. I guess I should start with my mother."

"I know it won't be easy for you, but you always have my support."

"Always?"

"Even in death, I'll haunt you," Trunks smiled.

"That's not funny Trunks. Shit! How am I supposed to deal with you dying? How is that something I can ever get past?" he said as tears fell from his eyes. "And how can I forget your family? They'll be devastated, and I can't—he felt Trunks grip on his shoulder.

"Lets not think about it now Goten," said Trunks as Goten hugged him tight.

"You'll always be my best friend Trunks."

Trunks stroked Goten's back as he felt himself close his eyes. He just wanted to be in the moment, to be in Goten's warmth and to burry himself in his scent. It was pure ecstasy for him, and he could feel his pupils dilate and his breathing becoming heavy. He had the overwhelming need to take his best friend right here in public.

'That's not what he needs right now but it's what I need. No Trunks, you can't.'