Ch 15

The morning was cold as Goten flew towards Mt Paouz. He could have used the instant transmission technique, but he needed the time to think about what he would say to his mother. 'She won't be happy, that's for sure, but it's my life, not hers.' He let out a sigh and let his mind go elsewhere.

The hug between him and Trunks yesterday felt different to him. He felt Trunks fighting his need to be with him, but that's not what surprised him the most. The need was so strong. His longing was almost overwhelming. A blush came to Goten's face just thinking about it. 'Ok, that's enough. I have to concentrate on—oh time to land.'

He was about to knock on his mother's door when Videl came by. "She's not home Goten. She went out with her friends."

"Oh," he sighed in relief.

"Good thing you came by. We're on our way to get a Christmas tree."

"Sounds great," said Goten as he followed her over to her house to see the car running outside with his brother and niece inside.

"Uncle Goten!" Pan said excitedly as she hugged him as soon as he got in the backseat with her.

"Hey Pan, how's it going?" he smiled.

"Great now that's you're here."

"So, what brings you by? Not that we're not happy to see you," said Gohan.

"I—well I have some unfinished business with mom. There are some things about me that she needs to understand."

"You mean that you're in love with Trunks," said Pan.

"Pan!" exclaimed her parents.

"I—I don't know about that," said Goten.

"Don't let mom get in your head. She may be disappointed in your choice of partner, but we're not," said Gohan.

"Yeah and not to mention that you two are just so cute together. I never liked Valese, and I'm realizing I shouldn't have said that out loud. Sorry."

Goten blushed. "Are we there yet?"

There were many trees to pick from and no one could agree on one until a tree caught all of their eyes. It was tall and full but not too full.

"It's perfect papa!" exclaimed Pan as Gohan lifted the tree to purchase in the long line ahead of them.

"I guess everyone decided to buy a tree today," said Videl.

"It is a nice night," said Goten as he looked at the stars to see Trunks flying by. 'What is he doing here? I just hope he doesn't see us,' he thought as he looked away. He looked back up and didn't see Trunks. 'Well that was—

"Hey Goten!"

"Ah!" He said as he jumped.

"Whoa, calm down. It's just me Goten," said Trunks.

"What are you doing here?" asked Goten.

"I just need to be near you. It's one of those crazy saiyan feelings or it could be human. Sometimes I can't tell the difference."

"Well," Videl walked up to the two demi-saiyans. "Whose ready to decorate the tree?

"Yeah! I'll go get the decorations," said an excited Pan as she rushed upstairs.

"So, will you two being staying the night. It's not often we have people stay over? I'm sure your brother would appreciate Goten," said Videl.

"Sure, you've guilted us into it," said Goten as he made himself comfortable on the couch in the living room.

"Is he ok?" asked Videl.

"I think he's got a lot on his mind," said Trunks, "and I think I make him feel a little uncomfortable."

"You just care about him that's all. I'm sure he'll come around. I know he cares about you a great deal."

"Yeah, as a friend," said Trunks.

"I think his mother has been inside his head too long Trunks. I'm sure once he confronts her, he'll feel a weight has been lifted off his shoulders."

"I'm going to go over to the house and get some pajamas. I'm sure I left some of my clothes in my room," said Goten as he walked out the door.

Looking around in his room, he realized nothing had changed accept what he had taken with him. Opening his closet, he discovered Christmas sweaters from every year. 'Kami, they're hideous,' he thought as he went through some clothes until he came across some pajamas. 'I'm sure Trunks will need some. I wonder what he sleeps in? Probably in the nude,' he blushed. 'No! Bad Goten, very bad!'

"Goten."

He came out of his thoughts to see Devin in his room. "What are you doing here? How did you get in here?"

"I'm sorry, but I had to see you. I—

"You don't care about me. I don't care about you. If you don't leave me alone, I will use force."

Devin chuckled. "It's cute that you think you can hurt me."

"I was acting weak. I let you beat me because I had low self-esteem. I didn't care about myself."

"Well, then let me care for you."

"This is your last warning Devin. Walk away now."

"Now why would I do that? We're here alone in your room. It's a great opportunity to—

"Get the crap beaten out of you," said Trunks. "I won't hesitate Devin. I thought I told you to leave him alone. Do I have to beat it through your thick skull in order for you to get the message?"

"Fine, you win for now Trunks," said Devin as he walked out.

"Trunks, I was handling it."

"Great, next time don't hesitate to throw a fucking punch!"

"Typical Trunks, throw punches now and ask questions later."

"You can't keep giving people chances to change. Odds are they won't."

"I didn't want to cause more trouble. What do you think the Rex family would do if their son came home beaten to a pulp?"

"And what would have happened if I wasn't here?"

Goten lied awake in bed. 'What would have happened if he didn't show up? I mean wouldn't have let that creep—no, no of course not I would have thrown a punch, he thought as he rolled around on the bed. 'Right?'

A knock interrupted his thoughts, and he knew who it was based on smell. "Come in Trunks," he said as the lavender-haired man entered the room.

"You couldn't sleep either," said Trunks as he sat on the bed.

"Too much on my mind. I'm talking to my mom tomorrow," he said as he sat beside Trunks. "I've never felt so nauseous with the butterflies in my stomach at the same time."

"I'm sure you'll do fine Goten, just remember who you are at the core."

"Boy wouldn't it be easy if I just let you talk to her about me. You seem to know me better than I know myself."

"Believe me it sounds better coming from you. Plus you're mom is kind of scary."

Goten smiled. "True, the last thing I want is for you to be in the middle. This is my battle I guess you can call it. I have to face it alone and know those on the other side will either love and accept me as I am or hate me."

Trunks shook his head and laughed. "I don't why anyone would hate you Goten. You're the kindest most gentle soul I know."

"Uh thanks Trunks," he blushed. "So, what kept you up?" He asked as he looked at the bare chest of his friend, "and why are you not wearing a shirt? It's winter."

"I was wondering when you'd get to that. I don't get easily cold like you Goten. I'm more relaxed without constrictions on my body. I chose to wear boxers and pants as courtesy to your family. I'm sure no one wants to see me walking out of my room naked to go to the bathroom."

Goten blushed as he tried to get the image out of his head. "Anyway, why are you up?"

"I could feel you were in distress, so I—

"Ok, you really need to stop doing that Trunks."

"I can't help it Goten. As a dominant saiyan, I want to watch over you and make sure you're all right.

"We're not even mated. How is this feeling so strong in you?"

"Well the closer I am to you, the stronger the need."

"How do you stand it? I mean if this proximity is bothering you so much maybe I should—

"I crave the closeness to Goten. That's why I'm here."

"What does it feel like?"

"Warm fuzzy, and kind of like you're wrapped up in a soft blanket."

"Wow, that sounds nice."

"It is, but it's kind of painful at the same time."

"I'm sorry Trunks. The last thing I want to do is cause you pain. It's just—

"It's ok. I mean the last thing I'd want to do is to force you into anything you don't want. It's a good thing we're not full blooded saiyans or else I'd just take you without a second thought. Dad said it's just something about the full blood in a saiyan that is different than half blood."

"You and your dad talk a lot."

"Yeah, it's pretty new to both of us. Anyway do you want me to stay the night?"