Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or the characters

It was another day at the precinct. Trunks had felt a pit in his stomach the entire morning, and his uneasiness didn't lessen, even when he was at his normally comforting job. He knew it was probably just his anxiety, but when he saw Kakarot and Raditz in the station with his father, he knew something was wrong.

"What are they all doing here?" Mai asked as she approached her boyfriend.

"I know Dad was coming to fill out some paperwork to set up his employment and start date." Trunks's eyes landed on a concerned Kakarot. "But I have no idea what they're doing here."

The two officers got closer to the group to listen in, but they didn't make their presence known.

"There was another mob family we've never heard of?" Vegeta asked, surprised.

"Whoever it is, he's up-and-coming," Raditz stated. "I'm trying to track down information, but I haven't found a name, just rumors. He had nothing on Frieza's resources, barely any followers, but it seems like the last year was enough for him to gain a following."

Vegeta turned to his best friend. "How do you figure in to this?"

Kakarot released a shaky breath. "I don't, not really. Just…Goku showed up last night trying to recruit me into it. There was something different about him, more unhinged. I don't know what he's been up to this past decade, but…"

"Stay away from him, if possible, Kakarot," Raditz warned. "He may be our brother, but he will kill you." Kakarot became alarmed. Raditz held up his hand to continue. "He tried to make me the same offer years ago, but I was working for Vegeta, and I wasn't going to leave my friend behind."

"I appreciate that," Vegeta announced.

Trunks couldn't believe what he was hearing. It was like his worst nightmare had followed him to work this morning. He already suspected it when he met Kakarot, his face shocking but less sinister than he remembered.

As if on autopilot, Trunks's acting skills kicked in. Even Mai was startled when he moved forward.

"Sounds like a bad situation," Trunks spoke up, earning the attention of his father and father's friends. "If you'd like, we can help you investigate. Maybe I should go undercover again." What am I saying?!

Vegeta glowered at his son, but in comparison to Trunks's girlfriend flicking him in the chest, he held no power.

"Need I remind you how you got shot point blank by Frieza?" Mai berated. "The hearing was televised. People saw you! Going undercover…you can't do it again, Trunks."

"It doesn't mean that they saw me," Trunks mentioned, even though he knew it was a fruitless effort. There was no way he ever could infiltrate this family, not when he knew that Kakarot's twin could identify him. Even Trunks couldn't understand why he was putting on this big production. Maybe he was trying to mislead his family so they wouldn't know what he suffered. "Before then, my name was kept out of everything, just in case I was ever needed to go undercover again."

Mai could not understand why Trunks was being so illogical. She looked into his eyes with skepticism. She wanted desperately to ask what he was thinking, but Vegeta took over.

"Didn't you promise your mother only deskwork, minor crimes, and stakeouts?" Vegeta challenged. "Interviewing witnesses and all that?"

Trunks deflated and nodded. "I did, but what if this guy comes after us. I need to make sure we're all safe. W… what did you say the guy's name was again?"

"Our brother's name is Goku," Raditz informed the detective. "Goku Black, he calls himself now."

That did it, and Trunks's carefully constructed façade shattered. He blanched and turned away abruptly, confusing everyone, his father especially. Trunks breathed in shuddering breaths. He tried to swallow, but it felt like he was swallowing glass.

The three men and Mai all looked at each other. "Trunks," Kakarot called out. "What's wrong?"

Trunks shook his head. How did he think he could play off his trauma and pretend he didn't know the kind of evil they were talking about? His shoulders were squared and tense. Memories afflicted him. He jumped when he felt Mai's hand on his shoulder, and he was sure she was putting two and two together.

Trying to play it off was foolish. All Trunks could really do now was be honest.

"The day we met, I knew you looked familiar, Kakarot," Trunks weakly admitted. "But your eyes… They didn't look like his. You're a friend of my family's, so I really tried not to let you see how much you affected me at gatherings."

"What do you mean?" Kakarot asked, confused.

Trunks turned to the others in the room, and he looked miserable, haunted even. The fear he felt was written all over his face. "I… I was lying before. I knew going undercover won't help, but I didn't want any of you to know. I… I know Black. I…I know him."

Trunks hardly spoke the rest of his shift. Even after Vegeta was finished with his paperwork, he stuck close by to his son. He could see how frightened he was, like a beaten dog that was tightly wound and would snap at any second. Everything was starting to make sense to Vegeta. He knew he was on anti-anxiety medication, but Trunks had yet to tell him about it. Seeing Trunks's reaction to the name of Kakarot's brother, and putting together that along with Mai's words when she and Vegeta first met, he could only assume that at least one of Trunks's past cases was more brutal than Frieza, and Goku Black was the cause.

Vegeta never got along with Goku. In the Son family, there was always love and peace. Bardock, even though he hated Vegeta's father, was kind to Young Vegeta. He took all four boys fishing, but Goku always kept to himself. Except when he put worms in Vegeta's hair knowing he had an irrational fear. Goku tormented Vegeta, but he was Kakarot's twin, so he just kept his distance as much as he could.

All Vegeta could think now was what the hell that bastard could have done to his son.

Although Trunks tried to pretend hearing about Goku was a first-time thing, there was a bit of truth in one of the things he said. It stuck out to Vegeta, a moment where the boy's voice cracked.

"What did you mean when you said you needed to make sure we were all safe?"

Trunks stiffened and seemed like he was about to jump out of his seat. It pained Vegeta to see that his son was so on edge. Maybe he should have brought up Trunks's medication when he found it. Perhaps Trunks would have told him about his past case long ago if he did.

"Dad, please," Trunks begged. "Not here. I… No one else can know about this, and if I tell you… I'll only be able to do it once. I've never…"

Vegeta's hardened gaze softened. He was never there when Trunks was growing up, and he never expected to see him in such a vulnerable state in adulthood. He remembered times where he hugged his kid brother and stayed with him on the nights he was terrified of the monsters under his bed. He wished he could comfort his child, dispel the horrors from his mind. Instead, Vegeta was helpless.

"If you can only tell it once, everyone needs to be aware," the father hesitantly voiced. He noticed Trunks's body tremble. "We can do it tonight. If you're…ready for that."

Trunks shook his head; tears filled his eyes. "I can't. I just can't. You…you don't know."

"I want to know, son. Let us help you."

Again, Trunks shook his head vigorously. Whether it was to shake away the fear, deny his father's assistance, or out of distrust that anyone could help him, one thing was clear. Trunks was shaken to his very core, and whatever he went through devastated him. It was also clear that Trunks never voiced what happened to him to anyone he trusted. He was battling his trauma alone.

Vegeta could see himself in Trunks. It's what led him to push Bulma away back when she was in college or when he stopped telling Kakarot personal information. Vegeta became a loner, just like Trunks, and fought his battles in isolation. It was time for this pattern to end and for secrets to come to light.

"You aren't alone anymore," Vegeta attempted again. Trunks's eyes cut him like a sharp knife. It was almost as if he couldn't believe the veracity or accept that he had a system to support him. "We are a family, and whatever it is, we'll get through it together."

"If you knew what I had to do and what I had to endure, it would make you sick," Trunks declared hopelessly. "If Mom knew… If Kuriza knew… They'd never be the same. Kuriza would never forgive himself if he knew the kind of risks I had to take before his father."

Vegeta placed a comforting hand on his son's shoulder and squeezed it. "They would want to know, Trunks. They'd feel worse that you were trying to hide it. I…found your medication." Trunks eyes widened in realization. "I know you are suffering. I don't want you to suffer this way alone."

Trunks buried his face against his hands and groaned miserably. "This is such a mess."

"Then we'll clean the mess up together."

A sigh escaped the young officer. It seemed he was on the way to accepting his defeat. "You won't let this go, will you?"

"Not if you're in danger or hurting," Vegeta replied with a tone that left no room for argument. "From what you've already said, I can tell it's both."

Trunks didn't want to agree. To be honest, he'd hoped Goku Black would forever remain in prison and would be a distant memory. His family would look at him so differently if they knew what Trunks did in the past. He never wanted them to know the terrifying details. Even so, it seemed like there was little choice now that Black was back on the streets. They needed to know what they were up against.

With a tone of defeated resolution, Trunks asked, "What time's dinner?"

When Vegeta called everyone over to his apartment for dinner, everyone could tell something was off. If his tone hadn't been an indication, the looks on his and Trunks's faces were. Trunks sat at the dining room table, his eyes glossy and unfocused. His fist on the table and jaw were clenched tight. He was not the same carefree youth he normally was.

Raditz and Kakarot already had some idea as to what this was about. They exchanged wary glances with their friend, but Vegeta could not look them in the eye. He could hardly look at Bulma, even when she asked him what this was all about.

Kuriza and Goten sat down at the table across from Trunks and hoped to pull him out of the mood he seemed to be in. When Mai entered the apartment, the last of their group, she sat down beside Trunks and placed her hands on his arm and shoulder, a supportive pillar for whatever was about to happen.

Trunks's head dropped. He felt so weak, but he needed to pull himself together. He needed to get through this. "You're probably wondering why Dad called you all here tonight."

"What's up, kid?" Nappa asked with concern. "You're not looking so good."

"I'm not," Trunks reluctantly admitted. His guilt-ridden eyes met those of his best friend. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?" Kuriza asked, brows furrowed.

Instead of answering, Trunks placed a bottle of pills on the table. No one understood what was going on until Trunks said, "These are anti-anxiety pills. I've been taking them since the end of my last case, the one before Frieza."

Mai leaned her head on Trunks's shoulder. Her boyfriend never voiced what happened, but she knew he suffered from it. He wanted to pretend whatever happened didn't, so she let him keep his secrets. Now, it seemed everything would come to light, and she wanted him to know she'd be by his side through it.

"There was a man far, far worse than Frieza," Trunks began. "His name was Zamasu. He was in charge of a big drug cartel. Special Agent Gowasu was the FBI agent in charge of bringing Zamasu to justice, but he needed someone to go undercover and dig up dirt on him. Since my success rate was so high, Gowasu chose me. I gladly accepted it. I thought everything would be fine.

"But everything unraveled when this one guy started working for Zamasu. His name was Goku Black. He became Zamasu's right hand, and he was a dangerous, sadistic bastard."

Bulma was completely shocked. "Goku…as in our Goku?"

Kakarot took a seat at the table. Perhaps he should have been sitting down the whole time. When Goku left the family and stopped answering calls or showing up at holidays, Kakarot assumed he was just done with them. Done with the drama. Done with the fact that their brother was still involved with the Oujis. Never did Kakarot expect his twin would get involved with someone even worse. This…this was a hard revelation to accept.

"Black always rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning," Trunks continued. "He was Zamasu's favored student. It made him act superior, and I was a newbie peon. He targeted me a lot, much like a bully. It didn't really matter to me. I was there to bring Zamasu down."

Trunks was silent for a moment as memories flashed through his head. He tried to do this calmly, but he couldn't separate his emotions from the case any longer. "I'll probably lose my badge for this…but everyone, we're not safe."

"What do you mean, son?" Bulma asked as she placed her hand on his other shoulder.

Out of instinct, Trunks grabbed her wrist. He came back to reality and realized what he did. Then, he pulled his mother to him and sobbed against her as she stood in front of him.

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."

Everyone was surprised to witness Trunks react the way he did, but no one was more flabbergasted than Kuriza. Kuriza always thought his father was the worst of the worst, the most horrible person Trunks would ever have to deal with. He wanted to say something, anything to make Trunks feel better, but he knew that fear. It was the fear Kuriza lived with every time he visited his father. How could he help his friend when he didn't even know how to help himself?

"It was awful," Trunks wept. "I had to watch, stand in silence as Zamasu and Black murdered the families of their clients. H-he wanted me to kill a child in front of his father, a recovering addict who was just a day late with his final payment. I-I couldn't do it."

"Of course not," Bulma said soothingly. She ran her hand through her son's hair to try to calm him. It only made her son shake more. She met eyes with all of hers and Vegeta's friends. They all looked at them helplessly. No one knew what to do or say to any of this. "No one at the precinct or with the FBI would have expected you to."

Trunks shook his head. "Someone did expect me to. Zamasu was furious when I didn't follow through. When I didn't… God, if you think Frieza was a sick fuck, the way Zamasu tortured me… The knives… I-I-I… I still remember the screaming."

Tears streamed down Bulma's face as she held her son, his voice cracking further as he continued to unload. Her solemn gaze met Vegeta's horror-stricken expression. The two of them never wanted to see their child suffer. It was the reason they kept him hidden in the first place.

Trunks couldn't keep it in anymore. He wanted to censor this all as much as possible, but once he started talking, it was like a dam broke. The memories were like poison. Each word uttered was like acid on his lips. Trunks felt so sick. He could only imagine how everyone else was looking at him.

"That wasn't the worst of it," the officer revealed. "If it was, I probably could have gotten over it eventually. No… It was far, far worse when Goku was being groomed to take over. Zamasu wanted me to prove my worth one final time before they decided to end me. They told me of a huge shipment, something that would get everyone involved put away for a long time, maybe even life if they tried to attack. I contacted the team to inform them. Then, everything was set up by Gowasu. It was going to end.

"But then everything got shot to hell. Much like how Frieza found out about me, Zamasu did. In fact, he had information about my family I didn't even know."

"Like what?" Vegeta hissed. "How did he get it?"

Trunks shrugged and pulled away from his mom. When his eyes met Kakarot's, they both connected the dots. "Goku must have told him," Kakarot breathed out. "But how...? How would he know? Why would he even do that?"

"He knew my last name," Trunks quietly murmured. "Even though I never gave it. Zamasu even told me my grandfather was the owner and president of Capsule Corporation. I… I thought he was lying because I'd never heard Mom talk about it." He met his mother's gaze. "It seemed like something you would have told me."

"Oh, Trunks," Bulma sympathized. She took his hands. "Is that why you reacted so strangely when I introduced you to my father?"

Trunks answered with a slow nod. "What terrified me the most… It was when Zamasu started talking about you, Mom."

"M-me?"

Vegeta felt fury fill him when he heard this. He always had a feeling that there was more to Goku's issues with him. At one point, he thought it was possible that Kakarot's twin held some interest in Bulma, but Bulma mainly hung out with Vegeta and Kakarot. Her friendship with Vegeta was always solid. When they became something more, Goku seemed to back off, so Vegeta assumed he was wrong. Hearing all this didn't sit well with him. What did Goku tell this creep Zamasu that put the woman and their son in so much danger.

Trunks shakily nodded his head, unable to say 'yes'. "Zamasu… He knew where you went to school, elementary through high. He mentioned your favorite foods and hobbies, even where you had your sixth birthday party. I knew it was a mind game, but I was so completely perplexed and terrified… Zamasu said he'd kill you.

"I lost it then," Trunks recounted, and everyone could understand. "Zamasu had Black beat me until I could barely move, but when he said he was going to kill my mother and went to the door… He said he'd bring your dead body to me just to show he had total control over me. I… I managed to reach a gun and shot Zamasu in the back."

There was no regret in Trunks's tone, but his eyes told Vegeta that his son was troubled he had to make that choice. There was a heavy darkness that weighed down on Trunks's shoulders. It reminded Vegeta of the day he killed Cui. Where he didn't regret ending the bastard who murdered his mother, the first kill he ever had to make would always be the hardest.

"The feds showed up because I called for the shipment, and they apprehended Black," Trunks reported. "I'll never forget the hateful look in his eyes when they took him away. I was on the ground with the gun in front of me when Special Agent Gowasu told me Zamasu died from my shot. He…he told me I could never speak of what I experienced to anyone, said it was best just to forget Zamasu existed…but I can't. I can't…"

Trunks choked on his sobs again, distraught and torn up from the truth. He yelled out in agony. "Goku Black is going to come after us because of me, because I killed Zamasu and got him incarcerated. I'm so sorry. I tried so hard to protect your identity when I was on assignment." He turned to look at his mother who looked as devastated as he felt. "I really thought it was all behind me." He closed his eyes wishing this nightmare would disappear.

"Trunks," Vegeta called his son, his voice gentle. Trunks's eyes snapped open, the tears dispersed. He blinked back the newly forming tears, still clutching on to his mother. "You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for. This world of organized crime is poison, toxic. There's no way you could have known Goku would return one day or even knew he knew us. It's not your fault, not what happened to Zamasu or for the information Goku gave to him that he had on your mother."

"But…"

"Trunks," Bulma interjected as she pulled her son into a hug. "We all spent time together as children. That's how Zamasu knew. As upsetting as this is, Goku clearly told him. It wasn't you who put anyone at risk."

Trunks really did try to let the words sink in. His mother was telling him the honest truth, and her eyes were filled with both pride and sadness. She never wanted her son to be wrecked like this, not from their own criminal drama or his job. Unfortunately, it was inevitable.

"We will get through this as a family," Vegeta assured the both of them with his hands on both their backs. "And I'll be damned if our superiors tell me you're not allowed to talk about this."

Trunks released his mother and hugged his father. Vegeta felt like the wind had been kicked out of him because of the unexpected connection. Once again, Trunks wailed out his pain and horror. Before he knew it, Trunks was encircled in a group hug. His parents, his girlfriend, and Kuriza all held him to offer their support.

Kakarot and Raditz both exchanged grave glances. They couldn't believe that the same man they were hearing about was their younger brother. Chi-Chi and the boys couldn't understand how one of their family members could do this much damage to people who'd been a part of their family for ages. Nappa just stood off to the side, flabbergasted by the turn of events.

After some time, Trunks began to wriggle to end the group hug. His loved ones gave him his space as he wiped the last remainders of tears from his face. He seemed calmer, but everyone was sure the storm was only beginning to brew.

"Hey," Mai spoke up to catch Trunks's attention. "Why don't we take a moment? You can wash up."

"Yeah," Trunks breathed out. "O-okay." He regarded his parents. "Um… Is it okay if…?"

"Take your time, son," Vegeta assured him. "We're going to order some pizzas. It'll take a while before they get here."

"Alright," Trunks breathed. He grabbed the pill bottle from the table and left the room with Mai. Once they were out, Goten finally said what everyone was thinking.

"Now what?"

No one had an answer, not when this news was enough to shake through their families' hearts.

Everyone agreed it was best to stay together for dinner to reassure Trunks that there was no reason to feel bad for bringing the truth to light. Vegeta kept to his word. He and the Son brothers ordered several pizzas with various toppings, salads, garlic bread, and fried mozzarella. The food was delivered, and the family was getting all the food set up.

Mai returned to the others after Trunks assured her he was fine. He was incredibly overwhelmed from his earlier admission. It felt like he was losing his mind. The family wanted to give him time to process. It also gave them the chance to talk about what they all just learned.

"Did he ever tell you?" Bulma asked Mai hopefully. She was afraid to learn that her son may have been suffering alone the last several years.

With a solemn shake of her head, Mai said, "I didn't know the specifics. To be honest, I noticed a change in Trunks after he came back from that assignment. He's already told you about the medication, so this won't be a surprise, but he suffered from nightmares. He was very tightly wound for a while before he had the medicine. Still, he tried to pretend like nothing happened. I…didn't want to push him. I did try to read the report, but I couldn't."

Vegeta's expression fell. "It was that bad?"

Mai shook her head. "No, I mean it was impossible to read. Everything was redacted. Since Trunks refused to talk about it, I figured it was bad. He was never the same after that case."

"How did I not see it?" Kuriza breathed out angrily. "I'm his best friend. How did I miss it?"

Mai placed her hand on Kuriza's shoulder. "It wasn't you. After about a year, he was like his usual self. His strong and confident guise with that slightly cocky charm was intact. He pretended nothing could touch him. Some nights he still suffered from nightmares over his experience. Before today, he never alluded to anything. Maybe I should have pushed, but it just seemed as though he wasn't allowed."

Vegeta couldn't describe how angry he felt. Betrayed actually felt like a better word. It disturbed him to see his normally vibrant son like this. What made it worse was that his mentor at the academy, Gowasu, made Trunks feel like he couldn't even talk it through with their family. Perhaps if Trunks wasn't barred from speaking of the case, this issue could have come up and been resolved much sooner.

That alone caused Vegeta to pause. His gaze fell upon Goten, and he realized he'd been keeping a secret too—another one that could shake their friend group.

Goten noticed Vegeta's eyes on him. He could tell what his honorary uncle was thinking. Truthfully, he'd been feeling guilty that he lied to his parents about so many things. After hearing Trunks's story tonight, it hit him even harder.

It was time for there to be no more secrets.

Goten, Vegeta, and Raditz exchanged nods. They were all in agreement.

"Mom, Dad, Gohan," Goten spoke up. "There's something I need to tell you…"

"What's up, bro?" Gohan asked.

Goten felt terrible when he saw the concern plastered on his parents' faces. His head dropped in shame. Well, it was now or never.

"I've been working for Uncle Vegeta and Uncle Raditz… I stopped recently."

"Wh-what?!" Chi-Chi shrieked. She looked at Vegeta prepared to unleash her maternal fury on him.

Even Kakarot wasn't happy. He turned to Vegeta, and the former mafia runner could see the hurt. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Vegeta opened his mouth to answer, but Goten wouldn't let anyone go down for his decisions. "Don't blame him. I wanted it. When he told me 'no', I threatened to go to a different organization. They kept me away from the worst of it, I promise."

"How could you do something so stupid?" Chi-Chi admonished harshly. "You could have been hurt or killed. Don't you get that?"

Goten rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "I know it was stupid," Goten admitted, "but I needed it at the time. To be honest, it was when Frieza's men attacked that I realized just how bad it was. I ran into Trunks, not knowing who he was, and I really thought my life was over. I realized then that maybe it wasn't for me. That's why I went away for a while, to do some soul-searching. I quit the second I came back."

Everyone heard a chuckle they didn't expect and turned away from Goten to see that Trunks finally came out of his room. He was in more comfortable clothing than before—a dark blue sweatshirt and black sweatpants. He took notice of his parents' sympathetic expressions and smiled somewhat reassuringly.

"I'm glad I scared you straight," he told Goten. "It wasn't my intention, but I'm glad."

Goten grinned at Trunks and nodded. "Yeah. Thanks for letting me go, man. Whatever you went through for it, I'm sorry."

"Well, I for one think there has been enough heavy revelations today." Bulma clapped her hands and put on a bright smile. "Let's eat, everyone. I think good food is what we all need."

That was the best subject change if anyone ever heard one.

Dinner became a great mood raiser. The seriousness of the evening died down with jokes and an impromptu eating contest between Kakarot and Vegeta. The merriment that arose was enough to dispel Trunks's earlier anxiety. The later it got, though, Trunks needed to break away. He figured the others would understand his need for space.

Trunks went out on the balcony, needing some air. Someone did follow after him, but given what he revealed, Trunks could at least try to put his best friend's mind at ease.

Kuriza settled next to Trunks; the two leaned against the rail, their arms hanging over. The cool wind blew and felt rather refreshing. Trunks inhaled deeply.

"Well, at least the weather is great tonight," Trunks joked as he nudged his friend.

Kuriza's head dropped. He audibly sighed. "Why didn't you tell me?" He already suspected the reason, but he needed to hear it from Trunks.

"Honestly," Trunks huffed. "I didn't want you to feel guilty. It was the most scarring experience, and you already felt guilty about me going up against Frieza. I didn't need you to know that there was someone worse."

His friend shivered at the thought, and the breeze that occurred happened at the most inopportune moment. Kuriza was always so scared of his father, he never imagined anyone could be worse. For Trunks to say this…

"It should have been me," Kuriza stated. "I was the one who wanted to bring my father down. I shouldn't have—"

"No offense, Kuri, but you don't have the stomach for it." Kuriza couldn't argue with Trunks there. "I hardly do, and I was always the fearless daredevil. I was happy to do this, to work up to taking down your father's organization. Don't ever feel guilty. Like my father, I chose to fight."

Kuriza still felt horrible that Trunks experienced any of this, but he relented with a nod. "I overheard what Mai said in there, but seriously, did she know?"

"Not the details," Trunks answered. "Just that I experience night terrors from time to time and about the pills. I've kept to myself whenever I felt a panic attack coming on. I'm mostly able to force myself not to react to potential triggers. That took a lot of time to master."

Kuriza shook his head in disbelief. Why did Trunks always have to be so selfless? "Trunks, you didn't have to deal with this all alone. We could have helped you."

A warm smile appeared on Trunks's face, but there was an apprehensive glint in his eyes. Truthfully, Trunks was at war with himself, not only with what happened, but his own misguided perception of what would come after admitting the truth.

"I know you may have trouble believing this," Trunks murmured, "but I was scared. Scared to relive it. Scared that you and Mai would see me differently."

"I do see you differently," Kuriza admitted. Trunks turned to his friend, panicked and frazzled, but he was able to release that tension when Kuriza said, "I'm even more amazed by you than I already was, and I never thought that possible. Trunks, you're the strongest guy I know, and no matter what, we're getting through this. We took my father down together and freed your father. We'll stop Black too."

The alarm returned. "Kuriza, you just got your life in order. You're a guidance counselor now. The students…"

"Don't worry about me. You started this path because of me. Whatever burdens you carry, they're my burdens too."

After Kuriza made his resolute declaration, the two continued to enjoy the solitude of the balcony. When the evening chill became too much, they turned to head back inside. Before going inside, they exchanged their 'awkward guy hug', as Trunks always joked about it in their teen years, and clapped each other on the back.

Trunks uttered two more words before they decided to end the topic for the night.

"Thank you." Then, the two went inside to rejoin their family, and the lively atmosphere was welcome to dispel Trunks's anxiety for the rest of the night.