Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Reach Out and Touch Someone ❯ Chapter 6
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: dharmaserenity 
Was it meant to be? Or will Gohan continue to blame Trunks for his own feelings?
Anime/Manga: Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Angst / Romance | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 02.02.2005 | Pages: 7 | Words: 4.2K | Visits: 749 | Status: Completed
Was it meant to be? Or will Gohan continue to blame Trunks for his own feelings?
Anime/Manga: Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Angst / Romance | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 02.02.2005 | Pages: 7 | Words: 4.2K | Visits: 749 | Status: Completed
REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMEONE, PART 6
Title: REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMEONE,part 6.
AUTHOR: DHARMASERENITY (Jana)
Archive : yes
Category : Yaoi/Shonen ai, angst, Lemon/Lime, Well, seems we have a bit
Of plot here.
Pairing(s): Gh x Tr(yaoi = sex) Trunks dominant
Disclaimers : the characters of DBZ are copyrighted to
someone else, used without permission and no money is being made from
the following fanfic
Rating: NC-17
Warnings : , angst, m/m sex, graphic sex
Spoilers : This takes place some time after DBZ.
Notes : saddened by finishing my other story, I needed to get this out of my system. I'm going to have to write
something else not Gohan x Trunks related next or I might just lose my mind. LOL
Feedback : Please let me know what you think. Do you think this is going anywhere? Do you want it to go
somewhere?? Let me know. I'll only write further chapters if there is a desire for more! :)
Gohan was in his office, grading papers and in for office visits. He tried in vain to keep his mind on his work.
His mind kept returning to the cold treatment he received from Videl that morning, and even though well deserved, he
felt miserable and just at his wits end.
But more than anything else, his mind kept returning to a pair of angry grey eyes and then the look on that same face
just before the office door had slammed behind him. He trembled just thinking about it, a pain in his heart.
He put his head on his desk.
"Why?" He asked himself.
Why did he feel so strongly for Trunks? He knew that he was falling in love with the angry young man. He felt helpless
and ashamed.
He didn't know what he was going to do.
He had toyed with the idea that their angry parting was in fact a Kamisend. If Trunks didn't want him anymore, then it
was done. All he would then have to worry about was his guilt over the infidelity, and perhaps, someday, someday soon
for the guilt would be too much to bear, he would confess it to Videl, begging her for forgiveness.
But then the thought that Trunks didn't want him threatened to tear his heart asunder.
If Trunks truly didn't want to see him again, it would feel like a gaping wound at his core. He felt his eyes sting with
the memory of the harshness of Trunks' words to him the night before.
He heard a knock on his door.
He straightened and dried his eyes before getting up to answer the door.
When he opened the door, he found himself staring in the hard eyes of his younger brother.
"I brought your car here. The least you can do is give me a lift back home."
Gohan smiled at him weakly. "I've just got to stick around for another hour, ok?"
"Fine. I'd like to talk to you anyway."
Gohan felt his stomach lurch in nervousness, but he knew that he owed Goten some kind of explanation.
Goten sat in the chair opposite Gohan's desk and waited for Gohan to sit down again.
"Have any expected appointments?"
"No."
Goten looked at his brother, a look on his face that the older man had never seen there before. Goten's face only
expressed love, admiration or respect when he had looked at him - until now. It made him feel ashamed.
"So, you are cheating on Videl, then? Huh?"
Gohan looked down at his desk. Softly, "Yes."
Goten let out a held in breath.
Goten shook his head. "I can't believe you. I mean, this is so not like you, Gohan. Why?"
Gohan could feel his eyes brimming with tears, his voice thickened. "I don't really know myself," he answered lamely.
Goten felt himself shiver. If the answer had been something merely sexual, needing release or something similar like
a colleague throwing themselves at him, then there was hope. But obviously, this was something Gohan didn't want to
admit. He had feelings for this person.
"How long?"
"A week."
Goten felt his heart beat rapidly.
"So how did it start?" He needed to hear how Gohan would phrase this.
"Well, it started with a phone call." Gohan looked away guiltily. "At home."
"Continue." Goten looked at him with hard eyes.
"Well, this person, called me and.. look, I don't want to go into details. It's happened. Ok? I can't change that now."
This person, Goten thought. Not "she."
Goten looked at Gohan, obviously something on his mind. Just a week, he thought. And Goten hadn't seen much of... When
Goten wouldn't say anything right away, Gohan blurted out, "What?"
"Is it Trunks?"
Gohan's face was robbed of all of its blood as he stared back, open-mouthed, at his brother.
"How.. how did you know?"
Goten looked at his brother, and just shook his head, looking down. When he looked up again, he saw that the tears that
had threatened before were now pouring easily down his older brother's face.
"Because, well, Trunks... Gohan, its always been you where Trunks was concerned."
The tear-ridden eyes opened wide in shock. Wanting to ask a million questions, but not knowing where to start, Gohan
remained silent.
Goten smiled at his brother weakly. "I always knew he'd eventually make a play for you. I just didn't know what you
would do in response. Part of me feared..."
Gohan looked at him in shock and confusion, but still remained silent.
Goten looked down again, not knowing how to continue. He then felt that he owed Gohan at least an explanation for what
Gohan was feeling, since obviously Gohan did not know how to control it.
"I was afraid this might happen, but hoped, that you'd be strong enough to resist. I can see that you do love Videl and
now you also have Pan to think of, but... well, like I said, I was afraid. And it seems with reason." He couldn't help
the disappointed tone in his voice and fresh tears streamed down Gohan's face in response, the shame overwhelming him.
To hear how disappointed his own brother was in him, when he had only looked up to him and respected him before, was a
bit hard for Gohan to take.
"Gohan, I'm not saying any of this to condone what you've done. It still is pretty damn rotten. But, well, I know.
I know what it is." Goten got up, looking at Gohan's bookshelves so that he wouldn't have to stare into his brother's
sorrowful eyes.
"Gohan, its not a human thing, ok?"
Gohan didn't understand, but his voice was full of tears so he could only croak in response.
Goten continued. "I'm eventually going to marry Bra. I took her virginity a year ago." He turned around to see the
shock on Gohan's face. "Don't tell Trunks, ok?"
Gohan nodded that he wouldn't. Goten continued, "She's really young, but a lot like her brother. If she wants something,
she goes after it. I tried for a while to ignore her but one day, she got me with my guard down. I felt awful for weeks
afterward. She was only 16 and I felt like an old perv. But there was nothing I could do. It sounds lame, but..." He
looked at Gohan. "It's a Saiyan thing. Maybe it would be different if we were on some planet among tons of them, but
we are the only Saiyans left and we are drawn to each other."
He then fell silent, blindly looking at the books on Gohan's shelves. Gohan didn't dare speak.
"What I'm going to say next can NEVER leave this room Gohan. Ok?"
"Ok." Gohan answered in a trembling voice, feeling an answer to this madness just moments from being said out loud.
Goten turned around. "As I said, I felt awful and really guilty. Bra was really upset by my reaction and tried to talk
me into feeling ok about it, but I just couldn't. I was "sick" around that time, remember?"
Gohan thought back to the concern everyone seemed to have for Goten at the time, a year ago, when he could barely get out
of bed for weeks. "Your flu? That was what it was all about?"
Goten nodded. "Remember when Mom insisted I come back home and stay for awhile?"
Gohan nodded.
"Well, part of me didn't have the strength to argue. And part of me wanted my Mommy to take care of me again. I know
- sick! But I just really needed to lie in bed and let it pass and she was going to let me since it gave her a chance
to be my Mom again. Anyway, I..." And Goten hesitated, what he was about to say very difficult for him.
"Well, I was home alone one day and I heard Dad come in. He was downstairs for awhile raiding the fridge." Gohan smiled
through his tears.
"Well, then I heard the bell and then Vegeta's voice. I got really scared thinking that maybe Bra let the cat out of the
bag, or somehow he found out, I don't know. I was really paranoid about it. I had to know what he was saying, so I
made my way downstairs to listen to what they were saying." Goten looked down at his feet, but continued. "It was
really quiet, but then I heard something from the living room and snuck over. I thought maybe Vegeta had left so I
wanted to see what kind of mood he left Dad in, like if he was mad because Vegeta told him about Bra and I. I peeked
in and they..."
He then just looked at Gohan.
Gohan just looked at Goten, not wanting to comprehend. "No. No."
"Yes, Gohan. And what's more, I watched. I was rooted to the spot, in shock and dismay and I couldn't tear my eyes away.
When they were done, Vegeta pushed Daddy to the floor and was like he usually is with Dad, very cold and gruff. Daddy
just kind of laughed the way he usually does at Vegeta, kind of exasperated. I got the sense that this has been going
on for a very long time. And Vegeta didn't like it, but had no choice."
In response to the silent shock, Goten almost shouted at his brother, "Don't you get it, Gohan? He had no choice. I saw
his face when he left and it was just this hurt, hollow thing. He hated himself for wanting Daddy that way. And I don't
think Daddy was too happy with what he felt for Vegeta. He sat for a long time in the living room just not doing anything.
They were both miserable but couldn't help themselves. And I know Vegeta enough from hanging with Trunks - he loves
Bulma like mad. I've seen the way he looks at her - there's no doubt! Daddy, I don't know, I think he's more open to
what he feels now that he's older and although he still lives at home, well, you know how he disappears sometimes, just
to get away from Mom."
Gohan just sat behind his desk, the tears drying on his cheeks. He looked exhausted.
Goten looked at Gohan. "As I said, it doesn't excuse what you are doing, but it might help you to understand it a bit
better."
Gohan nodded.
"There's something else you need to know." Gohan looked at him warily. What Goten already had told him had been quite
enough.
"Trunks is going to fight dirty. He's had you now and he's not going to just give up." Goten saw the look of doubt on
Gohan's face. "Oh, he's playing games already?"
Gohan looked at Goten sharply.
"Before you continue Goten, I need to know, in light of what you just told me, have you... and Trunks..."
"No. He's always been stuck on you and I was too naïve to ever really think about him in any way but as a friend.
Then Bra became someone to reckon with. I don't think he ever really thought of me except as his best friend/brother
and even if he felt anything he'd probably never act on it. He needs me. I'm the only close friend he's got."
"What... what has he said about me? I mean, how do you know?"
Goten smirked. "As I said, I'm his best friend. It was him mostly just gushing on about you over the years. And then,
there have been a couple of instances in the last few years, where he and I got pretty drunk and did the confession
thing. And then, well, there was the day of your wedding."
Gohan looked at Goten, urging him to continue. "Well, you know, Gohan, the guy never had a chance with you. You were
already with Videl when he was just eight. And then, when you married, he was just fifteen. I remember going upstairs
from the reception to pee and I heard him crying. I found him in a storeroom on the same floor, sitting on a box of
beer, just bawling his eyes out. I knew he was pissed and hurt the whole day, but if I had any doubts as to why, there
was no questioning it once I saw him. He was just so... impotent, and angry. He felt it was so unfair. He said a lot
of things to me then, things that he begged me never to repeat. But, well, he's kind of betrayed me too by doing this
now, so, well, let's just say, he's had it bad for you for a very long time Gohan. And he was always going to try
something sometime. He just chose now to do it."
When Gohan remained silent, "Gohan, haven't you ever wondered why he never got serious with anyone? Why he's so closed
off from most people except for me and his family?"
Gohan nodded silently.
"So, what are you going to do, Gohan?"
"I... I don't know, Goten. I wish I knew."
Goten nodded. "How was Videl today?" The look Gohan gave him made it clear that it was not good.
"What are you going to say to her?"
"Well, she thinks... I'm sorry, but I told her that you and Trunks were together and that was why I'm upset."
Goten gave him a disgusted look. "Goten please, I'm sorry, but I had to say something. I don't know what I'm going to do.
I do know that someday I'll be honest with her, but I don't know when that will be."
"It will have to be very soon, Gohan. You don't sound any where near on shaking this thing, if you ever will. And
as I said, Trunks WILL fight dirty. He's had to wait this long and I know him, he's anything but patient. He's a
lot like his parents and sitting around waiting for you to make up your mind is not what he's going to do. For all
we know, he's at your house now, rubbing it in Videl's face."
The look of alarm on Gohan's face only made Goten angry. Goten leaned on Gohan's desk so he could face him up close.
"Yes, Gohan. He'd do that. And more!"
Goten stood straight, his eyes closed, a hand pressed to his brows. "The thing is, he's really not a bad person. You
know that! It's just, he's lonely and he's just completely fucked where you're concerned. I've never told you, but
he can't stand to even hear Videl's name. Pan he's different about because she's your daughter, but Videl is just a
subject we do not discuss. And as I said, I think a lot of this has to do with our ancestry."
Gohan looked hopelessly down at his desk.
"Gohan, you're going to have to make a decision, and quick. And either way, you're going to have to tell Videl - right
away. She doesn't need to hear this from Trunks."
"He's mad at me, Goten. I don't think there's anything to..."
"Are you so fucking gullible?! It's a game. Plus he's mad. I bet you've been going on about your family with him,
haven't you? Well, haven't you?"
Gohan nodded.
"So he's angry and wants to hurt you because it hurts him to hear about them. It hurts him that they are there as an
obstacle. And this, if anything, makes him more dangerous. Think of his father, Gohan. He fights just like him when
he feels backed into a corner. He will fling dirt in your eyes in a heartbeat. He'll do the same to Videl without
hesitation."
Gohan just bawled then, his head in his arms on his desk and Goten did feel pity for him then. He knew what it was to
be drawn so insensibly towards someone. Try as he might, living his bachelor life to the fullest, he would marry Bra
when she was at least a couple of years older, and there was nothing he could do about it. It was just there. And he
was beginning to see that it truly was the same for his brother and Trunks.
Goten thought of Videl and Pan and felt pain in his heart for the both of them. He didn't have any reason to believe that
this would end well for them.
"Gohan, I'll come with you when you talk to Videl. I'll help any way that I can. Ok?"
Gohan just cried, unable to speak.
* * *
Trunks phoned in for the first time in a couple of years, telling his Assistant that he was going to work from home today.
He paced.
And thought.
He didn't know what he was going to do. Trunks had made up his mind the night before that he would wait for Gohan to
make a move and then throw it back in his face. But he didn't imagine how desperate he'd feel the next morning. It
made him angry to feel so at the mercy of another person.
He thought of Gohan and could feel himself gasp.
Knowing Gohan intimately has changed so much.
He wanted him in his life and knew that he would have to hurt many people to do it. Last night he was prepared for all
of that and even acted on it. But today, in the harsh light of a new day, and without Gohan by his side, all he could
think about was the look of pure hatred on Gohan's face when he felt his marriage threatened.
It felt like a knife stabbing him.
Trunks clenched his fists, trying to get control of himself. He paced again and then looked at the phone.
He reached for it.
* * *
Gohan, sitting despondently in the passenger seat of his own car, did not even hear Goten's cell ring.
Goten reached for it as he waited for the light to change.
He saw who it was and was tempted to hang up. But part of him wanted to see where this was going to go.
"Hey."
"Goten. Hi."
"What's up?"
"I'm home today."
"Are you?" Goten sounded surprised, knowing what a workaholic his friend was, but still, understood completely.
He controlled himself from glancing at his brother.
He didn't have to, though.
Gohan heard Trunks' tinny voice coming from the phone. He turned abruptly, staring at his brother. Goten just looked
at Gohan as he continued the conversation. Goten thought it best to pull over, in fact.
"Umm, hey, I've got someone here with me that you should speak to."
"What?"
Goten held the phone for Gohan to take it. Gohan tried to protest, but Goten only pushed the phone at his face.
He took the phone and put it to his ear.
"Trunks."
Trunks gasped before he knew what he was doing.
Gohan heard. It gave him little comfort though to know that his feelings were not the only ones in turmoil.
"Gohan. I guess Goten knows then."
And then Gohan felt uncontrollable anger. "Now he does, thanks to you!" Thinking to all that Goten had told him, Gohan
had no doubt any longer, "I know you turned off my phone last night, you fuck! I hate you for it! I HATE YOU!!!"
Goten, astonished by such an outburst from his brother, grabbed the phone away from him. "Chill Gohan! Chill!!"
He put his hand on Gohan's shoulder until he could feel his seething brother calm again. He then put the phone to
his ear, not expecting to hear Trunks on the line.
Surprisingly, though, he was. But Goten wasn't happy with what Trunks had to say. "Tell that miserable fuck that yes,
I did shut his phone off. He's right. And I'm also going to tell Videl. I'm going to hang up with you and then I'm
going to call her. And tell him if he ever tries to see me again, I'm going to punch is two-faced mug in until it's
just a bloody pulp."
Goten caught in the middle of all of this anger, hopelessly tried to calm the two lovers.
"Trunks, no! You wait for me. I'll be right there, ok?"
Trunks hung up on him.
"Gohan, you idiot!! You had to push him, didn't you!"
Gohan, out of control, punched his dashboard, caving in the vinyl and bursting his windshield outward with the force.
Title: REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMEONE,part 6.
AUTHOR: DHARMASERENITY (Jana)
Archive : yes
Category : Yaoi/Shonen ai, angst, Lemon/Lime, Well, seems we have a bit
Of plot here.
Pairing(s): Gh x Tr(yaoi = sex) Trunks dominant
Disclaimers : the characters of DBZ are copyrighted to
someone else, used without permission and no money is being made from
the following fanfic
Rating: NC-17
Warnings : , angst, m/m sex, graphic sex
Spoilers : This takes place some time after DBZ.
Notes : saddened by finishing my other story, I needed to get this out of my system. I'm going to have to write
something else not Gohan x Trunks related next or I might just lose my mind. LOL
Feedback : Please let me know what you think. Do you think this is going anywhere? Do you want it to go
somewhere?? Let me know. I'll only write further chapters if there is a desire for more! :)
Gohan was in his office, grading papers and in for office visits. He tried in vain to keep his mind on his work.
His mind kept returning to the cold treatment he received from Videl that morning, and even though well deserved, he
felt miserable and just at his wits end.
But more than anything else, his mind kept returning to a pair of angry grey eyes and then the look on that same face
just before the office door had slammed behind him. He trembled just thinking about it, a pain in his heart.
He put his head on his desk.
"Why?" He asked himself.
Why did he feel so strongly for Trunks? He knew that he was falling in love with the angry young man. He felt helpless
and ashamed.
He didn't know what he was going to do.
He had toyed with the idea that their angry parting was in fact a Kamisend. If Trunks didn't want him anymore, then it
was done. All he would then have to worry about was his guilt over the infidelity, and perhaps, someday, someday soon
for the guilt would be too much to bear, he would confess it to Videl, begging her for forgiveness.
But then the thought that Trunks didn't want him threatened to tear his heart asunder.
If Trunks truly didn't want to see him again, it would feel like a gaping wound at his core. He felt his eyes sting with
the memory of the harshness of Trunks' words to him the night before.
He heard a knock on his door.
He straightened and dried his eyes before getting up to answer the door.
When he opened the door, he found himself staring in the hard eyes of his younger brother.
"I brought your car here. The least you can do is give me a lift back home."
Gohan smiled at him weakly. "I've just got to stick around for another hour, ok?"
"Fine. I'd like to talk to you anyway."
Gohan felt his stomach lurch in nervousness, but he knew that he owed Goten some kind of explanation.
Goten sat in the chair opposite Gohan's desk and waited for Gohan to sit down again.
"Have any expected appointments?"
"No."
Goten looked at his brother, a look on his face that the older man had never seen there before. Goten's face only
expressed love, admiration or respect when he had looked at him - until now. It made him feel ashamed.
"So, you are cheating on Videl, then? Huh?"
Gohan looked down at his desk. Softly, "Yes."
Goten let out a held in breath.
Goten shook his head. "I can't believe you. I mean, this is so not like you, Gohan. Why?"
Gohan could feel his eyes brimming with tears, his voice thickened. "I don't really know myself," he answered lamely.
Goten felt himself shiver. If the answer had been something merely sexual, needing release or something similar like
a colleague throwing themselves at him, then there was hope. But obviously, this was something Gohan didn't want to
admit. He had feelings for this person.
"How long?"
"A week."
Goten felt his heart beat rapidly.
"So how did it start?" He needed to hear how Gohan would phrase this.
"Well, it started with a phone call." Gohan looked away guiltily. "At home."
"Continue." Goten looked at him with hard eyes.
"Well, this person, called me and.. look, I don't want to go into details. It's happened. Ok? I can't change that now."
This person, Goten thought. Not "she."
Goten looked at Gohan, obviously something on his mind. Just a week, he thought. And Goten hadn't seen much of... When
Goten wouldn't say anything right away, Gohan blurted out, "What?"
"Is it Trunks?"
Gohan's face was robbed of all of its blood as he stared back, open-mouthed, at his brother.
"How.. how did you know?"
Goten looked at his brother, and just shook his head, looking down. When he looked up again, he saw that the tears that
had threatened before were now pouring easily down his older brother's face.
"Because, well, Trunks... Gohan, its always been you where Trunks was concerned."
The tear-ridden eyes opened wide in shock. Wanting to ask a million questions, but not knowing where to start, Gohan
remained silent.
Goten smiled at his brother weakly. "I always knew he'd eventually make a play for you. I just didn't know what you
would do in response. Part of me feared..."
Gohan looked at him in shock and confusion, but still remained silent.
Goten looked down again, not knowing how to continue. He then felt that he owed Gohan at least an explanation for what
Gohan was feeling, since obviously Gohan did not know how to control it.
"I was afraid this might happen, but hoped, that you'd be strong enough to resist. I can see that you do love Videl and
now you also have Pan to think of, but... well, like I said, I was afraid. And it seems with reason." He couldn't help
the disappointed tone in his voice and fresh tears streamed down Gohan's face in response, the shame overwhelming him.
To hear how disappointed his own brother was in him, when he had only looked up to him and respected him before, was a
bit hard for Gohan to take.
"Gohan, I'm not saying any of this to condone what you've done. It still is pretty damn rotten. But, well, I know.
I know what it is." Goten got up, looking at Gohan's bookshelves so that he wouldn't have to stare into his brother's
sorrowful eyes.
"Gohan, its not a human thing, ok?"
Gohan didn't understand, but his voice was full of tears so he could only croak in response.
Goten continued. "I'm eventually going to marry Bra. I took her virginity a year ago." He turned around to see the
shock on Gohan's face. "Don't tell Trunks, ok?"
Gohan nodded that he wouldn't. Goten continued, "She's really young, but a lot like her brother. If she wants something,
she goes after it. I tried for a while to ignore her but one day, she got me with my guard down. I felt awful for weeks
afterward. She was only 16 and I felt like an old perv. But there was nothing I could do. It sounds lame, but..." He
looked at Gohan. "It's a Saiyan thing. Maybe it would be different if we were on some planet among tons of them, but
we are the only Saiyans left and we are drawn to each other."
He then fell silent, blindly looking at the books on Gohan's shelves. Gohan didn't dare speak.
"What I'm going to say next can NEVER leave this room Gohan. Ok?"
"Ok." Gohan answered in a trembling voice, feeling an answer to this madness just moments from being said out loud.
Goten turned around. "As I said, I felt awful and really guilty. Bra was really upset by my reaction and tried to talk
me into feeling ok about it, but I just couldn't. I was "sick" around that time, remember?"
Gohan thought back to the concern everyone seemed to have for Goten at the time, a year ago, when he could barely get out
of bed for weeks. "Your flu? That was what it was all about?"
Goten nodded. "Remember when Mom insisted I come back home and stay for awhile?"
Gohan nodded.
"Well, part of me didn't have the strength to argue. And part of me wanted my Mommy to take care of me again. I know
- sick! But I just really needed to lie in bed and let it pass and she was going to let me since it gave her a chance
to be my Mom again. Anyway, I..." And Goten hesitated, what he was about to say very difficult for him.
"Well, I was home alone one day and I heard Dad come in. He was downstairs for awhile raiding the fridge." Gohan smiled
through his tears.
"Well, then I heard the bell and then Vegeta's voice. I got really scared thinking that maybe Bra let the cat out of the
bag, or somehow he found out, I don't know. I was really paranoid about it. I had to know what he was saying, so I
made my way downstairs to listen to what they were saying." Goten looked down at his feet, but continued. "It was
really quiet, but then I heard something from the living room and snuck over. I thought maybe Vegeta had left so I
wanted to see what kind of mood he left Dad in, like if he was mad because Vegeta told him about Bra and I. I peeked
in and they..."
He then just looked at Gohan.
Gohan just looked at Goten, not wanting to comprehend. "No. No."
"Yes, Gohan. And what's more, I watched. I was rooted to the spot, in shock and dismay and I couldn't tear my eyes away.
When they were done, Vegeta pushed Daddy to the floor and was like he usually is with Dad, very cold and gruff. Daddy
just kind of laughed the way he usually does at Vegeta, kind of exasperated. I got the sense that this has been going
on for a very long time. And Vegeta didn't like it, but had no choice."
In response to the silent shock, Goten almost shouted at his brother, "Don't you get it, Gohan? He had no choice. I saw
his face when he left and it was just this hurt, hollow thing. He hated himself for wanting Daddy that way. And I don't
think Daddy was too happy with what he felt for Vegeta. He sat for a long time in the living room just not doing anything.
They were both miserable but couldn't help themselves. And I know Vegeta enough from hanging with Trunks - he loves
Bulma like mad. I've seen the way he looks at her - there's no doubt! Daddy, I don't know, I think he's more open to
what he feels now that he's older and although he still lives at home, well, you know how he disappears sometimes, just
to get away from Mom."
Gohan just sat behind his desk, the tears drying on his cheeks. He looked exhausted.
Goten looked at Gohan. "As I said, it doesn't excuse what you are doing, but it might help you to understand it a bit
better."
Gohan nodded.
"There's something else you need to know." Gohan looked at him warily. What Goten already had told him had been quite
enough.
"Trunks is going to fight dirty. He's had you now and he's not going to just give up." Goten saw the look of doubt on
Gohan's face. "Oh, he's playing games already?"
Gohan looked at Goten sharply.
"Before you continue Goten, I need to know, in light of what you just told me, have you... and Trunks..."
"No. He's always been stuck on you and I was too naïve to ever really think about him in any way but as a friend.
Then Bra became someone to reckon with. I don't think he ever really thought of me except as his best friend/brother
and even if he felt anything he'd probably never act on it. He needs me. I'm the only close friend he's got."
"What... what has he said about me? I mean, how do you know?"
Goten smirked. "As I said, I'm his best friend. It was him mostly just gushing on about you over the years. And then,
there have been a couple of instances in the last few years, where he and I got pretty drunk and did the confession
thing. And then, well, there was the day of your wedding."
Gohan looked at Goten, urging him to continue. "Well, you know, Gohan, the guy never had a chance with you. You were
already with Videl when he was just eight. And then, when you married, he was just fifteen. I remember going upstairs
from the reception to pee and I heard him crying. I found him in a storeroom on the same floor, sitting on a box of
beer, just bawling his eyes out. I knew he was pissed and hurt the whole day, but if I had any doubts as to why, there
was no questioning it once I saw him. He was just so... impotent, and angry. He felt it was so unfair. He said a lot
of things to me then, things that he begged me never to repeat. But, well, he's kind of betrayed me too by doing this
now, so, well, let's just say, he's had it bad for you for a very long time Gohan. And he was always going to try
something sometime. He just chose now to do it."
When Gohan remained silent, "Gohan, haven't you ever wondered why he never got serious with anyone? Why he's so closed
off from most people except for me and his family?"
Gohan nodded silently.
"So, what are you going to do, Gohan?"
"I... I don't know, Goten. I wish I knew."
Goten nodded. "How was Videl today?" The look Gohan gave him made it clear that it was not good.
"What are you going to say to her?"
"Well, she thinks... I'm sorry, but I told her that you and Trunks were together and that was why I'm upset."
Goten gave him a disgusted look. "Goten please, I'm sorry, but I had to say something. I don't know what I'm going to do.
I do know that someday I'll be honest with her, but I don't know when that will be."
"It will have to be very soon, Gohan. You don't sound any where near on shaking this thing, if you ever will. And
as I said, Trunks WILL fight dirty. He's had to wait this long and I know him, he's anything but patient. He's a
lot like his parents and sitting around waiting for you to make up your mind is not what he's going to do. For all
we know, he's at your house now, rubbing it in Videl's face."
The look of alarm on Gohan's face only made Goten angry. Goten leaned on Gohan's desk so he could face him up close.
"Yes, Gohan. He'd do that. And more!"
Goten stood straight, his eyes closed, a hand pressed to his brows. "The thing is, he's really not a bad person. You
know that! It's just, he's lonely and he's just completely fucked where you're concerned. I've never told you, but
he can't stand to even hear Videl's name. Pan he's different about because she's your daughter, but Videl is just a
subject we do not discuss. And as I said, I think a lot of this has to do with our ancestry."
Gohan looked hopelessly down at his desk.
"Gohan, you're going to have to make a decision, and quick. And either way, you're going to have to tell Videl - right
away. She doesn't need to hear this from Trunks."
"He's mad at me, Goten. I don't think there's anything to..."
"Are you so fucking gullible?! It's a game. Plus he's mad. I bet you've been going on about your family with him,
haven't you? Well, haven't you?"
Gohan nodded.
"So he's angry and wants to hurt you because it hurts him to hear about them. It hurts him that they are there as an
obstacle. And this, if anything, makes him more dangerous. Think of his father, Gohan. He fights just like him when
he feels backed into a corner. He will fling dirt in your eyes in a heartbeat. He'll do the same to Videl without
hesitation."
Gohan just bawled then, his head in his arms on his desk and Goten did feel pity for him then. He knew what it was to
be drawn so insensibly towards someone. Try as he might, living his bachelor life to the fullest, he would marry Bra
when she was at least a couple of years older, and there was nothing he could do about it. It was just there. And he
was beginning to see that it truly was the same for his brother and Trunks.
Goten thought of Videl and Pan and felt pain in his heart for the both of them. He didn't have any reason to believe that
this would end well for them.
"Gohan, I'll come with you when you talk to Videl. I'll help any way that I can. Ok?"
Gohan just cried, unable to speak.
* * *
Trunks phoned in for the first time in a couple of years, telling his Assistant that he was going to work from home today.
He paced.
And thought.
He didn't know what he was going to do. Trunks had made up his mind the night before that he would wait for Gohan to
make a move and then throw it back in his face. But he didn't imagine how desperate he'd feel the next morning. It
made him angry to feel so at the mercy of another person.
He thought of Gohan and could feel himself gasp.
Knowing Gohan intimately has changed so much.
He wanted him in his life and knew that he would have to hurt many people to do it. Last night he was prepared for all
of that and even acted on it. But today, in the harsh light of a new day, and without Gohan by his side, all he could
think about was the look of pure hatred on Gohan's face when he felt his marriage threatened.
It felt like a knife stabbing him.
Trunks clenched his fists, trying to get control of himself. He paced again and then looked at the phone.
He reached for it.
* * *
Gohan, sitting despondently in the passenger seat of his own car, did not even hear Goten's cell ring.
Goten reached for it as he waited for the light to change.
He saw who it was and was tempted to hang up. But part of him wanted to see where this was going to go.
"Hey."
"Goten. Hi."
"What's up?"
"I'm home today."
"Are you?" Goten sounded surprised, knowing what a workaholic his friend was, but still, understood completely.
He controlled himself from glancing at his brother.
He didn't have to, though.
Gohan heard Trunks' tinny voice coming from the phone. He turned abruptly, staring at his brother. Goten just looked
at Gohan as he continued the conversation. Goten thought it best to pull over, in fact.
"Umm, hey, I've got someone here with me that you should speak to."
"What?"
Goten held the phone for Gohan to take it. Gohan tried to protest, but Goten only pushed the phone at his face.
He took the phone and put it to his ear.
"Trunks."
Trunks gasped before he knew what he was doing.
Gohan heard. It gave him little comfort though to know that his feelings were not the only ones in turmoil.
"Gohan. I guess Goten knows then."
And then Gohan felt uncontrollable anger. "Now he does, thanks to you!" Thinking to all that Goten had told him, Gohan
had no doubt any longer, "I know you turned off my phone last night, you fuck! I hate you for it! I HATE YOU!!!"
Goten, astonished by such an outburst from his brother, grabbed the phone away from him. "Chill Gohan! Chill!!"
He put his hand on Gohan's shoulder until he could feel his seething brother calm again. He then put the phone to
his ear, not expecting to hear Trunks on the line.
Surprisingly, though, he was. But Goten wasn't happy with what Trunks had to say. "Tell that miserable fuck that yes,
I did shut his phone off. He's right. And I'm also going to tell Videl. I'm going to hang up with you and then I'm
going to call her. And tell him if he ever tries to see me again, I'm going to punch is two-faced mug in until it's
just a bloody pulp."
Goten caught in the middle of all of this anger, hopelessly tried to calm the two lovers.
"Trunks, no! You wait for me. I'll be right there, ok?"
Trunks hung up on him.
"Gohan, you idiot!! You had to push him, didn't you!"
Gohan, out of control, punched his dashboard, caving in the vinyl and bursting his windshield outward with the force.