Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Little Warriors All Grown up ❯ Advice ( Chapter 18 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: DBZ and its characters belong to Akira Toriyama!

Hopefully this chapter will start making things click without being too overpowering. I always thought of Marron as someone Goten and Trunks goes to for advice. Even though we barely see much of her, she just looks like a nice person to be around. All I got to add is expectations suck.
Quote at the end was said by Michelle Phan.

-~Z-~

Trunks walked towards his mother's lab. He was about to visit Master Roshi's island for a chat with Marron. After the conversation Goten and he had during the weekend, he decided to talk to someone else who may understand this situation.

"Mum, I'm heading to Master Roshi's. Do you have anything you want me to take with?" Trunks asked as he saw his mother work on a hover-car.

"No, other than giving him a slap for me if he's still reading those awful magazines," she laughed.

"Alright, I'll catch you later than,"

"See you," Bulma waved.

It was already the third week that Goten was staying with him at Capsule Corp. Monday started off with a bang as Bulma offered Goten to stay over somewhere in East City. Even though it was already Thursday once more he still hasn't returned. Bulma had just swiftly told him that Goten was with another company who offered him to attend one of their annual galas since Goten had made the progress of delivery much quicker. Trunks snorted, heading back up stairs to an empty apartment at the time. To say he was a little annoyed at the fact that his friend was suddenly doing fun things while he stayed behind to work on conferences and accounts would've been an understatement. But the emptiness of apartment room gave him some time to think. He planned out in his head as to how he was going to ask Marron for some help.

In the distance he saw the little island that belonged to the old Turtle Hermit named Master Roshi. Amazingly the old man still had so much life in him. Sometimes Bulma would joke that he drank from the fountain of eternal youth but he never took it to heart. Perhaps she wasn't joking... A man his age should've been long gone.

"Trunks is that you!" Master Roshi greeted as he sat on his beach chair reading what it seemed a thick book. Trunks smirked when he saw on the edges some dirty old magazine.

"Hey, long time no see," Trunks waved.

"What brings you here Trunks?" the old man asked.

"Is Marron around?"

"Sure, she's somewhere in the house,"

"Thanks," Trunks replied, heading into the house.

He took note that neither 18 nor Krillin was home. He sneakily walked past as he saw Oolong watching some TV program.

"Hey Marron!" Trunks beamed as he reached her room.

"Hey Trunks! Wow, sure has been a while!" She smiled, giving him a gentle hug.

"Yeah!"

"So what are you doing here?" She asked.

"Well actually, I came here for a chat... I need a bit of advice,"

"Sure, what's up?" She moved to close her door.

"No, I was thinking we could sit on top of the roof or something," he blushed.

"Oh right, well okay."

Trunks took a deep breath as a gentle wind blew. He could smell pure summer bliss; like the beach, salt, sand, and the sun. He lifted his head as the sun baked his already tanned skin g. In the distance seagulls called out as he heard Master Roshi chuckle bellow on the south part of the island.

"So what's eating you up?" Marron broke the silence as she patted her summer dress.

"I'm just in need for some serious advice really... And I'm sorry if I'm being a bit pushy," he blushed.

"Well shoot, go ahead," she smiled, looking into Trunks' blue eyes.

"How... How did you tell your parents that you got engaged?"

Marron looked down towards the beach as she pulled a face.

"I told mum straight out when I came home. Of course, she was very excited but was worried as to what dad was going to think about it, especially since I was only 15."

"I guess he would've thought you got knocked up,"

"Yeah probably... So I just wore the ring until he noticed,"

"Did he flip out?"

"Yeah, I mean of course he did. His little daughter got engaged so early without any parental consent. But he knew Aiden well enough. I explained that we weren't going to get married anytime soon. We were just concealing our fates sooner rather than later." Marron explained. Trunks just nodded as he watched the wave's crash against the sand.

"Why do you ask? Is there someone in your life?"

"Well there is someone, but no, marriage hasn't even popped into my head yet. I just thought it'd be a good conversation starter,"

"So then who is this someone?" she asked nervously.

"That's what I came for advice for. You know that I'm horrible when it comes to keeping a relationship," he sighed.

"You're not that bad, there are people who do worse of a job,"

"But..."he drifted.

"But what?" Marron questioned.

Silence occurred once more. Sounds of waves and laughter from Master Roshi filled the air. Trunks breathed in the scent. The location was calming his nerves. He clicked the button on his watch to record whatever he was going to say. He planned to record it so he could listen back onto it when he needed some guidance.

"Could I just rant about stuff and you somehow pick up the pieces?"

"I'll try my best. Anything to get it off your chest will be good," she agreed.

"I guess I do have someone in my life... Someone who I've always wanted to be with but the problem is I don't know how to make it work. On top of that I'm trying to work out what's it going to do to my image and how everyone will take it. Sure, mum's always told me that image is important. That I need to avoid anything that could give me a bad image to the public and affect how people will see Capsule Corp. But what if having to watch out for my image means that I will end up lonely and sad? What if people will be judgemental about the person I choose to be with because of the fact that a lot of people in this world looks down upon it? I'm worried about whatever I'm going to choose is going to shock the world and ruin the reputation my mother and grandfather has built. I don't want to spoil everything they've built. But I still need to think about my happiness." He took a breather.

"I'm worried about my father's expectations of me too. I've always had to try and somehow earn his trust. I always had to train and do my best at school to earn a nod or even a small smile of acceptance from him. Even till this day I seek some acknowledgment that he's proud to call me his son. He's only ever once told me he was proud and that was when he was about to sacrifice himself. I know he's not the type of person but that doesn't me he needs to shun me. It makes me so angry sometimes! He looks at me as if I have to exceed those already high expectations he has for me! Sometimes I feel like he's judging me or comparing me to my future counterpart! I'm just worried that if word gets out about the type of relationship I'm trying to have and he finds out, he's going to get mad and possibly drag me out of the house. Hell no, I think he'll rather blast me into the next dimension. I don't want to be a failure to him. I want to make him proud! But damn it! I can't with what is going on!" Trunks ended his rant with a shout. He panted heavily as he tried to gain some control.

"Trunks..." was all Marron could do as she sat in shock.

Trunks looked down to his feat as his shoulders shook. He's always had his father's expectations to worry about. But not only that, he had his mother's for when it came to Capsule Corp. Throwing Goten into the mess made it a lot harder to handle. That's why he couldn't move forward with his best friend. He was afraid. He was afraid that everyone is going to shun him and Capsule Corp will go out of business. He was afraid that his father will be disappointed in him. That's the last thing Trunks wanted. After so many years of trying to fill the high hopes he wasn't about to back away and give it all up.

"Why... Why don't we start from the beginning? How does this relationship differ from any other? I'm sure your parents won't be judgmental about it," Marron broke the silence.

"Take a wild guess at who it is," Trunks spoke sternly.

"Are you saying that it's...?" Marron stumbled, moving slightly.

"Yeah," Trunks hanged his head low.

"So you finally confessed to him huh?" Marron asked. Marron was the only one to ever figure out what was going on with Trunks. When they had attempted to start a relationship due to their parent's pressure she saw something within Trunks that no one else knew. She told him that she had interests in another guy... Which was true, but she had also mentioned that perhaps Trunks should rather seek out the one he really wanted. Trunks laughed at her at first, saying she was crazy. But the more she spoke to him he suddenly began to realise that she figured out that he loved his best friend who obviously didn't share the same feelings. That was 2 or so years ago.

"No," he replied.

"No? What?" Marron furrowed her brows. This wasn't making any sense.

"We got drunk sometime earlier this summer break, just when it first started. We got kissing and things happened. Day after he confessed to me instead." He chuckled, "Apparently he liked me after all this time. But we haven't gone very far. These last few weeks and all have been pretty much dead. Sure we may have done foreplay and some crazy things involving alcohol... But we haven't yet... built a stable relationship,"

"I see, well it is hard with Goten since he's never actually had a relationship to judge off. But Trunks, if it was meant to be you wouldn't need guidance or experience. If you two really were meant to be then it would just work naturally. It shouldn't be forced or be compared to any other relationship."

"We keep talking about how ours isn't normal. Perhaps it is taboo after all. But that doesn't affect us... Well it doesn't affect him. He doesn't seem to mind what others think, apart from his mother, but that's understandable. While I'm different, you know that,"

"Have you guys gone out and stuff?" She asked.

"Once and he also tried to hold my hand, but I pulled away and we had an argument during the dinner. I think we resolved it fairly quickly. He's also started cooking for me, which is really nice of him... Well that is when he's home and not travelling because of mum."

"Well that's a good start. If he's cooking for you then that means something huge. I would never have guessed that Goten would be the type to cook. Arguments are sometimes good in relationships. And as far as you Saiyans go, I say it's needed. But I think you should be honest with him about this stuff... Like you know the public image and your father..."

"We've talked about the public image, but not so much about my father," he smiled.

"I'm curious about the whole 'Vegeta's expectations' thing. Does drinking count as this? Last time we had a party you seemed pretty into it and didn't seem like you worried about Vegeta."

Trunks laughed as he shook his head.

"No, drinking comes under it too. He always rants on about how it makes me weak and all, but he has to accept the fact that I'm still young and want to live a little crazy. I'm not like him and his weird ways. Goten told me otherwise though. Apparently he does drink, but not to get drunk,"

"Yeah, I've seen that," Marron agreed. "But I can see why you worry about his expectations when it comes to the relationship part. True, he may not like the fact that you've fallen in love with your best friend but maybe you can slowly start showing affection around him. Maybe say something that will lead to him figuring out what is going on between you two,"

"I'm just so scared of him. He's been training Goten and I again... But still after all this training; I don't think I could ever beat him in a physical battle, let alone a mental one. Only my mother can do that."

"Then maybe tell Bulma first? Your mother is pretty hip and knows what's in these days. I don't think she'll judge you because you fell in love with your best friend. You and Goten have always been together. I honestly don't think she'll be surprised if you two did end up together. It's a very possible outcome."

"But what will she say about it and the matter of my image?" he asked after there was a bit of a pause.

"Well you're not fully gay. And as far as I know, since I'm still in high school and all, the taboo of such relationships isn't what it used to be. I know people have come out and accepted the fact. It's only those cranky old farts who still think of it as disgusting, but really, everyone else is okay with it. I think if these newer generations are okay with it, the world can easily accept what relationship you have. The public doesn't really have any business when it comes to your relationships anyway."

"Yeah you got a point," Trunks chuckled and he flicked his hair.

"Take Bulma for an example. She had you and the press went crazy! No one knew who the father was or at least, that's what Yamcha said. Not even today they know who truly the father is of you and Bulla. All they know is that Vegeta is some man who seems to be having a long-lasting relationship or something with Bulma. But I personally think most people have put two and two together... Then again, your mother has the power to stop anything from fishing about. You got money for that don't you?" Marron finished her speech. She had hoped her words would give guidance to her older friend. She didn't like seeing him so gloomy. The more she spoke, the happier he had become. She smiled as she saw Trunks forming plans and ideas inside of his head.

"Trunks, you can do this. Who cares what about your image? No matter what, you WILL be the heir of Capsule Corp. And I know that you can work this out with Goten. If Goten loves you as much as you love him then I know it's going to go perfectly well... As long as you two are happy, that's all that matters. If Vegeta rage-quits when he finds that you have a relationship with his rival's son, who cares. Just move away or something! I know you're strong enough to pull through it all. You're the smartest guy I know. You always look for logical explanations and I know you can find one in this twist," she finished.

Trunks smiled as he looked over to his younger friend. She was right. He could do this. He was Trunks fucking Briefs! He was the son of a Prince. He had Saiyan blood running through him. He was a warrior. Never had he given up or shed away. He could pull through this and make it work. He was going to get his happy ending with Goten.

"What about telling everyone?" He asked his last question. Marron pondered for a few minutes.

"Why not wait a little while. Make sure you have everything sorted with Goten first. Also be sure whatever you two have isn't just a phase. Once you two are able to carry a relationship out without any problems only then maybe tell everyone?"

"Isn't' that contradicting what you just said? The whole public affection thing?" Trunks asked.

"There's nothing wrong with holding hands Trunks. Sure, go ahead, do that in public. Stay away from showing any other affection though... But yes, still slowly give Vegeta a few details, just don't overdo it,"

"I understand. But once it is time to tell everyone, who would you suggest I go to first?'

"I'd say leave out Chi-Chi and Vegeta. Bulma and Gohan seem pretty good options. Yamcha be would pretty understanding too, although he'll nag at you for not getting with a girl," she laughed.

Trunks breathed in. "I just keep thinking about the ending of all of this. My mind is set to just live in peace with Goten in the future. Somehow like a happily ever after fairytale, as fucking cheesy as that sounds," he laughed.

"But Trunks," Marron smiled, "A love story should never have a happy ending because real love stories never end,"

Trunks chuckled when he heard his younger friend finish the quote.

"Yeah this is too corny for me," he laughed as he lay back against the rooftop.

"A good example is both your parents and Goten's. Love might not run smoothly but that doesn't mean they're happy and still living together." She spoke one last time before silence evaded them both.

Trunks stood up and stretched. He yawned as he felt the summer sun tiring him out. He turned over to Marron who had stood up too.

"Thank you Marron, you were possibly the greatest help ever,"

"Hey, no problem, anytime. Say thanks to my dad and Yamcha though. They've shared a lot of insight with me,"

Trunks leaned over to embrace Marron tightly. She smiled as she returned the hug. "You can do it Trunks Briefs; you've never let anything stop you in the past and neither will it now," she whispered in his ear. He returned the smile and nodded.

"Oh and... Could you help me off the roof?" Marron blushed. Trunks laughed as he carried her down.

"See you later Marron!" He waved as he flew off into the sky.

With new hope set into his mind and heart, he knew exactly what to do and achieve. He could do this. He was the son of Vegeta and Bulma. He never backed down. He was going to have his happy ending with Goten.

~-Z-~