Please

I feel I should have said this long ago…but in case you were still wondering, everyone is out of character here! :D and now we all know… so on to other things! I did my best to make this chapter longer, as some people suggested. I have to say that I agree with them, and I’m glad this chapter is longer! However, I also just want to say not to expect EVERY chapter to be this length. It just depends on how much I can churn out, I guess! Oh and also, warning that in this chapter, there will be a lot of POV changes. I just change when it feels right to while writing, so that's my explanation. ^_^ With that, enjoy, review, and see you again shortly!

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Goten’s POV

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We flew away from the building, careful to hide in the clouds, to our favorite lunch spot, Trunks in the lead. The little clearing in the woods came into view a few minutes later. We landed and I plopped down in the soft grass, trees shading us and creating a gentle breeze.

I yanked out my meager lunch, three peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a water bottle, not nearly enough for a Saiyan. But Gohan had limited my food consumption, saying I ate more than he could afford.

I was starving, having been deprived of dinner last night due to Gohan’s bad mood. I hadn’t dared to make any noise to cook food. Then I woke up late this morning and had to skip breakfast.

“Aren’t you going to wash?” Trunks asked disapprovingly.

The guy was a clean freak. “No way,” I said, smiling at his annoyed expression before stuffing a sandwich down my throat.

Trunks sighed and walked off, to the spring that bubbled a few meters away.

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Trunks’ POV

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Goten never washed before eating. Didn’t he know how many germs he had on his hands? I squatted by the little stream and washed my hands thoroughly, squirting a little antibacterial rub on them afterwards just in case.

Maybe I was a little paranoid about sanitation, but I hated to appear dirty. Except during training, I was always clean and groomed. Sometimes I made Goten wash his hands too.

I stepped through the trees to see Goten leaning against a tree, his eyes closed. He looked so peaceful I didn’t want to disturb him. He rarely looked this content. Something was always on his mind, homework or his work filing papers at a hospital.

When I stepped on a twig and he still didn’t open his eyes, I began to think he was sleeping. My suspicions were confirmed when his stomach rumbled loudly and he still didn’t move.

Goten groaned in his sleep and his hand came across his protesting stomach. I tried to stifle my laughter. He was always so hungry.

The noise woke him. “Trunks?” he asked, rubbing his eyes.

“Wake up, sleepyhead and eat your lunch.”

“I finished it,” he said, head tilting to one side.

“What, already?” His lunch was small but usually enough to at least keep his stomach from rumbling. “And you’re still hungry?”

Goten’s face tightened. “No, I’m not.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Yeah right, I heard your stomach rumbling.”

“You must have heard wrong,” he denied, shaking his head.

Before I could reply, his stomach rumbled again, louder. I looked at it pointedly. Goten hung his head. Ever since high school, Goten’s attitude about his hunger had changed. He used to be proud of his enormous appetite, and now he refused to admit his hunger, even when it was evident he wasn’t getting enough food.

“Did you eat breakfast this morning?” I asked suspiciously. Goten hesitated, then shook his head. “Dinner?” He didn’t move. “Why not?”

He shrugged.

“* Goten, why won’t you tell me?” I yelled. I hated knowing he hurt but being unable to help my chibi.

He dropped his head lower, his mass of black hair obscuring his face. “I wasn’t hungry,” he said shakily.

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Goten’s POV

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“Liar,” Trunks screamed at me.

I didn’t dare look up, for fear of him seeing the tears in my eyes.

“Goten!” Trunks grabbed my shirt and yanked me to my feet.

I flinched away out of habit with Gohan, and threw my hands in front of my face. Trunks froze, holding me off the ground by my shirt. The tears spilled.

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Trunks’ POV

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I watched the teardrop slide down Goten’s face. “Oh Chibi,” I murmured, letting go of his shirt to hug him to me.

I felt him tense and relax. “It’s ok, Goten, you can cry.” I rubbed his back comfortingly, like I used to when we were kids and Goten came to me in the middle of the night, crying from a nightmare. “I’m sorry, Chibi.”

After awhile, Goten’s shaking shoulders stilled and he leaned heavily against me, completely spent. My hand continued its soothing motion across his back, easing the tremors. “Feel better?” I asked, when he pulled away.

He wiped at his tears, trying to hide his face. “Sorry, Trunks.”

I laughed. “Chibi, you don’t have to apologize for that. It’s not like it’s the first time you’ve come crying to me.”

He reddened slightly and nodded.

I remembered his previous hunger and checked my watch. The capsule of food I had brought from home wouldn’t be enough to fill us both, and we still had half an hour until we had to be at the college.

“Come on, Chibi,” I said, grabbing my backpack and taking into the air, knowing Goten would follow. “I’ll treat us to lunch.”

“Yeah!” he cheered, speeding after.

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Goten’s POV

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After much persuasion, Trunks finally got me to sleep over. I had always hesitated before because I didn’t want to risk him seeing the bruises, but after he paid for an extremely expensive lunch, I just couldn’t say no.

I knocked softly on Gohan’s closed door.

“Come in.”

I cracked the door open and slipped in. Gohan was sitting at his desk with his back to me. I stopped just inside the room and looked down, clasping my hands in front, hoping to get away without causing trouble.

“Hey Gohan,” I said quietly.

He sighed and swiveled his chair to face me. “What do you want?”

My well rehearsed lines fled my mind. “Um…well…tomorrow’s Friday and I don’t have school on Saturday…”

“I know that,” he snapped, gesturing impatiently for me to continue.

“Um, and I was wondering if…if I could go to Trunks’ house for the weekend,” I blurted.

“What about your homework?”

I had an answer prepared. “I could bring it with me and finish it at his house. And Trunks could help me study too. I’ll have it all done by Monday, I promise.”

He considered for a moment, his face expressionless. “Ok, here’s the deal. You’ll finish your homework by Sunday, and you’ll be home at noon. Are you working this weekend?”

I shook my head. “No, the lawyers are out of town working on a case, and I’ve already finished the papers.”

“Fine, then go. But if you don’t finish your homework or if you’re late coming home…” He let the threat hang.

I shook at the implications of what would happen if I disobeyed. “Yes sir, thank you!”

As I closed the door behind me, I wasn’t sure if I was happy about this or not. I would get away from Gohan for a weekend, a much needed vacation, but on the other hand, I would be spending it hiding bruises from Trunks. Oh well, anything was better than staying with Gohan.

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Trunks’ POV

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I arrived at the school corner before Goten on Friday afternoon. After a little smooth talking and a lot of pressure, I had finally made Goten agree to sleep over for the weekend. It had been normal for us to stay at each others’ houses for days at a time, planning mischief, back when we were kids. A weekend was nothing compared to our week long sleepovers.

“Trunks!” Goten ran happily over, carrying a duffel bag with his backpack bouncing on his back.

I laughed at his giddy expression, but inside I was just as overjoyed.

“Come on, my house is all ours for the weekend. Kaasan took Tousan with her to some business meeting.”

Now I could give him the relaxing weekend he seemed to need so much. Maybe I could even get him to talk to me too, but I didn’t dare hope for a miracle.

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Goten’s POV

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At Trunks’ house, I immediately took out my homework and spread it out on his neat desk.

“What are you doing?” he asked, staring.

I shrugged. “Might as well get it out of the way, right?”

He sighed, shook his head, and plopped on his bed. “You’re a freak, Chibi, but if you want to.”

I nodded and picked up my pencil. Trunks snatched his laptop and began typing away on his bed. Two hours later, he turned it off and stood behind me.

“Done yet?”

“No way,” I replied, looking at my small ‘completed’ pile and the large ‘unfinished’ pile of papers.

He groaned. “Ok fine, I’ll help you. Are you doing history?”

With Trunks guiding me, the work sped by. He always made it seem so easy and logical.

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Trunks’ POV

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I loved helping Goten. With anything. Friends, homework, training. Anything.

I smiled as he recited a list of dates back to me perfectly. I had put them into a story, to help him remember. “Good job.”

“Yay! I’m done!” he yelled happily, leaping from the chair as if electrified. “Thanks Trunks, thanks thanks thanks!”

“Come on, Chibi,” I laughed. “It’s way past dinnertime, and knowing you, you’re starving.”

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Goten’s POV

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After one of the biggest dinners of my life, I finally felt well fed and satisfied. My belly wasn’t complaining for once, and Gohan had been pushed from my mind.

Trunks suggested a movie. Against my better judgment, I let him pull me into watching a horror. We settled on the plush couch in his living room and turned the lights off.

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Trunks’ POV

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I had seen this movie before and knew every part. Goten, on the other hand, hadn’t even heard of it.

Partway through, I found myself watching Goten more than the movie. It was funny to see his reaction to each scene. Sometimes he would frown in disappointment or sigh in relief. Most times, he clutched his hands together in fear.

He was so easy to influence. So simple. When something was the slightest bit funny, Goten laughed his head off. When it was just barely sad, tears rolled down his face. And best of all, when it was just a little scary, he would get the fright of his life. That was why I chose the scariest movie I knew of.

Without even looking at the screen, I knew the next scene would be one of the scariest. It used to scare even me. Goten’s reaction would be the best yet.

The light flickering across his face showed him tense, as if knowing something bad was about to happen. A door squeaking let me know we were at the part where the murderer was stalking the characters.

A gun exploded, followed immediately by a piercing scream. To my surprise, Goten jumped a foot off the couch and landed right next to me. Without taking his eyes from the TV, he clutched my arm with both of his, holding on for dear life.

I smiled and gently wriggled my arm from his death grip. He didn’t seem to notice, instead burrowing under it. I froze, put in an awkward position.

My arm was around Goten’s shoulders as he clutched my shirt in fright. He probably didn’t even know what was going on. Oh well, he started it.

I relaxed and let my arm tighten around the younger boy. A few minutes later, at an especially gory part, he turned his face and buried it against my chest.

I stayed as still as possible. My other hand rose to run itself through his hair. I caught myself as it hovered above his crazy mass of black hair.

What was I doing?! I shook my head to try and clear it. Goten looked back at the screen just as I moved my hand away from his hair. He didn’t even notice my awkwardness.

I made myself relax, telling myself it was all just brotherly affection. That is, until the hand on his shoulder started drifting lower down to rest on his thighs. I didn’t even notice until the zipper of his jeans brushed against my fingers.

I jerked it away and looked at Goten. He was still oblivious to the world around him, his eyes wide as saucers as the murderer killed another victim.

I mentally smacked myself. What had gotten in to me? Was I drinking again?

But no amount of mental yelling made the urge to kiss Goten go away.

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Goten’s POV

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The murderer’s scarred face flashed on screen and faded. I was shaking by now, watching the credits roll by. Why do I listen to Trunks?

Next to me, Trunks shifted. Wait, next to me? He was practically on top of me! Or no, actually, I was practically on top of him!

My fists let go of his shirt and I ducked out from under his arm. When did we get like that? We hadn’t been that close since we were kids. Oh well, it didn’t bother me. It was just like old times.

I straightened and looked around cautiously.

“What are you doing?”

I glared at him. “Making sure no one’s out to kill us.”

Trunks doubled over laughing.

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Trunks’ POV

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I was so relieved that Goten didn’t notice the blush across my cheeks that I couldn’t stop laughing helplessly. When he started looking around the dark room suspiciously, I thought he was looking for a way out, not wanting to face me after what I had done. That’s why when he admitted that he was still scared, I couldn’t help but laugh.

Goten’s glare brought me back down.

“Sorry, Chibi,” I apologized, trying to stop smiling. “You’re so cute when you’re scared.” Woah, where did that come from?

Once again, Goten surprised me by not noticing my random comments, choosing instead to focus on the immediate present. “You could have warned me that stupid movie was going to be so scary. You know what, Trunks? I think you did that on purpose. How am I supposed to sleep tonight?!”

I grinned and patted him on the back. “Don’t worry, I’ll chase the monsters out of the closet,” I teased. He crossed his arms and made a slight pout. “Hey, come on, do you want to get a snack?”

Just like I knew it would, my question brought a smile back to his face and he nodded happily.

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Goten’s POV

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Trunks is so dead. He knew that movie was going to scare me crazy!

I lay down on my futon on the ground and stared at the ceiling light. Trunks was brushing his teeth in the bathroom. I dreaded the moment when he would turn off the light.

Trunks walked out in nothing but his boxers. “It’s hot,” he said defensively, in answer to my questioning look.

I looked down at my tshirt and long pants and back to his lack of clothing. “You’re weird.”

He just laughed it off and walked to the light switch. Just as he was about to flick it, I leapt from the futon.

“Wait! OK, maybe we could leave it on?”

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Trunks’ POV

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“Come on, Chibi, the movie wasn’t real! There’s nothing to be scared of!”

Goten shook his head again. “Please Trunks,” he begged, “leave it on.”

“No way, I can’t sleep with this bright light.”

He switched tactics. “You’re the one who said to watch it. It’s your fault I’m scared to death.”

“Nope, not happening.” I fixed him with one of my best glares, learned from Tousan.

“Aw Trunks…” he moaned, falling on to the futon in defeat as I turned the light off.

I chuckled and lay down on my oversized bed, drawing the covers to my chin.

I had always been a light sleeper. Goten, on the other hand, fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. It took him a few minutes tonight, though, probably due to the movie. I lay awake and stared at the ceiling, thinking.

Some odd feelings had been stirring in me all week. Earlier this week, when Goten came to school covered in bruises with a deep gash on his forehead, I felt a strange sense of protection over him. Of course, I had always felt responsible for him, since he was so naïve and a year younger. But this time, the feeling included anger at whoever caused him such pain, and I wanted to find him and…well find him and get revenge.

Before I could think further, Goten stirred in his sleep. I glanced down at him to see him roll over towards me, mumbling something incoherent. He must be dreaming. All of a sudden, he kicked out, flinging the blanket off, and yelled. Bad dream, huh.

After a few minutes, he settled down and I closed my eyes, ready for sleep. But then another cry from Goten woke me.

When I couldn’t take it any longer, I got out of bed and stood over his futon. “Goten, wake up.”

He thrashed more violently, his eyes rolling under eyelids. “Please, don’t…leave me alone…”

I sighed and kneeled at his side. “Come on, Goten, it’s just a bad dream,” I said softly, shaking his shoulder lightly.

His eyes fluttered open and focused on me. “Ahh!” he screamed, leaping across the room.

“Goten,” I yelled back, startled by his reaction.

“Trunks,” he panted, clutching his chest, “don’t scare me like that!”

“Scare you?” I scoffed. “I was trying to wake you up from a nightmare until you freaked out on me.”

In the dark, Goten grinned sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head in a typical Son gesture. “I thought you were the murderer in that movie.”

“Are you really that scared, Chibi?” I sighed.

He nodded, looking at me with hopeful eyes.

I sighed again. “Ok, come on, you can share my bed.”

“Yeah!” He ran at the bed, bounced on it once, and landed flat on his back.

“Weirdo,” I muttered, shaking my head.

A little later, Goten was snoozing again, this time soundly. I had had to reassure him multiple times that the movie wasn’t real.

Goten rolled over, facing me, and snuggled against my side. Despite the countless times we had slept together as kids, I stiffened at the contact. His warm body aroused me. I shook my head furiously. There was something seriously wrong with my head. This was my best childhood friend!

I barely slept all night. What with Goten so close and the perverted thoughts running through my head, my brain wouldn’t rest. Goten’s face was illuminated in the early dawn sunlight.

I watched it as he slept. He seemed so peaceful, so content with his world. Unlike me, who always worried about something. I was punctual and on time, while Goten couldn’t care less what he looked like and when he arrived.

He was also so innocent. To him, everyone was just like him, polite and happy. Maybe it was my fault he was so naïve. I tried to shield him, though I knew he would have to face it eventually. But…maybe he wouldn’t.

I could protect him forever. We could live together, and he would never be unhappy. It would be the perfect world, just us two.

It took a moment for my words to sink in. I smacked myself mentally, and rolled away from Goten.

The movement caused him to stir. “Trunks?” he mumbled, opening sleepy eyes.

“Morning, Goten,” I said without turning over. “Did you sleep well?”

I felt the bed shift as he stretched. “After I moved up here, I did. Your bed is really comfortable. What about you?”

“I slept fine,” I lied. If I told him the truth, he would ask why I couldn’t sleep. There was no way I’d tell him. Anything.

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