Feeding the Flames, Chapter #21

Summary:  Something is seriously wrong with Trunks – but will Gohan be willing to do what is necessary to save him? Will they be able to live with the consequences if he does?

Trunks was sprawled out on the bed, contemplating interesting things to do to Gohan, when the subject of his thoughts returned to the room with a large multi-tray of food and a dazed expression on his face. He sat up, tail twitching at the delicious scents coming from the food, and was motioned to stay by Gohan. He watched his new mate with concern as he bustled about, setting up a little breakfast-tray, organizing all the food, and pouring drinks. Trunks forced himself to begin eating slowly while keeping a careful eye on Gohan, wondering what could possibly keep him so occupied, especially in the face of food! Unless he’d been sneaking some as he prepared it, Trunks was certain that he had eaten more recently than Gohan.

“Gohan? What’s wrong?” The older Saiya-jin paused in his busy-bee impression to look at Trunks, visibly considering his response. Trunks sighed and nodded to the bed, hoping he would take the hint and sit. Gohan perched at the edge, examining the weave of the comforter. Just as Trunks was about to try and prompt a response from him, he spoke up.

“Bulma knows.”

Trunks blinked. “Knows what?”

That hit the jackpot. Gohan finally lifted his head to look at him. “Knows about… this. Us.” He looked annoyed. “I don’t even know -how- she figured it out, all she would tell me is `he’s my son, of course I know!’ ” He snorted in disbelief.

“Does she have a problem with it?”

Trunks’ question seemed to startle Gohan. “Um… no.”

“Then what’s the problem?” Trunks truly meant it. He didn’t understand what Gohan found so upsetting if Bulma had, from the sound of it, merely acknowledged their relationship. He was glad, however, that he hadn’t changed his mind about them, which had been his worry. Trunks reached out with one hand and lightly caressed the side of Gohan’s face. “You were happy earlier…”

One of Gohan’s hands rose to capture Trunks’, and he planted a kiss on his palm, gazing into his questioning eyes. “I…” He broke off, released Trunks’ hand, and moved the breakfast tray from between them, then moved forward, wrapping his arms about Trunks’ waist and leaning his head against his shoulder. Trunks replied by wrapping his arms about Gohan and pulling him closer, feeling a sigh against the skin of his neck.

“I guess… I’m just sensitive about all of this. It’s so new, and -I’m- not really accustomed to it yet. I… don’t regret this, believe me, but I guess I’m just kind of skittish about other’s opinions. There -aren’t- many `others’ left, and I know that they don’t matter to this, but..”

Trunks stroked a hand through Gohan’s hair, trying to soothe him. He decided to try a guess. “It’s not really this `them’ you’re concerned about is it, Gohan? Is it the one’s who -aren’t- here to say anything?”

Gohan thought for a minute, then tried to pull Trunks closer. “Yeah, I think you’re right. `Tousan… he probably wouldn’t care.” A grin Trunks could hear as well as feel. “I’m sure he’d be happy about grandchildren though, he loved kids.” The amusement faded. “‘Kaasan, though.. I don’t know. She’d love grandkids too, I’m sure, but… I was never around her in a situation that would give me an idea of what she would think.. She might have loved you, but in some ways she was so traditional or set in her ways. I can’t help but wonder what she’s thinking, if she’s watching us. I can hope that she would have acted as your mother did, but I’ll never -know-, and that’s the thing.” He sighed again, breath warm against Trunks as he tried to comfort this mate.

“I never knew her, Gohan, but to have raised you she must have been nice. You and `Kaasan both tell me those stories about how protective she was, and that means she must have cared about you a lot. In the end, she always let you do what you had to, didn’t she? I think she must have always been looking out for your best interests, but she took your feelings into account too. This might have surprised her at first, but I bet she’d accept it in time. I know she loved you.”

Gohan had been slowly relaxing against Trunks, tension easing out of him with each reasonable point he made. “Thank you, love. I haven’t been thinking like that.” He leaned back and smiled. “It helps.”

Trunks blinked, then broke into a beaming smile, lunged forward and kissed Gohan soundly. Gohan studied him in surprise when they broke for air. “What brought that on?”

“It’s the first time you’ve called me that.”

“What?”

“Love.” He leaned against Gohan for a long moment, enjoying his warmth and the arms encasing him. A growl vibrating from Gohan’s stomach broke the peaceful mood, and Trunks smirked. “As comfortable as this is, I think we should finish all that food you brought up. There’ll be time for plenty of other things later, and you’ll need your strength.” His smirk grew wicked as Gohan gulped and blushed. “C’mon, eat up!”

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