Trapped in the Past, Chapter 13

Summary : Realizations are good… but when the person shows up a week later well… things get awkward. M!TxGh

Authors’ Notes: The Mpreg label is an optional point to the story, I shall warn beforehand if it is not your thing.

Thoughts
//Flashback//
.+++. Time/scene skip
.xxx. Perspective/Time(Backwards or forwards) change

*****

The question still struck at Gohan: What could he get Mirai? What would suffice? The indecision would not leave him. With a sigh he fell back onto his bed and looked up at his ceiling. What to get him?

He had searched, he had looked, but nothing seemed good enough. He asked himself the same question he asked Goten: Why wasn’t anything good enough? Yet, he couldn’t really answer it. With a soft chuckle he now realized he was in the same position as his little brother. It was always hard for Goten to choose out something for Trunks in the past – because Trunks had everything, Trunks gave him everything. Often, would Goten come home, brandishing a new toy he received from Trunks – it was a bribery of sorts actually. And now, Gohan could understand what Goten went through every year, since Gohan now had his own Trunks to give something to.

//“Trunks?” Gohan asked as he looked up to the man who had travelled back in time to save the world. “What is it like…” Would it be alright to ask Trunks this? He didn’t want to make Trunks sad, but he also wanted to know. “What is it like where you live?” He just didn’t want to know about where Trunks came from, but he also wanted to know more about this man, he wanted to know what may happen if they all failed and Cell won. No longer was their future set in stone – so many things have changed that: Trunks coming back in time, Cell coming back in time, and who knew what else, but Gohan wanted to know.

Apparently Trunks wasn’t expecting his question, as surprise filtered over the royal features. That didn’t last too long though, as the older half-Saiyajin looked down just as a flash of guilt appeared. “It’s… it’s one full of fear.” There was a hint of secrecy and shame in the soft-spoken words.

“Full of fear?” Gohan repeated quietly and looked at the lavender-haired man as he thought about it. He imagined people running away, people hiding. What did he do there? How did he do things there? How did he feel there? Was he afraid as well? What about Trunks – the last hope of that world? How would Trunks feel being all alone? Trunks… he feared the androids too – Gohan knew that from how he acted. But it made sense.

“Yes…” Trunks said and continued to look down. “The world is filled with negativity and despair. It’s… it’s horrible. And I couldn’t let it happen again, I couldn’t let everybody die. Hopefully we can prevent it too Gohan. If Goku can defeat Cell…”

Gohan’s glance turned towards his house as he remembered how his father acted, what he said. He said he couldn’t defeat Cell, but he was confident in the world’s safety. Did his dad have another plan? “But… what if Dad can’t?” He voiced his thought aloud.

Trunks’ response startled him. “He has to!”

Why was Trunks so defensive, why was he almost angry, why was he standing up with a slight quiver?

When Gohan glanced into the blue eyes, he realized why: Trunks was afraid. The fear that was so prominent in his world had weaved itself into Trunks. Its clutches were deeper than Gohan had ever thought. He could hear the fear in three simple words, he could see it in the way he stood, and he could even smell fear coming from Trunks’ body.

Trunks was strong, and if somebody as strong as Trunks feared them this much, then what chance did he have at Cell – the one who absorbed both androids in addition to his own power?//

The memory gave an answer the question Gohan couldn’t answer before. The reason why nothing seemed good enough for Mirai was because there still was the lingering hero-worship he had for Mirai as a child. That realization made a small smile appear on his face. Now, however, that childhood admiration had been outgrown, it had transformed into something else, something stronger. At one end, it had been something more negative – a pity for a victimized individual – and the other end it had been a childhood crush. Each feeling had been intensified – especially after Mirai had returned from the future – but Gohan didn’t know how strong it was. The guilt and pity had been dissolved recently, but did he love Mirai? Was the rush of emotions just adult infatuation, or something more intimate? It was not the same as the love he held for his family and friends, nor was it the same sisterly-love he held for Videl. No, the affection he had for Mirai made his heart ache. It fogged his brain, it clenched his chest, it took his breath away, it churned his stomach, it stirred his nether regions, and it weakened his legs. He was strung along with foreign sensations and he didn’t know what to do with them. It was the first time he ever felt this way, but it wasn’t necessarily bad, because Mirai made him happy, and he knew without the other he wouldn’t be feeling these newly awakened emotions.

Regardless, or perhaps because, of this Gohan had to find something – anything – but that had to wait until tomorrow.

.+++.It was the second day in a row that Gohan had to decline Mirai’s offer to hang out, go on a date, or whatever it was called, and it made him feel bad. But he had to get Mirai a gift, he had to do something to appreciate the day that Mirai was born.

Yet, Gohan couldn’t find anything personal to give to Mirai, nothing of his that had his smell, or anything that would instantly remind Mirai of him.

A memory of his childhood came to his mind. A childhood that Trunks never knew – it was before Goku ever knew about Saiyajins, before his uncle came to check on them, before the dragon balls were needed – one that he still wore the (four) star dragon ball on his hat.

A small blush appeared on his cheeks at the connotations behind that. He couldn’t… not now! Even if his mother had declared them as good as married, he couldn’t! Not now, it was far too early in their relationship to even consider that! The (four) star ball was a family heirloom, it was even more intimate than an engagement ring, and if he gave it to Mirai it would be saying: I want children with you. (Even though they couldn’t conceive together, the thought was still there!)

And even if he did want to give it to Mirai, he’d have to look for it. The treasure that Goku first thought held his grandfather’s soul was forgotten amongst the deaths, the impending apocalypses, the wishes, and the summonings. Although, perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to look for it, who knew when the time came that he wanted to give it to Mirai. (or… any other love in his life. Gohan didn’t want to part from Mirai, but nobody knew the future, not even those who came from there since they’d change it just by being here)

But the gift for the near future needed to be found and probably bought. If he wanted to give it to Mirai, well he had an entire year to figure out what the next birthday gift would be. So towards the mall he went.

.+++.The item was small, but it was something that would do. Gohan had to find a middle ground between his still-there hero-worship for Mirai and his own logic. He could even get it engraved to personalize it, although that did seem a bit too forward. With a sigh he looked into his wallet – it would cost him a week’s worth of food, but losing some food was fine, he could get his mother to make him something.

“I’ll buy it.” Gohan said and looked down at the silvery bracelet. “And could you engrave this on the front?” Gohan asked as he scribbled ‘M. Trunks Vegeta-Briefs’ on a piece of paper and handed it to the man.

“Yes I could, for a Son Gohan correct?” The cashier said and wrote his name down in the corner when Gohan nodded. “Would Friday be a good day to pick it up?”

“That’s perfect actually.” Gohan said with a smile and gave the man half of the money – as a put down.

“Thank you for your business.”

A nearby crash alerted Gohan as he grabbed his receipt before he made a run for someplace he could ‘transform’ into The Great Saiyaman.

.+++.“Hey Gohan, are you going to get anything else?” Mirai asked him as he looked at the boxed lunched his mother made for him.

Gohan gave a soft laugh. “It’s alright Mirai, my mom made this for me.”

There was a sceptical look in Mirai’s eyes. “You sure?”

Gohan smiled. “Yeah, it’s fine.” He suppressed a frown, he didn’t want Mirai to question his small amounts of food. Perhaps he’d try to find work in the town not too far from home. The smaller the city was, the more likely that they would have small jobs that paid immediately – mowing lawns, running errands… Yet Gohan knew that he couldn’t do that today because he had declined Mirai’s offer twice already, and even though it was for Mirai’s sake, it still didn’t make him feel any better.

“Okay…” Mirai said still sounding doubtful.

Was it Gohan, or did Mirai seem a bit farther away than usual? Perhaps it was the lack of food separating them that made it seem so.

However when Mirai finished eating, he didn’t close the distance between them, which made the other look up in concern.

What’s wrong with Mirai? He usually cuddles with me after we eat… Gohan thought and looked down at the ground. Even though they had been together for just a few days, Gohan was already becoming accustomed to Mirai’s affections: his nostalgic embraces, his presence, his kisses… Gohan wanted and liked being the object of those actions and those emotions. Did Mirai just not wish to today?

Well he wouldn’t push. If Mirai didn’t feel very personable today, then Gohan would respect his wishes.

.+++.“Mirai?” Gohan asked as the two of them walked from the University.

“Yeah?” The older half-Saiyajin asked as he looked at his boyfriend.

“You’ve… kinda been quiet and reserved today, what’s up?” Gohan asked casually, trying not to lace worry into his voice.

“I have?” He asked and looked up into the sky, as if playing out the day in his mind. “Yeah, I guess I have. Sorry, I didn’t realize.” A forced smile was on his face. “Must have been too wrapped up in staring at you all day.”

Gohan forced back a blush, but somehow he knew that Mirai ogling him wasn’t the case – or at least the majority of it anyway. “Trunks~” He whined softly, bordering on a groan. “Com’on. Really.”

“No! I’m serious!” And his expression was true to his words. “I mean, damn! Those pants Gohan! Do you know what it does for your ass? And your shirt, it’s a little tight, but I’m not complaining.”

“Trunks!” Gohan groaned out this time, and couldn’t stop the blush that formed. Why did Mirai have to say those things? Although he wasn’t complaining either…

An arm moved to wrap around his waist and there was breath against his neck. Mirai’s scent surrounded him and a hand caressed his prominent abdominal muscles, gliding up towards his chest. “Because I can see these tight, strong muscles…” Mirai’s sultry voice whispered into his ear.

Gohan shivered as a wave of desire pulsed through his body. “T-Trunks…” He gasped.

Then the hand settled back on his waist and Mirai leaned his head on Gohan’s shoulder with a soft sigh.

Silence ensued as they continued to walk, however Gohan wasn’t too sure if it was pleasant – at least for both of them. Mirai seemed almost relieved while Gohan remained a bit uneasy. Today… it wasn’t like any other day, and Mirai hadn’t even invited him out somewhere, like he had been asking lately.

“Well, I suppose I best be getting home.” Mirai said once they reached the fork in the road that they usually separated at if they weren’t going elsewhere together.

Gohan stopped and looked at Mirai in surprise. “What?”

The look on the other’s face was mockery. “Ya know, go to Capsule Corp. I kinda live there.”

Gohan’s cheeks darkened. “That’s not what I meant!” Why was Gohan feeling disappointed? Sure, he was looking forward to spending some time with Mirai, but the other had a life too right?

“Why, you almost look disheartened Gohan. Do you not want me to go home or something?” There was a suggestive tone in the prince’s voice.

“W-Well… I wanted to….I thought you would…” He started and looked at the ground, still blushing.

“Thought I would what Gohan? Continue what I did earlier?” As if to remind Gohan, the hand on his waist traveled up again, only to stop at the first bulging muscle before falling back down. His words too, were an odd mixture of amusement and connotation.

Only then did Gohan fully realize what the lavender-haired man had implied, and his face flamed as he looked up – almost horrified – at Mirai. His words had not helped matters at all in conjunction with his apparent obliviousness. “Trunks! Th-That’s…. Dende…”

“Dende? What does Dende have to do about this?” Mirai continued in the same tone.

“N-No!” Gohan covered his face in shame. “What I meant was… I thought you would ask me to spend some time with you…” He clarified in a bare whisper. “But, if you have other plans…” He couldn’t hide the hurt in his voice. Wait… was this how Mirai felt when he said he had other plans?

Silence and separation was his answer, and Gohan looked up in concern. All cockiness and amusement had disappeared. “Oh…”

“Trunks?” Gohan asked softly and placed his hand on his boyfriend’s shoulder, trying to continue contact. The expression on Mirai’s face was the same as yesterday, except something was missing right now, but he couldn’t place it.

“Well then, would you want to go anywhere?”

A smile on Mirai’s face didn’t ruin the expression, in fact it just reminded the younger half-Saiyajin of yesterday, and the day before. Yet, by glancing into Mirai’s eyes, that emotion clicked into place: Fear. Of course! How could he have missed it! How could he have forgotten? However much Mirai hid it, he had grown up in a world of fear. “Mirai, if you had time, why didn’t you ask me before?”

The time traveler looked away. “Never mind, it’s just stupid.”

“No.” Gohan’s hand held Mirai’ cheek and turned it. “Nothing about you is stupid.

A sigh, an adverted gaze, and then a response. “I just thought that you felt I was coming on too strong. Selfish, I know, but I couldn’t help it.”

Gohan sighed and shook his head. “No, I didn’t feel that way at all Trunks, I just had a few things pop up recently and I had to do them. And, even if it seems selfish, it’s… it’s understandable. Don’t feel bad about it, because I do understand.”

“I’m sorry.”

Gohan resisted a wince at the still-there meekness that Mirai had. I wish there was something I could do about his fear. He pulled Mirai in for a hug and touched their foreheads together. “I said, don’t worry about it. All’s forgiven – even if there’s nothing to forgive.” With a smile, Gohan tilted his head and brushed their lips together. “Now, where do you want to go? It’s your turn to pick.”

A Vegeta smirk graced Mirai’s face.

Uhoh… I don’t think this is such a good idea after all…

.+++.Mirai had dragged him all over the place and was relentless in his teasing. Something about ‘payback’ and ‘revenge’ Mirai had said. But Gohan was glad to see the other was back to his usual self. He hated seeing Mirai in distress. He hated seeing Mirai hurt. Yet he knew that there would be times that he had to see Mirai like that, but he hoped that he could he there to support him and help him along the way.

Today, however, made him think that Mirai didn’t want Gohan to know that something was troubling him. Now that he thought about it, there were plenty of times that Mirai did that, and Gohan almost fell for the trap today.

Why did Mirai do that? Why did he try to hide his worries and his troubles from Gohan? It couldn’t be a trust issue… could it?

Yet, as Gohan tried to remember any claims of trust, he couldn’t. He couldn’t remember Mirai saying that he trusted Gohan. He couldn’t recall a time… the only thing he could remember was Mirai telling him things – and even then, it was only to reassure him. Of course, there was when they met a few weeks ago, when Mirai approached him in class… although was that trust, reassurance, or just to get it off his chest?

Gohan bit his lip, he hoped that it didn’t have to do with a trust issue… he hoped that Mirai didn’t doubt him. Yet, he didn’t want to approach Mirai only to be proven wrong and end up hurting him in the process. Perhaps the next time the other tried to block him out, Gohan would inquire. He didn’t want any doubts between them.

3 Comments

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  By Awesome Incarnate, July 16, 2011 @ 4:29 pm

  Oh, Trunks and his insecurity. All he wants is to be loved. Nice chapter.

  Also, the dialogue has gotten better. :D
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  By yaioboi125, July 31, 2011 @ 4:07 pm

  i like it too can i be in the next one
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  By petiteneko, August 1, 2011 @ 10:16 am

  Im sorry but if you’re asking for self inserts i dont do that not to mention i have a plot already planned out

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