I know a place out by an old shack
on a road that leads to no where
aint no body coming back
We can go there tonight
We can talk until dawn
Or maybe something else
I’ll leave the radio on
He had returned, part of him still wondered why while another part no longer cared. There was no longer anything for him back home after all so why not attempt to make a new life for himself? It’s what she would have wanted he reminded himself. Part of him doubted that there would be any better chances here but it was better than nothing. He was a warrior without a world and a man without a destiny. The mission that had consumed his life to this point was finished and he was no longer needed or desired in the place of his origin. Well since he was here anyway he might as well check in on a few things.
***
Gohan Son was up late studying for his finals when he sensed something
familiar. Could it really be? But there was still a chance it could be and for
that chance he put down what he was doing and flew out into the night.
***
Making sure his ki levels were low he visited his family as they peacefully slept. It was interesting to check in on the younger version of himself, sleeping near him was another young boy who… yes another son of Goku an interesting anomially that hadn’t existed in their own time but then again Goku didn’t battle Cell in his timeline either. It must be at least 12 years since that battle with Cell that was won by Goku’s sacrifice and his young son’s courage. And yet the peace loving people of Earth seemed completely oblivious to either man’s part in their survival. Perhaps it was better humans had an unusual but predictable trait to panic in extreme and life threatening situations in large groups anyway. And it seemed that someone else had taken the credit for Goku and Gohan’s victory a Hercule Satan. However the chances of any one ever being able to handle nevertheless understand the truth was slim so this was probably for the best. Just like in his own time no one semed to know what had been done and sacrificed on their behalf. The Z fighters of both times pretty much saved the Earth on a bi yearly basis it would seem and one knew or realized it or remembered them when they had died. Except for the precious few that even knew that they had ever existed. ‘Gohan.’ He thought sadly remembering his best friend and mentor from his own time that sacrificed himself so that He (Trunks) could complete their mission to defeat the andriods that were destroying their own world. Part of him wanted to see Gohan’s counterpart in this time to see how Gohan was even though he was aware Gohan was safe. The andriods, beyond all belief, were peaceful in this time. Hell Andriod 18 had married Krillin for crying outloud, and they had a CHILD!
He was feeling a little more out of place with each of the Z fighters he visited. It was nice to know that Piccolo hadn’t really changed. Things were the same for the old warrior that had mentored his own teacher. As he sat on a cliff overlooking the scenes below him he wondered if he really did have a chance here or should he go to another place another time where he could fit in better or something. However that decision was taken out of his hands when he felt the ki that was coming towards him searching diligently for his ki. For a moment he was tempted to lower his ki more and let the searcher pass him by but decided against it. The one searching for him was Gohan.
***
Gohan on the other hand couldn’t believe his eyes. Mirai was here he had returned. He looked tired and a little worn but he was safe and he was here, and seemed to be like he was waiting for Gohan. And there was a feeling in the air one that he couldn’t quite explain. “Gohan. It’s you.” He whispered softly. Gohan almost sighed that look wasn’t meant for him it was meant for someone he would probably never be, and part of him was disappointed that he wasn’t. It would make Mirai happy if he was. But… still… “Gohan are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re lying tell me what’s wrong.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Gohan…”
“What do you see?” Gohan finally asked. “Who are you talking to?”
***
Mirai looked at the man young man in front of him unsure what he was trying to say. Then it hit him, today was the anniversy of his mentor’s death. Gohan would be aware of that and would be curious if he should leave Mirai alone with his memories. Perhaps out of fear that he was nothing more than an outlet for Mirai’s pent up feelings and pain for his old friend and mentor.
“Gohan… I’m sorry I didn’t mean to make you think… that. I was thinking about you honest. I was wondering how you were after… losing people important to you isn’t easy.”
“He found his way back but thanks.”
“Really? I thought?”
“Goten. And well there was the whole Majin Buu thing. He realized how much we needed him and came back. And he’s staying well until the next time. I swear he has frequent flier miles in Otherworld or something.” Mirai smiled this was good.
“Gohan?” He asked softly. Gohan looked at him and nodded. “Come with me.” He answered. “There is so much I want to show you.” Mirai smiled and the two took off flying.
Past the Wal-Mart and the prison
Down by the old V.A.
Just my jeans and my t-shirt
And my blue Chevrolet
It’s Saturday night
Feels like everything’s wrong
I’ve got some strawberry wine
I wanna get you alone
And Gohan showed him the world that Mirai had helped create. They snuck in a movie and something to eat dancing, and just explored Satan City and the other towns all night. “What else is there?” Mirai asked curiously. “Show me.” Gohan smiled and they left again. Gohan showed him the mountains introduced him to some of Goku’s friends all over the place. They caught up with Yamcha Tien and Chatozu. There were forests and streams and oceans. Mirai smiled this world didn’t turn out to badly but his most important question had no answer yet. Was there a place for him in this new world?
Gohan looked at him and he tried to shrug off the feeling but Gohan saw it before he could and they took off somewhere else a secret place that Gohan knew in the woods a special place they could talk here.
***
Down by the muddy water
Of the mighty Mo
In an old abandoned box car
Will I ever know
Dance with me forever
This moment is divine
I’m so close to heaven
This hell is not mine
This hell is not mine…
“So” Gohan said softly.
“So what?” Asked Mirai.
“What have you been up to?” Asked Gohan.
“Well, I went home and defeated the andriods.”
“I figured that.”
“We rebuilt our world, and I took down the Cell in my world.” Mirai continued, but there he stopped. This was getting painful he had been so STUPID. Gohan looked in his friend’s face sensing there was more that the other was not telling him. However he was not going to pry if the other didn’t wish to tell him.
“Now there is nothing else there, I mean I am the only superhuman left right now and all the threats are gone now.”
“You met Babidi then I take it.” Gohan answered slowly.
“Yeah, Buu is history too.”
“So no more threats to your world then I take it.”
“Nope.” Again that look, Gohan against his better judgement embraced the other man then.
“It’s going to be okay you know.” He said softly.
“I know, I just… don’t fit in there anymore.” Mirai responded.
“So you’ve taken your time capsule out to find a place where you do? And spend the rest of your days there?” Gohan offered.
“Yeah I am.”
“You could stay here.” Gohan answered more to himself then to Mirai.
“Really?” Mirai answered hearing Gohan’s comment.
“Sure I know the others wouldn’t mind.” Said Gohan.
“Alright I can see that.” Mirai answered. “How about you, would you mind if I stayed?”
“I can’t really think of any reason why you would need MY permission.” Gohan replied.
“I can.” Mirai answered slowly. “Same reason Trunks probably wouldn’t.”
“Actually explain it the right way and he would. He’s always been jealous of Goten having an older brother, and now he has one.”
“I suppose.” Mirai answered again. “But the reason is… well, what you asked earlier. I didn’t… mean to make you feel that way. Like… I was using you that way. If I stay here, if we continue the friendship we started 12 or so years ago you would probably still wonder if what I say what I feel what I do was really meant for someone else.” ‘And so would I.’ He thought to himself.
“I know you already feel that way sometimes, being in someone else’s shadow, trying to be what you think everyone wants you to be I don’t want to add to the problem Gohan.” Gohan looked like he was ready to say something but Mirai cut him off. “Please let me finish. The problem is I can already see how that could be. My mom and younger me for example, how much does he know? Do Vegeta and Bulma expect him to be like me? Does my mother expect me to be more like my father or my Grandfather? And then there’s you… Gohan, I don’t expect you to be him… I miss him yeah, but he’s… how would you feel if Piccolo was gone?”
Gohan stared at him, Gohan knew exactly how he would feel if he lost Piccolo. Mirai nodded his head, “That’s how I feel, I know he’s gone, but I also know I’ll see him again someday. You are you Gohan, not the replacement. You get the whole expectations thing enough from your parents.” Mirai looked away then as if that what he just said had sapped the last of his nerve. He really hadn’t planned on telling someone all this but now he didn’t have any choice. “The reason I left Gohan was, partly my mom’s death, it was Babidi he showed her something and she never got over it. She didn’t even let me try to help… she just excepted what was happening. And the fact all I really had left in that world was well the past. Some people still remembered me as a hero fighting Babidi and his army and the destroying the andriods. But things just were different after that you know?”
Gohan could understand what Mirai was saying and nodded.
There’s no one to hear, you might as well scream
They never woke up from the American dream
And they don’t understand, what they don’t see
And they look through you, and they look past me
Oh, you and I dancing slow, and we got nowhere to go
“Anyway this isn’t about that or maybe it is I just… I’m tired of being alone I guess. The only superhuman, the only “real fighter” the only one with Saiyan blood. I don’t want to be alone anymore. The people I was closest to are dead, and even if I COULD get to New Namek and the leader DID let me make a wish on the Dragonballs, Wishing that my family and friends would comeback to life seems a little selfish. They are probably all at peace where they are. So trying to get a new “Family” seemed like a better idea but not in a place where I could be feared hated accepted out of fear or just used. I…” Gohan stopped him seeing his exhaustion from trying to explain it all. “I get it, it’s okay.” He told the other man.
“You should stay here, I mean it’s not like we are all strangers meeting for the first time, again. You could probably find a place for yourself here easier then other places. Besides,” Gohan answered with a smile. “If you really need any help you can always go to your mom or Hercule and tell him you know the truth about what happened at the Cell Games and he’d be glad to help you find a job or whatever you want.”
Mirai stared at him, sweet innocent Gohan resorting to blackmail? Oh, it was a joke to help lighten up the mood. “I’ll think about it. You know when I need recommendations for the university of my choice.” He answered. Gohan smiled Mirai was getting relaxed again good.
“Gohan, you really want me to stay this time don’t you?” Mirai asked then.
“Yeah, I guess I do.” Gohan responded.
“Why?” Mirai asked then. Now it was Gohan’s turn to look away. How could he explain it anyway?
“You’re my friend, and I want you to be happy.” Gohan finally answered. It was the best he could come up with really. That didn’t sound rally odd or stupid for that matter. “Gohan.” That made him look back at Mirai, he couldn’t refuse him when he used that tone. He couldn’t explain why he just couldn’t do it. He looked at the other man, who seemed for some reason to be almost smiling. “Is there something you want to tell me Gohan?”
‘It hurt like hell when you left?’ Gohan thought to himself. ‘Losing you felt like losing a piece of myself?’
‘I wanted you to stay because I was afraid Cell and the Andriods would kill you?’ ‘I was afraid I was never going to see you again?’
“I don’t think so.” He finally answered.
“That was a pretty long silence for an “I don’t really think so.”.” Mirai answered.
“It’s not important, I mean you’re back now aren’t you? And hopefully to stay so what else is there for me to say other than I am glad you’re back?” Gohan asked.
“I don’t know that is why I am asking you.” Mirai answered with a smile.
“Nope there is nothing else to say.” Gohan answered.
‘I was hoping you would tell me my hopes weren’t in vain, Gohan.’ Mirai thought to himself. ‘I couldn’t have what I wanted with him, I’m in love with you. How weird is that?’
“Oh okay then.” Said Mirai. ‘Please give me a chance, Gohan. Let me be the one to make you happy.’
“Right so, what else do you want to talk about?” Asked Gohan.
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“The stars are really nice tonight, aren’t they?” Asked Mirai suddenly.
“Yes they are.”
“So do you see any consellations you know?” Mirai asked.
“Sure.” And Gohan began pointing them out to Mirai. ‘Phew that was a close one.’ Mirai thought to himself.
‘Boy was that close.’ Gohan thought to himself. ‘Any longer and I would’ve asked him what qualities he wanted in someone he found attractive or something equally as dumb.’ But as the night grew on neither noticed how close much closer they were allowing the other in proximity and neither noticed the looks the other was giving when he wasn’t looking. “It’s really getting late.”
“Yeah.”
“What do you think of just staying the night here?” Gohan asked.
“Sure I don’t have any other arrangements. ” Mirai answered. Gohan showed him where the rooms were and each picked a room and went to bed.
However sleep was a very elusive quarry that night. “Maybe I should tell him.” Mirai muttered. “And get it over with I wouldn’t want things to get ackward between us. Well more ackward than usual anyway.”
Gohan on the other hand was trying to sleep but his mind was full of nightmares. He couldn’t seem to wake up from. Sensing the other’s distress Mirai got out of bed and went to Gohan’s room. Where he could obviously see that Gohan was having nightmares, Bad ones. “Gohan wake up.” He tried, that didn’t work he tried bouncing pillows off of the other’s head. The next thing he tried worked. He kissed Gohan. who although surprised when he opened his eyes returned the kiss and didn’t show any signs of repulsion. “Uhm… thanks.” Gohan said not sure what else to say.
“You’re welcome.” Mirai answered. “You were having a nightmare. I tried to wake you up but I guess tired as I am I just didn’t think through enough solutions. Kissing you seemed to be the best one.”
“Sprinkling of cold water usually works on my brother or my mom shouting for us to get up or we’ll be late for school also works.” Gohan answered. “Not that I’m actually complaining. ”
“So do you want to talk about it?” Mirai asked not sure where to go from here in there conversation.
“Nah, it’s okay.”
“You’re sure.”
“I’m sure but thanks.” Gohan answered. Mirai went to leave.
“Uhm, Trunks?” Gohan asked. “Could you… stay please? In case they come back?”
“The nightmares?” Mirai asked closing the door he almost left through.
“Yeah.”
“Get them often?”
“Sometimes.” Gohan admitted.
“So how do we handle this?” Mirai asked.
“Stay with me. Just to sleep I promise. Please?”
“You want me in there with you?”
“I promise to keep my hands to myself if you do.” Gohan answered. ‘OMG I DID NOT just say that!’
“I guess we can keep our hands and other parts to ourselves.” Said Mirai.
‘What is going on here?’ So he laid down next to his friend and although he almost thought the better of it because of their promise held him. “Trunks?”
“Yes?”
“You may want to change your clothes for bed.”
“I didn’t really plan that far in advance.”
“Right uhm okay how about taking the ones you are wearing off you know to air out?”
“Is this just some plot to get me naked?”
“N-n-no. I just… thought you wouldn’t want to get your clothes all rumpled.”
“How about you?”
“I usually wear this to bed.”
“I get the feeling you are being less than truthful with me Gohan.”
“I have other… well I do suppose it’s only fair.” Gohan climbed out of bed and stipped down to his boxers as well.
“Happy now?” He asked.
‘So what would it take to get the boxers off too? What no Trunks BAD TRUNKS! You are not an old Hentai like Master Roshi, you are not an old hentai like Master Roshi…’
“Trunks you okay?” Trunks broke out of his broken record of a thought to see Gohan looking at him with concern.
“Fine Gohan. Let’s go to bed. Let’s go to SLEEP I mean.” They got back into the positions they were in just moments before and drifted off to sleep, both feeling relatively safe to do so. “Er… Trunks?”
“Hmm?”
“You seem to be nuzzling me.”
“Oh sorry about that.”
“It’s alright this bed is rather small I sure you couldn’t help it.”
“Gohan?”
“Yeah Trunks?”
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“So who do you like?”
“What?”
“I mean have you ever been in love with anyone?”
“Not really, not yet I guess.”
“So no love life for you right?”
“Come on between training, looking after the chibis, school, when would I have the time?”
“But if you did find someone you would right?”
“Sure but I don’t have anyone.”
“Oh.”
“How about you Trunks? Have you ever been in love?”
“yes, actually, I still am I guess.”
“Oh.” Gohan sounded disappointed “so What are they like?” He asked
“They are kind, good, strong and brave.” Trunks answered.
Gohan realized he felt the same way about Piccolo, but he didn’t love Piccolo in THAT kind of way. Piccolo had always been like a Father or an Uncle to Gohan and Gohan loved him for that.
“There are a million tiny reasons I guess.” Said Trunks “It’s just he’s so easy to love I suppose.”
Hold the phone He? Fortunately or unfortunately depending on your viewpoint both of them noticed this slip.
“It’s a guy?”
“That isn’t a problem with you is it?” Trunks asked. He knew it wasn’t always really accepted but he hoped he wouldn’t lose Gohan’s friendship over it either.
“No I was just surprised that is all.” Gohan answered. “I thought it was a girl at first to be honest you seem like such a well, someone the girls would be really interested in.”
“Right, anyway yeah I’m in love with a guy, Gohan.”
“Does he know?”
“I don’t think he does.”
“Oh, why?”
“I haven’t really gotten around to telling him. It would just complicate our friendship. I mean what if he doesn’t feel the same way?”
“I guess that is up to him. If he didn’t could you still be friendS?”
“I would accept that I just don’t know if he would.”
“I see. Trunks?”
“Yes Gohan?”
“Who is it your in love with?”
“It doesn’t really matter.”
“It’s important to you, Please let me help you.”
“Mumble mumble.”
“I didn’t understand you. I won’t tell them if you don’t want me to.”
“It’s you Gohan. I’m in love with you.”
“Oh.” Said Gohan looking away, this did make things hard. Trunks was in love with his other self, and competing with a ghost is next to imposible anyone would tell you that.
“I don’t think you understand me.” Trunks said then and kissed him again more urgently this time.
“You meant me.” Gohan said softly. “I’m sorry I thought you meant.”
“I know who you thought I meant. And no, I didn’t have the time to fall in love with him I was too young at the time. He was well my Piccolo you could say but I don’t think I was ever in love with him like that.”
“Oh.”
“You’re okay with this right? I mean…” Gohan kissed him then.
“Yeah I’m fine with it.” he answered and laid his head on Trunks chest.
“Comfy?”
“Yep.”
“Good night Gohan, we’ll talk about this in the morning.”
“I think it is morning technically. ”
“Sometime after 8 a.m. and I am sorry Gohan but I don’t think of 2:45 a.m. as morning okay?”
“Okay.” Answered Gohan and snuggled back into his Trunks shaped pillow. And the friends fell fast asleep. Both anticipating and dreading the morning to follow as they were both very comfortable and happy right now.
