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~Gohan?~ There was no answer. Trunks dully realized that Gohan’s thoughts were now flowing much more freely, indicating that he was asleep. That’s when a sharp thought hit him.

What if they had shared the dream? It had happened before. That would explain Gohan’s sudden communication just minutes after Trunks had woken from his own dream. He couldn’t help the slow grin that formed on his face. If Gohan had actually bothered to check that Trunks was alright, then that had to show that he still cared in some way or another. Even if it was of mutual friendship, it meant that Gohan certainly didn’t hate him.

Which meant there was still hope.

Throwing his legs over the side of the bed, which seemed so large without the dark haired demi, he made his way into the hallway. Stepping lightly down the stairs, despite the fact there was nobody to disturb, he reached the bottom, and picked the small, black telephone from its cradle. He needed a plan.

***

A sharp, jarring sound resounded through the darkened room.

“Nnngh.” When the ringing refused to cease, the person gave up all attempts of sleep and picked the offending object up from its resting place on the bedside table. “Whaddya want?”

“Goten, it’s me; Trunks.” Despite the fact that the pair grew up as best friends together, Trunks wasn’t exactly in Goten’s good books right now. Phoning him in the middle of the night wasn’t helping any either. “Look, I know you don’t particularly like me at the moment…”

Awake now, Goten sat up. “Yeah, well, what do you expect?” He could almost feel the shame washing over the connection.

“Listen, I need your help.”

“Dammit, Trunks, it’s 3:30 in the morning! Can’t it wait?”

“No! Look, I know I was wrong to do that to Gohan…”

“Yeah, very wrong.”

Trunks sighed. “I know that and I thoroughly regret it but I need him Goten! I was drunk, I was stupid…”

“It’s no excuse.”

“I KNOW! But I love him, and I want him back! Will you help me?”

“Phone me in the morning, and we’ll sort something out.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really. You made a mistake, and I’ll help you make it up.”

“Thanks, Goten, you really are good to me.”

“Yeah, I know. G’night.”

“Night.”

***

“Well, basically, Trunks, you gotta surprise him. If he knows it’s coming, he’ll have time to think on how to react but if it’s on the spot, he’ll react naturally and say what he really means.”

“Right, so what am I going to surprise him with?”

“Well, I thought that would be obvious.” Goten assumed. “Propose.” He rested his feet on the coffee table, and awaited Trunks’s reaction.

“Propose? As…as in, get married?”

“You love him, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“You want to be with him?”

Trunks nodded fervently. “Yes.”

“Forever?”

“Well, yeah!”

“Then do the smart thing and propose!” the younger demi grinned.

“But what if he doesn’t take it seriously, what if he refuses, what if he thinks I’m just mocking him?” Trunks moaned desolately, resting his face in his hands.

“Well, that’s easy.” Trunks looked up, and most certainly didn’t like the uncharacteristic smirk that spread across his lifelong friend’s features. “Propose to him at that reunion that Bulma is arranging. In front of the old gang. Y’know, to prove that you’re serious about it. Do that and Gohan’s bound to say yes. He still loves you. He’s wandering around completely lovesick over at Mum’s place.”

“Goten,” Trunks grabbed his friend’s wrist, emphasizing his desperation. “Promise me that this’ll work. That I’ll get Gohan back?”

“I can’t promise anything Trunks but you know Gohan. He loves all that romantic stuff. Now, dude, go get a ring!”