The Bonded
Part Five



"I'm worried."

"Hmm? " Trunks looked up from the newspaper as Goten entered the room, dressed in loose drawstring pants. He cleared away the print on the couch and pulled Goten into his lap. "We already talked. You're ok with everyone knowing, aren't you?"

"Not about that - I'm worried about my father. I haven't heard from him in a while, and I don't like it."

"He can take care of himself, 'Ten." Trunks rested his chin on Goten's shoulder and the ebony-haired male leaned against him with a contented noise.

"I know that. But there's been so much going on. Even although he seems ok, I'm suspicious. It may be getting to him more than we think."

"He hasn't been unsupportive," Trunks commented quietly.

"Yeah. But he is a saiya-jin, after all. To be truthful, I'm concerned about his relationship with your father."

"Ah." Trunks wrapped his arms about his mate and lazily stroked the bare, muscular chest. "I'm surprised they aren't together yet."

"Is Vegeta interested?"

"I think so." Chuckling, Trunks nuzzled Goten's neck. "He certainly knows plenty about saiya-jin matings. Plus, your dad's damn attractive."

Goten pouted, turning slightly to glare at his mate. "I swear, if I ever catch you checking out my father…"

"Hey, don't worry. I got over him years ago." Goten swatted Trunks half-heartedly and the other became almost instantly serious. "But just what is it that worries you?" asked the purple-haired male.

"When I talked to him, he seemed very interested in the mating and bond." Goten's voice dropped briefly and his body molded into Trunks'. For a few moments he remained unmoving, then broke the silence. "But then, he became suddenly withdrawn and just about ran out of there. I think something's up between Vegeta and Dad. The problem is that Dad was raised as an earthling, so he thinks it's wrong to be gay. If he does have a thing for Vegeta, it must be torturing him."

"Good point. Have you talked to him?"

"No. I don't want to say anything, incase I'm totally off the mark."

Trunks grunted in and became silent, thoughtful. Goten took the time to snuggle against his lover, interlacing fingers with him and feeling the steady heartbeat. Eventually, Trunks spoke. "Want me to talk to my father?"

"I think so. Yeah, if you would."

"No problem, 'Ten. I should see him again anyway."

Goten smiled, reassured, and changed the subject. "So, why aren't you getting ready for work?"

"Company holiday."

"Really?" Goten looked over his shoulder and into the blue eyes. "Well then, can I interest you in breakfast?"

"Yeah." The purple haired male allowed himself to be pulled to his feet and padded into the kitchen with his partner, continuing to hold his hand. The newspaper lay forgotten on the floor.



The following day, Goten's training was interrupted by the intercom system informing him that someone was calling. He took the transmission in the hallways within the small house, and smiled when Trunks' face appeared on the screen. Behind him was the messy President's office, papers and computer disks covering all available surfaces.

"Hey, koi."

" 'Ten," answered Trunks in acknowledgement. You don't have a student now, do you?"

Goten shook his head. "Not for another hour."

"Good. Well, Goten, I haven't been able to get a hold of my father. When I called, Goku said he wasn't home. However, my mom cornered me today."

The dark-featured male huffed and leaned on the desk, one hand on either side of the screen.
" Well… I swear, she's not normally this bad. She wants me to see some psychiatrist or something."

"No way."

"I know, it's crazy. I only just got away, and she didn't get me to commit to anything, don't worry. But I think you may be interested in knowing she did mention Goku." Goten raised an eyebrow. "Something about talking to him a few nights ago. He told her not to talk to me - either of us, actually, if I heard right - and then hung up on her. I think you might be right. Something's going on with your father."

"Normally," Goten murmured, "he doesn't act this way…"

There was the sound of a knock on Trunks' side of the line and he glanced at the door and then back into the vidscreen. "I gotta go. Technically, I'm not on break."

"Sayonara, Trunks. See you when you get home."

"Sayonara."

The screen clicked off but Goten continued to stare at it. /Just what is the problem?/ Chewing his lip thoughtfully he pulled back from the table. He did not know the full story, but something was definitely up. He needed to talk to his father before Bulma got to him again. But not now - he had a student coming soon. /After Nanji leaves, I'm free. If I head over to Dad's place directly, I should be able to make it back by the time Trunks gets home./ Plan decided upon, Goten walked back out to the training enclosure to warm up and wait for his trainee to arrive.

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