Romance Evolving

Most of the warriors left early the next morning, so only the Sons joined the Briefs and the various other residents of Capsule Corp. at the large table in one of the dining rooms for breakfast. Trunks and Goten were both typically late risers, so they were the last to arrive.

"Glad you're here, now hurry up and eat," Bulma said before they could even pick up their forks.

"What's the rush?" Trunks asked. In reply, he was smacked in the face with a newspaper. As he unfolded it, he and Goten looked at it and groaned. It was a tabloid; one of the typical gossip-spreading pieces of pulp. Bulma subscribed to it to keep up with whatever current rumors were circulating about her and her family. Today's edition was dominated by a large picture of the young lovers kissing at the Budokai. The image was framed by the headline, which some editor must have thought was just so bloody clever, A COUPLE OF CHAMPIONS.

"We've got a press conference in less than an hour. We need to jump out there and control the narrative."

***

Fifty-four minutes later, the combined families were standing on a dais, facing down a swarm of reporters, photographers, and cameramen in Capsule Corp.'s media room. Bulma stepped forward to the podium and started to speak into a large nest of microphones.

"I'm glad you could all make it today. I'm sure I don't have to explain why I called this conference." She held up the tabloid. A light ripple of laughter ran through the assembled crowd. "Let me begin by saying we support them and their relationship wholeheartedly, and we're glad they've found happiness together. Now, questions." As the reporters began to shout, she pointed at one of them. "You. Go."

"How long have you known about them?"

"We found out when everyone else did." She picked another reporter. "You. Go."

"How long have they been a couple?"

"About a month and a half. You. Go."

"Any plans for the future?" This question was shouted at Goten and Trunks, who were standing beside and a little behind Bulma. They exchanged glances.

"Not really," Goten said.

"Just stay together and let whatever happens, happen," Trunks elaborated.

"A good motto for all of us," said Bulma, who liked to keep her press conferences short and sweet. "So if there's nothing else--"

One of the photographers near the back of the crowd (in fact, he worked for that very same tabloid) was somewhat annoyed that this hadn't produced any more good images. "Kiss again!" he thought, and then to his surprise discovered that he had yelled it out loud. Another photographer repeated the cry, and soon it was a chant. Bulma scowled down at them. "Now listen, you flock of vultures, if you think they're going to let themselves be ordered around--" She stopped as the chant suddenly ended and every camera in the place started going off. Although she was sure she knew what was going on, she turned to look anyway.

Yes, she was right. Trunks and Goten were indeed kissing again, their lips locked together, their bodies pressed tightly against each other. On her other side, Vegeta was rolling his eyes.

***

The conference was over, the media attendees had departed, and the Son family had left for their own residences. Goten had stayed behind, however, saying that he hadn't really had any good quality time with Trunks for two weeks. When Chi-Chi had resisted, Goten had employed what had always been his greatest weapon against her: his large, pleading eyes. Finally, she had given in, earning her a wide grin and a tight hug from her youngest son.

The two were back on Trunks's bed again. They had kicked off their shoes and were softly nuzzling their faces together, their eyes closed. They continued to feel the immense relief they had first experienced last night. Although no longer tired, they still didn't feel the need to spar or play video games or make love. Those desires would return soon, perhaps even later today, but for right now, just savoring each other's company was enough.

They had lost track of exactly how long they had been relaxing together like this, so ensconced were they in this simple pleasure. The reverie was broken by the feel of something small jumping onto a corner of the bed. Sitting up, they saw Bra gazing intently at them.

"Hey there, princess," Trunks said, lovingly stroking his little sister's hair (as a member of the Saiyan royal family, the title was more than just an affectionate nickname). "What's up?"

"I was askin' Mama about the big meeting with all the cameras, and she said it was because you and him were boyfriends."

Goten laughed, just a little. "That's right."

"And I was wonderin' if that meant you were gonna marry each other."

A rare blush immediately slammed up her big brother's cheeks. He looked over and saw an identical redness on Goten's face.

"Uh..."

"Er..."

"Ah..."

"Um..."

As the two continued to stammer, Bra giggled. "You're funny!" And with that, she hopped back to the floor and went skipping out of the room. Alone again, they avoided one another's gaze for a moment. When their eyes finally did meet, both were still blushing.

"Um, Trunks...about what she was talking about..."

"...Yeah, Goten?"

The younger teen seemed to relax, and smiled. "Don't worry about it. It's like you said at the conference. We'll just stay together and let whatever happens, happen. If it's what's right for us, then we'll do it. If not, we won't. It's as simple and as complicated as all that."

The older teen grinned as well, breathing out a sigh of relief. "You always know just what to say."

"I picked it up from you, you know."

"Oh, really? Well, let's see if I picked up from you...how to be so kind and gentle..." Trunks leaned forward, kissing Goten softly, who eagerly kissed back. Their desire for one another began to return. They deepened the kiss, savoring as always the feel and taste of each other's lips. They slipped their hands under one another's shirts, beginning to caress the perfectly toned muscles, to play with the hard little nipples.

They were brought up short by a cough. They turned to see Bulma leaning against the doorframe, smiling softly. "I don't mind you guys having fun, you know. Do whatever you want to, express your love in any form you want. But unless you were planning on putting on a public show, you might want to close your door from now on." She winked and started to leave, then turned back. "But don't have too much fun just yet, lunch's going to be soon." Then she left, closing the door behind her.