Free Ride
By: Missfortune
Disclaimer: Don't own the characters or the song.
Warnings: ...um...*shrugs* I don't think so.
Notes: Okey Dokey, I'm just trying to write a one shot to get my muse juice flowing. This one's a little weird but oh well. It was inspired by the song Free Ride by Nick Drake.

Goten looked at the picture in the paper and frowned. On the front page of the society section was a full color photo of Trunks with a glamorous looking red head hanging off his arm. Within the pages of the treacherous society/gossip section there was a full-page article on the heir to Capsule Corps.

The column talked about what the young heir to the throne of the largest and richest corporation in the world had been up to since the tragic death of his mother in an unfortunate lab explosion. It mentioned Bulma's death only in passing as if her death meant nothing. The public's attention had immediately latched onto Trunks' story with the hunger of a starving leech. The son of a rich corporation owner and foreign nobility was treated to all the invasion of privacy granted to true nobility.

Goten felt queasy as he read the horrible article that ticked off all the social events that Trunks threw and was invited to. Society was a cutthroat business that even he as a fighter was loath to enter. Trunks was much better equipped to bear the stinging barbs that affluent people flung at each other with a smile.

Trunks' father had trained him adequately enough in fighting with his body and his mind while his mother had silently supported him in the background. But now they were both gone. His father first and then a mere year and a half later his mother was tragically lost. It would have been nothing except for her living will that stated that she didn't want to be kept alive by machines or by a wish from a dragon ball. She wanted to go when it was her time, no matter how tragic or untimely it seemed. She always was stubborn like that.

And now Trunks had immersed himself in the attention that the public provided and entered their world. Goten was very upset that he had done that. Trunks had bought a fancy pent house uptown and proceeded to change into a whole other person. He'd almost sent Bra away to boarding school but Goten and his mother had put up such a fuss that he eventually relinquished his sister to Goten's mother. Goten was saddened even further as he thought of the young girl who had lost both her parents and her brother in such a small amount of time. She was very needy and Chichi and Goten tried very hard to provide her with the love and support she needed to get through such hard times. It didn't help that her brother had practically abandoned her.

Bra wasn't the only one that Trunks had abandoned. He'd also stopped visiting with Goten. Goten had tried to go see him a few times but he didn't have an appointment or some pigheaded bodyguard wouldn't let him through. The time or two that he'd reached Trunks by phone he had been distant at best. The dry dead tones of his voice contrasting sharply to the high-pitched giggles that seemed to be a constant background noise. It was extremely frustrating. He really wanted to see his friend, get him to come visit, spend some time with his sister. That was all he needed but apparently he wouldn't be granted even that without coming up with some sort of a plan.

Goten was smart, Chichi didn't raise fools. Even Goku had had to learn or die trying. But was he smart enough to go head to head with those social parasites? What kind of plan could he come up with? What did he have to use as weaponry? He needed to think about it. Maybe if he went for a walk something would come to him. Throwing down the paper Goten pulled on a jacket and left the house, hoping that inspiration would strike.

Goten pulled his coat tighter around him as he walked down the glitzy streets. He felt uncomfortable and out of place among the rich atmosphere of the upper end of the city. Now that he was here he wasn't too sure that this was as great of an idea as it seemed to be an hour ago. He should have taken time to refine his plan instead of rushing headlong into this situation, but then that was the Saiyan part of him he supposed, the instinct. But right now as the breeze seemed to blow right through his coat to freeze his skin, he wished that his human patience had kicked in instead.

Shaking his head he walked up to Trunk's building and went inside. There was a security desk but nobody was behind it. The guy probably went off for donuts or something stupid. Just because they were hired for security didn't mean that they were professionals. Deciding that it was his lucky day, Goten made a break for the elevator that would lead him up to Trunks' pent house. He was almost there when a big security guard stepped out from somewhere.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?" the man asked gruffly.

"I'm going to see my friend Trunks Briefs." Goten replied inching towards the elevator.

"You can't go up there. You need an appointment and I doubt that you have one. Besides, he isn't accepting any visitors at this time, invited or not."

Goten glared at the beefy security guard.

"Look, I don't care if he wants to be disturbed or not, I'm going to see him," Goten replied dangerously.

"You and what army?" The man asked threateningly.

"Me."

The man laughed and advanced on Goten. Smiling a tight smile Goten punched the man in the stomach. The guy went down like a sack of potatoes. He flopped onto the ground and appeared to be down for the count. Grinning in victory Goten stepped onto the elevator and pushed the button for the top floor where Trunks' penthouse was. As the elevator went up dinging the floors Goten began to feel nervous. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. He almost stopped the elevator and turned back but the door opened and Goten was looking at Trunks' front door. Taking a deep breath Goten forced himself off of the elevator. He walked up to the dark wooden door and lifted the doorknocker. He knocked three times and stepped back, waiting.

The longer he stood there the more nervous he became. After what seemed like an eternity, Goten turned away half disappointed and half relieved that Trunks wasn't home. That's when the door opened. Goten was reluctant to turn and see who it was. What if it was one of Trunks' bimbo socialite friends? Worse yet what if it was Trunks?

"Goten?"

Goten turned around. "Yeah," he said softly looking Trunks over. He was wearing a rich red velvet robe that was barely tied at the waist and a pair of blue silk pajama pants. His ribs were showing and his cheeks looked slightly hollow. There were dark rings under his eyes. He stood in the doorway with his hand on the doorknob looking out of sorts.

"You...you look good," Trunks said, seemingly at a loss.

"Well you look like shit," Goten replied seeing how gaunt and haunted Trunks looked.

"Thanks, I haven't seen you in how long and this is what I get?" Trunks asked.

"Well it's not my fault you haven't seen me," Goten replied sullenly.

"Oh, I see how it is. You came over here to nag me didn't you," Trunks said flatly.

"No, no. I'm sorry. That's not what I came here for. I just...I just wanted to see you Trunks. I haven't seen you in so long. I miss you," Goten said.

"I've been busy," Trunks shrugged.

"Yeah, I know. I read the society section. It's like the only way I know what you're up to," Goten sighed.

Trunks looked slightly guilty. "Look, um...would you like to come in?" he asked stepping out of the way.

"Yes, thank you," Goten said as he walked past Trunks into the apartment.

Goten looked around awed. The place was huge! Expensive decorations were everywhere. The room had to have been done by a professional decorator. Thick plush carpets cushioned his step. Abstract paintings and mirrors hung from the walls. Ornate little tables were spread here and there. Leather sofas and chairs took up the center of the giant room. A giant chandelier hung from the vaulted ceiling. This room had obviously been designed for entertainment and showing off.

"Trunks this is so..."

"Beautiful," Trunks supplied.

"Actually I was going to say, flashy, showy, gaudy, overdone.." Goten replied.

"Okay, I get the point," Trunks interrupted. Silently he led Goten through the room and out onto a patio decorated more simply with some iron patio furniture and a few plants. Dim accent lights and strategically placed candles gave the patio a warm glow that the rest of the apartment had been lacking. This must be the place that Trunks escaped the false world of a social butterfly. Trunks sat down in a lounge chair and Goten sat in a similar chair opposite him.

"Would you like a drink?" Trunks asked as he picked up a wine glass that had been resting on his chair.

"No thanks," Goten refused, noting the condensation ring Trunks' glass had left. He must have been out here drinking for a while.

"So what have you been up to?" Trunks asked sipping idly on his wine.

"Between tutoring Bra, going to school and helping mom out around the house I've been kinda busy," Goten admitted.

"Tutoring Bra?" Trunks questioned.

"Yeah, she's been having trouble in school lately. She's doing much better than she was though. She's even made some friends and had a sleep over. Mom is so thrilled to have a little girl around. Money's a little tight but it's so...I dunno homey, it's hard to explain. You really should come visit us," Goten said.

"Does that mean that you need money? Trunks asked.

"No!" Goten exclaimed. "No! We do not take hand outs!" he said vehemently.

"It's not a handout. You are taking care of my sister after all, if you need money, I'll gladly write you a check," Trunks said dismissively.

"Trunks that's not it! I only came over to visit, I didn't come over to nag you or weasel money out of you. I just wanted to see you. I already explained this. I'm not like all these new people you hang out with Trunks. I'm your friend. I care. I want to see you. Is that so much to ask?" Goten argued.

"I..." Trunks began.

"Look. All I'm asking is for you to visit once in a while. Your sister still needs you. I still need you. I don't care about the money or any of that. Just a little time," Goten sighed.

"I-I told you. I'm very busy," Trunks said uncertainly.

"Yeah. I know. All those parties and social events take up so much of your time. All those venomous pretenders and bubble headed hangers on. Yeah, they're so much more important than us little people." Goten spat bitterly, growing angry at Trunks' avoidance.

"Now wait just a minute," Trunks said sitting up and glaring at Goten.

"No you wait! I've waited a long time to say my piece. I've come to a decision. If the only way to get some of your time is to be like them then I'm prepared to do that." Goten stood up and shed the trench coat. Trunks' eyebrows shot up as he saw that Goten wasn't wearing anything beneath the coat.

"Goten..."

"Look. I'm willing to offer you myself, free of charge, no further obligation if you'll just come say hi to your sister." Goten proposed stepping closer to Trunks.

"Just an hour or two with her for an hour or two with me," Goten said as he got on his hands and knees before Trunks. "Come on, this is how they do it in the upper class huh. I'm offering you a free ride. That's much more than all these phonies will ever do for you. Just let me-"

"Stop!" Trunks exclaimed.

"Why? Isn't this what you want?" Goten asked crawling closer.

"No. Goten stop. Don't do this." Trunks said shaking his head.

"But I want to Trunks. I have to."

"No. No you don't. You're better than that. You're worth more than all of them put together. Don't lower yourself like that. Just please. Get up." Trunks said leaning in and putting a hand out.

"I can't Trunks. I...I want you back. We need you back." Goten said softly looking up at Trunks with shining eyes. "I can't leave this place knowing that I couldn't get through to you. If this is what it takes then it's a small price."

"No, its not worth it Goten. I'm not worth that price." Trunks argued.

"I think you are," Goten whispered.

"I..." Trunks was at a loss for words.

Goten crawled closer. He rested his head on Trunks' outstretched thigh.

"Goten," Trunks sighed as he rested his hand on Goten's midnight black hair.

"Trunks, I'm asking, begging you. I just want you back." Goten sighed absorbing the warmth of Trunks' thigh. "I know that loosing your parents hurt. But you're not alone. You still have Bra and me. There are plenty of people who love you for what you are, not this charade. Don't you get tired of it?"

"Everyday," Trunks admitted.

"Then come home," Goten pleaded looking up at Trunks.

"But what about all this? It won't be hard to leave these people behind," Trunks said gesturing at the city below them.

"They'll get over it. Eventually they'll find somebody new to hound." Goten said with a shrug.

"But-"

"But what? There are no buts. You're just scared aren't you?" Goten asked, but it wasn't really a question.

Trunks wouldn't meet his eyes.

"Trunks, we'll take you back. Not everybody is as shallow as these people. We don't care about anything else. We just care about you."

"But what if Bra is mad at me, what if you mom doesn't want me?" Trunks asked looking out at the sky.

"That won't happen." Goten assured. "We just want you back. We don't care about anything else."

Trunks looked back at Goten who was now shivering from cold. "I'm sorry," Trunks apologized for both Goten's nakedness, which was partly his fault, and his own stupidity. Trunks stood up and pulled off his rob. He helped Goten to his feet and wrapped his friend in the warm robe. "I'm sorry for being such an idiot."

"That's okay," Goten smiled as he hugged Trunks close. "Everyone is entitled to a few moments of insanity."

"I think I've passed my legal limit," Trunks murmured as he reveled in the feel of Goten's arms and his warmth.

This was something he missed. True warmth without the sham, no price tags attached. He knew that Goten would accept him no matter what. He'd just been slightly confused. He also knew that right now he could go as far as he wanted with his friend and Goten wouldn't stop him. He'd allow Trunks to have whatever he wanted and he wouldn't expect anything in return. That was just how Goten was. He'd freely give everything he had until there was nothing left to give. That was why Trunks loved him. That was why right now he would do nothing. He would pass this opportunity by, because Goten deserved better. For now he would just hold him. And maybe steal a little kiss. Trunks brushed his hand against Goten's cheek. Goten looked up at him and Trunks pressed their lips together chastely. They stayed like that for a few moments before Trunks pulled back. He just wrapped his arms around Goten and pressed their foreheads together.

"Will you come home with me now?" Goten asked hopefully.

"I'm already halfway there," Trunks replied.

The End

Free Ride -
Nick Drake

I know you
I care too
I see through
All of the pictures you keep on your wall
All of the people that will come to the ball
But here me calling, won't you give me
A free ride
Hear me calling, won't you give me
A free ride

I know too
What you do
When you're going through
Counting the cattle as they go by the door
Keeping a carpet that's so thick on the floor
But hear me calling, won't you give me
A free ride
Hear me calling, won't you give me
A free ride