Tonic for a Wounded Soul
By: Missfortune
Disclaimer: I don't own them.
Warning: None!!!
Notes: Not really sure where the idea came from, but I like it!
All songs are taken from the Tonic album: Sugar. I don't own that either, Darn it!

He was back. Back in the world that he saved. Where everything turned out so happily. Unfortunately things had stayed the same in his world. But at least he had been able to save this place. Save the people from the suffering. And now he was back. But it wasn't trouble that drew him here. It was more from curiosity that he decided to visit than anything else. Curiosity about one who never existed in his world. Curiosity about Goten.

Trunks walked up to the door of the Son household and froze. Was this such a good idea? Before he could decide whether to run or knock, fate decided for him. The door opened. Goten stood in the doorway.

"Hey Trunks! I thought you were out on a date with Pan," he said.

"Uh, no," Trunks said flustered.

Goten looked at him more closely. "Oh wait, You're not our Trunks. You're the future Trunks! Oh wait I don't suppose we can call you that anymore. It's more like alternate Trunks or other dimensional Trunks huh?" Goten said.

"Yeah," Trunks replied kicking himself for being so vocal.

"I was just going out to a club to listen to this great band. Do you want to come?" Goten asked.

"Yeah, that would be great," Trunks said happy that he had finally gotten more than two words past his lips.

"Great!" Goten said as he pulled the door shut behind him. "Let's go!" he said as he floated up into the air.

Trunks followed him, surprised by how cheerful he was and how he took everything into stride so quickly. The flight to the city was quiet. Trunks watched Goten pull a few lazy frivolous maneuvers as they flew. A loop here and downward spiral to a lake where he dragged his hand across the surface. Trunks watched all this and a tiny smile pulled at the corner of his lips. He could tell that Goten enjoyed life. Goten could have never existed in his own world. He would have been stifled by all the sorrow that his world had to offer.

Soon they landed in town in front of a small club. They went in and Goten snagged them the last table in the club. They were in the corner but they still had a pretty decent view of the stage. They ordered drinks and talked while waiting for the band to begin. Goten told him about his childhood and how he had grown up with only a brother and mother because his dad was away so much. Gohan was more of a father figure for him than his father, which was similar to Trunks' own situation. Trunks could sense Goten's sadness about this even though he pasted on a happy smile. Trunks felt himself warming to Goten quickly.

Soon the band started to play and they sat back to soak in the music. It was a band called Tonic. They had a nice mellow rock sound. But Trunks was more interested in watching how Goten reacted to the music. His lips moved silently mouthing the words of the songs. His head nodded to the beat that he tapped out on the table and he frequently turned to smile at Trunks.

Trunks would give him a small grin in return. He didn't have much practice at smiling. His life didn't have much to smile about. But here in this world with this man who never existed in his own, the smiles flowed so freely. Despite the absence of a father and which was a silent tragedy Goten faced alone. Trunks could tell that it hurt him deeply but still he was ready with a smile or a joke to cheer Trunks from his own brooding. He had barely been in this world for a day and already he felt himself drawn to the enigma. The pull was stronger now that he had spent time with him.

Trunks just sat in the dim club wrapped in the sound of the music watching the amazing man across from him. Something deep in side of him was saying he was falling. But something deeper still said that he had already fallen. And so he sat imprinting every moment of this happy time into his brain. Memorizing every word of every song, every beat of the drum, every smile from Goten, the smell of the smoky club. Everything was absorbed and stored away in his heart to pull out in more desperate times in his own world.

All too soon the music ended, the band took their bows amidst wild cheers. The encores took place and then they left. The strains of their guitars were replaced with the murmur of voices and an old jukebox. Goten turned to him and gave him a wide genuine smile that sent a small flutter through Trunks' heart.

"That was awesome!" Goten said. "And it was great to have company!"

"Why wouldn't you have company?" Trunks wondered aloud.

"People don't usually want to come with me," Goten said smile slipping a little. "But you came!" He said, smile returning with a vengeance. "It's great to have someone to share it with. They're a great band. And I can tell you enjoyed yourself didn't you?"

"Hai," Trunks admitted. "I had a good time. It was a very good band. I especially liked that one song, Sunflower, I think it was."

"All I want is to be your sunflower, To watch over you from up high, When the wind blows I will kiss you like sunshine, Stealing beauty from a perfect sky, Because here you go again, Because here you go again, And it really doesn't matter, Anyway, That it really doesn't matter, Anyway . . . " Goten sang softly trailing off.

"I'm not asking to be more than your lover, I'm not asking to be more than a friend, I'm not asking for anything that I shouldn't, To bring everything we know to an end, Because there you go again, Because there you go again," Trunks continued, looking deep into Goten's eyes. Time seemed to freeze around them. Trunks noticed a flicker deep inside Goten's dark eyes but the moment passed so quickly. Time sped up and resumed its normal course.

Goten blinked. "Wow, you memorized the song already? Just by hearing it once? It took me at least twice with looking at the words! You have a nice voice you know." Goten said once again taking it all in stride.

"So do you," Trunks complimented.

"Aww, this world's Trunks says I sound like a dying cat," Goten said blushing at the compliment.

"Well then he's either deaf or jealous," Trunks replied.

Goten smiled. "Thanks, its nice to receive a compliment once in a while."

"You don't get many?" Trunks asked.

"Me? Never! Criticism, yes. Compliments, no," Goten responded shaking his head.

"That's too bad, you deserve more compliments. You're a very nice person. You're always ready with a smile or a joke to cheer me up and you hardly even know me," Trunks said.

"Well, I don't know you, but I do know this world's Trunks and that makes me feel as if I've known you forever. And yet at the same time I know you're another person. It takes more effort to get even a small smile out of you. It's like a challenge. And the best part is you don't punch me when I say something stupid!" Goten laughed, managing to almost not sound bitter. Almost.

Trunks could tell that Goten had been hurt many times by people he cared about and they hadn't even realized it. He played the joker so well, even his loved ones were fooled. They seemed not to realize that a harsh word or gesture hurt Goten just as much as anybody else. Goten was just better at hiding it. But Trunks was intimate with pain and he could tell that Goten was suffering silently.

Silently was the worst way to suffer. You go on with life when you are slowly dying inside. Goten was cheerful by nature but that cheer could only carry him so far, before his smile cracked. Trunks had observed that Goten loved life and so instinctively avoided death. But if Goten was pushed too far, Trunks was certain that the ties on earth he had now would not be enough to keep him tethered to the realm of the living.

"Do you have anywhere to stay?" Goten asked, breaking Trunks from his thoughts.

"No," Trunks admitted.

"I thought as much. Well I insist that you come home with me!" Goten said with a smile. "It wouldn't do to have you roaming around lost or anything."

"I appreciate it," Trunks replied.

"Anytime," Goten said with a smile.

The flight home was just as uneventful as the first one, but this time Goten flew alongside Trunks. It was late when they got back to the house so they crept quietly through the halls to Goten's room. Trunks had the strange feeling that he was being snuck around. When they got to Goten's room Goten quietly shut the door behind him. As he flipped the light switch Trunks looked around the room. A few band and movie posters hung from the walls. Various pictures were tacked on a bulletin board a few knick-knacks sat on the bureau and the floor was strewn with clothing. Goten walked around and picked up the clothing, which he dumped in a hamper at the foot of his queen size bed.

"Here you take the bed, and I'll take the floor," Goten said as he fixed the sheets on the bed.

"No its your bed, you sleep in it," Trunks said.

"No you're the guest, you sleep in it," Goten insisted.

"I couldn't put you out, its your bed after all," Trunks said.

"Fine, we'll both sleep in the bed!" Goten exclaimed throwing his hands up in the air.

"Alright," Trunks said amused by his display.

Goten began to shed his clothes. Trunks watched fascinated as the muscles of Goten's body were revealed. Goten stood there in a pair of boxers and turned to Trunks. "Well aren't you going to change for bed, or did you not bring clothes?" Goten asked.

"I didn't bring clothes because they have washing facilities here," Trunks replied. "But I usually sleep in the nude."

"Really?" Goten said raising an eyebrow. "Well not in my bed! Do you need to borrow some clothes?"

"That would be helpful," Trunks told him.

Goten smiled and shook his head as he went over to the bureaus and pulled out a clean pair of boxer shorts which he threw at Trunks.

"Flowers?" Trunks said surprised looking at the boxers. They were blue with little white flowers all over them.

Goten fought down a blush. "They came in a pack. I had to get them to get the dragon ones," Goten defended.

"Ah," Trunks said amused. Goten blushed deeper, which pulled a chuckle from Trunks. Goten looked up and had to laugh as well. It was too ludicrous not to. Goten hopped into the bed and lay staring at the ceiling. Trunks turned around and began to remove his clothes. He couldn't see Goten watching him strip. Goten got a real shock when Trunks slid his pants off revealing that he didn't wear any underwear. Goten stared fascinated at the ripple of muscles. He licked his lips hungrily at the curve of Trunks' butt. Trunks pulled the boxers on and folded his clothed placing them on a convenient chair.

He turned back to the bed where Goten seemed to be staring into space. Trunks sat down on the edge of the bed. The sinking of the mattress jolted Goten out of his thoughts. Goten blanched a little before pulling one of his smiles onto his face and grinning at Trunks.

"Don't forget to turn out the light," Goten said.

"Hai," Trunks said as he turned out the light before returning to the bed. Goten lay in a strip of moonlight and Trunks breathing hitched slightly. He looked so beautiful lit up in the moonlight. Trunks shook his head. He couldn't think like that. He was about to get into bed with him. But he couldn't approach it with those thoughts in his head. He got into the bed and lay on his back staring at the ceiling. It was a long time before either of them fell asleep.

The next day came all too soon for the duo. Breakfast was pleasant enough. Chichi chatted with Trunks inquiring about his mother and the state of affairs in his world. It was after breakfast when things took a turn for the worst. Chichi began to berate Goten about his grades in college. He had made a 99 on a test instead of a 100. His brother had made straight A's in school and why wasn't Goten doing the same. Why did he stay out late wasting his time when he should be studying?

Trunks observed all this with amazement. Any other parent would be proud of the achievement not holding it up in comparison. She should be happy that Goten was even going to college. Most people didn't even get the chance. Trunks didn't even have a college to go to! Most such institutions were destroyed on his world. Goten seemed calm on the outside, but Trunks could see that he was upset on the inside.

Goten quietly got up from the table and walked out of the house with Chichi yelling after him. The door closed and Trunks looked at it with wonder. He hadn't even slammed the door! Trunks would have long since destroyed something if somebody had berated him over something so trivial. He turned to stare at the still fuming woman who pasted a smile on her face for Trunks benefit. This was crazy! He barely controlled his voice when he excused himself from the table and went off in search of Goten.

Once outside he took a deep breath. Someone up there deserved lots of thanks that his mother wasn't like that. He then turned to the task of tracking down Goten. Trunks wandered through the woods surrounding the Son household feeling out Goten's power. Already the power signature was as familiar to him as his own. Soon he came across Goten, but he didn't like what he saw. Goten was curled into a fetal position sobbing his heart out.

"Goten," Trunks called as he sat down beside him. Goten didn't respond. "Goten," Trunks called again this time resting a hand on Goten's shaking back. Goten jerked slightly and turned to look at Trunks with tear stained red eyes. Trunks couldn't stand the pain he saw in those eyes. He pulled Goten into a strong embrace where Goten continued to cry on his shoulder. Trunks just rocked him back and forth offering his support. Eventually Goten began to calm down, but that did nothing to ease the pain he still felt.

"Why does it have to be like this? Why do I have to live in their shadows? Why can't I just be me?" Goten murmured, more to himself than to Trunks.

"I don't know Goten. Maybe that saying about too much of a good thing is true after all." Trunks replied.

"What do you mean?" Goten asked looking up at him confused.

"Well, this world is so happy, with hardly any sorrow, that they don't seem to appreciate all the sunshine you offer. You have that special something that makes people want to smile along with you. You love life and you hate to be stifled by other people's expectations." Trunks explained.

Goten nodded. "They expect so much, when all I want to do is be happy."

"Goten, I have a question," Trunks said.

"What?"

"You know that my world is much different from your own. We have a sad past. You don't even exist there. But I think that it is a place you could be happy. You could spread your joy and your sunshine. You would be appreciated for who you really are deep down inside. For your humor and happiness. My world could use a person like you. When I leave, will you come back with me?" Trunks asked.

"You want me to come to your world with you?" Goten asked amazed.

Trunks nodded. "My mother would be delighted and you could do a lot of good in our world. But I must admit that my reasons are slightly more selfish. I would enjoy your company. Plus I don't think that I could leave knowing that I was leaving you some place where you are so unhappy. And I think that I would miss you."

"You'd miss me?" Goten asked surprised.

"Yes, I would miss you," Trunks admitted.

"Well, I guess I can't let you go without me if you were going to miss me," Goten said with a slight smile.

"I guess not," Trunks replied.

"So when do we leave? I gotta get outta this place," Goten asked whipping at his eyes.

"Whenever you want," Trunks said with a smile. "You know this reminds me of another song from last night." Trunks said as he began to sing. "Cause you wanted more, More than I could give, More than I could handle, In a life that I can't live, You wanted more, More than I could bear, More than I could offer, For a love that isn't there, I got to pick me up when I am down, I got to get my feet back on the ground, I go to pick me up when I am down, I don't know when I got bitter, But love is surely better when it's gone," Trunks trailed off.

"You Wanted More," Goten said nodding. "It reminds me of a song too. It's called Mean to Me." Trunks nodded and Goten began to sing, "There's an empty place inside that is hurting me, A place that keeps my heart out on it's own, A disconnected function of my wretchedness, That keeps me so hard pressed, It's a place where words are spoken you will never hear, A broken bridge of lines that just won't come, An empty lung that won't give me the wind to speak, How far can I be from home, Why you gotta be so mean to me, Why you gotta drag me down just to make me see, You know that I don't listen good and I'm always in need, So why you gotta be so mean to me?" Goten asked pulling at Trunks' heartstrings. Fresh tears were pouring down Goten's face and Trunks pulled him into another hug.

"I'll never be mean to you," Trunks reassured.

"Goten where have you been? You have all that studying to do to make up for your horrible grades!" Chichi started the moment Goten walked in the door.

"Mom, I'm leaving," Goten said.

"Where are you going?" Chichi asked.

"Away, Mother," Goten snapped tightly.

Chichi seemed quite taken aback. She stepped back as Goten and Trunks stalked by her. She watched dumbfounded as they walked into Goten's bedroom and slammed the door. She shook herself out of it and went to make some phone calls.

Trunks helped Goten to quickly pack away his belongings into a couple of capsules. Goten looked around at his empty room and sighed. He knew that this was for the best but it was still sad. Trunks put a friendly arm around his shoulder. He had the strangest feeling that if he wanted it to, that arm would be much more than friendly. A pounding on the door shook that nice thought from his head.

"Goten you open this door this instant!" his mother's voice called out.

Trunks squeezed his shoulder supportively as Goten squared his shoulders and marched to the door. He slowly opened the door and stared at his mother. "Yes mother, what do you want?" he asked calmly.

"I got Trunks to come over here and talk some sense into you. Our Trunks that is," she declared glaring at the alternate Trunks behind Goten.

"I don't want to talk to him," Goten said. "I just want to get out of here."

"You don't even want to tell me goodbye?" another voice inquired.

"Trunks," Goten said looking out into the hall. Chichi stepped aside and Trunks stepped up to Goten. He nodded at his alternate counterpart over Goten's shoulder.

"Goten," Trunks said clasping Goten's shoulders. "I'm sorry I haven't been a better friend but I hope that you are happy. And come back and visit sometime," Trunks said with a sad smile.

"What?!" Chichi screeched. "You're supposed to talk him out of it not encourage him."

"With all due respect Son-San" Trunks said coldly. "Shut up."

Chichi stepped back surprised.

Trunks turned back to Goten and his alternate self. He looked the other Trunks hard in the eyes, as if searching for something. Whatever it was he must have found it for he nodded to himself. "You take care of him," Trunks ordered.

The other Trunks nodded. "Don't worry, I will."

"Good, then you'd best make your escape while she's still stunned," Trunks said pointing over his shoulder where Chichi stood dumbfounded.

The other Trunks and Goten nodded in agreement. The other Trunks stepped up behind Goten and wrapped his arms around his waist shocking Goten. That stunned look was the last thing Trunks and Chichi saw as Goten and alternate Trunks winked out of existence. Trunks chuckled to himself. If his other self cared for Goten as much as he thought he did than Goten was in for more surprises than just a suggestive hug. Turning, Trunks threw a smirk in Chichi's direction before he left the house. He sure hoped that Goten would be happy, truly happy.

Ta da! what do you think? Nice, I liked it at least. The album I stole all the songs from is Sugar by: Tonic. It's my current favorite, it's like the soundtrack for my life.

Comments welcome.