Chapter Text
“Gohan, are you ready?”
As Trunks watched Gohan settle into position for Elder Kai’s ritual, he would admit that this was a stark contrast to his expectations when he had come to the past. So much had happened since his arrival. He had anticipated a pleasant surprise visit, a little birthday present to Gohan, some catching up, seeing the changes his presence had created in the timeline, and — most importantly — to witness the man that Gohan had become in times of peace and with the opportunity to pursue his dreams… Trunks deliberately chose a date several years into the future in the same month as Gohan’s birthday for a celebration of their accomplishments. Of course that had not happened… At first, when he had arrived at Capsule Corp, Trunks couldn’t help but marvel at the stark differences between the dilapidated structure of his time and the expanded one of the past.
He was quickly greeted by his family who were pleasantly surprised at his unexpected presence. Explanations were made to his counterpart about who he was and Trunks found himself being caught up on the events that had happened in the past seven years. He learned of Goten’s existence, whom was a close friend of his counterpart, and had also learned of Gohan attending a public school. He did stop his mother from going into too much detail surrounding Gohan, as he had wanted Gohan, himself, to tell him. Trunks was then informed about the upcoming Martial Arts Tournament, and how the gang was gathering there, as Gohan had been invited to attend. Seeing the opportunity, Trunks just had to attend.
While tempting to pay the Son household a visit, Trunks had spent the evening at Capsule Corp. It would be interesting to see Gohan’s reaction when he arrived, unprompted, to the tournament. He had run his hand through his long hair, wondering how similar and how… different Gohan would be from his mentor, looking forward to the day ahead.
Of course, none of them could have anticipated the storm that was brewing. The day, itself, had begun just fine, the family journeying to the tournament together. A miniature version of Goku had called out his name, running over to Trunks’ counterpart. This had caught the attention of Gohan who – predictably – was very surprised at Trunks’ presence. He had all-but rushed over to Trunks, arms twitching slightly before settling on Trunks’ shoulders, stuttering out his name, thinly veiled excitement shining in his eyes. Eyes that — Trunks had noted — immediately went to Trunks’ long hair.
During his last visit to the past, Trunks had noticed Gohan’s fascination with his hair. He supposed that it wasn’t too surprising, as he was the only Saiyajin with straight hair. Trunks, too, had some additional suspicions, but they were just that, suspicions. (Perhaps he was a little biased, considering his fascination with his mentor was definitely more than platonic.) Thus, Trunks had kept his hair longer after his second stint in the chambers, purposefully toying with it often. Gohan had needed the distraction with how much had been going on. He wondered if his long hair this time around would elicit a similar reaction, so he grew it out while the time machine charged, eager to see Gohan’s reaction. (He could only remember when Gohan had mumbled to himself about his hair. Trunks couldn’t help the teasing remark, and Gohan had predictably reacted with a deeply flushed face that was adorable.)
Purposefully, Trunks had tucked a couple of strands behind his ear and he grinned. It was… nice to see Gohan. To see how tall he had grown. Trunks had fond memories of the boy who had been practically glued to his side. He wanted to know if Gohan had been enjoying the peace. If he was happy fulfilling his childhood dream. And while there were the similarities to Trunks’ mentor, the man before him was… softer around the edges. There was less tension and burden in his shoulders, an innocence and optimism there that remained. It was… nice. It was how Gohan was supposed to grow up.
Thus, Trunks had explained that he was here for a visit, and Gohan quickly introduced him to Goten. Gohan began to offer some more explanations before being interrupted by Videl, and the tournament soon began in earnest.
Trunks would admit that the interruption left him unsatisfied and wanting. Thankfully, the Junior Division was first, and it was a cinch for his counterpart and Goten. He had hoped to continue their conversation, however they had not gotten far before Goten had ascended. The revelations had baffled him. Gohan had sympathised with him, informing him that he, too, was taken by surprise about the boys’ abilities. The Division had finished without a hitch. It was only when the Main Division had begun did things go off course. Krillin’s battle went as expected. Piccolo’s however… for him to resign… apparently some of the competitors were more than they seemed. Trunks couldn’t even get a read on them, which, indeed, was quite unusual. When it was Videl’s turn, Trunks had to admit he looked forward to the battle. Gohan was confident in his friend’s capabilities. So when she was obliterated, it took everybody by surprise.
However, it was during Gohan’s battle that things took a turn for the worse. A fellow bystanding competitor had jumped into the ring and attacked Gohan the moment he had transformed, and when Trunks had gone to leap into the ring, there was a grounding hold on his wrist.
‘Relax.’ Shin had spoken into his mind. ‘I will not let him die.’
Shin had then proceeded to explain who he was and why he was here. The following events that unfolded had blurred together as they faced enemies that threatened the very universe itself. And, as Trunks had fought alongside his allies, all he could think about was the fact that his timeline harboured the very same threat, and without the warriors to face it…
The ritual that Gohan was undergoing was prompted by an Elder Kai that was older than the current Kaioshin. He had been sealed in the sword that Trunks had been helping Gohan wield. When the sword had broken, the seal on the Elder Kai was broken. Upon seeing the untapped potential in Gohan and the looming threat, he offered to unlock that potential for Gohan.
Trunks would admit that his pessimism had a part to play in his doubts and disbeliefs, but perhaps they needed that to ground them. Trunks could only remember how optimistic Kaioshin was when faced with Gohan’s full power. (A power that could have been much greater if Gohan had focused on it in the past seven years… But, at the same time, Trunks couldn’t fault Gohan. After all, this was the life that Trunks had wanted for Gohan: the ability to focus on his studies instead of training and fighting for the sake of the world.) Thus, Trunks decided to voice his concerns. “Will Gohan be strong enough to beat Majin Buu…?” And, perhaps that was the wrong way to phrase it, as it wasn’t Gohan that Trunks doubted, but that power was the requirement they needed to beat this terrible foe. “It’s just… Majin Buu’s regenerative powers surpasses even that of Cell’s… How is one supposed to even conquer that? Cell survived exploding himself—” Trunks knew that – all too well – as his death was the consequence of said regenerative powers. He knew that a ki blast had eventually been enough for Cell, but… for Majin Buu— Would that suffice?
“Indeed…” Kaioshin murmured. “Strength isn’t the only thing that we need to defeat Majin Buu.”
“What about the Spirit Bomb?”
They all turned to Goku who spoke up.
“The Spirit Bomb… isn’t that the technique of the Northern Kai…?”
Goku nodded at Kaioshin’s question. “Yeah, King Kai taught it to me to defeat Vegeta and Nappa. It combines the energy of other life forms… To defeat Majin Buu we’d probably need a lot of life energy…” Goku’s comment alluded to the fact that Majin Buu was wreaking havoc on the universe as they spoke, decimating the amount of life energy available for them to utilise. “But, we can just use the Dragon Balls from Namek to give us more!”
“Yes…” Kaioshin nodded sagely. “I think you might be onto something Goku… Gohan could distract Majin Buu while we repair the damage that has been done to the universe with the Dragon Balls, and once the repairs are done, you should be able to summon a Spirit Bomb powerful enough to counter Majin Buu’s regenerative capabilities!”
Trunks felt himself relaxing a little as a plan was set into motion. Something a little more solid and structured. Yet, he continued to dread the fate that was being set before him: Just how he was doomed to repeat this set of circumstances alone in his timeline—
It seemed that despite all of their efforts, they would never escape death and destruction…
.+++.
Despite their intentions, despite Gohan’s power up, even he could not hold off Majin Buu indefinitely.
“He’s struggling.”
It ate away at Trunks just how helpless he was as he stood beside Kaioshin, watching as the fate of the past unfolded before him. While Trunks had maintained his training, he was nowhere near the levels that Gohan and Goku were at. He had managed to ascend past Super Saiyajin, but – to think! An even further ascension!
The dread pooled in his stomach, that pit growing as the seconds passed by. If the past could not best this foe, Trunks wouldn’t even have the opportunity to return to his timeline—
“You there, boy! Trunks… was it? Come here!”
Trunks turned to see Elder Kai beckoning him to approach. With not much else to do, Trunks abided, approaching the oldest being in the known universe.
Elder Kai was removing the earrings that he wore, handing the pair over to Trunks. “Here, put one on your left ear.”
Blinking, Trunks obeyed.
“Ideally, I’d like for Goku to do this but… we need to get Gohan back over here, so Goku will need to take over.”
“I cannot maintain level three for too long, Elder Kai. Even while dead—”
“We only need a few minutes at the most, Goku.”
“I can do that!”
“Good. Please tell Gohan to come back here then.”
“Elder Kai… what will earrings do?”
Elder Kai grinned at Trunks. “These are Potara Earrings: a Supreme Kai’s secret weapon. The wearers of the earrings will fuse, creating a powerful warrior. One much more powerful than the fusion the children used.”
“Fu…sion?” Trunks blinked as he took in Elder Kai’s words. To fuse with Gohan— “Why… why didn’t we do this before?”
“Well, there’s a caveat. The fusion is permanent. It is how I am able to unlock one’s potential. A witch took my earring and placed it on her ear before I could stop her, and the two of us fused… I used to be such a handsome young Kai…”
Trunks barely heard the story Elder Kai spoke of as the realisation hit him. Permanent?! If Gohan wore the other earring, then the two of them would—
What would happen to his timeline? Would they need to split the time they spent between the timelines? He couldn’t take away Gohan’s future— (And yet what future did Gohan even have if they could not defeat Majin Buu?) He turned to stare at where Gohan was fighting Majin Buu, watched as Goku tapped him out, meeting Gohan’s gaze.
His trip to the past had never meant to be— He had wanted to get to know the man that Gohan had grown into… And while they had not the opportunity to do so as of yet, he had hoped that afterwards…
Now it seemed that he would get to know Gohan far more intensely than he had anticipated. Other thoughts ran through his mind as well: the way that Gohan had been mesmerised by his hair… Oh that moment seemed eons ago—
“Dad said you wanted to see me?”
Ah — Gohan was already here and—
“Trunks, quickly now, boy. Give Gohan the other earring. Gohan, put it on your right ear.”
“Wait!” Trunks started. “He needs to know Elder Kai.”
“Pah.” Elder Kai grunted. “We don’t have the time—”
Trunks hardened his gaze. “Fine, I’ll tell him. Gohan, these earrings… if you put it on, the two of use will fuse.”
Gohan’s eyes widened.
“And… not only that, but… it’s— it’s permanent Gohan.”
Gohan’s eyes widened even more at those words, and he stood there, frozen at that prospect. Another moment or two passed moments they did not have as he processed those words. A multitude of emotions surged in Gohan’s eyes: surprise, horror, sadness, fear— “Per-Permanent?”
Grief.
Grieving the budding relationship between the two of them, platonic or otherwise.
Gohan stood up and swallowed. Hesitation flashed over his features before they settled into a grim determination. “Tr-Trunks…”
“Gohan.”
“I-In that case… could you do me a favour…?”
“Anything, Gohan.”
The moment between them was thick. After all, this would be the last moment that either of them had complete individuality and independence.
“Kiss me.”
Immediately as those words left Gohan’s mouth, fluster crept up his neck, quickly heating up his face. Sputters left him and his hands flailed out in front of him. “I’m sorry— I just— I haven’t— And if it’s you—”
Trunks smiled fondly. It seemed that, indeed, his earlier suspicions were true. A shame that it had come down to this… He stepped forward, hand pressing against Gohan’s cheek. Instantly, Gohan froze, a sharp inhale as he met Trunks’ gaze.
“It’s alright, Gohan…“
He caressed Gohan’s cheekbone with his thumb, mourning the loss of what could have been, before he leaned forward, pressing his lips against Gohan’s. They were soft. Pliant. Willing and inviting. Gohan remained frozen for another moment before a hand desperately tangled into Trunks’ hair, pushing back with fervour. Trunks didn’t fault or blame Gohan – nay, they were in the same boat. Their first – and only – kiss because an apocalypse was no time for love—
“Will the two of you hurry it up already?”
Reluctantly, Trunks pulled away, wishing that they had more time— Gohan met his gaze and swallowed.
“Th-thank you, Trunks.”
Another moment stretched between them before Gohan silently moved to put the earring on to seal their fates—
As Gohan did, Trunks felt an invisible force push him towards Gohan. Their chests met and—
And, then, Torahan turned to face their foe.
.+++.
Trunks found himself staring down at his hands —his and not their hands— What… what was…? Hesitantly, he looked up to see Gohan mirroring his actions—
“What…”
“Hmm…” Elder Kai approached the two o them and murmured. “…It seems there are limitations to being mortal…”
The finality of their fusion was still looming over Trunks. He could remember the way their thoughts had blended together and the torn feelings on their fusion. It was… difficult to figure out where he had ended and where Gohan had begun – or even where Torahan had begun. Their separation was so sudden, and very jarring and jolting to him, leaving him reeling after-the-fact.
“Tr-Trunks…?”
Trunks turned back to see Gohan looking at him in disbelief, reaching out with a shaking hand. Trunks offered a soft smile and moved forward to allow Gohan to touch his cheek. He felt his chest warm at the relieved expression on Gohan’s face. Their fusion left him with no doubts regarding Gohan’s feelings for him. He hoped that it was the same for Gohan… While he may not harbour the same intensity of feelings for Gohan, Trunks was still very much open to such prospects—
“Boys!”
They jolted and turned to Goku who quickly embraced the both of them. “I thought it was permanent?”
“I can only presume that being mortal is what caused the fusion to become unstable.” Elder Kai mused while rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
“Well…“ Trunks added with an exhale. “That is a relief…”
A tsk-ing sound of disapproval came from Elder Kai. “It seems that all of those dramatics was rather unnecessary after all…”
Trunks felt himself flushing a little, and when he had looked at Gohan, oh the other’s face was on fire—
“…Dramatics?”
“N-Never mind that Dad—” Gohan half sputtered, half shrieked.
Trunks couldn’t help but chuckle. Oh, Gohan was being absolutely adorable. Without hesitating, he reached over and pinched a heated cheek.
“H-Hey!”
Trunks grinned and laughed again. “Aw, where’d all that earlier confidence go? I kinda liked it when you demanded that I kiss you—”
Gohan playfully shoved him away. “Tr-Trunks!!”
As Gohan pulled his arms back, Trunks captured one of them and intertwined their fingers together. He looked up to meet Gohan’s gaze, and squeezed Gohan’s hand. “Did you want me to kiss you again?”
Predictably, Gohan sputtered.
While they still had a lot to figure out, Trunks knew that this felt right. Even before the fusion, even before he learned the depths of Gohan’s feelings for him… Perhaps even when he had decided to come to the past, a part of him knew that it would end up like this— So, Trunks leaned in, pressing his other hand against Gohan’s cheek, rubbing the cheekbone as he did before their fusion, his voice a low whisper. “…Well…?”
And, after a long moment, Gohan sheepishly nodded.
While there still were multitudinous questions and problems to solve, the one indisputable thing was that they were now together. Those problems, those questions, their… future, they would figure it all out together.
Trunks, now very glad to have grown out his hair, tucked back a few long locks before leaning in, obliging and placing his lips gently against Gohan’s.
Gohan met him halfway, and Trunks smiled, looking forward to what other things Gohan would meet him halfway at…