Author's Note: Years ago on FF, around 2006 or 2007, there was a fiction where Trunks and Paresu hated each other, but out of respect for their relationship with Goten they try to become friends and eventually, they settle their differences and fall in love. The story has since been deleted and I've been itching to see a similar piece, so I decided to write my own. This story will focus on TrunksxMarron, a pairing I actually adore although I primarily only write GotenxParesu fics. I hope I can remain true to the characters and that those who follow me for Goten and Paresu stories enjoy this as well.

The eight ball knocked against the one and the three, bumping them into the corner pockets on the pool table. The young man who knocked them in smiled triumphantly as he only needed two more balls to win the game. "I got you this time, T!" Goten grinned as he took a sip of his beer.

"We'll see about that," Trunks eyed his the striped balls on the table. He had three more himself, and there was no way he could get them in one shot. Unless, Trunks walked around the table thinking. He leaned forward and angled his cue against the eleven ball, tapping it with enough force to hit the sides of the table and knock the other two striped balls into the corner pockets. "Bingo," he breathed in satisfaction.

Goten frowned, "You still have to knock out the eight ball."

"Corner left," Trunks called and aimed his cue once more. In one quick tap, the game was won. Trunks smirked at Goten who continued frowning at him.

"Best two out of three?" Goten grumbled. Trunks patted his back, still grinning from his win.

"I'm good, let's throw some darts," Trunks nodded to the corner section. He walked up to the bar to order an extra two beers and retrieve the darts, meeting Goten at the boards. Trunks took a step back and aimed his first dart, hitting a green stripe. He handed a dart to Goten, who took it and stared blankly at the board before tossing it and missing it by several inches. It wiggled on the wall, Trunks raising an eyebrow at his companion, "What's up man?"

"I'm a little distracted, that's all," Goten forced a smile on his face. When Trunks continued staring he sighed, "I'm seeing someone."

"Hey, that's awesome man!" Trunks patted his friend on the back. Goten nodded and opened his mouth to answer, but shook his head, unable to find the right words, "Okay then, it's not great?"

"No, it is. I really like this one, T." Goten sighed and took a seat on a nearby barstool, "I just know you won't be happy for me."

Trunks took a seat next to Goten and placed the remaining darts on the table, "Goten, c'mon man. Of course, I'm happy for you." He leaned forward and grinned, "C'mon, tell me about her. Or at least tell me her name."

"It's Marron," Goten interrupted before any more questions could be thrown at him. Trunks blinked in confusion, "Marron Chestnut. Krillin and 18's daughter."

"You're dating pigtails?" Trunks wrinkled his nose, "Why? Isn't she still in high school?"

"See, this is why I didn't tell you" Goten groaned. He finished the remainder of his first beer and took a large sip of his second before continuing, "She's all grown up now, T. Marron isn't just that cute little kid who followed us around. She's a beautiful, bright, awesome lady."

Trunks rolled his eyes, "Awesome huh? That really sold me."

"Just stop" Goten hissed and pointed a finger in Trunk's chest, "I'm sick of this. You're both my friends and now she's my girlfriend. Don't do this."

"I'm not asking you to pick" Trunks slapped Goten's finger away, narrowing his blue eyes at his friend, "Relax, Ten."

Goten remained unmoving and the two stared each other down, before the younger man conceded, "Fine. But if you do, if you ever do, there's going to be a problem." Goten finished the remainder of his beer and threw a few singles on the table, "Listen it's getting late and I don't want to fight. Wanna just come over for pizza and more beer tomorrow night?"

"Yeah, whatever man" Trunks sipped his beer and gave him a quick pat goodbye. Watching his friend walk out the door, he shook his head and mumbled to himself, "He's banging pigtails."

Goten walked into his apartment, a one bedroom in downtown West City. He had moved out of Mount Pazhou a few months ago, needing his space from his parents and wanting to live the big city life. Although he made more than enough money at Hercule's Gym as a trainer, his apartment was sparsely decorated. His bedroom only had a mattress on the floor, his living room a couch and television sitting on a pile of boxes. The first time Marron had seen his place she had covered her face in horror. How can you live like this Goten? she had asked him. He hadn't particularly noticed or cared until she brought it up.

She's right though, Goten thought as he pulled out his phone and dialed the first number in the list. It rung twice before she picked up, "Hey cutie."

"Goten, it's late," Marron yawned on the other end. It was only slightly after 10 PM, but the blonde schoolteacher was an early riser.

He rubbed the back of his head, a habit he shared with his father and brother, "Sorry, I forgot you go to bed early." Goten moved to take a seat on the couch, "Listen, what are you doing tomorrow night?"

"I was just going to finish my lesson plan for the week, why?"

"Wanna come over for dinner? I'll order a couple of pizzas, get some beer. Please?" Goten asked. An idea had crossed his mind during his walk home, he just had to get her to agree to it. He crossed his fingers and closed his eyes waiting for her response.

"Um, sure why not," Marron laughed into the phone, "Is everything okay dear?"

"Yeah, everything is great Maz," Goten grinned, "How's 7:30?"

"I'll be there," Marron giggled at his enthusiasm. She yawned once more, "I'm going back to bed, but I'll see you tomorrow."

Goten said his goodbyes and hung up the phone, feeling relieved. As he walked towards his bedroom, tossing his clothes into a corner, he hoped everything would work out.

Trunks opened the door to his private quarters at Capsule Corporation, relieved to see his female companion had arrived before him and was lounging on a couch. Very few people, excluding the Capsule Corporation staff and his family, had access to his room. It was a privilege he only gave to close friends like Goten or his current flings.

"I was getting bored," she sighed as he closed the door behind him. The beautiful woman got up from the couch and slowly moved towards Trunks, wrapping her arms around his neck. She leaned forward, her lips an inch from his as she whispered, "This is supposed to be fun."

"And it will be," Trunks growled as he pulled her into a rough kiss and lifted her into his arms, carrying her over to his bed. They tore at each other's clothes like wild animals, giving into the lust they both felt. It wasn't loving or tender, it never was between them. And when they finished he rolled off her, staring silently at the ceiling. They remained like that, motionless and not saying a word to one another for several minutes before she sighed and leaned on her elbow to glance at him.

"What is it?" she asked him. Trunks turned to her, his blue eyes staring into her dark ones.

"It's nothing," he lied. The entire ride home, he kept thinking about Goten and what he said at the bar. Don't do this… If you do, there's going to be a problem. He sat up in bed and sighed, "I don't think I can go again tonight."

She considered him for a few more seconds before she got out of bed to grab her clothes, dressing at the edge of the bed. Trunks looked away as she pulled on each item, respecting her privacy. Normally he would covertly look, or openly admire a woman like her. Or pull her back to bed for more. But he couldn't tonight, not with what was on his mind.

"I'm going to be out of town for a bit, work stuff," she was standing now and smoothing out her dress. She grabbed her clutch and phone from the coffee table where she left them and glanced back at Trunks, "Look, I know we don't do the feelings thing. But if you want to talk, just text me."

He nodded at her, "Thanks, maybe I will." He grabbed his boxers and pants from the floor, pulling them on so he could let her out. Trunks kissed her softly before opening the door, "I'll see you in a few weeks." When she had left, Trunks was alone in his dark quarters. He moved over to the couch and propped his feet up on the coffee table, Goten's words replaying in his head along with his own thoughts.

You're my brother, Goten. I won't ask you to pick.

Not yet.

Author's Note: I am so excited to keep rolling with this idea! I have the rough outline for the full story, so hopefully, my updates should be more frequent than Her, my other fic. Please R&R if you are interested in more.