2

Gohan grabbed at his chest as he shot up in the bed, sweat accumulated all over him. Wet dreams concerning Piccolo were getting much worse after he'd challenged himself to stop masturbating. But he could handle it. He wasn't weak. No. He would be strong, much stronger and honorable enough to be worthy of Piccolo.

After getting up and washing his face, Gohan went to the kitchen to get some water.

"You alright kid?"

Gohan almost jumped out of his skin. How did the woman do that? It was like she could completely erase all of her presence, which should not be possible…

"I'm fine Shinrin san. Just thirsty," offered Gohan softly, finishing his water in one gulp before placing the glass back on the counter.

"Let me or your mother know if you need anything, okay?"

"I will… And, thank you Shinrin san, for all that you do for all of us, and making my mother so happy. She deserves to be," said Gohan sincerely, with a slight blush, looking up at the woman just as tall as Piccolo with honest appreciation.

"Rest assured, I receive just as much from all of you. Thank you for accepting me as part of the family. I know it wasn't easy and maybe even weird at first."

"No problem." We've seen worse, believe me. You're a good person. That's all anyone can ask. "Well, goodnight Shinrin san."

"Goodnight kid. Rest well."


"Gohan chan, what on Earth are you doin'?" I know you're strong, but you've been doing that for a very long time. Even if you get it from your father, I don't know that's healthy.

"I…made a promise to myself…I intend to keep," grunted out Gohan in between his handstand pushups. No thoughts of romance or sex until Piccolo really sees me, until he truly understands. He was right. I can choose otherwise, no matter how intense the urges. I just have to direct the naturally accumulating thoughts and energy into other things.

"Promise?"

"It's personal Mother… Just know I am doing this to be honorable." After thousands of pushups, crunches and squats I no longer the feel the urge for sex, just food. I will be strong Piccolo; because I love you so.

"Uh-huh. Just don't overdo it dear… Do you need anything while I'm out?"

"Could you get me some more college books? I would appreciate it immensely, only if it's not a bother. I want to test out of as much stuff as I possibly can so I can be finished with school sooner." I must become my own man, and soon. "And thank you very much Mother, for everything," finished Gohan with a warm genuinely appreciative smile, flipping to stand back on his feet, using the small workout towel he had hanging nearby to wipe the sweat from his face and neck.

"Sure sweetie." Chichi sighed wistfully then, her eyes clouding up. Even his voice was deepening now, that original sweetness going from it, serving as more proof he was no longer a young child. "You're growing up too fast Gohan. What am I gonna do with you?"

"Don't worry Mother. No matter what, I'll always be your son and around if you need me."

Chichi nodded her head, trying to shake the tears from her eyes before she hopped into her hovercraft with little Goten squealing excitedly in his safety seat, eager for a ride with her. Time seemed always to go too fast when you needed more and too slow when you needed peace.


Piccolo could not take it anymore, finally standing out of his usual meditation pose. Why did the kid opt to play 20 Questions with him, which he had learned was never a good thing, because it meant something serious was on the kid's mind? "What is it Gohan? While I can read minds, you know I wouldn't stoop so low as to read a friend's." I can't really read yours at the moment if I wanted to because of that nervous but impenetrable barrier of yours on your mind, because you are still currently the strongest being on the planet. Just please spit out already whatever is giving you so much tension kid. Oi.

Gohan bit his lip and nervously fidgeted with his longer wild locks some more. "I…My mother finally let Shinrin san move in with us…"

"Yes. Your mother seems much happier with her around. Shinrin helps out with all the chores, bills and takes good care of Goten. And…" Oh. You feel left out now. Gohan. "But only you are Chichi's son and Goten's big brother. And I think your mother wanted to make sure you are free to do whatever it is you wish to, so you do not feel so obligated and can continue growing up as your own person without so many burdens."

"Yeah. I guess I could see that. I was just surprised that Mother would date someone so soon after Father. And that…"

"She's a woman? I cannot say I am surprised. Do you think your mother could care for another man like she did your father? Plus Chichi is…Chichi. A woman is probably a better match, from what I've seen. Shinrin gives her…balance she's never had before.

"Has she been hostile to you?" finally questioned Piccolo in all seriousness. If the woman had done anything awful to Gohan, he would make her beg for death regardless of how good she might be for Chichi.

"No, she is more than kind and understanding to all of us, and I am grateful. It's just, her being there and the sweet affectionate moments she and my mother share sometimes strongly reminds me of the person I told you about a while ago, the one I wish to…mate and share the rest of my life with," confessed Gohan apprehensively, constantly rubbing a nervous hand through his thick hair.

"I do not know who this person is Gohan, but I think you should wait, at least some years more. You are the smartest kid I know, and you're growing up awesomely, but you are still a youth. Be young while you still are, alright?" It certainly won't last, so don't take it for granted.

Gohan could not help it then. He thought he could be strong enough to hold it all in, had even given Piccolo a few years to maybe figure things out himself after their talk, after that awkward first movie night, which seemed so long ago now, not bringing it up at all since. But it hurt far too much. Piccolo, the one person he knew who was most sensible about everything, who could sense most things with an unrivaled keenness and was meticulous like no other; still didn't have a clue, did not know. And he felt like he was dying alone in the most unforgiving frigid hollow the longer he tried to hold it in. The flesh was relatively easy to learn to control, which he had. But his young heart ached more than he could bear.

"Gohan, what on Earth is the matter?" queried Piccolo with real worry, placing a hand on Gohan's shoulder, his chest tightening, face burning and eyes pinching in that most uncomfortable way as painful tears began to seep from his young friend's eyes.

"I-I… The one I want to marry, the one I have had so many intense feelings for, for so long is you Piccolo san!" cried Gohan in sheer dread and resigned desperation. He had tried so hard to contain it, yearned to wait until Piccolo might possibly feel the same or at least realize and acknowledge what he felt for him, but he hadn't, and it was veritably eating him up inside. And now Piccolo would never see him the same way again!

Piccolo had absolutely no idea what to feel or say, so he stood still with widened eyes for a while. But the minute Gohan dropped forlornly to his knees in the dirt; time sped back up, he swiftly lifting the boy up and embracing him tightly. He never had been able to make himself absolutely withstand or ignore Gohan's tears. The longer he'd known him, the harder it was to even think of such.

Gohan continued to weep copiously, much shame quaking throughout his spirit, until he realized through his inner turmoil he was being held. Then his bleary bloodshot eyes widened, his voice trickling out his mouth with tentative inquisitiveness. "Piccolo san?" You don't hate me?

"I can't… I can't promise anything kid. I told you, I don't understand romance." Believe me; I've tried to make sense of Earthlings and their peculiar ways for a long time. Some things just are not logical. "You could honestly do so much better than me kid." While I knew something was bothering you, I had no idea it was me you were talking about. I would have even thought it be Dende. Not me. "And you're too young to know what you want yet, so—,"

"That's not true! You are intelligent and kind and strong and beautiful, and I know you feel things so very deeply. You can deny it, but I know: I see it in your amazingly deep eyes, though you try to hide it. I know you can feel, and the one I want and it's you!"

"Gohan…"

"No! It's true. You are already my best and most trusted friend and my dearest sensei. We train together every week. We know each other better than most people already, which is what dating is initially supposed to be about. Don't you love me too Piccolo san?" Please don't tell me I've been a burden to you.

Piccolo's heart sped up to millions of kilometers a minute without his say. Words just could not convey it kid. But you don't even fully know yourself yet, no matter how much you think you do. And I would never do anything that might give you painful regret, not on purpose anyway.

"So you love me Gohan, as Earthlings like to say but rarely mean, enough to wish for a life with me?"

"Of course! And I mean it with all my heart!" cried Gohan emphatically, tears still streaming down his reddened face, his breaths becoming more erratic as his chest ached.

"Then, patience is an attribute of love. If in four years you still—,"

"Please no Piccolo san. Don't leave me," whispered Gohan pitifully, his young heart feeling as if it were being slowly hardened and crushed to the finest lifeless dust, shame and anguish streaming down his young soul. Everyone always leaves…

Water actually pooled Piccolo's eyes then; his vision blurring and his chest aching incredibly; much inner conflict straining him as he tried to harshly blink the unrelenting tears away.

"I'm not leaving you kid. But part of growing up is understanding that some things might not ever work out precisely the way you wish, that even the things that might be possible can take time. I am asking you to be mature enough to give both of us time. I want you to keep learning and growing as the amazing person I know you are; continue becoming your own man. If in four years you still wish to marry me, we'll start living together to really get a feel for each other and if we really mesh. Because you may think you know me, but you don't Gohan. You have not lived with me alone before, not confined in a house only we inhabit." You do not know all the laments of my distinct and fractured entity, and I never want you to suffer such darkness…"We'll see what happens then and only if your mother agrees.

"Regardless of what happens, I will remain your friend and partner in arms. But I ask you now, please wait until then. And if it doesn't work out, live a long and happy life, even without me. Can you do that for me, Gohan?" pleaded Piccolo more seriously than he had anything in his life. You have always been such a precocious and remarkable person, but there are just some things that cannot be undone once began. I could not bear for you to have regrets because of me kid, if only you could understand…

"Start living with me now Piccolo san, please," whispered Gohan imploringly, suddenly against Piccolo's ear making him shiver, his arms going around his neck to hold him closer, as he felt he was losing him.

"Your mother will never go for that. And—,"

"I love you Piccolo san, so very much. Can't we live together those four years you're talking about? I promise I'll never push you to do anything. Just please Piccolo san? I don't care how the small minds of the world see us. I want to be with you always. I want to share my whole life with you. Please? If you really don't want to be with me after that, I'll have to understand and move on."

"Your mother is not going to agree Gohan and rightfully so. You're only fourteen."

"Do you really not want to be with me?" susurrated Gohan sadly.

"Gohan, there are things even I do not understand. I…" There is no one I would give all of myself for besides you. But… "I do not think I can give you what you're seeking, Gohan."

"Would you at least try Piccolo san? If it doesn't work, I promise I'll leave you alone." I know you care for me, and I want you to know what love feels like Piccolo san. You deserve to be loved too. Will you let me? Let us begin?

Piccolo's brows cinched, a heavy weight accumulating on his heart and mind. Though it crushed him more than he could adequately express, perhaps he should just live with the kid for a while so he would learn what he was hoping for with him was futile. He did not wish to crush his dearest most trusted friend, but sometimes reality was cruel, painful, and most certainly unfair. Perhaps if he agreed Gohan would eventually understand the futility of what he asked and find the closure he needed to move on, so his dear young friend could have the happy life he so deserved, the life he knew he just would not be able to give him.

"Let's go see what your mother says," Piccolo finally acquiesced in a low tone, striving to fully mask his persistently aggravating emotions.

Gohan's eyes lit up with fragile but earnest hope; he maneuvering and quickly pushing his lips to Piccolo's before he could turn away and pressed warmly, causing Piccolo's eyes to widen dramatically before he jerked away.

"That's my promise to you Piccolo san. I know you think I don't know what I'm saying, that I'll grow out of it and move on. But with this kiss, I promise here and now I'll never stop loving you, and I will respect your wishes, whatever they are, my Piccolo san.

"Please, come to the house tomorrow in the afternoon. We'll talk with my mother then."

Gohan slipped away from Piccolo then and quickly flew home, more tears stinging his eyes on the wind. Nothing could ever be easy with Piccolo, but he didn't care. Piccolo was worth it. He loved him too much to give up on him. Piccolo had taught and given him so much he could never repay. He helped him find his own strength and courage when he thought himself the frailest; protecting him with even his own life. He brought him peace in that place within that shadowed space that never seemed to have any; helped him make sense of things when nothing seemed to. But most of all, he conquered his loneliness—that deep dark void that had begun inside Gohan since he was a little child and had found out the world was not at all a safe, fair and just place for everyone. And somehow Gohan would return that unfaltering love and encouragement; he would conquer the potent hollowness that still haunted Piccolo's eyes even when he tried his best to really smile. They would heal each other together. Even if their world was never perfect, or not always happy, it would be their own.

Piccolo sighed quite heavily; his fingers unconsciously ghosting over his lips where Gohan had kissed him, his mind conflicted more than ever, even as his body warmed in a peculiar way he had never experienced before.


"So? How is it my problem?"

Piccolo withheld the rising expletives that bubbled within him but scowled harshly. He should have known better than to ask His Imperial Assholeness for any type of advice. Well, he wouldn't make that mistake again.

"Namekk. Look, Saiyajin only mate to produce offspring and aren't particularly loyal to mates. Most, as I am sure you have well witnessed, prefer battle, power, dominance and even food over anything else."

"What about you and that blue-haired woman. You seem to do a lot more than merely 'produce offspring', and I know you haven't been with anyone else like that since her."

Vegeta busted Piccolo in the gut with a hard left too swift to counter.

"Talk about her or presume to know me again, and I will dismember you, permanently."

"Vegeta, I am not nor will I ever be afraid of you, you contradictive pompous little ass. If you are inadequate to spare some advice, you're inadequate, and I won't waste my time anymore. If you are going to kill me, try it. Otherwise, stop talking out your ass. I have other places to be."

The haughty Saiyajin no Ouji burst up into a haughty chortle then, only peeving Piccolo all the more.

"So, Namekk has a backbone. You know, I do not believe we have ever fought. Have a go?"

"Bring it, you demented dwarf reject."

"That's why I don't kill you. You're the only one in Kakarott's annoying little circle that has some substance."

Boom! Vegeta was seeing stars for a short moment at Piccolo's harsh riposte sock to his face. But in the next, he was matching Piccolo crushing blow for blow; the Gravity Room quaking under their power for the next few hours as they both let off some steam on each other.

"Admit it Vegeta, now. Or I'll twist them both off! And you know if I give my all I can," demanded Piccolo seriously, his arms and legs severely stretched and wrapped around Vegeta's body, keeping him tightly locked in a powerful hold on his stomach with all limbs disabled, and his right arm and glowing Super Saiyajin tail taut at very uncompromising angles.

"Alright, you've got skills Namekk. Now release me." You had better not even joke about my arm and tail again. I could kill you anytime I wish; you overgrown lime vermin you.

Piccolo reluctantly retracted his limbs and let go, making to leave the room in a rare huff altogether. While he was annoyed with how condescendingly egotistical the little warrior prince always managed to be, what really bothered him was that he was basically right where he started before their little spat began.

"Look Namekk, not that I give damn. But if Kakarott's eldest spawn is serious about you, you'd do well not to tease him. It's incredibly rare, but some Saiyajin do mate for life, and those who do do not take kindly to being refused their intended mate; it meaning more than even battle to them. So, the only advice I can give you is to not fuck up. If pushed far enough, Kakarott's eldest brat might severely maim or even kill you if you confuse or betray him, or anyone possibly contending with him for you. So if you made a promise to him, you'd do best to keep it Namekk. Saiyajin instinct can be powerful and dangerous, especially in those who are most loyal in personality and haven't properly trained it. If he has really chosen you as his mate and things go wrong, there's no telling what might occur. He might not fully be conscious of what he's done until it's over, especially since he's a half breed."

"Don't you ever call him that! He is a whole person, no matter where his blood comes from. As someone who considers himself such a fucking noble as to update us all regularly of it, I thought you'd know that, Prince Vegeta. No wonder your people are practically extinct! Just look what they fucking had to look up to!" roared Piccolo with more passion than he had anything in his life, right after busting Vegeta right in the kisser through rare rage.

Vegeta sat up and stood slowly from where his body had landed, wiped the blood from his lip and scowled, looking down hard. That one hurt, far more than his pride, and they both knew it, whether or not Vegeta would acknowledge it.

With his back to him, Vegeta offered a few more words. "I meant, if you've noticed, the potential power of each hybrid child seems to be naturally greater than the rest of us, for whatever reason. Just think how much faster Gohan reached that power to destroy Cell, when I and Kakarott have been training to push past our limits all our lives and only just recently been able to ascend, let alone go beyond that and fully control it. If his power can be greater so could his instinct. With all your fucking abilities, I would have thought you'd know that Namekk."

Refusing to look back at Piccolo, Vegeta strolled to the GR's exit, his back straight with as much dignity as possible, his tail wrapping back around his waist protectively. His chest did ache at the cruel reminder that he was the last of his kind: that hurt incredibly, whether he wished to admit or not. Anguish even filled him that the aggravating over-powerful baka Kakarott was gone. As much as huge parts of him despised him, Kakarott had been his initial reason for coming to Earth, beyond the Dragon Balls, the reason he eventually stayed and accepted it as home; his loss greater that words could say. But he refused to let a single silent painful tear fall, strolling through the halls as dignified as possible until he was back inside his private room in Capsule Corp., alone.

Piccolo grimaced; cursing himself internally now for multiple reasons. While still an incomparable royal prick, Vegeta did not possess the saturated aura of evil he had when he'd first come to Earth. His darkness was not gone, the potential always there, but perhaps Piccolo had gone too far in cursing him like that. After all, he himself knew the heavy and life draining burden of loneliness and regret, the sheer hollowness of darkness, only too well. He had just been so anxious about the impending meeting with Chichi, any possible affront to Gohan proved to be the last straw; his usually rational control overwhelmed by emotion as his usually keen and calm mind was unusually conflicted.

Though he appeared as stern as ever, Piccolo's spirit did throb as he exited the GR, all the anxious tension he let go of through their spar returned full force.


"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Like what?" enquired the young robed God above the clouds, twisting his staff with seeming idleness, even though his eyes were more serious than ever.

"Like that," growled Piccolo, his eyes boring down into Dende's harshly. He had already had quite the fucking day, and he hadn't even yet been to the promised afternoon meeting at the Son residence.

"I am not surprised that it's you he's chosen," said Dende more strongly than he usually spoke, a tinge of jealously and hurt tainting his voice. "I knew it would be one of us, if not an Earthling female. Gohan is just that way."

"How are you so calm about this? Wait. What?"

"I realized once I became this planet's Guardian that I would be giving up a lot but also gaining what I could not hope to have on our world. Though, my hopes dwindled when Gohan's visits became fewer and fewer."

"Wait. You?"

"I've had deep feelings for him since I first met him, which only grew the more I got to know him. I was too young to understand all those feelings initially, but I do now. Namekkuseijin can love too Piccolo. We just fall in love with the mind first. The flesh is more of a formality for mating for us. Our true intimacy is of our minds, of our hearts. Whereas most creatures on Earth are prisoners to physical chemistry first—which always eventually wears off—the only possibility of having depth to any relationship being when people choose to go beyond flesh and relinquish every petty illusion to truly care for one another." Dende paused as his eyes brimmed with emotion, blinking and taking a cleansing breath. "If you can be happy with him, you should be. Do not take such an opportunity for granted." I know I wouldn't. I certainly won't forgive you if you do or ever hurt him.

"But I don't… He deserves…"

"He deserves to be happy. You made a promise already, so you had better at least try," urged Dende strongly, his usually soft passive voice never holding so much conviction and strength, making Piccolo's eyes widen. "Go on Piccolo san. Do not be late." You deserve to be happy too, Brother.

Piccolo nodded in a daze, feeling rarely, incredibly dumb for a long moment before flying off the Temple in the sky and back down to Earth.


"What the hell did you do to my baby?!" roared Chichi, expletives and cookware flying out her mouth and kitchen at breakneck speed the moment the door opened with Piccolo standing there.

Piccolo expected this, so let the fiery little woman get everything out, accepting every cruel word and vicious blow to his person. Nothing could possibly hurt as bad as feeling he might end up failing Gohan, nothing.


"Let me go Shinrin san! Piccolo needs me!"

"Gohan, you promised your mother you would let her have some time with Piccolo alone before the three of you talk together."

"How are you this strong?! Let go!"

A twinge of honest sadness filled Shinrin's eyes, and Gohan stilled a moment once his met hers.

"You're… You're not human, are you?" Somehow I knew it, even though I could not sense it. You must be able to fully block your true presence somehow, yet still emit a viable false one sensible when you wish.

"No kid, I'm not. But I promise, my love for your mother, for all of you is real. I only wish to help, for all of you to be happy."

"But Piccolo san—,"

"I think we both know Piccolo san is a big guy who can fight his own fights just fine. Plus, this is a test. You know your mother would accept nothing but the best for you."

"Shinrin san?"

Gohan stopped fighting her entirely then, Shinrin's surprisingly powerful hold releasing him.

"What are you?" asked Gohan seriously.

Goten appeared in one of the inner doorways of the large hovercraft rubbing his little eyes after waking from his nap.

"I know. She's one of those cool monsters who eat other monsters. She never hurts the good guys, only the bad ones. Then they can't hurt anyone ever again," said Goten cutely, giving them both a half-awake smile.

Both Shinrin's and Gohan's mouths dropped.

"Goten chan, how did you…?"

"I dreamed. You ate the mean man that hurt the sad lady badly and then buried her all alone. You ate him scarily, so he could feel all the pain and scariness he meanly caused so many others, until there was nothing left of him. And you unburied the sad lady and set her free. She's not sad anymore. She's with her family now in a better place. You're a good person Shinrin chan," finished Goten with honest innocence, looking up at both of them with that blameless toddler grin.

Shinrin's eyes first widened in disbelief and bit of horror; then they filled with sincere tears, her slim long form turning from each of them, her face going into her hands. They were never supposed to know.

Goten started crying then, thinking he'd done something wrong.

"Oh Goten, sweetie, you've done nothing wrong," whispered Shinrin, wiping furiously at her eyes and hurriedly picking the honest toddler up, beginning to rock with him. "It was just a surprise is all. But you know what? Only really good and special people can have dreams of me. So you are truly extraordinary my friend," she offered kindly, wiping the tot's face gently with her handkerchief and playfully pushing his little nose like a button.

After a few moments, Goten's innocent inquisitiveness returned, his tears dwindling. "What mean extra-extroda-extrud…" Goten huffed because he couldn't quite pronounce the word.

"It means you are quite a person Goten, big in a very good way."

"But I'm wittle."

"But your heart, what matters most, is quite grand," said both Gohan and Shinrin together, Shinrin softly wiping Goten's eyes and getting him to blow his nose. "And I bet you're not so little to bugs and creatures much smaller than you, are you?"

All three shared a warm smile; the elder two relieved Goten was his happy energetic self again, before Gohan's eyes frowned once more. He couldn't stop thinking of Piccolo. He hadn't been able to get his mother to promise to be nice. Part of him regretted pushing Piccolo and telling his mother. He really did not wish to cause any trouble to either of them. But his heart would not let him remain silent any longer.

"Well, the plane is on autopilot. I know you two are hungry. So why don't we have lunch before hitting the mall?" urged Shinrin, her eyes landing on Gohan imploringly.

"Alright. I did promise mother after all," finally relented Gohan with a weary sigh, Shinrin's eyes thanking him.

"There you go. Come on Goten. You get to pick out the veggies."

"Come on Big Brother. I get to pick the veggies!" chirped Goten happily, his little hand grasping at his big brother's larger one and holding it tightly.

Gohan smiled at his little brother and rubbed a loving hand through his hair.

"Alright squirt. Let's go."


"You done?" offered Piccolo after a long awkward silence.

"You'll know when I'm done," growled Chichi, swiping an irksome strand of hair and moving it behind her ear, her dark tenacious eyes just boring into him.

"You know, this wasn't my idea. If Gohan hadn't come to me and pleaded and wept, I would not have even known he felt such a way towards me." I knew he cared, and that something was bothering him. But I never would have known…

Chichi deflated then, finally opting to go inside and sit in what she deemed her "comfy" chair. It was a brown worn cushioned rocking recliner, but it was comfortable and always gave her a little peace when she felt at her worst or needed to think.

Piccolo reluctantly stepped inside not long after, beginning to use his telekinesis to move all the cookware Chichi had barraged at him back into the kitchen. He did not know if it would be a gesture she'd appreciate, but at that moment he did not care. He needed something to take his mind off things and just wanted the whole mess to be over with soon.

After a few more moments of awkward silence, Piccolo finally opted to sit on the couch adjacent her.

"Just tell him no Chichi, please. And I'll stay absent for a long while so he can have closure. I only wish for the best for him, please believe that. I've given my life for him before, and I would do it again without hesitation… But, I am not able to reciprocate the way he wishes this time. More than that, he deserves far better than I could ever be," Piccolo finally admitted in a soft defeated tone he had never used before, closing his eyes and putting his head down then; folding his hands together as his mind and heart both continued to thoroughly perturb him.

Chichi's face twisted into a painful yet uncanny grimace once she realized not just what Piccolo had said, but all the rare telling nuances to Piccolo's voice and tone she had never heard before; her eyes widening when she looked at him and actually caught the stray tear glistening down his face as he sat hunched upon her living room couch. He had even pleaded; something she'd never known him do, probably no one had, confounding her all the more. Because she knew her son's love for him was very real too. Because she knew Piccolo much better now than she initial had when she first loathed him, and she could no longer just hate him because of his past or because it was convenient to. She and Gohan's long, detailed and somewhat excruciating talk that morning had revealed things she deep down already knew but had not wished to acknowledge, along with knowledge she hadn't known about Namekkuseijin until then. Gohan had been dead serious about the future he desired, and she did wish more than her own life for both her children to lead healthy happy lives of their own one day. And that meant she could never fully be rid of Piccolo now.

"You really love my son, don't you?" In ways even you yourself do not fully comprehend yet.

Piccolo looked up then, looking strangely helpless as he hunkered with his hands in his lap, almost like a giant sulking child, making Chichi bite her lip before sighing deeply.

"I can't tell him 'no' now or he'll never forgive either of us. He's more than earned the right to live his own life. So whether I like it or not you're just goin' to have to buck up and live with him for a while to keep the promise he made sure to tell me you made to him during our long talk this morning.

"Shinrin has recently added another wing to the house anyway, so we're not all so cramped in here. That will be yours and his. That way you can have some privacy, and learn more about each other before doing anything rash, but he'll still be home. We'll see how things go from there.

"But I promise you now, and hear me well Piccolo: if you ever hurt him, I will not only personally castrate you with a rusty saw before sending you on a one-way trip to Hell, but I will vacation there frequently to make sure they administer the most proper punishment to you for all eternity. Is that understood mister?!"

Piccolo's eyes widened incredulously. Chichi was supposed to decline—no forbid it. Someone had to be the voice of reason. This scenario wasn't supposed to be possible! By the Gods! What the hell?!

Chichi stood up abruptly then and walked to the kitchen, her hands rising to her hips in that no-nonsense akimbo posture.

"Now you come in here and help me clean this place up mister. If you're going to officially be part of this family, you help out when needed."

For the third time this day, Piccolo felt like he was in some bizarre alternate universe, blinking incredulously. But he quickly pulled himself out of his daze and hurried to the kitchen; having no clue how he would deal with the rest of the day, let alone whatever else was ahead of him.


Gohan's eyes bulged when he, Goten and Shinrin finally made it back home, having given Chichi and Piccolo more than ample time to figure things out all day. There in a plain burgundy apron was Piccolo, swiftly moving about the kitchen as Chichi barked orders better than a drill sergeant. Piccolo was still alive, the house had failed to blow up, and his favorite person was in the kitchen cooking. Gohan couldn't help the warmth that pervaded his cheeks and quickly travelled to his groin. He had never seen Piccolo so out of his element yet still so determined, certainly attractive. He even looked somehow cute in that moment, bringing a small grin to Gohan's face and relief to his spirit.

Once Piccolo realized Gohan was there he paused, their eyes locking for a moment before he quickly looked away. Both Chichi and Shinrin caught that but said nothing, Chichi urging Piccolo to finish the final touches on supper. Goten tried to climb the counter and snag a couple cookies out of the cookie jar before dinner, but Shinrin guided his attention to the new book set she had picked up while they were out. The adorable little tyke loved stories and nature even more than food, so it wasn't difficult to divert his attention until everything was ready.

Piccolo sat awkwardly at the table after serving everyone else. While this certainly wasn't the first Son meal he'd attended, it was the first one in which Chichi dubbed him her son-in-law, which he just did not initially like the ring of, but he remained quiet about it, finally deciding to nibble at a steamed vegetable dumpling to get his mind off things.

Gohan and Goten practically devoured every morsel set before them happily, making Shinrin chuckle lightly, Chichi huff and Piccolo's cheeks purple, as he had prepared most of the meal himself with Chichi's direction.


Once dinner was through, Shinrin guided Goten to get washed and ready for bed. Chichi laid down the rules once more before saying goodnight to Piccolo and Gohan, about them being "safe" if they did anything because she'd kill either of them if they made her a grandmother so young; making both senshi flush very vividly and look away.

It was finally just them in the kitchen then, both of them cleaning up at Chichi's orders.

"Piccolo san?"

"What Gohan?"

"Are you mad at me? You don't seem too happy about this. That was not my intention," whispered Gohan, his eyes brimming with tears again without his say, blurring his vision as he attempted to keep control of his power so he could dry a dish without demolishing it.

"No. You are my…friend Gohan. If this will help you on your journey of personal growth, it won't be for naught."

Gohan bit his lip.

"So it's only out of obligation that you stay?" susurrated Gohan softly, setting the dish aside and peering up at Piccolo beside him with sorrow.

"Gohan, we've already been through this… I'm here aren't I? I cannot promise that I'll ever be able to give what you seek in a relationship with me." What I do not even understand myself. "But I am here." I really cannot believe your mother relented.

Gohan quickly wiped his eyes, feeling embarrassed that he'd let more emotion get to him again while in front of his dear sensei. He hoped he would eventually be able to get Piccolo to fully understand how he felt for him and why; hoped they could learn to truly share a life together happily. He did not wish to pressure Piccolo, but he knew Piccolo would never let certain things be unless nudged a bit; as was his brusque, encloistered way. He also could not imagine a life without him now, and hoped he hadn't ruined everything by failing to remain patient. Or maybe he should have never brought up his feelings at all?

"I know. But you at least want to be here with me, don't you?" You thought mother wouldn't allow it, didn't you? Please say I'm not a burden to you.

"You better know by now there is no other person I actually don't hate spending time with. That much is true, Gohan."

"Ah," murmured Gohan, giving Piccolo a short wistful smile and playful nudge before turning back to the dishes. Would Piccolo ever give him a solid answer?


After the kitchen was clean, Gohan led Piccolo to the new wing of the house; the one his mother said was now theirs. Piccolo took everything in until he was urged to sit upon the large cerulean dressed and canopied bed in a large pristine light lilac hued room, his eyes bulging.

"Gohan?"

"This is our new bedroom. It seems Shinrin helped mother move my stuff for me in here while we were cleaning up. It was pretty nice of them to give it to us since it was supposed to be for them… Anyway, just make yourself comfortable. I am going to shower and then probably study for a while before lying down. This is your room too now, so go ahead and start making it your own."

Piccolo sighed heavily once he was alone in the room. He walked around a moment, just to get a feel of it, not really thinking much of it after a while. A room was room—a space manufactured. He always got more peace while meditating near waterfalls, trees and other peaceful open spaces of nature. But his eyes were quickly guided to the ribbon wrapped glass jar on top the bedside bureau. He thought there was candy in it upon first look, which would have been strange in the Son home on its own simply for the location of it, as Chichi was adamant about keeping a clean tidy home. But upon closer inspection he facepalmed and groaned audibly. It was jar of condoms with a large homemade label taped to it that read "Always Be Safe!" with "I mean it you two!" underneath in parentheses. What the hell was wrong with Chichi?! Did she really want them together; let alone doing that so soon?

Piccolo took a deep breath after that, striving to empty his mind. There had been a tube of something else on the bureau, but he didn't care what it was. He wanted nothing to do with any of it. Unable to think of anything to add to the grand room with immaculate hues and furniture, even though Gohan had told him to make it his own, he finally decided to just levitate in the corner; folding his limbs and closing his eyes, trying to meditate to calm his greatly agitated mind.


"You'll see Piccolo san. We can be happy together. I know you really care for me, I know it. I believe it. We'll be happy. You'll see," Gohan tried to affirm himself in the shower; feeling simultaneously serene and anxious at actually having his own room with Piccolo, at them sleeping in the same bed together for the first time; a few more angsty tears falling without his say as he washed himself. Being a teenager really sucked a lot of the time. So many things were hard to get a full handle on. So much was expected of you because you were no longer a small child, yet you weren't really grown yet either. No matter how much you thought you knew, there was always much more you did not. But he knew what he felt in his heart for Piccolo was real. And he would not give up on anyone he loved, especially him. He had to have strength for them both.

He hadn't known his mother would allow it either, but he was glad she had, glad he had grasped hold of his courage to try. He yearned to be as close to Piccolo as possible, to learn to be able to bring out that wondrous smile in him he knew he deserved to have and wear more naturally, even during the roughest of times. This was the chance to get closer the ways it counted most, to see if they could really click as a couple, to learn how Piccolo really felt for him and why and honestly express himself to him too, and Gohan was grateful for those chances. Though he could tell Piccolo was not pleased with the current situation, the amazing warrior always becoming gruffer when things he didn't like or understand happened, he knew his dear sensei cared. And Gohan would believe in their future together as long as it took to be made real.


"Chichi…"

"Yes Shinrin?"

"Your boys know. Seems Goten had visionary dreams of me and what I do other than my day job. He told me and Gohan about it today while we were out."

"You know what? As long as he didn't see anything too graphic, I'm going to count that a plus today. Family secrets aren't nice to have or keep. And I am so weary of worry and regret… We're all a family now. No matter how weird or unconventional to others we might seem, we are a real family because the love is real, and I am glad we are," professed Chichi with much emotion and conviction, moving closer to Shinrin on their bed.

Shinrin knew to say nothing more; taking Chichi into her arms and holding her close.


Just when Piccolo had finally gotten his nerves to calm some, he felt the warm moist press of lips to his cheek, his eyelids shooting open.

"Goodnight Piccolo san. I just wanted to tell you that because you seemed to be in quite the trance there, and I'm going to sleep now. And…I love you."

Piccolo's demeanor quickly became its usual stoic as he fought to hide his true emotions. "Goodnight Gohan. Rest well."

Gohan sighed somewhat disappointedly before hopping into his new bed, quickly pulling the covers over his head and turning his back to Piccolo. It did hurt, but he was no fool. He knew Piccolo was going to try and push him away for his "own good" hoping he'd finally give up and move on, but he refused to. He was determined then to give Piccolo a kiss on the cheek and tell him he loved him every day from now on, because he did; until it was more natural and no longer unnerving to either of them, until Piccolo realized he could not destroy the place in his heart already carved out for him.

After some irksome tossing and turning Gohan eventually found sleep; Piccolo's masterful awareness keeping watch over the entire house as he continued to levitate in the corner, a bit of purple still flushing his cheek where Gohan had kissed him.

To Be Continued…